bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Generalized Iterative Map for Analysis of Protein Sequences
Authors: Huang Jiahe , Dai Qi , Yao Yuhua , He Ping-An
Published: October 2020

Aim and Objective:

The similarities comparison of biological sequences is the important task in bioinformatics. The methods of the similarities comparison for biological sequences are divided into two classes: sequence alignment method and alignment-free method. The graphical representation of biological sequences is a kind of alignment-free methods, which constitutes a tool for analyzing and visualizing the biological sequences. In this article, a generalized iterative map of protein sequences was suggested to analyze the similarities of biological sequences.

Materials and Methods:

Based on the normalized physicochemical indexes of 20 amino acids, each amino acid can be mapped into a point in 5D space. A generalized iterative function system was introduced to outline a generalized iterative map of protein sequences, which can not only reflect various physicochemical properties of amino acids but also incorporate with different compression ratios of component of generalized iterative map. Several properties were proved to illustrate the advantage of generalized iterative map. The mathematical description of generalized iterative map was suggested to compare the similarities and dissimilarities of protein sequences. Based on this method, similarities/dissimilarities were compared among ND5 proteins sequences, as well as ND6 protein sequences of ten different species.

Results:

By correlation analysis, the ClustalW results were compared with our similarity/dissimilarity results and other graphical representation results to show the utility of our approach. The comparison results show that our approach has better correlations with ClustalW for all species than other approaches and illustrate the effectiveness of our approach.

Conclusion:

Two examples show that our method not only has good performances and effects in the similarity/dissimilarity analysis of protein sequences but also does not require complex computation.
The Synthesis and Chemistry of 2-Imino-2H-Chromene-3-Carbo(Thio) Amides
Authors: Ali Tarik E. , El-Shaaer Hafez M. , Abdel-Kariem Somaia M. , Hussien Mai S. A. , Yahia Ibrahim S. , Zahran Heba Y.
Published: October 2020

2-Imino-2H-chromene-3-carbo(thio)amides are considered versatile compounds because
of their significance as building blocks in synthetic chemistry. In this review, we display all
the available synthetic methods for 2-imino-2H-chromene-3-carbo(thio)amides as well as their
reactions towards the different reagents. The presence of the imino and amide groups in these
compounds makes C-4 the only reactive site of the pyran ring with a unique reactivity that could
react with different reagents. The appropriate applications for the synthesis of condensed
chromene derivatives and their relevancy are reported. The reactions of 2-imino-2H-chromene-3-
carbo(thio)amides were divided into several categories depending on the used reagents in the reactions.
Evaluation of the Small-animal Nano Scan PET/CT System using 89Zr
Authors: Alzimami Khalid , Alanazi Sitah , Gannam Magdi , Alanazi Ahmad , Aljamaz Ibrahim , Alyanbawi Suliman , Alotaibi Basem , Almalki Yousif , Sulieman Abdelmoneim , Sassi Salem
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the imaging characteristics
of 89Zr-PET in comparison with those obtained using fluorine-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose (18FFDG)
PET (a gold standard tracer in PET imaging) using a small-animal NanoScan PET/CT scanner.

Methods:

The system’s spatial resolution, sensitivity, uniformity, and image quality were measured
on a Nano Scan small-animal PET/CT scanner according to the NEMA NU4-2008 protocols.
For reconstruction images, we used 2D and 3D reconstruction algorithms. The reconstruction methods
included filter back projection (FBP), the ordered subsets expectation maximization (OSEM)
algorithm, and the 3D Tera-Tomo algorithm, which are developed for the NanoScan small-animal
PET/CT scanner.

Results:

The results obtained showed a significant difference in the spatial resolution for 89Zr as
compared to 22Na and 18F when using a 2D reconstruction algorithm. The spatial resolution values
were much enhanced by using the 3D Tera-Tomo reconstruction for each isotope, the Full width at
half maximum (FWHM) values was less than 1 for all isotopes at the center of the field of view
(FOV). This difference in spatial resolution is dependent on the positron range, energy, and the reconstruction
method.

Conclusion:

The long half-life of 89Zr makes it an ideal positron emitter for performing immuno-
PET, which is matched with the biological half-life of intact mAbs.89Zr can also give several
advantages over other long half-life positron emitters in relation to the overall imaging performance
because of its relatively short positron range and simpler decay scheme. The values of 89Zr
sensitivity that were obtained in the present study were less than those of previous studies.
SGLT-2 Inhibitors: Ideal Remedy for Cardioprotection in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Kumar Keshav , Behl Tapan , Kumar Arun , Arora Sandeep
Published: October 2020

