bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparative study of the restorative effects of ocimum gratissimum and ocimum canum on alcohol induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats
Authors:   University of Botswana, S George , Chaturvedi Padmaja ,   University of Botswana, Moseki B
Published: October 2021

Many species of Ocimum possess anti -inflammatory, antioxidant and anti -microbial properties and the plants are widely used in Ayurveda. The oxidative stress induced by ethanol consumption had been implicated the changes in the structure and functions of liver cells especially the membrane phospholipids leading to lipid peroxidation. This study was to assess the curative potential of the methanol extract of two different species of Ocimum , O. canum and O. gratissimum on alcohol induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. Male Wister rats of body weight 200- 250 g , were divided into 6 groups of six rats each as (1) NC - normal control with normal diet (2) EC - alcohol control fed on alcohol for thirty days ; (3) EX -1 MEO G (methanol extract of Ocimum grat issimum ) only to check the toxicity of the extract , (4) EX - 2 MEOC (methanol extract of Ocimum canum ) only to check whether the extract had any toxic effect of its own and (5) EX - 3 MEOG after treating with ethanol for thirty days and confirming the hepatotoxicity, and (6) EX - 4 MEOC after the ethanol treatment . The rats were sacrificed after 30 days, and the blood collected for biochemical estimations . The results indicated that there were significant difference between the experimental rats (EX -groups) when compared with alcohol control (EC - group) in all the parameters checked and they were not significantly different from the normal control (NC -group) . The curative effect was established in groups 5 and 6, which showed a significant difference in antioxidant levels of all the parameters checked and retrieved its antioxidant status almost to the normal control. To come to the absolute normal condition of antioxidant levels it might have been needed a prolonged treatment for a longer period. Again, the groups, treated with extracts only, did not show any negative effect, which clearly indicated that the extract had no toxic effects. The use of antioxidant is an important preventive and curative method to minimize the pathological and toxic effects of oxidative stress induced by ethanol toxicity. Thus from the result obtained we conclude that MEOG and MEOC could effectively restore the antioxidant system from the oxidative stress induced by ethanol toxicity. In addition, there were no significant differences between the curative effects of these two species of Ocimum in terms of their effect on oxidative stress induced by ethanol toxicity.
Effect of dermestes maculatus on the nutritional qualities of two edible insects (oryctes boas and rhynchophorus phoenicis)
Authors:   Tai Solarin University of Education, Fasunwon BT , Banjo A. D ,   Olabisi Onabanjo University, Jemine T. A ,   Tai Solarin University of Education
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to assess the effect on nutritional composition of t wo ‘Edible Insects ’ (Larva of Oryctes boas and Rhynchophorus phoenicis ) after infestation by Dermestes maculatus . The study was done over a period of six weeks by subjecting these edible insects to different conditions of storage (using pepper and salt) . The assessment was based on weight and proximate analysis differences before and after infestation under these media of storage . The larva of Oryctes boas in the container with salt as preservative had the least weight loss (from 30.00 + .0000  39.70 + .3000  36.30 + 1.000), followed by the container with pepper as preservative (from 30.00 + .0000  31.05 + 5.000  25.25 + .1500) while the highest weight loss occurred in the container without preservative constituents (from 30.00 + .0000  30.30 + 1.000  21.15 + 5.000). Likewise, the larva of Rhynchoporus phoenicis in the container with salt as preservative constituent had the least weight difference of (16.00 + .0000  20.80 + .0000  13.65 + .1500); followed by the container with pepper as preservative (from 16.00 + .0000  16.40 + 1.000  6.700 + .2000), while the highest weight loss occurred in the container without preservative (from 16.00 + .0000  7.850 + 5.000  6.300 + .0000) . The mortality rate of Dermestes maculatus was also determined, showing that the larva of Oryctes boas and Rhynchophorus phoenicis containing salt as preservative had the highest mortality rate of 60% and 80% , respectively, followed by that containing pepper as preservative having 20% and 30% respectively, and that containing no preservative constituent had no mortality rate. It was concluded that , Dermestes maculatus ’ infestations on the larva of edible insects showed a difference in the proximate analysis of these edible insects before and after infestation. Therefore, it was suggested that edible insects should be well dried and locally preserved with salt and pepper .
Rola i miejsce logopedy w szpitalu wielospecjalistycznym
Authors: Chudzik Wiesław , Gliwa Renata
Published: October 2021

Care Speech in Poland is provided by the education and health care. The care provided within the education system, based mainly on the activities of psychological and pedagogical activity and demand for speech therapy localized at schools Increasingly, speech therapy services are provided within the health care guaranteed by the National Health Fund. The subject of the present chapter is to determine the scope of care and identify the role of speech therapist health care.
Opieka logopedyczna w opiniach rodziców dzieci z zaburzeniami rozwoju mowy. Doniesienia z badań
Authors: Gacka Ewa
Published: October 2021

Speech therapy care is primarily the diagnosis and therapy of speech disorders. Properly functioning speech therapy care allows you to meet the needs of people of different ages and with different types of speech disorders. The article gives the results of own research on the assessment of the availability and quality of speech therapy care. The test group were parents of children between the age of infancy till adolescence period who have participated in the speech therapy. The questionnaire survey was used to conduct the research. The survey was voluntary and anonymous. The research was conducted on the territory of Lodz and in the surrounding area. After introducing the assessment of the therapy care made by the parents, the author formulates the conclusions of the conducted studies pointing to the operation areas of the speech therapy services in which corrections should be made.
Niemówienie, milczenie, przemilczenie, pauza, czyli wielkie nic w teorii i praktyce logopedycznej
Authors: Michalik Mirosław , Cholewiak Anna , Jagiełowicz Wojciech
Published: October 2021

