bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing multisensory attributes of malt drinks and consumer purchase decisions in South-Eastern Nigeria
Authors: C. Anetoh John , O. Okolo Victor , Mmamel Zita , Obikeze Chinedum , Oranusi Ifeanyichukwu
Published: June 2020

Competition has increased due to the proliferation of different brands of malt drinks in Nigeria. Thus, manufacturers and brand managers of malt drinks need to explore strategic approaches to acquiring and retaining their customers. However, this paper assessed the multisensory attributes of malt drinks and consumer purchase decisions in South-Eastern Nigeria. The study population comprises consumers of Maltina, Malta Guinness, Amstel Malta, Dubic Malt, and Grand Malt in South-Eastern Nigeria. A sample size of 384 consumers of malt brands was determined using Topman formula. A convenience sampling technique was adopted, and respondents were drawn from five states such as Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research method. Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability were estimated to check the internal consistency of the study constructs. The structural equation modeling technique was used in data analysis. Findings revealed that the visual attribute of malt has a significant positive relationship with consumer purchase decisions. It was also revealed that malt brand gustatory attribute has a significant positive relationship with consumer purchase decisions. Similarly, it was revealed that the tactile attribute of malt brand has a significant positive relationship with consumer purchase decisions. Finally, it was revealed that the malt brand olfactory attribute has a significant positive relationship with consumer purchase decisions. Therefore, manufacturers and brand managers of malt should improve on packaging their malt brands by strategically adapting a multisensory synergy to guarantee wider consumer purchase and experience toward ensuring more customer satisfaction, patronage, and increased profits for the organizations. AcknowledgmentsIn the course of this study, a few researchers assisted and contributed immensely in developing the methodology for the study. They include: Prof. Donatus Chigbo Ngige, Dr. Ezeh Precious, Dr. Osegbue Francis Ifeanyi, Dr. Ofor Theresa Nkechi, Prof. Mary Margret N. Okeke, Mrs Vivian C. Anetoh and Dr. Egbeh Placid C. Thank you very much and God bless you all. Also, we thank our respondents who supplied us with the needed data that made this study a reality.
Method for identifying areas of virgin soils using a portable gamma-spectrometer-dosimeter
Authors: Ramzaev V. P. , Barkovsky A. N.
Published: June 2020

The dose rate of gamma radiation in air at a height of 1 m above the surface of virgin (undisturbed) soil is the starting point in the basic model that is used to estimate the dose of external radiation to the population living in areas contaminated due to the Chernobyl accident. Today, i.e. more than 30 years after the fallout, the finding of truly virgin lands is a rather difficult task, because many meadows were repeatedly plowed and/or rehabilitated after the accident. The purpose of this study was to develop a quantitative criterion for the detection of virgin soil areas using a portable gamma-ray spectrometer-dosimeter. To achieve this, we have conducted a statistical analysis of published and new data on the use of in situ gamma-ray spectrometry in radioactively contaminated territories of the Bryansk region of Russia and the Gomel region of Belarus in 2015–2018. The sample contains results of decoding 60 gamma spectra recorded at a height of 1 m above the ground in virgin meadows, cultivated lands and forests. Based on the performed analysis, a quantitative dosimetric criterion is proposed for in situ identification of virgin soils using a portable gamma-spectrometer-dosimeter. The article presents an algorithm for searching a virgin plot.
The analysis of radioecological monitoring results in the vicinity of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Kuznetsov V. K. , Panov A. V. , Sanzharova N. I. , Isamov N. N. , Andreeva N. V. , Geshel I. V. , Sidorova E. V.
Published: June 2020

The research presents the data of long-term observations of the impact of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant operation on the radioecological situation in the region of its location. The dynamics of the content of natural and artificial radionuclides in the components of agricultural ecosystems was studied due to the data based on the information from the radioecological monitoring network developed in 2003. Samples of soils, agricultural products and animal feeds were taken at 11 control sites located on arable lands and grasslands in the vicinity of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, and, in settlements, locally produced food was sampled. It was shown that for the period of studies of 2003-2019, the average specific activity of90Sr in the soils of agroecosystems of the 10 km influence zone of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant varied within 2.7-4.3 Bq/kg, and specific activity of137Cs was 14.6-40.8 Bq/kg. At the same time, there were found no trends of increase in the content of artificial radionuclides in soil over time and at different distances from the NPP, and the increased specific activity of137Cs in soil compared to the global background is explained by the Chernobyl fallout. The variability of the average content of natural radionuclides in the soil for40K was 481-625 Bq/kg,226Ra – 20.6-29.5 Bq/ kg,232Th – 28.2-39.2 Bq/kg, which corresponded to all-Russian data. The average specific activity of90Sr in grain was 0.24-0.43 Bq/kg, and137Cs – 0.19-0.37 Bq/kg. Even the maximum levels of artificial radionuclides in grain were 44 times for90Sr and 85 times for137Cs lower than the current SanPiN standards. The highest specific activity values of137Cs and90Sr in potatoes, vegetables, and gourds were 160 times lower than the SanPiN standards. It was noted that the maximum content of90Sr in milk was more than 540 times lower than the SanPin standard, and for137Cs this difference was 330 times. The maximum content of137Cs in beef turned out to be over 850 times lower than the SanPiN standard for this radionuclide. About 70 Bq/a of90Sr and 200 Bq/a of137Cs enter the population diet with locally produced food, which is almost 400 times for137Cs and 200 times for90Sr lower than the annual limit. Milk (46%), meat (31%), potatoes and vegetables (14%) make the main contribution to the formation of the internal dose from agricultural products containing137Cs, and contribution to dose from90Sr is made by milk (14%) and crop products (potatoes, vegetables, bread) – up to 78%. In general, we concluded that over the past 17 years, the operation of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant did not lead to a deterioration of the radioecological situation in the region of its location, because during the survey period there was no significant increase in the content of artificial radionuclides in agricultural products, foods and environmental components.
Verification of model of external population exposure in Japan after the accident at the “Fukushima-1” NPP
Authors: Golikov V. Yu.
Published: June 2020

