bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review of the Patients’ Right of Confidentiality under the Saudi Arabian Laws
Authors: Elgujja Abba , Arimoro Augustine
Published: August 2019

The concept of patient confidentiality is nearly as old as the practice of health professions and, has evolved and transformed over the years, from one jurisdiction to the other. Patient confidentiality can be a fundamental human right, an ethical duty or, a legal duty. The Saudi laws have evolved around its Shari’ah-based legal culture, its history and the international human right laws (IHRLs). These elements have moulded the Saudi Arabia’s unique perspective on patient confidentiality. Its confidentiality laws are found scattered in several legislations. Is the Saudi patient confidentiality law able to adequately deal with the contemporary challenges? The study reviewed the relevant Saudi laws in the light the International Humana Rights Laws. Findings suggest that there are issues bordering on the lack of quality comprehensive data protection laws, on clarity and foreseeability of the existing laws, and on the accessibility of the courts. Furthermore, the lack of a system of law reporting and stare decisis potentially gave the judges a wider latitude of discretion in interpreting the laws. Therefore, the study recommends for a comprehensive data protection law with a clear definition of “confidential information”, of data controllers and their role, and of specific safeguards against potential abuses. Others include defining legitimate purposes for using the patient’s data, and his role, and the extent to which he can control the use of his own data. Consistency in legal interpretations, and an improved law reporting system could positively enhance the overall outcome.
Growth Opportunities and Earnings Quality from Emerging Economies
Authors: kwarbai Jerry Danjuma , Akintoye Rufus Ishola , Adegbie Festus Fola , Nwaobia Apollos Nwabuisi
Published: August 2019

We examined the causality between growth opportunities and earnings quality of the emerging economies. We develop an argument that growth opportunities should lead to high-quality earnings of the developing economies against the prior studies from developed economies which posit that growth opportunities result in a lower quality of earnings. The findings revealed that Growth Opportunities had a positive significant effect on Earnings Quality (EQ). Thus, the study concluded that growth opportunities are useful in determining the earnings quality of firms. The study recommends that managers should take advantage of their firms' growth opportunities to provide quality accounting information which will directly provide expanded opportunities for business growth. Though literature confirms that generally, earnings management might not be necessarily bad in business operational practice, managers are advised to avoid extreme aggressiveness in managing earnings as this may culminate in the negative manipulation of accounting information.
Arbitration: Understanding It in Theory and Indonesian Practice
Authors: Maskun Maskun , Achmad Achmad , Naswar Naswar , Bakti Fauziah P. , Amaliyah Amaliyah
Published: August 2019

Cross-border transactions have always attracted legal risks. Cross-border legal issues are emerging as a separate area of commercial risk that needs to be more precisely identified and better managed. Many cases of injury to multinational companies which would formerly have been pursued as a diplomatic claim by the nation state of the company are now resolved by arbitration between the company and the respondent state. Arbitration is one of dispute settlement bodies to resolve some issues particular trade, business, investment, and financial issues. Those issues are shaping the range and significance of the cross-border legal issue. Those issues also become a crucial issue to be dealt with the arbitral institution. The reason why the parties of contract choose arbitration is because of the place of arbitration, neutrality, confidentiality, cost and speed, recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards, refusing of arbitral awards, a model of arbitration, and arbitration institution. Those reasons are assumed also to be enacted in Indonesian arbitration practice and in the Islamic law.
Window impression technique for a single denture with maxillary anterior flabby ridge
Authors: Ikbal Muhammad , Dammar Irfan , Mude Acing H. , MIR Andi A.
Published: August 2019

Objective:Theaims to explain the window impression technique for a single denture with flabby tissue area in maxillary anterior ridge in the form of case report.Methods:The clinical examination showed the maxillary complete edentulousridgewithflabbyridgeareainthemaxillaryanteriorregion opposing the anterior natural teeth in the mandibular.Results: There were various impression techniques used in the management of flabby tissue in the maxillary anterior ridge for a single denture cases.Conclusion: The window impression technique is one of the proper techniques used in the management of flabby tissue for the single denture impression.Keyword: Anterior ridge, Flabby ridge, Single denture
Emergency management of temporomandibular joint dislocation with manual reduction
Authors: Abidin Zefry Zainal , Baehaqi Ronny
Published: August 2019

Objective:Present serial case management of temporomandibular joint dislocation in emergency unit and to provide information on emergency handling in the case of temporomandibula joint especially for dentist.Method: Datas of temporomandibular joint dislocation cases were collected from October 2016 to March 2017 with a cross sectional study presented by Oral and Maxillofacial Resident in RSUD Dr Soetomo Surabaya.Results: Nine patients were managed. In totalmales accounted for 66,67% of the patients, and yawning was the most frequent etiological factor. Acute TMJ dislocation had the highest frequency in this study. The management conducted was giving muscle relaxant, manual repositioning and head bandage. Manual reduction of TMJ dislocation can be divided into three approaches, intraorally, extraorally and a combination between the two approaches; intraorally by using Hippocrates’ technique and Wrist Pivot technique. The extraoral approach does not involve fingers in the oral cavity. Applying these three approaches could be distinguished by clinical examination and patient history.Conclusion: Temporomandibular joint dislocation is one of the problem in dentistry that requires direct management and could cause complications if immediate treatment is not givenKeywords: Dislocations, Manual Reduction , Temporomandibular joint
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Zakon Meredith
Published: August 2019

