bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Resilience on Stress, Anxiety and Depression in Civil Servants: The Mediating and Moderating Model
Authors: Song Huiling , Zhang Mengjie , Wang Yanjie , Yang Liying , Wang Yanyu , Li Yan
Published: September 2020

Background: Civil servants are a special group in China, and there is limited research on how their resilience affects mental health, such as depression and anxiety. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to explore the role of resilience through the relationship between stress, depression and anxiety, and to further provide an explanation for how resilience interacts with stress, depression and anxiety in civil servants. Method: In a cross-sectional survey, 302 civil servants completed a battery of questionnaires. The Civil Servants Stress Scale (CSSS) was used to assess the stress of civil servants. The depression and anxiety of participants were evaluated by the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), respectively. The Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) was used to assess the stress of civil servants as well. We conducted the moderating and mediating models to the resilience, depression and anxiety in civil servants. Results: The results have shown that resilience was related to stress, depression, and anxiety in civil servants. Stress was positively correlated with resilience. On the contrary, stress was negatively associated with depression and anxiety. Conclusion: Resilience played the moderating and mediating roles for stress, depression and anxiety. Resilience can moderate the relationship between stress and depression, anxiety as a dynamic moderate mode. Improving resilience and reducing stress play a vital role in preventing depression and anxiety in civil servants.
Safety and Homing of Human Dental Pulp Stromal Cells in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Merckx Greet , Monaco Melissa Lo , Lambrichts Ivo , Himmelreich Uwe , Bronckaers Annelies , Wolfs Esther
Published: September 2020

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the most common cancers, associated with a huge mortality and morbidity. In order to improve patient outcomes, more efficient and targeted therapies are essential. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) express tumour homing capacity, which could be exploited to target anti-cancer drug delivery to the tumour region and reduce adverse side-effects. Nevertheless, dental pulp stromal cells (DPSCs), an MSC-like population present in teeth, could offer important clinical benefits because of their easy isolation and superior proliferation compared to BM-MSCs. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the tumour homing and safe usage of DPSCs to treat HNC. Methods: The in vivo survival as well as the effect of intratumourally administered DPSCs on tumour aggressiveness was tested in a HNC xenograft mouse model by using bioluminescence imaging (BLI), (immuno)histology and qRT-PCR. Furthermore, the in vitro and in vivo tumour homing capacity of DPSCs towards a HNC cell line were evaluated by a transwell migration assay and BLI, respectively. Results: Intratumourally injected DPSCs survived for at least two weeks in the tumour micro-environment and had no significant influence on tumour morphology, growth, angiogenesis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In addition, DPSCs migrated towards tumour cells in vitro, which could not be confirmed after their in vivo intravenous, intraperitoneal or peritumoural injection under the tested experimental conditions. Conclusions: Our research suggests that intratumourally delivered DPSCs might be used as safe factories for the continuous delivery of anti-cancer drugs in HNC. Nevertheless, further optimization as well as efficacy studies are necessary to understand and improve in vivo tumour homing and determine the optimal experimental set-up of stem cell-based cancer therapies, including dosing and timing.
Quantitative Effect of Metal Artefact Reduction on CT-Based Attenuation Correction in FDG PET/CT in Patients With Hip Prosthesis
Authors: Haemels Maarten , Vandendriessche Delphine , De Geeter Jeroen , Velghe James , Vandekerckhove Maxence , De Geeter Frank Willem
Published: September 2020

Background Metal artefact reduction (MAR) techniques still are in limited use in positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT). This study aimed to investigate the effect of Smart MAR on quantitative PET analysis in the vicinity of hip prostheses.Material and methods Activities were measured on PET/CT images in 6 sources with 10-fold activity concentration contrast to background, attached to the head, neck and the major trochanter of a human cadaveric femur, and in the same sources in similar locations after a hip prosthesis (titanium cup, ceramic head, chrome-cobalt stem) had been inserted into the femur. Measurements were compared between PET attenuation corrected using either conventional or MAR CT. In 46 patients harbouring 61 hip prostheses, standardized uptake values (SUV) in 6 periprosthetic regions and the bladder, were compared between PET attenuation corrected with either conventional or MAR CT. Results Using conventional CT, measured activity decreased from 2 to 13% when the prosthesis was inserted. Use of MAR CT increased measured activity by up to 11 12% compared with conventional CT and reduced the relative difference with the reference values to under 5% in all sources.In all regions, to the exception of the prosthesis shaft, SUVmean increased significantly (p<0.001) by use of MAR CT. Median (interquartile range) percentual increases of SUVmean were 1.9 (0.0-4.5), 3.9 (1.8-7.8), 7.0 (3.4-11.1), 1.7 (0.9-3.7), 1.5 (0.8-3.3) in acetabulum, lateral neck, medial neck, lateral diaphysis and medial diaphysis, respectively. Except for the shaft, the coefficient of variation did not increase significantly. Except for the erratic changes in the prosthesis shaft, decreases of SUVmean were rare and small. Bladder SUVmean increased by 1% in patients with unilateral and by 4% in patients with bilateral prosthesis. Conclusions In a realistic hip prosthesis phantom, Smart MAR restores quantitative accuracy by recovering counts in underestimated sources. In patient studies, Smart MAR increases SUV in all areas surrounding the prosthesis, most markedly in the femoral neck region. This proves that underestimation of activity is the most prevalent metal artefact in hip prostheses. Smart MAR increases SUV in the urinary bladder, indicating effects at a distance from the prosthesis.
Measuring The Impact of Spatial Perturbations on The Relationship Between Data Privacy and Validity of Descriptive Statistics
Authors: Broen Kelly , Trangucci Rob , Zelner Jon
Published: September 2020

