bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioinformatics Insights on the Physicochemical Properties of SCN5A
Mutant Proteins Associated with the Brugada Syndrome
Authors: Polanco Carlos , Márquez Manlio F. , Uversky Vladimir N. , Lemus Enrique H. , Huberman Alberto , Buhse Thomas , Castro Martha R.
Published: December 2022

Background:

The Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a heart rhythm condition that is
commonly associated with a strong predisposition for sudden cardiac death. Malignant
ventricular arrhythmias could occur secondary to the dysfunction of the cardiac sodium
voltage-gated Na(v)1.5 channel (SCN5A).

Objective:

This study aimed to perform a multiparametric computational analysis of the
physicochemical properties of SCN5A mutants associated with BrS using a set of bioinformatics
tools.

Methods:

In-house algorithms were calibrated to calculate, in a double-blind test, the Polarity
Index Method (PIM) profile and protein intrinsic disorder predisposition (PIDP)
profile of each sequence, and computer programs specialized in the genomic analysis
were used.

Results:

Specific regularities in the charge/polarity and PIDP profile of the SCN5A mutant
proteins enabled the re-creation of the taxonomy, allowing us to propose a bioinformatics
method that takes advantage of the PIM profile to identify this group of proteins
from their sequence.

Conclusion:

Bioinformatics programs could reproduce characteristic PIM and PIDP profiles
of the BrS-related SCN5A mutant proteins. This information can contribute to a better
understanding of these altered proteins.
Effect of Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy on Clinical Parameters of
Periodontitis, Oral Candida spp. Count and Lactoferrin and Histatin
Expression in Saliva and Gingival Crevicular Fluid of HIV-Infected Patients
Authors: Nobre Atila V. V. , Polvora Tabata L. S. , Ramos Peña Diana E. , Villafuerte Kelly V. , Silva Gilberto A. , Ranieri Ana Laura P. , de Macedo Leandro D. , Morejon Karen M. L. , da Fonseca Benedito A. L. , Tirapelli Camila , Saraiva Maria C. P. , Pozzetto Bruno , Lourenço Alan G. , Motta Ana Carolina F.
Published: December 2022

Background:

Periodontitis (PDT) has gained attention in the literature with the increase in life expectancy of people living with HIV on combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Thus, the search for inflammatory biomarkers could be useful to understand the pathophysiology of chronic oral diseases in the cART era.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on clinical parameters of PDT, Candida spp. count and expression of LF and HST in saliva and CGF of HIV-infected patients.

Methods:

Bleeding index (BI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), colony-forming units (CFUs) of Candida spp, and lactoferrin (LF) and histatin (HST) levels were measured in saliva and GCF of both groups at three different times: baseline (before treatment), and 30 and 90 days after the NSPT. Clinical, mycological and immunoenzymatic analyses were also performed.

Results:

Twenty-two HIV-infected patients and 25 non-HIV-infected patients with PDT participated in the study. NSPT was effective in improving periodontal clinical parameters, including ≤ 4 sites with PD ≤ 5mm and BI ≤ 10%. No significant change in oral Candida spp. count occurred neither between the two groups nor during the time after the periodontal treatment. And the salivary and GCF levels of LF and HST seems not to be influenced by the NSPT. By contrast, except for salivary LF, HST and LF were shown to exhibit significantly higher levels in HIV-infected than in non-HIV-infected patients.

Conclusions:

NSPT was effective in improving periodontal disease parameters in HIV-infected patients, but do not affect lactoferrin and histatin-5 expression in saliva and ginvival crevicular fluid of HIV-infected patients.
Comprehensive Analysis of VM Migration Trends in Cloud Data Centers
Authors: Singh Shalu , Singh Dinesh
Published: December 2022

Background:

Virtualization adequately maintains increasing requirements for storage,
networking, servers, and computing in exhaustive cloud data centers (CDC)s. Virtualization assists
in gaining different objectives like dedicated server sustenance, fault tolerance, comprehensive service
availability, and load balancing, by virtual machine (VM) migration. The VM migration process
continuously requires CPU cycles, communication bandwidth, memory, and processing power.
Therefore, it detrimentally prevails over the performance of dynamic applications and cannot be
completely neglected in the synchronous large-scale CDC, explicitly when service level agreement
(SLA) and analytical trade goals are to be defined.

Introduction:

Live VM migration is intermittently adopted as it grants the operational service even
when the migration is executed. Currently, power competence has been identified as the primary
design requirement for the current CDC model. It grows from a single server to numerous data centres
and clouds, which consume an extensive amount of electricity. Consequently, appropriate energy
management techniques are especially important for CDCs.

Method:

This review paper delineates the need for energy efficiency in the CDC, the systematic
mapping of VM migration methods, and research pertinent to it. After that, an analysis of VM migration
techniques, the category of VM migration, duplication, and context-based VM migration is
presented along with its relative analysis.

Results:

The various VM migration techniques were compared on the basis of various performance
measures. The techniques based on duplication and context-based VM migration methods provide
an average reduction in migration time of up to 38.47%, data transfer rate of up to 51.4%, migration
downtime of up to 36.33%, network traffic rate of up to 44% and reduced application efficiency
overhead up to 14.27%.

