bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of skull stripping on construction of three-dimensional T1-weighted imaging-based brain structural network in full-term neonates
Authors: Wang Geliang , Hu Yajie , Li Xianjun , Wang Miaomiao , Liu Congcong , Yang Jian , Jin Chao
Published: January 2020

Background: Skull stripping remains a challenge for neonatal brain MR image analysis. However, little is known about how accuracy of the skull stripping affects the neonatal brain tissue segmentation and subsequent network construction. This paper therefore aimed to clarify this issue by comparing two automatic (FSL’s Brain Extraction Tool, BET; Infant Brain Extraction and Analysis Toolbox, iBEAT) and a semiautomatic (iBEAT with manual correction) processes in constructing 3D T1-weighted imaging (T1WI)-based brain structural network. Methods: Twenty-two full-term neonates (gestational age, 37-42 weeks; boys/girls, 13/9) without abnormalities on MRI who underwent brain 3D T1WI were retrospectively recruited. Two automatic (BET and iBEAT) and a semiautomatic preprocessing (iBEAT with manual correction) workflows were separately used to perform the skull stripping. Brain tissue segmentation and volume calculation were performed by a John Hopkins atlas-based method. Sixty-four gray matter regions were selected as nodes; volume covariance network and its properties (clustering coefficient, C p ; characteristic path length, L p ; local efficiency, E local ; global efficiency, E global ) were calculated by GRETNA. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the differences in the calculated volumes between three workflows. Results: There were significant differences in volumes of 48 brain region between three workflows ( P <0.05). Three neonatal brain structural networks presented small-world topology. The semiautomatic workflow showed remarkably decreased C p , increased L p , decreased E local , and E global , in contrast to two automatic ones. Conclusions: Imperfect skull stripping indeed affected the accuracy of brain structural network in full-term neonates.
Regulation of TRPM8 channels by PKCβ mediates morphine-induced cold hypersensitivity.
Authors: Iftinca Mircea , Basso Lilian , Flynn Robyn , Kwok Charlie , Roland Corinne , Hassan Ahmed , Defaye Manon , Ramachandran Rithwik , Trang Tuan , Altier Christophe
Published: January 2020

Postoperative shivering and cold hypersensitivity are major side effects of acute and chronic opioid treatments respectively. TRPM8 is a cold and menthol-sensitive channel found in a subset of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) nociceptors. Deletion or inhibition of the TRPM8 channel was found to prevent the cold hyperalgesia induced by chronic administration of morphine. Here, we examined the mechanisms by which morphine was able to promote cold hypersensitivity in DRG neurons and transfected HEK cells. Mice daily injected with morphine for five days developed cold hyperalgesia. Treatment with morphine did not alter the expressions of cold sensitive TREK-1, TRAAK and TRPM8 in DRGs. However, TRPM8-expressing DRG neurons isolated from morphine-treated mice exhibited hyperexcitability. Sustained morphine treatment in vitro sensitized TRPM8 responsiveness to cold or menthol and reduced activation-evoked desensitization of the channel. Blocking the phospholipase C (PLC) as well as protein kinase C beta (PKCβ), but not protein kinase A (PKA) or Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), restored channel desensitization. Identification of two PKC phosphorylation consensus sites, S1040 and S1041, in the TRPM8 and their site-directed mutation were able to prevent the MOR-induced reduction in TRPM8 desensitization. Our results show that activation of MOR by morphine 1) promotes hyperexcitability of TRPM8-expressing neurons and 2) induces a PKCβ-mediated reduction of TRPM8 desensitization. This MOR-PKCβ dependent modulation of TRPM8 may underlie the onset of cold hyperalgesia caused by repeated administration of morphine. Our findings point to TRPM8 channel and PKCβ as important targets for opioid-induced cold hypersensitivity.
Whole-exome sequencing identified a novel mutation of SLC20A2 (c.C1849T) in a Chinese family with hereditary multiple exostoses
Authors: Li YiQiang , Lin XueMei , Zhu MingWei , Xun FuXing , Li JingChun , Yuan Zhe , Liu YanHan , Xu HongWen
Published: January 2020

Background: Although the main causative genes for hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) are EXT-1 and EXT-2, there are still many HME patients without EXT-1 and EXT-2 mutations. This study aimed to identify novel candidate genes for the development of HME in patients without EXT-1 and EXT-2 mutations.Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was performed in a typical Chinese HME family without EXT-1 and EXT-2 mutations, followed by a combined bioinformatics pipeline including annotation and filtering process to identify candidate variants. Candidate variants were then validated by Sanger sequencing.Results: A total of 1830 original variants were revealed to be heterozygous mutations in the three patients suffering from HME that were not present in the healthy controls. Two mutations (c.C1849T in SLC20A2 and c.G506A in LETM1) were identified as a possible causative variant for HME through a bioinformatics filtering procedure and harmful prediction. Sanger sequencing results confirmed these two mutations in all patients with HME. A mutation in SLC20A2 (c.C1849T) led to a change in amino acid (p.R617C), which may be involved in the development of HME by inducing metabolic disorders of phosphate and abnormal proliferation and differentiation in chondrocytes.Conclusions: The present study revealed two mutations [SLC20A2 (c.C1849T) and LETM1 (c.G506A) in a Chinese HME family. The mutation in SLC20A2 (c.C1849T) is more likely to be involved in the development of HME.
Clinical characteristics and prenatal diagnosis in 22 families in Henan Province of China with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) related with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene mutations.
Authors: gao shanshan , Hu Shuang , Duan Huikun , Wang Li , Kong Xiangdong
Published: January 2020

