bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioinformatics-based prediction of conformational epitopes for human parechovirus
Authors: Rong Hao , Wang Liping , Gao Liuying , Fang Yulu , Chen Qin , Hu Jianli , Ye Meng , Liao Qi , Zhang Lina , Dong Changzheng
Published: April 2021

Human parechoviruses (HPeVs) are human pathogens that usually cause diseases ranging from rash to neonatal sepsis in young children. HPeV1 and HPeV3 are the most frequently reported genotypes and their three-dimensional structures have been determined. However, there is a lack of systematic research on the antigenic epitopes of HPeVs, which are useful for understanding virus-receptor interactions, developing antiviral agents or molecular diagnostic tools, and monitoring antigenic evolution. Thus, we systematically predicted and compared the conformational epitopes of HPeV1 and HPeV3 using bioinformatics methods in the study. The results showed that both epitopes clustered into three sites (sites 1, 2 and 3). Site 1 was located on the "northern rim" near the fivefold vertex; site 2 was on the "puff"; and site 3 was divided into two parts, of which one was located on the "knob" and the other was close to the threefold vertex. The predicted epitopes highly overlapped with the reported antigenic epitopes, which indicated that the prediction results were accurate. Although the distribution positions of the epitopes of HPeV1 and HPeV3 were highly consistent, the residues varied largely and determined the genotypes. Three amino acid residues, VP3-91N, -92H and VP0-257S, were the key residues for monoclonal antibody (mAb) AM28 binding to HPeV1 and were also of great significance in distinguishing HPeV1 and HPeV3. We also found that two residues, VP1-85N and -87D, might affect the capability of mAb AT12-015 to bind to HPeV3.
Clinical outcomes of a community clinic-based lifestyle change program for prevention and management of metabolic syndrome: Results of the ‘Vida Sana/Healthy Life’ program
Authors: Risica Patricia Markham , McCarthy Meghan L. , Barry Katherine L. , Oliverio Susan P. , Gans Kim M. , De Groot Anne S.
Published: April 2021

Introduction

As US Hispanic populations are at higher risk than non-Hispanics for cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes targeted interventions are clearly needed. This paper presents the four years results of the Vida Sana Program (VSP), which was developed and is implemented by a small clinic serving mostly Spanish-speaking, limited literacy population.

Methods

The eight-week course of interactive two-hour sessions taught by Navegantes, bilingual/cultural community health workers, was delivered to participants with hypertension, or high lipids, BMI, waist circumference, glucose or hemoglobin A1C (A1C). Measures, collected by Navegantes and clinic nurses, included blood chemistries, blood pressure, anthropometry, and an assessment of healthy food knowledge.

Results

Most participants (67%) were female, Hispanic (95%), and all were 18 to 70 years of age. At baseline, close to half of participants were obese (48%), had high waist circumference (53%), or elevated A1C (52%), or fasting blood glucose (57%). About one third had high blood pressure (29%) or serum cholesterol (35%), and 22% scored low on the knowledge assessment. After the intervention, participants decreased in weight (-1.0 lb), BMI (-0.2 kg/m2), WC (-0.4 inches), and cholesterol (-3.5 mg/dl, all p<0.001). Systolic blood pressure decreased (-1.7 mm Hg, p<0.001), and the knowledge score increased (6.8 percent, p<0.001).

Discussion

VSP shows promising improvements in metabolic outcomes, similar to other programs with longer duration or higher intensity interventions. VSP demonstrates an important model for successful community-connected interventions.
Differences in metabolic rate between two Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) populations estimated with carbon isotopic composition in otoliths
Authors: Smoliński Szymon , Denechaud Côme , von Leesen Gotje , Geffen Audrey J. , Grønkjær Peter , Godiksen Jane A. , Campana Steven E.
Published: April 2021

The isotopic composition of inorganic carbon in otoliths (δ13Coto) can be a useful tracer of metabolic rates and a method to study ecophysiology in wild fish. We evaluated environmental and physiological sources of δ13Coto variation in Icelandic and Northeast Arctic (NEA) cod (Gadus morhua) over the years 1914–2013. Individual annual growth increments of otoliths formed at age 3 and 8 were micromilled and measured by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. Simultaneously, all annual increment widths of the otoliths were measured providing a proxy of fish somatic growth. We hypothesized that changes in the physiological state of the organism, reflected by the isotopic composition of otoliths, can affect the growth rate. Using univariate and multivariate mixed-effects models we estimated conditional correlations between carbon isotopic composition and growth of fish at different levels (within individuals, between individuals, and between years), controlling for intrinsic and extrinsic effects on both otolith measurements. δ13Coto was correlated with growth within individuals and between years, which was attributed to the intrinsic effects (fish age or total length). There was no significant correlation between δ13Coto and growth between individuals, which suggests that caution is needed when interpreting δ13Coto signals. We found a significant decrease in δ13Coto through the century which was explained by the oceanic Suess effect-admixture of isotopically light carbon from fossil fuel. We calculated the proportion of the respired carbon in otolith carbonate (Cresp) using carbon isotopic composition in diet and dissolved inorganic carbon of the seawater. This approach allowed us to correct the values for each stock in relation to these two environmental baselines. Cresp was on average 0.275 and 0.295 in Icelandic and NEA stock, respectively. Our results provide an insight into the physiological basis for differences in growth characteristics between these two cod stocks, and how that may vary over time.
Sensitization or inoculation: Investigating the effects of early adversity on personality traits and stress experiences in adulthood
Authors: Luo Jing , Zhang Bo , Roberts Brent W.
Published: April 2021

