bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire: psychometric properties of the Persian Version
Authors: Nia Hamid Sharif , Behmanesh Fereshteh , Kwok Cannas , Firouzbakht Mojgan , Ebadi Abbas , Nikpour Maryam
Published: February 2020

Backgrand: Cancer-related personal beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge can significantly determine cancer screening behaviors. Valid and reliable instruments are needed to assess such beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge. This study aimed to translate Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire into Persian and evaluate its psychometric properties among Iranian women.
Methods: In this methodological study, the twelve-item Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire was translated into Persian and filled out by 1256 Iranian women. Sampling was purposively done from June 2017 to March 2018. Face, content, convergent, and discriminant validity were evaluated and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed for construct validity evaluation. Reliability was also evaluated through calculating Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega, Average inter-item correlation, and test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient and finally, composite reliability was estimated.
Results: Three factors were extracted in factor analysis which included screening attitude, screening knowledge and perception, and screening practice. These factors explained 55.71% of the total variance of breast cancer screening beliefs. This three-factor model was confirmed in confirmatory factor analysis based on model fit indices (PCFI = 0.703, PNFI = 0.697, CMIN/DF = 2.127, RMSEA = 0.30, GFI = 0.980, AGFI = 0.998, and CFI = 0.991). Convergent and discriminant validity were also confirmed. Composite reliability and test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient were more than 0.7.
Conclusion: With a three-factor structure, the Persian Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire has acceptable validity and reliability and hence, can be used to evaluate Iranian women’s breast cancer screening beliefs.
Characteristics of bacterial etiology in lower respiratory tract infection: a surveillance report from a Chinese large teaching hospital from 2015 to 2019
Authors: Tian Lei , Chen Zhongju , He Feng , Sun Ziyong
Published: February 2020

Background: Lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) is a very common clinical disease. The etiological diagnosis of LRI often depends on the result of sputum culture. Sputum is the most common specimen type of LRI in China, but its cultivation result is easily confused by the bacteria colonized in the oral cavity and pharynx. It is very difficult to evaluate the clinical significance of sputum culture results both for clinicians and microbiologists. Fortunately, bronchoscope alveolus lavage fluid(BALF)is a good specimen, whose culture results can accurately reflect the situation of LRI. By analyzing the culture results and antimicrobial agents sensitivity data of BALF accumulated in this area, we can provide reference for clinicians to experience in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infection.Methods: The accumulated data of BALF culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test in our hospital from January 2015 to October 2019 were reviewed and analyzed.Results: The positive rate of BALF culture in our hospital was 18.3% (3467/18935) in 2015-2019. The most common pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.1%, 627/3467), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.9%, 587/3467) and Acinetobacter baumannii (14.0%, 485/3467). For the eight most common pathogens (K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Escherichia coli and S. pneumoniae), 40-70 years old was the highest age of distribution, but for E. coli and S. pneumoniae, 0-5 years old was also the higher age of distribution. The antibiotic resistance rate of K. pneumoniae to imipenem and meropenem was 30.6% and 30.8%, respectively. The sensitivity of P. aeruginosa to antibiotics other than minocycline and ticarcillin clavulanic acid was all more than 60%. However, the resistance rate of A. baumannii to antibiotics other than tegacyclin and minocycline was all more than 80%.Conclusions: 40-70 years old was the high incidence age of lower respiratory tract bacterial infection. K. pneumoniae resistant to carbapenems (CR-K. pneumoniae) and A. baumannii were a great challenge to clinical treatment and bacterial resistance control.
Influenza infection in immunosuppressed patients: clinical characteristics, risk factors and effect of antiviral therapy
Authors: Liu YaFen , Wang Yue , Chen YuanYuan , Liu BaiYi , Liu YiSi , Ji Ying , Cong Xu , Gao Yan
Published: February 2020

Background: Influenza infection was a vital threat to immunosuppressed patients with longer viral shedding; however, data on these populations in China are still lacking. We analyzed clinical characteristics, risk factors for admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and death, and effect of antiviral therapy in these populations.Methods: We analyzed 73 immunosuppressed inpatients tested positive for influenza virus using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction during the 2018-2019 influenza season. Medical data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistics analysis were used to identify risk factors. Results: The most common immunosuppression type was malignancies with chemotherapy 73.9% (54/73), then hematopoietic stem cell transplantation 19.2% (14/73). The most common presenting symptom was fever in 91.8% (67/73) patients, then cough 59.6% (34/57) and muscular soreness 35.1% (20/57). Complications and co-infections were found in 38.4% (28/73) and 17.8% (13/73) patients respectively, which significantly prolonged the hospital stay. Antiviral treatment after 48 hours was significantly associated with admission to ICU, mechanical ventilation and death. Combination and double dose of neuraminidase inhibitors did not significantly reduce the admission to ICU and death. 15.1% (11/73) patients were admitted to ICU and 8.2% (6/73) patients died. Risk factors for admission to ICU were long symptom onset (OR 5.60, P=0.018) and co-infection with other infections (OR 68.66, P=0.019), and presence of dyspnea was independently associated with death (OR 48.00, P=0.003) through multivariate logistics analysis. Seasonal influenza vaccination in preceding 12 months only took up 2.7% (2/73).Conclusion: Fever and other classical symptoms may be absent in immunosuppressed recipients, and conducting influenza virus detection at the first time is a good choice for early diagnosis. Antiviral treatment within 48 hours is of significance; however, patients may not benefit from combination and double dose of neuraminidase inhibitors. Immunosuppressed patients with dyspnea, long symptom onset and co-infection with other infections are of note needed, because these people have high-risk to severe cases. Inactivated influenza vaccination should be taken into account in immunosuppressed patients.
Empowerment and Problems in Health Care Access among Currently Married Women in Myanmar: A Secondary Data Analysis on MDHS 2015-16
Authors: Htun Nang Mie Mie , Hnin Zar Lwin , Khaing Win
Published: February 2020

