bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Promising Wavelet Decomposition –NNARX Model to Predict Flood
Authors: Azrol Syafiee Anuar Mohd , Zafira Abdul Rahman Ribhan , Che Soh Azura , Bahari Mohd Noor Samsul , Diyana Zulkafli Zed
Published: July 2020

Flood is a major disaster that happens around the world. It has caused many casualties and massive destruction of property. Estimating the chance of a flood occurring depends on several factors, such as rainfall, the structure and the flow rate of the river. This research used the neural network autoregressive exogenous input (NNARX) model to predict floods. One of the research challenges was to develop accurate models and improve the forecasting model. This research aimed to improve the performance of the neural network model for flood prediction. A new technique was proposed for modelling nonlinear data of flood forecasting using the wavelet decomposition-NNARX approach. This paper discusses the process of identifying the parameters involved to make a forecast as the rainfall value requires the flow rate of the river and its water level. The original data were processed by wavelet decomposition and filtered to generate a new set of data for the NNARX prediction model where the process can be compared. This research compared the performance of the wavelet and the non-wavelet NNARX model. Experimental results showed that the proposed approach had better performance testing results in relation to its counterpart in terms of hourly forecast, with the mean square error (MSE) of 2.0491e-4 m2 compared to 6.1642e-4 m2, respectively. The proposed approach was also studied for long-term forecast up to 5 years, where the obtained MSE was higher, i.e., 0.0016 m2.
Need for pyloroplasty and vagotomy in case of perforated duodenal ulcer
Authors: Podoluzhniy V. I. , Startsev A. B. , Radionov I. A.
Published: July 2020

Aim. Estimation of the incidence of stenosis, need for pyloroplasty and validity of vagotomy for perforated duodenal ulcer (PDU).

Materials and methods. Twenty-year nature of surgical treatment of patients with PDC in the hospital surgery clinic is analyzed.

Results. Over 20 years, 726 patients were operated on: 151 women (20.8%), 575 men (79.2%), mean age 39.1±6.3 years. Surgeries were performed both from laparotomic access and video laparoscopically. It is found that PDU is combined with stenosis in 8.5% and with bleeding in 1.6%, which requires Jadd excision of an ulcer on the anterior wall or gastroduodenotomy for flashing a bleeding ulcer on the posterior wall (0.7%) with subsequent Heineke — Mikulicz pyloroplasty and vagotomy. Both stem vagotomy and selective proximal were used by the method of skeletonization of lesser curvature or chemoneurolysis. Suturing with selective proximal vagotomy was performed in 567 patients, isolated suturing — in 77. B-II distal gastric resection was required in 2.1%. Repeated admission of patients with complications of a duodenal ulcer is observed after isolated suturing of PDU without surgical intervention in the mechanisms of ulcer formation.

Conclusion. During surgical treatment of PDU are found in 79.2% of men, in 20.8% of women. There is an emerging stenosis in 8.5% of those who have PDU, which requires a gastric drainage operation. The subjects of choice may be Heineke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty or Jadd excision of an ulcer on the anterior wall. It is advisable to suture or excise an ulcer with pyloroplasty accompanied by vagotomy that normalizes the acid-proteolytic activity of gastric juice in the postoperative period and eliminates need for antisecretory drugs to prevent the recurrence of the disease.
Idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis in a young woman: unexpected clue
Authors: Gubergrits N. B. , Monogarova N. Ye. , Byelyayeva N. V. , Zeynalova A. A. , Fomenko P. G. , Shpak S. A. , Bakhchevan E. L. , Burka A. A.
Published: July 2020

The article presents a complex clinical case of idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis in a young woman, 23 years old. The main clinical manifestation of the disease was acute, intense, recurrent abdominal pain. Despite ongoing symptomatic therapy, the patient’s condition had been worsened, and the intensity of abdominal pain increased. Adequate dosage of the enzyme replacement therapy allowed increasing the duration of remission. Differential diagnosis, additional laboratory and instrumental studies allowed determining the cause of recurrent pancreatitis and confirming the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis with a primary lesion of the pancreas. A distinctive feature of this clinical case is the diagnosis of a hereditary cystic fibrosis disease in adulthood, the absence of clinical symptoms of lungs’ involvement in the pathological process, as well as the absence of underdevelopment, malnutrition. The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis is confirmed by German specialists; currently, the patient continues treatment in a German clinic.

The article presents current data on idiopathic pancreatitis, discusses a diagnostic algorithm for identification of the cause of the disease. The etiology, pathogenetic mechanisms of cystic fibrosis occurrence are considered, the known types of CFTR gene mutations, causing the development of the disease, as well as the principles of replacement enzyme therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis are described. Evidence-based medicine data are presented, revealing the efficacy and safety of taking enzyme preparations in the correction of the exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Gallbladder polyps: the more cases we observe, the more questions we ask
Authors: Shirinskaya N. V. , Kalyatina N. V. , Shirinskaya A. V.
Published: July 2020

Background. Gallbladder polyps have recently become more common in practice of general practitioners and gastroenterologists due to the improvement of instrumental imaging of the abdominal cavity.

Aim of study: to analyze the dynamics of development of gallbladder polyps at an outpatient appointment of a general practitioner (gastroenterologist).