Background: Like many scientific fields, epidemiology is addressing issues of research reproducibility. Spatial epidemiology, which often uses the inherently identifiable variable of participant address, must balance reproducibility with participant privacy. In this study, we assess the impact of several different data perturbation methods on key spatial statistics and patient privacy. Methods: We analyzed the impact of perturbation on spatial patterns in the full set of address- level mortality data from Lawrence, MA during the period from 1911-1913. The original death locations were perturbed using seven different published approaches to stochastic and deterministic spatial data anonymization. Key spatial descriptive statistics were calculated for each perturbation, including changes in spatial pattern center, Global Moran’s I, Local Moran’s I, distance to the k-th nearest neighbors, and the L-function (a normalized form of Ripley’s K). A spatially adapted form of k-anonymity was used to measure the privacy protection conferred by each method, and the its compliance with HIPAA privacy standards. Results: Random perturbation at 50 meters, donut masking between 5 and 50 meters, and Voronoi masking maintain the validity of descriptive spatial statistics better than other perturbations. Grid center masking with both 100x100 and 250x250 meter cells led to large changes in descriptive spatial statistics. None of the perturbation methods adhered to the HIPAA standard that all points have a k-anonymity > 10. All other perturbation methods employed had at least 265 points, or over 6%, not adhering to the HIPAA standard. Conclusions: Using the set of published perturbation methods applied in this analysis, HIPAA- compliant de-identification was not compatible with maintaining key spatial patterns as measured by our chosen summary statistics. Further research should investigate alternate methods to balancing tradeoffs between spatial data privacy and preservation of key patterns in public health data that are of scientific and medical importance.
Transforming Acidic Coiled-coil Protein-3: A Novel Marker for Differential Diagnosis and Prognosis Prediction in Endocervical Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wen YanLin , Yan Shu-Mei , Wei Wei , Yang Xia , Zhang Shi-Wen , Yun Jing-Ping , Liu Li-Li , Luo Rong-Zhen
Published: September 2020

BackgroundEndocervical adenocarcinoma (ECA) is classified as human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated (HPVA) or non-HPVA (NHPVA) type in the International Endocervical Adenocarcinoma Criteria and Classification (IECC). Of them, HPVA is recognized as the representative ECA subtype, which is related to typical molecular characteristics. Transforming acidic coiled-coil protein-3 (TACC3) is an oncogene with frequent abnormal expression, and it also represents a vital biomarker for various human malignancies. This work aimed to examine the role of TACC3 in the diagnosis and prognosis of ECA. MethodsWe analyzed 264 ECA patients who underwent surgical resection, and tumors were classified into HPVA and NHPVA subtypes. The expression levels of TACC3, P16, MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, MSH6, Ki-67 in tumor were evaluated on tissue microarray by immunohistochemistry (IHC). HPV subtypes were detected on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) ECA tissues by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ResultsAs suggested by IHC, ECA samples showed increased TACC3 level relative to related non-carcinoma samples. TACC3 expression was also elevated in HPVA compared with NHPA. In HPVA subtype, high TACC3 expression was significantly correlated with P16-positive, Ki-67-high expression. Furthermore, TACC3 level was remarkably related to the histological type (P=0.006), nerve invasion (P=0.003), differentiation (P=0.004), surgical margin (P=0.012), parametrium invasion (P=0.040), Ki-67 (P=0.004) and P16 (P=0.000). Besides, upon Kaplan-Meier analysis, the up-regulated TACC3 was tightly related to the poor overall survival (OS, P= 0.001), disease-free survival (DFS, P< 0.001) as well as recurrence survival (P< 0.001). Moreover, upon multivariate analysis, the elevated TACC3 level served as the marker to independently predict ECA prognosis. ROC curve analyses indicate that TACC3, P16 and HPV subtype showed similar results for distinguishing HPVA from NHPVA, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.640, 0.649 and 0.675, respectively. The combination of TACC3 and HPV subtypes improved diagnostic performance for ECA compared with TACC3, P16 and HPV subtype alone.ConclusionsTaken together, findings in this work reveal that TACC3 may be used as the new biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of ECA.
Development and Validation of A Competitive ELISA Based on Virus-Like Particles of Serotype Senecavirus A to Detect Serum Antibodies
Authors: Bai Manyuan , Wang Rui , Sun Shiqi , Zhang Yun , Dong Hu , Guo Huichen
Published: September 2020

