bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and its Association with Diabetes Self-care: A Clinic-based Study in an Urban Health Centre, Kolkata
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Paul Bobby , Dasgupta Aparajita , Bandyopadhyay Lina , Roy Soumit , Bandyopadhyay Sayanti
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is considered as silent epidemic worldwide including India. Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Self-Management (DSM) is crucial in mitigating the afflictions of diabetes and it’s after effects. There was dearth of studies in view of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) and diabetes self-management in Kolkata, West Bengal. Aim: To assess the associations between diabetes self-management and DPN in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients attending an urban health clinic in Kolkata. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted from December 2018 to March 2019 among known case of T2DM patients aged 30 years and above attending the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) clinic at Chetla, under the purview of field practice areas of Urban Health Unit and Training centre (UHU and TC) of All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health (AIIH and PH) Kolkata, West Bengal. A pre-designed and pre-tested schedule was used to collect data which were analysed using International Business Machines Statistical Product and Service Solutions (IBM SPSS) version 16.0 and represented using various tables. Results: The mean (SD) age of the participants was 54.89 (8.98) years. About 32.4% of the patients had DPN which was significantly associated with increased duration of T2DM {AOR (95% CI)}={1.52 (1.22-1.91)}, lower glucose management sub-scale score {AOR (95% CI)}={2.84 (1.42-5.67)} and lower healthcare use sub-scale score {AOR (95% CI)}={1.86 (1.05-3.31)}. Conclusion: Early screening and education regarding diabetes self-care would be helpful in glycaemic control and in prevention of DPN.
COVID-19 Lockdown Period: Perception of Doctors regarding Telemedicine Use for General Practice
Authors: Arumugam Sumitha , Ramadoss Dhanasekaran , Brindhadevi Parthiban , Easwaran Subbalakshmi , Kumari Shanthi Santhosh
Published: April 2021

Introduction: During this COVID-19 lockdown period, telemedicine is widely being used by doctors for continuing clinical care of patients so that physical distancing can be maintained and the risk of contracting the virus can be avoided. Aim: To assess perception of doctors regarding quality of healthcare by telemedicine as compared to traditional face to face consultation and, to assess the opinion of doctors on whether telemedicine could be an option for future practice after lockdown period. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted in which perception of doctors regarding their telemedicine usage for general practice during this lockdown period has been evaluated. The study was done during April to June 2020 among doctors working in a medical college attached to a tertiary care hospital in Chennai and using telemedicine for their practice during COVID-19 lockdown period. After collection of responses, data obtained were entered in excel sheet and analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Chi-square test was used to assess the association between different variables associated with perception regarding telemedicine usage for general practice. A p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Easy access to healthcare services can be done with telemedicine practice according to 73.7% of doctors. Nearly 60.6% of doctors like to continue telemedicine for their practice even after COVID lockdown period. Conclusion: Telemedicine has helped doctors for continuing patient care during COVID-19 pandemic, but the quality of care delivered by telemedicine consultation was not good as compared to the quality of traditional healthcare. Telemedicine could be an option for future practice of doctors if awareness regarding proper usage of telemedicine is created among patients and if guidelines regarding legal concerns in telemedicine are properly framed.
Pulmonary Adenofibroma in an Elderly Male with Recurrent Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Pasupathy Sandhya Devi , Lakshmanan Archana , Annapurneswari S
Published: April 2021

Pulmonary Adenofibroma (PAF) is a rare soft tissue tumour of the lung. It is a benign lesion, having a biphasic pattern with an admixture of epithelial and stromal components and has resemblance to fibroadenoma of the breast and adenofibroma of the female genital tract. The diagnosis can be challenging and it has to be delineated from other entities with biphasic pattern, like pulmonary hamartoma, pulmonary blastoma, intrapulmonary solitary fibrous tumour and metastases from soft tissue and visceral sarcomas, as each tumour has its own therapeutic and prognostic implications. Here, we report a case of a 73-year-old male, a known case of recurrent soft tissue sarcoma of the thigh, who presented with solitary pulmonary lesion. The patient was a non-smoker and did not have any specific respiratory complaints. On staging work-up with a Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PET-CT), a hypermetabolic lesion was identified in the anterior segment of right upper lobe of the lung, following which he underwent right lobectomy. The tumour was a solitary lesion located near the hilum and on histology showed a biphasic pattern with scattered glandular spaces lined by columnar epithelium set in a hyalinised spindle cell stroma. The cells showed mild pleomorphism with oval to elongated nuclei and indistinct cytoplasm. On immunohistochemistry, the epithelial component showed positivity for Cytokeratin (CK), Epithelial Membrane Antigen (EMA), Thyroid Transcription Factor-1 (TTF-1) and Napsin-A and the stromal component showed positivity for Vimentin, Desmin, Smooth Muscle Actin (SMA) and H-Caldesmon (High molecular weight isoform-Caldesmon). With the given histological and immunohistochemistry findings, a diagnosis of PAF was rendered.
Awareness amongst Non-teaching Professionals Regarding COVID-19 in a Rural Teaching Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Dass Ervilla , Mehta Maulin D
Published: April 2021

