bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations of poor oral health with frailty and physical functioning in the oldest old: results from two studies in England and Japan
Authors: Albani Viviana , Nishio Kennsuke , Ito Tomoka , Kotronia Eftychia , Moynihan Paula , Robinson Louise , Hanratty Barbara , Kingston Andrew , Abe Yukiko , Takayama Michiyo , Iinuma Toshimitsu , Arai Yasumichi , Ramsay Sheena E
Published: November 2020

Background: Very few studies have examined the relationship of oral health with physical functioning and frailty in the oldest old (>85 years). We examined the association of poor oral health with markers of disability, physical function and frailty in studies of oldest old in England and Japan.Methods: The Newcastle 85+ Study in England (n=853) and the Tokyo Oldest Old Survey on Total Health (TOOTH; n=542) comprise random samples of people aged >85 years. Oral health markers included tooth loss, dryness of mouth, difficulty swallowing and self-reported difficulty eating due to dental problems. Physical functioning was based on grip strength and gait speed; disability was assessed as mobility limitations. Frailty was ascertained using the Fried frailty phenotype. Cross-sectional analyses were undertaken using logistic regression.Results: In the Newcastle 85+ Study, dry mouth symptoms, difficulty swallowing, difficulty eating, and tooth loss were associated with increased risks of mobility limitations after adjustment for gender, socioeconomic position, behavioural factors and co-morbidities [odds ratios (95%CIs) were 1.76 (1.26-2.46); 2.52 (1.56-4.08); 2.89 (1.52-5.50); 2.59 (1.44-4.65) respectively]. Similar results were observed for slow gait speed. Difficulty eating was associated with weak grip strength and frailty on full adjustment. In the TOOTH Study, difficulty eating was associated with increased risks of frailty, mobility limitations and slow gait speed; and complete tooth loss was associated with increased risk of frailty.Conclusion: Different markers of poor oral health are independently associated with worse physical functioning and frailty in the oldest old age groups. Research to understand the underlying pathways is needed.
Incidence of thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Boonyawat Kochawan , Chantrathammachart Pichika , Numthavej Pawin , Nanthatanti Nithita , Phusanti Sithakom , Phuphuakrat Angsana , Niparuck Pimjai , Angchaisuksiri Pantep
Published: November 2020

Background: Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the incidence of thromboembolism has been increasingly reported. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the incidence of venous and arterial thromboembolism among COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization.Methods: Medline, Embase, Scopus, and grey literature were searched until May 2020. Observational studies reported on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial thromboembolism (ATE) were included. The pool incidences and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the random-effects model.Results: A total of 36 studies were included. In the intensive care unit (ICU) setting, the pooled incidence of VTE was 28% (95% CI, 22-34%). Subgroups based on compression ultrasound (CUS) screening revealed a higher incidence of DVT in the CUS screening group than in the no CUS screening group (32% [95% CI, 18-45%] vs. 6% [95% CI, 4-9%]). The pooled incidence of ATE in ICU was 3% (95% CI, 2-5%). In the non-ICU setting, the pooled incidence of VTE was 10% (95% CI, 6-14%,).Conclusions:The incidence of VTE in COVID-19 patients was higher in the ICU setting than in the non-ICU setting, and also significantly higher in studies that incorporated the CUS screening protocol. The incidence of ATE in the ICU setting was low. VTE prophylactic measures should be given to all hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
Serum D-dimer level as a biomarker for identifying patients with isolated injury to prevent unnecessary whole-body computed tomography in blunt trauma care
Authors: Nakama Rakuhei , Yamamoto Ryo , Izawa Yoshimitsu , Tanimura Keiichi , Mato Takashi
Published: November 2020

Background Unnecessary whole-body computed tomography (CT) may lead to excess radiation exposure. Serum D-dimer levels have been reported to correlate with injury severity. We examined the predictive value of serum D-dimer level for identifying patients with isolated injury that can be diagnosed with selected-region CT rather than whole-body CT.Methods This single-center retrospective cohort study included patients with blunt trauma (2014–2017). We included patients whose serum D-dimer levels were measured before they underwent whole-body CT. “Isolated” injury was defined as injury with Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score ≤ 5 to any of five regions of interest or with AIS score ≤ 1 to other regions, as revealed by a CT scan. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn for D-dimer levels corresponding to isolated injury; the area under the ROC (AUROC) was evaluated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for several candidate cut-off values for serum D-dimer levels. Results Isolated injury was detected in 212 patients. AUROC was 0.861 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.815–0.907) for isolated injury prediction. Serum D-dimer level ≤ 2.5 μg/mL was an optimal cutoff value for predicting isolated injury with high specificity (100.0 %) and positive predictive value (100.0 %). Approximately 30% of patients had serum D-dimer levels below this cutoff value.Conclusion D-dimer level ≤ 2.5 μg/mL had high specificity and high positive predictive value in cases of isolated injury, which could be diagnosed with selected-region CT, reducing exposure to radiation associated with whole-body CT.
Head phantoms for bioelectromagnetic applications: a material study
Authors: Hunold Alexander , Machts René , Haueisen Jens
Published: November 2020