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are high-priority antigens with highly ordered repetitive structures, which are similar to natural viral particles. We have developed a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for detecting antibodies directed against Senecavirus A (SVA). Our assay utilizes SVA VLPs that were expressed and assembled in an Escherichia coli expression system as the coating antigens. VLPs have better safety and immunogenicity than intact viral particles or peptides. The VLP-based cELISA was used to test 342 serum samples collected from different pig farms, and the results showed that its specificity and sensitivity were 100% and 94%, respectively. The consistency rates of cELISA with the BIOSTONE AsurDx™ Senecavirus A (SVA) Antibody Test Kit and an indirect immunofluorescent assay were 90.0% and 94.2%, respectively. Therefore, this VLP-based cELISA can be effectively and reliably used for the detection and discrimination of SVA infection in serum samples.
Molecular Characterization of Echovirus 30 Isolated from Environment in North India
Authors: Tiwari Sarika , Dhole Tapan N
Published: September 2020

BackgroundEchovirus 30 (E30) causes acute aseptic meningitis. Enteroviruses (EVs) are responsible for 30,000 to 50,000 hospitalizations for aseptic meningitis per year in the United States. E30 is one of the most frequently isolated EVs, causing extensive outbreaks in temperate climates in several countries. MethodsE30 used in this study was isolated from environmental specimens. The virus was confirmed by RT-PCR with specific primers (1). Virus stock was prepared by infecting RD cells in 25 cm2 flasks (Corning Inc. USA). Virus infected and mock infected cells were incubated at 36.5 ºC with 2% MEM. After 48 h of infection, the culture was aliquoted and kept at-80 ºC for further use.ResultsThis present work analyzed the E30 genetic diversity in a fragment of 217 nucleotides of the VP1 region, of environmental strains. The environmental samples of echovirus 30 show mutation in the nonfunctional polyprotein protein (Fig. 1). The result suggested that the information may be obtained by analyzing only a part of the VP1 region.ConclusionThe present study showed that the E30 environmental sample is more divergent to prototype Bastianni strain.
Evaluation of seaports’ investment attractiveness
Authors: Palyvoda Olena , Karpenko Oksana , Vlasova Valentyna , Bondar Nataliia , Mishulina Olga
Published: September 2020

Ukraine’s European integration requires the involvement of seaports in the international TEN-T network, so it is extremely important to create favorable investment conditions to develop port infrastructure. This study aims to make a comprehensive assessment of the seaports’ investment attractiveness to use it for increasing the efficiency of attracting investment in the development of Ukrainian seaports, which are part of the European transport network. The study was conducted using the Saati method and the method of calculating the integrated indicator of seaports’ investment attractiveness. The integrated indicator includes assessing indicators of business activity in the region and consolidated indicators of financial and property status, logistical attractiveness, and prospects for port development. According to the results of calculations, the seaports of Ukraine were divided into three groups. The ports of Yuzhne, Odesa, Illichivsk, and Mykolaiv have a high level of investment attractiveness. The ratio of investment attractiveness ranges from 3 to 2.6. The ports of Izmail, Mariupol, Oktyabrsk, and Kherson have an average level (ratio from 2.2 to 1), and other ports have a low investment attractiveness (coefficient from 0.9 to 0.7).
Üstün Zekâlılarda Beklenmedik Düşük Başarı (BDB): Özellikler, Etken Faktörler ve Müdahale
Authors: BIÇAKCI Mehmet , BALOĞLU Mustafa
Published: September 2020

Beklenmedik düşük başarı (BDB), beklenen ile gözlenen performans arasındaki fark olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, üstün zekâlılarda BDB’yi ele alarak, kavramla ilişkili tanımları, ölçütleri ve güncel araştırmaları incelemektir. Araştırma, konu hakkında sistematik bir literatür taraması sonrası hazırlanan bir derlemedir. BDB’ye etki eden faktörler arasında, ailevi (ev-içi), kişisel ve okul ile ilgili faktörler ana etkenler olarak öne çıkmaktadır. BDB’ye yönelik müdahalelerde, mentörlük, aile danışmanlığı ve öğretmen desteği gibi uygulamalar literatürdeöne çıkmaktadır. BDB’ye yönelik müdahale araştırmalarına önem verilmesi, birey hakkında farklı bilgi kaynaklarına başvurarak, karma yöntemlerle ve bireyi bütüncül olarak ele alan araştırmalara olan ihtiyaç bu çalışma sonucunda ulaşılan göstergelerdir.
Inclusión laboral de personas con discapacidades físicas, psíquicas y sensoriales en el marco de la ley 361 de 1997
Authors: Luna-Ropero Lissy Natalya
Published: September 2020

El siguiente artículo tiene por objeto dar a conocer el mecanismo de inclusión laboral de las personas en condición de discapacidad mediante la ley 361 de 1997, el cual representa fenómenos jurídicos y sociales en la contratación de personas con dificultades físicas, psíquicas y sensoriales. La ley 361 de 1997 emana el Principio de la Estabilidad Laboral Reforzada, como principio protector en la esfera laboral de las personas con discapacidad, que permite la permanencia del trabajador en el puesto de trabajo pese a su condición de discapacidad. Sin embargo, esta ley implica una barrera al momento de la vinculación laboral de dicha población. Para desarrollar el objeto de este artículo es necesario exponer el contenido y la trayectoria legislativa de la ley 361 de 1997, la protección del Estado hacia los más vulnerables y los antecedentes nacionales e internacionales de la contratación laboral de las personas con discapacidad, para luego evidenciar las consecuencias jurídicas y sociales que contrae.
Ecology and Anthropology in Ecofeminist Theology
Authors: Naumowicz Cezary
Published: September 2020

