bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metagenomic analysis of cucumber rhizospheric microbiome provides insights into NaHCO3 stress mitigation by Rheinheimera pacifica NYJ
Authors: Wu Fenghui , Li Songwen , Du Binghai , Wang Xiu-Juan , Han Xiaotong , Chen Jiayu , Xing Xiaoshuang , Li Han , Zhang Wenqian , Bai Ji-Gang
Published: April 2020

Background: NaHCO3 in soil leads to alkalinization and causes stress in plants, thus hindering agricultural sustainability. A strain NYJ was identified as Rheinheimera pacifica and applied into cucumber-planted soil to mitigate NaHCO3 stress in this study. We aimed to detect the taxonomy and functional potential of rhizospheric microbiome affected by NaHCO3 stress and NYJ application, obtaining NaHCO3-tolerant microbes and exploring one mechanism underlining NaHCO3 stress mitigation by NYJ application.Results: The strain NYJ grew well under 0.01-0.06 g L-1 NaHCO3 and had plant growth-promoting capacity. Application of NYJ into NaHCO3-contaminated and cucumber-planted soil improved plant growth, increased relative water contents and osmotic potential of leaves, and decreased malonaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents in seedlings, mitigating NaHCO3 stress in cucumber. In cucumber rhizospheric soil, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes of microbes were dominant phyla with 69, 17, and 6% of total abundance. To respond to NaHCO3 stress, 669 species and 208 genera of microbes were enriched in rhizospheric soil, while 190 sodium ion-related genes, 1242 osmotic stress-related genes, and 121 other stress-related genes from microbial genera including Pseudomonas showed the increased abundances. Under NaHCO3 stress, 26 microbial genera were distributed in connectors, the interaction network of rhizospheric microbes was changed, and soil enzyme activities were decreased. When NYJ being applied into the NaHCO3-contaminated soil, 1327 species and 487 genera of microbes were enriched than those under NaHCO3 stress alone. Meantime, soil enzyme activities were increased, while 2238 symbiont- and immune-related genes and 2434 plant growth-promoting genes including 16 genes encoding chitinase had the elevated abundances in microbial genera. Moreover, NYJ negatively interacted with one bacterial genus and positively interacted with 3 microbial genera under NaHCO3 stress. As a result, 25 bacterial genera were distributed in connectors, and microbial interaction network in rhizospheric soil was different from the one caused by NaHCO3 stress alone.Conclusions: 669 NaHCO3-tolerant species and 208 NaHCO3-tolerant genera of microbes were identified. NYJ application affected microbial community structure and interaction network in rhizospheric soil, increased the abundances of genes related to symbiont, immune, and plant growth-promoting traits in microbes, and activated soil enzymes, thereby mitigating NaHCO3 stress in cucumber.1 These authors contributed equally to this work.
Altered functional connectivity strength in the cuneus and precuneus in patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness
Authors: Yang Xu , Li Kangzhi , Cui Bin , Si Lihong , Li Zheyuan
Published: April 2020

Background: Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) is a chronic functional vestibular disorder, but its pathogenesis is still unclear. Results of our previous study revealed altered spontaneous functional activity of cuneus and precuneus in PPPD patients, which may be associated with the development of PPPD. The study aimed to explore the changes in functional integration, especially the changes in functional connectivity strength (FCS) in the cuneus and precuneus in patients with PPPD using FCS and seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analyses.Methods: Twelve PPPD patients and 12 healthy controls were enrolled. Functional MRI (fMRI) was further performed in all subjects. Global FCS, long--range FCS (lFCS) and short-range FCS (sFCS) were calculated to explore the FCS changes in PPPD patients. Moreover, seed-based FC analysis was performed on regions with altered FCS to further investigate the alterations in FC and the possible causes for FCS changes. Correlation analysis between FCS/FC and clinical indicators in PPPD patients were performed.Results: Compared with healthy controls, no significant change in global FCS and lFCS was found in PPPD patients. PPPD patients exhibited weaker sFCS in the cuneus and precuneus (K=621, P<0.05, FWE corrected). Areas showing weaker sFCS included precuneus, cuneus, extending inward along the parieto-occipital sulcus, covering parahippocampal gyrus and cortices at the splenium of the corpus callosum. Further seed-based FC analysis showed reduced FC with precuneus, cuneus, indicating that weaker sFCS was mainly caused by reduced FC in the precuneus and cuneus. Changes in sFCS and FC were negatively correlated with DHI and DHI-F scores, and the lower the FCS values, the more severe the subjective symptoms of patients.Conclusion: PPPD patients exhibited altered FCS in the bilateral precuneus and cuneus, which may be associated with abnormal integration of visual and vestibular information and abnormal integration between different spatial reference frames.
Natural products may interfere with SARS-CoV-2 attachment to the host cell
Authors: Elfiky Abdo
Published: April 2020

Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 has been emerged in December 2019 in China, causing deadly (5% mortality) pandemic pneumonia, termed COVID-19. More than one host-cell receptor is reported to be recognized by the viral spike protein, among them is the cell-surface Heat Shock Protein A5 (HSPA5), also termed GRP78 or BiP. Upon viral infection, HSPA5 is upregulated, then translocating to the cell membrane where it is subjected to be recognized by the SARS-CoV-2 spike. In this study, some natural product compounds are tested against the HSPA5 substrate-binding domain β (SBDβ), which reported to be the recognition site for the SARS-CoV-2 spike. Methods: Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations are used to test some natural compounds binding to HSPA5 SBDβ. Results: The results show high to a moderate binding affinity for the phytoestrogens (Diadiazin, Genistein, Formontein, and Biochanin A), chlorogenic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic acid, caffeic acid, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, hydroxytyrosol, cis-p-Coumaric acid, cinnamaldehyde, and thymoquinone to the HSPA5 SBDβ. Based on its binding affinities, the natural compounds, and some hormones, may interfere with SARS-CoV-2 attachment to the stressed cells. Conclusion: These compounds can be successful as anti-COVID-19 agents for people with a high risk of cell stress like elders, cancer patients, and front-line medical staff.
Rifampicin may be repurposed for COVID-19 treatment: Insights from an in-silico study
Authors: Pathak Yamini , Mishra Amaresh , Tripathi Vishwas
Published: April 2020

The ongoing Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has led to global epidemics with high morbidity and mortality. However, there are no efficacious therapeutic options available for the treatment of COVID-19. Considering this medical emergency, drug repurposing is the need of the hour. Therefore, this study aimed to determine possible COVID-19 drug candidates using virtual screening of selected FDA approved drugs by targeting the main protease (Mpro) of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). In this study, first, we have done an extensive literature search to find out the marketed FDA approved drug compounds available for human therapeutic applications having anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. The preliminary reports paved the way for further studies that revealed some of the drugs approved to treat other viral or bacterial infections may be a promising drug candidate and can be repurposed for the treatment of COVID-19. Using a computer-aided drug designing approach, novel candidates for drug repurposing were identified. Based on our preliminary screening supported by previous works of literature, we selected Rifampicin, Ciclesonide, Reserpine, Loperamide, Elvitegravir, Brivudine, Pentoxifylline, Eugenol, Isoniazid, Tinidazole, Diethylcarbamazine, and Vancomycin to target the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro). These compounds were examined based on docking studies using Autodock 4.2 Autodock 4.2., visualization of the docked results using Pymol version 1.7.4.5 Edu and prediction of two main toxicity aspects hepatotoxicity and cytotoxicity to check the safety of the hit compounds. Selected drugs were ranked for potential efficacy against COVID-19 based on their binding energy. The docking results were found in the order of Rifampicin (-11.16), Ciclesonide (-8.77), Reserpine (-7.76), Loperamide (-7.63), Elvitegravir (-6.58), Brivudine (-6.06), Pentoxifylline (-5.64), Eugenol (-4.78), Isoniazid (-4.71), Tinidazole (-4.51), Diethylcarbamazine (-4.66), Vancomycin (-4.11). ). In the current study, Rifampicin appeared as the most promising drug showing a very good binding energy. Based on our preliminary insights from in silico studies, we propose that Rifampicin may be repurposed for the treatment of COVID-19 however it is pertinent to mention here that our findings need further validation by in vitro studies and clinical trials. In summary, the findings of this study suggest Rifampicin might be a promising drug for targeting the COVID-19 protease.
In silico studies reveal potential antiviral activity of phytochemicals from medicinal plants for the treatment of COVID-19 infection
Authors: Pandit Mansi , Latha N.
Published: April 2020

The spread of COVID-19 across continents has led to a global health emergency. COVID-19 disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected nearly all the continents with around 1.52 million confirmed cases worldwide. Currently only a few regimes have been suggested to fight the infection and no specific antiviral agent or vaccine is available. Repurposing of the existing drugs or use of natural products are the fastest options available for the treatment. The present study is aimed at employing computational approaches to screen phytochemicals from the medicinal plants targeting the proteins of SARS-CoV2 for identification of antiviral therapeutics. The study focuses on three target proteins important in the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 namely Spike (S) glycoprotein, main protease (Mpro) and RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp). Molecular docking was performed to screen phytochemicals in medicinal plants to determine their feasibility as potential inhibitors of these target viral proteins. Of the 30 plant phytochemicals screened, Silybin, an active constituent found in Silybum marianum exhibited higher binding affinity with targets in SARS-CoV-2 in comparison to currently used repurposed drugs against SARS-CoV-2. Withaferin A from Withania somnifera also showed significant binding to the targets proteins. In addition, phytochemicals from Tinospora cordiofolia and Aloe barbadensis displayed good binding energetics with the target proteins in SARS-CoV-2. These results provide a basis for the use of traditional medicinal plants as alternative lines of treatment for COVID-19 infection.
18F-FDG PET/CT in asymptomatic patients with COVID-19: The submerged iceberg surfaces
Authors: Colandrea Marzia , Gilardi Laura , Travaini Laura Lavinia , Fracassi Silvia L. V. , Funicelli Luigi
Published: April 2020