Conclusion:

The study aids in analyzing threats and research challenges related to VM migration
techniques which ultimately help in exploring future research directions that would help aspiring
cloud professionals.
Simulation Analysis of Stir Tool Wear Considering the Effect of Temperature
Rise caused by Material Deformation on Flow Stress
Authors: Wan Qiang , Xiong Zheng
Published: December 2022

Background:

Wearing is a prominent problem in friction stir welding. The material flow
stress equation is a key factor that decides the accuracy of the simulation of the wearing process.

Objective:

We aim to propose a material flow stress equation based on material true stress and true
strain curve, which takes proper factors into account and leads to good accuracy in numerical
simulation of stir tool wear.

Methods:

The value of the material temperature rise caused by the material deformation heat and
the value of the effect caused by the temperature rise on flow stress was calculated, and the effect
value was used to modify the material flow stress and the related curve, and then the modified flow
stress equation was obtained. On this basis, the equation was used to simulate the stir tool wear,
and the simulation results were compared with those results without considering the effect of temperature
rise.

Results & Discussion:

the wear amount of the stir needle when considering the effect of temperature
rise is significantly less than that when the effect of temperature rise is not considered.

Conclusion:

In the simulation of the wear of the stir tool, it is necessary to adopt the modified flow
stress equation considering the effect of temperature rise.
Blockchain for IoT Security and Privacy: Challenges, Application Areas and Implementation Issues
Authors: Choudhary Chaitali , Singh Inder , Shafiq Mohammad
Published: December 2022

Blockchain and IoT are the most exciting technologies in the current world,
combining these two together may resolve a lot of issues. In the current scenario, we
are using IoT devices in nearly everything. By the end of this era, we can presume that
all of our day-to-day use devices will be smart. But with this various issue may rise like
safety, security, and performance concerns of smart devices. To resolve these issues,
blockchain technology has emerged as a very powerful tool. In this chapter, the basics
of blockchain along with its architecture and algorithms involved are discussed. IoT
challenges and related literature are also discussed along with blockchain as an
efficient technology to resolve these issues. The chapter also includes the challenges in
using blockchain in IoT devices.
Blockchain Technology-based System in Vehicular Ad-hoc Network
Authors: Sindhwani Manoj , Singh Charanjeet , Singh Rajeshwar
Published: December 2022

Among the various technologies that are constructing the pillars deep in the
field of engineering, ad-hoc networks are one of the major fields of research. On the
grounds of history, Mobile ad-hoc Networks (MANETs) played a prominent role in
battlefield communication and other important applications, but another emerging
network named as Vehicular ad-hoc Networks (VANETs) offered wireless
communication led to its popular usage that resulted in the major deployment of adhoc networks. However, in VANET, secure message transmission is still a challenge,
so we propose a local blockchain to disseminate the message in vehicular networks to
improve the security issues. The public blockchain technique in VANET ensures trust based secure message transmission in the Vehicular ad-hoc Network.
Polyphenols and Flavonoids: Chemical, Pharmacological and Therapeutic Aspects
Authors: Cesa Stefania , Cairone Francesco , De Monte Celeste
Published: December 2022

Polyphenols and flavonoids represent a group of compounds characterized by a large assortment of phenolic structures, which can be naturally found in vegetables, roots, stems, flowers, grains, and fruits. Thanks to their biological activities, molecules belonging to these classes of compounds, besides their nutritional role, have found applications in several fields such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and nutraceutical. In fact, like many natural derivatives from plants, they possess several therapeutic properties, including antitumor, anti-oxidative, anti-neurodegenerative, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Nowadays, the growing interest in polyphenolics and flavonoids translates into constant research to better define their pharmacological mechanism of action. Extraction studies in order to obtain pure compounds with a more defined biological activity, as well as pharmacokinetic studies to understand the bioavailability, the involved metabolic pathways and the related active metabolites, are carried out. Molecular docking studies are also continuously in progress to expand the field of application. Moreover, toxicity experiments to clarify their safety and studies about the interaction with other compounds to understand their selectivity of action are continuously forwarded and deepened. Consequently, many recent studies are aimed at introducing polyphenols, more specifically flavonoids, and their semi-synthetic derivatives, in the prevention, management and treatment of several diseases.
Recent Development of Hybrids and Derivatives of Resveratrol in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: De Filippis Barbara , Fantacuzzi Marialuigia
Published: December 2022

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by the progressive loss of neurons in different regions of the nervous system, being Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) the most common NDs. Despite their high incidence, the pharmacological treatments are mainly symptomatic. For this reason, in recent years, the research has been focused on the discovery of new molecules able to target neuropathological pathways involved in NDs. In the last decades, several researchers investigated the neuroprotective actions of naturally occurring polyphenols, such as resveratrol, that has attracted special interest since its ability to interact simultaneously with the multiple targets implicated in NDs. Thanks to the structural simplicity of the stilbene core, the broad spectrum of possible modifications, and the improved synthetic strategies, resveratrol is an attractive chemical starting point for the searching of new entities with extended therapeutic uses in NDs. In this review, a systematic update of the stilbene-based hybrids and derivatives, and SAR analysis were provided for the development of new drugs potentially useful as NDs multitarget directed ligands.
Biological Activities of Synthetic Derivatives of Xanthones: An Update (2016-2020)
Authors: Scarpecci Cristina , Consalvi Sara
Published: December 2022

