bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Legislation regulating medical care for children with rheumatic diseases in the Russian Federation
Authors:   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Sevostyanov V.K. ,   Research Institute of Health Care Organization and Medical Management; Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow, Russian Federation,   National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russian Federation, Razumov Yu.Yu. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Petrova I.A. ,   N.A.Semashko National Research Institute of Public Health, Moscow, Russian Federation, Kakorina E.P. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Davidov A.O. ,   National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russian Federation, Novikov A.S. ,   N.A.Semashko National Research Institute of Public Health, Moscow, Russian Federation, Balashov S.L.Balashov ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Polukhina A.I. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Zholobova E.S. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: January 2021

Objective. To analyze legislation regulating medical care for children with rheumatic diseases in the Russian Federation. Materials and methods. We analyzed regulatory documents of the Ministry of Health of Russia, including the rules of medical care for children with rheumatic diseases, the resolution regulating the distribution of medicines at a discount or for free, and regional legal acts regulating routing of children with rheumatic diseases. Results. The legislation regulating medical care for children with rheumatic diseases is imperfect and needs to be updated. We identified shortcomings in the system regulating preferential provision of certain groups of patients with medicines. The results of our analysis can be used as a rationale for changes and amendments to existing regulatory legal acts and for the development of new regulatory documents. Conclusion. This analysis of legal documents allows us to suggest amendments to the existing legal framework in order to reduce tensions (including legal tensions) associated with distribution of preferential medicines, reconsider establishment of disability in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, expand opportunities to prescribe biologicals for non-disabled patients with systemic scleroderma, juvenile dermatomyositis, and systemic vasculitis in regions. We justified detailed description of regional legal documents regulating distribution of preferential medicines among patients with rheumatic diseases. Key words: rheumatic diseases in children, regulatory framework, health care organization, drug provision
Legal Protection for Sellers in the Use of Joint Accounts as One of the Payments in E-Commerce
Authors: Sakti Muthia
Published: January 2021

The development of technology has accompanied the development of a freer and more open means of information. Everyone from all over the world can interact both one way and two ways with various interests. E-Commerce is one of the activities sponsored by technological developments in the era of globalization. One of the payment systems in e-commerce is using a joint account, a payment method for buying and selling goods online using third-party facilities to help create safe and comfortable conditions. In this paper, we will discuss sellers' legal protection in the use of joint accounts in e-commerce. The party that makes a breach of promise of transactions in e-commerce, the seller, one of the parties in the joint account, can legally be protected.
Policy Polemic for Covid 19 and Efforts to Handling Information Technology
Authors: Pujiningsih Sri
Published: January 2021

The Covid 19 pandemic case is sweeping the world, including one of them affected by the virus outbreak, the State of Indonesia. In dealing with this virus outbreak, each country takes different strategies. The Indonesian State pursues a large-scale social restriction policy. This study aims to explain the Covid 19 policy polemic and the efforts to handle it. The research method uses a normative juridical approach because it examines government policies in handling Covid cases, namely Law No.6 of 2018 and Government Regulation No.21 of 2020. Efforts to handle them, the government needs action that is fast and effective in dealing with the rate of spread of the Corona virus.

 
COVID-19 Fulfilling Workers 'Economic Rights Positive
Authors: Ruslan Rosidi
Published: January 2021

This study aims to analyze the fulfillment of workers' rights, which are favorable for Covid. This research is a normative study that uses a statutory approach. The research data used is secondary data with primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials. The results show that efforts to protect labor rights are carried out through a regulation of the Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia, which requires companies to pay full wages to workers with the status of people under surveillance, suspected COVID-19 who must be quarantined, and salaries according to the law for workers/laborers. Who missed work because of COVID-19.
DESAIN PROGRAM PELATIHAN “PENGENALAN DASAR-DASAR ASURANSI” UNTUK KARYAWAN BARU PADA PT ASABRI (PERSERO)
Authors: Zuraida Arista Hilman Maliki Bastari , Suprayekti  , Retno Widyaningrum
Published: January 2021

Penelitian pengembangan yang berjudul “Desain Program Pelatihan “Pengenalan Dasar-Dasar Asuransi Untuk Karyawan Baru di PT ASABRI (Persero)” bertujuan untuk menghasilkan suatu rancangan dan bahan ajar berupa kurikulum dan modul pelatihan yang dapat membantu Divisi Pelatihan dalam mengembangkan sumber daya manusia karyawan baru dalam mempelajari dasar-dasar asuransi yang sesuai dengan standar kompetensi dan Key Performance Indicator yang ada pada divisi pelayanan. Berdasarkan metodenya penelitian ini termasuk dalam metode penelitian dan pengembangan (Research and Development). Model yang digunakan yaitu Model Pengembangan Instruksional (MPI) oleh M. Atwi Suparman. Prosedur pengembangan dilakukan melalui delapan langkah yang ada dalam Model Pengembangan Instruksional (MPI). Hasil penelitian berupa kurikulum dan contoh bahan instruksional berupa modul. Responden yang terlibat untuk mengevaluasi produk diantaranya, ahli desain pembelajaran, ahli materi pembelajaran dan ahli media pembelajaran, ahli untuk materi pembelajaran sebesar 3,3(sangat baik), desain pembelajaran 3,06 (baik), media pembelajaran 2,7 (baik). Hasil penilaian digunakan untuk meningkatkan kualitas produk yang dihasilkan.
Gamifikasi untuk Pembelajaran
Authors: Ariani Diana
Published: January 2021

