bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
WITHDRAWN: The prevalence of depression and its association with quality of life among pregnant and postnatal women in China: a multicenter study
Authors: Bo Haixin , YANG YUAN , Zhang Dongying , Zhang Meng , Wang Peihong , Liu Xiaohua , Ge Lina , Lin Wenxuan , Xu Yang , Zhang Yalan , Li Fengjuan , Xu Xujuan , Wu Honghe , Jackson Todd , Ungvari Gabor S , Cheung Teris , Xiang Yutao
Published: October 2020

BackgroundThis study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms (depression hereafter) and its association with quality of life (QOL) among pregnant and postnatal women in China.MethodsIn this multicenter, cross-sectional study, 1,060 pregnant and postnatal women from eight hospitals were assessed. Depression and QOL were measured using standardized instruments.ResultsThe prevalence of depression was 7.45% (95%CI: 5.87%-9.04%) in the sample. Women with depression had lower QOL in physical, psychological, social and environmental domains compared to those without. Women with physical comorbidities were more likely to suffer from depression (OR=2.391, 95%CI=1.384-4.130, P=0.002).ConclusionDue to its negative association with QOL, increased attention should be paid to depression in pregnant and postnatal women. Regular screening assessment and preventive measures should be adopted to reduce risk of depression in this population.
Proximal Junction Kyphosis in Adult Scoliosis. Best Post-Operative Radiological Predictors. Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hong Zhang Qi , Manini Daudi Romani , Wang Xiang YU , Du Xuan YU
Published: October 2020

Background: Proximal junction kyphosis (PJK) is the post-surgical radiographic event seen in the surgical plane after the fusion of spinal deformity. Unfavorable health outcomes have been reported in symptomatic PJK patients. The purpose of this study was to assess which immediate post-surgical radiographic variable from the four proposed formulae is the best in forecasting the future occurrences of PJK in adult scoliosis after undergoing deformity correction.Methods: Data for adult scoliosis patients who underwent curve correction were extracted from the hospital database. Pelvic and spinal parameters were measured and calculated to compare four predictive formulae for occurrences of PJK. Formula 1：Restoration of hypothetical values of lumbar lordosis (LL) and thoracic kyphosis (TK) according to pelvic incidence (PI). Formula 2: evaluation of global sagittal alignment (GSA). Formula 3: Restoration of the apex of LL to its hypothetical position according to the spine shape. Formula 4: evaluation of positive-sum and negative-sum of (LL + TK).Results: The total number of cases was 52. There were 14 cases of PJK, the incidence of PJK was 26.9% and the mean age for PJK cases was 63.2±5.2. The excellent predictor for occurrences of PJK was formula 3, postsurgical sagittal apexes of lumbar lordosis were located in their hypothetical position in 24 cases, and 12.5% of these cases developed PJK. While sagittal apexes were not located in hypothetical position in 28 patients, 39.3% of patients developed PJK. P =0.03, OR 4.53, (95% CI 1.09-18.9). The second good predictor for occurrences of PJK was formula 2. GSA > 450 versus GSA <450 OR= 2.5, (95% CI, 0.67-9.38), P= 0.17. The other two formulae (1 and 4) were not good predictors for occurrences of PJK.Conclusion: Among the proposed formulae for predicting occurrences of PJK, the position of the sagittal apex of lumbar lordosis is an excellent predictor of the development of PJK followed by GSA. Hypothetical values of LL and TK, positive or negative-sum of (LL+TK) are weak predictors for occurrences of PJK.Trial registration: “retrospective registered”
Comparative Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis on Influence of Banding Conditions to Ascending Aorta Aneurysm Formation in Rat
Authors: Su Juan , Fan Jun , Tang Qing , Chang Shijie , Sha Xianzheng
Published: October 2020

Background: Ascending aortic aneurysm in an important cause of mortality in cardiovascular diseases. Stenosis of aortic is considered to be a risk factor as the ascending aortic aneurysm grows. Animal models have been demonstrated that ascending aortic aneurysm could be induced by supra valvular banding of the ascending aortic. Our objective is to compare different banding conditions on the formation of aneurysms for more precise experiment and improving the preclinical value. Therefore, three comparison banding groups of banding altitude, banding severity and banding angle are established based on rat. Then flow pattern, wall shear stress (WSS) and vessel deformation of each model are calculated and discussed using transient two-way fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis in order to explore the influence of different banding methods on the generation of ascending aorta aneurysm.Results: Banding methods lead to different shapes or amplitudes of flow beam, WSS and vessel dilation. Eccentric flow beam, local high WSS accompany with vessel dilation are formed above the banding ring in all banding models because of the banding operation compared with normal model. More concentrated flow beam with bigger velocity, higher local WSS and more obvious expansion deformation above the banding ring are prone to happen in the middle segment banding with 60% banding severity and banding angle of 30 degree.Conclusion: According to the results, a higher position, relatively severe banding, and an acute banding angle are more favor to promote the generation of ascending aortic aneurysm.
COVID-19: Up to 87% Critically Ill Patients Had Low Vitamin C Values.
Authors: Tomasa-Irriguible Teresa Maria , Bielsa-Berrocal Lara
Published: October 2020