This paper focuses on differentiating the pathologic fractures of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a bone fragility disorder that manifests in childhood, from the fractures typically sustained due to child abuse and neglect. Both phenomena can present similarly, with poorly explained, atypical fractures for developmental age. However, OI involves additional, characteristic physical findings outside the skeletal system that can be clues to the diagnosis. By exploring the radiographic evidence in conjunction with clinical signs and symptoms of OI, this review of the literature details the workup necessary to diagnose and distinguish this condition from others without relying on genetic testing.
Novel mutations of the SRF gene in Chinese sporadic conotruncal heart defect patients
Authors: Mengmeng Xu , Yuejuan Xu , Sun Chen , Yanan Lu , Fen Li , Kun Sun
Published: August 2019

Background Conotruncal heart defects (CTDs) are a group of congenital heart malformations that cause anomalies of cardiac outflow tracts. In the past few decades, many genes related to CTDs have been reported. Serum response factor (SRF) is a ubiquitous nuclear protein that acts as transcription factor, and SRF was found to be a critical factor in heart development and to be strongly expressed in the myocardium of the developing mouse and chicken hearts. The targeted inactivation of SRF during heart development leads to embryonic lethality and myocardial defects in mice.Results To illustrate the relationship between SRF and human heart defects, we screened SRF mutations in 527 CTD patients. Two novel mutations (p.G274D and p.G294C) of SRF were identified. Western blotting and real-time PCR showed that there were no obvious differences between the protein expression and mRNA transcription of mutants and wild-type SRF. A dual luciferase reporter assay showed that both SRF mutants (G274D and G294C) impaired SRF transcriptional activity at the SRF promoter and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) promoter (p<0.05), additionally, the mutants displayed reduced synergism with GATA4.Conclusion These results suggest that SRF-p.G274D and SRF-p.G294C may have potential pathogenic effects.
Identification and Characterization of SNPs in released, landrace and wild accessions of Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) using whole genome re-sequencing
Authors: Bangar Pooja , Tyagi Neetu , Tiwari Bhavana , Kumar Sanjay , Barman Paramananda , Kumari Ratna , Gaikwad Ambika , Bhat KV , Chaudhury Ashok
Published: August 2019

Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. radiata] is vital grain legume having nutritional and socio-economic importance, especially in the developing countries. We performed whole genome re-sequencing of three accessions representing the wild progenitor species, released and landrace of mungbean to identify SNPs with relevance to genetic relationships analyses. Approximately 9.3 million raw reads were obtained by using Ion Torrent PGM™ platform and more than 92% of the reads were mapped to the reference mungbean genome. We identified a total of 233,799 single nucleotide polymorphisms in relation to the reference genome (SNPs: 103,341 in wild, 93,078 in released and 37,380 in landrace accessions) and 9,544 insertions and deletions (InDels: 4,742 in wild, 3,608 in released and 1,194 in landrace accessions) in the coding and non-coding regions. In all accessions, genomic variants were unevenly distributed within and across the mungbean chromosomes. Among these 5,339; 4,739 and 1,795 SNPs were non-synonymous in 815, 790 and 317 genes of wild, released and landrace accessions, respectively. These polymorphisms might contribute to the variation in important pathways of genes for abiotic and biotic stress tolerance and important agronomic traits such as seed dormancy, flowering time and seed size in mungbean. Among the randomly selected SNPs, a selected subset was validated using Sanger sequencing technique. The genomic variations among mungbean wild, released and landrace accessions constitute a powerful tool to support genetic research and molecular breeding of mungbean.
Integrated analysis of miRNA-seq and mRNA-seq reveals immune related miRNA-mRNA regulation network in the DHAV-3-infected duckling liver
Authors: Wu Fengyao , Lu Fengying , Fan Xin , Chao Jin , Liu Chuanmin , Pan Qunxing , Sun Huawei , Zhang Xiaofei
Published: August 2019

