bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Re-operation within 30 days of radical cystectomy: Identifying high-risk patients and complications using ACS-NSQIP database
Authors: Sayyid Rashid K. , Magee Diana , Hird Amanda E. , Harper Benjamin T. , Webb Eric , Fratino Katherine L. , Terris Martha K. , Madi Rabii , Satkunasivam Raj , Wallis Christopher J.D. , Klaassen Zachary
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Radical cystectomy (RC) is a highly morbid procedure, with 30-day complication rates approaching 31%. Our objective was to determine risk factors for re-operation within 30 days following a RC for non-metastatic bladder cancer.

Methods: We included all patients who underwent a RC for non-metastatic bladder cancer using The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2014. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate predictors of re-operation.

Results: A total of 2608 patients were included; 5.8% of patients underwent re-operation within 30 days. On multivariable analysis, increasing body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio [OR] 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.07), African-American race (vs. Caucasian OR 2.29; 95% CI 1.21–4.34), and history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 2.33; 95% CI 1.45–3.74) were significant predictors of re-operation within 30 days of RC. Urinary diversion type (ileal conduit vs. continent) and history of chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 30 days prior to RC were not. Patients who underwent re-operation within this timeframe had a significantly higher mortality rate (4.0% vs. 1.6%) and were more likely to experience cardiac (7.2% vs. 1.9%), pulmonary (23.0% vs. 3.0%), neurological (2.0% vs. 0.49%), and venous thromboembolic events (10.5% vs. 5.4%), as well as infectious complications (64.5% vs. 24.1%) with a significantly longer hospital length of stay (16.5 vs. 7.0 days).

Conclusions: Recognizing increasing BMI, COPD, and African-American race as risk factors for re-operation within 30 days of RC will allow urologists to preoperatively identify such high-risk patients and prompt them to adopt more aggressive approaches to minimize postoperative surgical complications.
Mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate partial bladder outlet obstruction-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition type II independent of mast cell recruitment and degranulation
Authors: Kadam Rutuja , Wiafe Bridget , Metcalfe Peter D.
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) results in increased urinary storage pressure and significant morbidity. Increased pressure results in a sequence of programmed events: an initial inflammatory phase, smooth muscle hypertrophy, and fibrosis. Although epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mast cell accumulation play intermediary roles in some fibrotic conditions, their role in pBOO has not yet been elucidated. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is emerging as a promising treatment for several conditions. It potently inhibits bladder deterioration after pBOO; however, its mechanism of action is insufficiently understood. Thus, we hypothesize that EMT type II pathway plays a significant role in pBOO, aided by the recruitment and activation of mast cells, and these are potently inhibited by MSCs.

Methods: PBOO was surgically induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats and simultaneously treated with MSCs. Treatment effect was determined after two or four weeks, and compared to untreated controls. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure markers characteristic of EMT (vimentin, collagenase, and collagen). Whole and degranulated mast cell counts were also performed.

Results: PBOO resulted in an increased expression of collagenase, vimentin, and collagen. Mast cell recruitment increased proportionately to the length of bladder obstruction. MSC treatment significantly mitigated the EMT type II response, but mast cell recruitment and degranulation were unaffected.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the involvement of EMT type II in the pathophysiology of pBOO and confirm its mitigation with MSC treatment independent of mast cells response. The observations provide insight into the mechanism of action and have therapeutic ramifications.
Active surveillance before radiotherapy — outcome and predictive factors for multiple biopsies before treatment
Authors: Alcaidinho Alexandre , Delouya Guila , Bahary Jean-Paul , Saad Fred , Taussky Daniel
Published: July 2020

Introduction: We aimed to investigate whether patients on active surveillance (AS) had worse outcomes than patients who received immediate treatment with radiotherapy and whether a Gleason grade progression on repeat biopsy influenced outcome.

Methods: From our institutional database, we identified 2001 patients treated between 2005 and 2019 with primary external beam radiation therapy or brachytherapy. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) was analyzed in relation to clinical factors such as a Gleason grade progression or having multiple biopsies vs. only one biopsy. Patients on AS were identified as those who had undergone ≥2 biopsies. We used log-rank tests for univariate analysis (UVA) and Cox regression analysis for multivariable analysis (MVA).

Results: Of 2001 patients, 374 (19%) patients had ≥2 biopsies before treatment, of which 48% presented with a Gleason grade progression of mostly to Gleason 3+4 (36%); 32% had a cancer volume increase on biopsy and 16% had no significant change on biopsy. For patients with ≥2 biopsies, median time from first biopsy to treatment was 22.0 months (interquartile range [IQR] 14.7–36.1). By UVA, patients with Gleason grade progression (n=105) had a worse BCR-free rate (p=0.02) than patients who had no grade progression on repeat biopsy or only one biopsy. On MVA, this effect was lost. Having ≥2 biopsies was not a significant negative prognostic factor on UVA (p=0.2) or MVA.