A chronic metabolic disease, diabetes mellitus (DM), is associated with various comorbidities
that considerably decrease the quality of life. Sodium glucose linked transporter 2 (SGLT2)
receptors are mainly situated in the proximal tubule of nephron. About 90% of glucose concentration
is reabsorbed by these receptors in the nephron. The advanced remedy for the management of
DM is sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-Is), which inhibits or lowers the reabsorption
of glucose. Furthermore, SGLT2-Is enhance the elimination of glucose level in urine (glycosuria).
Empagliglozin, canagliflozin, ertugliflozin and dapagliflozin are the standard medications
which have been authorized recently, for the management of DM by The Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). Besides, having optimistic efficacy to attenuate blood glucose level, these medications
have exhibited impressive cardioprotective and renoprotective effects in major clinical trials.
Unlike other hypoglycaemic medications, it is found that these agents help in a consistent reduction
in hospitalization, due to heart failure with probably multifactorial mechanisms. The cardioprotective
efficacy of SGLT2-Is is characterized by enhancement in ventricular loading condition, in
metabolism of cardiac cell, adipokines alteration, cardiac fibrosis, and reduction in the necrosis of
cardiac cell. Recently confirmed results depict that dapagliflozin gradually decreases the frequency
of co-morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients. The present review explores the mechanistic
principle and the clinical trial data of SGLT2-Is, which further support cardioprotective effects associated
with these medications.
The Two Faces of Uncertainty Avoidance: Attachment and Adaptation
Authors: Baker David S. , Carson Kerry D.
Published: October 2020

The authors used a sample of 155 field sales personnel from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand to examine attachment and adaptation as two ways of addressing individual uncertainty avoidance. Results suggest that both attachment and adaptation are used to reduce uncertainty avoidance in the workplace. Individuals low on uncertainty avoidance had no need to attach with their group or adapt to their environment. Those high on uncertainty avoidance used both techniques to deal with risk. Individuals reporting moderate levels of uncertainty avoidance primarily used adaptation rather than attachment to deal with risk.
Relationship of markers of muscle metabolism with the features of diet in patients on hemodialysis
Authors: Kuzyarova A. S. , Batiushin M. M. , Kastanayan A. A. , Nasser El Dinе E. S. , Fedorovich I. V.
Published: October 2020

Purpose: the Assessing of the relationship of the daily diet of dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease with a change in the levels of myostatin and protein kinase-β in order to determine the areas of potential impact on the development of protein-energy deficiency.

Materials and methods: тhe study included 80 patients with chronic kidney disease 5D. All patients underwent laboratory tests and the average daily diet was estimated from 3-day nutrition diaries. MSTN and AKT levels were determined in the blood by ELISA.

Results: in the study, the prevalence of PEW was 90%. We have proposed a catabolic muscle tissue index (CMTI), which takes into account the complex effect of the relationship between MSTN and AKT on the development of PEW. The daily calorie and protein in patients were less than recommended. The interconnections of dietary features and markers of catabolism of muscle tissue were determined, which is an area of potential interest in the prevention and progression of PEW and requires further study.

Conclusions: correction of the diet of dialysis patients is important for nutritional deficiency and control the catabolic way of the myostatin.
Effects of Acute Exercise on Drug Craving, Self-Esteem, Mood, and Affect in Adults with Polysubstance Use Disorder: Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ellingsen Maren Mikkelsen , Johannesen Sunniva Launes , Martinsen Egil Wilhelm , Dahl Sandra Rinne , Hallgren Mats
Published: October 2020

Background

Novel treatments for substance use disorders are needed. Acute bouts of exercise can improve mood states and craving in nonclinical populations. Exercise effects in those with polysubstance dependence are understudied; controlled trials are needed.

Objective

This protocol describes a clinical study examining the short-term psychological effects of 2 types of physical activity, soccer and circuit training, in patients with substance use disorders. Effects will be compared with a nonexercise control group. Specific aims are to investigate whether there are differences between the activities and the duration of changes.

Methods

This study is a short-term multicenter randomized control trial with a crossover design. Patients consecutively admitted to 4 inpatient treatment centers were invited to participate in 3 conditions, each lasting 45 minutes, within one week. The order of the conditions was randomized. There were a total of 5 assessments, taken at baseline, immediately before each condition, immediately after each condition, and 1, 2, and 4 hours postintervention, enabling patterns of change over time to be observed. Psychological effects were assessed with self-report questionnaires, which included scales for craving, state anxiety, positive and negative affect, self-esteem, and mood. Exercise intensity was assessed with the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale and a heart rate monitor (Polar M200; Polar Electro Ltd). Cortisol was assessed in saliva before and 4 hours after the intervention.

Results

A total of 39 patients were included in the study. Data collection was completed in 2019.

Conclusions

We anticipate larger improvements in the intervention groups than among controls, indicating positive psychological effects during and after exercise. The study will add clinically relevant information about the short-term psychological effects of exercise in the treatment of substance use disorders, using activities that are easily accessible in different clinical settings.