The paper is devoted to the verification of the model of external exposure of the Japanese population from radioactive fallout after the accident at the “Fukushima-1” NPP published by UNSCEAR in 2014. The paper presents specific quantitative examples of the verification of the external exposure model of the Japanese population after the accident at the “Fukushima-1” nuclear power plant. As an independent set of experimental data for validation of the model estimates we used the results of measurements of individual doses of external radiation in various population groups in Japan in different time periods after fallout. In the case of the deterministic version of the model, it was shown that for the adult population working mainly outdoors (construction workers and agricultural workers), the differences between the average values of effective doses predicted by the model and those obtained on the basis of measurements were less than 20%. For office workers, this difference was larger, from 34 to 70%, depending on whether their office buildings are wooden or multi-story concrete. For children under 16 years of age and a longer period of time for measuring individual doses after radioactive fallout (2011 – 2015), the differences between the model average effective doses and those estimated on the basis of measurements ranged from –24% to +32% in different time periods. In the case of the stochastic version of the model, it was shown that for the three considered groups of the adult population the distributions of individual doses obey the logarithmically normal law and the differences in the values of the calculated and experimental geometric means ranged from –7% to +20%. The geometric standard deviation values obtained in the simulation were always slightly higher than the similar values estimated based on the measurement results.
Comparative analysis of radon concentrations in buildings of different energy efficiency classes on example of five Russian cities
Authors: Yarmoshenko I. V. , Onishchenko A. D. , Malinovsky G. P. , Vasilyev A. V. , Nazarov E. I. , Zhukovsky M. V.
Published: June 2020

A comparative analysis of the radon concentrations in modern multi-storey residential buildings of high energy efficiency class and buildings typical for urban areas of the twentieth century was carried out. The study was conducted in Russian cities located in various climatic zones – Ekaterinburg, Krasnodar, St. Petersburg, Salekhard, Chelyabinsk. The radon concentration in samples of buildings was measured using integrated radon radiometers based on nuclear track detectors according to a single method. The surveyed sample included 498 apartments in multi-apartment buildings. Among all the examined building types, the highest average radon concentration is observed in modern energy-efficient houses – 43 Bq/m3. In other types of buildings, the following average radon concentrations were obtained: brick 2–5 floors – 35 Bq/m3; panel 5 floors – 32 Bq/m3; panel 7–12 floors 1970-1990 years of construction – 22 Bq/m3; brick> 5 floors 1970–1980 years of construction – 20 Bq m3; panel, built since 1990 – 24 Bq/m3. The results of the study confirm the assumption that radon concentration in modern multi-storey energy-efficient houses is on average higher than in typical residential buildings of the Soviet period. The increased accumulation of radon in energy-efficient buildings is associated with a decrease in the building envelope permeability and the contribution of fresh air to the general air exchange. Despite the fact that there were no cases of exceeding hygienic standards for the indoor radon concentration in the framework of this study, the higher radon concentration in buildings of increased energy efficiency requires attention from the point of view of implementing the principle of optimization of radiation protection. In the future, extensive construction of energy-efficient buildings may increase the average and collective doses to the urban population in the Russian Federation.
210Po and 210Pb content in the certain types of foodstuffs. Optimization of the analytical method
Authors: Kaduka M. V. , Basalaeva L. N. , Bekyasheva T. A. , Ivanov S. A. , Salazkina N. V. , Stupina V. V. , Kaduka A. N.
Published: June 2020

