bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contorno Norte: reflexos da obra sobre o Conjunto Habitacional Requião em Maringá, PR, Brasil
Authors: Abe Tatiana Kaori , Chagas Priscilla Borgonhoni
Published: April 2021

This study analyzed the effects of Contorno Norte settlement for residents of the Requião Housing Complex in the medium city of Maringá, applying resources from the government Growth Acceleration Program (PAC). The road intervention had negative consequences for the neighborhood since there was a change in the initial project. Delays in execution, lack of adaptability to local transformations, and non-popular participation in the decision-making process about the construction of the work, as dictated by the law for high-impact works, are pointed as aspects resulting from the construction of the Contour. The work was more related to the interests in creating new spaces for the real estate market and to favor projects designed by the Government.
Avaliação da acessibilidade das calçadas nas praças da Zona de Comércio Central (ZCC), Maringá, PR, Brasil
Authors: Santos Gabriel Guilherme Magalhães , Albertin Ricardo Massulo , Viotto Hugo Gabriel Fernandes , Silva Frederico Fonseca
Published: April 2021

In Brazil, about 24% of the population declares to have some type of disability. In this context, the urban infrastructure of the cities must be prepared for the mobility of these people. Displacement made on foot is often faced by non-existent or impassable sidewalks, making it a risk for pedestrians. The objective of this research was to analyze the conditions of sidewalks located in the surroundings of the places Raposo Tavares, and Napoleão Moreira da Silva located in the ZCC in the city of Maringá, regarding accessibility and other normative criteria established by NBR 9050 (2015) and NRM U-20001 (2016). The methodological procedures included an on-site survey, in which the conditions of the sidewalks were observed and compared with the requirements established by the technical standards. The results demonstrated the existence of non-compliance in both analyzed areas.
Community Participation: How the population contributes to urban planning and cities’ development in Brazil and Portugal
Authors: Guimarães Ana
Published: April 2021

The urban environment, understood as the environment changed by man, is represented by the city as a space for the coexistence of individuals, endowed with an entire infrastructure composed of public goods and services, which aim at the well-being of its inhabitants. When people effectively participate in decision-making interest in cities, they feel more responsible for the outcome of their decisions, providing a political maturity of the population. In both Brazil and Portugal, the Master Plan is the main instrument for planning and regulating cities and the urban environment. The difference between them may lie in the fact that Brazil is one step ahead with popular participation in urban planning and participatory budgeting, probably due to the political and socio-economic characteristics of the country, and the needs that this condition imposes on its inhabitants. Regardless of both Brazil and Portugal already make great efforts in this direction, and the question of community involvement in the decision-making process, urban planning, and participatory budgeting is already addressed and considered (although at different levels, stages, and legal formalization), there is still much to be done in this direction to ensure the effective participation of the population in the construction and evolution of cities.
Peritoneal Adhesions and their Prevention - Current Trends
Authors: Krämer Bernhard , Neis Felix , Brucker Sara , Kommoss Stefan , Andress Jürgen , Hoffmann Sascha
Published: April 2021

The development of adhesions after gynecologic surgery is a severe problem with ramifications that go beyond the medical complications patients suffer (which most often include pain, obstruction and infertility), since they also impose a huge financial burden on the health care system and increase the workload of surgeons and all personnel involved in surgical follow-up care. Surgical techniques to avoid adhesion formation have not proven to be sufficient and pharmaceutical approaches for their prevention are even less effective, which means that the use of adhesion prevention devices is essential for achieving decent prophylaxis. This review explores the wide range of adhesion prevention products currently available on the market. Particular emphasis is put on prospective randomized controlled clinical trials that include second-look interventions, as these offer the most solid evidence of efficacy. We focused on adhesion scores, which are the most common way to quantify adhesion formation. This enables a direct comparison of the efficacies of different devices. While the greatest amount of data are available for oxidized regenerated cellulose, the outcomes with this adhesion barrier are mediocre and several studies have shown little efficacy. The best results have been achieved using adhesion barriers based on either modified starch, i.e., 4DryField® PH (PlantTec Medical GmbH, Lüneburg, Germany), or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, i.e., GoreTex (W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Medical Products Division, Flagstaff, AZ), albeit the latter, as a non-resorbable barrier, has a huge disadvantage of having to be surgically removed again. Therefore, 4DryField® PH currently appears to be a promising approach and further studies are recommended.
Amniotic Stem Cell-Conditioned Media for the Treatment of Nerve and Muscle Pathology: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gwam Chukwuweike , Emara Ahmed , Mohamed Nequesha , Chughtai Noor , Plate Johannes , Ma Xue
Published: April 2021