There are limited proven therapeutic options for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. We underwent an observational study with the aim of measure plasma vitamin C levels in a population of adult ICU patients COVID-19 who met ARDS criteria according to the Berlin definition. This epidemiological study brings to light that up to 87% had low Vitamin C values. This observational study has the limitation it was undergone in a single center study. However, it shows an important issue. Given the potential role of vitamin C in sepsis and ARDS, there is gathering interest of whether supplementation could be beneficial in COVD-19. But, first of all, we had to know the incidence of vitamin C deficiency.
Stronger Environmental Adaption of Abundant than Rare Microbes in Wetland Soils from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Wan Wenjie , Gadd Geoffrey Michael , Yang Yuyi , Yuan Wenke , Gu Jidong , Liu Wenzhi
Published: October 2020

Background: Disentangling the biogeographic patterns of rare and abundant microbial sub-communities is essential in order to understand the generation and maintenance of microbial diversity with respect to the functions they provide. However, little is known about ecological assembly processes and environmental adaptation of rare and abundant microbial sub-communities across large spatial-scale wetlands. Using Illumina sequencing, we investigated the taxonomic and phylogenetic β-diversity of rare and abundant bacterial and fungal sub-communities in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau wetland soils. Additionally, we determined environmental breadths and phylogenetic signals of ecological preferences of rare and abundant microbial sub-communities, and investigated community assembly processes of microbial taxa. Results: We found that both taxonomic and phylogenetic similarities of rare and abundant microbial sub-communities attenuated with geographical distance. Based on threshold indicator taxa analysis and Blomberg’s K statistic, abundant microbial taxa exhibited broader environmental thresholds and stronger phylogenetic signals for ecological traits than rare microbial taxa. The strong correlations between community compositional dissimilarity and phylogenetic distance of rare microbial sub-communities also revealed that rare taxa may be more sensitive to environmental changes. In addition, the rare microbial sub-communities exhibited closer phylogenetic clustering compared with abundant microbial sub-communities. The null model analysis revealed that dispersal limitation belonging to stochastic process dominated ecological assembly of abundant bacterial sub-community, and rare and abundant fungal sub-communities; variable selection belonging to deterministic process governed community assembly of rare bacterial taxa. Neutral model analysis and variation partitioning analysis further confirmed that abundant microbial sub-communities were less environmentally constrained. Soil ammonia nitrogen was the crucial factor in mediating the balance between stochasticity and determinism of both rare and abundant microbial sub-communities, as reflected by distinct differences in stochastic process with higher ammonia nitrogen content.Conclusions: Abundant microbial sub-communities may have better environmental adaptation potential and are less dispersed by environmental changes compared with rare microbial sub-communities. Our findings extend knowledge of the adaptation of rare and abundant microbial taxa to ongoing environmental change and could facilitate prediction of biodiversity loss caused by global climate change and increasing human activity in wetlands of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Clinical Course and Features of Critical Patients with COVID-19: A Single- Center, Retrospective Study from Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital
Authors: He Huisi , Jin Zhichao , Ren Yibin , Wang Junxue , Chen Shuzhen , Wen Wen , Miao Yushan , Qi Xuewei , Shang Taiyu , Zhang Chenxu , Wang Hongyang , Li Weiqin , Zhang Xijing , Tang Hao
Published: October 2020

Background: Nationally, the indicators tracking the coronavirus pandemic has remained stable. However, it’s still a public health concern and it’s worth providing more front-line data on critical illness. We aim to investigate the clinical course and features of critical patients with Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods: The data on 124 consecutive critical patients from 8th February through April 16th 2020, including demographic and clinical information, were obtained from the intensive care unit (ICU) of Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital. A cross-sectional survey and comparisons of key biomarkers between survivors and nonsurvivors were performed.Results: Over the study period, 57 nonsurvivors and 67 survivors were included. The overall case-fatality rate for critical patients with COVID-19 was approximately 46%. The overall average age was 69.89±11.03 years, and the majority had underlying health problems such as hypertension (63[51%]) and diabetes (27[22%]). Compared with survivors, nonsurvivors were more likely to develop sepsis (57[100%] vs. 34[51%]), acute respiratory distress syndrome (52[91%] vs. 21[38%]) and organ dysfunction. Besides, the dynamic changes in some biomarkers (i.e. WBC, TLC, CRP, PLT) were significantly different between the two groups. The trajectories of temperature revealed that the group with a high temperature on admission that steadily declined had the highest percentage of deaths (84.21%).Conclusions: The elderly with many concomitant diseases were at the highest risk. Lymphocyte, platelet, C-reactive protein and temperature were revealed to have potential as prognostic factors, whereas some other biomarkers, such as hepatic enzymes, may not offer additional information. Moreover, patients with high temperatures on admission should receive extra care.
Depletion of Fractalkine Ameliorates Renal Injury and Treg Cell Apoptosis Via the p38MAPK Pathway in Lupus-prone Mice
Authors: Ma Jingxue , Gong Qiming , Guo Pengwei , Pan Xiuhong , He Linlin , You Yanwu
Published: October 2020

