bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges in early phase of implementing the 1-3-7 surveillance and response approach in malaria elimination setting: A field study from Myanmar
Authors: Aung Poe Poe , Thein Zaw Win , Hein Zar Ni Min , Aung Kyaw Thet , Mon Nwe Oo , Linn Nay Yi Yi , Thi Aung , Wai Khin Thet , Maung Thae Maung
Published: February 2020

Background

The National Plan for Malaria Elimination (NPME) in Myanmar (2016–2030) aims to eliminate indigenous Plasmodium falciparum malaria in six states/regions of low endemicity by 2020 and countrywide by 2030. To achieve this goal, in 2016 the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) implemented the “1-3-7” surveillance and response strategy. This study aims to identify the barriers to successful implementation of the NPME which emerged during the early phase of the “1-3-7” approach deployment.

Methods

A mixed-methods study was conducted with basic health staff (BHS) and Vector Born Disease Control Program (VBDC) staff between 2017 and 2018 in six townships of six states/regions targeted for sub-national elimination by 2020. A self-administered questionnaire, designed to assess the knowledge required to implement the “1-3-7” approach, was completed by 544 respondents. Bivariate analysis was performed for quantitative findings and thematic analysis was conducted for qualitative findings using Atals.ti software.

Results

Although 83% of participants reported performing the key activities in the “1-3-7” surveillance and response approach, less than half could report performing those activities within 3 days and 7 days (40 and 43%, respectively). Low proportion of BHS correctly identified six categories of malaria cases and three types of foci (22 and 26%, respectively). In contrast, nearly 80% of respondents correctly named three types of case detection methods. Most cited challenges included ‘low community knowledge on health’ (43%), ‘inadequate supplies’ (22%), and ‘transportation difficulty’ (21%). Qualitative data identified poor knowledge of key surveillance activities, delays in reporting, and differences in reporting systems as the primary challenges. The dominant perceived barrier to success was inability to control the influx of migrant workers into target jurisdictions especially in hard-to-reach areas. Interviews with township medical officers and the NMCP team leaders further highlighted the necessity of refresher training for every step in the “1-3-7” surveillance and response approach.

Conclusions

The performance of the “1-3-7” surveillance and response approach in Myanmar delivers promising results. However, numerous challenges are likely to slow down malaria elimination progress in accordance with the NPME. Multi-stakeholder engagement and health system readiness is critical for malaria elimination at the sub-national level.
A comprehensive assessment of personality traits and psychosocial functioning in parents with bipolar disorder and their intimate partners
Authors: Serravalle Lisa , Iacono Vanessa , Hodgins Sheilagh , Ellenbogen Mark A.
Published: February 2020

Background

Individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) often possess maladaptive traits and present with various difficulties in psychosocial functioning. However, little is known about the intimate partners of adults with bipolar disorder (BD) and how mental illnesses other than BD within couples may further complicate the picture. Such knowledge is needed to inform both couple and family interventions.

Methods

Participants were parents whose children were enrolled in a prospective study: 55 with BD and their partners, and 47 healthy control couples. All completed diagnostic interviews, and questionnaires describing personality traits, negative life events, coping skills, social support, marital adjustment and inter-partner verbal aggression. Parents with BD and healthy control parents were compared, as were the intimate partners. A series of exploratory analyses focused on the average measures within couples, with and without BD, and took account of comorbid personality disorders among those with BD and major depressive disorder among their partners.

Results

Intimate partners of adults with BD, relative to healthy control partners, presented with more mental disorders, higher neuroticism, lower extraversion, more emotion-focused coping, smaller social networks, less satisfaction with their social networks, and little, satisfying social contact. Additionally, they reported less consensus and satisfaction in their marital relationships, and engaged in more verbal aggression towards their partners. Participants with BD showed similar, more extreme, characteristics. Marital distress and verbal aggression were greatest among couples with an adult having BD and a comorbid personality disorder or a partner with major depressive disorder.

Conclusion

This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that both parents with BD and their intimate partners exhibit high levels of mental illness, maladaptive personality traits and psychosocial difficulties, thus limiting their partners’ ability to provide support and stability in the these high risk families. Moreover, mental illnesses other than BD may contribute to marital problems within couples. Some statistical analyses, particularly those involving comorbid conditions, were under-powered in this study. As clinical implications, the current study suggests that both individuals with BD and their partners could benefit from interventions aimed at lowering emotionality and verbal aggression, and increasing social support and effective coping skills.
Impact of Lesinurad and allopurinol on experimental Hyperuricemia in mice: biochemical, molecular and Immunohistochemical study
Authors: Alghamdi Youssef Saeed , Soliman Mohamed Mohamed , Nassan Mohamed Abdo
Published: February 2020

Background

Hyperuricemia is an abnormal increase in uric acid levels in the blood. It is the cause of gout that manifested by inflammatory arthritis and painful disable. Therefore, current study evaluated the potential ameliorative impact of Lesinurad and Allopurinol on the kidneys of hyperuricemic mice at the biochemical, molecular and cellular levels.

