bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prioritization and Selection of High Biomass Energy Producing Plant Species at Boset District, Central Ethiopia: An Ethnobotanical Approach 
Authors: Yifru Tinsae Bahru , Kidane Berhane , Tolessa Amsalu
Published: March 2021

Background: In Ethiopia, about 92.3% of all the biomass energy is consumed by domestic households and the demand is growing from 10-14%. However, there are little/no practical experiences or documented indigenous knowledge on how traditional people identify and select high biomass producing plant species with short rotation periods at Boset District. Therefore, the present study was aimed at: (1) selecting and documenting high biomass energy producing plant species at Boset District; (2) identifying major predictor variables that influence the prioritization and selection of species; and (3) develop a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) to predict the selection of species. Methods: A total of 96 informants comprising 59 men and 37 women between the ages of 18 and 81 were sampled. Data were collected using structured interviews, guided field walk, discussions and field observations. Results: Collected data indicated that 88.5% of the informants involved in firewood collection, while 90% practiced charcoal making. A total of 1533.60 Birr per household on average was earned annually from this activity. A total of 25 firewood and/or charcoal plant species were identified and documented at Boset District. Of these, Acacia senegal, Acacia tortilis and Acacia robusta were the three best prioritized and selected indigenous high biomass producing species. Prosopis juliflora, Parthenium hysterophorus, Azadirachta indica, Calotropis procera, Cryptostegia grandiflora, Lantana camara and Senna occidentalis further grouped under introduced fuelwood species. Prediction of GLM assured sampled Kebeles and source of income generated from fuelwood species positively and significantly (p<0.001) related to selection of species. Higher efficiency to provide energy and heat; little or no smoke or soot; easier to cut and split the wood and easier availability were some of the main selection criteria. Conclusions: This study provides valuable information in selection and documenting of high biomass producing plant species for proper management and sustainable use at Boset District. The three most selected species (A. senegal, A. tortilis and A. robusta) should be further evaluated at laboratory to determine their energy values.
Influence of Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices on Stunting in Children Aged 6 – 23 Months in Zambia 
Authors: Banda Andrew , Nyirenda Elizabeth T. , Mapoma Chabila C. , Bwalya Bwalya B. , Moyo Nkuye
Published: March 2021

Background Infant and child nutrition in Zambia remains a pressing public health problem. The Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) indicates that 35% of children under-five and 36 % among those aged 6-23 months are stunted. This study set out to assess the influence of Infant and Child Feeding (IYCF) practices on child stunting (6-23 months) in Zambia. Methods The 2008 ZDHS children’s data were analysed to measure stunting among infants aged 6-23 months. We fitted a bivariate logistic regression to measure association between feeding practices and stunting in children. Pearson’s Chi-square test of proportions measuring differences in proportions and adjusted odd ratios (AOR) with confidence intervals at 95% are reported. Results Findings indicate that 36% were stunted. IYCF practices indicators remain relatively poor in Zambia with only 13% of children age 6-23 months having received minimum acceptable diet, 23% received minimum dietary diversity and 42% received minimum meal frequency. Breastfeeding and receipt of a minimum dietary diversity reduced the odds of stunting among children age 6-23 months by 38% and 33% respectively. A child's perceived low birth size, being male, maternal anaemia status and mother's use of the internet were significant predictors of stunting.Conclusion We conclude that IYCF practices have an influence on stunting in Zambia and that socio-economic and demographic factors are likewise associated with stunting although the main determinants are amendable to intervention. Promoting the recommended WHO IYCF practices; breastfeeding, minimum meal frequency, receiving foods with diverse dietary content and accelerated investment in nutrition programs is recommended.
Entrepreneurship in Jordan: the Eco-system of the Social Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (SESOs) 
Authors: Jarrar Amani
Published: March 2021

This study aims at assessing the Social Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (SESOs) in Jordan with an updated eco-system reflecting the better resourced Social Entrepreneurship eco-system characterized with comprehensive information; covering the stakeholders’ identification data, ongoing projects and initiatives, work scope, and their targeted groups, accurate data based on a well-developed survey and analysis of the survey data by our experts. This study also aims at assessing the SESOs capacity by coincide their desired needs and their actual needs, and limit the social innovation concept variation among the different institutions in the ecosystem. This study provides a survey analysis for the Social Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (SESOs), and an attempt to identify their characteristics and roles in Jordan by adopting the qualitative and quantitative analysis approach as its methodology. Results show that (57.89%) of the SESO’s in Jordan have dedicated programs that focus on women's inclusion, and that (68.42%) are hiring more than 50% in their staff. Besides that, results also show that (59.65%) of the SESO’s in Jordan did not dedicate programs for people with disability (PWD); which is a high portion in neglecting this segment of people. Besides that (54.39%) do not have designed facilities friendly using for people with disabilities. Moreover, results show that (73.68%) had dedicated programs for youth with different age groups and (77.19%) of the SESO’s in Jordan had attempt to identify, understand and actively removing barriers that exist for certain groups of young people in society. Moreover, (70.18%) of the SESO’s in Jordan had organized specific outreach mechanisms to identify, meet, engage, and/or serve different population groups. Finally, results show that (38.60%) of the SESO’s in Jordan had dedicated programs for refugees.
Host methylation predicts SARS-CoV-2 infection and clinical outcome
Authors: Konigsberg Iain R. , Barnes Bret , Campbell Monica , Davidson Elizabeth , Zhen Yingfei , Pallisard Olivia , Boorgula Meher , Cox Corey , Nandy Debmalya , Seal Souvik , Crooks Kristy , Sticca Evan , Harrison Genelle F. , Hopkinson Andrew , Vest Alexis , Arnold Cosby G. , Kahn Michael G. , Kao David P. , Peterson Brett R. , Wicks Stephen J. , Ghosh Debashis , Horvath Steve , Zhou Wanding , Mathias Rasika A. , Norman Paul J. , Porecha Rishi , Yang Ivana V. , Gignoux Christopher R. , Monte Andrew , Taye Alem , Barnes Kathleen C.
Published: March 2021

