bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children with Phenylketonuria Does Not Depend on Metabolic Control and Is Not More Frequent Than in Healthy Subjects—A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Walkowiak Marek , Kałużny Łukasz , Mozrzymas Renata , Jamka Małgorzata , Mikołuć Bożena , Jagłowska Joanna , Starostecka Ewa , Nurgaliyeva Roza , Walkowiak Jarosław , Lisowska Aleksandra
Published: August 2021

In a small preliminary study, phenylketonuria and poor metabolic control were suggested as risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection in children as detected with an antigen stool test. We aimed to determine Helicobacter pylori prevalence in an adequately sized group of individuals with phenylketonuria and healthy subjects using the standard gold test (urea breath test). Further, we correlated Helicobacter pylori infection with metabolic control. The study comprised 103 individuals with phenylketonuria and 103 healthy subjects on whom a 13C urea breath test was performed. Blood phenylalanine levels in the preceding year were analysed. The infection rate did not differ between individuals with phenylketonuria and healthy subjects (10.7% vs 15.5%; p = 0.41). The frequency of testing and phenylalanine concentrations of Helicobacter pylori-positive and Helicobacter pylori-negative patients with phenylketonuria did not differ (p = 0.92 and p = 0.54, respectively). No associations were detected for body mass index or metabolic control. Forward stepwise regression models revealed that age (p = 0.0009–0.0016) was the only independent correlate of Helicobacter pylori infection with a relatively low fraction of the variability of the condition being explained (adjR2 = 0.0721–0.0754; model p = 0.020–0.023). In conclusion, Helicobacter pylori infection in phenylketonuria is not more frequent than in the general population. Moreover, it does not depend on metabolic control.
Psychometric Performance of HRQoL Measures: An Australian Paediatric Multi-Instrument Comparison Study Protocol (P-MIC)
Authors: Jones Renee , Mulhern Brendan , McGregor Kristy , Yip Shilana , O'Loughlin Rachel , Devlin Nancy , Hiscock Harriet , Dalziel Kim ,   on behalf of the Quality Of Life in Kids: Key Evidence to Strengthen Decisions in Australia (QUOKKA) Project Team
Published: August 2021

Background: There is a lack of psychometric evidence about pediatric health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments. Evidence on cost effectiveness, involving the measurement of HRQoL, is used in many countries to make decisions about pharmaceuticals, technologies, and health services for children. Additionally, valid instruments are required to facilitate accurate outcome measurement and clinical decision making. A pediatric multi instrument comparison (P-MIC) study is planned to compare the psychometric performance and measurement characteristics of pediatric HRQoL instruments. Methods: The planned P-MIC study will collect data on approximately 6100 Australian children and adolescents aged 2–18 years via The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne and online survey panels. Participants will complete an initial survey, involving the concurrent collection of a range of pediatric HRQoL instruments, followed by a shorter survey 2–8 weeks later, involving the collection of a subset of instruments from the initial survey. Children aged ≥7 years will be asked to self-report HRQoL. Psychometric performance will be assessed at the instrument, domain, and item level. Conclusions: This paper describes the methodology of the planned P-MIC study, including benefits, limitations, and likely challenges. Evidence from this study will guide the choice of HRQoL measures used in clinical trials, economic evaluation, and other applications.
Effect of Lime Stabilization and Partial Clinoptilolite Zeolite Replacement on the Behavior of a Silt-Sized Low-Plasticity Soil Subjected to Freezing–Thawing Cycles
Authors: Shirmohammadi Sarah , Ghaffarpour Jahromi Saeed , Payan Meghdad , Senetakis Kostas
Published: August 2021

Soil stabilization, through either physical or chemical techniques of coating-cementation development, is a commonly adopted practice in geotechnical and transportation engineering projects used to strengthen soils and mitigate negative geo-environmental impacts. This can be particularly important in enhancing the mechanical properties of soils which are prone to degradation of their response because of freezing and thawing actions. It was attempted in this research study to examine the effect of lime–zeolite stabilization on the behavior of a silt-sized natural soil of low plasticity, by performing standard compaction tests as well as unconfined compressive experiments evaluating the strength of the composite samples. The natural soil mixed with various contents of lime and zeolite partial replacement was subjected to consecutive freezing and thawing cycles. The results from the study showed significant improvement of the mechanical performance of the treated soil when mixed with lime partially replaced with zeolite in terms of strength and durability and, based on scanning electron microscopic images, additional insights were attempted to be obtained on the microstructure of the specimens subjected to temperature changes.
Thermal Pollution Mitigation and Energy Harnessing of the Condensation Process of an Olive Oil Extraction Refinery: A Case Study
Authors: Frölén Ribeiro Luís Frölén , Aguilera Oscar Antonio , Hérnandez Zulimar
Published: August 2021

