bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Common Ground: A Place to Stand – Together
Authors: Gunn Mairi
Published: May 2021

The immersive video installation, Common Ground, seeks to establish commonalities across racial boundaries based on cultural attitudes and grounded experience, including attachment to place, eviction from ancestral lands and enduring struggles for self-determination. Three stories (16:9) about connection to place, supported by massive ultra-widescreen 48:9 video landscapes, are told by Highland Scots (Gaels) from the very north of Scotland, ancestral homeland of the author, and three Māori from Te Tai Tokerau (Northland in Aotearoa New Zealand, current home of the author).
Writings by radical human ecologists describe as a triune the three-way relationship between land, people, and the unseen realms. The short stories that comprise Common Ground reveal a history riven when servants of capital intervened in the traditionally collective lives of people who had been cleaved to the land for millennia. The human ecologists call this enclosure as an ontological split. What affect does such a schism have on the psyche of the colonised… and, one wonders, on the colonisers and their offspring? As a settler living in an uncomfortably colonised reality, the author is drawn to Māori because their values are often ordered similarly. The way the stories are presented in Common Ground, is based on the Māori ritual of encounter within a meeting house (whare tupuna) where speakers take the floor un-interrupted and speeches are embellished by a song, be it a psalm, a waulking song, a Gaelic ballad or a prayer.
The immersive installation brings viewers together in a darkened space where they experience connection that may serve to remind them of the potential for the commons and commoning to be a salve for our grief.
Identification of the Glimepiride and Metformin Hydrochloride Physical Interaction in Binary Systems
Authors: Darusman Fitrianti , Fakih Taufik Muhammad , Nurfarida Gina Fuji
Published: May 2021

Glimepiride is often combined with metformin HCl as an oral antidiabetic in type II diabetes mellitus, which provides a complementary and synergistic effect with multiple targets for insulin secretion. Glimepiride includes class II of BCS, which solubility practically insoluble in water but high permeability, which will impact the drug's small bioavailability. In contrast, metformin HCl includes class III of BCS, which has a high solubility in water, but low permeability is absorbed approximately 50-60% in the digestive tract given orally. The co-crystallization method can be used to improve the glimepiride solubility properties and the permeability properties of metformin HCl by interrupting glimepiride with metformin HCl physically. This study aims to identify the physical interactions between glimepiride and metformin HCL using a thermal analysis of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and then confirmed by a computational approach. Identifying the physical interactions between glimepiride and metformin HCL was carried out by plotting the melting points generated from the endothermic peaks of the DSC thermogram at various compositions versus the mole ratios of the two were further confirmed by the computational approach using PatchDock. The results of the phase diagram analysis of the binary system between glimepiride and metformin HCl show a congruent pattern, which indicates the formation of co-crystal or molecular compounds at a 1 : 1 mole ratio at 228°C. Computational approach results showed that the interaction between glimepiride and metformin HCl did not form new compounds but heterosinton formation that was stable in molecular dynamics simulations.
Epicotyl length in seedlings of soybean cultivars subjected to reduced inter-row spacing
Authors: Gontijo Willian Daniel Reis , Sousa Pedro Henrique Santos , Matsuo Éder , Resende Jorge Cunha , Barros Paulo Henrique Frois Correa , Bomtempo Gustavo Lourenço
Published: May 2021

The objective was to evaluate the epicotyl length of seedlings of soybean cultivars in the field, submitted to plant densification by reducing the inter-row spacing. Two field experiments were conducted in Rio Paranaíba in the state of Minas Gerais and the effect of reduced spacing (20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm and 50 cm between rows) was evaluated. The assessment of the epicotyl length was done by using a millimeter ruler when the plants reached the V2 development stage. The experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with four repetitions. In experiment 1, the BRSMG752S cultivar was submitted to four inter-row spacings and no differences were found among them. In experiment 2, the simple factorial scheme 4 x 3 was considered, with 4 spacings and 3 cultivars, to analyze the effect of the interaction between cultivars (96R10, 97R50 and 98Y21) and spacing (20, 30, 40 and 50 cm between rows). The results of experiment 2 indicated that there was no significant effect for spacing and that the cultivars presented statistically different averages. Thus, it can be concluded that the epicotyl length of soybean seedlings, grown in the field in Rio Paranaíba in the state of Minas Gerais and evaluated at the V2 stage of development, was not influenced by the distance between the sowing lines and that the cultivar 96R10 showed the highest and 98Y21 the lowest mean epicotyl length of soybean seedlings, grown in the field in Rio Paranaíba in the state of Minas Gerais and evaluated at the V2 stage of development.
АКТУАЛЬНІ ПИТАННЯ ПРИЗНАЧЕННЯ КРИМІНАЛІСТИЧНИХ СУДОВИХ ЕКСПЕРТИЗ В УКРАЇНІ
Authors: Лазебний А. М. , Божук І. І.
Published: May 2021

У статті досліджено основні проблемні питання при призначенні та проведенні судової експертизи, що впивають на терміни та результати експертних досліджень, а також вирішення цих питань при розслідуванні у кримінальних провадженнях.

На підставі аналізу наукових домок та правової регламентації, розроблено авторське визначення терміну «судова експертиза». Проведено аналіз чинного кримінального процесуального законодавства України та визначено основні проблеми та колізійні моменти.

