bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Stoic and Altruistic Orientation Towards Their Work: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Professionals’ Experiences of Awaiting A COVID-19 Test Result
Authors: Missel Malene , Bernild Camilla , Dagyaran Ilkay , Christensen Signe Westh , Berg Selina Kikkenborg
Published: September 2020

Background: Extensive measures to reduce person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 are required to control the current outbreak. Special attention is directed at healthcare professionals as reducing the risk of infection in healthcare is essential. The purpose of this study was to explore healthcare professionals’ experiences of awaiting a test result for a potential COVID-19 infection.Methods: Qualitative interviews with 15 healthcare professionals were performed, underpinned by a phenomenological hermeneutical analytical framework. Results: The participating healthcare professionals’ experiences of awaiting a COVID-19 test result were found to be associated with a stoic and altruistic orientation towards their work. These healthcare professionals presented a strong professional identity overriding most concerns about their own health. The result of the coronavirus test was a decisive parameter for whether healthcare professionals could return to work. The healthcare professionals were aware that their family and friends were having a hard time knowing that the COVID-19 infection risk was part of their jobs. This concern did not, however, cause the healthcare professionals to falter in their belief that they were doing the right thing by focusing on their core area. The threat to own health ran through the minds of the healthcare professionals occasionally, which makes access to testing particularly important.Conclusion: The participating healthcare professionals had a strong professional identity. However, a discrepancy between an altruistic role as a healthcare professional and the expectations that come from the community was illuminated. A mental health coronavirus hotline for healthcare professionals is suggested.
Evaluation of lymphocytic infiltration in the bronchial glands of Sjögren's syndrome in transbronchial lung cryobiopsy
Authors: Okabayashi Hiroko , Baba Tomohisa , Ootoshi Ryota , Shintani Ryota , Tabata Erina , Ikeda Satoshi , Niwa Takashi , Oda Tsuneyuki , Okuda Ryo , Sekine Akimasa , Kitamura Hideya , Komatsu Shigeru , Hagiwara Eri , Takemura Tamiko , Sakagami Takuro , Ogura Takashi
Published: September 2020

Background: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by deteriorated exocrine gland function with associated lymphocytic infiltration. However, there are few pathological studies on bronchial glands in SS. In this study, we aimed to clarify pathological features of bronchial glands in SS.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated infiltration of lymphocytes in the bronchial glands incidentally collected by transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC), which were performed for the diagnosis of diffuse lung diseases. The degrees of lymphocyte infiltration in the bronchial glands were classified into four grades (grade 0-3). We compared the degrees of infiltration of SS with those of other diffuse lung diseases.Results: TBLC for diagnosis of diffuse lung diseases were performed on 432 cases during the study period. The samples of 50 cases included bronchial glands. Of those, 20 cases were excluded due to insufficient size or influence of therapy. The remaining 30 cases included 17 of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, 5 of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonia, 6 of connective tissue disease (SS; n=4, systemic sclerosis; n=1, dermatomyositis; n=1) and 2 of other diseases. In SS, infiltration of lymphocytes was observed in all cases; grade 1 in one, grade 2 in one, and grade 3 in two cases. In contrast, 11 of 26 in other diseases showed no lymphocytes infiltration, with the remaining 15 of grade 1 infiltration. Grade 2 or more infiltration were found only in SS but not in other diseases.Conclusion: Our results suggested that high-grade lymphocytic infiltration of bronchial glands is a distinct characteristics in SS.
Dosimetric Effects on skin of supine Immobilization Device in Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for breast cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Lv Ran , Yang Guangyi , Huang Yongzhi , Wang Yanhong
Published: September 2020

BackgroundBreast immobilization devices are commonly used in supine breast radiotherapy while the dose perturbation effect is often overlooked in Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for breast cancer (BC). This study is to assess the dosimetric effect of supine immobilization devices on skin with a commercial treatment planning system.Methods40 women with BC were divided into four groups according to the type of primary surgery, group A and B corresponding to patients with left and right BC after radical mastectomy, received a radiotherapy of 50 Gy in 25 fractions, group C and D corresponding to patients with left and right BC after breast-conservation surgery, received a prescription of 40.05 Gy in15 fractions and tumor bed simultaneous integrated boost to 45 Gy. A 0.2 cm thick skin contour and two sets of body contours were outlined for each patient. Dose calculations were conducted for the two sets of contours using the same plan, the dose difference was assessed by comparing the dose-volume histogram parameter results and by plan subtraction.ResultsThe supine immobilization devices for BC caused a significantly increase in the skin dose which may finally lead to skin toxicity. The mean dose increased by approximately 0.5 Gy and 0.45 Gy in left (group A) and right (group B) BC after radical mastectomy, 2.7 Gy and 3.25 Gy in left (group C) and right (group D) BC after BCS; corresponding to group A, B, C, D, the V10 of skin increased1.27%,1.83%, 1.36%, 2.88% ; the V20 of skin increased 0.85%, 1.87%, 2.76%, 4.86%; the V30 of skin increased 1.3%, 1.24%, 10.58%, 11.91%; the V40 of skin increased 1.29%, 0.65%, 10%, 10.51%. The dose encompassing of planning target volume, as well as the HI and CI, showed little distinction between plan- and plan+.ConclusionThe supine immobilization devices significantly increased the dose of skin, especially for patients with BCS. The immobilization devices should be included in the external contour to account for the dose attenuation and skin dose increment.Trial registrationThis is a retrospectively study and it has no intervention on human health care, so this study was not registered.
Effects Oof Illness Perceptions On Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in China
Authors: Zheng Zhaohui , Wang Juan , Yang Zhe , Zheng Yan , Peng Yaling , Wang Qing , Xia Hongli , Wang Yan , Ding Jin , Zhu Ping , Shang Lei
Published: September 2020