Purpose: the aim of this case series is to describe our experience in diagnosis and management of oncological asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 submitted to 18F-FDG PET/CT.Methods: from March 9 to March 31, 2020, we identified 5 patients who had PET/CT findings suspicious for COVID-19, but no symptom of infection.Results: the first three patients performed SARS-CoV-2 test in a COVID-dedicated centre, while the fourth and fifth in our Institution, in agreement with a new internal procedure. The SARS-CoV-2 test yielded positive results in all five patients.Conclusions: in this COVID-19 emergency, our task as nuclear medicine physicians is to be able to identify imaging findings suggestive of the disease and to manage patients without overload the hospital system.
Genotypic and Environmental Effects on Paste Quality of Common Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Grown in Michigan
Authors: Sadohara Rie , Kelly James D. , Cichy Karen A.
Published: April 2020

Common beans are recognized as a nutrient-dense food source that delivers numerous health benefits, but one of the barriers to increasing bean consumption is the limited number of common bean food products. Bean paste, made from bean seed and sugar, has the potential to diversify and expand the way beans are consumed. In this study, commercial white seeded otebo, navy, great northern, and white kidney bean cultivars and one colored cranberry bean were grown in two environments in Michigan and evaluated for bean paste qualities. Characteristics such as paste yield, color, flavor, and stickiness were evaluated on the bean paste. The genotype × environment effect was significant for many of the paste-making qualities and the color values of the unsweetened paste. ‘Snowdon’, the white kidney bean, had superior paste yield of unsweetened paste and whiteness of sweetened paste in both environments. All the white bean cultivars were comparable to Hime, the control otebo cultivar, in terms of low flavor intensity. ‘Powderhorn’, the great northern bean, had high stickiness of sweetened paste, which is preferable. The cranberry bean resulted in dark-colored paste with high flavor intensity. Seedcoat percentage and the ratio of L* and C* obtained via image analysis could be used as indicators for paste yield and whiteness score of the unsweetened paste, respectively. Overall, these results suggest that specific domestically grown white bean cultivars have potential for development as bean paste products, which would add a novelty to the processed dry bean applications in the United States.
Willingness to Pay for a Specialty Blend Compost Product Developed from Brown Seaweed Harvested from Coastal Regions in Texas
Authors: Waliczek Tina M. , Wagner Nicole C. , Guney Selin
Published: April 2020

Composting is the biological decomposition of organic materials, such as plant tissue, food scraps, paper, animal fodder, and wood chips. The end-product, compost, is a beneficial soil amendment because it can contain a diversity of beneficial microorganisms, has high nutrient and water-holding capacities, can increase total soil porosity, and contains essential plant nutrients that improve soil productivity. Coastal regions of the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the Atlantic and European shorelines, have witnessed a proliferation of brown seaweed (Sargassum sp.). When piled on beaches, tourism appeal is reduced, threatening the local economy. When amassed offshore, thick brown seaweed mats can hinder fishing. Excessive decomposition rates can lead to eutrophication, which threatens coastal areas economically and environmentally. Despite these problems, seaweed may be considered a valuable compost ingredient. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a market test to determine the potential value of a seaweed-incorporated compost to consumers in Texas and to identify attributes of likely consumers. A marketing survey was developed and distributed to gardeners in the central and south Texas regions. Contingent valuation questions measured participants’ willingness to pay for the seaweed compost products. Participants were able to see, smell, and touch a sample of the compost while completing the survey. Despite 92% of respondents ranking themselves as inexperienced in compost behavior, results indicated a potential for a specialty, competitively priced seaweed-incorporated compost to be introduced to the market. Respondents were most willing to pay $4.00/ft3 to $5.00/ft3 for seaweed-incorporated compost. Additionally, participants who responded positively to buying local, buying compost in the past, having positive environmental attitudes, and buying American were more likely to pay more for the seaweed-incorporated compost. There was not an obvious pattern between willingness to pay for seaweed-incorporated compost and demographic responses.
El impacto del Tratado de Libre Comercio entre México, Estados Unidos y Canadá en el sector agropecuario de Coahuila
Authors: Vidaurrázaga Obezo René
Published: April 2020

El presente trabajo analiza la importancia que tiene el sector agropecuario en la economía de Coahuila; el impacto del Tratado de Libre Comercio en este sector, y las perspectivas con la operación de dicho tratado. El sector agropecuario de Coahuila se encuentra rezagado en comparación con el resto de los sectores económícos de la entidad, así como de las actividades agrícolas de otras regionesdel país tal como el noroeste y aún más con los Estados Unidos de América y Canadá. En estas condiciones en que se encuentra el sector agropecuario de Coahuila y si continúan las mismas políticas para el campo, el proceso de competencia con la operación del TLC no se presentará en toda su expansión una vez vencidos los plazosacordados para abrir totalmente las fronteras. Del conjunto de ramas que componen el sector agropecuario de Coahuila, son contadas las que tienen posibilidades de competir en el mercado internacional.
Haití, Quisqueya; Los límites de la insularidad (1630-1916)
Authors: Théodat Jean-Marie
Published: April 2020

