bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxytocin Hormone Induction on Milk Production in Relation to Dairy Kid Performance
Authors: Sumaryadi Mas Yedi , Saleh Dadang Mulyadi , Nugroho Aras Prasetiyo , Hidayat Nu'man , Hidayah Chomsiatun Nurul
Published: April 2020

The application of oxytocin induction to milk production in relation to the performance of kids in dairy goats had been carried out in the "PEGUMAS" dairy goat farmer group Gumelar District, Banyumas. This activity aimed to increase milk production and kid performance through the induction of the hormone oxytocin in dairy goats. The approach method was designed in two stages: the first stage carried out the socialization activities and demonstration of techniques for applying IPTEKS, and the second stage applied hormonal technology in the form of oxytocin hormone induction in dairy goats. The material used was dairy goat parity I aged 1.5 - 2 years allocated into 2 groups of 10 individuals each. Group I was dairy goat experiment not induced with the oxytocin hormone as the control. Group II was dairy goat experiment induced with the oxytocin hormone at a dose of 1 ml (10 IU) intramuscularly before milking. Milk production was measured morning and evening as daily milk production in milliliters (ml). Milk was given to the kid of each parent. The kid's performance was measured based on the daily weight gain of the kid during the study. Overall, the application of science and technology could be adopted by farmers, and oxytocin-induced dairy goat milk production (503.2 ml) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than control (305.4 ml) with an increase of 64.77%, with a positive level of correlation (r = 0.45) and contributed 19.83% to the kids daily body weight gain.
Theory of Planned Behavior Development Model to Compliance Behavior in Vap Prevention at ICU
Authors: Kusnanto Kusnanto , Suadyani I Ketut , Wahyuni Erna Dwi , Arifin Hidayat
Published: April 2020

Background: Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) was the leading cause of death in Healthcare-Associated Infections (HCAI) requiring treatment in its specific prevention. Prevention of VAP had not been done optimally, such as nurses had not done hand hygiene and oral care according to procedure, head elevation not yet done as indicated. Purpose: applying Theory of Planned Behavior to nurse compliance behavior to prevent VAP case in ICU of Catholic Hospital Surabaya. Methods: The study was explanative observational with cross-sectional approach. The population was associate nurses working in the ICU and obtained 30 sample with total sampling. The research variables were general attitude, age, education, experience, knowledge, attitude toward VAP, subjective norm, perception to control, intention, preventive compliance behaviour VAP. Instruments in the form of questionnaires and observations. Data analyzed using bivariate Chi-Square (p<0,05) and Partial Least Square. Results: The results showed that: 1) attitudes, age and experience were associated with intentional support factors (p <0.05), while education and knowledge were not related to intentional support factors 2) intentional support factors related to intention (p <0, 05) 3) Intention related to VAP prevention compliance behavior (p <0.05). Conclusion: Nurse compliance behavior in VAP prevention consider their background factor, support factor of intention, and intention.
The Preparation and Characterization of Alginate–Chitosan Membranes as Solid Support for BTB and Urease Entrapment
Authors: Hermanto Dhony , Mudasir Mudasir , Siswanta Dwi , Kuswandi Bambang , Ismillayli Nurul
Published: April 2020

A study of alginate-chitosan membrane synthesize was done. The membrane was prepared by mixing alginate hydrosol and chitosan hydrosol at mass ratio of 1:1 and pH of 5.28 approximately. Then it was applied for matrix immobilization of urease and bromothymol blue (BTB) by entrapment technique. The physical, chemical, thermal properties of alginate–chitosan membrane and their impact on immobilized urease activity were investigated. The polymer products were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). It’s showed that alginate-chitosan membrane was formed by electrostatic interaction.  The obtained membran has better mechanical properties than original alginat and chitosan membranes. The immobilization urease into alginate-chitosan membrane retained the catalytic activity of the enzyme, as confirmed by color change of BTB indicator after membrane was immersed in substrate solution (urea). Therefore, alginate-chitosan membrane has good characteristics as matrix of enzyme immobilization.
Synthesis, Antiproliferative Activity and Molecular Docking Studies of 1,3,5-Triaryl Pyrazole Compound as Estrogen α Receptor Inhibitor Targeting MCF-7 Cells Line
Authors: Herfindo Noval , Prasetiawati Riska , Sialagan Daniel , Frimayanti Neni , Zamri Adel
Published: April 2020

This research has been successfully synthesized three compounds of 1,3,5-triaryl pyrazole derivatives by two steps reaction. Firstly, pyrazoline (4a-c) compound was obtained by one-pot reaction of aromatic ketones, aldehyde and hydrazine in basic condition. Then, pyrazole (5a-c) compound was obtained by oxidative aromatization of compound 4 in the presense of acetic acid. Chemical structure of predicted molecules was confirmed by FTIR, NMR and HRMS spectroscopy data analysis. Antiproliferative activity of compound 5a-c were evaluated by in vitro assay against MCF-7 cells line and molecular docking simulation against ERα (PDB ID: 3ERT) using MOE 2019. Biological evaluation result showed that pyrazole compounds had weak antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 cells with IC50 were > 1000 µM, whereas the docking studies agrees the result.
Identification of NLOS and Multi-Path Conditions in UWB Localization Using Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Lian Sang Cung , Steinhagen Bastian , Homburg Jonas Dominik , Adams Michael , Hesse Marc , Rückert Ulrich
Published: April 2020