Objectives: For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China, little is known of how their illness perceptions affect their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The present study detailed associations between characteristics of illness perception and features of HRQoL.Methods: For 191 patients with RA, illness perceptions were measured using the Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (BIPQ) with 8 domains. HRQoL was determined with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, linear regression analyses, and multivariate stepwise regression was used to analyze these data. Results: The overall BIPQ of patients with RA was 49.09 ± 11.06. The highest and lowest scores were for concern (9.15 ± 1.81) and personal control (4.30 ± 2.52), respectively. Multivariate stepwise regression analyses showed that domains of BIPQ including consequences, personal control, treatment control, identity, coherence, emotional response, and the overall BIPQ score were associated with HRQoL, identity and emotional response were negatively associated with HRQoL but personal control, treatment control positively (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the overall BIPQ had a significantly negative association with each component and the summary scores of HRQoL.Conclusions: Illness perceptions were associated with HRQoL of patients with RA in China. Illness perceptions were identified as likely targets for strategies to improve quality of life in patients with RA in China. This study provides evidence that can help improve HRQoL in patients with RA.
Biomechanical Properties of the Bone During Implant Placement
Authors: Nagy Adam Laszlo , Práger Nándor Tamás , Tóth Zsolt , Tarjányi Tamás , Baráth Zoltán Lajos
Published: September 2020

Introduction: In our research we examined the biomechanical properties of a bone model. Porcine ribs are used as experimental model. Our objective is to investigate and compare the biomechanical properties of the bone model before and after implant placement. Methods: The bone samples were divided in three groups, Group 1 where ALL-ON-FOUR protocol was used during pre-drilling and placing the implants, Group 2 where ALL-ON-FOUR protocol was used during pre-drilling, and implants were not placed, and Group 3 consisting of intact bones served as a control group. Static and dynamic loading was applied for examining the model samples. Kruskal-Wallis statistical test and as post-hoc test Mann-Whitney U test was performed to analyze experimental results.Results: According to the results of the static loading, there was no significant difference between the implanted and original ribs, however, the toughness values of the bones decreased largely on account of predrilling the bones. The analysis of dynamic fatigue measurements by Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences between the intact and predrilled bones.Conclusions: The pre-drilled bone was much weaker in both static and dynamic tests than the natural or implanted specimens. According to the results of the dynamic tests and after a certain loading cycle the implanted samples behaved the same way as the control samples, which suggests that implantation have stabilized the skeletal bone structure, and if even one implant is lost at the implant site during All-On-Four protocol the stabilizing effect of the implants cannot be expected.
Actual Long-Term Survival After Resection of Stage III Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Lee Do Weon , Kim Han-Soo , Han Ilkyu
Published: September 2020

Background: Actuarial survival based on the Kaplan–Meier method can overestimate actual long-term survival, especially among those with factors of poor prognosis. Patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III soft tissue sarcoma (STS) represent a subset with a high risk of STS-specific mortality. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the clinicopathological characteristics associated with actual long-term survival in patients with stage III STS.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 116 patients who underwent surgical resection for stage III STS with curative intent between March 2000 and December 2013. Long-term survivors (n = 61), defined as those who survived beyond 5 years, were compared with short-term survivors (n = 36), who died of STS within 5 years.Results: Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that a tumor size <10 cm [odds ratio (OR) 3.95, p = 0.047], histological grade of 2 (OR 8.12, p = 0.004), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of 1 (OR 11.25, p = 0.001) were independently associated with actual 5-year survival. However, 66% of the long-term survivors exhibited factors of poor prognosis: 36% had a tumor size >10 cm and 48% had a histological grade of 3. Leiomyosarcoma (3 of 10) was negatively associated with actual long-term survival.Conclusions: Actual 5-year survival after resection of stage III STS was associated with tumor size, histological grade, and ASA score. However, majority of the actual 5-year survivors exhibit factors of poor prognosis, suggesting that resection should be offered for a chance of long-term survival in these patients.
Does Risk Calculator by Nationwide Survey Match The Postoperative Outcome in Patients Who Underwent Major Hepatectomy?
Authors: Nanashima Atsushi , Imamura Naoya , Hiyoshi Masahide , Yano Koichi , Hamada Takeomi , Nishida Takahiro , Sakurahara Daichi , Sakamoto Risa , Uchise Yukako , Wada Takashi , Nagatomo Kenzo
Published: September 2020