Materials and methods. A prospective clinical five-year study of patients with gallbladder polyps was conducted. All patients underwent ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs (Voluson E10) once every six months during five years. Number and nature of the growth of polyps, size of the gallbladder, presence/absence of complaints, and burdened history of neoplastic diseases were evaluated in the dynamics of observation. Data obtained were subjected to standard statistical processing.

Results. The study included 33 patients (14 men, 19 women aged 24–65 years, average age 45.19±1.73 yrs). In the initial ultrasound study, the number of visualized polyps varied from 1 to 5 (on average, 2.09±0.95), the size of the neoplasms ranged from 2 mm to 10 mm (on average, 5.75±1.10 mm). Burdened heredity in oncopathology was noted in 42.86% of men and 31.58% of women. Legless polyps were more often diagnosed in men (14.29%), while in women, polyps increased in size in the dynamics of observation >10 mm and a higher frequency of surgical interventions (cholecystectomy) were more often recorded.

Conclusion. Gallbladder polyps tend to grow slowly. We outlined the questions facing the clinician in the management of patients with gallbladder polyps in terms of choosing the optimal tactic and surgical treatment due to the possible malignancy of these formations.
A Symptom-based COVID-19 Diagnostic Tool in case of Limited Testing Facilities
Authors: Ridwan Raiiq , Amin Md Robed , Rahman Md Ridwanur
Published: July 2020

Since December 2019, when a cluster of atypical pneumonia cases were identified in Wuhan, China a new disease has spread across the world. COVID-19 has since become the biggest pandemic in a century, touching lives in almost every country in the world. At the outset of COVID-19, the World Health Organization advised for testing to become a priority so that patients with COVID-19 could be quickly identified, isolated and treated to interrupt transmission of disease. However, testing shortages have been an increasing problem in low and middle income countries. Even when tests are available, it has proved time-consuming. Therefore, we propose a symptom-based tool to assist in the diagnosis of COVID-19 management in low and middle income Countries. It is based on the symptoms that have so far been described in the literature and advises the frontline healthcare worker on how to diagnose the likelihood of having COVID-19 and separate the patient into Red (very likely), Yellow (possible) and Green (unlikely) categories.

J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2020; 38(0): 71-75
Rehabilitation Perspectives of COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Taslim , Islam Mohammad Tariqul , Rahim Hasna Raihan , Islam Md Jahidul , Hossian Md Shahdat , Hassan Md Israt , Mamun Muhammed Abdullah Al , Hossain Mohammad Shawkat , Rahman Mohammad Azizur , Chobi Farida Khatun
Published: July 2020

Introduction: The COVID-19 has overwhelmed health systems across the countries globally. This pandemic has also impacted health related rehabilitation services worldwide which is particularly profound in low and middle-income countries including Bangladesh.

Methods: Information used in the study gathered from World Health Organization (WHO) Bangladesh Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), online literature search using PubMed and PubMed Central research engines. Information also collected over personal telephone and email correspondence from the selected government, public, corporate, non-government institutes, and rehabilitation personals during the period of March-May 2020. Gathered data were analyzed; a set of challenges identified, and recommendations were made for a safe and standard working rehabilitation environment in the altered COVID-19 situation.

Results: Rehabilitation doctors and therapists at most of the public and private institutes are dedicated to COVID-19 services as per the local administrative directives keeping routine rehabilitation services apart. Few rehabilitation workforces to continue team works, environmental hygiene maintenance and space crisis at service outlets were the major challenges. Specially arranged virtual OPD and telerehabilitation services opened to minimize the rehabilitation burden and sufferings of the patient during the COVID-19 pandemic lock down restriction period.

Conclusion: COVID-19 seriously impacted the overall schedule of rehabilitation services. Rehabilitation must be recognized as an un-omissible part of COVID-19 management which requires a planned accommodative working environment in the altered situation within the health care system. Recommendations are provided to keep this pandemic contained while providing adequate and standard rehabilitation services to the disabled in the safe environment in line with WHO rehabilitation 2030.

J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2020; 38(0): 76-81
Real Time-PCR (RT-PCR) Positivity for SARS-CoV-2 in Suspected COVID-19 Patients Presented in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Biswas Sarmistha , Azad Khan Abul Kalam , Hoque Mohammad Mahfuzul , Mowla Syed Ghulam Mogni , Banu Sultana Shahana , Sharmin Rabeya , Shamsuzzaman SM
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a newly emergent virus. World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as pandemic on March 11, 2020 for its rapid spreading. Not only to diagnose the disease (confirm case) but also to control and contain the transmission; test, trace and isolation are fundamental. RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 is used to detect and diagnose COVID-19 which started in Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on 2nd April 2020. In this study we described our observation of RT-PCR done in patients presented in DMCH in the first month after starting the test.

Methods: This observational, cross sectional study was done to find out the rate of RT-PCR positivity in suspected COVID -19 patients presented to DMCH from 2nd April to 3rd May, 2020 by the Department of Medicine in association with the Department of Virology. Data was collected from the registry book of the Department of Virology. The rate of RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 positivity among the suspected COVID-19 patients and demographical variable was observed.

