bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling Market Volatility with Univariate GARCH Models: Evidence from Nasdaq-100
Authors: Aliyev Fuzuli , Ajayi Richard , Gasim Nijat
Published: September 2019

This paper models and estimates the volatility of nonfinancial, innovative and hi-tech focused stock index, the Nasdaq-100, using univariate symmetric and asymmetric GARCH models. We employ GARCH, EGARCH and GJR-GARCH using daily data over the period January 4, 2000 through March 19, 2019. We find that the volatility shocks on the index returns are quite persistent. Furthermore, our findings show that the index has leverage effect, and the impact of shocks is asymmetric, whereby the impacts of negative shocks on volatility are higher than those of positive shocks of the same magnitude.
Kuersetin, Penghambat Uridin 5-Monofosfat Sintase Sebagai Kandidat Anti-kanker
Authors: Ruswanto Ruswanto , Garna Imam Mustaqim , Tuslinah Lilis , Mardianingrum Richa , Lestari Tresna , Nofianti Tita
Published: September 2019

Kanker adalah pembentukan jaringan baru yang abnormal dan bersifat ganas. Efek toksisitas yang ditimbulkan pada setiap senyawa obat antikanker selalu menjadi problem dalam pengobatan kanker dengan cara kemoterapi, maka dari itu perlu dicari alternatife lain untuk mengatasi kanker. Kuersetin telah diketahui mempunyai aktivitas sitotoksik pada sel kanker tapi belum diketahui mekanisme kerjanya. Pada penelitian ini telah dilakukan penelitiaan in silico untuk mengetahui target reseptor dari senyawa kuersetin melalui identifikasi target reseptor melalui http://lilab.ecust.edu.cn/pharmmapper/ dan studi interaksi melalui metode docking. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa kuersetin memiliki aktivitas pada target reseptor proto-onkogen protein-tirosin kinase dan uridin 5-monofosfat sintase. Berdasarkan nilai energi bebas (∆G) dari hasil docking dapat disimpulkan kuersetin memiliki aktivitas terbaik pada protein target uridin 5-monofosfat sintase dengan nilai energi binding affinity sebesar -8,28617 kkal/mol dan berinteraksi dengan residu asam amino yang sesuai dengan active site dari protein target reseptor uridin 5-monofosfat sintase yaitu membentuk 2 ikatan hidrogen dengan residu Tyr 432 dan Gly 450 dan kontak bagian hidrofobik dengan residu Asn 312, Met 371, pro 417.

Quersetine: Uridine 5-Monophosphate Synthase Inhibitor as Anticancer Candidate. Cancer is the abnormal formation of new tissue and malignant. Toxicity effects inflicted on any anti-cancer drug compounds has always been a problem in the treatment of cancer by chemotherapy, therefore it is necessary to find other alternatives to treat cancer. Quercetin has been known to have cytotoxic activity on cancer cells but unknown mechanism of action. This study has been conducted in silico to determine the receptor target of the quercetin compound through the identification of target receptors by http://lilab.ecust.edu.cn/pharmmapper/ and interaction studies through docking methods. The results showed that the quercetin has activity on the receptor target proto-oncogene protein-tyrosine kinase and uridine 5- monophosphate synthase. Based on free energy value (ΔG) of the docking results we can conclude the quercetin has the best activity of the receptor target uridine 5- monophosphate synthase with a binding affinity energy value of -8.28617 kcal/mol and interacts with the amino acid residues to the active site of the receptor target 5-uridine monophosphate synthase which form two hydrogen bonds with Tyr 432 and Gly 450 and the hydrophobic contact with Asn 312, Met 371, and pro 417.
Prevalence of Clinical Depression Among Patients After Shoulder Stabilization
Authors: Weekes Danielle G. , Campbell Richard E. , Shi Weilong J. , Giunta Nicholas , Freedman Kevin B. , Pepe Matthew D. , Tucker Bradford S. , Tjoumakaris Fotios P.
Published: September 2019

Background:

Depression is a potential risk factor for poor postoperative outcomes. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of clinical depression symptoms before and after shoulder stabilization, as well as the relationship between depression and functional outcomes.

Methods:

Patients undergoing arthroscopic primary glenohumeral stabilization for recurrent instability were eligible for enrollment. Participants completed the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR) and the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) questionnaire preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Patients with a preoperative QIDS-SR score of ≥6 were assigned to the clinical depression group.

