bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using electrical impedance tomography for rapid determination of starch and soluble sugar contents in Rosa hybrida
Authors: Qian Ji , Zhou Juan , Di Bao , Liu Yang , Zhang Gang
Published: May 2020

Background
Soluble sugar and starch, as carbon sources, directly participate in plant metabolism by providing energy. Conventional determination of plant starch and soluble sugar content usually involves destructive sampling, complicated procedures, and considerable amounts of chemicals and labor. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a non-destructive and rapid method for determining plant starch and soluble sugar contents. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) technology has been used to determine the physiological state and cold resistance of plant tissues. However, so far there have been no reports on the use of EIT for the rapid estimation of soluble sugar and starch contents.
Results
In this study, EIT was used to obtain reconstructed voltage values and estimate starch and soluble sugar contents in the stems of three Rosa hybrida cultivars during February to May. Stems from two of the cultivars were used for establishing regression models for starch and soluble sugar contents as functions of reconstructed voltage values. The third cultivar was used to test the accuracy of the regression models. The results showed that the reconstructed voltage value significantly correlated with soluble sugar and starch contents. The quadratic regression model was best for determining soluble sugar content and the logarithmic regression model was best for determining starch content.
Conclusions
Thus, we preliminarily established and verified regression models for estimating soluble sugar and starch contents using reconstructed voltage values of rose stems. These data provide technical support for using EIT to analyze changes in physiological parameters and to rapidly estimate physiological indexes of plants.
miR-577 suppressed the metastasis, EMT and viability via NF-κB pathway by targeting CXCL5 through in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tu Lirui , Liu Jing , Li Wei , Song Xiuguang , Xu Hongwei
Published: May 2020

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant cancer worldwide. miR-577 have a role in inhibiting cell viability, metastasis in many tumors. This research was to explore the great role of miR-577 in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Methods

RT-qPCR and western blot were performed to evaluate the the miR-577 and genes mRNA and protein levels. Transwell assay and CCK-8 were applied to measure the viable and invasive abilities. Meanwhile, Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess the survival of HCC patients.
Results

miR-577 was downregulated in HCC tissues, which predicted a worse overall survival in HCC. miR-577 targeted to CXCL5 and mediated its expression in HCC. miR-577 suppressed cell invasion and EMT in HuH-7 cells. miR-577 inhibited cell viability via NF-κB pathway. In addition, miR-577 overxpression impaired the xenograft growth of HuH-7 cells.
Conclusion

miR-577 inhibited cell invasion, EMT and viability via NF-κB pathway by targeting to CXCL5 in HCC. The newly identified miR-577/CXCL5 axis provides novel insight into the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Novel strategy with the automatic non-coplanar volumetric-modulated arc therapy for angiosarcoma of the scalp.
Authors: Inui Shoki , Ueda Yoshihiro , Ohira Shingo , Tsuru Haruhi , Isono Masaru , Miyazaki Masayoshi , Koizumi Masahiko , Teshima Teruki
Published: May 2020

Background Total scalp irradiation presents technical and dosimetric challenges. While reports suggest that HyperArc, a new stereotactic radiosurgery planning technique, is associated with high conformity and rapid dose fall-off, the performance of HyperArc plans for cancers of the head and neck regions has not been explored. The current study aimed to compare the dosimetric performance of HyperArc plans with those of non-coplanar volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans in angiosarcoma of the scalp.Methods Six patients with angiosarcoma of the scalp were included in this study. Performance of three different non-coplanar plans administered using TrueBeam Edge was compared. Three plans were employed namely VMAT using flattening filter (FF) beams (VMAT-FF), HyperArc using FF beams (HyperArc-FF), and HyperArc using flattening filter free (FFF) beams (HyperArc-FFF). The dose distribution, dosimetric parameters, and dosimetric accuracy for all plans were evaluated.Results The three plans showed no statistically significant differences in target volume coverage, conformity, and homogeneity. With regard to the normal brain tissue, the received volume doses were significantly lower for the HyperArc-FF and the HyperArc-FFF plans than for the VMAT-FF plans. Mean brain doses were 17.56 ± 5.70 Gy, 12.88 ± 3.36 Gy, and 13.24 ± 3.55 Gy in the VMAT-FF, the HyperArc-FF, and the HyperArc-FFF plans, respectively. There were almost no differences in sparing the organs at risk between the HyperArc-FF and HyperArc-FFF plans. The HyperArc-FF and HyperArc-FFF plans provide a shorter beam-on time than does the VMAT-FF plan. The 3%/2 mm gamma test pass rates were above 95% for all plans.Conclusions Our results suggested that the HyperArc plan can be potentially used for radiation therapy of target regions with large and complicated shape, such as the scalp, and that there are no advantages of using FFF beams.
Advantage of Laparoscopy Surgery for Elderly Colorectal Cancer Patients without Compromising Oncologic Outcome
Authors: Chern Yih Jong , Hung Hsin-Yuan , You Jeng-Fu , Hsu Yu-Jen , Chiang Jy-Ming , Hsieh Pao-Shiu , Tsai Wen-Sy
Published: May 2020