Background: Women’s health outcomes are influenced by the lack of access to health care and their inability to make decisions for themselves. This study was conducted to identify the association between women's empowerment and the problems in assessing health care among currently married women aged 15-49 years. Method: A secondary analysis by using Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) (2015-16) data, which included all 15 regions of Myanmar. In the study, (7,759) eligible currently married women aged 15-49 years were included. Result: Among eligible women, 52.43% (95% CI: 0.51-0.53) had problems in accessing health care. Women with medium and high empowerment scores were less likely to experience problems in accessing health care compared to women who got low score (aOR=0.85, 95%CI: 0.73-0.98) (aOR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.47-0.65) respectively. Women from rural area (aOR=1.41, 95% CI:1.15-1.72) and women living in Chin State, one of the least developed states, (aOR=1.84, 95% CI: 1.38-2.46) had faced more problems in accessing health care, on the other hand, the problems were seen to be reduced in the case of women aged over 35 years (aOR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.47- 0.94), and those who had an educated husband (aOR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.66-0.86), a husband with a white collar job (aOR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.56-0.89), and those living with an extended family (aOR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.66-0.84). Conclusion: The study showed when the women are more empowered, they might have less problems in accessing health care. These finding would contribute to the policy formulation in reducing health inequity issues in terms of increasing women's empowerment by enabling women getting equal right to education and jobs. Key words: women's empowerment, problems in accessing health care, Demographic and Health Surveys, Myanmar, knowledge, decision power, beating, labour force
CURRENT TRENDS OF FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Savchenko T. , Tatarko A.
Published: February 2020

The paper considers the theoretical principles and applied principles concerning financial technologies. Currently, the rapid development of the digital economy has become an important global trend of dynamic socio-economic development, which has led to the spread of financial technology impacts on the entire system and structure of socio-economic relations. It is stated that as FinTech develops, the younger generation is now gaining more access to a wider variety of sophisticated financial products and services, some of which carry higher risks that are not yet known in the market. However, the financial knowledge of the younger generation is generally lower than their parents, as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) notes. Studies have shown that the trend in the financial sector towards increasing automation, mobility and digitalization of financial services is changing. Blockchain, machine learning, AI and robotics are all creating huge waves in fintech, bringing both synergies and disruption to industry. However, as a result of the implementation of the PSD2 directive, the data that banks need to share is essentially sensitive financial data, and this naturally raises many privacy and security issues along with consumer uncertainty. Considering the international trends in the development of fintech companies, Ukrainian banks are interested in creating joint projects with domestic and foreign fintech representatives. As fintech companies become more mature and technology-oriented, they are faced with the need to invest more in sophisticated software, supported by advanced analytics and personalized marketing campaigns. This brings fintech to a more consumer-oriented state where service providers are driven by the ongoing challenges of society and the need to meet their customers' needs. The major client for most fintech companies is business, both large corporate and SMB (37% for each). 21% of companies operate in the mass retail market, and only 6% target the premium retail segment.
Keywords:
financial technologies, digitization, blockchain, artificial intelligence, neo-bank, crowdfunding, insurtech, open banking.
NON-STATE PENSION INSURANCE AS A SUPPLEMENT TO SOLIDAR PENSION SUPPLY
Authors: Boiko O.
Published: February 2020

