bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ESPETACULARIZAÇÃO CÚLTICA ANTE O DEUS DA BRISA SUAVE
Authors: Darius Fábio Augusto
Published: April 2020

De acordo com a expressão do escritor francês Guy Debord, o ser humano hodierno vive na sociedade do espetáculo, um simulacro de falso eterno presente – artificial e visceral – onde a existência dissoluta se agiganta em face da original e esquecida essência humana legada sem intermediário pelo abscôndito Deus. Diante dessa triste constatação sociológica e filosófica ocidental – atestada por Zygmunt Bauman, Gilles Lipovetsky e Gianni Vattimo, dentre tantos outros – continua o ser humano a viver entre as tensões e divisões já atestadas pelo Apóstolo dos Gentios nos primórdios do cristianismo. Nesse sentido, em grande medida o narcisismo idolátrico e consumista refreia e quase mata o próprio amor. A religião de Cristo mostra que é o Amor - o próprio Deus - e não o homem, a medida de todas as coisas, sendo Ele mesmo o distribuidor e recolhedor dos dons espirituais que deveriam infundir bênçãos não apenas à igreja, mas a toda a comunidade. A presente comunicação visa abordar essa difícil dialética encetada desde o título a partir da leitura histórica da contemporaneidade permeada por questionamentos bíblicos selecionados com o intuito de discutir possibilidades de vínculos entre o culto apresentado pelo ser humano e o aceitável por Deus.
Zihinsel Yetersizlik Gösteren Öğrencilerin Eğitiminde Bilgisayar Kullanımı İle İlgili Öğretmen Görüşleri
Authors: YILDIZ Kadriye , YIKMIŞ Ahmet
Published: April 2020

Eğitimde teknoloji kullanımın yaygınlaşması ile birlikte teknolojinin öğrenci, öğretmen ve ortam açısından incelenmesinin önemini de ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu nedenle hangi teknolojik araç eğitimde ne kadar etkili ve verimli olmaktadır, sorusu eğitimin kalitesini de belirlemeye çalışmaktadır. Bu araştırmada bu sorulara yanıt bulmak için zihinsel yetersizlik gösteren öğrencilerin eğitiminde bilgisayar kullanımı ile ilgili öğretmen görüşlerinin ortaya konulması amaçlanmıştır. Nitel araştırma tasarımı ve fenomenoloji desenine göre düzenlenen bu araştırmada 2015-2016 eğitim-öğretim yılında Ankara’da bulunan III. kademe özel eğitim kurumlarında çalışan 19 özel eğitim öğretmeniyle yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme tekniğiyle gerçekleştirilmiş ve görüşmeler ‘‘içerik analizi’’ tekniğine göre incelenmiştir. Araştırma bulguları özel eğitim öğretmenlerinin derslerde bilgisayar ile öğretim uygulaması hakkındaki görüşlerinin olumlu olduğunu göstermiştir. Özel eğitim öğretmenlerinin bilgisayar kullanımı ile ilgili olarak materyal, program, içerik ve uzman görüşü alma konularında özellikle uzman görüşü alınması gerekliğinin önemine vurgu yaptıkları tespit edilmiştir. Özel eğitim öğretmenleri; bilgisayarı okuma-yazma, beceri ve kavram öğretimi sosyal beceri öğretimi, dil ve konuşma becerilerinin öğretimi ve meslek dersleri için faydalı bulmaktadır
Perkembangan Kognitif pada Peserta Didik SMP (Sekolah Menengah Pertama) Menurut Jean Piaget
Authors: Mauliya Annisa
Published: April 2020

The cognitive word comes from the word cognition which has the reliability of the word to know (know). This article aims to find out how the basic concepts of cognitive development in junior high school children (junior high school) according to Jean Piaget. The type of research used is library research. This study focuses on cognitive concepts that occur in children according to Jean Piaget. The implication of Jean Piaget's theory in the process is to help educators to understand the cognitive processes and activities of the participants to help determine the cognitive level of students and choose learning strategies that are in line with the developmental failures of the students.
Keefektifan Penggunaan Media Lagu dalam Pembelajaran Menulis Puisi Siswa Kelas VIII I SMPN 1 Jember
Authors: Sari Rohmah Juwita , Utomo Anjar Putro
Published: April 2020

The purposes of this study were to describe the effectiveness of using song media in poetry writing skill for VIII I SMP N 1 Jember students. The data of this study were from the result of poetry writing skill pre-test and post-test by using song media in VIII I SMP N 1 Jember. Based on the result of data analysis and discussion, it can be concluded that (1) poetry writing skill of VIII I SMP N 1 Jember students without using song media with average 58,33, and (2) poetry writing skill VIII I SMP N 1 Jember students by using song media with average 72,26.
Free Surface Flows in Electrohydrodynamics with a Constant Vorticity Distribution
Authors: Hunt Matthew , Dutykh Denys
Published: April 2020

