bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mining-Related Lower Back Injuries and the Compensation Process: An Injured Worker’s Journey
Authors: Mongeau Sherry , Lightfoot Nancy , MacEwan Leigh , Eger Tammy
Published: September 2019

Background: In Ontario, when an occupational injury occurs in the mining industry, there is often a need to interact with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). During this process, miners experience economic, social, and mental health–related issues that can affect their overall well-being. This study aimed to determine the impact of a lower back injury and the WSIB claim process experience expressed by some male, underground miners in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study design that utilized in-depth, individual qualitative interviews was conducted. Twelve male participants (underground miners) were interviewed in Sudbury, Ontario. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. Findings: The results emphasized the need for improved communication, the necessity for resources to be allocated to enhance public discussion about injury prevention, the social and economic burden that miners and their families face, and the power imbalances between injured miners and the companies that were meant to support them. Conclusion/Application to Practice: The findings indicate that several areas require improvement for an injured miner who submits a WSIB claim. Ideally, participants wanted an improved and streamlined process for reporting an injury and for WSIB claim management. These findings suggest that occupational health practices that foster a safe and healthy work environment in the mining industry must be promoted, which will help to guide future policies that enhance support for an injured worker and the WSIB claim process.
Promoting Spiritual Healing by Stress Reduction Through Meditation for Employees at a Veterans Hospital: A CDC Framework–Based Program Evaluation
Authors: Freeman Robert C. , Sukuan Niphon , Tota Nicole M. , Bell S. Maria , Harris Anthony G. , Wang Hsiao-Lan
Published: September 2019

Background: Employees in the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital experience psychological stress from caring for vulnerable veteran populations. Evidence suggests that mindfulness meditation decreases stress in health care employees and military personnel. The purpose of this worksite program was to explore the acceptability of a mindfulness meditation program among VA workers. Methods: Chaplain residents developed the “Promoting Spiritual Healing by Stress Reduction Through Meditation” (Spiritual Meditation) program for employees in a VA hospital. To evaluate acceptability, a 13-multiple-choice-item survey with an open-ended question was administered after the intervention. Descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis were performed. Findings: In 29 participants, 70% to 100% agreed with positive statements for the personal learning experience, program components, teacher quality, time to practice, and place to practice. Two categories emerged from qualitative responses: “positive practical experience of Spiritual Meditation” and “perceived values from Spiritual Meditation.” Conclusion/Application to Practice: Occupational health nurses are uniquely positioned to lead and collaborate with chaplains to deliver Spiritual Meditation in their workplace setting.
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment: Implementation Into an RN-BSN Curriculum
Authors: Rittle Chad , Santa Heather , Falk Alexandra , Nowalk Alexandra
Published: September 2019

Background: The incidence of alcohol and substance misuse continues to be a problem in the workplace. Methods: A partnership between two universities and a federal agency implemented SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) into a three-credit, 7-week online Community and Environmental Health Course for licensed nurses earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. SBIRT is an early intervention, targeting nondependent substance users before needing specialized treatment. Findings: Over seven semesters, 119 students completed the SBIRT curriculum. We observed a significant increase in knowledge about standard drink sizes and recognizing the most reliable alcohol use questionnaire (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT]). Students perceived themselves as competent in assessing patient readiness to change, making the best treatment decisions, and referring patients for appropriate care. Most students found significant value of SBIRT in their current practice setting. Conclusion/Application to Practice: The SBIRT curriculum was found to be a valuable tool for nurses in screening and referring patients to care who are at risk of alcohol and drug misuse. It is important for occupational health nurses to learn the necessary skills for assessing workers for alcohol and drug misuse. The occupational health nurse is encouraged to practice their skills at every patient encounter for purposes of refining their skills. Employers are concerned about drug and alcohol misuse in the workplace and occupational health nurses are the optimal group to intervene with workers who need assistance.
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA): An Occupational Case Report
Authors: Shahbaz Michael , Blanc Paul D. , Domeracki Sandra J. , Guntur Sandeep
Published: September 2019

Transient shoulder pain is a common complaint following intramuscular vaccine administration into the deltoid. More severe vaccination-associated shoulder complications comprising of weakness and decreased range of motion are categorized under the construct “shoulder injury related to vaccine administration” (SIRVA) that subsumes both subjective and objective findings consistent with injury. We describe the presentation and management of a case of SIRVA in a health care worker following seasonal influenza vaccine administration as part of a hospital-based employee health program and review the relevant biomedical literature. We present a case from a single medical center. All data were collected by professionals in occupational health by interviewing, performing physical examinations, and reviewing medical records associated with the injured worker. Severe pain and limited range of shoulder motion developed following an influenza vaccination that was administered using a poorly positioned, larger than recommended needle. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated moderate glenohumeral joint effusion and synovitis, with fluid accumulating in the subscapularis recess within 1 week of injury. At 8 months after initial injury, MRI showed persistent mild tenosynovitis of the long head of the biceps tendon, interval accumulation of a large glenohumeral joint effusion, and infraspinatus tendinitis with subjacent reactive bone marrow edema. The affected worker experienced work restrictions but had no complete lost workdays to date due to the injury. Occupationally related SIRVA is a preventable adverse event that should be considered in workplace vaccine administration programs, and appropriate education and training provided to vaccine administrators to address this.
Refugees’ Transnational Practices: Gay Iranian Men Navigating Refugee Status and Cross-border Ties in Canada
Authors: Karimi Aryan
Published: September 2019