Trial Registration

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00018869; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00018869

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/18553
Confrontation between Apollo and Dionysus—Re-read of Jane Eyre
Authors: Pei GAO
Published: October 2020

Jane Eyre, the masterpiece of Charlotte Bronte, a famous British writer in the 19th century, is generally regarded as her autobiographical work, showing her “poetic life”. Jane Eyre, the protagonist of the novel, was orphaned at an early age and suffered a lot in her growing up. However, she pursued freedom and equality tirelessly, defended her personality and finally achieved her own happiness. In the process of creation, Charlotte Bronte is always in a dilemma, in order to let her passion and pursuit of the heart through the review of the patriarchal culture, she can only hide in the book, by creating a female image resisting and having to suppress her own inner passion to veil her ambiguous self and ambiguous attitude towards women passion. This article probes into Jane Eyre’s mind journey from the angle of the confrontation between the spirit of Apollo and the spirit of the Dionysus.
EFFECT OF CHEWING MARSHMALLOW CONTAINING BETEL CHEW IN REDUCING STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS AND PLAQUE INDEX ON CHILDREN
Authors: RINDIT PAMBAYUN  , ADE PUTRI  , MEIDY TRI YUDA  , SITI RUSDIANA PUSPA DEWI  , TRI WARDANI WIDOWATI  , BUDI SANTOSO
Published: October 2020

Objective: Marshmallow is a soft candy loved by all levels of society, especially children. Sucrose contained in marshmallow increases the growth of Streptococcus mutans and plaque. Betel chew as Indonesian traditional plants add in marshmallow was believed to decrease S. mutans and plaque. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chewing marshmallow containing betel chew in reducing S. mutans and plaque index in children.

Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test control group design. It was conducted in the Laboratory of Agricultural Chemistry, Laboratory of Agricultural Technology Department, and Islamic School of Al-Amalul Khair. Thirty students were divided into two groups. Group A was chewing marshmallow without betel chew and Group B was chewing marshmallow containing betel chew.

Results: The results showed that chewing marshmallow without betel chew increased the growth of S. mutans and plaque index significantly. Chewing marshmallow without betel chew inhibited the growth of S. mutans and dental plaque formation.

Conclusion: Chewing marshmallow containing betel chew reduces S. mutans and plaque index on children.
DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND CHARACTERIZATION OF OCIMUM BASILICUM MUCILAGE-BASED, MODIFIED RELEASE MUCOADHESIVE GASTROSPHERES OF CARVEDILOL
Authors: SAKHARE SS  , SAYYAD FJ
Published: October 2020

Objective: The present investigations aim to develop mucoadhesive gastrospheres of carvedilol using sodium alginate and Ocimum basilicum seed mucilage combination blend oral use.

Methods: The gastrospheres were prepared by ionotropic gelation method using 32 factorial designs, the concentration of sodium alginate and O. basilicum mucilage was independent variables while % drug content (DC), % entrapment efficiency, and % drug release at 12 h were dependent variables. The gastrospheres were evaluated for other parameters such as Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetric, and in vitro mucoadhesion studies.

Results: In optimization studies from statistical second-order complete model equation among the polymers used O. basilicum mucilage had a more profound effect on DC and % encapsulation efficiency as compared to sodium alginate. The mean particle size of gastrospheres when measured by optical microscopy technique ranged from 774 to 882 μm. The percentage of gastrosphere adhering to goat intestinal mucosal tissue varied from 10% to 65% over 8 h in 0.1N HCl, whereas this was varied from 40% to 60% in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 with provided 12 h of controlled release following zero-order release pattern.

Conclusion: Studies conclude that mucilage of O. basilicum can be used as controlled release mucoadhesive material in the formulation of gastrospheres.
SCREENING OF ACTINOMYCETES ISOLATED FROM NATURAL ECOSYSTEM (PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE, KERALA) FOR LIPASE INHIBITORY ACTIVITIES
Authors: DIKSHA KUMARI  , DEEPU SURENDRAN  , ESLIN KHYMDEIT  , VENKATA KRISHNA BAYINENI
Published: October 2020

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to screen pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity of crude extracts of actinomycetes species isolated from the soil sediments of Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala. The identified lipase inhibitory activity was partially purified, and the selected isolate was identified by 16S rRNA sequencing.

Methods: The preliminary screening for the extracellular lipase inhibitory activities of actinomycetes isolates was performed by inoculating the culture to the test tubes containing inoculation media in submerged condition. The lipase inhibitory activities were again evaluated based on secondary screening on the production media and the strain which produced consistent highest lipase inhibitory activity was selected for further studies. The crude extract from the selected strain was subjected to solvent extraction and partially purified by plain silica gel column (mesh size 100–200 μm; column 300 mm×18 mm) and eluted with different solvents in the increasing order of polarity and all the solvent fractions were checked for lipase inhibitory activity.

Results: Based on the secondary screening on the production of media, DDE6 strain showed highest lipase inhibitory activity (96.2%) and was selected for further studies. The dichloromethane extract showed the highest lipase inhibitory activity (96.38%) when compared to other solvents. The partial 16S rRNA sequence analysis of DDE6 isolate confirmed the strain as Curtobacterium oceanosedimentum.

Conclusion: Many research publications have reported the isolation of Curtobacterium species and its type strains. However, this is the first time to report its potential to produce lipase inhibitor metabolite under submerged fermentation conditions. Further, studies are needed to be conducted to characterize the active principle of lipase inhibition as well as to elucidate the structure of the extracted compound.
THE PRO-INFLAMMATORY ROLE OF MICRORNA-29b IN DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY
Authors: NAWAL KHINTEEL JABBAR  , ANWARA JASIB THAABAN ALMZAIEL  , FERDOUS ABASS JABER
Published: October 2020

Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate the expression pattern of microRNA-29b (miRNA-29b) in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) compared to Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and healthy subjects.

Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 30 patients with DN, 30 patients with T2DM and 30 healthy subjects as controls. Serum reactive oxygen species (ROS) and interleukine-10 (IL-10) level were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to screen the expression of serum miRNA-29b and anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2).

Results: The results showed a significant increase in ROS levels (p<0.05) in DN group compared with T2DM and control groups. IL-10 levels were significantly increased compared to other groups (p<0.05). The gene expression of miRNA-29b was significantly increased with downregulation of Bcl-2 (p<0.05) in DN compared to T2DM and control groups (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The study suggested that miRNA-29b expression is involved in the pathogenesis of DN. Hyperglycemia induced oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis, and an increase in expression of pro-inflammatory miRNA-29b exerts anti-protective effect by upregulating target genes related to inflammation and apoptosis, taken together, the results identify the regulatory role of miRNA-29b in DN.
IN SILICO APPROACH OF COLLAGEN FROM TUNA FISH BY-PRODUCT AS ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITOR
Authors: ANDRIATI NINGRUM  , HELI SITI HALIMATUL MUNAWAROH
Published: October 2020

Objective: This study explores the sustainable valorization of by-products from tuna fish based on in silico approach.

Methods: In silico approaches (BIOPEP database, PeptideRanker database, peptide calculator [PepCalc] database, and toxin prediction [ToxinPred] database) were employed to evaluate the potential of collagens from tuna as a potential source of bioactive peptides. Furthermore, primary structure, biological potential, physicochemical, sensory, and toxicity characteristics of the theoretically released angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor collagen peptides were predicted.

Results: Tuna collagen was selected as a potential precursor of bioactive peptides based on in silico analysis. Most notable among these are ACE inhibitory peptides. First, the potential of tuna collagen for the releasing bioactive peptides was evaluated by determining the frequency of occurrence of fragments with a given activity. Through the BIOPEP database analysis, there are many bioactive peptides in tuna collagen sequences. Then, an in silico proteolysis using selected enzymes (papain and pepsin) to obtained ACE inhibitory peptides was investigated and then analyzed using PeptideRanker and PepCalc. Cytotoxicity analysis using the online toxic prediction tool ToxinPred revealed that all in silico proteolysis-derived ACE inhibitory peptides are non-cytotoxic.

Conclusions: Overall, the present study highlights that the tuna collagens could be a promising precursor of bioactive peptides that have an antihypertensive effect (ACE inhibitory activities) for developing functional food or nutraceutical products.
FEASIBILITY OF PALIPERIDONE FOR TRANSDERMAL THERAPEUTIC SYSTEMS: EX VIVO PERMEATION KINETIC STUDIES OF DRUG THROUGH RAT ABDOMINAL SKIN
Authors: SADASHIVAIAH R  , ROHITH G  , SATHEESHA BABU BK
Published: October 2020

Objective: The main objective of the current research study was to investigate the effect of various permeation enhancers on the skin permeation of paliperidone for transdermal therapeutic systems (TTS).

Methods: A part of pre-formulation studies was performed to authentication of the drug by determining the melting point, solubility, partition coefficient (PC), attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, and its purity by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Ex vivo permeation kinetic study for paliperidone alone and with 5% concentration of permeation enhancers hyaluronidase, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), groundnut oil, and tween 80 was conducted in modified Franz diffusion cell through rat abdominal skin as a barrier. The receptor phase containing 20% polyethylene glycol 400 in normal saline was maintained at 37°C. The steady-state flux was obtained to calculate permeability coefficient, enhancement ratio (ER), and the cumulative amount of drug permeated at 12 h.

Results: The pre-formulation study results indicated that the received pure drug was authentified as paliperidone and its purity at par with official pharmacopeia. The PC of the drug was found to be 1.916±1.07, indicated that the drug to be lipophilic. The ex vivo permeation study results showed that the enhancement effect of some permeation enhancers on paliperidone was as follows: Hyaluronidase>DMSO>groundnut oil>tween 80. Hyaluronidase has high permeation enhancing activity with the highest permeation flux of 12.038 μg/cm2/h, and the cumulative amount of drug permeated was 212.760 μg/cm2. The ER of hyaluronidase was 3.69 folds higher than control.

Conclusion: The results of the present research study attributed that hyaluronidase was a potential permeation enhancer which would be included in the TTS of paliperidone.
SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANTIMICROBIAL EVALUATION OF 3,5-DISUBSTITUTED TRIAZOLES BEARING 5-CHLORO-2-METHYLINDOLE
Authors: SABA SHIREEN  , BHARATH RATHNA KUMAR P
Published: October 2020

Objectives: Synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial evaluation of some novel 1,2,4-triazole derivatives clubbed with indole.

Methods: Procedure includes the synthesis of 1,2,4-triazole compounds by condensation reaction with ammonia. The synthesis was carried out in three steps with chlorophenylhydrazine hydrochloride as starting material with ethyl acetoacetate and hydrazine hydrate in the presence of ethanol to form hydrazide derivative. The hydrazide derivative then refluxed with ammonium acetate to get the desired compounds.

Results: All the synthesized compounds were characterized and confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The new compounds (Va-f) synthesized were evaluated for antimicrobial activity.