The main prerequisites for the emergence of problems of the pension system functioning in Ukraine, namely the solidarity system, are considered in the article. The budget, expenditures and deficit of the Pension Fund of Ukraine in the period 2010-2018 are analyzed. The amount of pensions was calculated taking into account the change in the dollar exchange rate and the inflation rate for the analyzed period and it was proved that the increase in the size of the pension does not lead to its actual growth. Emphasis is placed on the principle of calculation of pensions and attention is paid to the concept of a single social contribution, which has the minimum and maximum possible sum of payment. Based on the data, the author compared the size of the minimum (state) pensions in different countries of the world and in Ukraine and showed that the size of the pension is the lowest among the compared countries. An important aspect of the study was the comparison of average life expectancy. This suggests that the increase in life expectancy is causing the states of the world to raise the retirement age in order to delay the payment of state pensions. Alongside this the alternative to state pensions are private pensions. During the working period, every citizen has the right to make savings in different financial institutions as they have the right to invest. Funds that have been saved and multiplied are the main source of retirement income. Voluntary pension institutions are also envisaged in Ukraine. However, despite the legislative support and the general need to have their own retirement savings, citizens do not actively take the opportunity to create additional pensions. The reasons for this are lack of awareness of the population by the state about the essence of the pension reform, the general economic situation in the country, as well as the lack of financial literacy of the population itself, the unwillingness to take responsibility for their future and the low level of income. On the basis of these data, the need for active involvement of both public administration and citizens in the cumulative system is substantiated.
Keywords:
retirement age, pension fund, cumulative insurance, life insurance companies.
LOGICAL-STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEMS IN THE FORMATION OF THE QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS OF ENTERPRISES OF ENGINEERING SERVICES
Authors: Trachenko L.
Published: February 2020

The article emphasizes that in the conditions of modern market relations, integration of Ukraine into the European and world space for domestic enterprises, in particular the sphere of engineering services, an effective means of achieving the key business goals and high economic indicators of activity is the formation and certification of quality management systems in the context requirements of the international standard ISO 9001: 2015. It is emphasized that the implementation of international standards in enterprises stimulates their competitiveness and development of innovative potential. It is proved that making a decision on the formation of a quality management system by senior management should be a strategically important area of ​​activity of the enterprise, based on the use of effective methods, measures, methodology, quality management tools. The essence of logical-structural analysis, analytical phase and planning phase and their stages are revealed. A practical toolkit for the application of logical and structural analysis in the formation of quality management systems of enterprises in the engineering sector is developed, in particular: the context of the company (internal and external factors influencing the activity) with the use of SWOT analysis is determined; stakeholder analysis; a tree of related problems of the engineering enterprise and a tree of goals were built; algorithm for determining assumptions and risk factors has been formed. Recommendations are given on the development of a logical and structural matrix, a timetable for action, provision of resources and control over the implementation of the action plan. It is substantiated that the application of logical and structural analysis in the formation of quality management systems will allow engineering enterprises to investigate cause and effect relationships in a timely manner, reduce risks, increase resource efficiency, achieve established goals and improve the performance of companies in general.
Keywords:
logic-structural analysis, quality management systems, ISO 9001: 2015 standard, enterprise context, SWOT-analysis, stakeholder analysis, problem tree, purpose tree, logic-structural matrix.
COMPUTER-ASSISTED AUDIT TECHNIQUES: MAIN ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Authors: Serpeninova Iu. , Makarenko S. , Lytvynova M.
Published: February 2020

The authors substantiate the positive role of information technology in auditing and computer-assisted audit techniques for decision-making during various audit procedures. It is established that the International Auditing Practice Regulation IASP - "Computer Assisted Audit Techniques" play a fundamental role in regulating their use by auditors during rendering assurance and other related services. It was proved, that the auditors use computer-assisted audit techniques for various reasons. Moreover, it helps them to better plan and prepare themselves for all the challenges that today’s competing environment is bringing to them The key advantages of using computer-assisted audit techniques are substantiated, which are mainly refer to improving the efficiency and reliability of the auditor's work, reduce its complexity. Additional advantages concern the ability to create electronic worksheets on a centralized database, the possibility to detect fraud, continuous monitoring as a constant process of accumulating, analysing and reporting company database, testing the client's accounting software, testing of bulky volumes of database in a short time and with good accuracy, testing the database source, making comparisons between the results obtained swallow computer-assisted techniques and the results of classical tests, the ability to check specific risk. In contrast the most significant disadvantages and obstacles to the use of computer-assisted audit techniques were characterized. They are associated with high cost and complexity of implementation technologies as well as high initial cost of installation and maintaining computer-assisted audit techniques, inadequacy of simplified accounting software, overstatement of investigations, and high requirements to effectiveness of client database.
Keywords:
audit, information technology in audit, computer-assisted audit techniques.
FINANCIAL MONITORING AS A TOOL DESHADOWING BANKING SYSTEM
Authors: Bukhtiarova A. , Tietierieva O.
Published: February 2020

