bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of p66Shc in high glucose concentration-induced oxidative damage in R28 cells
Authors: Zhao Minghui , Wu Qiang , Hu Jianyan , Lu Peirong
Published: March 2019

Purpose: To investigate the effect of high glucose concentrations on the expression of p66Shc and phosphorylation of p66Shc Ser36 in R28 cells, and to elucidate the role of p66Shc in high glucose-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis of R28 cells.
Methods: R28 cells were cultured with various concentrations of D-glucose, or with 30 mM D-glucose or 30 mM mannitol only for the indicated timepoints. The expression of p66Shc and phosphorylation of p66Shc Ser36 were subsequently detected. Additionally, R28 cells were divided into five groups: i. control (CTL) group; ii. high glucose (HG) group; iii. high glucose p66Shc Wt (HG p66Shc Wt) group; iv. high glucose p66Shc siRNA (HG p66Shc siRNA) group; and v. high glucose p66Shc S36A (HG p66Shc S36A) group. P66Shc, cytochrome C, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in mitochondria, mitochondrial membrane potential levels, mitochondrial DNA damage, and apoptosis were also evaluated.
Results: With the increase of glucose concentration, the levels of p66Shc mRNA and expression of p66Shc protein gradually increased. P66Shc mRNA and protein levels, and phosphorylation of p66Shc Ser36 increased with the prolongation of exposure to high concentrations of glucose. Notably, after stimulation with 30 mM mannitol, the levels of p66Shc mRNA, p66Shc protein, and p66Shc S36 phosphorylation did not change. With the increase of p66Shc level in the mitochondria of R28 cells, ROS content in mitochondria increased, mitochondrial membrane potential decreases, mitochondrial DNA damage was exacerbated, cytochrome C content in mitochondria decreased, and apoptosis increased.
Conclusion: High glucose concentrations increased the expression of p66Shc in R28 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. P66Shc is an essential regulator of mitochondrial ROS, and play an important role in mitochondrial apoptosis.
A pilot study: lenticule quality of hyperopic small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in rabbits
Authors: Zhao Yu , Zhao Feng , Han Tian , Zhao Jing , Zhou Xingtao
Published: March 2019

Purpose: To evaluate lenticule surface characteristics of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for hyperopia correction in.
Methods: The left and right eyes of 8 rabbits were divided into two groups. The right eyes were assigned to a hyperopia group, and the left eyes to a myopia group. The rabbits received SMILE procedures with +3.00 D and –3.00 D correction for the hyperopia and myopia groups, respectively. Extracted lenticules were examined via scanning electron microscopy. Lenticules from odd-numbered rabbits were accessed with the anterior surface, and lenticules from even-numbered rabbits were observed with the posterior surface. A previously established scoring system was used to evaluate lenticule surface characteristics. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the scores between the two groups.
Results: All procedures were performed successfully, and the lenticules were extracted smoothly. One myopia lenticule that was facing downward was handled failed in preparation for imaging, thus 15 lenticules were ultimately graded. Twelve lenticules exhibited smooth surfaces, and regularly arranged tissue bridges were observed in almost all regions. Three lenticules exhibited a partially rough surface and irregularities affecting more than 10% of the lenticules (2 in the hyperopia group and 1 in the myopia group). There was no significant difference between the scores of the surfaces of the lenticules in the two groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusions: The surface quality of lenticules after SMILE for hyperopia correction may be comparable to that of myopia lenticules. Future studies should concentrate on the clinical effect of human hyperopia lenticules.
Ocular disorders in renal transplant patients in Ethiopia.
Authors: Tigabu Lemlem Tamrat , Gebrehanna Ewenat
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Background : Renal transplantation has become a very successful and routine procedure of all organ transplant procedures. Visual loss is a rare but potentially devastating ocular complication of organ transplantation. Postoperative therapy with immunosuppressant, steroids and the cause of the end stage renal disease were said to be associated with the development of eye disorders like cataract, high intraocular pressure ,ocular surface disorders, opportunistic infections and neurotoxic conditions. Nowadays, Post transplant patients have better survival rates and enjoy improved quality of life so one should look for complications on time and solve them accordingly. The objective of this study is to determine ocular problems in renal transplant recipients in Ethiopian patients.
Methods: It is a across sectional study done at Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College(SPHMMC) from October 2017 to December 2018. All post renal transplant patients who were having follow up at renal transplant unit were taken for the study. Descriptive analysis was done to determine means, frequencies and proportions of the various variables.
Result : There were a total of 135 renal transplant subjects including 95(70.4%) male and 40(29.6 %) female . The mean age of all the study subjects were 34.4+ 12.1(Range 10 - 69) years. The cause of renal diseases is not known in majority of the study subjects 112(83%).More than 95% of all the study subjects were on multiple immunosuppressant therapy. Of all the individuals examined 128(94.8%) of them have one or more eye problems. The most prevalent ocular abnormality detected were dry eye 76(59.4%), optic neuropathies 10 (7.9%),Cataract 8(6.2%) and retinal pigment abnormality 9(7%). There were no significant sight threatening complications observed in relation to the immunosuppressive therapy or the diseases itself.
Conclusions : Dry eye is the most commonest eye problem identified among renal transplant patients which is not related to the prolonged use of immunosuppressives or the end stage renal disease.
Key words: Renal transplant, immunosuppressive, ocular complication, end stage renal disease.
Ocular surface analysis and automatic non-invasive assessment of tear film breakup location, extension and progression in patients with glaucoma
Authors: Guarnieri Adriano , Carnero Elena , Bleau Anne-Marie , Castaño Nicolás López de Aguileta , Ortega Marcos Llorente , Moreno-Montañés Javier
Published: March 2019

Background

Tear film stability is the key event in ocular surface diseases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate spatial and temporal progression of the tear film break-up using an automatic non-invasive device.