Ecofeminism is a current emerged in 1970, it’s a movement that sees a connection between the degradation of the natural world and the subordination and oppression of women. For some time problem of the ecological crisis and feministic analyses have been influencing theological reflection. Ecofeminist theology aims at combining ecology, feminism, and theology. Its main proponents are Rosemary Radford Ruether, Elizabeth Johnson, Sally McFague, Mary Grey, Anne Primavesi, Ivone Gebara, Elizabeth Green, and Elisabeth Moltmann-Wendel. Many authors make a hypothesis about responsibility of Jewish and Christian tradition for women suppression in patriarchal dualism and aim at reinterpreting some theological concepts.
Analiza procesów magazynowania biowodoru jako paliwa
Authors: Biernat Krzysztof , Gołębiowska Sylwia
Published: September 2020

Possibilities of biohydrogen fuel storing were represented. Hydrogen can be store in gas, liquid, or constant form. Technological, material, and economic hydrogen storing determinates were shown. Experiments and researches on finding optimal hydrogen storage methods have been taken into consideration.
Ochrona środowiska przyrodniczego w pracach prof. Stefana Kozłowskiego
Authors: Latawiec Michał
Published: September 2020

The aim of this article is to introduce selected issues raised by Prof. Stefan Kozlowski, for the benefit of environmental protection. During fifty years of his professional activity, many important, memorable issues have appeared. The article points at Kozlowski’s attempt to outline problems concerning nature conservation, which, in spite of beautiful tradition, was perverted by the political system of that time. This leads to many cases of abuse in natural resources management and excessive exploitation of those resources. Another important question is Kozlowski’s striving to establish area forms of nature conservation. Realizing these aims, he brings to formulate a full legal system of all-natural components protection. The last subject, that is mentioned in the article, is Kozlowski’s contribution to the implementation of sustainable development rules. Such development should be a superior rule in environmental policy leading by state. Kozlowski often advances courageous thesis, that was constructed in the taste of constructive criticism. Proposed solutions often have system features.
Koncepcja ekorozwoju w ujęciu Stefana Kozłowskiego
Authors: Embros Grzegorz
Published: September 2020

There is a specific way of approaching sustainable development issues in S. Kozłowski’s works. He takes into account a wide spectrum of problems from political, social, economic ones to moral and ethical with reference to the natural environment (ecodevelopment). Frequently, he refers to systemic approaches e.g. researches on harmonized development pointing out the need for using such a perspective. In the researches on sustainable development, there are models including social, technical, and ecological systems. The models take into account a human factor, environment, techniques as well as energy and information. As there is a need for including long term actions related to environmental protection as well as economic mechanisms to carry out sustainable development plans, a new tool emerged called ecological control. Professor Stefan Kozłowski’s approach towards sustainable development including relations between a human and nature accentuates the meaning of quality and the need for natural environmental protection in a process of civilization development of a global society. In his works “eco-development” is used interchangeably with “sustainable development”. Therefore according to S. Kozłowski, the idea of sustainable development cannot be realized in isolation from ecological issues.
W sprawie techniki dla zrównoważonego rozwoju
Authors: Łepko Zbigniew
Published: September 2020

The technical and technological expansion of man in the natural environment constitutes an important component of the ecological debate. The debate shows the initial confrontation of the antagonized positions. The radical critics of technology rejected the then-contemporary technical and industrial system and supported “alternative technology”, whereas the radical promoters of this system represented a naive belief in the unlimited progress of science and technology. After some time this debate was enriched by a new idea: sustainable development. It proposes seeking new solutions to the technical and technological presence of man in the natural environment. These solutions are expressed by a proportionally balanced synthesis of both positions. The purpose should be to find a way that would be a compromise between the development of technology and the demands of nature.
Agencje płatnicze jako element ochrony środowiska na obszarach wiejskich w Polsce
Authors: Jabłoński Maciej
Published: September 2020

Jednym z elementów skutecznego realizowania polityki ekologicznej na obszarach wiejskich w Polsce jest sprawne funkcjonowanie administracji publicznej w tym zakresie. Do najważniejszych elementów systemu administracyjnego w tej dziedzinie należą agencje płatnicze, które w oparciu o środki krajowe oraz pochodzące z Unii Europejskiej, wspierają rozwój rolnictwa ekologicznego oraz edukacji ekologicznej. Zakres działań agencji płatniczych w znacznej mierze przyczynia się do wzrostu świadomości ekologicznej na obszarach wiejskich w Polsce.
Potencjał religii w ochronie ekosystemów leśnych
Authors: Sadowski Ryszard F.
Published: September 2020