An article contents the review of the data on the content of polonium and lead content: 210Po, 210Pb in natural entities, obtained from literary sources. The review is given of the existing methods for 210Po and 210Pb content investigation in different entities as well as the analysis of the expedience of the applying of the given polonium and lead content investigation in the foodstuffs technique for the use in a method under development of the radiochemical laboratory of the Institute. More perfect and simple for realization than existing method is given for 210Po and 210Pb content investigation in the foodstuffs from a sample with not more than 1.0 kg weight with minimal detectable activity not more than 0.01 Bq. The results are given of the investigation of 210Po and 210Pb content in the certain types of the foodstuffs sampled in the kitchen gardens located in Leningrad region and bought in the trade network of Saint-Petersburg. Estimation of potential average annual population internal exposure dose (Eint) is carried out due to 210Po and 210Pb content in the investigated foodstuffs which are consumed by the local population. For the estimation of the internal exposure doses we used the data on the food rations of adult population of the settlement of the city type according to the data of Rosstat and Internet-resources. It is demonstrated that population internal exposure dose even from several natural radionuclides taking into account consumption of a limited set of foodstuffs could exceed the exposure dose from artificial radionuclide in tens times even for the territories radioactively contaminated after the Chernobyl NPP accident.
Assessment of the medical radiation and non-radiation risks for the patients undergoing the surgical gender reassignment from female to male
Authors: Safronov V. V. , Davydov A. A. , Vodovatov A. V. , Startseva O. I. , Biblin A. M. , Repin L. V.
Published: June 2020

The aim of the current study was to perform a comparative assessment of the radiation and non-radiation health risks for the sample of transgenders as well as the assessment of their perception of these risks. The study was performed on the sample of patients, undergoing the gender reassignment surgery from female to male. The structure of surgical procedures and the corresponding X-ray examinations was analyzed with the subsequent assessment of the radiation and non-radiation health risks. The level of patient knowledge on the risks and benefits of the medical procedures and perception of the ratio of radiation and non-radiation risks were evaluated based on the results of the sociological study. The study included the patients that underwent gender reassignment surgery in August 2012 – February 2018 on the base of I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University. Data collection and questioning were performed in August 2019 – March 2020. Data on the structure of the surgical procedures and X-ray examinations was collected for 99 patients; 86 patients agreed to participate in the questioning. The results indicate that the selected sample of patients, undergoing the gender reassignment surgery from female to male, is a high risk group both for radiation and non-radiation factors. For the whole multi-stage gender reassignment surgery, a patient could receive a total effective dose up to 250 mSv due to repeated computed tomography scans of chest, abdomen and head with contrast, corresponding to the lifetime attributive radiation risk of up to 1×10-2. Comparison of radiation and non-radiation risks for that patient sample indicates the dominance of the risk of successful suicide attempts (5×10-2). Radiation risks are equal to or even exceed (for the final stages of the gender reassignment surgery) the other risks of mortality from the non-radiation factors (anesthesia – 5,4×10-5, thrombosis – 2×10-5, post-surgical complications – 6×10-2). The reduction of suicide risks, as a result of the treatment, outweighs all other risk factors and justifies the gender reassignment surgery. The results of a sociological study show a decrease from 77% to 23% of suicidal thoughts among the patients. The study indicates that risk-communication was performed on the unsatisfactory level: less than 40% of the patients were informed about the possible health risks during the treatment; less than 50% of respondents knew about the benefits of X-ray examinations. About 70% of the patients rate their current problems with health higher compared to the risks from diagnostics and surgery. It explains the lack of interest to the radiation risk.
Preparation and Properties of Hydrogel Matrices based on Pectins from Callus Cultures
Authors: Popeyko O.V. , Istomina E.I.
Published: June 2020

Hydrogel matrices have been obtained from pectins of Silene vulgaris (SVC), Tanacetum vulgare (TVC) and Lemna minor (LMC) callus cultures, and from apple pectin (AU701). They differed in gel strength, calcium ion content and surface morphology. During the incubation under simulated gastric conditions (pH 1.25), the gel strength and calcium content decreased. The degradation degree of hydrogels grew in the range TVC < SVC < LMC < AU701. The degradation degree of hydrogels from the SVC, LMC, and TVC pectins gradually increased over 4 hours, while hydrogels from the AU701 pectin were destroyed within 2 hours. The gels prepared from pectins with low methyl esterification, low branching and high linearity underwent less degradation. The TVC pectin gels had the highest strength and were most stable at pH 1.25. The data obtained can be used to produce hydrogel matrices with desired physicochemical and functional properties.

callus culture, pectin polysaccharides, hydrogels, gastric medium
Educação em Saúde promovendo prevenção de Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis em caminhoneiros através do uso de preservativos
Authors: Mascarenhas Tiago , Carolina Bahia Perrone Ana , Donha Yarid Sérgio
Published: June 2020