Background: To clarify significance of the present National Clinical Database risk calculator (NCD-RC) for hepatectomy in Japan, relationship between perioperative parameters or outcomes in major hepatectomy and the mortality rate by NCD-RC was examined. Methods: Patient demographics, co-morbidity, surgical records, postoperative morbidity or mortality were examined and compared to the 30 days- or in-hospital-mortality rate among 55 patients with hepatobiliary diseases who underwent hemi- or more-extended hepatectomy and central (segment 458) hepatectomy. The cut-off percent for high risk mortality before hepatectomy was set at 5% in this period. Results: In-hospital morbidity over CD III was 17 (28%), The 30-day mortality and in-hospital mortality was nil and two (3%), respectively. Male patient showed significantly higher in-hospital mortality rate (p<0.01). In the 37 patients (group woML), mean age was 67.8±8.7 years old ranging 45 and 84. Others included A) with severe complications or mortality in whom low mortality rate (group wML, n=13), B) without severe complications neither mortality in whom high mortality rate (group woMH, n=7), and C) with severe complications or mortality in whom high mortality rate (group wMH, n=4 (6.5%)). Age, distribution of elderly patients, gender, the hepatobiliary diseases and the prevalence of preoperative co-morbidity were not significantly different between groups. In the group wML, the bile leakage was dominant and, however, the in-hospital death was not observed. In the group wMH, all operations were right hepatectomy with bile duct resection (RH-BDR) for biliary malignancy and two died of hepatic failure and, however, the prevalence of RH-BDR was not significantly higher in comparison with other groups. Conclusions: Predictive mortality rate by risk calculator under nationwide survey did not always match with patient outcomes in the actual clinical setting and further improvement will be required. In case of RH-BDR for biliary malignancy with high predictive rate, the careful perioperative managements is important under the present nationwide database.
Relieff Matching Feature Selection for Emotion Recognition Based on EEG Signal
Authors: Zhang Xiaodan , Li Tao , She Yichong , Zhao Rui , Du Jinxiang , Zhai Yawen , Ke Xizheng
Published: September 2020

ReliefF Matching Feature Selection (RMFS) is proposed in the paper, which can solve the problem of individual specificity and global threshold mismatch of emotion recognition. Firstly, EEG was decomposed into six emotion-related bands by wavelet packet, then EMD was employed for extracting the 10 categories of features of wavelet coefficient and IMF component of the reconstructed signal; Secondly, the optimization formula of the feature group weight was proposed based on feature sets selected by ReliefF, and it can get the weights of different test features, which were the global optimal matching feature group and the corresponding matching channel, so it can eliminate the redundant information and solve the problem of individual specificity. Finally, SVM was employed to identify the test feature group data to obtain emotional recognition results. The experimental results show that the average correct rates of RMFS for two-category of the valence and the arousal are 93.28% and 93.32%, and the four-categories are higher than 83%. The efficiency of the single subject using RMFS is improved by 42.65%, which is better than the traditional ReliefF algorithm.
Comparing Locking Screw Direction Among Three Locking Plates for Lateral Clavicle Fractures: A Simulation Study
Authors: Abe Shingo , Koizumi Kota , Shimada Toshiki , Murase Tsuyoshi , Kuriyama Kohji
Published: September 2020

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Stunting, Wasting and Underweight Among School Age Children Aged 6-12 Years in Debre Tabor Town, South Gondar, Ethiopia
Authors: Yisak Hiwot , Tadege Melaku , Ambaw Birhanie , Ewunetei Amien
Published: September 2020

Aim: Underweight, wasting and stunting are the commonest nutritional disorders among school age children especially in developing countries. This public health significant problem impairs the intellectual development of a child. The aim of this study was assessment of the Prevalence and Determinant factors of under nutrition among school age children aged 6-12 years Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Debre Tabor town elementary schools among 314 school age children. The sample was allocated to all elementary schools proportionally to their number of school age children aged 6-12 years in 2018. WHO Antro- Plus was used to build Z-scores from anthropometric measurement. The data were analyzed by SPSS Version 20. The degrees of association between dependent and independent variables was assessed using OR and 95% Confidence interval during logistic regression. P-value less than 0.05was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the total study participants, 232(77.3%) were from public schools. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of height of children was 132.915 ±9.824cm and the mean ± standard deviation (SD) weight of children was 27.65 ±5.785 Kg. The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight was 11%, 6.3%, and 11.4% respectively. Students who ate their breakfast rarely were 8 times more likely to be underweight than those who ate their breakfast always (AOR =7.94 95%CI, 4.82-14.80). Those who were sick were more likely to be underweight than their counterparts AOR= 7.3, 95%CI, 2.8-14.4).Those who never consume milk or milk products were 6.5 (AOR= 6.5, 95%CI, 1.7-23) times more likely to be stunted than those who consumed always. Sickness in the past two weeks was significantly associated with thinness (AOR= 6 .93, 95%CI, 4.12- 10.06).Conclusions: The overall prevalence of wasting, stunting, and underweight was mild public health problem in this study.
Institutions, renewable energy consumption and industrial performance in West Africa
Authors: Eke Felix Awara , Agala Friday Bassey , Oburota Chukwuedo Susan
Published: September 2020

