bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Clinical Sustainability Assessment Tool: Measuring Organizational Capacity to Promote Sustainability in Healthcare
Authors: Malone Sara , Prewitt Kim , Hackett Rachel , Lin John C. , McKay Virginia , Walsh-Bailey Callie , Luke Douglas
Published: September 2020

Background Few validated assessment tools are available to support sustainable implementation, an increasingly recognized need among clinicians. We describe the development of the Clinical Sustainability Assessment Tool, or CSAT, designed to assess factors that contribute to sustainable practices in clinical settings. Methods Fifty participants from clinical and research fields were recruited to brainstorm factors that lead to sustained clinical practices. Once repeated factors were removed, participants sorted remaining factors based on similarity. Using concept mapping analyses, we grouped these factors into meaningful domains and developed an initial tool. We then recruited 126 practicing clinicians to pilot and evaluate the tool. Individuals were recruited from clinical settings across pediatric (53%) and adult (47%) medical and surgical subspecialties, and averaged 11 years in their position. The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test hypothesized subscale structure in the instrument. We used root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) and the standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) to assess fit and thus the ability of CSAT to measure the identified domains.Results The concept mapping resulted in seven domains and 47 items. The pilot and CFA resulted in 35 items, five per domain. The RMSEA of 0.084 and the SRMR of 0.075 indicated good fit. The final domains were: engaged staff and leadership, engaged stakeholders, organizational readiness, workflow integration, implementation and training, monitoring and evaluation, and outcomes and effectiveness. Conclusions The CSAT is a new reliable assessment tool which allows for greater practical and scientific understanding of contextual factors that enable sustainable clinical practices over time. The full CSAT instrument is available at https://sustaintool.org.
A qualitative assessment of the sexual-health education, training and service needs of young adults in Tehran
Authors: Sheikhansari Narges , Abraham Charles , Denford Sarah , Eftekhar Mehrdad
Published: September 2020

Background: Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SHRE) provides individuals with the knowledge and skills set which helps them to manage risky behaviors and take informed decisions and to protect themselves against STIs, risky behavior and unintended pregnancy. Such education is minimally provided in Iranian schools and universities and previous research has indicated demand and need for SHRE among different social groups. This study explored Iranian young adults’ sexual health education, training and service needs and ways to improve or augment the existing provision.Design and methods: A qualitative design was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 25 young adults who lived in Tehran, Iran and have volunteered to participate in our study. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Participants explained their need and demand for sexual health education and healthcare. They highlighted existing barriers such as lack of reliable resources, taboo and cultural barriers and lack of trust and protected confidentiality to gaining sexual health information and seeking related advice and healthcare. This has resulted in ambiguities and misconceptions, including those regarding the cause and transmission of STIs and correct use of contraceptions.They unanimously expressed their dissatisfaction with the limitedly available sexual health education and provided recommendations for an improved provision, including holding mixed gender extracurricular workshops with a comprehensive approach to sexual health and relationships education.Conclusions: There is a clear need and demand for provision of relevant and reliable sexual health and relationships education to young adults, which needs to be addressed in order for young adults to make informed choices and limit their risky sexual behavior.
Understanding the Non-Professional Needs of Early Career Doctors: An Interview-Based Study
Authors: Gurney Tiana , O'Sullivan Belinda , McGrail Matthew , Martin Priya
Published: September 2020

BackgroundSpecialty colleges and health services play a key role in supporting doctors in their early careers, fostering a highly skilled workforce to respond to the community’s healthcare needs. In doing so, they are often well attuned to professional factors, such as long or uncontrolled work hours, but non-professional factors are less acknowledged. This is partly because there is limited research about the non-professional needs of early career doctors, impeding the capacity to tailor a response through structured policy and programs. This study aims to describe the non-professional needs of doctors in their early postgraduate career, including how they intersect with career and training experiences.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 male and female medical graduates working across all Australian states and territories, spanning a variety of specialty areas and early career stages (up to their 17th postgraduate year). Participants were asked about their career journey to date including non-professional factors related to their experiences.ResultsThe results identified important non-professional needs, that strongly interplayed with career and training experiences, including: children’s education; partner’s career needs; family stability; major life stages; proximity to the extended family; and spending time with immediate family. Results also suggested clear gender differences, with female doctor’s needs orientated to partner work and carer responsibilities, while male doctor’s needs were oriented to spending time with family and meeting the family’s needs. ConclusionsThis study highlights a range of important non-professional needs which should be routinely considered as legitimate needs within health service employment and specialty training arrangements. The non-professional needs appear to vary by gender, location and field of work, and whether doctors have partners, children or encounter major life events in their early career. Inflexible postgraduate training and employment, by both specialty colleges and the employing health service, are likely to create tension for early career doctors in their non-professional lives. Whereas accommodating these needs ensures early career doctors can realise their full potential, fostering participation, satisfaction and completion of various early career work and training stages, with positive consequences for community access.
SH3BP2 Deficiency Ameliorates Murine Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Kawahara Kyoko , Mukai Tomoyuki , Iseki Masanori , Nagasu Akiko , Nagasu Hajime , Akagi Takahiko , Tsuji Shoko , Hiramatsu-Asano Sumie , Ueki Yasuyoshi , Ishihara Katsuhiko , Kashihara Naoki , Morita Yoshitaka
Published: September 2020