Background Assessments of source reconstruction procedures in electroencephalography and computations of transcranial electrical stimulation profiles require verification and validation with the help of ground truth configurations as implemented by physical head phantoms. For these phantoms, synthetic materials are needed, which are mechanically and electrochemically stable and possess conductivity values similar to the modeled human head tissues. Three-compartment head models comprise a scalp layer with a conductivity range of 0.137 S/m to 2.1 S/m, a skull layer with conductivity values between 0.066 S/m and 0.00275 S/m, and an intracranial volume with an often-used average conductivity value of 0.33 S/m. To establish a realistically shaped physical head phantom with a well-defined volume conduction configuration, we here characterize the electrical conductivity of synthetic materials for modeling head compartments. We analyzed agarose hydrogel, gypsum, and sodium chloride (NaCl) solution as surrogate materials for scalp, skull, and intracranial volume. We measured the impedance of all materials when immersed in NaCl solution using a four-electrode setup. The measured impedance values were used to calculate the electrical conductivity values of each material. Further, the conductivities in the longitudinal and transverse directions of reed sticks immersed in NaCl solution were measured to test their suitability for mimicking the anisotropic conductivity of white matter tracts.Results We obtained conductivities of 0.314 S/m, 0.30 S/m, 0.311 S/m (2 %, 3 %, 4 % agarose), 0.0425 S/m and 0.0017 S/m (gypsum with and without NaCl in the compound), and 0.332 S/m (0.17 % NaCl solution). These values are within the range of the conductivity values used for EEG and TES modeling. The reed sticks showed anisotropic conductivity with a ratio of 1:2.8. Conclusion We conclude that agarose, gypsum, and NaCl solution can serve as stable representations of the three main conductivity compartments of the head, i.e. scalp, skull, and intracranial volume. An anisotropic conductivity structure such as a fiber track in white matter can be modeled using tailored reed sticks inside a volume conductor.
Evidence of Neuroplasticity With Robotic Hand Exoskeleton Study for Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Singh Neha , Saini Megha , Kumar Nand , Srivast M.V. Padma , Mehndiratta Amit
Published: November 2020

Background: A novel electromechanical robotic-exoskeleton was designed in-house for rehabilitation of wrist joint and Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. Objective: The objective was to compare the rehabilitation effectiveness (clinical-scales and neurophysiological-measures) of robotic-therapy training-sessions with dose-matched control in patients with stroke. Methods: A pilot prospective parallel single-blinded randomized controlled study at clinical-settings was designed with patients with stroke within 2 years of chronicity. Patients were randomly assigned to receive an intervention of 20 sessions of 45-minutes each, five days a week for four-weeks, in Robotic-therapy Group (RG) (n=12) and conventional upper-limb rehabilitation in Control-Group (CG) (n=11). We hypothesized to evaluate the exoskeleton based therapy for the effects on functionality of upper-limb and cortical-excitability in patients with stroke as compared to conventional-rehabilitation. Clinical-scales– Modified Ashworth Scale, Active Range of Motion, Barthel-Index, Brunstrom-stage and Fugl-Meyer scale (Shoulder/Elbow and Wrist/Hand component), and neurophysiological-measures of cortical-excitability (using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) –Motor Evoked Potential and Resting Motor-threshold, were acquired pre and post-therapy. No side effects were noticed in any of the patients. Results: RG and CG showed significant (p<0.05) improvement in all clinical motor-outcomes except Modified Ashworth Scale in CG. RG showed significantly (p<0.05) higher improvement over CG in Modified Ashworth Scale, Active Range of Motion and Fugl-Meyer (FM) scale and FM Wrist-/Hand component). Increase in cortical-excitability in ipsilesional-hemisphere was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) in RG over CG, as indexed by decrease in Resting Motor-Threshold and increase in amplitude of Motor Evoked Potential. No significant changes were shown by the contralesional-hemisphere. Interhemispheric RMT-asymmetry evidenced significant (p<0.05) changes in RG over CG indicating increased cortical-excitability in ipsilesional-hemisphere along with interhemispheric changes. Conclusion: Neurophysiological-changes in RG could most likely be a consequence of plastic-reorganization and use-dependent plasticity. Robotic-exoskeleton training could significantly improve motor-outcomes and cortical-excitability in patients with stroke.
KVarPredDB: A database for predicting pathogenicity of missense sequence variants of keratin genes associated with genodermatoses
Authors: Ying Yuyi , Lu Lu , Banerjee Santasree , Xu Lizhen , Zhao Qiang , Wu Hao , Li Ruiqi , Xu Xiao , Yu Hua , Neculai Dante , Xi Yongmei , Yang Fan , Qin Jiale , Li Chen
Published: November 2020