Despite the rise in displaced population numbers, refugees’ transnational lives, and those of sexual-racial minority refugees in particular, have remained at the margins of transnational migration studies. In this article, I focus on the case of gay Iranian refugees in Canada and analyze their pre-migration transnational lives and understandings of the asylum process, their post-migration transnational ties, and their activism practices. I underline refugees’ transnational agencies and argue against the rhetoric that represents refugees as passive migrants whose emigration means detachment from home countries. Based on my field work findings, I endorse analytical and methodological shifts to simultaneously explore refugees’ pre-migration and en-route lives in addition to their post-migration lives to stress the power relations that, through social ties, affect refugees’ transnational practices. I connect transnational, forced, and queer migration literature to the Bourdieusian social theory and, in conclusion, argue that it is necessary to deploy de-nationalized methods of inquiry to account for intra-group diversities as well as border-crossing social ties in addition to economic ties.
Launching Networked PLCs: Footholds Into Creating and Improving Knowledge of Ambitious and Equitable Teaching Practices in an RPP
Authors: Thompson Jessica , Richards Jennifer , Shim Soo-Yean , Lohwasser Karin , Von Esch Kerry Soo , Chew Christine , Sjoberg Bethany , Morris Ann
Published: September 2019

One of the major challenges in educational reform is supporting teachers and the profession in the continual improvement of instruction. Research-practice partnerships and particularly networked improvement communities are well-suited for such knowledge-building work. This article examines how a networked improvement community with eight school-based professional learning communities—comprised of secondary science teachers, science and emergent bilingual coaches, and researchers—launched into improvement work within schools and across the district. We used data from professional learning communities to analyze pathways into improvement work and reflective data to understand practitioners’ perspectives. We describe three improvement launch patterns: (1) Local Practice Development, (2) Spread and Local Adaptation, and (3) Integrating New Practices. We raise questions about what is lost and gained in the transfer of tools and practices across schools and theorize about how research-practice partnerships find footholds into joint improvement work.
Balancing Rigor, Replication, and Relevance: A Case for Multiple-Cohort, Longitudinal Experiments
Authors: Blazar David , Kraft Matthew A.
Published: September 2019

Over the past 15 years, the education research community has advocated for rigorous research designs that support causal inferences, for research that provides more generalizable results across settings, and for the value of research-practice partnerships that inform the design of local programs and policies. We propose the multi-cohort, longitudinal experiment (MCLE) as one approach to balancing these three, sometimes competing goals in a single study. We describe our application of an MCLE design to evaluate a teacher coaching program, where we find that changes in program features related to personnel, content, and duration coincided with substantial differences in effectiveness across three cohorts of the experiment. Our analyses and corresponding recommendations can help researchers weigh the benefits and trade-offs of the MCLE design.
Promoting Higher Quality of Care Through Education of Pediatric Residents on the Medical Home Model
Authors: Noor Rabia , Becker Melinda , Balfaqih Yaslam , Flesher Susan
Published: September 2019

The objective of this project was to present educational modules to pediatric residents and to assess if the modules improved residents’ understanding of the patient- and family-centered medical home model. Eighteen residents participated in 3 separate training sessions taught by fellow residents, which covered a total of 5 modules. Pretests and posttests were administered for each module. All modules showed improved scores from pretest to posttest, but only one module showed statistically significant improvement. The modules also incorporated discussion sessions that led to clinical practice change. These results revealed that resident-administered education using predeveloped modules can be effective in increasing knowledge related to the medical home model and in changing resident clinical practice.
Culture, Self, and Medical Decision Making in Australia and China: A Structural Model Analysis
Authors: Dolan Hankiz , Alden Dana L. , Friend John M. , Lee Ping Yein , Lee Yew Kong , Ng Chirk Jenn , Abdullah Khatijah Lim , Trevena Lyndal
Published: September 2019