En este artículo se realiza un estudio de corte histórico donde se analiza el concepto de insularidad, según el punto de vista de dos países, Haití y República Dominicana. Ambos separados por una frontera política, que a su vez marca también la diferenciación de dos culturas, una criolla y otra indígena, y dos sistemas geográficos. Entre ellos perciben la insularidad no sólo como un hecho físico, sino como consecuencia de las prácticas sociales imperantes.
Las fronteras del Istmo Centroamericano: Una geopolítica de larga duración
Authors: Musset Alain
Published: April 2020

Contrariamente a muchas ideas generadas, las fronteras que dividen a América Central en siete Estados diferentes, no tienen por origen las fracturas políticas provocadas por las guerras de independencia del principio del siglo XIX. Ellas son el resultado de un largo proceso de elaboración y de consolidación. Nacido en el momento de la conquista española, y que aún no ha terminado. El fin de este estudio es volver a colocar a lo largo del tiempo una geopolítica muy contemporánea para, de esta manera, entender mejor la formación de los territorios y de las naciones que comparten el istmo. Bajo esta perspectiva, la frontera ya no debe ser percibida como una línea sencilla, sino como un espacio cuya extensión puede evolucionar según la época y los medios de comunicación disponibles para facilitar la integración regional de los países centroamericanos (principalmente la panamericana o CA-I). Marginadas por mucho tiempo por razones económicas y políticas, las zonas fronterizas pueden convertirse en nuevos ejes de desarrollo en un espacio marcado por la presencia de numerosos enclaves y por la debilidad de los flujos interregionales.
Rational Design and Intramolecular Cyclization of Hotspot Peptide Segments at YAP–TEAD4 Complex Interface
Authors: Zhang Dingwa , He Deyong , Pan Xiaoliang , Liu Lijun
Published: April 2020

Background:

The Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) is a central regulator of Hippo pathway involved in carcinogenesis, which functions through interaction with TEA Domain (TEAD) transcription factors. Pharmacological disruption of YAP–TEAD4 complexes has been recognized as a potential therapeutic strategy against diverse cancers by suppressing the oncogenic activity of YAP.

Objective:

Two peptides, termed PS-1 and PS-2 are split from the interfacial context of YAP protein. Dynamics simulations, energetics analyses and fluorescence polarizations are employed to characterize the intrinsic disorder as well as binding energy/affinity of the two YAP peptides to TEAD4 protein.

Methods:

Two peptides, termed PS-1 and PS-2 are split from the interfacial context of YAP protein. Dynamics simulations, energetics analyses and fluorescence polarizations are employed to characterize the intrinsic disorder as well as binding energy/affinity of the two YAP peptides to TEAD4 protein.

Result:

The native conformation of PS-2 peptide is a cyclic loop, which is supposed to be constrained by adding a disulfide bond across the spatially vicinal residue pair Arg87-Phe96 or Met86- Phe95 at the peptide’s two ends, consequently resulting in two intramolecular cyclized counterparts of linear PS-2 peptide, namely PS-2(cyc87,96) and PS-2(cyc86,95). The linear PS-2 peptide is determined as a weak binder of TEAD4 (Kd= 190 μM), while the two cyclic PS-2(cyc87,96) and PS-2(cyc86,95) peptides are measured to have moderate or high affinity towards TEAD4 (Kd= 21 and 45 μM, respectively).

Conclusion:

PS-1 and PS-2 peptides are highly flexible and cannot maintain in native active conformation when splitting from the interfacial context, and thus would incur a considerable entropy penalty upon rebinding to the interface. Cyclization does not influence the direct interaction between PS-2 peptide and TEAD4 protein, but can largely reduce the intrinsic disorder of PS-2 peptide in free state and considerably minimize indirect entropy effect upon the peptide binding.
Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Propranolol Hydrochloride: A Review
Authors: Kalam Muhammad Nasir , Rasool Muhammad Fawad , Rehman Asim Ur , Ahmed Naveed
Published: April 2020

Background:

Nobel laureate Sir James Black’s molecule, propranolol, still has broad potential in cardiovascular diseases, infantile haemangiomas and anxiety. A comprehensive and systematic review of the literature for the summarization of pharmacokinetic parameters would be effective to explore the new safe uses of propranolol in different scenarios, without exposing humans and using virtual-human modeling approaches.

Objective:

This review encompasses physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interaction data of propranolol collected from various studies.

Methods:

Clinical pharmacokinetic studies on propranolol were screened using Medline and Google Scholar databases. Eighty-three clinical trials, in which pharmacokinetic profiles and plasma time concentration were available after oral or IV administration, were included in the review.

Results:

The study depicts that propranolol is well absorbed after oral administration. It has dose-dependent bioavailability, and a 2-fold increase in dose results in a 2.5-fold increase in the area under the curve, a 1.3-fold increase in the time to reach maximum plasma concentration and finally, 2.2 and 1.8-fold increase in maximum plasma concentration in both immediate and long-acting formulations, respectively. Propranolol is a substrate of CYP2D6, CYP1A2 and CYP2C19, retaining potential pharmacokinetic interactions with co-administered drugs. Age, gender, race and ethnicity do not alter its pharmacokinetics. However, in renal and hepatic impairment, it needs a dose adjustment.