Methods

Lesinurad and allopurinol alone or in combination were orally administered to hyperuricemic and control mice for seven consecutive days. Levels of uric acid and blood urea nitrogen, along with antioxidants and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) were measured in the serum. The mRNA expression of mouse urate anion transporter-1, glucose transporter 9, organic anion transporters, in renal tissues were examined using quantitative real time PCR. Simultaneously, the immunoreactivity of transforming growth factor-beta 1 was examined immunohistochemically.

Results

Lesinurad and allopurinol administration resulted in significant decrease in serum levels of uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, xanthine oxidase activity, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) reported in hyperuricemic mice. Both partially reversed oxonate-induced alterations in renal mURAT-1, mGLUT-9, mOAT-1 and mOAT-3 expressions, as well as alterations in the immunoreactivity of TGF- β1, resulting in the increase of renal uric acid secretion and excretion. The combined administration of lesinurad and ALP restored all altered parameters in a synergistic manner, improving renal function in the hyperuricemic mouse model employed.

Conclusion

This study confirmed synergistic ameliorative hypouricemic impact of both lesinurad and allopurinol in the treatment of hyperuricemia in mice at the biochemical, molecular and cellular levels.
The use and effectiveness of colorful, contextualized, student-made material for elementary mathematics instruction
Authors: Kaminski Jennifer A. , Sloutsky Vladimir M.
Published: February 2020

Background

There is anecdotal evidence that many elementary teachers integrate mathematics lessons and art activities by having students first make colorful, rich material that is subsequently used in an instructional activity. However, it is unclear whether such activities effectively promote learning and transfer of mathematical concepts. The goal of the present research was to examine the use and effectiveness of such “math-and-art” activities on children’s ability to acquire basic fraction knowledge. We report the results of a survey of practicing elementary school teachers in the United States, their use of activities involving physical material, and the resources they use for ideas to supplement the standard curriculum. Two experiments examined first-grade students’ learning, transfer, and recognition of fraction knowledge from rich, contextualized material versus simple, generic material.

Results

The survey results confirm that many U.S. teachers use math-and-art activities and are often inspired by informal sources, such as Pinterest and YouTube. Experiment 1 examined the effectiveness of colorful, contextualized student-constructed material (paper pizzas) versus simple, pre-made material (monochromatic paper circles) in an instructional activity on fractions. Students who used the pre-made circles scored higher than those who used the student-made pizzas on pre-instruction tests of basic fraction knowledge, immediate tests of learning, and delayed tests of transfer. Experiment 2 tested students’ ability to spontaneously write fractions to describe proportions of pizzas and circles. Students who answered generic circle questions first were markedly more accurate than those who answered pizza questions first.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that rich, contextualized representations, including those made by the student, can hinder students’ learning and transfer of mathematical concepts. We are not suggesting that teachers never integrate mathematics and colorful, contextualized material, and activities. We do suggest that elementary students’ mathematics learning can benefit when initial instruction involves simple, generic, pre-made material and opportunities for students to make and use colorful, contextualized representations come later.
Exploring critical components of an integrated STEM curriculum: an application of the innovation implementation framework
Authors: Gale Jessica , Alemdar Meltem , Lingle Jeremy , Newton Sunni
Published: February 2020

Background

Increased emphasis on accountability in education reform and evidence-based practices underscores the need for research on the implementation of K-12 curricular innovations. However, detailed accounts of research examining fidelity of implementation for K-12 STEM curricula remain relatively scarce. This paper illustrates the application of one frequently cited framework for exploring fidelity of implementation, the innovation implementation framework. The paper describes how this framework was applied to identify and describe the implementation of critical components of a newly developed middle school STEM curriculum.

Results

Drawing on classroom observations, student interviews, and teacher interviews, the paper provides illustrative findings and practical examples of methodology and instruments employed over the course of a 2-year study of curriculum implementation. The paper discusses three ways in which the innovation implementation framework enhanced our understanding of curriculum implementation: specifying critical components of the curriculum and their enactment, informing instrument design and data collection, and revealing implementation patterns.

Conclusions

This paper provides support for the use of the innovation implementation framework to study the implementation of curricula developed within the context of research-practice partnerships. In addition to illustrating the application of the innovation implementation framework, the paper extends previous implementation work focused on efficacy and effectiveness studies to demonstrate the practical advantages of studying fidelity of implementation in the context of design and development projects.
Editorial: “Mediterranean thinking” for mapping a Mediterranean migration research agenda
Authors: Zapata-Barrero Ricard
Published: February 2020

The Mediterranean is paradoxically, rarely considered a category of analysis in most Mediterranean migration research. If it were to be taken as a geographical, regional and geo-political area, it could provide migration studies a particular framework of comparison, a much needed structure for the dispersed research currently being carried out. After drawing the main contours of “Mediterranean thinking” in migration studies and defending a postcolonial account against Eurocentric views, I review the main theoretical frameworks for formulating such criticisms. Additionally, I propose how in the coming years we may be able to further develop this Med-Thinking in migration studies. A base from which a Mediterranean migration research agenda could be built with “multiple voices” contributing to Mediterranean regional building. Finally, I place this excursus as main background of the different contributions of this Special Issue.
Intra-arterial lidocaine administration during uterine fibroid embolization to reduce the immediate postoperative pain: a prospective randomized study
Authors: Duvnjak Stevo , Andersen Poul Erik
Published: February 2020

Background

To investigate if intra-arterial lidocaine administrated immediately after the embolisation endpoint reduces the pain.

