bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-Invasive Monitoring of pH and Oxygen Using Miniaturized Electrochemical Sensors in an Animal Model of Acute Hypoxia
Authors: Codina Laura Pla , Berdún Sergio , Mir Mònica , Rivas Lourders , Miserere Sandrine , Dulay Samuel , Samitier Josep , Eixarch Elisenda , Illa Miriam , Gratacós Eduard
Published: October 2020

BackgroundOne of the most prevalent causes of fetal hypoxia leading to stillbirth is placental insufficiency. Hemodynamic changes evaluated with Doppler ultrasound have been used as a surrogate marker of fetal hypoxia. However, Doppler evaluation cannot be performed continuously. As a first step, the present work aimed to evaluate the performance of miniaturized electrochemical sensors in continuous monitoring of oxygen and pH changes in a model of acute hypoxia-acidosis. MethodspH and oxygen electrochemical sensors were evaluated in a ventilatory hypoxia rabbit model. The ventilator hypoxia protocol included three differential phases: basal (100% FiO2), hypoxia-acidosis period (10% FiO2) and recovery (100% FiO2). Sensors were tested in blood tissue (ex vivo sensing) and in the muscular tissue (in vivo sensing). pH electrochemical and oxygen sensors were evaluated at the same day of insertion (short-term evaluation) and pH electrochemical sensors were also tested after 5 days of insertion (long-term evaluation). pH and oxygen sensing were registered during all the ventilatory hypoxia protocol (basal, hypoxia-acidosis and recovery) and were compared with blood gas metabolites results from carotid artery catheterization (EPOC® blood analyzer). Finally, histological assessment was performed on the site of the sensor’s insertion. One-way ANOVA was used for the analysis of the evolution of acid-based metabolites and electrochemical sensor signaling results; T-test was used for pre and post calibration analyses; and chi-square analyses for categorical variables. ResultsAt the short-term evaluation, both pH and oxygen electrochemical sensors distinguished the basal and hypoxia-acidosis periods in the in vivo and ex vivo sensing. However, only the ex vivo sensing detected recovery period. At the long-term evaluation, pH electromechanical sensor signal seemed to lose sensibility. Finally, histological assessment revealed no signs of alteration at the same day of evaluation (short-term), whereas at the long-term evaluation sub-acute inflammatory reaction adjacent to the site of the implantation was detected. ConclusionsThe use of miniaturized electrochemical sensors open a new generation of tools for continuous monitoring of hypoxia-acidosis, especially indicated in high risk pregnancies. Further studies including more tissue-compatible material would be required in order to improve the long-term electromechanical sensing.
The Effect of Concept Mapping on Iranian EFL Learners’ Lexical Collocation Learning Across Gender
Authors: Rezvani Payman , Sadrosadat Masome
Published: October 2020

The present study attempted to investigate the impact of concept mapping strategy which is based on the theory of meaningful learning on retention of collocations. Moreover, the difference between the male and female learners exposed to the experimental condition was also examined. For this purpose, 90 EFL learners studying general English course at Urmia University were selected out of 115 learners according to their level of proficiency (PET test). Participants were assigned into two classes (class 1 (control group) = 48, class 2 (experimental group) = 42). Both groups received pre-test and post-test; however, they did get different instructions. Concept-mapping teaching strategy was used with experimental group participants while conventional instruction was employed in the control group. The results of this study support the fact that the use of concept mapping as a component of the instructional lesson can be an efficient model for fostering the collocation learning performance of learners with intermediate level of proficiency. However, there was not any statistically significant effect for gender.
Comparative Study of Wet and Dry Systems using EEG-based Convolution Neural Network
Authors: Emsawas Taweesak , Kimura Tsukasa , Fukui Ken-ichi , Numao Masayuki
Published: October 2020

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is a communication tool between humans and systems using electroencephalography (EEG) to predict certain cognitive state aspects, such as attention or emotion. For brainwave recording, there are many types of acquisition devices created for different purposes. The wet system conducts the recording with electrode gel and can obtain high-quality brainwave signals, while the dry system expressly proposes the practical and ease of use. In this paper, we study a comparative study of wet and dry systems using two cognitive tasks: attention and music-emotion. The 3-back task is used as an assessment to measure attention and working memory in attention studies. Comparatively, the music-emotion experiments are used to predict the emotion according to the subject's questionnaires. Our analysis shows the similarities and differences between dry and wet electrodes by calculating the statistical values and frequency bands. Besides, we further study the relative characteristics by conducting the classification experiments. We proposed the end-to-end models of EEG classification, which are constructed by combining EEG-based feature extractors and classification networks. A deep convolution neural network (Deep ConvNet) and a shallow convolution neural network (Shallow ConvNet) were applied as the feature extractor of temporal and spatial filtering from raw EEG signals. The extracted feature is then forwardly conveyed to a long short-term memory ( LSTM ) to learn the dependencies of convolved features and classify attention states or emotional states. Additionally, transfer learning was utilized to improve the performance of the dry system by using transferred knowledge from the wet system. We applied the model not only on our dataset but also on the existing dataset to verify the model performance compared with the baseline techniques and the-state-of-the-art models. Using our proposed model, the result shows the significant differences between accuracy and chance level in attention classification (92.0%, S.D. 6.8%) and SEED dataset's emotion classification (75.3%, S.D. 9.3%).
An Event Based Topic Learning Pipeline for Neuroimaging Literature Mining
Authors: Chen Lihong , Yan Jianzhuo , Chen Jianhui , Sheng Ying , Xu Zhe , Mahmud Mufti
Published: October 2020