Since the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, most clinical testing has focused on RT-PCR. Host epigenome manipulation post coronavirus infection suggests that DNA methylation signatures may differentiate patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection from uninfected individuals, and help predict COVID-19 disease severity, even at initial presentation. We customized Illumina’s Infinium Methylation EPIC array to enhance immune response detection and profiled peripheral blood samples from 164 COVID-19 patients with longitudinal measurements of disease severity and 296 patient controls. Epigenome-wide association analysis revealed 13,033 genome-wide significant methylation sites for case-vs-control status. Genes and pathways involved in interferon signaling and viral response were significantly enriched among differentially methylated sites. We observe highly significant associations at genes previously reported in genetic association studies (e.g. IRF7, OAS1). Using machine learning techniques, models built using sparse regression yielded highly predictive findings: cross-validated best fit AUC was 93.6% for case-vs-control status, and 79.1%, 80.8%, and 84.4% for hospitalization, ICU admission, and progression to death, respectively. In summary, the strong COVID-19-specific epigenetic signature in peripheral blood driven by key immune related pathways related to infection status, disease severity, and clinical deterioration provides insights useful for diagnosis and prognosis of patients with viral infections.
Centimeter-Long Weavable Fibers of Carbon Nanotubes with Giant Thermoelectric Power Factor
Authors: Komatsu Natsumi , Ichinose Yota , Dewey Oliver , Taylor Lauren , Trafford Mitchell , Yomogida Yohei , Wehmeyer Geoff , Pasquali Matteo , Yanagi Kazuhiro , Kono Junichiro
Published: March 2021

Low-dimensional materials have recently attracted much interest as thermoelectric materials because of their charge carrier confinement leading to thermoelectric performance enhancement. Carbon nanotubes are promising candidates because of their one-dimensionality in addition to their unique advantages such as flexibility and light weight. However, preserving the large power factor of individual carbon nanotubes in macroscopic assemblies has been challenging, primarily due to poor sample morphology and a lack of proper Fermi energy tuning. Here, we report an unprecedentedly high value of power factor (14±5 mWm-1K-2) for centimeter-long weavable fibers of aligned carbon nanotubes with ultrahigh electrical and thermal conductivity. Our theoretical simulations show that the observed giant power factor originates from the one-dimensional quantum confinement of charge carriers, appearing when the Fermi energy is near a van Hove singularity in the electronic density of states. We fabricated a textile thermoelectric generator based on these carbon nanotube fibers, which demonstrated high thermoelectric performance, weavablity, and scalability. The giant power factor we observed make these fibers strong candidates for the emerging field of thermoelectric active cooling, which requires a large thermoelectric power factor and a large thermal conductivity at the same time.
Variation Among Hospitals in the Continuity of Care for Older Hospitalized Patients: a Cross-sectional Cohort Study
Authors: Goodwin James S. , Li Shuang , Zhou Jie , Kuo Yong-Fang , Nattinger Ann
Published: March 2021

Background: Little is known about how continuity of care for hospitalized patients varies among hospitals. We describe the number of different general internal medicine physicians seeing hospitalized patients during a medical admission and how that varies by hospital. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of a national 20% sample of Medicare inpatients from 01/01/16 to 12/31/18. In patients with routine medical admissions (length of stay of 3-6 days, no Intensive Care Unit stay, and seen by only one generalist per day), we assessed odds of receiving all generalist care from one generalist. We calculated rates for each hospital, adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics in a multi-level logistic regression model. Results: Among routine medical admissions with 3- to 6-day stays, only 43.1% received all their generalist care from the same physician. In those with a 3-day stay, 50.1% had one generalist providing care vs. 30.8% in those with a 6-day stay. In a two-level (admission and hospital) logistic regression model controlling for patient characteristics and length of stay, the odds of seeing just one generalist did not vary greatly by patient characteristics such as age, race/ethnicity, comorbidity or reason for admission. There were large variations in continuity of care among different hospitals and geographic areas. In the highest decile of hospitals, the adjusted mean percentage of patients receiving all generalist care from one physician was >84.1%, vs. <24.1% in the lowest decile. This large degree of variation persisted when hospitals were stratified by size, ownership, location or teaching status. Conclusions: Continuity of care provided by generalist physicians to medical inpatients varies widely among hospitals. The impact of this variation on quality of care is unknown.
Ketogenic diet as a metabolic therapy for bipolar disorder: Clinical developments
Authors: Yu Brenda , Ozveren Ruya , Sethi Shebani
Published: March 2021