Backgrounds: Laparoscopic surgery has achieved good results in elderly patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we compared the short-term and long-term outcomes of open surgery and laparoscopic surgery in CRC patients aged above 75 years at a single tertiary medical center.Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2015, we studied 967 patients who underwent curative resection for primary colorectal adenocarcinoma without distant metastasis in a single institution. Of the enrolled subjects, 305 underwent laparoscopic surgery, and 662 received open laparotomy surgery.Results: Compared to the patients who received open surgery, those received laparoscopic surgery had prominent shorter postoperative stay (10.3 vs. 13.5 days p < 0.001) and similar postoperative mortality (p = 0.082) and morbidity (p = 0.354). In the laparoscopy cohort, 6 of 305 patients were converted to open surgery and 1 died. The long-term overall survival, cancer-specific survival and recurrence rate were all similar between both cohorts in each stage.Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery is suitable for elderly patients due to shorter postoperative stay, similar long-term outcomes with open surgery and acceptably low conversion rates. For long-term overall and oncological outcome, the results of laparoscopic surgery were similar to that of open surgery in each TNM stage.
Comparitive Study Of Short-Term Outcomes Of Preterm Babies ≤30 Weeks In A Tertiary Care Hospital Between India And The U.K
Authors: diggikar shivshankar , Nagesh Karthik , Kumar Arun , Aladangady Narendra
Published: May 2020

Large numbers of preterm babies are born in middle income countries and neonatal care is improving in these countries. However, comparative clinical outcomes of preterm babies between a tertiary neonatal unit from middle income country and higher income country is limited. Objective: To compare the clinical profile and short-term outcomes of preterm babies ≤ 30 weeks gestation admitted to a tertiary care hospital in India and the U.K. Design: Retrospective cohort observational study using anonymised data from Electronic Patient Records. Setting: Regional tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Manipal Hospitals, Bangalore, India and Homerton University Hospital, London, UK. Participants: Preterm babies born at ≤ 30 weeks gestation admitted to NICUs over five year period (January 2011 to December 2015). Infants with major congenital abnormalities were excluded. Intervention: This is an observational study and routine care was provided as per departmental standard protocols. Main outcome measures: Comparison of neonatal unit mortality between two centres, infant morbidities till discharge from neonatal unit. Results: A total of 740 babies from the U.K centre and 294 babies from Indian centre were enrolled into the study. The mean gestational age in the U.K cohort was 26.6 ± 2.16 weeks, whereas in Indian cohort was 28.4 ± 1.66 weeks (p,<0.001). A significantly lower number of mothers received antenatal steroid (37% v 73%), and higher number of babies were inborn (78.6%) in Indian centre compared to the UK centre (67.3%; p < 0.001). Incidence of BPD and IVH ≥ grade 2 was significantly lower, and ROP needing treatment was significantly higher in Indian centre. Higher number of babies were treated for ductus arteriosus and incidence of culture positive sepsis was significantly high in Indian cohort babies. Survival of babies born at gestational age > 28 weeks was comparable between the U.K and Indian centres. Survival of babies born at ≤ 28 weeks gestation was lower in Indian centre. Conclusions and relevance: The survival of babies above 28 weeks prematurity was comparable between a tertiary care centre in India and the U.K. However, survival of babies ≤ 28 weeks gestation was lower in Indian centre. Incidence of ROP and sepsis was higher in Indian centre.
Oral Bisphenol-A Regulates The Development and Function of Reproductive System through Differential Expression of METTL3
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Wang Yong , Zhu Yuan , Zhang Zhifan , Wang Daojuan , Wang Hongwei , Yan Guijun
Published: May 2020

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which have a profound impact on the reproductive system, can cause endocrine and reproductive disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a common endocrine disruptor which can affect the function of the reproductive system. However, the mechanism by which this molecule disrupts normal reproduction is still unclear. In this study, we hypothesized that oral BPA would have a effect on the structure and function of the reproductive system in adolescent female rats, and we would explore a kind of feasible mechanism for this effect. 4-week-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were intragastrically treated for 10 weeks, which were divided into blank group (n = 8), control group (soybean oil, n = 8), three BPA-treatment groups (0.5 mg/kg BPA + soybean oil, 5 mg/kg BPA + soybean oil, 50 mg/kg BPA + soybean oil, n = 8). The results showed that 0.5 mg/kg oral BPA increased the coefficient of uteri, and oral BPA increased the length of uteri in rats without causing hyperandrogenism and ovarian polycystic changes. Oral BPA disturbed the expression of CYP17A1, CYP11A1 and METTL3 in ovaries. Our results suggested that oral BPA might partially interfere uterine morphology and the level of androgen synthetases with RNA methylation by disturbing the expression level of METTL3. RNA methylation might be a new way to explain the interference mechanism of BPA.
In silico screening of known small molecules to bind ACE2 specific RBD on Spike Glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 for repurposing against COVID-19
Authors: R Bharath B , Damle Hrishikesh , Ganju Shiban , LathaDamle
Published: May 2020

Human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is causing a pandemic with significant morbidity and mortality. Although, no effective novel drugs are available, drug repurposing is emerging as an effective strategy. In this study, we present an in silico drug repurposing study implementing successful concepts of computer aided drug design (CADD) technology with an objective to repurpose known drugs to interfere the viral cellular entry via the spike glycoprotein (SARS-CoV-2-S), which mediates the virus–cell receptor interaction. SARS-CoV-2-S uses ACE2 to enter cells. Totally, 4015 known and approved small molecules were screened for interaction with SARS-CoV-2 S through docking studies and 15 lead molecules were shortlisted. Further, three molecules streptomycin, ciprofloxacin and Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) were selected based on their reported anti-viral activity, safety, availability, affordability and subjected for Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation. The MD simulation results indicate that GA from plant origin may be repurposed against SARS-CoV-2 and further studies are needed for validation.
Development of Fluorescence/MR Dual-Modal Manganese-Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanosheets as An Efficient Contrast Agent for Targeted Ovarian Carcinoma Imaging
Authors: Han Cuiping , Xie Ting , Wang Keying , Jin Shang , Li Ke , Dou Peipei , Yu Nana , Xu Kai
Published: May 2020