Neuroimaging text mining extracts knowledge from neuroimaging text and has received widespread attention. Topic learning is an important research focus of neuroimaging text mining. However, current neuroimaging topic learning researches mainly use traditional probability topic models to extract topics from literature and cannot obtain high-quality neuroimaging topics. The existing topic learning methods cannot meet the requirements of topic learning oriented to full-text neuroimaging literature. In this paper, three types of neuroimaging research topic events are defined to describe the process and result of neuroimaging research. An event based topic learning pipeline, called neuroimaging Event-BTM, is proposed to realize knowledge extraction from full-text neuroimaging literature. The experimental results on the PLoS One data set show that the accuracy and completeness of proposed method are significantly better than the existing main topic learning methods.
Molecular Subtypes Based on DNA Methylation Profiles can Predict the Prognosis of Patients with Laryngeal Cancer
Authors: Yang YingPo , Li Qiang , Song Jukun , An Wei , Liu Zhaohui
Published: October 2020

Background: Laryngeal cancer is a common malignant tumor, with the highest mortality rate and lymph node metastasis rate among cancers. Although laryngeal cancer subtypes have been defined for clinical relevance, there are few studies on the molecular characteristics of laryngeal cancer subtypes.Methods: DNA methylation profiles of laryngeal cancer were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The univariate Cox regression analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis was employed to screen the prognosis-related DNA methylation site. Meanwhile, we performed unsupervised clustering using prognostic DNA methylation data to identify the molecular characteristics of laryngeal cancer. We also explored the correlation between Differences in DNA methylation levels and differences in T, N, and M category, age, stage, and prognosis. Functional enrichment analysis was conducted in each molecular subtype. A risk model was constructed via prognostic DNA methylation levels. Results: DNA methylation data in 123 laryngeal cancer samples were obtained. Through univariate Cox regression analysis, the 17,751 DNA methylation sites were defined as prognostic CpG sites with the threshold of P value less than 0.05. Then, the multivariate Cox regression analysis was further screen the prognosis-related DNA methylation sites. Five subgroups were identified based on consensus clustering using 455 prognostic CpG sites that were significantly associated with patient’s survival. We built a prediction model and used it to classify the samples.Conclusion: The unsupervised clustering was performed using prognostic DNA methylation data and described the seven laryngeal cancer molecular subtypes. Our results provide novel insights into mechanisms and more effective personalized treatments of laryngeal cancer.
Ontogenetic Shifts in Home Range Size of a Top Predatory Reef-associated Fish (Caranx ignobilis): Implications for Conservation.
Authors: Daly Ryan , Filmalter John David , Peel Lauren R , Mann Bruce Quinten , Lea James , Clarke Christopher R , Cowley Paul D
Published: October 2020

Defining the home range of vulnerable species is critical for designing effective spatial management strategies. However, animal home ranges often change with ontogeny and quantifying the associated temporal and spatial changes is particularly challenging for mobile marine species. Here, we investigate how the space use of a top predatory reef-associated fish (Caranx ignobilis) scales with body size. We tagged 17 individuals, representing a wide range of sizes (40.5 – 120 cm fork length (FL)), with acoustic transmitters, and passively tracked them for over 3 years at a tropical island and atoll in the Republic of Seychelles, Western Indian Ocean. We found that a sheltered atoll environment was critical for juvenile fish (< 60 cm FL) that exhibited a shift in home range location and area as they matured into adults. Small (60 – 100 cm FL) and large (> 100 cm FL) adult fish appeared to favour shallow coral reefs and associated reef drop offs whilst sharing a similar core home range location. Large adult fish, however, utilized a greater diversity of habitat types and had significantly (p < 0.05) greater annual dispersal distances (mean = 35.29 km, max = 91.32 km) than small adults (mean = 13.72 km, max = 21.55 km). Additionally, the home range (represented by minimum convex polygons) of large adults (mean = 209.74 km2) was significantly (p < 0.05) larger than that of juveniles (mean = 38.73 km2) and small adults (77.32 km2) and there was a significant (p = 0.02) relationship between fish length and home range size, with fish length accounting for 32% of the home range size variance. Furthermore, tagged fish took up to 34 months (mean = 18.54) to utilize the full extent of their home range. The habitat shift and expansion in home range size throughout ontogeny exhibited by C. ignobilis in this study should be taken into account when designing effective spatial management plans for the species.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Tryptophan Hydroxylase 1 Knockout Decreases Calcium Transportation in Goat Mammary Epithelial Cells
Authors: Zhang Zhifei , Tian Huibin , Chen Xiaoying , Zhao Haiying , Du Wei , Gao Huijie , Luo Jun , Zheng Huiling
Published: October 2020