Conclusions: In our experience, radiotherapy after a period of AS, even with Gleason grade progression, did not lead to worse outcomes compared to patients who had radiotherapy after only one biopsy.
The scope, presentation, and management of genitourinary complications in patients presenting with high-grade urethral complications after radiotherapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Doiron R. Christopher , Witten Jon , Rourke Keith F.
Published: July 2020

Introduction: The scope of complications arising after radiotherapy (RT) treatment for prostate cancer is underrecognized and not well-described. The objective of this study is to describe the presentation, scope, and management of genitourinary complications (GU) in patients referred for high-grade urethral complications or sphincter weakness incontinence after prostate RT.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients referred to a reconstructive urologist for management of grade 4 urethral complications and sphincter weakness incontinence after prostate RT from December 2004 to December 2015. Patients’ signs, symptoms, complications, and treatments are described.

Results: A total of 120 patients were identified with a mean age of 67.8 years; 55.8% (n=67) received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), 38.3% (n=46) brachytherapy (BT), and 5.8% (n=7) combination RT. The mean time to first complication after RT was 57.7 months (1–219) and number of complications per patient was 5.12.2. The most common associated complications were urethral stenosis (n=106, 88.3%), sphincter weakness urinary incontinence (n=55, 45.8%), radiation cystitis (n=61, 50.8%), refractory storage lower urinary tract symptoms (n=106, 88.3%), genitourinary pain (n=28, 23.3%), and prostate necrosis/abscess (n=17, 14.2%). Patients required a mean of 7.44.4 treatments over a 33-month period, including urethral dilation/urethrotomy (n= 93, 77.5%), urethroplasty (n=53, 44.2%), transurethral resection (n=52, 43.3%), cystolithopaxy (n=14, 11.7%), artificial urinary sphincter (n=8, 6.7%), and urinary diversion (n=8, 6.7%). Patients with RT combined with other modalities had more complications (6.2 vs. 4.2, p=0.001), higher rates of incontinence (93.8% vs. 29.5%, p=0.001), necrosis (31.3% vs. 8.0%, p=0.003), erectile dysfunction (84.4% vs. 51.1%, p=0.001), and hematuria (59.4% vs. 36.4%, p=0.04).

Conclusions: Urethral complications related to prostate RT are seldom an isolated problem and require a substantial amount of urological resources and interventions.
The Prominent Barriers to Speaking in English: A Study Conducted Among Youngsters
Authors: John Aby
Published: July 2020

This discourse analyses the prominent barriers to speaking in English while conducting online English Language classes during the pandemic, COVID-19. The study is conducted among business communication students in university colleges in India and takes five paradigms into consideration. They are: the motivational factor, the personality of the learner, attitude of the learner, the pedagogical management of English classes in online mode and the level of exposure to the English language. Data were collected by analyzing the survey questionnaire distributed among 150 business communication students. Data were analyzed with the help of SPSS in a descriptive mode. The result of the analysis shows that while dealing with online classes, teachers face several difficulties to manage the language subjects, especially the pedagogical management of the English subject. Another significant factor is the level of exposure to the English language. In this online system, ordinary students do not have an opportunity to communicate and practice English. They show some kind of hesitation to use English during the entire class time and give less attention to the words of the teacher. Most of them are distracted due to several factors. It contributes moderately to the predicaments of the learners. This study also helps to understand the crucial factors that act as language barriers in cross cultural business communication as the application level of language is more or less same all over the world.
Improving Speaker’s Use of Segmental and Suprasegmental Features of L2 Speech
Authors: Abdelrahim Azza A. M.
Published: July 2020

Unlike L1 acquisition, which is based on automatic acquisition, L2 adult learners’ acquisition of English phonology is based on mental reflection and processing of information. There is a limited investigation of L2 phonology research exploring the contribution of the cognitive/theoretical part of pronunciation training. The study reports on the use of online collaborative reflection for improving students’ use of English segmental and suprasegmental features of L2 speech. Ninety participants at the tertiary level at Tabuk university in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia were divided into two groups which used an online instruction. The only difference between the instruction of the experimental group and the control group is that the experimental group spent part of the time of instruction on collaborative reflection, while the control group spent this time on routine activities without using collaborative reflection (but all other activities were the same). The results showed that the online collaborative reflection improved the pronunciation of the experimental group. The learners learned the pronunciation of the major segmentals (e.g., vowels, consonants, diphthongs), minor segmentals (e.g., the way of articulation), and the suprasegmental features (e.g., intonation, stress). The results also showed that students perceived the online collaborative reflection as a helpful means in improving their use of L2 English phonology features. The findings have important implications and contribute to our theoretical knowledge of second language acquisition and L2 phonetics instruction research.
El papel de la educación para la salud en la prevención del VIH/sida: una aproximación desde la educación para el desarrollo en Centroamérica
Authors: Cobos-Sanchiz David , Morón-Marchena Juan-Agustín , Castilla Karla-Patricia
Published: July 2020