This paper presents a model to assess strategies for bettering a hexane condensation system from an olive oil extraction refinery in Portugal’s mountainous north. The water used as a cooling fluid is discharged with a higher temperature than the mountain river, provoking the deterioration of the aquatic flora and fauna, leading to high environmental impact. The model allowed the comparison of solutions for different temperatures of discharge for summer and winter and possible heat recovery back to the factory. The current condensation system power is 1.838 MW and consists of a four-walled pond of 115.3 m3 that cools down the submerged hexane pipes. Nudging in the pond’s structure leads to the introduction of internal channels to increase the turbulence, thus increasing the hexane–water heat exchange rate. Heat recovery of 19.38 kW is possible for the water coming from the pond in the drying bagasse process inside the factory, before discharge into the river. However, the model demonstrates that the decrease in temperature after the heat recovery process falls short of avoiding thermal pollution, leading to complementary actions such as shading the channel or changing the discharge velocity or angle to mitigate the thermal pollution locally.
Technological Potential of a Lupin Protein Concentrate as a Nutraceutical Delivery System in Baked Cookies
Authors: Mota Joana , Lima Ana , Ferreira Ricardo B. , Raymundo Anabela
Published: August 2021

Previous reports have shown that lupin protein extracts (LE) contain a polypeptide named deflamin with a potent matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 inhibitory activity. The aim of our study was to develop an efficient delivery method for incorporating deflamin into cookies using different alternative flours. A lupin protein concentrate (10 g protein/100 g cookie dough) was added to gluten and gluten-free flours to produce savoury cookies, and its impacts on the physical properties of doughs and cookies, as well on the maintenance of deflamin’s anti-MMP-9 activity, were analysed. The results showed that the biochemical compositions of all cookies with LE presented higher protein and ash contents when compared to the control cookies. Rice, buckwheat and oat doughs were firmer than the others, whereas the addition of LE to kamut and buckwheat flours made cookies significantly firmer than the controls. Additionally, strong interactions between LE and several flours were observed, yielding different impacts on the MMP-9 bioactivity. Overall, the only flour that did not interfere with the desired nutraceutical activities was buckwheat, with 60% MMP-9 inhibitory activity and a concomitant reduction of colon cancer migration; hence, buckwheat flour was revealed to be a good vehicle to deliver bioactive deflamin, showing strong potential as a functional food to be used in preventive or curative approaches to gastrointestinal diseases.
Phenolic Content, Main Flavonoids, and Antioxidant Capacity of Instant Sweet Tea (Lithocarpus litseifolius [Hance] Chun) Prepared with Different Raw Materials and Drying Methods
Authors: Liu Hong-Yan , Liu Yi , Mai Ying-Hui , Guo Huan , He Xiao-Qin , Xia Yu , Li Hang , Zhuang Qi-Guo , Gan Ren-You
Published: August 2021

This study aims to investigate the effects of raw materials and drying methods on the phytochemical and antioxidant capacities of instant sweet tea powder. Four raw materials of sweet tea leave powders (STUT) were extracted and dried with two methods (freeze-drying and spray-drying). The antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and phlorizin and trilobatin contents of obtained instant sweet tea powders were compared. In addition, the single-factor experiments coupled with response surface methodology were used to study the influences of solvent-to-sample ratio, extraction temperature, extraction time, and their interactions on instant sweet tea yield. Results showed that the optimal conditions for extraction were the solvent-to-sample ratio of 19:1 mL/g, extraction temperature of 88 °C, and extraction time of 30 min. The TPC, TFC, antioxidant capacities, and phloridzin and trilobatin contents of instant sweet teas were higher than those of STUT, and the TPC and TFC of freeze-dried instant sweet teas were higher than those of spray-dried instant sweet teas. Significant correlations were found among TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacities (p < 0.01). The freeze-dried instant sweet tea produced by young leaves (prepared by oven-drying) showed the highest TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacities, compared with other raw materials and drying methods.
Nutritional Profile, Antioxidative and Antihyperglycemic Properties of Padina tetrastromatica from Tioman Island, Malaysia
Authors: Palaniveloo Kishneth , Yee-Yinn Liaw , Jia-Qi Leong , Chelliah Alvin , Sze-Looi Song , Nagappan Thilahgavani , Razak Shariza Abdul , Dua Kamal , Chellian Jestin , Chellappan Dinesh Kumar , Kunnath Anil Philip
Published: August 2021