Background: Bipolar disorder is a neurodevelopmental illness characterized by severe biphasic changes in mood, energy, or thought. Key underlying metabolic pathologies thought to play a role include dysfunction in energy metabolism. The purpose of this article is to review the findings to date of the effects of a low carbohydrate ketogenic diet (KD) on mood symptoms in preclinical and clinical models of bipolar illness. The review highlights the underlying metabolic pathologies of bipolar disorder (BD) and potential therapeutic effects of the KD on these pathologies. The article also explores the potential effects of a KD on metabolic health in BD, including proposed mechanisms of action.Summary: Recent findings support the idea that bipolar disorder, along with other psychiatric disease, may have roots of metabolic dysfunction: cerebral glucose hypometabolism, oxidative stress, as well as mitochondrial and neurotransmitter dysfunction which has downstream effects on synapse connections. A KD provides alternative fuel to the brain aside from glucose and is believed to contain beneficial neuroprotective effects, including stabilization of brain networks, reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress. Several beneficial metabolic effects on insulin resistance, weight, and lipids have been shown. Based on its effectiveness in treating epilepsy, the KD has garnered recent interest in its application for mood disorders as it may imitate the pharmacological effects of mood stabilizers, commonly prescribed agents in the treatment of both BD and epilepsy. Additionally, it may improve metabolic dysfunction often seen in BD and repair deficits in energy metabolism. Limited case studies on KD treatment in BD have been reported; however, studies addressing the potential therapeutic effects of KD on metabolic abnormalities in mental illness are promising. Literature of plausible mechanisms and reports of improvements in psychosis, cognition and mood symptoms have been increasing.Conclusions: Preliminary findings support further testing of a low carbohydrate KD as a potential therapeutic tool in repairing energy metabolism in bipolar illness. Further research and clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of a KD as a supplemental or co-treatment of bipolar illness and the first open-label trial testing the diet in bipolar illness is currently underway at Stanford.
Improving the Production of Riboflavin by Introducing a Mutant Ribulose 5-Phosphate 3-Epimerase Gene in Bacillus Subtilis
Authors: Yang Bin , Sun Yiwen , Fu Shouying , Xia Miaomiao , Liu Chuan , Zhang Chunzhi , Zhang Dawei
Published: March 2021

Background: Ribulose 5-phosphate (Ru5P) and guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) are two key precursors of riboflavin, whereby Ru5P is also a precursor of GTP (purine de novo synthesis pathway). As a product of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP), Ru5P can flow back into the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway (EMP) through the non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (NOPPP). Major enzymes of the NOPPP include transaldolase (Tal), transketolase (Tkt), and ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase (Rpe), which catalyze the conversion of Ru5P into xylulose 5-phosphate (X5P). Thus, inactivation of Rpe can reduce the consumption of Ru5P, enhancing the carbon flux toward riboflavin biosynthesis. However, there are no studies on the mutation or deletion of Rpe for improving riboflavin production. Results: We mutated the genomic copy of rpe, in the riboflavin-producing Bacillus subtilis BSLY. The resulting strain BSR produced 320.50±31.28 mg/L of riboflavin in a fermentation medium containing 40 g/L sucrose as the carbon source, representing a 5-fold increase over the parental strain. We also constructed an rpe nonsense mutation strain BSRN, which produced 365.69±27.53 mg/L riboflavin in fermentation medium. However, BSRN had a growth defect compared with BSR and BSLY, which was also present in media containing glucose, maltose, and fructose. The growth of BSRN was restored when mutant or wild-type rpe was overexpressed. Notably, BSR exhibited respective increases of the inosine and guanine titers by 163% and 40%. Furthermore, a 35.96-fold increase of inosine 5’-monophosphate (IMP) titer was detected in BSRN. The transcription levels of most OPPP, purine, and GTP synthesis genes were unchanged in BSR, except for the levels of zwf and ndk, which were respectively 49% lower and 310% higher than in BSLY. The production of riboflavin was increased to 479.90±33.21 mg/L when ribA was expressed in BSR. The expression of zwf, gntZ, prs, and purF, respectively enhanced the riboflavin production by 48%, 31%, 26%, and 35%. Finally, overexpression of the rib operon by the pMX45 plasmid and mutant gnd by pHP03 plasmid in BSR led to a 3.05-fold increase of the riboflavin production (977.29±63.44 mg/L).Conclusions: This paper describes a mutation of the ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase and its influence on riboflavin production. The results of qRT-PCR and HPLC analyses indicated that the rpe mutant showed a different pattern of purine metabolism, while the cells maintained generally normal levels of the transcription of genes related to PPP and purine de novel synthesis pathways. With the increased expression of genes in the OPPP, purine, and riboflavin synthesis pathways, the production of riboflavin was effectively enhanced, showing the potential for further engineering of this strain.
Construction of MoO3/MoSe2 nanocomposite based gas sensor for low detection limit trimethylamine sensing at room temperature
Authors: Zhou Lanjuan , Mi Qian , Jin Yingbo , Li Tingting , Zhang Dongzhi
Published: March 2021