Natural xanthones are a class of secondary metabolites widely distributed in nature and with a broad spectrum of biological activities. Their scaffold is amenable to several modifications and has emerged as a “privileged structure” for drug development, representing a very attractive point for medicinal chemistry optimization. A combination of innovative synthetic methodologies and medicinal chemistry studies have provided several xanthone synthetic derivatives for different therapeutic purposes, including cancer, inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), cardiovascular and infectious diseases. The aim of this chapter is to give an update on the significance of synthetic xanthones in medicinal chemistry over the last five years (2016-2020), with a focus on their biological activities and structure-activity relationship (SAR).
Combretastatin Derivatives as Tubulin Inhibitors: A Fascinating Journey from Nature to Drug Discovery Strategies
Authors: Ammazzalorso Alessandra , Hansen Trond Vidar
Published: December 2022

The combretastatins are a family of stilbene phenolic natural products isolated from the bark of the South African bush willow tree Combretum caffrum. Since their isolation and structural elucidation, these molecules have attracted a lot of interest due to their potent cytotoxic activity against several human cancer cell lines. Combretastatin A-4, a cis-stilbene, is the most potent member of these natural products, has the ability to strongly inhibit tubulin polymerization, resulting in high cytotoxic activity. Indeed, it also displays an additional activity as a potent vascular disrupting agent. This interesting double bioactive profile accounts for the potent antiproliferative and antivascular action in tumors. However, combretastatin A-4, due to the sensitive cis-stilbene moiety, is prone to isomerization giving the less bioactive trans-isomer and exhibits diminished water solubility. Hence, a wide panel of synthetic derivatives were therefore developed with the aim of overcoming these limitations. The development of prodrugs such as fosbretabulin, ombrabulin and Oxi4503 isrepresentative of successful attempts to overcome pharmacokinetic disadvantages, whereas the most recent approaches aim to develop combretastatin prodrugs able to selectively target tumor site, possessing also theranostic properties. Herein, miscellaneous and the most potent synthetic analogues are presented. In addition, a general outlook on combretastatin derivatives and drug delivery approaches based on innovative nanoformulations is also presented.
Semisynthetic Resveratrol-derived Systems: A Synergism between Nature and Organic Synthesis
Authors: Capperucci Antonella , Tanini Damiano
Published: December 2022

Structural modifications of the resveratrol scaffold are valuable tools in order to develop new derivatives with potential biomedical and pharmacological applications. The investigation of the biological properties of resveratrol-derived semisynthetic systems and the study of their structure-activity relationships are attracting growing interest from medicinal chemists and biologists. In this context, the synthesis of novel resveratrol-derived systems characterisaed by elevated molecular complexity is highly sought after. Over the past years, a wide variety of resveratrol derivatives have been prepared and studied for their biological properties. Therefore, a number of stilbenoid-related potential anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, analgesic, and anti-neurodegenerative systems have been investigated. This chapter focuses on recent studies related to the preparation and the study of semisynthetic resveratrol-derived systems.
Inovasi Kebijakan Pemilihan Kepala Desa dalam Mereduksi Patronase Pemanfaatan Aset Desa di Kabupaten Tuban
Authors: Wahyudi Anto , Setijaningrum Erna
Published: December 2022

Resistensi yang sangat kuat terhadap perubahan regulasi dan praktik patronase pemanfaatan aset desa khususnya tanah bengkok. Hal tersebut diantaranya ditunjukkan adanya penolakan dari Aliansi Pemerintah Desa Indonesia (APDESI) atas Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 43 Tahun 2014, khususnya yang mengatur tanah bengkok, telah mendesak Presiden Jokowi segera menandatangani revisinya. Tujuan penelitian ini menganalisis dan menjelaskan bagaimana inovasi regulasi Pemilihan Kepala Desa (Pilkades) mereduksi patronase pemanfaatan aset desa khususnya tanah bengkok. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan metodologi studi kasus untuk mengkaji Inovasi Kebijakan Pemilihan Kepala Desa dalam Mereduksi Patronase Pemanfaatan Aset Desa di Kabupaten Tuban. Adapun informan yang dipilih dilaksanakan dengan teknik purposive sampling dan teknik snowballing dimana data awal informan didapatkan dari satu informan kunci yang kemudian dilakukan identifikasi, pemetaan hingga menetapkan informan-informan lainnya yang memenuhi kriteria sebagai informan tambahan dalam penelitian ini. Temuan penelitian ini adalah bahwa Inovasi formulasi regulasi peraturan kepala daerah tentang Pilkades dalam reduksi patronase pemanfaatan aset desa melalui regulasi yang mengatur Pilkades di Kabupaten Tuban Tahun 2019, telah membuat sejarah baru tata kelola pemerintahan desa. Bakal calon Kepala Desa rela menyerahkan bagian hak tunjangannya dari tanah bengkok saat terpilih nantinya dengan prosentase besaran yang di serahkan beragam. Inovasi regulasi ini tidak terdapat penolakan dalam formulasi dan implementasinya, meskipun terdapat beberapa kekurangan dalam formulasi regulasi ini, antara lain lemahnya sanksi dan kontrol dari pemerintah kabupaten dalam fungsinya sebagai peran pembinaan dan pengawasan penyelenggaraan pemerintahan desa sehingga memerlukan perbaikan dimasa mendatang.
Inovasi Pembelajaran Daring: Analisis Multi-Level Perspective Dalam Platform Digital Pembelajaran Daring Di Indonesia
Authors: Imawan Arga Pribadi , Prasongko Dias
Published: December 2022

