bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Propranolol Reduces Risk of Knee or Hip Replacement Due to Osteoarthritis: a Propensity Score Matched Cohort Study-using Data From the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.
Authors: Nakafero Georgina , Grainge Matthew J , Valdes Ana M , Townsend Nick , Mallen Christian , Zhang Weiya , Doherty Michael , Mamas Mamas A. , Abhishek Abhishek
Published: July 2021

Objectives To examine the association between β-blocker prescription and knee or hip total joint replacement (TJR) in a UK primary-care population with incident knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA).Methods Cohort study using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Participants aged ≥40 years with incident knee or hip OA, exposed to β-blockers after OA diagnosis (new-user design), were matched to one control for age, sex, OA location and propensity score (PS) for β-blocker prescription. Cox-proportional hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. The analyses were adjusted for factors that influence health-seeking behaviour, progression of OA, and stratified according to β-blocker classification. Data analysis was conducted using Stata.Results Data for 6,970 PS-matched β-blocker exposed and unexposed participants were included. Any β-blocker prescription was not associated with knee or hip TJR (aHR 1.11; 95% CI 0.98 – 1.25). However, prescription of lipophilic non-selective β-blockers having membrane stabilising effects associated with reduced risk of knee or hip TJR (aHR 0.69; 95% CI 0.52 – 0.93). Of these, there was a protective effect for propranolol (aHR 0.71; 95% CI 0.53 – 0.95), the commonest prescribed drug in this class. The number needed to treat (95% CI) with propranolol for two years in order to prevent one TJR was 32 (23-52).Conclusion Propranolol, a non-selective β-blocker, reduces the risk of knee and hip TJR. This is consistent with its analgesic effects in other conditions and a randomised controlled trial is required to further evaluate its analgesic potential and safety in OA.
Effects of barley and triticale silage based diets and residual feed intake on performance, profitability, and predicted CO2e emission of backgrounding steers
Authors: Khakbazan Mohammad , Block Hushton C. , Huang John , Colyn Jeff J. , Baron Vern S. , Basarab John A. , Li Changxi , Ekine-Dzivenu Chinyere
Published: July 2021

Background

Feed costs are the largest expense in commercial beef production. Increasing cattle (Bos taurus) feed efficiency should reduce feed costs and increase beef profitability. This study used data from two years of a backgrounding trial conducted in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. The evaluation looked at economic and predicted CH4 emission impacts of diet quality and cattle efficiency type in backgrounding systems. The hypothesis was that diet quality from use of barley (Hordeum vulgare c.v. Canmore) or triticale (x Triticosecale c.v. Bunker) silage-based diets and cattle efficiency type would interact to affect profitability and CH4 emissions.
Results

The experimental design was a four (cattle efficiency type; defined by residual feed intake (RFI)) by two (barley or triticale silage-based rations) factorial treatment with two replicates (pen of eight steers)/treatment/year over two years. Year was a random blocking factor. Cattle weight, intake, and diet composition data were combined with market prices to assess profitability. Methane emissions data were predicted from observed performance using a nutrient requirement model. Effects of diet and cattle efficiency type on profitability and CO2e emissions were assessed using statistical and stochastic risk simulation. By supporting greater gain and feed efficiency, the barley silage diet provided higher net revenue (NR) and lower CO2e emission (P < 0.01 for both). The NR was affected by observed pen average RFI. Risk simulation showed preference for efficient steers and use of barley silage-based diets.
Conclusions

The profitability of beef backgrounding was affected by cattle efficiency type and diet quality with higher quality diets also lowering CO2e emission and little evidence of interaction between cattle efficiency type and diet quality. The difference in certainty equivalent (~$30/steer) of efficient steers on barley silage and inefficient steers on barley silage or efficient or inefficient steers on triticale silage supports a beef backgrounding producer focus on diet quality and cattle efficiency type. However, inefficient steers on barley silage still generated higher certainty equivalent per steer than efficient or inefficient steers on triticale silage. This study did not address potential agronomic differences, including yield, which could provide nuance to forage choice.
Famine Exposure in Early Life and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Adulthood: Findings From Prospective Cohort Studies in China
Authors: Ning Feng , Zhao Jing , Zhang Yanlei , Zhang Lei , Song Xin , Gap Weiguo , Xin Hualei , Gao Ruqin , Zhang Dongfeng , Pang Zengchang , Qiao Qing
Published: July 2021

