bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systems Pharmacology‐Dissection of the Molecular Mechanisms of Dragon’s Blood in Improving Ischemic Stroke Prognosis
Authors: Jiang Meng , Su Xing , Liu Jianling , Zheng Chunli , Li Xiaogang
Published: May 2020

Ethnopharmacological Relevance. Dragon’s blood (DB) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine that has many pharmacological effects, including antiplatelet aggregation, promoting epidermal growth, and anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The main component of Longxuetongluo capsule and Dragon’s blood dropping pills is DB’s standard phenolic extract, which was used for ischemic stroke prognosis in China. Aim of Study. To dissect the molecular mechanisms of Dragon’s blood (DB) in improving ischemic stroke prognosis. Materials and Methods. (1) Based on system‐pharmacology platform, the potential active compounds of DB are screened out according to ADME. (2) The ischemic stroke‐related targets are predicted by utilizing these active compounds as probes, mapping the targets to the CTD database to establish a molecular‐target‐disease network. (3) To analyze the mechanism of DB treatment for the prognosis of ischemic stroke, we used the Metascape and DAVID databases to construct “ischemic stroke pathways”. (4) PC12 cells were used to explore the protective effect of loureirin B on oxygen‐glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) injury, and BV‐2 cells were used to determine the anti‐inflammation effect of 4′,7‐dihydroxyflavone. Results. Finally, we obtained 38 active compounds and 58 stroke‐related targets. Network and pathway analysis indicate that DB is effective in the treatment of ischemic stroke by enhancing cell survival and inhibiting inflammatory and antiplatelet activation. In in vitro experiments, the main component loureirin B promoted the expression of HO‐1 and Bcl‐2 via positive regulation of PI3K/AKT/CREB and Nrf2 signaling pathways in PC12 cells against OGD/R damage. And the anti‐inﬂammatory activity of 4′,7‐dihydroxyflavone was related to the inhibition of COX‐2, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 in LPS‐induced BV‐2 cells. Conclusions. In our study, the results illustrated that DB in improving ischemic stroke prognosis may involve enhancing cell survival and antioxidant, anti‐inflammation, and antiplatelet activities.
Inelastic Interaction and Blowup New Solutions of Nonlinear and Dispersive Long Gravity Waves
Authors: Qin Haiyong , Khater Mostafa M. A. , Attia Raghda A. M.
Published: May 2020

In this paper, the fractional Broer–Kaup (BK) system is investigated by studying its novel computational wave solutions. These solutions are constructed by applying two recent analytical schemes (modified Khater method and sech–tanh function expansion method). The BK system simulates the bidirectional propagation of long waves in shallow water. Moreover, it is used to study the interaction between nonlinear and dispersive long gravity waves. A new fractional operator is used to convert the fractional form of the BK system to a nonlinear ordinary differential system with an integer order. Many novel traveling wave solutions are constructed that do not exist earlier. These solutions are considered the icon key in the inelastic interaction of slow ions and atoms, where they were able to explain the physical nature of the nuclear and electronic stopping processes. For more illustration, some attractive sketches are also depicted for the interpretation physically of the achieved solutions.
Assessing the Increase of Snakebite Incidence in Relationship to Flooding Events
Authors: Ochoa Carlos , Bolon Isabelle , Durso Andrew M. , Ruiz de Castañeda Rafael , Alcoba Gabriel , Babo Martins Sara , Chappuis François , Ray Nicolas
Published: May 2020

Snakebite envenoming causes up to 138,000 deaths and 400,000 permanently disabled victims worldwide every year. Flooding is one of the many factors that seems to influence the incidence of snakebite. The catastrophic floods from late 2018 in Kerala (India) were widely broadcast and are an example of how flooding events are related to the increased incidence of snakebite. This relationship has been mentioned regularly in scientific and grey literature, but usually quite scarcely in comparison to other topics linked to snakebite. Additionally, web media, mobile communications, and social media have started playing an important role not only in providing access to information on flooding-related snakebite events, but also in snakebite prevention at a larger scale. In order to better understand to what extent the relationship between snakebite incidence and flooding is reported and quantified and appraise the importance of mobile communications and social media in snakebite prevention and management, we performed multiple searches in generic (Google) and specialized (PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar) databases. We retrieved 68 scientific articles and 5 reports ranging from 1892 to 2018 mentioning or analyzing flooding and the increased incidence of snakebite. Additionally, we found 68 web media reports linking flooding and snakebite. This review indicates that the increase of snakebite incidence due to flooding has been repeatedly observed all over the world. This phenomenon could be exacerbated because of climate change, which is expected to increase the overall magnitude and frequency of flooding. However, it could also be mitigated by the role the Internet, mobile communications, and social media could play in snakebite prevention and human and animal rescue strategies during flooding.
Influence of Starkeya novella on Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of Cement Mortars
Authors: Munyao Onesmus Mulwa , Thiong’o Joseph Karanja , Wachira Jackson Muthengia , Mutitu Daniel Karanja , Mwirichia Romano
Published: May 2020

