bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytoreduction as a remedial procedure improves disease-free survival of patients with occult uterine sarcoma undergoing morcellation——a retrospective study
Authors: Ding Chao , Zhu Jianqing
Published: July 2020

Background：Tumor morcellation happened to facilitate iatrogenic metastasis for patients with occult uterine sarcoma. The optimal remedial procedure for these patients needed to be established. Methods：Data were retrospectively collected and analyzed from patients with occult uterine sarcoma undergoing morcellation. Results：23 consecutive patients with uterine sarcomas undergoing morcellation were accessed between Jan 2008 and Dec 2018, including 15 patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma and 8 with endometrial stromal sarcoma. Cytoreduction as a remedial procedure was significantly associated with better disease-free survival (P=0.031), and none of 7 patients undergoing cytoreduction suffered recurrence, while total hysterectomy (P=0.194) and adjuvant therapy (P=0.159) had no such benefit. There was no significant difference in disease-free survival between laparoscopic and open surgery (p=0.321). Conclusion：Cytoreduction was considered as the optimal remedial procedure for patients with occult uterine sarcoma undergoing morcellation.
Analysis of Messenger RNA Secondary Structures in Rhodobacter sphaeroides
Authors: Omotajo Damilola , Cho Hyuk , Choudhary Madhusudan
Published: July 2020

Background: The Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence, when present, is known to promote translation initiation in a bacterial cell. However, the thermodynamic stability of the messenger RNA (mRNA) through its secondary structures has an inhibitory effect on the efficiency of translation. This poses the question of whether bacterial mRNAs with SD have low secondary structure formation or not. Results: About 3500 protein-coding genes in Rhodobacter sphaeroides were analyzed and a sliding window analysis of the last 100 nucleotides of the 5’ UTR and the first 100 nucleotides of ORFs was performed using RNAfold, a software for RNA secondary structure analysis. It was shown that mRNAs with SD are less stable than those without SD for genes located on the primary chromosome, but not for the plasmid encoded genes. Furthermore, mRNA stability is similar for genes within each chromosome except those encoded by the accessory chromosome (second chromosome). Conclusions: Results highlight the possible contribution of other factors like replicon- specific nucleotide composition (GC content), codon bias, and protein stability in determining the efficiency of translation initiation in both SD-dependent and SD-independent translation systems.
Sexual Violence and Associated Factors Against Housemaid’s Living in Debre-Tabor Town, Northwest Ethiopia.
Authors: Azanaw Kefyalew Amogne , Gelagay Abebaw Addis , Lakew Ayenew Molla
Published: July 2020

Objectives: Sexual violence is a serious public health and human rights problem with both short and long term consequence on women’s physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health. But no sufficient study about housemaid sexual violence conducted in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the magnitude of sexual violence and its associated factors among housemaids living in Debre Tabor town, North West Ethiopia 2018. Results: From 636 participants included in the study 27.8% (95% CI: 24.2%-31.4%) housemaids had experienced sexual violence in their life time. Housemaid who had no formal education(AOR=2.1,95%CI=1.13, 3.76), housemaid coming from rural (AOR=2.73, 95%CI=1.31, 5.69), housemaids whose both parents dead (AOR=2.6, 95%CI=1.47, 4.61), employer who had extended family in the house (AOR=2.9,95%CI=1.77, 4.75), male employer alcohol consumption(AOR=2.56, 95%CI=1.61, 4.1) and age of female employer ≥ 50 years (AOR=4.29, 95%CI=1.95, 9.48) were increase the probability of housemaids’ sexual violence. In conclusion this study, high prevalence of housemaid violence has been reported. To resolve the problem, it is important to create awareness and bring behavioral change to empower housemaid.
Predicting Parameters for Audiological Complications in Pediatric Patients Affected by Meningitis
Authors: bozzola elena , Spina Giulia , Marsella Pasquale , Scorpecci Alessandro , Mascolo Cristina , Salvatori Martina , Villani Alberto
Published: July 2020

Background. Meningitis is one of the most common causes of acquired sensorineural hearing loss in childhood.The aim of the study is to identify parameters predicting long-term audiological complications in meningitis.Methods.Patients under 18 years, admitted to the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital between March 2001 and February 2019 with meningitis were included. Audiological complications regarding treatment and follow-up were investigated: recovery or persistence of the deficit, therapeutic intervention, adaptation to prosthesis.Results. In the study425 patients were included. Sensorineural hearing loss was observed in 46 patients (11%) with a statistically significant association with pneumococcal etiology (p <0.001) and sleepy state onset (p = 0.027). Blood glucose reduction (26.18 mg / dL) (p = 0.004), C-Reactive Protein (17.77 mg/dL) (p=0.01) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (106.3 mm/h) (p=0.04) increase, were documented. At follow-up, hearing damage was persistent in 19 patients, 7 patients recovered their hearing capacity and 20 patients were lost to follow-up; among patients with permanent hearing damage, treatment was necessary in 16 patients: external hearing aids (6 cases), cochlear implant (10 cases) with incomplete electrode insertion because of cochlear fibrosis and/or ossification development (4 cases).Conclusion.Thepresence of sleepiness at the onset, blood glucose reduction, inflammation index increase and pneumococcal etiology, have been identified as risk factors for sensorineural hearing damage in meningitis patients.
Isolation and Bioprocess Optimization of Halophilic and Alkaline Protease From Marine Streptomyces and Its Use As Contact Lens Cleaner
Authors: Sarkar Gargi , K. Suthindhiran
Published: July 2020

