bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lifestyle changes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fernández Tiziana , Viñuela Macarena , Vidal Catalina , Barrera Francisco
Published: February 2022

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a liver condition that is increasing worldwide and expected to become the number one cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in the next 5 years. Currently there are no successful or approved pharmacological treatments. Weight loss is the first-line therapy as a 7 to 10% reduction improves steatosis, inflammation, hepatocyte ballooning, and fibrosis. To achieve this, lifestyle interventions including daily exercise and diet must be encouraged. We aimed to assess the effects of diet, exercise, or a combination of both compared to conventional treatment in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Methods and finding

A literature search was performed in CENTRAL, EMBASE, and PubMed. Randomized controlled trials comparing lifestyle changes with conventional treatment were included, without date restriction. Two authors searched studies according to eligibility criteria, extracted data, and assessed study quality. Subgroup analysis was made by type of intervention, duration of intervention and supervision. We calculated mean differences between the intervention and the control group with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Quality of the evidence was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of bias tool. This study is registered in PROSPERO, number CRD42020184241, and checked with the PRISMA checklist. 30 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Compared to conventional treatment, combined exercise with diet seems to elicit greater reductions in ALT (MD: -13.27 CI 95% -21.39, -5.16), AST (MD: -7.02 CI 95% -11.26, -2.78) and HOMA-IR (MD: -2.07 CI 95% -2.61, -1.46) than diet (ALT MD: -4.48 CI 95% -1.01, -0.21; HOMA-IR MD: -0.61 CI 95% -1.01, -0.21) and exercise (ALT and AST non-significant; HOMA-IR MD = -0.46 CI 95% -0.8, -0.12) alone. Additionally, exercise improved quality of life, cardiorespiratory fitness, and weight (MD: -2.64 CI 95% -5.18, -0.09).

Conclusion

Lifestyle changes are effective in the treatment of NAFLD. Diet and exercise combined are superior to these interventions alone in improving liver enzymes and HOMA-IR.
Biological evidences for successive oogenesis and egg-laying of Matsumurasca onukii
Authors: Chang Yali , Xing Yuxian , Dong Yanan , Li Xiwang , Lin Songbo , Chen Yi , Sun Xiaoling
Published: February 2022

Tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is one of the most important horticultural cash crops, and tea green leafhopper (Matsumurasca onukii) is an extremely harmful sap-sucking pest of tea plant. Serious generation overlapping, which is mainly caused by the long oviposition period, leads to poor control effect of pesticides on this pest in the tea plantation. But the intuitive evidences of continuous oogenesis and egg-laying of this pest are still lacking, which seriously hindered the development of genetic control methods. Here, we clarified the main structures of the inner reproductive system of tea green leafhopper female adult. Oviposition behaviors were monitored as well, and six oviposition steps were recorded. According to the maturity of oocytes, the maturity stages of the reproductive system under different copulation periods were classified into 4 stages. For female adults at stage IV, mature and immature oocytes were presented simultaneously, and the developmental levels of oocytes were asynchronous among different ovarioles. The proportion of gravid females with mature oocytes significantly increased when the continuous copulation time was prolonged. In sync with the development of the ovary maturity, female adults started to slightly deposit eggs at the 5th day, and then increased dramatically. In addition, we found that, whether mature or immature, oocytes in the ovarioles always emitted green fluorescence under blue light excitation, which in turn provide solid proof for the new egg detection method from the insect physiology point of view.
Assessing acceptance of augmented reality in nursing education
Authors: Uymaz Pelin , Uymaz Ali Osman
Published: February 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected every aspect of human life. In these challenging times nursing students, facing academic and psychological issues, are advised to use augmented reality applications in the field of health sciences for increasing their motivations and academic performances. The main motive of the study was to examine the acceptance status of nursing students in implementing augmented reality technology in their education and training. The study is a quantitative research study, and it uses the causal-comparative screening method. The data used in the study was collected online from 419 nursing students. The hybrid method was preferred. First, the hypotheses based on the linear relationships were defined between the variables which were then tested by the method of structural equation modeling. Second, the method of artificial neural networks was used to determine the non-linear relationships between the variables. The results show that the nursing students have a high intention of using augmented reality technology as a way of self-learning. It was also found that the most emphasized motive behind this intention is the expectation that using augmented reality technology will increase their academic performance. They also think that AR technology has many potential benefits to offer in the future. It was observed that a considerable number of students already use augmented reality technology for its usefulness and with a hedonic motivation. In conclusion, nursing students have a high acceptance of using augmented reality technology during their education and training process. Since we live in a world where e-learning and self-learning education/training have become widespread, it is estimated that students will demand augmented reality applications as a part of holistic education, and as an alternative to traditional textbooks.
Development of behavioral rules for upstream orientation of fish in confined space
Authors: Gisen David C. , Schütz Cornelia , Weichert Roman B.
Published: February 2022