Background: The adaptor protein Src homology 3 domain-binding protein 2 (SH3BP2) is widely expressed in immune cells, such as myeloid cells, B cells, and T cells. It controls intracellular signaling pathways, including Syk and Src. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of SH3BP2 in a murine systemic lupus erythematosus model.Methods: For the lupus model, we used Faslpr/lpr mice (C57BL/6 background). Clinical and immunological phenotypes were compared between Faslpr/lpr and SH3BP2-deficient Faslpr/lpr mice. Splenomegaly and renal involvement were assessed in 35-week-old mice. Serum levels of anti-dsDNA antibody and rheumatoid factor were determined using ELISA. Lymphocyte subsets in the spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry. To examine the role of SH3BP2 in specific cells, B cell-specific SH3BP2-deficient lupus mice were generated and analyzed; T cells and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and macrophages were analyzed in vitro. Results: SH3BP2 deficiency significantly reduced lupus-like phenotypes, presented as splenomegaly, renal involvement, elevated serum anti-dsDNA antibody and rheumatoid factor, and increased splenic B220+CD4-CD8- T cells. Notably, SH3BP2 deficiency in B cells did not rescue the lupus-like phenotypes. Furthermore, SH3BP2 deficiency did not substantially affect the characteristics of T cells and macrophages in vitro. Interestingly, SH3BP2 deficiency suppressed the differentiation of dendritic cells in vitro and reduced the number of dendritic cells in the spleen of the lupus-prone mice.Conclusions: SH3BP2 deficiency ameliorated clinical and immunological manifestations in lupus-prone mice, possibly via targeting dendritic cell differentiation. Modulating SH3BP2 expression could thus provide a novel therapeutic approach to autoimmune diseases.
Variation of IgG N-linked glycosylation profile in diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Wu Zhiyuan , Pan Huiying , Liu Di , Zhou Di , Li Haibin , Tao Lixin , Zhang Jie , Wang Xiaonan , Li Xia , Wang Youxin , Wang Wei , Guo Xiuhua
Published: September 2020

Background: The relationship of IgG glycosylation with diabetes and diabetic nephropathy has been reported, while its role in diabetic retinopathy (DR) remained unclear. We aimed to investigate and validate the association of IgG glycosylation with DR. Methods: We analyzed the IgG N-linked glycosylation profile and identified the specific panel in the discovery population using binary logistics model. Findings were validated in the replication population. The discriminative capacity of IgG glycosylation panel was explored by ROC analysis using cross validation and Brier score. Multiple sensitive analyses were performed on the whole population. Results: 2 IgG glycans (GP15, GP20) and 2 derived traits (IGP32, IGP54) were identified and validated significantly associated with DR (P<0.05), and the adjusted OR were 0.676, 0.671, 1.770, 0.681 in combined population, respectively. The glycosylation panel achieved an average AUC of 0.67 and 0.60 in the discovery and replication population. The association was independent of blood pressure, glucose and lipids, thus improving the ROC and Brier score when the panel added. In addition, the results remained consistent when the controls were re-defined and 1:3 re-matched. Conclusions: IgG glycosylation profile reflecting a pro-inflammatory status were associated with DR. The variation of IgG glycome deserves more attention in the aggravation of diabetes and the underlying mechanism warrants further research.
Pyoderma Gangrenosum-like ulceration as a presenting feature of pediatric Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
Authors: Oz Rotem Semo , Onajin Oluwakemi , Harel Liora , Tal Rotem , Dallos Tomas , Rosenblatt Adena , Plank Lukas , Wagner-Weiner Linda
Published: September 2020

Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is an anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis affecting small to medium-sized vessels and involves most commonly the kidneys and the respiratory tract. Skin involvement can be seen in up to 50% of children with GPA and is the initial presenting symptom in 7.7%. Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG)-like ulcers are rarely described as a skin manifestation in GPA and very few cases have been reported previously in children. Case presentation: We describe 3 new pediatric cases of GPA with PG-like ulcerations. The mean age at first symptom was 15 years. Two patients had PG-like ulceration as their initial presentation; additional symptoms eventually led to the diagnosis of GPA 2-24 months later. In 1 case, proteinase 3 (PR3) was negative when first tested, but converted to positive when systemic symptoms emerged, in the other 2 cases PR3 was positive at presentation. All 3 patients had prominent facial lesions. None of the patients responded to treatment with antibiotics or medications commonly used to manage PG, including corticosteroids and cyclosporine. All patients had excellent responses to rituximab. An electronic database literature review was performed and 4 previously reported cases were identified. We assessed the clinical characteristics, serology, and response to treatment of 4 previously reported and newly diagnosed cases. Conclusion: PG-like ulceration is a rare presentation of pediatric GPA which may precede classic systemic GPA symptoms. The predominance of facial ulcer, granulomatous and neutrophilic inflammation on skin biopsy and lack of response to PG treatments are characteristic of GPA-associated PG-like ulcers. Our review suggests that treatment with rituximab may be needed to improve the skin lesions. Recognizing that PG-like ulcerations can occur in pediatric GPA may result in timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment and improved prognosis.
Lower excitons strong light matter interaction in plasmonic tweezers
Authors: Zou Yunfei , Song Gang , Wang Naien , Yu Li
Published: September 2020