Zmniejszanie się powierzchni lasów skłania do zintensyfikowania działań na rzecz odtwarzania zniszczonych ekosystemów leśnych i ochrony już istniejących. Religie mogą stać się ważnym sojusznikiem w tym procesie. Ich potencjał ekologiczny pozostaje wciąż niedostatecznie wykorzystany. Dzięki swoim „zaletom ekologicznym”, tj. zdolności do kształtowania kosmologii (obrazu świata), ich autorytetowi moralnemu i szerokiej bazie wyznawców, znacznym zasobom materialnym i zdolności wspólnototwórczym, religie mogą pomóc w kształtowaniu ekologicznego stylu życia. Wszystkie główne tradycje religijne mają wiele w tym względzie do zaoferowania. Przywoływanie motywacji religijnych w stosunku do znacznej części ludzkości może poprawić stan lasów, zwiększyć skuteczność ich ochrony i zachęcić szerokie grupy społeczne do zaangażowania się w to zadanie.
Applications of Recombinant Adenovirus-p53 Gene Therapy for Cancers in the Clinic in China
Authors: Xia Yu , Li Xiuqin , Sun Wei
Published: September 2020

Suppression of TP53 function is nearly ubiquitous in human cancers, and a significant fraction
of cancers have mutations in the TP53 gene itself. Therefore, the wild-type TP53 gene has become
an important target gene for transformation research of cancer gene therapy. In 2003, the first
anti-tumor gene therapy drug rAd-p53 (recombinant human p53 adenovirus), trade name Gendicine™,
was approved by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) for treatment of head and neck
squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in combination with radiotherapy. The recombinant human TP53
gene is delivered into cancer cells by an adenovirus vector constructed to express the functional p53
protein. Although the only currently approved used of Gendicine is in combination with radiotherapy
for treatment of HNSCC, clinical studies have been carried out for more than 20 other applications of
Gendicine in treating cancer, including treatment of advanced lung cancer, advanced liver cancer, malignant
gynecological tumors, and soft tissue sarcomas. Currently more than 30,000 patients have been
treated with Gendicine. This review provides an overview of the clinical applications of Gendicine in
China. We summarize a total of 48 studies with 2,561 patients with solid tumors, including 34 controlled
clinical studies and 14 open clinical studies, i.e., clinical studies without a control group. There
are 11 studies for head and neck cancer, 10 for liver cancer, 6 for malignant gynecological tumors, 4
for non-small cell lung cancer, 4 for soft tissue sarcoma, 4 for malignant effusion, 2 for gastrointestinal
tumors, and 7 for other types of cancer. In all the reported clinical studies, the most common side
effect was self-limited fever. Intratumoral injection and intra-arterial infusion were the most common
routes of administration. Overall, Gendicine combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or other
conventional treatment regimens demonstrated significantly higher response rates compared to standard
therapies alone. Some of the published studies also showed that Gendicine combination regimens
demonstrated longer progression-free survival times than conventional treatments alone. To date,
Gendicine has been clinically used in China for treatment of cancers other than HNSCC for more than
ten years, mainly for patients with advanced or unresectable malignant tumors. However, the establishment
of standard treatment regimens using TP53 gene therapy is still needed in order to advance
its use in clinical practice.
2,4,5-Trisubstituted Thiazole: A Privileged Scaffold in Drug Design and Activity Improvement
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Shu Bing , Zhang Yaodong , Deora Girdhar Singh , Li Qing-Shan
Published: September 2020

Thiazole is an important 5-membered heterocyclic compound containing nitrogen and sulfur
atoms with various pharmaceutical applications including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-viral, hypoglycemic,
anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities. Until now, the FDA-approved drugs containing thiazole
moiety have achieved great success such as dasatinib and dabrafenib. In recent years, considerable
research has been focused on thiazole derivatives, especially 2,4,5-trisubstituted thiazole derivatives,
due to their multiple medicinal applications. This review covers related literature in the past 20 years,
which reported the 2,4,5-trisubstituted thiazole as a privileged scaffold in drug design and activity improvement.
Moreover, this review aimed to provide greater insights into the rational design of more potent
pharmaceutical molecules based on 2,4,5-trisubstituted thiazole in the future.
An Overview of Privileged Scaffold: Quinolines and Isoquinolines in Medicinal Chemistry as Anticancer Agents
Authors: Mao Yanna , Soni Kunjal , Sangani Chetan , Yao Yongfang
Published: September 2020

Cancer is one of the most difficult diseases and causes of death for many decades. Many pieces of research are continuously going on to get a solution for cancer. Quinoline and isoquinoline derivatives have shown their possibilities to work as an antitumor agent in anticancer treatment. The members of this privileged scaffold quinoline and isoquinoline have shown their controlling impacts on cancer treatment through various modes. In particular, this review suggests the current scenario of quinoline and isoquinoline derivatives as antitumor agents and refine the path of these derivatives to find and develop new drugs against an evil known as cancer.
Association between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Bone Mineral Density in HIV-Infected Patients Receiving Long-term TDF-Based Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Xu Zhijie , He Pengyuan , Xian Jianzhong , Lu Wuzhu , Shu Jingxian , Luo Wentao , Gan Chongjie , Ke Ruoman , Xia Jinyu , Han Zongping , Huang Mingxing
Published: September 2020

Background:

Tenofovir (TDF) has a detrimental effect on bone mineral density (BMD),
while nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with a lower BMD.