Objective. To explore and compare the influences of individual-level cultural values and personal attitudinal values on the desire for medical information and self-involvement in decision making in Australia and China. Methods. A total of 288 and 291 middle-aged adults from Australia and China, respectively, completed an online survey examining cultural and personal values, and their desired level of self-influence on medical decision making. Structural equation modeling was used to test 15 hypotheses relating to the effects of cultural and personal antecedents on the individual desire for influence over medical decision making. Results. Similar factors in both Australia and China (total variance explained: Australia 29%; China 35%) predicted desire for medical information, with interdependence (unstandardized path coefficient βAustralia = 0.102, P = 0.014; βChina = 0.215, P = 0.001), independence (βAustralia = 0.244, P < 0.001; βChina = 0.123, P = 0.037), and health locus of control (βAustralia = −0.140, P = 0.018; βChina = −0.138, P = 0.007) being significant and positive predictors. A desire for involvement in decisions was only predicted by power distance, which had an opposite effect of being negative for Australia and positive for China (total variance explained: Australia 11%; China 5%; βAustralia = 0.294, P < 0.001; China: βChina = −0.190, P = 0.043). National culture moderated the effect of independence on desire for medical information, which was stronger in Australia than China ( Z score = 1.687, P < 0.05). Conclusions. Study results demonstrate that in both countries, desire for medical information can be influenced by individual-level cultural and personal values, suggesting potential benefits of tailoring health communication to personal mindsets to foster informed decision making. The desired level of self-involvement in decision making was relatively independent of other cultural and personal values in both countries, suggesting caution against cultural stereotypes. Study findings also suggest that involvement preferences in decision making should be considered separately from information needs at the clinical encounter.
Cooperation of hydrolysis modes among xylanases reveals the mechanism of hemicellulose hydrolysis by Penicillium chrysogenum P33
Authors: Yang Yi , Yang Jinshui , Wang Ruonan , Liu Jiawen , Zhang Yu , Liu Liang , Wang Fengqin , Yuan Hongli
Published: September 2019

Background

Xylanases randomly cleave the internal β-1,4-glycosidic bonds in the xylan backbone and are grouped into different families in the carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZy) database. Although multiple xylanases are detected in single strains of many filamentous fungi, no study has been reported on the composition, synergistic effect, and mode of action in a complete set of xylanases secreted by the same microorganism.

Results

All three xylanases secreted by Penicillium chrysogenum P33 were expressed and characterized. The enzymes Xyl1 and Xyl3 belong to the GH10 family and Xyl3 contains a CBM1 domain at its C-terminal, whereas Xyl2 belongs to the GH11 family. The optimal temperature/pH values were 35 °C/6.0, 50 °C/5.0 and 55 °C/6.0 for Xyl1, Xyl2, and Xyl3, respectively. The three xylanases exhibited synergistic effects, with the maximum synergy observed between Xyl3 and Xyl2, which are from different families. The synergy between xylanases could also improve the hydrolysis of cellulase (C), with the maximum amount of reducing sugars (5.68 mg/mL) observed using the combination of C + Xyl2 + Xyl3. Although the enzymatic activity of Xyl1 toward xylan was low, it was shown to be capable of hydrolyzing xylooligosaccharides into xylose. Xyl2 was shown to hydrolyze xylan to long-chain xylooligosaccharides, whereas Xyl3 hydrolyzed xylan to xylooligosaccharides with a lower degree of polymerization.

Conclusions

Synergistic effect exists among different xylanases, and it was higher between xylanases from different families. The cooperation of hydrolysis modes comprised the primary mechanism for the observed synergy between different xylanases. This study demonstrated, for the first time, that the hydrolysates of GH11 xylanases can be further hydrolyzed by GH10 xylanases, but not vice versa.
Development of stimuli-responsive nano-based pesticides: emerging opportunities for agriculture
Authors: Camara Marcela Candido , Campos Estefânia Vangelie Ramos , Monteiro Renata Aparecida , do Espirito Santo Pereira Anderson , de Freitas Proença Patrícia Luiza , Fraceto Leonardo Fernandes
Published: September 2019

Pesticides and fertilizers are widely used to enhance agriculture yields, although the fraction of the pesticides applied in the field that reaches the targets is less than 0.1%. Such indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides is disadvantageous due to the cost implications and increasing human health and environmental concerns. In recent years, the utilization of nanotechnology to create novel formulations has shown great potential for diminishing the indiscriminate use of pesticides and providing environmentally safer alternatives. Smart nano-based pesticides are designed to efficiently delivery sufficient amounts of active ingredients in response to biotic and/or abiotic stressors that act as triggers, employing targeted and controlled release mechanisms. This review discusses the current status of stimuli-responsive release systems with potential to be used in agriculture, highlighting the challenges and drawbacks that need to be overcome in order to accelerate the global commercialization of smart nanopesticides.
Genome-wide mutation analysis of Helicobacter pylori after inoculation to Mongolian gerbils
Authors: Suzuki Rumiko , Satou Kazuhito , Shiroma Akino , Shimoji Makiko , Teruya Kuniko , Matsumoto Takashi , Akada Junko , Hirano Takashi , Yamaoka Yoshio
Published: September 2019

Background

Helicobacter pylori is a pathogenic bacterium that causes various gastrointestinal diseases in the human stomach. H. pylori is well adapted to the human stomach but does not easily infect other animals. As a model animal, Mongolian gerbils are often used, however, the genome of the inoculated H. pylori may accumulate mutations to adapt to the new host. To investigate mutations occurring in H. pylori after infection in Mongolian gerbils, we compared the whole genome sequence of TN2 wild type strain (TN2wt) and next generation sequencing data of retrieved strains from the animals after different lengths of infection.