Background: Development of sensitive and specific imaging approaches for the detection of ovarian cancer holds great promise for improving the therapeutic efficacy and the lifespan of the patients. Results: In this study, manganese-nitrogen doped carbon nanosheets coupled with Anti-HE4 monoclonal antibody (Mn-N-CNSs@Anti-HE4) were synthesized for the specific and targeted fluorescence/MR dual-modal imaging of ovarian carcinoma. The prepared Mn-N-CNSs@Anti-HE4 nanoprobe revealed excellent aqueous dispersity, good colloidal stability, great optical properties and high longtudinal relaxivity rate (r1 =10.30 mM-1s-1). Encouraged by the tunable photoluminiscence of the nanoprobe, the ovarian carcinoma cells were specifically labeled by the Mn-N-CNSs@Anti-HE4 nanoprobe with multi-color fluorescences (blue, green, red). Benefiting from the high r1 relaxivity, the nanoprobe exhibited targeted and enhanced MR contrast effect in the ovarian carcinoma cells and tumor bearing mice model. Besides, the high biocompatibility and easy excretion from the body of the nanoprobe were further confirmed in vivo. Conclusion: The prepared Mn-N-CNSs@Anti-HE4 with excellent biocompatibility, high-performance and superior tumor-targeting ability provides a novel fluorescence/MR dual-modal nanoprobe for specific labeling and detection of ovarian carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo.
Značajke učinkovitog stručnog usavršavanja učitelja prirodoslovne grupe predmeta
Authors: Mirosavljević Ana , Bognar Branko
Published: May 2020

Kako bismo utvrdili značajke učinkovitog stručnog usavršavanja učitelja prirodoslovne grupe predmeta, na temelju sustavnog pregleda literature izabrali smo i proveli analizu devet učinkovitih eksperimentalnih i kvazi eksperimentalnih istraživanja. Utvrdili smo kako bi stručno usavršavanje bilo dobro započeti inicijalnim radionicama koje je potrebno nastaviti kroz susrete zajednica učenja za vrijeme ostvarivanja promjena. Uz to je važno osigurati potporu i vođenje učitelja te nastavne materijale za učitelje i učenike. Stručno usavršavanje može biti učinkovito samo ako doprinese boljim učeničkim rezultatima, a to je moguće postići promjenama u nastavi koja bi trebala polaziti od jasno postavljenih ciljeva u skladu s kojima učitelji pripremaju nastavne aktivnosti koje učenike potiču na istraživanje, rješavanje životnih problema, aktivno i suradničko učenje te znanstveno i metakognitivno mišljenje.
Disputas por el derecho a la educación y la educación pública en América Latina: políticas, instituciones y sujetos en la gubernamentalidad neoliberal
Authors: Martinez María Elena , Seoane Viviana Isabel
Published: May 2020

El neoliberalismo está dominando la vida político-institucional y social de las democracias latinoamericanas, cambiando la concepción de lo político. La gubernamentalidad neoliberal produce renovadas formas de mercantilización y privatización en la educación pública, imponiendo modelos empresariales a la gestión escolar y reestructurando las relaciones de trabajo en el sistema educativo. Estos cambios en las estructuras y formas de gobierno de la educación se orientan a producir subjetividades sumisas, impidiendo cualquier forma de crítica en el campo de la educación.
Some Characterizations of Curves in n-dimensional Euclidean Space
Authors: BÜYÜKKÜTÜK Sezgin , KİŞİ İlim , ÖZTÜRK Günay , ARSLAN Kadri
Published: May 2020

In this work, we deal with a curve whose position vector can be expressed with the help of Frenet Frame in  n dimensional Euclidean space n IE . We classify this type of curve with regards to curvature functions and get certain consequences for T constant,  N constant and constant ratio curves in n IE .
Guaiakol Peroksidazın Soğan Köklerinden Afinite Kromatografisi ile Saflaştırılması
Authors: ÖZTEKİN Aykut
Published: May 2020

Peroksidazlar, hidrojen peroksit varlığında çeşitli organik substratların oksidasyonunu katalizleyen ve yapılarında hem grubu bulunduran enzimlerdir. Özellikle bitki peroksidazları, endüstride, klinik tanıda, biyosensör yapımında ve organik sentez reaksiyonlarında sıklıkla kullanılır. Ticari değerleri nedeniyle bu enzimlerin farklı kaynaklarda tanımlanması ve saflaştırılması büyük öneme sahiptir. Bu çalışmada peroksidaz enzimi ilk kez aminobenzohydrazide tabanlı afinite kromatografi tekniği kullanılarak soğan köklerinden 37.7 verimle 750 kat saflaştırıldı. Saflaştırılan enzimin moleküler ağırlığını belirlemek için SDS-PAGE yapıldı ve 51.2 kDa’da tek bant gözlendi. Ayrıca enzimin guaiakol, ABTS ve pirogallol substratları için KM değerleri sırasıyla 3.44, 0.46 ve 21.27 mM olarak olarak hesaplandı.
Balıkesir İli Karma Yem Üretimi ve Karma Yem Fabrikalarının Mevcut Durumları
Authors: ÖZEK Kasim
Published: May 2020