Objective:

To help understand the mutual effects of NAFLD and TDF on BMD, this study was designed
to explore the potential association between NAFLD and BMD in HIV-infected patients receiving
long-term TDF-based antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods:

A total of 89 HIV-infected patients who received TDF-based ART for more than three
years were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. We measured BMD using an ultrasonic bone density
apparatus, and liver ultrasonography was performed to determine the severity of the fatty liver.
The association of NAFLD with BMD was examined using multiple logistic regression analyses.

Results:

Patients with NAFLD showed a worse BMD status than those without NAFLD. The incidence
rates of osteopenia (42.86% versus 25.93%) and osteoporosis (17.14% versus 3.70%) were
significantly higher in HIV-infected patients with NAFLD than in those without NAFLD. After
multivariate adjustment, the odds ratio (OR) for patients with NAFLD exhibiting a worse BMD status
compared with those without NAFLD was 4.49 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42, 14.15).

Conclusion:

Based on our results, NAFLD was significantly associated with a worse BMD status,
including osteopenia and osteoporosis, in HIV patients after receiving long-term TDF-based ART.
Furthermore, we may want to avoid using TDF for ART in HIV-infected patients with NAFLD.
Computational Insights into the Structure and Dynamics of the Human Serotonin Transporter N-Terminus by Microsecond Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Draga Sorin , Olariu Laura , Avram Speranta
Published: September 2020

Background:

The human serotonin transporter is an important drug target for the treatment
of various medical conditions of which depression is the most important, but also include attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, social anxiety disorder and irritable bowel syndrome,
among others. The transmembrane portion of the human transporter has been studied extensively
and was first crystalized in 2016. However, the dynamical nature of the N-terminal segment
of protein and its post-translational modifications remain insufficiently explored.

Objective:

The present study aims to evaluate the structure and dynamics of the N-terminal segment
of the human serotonin transporter and the presence and stability of possible secondary structure
elements along with its post-translational modifications and disorder propensity.

Methods:

The segment was investigated using a combination of bioinformatics tools for physicochemical
characterization, secondary structure prediction, post-translational modifications and disorder
prediction, followed by ab initio modeling and microsecond long explicit solvent molecular
dynamics.

Results:

Our study reveals the presence of metastable secondary structure elements, namely two alpha helices and a beta-sheet, throughout the molecular dynamics run and identifies numerous sites with high probability for post-translational mod-ifications.

Conclusion:

Our results show that, despite the intrinsically unstructured nature, the N-terminus
adopts a stable conformation with stable secondary structure elements, that could indicate an important
functional role for the segment. Also, there is a high probability that the segment undergoes
multiple post-translational modifications.
Current Therapeutic Options for the Treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Saougou Ioanna G. , Markatseli Theodora E. , Voulgari Paraskevi V. , Drosos Alexandros A.
Published: September 2020

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory disease and an exclusion diagnosis
that includes all forms of arthritis that persists for more than 6 weeks under the age of 16.
Although there is not yet a cure for JIA, and recent advances in the therapeutic field have created a
more hopeful present and future for the patients. In the past, therapies for JIA have depended on
non-steroidal medication, conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and corticosteroids.
However, over the last decades, the advent of biologic therapies in JIA contributed to
the preservation of functional activity, control of pain, avoidance of joint damage, and extra-articular
manifestations. Furthermore, over the last years, international institutions, such as the American
College of Rheumatology, have released recommendations and guidelines for rheumatologists for
optimal JIA management. All the above have revolutionized the treatment of JIA with promising
outcomes. To this end, the relevant literature is reviewed and discussed appropriately.
Perspectives of Infrared Spectroscopy in Quantitative Estimation of Proteins
Authors: Verma Kritika , Semwal Ankit , Soni Pankaj , Bhatia Rohit
Published: September 2020

Background:

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is a well-established technique for the structural
elucidation of simple as well complex molecules. It has wide applications in the qualitative as
well as quantitative determination of proteins in different samples. It provides a clear picture of the
primary, secondary, or tertiary structure of a protein. Infrared radiations are used to assess different
vibrational modes arise from variations in the structural components of a protein.

Methods:

Various research reports were collected from search engines like Sciencedirect, Pubmed, Researchgate and
Google Scholar. These were further studied thoroughly and important findings/data were compiled and represented with the
help of tables and figures. The procured data which includes band width, frequency and intensity has been employed to
elucidate the structure of a protein.

Results:

It was found from various reports that fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) has been widely utilized for
prediction of secondary structure of protein in the past few years. FTIR has the ability to trace out various structural
modifications in the protein structure which arise due to interactions with other materials. It is also evident it can be utilized
to quantify the proteins in variety of samples.

Conclusion:

The present review describes the basic principle and the instrumentation of IR spectroscopy along with its
advancements. Beyond this, various applications of this technique in determination of protein structure and quantification
in different materials such as foods stuffs, biotechnological products and biological fluids have also been summarized.
PsePSSM-based Prediction for the Protein-ATP Binding Sites
Authors: Qian Li , Jiang Yu , Xuan Yan Yu , Yuan Chen , SiQiao Tan
Published: September 2020

Background:

Predicting the protein-ATP binding sites is a highly unbalanced binary classification
problem, and higher precision prediction through the machine learning methods is of great significance
to the researches on proteins’ functions and the design of drugs.