Conclusion:

Physiochemical and pooled pharmacokinetic parameters of propranolol are beneficial to establish physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling among the diseased population.
Anti-DENV and Anti-Dengue Vector Activity of Some Heterocyclic Scaffolds
Authors: Purohit Deepika , Dhingra Neelima , Dutt Rohit , Kumar Sahil
Published: April 2020

Dengue is a major health threat related to arbovirus and is endemic in more than 100 countries
with an annual estimated above 390 million incidences of infection all around the world. During
the period 1996-2015, a considerable increase in the number of dengue cases (more than 500%) was
reported in India. Information about dengue disease burden, its prevalence, incidence and geographic distribution
is critical in planning appropriate control measures against dengue fever. Till date, no specific treatment
for dengue fever is available in any system of medicine, which can be accepted globally. Therefore,
safe, cost-effective, and efficacious agents possessing anti-viral potential against dengue virus are
needed to be searched in order to fight the dengue infection globally. The aim of the present review is
to systematically revise the published research work available concerning the development and evaluation
of some heterocyclic scaffolds in the management of dengue.
Immunogenicity and Biodistribution of Anthrax DNA Vaccine Delivered by Intradermal Electroporation
Authors: Kim Na Young , Son Won Rak , Choi Jun Young , Yu Chi Ho , Hur Gyeung Haeng , Jeong Seong Tae , Shin Young Kee , Hong Sung Youl , Shin Sungho
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

Anthrax is a lethal bacterial disease caused by gram-positive bacterium Bacillus
anthracis and vaccination is a desirable method to prevent anthrax infections. In the present study, DNA
vaccine encoding a protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis was prepared and we investigated the influence
of DNA electrotransfer in the skin on the induced immune response and biodistribution.

Methods and Results:

The tdTomato reporter gene for the whole animal in vivo imaging was used to
assess gene transfer efficiency into the skin as a function of electrical parameters. Compared to that with
25 V, the transgene expression of red fluorescent protein increased significantly when a voltage of 90 V
was used. Delivery of DNA vaccines expressing Bacillus anthracis protective antigen domain 4 (PAD4)
with an applied voltage of 90 V induced robust PA-D4-specific antibody responses. In addition, the
in vivo fate of anthrax DNA vaccine was studied after intradermal administration into the mouse. DNA
plasmids remained at the skin injection site for an appropriate period of time after immunization. Intradermal
administration of DNA vaccine resulted in detection in various organs (viz., lung, heart, kidney,
spleen, brain, and liver), although the levels were significantly reduced.

Conclusion:

Our results offer important insights into how anthrax DNA vaccine delivery by intradermal
electroporation affects the immune response and biodistribution of DNA vaccine. Therefore, it may
provide valuable information for the development of effective DNA vaccines against anthrax infection.
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 in Predicting Recurrence and Severity of Stenosis in Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Soumya , Damayanthi Deepa , Gopala Srinivas , Paul Rejith , Sylaja P.N.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease (sICAD) is associated with risk of recurrence of cerebral ischemic events in 4-19% of stroke patients annually. Previous studies indicate elevated high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) to be associated with risk of recurrence.

Objective:

This prospective, observational study investigated serum levels of hs-CRP and the activity of Lp-PLA2 in patients with sICAD in predicting the risk of long-term stroke recurrence.

Methods:

We enrolled 48 patients with sICAD at 3 months from onset. The demographics, clinical,
and imaging characteristics were recorded. Serum hs-CRP and Lp-PLA2 activity were assessed
using automated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein assay and photometric technique, respectively.
Patients were followed up at 6 months and 1 year and the presence of new vascular events
was recorded.

Results:

The mean age of our study population was 59.5 ± 10.3 years and 91.7% were men. Four
patients developed recurrent strokes during follow-up. The mean Hs-CRP was elevated in patients
with events than in patients without events (5.9 ± 10.4 mg/L vs. 1.7 ± 2.4 mg/L, P=0.03). However,
there was no significant association of mean Lp-PLA2 activity (118.3±42.9 nmol/min/ml vs. 111.9
± 34.2 nmol/min/ml, P=0.73) with recurrence. Elevation of hs-CRP (3.02 ± 4.8 mg/L vs. 0.95 ±
0.57mg/L, P=0.02) and Lp-PLA2 activity (120.1±40.3 nmol/min/ml vs. 103.3 ± 23.9 nmol/min/ml,
P=0.04) was correlated with high-grade stenosis in these patients.

Conclusion:

Our study suggests serum levels of hs-CRP may serve as a predictor of long-term
stroke recurrence risk in sICAD and elevation of hs-CRP and Lp-PLA2 correlated with the severity
of stenosis in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease.
A Novel Electrochemical Sensor Based on Au-rGO Nanocomposite Decorated with Poly(L-cysteine) for Determination of Paracetamol
Authors: Zhang Lin , Si Xiaojing , Yan Xiaoxia , He Haibo , Deng Dongmei , Luo Liqiang
Published: April 2020

Background:

Paracetamol is a common antipyretic and analgesic drug, but its excessive
intake can accumulate toxic metabolites and cause kidney and liver damage, so it is critical to determine
the content of paracetamol for clinical diagnosis and dose use.

