bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control of Pseudoplusia includens (Walker, 1857) in the soybean culture with different insecticides
Authors: Pinto Junior Airton Rodrigues , Kozlowski Luiz Alberto , Silva André Luís Lopes da
Published: September 2019

The aim of this research was to test the efficacy of different insecticides, and dosage against Pseudoplusia includens in the soybean culture. The treatments were: (1) alphacypermethrin + teflubenzuron, (2) teflubenzuron, (3) diflubenzuron and (4) profenophos + lufenuron, in different doses. All the insecticides tested in this research presented high efficacy on the control of Pseudoplusia includens in the soybean culture. These insecticides and dosages were: (1) mixture of alphacypermethrin and teflubenzuron at dosages from 9.0 to 11.25 g a.i.ha-1, (2) teflubenzuron at dosage from 6 to 12 g a.i.ha-1, (3) diflubenzuron at dosage from 10 to 20 g a.i.ha-1 and (4) the mixture profenophos and lufenuron at dosage 75.0 and 7.5 g a.i.ha-1, respectively. All these insecticides after 15 days of application promote 100% dead caterpillars. None these insecticides decrease soybean yield.
Utilização da cama de frango em meio de cultivo de Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis Berliner para o controle de Aedes aegypti Linnaeus
Authors: Melo André Luiz de Almeida , Sanchuki Carlos Eduardo , Woiciechowski Adenise Lorenci , Soccol Vanete Thomas , Soccol Carlos Ricardo
Published: September 2019

O Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) é um dos principais microrganismos utilizados na formulação de bioinseticidas, possuindo grande aplicação no combate a insetos vetores de diversas doenças humanas. Apesar de eficiente e ambientalmente seguro, sua utilização ainda é limitada pelos custos de produção. Em todo mundo, pesquisas têm sido feitas em busca de matérias-primas que reduzam o custo final dos inseticidas de Bti. O presente trabalho testou a aplicação da cama de frango na composição do meio de cultivo para Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis. O bioinseticida resultante foi testado contra larvas L3 de Aedes aegypti e teve seu resultado comparado com os bioinseticidas produzidos com bagaço de mandioca e polpa cítrica. O meio com cama de frango possibilitou uma maior mortalidade de larvas, alcançando 100% nas diluições de 20 e 10mg.L-1 e ultrapassando 50% em 5mg.L-1. Os demais resíduos obtiveram resultados significativamente inferiores. O bagaço de mandioca foi efetivo apenas na diluição de 20mg.L-1, caindo nas demais concentrações, e a polpa cítrica sequer atingiu 50% de mortalidade na maior concentração do produto. A composição química da cama de frango revelou a presença de 39% de fonte de carbono e 4% de fonte de nitrogênio, além de elevadas concentrações de sais de potássio e fósforo.
Severidade da mancha anelar do mamoeiro em diferentes genótipos do grupo solo introduzidos em Cuba
Authors: Rodriguez Douglas , Tornet Yoel , Alonso Maruchi , Valero Lázaro , Peña Inés , Figueira Antonia , Ramos Roberto
Published: September 2019

Neste estudo foi avaliada a severidade de sintomas induzidos pelo Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV-P) em cinco genótipos de mamoeiro (Carica papaya L.) do grupo Solo introduzidos em Cuba. Sob condições de campo, amostraram-se diferentes órgãos das plantas, seguindo uma escala de 1 a 5. Em condições de casa de vegetação foram avaliados parâmetros como período de incubação, número de plantas infectadas e severidade da doença em plântulas inoculadas com o vírus. A intensidade dos sintomas variou com as condições experimentais. No campo, os sintomas foram mais severos em `Sunset´, `Baixinho de Santa Amalia´ e `Golden´, enquanto que nos demais observaram-se sintomas moderados. Em Casa de Vegetação, `BH-65´ e `Sunset´ desenvolveram sintomas mais severos, `Golden´ e `Baixinho de Santa Amalia´ intermediários; e `Sunrise Solo´ foi o menos afetado. `Sunset´, `Sunrise Solo´ e `Golden´ mostraram os maiores danos em frutos. Os sintomas foliares em campo foram menos severos do que os desenvolvidos pelos demais órgãos das plantas (exceto os frutos), e que os observados em casa de vegetação. São os primeiros resultados obtidos em Cuba sobre genótipos do grupo Solo ante o PRSV-P, oferecendo resultados valiosos para os programas de diversificação de variedades e estudos de melhoramento genético dessa frutífera.
Edmunds, Review of Adam Smith and Rousseau: ethics, politics, economics Edited by Maria Paganelli, Dennis C. Rasmussen, and Craig Smith
Authors: Edmunds Jack
Published: September 2019

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Critical Social Ontology as a Foundation for Ethics: Marx, Lukács and Critical Judgment
Authors: Thompson Michael J.
Published: September 2019

In this paper, I outline a theory of critical social ontology derived from the fundamental ideas of Marx and the later work on the ontology of social being by Georg Lukács. I argue that we can discern categories of social being that can aid in the project of diagnostic social critique, but also that these categories can be used to formulate an ethical theory that we can ground in this critical social ontology. I therefore defend the thesis, against postmetaphysical thinkers that have argued to the contrary, that a satisfactory and critical theory of ethics can and indeed must be rooted in a theory of ontology. I end with some reflections on how critical social ontology can help combat the problem of reification and help us think through issues of ethical or normative concern.
Severe Inflammation Indicates High Risk of HSIL: from a Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lin Zhongqiu , Long lingli , Chen Yaxiao , Li Yubin , Tuo Ying , Hu Yue , Xie lingling , He Gui , Zhao Wen , Lu Xiaofang , Lin Zhongqiu
Published: September 2019