Results:

Seventy-six patients were enrolled and were prospectively followed during this study. Thirty-nine patients were stratified into the clinical depression group. Preoperatively, the clinical depression cohort had worse WOSI scores than the cohort without clinical depression (mean difference, 8.3% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.5% to 16.1%]; p = 0.04). Both the clinical depression cohort and the cohort without clinical depression displayed an improvement in WOSI scores at 1 year postoperatively (p < 0.01 for both cohorts). Both the clinical depression cohort and the cohort without clinical depression displayed an improvement in QIDS-SR scores at 1 year postoperatively (p < 0.01 for both cohorts). At 1 year postoperatively, the clinical depression cohort continued to have worse WOSI scores than the cohort without clinical depression (mean difference, 12.2% [95% CI, 5.9% to 18.5%]; p < 0.01) and worse QIDS-SR scores; the median QIDS-SR score was 5.0 points (interquartile range [IQR], 2.0 to 8.0 points) for the clinical depression group and 0.0 points (IQR, 0.0 to 3.0 points) for the group without clinical depression (p < 0.01). The postoperative prevalence of clinical depression (24%) was lower than the preoperative prevalence (51%) (p < 0.01). Increasing patient age was associated with preoperative depression symptoms (odds ratio, 3.1; p = 0.03).

Conclusions:

Fifty-one percent of patients with shoulder instability reported depression symptoms before the surgical procedure. Surgical intervention improved shoulder function and depression symptoms over time; however, the clinical depression cohort had worse postoperative shoulder and depression outcomes.

Level of Evidence:

PrognosticLevel II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Comprehensive transcriptome analysis of grafting onto Artemisia scoparia W. to affect the aphid resistance of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium T. )
Authors: Author) Xue-ying Zhang(Former Corresponding , Author) Xian-zhi Sun(New Corresponding , Zhang Sheng , Liu Fang-fang , Yang Jing-hui , Fan Jie
Published: September 2019

Aphid ( Macrosiphoniella sanbourni ) stress drastically influences the yield and quality of chrysanthemum, and grafting has been widely used to improve tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the effect of grafting on the resistance of chrysanthemum to aphids remains unclear. Therefore, we used the RNA-Seq platform to perform a de novo transcriptome assembly to analyze the self - rooted grafted chrysanthemum ( Chrysanthemum morifolium 'Hangbaiju') and the grafted Artermisia-chrysanthemum ( grafted onto Artemisia scoparia ) transcription response to aphid stress.
Association mapping of a locus that confers southern stem canker resistance in soybean and SNP marker development
Authors: Santos João Vitor Maldonado dos , Ferreira Everton Geraldo Capote , Passianotto André Luiz de Lima , Brumer Bruna Bley , Santos Adriana Brombini Dos , Soares Rafael Moreira , Torkamaneh Davoud , Arias Carlos Alberto Arrabal , Belzile François , Abdelnoor Ricardo Vilela , Marcelino-Guimaraes Francismar
Published: September 2019

Background
Southern stem canker (SSC), caused by Diaporthe aspalathi (E. Jansen, Castl. & Crous), is an important soybean disease that has been responsible for severe losses in the past. The main strategy for controlling this fungus involves the introgression of resistance genes. Thus far, five main loci have been associated with resistance to SSC. However, there is a lack of information about useful allelic variation at these loci. In this work, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to identify allelic variation associated with resistance against Diaporthe aspalathi and to provide molecular markers that will be useful in breeding programs.
Results
We characterized the response to SSC infection in a panel of 295 accessions from different regions of the world, including important Brazilian elite cultivars. Using a GBS approach, the panel was genotyped, and we identified marker loci associated with Diaporthe aspalathi resistance through GWAS. We identified 19 SNPs associated with southern stem canker resistance, all on chromosome 14. The peak SNP showed an extremely high degree of association ( p-value = 6.35E-27) and explained a large amount of the observed phenotypic variance (R² = 70%). This strongly suggests that a single major gene is responsible for resistance to D. aspalathi in most of the lines constituting this panel. In resequenced soybean materials, we identified other SNPs in the region identified through GWAS in the same LD block that clearly differentiate resistant and susceptible accessions. The peak SNP was selected and used to develop a cost-effective molecular marker assay, which was validated in a subset of the initial panel. In an accuracy test, this SNP assay demonstrated 98% selection efficiency.
Conclusions
Our results suggest relevance of this locus to SSC resistance in soybean cultivars and accessions from different countries, and the SNP marker assay developed in this study can be directly applied in MAS studies in breeding programs to select materials that are resistant against this pathogen and support its introgression
Risk factors for Clostridioides difficile infection and colonization among patients admitted to intensive care units in Shanghai, China
Authors: Cui Yingchao , Dong Danfeng , Zhang Lihua , Wang Daosheng , Jiang Cen , Ni Qi , Wang Chen , Mao Enqiang , Peng Yibing
Published: September 2019