Methods

Non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) parameters, such as First NITBUT (F-NITBUT) and Average NITBUT (A-NITBUT), were evaluated in 132 glaucoma and 87 control eyes with the Keratograph 5M device. Further analysis of this data was used to determine size, location and progression of tear film break-up with automatically identified break-up areas (BUA). The progression from First BUA (F-BUA) to total BUA (T-BUA) was expressed as Dry Area Growth Rate (DAGR). Differences between both groups were analysed using Student t-test for parametric data and Mann-Whitney U test for non-parametric data. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between parametric variables and Spearman in the case of non-parametric variables.

Results

F-NITBUT was 11.43±7.83 seconds in the control group and 8.17±5.73 in the glaucoma group (P=0.010). A-NITBUT was 14.04±7.21 and 11.82±6.09 seconds in control and glaucoma groups, respectively (P=0.028). F-BUA was higher in the glaucoma group than in the control group (2.73 and 2.28; P=0.022) and was more frequently located at the centre of the cornea in the glaucoma group (P=0.039). T-BUA was also higher in the glaucoma group than in the control group (13.24% and 9.76%; P=0.012) and the DAGR was steeper in the glaucoma group than in the control group (34.38º and 27.15º; P=0.009).

Conclusions

Shorter NITBUT values and bigger, more central tear film break-up locations were observed in the glaucoma group than in the control group. The DAGR indicates that tear film rupture is bigger and increases faster in glaucomatous eyes than in normal eyes.
Efficacy and safety of Dexmedetomidine for prevention of withdrawal syndrome in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Protocol for a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, non-profit clinical trial (TIP-15-01)
Authors: Mondardini Maria Cristina , Conti Giorgio , Caramelli Fabio , Sperotto Francesca , Daverio Marco , Caligiuri Maria Francesca , Vitale Francesca , Cecini Maria Teresa , Piastra Marco , Mancino Aldo , Pettenazzo Andrea , Amigoni Angela
Published: March 2019

Background: Prolonged treatment with analgesic and sedative drugs in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) may lead to undesirable effects as dependence and tolerance. Moreover, during the analgosedation weaning patients may develop clinical signs of withdrawal, known as withdrawal syndrome (WS). Some studies indicated that dexmedetomidine, a selective α2-adrenoceptors agonist, may be useful to prevent WS, but no clear evidences still support this data. Aims of the present study are to evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine in reducing the occurrence of WS during the analgosedation weaning, to evaluate its safety, to identify its optimal dose-range and to quantify its ability in reducing time of weaning, time of mechanical ventilation and PICU-stay. Methods: We will perform a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to treatment A (dexmedetomidine) or treatment B (placebo). Treatments will be started 24 hours before the analgosedation-weaning and will be continued throughout the whole weaning time. Efficacy of treatments will be evaluated by monitoring the signs of WS using the withdrawal assessment tool version 1 score (WAT-1). If WAT-1 score is ≥3, dexmedetomidine/placebo-dose will be increased following a defined protocol. Thus, efficacy will be compared between treatment groups. Safety will be assessed collecting any potentially-related adverse event. Clinical or sedation characteristics will be analyzed to assess any significant association with outcome measures. The sample size assuring a power of 95% is 80 patients for each group (N total=160 patients). The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University-Hospital S.Orsola-Malpighi of Bologna on 22 March 2017. Discussion: The present trial will allow to clearly assess the efficacy of dexmedetomidine in reducing the occurrence of WS during the weaning of analgosedation drugs. In addition, the study will provide a unique insight into the safety profile of dexmedetomidine. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03645603, registered on 24 August 2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03645603. Retrospectively registered on EudraCT with ID 2015-002114-80, registered on 2 Jan 2019.
An 8-year follow-up for a woman with a spinal meningeal melanocytoma in S1 Nerve Root: a case report and literature review
Authors: Yin Mengchen , Xu Jinhai , Ye Jie , Ma Junming , Mo Wen
Published: March 2019

Background: Primary melanocytic neoplasms in the central nervous system (CNS) are rare lesions arising from leptomeningeal melanocytes. These lesions produce neural deficits that resemble those of a meningioma or a schwannoma radiologically
Case presentation: A tumor around the left S1 root with an extension into the left paraspinal compartment was identified in a 32-year-old female with persistent left leg pain for 6 months. The tumor was hyper-intense on T1-weighted image and hypo-intense on T2-weighted image with a homogeneous enhancement. The clinical features, radiologic presentations, treatment choice and pathologic characteristic were illustrated. The treatment outcome was compared with those reported in the previous literature. The tumor was en-bloc resected with the S1 nerve root reserved. Grossly, the tumor was a soft, capsulated, well-circumscribed black pigmented lesion. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumor cells were positive for HMB-45, S-100 protein and vimentin. The patient’s symptoms were greatly relieved postoperatively. No signs of local recurrence were observed.
Conclusion：Spinal meningeal melanocytoma inside the nerve root is rare and benign. It is difficult to diagnose and often misdiagnosed as schwannoma or meningioma. HMB-45 has been suggested as a significant marker for the diagnosis of meningeal melanocytoma. Complete surgical resection is recommended as the primary treatment. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other treatments can be selected as adjuvant therapies, but their effects are controversial. The recurrence and metastasis rates also remain unclear.
Key word: spinal meningeal melanocytoma; nerve root; HMB-45; surgical resection; literature review
Wastewater-grown Algae Pellets and Paste as Fertilizers for Containerized Crops
Authors: Gimondo J Austin , Currey Christopher J. , Jarboe Darren H. , Gross Martin , Graves William R.
Published: March 2019