Cumulative evidence has been found for the associations between personality traits and stress experiences in adulthood. However, less is known about the moderating mechanisms underlying these associations. The present study tested whether the stress sensitization and stress inoculation hypotheses could be applied to the relationship between early adversity and personality in adulthood. Specifically, we tested the linear and curvilinear relations between early adversity (measured retrospectively) and adulthood personality traits, as well as the linear and curvilinear moderating effects of early adversity on the associations between adulthood stress and personality traits. Samples of older adults from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; N = 6098) and middle-aged adults from the Midlife in the United States Survey (MIDUS; N = 6186) were used. Across the two samples, positive linear associations were found between retrospective early adversity and neuroticism. The results also suggested significant linear effects of early adversity on the association between ongoing chronic stressors and neuroticism such that individuals with moderate exposure to early adversity showed stronger associations between ongoing chronic stressors and neuroticism. Results from the current research were more in line with the stress sensitization model. No support was found for the stress inoculation effects on personality.
Polyethylene eye-cover versus artificial teardrops in the prevention of ocular surface diseases in comatose patients: A prospective multicenter randomized triple-blinded three-arm clinical trial
Authors: Khatiban Mahnaz , Moradi Amin Hamid , Falahinia Gholamhosein , Moghimbeigi Abbas , Yadollahi Mehran
Published: April 2021

Background

Polyethylene covers are claimed to be useful in preventing ocular surface diseases (OSD); however, evidence of their clinical efficacy is limited. This clinical trial aimed to compare the use of polyethylene eye covers and artificial teardrops versus normal saline on the incidence and severity of OSD in comatose patients.

Methods

Of 90 eligible patients randomly assigned to three treatment groups, 79 patients completed the study, In group A, patients (n = 25) received artificial teardrops for left and normal saline for right eyes, in group B (n = 29) polyethylene covers for left and normal saline for right eyes, and in group C (n = 25) polyethylene covers for left and artificial teardrops for right eyes. As the patients were comatose, their blinding did not applicable, and a blinded observer evaluated the patients’ eyes based on the Corneal Fluorescein Staining Pattern. The blinded analyzer analyzed collected data by SPSS-16 software at a 95% confidential level.

Results

The OSDs were observed in 65 (41.14%) out of 158 eyes examined. The artificial teardrop was more effective than the normal saline in group A, polyethylene eye cover was more useful than the normal saline in group B, and polyethylene eye cover was more effective than the artificial teardrop in group C in reducing the incidence of OSD (p< 0.01). Polyethylene eye covers had the most impact on reducing the severity of the OSD compared to the other interventions (p< .001).

Conclusions

Polyethylene eye covers significantly reduced the incidence and severity of OSD. Using polyethylene cover is suggested as a safe, effective, and accessible eye care intervention for preventing OSD in comatose patients.

Trial registration

(IRCT201609129014N115), Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials.
Impact of being an adolescent mother on subsequent maternal health, parenting, and child development in Kenyan low-income and high adversity informal settlement context
Authors: Kumar Manasi , Huang Keng Yen
Published: April 2021

Background

Women who have experienced adolescent pregnancy and early motherhood are disproportionately affected in terms of their health and parenting capabilities, as well as their offspring’s health. Guided by Stress Process and Social Determinants of Health (SDH) Frameworks, which posit that multiple sources of stressors and structural determinants of adolescent pregnancy influence adolescent mothers’ subsequent health and quality of parenting (Xavier et al 2018, McLoyd 1998, Conger et al 2010, Gipson et al 2008). These dynamics then further impact offspring’s outcomes. Using an Integrated Stress-SDH Process for Health Disparities model and we test on whether early motherhood is associated with and subsequent maternal and child health from two informal settlements in Nairobi.

Methods

A cross-sectional design with 394 mothers of 2–16 years old children who sought maternal and child health services at Kariobangi and Kangemi public health centers between October 2015 to April 2016 were recruited. Participating mothers were asked questions related to their adolescent pregnancy history, their current health, wellbeing, and parenting practices, and their child’s health. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to examine hypothesized mediational pathways that adolescent pregnancy history has negative influences on women’s health and parenting during adulthood, which also influence their child’s health and development.

Results

Our study supports that women with a history of adolescent motherhood have poor physical and mental health outcomes as adults after adjusting for demographic confounders. SEM results partially support the Stress-SDH Process model that history of adolescent pregnancy had negative consequences on women’s adulthood health, which also negatively impacted offspring’s physical and mental health.

