bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The intervention of S1PR1/STAT3 signaling pathway by inhibiting the expression of STAT3 attenuates the valvular damage due to rheumatic heart disease
Authors: Xian Shenglin , Chen Ang , Wu Yunjiao , Wen Hong , Lu Chuanghong , Wen Jianlin , Huang Feng , Zeng Zhiyu
Published: June 2020

Background

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a social health problem that affects many patients every year, but its pathogenesis is still unclear. Recent studies have found that the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway is activated during the development of valvular damage caused by RHD. STAT3 plays an important role in the differentiation of CD4 + T cells into T helper 17 (Th17) cells, and Th17 cell-related cytokines are involved in the development of RHD. In this work, we investigated whether altering the S1PR1/STAT3 signaling pathway by inhibiting the expression of STAT3 attenuates valvular damage due to RHD.
Methods

Inactivated Group A streptococci (GAS) and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) were used to establish the RHD rat model. STAT3-small interfering RNA (STAT3-siRNA) was used to directly inhibit the expression of STAT3 in the heart. Histological examination was used to evaluate the degree of inflammation and fibrosis in valve tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17 in serum and valve tissue. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of S1PR1 and STAT3. Western blotting (WB) and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the protein expression of S1PR1, STAT3, phosphorylated (p-) STAT3, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma T (RORγt).
Results

The expression of S1PR1 in valve tissues of RHD model rats was decreased. The degree of valvular inflammation and fibrosis of RHD model rats was increased. The levels of IL-6 and IL-17 in valves and serum of RHD model rats were increased as well as an increase of p-STAT3 in valve tissues. Inhibition of STAT3 by STAT3-siRNA decreased STAT3 expression and reduced the total amount of p-STAT3, resulting in decreased expression of IL-6, IL-17 and RORγt in valves and serum and reduced valvular inflammatory response and fibrosis.
Conclusions

These results suggest that inhibiting the expression of STAT3 in the heart may reduce the valvular damage caused by rheumatic heart disease.
The Horse Gallops But So Does the Zebra! A Case Report: Peripheral Ulcerative Keratitis
Authors: belghmaidi sarah , belgadi soumia , Hajji ibtissam , Moutaouakil abdeljalil
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) is an aggressive, potentially sight-threatening cause for peripheral corneal thinningCase report: A 43-year-old woman presented with bilateral tearing and ocular pain persisting for 7 months. Visual acuity was 6/6 in both eyes. On biomicroscopic examination, presence of crescent shaped corneal ulcer with perilesional haziness. A tear film study demonstrated decreased Schirmer test results (5mm in both eyes) and tear film break-up time (5 sec in both eyes). The interrogation and the patient revealed he had recurrent skin lesions in both legs with chronic itching, and recurrent oral and genital ulcers healing spontaneously. The diagnosis of behcet disease was proposed.Conclusion: Collaborative management of ophthalmic patients having systemic illness along with internists improves overall outcomes and prevents morbidity in such patients.
Revelation of critical genes and pathways involved in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and phylogenetic tree construction of CDK1 protein family An integrated multi-omics bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Zhou Jingyang , Chen Ziyi , Cao Weiwei , Chen Weiqi , Zhou Wuyuan
Published: June 2020

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading and fastest increasing causes of death in the world. It primarily happens in the people who have been exposed to high-risk factors for a long time, such as the hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, etc. Some similar analysis on HCC were published years ago, and results need updating.
Methods

In this study. We analyzed the gene expression pattern obtained from the GEO database in healthy tissue and tumor tissue and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), then GO and KEGG pathway analyses were performed subsequently on DEGs. We also used the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network drawn from STRING to find hub genes and analyzed their effects on prognosis and expression level in different stages of HCC from GEPIA. Furthermore, we analyzed the CDK1 in different species and established the phylogenetic tree of the CDK1 family by the MEGA-X (version 5) according to the amino acid sequence of CDK1 in different species.
Results

Among all DEGs identified in this study, the CDK1 is the most statically significant hub gene in the perspective of prognosis and differential ex pression. The expression level of CDK1 varies in different stages of HCC. The expression level reaches the highest in stage two and three and reaches the lowest in Stage four. And the human CDK1 gene and ape-like CDK1 gene subtype 5 may be homologous genes. However, human CDK1 gene and the gene encoding human CDK1 protein A chain may be heterozygous genes.
Conclusion

CDK1 is a gene with great significance in the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC, more studies that investigate deeply about the CDK1 is needed in the future.
TRAPPC11-Related Muscular Dystrophy with Hypoglycosylation of Alpha-Dystroglycan in Skeletal Muscle and Brain
Authors: Munot Pinki , McCrea Nadine , Torelli Silvia , Manzur Adnan , Sewry Caroline , Chambers Darren , Feng Lucy , Ala Pierpaolo , Zaharieva Irina , Ragge Nicola , Roper Helen , Marton Tamas , Cox Phil , Milev Miroslav , Sacher Michael , Liang Wen-Chen , Maruyama Shinsuke , Nishino Ichizo , Phadke Rahul , Muntoni Francesco
Published: June 2020