Bu çalışmada, Balıkesir ilindeki yem fabrikalarının mevcut durumlarının tespit edilmesi ve karma yem sektörünün sorunlarına yönelik çözümler önerilmesi amacıyla ildeki fabrikaların idari ve teknik alt yapıları, üretim, pazarlama, hammadde, kalite, kapasite kullanım oranı (KKO), istihdam ve sorunları araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla, ildeki faal haldeki 24 yem fabrikası ziyaret edilmiş ve toplam 48 sorudan oluşan anket uygulanarak elde edilen veriler analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda, Balıkesir ilindeki yem fabrikalarının kurulu kapasitelerinin yaklaşık 4.5 milyon ton yıl yem olduğu, bu kurulu kapasiteye karşılık 2018 yılında 1.87 milyon ton yem üretimi ile KKO’nun %41.5 olduğu tespit edilmiştir. İldeki yem fabrikalarının 17’si anonim şirket, 7’si limitet şirket iken; fabrikaların %37.5’inin otomatik, %41.7’sinin yarı otomatik ve %20.8 ’inin ise manüel olduğu ve yem fabrikalarında toplam 1005 kişinin istihdam edildiği saptanmıştır. Anket sonuçlarına göre ildeki yem fabrikalarının %66.7’sinde hammadde ve yem analiz laboratuvarlarının bulunduğu ve %83.3’ününde bir rasyon hazırlama programı kullandıkları, fabrikaların %95.8’i hammadde ve yem depolamada kullanılmak üzere hem dikey hem yatay siloya sahip olduklarını bildirmişlerdir. İlde 2018 yılında üretilen karma yemin %50’sini kanatlı, %45’ini büyükbaş, %5’ini ise küçükbaş hayvan yemleri oluşturmuştur. Üretim maliyetlerinin %79’unun hammadde, geri kalan %21’inin ise işletme maliyetlerinden oluştuğu tespit edilmiştir. Hammadde fiyatlarının yüksekliği ve temin zorluğu, döviz kuru yüksekliği ve kur oynaklığı, haksız rekabet ve kayıtsız üretim ile iç talep yetersizliği en önemli sorunlar olarak belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, ildeki yem fabrikalarının çoğunluğunun idari ve teknik donanımları ile laboratuvar altyapılarının yeterli olduğu, fabrikaların en önemli sorunlarının ise KKO’larının düşüklüğü ve hammadde fiyatlarının yüksek olması olarak belirlenmiştir.
Comparison of Ridge Regression and Least Squares Methods in the Presence of Multicollinearity for Body Measurements in Saanen Kids
Authors: TIRINK Cem , ABACI Samet Hasan , ONDER Hasan
Published: May 2020

Least square (LS) method is a common method used to estimate the coefficients in multiple regression models. The least square multiple regression models produce biased regression coefficients when the multicollinearity is encountered in the studied data sets. Multicollinearity problem can be solved by using some methods. As one of the methods, Ridge Regression (RR) is a biased estimation method that enables to obtain models having more reliable coefficient of determination (R2). This study was conducted on 40 Saanen kids in order to determine some morphological measurements (withers height, rump height, body length, chest width, chest girth and chest depth) affecting body weight. In this study, usability of ridge regression method in the presence of multicollinearity was evaluated. Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) values higher than 10 were detected for withers height and rump height. Coefficient of determination (R2) was obtained as 0.88 from LS method and R2 was obtained 0.875 with k=0.0136 from RR method. As a result, the model obtained from RR is more reliable than that obtained from LS.
Degradation and biodegradability improvement of the landfill leachate using electrocoagulation with iron and aluminum electrodes: A comparative study
Authors: Bharath M. , Krishna B. M. , Manoj Kumar B.
Published: May 2020

This present study investigates the comparative study of iron and aluminum electrodes for the treatment of landfill leachate by the Batch Electrocoagulation (EC) technique. The performance of EC was used to determine the removal efficiency of COD and Color. The effects of operating conditions such as electrode material, stirring speed, inter-electrode distance, electrolysis time, initial pH, and applied voltage were studied to evaluate the performance of the electrode. The electrodes were arranged in a monopolar mode by applying different cell voltages of 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 V for 180 min of electrolysis time (ET) with a varying inter-electrode distance between 1 and 4 cm. The iron and aluminum electrodes can be successfully used as anodes and cathodes for the treatment process, which makes the process more efficient and easier to maintain. Based on the obtained results, it was observed that there was an increase in BOD/COD ratio from 0.11 to 0.79. The maximum removal of COD and Color was found to be 76.5% and 67.2% respectively, accomplished with 105 min optimum electrolysis time with a pH of 9.25 using an iron electrode. In the case of the aluminum electrode, the BOD/COD ratio was increased from 0.11 to 0.66. Over 78.4% of COD and 77.0% of Color removal was obtained with 90 min optimum electrolysis duration and pH 9.3 with an optimum 10 V and an optimum inter-electrode distance of 1 cm. However, the aluminum electrode is superior to iron as a sacrificial electrode material in terms of Color and COD removal efficiency. The aluminum electrode significantly treated landfill leachate by the electrocoagulation method under optimum experimental conditions.
Healthy Nutrition of Schoolchildren of Aboriginal Population in the North
Authors: Zhubreva Т. V. , Myasnikova E. N.
Published: May 2020

