bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Dali Model in Risk Management Practice: The Case on Financial Services Firms
Authors: Dalli Gonzi Rebecca , Grima Simon , Kizilkaya Murat , Spiteri Jonathan
Published: October 2019

Abstract: Purpose – In this article we lay out the change management practices adopted by financial firms in small states within the Eurozone. We determine whether these organisations have the ability to identify triggers for change (Red Flags) and subject them to eight thematic elements to understand whether management practices can continue to exist and support operational environments, even when unexpected circumstances affect their day to day operations and processes. In doing this we examine the extent to which the eight thematic elements from the model designed by Dalli Gonzi, (2019) (The Dali Model) can assist organisations in risk identification and business continuity planning.
Design/methodology/approach – A self-administered questionnaire purposely designed for this study was administered to personnel working in internal controls within financial institutions of small Eurozone states. The participants were asked to grade statements using a 5-point Likert scale, ‘1’ being ‘totally disagree’ and ‘5’ being totally agree’ to the statement posed under the thematic elements forming the basis of the Dali Model.
Findings – Factor analysis provided support for the eight hypothesised dimensions of the decision-making model: connection, capacity, governance, network, policy, training, process improvement, standards.
Originality/value – The study provides a better understanding and support of “best practice” in change management through an understanding and assessment of the eight factors that are the basis of this model. It addresses practical recommendations to ensure application to a wider frame of use.
The Character of Urban Japan: Overview of Osaka-Kobe’s Cityscapes
Authors: Perez Joan , Araldi Alessandro , Fusco Giovanni , Fuse Takashi
Published: October 2019

The Japanese city presents a certain number of peculiarities in the organization of its physical space (weak zoning regulations, fast piecemeal destruction/reconstruction of buildings and blocks, high compacity, incremental reorganization). Compared to countries where urban fabrics are more perennial and easily distinguishable (old centers, modern planned projects, residential areas, etc.), in Japanese metropolitan areas we often observe higher heterogeneity and more complex spatial patterns. Even within such a model, it should be possible to recognize the internal organization of the physical city. The aim of this paper is thus to study the spatial structure of the contemporary Japanese city, generalizing on the case study of Osaka and Kobe. In order to achieve this goal, we will need to identify urban forms at different local scales (building types, urban fabrics) and to analyze them at a wider scale to delineate morphological regions and their structuring of the overall layout of the contemporary Japanese city. Several analytical protocols are used together with field observations and literature. The results, and more particularly the building and urban fabrics types and their location within the Osaka-Kobe metropolitan area, are interpreted in the light of Japanese history and model of urbanization. A synoptic graphical model of an urban morphological structure based upon Osaka is produced and proposed as an interpretative pattern for the Japanese metropolitan city in general.
Optical Damage Thresholds of Microstructures Made by Laser 3D Nanolithography
Authors: Butkutė Agnė , Čekanavičius Laurynas , Rimšelis Gabrielius , Gailevičius Darius , Mizeikis Vygantas , Melninkaitis Andrius , Baldacchini Tommaso , Jonušauskas Linas , Malinauskas Mangirdas
Published: October 2019

Direct laser writing based on non-linear 3D nanolithography (also known as 3D laser lithography, 3DLL) is a powerful technology to manufacture polymeric micro-optical components. However, practical applications of these elements are limited due to the lack of knowledge of their optical resilience and durability. In this work, we employ 3DLL for the fabrication of bulk (i.e. fully filled) and woodpile structures out of different photopolymers. We then characterize them using S-on-1 laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) measurements. In this way, quantitative data of LIDT values can be collected. Furthermore, this method permits to gather damage morphologies. The results presented in this work demonstrate that LIDT values depend on the material and the geometry of the structure. Bulk non-photosensitized hybrid organic-inorganic photopolymer SZ2080 structures are found to be the most resilient with a damage threshold being of 169±15 mJ/cm2.
Study on Diversity and Potency of Some Macro Mushroom at Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park
Authors: Putra Ivan Permana , Nasrullah Muhammad Aldi , Dinindaputri Tiara Aulia
Published: October 2019

Biodiversity is a valuable asset which should be preserved and protected. Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park (GGPNP) is one of the conservation areas with a high level of biodiversity in Indonesia. Currently, mushroom diversity in GGPNP is rarely reported. Inventory of mushroom diversity is the first step of actions to maintaining germplasm and maximizing its potential usage
in the future. In this paper, we explain how to use macroscopic characters to help identification of macro mushroom. The fungi collected from GGPNP were 19 species and 14 genera, including: Armillaria sp. 1, Armillaria sp. 2, Auricularia sp., Daedalea sp. 1, Daedalea sp. 2, Fomitopsis sp., Ganoderma sp. 1, Ganoderma sp. 2, Marasmius sp., Microporus sp. 1, Microporus sp. 2,
Mycena sp., Phellinus sp., Polyporus sp., Rigidoporus sp., Russula sp., Sistotrema sp., Xylaria sp. 1, and Xylaria sp. 2. These mushroom could be potentially used as food and medicinal source.
Featuring "Features"
Authors: Lange Jessica , Noor Tamara
Published: October 2019