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has enforced a huge burden on the primary health care systems around the world to deal with this global health challenge. The recent global threat of this pandemic is rapidly progressing and has placed a high priority on investigation of medicaments. The rapid rise in COVID-19 occurred during the first week of March 2020, wherein, cases of COVID-19 reached over 100 countries with more than 100,000 cases reported. Aim: To assess the knowledge and perception regarding COVID-19 amongst non-teaching professionals of a rural teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and was conducted over a period of two months from start of May, 2020 to end of June, 2020. Total number of participants enrolled were 70. Each questionnaire had a total of 27 questions in their vernacular language, through which their knowledge (9 questions) and perception (18 questions) regarding COVID-19 were assessed. Moreover, one question related to five steps of the 20 second handwash technique was also included with pictorial graphics. Questionnaires filled by the participants were collected for statistical analysis and the results were expressed as percentage. Results: A total of 70 participants were included in the present study. Regarding questions related to knowledge of coronavirus, 91.43% of participants had heard about the recent coronavirus. However, 68.57% were not aware about coronavirus spread from person-to-person through small drops from the nose or mouth, that can be dispersed widely through an infected person when they cough or breathe. Nearly 44.29% participants knew that coronavirus can cause difficulty in breathing. Concerning questions related to prevention and safety, all the participants were aware of wearing face masks. Conclusion: Though majority of the participants are aware about coronavirus, they had lack of in-depth knowledge as seen in their perception of knowledge through detailed questions. Hence, there is a need for increased awareness regarding the symptoms, implementation of precautionary measures and guidelines laid down by the authorities from time to time.
FactSage Modelling of Pb and Ni Speciation in Surface Water from Woji Creek, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Ibezim-Ezeani Millicent U. , Ihunwo Owhonda C.
Published: April 2021

The present study is designed to use FactSage version 7.3 to simulate and predict the ionic speciation of lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in surface water sampled from Woji creek in Rivers State, Nigeria. Along the 3 km stretch (stations 1 to 5) of Woji creek, in-situ records were taken for temperature, pH and electrode potential (Eh); surface water samples to be assessed for Pb and Ni were collected in sterile bottles. Along the creek, surface water Eh is in the order: station 2 > station 4 > station 5 > station 3 = station 1, with mean value of Eh as 140 ± 20 mV. Surface water pH was close to neutral, and in line with: station 4 > station 2 > station 5 > station 1 > station 3; with 6.81 ± 0.13 as the mean value of pH. The trend of temperature values was recorded as: station 1 > station 2 = station 3 = station 4 > station 5; with the mean value deduced to be 25.6 ± 0.4. Mean concentration of Pb and Ni across the creek were 0.92 ± 0.27 mg/l and 0.46 ± 0.23 mg/l respectively. Pb species exists predominantly in the forms: Pb6(OH)84+(aq) (45%), Pb4(OH)44+(aq) (45%). Other forms of Pb present in the surface water are PbO(s) (5%), PbO2(s) (4%) and Pb2+(aq) (1%). NiO(s) had the highest proportion of Ni in the surface water (67%), followed by Ni(OH)2(s) (30%) and Ni2+(aq) (3%). The predicted metallic species could possibly be sorbet to particulates; thereby increase their chances of bioavailability and subsequent ingestion by fishes and other aquatic organisms. This will in turn influence their bioaccumulation via food chain and increase the tendency of risk impact on man and aquatic ecosystem.
Seed Borne Nature of Mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV) in Blackgram in Tamil Nadu
Authors: Krishnamoorthy K. Kamesh , Malathi V. G. , Renukadevi P. , Kumar S. Mohan , Raveendran M. , Manivannan N. , Karthikeyan G.
Published: April 2021

The yellow mosaic disease of blackgram caused by Mungbean yellow mosaic virus has emerged as a serious threat to pulses production especially in the South Eastern Asia.  Seed borne nature of MYMV in blackgram seeds was determined using the seeds harvested from a MYMV resistant (either VBN-6 or VBN-8) and susceptible blackgram (CO-5) varieties grown in three different agroclimatic zones of Tamil Nadu in India for three consecutive cropping seasons namely, Rabi 2018 (October- December), Summer 2019 (March-May) and Kharif 2019 (June- August) at three different time intervals viz., 20, 40 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). Seed borne nature of MYMV was observed only in the susceptible variety CO-5 and was absent in the   resistant varieties. Transmission of MYMV from infected plant to seeds was observed in all the three parts of the seeds viz., seed coat, cotyledon and embryo. Seeds from infected plants also showed abnormalities like shrinking, discolouration, ill filling inside pods and misshapen appearance.
Technical Problems of Trigen Intertan Insertion in Indian Population: How to Overcome Them?
Authors: A Raviraj , Maalepati Vidyasagar , Anand Ashish
Published: April 2021

In this technical note, we are going to discuss the technical problems( based on experience with 5 patients) that we have faced during fixation of inter trochanteric fractures while using the intramedullary nailing system - The TRIGEN INTERTAN nail (Smith & Nephew, Memphis, Tennessee), in Indian subjects.
Response of Rice to Sulfur and Zinc Applications Under Fallowed and Continuously Cropped Soils in Northern Ghana
Authors: Bisilki Vida , Dzomeku Israel K. , Kugbe Joseph Xorse , Dogbe Wilson , Ofori James Nana , Njomaba Elisha
Published: April 2021