Background: This study will investigate effect of famine exposure in early life associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes in adulthood during the Chinese Famine.Methods: A total of 3,418 individuals aged 35-74 years free of diabetes in 2006 and in 2009 study surveys, were prospectively followed up to 2009 and 2012, respectively. Individuals were grouped into non-exposed (1962-1978), fetal-exposed (1959-1961), childhood-exposed (1949-1958) and adolescence/adult-exposed cohorts (1931-1948). Logistic regression model was employed to assess effect of famine exposure on diabetes incidence, adjusting for potential covariates.Results: During a mean follow up of 3 years, the age-adjusted cumulative incidences of type 2 diabetes were 6.3%, 13.0% 11.0% and 13.8% in non-exposed, fetal, child and adolescence/adult-exposed cohorts, respectively (P=0.026). Compared with non-exposed individuals, relative risks (95% confidence intervals) for diabetes incidence were 2.15(1.29-3.60), 1.53(0.93-2.51), and 1.65(0.75-3.63) in those exposure in fetal, child and adolescence/adult, controlling for covariates. The interactions between famine exposure and obesity, education, family history of diabetes were not observed, except for famine exposure and residential areas. Individuals lived in rural areas increased risk for type 2 diabetes in fetal and child exposure, with an incidence relative risk (95% confidence interval) of 8.79(1.82-42.54) and 2.33(1.17-4.65), respectively.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that famine exposure in early life is an independent predictor on type 2 diabetes, particularly in women. The identification and intervention on critical time can prevent residents from diabetes in later life.The clinical trial was registered, more detail linked in https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home, as registration no. NCT01053195.
High Dose Intravenous Vitamin C Treatment in Sepsis: Associations with Acute Kidney Injury and Mortality Running Title Vitamin C associated AKI and mortality
Authors: McCune Thomas , Sheehan Brynn E , Sherani Muhammad Shaheer K , Petr Stephan T , Toepp Angela J , Dodani Sunita
Published: July 2021

The effects of vitamin C on clinical outcomes in critically ill patients remain controversial due to inconclusive studies. This retrospective observational cohort study evaluated the effects of vitamin C therapy on acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality among septic patients. Participants were 1390 patients from an academic hospital who were categorized as Treatment (received at least one dose of 1.5g IV vitamin C, n = 212) or Comparison (received no, or less than 1.5g IV vitamin C, n = 1178). Propensity score matching was conducted to balance a number of covariates between groups. Multivariate logistic regressions were conducted predicting AKI and in-hospital mortality among the full sample and a sub-sample of patients seen in the ICU. Results revealed that vitamin C therapy was associated with increases in AKI (OR = 2.07 95% CI [1.46–2.93]) and in-hospital mortality (OR = 1.67 95% CI [1.003–2.78]) after adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates. When stratified to examine ICU patients, vitamin C therapy remained a significant risk factor of AKI (OR = 1.61 95% CI [1.09–2.39]) and provided no protective benefit against mortality (OR = 0.79 95% CI [0.48–1.31]). Ongoing use of high dose vitamin C in sepsis should be appraised due to observed associations with AKI and death.
Analytical Framework of Forced Convective Two-dimensional MHD Flow of Jeffrey Nano Liquid With Impact of Thermal Radiation and Activation Energy
Authors: Rasheed Haroon Ur , Islam Saeed , Khan Zeeshan , Khan Waris
Published: July 2021

The present communication owns to address the mathematical framework of two-dimensional electrically conductive and thermally radiative Jeffrey nanofluid flow by a curved surface. The interaction of a periodic magnetic field with the suspended nanoparticles and mixed convection are critically important due to its application in a broad spectrum. Buongiorno’s model, incorporates the effect of thermophoretic force and Brownian movement, describes the nature of Jeffrey nanofluid. The influence of activation energy, viscous dissipation, and thermal radiation effects are reserved. The dimensionless system of differential equations has been diminished from the modeled equations via transformation framework which is solved analytically versus homotopic algorithm. The stability and convergence analysis has been carried out to optimize system parameters and accuracy of the system. The effect of physical constraints on flow field, energy, and concentration of nanoparticles are portrayed via plotted graphs and debated.
Pedicle Morphometry of Sub Axial Cervical Spine using Computed Tomography Scans among Adult Ugandan Population
Authors: Jonathan Ssebuggwawo , Muzeyi Wani , Geoffrey Erem , Gonzaga Waiswa , badru SSekitooleko , Isaac Kajja
Published: July 2021

Background: Accurate placement of pedicle screws in the sub axial cervical spine requires precise understanding of vertebrae anatomy. Little is known about the morphometric characteristics of the sub axial cervical pedicle in the Ugandan population. The objective of the study was to determine the morphometric dimensions of pedicles in the sub axial cervical spine among the adult Ugandan population. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study from March to November 2019 among adult Ugandans with a normal cervical CT scan at Nsambya hospital in Kampala. Eligible participants were consecutively recruited into the study. Data on baseline characteristics and pedicle dimensions from the CT scan findings were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using Stata 13.0. Pedicle dimensions for the different levels of sub axial cervical vertebrae were summarised as means and standard deviations, the Mann Whitney test was used to compare pedicle dimensions for the different vertebrae level among females and males on both right and left side and the level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: A total of 700 sub axial cervical pedicles (C3-C7) from 49 males and 21 female participants were studied. Pedicle width diameter showed cephalo-caudal gradual increment from C3 [1.65(0.63) mm] to [3.46(0.75) mm] at C7. Pedicle height also showed an increase caudally with smallest diameter at C3 [1.98(0.76) mm] and largest at C5 in females [3.67(6.42) mm] and at C7in males [3.83(0.76) mm]. The pedicle height was wider than the pedicle width at all levels. The pedicle chord length gradually increased caudally in both sexes ranging from [29.08(1.35) mm] at C3 to [32.53(3.19) mm] at C7. The axial angles were oriented medially and showed no consistent trend ranging between 500 and 530. The sagittal angles decreased as one moved from C3 to C7. The dimensions of females were significantly smaller than in males.Conclusion: Pedicle endosteal width was smaller than pedicle height dimensions at all levels. Pedicle cord length increased caudally. The pedicle dimensions except angulations, were smaller in females than in males.
Estradiol on Trigger Day was Irrelevant to Live Birth Rates of Fresh Cycles but Positively Associated with Cumulative Live Birth Rates: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Wang Meng , Jin Lei , Shi Juanzi , Mao Yundong , Zhang Cuilian , Huang Rui , Liang Xiaoyan
Published: July 2021