Methods

Forty patients were randomised and 36 completed the study for purposes of analysis. In one group, the patients got 1% 10 ml lidocaine (100 mg) administered into each uterine artery immediately after embolisation with microspheres. The other group was embolised without supplementary lidocaine. The patients scored their pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) 2 h, 4 h, 7 h, 10 h and 24 h after embolisation, and the total amount of used morphine was noted. Three-month follow-up MRI control was scheduled for all the patients to investigate the infarction rate.

Results

Embolisation was performed without any complications and with embolisation of both uterine arteries in all cases. Intra-arterial lidocaine was administered in all 20 patients without complications, and 20 patients in a control group did not receive lidocaine intra-arterial. VAS schemes showed a significant reduction in pain experience 2 h after UFE where mean pain score in the lidocaine group was 42.7 ± 21.4 compared with the control group in which the mean pain score was 61.1 ± 20.4 (p < 0.02). There was no significant difference in pain score 4 h, 7 h, 10 h and 24 h after UFE. In the lidocaine group, the mean amount of used morphine was significantly less with 11.2 mg compared with 20.2 mg in the control group (p < 0.03). Three months of MR follow-up control showed no significant difference in the grade of fibroid infarction.

Conclusion

Intra-arterial Lidocaine administration after embolisation is safe and effective in reducing post-procedural pain in the early hours and opioid usage in the first 24 h following UAE.
Microscopic analysis of metal matrix composites containing carbon Nanomaterials
Authors: Kim Daeyoung , Chang Hye Jung , Choi Hyunjoo
Published: February 2020

Metallic matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanomaterials continue to attract interest because of their excellent mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. However, two critical issues have limited their commercialization. Uniform distribution of carbon nanomaterials in metallic matrices is difficult, and the interfaces between the nanomaterials and matrices are weak. Microscope-based analysis was recently used to quantitatively examine these microstructural features and investigate their contributions to the composites’ mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. The impacts of the microstructure on these properties are discussed in the first section of this review. In the second section, the various microscopic techniques used to study the distribution of carbon nanomaterials in metallic matrices and their interfaces are described.
Seismic-while-drilling drill-bit source by ground force: Concept and application
Authors: Poletto Flavio , Miranda Francesco , Farina Biancamaria , Schleifer Andrea
Published: February 2020

For four decades, the use of the drill-bit seismic source has been evaluated extensively and investigated for seismic-while-drilling (SWD) purposes. After an initial diffusion phase, however, the routine application on drill-bit reverse vertical seismic profiling (RVSP) has declined because of issues related to variability in the signal-to-noise ratio of drill-bit signals obtained with different drilling conditions. Consequently, additional efforts have been dedicated to improving the recording of reference signals. Recent technology developments enable direct ground-force pilot measurements at downhole positions close to the bit, which enable reliable estimations of the far-field drill-bit-radiated signature. The knowledge of the ground force below the source in the near-field is a key aspect not only for the exploitation of the drill-bit source but also for conventional seismic vibrator sources. The SWD deconvolved results obtained by the ground force are different from those obtained by recording only motion vibration, such as acceleration. The ground force and particle velocity are linked by a complex impedance in the near-field, and together they provide dual measurements. In addition, the ground force provides signals with effective coupling conditions at the bit-rock interface in the presence of the drill-bit displacement action with penetration during rock fracturation. The analysis of the impedance at the bit source includes the drillstring reflections, which are observed in the reference drillstring pilot signal and are simulated by using an appropriate mechanical model. The processing of real seismic signals with different approaches by deconvolution and correlation using ground-force and motion signals produces improvements in the extraction of the source signal, with effective removal of the undesired pilot wavefields, and with cleaner estimations of the drill-bit seismic wavefields in a crosswell survey.
Crustal structure of the offshore Labrador margin into deep water from combined seismic reflection interpretation and gravity modeling
Authors: Welford J. Kim , Cameron Deric , Gillis Erin , Mitchell Victoria , Wright Richard
Published: February 2020