Results

We identified mutations in 21 loci of 17 genes of the post-inoculation strains. Of the 17 genes, five were outer membrane proteins that potentially influence on the colonization and inflammation. Missense and nonsense mutations were observed in 15 and 6 loci, respectively. Multiple mutations were observed in three genes. Mutated genes included babA, tlpB, and gltS, which are known to be associated with adaptation to murine. Other mutations were involved with chemoreceptor, pH regulator, and outer membrane proteins, which also have potential to influence on the adaptation to the new host.

Conclusions

We confirmed mutations in genes previously reported to be associated with adaptation to Mongolian gerbils. We also listed up genes that mutated during the infection to the gerbils, though it needs experiments to prove the influence on adaptation.
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in which urinary protein improved after surgical treatment for acromegaly: a case report
Authors: Yamasaki Arina , Bito Daisuke , Eto Erina , Matsumoto Keiichiro , Nakamura Megumi , Miyazaki Junji , Matsumoto Kenichi , Masuda Masanori , Mori Daisuke , Yoshimura Toru
Published: September 2019

Background

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is characterized by partial (segmental) sclerotic lesions in some glomeruli (focal). Primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is generally considered resistant to steroid therapy. However, acromegaly is a disease that causes peculiar facial features, body types, and metabolic abnormalities due to the excessive secretion of growth hormone by a pituitary adenoma. Growth hormone has been reported to be involved in glomerular cell growth, mesangial proliferation, and glomerulosclerosis in the kidney.

Case presentation

We report a case of a Japanese patient with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in whom decreased urinary protein was observed after surgical treatment for acromegaly.

Conclusion

The patient’s urinary protein improved as the concentration of growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor 1 decreased.
Cloning and characterization of the lignin biosynthesis genes NcCSE and NcHCT from Neolamarckia cadamba
Authors: Li Juncheng , Huang Xiaoling , Huang Hao , Huo Heqiang , Nguyen Chi D. , Pian Ruiqi , Li Huaqiang , Ouyang Kunxi , Chen Xiaoyang
Published: September 2019

Neolamarckia cadamba is an important fast growing tree species used for pulping and wood material in industry for it’s desirable wood properties. As one of the most important content in wood, lignin provides structural integrity, strength, and hydrophobicity to the thickened cell walls and is the major factor contributing to biomass recalcitrance. It does not reduce the palatability of forage grass for animals, but it hinders the isolation of cellulose fibers and the efficient enzymatic depolymerization of cellulose and hemicellulose into fermentable sugars in biorefining processes by limiting the access by hydrolytic enzymes to their polysaccharide substrates. This work focused on analyzing the functions of NcCSE (Caffeoyl Shikimate Esterase, GenBank accession number: MG739672) and NcHCT (Hydroxycinnamoyl Transferase,GenBank accession number: MG739673) in the lignin biosynthetic process in order to improve the potential for utilization of leaves and wood from N. cadamba. The mutant phenotype of cse-2 was dramatically complemented to WT in the stable transgenic lines cse-35S::NcCSE, but overexpression of NcHCT in the cse-2 mutant did not have the same result as cse-35S::NcCSE, providing only partial complementation.
Anti-inflammation activity of brazilin in TNF-α induced human psoriasis dermatitis skin model
Authors: Choi Da Hee , Hwang Hyung Seo
Published: September 2019

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes erythema, scale, and invasion due to excessive proliferation of keratinocyte and vascular deformation of the upper part of the dermis. Recently, it has been reported that brazilin, an active compound of Caesalpinia sappan L., possesses anti-inflammatory activity in mouse macrophage. However, little is known about its effect or anti-inflammatory activity on psoriasis dermatitis. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine anti-inflammatory activity of brazilin in TNF-α-induced human keratinocyte (HaCaT) widely used as a model of psoriatic dermatitis. First, CCK-8 assay was performed to determine cytotoxicity of brazilin in HaCaT cells and cytotoxicity was not observed up to 7 μg/mL concentrations. Brazilin decreased mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in a concentration dependent manner. Brazilin also significantly reduced phosphorylation of I-κB, Akt, and MAPKs such as ERK, JNK, p38 and STAT3 in immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) induced by TNF-α. In addition, inflammation causes the weakness of the skin barrier structure and increase cell permeability, stimulating serious problems in skin moisturizing. Thus, we observed changes of skin permeability in TNF-α induced inflammatory condition through transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay. While TNF-α induced inflammation caused reduction of TEER value (ohm (Ω) × cm2), it was recovered by treatment with brazilin in a concentration-dependent manner. These results strongly imply that brazilin can reinforce the skin barrier due to its anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, brazilin could be a promising candidate for treating psoriasis dermatitis.
Neuroprotective effects of an Nrf2 agonist on high glucose-induced damage in HT22 cells
Authors: Zhao Jiangpei , Liu Lerong , Li Xia , Zhang Lingxiao , Lv Jing , Guo Xueli , Chen Hui , Zhao Tongfeng
Published: September 2019

Background

Oxidative stress is the hallmark of diabetic encephalopathy, which may be caused by hyperglycaemic toxicity. We aimed to discover pharmacologic targets to restore redox homeostasis. We identified the transcription factor Nrf2 as such a target.