Muscle and nerve tissue damage can elicit a significant loss of function and poses as a burden for patients and healthcare providers. Even for tissues, such as the peripheral nerve and skeletal muscle, that harbor significant regenerative capacity, innate regenerative processes often lead to less than optimal recovery and residual loss of function. The reasons for poor regeneration include significant cell damage secondary to oxidative stress, poor recruitment of resident stem cells, and an unfavorable microenvironment for tissue regeneration. Stem cell-based therapy was once thought as a potential therapy in tissue regeneration, due to its self-renewal and multipotent capabilities. Early advocates for cellular-based therapy pointed to the pluripotent nature of stem cells, thus eluding to its ability to differentiate into resident cells as the source of its regenerative capability. However, increasing evidence has revealed a lack of engraftment and differentiation of stem cells, thereby pointing to stem cell paracrine activity as being responsible for its regenerative potential. Stem cell-conditioned media houses biomolecular factors that portray significant regenerative potential. Amniotic-derived stem cell-conditioned media (AFS-CM) has been of particular interest because of its ease of allocation and in vitro culture. The purpose of this review is to report the results of studies that assess the role of AFS-CM for nerve and muscle conditions. In this review, we will cover the effects of AFS-CM on cellular pathways, genes, and protein expression for different nerve and muscle cell types.
Patient-Specific Implants for Focal Cartilage Lesions in The Knee: Implant Survivorship Analysis up to Seven Years Post-Implantation
Authors: Ryd Leif , Flodström Katarina , Manley Michael
Published: April 2021

In the quest for increased surgical precision and improved joint kinematics, Computer-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery (CAOS) shows promising results for both total and partial joint replacement. In the knee, computer-assisted joint design can now be applied to the treatment of younger patients suffering pain and restriction of activity due to focal defects in their femoral articular cartilage. By taking MRI scans of the affected knee and digitally segmenting these scans, we can identify and map focal defects in cartilage and bone. Metallic implants matched to the defect can be fabricated, and guide instrumentation to ensure proper implant alignment and depth of recession in the surrounding cartilage can be designed from segmented MRI scans.
Beginning in 2012, a series of 682 patient-specific implants were designed based on MRI analysis of femoral cartilage focal defects, and implanted in 612 knees. A Kaplan-Meier analysis found a cumulative survivorship of 96% at 7-year follow-up from the first implantation. Fourteen (2.3%) of these implants required revision due to disease progression, incorrect implant positioning, and inadequate lesion coverage at the time of surgery.
These survivorship data compare favorably with all other modes of treatment for femoral focal cartilage lesions and support the use of patient-specific implants designed from segmented MRI scans in these cases.
Tracheostomy and Improvement in Utilization of Hospital Resources During SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Surge
Authors: Sier Rachel , Onugha Osita
Published: April 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has affected millions across the world. Significant patient surges have caused severe resource allocation challenges in personal protective equipment, medications, and staffing. The virus produces bilateral lung infiltrates causing significant oxygen depletion and respiratory failure thus increasing the need for ventilators. The patients who require ventilation are often requiring prolonged ventilation and depleting hospital resources. Tracheostomy is often utilized in patients requiring prolonged ventilation, and early tracheostomy in critical care patients has been shown in some studies to improve a variety of factors including intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, ventilation weaning, and decreased sedation medication utilization. In a patient surge setting, as long as adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) is available to minimize spread to healthcare workers, early tracheostomy may be a beneficial management of these patients. Decreasing sedative medication utilization may help prevent shortages in future waves of infection and improve patient-provider communication as patients are more alert. Tracheostomy care is easier than endotracheal intubation and may have decreased viral aerosolization risk, particularly if repeat intubation is necessary after a weaning trial. Additionally, tracheostomy patients can be monitored with less staff, decreasing total healthcare worker exposure to infection. To manage risk of exposure, coordination of ventilation controlled by an anesthesiologist or a critical care physician with a surgeon during the procedure can minimize aerosolization to the team. Risk management and resource allocation is of the utmost importance in any global crisis and procedures must be appropriately planned and benefits to patients, as well as minimized exposure to healthcare providers, must be considered. Early tracheostomy could be a beneficial procedure for severe SARS-CoV-2 patients to minimize long-term virus aerosolization and exposure for healthcare workers while decreasing sedation, allowing for earlier transfer out of the ICU, and improving hospital resource utilization.
APPLICATION OF RESILIENT DENTURE LINING MATERIALS: LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors:   Department of Prosthetic Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University - Sofia, Bulgaria., Yankova Mariana , Peev Todor ,   Private Practice, Sofia, Bulgaria., Yordanov Bozhidar ,   Department of Prosthetic Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University - Sofia, Bulgaria., Dimova-Gabrovska Mariana ,   Department of Prosthetic Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University - Sofia, Bulgaria., Todorov Rangel ,   Department of Prosthetic Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University - Sofia, Bulgaria.
Published: April 2021

Clinical cases of excessive bone resorption, presented thin, non-pliable mucosa, exostosis or painful neurogenic points require more specific methods for treatment with removable dentures. Specialized scientific literature discusses various materials and technologies for solving these problems. The use of resilient lining materials (RLMs) for partial and complete dentures is a possible solution if there are clear clinical indications and appropriate selection of the type of material. The purpose of this review is to provide and analyze up-to-date literature data on the use of resilient materials for partial and complete denture lining. Material and Methods: An electronic search in PubMed, Google, EBSCOhost and Science Direct databases was conducted from January to December 2019. Results: Resilient lining materials have a variety of applications. They can be used in complete and all types of partial edentation, i.e. Classes I, II, IV and VI by Kennedy - Popov. The indications for use are different for the two RLMs groups, i.e. temporary (short-term) and permanent (long-term) lining materials. A number of authors have identified them as materials for the limited application. They consider that their use is justified only in the case of the severely atrophied alveolar ridge, in obturators and epitheses. Conclusion: Resilient lining needs to be considered and planned in advance. It should not be used to compensate for errors in denture design. Appropriate selection of a material for the particular clinical case is of crucial importance.
Factors that influence the global quality of life of long-lived older adults (>80 years)
Authors: Costa Roumayne , Carrera Márcia , Marques Ana Paula
Published: April 2021