A regional long-offset 2D seismic reflection program undertaken along the Labrador margin of the Labrador Sea, Canada, and complemented by the acquisition of coincident gravity data, has provided an extensive data set with which to image and model the sparsely investigated outer shelf, slope, and deepwater regions. Previous interpretation of the seismic data revealed the extent of Mesozoic and Cenozoic basins and resulted in the remapping of the basin configuration for the entire margin. To map the synrift package and improve understanding of the geometry and extent of these basins, we have undertaken joint seismic interpretation and gravity forward modeling to reduce uncertainty in the identification of the prerift basement, which varies between Paleozoic shelfal deposits and Precambrian crystalline rocks, with similar density characteristics. With this iterative approach, we have obtained new depth to basement constraints and have deduced further constraints on crustal thickness variations along the Labrador margin. At the crustal scale, extreme localized crustal thinning has been revealed along the southern and central portions of the Labrador margin, whereas a broad, margin-parallel zone of thicker crust has been detected outboard of the continental shelf along the northern Labrador margin. Our final gravity models suggest that Late Cretaceous rift packages from further south extend along the entire Labrador margin and open the possibility of a Late Cretaceous source rock fairway extending into the Labrador basins.
Characterizing subseismic faults from SK-2 drilling core (2900–4200 m): Implication for reservoir transmissibility and regional tectonic evolution
Authors: Liang Shujun , Gan Wei , Wang Chengshan
Published: February 2020

Undiscernible faults on seismic reflection profiles are referred to as subseismic faults. Although most subseismic faults are undetected, they play a significant role in understanding regional tectonic evolution and can influence the flow of oil and gas. The Songliao Basin in northeast China is a typical Meso-Cenozoic continental petroliferous basin characterized by stable sedimentation, rift-depression dual structure, and large-scale oil and gas production. However, the characteristics of subseismic faults and their effect on petroleum resources remain not well understood. We have examined findings from the SK-2 east borehole located in the Songliao Basin, which is the deepest (7018 m deep below the ground surface) continental scientific drilling borehole in East Asia. We identified 46 subseismic faults at 2900–4200 m depths based on the observations of core-scanning images, macro- and microstructures, and well-logging data. Macro- and microstructural analyses indicate that most of the subseismic faults in the borehole indicate normal slip. These observations suggest that these subseismic faults may form in response to regional extension in the Shahezi (K1sh) period. The cross-cutting relationships among several groups of sheared fault planes or elongated veins filled in the fractures likely reflect multistage faulting. The subseismic faults are considered to be related to the nearby larger scale faulting as interpreted on the seismic profile. The spatial correlation between the observed subseismic faults and elevated hydrocarbon concentrations documented by borehole mud gas logging suggests that the subseismic faults might have controlled gas migration in the study area.
Sequence stratigraphy of the lacustrine rift basin in the Paleogene system of the Bohai Sea area: Architecture mode, deposition filling pattern, and response to tectonic rifting processes
Authors: Xu Changgui , Huan Lu , Zhangqiang Song , Donghui Jia
Published: February 2020

The Bohai Sea area is a complex lacustrine rift basin characterized by multistage rifts, polycycle superimpositions, and multiple genetic mechanisms. We recognized three types of sequence boundaries from the Paleogene strata of offshore Bohai, including 2 first-, 3 second-, and 10 third-order sequence boundaries. The third-order wedges, composed of the low-stand system tract (LST), lake expansion system tract (EST), and high-stand system tract (HST), are significant for hydrocarbon exploration. The sequence stratigraphic patterns vary in different periods. We discovered that the LST and EST are mainly developed in the rifting stage, whereas the HST is developed in the subsidence stage. Sequences developed in different depressions present significant variations, but the migration of the depocenter from the margin to the center during basin evolution can still be clearly recognized. Vertically, episodic tectonism plays an important role in controlling the formation of sequence boundaries, sequence structural features, and sequence architectural patterns. However, various rift basin marginal tectonics control the lateral sequence architectures. Because each structure belt is characterized by a unique sequence framework due to the strong influence of basin rifting processes, we establish a corresponding sequence stratigraphic model for the specific tectonic environment using process-based sequence stratigraphic methods.
Contemporary Evaluation and Management of Parathyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Fingeret Abbey L.
Published: February 2020

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare malignancy, representing 0.005% of all cancers and 0.5%-1% of all parathyroid disorders. Parathyroid carcinoma occurs equally in males and females, as opposed to primary hyperparathyroidism, which has a female predominance. Patients with parathyroid carcinoma present with symptoms of hypercalcemia, similar to those with benign primary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid carcinoma should be suspected when calcium or parathyroid hormone levels are high. Because of the difficulty of discerning parathyroid carcinoma from adenoma preoperatively, the diagnosis of carcinoma is often made only after parathyroidectomy. The goals of surgery are resection with negative margins because surgery represents the only opportunity for cure. Adjuvant therapy with chemotherapy or external beam radiation has not been proven to affect disease-free or overall survival for these patients. Recurrence is common, with reoperation recommended for resectable recurrent disease. Palliation with calcimimetic pharmacotherapy can aid with management of symptomatic hypercalcemia in recurrent or persistent disease after parathyroidectomy. Ultimately, patients succumb to sequelae of hypercalcemia rather than tumor burden.
Caught in the Crosshairs
Authors: Sinno Nadine
Published: February 2020