Conclusion

Consistent with the Stress Process and SDH literature, we found consistent cross-cultural literature that adolescent pregnancy set the stage for, subsequent poor maternal health and child outcomes. Although history of adolescent pregnancy and motherhood was not necessarily associated with negative parenting, consistent with parenting literature, negative parenting was associated with poor child mental health. Findings suggest importance of providing integrated care that address health and parenting needs to optimize offspring’s development in instances of early motherhood.
A comprehensive analysis of COVID-19 transmission and mortality rates at the county level in the United States considering socio-demographics, health indicators, mobility trends and health care infrastructure attributes
Authors: Bhowmik Tanmoy , Tirtha Sudipta Dey , Iraganaboina Naveen Chandra , Eluru Naveen
Published: April 2021

Background

Several research efforts have evaluated the impact of various factors including a) socio-demographics, (b) health indicators, (c) mobility trends, and (d) health care infrastructure attributes on COVID-19 transmission and mortality rate. However, earlier research focused only on a subset of variable groups (predominantly one or two) that can contribute to the COVID-19 transmission/mortality rate. The current study effort is designed to remedy this by analyzing COVID-19 transmission/mortality rates considering a comprehensive set of factors in a unified framework.

Methods and findings

We study two per capita dependent variables: (1) daily COVID-19 transmission rates and (2) total COVID-19 mortality rates. The first variable is modeled using a linear mixed model while the later dimension is analyzed using a linear regression approach. The model results are augmented with a sensitivity analysis to predict the impact of mobility restrictions at a county level. Several county level factors including proportion of African-Americans, income inequality, health indicators associated with Asthma, Cancer, HIV and heart disease, percentage of stay at home individuals, testing infrastructure and Intensive Care Unit capacity impact transmission and/or mortality rates. From the policy analysis, we find that enforcing a stay at home order that can ensure a 50% stay at home rate can result in a potential reduction of about 33% in daily cases.

Conclusions

The model framework developed can be employed by government agencies to evaluate the influence of reduced mobility on transmission rates at a county level while accommodating for various county specific factors. Based on our policy analysis, the study findings support a county level stay at home order for regions currently experiencing a surge in transmission. The model framework can also be employed to identify vulnerable counties that need to be prioritized based on health indicators for current support and/or preferential vaccination plans (when available).
Strenuous 12-h run elevates circulating biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation and intestinal permeability in middle-aged amateur runners: A preliminary study
Authors: Sadowska-Krępa Ewa , Rozpara Michał , Rzetecki Adam , Bańkowski Sebastian , Żebrowska Aleksandra , Pilch Wanda
Published: April 2021

Given the solid evidence that prolonged strenuous exercise is a cause of metabolic stress, this study sought to determine whether a 12-h run would affect total oxidant status (TOS), total oxidant capacity (TOC), total antioxidant status (TAS), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the biomarkers of intestinal permeability (protein fatty acid-binding proteins (I-FABP) and zonulin) in middle-aged male subjects. Ten amateur long-distance runners (aged 52.0 ± 6.2 years, body height 176.9 ± 4.9 cm, body mass 73.9 ± 6.0 kg) were enrolled in the study. The venous blood samples were collected 1 hour before and right after the run and were analyzed for the levels of TAS, TOS/TOC, hs-CRP, I-FABP and zonulin. The post-run concentrations of TOS/TOC were significantly elevated (p < 0.001), but TAS changes were not significant. Pearson’s correlation coefficients calculated for the post run values of TAS and TOS/TOC were statistically significant and negative (r = -0.750, p < 0.05). Significant increases in the concentrations of hs-CRP (p < 0.001), I-FABP (p < 0.05) and zonulin (p < 0.01) were noted. The results indicate that a strenuous 12-h run disturbs the prooxidant-antioxidant balance in middle-aged men, as well as promoting inflammation and impairing intestinal permeability.
Genes related to redox and cell curvature facilitate interactions between Caulobacter strains and Arabidopsis
Authors: Berrios Louis , Ely Bert
Published: April 2021

Bacteria play an integral role in shaping plant growth and development. However, the genetic factors that facilitate plant-bacteria interactions remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated the importance of two bacterial genetic factors that facilitate the interactions between plant-growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria in the genusCaulobacterand the host plantArabidopsis. Using homologous recombination, we disrupted the cytochrome ubiquinol oxidase (cyo) operon in bothC.vibrioidesCB13 andC.segnisTK0059 by knocking out the expression ofcyoB(critical subunit of thecyooperon) and showed that the mutant strains were unable to enhance the growth ofArabidopsis. In addition, disruption of thecyooperon, metabolomic reconstructions, and pH measurements suggested that both elevatedcyoBexpression and acid production by strain CB13 contribute to the previously observed inhibition ofArabidopsisseed germination. We also showed that the crescent shape of the PGP bacterial strainC.crescentusCB15 contributes to its ability to enhance plant growth. Thus, we have identified specific genetic factors that explain how selectCaulobacterstrains interact withArabidopsisplants.
Evaluation of prognostic significance of hematological profiles after the intensive phase treatment in pulmonary tuberculosis patients from Romania
Authors: Ştefanescu Simona , Cocoş Relu , Turcu-Stiolica Adina , Mahler Beatrice , Meca Andreea-Daniela , Giura Ana Maria Cristina , Bogdan Maria , Shelby Elena-Silvia , Zamfirescu Georgeta , Pisoschi Catalina-Gabriela
Published: April 2021

