bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Życie po życiu albo republika bytów. Starość aksolotla Jacka Dukaja w perspektywie ekokrytycznej
Authors: Woźniak Jarosław
Published: July 2020

In the presented article, the author explores the possibilities of an ecocritical reading of the Starość aksolotla by Jacek Dukaj. Particular emphasis is placed on the post-humanist motifs and im-plications of the story. At the same time, the author extensively discusses the latest trends in ecocriti-cism and tries to supplement the interpretation of the literary text with theoretical reflections on the situation, challenges and future of ecocriticism. The author also presents the possibilities of using such trends as new materialism, flat ontology or Actor-Network Theory in ecocritical practice. The most important theoretical contexts are Bernard Stiegler’s reflections on the nature of technology, Latour’s Actor-Network Theory reinterpreted by Graham Harman, Jane Bennett’s new materialism and “ecology without nature” of Timothy Morton.
Lokalne przewodniki turystyczne — heroikomiczna gra z odbiorcą
Authors: Szurek Agnieszka
Published: July 2020

Guide books to small towns from the Warsaw suburban region are presented here as suggesting for their readers a kind of make-believe game. Tourists sightseeing these towns are encouraged to pretend that they are at the seaside, or going on an excursion to famous monuments. Local guide books imitate the conventions of the genre, but there are differences between the narratives ad-dressed to a strictly local audience and those intended for nationwide distribution. While in local guide books space is often described from the point of view of the walker (or cyclist), non-local ones more often adopt the perspective of a map. Local and non-local discourse often intertwine and lines between genres become blurred. However, the main difference is that while non-local guide books try to build the illusion of authenticity, local ones aim for the illusion of a scene. While persuading the readers to enter this mock-heroic game, they endeavour to add exotic flavour to everyday sur-roundings.
Mechagodzilla i kobieta cyborg. Technogroza triumfu nad naturą
Authors: Wałaszewski Zbigniew
Published: July 2020

Interpretations suggested in this article are based on the fourteenth and the fifteenth God-zilla films, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) and Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975), featuring the eponymous icon of the kaijū-eiga (monster films) genre and global pop culture.An analysis of diverse contexts (visual, narrative, structural, and genre) of the cinematic fight of Godzilla (the epitome of Nature) with Mechagodzilla (the epitome of Technology) makes it pos-sible to reveal details of the expression of the desire to acquire and maintain control over technology and, through that, over nature. In the context of the genre of both the analysed films, frightening elements characteristic of a horror film are overcome by mechanisms derived from science fiction, i.e. science and technology, with the concern of civilisation about threats or fatal consequences of the use of devices which get out of control.In the cinematic discourse of images of the conflict of fear of nature with anxieties of civilisa-tion, a technological demon emerges, Mechagodzilla, in an ultra-modern body made from titanium, accumulating the horror of atavistic monsters attacking humans with the new terror of powerful alien machines. The techno-terror of Mechagodzilla is contrasted with original nature, unspoilt by technological interference, which transforms Godzilla, the frightening monster and an archetype of the chaotic and destructive force of natural disasters, into a sympathetic defender of humanity.The sensitivity and cultural tradition of a Western viewer of the films, which serves as the point of departure for the analyses, initially made it difficult to derive a complete interpretation of the message; when the interpretive apparatus was broadened, however, by rooting kaiju eiga in Japanese culture, this helped overcome the problems of interpretation and enriched the reading of Godzilla symbolics with a spiritual element referring to nature.
Dokumentalne portrety kobiet w filmach Ireny Kamieńskiej
Authors: Tes Urszula
Published: July 2020

Documentary portraits of women in Irena Kamieńska’s filmsThe author presents one of the main topics in Irena Kamieńska’s documentary oeuvre — the problems of women. In the article she discusses two kinds of female portraits created by the director — strong and full of enthusiasm Good Morning, Children, Next Point on the Agenda, and helpless, without any hope Workers; Day After Day. Of crucial importance is the sociological-historical context, referred to by the author, which makes it possible to take a broader view on the conditions in which the protagonists of Kamieńska’s documentaries lived. In addition, the author discusses the director’s attitude to her protagonists.
Komunikacja międzypokoleniowa w polskiej kulturze. Wyniki badań empirycznych
Authors: Kochanek Patrycja
Published: July 2020

Intergenerational communication in Polish cultureThe object of this paper is to verify the structure of communication in cultural discourse in Poland. It is analyzed if this discourse sees differences between the next generations and if it personalizes communication for them. Pilot research CAWI was done in May 2017. Twenty one responders answered 7 opened and 5 closed questions in an online survey. All of the responders were working in cultural institutions. The categorization of the answers gave an image of the social groups that have some specific and unique characteristics and values. The quantitative analysis of the answers verified the hypotheses: cultural discourse creates communication according to the audience — which is generation specific. Cultural institutions see this generation problem in Poland and they attribute this change to the activities that have been created for people. This research is only an opening to further investigations on this topic.
Effect of Rambutan Fruit Peel Extract on Total Sperm Counts of Wistar Rats With Obesity
Authors: Sipahutar Kerin Victoria , Nugraha Yudhi , Fauziah Cut
Published: July 2020