Background : Clostridioides difficile is considered to be the main pathogen responsible for hospital-acquired infections. This study performed a prospective study to describe the prevalence, molecular epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and Clostridioides difficile colonization (CDC) among patients in intensive care units (ICUs), a tertiary hospital in China, with the aim of providing strategies for efficient CD prevention and control.
Methods: Stool samples were collected and anaerobically cultured for C. difficile . The identified isolates were tested for toxin genes and multi-locus sequence typing. The medical records of patients who were divided into CDI, CDC and control groups were collected and analyzed to investigate the risk factors.
Results: Of the 800 patients included in the study, 33 (4.12%) and 25 (3.12%) patients were identified with CDI and CDC, respectively. An association was found between CDI patients and having a fever (OR=13.993) or metabolic disorder (OR=7.972), and treatment with fluoroquinolone (OR=42.696) or a combination of antibiotics (OR=2.856). CDC patients were characterized by longer hospital stays (OR=1.137), an increased number of comorbidities (OR=36.509), respiratory diseases (OR=0.043) and treatment with vancomycin (OR=18.168). Significantly, treatment with metronidazole was simultaneously found to be a protective factor in the two groups (OR=0.042; OR=0.013). Eighteen sequence types (STs) were identified. Among the CDI group, the isolates were predominantly toxin A and toxin B positive (A+B+) strains and genotype ST2 was the epidemic clone. In the CDC group, the dominant strains were A+B+ and ST81 was the epidemic clone.
Conclusions: The prevalence of CDC and CDI in our ICUs was relatively high, suggesting the importance of routine screening to detect the acquisition of this pathogen. Future prevention and treatment strategies for C. difficile -related disease should consider hospital stays, enteral nutrition, underlying comorbidities, and the use of combined antibiotics. Moreover, metronidazole could be a protective factor for both CDI and CDC, which could be used empirically .
Intestinal parasitic infections and determinant factors among school age children in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Dessie Awrajaw , Gebregzabher Tesfay , Kiros Berihu , Wami Sintayehu Daba , Chercos Daniel Haile
Published: September 2019

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Objective
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among school children in Sebeya primary school, Northern Ethiopia, 2017.Results

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in school age children was (29.9%). E.histolytica/dispar 62 (49.21%), G.lamblia 28 (22.22%), and A. lumbricoides 23 (18.25%) were the most prevalent parasitic organisms identified. Unclean finger nail (AOR= 1.72), defecating in the open field (AOR=2.82), and being barefooted (AOR=1.72) were the determinant factors for intestinal parasitic infections. Frequently washing hands reduced the chance of infections by 68%. Furthermore, children in grade 1-4 and 5-6 had higher odds developing the infections than those in grade 7-8 (AOR=8.21 and AOR=2.50, respectively).
No association between early antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy and plasma levels of angiogenic factors: a cohort study
Authors: Djeha Ameyo , Girard Sylvie , Trottier Helen , Kakkar Fatima , Soudeyns Hugo , Boucher Marc , Lapointe Normand , Boucoiran Isabelle
Published: September 2019