Today, the phenomenon of the shadow economy is widespread and has negative consequences for the economic development of the countries of the world. It is known that many factors influence the level of the shadow economy and one of these factors is money laundering. The purpose of the article is to analyze the primary and state financial monitoring as a tool for the unshadowing of the Ukrainian banking system. At the end of 2018, the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine is setting the level of the shadow economy at 30% of official GDP, the lowest in the last ten years. The authors investigate the impact of financial monitoring on the level of the shadow economy, identifying major threats to the country's economic security and analyzing the proportion of reports of suspicious transactions from banks in the overall message structure. It is found that about 99% of all reports to the State Financial Monitoring Service of Ukraine about suspected financial transactions come from banks. The essence of the primary financial monitoring, its main shortcomings are revealed, namely the imperfection of the legislative framework, the lack of highly qualified employees in the field of financial monitoring and the formation of clear requirements for the banks as the subjects of the primary financial monitoring. The contents of the most common money laundering schemes through the banking sector are disclosed, such as withdrawal of capital abroad, corruption schemes, schemes involving individuals, fraudulent transactions within the bank, counterfeiting of documents on the value of collateral or granting it, and falsification of the company's decision to obtain a loan. The article also reflects the main violations of banks in the field of financial monitoring for the years 2018-2019, analyzes the shortcomings of the state financial monitoring and proposes to improve the effectiveness of financial monitoring in banks in order to shade the banking sector.
Keywords:
unshadowing, banks, banking system, financial monitoring, money laundering.
Diversity and seasonal fluctuation of tylenchid plant-parasitic nematodes in association with alfalfa in the Kerman Province (Iran)
Authors: Shokoohi Ebrahim , Mashela Phatu William , Iranpour Fahimeh
Published: February 2020

The diversity and seasonal fluctuations of plant-parasitic nematodes (tylenchids) were investigated in five alfalfa fields in five counties of the Kerman Province of Iran during four consecutive seasons in 2013. Hundred soil samples were obtained per county, with 25 sub-samples per field being composited to five to represent five replicates per field per county per season. In total, 500 samples were analyzed during the study. Nematodes were extracted from soil samples using the modified tray method. In total, 11 plant-parasitic nematode genera and 12 species were recorded. According to prominence values, Ditylenchus (e.g. D. acutus, D. myceliophagus, D. terricolus and D. sarvarae), followed by Helicotylenchus pseudorobustsus, Pratylenchus neglectus and Meloidogyne javanica were the most prominent species. The season and the localities significantly affect the population densities of nematodes. Values for both the Shannon (H’) and Evenness (E) indices were the highest in Bam and the lowest in Jiroft counties. A significant, negative correlation existed between soil pH and mean population densities of Scutylenchus rugosus, while significant and positive correlations existed between soil electrical conductivity and Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus, Aphelenchoides sp., Amplimerlinius globigerus and Pratylenchus neglectus. In conclusion, diversity of plant-parasitic nematodes in Bam county was higher than other localities.
Financing Peace: Special Autonomy Fund as a Peace Dividend in Aceh, Indonesia
Authors: Sustikarini Amalia
Published: February 2020

This paper discusses the peacebuilding process in Aceh Indonesia. Southeast Asia is one of the regions that has been plagued by severe ethno-nationalist strives due to its high level of diversity and the impact of colonialism. Among several cases of ethno-nationalist struggles in this region, the separatist insurgency in Aceh, Indonesia has been regarded as the protracted conflict that has been successfully resolved and created durable peace. The Helsinki Peace Agreement attempted to redress the economic grievances that were manifested in perceived inequality and the exploitation of Aceh’s natural resources through the arrangement of Special Autonomy Fund. This fund serves as a peace dividend that is expected to bring welfare and enhance economic development in Aceh. The paper examines the role of Special Autonomy Fund in accelerating economic development in Aceh in the past ten years by utilizing the concept of the peace dividend and the model of fiscal-sharing. While this fund has been successfully increasing Aceh economic growth compared to the conflict era, it has not been optimally utilized to reduce poverty and inequality. Due to the nature of peace in Aceh as an elite-based peace, the peace dividend has contributed to the patronage politics particularly among the former combatants.
Reasentamiento y reubicación: supuestos por regular en un país donde sobran las normas
Authors: Vásquez-Santamaría Jorge Eduardo
Published: February 2020

La descripción de fortalezas y debilidades en la evolución de las normas del ordenamiento territorial en Colombia, el análisis crítico de los determinantes en la experiencia de formulación y ejecución de los Planes de Ordenamiento Territorial (POT), y la explicación de cuáles de ellos deben ser directrices prioritarias para orientar un nuevo proceso de formulación de esos instrumentos, develan que, si bien la gestión del riesgo de desastres naturales es una directriz para orientar el proceso, en ella pervive un desequilibrio jurídico e institucional en la correlación que debe tener con el ordenamiento territorial, los reasentamientos y la reubicación. Desde una investigación documental sustentada en el modelo de investigación cualitativo y el enfoque dogmático jurídico, este escrito desarrolla las razones para regular la materia en un país abrumado por la sobreproducción de normas, toda vez que la ausencia de legislación mantiene un vacío jurídico del que se desprende la amenaza y la vulneración de derechos humanos. Para ello, la necesidad de legislar los procesos de reasentamiento y reubicación poblacional generados por eventos naturales se sustenta a partir de los compromisos adquiridos por Colombia mediante el reconocimiento de instrumentos internacionales, de algunos precedentes jurisprudenciales que determinan el alcance de una iniciativa legislativa, de las principales disposiciones nacionales que contribuyen a desarrollar legislativamente los procesos de reasentamiento y reubicación, y de algunas falencias de políticas nacionales recientes sobre cambio climático y la gestión del riesgo que dan cuenta de la urgencia de promover legislativamente garantías y procedimientos que incidan en su modificación, al no contemplar el reasentamiento y la reubicación poblacional.
Pegylation and Cell Based Bioassay of Human Interferon-α2b Along its Docking Studies and Effect on Plasma Half-Life
Authors: Shahzadi Syeda Kiran , Qadir Muhammad Abdul , Mahmood Nasir , Ahmed Mehboob
Published: February 2020