In the present study, an alkaline protease was isolated from marine Streptomyces sp. GS – 3. The strain was isolated from the backwaters of Puthuvypeen, Kerala, and identified as Streptomyces sp. by polyphasic taxonomy. The media for protease production was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) using the Box-Behnken model. The maximum yield (357 U/ml) was observed using wheat bran as substrate (5.5%), pH 5.5, and the incubation period of 9 days at 28 ᴼC. The optimum temperature and pH conditions for the maximum enzyme activity were 45 °C, and 9 respectively. The Km and Vmax values of the enzyme were determined as 5.88%, and 38.46 µmol l− 1 min− 1 mg− 1, respectively, using 1% casein as substrate. The enzyme was isolated by solvent extraction with acetone, and the crude enzyme was characterized by Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Poly-Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Circular Dichroism (CD) studies. The enzyme sustained at high temperature (50 °C for 6 h), and alkaline pH (10) conditions, and was active in the presence of metal ions, and organic solvents. The purified enzyme was inhibited by phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF) suggesting it belong to serine protease. Further to exploit its application, contact lenses were incubated with the enzyme solution, and the protein debris on it was found to be scrubbed at an optimum time of 60 minutes. Therefore, it increases the transmittance of the contact lens indicating its use as a potential contact lens cleansing agent.
Incidence, Serotyping and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Avibacterium Paragallinarum Isolated From Local Commercial Poultry of Balochistan
Authors: Muhammad Ghulam , Taj muhammad kamran , Taj Imran , Panezai Iqbal , Abbas Ferhat , Abideen Zain-Ul-
Published: July 2020

Background

Infectious coryza (IC) caused by Avibacterium paragallinarum, a Gram negative, non-motile coccobacilli, is a severe upper respiratory tract disease of poultry. This study aimed to report on the isolation rate and serotyping of Avibacterium paragallinarum causing Infectious Coryza (IC) in commercial layer poultry in Balochistan.
Results

Total 500 samples were collected from IC-suspected or recently dead birds Results revealed that 80.62% of sample were found positive for A. paragallinarum. Of these, serotype B was 59.60% and serotype C was 21.02%. The isolates of A. paragallinarum were growing well at 35–37 oC, however, growth rate was declined at 24 oC, and 42 oC. Similarly, A. paragallinarum showed optimal growth between pH 5 and 9, but the superlative pH growth values were from 6 to 8 pH. Antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that all tested isolates displayed resistance against metronidazole, colistin sulphate, bacitracin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol and lincomycine, while were found susceptible to tetracycline, erythromycin, vancomycin, amoxicillin, and ciprofloxacin. Pathogenicity test performed indicated that experimental birds showed signs of dullness, fever, serous nasal discharge and facial swelling with pus inside infra-orbital sinus, severe congestion in the trachea and partial cloudiness of air sacs.
conclusions

Overall, we report, for the first time, on high incidence rate of pathogenic A. paragallinarum among layer birds.
Circulating Activated TAFI is a Prognostic Indicator in Septic DIC
Authors: Totoki Takaaki , Ito Takashi , Kakuuchi Midori , Yashima Nozomi , Maruyama Ikuro , Kakihana Yasuyuki
Published: July 2020

Background: Administration of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rTM) is often used in Japan to treat septic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is a fibrinolysis inhibitor activated by the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex, however, it is unknown whether circulating activated TAFI is increased after rTM administration in patients with DIC. Furthermore, the relationship between TAFI activation and the prognosis of septic DIC is not defined yet.Objective: We sought to investigate the effect of rTM on TAFI activation and the association of plasma activated TAFI (TAFIa/ai) levels with the prognosis of septic DIC.Methods: Using plasma samples from clinical studies conducted from May 2016–March 2017 on eight patients with septic DIC at Kagoshima University Hospital, we measured plasma levels of total TAFI, TAFIa/ai, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1+2), soluble fibrin (SF), antithrombin (AT), protein C (PC), protein S (PS), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) before and after intravenous rTM administration. Then, we evaluated the relationship of these marker levels to prognosis.Results: The thrombin-rTM complex activated TAFI in vitro in plasma from a healthy volunteer. However, TAFIa/ai levels did not significantly increase over baseline in the septic DIC patients after intravenous rTM administration. Baseline TAFIa/ai levels in non-survivors were significantly higher than those in survivors.Conclusions: Plasma TAFIa/ai did not increase with rTM administration. Elevated baseline TAFIa/ai concentration may be a negative prognostic indicator in septic DIC. Larger studies are needed to confirm the in vivo effect of rTM on TAFI activation.
Phytochemical Compounds Present in COVI-MXG Herbal Preparation Inhibits RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase from SARS-CoV-2: Virtual Screening
Authors: Poyi Catherine O , Falang Kakjing D , Kolawole Jacob A
Published: July 2020