Background: Calcium is one of the major mineral nutrients in goat milk. Tryptophan hydroxylase1 (TPH1) is a rate-limiting enzyme catalyzing hydroxylation of L-tryptophan into 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) essential for maintaining calcium homeostasis. The function of TPH1 and 5-HT in goat mammary calcium homeostasis is not well known.Methods: The CRISPR/Cas9-meidated TPH1 knockout goat mammary epithelial cells (GMEC) were constructed firstly. Then the content of 5-HT, intracellular calcium level and abundance of key genes related to calcium transportation were evaluated and compared in wild-type GMEC, TPH1 knockout GMEC, to explore the impact of TPH1 on calcium transportation, respectively. Wild-type GMEC and TPH1 knockout GMEC were further treated with exogenous 5-HTP to confirm the role of TPH1 in regulating calcium homeostasis in GMEC. 5-HT concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and fluo-3 staining was used to determine intracellular calcium content.Results: The TPH1 knockout GMEC heterozygous clone with no off-target effects was obtained after transfection of the Cas9/sgRNA expression vector. The 5-HT synthesis and intracellular calcium level decreased in TPH1 gene knockout GMEC. The mRNA abundance of secretory-pathway Ca2+ -ATPase1 (SPCA1) and plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase1 (PMCA1) were up-regulated while the mRNA abundance of secretory-pathway Ca2+ -ATPase2 (SPCA2) was down-regulated in TPH1 knockout GMEC. Up-regulation of parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), a key regulator of mammary calcium metabolism, induced by 5-HTP were blocked by TPH1 gene knockout. The TPH1 knockout GMEC showed a lower sensitivity to 5-HTP induced elevation of calcium content.Conclusion: Results suggested that TPH1 plays an important role in regulating calcium homeostasis via PTHrP and calcium transportation related factors in GMEC.
An Augmented Multilingual Twitter Dataset for Studying the COVID-19 Infodemic
Authors: Lopez Christian E. , Gallemore Caleb
Published: October 2020

We present an openly available dataset to facilitate researchers’ exploration of popular discourse about the COVID-19 pandemic. The dataset, whose collection is ongoing, currently consists of over 780 million tweets, from all over the world, in multiple languages. Tweets start from 22 January 2020, when the total cases of reported COVID-19 were below 600 worldwide. The dataset was collected using the Twitter API and by rehydrating tweets from another openly available database. To facilitate access for other researchers, the English-language tweet data has been augmented by state-of-the-art Twitter sentiment and named entity recognition algorithms. The dataset and the summary files we provide allow researchers to avoid some computationally intensive analyses, facilitating more widespread use of social media data to gain insights on issues such as (mis)information diffusion, semantic networks, sentiment, and the evolution of COVID-19 discussions. The insights extracted from such analyses could help inform policy and advocacy work amid the current and future pandemics.
WITHDRAWN: LncRNA RP3-326I13.1 Promoted Cisplatin Resistance of Lung Adenocarcinoma by Collaborating RNA Binding Protein HSP90B and Upregulating Downstream Molecule MMP13 
Authors: Zhou Huixin , Xu Shihao , Shi Wenjing , Huang Xiaolu , Chen Jie , Huang Kate , wang Yumin
Published: October 2020

Background:We previously obtained a lncRNA RP3-326I13.1, which significantly upregulated by cisplatin resistance in lung adenocarcinoma (LAD), but the biological function and molecular mechanism is unclear. Methods:Expression levels of RP3-326I13.1 and HSP90B mRNA were estimated by qPCR from 57 pairs of LAD and NT samples without and with cisplatin. Knockdown and overexpression in A549/DDP and A549 cell lines by lentiviral- mediated techniques to observe changes in tumor behavior in A549/DDP and A549 cells, as well as tumorigenicity in experimental nude mice. The ranscriptome was sequenced to obtain downstream target molecules of RP3-326I13.1 and RNA-binding proteins were obtained using RNA pulldown. Results: QPCR showed that the expression level of RP3-326I13.1 and HSP90B mRNA in A549/DDP cells, LAD tissues and progressive LAD tissues (cisplatin treatment was not effective) were tangibly higher than that of A549 cells, adjacent tissues, and complete remission (P=0.0037, P=0.0181; P=0.0027, P=0.009 and P=0.002, P=0.007). RP3-326I13.1 markedly enhanced the proliferation, migrate, invasion, clonal proliferation ability of LAD cell lines and speed and weight of tumorigenicity in nude mice experiment while increased the proportion of G1 phase cells (P=0.019). RNA-pull down and mass spectrometry obtained RNA binding protein HSP90B and HSP90B clearly decreased proliferation, invasive ability while increased the apoptosis of LAD cell lines after knocked down. We found matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) was RP3-326I13.1 downstream target gene. Conclusions: So, RP3-326I13.1 was a drug-resistant relative lncRNA promoted cisplatin resistance of lung adenocarcinoma by collaborating RNA binding protein HSP90B and upregulating downstream target molecule MMP13.
Contextual Influences on Deliberate Self-harm Among Chinese University Undergraduates: A Representative Nationwide Study
Authors: Peng Sihui , Zhang Weifang , Yang Tingzhong , Cottrell Randall R. , Rockett Ian R.H.
Published: October 2020