Objective:

Most existing researches typically select 17aa as the length of window by experience, and
extract features by the Position-specific Scoring Matrix (PSSM), and then construct models predicting
with SVC. However, the independent prediction values obtained in these researches are either over-high
(ACC) or lower (MCC), and there is therefore a larger improvement room in the prediction precision.

Methods:

This paper utilizes the mutual information, I, to define the window length of 15aa, and the
Pseudo Position Specific Scoring Matrix (PsePSSM), which is more fault-tolerance, to extract the features,
and then train multiple 1:1 SVC classifiers to model, and finally perform the simple votings.

Results:

The prediction results over two protein-ATP binding site datasets, the ATP168 and the
ATP227, are totally superior to the independent prediction results obtained in the Reference Feature Extraction
Approach. And in our approach, the MCC values are respectively improved, from the range of
0.3110 ~ 0.5360 and the range of 0.3060 ~ 0.553, to 0.7512 and 0.7106.

Conclusion:

Further, we explain why the PsePSSM approach is more fault-tolerance. This approach
has a promising application prospect in the feature-extraction of protein sequences.
Study and Development of an Anthroposophical Formula Based on Phosphorus and Formica rufa for Onychomycosis´s Treatment
Authors: Rodrigues Ana Maria , de Figueiredo Sônia Maria , La Santrer Emanoelle Fernandes Rutren , Assunção Claudia Barbosa , Soares de Abreu Amanda Gabrielle , Johann Susana , Caligiorne Rachel Basques
Published: September 2020

:

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail plate or nail bed that leads to the gradual
destruction of the nail. The main difficulties in the treatment of onychomycosis refer to the duration
of treatments and their side effects. Thus, it becomes relevant to look for new therapeutic alternatives
in the treatment of such common diseases that are efficient without causing the undesirable
side effects on the patient's body. In this way, the objective of this study was to develop an anthroposophical
formula for the treatment of onychomycosis, based on Phosphorus and Formica rufa,
from an extensive bibliographic survey on the functions of these components, evaluating within the
principles of Anthroposophy. Considering the set of knowledge and practices on the use of these
components, it was possible to arrive at a proposal therapy that can be effective for the treatment of
onychomycosis. After an extensive review of several existing patents, it was observed that formulations
containing Phosphorus and Formica rufa together have not been described in other studies.
Subsequently, our research group published a patent of the anthroposophical formula using these
two components, with the number BR1020180750755, which will be efficient to help the recovery
of nails, and facilitate normal growth.
Evaluation of the Knowledge and Awareness of Dental Patients in Saudi Arabia on Periodontal Health and Diseases
Authors: Allam Eman , Alshibani Nouf , Alshibani Yara , Alkattan Reem
Published: September 2020

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the periodontal health knowledge and awareness among a cohort of dental patients in Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

One thousand adult patients attending King Khaled University Hospital and the Dental Hospital, King Saud University, in Riyadh, KSA, were recruited to the study. The subjects completed a questionnaire that aimed to evaluate their level of awareness on etiology, risk factors, and preventive measures related to periodontal disease.

Results:

The study sample showed adequate awareness and general knowledge on signs and symptoms of periodontal diseases as well as risk factors for their development. Data also suggested great knowledge of oral hygiene measures for maintaining good oral hygiene. However, a low level of awareness was reported for the exact etiology of periodontal disease, as indicated by the fact that about 65% of respondents did not know or declined the fact that plaque causes periodontal disease. The participants also demonstrated a low level of awareness of the association between periodontal diseases and systemic conditions, such as coronary heart diseases and premature birth.

Conclusion:

The results of this study showed extensive variations and knowledge gaps between different aspects related to periodontal disease. In order for comprehensive oral health educational programs to be effective and to achieve their goals, they should be designed to fulfill these knowledge gaps and tailored to target the areas of least awareness, such as etiology and systemic conditions association.
Misinformation About COVID-19 and Confidential Information Leakage: Impacts on the Psychological Well-being of Indians
Authors: Borra Surekha , Dey Nilanjan
Published: September 2020

:

Misinformation, in most cases, is the reconfigured content using basic tools. Fake information
related to casualties, infections, contacts, lockdowns, investments, exam schedules, and
immigration, leads to confusion, fears, phobophobia, discrimination, harassment, physical injuries,
deaths, financial damages, reputational losses, and many more long-lasting side effects.

Objective:

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the many ways in which misinformation
and information leakage related to COVID-19 can influence the stakeholders, such that it gives
policymakers and citizens a greater understanding of both direct and indirect risks and harms when
assessing the challenges their countries are facing.

