bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physician Assistants in Geriatric Medicine
Authors: Honda Trenton J. , Kozikowski Andrzej , Segal-Gidan Freddi , Hooker Roderick
Published: July 2020

Background: The US population is maturing. As of 2020, over 16% (52 million people) are age 65 or older. With a citizenry that is increasingly "gray," the nation is short of medical providers who specialize in geriatric medical care. For example, the number of geriatrician physicians per 10,000 adults 65 years and older has decreased since 2000, with approximately 5,300 in 2018. Nurse practitioners in geriatric medical care numbered 598 in 2018. Considering that the projected needs by 2030 will be over 30,000, the trajectory of geriatricians is becoming increasingly inadequate for the aging population. Physician assistants (PA) are another class of providers that are filling this geriatric medical care role, although little has been published. To address this role of PAs a study was undertaken. Methods: The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants databank provided the number and characteristics of PAs in geriatric medicine and compared them to all other certified PAs. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-Square, and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests for comparisons between PAs practicing in geriatric medical care vs. all other specialties. Where a comparison between PAs in geriatrics and other specialties was made, a P value of .05 or less was considered statistically significant. Results: As of 2018, there were 794 certified PAs, or 0.8% of the certified PA workforce, in geriatric medical care. This cadre has grown significantly since 2013, both in total number (increasing over 373%) and as a percentage of the PA workforce. The median age of certified PAs in geriatrics is 45 years, and 79% are female. Almost half (46%) of PAs in geriatric medicine work in extended care facilities or nursing homes, which differs from PAs in non-geriatrics care. Another 8% work in government facilities and 8% in rehabilitation facilities. In 2018, the mean annual income for this PA group was $106,680. Conclusions: As the American population continues to age, the relative growth of PAs in geriatric medicine makes them a natural part of the solution to the projected physician geriatrician deficit. The role of PAs in geriatric medical care remains to be explored.
Analysis of gastroscopy results among healthy people undergoing a medical checkup: A retrospective study
Authors: Huang Haosu , Rong Yanting , Wang Meng , Guo Zimeng , Yu Yanghua , Long Zhenpu , Chen Xiaoxiao , Wang Hanyue , Ding Junjie , Yan Lu , Peng Jie
Published: July 2020

Background: The association of upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings with sex, age, and Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic healthy people is unclear. The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine the associations of upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings in asymptomatic healthy people with sex, age, and H. pylori infection.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 2923 patients from a health examination center in Xiangya Hospital between September 2015 and September 2019. Data on sex, age, H. pylori infection, and gastroscopy results were collected. Results: Among 2923 asymptomatic patients who underwent gastroscopy, 2911 (99.59%) had abnormal results. The top three results were chronic gastritis (95.11%), peptic ulcer (17.45%), and duodenitis (9.17%). Inflammation of the gastric mucosa in chronic gastritis was more severe in the H. pylori-positive group. The incidence of peptic ulcer decreased with increasing age and was higher in men, patients aged <30 years, and H. pylori-positive patients. The incidence of polyps was higher in women (9.54%) than in men (5.94%), and the incidence in individuals aged ≥60 years (11.63%) was higher than that in those aged <60 years (6.83%).Conclusion: The incidence of upper gastrointestinal abnormal endoscopic results is high in asymptomatic healthy people undergoing a check-up and is associated with sex, age, and H. pylori infection. Gastroscopy should be considered part of a routine health check.
Theoretical and experimental study on the effective area of water film and dust removal efficiency
Authors: guo hua , Wang hai qiao , Chen shi qiang , Wu zhi rong
Published: July 2020

Breaking through the bottleneck of low resistance and high efficiency in mine exhaust dust control has been a hot issue in the industry. Aiming at the key problems of wet vibrating string grille dust removal, based on the multiphase flow theory and capillary mechanics, the dimensionless bond number expression of the influence of vibrating wire spacing on droplet spreading is derived. Furthermore, a liquid film formed by spreading droplets based on Kelvin correlation, young Laplace formula and Hagen Poiseuille theory, a formula for calculating the thickness and height of liquid film is established with temperature, relative humidity and molar volume of liquid phase as independent variables. Then, the dust removal efficiency calculation model of vibrating wire group is established between the liquid film thickness, height, wire diameter, effective water film area and vortex shedding frequency. Finally, on the experimental platform, the influence of the effective area of water film on the dust removal efficiency of wet vibrating wire grille plate is measured, and the above calculation model is verified. Moreover, the optimized combination of wet vibrating string spacing ratio 1.14, wind speed 3m/s and spray pressure 0.7 MPa is found, which provides important reference for engineering application.
Parental Socioeconomic Status as a determinant of breastfeeding : an analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ( 2013 ~ 2017 )
Authors: Lee Jusuk , Kim Taehong
Published: July 2020