Background: Fractalkine is a chemokine with several roles, including chemotaxis, adhesion, and immune damage. It participates in cell inflammation and apoptosis and responds to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, Treg cells are involved in autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to explore the regulatory mechanism of Fractalkine in renal injury and Treg apoptosis via the p38MAPK signalling pathway in lupus-prone mice. Methods: Lupus was induced in BALB/c female mice by injection of pristane. Then, CD4+ CD5+ Treg cells were isolated from the spleen of lupus mice. To deplete Fractalkine, first, mice received an injection of anti-Fractalkine antibody. Later, the transfection of Treg cells with Fractalkine siRNA was conducted. Lupus mice and Treg cells were treated with the p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 and/or activator U-46619, respectively. The levels of urine protein, serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, and autoantibodies were measured from mouse samples, and renal histopathological features were analysed. The expression of Fractalkine, p-p38, Foxp3, IL-6, and IL-17 in the mouse kidney and Treg cells was detected. The levels of apoptosis and key apoptotic factors: Bax, Bcl-2, and Cyt-c in Treg cells were analysed. Results: The expression of Fractalkine, p-p38, IL-6, and IL-17 increased; meanwhile, that of Foxp3 decreased in the kidneys of mice with lupus. The depletion of Fractalkine and p38MAPK levels ameliorated proteinuria and renal functions and significantly reduced serum autoantibodies, renal Fractalkine, p-p38, IL-6, and IL-17 levels, while increasing renal Foxp3 concentration in lupus mice. The effects of Fractalkine knockdown (KD) and p38MAPK inhibitor on Treg cells, derived from lupus mice, were consistent with those observed in the kidneys. In addition, Fractalkine KD reduced cell apoptosis and suppressed the activation of p38MAPK signalling in Treg cells, derived from lupus mice. Meanwhile, the p38MAPK activator U-46619 had the opposite effect. Conclusion: Together, our data indicated that Fractalkine promoted the nephritis progression in lupus mice, most likely through the regulation of Treg cell apoptosis and activation of the p38MAPK signalling pathway. It suggested that targeting Fractalkine is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating LN.
IPO7 Promotes Odontoblastic Differentiation of Mouse Dental Papilla Cells by Selectively Importing Odontogenic Transcription Factors
Authors: Zhang Yue , Zhang Hao , Yuan Guohua , Yang Guobin
Published: October 2020

Background: An important biological process for dentin formation and mineralization is odontoblast differentiation, which is precisely governed by a series of transcription factors (TFs). Importin 7 (IPO7) is a member of the Karyopherin β-superfamily mediating nucleocytoplasmic transport of proteins. In this study, we aimed to study the mechanisms by which IPO7 participates in odontoblastic differentiation. Methods: The expression patterns of IPO7 was investigated by immunofluorescence staining. Besides, mouse dental papilla cells (mDPCs) were extracted and cultured. After silencing Ipo7 in mDPCs, odontoblastic differentiation and the effect on odontogenic TFs were evaluated. Using nuclear and cytoplasmic extraction and co-immunoprecipitation assay, we aimed to confirm that IPO7 imports some odontogenic transcriptions factors to promote odontoblastic differentiation.Results: We found that IPO7 was increasingly expressed from the pre-odontoblasts to mature odontoblasts from PN2 to PN9. IPO7 enhanced odontoblast differentiation in mDPCs and imported essential TFs for odontoblastic differentiation, such as Distal-less homeobox 3 (DLX3), Osterix (OSX), Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and P-SMAD1/5 except for RUNX2. Besides, only RUNX2 showed no obvious interaction with IPO7.Conclusion: In conclusion, our data demonstrated that IPO7 enhances odontoblast differentiation in mDPCs by selectively importing odontogenic TFs.
Comparison of the Biological and Functional Characteristics of Mesenchymal Stem Cells From Intrahepatic and Identical Bone Marrow
Authors: Zhang Hongyu , Lai Jiejuan , Jiang Shifang , Shuai Ling , Zhang Yujun , Xia Renpei , Chen Quanyu , Bai Lianhua
Published: October 2020

Background: We previously isolated a novel mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-like neuroglial antigen 2-expressing stem cell population (MLpvNG2) from an uninjured liver by using a “Porcoll-Plate-Wait” method and determined that MLpvNG2 possesses hepatic stem/progenitor cell characteristics.Methods: In this study, we compared the biological and functional characteristics of the intrahepatic (MSC)-like MLpvNG2 with identical bone marrow-derived MSCs (niBM-MSCs), which are a well-accepted stem cell population in the field. We performed an in vitro study using conditioned medium and in vivo study using our well-set diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver fibrotic/cirrhotic murine model as well. Results: We found that in a fibrotic liver environment, MLpvNG2 survived better than niBM-MSCs obtained through different mechanisms of action. MLpvNG2 mainly differentiates into albumin (ALB(+)) hepatocytes, while niBM-MSCs mainly differentiate into CK/KRT19(+) cholangiocytes. Of note, we identified for the first time that C/EBPα/β is expressed on the cell surface of donor and host hepatic cells. As such, we used anti-C/EBPs neutralizing antibodies to determine the functional characteristics both in vitro (conditioned medium) and in the DEN-induced animal model.Conclusions: Based on our findings, it can be concluded that native-source (liver) stem cells (MLpvNG2) are more efficient than nonnative-sourced stem cells (niBM-MSCs) in the treatment of native (liver)-sourced diseases such as end-stage liver disease.
Utilizing Network Pharmacology to Explore the Possible Mechanism of CoptidisRhizoma in Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Fan Xue , Guo Xin , Xu Mingguo
Published: October 2020

