bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical study of the ejection properties of a jet flowing into flooded space
Authors: Lutsenko A.Yu. , Kriushin V.A.
Published: March 2020

The purpose of the study was to carry out a numerical simulation of the interaction of an underexpanded supersonic jet flowing into a flooded space with a normally located obstacle, and with the underlying surface. We performed the calculations in the ANSYS Fluent software package and presented flow patterns. For the case when the obstacle is located normally to the axis of the jet, we compared the pressure distribution in the radial direction with experimental data and made a conclusion about the changes in the integral load on the wall with a change in the distance to the nozzle exit. For the case when the obstacle is parallel to the jet axis, we presented the pressure distribution along the wall in the plane of symmetry, estimated the relative net force acting on the underlying surface, analyzed the nature of its change at various values of the off-design coefficient, the Mach number on the nozzle exit and the distance to the jet axis.
FORDÍTÁS ÉS KÖZELÍTŐ TÖRTÉNELEMKÉPEK
Authors: LAJOS Katalin
Published: March 2020

Az egyes közösségeknek, csoportoknak egymásról és önmagukról kialakított és forgalmazott kollektív képzeteinek a létrejöttét, az identitásnak és a Másikkal szembeni viszonyulásnak a kérdéseit vizsgálja az összehasonlító imagológia, ami részben interdiszciplináris módszer, részben önálló tudományágnak is tekinthető. A történelemtudomány a maga diskurzusával szintén forgalmazhatja, alakíthatja ezeket a kollektív képzeteket, s azáltal, hogy nem csak a szűk szakmai közösség érdeklődésére tarthat számot, pozitív és negatív módon befolyásolhatja ezeket a hagyományos imázsokat. Tanulmányomban azt vizsgálom, hogy az 1989-es romániai fordulat után tematizálódik-e a történészek között az, hogy milyen kép is forgalmazódik a két történetírásban a román és magyar nép történetéről (és magáról a népről), illetve azt is elemzem, hogy a történelemtudományi munkák fordításai hogyan járulnak/ járulhatnak hozzá a két nemzet történelemképének közelítéséhez. Elemzésem fő tárgyát a magyar fordításban 2000 után megjelent jelentősebb román történelemtudományi munkák szövegelemzése képezi.
A KULTURÁLIS POLITIKA AZ ÁLLAMHATALOM ÉS A SZABADSÁG HATÁRÁN BRANKO PRNJAT
Authors: TÓTH GLEMBA Klára
Published: March 2020

A kulturális politika nem új keletű fogalom, felismerhető az időszámításunk előtti időszakban is, majd végigkísérhető a történelem folyamán egészen napjainkig. Kutatásának szükségességét és időszerűségét alátámasztja a kulturális életben mind jobban megnövekedett szereplők és jelenségek száma, amelyek állandó kihívásként hatnak a témát kutatókra. Branko Prnjat, a kulturális politika szerbiai úttörője nemcsak felismerte a fogalommal való foglalkozás szükségességet és indokoltságát, hanem megalapozta az egyetemi szinten való oktatását is. Általa jutott a kulturális politika olyan magas szintre, amely manapság mint tudatébredést definiálja, magába foglalja nemcsak az új értékek feltárását, hanem útmutató is egyben ezekhez az értékekhez. A többkultúrájú (multikulturális) közösség – amely ugyanakkor többnyelvű közösség is – teljes kibontakozása, identitásának megvalósulása csakis az államhatalom által gyakorolt kulturális politika egyenrangú alkalmazása, a kultúrák kölcsönös tiszteletben tartása alapján történhet meg.
ARANY MINT NOVELLISTA
Authors: MILBACHER Róbert
Published: March 2020

A tanulmány első körben számot vet azzal a ténnyel, hogy Arany prózaíróként, novellistaként kezdte a pályáját, illetve számba veszi az ezzel kapcsolatos szakirodalmi reakciók keresztmetszetét. Mindezek után egy mű alaposabb elemzését végzi el, amelyet a korabeli nevelődési és csinosodási diskurzus keretében vizsgál kapcsolatban Arany első megjelent írásával a Népnevelési ügyben című röpiratban kifejtett népszemléletével. Jelen írás tanulságként a Toldi népszemléletének újragondolását kínálja, ami a csinosodási diskurzus alaposabb bevonását teszi szükségessé a főmű értelmezésébe, illetve Arany végzetfilozófiájának korai megjelenését mutatja föl, ami a későbbi balladák értelmezési hagyományában fontos szerepet játszik.
A NYELVI ÉRINTKEZÉS FORMÁI A VAJDASÁGI MAGYAR CSALÁDNEVEKBEN
Authors: RAJSLI Ilona
Published: March 2020