Background:

Interferon-α2b is FDA approved drug for the treatment of chronic HCV
and HBV, melanoma, AIDS-related KS, carcinomas, hairy cell leukemia and chronic myelogenous
leukemia. However, administration of interferon-α2b to patients takes place thrice in a week due to
short in vivo circulation half-life.

Objective:

To extend the circulation half-life of IFN-α2b, it is conjugated with polyethylene glycol
(PEG). However, PEGylation may results in reduction of its antiviral and antiproliferative activities
but on the other side, it results in prolonged plasma half-life.

Method:

Human interferon-α2b was PEGylated with linear 20kDa methoxypolyethlene glycol
(mPEG) Propionaldehyde (IFN-Ald20K), Y-Shaped 40kDa mPEG-Propionaldehyde (IFNAld40K),
linear 20-kDa mPEG-Succinimidyl Succinate (IFN-NHS20K), and Y shaped 40kDa
mPEG-Succinimidyl Succinate (IFN-NHS40K). Impact of PEG size, shape and PEGylation site
was studied to establish their relationship with antiprolifetaive activities and serum retention time
of PEGylated IFN-α2b.

Results:

RP-HPLC studies showed that larger PEGs (40kDa) increased the hydrodynamic volume
and increased the serum retention time while antiproliferative activity in HepG2 cell line was
decreased with increase in PEGylated interferon-α2b size. Molecular docking results also dictated
the same effect that increase in PEGylated interferon-α2b size results in steric shielding of the
receptor-binding site on interferon-α2b. IFN-Ald20K showed highest (45%) biological activity with
serum half-life 40 hours while IFN-NHS40K showed least (7%) biological activity with serum halflife
56 hours.

Conclusion:

Thus, IFN-Ald40K with 12% residual activity and 62 hours of serum half-life proved
to be a potent candidate for anticancer and antiviral effect with enhanced serum retention time.
Lipophilic Guanylhydrazone Analogues as Promising Trypanocidal Agents: An Extended SAR Study
Authors: Pardali Vasiliki , Giannakopoulou Erofili , Balourdas Dimitrios-Ilias , Myrianthopoulos Vassilios , Taylor Martin C. , Šekutor Marina , Mlinarić-Majerski Kata , Kelly John M. , Zoidis Grigoris
Published: February 2020

In this report, we extend the SAR analysis of a number of lipophilic guanylhydrazone analogues with
respect to in vitro growth inhibition of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi. Sleeping sickness and Chagas
disease, caused by the tropical parasites T. brucei and T. cruzi, constitute a significant socioeconomic burden
in low-income countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, respectively. Drug development is underfunded.
Moreover, current treatments are outdated and difficult to administer, while drug resistance is an emerging
concern. The synthesis of adamantane-based compounds that have potential as antitrypanosomal agents is
extensively reviewed. The critical role of the adamantane ring was further investigated by synthesizing and testing
a number of novel lipophilic guanylhydrazones. The introduction of hydrophobic bulky substituents onto the
adamantane ring generated the most active analogues, illustrating the synergistic effect of the lipophilic character
of the C1 side chain and guanylhydrazone moiety on trypanocidal activity. The n-decyl C1-substituted compound
G8 proved to be the most potent adamantane derivative against T. brucei with activity in the nanomolar range
(EC50=90 nM). Molecular simulations were also performed to better understand the structure-activity relationships
between the studied guanylhydrazone analogues and their potential enzyme target.
The Experimentally Obtained Functional Impact Assessments of 5' Splice Site GT>GC Variants Differ Markedly from Those Predicted
Authors: Chen Jian-Min , Lin Jin-Huan , Masson Emmanuelle , Liao Zhuan , Férec Claude , Cooper David N. , Hayden Matthew
Published: February 2020

Introduction:

5' splice site GT>GC or +2T>C variants have been frequently reported to
cause human genetic disease and are routinely scored as pathogenic splicing mutations. However, we
have recently demonstrated that such variants in human disease genes may not invariably be pathogenic.
Moreover, we found that no splicing prediction tools appear to be capable of reliably distinguishing
those +2T>C variants that generate wild-type transcripts from those that do not.