Background: Germline variants of ten keratin genes (K1, K2, K5, K6A, K6B, K9, K10, K14, K16 and K17) have been reported for causing different types of genodermatoses with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Among all the variants of these ten keratin genes, most of them are missense variants. Unlike pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants, understanding the clinical importance of novel missense variants or variants of uncertain significance (VUS) is the biggest challenge for clinicians or medical geneticists. Functional characterization is the only way to understand the clinical association of novel missense variants or VUS but it is time-consuming, costly and depends on the availability of patient’s samples. Existing databases report the pathogenic variants of the keratin genes, but never emphasize the systematic effects of these variants on keratin protein structure and genotype-phenotype correlation.Results: To address this need, we developed a comprehensive database KVarPredDB, which contains information of all ten keratin genes associated with genodermatoses. We integrated and curated 400 reported pathogenic missense variants as well as 4629 missense VUS. KVarPredDB predicts the pathogenicity of novel missense variants as well as to understand the severity of disease phenotype, based on four criteria; firstly, difference in physico-chemical properties between the wild-type and substituted amino acids, secondly, the loss of inter/intra-chain interactions, thirdly, evolutionary conservation of the wild type amino acids and lastly, the effect of the substituted amino acids in the heptad repeat. Molecular docking simulations based on resolved crystal structures were adopted to predict stability changes and get the binding energy to compare the wild type protein with the mutated one. We use this basic information to determine the structural and functional impact of novel missense variants on the keratin coiled-coil heterodimer. KVarPredDB was built under the integrative web application development framework SSM (SpringBoot, Spring MVC, MyBatis) and implemented in Java, Bootstrap, React-mutation-mapper, MySQL, Tomcat. The website can be accessed through http://bioinfo.zju.edu.cn/KVarPredDB. The genomic variants and analysis results are freely available under the Creative Commons license.Conclusions: KVarPredDB provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface with computational analytical investigation for each missense variant of the keratin genes associated with genodermatoses.
Alternative approaches for clinical clerkship during the COVID-19 pandemic: Online clinical practice for inpatients and outpatients—A mixed method
Authors: Kasai Hajime , Shikino Kiyoshi , Saito Go , Tsukamoto Tomoko , Takahashi Yukiko , Kuriyama Ayaka , Tanaka Kazuhisa , Onodera Misaki , Yokoh Hidetaka , Tatsumi Koichiro , Yoshino Ichiro , Ikusaka Masatomi , Sakao Seiichiro , Ito Shoichi
Published: November 2020

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created a need for educational materials and methods that can replace clinical clerkships (CCs) for online simulated clinical practice (online-sCP). This study evaluates the impact of using simulated electronic health records (sEHR) for inpatients, and electronic problem-based learning (e-PBL) and online virtual medical interviews (online-VMI) for outpatients, for an online-sCP using a learning management system (LMS) and online meeting system facilitated by a supervising physician.Methods: The sEHR was reviewed by medical students and subsequently discussed with a supervising physician using an online meeting system. In the e-PBL, medical students reviewed the simulated patients and discussed on the LMS. For the online-VMI, a faculty member acted as an outpatient and a student acted as the doctor. Small groups of students discussed the clinical reasoning process using the online meeting system. A mixed-method design was implemented. Medical students self-assessed their clinical competence before and after the online-sCP. They answered questionnaires and participated in semi-structured focus group interviews (FGIs) regarding the advantages and disadvantages of the practice.Results: Forty-three students completed the online-sCP during May and June 2020. All students indicated significant improvement in all aspects of self-evaluation of clinical performance after the online-sCP. Students using sEHR reported significant improvement in writing daily medical records and medical summaries. Students using e-PBL and online-VMI reported significant improvement in medical interviews and counseling. Students also indicated CCs as more useful for learning associated with medical interviews, physical examinations, and humanistic qualities like professionalism than the online-sCP. Eight FGIs were conducted (n = 42). The advantages of online-sCP were segregated into five categories (learning environment, efficiency, accessibility, self-paced learning, and interactivity); meanwhile, the disadvantages of online-sCP were classified into seven categories (clinical practice experience, learning environment, interactivity, motivation, memory retention, accessibility, and extraneous cognitive load).Conclusions: Online-sCP with sEHR, e-PBL, and online-VMI could be useful in learning some of the clinical skills acquired through CC. These methods can be implemented with limited preparation and resources.
Baseline Interleukin-6 Level Predicts Risk of Severe COVID-19: A Two-Center, Retrospective Study
Authors: Zhu Weigang , Wu Yingping , Liu Yueping , Li Bin , Xiong Pian , Cui Dawei , Diao Bo , Wu Jianguo
Published: November 2020

Background:The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has affected almost every country. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine secreted by CD4+ T cell, has been shown to be a reliable marker of disease severity and a useful parameter for monitoring progression of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). However its value as a predictor of severe disease has not been assessed.Methods:A total of 160 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to two hospitals were enrolledand separated into two groups according to whether or not they progressed to develop severe illness. Demographic and clinical characteristics at admission were compared between the groups.Results: Patients who developed severe COVID-19 had significantly higher baseline IL-6 levels than patients who had mild disease course in hospital (P< 0.001). Patients were further grouped according to quartiles of IL-6 level. The cumulative incidence of severe illnesswas significantly higher in the third and fourth quartiles groups than in the first quartile group (55% vs. 15% and 80% vs. 15%, respectively;bothP< 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the risk for developing severe disease was markedly higher in the highest IL-6 quartile than in the lowest quartile (odds ratio: 14.95; 95% confidence interval: 3.65–61.30; P< 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of potential predictive variables showed the area under the curve to be largest for baseline IL-6, with the value of 5.20 pg/mL having the best balance of sensitivity and specificity for predicting risk of severe COVID-19.Conclusion: Serum baseline IL-6 appears to be a reliable predictor of risk of severe COVID-19. Early intervention may be advisable in patients with serum IL-6 levels >5.20 pg/mL, even if initial symptoms are mild.
Nanoscale Flow Choking at the Zero Slip Length: Universal Benchmark Data for In Silico Experiments
Authors: Kumar V R Sanal , Sankar Vigneshwaran , Chandrasekaran Nichith , Rafic Sulthan Ariﬀ Rahman Mohamed , Sukumaran Ajith , R.S. Bharath , Oommen Charlie , Radhakrishnan Pradeep Kumar , Choudhary Shiv Kumar
Published: November 2020