In 1895, Korteweg and de Vries (KdV), derived their celebrated equation describing the motion of waves of long wavelength in shallow water. In doing so they made a number of quite reasonable assumptions, incompressibility of the water and irrotational fluid. The resulting equation, the celebrated KdV equation, has been shown to be a very reasonable description of real water waves. However there are other phenomena which have an impact on the shape of the wave, that of vorticity and viscosity. This paper examines how a constant vorticity affects the shape of waves in electrohydrodynamics. For constant vorticity, the vertical component of the velocity obeys a Laplace equation and also has the usual lower boundary condition. In making the vertical component of the velocity take central stage, the Burns condition can be thus bypassed.
Quantum Key Distillation using Binary Frames
Authors: Lizama-Pérez Luis Adrian , Lopez Mauricio
Published: April 2020

We introduce a new integral method for Quantum Key Distribution to perform sifting, reconciliation and amplification processes to establish a cryptographic key through the use of binary structures called frames which are capable to increase quadratically the secret key rate. The method can be implemented with the usual optical Bennett-Brassard (BB84) equipment allowing strong pulses in the quantum regime.
The Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonist Aprepitant, a New Drug for the Treatment of Hematological Malignancies: Focus on Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Muñoz Miguel , Coveñas Rafael
Published: April 2020

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an incurable hematological malignancy. To treat the disease successfully, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. One of these strategies can be the use of neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonists (e.g., aprepitant), because the substance P (SP)/NK-1R system is involved in cancer progression, including AML. AML patients show an up-regulation of the NK-1R mRNA expression; human AML cell lines show immunoreactivity for both SP and the NK-1R (it is overexpressed: the truncated isoform is more expressed than the full-length form) and, via this receptor, SP and NK-1R antagonists (aprepitant, in a concentration-dependent manner) respectively exert a proliferative action or an antileukemic effect (apoptotic mechanisms are triggered by promoting oxidative stress via mitochondrial Ca++ overload). Aprepitant inhibits the formation of AML cell colonies and, in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs, is more effective in inducing cytotoxic effects and AML cell growth blockade. NK-1R antagonists also exert an antinociceptive effect in myeloid leukemia-induced bone pain. The antitumor effect of aprepitant is diminished when the NF-κB pathway is overactivated and the damage induced by aprepitant in cancer cells is higher than that exerted in non-cancer cells. Thus, the SP/NK-1R system is involved in AML and aprepitant is a promising antitumor strategy against this hematological malignancy. In this review, the involvement of this system in solid and non-solid tumors (in particular in AML) is up-dated and the use of aprepitant as an anti-leukemic strategy for the treatment of AML is also mentioned (a dose of aprepitant (> 20 mg/kg/day) for a period of time according to the response to treatment is suggested).
COVID-19: Considerations for Children and Adolescents with Diabetes
Authors: Dayal Devi
Published: April 2020

Recent reports suggest that the clinical course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in previously healthy children is usually milder as compared to adults. However, children with co-morbid conditions such as diabetes are at increased risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as well as morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19. Experience in adults with diabetes shows that they are prone to faster metabolic decompensation, develop diabetes-related complications and have a poor prognosis when hospitalised with COVID-19. The data in children is limited. The aim of this mini-review is to discuss the possible risks to children and adolescents with diabetes during the current pandemic and the special considerations in management in those affected with COVID-19.
Therapeutic Approach for Global Myocardial Injury Using Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Cardiac Support Device in Rats
Authors: Liu Ziwei , Naveed Muhammad , Baig Mirza Muhammad Faran Ashraf , Mikrani Reyaj , Li Cuican , Saeed Muhammad , Zhan Qin , Ahmed Bilal , Zhou Xiaohui
Published: April 2020

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been considered a promising therapeutic approach to cardiovascular disease. This study intends to compare the effect of BMSCs through a standard active cardiac support device (ASD) and intravenous injection on global myocardial injury induced by isoproterenol. BMSCs were cultured in vitro, and the transplanted cells were labeled with a fluorescent dye CM-Dil. Isoproterenol (ISO) was injected into the rats; two weeks later, the labeled cells were transplanted into ISO-induced heart injury rats through the tail vein and ASD device for five days. The rats were sacrificed on the first day, the third day, and the fifth day after transplantation to observe the distribution of cells in the myocardium by fluorescence microscopy. The hemodynamic indexes of the left ventricle were measured before sacrificing. H&E staining and Masson’s trichrome staining were used to evaluate the cardiac histopathology. In the ASD groups, after three days of transplantation, there were a large number of BMSCs on the epicardial surface, and after five days of transplantation, BMSCs were widely distributed in the ventricular muscle. But in the intravenous injection group, there were no labeled-BMSCs distributed. In the ASD+BMSCs-three days treated group and ASD+BMSCs -five days-treated group, left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), maximum rate of left ventricular pressure rise (+dP/dt), maximum rate of left ventricular pressure decline (-dP/dt) increased compared with model group and intravenous injection group (P<0.05). By giving BMSCs through ASD device, cells can rapidly and widely are distributed in the myocardium and significantly improve heart function.
The Cost of Lost Productivity due to Premature Chagas Disease-Related Mortality: Evidence from Colombia (2010-2017)
Authors: Olivera Mario J. , Palencia-Sánchez Francisco , Riaño-Casallas Martha
Published: April 2020