In Ultra-wideband (UWB)-based wireless ranging or distance measurement, differentiation between line-of-sight~(LOS), non-line-of-sight~(NLOS), and multi-path (MP) conditions are important for precise indoor localization. This is because the accuracy of the reported measured distance in UWB ranging systems is directly affected by the measurement conditions (LOS, NLOS or MP). However, the major contributions in literature only address the binary classification between LOS and NLOS in UWB ranging systems. The MP condition is usually ignored. In fact, the MP condition also has a significant impact on the ranging errors of the UWB compared to the direct LOS measurement results. Though, the magnitudes of the error contained in MP conditions are generally lower than completely blocked NLOS scenarios. This paper addresses machine learning techniques for identification of the mentioned three classes (LOS, NLOS, and MP) in the UWB indoor localization system using an experimental data-set. The data-set was collected in different conditions at different scenarios in indoor environments. Using the collected real measurement data, we compare three machine learning (ML) classifiers, i.e., support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF) based on an ensemble learning method, and multilayer perceptron (MLP) based on a deep artificial neural network, in terms of their performance. The results show that applying ML methods in UWB ranging systems are effective in identification of the above-mentioned three classes. In specific, the overall accuracy reaches up to 91.9% in the best-case scenario and 72.9% in the worst-case scenario. Regarding the F1-score, it is 0.92 in the best-case and 0.69 in the worst-case scenario. For reproducible results and further exploration, we (will) provide the publicly accessible experimental research data discussed in this paper at PUB - Publications at Bielefeld University. The evaluations of the three classifiers are conducted using the open-source python machine learning library scikit-learn.
A Unified Framework to Homologize Appendage Segments across Arthropoda
Authors: Bruce Heather , Patel Nipam
Published: April 2020

How to align leg segments between the four groups of arthropods (insects, crustaceans, myriapods, and chelicerates) has tantalized researchers for over a century. By comparing the loss-of-function phenotypes of leg patterning genes in diverged arthropod taxa, including a crustacean, insects, and spiders, we show that all arthropod legs can be aligned in a one-to-one fashion. We propose a model wherein insects incorporated two proximal leg segments into the body wall, which moved the ancestral leg lobe (exite) up onto the back to later form wings. For myriapods and chelicerates with seven leg segments, it appears that one proximal leg segment was incorporated into the body wall. According to this model, the chelicerate exopod and the crustacean exopod emerge from different leg segments, and are therefore proposed to have arisen independently. A framework for how to align arthropod appendages now opens up a powerful system for studying the origins of novel structures, the plasticity of developmental fields, and convergent evolution.
A Structural View at SARS-CoV-2 RNA Replication Machinery: RNA Synthesis, Proofreading and Final Capping
Authors: Romano Maria , Ruggiero Alessia , Squeglia Flavia , Maga Giovanni , Berisio Rita
Published: April 2020

COVID19 is a current pandemic disease due to the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The scientific community mounted a strong response by accelerating research and innovation, and rapidly setting the basis to the understanding of molecular determinants of the disease for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. The replication of the viral genome within the infected cells is a key step of SARS-CoV2 life cycle. It is a complex process involving the action of several viral and host proteins in order to perform RNA polymerization, proofreading and final capping. This review provides an update of structural and functional data on key actors of the replicatory machinery of SARS-CoV-2, filling the gaps in the current availability of structural data using homology modelling. Moreover, learning from similar viruses, we collect literature data to reconstruct the pattern of interactions among protein actors of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase machinery. In this pattern, an important role is played by co-factors, like Nsp8 and Nsp10, not only as allosteric activators but also as molecular connectors holding the entire machinery together to enhance the efficiency of RNA replication.
COVID-19 Infection Diagnosis: Potential Impact of Isothermal Amplification Technology to Reduce Community Transmission of SARS-COV-2
Authors: James Ameh S. , Al-alawneh John I.
Published: April 2020

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is largely driven by community transmission, after 2019 novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV or SARS-CoV-2) crosses the borders. To stop the spread, rapid testing is required at community clinics and hospitals. These rapid tests should be comparable with the standard PCR technology. Isothermal amplification technology provides an excellent alternative that is highly amenable to resource limited settings, where expertise and infrastructure to support PCR are not available. In this review, we provide a brief description of isothermal amplification technology, its potential and the gaps that need to be considered for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Among this emerging technology, loop mediated amplification (LAMP) and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) technologies have been identified as potential platforms that could be implemented at community level, without samples referral to a centralised laboratory and prolonged turn-around-time associated with the standard COVID-19 RT-PCR test. LAMP, for example, has recently been shown to be comparable with PCR and could be performed in less than 30 min by non-laboratory staff, without RNA extractions commonly associated with PCR. More so, it is cost effective and could easily be scaled up to resource limited settings. Diagnostics developers, scientific community and commercial companies could consider this alternative method to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Network-Based Analysis of OMICs Data to Understand the HIV-Host Interaction
Authors: Ivanov Sergey , Lagunin Alexey , Filimonov Dmitry , Tarasova Olga
Published: April 2020