Background: Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy has dramatically reduced the risk of perinatal HIV transmission. However, studies have shown an association between premature delivery and the use of ART during pregnancy (particularly protease inhibitor (PI)-based therapies), which could be explained by placental dysfunction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of ART (class, duration of exposure and time of initiation) with placental function by using angiogenic factors placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) as biomarkers. Methods: Clinical and biological data from 159 pregnant women living with HIV were analyzed. Levels of each biomarker were measured in the first and second trimester of pregnancy. After logarithmic transformation, we compared these using generalized estimating equations according to (a) the type of ART; (b) the duration of exposure to ART; and (c) the time of initiation of ART. Results: After adjusting for variables such as ethnicity, maternal age, gestational age, body mass index, parity, smoking status, and sex of the fetus, we found no significant association between the class of ART (PI-based or not) and serum concentrations of PlGF or sFlt-1. Furthermore, no significant association was found between biomarker levels and the duration of ART exposure or the timing of ART initiation (pre- or post-conception). Conclusions: This study suggests that first and second trimester angiogenic factor levels are not significantly associated with ART, regardless of the duration or type (with or without PI). These observations seem reassuring when considering the use of ART during early pregnancy.
The Relationship Between Retroperitoneal Lymphadenectomy and Survival in Advanced Ovarian Cancer Patients
Authors: Zhang Ping , Fang Chenyan , Zhang Yingli , Zhao Lingqin , Chen Xi , Xia Liang
Published: September 2019

Background

Systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy has been widely used in the surgical treatment of advanced ovarian cancer patients; nevertheless, the effect remains controversial. Thus, the current study was carried out aiming to evaluate the benefit of systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in such patients with optimal cytoreduction.

Methods

Patients with advanced ovarian cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III-IV) admitted and treated in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from January 2004 to December 2013 were enrolled and reviewed retrospectively. All patients were optimally debulked (residual tumor <1 cm or absent) and divided into two groups. Group A (n =170) (no-lymphadenectomy group): patients did not undergo lymph node resection; lymph nodes resection or biopsy were selective. Group B (n=240): patients underwent systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy.

Results

A total of 410 eligible patients were enrolled in the analysis. The median age was 51 years (range: 28–72). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 78% and 24% in the no-lymphadenectomy group and 76% and 26% in the lymphadenectomy group (P=0.385 and P=0.214, respectively). Subsequently, there was no significant difference in 5-year overall survival and 2-year progression-free survival between the two groups stratified to histological type (serous or non-serous type), the clinical evaluation for lymph nodes (negative) or with macroscopic peritoneal metastasis beyond pelvic (IIIB-IV). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy was not a significant factor affecting survival of patients. Patients in the lymphadenectomy group had a higher incidence of postoperative complications (incidence of infection treated with antibiotics was 21.7% vs. 12.9% [P=0.027]; incidence of lymph cysts was 20.8% vs. 2.4% [P < 0.001]).

Conclusions

Our study showed that systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy did not significantly improve survival in advanced ovarian cancer patients with residual tumor <1 cm or absent after cytoreductive surgery, and were associated with a higher incidence of postoperative complications.
Predicting prognosis according to preoperative chemotherapy response in patients with locally advanced lower rectal cancer
Authors: Shiraishi Takuya , Sasaki Takeshi , Ikeda Koji , Tsukada Yuichiro , Nishizawa Yuji , Ito Masaaki
Published: September 2019

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is regarded as the standard of treatment for locally advanced lower rectal cancer although some of these cases are systemic, and local control may be inadequate. We aimed to stratify patients into prognostic groups based on preoperative factors, including response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with locally advanced lower rectal adenocarcinoma (clinical stage II/III with high-risk features of distant metastasis) who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by curative resection between 2010 and 2017 and those, who did not receive neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Reduction in tumor volume (before vs. after neoadjuvant chemotherapy) was measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Recurrence and overall survival were also evaluated.Results: The cohort was composed of 105 patients. Good response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with better 5-year recurrence-free survival (good responders: 83.3%, poor responders: 50.9%; p=0.001) and 5-year overall survival (good responders: 95.8%, poor responders: 82.5%; p=0.04). In a multivariate analysis, extramural venous invasion on magnetic resonance imaging before neoadjuvant chemotherapy was significantly and independently associated with worse recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio: 2.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.32–5.03, p=0.006). Good responders without extramural venous invasion had the best 5-year recurrence-free and overall survival (89.7% and 94.9%, respectively). Poor responders with extramural venous invasion had the worst 5-year recurrence-free and overall survival (26.7% and 60.0%, respectively).Conclusions: Reductions in tumor volume after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were associated with better prognosis in patients with locally advanced lower rectal cancer. Extramural venous invasion was a preoperative prognostic factor.
Preoperative pelvic floor muscle exercise for early continence after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Anan Go , Kaiho Yasuhiro , Iwamura Hiromichi , Ito Jun , Kohada Yuki , Mikami Jotaro , Sato Makoto
Published: September 2019