Methods

HT22 cells were cultured in 25 or 50 mM d-glucose with various concentrations of sulforaphane (SFN) (from 1.25 to 5.0 μM). Cell viability was tested with the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was detected with an inverted fluorescence microscope using the dichlorodihydrofluorescein-diacetate fluorescent probe. The expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) at the mRNA and protein levels was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.

Result

We found that a high glucose concentration (50 mM) increased the generation of ROS, downregulated the expression of Nrf2/HO-1 and upregulated the expression of NF-κB. Moreover, HT22 cell viability significantly decreased after culture in high-glucose medium for 24, 48 and 72 h, whereas the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway using a pharmacological Nrf2 activator abrogated this high-glucose-induced toxicity.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the activation of the Nrf2–ARE signalling pathway might be a therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetic encephalopathy.
Serum level and single-nucleotide polymorphisms of toll-like receptor-7 among urinary bladder cancer Iraqi patients
Authors: Al-Humairi Rasha M. A. , Al-Musawi Muna T. , Ad’hiah Ali H.
Published: September 2019

Background

Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), a member of TLR family, plays a pivotal role in pathogenesis of different malignancies. Among these is urinary bladder cancer (UBC), which has not been extensively studied. Therefore, it was aimed to determine TLR7 serum level in UBC patients and evaluate its association with some demographic and clinicopathological characteristics. In addition, four TLR7 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs: rs179018, rs179019, rs179020, and rs179021) were investigated to determine their susceptibility role in UBC and inspect SNP’s impact on TLR7 level. Sixty-six UBC Iraqi patients were enrolled in this case-control study. Two control samples were also involved, 40 urinary tract infection (UTI) patients, and 48 healthy control subjects.

Results

Male gender, older age, and cigarette-smoking are risk factors for UBC. TLR7 level showed a significant decreased median in UBC patients compared to UTI patients or control (1.4 vs. 8.1 and 9.5 ng/ml, respectively; p < 0.001). The decrease was more pronounced in males, age group ≥ 48 years, cigarette-smokers, alcohol non-consumers, clinical stages I–II, and superficial tumor, as well as patients with family history of cancer and untreated patients. Mitomycin C and Bacillus Calmette–Guérin therapies tended to increase TLR7 level. Among the four investigated SNPs, only rs179019 C allele showed significantly uncorrected increased frequency in UBC males compared to control males (p = 0.038), while among UTI females, C allele frequency maintained a significantly corrected decreased frequency compared to control females (p = 0.005). Some SNPs influenced serum level of TLR7, but a significant impact was recorded for rs179019 in UTI females (p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Downregulation of TLR7 is suggested to have a role in etiology and pathogenesis of UBC, especially the male, elderly and smoker patients. Mitomycin C and Bacillus Calmette–Guérin may enhance TLR7 production in the blood of UBC patients. TLR7 SNPs are suggested to influence susceptibility to develop UBC, and their potential in impacting TLR7 serum level is augmented.
The association between angiotensin II type 1 receptor A1166C gene polymorphism and the risk of essential hypertension: a meta-analysis
Authors: Fajar Jonny Karunia , Susanti Melly , Pikir Budi Susetio , Saka Putu Nina Berlinda , Sidarta Erdo Puncak , Tamara Fredo , Akbar Rizal Rahmanda , Hutama Saga Aditya , Gunawan Atma , Heriansyah Teuku
Published: September 2019

Background

Since first reported having the association with essential hypertension, angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) A1166C was globally investigated worldwide. However, controversy was found. Furthermore, previous meta-analyses did not adequate to clarify the precise correlation due to some limitations. Therefore, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis concerning the association between AT1R A1166C single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the risk of essential hypertension with eliminating the limitations of previous studies.

Methods

A meta-analysis was conducted from February to March 2019. Some information related to sample size of hypertension and control groups and genotype frequencies of hypertension and control groups were extracted from each study. Data were analyzed using fixed or random effect model to determine the overall correlation.

Results

A total of 45 papers consisting of 11911 cases and 1340 controls were enrolled for the study. Our overall analysis showed that C allele and AC genotype of AT1R A1166C was associated with 1.18-fold and 1.15-fold respectively increased risk of essential hypertension, while the decreased risk of essential hypertension was observed in A allele and AA genotype. In sub-group analysis, increased risk of essential hypertension was found in C allele, AC genotype, and CC genotype of both Asian population and PCR-RFLP sub-groups, while decreased risk was observed in A allele and AA genotype.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis reveals that AT1R A1166C remains a valuable SNP having an association with the risk of essential hypertension.
Association of insulin gene VNTR INS -23/Hph1 A>T (rs689) polymorphism with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Egyptian children
Authors: Kamel Azza M. , Mira Marwa F. , Ebid Gamal T. A. , Kassem Samar H. , Radwan Eman R. , Mamdouh Mona , Amin Maha , Badawy Nora , Bazaraa Hafez , Ibrahim Amani , Salah Nermine
Published: September 2019

Background

Type1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has a multi-factorial pathogenesis; the interplay between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors is thought to provide the fundamental element for the disease. Apart from HLA, more than 50 genetic variants are associated with T1DM. INS -23/Hph1 A>T (rs689) is one of the effective loci with inconsistent reports in the literature. Accordingly, this study was designed to define the frequencies of INS -23/Hph1 A>T polymorphism and its association with T1DM in Egyptian diabetic children and their non-diabetic family members as compared to healthy controls.