Gamification is a method that is currently slowly but surely starting to be looked at to be developed together with the e-learning Learning Management System (LMS). However, the nature of gamification in learning is still not widely known by many parties. This article will try to explain some important things you need to know to develop Gamification. Some of the things that will be discussed in this article are the definition of gamification, the basic elements of gamification, the types of gamification, and the implementation of Gamification and LMS E-learning.
Exploring Needs of Academic Writing Course for LMS in the New Normal
Authors: Sundari Hanna , Leonard Leonard
Published: January 2021

Along with the university policy for remote learning during the Covid-19 pandemic and the new normal era, learning management system (LMS) become one of various alternative system to handle online learning. However, its application needs to be well-prepared and well-designed. This present study was a need analysis as an initial stage in developing Moodle LMS-based EFL Materials for academic writing course at university. The participants were 67 students from academic writing course. A questionnaire was major instrument to find out the learning needs and context, accompanied by documentation to seek the activities and materials on the existing course. The results show the needs of academic writing course and the proposed EFL materials through Moodle LMS. Student-participants revealed that the course should be able to improve students’ writing skill in developing academic texts through essay development and research article. Moreover, process writing approach and genre-based approach become the most preferable approach for teaching with plenty of sample texts in PDF format. The students-participants also thought that teacher-feedback, individual project-based assessment, and real-time online session or synchronous mode are the best for online learning through LMS. The proposed Moodle LMS-based EFL materials apparently adopts the steps of process genre-based approach and a framework of Bloom’s digital taxonomy.
How Flipped Classroom Helps the Learning in the Times of Covid-19 Era?
Authors: Anugrah Anugrah , Ibrahim Nurdin , Sukardjo Moch.
Published: January 2021

In 2020, online learning rapidly grows due to the pandemic of COVID-19 that affected the changes in global conditions. All learners and educators have to be ready for online learning. This research was aimed to explore the implementation of the flipped classroom during the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in 2020. This research setting was at Universitas Negeri Jakarta, one of the campuses that eliminated campus activities due to the high Covid-19 spread in Jakarta. Referring to the learning standards of AECT, the researchers used qualitative descriptive methods. The techniques of collecting data were observation, interviews, and questionnaires to all students who took E-Learning Design courses at the Master of Educational Technology, Postgraduate Program, Universitas Negeri Jakarta. The research results proved that learning during the Covid-19 pandemic using flipped classrooms in the E-Learning Design course has met ten online learning standards by AECT and provides satisfaction for students and lecturers. In addition, according to research results, the use of technology does not need to be grandiose. Accordingly, it should optimize the platform often used on daily basis to utilize the flipped classroom.
Functionnectome: a framework to analyse the contribution of brain circuits to fMRI
Authors: Nozais Victor , Forkel Stephanie , Foulon Chris , Petit Laurent , de Schotten Michel Thiebaut
Published: January 2021

In recent years, the field of functional neuroimaging has moved from a pure localisationist approach of isolated functional brain regions to a more integrated view of those regions within functional networks. The methods used to investigate such networks, however, rely on local signals in grey matter and are limited in identifying anatomical circuitries supporting the interaction between brain regions. Mapping the brain circuits mediating the functional signal between brain regions would propel forward our understanding of the brain’s functional signatures and dysfunctions. We developed a novel method to unravel the relationship between brain circuits and functions: The Functionnectome. The Functionectome combines the functional signal from fMRI with the anatomy of white matter brain circuits to unlock and chart the first maps of functional white matter. To showcase the versatility of this new method, we provide the first functional white matter maps revealing the joint contribution of connected areas to motor, working memory, and language functions. The Functionnectome comes with an open source companion software and opens new avenues into studying functional networks by applying the method to already existing dataset and beyond task fMRI.
Risk Prediction Models for Liver Cancer in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cao Maomao , Li He , Sun Dianqin , He Siyi , Zheng Yadi , Wu Zheng , Yu Xinyang , Lei Lin , Peng Ji , Li Jiang , Li Ni , Chen Wanqing
Published: January 2021

Background Prediction of liver cancer risk is beneficial to define high-risk population of liver cancer and guide clinical decisions. We aimed to review and critically appraise the quality of existing risk-prediction models for liver cancer. Methods This systematic review followed the guidelines of CHARMS (Checklist for Critical Appraisal and data extraction for systematic Reviews of prediction Modelling Studies) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta (PRISMA). We searched for PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from inception to July 2020. Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool was used to assess the risk of bias of all potential articles. A narrative description and meta-analysis were conducted. Results After removal irrespective and duplicated citations, 20 risk prediction publications were finally included. Within the 20 studies, 15 studies performed model derivation and validation process, three publications only conducted developed procedure without validation and two articles were used to validate existing models. Discrimination was expressed as area under curve or C statistic, which was acceptable for most models, ranging from 0.64 to 0.96. Calibration of the predictions model were rarely assessed. All models were graded at high risk of bias. The risk bias of applicability in 13 studies was considered low. Conclusions This systematic review gives an overall review of the prediction risk models for liver cancer, pointing out several methodological issues in their development. No prediction risk models were recommended due to the high risk of bias.Systematic review registration: This systematic has been registered in PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systemic Review: CRD42020203244).
Hsp90α Is Suitable for Therapy Monitoring in Multiple Cancers
Authors: Fu Min , Du Feng , Wei Zhe , Xu Cheng , Wang Xinjun , Zhao Xiaoyu
Published: January 2021