Background: Serum estradiol (E2) level is supraphysiological during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). However, the impacts of high levels of E2 on the development of preimplantation embryos, live birth rates in fresh and frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles, and cumulative live birth rates (CLBR) remain debatable.Methods: This retrospective study included 93,959 oocyte retrieval cycles of 73,794 patients performing in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) from 2013 to 2018 in five reproductive centers in China. Patients were categorized according to E2 level on trigger day: <1,000, 1,000-2,000, 2,000-3,000, 3,000-4,000, 4,000-5,000 and ≥5,000 pg/ml. Developments of embryos were evaluated by specific stage embryo rates, fertilization rates and cleavage rates. Generalized linear mixed models and multilevel models were adopted. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to adjust for the confounding factors. Results: Compared with the <1,000 pg/ml group, the aMD (95% CI) for the specific stage embryo rates in groups 2-6 were -0.10 (-0.11, -0.10), -0.13 (-0.14, -0.12), -0.14 (-0.15, -0.13), -0.15 (-0.16, -0.15) and -0.14 (-0.15, -0.13), respectively. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of live birth of fresh cycles in the stratified higher E2 groups was 1.03 (0.91, 1.16), 1.06 (0.93, 1.21), 1.03 (0.89, 1.19), 1.02 (0.87, 1.20) and 0.88 (0.75, 1.03), while the aOR (95% CI) for live birth in FET cycles was 1.01 (0.90, 1.14), 1.08 (0.95, 1.22), 1.10 (0.96, 1.27), 1.12 (0.97, 1.29), and 1.20 (1.05, 1.37), respectively. When E2 <14,000 pg/ml, E2 was positively correlated with CLBR, otherwise, E2 was irrelevant to CLBR. Conclusion: High levels of E2 is associated with decreased rates of properly developed embryos. When E2 level is above 5,000 pg/ml on trigger day, the E2 level is associated with increased live birth rates in FET cycles. While the live birth rates in fresh cycles is not impacted. CLBR is positively associated with E2 on trigger day when E2 is <14,000 pg/ml.
Effect of Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy on Overall Survival in Patients with Hormone Receptor Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Su Yong Cheng , Zheng XiaoGang
Published: July 2021

Introduction: There has been little research on whether contralateral prophylactic mastectomy(CPM) improves overall survival in patients with hormone receptor(HR) negative breast cancer. Our study aimed to determine whether CPM would bring survival benefits for the patients diagnosed with HR-negative breast cancer. Methods: All data were derived from the SEER database (version8.3.6.1). We used LASSO regression analysis and stepwise regression method to screen the variables related to prognosis. The survival curves of breast cancer patients were drawn by the Kaplan-Meier method, and we used the Log-rank test to calculate statistical differences in survival curves. Results: The overall survival (OS) was significantly better for patients in the CPM group than the Non-CPM group, the pooled hazard ratio (HR) was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.14–0.78), multivariate Cox regression analysis after propensity score matching (PSM) showed the same results, the CPM-group showed a significantly improved prognosis than the Non-CPM group, the pooled HR was 0.66 (95%CI:0.50–0.83), statistically significant. Conclusion: Our study confirmed that CPM could improve the prognosis of patients with HR-negative breast cancer and significantly extend overall survival. Simultaneously, clinicians should fully consider the advantages and disadvantages of the operation before performing CPM on patients.
Longitudinal associations between time-varying insomnia symptoms and all-cause healthcare services utilization among middle-aged and older adults in the US
Authors: Mahmood Asos , Kedia Satish , Dobalian Aram , Chang Cyril F. , Ahn SangNam
Published: July 2021