The influence of zinc and sulfur on growth and yield of rice was studied for two soils; fallowed and continuously cropped. It was a 2 x 4 x 4 factorial experiment laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates, using lixisols of northern Ghana. Sulfur was applied as Sodium Sulfate (Na2SO4) at 0, 10, 20, 30 kg S/ha, two days after transplanting. Whilst zinc was applied as Zinc oxide (ZnO) at 0, 4, 8, 12 kg Zn/ha before transplanting. All soils received same rates of NPK (90-60-30 Kg/ha). An initial physico-chemical analysis conducted on the soils revealed that, both were sandy loam in texture and low in zinc but moderately high in sulfur. The fallowed soil was high in all other measured soil nutrients except nitrogen when compared to the cropped soil. The experimental results showed that, rice growth (tiller number, plant height), grain yield parameters (panicle count, percentage filled grains, grain yield) and straw yields are maximized by at least inclusion of sole Zn at 8 kg Zn/ha for both soils, with optimum yield recorded under the combined application of 12 kg Zn/ha and 30 kg S/ha for both land use types. Treatments that received 12 kg Zn/ha and 30 kg S/ha had more than twice (50% increase) the yield obtained for treatments that received sole NPK. Yield in both soils responded significantly to additional amounts of sulfur and zinc, indicating that even in a fallowed soil, zinc and sulfur may be inadequate for crop growth, hence their inclusion is needed for better improvement of the rice crop. The fallowed soil recorded the highest grain yield than the continuously cropped soil. The findings revealed the need to consider sulfur and zinc inclusion in NPK fertilizer formulation for maximization of rice production in soils of northern Ghana.
The Role of Transferrin and Laminin Biomarkers in the Diagnosis of Diabetic Nephropathy in Type II Diabetic Patients
Authors: EL-Fattah Mohy Eldin Abd , Rashed Laila Ahmed , Nasr Suzan Magdy Mohammed
Published: April 2021

Background/Aim: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most important microvascular complications associated with type II diabetic patients. It occurs in 20-40% patients with diabetes mellitus, and microalbuminuria is still considered as the first sign of diabetic nephropathy. Low sensitivity and specificity of microalbuminuria leads to more sensitive biomarkers that may be used to detect diabetic nephropathy at an earlier stage with higher accuracy. This study was carried out to detect the validity of using serum Transferrin and Laminin as a diagnostic biomarkers for diabetic nephropathy in type ΙΙ diabetic patients.

Methods: Egyptian patients (n=96) included 72 type 2 diabetic patients who were classified into three groups: group 1 - normoalbuminuric patients (uACR up to 30 mg/g), group 2 - microalbuminuric patients (uACR from 30 – 300 mg/g), group 3 - macroalbuminuric patients (uACR from >300 mg/g) and 24 healthy control were surveyed in a cross-sectional study over a period of 6 months at biochemistry department, KASR ALAINY Hospital of Cairo University. Patients were subjected to measurement of Albumin creatinine ratio, eGFR, Serum creatinine, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile. The serum concentrations of transferrin and lamnin were measured using a highly sensitive one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay kit.

Results: Serum laminin was significantly higher in macroalbuminuric patients than in the microalbuminuric and in microalbuminuric patients than in the normoalbuminuric and healthy control subject. By comparing these goups according to serum laminin concentration we found statistically significant positive correlation (p value <0.001, r= 0.670), serum transferrin was significantly lower in macroalbuminuric patients than in the microalbuminuric and in microalbuminuric patients than in the normoalbuminuric and healthy control subject. By comparing these goups according to serum transferrin concentration we found statistically significant inverse correlation (p value <0.001, r= -0.579). There was no correlation between level of serum transferrin /laminin and glycoregulation, and statistically significant positive correlation was found between serum laminin and duration of diabetes and statistically significant inverse correlation was found between serum transferrin and duration of diabetes.

Conclusions: The results from this study provide the evidence that serum laminin and transferrin could be used as a diagnostic markers of diabetic nephropathy.
Drug Penetration Enhancement Techniques in Transdermal Drug Delivery System: A Review
Authors: Anantrao Joshi Hrushikesh , Nath Pandye Aaditya , Nivrutti Patil Rajendra
Published: April 2021

Transdermal Drug Delivery System (TDDS) is described as a self-contained or discrete dosage form that is applied to the intact skin. This rout of drug administration of drugs through the skin for therapeutic use is an alternative approach to oral, intravascular, subcutaneous, and transmucosal routes. The delivery of drugs through the skin to the systemic circulation provides a convenient route of administration for a variety of clinical indications. Transdermal Drug Delivery System allows continuous drug administration, use of drugs with short biological half lives, avoids increases hepatic first pass elimination and rapid termination of medication by removing the transdermal drug delivery system from the skin.  Various transdermal technologies may be applied for different categories of pharmaceuticals used for the treatment of disorders of the skin or for systemic effects to treat diseases of other organs. Several transdermal products and applications include hormone replacement therapy, contraception, pain management, angina pectoris, smoking cessation, and neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. The most commonly used transdermal system is the skin patch using various types of technologies. Stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin and it is the main barrier layer for permeation of drug in transdermal delivery of drugs. So, to circumvent the barrier properties of stratum corneum and to increase the flux of drug through skin membrane various penetration enhancement techniques are used in transdermal drug delivery system. The review presents different physical and chemical methods in penetration enhancement approaches and to optimize the transdermal delivery system.
P16INK4a Expression of Uterine Cervical Biopsy Specimen in SBMCH
Authors: Devi Tongbram Soni , Lilly Mary
Published: April 2021