Economic burden due to premature mortality has a negative impact not only in health system even though in the society. The aim of this study was to estimate the potential years of work tenure lost (PYWL) due to Chagas disease in Colombia from 2010-2017. National data on mortality by sex and ages between 15 and 62 dues to Chagas from 2010 to 2017. The PYWL methodology was applied to assess the impact of Chagas disease in workers who suffer from them. In total, 1,261 deaths were analyzed in the study, of which 60% corresponded to males. The loss of labor productivity caused by Chagas disease was estimated at $29 million. Overall, 48,621 PYWL were lost, and there was an average of 21 years for all subjects with Chagas. Throughout the analyzed period, PYWL increased substantially, and it is necessary to continue with early detection programs to avoid premature death in working age population.
Maternal effects shape the alternative splicing of parental alleles in reciprocal cross hybrids of Megalobrama amblycephala x Culter alburnus
Authors: Ren Li , Yan Xiaojing , Gao Xin , Cui Jialin , Yan Pengcheng , Wu Chang , Li Wuhui , Liu Shaojun
Published: April 2020

Background Maternal effects contribute to adaptive significance for shaping various phenotypes of many traits. Potential implications of maternal effects are the cause of expression diversity, but these effects on mRNA expression and alternative splicing (AS) have not been fully elucidated in hybrid animals. Results Two reciprocal cross hybrids following hybridization of Megalobrama amblycephala (blunt snout bream, BSB) and Culter alburnus (topmouth culter, TC) were used as a model to investigate maternal effects. In a comparison of BSB- and TC- homoeolog expression from the two reciprocal cross hybrids, we identified 49–348 differentially expressed BSB-homoeologous genes and 54–354 differentially expressed TC-homoeologous genes. 2402, 2959, and 3418 AS events between the two reciprocal cross hybrids were detected in Illumina data of muscle, liver, and gonads, respectively. Moreover, 21,577 (TC-homoeologs) and 30,007 (BSB-homoeologs) AS events were found in the 20,131 homoeologous gene pairs of TBF 3 based on PacBio data, while 30,561 (TC-homoeologs) and 30,305 (BSB-homoeologs) AS events were found in BTF 3 . These results further improve AS prediction at the homoeolog level. The various AS patterns in bmpr2a belonged to the bone morphogenetic protein family were selected as an AS model to investigate expression diversity and their potential effects to body shape traits. Conclusions The distribution of differentially expressed genes and AS in BSB- and TC-subgenomes exhibited various changes between the two reciprocal cross hybrids, suggesting that maternal effects were the cause of expression diversity. These findings provide a novel insight into mRNA expression changes and AS under maternal effects in lower vertebrates.
Women’s empowerment is associated with maternal nutrition and low birth weight: Evidence from Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey
Authors: Kabir Alamgir , Rashid Md Mahbubur , Hossain Kamal , Khan Md Arifuzzaman , Sikder Shegufta Shefa , Gidding Heather F
Published: April 2020

Background : The burden of maternal undernutrition and low birth weight (LBW) incurs enormous economic costs due to their adverse consequences. Women’s empowerment is believed to be one of the key factors for attaining maternal and child health and nutritional goals. Our objective was to investigate the association of women’s empowerment with maternal undernutrition and LBW. Methods : We used nationally representative data from the Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey for 2011 and 2014. We analysed 27,357 women and 9,234 mother-child pairs. A women’s empowerment index (WEI) was constructed using principal component analysis with five groups of indicators: a) education, b) access to socio-familial decision making, c) economic contribution and access to economic decision making, d) attitudes towards domestic violence and e) mobility. We estimated odds ratios as the measure of association between the WEI and the outcome measures using generalized estimating equations to account for the cluster level correlation. Results: The overall prevalence of maternal undernutrition was 20% and LBW was 18%. The WEI was significantly associated with both maternal undernutrition and LBW with a dose-response relationship. The adjusted odds of having a LBW baby was 32% [AOR (95% CI):0.68 (0.57, 0.82)] lower in the highest quartile of the WEI relative to the lowest quartile. Household wealth significantly modified the effect of the WEI on maternal nutrition.; in the highest wealth quintile, the odds of maternal undernutrition was 54% [AOR (95% CI): 0.46 (0.33, 0.64)] lower while in the lowest wealth quintile the odds of undernutrition was only 18% [AOR (95% CI): 0.82 (0.67, 1.00)] lower comparing the highest WEI quartile with the lowest WEI quartile. However, the absolute differences in prevalence of undernutrition between the highest and lowest WEI quartiles were similar across wealth quintiles (6-8%). Conclusions: This study used a comprehensive measure of women’s empowerment and provides strong evidence that low levels of women’s empowerment is associated with maternal undernutrition as well as with delivering LBW babies in Bangladesh. Therefore, policies to increase empowerment of women would contribute to improved public health.
Right ventricular dysfunction in patients with non-severe idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a cross-sectional prospective single-center study
Authors: Cobra Sandra de Barros , Rodrigues Marcelo Palmeira , de Melo Felipe Xavier , Ferreira Nathali Mireise Costa , Soares Viviane Vieira Passini , Amado Verônica Moreira , Silva César Augusto Melo e
Published: April 2020