Os caminhoneiros, atualmente, compõem uma classe de trabalhadores expostos a diversos fatores que os colocam numa posição de vulnerabilidade. Ações de Educação em Saúde são propostas como tentativa de esclarecimento quanto ao uso de preservativos na prevenção das Infecções Sexualmente transmissíveis. Esse trabalho tem por objetivo promover educação em saúde relacionada ao uso de preservativos associado à prevalência de IST em caminhoneiros que trafegam na BR-116. Foi realizada uma ação de intervenção de educação em saúde multidisciplinar intitulada Saúde na BR, promovida por docentes e discentes do Núcleo de Pesquisa em Bioética e Espiritualidade da Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, que ocorre na base da Polícia Rodoviária Federal da BR-116 no município de Jequié, Bahia. Os 100 motoristas de caminhão de carga que participaram, eram na sua totalidade do sexo masculino. Destes, 90% possuíam vida sexual ativa e 10% já tiveram doença sexualmente transmissível. Somente 29% dos participantes responderam que sempre usam camisinha em suas relações sexuais, porém após as ações educativas, 60% deles passaram a afirmar que usarão sempre camisinha a partir daquele momento. Diante desses resultados, conclui-se a importância de medidas educativas na promoção da saúde assim como na prevenção de doenças infectocontagiosas.
Expression, Purification and Characterization of Recombinant Human Coagulation Factor XIIIa in Pichia Pastoris
Authors: Cheng Linyan , Zhang Ting , Fei Yuchang , Shen Hao , Huang Hui , Chen Jin , Xu Bin , Xu Jian
Published: June 2020

Background:

Coagulation factor XIIIa(FXIIIa) plays a critical role in the final stage of
blood coagulation. It is extremely important in wound healing, tissue repairing and promoting cell
adhesion. The deficiency of the coagulation factor can cause hemorrhage and slow wound healing.

Objective:

In this study, recombinant pPICZαC-FXIIIa was expressed in Pichia pastoris, purified
as well as its biological activity was determined.

Methods:

The FXIIIa fragment obtained from the human placenta was inserted into pPICZαC to
obtain pPICZαC-FXIIIa, which was transformed into X33 after linearization, and FXIIIa inserted
into Pichia pastoris X33 was screened for methanol induction. The expressed product was identified
by western blotting, then the supernatant was purified by affinity chromatography, and the purified
product was determined by plasma coagulation experiment.

Results:

Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR) showed that the FXIIIa fragment of 2250 bp was inserted
successfully into pPICZαC. The expression and purification products of the same molecular
weight as target protein(about 83 kDa) were obtained, which solidified significantly when reacted
with plasma.

Conclusion:

The expression and purification products were successful, with sufficient biological
activity, which can be used as a candidate FXIIIa hemostatic agent in genetic engineering.
A Knock-Down Cell-Based Study for the Functional Analysis of Chloride Intracellular Channel 1 (CLIC1): Integrated Proteomics and Microarray Study
Authors: Yin Shang-Jun , Lee Jae-Rin , Lee Bit-Na , Yang Jun-Mo , Qian Guo-Ying , Park Yong-Doo , Hahn Myong-Joon
Published: June 2020

Background:

Previously, we detected that chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1) was
involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objective:

In this study, we aimed to use high-throughput screening (HTS) approaches to identify
critical factors associated with the function of CLIC1 in knock-down cells.

Methods:

We down-regulated CLIC1 in human A549 cells via siRNA and then conducted serial
HTS studies, including proteomics integrated with a microarray and the implementation of bioinformatics
algorithms.

Results:

Together, these approaches identified several important proteins and genes associated
with the function of CLIC1. These proteins and genes included tumor rejection antigen (gp96) 1,
nucleophosmin, annexin I, keratin 1 and 10, FLNA protein, enolase 1, and metalloprotease 1,
which were found using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) proteomics. Separately, NTNG1,
SEMA5A, CLEC3A, GRPR, GNGT2, GRM5, GRM7, DNMT3B, CXCR5, CCL11, CD86, IL2,
MNDA, TLR5, IL23R, DPP6, DLGAP1, CAT, GSTA1, GSTA2, GSTA5, CYP2E1, ADH1A, ESR1,
ARRDC3, A1F1, CCL5, CASP8, DNTT, SQSTM1, PCYT1A, and SLCO4C1 were found using
a DNA microarray integrated with PPI mapping.

Conclusion:

CCL11 is thought to be a particularly critical gene among the candidate genes detected
in this study. By integrating the datasets and utilizing the strengths of HTS, we obtained new insights
into the functional role of CLIC1, including the use of CLIC1-associated applications in the
treatment of human diseases such as AD.
Critical Review of Data Analytics Techniques used in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)
Authors: Qazi Sadaf , Usman Muhammad
Published: June 2020

Background:

Immunization is a significant public health intervention to reduce child
mortality and morbidity. However, its coverage, in spite of free accessibility, is still very low in developing
countries. One of the primary reasons for this low coverage is the lack of analysis and
proper utilization of immunization data at various healthcare facilities.

Purpose:

In this paper, the existing machine learning-based data analytics techniques have been reviewed
critically to highlight the gaps where this high potential data could be exploited in a meaningful
manner.

Results:

It has been revealed from our review that the existing approaches use data analytics techniques
without considering the complete complexity of Expanded Program on Immunization which
includes the maintenance of cold chain systems, proper distribution of vaccine and quality of data
captured at various healthcare facilities. Moreover, in developing countries, there is no centralized
data repository where all data related to immunization is being gathered to perform analytics at various
levels of granularities.