Background: X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) is a rare immunodeficiency disease, and the main clinical symptoms is recurrent severe infections. BTK is the main disease-causing gene, and the genetic mode is X chromosome recessive inheritance. But the current mutations do not fully explain this disorder. Methods: We detected the percentage of CD19+ B cells and serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, and IgM) levels by Flow cytometer and rate scatter immunoturbidimetry, and investigated the mutation profile of BTK gene through Sanger sequencing and Real- Time PCR in 22 XLA patients. Results: We described the clinical symptoms and investigated the genetic mutations in 22 XLA patients, and then identified six novel mutations of BTK gene, which included 2 missense mutations (c.23G>T and c.112T>C), 2 frameshift mutations (c.522_523insC and c.1060delA), 1 large deletion (deletion of exon 2 to 5), and 1 splice-site mutation (c.1631+2T>C). Prenatal diagnosis were performed in six families (F10, F11, F15, F18, F20 and F21). F10 was a male fetus without c.922_923delGA mutation; F15 was a male fetus without c.1631+1G>T splicing mutation; F20 was a female fetus without c.1931T>C mutation; and F21 was a male fetus without large deletion mutation. All four fetuses were less likely to become XLA patients in the future. Family 11 and Family 18 were male fetuses with c.1060delA and c.1684C>T mutations, respectively. The pregnant women in F18 chose to terminate the pregnancy, and the F11 chose to continue the pregnancy. Conclusion: It is noticeable that we confirmed the diagnosis of 22 XLA patients from 22 unrelated families and found six new pathogenic mutations. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in six families. Early genetic diagnosis and routine lifelong immunoglobulin replacement therapy can prevent and treat the infections of the XLA children and save their lives.
Comparison of overall survival on surgical resection versus transarterial chemoembolization with or without radiofrequency ablation in intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Lin Chih-Wen , Chen Yaw-Sen , Lo Gin-Ho , Hsu Yao-Chun , Hsu Chia-Chang , Wu Tsung-Chin , Yeh Jen-Hao , Hsiao Pojen , Hsieh Pei-Min , Lin Hung-Yu , Shu Chih-Wen , Hung Chao-Ming
Published: January 2020

Background: Patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are recommended to undergo transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, TACE in combination with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is not inferior to surgical resection (SR), and the benefits of surgical resection (SR) for BCLC stage B HCC remain unclear. Hence, this study aims to compare the impact of SR, TACE+RFA, and TACE on analyzing overall survival (OS) in BCLC stage B HCC.Methods: Overall, 428 HCC patients were included in BCLC stage B, and their clinical data and OS were recorded. OS was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis. Results: One hundred forty (32.7%) patients received SR, 231 (53.9%) received TACE+RFA, and 57 (13.3%) received TACE. The OS was significantly higher in the SR group than that in the TACE+RFA group [hazard ratio (HR): 1.78; 95% confidence incidence (CI): 1.15-2.75, p=0.009]. The OS was significantly higher in the SR group than that in the TACE group (HR: 3.17; 95% CI: 2.31-4.36, p<0.0001). Moreover, the OS was significantly higher in the TACE+RFA group than that in the TACE group (HR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.21-2.74, p=0.004). The cumulative OS rates at 1, 3 and 5 years in the SR, TACE+RFA, and TACE groups were 89.2%, 69.4% and 61.2%, 86.0%, 57.9% and 38.2%, and 69.5%, 37.0% and 15.2%, respectively. After propensity score matching, the SR group still had a higher OS than those of the TACE+RFA and TACE groups. The TACE+RFA group had a higher OS than that of the TACE group. Conclusion: The SR group had higher OS than the TACE+RFA and TACE groups in BCLC stage B HCC. Furthermore, the TACE+RFA group had higher OS than the TACE group.
The relationship between preoperative T helper cytokines in the ileal mucosa and the pathogenesis of pouchitis
Authors: Kitajima Takahito , Okita Yoshiki , Kawamura Mikio , Kondo Satoru , Toiyama Yuji , Uchida Keiichi , Kusunoki Masato
Published: January 2020