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess global quality of life and the factors associated with it in long-lived older adults registered with family health centers. Global quality of life was measured using the two general questions on the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional, quantitative study based on secondary data from a sample of 100 older adults. RESULTS: The results of analyses revealed a mean age of 84.20 years, 77% of the sample were female, 46% had spent between 1 and 4 years in education, 63% were widowed, 76% had an income equivalent to one to two times the minimum wage, 77% had systemic arterial hypertension, 34% had diabetes mellitus, 27% had cardiovascular disease, 74% had social support, and 63% exhibited depressive symptomology. The frequency of satisfactory global quality of life in the sample studied was 35%. CONCLUSIONS: In relation to global quality of life, assessed in terms of interviewees’ satisfaction with their lives and health in conjunction, the majority of the study population reported not being satisfied. After completion of all statistical analyses, factors associated with dissatisfaction were social support, depression, and osteoarthritis.
Management and Supervision of Administrative Contracts in a Federal Institution of Indirect Public Administration
Authors: Neis Douglas Fernando Batista , Folador Flávia Regina Alves de Hungria , Costa Danielle Freire Azevedo Silva da , Lima Camila Marques de , Dias Fábio Leite , Matos Gleimiria Batista da Costa
Published: April 2021

This article aims to describe the perception level of training of Brazilian Institute Foundation of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) employees who are designated in order to manage and Supervise Contracts. As described in Law No. 8,666 / 1993 and in the complementary legal framework, the performance of the contract must be monitored and supervised by a specially appointed Management representative. The bibliographic review technique was used as means of research, through the selection, record, interpretation and registration of published literature, published articles in recent journals, academic works, legislation and guidance manuals available to the public domain, as well as a data collection instrument based on a questionnaire applied to agents that exercise the role of contract inspectors into the IBGE State Units. The survey results indicate that the employees who are responsible for supervising contracts at this Foundation do not feel fully confident about having mastery of the legislation and the time needed to perform this function efficiently. In addition, they point out the complexities of legislation and some contracts as difficulties faced to carry out the tasks related to the function. The survey results indicate that the employees responsible for supervising contracts at this Foundation do not feel fully confident about having mastery of the legislation and the necessary time to perform this function efficiently. In addition, they point out the complexities of legislation and of some contracts, like difficulties faced to carry out the tasks related to the function.
Simplified Business Model
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed R.
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of business model to small, medium, and as well to large businesses in a simple framework. The paper presents the conceptual framework for the business model grounded with the quantitative business model that emphasizes profit motives. The quantitative business model, which has been in existence from the inception of business and commerce, refers to revenues minus costs and expenses equal to profits. The business model is created with the understanding of the quantitative model that is, and it shows how revenues are generated, profits are made, and costs are managed. The paper presents a simplified framework for developing a business model in a three-step process. In the three-step process for creating a business model, all participants' profit motives are considered critical for the success of the business process. The simple procedure for creating a business model presented in the paper would help both small and large businesses improve the business model creation processes to generate more value for both the customers and the companies.
Virtual Healthcare: A Literature Review in Business and Management Field
Authors: Mele Stefania , Izzo Filomena
Published: April 2021

Virtual healthcare has evolved through different research and application steps, this study tries to systematize what has happened in this disruptive situation in management studies, consolidating lessons learned in last twenty years. A bibliometric analysis gives the opportunity to explore in a massive method what was written in 2020, including instant papers and preprints, trying to concentrate on new emerging topics and research fields.
Making Meaning of the Colonial Experience: Reading Things Falling Apart through the Prism of Alfred Schutz’s Phenomenology
Authors: Ofori Dominic ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2021

This essay offers a Schutzian reading of Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, arguing that the so-called critical ambivalence in Chinua Achebe’s hermeneutic of the colonial experience makes sense if situated within his lived experiences in colonial Nigeria. Grounding its interpretation of Achebe’s meaning-making of the colonial experience in Schutz’s phenomenology, the essay begins with a close reading of the novel itself, highlighting significant areas of ambivalence. Next, it explicates Schutz’s (1967) constructs of intersubjectivity and phenomenology of literature. In the next section in which Achebe’s biography is examined, an attempt is made to show how a Schutzian reading of Achebe’s social relationships can help us understand his account of the colonial experience as represented in his first novel. Ultimately, the paper concludes by noting that the ambivalence that charactterizes Things Fall Apart reflects the author’s realism and investment in both the African and European cultures he sought to critique.
Data reduction tool for spherical constant volume flame experiments
Authors: Hegetschweiler Michael J , Linteris Gregory T
Published: April 2021