A vajdasági magyar családnevek sokszínűsége főként a XVIII–XIX. századi betelepítés eseményeire, az ezzel járó migrációra vezethető vissza, de mindehhez nagyban hozzájárul(t) a vegyes házasságok emelkedő tendenciája is. A családnevekben érvényesülő kontaktusjelenségek lehetnek fonetikai eredetűek; főként a szerb és a magyar nyelv eltérő hangállománya eredményezi a Kürti > Kirti, Györe > Đere átírást. A nyelvek érintkezésekor számos helyesírási kérdés is felmerül: a latin és a cirill írásmód közötti váltás, a magyar ny, gy átírása, a hibrid névformák kialakulása (pl. Aničić Dália névegyüttes). Kutatásunk során foglalkozunk a magyarba átkerült családnevek meghonosodásának kérdéseivel: pl. a szláv eredetűek mellett a német névalakok beépülésével, az -ics ~ -ity képzős nevek integrálódásával, az azonos etimonú közszavak családnévvé válásával az érintkező nyelvekben. A vizsgált családnévkorpusz kialakításakor a régió névhasználatának diakrón aspektusa is fontos szempont volt.
READING THE FABRIC
Authors: VÉRY Dalma
Published: March 2020

Although it seems to be apparent today that language is not a “transparent medium”, interpretations focussing on the narratives of texts still seem to outweigh the efforts oriented upon how the text actually addresses the reader. The plain investigations of narratives do not concern themselves with what the text says in the way it speaks, but concentrate on assumed threads of sense and on hidden symbolism. The hermeneutic task is to engage in a dialogue with the text by way of concentrating on the surface of its fabric as texture, i.e. to ask what way the text addresses the reader inasmuch as it speaks and how one hears it. In the attempt to unfurl the text as fabric, one has to lay bare the phenomenal sense of the sign, of speech as language, of hearing, but also of the text as space. In this way, one may actually follow the intertwining threads of perception, sense and affectedness throughout the process of reading, and may thus gain genuine insight into what the text as fabric reveals. Excerpts from James Joyce’s Ulysses demonstrate how the eminent unfolding of the fabric requires attention to its diverse facets.
Caracterización anatómica del conducto nasopalatino mediante tomografía computarizada de haz cónico en una población peruana
Authors: Obando Castillo Jorge Luis , Ruiz García de Chacón Vilma Elizabeth
Published: March 2020

El Conducto Nasopalatino (CNP) es una estructura importante que puede ser susceptible de daño durante procedimientos quirúrgicos en el maxilar superior anterior; por lo tanto examinar meticulosamente la anatomía y variantes del CNP se hace imperativo para un buen diagnóstico y un apropiado plan de tratamiento. Objetivo: Realizar una caracterización anatómica del CNP utilizando Tomografía Computarizada de Haz Cónico (TCHC). Material y métodos: Se evaluaron 154 imágenes de TCHC, en las que se analizó CNP en cuanto a su longitud, forma, e inclinación con respecto al paladar duro y el diámetro anteroposterior del foramen incisivo (FI) en hombres y mujeres de 18 años de edad en adelante. Resultados: A la evaluación del CNP en cortes sagitales de TCHC presentó diferentes formas; se encontró que la forma más común fue la cilíndrica en 89 pacientes (58%), seguida de la forma de embudo en 38 (25%), y las menos frecuentes fueron la forma a de reloj de arena en 20 (13%) y de huso en 7 (5%). La longitud promedio del CNP fue de 10,83 mm (± 2,13), el promedio del diámetro anteroposterior del FI fue de 3,44 mm (± 0,80) y la angulación promedio en relación al paladar duro fue den 16,44° (± 7,32).Conclusiones: El estudio mostró la variabilidad del CNP en la población peruana, tanto en la forma, longitud e inclinación, así como también en el diámetro del FI.
Redox properties’ changing in canned products as an effect of citric and ascorbic acids’ addition
Authors: Kondratenko V. V. , Patsuk L. K. , Fedosenko T. V. , Tsaryova M. A. , Medvedeva E. A.
Published: March 2020

Presents the results of investigation for influence of citric and ascorbic acids added to puree from apple, plum, carrot and pumpkin on the reducing capacity index. The concentration of the minor component was varied from 0 to 0.8% for citric acid and from 0 to 120 mg in 100 g for ascorbic acid. Active acidity (pH) and the redox potential (Eh) were determined in the finished products. The reducing capacity index (RH) was calculated by the original method. The presence of a statistically significant effect for the mass fraction of citric acid added to vegetables puree on the reducing capacity index was established. However, the effects for the carrot and pumpkin puree were the opposite. Positive effect was observed for pumpkin puree only, where the target dynamic was occurred until the mass fraction of the minor components in the product become up to 0.1%. The expediency of ascorbic acid addition to pumpkin and fruit puree for positive correction of the reducing capacity index with concentration up to 70-80 mg per 100 g of product was obtained. Further increase in concentration showed a tendency to transfer plateau area in relationship "concentration - RH». For the same reason the maximum effective from the viewpoint of influence on reducing properties of carrot puree mass fraction of ascorbic acid was 15-20 mg per 100 g product.
Features of effective innovative design in the field of electric power industry
Authors: Armashova G. S. , Kanavcev M. V.
Published: March 2020