Introduction: The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus which connects this organ to the vagina through the endocervical canal. It is divided into the vagina (portiovaginalis) and one that lies above the vaginal vault (supravaginal portion). The outer surface of the portiovaginalis is known as the  ectocervix or exocervix and the portion related to the endocervical canal corresponds to the endocervix. Carcinoma cervix accounts for the most common form of cancer by 13% of all the women affected cancers. The P16INK 4a is  a tumour suppressor protein which is a CDKN2A gene product, an  inhibitor  of  cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and 6 which is encoded  by  tumour suppressor gene INK 4a.

Objective: The present study is to evaluate the P16INK 4a expression in cervical biopsy specimens and to correlate it with the histopatholgical findings.

Materials and Methods: Cervical biopsy specimens were processed using rotary microtome and tissue blocks cut in sections of 3-5 μm was taken.

Results: P16INK4a expression on cervical biopsy specimen showed that those with inflammatory cervical histology, benign lesions of the cervix along with premalignant lesions of cervix are negative for P 16INK4a and all malignant lesions are P 16INK4a positive.

Conclusion: Hence P16INK4a immunoreactivity may be used for the diagnosis of neoplastic lesions of the cervix. But in our study, only a small size sample was positive. So, P16INK4a is used as one of the valuable markers for diagnosing neoplastic lesions of the cervix.
Impact of Diamond Nanoparticles on the Efficiency of Vinblastine against Ehrlich Solid Carcinoma in Mice
Authors: AL-Ahmari Abdulaziz M. , El-Hamidy Salim M.
Published: April 2021

Aim: This investigation pointed to estimate skeletal muscle efficiency of diamond nanoparticles in enhancing Vinblastine (VBL) effects. 

Methodology: One hundred Albino mice, weighing (23- 28 grams) were utilized in this research, after a week of habituation, the mice were divided into five groups at random (20 mice each). Group 1 (control) obtained distilled water infusions, Group 2 (ESC group) injected Ehrlich cells via intramuscular infusion (IM), and Group 3 (ESC+VBL group) gained Vinblastine only, Group 4 (ESC+VBL+ND) received an IM injection of Vinblastine loaded on diamond nanoparticles and Group 5 (ESC+VBL+CS+ND) received IM administration of Vinblastine stacked on Chitosan with nanodiamond. Finally, blood specimens were taken. Serum was obtained to measure Asparaginase aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, and Creatinine kinase. The muscle was removed and observed under a light microscope.  

Results: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Creatinine kinase levels in the blood were elevated in ESC than in normal and treated groups. Levels of these enzymes were enhanced after treatment of VBL, diamond nanoparticles and chitosan. 

Conclusion: Nanodiamond are influenced in the VBL delivery system for the therapy of Ehrlich Solid carcinoma in mice models. The embattled VBL liberates tumor cells and reduced the side effect of VBL on skeletal muscle.
FLT3‐ITD mutations in acute myeloid leukaemia – molecular characteristics, distribution and numerical variation
Authors: Engen Caroline , Hellesøy Monica , Grob Tim , Al Hinai Adil , Brendehaug Atle , Wergeland Line , Bedringaas Siv Lise , Hovland Randi , Valk Peter J. M. , Gjertsen Bjørn T.
Published: April 2021

Recurrent somatic internal tandem duplications (ITD) in the FMS‐like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene characterise approximately one third of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and FLT3‐ITD mutation status guides risk‐adapted treatment strategies. The aim of this work was to characterise FLT3‐ITD variant distribution in relation to molecular and clinical features, and overall survival in adult AML patients. We performed two parallel retrospective cohort studies investigating FLT3‐ITD length and expression by cDNA fragment analysis, followed by Sanger sequencing in a subset of samples. In the two cohorts, a total of 139 and 172 mutant alleles were identified in 111 and 123 patients, respectively, with 22% and 28% of patients presenting with more than one mutated allele. Further, 15% and 32% of samples had a FLT3‐ITD total variant allele frequency (VAF) < 0.3, while 24% and 16% had a total VAF ≥ 0.7. Most of the assessed clinical features did not significantly correlate to FLT3‐ITD numerical variation nor VAF. Low VAF was, however, associated with lower white blood cell count, while increasing VAF correlated with inferior overall survival in one of the cohorts. In the other cohort, ITD length above 50 bp was identified to correlate with inferior overall survival. Our report corroborates the poor prognostic association with high FLT3‐ITD disease burden, as well as extensive inter‐ and intrapatient heterogeneity in the molecular features of FLT3‐ITD. We suggest that future use of FLT3‐targeted therapy could be accompanied with thorough molecular diagnostics and follow‐up to better predict optimal therapy responders.
Feingold syndrome type 2 in a patient from China
Authors: Lei Jie , Han Luhao , Huang Yanke , Long Min , Zhao Gang , Yan Shida , Zhang Jing
Published: April 2021