Improving the effectiveness of fishways requires a better understanding of fish behavior near hydraulic structures, especially of upstream orientation. One of the most promising approaches to this problem is the use of model behavioral rules. We developed a three-dimensional individual-based model based on observed brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) movement in a laboratory flume and tested it against two hydraulically different flume setups. We used the model to examine which of five behavioral rule versions would best explain upstream trout orientation. The versions differed in the stimulus for swim angle selection. The baseline stimulus was positive rheotaxis with a random component. It was supplemented by attraction towards either lower velocity magnitude, constant turbulence kinetic energy, increased flow acceleration, or shorter wall distance. We found that the baseline stimulus version already explained large parts of the observed behavior. Mixed results for velocity magnitude, turbulence kinetic energy, and flow acceleration indicated that the brown trout did not orient primarily by means of these flow features. The wall distance version produced significantly improved results, suggesting that wall distance was the dominant orientation stimulus for brown trout in our hydraulic conditions. The absolute root mean square error (RMSE) was small for the best parameter set (RMSE = 9 for setup 1, RMSE = 6 for setup 2). Our best explanation for these results is dominance of the visual sense favored by absence of challenging hydraulic stimuli. We conclude that under similar conditions (moderate flow and visible walls), wall distance could be a relevant stimulus in confined space, particularly for fishway studies and design in IBMs, laboratory, and the field.
Multi-strategy evolutionary games: A Markov chain approach
Authors: Hajihashemi Mahdi , Aghababaei Samani Keivan
Published: February 2022

Interacting strategies in evolutionary games is studied analytically in a well-mixed population using a Markov chain method. By establishing a correspondence between an evolutionary game and Markov chain dynamics, we show that results obtained from the fundamental matrix method in Markov chain dynamics are equivalent to corresponding ones in the evolutionary game. In the conventional fundamental matrix method, quantities like fixation probability and fixation time are calculable. Using a theorem in the fundamental matrix method, conditional fixation time in the absorbing Markov chain is calculable. Also, in the ergodic Markov chain, the stationary probability distribution that describes the Markov chain’s stationary state is calculable analytically. Finally, the Rock, scissor, paper evolutionary game are evaluated as an example, and the results of the analytical method and simulations are compared. Using this analytical method saves time and computational facility compared to prevalent simulation methods.
LncRNA HOTAIR promotes proliferation, invasion and migration in NSCLC cells via the CCL22 signaling pathway
Authors: Liang Hanlin , Peng Jiewen
Published: February 2022

Long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) is a new type of regulatory RNA. LncRNA HOX antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR), as an oncogene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is one of the key determinants of tumor progression. However, its possible molecular mechanism and the immunomodulatory pathway involved in NSCLC are still unclear. This study aims to explore whether HOTAIR promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of the NSCLC cells by inhibiting the expression of C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 22 (CCL22). We collected 30 clinical samples of cancer and adjacent normal tissues from the patients with NSCLC, using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to detect the LncRNA HOTAIR and CCL22 mRNA expression in tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of CCL22 in cancer and adjacent normal tissues. Cell experiments were conducted to verify that LncRNA HOTAIR regulates the expression of CCL22 and participates in the progress of NSCLC. The antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) probe interfering with LncRNA HOTAIR and the interference fragment of CCL22 (si-CCL22) were constructed. A549 cells were co-transfected with ASO-HOTAIR and si-CCL22. We used RT-qPCR to detect the expression of LncRNA HOTAIR and CCL22 mRNA in the cells, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) used to detect the CCL22 protein level in the cell supernatant. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay was applied to detect cell proliferation, the Flow cytometry to detect cell apoptosis. Finally, the Transwell test was utilized to detect cell migration and invasion. In conclusion, this study suggests that HOTAIR may promote proliferation, migration and invasion of the NSCLC cells by inhibiting CCL22 expression, which may play a key role in NSCLC cell immunity.
Conceptualising emotional and cognitive dysregulation amongst sports bettors; an exploratory study of ‘tilting’ in a new context
Authors: Torrance Jamie , Roderique-Davies Gareth , Greville James , O’Hanrahan Marie , Davies Nyle , Sabolova Klara , John Bev
Published: February 2022

Tilting is a poker-related phenomenon that involves cognitive and emotional dysregulation in response to unfavourable gambling outcomes. Tilting is characterised by an increase in irrational, impulsive and strategically weak betting decisions. This study aimed to adapt and investigate the concept of tilting amongst sport bettors in order to provide preliminary insight regarding previously unexplored instances of maladaptive sports betting. The sample consisted of 225 sports bettors who completed an online questionnaire that investigated their reported tilting episodes, awareness of tilting, impulsivity, perceived skill, gambling severity, gambling frequency, and product preferences. Cluster analyses revealed three distinct groups of sports bettors based on their reported tilting episodes and their awareness of this phenomenon. The first group were labelled ‘Conscious tilters’ due to being cognizant of their own tilting occurrence which was significantly higher than the other two groups. These ‘Conscious tilters’ had the highest mean problem gambling severity that was indicative of the ‘problem gambler’ categorisation. The second group were labelled ‘Unconscious tilters’ due to their underestimation of their own tilting occurrence and were categorised as ‘moderate risk gamblers’. The third group were labelled ‘Non-tilters’ due to a relatively accurate perception of their low to non-existent tilting occurrence and were categorised as ‘low-risk gamblers’. Additionally, there were significant differences between these groups in relation to reported gambling frequency, impulsivity, and product preferences. There is evidence of various classifications of ‘tilters’ within sports betting. Specific sports betting product features may also facilitate tilting and therefore require further research in this context. It is important for this research area to develop in order to mitigate harms associated with the rapidly changing sport betting environment.
Factors affecting calving to conception interval (days open) in dairy cows located at Dessie and Kombolcha towns, Ethiopia
Authors: Temesgen Migbnesh Yekoye , Assen Alula Alemayehu , Gizaw Tarekegn Tintagu , Minalu Bethelehem Alemu , Mersha Anteneh Yenehun
Published: February 2022