A data reduction tool was developed to conveniently post-process spherical constant volume flame experiments. Such experiments are employed to obtain laminar flame velocities in a premixed gas mixture. The setup is relatively simple and the only recorded physical quantities are pressure and time. Under various model assumption this so called pressure trace can be used to deduce the flame velocity. Many such models with different levels of complexity are available in the literature. One category of models are the shell models where the vessel content is divided in grid shells and the flame history is reconstructed employing physical models. Three of those shell models are implemented in the present tool. This technical note describes the installation and provides a user guide with additional details about the models and the algorithms. Its purpose is to help users efficiently use the tool and obtain physically meaningful results.
The role of the isolation of the marginal seas during the Pleistocene in the genetic structure of black sea bream Acanthopagrus schlegelii (Bleeker, 1854) in the coastal waters of Japan
Authors: Yamashita Yutaro , Sanchez Gustavo , Kawai Kentaro , Tomano Satoshi , Fujita Hiroki , Umino Tetsuya
Published: April 2021

The black sea bream Acanthopagrus schlegelii (Bleeker, 1854) is a commercially important species in Japanese waters. Assessing its population structure is essential to ensure its sustainability. In the Northwestern Pacific, historical glacial and interglacial periods during the Pleistocene have shaped the population structure of many coastal marine fishes. However, whether these events affected the population of black sea bream remains unknown. To test this hypothesis and to assess the population structure of black sea bream, we used 1,046 sequences of the mitochondrial control region from individuals collected throughout almost the entire Japanese coastal waters and combined them with 118 sequences from populations distributed in other marginal seas of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. As in other coastal marine fish with similar distribution, we also found evidence that the glacial refugia on the marginal seas prompted the formation of three lineages in black sea bream. These lineages present signatures of population growth that coincided with the interglacial periods of the Pleistocene. While the origin of Lineages B and C remains unclear, the higher relative frequency of Lineage A in the southernmost location suggests its origin in the South China Sea. The non-significant pairwise ΦST and AMOVA of Japanese populations and the presence of these three lineages mixed in Japanese waters; strongly suggest that these lineages are homogenized in both the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean. Our results indicate that the black sea bream should be managed as a single stock in Japan until the strength of connectivity in contemporary populations is further addressed using non-coding nuclear markers.
A new brachylophosaurin (Dinosauria: Hadrosauridae) from the Upper Cretaceous Menefee Formation of New Mexico
Authors: McDonald Andrew T. , Wolfe Douglas G. , Freedman Fowler Elizabeth A. , Gates Terry A.
Published: April 2021

Brachylophosaurini is a clade of hadrosaurid dinosaurs from the Campanian of western North America. Although well-known from northern localities in Montana and Alberta, including abundant material of Brachylophosaurus canadensis and Maiasaura peeblesorum and the holotypes of Acristavus gagslarsoni and Probrachylophosaurus bergei, material from southern localities in Utah and Colorado is restricted to a partial skull referred to A. gagslarsoni and several indeterminate specimens. Here we describe Ornatops incantatus gen. et sp. nov., a new brachylophosaurin known from a partial skeleton from the Allison Member of the Menefee Formation in New Mexico. Ornatops is the first brachylophosaurin reported from New Mexico and the southernmost occurrence of the clade. Ornatops shares with Probrachylophosaurus and Brachylophosaurus a caudally expanded nasofrontal suture on the frontals, but also exhibits an autapomorphic nasofrontal suture morphology, with a horizontal rostral region and elevated caudal region with two prominent parasagittal bumps, which is different from other brachylophosaurin specimens, including juvenile and adult Brachylophosaurus. A phylogenetic analysis places Ornatops in a trichotomy with Probrachylophosaurus and Brachylophosaurus, with Maiasaura and Acristavus as successive outgroups.
Utilizing network pharmacology and molecular docking to explore the underlying mechanism of Guizhi Fuling Wan in treating endometriosis
Authors: Wang Haoxian , Zhou Gang , Zhuang Mingyan , Wang Wei , Fu Xianyun
Published: April 2021

Background

Guizhi Fuling Wan (GZFLW) is a widely used classical Chinese herbal formulae prescribed for the treatment of endometriosis (EMs). This study aimed to predict the key targets and mechanisms of GZFLW in the treatment of EMs by network pharmacology and molecular docking.

Methods

Firstly, related compounds and targets of GZFLW were identified through the TCMSP, BATMAN-TCM and CASC database. Then, the EMs target database was built by GeneCards. The overlapping targets between GZFLW and EMs were screened out, and then data of the PPI network was obtained by the STRING Database to analyze the interrelationship of these targets. Furthermore, a topological analysis was performed to screen the hub targets. After that, molecular docking technology was used to confirm the binding degree of the main active compounds and hub targets. Finally, the DAVID database and Metascape database were used for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis.