Background: Transient postoperative urinary incontinence is a bothersome complication of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). The effects of preoperative pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) for early recovery of continence after HoLEP have never been elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the benefit of preoperatively started pelvic PFME for early continence recovery after HoLEP.
Methods: We randomly assigned patients to start PFME preoperatively and continue postoperatively (group A) or start PFME no earlier than the postoperative period (group B). The primary outcome was time to complete urinary control, defined as no pad usage. The secondary quality of life measure was determined via International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) scores. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify parameters associated with recovery of urinary continence after HoLEP.
Results: Seventy patients were randomized across groups A (n = 35) and B (n = 35). Patients’ characteristics were not different between groups A and B. The postoperative incontinence rate significantly decreased in group A compared with group B at 3 months postoperatively [3% vs. 26% (P = 0.01)]. However, there were no significant differences between groups A and B at 3 days [40% vs. 54% (P = 0.34)], 1 month [37% vs. 51% (P = 0.34)], and 6 months [0% vs. 3% (P = 1.00)] postoperatively, respectively. The postoperative ICIQ-SF scores were not significantly different between groups A and B at any time point postoperatively. In logistic regression analysis, patients who performed preoperative PFME had a 0.56-fold lower risk of incontinence 1 month after HoLEP and a 0.08-fold lower risk of incontinence 3 months after HoLEP.
Conclusions: Preoperatively started PFME appears to facilitate early improvement of urinary incontinence after HoLEP.
Increased urinary volumes in symptomatic Ménière’s Disease
Authors: Berardino Federica Di , Zanetti Diego
Published: September 2019

Objective. The purpose of the research is to test the measurement of the total urinary volume, induced by the diuretic osmotic action of mannitol, in a group of symptomatic MD patients and in healthy controls. Results. An altered excretory urinary volume after mannitol challenge was observed in symptomatic MD (874.3 ± 302.1) compared to healthy volunteers (361.7 ± 181.6). (p = 0.0001) This easy and self-administered method might be proposed to replace the analysis of the urinary sugars’ concentration in symptomatic MD patients.
Online activities as risk factors for internet addiction among students in Bahir Dar University, North West Ethiopia: Hierarchical regression model
Authors: Asrese Kerebih , Muche Habtamu
Published: September 2019

Introduction: Internet addiction among the youth has become a public health concern. It leads to impairments in several aspects of life. Previous studies identified individual and environmental risk factors for internet addiction. The effect of online activities on youth internet use behavior is not well investigated. This study assessed the prevalence of internet addiction and determined the roles of online activities for internet addiction among students in Bahir Dar University. Methods: Data were collected from 812 randomly selected undergraduate regular program students recruited from 10 departments. Participants completed a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Results: The results indicated that 35.2% of students were classified as being addicted to the internet. The four most important online activities students engaged on the internet are social networking (75.5%), entertainments (73.6%), academic works (72.5%), and online game (60.8%). Including online activity variables improved the explanation of internet addicted behavior over the individual and environmental attributes. Online activities explained 48.4% of the variance in internet addiction. Students who did not use the internet for social networking (AOR = .11; 95% CI: .06 - .21) and online game (AOR = .31; 95% CI: .21 - .46) were less likely to be internet addicted. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that more than one third of the participants were addicted internet users. Online activities better predict students’ addicted internet use behavior than individual and environmental attributes. Thus, university authorities and other concerned bodies need to be aware of the prevalence of IA and introduce regulatory mechanisms to limit the usage of potentially addictive online internet applications and promote responsible internet use behavior.
Lonely places or lonely people? Investigating the relationship between loneliness and place of residence
Authors: Victor Christina R , Pikhartova Jitka
Published: September 2019