Drawbacks of traditional synthetic fertilizer led us to explore a biologically based (bio-based) alternative. Our objective was to quantify the efficacy of wastewater-grown algae pellets and pastes harvested from rotating algal biofilm systems as fertilizers for three crops, ‘Honeycomb’ marigold (Tagetes patula L.), ‘Beefsteak’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and ‘Ambrosia’ sweet corn (Zea mays L.). Factorial experiments were designed for each crop with fertilizer type (algae pellets, algae paste, a synthetic controlled-release fertilizer, or a commercially available bio-based fertilizer from wastewater treatment) and substrate (commercial or custom-made) as factors. Shoot growth, shoot nutrient concentration, and substrate pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were affected by fertilizer, substrate, or their interaction. Algae pellets and paste supplied nutrients to all three species effectively, increasing shoot size, dry weight, perceived health, and nutrient concentrations compared with unfertilized controls. Notwithstanding some variability among crops, performance of algal materials was similar to that of the synthetic fertilizer and better than that of the commercial bio-based fertilizer. As a bio-based fertilizer that supplies plants with recycled nutrients sequestered from wastewater, wastewater-grown algae can reduce the impacts of mineral nutrition management in container-crop production by partially supplanting synthetic fertilizer use.
Cropping on Primocanes and Floricanes Increases Yields of Organic Raspberries in High Tunnels
Authors: Hanson Eric , Crain Brent , Moses Joshua
Published: March 2019

Red raspberry cultivars that produce fruit on current season canes (primocanes) can produce additional fruit the following year on floricanes. The primocane-fruiting raspberries ‘Himbo Top’, ‘Joan J’, and ‘Polka’ were grown organically in high tunnels and pruned to different floricane densities to determine the effects on fruit yield (primocane, floricane, total) and harvest times. Floricane densities were 0, 2.4, or 4.8 canes per meter of row length in 2015, and 0, 4.9, or 9.8 canes per meter in 2016 and 2017. Total yield (floricane plus primocane) was significantly greater with low floricane density (17 t·ha−1) or high density (19 t·ha−1) compared with no floricanes (12 t·ha−1). Floricane density did not affect primocane yield or harvest times. Primocanes of ‘Polka’ were taller when floricanes were present, but primocanes of other cultivars were unaffected. Results indicate that producing fruit on both primocanes and floricanes (double cropping) can improve sustainable overall yields.
Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Two Herbaceous Peony Cultivars to Drought Stress
Authors: Wang Qi , Zhao Rui , Chen Qihang , Teixeira da Silva Jaime A. , Chen Liqi , Yu Xiaonan
Published: March 2019

Herbaceous peony is a perennial flowering plant with strong environmental adaptability and may be a good candidate for culture in arid areas. In this study, the physiological and biochemical responses of two herbaceous peony cultivars to different soil moisture gradients in pots were assessed by analyzing changes in 13 stress-related indices. The drought damage index (DDI) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble sugar, proline, and abscisic acid (ABA) generally increased as drought stress intensified, whereas leaf relative water content (LRWC) decreased, and the contents of soluble protein, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), the ratio of IAA and ABA, and the activities of four antioxidant enzymes fluctuated. For the leaves, a positive correlation was found between DDI and superoxide dismutase (SOD), MDA, soluble sugar, proline, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and ABA, but it was negatively correlated with LRWC, peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). In fibrous roots, DDI was positively correlated with MDA, soluble sugar, proline, soluble protein, and ABA but was negatively correlated with SOD, CAT, APX, and IAA/ABA. Principal component analysis and subordinate functions were used to evaluate drought resistance of the two cultivars, with ‘Karl Rosenfield’ showing greater resistance to drought than ‘Da Fu Gui’.
Leafless Inflorescence Produces More Female Flowers and Fruit Yield Than Leafy Inflorescence in ‘Yu Her Pau’ Litchi
Authors: Lee Yu-Chi , Chang Jer-Chia
Published: March 2019

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the total number and percentage of female flowers and fruit yield were influenced by the type of inflorescence, i.e., leafless or leafy inflorescences in ‘Yu Her Pau’ litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.). Four 10-year-old field-grown plants in Chunghua, Taiwan, were assessed between March and June 2013. In total, 24 inflorescences comprising 12 each of leafless and leafy inflorescences were investigated. Leaves of the leafy inflorescence, defined as the fourth successive flush, attained maturity before female flower anthesis on 16 Mar. 2013. Shoot diameter and leaf number on the flowering (fruiting) shoot, total number of flowers, and total and percentage of female flowers were recorded. Fruit number, fruit set rate, cluster yield, and fruit quality were also determined at harvest between the two inflorescence types. The two inflorescence types had similar shoot diameters and total leaf number on a flowering shoot. The total number of flowers, female flowers, and the percentage female flowers in leafless inflorescences were 3741, 563, and 16.2%, respectively; these values were 1.3- to 1.7-fold higher (P ≤ 0.05) than those in leafy inflorescences, which were 2779, 326, and 12.2%, respectively. Leafless inflorescences had significantly higher fruit numbers and fruit yield per cluster at harvest (10.2 and 321.5 g, respectively), although there was no difference (P > 0.05) in fruit set rate between the two inflorescence types. No fruit quality trait, such as fruit, pericarp, aril, seed weight, aril proportion, and total soluble solid concentration of aril, was significant (P > 0.05) between the two inflorescence types. We concluded that leafless and leafy inflorescences of ‘Yu Her Pau’ had similar carbon assimilation supply potential; however, leafless inflorescence had greater performance in terms of female flower number and thus fruit yield, presumably due to the absence of assimilate competition brought by synchronous development of lateral inflorescence and immature leaves of panicle.
Plant Madness: A Classroom Game Using Bracketology for Horticulture Plant Identification Courses
Authors: Miller Chad T.
Published: March 2019