Results

A total of 89 GZFLW compounds and 284 targets were collected. One hundred one matching targets were picked out as the correlative targets of GZFLW in treating EMs. Among these, 25 significant hub targets were recognized by the PPI network. Coincidently, molecular docking simulation indicated that the hub targets had a good bonding activity with most active compounds (69.71%). Furthermore, 116 items, including the inflammatory reaction, RNA polymerase, DNA transcription, growth factor activity, and steroid-binding, were selected by GO enrichment analysis. Moreover, the KEGG enrichment analysis results included 100 pathways focused on the AGE-RAGE pathway, HIF pathway, PI3K Akt pathway, MAPK pathway, and TP53 pathway, which exposed the potential mechanisms of GZFLW in treating EMs. Also, the MTT colorimetric assay indicated that the cell proliferation could be inhibited by GZFLW. Compared with the control group, the protein levels of P53, BAX, and caspase3 in the drug groups were all increased in Western blotting results. The results of flow cytometry showed that the percentage of apoptotic cells in the GZFLW group was significantly higher than that in the control group.

Conclusion

Through the exploration of network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, GZFLW has a therapeutic effect on EMs through multi-target mechanism. This study provided a good foundation for further experimental research.
Exosomes derived from plasma: promising immunomodulatory agents for promoting angiogenesis to treat radiation-induced vascular dysfunction
Authors: Li Yanxi , Lyu Ping , Ze Yiting , Li Peiran , Zeng Xinyi , Shi Yixin , Qiu Bingrun , Gong Ping , Yao Yang
Published: April 2021

Ionizing radiation (IR)-induced vascular disorders slow down tissue regeneration. Exosomes derived from plasma exhibit potential to promote angiogenesis; meanwhile, the immune microenvironment plays a significant role in the process. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that plasma exosomes promote angiogenesis in irradiated tissue by mediating the immune microenvironment. First, we explored the impact of IR on macrophages. We found that cell viability and capacity for promoting angiogenesis were decreased in irradiated macrophages compared to control macrophages. Then, we isolated and characterized rat plasma-derived exosomes (RP-Exos) which were defined as 40–160 nm extracellular vesicles extracted from rat plasma. Afterward, we evaluated the effects of RP-Exos on the behaviors of irradiated macrophages. Our results show that RP-Exos promoted cell proliferation. More importantly, we found that RP-Exos stimulated the immune microenvironment in a manner that improved the angiogenesis-related genes and proteins of irradiated macrophages. The supernatant of macrophage cell cultures was used as conditioned medium to treat human primary umbilical vein endothelial cells, further confirming the pro-angiogenic ability of macrophages receiving RP-Exo intervention. RP-Exos were used in vivo to treat irradiated skin or calvarial defects in irradiated Sprague-Dawley male rats. The results indicated the ability of RP-Exos to enhance angiogenesis and promote tissue regeneration. Our research suggested the potential of plasma exosomes to be used as immunomodulatory agents with angiogenic capacity to treat radiation-associated vascular disorders and facilitate tissue repair.
Study of Diagnostic Value of Cyclooxygenase-2 and Matrix Metalloproteinases in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Etaiwi Alaa , Hashem Enayat , Ajabnoor Mohammed , Al–Ama Nabil
Published: April 2021

Background and Aim: Atherosclerosis is a chronic systematic disease where lesion (plaque) develops results in activation of inflammatory reaction that leads to arterial obstruction. Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause for many cardiovascular diseases (CVD) which were estimated with 42 percent of total death in Saudi Arabia while Coronary artery diseases (CAD) accounted for 35 percent of total chronic diseases death in Saudi Arabia by 2008. Risk factors that attribute in progression of atherosclerotic lesion and subsequent complications are smoking, high Low Density Lipoprotein –Cholesterol (LDL-C), high blood pressure, obesity and alcohol.

Materials and Methods: This study was carried on 20 healthy individuals as a control group, 15 patients with stable angina, 15 patients with recent myocardial infraction (MI) and 15 patient 24-hours post MI. All subjects were males with age 45±65 years and underwent exclusion/inclusion criteria. COX-2, MMPs levels were quantitatively measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: There is insignificant differences in both COX-2 and MMP-2 levels among studied groups (P = 0.450 and 0.246 respectively) .On other hand, MMP-9 demonstrate a significant elevation in its level in studied groups (P = 0.014): its level significantly increase in stable angina (31.474 ± 12.188 ng/ml) compared to both control (9.920 ± 0.075 ng/ml) and Post MI groups (16.012 ± 13.852 ng/ml) (P = 0.001 and 0.004 respectively) and significantly increase in MI group (26.020 ± 14.792 ng/ml) when compared to both control (P = 0.006) and post MI (P = 0.038) groups.