Background: Duck hepatitis A virus type 3 (DHAV-3) is one of the most harmful pathogens in the duck industry. However, the molecular mechanism underlying DHAV-3 infection in ducklings is remain poorly understood. To elucidate the genetic regulatory network for miRNA-mRNA and the signaling pathways involved in DHAV-3 infection in ducklings, we conducted global miRNA and mRNA expression profiling of duckling liver tissues infected with lethal DHAV-3 using high-throughput sequencing.
Results: We found 156 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and 7717 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEGs) between mock-infected and DHAV-3-infected duckling livers. A total of 19,606 miRNA-mRNA pairs with negatively correlated expression patterns were identified in miRNA-mRNA networks constructed on the basis of these DEMs and DEGs. Moreover, immune-related pathways including the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, apoptosis, Toll-like receptor, Jak-STAT, and RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway were significantly enriched through analyzing functions of mRNAs in the network in response to DHAV-3 infection. Besides, apl-miR-32-5p, apl-miR-125-5p, apl-miR-128-3p, apl-miR-460-5p, and novel-m0012-3p were identified as potential regulators in the immune-related signaling pathways during the DHAV-3 infection.
Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report on integrated analysis of miRNA-seq and mRNA-seq in DHAV-3-infected ducklings. The results indicated the important roles of miRNAs in regulating immune response genes and revealed the immune related miRNA-mRNA regulation network in the DHAV-3-infected duckling liver. Our findings may provide valuable information to further investigate the roles of miRNAs and their target genes in DHAV-3 replication and pathogenesis; additionally, they may offer clues for further understanding host-virus interactions.
Explicating Practice Norms and Tensions Between Values in Resident Training in Family Medicine
Authors: Achkar Morhaf Al
Published: August 2019

Purpose Residency programs have the intricate and complex role of training health care providers. But little is known about what residents and attendings consider norms of practice or the tensions among different values residents are expected to uphold. Thus, dialogical and reflective frameworks are being explored for resident learning. Methods This study examined the use of facilitated conversations with groups of residents and attending physicians while reviewing video-recorded resident–patient interactions. The conversations were recorded, transcribed, and qualitatively analyzed.Results A total of 24 residents and 10 attendings participated in conversations while separately and in parallel groups reviewing 15 resident sessions. Residents explicated the norms of practice and evaluated their performance, which often agreed with those of attending physicians in calling out important learning opportunities. When disagreement occurred, residents’ explications of their reasoning were often relevant and, via reflection and dialogue, helped clarify intentions that were not apparent in the videos. Residents and attendings both often judged actions on more than one domain of value. For instance, if a resident addressed problems, built relationships in a timely manner, and acted autonomously without jeopardizing the quality of care, she satisfactorily performed her duty. Conclusions Practice norms and value struggles were addressed by participants during reviews, which provided a promising framework for learning and assessment. Also, the non-hierarchical structure opened space to acknowledge a diversity of positions and for tensions among values to be explicated.
Does Video Laryngoscopy or Direct Laryngoscopy affect first pass success rates for intubation among Attending and Non-Attending Emergency Physician in the Emergency Department?
Authors: Wan Paul Weng , Diana Zakaria Nur , Ching Seow Gek , Evelyn Wong
Published: August 2019

Background: To our knowledge, there has been no study comparing intubation characteristics between attending and non-attending Emergency Physicians in South-East Asia. We aim to identify whether the use of Direct Laryngoscopy (DL) compared to Video Laryngoscopy (VL) affects first pass success rates between Attending Emergency Physicians (AEP) and Non-Attending Emergency Physicians (NAEP). Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from 2009 to 2016 in an existing airway registry managed by and academic Emergency Department in Singapore. Primary outcome is first pass success intubation rate. The secondary outcome was first pass success rate for difficult intubations. Difficult intubations were defined as LEMON score of more than 1 or more than 1 attempt at intubation. Results: There were 2909 intubation carried out by emergency physicians in the Emergency Department from 2009 to 2016. AEP conducted 1748 intubations while NAEP conducted 1161 intubations. The first pass success rates for AEP was 84.2% while that for NAEP was 67.4%. 86.2% of intubations by AEP were done with a direct laryngoscope. 89.0% of the intubations by NAEP were done with a direct laryngoscope. 18.9% of intubations by the AEP were difficult compared to 35.2% by the NAEP (p<0.01 95% C.I 13.0%-19.6%). First pass success rate with VL was lower than DL for all intubations (OR 0.66, 95% C.I 0.51-0.84). In the subgroup of difficult intubations, VL did not improve first pass success rate among AEP (OR 0.77, 95% C.I 0.38-1.58) but it did for NAEP (OR 2.46, 95% C.I 0.94-6.45). Conclusion: Our study showed that VL has a poorer first pass success rate for all intubations in general. However, specifically for difficult intubations, VL is associated with improved first pass success rates among NAEP.
Transcriptomic dynamics changes in development of carmine radish (Raphanus sativus L.) fleshy roots using RNA-seq method
Authors: Gao Jian , Luo Mao , Liu Yi , Chen Fabo , Peng Hua , Li Wenbo
Published: August 2019