З урахуванням сучасних тенденцій розвитку судової експертології як науки виокремлено, що існує нагальна потреба в однозначному термінологічному визначенні понятійного апарату, встановлення правового статусу експерта та регламентації комплексної експертизи в кримінальному провадженні.

Аргументовано необхідність внесення змін до порядку та підстав проведення судової криміналістичної експертизи, з метою уникнення узурпації такого права слідчим суддею.

До основних проблем застосування чинних норм права віднесено, перш за все ст. 244 чинного КПК України, відповідно до якої «експерта може залучити слідчий суддя за клопотанням сторони захисту в разі відмови слідчого, прокурора в задоволенні клопотання сторони захисту про залучення експерта». Застосування цього положення тягне за собою ряд проблем, серед яких: санкціонування слідчим суддею процедури проведення судової експертизи є недоцільним, оскільки більшість експертиз у кримінальному провадженні є обов’язковими, а тому перекладання функції призначення і так обов’язкових експертиз на суд лише затягне процес розгляду справи; за таких обставин не можливо забезпечити оптимізацію судових витрат на проведення судових експертиз; це спричиняє дисбаланс сторін кримінального провадження, що тягне за собою неефективність способів захисту та правосуддя в цілому, а також протирічать засаді свободи в поданні сторонами до суду своїх доказів та доведенні їх переконливості; це веде до невиправданих формальних i неформальних обмежень у використанні засобiв доказування та нівелювання принципу змагальностi сторiн кримінального процесу.

Запропоновано вирішити проблемні аспекти термінологічного апарату, визначення статусу експерта та комплексної експертизи, а також порядку на підстав проведення судової експертизи у кримінальному провадженні у новому проекті Закону України «Про судово-експертну діяльність».

Ключові слова: експерт, суд, кримінальне провадження, досудове розслідування, слідчий суддя, слідчий, суддя, реформи, правосуддя.
Addressing distress management challenges: Recommendations from the consensus panel of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society and the Association of Oncology Social Work
Authors: Deshields Teresa L. , Wells‐Di Gregorio Sharla , Flowers Stacy R. , Irwin Kelly E. , Nipp Ryan , Padgett Lynne , Zebrack Brad
Published: May 2021

Distress management (DM) (screening and response) is an essential component of cancer care across the treatment trajectory. Effective DM has many benefits, including improving patients' quality of life; reducing distress, anxiety, and depression; contributing to medical cost offsets; and reducing emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Unfortunately, many distressed patients do not receive needed services. There are several multilevel barriers that represent key challenges to DM and affect its implementation. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used as an organizational structure to outline the barriers and facilitators to implementation of DM, including: 1) individual characteristics (individual patient characteristics with a focus on groups who may face unique barriers to distress screening and linkage to services), 2) intervention (unique aspects of DM intervention, including specific challenges in screening and psychosocial intervention, with recommendations for resolving these challenges), 3) processes for implementation of DM (modality and timing of screening, the challenge of triage for urgent needs, and incorporation of patient‐reported outcomes and quality measures), 4) organization—inner setting (the context of the clinic, hospital, or health care system); and 5) organization—outer setting (including reimbursement strategies and health‐care policy). Specific recommendations for evidence‐based strategies and interventions for each of the domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research are also included to address barriers and challenges.
Study of glycemic status and lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients attending the Community Based Medical College Hospital
Authors: Rahman Md Muzibar , Hassan Zahid , Sen Bina , Shahidullah ASM , Paul Arup Ratan , Saha Kamana Rani
Published: May 2021

A cross sectional study of 129 type 2 diabetic patients attending out patient department of Community Based Medical College Hospital was done with an aim to evaluate their metabolic control. Of the total cases, 88 (68.2%) were male and 41 (31.8%) were female. Blood glucose and lipid levels were measured by following the standard laboratory methods. The study subjects had relatively poor glycemic control. Fasting serum glucose was 7.45±2.71 (mmol/l, mean±SD); Male-7.04±2.36 and Female 8.33±3.20, p=ns'. Mean (±SD) of total cholesterol and triglyceride of the female subjects were significantly higher compared to the male counterpart (p=0.01 for both). About 71% and 78.0% female subjects had triglyceride and HDLc abnormality compared to 63.3% and 61.4% respectively in their male counterpart. Fasting glucose level showed significant positive correlation with triglyceride among total and male study subjects (p=0.003 for both). In case of total cholesterol significant positive association was among total and female subjects (p=0.005 and 0.007 respectively).  The data concluded that (i) relatively large number of diabetic patients were having dyslipidemia of either component or in combination; and (ii) attention needs to be paid to address this issue of dyslipidemia and to avoid or at least delay the coronary artery and atherosclerotic complications of these subjects.