Plasmonic nanocavity has been an excellent platform to study light matter interaction under ambient conditions and within sub-diffraction volumes. However, controlled strong light matter interaction in the plasmonic system has rarely been reported. Here, we design a plasmonic tweezers, which can trap a molecular J-aggregates, and be a plasmonic cavity to investigate the strong light matter interaction. We use finite-difference time-domain methods and Maxwell stress tensor to evaluate the optical response and the trapping performance. With the help of coupled oscillator model and virtual excitons theory, we analyze the strong coupling progress in lower excitons system, we further introduce a `coupling force' parameter to characterize the relationship between the optical force and model volume in the coupling system. The proposed method offers a way to locate a molecular J-aggregates in a plasmonic tweezers for investigating optical force performance and strong light matter interaction.
A cis-Tether Terminator, Linc-GmSTT1, Regulates Transcription Termination via the Linc-GmSTT1-intermolecular Interactome in Soybean 
Authors: Song Bo , Luo Tingting , Pang Ze , Zheng Yuhong , Zhao Ming , Fang Xin , Ning Bin , Wu Junjiang , Xu Pengfei , Zhang Shuzhen , Liu Shanshan
Published: September 2020

Soybean β-conglycinin α-subunit is an important allergen that adversely affects the nutritional and processing qualities of soya products. Although inheritance of the α-subunit and the molecular basis of α-null mutations have been studied intensively, the molecular mechanism that regulates α-subunit expression remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that a long intergenic non-coding RNA, acting as a soybean cis-tether terminator1 (designated Linc-GmSTT1) regulate β-conglycinin α-subunit expression. The Linc-GmSTT1 was mapped in physical proximity of α-subunit CG-α-1 gene and demonstrated to be a crucial element of the convergent alpha-transcription termination unit (alpha-TTU). Ingeniously, by reading through, Linc-GmSTT1 and CG-α-1 gene co-transcribed and subsequently achieve its Cgy-2-locus (confirm α-normal) specific regulation function via Linc-GmSTT1-intermolcular interactome. This work provides a unique model whereby LincRNA regulated the effective transcriptional termination of proximal protein-coding genes which might be a crucial procession protecting it from the silencing machinery in plant.
Cyclophosphamide Use in Treatment of Refractory Kawasaki Disease With Coronary Artery Aneurysms
Authors: Halyabar Olha , Friedman Kevin G , Sundel Robert P , Baker Annette L , Chang Margaret H , Gould Patrick W , Newburger Jane W , Son Mary Beth F
Published: September 2020

Background. Despite timely administration of IVIG, some patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) develop rapidly progressive or giant coronary artery aneurysms (CAA). Case presentation. We describe our experience using cyclophosphamide (CYC) for the treatment of such cases as well as a review of the literature on the use of CYC in KD. Through a retrospective chart review of our KD population, we identified ten children treated for KD with intravenous CYC (10 mg/kg/dose) for one or two doses. Seven patients were male, the median age was 2.0 years (range 4 months -5 years). All patients received initial IVIG between day 4-10 of illness. Other anti-inflammatory treatments administered before CYC included second IVIG (n=9), corticosteroids (n=10), infliximab (n=4), cyclosporine (n=2), and anakinra (n=1). Median illness day at administration of the first CYC dose was 22.5 days (range:10-36 days). The primary indication for treatment with CYC for all patients was large or giant CAA and/or rapid progression of CAA. Three patients received a second dose of CYC (10mg/kg) for progressively enlarging CAA. CAA did not progress after final CYC treatment. One patient with a history of neutropenia in infancy developed severe neutropenia 9 days after treatment with CYC, which recovered without intervention or complications. No patient developed infections or other serious toxicity from CYC. Conclusion. In KD patients with severe and progressive enlargement of CAA despite anti-inflammatory therapy, CYC seemed to arrest further dilation and was well-tolerated. Future multicenter studies are needed to confirm our findings in this subgroup of KD patients.
Decades of Research Supporting Malaria Control and Elimination in China: A Bibliometric Analysis of Academic Articles Published in Chinese From 1980 to 2019
Authors: Du Yan-Qiu , Zhu Guo-Ding , Cao Jun , Huang Jiayan
Published: September 2020

Background: China has accumulated a lot of experience on malaria control and elimination in the past few decades. Many research papers have been published in Chinese journals. This study intends to quantitatively analyze these local journals based on the bibliometric analysis to obtain the development path and experience of malaria control and elimination in China.Methods: A long-term, multi-stage bibliometric analysis was implemented. Research articles published in Chinese journals from 1980 to 2019 were retrieved from Wanfang database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Year of publication, journal name and keywords were extracted by the Bibliographic Items Co-occurrence Matrix Builder (BICOMB). We defined the K/A ratio (the percentage of a keyword frequency in the number of articles within a certain period) as an indicator for measuring the popularity of a keyword in different decades. And we used the software VOSviewer to make keyword co-occurrence network maps.Results: A total of 16,290 articles were included. The overall trend of articles continues to rise. However, the articles published in the past three years had continued to decline. There are two kinds of trends of the keyword frequency between different decades. The K/A ratio of keywords such as ‘Plasmodium falciparum’ continued to decline (17.05% in 1980s, 13.04% in 1990s, 9.86% in 2000s, 5.28% in 2010s), but ‘imported case’ and ‘surveillance’ continued to rise. Drug resistance always was a concern. The keyword co-occurrence network maps showed that the themes in malaria research were becoming more diverse, and the degree of multidisciplinary cooperation was gradually deepening.Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis reveals the trends in malaria research in China over the past 40 years. The results suggest the high attention on the investigation, multidisciplinary participation and drug resistance for researchers and policymakers in malaria-epidemic areas. And the results also provided domestic experts with qualitative evidence for the summary of China's experience on malaria control and elimination.
Low Arousal Threshold: A potential bridge between OSA and Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep
Authors: Wang Qiaojun , Li Yezhou , Li Jie , Wang Jing , Shen Jiucheng , Wu Huaman , Han Fei , Guo Kaida , Gui Hao , Wang Delu , Chen Rui
Published: September 2020