Radish ( Raphanus sativus L.), belonging to biennial root vegetable crop of Brassicaceae family, is an economically important vegetable crop with an edible taproot. Recently, most of differential expressed genes associating with anthocyanin biosynthesis have been identified in most of important fruit crops. However, transcriptome analysis of anthocyanin biosynthesis and expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis related genes in ‘Hongxin’ radish have not been fully investigated. Here, based on results from HPLC analysis, young fleshy roots obtained from the dynamics development stage of fleshy roots in carmine radish ‘Hongxin 1’ was used for RNA-Seq, including fleshy roots from seedling stage (SS), initial expansion (IE), full-expansion (FE), bolting stage (BS), initial flowering stage (IFS); full-bloom stage (FBS) and podding stage (PS). Subsequently, the putative candidate genes involved in the dynamics development stage of fleshy roots in carmine radish were identified. After that, DGE (differential gene expression) profile analysis was used to identify the pupative transcripts, compared with fleshy roots from seedling stage (SS). In addition, co-modulated DEGs (Common DEGs in the dynamic growing stages of fleshyroot in carmine radish) were also identified, from which most DGEs were more likely to participate in anthocyanin biosynthesis, including two transcription factors RsMYB and Rs RZFP . In addition, some related proteins e.g. RsCHS , RsDFR , RsANS , RsF’3H , RsF3GGT1 , Rs3AT1 , glutathione S-transferase F12, RsUFGT78D2-like and RsUDGT-75C1-like were significantly contributed to the regulatory mechanism during anthocyanin synthesis in the development stage of fleshy roots. Furthermore, GO terms comprised of “anthocyanin-containing compound biosynthetic process” and “anthocyanin-containing compound metabolic process” were commonly overrepresented in the other dynamics growing stages of fleshy roots after initial expansion of fleshy roots. Moreover, these results indicated that five significantly enrichment pathways of DEG were identified for the dynamics growing stages of fleshy roots in carmine radish, including Flavonoid biosynthesis, Flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, Diterpenoid biosynthesis, Anthocyanin biosynthesis, as well as Benzoxazinoid biosynthesis. These results will expand our understanding of complex molecular mechanism of the putative candidate genes involved in the dynamics development stage of fleshyroot in carmine radish.
Graft failure of IgA nephropathy in renal allografts following living transplantation: predictive factor analysis of 102 biopsies
Authors: Zhang Jin , Chen Guo-dong , Qiu Jiang , Liu Guo-chang , Chen Li-zhong , Fu Kai , Wu Zi-xuan
Published: August 2019

Background

To investigate predictive factors related to graft failure of IgA nephropathy(IgAN) in renal allografts following living transplantation.

Methods

We identified a series of 102 biopsies diagnosed as IgAN in renal allografts following living transplantation from July 2004 to January 2017 at our center, and assess the predict value of the Lee's classification and the 2009 Oxford classification in IgAN in renal allografts, clinical, ultrasonic and pathological characteristics at biopsy and the outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The 5-year graft cumulative survival rate after transplantation was 91.4%. The 4-year graft cumulative survival rate after biopsy diagnosis of IgAN in renal allografts was 59.6%. The mean time ± SD to disease was 4.7 ± 3.5 years. The color doppler ultrasound and blood flow imagine showed the echo enhancement, the reduced blood flow distribution, the reduced peak systolic velocity of main renal artery, and the increased resistance index of arcuate renal artery were valuable in evaluating the graft dysfunction. The Cox multivariate analysis revealed that the 24-h urinary protein level (HR 1.6 for 1-g increase, 95%CI 1.2-2.0), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (HR 1.0 for 1-mL/min/1.73m^2 decline, 95%CI 1.0-1.1), and mesangial C1q deposition (HR 3.0, 95%CI 1.2-7.4) at biopsy were independent predictive factors of graft failure of IgAN in renal allografts.

Conclusions

IgAN in renal allografts occurred frequently within 5 years after transplantation. The risk of graft failure should be taken seriously in patients who exhibit heavy proteinuria and/or a declined eGFR as the initial symptoms; a high lesion grade (grade IV-V of Lee’s classification) and/or mesangial C1q deposition may also indicated a poor outcome.
Perceived Barriers to Early Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in South and South Western Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Authors: Getachew Sefonias , Tesfaw Aragaw , Kaba Mirgissa , Wienke Andreas , Taylor Lesley , Kantelhardt Eva J. , Addissie Adamu
Published: August 2019

Background Early diagnosis is a key determinant of breast cancer prognosis and survival. More than half of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage in Ethiopia, and the barriers to early diagnosis in this country are not well understood. We aimed to identify the perceived barriers to early diagnosis of breast cancer from the perspective of patients and health care providers in south and southwestern Ethiopia. Methods A qualitative study was conducted from March to April 2018 using in-depth interviews of breast cancer patients and breast cancer health care providers from six public hospitals located in urban and rural areas of south and southwestern Ethiopia. All participants proved verbal consent before participating. A thematic analysis was performed using Open Code 4.02. Results Twelve breast cancer patients and thirteen health care providers were included in the study. Patient and health-system related barriers to early diagnosis of breast cancer were identified. Patient-related barriers were lack of knowledge and awareness of breast cancer, belief in traditional medicine and religious practices for treatment, and lack of social and financial support to seek care at a medical facility. Health-system related barriers were misdiagnosis of breast cancer, long distance to referral facilities, high cost of diagnostic services, long waiting time for diagnostic tests, and lack of screening and diagnostic tests in local facilities. Conclusions Early diagnosis of breast cancer is affected by multiple barriers in south and southwestern Ethiopia. Awareness campaigns and education about the disease, prevention, and early detection are needed to increase early diagnosis of breast cancer. Opportunities exist to improve early diagnosis and timely treatment in rural areas.
Patient-individual cancer cell lines and tissue analysis delivers no evidence for a role of DNA virus infection on colorectal cancer oncogenesis
Authors: Gock Michael , Kordt Marcel , Matschos Stephanie , Mullins Christina S. , Linnebacher Michael
Published: August 2019

Background

Several DNA viruses are highly suspicious to have oncogenic effects in humans. This study investigates the presence of potentially oncogenic viruses such as SV40, JCV, BKV and EBV in patient-derived colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells typifying all molecular subtypes of CRC.

