bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence generation for the clinical impact of myCOPD in patients with mild, moderate and newly diagnosed COPD: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Crooks Michael G. , Elkes Jack , Storrar William , Roy Kay , North Mal , Blythin Alison , Watson Alastair , Cornelius Victoria , Wilkinson Tom M.A.
Published: November 2020

Self-management interventions in COPD aim to improve patients' knowledge, skills and confidence to make correct decisions, thus improving health status and outcomes. myCOPD is a web-based self-management app known to improve inhaler use and exercise capacity in individuals with more severe COPD.

We explored the impact of myCOPD in patients with mild–moderate or recently diagnosed COPD through a 12-week, open-label, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial of myCOPD compared with usual care. The co-primary outcomes were between-group differences in mean COPD assessment test (CAT) score at 90 days and critical inhaler errors. Key secondary outcomes were app usage and patient activation measurement (PAM) score.

Sixty patients were randomised (29 myCOPD, 31 usual care). Groups were balanced for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1% pred) but there was baseline imbalance between groups for exacerbation frequency and CAT score. There was no significant adjusted mean difference in CAT score at study completion, −1.27 (95% CI −4.47–1.92, p=0.44) lower in myCOPD. However, an increase in app use was associated with greater CAT score improvement. The odds of ≥1 critical inhaler error was lower in the myCOPD arm (adjusted OR 0.30 (95% CI 0.09–1.06, p=0.061)). The adjusted odds ratio for being in a higher PAM level at 90 days was 1.65 (95% CI 0.46–5.85) in favour of myCOPD.

The small sample size and phenotypic difference between groups limited our ability to demonstrate statistically significant evidence of benefit beyond inhaler technique. However, our findings provide important insights into associations between increased app use and clinically meaningful benefit warranting further study in real world settings.
Alignment of biological networks by integer linear programming: virus-host protein-protein interaction networks
Authors: Llabrés Mercè , Riera Gabriel , Rosselló Francesc , Valiente Gabriel
Published: November 2020

Background

The alignment of protein-protein interaction networks was recently formulated as an integer quadratic programming problem, along with a linearization that can be solved by integer linear programming software tools. However, the resulting integer linear program has a huge number of variables and constraints, rendering it of no practical use.

Results

We present a compact integer linear programming reformulation of the protein-protein interaction network alignment problem, which can be solved using state-of-the-art mathematical modeling and integer linear programming software tools, along with empirical results showing that small biological networks, such as virus-host protein-protein interaction networks, can be aligned in a reasonable amount of time on a personal computer and the resulting alignments are structurally coherent and biologically meaningful.

Conclusions

The implementation of the integer linear programming reformulation using current mathematical modeling and integer linear programming software tools provided biologically meaningful alignments of virus-host protein-protein interaction networks.
An alignment-free heuristic for fast sequence comparisons with applications to phylogeny reconstruction
Authors: Chockalingam Sriram P. , Pannu Jodh , Hooshmand Sahar , Thankachan Sharma V. , Aluru Srinivas
Published: November 2020

Background

Alignment-free methods for sequence comparisons have become popular in many bioinformatics applications, specifically in the estimation of sequence similarity measures to construct phylogenetic trees. Recently, the average common substring measure, ACS, and its k-mismatch counterpart, ACSk, have been shown to produce results as effective as multiple-sequence alignment based methods for reconstruction of phylogeny trees. Since computing ACSk takes O(n logkn) time and hence impractical for large datasets, multiple heuristics that can approximate ACSk have been introduced.

Results

In this paper, we present a novel linear-time heuristic to approximate ACSk, which is faster than computing the exact ACSk while being closer to the exact ACSk values compared to previously published linear-time greedy heuristics. Using four real datasets, containing both DNA and protein sequences, we evaluate our algorithm in terms of accuracy, runtime and demonstrate its applicability for phylogeny reconstruction. Our algorithm provides better accuracy than previously published heuristic methods, while being comparable in its applications to phylogeny reconstruction.

Conclusions

Our method produces a better approximation for ACSk and is applicable for the alignment-free comparison of biological sequences at highly competitive speed. The algorithm is implemented in Rust programming language and the source code is available at https://github.com/srirampc/adyar-rs.
A generalized Robinson-Foulds distance for labeled trees
Authors: Briand Samuel , Dessimoz Christophe , El-Mabrouk Nadia , Lafond Manuel , Lobinska Gabriela
Published: November 2020

Background

The Robinson-Foulds (RF) distance is a well-established measure between phylogenetic trees. Despite a lack of biological justification, it has the advantages of being a proper metric and being computable in linear time. For phylogenetic applications involving genes, however, a crucial aspect of the trees ignored by the RF metric is the type of the branching event (e.g. speciation, duplication, transfer, etc).

Results

We extend RF to trees with labeled internal nodes by including a nodeflipoperation, alongside edge contractions and extensions. We explore properties of this extended RF distance in the case of a binary labeling. In particular, we show that contrary to the unlabeled case, an optimal edit path may require contracting “good” edges, i.e. edges shared between the two trees.