Introducing our newest section to Parntership, Features.
The effect of intraoperative lidocaine versus esmolol infusion on postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Bajracharya Joshan Lal , Subedi Asish , Pokharel Krishna , Bhattarai Balkrishna
Published: October 2019

Background: As a part of multimodal analgesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, both intraoperative lidocaine and esmolol facilitate postoperative analgesia. Our objective was to compare these two emerging strategies that challenge the use of intraoperative opioids. We aimed to assess if intraoperative esmolol infusion is not inferior to lidocaine infusion for opioid consumption after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority clinical trial, 90 female patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy received either intravenous (IV) lidocaine bolus 1.5 mg/kg at induction followed by an infusion (1.5 mg/ kg/hour) or IV bolus of esmolol 0.5 mg/kg at induction followed by an infusion (5-15 µg/kg/min) till the end of surgery. Remaining aspect of anesthesia followed a standard protocol apart from no intraoperative opioid supplementation. Postoperatively, patients received either morphine or tramadol IV to maintain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores ≤ 3. The primary outcome was opioid consumption (in morphine equivalents) during the first 24 postoperative hours. Pain and sedation scores, time to first perception of pain and void, and occurrence of nausea/vomiting were secondary outcomes measured up to 24 hours postoperatively.
Results: Two patients in each group were excluded from the analysis. The postoperative median (IQR) morphine equivalent consumption in patients receiving esmolol was 1 (0-1.5) mg compared to 1.5 (1-2) mg in lidocaine group ( p =0.27). The median pain scores at various time points were similar between the two groups ( p >0.05). More patients receiving lidocaine were sedated in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) than those receiving esmolol (p<0.05); however, no difference was detected later.
Conclusion: Infusion of esmolol is not inferior to lidocaine in terms of opioid requirement and pain severity in the first 24 hours after surgery. Patients receiving lidocaine were more sedated during their stay in PACU than those receiving esmolol.
Phenotypic Analysis Combined with Tandem Mass Tags (TMT) Labeling Reveal the Heterogeneity of Strawberry Stolon Buds
Authors: Guan Ling , Zhao Mizhen , Qian Yaming , Yu Hongmei , Xia Jin , Wu Ejiao
Published: October 2019

Background: Ramet propagation in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is the most effective way in production. However, the lack of systematically phenotypic observations and high-throughput methods limits our ability to analyze the key factors regulating the heterogeneity in strawberry stolon buds.
Results: From observation, we found that the axillary bud located in the first node quickly stepped into dormancy (DSB), after several bract and leaf buds were differentiated. The stolon apical meristem (SAM) degenerated as the new ramet leaf buds (RLB), and the new active axillary stolon buds (ASB) differentiated continually after the differentiation of the first leaf. Using the tandem mass tags (TMT) labeling method, a total of 7,271 strawberry proteins were identified. Between ASB and DSB, the spliceosome DEPs, such as Ser/Arg-rich (SR) and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (hnRNP), showed the highest enrichment and high PPI connectivity. This indicated that the differences in DEPs (e.g., SF-3A and PK) at the transcriptional level may be causing the differences between the physiological statuses of ASB and DSB. As expected, the photosynthetic pre-form RLB mainly differentiated from ASB and DSB judging by the DEP enrichment of photosynthesis. However, there are still other specialized features of DEPs between RLB and DSB and between ASB and DSB. The DEPs relative to DNA duplication [e.g., minichromosome maintenance protein (MCM 2, 3, 4, 7)], provide a strong hint of functional gene duplication leading the bud heterogeneity between RLB and DSB. In addition, the top fold change DEP of LSH 10-like might be involved in the degeneration of SAM into RLBs, based on its significant function in modulating the plant shoot initiation. As for RLB/ASB, the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway probably regulates the ramet axillary bud specialization, and further promotes the differentiation of xylem when ASB develops into a new stolon [e.g., cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 1 (CAD1) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 1 (PAL1)].
Conclusions: By using phenotypic observation combined with proteomic networks with different types of strawberry stolon buds, the definite dormancy phase of DSB was identified, and the biological pathways and gene networks that might be responsible for heterogeneity among different stolon buds in strawberry were also revealed.
Online reported women's experiences of symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse after vaginal birth
Authors: Mirskaya Maria , Lindgren Eva-Carin , Carlsson Ing-Marie
Published: October 2019