Methods

Sample material (gDNA and cDNA) of a total of 49 patient-individual CRC cell lines and corresponding primary material from 11 patients, including normal, tumor-derived and metastasis-derived tissue were analyzed for sequences of SV40, JVC, BKV and EBV using endpoint PCR. In addition, the susceptibility of CRC cells to JCV and BKV was examined using a long-term cultivation approach of patient-individual cells in the presence of viruses.

Results

No virus-specific sequences could be detected in all specimens. Likewise, no morphological changes were observed and no evidence for viral infection or integration could be provided after long term CRC cell cultivation in presence of viral particles.

Conclusions

In summary, the presented data suggest that there is no direct correlation between tumorigenesis and viral load and consequently no evidence for a functional role of the DNA viruses included into this analysis in CRC development.
Impact of Early Chimerism Status on Clinical Outcome in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia after Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Lejman Monika , Zaucha-Prażmo Agnieszka , Zawitkowska Joanna , Mroczkowska Aleksandra , Grabowski Dominik , Kowalczyk Jerzy Roman , Drabko Katarzyna
Published: August 2019

In this retrospective study we evaluated the clinical impact of very early chimerism after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The study group included 38 boys and 18 girls. Very early chimerism was evaluated on days +7, +14, +21 and +28 after the transplant. Quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate chimerism. Overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 84% and 80% respectively. OS in group of 24 patients with complete donor chimerism on day +14 was 83% and it did not differ statistically compared to 32 patients with mixed chimerism on day +14 (OS was 84%). The donor type (matched unrelated) and sex (male; p = 0.02 on day +14, p = 0.01 on day +21, p = 0.02 on day 28), number of transplanted cell (above 4,47 x 106 kg; p = 0.036 on day +14) and serotherapy (without ATG; p = 0.05 on day +7, p = 0.016 on day +21, p = 0.023 on day 28) were statistically related to a high level of donor chimerism. Grades II-IV acute graft versus host disease were diagnosed in 23 patients, who presented level donor chimerism above 60% on day 7. The data presented in this study provides valuable insight to the analysis of very early chimerism in children with ALL treated with HSCT.
Icotinib is as efficacious as gefitinib for brain metastasis of EGFR mutated non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Liu Kejun , Jiang Guanming , Zhang Ailing , Li Zhuanghua , Jia Jun
Published: August 2019

Background: The prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastases is very poor. Currently, therapeutic methods for this patient population include whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT), surgery, radiosurgery and systemic treatment. Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) could be effective on cerebral metastases of mutated NSCLC. However, which EGFR-TKIs is more appropriate is still unknown.
Methods: A total of 43 patients were recruit in this study. Patients received either icotinib (125 mg, thrice a day) or geﬁtinib (250 mg, once a day) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary end point of this study was PFS. The relationships between therapeutic arms and patients characteristics were performed using Pearson’s chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. The differences in PFS among the two arms were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and log rank tests.
Results: There was no significant difference of intracranial ORR (66.6% versus 59.1%, P =0.62) and DCR (85.7% versus 81.8%, P =0.73) between the two arms. The median intracranial PFS (iPFS) for icotinib and gefitinib arms were 8.4 months (95% CI, 5.4 to 11.3 months) and 10.6 months (95% CI, 6.3 to 14.8 months), respectively (P =0.17). Adverse events of the two study arms were generally mild. None of the patients experienced dose reduction of EGFR-TKIs.
Conclusions: Our study showed that icotinib and geﬁtinib had similar efficacy for brain metastasis of EGFR mutated NSCLC. Large randomized studies are suggested to further illuminate the effect of these two EGFR-TKIs on cerebral lesions of NSCLC.
Evaluation of the efficacy of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate on remineralization of white spot lesions in vivo and in vitro: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lin Xuandong , Ma Xueling , Zhong Tengfei , Xie Fangfang
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: This systematic review with meta-analyses sought to answer whether casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) provided a remineralizing benefit superior to that of nonintervention or placebo.
Methods: The Cochrane databases, PubMed, EmBase, and Ovid up to May, 2019, were scanned, with no restrictions. Study information extraction and methodological quality assessments were accomplished independently by two reviewers. The “Criteria for judging risk of bias in the ‘Risk of bias’ assessment tool” was used for methodological quality assessment. The continuous data was analyzed by mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Review Manager 5.3 was used for statistical analysis. Outcome variables include quantitative light-induced fluorescence in vivo, average surface roughness and surface microhardness in vitro.
Results: There were significant differences in the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (SMD = −0.43, 95% CI: [−0.79, −0.07], P = 0.02), average surface roughness (SMD = −8.21, 95% CI: [−10.37, −6.04], P < 0.01), Vickers microhardness (SMD = 1.19, 95% CI: [0.72, 1.66], P < 0.01), and Knoop microhardness (SMD = 3.52, 95% CI: [2.68, 4.36], P < 0.01) between the CPP-ACP and control groups or baseline.
Conclusion: Within the limitations of this meta-analysis, CPP-ACP exhibited excellent remineralization effects evaluated in vivo and in vitro, indicating outstanding restoration of form, aesthetics, and function in treating white spot lesions.
Does Er,Cr:YSGG reduce the microleakage of restorations when used for cavity preparation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Yali , Chen Wenfei , Zhang Jinrui , Li Yanhui
Published: August 2019