Background: Although the etiology of pouchitis remains unknown, inflammatory cytokines are significantly associated with the pathogenesis of pouchitis. The cytokine responses that characterize inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are key pathogenic components of the disease. Although cytokine profiles in the colonic mucosa have been investigated in experimental colitis models or IBD patients, cytokine profiles in the ileal mucosa at colectomy have been rarely assessed.
Aim: To assess the relationship between pouchitis and T helper (Th) cytokines in the ileal mucosa collected at the time of colectomy and pouch construction.
Methods: This retrospective study involved 68 consecutive patients from January 2004 to May 2011 who underwent ileal pouch–anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis. Samples were obtained from the terminal ileum of resected specimens at time of total colectomy or subtotal colectomy. mRNA expression levels of Th cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-23A, IL-5, IL-13 and IL‐17A) were determined.
Results: Forty of 68 patients (58.8%) developed pouchitis. There was no association between IL-23A expression levels and incidence of pouchitis ( p= 0.301). Patients with elevated IFN-γ had a significantly higher incidence of pouchitis compared with low IFN-γ patients ( p =0.043). Univariate analysis demonstrated a total dose of prednisolone >7000 mg administered before colectomy ( p =0.04) and high IFN-γ expression ( p =0.02) were significant risk factors for pouchitis onset. In multivariate analysis, elevated IFN-γ mRNA levels were significantly associated with pouchitis onset ( p =0.03).
Conclusion: IFN-γ expression in the normal ileal mucosa at the time of colectomy may be an important factor in the pathophysiology of pouchitis.
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Bacterial Isolates Associated with Intramammary Infections in Malaysian Dairy Herds
Authors: Ali Bashir , Zunita Z. , Jesse F.F. , Ramanoon S.Z. , Mohd-Azmi M. L.
Published: January 2020

Intramammary infections are costly endemic disease in dairy cows and it highly affects both the quality and quantity of milk production in addition to the animal well-being. It a major cause of considerable economic losses to the dairy farmers. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of mastitis pathogens and antimicrobial resistance pattern of selected most prevalent pathogens. A total of 1945 quarter samples from 517 cows across 33 dairy herds were used. Isolation and identification of mastitis pathogens was carried out based on standard bacteriological procedures. Antimicrobial resistance profile was conducted by disk diffusion technique. The overall culture prevalence was 67.6% (n=503/744, CI= 64.1-70.9). The respective states’ culture prevalence were 66.4% (n=71/107, CI= 56.5-75.0), 60.3% (184/305, CI= 54.6-65.8), 58% (n=94/162, CI= 50-65.6), 100% (n=75/75, CI= 93.9-100), and 83.3% (n=79/95, CI= 73.8-89.8) for Pahang, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Johor respectively. The most prevalent isolates identified were non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) 39.5%, S. aureus 13.1%, K. pneumoniae 6.5%, S. agalactiae 4.8%, and S. uberis 4.3%. Resistance profile of K. pneumoniae isolates against ampicillin and Penicillin G were 70.4% and 88.9% respectively while that of Actinobacter spp against chloramphenicol and streptomycin were 71.4% and 35.7% respectively. For S. uberis isolates, 66.7% and 73.3% have shown resistance to tetracycline and streptomycin respectively. This study provides knowledge of the epidemiology of bacterial isolates associated with subclinical mastitis in Malaysia and their resistance profile. The high prevalence of these pathogens in milk and multidrug resistance observed should not be over looked.
Zirconium interferences on the detection of silver nanoparticles by single particle ICP-MS: implications on natural water analysis
Authors: Turcotte Patrice , Gagnon Christian
Published: January 2020

Background: The analysis of silver nanoparticle (NP-Ag) by the single particle technique with argon plasma-coupled mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) is an increasingly used analytical approach. The sensitive technique, distinguishing particle size distribution, allows working at concentrations similar to those found in environmental samples. The two natural Ag isotopes 107 and 109, with abundances of 52 and 48% respectively, have similar sensitivity in ICP-MS detection. However, it is common to encounter isobaric interferences in mass spectrometry, and the element silver is not an exception, as much with the 107 isotope as 109. For both isotopes, zirconium oxides present isobaric interferences, either 91Zr16O, 90Zr16O1H for the isotope 107 and the 92Zr16O1H for the 109. Results: For surface water analysis by ICP-MS in regular technique, these interferences do not generally impact the analysis of total Ag concentrations (mainly dissolved) as they can be then simply subtracted like background signal. On the other hand, detection of NPAg was impacted by the interfering colloidal Zr. The analysis of Zr by the SP-ICP-MS technique of surface waters showed the presence of colloidal Zr, a random signal that cannot be simply subtracted from NP Ag signal. Our results show that, Zr colloids are effectively interfering with the NP-Ag assays by SP-ICP-MS technique where interferences translated into a false positive. Conclusion: The analytical issue related isobaric interferences from the naturally occurring colloidal Zr was attenuated (up to 250% in this assay) by the use of the 109 isotope in the Ag detection, limiting false positive detections and improving the reliability of NP-Ag measurements in natural waters. Therefore , more specific detection of NP Ag in surface waters that naturally contain Zr colloids can be accomplished.
In silico analysis of hub genes expressed in the renal tubulointerstitium of immunoglobulin A nephropathy
Authors: Min Pan , Zhou QionXue , Duo Li , You XiaoHan , Li ZhanYuan , Zhou ZhiHong , Zhang Ji
Published: January 2020

