bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pengaruh store atmosphere dan price discount terhadap keputusan pembelian impulse buying pelanggan Carrefour Market
Authors: Vilalba Irvan Eles
Published: September 2020

Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh store atmosphere dan price discount terhadap keputusan pembelian impulse buying pelanggan Carrefour Market. Sampel penelitian sebanyak 100 orang pelanggan Carrefour Malang, yang diambil secara acak, teknik pengumpulan menggunakan kuesioner, adapun teknik analisis Regresi Linear Berganda. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa store atmosphere berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap keputusan pembelian impulse buying, price discount berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap keputusan pembelian impulse buying. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa perilaku impulse buying tercipta karena strategi Carrefour dalam menciptakan store atmosphere yang menarik dan kebijakan price discount pada beberapa produk yang dijual.
Pengaruh pengungkapan corporate social responsibility terhadap nilai perusahaan dengan profitabilitas dan agency cost sebagai variabel moderating
Authors: Nia Monika
Published: September 2020

Tujuan penelitian untuk menganalisis pengaruh pengungkapan corporate social responsibility (CSR) berpengaruh terhadap nilai perusahaan, peran profitabilitas dan agency cost dalam memoderasi hubungan antara pengungkapan CSR dengan nilai perusahaan. Populasi penelitian perusahaan Food and Beverages yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI) pada tahun 2014 sampai 2016 sebanyak 13 perusahaan, yang diambil dengan teknik pruposive sampling. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA). Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa pengungkapan tanggung jawab sosial perusahaan berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap nilai perusahaan. Profitabilitas dapat memoderating hubungan antara pengungkapan corporate social responsibility (CSR) dengan nilai perusahaan sedangkan agency cost tidak dapat memoderating hubungan antara corporate social responsibility (CSR) dengan nilai perusahaan.
Pengaruh pembiayaan bermasalah dan kecukupan modal terhadap profitabilitas
Authors: Taufik Agus , Nurhayati Nurhayati , Suprapto Sugeng
Published: September 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh pembiayaan bermasalah dan kecukupan modal terhadap profitabilitas pada Koperasi BMT Mu’amalah Syari’ah Tebuireng. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif, dengan pengambilan sampel menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Data yang digunakan adalah data sekunder. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah uji asumsi klasik, analisis regresi linear berganda dan uji hipotesis. Hasil penelitian berdasarkan pengujian menunjukkan bahwa pembiayaan bermasalah berpengaruh terhadap profitabilitas, Sedangkan kecukupan modal tidak berpengaruh terhadap profitabilitas, Berdasarkan pengujian secara simultan menunjukkan bahwa pembiayaan bermasalah dan kecukupan modal tidak berpengaruh terhadap profitabilitas.
Trail of Adventure Tourism of Senior Generation
Authors: Mudzakkir Mohammad Fakhruddin , Setiawan Roy , Singh Sanju Khuma Singh , Fauzi Ahmad
Published: September 2020

The main aim of this research is to explore what factor that determines of senior generation doing adventure tourism.  More specifically in this study, not all ages were studied but only in the old generation. Using case study and data collection used interview techniques. There were two participants who were interviewed by both participants aged > 50 years and had done more than 20 times doing trail adventure activities. This research used snowball sampling techniques. Overall there are five identifiable factors related to factors that drive senior generation to do trail adventure activities: maintaining healthy body, strengthening brotherhood, returning to nature and nostalgia.
Early Warning System Kondisi Financial pada Industri Manufaktur di BEI
Authors: Sabar Sabar
Published: September 2020

Problemasi memprediksi risiko masih menjadi permasalahan spesifik yang memerlukan perhatian dalam bidang investasi. Penelitian sebelumnya menghasilkan temuan bahwa ada semacam bahwa early warning system (EWS) bagi investor dapat dijadikan acuan untuk kehati-hatian. Penelitian ini memberikan EWS bagi investor yang menekuni industry pengolahan yang go public di BEI. Penelitianini berupaya membedakan perusahaan dalam kategori kesulitan keuangan dan tidak kesulitan keuangan. Variabel keuangan yang digunakan tergabung dalam kelompok short term liquidity, long term solvency, profitability, productivity, indebtedness, investment intensiveness, leverage, return on investment, equity dan EVA. Hasil uji terdapat 14 rasio keuangan yang memiliki perbedaan antara rasio keuangan pada kategori perusahaan non-financial distress dan financial distress
Pengaruh Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja (K3) dan lingkungan kerja terhadap produktivitas kerja karyawan
Authors: Astutik Mardi , Dewa Retno Catur Kusuma
Published: September 2020

Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh keselamatan dan kesehatan kerja (K3) dan lingkungan kerja terhadap produktivitas kerja karyawan bagian produksi pada PT.Sumber Citra Persada. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan metode penyebaran angket dengan menggunakan teknik sampling random terhadap 86 karyawan. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis mengunakan Analisis Regresi Linier Berganda. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa keselamatn dan kesehatan (K3) berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap produktivitas kerja dan lingkungan kerja berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap produktivitas kerja karyawan bagian produksi pada PT. Sumber Citra Persada
Pengaruh kualitas produk, kualitas layanan, harga dan brand image terhadap keputusan pembelian Kober Mie Setan di Kota malang
Authors: Firmansyah Ilham
Published: September 2020

Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh kualitas produk, kualitas layanan, harga dan brand image terhadap keputusan pembelian di Kober Mie Setan kota Malang. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Kober Mie Setan, dan yang menjadi populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah konsumen di Kober Mie Setan Malang. Sampel diambil dengan menggunakan metode accidental sampling. Ukuran sampel sebanyak 114 orang. Teknik analisis yang digunakan adalah Regresi Berganda. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa kualitas produk, kualitas layanan, harga, dan brand image berpengaruh signifikan positif terhadap keputusan pembelian di Kober Mie Setan Malang.
Determinan pengambilan keputusan hedging menggunakan instrumen derivatif valas
Authors: Utomo Langgeng Prayitno , Hartanti Benih
Published: September 2020

Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui implikasi leverage, likuiditas, profitabilitas, dan kepemilikan manajerial terhadap pengambilan keputusan hedging dengan menggunakan instrumen derivatif valuta asing. Penelitian ini menggunakan teknik analisis regresi linear berganda dengan program SPSS, hasil pengujian menggunakan metode regresi linier berganda, menunjukkan hasil bahwa dari keempat variabel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini, menemukan bahwa leverage, likuiditas, dan profitabilitas berpengaruh negatif terhadap keputusan hedging, sedangkan kepemilikan manajerial berpengaruh positif terhadap keputusan hedging. Dari hasil regresi juga menunjukkan bahwa leverage, likuiditas, profitabilitas, dan kepemilikan manajerial secara simultan berpengaruh signifikan terhadap pengambilan keputusan hedging.
Fast and Accurate Core Analysis by the Full-Immersion Pressure-Pulse Decay: Part 2—Practice and Demonstration
Authors: Hannon Michael J.
Published: September 2020

This study continues the work of presenting a novel approach for making petrophysical assessments of tight core samples. This method, the full-immersion pressure-pulse decay (Hannon 2019), involves applying a rapid increase in pressure in a chamber surrounding the entire outer surface area of a cylindrical sample, shutting the system in, and monitoring the pressure decay in the chamber as it reaches a new equilibrium. A precursor article covered the numerical simulator designed to model flow through the sample, demonstrating its performance and accuracy in addition to providing a first-order comparison between the speed and shape of the pressure-decay responses of the full-immersion method with those of other similar transient methods. This study covers the parameter-estimation procedure and experimental verification through a proof-of-concept laboratory investigation. The investigations provided here demonstrate that under appropriate, achievable experimental conditions, the pressure data can be analyzed in such a way that returns an estimate of the porosity and apparent permeabilities both parallel and perpendicular to bedding from a single test performed on a single cylindrical sample. After determining these experimental conditions (the uniqueness window), this report outlines a data-inversion strategy to estimate the petrophysical properties (porosity, horizontal permeability, and vertical permeability) from each test. This strategy is put to the test through comparisons with measurements performed by a commercial core laboratory. A common set of samples recovered from an outcrop of a tight-gas sandstone formation were investigated using the full-immersion method, and their results are compared with those from conventional steady-state measurement procedures performed by the commercial laboratory. Comparisons between petrophysical characterizations of these samples, which had permeabilities between 25 nd and 2.3 μd, demonstrated close agreement in most cases. However, whereas steady-state measurements performed at the professional laboratory required 4 to 5 hours of testing time per measurement of a single permeability, similar assessments using the full-immersion technique, requiring approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete, returned estimates of the horizontal and vertical permeability simultaneously. Additional analyses are provided to determine principal reasons of discrepancies in instances where agreement was not as strong. Based on lessons learned from these experiences, the report closes with suggestions on areas of improvement in the experimental approach. Once complete, these developments should propel this technology to fill a critical need to determine petrophysical properties (porosity and permeability) of tight rocks in a time-efficient manner and in a way that does not compromise their accuracy.
Personal values in adolescence and their associations with metabolic biomarkers in adulthood: a Japanese population-based study
Authors: Sasaki Natsu , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Kawakami Norito
Published: September 2020

Background: Personal values, which are formed in early life, can have an impact on health outcome later in life.Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the relation between personal values in adolescence and bio-indicators related to metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adulthood.Participants and Methods: The longitudinal data used was from the Japanese Study on Stratification, Health, Income, and Neighborhood (J-SHINE). Personal values in adolescence were retrospectively obtained in 2017 from a self-reporting questionnaire, composed of value priorities and commitment to the values. Venous samples were collected in 2012 for low and high-density lipoprotein (LDL, HDL) cholesterol and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) were also measured. The associations of each variable were examined by partial correlation analysis. In addition, multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine overall associations between personal values and the sum of standardized scores (Z-score) of the biomarkers as a proxy of MetS.Results: The total population (n=668) included 261 men and 407 women. For men, the personal value priority of “Having influence on society” was associated with high HDL cholesterol (partial r=0.13, p=0.032) and “Cherishing familiar people” with low waist circumference (r=-0.129, p=0.049), low SBP, and high DBP (r=-0.135, p=0.039; r=0.134, p=0.041). For women, “Not bothering others” was associated with high SBP and low DBP (r=0.125, p=0.015; r=-0.123, p=0.017). "Economically succeeding" was associated with a worse outcome (β=0.162, p=0.042).Conclusions: Although some significant associations were found between personal values in adolescence and MetS-related markers in adulthood, the overall associations were not strong. Culturally prevailing values were likely to be associated with a good outcome of metabolic health.
Arabidopsis paralogous genes RPL23aA and RPL23aB encode functionally equivalent proteins
Authors: Xiong Wei , Chen Xiangze , Zhu Chengxin , Zhang Jiancong , Lan Ting , Liu Lin , Mo Beixin , Chen Xuemei
Published: September 2020