This study was aimed at determining the median days of calving to conception interval (days open) and identifying the major risk factors determining the days open in dairy cows. Both retrospective and longitudinal studies were conducted on dairy cows located in the Dessie and Kombolcha towns of South Wollo Zone, northeast Ethiopia from August 2019 to August 2020. The Kaplan-Meier model of survival analysis was used to determine the median days open and compare the survival distribution of each level of explanatory variables likely to influence the days open of dairy cows. Accordingly, the overall conception rate of dairy cows was 44.7%. The median days open in the study was 154 days. There is a 16% probability of surviving (i.e, the probability that the conception event has not yet occurred) at the end of 210 days postpartum period. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to quantify the effect of each of the explanatory variables on the days open in the first 210 days postpartum. Factors that had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the calving to conception interval were the season of insemination, breeding system, calving to insemination interval, and herd milk yield level. However, the peripartum, postpartum disorders, and the town of the farm are not significant (p>0.05). Accordingly, cows inseminated in the autumn season (HR = 4.45), cows less than or equal to 85 days calving to insemination interval (HR = 2.41), artificially inseminated cows (HR = 1.45), and high herd milk yield cow had a higher probability of becoming pregnant. In conclusion, the management practices and breeding decisions seem to be important determinants to improve the conception rate or decrease the days open in dairy cows.
Effects of physical therapy with neuromuscular electrical stimulation in acute and late septic shock patients: A randomised crossover clinical trial
Authors: Lago Alessandra Fabiane , Basile-Filho Anibal , de Oliveira Anamaria Siriani , de Souza Hugo Celso Dutra , dos Santos Daniele Oliveira , Gastaldi Ada Clarice
Published: February 2022

Background

Patients with sepsis and immobility in the intensive care unit are associated with muscle weakness, and early mobilisation can counteract it. However, during septic shock, mobilisation is often delayed due to the severity of the illness. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may be an alternative to mobilise these patients early. This study aims to identify whether NMES performed within the first 72 hours of septic shock diagnosis or later is safe from a metabolic perspective.

Methods

This is the analysis of two randomised controlled crossover studies. Patients with acute septic shock (within the first 72 hours of diagnosis) and sepsis and septic shock in the late phase (after 72 hours of diagnosis) were eligible. Patients were submitted in a random order to the intervention protocol (dorsal decubitus position with the lower limbs raised and NMES) and control (dorsal decubitus position with the lower limbs raised without NMES). The patients were allocated in group 1 (intervention and control) or group 2 (control and intervention) with a wash-out period of 4 to 6 hours. Metabolic variables were evaluated by indirect calorimetry.

Results

Sixteen patients were analysed in the acute septic shock study and 21 in the late sepsis/septic shock study. There were no significant differences between Oxygen Consumption (VO2) values in the acute phase of septic shock when the baseline period, intervention, and control protocols were compared (186.59 ± 46.10; 183.64 ± 41.39; 188.97 ± 44.88, p>0.05- expressed in mL/Kg/min). The same was observed when the VO2 values in the late phase were compared (224.22 ± 53.09; 226.20 ± 49.64; 226.79 ± 58.25, p>0.05). The other metabolic variables followed the same pattern, with no significant differences between the protocols. When metabolic variables were compared between acute to late phase, significant differences were observed (p<0.05).

Conclusions

As metabolic rates in septic shock patients had no increase during NMES, either in the first 72 hours of diagnosis or later, NMES can be considered safe from a metabolic viewpoint, even despite the higher metabolic demand in the acute phase of shock.