Plant Madness was a classroom activity developed and implemented for the Landscape Plants II identification course at Kansas State University. The game was modeled after the National Collegiate Athletic Association college basketball March Madness tournament and Bracketology. One activity objective was to provide students an opportunity to learn new and recent cultivars and plant species not specifically covered in the class curriculum. The activity also provided students opportunities to practice public speaking skills, an avenue to be creative, and simply have fun in class. In Plant Madness, each student randomly drew a plant from a hat and then students were randomly assigned tournament seed rankings (preliminary rankings). On specified game days, one student played against another student, each having 2 minutes of play. Student play varied, and consisted of defining different plant attributes, landscape appeal, and interesting facts, for example; or identifying the opposing student’s plant’s faults through riddles, poems, games, songs, or simply recitation. Referees (e.g., guest faculty, graduate students) reviewed student play and awarded points, and the student with the highest score advanced to the next round through the single-elimination tournament. A postactivity survey was administered [Spring 2016 and 2017 (n = 44)] to obtain student feedback. When asked if the students liked the activity, it was nearly unanimous, 98% liked Plant Madness. Similarly, most students (93%) self-reported the activity increased their awareness of new or recent plant cultivars. When asked to rate the activity compared with other class approaches for learning different plants based on a scale of 1 (excellent) to 5 (poor), the average rating was 1.8. Students’ average rating for their ability to be creative for Plant Madness was 1.8 (1 = to a large extent, 5 = not at all). Ninety-five percent of the students recommended repeating the activity.
Influence of Paclobutrazol on Shoot Growth and Flowering in a High-density Pecan Orchard
Authors: Zhu Haijun , Stafne Eric T.
Published: March 2019

Paclobutrazol (PBZ) was applied to 6-year-old pecan (Carya illinoinensis) trees as a basal trunk drench (0, 30, 90, and 150 mg·cm−2 trunk cross-sectional area) in Dec. 2012. Terminal shoot growth was retarded for 1 year after a single application of PBZ. The total number of current season shoots showed a significant increase with 30- and 90-mg·cm−2 PBZ treatments. After PBZ application at 30, 60, and 90 mg·cm−2, the percentage of very short shoots (<5 cm) was 32.3%, 36.3%, and 32.3%, respectively, compared with 22.4% on control trees; the percentage of short shoots (5–15 cm) increased to 36.0%, 38.1%, and 43.5%, respectively. The percent of long shoots (>30 cm) was decreased to 7.4%, 5.1%, and 7.6%, respectively, after PBZ application, compared with 18.7% with control. Shoots varying from 5 to 30 cm in length accounted for at least 63.3% of all pistillate inflorescences the following spring.
Feature selection methods and sampling techniques to financial distress prediction for Vietnamese listed companies
Authors: Thi Vu Loan , Thi Vu Lien , Thu Nguyen Nga , Thi Thuy Do Phuong , Phuong Dao Dong
Published: March 2019

The research is taken to integrate the effects of variable selection approaches, as well as sampling techniques, to the performance of a model to predict the financial distress for companies whose stocks are traded on securities exchanges of Vietnam. A firm is financially distressed when its stocks are delisted as requirement from Vietnam Stock Exchange because of making a loss in 3 consecutive years or having accumulated a loss greater than the company’s equity. There are 12 models, constructed differently in feature selection methods, sampling techniques, and classifiers. The feature selection methods are factor analysis and F-score selection, while 3 sets of data samples are chosen by choice-based method with different percentages of financially distressed firms. In terms of classifying technique, logistic regression together with SVM are used in these models. Data are collected from listed firms in Vietnam from 2009 to 2017 for 1, 2 and 3 years before the announcement of their delisting requirement. The experiment’s results highlight the outperformance of the SVM model with F-score selection method in a data sample containing the highest percentage of non-financially distressed firms.
PRÁTICAS CORPORAIS, IDENTIDADE E FORMAÇÃO DE HABITUS ENTRE GRUPOS DE PRATICANTES DA CAPOEIRA E DA DIETA NATURALÍSTICA
Authors: Andrade Maristela Oliveira de , Bonfim Eduardo Evangelista , Guedes Fábio Lucio Antunes
Published: March 2019

As práticas corporais, em suas múltiplas formas de expressão, marcam a emergência da corporeidade (Csordas 2013) como fenômeno central na sociedade contemporânea, inﬂuenciando a conﬁguração de novas identidades e habitus (Bourdieu 2002). A capoeira e a dieta naturalista como modalidades de práticas corporais (Mauss 2003; Le Breton 2007) voltadas para a boa performance e estética do corpo ou para boa alimentação e saúde foram pesquisadas através de estudos etnográﬁcos, permitindo reﬂetir sobre os processos identitários que ora se vinculam a repertórios da memória e da tradição ora se afastam dele. As raízes locais e as tendências globalizantes identiﬁcadas nas duas práticas corporais se fundem para se incorporarem à sociedade contemporânea, provocando a desterritorialização e a fragmentação de culturas e identidades, assim como novas formas de relação com o mundo.
APRENDENDO A “OLHAR SOBRE OS OMBROS”
Authors: Rodrigues Mariana Leal
Published: March 2019