Background: Heat shock protein 90α (Hsp90α) is associated with the occurrence and development of cancer. Previous studies have shown that plasma Hsp90α protein has high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of liver cancer and lung cancer. Although the study of the Hsp90α protein in cancer screening is more common, the application of the Hsp90α protein in diagnosis and monitoring of cancer is rare. Methods: In this study, 370 cancer patients were enrolled from Nanyang Second People's Hospital (Henan, China). The pre- and post-treatment protein expression of Hsp90α were inspected and the data were analyzed.Results: In our research, Hsp90α expression was lower in the T1 phase of lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and gastric cancer patients with prior treatment and higher in breast cancer patients. Apart from colorectal cancer, Hsp90α expression of different cancer types in the T4 phase was highest compared to T1 to T3 phase, and the expression Hsp90α protein increased with cancer progression. These results substantiated that Hsp90α protein expression was consistent with cancer progression overall, although the expression difference between tumor stages was not obvious. Hsp90α was detected in 54 lung cancer patients pre- and post-treatment, and the coincidence rate between the progression of disease and expression change in the Hsp90α protein was 79.63%. For further verification, some patients of them underwent long-term monitoring, and the coincidence rate was 75%.Conclusions: Hsp90α was a potential biomarker for therapeutic monitoring of cancer prognosis, including lung cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer and breast cancer.
A Qualitative Examination of Patient Experiences and Determinants of Virtual Postnatal Follow-Up Visits
Authors: Saad Megan , Chan Sophy , Nguyen Lisa , Srivast Siddhartha , Appireddy Ramana
Published: January 2021

Objective: This study aimed to understand the perceptions of new mothers using virtual care in the form of video conferencing to gain insight into the social and environmental determinants that could potentially impact compliance for post-natal follow-up visits.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 patients of Kingston Health Sciences Centre. The interviews were 20-25 minutes in length and recorded through an audio recorder. Thematic analysis was conducted in order to derive the major themes explored in this study.Results: In general, new mothers reported high satisfaction with virtual care, emphasizing benefits related to comfort, convenience, communication, socioeconomic factors, and the ease of technology use.Conclusions: Not only can virtual care address many of the barriers that new mothers face in accessing in-person healthcare services, but virtual care can also elucidate various social and environmental determinants responsible for facilitating access to postnatal follow-up care. Further research and clinical endeavours should focus on these various determinants (and the ways they intersect) and how they underpin patient perceptions of virtual and in-person care. Such a lens not only addresses the struggle of long-term patient compliance to maternal health care, but will additionally shed light on how to make obstetric care more equitable.
Locomotion-induced ocular motor behavior in larval Xenopus is developmentally tuned by visuo-vestibular reflexes
Authors: Bacqué-Cazenave Julien , Courtand Gilles , Beraneck Mathieu , Straka Hans , Combes Denis , Lambert Francois
Published: January 2021

Locomotion requires neural computations to maintain stable perception of the world despite disturbing consequences of the motor behavior on sensory stability. The developmental establishment of locomotor proficiency is therefore accompanied by a concurrent maturation of gaze-stabilizing motor behaviors. Using developing Xenopus larvae, we demonstrate mutual plasticity of predictive spinal locomotor efference copies and multi-sensory motion signals with the aim to constantly ensure dynamically adequate eye movements during swimming. Following simultaneous ontogenetic onsets of locomotion, spino-ocular, optokinetic and otolith-ocular motor behaviors, locomotor efference copy-driven eye movements improve through gradually augmenting influences of semicircular canal signals. Accordingly, neuronal computations change from predominating cancelation of angular vestibulo-ocular reflexes by locomotor efference copies in young larvae to summation of these signals in older larvae. The developmental switch occurs in synchrony with the reduced efficacy of the tail-undulatory locomotor pattern generator causing gradually declining influences on the ocular motor output.
Occipital-Dural Muscle: A Specialized Myodural Bridge in Narrow-Ridge Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena Asiaorientalis)
Authors: Zhang Zhao-Xi , Gong Jin , Yu Sheng-Bo , Li Chan , Sun Jing-Xian , Ding Shuai-Wen , Ma Guo-Jun , Sun Shi-Zhu , Zheng Nan , Sui Hong-Jin
Published: January 2021