We evaluated in this cohort study the predictive ability of 23 peripheral blood parameters and ratios for treatment outcomes after the 2-month intensive phase in patients with PTB. In 63 patients out of 90 that turned culture negative, a significant decrease in white blood cell count, neutrophils, monocyte, hemoglobin, platelet, plateletcrit, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, MLR, NLR, PLR and SII values after anti-TB therapy compared to pretreatment was observed (p <0.001). Logistic regression analysis generated a model of predictors consisting of nine covariates. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between NLR with NEU (r = 0.79, p<0.01), SII with NEU (r = 0.846, p<0.01), PLT with SII (r = 0.831, p<0.01), PLT with PCT (r = 0.71, p<0.01) and MPV with P-LCR (r = 0,897, p<0.01) in 63 patients out of 90 that turned culture negative after 2 months of treatment. ROC curve analysis indicated that all areas under the curve (AUC) revealed no statistically significant results, except lymphocyte for culture conversion. In summary, here we observed a set of hematological parameters that declined significantly as the disease was treated in patients that turned culture negative. Despite some limitations, our findings are useful for further studies aiming to identify hematological profiles that could predict the treatment outcome.
predPhogly-Site: Predicting phosphoglycerylation sites by incorporating probabilistic sequence-coupling information into PseAAC and addressing data imbalance
Authors: Ahmed Sabit , Rahman Afrida , Hasan Md. Al Mehedi , Islam Md Khaled Ben , Rahman Julia , Ahmad Shamim
Published: April 2021

Post-translational modification (PTM) involves covalent modification after the biosynthesis process and plays an essential role in the study of cell biology. Lysine phosphoglycerylation, a newly discovered reversible type of PTM that affects glycolytic enzyme activities, and is responsible for a wide variety of diseases, such as heart failure, arthritis, and degeneration of the nervous system. Our goal is to computationally characterize potential phosphoglycerylation sites to understand the functionality and causality more accurately. In this study, a novel computational tool, referred to as predPhogly-Site, has been developed to predict phosphoglycerylation sites in the protein. It has effectively utilized the probabilistic sequence-coupling information among the nearby amino acid residues of phosphoglycerylation sites along with a variable cost adjustment for the skewed training dataset to enhance the prediction characteristics. It has achieved around 99% accuracy with more than 0.96 MCC and 0.97 AUC in both 10-fold cross-validation and independent test. Even, the standard deviation in 10-fold cross-validation is almost negligible. This performance indicates that predPhogly-Site remarkably outperformed the existing prediction tools and can be used as a promising predictor, preferably with its web interface at http://103.99.176.239/predPhogly-Site.
COVID-19 and crime: Analysis of crime dynamics amidst social distancing protocols
Authors: Scott Shelby M. , Gross Louis J.
Published: April 2021

In response to the pandemic in early 2020, cities implemented states of emergency and stay at home orders to reduce virus spread. Changes in social dynamics due to local restrictions impacted human behavior and led to a shift in crime dynamics. We analyze shifts in crime types by comparing crimes before the implementation of stay at home orders and the time period shortly after these orders were put in place across three cities. We find consistent changes across Chicago, Baltimore, and Baton Rouge with significant declines in total crimes during the time period immediately following stay at home orders. The starkest differences occurred in Chicago, but in all three cities the crime types contributing to these declines were related to property crime and statutory crime rather than interpersonal crimes.
Meta-analysis of arterial anastomosis techniques in head and neck free tissue transfer
Authors: Wang Yu-Jing , Wang Xiu-Ling , Jin Shan , Zhang Ran , Gao Yu-Qin
Published: April 2021

The present meta-analysis aimed to investigate the differences in the incidence of thrombosis and vascular compromise in arterial anastomosis between microvascular anastomotic devices and hand-sewn techniques during free tissue transfer in the head and neck. We searched for articles in PubMed/Medline, CNKI, WANFANG DATA, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science, from January 1, 1962 till April 1, 2020 that reported data of microvascular anastomosis during free tissue transfer in the head and neck. The incidence of arterial thrombosis or vascular compromise, or both was the primary outcome. The secondary outcome was anastomotic time. We also assessed the sensitivity and the risk of bias. This meta-analysis included 583 arterial anastomoses from six studies. The group using microvascular anastomotic devices tended to have an increased incidence of arterial thrombosis and vascular compromise (risk ratio (RR), 3.42; P = 0.38; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.91–12.77). The hand-sewn technique took significantly longer to perform the anastomosis compared with that of the microvascular anastomotic devices (weighted mean difference, 15.26 min; P<0.01; 95% CI, 14.65–15.87). Microvascular anastomotic devices might increase the risk of arterial thrombosis and vascular compromise compared with the hand-sewn technique; however, further randomized controlled trials are needed to provide a more accurate estimate. The application of microvascular anastomotic devices will help to reduce anastomotic surgery time and achieve acceptable vessel opening, benefiting from the developments of arterial couplers and microsurgical techniques.
The influence of beam delivery uncertainty on dose uniformity and penumbra for pencil beam scanning in carbon-ion radiotherapy
Authors: Li Yue , Gao Yunzhe , Liu Xinguo , Shi Jian , Xia Jiawen , Yang Jiancheng , Mao Lijun
Published: April 2021