Conclusions

We provide a 2-approximation algorithm which is shown to perform well empirically. Looking ahead, computing distances between labeled trees opens up a variety of new algorithmic directions.Implementation and simulations available athttps://github.com/DessimozLab/pylabeledrf.
Clinical efficacy and safety of bone cement combined with radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of spinal metastases
Authors: Lv Nanning , Geng Rui , Ling Feng , Zhou Zhangzhe , Liu Mingming
Published: November 2020

Background

To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of bone cement combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of spinal metastases.

Methods

The medical records of patients with spinal metastatic tumor admitted to our hospital from January 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on different surgical methods, the patients were divided into groups A (treated with RFA combined with bone cement) and B (treated with bone cement only). Group A included 35 patients with 47 segments of diseased vertebral bodies. Group B consisted of 52 patients with 78 vertebral segments. Pain, quality of life score, vertebra height, bone cement leakage, postoperative tumor recurrence, and complications were assessed 3 days and 1 and 6 months after surgery.

Results

All the patients had smooth operation without paraplegia, spinal cord injury, and perioperative death. Visual analogue scales (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores of the two groups significantly improved 3 days and 1 month after surgery compared with those before surgery (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). Six months after surgery, the VAS and ODI scores of patients in group A were lower than those in group B, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The postoperative vertebral body height of the two groups significantly increased compared with that before surgery, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). Postoperative bone cement permeability in group A was 6.4%, and postoperative tumor recurrence rate was 11.4%. The permeability of bone cement in group B was 20.5%, and the tumor recurrence rate was 30.8%. The bone cement permeability and tumor recurrence rate in group A were lower than those in group B, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Bone cement combined with RFA for the treatment of spinal metastases can achieve good efficacy, desirable analgesic effect, low incidence of complications, small surgical trauma, and high safety. The proposed method has the value of clinical popularization and application.
ROBO2 signaling in lung development regulates SOX2/SOX9 balance, branching morphogenesis and is dysregulated in nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Gonçalves Ana N. , Correia-Pinto Jorge , Nogueira-Silva Cristina
Published: November 2020

Background

Characterized by abnormal lung growth or maturation, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) affects 1:3000 live births. Cellular studies report proximal (SOX2+) and distal (SOX9+) progenitor cells as key modulators of branching morphogenesis and epithelial differentiation, whereas transcriptome studies demonstrate ROBO/SLIT as potential therapeutic targets for diaphragm defect repair in CDH. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that (a) experimental-CDH could changes the expression profile of ROBO1, ROBO2, SOX2 and SOX9; and (b) ROBO1 or ROBO2 receptors are regulators of branching morphogenesis and SOX2/SOX9 balance.

Methods

The expression profile for receptors and epithelial progenitor markers were assessed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry in a nitrofen-induced CDH rat model. Immunohistochemistry signals by pulmonary structure were also quantified from embryonic-to-saccular stages in normal and hypoplastic lungs. Ex vivo lung explant cultures were harvested at E13.5, cultures during 4 days and treated with increasing doses of recombinant rat ROBO1 or human ROBO2 Fc Chimera proteins for ROBO1 and ROBO2 inhibition, respectively. The lung explants were analyzed morphometrically and ROBO1, ROBO2, SOX2, SOX9, BMP4, and β-Catenin were quantified by Western blot.

Results

Experimental-CDH induces distinct expression profiles by pulmonary structure and developmental stage for both receptors (ROBO1 and ROBO2) and epithelial progenitor markers (SOX2 and SOX9) that provide evidence of the impairment of proximodistal patterning in experimental-CDH. Ex vivo functional studies showed unchanged branching morphogenesis after ROBO1 inhibition; increased fetal lung growth after ROBO2 inhibition in a mechanism-dependent on SOX2 depletion and overexpression of SOX9, non-phospho β-Catenin, and BMP4.

Conclusions

These studies provided evidence of receptors and epithelial progenitor cells which are severely affected by CDH-induction from embryonic-to-saccular stages and established the ROBO2 inhibition as promoter of branching morphogenesis through SOX2/SOX9 balance.
Pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary fibrosis: clinical data, histopathology and molecular insights
Authors: Ruffenach Grégoire , Hong Jason , Vaillancourt Mylène , Medzikovic Lejla , Eghbali Mansoureh
Published: November 2020