Directed by Saudi Arabian filmmaker Faiza Ambah, Mariam (2015) portrays the struggles of Mariam, a Muslim French teenager who decides to wear the hijab but must contend with her school’s enforcement of a 2004 French law banning religious symbols from public institutions. Mariam must also deal with her liberal father, who opposes the hijab because of his own internalization of Islamophobic narratives that have become widespread in France. Engaging with feminist and cultural studies by such scholars as Saba Mahmood, Mohja Kahf, Lila Abu-Lughod, and Sara Ahmed, this article offers an analysis of Mariam, focusing on the protagonist’s embodied encounters with her teacher, school principal, father, and fellow students. The article argues that by recounting Mariam’s gendered and racialized struggles with forced unveiling, Ambah shifts the discourse on the head scarf from one that focuses on the perceived oppression of Islam to one that highlights the violence of the secular state.
Recent advances in alcoholic hepatitis
Authors: Rachakonda Vikrant , Bataller Ramon , Duarte-Rojo Andres
Published: February 2020

Alcoholic hepatitis is the severest clinical presentation of alcoholic liver disease. Lacking an effective pharmacologic treatment, alcoholic hepatitis is associated with a poor prognosis and its recovery relies mostly on abstinence. With alcohol use disorder being universally on the rise, the impact of alcoholic hepatitis on society and health-care costs is expected to increase significantly. Prognostic factors and liver biopsy can help with timely diagnosis, to determine eligibility and response to corticosteroids, and for prognostication and transplant referral. Although recent discoveries in the pathophysiology of alcoholic hepatitis are encouraging and could pave the way for novel treatment modalities, a multidisciplinary approach considering timely identification and treatment of liver-related complications, infectious and metabolic disease, malnutrition, and addiction counseling should be emphasized. Apart from proper selection of candidates, transplant programs should provide adequate post-transplant addiction support in order to make of early liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis the ultimate sobering experience in the next decade.
New technologies to analyse protein function: an intrinsic disorder perspective
Authors: Uversky Vladimir N.
Published: February 2020

Functions of intrinsically disordered proteins do not require structure. Such structure-independent functionality has melted away the classic rigid “lock and key” representation of structure–function relationships in proteins, opening a new page in protein science, where molten keys operate on melted locks and where conformational flexibility and intrinsic disorder, structural plasticity and extreme malleability, multifunctionality and binding promiscuity represent a new-fangled reality. Analysis and understanding of this new reality require novel tools, and some of the techniques elaborated for the examination of intrinsically disordered protein functions are outlined in this review.
Impact evaluation of the Steno REACH Certificate Course in Clinical Diabetes Care for health care providers in Malaysia: protocol for a quasi-experimental, mixed-methods research study
Authors: Mustapha Feisul , Calopietro Michael , Nielsen Karoline Kragelund , Aagaard-Hansen Jens , Lim Shiang Cheng , Bjerre-Christensen Ulla
Published: February 2020

The burden of diabetes continues to increase in Malaysia, and the public primary health sector has an insufficient number of health care providers well-trained in diabetes care. The Ministry of Health Malaysia collaborated with Steno Diabetes Center to educate primary care doctors and nurses on the fundamentals of clinical diabetes care using a competency-based approach that blends e-learning, classroom-based learning, and clinic-based group work. This programme is called Steno REACH Certificate Course in Clinical Diabetes Care (SRCC).

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the SRCC intervention in improving diabetes-related knowledge, attitudes, skills and clinical practices among non-specialised doctors and general nurses working in public health clinics in Malaysia. This paper presents the study protocol.

A quasi-experimental, mixed-methods study based on Solomon’s Four Group Design was applied. Non-specialist doctors and general nurses from ten health clinics were randomly selected to receive the educational intervention. Comparison clinics were purposive selected matching on proxy indicators for quality of diabetes care. The intervention consisted of 50 hours of e-learning, 48 hours of classroom-based learning and approximately 25 hours of work-based learning that covered all main aspects of clinical diabetes care and delivered over a six-month period. Primary outcomes were changes in diabetes-related knowledge, attitudes, skills, and clinical practice. Patients’ perceptions regarding the quality of care provided were classified as a secondary outcome. Other outcome measures included patients' assessment of their chronic disease care and providers' perceptions, attitudes and perceived barriers in care delivery.

Results from this study will inform future educational approaches within the Malaysian health system. The study is unique because it evaluated a pertinent public health topic using a very robust methodology.
Effects of ‎tamoxifen on the reproductive system of female breast cancer patients: an ultrasound-based cohort study
Authors: Abd-Alhussain‎ Ghasak Kais , Alatrakji‎ Mohammed Qasim Yahya Mal-Allah , Saleh‎ Wieeam Abdulfattah , Fawzi Hayder Adnan , Mahmood‎ Aqeel‎ Shaker
Published: February 2020

Background: Tamoxifen (TMX) is regarded as standard treatment for breast cancer (BC) patients‎. In recent years, several studies have reported gynecological side effects and due to TMX's estrogenic effects. Here, we evaluate the side effects of TMX on the ‎endometrium and ovaries of female BC patients.