El trabajo describe una experiencia de educación para el desarrollo, en materia de salud y calidad de vida, implementada en el marco de una actuación continuada de cooperación universitaria en Centroamérica. La creación de un espacio de discusión sobre temas de desarrollo, calidad de vida y salud sirve de soporte e impulso a la aplicación de políticas locales; a la prestación de apoyo técnico en el diseño, la preparación y la ejecución de investigaciones socioeducativas; a la capacitación de personas mediadoras en salud, y al propiciamiento del intercambio de experiencias entre profesionales e instituciones. Metodológicamente, el trabajo se aborda en tres fases: análisis de la realidad mediante investigación aplicada enfocada fundamentalmente a la problemática del VIH/sida, realización de un diagnóstico participativo sobre la situación real de los grupos de riesgo para la toma de decisiones en la construcción de un discurso preventivo adaptado a la realidad contextual y, finalmente, impulso coordinado de las acciones de educación para el desarrollo que conforman la experiencia. La consolidación de esta alianza interinstitucional, que actúa sobre necesidades reales y demandadas en este contexto, está generando cambios sustanciales y tangibles en los hábitos y en la calidad de vida de la población local.
La educación para el desarrollo y los derechos de la infancia: el papel de las agencias internacionales y el impacto de la formación en la transformación de los contextos
Authors: Espinosa Bayal M.ª Ángeles , Martínez Gimeno Almudena , García Pérez Ricardo
Published: July 2020

El objetivo del artículo es describir el papel que las agencias internacionales tienen en la educación para el desarrollo desde un enfoque de derechos de la infancia. Considerando, como uno de los principales hitos, la aprobación en 1989 de la Convención de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos del Niño y estableciendo el bienestar infantil como base para la consecución de la Agenda 2030, se detalla una experiencia exitosa, el Programa Ciudades Amigas de la Infancia de UNICEF-Comité Español, y la evaluación del impacto del Programa de Formación de Postgrado en Derechos y Políticas Municipales de Infancia. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que la formación mejora la estabilidad laboral, las competencias profesionales y el desarrollo de iniciativas integrales de infancia, pero también que no tiene un efecto tan positivo en el reconocimiento que las organizaciones otorgan a los profesionales. Se concluye acerca de la importancia de la formación como una potente herramienta en la transformación de los contextos socioeducativos.
Perfil fisiológico de biomarcadores séricos durante uma prova com ciclistas de elite
Authors: Lopes Jaqueline Santos Silva , Andrade Claudia Marlise Balbinotti , Lustosa Rosângela Ferreira , Magalhães Neto Aníbal Monteiro
Published: July 2020

Introdução: Verifica-se lacuna referente a investigações de parâmetros fisiológicos em modelo esportômico, responsável por caracterizar cenário real em ciclistas.Objetivo: Investigar o comportamento fisiológico, por meio de análises da glicose, taxa hormonal e dano muscular nos momentos pré e pós competição de mountain bike, do tipo XCO.Métodos: Dez ciclistas de elite (média ± DP idade 23 ± 2,3 anos, altura 175 ± 7,8 cm, massa corporal 68,5 ± 6,1 kg) foram incluídos no estudo. As coletas de dados foram realizadas por meio de análise sanguínea, verificadas nos momentos 24 horas antes (M1), imediatamente após (M2), 1 (M3) e 24 horas (M4) após a prova.Resultados: Em geral, houve aumento significativo de todos os parâmetros analisados entre M1 e M2. A testosterona e a insulina demonstraram pico em M2 e M3, respectivamente (96,15ng/Dl; 6,52 UI/ml). Para o cortisol verificou-se pico em M2 (32,06 ug/dl), que apresentou diferença significativa (p=0,0001). O lactato, demostrou diferença estatisticamente significante (p=0,0002) entre M1 e M2. Para glicose, houve valor de pico em M2 (105,4mg/dL), com diferença estatisticamente significante (p=0,0110). Em M4 todas as concentrações retornaram aos valores basais.Conclusão: Os desfechos possuem potencial intrínseco para fundamentar a prática relacionada com as respostas metabólicas verificadas, permitindo aplicações de ações específicas que visem otimizar as condições físicas do atleta.
The effect of drug ionization on lipid-lased formulations for the oral delivery of anti-psychotics
Authors: Meola Tahlia R , Paxton Kara , Joyce Paul , Schultz Hayley B , Prestidge Clive A
Published: July 2020

Lipid-based formulations (LBFs) are well-known to improve the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs (PWSDs) by presenting the drug to the gastrointestinal environment in a molecularly dispersed state, thus avoiding the rate-limiting dissolution step. Risperidone and lurasidone are antipsychotics drugs which experience erratic and variable absorption, leading to a low oral bioavailability. The aim of this research was to develop and investigate the performance of risperidone and lurasidone when formulated as an emulsion and silica-lipid hybrid (SLH). Lurasidone and risperidone were dissolved in Capmul® MCM at 100% and 80% their equilibrium solubility, respectively, prior to forming a sub-micron emulsion. SLH microparticles were fabricated by spray-drying a silica stabilised sub-micron emulsion to form a solid powder. The performances of the formulations were evaluated in simulated intestinal media under digesting conditions, where the emulsion and SLH provided a 17-fold and 23-fold increase in LUR solubilisation, respectively. However, the performance of RIS was reduced by 2.2-fold when encapsulated within SLH compared to pure drug. Owing to its pKa, RIS adsorbed to the silica and thus, dissolution was significantly hindered. The results reveal that LBFs may not overcome the challenges of all PWSDs and physiochemical properties must be carefully considered when predicting drug performance.
PlantAI: Aplicativo de classificação e localização de plantas em risco de extinção na Mata Atlântica
Authors: De Souza Felipe , Bertoti Giuliano , Dos Santos Rafael , Muralikrishna Amita , Carlos Felipe , Almeida Adriano , L. Neto Helvecio
Published: July 2020