This study examined the role of institutions in modifying the impact of renewable energy consumption on industrial performance in West Africa, and how the relationship differ across countries within the sub region based on income classification. The Driscoll-Kraay standard error and the panel-corrected standard error (PCSE) techniques were utilized to estimate the fixed effects and random effects models, respectively. Institutional quality index was computed using the principal component analysis (PCA). The results reported that renewable energy consumption enhances industrial performance in West Africa and in low-income countries (LICs). However, when institutional quality is interacted with renewable energy consumption, there is a dampening impact on industrial performance not only in West Africa but also in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). This implies that improving the quality of institutions in West Africa would be instrumental to sustaining and deepening the impact of renewable energy consumption on industrial performance.JEL ClassificationC33, L60, Q40.
Medical Readiness After Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Case Review
Authors: Masdeu Lindsey
Published: September 2020

Background: Retinal vein occlusion occurs in people 30 years of age and older. In the Army population this age range encompasses many senior leaders. Case presentation: This article will review the case of a 45-year-old male who presented with painless visual changes of the left eye and was diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion. The patient received prompt referral to Ophthalmological services and was started on therapy within 1 day of presentation. His course of therapy included treatment with brimonidine and monthly intravitreal injections of bevacizumab. Visual acuity improved from 20/70 at presentation to 20/25 after 4 months and visual field deficit of 50% also improved. He received panretinal photocoagulation to reduce risk of neovascularization and deployed with his unit 4 months after presentation. His course of therapy is reviewed, and available treatment options are discussed. Conclusions: As an Active duty soldier, this patient was at risk of separation from service or being deemed non-deployable due to potential for long term visual deficits. These consequences were avoided due to immediate referral to Ophthalmology services and prompt initiation of therapy. Treatment of patients presenting with retinal vein occlusions should follow a similarly timed treatment regimen.
The Role of Insulin/glucagon Ratio and Cell Redox State in the Hyperglycemia Induced by Exposure to Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Rats
Authors: Martiñón-Gutiérrez Gabriel , Luna-Castro María , Hernández-Muñoz Rolando E
Published: September 2020

Background: The exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) with a might adversely affect the endocrine system and reproductive functions, as well as the development of animals. Nonetheless, the use of EMFs in the form of magneto-therapy exerts beneficial actions in pain amelioration, post-stroke recovery, or in bone fractures, where EMFs can affect glucose and lipids metabolism, inducing hyperglycemia and a “diabetic” response. Methods: Therefore, we used fed or fasted male rats for a single exposure to 60-Hz EMFs, determining serum levels of glucose, lipids, and indicators of cellular redox state and energy parameter, as well as to perform a metabolic tracing of glucose in the whole animal. Results: A single exposure to EMFs induced hyperglycemia in both, fed and fasted rats, accompanied by an attenuation of a second serum insulin peak. In addition, EMFs also decreased serum levels of free fatty acids and lactate, while they increased those of pyruvate and acetoacetate. Changes in blood glucose level were related with a more oxidized cellular redox state and with the insulin/glucagon ratio. Moreover, rat’s glucose metabolism also coincided with variations in insulin and glucagon secretion, probably depending on cell redox state; these EMFs effects were not modified in animals previously subjected to a chronic exposure (14 days). Conclusions: Increased serum glucose levels and glucose metabolism induced by EMFs exposure were closely related with the cellular redox state and with the insulin/glucagon ratio, whereas changes in the metabolic energy availability seemed to play a minor role in these EMFs-induced metabolic modifications.
Targeted expression profiling reveals distinct stages of early canine fibroblast reprogramming are regulated by 2-oxoglutarate hydroxylases
Authors: Tobias Ian C. , Kao Mian-Mian C. , Parmentier Thomas , Hunter Hailey , LaMarre Jonathan , Betts Dean H.
Published: September 2020

