bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A prescrição regulada pela lei penal no campo da improbidade administrativa e uma perspectiva a partir da teoria dos jogos.
Authors: Nascimento Fábio Macedo , De Aguiar Júlio César
Published: September 2019

O artigo 23, no seu inciso II, da Lei nº 8.429/92, adotou, como prazo prescricional relativo às ações de improbidade em face de agentes públicos efetivos, o tratamento dispensado por lei específica para faltas disciplinares puníveis com demissão a bem do serviço público, a qual, por sua vez, no caso de o ato ímprobo também ser capitulado como crime, remete-se à lei penal. É justamente este processo integrativo em tema tão sensível quanto à prescrição que o presente artigo pretende abordar, buscando basicamente definir se as intempéries da jurisdição criminal condicionam, ou não, o exercício da jurisdição civil, tecendo-se, por fim, uma análise a partir da teoria dos jogos.
Marbury v. Madison: uma decisão política de manter a corte fora da política
Authors: Casagrande Cássio Luís , Tibúrcio Dalton Robert
Published: September 2019

O presente artigo analisa o caso Marbury v. Madison, decidido pela Suprema Corte dos Estados Unidos, em 1803, com destaque para o seu contexto histórico. A partir das repercussões da eleição presidencial americana de 1800, o texto busca compreender as contradições, limitações e o legado do caso, bem como sua repercussão imediata e ao longo da história. A compreensão da distinção feita pela decisão da Corte entre questões de direito e questões políticas exige um olhar histórico do ambiente em que o caso se produziu. Atento ao papel da História do Direito de revelar as complexidades escondidas dos mitos consagrados no discurso jurídico, o artigo investiga as lacunas deixados pela decisão do caso. A hipótese a ser verifica é a de que a dimensão da judicial review que emerge do caso tem um caráter limitado, permitindo à Corte o balanceamento no uso de seus poderes.
Effect of Rhizome Type to Viability, Growth, and Productivity of Three Turmeric Varieties
Authors: Meilawati Nur Laela Wahyuni , Melati NFN , Rusmin Devi
Published: September 2019

Turmeric development to fulfil market demand as raw material for herbal industry requires qualified planting material in adequate quantities. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of varieties and seeds type of turmeric to the seeds efficiency, seeds viability, plant performance and rhizome yield. This experiment was conducted at the greenhouse of Indonesian Spices and Medicinal Crops Research Institute (ISMCRI), Bogor and Cicurug Research Installation, Sukabumi from November 2016 to July 2017. The study was arranged in split plot with 3 replications. The main plot was three varieties of turmeric: Curdonia, Turina 2 and Turina 3. The subplot was eight types of seeds-rhizome: (a) single finger rhizome, (b) finger rhizome with one branch, (c) finger rhizome with >1 branches, (d) mother rhizome split 2 horizontally, (e) mother rhizome split 2 vertically, (f) mother rhizome split 4 horizontally, (g) mother rhizome split 4 vertically and (h) whole mother rhizome. Parameters measured were seeds viability, growth and rhizomes yield. Seeds efficiency of Curdonia and Turina 2 can be achieved by using finger rhizome of about 0.49 t.ha-1 for both varieties,  rhizome yields of 6.63 t.ha-1 and 11.45 t.ha-1 respectively. Another alternative were the use of 0.47 t.ha-1 mother rhizome split 4 vertically, yielding 9.65 t.ha-1 and 14.20 t.ha-1 fresh rhizome for Curdonia and Turina 2 varieties, consecutively. However, for Turina 3 variety, the seeds efficiency was shown by using mother rhizome split 4 horizontally of 0.66 t.ha1 and yielding fresh rhizome  of 17.44 t.ha-1. 
The Potency Of Extract Tegining Ganang Leaf (Cassia Planisiqua Burm.f.) As Analgesic On Mice (Mus musculus L.) By Chemical And Hot Plate Induction Method
Authors: Sianturi Sister , Febriani Amelia , Syariifatul Rahmi , Satrana Desy
Published: September 2019

Tegining ganang (Cassia planisiliqua) is an indigenous plant of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara which has potentials to treat various diseases. Previous research showed that the plant has analgesic activity, but the results were still less satisfactory due to the low analgesic effectiveness (<50 %). This study aimed to examine the analgesic potential of tegining ganang leaf extract through chemical induction and hot plate induction methods. In vivo testing was conducted on male mice using those two methods to evaluate plant effectiveness as both a central and peripheral analgesic. Tegining ganang leaves collected from the village of Peresak, West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Province, were extracted in ethanol 70%. The treatments were extract dosages, viz. 200, 400, 800 mg.kg-1 body weight (BW) of mice. The positive control treatments for the chemical induction and hot plate induction methods were Acetosal and Tramadol, respectively. Meanwhile, the negative control treatment was Na CMC at 0.5%. The analgesic effectiveness of the extract in both chemical and hot plate induction methods was 50 %. The  optimum  effectiveness  for  chemical induction was at 800 mg.kg-1 body weight, whereas for hot plate induction was at 200 mg.kg-1 body weight. The results indicated that the ethanol extract of tegining ganang leaves was potential to be developed as an analgesic material.
Response to: Schira, H. R., & Hurst, C. (2019). Hype or Real Threat: The Extent of Predatory Journals in Student Bibliographies. Partnership: The Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research, 14(1).
Authors: Houghton Frank
Published: September 2019