In this paper, MoO3/MoSe2 n-n heterostructure was constructed for fabricating trimethylamine (TMA) gas sensor by an improved hydrothermal and spin-coating method. The surface morphology and microstructure of the prepared materials were analyzed by XRD, XPS, SEM and TEM characterization methods. The microstructural characterization results demonstrated that the MoO3/MoSe2 heterostructure had been successfully synthesized, in which the MoSe2 had a flower-shaped structure, and MoO3 had a rod-shaped structure. At the same time, the MoSe2 surface exhibited periodic honeycomb structure. The gas-sensitivity experimental results showed that the proposed MoO3/MoSe2 sensor had excellent TMA sensing performance at room temperature, including high response capability, low detection limit (20 ppb), short response/recovery time (12 s/19 s), long-term stability, good repeatability and outstanding selectivity. The heterostructure of MoO3/MoSe2 had made outstanding contributions to the enhanced TMA gas sensing performance at room temperature.
Circulating lncRNAs HIF1A-AS2 and LINLK-A: Role and Relation to Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α in Cerebral Stroke Patients
Authors: Ewida Heba A. , Zayed Rana K. , Darwish Hebatallah , Shaheen Amira A.
Published: March 2021

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recently recognized as key players of gene expression in cerebral pathogenesis. Thus, their potential use in stroke diagnosis, prognosis and therapy is actively pursued. Due to the complexity of the disease, identifying stroke- specific lncRNAs remains a challenge. This study investigated the expression of lncRNAs; HIF1A-AS2 and LINK-A and their target gene Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) in Egyptian stroke patients. It also aimed to determine the molecular mechanism implicated in the disease. A total of 75 stroke patients were divided into three clinical subgroups, beside 25 healthy controls of matched age and sex. Remarkable upregulation of lncRNA HIF1A-AS2 and HIF1-α along with a downregulation of lncRNA LINK-A were noticed in all stroke groups relative to controls. Serum levels of phosphatidylinositol 3- kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-1 (ANG1) as well as their receptors, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were significantly increased, whereas brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were significantly decreased particularly in hemorrhagic stroke versus ischemic groups. Eventually, these findings support the role of lncRNAs; HIF1A-AS2 and LINK-A as well as HIF1-α in activation of angiogenesis, neovascularization, and better prognosis of stroke, especially the hemorrhagic type.
Monitoring disease and antibiotic treatment in the skin microbiota of farmed seabass fingerlings
Authors: Rosado Daniela , Pérez-Losada Marcos , Severino Ricardo , Xavier Raquel
Published: March 2021

The microbiota of fish skin is the primary barrier against disease; however, it is highly dynamic being modulated by several factors. In fish aquaculture, disease outbreaks occur mainly during early-life stages with high associated losses. Antibiotic treatments sometimes remain as the best option to control bacterial diseases, despite many reported negative impacts of its use on fish and associated microbiota. Notwithstanding, studies monitoring the effects of disease and antibiotic treatment on the microbiota of fingerlings are scarce. We used a 16S rRNA metataxonomic approach to assess the impact of a mixed infection with Photobacterium damselae ssp. piscicida and Vibrio harveyi and subsequent antibiotic treatment with flumequine, on the skin microbiota of farmed seabass Dicentrarchus labrax fingerlings. Both disease and antibiotic treatment led to a significant increase in bacterial diversity and core microbial communities and impacted microbial structure. Dysbiosis was confirmed by changes in the abundance of potential pathogenic and opportunistic bacterial taxa. Skin bacterial metabolic function was also significantly affected by flumequine administration, suggesting a detriment to fish skin health. Our results add to an increasing body of literature, showing how fish microbiome response to disease and antibiotics is not easily predicted.
Prognostic Implications of Autophagy-Related Gene Signatures in Ewing’s Sarcoma
Authors: Zhou Yangfan , Wu Shusheng , Liu Yulian , Xu Bin
Published: March 2021

Backgrand：Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a highly aggressive malignant bone tumor with a high incidence among children and adolescents. While autophagy often plays an important role in tumor development species, we developed an autophagy-related prognostic signature based on the GEO dataset.Methods: Using the GEO database with the online website Human Autophagy Database(HADb), we screened for autophagy-related differential genes and we performed enrichment analysis and PPI analysis for autophagy-related differential genes, and then, constructed our autophagy-related prognostic gene signature by univariate Cox regression, lasso regression, and multivariate Cox regression .Results: We screened a total of 72 autophagy-related differential genes, and a total of 8 autophagy-related prognostic genes were screened by machine learning algorithms. ROC curves and survival curves also showed good predictive power of the 8 gene signatures. In addition, univariate and multivariate cox regression also showed that the 8 gene signatures were independent prognostic factors. And the results of GSEA enrichment analysis also revealed the correlation between autophagy and metabolic pathways.Conlusion：In summary, we developed an autophagy-related mRNA signature consisting of 8 mRNAs that effectively classified ES patients into low- and high-risk groups. The application of the signature in clinical treatment needs further observation to validate the validity of our findings.
Clinical Feature-Related Single-Base Substitution Sequence Signatures Identified with an Unsupervised Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Hongchen Ji , Junjie Li , Qiong Zhang , Jingyue Yang , Juanli Duan , Xiaowen Wang , Ben Ma , Zhuochao Zhang , Wei Pan , Hongmei Zhang
Published: March 2021