Cement-based materials are subject to degradation during their service life. Most of the structural failures have been associated with corrosion of the rebar due to chloride ingress, alkali aggregate reaction, and/or sulfate attack. Microbial activities, especially in waste water collection points such as sewer lines, may compromise the integrity of concrete structures. This study reports an experimental work carried out to determine the effect of Starkeya novella bacteria species on mechanical and microstructural properties of cement mortars. Mortar prisms were prepared from selected ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and Portland pozzolana cement (PPC) in Kenyan markets. Bacterial solution of 1.0 × 107 cell/mL concentration was used as either mix water, curing media, or both. Distilled water was used to prepare mortar prisms for control samples. Compressive strength was determined after the 7th, 28th, 56th, and 90th day of curing. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was tested on both bacterial and control mortar prisms after the 28th day of curing. Both PPC and OPC exhibited significant decrease in compressive strength for bacterial-prepared mortars as compared to controls. SEM analysis showed extreme erosion on the microstructure of the microbial mortars. This was denoted by massive formation of ettringite and gypsum which are injurious to mortar/concrete.
Overcoming Abdominal and Pelvic Cavity Workspace Constraints in Robotic-Assisted NOTES
Authors: Yeung Chung-Kwong , Lam Kwok-Wai , Cheung Jo Lai-Ken , Tjokronegoro Adelina , Law Chuk Shing Jones , Singh Satwinder , Foo Chi-Chung , Sreedhar Biji , Hoa Xuyen Dai
Published: May 2020

Despite early enthusiasm in robotic-assisted NOTES, several technical challenges exist. Various spinopelvic anatomical constraints can significantly act as obstacles and affect entry and space availability for the deployment of straight and rigid transvaginal/transanal NOTES instruments. Anatomical constraints such as the sacral slope, position, and distance to the target organs are defined. Transvaginal access to the surgical site required a high insertion angle between 20° and 30° to overcome the pronounced sacral slope resulting in dexterity and reachability limitations. A new set of robotic parameters was generated to introduce a 7 degrees of freedom robotic arm. Workspace simulation and phantom precision measurements have shown a significant improvement in the reachability and maneuverability of the robotic platform. While the robotic arms provided stable dexterity, it is constrained when reaching target sites in larger patients. This study has provided an insight and a solution in rigid instrument design, paving a safe route for transvaginal/transanal access for abdominal surgeries towards robotic-assisted NOTES.
Oral Supplements of Combined Bacillus licheniformis Zhengchangsheng® and Xylooligosaccharides Improve High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Obesity and Modulate the Gut Microbiota in Rats
Authors: Li Yuyuan , Liu Man , Liu He , Wei Xiaoqing , Su Xianying , Li Ming , Yuan Jieli
Published: May 2020

Gut dysbiosis induced by high‐fat diet (HFD) may result in low‐grade inflammation leading to diverse inflammatory diseases. The beneficial effects of probiotics and prebiotics on obesity have been reported previously. However, their benefits in promoting human health and the underlying mechanisms still need to be further characterized. This study is aimed at understanding how probiotic Bacillus licheniformis Zhengchangsheng® (BL) and prebiotic xylooligosaccharides (XOS) influence the health of a rat model with HF (60 kcal %) diet‐induced obesity. Five groups of male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were fed a normal fat diet (CON) or an HFD with or without BL and XOS supplementation for 3 weeks. Lipid profiles, inflammatory biomarkers, and microbiota composition were analyzed at the end of the experiment. Rats fed an HFD exhibited increased body weight and disordered lipid metabolism. In contrast, combined BL and XOS supplementation inhibited body weight gain and returned lipid metabolism to normal. Furthermore, BL and XOS administration changed the gut microbiota composition and modulated specific bacteria such as Prevotellaceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, and Ruminococcaceae. In addition, supplements of combined BL and XOS obviously reduced the serum LPS level, which was significantly related to microbial variations. Our findings suggest that modulation of the gut microbiota as a result of probiotic BL and prebiotic XOS supplementation has a positive effect on HFD‐induced obesity in rats.
Segmentation of the Fabric Pattern Based on Improved Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Ding Gang , Pei Xiaoyuan , Yang Yang , Huang Boxiang
Published: May 2020

In order to improve the segmentation performance of the printed fabric pattern, a segmentation criterion based on the 3D maximum entropy which is optimized by an improved fruit fly optimization algorithm is designed. The triple is composed of the gray value of the pixel, the average gray values of the diagonal, and the nondiagonal pixels in the neighbourhood. According to the joint probability of the triple, the 3D entropy of the object and the background areas could be designed. The optimal segmentation threshold is resolved by maximizing the 3D entropy. A hybrid fruit fly optimization algorithm is designed to optimize the 3D entropy function. Chaos search is used to enhance the ergodicity of the fruit fly search, and the crowding degree is introduced to enhance the global searching ability. Experiment results show that the segmentation method based on maximizing the 3D entropy could improve the segmentation performance of the printed fabric pattern and the pattern information could be reserved well. The improved fruit fly algorithm has a higher optimization efficiency, and the optimization time could be reduced to 30 percent of the original algorithm.
Making Meaning Together: Embodied Narratives in a Case of Severe Autism
Authors: Delafield-Butt Jonathan T. , Zeedyk M. Suzanne , Harder Susanne , Vaever Mette S. , Caldwell Phoebe
Published: May 2020

Shared understanding is generated between individuals before speech through a language of body movement and non-verbal vocalisation, expression of feeling and interest made in gestures of movement and voice. Human understanding is co-created in these embodied projects, displayed in serially organised expressions with shared timing of reciprocal actions between partners. These develop in narrative events that build over cycles of reciprocal expressive action in a four-part structure shared by all the time-based arts: “introduction,” “development,” “climax,” and “conclusion.” Pre-linguistic narrative establishes the foundation of later, linguistic intelligence. Yet, participating in social interactions that give rise to narrative development is a central problem of autism spectrum disorder. In this paper, we examine the rapid growth of narrative meaning-making between a non-verbal young woman with severe autism and her new therapist. Episodes of embodied, shared understanding were enabled through a basic therapeutic mode of reciprocal, creative mirroring of expressive gesture. These developed through reciprocal cycles and as the relationship progressed, complete co-created narratives were formed resulting in shared joy and the mutual interest and trust of companionship. These small, embodied stories enabled moments of co-regulated arousal that the young woman had previous difficulty with. These data provide evidence for an intact capacity for non-verbal narrative meaning-making in autism.
Management of Severe Acute Pancreatitis: An Update
Authors: Gliem Nina , Ammer-Herrmenau Christoph , Ellenrieder Volker , Neesse Albrecht
Published: May 2020