Healthy nutrition has a positive impact on human body functioning, however, the foundation of long and active life is laid in childhood and teenage years. The article provides information about using normative, technical and technological documents for organization of nutrition for schoolchildren in secondary education institutions located in places of residence of aboriginal population in the Far East. State policy concerning the development of these areas is expressed in a number of regulating documents of the federal level, where serious attention is paid to organization of hot meals for schoolchildren. On the territory of the Russian Federation ‘Rospotrebnadzor’ acts as a regulating and controlling body in the field of organization of nutrition in secondary education institutions and ‘SanPin’ is the principle regulating documents. The authors analyzed the requirements put forward by the regulator, which cannot take into account all specific features of physiology of schoolchildren’s nutrition, regional specificities and traditional nutrition culture, which underlines topicality of the research. Exclusion of traditional for Northern people food and its replacement with food typical of Central Russia cannot improve health of the rising generation. If we change this situation, it could enhance children’s health in the region and promote the development of local craft and small enterprises dealing with storing-up traditional food stuffs.
In Vitro Data of Current Therapies for SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Anastasiou Ioanna A. , Eleftheriadou Ioanna , Tentolouris Anastasios , Tsilingiris Dimitrios , Tentolouris Nikolaos
Published: May 2020

Background:

In December 2019, a new coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged from China, causing pneumonia
outbreaks first in the Wuhan region and then spread worldwide. Due to a lack of efficient and
specific treatments and the need to contain the epidemic, drug repurposing appears to be the
most efficient tool to find a therapeutic solution.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to summarize in vitro data of current agents used for the
management of SARS-CoV-2 all over the world.

Methods:

A literature search of articles from January 2000 until April 2020 was performed
using MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library to assess in vitro data of current or putative
therapies for SARS-CoV-2.

Results:

Although in vitro studies are scarce, data regarding chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine,
remdesivir, nitazoxanide, teicoplanin, ivermectin, lopinavir, homoharringtonine, and
emetine seem promising.

Conclusion:

Scientists all over the world should work together and increase their efforts in
order to find feasible and efficient solutions against this new global viral threat.
Tribolium castaneum: A Model for Investigating the Mode of Action of Insecticides and Mechanisms of Resistance
Authors: Rösner Janin , Wellmeyer Benedikt , Merzendorfer Hans
Published: May 2020

The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, is a worldwide insect pest of stored products, particularly food grains, and a powerful model organism for developmental, physiological and applied entomological research on coleopteran species. Among coleopterans, T. castaneum has the most fully sequenced and annotated genome and consequently provides the most advanced genetic model of a coleopteran pest. The beetle is also easy to culture and has a short generation time. Research on this beetle is further assisted by the availability of expressed sequence tags and transcriptomic data. Most importantly, it exhibits a very robust response to systemic RNA interference (RNAi), and a database of RNAi phenotypes (iBeetle) is available. Finally, classical transposonbased techniques together with CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene knockout and genome editing allow the creation of transgenic lines. As T. castaneum develops resistance rapidly to many classes of insecticides including organophosphates, methyl carbamates, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids and insect growth regulators such as chitin synthesis inhibitors, it is further a suitable test system for studying resistance mechanisms. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in research focusing on the mode of action of insecticides and mechanisms of resistance identified using T. castaneum as a pest model.
Withdrawal Notice: Copper Ferrite Nanoparticles: Nanomagnetic Reusable Catalysts in the Synthesis of Heterocyclic Structural Scaffolds
Authors: Kazemi Mosstafa , Rostami Hedieh , Ghobadi Massoud
Published: May 2020

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Nano-sized Metal and Metal Oxide Modified Electrodes for Pharmaceuticals Analysis
Authors: Topal Burcu Dogan , Sener Ceren Elif , Kaya Basak , Ozkan Sibel Aysıl
Published: May 2020

:

The electrochemical analysis offers a number of important advantages such as providing
information on pharmaceuticals analysis and their in vivo redox processes and pharmacological activity.
The interest in developing electrochemical sensing devices for use in clinical assays is growing rapidly.
Metallic nanoparticles can be synthesized and modified with various chemical functional groups,
which allow them to be conjugated with antibodies, ligands, and drugs of interest.

:

In this article, the novel developments to enhance the performance of sensor modified with metal nanoparticles
of pharmaceuticals were reviewed. A discussion of the properties of metal nanostructures
and their application in drug analysis is presented. Their application as a modifier agent in determining
low levels of drugs in pharmaceutical dosage forms and biological samples is discussed. It has been
found that the electrocatalytic effect of the electrode, sensitivity and selectivity were increased using
various working electrodes modified with nano-sized metal, metal oxide and metal/metal oxide
particles.
YAŞLILARDA ALGILANAN SOSYAL DESTEĞİN GERİATRİK DEPRESYON İLE İLİŞKİSİ: BİR SAHA ÇALIŞMASI
Authors: TÜRKSEVEN Erdem , ÖNER Can , ŞİMŞEK Engin Ersin
Published: May 2020