The article discusses the importance of the scientific description of mutism. The paper starts with linguistic arguments and talks about the phenomenon from the perspective of speech disorders typology and from the perspective of the mute person himself/herself. It suggests that the tempo of utterance (which is different from the tempo of speech) should be included in the study of mutism. It also discusses the competence of speech therapists to diagnose and program the therapy of mute people. The conclusion of the article is that the interdisciplinary research of mutism would allow for better understanding of this phenomena and a more effective therapy.
Dlaczego wymowa głosek polskich może być trudna dla cudzoziemców?
Authors: PLUTA-WOJCIECHOWSKA DANUTA
Published: October 2021

The paper focuses on the issue of the pronunciation in adult learners of Polish as a foreign language. Various factors having impact on the difficulties in pronouncing certain Polish sounds are listed, while pointing at the necessity of introducing the methods used in speech therapy in certain cases of speech difficulties in adult learners of Polish as a foreign language.
Padrões de modificação adjetival e leitura de intensidade na composição em português brasileiro, inglês e hebraico
Authors: Barbosa Julio William Curvelo , Minussi Rafael Dias
Published: October 2021

Este artigo compara estruturas de modificação adjetival em português brasileiro, inglês e hebraico, numa tentativa de identificar suas propriedades de interpretação e variação sintática nas três línguas. A hipótese é que estruturas do tipo (gerúndio)/A/Adv+de+A/N permitem uma leitura de intensidade, expressa no elemento que precede a preposição, por consequência da categorização de uma estrutura preposicional que seleciona duas raízes. A variação entre as três línguas se dá pela (não-)categorização da raiz na posição de complemento, e na adjunção da raiz na posição de complemento à posição de especificador, gerando uma inversão de ordem com núcleo à direita, como nos compostos N+N do inglês. As evidências empíricas para a proposta são baseadas nos comportamentos de modificação, intervenção de outros modificadores entre os elementos adjetivais e os casos de interpretação semântica de intensidade.
The Post-Covid-19 Era Requires Maximum Urban Resilience
Authors: Shahraki Abdol Aziz
Published: October 2021

This paper reviews the low-resilience problem in many cities, poor designs of cities to cope with disasters, and the need for tolerance of urban constructions. It explores answers concerning the question of how shall we build cities resiliently? The method of this applied research is a multiphase process that considers all physical and socioeconomic elements of a city. It introduces six indicator groups of urban management (M), economy (E), built environments (U), Infrastructures (I), natural environments (N), and health protection (H). The groups include 55 indicators as variables in the mathematical calculations in this paper. This paper builds a mathematical model to maximize the profitability of resilient buildings by optimizing investments in the required projects. The projects will upgrade the firmness and tolerance of cities against nature-based and human-made dangers and risks. There is a linear programming in 55 variables to select optimal solutions from fifty-five factorial alternatives. Then, the programming will develop into non-linear programming. The unique innovation of this paper is its linear programming interpretation by non-linear to give optimal solutions for the problem. Applying the Lagrange function in the Kuhn-Tucker conditions proves the accuracy of the hypothesis that post-COVID urbanization requires maximum resilience. Only in this way, the urban economies will be free of risks. Outcomes in this paper will assist in the pre-planning, design, and building of built environments everywhere resilient and sustainable.
Different Explanations for the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
Authors: Pei Ting-Hang
Published: October 2021

In this research, the other reasonable explanations for the cosmic microwave background radiation is revealed. Due to the microwave resolution, it very roughly shows the image of galaxies in the universe. Moreover, the intensity measurement on each pixel of the image is the sum of the incident microwaves from different directions, so the microwave image cannot represent the microwave sources clearly far away from the Earth. Hence, we propose a simulation after removing several strongest microwave sources, the remaining microwave radiation sources can establish a very uniform intensity distribution over a range of several ten light years. On the other hand, Sloan Digital Sky Survey reveals 200 million galaxies in the universe and, in fact, only to eliminate the contributions of all galaxies from the microwave image is impossible. The way to further obtain the fine-scale structure by only removing the few strongest microwave sources as the foreground effect will keep the other contributions from all the rest galaxies and stars. Therefore, the Cosmic Microwave Background cannot be uniquely explained the radiation which was left after the initial formation of the universe. Moreover, it is the mainly residual radiation from the un-calculated galaxies and inaccurate estimation of the microwave source strength.
UN SDGs Implementation Level in the Urban Sector in Korea: Focusing on a Framework Application Based on Relative Efficiency Theory
Authors: Yoo Jonghoon , Choi Minkyoung , Byun Byungseol
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation level of urban Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Republic of Korea and to measure the extent of internal and external impacts on the implementation level. An evaluation framework was established based on relative efficiency theory, and the implementation level of urban SDGs at the local government unit in the Republic of Korea was examined by performing an analysis of each stage. First, in reference to the 2018 cross-section, the implementation level of target 11.2 (public transportation) was assessed as excellent across the country, compared with the implementation level of targets 11.5 (disaster safety), 11.6 (environment), and 11.7 (public space), which were assessed as needing improvement. Second, the factors positively impacting the implementation level of target 11.2 were urban population, GRDP, financial independence, urbanization area, and bus-only lanes, whereas the factors positively impacting the implementation level of target 11.5 were population density and GRDP. The positive factors influencing the implementation level of target 11.6 (air quality sector) were found to be GRDP, financial independence, administrative area, and renewable energy generation, whereas the effective factors of the implementation level of target 11.6 (waste management sector) were analyzed as GRDP, financial independence, and the population density of households in the waste management area. The positive factors influencing the implementation level of target 11.7 were GRDP, financial independence, administrative area, and green area.
Robust Sliding Mode Control of a Magnetic Levitation System: Continuous-Time and Discrete-Time Approaches
Authors: Vernekar Pratik , Bandal Vitthal
Published: October 2021