CBMJ 2014 January: Vol. 03 No. 01 P: 20-24
Fetal Outcome in Premature Rupture of Membrane - A Study Done in the Tertiary Level Specialized Hospital in Bangladesh
Authors: Adhikary Sanchita , Tanira Shaorin , Sultana Arifa , Wazed Feroza , Chowdhury Saleha Begum
Published: May 2021

A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, from February to July of 2008, on 50 pregnant women with more than 28 weeks of pregnancy both primigravid and multigravid with rupture of membranes prior to labor, to find out the effect of premature rupture of membrane on fetal outcome. 48 live births were observed and there were 2 fetal loss. Among those newborns, 28 (58.33%) were male and 20 (41.66%) were female. 54.16% of babies had APGAR score at 5 minutes after birth was >7 and those needed no treatment. APGAR score was 7 in 45.82% babies; all of them were treated and cured. Among the newborns, 52.08% babies had birth weight > 2500 gm, 45.83% had their birth weight in between 1500 and 2500 gm, while 1 (2.08%) was between 1000 and 1500 gm. However, 22 (45.83%) were affected by the consequences of PROM and birth process. Among them, 36.36% developed jaundice, 29.27% suffered from birth asphyxia, and RTI and neonatal sepsis were evident in 18.18% each. 15% babies were treated conservatively and 7% babies were treated in the neonatal ward being admitted into it. There was no neonatal loss.

CBMJ 2014 January: Vol. 03 No. 01 P: 25-28
Knowledge on mode of transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS among the floating sex workers in some selected areas of Dhaka City
Authors: Nahar Lutfun , Mahejabin Farzana , Parveen Shamima
Published: May 2021

Knowledge on sexually transmitted disease like HIV/AIDS can affect and help in reducing the incidence and number of cases of the disease in the community. The present study makes an attempt to assess the knowledge on mode of transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS among the floating sex workers in some selected areas of Dhaka city. A descriptive type of cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of six months from January to June 2009, in Drop in centers in some selected areas of Dhaka city. Data were collected from 90 floating sex workers to find their knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Of the 90 respondents, 88 (97.8%) respondents had heard of HIV/AIDS. Majority of them (52, 57.9%) were got knowledge on HIV/AIDS from NGO workers followed by 13 (14.4%) from radio and 12(13.3%) from television. Most of the respondents (74, 82.2%) knew that HIV could be transmitted by unsafe sex with a known case of AIDS. Regarding prevention of HIV/AIDS, 73(81.1%) respondents knew that use of condom was a way of prevention of AIDS. Majority (51, 56.7%) scored average knowledge on transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Government and non-government organizations and media can play effective role to make people aware of HIV/AIDS particularly the high risk groups.

CBMJ 2014 January: Vol. 03 No. 01 P: 41-45
Kriptopara Getirilerinin Piyasa Risklerinin Karşılaştırılması
Authors: FİDAN Neslihan
Published: May 2021

Finansal kurumların yatırım getirilerine ait piyasa riskini uluslararası platformda Riske Maruz Değer (VaR) ile raporlamaları beklenmektedir. VaR belirli bir güven düzeyinde bir getiri dağılımında kayıpları içeren kuyruğa kesme noktası olarak yaklaşırken, tutarlı bir risk ölçüsü olma özelliklerini sağlayan Koşullu VaR (CVaR) ortalama değer alarak, dağılımın kuyruğuna odaklanmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, beş farklı kriptoparaya ait getirilerin piyasa riskleri daha önceden çoğunlukla hisse senedi piyasasında başvurulduğu görülen VaR ve CVaR ölçülerinin parametrik ve parametrik olmayan yaklaşımlarıyla ölçülmeye çalışılmıştır. Analizden elde edilen sonuçlarda, kriptopara birimleri arasında genel olarak Ripple’ın en yüksek piyasa riskine sahip olduğu, Bitcoin’in ise en az riskli kriptopara birimi olduğu görülmektedir. Geriye dönük testlerle sınanan sonuçlara göre, parametrik olmayan CVaR yaklaşımının VaR’a ve parametrik yaklaşıma göre öngörülebilir bir risk ölçümü sağlandığı görülmektedir. Farklı yatırım araçları kullanılarak oluşturulan minimum riskli portföylerde kriptoparaların portföy ağırlığı arttıkça portföy getirisinin de arttığı gözlenmektedir. Bu sonuç kriptoparaların portföy çeşitlendirmesinde kullanılabileceğini göstermektedir. Sonuçlarımız yatırımcılar ve araştırmacılara, bir yatırım aracı olarak kriptopara birimlerinin kayıplara karşı duyarlılık seviyelerine ilişkin nicel bilgi sağlamaktadır.
Eski toplumlarda diş anomalileri: Kayalıpınar örneği
Authors: SARI İbrahim , AÇIKKOL YILDIRIM Ayşen
Published: May 2021

Diş anomalileri klinik çalışmalarda çok kez rapor edilen, arkeolojik iskelet popülasyonlarında ise nadir görülen gelişimsel olgulardır. Bu çalışmanın materyallerini Sivas İli Kayalıpınar arkeolojik yerleşim alanından elde edilen ve Hellenistik-Erken Bizans’a uzanan iskelet serisi oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, Kayalıpınar insanlarındaki diş anomalilerinin çeşitleri, sıklığı, cinsiyete göre dağılımı ve muhtemel nedenlerini belirlemek amaçlanmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda 150 bireyden 12’sinin (%8) çene ve dişlerinde bir ya da daha fazla diş anomalisi tespit edilmiştir. Gömülü dişlerden sonra en çok karşılaşılan diş anomalisi konjenital diş eksikliğidir. Oransal dağılım açısından cinsiyetler arasında istatistiksel bir farklılık yoktur. Anomalilerin etiyolojisi ile ilgili genetik ve çevresel etmenlerin önemi üzerinde daha çok durulmaktadır. Bu çalışmada ise diş gelişim sürecinde yaşanılan bir stresin ve persiste süt dişlerinin tespit edilen diş anomalileri üzerinde bir etkisinin olduğu/olabileceği düşünülmektedir.
Are There Any Significant Differences in Terms of Age and Sex in Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents?
Authors: Leo Christoph , Rizzi Maria C. , Bos Niels M. , Davidse Ragnhild J. , Linder Astrid , Tomasch Ernst , Klug Corina
Published: May 2021