Methodology:

Herein, we evaluated the performance of a novel deep learning-based tool, SpliceAI, in
the context of three datasets of +2T>C variants, all of which had been characterized functionally in
terms of their impact on pre-mRNA splicing. The first two datasets refer to our recently described “in
vivo” dataset of 45 known disease-causing +2T>C variants and the “in vitro” dataset of 103 +2T>C
substitutions subjected to full-length gene splicing assay. The third dataset comprised 12 BRCA1
+2T>C variants that were recently analyzed by saturation genome editing.

Results:

Comparison of the SpliceAI-predicted and experimentally obtained functional impact assessments
of these variants (and smaller datasets of +2T>A and +2T>G variants) revealed that although
SpliceAI performed rather better than other prediction tools, it was still far from perfect. A key
issue was that the impact of those +2T>C (and +2T>A) variants that generated wild-type transcripts
represents a quantitative change that can vary from barely detectable to an almost full expression of
wild-type transcripts, with wild-type transcripts often co-existing with aberrantly spliced transcripts.

Conclusion:

Our findings highlight the challenges that we still face in attempting to accurately identify
splice-altering variants.
The Development of Pemetrexed Diacid-Loaded Gelatin-Cloisite 30B (MMT) Nanocomposite for Improved Oral Efficacy Against Cancer: Characterization, In-Vitro and Ex-Vivo Assessment
Authors: Soni Kriti , Mujtaba Ali , Akhter Md. Habban , Kohli Kanchan
Published: February 2020

Aim:

The intention of this investigation was to develop Pemetrexed Diacid (PTX)-loaded
gelatine-cloisite 30B (MMT) nanocomposite for the potential oral delivery of PTX and the in vitro, and
ex vivo assessment.

Background:

Gelatin/Cloisite 30 B (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by blending gelatin with
MMT in aqueous solution.

Methods:

PTX was incorporated into the nanocomposite preparation. The nanocomposites were
investigated by Fourier Transmission Infra Red Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Differential Scanning
Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Confocal
Laser Microscopy (CLSM). FT-IR of nanocomposite showed the disappearance of all major peaks
which corroborated the formation of nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were found to have a
particle size of 121.9 ± 1.85 nm and zeta potential -12.1 ± 0.63 mV. DSC thermogram of drug loaded
nanocomposites indicated peak at 117.165 oC and 205.816 oC, which clearly revealed that the drug has
been incorporated into the nanocomposite because of cross-linking of cloisite 30 B and gelatin in the
presence of glutaraldehyde.

Results:

SEM images of gelatin show a network like structure which disappears in the nanocomposite.
The kinetics of the drug release was studied in order to ascertain the type of release mechanism. The
drug release from nanocomposites was in a controlled manner, followed by first-order kinetics and the
drug release mechanism was found to be of Fickian type.

Conclusion:

Ex vivo gut permeation studies revealed 4 times enhancement in the permeation of drug
present in the nanocomposite as compared to plain drug solution and were further affirmed by CLSM.
Thus, gelatin/(MMT) nanocomposite could be promising for the oral delivery of PTX in cancer therapy
and future prospects for the industrial pharmacy.
Octadecyltrichlorosilane Incorporated Alginate Micro-granules as Sustained-Release Carriers for Small Hydrophilic Molecules
Authors: Wang Qing , Newby Bi-min Zhang
Published: February 2020

Background:

Hydrogels are excellent drug carriers, but their inability to retain hydrophilic
drugs for a prolonged period of time has greatly limited their usage. Research has mostly focused on
intricate designs and manipulations of hydrogels to expand their applications in drug delivery.

Objective:

In this study, a simple approach by incorporating a hydrophobic agent, octadecyltrichlorosilane
(OTS), to alginate hydrogel micro-granules (Alg-Ms), was investigated as an effective
technique to prolong the release of small hydrophilic drugs.

Methods:

Sodium Benzoate (SB), a highly water-soluble antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compound,
was used as a model drug. The presence of hydrophobic OTS impeded swelling of these OTS
incorporated Alg-Ms (OTS-Alg-Ms), hence sustaining the release of SB.

Results:

The release data was fitted with Ritger-Peppas and Peppas-Sahlin models and the results showed
that SB released from OTS-Alg-Ms with higher OTS content was mainly controlled by Fickian diffusion;
with a lower OTS content, OTS-Alg-Ms swelled more easily, the combined diffusion and swelling
led to a faster SB release.