A produção de registros audiovisuais e fotográficos ao longo da realização de uma pesquisa antropológica pode contribuir com a formação de vínculos entre o pesquisador e os grupos pesquisados, a partir da constante devolução das imagens e sons. Mas também propõe desafios, torna o trabalho de campo mais árduo e coloca em questão a maneira como são representadas as pessoas pesquisadas. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar como, ao longo de dez anos de pesquisa, as fotografias e filmes produzidos com base nos princípios do cinema de observação foram apropriados e circulados pelos grupos pesquisados nos processos de reconhecimento como patrimônio imaterial de saberes tradicionais sobre plantas medicinais. A experiência da pesquisa permite analisar alguns limites e algumas potencialidades da fotografia e dos registros audiovisuais e como se produzem novos sentidos e identidades a partir do uso e da circulação desses materiais.
PESQUISA E TRABALHO NO CÁRCERE
Authors: Nascimento Francisco Elionardo de Melo
Published: March 2019

Este artigo tem como objetivos abordar algumas atribuições dos agentes penitenciários na Penitenciária Industrial Regional de Sobral (PIRS) e mostrar os desafios do pesquisador em fazer pesquisa no seu campo de atuação profissional. Trata-se de um recorte de uma pesquisa etnográfica mais ampla que analisou a execução das técnicas e estratégias para ressocialização dos internos na PIRS a partir da percepção dos agentes penitenciários. As discussões são atravessadas pelas minhas experiências enquanto agente penitenciário naquela prisão. O lugar relacional que ocupo enquanto trabalhador e pesquisador na unidade prisional me permitiu formular uma visão particular do cotidiano de trabalho dos agentes penitenciários e dos desafios próprios das pesquisas em prisões.
Strategies for the Recruitment and Retention of Racial/Ethnic Minorities in Alzheimer Disease and Dementia Clinical Research
Authors: Wong Roger , Amano Takashi , Lin Shih-Yin , Zhou Yuanjin , Morrow-Howell Nancy
Published: March 2019

Background:

Racial/ethnic minorities have among the highest risks for Alzheimer disease and dementia, but remain underrepresented in clinical research studies.

Objective:

To synthesize the current evidence on strategies to recruit and retain racial/ethnic minorities in Alzheimer disease and dementia clinical research.

Methods:

We conducted a systematic review by searching CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus. We included studies that met four criteria: (1) included a racial/ethnic minority group (African American, Latino, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander); (2) implemented a recruitment or retention strategy for Alzheimer disease or dementia clinical research; (3) conducted within the U.S.; and (4) published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Results:

Of the 19 included studies, 14 (73.7%) implemented recruitment strategies and 5 (26.3%) implemented both recruitment and retention strategies. Fifteen studies (78.9%) focused on African Americans, two (10.6%) on both African Americans and Latinos, and two (10.5%) on Asians. All the articles were rated weak in the study quality. Four major themes were identified for the recruitment strategies: community outreach (94.7%), advertisement (57.9%), collaboration with health care providers (42.1%), and referral (21.1%). Three major themes were identified for the retention strategies: follow-up communication (15.8%), maintain community relationship (15.8%), and convenience (10.5%).

Conclusion:

Our findings highlight several promising recruitment and retention strategies that investigators should prioritize when allocating limited resources, however, additional well-designed studies are needed. By recruiting and retaining more racial/ethnic minorities in Alzheimer disease and dementia research, investigators may better understand the heterogeneity of disease progression among marginalized groups. PROSPERO registration #CRD42018081979.
De Novo Assembly and Transcriptome Profiling of Ethiopian Lowland Bamboo Oxytenanthera Abyssinica (A. rich) Munro Under Drought and Salt Stresses
Authors: Adem Muhamed , Beyene Dereje , Feyissa Tileye , Zhao Kai , Jiang Tingbo
Published: March 2019

Background:

Bamboos are perennial grasses classified under family Poaceae and subfamily Bambusoideae and are among the fastest growing plants on earth. Despite ecological and economic significances, Ethiopian lowland bamboo (O. abyssinica) lacks global gene expression under abiotic stress.

Methods:

Plastic pot germinated seedlings of O. abyssinica were subjected to 200 µm NaCl and 25% PEG-6000 (Poly Ethylene glycol) to induce salt and drought stress, respectively. Using the Illumina sequencing platform, fifteen cDNA libraries were constructed and sequenced to generate the first drought and salt stress transcriptome profiling of the species so as to elucidate genome-wide transcriptome changes in response to such stresses.

Results:

Following quality control, 754,444,646 clean paired-ends reads were generated, and then de novo assembled into 406,181 unigenes. Functional annotation against the public databases presented annotation of 217,067 (53.4%) unigenes, where NCBI-Nr 203,777, Swissport 115,741, COG 81,632 and KEGG 80,587. Prediction of Transcripts Factors (TFs) have generated 4,332 TFs organized into 64 TF families. Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) provided 65,471 genes where 569 genes belong to all stresses. Protein families with a higher number of differentially expressed genes include bZIP (49), WRKY (43), MYB (38), AP2/ERF (30), HD-ZIP (25) and MYB related (21).

Conclusion:

In addition to revealing the genome-wide level appraisal of transcriptome resources of the species, this study also uncovered the comprehensive understanding of key stress responsive protein-coding genes, protein families and pathways which could be used as the basis for further studies.
Investigating Micronucleus Changes in Mouse Lymphocytes Due to Exposure to Silica Dust
Authors: Golbabaei Farideh , Gholami Abdollah , Teimori-Boghsani Gholamheidar , Kianmehr Mojtaba , Yaseri Mehdi
Published: March 2019

Background and Objectives:

Occupational exposure to silica dust has multiple consequences, including genetic complications. One of the genetic complications is Micronucleus (MN) changes; therefore, this study aims to evaluate the rate of MN formation in mouse lymphocyte cells due to exposure to silica dust.