Conclusion:

We believe that the existing non-centralized immunization data with the right set of
machine learning and Artificial Intelligence-based techniques will not only improve the vaccination
coverage but will also help in predicting the future trends and patterns of its coverage in different
geographical locations.
Synthesis and In-silico Identification of New Bioactive 1,3,4-oxadiazole Tagged 2,3-dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine Derivatives
Authors: Jadhav Bhagwat S. , Purohit Vipul P. , Yamgar Ramesh S. , Kenny Rajesh S. , Mali Suraj N. , Chaudhari Hemchandra K. , Mandewale Mustapha C.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be the most threatening cause of death in recent years. There is urgent need of search more potent, less toxic antitubercular agents.

Methods:

A set of five new 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl-imidazo-1,2-pyridine derivatives (4a-4e) was synthesized and screened invitro for their antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37 RV strain) ATCC No-27294.

Results:

Compound 4b displayed potent antitubercular activity at MIC 6.25 µg/mL. In-silico molecular docking studies were performed for evaluation of the binding patterns of compounds 4a-4e in the binding site of proteins like, Pantothenate synthatase and enoyl acyl reductase inhibitor. The outcomes of the in- vitro antitubercular studies were in well agreement with the molecular docking studies. These newly synthesized compounds were found to have good ADMET profile. We also explored possible anticancer activity using in-silico methods.

Conclusion:

These results shows that readily synthesized 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl-imidazo-1,2-pyridine derivatives (4a-4e) are attracting new class of potent anti-TB targets as well as possible anticancer activity that worth additional opportunities for improvements.
Novel Toxin-antitoxin System Xn-mazEF from Xenorhabdus nematophila: Identification, Characterization and Functional Exploration
Authors: Nim Jogendra Singh , Yadav Mohit , Gautam Lalit Kumar , Ghosh Chaitali , Sahi Shakti , Rathore Jitendra Singh
Published: June 2020

Background:

Xenorhabdus nematophila maintains species-specific mutual interaction
with nematodes of Steinernema genus. Type II Toxin Antitoxin (TA) systems, the mazEF TA system
controls stress and programmed cell death in bacteria.

Objective:

This study elucidates the functional characterization of Xn-mazEF, a mazEF homolog in
X. nematophila by computational and in vitro approaches.

Methods:

3D- structural models for Xn-MazE toxin and Xn-MazF antitoxin were generated, validated
and characterized for protein - RNA interaction analysis. Further biological and cellular functions
of Xn-MazF toxin were also predicted. Molecular dynamics simulations of 50ns for Xn-
MazF toxin complexed with nucleic acid units (DU, RU, RC, and RU) were performed. The MazF
toxin and complete MazEF operon were endogenously expressed and monitored for the killing of
Escherichia coli host cells under arabinose induced tightly regulated system.

Results:

Upon induction, E. coli expressing toxin showed rapid killing within four hours and attained
up to 65% growth inhibition, while the expression of the entire operon did not show significant
killing. The observation suggests that the Xn-mazEF TA system control transcriptional regulation
in X. nematophila and helps to manage stress or cause toxicity leading to programmed death of
cells.

Conclusion:

The study provides insights into structural and functional features of novel toxin, Xn-
MazF and provides an initial inference on control of X. nematophila growth regulated by TA systems.
Anti-tubercular Modelling via QSAR Approach, In Silico Design and Virtual
Docking Screening of Designed Hypothetical Inhibitors Against DNA
gyrase Protein
Authors: Adeniji Shola Elijah
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis has instigated a serious challenge toward the effective treatment of
tuberculosis. The reoccurrence of the resistant strains of the disease to accessible drugs/medications has mandate for the
development of more effective anti-tubercular agents with efficient activities. Time expended and costs in discovering and
synthesizing new hypothetical drugs with improved biological activity have been a major challenge toward the treatment
of multi-drug resistance strain M. tuberculosis (TB). Meanwhile, to solve the problem stated, a new approach i.e. QSAR
which establish connection between novel drugs with a better biological against M. tuberculosis is adopted.

Methods:

The
anti-tubercular model established in this study to forecast the biological activities of some anti-tubercular compounds
selected and to design new hypothetical drugs is subjective to the molecular descriptors; MATS7s, SM1_DzZ,
SpMin4_Bhv, TDB3v and RDF70v. Ligand-receptor interactions between quinoline derivatives and the receptor (DNA
gyrase) was carried out using molecular docking technique by employing the PyRx virtual screening software and
discovery studio visualizer software. Furthermore, docking study indicates that compounds 20 of the derivatives with
promising biological activity have the utmost binding energy of -17.79 kcal/mol.

Results:

Meanwhile, the interaction of
the standard drug; isoniazid with the target enzyme was observed with the binding energy -14.6 kcal/mol which was
significantly lesser than the binding energy of the ligand (compound 20).Therefore, compound 20 served as a template
structure to designed compounds with more efficient activities. Among the compounds designed; compounds 20p was
observed with better anti-tubercular activities with more prominent binding affinities of -24.3kcal/mol.