Objective: Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep (PLMS) is a poorly understood comorbidity with close association to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The mechanistic link between the two is unclear. Recent studies on the latter have uncovered low respiratory arousal threshold as an important non-anatomical cause of the disorder. This study sought to investigate whether periodic limb movements are associated with the low respiratory arousal threshold (ArTH) in OSA.Methods: Retrospective data on 720 OSA patients (mean age = 47.0) who underwent Polysomnography (PSG) were collected. Patients were divided into the OSA-PLMS group (n=116) and the OSA-only group (n=604). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the correlation between PLMS and its potential risk factors including clinical variables, polysomnographic parameters as well as low ArTH. The resulting model was validated in the external MrOS database.Results: The patients in the OSA-PLMS group tend to be older, with a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and stroke. Significant predictors of PLMS included age, diabetes, proportion of Stage N1 Sleep, average SaO₂, and low respiratory arousal threshold (OR=5.51 (3.35-9.05), p<0.001). When validated against the MrOS database, low ArTH remained a significant predictor of PLMS with an odds ratio of 1.46 (1.18-1.81, p < 0.001).Interpretation: This is the first study that demonstrated a strong correlation between PLMS and low respiratory arousal threshold. This suggests a possible mechanistic link between the physical manifestations of PLMS and the non-anatomical low arousal threshold phenotype in OSA.
Estimating Asymptomatic and Undetected Cases in the COVID-19 Outbreak in Wuhan
Authors: Huo Xi , Chen Jing , Ruan Shigui
Published: September 2020

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan started in December 2019 and was under control by the end of March 2020 with a total of 50,006 confirmed cases by the implementation of a series of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) including unprecedented lockdown of the city. This study analyzes the complete outbreak data from Wuhan, assesses the impact of these public health interventions, and estimates asymptomatic and undetected cases in the outbreak.Methods: By taking different stages of the outbreak into account, we developed a time-dependent compartmental model to describe the dynamics of disease transmission and case detection and reporting. Model coefficients were parameterized by using the reported cases and following key events and escalated control strategies. Then the model was used to calibrate the complete outbreak data by using the Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) method. Finally we used the model to estimate asymptomatic and undetected cases and approximate the overall antibody prevalence level.Results: We found that the transmission rate between Jan 24 and Feb 1 was twice as large as that before the lockdown on Jan 23 and 67.6% (95% CI [0.584; 0.759]) of detectable infections occurred during this period.. Based on the reported estimates that around 20% of infections were asymptomatic and their transmission ability was about 70% of symptomatic ones, we estimated that there were about 14,448 undetected cases (95% CI [12,364; 23,254]), which yields an estimate of a total of 64,454 infected cases (95% CI [62,370; 73,260]), and the overall antibody prevalence level in the population of Wuhan was 0.745% (95% CI [0.693%, 0.814%]) by March 31, 2020.Conclusions: We conclude that the control of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan was achieved via the enforcement of a combination of multiple NPIs: the lockdown on Jan 23, the stay-at-home order on Feb 2, the massive isolation of all symptomatic individuals via newly constructed special shelter hospitals on Feb 6, and the large scale screening process on Feb 18. Our results indicate that the population in Wuhan is far away from establishing herd immunity and provide insights for other affected countries and regions in designing control strategies and adjusting reopen plans.
Massive left hemothorax following left diaphragmatic and splenic rupture with visceral herniation: Case Report
Authors: Mindaye Esubalew T. , Zegeye Abraham , Tufa Tesfaye H.
Published: September 2020