The interaction of human immunodeficiency virus with human cells is responsible for all stages of the viral life cycle, from the infection of CD4+ cells to reverse transcription, integration, and the assembly of new viral particles. To date, a large amount of OMICs data as well as information from functional genomics screenings regarding the HIV-1-host interaction has been accumulated in the literature and in public databases. We processed databases containing HIV-host interactions and found 2910 HIV-1-human protein-protein interactions, mostly related to viral group M subtype B, 137 interactions between human and HIV-1 coding and non-coding RNAs, essential for viral lifecycle and cell defense mechanisms, 232 transcriptomics, 27 proteomics, and 34 epigenomics HIV-related experiments. Numerous studies regarding network-based analysis of corresponding OMICs data have been published in recent years. We overview various types of molecular networks, which can be created using OMICs data, including HIV-human protein-protein interaction networks, co-expression networks, gene regulatory and signaling networks, and approaches for the analysis of their topology and dynamics. The network-based analysis can be used to determine the critical pathways and key proteins involved in the HIV life cycle, cellular and immune responses to infection, viral escape from host defense mechanisms, and mechanisms mediating different susceptibility of humans to infection. The proteins and pathways identified in these studies may represent a basis for developing new anti-HIV therapeutic strategies such as new small-molecule drugs preventing infection of CD4+ cells and viral replication, effective vaccines, "shock and kill" and "block and lock" approaches to cure latent infection.
Mobility Restrictions and Air Quality under COVID-19 Pandemic in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Freitas Edmilson D. , Ibarra-Espinosa Sergio A. , Gavidia-Calderón Mario E. , Rehbein Amanda , Abou Rafee Sameh A. , Martins Jorge A. , Martins Leila D. , Santos Ubiratan P. , Ning Mariangeli F. , Andrade Maria F. , Trindade Ricardo I. F.
Published: April 2020

Social distancing policies put in place during COVID-19 epidemic in addition to helping to limit the spread of the disease also contributed to improving urban air quality. Here we show a decrease in air pollutant concentration as a consequence of mobility reduction in São Paulo during the containment measure which began on 22nd March 2020. When comparing to foregoing weeks to equivalent periods of 2019, the concentration of most air pollutants sharply decreased in the first days of mobility restriction, to then increase again after government officials downplayed the threat of the disease. This trend is also followed by a decrease in hospital admissions by SARS-influenza. Therefore, despite the great economic and social unrest caused by the pandemic, this unique situation shows that large-scale mobility reduction policy had a significant impact on air quality, benefiting, directly and indirectly, the public health system.
Is There a Relationship Between Blood Group and COVID-19 Susceptibility?
Authors: Golinelli Davide , Boetto Erik , Fantini Maria Pia
Published: April 2020

Objective: On March 11, 2020 the WHO declared that COVID-19 is pandemic. Among the risk factors for many infectious diseases, a role of the ABO blood group system is reported in the literature. We argue whether it is necessary to investigate the relationship between ABO blood groups and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and if we should consider some blood groups as potential risk factors for COVID-19. Results: Based on the scientific evidence reported in this letter, we believe that further studies are needed to investigate how the ABO polymorphism influences the host susceptibility, individual response and clinical risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A New Advanced In Silico Drug Discovery Method for Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with Tensor Decomposition-Based Unsupervised Feature Extraction
Authors: Taguchi Y-H. , Turki Turki
Published: April 2020