Conclusion:

The
presumption of this research aid the medicinal chemists and pharmacist to design and synthesis a novel drug candidate
against the tuberculosis. Moreover, in-vitro and in-vivo test could be carried out to validate the computational results.
Whole-exome Sequencing of Tumor-only Samples Reveals the Association between Somatic Alterations and Clinical Features in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Ran Wenwen , Chen Xiangbin , Wang Bo , Yang Ping , Li Yongxing , Xiao Yujing , Wang Xiaonan , Li Guangqi , Wang Lili , Han Yingmin , Peng Yonggang , Lang Jidong , Liang Yuebin , Xiao Yupei , Lu Qingqing , Lin Huixin , Tian Geng , Yuan Dawei , Deng Chaoyang , Yang Jialiang , Xing Xiaoming
Published: June 2020

Background:

Identification of genomic markers using NGS (next-generation sequencing)
technology would be valuable for guiding precision medicine treatments for pancreatic cancers.
Traditional somatic mutation methods require both tumor and matched non-tumor samples.
However, only tumor samples are available mostly, especially in retrospective studies. In this study,
we tried to analyze the associations between clinical features and oncogenic somatic mutations in
genome-wide tumor-only samples.

Methods:

Fifty-four tumor-only samples derived from pancreatic cancer patients were used for
whole-exome sequencing. An approach involving SNP filtering of variants included in the
Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database was used to identify oncogenic
somatic mutations. The relationships between oncogenic mutations and clinical features were
analyzed and simultaneously compared with those from the TCGA database.

Results:

By analyzing the mutations from tumor only samples, divergent mutation profiles were
observed in different locations (head vs. body/tail) of pancreatic tumors. The divergences between
pancreatic head and body/tail cancers were also confirmed by the TCGA data. Furthermore,
mutations of several genes were found to be significantly associated with clinical features, such as
pathological stage and the degree of tumor differentiation.

Conclusion:

The results confirmed the efficiency of our approach in identifying oncogenic somatic
mutations from tumor only samples and revealed the associations between somatic mutations and
clinical features in pancreatic cancer.
Identification of Key mRNAs and lncRNAs Associated with the Effects of Anti-TWEAK on Osteosarcoma
Authors: Yang Mingxuan , Zhao Liangtao , Hu Xuchang , Feng Haijun , Kang Xuewen
Published: June 2020

Background:

Osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most common primary malignant bone tumors in teenagers.
Emerging studies demonstrated TWEAK and Fn14 were involved in regulating cancer cell differentiation, proliferation,
apoptosis, migration and invasion.

Objective:

The present study identified differently expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs after
anti-TWEAK treatment in OS cells using GSE41828.

Methods:

We identified 922 up-regulated mRNAs, 863 downregulated mRNAs, 29 up-regulated lncRNAs, and 58 down-regulated lncRNAs after anti-TWEAK treatment in OS cells.
By constructing PPI networks, we identified several key proteins involved in anti-TWEAK treatment in OS cells, including
MYC, IL6, CD44, ITGAM, STAT1, CCL5, FN1, PTEN, SPP1, TOP2A, and NCAM1. By constructing lncRNAs coexpression networks, we identified several key lncRNAs, including LINC00623, LINC00944, PSMB8-AS1,
LOC101929787.

Result:

Bioinformatics analysis revealed DEGs after anti-TWEAK treatment in OS were involved in
regulating type I interferon signaling pathway, immune response related pathways, telomere organization, chromatin
silencing at rDNA, and DNA replication. Bioinformatics analysis revealed differently expressed lncRNAs after antiTWEAK treatment in OS were related to telomere organization, protein heterotetramerization, DNA replication, response
to hypoxia, TNF signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Focal adhesion, Apoptosis, NF-kappa B signaling
pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway.

Conclusion: :

This study provided useful information for
understanding the mechanisms of TWEAK underlying OS progression and identifying novel therapeutic markers for OS.
Tapered Optical Fiber Detector for a Red Dye Concentration Measurement
Authors: Polokhin Aleksandr A. , Kharissova Oxana V. , Torres-Martínez Leticia M. , Gerasimenko Alexander Y. , Selvas Romeo , Jiang Jiechao , Kharisov Boris I.
Published: June 2020

Background:

In this work, a detector based on optical fiber covered with Multi-Wall Carbon
Nanotubes (MWCNTs) was used for sensing and removal of Alizarin from wastewaters. Alizarin
is a strong anionic red dye that is part of the anthraquinone dye group. As a rule, this dye is used in the
textile industry as a coloring agent. Experiments showed a good efficiency of wastewater treatment.
This development could resolve the problem of water contamination with Alizarin red dye.

Methods:

We used a single-mode fiber SMF-28e with a core diameter of 8.2 μm and a cladding diameter
of 125 μm as a base for the tapered optical fiber detector. An MWCNTs array was synthesized on
the tapered optical fiber detector surface by spray pyrolysis Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method
at 800oC for 20 min inside a tubular furnace, using ferrocene solution in toluene as a catalyst precursor.
The formed structure was applied for Alizarin detection in water.