This study examines longitudinal associations between time-varying insomnia symptoms (including difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, early-morning awakenings, and nonrestorative sleep) and all-cause healthcare services utilization (HSU; overnight hospital stays, nursing home stays, and home healthcare services) among middle-aged and older adults. Data were obtained from 2002 through 2018 waves of the Health and Retirement Study in the US for a population-representative sample of 13,168 adults (aged ≥50 years; mean [SD] age= 66.8±9.4; females= 57.7%; ≥2 comorbid medical conditions= 52.5%). A marginal structural modeling approach and generalized estimating equations were implemented to capture time-varying biological, psycho-cognitive, lifestyle, or behavioral health factors and to adjust for selection bias due to differential loss to follow-up. At baseline, 38.9% of respondents reported experiencing at least one insomnia symptom. During the 16-year follow-up, 72.9%, 17.9%, and 35.1% reported overnight hospital stays, nursing home stays, and home healthcare services utilization, respectively. Higher numbers of insomnia symptoms on a cumulative scale were associated with more overnight hospital stays, nursing home stays, and home healthcare services utilization. Further, experiencing each of difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep, and nonrestorative sleep, as standalone symptoms, was associated with a higher likelihood of HSU compared to those not experiencing any of these symptoms. Independent associations of early-morning awakening with nursing home stays and home healthcare utilization were not significant. The results emphasize the roles of screening and addressing symptoms of insomnia among middle-aged and older adults or those prone to sleep disorders to reduce avoidable HSU. Future investigations should focus on the underlying causes and health systems pathways linking insomnia symptoms to HSU.
Saberes desde lo social. Transdisciplinariedad en las realidades sociales
Authors: Caicedo-Muñoz Silvia , Díaz Rico María Elena , Ossa Ramírez José Fernando , Murcia Zorrilla María Del Pilar , Gutiérrez Peláez Miguel , Jaramillo Estrada Juan Carlos , Quintero Torres John Alexander , Mejía Zuluaga César , Castaño Méndez Adriana Marcela , Fernanda García Luisa , María Ayala Luisa , Herrán Pedraza Laura Andrea , Valencia Rentería Carmen Eliza , Perdomo Daniela , Agudelo Daniela , Ramírez Pérez Martha Lucía , Bautista Angulo Vanessa , Pedroza Juliana , Agrono Lina , Rojas Gómez Juan Sebastián
Published: July 2021

La Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali anualmente lleva a cabo la semana Talleres de lo social. Este ejercicio académico-pedagógico, que ha trascendido por 22 años, para esta ocasión incluyó el tercer encuentro regional de psicología Saberes desde lo social: transdisciplinariedad en las realidades sociales y el primer simposio regional Gobiernos, familias e infancias: por el derecho a crecer en familia, en colaboración con la ONG gubernamental Aldeas Infantiles-Colombia, llevado a cabo el 17 y 18 de octubre de 2018.
Secondary Metabolites Extracted from Annonaceae and Chemotaxonomy Study of Terpenoids
Authors: Menezes Renata , Sessions Zoe , Muratov Eugene , Scotti Luciana , Scotti Marcus
Published: July 2021

The Annonaceae family of plants is one of the most anatomically and structurally uniform families. Chemotaxonomy is a common practice to determine the chemical patterns within these families at different phylogenetic levels. The aim of this study was to build a dataset of all the secondary metabolites isolated within the Annonaceae family and to perform the respective chemotaxonomic analysis using self-organizing maps (SOMs). This dataset is composed of 5321 botanical occurrences and 1860 unique molecules present in all subfamilies of the Annonaceae. Diterpenes account for 366 unique compounds and 533 botanical occurrences seen in both Annonoideae and Malmeoideae subfamilies. The Annoneae, Xylopieae and Miliuseae tribes had the highest number of botanical occurrences and were therefore selected for the analysis. Molecular descriptors of the diterpenes and their respective botanical occurrences were used to generate the SOMs. These SOMs demonstrated clear and indicative tribe separations, with a match rate higher than 70%. Our results corroborate with the morphological and molecular data. These models can be used to predict the phylogenetic location of certain diterpenes and to accelerate the research of Annonaceae secondary metabolites and their biological potentials.
From emergency to durable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions: insights from the protracted Syrian refugee situation in Lebanon
Authors: Chatila Hani , Fischer Christian , Amankwaa Godfred , Sternberg Troy
Published: July 2021

Emergency water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programming often fails to meet defined humanitarian or sectoral standards and the needs of those affected by crises. There have been calls to shift toward more resilient, durable and sustainable WASH interventions. Drawing on a mix of qualitative methods, this paper traces the nature and evolution of the factors affecting different kinds of WASH interventions in Lebanon. Factors contributing to a slow uptake of durable WASH solutions include Lebanon not being a signatory of the 1951 Refugee Convention, a ‘no camp’ policy adopted by the Government of Lebanon, aid agencies under pressure to cater for lifesaving WASH needs of the Syrian refugees, a lack of sufficient funds, Syrian refugee migration to Europe in 2014, limited Syrian refugee resettlement options, terrorism at the Lebanese border in 2014, as well as fears of nationalization of Syrian refugees – rooted in experiences from the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. The paper demonstrates that the overall WASH response to Syrian refugees in Lebanon mirrors the interplay between aid agencies, the donor community and the Government of Lebanon. We argue that the Lebanese Government should have acted much earlier and devised a strategy flexible enough to turn a challenge into an opportunity by advocating for funds that allow for durable solutions and sustainable impact on the lives of the Syrian refugees and Lebanese hosting communities. We conclude by highlighting policy and practical lessons for refugee-hosting countries and donor agencies.