Giriş: Geriatrik depresyon önemli bir halk sağlığı sorunudur. Yaşlı bireyin algıladığı sosyal desteğin büyüklüğünün depresif belirtileri azalttığı bildirilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı yaşlı bireylerin algıladıkları sosyal desteğin geriatrik depresyon ile ilişkisini incelemektir. Yöntem: Kesitsel çalışmaya toplumda yaşayan 383 yaşlı dahil edilmiştir. Çalışma verileri araştırmacılar tarafından gerekli izinler alındıktan sonra yüz yüze görüşme tekniği ile toplanmıştır. Yatağa bağımlı, demans öyküsü olan ve antidepresan ilaç kullanan yaşlılar çalışma dışı tutulmuşlardır. Katılımcılara, katılımcının sosyodemografik, ekonomik ve sağlık durumu ile ilgili sorular yöneltilmiştir. Katılımcıların algıladıkları sosyal destek Çok Boyutlu Algılanan Sosyal Destek Ölçeği (ÇBASDÖ) ölçeği, depresyon durumları ise Geriatrik Depresyon Ölçeği (GDÖ) ile değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışma verileri SPSS 21.0 paket programı ile analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: Katılımcıların %52,2 (n=200)’si kadındı. Erkek katılımcıların yaş ortalaması 73,1 ± 6,2 yıl; kadın katılımcıların ise 72,6 ± 6,4 yıl idi. Katılımcıların ortalama Geriatrik Depresyon Ölçek puanı 3,3±3,1 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Geriatrik depresyon puanı ile yaş arasında pozitif yönde zayıf anlamlı bir korelasyon mevcuttur (R=0,011; r=0,108; p=0,034). Cinsiyet açısından bakıldığında kadınlarda depresyon anlamlı olarak daha fazladır. Katılımcıların ortalama ÇBASDÖ puanları 4,7±1,55 puan idi. Katılımcıların %9,6 (n=37)’sı düşük bir sosyal desteğe sahipti. Geriatrik Depresyon ölçeği puanlarının her bir ÇBASDÖ ölçeği alt başlık puanları ile negatif yönde zayıf ve anlamlı korelasyonu mevcuttur. Çok Boyutlu Algılanan Sosyal Destek Ölçeğinin alt başlıkları ayrı ayrı ele alındığında her bir alt başlıkta algılanan sosyal destek arttıkça depresyon varlığı anlamlı olarak azalmaktadır (sırasıyla p=0,017; p=0,003 ve p=0,021). Sonuç: Yaşlı bireylerde depresyon sıklığı hali hazırda yüksektir. Bu nedenle birinci basamakta yaşlıların depresyon açısından sorgulanması gereklidir. Depresif yaşlılarda mevcut sosyal desteğin araştırılarak yetersizlik olması durumunda güçlendirici önlemlerin planlanması faydalı olabilir.
Evaluation of Basic Life Support Short-Term Education Effectiveness in Candidate Teachers
Authors: ÇALIŞKAN Hacı Mehmet , ÇELİK Burak
Published: May 2020

Objective: Basic life support (BLS) is a very important application that any rescuer from the public can easily implement with short training, and thereby, that can save the lives of thousands of sudden cardiac arrest cases. In this study, the aim was to the determine information level of current basic life support of candidate teachers and to evaluate the educational activities that are carried out in order to improve these levels. Methods: A total of 213 volunteer students from Ahi Evran University Faculty of Education was included in the study. With 20 multiple-choice test questions, basic life support knowledge levels of the candidate teachers were determined and upon this evaluation, 2 hours of face-to-face applied training was offered. In order to evaluate the persistence of the knowledge level of these students, the same test has been re-applied one month and six months later. Results: According to the result of the pre-test, the knowledge levels of the student groups were low. A month later, their level of knowledge increased from 41.65% to 79% and Six months later, there was a 2.32% decrease in their level of knowledge. Conclusion: In this study, it has been shown that the two-hour basic life support training given to the candidate teachers is beneficial and increases their courage in this regard. Therefore, we believe that regular basic life support training provided to candidate teachers may prove effective in the increase of the intervention rates to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases.
Covid-19 Infection Experience of a Family Phycisian in Turkey
Authors: TEKİN Nil
Published: May 2020

Coronavirus Diesease 2019 (COVID-19), which was first seen in China in December 2019 and spread all over the world, has been reported to cause retention of the lower respiratory tract and cause acute respiratory distress syndrome. The first case was reported on 11 March 2020 in Turkey, WHO declared a pandemic on the same day A great struggle has started with the pandemic all over the world. Healthcare workers struggle at the forefront. In this article, the illness experience of a Turkish family physcian who had the infection is shared.Aralık 2019’da Çin’de ilk kez görülen ve tüm dünyaya yayılan Koronavirüs 2019 Hastalığı (COVID-19)’un, alt solunum yollarının tutulmasına neden olduğu ve akut solunum yetmezliği sendromuna yol açtığı bildirilmiştir. Türkiye’de ilk olgu 11 Mart 2020 tarihinde bildirilmiş, aynı gün DSÖ pandemi ilan etmiştir. Bütün dünyada pandemi ile büyük bir mücadele başlatılmıştır. Sağlık çalışanları en önde mücadele etmektedir. Bu yazıda enfeksiyonu geçiren bir aile hekiminin hastalık deneyimi paylaşılmıştır.
Mobile App for Mental Health Monitoring and Clinical Outreach in Veterans: Mixed Methods Feasibility and Acceptability Study
Authors: Betthauser Lisa M , Stearns-Yoder Kelly A , McGarity Suzanne , Smith Victoria , Place Skyler , Brenner Lisa A
Published: May 2020

Background

Advances in mobile health (mHealth) technology have made it possible for patients and health care providers to monitor and track behavioral health symptoms in real time. Ideally, mHealth apps include both passive and interactive monitoring and demonstrate high levels of patient engagement. Digital phenotyping, the measurement of individual technology usage, provides insight into individual behaviors associated with mental health.