Background: TRAPPC11, a subunit of the transport protein particle (TRAPP) complex is important for complex integrity and anterograde membrane transport from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment. Several individuals with TRAPPC11 mutations have been reported with muscle weakness and other features including brain, liver, skeletal and eye involvement. A detailed analysis of brain and muscle biopsies will further our understanding of the presentation and etiology of TRAPPC11-disease.Methods: We describe five cases of early-onset TRAPPC11–related muscular dystrophy with a systematic review of muscle pathology and post-mortem brain pathology findings in one individual, and membrane trafficking assays in another.Results: All affected individuals presented in infancy with muscle weakness, motor delay and elevated serum creatine kinase (CK). Additional features included cataracts, liver disease, intellectual disability, cardiomyopathy, movement disorder, and structural brain abnormalities. Muscle pathology in all five revealed dystrophic changes, universal hypoglycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan and variably reduced dystrophin-associated complex proteins. Membrane trafficking assays showed defective Golgi trafficking in one individual. Neuropathological examination of one individual revealed cerebellar atrophy, granule cell hypoplasia, Purkinje cell (PC) loss and dendritic neurodegeneration, reduced alpha-dystroglycan (IIH6) expression in PC and dentate neurons, and absence of neuronal migration defects.Conclusions: This report suggests that recessive mutations in TRAPPC11 are linked to muscular dystrophies with hypoglycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan. The structural brain involvement that we document for the first time resembles the pathology previously reported in N-linked congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) such as PMM2-CDG, suggesting defects in multiple glycosylation pathways in this condition.
IL-22 hinders antiviral T cell responses and exacerbates neurological disorders in ZIKV-infected immunocompetent neonatal mice
Authors: Liang Yuejin , Yi Panpan , Ru Wenjuan , Jie Zuliang , Wang Hui , Ghanayem Tamer , Wang Xiaofang , Alamer Edrous , Liu Jinjun , Hu Haitao , Soong Lynn , Cai Jiyang , Sun Jiaren
Published: June 2020

Background
The Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak that occurred in multiple countries was linked to increased risk of neurological disorders and congenital defects. However, host immunity and immune-mediated pathogenesis in ZIKV infection are not well understood. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a crucial cytokine for regulating host immunity in infectious diseases. Whether IL-22 plays a role in ZIKV infection is unknown.
Methods
The cellular source of IL-22 was identified in IFNAR−/− mice and WT neonatal mice during ZIKV infection. To determine the role of IL-22, we challenged 1-day-old wild-type (WT) and IL-22−/− mice with ZIKV and monitored clinical manifestations. Glial cell activation in the brain was assessed by confocal imaging. ZIKV-specific CD8+ T cell responses in both the spleen and brain were analyzed by flow cytometry. In addition, we infected mouse primary astrocytes in vitro, and characterized the reactive astrocyte phenotype. Human glial cell line was also infected with ZIKV in the presence of IL-22, followed by the evaluation of cell proliferation, cytokine expression and viral loads.
Results
We found that γδ T cells were the main source of IL-22 during ZIKV infection in both the spleen and brain. WT mice began to develop weight loss, staggered steps, bilateral hind limb paralysis, weakness at 10 days post-infection (dpi), and ultimately succumbed to infection at 16–19 dpi. Surprisingly, IL-22 deficiency lessened weight loss, moderated the systemic inflammatory response, and greatly reduced the incidence of neurological disorders and mortality. ZIKV infection facilitated a neurotoxic polarization of A1-prone astrocytes in vitro. Additional analysis demonstrated that the absence of IL-22 resulted in reduced activation of microglia and astrocytes in the cortex. Although IL-22 displayed a marginal effect on glial cells in vitro, IL-22−/− mice mounted more vigorous ZIKV-specific CD8+ T cell responses, which led to a more effective control of ZIKV in the brain.
Conclusions
Our data revealed a pathogenic role of IL-22 in ZIKV encephalitis.
Hearing loss as a newly recognized symptom of GSD type I. A clinical report of four unrelated Polish patients.
Authors: Iwanicka-Pronicka Katarzyna , Trubicka Joanna , Pronicki Maciej , Szymanska Edyta , Ciara Elżbieta , Rokicki Dariusz , Wortmann Saskia
Published: June 2020

Background: Glycogen storage disease (GSD) type Ia and Ib is the most severe type of all hepatic GSDs. It presents with serious liver and metabolic complications, as well as in type Ib with severe infections due to neutropenia. So far, the hearing impairment has not been reported in these patients. Hearing status was assessed in a group counting 40 probands with GSDI (20 patients with each subtype). Hearing loss was detected in four patients. They did not pass newborn hearing screening. Due to the development of severe metabolic complications in infancy, audiological diagnosis was postponed until the early school age, when speech and language delay was striking.Hearing tests revealed the bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment with the audiograms presenting ski-slope curves in all patients. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) using gene panel: TruSight OneTM Sequencing Panel Kit (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA) or whole-exome sequencing (WES) using SureSelect Human All Exon Kit (Agilent, 60mb V6) were performed in order to find possible genetic background of auditory dysfunctions in these patients.Results: Hearing impairment seems to affect about10% GSDI patients. Molecular analysishas revealed the common homozygous pathogenic variant in G6PC in two GSDIa probands. Common pathogenic variant in SLC37A4 gene was identifiedin one GSDIb patient, whereas the second case was found to be a carrier of one common and one rare pathogenic variant in SLC37A4 gene ( in trans ). No change in the genes involved in auditory pathway dysfunction was found, although the patients displayed the same audiological characteristics.Conclusions: Sensorineural hearing lossappears to be a clinical complication of GSDI encountered in approximately one out of ten cases. Carefulmonitoring of auditory functions is recommended among GSDI patients, especially in prelingulal period. Appropriate early detection and intervention (fitting with hearing aids) prevents potential speech and language impairment.
Effect of Being Housewife and Counseling During Antenatal Care on Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice Among Mothers with Less than Two Years of Age in Northeast Ethiopia, 2019
Authors: Ayele Wolde
Published: June 2020