Conclusion: We can conclude that both COX-2 and MMP-2 cannot be used as markers for diagnosis of stable angina or MI. While MMP-9 as it showed significant elevation in its level in MI and then decrease in post MI, it can be considered as a good marker for confirming the diagnosis of MI and post MI stage.
Effect of Different Levels of Sulphur on Growth and Yield of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Under Drip Irrigation
Authors: Haris M. Mustafa , Osmani Khuwaja Safiullah , Younusi M. Mobin
Published: April 2021

A Field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different levels of sulphur on growth and yield of onion under drip irrigation on years (2013-2014) at RHREC, College of Horticulture, Bangalore. The experiment was conducted with a Randomized block design with four replications. The treatments comprised of 7 combinations (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 kg S/ha) in which sulphur was supplied through gypsum. The results indicated significantly higher bulb yield (61.96t ha-1) and yield components like average bulb weight, bulb yield per plot and marketable bulb yield was obtained due to application of recommended dosage of fertilizer plus 45 kg S ha-1. The growth components viz., plant height, number of leaves, collar thickness and neck thickness showed significant with the application of result in the recommended dosage of fertilizer plus 45 kg S ha-1. Compared to other levels of sulphur.
Functional Limitations of Hyper and Hypothyroid Patients in INMOL Hospital Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Sherwani Rehan Ahmad Khan , Gill Sajjad Ali , Saeed Nadia , Saeed Sana , Habib Ayesha , Shahid Hira
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Thyroid disease is extremely prevalent than heart diseases or diabetes. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland maintain the muscles, heart, brain, and other organs of the body. Improper performance of the thyroid gland leads to an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) that disturbs the metabolic system. The objective of the present study is to investigate the functional limitations of the patients under these two types of thyroid disorders.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design is used to collect the data from thyroid disease patients in INMOL hospital Lahore, Pakistan from 23rd November 2020 to 20th January 2021. A total of 201 patients (98 hyperthyroid, 103 hypothyroid) are enrolled in this study. Data is analyzed through frequencies, percentages, and chi-square test of association by using SPSS (version 23).

Results: Females over 30 years of ages, married, overweight with family sizes are less than four with a positive family history of brothers and sisters using iodized salt are more at risk of hypothyroidism and faced the problems like speedup in the metabolic system, weight gain, slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, weakness in muscles, constipation, coldness when others do not. Eventually it causes difficulties in routine activities, irregularities in the menstrual cycle and problems in pregnancy.

Conclusion: By considering all these evidences, early diagnosis and precautionary steps are needed to avoid the prevalence of thyroid disease specifically in women.
Development and Characterization of Mitoxantrone-Loaded Glutaraldehyde Crosslinked Sodium Alginate Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Anticancer Drugs
Authors: Amjad Muhammad Wahab , Raja Maria Abdul Ghafoor
Published: April 2021

Every year millions of new cases of various types of cancers are diagnosed, leading to an alarming rate of fatalities. Mitoxantrone is an anthracenedione antineoplastic agent which is used in the treatment of various types of cancer, mostly acute myeloid leukemia and prostate cancer. In spite of its therapeutic applications, it possesses numerous limitations and side effects including specific targeting and systemic toxicity. Sodium alginate is a biodegradable, mucoadhesive and biocompatible polymer commonly used in drug delivery applications. Glutaraldehyde is a saturated dialdehyde and is used as a polymer cross linker. In this study, mitoxantrone-loaded glutaraldehyde-sodium alginate nanoparticles were developed by ionic gelation method and characterized (determination of particle size, drug entrapment efficiency, drug release and its kinetics) for the delivery of anticancer drugs. The nanoparticles mean particle size was found to be within the acceptable range. The entrapment efficiency was also on the higher side with sustained drug release. The findings of this study reveal promising potential of delivery system and project the way forward for further in vitro and in vivo investigations.
Characterisation of Some Selected Bacterial Isolates from Vegetable Oil Contaminated Soil
Authors: Popoola B. M. , Olanbiwoninu A. A.
Published: April 2021

Microbial lipases occupy a place of prominence among biocatalysts and are often used for various biotechnological applications. Because of huge variation in applications, the availability of lipases with specific characteristics is still a limiting factor. There is therefore need for extensive characterisation of lipase for various applications. This work was carried out to characterise lipases from some selected bacterial isolates.

Isolates identified as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Pseudomonas cepacia Pseudomonas fluorescens, Alcaligenes sp. and Flavobacterium sp. from a vegetable oil contaminated soil were characterized. Temperature, pH and ion concentration, (NaNO3 and MgSO4), incubation time, agitation speed, carbon sources and nitrogen sources were optimised for growth and lipase activity. Increase in microbial growth does not necessarily suggest increase in lipolytic activity as generally observed from this study.  Temperature, pH, incubation time and agitation speed which had optimum enzyme activities for crude enzyme of Pseudomonas fluorescens (0.8 U/mL), were 27 oC, 7.0, 24 h, and 0 rpm respectively. Growth was not generally supported by AgN03 in all the organisms selected but supported by KNO3. However MgSO4 generally supported lipase production. Olive oil and peptone as sources of carbon and nitrogen respectively supported both growth and lipase production in the selected organisms.

These bacterial isolates characterized had lipolytic activities, hence they have high potential for various biotechnological applications.
Desulfatiglandaceae
Authors: Galushko Alexander , Kuever Jan
Published: April 2021

De.sul.fa.ti.glan.da.ce'ae. N.L. masc. n.
Desulfatiglans
, type genus of the family; suff. ‐
aceae
, ending to denote family; N.L. fem. pl. n.
Desulfatiglandaceae
, the family of
Desulfatiglans
.