Obesity caused by a high-fat diet leads to an altered reproductive hormonal profile, including impaired semen quality. Antioxidants can overcome these conditions. One of the well-known sources of antioxidants is in the rambutan fruit peel extract. This research aimed to figure the effect of rambutan fruit peel extract towards total sperm count in Wistar rats induced with high-fat feed. The study design used post-test only control group,  subjects were 30 male Wistar rats divided into five groups: Group I (Positive Control) was given high-fat feed, Group II (Treatment Control Group) was given 15mg/kg BW rambutan fruit peel extract, whereas group III, IV, V (Treatment Group) were given an extract of rambutan skin with a dosage of 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg BW, respectively. Treatment was administered for 81 days. This study showed that rambutan fruit peel extract with doses of 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg BW has significantly increased total sperm count in Wistar rats induced with high-fat feed. The outcome using Kruskal Wallis shows a result of p-value 0,010 (CI 95%). Antioxidant compounds found in rambutan fruit peel extract significantly increase total sperm count in Wistar rats induced with high-fat feed, with the highest efficacy on the dose of 15mg/kg BW.

 

Keywords: Fruit Peel Rambutan Extract; ; ;
Facteurs biologiques des qualités de la viande bovine
Authors: MONIN G.
Published: July 2020

Les qualités technologiques et sensorielles de la viande bovine que sont l’aptitude à la transformation, le pouvoir de rétention d’eau, la couleur, la tendreté, la jutosité et la flaveur, dépendent de plusieurs facteurs biologiques. Cet article tente de passer en revue les principaux de ces facteurs : la localisation anatomique et la fonction physiologique du muscle, le type génétique (race et type culard), l’âge, le sexe, les conditions d’élevage. Il en ressort que parmi les facteurs de variation des qualités de la viande entre animaux, l’âge, le sexe et les conditions d’élevage jouent un rôle primordial, la race n’ayant qu’un effet mineur.
Les cannes de maïs dans l’alimentation des ruminants. Conservation à l’ammoniac et à l’urée et valeur alimentaire
Authors: CHENOST M. , GAILLARD F. , BESLE J.M. , BOFFETY D. , BOISSAU J.M. , CHAISE J.P. , HETAULT J. , L’HOTELIER L.
Published: July 2020

On peut conserver sous atmosphère ammoniacale des cannes de maïs pressées en balles le jour même (teneur en matière sèche de 35 à 40 %) ou le lendemain (teneur en MS de 50 %) de la récolte du grain à la moissonneuse-batteuse équipée d’un bec andaineur. Il convient pour cela d’injecter 3 kg d’ammoniac anhydre (dose minimum surtout si les cannes sont humides) soit d’incorporer 6 kg d’urée en granulé (qui s’hydrolyse pour produire 3 kg d’NH3) par 100 kg de MS de cannes. Les balles, traitées quelques heures après leur fabrication et mises sous gaine de plastique pendant 1 mois 1/2 à 2 mois, peuvent alors être ouvertes sans reprise des fermentations. Ces techniques constituent avant tout des traitements conservateurs de produits humides plutôt que des traitements améliorateurs de la valeur alimentaire. La digestibilité et la valeur PDIE des cannes ainsi conservées sont en effet peu modifiées ; la valeur PDIN passe toutefois de 30 à 70 g/kg MS grâce à la fixation de l’ammoniac. Le dispositif d’incorporation directe de l’urée dans la balle reste à perfectionner pour garantir une conservation homogène des cannes à l’intérieur des balles.
L’adoption du porcelet, aspects comportementaux et zootechniques
Authors: DEPRÉS E. , CARITEZ J.C.
Published: July 2020

L’adoption en élevage intensif moderne est un moyen favorisant la maîtrise de la mortalité des nouveau-nés surnuméraires. Son importance économique est grande puisqu’elle concerne, dans certaines études, 5,6 % des porcelets nés vivants et 0,61 porcelet sevré par portée. Cette pratique est favorisée par la conduite en bandes, la synchronisation des mise bas et nécessaire avec l’apparition de types génétiques plus prolifiques et la nécessité d’améliorer la productivité numérique de l’élevage. En revanche, ses conséquences sont multiples et affectent particulièrement le comportement du nouveau- né transféré. Cependant, les pertes dues à ces perturbations comportementales sont faibles et l’effet le plus marqué se manifeste surtout sur les performances de croissance du porcelet jusqu’au sevrage et, dans une moindre mesure, jusqu’à l’abattage. Les effets défavorables de cette technique sur les performances de reproduction des truies adoptées sont, quant à eux, limités au taux de conception des nullipares, au nombre de porcelets nés totaux et au nombre de porcelets nés vivants. L’adoption conduit au nivellement de la taille de la portée en lactation autour d’un optimum variable suivant le type de truie. Elle semble ainsi compenser les effets défavorables d’une taille de portée excessive en lactation. La période d’intervention, le poids du porcelet transféré, sa vigueur, l’aptitude maternelle de la truie, représentent les principaux facteurs de variation et contribuent ainsi au succès de cette pratique.
Finding the Devastating Economic Disaster’s Root Causes of the 2011 Flood in Thailand: Why Did Supply Chains Make the Disaster Worse?
Authors: Nakasu Tadashi , Miyamoto Mamoru , Bhula-or Ruttiya , Mokkhamakkul Tartat , Anantsuksomsri Sutee , Amornkitvikai Yot , Duangkaew Sutpratana , Okazumi Toshio ,   Chulalongkorn University College of Population Studies, Visid Prachuabmoh Buildng, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand,   International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management, Public Works Research Institute, Ibaraki, Japan,   Faculty of Liberal Arts, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand,   Policy Secretary to the Member of House of Councilor, Tokyo, Japan
Published: July 2020