A identificação de espécies de plantas em extinção é uma tarefa importante, porém complexa. O projeto Lista Vermelha existe para catalogar a lista de plantas classificadas em diferentes níveis de ameaça e conta com uma equipe composta por profissionais responsáveis em avaliar o risco de extinção de espécies da flora brasileira. Ainda assim, devido à diversidade e à similaridade contida nos biomas brasileiros, a identificação correta de plantas não é uma tarefa trivial. Os avanços tecnológicos vieram contribuir neste sentido, tornando possível a obtenção de um grande volume de dados de diferentes fontes, o que motivou este trabalho a apresentar um aplicativo protótipo instruído para classificar plantas com diferentes níveis de ameaça da Mata Atlântica, e mapeá-las de forma colaborativa. Uma Rede Neural Convolucional foi treinada com amostras aumentadas de diferentes espécies de plantas, utilizando a técnica de transferência de aprendizado em diferentes blocos de convolução do modelo MobileNet, e é utilizada para a classificação online de imagens coletadas com o aplicativo. Os experimentos foram realizados no município de Jacareí-SP. Para as duas espécies avaliadas, Araucária e Pitanga, obteve-se a acurácia superior a 90%.
An Autonomic, Adaptive and High-Precision Statistical Model to Determine Bee Colonies Well-Being Scenarios
Authors: Da Silva Daniel , Rodrigues Ícaro , Braga Antonio , Nobre Juvêncio , Freitas Breno , Gomes Danielo
Published: July 2020

Honey bees, important pollinators, are threatened by a variety of pests, pathogens and extreme climatic events, such as the winter period. This paper proposes a two-stages model that seeks to define and predict evolutionary scenarios for improving the bee colonies’ well-being. The used dataset has data from both internal and external beehive sensors, and on-site inspection of beekeepers from six apiaries between the years 2016-2018. In the first stage, three evolutionary scenarios were obtained (pessimistic, conservative and optimistic) through the clustering technique. In the second one, aiming to classify these scenarios, an elastic net penalty logistic regression model was obtained with an accuracy of ~99.5%.
A distribuição espacial das descargas elétricas na região central da Bacia Amazônica e o uso da árvore de decisão em dados de radar meteorológico para sua classificação
Authors: Almeida Adriano , Calheiros Alan , Albrecht Rachel , Machado Luiz , Santos Rafael , L. Neto Helvécio , Souza Felipe
Published: July 2020

As tempestades severas têm como uma de suas principais características as descargas elétricas atmosféricas. O Brasil é um dos países onde são registradas as maiores incidências de raios durante o ano, tendo relação sobretudo com sua grande extensão territorial e alta atividade convectiva. Os raios podem causar grandes riscos e prejuízos à sociedade, sendo responsáveis por fatalidades humanas, interrupção de serviços de transmissão de energia e comunicação, incêndios florestais e perdas em rebanhos de gados em zonas rurais. Diante disso, este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar uma análise da distribuição espacial das descargas elétricas durante alguns meses de 2014 na região central da Bacia Amazônica, e por fim explorar os principais índices meteorológicos que estão associadas à sua intensificação ou não. Os dados são oriundos dos experimentos do projeto GoAmazon e a seleção dos atributos foi feita através do algoritmo árvore de decisão. Os resultados mostraram que com a técnica de árvore de decisão foi capaz de identificar os padrões associados ao aumento do número de descargas elétricas, assim como na classificação de nuvens com e sem raios.
Mudanças climáticas na educação: um levantamento das práticas, ferramentas e tecnologias digitais
Authors: Oliveira Katyeudo Karlos , De Souza Ricardo
Published: July 2020

As consequências das mudanças climáticas afetam desde o bem-estar das pessoas até a sustentabilidade dos negócios. A educação é um meio para mitigar as ações antrópicas que causam as mudanças climáticas, seja pela conscientização ambiental ou pela compreensão dos impactos dos fatores climáticos nos processos sociais, químicos, biológicos, geográficos, etc. Existem algumas abordagens educacionais tais como, Educação Ambiental (EA), Climate Change Education (CCE) e Educação para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável (EDS), que se preocupam em tratar das mudanças climáticas no processo de ensino e aprendizagem, porém não especificam os meios práticos que podem ser usados pelos educadores. Este trabalho apresenta então um levantamento das práticas, ferramentas e tecnologias digitais usadas no ambiente educacional para tratar das causas e efeitos das mudanças climáticas, resultante de um mapeamento sistemático da literatura.
Effect of Al2O3/water nanofluid on Conjugate Free Convection in a Baffle Attached Square Enclosure
Authors: M.Rathinam Thansekhar
Published: July 2020