Background: COVID-19 is a critical pandemic that has affected human communities worldwide. Although it is urgent to rapidly develop effective drugs, large number of candidate drug compounds may be useful for treating COVID-19, and evaluation of these drugs is time-consuming and costly. Thus, screening to identify potentially effective drugs prior to experimental validation is necessary. Method: In this study, we applied the recently proposed method tensor decomposition (TD)-based unsupervised feature extraction (FE) to gene expression profiles of multiple lung cancer cell lines infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We identified drug candidate compounds that significantly altered the expression of the 163 genes selected by TD-based unsupervised FE. Results: Numerous drugs were successfully screened, including many known antiviral drug compounds. Conclusions: The drugs screened using our strategy may be effective candidates for treating patients with COVID-19.
PENGEMBANGAN MODUL BERBASIS MODEL SEARCH SOLVE CREATE SHARE PADA MATERI SISTEM EKSKRESI UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR ANALITIS SISWA KELAS XI MIPA SMA NEGERI 8 SURAKARTA
Authors: Pratiwi Karina , Prayitno Baskoro Adi , Maridi Maridi
Published: April 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk: 1) mengetahui karakteristik modul berbasis model Search Solve Create Share (SSCS) pada materi sistem ekskresi untuk meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir analitis siswa, 2) menguji kelayakan modul berbasis model SSCS pada materi sistem ekskresi untuk meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir analitis siswa, dan 3) mengukur keefektifan modul berbasis model SSCS pada materi sistem ekskresi untuk meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir analitis siswa. Metode penelitian mengacu pada sembilan langkah model Research and Development (R & D) dari Borg dan Gall. Analisis data menggunakan deskriptif kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan: 1) karakteristik modul berbasis model SSCS dikembangkan berdasarkan sintaks model pembelajaran SSCS yang bermuatan indikator-indikator kemampuan berpikir analitis siswa yang divisualisasikan pada tujuan, materi, kegiatan, dan soal evaluasi modul; 2) kelayakan modul siswa dinilai berkualifikasi sangat baik oleh penilaian ahli materi dengan pemenuhan 84,42%; ahli pengembangan modul 96,09%; dan ahli desain dan keterbacaan 100%; kelayakan modul guru dinilai berkualifikasi sangat baik oleh penilaian ahli materi dengan pemenuhan 84,42%; ahli pengembangan modul 92,97%; ahli desain dan keterbacaan 100%; dan berkualifikasi baik oleh penilaian ahli perangkat pembelajaran 75%; rata-rata penilaian praktisi 92,57%; serta rata-rata penilaian siswa 91,88%; 3) keefektifan modul berbasis model SSCS ditunjukkan dengan rerata hasil kemampuan berpikir analitis siswa kelas perlakuan (68,20), lebih tinggi dibanding dengan kelas kontrol (52,50) dan dapat disimpulkan bahwa modul berbasis model SSCS dinyatakan efektif serta dapat digunakan sebagai alternatif bahan ajar di sekolah.
EFEKTIVITAS KOLABORASI QR CODE DAN EDMODO (QRCE) TERHADAP MOTIVASI SERTA HASIL BELAJAR MATERI KONSEP MOL PADA SISWA KELAS X SMK KESEHATAN PURWOREJO TAHUN PELAJARAN 2018/ 2019
Authors: Tyasning Diah Megasari , Fadhilah Arini
Published: April 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui adakah perbedaan motivasi dan hasil belajar siswa yang menggunakan kolaborasi QRCE dan pembelajaran konvensional pada materi konsep mol. Penelitian dilakukan pada bulan Februari hingga Juli 2019. Populasi dalam penelitian ini meliputi siswa kelas X SMK Kesehatan Purworejo tahun pelajaran 2018/ 2019 yang terdiri dari 5 kelas. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah non randomized pre-test and post-test control group. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan menggunakan teknik cluster random sampling. Sampel terdiri dari dua kelas yaitu kelas X Farmasi 1 (kontrol) dan X Farmasi 2 (eksperimen). Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan teknik tes dan angket. Teknik analisis data untuk uji hipotesis dilakukan dengan tes nonparametrik Mann-Whitney. Dari hasil penelitian dan analisis yang telah dilakukan menunjukkan: 1) Ada perbedaan motivasi belajar siswa yang menggunakan kolaborasi QRCE dan pembelajaran konvensional pada materi konsep mol dibuktikan dengan nilai signifikansi untuk motivasi belajar 0,030. 2) Ada perbedaan hasil belajar siswa yang menggunakan kolaborasi QRCE dan pembelajaran konvensional pada materi konsep mol dibuktikan dengan nilai signifikansi sebesar 0,024.
ANALISIS KETERAMPILAN DASAR MENGAJAR MAHASISWA CALON GURU BIOLOGI DI PENDIDIKAN BIOLOGI FKIP UAD
Authors: Irawati Hani
Published: April 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat keterampilan dasar mengajar mahasiswa prodi pendidikan biologi FKIP UAD tahun akademik 2018-2019 yang mengambil mata kuliah micro teaching. Adapun keterampilan yang ingin dilihat yaitu: 1) keterampilan membuka pelajaran, 2) keterampilan menjelaskan, 3) keterampilan memberi penguatan, 4) keterampilan mengadakan variasi, 5) keterampilan membimbing diskusi, 6) keterampilan mengelola kelas, 7) keterampilan bertanya, dan 8) keterampilan menutup pelajaran. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif dengan menggunakan populasi seluruh mahasiswa prodi pendidikan biologi FKIP UAD angkatan 2016 yang mengambil mata kuliah micro teaching. Penentuan sampel penelitian menggunkan teknik purposive random sampling, sampling penelitian terdiri atas mahasiswa micro teaching kelas A, D, E, F, dan J yang berjumlah 65 mahasiswa. Teknik pengumpulan data dengan menggunakan observasi dan instrumen pengumpulan data dengan menggunakan lembar observasi. Data dianalisis secara deskriptif kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: keterampilan dasar mengajar mahasiswa calon guru program studi pendidikan biologi FKIP UAD berada dalam kategori sangat baik pada aspek membuka pelajaran, bertanya, dan menutup pelajaran. Kategori baik pada aspek penguasaan kelas, menjelaskan, dan memberikan penguatan. Kategori cukup pada aspek melakukan variasi, dan kategori kurang pada aspek memimpin diskusi kelompok kecil.
Outcome Reporting Patterns in Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Vajapey Sravya P. , Morris Jesse , Li Dan , Greco Nicholas G. , Li Mengnai , Spitzer Andrew I.
Published: April 2020

Background:

There has been a shift toward using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to capture functional improvement and patient satisfaction after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Because there is no standard measure or set of measures, variability in reporting patterns makes comparison across studies difficult.