Inflammation has been reported as a facilitator in cervical oncogenesis, but the correlation between inflammation and cytology abnormality including Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between them with ThinPrep cytological test (TCT) as a screening tool for cervical cancer and CIN, which can identify abnormal morphology of cervical mucosa epithelium and inflammation degrees. A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 48101 women undergoing TCT in the affiliated hospitals of Sun Yat-Sen University (SYSU) revealed that among the 8.87% (4102 cases) total positive rate of ASC, LSIL and HSIL, 67.7% (2777/4102) of TCT positive samples had inflammatory infection. The rate of severe inflammation was significantly higher in cytological abnormality group than the control group (15.1% vs. 2%, P=0.000). Our results showed that severe inflammation significantly increased incidence of cytological abnormality by 12.59 times and elevated the risk of HSIL by 756.47 times. In conclusion, severe inflammation increased the risk of cytological abnormality, and should be viewed as an important risk of HISL. These results of our study remind clinicians to be more watchful for women with severe cervical inflammation in TCT reports for earlier prevention of the HSIL.
MULTI-CHANNEL FRY COUNTER DESIGN USING OPTOCOUPLER SENSOR
Authors: Umar Lazuardi , Hamzah Yanuar , Setiadi Rahmondia N.
Published: September 2019

This paper describes a design of a fry counter intended to be used by consuming fish farmer. Along this time, almost all the fry counting process is counted by manual, which is done by a human. It is requiring much energy and needs high concentration; thus, can cause a high level of exhaustion for the fry counting worker. Besides that, the human capability and capacity of counting are limited to a low level. A fry counter design in this study utilizes a multi-channel optocoupler sensor to increase the counting capacity. The multi-channel fry counter counting system is developed as a solution to a limited capacity of available fry counter. This design uses an input signal extender system on controller including the interrupt system. From the experiment, high accuracy level is obtained on the counting and channel detection, therefore, this design can be implemented and could help farmers to increase the production capacity of consuming fish.
KAWASAKI DISEASE IN INFANTS LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF AGE: AN ITALIAN COHORT FROM A SINGLE CENTER
Authors: Mastrangelo Greta , Cimaz Rolando , Calabri Giovan Battista , Simonini Gabriele , Lasagni Donatella , Resti Massimo , Trapani Sandra
Published: September 2019

Background and aims Few data are currently available for Kawasaki disease (KD) below 12 months especially in Caucasians. This study aims to analyze clinical and laboratory features of KD among an Italian cohort of infants. Methods A retrospective chart review of KD children aged less than one year at time of disease onset between January 2008-December 2017 was performed. Clinical data, laboratory parameters, instrumental findings, treatment and outcome were collected in a customized database. Results Among 113 KD patients, 32 (28.3%) were younger than 1 year. Nineteen patients aged below 6 months, and three below 3 months. The median age was 5.7 ±2.7 months. The mean time to diagnosis was 7±3 days and was longer in the incomplete forms (8 ± 4 vs 6 ± 1 days). Conjunctival injection was present in 26 patients (81.2%); rash in 25 (78.1%); extremity changes in 18 (56.2%); mucosal changes in 13 (40.6%,) and lymphadenopathy only in 7 (21.8%). Mucosal changes were the least common features in incomplete forms (18.2%). Twenty-two patients (68.7%) had incomplete KD. Nineteen (59.4%) had cardiac involvement, of whom 13 (59.0%) had incomplete form. ESR, PCR and platelet values were higher in complete KD; especially, ESR resulted significantly higher in complete forms (80 ± 25.7 mm/h vs 50 ± 28.6 mm/h; p = 0.01). Conversely, AST level was statistically significant higher in patients with incomplete forms (95.4 ± 132.7 UI/L vs 29.8 ± 13.2 UI/L; p = 0.03). All patients received IVIG. Response was reported in 26/32 patients; 6 cases needed a second dose of IVIG and one required a dose of anakinra. Conclusion In our cohort, incomplete disease was commonly found, resulting in delayed diagnoses and poor cardiac prognosis. Infants with incomplete KD seem to have a more severe disease and a greater predilection for coronary involvement than those with complete KD. AST was significantly higher in incomplete forms, thus AST levels might be a new finding in incomplete forms’ diagnosis. Eventually, we highlight a higher resistance to IVIG treatment. To our knowledge this is the first study involving an Italian cohort of patients with KD below 12 months.
Three-dimensional photographic analysis of the face in European adults from southern Spain with normal occlusion: reference anthropometric measurements
Authors: López-Mateos María Luisa Menendez , Carreño-Carreño Javier , Palma Juan Carlos , ALARCON JOSE ANTONIO , López-Mateos Cristina Menendez , Menéndez-Núñez Mario
Published: September 2019