Results: Among the total studied patients (n=3206), 58.8% (n=1886) was male and mean age was 37.7(±14.38784) years. RT-PCR for SARS- CoV-2 was positive in 26.9% (n=864). Mean age was higher in patients positive for test (39.6± 15.9 year vs. 37±14.4 year). Male predominance was more marked in patients with positive PCR test (68.4 vs. 55.9).

Conclusion: High rate of positivity of RT PCR for SARSCoV- 2 among the suspected patient for COVID 19 indicated high disease burden and transmission in this highly populated area in the early period of pandemic which should be considered as was alarming.

J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2020; 38(0): 67-70
Corona Virus Infection among Healthcare Workers in a COVID Dedicated Tertiary Care Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Yasmin Rubina , Parveen Rahnuma , Azad Nazim Al , Deb Sudip Ranjan , Paul Nandita , Haque Md Manjurul , Haque Md Ahsanul , Azad Shehreen
Published: July 2020

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk of acquiring infections during this ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the socio demographic and clinical profile and the possible risk factors for infection among the HCWs at Mugda Medical College Hospital (MuMCH).

Method: This retrospective observational study was done among the HCWs of MuMCH from 19 April, 2020 to 15 May, 2020. The SARS-CoV-2 positive 37 HCWs were interviewed over telephone by a structured questionnaire and the obtained data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics.

Result: Out of total 343 HCWs, total 37(10.79%) cases were detected COVID-19 positive. Out of them, 13(35.14%) were male and 24 (64.86%) were female. The median age was 36 years. Among the infected HCWs, 26 (70.27%) did not have any pre-existing comorbidities. Bronchial asthma (13.51%) and HTN (13.51%) were the most prevalent comorbidities. Around 43.24% (16) had no definite symptoms for COVID- 19. Among the 21(56.76%) symptomatic cases, 15(40.54%) had mild and 6(16.22%) had moderate symptoms. The most common symptoms were cough (16, 43.24%), fever (11, 29.73%), sore throat (7, 18.92%) and fatigue/malaise (7, 18.92%). All had completely recovered uneventfully although 22(59.46%) got admitted to hospital. Only 12(32.43%) were involved in aerosol generating procedure. Total 26 cases (70.27%) used appropriate PPE during their duty. Although only 4(10.81%) got adequate training on PPE use, 33(89.19%) of them had adequate knowledge on that. About 15(40.54%) were reusing PPEs. Most of them (33, 89.20%) were not taking any chemoprophylaxis; all were following traditional preventive measures. Among the HCWs, 26(70.27%) were not satisfied with the infection prevention and control (IPC) measures taken by the hospital authority. All of them presumed that, their occupational exposure was the possible source of COVID-19 infection.

Conclusion: More than 1 in 10 HCWs at MuMCH was infected with SARS-CoV-2 while working at the hospital. They represented the younger age group, had fewer comorbidities. Nurses were the most affected category. All experienced uneventful recovery and most of them were not satisfied with the IPC measures taken by the hospital authority. Further studies are required to identify the level of risk of infection, possible risk factors and outcomes and to improve the IPC measures of the hospital.

J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2020; 38(0): 43-49
Sociodemography and Clinical Profile of COVID 19 Positive Physicians at a Tertiary Level Hospital, Dhaka
Authors: Islam Mohammad Rafiqul , Bashar Khondaker Abul , Matin Shariful , Tanveer Tahmid , Rahman Atiqur , Mowla Syed Ghulam Mogni , Murshed KM Mamun , Barua Uttam Kumar
Published: July 2020

Introduction: On 11th March, 2020 COVID19 was declared as a pandemic and it currently involves 210 countries worldwide. Bangladesh declared its first case on 8th March 2020. Currently, the highest case detection of COVID is in the Dhaka district. Due to a lack of quality PPE (personal protection equipment) and proper knowledge of donning, doffing and transmission dynamics of COVID 19 thought to be high infection rate among physicians. Material and

Methods: A pretested questionnaire was set and distributed among COVID 19 infected physicians working at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital through internet to know about the clinical and epidemiological characteristics.

Results: 65.3% of the respondents were male and had a mean age were 35.7 years. Among all the respondents, the highest number of physicians involved were from medicine department (26.9%). Lethargy, body ache and fever were observed in 57.69%, 50% and 30.7% patients respectively. Among 52 infected physicians, first time RT-PCR for COVID 19 yield 78.8% positive results. Prophylactic dose of hydroxychloroquine taken by 15.3% patients before being infected with COVID19.

Conclusion: Health care workers are getting infected in a alarming number but fortunately at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical college all the cases were in mild form.

J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2020; 38(0): 56-60
Clinical Profile of 100 Confirmed COVID-19 Patients Admitted in Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Mowla Syed Ghulam Mogni , Azad Khan Abul Kalam , Kabir Ahmedul , Biswas Sarmistha , Islam Mohammad Rafiqul , Banik Gobinda Chandra , Khan Mohammed Masudul Hassan , Rohan KM Istiak , Alam Md Ashraful
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Since the first detection of corona virus disease (COVID-19) cases in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 8 March, 2020, numbers are rising alarmingly. Clinical data on COVID-19 in Bangladesh is lacking. We report early findings on demographic profile, clinical presentations and short-term clinical outcomes of confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted in a large teaching hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh with preliminary analyses of their association with mortality.

Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we included reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed COVID-19 patients aged ≥ 15 years, who were admitted in Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) between May 2 and 15, 2020, the first two weeks when DMCH started admitting COVID-19 patients. Data were collected between May 25 and 29, 2020 from patients or their attendants through telephone interview by a structured questionnaire, after having appropriate consent, irrespective of outcome. One hundred and eight consecutive patients met inclusion criteria through convenient sampling from ward registrar, 102 patients could be reached over phone and data from two patients were discarded in the data cleaning process. The statistical analysis was done by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0.

Results: Among the total participants (n=100), mean age was 41.7±16.3 years, 63% were male and 60% patients had positive contact history. Appearance of symptom to hospital admission time was a median of 6 days (range 1 to 21 days) and mean hospital stay was 7.77 ± 5.62 days. Predominant presenting symptoms were fever (69%), cough (54%), breathlessness (41%), fatigue (40%), anorexia (26%) and diarrhea (19%). Hypertension (21%), diabetes mellitus (16%), heart diseases including ischemic heart disease (IHD) (8%) and renal diseases including chronic kidney disease (CKD) (8%) were frequent comorbidities. Ten out of hundred patients died. Older age (p= 0.001), male sex (p= 0.007), smoking (p= 0.001), breathlessness (p=0.001) and presence of comorbidities (p= < 0.05) were significantly associated with mortality.

Conclusion: Frequent positive contact history and significant association of breathlessness, smoking and comorbidities with mortality in our study reinforces that abiding by the prevention and containment process, smoking cessation, ensuring proper oxygen therapy and addressing comorbidities adequately are very important measures to mitigate COVID-19 in Bangladesh like the rest of the world.

J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2020; 38(0): 29-36
Neurological Manifestations of COVID-19 patients: An Updated Review and Observations of COVID Patients in the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Hussain Mohammad Enayet , Hoque Md Azharul , Alam Md Badrul , Yusuf Md Abdullah , Chowdhury Rajib Nayan , Mohammad Quazi Deen
Published: July 2020

Involvement of the nervous system after viral infection is common. Certain viruses show neurotropism. Recent outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV 2 (SARSCov- 2) virus has also exhibited neurotropic properties with various neurological manifestations. The pathophysiology of their neurotropism is not yet clearly known. The details of pathophysiology, clinical manifestation and management are expected to be explored in the near future. Here we review the Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 and the early experience in the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital.

J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2020; 38(0): 122-132
Estratégia de ensino-aprendizagem dos músculos do dorso na disciplina de anatomia humana no curso médico
Authors: Carmello Lithany do Monte , Soares Evelise Aline , Beber Eduardo Henrique , Beber Gisele Miyamura Martins , Saez Daniel Martinez
Published: July 2020

Introdução: A Anatomia é fundamental para o desenvolvimento de habilidades médicas e demanda muita atenção e dedicação, principalmente a respeito de origem e inserção muscular. Objetivos: Tornar o estudo dinâmico, atrativo e de fácil memorização por meio do desenvolvimento de MAMD. Métodos: O estudo foi desenvolvido nas aulas práticas de Anatomia do 1º período de Medicina da UNIFAL-MG nas etapas: A) Aula e aplicação de teste de conhecimento 1; B) Elaboração de tabela de origem e inserção; C) Confecção e apresentação dos MAMD; D) Aplicação do teste de conhecimento 2 e do questionário de satisfação; E) Análise dos resultados. Resultados: 65 estudantes divididos em 3 turmas participaram do estudo. Os resultados do 2º teste de conhecimento trouxeram um índice de acertos cerca de 3 vezes maior que os achados no 1º. Os estudantes atribuíram significativa aprovação (89,23%) do método utilizado na aula prática e sugeriram que fosse aplicado para outros segmentos musculares. Conclusão: A confecção dos MAMD estimulou o estudo da anatomia e auxiliou a suprir as demandas por peças anatômicas, visto que é cada vez mais raro o recebimento de cadáveres em laboratórios de anatomia.
Chemical prospection and biological potential of tropical fruit waste extracts
Authors: Rodrigues Leonardo Milani Avelar , Bispo Jorge Luiz Peixoto , Silva Andréa Gomes da , Gualberto Simone Andrade , Silva Luiz Filipe Nonato , Tavares Iasnaia Maria de Carvalho , Oliveira Cristiane Patrícia de
Published: July 2020

Agro-industries waste from fruits can present a promising source for industrial sectors with the extraction of active principles that have several biological activities. In view of the above, this study aimed to evaluate the biological potential of tropical fruit extracts against antioxidant and amnmicrobial activities. The study evaluated different methods of antioxidant activities (by DPPH and FRAP method), characterization and quantification of phenolic compounds by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), antibacterial and antifungal activities of four tropical fruit waste extract. In the extracts were identified several phenolic compounds, the values found were varied from 0.21 to 5.73 mg/L in gallic acid, observing the predominance of gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic and acid p-coumaric. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by the agar diffusion method using the microorganism Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella cholerasuis. The antifungal activity was determined by the disc diffusion technique using Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium commune and Penicillium cladosporoides, the extracts showed potential antioxidant activity, antibacterial and antifungal in both tests. The lemon extract showed no inhibition for the fungi.
Influência do período de estocagem dos ovos de galinhas caipiras sobre as variáveis de incubação
Authors: Menezes Rafaela Dalmolin , Oelke Carlos Alexandre , Fraga Bruno Neutzling , Rossi Patricia , Rossetto Janaina , Alonso Patrícia Messa , Quevedo Luis Wagner Gomes
Published: July 2020