Background: Severe acute pancreatitis (AP) continues to be a serious gastrointestinal disease with relevant morbidity and mortality. Summary: Successful clinical management requires close interdisciplinary cooperation and coordination from experienced gastroenterologists, intensive care physicians, surgeons, and radiologists. While the early phase of the disease is characterized by intensive care aspects that focus primarily on treatment of organ failure, later complications are characterized especially by (infected) necrotic collections. Here, we discuss current clinical standards and developments for conservative and interventional management of patients with severe AP. Key messages: Early targeted fluid therapy within the first 48 h is critical to improve the outcome of severe AP. Thoracic epidural analgesia may have prognostically beneficial effects due to suspected anti-inflammatory effects and increased perfusion of splanchnic vessels. Enteral feeding should be started early during severe AP. Persistent organ failure (>48 h) is the strongest predictor of poor prognosis, and local complications such as infected walled-off necrosis should be primarily treated by minimally invasive endoscopic step-up approaches that are usually superior to surgical therapy options.
Increased Arterio-Portal Shunt Formation after Drug-Eluting Beads TACE for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Shimose Shigeo , Iwamoto Hideki , Tanaka Masatoshi , Niizeki Takashi , Shirono Tomotake , Nakano Masahito , Okamura Syusuke , Noda Yu , Kamachi Naoki , Sakai Miwa , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Nomiyama Mika , Kuromatsu Ryoko , Koga Hironori , Torimura Takuji
Published: May 2020

Background and Aims: Conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (C-TACE) and drug-eluting bead (DEB)-based TACE are current treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We compared the therapeutic efficacies and adverse events of these methods in a single-center retrospective cohort study. Methods: We enrolled 174 patients treated between January 2010 and October 2016; 98 and 76 underwent C-TACE and DEB-TACE, respectively, with 76 and 22 of the former group and 49 and 27 of the latter group classified as Child-Pugh class A and B, respectively. Therapeutic outcomes, progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse events were evaluated. Results: The PFS rates in the C-TACE and DEB-TACE groups were 8.1 and 6.1 months, respectively (p = 0.79). The response and disease control rates were 64 and 71% in C-TACE patients and 69 and 78% in DEB-TACE patients, respectively (p = 0.25). Postprocedural pain, vomiting, and fever were more frequent following C-TACE than DEB-TACE (p < 0.001). In contrast, the incidences of bilomas and arterio-portal shunts were significantly higher following DEB-TACE (p < 0.001); the incident rates of arterio-portal shunt formation were 8.1 and 48.7% in patients undergoing C-TACE and DEB-TACE, respectively. Child-Pugh class A was significantly associated with arterio-portal shunt formation after DEB-TACE on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in the therapeutic efficacies of C-TACE and DEB-TACE. However, the frequency of arterio-portal shunt formation was significantly higher in HCC patients with Child-Pugh class A undergoing DEB-TACE. Our findings imply that C-TACE should be selected for HCC patients with Child-Pugh class A and DEB-TACE should be chosen for those with Child-Pugh class B.
Evaluation of the Diagnostic Performance of EU-TIRADS in Discriminating Benign from Malignant Thyroid Nodules: A Prospective Study in One Referral Center
Authors: Kovatcheva Roussanka D. , Shinkov Alexander D. , Dimitrova Inna D. , Ivanova Ralitsa B. , Vidinov Kalin N. , Ivanova Radina S.
Published: May 2020

Background: Several thyroid societies have endorsed ultrasound (US) malignancy risk stratification systems for thyroid nodules and the recently released European Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS) needs large prospective studies for validation. Objective: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the performance of EU-TIRADS in identifying thyroid nodules for fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and its ability to reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies. Methods: This was a single-center prospective study. From August 2017 to September 2018, 783 consecutive patients with 1,000 thyroid nodules underwent US examination and US-guided FNAB. A total of 741 patients (median age 50 years; range, 15–87 years; 649 females, 92 males) with 942 nodules (median largest diameter 14 mm; range, 4–96 mm) met the following inclusion criteria: (1) nodules with benign or malignant cytology – categories II and VI of the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC); (2) nodules with non-diagnostic and indeterminate cytology (BSRTC I, BSRTC III, and BSRTC IV), or suspicious for malignancy (BSRTC V), if postoperative histology was present; (3) nodules classified as BSRTC I and BSRTC III with a repeat FNAB and conclusive cytology. Results: Of 942 nodules, 839 (89.1%) were benign and 103 (10.9%) were malignant. Nodules were classified as follows: EU-TIRADS 2 – 4.8%, EU-TIRADS 3 – 37.4%, EU-TIRADS 4 – 25.2%, and EU-TIRADS 5 – 32.6%. The malignancy rate in categories 2 to 5 was 0, 0, 3.8, and 30.6%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of EU-TIRADS with a cut-off set at category 5 were 91.3, 74.6, 30.6, 98.6, and 76.4%, respectively. Diagnostic performance other than sensitivity and NPV was superior in nodules ≥10 mm. FNAB number would be reduced by 53.4% if FNAB criteria were strictly applied. When the indication for FNAB was applied as test positivity, the estimated sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of EU-TIRADS were 69.9, 56.3, 16.4, and 93.8%, respectively. Conclusion: EU-TIRADS provides effective malignancy risk stratification that can guide the selection of thyroid nodules for biopsy. The application of the guidelines criteria for FNAB in the clinical practice might reduce significantly the number of unnecessary FNAB.
Investigation of the Effect of HATCH Score and Coronary Artery Disease Complexity on Atrial Fibrillation after On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Authors: Engin Mesut , Aydın Cihan
Published: May 2020