Trial registration

NCT03193164; NCT03815994. Registered on June 5, 2017; November 13, 2018 (clinicaltrials.gov/).
Management precautions for risk of obesity are necessary among infants with PKU carrying the rs113883650 variant of the LAT1 gene: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Bik-Multanowski Miroslaw , Didycz Bozena , Bik-Multanowska Kinga
Published: February 2022

Patients with phenylketonuria (PKU), an inborn error of phenylalanine metabolism, require consistent treatment to avoid the brain toxicity caused by hyperphenylalaninemia. The treatment consists of life-long use of a low-phenylalanine diet, which aims at decreasing hyperphenylalaninemia and maintaining blood phenylalanine concentration in a safe range. Problems with balancing diet can result in suboptimal treatment outcomes; however, recent findings suggest that genetic alteration of the transport of phenylalanine might result in an additional health burden. We assessed the effect of a common variant (rs113883650) of the LAT1(SLC7A5) gene, which encodes the main transmembrane phenylalanine transporter, on the development of overweight in 54 infants with PKU who received standard therapy and adhered well to therapeutic prescriptions, and in 55 infants with a milder disease form—the so-called mild hyperphenylalaninemia (MHP), which does not require treatment. We found that infants with PKU—carriers of the rs113883650 variant had significantly higher Body Mass Index (BMI) at 1 year compared to PKU infants without the variant (mean BMI Z-Score of +1.15 SD vs -0.15 SD, respectively; t(52) = 5.25, p = 0.00005). Conversely, no significant BMI differences were detected in the subgroups of infants with MHP (t(53) = 1.15, p = 0.25). Additionally, high BMI in infants with PKU—carriers of the rs113883650 variant positively correlated with high variability of their blood phenylalanine levels (r(52) = 0.42, p = 0.002). It should be noted that this is an observational study, which does not determine causation. Nevertheless, our findings show that the rs113883650 variant of the LAT1 gene may be a risk factor for overweight in properly treated infants with PKU. Management precautions should be taken to prevent the development of overweight and obesity.
Treatment standards for direct oral anticoagulants in patients with acute ischemic stroke and non-valvular atrial fibrillation: A survey among German stroke units
Authors: Fastner Christian , Szabo Kristina , Samartzi Melina , Kruska Mathieu , Akin Ibrahim , Platten Michael , Baumann Stefan , Alonso Angelika
Published: February 2022

Background

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) despite oral anticoagulation (OAC) is a complex and insufficiently investigated setting. Potential strategies range from maintaining the current OAC to changing the substance class. We have queried the specific treatment standards on German stroke units (SUs).

Methods

By means of a standardized online questionnaire via SurveyMonkey™ (San Mateo, CA, USA), all clinical heads of German SUs were asked about their treatment standards in the following clinical situations: first AIS of an OAC-naïve AF patient, AF patient with AIS despite administration of a vitamin K antagonist (VKA), AF patient with AIS despite administration of direct OAC (DOAC). In addition, the performance of specific coagulation tests in AF patients with AIS despite OAC was queried.

Results

160 (48%) clinical heads of German SU responded. Data from pivotal trials (84%), own experience with substances (71%), and side-effect profiles (66%) determine the initial DOAC prescription. In case of an AIS despite OAC, 83 and 18% would switch from VKA to DOAC under certain conditions and always, respectively. Half of respondents would switch from DOAC to VKA under certain conditions, while the other half would decline. 96% would switch to an alternative DOAC. The vast majority of those who made preconditions considered concomitant diseases (92, 90, and 81%, respectively). Few would consider infarct pattern (<35%). 61% perform initial coagulation tests (only one-third substance-specific assessments); however, the majority do not use these to make further decisions.

Conclusions

In the setting of an OAC-naïve AF patient with AIS, established pivotal data are most respected. In the unclear setting of an AIS despite OAC, most respondents consider concomitant diseases and give preference to switching to a (different) DOAC.
Assessing content and factors influencing responses to information requests in community pharmacies in Jordan: A simulated patients study
Authors: Hammad Eman A. , Al-Aqeel Sinaa , Elayah Eman , Jaber Deema
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To assess the management of requests for information about a prescription only medicine (simvastatin for treatment of dyslipidemia) by pharmacy staff in community settings and explore the factors influencing the information content.

Methods

A cross sectional study conducted using the stimulated patient (SP) method between November 2018 and May 2019. The SP conveyed the request at the beginning of the encounter in a standardized way based on predetermined plots and was instructed to ask the pharmacy staff directly if information was not discussed spontaneously. After the visit, the SP provided written feedback including information about the scenario and a copy of individualized feedback. The study was reported according to the checklist for reporting research using simulated patient methodology (CRiSP). Factors influencing information content with or without information demand were investigated.

Results

A total of 55 visits were analyzed. The average content score for the information discussed spontaneously was 16.2% with the standard deviation (SD) equal to15.6. The score improved significantly after information was demanded by the SP; the average total information content score became 34.4% (SD = 16) with p < 0.001. The score of information discussed spontaneously was higher for male pharmacy staff, older age, more experience, and a Pharm D degree. When the SP prompted or demanded for information, older pharmacy staff with more experience and with a college degree scored higher. Independent pharmacies, longer visit durations, and less distraction were associated significantly with higher information scores Pharmacy staff aged 35–39 and those with 6–10 years of experience were significant contributors to spontaneous discussion of information with p values = 0.003 and 0.013, respectively. After the SP demanded information, pharmacy staff with less than 5 years of experience and greater confidence as well as longer visits were positively predicting higher information scores with p values of 0.049, 0.04, and 0.04, respectively.