This paper aims to identify the root causes that exacerbated the economic damage from the 2011 Chao Phraya river flood disaster in central Thailand industrial complex area. Finding root causes is crucial for learning from disasters; however, there has not been much investigation of the economic damage root causes with regard to the 2011 Chao Phraya river flood disaster. This paper seeks to investigate the root causes of the economic damage by organizing the existing analytical frameworks, tools and approaches to clarify why industrial parks and estates experienced such substantial economic devastation that resonated worldwide. The study’s research design includes a social background survey, in-depth interview surveys and an investigation of the disaster’s root causes. Through the research, inadequate urban and land use planning facilitated by a decentralization policy, foreign companies settlement in the country, which involved urbanization and relocation without proper risk assessment, information, and knowledge, and supplier’s responsibility based on the supply chain’s structure, are detected as root causes for the high economic damage in the industrial complex area. This study also provides key lessons essential to building regional resilience in industrial complex areas: 1) considering the potential risks of regional planning, which include both socio-economic and climate changes; 2) clarifying the roles of companies, regions, and nations in sharing risk information with related stakeholders before, during, and after a disaster; and 3) building horizontal and vertical collaborations among all related stakeholders.
Assessment of Natural Disaster Coping Capacity from Social Capital Perspectives: A Case Study of Bangkok
Authors: Anantsuksomsri Sutee , Tontisirin Nij ,   Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University 254 Phayathai Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand,   Regional, Urban, and Built Environmental Analytics, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand,   Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand
Published: July 2020

Many cities and regions have recently experienced economic and environmental losses due to natural disasters. Economic losses are particularly high in urban areas where population and many economic activities are highly concentrated. Urban communities’ abilities and capacities to cope with natural disasters are essential to understand the impacts of natural disasters. Urban communities’ coping capacity is found to be closely linked to social capital of such communities. This paper aims to assess the natural disaster coping capacity of urban residents with social capital approach. The case study is Bangkok, Thailand. Using principal component analysis (PCA), the analysis shows that social cohesion, empowerment, and trust plays a key role in social capital level of Bangkok residents. Mapping social capital index at the district level suggests that urbanization may be contributable to the level of social capital.
Households’ Evacuation Decisions in Response to the 2011 Flood in Thailand
Authors: Bhula-or Ruttiya ,   Chulalongkorn University 254 Visid Prachuabmoh Building, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand, Nakasu Tadashi , Mokkhamakkul Tartat , Anantsuksomsri Sutee , Amornkitvikai Yot , Prathumchai Kullachart , Duangkaew Sutpratana
Published: July 2020

This study aims at clarifying households’ responses to the flood in Thailand. The result of this study helps fill the gap in literature about the factor affecting a household’s decision to evacuate in response to the flood, as such a decision varies with the type of natural disaster. The result of the study confirms that more vulnerable people are less likely to evacuate. However, they are more likely to evacuate, if at least one of their household members has reduced mobility. People in flood-prone areas exhibited moral hazards. Furthermore, people with relatively secured employment statuses are more likely to stay in the flood-prone area, to minimize their losses from the flood. If households with management-level employees received real-time and accurate updates about the flood, the decision to evacuate would be freely decided by such households, which can minimize their losses. Similarly, real-time and accurate data about potential damages and losses can reduce moral hazards. Thus, it is necessary for national and local governments to understand area-specific characteristics of people and linkages between societal vulnerability and economic resilience. The study’s implications highlight the importance of developing disaster management strategies in an integrated area-based approach.
Flood Disaster Risk Reduction for Urban Collective Housing in Thailand
Authors: Tahira Yukiko , Kawasaki Akiyuki ,   Regional Network Office for Urban Safety, Asian Institute of Technology P.O.Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand,   Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Published: July 2020

Housing in Thailand is expanding to the suburbs, especially for the lower classes, with more people living in collective housing. This study used a questionnaire survey to analyze the relationship between socioeconomic disparities in collective housing and disaster risk reduction (DRR) following the great flood of 2011. The results show that, although suburban lower-class collective housing was severely affected by the flood, DRR measures remain insufficient. The findings suggest that, in addition to supporting victims irrespective of residential status and aiding apartment managers in implementing DRR measures, lowering levels of inundation in the suburbs by “sharing” flood water with the more affluent city centers is an option that should be considered.
Understanding Households’ Perceptions of Risk Communication During a Natural Disaster: A Case Study of the 2011 Flood in Thailand
Authors: Prathumchai Kullachart ,   College of Population Studies, Chulalongkorn University Visid Prachuabmoh Building, Phayathai Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand, Bhula-or Ruttiya
Published: July 2020