This study has analyzed sex-specific differences in pedestrian and cyclist accidents involving passenger cars. The most frequently injured body regions, types of injuries, which show sex-specific differences and the general accident parameters of females and males were compared. Accident data from three different European countries (Austria, Netherlands, Sweden) were analyzed. The current analysis shows that for both, females and males, pedestrian and cyclist injuries are sustained mainly to the body regions head, thorax, upper extremities and lower extremities. The results show that the odds for sustaining skeletal injuries to the lower extremities (incl. pelvis) in females are significantly higher. It was observed in all datasets, that the odds of females being involved in a rural accident or an accident at night are lower than for males. Elderly pedestrian and cyclist (≥60YO) tend to sustain more severe injuries (AIS2+ and AIS3+) than younger pedestrian and cyclists (<60YO) in some of the datasets. The findings of this study highlight the differences in males and females in both, accident scenarios and sustained injuries. Further investigations are needed to distinguish between gender- and sex-specific differences causing the different injury patterns.
The Road Less Traveled? Unconventional Protein Secretion at Parasite–Host Interfaces
Authors: Balmer Erina A. , Faso Carmen
Published: May 2021

Protein secretion in eukaryotic cells is a well-studied process, which has been known for decades and is dealt with by any standard cell biology textbook. However, over the past 20 years, several studies led to the realization that protein secretion as a process might not be as uniform among different cargos as once thought. While in classic canonical secretion proteins carry a signal sequence, the secretory or surface proteome of several organisms demonstrated a lack of such signals in several secreted proteins. Other proteins were found to indeed carry a leader sequence, but simply circumvent the Golgi apparatus, which in canonical secretion is generally responsible for the modification and sorting of secretory proteins after their passage through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). These alternative mechanisms of protein translocation to, or across, the plasma membrane were collectively termed “unconventional protein secretion” (UPS). To date, many research groups have studied UPS in their respective model organism of choice, with surprising reports on the proportion of unconventionally secreted proteins and their crucial roles for the cell and survival of the organism. Involved in processes such as immune responses and cell proliferation, and including far more different cargo proteins in different organisms than anyone had expected, unconventional secretion does not seem so unconventional after all. Alongside mammalian cells, much work on this topic has been done on protist parasites, including genera Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Plasmodium, Trichomonas, Giardia, and Entamoeba. Studies on protein secretion have mainly focused on parasite-derived virulence factors as a main source of pathogenicity for hosts. Given their need to secrete a variety of substrates, which may not be compatible with canonical secretion pathways, the study of mechanisms for alternative secretion pathways is particularly interesting in protist parasites. In this review, we provide an overview on the current status of knowledge on UPS in parasitic protists preceded by a brief overview of UPS in the mammalian cell model with a focus on IL-1β and FGF-2 as paradigmatic UPS substrates.
Novel Affibody Molecules Targeting the HPV16 E6 Oncoprotein Inhibited the Proliferation of Cervical Cancer Cells
Authors: Zhu Jinshun , Kamara Saidu , Wang Qi , Guo Yanru , Li Qingfeng , Wang Linlin , Chen Jingjing , Du Qianqian , Du Wangqi , Chen Shao , Zhu Shanli , Chen Jun , Chu Maoping , Zhang Lifang
Published: May 2021

Despite prophylactic vaccination campaigns, high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cervical cancer remains a significant health threat among women, especially in developing countries. The initial occurrence and consequent progression of this cancer type primarily rely on, E6 and E7, two key viral oncogenes expressed constitutively, inducing carcinogenesis. Thus, E6/E7 have been proposed as ideal targets for HPV-related cancer diagnosis and treatment. In this study, three novel HPV16 E6-binding affibody molecules (ZHPV16E61115, ZHPV16E61171, and ZHPV16E61235) were isolated from a randomized phage display library and cloned for bacterial production. These affibody molecules showed high binding affinity and specificity for recombinant and native HPV16 E6 as determined by surface plasmon resonance, indirect immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and near-infrared small animal optical imaging in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, by binding to HPV16 E6 protein, ZHPV16E61235 blocked E6-mediated p53 degradation, which increased the expression of some key p53 target genes, including BAX, PUMA and p21, and thereby selectively reduced the viability and proliferation of HPV16-positive cells. Importantly, ZHPV16E61235 was applied in combination with HPV16 E7-binding affibody ZHPV16E7384 to simultaneously target the HPV16 E6/E7 oncoproteins, and this combination inhibited cell proliferation more potently than either modality alone. Mechanistic studies revealed that the synergistic antiproliferative activity depends primarily on the induction of cell apoptosis and senescence but not cell cycle arrest. Our findings provide strong evidence that three novel HPV16 E6-binding affibody molecules could form a novel basis for the development of rational strategies for molecular imaging and targeted therapy in HPV16-positive preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions.
Tying up the Loose Ends: A Mathematically Knotted Protein
Authors: Hsu Shang-Te Danny , Lee Yun-Tzai Cloud , Mikula Kornelia M. , Backlund Sofia M. , Tascón Igor , Goldman Adrian , Iwaï Hideo
Published: May 2021