This response addresses issues raised by the recent publication in Partnership by Schira & Hurst (2019) in their article Hype or Real Threat: The Extent of Predatory Journals in Student Bibliographies.
Combining Preformed Particle Gel and Curable Resin-Coated Particles To Control Water Production from High-Temperature and High-Salinity Fractured Producers
Authors: Sun Lin , Li Daibo , Pu Wanfen , Li Liang , Bai Baojun , Han Qi , Zhang Yongchang , Tang Ximing
Published: September 2019

Preformed-particle-gel (PPG) treatments have been successfully used in injection wells to reduce excessive water production from high-temperature, high-salinity fractured reservoirs. However, PPG itself cannot be used in fractured producers because it tends to wash out after the wells resume production. Therefore, we proposed to combine curable resin-coated particles (CRPs) with PPG to control water production from fractured producers. In this paper, millimeter-sized tubes and fractured carbonate cores were designed to comprehensively investigate water-plugging behaviors of the combined system under the conditions of various fracture parameters and PPG/CRP sizes. Particular attention was given to control the PPG washout after production was resumed. The results showed the cured CRPs could generate immobile packs in fractures and dramatically mitigate the PPG washout. The small size of the CRPs and the small ratio of CRP size to tube diameter contributed low permeability and homogeneity to CRP packs. Meanwhile, the less-permeable and more-homogeneous CRP pack, as well as the larger-sized PPGs, contributed to a higher PPG breakthrough pressure gradient. Moreover, some of the PPG particles blocked in the CRP packs could be released through high-speed brine injection from producers, which indicated the recoverability of the water plugging. This study provides a promising approach to reduce the high-water-cut problem in fractured producers.
Transcriptome-wide m6A detection with DART-Seq
Authors: Meyer Kate D.
Published: September 2019

m6A is the most abundant internal mRNA modification and plays diverse roles in gene expression regulation. Much of our current knowledge about m6A has been driven by recent advances in the ability to detect this mark transcriptome-wide. Antibody-based approaches have been the method of choice for global m6A mapping studies. These methods rely on m6A antibodies to immunoprecipitate methylated RNAs, followed by next-generation sequencing to identify m6A-containing transcripts1,2. While these methods enabled the first identification of m6A sites transcriptome-wide and have dramatically improved our ability to study m6A, they suffer from several limitations. These include requirements for high amounts of input RNA, costly and time-consuming library preparation, high variability across studies, and m6A antibody cross-reactivity with other modifications. Here, we describe DART-Seq (deamination adjacent to RNA modification targets), an antibody-free method for global m6A detection. In DART-Seq, the C to U deaminating enzyme, APOBEC1, is fused to the m6A-binding YTH domain. This fusion protein is then introduced to cellular RNA either through overexpression in cells or with in vitro assays, and subsequent deamination of m6A-adjacent cytidines is then detected by RNA sequencing to identify m6A sites. DART-Seq can successfully map m6A sites throughout the transcriptome using as little as 10 nanograms of total cellular RNA, and it is compatible with any standard RNA-seq library preparation method.
Can the anatomy of abnormal flowers elucidate relationships of the androecial members in the ginger (Zingiberaceae)?
Authors: Xiumei Li , Tian Fan , Pu Zou , Wenhu Zhang , Xiuju Wu , Yixin Zhang , LIAO JINGPING
Published: September 2019

Background Interpretation of the floral structure of Zingiberaceae has long concentrated on the relationships of the androecial members. It has been suggested that the labellum is composed of two structures rather than three or five, and the glands are not only the epidermis of the ovary but are similar to nectaries. Results Serial sections were used to observe the vasculature of normal and two-staminate flowers in Alpinia intermedia ‘shengzhen’. Floral diagrams were drawn to interpret the morphological category of the floral organs and the relationships of the androecial members. Androecial vascular bundles were associated with carpellary dorsal bundles (CDBs) and parietal bundles (PBs) in a Zingiberales phylogeny setting using ancestral state reconstruction. Anatomical observations demonstrate that the fertile stamen(s) incorporate parietal strands both in normal and two-staminate flowers. The three appendages represent the three members of the outer whorl of the androecium while the labellum represents the inner whorl of the androecium in the two-staminate flower. Reconstruction of the origin of the vascular system in the androecium suggests that the outer whorl of androecium receives its vascular supply from the CDBs and the inner whorl of androecium receives from the PBs in both the basal banana group and the more derived ginger clade. Conclusions The present study adds to a growing body of literature suggesting that anatomy of abnormal flowers may not provide enough evidence for elucidating the relationships of the androecial members. Abnormal flowers are diverse in the Zingiberaceae and may derive from different types of mutations.
Hydrogen sulfide induced by hydrogen peroxide mediates darkness-induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Ma Yinli , Shao Luhan , Niu Jiao
Published: September 2019

