bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of caries-affected dentin on bonding effect of deciduous teeth
Authors: Sun Qiang , Wang Chengze , Shi Mengying , Xu Jiajia , Wu Mengjie , Shu Chang , Luo Qiaojie , Chen Yadong , Li Xiaodong
Published: April 2020

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of caries-affected dentin on bonding effect of deciduous teeth, in turn to provide guidance for caries removal strategy of deciduous tooth caries before bonding. Methods Extracted second deciduous molars with one adjacent surface carious were collected. The half tooth with caries adjacent surface were grouped into the caries-affected group (Group test), while the caries-free half were grouped into the control group (Group control). For the Group test, carious tissue was removed with slow speed ball drill under the indication of caries indicator. For the Group control, at the other side of the occlusal surface sound dentin was prepared to the similar deep level. Single bond Universal was applied according to the manufacture’s instructions. The defective part was filled with Shofu Beautifil II Namer, a commonly used resin composite in pediatric dentistry. Vertical sticks were obtained and subjected to tensile stress test. The morphology of the bonding surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopy. Results Electron microscope observation showed that there was no significant difference in morphology between caries-affected dentin and normal dentin. The minerals and smear layer were removed after acid etching, and the collagen network of dentin tubules and intertubular dentin was exposed. The surface of caries-affected dentin was relatively rough and partially decomposed. TEM images of the caries-affected deciduous tooth dentin showed that the hydroxyapatite was sparsely distributed in strips. In normal dentin, hydroxyapatite was thicker and denser. The acidic environment produced by the bacteria demineralized the dentin part, which corresponded to the surface morphology of the caries-affected dentin as seen by SEM. There was no significant difference in the micro-tensile strengths between Group test and Group control (P > 0.05). Conclusion In vitro, caries-affected deciduous tooth dentin could achieve similar bonding strength to normal tooth dentin when Single Bond Universal adhesive was applied. The results of this study may provide theoretical basis for partial caries removal strategy of deciduous tooth caries treatment.
Identifying prognostic factors to determine the level of recovery in servicemembers with chronic low back pain: a prospective cohort study.
Authors: Mourits Bianca Maria Pietertje , Meulekamp Mariette Zwanette , Wurff Peter van der , Lucas Cees
Published: April 2020

Background
In the Dutch Armed Forces (DAF), low back pain is the third most reported musculoskeletal disorder. For the prognosis of chronic low back pain (CLBP) only limited evidence is available. This observation results in a lack of clarity on prognostic factors that might affect recovery from CLBP in service members.The main objective is to identify general and military-related factors that are associated with the level of recovery in DAF service members with CLBP who followed a rehabilitation program.
Methods
One hundred five consecutive service members with CLBP who completed the rehabilitation program have been included in this prospective observational cohort study. The primary outcome measurement, level of disability, was used to distinguish a recovered and non-recovered group. Level of pain and self-perceived recovery were used as secondary outcome measurements. Disability and pain were measured at baseline and 12 weeks follow-up and self-perceived recovery only at follow-up. Differences were evaluated within and between the groups using the Student’s t-test, according to the normality of the data distribution. Bivariate logistic regression analyses were used for identifying the prognostic factors related to various outcomes of recovery.
Results
After following the rehabilitation program, 64.8% of the service members recovered from CLBP. In the recovered group, there are significant effect sizes of -6.72 (CI: -7.57 - -5.87) in the level of disability and − 2.58 (CI: -3.17- -1.98) in level of pain, whereas the non-recovered group shows a non-significant effect size of -0.49 (CI: -1.27 - -0.29) in level of disability and a significant effect size of -0.94 (CI: -1.62 - -0.25) in level of pain. The self-perceived recovery in the recovered group is on average “much improved” and in the non-recovered group “slightly improved”. The results of the bivariate regression analyses show no significant independent prognostic factors related to recovery.
Conclusion
In this study, no significant independent prognostic factors could be identified that are associated to the various outcomes of recovery in service members with CLBP who followed a rehabilitation program.
Microstructural Brain Abnormalities in HIV+ Individuals with or without Chronic Marijuana Use
Authors: Wang Hannah Alexa , Liang Huajun , Ernst Thomas Michael , Oishi Kenichi , Chang Linda
Published: April 2020