Studi ini menempatkan fokus terhadap inovasi pembelajaran daring yang tengah menyebar luas, terutama pada sektor pendidikan. Dengan menggunakan kerangka Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), studi ini membangun argumen bahwa kelompok-kelompok sosial relevan yang berada pada level meso telah merespons berbagai perkembangan landskap jaringan internet dan kebaruan pada level mikro, sehingga berdampak kepada keberhasilan inovasi pembelajaran daring. Lebih jauh, kondisi pandemi Covid-19 sebagai unintended non-human actor telah berkontribusi terhadap dorongan keberhasilan inovasi pembelajaran daring. Studi ini menggunakan metode penelitian historiografi dengan pendekatan konstruktivis untuk menjelaskan bagaimana perubahan landskap dan relasi antar aktor dalam bidang pendidikan sebagai bagian dari adanya inovasi kebijakan. Adapun, data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini berupa artikel jurnal, berita maupun laporan yang berkaitan dengan inovasi pembelajaran daring.
Pengaruh pendidikan kewirausahaan di lembaga kursus terhadap sikap berwirasusaha
Authors: Santi Fitta Ummaya , Raharjo Heru
Published: December 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh pendidikan kewirausahaan, efikasi diri dan mindset berwirausaha terhadap sikap berwirausaha peserta didik di lembaga kursus dan pelatihan baik secara sendiri-sendiri maupun secara bersama-sama. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kuantitatif. Responden adalah peserta didik Program Pelatihan Kewirausahaan (PKK) tahun 2020 di lembaga kursus dan pelatihan berjumlah 307 orang. Angket disebarkan secara online menggunakan googleform. Analisis data menggunakan analisis regresi dengan bantuan program SPSS 25. Hasil penelitian menujukkan persamaan regresi   Y = 6.049 + 0.146 X1 + 0,770 X2 – 0,154 X3 yang artinya pendidikan kewirausahaan di LKP dan efikasi diri berwirausaha berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap sikap berwirausaha. Sedangkan mindset berwirausaha tidak berpengaruh terhadap sikap berwirausaha. Secara simultan ketiga variabel berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap sikap berwirausaha.
Rano otkrivanje i neurorehabilitacija djece sa neurorazvojnim odstupanjima
Authors: Brenčić Cindrić Miriam , Karnjuš Renata , Bodul Marina , Kolić Ivana , Đuranović Vlasta
Published: December 2022

Rana dijagnoza neurorazvojnog odstupanja je izazovna. Zahvaljujući modernim neuroslikovnim dijagnostičkim alatima i primjenom pouzdanih kliničkih testova koji su dio svakodnevne kliničke prakse, smanjena je prevalencija najtežeg neurorazvojnog odstupanja, cerebralne paralize. Prije četvrtog mjeseca kronološke dobi najprediktivniju vrijednost za razvoj težih neurorazvojnih odstupanja imaju rezultati magnetske rezonancije mozga, analize spontano generiranih pokreta i Hammersmith neurološkog pregleda dojenčeta, a nakon četvrtog mjeseca kronološke dobi magnetska rezonancija mozga i Hammersmith neurološki pregled dojenčeta. Djecu s visokim neurorizikom za razvoj neurorazvojnih odstupanja potrebno je rano uključiti u habilitacijski proces. Prema dostupnim dokazima, rana intervencija i habilitacija temelje se na boljem obiteljskom prihvaćanju i predanosti procesu stimulacije, intervencijama koje prakticiraju zadatke i aktivnosti iz svakodnevnog života koristeći vlastite aktivne kretnje. Sama vježba direktno utječe na postignuće koje postavlja samo dijete, a time i na plastičnost mozga.
Hand model with dependency constrained joints for applications in rehabilitation robotics
Authors: Bazina Tomislav , Schnurrer-Luke-Vrbanić Tea , Črnjarić-Žic Nelida , Zelenika Saša , Kamenar Ervin
Published: December 2022

Aim: This work presents a method for developing a simplified but efficient model of the complex human hand kinematics with the aim of its implementation in rehabilitation robotics. Material and methods: The approach incorporates modularity by simplifying the available model comprising 24 degrees of freedom (DOFs) to 9 DOFs, with the introduction of additional joint coupling parameters specific to different grasp types. The effect of dependent joints to the ranges-of-motion (ROMs) of the model is investigated and compared to the anatomical one. The index, middle, ring and little finger solutions to forward and inverse kinematics problems are then acquired. The implementation of the model, based on the median male bones dimensions, is made available in the open-source Robot Operating System (ROS) framework. Results: By including additional four inclination angles per finger, the devised kinematic hand model encompasses also finger curvatures, resulting in significant positioning accuracy improvements compared to the conventional model. The used 3D spatial position improvement metrics are the mean absolute (MAE) and mean relative errors (MRE). The dependent joint position MAEs range from 0.22 to 0.34 cm, while MREs range from 2.8 and 3.5 %, whereas the highest absolute and relative errors during fingertip positioning can reach 0.5 cm and 10.5 %, respectively. Conclusion: The performed investigation allowed establishing that by modelling finger curvature and assuring the adaptability of the model to a variety of human hands and rehabilitation modalities through joint dependency, represents the best approach towards a relatively simple and applicable rehabilitation model with functional human-like hand movements.
Functional Electrical Stimulation for home use in patients after stroke
Authors: Goljar Kregar Nika , Bizovičar Nataša , Rudolf Marko , Batinič Maja
Published: December 2022