The Sanal flow choking (PMCID: PMC7267099) and the streamtube flow choking are new theoretical concepts applicable to both the continuum and non-continuum fluid flows. Once the streamlines compacted, the considerable pressure difference attains within the streamtube and the flow within the streamtube gets accelerated to the constricted section for satisfying the continuity condition set up the conservation law of nature, which leads to the Sanal flow choking and supersonic flow development at a critical-total-to-static pressure ratio (CPR) due to the convergent-divergent (CD) shape of the streamtube. As the pressure of the nanofluid/non-continuum-flows rises, average-mean-free-path diminishes and thus, the Knudsen number lowers heading to a zero-slip wall-boundary condition with compressible viscous (CV) flow regime. Sanal flow choking is a CV flow phenomenon creating a physical situation of the sonic-fluid-throat in a duct at a CPR. Herein, we presented a closed-form-analytical-model, which is capable to predict exactly the three-dimensional boundary-layer-displacement-thickness of nanoscale diabatic fluid flow (flow involves transfer of heat) systems at the zero-slip-length. The innovation of Sanal flow choking model is established herein through the entropy relation, as it satisfies all the conservation laws of nature. The exact value of the 3D boundary-layer-displacement-thickness in the sonic-fluid-throat region presented herein for each gas is a universal benchmark data for performing high-fidelity in vitro and in silico experiments for the lucrative design optimization of nanoscale systems. The physical insight of the Sanal flow choking and streamtube flow choking presented in this letter sheds light on finding solutions for numerous unresolved scientific problems.
Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation reconfigurates static and dynamic functional connectivity of the resting-state networks
Authors: Grami Fatma , de Marco Giovanni , Bodranghien Florian , Manto Mario , Habas C.
Published: November 2020

Background
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the cerebellum dynamically modulates cerebello-thalamo-cortical excitability in a polarity-specific manner during motor, visuo- motor and cognitive tasks. It remains to be established whether tDCS of the cerebellum impact also on resting-state intrinsically connected networks (ICNs). Such impact would open novel research and therapeutical doors for the neuromodulation of ICNs in human.
Method:
We combined tDCS applied over the right cerebellum and fMRI to investigate tDCS- induced resting-state intrinsic functional reconfiguration, using a randomized, sham-controlled design. fMRI data were recorded both before and after real anodal stimulation (2 mA, 20 min) or sham tDCS in 12 right-handed healthy volunteers. We resorted to a region-of-interest static correlational analysis and to a sliding window analysis to assess temporal variations in resting state FC between the cerebellar lobule VII and nodes of the main ICNs.
Results
After real tDCS and compared with sham tDCS, functional changes were observed between the cerebellum and ICNs. Static FC showed enhanced or decreased correlation between cerebellum and brain areas belonging to visual, default-mode (DMN), sensorimotor and salience networks (SN) (p-corrected < 0.05). The temporal variability (TV) of BOLD signal was significantly modified after tDCS displaying in particular a lesser TV between the whole lobule VII and DMN and central executive network and a greater TV between crus 2 and SN. Static and dynamic FC was also modified between cerebellar lobuli.
Conclusion
These results demonstrate short- and long-range static and majorly dynamic effects of tDCS stimulation of the cerebellum affecting distinct resting-state ICNs, as well as intracerebellar functional connectivity, so that tDCS of the cerebellum appears as a non-invasive tool reconfigurating the dynamics of ICNs.
Methylation of TMEM176A, a Key ERK Signaling Regulator, is a Novel Synthetic Lethality Marker of ATM Inhibitor in Human Lung Cancer
Authors: Li Hongxia , Yang Weili , He Tao , Zhou Fuyou , Herman James G , Hu Liming , Guo Mingzhou
Published: November 2020