Background: Mutation processes leave different signatures in genes. For single-base substitutions, previous studies have suggested that mutation signatures are not only reflected in mutation bases but also in neighboring bases. However, because of the lack of a method to identify features of long sequences next to mutation bases, the understanding of how flanking sequences influence mutation signatures is limited.Methods: We constructed a long short-term memory – self organizing map (LSTM-SOM) unsupervised neural network. By extracting mutated sequence features via LSTM and clustering similar features with the SOM, single-base substitutions in The Cancer Genome Atlas database were clustered according to both their mutation site and flanking sequences. The relationship between mutation sequence signatures and clinical features was then analyzed. Finally, we clustered patients into different classes according to the composition of the mutation sequence signatures by the K-means method and then studied the differences in clinical features and survival between classes.Results: Ten classes of mutant sequence signatures (mutation blots, MBs) were obtained from 2,141,527 single-base substitutions via LSTM-SOM machine learning approach. Different features in mutation bases and flanking sequences were revealed among MBs. MBs reflect both the site and pathological features of cancers. MBs were related to clinical features, including age, gender, and cancer stage. The class of an MB in a given gene was associated with survival. Finally, patients were clustered into 7 classes according to the MB composition. Significant differences in survival and clinical features were observed among different patient classes.Conclusions: We provided a method for analyzing the characteristics of mutant sequences. Result of this study showed that flanking sequences, together with mutation bases, shape the signatures of SBSs. MBs were shown related to clinical features and survival of cancer patients. Composition of MBs is a feasible predictive factor of clinical prognosis. Further study of the mechanism of MBs related to cancer characteristics is suggested.
Dhaka City Water logging Hazards: Area Identification and Vulnerability Assessment through GIS-Remote Sensing Techniques
Authors: Alam Rafiul , Quayyum Zahidul , Moulds Simon , Radia Marzuka Ahmad , Sara Hasna Hena , Hasan Md Tanvir , Butler Adrian
Published: March 2021

Water logging is one of the most detrimental phenomena continuing to burden Dhaka dwellers. This study aims to spatio-temporarily identify the water logging hazard zones within Dhaka Metropolitan area and assess the extent of their water logging susceptibility based on informal settlements, built-up areas and demographical characteristics. The study utilizes integrated Geographic Information System (GIS)-Remote sensing (RS) methods, using Normalized Difference Vegetation Water and Moisture Index, distance buffer zone from drainage streams and built-up distributions to identify waterlogged zones with a temporal extent, incorporating social and infrastructural attributes to evaluate water logging effects. All the indicators were integrated into an overlay GIS method to measure the vulnerability level across Dhaka city areas. The findings reveal that south and south-western parts of Dhaka were more susceptible to water logging hazards. Almost 30–40% of Dhaka belongs to the high/very highly vulnerable zone. Greater number of slum households were observed within high to very high water logging vulnerable zones with approximately 70% of poorly structured households. The built-up areas increased around the northern part of Dhaka across time and exposed to severe water logging issues. A holistic and integrated approach is necessary in future development plans to mitigate the risk of water logging.
Silylation and characterization of of piroxicam with some silylating reagents
Authors: Galehassadi Mohammad , Jodeiri Somayeh
Published: March 2021

In this work, we synthesized some organosilicon derivatives of piroxicam. Due to the some properties of organosilicon compounds, including increased lipophilicity and thermal stabilization and prodrug for drugs, some silyl ethers of this drug were synthesized and characterized..Increasing of the lipophilic properties of this drug can be very important in the rate of absorption and its effectiveness.
Robust Optimization of SWATH-MS workflow for human blood serum proteome analysis using a Quality by Design approach
Authors: Serrano-Blesa Edith , Porter Andrew , Lendrem Dennis William , Pitzalis Costantino , Barton Anne , Treumann Achim , Isaacs John D.
Published: March 2021

Background: It is not enough to optimize proteomics assays. It is critical those assays are robust to operating conditions. Without robust assays, proteomic biomarkers are unlikely to translate readily into the clinic. This study outlines a structured approach to the identification of a robust operating window for proteomics assays and applies that method to Sequential Window Acquisition of all Theoretical Spectra Mass Spectroscopy (SWATH-MS). Methods: We used a sequential Quality by Design approach exploiting a fractional screening design to first identify critical SWATH-MS parameters, then using response surface methods to identify a robust operating window with good reproducibility, before validating those settings in a separate validation study. Results: The screening experiment identified two critical SWATH-MS parameters. We modelled the number of proteins and reproducibility as a function of those parameters identifying an operating window permitting robust maximization of the number of proteins quantified in human serum. In a separate validation study, these settings were shown to give good proteome-wide coverage and high quantification reproducibility. Conclusions: Using design of experiments permits identification of a robust operating window for SWATH-MS. The method gives a good understanding of proteomics assays and greater data-driven confidence in SWATH-MS performance.
Residency training in family medicine and its impact on coordination and continuity of care: an analysis of referrals to secondary care in Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Jantsch Adelson Guaraci , Burström Bo , Nilsson Gunnar , de Leon Antônio Ponce
Published: March 2021