Recently, the traditional energy system cannot satisfy the needs of a large number of users, therefore, to ensure efficient use of energy, it is necessary to apply new structures and technologies. Today, the key problem of the Russian energy community is low energy efficiency, which, in turn, has a negative impact on the country's economy. Innovative transformations can play a major role in improving energy efficiency. The introduction of methods and technologies of predictive analytics allows for the most efficient reengineering of production processes and the highest quality prioritization in the development and implementation of innovative products. The integration of intelligent network technologies, sustainable energy resources is an important path to sustainable development. To increase the share of import substitution, and in the long term to start exporting the developed technologies and ready-made technical solutions, support and development of the innovation environment and existing promising projects both from the state and infrastructure organizations, as well as from market participants are necessary. A number of areas of innovative transformations in the electric power industry have been identified, which in the near future will determine promising technological and market trends. When creating effective innovative projects, it is important to choose the right approach used in innovative design. In addition, in the current market conditions, the efficiency of the energy industry directly reflects the effectiveness of the adopted and implemented innovative solutions. Being one of the most important factors in the socio-economic development of any state, the state of the energy complex and its relationship with other sectors of the national economy determines its significant impact on the sustainable innovative development of Russia.
Methodical approach to optimization of business processes on the basis of analysis of differentiation parameters within the development and implementation of the competitive strategy of the company
Authors: Plahin A. E. , Al Ogili S. M. , Khokholush M. S.
Published: March 2020

The development of a company's competitive strategy, being an important factor in its development, defines an integrated approach to competitiveness management by applying a wide range of tools, including those based on managing and optimizing the company's key business processes. The purpose of the study was to develop and test a methodological approach to optimizing the business processes of the leather industry company of the Republic of Iraq on the basis of a series of successive steps, including both assessing individual parameters of the differentiation of the competitive strategy and identifying problem areas for further setting up business processes. Using various research methods: economic, statistical, comparative analysis, analogy and rationale, the authors propose developments to assess competitiveness and its increase in relation to organizations operating in the leather industry. The results of the study are expressed in the form of developing an author's algorithm for identifying competitiveness parameters in accordance with the type of competitive strategy, as well as in the form of developing a matrix for determining a competitive strategy. Based on a synthesis of scientific research, the authors presented for scientific consideration the main parameters for differentiating the business model of leather products, as well as an analytical scheme of cost analysis in relation to the object of study. The presented methodology can be used to build an effective system of government support measures, and can also be used in the educational process of higher educational institutions as didactic and practical material.
The use of green mass of Jerusalem artichoke together with the “Enzimsporin” probiotic complex and the “Fungistat-GPK” sorbent as part of compound feeds for rabbits
Authors: Kurchaeva E. E.
Published: March 2020

To evaluate the effectiveness of the “Enzimsporin” probiotic preparation together with grass meal from Jerusalem artichoke green mass for feeding young rabbits, 200 French “Hypharm” rabbits (males) rabbits (males) were selected in the conditions of the “Lipetsk rabbit” LLC industrial complex, which are 45 days old on the principle groups – analogues were divided into 2 groups. Fattening was carried out until the age of 105 days. Rabbits of the 1st group (control) received mixed feed without additives, rabbits of the 2nd group were additionally injected with the probiotic preparation “Enzimsporin” 1.0 g/kg of mixed feed and a sorbent-toxin neutralizer “Fungistat-GPK” 2.0 g / kg mixed feed along with grass meal from green mass of Jerusalem artichoke in an optimally selected dosage of 15% by weight of the mixed feed. Upon reaching the age of 105 days, rabbits of the 1st group (control) were characterized by live weight, which was less than the weight of individuals of the 2nd group - by 284.0 g or 9.80%. The safety of the livestock in the control group was 90%, in the 2nd group 100%. An analysis of the morphological composition of rabbit carcasses showed that the use of the studied feed additives contributes to a more intensive growth of muscle tissue and an increase in the quality indicators and nutritional value of the obtained raw meat. Thus, the “Enzimsporin” preparation together with herbal flour from the green mass of Jerusalem artichoke is a promising product from a number of probiotics used in animal feeding and can increase the productivity and quality of rabbit meat.
Adhesive Properties of Fiber-Reinforced Poly(Ether-Ether-Ketone)Polymer Modified with Helium Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma and Deep-Ultraviolet Light
Authors: Okawa Seigo , Taka Norimasa , Aoyagi Yujin
Published: March 2020

We investigated the effect of helium atmospheric-pressure plasma (PL) and deep-ultraviolet (UV) light treatments on the adhesive properties of fiber-reinforced poly(ether-ether-ketone)polymer (PEEK). PEEK disks reinforced with carbon (CPEEK) or glass (GPEEK) fibers were polished, modified with PL and UV for 60 s, and the surface energy was calculated by measuring the contact angles. The disk surfaces were analyzed by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Shear bond strength testing was performed using a universal testing machine, and the fracture surfaces were observed by electron probe microanalyzer. Data were analyzed with one and two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test (p < 0.05). The surface energies were increased by the modifications, which created OH functional groups on the surfaces. The bond strengths of CPEEK were increased by PL and those of GPEEK were increased by PL and UV, owing to chemical bonding at the interface.
Oncogenic Signaling Pathways in Cancer: An Overview
Authors: Derakhshani Afshin , Rostami Zeinab , Taefehshokr Sina , Safarpour Hossein , Astamal Reza Vaezi , Taefehshokr Nima , Alizadeh Nazila , Argentiero Antonella , Silvestris Nicola , Baradaran Behzad
Published: March 2020