This paper presents three types of sliding mode controllers for a magnetic levitation system. First, a proportional-integral sliding mode controller (PI-SMC) is designed using a new switching surface and a proportional plus power rate reaching law. The PI-SMC is more robust than a feedback linearization controller in the presence of mismatched uncertainties and outperforms the SMC schemes reported recently in the literature in terms of the convergence rate and settling time. Next, to reduce the chattering phenomenon in the PI-SMC, a state feedback-based discrete-time SMC algorithm is developed. However, the disturbance rejection ability is compromised to some extent. Furthermore, to improve the robustness without compromising the chattering reduction benefits of the discrete-time SMC, mismatched uncertainties like sensor noise and track input disturbance are incorporated in a robust discrete-time SMC design using multirate output feedback (MROF). With this technique, it is possible to realize the effect of a full-state feedback controller without incurring the complexity of a dynamic controller or an additional discrete-time observer. Also, the MROF-based discrete-time SMC strategy can stabilize the magnetic levitation system with excellent dynamic and steady-state performance with superior robustness in the presence of mismatched uncertainties. The stability of the closed-loop system under the proposed controllers is proved by using the Lyapunov stability theory. The simulation results and analytical comparisons demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control schemes.
Buku Ajar Biokimia Dasar
Authors: Hanum Galuh Ratmana
Published: October 2021

Alhamdulillahirabbil’aalamin, segala puja dan puji syukur penulis panjatkan kepada Allah Yang Maha Esa, tanpa karuniaNya tidak mungkin bukuajar BIOKIMIA DASAR ini terselesaikan tepat waktu mengingat tugas dan kewajiban lain yang bersamaan. Buku ini ditulis berdasarkan keinginan penulis yang sering mengamati perilaku mahasiswa pada saat pembelajaran mata kuliah biokimia seperti kurangnya referensi yang digunakan dan minat membaca mahasiswa yang masih kurang. Berdasarkan kondisi tersebut, penulis berusaha menyusun buku ini. Buku ini memuat tentang pengertian, fungsi, klasifikasi dan identifikasi makromolekul. Terselesaikannya penulisan buku ini tidak terlepas dari bantuan beberapa pihak. Penulis menyampaikan terima kasih kepada UMSIDA karena telah memberikan kesempatan kepada penulis. Dengan kesempatan tersebut, dapat mendukung penulis dalam upaya meningkatkan kualitas diri dan karya untuk waktu mendatang. Meskipun telah berusaha untuk menghindari kesalahan, penulis menyadari bahwa buku ini masih mempunyai kekurangan. Karena itu, penulis berharap supaya pembaca berkenan menyampaikan kritikan. Kritik merupakan perhatian supaya dapat menuju kesempurnaan. Akhir kata, penulis berharap semoga buku ini bermanfaat bagi pembaca.
Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) for determination of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol in volatile emissions from soil disturbance
Authors: Conrady Morgan , Bauer Markus , Jo Kyoo , Cropek Donald , Busby Ryan
Published: October 2021

A method is described here for the concentration and determination of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) from the gaseous phase, with translation to field collection and quantification from soil disturbances in situ. The method is based on the use of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers for adsorption of volatile chemicals from the vapor phase, followed by desorption into a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) for analysis. The use of a SPME fiber allows simple introduction to the GC-MS without further sample preparation. Several fiber sorbent types were studied and the 50/30 μm DVB/CAR/PDMS was the best performer to maximize the detected peak areas of both analytes combined. Factors such as extraction temperature and time along with desorption temperature and time were explored with respect to analyte recovery. An extraction temperature of 30 ◦C for 10 min, with a desorption temperature of 230 ◦C for 4 min was best for the simultaneous analysis of both geosmin and 2-MIB without complete loss of either one. The developed method was used successfully to measure geosmin and 2-MIB emission from just above disturbed and undisturbed soils, indicating that this method detects both compounds readily from atmospheric samples. Both geosmin and 2-MIB were present as background concentrations in the open air, while disturbed soils emitted much higher concentrations of both compounds. Surprisingly, 2-MIB was always detected at higher concentrations than geosmin, indicating that a focus on its detection may be more useful for soil emission monitoring and more sensitive to low levels of soil disturbance.
REAL EXCHANGE RATE MISALIGNMENTS: THE CASE OF THE INDONESIAN RUPIAH
Authors: Rasbin Rasbin , Ikhsan Mohamad , Gitaharie Beta Y , Affandi Yoga
Published: October 2021