Results:

According to the patent studies, the nanotubes completely covered the optical fiber surface
and the array had a high density with minimal distance between nearby nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes
were oriented along the radius of the optical fiber. The average diameter of carbon nanotubes was 24
nm. The optical absorbance levels increased as the Alizarin concentration increased from 50 mg/L to
1000 mg/L. MWCNTs on the optical fiber tapered section adsorbed the dye molecules from aqueous
solution. Three intensive absorption bands with the wavelength of the 700, 714 and 730 nm appeared
and their intensity increased as the Alizarin concentration increased. The accumulated Alizarin can be
recovered by multiple immersing clean water. This property may make tapered optical fiber detector
reusable and increase the economic expediency of the sensor application.

Conclusions:

The study showed higher Alizarin adsorption efficiency of the tapered optical fiber detector
compared with relative detectors. This structure can be reusable for dye detection. Removal efficiency
for Alizarin reached 98.6%, which makes the tapered optical fiber detector promising for
wastewater treatment and dye elimination.
Intraoral Scanners in Personal Identification of Corpses: Usefulness and Reliability of 3D Technologies in Modern Forensic Dentistry
Authors: Putrino Alessandra , Bruti Valerio , Enrico Marinelli , Costantino Ciallella , Ersilia Barbato , Gabriella Galluccio
Published: June 2020

Aims:

This study aims to verify the applicability of modern dental technologies and their related principles of use to the forensic sciences in the field of personal identification.

Background:

Personal identification has always had a major role in many legal and administrative actions regarding both living and death beings. The techniques used are much less advanced than the technologies potentially available.

Objective:

Modern technologies, available to the daily dental clinic practice, as intraoral scanners, combined in particular to the specialist skill in orthodontics, can help redefine the methods of personal identification according to the levels of accuracy, trueness and feasibility greater than those applied in traditional forensic dentistry.

Methods:

23 corpses (12F;11M) have been selected for intraoral scanning with the Carestream 3500®digital device. The superimposition of initial and late digital models, digital models and radiographs (orthopantomography and full mouth periapical films) has been evaluated to verify the stability of some structures as palatal rugae after death and to assess intraoral scanning as a successful comparative method between antemortem and post-mortem records (digital models or radiographs). Obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis by the t-student test and X-square test with Yates correction (p<0.05).

Results:

After death, palatal rugae significatively change especially in mouths with restorations/prosthesis/missing teeth. The percentages of correct matching between scans and radiographs are very higher (up 90%; p<0.05).

Conclusion:

This study has been set up to study and develop new, reliable and fast methods of personal identification that can surpass many of the issues seen with the other techniques by a modern rugoscopy, a modern radiographic-digital comparison and virtual oral autopsy.
Teacher Emotional Support Scale on Italian High School Students: A Contribution to the Validation
Authors: Romano Luciano , Buonomo Ilaria , Callea Antonino , Fiorilli Caterina , Schenke Katerina
Published: June 2020

Background/Objective:

This study represents a contribution to the validity and reliability of the 15-item Teacher Emotional Support Scale in a sample of Italian high school students (N=501; 80.2% females; M=15.66; SD=1.52). Therefore, the present paper aimed to examine the factor structure and to investigate the reliability and validity of the scale. Students’ perception of teacher emotional support refers to the students’ perception of whether and to what extent the teacher shows caring and understanding behaviours, promotes students' growth and establishes personal relationships with them.

Materials and Methods:

Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed that the hypothesized three-factor solution had the best fit to the data, assessing three different but related dimensions: Positive climate, Teacher sensitivity, and Regard for adolescent perspective. Furthermore, the reliability and convergent and discriminant validity can be considered adequate.

Conclusion:

The Teacher Emotional Support Scale could be considered as a valid instrument to assess high school students’ perception of the emotional support received from their teachers. Practical implications have also been discussed.
Issues Related to the use of a Mobile Application of the Protocol for Preventing and Managing Urinary Catheter Blockage Among Long-term Indwelling Urinary Catheter Users for Visiting Nurses: An Interview Study of Visiting Nurses in Japan
Authors: Fukuda Moriyoshi , Maeda Shuko , Takiuti Takako , Moriyama Manabu T.
Published: June 2020

Background:

We developed a mobile application of the protocol for preventing and managing catheter blockage among long-term indwelling catheter users for visiting nurses. We conducted meetings at four visiting nurse stations in Japan from May to June 2017 to explain the application to visiting nurses.

Objective:

The purpose of the present study was to clarify issues related to the full-scale use of this protocol application, using data from focus group interviews with visiting nurses.

Methods:

We conducted focus group interviews with the meeting participants. The focus group interviews were conducted at four different venues. Three focus groups had eight participants, and the fourth had two participants, for a total of 26 study participants. Specifically, the group interviews covered (1) the application’s structure and content; (2) operability; (3) portability; (4) possibilities for use, effects, and expectations; and (5) concerns about use.

Results:

The results of the group interviews were classified into five categories: possibilities for the use of the mobile application, possibilities for further use of the application by nurses, suggestions for the use of the application by caregivers and nursing care workers, the burden associated with the use of the mobile application, and opinions and desires for improvements in the mobile application.