Background: The importance of breastfeeding is well known. One of important factors affecting breastfeeding is socioeconomic status. We investigated the relationship between socioeconomic status and breastfeeding to promote future breastfeeding projects. Methods: Data were collected from the 2013 - 2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). We evaluated the demographic information and parents’ socioeconomic status of 1,220 children under 60months.Results: A total 1,220 children were included in this study. Some of the socioeconomic factors were associated with breastfeeding. Mothers’ education level (≥13years: odd ratio[OR], 2.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-6.42), middle high of mother’s income level (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.18-2.84), no smoking status (OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.28-7.36), body mass index(BMI) (< 25(kg/m 2 ): OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.12-2.95) were associated with breastfeeding (p<0.05). Also, fathers’ age (30s: OR, 4.88; 95% CI, 1.82-13.04), education level(≥13years: OR, 7.94; 95% CI, 3.12-20.18) were associated with breastfeeding (p<0.05). After controlling for the confounding factors, mothers’ BMI, fathers’ age and educational level were statistically significant.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that socioeconomic factors were associated with breastfeeding in Korea. Keywords : Breastfeeding, Parental, Socioeconomic status, Korea
Investigation of availability, demand, targets, economic growth, and development of Renewable Energy in 2017-2050: A case study in Indonesia
Authors: Erdiwansyah Erdiwansyah , Mahidin Mahidin , Husin H. , Nasaruddin Nasaruddin , Khairil Khairil , Zaki M. , Jalaluddin Jalaluddin
Published: July 2020

Abundant potential of renewable energy (hereinafter called RE) in Indonesia is predicted to replace conventional energy which continues to experience depletion year by year. However, until now, the use of RE has only reached 2% of the existing potential of 441.7GW. The main overview of this work is to investigate the availability of RE that can be utilized for electricity generation in Indonesia. National energy demand and targets in the long run during the 2017-2050 period are also discussed. Besides, government policies in supporting RE development are considered in this work. The results show that the potential of RE in Indonesia can be utilized and might replace conventional energy for decades. The use of RE for electricity generation can be achieved by employing a government policy that supports the investor as the executor of RE development. The selling price of electricity generated from RE is cheaper than electricity generated from fossils; this makes economy is more affordable for people. Finally, the target set by the government for utilizing RE as the main energy in Indonesia can be done by implementing several policies for the RE development. Thus, greenhouse gas emissions and the use of petroleum fuels can be reduced.
What Determines HIV Self-Test Acceptability and Uptake Within The MSM Community in Nairobi and Its Environs? A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Ndungu Kingori , Gichangi Peter , Temmerman Marleen
Published: July 2020

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus self-test (HIVST) refers to a process where a person collects his or her own specimen (blood or oral), performs a test and interprets the results. The interpretation of results can either be done in private or through support of a trusted partner. Self-test should be seen as screening and confirmatory test should be sort.Study Objective: To determine facilitating factors for HIVST acceptability and uptake among MSM community.Methods: The researcher employed a cross-sectional exploratory study design, targeting men who have sex with men (MSM) and men sex workers (MSW). The researcher used purposive sampling to identify the sites where data was collected, snowballing techniques were then employed to reach the respondents. Results: There was a significant association between self-test and frequency of testing for HIV/AIDS at P-Value of 0.011. Eighty three percent (83%) of the respondents had a negative HIV test result, (16%) had a positive result from the previous result. Most of the MSM will seek for confirmatory test, if tested HIV positive through HIVST. Majority of the MSM respondents indicated they would go for counselling after testing positive. Healthcare workers advocated for pre-testing counselling. There was also a significant association between respondents who had never tested using self-test kits and the need for a treatment “buddy” with a P- Value of 0.014. Fifty nine percent of the respondents would prefer blood sample test kits, the kits were seen to be more accurate than oral test kits. High cost of the self-test kits and inadequate knowledge on the use of HIV self-test kits were the main hindrances to HIVST uptake.Conclusions: A significant number of MSM community in Kenya are willing to use HIVST and are likely to seek for care within 30 days of self-testing and this is a good indicator of linkage. Blood sample kits are more preferred. Key facilitating factors for HIVST uptake include; awareness creation on the importance of HIVST and training on usage of kits, emphasis on treatment ‘buddy” for first time testers and reduction on cost of the kits.
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Bacterial Isolates Associated with Intramammary Infections in Malaysian Dairy Herds
Authors: A. Bashir , Z. Zunita , F.F. Jesse , S.Z. Ramanoon , M.L. Mohd-Azmi
Published: July 2020

Background

Intramammary Infections are costly endemic diseases in dairy cows and it highly affect both the quality and quantity of milk production in addition to the animal wellbeing. It a major cause of considerable economic losses to the dairy farmers. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of mastitis pathogens and antimicrobial resistance pattern of selected most prevalent pathogens.
Results

The overall culture prevalence was 67.6% (n = 503/744, CI = 64.1–70.9). The respective states’ culture prevalence was 66.4% (n = 71/107, CI = 56.5–75.0), 60.3% (184/305, CI = 54.6–65.8), 58% (n = 94/162, CI = 50-65.6), 100% (n = 75/75, CI = 93.9–100), and 83.3% (n = 79/95, CI = 73.8–89.8) for Pahang, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Johor respectively. The most prevalent isolates identified were non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) 39.5%, S. aureus 13.1%, K. pneumoniae 6.5%, S. agalactiae 4.8%, and S. uberis 4.3%. Resistance profile of Actinobacter spp against chloramphenicol and streptomycin were 71.4% and 35.7% respectively. For S. uberis isolates, 66.7% and 73.3% have shown resistance to tetracycline and streptomycin respectively.
Conclusions