This study investigated households’ perceptions of risk communication during the 2011 flood in Thailand, which was the most devastating in Thailand since 1942 and affected 12.9 million people. The study aim was to analyze the determinants of people’s perceptions of early warning communication and its efficacy. It also examined key determinants in various aspects, including the accessibility and efficacy of warnings regarding the potential hazard from electrocution, household hygiene, and life and property issues. This study used the 2011 Flood Livelihood Survey of Thai households, conducted by the Thai National Statistical Office from July to December 2011. The results demonstrated that some household characteristics, head of household, and communication and transportation problems during the flood affected warnings regarding accessibility and the perception of warning efficacy during the 2011 flood in Thailand. The results also demonstrate the key factors in successful risk communication, i.e., flood experience and community interrelationship. It is also essential to provide comprehensive and useful information such as safety and health instructions, using the proper channels to disseminate information to the target audience.
Estimating the Nankai Trough Megathrust Earthquake’s Anticipated Fiscal Impact on Japanese Governments
Authors: Miyazaki Takeshi , Nagamatsu Shingo ,   School of Economics, Kyushu University 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan,   Disaster Resilience Research Division, National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED), Ibaraki, Japan,   Faculty of Societal Safety Science, Kansai University, Osaka, Japan
Published: July 2020

This study estimates the fiscal impact of the anticipated Nankai Trough Megathrust Earthquake on both the national and local Japanese governments to identify their sovereign risk. First, we estimate the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake on local public finance using panel data regressions on 2008–2015 fiscal data. Second, based on the anticipated damage data – seismic intensity and area of inundation – of the Nankai earthquake and the coefficients derived from the first step, we estimate the amounts of fiscal revenue and expenditures that would be required by every local government for the anticipated Nankai earthquake. Finally, we estimate the fiscal expenditure of the national government in proportion to the estimated local ones. We find that first, the estimated fiscal requirements in the two years after the earthquake are about JPY 161 trillion, 5.9 times those of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Second, the financial disparity between affected and non-affected local governments is large because the Nankai earthquake would affect more municipalities than the Great East Japan Earthquake. The fiscal burden of non-affected municipalities would be relatively higher. These findings indicate that the Nankai earthquake will not only be a local disaster but also a national catastrophe.
Avascular Necrosis of the Humeral Head in a Patient with Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase 1 Gene Polymorphism
Authors: Shakir Irshad , Kim Andrew , Salazar Dane
Published: July 2020

Case:

Atraumatic avascular necrosis (AVN) of the humeral head is a debilitating condition with an insidious onset and progressively worsening pain. We report a case of a woman who presented with left shoulder pain with a medical history of a rare genetic polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. Advanced imaging demonstrated focal AVN of her humeral head. Treatment varies based on the stage of the disease, which, in this case, included an ultrasound-guided intra-articular corticosteroid injection and oral methylated supplementation.

Conclusion:

In patients with no other known risk factors presenting with AVN of the humeral head, MTHFR polymorphism should be strongly considered a possible cause of AVN.
Intramedullary Cage Removal for a Consolidated Proximal Humerus Fracture
Authors: Nayar Suresh K. , Bansal Ankit , Kreulen R. Timothy , Weiner Scott , Shafiq Babar , Srikumaran Uma
Published: July 2020

Case:

The expandable intramedullary cage (Conventus Orthopaedics) may treat 3- and 4-part proximal humerus fractures. Cage removal for symptomatic avascular necrosis with humeral head collapse requiring conversion to arthroplasty can be challenging because the cage's collapsing mechanism becomes inoperable after fracture consolidation. We present cage explantation followed by reverse total shoulder prosthesis placement in a 54-year-old man who underwent plate/cage fixation for a 3-part proximal humerus fracture 10 months earlier.

Conclusion:

The proximal humeral cage can be extracted safely while preserving adequate bone stock for subsequent arthroplasty. Additional time and exposure are necessary compared with removing a locking plate alone.
Disability and its prevalence and cause in northwestern Ethiopia: evidence from Dabat district of Amhara National Regional State: A community based cross-sectional study
Authors: Abebe Solomon Mekonnen , Nega Ansha , Gizaw Zemichel , Bayisa Mulugeta , Fasika Solomon , Belay Molalign , Fekadu Abel , Abera Mikyas
Published: July 2020

