bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia following mass testing and treatment in Pakro sub-district of Ghana
Authors: Ndong Ignatius Cheng , Okyere Daniel , Enos Juliana Yartey , Mensah Benedicta Ayiedu , Nyarko Alexander Kwadwo , Abuaku Benjamin , Amambua-Ngwa Alfred , Merle Corinne Simone C. , Koram Kwadwo Ansah , Ahorlu Collins Stephen
Published: November 2019

Background: Global efforts to scale-up malaria control interventions are gaining steam. These include the use of Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets, Indoor Residual Spraying, Intermittent Preventive Treatment and Test, Treat and Track. Despite these, the drive for malaria elimination is far from being realistic in endemic communities in Africa. This is partly due to the fact that asymptomatic parasite carriage, not specifically targeted by most interventions, remains the bedrock that fuels transmission. This has led to mass testing, treatment and tracking (MTTT) as an alternative strategy to target asymptomatic individuals. We report the impact of MTTT on the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia over a one-year period in Ghana, hypothesizing that implementing MTTT could reduce the rate of asymptomatic parasitaemia.
Methods: A population of about 5,000 individuals in seven communities in the Pakro sub-district of Ghana participated in this study. A register was developed for each community following a census. MTTT engaged trained community-based health volunteers who conducted house-to-house testing using RDTs every four months and treated positive cases with Artemisinin–based Combination Therapy. Between interventions, community-based management of malaria was implemented for symptomatic cases.
Results: MTTT Coverage was 98.8% in July 2017 and 79.3% in July 2018. Of those tested, asymptomatic infection with malaria parasites reduced from 36.3% (1,795/4941) in July 2017 to 32.9% (1,303/3966) in July 2018 (p=0.001). Prevalence of asymptomatic parasitaemia among children under 15 years declined from 52.6% (1,043/1984) in July 2017 to 47.5% (820/1,728) in July 2018 (p=0.002). Implementing MTTT significantly reduced asymptomatic parasitaemia by 24% from July 2017 to July 2018 after adjusting for age, ITN use and axillary temperature (OR=0.76, CI=0.67, 0.85 p≤0.001).
Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that implementing MTTT is feasible and could reduce the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in children under 15 years of age. Furthermore, the use of community-based health volunteers could ensure high coverage at lower cost of implementation.
Trial registration: NCT04167566, Date 14/11/2019
Retrospective registration.
Health Pregnancy, Healthy Baby: Testing the added benefits of pregnancy ultrasound for child development in a randomised control trial
Authors: Richter Linda Marlene , Slemming Wiedaad , Norris Shane A , Stein Alan , Poston Lucilla , Pasupathy Dharmintra
Published: November 2019

Background The 2016 World Health Organization Antenatal Guidelines and the 2015 South African Maternal and Child Health Guidelines recommend one early antenatal ultrasound scan to establish gestational age and to detect multiple pregnancies and fetal abnormalities. Prior research indicates that ultrasound can also increase parental-fetal attachment. We aim to establish whether, compared to routine care, messages to promote parental attachment and healthy child development, conducted during one or two pregnancy ultrasounds improve early child development and growth, exclusive breastfeeding, parental-child interactions and pre- and post-natal clinic attendance. Methods The effect of messages to sensitise mothers and fathers to fetal development will be tested in a 3-armed randomised trial with 100 mothers and their partners from Soweto-Johannesburg in each arm. The primary outcome is child development at 6 months post-natal. Secondary outcomes include infant feeding, parental attachment and interaction, parental mental health and infant growth, assessed at 6 weeks and 6 months. Parents in Arm 1 receive a fetal ultrasound <25 weeks during routine antenatal care at tertiary hospitals, and a second standard ultrasound at the research site within 2 weeks. Arm 2 participants receive the routine antenatal ultrasound and an additional ultrasound <25 weeks at the research site, together with messages to promote parental attachment and healthy child development. Arm 3 participants receive the routine ultrasound and two additional ultrasounds at the research site, <25 weeks and <36 weeks, together with messages to promote parental attachment and healthy child development. Discussion Evidence from high-income countries suggests that first-time prospective mothers and fathers enjoy seeing their fetus during ultrasound and that it is an emotional experience. A number of studies have found that ultrasound increases maternal attachment during pregnancy, a predictor of positive parent-infant interactions which, in turn, promotes healthy infant development. It is generally agreed that studies are needed which follow up parental-child behaviour and healthy child development postnatally, include fathers, and examine the construct in a wider diversity of settings, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Testing the added benefits of pregnancy ultrasound for child development is a gap that the proposed trial in South Africa seeks to address. Trial Registration The trial is registered with the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (https://pactr.samrc.ac.za) on 15 August 2018 (identifier: PACTR201808107241133).
Development of a model on factors affecting instrumental activities of daily living in people with mild cognitive impairment – a Delphi study
Authors: Bruderer-Hofstetter Marina , Sikkes Sietske A.M. , Münzer Thomas , Niedermann Karin
Published: November 2019

The authors have withdrawn this preprint from Research Square
Integrated proteomic and metabolomic analysis to study the effects of spaceflight on Candida albicans
Authors: Wang Jiaping , Liu Yu , Zhao Guangxian , Gao Jianyi , Liu Junlian , Wu Xiaorui , Xu Chong , Yongzhi Li
Published: November 2019