This study provides knowledge of the epidemiology of bacterial isolates associated with subclinical mastitis in Malaysia and their resistance profile. The high prevalence of these pathogens in milk and multidrug resistance observed should not be over looked.
A Combined Analysis of the Transcriptome and Metabolome Revealed the Molecular Mechanism by which GA3 Disrupts Dormancy in Leymus Chinensis Seeds
Authors: Li Bing , Zhang Pan , Wang Fengdan , Li Ran , Liu Jian , Wang Qiannan , Liu Wei , Wang Bo , Hu Guofu
Published: July 2020

Background: Leymus chinensis is a perennial forage grass that has good palatability, high yield and high feed value, but seed dormancy is a major problem limiting the widespread cultivation of L. chinensis. The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism and identify candidate genes associated with dormancy disruption by gibberellic acid (GA3) through transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis.Results: The germination test revealed that the optimum concentration of GA3 for disruption of L. chinensis seed dormancy was 200 μg/L. Compared with seeds soaked in sterile water, a total of 4,327 and 11,919 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 871 and 650 differentially abundant metabolites were identified in de-hulled and hulled seeds treated with GA3, respectively. Most of the DEGs were associated with starch and sucrose metabolism, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, endocytosis and ribosomes. Furthermore, isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism were significantly enriched pathways. Integrative analysis of the transcriptomic and metabolomic data revealed that starch and sucrose metabolism is one of the most important pathways that may play a key role in the energy supply for the transition of L. chinensis seeds from a dormant state to germination by suppressing the expression of Cel61a, egID, cel1, tpsA, SPAC2E11.16c and TPP2, along with enhancing the expression of AMY1.1, AMY1.2, AMY1.6 and GLIP5, and finally inhibiting the synthesis of cellobiose, cellodextrin, and trehalose while promoting the hydrolysis of sucrose, starch, cellobiose, cellodextrin, and trehalose to glucose.Conclusions: This study identified several key genes and provided new insights into the molecular mechanism of seed dormancy release by GA3 in L. chinensis. These putative genes will be valuable resources for improving the seed germination rate in future breeding studies.
Isolation, Characterization, and Application of Bacteriophages Against Several Food Spoilages Bacteria
Authors: Sujonoputri Felicia Roseline , Waturangi Diana Elizabeth , Yogiara Yogiara
Published: July 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to isolate bacteriophages from soil sample, retail food, and wastewater from fish and then the bacteriophages will be characterized for their activity against several food spoilage bacteria, such as Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, and Shewanella putrefaciens and will be further investigated for application as food preservation.Results: Total of four bacteriophages were isolated with B. cereus, B. subtilis, and S. putrefaciens as host bacteria. Bacteriophage titers observed around 109 PFU mL-1. Bacteriophages that isolated with B. cereus and B.subtilis as host bacteria tend to have high EOP with the same species bacteria. All the Bacillus phages (S1-BC, S2-BC, and S1-BS) can reduce the Bacillus species bacteria concentration for more than 90%. Refers to their activity, the isolated bacteriophages in this study have a great potential as biocontrol against several food spoilage bacteria.
Assessment role of phagocytic neutrophil cells among different Wagner’s grades of diabetic foot ulcers infections
Authors: Bin-Hameed Eidha Ali , Baras Maryam Hamed
Published: July 2020

Background: Foot ulcers complications in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients are one of the significant medical problems and an economic burden. The aim of this study is to assessment role of phagocytic neutrophil cells and its relationship with the incidence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) infection of diabetic patients. A total of 60 venipuncture blood samples collected from diabetes mellitus, diabetic foot ulcer patients and healthy persons as control group. 20 swabs from the DFU patients were collected and processed for culture and susceptibility test after the ulcers classified according to Wagner’s grades system. Phagocytic cells activity test was performed to determine the efficiency of phagocytic neutrophil cells in diabetic patients. Results: Gram positive bacteria were the most prevalent in the DFU patients 57.1% with statistical significant relationship between the type of bacteria and grades of Wagner’s classification followed by Gram negative bacteria in high grades of ulcers. Wagner’s ulcers grade 1 and 2 were the most prevalence in DFU patients 30%. There was a weak negative correlation between the efficiency of phagocytic neutrophil cells activity and grade ulcers classified (r = -0.323). Amikacin and ciprofloxacin were the most effective antibiotics against 90.5% and 81% of the bacterial isolates respectively, whereas ampicillin, cefepime and cefadroxil were less effective antibiotics against the bacterial isolates.Conclusion: When the grade of ulcer increased, the bacterial resistance to antibiotics increased, and this was emphasis the correlation with prevalent of Gram negative bacteria in the high grade of ulcers with high resistance of antibiotics. In contrast, the grade of ulcer increased, the efficiency of phagocytic neutrophil cells decreased.
An asymptomatic child of pre-perforation erosion after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect: A case report
Authors: Zhang Wen-long , Liang Fei
Published: July 2020