Methods: This was an ultrasound-based cohort study conducted in three oncology centers in Baghdad, Iraq. A total of ‎‎255 female patients were included, 140 premenopausal (PreM) and 115 postmenopausal (PostM), with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive BC using TMX adjuvant hormonal treatment for at least three months after surgery and adjuvant ‎chemo/radiotherapy.‎ Ultrasound (US) on the endometrium and ovaries of the women following ‎BC surgery/chemotherapy (baseline) and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months following was performed‎. Data collected included age, menopausal status, co-morbid chronic illness and medications, including duration of TMX treatment.

Results: Presence of ovarian cyst was significantly higher in the PreM ‎compared to PostM ‎women, while there were no significant differences for other gynecological findings.‎ At ‎baseline, endometrial thickness (ET) was significantly higher in the PreM compared to the PostM women. In both groups, women with increased ET became more frequent from baseline to 3 ‎months, from 3 to 6 ‎months, from 6 to 12 months, and from 12 ‎ to 24 months. At all time periods, ‎women with increased ET was ‎significantly higher in the PostM compared PreM women, resulting ‎in a risk of ET increase by 6 folds (ranging from 3 – ‎‎11 folds) ‎in PostM compared to PreM women.

Conclusions: Longer duration of TMX is associated with increased ET. Duration of TMX did not appear to increase the risk of various gynecological outcomes, for example endometrial cancer rate was low. Finally, there was an increase in ET, which appeared to be six-folds higher in PostM compared to PreM women.‎
Comparison of major bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndrome that underwent coronary artery bypass grafting treated with clopidogrel or ticagrelor: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rohman Mohammad Saifur , Purnamasari Yeni , Ilmawan Muhammad , Mahdi Bagus Aulia , Tamara Fredo , Mahendra Aditya Indra , Mazen Mazen , Heriansyah Teuku , Yamin Muhammad , Pikir Budi Susetio , Fajar Jonny Karunia
Published: February 2020

Background: There is controversy among physicians regarding the use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients treated with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Moreover, the evidence of previous studies about this topic remained inconclusive. This study aimed to perform a meta-analysis concerning the relation between the risk of major bleeding and the use of different DAPT (clopidogrel or ticagrelor) in ACS patients treated with CABG.

Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted during March to October 2019. Searches were carried out in Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science. The predictor covariate in our present study was DAPT (clopidogrel or ticagrelor), and the outcome measure was the risk of major bleeding. Sub-group analysis was also performed, where data were classified into pre- and post-CABG. Furthermore, to determine the correlation and effect estimation, data were analyzed using fixed or random effect model.

Results: A total of 13 studies consisting 34,015 patients treated with clopidogrel and 32,661 patients treated with ticagrelor was included in our study. Our pooled calculation revealed that the incidence of major bleeding was not different significantly between clopidogrel and ticagrelor. In pre- and post-CABG sub-groups, our results also found no significant difference in major bleeding incidence between clopidogrel and ticagrelor groups.

Conclusions: Our meta-analysis clarifies that clopidogrel, compared to ticagrelor, or vice versa, is not associated with the risk of major bleeding in ACS patients treated with CABG.
ccbmlib – a Python package for modeling Tanimoto similarity value distributions
Authors: Vogt Martin , Bajorath Jürgen
Published: February 2020

The ccbmlib Python package is a collection of modules for modeling similarity value distributions based on Tanimoto coefficients for fingerprints available in RDKit. It can be used to assess the statistical significance of Tanimoto coefficients and evaluate how molecular similarity is reflected when different fingerprint representations are used. Significance measures derived from p-values allow a quantitative comparison of similarity scores obtained from different fingerprint representations that might have very different value ranges. Furthermore, the package models conditional distributions of similarity coefficients for a given reference compound. The conditional significance score estimates where a test compound would be ranked in a similarity search. The models are based on the statistical analysis of feature distributions and feature correlations of fingerprints of a reference database. The resulting models have been evaluated for 11 RDKit fingerprints, taking a collection of ChEMBL compounds as a reference data set. For most fingerprints, highly accurate models were obtained, with differences of 1% or less for Tanimoto coefficients indicating high similarity.
The effect of women’s bargaining power within couples on contraceptive use in Cameroon
Authors: Tchakounté Tchuimi Dimitri , Kamga Benjamin Fomba
Published: February 2020

Background: The prevalence of contraception among married women, evaluated at 23%, is low in Cameroon. Maternal death rates, estimated at 782 deaths per 100,000 live births, are very worrying. The National Strategic Plan for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (2015-2020) focuses on increasing contraceptive prevalence as a means to reduce maternal death. This paper identifies women’s bargaining power as a factor that may stimulate contraceptive use. The objective of this study is to measure the effect of women's bargaining power within couples on contraceptive use.