Background Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogenic yeast, which could become pathogenic in various stressful environmental factors including the spaceflight environment. In this study, we aim to explore the phenotypic changes and possible mechanisms of Candida albicans after exposure to spaceflight conditions.Results The effect of Candida albicans after carried on the "SJ-10" satellite for 12 days was evaluated by proliferation, morphogenic, environmental resistance and virulence experiment. The result showed that the proliferation rate, biofilm formation, antioxidant capacity, cytotoxicity and filamentous morphology of Candida albicans were increased in the spaceflight group compared to the control group. Proteomics and metabolomics technologies were used to analyze the profiles of proteins and metabolites in Candida albicans under spaceflight conditions. Proteomic analysis identified 564 up-regulated proteins involved in ribosome, DNA replication, base excision repair and sulfur metabolism in the spaceflight group. And 345 down-regulated proteins related to metabolic processes were observed. The metabolomic analysis found 5 different expressed metabolites. The combined analysis of proteomic and metabolomic revealed the accumulation of cysteine and methionine in Candida albicans after spaceflight.Conclusions Mechanisms that could explain the results in the phenotyping experiment of Candida albicans were found through proteomic and metabolomic analysis. And our data provide an important basis for the assessment of the risk that Candida albicans could cause under spaceflight environment.
Cellular Retinol Binding Protein I transfection in H460 non-small lung carcinoma cells reduces proliferation and AKT-related gene expression
Authors: Ferlosio Amedeo , Orlandi Augusto , Agostinelli Sara , Doldo Elena , Costanza Gaetana , Centofanti Federica
Published: November 2019

Background In recent years, new treatments with novel action mechanisms have been explored for advancer lung cancer. Retinoids were shown to promote cancer cell differentiation and death of and their action is mediated from specific cytoplasmic and nuclear receptors.Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Cellular retinol binding Protein I (CRBPI) transfection in H460 human non-small cell lung cancer cell line normally not expressing that receptor.Methods H460 cells were transfected by using a vector pTargeT Mammalian expression system carrying the whole sequence of CRBPI gene. For proliferation and apoptosis studies, cells were treated with different concentrations of all-trans retinoic acid ( at RA) and retinol. AKT-related gene expression was analyzed by using western blot and Signosis array. Results were analysed using d by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed from a Bonferroni post hoc test or with t-student test.Results CRBPI + showed a reduced proliferation and viability in basal condition and after at RA treatment when compared to empty-transfected H460 cells. Reduced proliferation in CRBPI + H460 cells associated to the down-regulation of pAKT/pERK/pEGFR genes. In particular, gene array documented in CRBPI + H460 cells the down-regulation of AKT and Stat-3-related genes, including M-Tor, Akt1, Akt2, Akt3, Foxo1, Foxo3, p21, p27, pTen, Jun.Conclusion Restoration of CRBPI expression in H460 cells reduced proliferation and viability in both basal condition and after at RA treatment, likely by down-regulating AKT-related gene level. Further studies are needed to better clarify how those CRBPI-related intracellular pathways contribute to counteract non-small cell lung carcinoma progression in order to suggest a potential tool to improve efficacy of retioid anti lung cancer adjuvant therapy.
Schizothorax richardsonii dsRNA dependent protein kinase has three double-stranded RNA binding motifs with a promoter lacking conserved kinase sequence
Authors: Saxena Ankur , Belwal Kiran , Chaturvedi Preeti , Pande Amit
Published: November 2019

Background: Double stranded RNA (dsRNA) dependent protein kinase (PKR) is an interferon (IFN) stimulated antiviral protein. It inhibits protein synthesis by phosphorylation of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-alpha (eIF2-α) by its serine-threonine kinase activity that prevents virus replication. This is the first report on the in silico analysis of PKR coding region and its promoter from a Coldwater fish of the Indian Himalayan region. Snow trout, Schizothorax richardsonii is an important Coldwater food fish. It is being over fished and therefore requires conservation. Being a vulnerable species it is listed under the red list of IUCN. Here we discuss the identification, cloning and sequencing of PKR coding region and its promoter. Results: We have revealed the complete coding region of dsRNA dependent protein kinase (PKR) and its promoter from Schizothorax richardsonii , one of the several species of snow trout inhabiting sub-Himalayan fresh water bodies. An amplicon of 2884bp containing 5ʹ and 3ʹ untranslated regions (UTR) of 234 and 558 bases was obtained while the deduced open reading frame (ORF) of 2076 bases encoded a polypeptide of 691 amino-acids. Snow trout PKR protein contains three double stranded RNA binding motifs (dsRBM) at N terminal, besides possessing a serine/threonine protein kinase and a C terminal catalytic domain. Moreover, a stretch of 791 nucleotide bases was identified as the promoter upstream the ORF. The identified promoter has two interferon stimulated response elements (ISRE) besides the presence of core promoter elements. Moreover, the snow trout PKR promoter has a TATA box but lacks kinase conserved sequence (KCS) that is present in mammalian PKR promoters. Conclusion: The promoter of snow trout was identified as a stretch of 791 nucleotide bases. It has two interferon-stimulated response elements (ISRE) besides core promoter elements. Intriguingly, unlike the mammalian PKR promoter, the snow trout PKR promoter has a TATA box but lacks the conserved kinase sequence (KCS) present in human counterpart. Keywords: Schizothorax richardsonii , Interferon Stimulated Genes, PKR protein, Antiviral state, Homology modeling, dsRNA binding protein kinase
Evidence of pathogenic zoonotic tick-borne Rickettsia and Borrelia spp. in some communal farms in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: ADELABU OLUSESAN , Iweriebor Benson Chuks , Obi Larry Chikwelu , Okoh Anthony Ifeanyi
Published: November 2019