Seaweeds are an important ingredient of functional foods recommended for daily food, due to their unique compositions and nutritional value. Padina tetrastromatica is a brown edible seaweed that is commonly found along the coastal regions of Peninsular Malaysia and consumed as food by some coastal communities. This study investigates the nutritional and antihyperglycaemic potential of P. tetrastromatica extracts, which is generally accepted as an important functional food. In our methodology, we induced diabetes intraperitoneally in experimental animals with a dose of 65 mg kg−1 body weight of streptozotocin. Oral treatment with 200 and 400 mg kg−1 of P. tetrastromatica ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts were initiated, respectively, to experimental rats once daily for 18 days. Metformin was used as the positive control. Biochemical estimations and histopathological analysis were included in this study. Treatment with P. tetrastromatica extracts significantly lowered the plasma glucose levels in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In addition, P. tetrastromatica extract treatment also showed a significant reduction in serum alanine transaminase levels. However, no significant changes were observed in serum aspartate transaminase levels. The ethyl acetate extract of P. tetrastromatica at 400 mg kg−1 dose shows some nephroprotective effect, which is observed from the significant increase in the plasma albumin levels. Histopathological evaluation revealed no marked morphological changes in tissues of the isolated organs of the ethyl acetate extract-treated group, revealing the safe nature of P. tetrastromatica.
Variants Affecting the C-Terminal Tail of UNC93B1 Are Not a Common Risk Factor for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Kiener Sarah , Ribi Camillo , Keller Irene , Chizzolini Carlo , Trendelenburg Marten , Huynh-Do Uyen , von Kempis Johannes ,   on behalf of Swiss SLE Cohort Study (SSCS), Leeb Tosso
Published: August 2021

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous multifactorial disease. Upregulated TLR7 signaling is a known risk factor for SLE. Recently, it was shown that specific genetic variants in UNC93B1 affect the physiological regulation of TLR7 signaling and cause characteristic autoimmune phenotypes with monogenic autosomal recessive inheritance in mutant mice and dogs. We therefore hypothesized that homologous variants in the human UNC93B1 gene might be responsible for a fraction of human SLE patients. We analyzed 536 patients of the Swiss SLE Cohort Study for the presence of genetic variants affecting the C-terminal tail of UNC93B1. None of the investigated patients carried bi-allelic UNC93B1 variants that were likely to explain their SLE phenotypes. We conclude that genetic variants affecting the C-terminal tail of UNC93B1 are not a common risk factor for SLE. It cannot be excluded that such variants might contribute to other heritable autoimmune diseases.
Oral Mucosa Could Be an Infectious Target of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Okui Tatsuo , Matsuda Yuhei , Karino Masaaki , Hideshima Katsumi , Kanno Takahiro
Published: August 2021

The World Health Organization reported that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission is caused by respiratory droplets and aerosols from the oral cavity of infected patients. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is considered the host functional protein for SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this article, we first revealed that the positive proportion of ACE2 expression in gingival cells collected from the gingival sulcus was increased to the same level as the tongue. Our data demonstrate that cells in the gingival sulcus may be a new entry point for the SARS-CoV-2 virus via a high expression of ACE2. In addition, we first evaluated the expression of ACE2 in various sites of the oral cavity with noninvasive, convenient liquid-based cytology. The liquid-based cytology evaluation of oral tissue may provide a novel preventive medical avenue against COVID-19.
Short-Term Effect of Temperature Change on Non-Accidental Mortality in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Xiao Yao , Meng Chengzhen , Huang Suli , Duan Yanran , Liu Gang , Yu Shuyuan , Peng Ji , Cheng Jinquan , Yin Ping
Published: August 2021

Temperature change is an important meteorological indicator reflecting weather stability. This study aimed to examine the effects of ambient temperature change on non-accidental mortality using diurnal temperature change (DTR) and temperature change between neighboring days (TCN) from two perspectives, intra-day and inter-day temperature change, and further, to explore seasonal variations of mortality, identify the susceptible population and investigate the interaction between temperature change and apparent temperature (AT). We collected daily data on cause-specific mortality, air pollutants and meteorological indicators in Shenzhen, China, from 1 January 2013 to 29 December 2017. A Quasi-Poisson generalized linear regression combined with distributed lag non-linear models (DLNMs) were conducted to estimate the effects of season on temperature change-related mortality. In addition, a non-parametric bivariate response surface model was used to explore the interaction between temperature change and AT. The cumulative effect of DTR was a U-shaped curve for non-accidental mortality, whereas the curve for TCN was nearly monotonic. The overall relative risks (RRs) of non-accidental, cardiovascular and respiratory mortality were 1.407 (95% CI: 1.233–1.606), 1.470 (95% CI: 1.220–1.771) and 1.741 (95% CI: 1.157–2.620) from exposure to extreme large DTR (99th) in cold seasons. However, no statistically significant effects were observed in warm seasons. As for TCN, the effects were higher in cold seasons than warm seasons, with the largest RR of 1.611 (95% CI: 1.384–1.876). The elderly and females were more sensitive, and low apparent temperature had a higher effect on temperature change-related non-accidental mortality. Temperature change was positively correlated with an increased risk of non-accidental mortality in Shenzhen. Both female and elderly people are more vulnerable to the potential adverse effects, especially in cold seasons. Low AT may enhance the effects of temperature change.
Relationship between Weight Status and Health-Related Quality of Life in a Sample of Early Adolescents from Central and Northern Italy: A Cross-Sectional Study of the AVATAR Project Participants
Authors: Mastorci Francesca , Piaggi Paolo , Doveri Cristina , Trivellini Gabriele , Marinaro Irene , Casu Anselmo , Pingitore Alessandro , Vassalle Cristina
Published: August 2021