Background Pulmonary hypertension worsens the prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and is associated with chronic respiratory failure in advanced disease. However, little is known about the occurrence of pulmonary hypertension and subsequent right ventricular dysfunction in non-advanced IPF patients without hypoxemia at rest. We evaluated right ventricular dysfunction in non-advanced IPF patients and examined the association of right ventricular dysfunction with mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) at rest and during exercise.Methods This cross-sectional study included patients with blood oxygen saturation levels ≥92% at rest, Gender-Age-Physiology Index score ≤5, modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale score ≤3, and no history of oxygen therapy. Patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography at rest and during cardiopulmonary exercise. Ventricular function was analyzed by measuring conventional parameters and right ventricular global longitudinal strain using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. Means were compared using t-test for independent samples. Results Abnormal speckle-tracking echocardiography findings were identified in 10/27 patients (37%), indicating right ventricular dysfunction (mean mPAP: 21.6 ± 5.5 mmHg at rest, 42.2 ± 14.1 mmHg during maximal exercise). Significant differences in mPAP were observed between patients with right ventricular dysfunction and those without dysfunction (at rest: 26.0 ± 4.8 vs. 19.1 ± 4.2 mmHg, p = 0.001; during exercise: 51.3 ± 6.4 vs. 36.9 ± 14.7 mmHg, p = 0.002). Right ventricular dysfunction was detected in 37% of non-advanced IPF patients and was associated with increased mPAP at rest and during exercise. Early recognition was only possible using speckle-tracking echocardiography. Conclusions Right ventricular dysfunction was detected in 37% of non-advanced IPF patients and was associated with increased mPAP at rest and during exercise. Special attention should be given to these patients; as right ventricular dysfunction is suggestive of worse prognosis. These patients could benefit from new specific drugs or even oxygen therapy for transitory hypoxia.
Shedding light: A phylotranscriptomic perspective illuminates the origin of photosymbiosis in marine bivalves
Authors: Li Jingchun , Lemer Sarah , Kirkendale Lisa , Bieler Rüdiger , Cavanaugh Colleen , Giribet Gonzalo
Published: April 2020

Background:Photosymbiotic associations between metazoan hosts and photosynthetic dinoflagellates are crucial to the trophic and structural integrity of many marine ecosystems, including coral reefs. Although extensive efforts have been devoted to study the short-term ecological interactions between coral hosts and their symbionts, long-term evolutionary dynamics of photosymbiosis in many marine animals are not well understood. Within Bivalvia, the second largest class of mollusks, obligate photosymbiosis is found in two marine lineages: the giant clams (subfamily Tridacninae) and the heart cockles (subfamily Fraginae), both in the family Cardiidae. Morphologically, giant clams show relatively conservative shell forms whereas photosymbiotic fragines exhibit a diverse suite of anatomical adaptations including flattened shells, leafy mantle extensions, and lens-like microstructural structures. To date, the phylogenetic relationships between these two subfamilies remain poorly resolved, and it is unclear whether photosymbiosis in cardiids originated once or twice.Results:In this study, we establish a backbone phylogeny for Cardiidae utilizing RNASeq-based transcriptomic data from Tridacninae, Fraginae, and other cardiids. A variety of phylogenomic approaches were used to infer the relationship between the two groups. Our analyses found conflicting gene signals and potential rapid divergence among the lineages. Overall, results support a sister group relationship between Tridacninae and Fraginae, which diverged during the Cretaceous. Although a sister group relationship is recovered, ancestral state reconstruction using maximum likelihood-based methods reveals two independent origins of photosymbiosis, one at the base of Tridacninae and the other within a symbiotic Fraginae clade.Conclusions:The newly revealed common ancestry between Tridacninae and Fraginae brings a possibility that certain genetic, metabolic, and/or anatomical exadaptation existed in their last common ancestor, which promoted both lineages to independently establish photosymbiosis, possibly in response to the modern expansion of reef habitats.
Efficacy and safety of YinQiSanHuang-antiviral decoction on chronic hepatitis B: study protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial
Authors: wu qing-juan , Lv Wen-Liang , Li Juan-Mei , Zhang Ting-Ting , Zhou Wen-hui , Zhang Qiang , Wang Jiu-Chong , Wang Qing-Nan , Zhang Ruo-Xuan , Zhao Xin , Chen Si-Tong , Liu Shuang , Li Gao-Hui , Cao Zheng-Min , Xu Lei , Chen Jing
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a global public health problem. Antiviral therapy is the primary treatment. Studies shown that combined therapy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and conventional antiviral drugs has better efficacy than conventional antiviral for treatment of CHB. YinQiSanHuang-antiviral decoction (YQSH) is a TCM compound preparation, and has shown its effect on anti-hepatitis B virus and slowing progression of hepatitis B-related liver diseases. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of YQSH combined with entecavir and its preventive effect on hepatitis B cirrhosis, we designed this randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial, which objective is “the combination of YinQiSanHuang-antiviral decoction with entecavir reduce the annual incidence of liver fibrosis / cirrhosis to 1%”.Methods: This is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial, 5 hospitals involved in. Totally 802 patients are randomly allocated to two groups: the YQSH group (n=401) or the placebo group (n=401). The YQSH group receives YQSH with Entecavir, the placebo group receives granule of placebo with Entecavir. Patients receive treatment for 52 weeks, and then are followed up for 52±2 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the annual incidence of cirrhosis. The secondary outcome measures are HBV-DNA negative rate, HBsAg negative rate, HBeAg seroconversion rate, liver function (Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum albumin (ALB) and total bilirubin (TBIL)), spleen thickness, evaluation scores of patients’ clinical symptoms and safety assessment. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after treatment.Discussion: Combination therapy could become a trendy of treatment of CHB, this trial expecting to provide credible clinical evidence for the future combination of TCM and conventional antiviral drugs for the treatment of CHB.Trial registration: ChiCTR1900021521, this protocol was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn) on February 25th, 2019.
Postoperative visits by dedicated anesthesiologists in patients with elevated troponin: a retrospective cohort study evaluating postoperative care utility and early detection of complications
Authors: Akkermans Annemarie , Vernooij Lisette M. , Klei Wilton A. van , Waes Judith A. van
Published: April 2020