Knots have attracted scientists in mathematics, physics, biology, and engineering. Long flexible thin strings easily knot and tangle as experienced in our daily life. Similarly, long polymer chains inevitably tend to get trapped into knots. Little is known about their formation or function in proteins despite >1,000 knotted proteins identified in nature. However, these protein knots are not mathematical knots with their backbone polypeptide chains because of their open termini, and the presence of a “knot” depends on the algorithm used to create path closure. Furthermore, it is generally not possible to control the topology of the unfolded states of proteins, therefore making it challenging to characterize functional and physicochemical properties of knotting in any polymer. Covalently linking the amino and carboxyl termini of the deeply trefoil-knotted YibK from Pseudomonas aeruginosa allowed us to create the truly backbone knotted protein by enzymatic peptide ligation. Moreover, we produced and investigated backbone cyclized YibK without any knotted structure. Thus, we could directly probe the effect of the backbone knot and the decrease in conformational entropy on protein folding. The backbone cyclization did not perturb the native structure and its cofactor binding affinity, but it substantially increased the thermal stability and reduced the aggregation propensity. The enhanced stability of a backbone knotted YibK could be mainly originated from an increased ruggedness of its free energy landscape and the destabilization of the denatured state by backbone cyclization with little contribution from a knot structure. Despite the heterogeneity in the side-chain compositions, the chemically unfolded cyclized YibK exhibited several macroscopic physico-chemical attributes that agree with theoretical predictions derived from polymer physics.
Novel Pyran-Linked Phthalazinone-Pyrazole Hybrids: Synthesis, Cytotoxicity Evaluation, Molecular Modeling, and Descriptor Studies
Authors: Malik M. Shaheer , Asghar Basim H. , Syed Riyaz , Alsantali Reem I. , Morad Moataz , Altass Hatem M. , Moussa Ziad , Althagafi Ismail I. , Jassas Rabab S. , Ahmed Saleh A.
Published: May 2021

A series of novel pyran-linked phthalazinone-pyrazole hybrids were designed and synthesized by a facile one-pot three-component reaction employing substituted phthalazinone, 1H-pyrazole-5-carbaldehyde, and active methylene compounds. Optimization studies led to the identification of L-proline and ethanol as efficient catalyst and solvent, respectively. This was followed by evaluation of anticancer activity against solid tumor cell lines of lung and cervical carcinoma that displayed IC50 values in the range of 9.8–41.6 µM. Molecular modeling studies were performed, and crucial interactions with the target protein were identified. The drug likeliness nature of the compounds and molecular descriptors such as molecular flexibility, complexity, and shape index were also calculated to understand the potential of the synthesized molecules to act as lead-like molecule upon further detailed biological investigations as well as 3D-QSAR studies.
Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Insecticidal Activities of Essential Oils of Discarded Perfume Lemon and Leaves (Citrus Limon (L.) Burm. F.) as Possible Sources of Functional Botanical Agents
Authors: Wu Panpan , Tang Xiaowen , Jian Rongchao , Li Jiahao , Lin Maoyu , Dai Huachao , Wang Kangpeng , Sheng Zhaojun , Chen Baizhong , Xu Xuetao , Li Chen , Lin Zhongze , Zhang Qingmin , Zheng Xi , Zhang Kun , Li Dongli , Hong Weiqian David
Published: May 2021

Two essential oils were isolated from discarded perfume lemon and leaves (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. F.) by hydro-distillation with good yield (0.044% for perfume lemon and 0.338% for leaves). Their biological activities were evaluated against five selected bacterial strains and Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus, Diptera: Culicidae). Chemical composition indicated that both essential oils were rich in essential phytochemicals including hydrocarbons, monoterpenes and sesquiterpene. These constituents revealed some variability among the oils displaying interesting chemotypes (R)-(+)-limonene (12.29–49.63%), citronellal (5.37–78.70%) and citronellol (2.98–7.18%). The biological assessments proved that the two essential oils had similar effect against bacterial (inhibition zones diameter ranging from 7.27 ± 0.06 to 10.37 ± 0.15 mm; MICs and MBCs ranging from 1.6 to 6.4 mg/mL); against Ae. albopictus larvae (LC50 ranging from 384.81 to 395.09 ppm) and adult mosquito (LD50 ranging from 133.059 to 218.962 μg/cm2); the activity of the two chemotypes ((R)-(+)-limonene and citronellal): larvae (LC50 ranging from 267.08 to 295.28 ppm), which were all presented in dose-dependent manners. Through this work, we have showcased that recycling and reusing of agriculture by-products, such as discarded perfume lemon and leaves can produce eco-friendly alternatives in bacterial disinfectants and mosquito control product.
Microbial Fabrication of Nanomaterial and Its Role in Disintegration of Exopolymeric Matrices of Biofilm
Authors: Nag Moupriya , Lahiri Dibyajit , Sarkar Tanmay , Ghosh Sujay , Dey Ankita , Edinur Hisham Atan , Pati Siddhartha , Ray Rina Rani
Published: May 2021