Objective

Researchers at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Cogito Corporation sought to explore the feasibility and acceptability of an mHealth app, the Cogito Companion.

Methods

A mixed methodological approach was used to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of the app. Veterans completed clinical interviews and self-report measures, at baseline and at a 3-month follow-up. During the data collection period, participants were provided access to the Cogito Companion smartphone app. The mobile app gathered passive and active behavioral health indicators. Data collected (eg, vocal features and digital phenotyping of everyday social signals) are analyzed in real time. Passive data collected include location via global positioning system (GPS), phone calls, and SMS text message metadata. Four primary model scores were identified as being predictive of the presence or absence of depression or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veterans Affairs clinicians monitored a provider dashboard and conducted clinical outreach when indicated.

Results

Findings suggest that use of the Cogito Companion app was feasible and acceptable. Veterans (n=83) were interested in and used the app; however, active use declined over time. Nonetheless, data were passively collected, and outreach occurred throughout the study period. On the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire–8, 79% (53/67) of the sample reported scores demonstrating acceptability of the app (mean 26.2, SD 4.3). Many veterans reported liking specific app features (day-to-day monitoring) and the sense of connection they felt with the study clinicians who conducted outreach. Only a small percentage (4/67, 6%) reported concerns regarding personal privacy.

Conclusions

Feasibility and acceptability of the Cogito Corporation platform to monitor mental health symptoms, behaviors, and facilitate follow-up in a sample of veterans were supported. Clinically, platforms such as the Cogito Companion system may serve as useful methods to promote monitoring, thereby facilitating early identification of risk and mitigating negative psychiatric outcomes, such as suicide.
Evaluation Criteria for Weight Management Apps: Validation Using a Modified Delphi Process
Authors: Robles Noemí , Puigdomènech Puig Elisa , Gómez-Calderón Corpus , Saigí-Rubió Francesc , Cuatrecasas Cambra Guillem , Zamora Alberto , Moharra Montse , Paluzié Guillermo , Balfegó Mariona , Carrion Carme
Published: May 2020

Background

The use of apps for weight management has increased over recent years; however, there is a lack of evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of these apps. The EVALAPPS project will develop and validate an assessment instrument to specifically assess the safety and efficacy of weight management apps.

Objective

The aim of this study was to reach a consensus among stakeholders on a comprehensive set of criteria to guide development of the EVALAPPS assessment instrument. A modified Delphi process was used in order to verify the robustness of the criteria that had been identified through a literature review and to prioritize a set of the identified criteria.

Methods

Stakeholders (n=31) were invited to participate in a 2-round Delphi process with 114 initial criteria that had been identified from the literature. In round 1, participants rated criteria according to relevance on a scale from 0 (“I suggest this criterion is excluded”) to 5 (“This criterion is extremely relevant”). A criterion was accepted if the median rating was 4 or higher and if the relative intraquartile range was equal to 0.67 or lower. In round 2, participants were asked about criteria that had been discarded in round 1. A prioritization strategy was used to identify crucial criteria according to (1) the importance attributed by participants (criteria with a mean rating of 4.00 or higher), (2) the level of consensus (criteria with a score of 4 or 5 by at least 80% of the participants).

Results

The response rate was 83.9% (26/31) in round 1 and 90.3% (28/31) in round 2. A total of 107 out of 114 criteria (93.9%) were accepted by consensus—105 criteria in round 1 and 2 criteria in round 2. After prioritization, 53 criteria were deemed crucial. These related mainly to the dimensions of security and privacy (13/53, 24.5%) and usability (9/53, 17.0%), followed by activity data (5/53, 9.4%), clinical effectiveness (5/53, 9.4%), and reliability (5/53, 9.4%).

Conclusions

Results confirmed the robustness of the criteria that were identified, with those relating to security and privacy being deemed most relevant by stakeholders. Additionally, a specific set of criteria based on health indicators (activity data, physical state data, and personal data) was also prioritized.
Artificial Intelligence and Health Technology Assessment: Anticipating a New Level of Complexity
Authors: Alami Hassane , Lehoux Pascale , Auclair Yannick , de Guise Michèle , Gagnon Marie-Pierre , Shaw James , Roy Denis , Fleet Richard , Ag Ahmed Mohamed Ali , Fortin Jean-Paul
Published: May 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) is seen as a strategic lever to improve access, quality, and efficiency of care and services and to build learning and value-based health systems. Many studies have examined the technical performance of AI within an experimental context. These studies provide limited insights into the issues that its use in a real-world context of care and services raises. To help decision makers address these issues in a systemic and holistic manner, this viewpoint paper relies on the health technology assessment core model to contrast the expectations of the health sector toward the use of AI with the risks that should be mitigated for its responsible deployment. The analysis adopts the perspective of payers (ie, health system organizations and agencies) because of their central role in regulating, financing, and reimbursing novel technologies. This paper suggests that AI-based systems should be seen as a health system transformation lever, rather than a discrete set of technological devices. Their use could bring significant changes and impacts at several levels: technological, clinical, human and cognitive (patient and clinician), professional and organizational, economic, legal, and ethical. The assessment of AI’s value proposition should thus go beyond technical performance and cost logic by performing a holistic analysis of its value in a real-world context of care and services. To guide AI development, generate knowledge, and draw lessons that can be translated into action, the right political, regulatory, organizational, clinical, and technological conditions for innovation should be created as a first step.
The Current State of Research, Challenges, and Future Research Directions of Blockchain Technology in Patient Care: Systematic Review
Authors: Durneva Polina , Cousins Karlene , Chen Min
Published: May 2020

Background

Blockchain offers a promising new distributed technology to address the challenges of data standardization, system interoperability, security, privacy, and accessibility of medical records.