Methods:

We performed a review of the literature using the keywords “total hip arthroplasty” and “total hip replacement” to electronically search PubMed, using the date range August 1, 2014, to August 1, 2019. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that were published in 12 high-impact journals were analyzed.

Results:

One hundred and fifty-nine RCTs were included. The most common topic of investigation was hip implant design and materials, followed by the effect of different hip approaches on patient outcomes. The follow-up period was classified as short-term (<2 years), mid-term (2 to 10 years), or long-term (>10 years). Only 6% of the RCTs reported long-term outcomes. The comprehensiveness of studies was determined on the basis of how many of the 7 following outcome domains were assessed: subjective hip function (PROMs), objective outcome measures (examination findings, laboratory values, etc.), imaging analysis, survivorship, patient satisfaction, pain assessment, and postoperative complications. Subjective hip function and imaging findings were the most commonly reported outcome domains, while implant survivorship and patient satisfaction were the least frequently reported. There was substantial variation in outcome reporting, with 35 unique PROMs utilized to assess subjective hip function. Although the Harris hip score was the most commonly used joint-specific PROM, it was only reported in 42% of the studies. None of the RCTs reported results in all 7 outcome domains, and 13.8% of studies reported results in only 1 outcome domain.

Conclusions:

There is substantial variability and a lack of comprehensiveness in outcome measures used to report results in THA clinical trials, making it nearly impossible to perform cross-study comparisons.

Clinical Relevance:

There is an immediate need for the establishment of a standardized set of measures to allow comparison of outcomes across studies.
Lacustrine cyclicity in the early Eocene Green River Formation, Uinta Basin, Utah: Evidence from X-ray fluorescence core scanning
Authors: Walters Andrew P. , Meyers Stephen R. , Carroll Alan R. , Hill Tina R. , Vanden Berg Michael D.
Published: April 2020

The Green River Formation preserves an extraordinary archive of terrestrial paleoclimate during the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO; ∼ 53–50 Ma), expressing multiple scales of sedimentary cyclicity previously interpreted to reflect annual to Milankovitch-scale forcing. Here we utilize X-ray fluorescence (XRF) core scanning and micro X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) scanning in combination with radioisotopic age data to evaluate a rock core record of laminated oil shale and carbonate mudstone from Utah's Uinta Basin, with the parallel objectives of elucidating the paleo-environmental significance of the sedimentary rhythms, testing a range of forcing hypotheses, and evaluating potential linkages between high- and low-frequency forcing. This new assessment reveals that the ∼ 100-μm-scale laminae—the most fundamental rhythm of the Green River Formation—are most strongly expressed by variations in abundance of iron and sulfur. We propose that these variations reflect changes in redox state, consistent with annual stratification of the lake. In contrast to previous studies, no support was found for ENSO or sunspot cycles. However, millimeter- to centimeter-scale rhythms—temporally constrained to the decadal to centennial scale—are strongly expressed as alternations in the abundance of silicate- versus carbonate-associated elements (e.g., Al and Si vs. Ca), suggesting changes in precipitation and sediment delivery to the paleo-lake. Variations also occur at the meter scale, defining an approximate 4 m cycle interpreted to reflect precession. We also identify punctuated intervals, associated principally with one phase of the proposed precession cycle, where Si disconnects from the silicate input. We propose an alternative authigenic or biogenic Si source for these intervals, which reflects periods of enhanced productivity. This result reveals how long-term astronomical forcings can influence short-term processes, yielding insight into decadal- to millennial-scale terrestrial climate change in the Eocene greenhouse earth.
OPEC+ Moves To End Price War With 9.7 Million B/D Cut
Authors: Jacobs Trent
Published: April 2020

A month-long price war that began in March and caused global oil prices to crash at a record pace is winding down, thanks to an unusual and historic deal between the world’s major oil producers.

The big moment came after 4 days of negotiations in mid-April led by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its chief outside partner Russia inked an agreement to cut crude output by 9.7 million B/D. The cuts are the biggest OPEC and its allies have ever made—and the first to involve the US.

The price cuts will take effect this month and extend through June. After June, output curtailments are to be gently rolled back to 7.8 million B/D starting in July and lasting to the end of 2020. The coalition of producing nations will then loosen the reductions to 5.8 million B/D from January 2021 to April 2022. This third phase will be subject to review next year.

Each country’s reduction will be determined from their October baselines—except for Russia and Saudi Arabia. The two largest producers in the agreement are each reducing output from a baseline of 11 million B/D to 8.5 million B/D.

In urging immediate action, OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo reminded oil and energy ministers from more than 20 nations that at current levels of production, the world’s crude storage capacity would be topped out by May. “There is a grizzly shadow hanging over all of us,” he said. “We do not want this shadow to envelope us. It will have a crushing and long-term impact on the entire industry.”

Considered an essential step toward stabilizing crude markets, the agreement did not come without some dramatics. Mexico, a key partner in the so-called OPEC+ group, refused to commit to its proposed cut of 400,000 B/D, instead saying it was working with the US to share a combined cut of 350,000 B/D. The US, meanwhile, had never previously participated in a coordinated cut led by OPEC.