Background: Numerous studies have identified factors associated with deliberate self-harm (DSH), but environmental influences have been largely neglected. This study explored regional and university contextual factors impacting DSH among undergraduate students in China. Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study, subjects were 5,016 undergraduate students, who were identified through multistage survey sampling in 22 Chinese universities. Individual-level data were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire, and environmental variables were extracted from the National Bureau of Statistics database. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to examine regional correlates of DSH.Results: The overall prevalence of self-reported DSH in the study sample was 7.5% (95% CI: 4.1%, 10.9%). The full multilevel logistic model showed university rank and city size were inversely associated with DSH prevalence (OR: 0.24 and 0.55). Regional unemployment rates were positively associated with DSH prevalence (OR: 1.98).Conclusion: Results yield important insights on the role of context in DSH among Chinese undergraduates, and indicate the need to consider environmental factors in order to ameliorate the problem.
SARS-CoV-2 infects cells of the human exocrine and endocrine pancreas and interferes with beta-cell function
Authors: Müller Janis A. , Groß Rüdiger , Conzelmann Carina , Krüger Jana , Koepke Lennart , Steinhart Johannes , Weil Tatjana , Bozzo Caterina Prelli , Read Clarissa , Fois Giorgio , Eiseler Tim , Gehrmann Julia , Vuuren Joanne van , Wessbecher Isabel M. , Frick Manfred , Costa Ivan G. , Breunig Markus , Schuster Michael , Liebau Stefan , Seufferlein Thomas , Stenger Steffen , Stenzinger Albrecht , MacDonald Patrick E. , Kirchhoff Frank , Sparrer Konstantin M. J. , Walther Paul , Lickert Heiko , Barth Thomas F.E. , Wagner Martin , Münch Jan , Heller Sandra , Kleger Alexander
Published: October 2020

Preexisting diabetes increases the risk of a severe course of the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vice versa, exacerbations of a preexisting diabetes as well as new-onset diabetes have been reported upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, there is an imperative need to clarify whether human pancreatic endocrine cells organized within an islet of Langerhans are permissive for and affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection, and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the development of diabetes upon COVID-19. Here, we (i) defined ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression patterns in human pancreatic endocrine and exocrine cell types, (ii) employed human pancreatic islet cultures to demonstrate susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and to viral replication in β-cells, (iii) showed that SARS-CoV-2 attenuates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and (iv) tested remdesivir as eventually effective to prevent β-cell failure. In addition, we (v) visualized viral particles replicating in endocrine pancreatic cells and define their subcellular localization patterns via transmission electron microscopy, and finally (vi) present examples of cell type specific pancreatic infection patterns of COVID-19 deceased patients. Overall, our data demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 can infect both the exocrine and endocrine compartments of the pancreas and can perturb β-cell integrity, which might lead to an increased risk for diabetes.
Validation of a prospective urinalysis-based prediction model for ICU-resources and outcome of Covid-19 disease: A multicenter cohort study
Authors: Gross Oliver , Moerer Onnen , Rauen Thomas , Böckhaus Jan , Hoxha Elion , Jörres Achim , Kamm Matthias , Elfanish Amin , Windisch Wolfram , Dreher Michael , Floege Juergen , Kluge Stefan , Schmidt-Lauber Christian , Turner Jan-Eric , Huber Samuel , Addo Marylyn M. , Scheithauer Simone , Friede Tim , Braun Gerald S. , Huber Tobias B. , Blaschke Sabine
Published: October 2020

Purpose: Identifying preventive strategies in Covid-19 patients helps to improve ICU-resource-allocation and reduce mortality. We recently demonstrated in a post-mortem cohort that SARS-CoV-2 renal tropism was associated with kidney injury, disease severity and mortality. We also proposed an algorithm to predict the need for ICU-resources and the risk of adverse outcomes in Covid-19 patients harnessing urinalysis and protein/coagulation parameters on admission for signs of kidney injury. Here, we aimed to validate this hypothesis in a multicenter cohort. Methods: Patients hospitalized for Covid-19 at four tertiary centers were screened for an available urinalysis, serum albumin (SA) and antithrombin-III activity (AT-III) obtained prospectively within 48h upon admission. The respective presumed risk for an unfavorable course was categorized as “low”, “intermediate” or “high”, depending on a normal urinalysis, an abnormal urinalysis with SA ≥2 g/dl and AT-III ≥70%, or an abnormal urinalysis with at least one SA or AT-III abnormality. Time to ICU or death within ten days served as primary, in-hospital mortality and required organ support served as secondary endpoints.Results: Among a total of N=223 screened patients, N=145 were eligible for enrollment, falling into the low (N=43), intermediate (N=84), and high risk (N=18) categories. The risk for ICU transfer or death was 100% in the high risk group and significantly elevated in the composite of high and intermediate risk as compared to the low risk group (63.7% vs. 27.9%; HR 2.6; 95%-CI 1.4 to 4.9; P=0.0020). Having an abnormal urinalysis was associated with mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or renal replacement therapy (RRT). Conclusion: Our data confirm that Covid-19-associated urine abnormalities on admission predict disease aggravation and need for ICU. By engaging a simple urine dipstick on hospital admission our algorithm allows for early preventive measures and appropriate patient stratification. (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT04347824)
Construction of A Preliminary Three-Dimensional Structure Simian betaretrovirus Serotype-2 (SRV-2) Reverse Transcriptase Isolated from Indonesian Cynomolgus Monkey
Authors: Saepuloh Uus , Iskandriati Diah , Pamungkas Joko , Solihin Dedy Duryadi , Mariya Sela Septima , Sajuthi Dondin
Published: October 2020