Methods:

An extensive literature review was done on the prevalence of the COVID-19 related misinformation
and its associated significant psychological, reputational, physical, and societal implications
on Indians. The novel and possible approaches to fight against the misinformation are described.
An Adaptive Jamming Device
Authors: Gonzalez Carlos
Published: September 2020

Background:

All currently known wireless signals jammers have in common is the fact
that there is no delimiting of the geographical location where the jamming is done. This jamming is
delimited only by the power of the generated signal. The covered area is a sphere with a center on the
emitter of the wireless signal. The reviewed patent provides a solution to the problem of how to restrict
the wireless signal in a specific geographic area.

Objective:

This paper is a Mini-Review of the US Patent # 9,787425. We analyzed the current technical
problems that this patent tried to solve and discussed the solutions presented.

Method:

This study starts by analyzing the current state of the art for jamming wireless signals, indicates
drawbacks of the previous approaches, compares and contrasts these previous arts with the
reviewed patent, analyzes if the proposed solutions are suitable to solve the critical problem of jamming
wireless signals on a delimited geographic area, describes some disadvantages of the reviewed
patent, and suggests future research issues.

Conclusion:

This study discusses some non-technical issues with this reviewed patent, like legal
issues which are dependent on the country of use of the patent. It also describes the current and future
use of the reviewed patent.
The Engagement Process: Examining the Evidence from Diverse Perspectives
Authors: Haugen Leslie K. , Davis Anne S.
Published: September 2020

In this paper we extend and elaborate an engagement process model, initially developed as an approach for improving the effectiveness of strategy implementation. Based on a qualitative analysis of an expansive set of studies, we find solid support for a three-component definition of engagement, add greater dimension and depth to the model’s construct of social significance, and identify several factors associated with the development of an engaged workforce. We advance four propositions to guide future empirical research.
The VOICES Typology of Curatorial Decisions in Narrative Collections of the Lived Experiences of Mental Health Service Use, Recovery, or Madness: Qualitative Study
Authors: Yeo Caroline , Hare-Duke Laurie , Rennick-Egglestone Stefan , Bradstreet Simon , Callard Felicity , Hui Ada , Llewellyn-Beardsley Joy , Longden Eleanor , McDonough Tracy , McGranahan Rose , Ng Fiona , Pollock Kristian , Roe James , Slade Mike
Published: September 2020

Background

Collections of lived experience narratives are increasingly used in health research and medical practice. However, there is limited research with respect to the decision-making processes involved in curating narrative collections and the work that curators do as they build and publish collections.

Objective

This study aims to develop a typology of curatorial decisions involved in curating narrative collections presenting lived experiences of mental health service use, recovery, or madness and to document approaches selected by curators in relation to identified curatorial decisions.

Methods

A preliminary typology was developed by synthesizing the results of a systematic review with insights gained through an iterative consultation with an experienced curator of multiple recovery narrative collections. The preliminary typology informed the topic guide for semistructured interviews with a maximum variation sample of 30 curators from 7 different countries. All participants had the experience of curating narrative collections of the lived experiences of mental health service use, recovery, or madness. A multidisciplinary team conducted thematic analysis through constant comparison.

Results

The final typology identified 6 themes, collectively referred to as VOICES, which stands for values and motivations, organization, inclusion and exclusion, control and collaboration, ethics and legal, and safety and well-being. A total of 26 subthemes related to curation decisions were identified.

Conclusions

The VOICES typology identifies the key decisions to consider when curating narrative collections about the lived experiences of mental health service use, recovery, or madness. It might be used as a theoretical basis for a good practice resource to support curators in their efforts to balance the challenges and sometimes conflicting imperatives involved in collecting, organizing, and sharing narratives. Future research might seek to document the use of such a tool by curators and hence examine how best to use VOICES to support decision making.
Information Access and Use by Patients With Cancer and Their Friends and Family: Development of a Grounded Theory
Authors: Thiessen Maclean , Sinclair Shane , Tang Patricia A , Raffin Bouchal Shelley
Published: September 2020

Background

Information has been identified as a commonly unmet supportive care need for those living with cancer (ie, patients and their friends and family). The information needed to help individuals plan their lives around the consequences of cancer, such as the receipt of health care, is an example of an important informational need. A suitable theory to guide the development of interventions designed to meet this informational need has not been identified by the authors.

Objective

The aim of this study is to generate a grounded theory capable of guiding the development of interventions designed to assist those living with cancer in meeting their informational needs.

Methods

Classic grounded theory was used to analyze data collected through digitally recorded one-on-one audio interviews with 31 patients with cancer and 29 friends and family members. These interviews focused on how the participants had accessed and used information to plan their lives and what barriers they faced in obtaining and using this information.

Results

The theory that emerged consisted of 4 variables: personal projects, cancer as a source of disruption to personal projects, information as the process of accessing and interpreting cancer-related data (CRD) to inform action, and CRD quality as defined by accessibility, credibility, applicability, and framing. CRD quality as a moderator of personal project disruption by cancer is the core concept of this theory.

Conclusions

Informational resources providing accessible, credible, applicable, and positively framed CRD are likely key to meeting the information needs of those affected by cancer. Web-based informational resources delivering high-quality CRD focused on assisting individuals living with cancer in maintaining and planning their personal projects are predicted to improve quality of life. Research is needed to develop and integrate resources informed by this theoretical framework into clinical practice.