Background: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is an autoimmune disease and common cause of chronic renal failure worldwide, but its etiology has not been fully elucidated. Tubulointerstitial fibrosis/atrophy is the most reliable histological marker associated with poor outcome of IgAN. However, few studies have focused on gene expression in the renal tubulointerstitium of IgAN.Methods: A systemic search of gene expression among the renal tubulointerstitium in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets was performed, and eligible datasets were integrated to investigate the significant genes associated with IgAN. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and significant gene modules of weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) were identified, and enrichment analysis using the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases was performed for interpretation of these genes.Results: Three datasets named GSE32591, GSE35489 and GSE37463 were selected for analysis of the relationships between gene expression in the renal tubulointerstitium and IgAN. Ten genes named ALB, FN1, CCL2, DUSP1, MMP7, JUNB, CTGF, TIMP3, NEU1 and HLA-E were identified as hub genes from DEGs and the significant gene module of WGCNA. Most of these genes have been related to the significant relationships of prognosis of IgAN in previous studies, but many interactions between these genes were unclear.Conclusion: Our study provided a cluster of hub genes significantly expressed in renal tubulointerstitial IgAN that may be novel treatment targets of IgAN.
Efficacy of a mixed herbal essential oils as a treatment option for clinical endometritis in dairy cattle
Authors: Davoodian Najmeh , Kadivar Ali , Elahi Raziyeh , Esfandabadi Naser Shams , Tafti Rohollah Dehghani , Rashidzade Habib Allah , Shahrbabak Mohammd Javad Behzadi , Hafshejani Taghi Taktaz
Published: January 2020

Backgruond: The endometritis form of uterine infection is considered as a common reproductive disorder deleterious to the reproductive performance of dairy herds. A wide variety of treatments with controversial results have been reported for endometritis, including local or systemic administration of antibiotics or disinfectants as well as hormone application. These treatments have side effects on endometrium, and antibiotic residues are found in milk following intrauterine and systemic antibiotic therapies. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible effects of the mixed essential oil of Satureja bachtiarica Bunge, Artemisia Aucheri Boiss and Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry on treatment of clinical endometritis in dairy cattle. Materials and methods: One hundred and twenty cows with clinical endometritis were selected and randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: the HM group intrauterinely received mixed herbal essential oils, the OX group received 2.5 g oxytetracycline HCl, and the EX group received 1 g of ceftiofur sodium. Results: The cleaning and first service conception rate was significantly higher in HM group than the EX, whereas the mean open days were lower in HM than the EX group. The number of service per conception was also significantly lower in HM group than OX and EX groups. In general, reproductive performance after herbal treatment was quite comparable to chemical antibiotic therapy and even better in some other reproductive indices. Conclusion: The mixed essential oils treatment represents an effective potential alternative to postpartum therapy for cows with clinical endometritis. Key words: cattle; endometritis; Satureja; Artemisia; Syzygium
Effects of post-training administration of LY341495, as a mGluR2/3 antagonist on spatial memory deficit in rats fed with high-fat diet
Authors: Moridi Heresh , Sarihi Abdolrahman , Habibitabar Elahe , Shateri Hossein , Salehi Iraj , Komaki Alireza , Karimi Jamshid , Karimi Seyed Asaad
Published: January 2020

Background High-fat diets (HFDs) adversely influence glutamate metabolism and neurotransmission. The precise role of the group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR2/3) antagonist on spatial memory deficit following consumption of HFD has not yet been clarified. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effects of post-training administration of mGluR2/3 antagonism; LY341495 on spatial memory in rats fed with HFD by using Morris Water Maze (MWM) task. Intraperitoneal injection (i.p) injection of LY341495 was done 30 minutes before retention test. Results Our results showed that HFD did not have any effect on memory acquisition. There were not significant differences in escape latency and swimming distance between experimental groups (P>0.05, Two-way ANOVA). Our finding showed that consumption of an HFD leads to spatial memory impairment. There were significant differences in time spent in target zone between experimental groups [F (3, 20) = 7.031, P=0.0021, one-way ANOVA]. Also, LY341495 improved HFD-induced reference memory impairment. HFD animals treated with LY341495 spent more time in the target zone in compare with HFD animals (P= 0.0449). Conclusions Our results suggested that prolonged consumption of high-fat diet has no effects on the acquisition of spatial learning, but can impair memory retention of the adult male rats and post-training administration of LY341495 can improve HFD-induced reference memory impairment.
In silico pathway analysis based on Chromosomal Instability in Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: KOUR AKEEN , Sambyal Vasudha , Guleria Kamlesh , Singh Neeti Rajan , Uppal Manjit Singh , Manjari Mridu , Sudan Meena
Published: January 2020

Background: Complex genomic changes that arise in tumors are a consequence of chromosomal instability. In tumor cells genomic aberrations disrupt core signaling pathways involving various genes, thus delineating of signaling pathways can help understand the pathogenesis of cancer. The bioinformatics tools can further help in identifying networks of interactions between the genes to get a greater biological context of all genes affected by chromosomal instability. Results: Karyotypic analyses was done in 150 clinically confirmed breast cancer patients and 150 age and gender matched healthy controls after 72 hours Peripheral lymphocyte culturing and GTG-banding. Karyotypic analyses found more frequent chromosomal aberrations (structural and numerical) on chromosome 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 17 and X. The data of genes harbored by chromosomal regions showing increased aberration frequency was retrieved from online databases. Pathway analysis on a set of genes that were not linked together revealed that genes HDAC3, NCOA1, NLRC4, COL1A1, RARA, WWTR1, and BRCA1 were enriched in the RNA Polymerase II Transcription pathway which is involved in recruitment, initiation, elongation and dissociation during transcription. Conclusion: The chromosomal instability analysis in a non-target in cancer patients thus can be used to identify genes and decipher the pathway involved in tumorigenesis. The bioinformatics approach can help in identifying aberrant genes in transcription pathways and their relation with breast cancer progression.
Diseases spectrum of older patients: An age stratified analysis in a new model of Telemedicine
Authors: Gong Yu , Zhou Jianyuan
Published: January 2020