Aim: The aim of this pragmatic observational study was to identify for which purposes Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been prescribed in University Rehabilitation Institute of Republic of Slovenia – Soča (URI-Soča) for long term treatment at home and whether prescribing practice has been changed over time in the last 10 years. Methods: A pragmatic cohort retrospective study included 373 stroke patients that performed inpatient rehabilitation at the Department for rehabilitation of patients after stroke URI-Soča between January 2010 and December 2019, and used FES at home after discharge. Results: FES was most often prescribed to patients with mild disability and severely affected upper extremity after stroke. Half of the patients used FES on the paretic upper extremity, 46.9% on the hemiparetic upper and lower extremity and only minority (2.9%) on the affected lower extremity alone. The upper limb stimulation predominated almost in the whole observational period. 22.3% of the patients used FES for more than 1 year, on average 3.5 years. A combination of FES and botulinum toxin therapies was used as a spasticity treatment of affected upper extremity in almost one third of patients (29.8%). In a group that used FES for more than one year, botulinum toxin therapies were statistically significantly more frequent (P<0.001). Conclusions: Almost one-third of patients included in this study got FES for home use to manage spasticity. More than a half of those who used FES at home for years used combination of botulinum toxin and FES therapies which suggests they felt effectiveness of combined treatment approach.
Neurorehabilitacija i robotika kod osoba s hemiparezom gornjeg ekstremiteta nakon moždanog udara
Authors: Avancini-Dobrović Viviana , Baniček-Šoša Ivanka , Mršić Dunja , Schnurrer-Luke-Vrbanić Tea
Published: December 2022

Cilj: Neurorehabilitacija bolesnika nakon moždanog udara predstavlja velik izazov, a robotski sustavi kao nadogradnja konvencionalne rehabilitacije predmet su brojnih istraživanja. Tako je pri Zavodu za fizikalnu i rehabilitacijsku medicinu KBC-a Rijeka provedeno istraživanje u kojem je korišten robotski uređaj Armeo Spring® (Hocoma, Švicarska) s ciljem procjene učinkovitosti njegove primjene. Ispitanici i metode: U istraživanje je uključeno 40 bolesnika koji su zadobili moždani udar s posljedičnom hemiparezom, a uključeni su u neurorehabilitaciju u subakutnoj fazi, prosječno 47,31 (± SD = 24,74) dana nakon moždanog udara. Bolesnici su podijeljeni u dvije skupine, od po 20 bolesnika i obje skupine provodile su vježbe dva puta dnevno. Ispitivana skupina bolesnika provela je konvencionalne postupke fizioterapije po Bobath konceptu uz dodatnu robotsku terapiju na uređaju Armeo Spring® (Hocoma, Švicarska), a dvadeset bolesnika kontrolne skupine provodilo je konvencionalnu fizioterapiju po Bobath konceptu dva puta dnevno. Procjena učinkovitosti mjerena je funkcijskim indeksom onesposobljenosti (engl. Functional Independent Measurement; FIM) i ocjenskom ljestvicom motoričke procjene (engl. Motor Assessment Scale; MAS), a procjena je vršena prije i poslije provedene neurorehabilitacije. Rezultati: Praćenjem triju varijabli, cjelokupni FIM test, cjelokupni MAS test (MAS U) te MAS test za funkciju ruke (engl. Motor Assessment Scale za funkciju ruke; MAS FR), uočena je statistički značajna razlika (P < 0,05) između ispitivane i kontrolne skupine. Zaključak: Istraživanje je pokazalo da pokreti potpomognuti uređajem Armeo Spring® poboljšavaju ishod rehabilitacije i nadopunjuju konvencionalnu terapiju. Posebno je ohrabrujući podatak da smo svoje rezultate postigli kod bolesnika u subakutnoj fazi rehabilitacije nakon moždanog udara.
Procjena učinkovitosti robotike u neurorehabilitaciji gornjih ekstremiteta kod pacijenata nakon moždanog udara
Authors: Schnurrer-Luke-Vrbanić Tea , Baniček Šoša Ivanka , Barišić Tomislav , Bagatin Matea
Published: December 2022