Bacterial biofilms are responsible for the development of various chronic wound-related and implant-mediated infections and confer protection to the pathogenic bacteria against antimicrobial drugs and host immune responses. Hence, biofilm-mediated chronic infections have created a tremendous burden upon healthcare systems worldwide. The development of biofilms upon the surface of medical implants has resulted in the failure of various implant-based surgeries and therapies. Although different conventional chemical and physical agents are used as antimicrobials, they fail to kill the sessile forms of bacterial pathogens due to the resistance exerted by the exopolysaccharide (EPS) matrices of the biofilm. One of the major techniques used in addressing such a problem is to directly check the biofilm formation by the use of novel antibiofilm materials, local drug delivery, and device-associated surface modifications, but the success of these techniques is still limited. The immense expansion in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology has resulted in the development of novel nanomaterials as biocidal agents that can be either easily integrated within biomaterials to prevent the colonization of microbial cells or directly approach the pathogen overcoming the biofilm matrix. The antibiofilm efficacies of these nanomaterials are accomplished by the generation of oxidative stresses and through alterations of the genetic expressions. Microorganism-assisted synthesis of nanomaterials paved the path to success in such therapeutic approaches and is found to be more acceptable for its “greener” approach. Metallic nanoparticles functionalized with microbial enzymes, silver–platinum nanohybrids (AgPtNHs), bacterial nanowires, superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4), and nanoparticles synthesized by both magnetotactic and non-magnetotactic bacteria showed are some of the examples of such agents used to attack the EPS.
Serum Uric Acid Revealed a U-Shaped Relationship With All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Mortality in High Atherosclerosis Risk Patients: The ASSURE Study
Authors: Cang Yan , Xu Shaojie , Zhang Jingyin , Ju Jingyi , Chen Zijun , Wang Keke , Li Jue , Xu Yawei
Published: May 2021

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated an association between hyperuricemia and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Framingham study confirmed that patients with high atherosclerotic risks (HARs) had worse prognoses. However, after adjusting for confounding factors, the association between serum uric acid (SUA) and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality remains unclear, especially for HAR patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship of SUA with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in HAR patients.

Methods: This multicenter cohort study enrolled 3,047 participants, and the follow-up was 68.85 ± 11.37 months. Factors related to cardiovascular and all-cause mortality were tested by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Restricted cubic splines (RCSs) with knots were used to explore the shape of the dose–response relationship with SUA and the hazard ratio (HR) of all-cause and CVD mortality. SUA transformed by RCS was added to the Cox regression model as an independent variable, and all-cause and CVD mortality scores were calculated. Survival receiver operating characteristic curves were produced using a regression model predicting the score.

Results: SUA demonstrated a “U-shaped” relationship with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. SUA predicted all-cause and CVD mortality, with cutoff values of values of >370.5 μmol/L for males and >327.65 μmol/L for females and <180.5 μmol/L for males and <165.7 μmol/L for females, respectively. The survival ROC curve indicated that SUA is able to predict all-cause and CVD mortality, with areas under the curve of 0.702 and 0.711, respectively. The HRs of all-cause mortality (male and female) with hyperuricemia and hypouricemia were 2.08 and 2.01 and 2.04 and 1.98, respectively, and the HRs of CVD mortality (male and female) were 2.09 and 1.79, and 2.02 and 1.89, respectively.

Conclusion: Abnormal SUA levels were significant and independent risk factors for all-cause and CVD mortality. Hyperuricemia and hypouricemia increased mortality in both males and females. Routine SUA evaluation and intensive management are needed for HAR patients.

Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03616769.
Novel Urinary Glycan Biomarkers Predict Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Multicenter Prospective Study With 5-Year Follow Up (U-CARE Study 2)
Authors: Mise Koki , Imamura Mariko , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Watanabe Mayu , Higuchi Chigusa , Katayama Akihiro , Miyamoto Satoshi , Uchida Haruhito A. , Nakatsuka Atsuko , Eguchi Jun , Hida Kazuyuki , Nakato Tatsuaki , Tone Atsuhito , Teshigawara Sanae , Matsuoka Takashi , Kamei Shinji , Murakami Kazutoshi , Shimizu Ikki , Miyashita Katsuhiro , Ando Shinichiro , Nunoue Tomokazu , Yoshida Michihiro , Yamada Masao , Shikata Kenichi , Wada Jun
Published: May 2021

Background: Although various biomarkers predict cardiovascular event (CVE) in patients with diabetes, the relationship of urinary glycan profile with CVE in patients with diabetes remains unclear.

Methods: Among 680 patients with type 2 diabetes, we examined the baseline urinary glycan signals binding to 45 lectins with different specificities. Primary outcome was defined as CVE including cardiovascular disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease.