Background Recent non-invasive 3D photography method has been applied to facial analysis, offering numerous advantages in orthodontic. The purpose of this study was to analyze the faces of a sample of healthy European adults from southern Spain with normal occlusion in order to establish reference facial soft tissue anthropometric parameters in this specific geographic-ethnic population, as well as to analyze sexual dimorphism. Methods A sample of 100 healthy adult volunteers consisting of 50 women (mean age, 22.92 ± 1.56 years) and 50 men (mean age, 22.37 ± 2.12 years) were enrolled in this study. All participants had normal occlusion, skeletal Class I, mesofacial pattern, and healthy body mass index. Three-dimensional photographs of the faces were captured non-invasively using Planmeca ProMax 3D ProFace®. Thirty landmarks related to the face, eyes, nose, and orolabial and chin areas were identified. Results Male displayed higher values in all vertical and transversal dimensions, with the exception of the lower lip height. Larger differences between sexes were observed in face, mandible, and nose. Male also had higher values in the angular measurements which referred to the nose. No sex differences were found in transverse upper lip prominence or transverse mandibular prominence. No differences were found in the ratio measurements, with the exception of intercantal width/nasal width, which was higher in women than in men. Conclusions Reference anthropometric measurements of facial soft tissues have been established in European adults from southern Spain with normal occlusion. Significant sexual dimorphism was found, with remarkable differences in size between sexes.
A randomised controlled trial exploring the impact of a dedicated Health and Social Care Professionals team in the Emergency Department on the quality, safety, clinical and cost-effectiveness of care for older adults: Study Protocol
Authors: Cassarino Marica , Robinson Katie , O’Shaughnessy Íde , Smalle Eimear , White Stephen , Devlin Collette , Quinn Rosie , Trépel Dominic , Boland Fiona , Ward Marie E. , McNamara Rosa , O’Connor Margaret , McCarthy Gerard , Ryan Damien , Galvin Rose
Published: September 2019

Background : Older people are frequent Emergency Department (ED) users who present with complex issues that are linked to poorer health outcomes post-index visit, often have increased ED length of stay and tend to have raised healthcare costs. Encouraging evidence suggests that ED teams involving health and social care professionals (HSCPs) can contribute to enhanced patient flow and improved patient experience by improving care decision-making and thus promoting timely and effective care. However, the evidence supporting the impact of HSCPs teams assessing and intervening with older adults in the ED is limited and identifies important methodological limitations, highlighting the need for more robust and comprehensive investigations of this model of care. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a dedicated ED-based HSCP team on the quality, safety, clinical and cost-effectiveness of care of older adults when compared to usual care.
Methods : The study is a single-site randomised controlled trial whereby patients aged ≥65 years who present to the ED of a large Irish hospital will be randomised to the experimental group (ED-based HSCP assessment and intervention) or the control group (usual ED care). The recruitment target is 320 participants. The HSCP team will provide a comprehensive functional assessment as well as interventions to promote a safe discharge for the patient. The primary outcome is ED length of stay (from arrival to discharge). Secondary outcomes include: rates of hospital admissions from the ED, ED re-visits, unplanned hospital admissions and healthcare utilisation at 30-days, four and six-month follow-up; patient functional status and quality of life (at baseline and follow-up); patient satisfaction; costs-effectiveness in terms of costs associated with ED-based HSCP compared to usual care; and perceptions on implementation by ED staff members.
Discussion : This is the first randomised controlled trial testing the impact of HSCPs working in teams in the ED on the quality, safety, clinical and cost-effectiveness of care for older patients. The findings of the study will provide important information on the effectiveness of this model of care for future implementation.
Trial registration : ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03739515; registered on 12 th November 2018. Protocol version 1. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03739515
Effective methods for reactivating inactive blood donors: a stratified randomized controlled study
Authors: OU-YANG Jian , BEI Chun-Hua , LIANG Hua-Qin , HE Bo , CHEN Jin-Yan , FU Yong-Shui
Published: September 2019

Background: Recruiting of sufficient numbers of donors of blood products is vital worldwide. In this study we assessed the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of telephone calls and SMS reminders for re-recruitment of inactive blood donors.
Methods: This single-centre, non-blinded, parallel randomized controlled trial in Guangzhou, China included 11,880 inactive blood donors whose last donation was between January 1 and June 30, 2014. The donors were randomly assigned to either one of two intervention groups (received telephone or short message service [SMS] communications) or to a control group without intervention. SMS messages with altruistic appeal were adopted in the SMS group; in addition to altruistic appeal, reasons for deferral of blood donation were also asked in the telephone group. All participants were followed up for 1 year. The primary outcome were re-donation rates, compared by intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, average treatment effect (ATE) and average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) estimations. Secondary outcomes were the self-reported deterrents. Other outcomes included the re-donation interval, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of telephone calls versus SMS reminders on re-recruitment.
Results: ITT analysis discovered no significant differences in the re-donation rate among the three groups. ATE estimation showed that participants who were randomly assigned to the telephone group were more likely to re-donate than those in the SMS group. ATT estimations indicated that among compliers, telephone calls significantly increased re-donation compared to both SMS reminders and no intervention. Donor return behaviour was positively associated with receiving reminders successfully, being male, older age, and previous donation history. The SMS reminder prompted donors to return sooner than no reminder within 6 months, and according to ICER calculations, SMS reminders were more cost-effective than telephone calls. Donors reported time constraints as the most main causes of self-deferral in the telephone group, and altruistic appeal had a positive effect on these donors.
Conclusions: Interventions to reactivate inactive blood donors can be effective, with telephone calls prompting more donors to return but at a greater cost than SMS messages. SMS reminder with altruistic appeal can urge donors to re-donate sooner within 6 months than no reminder.
Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging and radionuclide bone imaging findings of femoral head necrosis
Authors: Yin Jun qiang , Ding Lei , Gao Zhenhua , Xie Xianbiao , Wu Liangcai , Huang Gang , Meng Quanfei
Published: September 2019