Objective
Cognitive deficits and microstructural brain abnormalities are well documented in HIV-positive individuals (HIV+). This study evaluated whether chronic marijuana (MJ) use contributes to additional cognitive deficits or brain microstructural abnormalities that may reflect neuroinflammation or neuronal injury in HIV+.
Method:
Using a 2 × 2 design, 44 HIV + participants, [23 minimal/no MJ users (HIV+), 21 chronic active MJ users (HIV + MJ)], were compared to 46 seronegative participants [24 minimal/no MJ users (SN) and 22 chronic MJ users (SN + MJ)] on neuropsychological performance (7 cognitive domains) and diffusion tensor imaging metrics, using an automated atlas to assess fractional anisotropy (FA), axial (AD), radial (RD), and mean (MD) diffusivities, in 18 cortical and 4 subcortical brain regions,
Results
Compared to SN and regardless of MJ use, the HIV + group had lower FA and higher diffusivities in multiple white matter and subcortical structures (p = 0.001–0.050), as well as poorer cognition in Fluency (p = 0.039), Attention / Working Memory (p = 0.009), Learning (p = 0.015) and Memory (p = 0.028). Regardless of HIV-serostatus, MJ users had lower AD in uncinate fasciculus (p = 0.016) but similar cognition as non-users. No additive or interactive effects were found between HIV-serostatus and MJ use on DTI metrics or cognitive function. Furthermore, higher MD in thalamus predicted poorer fluency, learning and memory in HIV + participants, while higher RD in posterior corona radiata predicted poorer learning in MJ users. Lower FA in the anterior internal capsule also predicted worse attention/working memory in all except SN subjects. Lastly, MJ users with or without HIV-infection showed greater than normal age-dependent FA declines in superior longitudinal fasciculus, external capsule and globus pallidus.
Studies of rice Hd1 haplotypes worldwide reveal adaptation of flowering time to different environments
Authors: Wu Cheng-Chieh , Wei Fu-Jin , Chiou Wan-Yi , Tsai Yuan-Ching , Wu Hshin-Ping , Gotarkar Dhananjay , Quynh Ha Thi , Trung Nguyen Quoc , Lai Ming-Hsin , Hsing Yue-Ie Caroline
Published: April 2020

Background

Plant domestication/adaptation is a good model for evo-devo studies. Mutations that caused morphological and physiological change, followed by human selection, finally led to improvement of phenotypes suitable for different kinds of environments. Originating from the Yangtze Valley, rice is a facultative short-day plant. Rice spread southward thousands of years ago, but one of the new traits beneficial to crop yield would be loss of sensitivity to photoperiod. That is, if rice could be cultivated 2 or 3 seasons each year, the production would at least double.
Results

We used the sequence information for Heading date 1 (Hd1) gene to reveal the relationship of sequence changes and flowering phenotypes of rice in different regions. Seven loss-of-function hd1 haplotypes were reported previously. By data mining the genome sequencing information in the public domain, we discovered another 3 types. Allele haplotypes are present in sub-tropical and tropical regions, which indicates human selection. Two of these alleles, types 7 and 13, must have occurred early in southern Asia and then were introgressed in many local landraces. According to the rice 3K database, more than one-third of the world’s rice accessions contain these 2 loss-of-function haplotypes. We also demonstrate that these haplotypes are present in weedy rice populations, again indicating that these alleles were present in rice cultivation for long time. In comparing the wild rice sequence information, these loss-of-function haplotypes occurred in agro but were not from wild rice.
Conclusion

In the current study, we analyzed how sequence changes in a rice flowering-control gene occurred, were selected and were retained during rice cultivation. Many loss-of-function hd1 alleles have existed in sub-tropical and tropical Asia rice-growing areas for a long time. Some of these haplotypes were present locally, but 2, types 7 and 13, were spread in many regions and are now included in most of the modern varieties in southern Asia.
Exosomal LncRNA–NEAT1 derived from MIF-treated mesenchymal stem cells protected against doxorubicin-induced cardiac senescence through sponging miR-221-3p
Authors: Zhuang Lei , Xia Wenzheng , Chen Didi , Ye Yijia , Hu Tingting , Li Shiting , Hou Meng
Published: April 2020

AIMS: The chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (Dox) is widely used for treating a variety of cancers. However, its high cardiotoxicity hampered its clinical use. Exosomes derived from stem cells showed a therapeutic effect against Dox-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC). Previous studies reported that exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) pretreated with macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) (exosomeMIF) showed a cardioprotective effect through modulating long noncoding RNAs/microRNAs (lncRNAs/miRs). This study aimed to investigate the role of exosomeMIF in the treatment of DIC. METHODS AND RESULTS: Exosomes were isolated from control MSCs (exosome) and MIF-pretreated MSCs (exosomeMIF). Regulatory lncRNAs activated by MIF pretreatment were explored using genomics approaches. Fluorescence-labeled exosomes were tracked in vitro by fluorescence imaging. In vivo and in vitro, miR-221-3p mimic transfection enforced miR-221-3p overexpression, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase assay was applied to test cellular senescence. Exosomal delivering LncRNA-NEAT1 induced therapeutic effect in vivo was confirmed by echocardiography. It demonstrated that exosomesMIF recovered the cardiac function and exerted the anti-senescent effect through LncRNA–NEAT1 transfer against Dox. TargetScan and luciferase assay showed that miR-221-3p targeted the Sirt2 3'-untranslated region. Silencing LncRNA–NEAT1 in MSCs, miR-221-3p overexpression or Sirt2 silencing in cardiomyocytes ruined the exosomeMIF-induced anti-senescent effect against Dox. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated exosomeMIF serving as a promising anti-senescent effector against Dox-induced cardiotoxicity through LncRNA–NEAT1 transfer, thus sponging miR-221-3p and leading to Sirt2 activation. The study proposed that exosomeMIF might have the potential to serve as a cardioprotective therapeutic agent during cancer chemotherapy.
A qualitative study of perceived barriers to hepatitis C care among people who did not attend appointments in the non-urban U.S. South
Authors: Sherbuk Jacqueline , Tabackman Alexa , McManus Kathleen A , Knick Terry , Schexnayder Julie , Flickinger Tabor E , Dillingham Rebecca
Published: April 2020