BackgroundFatal pericardial tamponade caused by aortic or atrial perforation due to erosion of atrial septal occluders has been reported previously,but the timing of erosion is uncertain, and the process is also unclear. Case presentation We present a case of a 5-year-old boy with erosion of the aorta and atrium by the occluder not leading to perforation or pericardial tamponade because of early detection and timely surgery. A small amount of pericardial effusion may be the only manifestation of early erosion.This case firstly revealed the early process of device erosion in children.ConclusionsAn absent aortic rim may be a higher risk factor for erosion than oversized device for a child,and it is wise to choose a relatively small occluder or change to surgery.This may be helpful for preventing and treating serious complications caused by erosion of the occluder.
The Ries-Steinheim crater pair and two major earthquakes – New discoveries challenging the double-impact theory
Authors: Buchner Elmar , Sach Volker , Schmieder Martin
Published: July 2020

The Nördlinger Ries and the Steinheim Basin are widely perceived as a Middle Miocene impact crater doublet. We discovered two independent earthquake-produced seismite horizons in North Alpine Foreland Basin deposits. The older seismite horizon,associated with the Ries impact is overlain by in situ-preserved distal impact ejecta, forming a unique continental seismite-ejecta couplet within a distance up to 180 km from the crater. The younger seismite unit, also triggered by a major palaeo-earthquake, comprises clastic dikes that cut through the Ries seismite-ejecta couplet. The clastic dikes were likely formed in response to the Steinheim impact, some kyr after the Ries impact, in line with paleontologic results. With the Ries and Steinheim impacts as two separate events, Southern Germany witnessed a double disaster in the Middle Miocene. The magnitude–distance relationship of seismite formation during large earthquakes suggests the seismic and destructive potential of impact-earthquakes may be significantly underestimated.
Metformin Use is Associated with A Lower Incidence of Hospitalization for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Tseng Chin-Hsiao
Published: July 2020

Background: The effect of metformin on the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) requires confirmation. This study compared the incidence of hospitalization for AF in ever and never users of metformin. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus during 1999-2005 were enrolled from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance database. Analyses were conducted in both an unmatched cohort of 173398 ever users and 21666 never users and in a propensity score-matched cohort of 21647 pairs of ever and never users. They were free from a diagnosis of AF before January 1, 2006 and were followed up until December 31, 2011. Hazard ratios were estimated by Cox regression incorporated with the inverse probability of treatment weighting using the propensity score.Results: A total of 303 ever users and 86 never users in the unmatched cohort and 50 ever users and 86 never users in the matched cohort developed hospitalization for AF during follow-up. The respective incidence rates were 37.72 and 92.45 per 100,000 person-years in the unmatched cohort and were 50.71 and 92.52 per 100,000 person-years in the matched cohort. The hazard ratio for ever versus never users was 0.405 (95% confidence interval: 0.319-0.515) in the unmatched cohort and 0.548 (0.387-0.777) in the matched cohort. Hazard ratios for the tertiles of cumulative duration of metformin therapy versus never users showed a dose-response effect. The findings were consistent in sensitivity analyses.Conclusion: Metformin use is associated with a lower risk of hospitalization for AF in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
An intelligent algorithm for forecasting and finding the relationship between COVID-19 outbreak and pollutants condensation
Authors: Rahmani Amir Masoud , Mirmahaleh Seyedeh Yasaman Hosseini
Published: July 2020

Background and Objective: Nowadays, the endemic and survival of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are challenging for humanity healthy, which led to death and hard or soft physical diseases and economic damages in the entire world. Durability and life span of COVID-19 are the negative feature and the problematic for transferring the virus via different ways such as environmental factors. Increasing the condensation of particulate matters (PM2.5, the atmospheric aerosol) is also challenging for the metropolitans in autumn and winter as the critical seasons of the year. Methods: In this paper, we propose a method for analyzing the relationship between the pollutants (PM2.5 as an aerosol and Carbon monoxide as the pollutant gas) and the number of COVID-19 infected people (CIP) to determine the COVID-19 outbreak in the pollutant seasons. We analyzed the relationship between COVID-19 outbreak and aerosol, and COVID-19 outbreak and pollutant gas using monitoring air quality monitoring stations (AQMSs) and investigating daily statistics about the number of COVID-19 infected people. We also propose an algorithm based on neural networks that forecasts the normal or critical situation of the COVID-19 outbreak based on the previously estimated the correlation coefficient (CC) and the online reported aerosol condensation from AQMSs. Results: Our work consists of estimating the CC based on the Kendall rank method in Tehran and Isfahan, two major cities of Iran, from February 20 to March 19, 2020. Experimental results show the correlation coefficient approximately 0.5 for aerosol and the number of CIP, and 0.21 for pollutant gas and the number of CIP in Tehran. Our analysis shows a direct relationship between increasing the condensation of PM2.5 and the number of CIP. In addition, there is no relationship between the number of CIP and Carbon monoxide. We also forecast the situation of Isfahan according to the number of CIP using our proposed algorithm that the results demonstrate the critical situation. Conclusion: Aerosols increase the probability of getting infected COVID-19 due to respiratory disease and the probability of transferring the virus via particulate matters. Our work can be useful to alert people about the critical situation of the city that the results can provide a prevention approach to face COVID-19.
Market Risk Model agricolture portfolio value-at-risk
Authors: Carlone Giulio
Published: July 2020