Simian betaretrovirus serotype-2 (SRV-2) is an important pathogenic agent in Asian macaques. It is a potential confounding variable in biomedical research. SRV-2 also provides a valuable viral model compared to other retroviruses which can be used for understanding many aspects of retroviral-host interactions and immunosuppression, infection mechanism, retroviral structure, antiretroviral and vaccine development. In this study, we isolated the gene encoding reverse transcriptase enzyme (RT) of SRV-2 that infected Indonesian cynomolgus monkey (Mf ET1006) and predicted the three dimensional structure model using the iterative threading assembly refinement (I-TASSER) computational programme. This SRV-2 RT Mf ET1006 consisted of 547 amino acids at nucleotide position 3284–4925 of whole genome SRV-2. The polymerase active site located in the finger/palm subdomain characterised by three conserved catalytic aspartates (Asp90, Asp165, Asp166), and has a highly conserved YMDD motif as Tyr163, Met164, Asp165 and Asp166. We estimated that this SRV-2 RT Mf ET1006 structure has the accuracy of template modelling score (TM-score 0.90 ± 0.06) and root mean square deviation (RMSD) 4.7 ± 3.1Å, indicating that this model can be trusted and the accuracy can be seen from the appearance of protein folding in tertiary structure. The superpositionings between SRV-2 RT Mf ET1006 and Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) RT were performed to predict the structural in details and to optimise the best fits for illustrations. This SRV-2 RT Mf ET1006 structure model has the highest homology to HIV-1 RT (2B6A.pdb) with estimated accuracy at TM-score 0.911, RMSD 1.85 Å, and coverage of 0.953. This preliminary study of SRV-2 RT Mf ET1006 structure modelling is intriguing and provide some information to explore the molecular characteristic and biochemical mechanism of this enzyme.
Geoaccumulation Index and Enrichment Factor of Arsenic in Surface Sediment of Bukit Merah Reservoir, Malaysia
Authors: Che Abdullah Mohd Ilman , Md Sah Amir Shah Ruddin , Haris Hazzeman
Published: October 2020

An investigation study was conducted in Bukit Merah Reservoir (BMR) for the assessment of arsenic concentration in the surface sediment in 23 sampling stations. The sediment samples were digested and analysed for arsenic using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Sediment parameters such as pH (4.42 ± 0.71), redox potential (121.77 ± 42.45 mV), conductivity (205.7 ± 64.07 μS cm–1) and organic matter (25.35 ± 9.34%) were also examined. The main objectives of this study are to determine the arsenic distribution and concentration and at the same time to assess the enrichment of arsenic using the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF). This study shows the total arsenic concentration in the surface sediment of BMR is 4.302 ± 2.43 mg kg–1 and found to be below the threshold value of Canadian Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines (ISQG). High arsenic concentration is recorded near the southern part of the lake where anthropogenic activities are prevalent. Based on Igeo, 13% of sampling stations are categorised as moderately polluted, 52.2% as unpolluted to moderately polluted and the rest is categorised as unpolluted. EF shows 78.3% stations are classified as extremely high enrichment and the rest as very high enrichment. This finding provides important information on the status of arsenic contamination in BMR and creating awareness concerning the conservation and management of the reservoir in the future.
Anti-aging Effects of Mangosteen Peel Extract and Its Phytochemical Compounds: Antioxidant Activity, Enzyme Inhibition and Molecular Docking Simulation
Authors: Widowati Wahyu , Ginting Chrismis Novalina , Lister I Nyoman Ehrich , Girsang Ermi , Amalia Annisa , Wibowo Satrio Haryo Benowo , Kusuma Hanna , Rizal Rizal
Published: October 2020

Skin aging is a complex natural process characterised by gradual diminishment of structural integrity and physiological imbalance of the skin tissue. Since the oxidative stress is tightly corelated to the skin aging process, the usage of antioxidant may serve as favourable strategies for slowing down the skin aging process. Mangosteen is an important fruit commodity and its extract had been extensively studied and revealing various biological activities. Present study aimed to assess the antioxidant and antiaging activity of mangosteen peel extract (MPE) and its phytochemical compounds. MPE and its compounds were subjected to ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), hydroperoxide (H2O2) scavenging, anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, anti-hyaluronidase and antityrosinase assay. MPE has the highest FRAP 116.31 ± 0.60 μM Fe(II) μg–1 extract, IC50 of MPE on H2O2 scavenging activity was 54.61 μg mL–1. MPE also has the highest anti elastase activity at IC50 7.40 μg mL–1. Alpha-mangostin showed potent anti-collagenase activity (IC50 9.75 μg mL–1). While gamma-mangostin showed potent anti-hyaluronidase (IC50 23.85 μg mL–1) and anti-tyrosinase (IC50 50.35 μg mL–1). MPE and its compounds were evaluated in vitro for antioxidant and antiaging activities. Current findings may provide scientific evidence for possible usage of mangosteen extract and its compounds as antioxidant and antiaging agent.
Expert round-table Constipation: diagnosis, treatment, risks
Authors: Editorial Article
Published: October 2020