Methods:

Au-reduced graphene oxide (Au-rGO) nanocomposite decorated with poly(L-cysteine) on
carbon paste electrode was fabricated for the determination of paracetamol. Au-rGO was first coelectrodeposited
on the carbon paste electrode surface. Afterwards, L-cysteine was electropolymerized
to fabricate the Au-rGO/poly(L-cysteine) modified carbon paste electrode. Scanning electron
microscope was used to characterize the morphology of Au-rGO and poly(L-cysteine)/Au-rGO. The
electrochemical properties of the sensor were studied by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse
voltammetry.

Results:

After exploring the optimal conditions, the sensor showed a wide linear response for paracetamol
detection in the range of 1-200 μM with a detection limit of 0.5 μM (S/N = 3).

Conclusion:

The fabricated sensor demonstrated good sensitivity with rapid detection capacity in real
samples.
Implementation problems of high-speed DDR4 channels in a new generation Russian multi-core microprocessor
Authors: Bilyaletdinov I. E. , Timin L. S.
Published: April 2020

Solving the issue of compatibility for the new domestic developments with continuously implemented and used in global microelectronics industry cutting-edge standards requires substantial work on analysis and optimization of the implementation environment. The results of the new Elbrus 8SV microprocessor DDR4 random access memory channel study are provided in this article. The much lower than estimated channel data transfer speed has become the main issue. In order to overcome it the channel functioning study method has been developed and implemented. It is based on forming the analogs of eye diagrams, which allow estimating the area of operability and using the optimal settings. Studies held using this method allowed establishing the cause for unsatisfactory performance of the channel and objectively assessing design decisions made during development. After taking these results into account and applying changes to the chip and the circuit board of the microprocessor case, an improved version of the microprocessor was released. It became possible to achieve the calculated data transfer speed via the memory channel.
Risk Management Process Into Project Lifecycle: A case of Malaysian landscape architecture projects
Authors: S.Muthueeran Adam Aruldewan , Mohd Tahir Osman , Ibrahim Roziya , Abd-Karim Saipol Bari
Published: April 2020

The risk management process is an integral part of all project activities and proportionally customized as one process. This paper prepared to review risk management process integration into the landscape architecture project lifecycle in Malaysia. Data collected from three completed landscape architecture projects studied through structured interviews and project document reviews. The data analyzed using content and thematic analysis. The study found the ineffective risk management process integration into the project lifecycle with the result of the incomplete, unplanned and intended process, and redundant activity ow. Specific integration strategies recommended accommodating landscape architecture project context for practical risk management applications.Keywords: risk management process; project lifecycle; landscape architecture projecteISSN 2398-4295 ©2020 The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21834/ajbes.v5i18.187
EDITORIAL
Authors: Sahagún Navarro Marta
Published: April 2020

EDITORIAL
Procesos urbanos. presentación número 6
Authors: Martinez-Osorio Pedro Arturo , Castellanos Tuirán Alexandra Isabel
Published: April 2020

Con mucho gusto presentamos el número 6 de la revista científica Procesos Urbanos, adscrita a la Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Ingeniería y Arquitectura de la Corporación Universitaria del Caribe – CECAR, Colombia.

En este número hemos reunido un grupo de artículos de gran actualidad y pertinencia para el desarrollo de las disciplinas de la arquitectura, el urbanismo y el diseño. Los cuales muestran los avances de importantes investigaciones y se reflexiona con relación a aspectos clave en el debate sobre las formas de habitar en el siglo XXI.
Impact of a Web-Based Exercise and Nutritional Education Intervention in Patients Who Are Obese With Hypertension: Randomized Wait-List Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Lisón Juan Francisco , Palomar Gonzalo , Mensorio Marinna S , Baños Rosa M , Cebolla-Martí Ausiàs , Botella Cristina , Benavent-Caballer Vicent , Rodilla Enrique
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Internet-based interventions are a promising strategy for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors. These have a tremendous potential for delivering electronic health interventions in scalable and cost-effective ways. There is strong evidence that the use of these programs can lead to weight loss and can lower patients’ average blood pressure (BP) levels. So far, few studies have investigated the effects of internet-based programs on patients who are obese with hypertension (HTN).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the short- and long-term efficacy, in terms of body composition and BP parameters, of a self-administered internet-based intervention involving different modules and learning techniques aimed at promoting lifestyle changes (both physical activity and healthy eating) in patients who are obese with HTN.

METHODS

A randomized wait-list controlled trial design was used. We recruited 105 adults with HTN who were overweight or obese and randomly assigned them to either a 3-month internet-based intervention group (n=55) or the wait-list control group (n=50). We assessed BMI (primary outcome), body fat mass (BFM), systolic (S)BP and diastolic (D)BP, blood glucose and insulin levels, physical activity levels, and functional capacity for aerobic exercise at Time 0 (preintervention) and Time 1 (postintervention). All the patients in the wait-list control group subsequently received the intervention, and a secondary within-group analysis, which also included these participants, was conducted at Time 2 (12-month follow-up).