Among the various factors that could influence health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescence, body mass index (BMI) seems to play a key role as a main anthropometric parameter. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine, in a sample of Italian adolescents, whether HRQoL is associated with the different weight status categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese), according to BMI cut-off points for children, even considering sex differences. Data were collected from 1707 adolescents (n = 828 males) in seven schools. HRQoL was analyzed using the Italian version of KIDSCREEN-52. Males were more overweight and obese than females (13% vs. 10% and 4% vs. 2%, p < 0.05, respectively). In females, BMI categories are associated with physical well-being (p < 0.05), emotion/mood (p < 0.05), self-perception (p < 0.001), financial resources (p < 0.05), and bullying behavior (p < 0.05). In males, weight status is linked to physical well-being dimension (p < 0.001) and perception of self (p < 0.05). Our results may suggest that there is an association between weight status categories and HRQoL, more pronounced in females than in males. Interestingly, the weight status correlated more with the psychological dimension mainly in females, whereas in males, a stronger association between weight and physical status was observed, suggesting that given the complex, multifaceted, and dynamic nature of relationship between health-related quality of life and weight status in adolescents, multiple factors must be considered.
Treatment of Dyspareunia with Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A: Clinical Improvement and Influence of Patients’ Characteristics
Authors: Tarazona-Motes Marta , Albaladejo-Belmonte Monica , Nohales-Alfonso Francisco J. , De-Arriba Maria , Garcia-Casado Javier , Alberola-Rubio Jose
Published: August 2021

The treatment of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) with botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) has increased lately, but more studies assessing its effect are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the evolution of patients after BoNT/A infiltration and identify potential responders to treatment. Twenty-four women with CPP associated with dyspareunia were treated with 90 units of BoNT/A injected into their pelvic floor muscle (PFM). Clinical status and PFM activity were monitored in a previous visit (PV) and 12 and 24 weeks after the infiltration (W12, W24) by validated clinical questionnaires and surface electromyography (sEMG). The influence of patients’ characteristics on the reduction in pain at W12 and W24 was also assessed. After treatment, pain scores and the impact of symptoms on quality of life dropped significantly, sexual function improved and sEMG signal amplitude decreased on both sides of the PFM with no adverse events. Headaches and bilateral pelvic pain were risk factors for a smaller pain improvement at W24, while lower back pain was a protective factor. Apart from reporting a significant clinical improvement of patients with CPP associated with dyspareunia after BoNT/A infiltration, this study shows that clinical characteristics should be analyzed in detail to identify potential responders to treatment.
Predicting Risks of Machine Translations of Public Health Resources by Developing Interpretable Machine Learning Classifiers
Authors: Xie Wenxiu , Ji Meng , Huang Riliu , Hao Tianyong , Chow Chi-Yin
Published: August 2021

We aimed to develop machine learning classifiers as a risk-prevention mechanism to help medical professionals with little or no knowledge of the patient’s languages in order to predict the likelihood of clinically significant mistakes or incomprehensible MT outputs based on the features of English source information as input to the MT systems. A MNB classifier was developed to provide intuitive probabilistic predictions of erroneous health translation outputs based on the computational modelling of a small number of optimised features of the original English source texts. The best performing multinominal Naïve Bayes classifier (MNB) using a small number of optimised features (8) achieved statistically higher AUC (M = 0.760, SD = 0.03) than the classifier using high-dimension natural features (135) (M = 0.631, SD = 0.006, p < 0.0001, SE = 0.004) and the automatically optimised classifier (22) (M = 0.7231, SD = 0.0084, p < 0.0001, SE = 0.004). Furthermore, MNB (8) had statistically higher sensitivity (M = 0.885, SD = 0.100) compared with the full-feature classifier (135) (M = 0.577, SD = 0.155, p < 0.0001, SE = 0.005) and the automatically optimised classifier (22) (M = 0.731, SD = 0.139, p < 0.0001, SE = 0.0023). Finally, MNB (8) reached statistically higher specificity (M = 0.667, SD = 0.138) compared to the full-feature classifier (135) (M = 0.567, SD = 0.139, p = 0.0002, SE = 0.026) and the automatically optimised classifier (22) (M = 0.633, SD = 0.141, p = 0.0133, SE = 0.026).
Can Increasing Scale Efficiency Curb Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution?
Authors: Gao Xiang , Li Binglong , Jiang Song , Nie Yunbin
Published: August 2021