Objectives To investigate the radionuclide bone imaging (RBI) manifestation of femoral head necrosis (FHN) in different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Materials and Methods 72 hips in 42 patients with FHN underwent MRI and RBI examination to observe the RBI manifestation of FHN in different MRI types. Results There were 23 hips with MRI Type I FHN, 11 hips showing the corresponding RBI manifestation of ‘hands-holding-a-white-ball sign’ and 7 hips showing the ‘doughnut sign’. There are thirty-seven hips with MRI Type II FHN, 16 hips showing the corresponding RBI manifestation of diffusely increased uptake, 7 hips showing the ‘hands-holding-a-black-ball sign’, 7 hips showing the ‘doughnut sign’ and 4 hips showing the ‘hands-holding-a-white-ball sign’. There were 12 hips with Type III FHN, 11 hips showing the corresponding RBI manifestation of diffusely increased uptake and 1 hip showing the ‘hands-holding-a-black-ball sign’. The ‘hands-holding-a-white-ball sign’ in Type I FHN was significantly higher than that of Type II-III FHN (P<0.05), and the diffusely increased uptake in Type I FHN was significantly lower than that of Type II-III FHN (P<0.05). Conclusions Different MRI findings of FHN lead to diverse RBI findings . In addition, the ‘doughnut sign’, the ‘hands-holding-a-white-ball sign’ and the ‘hands-holding-a-black-ball sign’ also have diagnostic value for FHN.
The effects of ursodeoxycholic acid in the management of sepsis-induced cholestasis in rodents
Authors: Ainosah Randa H. , Hagras Magda M. , Alharthi Sameer , Saadah Omar I.
Published: September 2019

Background: Cholestasis is a condition in which there is impairment of bile flow from the liver to the small bowel. It is a common complication of bacterial infection and sepsis. Treatment is usually directed towards the eradication of bacterial infection and consequences of sepsis. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been under investigation as a possible therapeutic option for the treatments of sepsis-associated cholestasis.Methods: Sixty male albino rats (weighing 100–150g) were subjected to daily doses of UDCA (100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 10 days before or after lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induction of cholestasis. Then, the following liver enzyme activity was assessed: plasma aspartate transferase (AST), plasma alkaline transferase (ALT), plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL). Hepatocyte apoptosis and immunomodulatory activity were assessed by flow cytometric analysis. Plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-, IL-1 and IL-4) were measured by ELISA. Liver histology changes were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.Results: Our results showed that LPS-induced cholestasis resulted in a significant rise in the TBIL and liver enzymes including GGT, ALP, AST, and hepatocytes death. UDCA improves serum liver chemistries and halts bile acid cytotoxicity when it was used either as a treatment or prevention, compared to the LPS group. Moreover, UDCA has immunomodulatory properties: the effect of UDCA on the percentage of natural killer (NK) cells did not change in either the treatment or prevention group when compared to LPS induced cholestasis. However, significant decrease in the CD3 has been found in the treatment group as compared to the LPS group, and an unexpected increase in the prevention group compared to the LPS treated group. UDCA failed to ameliorate the increase in plasma TNF-α concentration in the treatment group. On the other hand, UDCA caused reduction in plasma TNF-α in the prevention group. We also found significant reduction in the liver tissue apoptosis in the UDCA treated groups. Conclusion: Prophylactic treatment and treatment with UDCA appear to exert a beneficial effect against the damaging effect of hydrophobic bile acids by LPS-induced secretary failure. This involved multiple mechanisms of action.
Risk factor analysis for progressive spinal deformity after resection of spinal cord tumors─a retrospective study of 272 cases
Authors: Wang Pangbo , Ma Kang , Chen Tunan , Xue Xingsen , Ma Dada , Wang Shi , Chen Xin , Meng Hui , Cui Gaoyu , Gao Boyuan , Lin Jiangkai , Feng Hua , Chu Weihua
Published: September 2019