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) developing secondarily in pulmonary fibrosis (PF) patients (PF-PH) is a frequent co-morbidity. The high prevalence of PH in PF patients is very concerning since the presence of PH is a strong predictor of mortality in PF patients. Until recently, PH was thought to arise solely from fibrotic destruction of the lung parenchyma, leading to hypoxic vasoconstriction and loss of vascular bed density. Thus, potential cellular and molecular dysregulation of vascular remodeling as a driver of PF-PH has been under-investigated. The recent demonstrations that there is no correlation between the severity of the fibrosis and development of PH, along with the finding that significant vascular histological and molecular differences exist between patients with and without PH have shifted the etiological paradigm of PF-PH. This review aims to provide a comprehensive translational overview of PH in PF patients from clinical diagnosis and outcome to the latest understanding of the histology and molecular pathophysiology of PF-PH.
Garlic (Allium sativum L.): a potential unique therapeutic food rich in organosulfur and flavonoid compounds to fight with COVID-19
Authors: Khubber Sucheta , Hashemifesharaki Reza , Mohammadi Mehrdad , Gharibzahedi Seyed Mohammad Taghi
Published: November 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the current major health crisis in the world. A successful strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic is the improvement of nutritional pattern. Garlic is one of the most efficient natural antibiotics against the wide spectrum of viruses and bacteria. Organosulfur (e.g., allicin and alliin) and flavonoid (e.g., quercetin) compounds are responsible for immunomodulatory effects of this healthy spice. The viral replication process is accelerated with the main structural protease of SARS-CoV-2. The formation of hydrogen bonds between this serine-type protease and garlic bioactives in the active site regions inhibits the COVID-19 outbreak. The daily dietary intake of garlic and its derived-products as an adjuvant therapy may improve side effects and toxicity of the main therapeutic drugs with reducing the used dose.
The influence of concern about COVID-19 on mental health in the Republic of Georgia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Makhashvili Nino , Javakhishvili Jana Darejan , Sturua Lela , Pilauri Ketevan , Fuhr Daniela C. , Roberts Bayard
Published: November 2020

Background

Early evidence indicates increased mental health burden arising from COVID-19 and related control measures. The study aim was to examine concern about COVID-19 and its association with symptoms of mental disorders in the Republic of Georgia.

A cross-sectional internet-based survey of adults in Georgia using non-probabilistic sampling was used. Questionnaire topics were: (i) demographic and socio-economic characteristics; (ii) level of burden caused by common causes of COVID-19 related concerns; (iii) strategies used in response to concerns about COVID-19; and (iv) symptoms of mental disorders of anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), PTSD (ITQ) and adjustment disorder (ADNM8). Descriptive and multivariate analyses were conducted.

Results

There were 2088 respondents. High levels of symptoms for mental disorders were observed for anxiety (23.9% women, 21.0% men), depression (30.3% women, 25.27% men), PTSD (11.8% women, and 12.5% men), and adjustment disorder (40.7% women, 31.0% men). Factors significantly associated with increased COVID-19 concern included bad/very bad household economic situation, larger household size, current NCD, symptoms of anxiety, adjustment disorder and PTSD. Response strategies significantly associated with reduced mental disorder symptoms included meditation and relaxation exercises, physical exercise, positive thinking, planning for the future, TV/radio, housework/DIY, and working. Drinking alcohol was associated with a greater probability of increased mental disorder symptoms.

Conclusions

High levels of mental disorders were recorded, and they were strongly associated with increased concern about COVID-19. A number of response strategies were identified which may help protect against worse mental health and these could be supported by innovations in mental health care in Georgia.
Disseminating evidence-based research on mental health and coping to adolescents facing adversity in Lebanon: a pilot of a psychoeducational comic book ‘Somoud’
Authors: Bosqui Tania , Mayya Anas , Younes Liliane , Baker Myriam Claire , Annan Ismat Maktabi
Published: November 2020

Background

Despite advances in the evidence base and scaling up of mental health and psychosocial interventions for children and adolescents affected by conflict and adversity, a theory-practice gap remains, with limited translation of research findings to affected communities.

Methods

In order to disseminate findings from a review on mental health and coping for children and adolescents, a psychoeducational comic book ‘Somoud’ was developed and piloted with adolescents and their caregivers in Lebanon, using a qualitative Grounded Theory approach.

Results

In total, 10 participants (5 adolescents, 5 parents), took part in the study. Using Thematic Content Analysis, 6 themes were identified; 1) psychoeducation versus misinterpretation, 2) balancing depth with accessibility, 3) aesthetic appeal, 4) contextual relevance and realism, 5) daily stressors, and 6) parental and social relationships.

Conclusions

The findings demonstrate the importance of cultural and contextual piloting of psychoeducational content, and the potential usefulness and accessibility of a comic book format to disseminate information to adolescents. Data from the pilot was used to inform the development of a new version of ‘Somoud’ for sharing with adolescents in Lebanon. Further research is required to establish the effectiveness of the psychoeducational book as a ‘self-help’ tool, and to further improve knowledge exchange between researchers and communities.
Knowledge of iatrogenic premature ovarian insufficiency among Chinese obstetricians and gynaecologists: a national questionnaire survey
Authors: Wang Yanfang , Zou Ying , Wang Wei , Zheng Qingmei , Feng Ying , Dong Han , Tan Zhangyun , Zeng Xiaoqin , Zhao Yinqing , Peng Danhong , Yang Xiaomin , Sun Aijun
Published: November 2020

Background

With increasing cases of iatrogenic premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), more clinicians are required to counsel patients regarding the gonadotoxic effects of iatrogenic treatments. This survey aimed to explore obstetricians and gynaecologists’ knowledge regarding iatrogenic POI. A national online questionnaire survey was conducted across China. Respondents were asked to select the iatrogenic condition(s) that can cause POI based on their experience and knowledge.