Background: Synthetic lethality is a new strategy of cancer therapy. Epigenetic based synthetic lethality may provide more opportunities for cancer prevention and treatment. TMEM176A is frequently methylated in esophageal, hepatic and colorectal cancer. The role of TMEM176A methylation in lung cancer and its therapeutic application remains unclear.Methods: Nine lung cancer cell lines and 123 cases of cancer tissue samples were employed. Methylation specific PCR, MTT assay, flow cytometry, and xenograft mouse models were applied.Results: The expression of TMEM176A was found to be regulated by promoter region methylation in lung cancer cells. TMEM176A was methylated in 53.66% (66/123) of primary lung cancer. Reduced expression of TMEM176A was associated with promoter region methylation in 40 cases of matched lung cancer and adjacent tissue samples (P<0.05). No association was found between TMEM176A methylation and age, gender, alcohol abuse, smoking, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, differentiation and TNM stage (all P >0.05). Restoration of TMEM176A expression induced cell apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest and inhibited colony formation, cell proliferation, migration and invasion in H1299 and H23 cells. TMEM176A suppressed H1299 cell xenograft growth in mice. Methylation of TMEM176A activated ERK1/2 signaling, and sensitized H1299 and H23 cells to AZD0156, an ATM inhibitor.Conclusion: TMEM176A is frequently methylated in human lung cancer, and the expression of TMEM176A is regulated by promoter region methylation. TMEM176A suppresses lung cancer growth by inhibiting ERK1/2 signaling. Methylation of TMEM176A is a potential lung cancer diagnostic marker and a novel synthetic lethal therapeutic marker for AZD0156, an ATM inhibitor.
New sensitivity of current LHC measurements to vector-like quarks
Authors: Buckley Andy , Butterworth Jonathan , Corpe Louie , Huang Danping , Sun Puwen
Published: November 2020

Quark partners with non-chiral couplings appear in several extensions of the Standard Model.
They may have non-trivial generational structure to their couplings, and may be produced
either in pairs via the strong and EM interactions, or singly via the new couplings of the model.
Their decays often produce heavy quarks and gauge bosons, which will contribute to a variety
of already-measured ``Standard Model'' cross-sections at the LHC.
We present a study of the sensitivity of such published LHC measurements to vector-like quarks, first comparing
to limits already obtained from dedicated searches, and then broadening to some so-far unstudied parameter regions.
WHAT BEHIND THE SCENE OF HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM: AN ARTICLE REVIEW
Authors:   ijar, Jameel Tharwat Taif , Mohammed Ahmed Aljohani Ahmed
Published: November 2020

Background:Hyperemesisgravidarum is a complicated medical condition characterized by persistent severe nausea and vomiting. The incidence of hyperemesis gravidarum is about 0.5% of live births and thought to be of higher incidence in hydatidiform mole, multiple pregnancies and other medical conditions associated with elevated hormonal levels. Objectives:The aim of this article is to provide evidence-based data that summarize the causes and treatment regimens of Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Review of literature:Hyperemesisgravidarum is a multifactorial condition with various etiological factors have been identified such as hormonal, psychological, genetic and infectious factors, the exact cause and pathogenesis still unknown. The management of this medical condition involves psychological treatment in addition to antiemetic drugs, pyridoxine and vitamin replacement. We performed this literature review with focusing on articles published over the last 10 years, to examine the recent theories of possible causes and management in hyperemesis gravidarum. Conclusion:Hyperemesisgravidarum could be a life-threatening condition that occurs during the first trimester. It is a treatable condition, mostly by supportive means such as vitamins, IV Fluids, bland diet and family support. These patients can get rapidly into shock, fluid loss or electrolyte imbalance, there for pregnant women with suspected hyperemesis gravidarum must not go on without a well-developed treatment plan.
Effect of protein concentrations in the diet on productive performance, carcass characteristics, and meat chemical composition of broiler chickens in the dry subtropics
Authors: Infante-Rodríguez Fidel , Domínguez-Muñoz Miguel Ángel , Montaño-Gómez Martín Francisco , Hume Michael E. , Anderson Robin C. , Manríquez-Núñez Olga Maritza , López-Acevedo Edgar Alberto , Bautista-Martínez Yuridia , Salinas-Chavira Jaime
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Current diets of broiler chickens tend to increase protein levels to obtain high productive variables that are achieved in combination with genetic, management, and sanitary improvements, among others. An increase in dietary crude protein levels does not always accompany an increase in broiler productive efficiency due to multiple factors involved in the production system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of dietary crude protein (CP) on productive performance, carcass characteristics, and chemical composition of breast and thigh meat in broiler chickens raised in the dry subtropics of northeastern Mexico.Method: The study used 200, 1-day-old male Ross broiler chicks. In a completely randomized design, birds were allocated to the four treatments with five replicates (floor pens) of ten birds each. The trial was divided in two phases (starter and finisher) of 21 days each (42 days total). Treatment diets (T) for starter and finisher phases had crude protein concentrations (CP; %) of 21 and 18.1 (T1), 21.4 and 18.5 (T2), 21.8 and 18.9 (T3), and 22.2 and 19.3 (T4), respectively. Within each feeding phase, the four treatment diets were formulated to similar levels of apparent metabolizable energy.Results: Protein concentrations had no effect (P > 0.05) on weight gain, while feed intake was greater in T1 (P < 0.05) than in T2 and T3. Feed conversion was better in T2 and T4 (P < 0.05) than in T1. There was no influence of treatment on carcass weight or carcass cuts (P > 0.05). Carcass yield was greater in T1 than in T3 (P < 0.05). Breast and thigh dry matter and ether extracts were similar (P > 0.05) between treatments. Breast crude protein was greater (P < 0.05) in T2 than in T3. The lowest (P < 0.05) CP concentration in thigh meat was in T3.Discussion or Conclusion: These results indicated that in the dry subtropics area of northeastern Mexico increases in CP above the level of T2 (21.4% and 18.5% CP in starter and finisher diets, respectively) did not improve broiler chicken productive performance, carcass characteristics or meat chemical composition.
Suspended sediment modelling with hydrological and climate input data
Authors: Cisty Milan , Soldanova Veronika , Cyprich Frantisek , Holubova Katarina , Simor Viliam
Published: November 2020