Background: Loneliness in later life is largely presented as a problem of the individual focusing upon antecedents of loneliness such as demographic or health factors. Research examining the role of the broader living environments is rarer. We examined the relationship between loneliness and three elements of the lived environment: geographical region, deprivation, and area classification (urban or rural). Methods: Our sample consisted of 4,663 core members (44% males) aged 50+ (base wave mean age 65.5, S.D=.7.9) present in waves 3 (2008) and 7 (2014) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) which both included questions about individual-based and area-based loneliness. Loneliness was measured using two approaches- the three item University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) scale (ranging from 3 =not lonely to 9= lonely and using cut off at level 6+ marking loneliness) which assessed individual-based (self-reported) loneliness, and a novel self-rated evaluation by participants of how often they felt lonely in their area of residence (area-based; ranging from 1=often to 7=never, using cut off 4+). The lived environment was classified in three different ways: the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), Government Office Regions (GOR), and as urban or rural. Covariates with established relationship with loneliness including demographic factors, social engagement and health, were included in the analyses. Results: In wave 7, individual-based loneliness was reported by 18% and area-based loneliness by 25% of participants. There was limited congruence between measures: 68% participants reported no individual- or area-based loneliness and 9% reported loneliness in both areas. Adjusting for individual co-variates, a significant association was observed only for the association between area-based loneliness and deprivation measure area characteristic, with higher levels of loneliness in more deprived areas (OR=1.4 for highest quintile of deprivation). No other significant relationships were observed regarding other types of area characteristics. Conclusions: Our results indicate that loneliness in older adults is higher in the most deprived areas independent of individual-level factors. In order to develop appropriate interventions further research is required to investigate how area-level factors combine with individual-level loneliness vulnerability measures to generate increased levels of loneliness in deprived areas.
A neutralizing monoclonal antibody-based competitive ELISA for classical swine fever C-strain post–vaccination monitoring
Authors: Wang Lihua , Mi Shijiang , Madera Rachel , Ganges Llilianne , Borca Manuel V. , Ren Jingqiang , Cunningham Chase , Cino-Ozuna Ada G. , Li Hongwei , Tu Changchun , Gong Wenjie , Shi Jishu
Published: September 2019

Background: Virus neutralization test (VNT) is widely used for serological survey of classical swine fever (CSF) and efficacy evaluation of CSF vaccines. However, VNT is a time consuming procedure that requires cell culture and live virus manipulation. C-strain CSF vaccine is the most frequently used vaccine for CSF control and prevention. In this study, we presented a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) based competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) with the emphasis on the replacement of VNT for C-strain post–vaccination monitoring.

Results: One monoclonal antibody (6B211) which has potent neutralizing activity against C-strain was generated. A novel competitive ELISA (cELISA) was established and optimized based on the strategy that 6B211 can compete with C-strain induced neutralizing antibodies in pig serum to bind capture antigen C-strain E2. By testing C-strain VNT negative pig sera (n=445) and C-strain VNT positive pig sera (n=70), the 6B211 based cELSIA showed 100% sensitivity (95% confidence interval: 94.87 to 100%) and 100% specificity (95% confidence interval: 100 to 100%). By testing pig sera (n=139) in parallel, the cELISA showed excellent agreement (95.7%) with VNT. The inhibition rate of serum samples in the cELISA is highly correlated with their titers in VNT (r 2 =0.903, p<0.001). In addition, intra- and inter-assays of the cELISA exhibited acceptable repeatability with low coefficient of variations (CVs).

Conclusions: This novel cELISA demonstrated excellent agreement and high level correlation with VNT. It is a reliable tool for sero-monitoring of C-strain vaccination campaign because it is a rapid, simple, safe and cost effective assay that can be used to monitor vaccination-induced immune response at the population level.
The association between remuneration systems of community health workers in India and promoted maternal health outcomes: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Koehn Hannah , Zheng Shenglin , Houser Robert F. , O’Hara Corey , Rogers Beatrice Lorge
Published: September 2019

Background: This study assessed the association of remuneration systems of paid-for-performance Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and salaried Anganwadi workers (AWWs) on seven maternal health outcomes in four states in India: Andhra Pradesh (AP), Chhattisgarh, Odisha (Orissa), and Uttar Pradesh (UP). Methods: The cross-sectional study surveyed mothers of children aged 6-23 months. A total of 3,455 mothers were selected via multistage cluster sampling. The seven health outcomes related to the community health worker (CHW) visits were: institutional delivery, complete immunization, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, timely introduction of complementary feeding, continued breastfeeding during child’s illness, handwashing, and awareness of Nutrition and Health Days (NHDs). Results: The results varied by state. Mothers who received ASHA visits were significantly less likely to have an institutional delivery, timely introduction of complementary feeding, awareness of Nutrition and Health Days (NHDs), proper handwashing, and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months in at least one of the four states. Conversely, AWW’s home visits were positively predictive of the following health outcomes in certain states: complete immunization for index child, continued breastfeeding during the child’s illness, handwashing, and awareness of NHDs. Conclusions: ASHAs’ home visits were not more strongly associated with health outcomes for which they were paid than outcomes for which they were unpaid. AWWs’ home visits were positively associated with awareness of NHDs, and associations varied for other recommended health behaviors. Further research could elucidate the causes for successes and failures of CHW programs in different states of India. Keywords: ASHA, AWW, CHW, Performance-Based Incentives, Maternal and Child Health
DEep VEin Lesion OPtimisation (DEVELOP) Trial. Protocol for a randomised, assessor-blinded feasibility trial of iliac vein intervention for venous leg ulcers
Authors: Aherne Thomas M , Keohane C. , Mullins M. , Black S. A. , Tang T.Y. , O’Sullivan G.J. , Walsh S. R.
Published: September 2019