Conclusion:

Thus, by simply tuning the OTS concentration in the solution where Alg-Ms were briefly
submerged in a predefined release period, from hours to a few days, small hydrophilic drugs from these
OTS-Alg-Ms could be successfully achieved.
Computational Study on the Mechanism of Cycloaddition Reactions of Bissulfonyl-1,3-butadiene with Some Alkenes
Authors: Masoumifar Sepideh , Haghdadi Mina , Bosra Hassan Ghasemnejad
Published: February 2020

The cycloaddition reactions of 2,3-bis (ethylene sulfonyl)-1,3-butadiene with 2,3-dimethyl-
1,3-butadiene, cyclopentadiene, 2-methyl prop-2-enoate and ethyl vinyl ether have been theoretically
studied using the DFT method at the MPWB1K/cc-pVDZ level of theory. There are two possible
modes of participation in each reaction (2π and 4π electron), of which the 2π electron is preferred. The
energy results indicate that formations of the [2+4] cycloadducts are favored kinetically. The stereoselectivity
of the [2+4] cycloaddition reaction of 2,3-bis (ethylene sulfonyl)-1,3-butadiene with cyclopentane
is the highest and the energy barrier for this process is the lowest.
Importance and Necessity of Training the Medical Team Regarding Religious-moral Doctrines Related to Abortion, A Narrative Review
Authors: Fatemeh Ghodrati
Published: February 2020

Background:

Treatment team’s lack of knowledge about legal-religious doctrines of
abortion can put mothers’ health at great risk.

Objective:

Importance and necessity of training the medical team regarding religious-moral doctrines
related to abortion.

Data Sources:

The moral abortion studies conducted by Iranian authors between 2000 and 2018
can be found at SID, Iran Medex, PubMed, Google Scholar, and CINAHL search engines. In this
review study, 20 out of 146 studies on legal and jurisprudence issues of various aspects of abortion
were reviewed.

Methods:

The present study is a review of published evidence about knowledge and the attitudes of
gynecologists, midwives, medical and midwifery students, and the views of senior planners on legal
and abortion laws and pertinent issues of legal and religious education.

Results:

The study population had moderate knowledge about the laws and regulations of moral
abortion (15.4-53.3%) and negative attitude towards criminal abortions (78.3%). Besides, 64.7% of
the participants agreed about abortion in unwanted pregnancies. Moreover, the majority of executive
managers considered abortion to be legal in case if mother or fetus’s life was in danger. However,
a small number of participants agreed about abortion due to sexual harassment, unwanted
pregnancy, pregnancy without proper interval between babies, unmarried pregnancies, and pregnancy
out of temporary marriage.

Conclusion:

Medical team’s lack of spiritual awareness and positive attitude towards criminal abortion
can increase the risk of hidden abortions. Thus, an increase in medical team’s knowledge about
legal, moral, and religious aspects of abortion and penalties for criminal abortion should be considered
as a health-treatment priority.
Application of Nanomaterials in the Treatment and Diagnosis of Ophthalmology Diseases
Authors: Liu Nanxin , Wu Qingqing , Liu Yunfei , Li Jiao , Ji Ping , Fu Gang
Published: February 2020

Eye diseases often lead to impaired vision and seriously affect the daily life of patients. Local administration of ophthalmic drugs is one of the most important approaches for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases. However, due to the special biochemical environment of the ocular tissue and the existence of many barriers, the bioavailability of conventional ophthalmic preparations in the eye is very low. Nanomaterials can be utilized as carriers of drugs, which can improve the absorption, distribution, metabolism and bioavailability of drugs in eyes. Nanomaterials have also the advantages of small size, simple preparation, good degradability, strong targeting, and little stimulation to biological tissues, providing an innovative and practical method for the drug delivery of ophthalmic diseases. In addition, nanomaterials can be used as an auxiliary means for early diagnosis of ophthalmic diseases by improving the specificity and accuracy of detection methods. Nanomaterials help clinicians and researchers delve deeper into the physiology and pathology of the eye at the nanoscale. We summarize the application of nanomaterials in the diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmic diseases in this review.
Production of Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid (γ-PGA) by Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus Epidermidis
Authors: da Silva Filho Renato G. , Campos Ana C.A , Souza Isabel dos Santos , Saramago Carmen Soares de Meirelles , de Lima e Silva Agostinho Alves
Published: February 2020

Background and Objective:

Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) is a constituent of theBacillus anthraciscapsule and a potential virulence factor ofS. epidermidis. In this study, a methodology for the isolation, purification and quantification of γ-PGA in the isolates was adapted. In addition, the fate of the produced γ-PGA and its antiphagocytic activity were investigated.

Methods:

ThecapBgene was investigated by the PCR method in 50 isolates ofS. epidermidis. A modified methodology was used for the extraction, purification, and quantification of γ-PGA using Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB) solution. The fate of γ-PGA was determined in Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) medium, as well as the effect of ethanol, NaCl and KCl on the induction of the polymer production. The ability of neutrophils to phagocyte both FITC-labeled latex particles in the presence of free γ-PGA andS. epidermidiswith and without anchored γ-PGA was evaluated by cytometry.

Results:

The production of γ-PGA was detected in 40 isolates; all of them werecapBgene carriers. Free γ-PGA was detected and in the strain, the amount of released γ-PGA in the supernatant was 67% greater than the cell anchored γ-PGA. Phagocytosis tests performed with one γ-PGA producer isolate showed a significant reduction in neutrophil internalization.