Results: During approximately a 5-year follow-up period, 62 patients reached the endpoint. Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that urinary glycan signals binding to two lectins were significantly associated with the outcome after adjustment for known indicators of CVE and for false discovery rate, as well as increased model fitness. Hazard ratios for these lectins (+1 SD for the glycan index) were UDA (recognizing glycan: mixture of Man5 to Man9): 1.78 (95% CI: 1.24–2.55, P = 0.002) and Calsepa [High-Man (Man2–6)]: 1.56 (1.19–2.04, P = 0.001). Common glycan binding to these lectins was high-mannose type of N-glycans. Moreover, adding glycan index for UDA to a model including known confounders improved the outcome prediction [Difference of Harrel's C-index: 0.028 (95% CI: 0.001–0.055, P = 0.044), net reclassification improvement at 5-year risk increased by 0.368 (0.045–0.692, P = 0.026), and the Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criterion decreased from 725.7 to 716.5, and 761.8 to 757.2, respectively].

Conclusion: The urinary excretion of high-mannose glycan may be a valuable biomarker for improving prediction of CVE in patients with type 2 diabetes, and provides the rationale to explore the mechanism underlying abnormal N-glycosylation occurring in patients with diabetes at higher risk of CVE.

Trial Registration: This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network on June 26, 2012 (Clinical trial number: UMIN000011525, URL: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000013482).
Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing vs. Biventricular Pacing for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Jiyi , Sun Fengzhi , Wang Zefeng , Sun Jiao , Jiang Xue , Zhao Weilong , Zhang Zhipeng , Liu Lu , Zhang Shulong
Published: May 2021

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is a recently proposed method for conduction system pacing. We performed a meta-analysis of controlled studies to compare the clinical outcome in patients who received LBBAP vs. biventricular pacing (BVP) for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane's Library databases were searched for relevant controlled studies. A random-effect model incorporating the potential heterogeneity was used to synthesize the results.

Results: Four non-randomized controlled studies including 249 patients with heart failure (HF) for CRT were included, and the patients were followed for 6–12 months. Compared with BVP, LBBAP was associated with significantly shortened QRS duration [mean difference (MD): −29.18 ms, 95% confidence interval (CI): −33.55–24.80, I2 = 0%, P < 0.001], improved left ventricular ejection fraction (MD: 6.93%, 95% CI: 4.69–9.17, I2 = 0%, P < 0.001), reduced left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (MD: −2.96 mm, 95% CI: −5.48 to −0.44, I2 = 0%, P = 0.02), and improved New York Heart Association class (MD: −0.54, 95% CI: −0.84 to −0.24, I2 = 65%, P < 0.001). Moreover, patients who received LBBAP were more likely to achieve echocardiographic [odds ratio (OR): 5.04, 95% CI: 2.17–11.69, I2 = 0%, P < 0.001] and clinical (OR: 7.33, 95% CI: 1.62–33.16, I2 = 0%, P = 0.01) CRT responses.

Conclusion: Current evidence from non-randomized studies suggests that LBBAP appears to be a promising method for CRT, which is associated with more remarkable improvements of symptoms and cardiac function in HF patients with indication for CRT.
Disparities in Peripheral Artery Disease Hospitalizations Identified Among Understudied Race-Ethnicity Groups
Authors: Chen LaiTe , Zhang Donglan , Shi Lu , Kalbaugh Corey A.
Published: May 2021

Background: To assess racial/ethnic differences in disease severity, hospital outcomes, length of stay and healthcare costs among hospitalized patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods: This study used data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to explore the racial/ethnic disparities in PAD-related hospitalizations including presence of PAD with chronic limb threatened ischemia (CLI), amputation, in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stays and estimated medical costs. Race-ethnicity groups included non-Hispanic White, Black, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American, and others (multiple races). Regression analyses adjusted for age, gender, Charlson Comorbidity Index, primary payer, patient location, bed size of the admission hospital, geographic region of the hospital, and rural/urban location of the hospital.

Results: A total of 341,480 PAD hospitalizations were identified. Compared with non-Hispanic Whites, Native Americans had the highest odds of PAD with CLI (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.61, 1.95); Black (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.66, 1.76) and Hispanic (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.31,1.41) patients had higher odds of amputation; Asian or Pacific Islanders had a higher mortality (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.01,1.43), whereas Black (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.87) patients has a lower mortality; Asian or Pacific Islanders incurred higher overall inpatient costs (Margin = 30093.01, 95% CI: 28827.55, 31358.48) and most prolonged length of stay (IRR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.18).

Conclusions: Our study identified elevated odds of amputation among Hispanic patients hospitalized with PAD as well as higher hospital mortality and medical expenses among Asian or Pacific Islander PAD inpatients. These two demographic groups were previously thought to have a lower risk for PAD and represent important populations for further investigation.
Cost-Effectiveness Assessment of Internet of Things in Smart Cities
Authors: Febrer Nuria , Folkvord Frans , Lupiañez-Villanueva Francisco
Published: May 2021

With the ongoing rapid urbanization of city regions and the growing need for (cost-)effective healthcare provision, governments need to address urban challenges with smart city interventions. In this context, impact assessment plays a key role in the decision-making process of assessing cost-effectiveness of Internet of Things–based health service applications in cities, as it identifies the interventions that can obtain the best results for citizens' health and well-being. We present a new methodology to evaluate smart city projects and interventions through the MAFEIP tool, a recent online tool for cost-effectiveness analysis that has been used extensively to test information and communications technology solutions for healthy aging. Resting on the principles of Markov models, the purpose of the MAFEIP tool is to estimate the outcomes of a large variety of social and technological innovations, by providing an early assessment of the likelihood of achieving anticipated impacts through interventions of choice. Thus, the analytical model suggested in this article provides smart city projects with an evidence-based assessment to improve their efficiency and effectivity, by comparing the costs and the efforts invested, with the corresponding results.
Multi-Level Detachment Deformation of the West Segment of the South Dabashan Fold-and-Thrust Belt, South China: Insights From Seismic-Reflection Profiling
Authors: Huang Hanyu , Mei Qinghua , He Dengfa , Lu Renqi , Li Yingqiang
Published: May 2021