Background: Ectopic expression of a defined set of transcription factors allows the reprogramming of mammalian somatic cells to pluripotency. Despite continuous progress in primate and rodent reprogramming, limited attention has been paid to cell reprogramming in domestic and companion species. Previous studies attempting to reprogram canine cells have mostly assessed a small number of presumptive canine induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines for generic pluripotency attributes. However, why canine cell reprogramming remains extremely inefficient is poorly understood. Methods: To better characterize the initial steps of pluripotency induction in canine somatic cells, we optimized an experimental system where canine fetal fibroblasts (cFFs) are transduced with the Yamanaka reprogramming factors by Sendai virus vectors. We use quantitative PCR arrays to measure the expression of 80 target genes at various stages of canine cell reprogramming. We ask how cFF reprogramming is influenced by small molecules affecting the epigenomic modification 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, specifically L-ascorbic acid and retinoic acid (AA/RA). Results: We found that the expression and catalytic output of a class of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent (2-OG) hydroxylases, known as ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes, can be modulated in canine cells treated with AA/RA. We further show that AA/RA treatment induces TET1 expression and facilitates early canine reprogramming, evidenced by upregulation of epithelial and pluripotency markers. Using a chemical inhibitor of 2-OG hydroxylases, we demonstrate that 2-OG hydroxylase activity regulates the expression of a subset of genes involved in mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) and pluripotency in early canine reprogramming. We identify a set of transcription factors depleted in maturing reprogramming intermediates compared to pluripotent canine embryonic stem cells. Conclusions: Our findings highlight 2-OG hydroxylases have evolutionarily conserved and divergent functions regulating the early reprogramming of canine somatic cells and show reprogramming conditions can be rationally optimized for the generation of maturing canine iPSC.
Correlation Dimension and Seismic Quiescence around Northern Sumatra 
Authors: Triyoso Wahyu , Sukmono Sigit
Published: September 2020

The implementation of the correlation dimension (Dc) analysis is often used to measure the scaling attribute's possible size or grouping of seismotectonic variables. Related to seismicity in certain areas, Dc can suggest the existence of potential seismic gaps to release strain energy in the future. It can be identified that the presence of earthquake precursors can be characterized by changing the pattern of seismicity in space-time correlate strongly with the existence of zones and periods of seismic quiescence before major earthquake events. In this study, the Dc and the difference of Dc (δDc) are evaluated based on previous studies in which Dc is estimated based on the b-value of shallow earthquake data, and δDc is calculated based on the two periods before and during Region Time Length. We found the consistency that the areas filled by large earthquake events are in the zone with relatively high Dc and δDc. Dc tends to have a strong correlation to suggesting the existence of potential seismic gaps to release strain energy. δDc could be correlated with the possible stress transfer that may trigger the next sequence large earthquake.
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD FOR HEAT TRANSFER PHENOMENON ON A CLOSED RECTANGULAR PLATE
Authors: Akeremale Collins O. , Olaiju Olusegun A , Hoe Yeak Su
Published: September 2020

In the diagnosis and control of various thermal systems, the philosophy of heat fluxes, and temperatures are very crucial. Temperature as an integral property of any thermal system is understood and also, has well-developed measurement approaches. Though finite difference (FD) had been used to ascertain the distribution of temperature, however, this current article investigates the impact of finite element method (FEM) on temperature distribution in a square plate geometry to compare with finite difference approach. Most times, in industries, cold and hot fluids run through rectangular channels, even in many technical types of equipment. Hence, the distribution of temperature of the plate with different boundary conditions is studied. In this work, let’s develop a finite element method (code) for the solution of a closed squared aluminum plate in a two-dimensional (2D) mixed boundary heat transfer problem at different boundary conditions. To analyze the heat conduction problems, let’s solve the two smooth mixed boundary heat conduction problems using the finite element method and compare the temperature distribution of the plate obtained using the finite difference to that of the plate obtained using the finite element method. The temperature distribution of heat conduction in the 2D heated plate using a finite element method was used to justify the effectiveness of the heat conduction compared with the analytical and finite difference methods
CARDIORESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND ANTIHYPOXIC RESISTANCE STATE IN ELDER CORONARY HEART DISEASE PATIENTS
Authors: Voinarovska Galina
Published: September 2020

The aim of the study. Evaluation of cardiorespiratory system and microcirculation state in elder CHD patients with different resistance against hypoxia.

Methods. The author has carried out a retrospective analysis of 103 CHD 60+-patients, their deaths have occurred due to cardiovascular events. Two patient groups have been formed including patients (68 persons) having kept their resistance to hypoxia (their blood SO2 level was never below 80 %) and patients (35 ones) with decreased resistance to hypoxia, their blood SO2 level having been dropped below 80 %.

Results: The life span of patients with decreased hypoxia resistance is lower comparing to ones having kept such resistance. The patients with decreased hypoxia resistance demonstrate decreased ejection fraction, increased mass of left ventricle myocardium as well as increased left ventricle volumes. Such patients show also significant increase of mean daily values of systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure. Generally, the micro-circulation state in patients with decreased anti-hypoxic resistance is lower comparing to persons having kept this resistance. Simultaneously, the endothelial function of persons with decreased anti-hypoxic resistance is significantly worse. The pulmonary ventilation system patency and bronchial patency in these persons are also lowered comparing to these indices in patients with kept anti-hypoxic resistance.

Conclusions: The decrease of anti-hypoxic resistance leads to the shorter life span on elderly CHD patients. Such decreased resistance is accompanied by worsened potency of cardio-respiratory system, microcirculation, and endothelial system functioning.
SLEEP APNEA IN GOUT PATIENTS: UNDERLYING MECHANISMS AND SHARED PATIENT SUBTYPES
Authors: Jianchun Chen , Pan Zhou , Wei Tan , Wuyan Zheng , Oshmianska Nataliia
Published: September 2020

Acute and chronic inflammation in gout causes permanent tissue damage, leads to restricted mobility and significantly reduces the quality of life. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a breath disordered sleep disease, which is a risk factor for respiratory, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications, nephropathy and other diseases.