The abundance of tick populations in South Africa represents a probable risk for both animal and human health. Rickettsia and Borrelia are well-known significant agents of emerging human tick-borne infectious diseases throughout the world. Nevertheless, the epidemiology of their infections has been underreported in South Africa, Therefore, the aim of this study was to profile for zoonotic Rickettsia and Borrelia species from ticks infesting domesticated animals in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Morphological and molecular identification techniques were conducted on 1,200 tick samples collected from domestic animals before screening for the target bacterial pathogens. The molecular identification of the tick samples was based on the amplification of the 12S rRNA mitochondrial DNA while those of Rickettsia and Borrelia species were carried out by amplifying fragments of glt A, omp A and omp B genes for Rickettsia and fla B gene for Borrelia spp. Thereafter, the positive ticks, Borrelia and Rickettsia omp B amplicons were sequenced and further analysed. Eight species of ticks belonging to three genera; Rhipicephalus, Amblyomma, and Haemaphysalis were identified. A total of 320 (27%) samples were confirmed positive for Rickettsia out of which 74 (23%) were positive for both omp A and omp B genes. Phylogenetic analysis of omp B revealed a high homology to rickettsial reference strains from GenBank, while there was no positive result for Borrelia. The generated sequences showed 99.1 to 100% homology with R. africae -KX227790 (100%), R. parkeri - KY113111 (99.8%), R .peacock (99.3%) and R. slovaca - KJ675445, JX683122 (99.1%) representative sequences in GenBank. The findings from this study revealed that ticks collected from domesticated animals were parasitized by Rickettsia species with possible zoonotic potential, which is detrimental to human health if bitten by infected ticks.
Agronomic Responses of Maize Hybrids to Row Spacing and Plant Population in the Summer and Winter Seasons in Brazil
Authors: Dias Fagner Souto , Rezende Wemerson Mendonça , Zuffo Leandro Tonello , Caixeta Diego Gonçalves , Massensini Mateus André , Ribeiro José Ivo , DeLima Rodrigo Oliveira
Published: November 2019

Brazil has two growing seasons for maize (Zea mays L.) production: summer and winter. The additional maize produced in the winter and the high‐yielding opportunities in the summer season make it important to understand responses of maize hybrids to row spacing and plant population across the two annual Brazilian growing seasons. In the 2015 to 2016 summer season and the 2016 winter season, maize response to plant population, ranging from 60,000 to 90,000 plants ha−1, was evaluated for three hybrids in 0.45‐, 0.60‐, 0.75‐, and 0.90‐m row spacing. Plant architecture traits, grain yield and yield components did not differ with row spacing, and their responses to plant population were not affected by hybrid type and/or row spacing. The DKB390PRO2 hybrid (single cross) demonstrated better grain yield performance in the summer, whereas the BG7049YH hybrid (three‐way cross) had the highest yield in the winter. Plant and ear height increased linearly in response to plant population in the summer season, whereas other plant architecture traits, ear leaf chlorophyll concentration, and grain yield components decreased linearly with increasing plant populations in both seasons. There was a quadratic response in maize grain yield to plant population, and it was maximized with 78,688 plants ha−1 in the summer, and 71,206 plants ha−1 in the winter. Our results show preliminary evidence that regardless of row spacing, maize grain yield can be maximized with DKB390 hybrid (single cross) with 78,500 plants ha−1 in the summer, and BG7049YH hybrid (three‐way) with 71,000 plants ha−1 in the winter season.

Core Ideas

Regardless of summer or winter seasons, hybrid performance was not affected by row spacing.

Maize hybrids exhibited similar yield responses to row spacing and plant population.

Most of the yield components and plant architecture traits decreased linearly with increasing plant population.

The maximum grain yield occurring at lower plant population (71,000 plants ha−1) in the winter than in the summer season (78,500 plants ha−1).
Layer stacking disorder in Mg-Fe chlorites based on powder X-ray diffraction data
Authors: Luberda-Durnaś Katarzyna , Szczerba Marek , Lempart Małgorzata , Ciesielska Zuzanna , Derkowski Arkadiusz
Published: November 2019

The primary aim of this study was the accurate determination of unit-cell parameters and description of disorder in chlorites with semi-random stacking using common X-ray diffraction (XRD) data for bulk powder samples. In the case of ordered chlorite structures, comprehensive crystallographic information can be obtained based on powder XRD data. Problems arise for samples with semi-random stacking, where due to strong broadening of hkl peaks with k ≠ 3n, the determination of unit-cell parameters is demanding. In this study a complete set of information about the stacking sequences in chlorite structures was determined based on XRD pattern simulation, which included determining a fraction of layers shifted by ±1/3b, interstratification with different polytypes and 2:1 layer rotations.

A carefully selected series of pure Mg-Fe tri-trioctahedral chlorites with iron content in the range from 0.1 to 3.9 atoms per half formula unit cell was used in the study. In addition, powder XRD patterns were carefully investigated for the broadening of the odd-number basal reflections to determine interstratification of 14 and 7 Å layers. These type of interstratifications were finally not found in any of the samples. This result was also confirmed by the XRD pattern simulations, assuming interstratification with R0 ordering.