OBJECTIVE: Progressive spinal deformity has become a well-recognized complication of spinal cord tumors (SCTs)resection. However, the factors affecting post-operative spinal stability remain to be further research. Here, we described the current largest series of risk factors analysis for progressive spinal deformity following resection of SCTs. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of the patients with resection of SCTs between January 2009 and December 2018.All patients who underwent resection of spinal cord tumors performed regular postoperative follow-up were identified and included in the study. Clinical, radiological, surgical, histopathological, and follow-up data were collected. The incidence of postoperative progressive kyphosis or scoliosis was calculated. The statistical relationship between postoperative progressive spinal deformity and radiographic, clinical, and surgical variables was assessed by using univariate tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-two patients (mean age 42.56 ± 16.18 years)with median preoperative modified McCormick score of 3 met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 7（2.6%）patients were found to have spinal deformity preoperatively, and the extent of spinal deformity in these 7 patients deteriorated after surgery. 36 (13.2%) were new cases of postoperative progressive deformity. The mean duration of follow-up was 21.8 months (median 14 months, range 6–114 months). In subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis, age≤18 years(p=0.027), extent of tumor involvement(p = 0.019)and preoperative spinal deformity(p=0.008)was the independent risk factors (p < 0.05), increasing the odds of postoperative progressive spinal deformity by 3.94- , 0.69- and 27.11-fold, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of postoperative progressive spinal deformity was 15.8%, mostly in these patients who had younger age (≤18 years), tumors involved in multiple segments and preoperative spinal deformity. The risk factors of postoperative progressive spinal deformity warrants serious reconsideration that when performing resection of spinal cord tumors in these patients with such risk factors, the surgeons need to provide surgical fusion to reduce the risk of reoperation, neurologic compromise and patient’s medical burdens.
Characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid cytology in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis
Authors: Liu Huiqin , Ren Haitao , Zhao Yanhuan , Fan Siyuan , Gao Xinya , Shi Yingying , Zhao Jing , Li Wei , Zhang Jiewen , Guan Hongzhi
Published: September 2019

Background The aim of the current study was to explore the characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis.Methods CSF was collected from patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Henan Provincial People’s Hospital from 01 January 2015 to 31 December 2018, and cytological characteristics and other parameters of the CSF were analyzed.Results CSF cytological data were obtained from 164 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Visible signs of inflammation were identified in cytological analyses of 112 patients’ CSF, including 46 cases of mild inflammation, 58 of moderate inflammation, and 8 of severe inflammation. With regard to inflammation type, 89 cases were classified as lymphocytic inflammation, 22 as mixed inflammation with both lymphocytes and neutrophils, and 1 case was classified as mixed inflammation with lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils. Activated lymphocytes were detected in 51 patients, and plasma cells were detected in 16. Oligoclonal bands were detected in 111/164 patients, and 51 patients were positive for specific oligoclonal bands in CSF. The positivity rate was 45.9%. In comparison with routine CSF examination with an inflammation positivity threshold of > 5 × 10 6 cells/L, the inflammation positivity rate of CSF cytology was significantly higher (68.3% versus 64.0%, p < 0.001).Conclusions The comparatively higher inflammation positivity rate and the superiority of evaluating cell morphology render CSF cytology an effective tool for identifying anti-NMDAR encephalitis and investigating its pathogenesis.
The implication of circulating long non-coding RNA MALAT1 in diagnosis, disease surveillance and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Ren Hongbo , Wu Feng , Liu Bin , Song Zhi-Yuan , Qu Da-Cheng
Published: September 2019

Background We aimed to investigate predictive value of long non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (lnc-MALAT1) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) risk, and the association of lnc-MALAT1 expression with disease severity, inflammation as well as recurrence free survival (RFS) in AIS patients.Methods 120 AIS patients and 120 controls were recruited. Venous blood samples from AIS patients (within 24 hours after symptoms onset) and controls (at entry to study) were collected to detect plasma lnc-MALAT1 expression by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. For AIS patients, AIS severity was assessed by NIHSS score; plasma concentrations of inflammation factors (including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17 and IL-22) were measure; and RFS was calculated.Results Lnc-MALAT1 expression was decreased in AIS patients compared to controls, and it had a good predictive value for AIS risk (AUC=0.791, 95% CI: 0.735-0.846). For disease condition, lnc-MALAT1 expression negatively correlated with NIHSS score and pro-inflammatory factors expressions (including CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-22), while it positively correlated with anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 expression. Besides, lnc-MALAT1 expression was elevated in AIS complicated with diabetes but numerically reduced in AIS complicated with hepertension. For prognosis, lnc-MALAT1 high expression numerically correlated with longer RFS, but without statistical significance.Conclusion lnc-MALAT1 is downregulated and has a good predictive value of AIS risk, and its high expression correlates with decreased NIHSS score, reduced inflammation, as well as numerically better RFS in AIS patients.
Impact of team-based learning on radiology education: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yan Chunyi , Li Bingjie , Liang Haoyan , Ma Xuelei
Published: September 2019

Background: The team-based learning method has been applied as an educational method in radiology education and there are only inconsistent and inconclusive individual results. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of team-based learning on radiology education. Method: Databases were searched from inception up to August 2019. The standard mean difference (SMD) with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used to determine the over effects of team-based learning teaching method compared with the lecture-based learning or traditional teaching method. Results: Twelve studies involving 1371 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Of them, the sufficient data of 11 studies suggested team-based learning teaching method had a positive effect on the theoretical scores compared with the lecture-based learning or traditional teaching method (SMD=1.07, 95% CI [0.50, 1.63]). 9 of 10 studies provided sufficient data showing team-based learning teaching method was in favour of improving skill scores (SMD=0.68, 95% CI [0.19, 1.17]). Most of the including studies provided the subjective questionnaire surveys which showed the participants believed team-based learning raise their learning interest, team cooperation ability and interpersonal communication. Conclusion: The team-based learning teaching method could not only improve the scores of theoretical and skill knowledge in medical imaging courses but also encourage students to learn by themselves. The heterogeneity of the included studies must be noticed, and well-designed studies about this topic are needed for further study.
Transcriptome profiling of Trichoplax adhaerens highlights its digestive epithelium and a rich set of genes for fast electrogenic and slow neuromodulatory cellular signaling
Authors: Wong Yuen Yan , Le Phuong , Elkhatib Wassim , Piekut Thomas , Senatore Adriano
Published: September 2019