Feingold syndrome type 2 (FGLDS2, MIM614326) is a genetic congenital malformation syndrome, caused by germline heterozygous deletion of MIR17HG on chromosome 13q31, which is extremely rare worldwide. To date, less than 25 patients have been described in the literature. Here, we report on a 3‐year‐old girl presented with hip dysplasia, polysyndactyly of the left thumb, brachymesophalangy of the fifth digit, microcephaly, intellectual disability, and growth delay. This is likely to be the first case of Feingold syndrome type 2 ever discovered among Chinese population. Through genetic testing and pedigree analysis, she was identified to have a de novo 4.8‐Mb microdeletion at chromosome 13q31.3‐q32.1, encompassing MIR17HG, GPC5, and GPC6. Additionally, we detected two common compound heterozygous variants (c.919‐2A>G and c.147C>G) in SLC26A4 encoding pendrin protein, as well as a novel heterozygous variant c.985_988del in COMP encoding cartilage oligomeric matrix protein. This case report aims to analyze the microdeletion and the three types of variant detected in the patient, and to explore the association between the genotype and phenotype in patients with Feingold syndrome type 2, which may contribute to further understanding and future diagnosis of this disorder.
Genomics and epigenomics of addiction
Authors: Maldonado Rafael , Calvé Pablo , García‐Blanco Alejandra , Domingo‐Rodriguez Laura , Senabre Eric , Martín‐García Elena
Published: April 2021

Recent progress in the genomics and epigenomics of addiction has contributed to improving our understanding of this complex mental disorder's etiology, filling the gap between genes, environment, and behavior. We review the behavioral genetic studies reporting gene and environment interactions that explain the polygenetic contribution to the resilience and vulnerability to develop addiction. We discuss the evidence of polymorphic candidate genes that confer susceptibility to develop addiction as well as the studies of specific epigenetic marks that contribute to vulnerability and resilience to addictive‐like behavior. A particular emphasis has been devoted to the miRNA changes that are considered potential biomarkers. The increasing knowledge about the technology required to alter miRNA expression may provide promising novel therapeutic tools. Finally, we give future directions for the field's progress in disentangling the connection between genes, environment, and behavior.
Time‐dependent properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced high‐density polyethylene
Authors: Al‐Maqdasi Zainab , Pupure Liva , Gong Guan , Emami Nazanin , Joffe Roberts
Published: April 2021

The deformation of polymers at constant applied stress is one of their major drawbacks, limiting their use in advanced applications. The study of this property using classical techniques requires extensive testing over long periods of time. It is well known that reinforced polymers show improved behavior over time compared to their neat counterparts. In this study, the effect of adding different amounts of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the time‐dependent properties of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) is investigated using short‐term creep tests and load/unload recovery tests. The results are discussed in terms of the test profile and the influence of loading history. Viscoplasticity/viscoelasticity analysis is performed using Zapas model and by comparing creep, creep compliance and pure viscoelasticity curves. The results show that the reinforcement of 15 wt% GNP have the most significant effect on the time‐dependent behavior, reducing the strain by more than 50%. The creep compliance curves show that nano‐reinforced HDPE behaves nonlinearly viscoelastically even at very low stresses. In addition to demonstrating the effect of nano‐reinforcement, the discussion of the results concludes that the influence of loading history can be quite significant and should not be neglected in the design and evaluation of material behavior.
Conjugated polymers with anionic dyes: Synthesis, properties, and sensing ability for nucleosides, DNA, and BSA
Authors: Yamaguchi Isao , Tariqul Islam M. D. , Wang Aohan
Published: April 2021

The reaction of N‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)pyridinium chloride (salt[Cl−]) with sodium salts of anionic dyes, such as acid red 52 (AR52), acid violet 49 (AV49), and coomassie brilliant blue G‐250 (CBBG250) involves an anion exchange between the chloride anion of salt(Cl−) and sulfonium anion of the dyes, resulting in the generation of novel Zincke salts, namely, salt(AR52), salt(AV49), and salt(CBBG250), respectively. Reactions of salt(AR52), salt(AV49), and salt(CBBG250) with piperazine in the absence of catalysts resulted in the opening of the pyridinium ring to yield ionic polymers comprising units of 5‐piperazinium‐2,4‐dienylideneammonium and the corresponding dye anion, namely polymer(AR52), polymer(AV49), and polymer(SBBG250), respectively. The corresponding model compounds for the polymers were also synthesized by reacting salt(AR52), salt(AV49), and salt(CBBG250) with piperidine. Polymer(AV49) and polymer(SBBG250) were found to be suitable for the detection of nucleosides, DNA, and proteins, realized by monitoring the changes in their UV–vis absorption spectra, arising from the anionic dyes within the polymers. The polymers and the model compounds were electrochemically oxidized in solution.
Conservation of Amazonian aquatic mammals
Authors: Brum Sannie , Rosas‐Ribeiro Patrícia , Amaral Rodrigo de Souza , de Souza Diogo Alexandre , Castello Leandro , da Silva Vera Maria Ferreira
Published: April 2021

Aquatic mammals worldwide are highly threatened in freshwater ecosystems where they are affected by direct human activities (e.g. hunting) as well as indirect human alteration of freshwater ecosystems (e.g. dams, mining activity). Although aquatic mammals of the Amazon Basin are experiencing many growing threats, little is known about the escalating impacts on them, current limitations in protection mechanisms, and possible strategies to ensure their conservation. This study synthesizes the available information on Amazonian aquatic mammals, including the ecological characteristics of these species, key threats, population status and conservation prospects.