The dose uniformity and penumbra in the treatment field are important factors in radiotherapy, which affects the outcomes of radiotherapy. In this study, the integrated depth-dose-distributions (IDDDs) of 190 MeV/u and 260 MeV/u carbon beams in the active spot-scanning delivery system were measured and calculated by FLUKA Monte Carlo simulation based on the Heavy Ion Medical Machine (HIMM). Considering the dose distributions caused by secondary particles and scattering, we also used different types of pencil beam (PB) models to fit and compare the spatial distributions of PB. We superposed a bunch of PB to form a 20×20 cm2 treatment field with the double Gaussian and double Gaussian logistic beam models and calculated the influence of beam delivery error on the field flatness and penumbra, respectively. The simulated IDDDs showed good agreement with the measured values. The triple Gaussian and double Gaussian logistic beam models have good fitness to the simulated dose distributions. There are different influences on dose uniformity and penumbra resulting from beam uncertainties. These results would be helpful for understanding carbon ion therapy, and physical therapists are more familiar with beam characteristics for active scanning therapy, which provides a reference for commissioning and optimization of treatment plans in radiotherapy.
Patient access to chronic medications during the Covid-19 pandemic: Evidence from a comprehensive dataset of US insurance claims
Authors: Clement Jeffrey , Jacobi Maura , Greenwood Brad N.
Published: April 2021

Patient access and adherence to chronic medications is critical. In this work, we evaluate whether disruptions related to Covid-19 have affected new and existing patients’ access to pharmacological therapies without interruption. We do so by performing a retrospective analysis on a dataset of 9.4 billion US prescription drug claims from 252 million patients from May, 2019 through August, 2020 (about 93% of prescriptions dispensed within those months). Using fixed effect (conditional likelihood) linear models, we evaluate continuity of care, how many days of supply patients received, and the likelihood of discontinuing therapy for drugs from classes with significant population health impacts. Findings indicate that more prescriptions were filled in March 2020 than in any prior month, followed by a significant drop in monthly dispensing. Compared to the pre-Covid era, a patient’s likelihood of discontinuing some medications increased after the spread of Covid: norgestrel-ethinyl estradiol (hormonal contraceptive) discontinuation increased 0.62% (95% CI: 0.59% to 0.65%, p<0.001); dexmethylphenidate HCL (ADHD stimulant treatment) discontinuation increased 2.84% (95% CI: 2.79% to 2.89%, p<0.001); escitalopram oxalate (SSRI antidepressant) discontinuation increased 0.57% (95% CI: 0.561% to 0.578%, p<0.001); and haloperidol (antipsychotic) discontinuation increased 1.49% (95% CI: 1.41% to 1.57%, p<0.001). In contrast, the likelihood of discontinuing tacrolimus (immunosuppressant) decreased 0.15% (95% CI: 0.12% to 0.19%, p<0.001). The likelihood of discontinuing buprenorphine/naloxone (opioid addiction therapy) decreased 0.59% (95% CI: 0.55% to 0.62% decrease, p<0.001). We also observe a notable decline in new patients accessing these latter two therapies. Most US patients were able to access chronic medications during the early months of Covid-19, but still were more likely to discontinue their therapies than in previous months. Further, fewer than normal new patients started taking medications that may be vital to their care. Providers would do well to inquire about adherence and provide prompt, nonjudgmental, re-initiation of medications. From a policy perspective, opioid management programs seem to demonstrate a robust ability to manage existing patients in spite of disruption.
A randomized controlled trial of high volume simethicone to improve visualization during capsule endoscopy
Authors: Sey Michael , Yan Brian , McDonald Cassandra , Segal Dan , Friedland Joshua , Puka Klajdi , Jairath Vipul
Published: April 2021

Background

The optimal dose of simethicone before capsule endoscopy is unknown. Prior studies have reported inconsistent cleansing, with some showing improved visualization only in the proximal small intestine. We hypothesized a higher volume of simethicone may improve cleansing and diagnostic yield, especially in the distal small bowel.

Methods

A phase III randomized controlled trial was conducted comparing high volume (1125 mg simethicone in 750 ml water) versus standard volume (300 mg simethicone in 200 ml water) solutions, both at 1.5 mg/ml. The primary outcome was adequate bowel preparation, defined as a KOrea-CanaDA (KODA) score >2.25, overall and stratified by the proximal and distal half of the small bowel. Secondary outcomes included mean KODA score, diagnostic yield, completion rate, and adverse events. All analyses were intention-to-treat.