This paper analyses the equilibrium price of the Indonesian Rupiah using the Synthetic Control Method (SCM) and assesses its misalignments. We find evidence of Rupiah misalignment, as the currency was undervalued for most periods, except for 1993-1996. This finding is robust across model specifications, predictors, and weighting. Our finding implies that keeping the exchange rate at its equilibrium level is ideal, and that policymakers can take advantage of the undervalued currency to promote economic growth via exports.
DIVERSIFICATION GAINS FOR A HOME BIASED TRADER IN THE EMERGING AND FRONTIER EQUITY MARKETS
Authors: Narayan Seema Wati , Srianathakumar Sivagowry , Maheshwari Greeni , Rehman Mobeen Ur
Published: October 2021

We study the case of a home-biased equity trader based in Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, or Latin America, who is looking at diversifying his/her investment risks internationally within his/her region and three other emerging/frontier regions. We focus on explaining the dynamic conditional correlations between equity markets from 3 January 2002 to 11 November 2016. Timevarying opportunities for diversification are found in several nations across regions. However, diversification opportunities outside a region are largely reserved for bad times, such as during the global financial crisis and the European sovereign debt crisis.
Failure mode engineered high-energy-absorption metamaterials with biomimetic hierarchical microstructures and artificial grain boundaries
Authors: Gao Zhenyang , Sun Hua , Wang Hongze , Wu Yi , Sun Tengteng , Wang Haowei
Published: October 2021

For numerous engineering applications, there is a high demand for protective lightweight structures with outstanding energy absorption performance and the ability to prevent catastrophic structural failures. In nature, most species have evolved with hierarchical biological structures that possess novel mechanical properties, including ultrahigh specific energy absorption, progressive laminated failure modes, and ability for crack arrestment, in order to defend themselves from hostile environments. In this study, a novel protective metamaterial having spherical hollow structures (SHSs) was developed with different hierarchical microstructures. An artificial failure mode engineering strategy was proposed by tailoring the microstructures of SHS unit cells. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, a composite hierarchical SHS lattice structure was developed using a biomimetic laminated failure mode and through a hardening mechanism, mimicking crystal grain boundaries. The quasi-static compressive results indicated a significant improvement in the specific energy absorption, an enhanced plateau stress magnitude, and an obvious delay in the densification stage for the composite hierarchical SHS lattice owing to the constraining effect of its mesoscale grain boundaries and an increased number of intensively engineered laminated failure levels. This novel type of metamaterial was shown to be immensely beneficial in designing lightweight protective aerospace components such as turbine blade lattice infills.
Heterozygous Pathogenic Nonsense ATM Variant Resulting in Unusually High Gastric Cancer Susceptibility
Authors: Guadagnolo Daniele , Mastromoro Gioia , Marchionni Enrica , Germani Aldo , Libi Fabio , Sadeghi Soha , Savio Camilla , Petrucci Simona , Piane Maria , Pizzuti Antonio
Published: October 2021

We describe the unusual presentation of familial early-onset gastric cancer due to a heterozygous pathogenic variant in the ATM gene. The proband had gastric cancer (age 45), and reported a sister deceased for diffuse gastric cancer (age 30) and another sister who developed diffuse gastric cancer (age 52) and ovarian serous cancer. Next Generation Sequencing for cancer susceptibility genes (APC, ATM, BRD1, BRIP1, CDH1, CDK4, CDKN2A, CHEK2, EPCAM, MLH1, MRE11, MSH2, MSH6, MUTYH, NBN, PALB2, PMS2, PTEN, RAD50, RAD51C, RAD51D, RECQL1, SMAD4, STK11, TP53) identified the truncating c.5944C>T, p.(Gln1982*) variant in ATM (NM_000051.3; NP_000042.3) in the proband. The variant segregated in the living affected sister and in the unaffected daughter of the deceased sister. Heterozygous ATM variants appear to significantly increase the risk for pancreatic, breast, gastric and prostatic cancer and, to a reduced extent, ovarian and colon cancer and melanoma, with moderate penetrance and variable expressivity. Familial gastric cancer is an unusual presentation for ATM. The occurrence of gastric cancer in this family suggests that individual variants may result in different, specific risks. Genotype-phenotype correlations are challenging, given the low penetrance and variable expressivity for ATM variants. Careful family history assessment is pivotal for prevention planning, strengthened by the availability of molecular diagnoses.
Ginsenoside Compound K Inhibits the Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Eca109 cell via VEGF-A/Pi3k/Akt Pathway
Authors: Huang Jianhou , Pan Dinglong , Liu Feng , Hong Yiting , Huang Gang , Huang Xiaowei , Wang Xinwen , Lin Zhiqiang
Published: October 2021