Conclusion:

The results suggested that visiting nurses would use the mobile application. However, for full-scale use, it would be necessary to add the ability to use accumulated data, increase the number of learning screens, and take safety management measures for the transmission of medical information.
Assessment of High School Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Vaccination Status of Hepatitis B Virus in Hohoe, Ghana: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Amedonu Edem Kojo , Aniaku Joshua Kwabena , Fusheini Adam
Published: June 2020

Background:

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a highly infectious disease and a major global public health threat. About one-third of the world’s population is estimated to be infected with Sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia, regarded as high prevalence regions of between 5-10% of the adult population chronically infected. Comprehensive knowledge of HBV in highly endemic areas like Ghana among population groups is crucial to mitigating the effects of the disease. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of students of two high schools on the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region of Ghana to identify and describe their risk of infection, attitude, test, and vaccination status.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in the two Senior High Schools. The survey involved 244 students of both boys and girls from years one to three. Recruitment was through a stratified simple random sampling technique. Data was collected via respondents’ self-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using STATA version 12.0.

Results:

The results of the study showed moderate knowledge, especially of the modes of transmission and prevention among the majority of the respondents (89.2%). Protection against the virus was a concern as about 19.5% reported receiving the HBV vaccine, with 7.2% completing all three doses. Respondents also showed a generally positive disposition towards the disease. The school and mass media were the main sources of information about HBV.

Conclusion:

The findings of the study showed that high school students (teenagers) have various misconceptions about HBV as the majority of students in the Hohoe municipality had moderate knowledge of HBV. The study also established that teenagers are at risk of contracting the virus, given the low vaccination status, as seen in the study.
Determinant of Diabetes Mellitus Focusing on Differences of Indonesian Culture: Case Studies in the Java and Outer Java Region in Indonesia
Authors: Handayani Oktia W. K. , Nugroho Efa , Hermawati Bertakalswa
Published: June 2020

Background:

In 2017, Indonesia was ranked 6th in the world, with 10.3 million DM sufferers. Indonesia consists of many islands with diverse communities, diverse social and cultural environments, which allow different factors to affect the increasing number of DM cases.

Objective:

This research objective is to analyze the differences in the factors of the social environment, cultural environment, knowledge and behavior that are potential to DM in Java and outside Java.

Methods:

This research uses a quantitative approach with independent sample t-test data analysis techniques. The population was DM type 2 patients, with a sample size of 294 people. The technique was to determine the sample by accidental sampling in patients who seek treatment during prolanis (chronical disease management program) activities. The independent variables consist of social environment, cultural environment, knowledge and behavior. The dependent variable is DM disease. Data is equipped with qualitative data.

Results:

The results showed that there were differences between Javanese and Outer Java respondents on social environmental factors (t value 6.682), cultural environment (t value 5.752), knowledge (t value 7.079) and behavior (t value 16.579) with each Sig 0.000 value. All factors that are variables in this study have higher values in the Java region compared to those outside Java, and the highest difference is in the social environment variable (average difference of 3,979), which has an effect on very high behavioral differences (average differences average 6,037).

Conclusion:

It can be concluded that there are differences in the social environment, cultural environment, knowledge, and behavior that influence the incidence of diabetes mellitus in Indonesian society.
Exploring Public Awareness of Overwork Prevention With Big Data From Google Trends: Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Lin Ro-Ting , Cheng Yawen , Jiang Yan-Cheng
Published: June 2020

Background

To improve working conditions and prevent illness and deaths related to overwork, the Taiwanese government in 2015, 2016, and 2018 amended regulations regarding working time, overtime, shifts, and rest days. Such policy changes may lead to a rising public awareness of overwork-related issues, which may in turn reinforce policy development.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate to what extent public awareness of overwork-related issues correlated with policy changes.

Methods

Policies, laws, and regulations promulgated or amended in Taiwan between January 2004 and November 2019 were identified. We defined 3 working conditions (overwork, long working hours, and high job stress) related to overwork prevention, generated a keyword for each condition, and extracted the search volumes for each keyword on the Google search engine as proxy indicators of public awareness. We then calculated the monthly percentage change in the search volumes using the Joinpoint Regression Program.

Results

Apparent peaks in search volumes were observed immediately after policy changes. Especially, policy changes in 2010 were followed by a remarkable peak in search volumes for both overwork and working hours, with the search volumes for overwork increased by 29% per month from June 2010 to March 2011. This increase was preceded by the implementation of new overwork recognition guidelines and media reports of several suspected overwork-related events. The search volumes for working hours also steadily increased, by 2% per month in September 2013 and afterward, reaching a peak in January 2017. The peak was likely due to the amendment to the Labor Standards Act, which called for “1 fixed and 1 flexible day off per week,” in 2016. The search volumes for job stress significantly increased (P=.026) but only by 0.4% per month since March 2013.

Conclusions

Over the past 15 years, Taiwanese authorities have revised and implemented several policies to prevent overwork-related health problems. Our study suggests a relationship between the implementation of policies that clearly defined the criteria for overwork and working hours and the rising public awareness of the importance of overwork prevention and shorter working hours.