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) isan acute self-limiting systemic vasculitis.In this study, a randomized controlled trial regarding berberine (main component of CoptidisRhizoma) function in treating KD was carried out and possible pharmacological mechanisms of CoptidisRhizoma (CR) on Kawasaki disease therapy were investigated using an integrated network pharmacology approach.Results: The BBR group was able to reduce the values of CRP, NLR and PLR significantly. Also, the effect of BBR improved the resistance rate of intravenous injection of gamma globulin significantly. In total, 9 compounds and 369 relative drug targets were collected from TCMSP, SWISS, SEA and STITCH database and 624 KD target genes were collected in DisGeNET, DrugBank and GeneCards database. The network analysis revealed that 41 targets might be the therapeutic targets of CR on KD, among which ATK1, RELA, SRC, CASP3 and MTOR ranked in top 5. Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed that the reaction to bacteria-derived molecules and to lipopolysaccharide and the apoptosis process were the key biological procedures for CR treating KD. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis pointed out that the four signaling pathways closely related to CR treating KD including age-rage signaling pathway, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, TNF signaling pathway and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway in diabetic complications.Conclusion: We concluded that the introduction of routine treatment combined with BBR in treating KD has advantages than routine treatment and can be considered as a preferred approach in KD. Network pharmacology showed that CR exerted the effect of prevention KD by regulating multi-targets and multi-components.
Identification of CDH11 as an ASD Risk Gene by Matched-gene Co-expression Analysis and Mouse Behavioral Studies
Authors: Wu Nan , Wang Yue , Jia Jing-Yan , Pan Yi-Hsuan , Yuan Xiao-Bing
Published: October 2020

Background: Gene co-expression analysis (GCA) has emerged as an important tool to identify convergent molecular pathways of ASD risk genes. The aim of this study is to identify ASD-relevant genes at the whole-genome level using GCA with consideration of the effect of confounding factors on GCA, including the size, expression level, and guanine-cytosine content of genes. Methods: Pearson’s correlation coefficient was computed to indicate the co-expression of a gene pair based on the BrainSpan human brain transcriptome dataset. Whether a gene is significantly co-expressed with a group of high-confidence ASD risk genes (hcASDs) was determined by statistically comparing the co-expression of this gene with the hcASD gene set to that of this gene with permuted gene sets of matched gene features. This method is referred to as "matched-gene co-expression analysis" (MGCA). Gene ontology (GO) analysis and construction of integrated GO enrichment networks were performed to reveal convergent pathways of co-expressed genes. Behavioral tests were carried out in gene knockout mice. Results: Gene size, mRNA length, mRNA abundance, and guanine-cytosine content were found to affect co-expression profiles of ASD genes. Using the MGCA method, we confirmed the convergence in the developmental expression profiles of hcASDs. MGCA also effectively revealed convergent molecular pathways of ASD risk genes and determined that CDH11, but not CDH9, is associated with ASD. Mouse behavioral studies showed that Cdh11-null mice, but not Cdh9-null mice, have multiple autistic-like behavioral alterations.Limitations: The use of tissue-derived transcriptomes instead of single-cell transcriptomes may have detected coincident expression of some functionally irrelevant genes in different cell types. Some ASD risk genes may have been missed due to the highly stringent statistical standard of MGCA. Another limitation is the relatively small number of animals analyzed in behavioral tests. Conclusions: Results of this study revealed the importance of considering matched gene features in GCA. CDH11 was confirmed to be an important ASD risk gene and Cdh11-null mice were found to be a very useful animal model for investigation of ASD.
Anticancer Effects of Beetroot Hydro-Alcoholic Extract and Betanin on Human Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Saber Amir , Abedimanesh Nasim , Somi Mohammad-Hossein , Khosroushahi Ahmad Yari
Published: October 2020

Background: Betanin makes up 75-95% of the total betacyanins, possessed a wide range of favorable biological effects such as chemopreventive, anticarcinogenic, anti-tumorogenic, antiangiogenic, and proapoptotic effects. Methods: Hydro-alcoholic extract of red beetroot and betanin were used to treat Caco-2 and HT-29 colorectal cancer cells, as well as KDR-293 normal epithelial cells. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined by prescreening MTT tests in the range of 20 to 140 µg/ml at 24 and 48 h. The cytotoxicity and apoptosis-inducing evaluations were performed via MTT assay, DAPI staining, and FACS-flow cytometry tests using determined time and doses. Results: The IC50 doses for HT-29 and Caco-2 cell lines were determined to be about 92 μg/mL, 107 μg/mL for beetroot hydro-alcoholic extract and 64 μg/mL, 90 μg/mL for betanin at 48 h, respectively. Our findings showed that beetroot hydro-alcoholic extract and betanin significantly inhibit the growth of HT-29 and Caco-2 cell lines, time, and dose-dependently, without considerable adverse effects on KDR/293 normal cells. Moreover, DAPI staining and flow cytometry results revealed significant apoptosis symptoms in treated cancerous cell lines. Conclusion: Betanin effectively inhibited cell growth in both colorectal cancer cell lines with no significant cytotoxic effects on the KDR/293 normal cells. The mechanism of the anticancer effects of red beetroot hydro-alcoholic extract and betanin needs to be further studied.
Propofol Regulates ADAM8 in Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Targeting SP1
Authors: Gao Yutong , Zhou Yu , Wang Chunlin , Sample Klarke M. , Yu Xiangdi , Ben-David Yaacov
Published: October 2020