Based on h0l XRD reflections, all the studied chlorites were found to be the IIbb polytype with a monoclinic-shaped unit cell (β ≈ 97°). For three samples, the hkl reflections with k ≠ 3n were partially resolvable; therefore, a conventional indexing procedure was applied. Two of the chlorites were found to have a monoclinic cell (with α, γ = 90°). Nevertheless, among all the samples, the more general triclinic (pseudomonoclinic) crystal system with symmetry C1 was assumed, to calculate unit-cell parameters using Le Bail fitting.

A detailed study of semi-random stacking sequences shows that simple consideration of the proportion of IIb-2 and IIb-4/6 polytypes, assuming equal content of IIb-4 and IIb-6, is not sufficient to fully model the stacking structure in chlorites. Several, more general, possible models were therefore considered. In the first approach, a parameter describing a shift into one of the ±1/3b directions (thus, the proportion of IIb-4 and IIb-6 polytypes) was refined. In the second approach, for samples with slightly distinguishable hkl reflections with k ≠ 3n, some kind of segregation of individual polytypes (IIb-2/4/6) was considered. In the third approach, a model with rotations of 2:1 layers about 0°, 120°, 240° was shown to have the lowest number of parameters to be optimized and therefore give the most reliable fits. In all of the studied samples, interstratification of different polytypes was revealed with the fraction of polytypes being different than IIbb ranging from 5 to 19%, as confirmed by fitting of h0l XRD reflections.
Measurement of gross alpha and beta activity concentration in groundwater of Jordan: groundwater quality, annual effective dose and lifetime risk assessment
Authors: Alomari Ahmad Hussein , Saleh Muneer Aziz , Hashim Suhairul , Alsayaheen Amal , Abdeldin Ismail , Bani khalaf Refaat
Published: November 2019

The current study was conducted to measure the activity concentration of the gross alpha and beta in 87 groundwater samples collected from the productive aquifers that constitute a major source of groundwater to evaluate the annual effective dose and the corresponding health impact on the population and to investigate the quality of groundwater in Jordan. The mean activity concentration of gross alpha and beta in groundwater ranges from 0.26 ± 0.03 to 3.58 ± 0.55 Bq L−1 and from 0.51 ± 0.07 to 3.43 ± 0.46 Bq L−1, respectively. A very strong relationship was found between gross alpha and beta activity concentrations. The annual effective dose for alpha and beta was found in the range of 0.32–2.40 mSv with a mean value of 0.89 mSv, which is nine times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit and one and half times higher than the national regulation limit. The mean lifetime risk was found to be 45.47 × 10−4 higher than the Jordanian estimated upper-bound lifetime risk of 25 × 10−4. The data obtained in the study would be the baseline for further epidemiological studies on health effects related to the exposure to natural radioactivity in Jordan.
Natural Polymer-based Stimuli-responsive Hydrogels
Authors: Jiang Yuheng , Wang Ying , Li Qin , Yu Chen , Chu Wanli
Published: November 2019

The abilities of intelligent polymer hydrogels to change their structure and volume phase in
response to external stimuli have provided new possibilities for various advanced technologies and
great research and application potentials in the medical field. The natural polymer-based hydrogels
have the advantages of environment-friendliness, rich sources and good biocompatibility. Based on
their responsiveness to external stimuli, the natural polymer-based hydrogels can be classified into the
temperature-responsive hydrogel, pH-responsive hydrogel, light-responsive hydrogel, electricresponsive
hydrogel, redox-responsive hydrogel, enzyme-responsive hydrogel, magnetic-responsive
hydrogel, multi-responsive hydrogel, etc. In this review, we have compiled some recent studies on
natural polymer-based stimuli-responsive hydrogels, especially the hydrogels prepared from polysaccharides.
The preparation methods, properties and applications of these hydrogels in the medical field
are highlighted.
Synthetic Methods Applied in the Preparation of Coumarin-based Compounds
Authors: Francisco Carla S. , Francisco Cristina S. , Constantino André F. , Neto Álvaro Cunha , Lacerda Valdemar
Published: November 2019

Coumarins (2H-chromen-2-ones) are heterocyclic compounds of wide scientific
interest due to their important biological and pharmaceutical properties such as antitumor,
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities as well as enzymatic inhibitors
related to neurodegenerative diseases. Due to their structural variability, this compound
class has been attracting considerable interest in the natural products and synthetic organic
chemistry areas. Coumarins and their derivatives have been prepared by a variety of methods,
including Perkin, Wittig and Reformatsky reactions, Pechmann and Knoevenagel
condensations, and Claisen rearrangement, among others. In the present review we report
the different synthetic methods used in the preparation of coumarin derivatives exploited
in the last ten years (from 2008 to 2018), regarding the research demand for new structural
scaffolds.
Delivery of HIV-1 Polyepitope Constructs Using Cationic and Amphipathic Cell Penetrating Peptides into Mammalian Cells
Authors: Namazi Fatemeh , Bolhassani Azam , Sadat Seyed Mehdi , Irani Shiva
Published: November 2019

Background:

An effective vaccine against human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) is
an important global health priority. Despite many efforts in the development of the HIV-1 vaccine,
no effective vaccine has been approved yet. Recently, polyepitope vaccines including several immunogenic
and conserved epitopes of HIV-1 proteins have received special attention.