Conclusion: All the compounds Va-f screened for antimicrobial activity against selected strains of microorganisms. Compound Vb was found to be potent against Escherichia coli, Vc was found to be more active against Aspergillus niger.
EBOLA VIRUS: AN OVERVIEW DISEASE AND TREATMENT
Authors: KANAAN AL-TAMEEMI  , RAIAAN KABAKLI
Published: October 2020

Objective: Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a life-threatening viral disease. Death rate ranges between 30% and 90%, the first EVD outbreak was reported in the 1970s in Zaire. The global danger of this virus requires the need for producing effective vaccines and drugs is facing its outbreak threat. Even though there is no available commercial vaccine so far against EBOV, a few vaccine candidates are under evaluation to examine their therapeutic efficacy.

Methods: Based on many types of research, we present in our review the properties of the E. virus and EVD, the ongoing efforts to develop diagnostics, vaccines, and drugs for the cure of EVD.

Results: Despite the efforts of health organizations to study, reduce and treat Ebola infection, there are still many challenges including the early diagnosis and control of infection among people in addition to finding a suitable treatment and vaccine in addition to many social and medical reasons.

Conclusion: The good clinical knowledge about the disease and infection control is very important to fight against the outbreaks. Therefore, it is necessary to develop training programs to increase awareness about the diseases in affected areas.
CONDITIONED MEDIA OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS RECOVERS PLACENTAL GROWTH FACTOR IN PRISTANE MICE MODEL
Authors: MUHAMMAD ADRIANES BACHNAS  , AMBAR MUDIGDO  , BAMBANG PURWANTO  , SRI SULISTYOWATI
Published: October 2020

Objectives: A low level of placental growth factor (PlGF) expression in placenta is strongly correlated with pregnancy loss, prematurity, fetal growth restriction, and preeclampsia. Pristane-induced lupus in mice model has been widely used to present placental damage and poor pregnancy outcomes. Conditioned media (CM), which is medium for culturing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have grown much attention recently. It has rich amount of growth factors, exosomes, microvesicles, and immunomodulatory molecules. These could become beneficial resources to recover poor placentation.

Methods: CM taken from the 3rd to 4th passage of the culture were underdone by using explant method of human umbilical cord (hUC). Ninety BALB/c mice were randomly distributed into three groups: Normal, pristane, and pristane + CM group. Mice in normal group were injected with 0.5 ml normal saline and other groups with 0.5 ml pristane. Four weeks later, mice were mated and only pristane + CM group received therapy of CM-MSCs 0.5 ml single dose after pregnancy was confirmed. On day 16, pregnancy was terminated and the placenta was analyzed for PlGF expression using immunoreactive score and statistically tested with analysis of variance.

Results: The average of PlGF expression in normal, pristane, and pristane + CM group was 9.528, 3.428, and 10.085, respectively. CM have significantly increase PlGF (p<0.01**) and equal to normal (p=0.301).

Conclusion: CM of hUC-MSCs has shown its therapeutical effect among the low level of PlGF in damaged placenta, and potentially would prevent fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia arose from spiral artery remodeling failure.
THE EFFECT OF VIRGIN COCONUT OIL AGAINST SKIN TREATMENT OF LEPROSY PATIENTS
Authors: ZUHRIANA K YUSUF  , NANANG R PARAMATA  , WIRDA Y DULAHU
Published: October 2020

Objective: Leprosy is a major cause of permanent disability among infectious diseases. The important parts of the human body that is disturbed in leprosy patients are the skin and peripheral nerves. Multidrug therapy treatment can kill leprosy germs, but previous existing defects cannot be eliminated. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of virgin coconut oil (VCO) in improving the skin of lepers.

Methods: The methods of this research used a pre- and post-test of the control group of 50 people respondents which consisted of the treatment group of VCO and control group of original coconut oil. All treatment and control groups of respondents were given once per day for 1 month based on non-probability sampling.

Results: The results showed that there was a significant effect of VCO on the skin of leprosy patients with a statistical value p=0.000 (α=0.001). This was also supported by the observation of the patient’s skin which all of patients experience changed in the results of the assessment of the skin after VCO administration intervention. This relates to lauric acid content in coconut oil which can reduce skin moisture levels.

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study can be concluded that VCO is effective in improving the skin of lepers. VCO can be used as an alternative intervention in skin care for leprosy patients and to prevent further disability. Therefore, it is important for leprosy patients to obtain information about the use of VCO in the care and moisture of the skin.
DRUG UTILIZATION STUDY AMONG GERIATRIC PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIA
Authors: ARSHAD MOHAMMAD , FAYAZUDDIN MOHD , MUDIUM RAGHUNANDAN , CHAVAN VASANT R
Published: October 2020

Objectives: The objective of our study is to evaluate the drug utilization pattern among geriatric patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India and analyze the prescription pattern.

Methods:  Retrospective medical record analysis was performed for indoor cases of the geriatric patients (aged ≥65 years) admitted in medicine

wards of Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences teaching hospital, Raichur, from June 2015 to May 2016. They were analyzed for demo graphics, disease pattern  by  system  involved,  disease  diagnosed,  comorbidity  pattern,  most  commonly  prescribed  drugs,  distribution  of  drugs  according  to  their  therapeutic class, evaluation of polypharmacy, route of administration, fixed-dose combinations, and the World Health Organization core prescribing indicators.