Background Disability is not just a factor of an individual’s physical condition; it develops through human interactions and reflects the social fabric of communities. Despite the fact that it directly affects 15% of Ethiopians, understanding and policy-relevant studies on disability and the conditions of persons with disabilities are lacking. The Dabat Demographic and Health Surveillance System part of the response to fill this gap. With significant drawbacks in the Surveillance System, this study aimed at assessing the prevalence, types and major causes of disability in Dabat district.Method A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed and covered 17,000 households residing in 13 Kebeles of Dabat district. The district is where DHSS collects health data semi-annually; but this study was designed and executed separately in 2018 utilizing robust tools (World Health Organization’s Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) used to collect comprehensive data on disability in the district. The data was organized and presented using frequencies and percentages in table and figures. Relevant variables were used to construct a logit model that predicts the likelihood of disability whereby P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results This study found that the overall prevalence of disability in Dabat district was 2.14% [95% CI: 2.03, 2.24]. About 8.3% of households reported at least one member with disability. Visual impairment was the most commonly reported impairment d51%) while 8.19% had multiple impairments. Eighty-three percent of immediate the causes of disability were modifiable – specifically, illness (36.93%), injury (17.81%), and congenital (10.86%). The aged [AOR=1.0; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.04], those unable to read or write illiterate [AOR=1.57; 1.15,2.14], the unmarried/single [AOR=1.39; 95% CI: 185,2.47] and the separated [AOR=2.78; 95% CI: 4.14,6.19] were more likely to risk disability in the population.Conclusion This study reported an increased likelihood of impairment among those with advanced ages. The proportion of households with PwDs was also high. While most disabilities were visual, there were significant numbers with mobility impairments and hard of hearing. Most school-age PwDs did not complete secondary education, while employment was significantly limited. The findings indicated that most causes of disability were reversible.
The Effectiveness Of Raising Hong Kong Parents’ Awareness Of Antimicrobial Resistance Through An Educational Program With Peer Support On Social Media: A Pilot Study
Authors: Or Peggy P.L. , Ching Patricia T.Y.
Published: July 2020

Objective: To test whether parents’ self-efficacy for appropriate antibiotic use could be improved through the education program with peer support on social media.Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial with two-arms were implemented. The intervention program consisted of two weekly sessions and each session lasted for 90 minutes. A total of 48 parents had participated in the program. Parental knowledge, attitude, and their social network were measured before and after the program using the Parental Perception on Antibiotics (PAPA) scale and the GSE scale to assess differences between and within the intervention and control groups.Findings: All parents in the intervention group disagreed that antibiotics are effective against infections (virus, bacteria and fungi), as compared to a mere 40% in the control group. All parents in the intervention group and 85% of the control group disagreed that they should reduce the dose of antibiotics when their children were recovering. The test was statistically significant (p=0.039). There was a significant difference and a strong negative correlation between social media and the parents’ belief that antibiotics could be stopped when their children felt better, with Pearson coefficient of -0.78 and p=0.001. On the whole, there was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to the GSE scale Conclusion: Based on the findings in this pilot study, a further study based on the education program with enhancement and peer support can be implemented in a large scale with a positive expectation of reducing antimicrobial resistance.
The Relationship Between Gene Expression Pattern and the Severity of Asthma
Authors: Lin Shuang , Luo Bin , Cheng Liping , Yang Xiaohong
Published: July 2020

Background Because of heterogeneity, complexity of diagnosis and diversity of pathogenesis, the incidence and mortality of asthma are increased seriously. A structured and specific approach to assess and treat asthma may help clinicians. Results A total of 838 common genes were found from quietness to exacerbation then to recovery of asthma. PPI network analysis identified 7 modules, and found 7 hub genes with high degree. Then, we verified the expression of hub genes in patients by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Enrichment analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that exacerbation related genes were significantly related to immune and inflammatory response. Transcriptional regulators factor STAT1 had a significant regulatory effect on exacerbation related genes. Conclusions These results indicated that seven hub genes were potential biomarkers and targets of asthma exacerbation. they were involved in the development of asthma through immune inflammatory signaling pathway. The results of this study not only provide a new research direction and theoretical basis for the exacerbation mechanism of asthma, but also provide a new target for clinical treatment.
Differences between Lung Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Tumor Response and Survival after Induction Chemoradiotherapy followed by Surgery
Authors: Nomori Hiroaki , Shiraishi Atsushi , Honma Koichi , Shoji Kazufusa , Otsuki Ayumu , Cong Yue , Sugimura Hiroshi , Oyama Yu
Published: July 2020

Objectives: To examine the differences in clinical response, pathological response, recurrence, and survival between lung adenocarcinoma (AD) and squamous cell carcinoma (SQ) after induction chemoradiotherapy (ICRT) followed by surgery. Methods: Ninety-five patients with N1-2 or T3-4 non-small cell lung cancer were treated with ICRT followed by surgery between 2012 and 2018; 55 patients had AD and 40 had SQ. Differences in reductions of tumor size and fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on positron emission tomography after ICRT, as well as the pathological response, histological distribution of residual tumors, time to recurrence, and overall survival were compared between AD and SQ. Median follow-up period was 51 months. Results: After ICRT, SQ showed significantly more reduction in both the tumor size and fluorodeoxyglucose uptake than AD (p<0.001 for both). Of the 40 SQ, 22 (55%) showed the pathological complete remission, which was significantly more frequent than 8 of 55 AD (15%) (p<0.001). AD remained at the periphery of primary tumor in 39 of 55 patients (71%), which was more frequently than 6 of 40 patients (15%) in SQ (p<0.001). While there was no significant difference in the rate of conducting postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy between AD and SQ (47% vs. 40%, respectively) (p=0.48), the time to recurrence was significantly longer in SQ than in AD (p=0.026; 3-years recurrence-free rate: 77% vs. 52%). However, overall survival was not significantly different between the two (p=0.53; 3-years survival rate: 74% in both). Conclusion: While SQ showed better tumor response and longer time to recurrence after ICRT than AD, the overall survival was not different between the two. AD remained at the periphery of primary tumor more frequently than SQ after ICRT.
Therapeutic Assessment of Fractions of Hawthorn on Gastrointestinal Motility Disorder by UPLC-MS/MS-based Metabolomics
Authors: Wang Kaiyang , Luo Lan , Xu Xiaoli , Chen Xingyu , He Qiong , Zou Zhongjie , Wang Shumei , Liang Shengwang
Published: July 2020