Measured records of suspended sediment concentrations are vital information to support water management activities. However, these measured time series are often incomplete and, as such, are not suitable for some analyses. This paper sets out the options for modelling suspended sediment concentrations to determine them in periods when measurements were not performed. The Danube River profile in Bratislava was selected as the case study. Regression using least absolute selection and shrinkage operator, support vector regression and deep learning neural network are compared in the paper to solve this task using various data sources. The results obtained show a significant increase in the precision of modelling suspended sediment concentrations over the standard method, which is a rating curve. Several variables were used to establish the suspended sediment concentration, because the same data as in this study may not be available everywhere. In particular, the use of climatic (precipitation and temperature) and hydrological inputs (flows) is assessed in order to promote the more general benefit of work. In the article, the authors propose an original method of modification of input climate data, which significantly increases the accuracy of modelling. The authors demonstrate that when using proposed methodology, the use of climate data, which are usually better available than hydrological data, resulted in a comparable degree of precision to standard modelling based on river flow data.
Removal of Zn(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II) by adsorption onto banana stalk biochar: adsorption process and mechanisms
Authors: Deng Hua , Li Qiuyan , Huang Meijia , Li Anyu , Zhang Junyu , Li Yafen , Li Shuangli , Kang Caiyan , Mo Weiming
Published: November 2020

Low-cost banana stalk (Musa nana Lour.) biochar was prepared using oxygen-limited pyrolysis (at 500 °C and used), to remove heavy metal ions (including Zn(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II)) from aqueous solution. Adsorption experiments showed that the initial solution pH affected the ability of the biochar to adsorb heavy metal ions in single- and polymetal systems. Compared to Mn(II) and Zn(II), the biochar exhibited highly selective Cu(II) adsorption. The adsorption kinetics of all three metal ions followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation. The isotherm data demonstrated the Langmuir model fit for Zn(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II). The results showed that the chemical adsorption of single molecules was the main heavy metal removal mechanism. The maximum adsorption capacities (mg·g−1) were ranked as Cu(II) (134.88) > Mn(II) (109.10) > Zn(II) (108.10)) by the single-metal adsorption isotherms at 298 K. Moreover, characterization analysis was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results revealed that ion exchange was likely crucial in Mn(II) and Zn(II) removal, while C-O, O-H and C = O possibly were key to Cu(II) removal by complexing or other reactions.
Soluble Expression, One-Step Purification and Characterization of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Fused with ompA3 in Escherichia coli
Authors: Zhou Zhen-Ru , Huang Wei , Liu Kang-Jia , Lin Fo-Lan , Wang Xiao-Lu , Wang Feng , Jiang Ren-Wang
Published: November 2020

Background:

Human growth hormone (hGH) is the first recombinant protein approved for the treatment of human growth hormone deficiency. However, expression in inclusion bodies and low expression levels are enormous challenges for heterologous expression of hGH in Escherichia coli.

Objective:

To increase the soluble expression of recombinant hGH with correct folding in E. coli.

Methods:

We constructed a new recombinant expression plasmid containing the coding sequence
of the outer membrane protein A (ompA3) which was used for the expression in Transetta (DE3)
E. coli. In order to simplify the purification process and cleavage of recombinant proteins, the fusion
sequence should contain hexahistidine-tag (His6) and enterokinase recognition sites (D4K).
The effect of different expression conditions on recombinant hGH expression was optimized in
flask cultivations. Furthermore, the periplasmic solution containing soluble hGH was purified by
Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Circular dichroism (CD), western blot and mass spectrometry
analyses were used to characterize the protein. Moreover, the growth-promoting effect of the purified
hGH was also evaluated by cell proliferation assay.

Results:

High-level expression (800 g/mL) was achieved by induction with 0.5 mM IPTG at 30 ºC for 10 hours. The purity
of hGH was over 90%. The immunological activity, secondary structure and molecular weight of the purified hGH were
consistent with native hGH. The purified hGH was found to promote the growth of MC3T3-E1 cells, and was found to show
the highest activity at a concentration of 100 ng/mL.

Conclusion:

Our research provides a feasible and convenient method for the soluble expression of recombinant hGH in E.
coli, and may lay a foundation for the production and application of hGH in the industry.
Novel N-(2-Methoxydibenzofuran-3-yl)-2-aryloxyacetamide Derivatives: Synthesis and Biological Investigation
Authors: Yurttaş Leyla , Çavuşoğlu Betül Kaya , Temel Halide Edip , Çiftçi Gülşen Akalın
Published: November 2020

Background:

Dibenzofuran ring is a typical heterocyle that is found in many natural
sources and its derivatives exhibit a wide scale of biological applications similar to its analog ring
systems; furan and benzofuran.