Desulfobacterota / Desulfobacteria / Desulfatiglandales / Desulfatiglandaceae

Cells are rod shaped and occur singly or in pairs. Gram‐stain‐negative. Endospores are not observed. Nonmotile. Strict anaerobe with a respiratory type of metabolism. Chemoorganoheterotrophs. Substrate oxidation is complete. For complete oxidation the anaerobic C
1
‐pathway (carbon monoxide dehydrogenase [CODH] or Wood–Ljungdahl pathway) is used. Sulfate serves as terminal electron acceptor and is reduced to H
2
S. Other oxidized sulfur compounds might be used depending on the species. The optimal pH range for growth is around 7.2. The optimal temperature for growth varies between 30 and 37°C. The family currently comprises only the genus
Desulfatiglans
which is also the type genus. Members of the family are found in sediments of anoxic marine, brackish, and freshwater systems.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 58.9–59.1 (
T
m
, genome and LC).

Type genus
:
Desulfatiglans
Suzuki et al. 2014
VP
.
Desulfonatronovibrionaceae
Authors: Galushko Alexander , Zhilina Tatyana , Kuever Jan
Published: April 2021

De.sul.fo.na.tro.no.vi.bri.o.na.ce'ae. N.L. masc. n.
Desulfonatronovibrio
, type genus of the family; suff. ‐
aceae
, ending to denote a family; N.L. fem. pl. n.
Desulfonatronovibrionaceae
, the family of
Desulfonatronovibrio
.

Desulfobacterota / Desulfovibrionia / Desulfovibrionales / Desulfonatronovibrionaceae

Vibrio‐, spirilla‐, or curved rod‐shaped cells. Occur singly or in pairs. Spore formation is not observed. Gram‐stain‐negative. Motile with one polar flagellum or nonmotile. Strict anaerobes. All species possess a respiratory and some an additional fermentative type of metabolism. Chemolithoheterotrophs, chemoorganoheterotrophs, and chemolithoautotrophs, depending on the species. Sulfate and other partially oxidized inorganic sulfur compounds serve as terminal electron acceptors and are reduced to sulfide. Except formate, organic compounds are oxidized to acetate. H
2
plus CO
2
or formate can support growth in the presence or absence of acetate, depending on the species. Chemolithoautotrophic growth on H
2
plus CO
2
, formate, or sulfur disproportionation occurs via the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway. Fermentation of pyruvate might occur. A common feature is the disproportionation of thiosulfate and sulfite, either autotrophically or in the presence of acetate as carbon source. Most members are extremely alkaliphilic; some are alkalitolerant. Obligately dependent on Na
+
, CO
3
2−
, and Cl
−
in the growth medium. Mesophilic. The family contains two genera,
Desulfonatronovibrio
and
Desulfonatronospira
. Occur in anoxic sediments of moderately and hypersaline alkaline soda and chloride‐sulfate continental saline lakes.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 41.8–51.4 (genome,
T
m
).

Type genus:
Desulfonatronovibrio
Zhilina et al. 1997
VP
.
Desulforegulaceae
emend
Authors: Galushko Alexander , Kuever Jan
Published: April 2021

De.sul.fo.re.gu.la.ce'a.e. N.L. fem. n.
Desulforegula
, type genus of the family; suff. ‐
aceae
, ending to denote a family; N.L. fem. pl. n.
Desulforegulaceae
, the family of
Desulforegula
.

Desulfobacterota / Desulfobacteria / Desulfobacterales / Desulforegulaceae

Cells are straight or slightly curved rods or vibrios and occur singly or in pairs. Gram‐stain‐negative. Endospores are not observed. Motile. Strict anaerobes with respiratory (all members) and fermentative (some members) types of metabolism. Chemoorganohetero trophic. Short‐ and long‐chain fatty acids with even and odd numbers of carbon atoms are used as sole electron donors and carbon sources and are oxidized to acetate and mixtures of propionate and acetate, respectively. One genus can use alkenes as substrates. Chemolithoautotrophy is generally not found (exception is one species within the genus
Desulfatiferula
). Sulfate can serve as terminal electron acceptor and is reduced to sulfide; sulfite and thiosulfate might be used as well (depending on the genus). Mesophilic; the optimal temperature range for growth is between 25 and 34°C. Most members are neutrophilic with optimal growth pH between 6.8 and 7.7, and one species of the genus
Desulfobotulus
is alkaliphilic with optimal growth pH 9.9–10.1. One species of the genus
Desulfocella
is halophilic. The major menaquinones (MK‐7 and MK‐8) have only been determined for some members. The major cellular fatty acids depend on the genus; only C
16:0
is present in all members. The family currently accommodates four genera
Desulfatiferula, Desulfobotulus, Desulfocella,
and
Desulforegula
. Members of this family are found in anoxic freshwater, brackish water, marine, and hypersaline sediments.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 35.0–53.5 (LC, genome).

Type genus
:
Desulforegula
Rees and Patel 2001
VP
.
Aggregatibacter
Authors: Nørskov‐Lauritsen Niels
Published: April 2021

Ag.gre.ga.ti.bac'ter. L. v.
aggregare
, to come together, aggregate; N.L. masc. n.
bacter
, rod; N.L. masc. n.
Aggregatibacter
rod‐shaped bacterium that aggregates with others.