Background: Hawthorn, a commonly-used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating dyspepsia，dysmenorrhea and hyperlipidemia, etc., has been proven to improve gastrointestinal motility, avoid food retention. Due to its complex ingredients, the active fractions responsible for the treatment of improving digestion remain largely unknown. To explore the underlying material and interpret its potential mechanism, the therapeutic effect of extract from different polar parts of hawthorn on gastrointestinal motility disorder was studied based on the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) metabolomics . Materials and Methods: The rat model of gastrointestinal motility disorder was established by subcutaneous injecting with atropine. The modeled rats were then treated with 4 polar parts (T1-4 in descending polarity, corresponding to water, n-butanol, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extracts, respectively) of hawthorn for 5 consecutive days. The stomach, small intestine, plasma samples were collected and then subjected to related measurement (gastric emptying rate and small intestine propulsion rate), UPLC-MS/MS metabolic profiling and multivariate/univariate statistical analysis. Results: The results showed that T3 had the best therapeutic effect, and T1, T2 and T4 with no obvious therapeutic effect, demonstrating that the effective components of hawthorn should be compounds of medium polarity. T3 achieved good therapeutic effects due to the gastrointestinal motility promotion activity, and by rectifying the disturbed amino acid metabolism in gastrointestinal motility disorder model. Conclusion: This integrated metabolomics approach proved the validity of the therapeutic effect of extract from different polar parts of hawthorn on gastrointestinal motility disorder, providing new insights into the underlying mechanisms, and demonstrating the feasibility of metabolomics to evaluate efficacy of herbal drug, which is often difficult by traditional means.
The Feasibility of the Braden Scale for Assessing Pneumonia After Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Ding Yunlong , Ji Zhanyi , Zhao Yingmin , Wu Chunyan , Zhang Wei , Tang Ping , Liu Jie , Gu Zhiqun , Liu Yan , Niu Jiali
Published: July 2020

Background

Stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) is an infection that commonly occurs in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and causes serious burdens. The six subscales of the Braden scale seem to be related to the occurrence of pneumonia. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the Braden scale for predicting SAP after spontaneous ICH.
Methods

Patients with spontaneous ICH who were admitted to Jingjiang People’s Hospital and Zhoukou Central Hospital were retrospectively included and divided into two groups: the pneumonia and no pneumonia groups. The Braden scale and ICH-APS-A scale scores and demographic and clinical characteristics were collected, and the differences between the two groups were compared with statistical analyses. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the predictive validity of the Braden scale for SAP after ICH.
Results

A total of 629 patients with ICH were included in this study, 150 (23.8%) of whom developed SAP. There were significant differences in age and fasting blood glucose level between the two groups, and the ICH-ASP-A score in the pneumonia group was significantly higher than that in the no pneumonia group (8.5 ± 3.9 vs 4.9 ± 3.2, P < 0.01). The mean score on the Braden scale in the pneumonia group was significantly lower than that in the no pneumonia group (16.5 ± 2.6, P < 0.01). The area under the curve (AUC) for the ICH-ASP-A score for the prediction of pneumonia after spontaneous ICH was 0.755 (95% CI = 0.712–0.798). When the cutoff point was 8 points, the sensitivity was 56.7% and the specificity was 77.5%. The AUC for the Braden scale for the prediction of pneumonia after ICH was 0.760 (95% CI = 0.717–0.804). When the cutoff point was 15 points, the sensitivity was 74.3% and the specificity was 64.7%.
Conclusions

The Braden scale is effective in predicting pneumonia after ICH. The Braden scale, with a cutoff point of 15 points, is a valid clinical grading scale for predicting SAP after spontaneous ICH.
When did COVID-19 start? - Optimal inference of time ZERO
Authors: Zhai Zheng-Meng , Long Yong-Shang , Tang Ming , Liu Zonghua , Lai Ying-Cheng
Published: July 2020

According to the official report, the first case of COVID-19 and the first death in the United States occurred on January 20 and February 29, 2020, respectively. On April 21, California reported that the first death in the state occurred on February 6, implying that community spreading of COVID-19 might have started earlier than previously thought. Exactly what is time ZERO, i.e., when did COVID-19 emerge and begin to spread in the US and other countries? We develop a comprehensive predictive modeling framework to address this question. Using available data of confirmed infections to obtain the optimal values of the key parameters, we validate the model and demonstrate its predictive power. We then carry out an inverse inference analysis to determine time ZERO for ten representative States in the US, plus New York city, UK, Italy, and Spain. The main finding is that, in both the US and Europe, COVID-19 started around the new year day.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of TAT,PIC,TM, and t-PAIC in malignant tumor patients with venous thrombosis
Authors: Zhou Kun , Zhang Jun , Zheng Rong zun , Zhou Zhen yu , Zhou Xun , Wang Da li , Suo Bing , Jiang Feng xiao , Liu Jia pei , Wang Hua dong
Published: July 2020