Background
Most people diagnosed with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have not linked to care, despite the availability of safe and effective treatment. We aimed to understand why people diagnosed with HCV have not pursued care in the non-urban southern United States.
Methods
We conducted a demographic survey and semi-structured interview with participants referred to an HCV clinic who did not attend an appointment between 2014 and 2018. Our clinic is located in a non-urban region of Virginia at a university hospital. Qualitative data collection was guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM). Data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify the key factors influencing patient perceptions regarding HCV and pursuit of care.
Results
Over half of previously referred patients could not be reached by phone. Eleven participants enrolled, including 7 men and 4 women. Common barriers to care included being uninsured (n = 4), having unreliable transportation (n = 5), unstable housing (n = 4), and drug use in the past year (n = 5). Participants demonstrated good knowledge of HCV disease, complications, and treatment. On qualitative analysis, final themes emerged from within and between HBM constructs. Emerging themes influencing patient perceptions included (1) structural barriers, (2) stigma, (3) prior experiences of HCV disease and treatment, (4) discordance between the recognized severity of HCV and expected impacts on one’s own health, and (5) patient-provider relationship. Substance use was not identified to be a barrier to care.
Conclusions
Participants perceived individual and structural barriers to linking to care. A strong HCV knowledge base was not sufficient to motivate pursuit of care. Efforts to improve linkage to care must address barriers at multiple levels, and system-level changes are needed. As the majority of previously referred patients could not be contacted by phone, current approaches to patient engagement are not effective for reaching these populations. Expansion of HCV care to primary care settings with an established patient-provider relationship or co-located treatment within substance use treatment programs may serve to increase access to HCV treatment.
Exosomes Derived from Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alleviate Psoriasis-like Skin Inflammation
Authors: Zhang Yuli , Yan Jianjun , Li Zhengjun , Sun Qing
Published: April 2020

Background Exosomes are nanovesicles secreted from endosomal membranes. The immunomodulatory effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is mediated by MSCs-derived exosomes (MSCs-exo). MSCs-exo are attractive candidates for use in cell therapy for several inflammatory diseases including psoriasis. We investigated whether exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSCs-Exo) ameliorate psoriasis-like skin inflammation via the IL-23/IL-17 axis. Methods HucMSCs-Exo were isolated by differential ultracentrifugation. Imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mice were subcutaneously injected with hucMSCs-Exo on days 0, 2 and 4. H&E staining and Western blotting were performed, and tissue histopathology and STAT3/p-STAT3, IL-17, IL-23, and CCL20 levels were assessed. HucMSCs-Exo were co-cultured with dendritic cells (DCs) and HaCat cells in vitro. Western blotting, flow cytometry and ELISAs were then performed to measure STAT3/p-STAT3, IL-17, IL-23, and CCL20 levels. Results Subcutaneous injection of hucMSCs-Exo significantly ameliorated symptoms and diminished the clinical and pathological scores of psoriasis in IMQ-induced mice. In MSCs-exo-treated mice, STAT3/p-STAT3, IL-17, IL-23 and CCL20 levels were decreased. HucMSCs-Exo co-cultured in vitro with DCs suppressed DC maturation and activation and inhibited IL-23 secretion. HucMSCs-Exo co-cultured with HaCat cells reduced STAT3/p-STAT3, IL-17, IL-23, and CCL20 levels. Conclusions HucMSCs-Exo can effectively ameliorate psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice via the IL-23/IL-17 axis. Furthermore, hucMSCs-Exo exhibit immunomodulatory potency by inhibiting the maturation and activation of DCs and blocking the positive feedback effect of IL-17 on keratinocytes. Our data offer a novel therapeutic approach for chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis by leveraging the immunomodulatory effects of hucMSCs-Exo.
Natural HDAC-1/8 inhibitor Baicalein exerts therapeutic effect in CBF-AML
Authors: Yu Xiaoxuan , Li Hui , Hu Po , Qing Yingjie , Wang Xiangyuan , Zhu Mengyuan , Wang Hongzheng , Wang Zhanyu , Xu Jingyan , Guo Qinglong , Hui Hui
Published: April 2020