Proteobacteria / Gammaproteobacteria / Pasteurellales / Pasteurellaceae / Aggregatibacter

The genus
Aggregatibacter
was established by reclassification of species previously classified in the genera
Actinobacillus
and
Haemophilus
. The genus includes typical members of the family
Pateurellaceae
with respect to cultural characteristics, phenotype, and colony morphology. Humans are the only documented hosts, although
Aggregatibacter
‐like bacteria have been cultured from some higher primates. The genus includes four species with validated names. All species of the genus have been cultured from invasive infections of humans. Separation of
Aggregatibacter
from all other genera of the family
Pasteurellaceae
by phenotypic characters can be challenging. Partial sequencing of 16S rRNA genes or partial proteomic analysis by mass spectrometry is credible authenticating procedures. Members of the class
Gammaproteobacteria
, family
Pasteurellaceae
. Known habitat is the oral cavity of humans.

Average DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 42.2–44.4.

Type species
:
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
Nørskov‐Lauritsen and Kilian 2006
VP
.
Oleidesulfovibrio
Authors: Galushko Alexander , Kuever Jan
Published: April 2021

O.le.i.de.sul.fo.vi'bri.o. L. neut. n.
oleum
, oil; N.L. masc.
Desulfovibrio,
a bacterial genus; N.L. masc. n.
Oleidesulfovibrio
, a
Desulfovibrio
from the oil (isolated from oil production sites).

Desulfobacterota / Desulfovibrionia / Desulfovibrionales / Desulfovibrionaceae / Oleidesulfovibrio

Cells are vibrio‐shaped rods, 0.5–1.2 × 1.0–5.0 μm. Occur singly or in pairs. Spore formation is not observed. Stain Gram‐negative. Cells are motile by a single polar flagellum. Strictly anaerobic, having respiratory (all species) and fermentative (one species) types of metabolism. Chemoorganoheterotrophs, using lactate and pyruvate as electron donors and carbon sources; use of other substrates depends on the species; organic compounds are incompletely oxidized to acetate. H
2
was not tested but might serve as an electron donor in the presence of acetate as an organic carbon source (chemolithoheterotrophic growth). Formate was only tested for one species and is used in the presence of acetate. Sulfate, sulfite, and thiosulfate serve as terminal electron acceptors and are reduced to sulfide. Desulfoviridin is present. Fumarate is used by one species as electron donor for sulfate reduction and as electron acceptor for lactate oxidation. One species can ferment ethanol and butanol. Mesophilic; the optimum temperature for growth is 37°C. Neutrophilic; the optimum pH for growth is 7.0–7.5. All species are moderately halophilic. Media containing a reductant are required for growth; some species also need yeast extract. Occur in anoxic marine habitats.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 58.0–60.6 (LC, genome).

Type species
:
Oleidesulfovibrio vietnamensis
Waite et al. 2020
VP
.
Dosimetric impact of range uncertainty in passive scattering proton therapy
Authors: Liu Ruirui , Sun Baozhou , Zhang Tiezhi , Williamson Jeffery F. , O’Sullivan Joseph A. , Zhao Tianyu
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The objective of this study was to investigate the dosimetric impact of range uncertainty in a large cohort of patients receiving passive scatter proton therapy.

Methods

A cohort of 120 patients were reviewed in this study retrospectively, of which 61 were brain, 39 lung, and 20 prostate patients. Range uncertainties of ±3.5% (overshooting and undershooting by 3.5%, respectively) were added and recalculated on the original plans, which had been planned according to our clinical planning protocol while keeping beamlines, apertures, compensators, and dose grids intact. Changes in the coverage on CTV and DVH for critical organs were compared and analyzed. Correlation between dose change and minimal distance between CTV and critical organs were also investigated.

Results

Although CTV coverages and maximum dose to critical organs were largely maintained for most brain patients, large variations over 5% were still observed sporadically. Critical organs, such as brainstem and chiasm, could still be affected by range uncertainty at 4 cm away from CTV. Coverage and OARs in lung and prostate patients were less likely to be affected by range uncertainty with very few exceptions.

Conclusion

The margin recipe in modern TPS leads to clinically acceptable OAR doses in the presence of range uncertainties. However, range uncertainties still pose a noticeable challenge for small but critical serial organs near tumors, and occasionally for large parallel organs that are located distal to incident proton beams.
Decentralized optimal tracking control for large‐scale nonlinear systems with tracking error constraints
Authors: Wang Yujia , Wang Tong , Yang Xuebo , Yang Jiae
Published: April 2021

In this article, a decentralized optimal tracking control strategy is proposed for a class of nonlinear systems with tracking error constraints by utilizing adaptive dynamic programming (ADP). It should be noted that ADP technology cannot be directly used to solve decentralized optimal tracking problem of large‐scale interconnected nonlinear system with nonzero equilibrium points, since that an infinite domain performance index function may result in an unsolvable solution. In addition, by introducing a smooth function, the constrained tracking error is transformed into an unconstrained one. Then, the error dynamics and a new infinite domain performance index function are designed, such that ADP technology can be used. Following the designed performance index function, the tracking error can be ensured within a small neighborhood of zero. Finally, the feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed decentralized optimal control scheme are verified through two simulation examples.