Methods: The data used come from the Demographic and Health Survey and Multiple Indicators (DHS-MICS) conducted in 2011. Women’s bargaining power within couples is measured by a Woman Bargaining Power Composite Index (WBPCI) built through a multiple correspondence analysis. Descriptive statistics (frequency distribution, cross tabulation, chi-square test) and the probit model were used to analyze the relationship between WBPCI and contraceptive use. Additionally, since the target population for this study is couples in which women were not pregnant, a Heckman probit model was also estimated to address the potential selection bias.

Results: The results of the descriptive statistics show that women's bargaining power is higher among women who use contraception than for those who do not. The results of the probit model show that women's bargaining power significantly increases the probability of contraceptive use by 3.4%. In addition, the probability of using contraception also increases with the education of women. The estimation of the Heckman probit model illustrates that the effect of women's bargaining power on the probability of contraceptive use remains virtually unchanged.

Conclusions: To reduce high maternal death rates in Cameroon, public health policies should not only focus on the health system itself but should also focus on social policies to empower women in the household.
Karl August Hermanni hiina-soome-eesti keelevõrdlus ning kehtivad ja kehtetud etümoloogiad parandustega
Authors: Gao Jingyi
Published: February 2020

Selles töös on üle vaadatud Karl August Hermanni 1895. aastal ilmunud artikkel, milles ta võrdles mandariinihiina keelt uurali keeltega, eriti eesti ja soome keelega, ning järeldas, et need keeled on omavahel suguluses. Hermanni toodud tõendid fonoloogia, morfoloogia ja süntaksi alal on mitmesugused. Hermanni leitud mõistete sarnasused on originaalsed. Selle töö autori hinnangul on Hermanni töös välja toodud kaheksast etümoloogilisest võrdlusest viis kehtivad, üks kahtlane, kaks kehtetud. Autor on täiendanud kehtivaid võrdlusi ja parandanud kehtetuid võrdlusi. Nende etümoloogiliste võrdluste tõestamiseks on välja toonud veel 12 etümoloogilist võrdlust, mille loovad kas sõnaalguline või riimivastavus. Tulemusena on esitatud kokku 19 hiinauurali etümoloogiat.

Abstract. Jingyi Gao: Karl August Hermann’s Chinese-Finnish-Estonian language comparison, valid and invalid etymologies with corrections. The present study inspects Karl August Hermann’s article published in 1895, in which he compared Mandarin Chinese to Uralic languages, especially to Finnish and Estonian, and concluded that these languages are related. His proofs of phonology, morphology, and syntax domains are various. His findings of conception similarities are original. The present author estimates that of Hermann’s eight etymological comparisons, five are valid, one is doubtful, two are invalid. The author has amended the valid comparisons and corrected invalid comparisons. In order to verify these comparisons, further 12 etymological comparisons are given, which form onset or rhyme correspondences. As a result, a total of 19 Sino-Uralic etymologies are given.
Hiina keele sugulusest ugri keelte ja eriti soome-eesti keelega (1895)
Authors: Hermann Karl August
Published: February 2020

Eesti 19. sajandi väljapaistev keeleteadlane, entsüklopedist ja helilooja Karl August Hermann (1851–1909) toob välja tunnused, mis võiksid osutada ugri, st soome-ugri ning altai keelte, sh eesti ja soome keele sugulusele hiina keelega. Ta vaatleb sõnatüvesid ja -juuri, sõnamoodustust, võimalikke ühiseid tüvesid, sarnaseid lausungeid ning omastava käände ja omadussõnalise täiendi asendit, mis võiksid osutada erinevate kaugete keelte sugulusele. Ta teeb järelduse, et hiina keel on soome-ugri ja altai keeltega suguluses. Hermanni saksakeelne artikkel, mis ilmus aastal 1895, on tõlgitud eesti keelde.

Abstract. Karl August Hermann: About the relationship of Chinese with the Ugrian languages and especially with the Finnish-Estonian (1895). Karl August Hermann (1851–1909), an eminent Estonian linguist, encyclopedist and composer in the nineteenth century, identifies features that might indicate the affinity of Ugrian, i.e. Finno-Ugric and Altaic languages, including Estonian and Finnish, with Chinese. He looks at word stems and roots, word formation, possible common word stems, similar utterances, and the position of the genitive and the adjective in relation to the noun that might indicate the affinity of different distant languages. He concludes that Chinese is related to Finno- Ugric and Altaic languages. Hermann’s forgotten article, published in German in 1895, has been translated into Estonian by Urmas Sutrop.
Chromosomal alterations of pediatric malignancy in a West Texas population
Authors: Rajan Aditya , Tonk Sahil , Bose Chhanda , Singh Sharda , Swarup Sriman , Chavali Santosh , Bhende Kishore , Palade Philip , Hindle Ashly , Darden Meenakshi , Tonk Vijay , Awasthi Sanjay
Published: February 2020