Methods

Using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology, analysis of insulin gene VNTR polymorphism was performed for 496 samples (91 patients, 179 parents, 130 siblings, and 96 controls); parents and siblings were apparently healthy.

Results

INS genotypes and allele frequencies were comparable between patients, non-diabetic siblings, and parents (p = 0.97 and 0.77, respectively). However, the TT/AT genotype and T allele were over-presented in the three family groups compared to controls (p = 0.0015 and 0.0029, respectively).

Comparing patients to controls, the T allele is considered a risk factor for the development of TIDM (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.42–4.62, p = 0.0017).

INS -23/Hph1 A>T polymorphism showed concordance between patients and their mothers (Kappa = 0.446, p = 0.000) but not with their fathers (Kappa = 0.031, p = 0.765).

Conclusions

INS -23/Hph1 A>T gene polymorphism was shown to be a risk factor for the development of TIDM. This is in agreement with some and in disagreement with other reports. Studies of risk susceptibility factors have to be carried out locally in each community; results cannot be extrapolated from one ethnic group to another.
Resisting hierarchies through relationality in the ethics of care
Authors: Robinson Fiona
Published: September 2019

This article explores recent charges of Western-centrism and gender essentialism in care ethics. In response to these charges, and informed by the work of Carol Gilligan, I argue for a view of care ethics that regards it not primarily as a normative theory advocating for care and care workers, but as a critical ethics that voices and enacts resistance to Cartesian splits and hierarchies. These are not just gender hierarchies; rather, care ethics resists all binaries that divide people into categories and separate them from others, and, indeed, from themselves.
Neuroscience Theories, Hypothesis and Approaches to ASD Physiopathology. A Review
Authors: OJ Castejón
Published: September 2019

According to the results of our laboratory the theory of immune dysfunction, the theory on the genetic architecture of ASD, the disrupted cortical connectivity theory and the theory on the contribution of cerebellum to ASD have shown fundamental experimental evidences to support the core symptoms of the complex and enigmatic physiopathology of autism spectrum disorder. The additional hypothesis about the neurogenesis in the amygdala, the contribution of oxytocin, vasopressin, the mirror neuron network, and mitochondrial dysfunction described are stimulating and interesting approaches that deserve further systematic basic and clinical neuroscience research.
Allele Based Inference on Evolution and Extinction; A Genetic Drift Approach
Authors: Oyamakin S. Oluwafemi , Chukwu Angela U. , Oluwaseun A Wale-Orojo , E. O Ogunjobi
Published: September 2019

In other to present a series of stochastic models from population dynamics capable of describing rudimentary aspects of genetic evolution, we studied two-allele Wright–Fisher and the Moran models for evolution of the relative frequencies of two alleles at a diploid locus under random genetic drift in a population of fixed size “simplest form, selection, and random mutation”. Principal results were presented in qualitative terms, illustrated by Monte Carlo simulations from R and http://www.radford.edu/~rsheehy/Gen_flash/popgen. Moran and the Wright-Fisher Models exhibited the same fixation probabilities, only that the Moran model runs twice as fast as the Wright-Fisher Model. A clue that can help us to understand this result is provided by the variance in reproductive success in the two models. Genetic changes due to drift were neither directional nor predictable in any deterministic way. Nonetheless, genetic drift led to evolutionary change in the absence of mutation (P=0.5), natural selection or gene flow. In general, alleles drift to fixation is significantly faster in smaller populations. Probability of fixation of an allele A was approximately equivalent to the initial frequency of that allele. With the inclusion of selection in our model, probability of fixation of a favoured allele due to natural selection increased with increase in fitness advantage and population size. The time taken to reach fixation is much slower, in case of no selective advantage, than a fixation under mutation with selective advantage.
Assessment of Anticancer Effect of Alendronate in Breast Cancer: An In vitro Study
Authors: Ilyas Nida Syed Amber , Zarina Shamshad , Hashim Zehra
Published: September 2019

Breast cancer has high incidence in women from both developed and developing countries. Approximately 2 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. In Asia, unfortunately Pakistan leads the highest number of breast cancer patients. Various treatment strategies are present but they are not well developed. There is a great need to develop effective methods for early detection and treatment of the disease. For cancer treatment chemotherapeutic interventions have always been a method of choice. One of the mechanisms involved in cancerous cell proliferation is Mevalonate (MVA) pathway. It is hypothesized that arresting MVA pathway leads to cell death hence cancer cell growth is suppressed. Various inhibitors of MVA pathway have been studied that can suppress cell proliferation. Nitrogen containing bisphosphonates are MVA pathway inhibitor and clinically used for treatment of bone diseases. Their anticancer efficacy is also reported. Current study focuses on alendronate, a nitrogen containing bisphosphonate to examine their anticancer effect on breast cancer cell line. Results of this study may help in addition of new anticancer drug for breast cancer.
Self-Medication among Pregnant Women in Effutu and Agona West Municipalities of the Central Region of Ghana
Authors: Nkrumah Jacqueline , Gbagbo Fred Yao
Published: September 2019