A numerical study of conjugate free convection heat transfer of Al2O3/water nanofluid inside a differentially heated square enclosure with a baffle attached to its hot wall has been carried out. A detailed parametric study has been carried out to analyze the effect of Rayleigh number (104 < Ra < 106), length, thickness and position of baffle, conductivity ratio and volume fraction of the nanoparticle (0<<0.2) on heat transfer. The thermal conductivity ratio of the baffle plays a major role on the conjugate heat transfer inside the enclosure. Higher the baffle length better is the effectiveness of the baffle. The average Nusselt number is found to be an increasing function of both thermal conductivity ratio and volume fraction of the nanofluid. The minimum enhancement of conjugate heat transfer is 30% when Al2O3/water nanofluid of 0.1 volume fraction is used for the entire range of Rayleigh number considered.
The Use of the Jigsaw Cooperative Learning Technique for the Health Science Students in Iran: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shakerian Sareh , Khoshgoftar Zohreh , Rezayof Elahe , Amadi Maryam
Published: July 2020

Context: Given the importance of learning from both cognitive and non-cognitive aspects of development in medical science education, the selection of appropriate educational strategies is a key structural issue. The jigsaw method is used in cooperative learning to improve cognitive and non-cognitive skills. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the status of the jigsaw method as a cooperative learning technique. Methods: This was a review and meta-analysis, in which relevant studies were identified through electronic database searching using specific keywords. The inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis were experimental and quasi-experimental studies. The intervention involved the comparison of the jigsaw method to other methods, and various cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes were assessed. The meta-analysis to determine the summary estimation using comprehensive meta-analysis software was performed using the fixed model method. The heterogeneity of the studies was evaluated based on the I2 index. Results: From the extracted studies (n = 682) with various stages of investigation in the target databases and exclusion of the repetitive cases, 10 articles were selected based on the inclusion criteria, and seven articles with common outcomes were selected for the meta-analysis. The summary estimate of 1.29 (95% CI: 1.07 - 1.51) was calculated, and many outcomes were individually interpreted. Conclusions: The national literature review indicated that the jigsaw method is rarely used in medical education. Considering the impact of this approach on cognitive and non-cognitive skills, the necessary cooperative learning approaches should be developed in the medical education system.
Genital Warts Among Men Attending a Dermatology Clinic: Risk Factors and Knowledge
Authors: Motazedian Nasrin , Sayadi Mehrab , Beheshti Shohreh
Published: July 2020

: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, with the highest prevalence among young adults. We investigated the risk factors of this infection among men. A total of 224 men referred to a dermatology clinic in Shiraz to treat anogenital warts from June 2015 till Feb 2016 were enrolled. Data collection form included demographic characteristics and risk factors. The participants’ mean age was 28.84 ± 8 years, and half of them (54.5%) were in the second decade of their life. Nearly half of them were single, 110 (49.1%), and 103 had high education (48.4%). Among our participants, the mean age of sexual relationship onset was 20.31 ± 3.71; 69 (60.5%) of the married participants had experienced sexual intercourse before marriage, and 58 (61.05%) had extramarital sexual relationships. The mean number of sex partners was 2.8. More than half of the participants (n = 146, 66.4%) were not aware of STI symptoms. Our participants were young, and more than half of the married ones had extramarital relationships. Altogether, low awareness of STI symptoms was seen. HPV could be a public health challenge in our young male adults because of their risk factors and lack of knowledge.
Ultrasonography Versus Chest X-Ray to Confirm Proper Placement of Central Venous Catheter
Authors: Nikouyeh Mehrnaz , Khorshidi Kiandokht , Rouzegari Mohammad Hassan , Sarram Rabee
Published: July 2020

Background: Central venous catheter (CVC) is located within the proximal third of the superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, or the right atrium. The confirmation of right location of catheter’s tip is done by chest X-ray (CXR) routinely. Objectives: In this study, we compared the proper location of the tip of the catheter by ultrasonography with CXR. Patients and Methods: One hundred and seventeen patients were included in this study. The CVC was placed according to the underlying disease. The proper location of the catheter was checked by ultrasonography and then CXR was carried out. The results of both methods were recorded and finally the statistical analysis was performed for comparison. Results: The tip of the catheter was observed by ultrasonography in 111 patients, but in the six other ones, the tip of the catheter was not observed by ultrasonography and observed in CXR. Therefore, the sensitivity of ultrasonography was 94.9 % in this study. Conclusion: The results showed that ultrasonography shows the catheter in 94.9% of the cases, although the risk of exposure to X-ray does not exist. The cost and time for evaluation of the tip of the catheter is significantly less by using ultrasonography compared to CXR.
Primary Yolk Sac Tumor of the Endometrium with MRI Findings: A Case Report
Authors: Zhu Dalin , Feng Fan , Peng Meijuan
Published: July 2020

: Primary yolk sac tumor (YST) of the endometrium is a very rare malignant germ cell tumor, primary YST of the endometrium with detailed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) findings have not yet been reported in the English literature. We report a 40-year-old woman presenting with irregular lower abdominal pain and dysmenorrhea for more than 5 months. MRI showed a lesion in the right side wall of the uterus. Postoperative pathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of primary YST of the endometrium with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) system staging of IV. The signal of the tumor was complex and lacked specific characteristic. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) showed that the lesion is diffuse limited, the average apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of the solid component was 0.735 × 10-3 mm2/s. CE-MRI showed that the irregular lesions presented uneven and mild enhancement in the arterial stage, and continued to strengthen in the venous phase, and strengthened close to the myometrium in the delayed phase. Primary YST of the endometrium should be considered if MRI scans show an irregular lesion in the myometrium with high level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).
A Young Woman with Atypical Chest Pain: Introducing a Rare Case of ARCAPA
Authors: Khajali Zahra , Zangenehfar Mohammad Esmaeel , Maadani Mohsen , Parsaee Mojgan
Published: July 2020

: Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery originating from the pulmonary trunk (ARCAPA) is a rare congenital coronary anomaly with wide spectrum of clinical outcome. We are presenting a case of ARCAPA with a review of the previous studies about it.
On Love and Awareness
Authors: Wautischer Helmut ,   Warsaw University
Published: July 2020

In this paper I will discuss some aspects of a humanistic perpsective on love which include both elements, idealistic (e.g. concepts of oneness) as well as realistic (e.g., social anthropology) ones. I will argue, that any experience of love is directly affected by an individual's love of self-awareness that enables a person to recognize the origins of his feeelings and allows him to act upon them in an intentional manner. Through such realizations, an individual can remain an autonomous actor, utilizing his knowledge of oneself to explore one's emotions beyond the limits of social restraints. For it is the authentic experience of one's awareness that enables a rational person to master the existential absurdity of one's existence. I will claim that the origin of love does not reside in the realm of emotionality. Instead, love relates directly to an individual's state of self-awareness.
New data on the mammalian systematics and biostratigraphy of the middle Miocene from Húmera (Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid)
Authors: Cárdaba Juan A , Presumido María , Fesharaki Omid , Casado Ana I , Perales Rubén , Muñiz Pérez Marta
Published: July 2020

Thanks to the new micromammal fossil material obtained during the 2010 and 2011 field campaigns from the palaeontological site at Húmera (Madrid Basin, central Spain), we have been able to revise the taxonomic arrangement and increase the number of micromammal taxa recorded and described by Menéndez Gamella et al. (2010). During the last campaigns 182 identifiable remains were recovered, in various states of preservation, belonging to 10 different species of micromammals: Megacricetodon collongensisgersii, Democricetodon larteti, Armantomys tricristatus, Microdyromys aff. monspeliensis, Microdyromys koenigswaldi, Heteroxerus rubricati, Heteroxerus grivensis, Heteroxerus sp., Lagopsis sp. and Galerix sp. This fossil association is correlated with biozone E (MN5), and provides new information in relation to the end of the Middle Aragonian from the Madrid basin
History of two lineages: Comparative analysis of the fossil record in Amiiformes and Pycnodontiformes (Osteischtyes, Actinopterygii)
Authors: Poyato-Ariza Francisco José , Martín-Abad Hugo
Published: July 2020

Amiiformes and pycnodontiformes are two orders of neopterygian fishes that were broadly distributed, and frequently appeared together, during the Mesozoic. Comparison of their fossil record reveals both common traits and significant differences. They both appeared in the Western Tethys and reached maximum diversity during the Cretaceous. The differences in their evolutionary history involve dissimilar patterns of diversity and disparity; pycnodonts are more diversified taxonomically and present larger ecomorphological disparity. This implies that they used different strategies to compete with teleosts, which were unable to displace them from their specialized niches for more than 100 ka. The reasons why this did not happen sooner are difficult to approach, and may include radical environmental changes (i.e., marine transgressions, opening of the Atlantic, closing of the Tethys and opening of the Mediterranean). It is nonetheless clear that the evolutionary novelties of the Teleostei per se were not enough to grant them advantage in the competition for the ichthyofagous and durophagous niches at least during the Late Triassic, the whole Jurassic and the Early Cretaceous
Palaeoecology and biochronology based on the rodents analysis from the Late Pleistocene/Holocene of Toll Cave (Moià, Barcelona)
Authors: Fernández-García Mónica , López-García Juan Manuel
Published: July 2020

In this paper we present the chronological, environmental and climatic data obtained by analysing the remains of rodents collected from the water-screened sediments of Levels 2 and 3 of the Sector Entrada of Toll Cave (Moià, Barcelona), one of the caves belonging to the karstic system called the Coves del Toll. From these levels a total of 216 rodent remains have been recovered, corresponding to 10 rodent species. The biochronological results indicate a Late Pleistocene/Holocene chronology (<35 ka BP); Level 3 is Pleistocene (>13 ka BP), and Level 2 is probably Holocene (<13 ka BP). The palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental data denote an open wet forest with lower temperatures and higher precipitation than nowadays for this region. Level 3 could be correlated with the Last Glacial Maximum (18 ka BP), while Level 2 may belong to the Preboreal period (11.5-9.5 ka BP). From a comparison of our results with the data obtained from other sites in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula with a similar chronology, we can infer two transitional phases for this period. Finally, a comparison with studies of Teixoneres Cave allows us to deduce the climatic and environmental evolution of the area around Toll Cave between the Middle Palaeolithic and Upper Palaeolithic/Neolithic. It can be asserted that Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans lived in similar climatic and environmental conditions
Detecting the outbreak of influenza based on the shortest path of dynamic city network
Authors: Chen Yingqi , Yang Kun , Xie Jialiu , Xie Rong , Liu Zhengrong , Liu Rui , Chen Pei
Published: July 2020