HIGHLIGHT

WASH interventions are used in nearly all emergency contexts to help reduce risks. The unsustainability of emergency WASH interventions has led to attempts for more durable solutions. In Lebanon, durable WASH interventions that benefitted both Syrian refugees and host communities were initiated by the end of 2014. Factors for this shift policy shift mirrors the interplay between aid agencies, the donor community and the Government of Lebanon.
Water resource development planning around village cascades: piloting of a scientific methodology in Yan Oya river basin of Sri Lanka
Authors: Seenithamby Manoharan , Nandalal K. D. W.
Published: July 2021

In the dry zone of Sri Lanka experiencing hydrological and weather extremes, non-availability of validated scientific data on stream-flows and groundwater stocks for sufficient time periods, and the presence of large numbers of small and large tanks that divert the water from the streams, make water resource planning a very complex challenge. An integrated modelling exercise was carried out: first using a hydrological simulation model to assess the annual and seasonal water flows of Yan Oya basin of Anuradhapura district and its seven sub-watersheds for 30 years and their dependability; then using a water balance model to analyze the extent to which the current water demands of five selected cascades are being met from the supplies available; and assessing the scope for augmenting the existing storage capacity of the tanks to reduce the irrigation deficits. This article presents the results of the study with regard to: the basin flows and their variability; and water balance scenarios for five selected cascades, with and without modifications in tank storage capacity. The article also discusses how the results from such integrated modelling studies should be used by irrigation planners for taking water management decisions for the basin with decentralized storages like tanks.
Retracted Note: Effects of Vitamin K2 on Osteoporosis
Authors: Iwamoto Jun , Takeda Tsuyoshi , Sato Yoshihiro
Published: July 2021

The article entitled “Effects of Vitamin K2 on Osteoporosis, published in Curr Pharm Des 2004; 10(21): 2557-76, by Iwamoto
J, Takeda T and Sato Y.” has been retracted by the Editorial office of the journal Current Pharmaceutical Design, as the text,
data and some figures used/referred in this review article are from sources which have been retracted or under investigation on
the basis of data fabrication and falsification, authorship misconduct, duplicate publication, unethical research practices, text
recycling/self-plagiarism, and unresolved concerns about data integrity and research conduct. The authors were informed of
this complaint and were requested to give justification on the matter in their defense. However, no reply was received from
their side in this regard. Some sources that have been retracted are as follows:

1. Iwamoto J, Takeda T, Ichimura S. Combined treatment with vitamin K2 and bisphosphonate in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
Yonsei Med J 2003; 44: 751-6. Available at: https://eymj.org/DOIx.php?id=10.3349/ymj.2019.60.1.115.

2. Sato Y, Honda Y, Kuno H, Oizumi K. Menatetrenone ameliorates osteopenia in disuse-affected limbs of vitamin D- and K-deficient
stroke patients. Bone 1998; 23: 291-6. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S8756328298001082.

3. Sato Y, Honda Y, Kaji M, Asoh T, Hosokawa K, Kondo I, et al. Amelioration of osteoporosis by menatetrenone in elderly female
Parkinson's disease patients with vitamin D deficiency. Bone 2002; 31: 114-8. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
12110423/.

Bentham Science apologizes to its readers for any inconvenience this may have caused. The Bentham Editorial Policy on Article
Retraction can be found at https://benthamscience.com/editorial-policies-main.php.

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of their article is transferred to the publishers if and when the article is accepted for publication.
Design, Synthesis, Anticancer Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel
Benzoxazole Linked 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles
Authors: Subhashini N.J.P. , Bujji Sushmitha , Kumar Edigi P. , Sivan Sree K. , Manjunatha D.H.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Cancer disease is a serious concern globally. Global cancer occurrence is steadily increasing
every year. There is always a persistent need to develop new anticancer drugs with reduced side effects or that act
synergistically with the existing chemotherapeutics.

Objective:

Benzoxazoles are fused bicyclic nitrogen and oxygen-containing heterocyclic compounds and are
considered biologically privileged scaffolds. We designed a synthetic route to link the benzoxazoles with oxadiazole,s
resulting in a better pharmacophore for anticancer activity.

Methods:

A series of novel amide derivatives of benzoxazole linked 1,3,4-oxadiazoles (10 a-j) were synthesized and
characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectroscopic techniques. The biological properties of the compounds
were screened in vitro against four different tumor cell lines.

Results:

The results suggest that the compound 10b having 3,4,5-trimethoxy substitution on the phenyl ring exhibited
potent anticancer activity in three cell lines (A549 = 0.13 ± 0.014 μM, MCF-7 = 0.10 ± 0.013 μM and HT-29 = 0.22 ±
0.017 μM). Notably, among the synthesized derivatives, compounds 10b, 10c, 10f, 10g, and 10i exhibited potent anticancer
activity than the control, with IC50 values in the range from 0.11 ± 0.02 to 0.93 ± 0.034 μM. Molecular docking
simulation results showed that compounds were stabilized by hydrogen bond and π-π interactions with the protein.