Self-medication in pregnancy is a health concern in Ghana. We assessed the practice among 136 pregnant women in Effutu and Agona West Municipalities using facility-based, cross-sectional design and mixed method approach of data collection. Data analysis used SPSS and manual content analysis. Results show that pregnant women of all backgrounds self-medicate, with prevalence of 69%, motivated by cheaper treatment cost (17%), minor ailments (29%) and positive outcomes (33%). Commonly used medications include antibiotics (23%), pain killers (20%) and herbal preparations (19%). Preventing self-medication in pregnancy therefore requires awareness creation and evidence based Social Behavioral Change Communication on associated dangers.
Results of neonatal screening for congenital hypothyrosis in the Krasnoyarsk region
Authors: Taranushenko T. Ye. , Kostyuk A. K. , Leiman T. V. , Dogadin S. A. , Kalyuzhnaya I. I.
Published: September 2019

A total of 25130 newborns were examined, which was 91% of all babies born alive in the Krasnoyarsk region. For detecting hypothyrosis, TTH levels were measured in dry blood stains on special paper filters using Delfia diagnostic kit in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Hyperthyrotropinemia was detected in 3.76% of all samples examined (primary positive results of screening), but subsequent examinations of newborns with suspected thyroid insufficiency confirmed congenital hypothyrosis in only 6 patients, or 0.99% of all infants examined repeatedly. In 99.01% of cases the detected hyperthyrotropinemia was transitory. According to the findings of neonatal screening, the incidence of congenital hypothyrosis was 1 per 4134 newborns. Congenital hypothyrosis is most often confirmed in cases with the primary positive value of TTH higher than 100 pU/ml. At lower TTH levels the probability of the diagnosis validation was lower, although not ruled out
Use of iodinated bread for preventing endemic goiter in regions with moderate and slight iodine deficit
Authors: Gerasimov G. A. , Maiorova N. M. , Shishkina A. A. , Sviridenko N. Yu. , Nazarov A. N. , Alexandrova G. F. , Kotova G. A. , Butrova S. A. , Arbuzova M. I. , Mischenko В. P. , Dedov I. I.
Published: September 2019

Iodination of foodstuffs is one basic trend in prevention of iodine deficit and diseases caused by it. The production of iodine salt is rather expensive, and hence, another highly prevalent foodstuff was chosen as "iodine carrier": bread. Bread is traditional food in Russia and its consumption is stable throughout the year. Bread baking is centralized in the majority of regions of our country. It is manufactured at rather large bakeries and delivered even to the most faraway regions. In order to solve the practical problems of baking iodinated bread, a pilot experiment was carried out in 1993-1995 in the Pavlovsky Posad district near Moscow (a region with moderate and slight iodine deficiency). The experiment was sponsored by the UNICEF (UN Childhood Foundation) and included development of the formula of bread iodination and assessment of this method of iodine prophylaxis. According to the proposed formula, 60 mg of potassium iodide is to be added per 100 g of flour; such a dose covers the daily requirement of an organism in iodine, provided 500 g of bread is consumed daily. The efficacy of iodinated bread was assessed from the time course of renal excretion of iodine and incidence of thyroid enlargement in 162 schoolchildren aged 7 to 14 at a boarding school in the town of Pavlovsky Posad, who were given 300 g of bread daily, and in 178 schoolchildren aged 9 to 11 living in the rural regions, eating about 100 g daily. After 3 months the median level of urinary iodine increased from 4.8 to 12.6 pg% in town and from 3.0 to 6.2 pg% in the country. After 9 months the levels of urinary excretion of iodine were the same, moreover, the incidence of thyroid enlargement decreased in both groups. Hence, the tasks of pilot experiment were fulfilled: a method for bread iodination has been developed and introduced at bakeries and its efficacy in normalization of iodine supply validated.
Magnetic resonance tomography in the diagnosis of adrenal diseases
Authors: Belichenko О. I. , Dedov I. I. , Marova Ye. I. , Zenkova T. S. , Shariya M. A. , Mikhailov D. V.
Published: September 2019

The authors analyze the results of many-year application of magnetic imaging to the diagnosis of volume diseases of the adrenals. The method may be effectively used for topical diagnosis of such conditions. Due to some of its characteristics, such as clear differentiation of soft tissues, possibility of examination in 3 and more projections, safety, etc., magnetic imaging may be considered a method of choice in the diagnosis of adrenal tumors. It provides valuable information on the size, shape, localization, and dissemination of adrenal tumors and in some cases differentiates the variants of anatomical norm of the adjacent organs simulating adrenal tumors shown by other topographic methods. Features of magnetic image of tumors different by their hormonal activity: aldosteroma, pheochromocytoma, corticosteroma, "incidentaloma", and malignant tumors are described. Use of paramagnetic contrast agents appreciably improves the quality of magnetic resonance tomographic diagnosis of adrenal tumors, for it permits a more reliable conclusion on the tumor structure and its position amidst the adjacent vascular structures (abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava) and the parenchymatous organs (liver and kidneys), which is particularly valuable for planning surgery.
Premium, pertalite or pertamax: an empirical study of Alchian-Allen phenomenon on gasoline consumer behavior
Authors: Widyastuti Nur Laila , Hartono Djoni
Published: September 2019