The Chinese government has made great efforts to improve the scale efficiency of land through various measures during recent years, hoping to realize the coordinated developing goal of promoting agricultural benefits and protecting the environment. Statistics show that China’s land scale efficiency has steadily increased, but agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) pollution has also increased, which seems contrary to the expected outcome. Can increasing scale efficiency really curb agricultural NPS pollution? This study uses provincial-level data from China, together with a panel model and spatial econometric model, to investigate the relationship between scale efficiency and agricultural NPS pollution. It is found that the increase of scale efficiency aggravates the agricultural NPS pollution, and the conclusion still holds after considering spatial effect. The results of spatial analysis shows that the agricultural NPS pollution is spatially dependent. Further decomposition of the spatial effect shows that the scale efficiency not only intensifies the local agricultural NPS pollution, but also has a spillover effect (though not statistically significant) on agricultural NPS pollution in the surrounding areas. It is worth noting that financial policy, raising wage income and upgrading industrial structure can effectively curb agricultural NPS pollution in this region and adjacent areas, which also deserves our attention in the control of agricultural NPS pollution. In addition, it is necessary to make financial and fiscal support policies specifically for the governance of agricultural NPS pollution, adjust the distorted prices of input factors such as chemicals and pesticide, and accelerate the transformation of small-sized farmers to family farms, in order to maximize the inhibitory effect of scale efficiency on relieving agricultural NPS pollution.
Assessing the Risk of Respiratory-Related Healthcare Visits Associated with Wildfire Smoke Exposure in Children 0–18 Years Old: A Systematic Review
Authors: Henry Shelby , Ospina Maria B. , Dennett Liz , Hicks Anne
Published: August 2021

Wildfires are increasing in frequency, size, and intensity, and increasingly affect highly populated areas. Wildfire smoke impacts cardiorespiratory health; children are at increased risk due to smaller airways, a higher metabolic rate and ongoing development. The objective of this systematic review was to describe the risk of pediatric respiratory symptoms and healthcare visits following exposure to wildfire smoke. Medical and scientific databases and the grey literature were searched from inception until December 2020. Included studies evaluated pediatric respiratory-related healthcare visits or symptoms associated with wildfire smoke exposure. Prescribed burns, non-respiratory symptoms and non-pediatric studies were excluded. Risk of bias was evaluated using the National Toxicology Program’s Office of Health Assessment and Translation Risk of Bias Rating Tool. Data are presented narratively due to study heterogeneity. Of 2138 results, 1167 titles and abstracts were screened after duplicate removal; 65 full text screens identified 5 pre-post and 11 cross-sectional studies of rural, urban and mixed sites from the USA, Australia, Canada and Spain. There is a significant increase in respiratory emergency department visits and asthma hospitalizations within the first 3 days of exposure to wildfire smoke, particularly in children < 5 years old.
Geometric Regularization of Local Activations for Knowledge Transfer in Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Theodorakopoulos Ilias , Fotopoulou Foteini , Economou George
Published: August 2021

In this work, we propose a mechanism for knowledge transfer between Convolutional Neural Networks via the geometric regularization of local features produced by the activations of convolutional layers. We formulate appropriate loss functions, driving a “student” model to adapt such that its local features exhibit similar geometrical characteristics to those of an “instructor” model, at corresponding layers. The investigated functions, inspired by manifold-to-manifold distance measures, are designed to compare the neighboring information inside the feature space of the involved activations without any restrictions in the features’ dimensionality, thus enabling knowledge transfer between different architectures. Experimental evidence demonstrates that the proposed technique is effective in different settings, including knowledge-transfer to smaller models, transfer between different deep architectures and harnessing knowledge from external data, producing models with increased accuracy compared to a typical training. Furthermore, results indicate that the presented method can work synergistically with methods such as knowledge distillation, further increasing the accuracy of the trained models. Finally, experiments on training with limited data show that a combined regularization scheme can achieve the same generalization as a non-regularized training with 50% of the data in the CIFAR-10 classification task.
Design of an Ultrasound-Navigated Prostate Cancer Biopsy System for Nationwide Implementation in Senegal
Authors: Fichtinger Gabor , Mousavi Parvin , Ungi Tamas , Fenster Aaron , Abolmaesumi Purang , Kronreif Gernot , Ruiz-Alzola Juan , Ndoye Alain , Diao Babacar , Kikinis Ron
Published: August 2021

This paper presents the design of NaviPBx, an ultrasound-navigated prostate cancer biopsy system. NaviPBx is designed to support an affordable and sustainable national healthcare program in Senegal. It uses spatiotemporal navigation and multiparametric transrectal ultrasound to guide biopsies. NaviPBx integrates concepts and methods that have been independently validated previously in clinical feasibility studies and deploys them together in a practical prostate cancer biopsy system. NaviPBx is based entirely on free open-source software and will be shared as a free open-source program with no restriction on its use. NaviPBx is set to be deployed and sustained nationwide through the Senegalese Military Health Service. This paper reports on the results of the design process of NaviPBx. Our approach concentrates on “frugal technology”, intended to be affordable for low–middle income (LMIC) countries. Our project promises the wide-scale application of prostate biopsy and will foster time-efficient development and programmatic implementation of ultrasound-guided diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in Senegal and beyond.
Hydrodynamic Climate of Port Phillip Bay
Authors: Tran Huy Quang , Provis David , Babanin Alexander V.
Published: August 2021