Background: Although targeting HDACs may be an effective strategy for CBF-AML harboring t(8;21) or inv(16), HDAC inhibitors are reported to be limited by drug-resistant characteristic. Our purpose is to evaluate the anti-leukemia effects of Baicalein on CBF-AML and clarify its underlying mechanism.Methods: Enzyme activity assay was used to measure the activity inhibition of HDACs. Rhodamine123 and RT-qPCR were employed to evaluate the distribution of drugs and the change of ABC transporter genes. CCK8, Annexin V/PI and FACS staining certified the growth and differentiation effects of Baicalein. Duolink and IP assay assessed the interaction between HDAC-1 and ubiquitin, HSP90 and AML1-ETO, Ac-p53 and CBFβ-MYH11. AML cells-bearing NOD/SCID mice models were used to evaluate the anti-leukemic efficiency and potential mechanism of Baicalein in vivo. Results: Baicalein showed HDAC-1/8 inhibition to trigger growth suppression and differentiation induction of AML cells. Although the inhibitory action on HDAC-1 was mild, Baicalein could induce the degradation of HDAC-1 via ubiquitin proteasome pathway, thereby up-regulating the acetylation of Histone H3 without promoting ABC transporter genes expression. Meanwhile, Baicalein increased the acetylation of HSP90 and lessened its connection to AML1/ETO, consequently leading to degradation of AML1-ETO in t(8;21) AML. In inv(16) AML, Baicalein possessed the capacity of apoptosis induction accompanied with p53-mediated apoptosis genes expression. Moreover, Moreover, CBFβ-MYH11-bound p53 acetylation was restored via HDAC-8 inhibition induced by Baicalein contributing the diminishing of survival of CD34+ inv(16) AML cells.Conclusions: These findings improve the understanding of the epigenetic regulation of Baicalein, and warrant therapeutic potential of Baicalein for CBF-AML.
The Validity of Salivary Gland Scintigraphy in Sjögren’s Syndrome Diagnosis: Comparison of Visual and Excretion Fraction Analysis
Authors: García-González María , Soto María Jesús González , Rodríguez-Bethencourt María Ángeles Gómez , Ferraz-Amaro Iván
Published: April 2020

Introduction. The diagnostic value of salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS) in Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is not completely known. Whether qualitative or quantitative methods of SGS interpretation are the most appropriate remains a matter of debate. We sought to determine whether the diagnostic discrimination of quantitative excretion fraction is higher compared to SGS qualitative visual analysis in a cohort of subjects with suspected SS. Materials and methods. Cross-sectional study that encompassed 204 subjects who underwent SGS for potential SS diagnosis. Based on clinical judgement, three groups were established: SS, non-SS autoimmune diseases (AID non-SS) and neither SS nor other AID (non-AID). In addition, American-European Consensus Group -AECG- and American College of Rheumatology -ACR- criteria were applied. Qualitative diagnosis through visual analysis -normal vs. abnormal and Schall’s classification grade- and semiquantitative and quantitative excretion fraction (EF%) scores were established following SGS assessment. The diagnostic discrimination of the different SGS scores for the various SS diagnostic modalities (clinical judgement and AECG and ACR criteria) was compared through their areas under the curve (AUC). Results. Most SGS parameters were significantly associated with SS-related clinical and laboratory features. Schall’s grade ≥ III was significantly more frequent in SS than in non-SS patients. In general, EF%-derived parameters did not show significant differences between groups. AUC of Schall’s classification reached statistical significance in its diagnostic discrimination for SS clinical judgement (AUC 0.704 [95%CI 0.597–0.811], p = 0.000) and AECG criteria (AUC 0.764 [95%CI 0.641–0.886], p = 0.000). Similarly the EF% submandibular mean (AUC 0.737 [95%CI 0.546–0.931] p = 0.032) was significantly associated with SS diagnosis through ACR criteria. However, AUC comparisons between qualitative and quantitative methods did not yield significant values. Conclusion. SS diagnostic discrimination of EF% is not superior to that obtained by qualitative visual analysis.
Virtual Reality in Pain Therapy: A Requirements Analysis for Older Adults with Chronic Back Pain
Authors: Stamm Oskar , Dahms Rebecca , Müller-Werdan Ursula
Published: April 2020

Background Today immersive environments such as Virtual Reality (VR) offer new opportunities for serious gaming in exercise therapy and psychoeducation. Chronic back pain (CBP) patients could benefit from exergames in VR. The requirements in older CBP patient for a VR pain therapy have not yet been determined in studies. The aim of the study was to perform a requirements analysis for the user group of geriatric patients with CBP for a VR exergame. The objective was to find out the expectations, desires, preferences and barriers in order to collect them as requirements for this vulnerable group and to determine frameworks of therapy by physiotherapists and psychotherapists.Methods We conducted a requirements analysis through semi-structured interviews with 10 elderly participants with CBP. Furthermore, two focus groups were conducted with three physiotherapists and two psychotherapists to determine frameworks of therapy programs for the target group. The qualitative data were transcribed and examined through a structuring content analysis. Subsequently, the results of the analysis were prioritized by all participants of the studyResults The results of the requirements analysis indicate mandatory requirements for the overall system, hardware, software and gamification elements. The key requirements were target-group-specific applications of the VR exergame through e.g. individual briefing, user-friendly handling, inclusion of movement limitations, presentation of everyday scenarios in combination with biofeedback, age-appropriate feedback through praise and awards and a maximum exercise duration of 30 min and 15 min of relaxation.Conclusion It should be possible to use the determined requirements productively to create user-friendly VR exergames that motivate elderly chronic back pain patients to perform exercises regularly. The study is registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00015294 12.10.2018)
Regression Model for the Prediction of Risk of Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness among Older Adults
Authors: Karkare Prajakta , Mohapatra Sidhiprada , N Girish
Published: April 2020

Background

Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) weakness is a major cause of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) among women. Though PFD is a major disabling condition among institutionalized older women, PFM strength (PFMS) evaluation is not included in regular geriatric assessment because of privacy issues, availability of perineometer, and lack of trained therapists. Hence there is a need to develop an alternative method that can address the issues related to present PFMS evaluation.