Background: COVID-19 pandemic disease, caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is expressed as severe acute respiratory syndrome. There are currently no proven effective therapeutic agents or vaccines against the virus. However clinical management includes infection prevention, control measures, supportive care using drug therapy based on previous scientific experience, pathophysiology and pharmacology of the drug. Some of the therapeutic agents exploited include; antiviral and antimalarial agents (remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, lopinavir, umifenovir, favipiravir, and oseltamivir), Zinc and selenium. There are claims of herbal preparations with palliative or therapeutic effects. The novel formulation of herbal preparation, COVI-MXG for the management of Covid-19 contains a unique combination of five (5) plants. In silico studies was carried out using robust methods and software to evaluate the plant constituents to determine its possible antiviral activity, safety and pharmacokinetic profile. Results: Pharmacokinetic predictions showed phytochemicals with varying degrees of gastrointestinal absorption rates and blood brain barrier permeability. Toxicity class fall between 3 and 5 with high LD50 values. Conclusions: When compared with the listed therapeutic agents, the phytochemical compounds present in COVI-MXG showed varying degrees of binding affinities for SARS-CoV-2 (7BV2.pdb) better than the drugs currently in use at the target sites. The preparation contains high concentration of Zinc and other micronutrients.
Intervertebral disc vacuum phenomenon is associated with Modic changes in the adjacent endplate: implications for discogenic back pain
Authors: Liu Junhui , Xiang Yufeng , Shan Zhi , Fan Shunwu , Zhao Fengdong
Published: July 2020

Background

Back pain often arises from degenerative changes in lumbar intervertebral discs and their adjacent endplates. A painful endplate is not easy to identify in patients, but could possibly be revealed by inflammatory-like ‘Modic’ changes and by a ‘vacuum phenomenon’ within the disc. We hypothesize that Modic changes and a VP often co-exist in those lumbar levels most closely associated with back pain
Methods

We scanned 1023 consecutive inpatients of the Department of Orthopaedics from 2015 August to 2018 August, all patients suffered from lumbar degenerative diseases, whether the patients had back pain or not were evaluated, and the prevalence and location of vacuum phenomenon(VP) and Modic changes were compared at each spinal level.
Results

5115 discs were studied from 1023 patients. The number of discs showed to have a VP was 430 using CT, of the 430 discs with a CT-diagnosed VP, 116 were L4-5, and 171 were L5-S1. 522 of the 5115 discs exhibited Modic changes, with prevalence of type I, type II and type III Modic changes being 1.6%, 8.2% and 0.4% respectively. Modic changes usually occurred adjacent to L4-5 discs or L5-S1 discs. The prevalence of back pain was higher in the VP group than no-VP group, VP were significantly associated with Modic changes Type II at L4/5 and at L5/S1.
Conclusion

VP are closely associated with back pain and Modic changes in the lower lumbar spine. Further investigations may be warranted when radiographs or CT identify a VP in a lumbar disc.
Functional fitness and quality of life of elderly Lian Gong, Tai Chi, and Qigong practitioners
Authors: Tedeschi Márcia Regina Martinez , Assone Tatiane , Ferreira Mauro , Souza Káren Mendes Jorge de
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Long-term regular physical activity, such as body practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine, seems to be an important habit for maintaining the functional fitness, independence and quality of life of elderly individuals. However, scientific knowledge production concerning assessment of such practices, specifically for the elderly population, focusing on functional fitness and quality of life, is still modest. Moreover, there is a lack of studies with long-term follow-up and control groups. Therefore, this study aims to compare the parameters of functional fitness and the dimensions of quality of life of elderly participants and non-participants in the body practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Longer adherence time, shorter adherence time and control group have been considered.
METHODS

This is an observational epidemiological case-control study carried out with 118 elderly individuals (≥ 60 years). The case group was represented by 59 elderly people practicing the body practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and they were subdivided into two groups, according to their median adherence time (< 24 months and ≥ 24 months). The control group was composed of 59 participants who were not participating in physical activity programs or guided body practices. Collection was carried out in four Traditional Medicine Specialized Units of the Municipal Health Office of the city of São Paulo. Sociodemographic and functional variables were collected. Quality of life was measured by Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). For data analysis, a univariate logistic regression and the Kruskal Wallis test have been performed.
RESULTS

When assessing quality of life, favorable results were found for the case group, with longer (≥ 24 months) adherence time in the domains of bodily pain (p = 0.003), vitality (p = 0.021), role emotional (p = 0.034), and mental health (p = 0.020). A better result was observed in the case group, with longer (≥ 24 months) adherence time in the functional 30-second chair stand test (p = 0.006).
CONCLUSIONS

The body practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine can contribute to quality of life, functional fitness, and lower limb strength.
Tissue tRNA‐Derived Fragments (tRFs) as Potential Candidates Correlate with Invasiveness in Colorectal Carcinomas
Authors: sahlolbei maryam , Fattahi Fahimeh , Vafaei Somayeh , Rajabzadeh Rezvan , Madjd Zahra , Kiani Jafar
Published: July 2020