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. It is theorized that underlying genetic and epigenetic changes enable cells to proliferate out of control by escaping regulatory mechanisms. The progression of cancer is associated with increased cell proliferation, metabolic modifications, resistance to apoptosis, genetic instability, induction of angiogenesis and augmented migratory capability. Recent developments in DNA and RNA analysis have made it possible to study these genetic changes systematically. These advances have enabled us to possess a deeper knowledge of the signaling pathways and involved processes. In-depth studies of the pathways involved in carcinogenesis have led to the identification of pathways that may be targeted for therapeutic purposes. In this review, we provide an overview of the relevant mechanisms and pathways involved in the development and progression of cancer.
Autodissemination of Pyriproxyfen as Novel Strategy to Control Dengue Outbreaks: A Review
Authors: Mohd Ngesom Ahmad Mohiddin , Md Lasim Asmalia , Sahani Mazrura , Hod Rozita , Othman Hidayatulfathi
Published: March 2020

The new emergence and re-emergence of arbovirus infections vectored by Aedes mosquitoes have been spread across Southeast Asia, Central Africa, United States, tropical Oceania and become a major of public health concerns. These arbovirus diseases found to have a similar vector, symptoms of the diseases and environments. The situation has become complicated without any specific vaccine or treatment for the diseases. As far as we concern, vector control is the best defense with many challenges, a scattered breeding site and biological behavioral sometimes, more difficult to control. Herein, we present a review of studies on current techniques proposed to combat arbovirus infections vectored by Aedes mosquitoes. A crucial gap in a vector control program is the inability to eliminate and destroy the cryptic breeding site by using conventional control methods. The idea and proper concept of using mosquitoes to bring insecticide to their oviposition site had been getting more interest in people to explore. Autodissemination is a self-delivery technique by manipulating the behavior of mosquitoes, carrying the insecticide and disseminate to cryptic breeding sites. This technique has shown a promising result in some countries and can be considered as additional tools in a vector control program
Therapeutic Approaches for COVID-19 Based on the Dynamics of Interferon-mediated Immune Responses
Authors: Shahabi nezhad Farbod , Mosaddeghi Pouria , Negahdaripour Manica , Dehghani Zahra , Farahmandnejad Mitra , Moghadami Mohsen , Nezafat Navid , Masoompour Seyed Masoom
Published: March 2020

As the outbreak of COVID-19 has accelerated, an urgent need for finding strategies to combat the virus is growing. Thus, gaining more knowledge on the pathogenicity mechanism of SARS-CoV-2, the causing agent of COVID-19, and its interaction with the immune system is of utmost importance. Although this novel virus is not well known yet, its structural and genetic similarity with SARS-CoV as well as the comparable pattern of age-mortality relations suggest that the previous findings on SARS can be applicable for COVID-19. Therefore, a systems biology study was conducted to investigate the underlying mechanism for the differences in the age-specific mortality of SARS and the most important signaling pathways activated by the virus. The results were then validated through a literature review on COVID-19 and the other closely related viruses, SARS and MERS. Interferons have shown to possess a crucial role in the defense against coronavirus diseases. The virus can impede the interferon induction in humans. Moreover, STAT1, a key protein in the interferon mediated immune response, is antagonized by the virus. This could explain the increased response threshold of immune cells to IFNs during CoV infections. A vivid correlation between the innate immune response threshold and the fatality rates in COVID-19 can be found. Differences in the dynamics of the interferons-related innate immune responses in children, adults and elderly may explain the reported fatality rates. The increased mortality rates in the elderly can be explained by the higher threshold of interferon-mediated immune responses. Earlier induction of interferons in children and their less developed immune system could be the reason behind their zero or near to zero fatality rate. Administration of interferon-inducing agents, such as Poly (ICLC), could reduce the mortality of SARS at the very early stages of the disease. Adding interferon-γ to an interferon-I, as a synergistic combination therapy, might maximize the benefits.At the later stages of the disease, however, the balance of the immune reactions would be disrupted and the responses would shift toward immnopathogenic over-reactions and probably cytokine storm. Moderating the activity of the immune system and supportive care in such conditions might be the optimum approach.
The Ideal of Highly Mobile Prisoners. Re-legitimating Prison Through a New Paradox
Authors: Mincke Christophe
Published: March 2020

In our paper, we develop the hypothesis of a general call for high mobility and discuss the consequences of it. First, we examine the contemporary social representations of mobility, looking for a definition of what is seen as being properly mobile. We will then show how intertwined social representations of space and time result in the prevalent vision of an inevitable and constant mobility. Next, we will thus discuss the importance of seeing mobility as much more than its material facet. Our third step will be to propose a formalisation of the contemporary requisite for mobility. Through four imperatives (activity, activation, participation, adaptation), the mobilitarian ideal requires each person and organisation to be constantly active, mobile, flexible, networking, etc. We argue that, today, we are all meant to be highly mobile. We will illustrate this point with the example of the parliamentary documents of the Belgian Prison Act (2005) in which prison is open and porous, good inmates are described as dynamic individuals on the move and the legitimate penitentiary system is a paradoxical mobilisation system. We will conclude by discussing the need to reshape our vision of the prison, considering its apparently paradoxical relation with mobility.
Dunkl Generalization of Phillips Operators and Approximation in Weighted Spaces
Authors: Mursaleen M. , Nasiruzzaman Md , Kilicman Adem , Sapar Siti Hasana
Published: March 2020