Methods:

In this study, HIV-1 Nef, Tat, Gp160 and P24 proteins were considered for selection of
immunodominant and conserved epitopes due to their critical roles in the viral life cycle and pathogenesis.
At first, the Nef60-84-Nef126-144-Tat29-49-Gp16030-53-Gp160308-323-P248-151 DNA construct was
designed using in silico studies. Then, the DNA construct was subcloned in pEGFP-N1 and pET-
24a (+) expression vectors and the rNef-Tat-Gp160-P24 polyepitope peptide was generated in E.coli
expression system for in vitro delivery using novel cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), LDP-NLS and
CyLoP-1, in a non-covalent manner. Also, the HR9 and MPG CPPs were used to transfer the DNA
construct.

Results:

Our results showed that the recombinant polyepitope peptide generated in Rosetta strain
migrated as a clear band of ~31 kDa in SDS-PAGE. The SEM data confirmed the formation of stable
nanoparticles with a size below 250 nm. MTT assay revealed that the complexes did not represent
any considerable cytotoxic effect compared to untreated cells. The results of fluorescence microscopy,
flow cytometry and western blotting indicated that these CPPs successfully delivered polyepitope
constructs into HEK-293T cell line.

Conclusion:

These data suggested that these CPPs can be used as a promising approach for the development
of the HIV-1 vaccine.
Characterization of Venoms of Deinagkistrodon acutus and Bungarus multicinctus Using Proteomics and Peptidomics
Authors: Zhang Yaqiong , Jia Zhiping , Liu Yunyang , Zhou Xinwen , Kong Yi
Published: November 2019

Background:

Deinagkistrodon acutus (D. acutus) and Bungarus multicinctus (B. multicinctus)
as traditional medicines have been used for hundreds of years in China. The venoms of these two
species have strong toxicity on the victims.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to reveal the profile of venom proteins and peptides of
D. acutus and B. multicinctus.

Method:

Ultrafiltration, SDS-PAGE coupled with in-gel tryptic digestion and Liquid Chromatography-
Electrospray Ionization-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) were used to characterize
proteins and peptides of venoms of D. acutus and B. multicinctus.

Results:

In the D. acutus venom, 67 proteins (16 protein families) were identified, and snake venom metalloproteinases
(SVMPs, 38.0%) and snake venom C-type lectins (snaclecs, 36.7%) were dominated proteins.
In the B. multicinctus venom, 47 proteins (15 protein families) were identified, and three-finger toxins
(3FTxs, 36.3%) and Kunitz-type Serine Protease Inhibitors (KSPIs, 32.8%) were major components.
In addition, both venoms contained small amounts of other proteins, such as Snake Venom Serine Proteinases
(SVSPs), Phospholipases A2 (PLA2s), Cysteine-Rich Secreted Proteins (CRISPs), 5'nucleotidases
(5'NUCs), Phospholipases B (PLBs), Phosphodiesterases (PDEs), Phospholipase A2 Inhibitors (PLIs),
Dipeptidyl Peptidases IV (DPP IVs), L-amino Acid Oxidases (LAAOs) and Angiotensin-Converting Enzymes
(ACEs). Each venom also had its unique proteins, Nerve Growth Factors (NGFs) and Hyaluronidases
(HYs) in D. acutus, and Cobra Venom Factors (CVFs) in B. multicinctus. In the peptidomics,
1543 and 250 peptides were identified in the venoms of D. acutus and B. multicinctus, respectively.
Some peptides showed high similarity with neuropeptides, ACE inhibitory peptides, Bradykinin-
Potentiating Peptides (BPPs), LAAOs and movement related peptides.

Conclusion:

Characterization of venom proteins and peptides of D. acutus and B. multicinctus will be
helpful for the treatment of envenomation and drug discovery.
Design and Synthesis of 4(1H)-quinolone Derivatives as Autophagy Inducing Agents by Targeting ATG5 Protein
Authors: Jia Yifan , Yu Difei , Huang Qiuhua , Zhang Xiaodong , Qiu Liqin , Cao Rihui , Du Runlei , Liu Wenbin
Published: November 2019

Background:

Quinolines have been characterized as a class of potential antitumor agents,
and a large number of natural and synthetic quinolines acting as antitumor agents were reported.

Methods:

A series of 7-chloro-4(1H)-quinolone derivatives were synthesized. The antiproliferative
effect of these compounds was evaluated by MTT assay against five human tumor cell lines. The
mechanism of action of the selected compound 7h was also investigated.

Results and Discussion:

Most of the compounds had more potent antiproliferative activities than
the lead compound 7-chloro-4(1H)-quinolone 6b. Compound 7h was found to be the most potent
antiproliferative agent against human tumor cell lines. Further investigation demonstrated that compound
7h triggered ATG5-dependent autophagy of colorectal cancer cells by promoting the functions
of LC3 proteins.

Conclusion:

These results were useful for designing and discovering more potent novel antitumor
agents endowed with better pharmacological profiles.
LabVIEW Based Performance Assessment of Backup Emergency Power Supply for Critical Medical Equipment
Authors: G. Pandiaraj , Muralidharan S.
Published: November 2019

Introduction:

In the recent past, the requirement of backup sources has increased exponentially
and necessitated massive energy storage devices like lead-acid batteries, and supercapacitors.