Objective: Esophageal cancer, one of the most common cancers of the upper digestive tract and is one of the leading cancer-related mortality worldwide. Accumulating studies found that Ginsenoside compound K (CK) has significantly anti-tumor effects, especially in the suppression of proliferation, migration, as well as invasion of various human cancers. While the effects of Ginsenoside CK have not well been studied in esophageal cancer. In our present study, we aim to explore the functions of Ginsenoside CK in the progression of esophageal cancer cells (Eca109).Methods: Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing, transwell and flow cytometry assays were applied to analyze the effects of Ginsenoside CK in the progression of Eca109 cell, western bolt was used to investigated the potential downstream signal pathway after Ginsenoside CK treatment.Results: Our study found that Ginsenoside CK can suppressed the cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion of Eca109 cell. Furthermore, the flow cytometry showed that Ginsenoside CK induced apoptosis rates of Eca109 cell. The western blot results indicated that Ginsenoside CK functions may possibly related to the blockade of the VEGF-A/Pi3k/Akt signaling pathway. Knockdown of VEGF-A gene could suppress poor the progression of Eca109 cells either. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study suggests that Ginsenoside CK inhibited viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, and induced apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells by VEGF-A/Pi3k/Akt signaling pathway.
The Role of Gilts in Transmission Dynamics of Swine Influenza Virus and Impacts of Vaccination Strategies and Quarantine Management
Authors: Ryt-Hansen Pia , Nielsen Henriette Guldberg , Sørensen Simon Smed , Larsen Inge , Kristensen Charlotte Sonne , Larsen Lars Erik
Published: October 2021

Along with an expanding global swine production, the commercial housing and management of swine herds, provide an optimal environment for constant circulation of swine influenza virus (swIAV), thereby challenging farmers and veterinarian in determining optimal control measures. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of gilts in the swIAV transmission dynamics, and to evaluate the impact of different control measures such as quarantine and gilt vaccination. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study in ten Danish sow herds, including five swIAV vaccinated and five unvaccinated herds. Blood- and nasal swab samples of gilts, first parity sows, and piglets were collected in different stable units of the production system and analyzed for the presence of swIAV and swIAV antibodies. Associations between the detection of swIAV, seroprevalence, antibody levels, quarantine measures and vaccination strategy were thereafter investigated to identify possible risk factors for swIAV introductions and persistence within the herds.Nine of the ten herds had gilts or litters of first parity sows testing positive for swIAV, and swIAV was detected in both the quarantine, mating- and farrowing unit. The seroprevalence were generally higher in the vaccinated herds, but swIAV was still present in nasal swabs from both gilts and piglets in these herds. Notably, the results revealed that having positive gilts in the end of the quarantine increased the risk of having positive one-week-old litters in the farrowing unit by 2.5 times. These results underline that gilts are important contributors to the continuous circulation of swIAV. Additionally, the recorded vaccination schedules along with quarantine and biosecurity measures were far from optimal emphasizing a needed focus on these factors if control of pathogens such as swIAV is desired.
Coronal and Sagittal Balance of Spine in Patients with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip
Authors: yu yang , song kai , liu jinjin , wu bing , wang zheng , li bo , wang zhaohan , wang yan
Published: October 2021

Objective: To explore the spino-pelvic alignment changes in patients with Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and the effect of Total hip arthroplasty (THA) on the spino-pelvic alignment.Methods: In this study, patients with DDH are selected as the study group and healthy adults are selected as the control group. The differences of sagittal spino-pelvic parameters between patients with DDH and healthy adults are compared by independent sample t-test. Paired sample t-test is performed for spine-pelvis parameters before and after THA. Pearson correlation analysis is used to analyze the correlation about coronal spine-pelvic parameters. SPSS 22.0 software is used for statistical analysis, and p < 0.05 is the result of statistical significance.Results: In this study, there are 48 patients with DDH in study group, with an average age of 43.1±10.3 years old, consist of 42 females and 6 males. SVA =-4.1±33.9 mm, PI=42.9±18.9°, PT=4.6±15.6°, SS=38.2±13.9°, LL=53.3±12.6°, TK=22.8±9.2°, TLK=6.7±5.7°. There are 214 subjects in control group, SVA=-11.3±28.9mm, PI=45.6±9.4°, PT=9.9±6.8°, SS=35.5±7.1°, LL=48.4±10.8°, TK=27.7±10.4°，TLK=5.7±10°. The differences of SVA, PT, LL and TK were statistically significant. Before THA, IO = 6.7 ± 4.6°, SO = 6.4 ± 5.4°, HO = 5.3 ± 5.8°, L5O = 6.1 ± 5.5°, Cobb angle = 11.0 ± 10.7°; After THA, IO=3.5 ± 3°, SO=3.7 ± 3.4°, HO=3.7 ± 3.6°, L5O= 4.3 ± 4.7°, Cobb angle = 6.8±7.7°. The Cobb angle is related to SO and IO respectively (r=0.610, r=0.570). Conclusions: Due to acetabular dysplasia and dislocation of hip joint, patients with DDH will have changes in sagittal and coronal spino-pelvic alignment. In sagittal plane, PT is decreased, TK is decreased and LL is increased. And THA cannot correct the sagittal spino-pelvic alignment in patients with DDH. In coronal plane, there are Leg length discrepancy (LLD) and hip dislocation in patients with DDH, which together lead to coronal pelvic obliquity (PO). The overall coronal imbalance tendency caused by PO leads to compensatory scoliosis. And THA can significantly improve the degree of PO and compensatory scoliosis in patients with DDH.
A Structured Multimodal Program for Improving The Pediatric Discharge Summaries At The University Teaching Hospital
Authors: Thacker Jigar P , Patel Dipen , Phatak Ajay G , Tandon Krutika , Nimbalkar Somashekhar M
Published: October 2021

Objective:

Discharge Summary (DS) is the vital document for the ongoing patient care. We aimed to improve the quality of DS given from our pediatric ward of tertiary teaching hospital.
Methods:

We introduced longitudinal multimodal program. Residents preparing the DS were given the education in a small group. Peer audit of the summaries were done by each residents at several occasions followed by feedback from consultant concluding the lesions for improvement. Summaries rechecking by senior residents or consultants was made mandatory once prepared by junior residents. Discussion on discharge processes was emphasized during the ward round including DS documentation points. We didn’t find suitable pediatric DS assessment tool in the literature. We developed a scoring system evaluating 33 components of DS under seven broad headings. A scoring tool had good inter-rater reliability. We introduced the program in May 2018. 33 summaries were evaluated each from last quarter (October to December) of the calendar year 2017, 2018, and 2019 as a pre-intervention, post-intervention, and retention analysis respectively.
Results:

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that the Mean(SD) total % score improved significantly (P<0.001). However, the post-hoc test showed that the improvement was significant (p=0.01) from 2017 to 2018 but from 2018 to 2019 improvement was statistically non-significant (p=0.43). Domains like History, Physical Examination, and Discharge Plan were improved significantly, but the domain of Hospital Course was resistant to improve despite interventions.
Conclusion:

DS quality prepared by the residents in a teaching institute can be improved by various educations approaches and work system changes.
The Performance of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing In Suspected Central Nervous System Infection
Authors: Liu Li , Yu Yamin , Shi Yi , Su Xin
Published: October 2021

Background: To explore the performance of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology in patients of suspected central nervous system infection.Methods: From January 2018 to March 2021, 75 cases were enrolled in this retrospective analysis at Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital. The clinical data of patients with suspected central nervous system infection who underwent cerebrospinal fluid mNGS were analyzed. The performances of mNGS were compared with the conventional methods.Result: The sensitivity of mNGS, culture and smear in the diagnosis of 75 patients were 55%, 4.4%, 6.7%; theirs’specificity were 54.3%, 100%, 100%; theirs’ positive predictive value (PPV ) were 57.9%, 100%, 100%; theirs’negative predictive value (NPV) were 51.4%, 41.4%, 41.7%, respectively. There was 41(54.6%) cases whose mNGS results were consistent with the final diagnosis. 22(29.3%) mNGS results were considered as both mNGS positive/Case consistent; 19( 25.3%) mNGS results were considered as both mNGS negative/Case consistent; 18(24%) mNGS results were considered as both mNGS positive/Case inconsistent; 16(21.3%) mNGS results were considered as both mNGS negative/Case inconsistent. mNGS identified 35 irrelavant pathogens in this study.Conclusion: mNGS showed a high sensitivity compared to conventional methods. There are still several challenges in clinical application. It is necessary to establish unified and effective standards for interpreting mNGS results.
Clinical Significance of the Pre-albumin Level in Gastric Cancer Patients who Receive Curative Treatment
Authors: aoyama toru , Nakazono Masato , Segami Kenki , Nagasawa Shinsuke , Kano Kazuki , Hara Kentaro , Maezawa Yukio , Hashimoto Itaru , Suematsu Hideaki , Watanabe Hayato , Komori Keisuke , Tamagawa Hiroshi , Yukawa Norio , Rino Yasushi , Ogata Takashi , Oshima Takashi
Published: October 2021

Background We investigated the clinical influence of the prealbumin level on the gastric cancer survival and recurrence after curative treatment.Methods This study included 447 patients who underwent curative treatment for gastric cancer between 2013 and 2017. The risk factors for the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were identified. Results A prealbumin level of 20 mg/dl was regarded as the optimal point of classification, considering the 3- and 5-year survival rates. The OS rates at 3 and 5 years after surgery were 80.7% and 65.0% in the low-prealbumin group, respectively, and 93.1% and 87.9% in the high-prealbumin group, respectively, a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). The RFS rates at 3 and 5 years after surgery were 71.7% and 68.0% in the low-prealbumin group, respectively, and 90.1% and 84.7% in the high-prealbumin group, respectively, a statistically significant difference (p=0.031). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the prealbumin level was a significant independent risk factor for the OS and RFS. In addition, the rate of introduction of adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly lower and the frequency of peritoneal recurrence and lymph node recurrence significantly higher in the low-prealbumin group than in the high-prealbumin group. Conclusion Prealbumin is a risk factor for the survival in patients who undergo curative treatment for gastric cancer. It is necessary to develop an effective plan of perioperative care and surgical strategy according to the prealbumin level.
Carboxylated Cellulose Nanocrystals as Environmental-Friendly and Multi-Functional Additives for Bentonite Water-Based Drilling Fluids Under High-temperature Conditions
Authors: Li Xinliang , Wang Kai
Published: October 2021