According to epidemiological data, nearly a quarter of the adult population in developed countries suffers from constipation. Due to a significant decrease in quality of life, it represents a serious medical and social problem. Constipation occurs more frequently in the elderly, but both children and adults face this problem. This disease is often caused by the features of modern life: hypodynamia, diet violations, a fiber- and water-depleted diet, frequent stress, etc. Unfortunately, despite the high prevalence of the disease, patients do not seek immediate medical advice. We will discuss this urgent problem and look for new efficient solutions of it with the leading experts: Gastroenterologist Yuri A. Kucheryavy, Cand. of Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor of Department of Propedeutics of Internal Diseases and Gastroenterology, A.I.Yevdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Chief Gastroenterologist of Central Healthcare Directorate – Branch of Joint Stock Company “Russian Railways”; Endoscopist Ekaterina V. Ivanova, Dr. of Sci. (Med.), Chief Researcher, Research Laboratory of Surgical Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Head of Endoscopy Department of Petrovskie Vorota Medical Center, and Coloproctologist Daniil R. Markaryan, Cand. of Sci. (Med.), Senior Researcher, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University Clinic.
Functional gall-bladder disorders and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: clinical features and new approaches to therapy
Authors: Mekhtiev S. N. , Mekhtieva O. A. , Ibragimova Z. M.
Published: October 2020

Introduction. Statistical data indicate a frequent combination of functional biliary disorders with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Aim. To study the efficacy and safety of Phosphogliv® URSO in patients with functional disorders of the gall-bladder, biliary sludge in combination with fatty hepatosis in comparison with the group receiving monotherapy ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).

Materials and methods. The study included 30 patients with a diagnosis of functional gall-bladder disorder, biliary sludge in combination with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Patients of the main group received monotherapy with Phosphogliv® URSO. The comparison group received monotherapy UDCA. After three-month therapy, the dynamics of clinical symptoms, laboratory parameters, and ultrasound parameters were assessed.

Results. Positive dynamics of clinical manifestations of functional disorders of the gallbladder, as well as parameters of cholestatic syndrome and bilirubin level was observed in both groups. In patients taking Phosphogliv® URSO, a significant decrease in cytolysis syndrome indicators was recorded, a significant difference was revealed in relation to an increase in HDL levels and a decrease in the atherogenic coefficient in the main group. When assessing the ultrasound parameters of the gall-bladder in patients of group 1, a significant decrease in the thickness of its wall, reverse development of biliary sludge, an improvement in the contractile function of the gall-bladder in comparison with the UDCA monotherapy group were revealed.

Conclusion. The use of a combined medicine containing glycyrrhizic acid and UDCA (Phosphogliv® URSO) can be recommended for patients with functional disorders of the gallbladder, biliary sludge and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, given its more pronounced anticytolytic effect, restoration of functional disorders of the gallbladder and resolution of biliary sludge in comparison with monotherapy UDCA.
Possibilities of ademetionine in treatment of patients with alcoholic liver disease
Authors: Maslovskiy L. V. , Bulanova M. I. , Shaposhnikova O. F. , Minushkin O. N.
Published: October 2020

Introduction. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the most common liver disease, the terminal stage of which is alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC), which ranks first in terms of prevalence and frequency of lethal outcomes in hospital patients. The pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease is based on direct damage to the hepatocyte membrane, oxidative stress, hepatic parenchyma inflammation with hyperproduction of inflammatory mediators, immune mechanisms, hepatic parenchyma fibrosis. S-adenosyl-L-methionine (ademetionine) is able to affect the different parts of the pathogenesis of ALD. One of the new ademetionine drugs is Samelix (manufacturer – Canonfarma Production JSC, Russia).

Aim of the study. Evaluation of Samelix efficacy and safety in patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease with cholestasis syndrome at the inpatient stage of treatment.

Materials and methods. 23 patients (men – 11, women – 12) were admitted to the study. The average age was 51.8 ± 3.4 years. Duration of the disease in the remaining patients averaged 3.5 ± 1.9 years (from 0.5 to 8 years). All patients received detoxification therapy, vitamin therapy, and Verospiron was used in patients with liver cirrhosis. Within 10-12 days the therapy with Samelix was carried out: 800 mg/day intravenous drip. The dynamics of biochemical indices (ALT, AST, GGT, bilirubin, ALP); clinical manifestations; life quality according to the SF-36 questionnaire; side effects were assessed.

Conclusions. There was a significant reduction in the number of patients with skin itching, increased fatigue and depressed mood, positive dynamics of biochemical indicators in the form of a decrease in AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, GGT, total and direct bilirubin. Thus, the therapy allows to effectively reduce symptoms in patients with alcoholic liver disease, resulting in an improvement on all scales and summary indicators – psychological and physical component of health.
Current international guidelines for the management of patients with chronic viral hepatitis C
Authors: Tonkikh Ju. L. , Vasyutin A. V. , Tsukanov V. V.
Published: October 2020