Purpose of this article is to introduce a modification of Phillips operators on the interval $\left[ \frac{1}{2},\infty \right) $ via Dunkl generalization. This type of modification enables a better error estimation on the interval $\left[ \frac{1}{2},\infty \right) $ rather than the classical Dunkl Phillips operators on $\left[ 0,\infty \right) $. We discuss the convergence results and obtain the degrees of approximations. Furthermore, we calculate the rate of convergence by means of modulus of continuity, Lipschitz type maximal functions, Peetre's $K$-functional and second order modulus of continuity.
Experimental Implementation Of a Low Cost Full Analog Self-Jammer Canceller for UHF RFID Devices
Authors: Rossi Massimiliano , Liberati Riccardo  Maria , Frasca Marco , Richardson John
Published: March 2020

The paper investigates the performance of a full analog self-jammer canceller able to operate in UHF RFID devices. The scheme has been realized using only SMT devices avoiding custom designed components. The paper analyzes the theoretical performance and experimental validation using a modular microwave technology approach.
Binding Epitopes of 2019-nCoV Proteins for Perspective Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications: Insights from Computational Approaches
Authors: D'Annessa Ilda , Marchetti Filippo , Colombo Giorgio
Published: March 2020

The appearance of the novel betacoronavirus 2019-nCoV represents a major threat to human health, and its diffusion around the world is predicted to have dramatic economic consequences. The knowledge of the 3D structures of 2019-nCoV proteins can facilitate the development of diagnostic and therapeutic molecules. Herein, we apply our energy-based method for the prediction of potential epitopes on viral proteins to design peptide-based molecules that can subsequently be used in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. We discuss these aspects in the paper.The designs have not been tested. Our aim is to share information that can be useful in the development of novel biomolecules with potential interesting activities against 2019-nCoV.
The Synergistic Effects of Ixeris dentata and Lactobacillus gasseri Extracts on a Diabetes-induced Dry Mouth Model by Enhancing Antioxidation
Authors: Lee Hwa Young , Gu Mingkun , Cheng Jinhua , Suh Joo Won , Chae Han-Jung
Published: March 2020

Dry mouth, hyposalivation, or xerostomia is a significant problem in diabetic patients; however, there was no way to relieve these symptoms. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Ixeris dentata (IXD) in combination with lactobacillus extract on the salivation rate in diabetes-induced dry mouth, and its mechanism was also investigated. In the streptozotocin-induced diabetes model, dry mouth condition was established as a model. Both control and diabetic rats were treated with a sublingual spray of either water or IXD and subsequently treated with or without a spray of lactobacillus extract. In diabetes condition, the salivary flow rate, amylase activity, and aquaporin-5 and Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE-1) expressions were markedly decreased, whereas they were more significantly recovered in the sequential treatment of IXD-lactobacillus extract than each single treatment. Furthermore, oxidative stress and its related ER stress response were especially regulated in the IXD/lactobacillus extract condition, where the following anti-oxidative enzymes; GSH:GSSG ratio, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were involved. This study suggests that the combination of IXD and lactobacillus would be a potential alternative medicine against diabetes-induced hyposalivation and xerostomia.
Classification of Google Play Store Application Reviews Using Machine Learning
Authors: Karim Abdul , BELHAOUARI SAMIR BRAHIM , SN Azhari , Qureshi Ali Adil
Published: March 2020

Google play store allow the user to download a mobile application (app) and user get inspired by the rating and reviews of the mobile app. A recent study analyzes that user preferences, user opinion for improvement, user sentiment about particular feature and detail with descriptions of experiences are very useful for an application developer. However, many application reviews are very large and difficult to process manually. Star rating is given of the whole application and the developer cannot analyze the single feature. In this research, we have scrapped 282,231 user reviews through different data scraping techniques. We have applied the text classification on these user reviews. We have applied different algorithms and find the precision, accuracy, F1 score and recall. In evaluated results, we have to find the best algorithm.
Better pulmonary function is associated with greater handgrip strength in a healthy Chinese Han population
Authors: Chen Liangmei , Liu Xiaomin , Wang Qian , Jia Linpei , Song Kangkang , Nie Sasa , Zhang Yinping , Cao Dan , Zhao Delong , Li Zuoxiang , Dong Zheyi , Zheng Ying , Duan Shuwei , Sun Xuefeng , Feng Zhe , Cai Guangyan , Zhang Weiguang , Chen Xiangmei
Published: March 2020