Results

A total of 167 patients were randomized (mean (SD) age 58.7 (15.7), 54% female) and the most common indication was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (71.7%). Adequate cleansing was achieved in 39 (50%) patients in the high volume group and in 39 (48%) patients in the standard volume group (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.76–1.43, p = 0.82), with no differences observed in the proximal half (71% vs 64%, p = 0.40) or the distal half -of the small bowel (36% vs. 37%, p = 0.88). There was no differences in the mean (SD) KODA score (2.20 (0.41) vs. 2.18 (0.44), p = 0.73), diagnostic yields (53% vs. 56%, p = 0.71), or completion rates (both 95%). One adverse event, nausea, occurred in the control group.

Conclusion

High volume simethicone does not improve visualization during capsule endoscopy.

Clinical trial registration

Clinical trial: NCT02334631.
Individuality decoded by running patterns: Movement characteristics that determine the uniqueness of human running
Authors: Hoitz Fabian , von Tscharner Vinzenz , Baltich Jennifer , Nigg Benno M.
Published: April 2021

Human gait is as unique to an individual as is their fingerprint. It remains unknown, however, what gait characteristics differentiate well between individuals that could define the uniqueness of human gait. The purpose of this work was to determine the gait characteristics that were most relevant for a neural network to identify individuals based on their running patterns. An artificial neural network was trained to recognize kinetic and kinematic movement trajectories of overground running from 50 healthy novice runners (males and females). Using layer-wise relevance propagation, the contribution of each variable to the classification result of the neural network was determined. It was found that gait characteristics of the coronal and transverse plane as well as medio-lateral ground reaction forces provided more information for subject identification than gait characteristics of the sagittal plane and ground reaction forces in vertical or anterior-posterior direction. Additionally, gait characteristics during the early stance were more relevant for gait recognition than those of the mid and late stance phase. It was concluded that the uniqueness of human gait is predominantly encoded in movements of the coronal and transverse plane during early stance.
Transport mechanisms at the malaria parasite-host cell interface
Authors: Beck Josh R. , Ho Chi-Min
Published: April 2021

Obligate intracellular malaria parasites reside within a vacuolar compartment generated during invasion which is the principal interface between pathogen and host. To subvert their host cell and support their metabolism, these parasites coordinate a range of transport activities at this membrane interface that are critically important to parasite survival and virulence, including nutrient import, waste efflux, effector protein export, and uptake of host cell cytosol. Here, we review our current understanding of the transport mechanisms acting at the malaria parasite vacuole during the blood and liver-stages of development with a particular focus on recent advances in our understanding of effector protein translocation into the host cell by thePlasmodiumTranslocon of EXported proteins (PTEX) and small molecule transport by the PTEX membrane-spanning pore EXP2. Comparison toToxoplasma gondiiand other related apicomplexans is provided to highlight how similar and divergent mechanisms are employed to fulfill analogous transport activities.
Robust CAR-T memory formation and function via hematopoietic stem cell delivery
Authors: Zhen Anjie , Carrillo Mayra A. , Mu Wenli , Rezek Valerie , Martin Heather , Hamid Philip , Chen Irvin S. Y. , Yang Otto O. , Zack Jerome A. , Kitchen Scott G.
Published: April 2021

Due to the durability and persistence of reservoirs of HIV-1-infected cells, combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) is insufficient in eradicating infection. Achieving HIV-1 cure or sustained remission without ART treatment will require the enhanced and persistent effective antiviral immune responses. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells have emerged as a powerful immunotherapy and show promise in treating HIV-1 infection. Persistence, trafficking, and maintenance of function remain to be a challenge in many of these approaches, which are based on peripheral T cell modification. To overcome many of these issues, we have previously demonstrated successful long-term engraftment and production of anti-HIV CAR T cells in modified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in vivo. Here we report the development andin vivotesting of second generation CD4-based CARs (CD4CAR) against HIV-1 infection using a HSCs-based approach. We found that a modified, truncated CD4-based CAR (D1D2CAR) allows better CAR-T cell differentiation from gene modified HSCs, and maintains similar CTL activity as compared to the full length CD4-based CAR. In addition, D1D2CAR does not mediate HIV infection or stimulation mediated by IL-16, suggesting lower risk of off-target effects. Interestingly, stimulatory domains of 4-1BB but not CD28 allowed successful hematopoietic differentiation and improved anti-viral function of CAR T cells from CAR modified HSCs. Addition of 4-1BB to CD4 based CARs led to faster suppression of viremia during early untreated HIV-1 infection. D1D2CAR 4-1BB mice had faster viral suppression in combination with ART and better persistence of CAR T cells during ART. In summary, our data indicate that the D1D2CAR-41BB is a superior CAR, showing better HSC differentiation, viral suppression and persistence, and less deleterious functions compared to the original CD4CAR, and should continue to be pursued as a candidate for clinical study.
The Marshallese look: Clothing, culture and identity in a disappearing world
Authors: DeCoursey C. A. , Krawczyk Ewa B.
Published: April 2021