A dense bridge-like tissue named the myodural bridge (MDB) connecting the suboccipital muscles and the spinal dura mater was originally discovered in humans. Recent studies have revealed that the MDB confirmed a universal existing normal anatomical structure in mammals which is considered being significant in physiological functions. Our previous investigations have confirmed the existence of MDB in the finless porpoises. We conduct this research to expound the specificity of the MDB in Neophocana asiaeorientalis (N.asiaeorientalis). Five carcasses of N.asiaeorientalis with formalin fixation were used for this study. Two were used for head and neck CT scanning, three-dimensional reconstruction, and dissection of suboccipital region. One was used for P45 plastinated sheets observation. One was for histological analysis of suboccipital region. One was for Scanning electron microscopic study. The results showed that the MDB in N.asiaeorientalis is an independent muscle originated from the caudal border of occiput, directly extended through the posterior atlanto-occipital interspace and connected with the cervical spinal dura mater. Thus the MDB in N.asiaeorientalis is an independent and specialized muscle. Based on the origin and termination of this muscle, we could name it as ‘Occipital-Dural Muscle’. And the direct pull on the cervical spinal dura mater might affect the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by altering the volume of subarachnoid space of spine.
Patient Similarity Analytics for Explainable Clinical Risk Prediction
Authors: Fang Hao Sen Andrew , Tan Ngiap Chuan , Tan Wei Ying , Oei Ronald Wihal , Lee Mong Li , Hsu Wynne
Published: January 2021

Background: A Clinical Risk Prediction Model (CRPM) uses patient characteristics to estimate the probability about having or developing a particular disease and/or outcome. While CRPMs are gaining in popularity, they have yet to be adopted routinely in clinical practice. The lack of explainability and interpretability has limited its utility. Explainability is the extent of which a model’s prediction process can be described. Interpretability is the degree to which a user can understand the predictions made by a model.Methods: The study aimed to demonstrate utility of patient similarity analytics in developing an explainable and interpretable CPRM. Data was extracted from the electronic medical records of patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidaemia in a Singapore public primary care clinic. We used various techniques, including patient similarity analytics, to develop various models on this real-world training dataset (n=7,041) and validated each of them on the same test dataset (n=3,018). The results were compared using logistic regression, random forest and support vector machine models from the same dataset. The CRPM was then implemented in a prototype system to demonstrate the identification, explainability and interpretability of similar patients and the prediction process.Results: The patient similarity model (AUROC=0.718) was comparable to the logistic regression (AUROC=0.695), random forest (AUROC=0.764) and support vector machine models (AUROC=0.766). We incorporated the patient similarity model in a prototype web application. A case study demonstrated how the application was provided both quantitative and qualitative information, in the form of patient narratives. This information was used to better inform and influence clinical decision-making, such as getting a patient to agree to start insulin therapy.Conclusions: A patient similarity approach is feasible to develop an explainable and interpretable CRPM. It is a general approach which can be used to develop locally relevant information, based on the database it searches. Ultimately, such an approach can generate a more informative CRPMs which can be deployed as part of clinical decision support tools to better facilitate shared decision-making in clinical practice.
CPT to RVU Conversion Improves Model Performance in the Prediction of Surgical Case Length
Authors: Garside Nicholas , Zaribafzadeh Hamed , Henao Ricardo , Chung Royce , Buckland Daniel
Published: January 2021

Methods used to predict surgical case time often rely upon the current procedural terminology (CPT) code as a nominal variable to train machine-learned models, however this limits the ability of the model to incorporate new procedures and adds complexity as the number of unique procedures increases. The relative value unit (RVU, a consensus-derived billing indicator) can serve as a proxy for procedure workload and could replace the CPT code as a primary feature for models that predict surgical case length. Using 11,696 surgical cases from Duke University Health System electronic health records data, we compared boosted decision tree models that predict individual case length, changing the method by which the model coded procedure type; CPT, RVU, and CPT-RVU combined. Performance of each model was assessed by inference time, MAE, and RMSE compared to the actual case length on a test set. Models were compared to each other and to the manual scheduler method that currently exists. RMSE for the RVU model (60.8 mins) was similar to the CPT model (61.9 mins), both of which were lower than scheduler (90.2 mins). 65.2% of our RVU model’s predictions (compared to 43.2% from the current human scheduler methods) fell within 20% of actual case time. Using RVUs reduced model prediction time by 8-fold. Replacing pre-operative CPT codes with RVUs maintains model performance while decreasing overall model complexity in the prediction of surgical case length.
Change in exposure of children to second-hand smoke with impact on children’s health and change in parental smoking habits after smoking ban in Bavaria – a multiple cross-sectional study.
Authors: Sharkawy Mohammed El , Weinberger Alisa , Kutzora Susanne , Huß Jonas , Hendrowarsito Lana , Nennstiel Uta , Heinze Stefanie , Herr Caroline
Published: January 2021