Background: An elevated cardiac troponin level after noncardiac surgery is associated with both morbidity and mortality. Guidelines suggest routine troponin monitoring in high-risk patients. We implemented a dedicated anesthesia team to conduct follow-up on patients with postoperative troponin elevation. We hypothesized that these visits would facilitate early detection of complications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of postoperative visits by dedicated anesthesiologists on early detection of complications and care utility.Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients aged ³60 years with an elevated troponin within the first three days after noncardiac surgery. Troponin elevation was detected by routine biomarker monitoring. The primary outcome was early detected myocardial infarctions by the dedicated anesthesiologist. Other outcomes were overall detected complications, additional diagnostic tests and treatment advised by the anesthesiologist, consultation of another medical specialist, and advised postoperative follow-up at the outpatient cardiac clinic within one week after surgery.Results: Of the 811 patients, 509 (63%) received a postoperative consultation by the anesthesiologist. Anesthesiologists were involved in the early detection of 59% of all myocardial infarctions and in 12% of all complications. Besides cardiac ischemia, patients were also often diagnosed with noncardiac complications, including respiratory failure (8.9%), pneumonia (13.2%) and acute kidney injury (17.5%) within one week after surgery. In 75% of patients, anesthesiologists ordered additional diagnostics, most frequently existing of electrocardiograms and additional cardiac enzyme testing. Additionally, change in treatment was advised, most often a medication change, in 16% of patients. Conclusions: Standard consultation of a dedicated anesthesiologist resulted in an early detection of 59% of all myocardial infarctions and involved a change in treatment in a considerable number of patients with postoperative troponin elevation. Whether this may improve patient outcomes remains to be elucidated.
Pre-application of dentin bonding agent prevents discoloration caused by mineral trioxide aggregate
Authors: Choi Yoo-Lim , Jang Young-Eun , Kim Bom Sahn , Kim Jin-Woo , Kim Yemi
Published: April 2020

Background: To evaluate tooth discoloration by newly developed calcium silicate-based materials, and to examine the pre-application of dentin bonding agent (DBA) for preventing discoloration caused by mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).Methods: The roots of 50 premolars were randomly divided into five groups (n=10) and cavities were prepared from resected root surfaces. MTA was placed in the cavities of teeth belonging to the ProRoot MTA (MTA) and RetroMTA (RMTA) groups. For teeth belonging to the ProRoot + DBA (MTA-B) and RetroMTA + DBA (RMTA-B) groups, DBA was first applied to the cavities prior to the addition of MTA. Teeth in the control group were restored with composite resin only (i.e., without MTA). After 12 weeks, MTA was removed from the MTA and RMTA groups and bleaching agents were applied for 3 additional weeks. Color assessments were recorded at baseline, and 1, 4, and 12 weeks, as well as after bleaching. A one-way ANOVA was performed to assess the differences between the two types of MTAs and color changes following DBA pre-application in each MTA group. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered indicative of statistical significance.Results: Following 12 weeks of MTA treatment, there was a significant difference between the discoloration in the MTA and RMTA groups (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between the RMTA and RMTA-B groups (p > 0.05). Following bleaching, the color changes (ΔE values) of the MTA group were not significantly different from those of the MTA-B group (p > 0.05). The difference of ΔE between the RMTA group after internal bleaching and the RMTA-B group was also not significant (p > 0.05).Conclusions: RetroMTA caused significantly less discoloration than ProRoot MTA. Pre-application of DBA reduced discoloration caused by ProRoot MTA. MTA discoloration was improved equally well between DBA pre-application and post-bleaching.Clinical Relevance: Tooth discoloration by mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) limits its use in esthetic regions. The pre-application of dentin bonding agent (DBA) and the use of newly developed RetroMTA could help to prevent the discoloration caused by MTA.
Uptake and willingness to use PrEP among Chinese gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men with experience of sexualized drug use in the past year
Authors: Wang Zixin , Mo Phoenix K.H. , Ip Mary , Fang Yuan , Lau Joseph T.F.
Published: April 2020