Results: A total of 400 prescriptions of geriatrics patients admitted in inpatient medicine department were randomly selected and all the required data for the study were collected and evaluated. The majority of patients were found to be in the age group of 65–70 years (70.25%). It was noticed that females (51.75%) were more compared to males (48.25%). The drugs prescribed were analyzed. Ranitidine, ceftriaxone, theophylline, and salbutamol were prescribed to majority of the patients in this study group. The average number of drugs per prescription was 7.42; drugs prescribed by generic name were 33.62%. Among the drugs prescribed, 88.69% were from the National List of Essential Medicines. Total encounters having

inject table  preparations were 100% and total encounters having antibiotic prescribed were 91%. The prevalence of cardiovascular disorders (32.5%) was high followed by respiratory disorders (32.25%).

Conclusion: This study provides insight into the patterns of drug use in our tertiary care hospital on geriatric patients as well as various diseases prevalent  among  geriatric  patients.  Widespread  polypharmacy,  high  use  of  antibiotics  and  injections,  and  lack  of  generic  prescribing  are  some  concerns that need to be addressed to promote rational usage of drugs.
Efecto de los derivados financieros en el valor de las empresas latinoamericanas
Authors: Pinilla Bedoya Jhon , Martinez Muñoz Juan David
Published: October 2020

La presente investigación no solo tiene como finalidad conocer si la decisión de usar o no derivados financieros tiene efecto en el valor de las organizaciones, sino también su comportamiento y magnitud dentro de la estructura empresarial. Para ello, se dispuso de una muestra de 60 compañías que negocian en ADR’s y que pertenecen a los países de Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, México y Perú. Se usaron 3 modelos basados en la metodología de panel de datos por efectos fijos, en los cuales se tomaron como variables dependientes para cada uno de ellos, la Q de Tobin, el índice RONA y el Flujo de Caja, como indicadores que miden el valor desde diferentes perspectivas financieras. Los resultados han mostrado diferencias sustanciales entre un modelo a otro, siendo constante el hecho de que usar derivados financieros no tiene mayor repercusión en el valor de las empresas, así dicha incidencia sea positiva (Modelo Q de Tobin) o negativa (Modelo RONA y FC). Por su parte, la magnitud y grado de la estrategia de derivados también supone, en su mayoría, un mínimo efecto en el valor de las compañías.
Impartición de estadística médica en escuelas de medicina: hacia una formación integral
Authors: Bautista-Gómez Andrea Judith , Millán-Alanís Juan Manuel , De la Cruz-de la Cruz Carlos , González-Martínez Adriá , Velasco-Sepúlveda Braulio Hernán , Álvarez-Villalobos Neri Alejandro
Published: October 2020

Introducción: El avance de la información científica y la consecuente complejidad estadística ha generado una mayor demanda en las habilidades de lectura crítica tanto en el profesional como en el estudiante.Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de la impartición de estadística médica en la formación académica del médico general en México.Método: Se realizó una búsqueda de los planes de estudio de 158 escuelas de medicina del país. Cuatro revisores analizaron de manera independiente y en duplicada los planes curriculares de cada escuela para extraer información con respecto a la impartición de materias relacionadas con la estadística médica e investigación científica.Resultados: Se encontró un total de 148 (97.3%) planes de estudio, de los cuales 67 (45.2%) incluyeron al menos una materia de estadística médica durante la formación del médico general. No se observaron diferencias estadísticas en la proporción de impartición de la materia entre escuelas acreditadas y no acreditadas por el Consejo Mexicano para la Acreditación en Educación Médica (COMAEM), así como públicas y privadas.Conclusiones: Con los datos anteriormente mencionados, se sugiere que la enseñanza de estadística médica en las escuelas de medicina del país es aún insuficiente. Incorporar este tópico en la formación obligatoria del médico podría incrementar su capacidad de lectura crítica y análisis de la información científica.
Restoration of parts from heat-resistant steels by arc surfacing in conditions of high humidity
Authors: Drizhov Viktor S.
Published: October 2020

The main technological processes for restoring parts are welding surfacing processes. The reliability of restored parts is usually determined by the quality of the welded joint. The quality of the deposited metal is influenced by hydrogen, but the effect of hydrogen on destruction during reheating has not been sufficiently studied. (Research purpose) The research purpose is studying the effect of increased hydrogen content on the resistance of the deposited metal to destruction during heat treatment. (Materials and methods) The studies were performed on small-sized samples made of heat-resistant 15Kh24MFA and 15Kh1N1F steel. The prepared samples were applied with deposited rollers under local cooling. Tests of welded samples were carried out under conditions of isothermal relaxation of applied stresses. The change in the saturation of the deposited metal with hydrogen occurred as a result of wetting the argon during surfacing. (Results and discussions) The article describes that when the hydrogen content of the deposited metal increases, the resistance index decreases by 20 percent. Preheating samples before welding to a temperature of 300 degrees Celsius increases the resistance of the deposited metal. (Conclusions) Experimental studies have shown that the hydrogen content in the deposited metal negatively affects the resistance to destruction. The article shows that the zone of thermal influence is the most dangerous area of crack generation during surfacing.
Domestic agricultural engineering education in the 1970 s-2000 s
Authors: Tsench Yuliya S.
Published: October 2020