Background: Concerns about smoking displacement from public places to private amenities aroused following smoking ban implementation in Bavaria in 2008. We analysed children’s exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) before and after the ban, its effect on children’s health and prevalence of active smoking in adults. Methods: Six cross-sectional surveys (n=32,443) on pre-school children in Bavaria were analysed, two surveys before the smoking ban in years 2004 and 2005 (S1 and S2) and four after the ban in 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2016 (S4, S6, S7 and S8). Using multivariate logistic regression, we analysed change in children’s SHS exposure and its adverse health effects (Asthma, wheezing, bronchitis and neurodermatitis) as well as change in parental active smoking. Results: Odds of parents never smoking at home in presence of children increased significantly from before to after the ban with odds ratios (OR) 1.17 (CI 95% 1.01 – 1.35), 1.65 (CI 95% 1.39 – 1.95), 2.85 (CI 95% 2.32 – 3.51), 2.24 (CI 95% 1.84 – 2.72) and 3.66 (CI 95% 2.89 – 4.63) for S2, S4, S6, S7 and S8, respectively with S1 as reference. Compared to S4, odds of parents not actively smoking is significantly higher in S7 (OR= 1.13 (CI 95% 1.03 – 1.24)) and S8 (OR= 1.24 (CI 95% 1.13 – 1.36)). Adverse health effects related to children’s exposure to SHS are significantly less in S8 compared to S1. Conclusion: Smoking displacement to homes after the ban in Bavaria was disproved. Number of parents quitting smoking is increasing over time. Prevalence of health problems in children related to exposure to SHS is decreasing.
Hyomental distance measured by ultrasound for size selection of laryngeal mask airway in female patients: a randomized controlled study
Authors: wang xia , Tang Zhi-Hang , ma wuhua
Published: January 2021

BackgroundOptimal size selection of classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) remains a major challenge for anaesthesiologists. Because the body weight, current method to select LMA size, might not inconsistent with dimension of hypopharynx where LMA is positioned. Hyomental distance by ultrasound as an common parameter in upper airway may be considered a predictor of LMA size choice, that we conducted a randomized, controlled study to compare the efficacy of size selection between commonly recommended weight-based method and hyomental distance-based method.MethodsSeventy female patients undergoing breast cancer surgery were enrolled in our study and randomly assigned into either the hyomental distance group or weight group. The primary outcome was the correct rate of selection LMA without need for size adjustment or use of other devices. Secondary outcomes included injury rate, oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP), and insertion attempts.ResultsTwo participants were excluded from weight group due to tracheal intubation. The correct rate of LMA size-selected were significant difference of 77.14% and 51.51% in hyomental distance group and weight group, respectively(P=0.027). Five (14.29%) and 7 (21.21%) patients were injured in hyomental-distance group and weight group, respectively. Values of OLP in two groups were 22 (19-24) cmH2O and 22 (19.5-24) cmH2O, respectively. The insertion attempts were the same in both groups and no statistical differences were observed regarding these three outcomes. ConclusionThe hyomental distance-based method possessed a higher success rate for LMA-classic size selection than did the weight-based method, with the same excellent OLP value, low possibility of injury, and a low number of insertion attempts as weight-based method. Trial registration﻿Our study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900021123), registered 29 January 2019.
Arctigenin Exerts Neuroprotective Effect By Ameliorating Cortical Activities in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Vivo
Authors: Wei Liangpeng , Xue Zhenyi , Lan Baihui , Yuan Shiyang , Li Yuanyuan , Guo Cunle , Zhang Rongxin , Ding Ran , Shen Hui
Published: January 2021

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease in the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by inflammatory cells invade into the brain and the spinal cord. Among a bulk of different MS models, the rodent model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the most widely used and best understood. Arctigenin, a botanical extract from Arctium lappa, is reported to exhibit pharmacological properties including anti-inflammation and neuroprotection. However, the effects of Arctigenin on neural activity attacked by inflammation in MS are still unclear.Methods Female C57BL/6 mice were expressed by an ultra-sensitive protein calcium sensor GCamp6f in somatosensory cortex neurons through stereotaxic virus injection. Then we induced EAE model in mice with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide (35-55) and used two-photon calcium imaging to chronically observe cortical activity in vivo throughout the disease progression. Besides, we performed whole-cell electrophysiological recording to determine the frequency of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor-mediated spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC) in cortical brain slices of preclinical EAE mice.ResultsHere we found added hyperactive cells, calcium influx, network connectivity and synchronization, mainly at preclinical stage of EAE model. Besides, more silent cells and decreased calcium influx and reduced network synchronization accompanied by a compensatory rise in functional connectivity were found at the remission stage. Arctigenin treatment not only restricted inordinate individually neural spiking, calcium influx and network activity at preclinical stage, but also restored neuronal activity and communication at remission stage. In addition, we confirmed that the frequency of AMPA receptor-sEPSC was also increased at preclinical stage and can be blunted by Arctigenin. Conclusions Our findings suggest that excitotoxicity resulted from calcium influx is involved in EAE at preclinical stage. Moreover, Arctigenin exerts neuroprotective effect by limiting hyperactivity at preclinical stage and ameliorates EAE symptoms, indicating Arctigenin could be a potential therapeutic drug for neuroprotection in MS-related neuropsychological disorders.
The Epidemiology and Genetics of Hyperuricemia and Gout Across Major Racial Groups: A literature Review and Population Genetics Secondary Data Analysis
Authors: Butler Faven , Alghubayshi Ali , Roman Youssef Malak
Published: January 2021