Amazonian aquatic mammals comprise seven species – Inia geoffrensis, Inia boliviensis, Inia araguaiaensis, Sotalia fluviatilis, Trichechus inunguis, Pteronura brasiliensis and Lontra longicaudis – which are characterized by low reproductive rates and keystone ecosystem roles. These species are endangered mainly by biological resource use, natural ecosystem modifications, energy production and mining, and climate change. Although information is sparse, there is evidence that these threats are inducing population declines of Inia spp., and hindering the recovery of populations of P. brasiliensis.

Protection mechanisms for these species mostly include national and international laws and agreements, legislation governing environmental licensing and protected areas. Each of these protection mechanisms, however, has limited capacity to protect Amazonian aquatic mammals, largely because they are poorly enforced, lack transnational coordination or require population trend data that do not exist.

Reversing the current state of affairs for Amazonian aquatic mammals requires an integrated research and policy approach that, at a minimum, substantially increases the present capacity to monitor their population responses to human impacts, establishes effective enforcement of existing legislation and prevents further impacts from hydropower development. To implement such an approach, information on the ecology of these species is necessary to create public and scientific awareness.
De novo biosynthesis of linoleic acid is widespread in parasitic wasps
Authors: Broschwitz Bastian , Prager Lorena , Pokorny Tamara , Ruther Joachim
Published: April 2021

Linoleic acid (C18:2∆9,12, LA) is an important metabolite with numerous essential functions for growth, health, and reproduction of organisms. It has long been assumed that animals lack ∆12‐desaturases, the enzymes needed to produce LA from oleic acid (C18:1∆9, OA). There is, however, increasing evidence that this is not generally true for invertebrates. In the insect order Hymenoptera, LA biosynthesis has been shown for only two parasitic wasp species of the so‐called “Nasonia group,” but it is unknown whether members of other taxa are also capable of synthesizing LA. Here, we demonstrate LA biosynthesis in 13 out of 14 species from six families of parasitic wasps by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis using two different stable isotope labeling techniques. Females of the studied species converted topically applied fully 13C‐labeled OA into LA and/or produced labeled LA after feeding on fully 13C‐labeled α‐
d‐glucose. These results indicate that ∆12‐desaturases are widespread in parasitic Hymenoptera and confirm previous studies demonstrating that these insects are capable of synthesizing fatty acids de novo.
HPLC–ESI/MS profiling, phytoconstituent isolation and evaluation of renal function, oxidative stress and inflammation in gentamicin‐induced nephrotoxicity in rats of Ficus spragueana Mildbr. & Burret
Authors: Taher Rehab F. , Raslan Mona A. , Masoud Marwa A. , Nassar Mahmoud I. , Aboutabl Mona E.
Published: April 2021

Ficus spragueana Mildbr. & Burret (family Moraceae) was reported to have various biological activities. However, its activity in treatment of renal injury has not been investigated yet. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of F. spragueana leaf extract on nephrotoxicity caused by gentamicin. Gentamicin is an important broad‐spectrum antibiotic; nevertheless, it exhibits serious nephrotoxic adverse effects. HPLC–ESI/MS spectrometric analysis of the extract revealed the presence of 37 phenolic compounds. Moreover, five compounds were isolated from the leaf extract, and identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The isolated compounds were syringic acid (1), p‐coumaric acid (2), 3′,5′ O‐dicaffeoylquinic acid (3), luteolin‐8‐C‐β‐D glucopyranoside (orientin) (4) and 8‐methoxy kaempferol‐3‐O‐[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl (1→2) β‐D‐glucopyranoside] (5). The gentamicin‐induced nephrotoxicity model was used to evaluate the protective effect of F. spragueana on renal toxicity biomarkers throughout the development of acute kidney injury. Administration of extract led to improvement in kidney function through inhibition of kidney injury molecule‐1, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and total bilirubin, as well as decreasing the inflammatory markers interlukin1‐beta and myeloperoxidase. Furthermore, it reduced the oxidative stress by increasing reduced glutathione and total antioxidant capacity levels while decreasing malondialdehyde and nitric oxide content, and improved renal histopathological injuries.
Normal tissue adjacent to tumor expression profile analysis developed and validated a prognostic model based on Hippo‐related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Pan Qingbo , Qin Fanbo , Yuan Hanyu , He Baoning , Yang Ni , Zhang Yitong , Ren Hong , Zeng Yi
Published: April 2021

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignant disease worldwide. Although the diagnosis and treatment of HCC have greatly improved in the recent years, there is still a lack of accurate methods to predict the prognosis of patients. Evidence has shown that Hippo signaling in tissues adjacent to HCC plays a significant role in HCC development. In the present study, we aimed to construct a model based on the expression of Hippo‐related genes (HRGs) in tissues adjacent to HCC to predict the prognosis of HCC patients.