Thinking about this current extreme scenario of stock exchange observed in a world scenario perspective and the related choices for worldbank portfolio investments in Agricolture commodity, this study its based in an advanced economic observation and analisys of the Agricolture commodity in a scenario of portfolio diversification without have the market risk default. This study its based in an advanced financial strategy to define the market model composed of London stock exchange agricolture commodity observed first in a London scenario and second in a Europe scenario and finally in a world scenario. The authorities regulation and the requirements used to define , the mathematical point of view and to describe , the market value at risk point of view , have been standardized in this empirical market model. The commodity scenario observed and the empirical market model defined to observe the max price distortions of the agricolture commodity defined and defined to observe the porfolio value at risk , are in this market model well described and standardized. Authorities are interested in the empirical market model to observe the VaR data because they are interested in a bank’s ability to withstand extreme events. VaR is monitored and is sanctioned by regulators defined in the Basel accords. The observed price are used in a variable choice of number of data price observation of five price for week a data price observation of one prices for week and a data price observation of two price for week and further similar strategies .
The Abundance of Long Intergenic Non-coding RNA 01087 Differentiates Luminal From Triple-negative Breast Cancer Patients and Predicts Their Clinical Outcome
Authors: Palma Fatima Domenica Elisa De , Monaco Valentina Del , Pol Jonathan G. , Kremer Margerie , D’Argenio Valeria , Stoll Gautier , Montanaro Donatella , Uszczyńska-Ratajczak Barbara , Klein Cecilia C. , Vlasova Anna , Botti Gerardo , D’Aiuto Massimiliano , Baldi Alfonso , Guigó Roderic , Kroemer Guido , Maiuri Maria Chiara , Salvatore Francesco
Published: July 2020

Background

The molecular complexity of human breast cancer (BC) is one of the current challenges for the clinical management of the disease. The identification of subtype-specific biomarkers, such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), is currently investigated to improve BC patient’s stratification, early detection and disease monitoring.
Methods

High-throughput sequencing approach of rRNA-depleted RNA samples extracted from 61 laser-microdissected breast tissues, supported by in silico analyses relying on TCGA database (n = 813), were performed to define a specific signature of lncRNAs in the different BC subtypes. Focusing on the long intergenic non-coding RNA 01087 (LINC01087), we estimated its prognostic value using Kaplan-Meier Plotter Database, together with its association with clinical parameters and the histological tumor type within the TCGA cohort of BC patients. cBioPortal data were used to evaluate the expression level of LINC01087 according to the mutational status of TP53, BRCA1 and BRCA2 in BC patients. TCGA samples of triple-negative BC (TNBC) and luminal BCs have been segregated according to the expression level of LINC01087 for comparative analysis of the transcriptomic profiles to identify genes modulated upon variation of the level of LINC01087. GO, KEGG and REACTOME functional annotation and enrichment analyses of these modulated genes were conducted, and their protein-protein interaction networks built using STRING database.
Results

We identified the involvement of LINC01087 in breast oncogenesis. LINC01087 appeared significantly downregulated in TNBCs and upregulated in the luminal BC subtypes in comparison to mammary samples from cancer-free woman and matched normal cancer tissue pairs. Deregulation of LINC01087 allowed to accurately distinguish luminal and TNBC specimens, independently of the clinicopathological parameters, of the histological and TP53 or BRCA1/2 mutational status. Moreover, a higher level of LINC01087 expression predicted a better prognosis in luminal BCs, while TNBCs harboring a lower expression of LINC01087 were associated with a reduced relapse-free survival. Furthermore, bioinformatics analyses suggested a putative tumor suppressor activity of LINC01087 through interference with pathways involved in cell survival, proliferation, adhesion, or inflammation.
Conclusions

The assessment of LINC01087 deregulation in BCs represents a novel and specific biomarker for the diagnosis of luminal BC and TNBC subtypes, and also to predict their clinical outcome.
Global trends in clinical trials involving pluripotent stem cells: A systematic multi-database analysis
Authors: Deinsberger Julia , Reisinger David , Weber Benedikt
Published: July 2020