Background: As the member of erbium laser family, Erbium, Chromium: Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) have obtained the approval for caries removal and cavity preparation by Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, there are still disputes about the beneficial efficacy of Er,Cr:YSGG prepartions on microleakage. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the microleakage of cavities prepared by Er,Cr:YSGG lasers with that by traditional burs. We also assess the effect of acid etching on the adhesive potential of self-etch and etch-and-rinse adhesives after laser preparation. Methods: An electronic search was performed in Pubmed, EBSCO, Embase, and the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL). Results: 357 articles were identified. Finally, 12 met the inclusion criteria, among which 11 were selected for meta-analysis. All included studies presented a moderate risk of bias. No significant difference was observed between the Er,Cr:YSGG and traditional bur groups in terms of the incident rate of microleakage. Self-etch adhesives in combination with prior acid etching shown less microleakage than those without acid etching in laser-prepared cavities. Conclusions: The current studies did not support the beneficial effects of Er,Cr:YSGG preparations on microleakage. And the additional acid etching is recommended to accompany with self-etching adhesives after Er,Cr:YSGG preparations. More high-quality researches are needed to draw a convincing conclusion in the future.
Container-aided Integrative QTL and RNA-seq Analysis of Collaborative Cross Mice Supports Distinct Sex-Oriented Molecular Modes of Response in Obesity
Authors: Binenbaum Ilona , Atamni Hanifa Abu-Toamih , Fotakis Georgios , Kontogianni Georgia , Koutsandreas Theodoros , Pilalis Eleftherios , Mott Richard , Himmelbauer Heinz , Iraqi Fuad A. , Chatziioannou Aristotelis
Published: August 2019

Background: The CC mouse population is a valuable resource to study the genetic basis of complex traits, such as obesity. Although the development of obesity is influenced by environmental factors, the underlying genetic mechanisms play a crucial role in the response to these factors. The interplay between the genetic background and the gene expression pattern can provide further insight into this response, but we lack robust and easily reproducible workflows to integrate genomic and transcriptomic information in the CC mouse population.
Results: We established an automated and reproducible integrative workﬂow to analyse complex traits in the CC mouse genetic reference panel at the genomic and transcriptomic levels. We implemented the analytical workﬂow to assess the underlying genetic mechanisms of host susceptibility to diet induced obesity and integrate these results with diet induced changes in the hepatic gene expression of susceptible and resistant mice. Hepatic gene expression diﬀers signiﬁcantly between obese and non-obese mice, with a signiﬁcant sex eﬀect, where male and female mice exhibit diﬀerent responses and coping mechanisms.
Conclusion: Integration of the data showed that diﬀerent genes but similar pathways are involved in the genetic susceptibility and disturbed in diet induced obesity. Genetic mechanisms underlying susceptibility to high-fat diet induced obesity diﬀer in female and male mice. The clear distinction we observe in the systemic response to the high-fat diet challenge and to obesity between male and female mice points to the need for further research into distinct sex-related mechanisms in metabolic disease.
The evolutionary analysis of PEBP Gene Family among Rosaceae tree species
Authors: Zhang Man , Li Ping , Yan Xiaolan , Wang Jia , Cheng Tangren , Zhang Qixiang
Published: August 2019

Phosphatidylethanolamine-binding proteins (PEBPs) are a common gene family found among animals, plants and microbes. Plant PEBP proteins play an important role in regulating flowering time, as well as seed and bud dormancy. PEBP proteins can be divided into three major clades: FLOWERING LOCUS T-like (FT-like), TERMINAL FLOWER1-like (TFL1-like), and MOTHER OF FT AND TFL1-like (MFT-like). Though PEBP family genes have been well studied in Arabidopsis and other model species, their functional role in perennial trees is not fully understood. To characterize the evolution of PEBP genes and their role in flowering control among Rosaceae species, we identified a total of 46 PEBP members in seven Rosaceae species. Sequence and gene structure analysis revealed highly conserved intron/exon distributions and featured motifs among Rosaceae PEBP proteins. Analysis of synonymous/nonsysnonymous substitution rates showed purifying selection constraining divergence within most lineages, while positive selection appears to have driven divergence of FT-like and TFL-like genes from the MFT clade. The expression of PEBP genes varied among different tissues indicating their functional divergence during gene family evolution. Furthermore, by employing a weighted gene co-expression network approach, we inferred a putative FT regulatory module essential for dormancy release and floral induction in P. mume. Our study sheds new light on the evolution of PEBP genes and their functional roles in controlling flowering time among Rosaceae tree species.
Size of pelvic bone metastasis as a significant prognostic factor for metastatic prostate cancer patients
Authors: Hayakawa Toyokazu , Tabata Ken-ichi , Tsumura Hideyasu , Kawakami Shogo , Katakura Takeo , Hashimoto Masatoshi , Watanabe Yusuke , Iwamura Masatsugu , Hasegawa Tomoyuki , Ishiyama Hiromichi
Published: August 2019