BackgroundPropofol is a commonly used anesthetic with controversial effects on cancer cells. A growing number of studies have demonstrated that low concentrations of propofol are associated with tumor suppression, but deeper insights into its underlying mechanism are needed. The study detailed herein focuses uponthe effect of propofol on pancreatic cells and the mechanism by which propofol down-regulated ADAM8 expression.MethodsTreatment pancreatic cell line Panc-1was performed with different concentrations of propofol. MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to assess cell proliferation and the cell cycle. A wound healing assay was used to evaluate the migration capacity of Panc-1 cells. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to analyze specificity protein 1 (SP1) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 8 (ADAM8) expression. Luciferase assay was performed to determine the transcriptional activity of SP1.RNA interference (RNAi) was used to explore whether propofol regulated ADAM8 in Panc-1 cells by targeting SP1. ResultsPropofol significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells and decreased the percentage of cells in S-phase. Furthermore, propofol failed to regulate ADAM8 expression in Panc-1 cells with SP1 knockdown. Luciferase assays demonstrated that propofol repressed the transcriptional activity of SP1, while ADAM8 was a direct target of SP1. ConclusionsThese results suggest that propofol affect biological behavior of pancreatic cancer cells through ADAM8 by targeting SP1.
Effect of Addition of Dexamethasone or Clonidine to Ropivacaine on Postoperative Analgesia in Ultrasonography Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Prospective Double Blind Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Sweta Bharadiya  , Neelam Meena  , Ram Nivas  , R.K. Solanki
Published: October 2020

Background: A hernia repair surgery commonly induces moderate to severe postoperative pain for 48 hours. Aim of the study was to compare 0.5% Ropivacaine with dexamethasone and 0.5% Ropivacaine with clonidine for ultrasonography guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block as post-operative analgesia in patients undergoing Inguinal hernia repair surgery.Subjects and Methods:A randomized prospective controlled clinical study was conducted in 64 patients undergoing Inguinal Herneoplasty. Participants were divided into two groups in which group RD (n=32) received 0.5% Ropivavacaine with Dexamethasone 8mg and those in group RC (n=32) received 0.5% Ropivacaine with Clonidine 75mcg as USG guided TAP block at the end of surgery. The postoperative pain was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) for pain scoring at every 2 hours for 24 hours postoperatively. Subjective assessment of duration of analgesia was done.Results:Time to first rescue analgesia was significantly less in group RC (424.53±34.13) compared to group RD (616.09±31.36min) (P < 0.001). Total tramadol consumed in 24 h was significantly higher in group RC than group RD (P < 0.001). Visual analog scale scores for both somatic and visceral pain were significantly higher in group RC than group RD at 6h, 8 h and 12 h postoperatively.Conclusion:TAP block is a safe and effective way of relieving postoperative pain in inguinal herneoplasty patients. Addition of dexamethasone to Ropivacaine significantly enhances its effect in terms of block quality and analgesia duration as compared to clonidine addition.
Rheological Properties of Pullulan and Aloe Vera Nanofiber Solutions
Authors: El-sadi Haifa , Sally Shady , Bossart Alex , Kalyon Dilhan
Published: October 2020

Nanofibers have been used with increasing success for drug delivery and various biomedical engineering applications. The mixture of 13% pullulan-aloe vera can be pumped with a minor effects on the flow behavior. The fiber is then characterized by SEM, shear viscosity, storage and loss moduli. The oscillatory shear data is employed. The mixture has a complex rheological properties that includes extreme shear-thinning as well as viscoelastic properties and yield stress. The rheology of the pullulan-aloe vera nanofber was characterized, the measurement method may influence the results, it is unclear how the behavior near walls influence the measurement method, Parallel-plate rheometer is used to measure rheological properties. The data and rheological parameters should facilitate a better understanding of the process-ability characteristics of the mixture. The cross model provides a simple way of quantifying the viscosity/shear rate profile for a shear thinning mixture. SEM images are carried out.
Rak prostaty - jaką metodą powinniśmy leczyć naszych pacjentów.
Authors: Włodek Monika
Published: October 2020

Rak gruczołu krokowego wciąż stanowi poważny problem współczesnego świata. Podczas 36 konferencji ESTRO podjęto próbę określenia, jaka terapia jest najlepsza dla pacjentów cierpiących z powodu tego nowotworu. Szczególną uwagę zwrócono na prawidłowe określenie stopnia zaawansowania choroby – według European Association of Urology (EAU) - co przyczynia się na późniejszym etapie do zastosowania właściwej terapii. Podjęto także temat hipofrakcjonacji, a także zwrócono uwagę na możliwość zastosowania spacer’ów umożliwiających ochronienie zdrowych tkanek w trakcie radioterapii.
Reach-averaged flow resistance in gravel-bed streams
Authors: Zhang Liguo , Luo Wenguang
Published: October 2020