Conclusions

Information provided by community pharmacists responding to information requests about prescription only medications was found to be suboptimal. Patient requests for information were found to be a positive driver for better information content. Further research of mixed methodologies is required to clarify the factors and motivators enabling information exchange in community settings and to outline true training needs.
An abuse of teaching: Empathic citizenship and English language arts in a time of rising nationalism
Authors: Spanke Jeff
Published: February 2022

In the reflective case study, I examine how seven of my pre-service English teachers reconcile their collective interest in justice-oriented citizenship education with a ‘pro-American curriculum’ that seems to conflate patriotism with American nationalism. Through these pre-service teachers’ insights, I investigate how such ideologies as patriotism, nationalism and teacher identity are constructed and interpreted in the ELA classroom. Additionally, this study seeks to help teachers and teacher educators develop skills, knowledge and understanding to address issues of citizenship education across the education landscape. Indeed, the pre-service teachers in this study may not yet know the realities of their future classrooms; but if the various crises and conflicts of 2020 demonstrated anything, it is that their world will be anything but apolitical.
A Razão Bem Temperada: Do Princípio do Gosto em Filosofia e outros Ensaios Kantianos
Authors: Santos Leonel Ribeiro dos
Published: February 2022

A ideia que dá título e confere tonalidade a este volume é tomada do primeiro ensaio, no qual se apontam os vários aspetos da profunda transformação estética da Filosofia, levada a cabo na e pela filosofia de Kant. Destaca-se a importância da metáfora-princípio do Gosto como noção sobre a qual se constrói o discurso e o pensamento estético setecentista na sua expressão mais qualificada, mas também como princípio modelador do próprio pensamento filosófico em geral, que dá a este uma inconfundível feição estética, reconhecível na linguagem e no modo de entender a produção do pensamento e a natureza da própria Filosofia e da sua peculiar poética. Os quatro primeiros ensaios explicitam os efeitos dessa “viragem para a estética” tal como ela se deu na e pela filosofia de Kant. Um segundo grupo de ensaios desenvolve aspetos pouco visitados da filosofia moral e política kantiana. E os quatro últimos ensaios dão a ver a fecundidade da polémica filosófica, ora apresentando Kant enquanto intérprete e crítico de outros filósofos antigos ou contemporâneos, ora mostrando interpretações pouco conhecidas da própria filosofia kantiana, que têm alguma relação com outros ensaios que integram o volume.
Protección de sentimientos religiosos y discurso de odio
Authors: Alcácer Rafael
Published: February 2022

El objetivo del trabajo es analizar el contenido y la legitimidad del delito de escarnio a los sujetos religiosos. Para ello, analizo en primer lugar cuál es el interés protegido y su fundamento de protección por vía penal. Junto a ello, se estudian también las diferencias entre el fenómeno del discurso del odio y el ámbito de aplicación del artículo 510 del Código Penal. Finalmente, también se analizan las tensiones que presenta el delito de escarnio con el ejercicio de la libertad de expresión.
Microbiome and Antimicrobial Sensitivity Pattern of Endotracheal Secretions in Mechanically Ventilated Patients in ICUs in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Yamini Sharabu , Jayaprada Rangineni , Tirumala Chejarla , Samantaray Aloka , Ramana Banda Venkata
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving procedure for most patients in ICUs. But it has a risk of acquiring respiratory tract infections resulting in high morbidity and mortality. If not treated early, it may lead to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy at right time in the right dosage is essential for better clinical outcome. The objectives of the study were to analyse the microbiomes of endotracheal samples and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in mechanically ventilated patients in ICUs and to frame an institution based local antibiotic policy especially for them. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital and sample data was collected which included all adult patients who were mechanically ventilated for various co-morbid conditions in ICUs from January 2019 to December 2019. All the samples were processed for microscopy, culture and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. RESULTS Among 848 endotracheal samples, 673 (79.4 %) samples were culture positive and 175 (20.6 %) samples were sterile. Most common organism was Acinetobacter spp (N=240) followed by Klebsiella spp (N=225) and Pseudomonas spp (N=97). In our study, polymicrobial infections were 186(21.7 %). Sixty-eight percent of organisms were multidrug-resistant. Carbapenem resistance was 58 %. CONCLUSIONS The most common complication of mechanical ventilation is an endotracheal infection which in turn leads to prolonged stay in hospital, morbidity and mortality. It is essential to know about the local microbiome and its antibiotic susceptibility pattern. KEY WORDS Microbiome-human, Antibiogram, Endotracheal Intubation.
Prognostic Significance of Serum Uric Acid Concentration in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Karua Purna Chandra , Bariha Prafulla Kumar , E.R. Sunesh
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND Acute myocardial infarction is a form of ischemic heart disease in which there is an inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to a portion of the myocardium. It typically occurs when there is an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply & demand. In this study, we wanted to determine the prognostic significance of serum uric acid concentration in acute myocardial infarction. METHODS This is a cross-sectional comparative study conducted among 100 acute myocardial infarction patients admitted at VIMSAR, Burla during the study period from November 2017 to October 2019 and also 50 age and gender-matched healthy controls person who presented to the hospital OPD with other reasons. All patients were diagnosed with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction based on clinical history, examination, ECG changes, and biochemical markers. Detailed general examination and detailed systemic examination of cardiovascular, neuromuscular, gastrointestinal, respiratory & genitourinary system were done with routine tests: Hb%, TLC, DC, ESR, S. Urea, S. Creatinine, Fasting/RBS, Blood Sugar, Urine, R/M, Serum uric acid, Troponin I & CPK-MB and ECG in all leads. Evaluation of patient was done to access the Killip class on the day of admission and once among 50 age and gender-matched healthy controls. RESULTS The mean serum uric acid level was higher in patients with acute myocardial infarction than the healthy controls. There was no significant difference in the mean serum uric acid level between males & females and the mean serum uric acid level between diabetic & non-diabetic patients. Patients in the higher Killip class had higher serum uric acid levels. All patients who died in the study were in the higher Killip class and had higher S.uric acid levels. CONCLUSIONS A combination of Killip class & serum uric acid level after acute myocardial infarction is a good predictor of mortality. KEY WORDS Myocardial Infarction, ST Segment Elevation, CPK-MB, Serum Uric Acid.
La inversión en marcas y su relación con los resultados empresariales
Authors: Cardozo-Torres Valentina , Méndez-Morales Alberto , M. Herrera Milton
Published: February 2022