During the oil and gas drilling engineering, the selection of drilling fluids must take account of the technical and environmental factors. This study investigated the effectiveness of carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (denoted as CNCs) as environmentally friendly additives in improving the rheological, filtration, and inhibitive performances of bentonite (BT) water-based drilling fluids (WBDFs). CNCs used in this study were modified by carboxylation reaction, displaying small size, negative surface charge, good colloidal stability, and prominent shear thinning behavior. The experimental results indicated that BT/CNC suspensions had superior rheological properties, low fluid loss volumes, and effective inhibition, even at 140 °C. Microstructure analysis demonstrated that CNCs could attach to the surface of BT via hydrogen bond and ionic bond. CNCs, BT, and vicinal water molecules could form a stiff gel network, which had a strong resistance to flow under shear force, leading to a significant improvement in the rheological properties. Moreover, under the differential pressure, BT/CNC suspensions formed thin and less hydrophilic filter cakes with compact layered structure, thereby efficiently decreasing the fluid loss volume. Finally, due to the gel network and filtration ability, BT/CNC suspensions performed low water activity, which was beneficial for preventing the penetration of free water into the shales and borehole well. Thus CNCs also exerted satisfactory inhibition on hydration and dispersion of BT and shales. As a result, CNCs showed great potential to be used as efficient, multi-functional, and environmentally friendly additives in WBDFs.
Gene Networks Reveal LASP1, TUBA1C, and S100A6 as Likely Drivers of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Authors: Karimi Nafiseh , Bashi Majid Motovalli , Ghaderi-Zefrehei Mostafa
Published: October 2021

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS), a non-contagious and chronic disease of the central nervous system, is an unpredictable and indirectly inherited disease affecting different people in different ways.Using Omics platforms data i.e. genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics, interactomics, and metabolomics it is now possible to construct sound systems biology models to extract full knowledge of the MS and path the way to likely construct personalized and therapeutic tools.Methods: In this study, we learned many Bayesian Networks in order to find the transcriptional gene regulation networks that drive MS disease. We used a set of BN algorithms using the R add-on package bnlearn. The BN results underwent further downstream analysis and were validated using a wide range of Cytoscape algorithms, web based computational tools and qPCR amplification of blood samples from 56 MS patients and 44 healthy controls. The results were semantically integrated to come up with improved understanding of the complex molecular architecture underlying MS, distinguishing distinct metabolic pathways and providing a valuable foundation for the discovery of deriven genes and possibly new treatments. Results: Results show that the LASP1, TUBA1C, and S100A6 genes were most significant and likely playing a biological role in MS development. Results from qPCR showed a significant increase (P <0.05) in LASP1 and S100A6 gene expression levels in MS patients compared to controls. However, a significant down regulation of TUBA1C was observed in the same comparison. Conclusion: This study provides potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for increasing understanding of gene regulation underlying MS.
Fingerprinting the Spatial Sources of Fine-grained Sediment Deposited in the Bed of the Mehran River Draining into the Northern Coast of the Persian Gulf using Elemental Geochemistry
Authors: Fatahi Atefe , Gholami Hamid , Esmaeilpour Yahya , Fathabadi Aboalhasan
Published: October 2021

Accurate information on the sources of suspended sediment in riverine systems is essential to target mitigation. Accordingly, we applied a generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation (GLUE) framework for quantifying contributions from three sub-basin spatial sediment sources in the Mehran River catchment draining into the Persian Gulf, Hormozgan province, southern Iran. A total of 28 sediment samples were collected from the three sub-basin sources and six from the overall outlet. 43 geochemical elements (e.g., major, trace and rare earth elements) were measured in the samples. Four different combinations of statistical tests comprising: 1) traditional range test (TRT), Kruskal-Wallis (KW) H-test and stepwise discriminant function analysis (DFA) (TRT+KW+DFA); 2) traditional range test using mean values (RTM) and two additional tests (RTM+KW+DFA); 3) TRT+KW+PCA (principle component analysis), and; 4) RTM+KW+PCA, were used to the spatial sediment source discrimination. Tracer bi-plots were used as an additional step to assess the tracers selected in the different final composite signatures for source discrimination. The predictions of spatial source contributions generated by GLUE were assessed using statistical tests and virtual sample mixtures. On this basis, TRT+KW+DFA and RTM+KW+DFA yielded the best source discrimination and the tracers in these composite signatures were shown by the biplots to be broadly conservative during transportation from source to sink. Using these final two composite signatures, the estimated mean contributions for the western, central and eastern sub-basins, respectively, ranged between 10-60% (overall mean contribution 36%), 0.3-16% (overall mean contribution 6%) and 38-77% (overall mean contribution 58%). In comparison, the final tracers selected using TRT+KW+PCA generated respective corresponding contributions of 1-42% (overall mean 20%), 0.5-30% (overall mean 12%) and 55-84% (overall mean 68%) compared with 17-69% (overall mean 41%), 0.2-12% (overall mean 5%) and 29-76% (overall mean 54%) using the final tracers selected by RTM+KW+PCA. Based on the mean absolute fit (MAF; ≥ 95% for all target sediment samples) and goodness-of-fit (GOF; ≥ 99% for all samples), GLUE with the final tracers selected using TRT+KW+PCA performed slightly better than GLUE with the final signatures selected by the three other combinations of statistical tests. Based on the virtual mixture tests, however, predictions provided by GLUE with the final tracers selected using TRT+KW+DFA and RTM+KW+DFA (mean MAE = 11% and mean RMSE = 13%) performed marginally better than GLUE with RTM+KW+PCA (mean MAE = 14% and mean RMSE =16%) and GLUE with TRT+KW+PCA (mean MAE = 17% and mean RMSE = 19%). The estimated source proportions can help watershed engineers plan the targeting of conservation programmes for soil and water resources.
Rhodococcus Yananensis Sp. Nov., Isolated From Microbial Fermentation Bed Material From a Pig Farm
Authors: Jiang Yingying , Zheng Chaochao , Yu Tianfei , Li Jing , Ai Jiamin , Li Maiping , Liu Xiaodong , Deng Zhenshan
Published: October 2021