Marshallese youth face extraordinary challenges in creating an identity, due to their economy, isolated location – the Marshall Islands are located in the central Pacific Ocean and comprise of more than 1200 islands and islets – the history of US nuclear testing in the islands and climate change. Contemporary youth identity construction requires constant acts of acculturation, due to media and globalization. This study used content and transitivity analyses to explore how Marshallese youth understand their distinctive look. Content sub-unit frequencies indicated that the Marshallese community was the most significant factor in defining style, particularly cultural uniqueness, history, religion and generational differences. Collective pronouns indicated that acculturation anxieties stemmed from cultural differences and loss and were managed by asserting community affiliation. Personal style preferences reflected contextual and financial limitations. Process-type analysis constructed culture as the most vigorous actor and speaker, where youth roles included perception and cognition, with other islands’ views mediating between the two. Roles attributed to the media and the West included emoting and wanting, where China more closely resembled Marshallese youth, though the ubiquity of western content may render its agency somewhat invisible to Marshallese youth. Overall, Marshallese youth harmonize their individuality within attributed community and contextual factors. This is likely to be their preferred strategy when they emigrate to the United States, a highly individualistic country. Marshallese parents and second-generation Marshallese will require support, in their new context.
EL NUEVO PANORAMA DE LOS SABERES DE LA EDUCACIÓN: DEBATES, ESTUDIOS Y PROPUESTAS (1950 - 1990)
Authors: Rico Antón Costa
Published: April 2021

La construcción del conocimiento pedagógico tendrá lugar

progresivamente a través de la pluridisciplinariedad y la

interdisciplinariedad de las ciencias de la educación. En este

escenario se rompen las pespectivas tradicionales de fuerte

ascendiente filosófica, para dar paso a una elaboración realizada

con el concurso de las ciencias sociales, si bien se partía de un rico legado aportado por importantes contribuciones filosóficas,

psicológicas, experimentales y empíricas. El conocimiento

elaborado es extraordinario y diversificado, en cuanto a los

discursos y a las prácticas en distintos ámbitos de preocupación,

lo que se tradujo en su especialización y en su fragmentación, al

punto de hacer hoy dificil la construcción de una epistemología

del discurso pedagógico, un saber fragil, complejo, en

transformación y con falta de perfiles nítidos, como seÃ±aló el

profesor Jaume Trilla. En estas circunstancias hemos seleccionado como lineas de fuerza aquellas que tienen que ver con el desarrollo de la educac ión auspiciado desde la sociología política y la sociología de la educación, o desde la teo ía económica; nos hemos acercado al pragmatismo y al conductualismo; nos referimos a las propuestas anti-autoritarias; recorremos lo esencial de la psicología

costructiva y cognitiva, y volvemos la mirada hacia la tesis del conocimiento como construcción social, para , finalmente, referirnos a las concepciones curriculares, y a la teoría y práctica docente. A

su alrededor se han ido organizando los distintos campos y

manifestaciones teóricas y metodológicas de las ciencias de la

educación, con sus conclusiones y distintas aplicaciones.
The Effect of Customersâ€™ Incivility and Work stress on Job Satisfaction through Burnout
Authors: Prasetyo Ribut , Purwandari Dian Alfia , Syah Tantri Yanuar Rahmat
Published: April 2021

The need for public services is currently increasing both in quantity and quality. In public service, employees need high job satisfaction because if they are satisfied with their work, they will be happy to do their duties and obligations to provide good service. Employee job satisfaction is influenced by several factors both from within and from the environment. This study aimed to examine the effect of customers Incivility and work stress on job satisfaction through burnout. This research was conducted on 191 respondents in the office of the Unit of Investment and One-Stop Services in the Kelurahan in DKI Jakarta Province. The survey was conducted by distributing questionnaires to 191 front office officers working in public service offices. The data were analyzed using the SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) analysis technique using Lisrel. The results of the study found that customers Incivility and work stress have a positive and significant effect on burnout. Furthermore, burnout has a negative and significant effect on job satisfaction. This study implies the importance of local government to pay attention to employee burnout aspects in increasing job satisfaction and front office employee performance.
Critical Review Zakat as Tax Deduction (Indonesia-Malaysia Comparative Study)
Authors: Nugraha Eha , Refmasari Veranda Aga , Fatriansyah Alif Ilham Akbar
Published: April 2021

This idea originated from the speech of the Minister of Finance at the 2nd Annual Conference of Islamic Finance in 2017 on the management of zakat and taxes. This paper critically discusses the regulation of income tax and zakat income in Indonesia and Malaysia. Furthermore, this paper aims to compare the treatment of zakat on personal income tax reporting with personal income tax in Malaysia. The research method used is design research that adopts the Plomp and Nieveen (2013) development model with adjustments, by collecting data through document studies, literature studies and in-depth interviews with zakat and tax practitioners. The results of the discussion show that Indonesia has not implemented zakat as a tax credit like Malaysia. Indonesia also does not yet have a national standard for zakat calculation.
Diagnostics of Inequality in the Social Sphere of the Far Eastern Regions of the Russian Federation
Authors:   Economic Research Institute FEB RAS, Kovalchuk Lyudmila
Published: April 2021