Brands are an intangible asset with high strategic value for organisations. Although brands influence the market, the relationship between investment in these assets and the financial impact on firms is still not very clear. This article aims to understand the way in which the creation, management, and promotion of brands, as intangible assets, have on financial performance of firms, in the same direction, we wonder which are the variables mediating on that relationship. The paper presents a systematic review of the literature of the studies brought related to investment in brands and its impact on organisational performance between 2016 and 2020. The results show the studies refer to two-level relationships between brands and business results, that they use data from perception surveys and third-party databases, and that it has carried these studies out for developing countries. This review contributes with a look at future research directions in relation to investment in intangible assets and organisational performance.
Educação pelo esporte na cidade de São Paulo (1920-1936)
Authors: Medeiros Daniele Cristina Carqueijeiro de , Dalben André , Soares Carmen Lúcia
Published: February 2022

A educação pelo esporte na cidade de São Paulo, entre 1920 e 1936, foi constituída a partir de dois processos distintos. Houve a consolidação de clubes esportivos e, paralelamente, o Departamento de Educação Física do Estado de São Paulo (DEF-SP) foi criado, em 1931, para gerir ações no âmbito esportivo. Esse artigo analisa o debate entre essas instituições e investiga as disputas engendradas em torno da legitimidade do esporte em São Paulo, especialmente na educação da juventude. Metodologicamente, trata-se de uma pesquisa documental que utilizou como fontes revistas, jornais, anais de congresso e conjunto de leis. O artigo demonstra que ambos desejaram legitimar a dimensão educativa do esporte em suas diretrizes; entretanto, não houve um diálogo profícuo entre as instituições privadas e públicas frente tal objetivo comum.
Indicadores de Qualidade do Solo em Sistemas Agroecológicos no Cerrado Mineiro
Authors: Rocha Ana Flávia Brandão , Siquieroli Ana Carolina Silva , Silva Adriane de Andrade , Carneiro Amanda Mendes De Lima , Vasconcelos Bruno Nery Fernandes , Gondim Danielle Davi Rodrigues
Published: February 2022

A qualidade do solo é a sua capacidade de funcionar dentro dos limites do ecossistema e do uso da terra para assegurar a produtividade biológica, preservar a qualidade ambiental e promover a saúde dos vegetais e dos animais. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi selecionar indicadores de qualidade de solo sensíveis às diferentes práticas agrícolas adotadas em áreas de sistemas agroecológicos na região do Cerrado Mineiro. As amostras de solos foram coletadas na camada de 0 a 20 cm, no final do período de seca, em três diferentes propriedades agrícolas familiares que se dedicam ao cultivo agroecológico (CA) localizadas nos municípios de Romaria e Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foram avaliadas 10 amostras de solo sendo cinco áreas com manejo agroecológico e cinco áreas de pasto como referência. Foram avaliados os atributos químicos, população da microbiota, carbono da biomassa microbiana (CBM), respiração basal (RBS) e atividade das enzimas beta-glucosidase, fosfatase e arilsulfatase. As variáveis respiração basal, beta-glucosidase, pH, colônias de bactérias e de actinobactérias foram sensíveis aos diferentes manejos de cultivo agroecológico (CA) e pasto, podendo assim ser utilizadas como indicadores de qualidade de solo. Os valores médios entre a razão de CA e pasto destes indicadores foram 1,69, 1,20, 3,57 e 2,44, respectivamente. As áreas de cultivo agroecológico apresentaram um solo de melhor qualidade e, possivelmente, maior atividade das suas funções básicas.
Gist gigante de alto riesgo: Reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura
Authors: Portillo-Miño José Darío , Carlosama-Rosero Yeison Harvey , Melo-Yépez Jorge Mauricio , Mera-Martínez Paulo Francisco
Published: February 2022