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC), which is one of lethal and invasive cancer with metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Despite, advanced therapy and surgical techniques, Patients with metastases CRC have a poor survival rate. Enhanced predictive biomarkers such as non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are needed at the time of diagnosis to better therapies. The tRNA- derived fragments (tRF) are non-protein-coding sequences that probably function as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, tRFs produced under physiological or stress conditions from enzymatically cleavage in tRNAs.
Methods

Documenting the tRNA-derived fragments (tRF) in colorectal cancer and showed that it is significantly down-regulated in colorectal tissue tumors compared to normal tissue samples. Since data distribution was not normal, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation coefficient tests were used for analysis.
Results

Among several tRF, quantitative real-time PCR analyses declared that tRF/miR-1280, tRNA-derived fragment-Asp, tRNA-derived fragment-Val down-regulated in CRC. Notably, its expression was correlated with invasive stage and metastases (p < 0.05).
Conclusions

This research can elucidate the association between tRFs with the invasion stage and CRC clinical pathology, our results not only expand better understanding about tRNA-derived fragments species in CRC but also highlight the potential usages of tRFs as a promising biomarker in the prognosis of metastatic cancer.
Myelination of Cingulate Fasciculus on T2-Weighted MR Images
Authors: AYGUN MURAT SERHAT , Guneyli Serkan
Published: July 2020

Objective: To observe the myelination process of cingulate fasciculus (CF) by using T2 W images and use this data for myelination assessment of newborns.Materials and Methods: This research retrospectively analyzed 842 patients under 16 months which underwent MRI examination for any reason and focused on the 102 babies which diagnosed as normal after two years follow-up. Myelination of CF was categorized to seven stages (stage 0 to stage 6) in all cases; than this data was analyzed to evaluate the efficacy of determining physiological myelination age. Results: We find some cut-off months correlates with the patient myelination process. Myelination of CF mainly started at 4th month and must be observed before 5th month. In the 6th month CFs must be thickened; and at the 8th month, some subcortical branches should be seen adjacent to CF. Anterior or posterior portions of CF should be seen before 10th month. Although stage 5 and 6 may differ between patients, any of this stage should be seen before 12th month.Conclusion: Our study suggests that T2 myelination of CF is efficient method in evaluating myelination process between 4th and 12th months-age.
Recurrence in node-negative advanced gastric cancer with novel clinical and pathologic findings
Authors: Chen Shangqi , Hu Can , Xu Zhiyuan , Yu Jianfa , Wang Xiaofeng , Lv Hang , Wei Shenyu , Shi Chengwei , Cheng Xiangdong
Published: July 2020

Background

Node-negative gastric cancer patients carry a better prognosis than node-positive. However, a subset of these patients eventually died due to the high recurrence rate of recurrence. This study investigated the clinic-pathologic factors for recurrent patterns and prognosis.
Methods

The detailed medical records of 947 gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy from the prospectively collected database of the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University From January 2012 to December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively.
Results

Tumor size, tumor invasion, histological grading were the predictive factors for locoregional recurrence. Tumor invasion, histological grading, Lauren type and lymphatic vessel invasion resulted significantly in predicting peritoneal recurrence. Two parameters, tumor invasion and lymphatic vessel invasion, were significantly associated with hematogenous spread. The combinatorial biomarker of positive for both Ki67 and P53 was significantly associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) (P = 0.037). Histological grading (P = 0.020), tumor invasion (P = 0.007) and lymphatic vessel invasion (P = 0.012) were independent factors related to overall survival (OS) in node-negative advanced gastric cancer patients.
Conclusion

The reported clinicopathologic factors for different recurrence patterns and the prognostic factors of RFS and OS should be considered to guide clinicians choose appropriate postoperative treatment strategy and construct individual follow-up schedule to improve prognosis of node-negative gastric cancer.
Urinary orosomucoid and retinol binding protein levels as early diagnostic markers for diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Zhou Xue-hong , Liu Shu-yan , Feng Lin , Yang Bo , Li Yong-feng , Wang Xiao-qing , Chen Jie , Wang Hui-hui
Published: July 2020

Background:Diagnosing diabetic nephropathy is important to prevent long-term kidney damage and determine the prognosis of patients with diabetes. Since some kidney injury biomarkers increase in the early stages of diabetic nephropathy, this study investigated the clinical significance of combined detection of urine orosomucoid and retinol binding protein for early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.Methods:We recruited 72 patients with type 2 diabetes and 34 healthy persons from August 2016 to July 2018 at our hospital. Using Mogensen grading criteria, participants were classified as diabetes or diabetic nephropathy, and healthy persons constituted the control group. Urine orosomucoid and retinol binding protein were measured and correlated with other variables.Results:Increase in renal damage raised urinary orosomucoid level gradually (P < 0.05). Urinary retinol binding protein and microalbumin levels were significantly higher in the diabetes group than in control and nephropathy groups. Orosomucoid and retinol binding protein might be independent risk factors for diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. Urinary orosomucoid significantly correlated with retinol binding protein and microalbumin (r = 0.489 and 0.513, respectively) in the diabetic nephropathy group. The receiver operating characteristic curve yielded a sensitivity, specificity, and correction index of 0.941, 0.842, and 0.783, respectively, while analysis for retinol binding protein yielded a sensitivity of 0.942, specificity of 1.000, and a correction index of 0.941.Conclusion:The increase in the levels of urine orosomucoid and retinol binding protein can be detected in the early stages of type 2 diabetic nephropathy. Both these markers are important for diabetic nephropathy detection and early treatment.
Changes in prevalence and causes of visual impairment and cataract surgical coverage in Nampula, Mozambique between 2011 and 2018: findings from two cross-sectional surveys
Authors: Jolley Emma , Cumaio Mércia , Vilanculos Anselmo , Hassan Izidine , Kimani Kahaki , Ogundimu Kolawole , Schmidt Elena
Published: July 2020