RESULTS

A 2-way mixed analysis of covariance showed a significant decrease in BMI, BFM, and blood glucose at 3 months in the internet-based intervention group; the effect size for the BMI and BFM parameters was moderate to large, and there was also a borderline significant trend for DBP and insulin. These results were either maintained or improved upon at Time 2 and showed significant changes for BMI (mean difference −0.4, 95% CI −0.1 to −0.6; P=.005), BFM (mean difference −2.4, 95% CI −1.1 to −3.6; P<.001), DBP (mean difference −1.8, 95% CI −0.2 to −3.3; P=.03), and blood glucose (mean difference −2, 95% CI 0 to −4; P=.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of our self-administered internet-based intervention, which involved different learning techniques aimed to promote lifestyle changes, resulted in positive short- and long-term health benefits in patients who are obese with HTN.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03396302; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03396302
Systematic review protocol examining the effectiveness of non-Invasive Stimulation Techniques to Collect Urine in Newborn and Infants (Preprint)
Authors: Tan Ting Wan , Tan Han Ling , Chang Chih Ming
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of common illness in newborn and infants. An accurate urine sample to diagnosis of UTI is crucial to ensure appropriate treatment to avoid delayed and false-treatment. However, data to assess the effectiveness and safety of non-invasive stimulation technique of collecting urine in newborn and infants are yet to be critically evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

This protocol aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the evidences related to the effectiveness and safety of non-invasive stimulation technique of collecting urine in newborn and infants.

METHODS

This protocol follows guideline according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocol and registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. Seven databases will be searched from their inception to March 2020: PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and cumulative index to nursing and allied health literature database.

RESULTS

This Systemic review will include randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) including quasi-randomized controlled trials (quasi-RCTs), observational studies (prospective cohort or retrospective cohort studies). We will perform data extraction, study selection, assessment with risk of bias and data analysis. Primary outcomes measure success in obtaining a urine sample. Secondary outcome measures included gender, age group, weight analysis, contamination rate and adverse effects. Study methodological appraisal of the studies will be assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tools. For sufficient data are available, a meta-analysis will be conducted. I2 statistics will be used to assess heterogeneity and identify potential sources.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review wills no requirement for ethical approval, without human beings involvement. This systematic review will be published electronically in a peer-reviewed journal, and will give healthcare practitioners good practical guide and information for the evidences related to the effectiveness of non-invasive stimulation techniques to collect urine in newborn and infants, aims to improve clinical outcomes.
Client Satisfaction and Experience With Telepsychiatry: Development and Validation of a Survey Using Clinical Quality Domains (Preprint)
Authors: Serhal Eva , Kirvan Anne , Sanches Marcos , Crawford Allison
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Telepsychiatry is an increasingly used model of mental health care that connects patients with psychiatrists at a distance via videoconference. Telepsychiatry is an effective clinical intervention that improves access to quality care in regions with limited resources or in clinical situations where in-person care is unavailable.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to develop a validated survey tool to measure patient experience and satisfaction with telepsychiatry based on the quality of care domains. This study also seeks to understand which health service outcomes were most strongly correlated with overall satisfaction in the context of telepsychiatry.

METHODS

The survey created in this study was developed and validated with a panel of subject matter and process experts and was piloted with 274 patients who received clinical consultations through the TeleMental Health Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Factor analysis was used to determine correlations between questions and quality of care domains and was also used to assess model fit.

RESULTS

The study provides a validated survey to measure patient satisfaction and experience with telepsychiatry across 4 domains: access and timeliness, appropriateness, effectiveness, and safety. Both safety and access and timeliness were found to be statistically significant predictors of satisfaction in our sample.

CONCLUSIONS

By situating patient satisfaction and experience within this framework, the survey facilitates patient data collection and interpretation through a clinical quality lens.
Email Use Reconsidered in Health Professions Education: Viewpoint (Preprint)
Authors: De Gagne Jennie C , Yang Yesol , Rushton Sharron , Koppel Paula D , Hall Katherine
Published: April 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

Email has become a popular means of communication in the past 40 years, with more than 200 billion emails sent each day worldwide. When used appropriately, email can be an effective and useful form of correspondence, although improper practices, such as email incivility, can present challenges. Email is ubiquitous in education and health care, where it is used for student-to-teacher, provider-to-provider, and patient-to-provider communications, but not all students, faculty members, and health professionals are skilled in its use. This paper examines the challenges and opportunities posed by email communication in health professions education and reveals important deficiencies in training, as well as steps that can be taken by health professions educators to address them. Recommendations are offered to help health professions educators develop approaches for teaching email professionalism.
Quality of Novel coronavirus related health information over the Internet: An evaluation study (Preprint)
Authors: Joshi Ashish , Kajal Fnu , Sharma Priya , Bhatt Ashruti , Kumar Kanishk , Kaur Mahima
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

A Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a pandemic by the WHO on March 11, 2020. The 2019 n-CoV is a virus that is known to belong to a large family of coronaviruses which have affected the human kind in the past also like; SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV. As of today, April 12 2020, there are 1.78 million total Coronavirus Cases, 108,880 deaths and 404,581 recovered cases. Public health experts worry that the spread of COVID-19 could be worsened by misinformation. It is important to analyze the information available on the internet in regard to COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate quality of COVID-19 related health information over the internet using DISCERN tool.