Background: Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) hold great potential for novel therapeutic approaches to regenerate or replace functionally impaired tissues. Since the introduction of the induced pluripotent stem cell technology in 2006, the number of scientific publications on this topic has constantly been increasing. However, so far no therapy based on PSCs has found its way into routine clinical use. Methods: In this study, we examined research trends related to clinical trials involving PSCs based on data obtained from ClinicalTrial.gov, the ICTRP database from the World Health Organization, as well as from a search of all individual databases that are included in the ICTRP using a multistep search algorithm. Results: 131 studies could be classified as clinical trials involving PSCs and were included into further analyses. The magnitude of these studies (77.1%) was observational, which implies that no cells were transplanted into patients, and only a minority of studies (22.9%) had an interventional character. The number of clinical trials involving induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs, 74.8%) was substantially higher than the one involving embryonic stem cells (ESCs, 25.2%). However, the picture changes when focusing on interventional studies, where in the majority (73.3%) of cases ESCs were used. Interestingly, the study duration was significantly shorter for interventional versus observational trials (p=0.002). When focusing on the geographical study regions, it became obvious that the greatest part of all observational trials was performed in the USA (41.6%) and in France (16.8%), while the magnitude of interventional studies was performed in Asian countries (China 36.7%, Japan 13.3%, South Korea 10.0%) and in the field of ophthalmology. Conclusions: These results indicate that only a limited number of trials were focusing on the actual transplantation of PSCs into patients in a rather narrow field of diagnoses. The majority of interventional trials involving PSCs took place in Asian countries and in the field of ophthalmology. The future will tell us, if the iPSC technology will ultimately overcome the current challenges and will finally make its way into routine clinical use.
Identification of Both Shared and Specific Potential Molecular Mechanisms of ARVC and DCM Based on A Genome-Wide Microarray Dataset
Authors: Zhang Tang , Guan Yao-Zong , Liu Hao
Published: July 2020

Background：The study aimed to detect the shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and specific DEGs of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) as well as their pathways. Methods: The GSE29819 dataset was examined for the DEGs of ARVC vs. non-failing transplant donor hearts (NF), DCM vs. NF, and ARVC vs. DCM based on 8 patients with ARVC, 7 patients with DCM, and 4 non-failing transplant donor hearts that were never actually transplanted. The shared DEGs and specific DEGs were screened out using a Venn diagram. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, Gene Ontology (GO) annotation, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) of the DEGs were determined using online analytical tools. Then, the modules and hub genes were identified using Cytoscape software. Results: A total of 684 shared DEGs of ARVC vs. NF and DCM vs. NF, 1371 specific DEGs of ARVC vs. NF, and 1075 specific DEGs of DCM vs. NF were identified. The shared DEGs were enriched in 63 biological processes (BP), 11 molecular functions (MF), 10 cellular components (CC), and 25 KEGG pathways. The DEGs of ARVC vs. DCM were enriched in 71 BPs, 19 MFs, 14 CCs, and 26 KEGG pathways. A PPI network with 187 nodes, 700 edges, and 2 modules, and another PPI network with 575 nodes, 2834 edges, and 7 modules were constructed based on the shared and specific DEGs, respectively. The top ten hub genes CCR3, CCR5, CXCL2, CXCL10, CXCR4, FPR1, APLNR, PENK, BDKRB2, GRM8, and RPS8, PRS3A, PRS12, RPS14, RPS21, RPL14, RPL18A, RPL21, RPL31 were identified for the shared and specific PPI networks, respectively. Conclusions: Our findings may help further the understanding of both shared and specific potential molecular mechanisms of ARVC and DCM.
N-carbamoylglutamate supplementation in late-gestation dairy cows is associated with increased newborn weight and improved nutrient supply in the placentome
Authors: Gu Fengfei , Jiang Luyi , Xie Linyu , Wang Diming , Liu Jian-Xin
Published: July 2020

Background

N-carbamoylglutamate (NCG), a structural analog of N-acetylglutamate that is essential for endogenous arginine synthesis, has unique advantages, including low rumen degradability, low cost, and a lack of negative effects on intestinal absorption of dietary histidine and lysine. Information is limited on the effect of dietary NCG on the reproduction performance of the late-gestation dairy cows. The objective of this study was to investigate whether supplementation of NCG to cows during late gestation alters uteroplacental tissue nutrient transporters, calf metabolism and newborn weight.
Results

Thirty multiparous Chinese Holstein cows were used in an experiment with a randomized complete block design. During the last 28 d of pregnancy, cows were fed a diet without (CON) or with NCG (20 g/d/cow). The mRNA expression of genes related to arginine, glucose, and fatty acid transporters, angiogenesis factors and the mTOR pathway in the placentome were analyzed. Blood samples of calves were collected for analysis of plasma parameters, amino acids, and metabolites. The newborn weight (P < 0.01) and plasma arginine concentrations (P = 0.07) were higher in NCG calves than in CON calves. The mRNA expression of genes involved in glucose transport, angiogenesis and the mTOR pathway in the placenta was upregulated (P < 0.01) in NCG-supplemented cows. In addition, 17 significantly different metabolites identified were mainly involved in arginine and proline metabolism; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism and the citrate cycle.
Conclusions