Background

Globally, there are few examples of repeated eye health surveys to assess changes in prevalence and causes of visual impairment, and service coverage over time. Two separate, unlinked rapid assessments of avoidable blindness (RAAB) were conducted in Nampula province, Mozambique in 2011 and 2018. This paper reports the observed changes and examines how the trends differ for males and females.
Methods

Standard RAAB methodology was used in both studies. Two-stage cluster sampling was used to generate random samples of adults aged over 50 years. Participants underwent a simplified visual acuity exam focusing on presenting and pinhole visual acuity (VA), a lens exam and posterior segment exam using a direct ophthalmoscope for all subjects with presenting VA < 6/18. Data were analysed using Stata and logistic regression models were developed to assess changes.
Results

The 2011 study enrolled 3,050 people and examined 96.9% (2,954 people). The 2018 survey enrolled 4,191 people and examined 95.8% (4,015 people). Age and sex adjusted estimates of blindness decreased from 6.2% in 2011 to 4.5% in 2018 (z=-2.21, p = 0.028), severe visual impairment remained the same (2.6% in 2011 and 2.7% in 2018, z = 0.1, p = 0.9) and moderate visual impairment increased (5.9% in 2011 to 11.0% in 2018, z = 5.78, p < 0.001). Cataract surgical coverage was higher among males in both surveys (13.4% among males vs 7.7% among females in 2011, and 40.0% among males vs 19.4% among females in 2018) and the gender disparity grew between surveys.
Conclusions

Significant changes were observed in the eye health and service coverage between 2011 and 2018. An increase in the proportion of good visual acuity among operated eyes between the surveys is of note and may correspond with improvements made to the services provided in the province. Further improvements to services are required to improve access for women and people with moderate visual impairment.
Social-Economic Burden of Patients with Bloodstream Infections Caused by Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia Coli
Authors: Wang Yuan , Xiao Tingting , Zhu Yunying , Ye Jing , Yang Kai , Luo Qixia , Shen Ping , xiao yonghong
Published: July 2020

Background: The prevalence of infections with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) is increasing worldwide, but the economic impact of ESBL-EC bloodstream infections (BSI) has not been comprehensively evaluated.Methods: A retrospective cohort including patients hospitalized at a tertiary hospital between January 2013 and December 2016 who confirmed with BSI of ESBL-EC or non-ESBL-EC was set. Clinical data and medical costs were collected by chart review of electronic and paper medical records. The socio-economic burden was evaluated with DALYs.Results: A total of 580 patients with E. coli BSI, comprising 333 patients (57.4%) with ESBL-EC BSI and 247 patients (42.6%) with non-ESBL-EC BSI, were identified. There were no significant differences in comorbidity and severity of patients between ESBL-EC and non-ESBL-EC BSIs. The median length of stay (LOS) after bacteremia was 12 days for ESBL-EC(interquartile range, 7 to 21), versus 11 days for non-ESBL-EC (interquartile range, 7 to 21) (P =0.38), and appropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy occurred in 87.4% versus 89.9% (P =0.353). The mortalities were 20.1% versus 17.4% (P =0.41). Patients with ESBL-EC did not have significant difference in-hospital medical costs than those with non-ESBL-EC (median, $8048.68 vs $7476.84, respectively,with a difference of $571.84,P=0.321). In non-ESBL-EC group, 247 patients lost 531.05 DALYs in total, with an average of 2.15 DALYs per person,while in ESBL-EC group, 333 patients lost 692.64 DALYs in total, with an average of 2.08 DALYs per person. There is no significant difference in average DALY(P=0.343).Conclusions: In conclusion, patients with BSI due to ESBL-EC did not cost more than patients with BSI due to non-ESBL-EC. This phenomenon may be attributed to timely and effective antibiotic treatment，but the intitial empiric thrapy with second or third line antibitoics in non-ESBL-EC BSI should be corrected.
WITHDRAWN: Performance Modelling of the Regenerative Blower for Air Supply of a SOFC System with Random Forest and Bayesian Optimization
Authors: Zhao Jiarong , Wu Xin , Xiong Xingyu , Qian Xiangchen
Published: July 2020