Background: Medical service for the older patients is a worldwide challenge for the public health system. Telemedicine is the new development of traditional clinical medicine and can provide an innovative method of medical services for the older adults and effectively solve the problem. A new model of telemedicine jointly performed by general practitioners and specialists in a university teaching hospital has been established. Different from the existing telemedicine models that had been widely adopted, it provides a solution for the key issues in telemedicine where a doctor is unable to conduct a direct physical examination and the associated diagnostic error. The joint telemedicine center is supported by multi-disciplinary medical experts of a university teaching hospital and supervised by the government health administrative department which ensures the quality of medical practice.Method: The aim of the study is to perform age stratified analysis of disease spectrum of older patients receiving telemedicine and determine the main diseases in different age groups of older patients. 472 older patients (aged≥60) were enrolled and divided into the young older group (aged 60 to 74), the old older group (aged 75 to 89) and the very old group (aged≥90) according to the new age stratification of older people defined by World Health Organization. Proportion of the top 10 diseases of older patients of different age groups was analyzed.Results: Coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus were identified as the top two diseases in the older patients and the young older patients as well as the old older patients receiving telemedicine.Conclusions: The new model of telemedicine can provide convenient and efficient medical services for older patients and overcome the disadvantage of currently used models of telemedicine. Different disease spectrum characteristics were identified in different age groups of older patients receiving telemedicine. Coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus were found as the main diseases of the older patients receiving telemedicine. The results of this study will provide basis for the health administrative departments to formulate health policies for older patients.
Establishing the criterion validity of the interRAI Check-Up Self-Report instrument
Authors: Geffen Leon Neville , Kelly Gabrielle , Morris John N , Hogeveen Sophie , Hirdes John
Published: January 2020

Background: Low and middle-income countries have growing older populations and could benefit from the use of multi-domain geriatric assessments in overcoming the challenge of providing quality health services to older adults. This paper reports on the outcomes of a study carried out in Cape Town, South Africa on the validity of the interRAI Check-Up Self-Report instrument, a multi-domain assessment instrument designed to screen older adults in primary health settings. The instrument is designed to identify specific health problems and needs, including psychosocial or cognition problems and issues related to functional decline. The interRAI Check-Up Self-Report is designed to be compatible with the clinician administered instruments in the interRAI suite of assessments. We sought to establish whether community health workers, rather than trained healthcare professionals could reliably administer the instrument.Methods: We evaluated the validity of the self-report instrument through comparison to assessments completed by clinicians. A total of 112 participants, aged 60 or older were recruited from 6 seniors clubs in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Each participant was assessed by one of two previously untrained, non-healthcare personnel using the Check-Up Self-report version and again by a trained assessor using the clinician version of the interRAI Check-Up within 48 hours. Our analyses focused on the degree of agreement between the self-reported and clinician-rated versions of the Check-Up based on the simple or weighted kappa values for the two types of ratings. Binary variables used simple kappas, and ordinal variables with three or more levels were examined using weighted kappas with Fleiss-Cohen weights.Results: Based on Cohen’s Kappa values, we were able to establish that high levels of agreement existed between clinical assessors and lay interviewers, indicating that the instrument can be validly administered by community health workers without formal healthcare training. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that there is potential for the Check-Up Self-Report instrument to be implemented in under-resourced health systems such as South Africa’s.
Prevalence of Generalized Joint Hypermobility in Children with Anxiety Disorders
Authors: javadi vadood , Modarres Shadi Sadat , Zahed Ghazal , Shiari Reza , Rahmani Khosro
Published: January 2020

Background Concerning the high prevalence of anxiety disorders and joint hypermobility in children and the lack of related studies in this age group, we aimed to assess the relationship between the prevalence of hypermobility and anxiety disorders in children. MethodsIn this case-control study, 93 children ages 8-15 years with anxiety disorders referring to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic of Mofid Children’s Hospital, Tehran, Iran, during 2018, were enrolled. The control group consisted of 100 age and sex-matched children without anxiety disorders. Anxiety was evaluated using the Spence Children Anxiety Scale (SCAS). The diagnosis of generalized joint hypermobility was done based on Beighton and Shiari-Javadi criteria. Results Based on Beighton’s diagnostic criteria 52.7% of the children in the case group and 16% of the children in the control group had generalized joint hypermobility. Moreover, based on Shiari-Javadi criteria, 49.5% and 13% of the children in the case and control groups had generalized joint hypermobility, respectively. Moreover, the internal correlation between the two criteria was 0.91 showing almost complete compatibility between the two (P<0.001). Age was a risk factor that could predict hypermobility in these children. Other variables such as sex, severity, and type of anxiety disorders, and ADHD, were not predictors of hypermobility syndrome. Conclusion The prevalence of hypermobility was three times higher in children with anxiety disorders and only age was a predictor for the possibility to suffer from generalized joint hypermobility in these children.
Two-stage Exchange Arthroplasty is a Viable Treatment for Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Jiang Qiao , Fu Jun , Xu Chi , Chai Wei , Hao Li-Bo , Zhou Yong-Gang , Chen jiying
Published: January 2020