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar os diferentes períodos de estocagem de ovos de galinhas caipiras, sobre as variáveis de incubação. Os tratamentos foram formados conforme o período de estocagem dos ovos, que foram de: 1 a 5 dias, 6 a 10 dias, 11 a 15 dias e de 16 a 20 dias. As variáveis analisadas foram a perda de peso dos ovos, mortalidade embrionária, eclodibilidade e peso dos pintinhos ao nascimento. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado. As variáveis relacionadas ao peso foram submetidas à análise de variância e ao Teste Scott-Knott a 5% de probabilidade. O peso dos ovos, e o peso dos pintinhos ao nascimento não foi influenciado pelo período de estocagem, no entanto, a perda de peso na estocagem foi maior (P<0,05) a partir do 11 dias de estocagem. A perda peso dos ovos durante a incubação foi maior (P<0,05) no período de 1 a 5 dias de estocagem. A taxa de mortalidade embrionária chegou a 52% para o período de 15 a 20 dias de estocagem, enquanto, a taxa de eclodibilidade despencou para este período, chegando a 47,6%. Estocagens superiores a 16 dias devem ser evitadas, pois há uma redução acentuada na eclodibilidade.
Influence of physical and chemical properties of soybean grains on drying process
Authors: Arruda-Silva Thiago Aurélio , Galle Nahyara Batista Caires , Caneppele Carlos , Alves Niédja Marizze Cezar
Published: July 2020

Grain drying can be influenced by many factors and energetic knowledge of this process is essential. The objective was to evaluate the influence of soybean grain properties on drying kinetics and thermodynamic properties. Four soybean cultivars were studied through sphericity, circularity, volume, oil content, total protein and initial moisture in a completely randomized design. Drying was performed at temperatures of 40 and 60 °C, adjusting six mathematical models. By the statistical criteria different models were selected to the cultivars, which were used in the thermodynamic properties’ calculations. The cultivar C with lower volume presented higher drying rate and higher constant k, which presented lower activation energy 23.81 kJ mol-1. The thermodynamic properties of Gibbs enthalpy, entropy and free energy were mainly influenced by volume, being lower for cultivar C.
Análise de agrupamentos exploratória dos usuários do Programa Multidisciplinar de Tratamento do Tabagismo do HUAC, Campina Grande – PB
Authors: Barros Kleber Napoleão Nunes de Oliveira , Albuquerque Mácio Augusto de , Gomes Amanda dos Santos , Dantas Deborah Rose Galvão
Published: July 2020

Considerando a relação entre os dados do consumo do tabagismo e as percepções das pessoas sobre os efeitos desse consumo, objetivou-se fornecer uma análise exploratória completa dos dados, utilizando técnicas de agrupamento, traçando perfis de participantes do Programa Multidisciplinar de tratamento do Tabagismo (PMTT). A partir das 117 variáveis de 714 usuários do PMTT produzidas do questionário de avaliação médica do paciente original, foram selecionadas 32 variáveis relevantes. Foram filtrados 495 usuários que continham informações nas 32 variáveis selecionadas, sendo 5 variáveis quantitativas, 22 qualitativas nominais e 5 qualitativas ordinais. Para estes participantes, foi empregada análise de agrupamentos. O menor entrelaçamento médio foi utilizado para escolher a medida de dissimilaridade empregada conjuntamente com o método de Ward. Foram identificados três grupos distintos de tabagistas. Os resultados da análise agrupamento confirmam a presença de três grupos distintos de usuários do PMTT. Em acréscimo, o estudo indicou haver padrões diferenciados entre variáveis sexo, religião, renda e histórico de enfermidades, além de diferenças de perfis tabagistas. O trabalho apresenta considerações sobre a responsabilidade das pessoas na prevenção e redução das taxas de consumo entre a sua população. Os resultados obtidos traçam perfis de fumantes que possuem consideráveis tempos de tabagismo e altos consumos diários de cigarros. Tais perfis ressaltam a importância de políticas públicas abrangentes e articuladas, de preferência preventivas, apostando na educação e promoção da saúde ou no incremento da qualidade de vida.
Settlement processes induce differences in daily growth rates between two co-existing ecotypes of juvenile cod Gadus morhua
Authors: Jørgensen KEM , Neuheimer AB , Jorde PE , Knutsen H , Grønkjær P
Published: July 2020