Cilj: Analizirati učinkovitost primjene egzoskeletnog robotskog uređaja Armeo Power® (Hocoma, Švicarska) u rehabilitaciji ruke osoba s jednostranim motoričkim ispadom nakon moždanog udara. Ispitanici i metode: U istraživanje koje je provedeno na Zavodu za fizikalnu i rehabilitacijsku medicinu KBC-a Rijeka bilo je uključeno ukupno 20 ispitanika iz stacionarne rehabilitacije. Eksperimentalna skupina (n = 10) uz konvencionalnu terapiju tretirana je i na Armeo Power® uređaju (5 puta tjedno / 4 tjedna; 45 minuta po tretmanu). Istovremeno se kod kontrolne skupine (n = 10) provodila samo konvencionalna terapija. Konvencionalna terapija u objema skupinama bila je vremenski usklađena (5 puta tjedno / 4 tjedna; 45 minuta po tretmanu). Procjenjivale su se motorička funkcija, funkcionalna mjera neovisnosti te prosječno izvođenje i zadovoljstvo izvođenjem okupacije, a procjena se vršila kliničkim ocjenskim ljestvicama. Rezultati: Kod svih kliničkih parametara u ponovljenim mjerenjima zabilježeno je statistički značajno poboljšanje (P = 0,005). Usporedbom između skupina na kraju liječenja nije utvrđena statistički značajna razlika u mjerama motoričke funkcije na FMA (engl. Fugl-Meyer Assessment) skali (P = 0,120) niti funkcionalne neovisnosti na FIM (engl. Functional Independence Measure) skali (P = 0,762). Međutim, zbog značajno bolje motoričke funkcije eksperimentalne skupine na početku, teško je s velikim značajem promatrati usporedbu na kraju liječenja, barem kada je riječ o FMA. Statistički značajna razlika između skupina na kraju liječenja zabilježena je samo u rezultatima COPM-a (engl. Canadian Occupational Performance Measure) (prosječno izvođenje, P = 0,014; prosječno zadovoljstvo, P = 0,022). Zaključci: Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju da terapija uređajem Armeo Power u kombinaciji s konvencionalnom terapijom može poboljšati funkcionalni oporavak nakon moždanog udara, iako su potrebna daljnja istraživanja na većem broju bolesnika.
Distrofia muscular nutricional en los músculos del muslo de los pollos: análisis patológico de un problema de campo
Authors: KANAT Özgür , ÇERÇİ İbrahim Halil
Published: December 2022

Objective. This study aims to use histopathologic method to investigate nutritional muscular dystrophy in broilers due to vitamin E deficiency. Materials and methods. Tissue samples taken from 20 dead chicks and total 28 blood samples sent by taking from diseased also eight chicks were analyzed. The amount of vitamin E determined in feed analysis was found to be 5% less than the amount declared to be present in the feed ration. Results. The average amount of α-tocopherol in blood serums was measured as 0.285 µg/g. Plasma calcium and phosphorus levels were found to be high, whereas sodium, potassium, and magnesium levels were found to be normal levels. Histopathologically, nutritional muscular dystrophy was defined in 18 of 20 chicks (90%). In the histopathologic examination of muscular sections, varying degrees of hyaline degenerations, necrosis, mineralization, lipidosis, and mononuclear cell infiltrations were observed. Conclusions. It was determined that when the fat content of the ration was increased, vitamin and mineral levels, particularly vitamin E, changed within the ration content, and the health of the chicks deteriorated, resulting in histopathologic damages in different organ tissues. The study concludes that the poultry farming industry should attach importance to feed management systems for chick’s the proper and healthy feeding.
Left caudal middle frontal surface area and cigarette per day were found to have unidirectional causality: Genetic correlation and Mendelian randomization study (Preprint)
Authors: Xie Honghcheng , Wang Anlin , Yu Minglan , Wang Tingting , Liang Xuemei , He Rongfang , Huang Chaohua , Lei Wei , Chen Jing , Tan Youguo , Liu Kezhi , Xiang Bo
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND

Previous researches are controversial about smoking is associated with changes in cortical thickness and surface area. However, observational studies cannot avoid confounding factors.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the causal association of cortical thickness and surface area with smoking phenotype, using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to avoid confounding factors as much as possible.

METHODS

To obtain the summary statistics of GWAS on cortical thickness and surface area and four smoking phenotypes (1) Age of Initiation of Regular Smoking (AgeSmk); (2) Smoking Initiation (SmkInit); (3) Smoking Cessation (SmkCes); (4) Cigarettes Per Day (CigDay). Genetic association analysis was investigated by linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC). And MR analyses were performed for traits with normal significant genetic associations.

RESULTS

We found significant genetic correlations between AgeSmk with right precentral surface area (rg = -0.25, p= 8.3×10-3), left caudal anterior cingulate surface area (rg = -0.22, p = 0.025) , left cuneus surface area (rg = -0.26, p = 0.013), left inferior parietal surface area (rg = 0.25, p = 0.035), right caudal anterior cingulate thickness (rg = 0.29, p = 0.028); CigDay with left caudal middle frontal surface area (rg = 0.21, p = 0.040); SmkCes with left entorhinal thickness (rg = -0.36, p = 0.019); SmkInit with left rostral anterior cingulate surface area (rg = -0.20, p = 0.015), right rostral anterior cingulate thickness (rg = -0.24, p = 0.011), right superior frontal thickness (rg = -0.17, p = 0.045). MR indicated a unidirectional causal relationship between left caudal middle frontal surface area and CigDay (βIVW = 0.056, p =1×10-5).