Methods

After obtaining ethical clearance, the institutionalized older women were screened for inclusion criteria and informed consent was taken in this case-control study. PFM strength as a dependent variable was assessed by using the peritron perineometer. Independent variables assessed were age, parity, BMI, menopausal period, abdominal surgical history, core, and peripheral muscle strength, functional comorbidity index consisting of 18 comorbidities and functional mobility.

Results

One hundred and two institutionalised older women were included in this study. Among the variables considered, age (p = 0.005), years post menopause (p = 0.040), pelvic surgery (p = 0.050), disc disorders (p = 0.047), right hip adductor strength (p = 0.039), left hip adductor strength (p = 0.016), left hip external rotator strength (p = 0.045) and left hip extensor strength (p = 0.017) showed a statistically significant odds ratio (r 2 = 0.484; p ≤ 0.05) and hence they were considered for developing the model.

Conclusion

A regression model for determining PFM weakness among institutionalized older women has been developed, which may be used as a simple and easy to administer method.
Role of HPV 16 variants among cervical samples from Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Silva Rodrigo Lopes da , Batista Zulmira da Silva , Bastos Gerusinete Rodrigues , Cunha Ana Paula Almeida , Figueiredo Fábio Vidal , de Castro Lailson Oliveira , Pereira Liwerbeth dos Anjos , Silva Marcos Antonio Custódio Neto da , Vidal Flávia Castello Branco , Barros Maria Claudene , Fraga Elmary da Costa , Brito Luciane Maria Oliveira , Barbosa Maria do Carmo Lacerda , Moreira Miguel Ângelo Martins , Nascimento Maria do Desterro Soares Brandão
Published: April 2020

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer affecting women globally. In Brazil, it is the third most frequent type of cancer in women and HPV is present in approximately 90% of cases. Evidence suggests that variants of HPV 16 can interfere biologically and etiologically during the development of cervical cancer. Methods: Cervix tumor fragments were collected, their DNA was extracted, and nested PCR was used to detect HPV. Positive samples were sequenced to determine the viral genotype. To characterize the HPV 16 strains, positive samples PCR was used to amplify the LCR and E6 regions of the HPV 16 virus. Results: Data from 120 patients with cervical cancer were analyzed. Most women were between 41 and 54 years of age, had schooling until primary school, a family income between 1 and 2 times the minimum wage and were married/in a consensual union. There was no statistically significant association between HPV or socio-demographic variables and risk factors for cervical cancer (P < 0.05). HPV was present in 88 women (73%). The most prevalent types were HPV 16 (47/54%), HPV 18 (12/13.8%), HPV 35 (6/6.9%) and HPV 45 (5/5.7%). Of the 47 HPV 16 positive cases, variant A (49%) was present in 23 samples, followed by variant D in 20 cases (43%), and variants B and C in 2 cases each (4%).The most prevalent histological type of HPV 16 tumors was epidermoid carcinoma, followed by adenocarcinoma. There was a statistically significant association between HPV 16 variants and the tumors’ histological types (P < 0.001).Conclusions: Knowledge of HPV 16 variants will provide data on their influence on the pathological and oncogenic aspects of cervical lesions.
Predictive factors of marital satisfaction in women during postpartum period: The PATH model
Authors: Youseflu Samaneh , Niroomand Soudabeh
Published: April 2020

Background: This study aimed to test a conceptual model considering the interrelated role of anxiety, body satisfaction, breastfeeding, SF, type of personality, income, education, history of infertility on women’s marital satisfaction (MS). Also test the mediating role of SF, anxiety, and breastfeeding.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 447 women after childbirth meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled from public health clinics. All mothers were selected in 6 month childbirth period. The female SF index (FSFI), Body Self-Relation Questionnaire (BSRQ), the Enrich Marital Satisfaction and the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) were used. Data was analyzed using descriptive test, and Path analysis. Results: We found that SF, anxiety, the level of education, income, and extraversion personality have direct effects on MS. Anxious women have worse SF and MS. In our study, SF, breastfeeding, and anxiety were the three major mediators. Body satisfaction, extraversion personality, and lower level of anxiety through improvement in SF have an indirect effect on MS. A higher level of education has a positive direct effect and indirect effect pathway from breastfeeding on MS. Furthermore, breastfeeding is more observed among educated, and infertile women that cause reduce the women's anxiety level, and this way improves SF and also MS (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that the women who had higher levels of body dissatisfaction, sexual dysfunction, and anxiety have increased the possibility of MS problems 6-month postpartum. Given these relationships, it is recommended to health professionals to educate women about body changes during postpartum and to find ways to improve mothers' MS.
Menstrual disorders and its effect on life activities of secondary school students in Abha, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Khalil Shamsun Nahar , Alsaleem Safar , Siddiqui Aesha Farheen , Alshaikh Ayoub Ali , Althabet Meaad Mohammed Abdullah
Published: April 2020