Objective: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (PoAF) is the most frequently encountered rhythm problem after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This situation decreases the capacity of the patients with respect to functional exercise and creates a risk for stroke. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of coronary artery disease extensiveness and HATCH score on PoAF in patients undergoing CABG surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Subjects and Methods: Patients who underwent CABG between December 2014 and December 2018 were included retrospectively. Preoperative demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters, and operative parameters of the patients were recorded retrospectively. Results: Of the 352 patients, 274 had HATCH scores ≤2 (71.1% male, mean age: 61.7 ± 12.4 years), and 78 had HATCH scores >2 (69.2% male, mean age: 65.9 ± 11.7 years). Significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of the age (p = 0.014), presence of hypertension (p = 0.012), PoAF (p < 0.001), and SYNTAX (synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with taxus and cardiac surgery) score I (p = 0.001). A HATCH score >2 and SYNTAX score I were identified as independent predictors of PoAF (OR: 1.022, 95% CI: 1.004–1.128, p = 0.032, and OR 1.098, 95% CI 1.035–1.164, p = 0.002, respectively). For predicting PoAF, the cutoff level in the ROC curve analysis was 19.7 for SYNTAX score (AUC 0.647, 95% CI 0.581–0.714, p < 0.001, 72.2% sensitivity and 66.4% specificity), and the cutoff level for HATCH score was 2 (AUC 0.656, 95% CI 0.595–0.722, p < 0.001, 69.4% sensitivity and 56.8% specificity) Conclusions: HATCH and SYNTAX scores are predictors of PoAF.
Lipid Droplets Accumulate in the Hypothalamus of Mice and Humans with and without Metabolic Diseases
Authors: Maya-Monteiro Clarissa Menezes , Corrêa-da-Silva Felipe , Hofmann Susanna S. , Hesselink Matthijs K.C. , la Fleur Susanne E. , Yi Chun-Xia
Published: May 2020

Background: In peripheral tissues, the lipid droplet (LD) organelle links lipid metabolism, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Little is known about the brain LDs. Objectives: We hypothesized that hypothalamic LDs would be altered in metabolic diseases. Methods: We used immunofluorescence labeling of the specific LD protein, PLIN2, as the approach to visualize and quantify LDs. Results: LDs were abundant in the hypothalamic third ventricle wall layer with similar heterogeneous distributions between control mice and humans. The LD content was enhanced by high-fat diet (HFD) in both wild-type and in low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient (Ldlr –/– HFD) mice. Strikingly, we observed a lower LD amount in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients when compared with non-T2DM patients. Conclusions: LDs accumulate in the normal hypothalamus, with similar distributions in human and mouse. Moreover, metabolic diseases differently modify LD content in mouse and human. Our results suggest that hypothalamic LD accumulation is an important target to the study of metabolism.
ДИНАМІКА ІНТЕРЛЕЙКІНІВ У ХВОРИХ НА ЛАЙМ-БОРЕЛІОЗ
Authors: Shkilna M. I. , Andreychyn M. A. , Ivakhiv O. L. , Iosyk I. I. , Zavidniuk N. H. , Tvorko M. S. , Korda M. M. , Klishch I. M.
Published: May 2020

Вступ. Лайм-бореліоз (ЛБ) – трансмісивний природно-осередковий бактеріоз, спричинений патогенними бореліями, передається кліщами роду Ixodes, характеризується поліморфізмом клінічної симптоматики. Фактори вірулентності В. burgdorferi – поверхневі Osp-білки активують макрофаги, дендритні клітини, Т- і В-лімфоцити, що виділяють такі особливі речовини білкової природи, як цитокіни. Останні виконують медіаторну функцію, передаючи сигнали між клітинами, що взаємодіють. Вивчення динаміки активності прозапальних і протизапальних цитокінів дозволяє з’ясувати нові ланки імунопатогенезу борелійної інфекції.

Мета дослідження – з’ясувати динаміку прозапальних цитокінів ІЛ-1β, ФНП-α, ІЛ-6 і протизапального ІЛ-10 у сироватці крові пацієнтів з еритемною формою Лайм-бореліозу залежно від перебігу хвороби.

Методи дослідження. Спостерігали 83 особи віком від 18 до 70 років з еритемною формою Лайм-бореліозу. Чоловіків було 35 (42,2 %), жінок – 48 (57,8 %). Середній вік обстежених становив (42,65±13,91) року. Пацієнтів поділили на три групи: 1-шу становили 38 (45,7 %) осіб з гострим перебігом ЛБ (до 3-х місяців); 2-гу – 32 (38,6 %) пацієнти з підгострим перебігом (від 3-х до 6-ти місяців); 3-тю – 13 (15,7 %) хворих із хронічним перебігом недуги (понад 6 місяців). Антитіла до B. burgdorferi s. l. Ig M та/або Ig G визначали методом ІФА, рівень цитокінів (ФНП-α, ІЛ-1β, ІЛ-6 та ІЛ-10) у сироватці крові пацієнтів – методом ІФА із застосуванням тест-систем виробництва ЗАТ “Вектор-Бест”.