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important complication in patients with malignant tumors.Its exact diagnosis and treatment are still lacking.We used a high-sensitive chemiluminescence method to detect thrombin–antithrombin III complex (TAT),plasmin-α2-plasmininhibitor complex (PIC), thrombomodulin (TM),and tissue plasminogen activator–inhibitor complex(t-PAIC) in combination with D-dimer and fibrin degradation product (FDP) to analyze their diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with malignant tumors. Methods: In total, 870 patients with confirmed malignant tumors were included, 82 of whom had suspected VTE;200 healthy individuals were classified as the control group. The TAT, PIC,TM, and t-PAIC were detected using Sysmex HISCL5000 automated analyzers, whereas FDP and D-dimer were detected using Sysmex CS5100 coagulation analyzer.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency.Survival probabilities were determined using Kaplan–Meier analysis, and multivariate analyses were performed using a Cox regression model. Results: Compared with healthy controls,patients with malignant tumors showed significantly elevated TAT,PIC,TM,t-PAIC,D-dimer, and FDP. Similarly, compared with patients in the non-thrombosis group, those in the thrombosis group showed significantly elevated levels of the above mentioned markers. Logistic regression analysis showed that TAT, PIC, TM, t-PAIC, D-Dimer, and FDP were all associated with VTE.ROC analysis showed that “TAT+PIC+TM+t-PAIC+D-dimer+FDP”showed the highest sensitivity and specificity.Patients with elevated TAT,PIC,TM, and t-PAIC had a significantly shorter survival.Multivariate Cox survival analysis showed that TM and t-PAIC were significantly associated with poor prognosis.In addition, the incidence of VTE was significantly lower in patients with malignant tumors who were treated with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), and their survival period was significantly longer than that of patients with malignant tumors who were not treated with LMWH. Conclusion: TAT, PIC, TM, and t-PAIC combined with D-dimer and FDP were better than the application of a single marker in the diagnosis of VTE in patients with malignant tumors.TAT and PIC can be used as sensitive markers in the diagnosis of VTE but not as prognostic markers. TM and t-PAIC might be independent prognostic indicators in patients with malignant tumors, regardless of the state of thrombus.
Effect of COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown (general holiday) on air quality of Dhaka City
Authors: Islam Md. Saiful , Chowdhury Tahmid Anam
Published: July 2020

A worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 has forced to implement a lockdown during April-May 2020 by restricting people's movement, the shutdown of industries and motor vehicles in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to contain the virus. This type of strict measures returned an outcome of the reduction of urban air pollution around the world. The present study aims to investigate the reduction of the concentration of pollutants in the air of Dhaka City and the reduction of the Air Quality Index (AQI). Necessary time-series data of the concentration of PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and CO have been collected from the archive of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and Sentinel-5P. The time-series data have been analyzed by descriptive statistics, and AQI is calculated following an appropriate formula suggested by US EPA based on the criteria pollutants. The study found that the concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and CO have been reduced by 23, 30, 07, and 07% during April-May 2020, respectively, compared with the preceding year's concentration. Moreover, the AQI has also been reduced by up to 35% than the previous year in April-May 2020. However, the magnitude of pollution reduction in Dhaka is lower than other cities and countries globally, including Delhi, Sao Paulo, Wuhan, Spain, Italy, USA, etc. The main reason includes the poor implementation of lockdown, especially in the first week of April and the second fortnight of May. The findings will be useful for policymakers to find a way to control the pollution sources to enhance Dhaka's air quality.
Metatranscriptomic analysis of functional response of colonic microbiota to different dietary fibers in growing pigs
Authors: Xu Jie , Xu Rongying , Jia Menglan , Su Yong , Zhu Weiyun
Published: July 2020