Background Exclusive breastfeeding is the practice of a woman feeding an infant for six months, which has an irreplaceable benefit. However, the practice is still low with salient factors in a different place. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess exclusive breastfeeding practice and associated factors among mothers of having children less than two-years of age in Northeastern Ethiopia, 2019.Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample size of 423 in Northeast Ethiopia from March 12 to December 18, 2019. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The binary logistic regression model was used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables.Result The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice was 75.5%(95%CI:73.5,81.5%). Married mothers 2.57(1.688, 5.654), mothers with antenatal care follow up 4.11(2.662,11.172), mothers delivered at health institution 4.07(2.992,10.722), and mothers counseled during antenatal care 1.96(1.124,4.732) had a positive association, while mothers with unable to read and write educational status 0.11(0.068,0.992) and employed mothers 0.22(0.169,0.561) were the variable that had a negative association with exclusive breastfeeding practice.Conclusion The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice was relatively good. Marital status, educational status, occupation, antenatal care service, place of birth, and counseling of mothers during ANC were the independent predictors of exclusive breastfeeding practice.
Relationship between Obesity and Eating Rate: Analyzing the Korean Community Health Survey Data
Authors: Jo Heui Sug , Jung Su Mi , Dronina Yuliya
Published: June 2020

Background: The obesity rate has increased in South Korea as a result of changing dietary habits and decreasing physical activity. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between eating rate and obesity.Methods: Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted using raw data of the Korean Community Health Survey 2017 for the Gangwon Province and nationwide data to evaluate the relationships between eating rate and obesity.Results: Among men, the major factor affecting obesity was an eating rate of ≤ 20 min (odds ratio = 1.17 (1.03, 1.33); P < 0.01). In case of women, factors affecting obesity were an eating rate of ≤ 20 min (odds ratio = 1.15 (1.02, 1.29); P < 0.05), and irregular mealtimes (odds ratio = 1.16 (1.03, 1.30); P < 0.05).Conclusion: Implementing simple strategies to improve dietary and lifestyle habits may assist in weight and obesity management. These findings may provide useful strategies for future developing a culture-oriented approach to obesity management.
Individual Pain Sensitivity is Associated With Resting-state Cortical Activities in Healthy Individuals but Not in Patients With Migraine: A Magnetoencephalography Study
Authors: Hsiao Fu-Jung , Chen Wei-Ta , Liu Hung-Yu , Wang Yen-Feng , Chen Shih-Pin , Lai Kuan-Lin , Pan Li-Ling Hope , Wang Shuu-Jiun
Published: June 2020

Background:Pain sensitivitymay determine the risk, severity, prognosis, and efficacy of treatment of clinical pain. Magnetic resonance imaging studies have linked thermal pain sensitivity to changes in brain structure. However, the neural correlates ofmechanical pain sensitivityremain to be clarified through investigation ofdirect neural activitieson theresting-state corticaloscillation and synchrony.Methods:We recorded the resting-state magnetoencephalographic (MEG) activities of 27 healthy individuals and 30 patients with episodic migraine (EM)and analyzed the source-based oscillatory powers and functional connectivity at 2 to 59 Hz in pain-related cortical regions, which are thebilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), medial orbitofrontal (MOF) cortex, lateral orbitofrontal (LOF) cortex, insula cortex, primary somatosensory cortex (SI), primary motor cortex (MI), and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). The mechanical punctate pain threshold (MPPT) was obtained at the supraorbital area (the first branch of the trigeminal nerve dermatome,V1) and the forearm (the first thoracic nerve dermatome,T1) and further correlated with MEG measures.Results:TheMPPTis inversely correlated with the resting-state relative powers of gamma oscillation in healthy individuals (all corrected P<0.05). Specifically, inverse correlation was noted between the MPPT at V1 and gamma powersin the bilateral insula (r= −0.592 [left] and −0.529 [right]), PCC (r= −0.619 and −0.541) and MI (r = −0.497 and −0.549)and between the MPPT at T1 and powers in the left PCC (r = −0.561) and bilateral MI (r = −0.509 and −0.520). Furthermore,resting-state functional connectivityat the delta to beta bands, especially between frontal (MOF, ACC, LOF, and MI), parietal (PCC),andsensorimotor (bilateral SI and MI)regions,showed a positive correlation with the MPPTat V1 and T1(all corrected P<0.05). By contrast, in patients with EM, the MPPT was not associated with resting-state cortical activities.Conclusions:Pain sensitivity in healthy individuals is associated with the resting-state gamma oscillation and functional connectivity in pain-related cortical regions. Further studies must be conducted in a large population to confirm whether resting-state cortical activities can be an objective measurement of pain sensitivity in individuals without clinical pain.
Association of livestock ownership and household dietary quality: results from a cross-sectional survey from rural India
Authors: Pradyumna Adithya , Winkler Mirko S. , Utzinger Jürg , Farnham Andrea
Published: June 2020