Air starvation is a serious hazard during the operation of asolid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. So, an accurate performance model of the air supply system is needed for the control of air flow rate and the reduction of air starvation. The performance modelling of a regenerative blower, which is used for the air supply ofa 5 kW SOFC system during power generation,is proposed based on the methods of random forest(RF) and Bayesian Optimization (BO).The performance model is first built through the RF method. The BO algorithm is then used to adjust the hyper-parameters of the model.The developed model can predict the outlet air flow rate through the operationdata of regenerative blower, i.e.the rotation speed of impeller, the inlet and outlet pressure, temperature and humidity, without specific geometrical parameters. A series of operation data obtained from an experimental test rig are adopted to train and validate the presented method. Finally, the prediction performance of the developed algorithm is compared with different machine learning methods, such asdecision tree regression, deep neural network.Results show thatthe proposed methodcanpredictthe outlet air flow rate under differentworking conditions with minimumprediction errors within 3.5% andacceptable computational cost. Therefore, the developedalgorithmis promising for performance modelling of the blower, which can be used to predict the outlet flow rate and control the air supply system at SOFC in our next research.
Mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 in the Treatment of Acute Lung Injury Based on UHPLC/Q-TOF MS-Based Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology
Authors: Shi Xuan , Chen Yuanli , Zhang Yiguo , Jin Xiaohong , Zhou Huanping , Wei Juan , Feng Di , Zhang Qingqing , Gu Yang , Zhang Pengcheng , Lv Xin
Published: July 2020

Background: Sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI), a high morbidity and mortality disease, still has no effective therapies. 1,25(OH)2D3 is one of the indispensable nutrients in our body. The regulation mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 in inflammation has been recognized gradually. Network pharmacology was used wildly to broaden the understanding of diseases and advance drug discovery. In this study, we used network pharmacology and metabolomics to generate the potential mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 on acute lung injury.Methods: We used metabolomics and network pharmacology to elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 on acute lung injury. Serum samples, collected from mice with LPS-induced acute lung injury, were detected by UHPLC/Q-TOF MS to evaluate the differential metabolites from multiple metabolic pathways. Meanwhile, the H＆E staining, ELISA and QPCR were used to estimate the efficacy of 1,25(OH)2D3 on acute lung injury. Results: The results of animal experiments showed that 1,25(OH)2D3 could mitigate severe pulmonary edema and inflammatory infiltration caused by LPS, and the treatment of 1,25(OH)2D3 reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines, interacted 25 related proteins and TNF signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.Conclusions: The integrated methods coupled with UHPLC/Q-TOF MS and network pharmacology provided a new way to study the potential mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 on acute lung injury, which may provide a possible solution for patients with clinical acute lung injury.
Health City and Fair Treatment: Medical Treatment Behaviour of the Elderly Population in Shanghai
Authors: YANG Shangguang , WANG Danyang , Li Chen , Wang Chunlan , Wang Mark
Published: July 2020

Background: Issues related to the satisfaction of the elderly population towards health and medical services have become an increasing social concern in China, under the influence of individuals, medical institutions and social factors, the structural contradictions of the elderly population’s demand in terms of medical and health services are very prominent. This study seeks to assist in the resolution of issues faced by the elderly when dealing with their medical needs and improve the quality of medical services in megacities in China.Methods: This study analyses the difference in behaviour of the elderly towards medical treatment in Shanghai based on 625 questionnaires. The investigation mainly includes five parts: personal information, health status, elderly person’s medical preference and expectation, satisfaction towards hospitals and medical services, and medical insurance mode and the level of success from use. The study uses Multinomial logistic regression to investigate the influencing factors.Results: To the elderly group in Shanghai, their medical treatment behaviors based on rational choices around price, demand and supply of medical services. The stratification of medical services based on the economic and social characteristics of the elderly population is obvious. Overall, our results show that, firstly, factors such as age, marriage status, relationship, residential location and medical treatment distance have great impacts on the elderly population’s medical treatment choices. Secondly, Chinese elderly people rely heavily on family support. Thirdly, medical treatment behaviour has a distance friction effect: the closer to hospital, the stronger the tendency to choose. Fourthly, Shanghai and other big Chinese cities are in the stage of population suburbanization, but the allocation of public service resources, such as medical, health and education, still presents a strong centripetal agglomeration in space.Conclusions: The study further contributes to public resource distribution and justice between different groups of people in the context of social stratification. while strengthening the reform of medical marketization and improving the efficiency of supply of scarce medical products, the Chinese government should also strengthen the reform of system design and strengthen the total supply and structural balance of geriatric care, especially the weak geriatric products.
DIRECTIONS FOR IMPROVING OF THE LABOR MOTIVATIONAL SYSTEM THROUGHT ANALYSIS OF WORKERS’ MOTIVES AND NEEDS AT THE NATIONAL ENTERPRISES
Authors: Kulynych Tetiana , Rudenko Inna , Postolna Nataliia , Holovanova Olena , Torianik Iryna , Vnukovska-Mistal Olena
Published: July 2020

Object of research: the article presents the results of a study conducted by the authors by interviewing employees of industrial enterprises on such important issues as satisfaction with the level of work organization, work performed, motives of job attractiveness, equipment of workplaces, job satisfaction and wages, work motives and the relationship of wages with the final results of work.

Solved problem: increasing the level of work motivation by creating motives for attractiveness, job satisfaction and wages of workers at industrial enterprises of Ukraine.