Materials and Methods:

Novel N-(2-methoxydibenzofuran-3-yl)-2-aryloxyacetamide derivatives
(2a-l) were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against A549 lung cancer and
NIH/3T3 mouse embryofibroblast cell lines. The inhibition percentages of cathepsin D, L, acetylcholinesterase
(AChE) and butrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzymes provoked by the compounds
were also determined.

Results and Discussion:

Most of the compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity whose IC50 values
were identified lower than the tested lowest concentration (<3.90 μg/mL). Compound 2i against
cathepsin D and compound 2k against cathepsin L displayed the highest inhibitory activity. Regrettably,
the compounds demonstrated very weak AChE and BuChE inhibition.

Conclusion:

Compounds 2b, 2c, 2e, 2i and 2k exhibited the highest antiproliferative activity
against A549 cell lines with selective profile. However, they did not display satisfying results on
tested enzymes.
Green Miniaturized Extraction and Microextraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Foods and Beverages
Authors: Manousi Natalia , Zachariadis George A.
Published: November 2020

Background:

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common environmental
contaminants consisting of two or more fused benzene rings. PAHs can be introduced into foodstuffs
through different ways, such as smoking, roasting and grilling for meat and fish, absorption
from the environment for edible oils, chemical treatment of crops for plant-based products, or
contamination through packaging during storage. Due to the low concentrations of PAHs in foodstuffs,
a clean-up and preconcentration sample preparation technique is of high importance. Until
recently, solid-phase and liquid-liquid extraction were the most popular sample preparation techniques
for the extraction of PAHs from food matrices. However, due to the fundamental drawbacks
of those extraction procedures, a plethora of novel methods, including micro-extraction
techniques and miniaturized extraction techniques, have been developed. Moreover, a wide variety
of novel adsorbent materials (e.g., metal-organic frameworks, carbon-based materials, etc.)
have been synthesized and applied for PAHs’ extraction.

Objective:

This review aims to discuss recent advances in the extraction techniques of PAHs
from food samples, utilizing novel sample preparation approaches and adsorbents.

Conclusion:

Compared with the traditional sample preparation techniques, the herein discussed
green miniaturized extraction and microextraction techniques offer multiple benefits, including
simplicity, reduced sample preparation time, as well as reduced consumption of organic solvents.
A Study on Multi-class Classification of Breast Cancer Images using Ensemble Network and Transfer Learning
Authors: Tipirneni Lahari , Patan Rizwan
Published: November 2020

Background:

Breast cancer causes millions of deaths all over the world every year. It has
become the most common type of cancer in women. Early detection will help in better prognosis
and increase the chance of survival. Automating the classification using Computer-Aided Diagnosis
(CAD) systems can make the diagnosis less prone to errors. Multi-class classification and Binary
classification of breast cancer is a challenging problem. Convolutional neural network architectures
extract specific feature descriptors from images, which cannot represent different types of breast
cancer. This leads to false positives in classification, which is undesirable in disease diagnosis.

Methods:

The current paper presents an ensemble Convolutional neural network for multi-class
classification and Binary classification of breast cancer. The feature descriptors from each network
are combined to produce the final classification. In this paper, histopathological images are taken
from the publicly available BreakHis dataset and classified into 8 classes.

Results:

The proposed ensemble model can perform better when compared to the methods proposed
in the literature. The results showed that the proposed model could be a viable approach for breast
cancer classification.

Conclusion:

In this paper, an approach for multi-class classification on the breast images for cancer
detection is proposed. The proposed architecture can be a viable option for the classification of histopathology
images.
The Role of Signaling Pathway in the Biological Cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Chauhan Rakesh Kumar , Sharma Pramod Kumar , Srivastava Shikha
Published: November 2020

Rheumatoid arthritis not only affects synovial joints but also many other sites including
heart, blood vessels, and skins. It is more common in females than in males. The exact cause of
rheumatoid arthritis is not well established, but the hypothesis reported in the literature is that in
the development stage of the disease, both genetics and environmental factors can play an inciting
role. Along with these factors, the alteration in the normal physiology of enzymatic action acts as a
trigger to develop this condition. Numerous signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of Rheumatoid
Arthritis involve activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, kinases Janus family, P-38 Mitogen-
Activated Protein Kinase and Nuclear Factor-kappa B. Interleukin-1, is a proinflammatory cytokine
that plays an important role in inflammation in RA. These are also associated with an increase
in neutrophil, macrophage and lymphocytic chemotaxis, mast cell degranulation, activation,
maturation and survival of T-cells and B-cells activated. These signaling pathways also show that
p38α downregulation in myeloid cells exacerbates the severity of symptoms of arthritis. Thus, the
present review carters about the detail of different signaling pathways and their role in rheumatoid
arthritis.
How to translate “The Red House”: censorship and the Clube do Livro during the Brazilian military dictatorship (1964-1985)
Authors: Milton John
Published: November 2020