Background
Studies from India and Africa found that the impact of dairy animal ownership on household nutrition varied greatly, depending on the social and geographic context. There is a paucity of studies from semi-arid rural districts in southern India where livestock rearing is being promoted to improve household income and nutrition as part of watershed development (WSD) projects. The purpose of this study was to (i) assess socio-demographic factors and health determinants of households based on dairy animal ownership; (ii) determine the correlation between milk consumption and other sources of nutrition; and (iii) examine the association between livestock ownership and milk consumption.
Methods
We collected data from an exhaustive household survey in four study villages of Kolar district, applying a cross-sectional design. Kendall’s rank correlation coefficient was employed to determine the correlation between milk consumption and other dietary variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to describe the relationship between dairy animal ownership and household milk consumption.
Results
Full data records were available from 195 households. Less than half of the households (43.1%) owned dairy animals. Households owning dairy animals more often had access to irrigation (58.3% vs 25.2%) and were less often woman-headed (2.4% vs 22.5%). Household milk consumption was significantly correlated with consumption of vegetable variety, egg and meat (all p-values < 0.05). After adjusting for multiple confounders, the odds of dairy animal-owning households consuming milk was 2.11 (95% confidence interval 0.85, 5.45) compared to households not owning dairy animals.
Conclusion
While dairy animal ownership was found to be associated with improved dietary quality, larger households were in a better position to adopt dairy animals, which, in turn, might contribute to better household nutrition. Our study added to the evidence on health inequity in semi-arid rural areas and the importance of socio-geographical context in determining nutritional impacts of developmental interventions.
Impact factors for refractory KD and comparison of different treatment protocols
Authors: Wu Ling , Chen Zhengjie , Zhong Shiling , Hu Fangfang , Di Yazhen
Published: June 2020

Background

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been widely accepted as a standard treatment against Kawasaki disease (KD). About 20% of patients are nonresponsive after the first IVIG treatment.This study was performed to reveal the responsiveness, mechanism of action, and incidence rate of coronary artery lesions in the long-term follow-up visit of action of IVIG combined with glucocorticoids in the treatment of refractory KD.
Method:

A total of 633 pediatric patients with KD (experimental group) and 200 pediatric patients with upper respiratory infection hospitalized during the same period (control group) were retrospective selected. KD was treated with IVIG combined with aspirin.IVIG-nonresponsive group was given the second treatment.Protocol 1 group was administered 1 g/kg IVIG; Protocol 2 group was administered 2 g/kg IVIG; and Protocol 3 group was administered 1 g/kg IVIG + glucocorticoid (GC). Following the second treatment, the responsive group (Group A) and nonresponsive group (Group B) were classified based on whether the temperature was reduced to normal.
Results

IVIG-nonresponsive group had more coronary artery lesions, longer time of first application of IVIG, and higher WBC count, ESR, CRP, and higher serum levels of Meprin A, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, and IP-10. Protocol 3 group was found with faster abatement of fever, higher response rate, and fewer CALs. The serum levels of Meprin A, IL-1β, and IL-17A in Group B were higher, and the incidence rate of CAL after treatment was up to 78.9% .
Conclusions

The levels of Meprin A, IL-17A, and IL-1β may serve as potentially good indexes to predict refractory KD. IVIG combined with GC to treat refractory KD is more advantageous compared with IVIG alone.
Hydroxyurea Regressed Atherosclerosis Plaques in ApoE-/- Mice: A Discovery Based on Clinic
Authors: Tong Qian , Yang Xinyu , Ma Shu-Rong , Zhang Xian-Feng , Wang Yan , Jiang Jian-Dong
Published: June 2020