Background Whether hydrogen sulfide (H2S) mediates darkness-induced stomatal closure in A. thaliana is unknown, and the interaction between H2S and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the process needs to be elucidated. Results Our results indicated that H2S modulators hypotaurine (HT), aminooxy acetic acid (AOA), hydroxylamine (NH2OH) and potassium pyruvate (N3H3KO3)+ammonia (NH3) all inhibited darkness-induced stomatal closure, H2S generation and L-/D-cysteine desulfhydras (L-/D-CDes) activity increase in wild-type A. thaliana leaves. Darkness induced stomatal closure in wild-type plants, but failed in Atl-cdes and Atd-cdes mutants. Additionally, H2S content and L-/D-CDes activity were significantly decreased after application with H2O2 modulators ascorbic acid (ASA), catalase (CAT), diphenylene iodonium (DPI), and salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) in darkness, but there is almost no effects on H2O2 levels when in presence of HT, AOA, NH2OH, and C3H3KO3+NH3 in darkness in wild-type plants. Moreover, darkness couldn't increase H2S content and L-/D-CDes activity of AtrbohF and AtrbohD/F mutants leaves, but the levels of H2O2 increased in guard cells of Atl-cdes and Atd-cdes mutants. Conclusions The results suggest that L-/D-CDes-generated H2S mediates darkness-induced stomatal closure, and functions downstream of H2O2 in A. thaliana.
Evaluating the myopia progression control efficacy of defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) lenses and Apollo progressive addition spectacle lenses (PALs) in 6- to 12-year-old children: study protocol for a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Yan , Fu Yafei , Wang Kai , Liu Zhiming , Shi Xiaoqing , Zhao Mingwei
Published: September 2019

Background: Myopia is increasing in prevalence and is currently recognized as a significant public health issue worldwide, particularly in China. Once myopia develops, appropriate clinical interventions need to be prescribed to slow its progression. Currently, solid evidence indicates that myopic defocus (MD) retards eye growth and myopia progression. However, no clinical trial has compared the outcomes of different MD spectacle lenses in the same observational group, especially in mainland China. The aim of the present study is to compare the myopia control efficiency of two different MD spectacle lenses, i.e., defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) and Apollo progressive addition spectacle lenses (PALs). Methods: The trial is a 3-year, prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial of school children with DIMS and PALs. A total of 600 Chinese primary school children aged 6-12 years will be recruited, and each group is intended to include 300 subjects. The inclusion criteria are myopia between −1.00 and −5.00 D and astigmatism ≤1.50 D. The primary outcomes are cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction (SER), measured at 6-month intervals, and the changes between groups compared over the study period. The secondary outcomes are axial length, compliance and questionnaires related to wearing experiences. The exploratory outcomes include ocular biometric measures, peripheral refraction, binocular vision, and accommodation. Discussion: The present study is the first randomized controlled trial of DIMS and PALs treatment for primary school children with myopia in China. The results will indicate whether and how much of different MD mechanisms approach retards myopia progression and axial elongation. In addition, the comparison will provide information on the clinical effectiveness and safety of DIMS and APLs, including wearing experiences, visual functions, etc.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) Identifier: ChiCTR1900025645. Date of registration: 3 September 2019. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=42927
Cellulolytic Bacteria Screened from Qinling (China) for Biomass Degradation and Cellulases First Cloned from Bacillus methylotrophicus
Authors: Ma Lingling , Lu Yingying , Yan Hong , Wang Xin , Yi Yanglei , Shan Yuanyuan , Liu Bianfang , Zhou Yuan , Lv Xin
Published: September 2019

Background Cellulosic biomass degradation still needed more studies while bioenergy is becoming mainly energy in future and more evaluate bacteria isolation laid a foundation of further study. Qinling Mountains have unique biodiversity, acting as promising source of cellulose-degrading bacteria exhibiting noteworthy properties. The aim of this work was to find potential cellulolytic bacteria in depredating multiform carbon source cellulose substrate. Results In this study, 55 potential cellulolytic bacteria screened out and were identified. Based on the results of the investigation of cellulase activities and reducing sugar content via different carbon substrate effect, Bacillus methylotrophicus 1EJ7, Bacillus subtilis 1AJ3 and Bacillus subtilis 3BJ4 were further taken to hydrolyze wheat straw, corn stover and switchgrass, suggesting that B. methylotrophicus 1EJ7 was the most preponderant bacterium, obtaining highest sugar content (95mg/100mL) in switchgrass, wheat straw and corn stover. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction results of wheat straw surface and crystallinity indicated the hydrolyzation. By ascertaining the target sequence of cellulase for the cloning and expression in an economical and convenient manner, the genes of β-glucosidase (243 aa) and endoglucanase (499 aa) of B. methylotrophicus 1EJ7. Recombinant β-glucosidase from GH16 family and enzyme activity was 1670.15±18.94 U/mL. Endoglucanase consist of GH5 family catalytic domain and a carbohydrate-binding module belongs to CBM3 family and enzyme activity was 0.130±0.002 U/mL. Conclusions Screened, identified the cellulolytic bacteria from rotten wood of Qinling Mountains and explored their ability in degrading different carbon source cellulose substrate, including purified and natural carbon sources. Bacillus were the predominant species among the isolated strains, and Bacillus methylotrophicus 1EJ7 performant well on cellulose degradation. In the meantime, the β-glucosidase and endoglucanase were successfully cloned and expressed from Bacillus methylotrophicus for the first time. The strain and the recombinant enzyme have potential application in industrial production.
Surgical outcome and graded prognostic assessment of patients with brain metastasis from adult sarcoma: Multi-institutional retrospective study in Japan
Authors: Deguchi Shoichi , Nakasu Yoko , Sakaida Tsukasa , Akimoto Jiro , Tanahashi Kuniaki , Natsume Atsushi , Takahashi Masamichi , Okuda Takeshi , Asakura Hirofumi , Mitsuya Koichi , Hayashi Nakamasa , Narita Yoshitaka
Published: September 2019