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a major public health problem with a relative high lifetime risk of surgery. The main risk factor for developing POP is vaginal birth. Many women become symptomatic later in life and most of the existing research on symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (sPOP) predominantly concentrates on the effects of the condition on postmenopausal women. However, bothersome symptoms of POP can be reported as early as in women’s 20s and may occur shortly after vaginal birth. Limited studies provide an insight into daily life of fertile women with sPOP. Thus, we aimed to explore fertile women's experiences of symptomatic pelvic organ (sPOP) after vaginal birth. Methods: An inductive, text-driven approach was taken by selecting thread posts from an internet forum written by 33 Swedish fertile women who had experienced sPOP after vaginal birth. Results: The overarching theme “being irreparably damaged” was identified as representing an experience of being disabled by sPOP after vaginal birth. The fertile women experienced that their lives were ruined because of physical and psychological limitations caused by this unexpected, unfamiliar and unexplained condition. Living with sPOP impinged on sexual health, restricted daily and sports activities and affected the women´s ability to fulfill everyday parental duties. This in turn compromised women’s psychological health. In addition, the negligence of healthcare professionals who tended to trivialize and normalize the symptoms led to the belief that there were no sustainable treatments and that women would have to live with bothersome symptoms of POP for rest of their lives. Conclusions: This study found that sPOP had a significant negative impact on fertile women’s lives. The women indicated that they had not had the opportunity to voice their concerns and had not been taken seriously by healthcare professionals. It is of the utmost importance to acknowledge this problem and develop guidelines for prevention and management of sPOP to improve the quality of life for women.
Failure patterns after curative resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Possible implications for postoperative radiotherapy
Authors: Yu Wei , Hu Chunxiu , Shui Yongjie , Wu Kui , Zhang Lili , Chen Ying , Li Chao , Xu Jing , Wei Qichun
Published: October 2019

Objectives: To document the patterns of failure，identify sites at highest risk of recurrence following curative resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC), in order to guide adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy (PORT).
Methods: Patients with IHCC who had undergone radical surgery at our institution from July 2010 to August 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The survival and prognostic factors were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis. All sites of recurrence were recorded and classified including the surgical margin, regional lymph nodes, liver remnant and distant metastasis. The sites at highest risk of recurrence form the basis of the target volume of potential adjuvant radiotherapy.
Results: The median follow-up time was 23.5 months (2-85 months). The median recurrence free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were 12.1 months and 24.8 months, respectively. Seventy-three (73/127, 57.5%) IHCC patients developed tumor recurrence. The number of initial recurrences occurring in the potential PORT volume, remnant liver and distant sits were 46 (46/73, 63.0%), 36 (36/73, 49.3%) and 22 (22/73, 30.1%) cases, respectively. Of the 46 patients whose initial recurrence were inside the potential PORT volume, 29 (29/73, 39.7%) developed recurrence confined to the potential PORT volume, including 13 tumor bed recurrences, 7 lymph node metastases, and 9 with both tumor bed recurrences and lymph node metastases. The most common lymph node metastases were nodes around the abdominal aorta, followed by lymph nodes along the celiac artery, the common hepatic artery, and in the hepatoduodenal ligament.
Conclusions: A high proportion of the recurrences occurred only within the potential PORT volume, implying that adjuvant radiotherapy might improve local-regional control. It seems reasonable to include surgical margins and lymph node stations No.16a2, 9, 8, 12, 13, and 14 in the radiation treatment volume.
Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, the Only Oncology Center in Ethiopia
Authors: Etissa Eyob Kebede , Assefa Mathewos Assefa , Ayele Birhanu Teshome
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in males and the second in females worldwide. According to Addis Ababa cancer registry, it is the first in male and fourth in female in Ethiopia. However, there have not been studies on prognostic factors and survival of colorectal cancer. Hence, this study aimed to estimate survival time and identify prognostic factors. METHODS: In this institution based retrospective study, medical records review of 422 colorectal cancer patients and telephone interview was used as sources of data. Survival time was estimated using Kaplan-Meier estimator. Prognostic factors were identified using the multivariable Cox regression model. RESULTS: The median survival time was 39 months. The overall five years survival rate was 33%. Patients diagnosed with rectal cancer had 76% (HR: 1.761, 95% CI: 1.173-2.644) increased risk to die compared to colon cancer patients. Node positive patients were 3.146 (95% CI: 1.626-6.078) times likely to die compared to node negative and metastatic cancer were 4.221 (95% CI: 2.788-6.392) times likely to die compared to non-metastatic patients. Risk of death was 36.1% lesser (HR: 0.639 (95% CI: 0.418-0.977)) among those who received adjuvant therapy compared to patients who had only surgical resection. CONCLUSION: The overall survival rate is low and majority of patients were young adults at presentation. Patient’s survival is largely influenced by advanced stage at presentation and delays in administration of adjuvant therapy. Adjuvant therapy was among the good prognostic factors. Implementation of colorectal cancer screening program and early detection with timely and advanced treatment are crucial to increase patients’ survival time. KEY WORDS: Colorectal cancer, survival, prognostic factor, Cox regression, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa.
Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Factors Among Street Children in Jimma Town; South West Ethiopia in 2019: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Siraj Sabit Zenu , Alemayehu Eshetu , Woldemichael Kifle
Published: October 2019