The aim of this paper was to explore the underlying mechanisms and shared pathways, targets and biomarkers of sleep apnea and gout. aiming at providing clear evidence about whether OSAS patients have higher serum uric acid levels and more susceptible to gout.

Materials and methods. We conducted this literature analysis on relevant studies, which were identified via electronic databases from inception to May 30, 2020. Study selection was conducted according to predesigned criteria, and two authors independently extracted data from included studies.

Results. In the period from 2010 to 2020, 4 large-scale population-based studies were conducted to prove that OSA can affect the level of uric acid, resulting in increased incidence of gout in OSA patients. Only one big population-based study during 2010-2020 assessed the development of OSA against the background of gout. The data from these studies showed an undoubted relationship between the two diseases, but to date it is not completely known how much it is due to common risk factors and how interlinked the development mechanisms are.

Conclusions. Relationship between OSA, gout, and pro-inflammatory/metabolic disorders is therefore complex; with some recent studies indicate different mechanisms may play a role in the development of OSA-gout combination. The inconsistency in results may indicate the presence of several patient profiles or subtypes with gout-OSA comorbidity: combined with metabolic syndrome (most common), combined with renal dysfunction without obesity, and others (dietary violations, genetic diseases, acidosis).

This paper reviews the research progress on the relationship between the epidemiological characteristics of OSA and the incidence of gout, with the insight into pathogenetic mechanisms of comorbidity.
Cancer and pulmonary hypertension: Learning lessons and real-life interplay
Authors: Pullamsetti Soni Savai , Nayakanti Sreenath , Chelladurai Prakash , Mamazhakypov Argen , Mansouri Siavash , Savai Rajkumar , Seeger Werner
Published: September 2020

This article reviews the scientific reasons that support the intriguing vision of pulmonary hypertension (PH) as a disease with a cancer-like nature and to understand whether this pointof view may have fruitful consequences for the overall management of PH. This review compares cancer and PH in view of Hanahan and Weinberg’s principles (i.e., hallmarks of cancer) with an emphasis on hyperproliferative, metabolic, and immune/inflammatory aspects of the disease.In addition, this review provides a perspective on the role of transcription factors and chromatin and epigenetic aberrations, besides genetics, as ‘‘common driving mechanisms’’ of PH hallmarks and the foreseeable use of transcription factor/epigenome targeting as multitarget approach against the hallmarks of PH. Thus, recognition of the widespread applicability and analogy of these concepts will increasingly affect the development of new means of PH treatment.
Pulmonary hypertension in the developing world: Local registries, challenges, and ways to move forward
Authors: Idrees Majdy , Butrous Ghazwan , Mocunbi Ana , Sastry Bhagavathula , Ibrahim Ahmed , Alobaidallah Khalid , Hassan Ahmed , Farghaly Ayman AH , Yacoub Magdi
Published: September 2020

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disease that can only be appropriately managed in the ‘rich’ developed countries, as both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions are extremely expensive and expectations for these to be adopted by the developing, economically-challenged countries are neither practical nor realistic. Furthermore, most of the enormous advances in understanding the pathobiology of PH and the subsequent evidence-based diagnostic and complex treatment algorithms came from the developed world.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension: Cellular and molecular changes in the lung
Authors: Maron Bradley A
Published: September 2020

The range of cell types identified in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has expanded substantially since the first pathological descriptions of this disease. This, inturn, has provided needed clarity on the gamut of molecular mechanisms that regulate vascular remodeling and promote characteristic cardiopulmonary hemodynamic changes that define PAH clinically. Insight derived from these scientific advances suggest that the PAH arteriopathy is due to the convergence of numerous molecular mechanisms driving cornerstone endophenotypes, such as plexigenic, hypertrophic, and fibrotic histopathological changes. Interestingly, whilesome endophenotypes are observed commonly in multiple cell types, such as dysregulated metabolism, other events such as endothelial-mesenchymal transition are cell type-specific. Integrating data from classical PAH vascular cell types with fresh information in pericytes, adventitial fibroblasts, and other PAH contributors recognized more recently has enriched the field with deeper understanding on the molecular basis of this disease. This added complexity, however, also serves as the basis for utilizing novel analytical strategies that emphasize functional signaling pathways when extracting information from big datasets. With these concepts as the backdrop, the current work offers a concise summary of cellular and molecular changes in the lung that drive PAH and may, thus, be important for discovering novel therapeutic targets or applications to clarify PAH onset and disease trajectory.
Group 3 pulmonary hypertension: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: McGetterick Michael , Peacock Andrew
Published: September 2020