Conclusion:

The molecules showed comparable binding affinities with standard Combretastatin-A4. The present research
work is in a preliminary phase and needs further studies to take the synthesized compounds to the next level in
the cancer research field.
Immunotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients: A Focus on the Use of the Currently
Available Biomarkers in Oncology
Authors: Criscitiello Carmen , Guerini-Rocco Elena , Viale Giulia , Fumagalli Caterina , Sajjadi Elham , Venetis Konstantinos , Piciotti Roberto , Invernizzi Marco , Malapelle Umberto , Fusco Nicola
Published: July 2021

:

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) have remarkably modified the way solid tumors are managed, including
breast cancer. Unfortunately, only a relatively small number of breast cancer patients significantly respond to these
treatments. To maximize the immunotherapy benefit in breast cancer, several efforts are currently being put forward
for the identification of i) the best therapeutic strategy (i.e. ICI monotherapy or in association with chemotherapy,
radiotherapy, or other drugs); ii) optimal timing for administration (e.g. early/advanced stage of disease; adjuvant/
neoadjuvant setting); iii) most effective and reliable predictive biomarkers of response (e.g. tumor-infiltrating
lymphocytes, programmed death-ligand 1, microsatellite instability associated with mismatch repair deficiency, and
tumor mutational burden). In this article, we review the impacts and gaps in the characterization of immune-related
biomarkers raised by clinical and translational research studies with immunotherapy treatments. Particular emphasis
has been put on the documented evidence of significant clinical benefits of ICI in different randomized clinical trials,
along with preanalytical and analytical issues in predictive biomarkers pathological assessment.
Tooth Loss, Occlusal Teeth Support, Salivary Flow Rate, and Food Texture Choice in the Elderly with Cognitive Impairment: A Preliminary Study in Indonesia
Authors: Sari Kartika I. , Ong Paulus A. , Purba Ambrosius , Widyaputra Sunardhi
Published: July 2021

Background:

The elderly are at risk of experiencing oral health problems and chewing due to tooth-loss, decreased occlusal teeth support, and decreased salivary flow rate.

Objective:

This study aimed to compare distribution and comparison tooth loss, the proportion of occlusal teeth support, salivary flow rate, and the choice of food texture between the normal and cognitive impairment groups.

Methods:

Preliminary study and cross-sectional designed method on community-dwelling elderly in Bandung City, Indonesia. The inclusion criteria were no complaint of orofacial pain, not wearing denture prostheses, good communication skills, reading and writing skills, and good physical health. Demographic data include age, gender, education, and occupation. Tooth loss distribution, the proportion of occlusal contact zone, salivary flow rate, and choice of food texture were determined. Cognitive function was measured using the mini mental short examination (MMSE) form. A Mann-Whitney test was used to compare normal and cognitive impairment groups with a significance level of p-value <0.05.

Results:

25 cognitive normals with MMSE score ≥25 and 10 cognitive impairment with MMSE score <25. Mean anterior tooth-loss was 2.16±3.89 vs. 4.90± 4.28 (p<0.05) and posterior tooth loss was 7.12± 5.89 vs 10.40± 4.90, p> 0.05 under normal condition compared with the cognitive impairment groups. Fewer occlusal support zone was found more frequently in cognitive impairment by groups B2, B3, B4, and C according to the Eichner Index classification. Salivary flow rate was 1.2942± 0.5768 vs 1.2755± 0.9811, p> 0.05. The participants in both groups preferred a hard-solid food portion.

Conclusion:

The loss of anterior teeth is significantly different. The loss of posterior teeth appeared to be different between the elderly with cognitive impairment compared with the normal groups. The occlusal support zone, salivary flow rate, and the choice of food texture as a meal served were similar between both groups in this study.
Age and Dietary Vitamin C Intake Affect Brain Physiology in Genetically Modified Mice Expressing Human Lipoprotein(A) and Unable to Synthesize Vitamin C
Authors: Shi Lei , Niedzwiecki Aleksandra , Rath Matthias
Published: July 2021

Aims:

Lipoprotein (a) deposition in coronary vascular plaques and cerebral vessels is a
recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and research supports its role as a “repair factor”
in vascular walls weakened by vitamin C deficiency.

Background:

Humans depend on dietary vitamin C as an important antioxidant and as a cofactor in
collagen synthesis, yet are prone to vitamin C deficiency. The brain is the one with the highest vitamin
C content, owing to its high oxygen consumption and oxidative stress. It has been shown that
brain aging is accompanied by accumulated oxidative damage, which can lead to memory decline
and neurological diseases.

Objective:

Our transgenic mouse, Gulo (-/-); Lp(a)+, presents a unique model for the study of key
aspects of human metabolism with respect to a lack of internal vitamin C synthesis and the production
of human lipoprotein(a).

Methods:

This mouse model was used in our study to investigate the effects of prolonged intake of
low and high levels of vitamin C, at different ages, on oxidative damage, cholesterol levels and lipoprotein(
a) deposition in the brain.

Result:

The results show that a long-term high vitamin C intake is important in maintaining brain
cholesterol homeostasis and preventing oxidative damage in Gulo(-/-);Lp(a)+ mice as they age.
Moreover, we observed that the formation of brain lipoprotein(a) deposits was negatively correlated
with brain level of vitamin C, thereby confirming its role as a stability factor for an impaired extracellular
matrix.

Conclusion:

Our study emphasizes the critical role of vitamin C in protecting brain health as we age.