Background Street child is any child whose age is less than 18 years for whom the street has become his or her habitual abode and/or source of livelihood, is inadequately protected, supervised or directed by responsible adults. In Ethiopia the health problems of street children are given poor attention in research. This problem is pronounced when it comes to intestinal parasitic infections. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among street children in Jimma town in the year 2019.Methods: Community based cross sectional study was employed. Complete enumeration was used to include 312 street children. Pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data was entered to Epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20. Stool samples were examined by wet mount and formalin ether concentration techniques. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with intestinal parasitic infection. Significance of association was decided by using the 95% confidence interval of AOR and P-value of ≤ 0.05 in the multivariable model. Result: A total of 312 children of the street were involved in the study making the response rate 96.2%. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 66.7%. Untrimmed finger nails AOR=2.03;95%CI (1.02-4.06), eating street food AOR=2.24;95% CI (1.04-5.02), practice of swimming in unprotected water bodies AOR=2.5; 95% CI (1.24-5.04), not wearing shoes at the time of data collection AOR= 3.8;95% CI (1.8-8.2) and lacking knowledge of way of transmission of intestinal parasites AOR= 2.5; 95% CI (1.25- 5.0) were significantly associated with parasitic infections. Conclusions: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among street children in the study area was high and require integrated interventions to avert the problem. Factors like untrimmed finger nails, swimming practice, eating street foods, shoe wearing and lacking knowledge of ways of transmission of intestinal parasitic infections are associated with infection status. Measures has to be taken to curb the problem by including them in mass drug administration and targeted health education towards identified factors.
Usefulness of Lymphocyte ratio and CRP Level for Early Detection of Surgical Site Infection Following spinal surgery
Authors: Wei Wenbo , Dang Shajie , Duan Dapeng , Gong Liqun , Wang Jue , Wei Ling
Published: October 2019

Background: To investigate the significant laboratory markers for early diagnosis of surgical site infection after spinal surgery. And determine the diagnostic cut-off values of these markers Methods: A total of 67 patients participated in the study: 11 patients who developed surgical site infection after spinal surgery (SSI Group) and 56 patients were compared with the infected group in terms of age，gender, operating time and intraoperative blood loss (Non-SSI Group). The white blood cell (WBC) count , WBC differential , C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) were determined before and 1, 3 and 7 days postoperatively . Then, we determine the diagnostic cutoff for these markers by using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: The CRP, ESR and WBC were significantly higher in the SSI group at 3 and 7 days postoperatively. The lymphocyte ratio at 3 days postoperatively was significantly lower in the SSI Group. Using the receiver operating characteristic curve，lymphocyte ratio <11.5% at 3 days postoperatively (sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 75.4%, area under the curve [AUC] 0.919), and C-reactive protein level >26 mg/dL at 7 days postoperatively (sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 87.7%, area under the curve [AUC] 0.954) were the significant laboratory marker for early detection of SSI Conclusion: Lymphocyte ratio<11.5% at 3 days and C-reactive protein levels>26.5mg/dl at 7 days after spinal surgery are reliable markers of SSI.
Immune Cell Composition of Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma and its clinical relevance: A research based on TCGA database
Authors: Ji Yucheng , Gu Guang-xiang
Published: October 2019

Background Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), as the main type of liver cancer, has become a main health issue as the third-most common cause of mortality in cancer patients. However, conventional chemo- or radio- therapies shows little improvement in survival, which calls for novel therapies. Because of the immunotolerance mechanism existing naturally in liver, immunotherapy provides significant effect in treatment of LIHC patients. Up to now, various immunotherapies have been proposed, but due to the complex pathways from which LIHC cancerous cell escape immunosurveillance, combined therapies are often needed, which are still under development. Methods In the current study, with data downloaded from TCGA database, CIBERSORT was performed for identifying the composition of infiltrating immune cells and further statistical analyses using R 3.5.3 were carried out, aiming at connecting specific immune cells with clinical survival. Results With data of immune and stromal scores downloaded from the website of MD Anderson Cancer Centre, both showed significance in survival time. Further analyses based on the result of CIBERSORT demonstrated that the number of macrophages M0 and T cells CD8 infiltration between para-carcinoma and tumour tissues are markedly different. With combination of clinical data, we were able to identify that a higher amount of activated NK cells (p=0.008) and a lower amount of resting NK cells (p=0.047) presented a longer survival time. Conclusion With the help of the TCGA database and multiple techniques, statistical analyses of transcriptome profiling data and clinical data were successfully carried out. The results in this study may pave the way for a new therapeutic strategy which could be combined with current treatments to further improve the clinical outcome of LIHC patients. Further and deeper investigation of other available data, however, were needed in order to verify the results of current study.
Distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of bacterial species in stray cats, hospital-visiting cats, and veterinary staff in South Korea
Authors: Jung Woo Kyung , Shin Sook , Park Young Kyung , Lim Suk-Kyung , Moon Dong-Chan , Park Kun Taek , Park Yong Ho
Published: October 2019

Background

Antimicrobial resistance is becoming increasingly important in both human and veterinary medicine. According to the One Health concept, an important step is to monitor the resistance patterns of pathogenic bacteria. In this study, the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and trends of bacteria isolated from stray cats, hospital-visiting cats, and veterinary staff in South Korea between 2017 and 2018 were investigated.