The influenza pandemic causes a large number of hospitalizations and even deaths. There is an urgent need for an efficient and effective method for detecting the outbreak of influenza so that timely, appropriate interventions can be made to prevent or at least prepare for catastrophic epidemics. In this study, we proposed a computational method, the shortest-path-based dynamical network marker (SP-DNM), to detect the pre-outbreak state of influenza epidemics by monitoring the dynamical change of the shortest path in a city network. Specifically, by mapping the real-time information to a properly constructed city network, our method detects the early-warning signal prior to the influenza outbreak in both Tokyo and Hokkaido for consecutive 9 years, which demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method.
Quantifying local ecological knowledge to model historical abundance of long-lived, heavily-exploited fauna
Authors: Early-Capistrán Michelle-María , Solana-Arellano Elena , Abreu-Grobois F. Alberto , Narchi Nemer E. , Garibay-Melo Gerardo , Seminoff Jeffrey A. , Koch Volker , Saenz-Arroyo Andrea
Published: July 2020

Deriving robust historical population trends for long-lived species subject to human exploitation is challenging in scenarios where long-term scientific data are scarce or unavailable, as often occurs for species affected by small-scale fisheries and subsistence hunting. The importance of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) in data-poor scenarios is increasingly recognized in conservation, both in terms of uncovering historical trends and for engaging community stewardship of historic information. Building on previous work in marine historical ecology and local ecological knowledge, we propose a mixed socio-ecological framework to reliably document and quantify LEK to reconstruct historical population trends. Our method can be adapted by interdisciplinary teams to study various long-lived taxa with a history of human use. We demonstrate the validity of our approach by reconstructing long-term abundance data for the heavily-exploited East Pacific green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Baja California, Mexico, which was driven to near extinction by a largely unregulated fishery from the early 1950s to the 1980s. No scientific baseline abundance data were available for this time-frame because recent biological surveys started in 1995 after all green turtle fisheries in the area were closed. To fill this data gap, we documented LEK among local fishers using ethnographic methods and obtained verified, qualitative data to understand the socio-environmental complexity of the green turtle fishery. We then established an iterative framework to synthesize and quantify LEK using generalized linear models (GLMs) and nonlinear regression (NLR) to generate a standardized, LEK-derived catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) time-series. CPUE is an index of abundance that is compatible with contemporary scientific survey data. We confirmed the accuracy of LEK-derived CPUE estimates via comparisons with fisheries statistics available for 1962–1982. We then modeled LEK-derived abundance trends prior to 1995 using NLR. Our model established baseline abundance and described historical declines, revealing that the most critical (exponential) decline occurred between 1960 and 1980. This robust integration of LEK data with ecological science is of critical value for conservation and management, as it contributes to a holistic view of a species’ historic and contemporary conservation status.
Engineering of HN3 increases the tumor targeting specificity of exosomes and upgrade the anti-tumor effect of sorafenib on HuH-7 cells
Authors: He Cong , Jaffar Ali Doulathunnisa , Li Yumin , Zhu Yanliang , Sun Bo , Xiao Zhongdang
Published: July 2020

Safe, efficient and cancer cell targeted delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 is important to increase the effectiveness of available cancer treatments. Although cancer derived exosomes offer significant advantages, the fact that it carries cancer related/inducing signaling molecules impedes them from being used as a reliable drug delivery vehicle. In this study, we report that normal epithelial cell-derived exosomes engineered to have HN3 (HN3LC9-293exo), target tumor cells as efficiently as that of the cancer cell-derived exosomes (C9HuH-7exo). HN3LC9-293exo were quickly absorbed by the recipient cancer cell in vitro. Anchoring HN3 to the membrane of the exosomes using LAMP2, made HN3LC9-293exo to specifically enter the GPC3+ HuH-7 cancer cells than the GPC3− LO2 cells in a co-culture model. Further, sgIQ 1.1 plasmids were loaded to exosomes and surprisingly, in combination with sorafenib, synergistic anti-proliferative and apoptotic effect of loaded HN3LC9-293exo was more than the loaded C9HuH-7exo. While cancer-derived exosomes might induce the drug resistance and tumor progression, normal HEK-293 cells-derived exosomes with modifications for precise cancer cell targeting like HN3LC9-293exo can act as better, safe and natural delivery systems to improve the efficacy of the cancer treatments.
Nutrient Composition and Microbiological Evaluation of Vended Street Foods in Parts of Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Israel Oyet Gogomary , Samuel Chibor Bariwere
Published: July 2020