Main scientific results: a close connection between value orientations and motives of human activity is proved. The need to improve the system of labor motivation at enterprises, increase employee satisfaction with their work by optimizing the level of wages, creating optimal working conditions, sufficient equipment of workplaces. The existing organization of work does not fully correspond to the manifestation of the abilities of employees and work with full efficiency, only with rare exceptions, most respondents said they were satisfied with the work performed.

Scope of practical use of research results: research results can be used for increase of level of motivation of work of workers, perfection of the organization of work, creation of motives of attractiveness, increase of satisfaction with the work and wages of workers at the industrial enterprises of Ukraine. All measures to improve the organization of labor should be primarily aimed at increasing social and creative activity, independence in work. In a market economy, it is not enough just to follow their job descriptions, without initiative and independence. Therefore, the requirements for employees and their qualities are growing.
UKRAINIAN-RUSSIAN CONFLICT IN THE DONBAS FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF WESTERN HISTORIOGRAPHY: CHARACTER, ORIGINS, REASONS
Authors: Semenenko Valeriy , Radchenko Liudmyla , Rudenko Svitlana , Nikolaienko-Lomakina Alla , Balashova Oksana
Published: July 2020

Object of research: analysis of the works of modern foreign authors, which reflect the process of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in the Donbas, which cast doubt on the European security system, has complicated the lives of millions of citizens. Clarification of the reasons that led to the amorphous national identity of the population of Donbas, rejection of Western values, mythical ideas about fascists-Banderites. Disclosure of the diversity of assessments of Western historiography regarding the origins and causes of the conflict, its nature. From a critical point of view, the work of "geopolitical realists" who are trying to minimize the Kremlin’s actions in relation to Ukraine is considered.

Investigated problem: to show and prove that the revival of Russian neo-imperialism, which even after 1991 considered Ukraine a vassal, became the main external factor that led to the escalation of the conflict and its actual “freezing”. The attention is focused on the reasons for the appearance of peculiar stereotypes of thinking and behavior of residents of the Donetsk basin, contrasted with the mentality of citizens of other regions, especially Western Ukraine. The cultural-historical split of Ukraine, which developed historically, could not be the cause of the armed conflict, even with the pole opposition “Lviv-Donetsk”. Therefore, the separatist sentiments that appeared in Donbas at certain times were not a mass phenomenon even in 2014 because of this, it is impossible to explain Russian aggravation of relations between the elites of Kyiv and Donbas without analyzing external interference. The state of affairs was also aggravated by both sabotage of the Donbas elites, they did not recognize the legitimacy of the new government in Kyiv after February 2014, and by the mistakes made by the central government in Kyiv. Hasty and ill-conceived, according to Western experts, was the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of a law abolishing the regional status of the Russian language. The name of the military operations from the Kyiv side as “anti-terrorist operation” was doubtful. It was changed late.

Main scientific results: in fact, for the first time in the historiography of Ukraine, the latest works of Western scholars on the Ukrainian-Russian conflict have been analyzed. Conclusions are made about the inconsistency of the views of Western historians regarding the nature and causes of the conflict, the prospects for its settlement.
Network Ties’ Governance in Entrepreneurial Networking of SMEs: Cases of the Owner-managers in the Southern Region of Malaysia
Authors: Omar Siti Sarah , Higgs Malcolm , Shiau Wei Chan , Ali Muazam
Published: June 2020

There were inconsistent findings on the network ties’ governance on the strength of relationship thus supporting the need to empirically prove the variations associated with the elements of entrepreneurial networking. This study aims to explore how the ownermanagers decide the network governance of network ties strength in their relationships in entrepreneurial networking. Specifically, the objective of the study is to determine the governance of network tie strength in entrepreneurial networking. This is a qualitative study involving eight cases of small-sized food manufacturing firms in the southern region of Malaysia using an in-depth interview technique with the owner-managers. The triangulation of data has been carried out by interviewing individuals who are seen as strong and weak ties of the network. This study found that the strength of ties was not only based on the strong intimacy and high emotional attachment (SIHEA) and trust, but also governed by the tie’s human capital (knowledge, skills, experiences, networking); their attitudes and values that dominate the contents of network relationships. It also found that these themes are integrated among each other in entrepreneurial networking. This study adds value to both network and human capital literature. Only few research studies have examined the network ties among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia.
Wishful Thinking versus Reality: High-growth Aspirations of Start-ups and Established Entrepreneurs in ASEAN
Authors: Guelich Ulrike
Published: June 2020