Background: A 58-year-old lady was introduced to the clinic because of acute coronary syndrome combined with essential thrombocythemia. After coronary artery bypass grafting. After treating her with aspirin, statins and hydroxyurea (HU), the plaques in her coronary arteries showed improvement dramatically. Here, we aim to investigate that HU might regress atherosclerosis plaques in ApoE−/− mice and the potential mechanism.Methods: Wild-type (C57BL/6, n = 8) and Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-, n = 40) mice were used in atherosclerosis model and medication groups. The mice were separated into 7 groups, including the normal control group, the atherosclerosis model group, the dual antiplatelet therapy group (aspirin, and clopidogrel bisulfate), the low-dose and high-dose HU therapy groups [aspirin, clopidogrel bisulfate, and HU (10 or 20 mg/kg/day)], the positive medicine group (aspirin, clopidogrel bisulfate, and atorvastatin calcium), and the combined medicine treatment group [aspirin, clopidogrel bisulfate, atorvastatin calcium, and HU (10 mg/kg/day)]. Fasting serum and aortic vessels were obtained after experiment. The aortic oil red O, Hematoxylin-eosin, and full-length oil red O staining was performed to evaluate the HU’s efficacy of anti- atherosclerosis, and the investigation of HU mechanisms was carried out in HepG2 cells for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) level.Results: The oil red O and H&E staining results came out that HU therapy with antiplatelet showed an obvious effect in decreasing atherosclerosis plaques and the effect of HU therapy (10 or 20 mg/kg) was stronger than dual antiplatelet therapy plus statin, without liver and kidney toxicity observed. Furthermore, the combined drugs with HU (10 mg/kg/day), statin and antiplatelet nearly eliminated the plaques. One of the possible mechanisms of HU might be related with the inhibition of PCSK9.Conclusions: A discovery based on clinic reveals that HU regressed atherosclerosis plaques in ApoE-/- mice, which provides us a new insight into anti-atherosclerosis drugs strategy. PCSK9 could be one of the possible mechanisms and further mechanisms need to be explored.
Extraction of high molecular weight abaca DNA suitable for next-generation sequencing
Authors: Koh Rhosener Bhea Lu , Barbosa Cris Francis Cortez , Aquino Vermando Masinsin , Galvez Leny Calano
Published: June 2020

Background

The abaca (Musa textilis Née) is a fiber crop native to the Philippines with high economic value because of its fiber - the Manila hemp, known to be the strongest of all the natural fibers. DNA extraction in abaca is difficult due to its fibrous nature, high cellulose content and polyphenol compounds. Thus an optimized DNA extraction method is required for extracting high quality abaca DNA for next-generation sequencing applications.
Results

In this study, we have compared five different methods for the extraction of high molecular weight DNA from abaca leaves. The methods are the traditional CTAB method (Protocol 1), the CTAB with PVP method (Protocol 2), the CTAB with 0.3% β-mercaptoethanol method (Protocol 3), SDS-method (Protocol 4) and CTAB with Triton X-100 and PVP method (Protocol 5). Out of the five methods tested, traditional CTAB-method (Protocol 1), CTAB with 0.3% β-mercaptoethanol method (Protocol 3) and SDS-method (Protocol 4) have shown to be the most consistent in giving high molecular weight DNA with good yield and purity based on A260/A280 and A260/A230 absorption values. TissueLyserII was also utilized for homogenization for the three extraction protocols for applications in high-throughput DNA extraction. DNA from two abaca varieties were extracted using the CTAB with 0.3% β-mercaptoethanol method (Protocol 3) and were sent for NGS based on Illumina HiSeq platform having both passed the quality control for library preparation.
Conclusion

The CTAB with 0.3% β-mercaptoethanol method (Protocol 3) was found to be the simplest and most consistent method for extracting average yield DNA with high quality for NGS applications. The SDS-method (Protocol 4) was determined to have the shortest processing time and together with TissueLyserII is the most appropriate method for high-throughput extraction of abaca samples which will be useful for genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) studies.
Hydroxychloroquine Efficacy for the Treatment of Patients with COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Viana Nayara Izabel , Pimenta Ruan , Gonçalves Guilherme Lopes , Gomes Thaynara Faria , Guimarães Vanessa Ribeiro , Sro Victor , Sro Miguel , Leite Katia R. , Reis Sabrina T.
Published: June 2020

Background and Purpose: COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease - 2019) represents a public health emergency because of the elevated transmission rates and associated mortality. There is an urgent need to limit the spread of the virus and to develop an effective antiviral treatment for the patients harboring such disease. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the results of the existing randomized clinical trials assessing the use of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to treat COVID-19.Methods: A systematic review was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) recommendations. Information from randomized controlled trials (RCT) was retrieved and included in a meta-analysis.Results: Among 214 studies that were found, 3 were included for in the meta‐ analysis. Patients treated with HCQ had a faster clearance of virus or pneumonia improvement than those that received standard treatment (OR = 7.08, 95% CI 2.79 to 4.12; P = 0.001). Only minor side effects were reported.Conclusions: Although this meta-analysis has found favorable evidence for the use of HCQ in the treatment of COVID-19, the literature does not yet present well-designed clinical studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of this medication. We believe that clinical trials coordinated by standardized guidelines, with complete and quality information, must be carried out worldwide and are urgently needed.
Biological Risk Factors Predict Transfer to Intensive Care Units and Death in Covid-19 Patients
Authors: Sauzay Chloé , Guyader Maïlys Le , Evrard Ophélie , Nyga Rémy , Caulier Alexis , Schmit Jean-Luc , Andréjak Claire , Galmiche Antoine , François Catherine , Castelain Sandrine , Maizel Julien , Garçon Loïc , Brochot Etienne , Boyer Thomas
Published: June 2020