Results

Of the 5523 returned questionnaires, 4995 were analysed. Among tumour therapies causing POI, most respondents agreed that radiotherapy (73.5% of respondents) and chemotherapy (64.1%) are risk factors for POI. While only 6.5 and 7.8% of the gynaecological oncologists believed that tumour immunotherapy and tumour-targeting therapy, respectively, may cause ovarian impairment, 31.8 and 22.2% of the non-gynaecologic oncologists believed that these therapies could affect ovarian health. Most respondents believed that ovarian cystectomy (54.4%) was a risk factor for POI. In contrast, only a few respondents believed that hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy (39.6%) and uterine artery embolisation (33.5%) could cause ovarian impairment. Only 30.5% of respondents believed that immunosuppressants (ISs) increased the risk of POI. Views differed with experience and hospital setting.

Conclusions

The knowledge of gonadal toxicity due to traditional tumour treatments is generally high among Chinese obstetricians and gynaecologists. A misunderstanding may exist in primary care hospitals and general gynaecologists regarding a link between novel tumour treatments and POI, owing to the lack of convincing evidence. Knowledge of POI caused by hysterectomy and ISs should be improved.
Impact of COVID-19 upon changes in emergency room visits with chest pain of possible cardiac origin
Authors: Butt Adeel A. , Kartha Anand , Asaad Nidal , Azad Aftab M. , Bertollini Roberto , Abou-Samra Abdul-Badi
Published: November 2020

Objectives

A decrease in Emergency Department (ED) visits for cardiac conditions has recently been reported from the US and Western Europe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The data are still scant, and the correlation between cardiac symptoms and confirmed diagnoses are not available. There are no reports on changes in ED volumes at a national level, or from countries in the Asia-Middle Eastern region. We report data from national referral centers for tertiary care and cardiac care centers in Qatar, which see > 80% of cardiac emergencies in the country.

Results

We analyzed 102,033 ED visits in the COVID-19-era (March–April 2020 and 2019) and determined the proportion presenting for cardiac symptoms and their confirmed diagnoses. We observed a 16–37% decline in ED volumes overall, with a 25–50% decline in patients presenting with cardiac symptoms in March and April 2020 compared with March and April 2019. Among those presenting with cardiac symptoms, we observed a 24–43% decline in cardiac diagnoses in March and April 2020 compared with March and April 2019.
Differences and similarities between cancer and somatic stem cells: therapeutic implications
Authors: Rossi Fiorella , Noren Hunter , Jove Richard , Beljanski Vladimir , Grinnemo Karl-Henrik
Published: November 2020

Over the last decades, the cancer survival rate has increased due to personalized therapies, the discovery of targeted therapeutics and novel biological agents, and the application of palliative treatments. Despite these advances, tumor resistance to chemotherapy and radiation and rapid progression to metastatic disease are still seen in many patients. Evidence has shown that cancer stem cells (CSCs), a sub-population of cells that share many common characteristics with somatic stem cells (SSCs), contribute to this therapeutic failure. The most critical properties of CSCs are their self-renewal ability and their capacity for differentiation into heterogeneous populations of cancer cells. Although CSCs only constitute a low percentage of the total tumor mass, these cells can regrow the tumor mass on their own. Initially identified in leukemia, CSCs have subsequently been found in cancers of the breast, the colon, the pancreas, and the brain. Common genetic and phenotypic features found in both SSCs and CSCs, including upregulated signaling pathways such as Notch, Wnt, Hedgehog, and TGF-β. These pathways play fundamental roles in the development as well as in the control of cell survival and cell fate and are relevant to therapeutic targeting of CSCs. The differences in the expression of membrane proteins and exosome-delivered microRNAs between SSCs and CSCs are also important to specifically target the stem cells of the cancer. Further research efforts should be directed toward elucidation of the fundamental differences between SSCs and CSCs to improve existing therapies and generate new clinically relevant cancer treatments.
Identities of symmetry for Bernoulli polynomials and power sums
Authors: Kim Taekyun , Kim Dae San , Kim Han Young , Kwon Jongkyum
Published: November 2020

Identities of symmetry in two variables for Bernoulli polynomials and power sums had been investigated by considering suitable symmetric identities. T. Kim used a completely different tool, namely thep-adic Volkenborn integrals, to find the same identities of symmetry in two variables. Not much later, it was observed that thisp-adic approach can be generalized to the case of three variables and shown that it gives some new identities of symmetry even in the case of two variables upon specializing one of the three variables. In this paper, we generalize the results in three variables to those in an arbitrary number of variables in a suitable setting and illustrate our results with some examples.
Does hemofiltration protect the brain after head trauma? An experimental study in rabbits
Authors: Martinez-Gonzalez Enrique , Garcia-Olmo Dolores , Mayordomo-Aranda Empar , Granada-Picazo Maria , Gomez-Juarez Monica , Moreno-Cuesta Jeronimo
Published: November 2020

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most frequent and severe neurological diseases. In the last few decades, significant advances have been made in TBI pathophysiology and monitoring, however new treatments have not emerged. Although the central nervous system (CNS) has been historically defined as an immunologically privileged organ, recent studies show the increasingly predominant role of inflammatory and apoptotic phenomena in the pathogenesis of TBI. Inflammatory response mediators can be eliminated with continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT). Our aim was to investigate whether hemofiltration protects the brain after head trauma in an experimental study in animals.