CONCLUSIONS

We found genetic associations between four phenotypes of smoking (AgeSmk, CigDay, SmkInit and SmkCes) and cortical thickness and surface area. And found that the left caudal middle frontal surface area has a one-way causal relationship with cigarettes per day. In the future, this brain imaging indicator may become an important indicator to predict future smoking behavior.
Effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on mast cell degranulation and fibroblast expression on type 2 diabetes mellitus rats wound healing process
Authors: Maharani Intan , Hasan Cahya Yustisia , Dwirahardjo Bambang , Pangestiningsih Tri Wahyu
Published: December 2022

Impaired wound healing is one of the Diabetes mellitus complications. Low-intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) therapy may accelerate the impaired wound healing. The use of LIPUS therapy in the early inflammatory phase can induce mast cell degranulation, and in the proliferative phase it can increase collagen synthesis by fibroblasts. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of LIPUS therapy on mast cell degranulation and fibroblastexpression in the healing process of punch biopsy wound in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Twenty-four Sprague dawley (n=24) were designed into type 2 diabetes mellitus by injecting Nicotinamide and Streptozotocin, then divided into six groups: diabetes mellitus without LIPUS (DM3, DM7, DM14) and diabetes mellitus with LIPUS (DML3, DML7, DML14), 4 each, and punch biopsy wounds were made on the dorsal skin. The DML group received LIPUS therapy in the wound area (frequency 3 MHz, intensity 0.5 W/cm2, duty cycle 20%, duration 3 minutes every day for 3 days (DML3), 7 days (DML7), and 14 days (DML14). The wounded tissue area was stained with toluidine blue to observe mast cell degranulation and immunohistochemical type HSP-47 to observe fibroblast expression. Two-Way ANOVA and Post Hoc LSD tests were used to determine the differences in mast cell degranulation and fibroblast expression. The results showed that mast cell degranulation and fibroblast expression in the DML group were higher than in the DM group (table 1). Pearson test showed a correlation between mast cell degranulation and fibroblast expression (p=0.00; r= 0.839). LIPUS therapy increases mast cell degranulation and fibroblast expression in type 2 diabetes mellitus rat model. The higher the mast cell degranulation, the higher fibroblast expressions.
Dental caries and family expenditures as determinants of oral health-related quality of life in children, in Gamping, Sleman, and Yogyakarta
Authors: Wahyuni Rizka , Hanindriyo Lisdrianto , Widiati Sri
Published: December 2022

Inadequate oral health conditions would prevent children from participating in normal activities, which in turn would lead to changes in the children’s development and well-being. The aim of the study was to know whether dental caries and family expenditure are associated with quality of life related to dental and oral health among children aged 10–12 years. This study was conducted using observational quantitative with cross-sectional design. The research respondents were 126 students (n= 126) aged 10–12 years who were attending elementary school in Gamping Subdistrict, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta. The respondents were selected based on proportional random sampling by applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Quality of life related to dental and oral health assessment was done using CPQ11-12 ISF-16 version regarding their dental caries status (DMF-T) and family expenditure. The results of this study, based on Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that dental caries status and family expenditure were significantly correlated with quality of life related to dental and oral health (p = 0.013 and p = 0.001). The findings of multiple regression analysis suggested significant effects of family expenditures and caries status on quality of life related to dental and oral health (p = 0.001 and p = 0.037) and R2 = 0.161. Lower dental caries was associated with better quality of life related to dental and oral health. Higher family expenditure was associated with better quality of life related to dental and oral health. Dental caries status and family expenditure contributed to 16.1% of quality of life related to dental and oral health.
The effect of sisal (Agave Sisalana) nanofiber in epoxy resin sealer on root canal obturation’s push-out bond strength
Authors: Amanda Astriani , Ratih Diatri Nari , Mulyawati Ema
Published: December 2022

Sisal nanofiber can be used as an additional filler to increase the adhesion strength of the resin epoxy sealer. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of sisal nanofiber addition to epoxy resin sealer on push-out bond strength of root canal obturation material against the root canals. Twenty-five mandibular premolars (n= 25) were prepared until file F3 and obturated using 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% sisal nanofiber sealer. After the specimens were stored at incubator, they were horizontally sectioned at apical third. Root sections were tested with push-out technique, and observed under a stereo microscope to determine the failure type. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and LSD pos hoc at 95% confidence level (α=0.05). A one-way ANOVA test revealed that the addition of sisal nanofiber in epoxy resin sealer had a significant effect on the push out bond strength of the obturation material against the root canals. The failure type was observed predominantly in the cohesive type and the lowest in the adhesive type. The addition of sisal nanofiber to the epoxy resin sealer could increase the push-out bond strength of the obturation material against the root canals. Epoxy resin sealers with the addition of sisal nanofiber at a concentration group of 0.75% resulted in the highest push-out strength of root canal obturation materials followed by 0.5% concentration group.
Reference values for Down’s cephalometric analysis in Papuans
Authors: Novianty Shella Indri , Suhartono Budi
Published: December 2022