BackgroundGout is an inflammatory condition caused by elevated serum urate (SU), a condition known as hyperuricemia (HU). Genetic variations, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), can alter the function of urate transporters, leading to differential HU and gout prevalence across different populations. In the United States (U.S.)., gout prevalence differentially affects certain racial groups. The objective of this proposed analysis is to compare the frequency of urate-related genetic risk alleles between Europeans (EUR) and the following major racial groups: Africans in Southwest U.S. (ASW), Han-Chinese (CHS), Japanese (JPT), and Mexican (MXL) from the 1000 Genomes Project. MethodsEnsembl genome browser of the 1000 Genomes Project was used to conduct cross-population allele frequency comparisons of 11 SNPs across 11 genes, physiologically involved and significantly associated with SU levels and gout risk. Gene/SNP pairs included: ABCG2 (rs2231142), SLC2A9 (rs734553), SLC17A1 (rs1183201), SLC16A9 (rs1171614), GCKR (rs1260326), SLC22A11 (rs2078267), SLC22A12 (rs505802), INHBC (rs3741414), RREB1 (rs675209), PDZK1 (rs12129861), and NRXN2 (rs478607). Allele frequencies were compared to EUR using Chi-Square or Fisher's Exact test, when appropriate. Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was used, with p<0.005 for statistical significance. Risk alleles were defined as the allele that is associated with baseline or higher HU and gout risks. The cumulative HU or gout risk allele index of the 11 SNPs was estimated for each population. The prevalence of HU and gout in U.S. and non-US populations was evaluated using a literature review.ResultsCompared with EUR, the SNP frequencies of 7/11 in ASW, 9/11 in MXL, 9/11 JPT, and 11/11 CHS were significantly different. HU or gout risk allele indices were 5, 6, 9, and 11 in ASW, MXL, CHS, and JPT, respectively. Out of the 11 SNPs, the percentage of risk alleles in CHS and JPT was 100%. Compared to non-US populations, the prevalence of HU and gout appear to be higher in western world countries.ConclusionsCompared with EUR, CHS and JPT populations had the highest HU or gout risk allele frequencies, followed by MXL and ASW. These results suggest that individuals of Asian descent are at higher HU and gout risk, which may partly explain the 2.7-fold higher gout prevalence among Asians versus Caucasians in ambulatory care settings. Furthermore, gout remains a disease of developed countries with a marked global rising.
Prevalence of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis and its associated factors in a tertiary health care center, South-west Nigeria.
Authors: Ojewuyi Abiodun Ronke , Odeyemi Abiona Oluwadamilola , Odeyemi Abimbola Ololade , Olotu Amadin Aitua , Oladipo Tunde
Published: January 2021

Background Tuberculosis is a chronic disease with associated high morbidity and mortality. In recent decades, there has been an increase in resistance to drugs used in treatment of tuberculosis. This is a major stumbling block in the global fight against tuberculosis. This study was to demonstrate the current prevalence of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis and its associated predisposing factors in a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria.Methods This was a cross-sectional retrospective study involving 359 consecutive patients with bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis seen between January 2015 and December 2019. Ethical approval was obtained from relevant authority. Drug susceptibility testing was performed for rifampicin using GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay. Relevant information was obtained from the clinical records of the patients with use of a well-structured proforma. The data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0.Results There were a total of 359 patients out of which majority, 235 (65.5%) were males. The mean age was 39.78+16.31 (range 1 - 90 years). A larger percentage of the subjects were new cases of tuberculosis (n=312, 86.9%), 49(13.6%) were HIV positive. The overall prevalence of rifampicin resistance found was 2.5% (n=9/359). There was significant association between gender (p=0.005) and re-treatment (p=0.003). There was no significant association between rifampicin resistance and other factors including age and HIV.Conclusion Male gender and patients on re-treatment for tuberculosis are more at risk of developing resistance to rifampicin in our environment. There is a need to ensure compliance with all guidelines in the management of tuberculosis to prevent an increase in drug resistance.
Ethnobotanical survey in Tampolo forest (Fenoarivo Atsinanana, Madagascar)
Authors: Onjalalaina Guy Eric , Sattler Carole , Razafindravao Maelle B. , Wanga Vincent Okelo , Mkala Elijah Mbandi , Mwihaki John Karichu , Ramananirina Besoa M. R. , Jeannoda Vololoniaina H. , Hu Guang-Wan
Published: January 2021

Background

Madagascar shelters over 14,000 plant species out of which 90% are endemic to the region. Some of the plants are very important for the socio-cultural and economic potential. Tampolo forest is one of the remnant littoral forests hinged on by the adjacent local communities for their daily livelihood. However, it has considerably shrunk due to anthropogenic activities forming forest patches. Thus, documenting the useful plants in and around the forest is important for understanding the ethnobotany in this area.
Methods

In this study, we 1) collected and identified useful plants utilized by local communities. Voucher specimens were collected following the information given by interviewees. 2) recorded the collection activities and the consumption methods through semi-structured interviews of the local inhabitants. 3) did a phytochemical screening to identify the active compounds and the potential healing metabolites of the medicinal plants.
Results

A total of 65 people between 25 to 75 years old were interviewed. Surveys recorded 123 species used as timber, food or medicine. Among them, 92 were forest species and 31 were ruderal species. Medicinal plants were mostly used to cure diarrhea, stomachache, and fever with leaves being the most used plant part. Phytochemical analyses of 20 endemic medicinal species showed the presence of compounds that could be responsible for the therapeutic effects of the plants.
Conclusions