Background: Little information is available about the feasibility and prognostic assessment of surgical resection of brain metastasis (BM) from sarcomas. We aimed to analyze functional and survival outcomes, and develop a preoperative graded prognostic assessment (GPA) for patients with BM from sarcomas to predict survival time after local resection surgery.
Methods: This study involved a multi-institutional retrospective analysis of 22 patients with BM from sarcomas who underwent resection at six institutes in Japan between September 2002 and September 2018.Overall survival (OS) after resection of BM was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Prognostic factors were analyzed to develop a GPA using the log-rank test and Cox regression analysis. P < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. For GPA validation, we collected data on 100 patients from 48 published reports.
Results: Postoperative Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) was improved in 50% (11/22) of patients. Median OS was 21 months. Univariate analysis of OS showed that age (≥ 30 years old), gross total resection, and alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) were significant positive prognostic factors (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis of OS showed age and ASPS were significant preoperative prognostic factors (P<0.05). RTOG-RPA classification had no significant prognostic value. We developed a GPA system for survival time after resection of BM in our patients. A score of 0 was assigned to patients aged 18–29 years with non-ASPS, a score of 2 to patients aged 18–29 years with ASPS or those aged 30–76 years with non-ASPS, and a score of 4 to patients aged 30–76 years with ASPS. Median OS for patients with GPA scores of 0, 2, and 4 were 6.5, 16.0, and 44.0 months, respectively (P=0.002). The results were validated by the survival data of 100 patients compiled from the literature (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Patients with BM from sarcomas surgically treated showed median survival comparable to that of patients with BM from carcinomas,and showed improvement in postoperative KPS.We developed a new GPA of patients with BM from sarcomas. These results may help patients and clinicians to select resection as a feasible option for treating BM from sarcomas.
Prognostic value of pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios in patients with stage III/IV NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (NTCL)
Authors: Park Joohwan , Kim Miso , Kim Tae-Min , Keam Bhumsuk , Kim Dong-Wan , Jeon Yoon Kyung , Heo Dae Seog
Published: September 2019

Systemic inflammatory response index such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) or platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been investigated as prognostic indicators in various tumors including diffuse large B-cell and peripheral T-cell lymphomas. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic values of the pretreatment NLR and PLR in patients with advanced, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (NTCL). Sixty patients with newly diagnosed, stage III/IV NTCL between January 2000 and August 2015 were evaluated retrospectively. Correlations of pre-NLR and –PLR with other clinical factors were investigated. Kaplan-Meier plot was used to analyze survivals according to pre-NLR and -PLR levels. The prognostic effects of variables were investigated using a Cox proportional regression model. Based on the optimized cut-off levels, patients were classified into two different groups. After a median follow up of 15 months, the median overall survival (OS) in the low and high pre-NLR groups was 33.4 and 6.6 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, high pre-NLR was significantly associated with reduced OS (hazard ratio [HR] 3.59, 95% CI 1.77-7.26; p < .001). On the contrary, the median OS in the low and high pre-PLR was 6.2 and 22.3 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that low pre-PLR was in a significant correlation with the worse OS (HR 3.78, 95% CI 1.79-7.95; p < .001). The high pre-NLR and low pre-PLR are independent poor prognostic factors for reduced survivals of patients with advanced NTCL, and might provide additional prognostic powers to identify high-risk, advanced NTCL patients.
The relationship between urologic cancer outcomes and national Human Development Index: trend from 2012 to 2018
Authors: Zhang Nan , Mu Hua , Jiang Yan-rou , Zhang Shi-geng
Published: September 2019