Most enterprises in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are micro and small enterprises. Few have aspirations to “dream big.” From an economic perspective, high-growth firms provide many benefits. This empirical study explores both country-level contextual factors such as country competitiveness or innovativeness and individual-level factors associated with high-growth, such as an entrepreneur’s market expansion plans, new product perceptions, export orientation and use of latest technologies. In this context, we investigate whether to “dream big” is associated with specific strategic intentions and which influencing factors hinder or foster aspirations to grow the business by more than 20 employees within five years while developing it into an established business. Utilising random sampling of data in six ASEAN countries, collected in the years 2013 to 2015 and comparing male to female entrepreneurs, the regression results of this empirical study show that although high growth-oriented entrepreneurs in both start-ups and established enterprises account for only 2.7% of all enterprises in this study, high-growth aspirations can only partially be sustained by early-stage entrepreneurs into the next business phase since it depends on several factors: (1) receiving funding (for both genders); (2) being export oriented (for male entrepreneurs); and (3) perceptions of having new products or services to offer to the market (for women entrepreneurs). Both genders are less prone to pursue their initial early-stage growth goals as established entrepreneurs. We infer that established entrepreneurs gain more clarity on the deployment of growth through implementation in the organisation while running their businesses and therefore may be more realistic in their predictions or less confident in their pursuit of ambitious goals.
Factors affecting earnings response coefficient in Jordan: applied study on the Jordanian industrial companies
Authors: Al Awawdeh Hanan , A. al-Sakini Saad , Nour Mahmoud
Published: July 2020

Earnings Response Coefficient (ERC) reflects the market response to the company’s published earnings. It also reflects the quality of the company’s profits. This study aims to examine the factors affecting ERC in Jordan based on a sample of 17 Jordanian industrial companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange during 2012–2018. The dependent variable of this study is the Earnings Response Coefficient (ERC). Five independent variables or factors were selected for testing their impact on the dependent variable, namely, leverage ratio, systemic risks, company’s size, company’s growth opportunity, and the company’s profitability. The results of panel data regression analysis showed that for companies with a higher leverage ratio, the market is less responsive to the change in their profits than those with a higher leverage ratio. Systematic risk has a negative and significant effect on ERC, which means that high systemic risks lead to a reduction in the ERC. The company’s size has no significant impact on ERC, indicating the irrelevance of the relationship between the size of Jordanian industrial companies and their profits. The company’s growth opportunity has a negative and significant impact on ERC, which means low market-to-book ratio and higher growth opportunities resulting in higher ERC. Finally, the company’s profitability measured by return on assets (ROA) has a positive and important impact on ERC, suggesting that higher profitability increases ERC. The study highlighted the importance of ERC and recommended that companies take the needed measures to increase their ERC. It also recommended raising investors’ awareness.
Corruption and stock market development in EAP countries
Authors: Lai Cao Mai Phuong
Published: July 2020

Using macroeconomic factors as control variables, this paper examines the impact of corruption on the development of the stock market in East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) from 2008 to 2018. The research model uses GMM techniques to estimate panel data on two sub-sets of data, including five developed markets and seven emerging markets, and a dataset of both market groups. The market capitalization and the stock transaction value relative to GDP represent the development of the stock market, and the corruption control index represents the corruption factor. The empirical results found that corruption has a positive impact on the EAP stock market capitalization with the entire sample data set, which positively affects both size of the market capitalization value and value of stock transactions in underdeveloped markets. However, it is not statistically significant in explaining the development of developed stock markets. Besides, macroeconomic factors such as inflation, interest rates, savings, and credit affect some stock markets at EAP. Compared to previous studies, the article’s results found that corruption affects stock market capitalization and has a positive impact on stock liquidity in underdeveloped stock markets. Corruption affects more underdeveloped stock markets than developed stock markets. This may be due to the implicit relationship of economic benefits between large enterprises and officials in underdeveloped markets.
Augusto Del Noce: una mirada filosófica a la contestación juvenil
Authors: García-Huidobro Joaquín
Published: June 2020

El año 1968 ha sido considerado por Augusto Del Noce como “el año más rico en filosofía implícita desde el 1945”. En efecto, la contestación juvenil de entonces, lejos de ser un movimiento circunstancial, constituyó una rebelión contra la “sociedad opulenta”, es decir, una protesta contra el modelo de sociedad que construyó Occidente después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial para oponerse al comunismo. Con todo, esa rebelión resultó frustrada debido a que ella asumió gran parte de los criterios que habían llevado a la izquierda a cambiar la lucha por la emancipación del proletariado, fruto de su preocupación por los débiles, por las banderas de la emancipación sexual. Del Noce advierte que, al carecer de un fundamento filosófico adecuado, el movimiento de mayo 68 terminó por ser incapaz de oponer resistencia a la racionalidad instrumental propia de la sociedad a la que pretendía combatir.
Discutiendo el texto “100 Años de Petróleo en México” de Víctor Rodríguez-Padilla en clave hermenéutica
Authors: Bueno Junquero Adrián
Published: June 2020

Tras la publicación de la obra Reforma energética en México para la Cámara de Diputados en mayo del 2016, el presente ensayo discute el texto del Dr. Víctor Rodríguez-Padilla 100 años de petróleo en México desde la filosofía hermenéutica de Hans-Georg Gadamer. Ello implica comentar la definición de “petróleo” para conformar un sentido hermenéutico de la conciencia colectiva mexicana, sus vínculos con el nacionalismo y el complejo proceso de recuperación que el pueblo de México vivió a lo largo del siglo XX. Ahondando en las relaciones entre intérprete y autor, y sumergiéndonos en el despliegue histórico del petróleo desde sus vínculos con la moral, se termina analizando la fundamentación axiológica y simbólica que acontece en el texto.