Background Menstrual disorders including dysmenorrhea is a common problem in adolescent girls however they have attracted little or no attention in the public health agenda of most countries including Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to establish menstrual pattern among the teenagers, identify the common menstrual problems and study its impact on their life activities.Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out in Abha city among 445 secondary-school girls during the academic year 2016 - 2017. Menstrual Disorder of Teenagers (MDOT) questionnaire was used for data collection.Results The mean age of the study subjects was16.27±1.45 years while the mean age at menarche was 12.9±1.28. One in three girls reported irregular menstruation. Heavy bleeding was reported by 46/7% of the girls. Dysmenorrhea was present in 75.3% girls and 25% reported severe pain. High interference in daily life activity due to dysmenorrhea was reported by 83.9% and around 70.3% miss school. In girls reporting dysmenorrhea, there was a disturbance in school attendance among 86.5% as compared to 13.5% in those without dysmenorrhea (p< 0.001) OR=2.95(95% CI 1.78-4.91). In girls reporting dysmenorrhea, there was a disturbance in doing physical activity among 81.1% as compared to 18.9% in those without dysmenorrhea (p=0.03), OR=1.67(95% CI 1.04-2.68). Dysmenorrhea, heavy bleeding and feeling unwell significantly interfere with the life activities and among the six daily life activities, attending school was significantly affected due to menstrual symptoms.Conclusions This study confirmed that dysmenorrhoea is a common problem among adolescent school girls. A number of physical and emotional symptoms associated with dysmenorrhea affects their quality of life. Girls experiencing symptoms like moderate to severe pain that affects school attendance and interference with life activities should be effectively managed by increasing awareness.
Divergent roles for KLF4 and TFCP2L1 in Naive Ground State Pluripotency and Human Primordial Germ Cell Development
Authors: Hancock Grace V , Liu Wanlu , Peretz Lior , Chen Di , Gell Joanna J , Collier Amanda J , Zamudio Jesse R , Plath Kathrin , Clark Amander T
Published: April 2020

During development, human primordial germ cells (hPGCs) transition through a transcriptional and epigenetic state similar to pre-implantation naive ground state epiblast cells. In hPGCs, this state is called naive-like ground state pluripotency. Diagnostic transcription factors that define this state include TFAP2C, KLF4, and TFCP2L1, with TFAP2C necessary for both establishment of the naive-like ground state in hPGC-like cells (hPGCLCs) and establishment of naive ground state human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Here, we show that KLF4 and TFCP2L1 are not required for hPGC specification or establishment of the naive-like ground state in hPGCLCs. Instead, KLF4 and TFCP2L1 are each required for reversion of primed hESCs to the self-renewing naive ground state. Additionally, TFCP2L1 but not KLF4 function after hPGC specification in the proliferation and survival of hPGCLCs.
Does Fiscal Decentralization Influence on Management Efficiency of Country Innovative Development?
Authors: Molotok Ihor
Published: April 2020

This paper summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the influence of fiscal decentralization measures on the management of innovative country development. The main purpose of the research is to test the hypothesis that expenditure and revenue decentralizations have a positive impact on the management of innovative country development. Testing the hypothesis considers realization of panel data regression analysis, and consists of several stages, such as: 1) elimination of control variables multicollinearity based on the correlation analysis; 2) identification of the regression model specification (fixed or random effects model) with the help of Hausman test; 3) realization of the regression analysis and characteristic of its results (confirmation or rejection of the hypothesis). It also should be noted that country sample consists of 12 unitary European countries (Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Ukraine). Time horizon – 2008-2018. Global Innovation Index is a measure of innovative country development. At the same time, the ratio of local budget revenue to consolidated budget revenue, the rate of domestic budget expenditure to consolidated budget expenditure, the proportion of local budget tax revenue to gross local budget revenue are measures of fiscal decentralization in the research. There are also selected a set of control variables that often used in economic growth models and reflect macroeconomic perspectives of country development. However, the practical realization of the stages, as mentioned above, allow identifying that fixed effect specification of the model is more appropriate in all three cases (for three different measures of fiscal decentralization). Panel data regression analysis allows confirming the hypothesis on the positive impact of revenue fiscal decentralization and the negative impact of expenditure decentralization on innovative country development. In turn, there is no statistically significant cohesion between ratio of local budget tax revenue to gross local budget revenue and Global Innovation Index. These findings in terms of fiscal decentralization reform might be considered in order to ensure a balance between power (expenditures) redistribution from central to sub-central governments and local budget financial capacity. While in terms of innovative country development, it should be considered that the lack of local budget financial resources to cover all redistributed from central government level powers makes it impossible to invest in the development of innovation. However, the increase of local government financial capacity creates opportunities not just for essential functions financing but also advanced features investment such as innovative development.