In Indonesia, consumers can choose to consume either high or low quality gasoline based on their preferences. Changing preference to a higher quality that is affected by the declining relative price can lead to an Alchian-Allen (A-A) phenomenon. This study aims to determine whether the A-A Phenomenon occurs on the behavior of consumers before and after the existence of Pertalite. The regression model used is the panel data regressions and the regression result proves that there is an A-A phenomenon in market share in Indonesia before and after Pertalite. This indicates that the high difference of relative prices between high and low quality gasolines has a negative impact towards their relative consumption. Prior to Pertalite, consumers continued changing preference into high quality gasoline in the 2nd and 3rd month intervals when relative price difference decreased. After the existing of Pertalite, consumers did not quickly transfer their preferences from Premium to Pertalite when the relative price declined, so that the A-A phenomenon did not occur in this low and middle grade gasoline consumption pattern. However, Pertamax's consumption to Pertalite increases when the relative price between them declines; thus raising the A-A phenomenon. This implies that the government of Indonesia could use their authority to make arrangements on price differences between gasoline qualities
Long-term fertilization effect of organic carbon and total nitrogen on floodplain soil
Authors: Majharul Islam Md. , Forhad Hossain Md. , Mukul Mia Md , Shaidul Islam Md. , Saikat Hossain Bhuiyan Md. , Alam Talukder Joynul , Abdul Kader M.
Published: September 2019

Soil organic matter is the most often reported indicator of soil quality and productivity and an evidence of previous soil management. Therefore, in 2017, a laboratory incubation study was carried out in the experimental filed of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh, Bangladesh under control condition at 25°C for 104 days to investigate the influence of long term manuring and fertilization on soil respiration by means of C mineralization. Soil samples were collected from floodplain soil with rice-rice cropping pattern at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) experimental farm having eight treatments. Long term (33 years) application of fertilizers and manure resulted in significant differences in soil organic carbon, total N content, and soil pH KCl between the treatments. The soil organic carbon and total N content varied among the different treatments from14.9 g OC kg-1 to 17.0 g OC kg-1 and1.60 g N kg-1 (control) to 1.78 g N kg-1 (application of NPK). The soil pH varied among the different treatments from 5.65(application of NK) to 4.89 (application of N). This result indicates that more stable organic carbon was formed in NPK treated soil which is less prone to decomposition if present crop management has been changed.
Shale volume and porosity delineation of coast swamp depobelt in Niger delta region, Nigeria, using well log
Authors: Essien Ubong
Published: September 2019

Well log data from two wells were evaluated for shale volume, total and effective porosity. Well log data were obtained from gamma ray, neutron-density log, resistivity, sonic and caliper log respectively. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of shale volume, total and effective porosity form two well log data. The results of the analysis depict the presence of sand, sand-shale and shale formations. Hydrocarbon accumulation were found to be high in sand, fair in sand-shale and low in shale, since existence of shale reduces total and effective porosity and water saturation of the reservoir. The thickness of the reservoir ranged from 66 – 248.5ft. The average values of volume of shale, total and effective porosity values ranged from 0.004 – 0.299dec, 0.178 – 0.207dec and 0.154 – 0.194dec. Similarly, the water saturation and permeability ranged from 0.277 – 0.447dec and 36.637 - 7808.519md respectively. These values of total and effective porosity are high in sand, fair in sand-shale and low in shale formations. The results for this study demonstrate: accuracy, applicability of these approaches and enhance the proper evaluation of petrophysical parameters from well log data.
Analysing prospective teachers’ self-efficacy belief, teaching motivation and attitudes towards teaching from the perspective of several variables
Authors: Gök Bilge , Atalay Kabasakal Kübra
Published: September 2019

This study aims to analyse prospective teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs, teaching motivation, and attitudes towards teaching from the aspect of a number of variables. The research data were collected through “Teachers’ Sense of Self-efficacy Scale”, “Motivation to Teach Scale”, “Attitude Scale of Teaching Profession”. The study group was composed of 543 undergraduate students and taking teaching formation courses. Consequently, it was found that the prospective teachers who had chosen the department of study or graduation voluntarily had higher self-efficacy, motivation and attitudes than those who had not chosen the department voluntarily. The difference was found significant for both independent variables, but the interaction effect of the independent variables was not found significant for the dependent variables considered in this study. In addition to that, on examining the correlations between variables, it was found that the highest correlation was between intrinsic motivation and attitudes whereas the lowest correlation was between self-efficacy and motivation. The regression analysis performed indicated that attitudes had significant effects on self-efficacy and motivation. The findings suggested that such factors as attitudes, self-efficacy, and motivation should be taken into consideration in teacher training, and that other variables thought to have significant effects on teaching profession should also be analysed in studies to be conducted in the future.