These results suggest that the increased expression of angiogenesis factors and glucose transporters and the activation of mTOR signaling pathways in the uteroplacenta that occurs through changes in gene transcription under NCG supplementation may be contribute to an increased nutrient supply and improved amino acid metabolism and urea cycling in the fetus.
Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System Used to classify the Five Major Types of Brain Tumors
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Samir , Dutta Shawni
Published: July 2020

Life threatening diseases in both male and female are Brain tumor, stroke, hemorrhage and multiple sclerosis (MS). The most common and widespread disease among these brain diseases is Brain tumor. Early and accurate diagnosis of brain lesion is vital for determining accurate treatment and prognosis. However, the diagnosis is a very challenging task and can only be performed by specialists in neuroradiology. In this paper, initially MRI image is taken as input and is normalized. The second stage includes extraction of feature vectors from the image which results in reducing redundancy of data to serve as the input to the classifier. The classifier extracted vector as features to produce classified output. The methodology performed very efficiently and accurately. Proposed work exhibits the application of Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) based classifier known as Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) to successfully classify the five major types of brain tumors.
A SWOT Analysis of Nepalese Hydropower Policy
Authors: Rana Birendra
Published: July 2020

Hydropower, in which Nepal has comparative advantage, has a potential to contribute to Nepal’s energy security and sustainable development. The government of Nepal enacted the Hydropower Development Policy in 2001 (HDP-2001) as an overarching policy to coordinate all policies forthcoming in this sector. This paper has critically analysed HDP-2001 by applying the Ecosystem services-based Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat (SWOT) technique. The paper has evaluated peer-reviewed scholarly articles, secondary data, and government publications available in public domain. The strengths and weaknesses of the policy were analysed by applying seven specific indicators. The research indicates that HDP-2001 has been successful in overcoming some of the pertinent challenges in Nepalese hydroelectric industry, however, it also faces several limitations on account of climate change, economic dislocations, effective monitoring, ensuring competitiveness, delivering fair price to the consumers, and institutional governance issues. Designing a practical mitigation plan, while being aware of its limitations, could be helpful in minimizing the impact of these exogenous factors.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SLEEP PROBLEMS AND GROSS MOTOR FUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY AND INVESTIGATION OF THEIR PARENTS' QUALITY OF LIFE
Authors: KARABULUT Demet , AVCI Şebnem
Published: July 2020

Purpose: Sleep problems commonly seen in children with cerebral palsy (CP) adversely affect daily living activities and treatment participation. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep problems and gross motor function levels in children with spastic CP and to determine parents' quality of life (QOL). Methods: Sixty children with spastic CP and 60 typically developing children between the ages of 4 and 12 years and their parents were enrolled in the study. After obtaining demographic data, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was used to determine motor function levels. International Classification of Diseases-10 was used for cognitive function. Children's Sleeping Habits Questionnaire measured children's sleeping habits. The Nottingham Health Profile was used to evaluate parents' QOL. Results: Fifty-two (86.7%) children with CP had sleep disorders. Sleep disturbance values were significantly higher in the CP group than the controls (52.7±7.6 vs 41.5±8.01, respectively), p=0.001. There was no significant difference between GMFCS levels and sleep disorders in children with CP (p>0.05) except morning fatigue (p=0.028). There was no difference between cognition, medication use, and sleep problems (p>0.05). Parents' QOL was found to be worse in the CP group (p=0.001). Conclusion: Rate of sleep disorders in children with CP was higher than controls. Their mothers' QOL values were found to be worse. Conditions that may be associated with sleep disorders in children with CP and their parents’ conditions need to be better identified and screened.
A high-resolution global runoff estimate based on GIS and an empirical runoff coefficient
Authors: Liang Shumin , Greene Richard
Published: July 2020

This paper reviews 110 years of global runoff estimation. By employing the method of ordinary least square regression on a sample region's runoff coefficient, an empirical formula of a runoff coefficient is calculated for China. Based on this empirical formula applied with a high-resolution grid of precipitation, runoff is calculated resulting in an equally high-resolution map of global runoff using a geographic information system (GIS). The main results are (1) the global total runoff volume is 47,884 km3, (2) the average runoff depth is 359 mm, (3) the interior drainage region's runoff volume is 1,663 km3, and (4) the average runoff depth is 58.4 mm. The results are compared with the results of the existing literature on global runoff. This study emphasizes the importance of runoff and groundwater recharge in arid and semi-arid regions where the estimation value of runoff depth is significantly increased.
Retracted: Detection of virulence genes of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains from drinking water in Khartoum State
Authors: Moglad Ehssan H. , Jalil Adam Omima Abdl El , Alnosh Maram M. , Altayb Hisham N.
Published: July 2020

The Journal of Water and Health issues a formal retraction relation to the above article by Ehssan H. Moglad et al. This decision has been taken as not all authors agree to the publication of the manuscript.
Comparative hazard evaluation of enteric bacteria in two surface water sources in Akure, Nigeria
Authors: Olalemi A. O. , Ige O. M. , Oladejo O. T. , Yusuf O. R. , Akinmolayan B.
Published: July 2020