Tampolo forest proves to be an important littoral forest highly utilized by the adjacent local communities due to the presence of high number of useful plants which are mostly endemic to the region. Hence, our investigation assessed the importance of these species in the locality and this can be used for further study on ecology, conservation and valorization of these species.
Toll-Like Receptor 2 Induced Senescence in Intervertebral Disc Cells of Patients with Back Pain can be Attenuated by o-Vanilin
Authors: Mannarino Matthew , Cherif Hosni , Li Li , Sheng Kai , Rabau Oded , Jarzem Peter , Weber Michael H. , Ouellet Jean A. , Haglund Lisbet
Published: January 2021

Backgroud: There are an increased level of senescent cells and Toll Like Receptor-1 -2 -4 and -6 (TLR) expression in degenerating intervertebral discs (IVDs) from back pain patients. However, it is currently not known if the increase in expression of TLRs is related to the senescent cells or if it is a more general increase on all cells. It is also not known if TLR activation in IVD cells will induce cell senescence.Methods: Cells from non-degenerate human IVD were obtained from spine donors and cells from degenerate IVDs came from patients undergoing surgery for low back pain. Gene expression of TLR-1,2,4,6, senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) markers was evaluated by RT-qPCR in isolated cells. Matrix synthesis was verified with safranin-O staining and Dimethyl-Methylene Blue Assay (DMMB) confirmed proteoglycan content. Protein expression of p16INK4a, SASP factors and TLR-2 was evaluated by immunocytochemistry (ICC) and/or by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: An increase in senescent cells was found following 48h induction with a TLR-2/6 agonist in cells from both non-degenerate and degenerating human IVDs. Higher levels of SASP factors, TLR-2 gene expression and protein expression was found following 48h induction with TLR-2/6 agonist. Treatment with o-Vanillin reduced the number of senescent cells, and increased matrix synthesis in IVD cells from back pain patients. Treatment with o-Vanillin after induction with TLR-2/6 agonist reduced gene and protein expression of SASP factors and TLR-2. Co-localized staining of p16INK4a and TLR-2 demonstrated that senescent cells have a high TLR-2 expression.Conclusions: Taken together our data demonstrate that activation of TLR-2/6 induce senescence and increase TLR-2 and SASP expression in cells from non-degenerate IVDs of organ donors without degeneration and backpain and in cells from degenerating human IVD of patients with disc degeneration and backpain. The senescent cells showed high TLR-2 expression suggesting a link between TLR activation and cell senescence in human IVD cells. The reduction in senescence, SASP and TLR-2 expression suggest o-Vanillin as a potential disease modifying drug for patients with disc degeneration and backpain.
Cisto ósseo traumático em área incomum: relato de caso
Authors: Silva Mirela Caroline , Neto Tiburtino José de Lima , Santos Anderson Maikon de Souza , Faverani Leonardo Perez , Inaoka Sirius Dan , Da Costa Davi Felipe Neves
Published: January 2021

Introdução: O cisto ósseo traumático possui diversas nomenclaturas e é classificado como um pseudocisto, por não apresentar cápsula e revestimento epitelial. Acomete principalmente pacientes jovens na região posterior de mandíbula, podendo este ter histórico de trauma. Por serem assintomáticos, muitas vezes são diagnosticados em exames radiográficos de rotina. A exploração da cavidade é indicada tanto para diagnóstico, após analise histopatológica, quanto para terapêutica. Objetivo: O objetivo desse trabalho é apresentar as características de cisto ósseo traumático para diagnostico e tratamento, a partir do relato de um caso de dois cistos ósseos em regiões de menor incidência na mandíbula. Relato de caso: Paciente de 15 anos foi diagnosticado com duas lesões de cisto ósseo traumático, após uma radiografia de rotina para tratamento ortodôntico. As lesões eram de aproximadamente 10 mm sendo duas cavidades no mento e de 15mm na região do côndilo esquerdo e assintomáticas. Para o diagnóstico e tratamento, foi realizado uma aspiração na lesão do mento e posteriormente exploração cirúrgica em ambas lesões; e mesmo observando certa escassez de tecido para a exploração, uniu-se o exame com as características clinicas do paciente e obteve-se um diagnóstico definitivo de cisto ósseo traumático. O mesmo passou por acompanhamento clínico-radiográfico e pode ser observada regressão da lesão. Conclusão: Se faz importante o conhecimento das características dessa lesão para correto diagnóstico e tratamento, mesmo que o tratamento seja feito somente com exploração cirúrgica e proservação.
Suasana Mendung di Cempaka Sari
Authors: Rahman Paiman Noor Azizan
Published: January 2021