Objective: To measure the effect that Residency Training in Family Medicine (RTFM) has on continuity and coordination of care. Design: Observational cohort study using electronic health records.Setting: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, public primary care system.Participants: 504940 patients, 633 generalists (physicians without RTFM) and 204 Family physicians (FP – doctors with two years of RTFM) from one health district between January 2015 and December 2018.Intervention: Two years of Residency Training in Family Medicine (RTFM)Main outcome measures: risk of patients being referred to secondary care for outpatient consultations and diagnostics tests; and having a follow-up medical consultation in primary care within three and six months after being referred.Results: We examined 2414508 medical consultations and 284754 referrals to secondary care. Family physicians (FPs) were less likely to request ambulatory care services (including surgical specialties), but were more likely to request Ophthalmology, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, and Surgical evaluations for their patients. Patients referred to secondary care by FPs were at a higher risk of having a follow-up visit in primary care for almost every service requested. If all medical consultations were performed by FPs, a 37.6% (95% CI 32.4% - 42.4%) increased demand for Rehabilitation services would be noticed. Oppositely, 1532 (95%CI 1458; 1602) fewer requests for Dermatology would happen every year. Conclusions: RTFM improves coordination and continuity of care by making FPs more competent to retain those health conditions that can be properly managed in primary care and making FPs more competent to detect health conditions that require specific biomedical technologies and skills, increasing the demand for those services. Besides, it increases the chances of patients having follow-up visits in primary care. Policymakers in low- and middle-income countries must consider investing in RTFM to make primary care systems more comprehensive, with better coordination and continuity of care.
Effect of Dietary Patterns and, or Nutrition Strategies Reducing Risk in Adverse Maternal Health Occurrences during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Larbi Josephine Ansaa
Published: March 2021

Dietary patterns and nutrition strategies are essential to maintain optimal maternal health during pregnancy to prevent and minimize conditions that lead to complications. Previous studies found nutrition education and counseling effect on food habit modification, beneficial during pregnancy. In promoting health and reducing adverse maternal conditions during pregnancy, need increasing knowledge on diversities of dietary pattern consumption, modify attitude and practice. The present review conducted on the effect of dietary patterns and/or nutrition interventions on health risks such as hypertension disorders in pregnancy or gestational hypertension or high blood pressure related to obesity or overweight, low haemoglobin, undernutrition, and anaemia. Eighteen eligible studies identified. Studies on dietary patterns: Mediterranean or DASH diets, DASH diet vs Western diet with dietary counseling, combined nutrition counseling, advice, and healthy diet. Healthy diet vs Western, Traditional or high-energy-foo; 2 healthy diets rich in fruit and vegetables. Two healthy diets combined with dietary counseling, nutrition messages compared with high-energy-food. The remaining 5 studies were nutrition education and health promotion model, dietary counseling and knowledge, attitude and practice with a healthy diet, nutrition education with or without diet plan, then guided counseling with planned behaviour model. The studies reported a positive impact on the reduction of maternal adverse conditions, improved anthropometric, haemoglobin, undernutrition or malnutrition status. Study designs were 5 randomized controlled interventions, 11 prospective or longitudinal cohort studies, and 2 systematic reviews.
Using a dark logic model to explore adverse effects in audit and feedback: a qualitative study of gaming in colonoscopy.
Authors: Catlow Jamie , Bhardwaj-Gosling Rashmi , Sharp Linda , Rutter M D , Sniehotta Falko
Published: March 2021

Background
Audit and feedback (A&F) interventions improve patient care but may result in negative effects. To evaluate plausible harms and maximise benefits, a-priori theorisation using dark logic models can be useful. We aimed to assess the unintended adverse effects of A&F in colonoscopy using Feedback Intervention Theory (FIT) based dark logic model.
Methods
As part of the National Endoscopy Database Automated Performance Reports to Improve Quality Outcomes Trial we undertook a qualitative study exploring current A&F practices in colonoscopy. Interviews were undertaken with endoscopists from six NHS endoscopy centres across England, purposively sampled for clinical background and professional experience. A framework method analysis of A&F in endoscopy was performed, mapping themes of paradoxical outcomes and patient harm to FIT and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB).
Results
Data saturation was achieved on 19th participant, with endoscopists from nursing, surgical and medical professional backgrounds and a median of 7 years’ endoscopy experience (range 2–29 years).
Restoring Shank3 in a rostral sensorimotor brainstem nucleus rescues reduced light-evoked behaviors in shank3ab-/- zebrafish.
Authors: Kozol Robert , James David , Varela Ivan , Sumathipala Sureni , Züchner Stephan , Dallman Julia
Published: March 2021

People with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, caused by mutations in the SHANK3 gene, commonly present with symptoms of sensory hyporeactivity. To investigate how shank3 mutations impact brain circuits and contribute to sensory hyporeactivity, we generated two shank3 zebrafish mutant models. These shank3 mutant models both exhibit hyporeactivity to visual stimuli. Using whole-brain activity mapping, we show that light receptive brain nuclei show normal levels of activity while sensorimotor integration and motor regions are less active in shank3-/- mutants. Specifically rescuing Shank3 in a sensorimotor nucleus of the rostral brainstem is sufficient to rescue shank3-/- mutant hyporeactivity. In summary, reduced sensory responsiveness in shank3-/- mutant is associated with reduced activity across the brain and can be rescued by restoring Shank3 function in the rostral brainstem.
COMPARATIVE KARYOMORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF TWO SPECIES OF CRINUM
Authors:   Research Scholar, University Dept. of Botany, Ranchi University, Ranchi, Jharkhand (India)., Firdaus Shahla , Kumar Kamini ,   University Professor, University Dept. of Botany, Ranchi, Jharkhand (India).
Published: March 2021