Результати й обговорення. При гострому перебігу ЛБ у сироватці крові хворих зростав вміст прозапальних ІЛ-1β, ФНП-α та ІЛ-6 порівняно з контрольною групою (р˂0,005), збільшувався вміст протизапального ІЛ-10 щодо рівня у здорових осіб (р˂0,005). При підгострому перебігу ЛБ вміст прозапального ІЛ-1β не змінювався, а концентрація ФНП-α була вищою, ніж при гострому перебігу недуги (р<0,05), і в контрольній групі (р<0,005). Рівень протизапального ІЛ-10 у цих осіб був нижчим, ніж у пацієнтів з гострим перебігом ЛБ (р>0,05), проте значно вищим за показник у здорових людей (р<0,005). В осіб, в яких кільцеподібна мігруюча еритема визначалася через 6 місяців і більше, вміст ІЛ-1β не зростав, рівень ФНП-α був дещо вищим, ніж у пацієнтів з гострим перебігом недуги (р>0,05), а концентрація ІЛ-6 виявилась значно вищою щодо осіб з підгострим перебігом недуги, суттєво не відрізняючись від показника у хворих з гострим ЛБ.

Висновки. Кожний п’ятий пацієнт з кільцеподібною мігруючою еритемою не зміг вказати на укус кліща. Збільшений рівень ІЛ-10 у сироватці крові пацієнтів з ЛБ на тлі високого вмісту прозапальних цитокінів може свідчити про відсутність передумов для переходу інфекційного процесу в стадію обмеження запалення даної інфекції і бути, ймовірно, показанням до негайного призначення етіотропного лікування або заміни одного антибіотика іншим.
АКТИВНІСТЬ КАТЕПСИНІВ В, L, Н У ПЛАЗМІ КРОВІ ПАЦІЄНТІВ ІЗ ХРОНІЧНИМИ ДИФУЗНИМИ ЗАХВОРЮВАННЯМИ ПЕЧІНКИ
Authors: Dolgikh H. V. , Maslak H. S. , Didenko V. I. , Klenina I. A. , Abraimova O. E.
Published: May 2020

Вступ. Для діагностики гістологічних стадій хронічних дифузних захворювань печінки поряд із трепанобіопсією широко використовують плазмові маркери.

Мета дослідження – визначити активність цистеїнових катепсинів В, L, H і вміст інгібіторів протеолізу α1-антитрипсину та α2-макроглобуліну в плазмі крові пацієнтів із хронічними дифузними захворюваннями печінки невірусної етіології.

Методи дослідження. Об’єкт дослідження – плазма крові пацієнтів із хронічними дифузними захворюваннями печінки (n=51) віком 28–60 років, які перебували на стаціонарному лікуванні у відділенні захворювань печінки та підшлункової залози Інституту гастроентерології НАМН України. Контрольну групу становили здорові волонтери (n=15) віком від 25 до 52 років. Активність катепсинів В, L, Н визначали відносно N-α-бензоїл-DL-аргінін-4-нітроанілід гідрохлориду, азоказеїну, окситоцину відповідно. Для визначення вмісту інгібіторів у плазмі крові як субстрат використовували розчин N-α-бензоїл-DL-аргінін-4-нітроанілід гідрохлориду.

Результати й обговорення. Порівняно з групою практично здорових донорів статистично значущі відмінності зафіксовано в таких групах: у пацієнтів із стеатогепатитом активність катепсину В зростала на 26,7 %, а рівень α2-макроглобуліну знижувався на 30,7 %; у хворих на хронічний вірусний гепатит з переходом у цироз активність катепсину В підвищувалась на 43,8 %, активність катепсину H зменшувалась на 35,0 %, а вміст α2-макроглобуліну, навпаки, збільшувався на 71,5 %; у пацієнтів із стеатогепатозом активність катепсинів L та H знижувалась на 22,1 і 25,0 % відповідно, а концентрація α1-антитрипсину зростала на 19,30 %.

Висновок. Визначення рівня інгібіторів разом з активністю цистеїнових катепсинів у плазмі крові можна запропонувати як неінвазивні маркери при хронічних дифузних захворюваннях печінки невірусної етіології.
НЕПРЯМА РЕВАСКУЛЯРИЗАЦІЯ ПРИ ДІАБЕТИЧНІЙ МІКРОАНГІОПАТІЇ – ВІД ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНИХ МОДЕЛЕЙ ДО КЛІНІЧНОГО ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ
Authors: Vastyanov R. S. , Chekhlova O. V. , Chekhlov M. V.
Published: May 2020

Вступ. Непряму реваскуляризацію при діабетичній мікроангіопатії розглядають як перспективний напрямок лікування та профілактики ускладнень цукрового діабету, проте теоретичне підґрунтя цього підходу недостатньо опрацьовано.

Мета дослідження – оцінити ефективність комбінованої непрямої реваскуляризації в щурів з мікроангіопатією кінцівок на тлі експериментального стрептозотоцинового діабету.

Методи дослідження. Дослідження було виконано за умов хронічного експерименту на 100 щурах лінії Вістар масою 180–250 г. Після введення стрептозотоцину з експерименту виключали тварин з підвищеною резистентністю до панкреатотропної токсичної дії за критерієм відсутності гіперглікемії, після чого впродовж 6-ти тижнів виводили по 2 тварини для виконання морфологічних досліджень. На 7-му тижні з експерименту вивели ще 10 щурів для оцінки ефективності експериментальної моделі. З решти тварин (n=60) сформували три експериментальні групи: 1-ша (контрольна) – щури зі стрептозотоцин­індукованою ангіопатією без лікування (n=10); 2-га – щури зі стрептозотоциніндукованою ангіопатією, яким з лікувальною метою вводили пентоксифілін (100 мг/кг внутрішньочеревно щоденно протягом 10-ти днів) (n=25); 3-тя – щури зі стрептозотоциніндукованою ангіопатією, яким з лікувальною метою сумісно вводили плазму, збагачену тромбоцитами (в праву задню кінцівку, одноразово, обʼємом 0,2 мл, лінійно, ретроградно, з двох точок), та пентоксифілін (100 мг/кг внутрішньочеревно щоденно протягом 10-ти днів) (n=25). Через 4 тижні після початку експериментальної терапії з експерименту виводили по 5 тварин. Загальна його тривалість становила 110 днів.