Materials and Methods:

Especially these power backup resources become inevitable, while installing
critical diagnostic and lifesaving equipment. The storage system, usually lead-acid battery
bank, needs to be connected to the electrical appliances through a converter station where the energy
conversion takes place. Such practices are involved in medical emergency appliances of uninterrupted
power supply. The devices like monitoring instruments, patient’s artificial respiratory
systems, light loads in operation theaters, motor loads and other electronic devices of laptop &
desktop computers act as a source of harmonics. Apart from these, the sine wave / square wave
inverter also introduces harmonics as well as micro ripples on the battery side. These micro frequency
components have certain impacts on the storage system performance, efficiency, and utilization
of electrical energy.

Results and Conclusion:

This work investigates the impact of micro frequency components on
the lead-acid storage battery when it is operating with a sine wave inverter supplying Resistive
load and RLE load. In order to perform the investigation, a hardware test bench was created. The
results of laboratory tests on a lead-acid battery show that batteries lose capacity and the utilization
gets reduced by the frequent use. This manuscript opens up a new direction of research in the
medical emergency backup system operating with a 12V DC system.
Melatonin Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits the Proliferation of Cancer Cells via Reactive Oxygen Species-mediated MAPK and mTOR Pathways
Authors: Kasi Reena , Yeo Pei Ling , Yen Ng. Khuen , Koh Rhun Yian , Ponnudurai Gnanajothy , Tiong Yee Lian , Chye Soi Moi
Published: November 2019

Background:

Recent human and animal studies have demonstrated the oncostatic properties of N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine (melatonin) in different types of cancer. However, in few cancer cell lines including colorectal cancer cell line (HT-29), acute T cell leukemia cell line (JURKAT) and cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), precise oncostatic mechanism induced by melatonin is yet to be described.

Objectives:

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of melatonin in HT-29, JURKAT and HeLa cells and to determine the underlying molecular mechanism.

Methods:

Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay while cell cycle, apoptosis and membrane potential were analysed by flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by 2',7'.dichlorofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA) staining. Protein expressions were determined by Western blot.

Results:

Our results showed that melatonin suppressed cell proliferation, increased the number of sub G1 hypodiploid cells and cell cycle arrest in HT-29, JURKAT and HeLa cells. Besides, melatonin also induced early and late apoptosis, although there were marked variations in responses between different cell lines (sensitivity; HeLa > HT-29 >JURKAT). Apart from that, staining with DCHF-DA demonstrated ROS production that was induced in a dose-dependent manner in HeLa, HT-29 and JURKAT cells. Moreover, the apoptotic process and oncostatic effect of melatonin were seen to be associated with extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH (2)-terminal kinase (SAPK-JNK) signalling cascades in HeLa cells. In HT-29 and JURKAT cells, melatonin induced apoptosis via activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38), ERK and SAPK-JNK signalling pathways. In all three cell lines, the apoptotic event was triggered by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated activation of the downstream target rapamycininsensitive companion of mTOR (RICTOR) and/or regulatory-associated protein of mTOR (RAPTOR) proteins.

Conclusions:

Our findings confirm that melatonin induces apoptosis through reactive oxygen speciesmediated dysregulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and mTOR signalling pathways in these cancer cell lines.
Quantitative Analysis and Evaluation of Tractor Gear Shifting Comfort with Entropy-Based Matter-Element Model
Authors: Jiang Wei , Xu Hongmei , Zhong Wenjie , Dong Jiajun , Shang Yujun
Published: November 2019

Background:

The gear shifting comfort of tractors is affected by various factors, which
make it extremely difficult to accurately and quantitatively describe the handling comfort through
objective physical quantities. However, the calculation and evaluation processes of the index of manipulation
comfort mostly involve the operation of matrix form, and the numerical operation is one
of the powerful core functions of MATLAB.

Objective:

This study aims to take the gear shifting process of tractors as the research object and uses
MATLAB /GUI toolbox to develop the shifting comfort evaluation system, thereby improving the
gear shifting comfort.

Methods:

The procedures of holistic assessment, element subdivision, and detailed tracking were
adopted as the analysis method. Thus, the operation process was divided into four action units, including
pedal free travel, separation travel, gear change, and joint travel, according to the concept of
“differentiation” and manipulation behavior. Based on the matter-element model, the process of
clutch operation was described by the coupling of action elements. The closeness between the actual
model and the target model was used to measure the degree of handling comfort. Then, the results
were compared with those of the multi-index comprehensive evaluation.

Results:

It was shown that separation travel has the greatest influence on handling comfort. Taking
vehicle 1 as an example, the matter-element analysis model provided the overall comfort value of
the carrier (0.8359), which is close to the value of the multi-index comprehensive evaluation
(0.8156). Moreover, the evaluation results presented the score of each action unit, which could directly
reflect the action units with the lowest level of comfort. The evaluation results of matterelement
model can not only reflect the handling comfort of different components, but also locate the
negative aspects of the whole operation.