Keywords
fiscal decentralization, innovation development, local budget expenditures, local budget revenue, local community.
Product Sampling as a Sales Promotion Tool
Authors: Sedliacikova Mariana , Kocianova Anna , Dzian Michal , Drabek Josef
Published: April 2020

Product sampling in the retail chains relates to marketing, it makes part of the in-store marketing, and it is one of the sale promotion tools. It used to promote the sales of non-durable products, i.e. food. The paper aimed to find out how it is perceived by customers of retail chains (consumers) in Slovakia. An essential aspect of the sampling effectiveness was verified, namely the addressing of potential customers by the promoters. The article focused on ethical practices during the samplings. The subject of interest was to confirm whether promoters keep basic ethical and moral principles. The repeated request for sampling was one of the points. The vital aspect of the sampling ethics was also considered as well as the truthfulness of customer responses to promoter questions about the taste of the product. The sampling ethics was judged from both viewpoints of the sampling participants. The questionnaire survey was carried out to meet the goal, and the sampling participants were addressed. The online questionnaire method was applied, in which 484 respondents were directed. The survey results have shown that customers perceive samplings positively. Sampling has found its application in Slovakia, and it is a relatively accessible tool for promotion of sales (also from the viewpoint of producers). The promoter is the major contributor to the number of participating customers. The main aspects influencing the level of sampling ethics are the age and gender of the customers. It is believed that at any time, it is appropriate to verify the ethics of one of the sales promotion tools – sampling, and at the same time to find out how customers perceive it. The paper contributes to the area of in-store marketing. It brings findings focused on the popularity of the sampling in practice, purchasing habits of the customers, and at the same time, it opens a space for further improvements.

Keywords
sampling, sampling perception, sampling ethics, customers, promoters.
IT Knowledge Management: Extending Principals of CSR
Authors: Soudi Nada
Published: April 2020

Corporate social responsibility is no more a luxury but a must that will ensure the inclusion of the population and the sustainability of resources. It is a voluntaries integration by companies of social and environmental concerns into their strategy and their stakeholder's relations. This paper, through the literature review, allows, as a first step, to find similarities in each decade of CSR definitions and to highlight how theorists evolve in defining the concept. The objective of the research is to identify the gap in developing countries, by ranking companies according to their CSR perception, and how they link this discipline to doing business. The purpose is to highlight the decennial gap, mainly when CSR is defined more as philanthropies acts, without any coercive system that strives for companies to comply with CSR values. The problems can be summarised in the following question: Is CSR having the same perception in developing countries? If there is a hole, how many years represent this gap according to different segments of companies? The paper presents the result of empirical analysis relied into qualitative study that targeted the companies from different sizes. The random sample is complicated to apply since the proportion of SMBs is very high, and therefore the results can be biased and cannot be generalised. Thus, the choice is about convenience sample of a total of 80 companies surveyed regarding awareness of CSR as a concept, Kind of applied purposes, CSR motivations, CSR brakes and CSR perspectives. The use of IT knowledge management allows us to find similarities between these perceptions and different categories of companies. As the first conclusion, a reverted triangle confirms that the small and tiny companies, still have the 70's perception of CSR, as a voluntaries commitment, and they represent the most significant proportion of firms. At the opposite, large companies and Moroccan subcontractor companies, that represent deficient proportion (5%) perceive CSR as an imperative of survival and are in the same trend as the global vision of CSR. So, as an answer of the problematic, the perception is not the same for the small companies but tend to be the same as the international perception once they are larger or they are doing business with the international market. The results of this research can be useful for abroad companies that need to know about the Moroccan vision of CSR, or for sensibilization of local companies regarding the gap that needs to fill in

Keywords
CSR, developing countries, evolution, IT knowledge management.
Energy-Efficient Innovations: Marketing, Management and Law Supporting
Authors: Panchenko Volodymyr , Harust Yurii , Us Yana , Korobets Olena , Pavlyk Vladyslav
Published: April 2020

This paper summarises the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the issue of promotion energy-efficient innovations by marketing, management and law supporting. The innovative development is considered to be an essential condition to provide a high level of social and economic development. Thus, energy-efficient innovations are considered to be among the most critical drivers of qualitative economic growth and increasing the country’s competitiveness in the world market. Systematisation literary sources and approaches for solving the problem of promoting energy-efficient innovations indicated that government and scientists give the powerful punch in energy-efficient development. In view of this, it is appropriate to do the bibliometric research on publication activity on energy-efficient innovation from law aspect. The primary purpose of the study is to analyse the structure and dynamic of scientific publications in the field of energy-efficient legislation in the economic subject areas. The object of study is the chosen publications indexed in the Scopus database by keywords such as: «energy-efficient innovations», «energy law», «environmental legislation», «energy-efficient policy» in the category «title, abstract, keywords». The current study involved data from 1913 papers published on 13 languages in the subject area «Business. Management and Accounting» and «Economics, Econometrics, and Finance» from 2000 to 2019. Using VOSviewer, bibliometric analysis of publications on the issue of energy-efficient legislation was conducted from the view of the publication activity dynamic, considering the most impact articles, and countries in the issues of energy-efficient legislation researches. According to the obtained results, the increasing dynamic of publication activity from 2000 to 2019 was detected. Furthermore, it was visualised four clusters of countries’ collaborations by co-authorship as follows: 1) between the USA, the EU countries (including the United Kingdom) and China; 2) the EU countries, as well as South American such as Brazil and Chile; 3) African countries and the EU countries; 4) between Asian and African countries. Furthermore, the authors highlighted the most influencing articles in the field of energy-efficient innovations that could be the basis for future investigations promoting innovative activity in the field of energy-efficient development. Keywords bibliometric analysis, energy-efficient innovations, environmental legislation, energy policy, Scopus, VOSviewer.
Association between Fruit Development and Mature Fruit Drop in Huanglongbing-affected Sweet Orange
Authors: Tang Lisa , Singh Sukhdeep , Vashisth Tripti
Published: April 2020