Los tumores del estroma gastrointestinal (GIST) son las neoplasias mesenquimales más frecuentes del tracto digestivo. Los criterios de estadificación del riesgo, como angioinvasion, tamaño, infiltración y el índice mitótico, permiten realizar un adecuado diagnóstico y tratamiento. Se presenta un paciente masculino de 67 años de edad, quien consultó por hematemesis y melenas. Endoscópicamente se observó una masa en el estómago de 20x10x6 cm de diámetro de la cual se tomó biopsia para estudio. Al examen histopatológico se diagnósticó un GIST con invasión microscópica de la lámina propia y angioinvasión, estos dos componentes histopatológicos son escasamente tomados en cuenta para clasificar GIST; sin embargo, son muy importantes en este contexto, pues cambian el pronóstico de la enfermedad y con requerimiento de terapia adyuvante con imatinib. El desenlace del paciente fue favorable, debido a la conducta terapéutica establecida. El comportamiento biológico del GIST varía dependiendo de las características clínicas e histopatológicas. Este caso resalta los criterios de alto riesgo del GIST y la necesidad de modificar el tratamiento cuando están presentes.
Frequency of pediatric dentomaxilar anomalies in Orthodontics Barros Luco Trudeau healthcare complex, Chile
Authors: Keith  Álvarez Francisca , Scheu  Sandoval Javiera , Moreno  Navarro Dantón , Díaz-Narváez Victor
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Dentomaxilar anomalies (DMA) are the third most common oral pathology in Chile.Objective: To determine the frequent of dentomaxilar anomalies observed in patients treated in the Department of Orthodontic of Dental Specialties Service (DSS) belonging to the Barros Luco Trudeau Healthcare Complex, Santiago, Chile. The population belongs to pediatric patients between 5 and 15 years, who have DMA, trea-ted in the southern metropolitan health service.Method: The sample of 250 patients with DMA was chosen from April to September of the year 2019, therefore, the data was extracted from the clinical records of the patients. The classification of the anomalies was carried out using the Bonn`s biogenetic method, modi-fied by the University of Chile.Result: It was observed that the most frequent intermaxillary DMA of the sample is in the transverse direction and corresponds to the unilateral crossbite, on the other hand, the most frequent intramaxillary DMA is the alteration of dentoalveolar per large tooth. All intermaxillary DMA agreed to be more frequent at the age of 9 years.Conclusion: It was possible to define the frequency of the DMA in patients treated in the DSS, this being in the transverse direction, corresponding to unilateral crossbite. With the present study it is intended to make a contribution for future studies that use similar me-thodologies.
Modeling Rainfall–Runoff Responses and Antecedent Moisture Effects Using Principles of System Identification
Authors:   OHM Advisors, Czachorski Robert
Published: February 2022

Rainfall–runoff dynamics of surface water, combined sewer, and separate sewer systems can be highly impacted by antecedent moisture conditions, or the relative wetness or dryness of the system. Accurately simulating these dynamics is critical for developing predictive models of systems that are sensitive to antecedent moisture. This paper presents the results of 25 years of work formulating, applying and refining a hydrologic model that addresses the impacts of antecedent moisture conditions on the rainfall–runoff process. The development, process and equations of the model are presented. The model was derived using the principles of system identification from the field of aerospace control systems to find the simplest mathematical model that accurately describes the relationship between system inputs and the flow output. Developing and testing the model was done primarily from observations in the U.S. Midwest. where both preceding rainfall and seasonal hydrologic conditions impact antecedent moisture dynamics. For these systems, the model described here is perhaps the most parsimonious that can accurately simulate these dynamics. This provides several advantages to the modeler, including ease of use, fewer parameters to calibrate, ability to quickly identify optimal parameters, and ease of representation in a numerical computer routine. Physical interpretation of the model structure and parameters is possible, providing the modeler with useful insights into the physical processes driving the rainfall–runoff dynamics.
Single diagnostic tests for inversion faults of gates in circuits over arbitrary bases
Authors: Liubich Iľya G. , Romanov Dmitriy S.
Published: February 2022

We prove that an arbitrary Boolean function may be implemented by an irredundant Boolean circuit over an arbitrary finite complete basis so that the circuit admits a single diagnostic test of length at most 4 with respect to inversion faults at gate outputs.
Multi-dimensional Kronecker sequences with a small number of gap lengths
Authors: Weiß Christian
Published: February 2022

Recently, generalizations of the classical Three Gap Theorem to higher dimensions attracted a lot of attention. In particular, upper bounds for the number of nearest neighbor distances have been established for the Euclidean and the maximum metric. It was proved that a generic multi-dimensional Kronecker attains the maximal possible number of different gap lengths for every sub-exponential subsequence. We mirror this result in dimension d ∈ {2, 3} by constructing Kronecker sequences which have a surprisingly low number of different nearest neighbor distances for infinitely N ∈ ℕ. Our proof relies on simple arguments from the theory of continued fractions.
A study on serum homocysteine and oxidized LDL as markers of cardiovascular risk in patients with overt hypothyroidism
Authors: Kumar Singh Naveen , Suri Arpita , Kumari Mithlesh , Kaushik Priya
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder worldwide. Hypothyroisim increases cardiovascular risk, thus the study focuses on the assessment of cardiovascular risk factors such as serum Homocysteine, serum Oxidized LDL and Lipid profile and their correlation with TSH levels. Timely evaluation of these risk predictors would help in reducing cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality in hypothyroidism.