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), causing the COVID-19, has been declared as pandemic by the World Health Organization. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 have been largely reported but biological risk factors have not yet been well described. In this retrospective and monocentric study, we explored 35 hematological and biochemical parameters, routinely measured at the Amiens University Hospital laboratory, between February 21, 2020 and March 30, 2020 for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. 154 patients were included in this study. We compared biological parameters collected at hospital admission between patients who survived or not after hospitalization. Non survivor patients displayed lower hemoglobin (p=0.02) and bicarbonate concentrations (p=0.03) and higher potassium concentration (p=0.03) compared to the survivors. We then compared these biological parameters between patients hospitalized in conventional care units and patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICU). Numerous biological examinations had significant variations, including lymphocyte and neutrophil counts, bicarbonate, calcium and C Reactive Protein concentrations. In multivariate Cox analysis, risk factors for aggravation (defined as ICU admission or death) included low bicarbonate levels and hyponatremia. A significant worse overall survival was associated with hyponatremia, hyperkaliemia and prothrombin time > 16.8 seconds. We then proposed a prognostic score, to be validated in a future prospective study. Thus, these biological parameters, easily available, could help clinicians to identify high risk patients at an early stage of infection.
THE NAME UKRAINE AND ITS VARIABILITY IN UKRAINIAN PROSE ABOUT THE NATIONAL LIBERATION MOVEMENT OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
Authors: Bachun Liliya
Published: June 2020

The article presents an onomastic study of the functioning of the toponym Ukraine in the texts of twenty Ukrainian prose works about the national-liberation movement of the first half of the twentieth century. The basic scientists’ researches of geographical names and influence of individuals and society on their connotative value’s formation have been considered in the article. The importance of influence of social and political events, emotional-psychological experience and writers' world’s perceptions have been determined on the formation of connotative-associative layers on the general-conceptual semantics of the propriative Ukraine. The quantitative uses of variants of the toponym Ukraine in the texts of twenty Ukrainian works, the motivation of the names and their structural features have been established. It has been discovered, that structurally the name Ukraine has been used by writers in the form of a 1-lexeme unit, 2 (3) - component structure and multiplex formations. The name Ukraine in the twenty Ukrainian prose works has been presented in its variants with the attributes by the writers' personal feelings, the State’s territorial features, the governmental system and political regime, the colour sign of governing ideologies, the state symbols and with the attributive-personal noun mother (nanny). The associative-connotative semantics of the toponym Ukraine with its variants has been established.
Asymmetry of foreign trade turnover between Ukraine and Poland
Authors: Motoryn Ruslan , Prykhodko Kateryna , Ślusarczyk Bogusław
Published: June 2020

The article identifies the determinants of the asymmetry of foreign trade turnover between Ukraine and Poland based on an analysis of competitiveness indicators of the studied countries in the period 2003–2017. The emphasis is on calculation of the comparative advantages of particular commodity headings in Polish exports in the domestic market of Ukraine. Potential directions of the intensification of bilateral trade were evaluated.
Identifying hadronic charmonium decays in hadron colliders
Authors: De Groot Nicolo , Castells Sergi
Published: June 2020

Identification of charmonium states at hadron colliders has mostly
been limited to leptonic decays of the J/\psiJ/ψ.
In this paper we present an algorithm to identify hadronic decays of
charmonium states (J/\psiJ/ψ,
\psiψ(2S),
\chi_{c0,c1,c2}χc0,c1,c2)
which make up the large majority of all decays. The algorithm is able to
identify hadronic J/\psiJ/ψ
decays with an efficiency of 36% while suppressing a background of quark
and gluon jets by a factor 100.
Estrategias pedagógicas como herramienta para transformar la praxis financiera
Authors: Brito Amaya Milder Jose
Published: June 2020

En el periodo 2016-2017 se realizó un estudio en la Caja de Compensación Familiar de La Guajira sobre la resignificación de la gestión financiera, haciendo énfasis en la aplicabilidad de las políticas financieras y su impacto en los resultados económicos organizacionales. Para ello se planteó el objetivo de proponer estrategias pedagógicas en la socialización de las políticas financieras, como herramientas para mejorar la gestión financiera de Comfaguajira. Se aplicó el método Investigación - Acción - Participación, y los instrumentos aplicados fueron observación directa, encuestas, entrevistas en profundidad, discusión en pequeños grupos y discusión en grupos más grandes donde se buscaba modificar las políticas financieras. En este estudio participaron 40 empleados, obteniendo como resultados principales evidencias del desconocimiento de las políticas financieras y contables por parte de los funcionarios, la necesidad de mejorar o replantear las mismas y su socialización, y el requerimiento de herramientas pedagógicas en los procesos y procedimientos para lograr una mayor comprensión de dichas políticas.
Errores en la resolución de problemas con ecuaciones de primer grado en estudiantes de secundaria
Authors: Tettay-Mejía Sofía Isabel , Pulgar-García Mellissa , Rojas-Sandoval Yesika
Published: June 2020