Materials and Methods:

Totally 72 male mice BALB/c were selected and categorized into five exposure groups with 12 mice in exposure to the concentrations of 1.3, 3, 8, 12, and 17 mg/m3of 99% pure silica dust and a control group. The mice were exposed to silica dust in which they were exposed for 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, and for 1, 2, 3, and 4 months. Then, blood samples were taken from the mice and the rate of MN formation in their lymphocyte cells was evaluated. The results were analyzed via SPSS software version 21 (P<0.05).

Results:

Maximum and minimum averages of dust concentration, related to boxes 1 and 5, were 17 mg/m3and 1.3 mg/m3, respectively. Maximum rate of MN formation was observed in the fourth month of exposure and in group 1 with the value of 21.6±1.15, and minimum rate of MN formation was observed in the third month of exposure and in control group with the value of 3±1. Average of MN frequencies in each of the exposure month was significant related to the control group (P=0.001). There was a direct and significant correlation between exposure concentrations of exposed group and average rate of MN formation (r=0.679).

Conclusions:

More than 3 months exposure to silica dust may lead to significant MN formation in lymphocytes of mice BALB/c in comparison with the control group.
Nanotechnology in Insulin Delivery for Management of Diabetes
Authors: Bahman Fatemah , Greish Khaled , Taurin Sebastien
Published: March 2019

Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by hyperglycemia and originating from the deficiency or resistance to insulin, or both. Ultimately, the most effective treatment for patients with diabetes involves subcutaneous injections of insulin. However, this route of administration is often painful and inconvenient, as most patients will have to selfadminister it at least twice a day for the rest of their lives. Also, infection, insulin precipitation, and either lipoatrophy or lipohypertrophy are frequently observed at the site of injection. To date, several alternative routes of insulin administration have been explored, including nasal, pulmonary and oral. Although the delivery of insulin is an ideal route for diabetic patients, several limitations have to be overcome such as the rapid degradation of insulin in gastric fluid and low oral bioavailability. Numerous strategies have been carried out to improve these limited parameters such as the use of enzyme inhibitors, absorption enhancers, mucoadhesive polymers and chemical modification for receptor-mediated absorption. Also, insulin-loaded nanocarriers bypass several physiological barriers. This current review focuses on the various barriers existing in the delivery of insulin through the oral route and the strategies undertaken so far to overcome those obstacles using nanocarriers as a potential vehicle of insulin.
GEMİ YAPIMINDA KULLANILAN AHŞAP MALZEMELERDE OLUŞAN BİYOFİLM VE FOULİNG
Authors: Bülbül Zübeyde , Filik Nurdan
Published: March 2019

Bu
çalışmada; ağaç malzemeden yapılan gemi, tekne, yat gibi suyla temas eden odun
materyalinin zamanla üzerinde oluşan, biyofilm (mikrop tabakası), fouling
(kirlenme), biyofouling (biyolojik kirlenme) tabakaları anlatılmıştır. Bunun
yanı sıra ahşap gemi yapımında tercih edilen ağaç türleri ve suyla temas eden
ahşap yüzeyinde oluşan mikroorganizmalar ve biyofilm üzerinde durulmuştur.
Biyofilm oluşumu beraberinde orada bulunan bakterilerin virülens gücü gemi
personelinin sağlığını kötü yönde etkileyecektir ve aynı zamanda ahşap
materyali korozyona uğratarak mali anlamda da zarar oluşturacaktır. Bu nedenle
biyofilm,  fouling, biyofouling
oluşumların engellenmesi gemi endüstrisi açısından önem arz etmektedir. Ahşap
seçiminde bütün bu doğa tahribatına karşı dayanıklılık esas alınmalıdır. Tekne
yapımında kullanılan ağaç malzeme maruz kaldığı hızlı adaptasyonu, higroskopik
özelliği, bünyesinde bulundurması gereken nem oranı ve direnç özelliklerine
göre belirlenip çalışmanın piyasada rehber olması öngörülmüştür. Bu araştırmada
gemi yapımında en uygun ahşap malzemelerin tespitine yardımcı olmak
amaçlanmıştır.
ESTIMATION OF METHANE GENERATION AND ENERGY POTENTIAL OF NIGDE LANDFILL SITE USING FIRST ORDER MATHEMATICAL MODELLING APPROACHES
Authors: Gök Gülden
Published: March 2019

Methane content of landfill gas is approximately 50%. Methane has a significant calorific and economic value, rather than its greenhouse effect. Therefore, it is essentially important to estimate future LFG and methane production in terms of usage and management policies. More than a few models have been used to computerize prospective methane trends based on deposited waste characters and climatic information. This study aims to calculate LFG and methane production using different models. The model inputs were adopted from field measurements, waste characterization, meteorological information, and technical papers prepared by Conestoga-Rovers & Associates (CRA), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This study indicates that the first order models have different outcomes for Niğde Landfill Site and the increase in methane generation potential value causes higher generation volumes of LFGs for the future. The maximum total LFG production is estimated as 600 million m3 with a methane potential of 126 m3/ton and total methane yield for the same method was calculated as 312.5 million m3. This study also estimates the maximum electricity generation from LFG. The maximum electricity generation was estimated 6.9 million kWh for 2042.
PERDE VE ÇERÇEVELİ BETONARME YAPILARDA PERDE KONUMUNUN PLANDA DÜZENLENMESİ VE YAPISAL DAVRANIŞA ETKİSİ
Authors: KAYA Gökhan , ÖZSOY ÖZBAY Ayşe Elif
Published: March 2019