This study is dedicated to the hydrodynamic climate of Port Phillip Bay (PPB)—a largest coastal lagoon system in Victoria, Australia. Novelty of the present study includes long-term hydrodynamic hindcast simulations integrated with a spectral wave model. Specifically, a coupled unstructured grid wave–current modelling system (SCHISM + WWM) was built upon a high resolution and advanced wave physics (ST6). This coupling system was thoroughly calibrated and validated against field observations prior to applying for 27-year hindcast and case scenarios. Data from these simulations were then used to investigate the hydrodynamic climate of PPB focusing on three main aspects: water levels, waves and currents. For sea levels, this study shows that tidal and extreme sea levels (storm tides) across a large part of PPB have a similar magnitude. The highest storm tide level is found along eastern coasts of the bay in line with the wind pattern. In the vicinity of the entrance, the extreme sea level slightly reduced, in line with wave decay due to coupling effects. This extreme level is lower than results reported by previous studies, which were not built on a wave–current coupled system. For the wave field, the mean wave direction inside PPB is strongly affected by seasonality, in line with wind patterns. The 100-year return significant wave height is above 2 m along the eastern coasts. At PPH, waves get refracted after passing the narrow entrance. For currents, this study shows that both mean variations and high percentile currents are not affected by seasonality. This highlights the fact that tidal currents dominate flow movements in PPB. However, in extreme conditions, the circulation in PPB is also driven by wind patterns, forming two gyre systems. Based on case scenarios simulations, the strongest magnitude of wind-driven currents is above 0.5 m/s and found in the confined shallow region in the southern portion of PPB.
Management of Individual Patient Expectations When Starting with Highly Effective CFTR Modulators
Authors: Aalbers Bente L. , Bronsveld Inez , Hofland Regina W. , Heijerman Harry G. M.
Published: August 2021

Highly effective CFTR modulators such as elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ELE/TEZ/IVA will become available for an increasing number of people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) in the near future. Before the start of this therapy, many questions may arise concerning the expected effects. We assembled the currently available data from the literature about ELE/TEZ/IVA that focused on commonly asked questions from patients. Overall, the literature so far presents a very hopeful prospect of effects, not only on lung function, but also on nutritional status, sinonasal symptoms and quality of life. The effects in patients with pwCF with severe lung damage are also favorable. Treatment is generally well tolerated. In some cases, patient-derived cell models can help in predicting the effects for individual patients.
COVID-19 and Islamic Stock Index: Evidence of Market Behavior and Volatility Persistence
Authors: Saleem Adil , Bárczi Judit , Sági Judit
Published: August 2021

The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic is not limited to human lives and health sectors. It has also changed social and economic aspects of the world. This study investigated the Islamic stock market’s reaction and changes in volatility before and during this pandemic. The market model of event study methodology was employed to analyze Islamic stock market reactions in nine different markets around the globe. To examine changes in volatility and persistence of risk, the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) method was used. Nine Islamic stock indices were selected for this study from the Thomson Reuters data stream. The results suggest that, in the short run, the Islamic Australian stock index and Islamic GCC stock index remained stable for the first 15 days following news of the pandemic. The Islamic stock indexes of Qatar, UAE, ASEAN, MENA, MENASA, and Bahrain were significantly affected by the outbreak in the short-term. On the other hand, the volatility of Islamic stock indices was substantially amplified after the global health crisis was declared by the WHO. Moreover, volatility shocks tended to persist for a longer period after COVID-19.
Melt Electrospinning of PET and Composite PET-Aerogel Fibers: An Experimental and Modeling Study
Authors: Christiansen Lasse , Gurevich Leonid , Wang Deyong , Fojan Peter
Published: August 2021

Increasingly advanced applications of polymer fibers are driving the demand for new, high-performance fiber types. One way to produce polymer fibers is by electrospinning from polymer solutions and melts. Polymer melt electrospinning produces fibers with small diameters through solvent-free processing and has applications within different fields, ranging from textile and construction, to the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Modeling of the electrospinning process has been mainly limited to simulations of geometry-dependent electric field distributions. The associated large change in viscosity upon fiber formation and elongation is a key issue governing the electrospinning process, apart from other environmental factors. This paper investigates the melt electrospinning of aerogel-containing fibers and proposes a logistic viscosity model approach with parametric ramping in a finite element method (FEM) simulation. The formation of melt electrospun fibers is studied with regard to the spinning temperature and the distance to the collector. The formation of PET-Aerogel composite fibers by pneumatic transport is demonstrated, and the critical parameter is found to be the temperature of the gas phase. The experimental results form the basis for the electrospinning model, which is shown to reproduce the trend for the fiber diameter, both for polymer as well as polymer-aerogel composites.
Mass Spectrometric Investigation of Organo-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles Binding Properties toward Chalcones
Authors: Pawlaczyk Mateusz , Frański Rafał , Cegłowski Michał , Schroeder Grzegorz
Published: August 2021