Previous studies about flow resistance in gravel-bed streams mostly use the log-law form and establish the relationship between the friction factor and the relative flow depth based on field data. However, most established relations do not perform very well when applied to shallow water zones with relatively large roughness. In order to clarify the hydraulic variables defined in the single cross-section, and find the reasons that reflect the instability of flow and uneven boundaries of the river, the concepts of hydraulic variables, such as hydraulic radius, are re-defined in the river reach in the paper. The form drag in the river reach is solved based on a reach-averaged flow resistance model which is developed by force balance analyzing of the water body in the given river reach. The reach-averaged form drag relation is then formulated by incorporating the Einstein flow parameter and a newly derived roughness parameter defined in the river reach. A large number of field data (12 datasets, 780 field measurements) is applied to calibrate and validate the form drag relation. The relation is found to give better agreement with the field data in predicting flow velocity in comparison with existing flow resistance equations. A unique feature of the reach-averaged resistance relation is that it can apply to both deep and shallow water zones, which can be treated as a bridge to link the flow hydraulics in plain rivers and mountain streams.
A comprehensive review of saline effluent disposal and treatment: conventional practices, emerging technologies, and future potential
Authors: Sahu Parul
Published: October 2020

An ever-increasing volume of saline effluents from industries, oil–gas fields, and desalination plants has resulted in an enormous amount of pollutants with undesirable effects on the environment and human health. Adequate disposal and treatment of these effluents remains a persistent problem and poses significant technical as well as economic challenges. Saline effluents can have considerable environmental impacts, depending upon the sensitivity of the surrounding ecosystems. Conventional disposal techniques mostly suffer from direct or indirect contamination of water/soil and are no longer preferred. As a result, several advanced treatment methods are being considered for sustainable saline effluent management in recent times. In this context, a comprehensive and updated review of conventional methods, along with emerging technologies for disposal and treatment of saline effluent, is presented. Existing treatment approaches, including membrane operation, thermal processes, chemical techniques, and biological methods, are discussed. The application of innovative hybrid processes (combining two or more treatment methods) aiming at lower energy demand and higher treatment efficiency has also been evaluated. Subsequently, emerging sustainable strategies like waste minimization and water recovery, zero liquid discharge, and resource recovery for saline effluents have been examined. The prospect of integrating the renewable energy sources with energy-intensive saline treatment methods towards energy–water–environment nexus is also explored.
Comparative studies on removal of heavy metals from electroplating wastewater through soil aquifer treatment (SAT) in conjunction with adsorbents
Authors: Rekha K. H. , Lokeshappa B.
Published: October 2020

The study demonstrates the efficiency of the soil aquifer treatment (SAT) towards removal of heavy metals within electroplating wastewater thereby rendering it suitable for ground water discharge. The unique proposition of this research is to use a combination of soil and adsorbent properties to enhance the remediation of heavy metals such as nickel, copper and zinc. A comparative study through statistical analysis is employed to illustrate the effectiveness of the various SAT systems build using various combinations of SM and SC soil types along with bioadsorbents such as eucalyptus leaves, sawdust and Mosambi peel. Further, the mass balance analysis of heavy metals is carried out to comprehend the course of expulsion. The study, through a statistical approach, endorses that the SAT in conjunction with adsorbent gives much better removal efficiency than the SAT without adsorbent. Additional removal efficiency of 14% to 30% can be achieved with introduction of adsorbents within the SAT system. The optimal removal efficiency of nickel, copper and zinc was observed to be at 87, 98 and 93% respectively when passed through the combination of SM soil with sawdust.
Performance of chemically resistant polyurea reverse osmosis membrane in the treatment of highly alkaline industrial wastewater containing sodium aluminate
Authors: Nazia Shaik , Sekhar Sugali Chandra , Jegatheesan Veeriah , Bhargava Suresh K. , Sridhar Sundergopal
Published: October 2020

The goal of the present study is to treat industrial wastewater containing sodium aluminate using a chemically inert polyurea (PU) based thin film composite (TFC) reverse osmosis (RO) membrane to promote water reclamation and zero liquid discharge (ZLD). Pretreatment was carried out to reduce the pH of the effluent from 12.5 to 7.1. The TFC RO membrane was fabricated by coating PU on Polyethersulfone (PES) substrate by interfacial polymerization (IP). The surface and cross-sectional morphologies of the membrane were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The indigenously synthesized membrane was effective in the removal of total dissolved solids (TDS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), colour and electrical conductivity. The experiments were conducted by varying the feed composition of the wastewater. The maximum water recovery and flux were found to be 74% and 73.9 L/m2·h. RO process using PU membrane exhibited significant potential for cost effective, safe and pollution-free treatment of sodium aluminate industrial effluent.
AÇÃO DE EDUCAÇÃO EM SAÚDE DA MULHER
Authors: Rodrigues Arthur , Barros Ana Lívia , Cavalcante Camylla , Leão Genilda
Published: October 2020

A Atenção Primária é a porta de entrada do Sistema Único de Saúde e as mulheres, enquanto suas principais usuárias, demandam estratégias com enfoque de gênero em todas as fases da vida. Esta ação buscou levar à Unidade de Saúde da Família do Reginaldo uma ação de prevenção e promoção à saúde ao apresentar às usuárias uma cartilha da saúde feminina. Os esclarecimentos realizados fizeram as mulheres presentes perceberem a necessidade de cuidarem mais de si mesmas. Reforçou o protagonismo feminino nas escolhas inerentes à saúde sexual e reprodutiva e estimulou a fala das mulheres e o senso de pertencimento, acolhimento e importância perante à ESF e sua equipe multiprofissional. Uma vez que a comunidade se apropria dos conhecimentos necessários para melhoria da sua qualidade de vida e os expande em seu ciclo social, há um significativo benefício à saúde.