In the past decade, FL citrus industry has been struck by Huanglongbing (HLB), a disease caused by the phloem-limited bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). Besides tree decline, HLB causes a sharp increase in mature fruit drop before harvest, leading to a substantial reduction in citrus production. The aim of the study was to provide insights in HLB-associated mature fruit drop. For HLB-affected ‘Valencia’ and ‘Hamlin’ sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), trees exhibiting severe symptoms (“severe trees”) had a significantly higher rate of mature fruit drop compared with mildly symptomatic ones (“mild trees”). Interestingly, dropped fruit were smaller than those still attached to tree branches regardless of the symptom levels of trees; overall, fruit of severe trees were smaller than mild trees. The result suggests a negative effect of HLB on fruit growth that may lead to a high incidence to drop subsequently at maturity. This possibility is further supported by the difference in immature fruit size as early as 2 months after bloom between severe and mild trees. Although HLB-triggered phloem plugging due to callose deposition in citrus leaves, which results in disrupted carbohydrate transport, has been documented in literature, the results of the histological analysis demonstrated no consistent pattern of callose deposition in the mature fruit pedicel in relation to the drop incidence. Additionally, sugar concentration in juice was not significantly different between dropped and attached fruit, providing evidence that carbohydrate shortage is not the case for dropped fruit and thus not the predominant cause of HLB-associated mature fruit drop. Notably, the midday water potential was significantly lower for severe than mild trees during the preharvest period (2 weeks before harvest of the current crop) in late March, which was also the second week after full bloom of return flowering. This suggests that altered tree water status due to HLB might limit fruit growth during the initial stage of fruit development (immediately after flowering) and/or increase the incidence of mature fruit abscission, leading to elevated preharvest fruit drop. Together, the results suggest that in the presence of HLB, strategies to increase fruit size and minimize additional stresses (especially drought) for the trees may improve mature fruit retention.
Desenvolvimento Sustentável e Responsabilidade Social Empresarial: uma análise entre a teoria e a prática
Authors: Santos Gilberto Friedenreich dos , Weber Arlete Longhi
Published: April 2020

Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo analisar, a luz das teorias de Responsabilidade Social Empresarial (RSE) e Desenvolvimento Sustentável (DS), se as ações de RSE divulgadas pelas indústrias de Blumenau, em Santa Catarina, atendem aos pressupostos teóricos do Desenvolvimento Sustentável. Como recorte se tomou as indústrias com mais de 500 funcionários, listadas no Guia Fiesc/2015, com unidades no Município de Blumenau/SC. A metodologia utilizada teve por base a pesquisa bibliográfica para a compreensão dos conceitos e pressupostos teóricos e a pesquisa exploratória como suporte na busca das informações sobre as práticas de RSE divulgadas nos sites das empresas analisadas. A partir da análise e conexões feitas entre a pesquisa bibliográfica e a pesquisa das ações publicadas pelas empresas em suas páginas web percebe-se que a maioria das indústrias blumenauense divulga sutilmente suas informações de cunho socioambiental. Das onze empresas pesquisadas, apenas três apresentam informações mais detalhadas sobre tais práticas. Entre as ações apresentadas pelas empresas, em sua maioria se encontram as de cunho compulsório, ou seja, obrigadas por lei.  Diante do exposto, conclui-se que a indústria de Blumenau tem um longo trajeto a ser percorrido na prática de ações que tragam resultados efetivos em prol do Desenvolvimento Sustentável.
Impact pressure on an orifice plate by a rising water column driven by an air pocket in a vertical riser
Authors: Qian Yu , Zhu David Z.
Published: April 2020

Occurrences of storm geyser events have attracted significant attention in recent years. Previous studies suggest that using an orifice plate can reduce the intensity of a geyser event but may induce a water-hammer type of pressure on the orifice plate. This study was conducted to explore the factors that influence the pressure transients when an orifice plate was installed in a vertical riser. A novel model was developed to simulated the movement of a rising water column driven by an air pocket in a vertical riser with an orifice plate on the top. Water-hammer type of pressure occurs when the water column reaches the orifice plate. The current model accurately simulates the dynamics of the water column considering its mass loss due to the flow along the wall of the riser (film flow) and the existence of the orifice plate. It was found that the initial water column length and the driving pressure, as well as the riser material, have a strong relationship with the peak pressure. The riser diameter and riser height have minor effect on the peak pressure. The water-hammer induced peak pressure reaches the maximum when the orifice opening is around 0.2 times the diameter of the vertical riser.