Co-existence of sympatric populations of a fish species is a common phenomenon. In the fjords of southern Norway, 2 ecotypes of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua co-exist during their juvenile life stage. Cod of the North Sea ecotype are on average 2 cm larger than the fjord ecotype at the end of their first growing season in October, suggesting either differences in spawning time or differences in growth during the larval and early juvenile phase. We analysed 24352 daily otolith increments from 145 cod sampled in September 2000, 2003, 2008 and 2015 at 2 locations to estimate individual hatching times and daily growth rates. There was no significant difference in hatching time between ecotypes, locations or years. Population-specific models of the effect of year, temperature and fish length on growth rates showed that the North Sea ecotype grew significantly faster than the fjord ecotype, but growth rate differences were small until the juveniles reached ~40 mm and disappeared again in juveniles larger than 110 mm. The size range (40-110 mm) corresponds to the period following settling. This study documents how vital rates (e.g. growth rates) may change rapidly at ontogenetic transition points, leading to different phenotypic trajectories in co-existing ecotypes. It also highlights the importance of settlement as a key life-history transition that may amplify small existing differences in growth rates through positive feedback of size on competitive ability and eventually recruitment.
Habitat preferences, foraging behaviour and bycatch risk among breeding sooty shearwaters Ardenna grisea in the Southwest Atlantic
Authors: Bonnet-Lebrun AS , Catry P , Clark TJ , Campioni L , Kuepfer A , Tierny M , Kilbride E , Wakefield ED
Published: July 2020

Pelagic seabirds are important components of many marine ecosystems. The most abundant species are medium/small sized petrels (<1100 g), yet the sub-mesoscale (<10 km) distribution, habitat use and foraging behaviour of this group are not well understood. Sooty shearwaters Ardenna grisea are among the world’s most numerous pelagic seabirds. The majority inhabit the Pacific, where they have declined, partly due to bycatch and other anthropogenic impacts, but they are increasing in the Atlantic. To evaluate the sub-mesoscale habitat preferences (i.e. the disproportionality between habitat use and availability), diving behaviour and bycatch risk of Atlantic breeders, we tracked sooty shearwaters from the Falkland Islands during late incubation and early chick-rearing with GPS loggers (n = 20), geolocators (n = 10) and time-depth recorders (n = 10). These birds foraged exclusively in neritic and shelf-break waters, principally over the Burdwood Bank, ~350 km from their colony. Like New Zealand breeders, they dived mostly during daylight, especially at dawn and dusk, consistent with the exploitation of vertically migrating prey. However, Falkland birds made shorter foraging trips, shallower dives, and did not forage in oceanic waters. Their overlap with fisheries was low, and they foraged at shallower depths than those targeted by trawlers, the most frequent fishing vessels encountered, indicating that bycatch risk was low during late incubation/early chick-rearing. Although our results should be treated with caution, they indicate that Atlantic and Pacific sooty shearwaters may experience markedly differing pressures at sea. Comparative study between these populations, e.g. combining biologging and demography, is therefore warranted.
Mesozooplankton biomass and temperature-enhanced grazing along a 110°E transect in the eastern Indian Ocean
Authors: Landry MR , Hood RR , Davies CH
Published: July 2020

Low-latitude waters of the Indian Ocean are warming faster than other major oceans. Most models predict a zooplankton decline due to lower productivity, enhanced metabolism and phytoplankton size shifts that reduce trophic transfer efficiency. In May-June 2019, we investigated mesozooplankton biomass and grazing along the historic 110°E transect line from the International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE) of the 1960s. Twenty sampling stations from 39.5 to 11.5°S spanned latitudinal variability from temperate to tropical waters and a pronounced 14°C gradient in mean euphotic zone temperature. Although mesozooplankton size structure was similar along the transect, with smaller (<2 mm) size classes dominant, total biomass increased 3-fold (400 to 1500 mg dry weight m-2) from high to low latitude. More dramatically, gut-fluorescence estimates of grazing (total ingestion or % euphotic zone chl a consumed d-1) were 14- and 20-fold higher, respectively, in the low-latitude warmer waters. Biomass-normalized grazing rates varied more than 6-fold over the transect, showing a strong temperature relationship (r2 = 0.85) that exceeded the temperature effects on gut turnover and metabolic rates. Herbivory contributed more to satisfying zooplankton energetic requirements in low-chl a tropical waters than chl a-rich waters at higher latitude. Our unexpected results are inconsistent with trophic amplification of warming effects on phytoplankton to zooplankton, but might be explained by enhanced coupling efficiency via mixotrophy. Additional implications for selective herbivory and top-down grazing control underscore the need for rigorous field studies to understand relationships and validate assumptions about climate change effects on the food webs of tropical oceans.
(Pro)renin Receptor Contributes to Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Apoptosis and Autophagy in Myocardial Cells via the β-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: GAO X , ZHANG S , WANG D , CHENG Y , JIANG Y , LIU Y
Published: July 2020