Chalcones are naturally occurring compounds exhibiting multiple biological functions related to their structure. The investigation of complexes formed by chalcones, namely 2′,4′-dihydroxy-2-methoxychalcone (DH-2-MC) and 2′,4′-dihydroxy-3-methoxychalcone (DH-3-MC), with organo-functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles using mass spectrometric techniques is reported. The magnetic nanoparticles were obtained by the silanization of Fe3O4 particles with 3-aminopropyltrimethosysilane, which were subsequently reacted with 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde (3-HBA) or 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde (2-PCA), resulting in the formation of Schiff base derivatives. The formation of their complexes with chalcones was studied using electrospray (ESI) and flowing atmosphere-pressure afterglow (FAPA) mass spectrometric (MS) ionization techniques. The functional nanoparticles which were synthesized using 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde displayed higher affinity towards examined chalcones than their counterparts obtained using 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, which has been proved by both ESI and FAPA techniques. For the examined chalcones, two calibration curves were obtained using the ESI-MS method, which allowed for the quantitative analysis of the performed adsorption processes. The presence of Cu(II) ions in the system significantly hindered the formation of material–chalcone complexes, which was proved by the ESI and FAPA techniques. These results indicate that both mass spectrometric techniques used in our study possess a large potential for the investigation of the binding properties of various functional nanoparticles.
Melatonin Induces Autophagy via Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Chok Kian Chung , Koh Rhun Yian , Ng Ming Guan , Ng Pei Ying , Chye Soi Moi
Published: August 2021

Even though an increasing number of anticancer treatments have been discovered, the mortality rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) have still been high in the past few years. It has been discovered that melatonin has pro-apoptotic properties and counteracts inflammation, proliferation, angiogenesis, cell invasion, and cell migration. In previous studies, melatonin has been shown to have an anticancer effect in multiple tumors, including CRC, but the underlying mechanisms of melatonin action on CRC have not been fully explored. Thus, in this study, we investigated the role of autophagy pathways in CRC cells treated with melatonin. In vitro CRC cell models, HT-29, SW48, and Caco-2, were treated with melatonin. CRC cell death, oxidative stress, and autophagic vacuoles formation were induced by melatonin in a dose-dependent manner. Several autophagy pathways were examined, including the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, 5′–adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), serine/threonine-specific protein kinase (Akt), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways. Our results showed that melatonin significantly induced autophagy via the ER stress pathway in CRC cells. In conclusion, melatonin demonstrated a potential as an anticancer drug for CRC.
Engineering of Yeast Old Yellow Enzyme OYE3 Enables Its Capability Discriminating of (E)-Citral and (Z)-Citral
Authors: Wang Tairan , Wei Ran , Feng Yingting , Jin Lijun , Jia Yunpeng , Yang Duxia , Liang Zuonan , Han Mengge , Li Xia , Lu Chenze , Ying Xiangxian
Published: August 2021

The importance of yeast old yellow enzymes is increasingly recognized for direct asymmetric reduction of (E/Z)-citral to (R)-citronellal. As one of the most performing old yellow enzymes, the enzyme OYE3 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288C exhibited complementary enantioselectivity for the reduction of (E)-citral and (Z)-citral, resulting in lower e.e. value of (R)-citronellal in the reduction of (E/Z)-citral. To develop a novel approach for the direct synthesis of enantio-pure (R)-citronellal from the reduction of (E/Z)-citral, the enzyme OYE3 was firstly modified by semi-rational design to improve its (R)-enantioselectivity. The OYE3 variants W116A and S296F showed strict (R)-enantioselectivity in the reduction of (E)-citral, and significantly reversed the (S)-enantioselectivity in the reduction of (Z)-citral. Next, the double substitution of OYE3 led to the unique variant S296F/W116G, which exhibited strict (R)-enantioselectivity in the reduction of (E)-citral and (E/Z)-citral, but was not active on (Z)-citral. Relying on its capability discriminating (E)-citral and (Z)-citral, a new cascade reaction catalyzed by the OYE3 variant S296F/W116G and glucose dehydrogenase was developed, providing the enantio-pure (R)-citronellal and the retained (Z)-citral after complete reduction of (E)-citral.
Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract Upregulates Nrf2/HO-1 Expression and Ameliorates Redox Status in C2C12 Skeletal Muscle Cells
Authors: Duranti Guglielmo , Maldini Mariateresa , Crognale Domenico , Horner Katy , Dimauro Ivan , Sabatini Stefania , Ceci Roberta
Published: August 2021

Moringa oleifera is a multi-purpose herbal plant with numerous health benefits. In skeletal muscle cells, Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) acts by increasing the oxidative metabolism through the SIRT1-PPARα pathway. SIRT1, besides being a critical energy sensor, is involved in the activation related to redox homeostasis of transcription factors such as the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2). The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vitro the capacity of MOLE to influence the redox status in C2C12 myotubes through the modulation of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione levels, Nrf2 and its target gene heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, as well as enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and transferase (GST). Moreover, the impact of MOLE supplementation on lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage (i.e., TBARS and protein carbonyls) was evaluated. Our results highlight for the first time that MOLE increased not only Nrf2 and HO-1 protein levels in a dose-dependent manner, but also improved glutathione redox homeostasis and the enzyme activities of CAT, SOD, GPx and GST. Therefore, it is intriguing to speculate that MOLE supplementation could represent a valuable nutrition for the health of skeletal muscles.
Bioactivity of Inositol Phosphates
Authors: Vucenik Ivana
Published: August 2021