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) has been widely studied in clinical and epidemiological settings, but the relationship between HGS and pulmonary function is still controversial. This study analyzed pulmonary function and HGS stratified by sex and age in a healthy Chinese Han population, as well as the associations between HGS and pulmonary function parameters. Methods: HGS was measured by a Jamar dynamometer and pulmonary function was tested using a portable spirometer. Frequencies and variables are presented as percentages and means ± standard deviations, respectively. Chi-square tests were used for comparisons of categorical variables, and Student’s t-tests or Mann–Whitney U-tests were used for continuous variables. Pearson correlation analysis was used between normally distributed variables, and Spearman correlation analysis was used for non-normally distributed variables. Multivariate linear regression models were employed to explore the relationships between HGS and parameters of pulmonary function. The statistical significance was set at p <0.01. Results: Cross-sectional data were available for 1519 subjects (59.0% females, 57.9±13.1 years old). Males had higher average HGS than females (40.2 vs 25.0 kg, p <0.01 ), as well as better pulmonary function. Both HGS and pulmonary function parameters were significantly inversely correlated with age (r ≤ -0.30, p < 0.01). Maximum value of vital capacity (VC max), forced expiratory volume in 3 second (FEV3) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were strongly correlated with HGS among the pulmonary function indices (r=0.72, 0.70 and 0.69, respectively, p <0.001). In multivariate linear regression analysis, HGS and height were positively correlated, while age and pulse pressure were negatively correlated with HGS. In male, FVC, VC max and FEV3 increased by 0.02L, 0.023L and 0.03L in per 1 kg increase in HGS, respectively. The coefficients of HGS in female was smaller than those in male. Conclusions: Both pulmonary function and HGS were inversely correlated with age, and better pulmonary function was associated with greater handgrip strength.
Dysfunction of Shh signaling impaired trophoblast motility and autophagy is involved in poor placentation of recurrent miscarriage
Authors: Pan Yibin , Yan Lili , Chen Qiaoqiao , Wei Cheng , Dai Yongdong , Tong Xiaomei , Zhu Haiyan , Lu Meifei , Zhang Yanling , Jin Xiaoying , Zhang Tai , Lin Xiaona , Zhang Songying
Published: March 2020

Background: In early pregnancy, the placenta anchors the conceptus and supports embryonic development and survival. This study aimed to investigate the underlying functions of Shh signaling on recurrent miscarriage, an serious disorder of pregnancy. Methods: Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to detect protein expression and its location in placental tissues. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to examine mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Lentiviruses expressing short hairpin RNA were used to knock down the target genes. Cell invasion and migration were performed by with or without Matrigel-coated transwell, respectively. Primary trophoblast migration was performed by villous explant assay. RNA-sequence was used to investigate the genes transcription profile. CCK-8 assay was used to evaluate cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell apoptosis. Results: Our results showed that Shh and Gli2 were mainly located in cytotrophoblasts (CTBs), Ptch was mainly located in syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs), while Smo and Gli3 were expressed in both CTBs and STBs. Compared to the gestational age-matched normal human placenta, the expression of Shh was significantly decreased in recurrent miscarriage. Furthermore, inhibition of Shh signaling impaired motility of JAR cells via regulating the expression of Gli2 and Gli3 to decrease AKT Ser473 phosphorylation, elevate E-cadherin and VEGFA. Intriguingly, inhibition of Shh signaling also enhanced autophagy and autolysosome. Additionally, knockdown BECN1 reversed the effect of Gant61 on motility inhibition. Conclusion: Our results indicated that dysfunction of Shh signaling impaired trophoblast motility, angiogenesis and activated autophagy in villous trophoblast, which would contribute to the pathophysiology of recurrent miscarriage.
The efficacy and safety of combined immune checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab plus ipilimumab): a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gu Lihu , Li Shengnan , Du Nannan , Yao Qigu , Fu Xiaojun , Lou Yuanmei , Wang Mengru , Mao Feiyan , Mao Danyi , Khadaroo Parikshit Asutosh , Tang Yingying
Published: March 2020

Background: Currently, nivolumab and ipilimumab are the most widely used immune checkpoint inhibitors. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of nivolumab-ipilimumab combination therapy in cancer treatment. Methods: We examined data from PubMed, Web of science, EBSCO and Cochrane library. Eleven articles fulfilled our criteria, which we divided into 3 groups; nivolumab and ipilimumab versus ipilimumab, nivolumab and ipilimumab versus ipilimumab and nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 3 mg/kg (N1I3) versus nivolumab 3 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg (N3I1). We measured the complete response (CR), partial response (PR), objective response rate (ORR) and TRAEs in any grade and grade 3 or higher. Results: Compared with ipilimumab alone, the combined immunotherapy had better CR (RR: 4.89, p <0.001), PR (RR: 2.75, p <0.001), and ORR (RR: 3.31, p <0.001). The overall effect estimate favored the combined immunotherapy group in terms of the ORR (RR: 1.40, p <0.001) and PR (RR: 1.50, p <0.001) than nivolumab alone. Finally, N1I3 showed better PR (RR: 1.35, p =0.006) and ORR (RR: 1.21, p =0.03) than N3I1. The incidence of any TRAEs was similar between the both groups (RR: 1.05, p =0.06). However, the incidence of serious adverse events (grade 3 or higher) were lower in group N3I1 than group N1I3 (RR: 1.51, p <0.001). Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that the curative effect of nivolumab plus ipilimumab was better than that of ipilimumab or nivolumab monotherapy. In the combination group, N1I3 combination was more effective than N3I1. Although the side effects were slightly increased in group N1I3, the overall safety was acceptable.
Validity and Reliability of the Amharic Version of the HLS-EU-Q47 Survey Questionnaire among Urban School Adolescents and University students in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Authors: Hassen Hailemariam Mamo , Behera Manas Ranjan , Jena Pratap Kumar , Satpathy Sudhir K Kumar
Published: March 2020