By the mid-1960s, the growth rate of agricultural production in the USSR had declined. The possibilities of involving new lands in economic turnover were exhausted. It was necessary to find new approaches to solving problems in agriculture, including the training of highly qualified specialists. (The research purpose) The research purpose is in considering the development of domestic agricultural engineering education during the 1970 -2000 s. (Materials and methods) The article shows that the materials of the Plenums of the Central Committee of the CPSU in 1965-1985 marked the beginning of a new stage of agrarian reforms. It was found that providing the agricultural sector with qualified specialists becomes a crucial condition for increasing agricultural production. (Results and discussion) The article notes the leading role of the creation of educational and experimental farms and the introduction of production practices in improving the professional training of specialists for agriculture. They emphasized the creation of a new discipline - mechanized agricultural technology. It has been identified the need to train more mechanical and electrical engineers for agricultural enterprises. It was found that agriculture needs specialists of a wide profile, technological engineers who are able to work independently in the field of engineering and technical policy of agricultural enterprises of various profiles and different forms of ownership. (Conclusions) The Soviet Union created a coherent system of Agroengineering institutes that successfully solved the problem of training engineers for the rapidly developing mechanized and electrified agriculture. The zonal location of the institutes provided training for specialists adapted to the production and technological problems of a particular region. The current development of the country differs significantly from the experience of one in the past. However, personnel issues, including the issues of personnel support for agricultural production in the system of higher professional education, remain relevant due to the rapid development and complexity of technical equipment for modern agricultural production, the introduction of digital information technologies, automation and robotics.
Improving the technology of electromagnetic cleaning of automotive oil by UMS systems
Authors: Charykov Viktor I. , Kopytin Igor’ I. , Yakovlev Aleksey I.
Published: October 2020

An important direction of increasing the efficiency of using the equipment in the agricultural sector is the control of lubricating and cooling fluids. The main direction of improving magnetic cleaning is increasing the strength characteristics of magnetic field B, increasing the heterogeneity of the magnetic field, and also increasing the area of the magnetic field affecting the cleaned material. (Research purpose) The research purpose is to study the factors determining the level of purification of motor oils from metal and mechanical impurities in the working area of the electromagnetic separator. (Materials and methods) Concentrators under the arbitrary name UMS-2M were developed and installed in the experimental unit to create an inhomogeneous magnetic field in the working area of the electromagnetic separator. The theoretical and experimental research was based on the method of active experiment planning. (Results and discussion) The developed devices for creating an inhomogeneous magnetic field are two identical infinite chains, to which rods with spiral-shaped concentrators are attached with equal pitch. The symmetric second-order rotatable uniform plan is implemented to obtain a model of creating a force characteristic of a magnetic field. The article presents the results of theoretical and experimental studies that determine the main factors affecting the level of purification of motor oils in the working area of the separator. Three-dimensional response surfaces with variants of factor values are presented. The optimal values of the design parameters of the magnetic field concentrators of the electromagnetic separator were determined. (Conclusions) It is shown that the optimal parameters of magnetic field concentrators installed in the working area of the UMS-2M electromagnetic separator are: wire diameters of 3 millimeters, the distance between the threads of the concentrator is 11 mm. At the same time, the distance between the concentrators should not exceed 30 millimeters with an applied voltage of 48-50 volt.
How to determine the remaining life of machine parts
Authors: Chernoivanov Vyacheslav I. , Denisov Vyacheslav A. , Solomashkin Aleksey A.
Published: October 2020

The article presents three strategies for maintenance and repair of machines that control the pre-selected and justified parameters of the technical condition of the machine, as well as the costs of eliminating failures for these strategies and the possibility of reducing them. (Research purpose) The research purpose is to identify the most effective way to determine the residual life of machine parts. (Materials and methods) The article proposes a strategy for maintenance and repair of machines, in which a special place is occupied by ways of reducing the mechanical friction losses, increasing the efficiency of the machine and the service life of its parts. The article notes that in order to meet the service life, it is necessary to monitor their remaining life visually or using appropriate sensors. In order to determine the remaining resource in more accurately way, we suggested that it would be measured several times, preferably using different methods or devices. Authors designed a computer program that allows to estimate the remaining resource using an interval estimation of random values for a given probability of failure-free operation of the machine part. The plunger pairs of a high-pressure fuel pump were chosen as the object of research. As a diagnostic parameter that characterizes the technical condition of the pump, its starting cycle feed was used, the value of which was determined on different stands. (Results and discussion) Article presents the values of the average resources of the plunger pairs, their dispersion around the corresponding average values, and calculated their average residual resource as an interval estimate for a given probability of failure-free operation. (Conclusions) The research results have shown a possibility of using the residual resource as the basis of the proposed strategy for maintenance and repair of machines based on minimizing the residual resource of their parts. The most important unsolved task for this strategy remains the selection and justification of primary diagnostic sensors for assessing the residual life of machine parts.
The influence of the technical condition of the modernized spray on the service life of a nozzle sprayer of diesel engine
Authors: Bolotokov Anzor L. , Lyalyakin Valentin P.
Published: October 2020