Methods

Gene expression data of paired normal tissues adjacent to HCC (PNTAH) and clinical information were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. The HRG signature was constructed using four canonical Hippo‐related pathways. Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to screen survival‐related HRGs. LASSO and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to construct the prognostic model. The true and false positive rates of the model were confirmed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

The prognostic model was constructed based on the expression levels of five HRGs (NF2, MYC, BIRC3, CSNK1E, and MINK1) in PNTAH. The mortality rate of HCC patients increased as the risk score determined by the model increased. Furthermore, the risk score was found to be an independent risk factor for the survival of patients. ROC analysis showed that the prognostic model had a better predictive value than the other conventional clinical parameters. Moreover, the reliability of the prognostic model was confirmed in TCGA‐LIHC cohort. A nomogram was generated to predict patient survival. An exploration of the predictive value of the model in HCC tissues indicated that the model is PNTAH‐specific.

Conclusions

We developed and validated a prognostic model based on the expression levels of five HRGs in PNTAH, and this model should be helpful in predicting the prognosis of patients with HCC.
An extensive model for implementing competency‐based training in technical and vocational education and training teacher training system for Assiut‐Integrated Technical Education Cluster, Egypt
Authors: Ahmed Adel , Sayed Khairy
Published: April 2021

A Competency‐Based Training Program—Education Competency—is designed to provide professional adult training for international educators who wish to advance or acquire new professional skills. It is an intensive training program intended for capacity building for people with an education and training background. Once a training topic is nominated, Assiut‐Integrated Technical Education Cluster can source appropriate facilitators and design a suitable training solution to meet specified objectives and training modules. This program can be delivered in various formats, including workshops, seminars, school visits, case studies, coaching, and mentoring. One of the objectives of this advanced training is to know the German vocational training system and understand the related training‐oriented training concepts.
Impact of extended dual antiplatelet therapy on long‐term prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome complicated with anemia: A sub‐analysis of the real‐world OPT‐CAD study
Authors: Zhao Yu , Li Jing , Ma Sicong , Jiang Zaixin , Li Zhiguo , Wang Xiaozeng , Han Yaling , Li Yi
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of extended dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) beyond 12 months on long‐term prognosis in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients complicated with anemia undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

Anemia is frequent among ACS patients and is associated with increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes.

Methods

A total of 6,953 patients were enrolled from the Optimal anti Platelet Therapy for Chinese patients with Coronary Artery Disease (OPT‐CAD) study. A landmark analysis comparing extended DAPT versus single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) at 12–24 months were performed in anemia patients without premature discontinuation of DAPT before 9 months and major clinical adverse events within 12 months. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), defined as a composite of all‐cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke.

Results

Patients with anemia (n = 1,728) had higher rates of MACCE, all‐cause mortality, and BARC type 2, 3, 5 bleeding (p < .05) compared to those without anemia (n = 5,225). Anemia patients received extended DAPT (n = 1,010) were associated with a lower risk of stroke (0.3% vs. 1.8%; HR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.03–0.71; p = .018) compared to those received SAPT (n = 342). The rates of MACCE and all revascularization were lower in patients with extended DAPT, but the differences were not statistically significant. Risk of all‐cause mortality and bleeding were comparable between the two groups.

Conclusions

Extended DAPT beyond 12 months may reduce the incidence of stroke without increasing the risk of bleeding in anemic ACS patients who tolerate 12‐month DAPT.
Readmission following urgent transcatheter aortic valve implantation versus urgent balloon aortic valvuloplasty in patients with decompensated heart failure or cardiogenic shock
Authors: Chakraborty Sandipan , Patel Neelkumar , Bandyopadhyay Dhrubajyoti , Hajra Adrija , Amgai Birendra , Zaid Syed , Sharedalal Parija , Ahmad Hasan , Cohen Martin B. , Abbott J. Dawn , Naidu Srihari S.
Published: April 2021

Background

Urgent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a feasible option for aortic stenosis (AS) patients with decompensated heart failure (HF) and cardiogenic shock (CS) as compared to the more traditional urgent balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV).

Objectives

We conducted a retrospective analysis to compare risk and cause of readmission in these two high‐risk groups.

Methods

Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) 2011–2014 was retrospectively analyzed to identify patients with AS having either urgent TAVI or urgent BAV using appropriate ICD‐9 codes. Propensity scores were used to match patients with urgent TAVI as compared to patients with urgent BAV. Statistical analysis was performed using the Stata 15.1 software.

Results

We identified a weighted sample of 6,670 patients with urgent BAV and 6,964 patients with urgent TAVI. The all‐cause 30‐ and 90‐day readmission was lower in the urgent TAVI group compared to urgent BAV (15.4 vs. 22.5%, (aHR): 0.92 [0.90–0.95] p < .001). 30‐day readmission due to CV cause and HF was also lower in the urgent TAVI group (aHR, 0.93: p < .001 and aHR, 0.98: p = .040, respectively). The 30‐day gastrointestinal (GI) bleed readmission rate was three times higher in urgent TAVI group (aHR, 3.00:95% CI (1.23–7.33), p = .016), but was not statistically significant at 90‐days. Cardiac causes of readmission were the predominant cause of readmission in both groups, but more pronounced in urgent BAV group (60.3 vs. 40.5%, p < .001).