Aims The aims of this study were to identify the differences in (1) serum markers, synovial indicators and pathology results and (2) treatment outcomes following two-stage exchange arthroplasty between patients with or without inflammatory diseases. Patients and Methods A retrospective review of 182 prosthetic joint infection patients who underwent two-stage exchanged arthroplasty from 2014 to 2017 was conducted. PJI was diagnosed by using the MSIS criteria. Serum biomarkers, synovial fluid, organism and pathology results at the time of the PJI diagnosis and reimplantation were reviewed and compared between patients with or without inflammatory diseases. Treatment success was defined according to the Delphi consensus criteria; Kaplan-Meier survivorship curves of the patients were generated and compared. The mean clinical follow-up duration was 33.9 months (15.9 to 51.9) in the no inflammatory group and 35.5 months (16.2 to 54.8) in the inflammatory group. Results There was no difference in the biomarkers, pathology results or organism profile at the time of the PJI diagnosis. Regarding reimplantation, the patients with inflammatory diseases had a higher serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and fibrinogen values than those without inflammatory diseases. However, there was no difference in the synovial white blood cell counts between groups. The total treatment success rate was 91.3% (92% for individuals with inflammatory diseases and 91.2% for the controls). The survivorship of the inflammatory disease group was comparable with that of the control group. Conclusion Two-stage exchange arthroplasty is a viable treatment option for PJIs with inflammatory diseases. Individuals with PJIs and inflammatory diseases have higher serum inflammatory biomarker levels at reimplantation, which may make determining the timing of reimplantation difficult. In contrast, synovial analysis may be more reliable.
Mid- and long-term efficacy of surgical treatment of Vancouver B2 and B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures
Authors: Sun Jian-Ning , Zhang Yu , Zhang Ye , Zhang Jia-Ming , Chen Xiang-Yang , Feng Shuo
Published: January 2020

Background: The incidence of fractures around the femoral prosthesis among patients undergoing hip arthroplasty is increasing and has become the third leading cause of hip revision. While numerous methods for the surgical treatment of periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFFs) have been proposed, only few reports have examined the long-term efficacy of surgical treatment. This study aims to examine the mid-and long-term efficacy of surgical treatment among patients with Vancouver B2 and B3 PFFs.Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the surgical outcomes of patients with Vancouver B2 and B3 PFFs between 2007 and 2011. The minimum follow-up time was eight years. Fracture healing, prosthesis stability, complications, patient quality of life SF-36 score, and survival rate were evaluated during the follow-up assessments.Results: A total of 83 patients were included and had an average follow-up period of 120.3 months. Among these patients, 69 were classified as Vancouver B2 and were treated with a distal fixation stem, whereas 14 cases were classified as Vancouver B3 and were treated with modular femoral prosthesis by using a proximal femoral allograft technique. A total of 15 patients underwent secondary revision surgery, and prosthesis dislocation was identified as the main cause of secondary revision. 80 (96.4%) cases of fractures were clinically healed. The mortality rate in the first year after surgery was 8.4% (7/83). The overall 5-year Kaplan–Meier survival rate for these patients was 75.9%. Meanwhile, the 5-year Kaplan–Meier survival rate for the implants was 86.9%. The final follow-up SF-36 score of the patients was 48.3 ± 9.8.Conclusions: Patients with Vancouver B2 and B3 PFFs show high mortality in the first year after their surgery, and the Kaplan–Meier analysis results showed that such mortality tends to plateau after 5 years. Prosthesis dislocation was identified as the primary cause of secondary revision.
Private Investment and Business Opportunities in Ethiopia: A Case Study of Mettu Town in Ethiopia
Authors: Singh S. N.
Published: January 2020

Investment has a very crucial role from the point of view of national economy. For any country, investment, as well as business ethics, is necessarily to create a good business environment. The rate of growth of the economy and employment is directly related to the level of investment and business ethics. This study mainly concerns about the contribution of private domestic investment towards multidimensional business opportunities including employment creation in Mettu Town of Ethiopia. Its main objective is to assess the contribution of private domestic investment towards employment creation in Mettu town. The research is conducted by using both primary and secondary data. Primary data are collected through interview and questionnaire and secondary data are gathered from published and unpublished materials. The researcher used purpose and systematic random sample techniques as a major advantage of easy administer relatively convenient and less time-consuming. The researcher collected data from 51 investors from a total of 106 investors in the service, industrial and agricultural sectors to assess the contribution of private domestic investments towards employment creation in Mettu town. The method of analysis is the descriptive analysis which includes statistical tools such as table and percentage with interpretation in order to achieve the objective of the study. The results from the descriptive analysis of private domestic investment towards business opportunities and employment creation are found significant despite different challenges of investment such as high-interest rate, lack of capital, high taxation, poor infrastructure, etc. Thus, to achieve private domestic investment the measures include government motivation, good investment policymakers who take a remarkable decision in order to facilitate the growth of investment which results in increasing the participation of private investors. Keywords: private domestic investment, business opportunities, business ethics employment opportunities, industrial sector, agriculture sector, and government policies.
THE ELEVATED RISK OF MELANOMA AMONG PILOTS – COULD UVA BE IMPLICATED?
Authors: Emslie Nicola
Published: January 2020