[No abstract. Showing first paragraph of article]Pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with hypoxia and lung disease, first identified as Group 3 in the 2008 Dana Point classification of PH, is the second most common form of PH and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The most common lung diseases resulting in PH are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease (ILD) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) but is also associated with other diseases, such as cysticfibrosis and high altitude exposure. Those with PH in the setting of obstructive or restrictive lung disease have worse outcomes, but it is not clear if the PH causes increased mortality or whether it is a marker for the severe end of the lung disease spectrum. Patients with Group 3 disease have a worse outcome than Group 1 IPAH. Those patients with Group 1 disease pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) but with minor associated lung disease also suffer from worse outcomes.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension: Rationale for using multiple vs. single drug therapy
Authors: Maron Bradley A
Published: September 2020

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is defined by a heterogenous pathobiology that corresponds to variable clinical presentation, treatment response, and prognosis across affected patients. The approach to pharmacotherapeutics in PAH has evolved since the introduction of the first prostacyclin replacement drug, which was trialed in patients with end-stage disease as a strategy by which to delay or prevent mortality. Subsequently, the aim of care in PAH has shifted toward minimizing symptoms, improving functional capacity, delaying disease progression, and prolonging life. Thus, treatments are now implemented earlier and according to the evidence base, which spans more than twenty years and includes patients at various stages of disease. Overall, the evidence supports multidrug therapy rather than monotherapy in the majority ofPAH patients. Among incident patients, up-front combination therapy with ambrisentan and tadalafil or other comparable agents within these drug classes is recommended based on strong clinical trial data. In the near future, up-front triple therapy may be emerge as bona fide treatment approach in selected patients. Future goals that are already under consideration in PAH include stronger integration of pathobiological characteristics when considering the use of specific drugs, or the development of novel therapies, toward precision medicine-based clinical pharmacology.
PERCEPÇÃO DA COMUNIDADE PESQUEIRA DO SUL DA BAHIA SOBRE A IMPORTÂNCIA DAS UNIDADES DE CONSERVAÇÃO
Authors: SILVA FABIO TEIXEIRA , FERREIRA LUCAS CABRAL LAGE , DA SILVA ALEXSANDRO SANTOS
Published: September 2020

O Banco dos Abrolhos, região que abriga a cidade de Caravelas, Bahia, possui um conjunto de Unidades de Conservação (UCs) em sua porção costeiro-marinha. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a percepção dos pescadores da cidade de Caravelas, situado no Extremo Sul da Bahia, sobre estas Unidades, e também realizar um resgate histórico da pesca no Parque Nacional Marinho dos Abrolhos (PaRNaM-Abrolhos) antes de ser uma UC. Para realizar o estudo, utilizou-se o método de coletas de dados através de entrevistas semiestruturadas. Constatou-se que maioria dos pescadores entrevistados sabe o que é uma UC e julga importante preservá-la, já que as Unidades, especialmente, o ParNaM-Abrolhos, auxiliam na manutenção de estoques pesqueiros. O Arquipélago de Abrolhos era o ponto mais usado para realizar a captura dos pescados antes de se tornar parque, auxiliava na renda financeira da classe de pescadores da região. Foi apontado como principais motivos para a redução de peixes ao longo dos anos, a dragagem, o excesso de embarcações, a mudança de rota dos peixes e o mergulho. Considerando que a maioria da classe pesqueira declara importante a existência das Unidades, evidenciando pequenos conflitos comparado com tempos passados e, o enfoque do trabalho não consistiu em analisar a diferença desses conflitos ao longo dos anos, recomenda-se novos trabalhos que investiguem esta temática.
Dynamic responses of loess tunnels with different cross sections under the action of earthquakes, rainwater seepage and trains
Authors: Cheng Xuansheng , Zhou Xinhai , Shi Wei
Published: September 2020

Four tunnel models with different cross sections were established, and the models were coupled with fluid models to investigate rainwater seepage-, earthquake- and train-induced effects. The displacements, stresses and pore water pressures of key points in the loess tunnels were analyzed, and the dynamic response patterns of loess tunnels under the influence of earthquakes, rainwater seepage and train loading were obtained. The results show that the dynamic responses of loess tunnels with different cross sections vary. Although the patterns of acceleration and displacement in the four loess tunnel sections are basically identical, the peaks of acceleration and displacement are lowest in the circular tunnel and highest in the rectangular tunnel. Furthermore, obvious stress differences exist among the different sections. The stress is lowest in the circular loess tunnel, intermediate in the curved-wall and straight-walled arch tunnels, and highest in the rectangular tunnel. The pore water pressures of loess tunnels increase with increasing depth, but the differences are not large. Shaking-table testing of a curved tunnel was carried out, and the results were consistent with the numerical results.
The inner product vector as an output-only cross-correlation-based feature to structural damage assessment
Authors: Morgantini Marcello , Betti Raimondo
Published: September 2020