Background: Sexualized drug use (SDU) refers to use of any psychoactive substance before/during sexual intercourse. Chemsex is a subset of SDU, which is defined as the use of some specific psychoactive substances (methamphetamine, mephedrone, γ-hydroxybutyrate, ketamine and cocaine) before/during sexual intercourse. SDU and chemsex are prevalent among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). This study investigated uptake and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among a sample of GBMSM in Hong Kong with experience of SDU in the past year. Methods: A total of 600 GBMSM were recruited by convenient sampling through outreaching in gay venues, online recruitment and peer referral. Participants completed a cross-sectional anonymous telephone interview. This study was based on a subsample of 580 GBMSM self-reported as HIV negative/unknown sero-status. Results: Of the participants, 82 (14.1%) and 37 (6.4%) had experience of SDU and chemsex in the past year. The prevalence of PrEP uptake was 4.0% among all participants and 14.6% among those with experience of SDU in the past year. Among MSM with experience of SDU in the past year who were not on PrEP (n=70), 67.1% were willing to use daily oral PrEP in the next six months. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that positive attitudes toward PrEP (AOR: 2.37, 95%CI: 1.47, 3.82), perceived support from significant others to use PrEP (AOR: 9.67, 95%CI: 2.95, 31.71), and perceived behavioral control of using PrEP (AOR: 19.68, 95%CI: 5.44, 71.26) were significantly associated with higher willingness to use PrEP.Conclusion: GBMSM with experience of recent SDU are potentially good candidates of PrEP implementation. This group of GBMSM reported high prevalence of uptake and willingness to use PrEP. Perceptions related to PrEP based on the Theory of Planned Behavior were significantly associated with willingness to use PrEP.
Molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of group A streptococcus recovered from patients in Beijing, China
Authors: Li Hongxin , Zhou Lin , Zhao Yong , Ma Lijuan , Liu Xiaoyan , Hu Jin
Published: April 2020

Background: Group A streptococcus (GAS) is an important human pathogen responsible for a broad range of infections. Epidemiological surveillance has been crucial to detect changes in the geographical and temporal variation of the disease pattern. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of GAS isolates from patients in Children’s Hospital in Beijing. Methods: From 2016 to 2017, pharyngeal swab samples were collected from the outpatients in Children’s Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, who were diagnosed with scarlet fever. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed according to the distribution of conventional antibiotics and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommendations. The distribution of the macrolide-resistance genes ( ermB, ermA, mefA ), emm (M protein-coding gene) typing, and superantigens (SAg) gene profiling were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: A total of 297 GAS isolates were collected. The susceptibility of the isolates to penicillin, ceftriaxone, and levofloxacin was 100%. The resistance rate to erythromycin and clindamycin was 98.3% and 96.6%, respectively. The dominant emm types were emm12 (65.32%), emm1 (27.61%), emm75 (2.69%), and emm89 (1.35%). Of the 297 isolates, 290 (97.64%) carried the ermB gene, and 5 (1.68%) carried the mefA gene, while none carried the ermA gene. The most common superantigen genes identified from GAS isolates were smeZ (96.97%) , speC (92.59%), speG (91.58%), ssa (85.52%), speI (54.55%), speH (52.19%), and speA (34.34%). Isolates with the genotype emm1 possessed speA , speC , speG , speJ , speM , ssa , and smeZ , while emm12 possessed speC , speG , speH , speI , speM , ssa , and smeZ superantigens. Conclusions: The prevalent strain of GAS isolates in Beijing has a high resistance rate to macrolides; however, penicillin can still be the preferred antibiotic for treatment. Erythromycin resistance was predominantly mediated by ermB. The common emm types were emm12 and emm1. There was a correlation between emm and the superantigen gene. Thus, long-term monitoring and investigation of the emm types and superantigen genes of GAS prevalence are imperative.
Genomic variation among closely related Vibrio alginolyticus strains is located on mobile genetic elements
Authors: Chibani Cynthia Maria , Roth Olivia , Liesegang Heiko , Wendling Carolin Charlotte
Published: April 2020

Background Species of the genus Vibrio, one of the most diverse bacteria genera, have undergone niche adaptation followed by clonal expansion. Niche adaptation and ultimately the formation of ecotypes and speciation in this genus has been suggested to be mainly driven by horizontal gene transfer (HGT) through mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Our knowledge about the diversity and distribution of Vibrio MGEs is heavily biased towards human pathogens and our understanding of the distribution of core genomic signatures and accessory genes encoded on MGEs within specific Vibrio clades is still incomplete. We used nine different strains of the marine bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus isolated from pipefish in the Kiel-Fjord to perform a multiscale-comparative genomic approach that allowed us to investigate (1) those genomic signatures that characterize a habitat-specific ecotype and (2) the source of genomic variation within this ecotype.Results We found that the nine isolates from the Kiel-Fjord have a closed-pangenome and did not differ based on core-genomic signatures. Unique genomic regions and a unique repertoire of MGEs within the Kiel-Fjord isolates suggest that the acquisition of gene-blocks by HGT played an important role in the evolution of this ecotype. Additionally, we found that ~90% of the genomic variation among the nine isolates is encoded on MGEs, which supports ongoing theory that accessory genes are predominately located on MGEs and shared by HGT. Lastly, we could show that these nine isolates share a unique virulence and resistance profile which clearly separates them from all other investigated V. alginolyticus strains and suggests that these are habitat-specific genes, required for a successful colonization of the pipefish, the niche of this ecotype. Conclusion We conclude that all nine V. alginolyticus strains from the Kiel-Fjord belong to a unique ecotype, which we named the Kiel-alginolyticus ecotype. The low sequence variation of the core-genome in combination with the presence of MGE encoded relevant traits, as well as the presence of a suitable niche (here the pipefish), suggest, that this ecotype might have evolved from a clonal expansion following HGT driven niche-adaptation.
A Pretargeted Imaging Strategy for EGFR Positive Colorectal Carcinoma via the Modulation of Tz-radioligand Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Qiu Lin , Tan Hui , Lin Qingyu , Si Zhan , Zhou Jun , Wang Tingting , Cheng Dengfeng , Shi Hongcheng
Published: April 2020