A number of studies indicate that pilots have approximately double the risk of developing melanoma compared to the general population. It is not clear which aetiological factors underpin this increase in risk. Possibilities include leisure time sun exposure, cosmic radiation, circadian rhythm disruption and UV exposures in the cockpit. This brief review presents some of the key research on exposures of interest, with a focus on UV radiation. It highlights the need for further research assessing UVA levels within the cockpit of flying aircraft, given the possibility that glass windscreens may not be particularly effective at blocking UVA.
Comparative study on decentralized treatment technologies for sewage and graywater reuse – a review
Authors: Bajpai Mukul , Katoch Surjit Singh , Chaturvedi Naveen Kumar
Published: January 2020

Currently, reservoirs, lakes, rivers etc. are being overloaded by the demand for fresh water, due to rapid industrialization and population explosion, and also the effluents from industries and domestic wastewater are continuously polluting these resources. To address this issue, several decentralized wastewater treatment system (DWTS) have been installed all over the globe to reuse and recycle wastewater/graywater for non-potable uses such as fire protection, toilet-flushing, and landscape irrigation. In this review, a comparison between different DWTS was carried out to evaluate their performance, merits and limitations. Hybrid technologies like the electrically enhanced biomass concentrator reactor and integration of physical/ biological methods with bio-electrochemical systems such as microbial fuel cells were found to be the most promising methods for near complete removal of pollutants from wastewater and also the issue of membrane fouling was reduced to a good extent.
Protective Role of Natural Products in Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Focus on Nitric Oxide Pathway
Authors: Afshari Amir R. , Mollazadeh Hamid , Mohtashami Elmira , Soltani Arash , Soukhtanloo Mohammad , Hosseini Azar , Jalili-Nik Mohammad , Vahedi Mohammad Mahdi , Roshan Mostafa Karimi , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: January 2020

:

In spite of therapeutic modalities such as surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) remains an incurable fatal disease. This necessitates further therapeutic options that could enhance the efficacy of existing modalities. Nitric Oxide (NO), a short-lived small molecule, has been revealed to play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of GBM. Several studies have demonstrated that NO is involved in apoptosis, metastasis, cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and many other processes implicated in GBM pathobiology. Herein, we elaborate on the role of NO as a therapeutic target in GBM and discuss some natural products affecting the NO signaling pathway.
Purification and Characterization of Natural Solid-Substrate Degrading and Alcohol Producing Hyperthermostable Alkaline Amylase from Bacillus cereus (sm-sr14)
Authors: Sahoo Sumit , Roy Sudipta , Santra Dipannita , Maiti Sayantani , Roul Sonali , Maiti Smarajit
Published: January 2020

Objective:

Amylases enzymes hydrolyze starch molecules to produce diverse products including dextrins, and progressively smaller polymers. These include glucose units linked through α-1- 1, α-1-4, α-1-6, glycosidic bonds.

Methods:

This enzyme carrying an (α /β) 8 or TIM barrel structure is also produced containing the catalytic site residues. These groups of enzymes possess four conserved regions in their primary sequence. In the Carbohydrate-Degrading Enzyme (CAZy) database, α-amylases are classified into different Glycoside Hydrolase Families (GHF) based on their amino acid sequence. The present objective was to study one such enzyme based on its molecular characterization after purification in our laboratory. Its main property of solid-natural starch degradation was extensively investigated for its pharmaceutical/ industrial applications.

Results:

Amylase producing bacteria Bacillus cereus sm-sr14 (Accession no. KM251578.1) was purified to homogeneity on a Seralose 6B-150 gel-matrix and gave a single peak during HPLC. MALDITOF mass-spectrometry with bioinformatics studies revealed its significant similarity to α/β hydrolase family. The enzyme showed an efficient application; favourable Km, Vmax and Kcat during the catalysis of different natural solid starch materials. Analysis for hydrolytic product showed that this enzyme can be classified as the exo-amylase asit produced a significant amount of glucose.

Conclusion:

Besides the purified enzyme, the present organism Bacillus cereus sm-sr14 could degrade natural solid starch materials like potato and rice up to the application level in the pharmaceutical/ industrial field for alcohol production.
Inhibition of Hemoglobin Degrading Protease Falcipain-2 as a Mechanism for Anti-Malarial Activity of Triazole-Amino Acid Hybrids
Authors: Singh Vigyasa , Hada Rahul Singh , Uddin Amad , Aneja Babita , Abid Mohammad , Pandey Kailash C. , Singh Shailja
Published: January 2020

Background:

Novel drug development against malaria parasite over old conventional antimalarial
drugs is essential due to rapid and indiscriminate use of drugs, which led to the emergence of resistant
strains.