En la resolución de ecuaciones de primer grado se han presentado distintos errores cometidos por los estudiantes causados por déficits en los procesos de aprendizaje del álgebra. Por esta razón, se propuso analizar los errores que presentan los estudiantes en la resolución de problemas con ecuaciones de primer grado en noveno grado. El diseño y metodología de investigación empleado es un estudio de caso, basado en un enfoque cualitativo, el cual se realizó con una muestra de tres estudiantes. Para la recolección y análisis de la información se implementaron técnicas e instrumentos dentro de los cuales se encuentran la observación, prueba diagnóstica, diario de campo, una matriz de clasificación de la información y un análisis de contenido. Luego de analizar la información obtenida se identificaron distintos errores que fueron clasificados y sistematizados según el origen que estos presentaban, llegando a la conclusión de que los estudiantes presentan con mayor frecuencia errores que tienen su origen en ausencia de sentido.
Migración, autoidentificación y religión: los estudiantes de la Facultad de Letras y Ciencias Humanas (Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos)
Authors: Angulo-Giraldo Miguel , Quispe-Díaz Alexandro , Requena-Calderón Milagros
Published: June 2020

Este trabajo de investigación tiene como objetivo reconocer las características sociohistóricas de los estudiantes de la Facultad de Letras y Ciencias Humanas de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (Perú), en relación con los procesos migratorios y el origen común, el autorreconocimiento de la identidad y la cultura (religión y prácticas y costumbres). La metodología consistió en entrevistas, mediante un modelo de encuesta realizada a 86 miembros de la Facultad. Los principales resultados destacan que son Áncash y Junín las principales ciudades de origen de los familiares de estos estudiantes, que la mayor parte de ellos se reconoce como mestizo y que casi el 40 % mantiene una ruptura abierta con las prácticas religiosas preponderantes en sus familias.
Gestión del conocimiento organizacional en instituciones de educación superior: un estudio de caso
Authors: Jiménez Sierra Devinso , Jiménez Sierra Ángel , Redondo Cala Patricia
Published: June 2020

Esta investigación muestra los niveles de gestión del conocimiento organizacional en instituciones de educación superior en Santa Marta, Colombia. Se sustenta en las teorías y enfoques epistemológicos de autores como Valhondo, Vértice, Nort y Rivas, Nonaka y Takeuchi. El tipo de investigación es descriptiva, de campo, cuya población estuvo conformada por 107 sujetos. Se ejecutó a través de la técnica de la encuesta, haciendo uso de un cuestionario al cual se le realizó la confiabilidad por Alpha de Cronbach. Este arrojó un valor de 0,98, considerado un nivel alto. Los resultados se confrontaron a partir de las dimensiones e indicadores estudiados. Asimismo, se concluyó que la institución objeto de estudio debe desarrollar mecanismos para la construcción de escenarios propositivos para la generación de conocimiento que se sumen a las cadenas de valor de la organización. Además, se recomienda reforzar el uso del conocimiento en todo su personal, para que se gestione de manera integral un aumento en el volumen de la generación de conocimiento organizacional.
Tanshinone IIA Suppresses Hypoxia-induced Apoptosis in Medial Vestibular Nucleus Cells Via a Skp2/BKCa Axis
Authors: Zhu Jing-Jing , Wu Shu-Hui , Chen Xiang , Jiang Ting-Ting , Li Xin-Qian , Li Jing-Min , Yan Yong , Wu Xue-Jun , Liu Yu-Ying , Dong Pin
Published: June 2020

Background:

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of Tanshinone IIA
(Tan IIA) on hypoxia-induced injury in the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) cells.

Methods:

An in vitro hypoxia model was established using MVN cells exposed to hypoxia. The hypoxia-induced
cell damage was confirmed by assessing cell viability, apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-associated proteins.
Oxidative stress and related indicators were also measured following hypoxia modeling and Tan IIA treatment,
and the genes potentially involved in the response were predicted using multiple GEO datasets.

Results:

The results of the present study showed that Tan IIA significantly increased cell viability, decreased cell
apoptosis and decreased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in hypoxia treated cells. In addition, hypoxia treatment increased
oxidative stress in MVN cells, and treatment with Tan IIA reduced the oxidative stress. The expression of SPhase
Kinase Associated Protein 2 (SKP2) was upregulated in hypoxia treated cells, and Tan IIA treatment reduced
the expression of SKP2. Mechanistically, SKP2 interacted with large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels
(BKCa), regulating its expression, and BKCa knockdown alleviated the protective effects of Tan IIA on
hypoxia induced cell apoptosis.

Conclusion:

The results of the present study suggested that Tan IIA had a protective effect on hypoxia-induced
cell damage through its anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative activity via an SKP2/BKCa axis. These findings suggest
that Tan IIA may be a potential therapeutic for the treatment of hypoxia-induced vertigo.
Experience of Palestinian Women After Hysterectomy Using a Descriptive Phenomenological Study
Authors: Alshawish Eman , Qadous Miss Shurouq , Yamani Miss Ala'a
Published: June 2020

Background:

Universally, hysterectomy is considered as the second most frequent surgery after cesarean section performed on women in the reproductive age. After a hysterectomy, women no longer have menstrual periods, so they cannot become pregnant. Like most other countries, hysterectomy is the most common major gynecological operation in Palestine. However, the psychological, physical, and sexual consequences of hysterectomy are conflicting, and the findings are mixed. While some studies report that patients experience more significant improvement in their mental health, sexual desire, and overall satisfaction, other studies show that patients report various adverse outcomes, with detrimental effects on sexual functioning being the main concern.