Inositol phosphates (IPs) are a huge and complex family of biomolecules, important in regulating vital cellular functions, signal transduction, energy transmission, and ion channels physiology and serving as structural components of cell membranes [...]
On the methodology research of organizational technologies of health preservation
Authors: Nechaev Vasily Sergeevich , Petrova Irina
Published: August 2021

The article considers methodological studying of problematic of health preservation and its organizational technologies. The health preservation is considered in the context of public health policy. The necessity of complex interdisciplinary and longitudinal approach to studying this problematic is substantiated. The results of analysis of semantics of key concepts of health preservation are presented. The patient-centralized principles of activities and communication as applied to health preservation are substantiated. The differentiation between concepts of «value» and «utility» of organizational technologies of health preservation for health are discussed. The possible areas of studying positioning of health preservation in the system of personality values, including health culture, are proposed. The possible structurization of factors determining health condition and healthy life-style are proved. The scope of principles and approaches for subsequent elaboration of methods, standards, instruments and regulations of complex methodology of studying issues of health preservation and its organizational technologies are established
Strategies and mechanisms for the effective functioning of the internal control and audit system in vertically integrated systems (for example, Fosun Pharma)
Authors: Krivetskaya Tatyana Petrovna , Chunting Ge , Jincheng Zhou
Published: August 2021

The article discusses the issues of internal control and audit of a vertically integrated company in the medical industry, identifies ways to improve the effective mechanism of the company in vertically integrated systems, internal control and audit systems.
Empathy is the ability of a medical worker affecting the level of patient satisfaction with medical care
Authors: Bogush Ekaterina Aleksandrovna , Rechkin Alexander Viktorovich
Published: August 2021

The aim of the study is to determine the role of empathy of medical workers in medical and surgical departments in patient satisfaction with medical care. Results. Therapists are characterized by emotional empathy and the ability to identify with the patient; surgeons are characterized by a rational component of empathic experience. Conclusion. Patient satisfaction with the provision of medical care reveals a dependence on the level of empathy of medical professionals with a therapeutic profile, but does not depend on the ability to empathize with medical professionals of a surgical profile.
Features of professional stress formation in the environment of nursing staff
Authors: Tsepaeva Marina Nikolaevna , Archpova Svetlana Viktorovna
Published: August 2021

The aim of the study is to assess the severity of occupational stress among the nursing staff of the polyclinic of the SBHI SMKC FMBA of Russia. Results. The assessment of the level and nature, strength and frequency of professional stress of nurses of the polyclinic was carried out, typical and subjectively significant causes of stress in the professional activities of specialists were identified. Conclusion. Coping strategies for coping with stress by nursing staff have been determined. As a result of the work done, it was found that occupational stress among the nursing staff of the polyclinic is a significant problem and needs to be taken appropriate measures. It was found that the development of stress is influenced by such factors as medical experience and the specifics of work. This problem seems to be very relevant in connection with the direct influence of stress on health, mental stability and professionalism of nurses. The focus of the problem of professional stress is the correspondence or inconsistency of the potential capabilities of the professional and the social conditions of his activities.
Improvement of the system of additional professional education of specialists with secondary medical education
Authors: Kropotova Svetlana Vladimirovna , Muntyan Irina Aleksandrovna
Published: August 2021

The purpose of the study the attitude of nurses to the existing system of advanced training and determine ways to optimize it. Results. An analysis of the opinions of nursing staff on improving the system of additional vocational education in accordance with personal needs showed that most of the students of advanced training courses expressed a desire to be present in the training process of practical health care professionals from large medical organizations using modern and innovative teaching methods; introduction of distance learning into the educational process of nursing staff with a flexible schedule and an individual student's plan; the use of modern and innovative technologies, methods and forms of professional and educational activities, formed taking into account the opinions of the students themselves; maintaining a high professional level of the teacher, the main qualities of which are the ability to motivate to study, maintain interest in the classroom and create a favorable psychological attitude. Conclusion. In improving the quality of medical care for patients, specialists with secondary medical education, in the development of new innovative technologies, additional professional education is a key resource, which goes along with the specialist throughout his entire professional activity and is able to adapt them to new professional requirements.
Accrual of depreciation of fixed assets: novations of Federal Accounting Standard 6/2020 “Fixed assets”
Authors: Shinkareva O.V. , Vasilenko M.O.
Published: August 2021

The article considers the features of the depreciation of fixed assets according to the new Federal Accounting Standard 6/2020 “Fixed Assets”, which becomes mandatory for use starting from the financial statements for 2022, the organization of the non-state sector of the economy, including private medical companies. It is noted that a new concept appears — liquidation value, which directly affects the amount of depreciation. There are differences in depreciation methods compared to the current Accounting Regulation 6/01 “Fixed Assets accounting”. A formula for calculating the amount of depreciation when using the reduced balance method is proposed. Practical examples of calculation of depreciation amount according to Federal Accounting Standard 6/2020 are considered.