This paper presents a structural damage assessment method that relies on a cross-correlation-based damage sensitive feature known as Inner Product Vector (IPV). Such a feature is extracted from the dynamic response measured at different locations within a structure. Previous investigations on the use of the IPV in a damage detection framework were conducted through laboratory tests by manipulating the excitation source in an input-output approach. In this paper, a new output-only approach has been developed to extract the Inner Product Vector only from the structural response time histories without knowledge of the input excitation. This is a more realistic scenario in structural health monitoring applications where it is difficult (in some cases, impossible) to monitor the external forces. The new estimation of the IPV is accomplished by taking the cross-correlations between filtered contributions to the overall structural response. It is shown how the elements of the IPV are affected by changes of the structural properties induced by damage and how effective the proposed approach is in the presence of external disturbances. The proposed approach has been proven to be very effective in dealing with dense sensor networks requiring large computational efforts. Numerical and experimental tests have been performed to address the reliability of the proposed damage index as a damage sensitive feature in an output-only framework.
Antibiotic activity and resistance of lactic acid bacteria and other antagonistic bacteriocin-producing microorganisms
Authors: Yang Yong , Babich Olga , Sukhikh Stanislav , Zimina Mariya , Milentyeva Irina
Published: September 2020

Introduction. Increased resistance of microorganisms to traditional antibiotics has created a practical need for isolating and synthesizing new antibiotics. We aimed to study the antibiotic activity and resistance of bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria and other microorganisms.

Study objects and methods. We studied the isolates of the following microorganism strains: Bacillus subtilis, Penicillium glabrum, Penicillium lagena, Pseudomonas koreenis, Penicillium ochrochloron, Leuconostoc lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Pediococcus acidilactici, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Bacteroides hypermegas, Bacteroides ruminicola, Pediococcus damnosus, Bacteroides paurosaccharolyticus, Halobacillus profundi, Geobacillus stearothermophilus, and Bacillus caldotenax. Pathogenic test strains included Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus mycoides, Alcaligenes faecalis, and Proteus vulgaris. The titer of microorganisms was determined by optical density measurements at 595 nm.

Results and discussion. We found that eleven microorganisms out of twenty showed high antimicrobial activity against all test strains of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms. All the Bacteroides strains exhibited little antimicrobial activity against Gramnegative test strains, while Halobacillus profundi had an inhibitory effect on Gram-positive species only. The Penicillium strains also displayed a slight antimicrobial effect on pathogenic test strains.

Conclusion. The antibiotic resistance of the studied lactic acid bacteria and other bacteriocin-producing microorganisms allows for their use in the production of pharmaceutical antibiotic drugs.
Kashk with caper (Capparis spinosa L.) extract: quality during storage
Authors: Hematian Ashkan , Nouri Marjan , Dolatabad Saeed Safari
Published: September 2020

Introduction. Dairy products are an important part of the diet. Kashk is a traditional Iranian dairy product rich in protein. However, kashk has a high water content and is a good medium for the growth of microorganisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the ethanolic extract of caper fruit (Capparis spinosa L.) on reducing the microbial burden of kashk.

Study objects and methods. The study objects were three kashk samples. The control sample was kashk without caper extract. Two experimental samples included kashk with 0.211 and kashk with 0.350 mg/mL of ethanolic caper extract. All the samples were tested for pH, sensory and antioxidant properties, colorimetric parameters, and microbial population. The experiments were performed on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 of storage.

Results and discussion. The results showed all the samples had pH within the standard values during the entire shelf life (3.96 to 4.53). The samples with 0.350 mg/mL of the caper extract had the lowest EC50 (12.05 μg/mL), i.e. the highest antioxidant activity. The increased concentration of the extract and storage time resulted in a decrease in L* and increase in b*, while did not impact a*. Staphylococcus aureus population increased more rapidly than Clostridium botulinum during the storage time, and the overall sensory acceptability of the kashk samples on days 0 and 7 received the highest score.

Conclusion. The kashk samples containing 0.350 mg/mL of caper extract had an improved antimicrobial, antioxidant and antifungal properties and can be produced and consumed as a new functional product.
Hydrologic alteration and potential ecosystemic implications under a changing climate in the Chitral River, Hindukush region, Pakistan
Authors: Usman M. , Pan X. , Penna D. , Ahmad B.
Published: September 2020

This study investigates changes in the hydrologic regime of the Chitral River, Hindukush–Karakoram–Himalayan (HKH) region, Pakistan. Different statistically based methods were used to assess climate change-induced hydrologic alterations that can possibly impact aquatic habitat in the study region. The hydrological model Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (HBV) was calibrated, validated, and applied to predict streamflow in the Chitral River basin. The HBV model was forced with the ensemble of four general circulation models under different representative concentration pathway emission scenarios to generate future streamflow under climate change conditions in the basin for the mid-twenty-first century. The results of this study show that hydrologic regimes in the study area, expressed by the magnitude, duration, frequency, timing, and rate of streamflow, are likely to alter in the future. Positive (i.e., with increased frequency) hydrologic alteration is projected for most flow parameters under all scenarios for the 2021–2050 period compared with values observed during the historical period (1976–2005). These hydrologic alterations might have impacts on fish and migratory bird species in the study area. This research can be helpful in providing practical information for more effective water resources and aquatic ecosystem management in the HKH region.