Background: Massive left hemothorax following left diaphragmatic and splenic rupture with visceral herniation is quite an uncommon life-threatening condition usually associated with blunt thoracoabdominal trauma. Mortality is generally associated with coexistent vascular and visceral injuries that could be rapidly fatal. Timely, and proper diagnosis is mandatory as survival depends on prompt diagnosis and treatment. Case presentation: We describe a case of massive left hemothorax secondary to blunt thoracoabdominal injury with left diaphragmatic and splenic rupture, gastric, greater omentum and splenic herniation into the left thoracic cavity in a 32 years old male car driver after sustaining a road traffic accident and presented with shortness of breath and easy fatigability of 4 hours’ duration. He also had non-expanding zone 3 retroperitoneal hematoma and left acetabular fracture. He was treated surgically and discharged home improved.Discussion: Diaphragmatic ruptures following blunt injuries are generally larger leading to herniation of visceral organs into the thoracic cavity and the most common organ to herniate on the left side is the stomach followed by omentum and small intestine. Isolated diaphragmatic rupture is rare and associated injuries are the main cause of mortality with spleen being the most common involved organ. Splenic rupture is a very rare cause of hemothorax and isn’t usually considered in the differential diagnosis, making proper information about the mechanism of injury vital.Conclusion: Massive hemothorax following splenic and diaphragmatic rupture with visceral herniation resulting from either blunt or penetrating trauma is rare. Delayed or missed diagnosis is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. A high index of suspicion and the proper use of diagnostic studies are the most important factors in early and correct diagnosis.
ADAM10 plasma levels predict worsening in cognition of older adults: a 3-year follow-up study
Authors: Monteiro Maria Patrícia A. Oliveira , Oliveira Danielle S. M. Salheb , Manzine Patrícia R. , Nascimento Carla M. Crispim , Orlandi Ariene A. dos Santos , Gomes Grace A. de Oliveira , Orlandi Fabiana dos Santos , Zazzetta Marisa S. , Pott-Junior Henrique , Cominetti Marcia Regina
Published: September 2020

Background: Blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are highly needed in clinic practice. So far, the gold standards for AD diagnosis are brain neuroimaging and beta-amyloid peptide, total tau and phosphorylated tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), however, they are not attractive for large-scale screening. Blood-based biomarkers will allow an initial large-scale screening of patients under suspicion that could later be tested for the already established CSF biomarkers. To this regard, we and other research groups have already described that the plasma and platelet levels of ADAM10 are higher or lower, respectively, in patients with AD, compared to those cognitively healthy. Methods: This was a three-year longitudinal cohort study that included 219 community-dwelling older adults. Sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, depressive symptoms (GDS) and cognitive data (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE; Clock Drawing test, CDT) were gathered. The measurement of ADAM10 plasma levels was performed using a sandwich ELISA kit. Bivariate comparisons between groups were performed using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney for continuous data and Pearson’s chi-square tests with Yates continuity correction, for categorical data. Longitudinal analyzes of changes in the MMSE score were performed using Linear Mixed-Effects modeling.Results: Baseline MMSE score and ADAM10 values were significantly associated with MMSE score values on the follow-up assessment. When analyzing the interaction with time, having a normal MMSE at baseline and ADAM10 plasma levels presented a significant and independent negative association with MMSE score values on the follow-up assessment. The analyses also showed that the effect of ADAM10 plasma levels on decreasing MMSE score values on follow-up seems to be more pronounced in those with normal MMSE at baseline. Taken together, these results provide the first direct evidence that changes in ADAM10 plasma levels are predictors of cognitive worsening in older adults.Conclusions: Considering that ADAM10 increase in plasma is detected as soon as in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, the results presented here may support the complementary clinical use of this biomarker, in addition to the classical AD biomarkers. Moreover, this work can shed light on the study of blood biomarkers for AD and contribute to the advancement of the area.
Controlling of flagellates and ciliates contaminations in Chlorella mass culture
Authors: Wen Xiaobin , Zhang Aoqi , Yi Ding , Zhu Xiaoyan , Liang Lin , Huo Yan , Wang Kaixuan , Yu Youzhi , Geng Yahong , Li Yeguang
Published: September 2020

Background: Flagellates and ciliates are two common bio-contaminants which frequently cause biomass losses in Chlorella mass culture. Efficient and targeted ways are required to control contaminations in Chlorella mass cultivation aiming for biofuel production especially. Results: Five surfactants were tested for its ability to control bio-contaminations in Chlorella culture. All five surfactants were able to eliminate the contaminants at a proper concentration. Particularly the minimal effective concentrations of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) to completely eliminate Poterioochromonas sp. and Hemiurosomoida sp. were 8 mg L−1 and 10 mg L−1, respectively, yet the photosynthesis and viability of Chlorella was not significantly affected. These results were further validated in Chlorella mass cultures in 5, 20, and 200 m2 raceway ponds. Conclusions: A chemical method using 10 mg L-1 SDBS as pesticide to control flagellates or ciliates contamination in Chlorella mass culture was proposed. The method helps for a sustained microalgae biomass production and utilization, especially for biofuel production.
EFEITO DO ROLO COMPACTADOR NA SEMEADURA DE VARIEDADES DE ARROZ EM VÁRZEAS TROPICAIS
Authors: FIDELIS RODRIGO RIBEIRO , Kischel Elisângela , Cancellier Eduardo Lopes , Tavares Taynar Coelho de Oliveira , Lopes Marilia Barcelos Souza , Marques Kleycianne Ribeiro
Published: September 2020