Background: Comprehensive tool is not available to assess health literacy status across different languages, contexts and population structures except European health literacy survey scale (HLS-EU-Q47) which is widely used adapted and tested in different countries and languages. However, it was not tested for Ethiopian populations. This study aim was to validate and test the reliability of the Amharic version of the HLS-EU-Q47 survey questionnaire (HLS-Amh) among school adolescents and university students in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Method: A cross-sectional study with multistage random sampling was done on urban school adolescents and university students from public schools and Dire Dawa University in Dire Dawa city, Ethiopia, Africa. After translating HLS‐EU‐Q47 into Amharic by translation and back- translation, data was collected using a self-reported questionnaire from samples of 744 participants with 9% non-response rate in October and November, 2018. Confirmatory factor analysis and correlation analysis was done using SPSS and AMOS. Goodness of fit indices, item-scale convergent validity, Pearson correlation coefficient, floor and ceiling effects, Cronbach's alpha and split-half spearman-brown coefficient was computed taking the cut-off values from guidelines and literatures. Ethical issue was contemplated and informed consent was obtained from institutions and participants. Result: Amharic version of HLS- EU-Q47, (HLS-Amh) was reliable but weak for its validity to measure health literacy among urban school adolescents and university students in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Goodness-of-fit indices (GFI, AGFI, CFI and IFI) were within range of 0.90-0.80. Although, RMSEA indices were less 0.10, others have made it insufficient to be said as a good model-data fit and was not tolerable for its validity, and the model lacked strength to meet the model-fit indices satisfaction with higher apparent floor/ceiling effects. However, it showed high levels of internal consistency of reliability with relatively higher Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α=0.910). Conclusions: HLS-Amh was reliable but weak for its validity on these population groups. It can be used for a general survey on awareness and knowledge other than screening substantial and clinical related inquiries. It needs further adaptation and validation for comprehensiveness for demographic, multi-lingual and cultural contexts in Ethiopia.
A quasi-experimental and Guided Social Media Intervention to Improve Mental Health Literacy Level of Urban School Adolescents in Ethiopia: A Detailed Study Protocol
Authors: Hassen Hailemariam Mamo , Behera Manas Ranjan , Jena Pratap Kumar , Satpathy Sudhir Kumar
Published: March 2020

Background: Studies showed Ethiopian adolescents have lower knowledge and awareness about resilient and risk factors and preventive methods of mental health problems that increases mental health promotion and prevention gap. Addressing this gap in school settings using technology assisted mental health promotion platforms could help improve mental health literacy level. Therefore, evaluating effectiveness outcomes of guided social media intervention to improve mental health literacy of school adolescents is convenient issue. Methods: Quantitative and quasi-experimental study will be used among urban school adolescent in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Following pretest measure among adolescents who have smart phones or social media access and age > 15 years old, participants will be assigned by regression discontinuity design as good as random and then mental health literacy module will be delivered through face book/telegram group to be created for about four weeks and posttest will be done after lapse of a week. Control group will receive posts on effective academic studying skills. Adapted and tested questionnaire in convenient local languages along with English version will be used. Inferential statistics will be applied with significance level of p<0.05. Informed voluntary consent will be obtained from participants, their parents/guardians and school directors. Ethical approval is already obtained.Discussion: Mental health promotion in school settings most importantly using technology assisted mental health promotion platforms supposed to be cost-effective, accessible, acceptable, adoptable, appropriate, feasible, reliable, scalable and sustainable approach helping tailor mental health literacy focused mental health first aid practices still deficient and new for Ethiopia. The study will test the hypothesis whether social media is effective channel of intervention in improving mental health literacy level of urban school adolescents.
Genome-wide mapping of alternative splicing in the elite wheat cultivar Xiaoyan 6
Authors: Mao Hude , Zhang Jin , Guo Lijian , Chi Qing , Mei Fangming , Liu Xiangli , Zhao Huixian
Published: March 2020

Background: Triticum aestivum, or common wheat, is a globally important cereal crop. Alternative splicing (AS) is an important post-transcriptional regulation mechanism in higher eukaryotes, but the knowledge of AS in wheat is limited at present. Results: In this study, we performed AS mapping from the elite, high-yielding wheat cultivar Xiaoyan 6. We identified 18,960 and 25,133 novel protein-coding genes and transcript models that were not annotated in the draft genome of wheat cultivar Chinese Spring. We also found that 18,868 genes were alternatively spliced, and classified four major AS types, including alternative acceptor sites (AA), intron retention (IR), alternative donor sites (AD), and exon skipping (ES). Further analysis determined that differences in the AS frequency and AS types displayed a positive correlation with exon number and intron length and were negatively correlated with the GC content, but were not correlated with gene transcriptional level. Furthermore, we identified 2,737 seed-specific AS genes in wheat cultivar Xiaoyan 6, and demonstrated that the number of AS genes in the grain decreased with seed development, suggesting that the earlier developmental stages are more important and complex than are the later stages. In addition, the grain-specific AS genes that were ubiquitously significantly up-regulated during seed development were associated with metabolism-related pathways, indicating that AS of metabolism-related genes is crucial for grain filling in wheat. Conclusions: Through transcriptome analysis, over ten thousand AS genes were identified and characterized in wheat cultivar Xiaoyan 6. Our study provides a comprehensive view of AS in the wheat cultivar Xiaoyan 6 and provides new insights into the complexity of AS in wheat. The data generated in this study provides a foundation for further studies of seed development in wheat.
Evaluation of ATP-PostC protective effect on myocardial function: A speckle tracking echocardiography study in ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Ren Min , Li Keting , Liu Xuemei , Yang Hongyu , Jiang Zhonghui , Wu Xinyu , Liu Yujie
Published: March 2020