Results

The minimum inhibitory concentrations of different antibiotics for Staphylococcus spp., Enterobacteriaceae , and Enterococcus spp. were determined to establish representatives of different antibiotic classes relevant for treatment or surveillance. For Coagulase-positive and Coagulase-negative Staphylococci, resistance to fluoroquinolones was below 13%, but resistance to ampicillin and penicillin was high (20–88%). A total of 9.5%, 12.1%, and 40.3% of staphylococcal isolates from stray cats, hospital-visiting cats, and veterinary staff, respectively, were confirmed to be mecA positive. For Enterobacteriaceae , resistance to carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, and 3rd generation cephalosporins was low (0–11.1%). The Enterococcus spp. isolates showed no resistance to vancomycin. The antimicrobial resistance rates of the Staphylococcus spp. and Enterobacteriaceae isolates from stray cats were usually lower than those of isolates from hospital-visiting cats and veterinary staff, but the Enterococcus spp. isolates revealed the opposite. Thus, the antimicrobial resistance varied across bacterial species according to the source from which they were isolated.

Conclusions

Resistance to critically important compounds were low. These results emphasize the fact that more attention should be paid to the use of antimicrobials and the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in cats.
Survival and prognostic factors in HIV-infected adults treated with Antiretroviral Therapy in a Malaysian referral hospital: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chet Lee Sing , Hamid Siti Azrin Ab , Bachok Norsa'adah , Chidambaram Suresh Kumar
Published: October 2019

Background: It is well established that antiretroviral therapy (ART) is beneficial in reducing the mortality among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In Malaysia, there is lack of study and information regarding the overall survival rates and prognostic factors for survival in HIV-infected adults treated with ART. Therefore, this study aimed to assess and compare the survival rates as well as to identify the prognostic factors for survival among HIV adults in Malaysia.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of HIV patients who started ART between year 2007 and 2016 at a tertiary referral hospital in Malaysia. ART-naive adults aged 15 years and above were included and those who were transferred out were excluded. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, there were 339 cases eligible in this study. Systematic sampling method was applied. Kaplan Meier survival curve and log-rank test were used to compare the overall survival rates. Cox proportional hazards regression was applied to determine the prognostic factors for survival.Results: The estimated overall survival rates were 95.9%, 93.8%, 90.4%, 84.9%, and 72.8% at 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years and 10 years, respectively. The overall survival rates were significantly different according to age group (p<0.001), employment status (p<0.001), transmission mode (p=0.003), and history of illicit drug use (p=0.017), baseline CD4 cell count (p<0.001), baseline haemoglobin level (p<0.001), tuberculosis co-infection (p<0.001), hepatitis co-infection (p=0.008), first NRTI (p<0.001) and history of defaults (p=0.021). Based on multiple Cox regression, patients who were anaemic had 3.76 times (95% CI: 1.97, 7.18; p<0.001) higher hazard of death than their non-anaemic counterparts. The hazard risk was 2.09 times (95% CI: 1.10, 3.96; p=0.024) higher among HIV patients co-infected with tuberculosis compared to those who were not. Conclusion: Overall survival rates were higher than low-income countries but lower than in high-income countries, and comparable with middle-income countries. Low baseline haemoglobin level and tuberculosis co-infection were strong prognostic factors for HIV survival
Watershed integrity and associations with gastrointestinal illness in the United States
Authors: Jagai Jyotsna S. , Krajewski Alison K. , Jimenez Monica P. , Murphy Mark S. , Leibowitz Scott G. , Lobdell Danelle T.
Published: October 2019

Gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses are associated with various environmental factors, such as water quality, stormwater runoff, agricultural runoff, sewer overflows, and wastewater treatment plant effluents. However, rather than assessing an individual factor alone, two indices incorporating a combination of ecological and environmental stressors were created to represent (1) overall watershed integrity, Index of Watershed Integrity (IWI) and (2) catchment integrity, Index of Catchment Integrity (ICI). These indices could provide a more comprehensive understanding of how watershed/catchment integrity potentially impact the rates of GI illness, compared to assessing an individual stressor alone. We utilized the IWI and ICI, as well as agricultural and urban land uses, to assess associations at the county level with the rates of GI illness in a population of adults over 65 years of age. Our findings demonstrated that both watershed and catchment integrity are associated with reduced hospitalizations for any GI outcomes, though association varied by urbanicity. We believe that improved versions of the IWI and ICI may potentially be useful indicators for public health analyses in other circumstances, particularly when considering rural areas or to capture the complex stressors impacting the ecological health of a watershed.
Insights into the Design of p97-targeting Small Molecules from Structural Studies on p97 Functional Mechanism
Authors: Sui Xin , Pan Man , Li Yi-Ming
Published: October 2019