(Pro)renin receptor (PRR) contributes to regulating many physiological and pathological processes; however, the role of PRR-mediated signaling pathways in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) remains unclear. In this study, we used an in vitro model of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) to mimic IRI and carried out PRR knockdown by siRNA and PRR overexpression using cDNA in H9c2 cells. Cell proliferation activity was examined by MTT and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays. Apoptosis-related factors, autophagy markers and β-catenin pathway activity were assessed by real-time PCR and western blotting. After 24 h of hypoxia followed by 2 h of reoxygenation, the expression levels of PRR, LC3B-I/II, Beclin1, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 and Bax were upregulated, suggesting that apoptosis and autophagy were increased in H9c2 cells. Contrary to the effects of PRR downregulation, the overexpression of PRR inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis, increased the expression of pro-apoptotic factors and autophagy markers, and promoted activation of the β-catenin pathway. Furthermore, all these effects were reversed by treatment with the β-catenin antagonist DKK-1. Thus, we concluded that PRR activation can trigger H/R-induced apoptosis and autophagy in H9c2 cells through the β-catenin signaling pathway, which may provide new therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of myocardial IRI.
Cell-Type-Independent Expression of Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Currents in Mouse Fungiform Taste Bud Cells
Authors: NAKAO Y , KOSHIMURA M , YAMASAKI T , OHTUBO Y
Published: July 2020

Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels play key roles in functions, including maintaining the resting membrane potential and regulating the action potential duration in excitable cells. Using in situ whole-cell recordings, we investigated Kir currents in mouse fungiform taste bud cells (TBCs) and immunologically identified the cell types (type I-III) expressing these currents. We demonstrated that Kir currents occur in a cell-type-independent manner. The activation potentials we measured were -80 to -90 mV, and the magnitude of the currents increased as the membrane potentials decreased, irrespective of the cell types. The maximum current densities at -120 mV showed no significant differences among cell types (p>0.05, one-way ANOVA). The density of Kir currents was not correlated with the density of either transient inward currents or outwardly rectifying currents, although there was significant correlation between transient inward and outwardly rectifying current densities (p<0.05, test for no correlation). RT-PCR studies employing total RNA extracted from peeled lingual epithelia detected mRNAs for Kir1, Kir2, Kir4, Kir6, and Kir7 families. These findings indicate that TBCs express several types of Kir channels functionally, which may contribute to regulation of the resting membrane potential and signal transduction of taste.
Money Matters: An Examination of the Impact of Financial Structure on Nascent Venture Performance; Evidence from the Kauffman Firm Survey
Authors: Dzathor Augustine Y. , Haile Semere , White Donald
Published: July 2020

This study was carried out to empirically test the impact of financial structure on nascent enterprise performance. The study used a centralistic nomothetic longitudinal methodology to examine a panel data derived from the first four years of the Kauffman firm Survey (KFS). The result revealed that financial structure (equity financing, debt financing, and trade-financing) influenced nascent enterprise performance, but inconsistently over the first four years of business existence. The average capital structure of the sample was supported by the literature and followed the pecking order of equity, debt, and trade financing. Results suggested that capital structure has an important ramification for nascent enterprise performance, but the capital mix of successful nascent enterprises do not necessarily follow an orthodox format.
The Influence of Work Ability and Workload on The Effectiveness of Employee In The East Cempaka Putih Village Central Jakarta
Authors: Hakim Azis
Published: July 2020

This study aims to determine the effect of workability and workload on the effectiveness of employee work in the East Cempaka Putih Village, Central Jakarta. This research method uses survey techniques with quantitative and correlational approaches with a sampling technique of 32 respondents. The sampling technique uses simple random sampling and data analysis techniques to use multiple linear regression.
Based on the results of research that has been done shows that the ability of workers to the effectiveness of employee work in the East Cempaka Putih Village, Central Jakarta has a positive, strong and significant effect, this means that the effectiveness of employee work is determined by workability. Workload variable on the effectiveness of employee work in the East Cempaka Putih Village, Central Jakarta has a positive, moderate and significant influence, this means that the effectiveness of employee work is determined by the workload. Variable workability and workload together on employee work effectiveness in East Cempaka Putih Village, Central Jakarta has a positive, strong, and significant influence. This means that together the effectiveness of employee work is determined by workability and workload.
Effect of intra-row spacing on plant growth, yield and quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum mill) varieties at mizan-aman, southwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Abriham Ashenafi , Kefale Demelash
Published: July 2020

The productivity of tomato is influenced mainly by environmental factors, agronomic practices and cultivar potential. Accordingly, a field experiment was conducted at Mizan-Aman, southern Ethiopia in  2016/ 2017 to evaluate the effect of intra-row spacing (20, 30, 40 and 50 cm) on the performance of three tomato varieties(Fetan, Bishola and Roma VF) with the constant inter-row spacing of 70 cm in completely randomized block design with three replications. Data on crop phenology, growth performance, yield and quality parameters were recorded and subjected to analysis of variance using SAS version-9 software. Results of the study indicated that both intra-row spacing and variety had a significant effect on phenology as well as parameters including; the number of branches, the number of fruit cluster and fruit per plant, fruit weight, total fruit yield, marketable and unmarketable yield and total soluble solids (TSS). However, the number of fruits per cluster, fruit shape index, titratable acidity (TA) and pH were significantly different only among varieties, while plant height was significantly affected by intra-row spacing. Closer spacing enhanced early maturity, while wider intra-row (50 cm) produced a maximum number of branches, cluster and fruits per plant, fruit weight, unmarketable yield and TSS. Generally, 20 and 30 cm intra-row spacing was found to be suitable for the production of maximum total and marketable yield. From the three tomato varieties, Fetan was early maturing with the highest total and marketable yield. The varieties were also significantly different in fruit weight, with the highest value obtained from Bishola followed by Fetan. The outcome of this study revealed that, the intra-row spacing of.30 cm and variety Fetan could be promoted for production in Mizan-Aman and similar agro-ecologies.
Futuristic preferences of energy sources in the milieu of energy crises: cotton growers perspective in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Khan Ghazanfar A. , Iftikhar Muhammad , Shahbaz Babar
Published: July 2020