Результати й обговорення. При експериментальному стрептозотоциновому діабеті на 8-му тижні у тварин розвинулася мікроангіопатія кінцівок. Ізольоване введення пентоксифіліну за реваскуляризуючою активністю поступалося комбінованій терапії. Комбінована терапія із застосуванням пентоксифіліну та плазмофіліну призвела до зменшення периваскулярного набряку і збільшення ефективного васкулярного обʼєму переважно за рахунок зниження інтенсивності запальних проявів.

Висновок. Обговорюється питання щодо доцільності клінічного використання при лікуванні проявів діабетичної мікроангіопатії комбінації пентоксифіліну та плазми, збагаченої тромбоцитами, як засобу непрямої реваскуляризації.
Contabilidade e auditoria interna no setor público brasileiro: percepção dos contadores públicos frente à convergência para as IPSAS/IFAC
Authors: Marques Luciane Ribas , Bezerra Filho João Eudes , Caldas Olavo Venturim
Published: May 2020

O objetivo do artigo foi investigar e analisar a percepção de uma amostra de contadores públicos brasileiros sobre a adoção das Normas Brasileiras de Contabilidade Aplicada ao Setor Público no Brasil, atualmente em processo de convergência com as normas da Internacional Federation of Accountants (International Public Sector Accounting Standards). A literatura consultada tem se concentrado em pesquisas quantitativas realizadas a partir das informações contábeis publicadas em prestações de contas junto aos Tribunais de Contas e repositórios do Governo Federal, não adentrando em analisar percepções dos profissionais de contabilidade envolvidos no processo. A teoria da contingência foi abarcada como lastro conceitual. O estudo é exploratório e de caráter descritivo, tendo sido coletados dados por meio de questionário eletrônico, utilizando o método de análise fatorial exploratória.  A amostra contou com 168 respondentes. Os resultados indicam que há necessidade de mudanças organizacionais, estruturais, sensibilização da alta administração, de competência técnica-profissional e culturais nos segmentos de contabilidade e auditoria interna dos entes públicos brasileiros visando atender à convergência. Os achados contribuem também para o debate e reflexão sobre o processo de amadurecimento e busca de soluções para adoção de uma contabilidade pública que atenda as demandas de informações dos mais diversos grupos de interessados (internos e externos).
Influência de fatores contingenciais no desempenho municipal: evidências inferenciais
Authors: Sell Filipy Furtado , Beuren Ilse Maria , Lavarda Carlos Eduardo Facin
Published: May 2020

Este estudo analisa a influência de fatores contingenciais no desempenho de municípios ao longo de três mandatos governamentais. Consideram-se fatores contingenciais internos (liderança organizacional, estrutura e porte organizacional) e externo (ambiente). Os dados de 293 municípios, com 3.516 observações, relativos aos três últimos mandatos encerrados, foram analisados pela regressão de dados em painel. Os resultados revelaram influência significativa de fatores contingenciais no desempenho dos municípios. Os fatores ambiente (IDHM), liderança organizacional (idade do prefeito), estrutura (despesa de pessoal per capita) e porte organizacional (densidade populacional) influenciaram positivamente o desempenho municipal (receita corrente líquida per capita). A relação positiva e significativa entre estrutura e desempenho municipal indica que o corte de gastos com pessoal nos municípios estudados não aumentará seu desempenho. Para as variáveis de controle, destaca-se que nos municípios em que o partido do prefeito é o mesmo do governador há maior possibilidade de obtenção de recursos. As demais variáveis de controle atreladas às características do prefeito não obtiveram significância estatística. Assim, a reeleição do prefeito e sua direção partidária não influenciaram no desempenho municipal.
Jurisprudência & Ementário
Authors: Revista de Direito Sanitário Editores -
Published: May 2020

Seleção de decisões judiciais relacionadas à pandemia da Covid-19 da Argentina e do Chile.
Spider (Arachnida: Araneae) fauna of the scrub jungle in the Madras Christian College campus, Chennai, India
Authors: Caleb John T.D.
Published: May 2020

A total of 108 species of spider species belonging to 84 genera and 25 families were identified from the scrub jungle of the Madras Christian College campus.  Pagida salticiformis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1883) is recorded for the first time from India.  Langona tigrina (Simon, 1885) is rediscovered 135 years since its first description and the unknown male is described and illustrated.  A new combination, Langona davidi (Caleb, Mungkung & Mathai, 2015) comb. nov. is proposed for the species previously placed in Phlegra.  Three new synonymys have been recognized: Clubiona foliata Keswani & Vankhede, 2014 and Clubiona pashabhaii Patel & Patel, 1973 are junior synonyms of Clubiona filicata O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1874 and Myrmarachne megachelae Kumar & Mohanasundaram, 1998 is a junior synonym of Myrmaplata plataleoides (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1869).  Distribution records of several species have been updated and as many as 31 species are recorded for the first time from Tamil Nadu State.  The family Salticidae is the most diverse with 28 species belonging to 22 genera followed by Araneidae with 19 species in 11 genera.  Guild structure analysis revealed seven feeding guilds of which, stalkers and orb-web weavers are the dominant feeding guilds followed by ground runners, ambushers, and scattered line weavers, respectively.
CITED4 Protects Against Adverse Remodeling in Response to Physiological and Pathological Stress
Authors: Lerchenmüller Carolin , Rabolli Charles P , Yeri Ashish Suresh , Kitchen Robert , Salvador Ane M , Liu Laura X , Ziegler Olivia , Danielson Kirsty M , Platt Colin , Shah Ravi , Damilano Federico , Kundu Piyusha , Riechert Eva , Katus Hugo A , Saffitz Jeffrey E , Keshishian Hasmik , Carr Steve , Bezzerides Vassilios J , Das Saumya , Rosenzweig Anthony
Published: May 2020