p97, also known as valosin-containing protein or CDC48, is a member of the AAA+ protein family that is highly conserved in eukaryotes. It binds to various cofactors in the body to perform its protein-unfolding function and participates in DNA repair, degradation of subcellular membrane proteins, and protein quality control pathways, among other processes. Its malfunction can lead to many diseases, such as inclusion body myopathy, associated with Paget’s disease of bone and/or frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease, and others. In recent years, many small-molecule inhibitors have been deployed against p97, including bis (diethyldithiocarbamate)- copper and CB-5083, which entered the first phase of clinical tests but failed. One bottleneck in the design of p97 drugs is that its molecular mechanism remains unclear. This paper summarizes recent studies on the molecular mechanisms of p97, which may lead to insight into how the next generation of small molecules targeting p97 can be designed.
Prediction and Analysis of Hub Genes in Renal Cell Carcinoma based on CFS Gene Selection Method Combined with Adaboost Algorithm
Authors: Wang Yina , Zheng Benrong , Xu Manbin , Cai Shaoping , Younseo Jeong , Zhang Chi , Jiang Boxiong
Published: October 2019

Background:

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the
adult kidney.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to identify key genes signatures during RCC and uncover
their potential mechanisms.

Methods:

Firstly, the gene expression profiles of GSE53757 which contained 144 samples, including
72 kidney cancer samples and 72 controls, were downloaded from the GEO database. And then
differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the kidney cancer samples and the controls were
identified. After that, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of DEGs were performed by DAVID.
Furthermore, the correlation-based feature subset (CFS) method was applied to the selection of key
genes of DEGs. In addition, the classification model between the kidney cancer samples and the
controls was built by Adaboost based on the selected key genes.

Results:

213 DEGs including 80 up-regulated and 133 down-regulated genes were selected as the
feature genes to build the classification model between the kidney cancer samples and the controls
by CFS method. The accuracy of the classification model by using 5-folds cross-validation test and
independent set test is 84.4% and 83.3%, respectively. Besides, TYROBP, CD4163, CAV1,
CXCL9, CXCL11 and CXCL13 also can be found in the top 20 hub genes screened by proteinprotein
interaction (PPI) network.

Conclusion:

It indicated that CFS is a useful tool to identify key genes in kidney cancer. Besides,
we also predicted genes such as TYROBP, CD4163, CAV1, CXCL9, CXCL11 and CXCL13 that
might target genes to diagnose the kidney cancer.
The Assessment of Interleukin-18 on the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Sun Weiju , Han Ying , Yang Shuo , Zhuang He , Zhang Jingwen , Cheng Liang , Fu Lu
Published: October 2019

Background:

Observational studies support the inflammation hypothesis in coronary heart disease (CHD). As a pleiotropic proinflammatory cytokine, Interleukin-18 (IL-18), has also been found to be associated with the risk of CHD. However, to our knowledge, the method of Mendelian Randomization has not been used to explore the causal effect of IL-18 on CHD.

Objective:

To assess the causal effect of IL-18 on the risk of CHD.

Methods and Results:

Genetic variant instruments for IL-18 were obtained from information of the CHS and InCHIANTI cohort, and consisted of the per-allele difference in mean IL-18 for 16 independent variants that reached genome-wide significance. The per-allele difference in log-odds of CHD for each of these variants was estimated from CARDIoGRAMplusC4D, a two-stage meta -analysis. Two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) was then performed. Various MR analyses were used, including weighted inverse-variance, MR-Egger regression, robust regression, and penalized regression. The OR of elevated IL-18 associated with CHD was only 0.005 (95%CI -0.105~0.095; P-value=0.927). Similar results were obtained with the use of MR-Egger regression, suggesting that directional pleiotropy was unlikely biasing these results (intercept -0.050, P-value=0.220). Moreover, results from the robust regression and penalized regression analyses also revealed essentially similar findings.

Conclusions:

Our findings indicate that, by itself, IL-18 is unlikely to represent even a modest causal factor for CHD risk.
Application of Machine Learning Methods in Predicting Nuclear Receptors and their Families
Authors: Zhang Zi-Mei , Guan Zheng-Xing , Wang Fang , Zhang Dan , Ding Hui
Published: October 2019