The presence of microbiological pathogens and proximate composition of vended street foods (VSF) in parts of Lagos State were investigated. The experiment was conducted along 3 local government areas of Lagos State (Marina, Apapa and Yaba) using two factorial design. Eight VSF products investigated were roasted (plantain, fish, yam, corn), suya, meat pie, egg roll and doughnuts, purchased from parts of Lagos State. The result for proximate analysis of VSF sourced from Marina, Yaba and Apapa showed that moisture content ranged from 4.81% to 28.56% for Suya from Yaba and roasted plantain from Apapa. Moisture content of roasted plantain from Apapa was significantly different (P<0.05) and higher than those from Yaba and Marina. Moisture content of roasted plantain, roasted fish, suya, meat pie and doughnut from the three different stations (Marina, Yaba and Apapa) were significantly different (P<0.05) with respect to food type. Ash, fat, protein, crude fibre and carbohydrate content ranged from 1.15% – 4.66%, 0.40% – 24.54%, 0.08 – 54.45%, 0.10 – 6.85% and 47.60 – 88.99%, respectively. Significantly higher protein value of 54.45% was seen in suya from Yaba. Suya samples from Apapa (SMA) gave high crude fibre of 6.85% while significantly (P<0.05) high carbohydrate of 88.99%, 87.85% and 87.51% were seen in roasted yam samples from Marina, Apapa and Yaba. Total bacteria count ranged from 3.05 log10CFU/g as seen in egg roll from Apapa to 3.83 log10CFU/g as noticed in roasted fish from Yaba. Total Fungi count ranged from 2.00 log10CFU/g – 2.60 log10CFU/g. Fungi load in roasted (plantain, fish and yam) sourced from Apapa were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those from Marina and Yaba. The energy value ranged from 255.27kcal/100g to 456.90kcal/100g, with suya sourced from Marina and Yaba were significantly different (P<0.05). The presence of high Bacteria and Fungi load in vended foods requires the attention of public health officers.
In vivo Anthelminthic Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Senna italica on Rats with Hymenolepis diminuta Infection
Authors: Mahmuda Aliyu , Sani Mansur , Adamu Tukur , Sanda Aminu , Gobir Lauwali Galadima
Published: July 2020

In spite of the effectiveness of most anthelmintic agents in use, there is still need to identify more due to their unwanted side effects. Hence, the need to develop more that can be safe for all, cheap and available even in our localities. In the light of the current need for the use of traditional plants in the treatment of parasitic diseases, we have assessed the anthelmintic effect of Senna italica and aimed to investigate the therapeutic activity on Hymenolepis diminuta infection. We described in vivo studies evaluating the anthelmintic effects of the leaf extract at different concentrations in a murine infection model. Phytochemical analysis of the plant extract has shown the chemical components available in the compound. There was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in mean egg/gram (EPG) in one of the treatment groups which was observed to be similar to that of the treatment using conventional anthelmintic agent (Albendazole). A fluctuating but insignificant faecal worm-egg count was observed in the other experimental groups. The results obtained suggest a likelihood of its future use as an anthelmintic agent. Our next plan is to establish animal experiments with different types of helminth infection in order to have the full anthelmintic coverage by the agent, hopefully, before it will be validated for use as a human therapeutic agent.
Knowledge and Adaptation Strategies of Eggplant Farmers to the Effect of Bacterial Wilt Disease in Nsukka Agricultural Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Iwuchukwu Juliana Chinasa , Arihi Gift Nwakaego , Obazi Sunday Alagba , Udoye Charles Ekene , Ohagwu Violet Amara
Published: July 2020

Aim: To ascertain knowledge and adaptation strategies of eggplant (Solanum melongena) farmers to the effect of bacterial wilt disease in Nsukka Agricultural zone of Enugu state, Nigeria.  

Study Design: Multi-stage and Simple Random Sampling Design/Technique were used in the study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka Enugu State, Nigeria. The study took place between October 2017 and September 2018.

Methodology: One hundred and eight eggplant farmers were selected from three blocks and nine circles for the study. Percentage and mean scores were used to present the data.

Results: Findings reveal that the majority (96.30%) of the respondents had high knowledge on eggplant bacterial wilt disease. Some of the major effects of bacterial wilt disease on eggplant as perceived by the respondents were reduction in yield/output (x̅=2.84) and reduction in quality of harvested eggplant (x̅=2.81). Some adaptive strategies employed by the respondents to the effect of bacterial wilt disease were use of fertilizer (97.20%) and early planting of eggplants (96.30%). Constraints to egg plant farmers’ adaptation to bacterial wilt disease were: drudgery involved in controlling the disease (x̅=2.83) and high cost of good/disease free planting material (x̅= 2.80). Proper weeding (84.30%) and fumigation of the entire farmland before cultivation (79.60%) were some of the possible solutions to the destructive effects of bacterial wilt diseases.

Conclusion: The respondents had high knowledge on bacterial wilt disease, which helps them to adapt to the deleterious effects of the disease on their eggplants. 

Recommendation: The study recommends that governments and non-governmental organizations should invest in eggplants research in order to solve farmers’ problems; through evolvement and provision of resistant variety, recommended agronomic practices and agrochemicals of eggplants to farmers. Dissemination of output of the research through extension will boost the capacity of the farmers in order to adapt and overcome the disease.

Policy Implications: The investments on eggplants should be innovative and it should explore possible production and management strategies that not only boost but also, make eggplant enterprises sustainable. Policy must be focused on educating eggplant farmers on improved production and management practices on eggplant enterprises. This can be disseminated by agricultural extension workers and other relevant institutions. Policy must also focus on specific and pragmatic programs such as input supply programs (improved seeds, resistant varieties, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides etc.) at affordable or subsidized prices. This must be designed in such a way that it identifies the right pathways to get to the eggplant farmers on appropriate time.