Betonarme
yapılarda, deprem yükleri altında katlar arasındaki yer değiştirmelerin
sınırlandırılması ve yeterli dayanımın sağlanması amacıyla kolon ve kiriş
elemanlarda meydana gelen moment aktaran çerçevelere ilave olarak perde
kullanımına da ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Özellikle çok katlı binalarda perdeler
yapı sisteminin yatay rijitliğini artırarak göreli kat öteleme değerlerini
azaltır. Bu sebeple özellikle deprem riski altındaki bölgelerde inşa edilen
betonarme yapılar, perde ve çerçeveli taşıyıcı sistem olarak tasarlanmaktadır.
Perdelerin binanın kat planındaki yerleşimi ve boyutları binanın yatay yükler
altındaki davranışını belirler; dolayısı ile perdenin konumunun belirlenmesi
taşıyıcı sistem tasarımında en temel aşamayı oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışmada,
betonarme perde ve çerçeveli yapılarda farklı yön ve farklı boyutlarda perdeler
konumlandırılmış ve yapının deprem davranışı yer değiştirmeler, göreli kat
ötelemeleri ve kat kesme kuvvetleri açısından incelenmiştir. Ayrıca, çerçeve
sistem, perdeli sistem ve perde-çerçeveli sistemlerde taşıyıcı elemanların ön
boyutlandırılmasının yapısal davranış üzerindeki etkileri tartışılmıştır.
GRAFEN OKSİT KATKILI HARÇLARIN MEKANİK, FİZİKSEL VE ELEKTRİKSEL ÖZELİKLERİNİN ARAŞTIRILMASI
Authors: UYGUNOĞLU Tayfun , ŞİMŞEK Barış
Published: March 2019

Bu çalışmada, nano ölçekte grafen oksit içeren harçların mekanik ve fiziksel özelikleri ile elektriksel özelikleri araştırılmıştır. Sabit su/çimento oranında ve çimento içeriğinde hazırlanan kırma-kumlu harçlara %0.0, %0.5 %1.0, %1.5 ve %2.0 oranlarında grafen oksit ilave edilmiştir. Harçlar dayanımlarını kazandıktan sonra, mekanik özelik olarak basınç dayanımları, yarmada çekme dayanımları ve noktasal yükleme dayanımları belirlenmiştir. Fiziksel özelikleri olarak, ağırlıkça su emme, kapiler su emme, görünen porozite ve hacim yoğunlukları bulunmuştur. Ayrıca harçların elektriksel özdirenç değerleri de farklı frekans değerlerinde (0.1, 1, 10 ve 100 kHz) belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre, özellikle %0.5 oranında grafen oksidin harç içerisine ilave edilmesi durumunda mekanik özelikleri önemli derecede (basınçta %44) arttırdığı gözlenmiştir. Fiziksel özeliklerdeki değişimler oldukça düşük düzeydeyken sadece kapileritenin artmasında etkili olmuştur. Grafen oksidin yapısal özeliğine bağlı olarak harçların elektriksel iletkenlik değerlerinde de önemli artışlar elde edilmiştir.
SINIR DEĞERLER ARASINDA KALAN EVSEL ATIKSU NUMUNE ANALİZİ SONUCUNUN AŞIRI ÖĞRENME MAKİNELERİ İLE SINIFLANDIRILMASI
Authors: BARAN Burhan
Published: March 2019

Bu çalışmada atıksu arıtma tesislerinden arıtıldıktan sonra alıcı deşarj ortamlarına verilen atıksuyun temizlik derecesinin Aşırı Öğrenme Makineleri (AÖM) algoritması ile tahmin edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla, Su Kirliliği Kontrolü Yönetmeliği (SKKY) Tablo 21.1’de belirtilen parametreler için 2 saatlik kompozit numune sınır değerleri içerisinde kalan temiz suyun sınıflandırılması yapılmıştır. Öncelikle bu parametrelere ait alt ve üst sınır değerleri arasındaki tüm değerler 0 ile 1 arasında normalize edilmiştir. Ardından, parametrelerin en düşük ve en yüksek sonuç değerlerinin % 0 ile % 100 arasındaki yüzdelik oranlara sahip olduğu kabul edilmiştir. Daha sonra, bu yüzdelik oranlar eşit şekilde 1 ile 4 arasında matematiksel olarak sınıflandırılmıştır. Buna göre 1. sınıf çok temiz suyu ifade ederken, 4. sınıf az temiz suyu ifade etmektedir. Bu doğrultuda, AÖM ile sınıflandırma çalışması için birbirinden farklı 50 adet normal ölçüm sonucuna karşılık gelen normalize ve matematiksel sınıflandırma değerleri elde edilmiştir. Normalize değerler AÖM’nin eğitimi için giriş verisi olarak, matematiksel sınıflandırma değerleri ise çıkış verisi olarak kullanılmıştır. Buna karşılık bu parametreler için rastgele seçilen ve sınır değerler içerisindeki 10 adet ölçüm sonucuna karşılık gelen normalize değerler ise AÖM’nin test işleminde giriş verisi olarak kullanılmıştır. Son olarak, elde edilen tahmini ve matematiksel sınıflandırma sonuçları karşılaştırılarak AÖM’nin başarısı ölçülmüştür.
YAPRAKLI VE İĞNE YAPRAKLI AĞAÇLARDA HOMOJEN ÖZ IŞINLARIN MORFOLOJİK İŞLEMLERLE BELİRLENMESİ
Authors: ERGÜN Halime
Published: March 2019