US President Donald Trump said he agreed to “help Mexico along” by assuming the lion’s share of reductions requested by OPEC. The decision by the US to intervene came as a surprise to many observers. “I was going to pick up the slack, and they would make it up to us at a later date,” he added, indicating that Mexico could repay the favor in “a different form.”

In the end, the informal arrangement proved to be just what the coalition of producers needed to hear to grant Mexico its wish to cut back just 100,000 B/D. On 12 April, the deal was approved by OPEC+ which moved its official reduction target from 10 million B/D to 9.7 million B/D to reflect the arrangement.

“It would not have seemed in the cards three weeks ago that something like this could possibly happen,” Daniel Yergin, the vice chairman at IHS Markit, said. “Among other things, it reflected a pivot on the part of President Trump from focusing on low gasoline prices to focusing on the national security implications of devastating the US oil industry. Low gasoline prices are not a big thing at a time when most everybody is at home and can’t drive anyway.”
Feasibility and Evaluation of a Large-Scale External Validation Approach for Patient-Level Prediction in an International Data Network: Validation of models predicting stroke in female patients newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
Authors: Reps Jenna Marie , Williams Ross D , You Seng Chan , Falconer Thomas , Minty Evan , Callahan Alison , Ryan Patrick B , Park Rae Woong , Lim Hong-Seok , Rijnbeek Peter
Published: April 2020

Background: To demonstrate how the Observational Healthcare Data Science and Informatics (OHDSI) collaborative network and standardization can be utilized to scale-up external validation of patient-level prediction models by enabling validation across a large number of heterogeneous observational healthcare datasets.Methods: Five previously published prognostic models (ATRIA, CHADS2, CHADS2VASC, Q-Stroke and Framingham) that predict future risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation were replicated using the OHDSI frameworks. A network study was run that enabled the five models to be externally validated across nine observational healthcare datasets spanning three countries and five independent sites. Results: The five existing models were able to be integrated into the OHDSI framework for patient-level prediction and they obtained mean c-statistics ranging between 0.57-0.63 across the 6 databases with sufficient data to predict stroke within 1 year of initial atrial fibrillation diagnosis for females with atrial fibrillation. This was comparable with existing validation studies. The validation network study was run across nine datasets within 60 days once the models were replicated. An R package for the study was published at https://github.com/OHDSI/StudyProtocolSandbox/tree/master/ExistingStrokeRiskExternalValidation.Conclusion : This study demonstrates the ability to scale up external validation of patient-level prediction models using a collaboration of researchers and a data standardization that enable models to be readily shared across data sites. External validation is necessary to understand the transportability or reproducibility of a prediction model, but without collaborative approaches it can take three or more years for a model to be validated by one independent researcher. In this paper we show it is possible to both scale-up and speed-up external validation by showing how validation can be done across multiple databases in less than 2 months. We recommend that researchers developing new prediction models use the OHDSI network to externally validate their models.
Smoking is Associated with a Higher Risk of Unplanned Medical Visits among Adult Patients with Diabetes, using Retrospective Electronic Medical Record Data from 2014-2016
Authors: Selya Arielle , Johnson Eric L , Weber Tess L , Russo Jaymi , Stansbury Cheryl , Anshutz Drake , Griese Emily , Hsu Benson
Published: April 2020

Background Smoking exacerbates the complications of diabetes, but little is known about whether patients with diabetes who smoke have more unplanned medical visits than those who do not smoke. This study examines the association between smoking status and unplanned medical visits among patients with diabetes. Methods Data were drawn from electronic medical records (EMR’s) from a large healthcare provider in the Northern Plains region of the US, from adult (≥18 years old) patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who received care at least once during 2014-16 (N=62,149). The association between smoking status (current, former, or never smoker) and having ≥1 unplanned visit (comprised of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, hospital observations, and urgent care) was examined after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI). The top ten most common diagnoses for unplanned visits were examined by smoking status. Results Both current and former smoking were associated with an approximately 1.2-fold increase in the odds of having at least one unplanned medical visit in the 3-year period (OR=1.22, 95% CI=1.16-129; OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.19-1.28, respectively), relative to never-smokers. Most common diagnoses for all patients were pain-related. However, diagnoses related to musculoskeletal system and connective tissue disorders were more common among smokers. Smoking is associated with a higher rate of unplanned medical visits among patients with diabetes in this regional healthcare system. Conclusions Results from this study reveal higher rates of unplanned visits among smokers and former smokers, as well as increased frequencies of unplanned medical visits among current smokers.
Comparative Efficacy of Neuraxial and General anesthesia for hip fracture surgery: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Zheng Xinxun , Tang Yuming , Gao Yuan , Liu Zhiheng
Published: April 2020