Objective: Previously, we successfully developed a pretargeted imaging strategy (Atezolizumab-TCO/99mTc-HYNIC-PEG11-Tz), which is a powerful tool for evaluating Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in xenograft mice tumor models. However, the surplus unclicked 99mTc-HYNIC-PEG11-Tz is cleared somewhat sluggishly through the intestines. This is certainly not an ideal situation for imaging for colorectal cancer (CRC). In order to shift the excretion of the Tz-radioligand to the renal system, we have sought to develop a novel Tz-radioligand by adding a polypeptide linker between HYNIC and PEG11. Methods: Pretargeted molecular probes 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz and Cetuximab-TCO were synthesized. The stability of 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz was evaluated in vitro, and its blood pharmacokinetic test was performed in vivo. In vitro ligation reactivity of 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz towards Cetuximab-TCO was tested. The biodistribution and imaging of 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz was performed to observe the clear pathway of this novel Tz-radioligand. Pretargeted biodistribution of three different accumulation intervals was performed to determine the optimal pretargeted interval time. Comparison of pretargeted (Cetuximab-TCO 48 h/99mTc-HYNIC-PEG11-Tz 6 h) and (Cetuximab-TCO 48 h/99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz 6 h) imagings was performed to show the effect of the two Tz-radioligands with different excretion pathway on tumor imaging. Results: 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz showed favorable in vitro stability and rapid blood clearance in mice. SEC-HPLC revealed almost complete reaction between Cetuximab-TCO and 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz in vitro, with the 8:1 Tz-to-mAb reaction providing a conversion yield of 87.83 ± 3.27%. The biodistribution and imaging of 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz demonstrated that the Tz-radioligand was cleared through kidneys. After allowing 24 h, 48 h and 72 h for accumulation of Cetuximab-TCO in HCT116 tumor, pretargeted biodistribution revealed the tumor-to-blood ratio was 0.83 ± 0.13, 1.40 ± 0.31, and 1.15 ± 0.21, respectively. Both pretargeted (Cetuximab-TCO 48 h/99mTc-HYNIC-PEG11-Tz 6 h) and (Cetuximab-TCO 48 h/99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz 6 h) imaging delineated the HCT116 tumor clearly. However, pretargeted imaging strategy using Cetuximab-TCO/99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz could be used for diagnosing CRC since the surplus unclicked 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz is cleared through urinary system and produces low abdominal uptake background. Conclusion: We developed a novel pretargeted imaging strategy (Cetuximab-TCO/99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz) for imaging CRC since the surplus unclicked 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz produces low abdominal uptake background, which broadens the application scope of pretargeted imaging strategy.
Quality of Life after Motorcycle Traffic Injuries: A Cohort Study in Northwest of Iran
Authors: Gheshlaghi Leili Abedi , Sharifi Hamid , Noroozi Mehdi , Barouni Mohsen , Sadeghi-bazargan Homayoun
Published: April 2020

Background: The number of studies to address the Quality of life (QOL) after a motorcycle accident in the context of developing countries is low. In this study, we investigated the QOL of injured motorcyclists up to three months after their accident and determining the associated factors.Methods: In the present study, we included 190 injured motorcyclists who admitted at two referral specialized hospitals (Emam Reza and Shohada) in Tabriz, between June 2018 and January 2019, and agreed to participate. All injured motorcyclists were contacted through the telephone one and 171 of them (90%) three months after their accident to complete an EQ-5D-3L questionnaire. The baseline measurements were gathered by using face to face interviews in the hospitals. The QOL score could vary between 1-3. The higher score showed a lower QOL. The Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models were used to determine the factors affecting the motorcyclists’ QOL. Results: The injured motorcyclist’s QOL was relatively better three months after the accident (mean ± Standard Deviation: 2.15 ± 0.65) in comparison with their status a month after the accident (mean ± SD: 1.78 ± 0.51) (p<0.001). The multivariable model showed that individuals whose pelvis (Coef: 0.29, (95% Confidence Intervals [CI]: 0.16, 0.42), P= 0.001) and knee (Coef: 0.26, (95% CI: 0.10, 0.42), P= 0.001) were injured, experienced a lower QOL. Also, those whose accident had happened in rainy weather experienced lower QOL (Coef: 0.33, (95% CI: 0.12, 0.53), P= 0.001). Those who were in an accident with a vehicle experienced a better QOL than others (Coef: -0.26, (95% CI: -0.43, -0.09), P=0.002).Conclusion: The assessment of three-month post-discharge showed that the QOL of the motorcyclists was better. It is recommended that by designing multi-year cohort studies, the QOL of motorcyclists be assessed for a longer time to identify the practical factors that improve the QOL of injured motorcyclists. In hospital discharge victims (especially for those with lower limb injuries such as injury to pelvis and knee, victims with Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety problems), social support, psychological support, financial support, and rehabilitation should be considered to improve the QOL.
Effect of thyme essential oil (Thymus vulgaris) on the growth of Salmonella Enteriditis and Salmonella paratyphi on surfaces of chilled raw bovine meat
Authors: Martinez Karen Piedad , Cabeza Enrique Alfonso , Soto Javier Andres
Published: April 2020