The new American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and Infectious Diseases Society of America recommendations for the management of hepatitis C patients are analyzed. To screen for viral hepatitis C, it is recommended that antibodies to the hepatitis C virus and RNA be detected in individuals with increased risk of infection. Patients with an increased risk of infection include people who inject narcotic drugs; patients with prolonged hemodialysis; health workers after contact with the blood or mucous membranes of a patient with viral hepatitis C; persons who received blood transfusions or blood components before 1987. In most patients, non-invasive tests can be used to diagnose liver fibrosis, which include physical examination, determination of serum fibrosis markers, including the FIB-4 index, ultrasound or computed tomography of the liver and liver elastography. The introduction of direct antiviral drug regimens significantly facilitated the treatment of viral hepatitis C and significantly increased the frequency of response to antiviral treatment. The development of combined pathogenetic regimens with a relatively short duration of treatment has become an important step in the management of patients with viral hepatitis C. New American recommendations suggest the use of pangenotypic regimens in patients with viral hepatitis C without fibrosis or with compensated liver cirrhosis: glecaprevir (300 mg)/pibrentasvir (120 mg) 3 pills per day within 8 weeks or the combination of sofosbuvir (400 mg)/velpatasvir (100 mg) 1 pill per day for 12 weeks with the expected response to therapy in 95–100% of patients. Review authors note a number of rational aspects of the new American recommendations, but consider that experienced and qualified specialists should treat patients with chronic viral hepatitis C in Russia.
Morfología y edad del cladodio de Opuntia ficus-indica sobre la producción de Dactylopius coccus costa y contenido de ácido carmínico
Authors: Arroyo Figueroa Gabriela , Medina Saavedra Tarsicio , Pérez Sánchez Rosa Elena , Ortiz Rodríguez Ruy
Published: October 2020

El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la relación entre el peso, el tamaño y la edad del cladodio del nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) sobre la cantidad de grana cochinilla (Dactylopius coccus costa) seca y su contenido de ácido carmínico (AC) bajo condiciones de invernadero. Se utilizaron 50 cladodios de O. ficus-indica de diferentes edades, mismos que fueron divididos de acuerdo con su edad: jóvenes (4 meses); maduros (6 meses); y viejos (≥ 8 meses). La información recabada se analizó a través de la metodología de los modelos lineales generalizados, y las diferencias entre edades de los cladodios se realizaron a través de medias de mínimos cuadrados a un α = 0.05. Además, se utilizó la correlación de Pearson (entre variables continuas) y de Hays (ω2) (entre variables nominales y variables continuas) con prueba de hipótesis a un α=0.05, para establecer las asociaciones entre la morfología (r), clasificación (edad) del cladodio (ω2) con la producción de grana cochinilla y el contenido de AC. Se encontró que la edad del cladodio afectó (P < 0.001) la producción del insecto (medida en peso seco), pero no afectó (P > 0.05) el contenido de AC, que fue de 18.7 a 19.3 %. El peso y el grosor del cladodio se correlacionaron negativamente con el contenido de AC: r = -0.19 (P < 0.05) y -0.21 (P < 0.05) respectivamente. Mientras que el largo y ancho del cladodio no se correlacionaron (P > 0.05) con el contenido de AC. Para un sistema de producción de D. coccus costa en invernadero, es recomendable usar cladodios a partir de 4 meses de edad, aunque a esta edad se espera menor producción de grana cochinilla; pero, contenido de AC similar al producido en un cladodio clasificado como maduro o viejo.
New records of mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) in La Comarca Lagunera, Durango, Mexico
Authors: Vázquez-Marroquín Rafael , Duarte-Andrade Mónica , Hernández-Triana Luis Miguel , Ortega-Morales Aldo Iván , Chan-Chable Rahuel Jeremías
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Many mosquitoes are of great medical and veterinary importance because they transmit numerous pathogens which cause diseases in animals and humans; thus, knowing their taxonomy and distribution is pivotal for implementing the correct control strategies. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of mosquito species and their distribution in La Comarca Lagunera in the state of Durango, Mexico.Method: Adult mosquitoes were collected at different resting sites in four municipalities between August and November 2018 using Insectzookas. Aquatic habitats were also sampled for immature stages. Adult specimens were killed using lethal chambers with triethylamine vapors; while larvae and pupae were stored in individual tubes to obtain the adult stages and associated exuviae. All material was transported to the Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Parasitology Department of the Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Unidad Laguna (UAAAN-UL) for mounting and taxonomical identification. Species were identified using taxonomic keys for the region.Results: In total, 689 mosquito specimens (286 males and 403 females) were collected belonging to 15 species, among them Anopheles franciscanus McCracken, Culex erythrothorax Dyar, and Toxorhynchites moctezuma (Dyar and Knab) are new records for Durango State. The most abundant species was Cx. quinquefasciatus Say with 364 (56.2%) specimens, followed by Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (21.3%) and Ae. vexans (Meigen) (7.7%).Conclusion: 13 out of 15 species collected are associated with the transmission of an arbovirus of relevant medical or veterinary importance in Mexico. There are now 38 species recorded for Durango. The information in this study is directly relevant for the Health Ministry in Durango State for the control of vector borne diseases in the region.
State-of-the-art review on the transient flow modeling and utilization for urban water supply system (UWSS) management
Authors: Duan Huan-Feng , Pan Bin , Wang Manli , Chen Lu , Zheng Feifei , Zhang Ying
Published: October 2020