Background: In plants, each ribosomal protein (RP) is encoded by a small gene family but it is largely unknown whether the family members are functionally diversified. There are two RPL23a paralogous genes (RPL23aA and RPL23aB ) encoding cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana. Knock-down of RPL23aA using RNAi impeded growth and led to morphological abnormalities, whereas knock-out of RPL23aB had no observable phenotype, thus these two RPL23a paralogous proteins have been used as examples of ribosomal protein paralogues with functional divergence in many published papers. Results: In this study, we characterized T-DNA insertion mutants of RPL23aA and RPL23aB. A rare non-allelic non-complementation phenomenon was found in the F1 progeny of the rpl23aa X rpl23ab cross, which revealed a dosage effect of these two genes. Both RPL23aA and RPL23aB were found to be expressed almost in all examined tissues as revealed by GUS reporter analysis. Expression of RPL23aB driven by the RPL23aA promoter can rescue the phenotype of rpl23aa, indicating these two proteins are actually equivalent in function. Interestingly, based on the publicly available RNA-seq data, we found that these two RPL23a paralogues were expressed in a concerted manner and the expression level of RPL23aA was much higher than that of RPL23aB at different developmental stages and in different tissues. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the two RPL23a paralogous proteins are functionally equivalent but the two genes are not. RPL23aA plays a predominant role due to its higher expression levels. RPL23aB plays a lesser role due to its lower expression. The presence of paralogous genes for the RPL23a protein in plants might be necessary to maintain its adequate dosage.
Socio-cultural and economic barriers, and facilitators influencing men’s involvement in antenatal care including HIV testing: A qualitative study from urban Blantyre, Malawi
Authors: Sakala Doreen , Kumwenda Moses K. , Conserve Donaldson F. , Ebenso Bassey , Choko Augustine Talumba
Published: September 2020

Background Male partner involvement in antenatal care (ANC) is associated with positive maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, only a handful of men attend ANC with their partners. This study aimed to understand the underlying barriers and facilitators influencing men’s ANC attendance including HIV testing in Blantyre, Malawi.Methods Data were collected during a formative qualitative study of a cluster-randomised trial. Six focus group discussions (FGDs) with 42 men and women and 20 in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted at three primary health centres in urban Blantyre, Malawi. FGD participants were purposively sampled with IDI participants subsequently sampled after FGD participation. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.Result The economic requirement to provide for their families exerted pressure on men and often negatively affected their decision to attend ANC together with their pregnant partners despite obvious benefits. Peer pressure and the fear to be seen by peers queueing for services at ANC, an environment traditionally viewed as a space for women and children made men feel treated as trespassers and with some level of hostility rendering them feeling emasculated when they attend ANC. Health system problems associated with overall organization of the ANC services, which favours women created resistance among men to be involved. An association between ANC and HIV testing services discouraged men from attending ANC because of their fear of testing HIV-positive in the presence of their partners. The availability of a male friendly clinic offering a private, quick, supportive/sensitive and flexible service was considered to be an important incentive that would facilitate male men’s ANC attendance. Men described compensation to cover transport and opportunity cost for attending the clinic as a motivator to attending ANC services and accepting an HIV test. Conclusion Peer and economic influences were the most influential barriers of men attending ANC and testing for HIV with their pregnant partners. Addressing these socio-economic barriers and having a male friendly clinic are promising interventions to promote male ANC attendance in this setting.
Averting Expenditure on Malaria: Effects on Maize Labour Productivity in Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri District of Ghana
Authors: Mabe Franklin Nantui , Dafurika Thomas
Published: September 2020

Background Malaria has been one of the commonest diseases during farming season which affects farmers’ health resulting in a reduction in the number of days spent on the farm. Due to this, farmers are regularly trying to avert a malaria attack through preventive measures. Motivated by this argument, this study sought to determine the effects of malaria averting expenditure on labour productivity of maize farmers in Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri District in the Northern Region of Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional primary data was collected from 194 maize farmers. Both descriptive and quantitative data analysis approaches were employed. Conditional Mixed Process was used to estimate the effects of malaria preventive expenditure on maize labour productivity. Results The study revealed that maize farmers incurred an average expenditure of GHc284.6 to prevent malaria. The result shows that factors that affect maize farmers’ malaria preventive expenditure include off-farm income, household size, presence of bushes around houses, presence of pregnant women and number of household members in school. Meanwhile, quantity of fertilizer, seed, weedicides, farming experience, age, ownership of motor bike and averting expenditure are significant determinants of maize labour productivity. The study revealed that farmers who spend more amount of money to avert malaria attack are more labour productive. Conclusions Therefore, this study recommends that Ministry of Health and Ministry of Food and Agriculture should collaborate and integrate health extension service on malaria in agricultural extension to educate farmers on the need to avert malaria. Farmers should be educated on malaria preventive strategies such as clearing of bushes around houses, draining of stagnant water, sleeping in treated mosquito nets among others.
Pediatric refugees require more hospitalizations and longer in-patient stay than the local population
Authors: Oziri Avshalom , Schnapper Michael , Ovadia Adi , Abiri Shirli , Meirson Gila , Brantz Ilona , Oziri Osnat Blass , Tasher Diana , Mandelberg Avigdor , Dalal Ilan
Published: September 2020