A utilização do rolo compactador como prática de manejo (rolagem) é comum no Vale do Araguaia antes da semeadura, visando refazer a microporosidade capilar do solo e, consequentemente, a movimentação da água, beneficiando assim o estabelecimento da cultura do arroz. Objetivou-se avaliar características agronômicas e densidade do solo perante operação de compactação superficial do solo (rolagem) na implantação da cultura do arroz em solos de várzea tropical. O experimento foi conduzido em faixas, e em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com 12 tratamentos e 4 repetições, sendo parte constituinte das faixas os tipos de compactação superficial e os cultivares aleatorizados dentro de cada faixa. Os tratamentos estudados em cada cultivar foram: ausência da rolagem; rolagem mediante uma única passada de rolo compactador antes do plantio; rolagem mediante duas passadas de rolo, sendo uma antes e outro logo após plantio; rolagem uma única vez depois do plantio. Verificou-se que a prática da rolagem não resultou em aumento da produtividade de grãos, apesar de ter promovido melhor estabelecimento da cultura, não modifica a densidade do solo e pode afetar negativamente o número de panículas de alguns cultivares.
PERCEPÇÕES SOBRE CONSUMO E PRODUÇÃO DE ALIMENTOS: UMA ANÁLISE NA FEIRA LIVRE DE DOM PEDRITO, RS
Authors: Nascimento Shirley Grazielli da Silva , Hanke Daniel , De Ávila Mariana Rockenbach , Da Rosa Manoel Alex Tâmara , Vargas Damaris
Published: September 2020

A busca por alimentos oriundos de um cultivo sem o uso, ou com o uso menos intensivo de agrotóxicos, têm levado muitos consumidores a aderirem as feiras livres mais do que aos mercados tradicionais, pois esses mesmos consumidores têm tomado cada vez mais consciência das questões relacionadas a busca por uma melhor qualidade de vida através da ingestão de uma alimentação cada vez mais saudável. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo de pesquisa conhecer a percepção do consumidor da feira livre municipal de Dom Pedrito. O trabalho de campo, realizado através de roteiro de questões semiestruturado, aplicado com consumidores e agricultores na feira municipal de Dom Pedrito, dividiu-se em duas partes, a primeira buscou conhecer o perfil do consumidor e o que pensam a respeito da produção de alimentos livres de agrotóxicos. A segunda trouxe à tona o que pensam os agricultores sobre a percepção dos consumidores, por exemplo, como manejam suas hortas, quais insumos externos utilizam e quais suas expectativas com relação a venda de alimentos saudáveis na feira livre. Os consumidores apresentam um padrão distinto no que tange a preocupação com os agrotóxicos, sazonalidade e certificação, embora sejam sensíveis de formas distintas a essas temáticas. A temática da certificação é ainda desconhecida e mal compreendida na realidade estudada justamente por não haver, por parte significativa dos consumidores, uma preocupação latente com o uso de agrotóxicos. Sendo assim, debater os efeitos do uso dos agrotóxicos na produção e no consumo de alimentos é essencial para fortalecer um sistema saudável de produção no município e fomentar a pauta da certificação de produtos agroecológicos na região da campanha.
INVERTEBRADOS EDÁFICOS EM CULTURAS DE VERÃO E INVERNO NO NOROESTE DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL
Authors: Mott Lucero Eduarda , Costa Beber Vieira Renan , Hübert Neufeld Vieira Ângela Denise
Published: September 2020

A biota edáfica apresenta importância fundamental nos processos naturais. O clima, os tiposde culturas utilizadas e as práticas agrícolas adotadas podem ser limitantes para a diversidade biológica dacomunidade desses invertebrados. A região noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul é uma das principais produtorasde grãos do Estado, entretanto, estudos avaliando a qualidade da biota edáfica são escassos nestes cultivos.Objetivou-se identificar os invertebrados edáficos em duas épocas sazonais distintas em áreas agrícolascultivadas com diferentes tipos de coberturas vegetais em Santo Ângelo/RS. Para tanto, foram realizadascoletas em cinco diferentes coberturas vegetais (soja, milho e milheto no verão e trigo e consórcio de naboforrageiro/azevém no inverno), utilizando armadilhas de queda “pitfall trap” por quatro dias no campo.Foram calculadas a abundância, a riqueza, a frequência relativa e os índices de diversidade para cadaárea avaliada. No total foram amostrados 11 diferentes ordens e 1.083 indivíduos, dos quais 1.051 foramartrópodes da classe Insecta, Arachnida e Entognatha. Observou-se que tanto a cobertura vegetal, quanto asazonalidade influenciaram a comunidade de invertebrados edáficos no noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Asáreas cultivadas com milho, milheto e nabo/azevém foram as mais diversas, enquanto que a área com trigo foi a mais dominada, apresentando uma alta abundância de Colembolla. No período do inverno predominaram os colêmbolos enquanto que no verão foram as formigas, principalmente no milheto e na soja.
GROWTH AND PHYSIOLOGY OF YOUNG GRAPEVINES (CV. BRS CARMEM) UNDER ORGANIC AND BIODYNAMIC PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
Authors: Piva Rafael , Renato Vasconcelos Botelho  , Patrícia Carla Giloni de Lima  , Adamo Domenico Rombolà
Published: September 2020