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors that are closely related to cell development, differentiation, reproduction, homeostasis, and metabolism. According to the alignments of the conserved domains, NRs are classified and assigned the following seven subfamilies or eight subfamilies: (1) NR1: thyroid hormone like (thyroid hormone, retinoic acid, RAR-related orphan receptor, peroxisome proliferator activated, vitamin D3- like), (2) NR2: HNF4-like (hepatocyte nuclear factor 4, retinoic acid X, tailless-like, COUP-TFlike, USP), (3) NR3: estrogen-like (estrogen, estrogen-related, glucocorticoid-like), (4) NR4: nerve growth factor IB-like (NGFI-B-like), (5) NR5: fushi tarazu-F1 like (fushi tarazu-F1 like), (6) NR6: germ cell nuclear factor like (germ cell nuclear factor), and (7) NR0: knirps like (knirps, knirpsrelated, embryonic gonad protein, ODR7, trithorax) and DAX like (DAX, SHP), or dividing NR0 into (7) NR7: knirps like and (8) NR8: DAX like. Different NRs families have different structural features and functions. Since the function of a NR is closely correlated with which subfamily it belongs to, it is highly desirable to identify NRs and their subfamilies rapidly and effectively. The knowledge acquired is essential for a proper understanding of normal and abnormal cellular mechanisms. With the advent of the post-genomics era, huge amounts of sequence-known proteins have increased explosively. Conventional methods for accurately classifying the family of NRs are experimental means with high cost and low efficiency. Therefore, it has created a greater need for bioinformatics tools to effectively recognize NRs and their subfamilies for the purpose of understanding their biological function. In this review, we summarized the application of machine learning methods in the prediction of NRs from different aspects. We hope that this review will provide a reference for further research on the classification of NRs and their families.
Computational Analysis and Synthesis of Syringic Acid Derivatives as Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors
Authors: Malik Neelam , Khatkar Anurag , Dhiman Priyanka
Published: October 2019

Background:

Xanthine oxidase (XO; EC 1.17.3.2) has been considered as a potent drug
target for the cure and management of pathological conditions prevailing due to high levels of uric
acid in the bloodstream. The role of xanthine oxidase has been well established in the generation
of hyperuricemia and gout due to its important role in catalytic oxidative hydroxylation of hypoxanthine
to xanthine and further catalyses of xanthine to generate uric acid. In this research, syringic
acid, a bioactive phenolic acid was explored to determine the capability of itself and its derivatives
to inhibit xanthine oxidase.

Objective:

The study aimed to develop new xanthine oxidase inhibitors from natural constituents
along with the antioxidant potential.

Methods:

In this report, we designed and synthesized syringic acid derivatives hybridized with alcohol
and amines to form ester and amide linkage with the help of molecular docking. The synthesized
compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory potential.

Results:

Results of the study revealed that SY3 produces very good xanthine oxidase inhibitory
activity. All the compounds showed very good antioxidant activity. The enzyme kinetic studies
performed on syringic acid derivatives showed a potential inhibitory effect on XO ability in a
competitive manner with IC50 value ranging from 07.18μM-15.60μM and SY3 was revealed as the
most active derivative. Molecular simulation revealed that new syringic acid derivatives interacted
with the amino acid residues SER1080, PHE798, GLN1194, ARG912, GLN 767, ALA1078 and
MET1038 positioned inside the binding site of XO. Results of antioxidant activity revealed that all
the derivatives showed very good antioxidant potential.

Conclusion:

Molecular docking proved to be an effective and selective tool in the design of new
syringic acid derivatives .This hybridization of two natural constituents could lead to desirable
xanthine oxidase inhibitors with improved activity.
Inhibition of Cancer Stem-Like Phenotype by Curcumin and Deguelin in CAL-62 Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cells
Authors: Kocdor Mehmet A. , Cengiz Hakan , Ates Halil , Kocdor Hilal
Published: October 2019

Background:

Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer (ATC) is one of the most lethal and aggressive human malignancies. Studies have shown that Cancer Stem-Cell (CSC) phenotype is mainly responsible for ATC aggressiveness. Cytostatic compounds are mostly ineffective because of multidrug resistance mechanisms driven by the CSC phenotype. Taxanes have limited efficacy. Recently, CSC inhibition using plant-derived, less toxic compounds, which have anti-cancer efficacy, has become a novel treatment modality. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of two natural compounds (curcumin and deguelin) on ATC cells and their CSC properties. In addition, the efficacies of these compounds were compared with that of docetaxel.

Methods:

Besides control, five treatment groups were formed. ATC cells (CAL-62) were treated with curcumin, deguelin, docetaxel, and their combinations (curcumin+docetaxel, deguelin+docetaxel) at previously determined IC50 doses. Stemness was analyzed by quantitative estimation of sphere formation in matrigel, expression of several cell surface markers (CD133, CD90, Nanog, and OCT3/4) using flow cytometry, and quantification of the hypoxic status [Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity]. The anti-cancer efficacies of these compounds and their combinations were evaluated by determining the alterations in the cell cycle, apoptosis, and tumoral cell migration.

Results:

Both the natural compounds (particularly curcumin) significantly suppressed the spheroid formation and cellular motility in matrigel as well as suppressed the accumulation of cells in the G0/1 phase, in which the maximum CSC activity is observed. The compounds did not suppress the expression of CSC markers, but twothirds of the cells expressed CD90. Deguelin was found to be particularly effective in inducing apoptosis similar to docetaxel at IC50 concentrations. Curcumin reduced the OSI and deguelin enhanced the SOD activity, even in docetaxel pre-treated cells.