Background: The ongoing global refugee crises have raised concerns among medical communities worldwide. Methods: We compared data from refugee and Israeli children admitted to the pediatric department (PD) at Wolfson hospital in Israel, between 2013–2017. Results: 104,244 visits (0-18 years) to the pediatric emergency department (PED) were recorded. Admission rate to the PD for refugees was 695/2541 (27%) as compared to 11,858/101,703 (11.7%) for Israeli patients (P< 0.001). After matching for age groups (0-5 years), the hospital stay duration for the 0-2 years age was 3.22 (±4.80) days for the refugees and 2.78 (±3.17) for the local population (P<0.03). For 0-2 year old children, re-admission rates within 7 days, were 1.3% for refugees and 2.6% for Israelis, (p<0.05). Dermatological diseases (mainly impetigo and cellulitis) were more frequent in refugees (23.30% vs. 13.15%, p<0.01), however, acute gastroenteritis and respiratory diagnoses were more common in Israeli children (11.72% vs. 18.52%, p<0.05 and 6.26% vs. 14.84%, p<0.01, respectively). Neurological diseases (mainly febrile convulsions) were also more frequent in Israeli patients (7.7% vs. 3%, P<0.05). Very significantly, 23% of refugees had no health care coverage, while only 0.2% of the Israeli patients had no medical coverage (P < 0.001). Conclusion: We found evidence for significant morbidity in refugees as compared to the local Israeli pediatric population, highlighting the need for tailoring different approaches to this fragile population.
Dynamic changes in the rhizosphere bacterial community in monoculture and intercropped corn and soybean during various crop growth stages
Authors: Li Han , Luo Luyun , Tang Bin , Guo Huanle , Cao Zhongyang , Zeng Qiang , Chen Songlin , Chen Zhihui
Published: September 2020

Although rhizosphere microorganisms have been studied for a long time, rhizosphere microbial communities based on monoculture and intercropped soybean and corn have rarely been studied. To define the effect of crop monoculture and intercropping on soil physicochemical properties and rhizosphere microbial communities, field experiments were conducted using corn and soybean cultivars at five different crop growth stages. The pH and soil organic matter (SOM) were the key factors affecting crop rhizosphere soil microorganisms. The content of available phosphorus (AP) in the intercropped soybean/corn soil samples was higher than that in the monoculture soil samples at five different growth stages. The content of available cadmium (ACd) in monoculture soybean rhizosphere soil samples decreased and then increased, but the intercropped soybean soil samples indicated an opposite trend. Proteobacteria, Chloroﬂexi, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla in the soybean and corn rhizosphere soil samples. Crops of the same plant species showed little difference in the bacterial community diversity under the two planting modes. The results showed that the cadmium content in cadmium-polluted soil could be reduced by the soybean/corn intercropping system. The crop rhizosphere bacterial community is not only regulated by the crop itself but also influenced by the planting pattern.
Awake prone positioning does not reduce the risk of intubation in COVID-19 treated with High-Flow Nasal Oxygen therapy. A multicenter, adjusted cohort study
Authors: Ferrando Carlos , Mellado-Artigas Ricard , Gea Alfredo , Arruti Egoitz , Aldecoa César , Adalia Ramón , Ramasco Fernando , Monedero Pablo , Maseda Emilio , Tamayo Gonzalo , Hernández-Sanz María L. , Mercadal Jordi , Martín-Grande Ascensión , Kacmarek Robert M. , Villar Jesús , Suárez-Sipmann Fernando
Published: September 2020

Background

Awake prone positioning (awake-PP) in non-intubated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients could avoid endotracheal intubation, reduce the use of critical care resources, and improve survival. We aimed to examine whether the combination of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNO) with awake-PP prevents the need for intubation when compared to HFNO alone.

Methods

Prospective, multicentre, adjusted observational cohort study in consecutive COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) receiving respiratory support with HFNO from 12 March to 9 June, 2020. Patients were classified as HFNO with or without awake-PP. Logistic models were fitted to predict treatment at baseline using the following variables: age, sex, obesity, non-respiratory sequential organ failure assessment score, APACHE-II, C-reactive protein, days from symptoms onset to HFNO initiation, respiratory rate and peripheral oxyhemoglobin saturation. We compared data on demographics, vital signs, laboratory markers, need for invasive mechanical ventilation, days to intubation, ICU length of stay, and ICU mortality between HFNO patients with and without awake-PP.

Results

A total of 1076 patients with COVID-19 ARF were admitted, of which 199 patients received HFNO and were analyzed. Fifty-five (27.6%) were pronated during HFNO; 60 (41%) and 22 (40%) patients from the HFNO and HFNO+awake-PP groups were intubated. The use of awake-PP as an adjunctive therapy to HFNO did not reduce the risk of intubation [RR 0.87 (95%CI: 0.53–1.43), p=0.60]. Patients treated with HFNO+awake-PP showed a trend for delay in intubation compared to HFNO alone [median 1 (interquartile range, IQR 1.0-2.5) vs 2 IQR 1.0-3.0] days, (p=0.055), but awake-PP did not affect 28-day mortality [RR 1.04 (95%CI: 0.40–2.72), p=0.92].