Objectives To describe the influence of the socioeconomic development on worldwide age-standardized incidence and mortality rates, as well as mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) and 5-year net survival of urologic cancer patients from 2012 to 2018. Methods The HDI values were obtained from the United Nations Development Programme, data on age-standardized incidence/mortality rates of prostate, bladder and kidney cancer were retrieved from the GLOBOCAN database, 5-year net survival was provided by the CONCORD-3 program. We then evaluated the association between incidence/MIR/survival and HDI, with a focus on geographic variability as well as temporal patterns during the last 6 years. Results Urologic cancer incidence rates were positively correlated with HDIs, and MIRs were negatively correlated with HDIs. Prostate cancer survival also correlated positively with HDIs, solidly confirming the interrelation among cancer indicators and socioeconomic factors. Most countries experienced incidence decline over the most recent 6 years, and a substantial reduction in MIR was observed. Survival rates of prostate cancer have simultaneously improved. Conclusion Development has a prominent influence on urologic cancer outcomes. HDI values are significantly correlated with cancer incidence, MIR and survival rates. HDI values have risen along with increased incidence and improved outcomes of urologic caner in recent years.
Comparative analysis of retrograde intrarenal surgery and modified Ultra-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy in management of lower pole renal stones (1.5-3.5 cm)
Authors: Li Zhuohang , Lai Cong , Shah Arvind K. , Xie Weibin , Liu Cheng , Huang Li , Li Kuiqing , Yu Hao , Xu Kewei
Published: September 2019

Purpose To compare the safety and efficacy of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and modified Ultra-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (UMP) in semi-supine combined lithotomy position for the management of 1.5-3.5 cm lower pole renal stones (LPSs). Methods A total of 63 patients with 1.5-3.5 cm LPSs who underwent RIRS (n= 33) or modified UMP (n= 30) in diameter between January 2017 and January 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Modified UMP was performed in semi-supine combined lithotomy position and a 9.5/11.5 F ureteral access sheath (UAS) was inserted during the procedure in order to maintain low pelvic pressure and to facilitate the removal of stone fragments. Base-line parameters, stone characteristics, illness condition, operation time, postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) drop, postoperative creatinine (Cr) elevation, length of hospital stay, length of postoperative hospital stay, stone-free rate (SFR) and complications were compared between the two groups. Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in base-line parameters, stone characteristics and illness condition. The mean operating time of RIRS group was longer than UMP group (95.61 ± 21.9 vs. 55.0 ± 16.1 min, p< 0.001). The mean postoperative Hb drop was less in RIRS group (7.42 ± 4.7 vs. 15.70 ± 9.8 g/L, p< 0.001). The length of hospital stay and postoperative hospital stay for RIRS were shorter than UMP (4.76 ± 1.1 vs. 5.83 ± 0.8 d, p< 0.001, 2.97 ± 0.9 vs. 4.07 ± 0.9 d, p< 0.001). The Early SFR was higher in UMP group (54.5 vs. 80.0%, p< 0.050) while SFR at 1-month and 3-months postoperatively was similar in both groups (p= 0.504, p= 0.675). There were no significant differences between the two groups in complications (p= 0.228). Conclusion For patients with 1.5-3.5 cm LPSs, both modified UMP and RIRS are safe and viable. The modified UMP technique was used in this study, application semi-supine combined lithotomy position and the retention of UAS can improve the surgical efficiency and maintain low pressure perfusion in the kidney, which resulted in superior treatment efficacy. Therefore, we highly recommend this technique for LPSs with heavy stone burdens.
Factors associated with detection of human immunodeficiency virus in tears: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Qian Yujing , Wu Zunyou , Scott Sarah Robbins , Chen Chao , Du Kuifang , Wei Wenbin
Published: September 2019

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a global public issue and identifying viral reservoirs is needed in order to better understand the transmission of the disease. We aimed to identify the level of HIV viral load in tears of people living with HIV (PLWH) and study factors influencing their tear viral load.Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of patients infected with HIV or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) at Beijing You’an Hospital, Beijing, China between May 2018 and July 2018. Socio-demographic information and laboratory test results were collected, including tear samples. Data were analyzed using independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon test, Chi-square test, and Spearman correlation analysis.Results

67 subjects met inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study, of which, 23.9% had detectable HIV ribo nucleic acid (RNA) in their tears. 53.3% of treatment naïve patients and 0.0% of patients who were on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) had detectable HIV RNA in their tears. Tear viral load was lower in tears than in blood plasma and was significantly correlated with plasma viral load (Rho=0.566, p<0.001), but negatively correlated with CD4+T cell count, CD4+/CD8+T cell count, and duration of HIV infection (Rho=-0.450, Rho=-0.464, Rho=-0.565,Rho=-0.252; p<0.001).Conclusions

HIV-1 RNA is present in tears, but at a lower detection rate and viral load than in blood plasma. This study provides a potential new avenue for the early diagnosis and linkage to care for patients infected with HIV.
Altered expression of aggrecan, FAM20B, B3GALT6, and EXTL2 in patients with osteoarthritis and Kashin-Beck disease
Authors: Lei Jian , Wang Liyun , Deng Huan , Ran Yan , Lv Yizhen , Guo Xiong , Feyissa Amhare Abebe , Han Jing , Lammi Mikko J
Published: September 2019