Background: The choice of anesthesia technique remains debatable in patients undergoing surgical repair of hip fracture. This meta-analysis was performed to compare the effect of neuraxial (epidural/spinal) versus general anesthesia on perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.Methods: Medline, Cochrane Library, Science-Direct, and EMBASE databases were searched to identify eligible studies focused on the comparison between neuraxial and general anesthesia in hip fracture patients between January 2000 and May 2019. Perioperative outcomes were extracted for systemic analysis. The sensitivity analyses were performed by the leave-one-out approach. The evidence quality for each outcome was evaluated by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system.Results: Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 1084 patients fulfilled our selection criteria. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the 30-day mortality (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 0.56, 3.21; P = 0.51), length of stay (MD = -0.65, 95% CI -0.32, 0.02; P =0.06), and the prevalence of delirium (OR = 1.05, 95% CI 0.27, 4.00; P = 0.95), acute myocardial infarction (OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.17, 4.65; P = 0.88), deep venous thrombosis (OR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.09, 2.72; P = 0.41), and pneumonia (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 0.23, 4.61; P = 0.96) for neuraxial anesthesia compared to general anesthesia. There was a significant difference in terms of blood loss in favor of the neuraxial anesthesia (MD = -137.8, 95% CI -241.49, -34.12; p = 0.009). The evidence quality for each outcome evaluated by the GRADE system was low.Conclusions: In summary, our present study demonstrated that neuraxial anesthesia is associated with a reduced blood loss in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery compared to general anesthesia. However, this result was underpowered. Due to small sample size and enormous inconsistency in the choice of outcome measures, more high-quality studies with large sample size are needed to clarify this issue
What has been the progress in addressing financial risk in Uganda? Analysis of catastrophe and impoverishment due to health payments
Authors: Kwesiga Brendan , Aliti Tom , Kakande Pamela Nabukhonzo , Byawaka Peter , Najjuko Susan , Hsu Justine , Ataguba John , Kabaniha Grace
Published: April 2020

Background: Monitoring progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires an assessment of progress in coverage of health services and protection of households from the impact of direct out-of-pocket payments (i.e. financial risk protection). Although Uganda has expressed aspirations for attaining UHC, out-of-pocket payments remain a major contributor to total health expenditure. This study aims to monitor progress in financial risk protection in Uganda. Methods: This study uses data from the Uganda National Household Surveys for 2005/06, 2009/10, 2012/13 and 2016/17. We measure financial risk protection using catastrophic health care payments and impoverishment indicators. Health care payments are catastrophic if they exceed a set threshold (i.e. 10% and 25%) of the total household consumption expenditure. Health payments are impoverishing if they push the household below the poverty line (the US$1.90/day and Uganda’s national poverty lines). A logistic regression model is used to assess the factors associated with household financial risk.Results: The results show that while progress has been made in reducing financial risk, this progress remains minimal, and there is still a risk of a reversal of this trend. We find that although catastrophic health payments at the 10% threshold decreased from 22.4% in 2005/06 to 13.8% in 2012/13, it increased to 14.2% in 2016/17. The percentage of Ugandans pushed below the poverty line (US$1.90/day) has decreased from 5.2% in 2005/06 to 2.7% in 2016/17. The distribution of both catastrophic health payments and impoverishment varies across socio-economic status, location and residence. In addition, certain household characteristics (poverty, having a child below 5 years and an adult above 60 years) are more associated with the lack of financial risk protection. Conclusion: There is a need for targeted interventions to reduce OOP payments, especially among those most affected to increase financial risk protection. In the short-term, it is important to ensure that public health services are funded adequately to enable effective coverage with quality health care. In the medium-term, mandatory prepayment through health insurance will be needed to reduce the burden of OOP health spending further.
AChE-activity in critically ill patients with suspected septic encephalopathy: a prospective, single-centre study
Authors: Zujalovic Benedikt , Mayer Benjamin , Hafner Sebastian , Balling Florian , Barth Eberhard
Published: April 2020

Background In consequence of systemic inflammation, up to 70% of septic patients develop a diffuse brain dysfunction, accompanying with an increase in mortality, which is referred to as “septic associated encephalopathy”. Subsuming septic associated encephalopathy as a category of delirium, there is a common pathophysiology (neuro-inflammation and cholinergic transmitter imbalance). This can be approximated by measuring the acetylcholinesterase activity as a surrogate parameter of cholinergic activity. However, conflicting results for acetylcholinesterase activity exists, if single-point measurements have been done. Therefore, we wanted to test the hypothesis, whether longitudinal analysis of acetylcholinesterase activity in Intensive Care Unit patients displays septic associated encephalopathy/delirium in septic patients and reveals significant differences in comparison with non-septic, critically ill patients.Methods In this prospective, observational, single-center study, 175 patients, admitted to the surgical Intensive Care Unit of the University hospital Ulm, Germany, were included. Patients were divided into septic (n = 45) and non-septic (n = 130) patients and were screened for delirium/cognitive dysfunction. Subgroups for patients with delirium and altered acetylcholinesterase activity were built, dependent if an increase/decrease of the acetylcholinesterase activity was observed. Acetylcholinesterase activity was analysed over the course of time by using a linear regression model accounting for repeated measures. By using a time adjusted model, the effect of further possible predictors of acetylcholinesterase activity was analyzed. For nonparametric distributions, quantitative data were compared using Wilcoxon matched-pairs test. For the analysis of the independent samples, we used the Mann-Whitney test. Results There was a statistically significant, time-dependent change in acetylcholinesterase activity (decrease/increase) over a period of at least 5 days in septic patients which revealed septic associated encephalopathy/delirium in about 90%.Conclusion The longitudinal measurement of acetylcholinesterase activity over several consecutive days revealed a shift compared to baseline values exclusively in septic patients with septic associated encephalopathy/delirium. Acetylcholinesterase activity alteration compared to baseline values at the onset of sepsis may help to detect and differentiate septic associated encephalopathy from other delirium entities.Trial registration Retrospectively registered at German Clincial Trials Register, registration number DRKS 00020542, date of registration: January 27, 2020
Endothelial colony-forming cells reduced the lung injury induced by cardiopulmonary bypass in rats
Authors: Sun Haibin , Zhao Xiaoqing , Tai Qihang , Xu Guangxiao , Ju Yingnan , Gao Wei
Published: April 2020