Conclusion

In patients with COVID-19 ARF treated with HFNO, the use of awake-PP did not reduce the need for intubation or affect mortality.
Fluid Dynamics Simulation and Temperature Gradient Validation along a Greenhouse Temperature Gradient
Authors: Kim Sung Kyeom , Lee Hee Ju , Wi Seung Hwan , Lee Seong-Won , Seo ILHWAN
Published: September 2020

Background: Climate change is increasing the vulnerability of horticultural crop cultivation and production. It is urgent to study such extreme weather phenomena (heatwave, drought, etc.), and in particular, to evaluate crop productivity according to temperature change. For this purpose, the crop physiological response to temperature change in simulated weather conditions was studied. However, there is a limitation in artificial light wavelength, which requires experiments to be carried out in protected facilities or open fields. In this study, we simulated temperature differences with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in tunnel-type greenhouses. They can create temperature gradients and improve the accuracy of CFD with vertically and horizontally measured temperature profiles. The growth and physiological response of Kimchi cabbage were examined and validated using a temperature gradient within a semi-closed plastic tunnel.Results: Correlation coefficients of measured heights were: 1.120, 0.597, and 0.459. Root mean square error was below 0.1025, which means the CFD simulation values were highly accurate. The error analysis showed that it was possible to accurately predict temperature gradients change within a semi-closed tunnel-type greenhouse using CFD techniques. CFD results showed an average error of 0.597°C compared to field monitoring results. The maximum temperature difference of GTG was 5.7°C, suggesting a well-controlled set point (6°C difference between outside conditions and inside conditions of GTG). In a cloudy day, the gradient temperature of GTG was well maintained by the set differential temperature (dT), which suggests that the set dT was not precisely and accurately performed in GTG of a sunny day. There was a significant difference in the growth, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and Ci concentration along with temperature differences in GTG.Conclusions: CFD can simulate temperature gradient distribution in a tunnel-type greenhouse and predict the temperature difference for equipment with different specifications. These facilities can be used in climate change-related studies, such as assessment of crop production area optimization, crop physiological response to temperature, vulnerability assessment of crop production under increasing temperatures, or extreme weather.
Targeted Enrichment of Novel Chloroplast-Based Probes Reveals a Large-Scale Phylogeny of 412 Bamboos
Authors: Wang Jiongliang , Mu Weixue , Yang Ting , Song Yue , Hou YinGuang , Wang Yu , Gao Zhimin , Liu Xin , Liu Huan , Zhao Hansheng
Published: September 2020

Background: The subfamily Bambusoideae belongs to the grass family Poaceae and has significant roles in culture, economy, and ecology. However, the phylogenetic relationships based on large-scale chloroplast genomes (CpGenomes) were elusive. Moreover, most of the chloroplast DNA sequencing methods cannot meet the requirements of large-scale CpGenome sequencing, which greatly limits and impedes the in-depth research of plant genetics and evolution.Results: To develop a set of bamboo probes, we used 99 high-quality CpGenomes with 6 bamboo CpGenomes as representative species for the probe design, and assembled 15M unique sequences as the final pan-chloroplast genome. A total of 180,519 probes for chloroplast DNA fragments were designed and synthesized by a novel hybridization-based targeted enrichment approach. Another 468 CpGenomes were selected as test data to verify the quality of the newly synthesized probes and the efficiency of the probes for chloroplast capture. We then successfully applied the probes to synthesize, enrich, and assemble 358 non-redundant CpGenomes of woody bamboo in China. Evaluation analysis showed the probes may be applicable to chloroplasts in Magnoliales, Pinales, Poales et al. Moreover, we reconstructed a phylogenetic tree of 412 bamboos (358 in-house and 54 published), supporting a non-monophyletic lineage of the genus Phyllostachys. Additionally, we shared our data by uploading a dataset of bamboo CpGenome into CNGB (https://db.cngb.org/search/project/CNP0000502/) to enrich resources and promote the development of bamboo phylogenetics.Conclusions: The development of the CpGenome enrichment pipeline and its performance on bamboos recommended an inexpensive, high-throughput, time-saving and efficient CpGenome sequencing strategy, which can be applied to facilitate the phylogenetics analysis of most green plants.
Prognostic factors in the pulmonary metastasectomy and efficacy of the repeat pulmonary metastasectomy from colorectal cancer
Authors: Fukada Masahiro , Matsuhashi Nobuhisa , Takahashi Takao , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Okumura Naoki , Yamamoto Hirotaka , Shirahashi Koyo , Iwata Hisashi , Doi Kiyoshi , Yoshida Kazuhiro
Published: September 2020