Methods

This was a hospital based cross-sectional study consisting of Forty newly diagnosed patients with overt hypothyroidism in the age group of 20–60 years attending Medicine OPD were included as cases and Fifty healthy age and gender matched healthy controls participated as controls in the study. A written and informed consent to all the participants of both the groups was taken after explaining the purpose and details of the study. The Thyroid profile was assessed by CLIA-based MAGLUMI- 1000 analyzer and Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoproteins were analyzed in Fully automated clinical chemistry analyzer EM-200 by using commercially available kits. LDL was calculated indirectly using Friedwalds equation. Commercially available ELISA-based kits were used for analysis of serum Homocysteine and serum oxidized-LDL.

Results

Elevated levels of serum homocysteine (p<0.0001), Oxidized LDL (p<0.0001) were found in newly diagnosed overt hypothyroid patients as compared to controls whereas significant elevated levelsof TC, TG, LDL, and VLDL (p<0.0001) and decrease in HDLcholesterol (p<0.0001) were reported in newly diagnosed newly diagnosed overt hypothyroid patients.

Conclusions

We concluded that the association of hyperhomocysteinemia and lipid abnormalities occurring in hypothyroidism may represent a dynamic atherogenic state and thyroid hormone failed to completely normalize Hcy levels. Thus, elevated plasma homocysteine levels may be an independent risk factor for the accelerated atherosclerosis seen in hypothyroidism. In addition, we found that the circulating ox-LDL levels were elevated in untreated hypothyroidism and they tend to be higher in thyroid dysfunction.
Fructose 1,6 bisphosphatase deficiency: outcomes of patients in a single center in Turkey and identification of novel splice site and indel mutations in FBP1
Authors: Emecen Sanli Merve , Cengiz Basak , Kilic Ayse , Ozsaydi Ekin , Inci Asli , Okur Ilyas , Tumer Leyla , Lebigot Elise , Ezgu Fatih
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Fructose 1,6 bisphosphatase (FBPase) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessively inherited metabolic disease. It is encoded by FBP1, and the enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate to fructose 6-phosphate. Patients with recurrent episodes of metabolic acidosis, hypoglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperketonemia are present.

Methods

In this study, we describe the clinical, biochemical, and molecular genetic features of six unrelated Turkish patients from six different families who were genetically diagnosed with FBPase deficiency in our clinic between 2008 and 2020. Their clinical and laboratory data were collected retrospectively. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed for the molecular genetic analysis.

Results

All patients were hospitalized with recurrent hypoglycemia and metabolic acidosis episodes. Three out of six patients were presented in the neonatal period. The mean age at diagnosis was 26 months. NGS revealed a known homozygous gross deletion including exon 2 in three patients (50%), a known homozygous c.910_911dupTT pathogenic variant in one patient (16%), a novel homozygous c.651_653delCAGinsTAA likely pathogenic variant, and another novel homozygous c.705+5G>A splice site variant. Leukocyte FBPase analysis detected no enzyme activity in the patient with homozygous c.705+5G>A splice site variant.

Conclusions

We identified two novel mutations in this study. One of them is a splice site mutation which is five bases downstream of the exon, and the other one is an indel mutation. Both of the splice site and indel mutations are exceedingly rare in FBP1, and to the best of our knowledge, there are second splice site and indel variants reported in the literature. Exon 2 deletion is the most common mutation consistent with the previous reports in Turkish patients. FBPase is a frequent cause of hypoglycemia and metabolic acidosis, and the widespread use of molecular genetic analysis would contribute to the enlightenment of advanced genetic factors and possible genotype/phenotype correlation.
Crystal structure of poly[diaqua-(μ3-fumarato)-(μ3-maleato)-(μ4-1,2,4,5-tetrakis((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)benzene)tetracadmium(II)] dihydrate, C34H32N12O9Cd4
Authors: Wang Hua-Rui
Published: February 2022

C34H32N12O9Cd4, monoclinic,

P

1
‾

$P\overline{1}$

(no. 2), a = 9.894(2) Å, b = 9.942(2) Å, c = 10.896(2) Å, α = 94.35(3)°, β = 96.80(3)°, γ = 93.35(3)°, V = 1058.7(4) Å3, Z = 1, R

gt
(F) = 0.0406, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0984, T = 293(2) K.