Methods and results

A model of TBI and CVVH was performed in anesthetized New Zealand white rabbits without acute renal failure. The experimental group TBI ( +)-CVVH ( +) was compared with a TBI ( +)-CVVH (−) and a TBI (−)-CVVH ( +) control groups. Rabbits were assessed immediately (NES1) and 24 h hours after (NES2) TBI and/or CVVH using a functional Neurological Evaluation Score (NES) and histology of the brains after sacrifice. There was evidence to support a difference of NES1 comparing with the TBI (−)-CVVH ( +), but not with TBI ( +)-CVVH (−) with only 15% of the rabbits treated with CVVH and TBI showing a favorable neurological course. The final neurological outcome (mortality at 24 h) was 0%, 22% and 53% in the TBI(−) + CVVH( +), TBI( +)-CVVH(−) and TBI( +)-CVVH( +) groups respectively. The use of hemofiltration before or after TBI did not make a difference in regards the outcome of the rabbits. There was evidence in the histology to support an increase of mild ischemia, hemorrhage and edema in the experimental group compared with the other two groups.

Conclusions

CVVH in rabbits without renal failure used with the intention to protect the brain may worsen the prognosis in TBI.
Phonetics Transcription in English Language Teaching (ELT): Implications for English Language Teachers
Authors: Fiktorius Teddy
Published: November 2020

This paper is written through descriptive method or library research to discuss the use of phonetic transcription in the teaching of English as a foreign language (EFL) using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first part describes the theoretical framework of the transcription basics. Then, the next part discusses the advantages of the phonetic transcription. This is followed by an illustration of understanding basic speech sounds. Some ideas of preparing classroom materials using the IPA are addressed in the next section. Finally, some solutions as well as recommendations are proposed and justification of the researcher’s position toward the use of phonics as an EFL literacy instruction in ELT is presented.Keywordsphonetic transcriptionInternational Phonetic AlphabetEFL literacy instruction
”Satire Junge SATIREEEE”: Nachrichtenparodien in Memes und deren Aushandlung im Kontext des Web 2.0.
Authors: Morger Fabia Hultin
Published: November 2020

Satire has been present in various different media throughout the centuries. With the rise of television, satire has made its way onto TV screens via various outlets including news parodies. As these TV shows began using social media, new forms of satire have appeared, among them satirical Internet Memes commenting on political events. The objects of interest in this study are Memes published by two German news parodies Heute Show and Extra 3 on the platform Facebook that thematise the G-20 summit, which took place in Hamburg in 2017. My data set consists of 27 Memes from the platforms Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, as well as the public Facebook comments published alongside these Memes. Using an empirical, data-driven approach to my investigation, I broach questions regarding the way Memes make use of satire and how they interact with the Internet as a medium, and in particular, their affordances on the platform Facebook.
The awareness of neglected tropical diseases in a sample of medical and nursing students in Cairo University, Egypt: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Elfar Eman , Asem Noha , Yousof Hanaa
Published: November 2020

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of chronic diseases affecting 1.2 billion people worldwide, with more burden in the developing communities. Improving awareness about NTDs is a powerful affordable long-term intervention for infection control. In literature, there is a limited number of studies in the developing countries assessing the awareness of healthcare providers regarding these diseases. The present study aimed at assessing the awareness of a sample of Cairo University medical and nursing students regarding NTDs. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 184 medical and nursing students in Cairo University. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire in English language with an estimated completion time of 15 minutes was used for evaluation. It included question categories which cover the knowledge about NTDs and control measures as well as the willingness to participate in NTDs control activities. Content analysis was performed on the materials and specifications of the epidemiology course given to medical and nursing students. Out of the study participants, 26% knew the meaning of NTDs. The main source of their knowledge was social media followed by the epidemiology course. A percentage of 33% of the students agreed that NTDs are of public health importance in Egypt. Thirty four percent of the participants expressed their willingness to participate in control activities for NTDs. Comparing medical and nursing students, a higher percentage of the nursing students stated that NTDs are causing a public health problem in Egypt with a statistically significant difference (P value < 0.001), while a statistically significant higher percentage of medical students believed that the awareness level regarding NTDs in Egypt is low (P value = 0.002). Cairo University medical and nursing students in this study showed a gap in the level of knowledge regarding NTDs and their control activities which represents a great threat to the control of these diseases.
Vertical transmissibility of small ruminant lentivirus
Authors: Furtado Araújo Juscilânia , Andrioli Alice , Pinheiro Raymundo Rizaldo , Sider Lucia Helena , de Sousa Ana Lídia Madeira , de Azevedo Dalva Alana Aragão , Peixoto Renato Mesquita , Lima Ana Milena Cesar , Damasceno Edgar Marques , Souza Samara Cristina Rocha , Teixeira Maria Fátima da Silva
Published: November 2020