The biodynamic cultivation method consists of seeing the farm as an agricultural organism; its main goal is soil fertility, along with a rich diversity and biological activity. The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth, the physiology and the yield of grapevines cv. BRS Carmem, comparing organic and biodynamic production systems. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in Guarapuava, Paraná State, Southern Brazil planted in September 2013 and evaluated until June 2017. The experimental design was a randomized block with two treatments and six replications. In the plots of biodynamic treatment the following biodynamic preparations were applied: silica horn (501), manure horn (500), 508 (Equisetum hyemale L.) and Fladen. All plants were fertilized with the same organic compost, however, those from the biodynamic treatment received the preparations 502 (Achillea millefolium), 503 (Chamomilla officinalis), 504 (Urtica dioica), 505 (Quercus robus), 506 (Taraxacum officinale) And 507 (Valeriana officinalis). During three consecutive growing seasons the following variables were evaluated: enzyme activity (EC 3.2.1.39) β 1,3 glucanase and (EC 3.2.1.14) chitinase, mildew severity Plasmopara viticola, leaf water potential, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, SPAD index, Measurements of length and diameter of the canes, trunk diameter, weight of the pruning material, number of clusters, cluster length, berry diameter and soluble solids concentration. Biodynamic treatment promoted at least one year greater growth of plants (length and diameter of canes trunk diameter and SPAD index), better physiological response (leaf photosynthetic activity, Rubisco enzyme efficiency, maximum quantum yield of PSII), biochemistry (ß 1,3 glucanases and chitinase enzymes) and consequently greater resistance to disease and productivity.
COMPORTAMENTO FENOLÓGICO, NUTRICIONAL E DE PRODUTIVIDADE DE CULTIVARES DE SOJA NO SUDESTE PARAENSE
Authors: Henriques dos Santos Moraes Marcele de Cássia , Cunha da Hungria Letícia , Chaar El-Husny Jamil , Pereira Sacramento Priscila , Pereira Andrade Izabelle
Published: September 2020

Avaliar o potencial de diferentes cultivares de soja em condições complexas como da região amazônica é necessário para investigar a capacidade de adaptação e o comportamento em vários aspectos dessas cultivares. Neste sentido, objetivou-se avaliar o comportamento fenológico, nutricional e de produtividade de cultivares de soja em condições edafoclimáticas do sudeste Paraense. Para isso, foram testadas nove cultivares: BRS 279RR, BRS 333RR, BRS 325RR, BRS 9090RR, BRS 8990RR, BRS SambaíbaRR, P98R31, P98Y51 e P98Y70. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com densidade de 240.000 plantas.ha-1, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliadas altura de planta e de inserção da primeira vagem (cm), florescimento e maturação (dias) e produtividade de grãos (kg.ha-1). Além disso, foi quantificado o teor de N, P e K nas folhas. Para altura de plantas, destacaram-se as cultivares BRS 9090 RR, BRS 333 RR e P98Y70, com alturas de 73,25; 72,25 e 71 cm, respectivamente. A inserção da primeira vagem variou de 8,75 (P98Y51) a 16,75 cm (BRS 333 RR). A floração foi atingida entre 34 (P98R31) e 42 (BRS 333RR e P98Y70) dias após a emergência. O período de maturação teve início mínimo aos 98 dias (P98R31) e máximo aos 119 dias (BRS 333 RR) após a emergência. As maiores produtividades foram registradas para as BRS’s e P98Y70, variando entre 1890 e 3192 kg.ha-1. O teor foliar de N, P, K não diferiu entre as cultivares testadas. A BRS 333 RR, mostrou excelente desempenho das características agronômicas.
EMPLOYMENT OF NOT STANDARDIZED CONTAINERS BY RST AND THEIR INTERFERENCE IN THE PHYSIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF SEEDS OF Pinus elliottii
Authors: Carvalho Ivan Ricardo
Published: September 2020

The determining factor for ensuring success in a forest enterprise is directly linked to the quality of the seeds used in the nursery. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of Pinnus Elliotis in different containers compared to the standardized test by RST. Cellboxes (tissue culture boxes), with different diameters and cell numbers, respectively (0.7, 1.1, 16 and 21 mm and 96, 48, 24, 12) with circular blotting paper substrates were used. The experimental design used was a completely randomized with 5 treatments and 8 repetitions. The treatment (T1) showed the highest average germination and the lowest fungal infestation, compared to the gerbox container. Cellbox containers showed better values for germination, showing that the division of cells positively influences the health quality of Pinus elliottii Engelm var. elliottii.
Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the health consciousness and hygiene levels in the people of Hyderabad, India
Authors: Nallamothu Thanishka , Bhimaraju Satya Susrutha
Published: September 2020

Hygiene and healthy lifestyle practices were known to be important for the attainment and maintenance of positive health. On one hand hygiene helps in the prevention of communicable diseases and on the other hand health consciousness in terms of lifestyle changes has proved to have a positive impact on the immunity of a person, both of which are of the essence during the COVID-19 crisis. The study aims to understand the increase in health consciousness and hygiene practices in the people of Hyderabad, India due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. It also studies variation within age groups. This could help us learn the deficit in efforts at the individual level and awareness at the community level. It was observed that the impact of COVID-19 outbreak has definitely caused an elevation in the health consciousness and hygiene levels of the people. The people became more health-conscious in terms of looking into the diet, exercising and making other lifestyle changes respectively.  The efforts to promote them, however, should be continued to reach everyone and the study has to be repeated to ensure this attitude continues. The study proves that there is no association between health consciousness and age groups but showed an association between hygiene and age groups. Thus more emphasis is required to promote hygienic practices among younger age groups to bridge the gap that was noticed.
A Clinical Prognostic Framework for Classifying Severe Liver Disorders (SLDs) and Lungs’ Vulnerability to Virus
Authors: Ayeni Ayobami Gabriel
Published: September 2020