Other:

Our findings show that optimal vitamin C intake from early life to old age is important for
brain health as it prevents oxidative stress damage and maintains cholesterol homeostasis in the
brain. More importantly, the negative correlation between brain ascorbic levels and the formation
of Lp(a) deposit on the choroid plexus further emphasizes the critical role of vitamin C in protecting
brain health throughout the normal aging process.
1.	“Nas Raízes do Jornalismo Literário: Números Escolhidos de The Spectator (Londres, 1711-1714), Seleção, Tradução e Aparato Crítico”
Authors: Silva Jorge Bastos da
Published: July 2021

Procede-se à apresentação de um conjunto seleccionado de artigos do periódico The Spectator (Londres, 1711-1714), da autoria de Joseph Addison e Richard Steele, em tradução portuguesa. A introdução frisa a im-portância destes artigos no desenvolvimento da forma do ensaio periodístico e caracteriza-os nalguns dos seus aspectos principais, como sejam a criação de personagens e o uso de máscaras, o objectivo de formar (o gosto, o carácter, a conduta) mais do que informar, o distanciamento estabelecido relativamente a compro-metimentos político-partidários, a presença de ensaios críticos sobre a literatura e outras artes, e a relação do periódico com a cultura literária do Classicismo.
Explaining Michael Lewis: Literary Form and Behavioural Economics in The Undoing Project (2017)
Authors: Wilson Christopher
Published: July 2021

This essay is concerned with the literary dimensions of Michael Lewis’s The Undoing Project (2016), a journalistic depiction of the famous intellectual collaboration of Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman. Tversky and Kahneman are the Israeli psychologists whose work provided a new theoretical understructure for what is now called “behavioral economics,” which has challenged norms of thinking that have longed presumed that consumer or business markets perform based on individuals’ rational assessment of their own self-interest. The current public perception of Lewis is to see him as the master of the so-called explainer, the newswriting mode that supposedly draws from the Anglo-American journalistic traditions of realism and “plain speaking” transparency; the explainer itself has become more prominent across media platforms (e.g. in podcasts) in the U.S. in recent decades. However, what this interpretation of Lewis’s writing overlooks, in the case of the Undoing Project, is the polyglot assemblage of literary and cultural debts Lewis mobilizes –from Charles Dickens and Mark Twain, American vaudeville and Yiddish humor, Voltaire and romantic comedy –to plot his explainer in the form of a love story. Through this literary strategy, moreover, Lewis tries to self-reflexively incorporate the theories behind behavioral economics into his own storytelling. In doing so, however, Lewis also confronts the ambiguous role that those theories play in contemporary history and, especially, U.S. political governance.
Considerações Sobre o Olhar no Jornalismo Literário
Authors: Hollanda Diogo de
Published: July 2021

This article aims to analyze a recurring aspect in books that explore the boundaries of journalism and literature. It is a double gesture regarding the look. A gesture that, in different ways, values the narrator's gaze (“What I saw, nobody could see”), but at the same time recognizes its limitations. This simultaneous declaration of potency and insufficiency can be observed in a wide spectrum of authors from the most diverse origins, but here I propose to examine it in three Latin American writers: the Brazilian Eliane Brum and the Argentine Leila Guerriero and Selva Almada.
Entre a Literatura e o Jornalismo: Itinerários do Escritor Baiano Anísio Melhor (1885-1955)
Authors: Scarante Ionã Carqueijo
Published: July 2021

Anísio Melhor was born in the city of Nazaré, located in the Recôncavo da Bahia, on May 7, 1885. From reading his work, the most important source of information found about the writer, it is clear that journalism is one with his life. Self-taught, it was in the newspapers that he directed and collaborated that he became a poet, novelist, short-story writer, literary critic, folklorist and chronicler. Among the literary genres he published in periodicals, chronicles are the texts that most show his modus scribendi, as well as pointing out clues to his intellectual path and his evolution as a writer. In some of his texts, he discusses the journalist's solitary work, combining his experiences as a reader of the most varied newspapers and, especially, as a journalist in his small town. According to the writer, the provincial newspaper values every reader in its small town, knows its audience very closely, writes down the events day by day: now it is the chronicle of social nature, now it is the commentary on the deaths, now it is telluric poetry, now it is the birth of another child, now it is the chapter of another novel or novella. Thus, in the newspaper he founded and directed for a few decades, O Conservador (1912-1945), Melhor every day (re)constructed the history of his people, recording their traditions, stories and memories. The researches carried out in literary archives for the composition of this article contributed to revive the memory of this writer and to divulge his literary production and his work as a journalist.
De sociale struktuur en het politieke proces : Een vergelijkende studie in 147 Belgische Gemeenten
Authors: Aiken Michael , Van Gassel Hugo
Published: July 2021