Background: Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) is an endemic osteoarticular disease, which has had a high prevalence in China. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the dominating proportion of osteoarticular disease. The objective of this study is to investigate the expression of enzymes involved in synthesis and modification of chondroitin sulfate (CS) in knee cartilage tissue of osteoarthritis (OA) and Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) patients. Methods: Knee articular cartilage samples were obtained from 18 age and gender matched donors. Hematoxylin & eosin staining, toluidine blue staining, and immunehistochemical staining were performed to estimate the expression level and localization of aggrecan and the enzymes associated with CS synthesis and modification (FAM20B, GalT-II, EXTL2). Rank-based analyses of variance (ANOVA) test was used for the multiple comparisons of discrepancy in the positive staining rate among the KBD, OA, and control groups. Results: Decreased proteoglycans were observed in OA and KBD compared with control group. In line with these expression trends, the positive staining rates of aggrecan were lower in KBD and OA group than control group. The positive staining rates of CS chain modifying enzymes FAM20B, GalT-II, and EXTL2 were also decreased in OA and KBD group. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study uncovered that the enzymes involved in synthesis and modification of CS can influence the expression synthesis of aggrecan and CS. Further investigation of these enzymes can provide new theoretical and experimental targets for OA and KBD pathogenesis studies.
Screening for differentially expressed circRNA between Kashin–Beck disease and osteoarthritis patients based on circRNA chips
Authors: Wang Ying , Wu Cuiyan , Zhang Yanan , Yang Yimin , Ren Zhiwei , Lammi Mikko J. , Guo Xiong
Published: September 2019

Objective: The purpose of this research was to explore differentially expressed circRNA between OA and KBD and the potential differential diagnosis biomarkers.Methods: Total RNA was extracted from 5 pairs of KBD and OA knee joint cartilage specimens, and the expression of circRNAs was analyzed by Chip Scanning Analysis. The microarray data was verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway were used to predict the functions of the differentially expressed circRNAs. A circRNA-miRNA network was constructed to predict targeting microRNAs of differentially expressed circRNA genes. On the basis of microarray, we expanded the sample size, peripheral blood samples from 25 KBD patients and 25 OA patients (five pairs of patients for chondrocyte microarray study included) were collected and qRT-PCR was performed for hsa_circRNA_0020014 verification. Diagnostic value was evaluated by the area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve.Results: A total of 1627 circRNAs were differentially expressed between OA and KBD (P<0.05; 0.52), 1328 were up-regulated and 299 were down-regulated among them. Five differentially expressed genes associated with bone and joint disease were chosen for further qRT-PCR validation. After obtaining the parental genes of them, functional annotations were performed on the top ten enrichment GO items and KEGG pathways. The difference in expression profile of hsa_circRNA_0020014 was confirmed by qRT-PCR at articular cartilage level, and its circRNA-miRNA regulation network was set up. The ROC curve demonstrated that hsa_circ_0020014_CBC1 in peripheral blood could distinguish patients with KBD and OA (area under the curve: 0.6415, P< 0.01). The hsa_circ_0020014_CBC1 may be a potential biomarker for differential diagnosis between KBD and OA patientsConclusion: Our results suggested that the expression profiles of circRNA were significantly different between OA and KBD. hsa_circRNA_0020014 is a potential biomarker for the differential diagnosis between these two diseases.
Periodontal inflamed surface area in patients on haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis: Croatian cross-sectional study
Authors: Smojver Bojana Križan , Altabas Karmela , Knotek Mladen , Jukić Nikolina Bašić , Aurer Andrej
Published: September 2019

Background: Periodontitis is an inflammatory periodontal disease that is caused by bacterial plaque and destroys the connective tissue and bone that support the teeth. Patients with chronic kidney disease have damaged immunological systems because of uremic toxins and are thus prone to infections. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is better for the removal of middle molecules (uremic toxins) than haemodialysis (HD). Our hypothesis was that PD is associated with a lower periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 58 consecutive patients on HD and 31 consecutive patients on PD. PISA was calculated using measurements of the clinical attachment level, recession and bleeding on probing. Results: Patients on PD had a 691 mm 2 (89%) lower PISA than patients on HD after adjustment for 15 possible confounders, including the duration of dialysis. The type of dialysis was independently correlated with PISA (semipartial correlation: -0.30; p=0.009; false discovery rate<5%). Conclusions: PD is associated with a smaller PISA independently of a large number of sociodemographic, lifestyle, laboratory and clinical factors.
The association between children’s oral health behaviors, parents’ oral health knowledge and parents’ education level: a survey of 8446 families in Wuhan
Authors: Chen Liangwen , Hong Jialan , Xiong Dian , Zhang Luyi , Li Yuhong , Huang Shengfu , Hua Fang
Published: September 2019

Background: Children aged 6-7 years are in the early mixed dentition, which is a period of high prevalence of dental caries and other dental diseases, and a critical period for the formation of oral health behaviors. Therefore, good oral hygiene habits of children and oral health knowledge of parents are very important. This study sought to explore the relationship between children’s oral health behaviors, parental oral health knowledge, parental choices of pit and fissure sealants, and parents’ education levels based on a large scale sample size for the first time, and to compare the influence between parents.