Methods:

In this study, previously reported triazole-amino acid hybrids (13-18) are explored against
Plasmodium falciparum as antimalarial agents. Among six compounds, 15 and 18 exhibited antimalarial
activity against P. falciparum with insignificant hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity towards HepG2
mammalian cells. In molecular docking studies, both compounds bind into the active site of PfFP-2 and
block its accessibility to the substrate that leads to the inhibition of target protein further supported by
in vitro analysis.

Results:

Antimalarial half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 15 and 18 compounds were found
to be 9.26 μM and 20.62 μM, respectively. Blood stage specific studies showed that compounds, 15 and
18 are effective at late trophozoite stage and block egress pathway of parasites. Decreased level of free
monomeric heme was found in a dose dependent manner after the treatment with compounds 15 and 18,
which was further evidenced by the reduction in percent of hemoglobin hydrolysis. Compounds 15 and
18 hindered hemoglobin degradation via intra- and extracellular cysteine protease falcipain-2 (PfFP-2)
inhibitory activity both in in vitro and in vivo in P. falciparum.

Conclusion:

We report antimalarial potential of triazole-amino acid hybrids and their role in the inhibition
of cysteine protease PfFP-2 as its mechanistic aspect.
Snacks and Snacking: Impact on Health of the Consumers and Opportunities for its Improvement
Authors: Arora Mehak , Singhal Somya , Rasane Prasad , Singh Jyoti , Kaur Sawinder , Kumar Vikas , Kumar Ashwani , Mishra Ananya
Published: January 2020

Snacking is the most common social activity throughout the world. People often snack on
various types of foods including, fried foods, dried foods, junk foods and beverages of various kinds.
The snack manufacturing industry is now becoming a key food industry throughout the world. These
snack products could be classified into various types based on the raw material used and the technique
used in their manufacturing. Snacking has a dual impact on human health. It helps in controlling
hunger and may help reduce excess calorie intake. On the otherhand, it can lead to obesity, diabetes,
cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, if consumed uncontrolably and prepared with unhealthy
ingredients. Thus, understanding the role of snack and development of healthy snack is
equally necessary to determine the appropriate status of snack and snacking product in the human diet.
The present review aims to classify the various types of snacks into different categories based on
the ingredients and techniques used. It also highlights the impact of snacks on human health and research
progress made to develop healthy snacks.
MiRNAs: A New Approach to Predict and Overcome Resistance to Anticancer Drugs
Authors: Altaleb Noor
Published: January 2020

Although there are no 100% successful methods for treating cancer, chemotherapy is still
one of the most commonly used approaches in its management. One of the most significant problems
in cancer treatment is the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents. This review aims to
unveil the factors contributing to this problem originally beginning with fundamental units like biomarkers
and microRNAs. As more studies and researches carried out, various levels of miRNA expression
were found among normal and cancer cells. Overexpression of oncomir and downregulation
of tumour-suppressor miRNAs can lead to the emergence of cancer. Data collected from studying these
miRNAs can help in the diagnosis, prognosis and developing therapies, which will assist in overcoming
the emerged resistance.
ORTAOKULLARIN STRATEJİK PLANLARININ İNCELENMESİ
Authors: Benli Hamdi , Yıldırım Atila
Published: January 2020

Bu araştırmanın amacı ortaokulların stratejik planlarında yer verdiği
hazırlık aşamasındaki ifadelerinin, mevcut durum analizine ilişkin
ifadelerinin, geleceğe yönelme aşamasına ilişkin ifadelerinin, izleme ve
değerlendirme aşamasındaki ifadelerinin stratejik planlama sürecinde benzerlik
ve farklılık gösterip göstermediğini tespit etmektir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubu
ülkemizdeki ortaokulların resmi web sitesinde
yayınladığı 2015 – 2019 yıllarına ait 139 adet stratejik plandır. Evren
incelenebilecek büyüklükte olduğundan dolayı evrenden örneklem seçilmesi yoluna
gidilmemiştir. Çalışmada yer alan veriler okulların “meb.k12.tr” uzantılı resmi
internet sitelerinden indirilerek elde edilmiştir. Stratejik planlama süreci
incelenirken cümleler kendi arasında karşılaştırılmış ve benzerlik ve
farklılıklar ortaya konmuş,
özetlenmiş ve yorumlanmıştır. Okulların hazırlık aşaması ile mevcut durum
analizlerini yaparken özgün davrandığı, geleceğe yönelme, izleme ve
değerlendirme aşamasında özgünlüklerini kaybettiği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
Aluzje eucharystyczne w Liście do Hebrajczyków
Authors: Mańka Kamil P.
Published: January 2020

Artykuł ma na celu dodanie dwóch zastrzeżeń do dyskusji na temat aluzji eucharystycznych w Liście do Hebrajczyków, jak również dostarczyć analizy dwóch fragmentów Listu uwzględniającej owe zastrzeżenia. Pierwsze to propozycja „ochrony świętej formuły” wyrażona przez Joachima Jeremiasa; druga to rozumienie Chrystusowej ofiary w Hbr zasadniczo nie w kategoriach śmierci na krzyżu, ale ofiarowania zmartwychwstałego Chrystusa w niebie wedle wyjaśnienia Davida Moffitta. Omawiane fragmenty Listu to Hbr 9, 19–22 i 13, 9–13.