Most severe liver diseases (SLDs) are attributed to increased risk for cancer, and cirrhosis, through which the manifestation of fibrotic tissues and scars tends to affect liver function The role of liver is indispensable, as inner organ performing services that ranges from metabolism, immune guide, energy producer and digestive aid, just to mention a few. Prevalence of classification problem and the need for automated prognosis is the continual drive to apply data mining techniques and/or machine learning algorithms in medical diagnosis and clinical support systems. Computational scientists and researchers in the field of artificial intelligence have recorded notable efforts with existing methods/models for diagnosis or prognosis, yet their effectiveness and functional performance is not without drawback due to ambiguity of medical information and selected features in patients’ data to tell the future course. In this paper, a novel hybridized machine learning model was provided (Fuzzy c-BC) for clinical classification of Severe Liver Disorders (SLDs) and to determine Lungs Vulnerability (LV) to virus; by incorporating individual strength of fuzzy cluster means (FCM) and naive Bayes classifier (NBC) for projecting future course of every categorized liver disease (LD) and its implication to aggravate lungs infection if preventive measures are not taken in timely manner.
Perspective on Accelerating the Mutation Rate of SARS-CoV-2 for a Better Way of COVID-19 Treatment
Authors: PATRA Samir
Published: September 2020

“Higher the mutation rate higher is the possibility to evolve” and “higher the possibility to evolve higher is the possibility of extinction”. Since +ssRNA virus replication is catalyse by their own polymerase lacking proofreading activity have high mutation rate; further enhancement of mutation of SARS-CoV-2 using nucleotide analogues would be helpful to fight against COVID-19
The Contribution of Islamic Bank in Poverty Alleviation
Authors: Nugroho Lucky , Mastur Akhmad Amien , Harnovinsah Harnovinsah , Aryanti Widya
Published: September 2020

The existence of Islamic banks as one part of Islamic financial institutions should contribute to improving the economy, one of which is to reduce poverty. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of financing variables, asset variables, and Islamic bank office variables on poverty levels. The sample used to be Islamic Commercial Banks (BUS) in the 2013-2017 period, with a total of 110 samples. The methodology used is quantitative with multiple regression statistical analysis and statistical data processing using SPSS software version 20. The results of the study note that financing has a negative and significant effect, namely, the higher the financing of Islamic banks, it will reduce poverty. However, the total assets and the number of networks that have a positive and significant effect, namely the increase in total assets and branch networks, it will affect the increasing amount of poverty. That is because the assets of Islamic banks are supported by the majority savings and the not optimal yet of distribution of financing from Islamic banks to the community. Also, the existence of the Islamic branch office tends to be found in provincial capitals and big cities, so that the communities in rural and remote areas are still not reached by Islamic banks.
Highly effective synthesis of 1-thioamidoalkyl-2-naphthols and tetrahydropyridines using a nanostructured silica-based catalyst under mild conditions
Authors: Irannejad-Gheshlaghchaei Navid , Sajadikhah Seyed Sajad
Published: September 2020

Aim and Objective:

Nano-2-[N',N'-dimethyl-N'-(silica-n-propyl)ethanaminium chloride]-N,N-dimethylaminium
bisulfate (nano-[DSPECDA][HSO4]) was used as a highly effective and heterogeneous silica-based nanostructured catalyst
for the synthesis of 1-thioamidoalkyl-2-naphthols and substituted tetrahydropyridines.

Material and Methods:

The expected products were prepared in mild conditions. In this work, three novel 1-
thioamidoalkyl-2-naphthols and two new tetrahydropyridine derivatives were synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H and
13C NMR and Mass spectroscopy.

Results:

One-pot multi-component condensation of 2-naphthol with arylaldehydes and thioacetamide catalyzed by nano-
[DSPECDA][HSO4] under green, mild and solvent-free conditions led to 1-thioamidoalkyl-2-naphthols in high yields. The
nanocatalyst was also used for the preparation of functionalized tetrahydropyridines by the one-pot multi-component reaction of anilines, arylaldehydes and ethylacetoacetate under solvent-free and mild conditions.

Conclusion:

The reactions results are better compared to the literature in terms of one or more of these factors: yield, time,
and the reaction media. All the products were purified by recrystallization from EtOH, and without column chromatography,
which is good agreement with the green chemistry protocols.
The Interplay of Marine Exposure in Gestational Diabetes
Authors: Khare Ekta
Published: September 2020

Background:

Gestational diabetes mellitus is a common medical disorder of pregnancy
associated with adverse outcomes for the mother and infant. This disease may result in maternal and
fetal morbidity and mortality. Although therapies are available for the management of diabetes,
which includes anti-diabetic drugs and insulin injections, yet continuous use of synthetic drugs provides
lower healing with many side effects.

Objective:

The continuous search for effective anti-diabetic drugs from a natural source is the main
reason behind exploring marine resources for therapeutic and nutritional compounds.

Methods:

As major articles of interest in the field of marine flora for gestational diabetes have been
found, so this review has been proposed based on relevant information. A description of the studies
is included in the review.

Results:

Marine bio-resources produce several novel scaffolds, which show their good efficacy and
bioavailability in the treatment of gestational diabetes. Thus, marine resources have attracted much
interest of the scientific community.

Conclusion:

This mini-review article presents some potential scaffolds from different marine
sources such as algae, sponges together with their specific activity. Concerning the maternal risk
factor, additional study is required.