This paper is concerned with the question of how the social and economic structure of cities affects the degree of political competition and how in turn these factors affect the degree of a political stability. It isbased on a comparative empirical study of the outcomes of the communal elections of 1952, 1958 and 1964 in 147 Belgian cities that had a population size of 10.000 or more in 1947.In the first place the following generalizations are made with regard to the election outcomes in these cities during the 1952-1964 period. 1. A general proliferation of lists or parties participating in the elections from 1952 to 1964.2. A trend from one-party-control over the college (executive committee) of the city council toward coalition-control.3. A net increase in the number of catholic lists and a net decrease in the number of socialist and liberal lists participating in the colleges of these townships.4. An increase in the number of cities in which newer, smaller and nontraditional parties or lists participated in the college of the city council.Three measures of politica! competitions are employed :1. The average number of parties or lists, that entered the communal election of 1952, 1958 and 1964.2. The average number of lists that received at least ten per cent of the vote in these three elections, and3. The presence or absence of a coalition on the college of the city council in 1952.The two measures of politica! stability, which are also based on the results of the same elections, are :1. The degree of stability in the lists and parties participating in the college of the city council, and2. The degree of stability in the list or party controlling the college of the city council.In general, measures of structural differentiation, linguistic diversity, industrial diversity, and social heterogeneity (i.e. , the presence of a large middle class) are found to be positively related to the degree of competition in local politics. In turn, measures of each of these structural factors and the measures of political competition are found to be negatively related to measures of political stability. Regression analysis supports the interpretation that diversity and heterogeneity in the social structure of cities - specifically, population size, density, and the presence of many persons with high occupational status - contribute to greater politica! competition in local polities, but that it is the degree of political competition that most strongly affects the degree of political stability.The conclusion is drawn that cities with a high degree of social and economic heterogeneity have a greater amount of conflict and cleavage. This results in greater competition in the political arena whichin turn predisposes such cities to have a high degree of instability in the control of their city governments.
De verkiezingspropaganda na een "onverwachte" parlements-ontbinding : Enkele communicatiewetenschappelijke en -strategische beschouwingen
Authors: Fauconnier Guido
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this paper is to devote, from the viewpoint of mass communication research and persuasion strategy, some reflections on thepolitical propaganda campaign conducted after an unexpected dissolutionof the Parliament. The analysis starts from a operational communicationmodel.The unexpected character of the dissolution carriers several problems of communication strategy : the basic data of the marketing situation are deficient, the delimitation ( with priorities) of target audiences is problematic, the choice of manipulative variables becomes a matter of pure experience.In this context the author gives bis opinion about the campaigns elaborated on the occasion of the last parliamentary elections in Belgium : he ascertains a normal link to the actual social and cultural problems of the Belgian society, an orientation to a large and heterogeneous audience, but also a lack of central themes in the propaganda.The proposed operational model, in part inspired by advertising theories (Warneryd-Nowak), seems to be a useful complement to the classic lists of practical recommendations drawn up in propaganda literature.
De parlementsverkiezingen in radio en TV (BRT)
Authors: Santy Herman
Published: July 2021

The 1974 election-period has been sustained intensively by the BRT (Belgian Radio and Television Corporation). The Board of Directors decided to do sa in order to accomplish the corporation's task of objective information.The political parties also used intensively the extra air-time accorded by the same Board of Directors, for their clection-campaign. As for all political parties all over the world, radio and even more television air-time, is seen as an indispensable instrument for diffusing party-coloured information.
Un événement politique méconnu : le congrès libéral progressiste des 29 et 30 mai 1887
Authors: Gaillard J.
Published: July 2021

During the 19th century, the Belgian Liberal Party was frequently divided between its «progressive» or «radical» wing and its conservative majority.Between 1880 and 1900, the program of the progressive liberalism was worked out and stated precisely during seven political meetings.The one hold in 1887 put the headlines into shape, chiefly : big extension of the franchise, compulsory education, disestablishment of the Church.In spite of their small number of members, the progressists were surely most influential upon the adoption of the universal franchise.
Bilan des conseils culturels et des conseils régionaux
Authors: Brassinne Jacques
Published: July 2021

The 1970-1971 revision of the Belgian constitution recognized the existence of three cultural communities (two main ones Flemish-, French-, and one minor German speaking) and three geographic regions (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels).The implementation of the constitutional provisions regarding cultural and regional autonomy led to the creation of several new subnational institutions of which the most important are the cultural and the regional Councils. Each cultural Council groups the senators and the representatives of similar linguistic group, while the regional Councils are composed of these same parliamentarians (plus municipal council members in the case of the Brussels Regional Council) in accordance with their geographic residence. These Councils may thus be seen as sub-groupings of the national Parliament.Although both are essentially advisory bodies, the cultural Councils do legislate decrees which, when enforced by the respective Ministers of Culture, have the force of law. On the other hand, the regional Councils are purely consultative assemblies, providing opinions and requesting clarifications and justifications of national decisions in the functional areas, specified by the Constitution. A ministerial committee of each region considers the Council's recommendations in enforcing national policies in the regions.The complexity of national-community-regional relations and the political discussions between the supporters of regionalization and those favoring culturalization shows the temporary nature of the present institutionalization.
De werkzaamheden van de staatscommissie voor ethische problemen
Authors: Verrycken Marriette
Published: July 2021

The article attempts to describe the constitution, the methods of work and the conclusions of the Commission of State for Ethical Problems in Belgium.This Commission was requested by the Government to study the problems of family-planning, of anonymity of the mother and of abortion. The Commission was composed by 25 members telling 11 doctors, 1 chemist, 1 biologist, 1 sociologist and 11 doctors in law.  Two reports were presented to the Government: one signed by 13 members and one signed by 12 members. The author, who was member of the group of the 13 gives her opinion about all the activities of the Commission.