This study aimed to evaluate by means of Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nPCR), co-cultivation and sequencing, with genetic comparison between strains (mother/newborn), the occurrence of vertical transmission of Small Ruminant Lentiviruses (SRLV) from naturally occurring nannies infected for their offspring. For the detection of SRLV seropositive progenitors, blood was collected from 42 nannies in the final third of gestation in tubes with and without anticoagulant. The diagnostic tests used were Western Blot (WB) and nPCR. During the period of birth, the same blood collection procedure was performed on 73 newborns at zero hours of birth, with the same diagnostic tests. Seventeen blood samples from seven-day-old kids, proven positive for SRLV by nPCR, chosen at random, were subjected to coculture in goat synovial membrane (GSM) cells for 105 days. The pro-viral DNA extracted from the cell supernatant from the coculture was subjected to nPCR. For DNA sequencing from the nPCR products, nine positive samples were chosen at random, four nannies with their respective offspring, also positive. Each sample was performed in triplicate, thus generating 27 nPCR products of which only 19 were suitable for analysis. Among the 42 pregnant goats, in 50% (21/42) pro-viral DNA was detected by nPCR, while in the WB, only 7.14% (3/42) presented antibodies against SRLV. Regarding neonates, of the 73 kids, 34 (46.57%) were positive for the virus, using the nPCR technique, while in the serological test (WB), three positive animals (4.10%) were observed. The coculture of the 17 samples with a positive result in the nPCR was confirmed in viral isolation by amplification of the SRLV pro-viral DNA. When aligned, the pro-viral DNA sequences (nannies and their respective offspring) presented homology in relation to the standard strain CAEV Co. It was concluded that the transmission of SRLV through intrauterine route was potentially the source of infection in the newborn goats.
Genome-wide profiling of alternative splicing genes in hybrid poplar (P.alba×P.glandulosa cv.84K) leaves
Authors: Wang Ruixue , Yin Peng , Ruixia Yang , Liu Xiao , Luo Lie , Xu Jichen
Published: November 2020

Alternative splicing (AS) is a post-transcriptional process common in plants and essential for regulation of environmental fitness of plants. In the present study, we focus on the AS events in poplar leaves to understand their effects on plant growth and development. The hybrid poplar (P.alba×P.glandulosacv.84K) leaves were collected for RNA extraction. The extracted RNA was sequenced using on an Illumina HiSeq™ 2000 platform. Using thePopulus trichocarpagenome as the reference, a total of 3810 AS genes were identified (9225 AS events), which accounted for 13.51% of all the expressed genes. Intron retention was the most common AS event, accounting for 43.86% of all the AS events, followed by alternative 3′ splice sites (23.75%), alternative 5′ splice sites (23.71%), and exon skipping (8.68%). Chromosomes 10 had the most condensed AS events (33.67 events/Mb) and chromosome 19 had the least (12.42 events/Mb). Association analysis showed that AS in the poplar leaves was positively correlated with intron length, exon number, exon length, and gene expression level, and was negatively correlated with GC content. AS genes in the poplar leaves were associated mainly with inositol phosphate metabolism and phosphatidylinositol signaling system pathways that would be significant on wooden plant production.
Myeloid - derived suppressor cells in Type 1 diabetes are an expanded population exhibiting diverse T-cell suppressor mechanisms
Authors: Grohová Anna , Dáňová Klára , Adkins Irena , Šumník Zdeněk , Petruželková Lenka , Obermannová Barbora , Koloušková Stanislava , Špíšek Radek , Palová-Jelínková Lenka
Published: November 2020

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) represent a heterogeneous group of immature myeloid cells with immunoregulatory function in cancer and autoimmune diseases. In humans, two subsets of MDSC were determined based on the characteristic surface markers, monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC) and granulocytic MDSC (G-MDSC). Expansion of MDSC has been reported in some murine models and patients with autoimmune diseases and their immune-suppressive properties were characterized. However, the exact role of MDSC in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is more complex and/or controversial. In type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), the increased frequency of MDSC was found in the blood of T1D patients but their suppressor capacity was diminished. In our study, we assessed the role of M-MDSC in the pathogenesis of T1D and showed for the first time the increased frequency of M-MDSC not only in the blood of T1D patients but also in their at-risk relatives compared to healthy donors. T1D patients with inadequate long term metabolic control showed an elevation of M-MDSC compared to patients with better disease control. Furthermore, we described the positive correlation between the percentage of M-MDSC and Th17 cells and IFN-γ producing T cells in T1D patients and their at-risk relatives. Finally, we found that the ability of M-MDSC to suppress autologous T cells is efficient only at the high MDSC: T cells ratio and dependent on cell-cell-contact and TGF-β production. Our data show that the engagement of MDSC in the pathogenesis of T1D is evident, yet not entirely explored and more experiments are required to clarify whether MDSC are beneficial or harmful in T1D.
Teacher Perspectives on the use of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers as part of their Evaluation Process
Authors:   Griffith University, Barry Damien , Pendergast Donna ,   Griffith University, Main Katherine ,   Griffith University
Published: November 2020