This study was carried out to determine the level of enteric bacteria in two surface water sources (river and stream) commonly used for domestic, recreational and agricultural purposes in Akure, Nigeria. This is to gain a better understanding of the level of faecal pollution of the water sources and the potential health risks associated with usage of the waters for human activities. Water samples were collected from the river and the stream from May to September, 2019 (n = 24). The concentration of enteric bacteria in the water samples was determined using the membrane filtration technique, while the physicochemical characteristics of the water samples were determined using the standard method. Results revealed that the concentration of Escherichia coli ranged from 3.00 to 4.78 log10 cfu/100ml and 3.48 to 5.75 log10 cfu/100ml in water samples from the river and stream respectively; Bifidobacterium ranged from 4.18 to 5.00 log10 cfu/100ml and 3.87 to 4.66 log10 cfu/100ml in water samples from the river and stream respectively; Salmonella ranged from 3.30 to 4.30 log10 cfu/100ml and 2.60 to 4.32 log10 cfu/100ml in water samples from the river and stream respectively. Water temperature ranged from 22.1 to 28.5 °C and 23.64 to 25.56 °C in the river and stream respectively; turbidity ranged from 12.28 to 29.11 NTU and 17.07 to 61.80 NTU in the river and stream respectively. Spearman's rank correlation showed that Salmonella had positive relationship with temperature (r = 0.556) in water samples from the stream whereas Bifidobacterium exhibited a positive relationship with dissolved oxygen (r = 0.557) in water samples from the river. While the stream appeared to have a higher turbidity than the river, the level of enteric bacteria in the river was higher than that in the stream. Based on microbiological water quality categories, the findings from this study demonstrated that the level of enteric bacteria in the river and stream suggests strong faecal pollution that may pose potential risks of diarrheal diseases to humans. Water from these two surface water sources must be treated before use in order to protect human health.
Agricultural resilience under increasing water security threats: insights for smallholder farming in Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Kativhu Simbarashe , Mwale Marizvikuru M. , Zuwarimwe Jethro
Published: July 2020

Smallholder farmers in South Africa are facing increased pressure to manage water use due to growing scarcity and environmental water demand. This prompts the need to build resilient irrigation systems particularly for smallholder farmers. Building resilience is more pertinent in Limpopo province, where crop and animal production is hampered by water scarcity. Currently, there is an array of generic adaptation strategies for attaining resilient irrigation schemes in South Africa and beyond. However, the effectiveness and feasibility of these resilience measures at farm level, particularly among smallholders in marginalised areas, are not well researched in Limpopo Province. The current paper draws lessons from adaptation mechanisms in Southern Africa, indicates areas that require further studies and recommends ways for enhancing smallholder resilience against water scarcity. The article contributes to efforts for enhancing water security and fulfil the targets set in sustainable development goal 2 of zero hunger, South Africa Vision 2030, and the government's food security mandate, particularly through suggesting ways for enhancing smallholder farmer resilience and water security.
Research on response of water quality to land use pattern in nine plateau lake watersheds of Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Zeng W. J. , Li J. H. , Wang J. X. , Wang Y. , Bao L. , Liao L. J. , Guo X. F. , Guo Y. X. , Wu B. L. , Zhang J. S.
Published: July 2020

To study how water quality responds to land use types is of great significance in realizing effective control of non-point source pollution. This study built a response model of water quality to land use. The research results are as follows. First, the proportion of farmland is positively correlated to the total phosphorus (TP) value and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) value, which indicates that the water quality deteriorates as the area of farmland increases. Second, the proportion of woodland is negatively correlated to the permanganate index, the trophic state index, total nitrogen (TN) value, TP value and BOD value, which means the water quality improves as the area of woodland increases. Third, the proportion of grassland is negatively correlated to the water quality indices and the correlation coefficient is large, which indicates that the water quality improves as the area of grassland increases. Fourth, the proportion of land used for buildings is positively correlated to the trophic state index and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) value at the 0.05 significance level, which means that the water quality deteriorates as the area of land for buildings increases. This study is expected to provide a basis for optimization of the land use and effective pollution control in the nine plateau lake watersheds.
Water security evaluation based on comprehensive index in Jing-Jin-Ji district, China
Authors: Huang Ze , Liu Jiahong , Mei Chao , Wang Hao , Shao Weiwei
Published: July 2020

China has long faced the problem of uneven distribution of water resources in time and space. The state of water security is therefore a key factor in regional development. The Jing-Jin-Ji district in China, which includes Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province, faced severe water security problems. Therefore, to improve the management of water resources, water security should be properly evaluated. This study established a comprehensive evaluation index system for evaluation. Furthermore, it analyzed the impacts of the South-to-North Water Transfer Project (SNWTP), which fully reflects the impact of human activities on the spatial distribution of water resources and is an innovation. The results showed that the state of water security in the Jing-Jin-Ji district generally had an increasing trend, and the score of the overall evaluation was increased by 65.8%. The Middle Route of the SNWTP had played a major role in water security in resources criterion, which increased by 28.53% in 2015 and 13.64% in 2016. With social development, the general state of water security in the district was improving. These findings could provide a scientific basis for regional water resources management.