Bu çalışmada, yapraklı ve iğne yapraklı ağaçlarda (Abies alba Mill, Tilia platyphyllos Scop., Tilia cordata Mill, Betula alba, Juglans regia L. Walnut, Ulmus scabra Mill) bulunan homojen öz ışınları görüntü işleme metotları kullanılarak belirlenmiştir. Öz ışınları paranşim hücrelerin bir araya gelmesiyle oluşur ve teğet kesitte gözenekli bir yapıya sahiptir. Küçük paranşim hücrelerinden oluştuğu için eşikleme işleminden sonra büyük bölgeler görüntüden çıkarılmıştır. Yükseklik/genişlik oranı fazla olan bölgeler de görüntüden silinmiştir. Morfolojik işlemlerden biri olan kapama işlemi ile paranşim hücreleri birleştirilerek öz ışınları bulunmuştur. Birleşmeyen ve öz ışını olamayan bölgeler silinmiştir.  Genişleme ve doldurma işlemi ile öz ışınların son şekli belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar görsel ve istatistiksel olarak verilmiştir. Yapılan analiz sonucunda; en fazla ve en az öz ışını sırasıyla Ulmus scabra Mill. ve Abies alba Mill. de tespit edilmiştir. Belirlenmek istenen yapıya uygun görüntü işleme tekniklerinden faydalanılarak öz ışınları otomatik olarak bulan sistemler, odun anatomisi çalışmalarının kısa sürede ve daha kolay bir şekilde yapılmasını sağlamaktadır.
ÜNİVERSİTE YERLEŞKELERİ İÇİN ULUSAL ÇEVRESEL SÜRDÜRÜLEBİLİRLİK ENDEKSİNİN GELİŞTİRİLMESİ
Authors: ÖZDOĞAN Bilge , CİVELEKOĞLU Gökhan
Published: March 2019

Üniversiteler, bilgi ve teknolojinin üretildiği yerler olmasının yanı sıra yürüttükleri faaliyetler ile bulundukları yerleşim birimlerine katkıda bulunan ve aynı zamanda çevresel kirliliğe sebep olan mikro şehirlerdir. Üniversiteler çevresel farkındalığı artırarak sürdürülebilirlik konularında toplumda öncü haline gelmelidir. Sürdürülebilir bir yerleşke için hedefler doğrultusunda çevresel stratejiler belirlenmelidir. Artan öğrenci sayısı ile birlikte taşınmazların yetersizliği, atık miktarının fazlalığı, ulaşım kaynaklı sorunların oluşması ve su yönetiminin yetersiz kalması gibi konular sürdürülebilirliği olumsuz şekilde etkilemektedir. Çevresel endeksler bu tür olumsuzluklarını ortadan kaldırmak ve çevre konularında bilinçlendirmeyi artırarak üniversiteler arasında rekabet ekosistemi oluşmasını sağlamaktadır. Çalışmada sürdürülebilir yerleşke ilkeleri ve uluslararası yerleşke sıralama sistemi olan Yeşil Metrik incelenerek, Üniversitelerde Ulusal Sürdürülebilirlik Endeksi (Uni-USE) geliştirilmiştir. Önerilen endeks kriterlerinin belirlenmesinde Çoklu Kriter Karar Verme yöntemleri kullanılmıştır. Yeşil Metrik ve önerilen endeks kriterlerine göre Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi (SDÜ) Doğu ve Batı Yerleşkeleri değerlendirilmiştir. SDÜ'nün önerilen Uni-USE kapsamında yüzdelik diliminin%41.7, Yeşil Metrik'te ise %42.1 olduğu hesaplanmıştır. Yüzdelik dilimlerin birbirine yakın olması Uni-USE oluşturulurken yapılan öngörülerin, uygulanan yöntemlerin ve gerçekleştirilen hesaplamaların doğruluğunun bir göstergesidir.
Economic impact of pregnancy loss in an intensive dairy farming system
Authors: Albuja Christian , Ortiz Oscar , López Carlos , Hernández Cerón Joel
Published: March 2019

Occurrence of pregnancy loss and the related economic impact were determined in an intensively managed dairy herd. A total of 3,204 cow and heifer pregnancies were included over a two year period. Pregnancy loss was considered when: (1) cows or heifers that were diagnosed as pregnant by transrectal palpation, on days 50 to 50 postinsemination returned to estrus; (2) animals were found not to be pregnant at diagnosis confirmation on day 90, day 180, or during the drying-off period; and (3) if an abortion was clinically diagnosed. Data were analyzed through descriptive epidemiology and by survival analysis with the Kaplan-Meier method. The estimated cost of a single pregnancy loss was determined by the Monte Carlo methodology. Overall, 17.2% of cows (372/2,162) and 6.5% of heifers (68/1,042) had pregnany losses; the greater risk being in the first 90 days of gestation for cows (5.3/100 and 8.3/100 pregnancies in 2012 and 2013, respectively). Occurrence of pregnancy loss in heifers was also higher during the first trimester of gestation (1.7/100) in 2013. However, the pregnancy loss incidence peaked, between days 120 and 150 of gestation (1.7/100) in 2012. The cost of a single pregnancy loss during the first trimester was estimated at $5,253.00 (Mexican pesos), between days 91 and 180 at $9,674.00; and for over 181 days at $21,984.00. In conclusion, overall pregnancy loss rate in the studied herd was 17.2% for cows and 6.5% for heifers. The highest incidence of pregnancy loss occurred during the first 90 days of pregnancy. Thus, pregnancy loss may be the main reproductive cause affecting profitability of intensive dairy farming systems.