This work entitled “Suasana Mendung di Cempaka Sari” in terms of ideas is held through environmental experience encountered by the artist since residing in Perak (from 2001 until now). The artist lives in Seri Manjung district and works at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar (in Bota sub-district). Hence the daily travel distance of the artist goes back and forth from home to work and vice versa is about 100 kilometres. Through “daily activities” back and forth, the artist indirectly has been served with various shapes and visual elements pertaining to “social products” that are having “potential” to be questioned such as politics, economics, culture, religion, or environment in supporting the formation of his ideas for designing artwork.
EraInterim Re-analiz Verileri Kullanılarak İstatistiksel Ölçek İndirgeme Yöntemi ile Doğu Karadeniz Havzası Aylık Ortalama Sıcaklık Değerlerinin Tahmin Edilmesi
Authors: NACAR Sinan , KANKAL Murat , OKKAN Umut
Published: January 2021

İstatistiksel ölçek indirgeme yöntemleri düşük çözünürlüğe sahip atmosferik değişkenler ile istasyonlardan ölçülmüş meteorolojik parametreler arasında istatistiksel ilişkiler kurulmasına dayanan yöntemlerdir. Bu çalışmada (0,75° x 0,75°) sayısal ağ çözünürlüğüne sahip EraInterim re-analiz veri setinde yer alan atmosferik değişkenler kullanılarak Doğu Karadeniz Havzası’nda ve çevresinde yer alan 12 meteoroloji istasyonundan ölçülmüş olan aylık ortalama sıcaklık parametresinin her bir istasyon için tahmin edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla EraInterim re-analiz veri setinde yer alan yüzeysel parametrelerden yağış, sıcaklık, deniz yüzeyi basıncı ve yüzeysel hava basıncı ile 850, 500 ve 200 hPa basınç seviyelerindeki hava sıcaklığı, jeopotansiyel yükseklik ve rölatif nem atmosferik değişkenleri bağımsız değişkenler olarak kullanılmıştır. Meteoroloji istasyonlarından (1981-2010) döneminde ölçülmüş olan aylık ortalama sıcaklık değerleri ise bağımlı değişken olarak kullanılmıştır. Ölçek indirgeme yöntemi olarak çok değişkenli uyarlanabilir regresyon eğrileri (ÇDURE) yöntemi seçilmiştir. İstasyon temelinde kurulmuş olan ÇDURE model performanslarının değerlendirilmesi için ortalama karesel hatanın karekökü, saçılım indeksi, ortalama mutlak hata ve Nash-Sutcliffe (NS) etkinlik katsayısı istatistikleri kullanılmıştır. Hesaplanan NS değerinin tüm istasyonlar için 0.9-1.0 aralığında olduğu görülmüştür. Ayrıca EraInterim veri setinden seçilmiş olan küresel ölçekli değişkenlerin yerel ölçekteki sıcaklık değerleri tahmininde başarılı olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu sonuçlar ÇDURE istatistiksel ölçek indirgeme yönteminin kaba ölçekli atmosferik değişkenlerin bölgesel ölçeğe indirgenmesinde kullanılabilir olduğunu göstermiştir.
Avifauna no Refúgio de Vida Silvestre Mata do Buraquinho, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil, com notas naturalísticas sobre as espécies ameaçadas
Authors: Almeida Antônio Cláudio C. de
Published: January 2021

A conservação da biodiversidade nas atuais condições de pressões antrópicas, pressupõe a implantação de unidades de conservação. No Município de João Pessoa (PB), a Mata do Buraquinho, consiste em unidade de conservação de proteção integral - refúgio de vida silvestre. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi elaborar um check list da avifauna desta unidade de conservação, no período de março de 2017 a fevereiro de 2018. No inventário, aplicou-se o método das Listas de Mackinnon, onde foram obtidas 84 listas de 10 espécies. Foram registradas 113 espécies de aves, representadas por 34 famílias, sendo as de maior riqueza de espécies Tyrannidae e Thraupidae, com 30 espécies (27%), enquanto 28 espécies (25%) são consideradas indicadoras de alterações ambientais. Foram registrados oito táxons endêmicos do Brasil e do Bioma Mata Atlântica, no Centro de Endemismo Pernambuco, Picumnus pernambucensis, Touit surdus, Xiphorhynchus atlanticus, Xenops minutus alagoanus, Iodopleura pipra leucopygia, Hemitriccus griseipectus naumburgae e Ramphocelus bresilius. Seis táxons estão ameaçados de extinção, Leptodon forbesi (EN), Touit surdus (VU), Xenops minutus alagoanus (VU), Iodopleura pipra leucopygia (CR) e Hemitriccus griseipectus naumburgae (VU). Os impactos ambientais negativos constatados para a avifauna são a coleta e o corte seletivo de plantas, a poluição hídrica, a pesca, a caça, as queimadas, a poluição sonora e a (re)introdução de espécies da fauna nativa. A observação de aves e a educação ambiental envolvendo as comunidades em torno da mata são instrumentos de inclusão social na conservação desta área protegida. Pode-se concluir que esta unidade de conservação consiste em um remanescente de extrema relevância ecológica para a conservação da avifauna da Mata Atlântica.
Development of an automated device for testing the external ground loop of power lines
Authors: Danilevich Fiodor Denisovich , Danilevich Egor Denisovich
Published: January 2021

The article refers to the need for periodic tests of grounding of power lines, in connection with which there is a need to develop domestic devices for conducting such tests, and a prototype of such a device has been developed