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) seriously affects the prognosis of patients. We sought to use speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to accurately evaluate the effect of drugs. Methods: In this study, STE was used to quantitatively evaluate the changes of myocardial function before and after reperfusion in myocardial ischemia rabbits with ischemia postconditioning (I-PostC) or ATP postconditioning. The variations of the left ventricular (LV) longitudinal, circumferential and radial myocardium were detected by STE technique. Meanwhile, a series of biochemical experiments were performed including myocardial enzymes assay, myocardial infarction size assay and TUNEL assay. Results: After ligation of coronary artery for 45 min, the strain and strain rate curves of left ventricular myocardium was disordered. The most STE parameters were significantly diminished and the time of reaching peak was delayed. After reperfusion for 120 min, the parameters (longitudinal, circumferential, radial strain and strain rate, as well as ventricular torsion function) were obvious recovery in I-PostC and ATP postconditioning groups. The sensitivity and specificity of global circumferential peak strain (GCSp), global longitudinal peak strain (GLSp), peak twist (Ptw) and peak twisting velocity (PTV) to diagnose myocardial infarction rabbits were 86.1% and 75%, 79.2% and 72.5%, 79.2% and 75%, 66.7% and 70.8%, respectively. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine phosphokinase isozyme (CKMB) were up-regulated in I/R group. AST and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) values significantly reduced in the other three groups. The Bax expression was decreased, simultaneously, the Bcl-2 expression was increased after I-PostC and ATP postconditioning treatment. Conclusions: The application of STE in the assessment of IRI has high accuracy and reproducibility. Therefore, ATP has an important clinical value as a pharmacologic postconditioning drug.
Identification of novel candidate biomarkers and efficacious small molecule drugs for pancreatic adenocarcinoma based on comprehensive bioinformatics technology
Authors: Yang Jie , Wang Peng , Li Yuan-Yuan
Published: March 2020

Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is considered as one of most serious solid tumors with high mortality as well as incidence. We performed this present study to screen out novel biomarkers and potential efficacious small drugs in PAAD using integrated bioinformatics analyses. Methods: Expression profiles derived from TCGA and GTEx datasets were integrated by following bioinformatics methods: DEGs analysis, WGCNA, KEGG and GO enrichment analyses. Kaplan-Meier method was conducted to assess the prognostic performance of genes, and the predictive value of identified genes was determined by the ROC analysis. CMap analysis was utilized to identify the related small molecule drugs in PAAD. Results: A total of 4777 DEGs containing 2536 up-regulated and 2241 down-regulated genes were identified. WGCNA identified six modules that were related with clinical characteristics, and functional enrichment analyses showed that all genes of blue module were enriched in EMT, PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and other important biological processes and pathways. Moreover, three genes ( ITGB1 , ITGB5 , and OSMR ) of blue module were determined as key genes with higher expression levels and significant prognostic value. ROC analysis revealed that these three genes had excellent diagnostic efficiency for PAAD. These three key genes were highly regulated in PAAD tissues compared with normal controls. A panel of small molecule drugs including thapsigargin, viomycin, adiphenine, and CP-690334-01 were screened out to treat PAAD. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings identified three key genes implicated in PAAD and screened out several potential small drugs to treat it, which may shed novel insights into the development of PAAD and its treatment.
Association between Male Involvement in Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness and women’s use of institutional delivery in West Arsi Zone South Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study
Authors: Gemechu Bikila Lencha , Ketema Kassahun , Beresa Girma , Ami Bonso , Urgessa Aman
Published: March 2020

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), pregnancy and childbirth continue to be viewed as solely a woman’s issues. Increasing partner participation and encouraging joint decision making in maternal health care may provide an important strategy in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.Objective: To assess the level of male partner involvement in Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) and its association with women’s use of institutional delivery among mothers who had a child less than 12 months in West Arsi Zone, South Ethiopia Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in West Arsi Zone South Ethiopia in 2019. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. Data was collected using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Binary and multivariable logistic regression was applied for the analysis of each of the independent variables against the dependent variable. The association between male involvement in BPCR and women’s use of institutional delivery was done. The results were reported using crude and adjusted odds ratio (OR) with their 95% confidence interval. Results: More than half of male partners, 407 (54.3%) accompanied their wife during ANC follow up at least ones for the last pregnancy. Slightly more than three fourth, 571 (76.1%) of male partners involved in BPCR for the last pregnancy. Fife hundred fifty-four (73.9%) of the mothers gave birth in the health institution for the most recent child. Male involvement in BPCR (aOR = 18.7, 95% CI (11.1 – 31.6), joint decision making about place of delivery (aOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.76 – 5.7), urban residence (aOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.32 – 3.7) and having two or less under-five children (aOR, 95% CI: 2.7 (1.4 – 5.3) were associated with women’s use of institutional delivery. Conclusion: More than three fourth of male partners involved BPCR. Male involvement in BPCR, joint decision making about place of delivery, urban residence and having ≤ 2 under-five children were associated with women’s use of institutional delivery. Designing and implementing health education on the role of male partner in maternal health care is mandatory. Empowering rural mothers to use health institutions for delivery and birth spacing may improve the magnitude of institutional delivery.