Conclusion

Urgent TAVI appears beneficial in patients with AS and decompensated HF or CS driven by roughly 10 and 25% reductions in overall readmissions at 30 and 90 days, and marked reductions in reintervention, although offset partially by higher risk of readmission due to GI bleeding at 30 days.
Influence of temperature on storage characteristics of different rice varieties
Authors: Zhao Qingyu , Guo Hui , Hou Dianzhi , Laraib Yousaf , Xue Yong , Shen Qun
Published: April 2021

Background and objectives

In order to study the influence of temperature on storage characteristics of different rice varieties, the physicochemical properties, microstructure morphology, and aroma were investigated at 300d of storage at 15℃, room temperature (20–25 ℃), and 37℃.

Findings

High temperature can promote the hydrolysis of fat, inhibit the catalase activity, and cause rough surface of rice endosperm during storage, resulting in increased fatty acids and lipid oxidation. The safe storage days of rice may be 300d, 180d, and 120d at 15℃, room temperature (20–25℃), and 37℃, respectively. It was found that the content of lipid oxidation products, especially octanal, 1‐octanol, cyclohexanone monomer, and cyclohexanone dimer, increased using headspace‐gas chromatography‐ion mobility spectrometry (HS‐GC‐IMS). In addition, the increase of sulfide, and the decrease of ethyl acetate and 1‐hexanol also promoted the deterioration of rice quality.

Conclusions

Different storage conditions, especially under high‐temperature storage, can accelerate the deterioration of rice quality.

Significance and novelty

High temperature can accelerate the rancidity of lipids of stored rice, and HS‐GC‐IMS is a useful tool to identify flavor changes in rice samples under different storage conditions.
Effect of Ligand Polarity on the Internal Dipoles and Ferroelectric Distortion in BaTiO3 Nanocubes
Authors: Jiang Bo , Usher Tedi‐Marie , Jothi Palani Raja , Kavey Benard , Caruntu Gabriel , Page Katharine
Published: April 2021

Surface adsorbates and surrounding matrix species have been demonstrated to affect the properties of nanoscale ferroelectrics and nanoscale ferroelectric composites; potentially counteracting performance losses that can occur in small particle sizes. In this work, the effects of nonpolar oleic acid (OA) and polar tetrafluoroborate (BF4−) ligand capping on the surface of various sizes of BaTiO3 nanocubes have been investigated with combined neutron diffraction and neutron pair distribution function (PDF), density functional theory (DFT), and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) methods. The low real space PDF region provides an unobstructed view of rhombohedral (split short and long) Ti−O distances in BaTiO3 nanocubes, mimicking the well‐established order‐disorder local structure found in bulk BaTiO3. Interestingly, the intermediate‐range order in nanocubes is found to be orthorhombic, rather than tetragonal. It is concluded that polar ligands adsorbed at BaTiO3 surfaces stabilize the correlation length scale of local rhombohedral distortions in ferroelectric nanoparticles relative to nonpolar ligands.
De novo acute myeloid leukemia: A population‐based study of outcome in the United States based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, 1980 to 2017
Authors: Sasaki Koji , Ravandi Farhad , Kadia Tapan M. , DiNardo Courtney D. , Short Nicholas J. , Borthakur Gautam , Jabbour Elias , Kantarjian Hagop M.
Published: April 2021

Background

Several important treatment and supportive care strategies have been implemented over the past 4 decades in the management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Methods

The authors identified 29,107 patients who were diagnosed with de novo AML between 1980 and 2017 in the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Patients were categorized into 5 age groups (ages birth to 14, 15‐39, 40‐59, 60‐69, and ≥70 years) and 4 calendar periods (1980‐1989, 1990‐1999, 2000‐2009, and 2010‐2017). The outcomes of patients who had AML within these categories were analyzed.

Results

The overall 5‐year survival rates in patients with AML were 9%, 15%, 22%, and 28% in the decades 1980 to 1989, 1990 to 1999, 2000 to 2009, and 2010 to 2017, respectively. Among patients aged 15 to 39 years, the 5‐year survival rates were 24%, 41%, 52%, and 63%, respectively; among those aged ≥70 years, the 5‐year survival rates were 1%, 2%, 3%, and 5%, respectively. Four‐week mortality was surprising high among adults and older patients (range, 20%‐45%), even in modern times. Overall, survival continued to improve over the calendar periods and was best in the period from 2010 to 2017. Survival improvement was noticeable across all age groups except patients aged ≥70 years, in whom the estimated 5‐year survival rate remained 5% even during the period from 2010 to 2017.

Conclusions

The outcomes of patients with AML showed incremental improvement over time in a population‐based study of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data. The introduction since 2017 of targeted therapies among older patients and optimizations in supportive care hopefully will continue to improve outcomes in AML, particularly among older patients.