Conclusion:

The adapted methodology was able to detect γ-PGA in the isolates studied. In addition to being found attached to the cell wall, it was demonstrated in this study that γ-PGA can also be found in the culture supernatant. Free γ-PGA did not determine a reduction in the internalization of latex by neutrophils, but cells with anchored γ-PGA showed significant protection against phagocytosis.
Rebecca Comay und Frank Ruda: The Dash – The Other Side of Ab­solute Knowing
Authors: Boldyrev Ivan
Published: February 2020

Rezension von Rebecca Comay und Frank Ruda: The Dash – The Other Side of Ab­solute Knowing. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2018.
Analisis kebutuhan perancangan aktivitas pembelajaran berdasarkan pada dimensi sikap moral bagi siswa sekolah dasar
Authors: Hayati Auliya Aenul , Pratiwi DS Dina , Praja Ena Suhena
Published: February 2020

Pergeseran nilai dan motivasi atas kelangsungan pendidikan yang disematkan pada sekolah dasar semakin menguat seiring dengan harapan tak terbatas dari para orang tua dalam menjamin kualitas kepribadian sang anak. Pada praktiknya, permasalahan yang muncul bagaimana sekolah mampu menjawab berbagai tantangan yang disuguhkan dalam membentuk karakter disamping menjadikan siswa sebagai seseorang yang cerdas secara akademisi. Penelitian ini berupaya menganalisis kebutuhan atas perancangan aktivitas-aktivitas pembelajaran berdasarkan pada pengembangan sikap moral atau moral feeling siswa sebagai jawaban dan solusi dari permasalahan yang dikemukakan sebelumnya. Metode penelitian fokus pada RD tahap pertama dari pola ADDIE. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa konsep moralitas pada pola pembelajaran siswa kelas V SDN Sunyaragi 2 relatif lebih memunculkan sisi moral knowing dengan pemaknaan sikap moral (moral feeling) yang hanya sebatas pada lapisan permukaan, tidak secara mendalam dan terstruktur. Dengan demikian, dibutuhkan sebuah perancangan aktivitas pembelajaran yang dapat mengakomodasi perkembangan dimensi moral feeling siswa dalam kaitannya dengan penguatan karakter positif yang idealnya dimiliki oleh siswa sebagai sumber daya manusia unggul.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The shift in values and motivation for the continuity of education embedded in Elementary Schools is getting stronger along with the infinite expectations of parents in ensuring the quality of the child's personality. In practice, new problems arise surface is how schools are able to answer the challenges presented in shaping the character in addition to making students as someone who is smart academically. This research seeks to analyze the need for the design of learning activities based on the development of moral attitude or moral feeling of the students as the answer and solution of the problems presented earlier. Research method is R D with ADDIE model. The results showed that the concept of morality on the pattern of learning grade V SDN Sunyaragi 2 relatively more led to the moral side knowing with the meaning of moral feeling (moral feeling) which is only limited to the surface layer, not in depth and structured. Thus, it takes a design of learning activities that can accommodate the development of students' moral sense dimensions in relation to the reinforcement of positive characters ideally possessed by students as excellent human resources.
Understanding and Preventing Health Concerns About Emerging Mobile Health Technologies
Authors: Materia Frank T , Faasse Kate , Smyth Joshua M
Published: February 2020

New technologies and innovations have often improved population well-being and societal function; however, these are also often initially accompanied by worry and fear. In some cases, such worries can impede, or even prevent entirely, the adoption of the technology. Mobile health (mHealth), a discipline broadly focused on employing ambulatory technologies to improve the affordability, reach, and effectiveness of health promotion and clinical intervention approaches, offers new innovations and opportunities. Despite emerging evidence supporting mHealth efficacy (eg, for improving health outcomes), some individuals have concerns about mHealth technology that may impede scalability, efficacy, and, ultimately, the public health benefits of mHealth. We present a review and conceptual framework to examine these issues, focusing on three overarching themes: biophysiological, psychological, and societal concerns. There are features of mHealth that lead to worries about the potential negative effects on an individual’s health (eg, due to exposure to electromagnetic or radio waves), despite evidence supporting the safety of these technologies. When present, such beliefs can lead to worry that gives rise to the experience of unpleasant and concerning physical symptoms—the nocebo effect. This may represent an important implementational barrier because of apprehension toward beneficial mHealth products (or features thereof, such as wireless charging, wearable or implantable sensors, etc) and may also have broader ramifications (eg, leading to economic, governmental, and legislative actions). In addition to reviewing evidence on these points, we provide a broad three-step model of implementation research in mHealth that focuses on understanding and preventing health concerns to facilitate the safe and effective scalability of mHealth (and that may be generalizable and applied to similar technologies): (1) evaluating and better discerning public perceptions and misperceptions (and how these may differ between populations), (2) developing theory-based public health communication strategies regarding the safety of mHealth, and (3) disseminating this messaging using evidence-based methods. Collectively, these steps converge on reviewing evidence regarding the potential role of worry and nocebo in mHealth and providing a model for understanding and changing attitudes and preventing unfounded negative perceptions related to mHealth technology.