Background The rate of pulmonary metastasectomy from colorectal cancer (CRC) has increased with recent advances in chemotherapy, diagnostic techniques, and surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic factors for response to pulmonary metastasectomy and the efficacy of repeat pulmonary metastasectomy.Methods This study was a retrospective, single-institution study of 126 CRC patients who underwent pulmonary metastasectomy between 2000 and 2019 at the Gifu University Hospital. Results The 3- and 5- year survival rates were 84.9% and 60.8%, respectively. Among the 126 patients, 47 (37.3%) had pulmonary recurrence after initial pulmonary metastasectomy, and 26 (20.6%) underwent a second pulmonary metastasectomy. Univariate analysis of survival identified seven significant factors: 1) gender (p = 0.04), 2) past history of extra-thoracic metastasis (p = 0.04), 3) maximum tumor size (p = 0.002), 4) mediastinal lymph node metastasis (p = 0.02), 5) preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (p = 0.01), 6) preoperative carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) level (p = 0.03), and 7) repeat pulmonary metastasectomy for pulmonary recurrence (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, only mediastinal lymph node metastasis (p = 0.02, risk ratio: 8.206, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.566-34.962) and repeat pulmonary metastasectomy for pulmonary recurrence (p < 0.001, risk ratio: 0.054, 95% CI: 0.010-0.202) were significant. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in clinical and surgical characteristics between the initial and the second pulmonary metastasectomy except for intraoperative blood loss. Conclusions Repeat pulmonary metastasectomy is likely to be safe and effective for recurrent cases that meet the surgical criteria. However, mediastinal lymph node metastasis was a significant independent prognostic factor for worse overall survival.
Prognosis Value of Low microRNA-34a Expression in Human Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Yan-Ling , Liu Xiao-Lin , Li Ling
Published: September 2020

Background: Mounting evidence shows that microRNA-34a (miR-34a) is involved in cancer prognosis. Therefore, we summarize the predictive role of miR-34a for survival in patients with gastrointestinal cancers (GICs). Methods: All the eligible studies were searched by PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE and survival results were extracted. Then, the hazard ratio (HR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated to evaluate the prognostic role of miR-34a in GICs. The association between miR-34a expression and clinicopathological characteristics was estimated by odds ratio (OR) and 95%CIs. Results: A total of 20 studies were included in this meta-analysis. For overall survival (OS), the lower miR-34a expression significantly predicted poorer outcome in GICs, with the pooled HR of 1.86 (95% CI: 1.52-2.28, P<0.01). For disease-free survival (DFS), progressive-free survival (PFS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS), the lower miR-34a expression revealed worse DFS/PFS/RFS with the pooled HR of 1.86 (95% CI: 1.31–2.63, P < 0.01). Significant relation of differentiation/TMN stage/lymphatic metastasis and the expression level of miR-34a was identified. Conclusion: This meta-analysis reveals that lower miR-34a expression is significantly connected with worse OS and DFS/PFS/RFS of GICs patients. In addition, miR-34a expression level is relatively lower in patients with lymph node metastasis than patients without, and decreased miR-34a expression level is linked to poor tumor differentiation and late TMN stage. MiR-34a may become a new factor for prognosis prediction and progression of GICs.
Identification of FPR3 as a unique biomarker for targeted therapy in the immune microenvironment of breast cancer
Authors: Qi Jian , Liu Yu , Hu Jiliang , Lu Li , Dou Zhen , Dai Haiming , Wang Hongzhi , Yang Wulin
Published: September 2020

Background

Immunotherapy is in the ascendant, but its use in the treatment of breast cancer remains limited. Thus, identification and evaluation of prognostic biomarkers of tissue microenvironment will reveal new immune-based therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
Methods

Using in silico bioinformatic approach, we investigated the tumor microenvironmental and genetic factors related to breast cancer. We calculated the Immune score, Stromal score, Estimate score, Tumor purity, Tumor mutation burden (TMB), Mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity (MATH) of breast cancer patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) using the ESTIMATE algorithm and Maftools. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify gene patterns association with the Immune score. Then we use the MCODE plugin of Cytoscape to analyze the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for mining the functional gene modules. Survival and Cox analysis was further performed to identify the key prognostic targets in immune microenvironment. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was utilized to explore the carcinogenic pathways associated with the target genes.
Results

Significant correlations between Immune/Stromal scores with breast cancer subtypes and tumor stages were established. Importantly, we found that the Immune score, but not the Stromal score, was significantly related to the patient's prognosis. WGCNA identified a pattern of gene function associated with Immune score, and that almost all of these genes (388 genes) are significantly upregulated in the higher Immune score group. PPI network analysis revealed the enrichment of immune checkpoint genes in the functional module but predicting a good prognosis by survival analysis. Among all the upregulated genes, FPR3, a G protein-coupled receptor essential for neutrophil activation, is the sole factor that predicts poor prognosis. GSEA analysis showed FRP3 upregulation synergizes with the activation of many pathways involved in carcinogenesis.
Conclusions

This study identified FPR3 as a key immune-related biomarker predicting a poor prognosis for breast cancer, revealing it as a promising targetable gene for immunotherapy.
Identification and determination of toxin genes of Vibrio strains causing hemorrhagic disease on red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) using PCR method
Authors: Linh Nguyen Quang , Pham Yen Thi Hai , Nguyen Tram Duy Quynh
Published: September 2020