Background

To investigate the potential prognostic value of image analysis of pelvic bone metastasis in newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients.Methods

Data from 69 patients with both bone scintigraphy and pelvic CT images were selected for this analysis. Open source software (3D Slicer version 4.8.1.) was used for image analysis. Metastatic pelvic bone lesions were manually contoured, and radiomic features were extracted. As risk factors for overall survival (OS) and cause-specific survival (CSS), 105 radiomic features and clinical risk factors including age, initial prostate-specific antigen, Gleason score, TNM stage, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), hemoglobin (Hb), alkaline phosphatase, extent of disease, visceral metastases, castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), and number of systemic agents including abiraterone, enzalutamide, docetaxel and cabazitaxel which CRPC patients received were assessed by uni- and multivariate analyses.Results

Median follow-up was 41 months (range, 0-157 months). Three- and 5-year overall survival rates were 66.6% and 37.9%, respectively. Three- and 5-year cause-specific survival rates were 69.4% and 43.5%, respectively. After multivariate analysis, LDH, Hb, and “maximum 2D diameter” defined as maximum tumor size in the axial plane were detected as risk factors for OS. Gleason sum, LDH, and maximum 2D diameter were detected as risk factors for CSS.Conclusion

Maximum 2D diameter of pelvic bone metastasis was detected as a significant prognostic factor for metastatic prostate cancer patients.
The diagnostic and prognostic value of heme oxygenase 1 in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury: a cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Xia Shilin , Zhang Meishuai , Liu Han , Wu Nannan , Chen Huiqing , Li Nan
Published: August 2019

Background
Sepsis patients suffer from severe inflammatory and poor prognosis. Local inflammation resulted from sepsis is found to trigger organ injury, such as acute kidney injury (AKI). We conducted a cross-sectional observational study to examine the diagnostic and prognostic role of serum heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) on sepsis-induced AKI.

Methods
The 83 enrolled patients were initially divided into two groups with no AKI (NAKI) and sepsis-induced AKI group (SAKI) based on whether had AKI. Then the patients were concretely divided into four groups: septic shock and AKI group (SS+AKI group), sepsis-induced AKI group (S+AKI group), septic shock group (SS group), and sepsis group (S group. The venous blood was sampled within 24 hours after diagnosis of sepsis. We detected the serum HO-1 and laboratory indicators by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The 28-day survival status was observed between the HO-1 high- and low-level patients grouped by the median of HO-1 concentration 41.33U/L.

Results
We found that there were statistically significant results of SOFA score and admission time between SAKI and NAKI group (p<0.05). The level of HO-1 in SAKI group was obviously elevated as compared with NAKI group (p<0.05). It was remarkable to show that HO-1 level was remarkably higher in SS+AKI group than that in other three groups (p<0.05). In All groups, HO-1 positively correlates with SOFA score, Scr, Hb, APTT, Urea, and TnI (p<0.05). In SS+AKI group, HO-1 was positively associated with SOFA score, Scr, AKI stage, γ-GT, and FDP (p<0.05). In S+AKI, HO-1 level was positively related to the level of Scr, AKI stage, and ALP (p<0.05). In SS group, SOFA score was in negative correlation to HO-1 (p<0.05). The AUC of HO-1 and serum creatinine was 0.824 (95% CI: 0.703-0.944) and 0.778 (95% CI: 0.658-0.919) separately. The AUC of combined with HO-1 and serum creatinine was 0.864 (95% CI: 0.761-0.968). The survival analysis showed that sepsis patients with high HO-1 level had a higher mortality rate compared with patients with low HO-1 expression.

Conclusions
The findings from this study make contributions to clinical value of HO-1, suggesting that HO-1 plays a diagnostic and prognostic role in sepsis-induced AKI.
Salivary proteome profile of women during fertile phase of menstrual cycle as characterized by mass spectrometry
Authors: Ganesan Saibaba , Durairaj Rajesh , Subramanian Muthukumar , Ganesan Sathiyanarayanan , Parasuraman Padmanabhan , Balazs Gulyas , Abdulkader Akbarsha Mohammad , Govindaraju Archunan
Published: August 2019