Background Trichoplax adhaerens is a fascinating early-diverging animal that lacks a nervous system and synapses, and yet is capable of directed motile feeding behavior culminating in the external digestion of microorganisms by secreted hydrolytic enzymes. The mechanisms by which Trichoplax cells communicate with each other to coordinate their activity and behavior is unclear, though recent studies have suggested that secreted regulatory peptides might be involved.Results Here, we generated a high quality mRNA transcriptome of Trichoplax adhaerens , and predicted secreted proteins to identify gene homologues for digestion, development, immunity, cell adhesion, and peptide signaling. Detailed annotation of the expressed Trichoplax gene set also identified a nearly complete set of electrogenic genes involved in fast neural signalling, plus a set of 665 G-protein coupled receptors that in the nervous system integrate with fast signalling machinery to modulate cellular excitability. Furthermore, Trichoplax expresses an array of genes involved in intracellular signaling, including the key effector enzymes protein kinases A and C that functionally link fast and slow cellular signaling. Also identified were nearly complete sets of pre- and post-synaptic scaffolding genes, most encoding appropriate protein domain architectures. Notably, the Trichoplax proteome was found to bear slightly reduced counts of synaptic protein interaction domains such as PDZ, SH3 and C2 compared to other animals, but abundance of these domains did not appear to predict the presence of synapses in early-diverging groups.Conclusions Despite its apparent cellular and morphological simplicity, Trichoplax expresses a rich set of genes involved in complex animal traits. The transcriptome presented here adds a valuable additional resource for molecular studies on Trichoplax genes, exemplified by our ability to clone cDNAs for nine full-length acid sensing ion channel proteins with almost perfect matches with their corresponding transcriptome sequences.
Evaluation Of Postpartum Depression Scores Of Elective And Emergency Cesarean Section Patients
Authors: Kadıoğlu Berrin Göktuğ , KAMALAK Zeynep , OZPOLAT Gokhan , BICEN Edip
Published: September 2019

Purpose This study aims to provide early diagnosis of postpartum depression by investigating the relationship between the emergency situation and pre-operative anxiety of women, who had elective and emergency cesarean. Methods The study was conducted on 103 people in total, 51 of which were elective and 52 of which were emergency cesarean section cases. Right before the surgery the patients filled State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and a form surveying the anesthesia concerns. Their anxiety levels were determined. Edinburg postpartum depression scale was applied two weeks after delivery. The impact of these results and the anxiety levels in preoperative period on postoperative depression were analyzed. Hemoglobin and biochemical values in preoperative period were analyzed in terms of their correlation with anxiety state. Results State anxiety level of 60.2% of group 1 and 74.6% of group 2 were higher than average in STAI-1; whereas in STAI-2 state anxiety levels were 4.1% of group 1 and 90.3% of group 2 were higher than average. Edinburg depression scale detected minor depression in 4% of the elective and 13.45 of the emergency cesarean patients. There was no linear relationship between blood parameters and anxiety levels. Conclusion Both groups had high state and trait anxiety but postpartum depression rate in emergency patients was higher. Thus, it is significant to provide necessary psychological support to the patients with high pre-operative anxiety and provide early treatment to the ones with higher tendency of depression in postpartum period.
Parenteral nutrition with fish oil-based lipid emulsion reduces the risk of cholestasis in preterm infants
Authors: WANG YI-LING , Chen Lih-Ju , Tsao Lon-Yen , Chen Hsiao-Neng , Lee Cheng-Han , Hsiao Chien-Chou
Published: September 2019

Background Preterm infants received long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) due to gastrointestinal immaturity. Mixed lipid emulsions composed of soybean oil, medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), olive oil, and fish oil, which have a relatively low ω-6: ω-3 ratio, may decrease the incidence of PN-associated cholestasis by reducing oxidative stress and providing an anti-inflammatory effect.Methods The retrospective cohort study enrolled a total 399 very low birth weight (VLBW) premature infants between January 2009 and November 2017 at a single neonatal intensive care unit. Preterm infants received total parenteral nutrition with either mixed lipid emulsion (SMOFlipid, n = 195) or soybean oil-based lipid emulsion (Lipovenoes, n = 204) for at least seven days. We compared the outcomes of PN-associated cholestasis, co-morbidities and mortality.Results The incidence of PN-associated cholestasis was significantly lower in the SMOFlipid group than the Lipovenoes group (10.3% vs 20.1%, P = 0.006). The related clinical laboratory findings, including levels of γ- GT (P = 0.019), triglyceride (P < 0.001), and cholesterol (P = 0.023), were significantly lower in the SMOFlipid group. The duration to full feeding days shortened in the SMOFlipid group compared with the Lipovenoes group (25 ± 10.33 vs 33 ± 16.22, P < 0.001). Relevant complications, such as severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP, 3.6% vs 14.3%, P < 0.001) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD, 36.9% vs 46.7%, P = 0.046) were also reduced in the SMOFlipid group versus the Lipovenoes group, but there was no significant effect on severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), or mortality in both groups.Conclusions In very premature infants, PN with fish oil-based lipid emulsions is associated with a lower incidence of PN-associated cholestasis compared with soybean oil-based lipid emulsions.
Yale Observation Scale for Predicting Serious Illness in Japanese Primary Care Settings
Authors: Masuda Yu , Muto Taichiro , Kishino Takaaki , Kurahashi Hirokazu , Kitagawa Yoshiro , Okumura Akihisa , Iwayama Hideyuki
Published: September 2019