Data were isolated from 30 strains of Vibrio and sampled on different organs (brain, hemorrhagic site and digestive tract) of Sciaenops ocellatus infection. The results showed that nucleotide sequences 16S rRNA region are highly, similar to those of V. alginolyticus, V. azureus, V. fluvialis and V. orientalis is published on Genebank, ranging from 98.05 to 100 %. The digestive tract has the most common Vibrio strains (V. alginolyticus, V. azureus and V. fluvialis). Thereout, 25 of 30 strains of Vibrio contained 1 to 3 toxin genes, excepted V. parahaemolyticus. Six parameters were used to measure the DNA polymorphism of 33 homologous DNA sequences in this Vibrio bacteria population. The results indicated number of separate polymorphic sites (S), total number of mutant sites (Eta), number of haplotype (h), haplotype diversity (Hd), average number of nucleotide differences (k), nucleotide diversity (Pi) were 98 (S) 103 (Eta), 9 (h), 0.887 ± 0.032 (Hd), 25.789 (k) and 17.980x10-3 ± 0.003 (Pi), respectively (P < 0,05). The G+C content above 1434 sites positions of nucleotide sequences accounts for 0.542. The phylogenetic tree showed that these strains are divided into six groups. As observed, the appearance of isolated Vibrio on 3 organs of fish (S. ocellatus) hemorrhagic are V. azureus (27,67 %), V. alginolyticus (50 %), V. orientalis (6,67 %) and V. fluvialis (16,67 %). Through this result, we found that the diversity of Vibrio species that appeared on the red drum was used in the 16S rRNA region and the presence of toxin genes in these Vibrio species.
Antibiotic Susceptibility of Staphylococcus Aureus Isolated from Skin Lesions in Children. A Retrospective Analysis from a Tertiary Care Italian Pediatric Hospital
Authors: Lezzi Marilea , Bandettini Roberto , Ugolotti Elisabetta , Saffioti Carolina , Mesini Alessio , Pastorino Carlotta , Manunza Francesca , Ferretti Marta , Brisca Giacomo , Castagnola Elio
Published: September 2020

Background: knowledge on antibiotic susceptibility of S.aureus strains isolated from skin lesions in pediatric Italian patients is limited.Methods: retrospective analysis of antibiotic susceptibility of S.aureus strains isolated from skin infections observed from January 2013 to June 2019 at the IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa – ItalyResults: a total of 1833 strains were analyzed. Methicillin resistance was more frequent in cultures from outpatients than from inpatients (18% vs. 14%, p=0.04) as well as resistance to cotrimoxazole (8% vs. 4.1%, p<0.001) Resistance to ampicillin was 99% in both groups, while to clindamycin it was 11% and 14%, respectively. Among topical antibiotics fusidic acid showed the better resistance profile (3%).Conclusions: the proportion of antibiotic resistance in S.aureus skin infections in Italian children is not negligible. This could represent a problem, especially for orally administered drugs.
Hydroxyurea Regressed Atherosclerosis Plaques in ApoE-/- mice: A Discovery Based on Clinic
Authors: Tong Qian , Yang Xinyu , Ma Shu-Rong , Zhang Xian-Feng , Jiang Jian-Dong , Wang Yan
Published: September 2020

Background: A 58-year-old lady was introduced to the clinic because of acute coronary syndrome combined with essential thrombocythemia. After treating her with aspirin, statins and hydroxyurea (HU), the plaques in her coronary arteries showed improvement dramatically. Here, we aim to investigate that whether HU reduces atherosclerosis plaques in ApoE-/- mice.Methods: Wild-type (C57BL/6, n=8) and Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-, n=40) mice were used in atherosclerosis model and medication groups. The mice were separated into 7 groups, including the normal control group, the atherosclerosis model group, the dual antiplatelet therapy group (aspirin, and clopidogrel bisulfate), the low-dose and high-dose HU therapy groups [aspirin, clopidogrel bisulfate, and HU (10 or 20 mg/kg/day)], the positive medicine group (aspirin, clopidogrel bisulfate, and atorvastatin calcium), and the combined medicine treatment group [aspirin, clopidogrel bisulfate, atorvastatin calcium, and HU (10 mg/kg/day)]. Fasting serum and aortic vessels were obtained after experiment. The aortic oil red O, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), and full-length oil red O staining were performed to evaluate the HU’s efficacy of anti- atherosclerosis, and the blood lipid / glucose levels and liver /kidney functions were evaluated after HU treatment.Results: The oil red O and H&E staining results came out that HU therapy with antiplatelet showed an obvious effect in decreasing atherosclerosis plaques and the effect of HU therapy (10 or 20 mg/kg) was stronger than dual antiplatelet therapy plus statin, without liver and kidney toxicity observed. Furthermore, the combined drugs with HU (10 mg/kg/day), statin and antiplatelet nearly eliminated the plaques.Conclusions: A discovery based on clinic reveals that HU regressed atherosclerosis plaques in ApoE-/- mice, which provides us a new insight into anti-atherosclerosis drugs strategy.
Correlation Between the Extension of the Maxillary Sinus Floor and Malocclusion in Adolescent Patients Using a Cone-beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Xu Min , Zhang Xiaoxiao , He Jiacai , Guo Xinxing , Sang Yuanyuan , Zhang Zheng , Wang Yuanyin , Xu Wenhua , Xu Jianguang
Published: September 2020