Rationale:Cardiac CITED4 is induced by exercise and is sufficient to cause physiological hypertrophy and mitigate adverse ventricular remodeling after ischemic injury. However, the role of endogenous CITED4 in response to physiological or pathological stress is unknown.

Objective:To investigate the role of CITED4 in murine models of exercise and pressure overload.

Methods and Results:We generated cardiomyocyte-specific CITED4 knockout mice (C4KO) and subjected them to an intensive swim exercise protocol as well as transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Echocardiography, western blotting, qPCR, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and transcriptional profiling for mRNA and miRNA expression were performed. Cellular crosstalk was investigated in vitro. CITED4 deletion in cardiomyocytes did not affect baseline cardiac size or function in young adult mice. C4KO mice developed modest cardiac dysfunction and dilation in response to exercise. After TAC, C4KOs developed severe heart failure with left ventricular dilation, impaired cardiomyocyte growth accompanied by reduced mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity and maladaptive cardiac remodeling with increased apoptosis, autophagy, and impaired mitochondrial signaling. Interstitial fibrosis was markedly increased in C4KO hearts after TAC. RNAseq revealed induction of a pro-fibrotic miRNA network. miR30d was decreased in C4KO hearts after TAC and mediated crosstalk between cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts to modulate fibrosis. miR30d inhibition was sufficient to increase cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis after TAC.

Conclusions:CITED4 protects against pathological cardiac remodeling by regulating mTOR activity and a network of miRNAs mediating cardiomyocyte to fibroblast crosstalk. Our findings highlight the importance of CITED4 in response to both physiological and pathological stimuli.
Serum Aldosterone Concentration, Blood Pressure, and Coronary Artery Calcium
Authors: Inoue Kosuke , Goldwater Deena , Allison Matthew , Seeman Teresa , Kestenbaum Bryan R. , Watson Karol E.
Published: May 2020

Aldosterone is a steroid hormone regulating fluid and electrolyte homeostasis and is known to increase the risk of atherosclerosis. In this study, we examined the associations of serum aldosterone concentrations with subclinical atherosclerosis and all-cause mortality. This study included 948 adults aged 46 to 88 years from the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) with measurements of serum aldosterone and plasma renin activity and not taking antihypertensive medications. Coronary calcification was longitudinally assessed using Agatston coronary artery calcium score from computed tomography scans. All-cause mortality was ascertained from the medical record. The average age (SD) was 62.3 (9.4) years and 53% were male. Among 700 subjects who had follow-up coronary artery calcium score (median follow-up of 6.4 years), higher aldosterone levels (per 100 pg/mL) were associated with higher coronary artery calcium (relative ratio, 1.17 [95% CI, 1.04–1.32]), with the association being stronger in individuals with suppressed plasma renin activity (≤0.5 μg/L/hr). Systolic or diastolic blood pressure mediated around 45% of the total effect of aldosterone on coronary artery calcium. Over a median follow-up of 12.5 years (120 deaths identified among 948 subjects), aldosterone was associated with the increased risk of all-cause mortality when plasma renin activity was suppressed; hazard ratio per 100 pg/mL, 1.70 (95% CI, 1.10–2.63). In this study, we found that higher aldosterone levels were associated with the increased risk of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis and all-cause mortality particularly when renin was suppressed. Our findings indicate the importance of aldosterone levels (even within the reference range) with respect to the cardiovascular system and overall health.
An RDF Data Set Quality Assessment Mechanism for Decentralized Systems
Authors: Huang Li , Liu Zhenzhen , Xu Fangfang , Gu Jinguang
Published: May 2020

With the rapid growth of the linked data on the Web, the quality assessment of the RDF data set becomes particularly important, especially for the quality and accessibility of the linked data. In most cases, RDF data sets are shared online, leading to a high maintenance cost for the quality assessment. This also potentially pollutes Internet data. Recently blockchain technology has shown the potential in many applications. Using the blockchain storage quality assessment results can reduce the centralization of the authority, and the quality assessment results have characteristics such as non-tampering. To this end, we propose an RDF data quality assessment model in a decentralized environment, pointing out a new dimension of RDF data quality. We use the blockchain to record the data quality assessment results and design a detailed update strategy for the quality assessment results. We have implemented a system DCQA to test and verify the feasibility of the quality assessment model. The proposed method can provide users with better cost-effective results when knowledge is independently protected.
Grammatical Issues Integrated with Quranic Exegesis and Their Impact on Meaning: A Critical Study of the Commentary on Sūrat al-Nisāʾ
Authors: Dror Yehudit
Published: May 2020