The asessment of cranio-facial structures forms a part of orthodontic diagnosis and treatment. One of the most frequently used cephalometric analysis is the Down’s analysis. It consists of 10 parameters of which 5 are skeletal and 5 are dental. Down has based his findings on 20 Caucasians, which have physical characteristic differences with Papuans. Indigenous Papuans are people of Melanesian descent consisting of indigenous tribes in Papua province and/or people who are accepted and recognized as Papuans by indigenous Papuans.The use of cephalometric values in different racial types, may result in the incorrect orthodontic diagnosis and treatment plan. According to those, the objectives of this study are to determine reference values for Down’s cephalometric analysis in papuans, to evaluate the differences exists between Papuan adult male and female, and also to compare the mean difference between persent study and established value of Down’s norms. A study was conducted on 16 lateral cephalograms of Papuans that have been selected based on inclusion criteria. The Down’s method was used for the cephalometric analysis. The data obtained was processed statistically to determine the mean, standart deviation, and minimum-maximum value, and presented in the form of frequency, table, or diagram. The result showed that the normal cephalometric values of papuans different from the normal values used in the Down’s analysis. The values obtained in this research is expected to be a reference in conducting Down’s cepahlometric analysis in Papuans for orthodontic treatment purposes.
The correlation of zinc serum levels and zinc intake with taste disorders in elderly patients at Babatan Public Health Center Bandung
Authors: Djou Rahmatia , Herawati Dewi Marhaeni Diah , Dewi Tenny Setiani
Published: December 2022

Taste disorders, which can be caused by various factors, including deficiency of zinc levels in the body and lack of zinc, generally occur in the elderly. The aim of the study was to analyze the correlation between zinc serum levels and zinc intake, as well as the correlation between salivary volume, hypertension, and smoking with taste disorders in the elderly. This was analytical observational research with a cross-sectional method, which was conducted on 100 elderly patients, at Babatan Health Community Center, Bandung, Indonesia. The sampling was conducted through the following: interview about systemic disease history, drugs taken, and smoking habits; examination of oral cavity conditions; nutrition intake interviews; taste tests tests; and zinc serum measurement using the atomic absorption spectrometry. The data were obtained statistically. Among these one hundred elderly patients, 79 had low zinc serum levels and 94 had inadequate zinc intake. The average zinc serum in the elderly patients with taste disorders was 40.1 μg/dl, whereas those without taste disorders was 72.4 μg/dl, with a p value of <0.001. The average zinc intake in the elderly patients with taste disorders was 3.4, whereas in those without taste disorders was 6.0, with a p value of <0.027. Smoking correlated with taste disorders, while salivary volume and hypertension had no a correlation with taste disorders. There was correlation between zinc serum levels and zinc intake on taste disorders in the elderly patients. Smoking had a relationship with taste disorders in the elderly patients, whereas salivary volume and hypertension had no correlation with taste disorders in the elderly patients.
Comparison of matrix metalloproteinase-13 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 levels and alveolar bone density in chronic periodontitis before and after scaling and root planning
Authors: Nasution Aini Hariyani , Nainggolan Lidya Irani , Meydhyono Widianto
Published: December 2022

Periodontitis is typically associated with disorders characterized by compromised tooth-supporting tissue. Damage to periodontal tissue is caused by an imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors. Decreased tissue inhibitor and elevated matrix metalloproteinase levels result in collagen connective tissue and bone degradation. Several studies have shown that high levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and low levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) are also found in gingival crevicular fluid and saliva of patients with periodontitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the comparison of MMP-13 levels, TIMP-1 levels of saliva and bone density in patients with chronic periodontitis before and after scaling and root planning (SRP). The study samples were selected from patients who came for treatment at the Periodontics Installation of Universitas Sumatera Utara. A total of 16 patients were selected (n = 16) with a diagnosis of chronic periodontitis. The result showed that salivary MMP-13 levels in chronic periodontitis patients before SRP were higher than salivary MMP-13 levels after SRP and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). It was also revealed that salivary TIMP-1 levels and alveolar bone density in chronic periodontitis patients before SRP were lower than that after SRP and the difference was statisticallysignificant (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between clinical parameters and salivary MMP-13 levels in patients with chronic periodontitis before and after SRP, but it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There was a negative correlation between clinical parameters and salivary TIMP-1 levels in patients with chronic periodontitis before and after SRP, but it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).
Effect of the application of curcumin (Curcuma Longa) oral gel on periodontal inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes melitus
Authors: Aji Nur Rahman Ahmad Seno , Karina Vincensia Maria , Hafiyyah Osa Amila , Murdiastuti Kwartarini , Syaify Ahmad
Published: December 2022

Patients with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were more prone to suffer from periodontitis due to unique alteration in host immune response. Application of curcumin oral gel as adjunctive therapy was expected to improve periodontal condition due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of curcumin oral gel on periodontal inflammation in patients with T2DM. Sixteen periodontal pockets (n=16) from patients with T2DM were administered with curcumin oral gel using blunt cannula after periodontal curettage. Gingival Index (GI) and Periodontal Pocket Probing Depth (PPD) were evaluated a month after application. GI was assessed using visible sign of inflammation parameters including swelling, redness and bleeding upon probing. PPD was assessed using UNC-15 periodontal probe. The results were analyzed by Wilcoxon test (two related samples). The results showed that GI before treatment decreased by 51.61% a month post application. There was statistically significant difference (Sig 0.003) between GI mean before and after curcumin application. PPD decreased by 42.81% and showed statistically significant difference (Sig 0.000) by Wilcoxon Test. It is concluded that application of curcumin oral gel post curettage could decrease periodontal inflammation in patients with T2DM.