In the context of smart city development and rapid urbanization worldwide, urban water supply system (UWSS) has been of vital importance to this process. This paper presents a comprehensive review on the transient flow research for UWSS management. This review consists of two aspects as follows. The first aspect is about the development and progress of current transient theory, including transient flow models, unsteady friction and turbulence models, and numerical simulation methods. The other aspect is about the utilization and application of transient-based methods for effective UWSS diagnosis and management, including leakage, discrete and extended partial blockages, unknown branch, and other defects in water pipelines. A total of 228 publications have been reviewed and analyzed in this paper. In addition to the state-of-the-art progress and achievement of the research on transients, the advances and recommendations of future work in this field are also discussed for the development and management of next-generation smart UWSS in the paper.
LUA CONVIDA A AMAR: UMA LEITURA DE LUAMANDA DE CONCEIÇÃO EVARISTO
Authors: Gomes Márcia Letícia , Chediak Thalyta Karina Correia , Baraldi Neto João
Published: October 2020

Olhos d’Água é uma coletânea de contos de Conceição Evaristo publicada em 2018. Predomina, nos contos, o protagonismo das figuras femininas, nas quais temos materializada a escrevivência conforme a qual a própria escritora caracteriza sua atividade literária, temos então diversas vidas de mulheres nas quais muitas outras mulheres podem ler suas próprias histórias. Dentre elas Luamanda, personagem escolhida para nossa leitura e a partir da qual pensamos a vivência do amor pela mulher, o que passa pelo que é ser mulher ou tornar-se mulher e, especificamente, a fluidez na relação amorosa. Nossa leitura é feita a partir das contribuições de Simone de Beauvoir, Judith Butler e Marina Castañeda.
OLHAR FEMINISTA SOBRE O ESPETÁCULO DE DANÇA-TEATRO “DOLORIR”
Authors: De Almeida Nunes Everton , Flávio Costa de Mendonça  , Malta Renata
Published: October 2020

O presente artigo se propõe a analisar a recepção de uma obra artística que discute temáticas de gênero, com destaque para a violência doméstica praticada contra a mulher, junto a um grupo de mulheres participantes do XIX REDOR, evento internacional da Rede Feminista do Norte e Nordeste de Estudos e Pesquisas sobre Relações de Gênero. O estudo foi realizado por meio de questionários semiestruturados e debate ocorrido posteriormente à apresentação do espetáculo com o intuito de verificar de que forma a obra foi recebida pelo público do evento. Como resultado, observamos que elementos pré-discursivos foram determinantes e, para além do reconhecimento da importância da obra artística, os principais questionamentos estiveram centrados na falta de engajamento político das personagens e em um alegado protagonismo masculino, na obra em si e no olhar do diretor.
MULHERES NÃO DEVEM SORRISOS: ARTE URBANA FEMINISTA E O DISCURSO DAS EMOÇÕES
Authors: Baldissera Marielen
Published: October 2020

Neste artigo analiso o trabalho de duas artistas que produzem arte urbana relacionada a questões de gênero e que tem como ponto de partida situações de violência. São elas Panmela Castro (Brasil) e Tatyana Fazlalizadeh (EUA). É objeto de reflexão o modo como algumas emoções, como raiva e medo, aparece em seus discursos e de que maneira se entrelaçam com o fato de elas serem mulheres negras que ocupam o espaço público politicamente. As divisões dicotômicas mulher/emoção/espaço privado e homem/razão/espaço público são abordadas e, também, sua utilização como instrumentos de dominação. Existe o consenso ocidental de que mulheres são naturalmente mais emotivas e suscetíveis ao descontrole do que os homens. Sendo assim, investigo a abordagem que a antropologia desenvolve a partir da micropolítica das emoções, que, nos casos analisados, aparecem como potência para alterar a dimensão macrossocial. Investigo em que local os feminismos e as artistas feministas colocam a raiva em seus discursos antissexistas e antirracistas e, como a utilizam como combustível para agir de forma política e militante, criando peças de arte e protesto. Elas partem de experiências pessoais e provocam reações coletivas e individuais, gerando incômodo e reflexão em um mundo de verdades estabelecidas masculinas e brancas. Realizei esta pesquisa por meio de consulta de material disponível online, acessando entrevistas, vídeos, fotografias e o conteúdo dos sites oficiais das artistas.
A Case-Control Study Investigating the Effect of MTHFR C677T Variant on Performance of Elite Athletes
Authors: Nursal Ayse F. , Yigit Serbulent , Rustemoglu Husniye , Cenikli Abdullah
Published: October 2020

Objective:

Increased level of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) is a potential risk factor for
several multi-system diseases. The Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T
variant has been established as an important genetic determinant of hyperhomocysteinemia. There
are conflicting reports about the effects of physical activity on plasma Hcy. Therefore, the main
aim of this study was to investigate whether the MTHFR C677T variant affects elite athletic performance.

Methods:

This study was carried out on 214 individuals (114 elite athletes and 100 sedentary controls).
Genotyping was performed using PCR- RFLP method. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence
intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of association.

Results:

There was a significant difference between the athletes and the control group in genotype
distribution and allele frequency of the MTHFR C677T variant. MTHFR C677T CC genotype and
C allele were more prevalent in elite athletes than those in the sedentary controls (p =0.007, OR:
2.16, 95%:1.26-3.70; p=0.009, OR: 1.84, 95%:1.18-2.89, respectively). The control group had a
higher MTHFR C677T CT genotype than the athletes (p=0.019, OR: 0.51, 95%:0.30-0.88). There
was no deviation from HWE for the MTHFR C677T variant in the groups.

Conclusion:

Our findings support that there is an association between the MTHFR C677T C allele
and athletic performance among the elite Turkish athletes.