Objective

The purpose of this review is to assess the research on the use of blockchain technology for patient care and the associated challenges and to provide a research agenda for future research.

Methods

This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. We queried the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE), and Web of Science databases for peer-reviewed research articles published up to December 2019 that examined the implementation of blockchain technology in health care settings. We identified 800 articles from which we selected 70 empirical research articles for a detailed review.

Results

Blockchain-based patient care applications include medical information systems, personal health records, mobile health and telemedicine, data preservation systems and social networks, health information exchanges and remote monitoring systems, and medical research systems. These blockchain-based health care applications may improve patient engagement and empowerment, improve health care provider access to information, and enhance the use of health care information for medical research.

Conclusions

Blockchain health information technology (HIT) provides benefits such as ensuring data privacy and security of health data, facilitating interoperability of heterogeneous HIT systems, and improving the quality of health care outcomes. However, barriers to using blockchain technology to build HIT include security and privacy vulnerabilities, user resistance, high computing power requirements and implementation costs, inefficient consensus algorithms, and challenges of integrating blockchain with existing HIT. With 51% of the research focused on medical information systems such as electronic health record and electronic medical record, and 53% of the research focused on data security and privacy issues, this review shows that HIT research is primarily focused on the use of blockchain technologies to address the current challenges HIT faces. Although Blockchain presents significant potential for disrupting health care, most ideas are in their infancy.
Effects of Different Telemonitoring Strategies on Chronic Heart Failure Care: Systematic Review and Subgroup Meta-Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Ding Hang , Chen Sheau Huey , Edwards Iain , Jayasena Rajiv , Doecke James , Layland Jamie , Yang Ian A , Maiorana Andrew
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Telemonitoring studies in chronic heart failure are characterized by mixed mortality and hospitalization outcomes, which have deterred the uptake of telemonitoring in clinical practice. These mixed outcomes may reflect the diverse range of patient management strategies incorporated in telemonitoring. To address this, we compared the effects of different telemonitoring strategies on clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review and subgroup meta-analysis was to identify noninvasive telemonitoring strategies attributing to improvements in all-cause mortality or hospitalization outcomes for patients with chronic heart failure.

METHODS

We reviewed and analyzed telemonitoring strategies from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing telemonitoring intervention with usual care. For each strategy, we examined whether RCTs that applied the strategy in the telemonitoring intervention (subgroup 1) resulted in a significantly lower risk ratio (RR) of all-cause mortality or incidence rate ratio (IRR) of all-cause hospitalization compared with RCTs that did not apply this strategy (subgroup 2).

RESULTS

We included 26 RCTs (N=11,450) incorporating 18 different telemonitoring strategies. RCTs that provided medication support were found to be associated with a significantly lower IRR value than RCTs that did not provide this type of support (P=.01; subgroup 1 IRR=0.83, 95% CI 0.72-0.95 vs subgroup 2 IRR=1.02, 95% CI 0.93-1.12). RCTs that applied mobile health were associated with a significantly lower IRR (P=.03; IRR=0.79, 95% CI 0.64-0.96 vs IRR=1.00, 95% CI 0.94-1.06) and RR (P=.01; RR=0.67, 95% CI 0.53-0.85 vs RR=0.95, 95% CI 0.84-1.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Telemonitoring strategies involving medication support and mobile health were associated with improvements in all-cause mortality or hospitalization outcomes. These strategies should be prioritized in telemonitoring interventions for the management of patients with chronic heart failure.
Teacher Support and Its Effect on the Development of Motor Abilities by Pupils with Dyspraxia in Primary Schools in Fako Division of the South West Region of Cameroon
Authors: Shey Patrick Fonyuy
Published: May 2020

The present study examined the effect of teacher support on the development of motor abilities by pupils with dyspraxia. Two specific objectives that centred on tutoring sessions and supplemental training were formulated to guide the study. The sample of the study was made up of twelve pupils in class three and twelve in class four selected from Catholic School (CS) Mutengene in Tiko Sub Division and Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) School Great Soppo in Buea Sub Division, Fako Division of the South West Region of Cameroon. Two teachers from each school also took part in this study. A motor ability test was administered to the intervention as well as the control group in order to measure the pupil’s abilities in relation to gross and fine motor skills. Based on comparative pre-test and post-test design with non-randomized experimental and control groups, the results of the study revealed that teacher support had a significant effect on the development of motor abilities by children with dyspraxia. Inadequate teacher support for pupils with dyspraxia was seen to have negative effects on the development of motor skills by children with dyspraxia; hence teachers should use more of enactive instructional strategies when dealing with dyspraxic learners. The schools should also have an all enriching environment for pupils to explore and fully develop their motor skills.