Injectors of diesel engines lose their functionality due to loss of tightness and jamming of the needle of the nozzle sprayer. (Research purpose) The research purpose is increasing the durability of injectors by upgrading the sprayer needle by performing a spiral screw groove on its guiding part. (Materials and methods) The article notes that the screw groove is performed by an elbor cutter on a lathe with the following parameters: an angle of 30 degrees, a radius of 0.133 millimeters, and a length of 21.71 millimeters. Authors conducted research to determine the resistance coefficient of the gap between the sprayer body and the sprayer with a spiral groove, depending on the fuel contamination. Authors performed non-motor bench accelerated tests of sprayers to determine the hydraulic density, the volume of fuel in the screw groove, and the resistance coefficient of the gap. (Results and discussion) Article notes that the decrease rate in the value of hydro density in upgraded sprayers is 1.24 times less than in serial ones. The article shows that due to the screw groove, the needle of the sprayer is rotated, and the working surfaces of the needle are not caught with the sprayer body, which ensures uniform wear with less intensity. (Conclusions) Upgrading the spray nozzle by applying a screw groove to its surface ensures that the surfaces are lubricated and creates a softened twisting impact instead of a hard hit on the spray nozzle seat.
Trends in Glucose Lowering Drug Utilization, Glycemic Control, and Severe Hypoglycemia in Adults with Diabetes in Hong Kong 2002-2016
Authors: Yang Aimin , Wu Hongjiang , Lau Eric S.H. , Ma Ronald C.W. , Kong Alice P.S. , So Wing Yee , Luk Andrea O.Y. , Chan Juliana C.N. , Chow Elaine
Published: October 2020

OBJECTIVE
There has
been a shift towards new classes of glucose lowering drugs (GLDs) in the past
decade but no improvements in glycemic control or hospitalization rates due to
severe hypoglycemia (SH) in previous surveys. We examined trends in GLDs
utilization, glycemic control and SH rate among patients with diabetes in Hong
Kong which introduced a territory-wide, team-based diabetes care model since
2000.

RESEARCH
DESIGN AND METHODS Using population-based data from the Hong Kong Diabetes
Surveillance Database, we estimated age- and sex-standardized proportion of GLDs
classes, mean hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and SH rates in 763,809 diabetes
patients aged≥20 years between 2002-2016.

RESULTS Between 2002-2016, use declined for sulfonylureas (62.9% to
35.3%) but increased for metformin (48.4% to 61.4%) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4
inhibitors (DPP-4i) (0.01% in 2007 to 8.3%). The proportion of patients with
HbA1c of 6.0-7.0% (42-to-53 mmol/mol) increased from 28.6% to 43.4% while SH
rate declined from 4.2 per 100-person-years to 1.3 per 100-person-years. The
main improvement in HbA1c occurred between 2007 and 2014, decreasing from mean
(SD) 7.6 (1.6)% (59.5 [19.0] mmol/mol) to 7.2 (1.7)% (54.8 [18.9] mmol/mol) (p<0.001).
The 20-44 age group had the highest proportion of HbA1c≥9% (75 mmol/mol) and rising
proportions not on GLDs (from 2.0% to 7.7%).

CONCLUSIONS
In this 15-year survey, the modest but important improvement in HbA1c since
2007 coincided with diabetes service reforms, increase in metformin, decrease
in sulfonylurea and modest rise in DPP-4i use. Persistently poor glycemic
control and under-utilization of GLDs in the youngest group calls for targeted action.
Lymphadenectomy in the Treatment of Colon Cancer: A Survival Nalysis
Authors: Corrêa Romualdo Silva , Oliveira Lima Luciana Ayres de , Macedo Isa Maryana Araújo Bezerra de , Rêgo Amália Cinhtia Meneses , Araújo-Filho Irami
Published: October 2020

Colon cancer is a curable disease when restricted to the bowel and colectomy, the primary treatment. However, the presence and number of resected lymph nodes influence the therapeutic approach and prognosis of the patient. To evaluate the impact of the number of resected lymph nodes on the overall survival of patients treated for colon cancer at the League of Cancer Hospital - Natal - State of Rio Grande do Norte (RN) - Northeast Brazil. A retrospective observational study of 80 patients with colon cancer from Dr. Luiz Antônio Hospital (Natal-RN / Brazil), considering the period 2007-2014. Data were collected through medical records review. Survival rates were calculated and compared using the non-parametric Kaplan-Meier and Wilcoxon tests, respectively. All patients underwent radical surgical treatment associated or not with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment. The median survival time for the group of patients who had 12 or more resected lymph nodes was 9.4 years, in contrast to the 3.3 years of those who had less than 12 lymph nodes. Conclusion: It was concluded that a total of 12 or more resected lymph nodes confirmed by histopathology is associated with increased long-term survival in patients with colon cancer undergoing radical colectomy with or without chemotherapy and radiotherapy.