Essential oils (EOs) are mostly composed of terpenes and phenolic compounds that are stored in secretory tissues of aromatic plants. This study evaluated the effect of both commercial and experimental thyme oil (cEO and eEO, respectively) on ATCC strains of Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella paratyphi present on surfaces of chilled raw beef. The composition of each EO was analyzed chemically by gas chromatography coupled with spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activity was assessed through the agar diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration by means of the macro dilution method in broth, thus proving that a higher concentration of both cEO and eEO is required to reduce the growth of S. enteritidis compared to S. paratyphi. Similar results were obtained when pieces of beef previously inoculated with 104 cfu / ml and kept at 0°C, 4°C and 10°C for 72 hours were treated with three concentrations of cEO and eEO. The in vivo approach showed that S. paratyphi is more sensitive to the action of EO than S. enteritidis and such sensitivity decreases when temperature increases. Overall, the cEO proved to be more effective than the eEO on the growth inhibition of the two species, showing in all cases a reduction greater than 10% for S. paratyphi at the concentration of 50% (v / v) and greater than 7% at the concentrations of 40 and 30% (v / v), exhibiting a significant variation at a p-value < 0.05. Regarding S. enteritidis, the values of reduction were 4.5% at 0°C and 4°C and 3.5% at 10°C for the cEO, and higher than 1% for the eEO. It is concluded that the application of thyme EO on surfaces of meat contributes to reduce the presence of Salmonella spp. on this type of foodstuff.
MiR-125b promotes migration and invasion by targeting vitamin D receptor in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: He XiYuan , Liao ShangFan , Lu DongMing , Zhang FaBiao , wu yongyang
Published: April 2020

Background To investigate the expression of miR-125b and vitamin D receptor (VDR) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and assess the possible association between them. Then, to elucidate whether miR-125b can regulate the expression of VDR and affect proliferation and metastasis in RCC. Methods The expression of miR-125b was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in RCC cell lines. MiR-125b mimic and inhibitor were employed to measure the function and behavior of miR-125b in RCC cell lines. The relationship between miR-125 and VDR was verified using luciferase assays, and their expression was also examined in primary tumor and normal peritumoral kidney tissues in 20 clear cell RCC (ccRCC) samples. Results Overexpression of miR-125b promoted migration and invasion and reduced cell apoptosis in ACHN cells, while inhibition of miR-125b suppressed migration and invasion and induced cell apoptosis in 786-O cells. Overexpression of miR-125b decreased VDR expression via targeting VDR. Expression of miR-125b mRNA was significantly higher in ccRCC tissues than in normal adjacent tissues, and the expression of miR-125b mRNA negatively correlated with that of VDR (r=-0.444, p=0.04). Conclusion Overexpression of miR-125b decreased the expression of VDR and the promoted migration and invasion of RCC cells; in addition, there was a negative correlation between miR-125b and VDR expression in ccRCC.
Frequent horizontal and mother-to-child transmission may contribute to high prevalence of STLV-1 infection in Japanese macaques
Authors: Murata Megumi , Yasunaga Jun-ichirou , Washizaki Ayaka , Seki Yohei , Kuramitsu Madoka , Keat Tan Wei , Hu Anna , Okuma Kazu , Hamaguchi Isao , Mizukami Takuo , Matsuoka Masao , Akari Hirofumi
Published: April 2020

Background: Simian T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (STLV-1) is disseminated among various non-human primate species and is closely related to human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1), the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. Notably, the prevalence of STLV-1 infection in Japanese macaques (JMs) is estimated to be >60%, much greater than that in other non-human primates; however, the mechanism and mode of STLV-1 transmission remain unknown. The aim of this study is to examine the epidemiological background by which STLV-1 infection is highly prevalent in JMs. Results: The prevalence of STLV-1 in the JMs rearing in our free-range facility reached up to 64% (180/280 JMs) with variation from 55 to 77% among five independent troops. Anti-STLV-1 antibody titers (ABTs) and STLV-1 proviral loads (PVLs) were normally distributed with mean values of 4076 and 0.62%, respectively, which were mostly comparable to those of HTLV-1-infected humans. Our initial hypothesis that some of the macaques might contribute to frequent horizontal STLV-1 transmission as viral super-spreaders was unlikely because of the absence of the macaques exhibiting abnormally high PVLs but poor ABTs. Rather, ABTs and PVLs were statically corelated (p < 0.0001), indicating that the increasing PVLs led to the greater humoral immune response. Further analyses demonstrated that the STLV-1 prevalence as determined by detection of the proviral DNA was dramatically increased with age; 11%, 31%, and 58% at 0, 1, and 2 years of age, which was generally consistent with the result of seroprevalence. Moreover, our longitudinal follow-up study indicated that 24 of 28 seronegative JMs in 2011 converted to seropositive (86%) four years later; among them, the seroconversion rates of sexually matured (4 years of age and older) and immature juvenile macaques (3 years of age and younger) at the beginning of study were comparably high (80% and 89%, respectively). Conclusions: Together with the fact that almost all of the full-adult JMs older than 9 years old were infected with STLV-1, our results of this study demonstrated for the first time that the high STLV-1 prevalence in JMs was likely caused by both frequent horizontal and mother-to-child transmission.