Conclusion:

A large proportion of anaplastic tumors might consist of heterogeneous CSC population. Curcumin and deguelin have anti-cancer and several anti-stem cell activities against ATC cells. These natural compounds are capable of altering the aggressive behavior of ATC cells through the inhibition of the CSC phenotype. As a novel therapeutic target, CD90 should be investigated in other ATC cell lines and in vivo models.
Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Active Food Packaging: Technological and Scientific Prospection
Authors: dos Anjos Heriberto A. , Luna Saionara , Hernández-Macedo María L. , López Jorge A.
Published: October 2019

Background:

Antimicrobial and antioxidant packaging play an important role in the
food industry by ensuring food quality and prolonging the product’s shelf life. Therefore, this scientific
survey covers the technological domain in the active food packaging development processes
and types of packaging.

Methods:

This paper aims to provide a review of patents and scientific publications on active
packaging with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in order to show technological advances
in this field of knowledge and its applicability in the food industry.

Results:

The patent review indicates an increase in the number of documents deposited in recent
decades regarding various types of packaging formulations, particularly active packaging to preserve
foods and their shelf life. In the last few decades, the scientific publication also includes
several studies concerning the development of active food packaging using natural products with
antimicrobial and antioxidant proprieties. Overall, the results show the advantages of incorporating
natural products into polymer matrices to develop industrial packaging, providing a safe and
high-quality food product to the consumer. On the other hand, the review also highlighted lack of
cooperation between inventors and companies of active packaging development.

Conclusion:

Further study in this regard would help provide data form research and patents on the
active food-packaging field as well as economic issues, indicating the global development scenario
of this innovative area.
Preparation of Nanostructured Lipid Drug Delivery Particles Using Microfluidic Mixing
Authors: Hong Linda , Dong Yao-Da , Boyd Ben J.
Published: October 2019

Background:

Cubosomes are highly ordered self-assembled lipid particles analogous
to liposomes, but with internal liquid crystalline structure. They are receiving interest
as stimuli responsive delivery particles, but their preparation typically requires high energy
approaches such as sonication which is not favourable in many applications.

Objective:

Here we investigated the impact of microfluidic preparation on particle size distribution
and internal structure of cubosomes prepared from two different lipid systems,
phytantriol and glyceryl monooleate (GMO).

Methods:

The impact of relative flow rates of the aqueous and organic streams, the total
flow rate and temperature were investigated in a commercial microfluidic system. The particle
size distribution and structure were measured using dynamic light scattering and small
angle X-ray scattering respectively.

Results:

Phytantriol based particles were robust to different processing conditions, while
cubosomes formed using GMO were more sensitive to composition both locally and globally,
which reflects their preparation using other techniques.

Conclusion:

Thus, in summary microfluidics represents a reproducible and versatile method
to prepare complex lipid particle dispersions such as cubosomes.
Synthesis for Butterworth Filter Using Compact VDTA Based on Sallen- Key Topology
Authors: Li Yong-An
Published: October 2019

Background:

The original filter including grounded or virtual ground capacitors can be
synthesized by using the NAM expansion. However, so far the filters including floating capacitor,
such as Sallen-Key filter, have not been synthesized by means of the NAM expansion. This is a
problem to be researched further.

Methods:

By using the adjoint network theory, the Sallen-Key filter including floating capacitor
first is turned into a current-mode one, which includes a grounded capacitor and a virtual ground
capacitor. Then the node admittance matrix, after derived, is extended by using NAM expansion.

Results:

At last, one VDTA Sallen-Key filter is received. It employs single compact VDTA and two
grounded capacitors.

Conclusion:

A Butterworth VDTA second-order frequency filter based on Sallen-Key topology
with fo = 100kHz, HLP = -HBP=1, is designed.
User Power Behavior Similarity Clustering Based on Unsupervised Extreme Learning Machine Algorithm
Authors: Li Yuancheng , Cui Yaqi , Zhang Xiaolong
Published: October 2019

Background:

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for the smart grid is growing rapidly
which results in the exponential growth of data collected and transmitted in the device. By clustering
this data, it can give the electricity company a better understanding of the personalized and
differentiated needs of the user.

Objective:

The existing clustering algorithms for processing data generally have some problems,
such as insufficient data utilization, high computational complexity and low accuracy of behavior
recognition.

Methods:

In order to improve the clustering accuracy, this paper proposes a new clustering method
based on the electrical behavior of the user. Starting with the analysis of user load characteristics,
the user electricity data samples were constructed. The daily load characteristic curve was extracted
through improved extreme learning machine clustering algorithm and effective index criteria.
Moreover, clustering analysis was carried out for different users from industrial areas, commercial
areas and residential areas. The improved extreme learning machine algorithm, also called Unsupervised
Extreme Learning Machine (US-ELM), is an extension and improvement of the original Extreme
Learning Machine (ELM), which realizes the unsupervised clustering task on the basis of the
original ELM.

Results:

Four different data sets have been experimented and compared with other commonly used
clustering algorithms by MATLAB programming. The experimental results show that the US-ELM
algorithm has higher accuracy in processing power data.

Conclusion:

The unsupervised ELM algorithm can greatly reduce the time consumption and improve
the effectiveness of clustering.