Background: Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) microarrays are used forgenome-wide evaluation of copy number variations (CNV) of known prognostic significance;however, unannotated variants of uncertain significance (VUS) are frequently present. Toidentify potentially actionable targets, we retrospectively analyzed VUS loci using CGH datafrom 192 cases of cancer or genetic disorders treated at TTUHSC.Methods: DNA was hybridized onto CytoSure Constitution V3 arrays, scanned with theAgilent microarray D scanner, and analyzed by CytoSure Interpret Software.Results: We found 794 distinct CNVs, the most frequent being 14q32.22 (112rearrangements), 14q11.2 (100), 8p11.2 (98), 15q11.1-q11.2 (83), and 8p23.1 (77). In particular,8p11.22 alterations were found in many pediatric tumors, with gain/loss ratio of 4.7. Linkage ofTACC1, TM2D2, KAT6A and ADAM32 was indicated by a similar 5-year survival rate of 75.3%(n = 253), which was greater than in unaltered cases (62.2%, n = 15,809 cases) in The CancerGenome Atlas database.Conclusion: Knockdown of genes occurring at variants of uncertain significance (VUS)loci may help identify new therapy targets.
Approach to refractory hypoglycemia in the setting of pancreatic mass and commonly seen pitfalls
Authors: Edwards Samantha , Bedanie Genanew , Payne Drew
Published: February 2020

An 86-year-old male presented with severe hypoglycemia and encephalopathy. Hypoglycemia workup determined the cause to be endogenous insulin. A pancreatic mass increased clinical suspicion for insulinoma, a rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Surgery is curative; however, the patient in this case was placed on comfort measures and died. This case report examines the clinical guidelines for evaluation, diagnosis, and management of hypoglycemia in persons without diabetic mellitus.
Keywords: Hypoglycemia, testing, pancreatic mass
The Effectiveness of Entry Movement Exercise Model in Diving
Authors: Indah Eka Purnama , Asmawi Moch. , Lubis Johansyah , Dlis Firmansyah , Tangkudung James , Hanif Achmad Sofyan , Jufrianis Jufrianis
Published: February 2020

Entry is one of the techniques in diving that is important in the final completion of the dive. Indonesian diving athletes have weaknesses in this technique, so entry movement exercise is needed to improve the ability of the entry technique. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the entry movement exercise model in diving. The study population was Indonesian diving athletes with the determination of 20 purposive samples using the true experimental method with one group pre-test and post-test design. The result of this study indicated that the entry movement exercise model is effective to improve the ability of entry techniques in diving.
Dynamics of antioxidant-prooxidant balance in abdominal injury with underlying hypovolemic shock and reperfusion syndrom of the limbs in experiment
Authors: Krylyuk V. O. , Grodetskyi V. K. , Fedoseyeva O. V. , Garian S. V.
Published: February 2020

The article describes the results of the experimental study in which the effect of ischemic-reperfusion limb syndrome on changes in the internal organs was studied. Changes in the values of Malone dialdehalide, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the tissues of the kidneys, liver, lungs and muscles of the extremities were studied. These studies confirmed the hypothesis and proved the presence of signs of systemic changes as a result of applying a hemostatic tourniquet, the presence of potentiating effects of reperfusion syndrome with a combined injury of the abdominal cavity against the ground of hypovolemic shock.
Features of myometrium remodeling after surgical inteventions on the uterus
Authors: Zhelezov D. M. , Kossey T. V. , Zarzhitskaya N. A.
Published: February 2020

Introduction. Recently, the attention of researchers has again attracted the problem of pregnancy in the presence of scar on the uterus.The aim of the study is to evaluate the processes of myometrium remodeling in women with uterine scar using non-invasive ultrasonic monitoring. It is shown that the frequency of relative failure of yellowing in the uterus does not exceed 2.7% of the total number of women examined. The ratio of the thickness of the residual in the plane of the yellow and normal endometrium indicates complete remodeling and is in women after KP, this index was 0.96 ± 0.08, and after KME - 0.94 ± 0.06 (p> 0.05). The difference in maximum systolic velocity of arterial blood flow in patients after CR (38.8 ±1.2 cm/ s) and after CME (34.2 ±1.4 cm/ sec, p <0.05) can be explained by differences in localization cuts during these surgical interventions . The expediency of using both linear and dopplerometric methods of ultrasound examination in evaluating the ability of rumen on the uterus and myometrium remodeling processes is discussed.
The influence of thiotriazoline on the indicators of nitric oxide under the condition of experimental contact dermatitis and experimental pneumonia
Authors: Regeda-Furdychko M. M.
Published: February 2020

As a result of the conducted researches it is established that with the development of experimental contact dermatitis and experimental pneumonia there is an increase in the level of stable metabolites of nitric oxide, increase of activity of total NO synthase and, at the same time, inhibition of  L-arginine activity in the blood, thus these indicators were most expressed on the late stages of her forming of combine pathology(18th day). The use of thiotriazoline in curative aims stipulated the decline of stable NO metabolites on 31.9% (p≤0.05),  NOS in blood on 26.6% (р1 ≤0.05) and increase of content L-arginine on 34.5% (р1 ≤0.05) at experimental contact dermatitis and experimental pneumonia as compared to the group of animals that did not yield to influence of this preparation.