Conclusion:

This method is effective in overcoming the ambiguity of the concept of comfort and
the generality of overall evaluation as well as avoiding the uncertainty of subjective evaluation.
Self reported oral diseases, Oral hygiene and utilisation of Oral health services among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at New Masala Clinic, Ndola, Zambia:cross-functional study (Preprint)
Authors: Phiri Thandiwe
Published: November 2019

UNSTRUCTURED

Background: Pregnancy is associated with the development of oral cavity disorders and diseases
due to the increase in the levels of the hormones Estrogen and Progesterone, which predispose the
oral cavity of the pregnant woman to diseases. Some of the common self-reported oral diseases in
pregnancy are gingivitis, dental caries, periodontitis, pregnancy tumors and many more. In most
developing countries research on the oral health during pregnancy has not been done leading to
limited information to general public.
The main objective of this study is to determine the self-reported oral diseases, oral hygiene and
utilization of oral health services among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at New Masala
Clinic.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 208 pregnant women
attending antenatal clinic at New Masala Clinic of Ndola town. All participants completed a
questionnaire with following parameters; socio-demographics, self-oral care, oral symptoms
during pregnancy and utilization of oral health services during pregnancy. The data collected was
then analyzed using SPSS software version 20 statistical software. Chi-square test was used to
determine significant associations.
Results: over one third of participants reported to experience bleeding gums, 85.1% reported to
have been brushing regularly at least twice or more daily. None (0%) used floss while majority
(80.3%) of the participants reported use of toothpick. Majority (80.8%) had never visited a dentist
in their entire life while 7.2% of the participants reported to have visited a dental clinic in less than
1 year ago. Majority (99%)of the participants had never visited a dentist during their pregnancy
Conclusion and recommendations: Despite the high level of self-reported oral care among
pregnant women there is great need for radical sensitization and awareness about oral health
during pregnancy and utilization of dental services among pregnant women. Social economic
status and education back ground do not influence dental services utilization or development of
oral health diseases and. However the age of gestation has great influence of the development of
certain oral symptoms and diseases.
The Paradox of Incumbency: Patronage, Clientelism, and Incumbent Defeat in Village Chief Elections
Authors: Rahadiri Abheseka Norin Mustika
Published: November 2019

This article examines the practices of  patronage and clientelism during village elections. Examining Mekarsari Village, Yogyakarta, this study finds that patronage strategies such as programmatic politics, vote buying, club goods, and individual gifts were used by all candidates during village elections owing to the lack of  strong social bonds between candidates and voters. The incumbent with all advantages and access to material resources also used patronise and clientelism as strategy, but in fact, it cannot guarantee they win the election. This suggests that the societal relationships and practices of  patronage and clientelism continue to affect voter’s preference. Applying sociological, psychological, and rational approaches to understanding voter behaviour especially in Java, the study found that, apart from the instrumental and social distance considerations, territorial representation also influenced voter’s preference at Village.
Trends in Peritoneal Dialysis Use in the United States after Medicare Payment Reform
Authors: Sloan Caroline E. , Coffman Cynthia J. , Sanders Linda L. , Maciejewski Matthew L. , Lee Shoou-Yih D. , Hirth Richard A. , Wang Virginia
Published: November 2019

Background and objectives

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) for ESKD is associated with similar mortality, higher quality of life, and lower costs compared with hemodialysis (HD), but has historically been underused. We assessed the effect of the 2011 Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for dialysis on PD initiation, modality switches, and stable PD use.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Using US Renal Data System and Medicare data, we identified all United States patients with ESKD initiating dialysis before (2006–2010) and after (2011–2013) PPS implementation, and observed their modality for up to 2 years after dialysis initiation. Using logistic regression models, we examined the associations between PPS and early PD experience (any PD 1–90 days after initiation), late PD use (any PD 91–730 days after initiation), and modality switches (PD-to-HD or HD-to-PD 91–730 days after initiation). We adjusted for patient, dialysis facility, and regional characteristics.

Results

Overall, 619,126 patients with incident ESKD received dialysis at Medicare-certified facilities, 2006–2013. Observed early PD experience increased from 9.4% before PPS to 12.6% after PPS. Observed late PD use increased from 12.1% to 16.1%. In adjusted analyses, PPS was associated with increased early PD experience (odds ratio [OR], 1.51; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.47 to 1.55; P<0.001) and late PD use (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.45 to 1.50; P<0.001). In subgroup analyses, late PD use increased in part due to an increase in HD-to-PD switches among those without early PD experience (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.52 to 1.66; P<0.001) and a decrease in PD-to-HD switches among those with early PD experience (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87 to 0.98; P=0.004).

Conclusions

More patients started, stayed on, and switched to PD after dialysis payment reform. This occurred without a substantial increase in transfers to HD.
Проектное управление инновационным процессом – основа высококонкурентной цифровой экономики
Authors: Pavlov A.B.
Published: November 2019

Важным фактором достижения приоритетных целей масштабного инновационного развития всех сфер современного общества нашей страны в эпоху перехода к цифровой экономике, является комплексное, проектное управление инновационным процессом на всех этапах создания и внедрения инновационных проектов, доведения их до промышленного производства, которое будет катализатором социально-экономических преобразований современности. Своим опытом работы над этими проблемами делится профессор Борис Петрович Павлов, Заслуженный экономист Российской Федерации и Республики Татарстан.
ФГБНУ ТИСНУМ – лидер отечественного производства аналитического оборудования в области исследования физико-механических свойств материалов
Authors: Алёшин А.Н.
Published: November 2019