Objectives The Yale observation scale (YOS), also called the Acute Illness Observation Scale, was developed to help detect serious illness in febrile children. We conducted this study to evaluate the clinical utility of the YOS for predicting serious illness in Japanese primary care settings. Method We conducted a prospective observational study from June 2015 to January 2018. We enrolled patients younger than 10 years, who attended the primary care centre at the Aichi Medical University Hospital and who had recorded YOS scores. Serious illnesses included invasive bacterial infections and any conditions requiring artificial ventilation, surgical treatment, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We calculated point estimates for YOS sensitivity and specificity for predicting serious illness and hospitalisation. We evaluated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) by the Youden index. Results The 260 participants (227 outpatients and 33 inpatients) had a median age of 1.75 years (range, 0–10); 80 (30.8%) were younger than 1 year, 131 (50.4 %) between 1 and 3 years, 44 (16.9%) between 4 and 7 years, and 5 (1.9%) between 8 and 10 years. Infectious illness was the most common diagnosis (n = 211), followed by allergic disease (n = 11) and trauma (n = 10). Among the 211 patients with infectious illness, upper respiratory tract infections were the most common (n = 55). Fourteen patients among the 29 with YOS >10, and 19 among those with YOS ≤10 were hospitalised. We found 6 patients with serious illnesses: intussusception (n = 1; YOS, 22), encephalitis (n = 1; YOS, 16) and urinary tract infection (n = 4; YOSs, 18, 16, 8 and 6). The sensitivity and specificity of the YOS for predicting serious illness at a cut-off point of 10 were 0.67 and 0.90, respectively. The corresponding values for hospitalisation at that cut-off point were 0.42 and 0.93, respectively. The AUCs of the YOS for predicting serious illness and hospitalisation were 0. 82 (excellent) and 0.74 (acceptable). Conclusions We conclude that a YOS >10 may be useful to predict severe paediatric diseases in Japanese primary care settings.
Low Food and Nutrition Literacy (FNLIT): A barrier to dietary diversity and nutrient adequacy in school age children
Authors: Doustmohammadian Azam , Omidvar Nasrin , Mohammadi Nastaran Keshavarz , Eini-Zinab Hassan , Amini Maryam , Abdollahi Morteza , Amirhamidi Zeinab , Haidari Homa
Published: September 2019

Background: Increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents over the past two decades has made it a public health concern. Knowledge, skills and critical decision making about food choices and dietary intake, known as food and nutrition literacy (FNLIT) could be one of the keys to improving the outcomes of future interventions in this area. This study aims to assess the relationship between FNLIT and dietary diversity and nutrient adequacy in school-age children in Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken on 803 Primary school students aged 10-12 years in Tehran, Iran. Socio-economic and household food security characteristics, as well as three 24-hour dietary recalls (two week-days and one weekend) were collected through interviewing students and their mothers/caregivers. FNLIT was measured by a self-administered locally designed and validated questionnaire. Number of servings from food groups and diet diversity score, as well as nutrient adequacy were calculated and compared with recommendations. The association between dietary quality factors and FNLIT were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Results: Students with low FNLIT were less likely to meet daily recommended portion of vegetable (OR=2.83, 95% CI=1.12-7.17), meats (OR=2.37, 95% CI=1.01-5.55) and fruits (OR=2.42, 95% CI=1.38-4.25) (after adjusting for confounding factors, including demographics, Socioeconomics, physical activity, calorie intake and food security). Moreover, low FNLIT subscales were associated with higher odds of low diversity of fruits (OR=3.82, 95% CI=1.01-14.42), dairies (OR=19.5, 95% CI=2.09-182.38), and meats (OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.31-4.40). low FNLIT and its subscales were associated with odds of lower level of NAR of protein (OR=2.02, 95% CI=1.02-8.95), calcium (OR=2.2, 95% CI=1.16-4.49), and vitamin B3 (OR=3.65, 95% CI=1.05-12.69), as well as probability of lower level of MAR (OR=2.91, 95% CI=1.03-8.23, OR=3.12, 95% CI=1.38-7.05), and NAR of vitamin B9 (OR=2.98, 95% CI=1.04-8.51), and odds of lower level of NAR of vitamin B6 (OR=2.30, 95% CI=1.10-4.83). Conclusion: Improving FNLIT in children may help to improve their eating habits and dietary quality for the benefits of good health.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Active Trachoma among Rural Preschool Children in Wadla District, Northern Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kassaw Mesfin Wudu , Abebe Ayele Mamo , Tegegne Kirubel Dagnaw , Getu Mikiyas Amare , Bihonegn Woldemichael Tadesse
Published: September 2019