Methods: In this study, the families of the first and second graders of primary schools in Wuhan Hongshan District were selected as subjects. A total of 8446 questionnaires were collected to obtain comprehensive information on children’s oral health behaviors, parents’ oral health knowledge and parents’ pit and fissure sealants related choices. The relationship between these and parents’ education levels were studied through logistic regression analysis and chi-square test.

Results: Families of parents who reported good education background had better children’s oral health behaviors and more favorable parents’ oral health knowledge than those of other parents. Four indicators of the children’s oral health behaviors were significantly affected by mother’s education levels, and three of them were correlated with the father’s. Moreover, seven indicators of the parents’ oral health knowledge were significantly related to mother’s education levels and four of them were affected by the father’s. In addition, parents with higher education attainment paid more attention to the quality of equipment, the professionalism of doctors, the proximity of the location, and paid less attention to the willingness and cooperation degree of children when choosing the pit and fissure sealants location.

Conclusions: In the families of children with early mixed dentition, parents with higher education pose better oral health knowledge and have more for oral health care needs, such as pit and fissure sealants. As a result, their children tend to perform better on oral hygiene practices.

Key words: Pit and fissure sealants, Education level, Mixed dentition, Oral health behavior, Oral health knowledge
Impact of politically generated shocks on monetary performance: a cross-country comparison
Authors: Zhuravka Fedir , Makarenko Mykhaylo , Osetskyi Valerii , Podmarov Oleksandr , Chentsov Victor
Published: September 2019

During the post-Great Recession period, macroeconomic stability had more often been threatened by socioeconomic shocks due to the rising of public discontent with the high unemployment rate and poverty, the activation of radical parties and movements, and the aggravation of the geopolitical confrontation in the world. Depending on the type and depth of such shocks, they become politically generated shocks and, in particular, affect the monetary sphere. The article investigates three types of politically generated shocks and their impact on the monetary sphere. It has been found out that the shocks generated by political populism are characterized by fiscal domination in the economy, the use of monetary measures in the budget deficit financing. Shocks arising after the use of international sanctions against certain countries have an external origin and primarily cause the increase in national exchange markets volatility. On the whole, macroeconomic and, especially, monetary instability is the result of the great shocks for the economy, the depth and duration of which are determined by the nature of the crisis, particularly, when country participates in the military conflict. The aforementioned types of politically generated shocks are analyzed based on the experience of countries such as Argentina, Turkey, and Ukraine, which at one time introduced the regime of inflation targeting in monetary policy, but were forced to modify it influenced by political and economic instability.
Current tasks of radiation health physics
Authors: Simakov A. V. , Romanov V. V. , Abramov Yu. V. , Proskuryakova N. L.
Published: September 2019

The fundamentals of the state policy in the field of nuclear and radiation safety of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2025 and the further perspective have determined that one of the objectives of the state policy in the field of radiation safety is to maintain the risk of radiation exposure of the nuclear workers as low as possible. To achieve this goal, efforts and resources should be focused on solving a number of tasks, including: protection in accordance with the principle of acceptable risk for nuclear workers; improvement of the state management and state regulation of safety in the field of nuclear energy using; radiation safety assurance during the decommissioning of nuclear legacy facilities, management of spent nuclear fuel, remediation of radioactively contaminated sites of the Russian Federation. Today, federal authorities responsible for monitoring and supervising the health and epidemiological welfare of workers in some industries with especially hazardous working conditions, and research institutions involved in scientific and methodological support of these authorities are faced with the task of solving the following urgent problems in the field of radiation safety: to improve regulatory and methodical support of the state radiation safety regulation; to assure safety and protection of workers and the population during the decommissioning of radiation hazardous facilities and remediation of radioactively contaminated sites; to assure radiation safety during the management of spent nuclear fuel.
The 1957 accident: radiological situation and radiation doses of participants in the liquidation of the accident on the territory of PA “Mayak” industrial site
Authors: Vasilenko E. K. , Aladova E. E. , Gorelov M. V. , Knyazev V. A. , Kolupaev D. V. , Romanov S. A.
Published: September 2019

Purpose: to assess the radiation situation on the industrial site of the PA “Mayak” during the accident in 1957 and the radiation doses of the participants in the liquidation of consequences of this accident. Materials and methods: on the basis of the archival documents analysis, radiation situation data for 1957 – 1960, IDC data and calculated doses of the Mayak workers, as well as supporting organizations personnel and military units involved in the liquidation of the accident consequences and covered by individual monitoring are presented. Results: in 1957 – 1959 about 38,5 thousand people took part in the works on the territory of the PA “Mayak” industrial site for liquidation of consequences of the accident, including persons exposed at the time of the accident: employees of “Mayak”, military and civil builders. Radiation doses from 25 to 30 R received about 10,5 thousand people, while there were single cases of exposure in doses up to 100 R. Conclusion: the collective dose received during the accident and liquidation of its consequences in 1957 was about 820 000 person-R. Collective doses recorded in 1958 and 1959 amounted to 250 000 person-R and 54 000 person-R, respectively.
High seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild boars hunted in the Game Breeding Center in north-eastern Poland
Authors: WISZNIEWSKA-ŁASZCZYCH AGNIESZKA , WYSOK BEATA , WOJTACKA JOANNA , SZTEYN JOANNA , MICHALSKI MIROSŁAW M. , SOŁTYSIUK MARTA
Published: September 2019

Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular protozoan. The main source of infection for humans is meat contaminated with tissue cysts, the main invasive form of the parasite. The muscle tissue of seropositive animals of the family Suidae, subfamily Sus (domestic pig, wild boar) are the most common sources of infections with Toxoplasma gondii. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infections in the meat of wild boars (Sus scrofa) based on measurements of T. gondii antibodies in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One hundred samples of muscle tissue were obtained from wild boars hunted in the Game Breeding Center in north-eastern Poland. The animals were divided into three age groups: weaners (27), subadults (38) and adults (35). The prevalence of toxoplasmosis was very high in the analyzed population, and 71% of the animals were classified as seropositive in ELISA. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 62.9% of weaners, 73.6% of subadults and 74.2% of adult boars. The seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was significantly higher in the animals hunted in the Game Breeding Center in comparison with the national average determined by other authors. Such extensive spread of the parasite in the natural environment can be attributed to geographic location, landform, presence of waterbodies, local climate, the size of the wild boar population and the spread of castor bean ticks (Ixodes ricinus).
Study of dynamic loads dependence on aircraft engine mount variant after fan blade-out event
Authors: Ivanov Ilia , Myasnikov Vladislav , Blinnik Boris
Published: September 2019

A turbofan nonlinear dynamic model is described in the paper. It has been developed for the computation of loads in the engine frame after fan blade-out (FBO) event. The model includes reduced dynamic finite element models of rotors and casings and also nonlinear elements for simulation of “rotor-casing” contact interactions. Thorough attention has been paid to mounts modeling with possible mechanisms taken into account. The engine dynamic behavior during its rotors deceleration to the autorotation mode after the FBO event has been simulated for the following two forward mount arrangement variants: fastening to the inner part of the intermediate casing; fastening to the outer part of the intermediate casing. The effect of load reduction device (LRD) – special elements which are introduced to fan supports, destroyed under certain force and don’t transfer improper loads to the engine casing system after the FBO event, has been studied. The analysis of maximum loads on engine mounts has been performed for the two listed design variants for both cases: with and without an LRD in fan supports.
Feasibility of pulse rate variability as feedback in closed-loop percutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation
Authors: Schrödl Elena , Kampusch Stefan , Razlighi Babak Dabiri , Le Van Hoang , Széles Jozsef Constantin , Kaniusas Eugenijus
Published: September 2019

Percutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (pVNS) is a novel approach of treating cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, as well as pain and neurological conditions. The treatment can be optimized by using biosignals as objective measures and feedback-control. One suitable biofeedback could be the use of pulse rate and pulse rate variability (PRV) derived from optical pulse plethysmography (PPG) instead of heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) derived from electrocardiogram (ECG). For this purpose, a single-lead ECG on the thorax and a PPG on the earlobe were measured simultaneously on 10 healthy subjects for 420 s during three different respiratory phases. The data was analyzed and compared with scatterplots, the Pearson correlation coefficient and a Bland-Altman analysis. The outcomes show a very high correlation of heart rates from PPG and ECG (ri= 0.9663) and SDNN values (rsdnn= 0.9791). Comparison of RMSSD values showed a high positive correlation (rrmssd= 0.7963) but a mean overestimation of 10 ms in RMSSD values measured with the PPG. The results presented suggest that PRV could be and alternative biofeedback used in pVNS.
Finite-element study of the customized implant for revision hip replacement
Authors: Maslov Leonid , Surkova Polina , Maslova Irina , Solovev Dmitry , Zhmaylo Mikhail , Kovalenko Anton , Bilyk Stanislav
Published: September 2019

This work examines a biomechanical system consisting of the hip endoprosthesis and bones of the pelvic region of a person under a load corresponding to the equilibrium of a person in double-supported state. An assessment of the strength of a customised endoprosthesis has been carried out based on the analysis of the stress-strain state of the finite element model of the “skeleton – hip prosthesis” system when tightening the screws and when the system is subjected the person's weight; dangerous areas of the pelvic bone with high level of stresses have been identified. As recommendations, optimization of the location and number of screws used in order to create a more uniform stress distribution is proposed.
Clustering of ECG segments for patients before sudden cardiac death based on Lagrange descriptors
Authors: Landauskas Mantas , Ragulskis Minvydas
Published: September 2019

Novel approach to clustering of ECG segments based on Lagrange descriptors is presented in this paper. The approach starts by extracting 2D features with the help of Lagrange descriptors. Then the features are transformed to latent vectors which are clustered using K-means algorithm. The object of the research is to visualize the dynamics of clusters of 2D features of segments of ECG before sudden cardiac death happens to a patient.