Objective:

This study aimed to describe women's experiences of hysterectomy and identify their fears, concerns, and what coping mechanisms do they adopt to enhance the quality of their lives.

Methodology:

Qualitative descriptive phenomenological research design was used in this study. The study aims to gain insight into the experiences of fifteen patients after hysterectomy using semi-structured in-depth interviews. The interview was conducted in both private and governmental hospitals using purposeful sampling.

Results:

Giorgi's phenomenological analysis process was used as a tool for analyzing data. Analysis of the interview transcripts led to five themes, including a total of eighteen subthemes. The first theme is physical change that has pain, insomnia, eating habits, and immobility as subthemes. The second theme is psychological changes with depression, de-socialization, anxiety, and aggressiveness as its subthemes. The third theme is defense mechanisms with praying, listening to music, reciting the Holy Quran, walking, and sports as subthemes. The fourth theme is self-esteem and body image with confidence, appearance, and concerns as subthemes. Lastly, the fifth them is sexuality with excitement and sexual pattern as subthemes.

Conclusion:

The results of this study demonstrated that hysterectomy had significant adverse effects on patients' body image, and self-esteem. Moreover, the study identified common meanings and themes associated with hysterectomy stressors. These are difficulties or limitations in physical and psychological aspects perceived by patients after hysterectomy. The health care provider must be aware of these potentially problematic issues to provide competent health care.
Measuring the Reliability of Methods and Algorithms for Route Choice Set Generation: Empirical Evidence from a Survey in the Naples Metropolitan Area
Authors: Simonelli Fulvio , Tinessa Fiore , Buonocore Ciro , Pagliara Francesca
Published: June 2020

Background:

Route choice set definition is a very sensitive phase of the route choice simulation. Several heuristics, generally based on shortest path algorithm repetition, give as output choice sets that are very large, lading to questions about their behavioural consistency.

Objective:

This paper proposes a comparison of the main route choice set generation methods, contrasting the results of the commonly implemented heuristics with the revealed choice sets of a sample of employees and students moving within the Metropolitan Area of Naples.

Methods:

We described the data collection process and provided a statistical analysis of the sample data. In addition, since coverage measures and performance indicators, usually applied in the literature, do not take into account any possible biases related to the generated choice set cardinality. The current work proposes an analysis of the coverage of routes that are generated by the heuristics towards the revealed routes.

Results:

We observed that when the heuristics did not provide overlapped routes, although giving higher network coverage, they introduced a higher number of links not belonging to any observed route. In general, this may cause significant network loading errors. Therefore, the quality of a method for choice set generation should be measured as a function of the trade-off amongst network coverage and network loading bias due to excessive cardinality of the generated choice-sets.

Conclusion:

We found the randomization method, which is also less computational demanding, provided the best trade-off amongst network coverage and network loading bias
Novel PET Tracers in the Management of Cardiac Sarcoidosis
Authors: Miceli Alberto , Raffa Stefano , Donegani Maria Isabella , Cossu Vanessa , Morbelli Silvia , Marini Cecilia , Sambuceti Gianmario , Bauckneht Matteo
Published: June 2020

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, pathologically
characterized by non-caseating granulomas involving several organs and tissues. This pathological
process can eventually affect the heart during his course leading to fibrosis associated with systolic
dysfunction, conduction disturbance, and even sudden cardiac death. Due to this prognostic impact,
diagnosis is crucial to optimize clinical management. The low sensitivity of endomyocardial biopsy
and its invasive nature prevents its application as a first-line diagnostic approach. Thus, several
efforts have been dedicated to the identification of advanced imaging tools for the diagnosis and
monitoring of cardiac involvement in systemic sarcoidosis, including Positron Emission Tomography
(PET). Starting from strengths and disadvantages of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET
imaging, the present narrative review will summarize state of the art and future perspectives about
radiotracers other than 18F-FDG of potential interest in the field of CS, including somatostatin receptor-
ligands, proliferation markers and hypoxia displaying agents.
Prediction of Shear Strength of Soil Using Direct Shear Test and Support Vector Machine Model
Authors: Ly Hai-Bang , Pham Binh Thai
Published: June 2020

Background:

Shear strength of soil, the magnitude of shear stress that a soil can maintain, is an important factor in geotechnical engineering.

Objective:

The main objective of this study is dedicated to the development of a machine learning algorithm, namely Support Vector Machine (SVM) to predict the shear strength of soil based on 6 input variables such as clay content, moisture content, specific gravity, void ratio, liquid limit and plastic limit.

Methods:

An important number of experimental measurements, including more than 500 samples was gathered from the Long Phu 1 power plant project’s technical reports. The accuracy of the proposed SVM was evaluated using statistical indicators such as the coefficient of correlation (R), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) over a number of 200 simulations taking into account the random sampling effect. Finally, the most accurate SVM model was used to interpret the prediction results due to Partial Dependence Plots (PDP).

Results:

Validation results showed that SVM model performed well for prediction of soil shear strength (R = 0.9 to 0.95), and the moisture content, liquid limit and plastic limit were found as the three most affecting features to the prediction of soil shear strength.

Conclusion:

This study might help in quick and accurate prediction of soil shear strength for practical purposes in civil engineering.