ФГБНУ ТИСНУМ основан в 1995 году как Научно-технический центр "Сверхтвердые материалы" (НТЦ СТМ). Мы побывали в отделе исследования физико-механических свойств и познакомились с историей, научными разработками и линейкой аналитического оборудования, выпускаемого сотрудниками отдела, посетили Центр коллективного пользования научным оборудованием, где узнали о последних исследованиях наноструктурных, углеродных и сверхтвердых материалов.
МЕТОДЫ ИСПЫТАНИЯ И УПРАВЛЕНИЯ ТЕПЛОВОЙ ЖЕСТКОСТЬЮ СТАНКОВ
Authors: Дорожка А.
Published: November 2019

Рассмотрены основные методики и процедуры испытаний для определения тепловых воздействий, вызванных различными тепловыми потоками, приводящими к искажению конструкции станка или системы позиционирования. Описаны методы измерения температур конструкции станка и базовые подходы к управлению и воздействию на тепловое состояние металлорежущих станков.
ЧИСЛОВОЕ ПРОГРАММНО-КОПИРОВАЛЬНОЕ УПРАВЛЕНИЕ ФРЕЗЕРНЫМИ СТАНКАМИ СЕРИИ СВО – ВАЖНОЕ НАПРАВЛЕНИЕ РАЗВИТИЯ СИСТЕМ ЧПУ
Authors: Пась О. , Серков Н.
Published: November 2019

Рассмотрены предпосылки возникновения и развития числового программно-копировального управления (ЧПКУ) фрезерными станками серии СВО для обработки изделий с вафельным фоном.
ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ЧИСЛА СТЕПЕНЕЙ СВОБОДЫ МЕХАНИЗМОВ С ПОСТОЯННОЙ ТОЧКОЙ ВВОДА ИНСТРУМЕНТА
Authors: Чернецов Р. , Велиев Е. , Глазунов В. , Скворцов С. , Ковалева Н.
Published: November 2019

Приведены два варианта механизмов, обеспечивающих постоянство положения точки ввода инструмента, основанных на конической и ременной передаче, выходное звено которых совершает сферическое движение. Определено число степеней свободы для каждого механизма.
Impacto ambiental y metodologias de análisis
Authors: Yáñez Vargas Apolinar
Published: November 2019

El impacto ambiental se presenta cuando una acción o actividad produce una alteración favorable o desfavorable en el medio ambiente o en alguno de sus componentes, es decir, el impacto ambiental de un proyecto productivo sobre el medio ambiente puede definirse como la diferencia entre la situación natural del ambiente presente y la situación evolutiva normal del ambiente futuro, sin tal impacto. Ahora bien, los impactos pueden producirse a corto o largo plazo, ser de corta o larga duración; bioacumulativo, irreversible e inevitable. En la realización de un proyecto productivo se consideran  cuatro fases a seguir: selección, construcción, operación y abandono del sitio. Con respecto al impacto ambiental se tienen que valorar cada una de las actividades o procesos que se tengan, así como cuantificar el nivel del impacto en cada uno de los elementos que constituyen el ambiente tanto bióticos como abióticos, así como el impacto en el nivel socioeconómico, el paisaje, entre otros, para que una vez identificados se proceda a establecer medidas preventivas o de mitigación con respecto a cada uno de los impactos negativos encontrados; finalmente se presentará un manifiesto de impacto ambiental debidamente fundado y motivado ante la autoridad competente, con el fin de someterlo a su evaluación y obtener su aprobación para la realización de los proyectos productivos, de acuerdo con la normatividad correspondiente.
El petroleo mexicano
Authors: Vidal de los Santos Ezequiel
Published: November 2019

La industria petrolera y en particular la paraestatal PEMEX ha ocuapdo la atención pública desde que el petróleo fue nacionalizado por el gobierno del presidente Lázaro Cárdenas, el 18 de marzo de 1938. Sin duda una decisión trascendental que acotó la proverbial voracidad de los dueños del capital, en ese momento extranjeros, y la explotación  del recurso a costa del trabajo mal pagado de los obreros, las tierras compradas casi siempre en contra de la voluntad de los dueños, principalmente campesinos e indígenas, la destrucción de los monumentos etno-arqueológicos y del entorno ambiental. Las más encendidas discusiones se debaten hoy en torno a la necesidad de reestructurar la planta industrial de PEMEX, de modo que se garantice el aprovechamiento de los recursos de una manera sustentable y se transforme el crudo y gas en los productos petrolíferos y petroquímicos desde una plataforma nacional, cuidando siempre que la propiedad del recurso continúe siendo del Estado.
Workplace ostracism and job performance: Meaning at work and family support as moderators
Authors: Feng Liwei , Li Jiapei , Feng Taiwen , Jiang Wenbo
Published: November 2019

The negative relationship between workplace ostracism and employees' job performance has received increasing attention from academia and in practice. However, little is known about the conditions under which these negative effects can be alleviated. We investigated whether workplace
ostracism simultaneously predicts in-role job performance and innovative job performance, as well as exploring the moderating roles of meaning at work and family member support in these relationships. Using data collected from 727 employees of 3 Chinese hospitals, we conducted a hierarchical
multiple regression analysis to test our hypotheses. The results indicated that workplace ostracism predicted both poor in-role job performance and low innovative job performance. Moreover, high levels of family support moderated the relationship between workplace ostracism and innovative
job performance. These results have implications for theoretical and practical understanding of workplace ostracism.