 

Palavras-chave: Educação em Saúde; Saúde Pública; Saúde da Mulher.
The influence of agricultural and industrial activities on the quality of water
from public wells located in Ramnicu Valcea County
Authors: Spinu Claudiu Narcis , Nicolescu Ileana Crina , Manea Catalin , Draghici Mihaiela
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of groundwater in an area with agricultural and industrial influences, located in Valcea County. Groundwater samples were collected in 2 campaigns from 14 public wells and were analyzed for pH, conductivity (EC), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nitrites (NO2-), nitrates (NO3+), ammonium (NH4+) and chlorides (Cl-). In most of the studied public wells, the laboratory results obtained for the physical-chemical parameters were within the limits imposed by the national legislation and those approved by the WHO. High levels of iron and manganese of natural origin were found at a public well located in a rural area and also chlorides at a well from an industrial area that exceeds the limits imposed.
A Relationship between Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthetase Gene Variants and Substance Use Disorder
Authors: Pehlivan Sacide , Aydin Pinar C. , Nursal Ayse F. , Pehlivan Mustafa , Oyaci Yasemin , Yazici Ahmet B.
Published: October 2020

Background:

Addictive substances are known to result in oxidative stress (OS). OS enhances
the generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduces antioxidant
capacity. Peroxides and oxygen radicals, including hydrogen peroxide and superoxide and radical
nitrogen species, including nitric oxide (NO), are parts of the ROS. Gene variants of the endothelial
nitric oxide (eNOS) affect the plasma levels of NO. This study aimed to investigate whether
there was an association between eNOS variants and substance use disorders (SUDs) risk in the
Turkish population.

Methods:

Two eNOS variants (G894T and 27 bp VNTR 4b/a in intron 4) were examined in 216
SUD patients and 140 healthy controls. The eNOS variants were assessed with the PCR based on
the RFLP analysis. Since the patient group consisted only of men, the control group was examined
as a mixed and male-only.

Results:

The eNOS G894T homozygous T/T genotype revealed a significant association with susceptibility
to SUD. The patients carrying T/T genotype had SUD risk 1.054 times as much as the
controls and male controls had (p=0.004 and p=0.038, respectively). eNOS 4a/4a genotype increased
in patients as compared to male controls (p=0.048). The homozygous 4b/4b genotype was
higher in the male control group than in SUD patients (p=0.029). eNOS VNTR 4a allele was more
prevalent in the patients than in both controls and male controls (p=0.026 and p=0.0033, respectively).

Conclusion:

This study is one of the first studies investigating the relationship between two eNOS
gene variants and SUD in our country. Our findings show that eNOS G894T and VNTR variants
may be the significant risk factor for SUDs in Turkish subjects.
Diagnóstico del impacto socioeconómico de la ayuda humanitaria en la crisis sanitaria por el covid-19: validez de un instrumento
Authors: Vergara Romero Arnaldo Andrés , Márquez Sánchez Fidel , Sorhegui Ortega Rafael Antonio , Macas Acosta Guido Omar
Published: October 2020

En el contexto de la pandemia COVID-19, el área de asistencia humanitaria para el desarrollo está cobrando especial relevancia. El mecanismo de inflexión es la interacción entre el receptor y el donante de ayuda humanitaria, este puede ser bilateral y puede evaluar el impacto de los resultados. El artículo tiene como objetivo ratificar la validez de contenido a partir del juicio de expertos de un instrumento de medición y su fiabilidad. Dicho instrumento busca cuantificar el impacto socioeconómico que ha causado el COVID-19 en zonas vulnerables del cantón Guayaquil. Con las herramientas estadísticas descritas se confirma el uso del instrumento en países que tienen similares características y el mismo idioma.
Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2: Discrete SIR (Susceptible, Infected, Recovered) Modeling Using Empirical Infection Data
Authors: McMahon Andrew , Robb Nicole C
Published: October 2020

Background

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the COVID-19 disease, has resulted in a global pandemic. Since its emergence in December 2019, the virus has infected millions of people, caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands, and resulted in incalculable social and economic damage. Understanding the infectivity and transmission dynamics of the virus is essential to determine how best to reduce mortality while ensuring minimal social restrictions on the lives of the general population. Anecdotal evidence is available, but detailed studies have not yet revealed whether infection with the virus results in immunity.

Objective

The objective of this study was to use mathematical modeling to investigate the reinfection frequency of COVID-19.

Methods

We have used the SIR (Susceptible, Infected, Recovered) framework and random processing based on empirical SARS-CoV-2 infection and fatality data from different regions to calculate the number of reinfections that would be expected to occur if no immunity to the disease occurred.

Results

Our model predicts that cases of reinfection should have been observed by now if primary SARS-CoV-2 infection did not protect individuals from subsequent exposure in the short term; however, no such cases have been documented.