The South Dabashan arcuate tectonic belt located at the northern margin of the Yangtze Block in South China, which primarily comprises a series of northwestern (NW)-trending foreland fold-and-thrust belts (FTBs), is useful for determining the intracontinental orogeny processes of the Yangtze Block. In this study, we integrated the latest pre-stack depth migration of three- and two-dimensional seismic profiles, drill hole, and outcrop data to explore the structural geometric and kinematic features of the west segment of the South Dabashan FTB. This belt is characterized by multi-level detachment structures due to the presence of three predominant sets of weak layers: the Lower Triassic Jialingjiang Formation gypsum interval, Silurian mudstone beds, and Cambrian shale beds. The belt is accordingly subdivided vertically into three structural deformation systems. The upper system appears above the Jialingjiang Formation gypsum layer and exhibits Jura-type folds, which were formed by alternating anticlines and synclines that are parallel to each other. The middle system comprises Silurian shale as the base and Jialingjiang Formation gypsum interval as the passive roof and exhibits NW-striking imbricate thrusts. The lower system is bounded by Cambrian and Silurian detachment layers, forming a duplex structure. The Sinian and Proterozoic basements below the Cambrian were not involved in deformation. The west segment of the South Dabashan FTB underwent four periods of tectonic evolution: Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, Late Cretaceous, Paleogene, and Neogene to Quaternary. The deformation was propagated southward in imbricate style, resulting in the passive uplifting of the overlying strata. Based on the magnetotelluric and deep seismic profile, the tectonic processes of the west segment of the South Dabashan FTB are inferred to be primarily controlled by the Yangtze Block northward subduction under the Qinling Orogenic Belt and the pro-wedge multi-level thrusting during the Late Jurassic to Cretaceous.
Shifting Prevalence Patterns for Special Educational Needs in the Era of Response-to-Intervention Policy
Authors: Hall-Mills Shannon
Published: May 2021

In the United States, the Response to Intervention framework provides tiered levels of support in general education (kindergarten through grade 12) to improve student outcomes and may relate to special education determinations. While broadly applied to eligibility determinations for children with specific learning disability, the Response to Intervention model also presents an interesting consideration for children with language impairment. The requirement of the Response to Intervention framework in education policy may have a significant impact on the identification and eligibility processes for children with special educational needs. The aim of the present study was to explore whether this policy implementation altered the prevalence of students with disabilities ages 3–21 years who were determined to be eligible for special education under the categories of specific learning disability and language impairment. Longitudinal data was examined to determine whether significant changes occurred in the prevalence rates in a state that mandated implementation of Response to Intervention policy. The results revealed that significant changes occurred in the prevalence rates from pre-to post implementation of Response to Intervention policy; language impairment prevalence increased and specific learning disability prevalence decreased. Prevalence changes have maintained over multiple subsequent school years. The findings have important implications for policy and practices focused on the identification of these common disabilities throughout the school years.
Intestinal Growth in Glucagon Receptor Knockout Mice Is Not Associated With the Formation of AOM/DSS-Induced Tumors
Authors: Hunt Jenna Elizabeth , Yassin Mohammad , Olsen Jørgen , Hartmann Bolette , Holst Jens Juul , Kissow Hannelouise
Published: May 2021

Treatment with exogenous GLP-2 has been shown to accelerate the growth of intestinal adenomas and adenocarcinomas in experimental models of colonic neoplasia, however, the role of endogenous GLP-2 in tumor promotion is less well known. Mice with a global deletion of the glucagon receptor (Gcgr-/-) display an increase in circulating GLP-1 and GLP-2. Due to the intestinotrophic nature of GLP-2, we hypothesized that Gcgr-/- mice would be more susceptible to colonic dysplasia in a model of inflammation-induced colonic carcinogenesis. Female Gcgr-/- mice were first characterized for GLP-2 secretion and in a subsequent study they were given a single injection with the carcinogen azoxymethane (7.5 mg/kg) and treated with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) (3%) for six days (n=19 and 9). A cohort of animals (n=4) received a colonoscopy 12 days following DSS treatment and all animals were sacrificed after six weeks. Disruption of glucagon receptor signaling led to increased GLP-2 secretion (p<0.0001) and an increased concentration of GLP-2 in the pancreas of Gcgr-/- mice, coinciding with an increase in small intestinal (p<0.0001) and colonic (p<0.05) weight. Increased villus height was recorded in the duodenum (p<0.001) and crypt depth was increased in the duodenum and jejunum (p<0.05 and p<0.05). Disruption of glucagon receptor signaling did not affect body weight during AOM/DSS treatment, neither did it affect the inflammatory score assessed during colonoscopy or the number of large and small adenomas present at the end of the study period. In conclusion, despite the increased endogenous GLP-2 secretion Gcgr-/- mice were not more susceptible to AOM/DSS-induced tumors.