METHODS

100 URLs were generated by search engine Google in March 2020 by selecting the first 20 websites that appeared in the results of various keyword search. The keywords used in this search included “Coronavirus”, “Coronavirus causes”, “Coronavirus diagnosis”, “Coronavirus prevention” and “Coronavirus management”. The 16 item DISCERN tool was used to evaluate the quality of COVID-19 related information available on internet. Inter-rater reliability agreement was calculated using kappa statistics.

RESULTS

Results showed variation in how the raters assigned scores to different website categories. The lowest scores were received by .com websites. Results showed that .edu and .org, website category sites were excellent in communicating novel coronavirus related health information; however, they received lower scores for treatment effect and treatment choices.

CONCLUSIONS

The critical gaps in the available quality of information were assessed in context to COVID-19 and help us to evaluate the quality of information available and can guide the users to choose between various websites. If inaccurate information is being spread, that site should be closed down or some regulatory provisions should also be framed in this regard. One recommendation could be that websites, once ranked with trust marks, can be popularized to public for better information dissemination.
Infoveillance based on Social Sensors to Analyze
the impact of Covid19 in South American Population (Preprint)
Authors: Chire Saire Josimar E.
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Infoveillance is an application from Infodemiology field with the aim to monitor public health and create public policies. Social
sensor is the people providing thought, ideas through electronic communication channels(i.e. Internet). The actual scenario is
related to tackle the covid19 impact over the world, many countries have the infrastructure, scientists to help the growth and
countries took actions to decrease the impact. South American countries have a different context about Economy, Health and
Research, so Infoveillance can be a useful tool to monitor and improve the decisions and be more strategical. The motivation of
this work is analyze the capital of Spanish Speakers Countries in South America using a Text Mining Approach with Twitter as
data source. The preliminary results helps to understand what happens two weeks ago and opens the analysis from different
perspectives i.e. Economics, Social.

OBJECTIVE

Analyze the behaviour of South American Capitals in front of covid19 pandemics and show the helpfulness of Text Mining Approach for Infoveillance tasks.

METHODS

Text Mining process

RESULTS

- Argentina and Venezuela capitals are the biggest number of post during this period, opposite with Bolivia, Ecuador and Uruguay.
- Most relevant users are related to mass media like radio, television or newspapers.
- There is a general concern about covid19 but every country talks about different areas: Economics, Health, Environmental Impact.

CONCLUSIONS

Infoveillance based on Social Sensors with data coming from Twitter can help to understand the trends on the population of the
capitals. Besides, it is necessary to filter the posts for processing the text and get insights about frequency, top users, most
important terms. This data is useful to analyse the population from different approaches.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

RR2-https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.06.20055749
How Universities Use Alumni Resources to Help Students’ Growth: China Perspective
Authors: Ning Xiaohua
Published: April 2020

As an important force of social cooperative education in colleges and universities, alumni are not only the embodiment of high school achievements, but also an important educational resource in colleges and universities. By grasping the advantages of alumni as educational resources, alumni education should be carried out throughout the whole process of alumni work, and the concept of “all staff, all process, all aspects, all society and all heart” service for students and prospective alumni should be established. A high-quality alumni education team should be established, rich alumni education programs should be developed, key alumni education fields should be focused, intensive alumni education resources should be expanded, and a win-win cooperation mode between universities and alumni should be established. Taking the initiative to transform the advantages of alumni resources accumulated over a long period of time into the advantages of continuously improving the quality of personnel training, providing a solid social foundation for the school’s education work.
Percepciones sociales del proceso de municipalización del agua potable en comunidades periurbanas de León, Guanajuato
Authors: Hernández González Jennifer , Tagle Zamora Daniel
Published: April 2020

El objetivo de este artículo consiste en identificar las percepciones sociales del proceso de municipalización del servicio de agua potable en comunidades periurbanas que tenían el control de la gestión del recurso. Se consideraron tres comunidades en León, Guanajuato: La Laborcita, que mantiene la gestión del comité rural del agua porque rechazó su incorporación a la municipalización; Ladrilleras del Refugio, que incorporó su gestión en 2018; y Loza de los Padres, que en la actualidad presenta conflictos por las iniciativas de incorporación. Se utilizó una metodología cualitativa, a través de entrevistas en profundidad y observación no participante que permitieron identificar los argumentos a favor y en contra sobre la municipalización del servicio de agua potable. La selección de casos de estudio no permite analizar lo que ocurre en aquellas comunidades que se encuentran en el área periurbana colindante al resto de los municipios de la zona metropolitana de León ni refleja las problemáticas de las comunidades rurales alejadas del área urbana. Los resultados muestran que la incorporación de la gestión del agua de las comunidades periurbanas al sistema urbano depende del nivel de confianza que las comunidades tienen tanto de sus propios comités de agua como del organismo operador de agua potable del municipio.