Crinum asiaticum L. and Crinum latifolium L. are members of the family Amaryllidaceae. Karyomorphological studies of these two species had been performed by using different quantitative and qualitative parameters to know the karyotype asymmetry, which defines the advanced and primitive nature of these two species. The study revealed that Crinum asiaticum L. and Crinum latifolium L. are diploid with 2n=22 chromosomes. based on Total Chromatin Length, Arm Ratio, Gradient Index, Form Percentage, Total Form Percentage, Karyotype Asymmetry Index, Symmetry Index, and Stebbins classification, Crinum asiaticum L. is more advanced than Crinum latifolium L.
MIGRATION INTRA-PERITONEALE DUN DISPOSITIF INTRA UTERIN : A PROPOS DUN CAS
Authors:   Service de Gynecologie Aile 8 CHU Ibn Rochd Casablanca., Baroud Oumeyma , Ikouch Khadija ,   Service de Gynecologie Aile 8 CHU Ibn Rochd Casablanca., El Assaad Hind ,   Service de Radiologie des Urgences CHU Ibn Rochd- Casablanca., Imami Youssef ,   Service de Gynecologie Aile 8 CHU Ibn Rochd Casablanca., Mahdaoui Sakher ,   Service de Gynecologie Aile 8 CHU Ibn Rochd Casablanca., Boufettal Houssine ,   Service de Gynecologie Aile 8 CHU Ibn Rochd Casablanca., Samouh Naima ,   Service de Gynecologie Aile 8 CHU Ibn Rochd Casablanca., Najwa Touil ,   Service de Radiologie des Urgences CHU Ibn Rochd- Casablanca., Houria Tabakh ,   Service de Radiologie des Urgences CHU Ibn Rochd- Casablanca., Abdelatif Siwane ,   Service de Radiologie des Urgences CHU Ibn Rochd- Casablanca., Omar Kacimi ,   Service de Radiologie des Urgences CHU Ibn Rochd- Casablanca., Nabil Chikhaoui ,   Service de Radiologie des Urgences CHU Ibn Rochd- Casablanca.
Published: March 2021

Le dispositif intra-uterin (DIU) est une des methodes contraceptives les plus efficaces et les plus utilisees a travers le monde. La perforation reste exceptionnelle apres la pose dun DIU cependant, cest lune des complications les plus graves. Nous rapportons le cas dune patiente de 31 ans qui sest presentee pour migration dun DIU de cuivre 15 jours apres sa mise en place. Nous insistons a travers cette observation et sous la lumiere de la revue de la litterature sur lefficacite et linnocuite du DIU lorsque la technique et les indications sont rigoureusement respectees, mais aussi sur une des complications rarissimes de la pose du DIU, et enfin le role diagnostic et therapeutique de la cÅ“lioscopie dans la prise en charge de cette complication.
WOMENS ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENT IN BURKINA FASO
Authors: Djika Ali Sakola
Published: March 2021

In Burkina Faso, women make up nearly 52% of the population, but they account for less than 20% of business start-ups. This paper seeks to identify factors that explain the entrepreneurial intent of Burkinabe women. It is based on socio-cognitive career theory and a quantitative approach involving a sample of 935 women. The results of the multinomial logistic regression show that five variables (perception of skills, fear of failure, education level, household size and household income level) explain womens intention to start a business with as a reference modality (1: having the intention). The main contribution is of a methodological nature, and through the choice of reference modalities allows for greater precision on the influence of the variables and the categories or sub-groups of women influenced.
LARGE BENIGN OVARIAN TUMOR MIMICKING LATE STAGE MALIGNANT OVARIAN TUMOR
Authors:   Service de Gyneco-Obstetrique I - CHU Hassan II de Fes., Bendahhou Idrissi M. , Aboulfath K. ,   Service de Gyneco-Obstetrique I - CHU Hassan II de Fes., Errarhay S. ,   Service de Gyneco-Obstetrique I - CHU Hassan II de Fes., Mamouni N. ,   Service de Gyneco-Obstetrique I - CHU Hassan II de Fes., Bouchikhi C. ,   Service de Gyneco-Obstetrique I - CHU Hassan II de Fes., Banani A. ,   Service de Gyneco-Obstetrique I - CHU Hassan II de Fes.
Published: March 2021

Ovarian fibrothecoma is a rare, benign neoplasm of the sex cords and stroma of the ovary. Patients may present with abdominal pelvic pain and / or distension, and sometimes postmenopausal bleeding. Large tumors (> 10cm) are often associated with pleural and peritoneal effusion mimicking an advanced ovarian malignancy (Deimon â€“Meigs syndrome). We report 2 cases of giant fibrothecoma associated with ascites and pleurisy. Both patients were postmenopausal. The ovarian tumor was discovered during an increase in abdominal volume in the first patient and as part of the etiological workup of encysted pleurisy in the second. The clinical examination made it possible to objectify a tumor with abdominopelvic development of size greater than 10 cm, the clinical examination also noted, in the two patients, a right basithoracic dullness in favor of a pleurisy and an ascites of average abundance suggesting in the first place a malignant tumor of the ovary, with peritoneal carcinoma. the two patients underwent a pelvic ultrasound, supplemented by an abdominal pelvic CT scan objectifying the presence of a large ovarian mass with pleural and peritoneal effusions. Exploratory laparotomy was required in both patients and underwent an extemporaneous examination which was consistent with the definitive pathological examination in both patients. Both patients underwent total hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy and omentectomy with multiple biopsies as the clinical picture was highly suggestive of malignancy. The postoperative follow-up was simple with total regression of peritoneal and pleural effusions in the two cases of Demons-Meigs syndrome. The definitive pathological examination revealed a fibrothecoma. Fibrothecal tumors remain a real challenge from a diagnostic and therapeutic point of view. The fear of cancer is even greater in the presence of Demons-Meigs syndrome. The management of these tumors requires a good clinical and radiological analysis, and it is the histological examination that confirms the diagnosis. The surgery corresponds, in post-menopausal patients, to a hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy, while conservative treatment by unilateral adnexectomy is entirely justified in young women who still want fertility.
CLINICAL AND THERAPEUTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF HEAT SHOCK PROTEINS
Authors:   Department of Biotechnology, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India., Nannapaneni Sreeja , Sri Deepika Vusthepalli Gnana ,   Department of Biotechnology, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India., Santhosh Guptha Vusthepalli Pavan ,   Department of Biotechnology, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India., Naredla Kusuma ,   Department of Biotechnology, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India., Gowd Aitha Kavya ,   Department of Biotechnology, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India., Veeravilli Suryanarayana ,   Department of Humanities and Basic Sciences, Aditya Engineering College, Surampalem,Andhra Pradesh, India.
Published: March 2021