Teacher effectiveness has a powerful impact on student performance and a teacher evaluation process that supports professional growth can be a key lever for improving teaching quality. The purpose of this study was to examine teacher perspectives on the use of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, when used as part of their evaluation process, and, to determine what other factors may need to be considered in the design and implementation of such a process. A single case study of a school in Victoria, Australia was conducted, using a pre and post interview approach with six teachers. Responses were analysed using a thematic network methodology. Findings reveal that the inclusion of The Standards as part of any evaluation mechanism is secondary to a range of other factors, including the relationship the teacher has with their evaluator; the skills of the evaluator; and the addition of a developmental plan post evaluation.
SPORTS AS A FACTOR IN THE MORALITY FORMATION
Authors: Denisova Galina Sergeevna , Tuzova Anastasia Aleksandrovna , Gaydamaka Tatiana Aleksandrovna
Published: November 2020

The article examines the role of sport as one of the means capable of purposefullyinfluencing the formation of ideas about moral norms, spiritual values and moral behavior of aperson. In the process of searching for the means that can change the situation of the formationof morality in childhood and youth, an attempt was made to identify the main value orientationsof the young generation, to determine the main factors influencing the formation of spiritual andmoral qualities of a person, to consider the educational and the ideological roles of sports in theformation of spiritual and moral qualities. We used such research methods as the scrutiny of scientific,methodological and special literature, questionnaires, monitoring, analysis, synthesis, generalization.The research part of the article is presented by the results of a survey conducted in 2020 on the basisof the sports and recreation complex of Altai State University, in which 225 students of the 4th yearof the full-time department took part. In the course of the study, conclusions were drawn aboutthe priority values in the worldview of modern youth, their attitude to art or sports in the processof personality development and in the formation of its value benchmarks was studied. Also, thestudents» attitude to the biographies of outstanding athletes and films about sports achievements asa means of moral education was considered. The pedagogical analysis of the research was carried out.It is concluded that sport proceeds as a special type of cultural activity of a person, serves the goalsof personal and professional development, self-realization, self-knowledge and self-improvement,and also contributes to the solution of a whole range of educational tasks aimed not only at physicalimprovement, but also at moral, aesthetic, intellectual education of the younger generation. Amongthe results of the study, it is especially noted that most of the students agree with the prevailingeducational role of the biographies of prominent athletes and films about sports achievements, whichcorresponds to the thesis about the ability of sports to purposefully influence the formation of ideasabout moral norms, spiritual values and moral behavior.
Bekössük? Ne kössük? – avagy a hálózatelmélet alkalmazása a karbantartás-menedzsmentben
Authors: Kosztyán Zsolt Tibor
Published: November 2020

A hálózatelmélet eredményeit egyre szélesebb körben alkalmazzák mind a természettudományok, mind a társadalomtudomány területén. Ez a korszakalkotó elmélet eddig talán a menedzsment területén vált a legkevésbé ismertté, pedig a vezetéstudományban is lépten-nyomon hálózatokkal találkozunk. Elég csak a klaszterhálózatokra, az ellátási láncokra, vagy éppen a cikkben szereplő termelési rendszerek hálózatos jellemzésére gondolni, melyek kezelésére a hálózatelmélet egy új megközelítési lehetőséget biztosít. A hálózatkutatás egyik legfontosabb kérdése a hálózatok stabilitása, robusztussága. Fontos kérdés, melyet csak néhány éve sikerült megválaszolni, hogy mely hálózati struktúrák azok, melyek jobban ellenállnak a véletlen meghibásodásnak, vagy éppen egy külső támadásnak. Mindazonáltal arra a kérdésre, miszerint milyen hálózati struktúrával, ún. hálózati topológiával rendelkező rendszereket lehet könnyebben, gyorsabban vagy hatékonyabban karbantartani, mindezidáig nem érkezett válasz. Ugyanakkor ez a kérdés mind a termelőrendszerek tervezésénél, mind pedig a karbantartás ütemezésénél kulcsfontosságú tényező. A szerző tanulmányában arra keresi a választ, hogyan lehet a termelőrendszerek megtervezésekor az eltérő hálózattípusok tulajdonságait felhasználni a meghibásodási kockázat és karbantartási hatékonyság optimalizálása érdekében. A komplex karbantartási feladatok priorizálására egy mátrixtervezési modellt javasol. Ennek segítségével bemutatja, hogyan lehet kritikus termelőrendszerek és villamosközmű-hálózatok meghibásodási kockázatát csökkenteni. A javasolt módszer a karbantartási vezetők számára lehetőséget nyújt a vállalati karbantartási projektportfóliók hatékonyabb menedzselésére.
Global Pandemic COVID-19 (2019-nCoV): Novel Deadliest Contagion
Authors: Patel Mahnoor
Published: November 2020