Pakistan is one of the prominent countries in the context of growing cotton in the world. Better cotton production paves the way towards thriving textile industry in Pakistan which means a lot to people for many reasons including employment and income generation. However, the energy crises have been putting drastic impacts both on the cotton growers as well as on the textile industry sometime creating a huge supply and demand gap. This study aimed at measuring the futuristic preferred perspectives of the growers in the context of various available energy sources in order to confront energy shortage. Fifty specialized cotton growers were purposively selected from Multan district of the Punjab (Pakistan) in order to collect data and consolidate their future preferences. The collected data were analyzed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Moreover, the qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis technique. Findings indicated that the hydro and solar energy were in preference with a view of electricity while gas(natural) for the heat purposes. This study urged that for helping the farmers to run the tube well to meet irrigation needs, the electricity should be provided on low rates. On the real grounds, concerted efforts are required to pave the way (especially) for the cotton growers to harness the benefits of solar energy for various pursuits for better agriculture especially for running tube well.
USP14 as a Therapeutic Target Against Neurodegeneration: A Rat Brain Perspective
Authors: Banerjee Chayan , Roy Moumita , Mondal Rupsha , Chakraborty Joy
Published: July 2020

In the recent past, many of the deubiquitinases (DUB) were found to modulate mitochondrial clearance or mitophagy and thus they are currently projected as therapeutic targets against neurodegeneration. Among these DUBs, USP14 stands at a distinctive juncture, since it can influence both proteasome complex activity and autophagy process. USP14 interference can enhance mitochondrial clearance and thus can protect Parkinsonian phenotypes inDrosophilamodel. However, in higher animal models of neurodegenerative disorders, evaluation of the protective role of USP14 is yet to be done. In this perspective, we pointed out a few of the major considerations that should be classified before designing experiments to evaluate the therapeutic potential of this DUB in rodent models of neurodegeneration. These are mainly: level of USP14 in the concerned brain region and how the level alters in the model system. Because USP14 mediated mitophagy is Prohibitin2 dependent, the anticipated impact of this protein in this aspect is also discussed. To illustrate our view, we show that USP14 levels increases in adult rat brain substantia nigra (SN) and cerebellum compared to the young ones. We also depict that rotenone treatment can immediately lead to increased SN specific USP14 levels. Our perception thus portrays USP14 as a therapeutic target, especially for addressing SN specific neurodegeneration in adult rat brain, but may vary with the disease model.
Large-Scale Phenotyping of Livestock Welfare in Commercial Production Systems: A New Frontier in Animal Breeding
Authors: Brito Luiz F. , Oliveira Hinayah R. , McConn Betty R. , Schinckel Allan P. , Arrazola Aitor , Marchant-Forde Jeremy N. , Johnson Jay S.
Published: July 2020

Genomic breeding programs have been paramount in improving the rates of genetic progress of productive efficiency traits in livestock. Such improvement has been accompanied by the intensification of production systems, use of a wider range of precision technologies in routine management practices, and high-throughput phenotyping. Simultaneously, a greater public awareness of animal welfare has influenced livestock producers to place more emphasis on welfare relative to production traits. Therefore, management practices and breeding technologies in livestock have been developed in recent years to enhance animal welfare. In particular, genomic selection can be used to improve livestock social behavior, resilience to disease and other stress factors, and ease habituation to production system changes. The main requirements for including novel behavioral and welfare traits in genomic breeding schemes are: (1) to identify traits that represent the biological mechanisms of the industry breeding goals; (2) the availability of individual phenotypic records measured on a large number of animals (ideally with genomic information); (3) the derived traits are heritable, biologically meaningful, repeatable, and (ideally) not highly correlated with other traits already included in the selection indexes; and (4) genomic information is available for a large number of individuals (or genetically close individuals) with phenotypic records. In this review, we (1) describe a potential route for development of novel welfare indicator traits (using ideal phenotypes) for both genetic and genomic selection schemes; (2) summarize key indicator variables of livestock behavior and welfare, including a detailed assessment of thermal stress in livestock; (3) describe the primary statistical and bioinformatic methods available for large-scale data analyses of animal welfare; and (4) identify major advancements, challenges, and opportunities to generate high-throughput and large-scale datasets to enable genetic and genomic selection for improved welfare in livestock. A wide variety of novel welfare indicator traits can be derived from information captured by modern technology such as sensors, automatic feeding systems, milking robots, activity monitors, video cameras, and indirect biomarkers at the cellular and physiological levels. The development of novel traits coupled with genomic selection schemes for improved welfare in livestock can be feasible and optimized based on recently developed (or developing) technologies. Efficient implementation of genetic and genomic selection for improved animal welfare also requires the integration of a multitude of scientific fields such as cell and molecular biology, neuroscience, immunology, stress physiology, computer science, engineering, quantitative genomics, and bioinformatics.