An opaque, pink-colored, gram-positive, aerobic bacteria (designated FBM22-1T), 0.5 to 1.0 μm in width and 0.5 to 1.5 μm in length, was isolated from microbial fermentation bed material from a pig farm in northwestern China. Optimal growth occurred at 30–37℃, pH 7.0, and 0.5% NaCl (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the novel isolate belonged to the family Nocardiaceae of the class Actinomycetia. FBM22-1T is closely related to Rhodococcus zopfii NBRC 100606T and Rhodococcus rhodochrous NBRC 16069T, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.95% and 97.73%, respectively. The predominant respiratory quinone in FBM22-1T was ubiquinone MK-8(H2), and the cellular fatty acids consisted primarily of C16:1ω7c/16:1ω6c, C16:0, and C18:0 10-methly1. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and glycolipids. The G+C content of FBM22-1T was 68.64 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic, and chemotaxonomic characterization, in combination with low values of digital DNA–DNA hybridization between FBM22-1T and its closest neighbors, FBM22-1T represents a novel species of the genus Rhodococcus, for which the name Rhodococcus yananensis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is FBM22-1T (=KCTC 49502T = CCTCC 2020275T).
Influence of Non-newtonian Properties of Liquid in Microchannels on Pressure Drop and Bubble Length
Authors: Yang Gang , Feng Kai , Li Jia-Pei , Gao Yu-Hang , Zhang Hui-Chen
Published: October 2021

Pressure drop and bubble morphology are essential characteristics of microfluidic system design and process control. In this paper, a new type of microfluidic chip was designed and produced, including a flow-focusing device and a fluid transport device to simulate bubble generation and fluid transport in practical applications. Nitrogen and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solutions of different concentrations were used as the gas and liquid phases. Single-phase flow and two-phase flow experiments were designed according to the commonly used flow conditions in the microchannel. By changing the flow rates of liquid and gas, the pressure drop in the fluid transport device of the two fluid states, the length of the bubble generated in the flow-focusing device, and the length of the bubble after passing through the transport device were measured, respectively. The influence of non-Newtonian characteristics of the liquid on pressure drop and the length of the generated bubbles were analyzed. The results show that the non-Newtonian characteristics of fluid have a significant effect on the pressure drop of single-phase flow and two-phase flow. Within a specific flow velocity range, the bubble length can be predicted according to the dimensionless number of the liquid. The pressure drop increases the bubble length to varying degrees.
L- Arginine Supplementation Protections Sodium Fluoride-Induced Nephrotoxicity And Hypertension By Suppressing Mineralocorticoid Receptor and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Activity
Authors: Oyagbemi Ademola Adetokunbo , Awodele Olusola Adedayo , Ajibade Temitayo Olabisi , Tijani Monsuru Oladunjoye , Adejumobi Olumuyiwa Abiola , Adetona Moses Olusola , Adedapo Aduragbenro Deborah A. , Omobowale Temidayo Olutayo , Aro Abimbola Obemisola , Ola-Davies Olufunke Eunice , Saba Adebowale Benard , Adedapo Adeolu Alex , Nkadimeng Sanah Malomile , McGaw Lyndy Joy , Kayoka-Kabongo Prudence Ngalula , Oguntibeju Oluwafemi Omoniyi , Yakubu Momoh Audu
Published: October 2021

Sodium fluoride (NaF) is one of the neglected environmental toxicants that has continued to silently cause toxicity to both humans and animals. NaF is universally present in water, soil and the atmosphere. The persistent and alarming rate of increase in cardiovascular and renal diseases and disorders caused by chemicals such as sodium fluoride (NaF) in mammalian tissues have led to the use of various drugs for the treatment of these diseases. This study aims at evaluating the renoprotective and antihypertensive effects of L- Arginine on NaF-induced nephrotoxicity. Thirty male Wistar rats (150 – 180 g) were used in this study. The rats were randomly divided into five groups of six rats each as Control, NaF (300 ppm), NaF + L- Arginine (100 mg/kg), NaF + L- Arginine (200 mg/kg), and NaF + Lisinopril (10 mg/kg), respectively; orally for eight days. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry of renal angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MCR) were performed. Markers of renal damage, oxidative stress, antioxidant defence system, and blood pressure parameters were determined. L- Arginine significantly (p <0.05) ameliorated the hypertensive effects of NaF. The systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure of the treated groups were significantly (p< 0.05) reduced compared with the hypertensive group. This finding was concurrent with significantly increased serum bioavailability of nitric oxide in the hypertensive treated groups. Also, there was significant reduction in the level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine in the serum of the hypertensive rats treated with L- arginine. There was significant (p<0.05) reduction in markers of oxidative stress such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO) and concurrent increase in the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the kidney of hypertensive rats treated with L arginine. The results of this study suggest that L- Arginine normalized high blood pressure, reduced oxidative stress, reduced the expression of renal ACE and MCR, and improved nitric oxide production. Thus, L- Arginine holds promise as a potential therapy against hypertension and renal damage.