This study focuses on the grammatical content of six Quranic exegeses dating from the fourth/tenth to the seventh/thirteenth centuries (see section 1.3). The idea of exploring grammatical aspects of Quranic exegeses is not new in modern research, yet a complete analysis based on a large corpus devoted to the collection, classification, and analysis of the grammatical content of Quranic exegeses is still lacking. This study is limited to an examination of commentaries on sūrat al-nisāʾ. In these, two types of grammatical comments can be distinguished. The first are “formal comments”, in which the commentators conduct a morphological and/or syntactical analysis of various components. Such comments usually include an explicit grammatical term, and most of these have been addressed by traditional grammarians. The second type are “functional comments”. These concern issues that are less common in classical grammatical descriptions, such as agreement, coherence, pragmatics, and other related matters. Usually in these types of comments, no syntactical term is mentioned, although such explanations make important grammatical contributions.
A Critical Analysis of Firestone’s Hypothesis Regarding the Qurʾānic Legislation on Holy War
Authors: Tabataba’i Mohammad Ali , Velayati Maryam
Published: May 2020

Reuven Firestone in his works on the concept of holy war in Islam has criticized the traditional resolution for the problem of disparity between the Qurʾānic verses on war and suggested a new interpretation of the relationship between the verses. This paper aims to reevaluate Firestone’s contribution by taking a closer look at his critique of the traditional theory as well as his alternative suggestion. This study shows that what Firestone attributes to the Muslim tradition is a mistaken projection of some modern views onto the early authorities. The ambivalent stance of Firestone towards the historicity of the early Muslim literature results in a loose hypothesis regarding the formation of the Qurʾānic verses on war which neither meets the traditional specifications, nor satisfies the criteria of the skeptic party of Islamicists.
Analysis on Textual Hadith of Waqf Infrastructure in al-Kutub al-Sittah and Its Applications from the Perspective of Maqasid al-Sunnah
Authors: Suliaman Ishak , Yaakob Mohd Ashrof Zaki
Published: May 2020

The implementation of waqf introduced by the Prophet SAW and his companions are the main reference and guidance for Muslim to expand its continuity for particular category of waqf infrastructure. This article aims to examine the definition and concept of waqf infrastructure. The discussion focuses on analysis of textuals Hadith of waqf that derived from al-Kutub al-Sittah and its application in the perspective of Maqasid al-Sunnah. It is found that there are 36 textuals Hadith regarding waqf in al-Kutub al-Sittah whereby 27 textuals Hadith are categorised as waqf infrastructure. In terms of the discussion on waqf infrastructure within the framework of textuals Hadith, there are 3 main categories such as religious infrastructure, public infrastructure and general infrastructure. In addition, there are 6 types of waqf infrastructure under those categories including waqf of land, waqf of garden, waqf of well Bayruhaʾ, waqf of land for mosque and waqf of military weapons. In the light of Maqasid al-Sunnah, it signifies the development of waqf infrastructure must be in line with the principals and its implementation that introduced by the Prophet SAW and his companions RA.
Pragmatic Interpretation and Translational Equivalence of Ironic Discourse in the Holy Qurʾan Based on SAT and EAT Theories: Arberry’s English Translation as a Case Study
Authors: Abuissac Shehda R.S , Sapar Ahmed Arifin Bin , Saged Ali Gobaili
Published: May 2020

This paper discusses and examines intercultural differences between the Arabic use of ironic language in the Quran and its English translation equivalents by Arberry. The data samples of the study are methodologically classified and interpreted in accordance with Haverkate’s “Speech Acts Theory of Irony” (SATI), the “Echoic Account Theory” by Sperber and Wilson, and Nida’s “Theory of Equivalence”. Throughout the application of pragmatic and translation theories, qualitative analysis is used. Analysis and interpretation led to the conclusion that Arabic traditional culture, semantically complex language concepts like polysemy, idiomatic multi-word expressions and, above all, emotive images play fundamental roles that are impeding the translations of ironic speech acts from the Qurʾan into adequate English equivalents. The study also shows how verbal irony intersects with other figures and tropes. Its interface produces a vast range of various functions and dissociative thoughts, while being open to many interpretations. Lastly, the study shows how translational techniques can mitigate, minimize and overcome the problems of corresponding equivalence. The study suggests future research into the role that discourse parameters play for the translational transfer of Qurʾanic ironic speech acts and for all other figurative language types that are interrelated with verbal irony.
MAQĀṢID ĀL-QUR’AN: A SEARCH FOR A SCHOLARLY DEFINITION
Authors: Islam Tazul
Published: May 2020

“Maqāṣid al-Qur’ān” appears as an emerging science in the field of Islamic studies that promotes a particular understanding of the Qur’ānic discourse. As scholars’ contributions in this subject are lacking a scholarly definition of this very science, this study aims to formulate its definition in a scholarly manner. In doing so, this research firstly presents the meaning of “maqasid” as well as the “Qur’ān”; secondly, it explores the key elements for this definition in scholars’ views on this subject; finally, it formulates a definition for it in the light of these elements and explains them in brief.
Orphan(ed) Scroll: the Case of Contextualizing a Late Qing Object in a Slovenian Museum
Authors: Motoh Helena
Published: May 2020

This paper focuses on the methodological problem of contextualizing singular, ‘orphaned’ museum objects when provenance is unknown. In the late 1940s in Slovenia/Yugoslavia, the haste and non-transparent process of confiscation and subsequent reappropriation took many objects from collections that they were part of and placed them in new contexts, often leaving them unexhibited due to their problematic origin. The paper takes up one such singular object, a rare late nineteenth-century Jesuit missionary scroll from Shanghai that was left without information about its provenance or former owner. It first presents the steps taken in the identification of the object, its content, and background. Then the struggle of contextualizing the object is presented, along with the limitations of this process. Finally, a reflection on the status of ‘orphaned’ objects follows, with an attempt to assess the potential of such examples against the contextualizing approaches of museum representations.