The expansion of the borders of the Far Eastern Federal District due to the inclusion of the Trans-Baikal Territory and the Republic of Buryatia in its composition actualizes the problem of inequality of regions (primarily in the social sphere), which in the new boundaries of the macroregion has significantly increased and has acquired a «supernormal» character. It has been established that the lag of the «new» Far Eastern subjects in the level of social development is accompanied by an increase in negative phenomena in the social sphere. The necessity of implementing a set of measures to form a «corridor of opportunities» that regions can use, including within the framework of interregional interaction within the Far Eastern Federal District, has been substantiated
Government Spending on Healthcare and Economic Growth in Russia: A Regional Aspect
Authors:   National Research University Higher School of Economics, Demidova Olga , Kayasheva Elena ,   National Research University Higher School of Economics, Demyanenko Artem ,   National Research University Higher School of Economics
Published: April 2021

The aim of this paper was to investigate the influence of an increase in government healthcare expenditures on regional economic growth in Russia. Studies have shown that an increase in healthcare expenditures stimulate an increase in GDP through several channels. Firstly, it improves the quality of labor force, which can lead to an increase in labor productivity. Secondly, an increase in productivity and size of labor force lead to consumption expansion and then to firms’ income growth, so there is a multiplication effect. Including the assumption that the relationship between healthcare expenditure and economic growth may be non-linear we formed the hypothesis of the existence of the average optimal share of healthcare expenditure in GRP that maximizes average regional economic growth rate. In this research it was suggested that an increase in healthcare expenditures besides the direct effect on economic growth of a particular region also affects economic growth of neighboring regions. The possible explanation of this is the positive impact of healthcare services received in the neighboring regions on nearby territories, joint national healthcare projects, and distribution of scientific knowledge. Using the spatial Durbin model focusing on regional data of 2005–2017, it was shown that the average optimal share of healthcare expenditures equals to 5,9% of GRP with an inclusion of spatial effects and 7,6% without them, outlining the importance of including interconnection variables between Russian regions into the model. The regional statistics analysis showed the failure to reach the recommended share by most Russian regions, which can be viewed as a possibility for economic growth stimulation in case of the increase in governmental spending on healthcare in the future
A New Age of Photography: ‘DIY Digitization’ in Manuscript Studies
Authors: Wakelin Daniel
Published: April 2021

Sincec.2008 many special collections libraries have allowed researchers to take photographs of medieval manuscripts: this article calls such self-service photography ‘DIY digitization’. The article considers some possible effects of this digital tool for research on book history, especially on palaeography, comparing it in particular to the effects of institutionally-led digitization. ‘DIY digitization’ does assist with access to manuscripts, but less easily and with less open data than institutional digitization does. Instead, it allows the researcher’s intellectual agenda to guide the selection of what to photograph. The photographic process thereby becomes part of the process of analysis. Photography by the researcher is therefore limited by subjectivity but it also helps to highlight the role of subjective perspectives in scholarship. It can also balance a breadth or depth of perspective in ways different from institutional digitization. It could in theory foster increased textual scholarship but in practice has fostered attention to the materiality of the text.
Effects of eight weeks exercise training on serum levels of adropin in male volleyball players
Authors: Afşin Abdulmecit , Bozyılan Eren , Asoğlu Ramazan , Yavuz Fethi , Dündar Aykut
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of an eight week exercise program on the lipid profile in serum, serum levels of adropin, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in male volleyball players.

Methods

Sixteen healthy male volleyball players participated in this study. Subjects performed eight weeks of aerobic and resistance training, and body mass index (BMI), body fat ratio, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), adropin, SBP, and DBP values were measured at the start (untrained) and end (trained) of training. Non-HDL-C was calculated by subtracting HDL-C from TC.

Results

Body fat percentage and BMI values decreased significantly after eight weeks of exercise training. There was a statistically significant decrease in the post-test values of LDL-C, TG, non-HDL-C, and DBP compared to pre-test measurements. There was a significant increase in the trained levels of adropin and HDL-C compared to untrained levels. Pearson’s correlation analyses revealed a negative and significant relationship between changes in DBP and adropin levels before and after exercise.

Conclusions

Eight weeks of exercise training decreased LDL-C, TG, non-HDL-C, and DBP and an increased serum levels of adropin in male volleyball players.
A study of the freeze-drying process and quality evaluation of Angelica sinensis
Authors: Haizhu Zhang , Zheng Luyao , Zhang Xingying , Cui Xiuming , Wang Chengxiao , Qu Yuan
Published: April 2021

The freeze-drying process of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels was studied and evaluated. Using a single factor investigation, drying temperature and pressure were determined as the main factors affecting the drying process. The central composite design (CCD) combined with response surface method was employed to optimize the drying process. Optimal conditions were determined to be 52 Pa, 63 °C, and a slice thickness of 5 mm. Subsequently, samples were compared in terms of chemical constituents, microstructure, and in vitro absorption profiles under different drying operations. The freeze-drying process was effective for the preservation of ferulic acid (1.82 mg/g), Z-ligustilide (13.91 mg/g), and other compositions. The porous and loose characteristic structure enabled rapid release of ferulic acid (71%, 60 min) and Z-ligustilide (32%, 60 min). Therefore, the freeze-drying method is a reasonable and efficient drying method for the dehydration of A. sinensis.