Background Dietary fibers are widely considered to be beneficial for health by producing nutrients by gut microbial fermentation while helping with weight management and gut health. So far, the gene expression profiles of CAZymes responsing to different type of fibers (raw potato starch, RPS; inulin, INU; pectin, PEC) in the gut microbes of pigs are not well understood. Therefore, we investigate the functional response of colonic microbiota to different dietary fibers in pigs based on metatranscriptomic analysis. Results Results showed that the microbial composition and carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) structure of three experimental groups changed significantly compared to the control group (CON). As determined by comparative analysis with the control diet, RPS increased the abundances of Parabacteroides, Ruminococcus, Faecalibacterium and Alloprevotella, and decreased Sutterella. INU increased the relative abundance of Fusobacterium and Rhodococcus, while decreased Bacillus. And pectin treatment increased the relative abundance of Streptococcus and Bacteroidetes group, while decreased the relative abundance of Clostridium, Clostridioides, Intestinibacter, Gemmiger, Muribaculum, and Vibrio. The gene expression of CAZymes GH8, GH14, GH24, GH38, GT14, GT31, GT77 and GT91 downregulated while GH77, GH97, GT3, GT10 and GT27 upregulated in the RPS diet group; AA4, AA7, GH14, GH15, GH24, GH26, GH27, GH38, GH101, GT26, GT27 and GT38 downregulated in the INU group; as to the PEC group, the gene expression of PL4, AA1, GT32, GH18, GH37, GH101, and GH112 downregulated while CE14, AA3, AA12, GH5, GH102 and GH103 upregulated. Compared to RPS and INU groups, the composition of colonic microbiota in the PEC group had more diverse changes with the variation of carbohydrate active enzymes and Streptococcus as the main contributor to CBM61, which promoted the digestion of pectin greatly. Conclusions The results of this exploratory study displayed a comprehensive overview on the effects of different fibers on gut microbiota and CAZymes in pig colons, which will provide new insights into the impacts of the use of dietary fibers on animal or human health.
The Magnitude of Unsafe Child Feces Disposal Practices and Its Association With Reported Diarrhea in Low-income and Middle-income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocol
Authors: Soboksa Negasa Eshete , Olkeba Bekam Kebede , Gudeta Dinkinesh Begna
Published: July 2020

Introduction:The unsafe disposal of children’s feces may be an important contaminant in household environments, posing a high risk of exposure to infants. Several studies done on the magnitude of unsafe disposal of child feces and its association with reported childhood diarrheahave variedoutcomesand no tries have been made to systematically review this. Therefore, itis necessitating a systematic review to provide an exhaustive summary of current evidence. Thus, the objective ofthis study will be to pool out the available evidence on the magnitude of unsafe child feces disposalpractices and its association with reported childhood diarrhea in low-income and middle-income countries. Methods: PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Library database, and Ovid Medline will be searched to identify relevant literature for this review. Moreover, Google search engine, Google Scholar, and references of other studieswill be searched from January 2000 to December 2020. The primary outcome of interest will bethe magnitude of unsafe disposal of child feces and the secondary outcome will be its association with reported diarrhea. Observationalstudies (cross-sectional studies, case-control studies, and cohort studies) written in English will be included in this review. The selected studies will be critically appraised by two independent reviewers using an appropriate tool. The pooled magnitude of unsafe disposal of child feces and its association with reported childhood diarrhea will be analyzed using Stata version 16. Heterogeneity will be assessed using the chi-square test (Q-test) statistics and inverse variance index (I2). Forest plots will be used to present the combined estimate with 95% CI.A funnel plot and Egger’s test of small study bias will be used to assess publication bias.Discussion:This systematic review will identify the evidence available on themagnitude of unsafe child fecesdisposal practicesand its associationwith reported diarrhea. The findings from this study will bemade publicly available in a repository and published in a peer-reviewed journal. The findings from this study will also provide directions for future research and public health professionals with an understanding of the importance of safe child feces disposal practices to preventingchildhood diarrhea in the community.Systematic review registrationnumber: PROSPERO CRD42020189034
Potent Therapy and Transcriptional Profile of Combined Erythropoietin Derived Peptide CHBP and Caspase-3 siRNA against Kidney Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in mice
Authors: Wu Yuanyuan , Chen Weiwei , Zhang Yufang , Liu Aifen , Yang Cheng , Wang Hui , Zhu Tongyu , Fan Yaping , Yang Bin
Published: July 2020

Cause-specific treatment and timely diagnosis are still not available for acute kidney injury (AKI) apart from supportive therapy and serum creatinine measurement. A novel erythropoietin-derived cyclic helix B surface peptide (CHBP) protects kidneys against AKI with different causes, but the underlying mechanism is not fully defined. Herein, we investigated the transcriptional profile of renoprotection induced by CHBP and its potential synergistic effects with siRNA targeting caspase-3, an executing enzyme of apoptosis and inflammation, (CASP3siRNA) on ischemia/reperfusion (IR)-induced AKI. Utilizing a mouse model with 30-min renal bilateral ischemia and 48-h reperfusion, the renoprotection of CHBP or CASP3siRNA was demonstrated in renal function and structure, active caspase-3 and HMGB1 expression. Combined treatment of CHBP and CASP3siRNA further preserved kidney structure, and reduced active caspase-3 and HMGB1. Furthermore, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with fold change > 1.414 and P < 0.05. In IR kidneys, 281 DEGs induced by CHBP were mainly involved in promoting cell division and improving cellular function and metabolism (up-regulated STAT5B and SLC22A7). The additional administration of CASP3siRNA caused 504 and 418 DEGs in IR + CHBP kidneys with or without NCsiRNA, with 37 genes in common. These DEGs were associated with modulated apoptosis and inflammation (up-regulated BCL6, SLPI and SERPINA3M), and immunity, injury and microvascular homeostasis (up-regulated CFH and GREM1, and down-regulated ANGPTL2). This proof-of-effect study indicated the potent renoprotection of CASP3siRNA upon CHBP at the early stage of IR-induced AKI. Underlying genes, BCL6, SLPI, SERPINA3M, GREM1 and ANGPTL2, might be potential new biomarkers for clinical applications.