Conclusions

This work concludes that infection with SARS-CoV-2 provides short-term immunity to reinfection and therefore offers useful insight for serological testing strategies, lockdown easing, and vaccine development.
The impact of implementation of a hysterectomy enhanced recovery pathway on anesthetic medication costs
Authors: Street Austin D , Elia Jennifer M , McBroom Mandy M , Hamilton Allan J , Grundt Jessica E , Blackwell James-Michael N , Romito Bryan T
Published: October 2020

Aim:
To evaluate the effect of implementation of a hysterectomy Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol on perioperative anesthetic medication costs.
Patients & methods:
Historical cohort study of 84 adult patients who underwent a hysterectomy. Forty-two patients who underwent surgery before protocol implementation comprised the pre-ERAS group. Forty-two patients who underwent surgery after protocol implementation comprised the post-ERAS group. Data on anesthetic medication costs and outcomes were analyzed.
Results:
Compared with the pre-ERAS group, the post-ERAS group’s total medication cost was significantly lower (median: 325.20 USD; interquartile range [IQR]: 256.12–430.65 USD vs median: 273.10 USD; IQR: 220.63–370.59 USD, median difference: -40.76, 95% CI: -130.39, 16.99, p = 0.047). Length of stay was significantly longer in pre-ERAS when compared with post-ERAS groups (median: 5.0 days; IQR: 4.0–7.0 days vs median: 3.0 days; IQR: 3.0–4.0 days, median difference: -2.0 days, 95% CI: -2.5581, -1.4419, p < 0.0001).
Conclusion:
ERAS protocols may reduce perioperative medication costs.
Playing against the camera
Authors: Erik Friis Reitan
Published: October 2020

In this essay I describe two projects within the field of visual art. Both works are examples of how the workflow techniques of digital photography can be modified in order to produce artworks that take on a distinct physicality and objecthood, and, as such, may form a spatial and/or haptic relation with the viewer. I discuss how such an approach relates to the ability of photography to point beyond the physical situation of viewing due to the particular virtuality of the photograph. By relating my work to the ideas of Vilém Flusser and Roland Barthes, recent theory on photography and photographic indexicality, as well as contemporary artistic work, I speculate here on how my own work illuminates perceptions of the photograph and understandings of the role of photography in today’s media culture and economy.
Diversity and the role of endophytic bacteria: A review
Authors: Khan Sofia , Verma Vijeshwar , Rasool Shafaq
Published: October 2020

Endophytes belong to a widespread group of microorganisms that colonise
intracellular and intercellular spaces in all known plant parts but do not
cause diseases or major morphological changes to the host. Endophytic
bacteria ubiquitously colonise plant internal tissues, where they can form a
variety of interactions, including commensalistic, symbiotic, trophobiotic
and mutualistic. Endophytic bacteria produce pharmaceutically important
compounds such as antimicrobials, antioxidants, industrial enzymes,
antidiabetics and anti-cancer agents. In addition, endophytes can also
support their host by producing a variety of natural products for potential
use in medicine, agriculture or industry. This group of bacteria can have a
tremendous impact on plant communities, raising their fitness by endowing
tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. There are great prospects for
searching, selecting and studying new endophytic bacteria species in order
to create new microbial preparations for adaptive crop production, while
reducing the environmental impacts of agriculture. The present review
summarises studies to date about endophytic bacteria, including topics such
as isolation methods, the diversity of these bacteria and their biological
roles.
Evaluation of salivary stress biomarker changes after the insertion of complete dentures
Authors: Zivkovic Rade , Peric Mirjana , Dozic Ivan , Kuzmanovic-Pficer Jovana , Milic-Lemic Aleksandra
Published: October 2020

Introduction/Objective. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships between salivary stress markers [salivary ?-amylase (sAA) and pH], and patients? stress with new dentures. Methods. An intra-individual evaluation was done, in which 30 participants older than 65 years, both sexes, in good general health, first-time complete dentures (CDs) wearers, took part. Measuring of stress biomarkers was done in the unstimulated saliva collected by the so-called spitting method: (1) before any prosthetic treatment, (2) after insertion of a new pair of CDs, and (3) two months after CDs delivery. Results. Upon evaluating the obtained data it was observed that the sAA values steadily increased and by the end of the observation period sAA was higher in women but without statistical significance. The pH values increased until the second follow-up period, after which they dropped. The post-hoc test showed a statistically significant difference in pH values between the first vs. the second (p = 0.005) and the second vs. the third (p = 0.001) follow-up periods. Conclusion. There was a non-significant increase in sAA values during the adaptation period. The biggest difference in sAA values between men and women was at the moment of insertion of dentures. The highest pH level was after the insertion of dentures. Since sAA changes were of no statistical significance, the sAA and pH values cannot be used as a reliable biomarker in saliva for observing the patients? adaptation, psychological, and emotional issues.
MODERATE TRUTH PLURALISM AND THE STRUCTURE OF DOXASTIC NORMATIVITY
Authors: Pedersen Nikolaj Jang Lee Linding
Published: October 2020

According to moderate truth pluralism, there is a single property that qualifies as truth for any (truthapt) domain whatsoever. However, propositions concerning different domains may possess this single truth property in virtue of different properties. Empirical propositions may be true in virtue of corresponding to reality while legal propositions may be true in virtue of cohering with the body of law. Moderate pluralists claim that truth is a completely general doxastic norm: for any p, the belief that p is correct if and only if p is true—regardless of what domain p pertains to. Moderate pluralists additionally claim that domain-specific properties are local doxastic norms which serve as standards of correctness within their respective domains, and that they do so because they are ways of being true and truth is a general, doxastic norm. This paper offers a grounding-theoretic account of the metaphysics of moderate pluralism and uses it as platform for developing a criticism of the moderate pluralist’s account of doxastic normativity. Two strategies are explored as potential responses to the criticism, but are ultimately dismissed.