Background Human saliva contains several biomolecules, especially proteins, some of which have been found to serve as biomarkers of different physiological statuses and/or pathological conditions. Saliva is a much superior biological material for investigation over the other body fluids. Several salivary proteins are present in minute quantities whereupon there is possibility to express the hormone receptors, stress proteins or antimicrobial peptides at subtle to major variations which can reveal the physiological and/or pathological statuses. Ovulation is such a critical physiological process that its non-invasive prediction has several advantages. It has been postulated that saliva, with one or more of biomolecules in it such as proteins, amino acids, antioxidants, antimicrobial peptides, and such others would effectively serve as non-invasive predictor(s)/detector(s) of ovulation.Methods Samples were collected from women volunteers and the procedure adopted was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee (DM/2014/101/38), Bharathidasan University. The saliva samples were collected between 8.00 to 9.00 AM from 30 healthy female volunteers (age, mean = 24, range = 19 - 30), with prior written consent. The protein expression pattern during different phases of menstrual cycle was analyzed using HR-LC-MS/MS and MALD TOF/TOF.Results The functional annotation of salivary proteins identified therein revealed that the proteins get assigned to the class of “extracellular proteins” which are concerned with regulatory functions. As many as 530 proteins showed up in the saliva during ovulation phase whereas there were only 251 proteins during post-ovulation phase. The protein expression was also analyzed using 2D gel electrophoresis and it was found that the salivary proteins focused at pH range 4-7 and molecular weight around 97-14 kDa. The unique/differentially expressed protein spots appeared during ovulation phase was identified by MALDI-TOF analysis.Conclusions According to spot analysis, Cystatin-S, Prolactin-inducible protein, Cystatin-A, Cystatin-SN, BPI fold-containing family A member 2, Alpha-tubulin N-acetyltransferase 1, and Carbonic anhydrase 6 were highly expressed during ovulation phase. These proteins could serve as an indicator(s) for ovulation after extensive validation studies.
The Impact of Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination on Nosocomial Influenza in a Tertiary Hospital: An Ecological Study
Authors: Wei Wycliffe Enli , Fook-Chong Stephanie , Chen Wen Kai , Chlebicki Maciej Piotr , Gan Wee Hoe
Published: August 2019

Background

To protect hospitalized patients who are more susceptible to complications of influenza, seasonal influenza vaccination of healthcare workers (HCW) has been recommended internationally. However, its effectiveness is still being debated. To assess the effectiveness of HCW influenza vaccination, we performed an ecological study to evaluate the association between healthcare worker influenza vaccination and the incidence of nosocomial influenza in a tertiary hospital within Singapore between 2013-2018.Methods

Nosocomial influenza was defined by influenza among inpatients diagnosed 7 days or more post-admission by laboratory testing, while healthcare worker influenza vaccination rate was defined as the proportion of healthcare workers that was vaccinated at the end of each annual seasonal vaccination exercise. A modified Poisson regression was performed to assess the association between the HCW vaccination rates and monthly nosocomial influenza incidence rates.Results

Nosocomial influenza incidence rates followed the trend of non-nosocomial influenza, showing a predominant mid-year peak. Across 2,480,010 patient-days, there were 256 nosocomial influenza cases (1.03 per 10,000 patient-days). Controlling for background influenza activity and the number of influenza tests performed, 10% increase in vaccination coverage corresponded to 11% decrease in nosocomial influenza incidence rate (IRR 0.89, 95%CI:0.69-1.15, p =0.37).Conclusion

We observed a negative association between influenza vaccination rates and nosocomial influenza incidence rates, although statistical significance was not reached. Aligning local HCW vaccine timing and formulation to that of the Southern Hemisphere may improve effectiveness. HCW vaccination remains important but demonstrating its effectiveness in preventing nosocomial influenza is challenging.
Linearization of the sensors characteristics: a review
Authors: Islam Tarikul , Mukhopadhyay S. C.
Published: August 2019

Today, the sensing devices play an important role for various system automation and monitoring of different physical and chemical parameters. Nonlinearity is an important long-time issue for most of the sensors, so to compensate nonlinearity, various linearization schemes are reported in the literature. The accuracy of linearization schemes depends on the type and the nonlinearity value of the sensor output. Since it is difficult to find an exact polynomial equation or other functions to represent the response curve; it gives more error when the measurement parameter is determined from the inverse approximation functions. As many sensors are used for different applications, the linearized characteristics will simplify the design, calibration, and accuracy of the measurement. This paper presents a review of different methods applied to linearize sensor characteristics reported in the literature. Due to availability of high-performance analog devices, analog methods are still popular among many researchers. However, due to the advancement of IC technologies, hardware implementation of the software methods can be done easily with reduced time, cost, and more accuracy, so the digital methods combined with software techniques perform the job with better flexibility and efficiency.
An empirical study of optimal access to external finance by small and medium enterprise start-ups
Authors: Bamata Herman , K. Govender Krishna , Fields Ziska
Published: August 2019

The aim of this study is to empirically examine the relationships between the determinants of start-up SME success, namely start-up awareness and management skills, and the finance suppliers. This study has proposed a framework that improves the ability of start-up SMEs to access external finance. Through descriptive and inferential statistical analyses of data from a survey of a sample of SMEs in South Africa, it was ascertained that the framework which maps the entrepreneur’s start-up awareness and requisite management skills with the finance providers’ requirements will make up a tool to assist start-up SMEs in developing optimal financing options to grow their businesses.