Multiple experimental investigations have been successful in suggesting the role of heat shock protein as a clinical biomarker and therapeutic target in several diseases. All living cells, from the simplest prokaryote to the most complex multicellular organism, contain heat shock proteins-molecular chaperones that are responsible for management of unfolded polypeptides within the cell. In view of the fundamental role of heat shock proteins in maintenance of protein homeostasis, it seems likely that malfunctions associated with members of heat shock protein families would have pathological effects. Such effects might be minimal under normal physiological conditions, but could be exacerbated at times. This review provides an overview of the cell biology and immunology of heat shock proteins focusing predominantly on immunological responses to heat shock proteins in a range of immune-mediated diseases and in infectious diseases.
Evezős sportolók főbb terhelés-élettani jellemzőinek bemutatása és jelentőségük az egészségmegőrzés szempontjából
Authors: Suszter László , Mák Erzsébet
Published: March 2021

A testedzés általánosságban javítja a szervrendszerek funkcióját, ezáltal mutatkozik meg preventív hatása a krónikus betegségekkel szemben. A rendszeres fizikai aktivitás adaptív változásainak köszönhetően a kardio-respiratórikus rendszer teljesítményében nagy eltérést tapasztalhatunk edzett és edzetlen személyek között. A fizikai fittség megállapításának egyik hatékony eszköze a terhelés-élettani jellemzők mérése. Munkánk célja egy jól edzett evezős csoport főbb terhelés-élettani jellemzőinek vizsgálata és ezek összevetése szakirodalmi értékekkel. A résztvevőket spiroergometriás vizsgálatnak vetettük alá, ezáltal képet kaptunk a kardio-respiratórikus rendszerük teljesítményéről. Ezt követően az eredményeket összevetettük más edzett állóképességi sportolók és edzetlen személyek szakirodalmi értékekeivel. A vizsgált csoport átlagai és az edzett állóképességi sportolók értékeinek átlagai szinte minden terhelés-élettani jellemző tekintetében szignifikánsan nagyobbak voltak a nem edzett személyek értékeihez képest. A percventilláció (VE) esetében az evezős csoportnál mért 152,3 ± 11,5 (L·min−1) eredmény szignifikánsan nagyobb a nem edzettekhez képest (p=0,002). A relatív aerob kapacitást (rVO2max) tekintve az evezős csoport 60,1 ± 6,9 (ml·kg−1·min−1) eredménye nagyobb a nem edzettekéhez képest (p=0,004), viszont szignifikánsan kisebb az edzett állóképességi sportolók referenciaértékéhez viszonyítva (p=0,042). A fizikai aktivitás szervezetre gyakorolt jótékony hatása jelentősen megmutatkozik a kardio-respiratórikus rendszer teljesítménymutatóiban. Véleményünk szerint a helyes táplálkozás tudatosítása mellett a fizikai aktivitás fontosságának kihangsúlyozása is az egészségfejlesztés része kell, hogy legyen.
Az egészségmegőrzés motivációjú turisztikai utazások változásai
Authors: Szabó Zoltán
Published: March 2021

Világviszonylatban felértékelődtek az egészségmegőrzéssel kapcsolatos turisztikai utazások. Az eddigi kutatások kevés figyelmet fordítottak az utóbbi időben a magyar lakosság egészségmegőrzéshez kötődő belföldi utazásaira. A jelen kutatás célja feltárni a magyar lakosság egészségmegőrzés motivációjú belföldi utazásainak változását a 2015–2019 közötti években, az egészségturizmus fejlesztésére vonatkozólag. Jelen tanulmány a Központ Statisztkai Hivatal szekunder forrásainak elemzésével vizsgálja Magyarországon az egészségmegőrzés motivációjú belföldi utazások változását. Az eredmények alapján megállapítást nyert, hogy az egészségmegőrzéssel összefüggő belföldi utazások jellemzői az utóbbi években jelentősen megváltoztak. A kutatási eredmények ismeretében javasolt az egészségmegőrzéshez kötődő belföldi utazások hatékony növelése érdekében kidolgozni egy új egészségmegőrzési turizmus stratégiát.