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) results in severe lung injury via inflammation and endothelial injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) on lung injury in rats subjected to CPB. Methods: Thirty-two rats were randomized into the sham, CPB, CPB/ECFC and CPB/ECFC/L-NIO groups. The rats in the sham group received anaesthesia, and the rats in the other groups received CPB. The rats also received PBS, ECFCs and L-NIO-pretreated ECFCs. After 24 hours of CPB, pulmonary capillary permeability, including the PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio, protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue wet/dry weight, was evaluated. The cell numbers and cytokines in BALF and peripheral blood were tested. Endothelial injury, lung histological injury and apoptosis were assessed. The oxidative stress response and apoptosis-related proteins were analysed. Results: After CPB, all the data deteriorated compared with those obtained in the S group (sham vs CPB vs CPB/ECFC vs CPB/ECFC/L-NIO: histological score: 1.62±0.51 vs 5.37±0.91 vs 3.37±0.89 vs 4.37±0.74; PaO 2 /FiO 2 : 389±12 vs 233±36 vs 338±28 vs 287±30; wet/dry weight: 3.11±0.32 vs 6.71±0.73 vs 4.66±0.55 vs 5.52±0.57; protein levels: 134±22 vs 442±99 vs 225±41 vs 337±53, all P<0.05). Compared to the CPB treatment, ECFCs significantly improved pulmonary capillary permeability and PaO 2 /FiO 2 . Similarly, ECFCs also decreased the inflammatory cell number and pro-inflammatory factors in BALF and peripheral blood, as well as the oxidative stress response in the lung tissue. ECFCs reduced the lung histological injury score and apoptosis and regulated apoptosis-related proteins in the lung tissue. Compared with CPB/ECFC group, all the indicators were partly reversed by the L-NIO. Conclusions: ECFCs significantly reduced lung injury induced by inflammation after CPB.
Pyruvate anaplerosis is a mechanism of resistance to pharmacological glutaminase inhibition in Triple-receptor Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Singleton Dean C , Dechaume Anne-Lise , Murray Pamela M , Katt William P , Baguley Bruce C , Leung Euphemia Y
Published: April 2020

Background Glutamine serves as an important nutrient with many cancer types displaying glutamine dependence. Following cellular uptake glutamine is converted to glutamate in a reaction catalysed by mitochondrial glutaminase. This glutamate has many uses, including acting as an anaplerotic substrate (via alpha-ketoglutarate) to replenish TCA cycle intermediates. CB-839 is a potent, selective, orally bioavailable inhibitor of glutaminase that has activity in Triple receptor-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) cell lines and evidence of efficacy in advanced TNBC patients. Methods A panel of eleven breast cancer cell lines was used to investigate the anti-proliferative effects of the glutaminase inhibitors CB-839 and BPTES in different types of culture medium, with or without additional pyruvate supplementation. The abundance of the TCA cycle intermediate fumarate was quantified as a measure if TCA cycle anaplerosis. Pyruvate secretion by TNBC cultures was then assessed with or without AZD3965, a monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) inhibitor. Finally, two dimensional (2D) monolayer and three dimensional (3D) spheroid assays were used to compare the effect of microenvironmental growth conditions on CB-839 activity.Results The anti-proliferative activity of CB-839 in a panel of breast cancer cell lines was similar to published reports, but with a major caveat; growth inhibition by CB-839 was strongly attenuated in culture medium containing pyruvate. This pyruvate-dependent attenuation was also observed with a related glutaminase inhibitor, BPTES. Studies demonstrated that exogenous pyruvate acted as an anaplerotic substrate preventing the decrease of fumarate in CB-839-treated conditions. Furthermore, endogenously produced pyruvate secreted by TNBC cell lines was able to act in a paracrine manner to significantly decrease the sensitivity of recipient cells to glutaminase inhibition. Suppression of pyruvate secretion using the MCT1 inhibitor AZD3965, antagonised this paracrine effect and increased CB-839 activity. Finally, CB-839 activity was significantly compromised in 3D compared with 2D TNBC culture models, suggesting that 3D microenvironmental features impair glutaminase inhibitor responsiveness. Conclusion This study highlights the potential influence that both circulating and tumour-derived pyruvate can have on glutaminase inhibitor efficacy. Furthermore, it highlights the benefits of 3D spheroid cultures to model the features of the tumour microenvironment and improve the in vitro investigation of cancer metabolism-targeted therapeutics.