Global pandemic cause by coronavirus has been reported in Wuhan, China; in late December 2019. Within time duration of few weeks, the newly identified virus designated as 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and it was declared by World Health Organization (WHO). At the time of late January 2020, WHO announced it as the international emergency outbreak because of the rapid spread and increases at the global level. There is no any preventive vaccine is present or any approved therapy/treatment for this viral emergency which is very infectious globally. Till the previous few decades, six strains of coronaviruses were found, but in Wuhan, China in December 2019, a totally new strain of coronavirus was spread across the city. Within few days, it was designated as the novel coronavirus abbreviated as 2019-nCoV by World Health Organization. The rate of virus progression is still not determined and that is why it is very difficult to find the patient zero which is very essential. Phylogenetic analysis of the virus specifies bat origin of 2019-nCoV, its transmission is airborne i.e. human to human, infected person can be identified having the primary symptoms which includes high fever, upper or lower respiratory tract infection. Its diagnosis at the molecular level includes Real-Time PCR for encoding genes for the internal transcribed RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and Spike protein receptor binding domain. It can be confirmed by the Sanger Sequencing including full genome analysis by Next Generation Sequencing, multiplex nucleic acid amplification and microarray based analysis. There are few mRNA vaccines which were developed by few Biotechnology companies, showing positive results against COVID-19 and it is there in 4th phase clinical trial which possibly be the first vaccine available in the market in between mid-2021.
Automatic dependent surveillance broadcast
Authors: Joseph Kevin
Published: November 2020

The proposed next-generation air traffic control system depends crucially on a surveillance technology called ADS-B.

Real-timeADS-Bis now the preferred method of surveillance for air traffic control in the NAS

General aviation is safer withADS-Btraffic, weather, and flight-information services

Safety and efficiency improve with advancedADS-Bapplications
Organ Bioprinting: The Next Generation Revolution in Medical Science
Authors: Patel Mahnoor
Published: November 2020

The idea about lab grown organs is possibly the end of drug testing on the experimental animals or the human participants. Solution of organ shortage and the desperate ending state of organ donations worldwide can be solved. 3D Bioprinting is a revolutionary mind blowing medical technology emerged in the last few years. It involves the creation of living tissues, like bones, blood vessels, heart or skin with the help of additive manufacturing which is also known as 3D Bioprinting. Unlike other printing technology for the objects, Bioprinting not only needs living cells, they also need environment for nurturing to stay them alive, like food, water and oxygen. Nowadays, these kinds of conditions are provided by microgel, such as gelatin enriched with proteins, vitamins and many other compounds for life sustaining. Furthermore, for creating the fostering conditions and fastest efficient cell growth, scientist plant cells around 3D scaffolds which made of biodegradable polymers or collagen so that organ can able to grow in fully functional living tissue. Bioprinting is time-consuming and difficult also, but by doing proper research all problems can be solved for making organs available in transplantation process. Mass production of the organs for medical purpose likely to solve in the coming next decade. Also it is too much difficult to print the complex organs. Also if the technology available more easily, tissue engineering will become more feasible than entire organ printing. Bionic ear, synthetic skin, bladder or cornea might be the first tissues to be bio printed or completely grown in the lab on demand. These tissues having small numbers of cell types, it can be the first one for fully grown bio printed organs. After this success, bio printing of more complex organs can be done in future.
Maintaining an empowered school community: Introducing digital technologies by building digital literacies at Beehive Montessori School
Authors: Owen Samantha , Davies Sharon
Published: November 2020

In 2019, educators at Beehive Montessori School (Beehive) in Western Australia implemented their self-defined digital literacies framework. The framework guided their approach to, and use of, digital technologies in their classrooms. Doing so came out of a whole school action research project in which the school became a hub for inquiry and educators, and researchers worked together to identify issues and develop improvement processes. At the project conclusion, the educators and researchers had collaboratively defined a solution that met the mandated curriculum needs and fitted with the school autonomy. Most importantly the project and the solution empowered educators, as it aligned with the school-identified virtues and utilized the three-period lesson to teach it, all of which was consistent with Montessori pedagogy.
Close-to-practice research: The need for student voice and the strange case of Academy x
Authors: Edwards Simon , Brown Chris
Published: November 2020

The idea that teaching and school leadership should be informed by research and other evidence has developed traction recently in England and other jurisdictions. Yet, such research has too seldomly involved the student perspective in leadership decision-making. This article presents a case study of an ‘all through’ academy in the south of England (Academy x) that attempted to address this issue through research that was close to practice in nature. Here, school leaders, teachers, parents and, specifically, disadvantaged male students’ perspectives of barriers and enablers to their attainment were explored with a view to working collaboratively with these stakeholders to respond to the findings. However, we had not taken into account that the credibility of the students’ perspectives and the nature of the messages emerging from the findings would be questioned, and would influence a decision by school leaders not to act upon them. We consider how these issues might be addressed if student voice as a form of close-to-practice research is to become a reality.
Viewpoint: ‘When black lives matter all lives will matter’ − A teacher and three students discuss the BLM movement
Authors: Phoenix Ann , Amesu Afiya , Naylor Issy , Zafar Kafi
Published: November 2020

The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement is generating a new appetite for understanding the ubiquity of systemic racism. In this short piece, a professor and three newly graduated students from different racialized groups reflect on the reproduction of social inequalities in key institutions and on what decolonization means for the nation, not just for education.