Background: The correlation between extension of the maxillary sinus floor and vertical facial skeletal patterns is important for designing orthodontic treatment plans. We correlated the extension of the maxillary sinus (MS) floor with different facial skeletal malocclusion in adolescent patients aged 10-19 years old using a cone-beam computed tomography. Methods: The relationship between the root tips of upper posterior teeth and the sinus floor was typed and scored (0-4) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Scores of each tooth and each patient were formulated. The cephalometric radiographs were analyzed with Dolphin software to diagnose patients' facial skeletal types into three groups according to Frankfort mandibular plane angle (FMA) as high-angle, average-angle and low-angle groups and ANB angle as Class I, Class II and Class III groups separately. The influences caused by age, sex, and facial skeletal malocclusion on the tooth and patient score were analyzed. Results: In high-angle group, the first molar (FM) score was significantly higher than that in the average-angle and low-angle groups (P = 0.018). Age has a positive effect on the patient score and some of the tooth scores, such as the second premolar (SPM) score, FM score, and the second molar (SM) score, and in the skeletal facial malocclusion. With increasing age, SM score increased along with FMA angles. No significant difference was found in the distribution of patient and tooth scores by ANB angles. Conclusion: The relationship between the maxillary posterior roots and the sinus floor is correlated with facial skeletal malocclusion in 10- to 19-year-old adolescents. More first molar root tips were inside the sinus in the high-angle group compared with the average-angle and low-angle skeletal patterns. With advancing age, more second molar root tips were more close to contact the sinus floor in the high-angle group. Consideration of the root-sinus position of the posterior maxillary area in different skeletal malocclusion before establishing an orthodontic treatment plan is recommended.
Accuracy of Conventional and Digital Methods for Obtaining Dental Impressions and 3D Printed Models
Authors: Resende CAIO CÉSAR DIAS , Barbosa Tiago Augusto Quirino , Moura Guilherme Faria , Tavares Lucas Nascimento , Rizzante Fabio Antonio Piola , George Furat , Mendonça Gustavo , Neves Flavio Domingues
Published: September 2020

Background: Different sizes of arch could influence in digital methods to obtaining dental impressions and 3D models. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the accuracy of two intra-oral scanners and conventional impression methods for the fabrication of working casts. Methods: Conventional impressions of a reference cast were obtained. Digital impressions were obtained with two intra-oral scanners: Cerec Omnicam (CO) and 3Shape Trios (ST). The obtained digital stereolithographic casts were printed on Zenith D 3D printer. The reference cast and fabricated casts were scanned with a bench top scanner and saved in STL format. All STL records were analyzed in specific software: complete arch (CA), partial arch (PA) and prepared teeth area (PT). One-way and two-way analyses of variance were performed to compare the accuracy, followed by the Tukey test. Results: No significant intergroup differences in trueness and precision were observed for the two intra-oral scanners. 3D printed casts had the lowest trueness when complete arch was analyzed and differed statistically from the stone cast. For complete arch precision, stone cast presented better results, however statistically different only from the CO. Conclusions: The two intraoral scanner systems had similar accuracy. Stone casts had higher trueness than 3D printed casts for CA. For CA precision, 3D printed cast presented similar results to the stone cast.
Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors Analysis of Hepatitis B & C Infections in the Low Socioeconomic Communities; A Cross-Sectional Study from Pakistan
Authors: Noreen Aisha , Adnan Fazal , Alam Naik , Syed Zainab , Aftab Aroosa , Shamim Farah , Najeebullah Syed , Kakar Salik Javed , Ahmed Tahir
Published: September 2020

Background: Pakistan is bearing the second highest global burden of hepatitis C and B virus, infecting 3-4 % of its overall 22 million population. These infections remain unchecked in most of the cases and such incidences become a continuous source of infection to the healthy population. Maximum efforts for screening, prevalence and surveillance of these viral infections is needed to stem the devastating impact on the underprivileged communities living in the outskirt of major cities. Methods: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B & C and the corresponding risk factors among the low socioeconomic communities of Islamabad. Participants (aged 10-70 years) were recruited from six localities inhabited with people living in underprivileged conditions. Relationship between hepatitis B/C incidence, demographics and risk factors was measured using Pearson's Chi-square test, univariate and multivariate regression analysis. A total of 1004 individuals were enrolled in this study.Results: Out of 1004 individuals, almost 4% were found positive for hepatitis C and 1% for hepatitis B after screening with PCR. Pearson’s Chi-square test showed a strong relationship of hepatitis B/C infection with marital status (p= 0.000), hepatitis B vaccination status (p= 0.000), blood or blood product recipient (p= 0.000), having a tattoo, family income (p= 0.026) and participant age (p= 0.000). Multivariable analysis showed hepatitis B vaccination odds ratio (OR) =5.309 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.812-10.025), population exposed to therapeutic injections four-times/past 6 months OR=4.328 (95% CI 1.319-13.617) dental visit four-time/past six months OR=11.9 (95% CI 3.350-40.098) people having exposure to HCV patients ≥6 times/past six months OR=3.095 (95% CI 1.577-6.074) and age of the participants OR=1.049 (95% CI 1.026-1.072) were independently associated with hepatitis C infection. Conclusions: These findings show that the risk of hepatitis B/C is multifactorial. However, on multivariate analysis, no association was found between hepatitis C incidence and blood donation, blood recipient, nose/ear piercing, barber visit, tattooing, drug abuse, marital status, family income and education status.