Background፡ Trachoma is a neglected eye problem and primary cause of preventable corneal blindness. In endemic areas, initial infection occurs in early childhood, and recurrent infection progress to scarring and blindness. In the past four decades, GET2020 initiative eliminated Trachoma from developed countries through enhancements of hygiene and sanitation but still a problem of developing countries. Studies and reports also indicated the presence of high prevalence of Trachoma in Ethiopia and in the study area. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and risk factors of active trachoma among rural preschool children in Wadla district, Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study design was considered to gather data from 583 children using sample size determination, but 596 children were screened for signs of active trachoma because of the sampling procedure nature, cluster sampling technique. Wadla district has 150 rural villages, which are similar in topography and socio-demographic status. Based on rule of thumb 30 villages (clusters) were included for the data collection. An interview on socio-demographic data were collected by health informatics professionals using structured interview questioners, which were prepared through reviewing previous literatures and pretested in Meket Woreda. Eye examination was performed by Integrated Eye Care Workers who trained for one month for the purpose of trachoma screening by Carter center-Ethiopia. Results - The prevalence of active trachoma among rural pre-school children in Wadla district was 130 (21.8%). Regarding risk factors, poor economic status (AOR (95% CI), (3.8 (1.3-11.4), being 37- 48 months old (AOR (95% CI), (4.2 (1.5-12.0), thatched house roof (AOR (95%CI), (4.4 (1.4-13.6), presence of fly in nearby home (AOR (95% CI), 4.6 (2.1-9.9), once weekly face washing frequency (AOR (95% CI), 8.6 (2.5-29.3), unwashed face for longer than a week (AOR (95% CI), 10.6 (2.9-37.7), not using soap (AOR (95% CI), 4.5 (1.8-11.3), and absence of latrine (AOR (95% CI), 5.1 (2.0-12.9) have association with active trachoma. Conclusion: Environmental factors weigh other factors and this could capture the intention of policy makers to emphasize on the environmental components like sanitation including face cleanness to decrease the prevalence of trachoma
EVALUATION OF THE PROSPECTS FOR PRELIMINARY COOLING OF NATURAL GAS ON MAIN PIPELINES BEFORE COMPRESSION THROUGH THE DISCHARGE OF EXHAUST HEAT OF GAS-TURBINE UNITS
Authors: Titlov Oleksandr , Vasyliv Oleg , Sahala Tetiana , Bilenko Nataliia
Published: September 2019

For the transportation of natural gas through pipelines, gas pumping units (GPU) are installed at numerous compressor stations (CS), the energy carrier for which, in most cases, is transported natural gas. 0.5 ... 1.5 % of the volume of transported gas is consumed (burned) by the pumping unit drive.

The situation with the replacement of existing equipment with modern equipment is associated with significant investments, on the one hand, and the uncertainty with the transit of Russian natural gas through gas transmission systems of Ukraine in the near future. More promising is the way to increase the efficiency of the GPU cycle through the use of circuits with preliminary cooling of the compressed gas.

The aim of this research is studying the prospects for the application of technology for pre-cooling technological natural gas before compression in a gas pumping unit based on heat-using absorption refrigeration machines.

To analyze the effect of pre-cooling of technological natural gas on the compressor stations of main gas pipelines, gas pumping units – GTK-10I were selected.

The calculation of GPU power consumption and fuel gas consumption at various temperatures of the process gas at the inlet to the supercharger was performed.

The calculation of the operating parameters of the gas pumping unit is performed and the energy and financial prospects of the technology for cooling the process gas before compression in the GPU CS are shown. For the current economic situation (July 2019) in the Ukrainian gas market, the daily decrease in operating costs in standard gas pipelines with a decrease in gas temperature before compression in the gas pumping unit by 20 K ranges from 1800 USD to 3360 USD.

A scheme of a recycling plant based on absorption water-ammonia refrigeration machine (AWRM) is proposed, which in the range of initial data allows to reduce the temperature of technological natural gas before compression by 11 ... 13 ° C.
RESEARCH OF QUALITY INDICATORS OF PROTEIN-FAT MIXTURE FROM FLAX AND SESAME SEEDS FOR NUTRITION OF ATHLETES
Authors: Bochkarev Sergiy , Belinska Anna , Varankina Oleksandra , Ananieva Valeriya , Petik Igor , Koshyl Andrii , Yevstifieieva Olha , Rudnieva Kateryna
Published: September 2019

The aim of the research is to determine the microbiological stability of a protein-fat mixture of flax and sesame seeds that allows to correct its storage life. A protein-fat mixture has a high content of irreplaceable amino acids ВСАА and polyunsaturated fatty acids of w-3group, so it may be positioned as a component of nutrition for athletes. Flax and sesame seeds, cultivated in Ukraine, were used as research materials. The product was created, based on comminuted flax and sesame seeds in ratio 1:1.

There were determined organoleptic (outlook, taste, smell, color) and physical-chemical (mass share of moisture, ash, protein, fat, acidic, peroxide, anisidine number) parameters of the product. There was determined the microbiological stability of the protein-fat mixture of the increased food value for athletes nutrition after 6 months. It has been proved, that as opposite to the control sample, the protein-fat mixture of the developed composition manifests its microbiological stability by the following parameters: content of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, molds, yeast, bacteria of the colon bacillus group and pathogenic microorganisms. The control sample that is comminuted flax seeds doesn’t manifest at the end of the storage term any correspondence of microbiological parameters by the content of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, molds, and bacteria of the colon bacillus group. This regularity is explained by the presence of lignans, sesamol and sesamoline, with preservative properties in the developed product. The obtained data may be used for reasoning recipes of products, based on the protein-fat mixture and correction of the food supplements ratio in them.