: This study extends previous studies (Milton, 2001, 2002, 2008) made on the first ever Brazilian book club, the Clube do Livro (1942-1989). It examines the background of the censorship of the Brazilian military dictatorship (1964-1985) and gives examples of items which were cut by the Clube do Livro in its translations. It then attempts to explain how, despite rigorous censorship, the Clube do Livro managed to publish translations of two works from Romania which contained much socialist realism at the peak of the dictatorship.
Beyond local (in)capacity: analyzing the implementation of a federally induced urban policy in Brazil
Authors: Lima-Silva Fernanda , Loureiro Maria Rita
Published: November 2020

The article analyzes the capacity production of a Brazilian urban policy (Program of Acceleration of Growth - Slum Upgrading, PAC-UAP), whose implementation flaws are commonly associated with municipal governments shortcomings, even though its interventions involve a multiplicity of actors. Three analytical and empirical aspects are considered: (i) the need to expand knowledge on state capacity in policies implemented by a network of actors; (ii) the relevance of the debate of policy capacity, which refers to the ability of reaching the expected results in a specific public policy; (iii) and the demand to explore federally induced public policies in federations marked by heterogeneous subnational entities. Methodologically, the work develops a case study, complemented by documental analysis and interviews with key stakeholders. The research corroborates studies that emphasize that municipal problems affected the production capacity of PAC-UAP, particularly the lack of adequate human and financial resources. On the other hand, this study innovates when considering that the municipality is, in fact, the node of a network of actors, whose (in)capacity also affects the implementation. Therefore, it might not be possible to attribute only to the municipality the (in)success of this program. The article also reinforces the importance of incorporating organizational and systemic dimensions as explanatory elements, whose challenges can be potentiated when a program design is not adequate to the intrinsic characteristics of a certain public policy.
Regulatory Impact Assessment in pandemic times: a practical exercise in the COVID-19 context
Authors: Mota Daniel Marques , Saab Flavio , Vazzoler Raisa Zandonade , Schunig Karina , Donagema Edson Antônio , Troncoso Gabrielle Cunha Barbosa Cavalcanti e Cysne
Published: November 2020

This study aimed to demonstrate the potential use of the problem analysis and definition, one of the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) phases, as an alternative in directing critical, rational and logical thinking for the formulation of regulatory policies and actions to face COVID-19. The theoretical basis involved an overview of regulation, RIA and problem analysis and definition. A descriptive study with qualitative approach was used to report the results of the virtual workshop, with didactic-pedagogical characteristics, on the main problem analysis and definition in the COVID-19 context. Seven employees and one trainee, who works in the regulatory quality improvement unit at Anvisa, participated in the virtual workshop. The main problem was defined as “Dissemination of the little-known SARS-COV-2 coronavirus, untreated and with a high rate of contagion”. Ten consequences related to the problem were identified, with worsening mental health problems being one of them. As an illustration, the study highlighted five of the 20 causes listed by the participants. The low population adherence to the prevention and control measures was considered one of the problem causes. The risk group population, such as the elderly and people with comorbidities, was one of the 30 agents affected by the problem identified in the workshop. This study is a contribution to coping with COVID-19, as well as to other future public health emergencies.
A Preliminary Estimation of the Economic Costs of Lockdown in Rio Grande do Sul
Authors: Oliveira Cristiano Aguiar de
Published: November 2020

This article seeks to estimate the initial economic costs of the measures adopted to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in Rio Grande do Sul. To this goal, it uses a structural time series model estimated through Kalman Filter to obtain a counterfactual path of daily sales in the state after many municipals’ decrees and the state decree number 55.128 of March 19, 2020. The results show that the accumulated costs of the lockdown policy in terms of losses on sales in the formal sector of the economy would be around BRL 43,34 billion and in terms of tax collection the losses would be around BRL 1,56 billion in only 27 days. Although the article has the limitation of using only information from the formal sector of the economy, it concludes that the costs of these measures are relevant and grow exponentially. It also concludes that it would be necessary for these measures to be able to prevent at least 13.158 deaths caused by Covid-19 in the state of Rio Grande do Sul for their benefits to outweigh their costs.
Proposta de instrumento para avaliação da governança organizacional em uma instituição do setor público.
Authors: Oliveira Nildete dos Passos , Resende Junior Pedro Carlos
Published: November 2020

Este estudo tem como objetivo propor um instrumento de avaliação da governança organizacional para uma instituição pública e foi construído a partir de uma abordagem qualitativa e quantitativa. Foi utilizada a perspectiva organizacional da governança, a qual está relacionada a incentivos, decisões administrativas e funcionamento da organização. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de análise documental, entrevistas semiestruturadas com especialistas e gestores de uma instituição de estudo e questionários. Para análise dos dados, foram empregadas as técnicas de análise documental e análise de conteúdo categorial, com avaliação da saturação teórica e do coeficiente de validação de conteúdo. Mediante análise dos referenciais de governança e da revisão de literatura foram definidas três categorias descritivas do constructo: gestão estratégica, pessoas e accountability, agrupando variáveis de governança. Após análise das entrevistas, observou-se a predominância da categoria gestão estratégica, seguida por pessoas e accountability. Então, o instrumento de avaliação, construído com 16 variáveis e contendo 58 itens, foi avaliado por sete juízes, resultando na proposta de instrumento de avaliação da governança organizacional.