Background: Venous leg ulceration is a widespread, debilitating pathology with high recurrence rates. Conservative treatment using graduated compression dressings may be associated with unacceptable ulcer recurrence rates. Early superficial venous ablation encourages ulcer healing and reduces recurrence. However, many of this cohort display concomitant ilio-caval stenosis, which further contributes to lower limb venous hypertension and ulceration.
An approach which combines early superficial venous ablation with early treatment of ilio-caval stenotic disease may significantly improve ulcer healing and recurrence rates. We question whether early iliac vein interrogation with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), stenting of significant occlusive disease plus superficial venous ablation, in patients with active venous leg ulceration, will produce superior ulcer healing to standard therapy.
Methods: This is a prospective, multi-centre, randomised controlled, feasibility trial recruiting patients with lower limb venous ulceration and Great Saphenous incompetence. Patients will be randomised to undergo either truncal ablation and compression therapy or truncal ablation, simultaneous iliac interrogation with intravascular ultrasound and stenting of significant (>50%) iliac vein lesions plus compression therapy. The primary endpoints will be ulcer healing and procedural safety. Secondary endpoints include time to healing, quality of life and clinical scores, ulcer recurrence rates and rates of post-thrombotic syndrome. Follow up will be over a five-year period. This feasibility trial is designed to include 60 patients. Should it be practicable a total of 594 patients would be required to adequately power the trial to definitively address ulcer-healing rates.
Discussion: This trial will be the first randomised trial to examine the role iliac interrogation and intervention in conjunction with standard operative therapy in the management of venous ulceration related to Great Saphenous incompetence.
Ethical Committee Reference: C.A. 2111 Galway Clinical Research Ethics Comittee
Registration: Clinical Trials.gov registration NCT03640689 , Registered 21/08/2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03640689

Keywords: venous ulcer, endovenous, deep venous intervention, iliac vein, intra-vascular ultrasound, great saphenous incompetence
The Effect of Oral Contraceptive Pills on the Macula, the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer, The Ganglion Cell layer and The Choroidal Thickness
Authors: Shaaban Yasmine Maher , Badran Tamer Abdel-Fattah
Published: September 2019

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AbstractBackground To evaluate the effect of oral contraceptive pills (OCP) on the macula, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), the ganglion cell layer ( GCL), and the choroidal thickness (CT).Methods In this prospective observational cross-sectional study, 60 eyes of 30 healthy women taking monophasic OCP (0.03 mg ethinylestradiol and 0.15 mg levonorgestrel) for contraception for at least one year were compared with 60 eyes of a control group of 30 healthy women who were not taking any OCP. Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) was used to evaluate the macula, the RNFL, the GCL, and the CT. Measurements were taken in the follicular phase (day 3) of the last menstrual cycle in all women. The body mass index (BMI) scores of all participants were also recorded.Results No disparity in terms of age and BMI between both groups was observed (p=0.444, p=0.074, respectively). All the macular parameters measurements were considerably lower in the OCP group compared to the control group (p<0.001). Also, the RNFL thickness, the GCL thickness, and the CT were all significantly thinner in the OCP group (p<0.001).Conclusions The use of OCP can cause significant changes in the retina and choroid thickness over one year period. The women who are using OCP for a longer duration could have some eye problems. OCT should be routinely done for follow up. Further long term studies are required, using different preparations of OCP. It is important to find out when this thickness alterations can be clinically significant or symptomatic and if these changes are reversible or not.Keywords Oral Contraceptive, Macula, Nerve fiber, Ganglion, Choroid, Ocular Coherence Tomography.
Malnutrition is Common in Cerebral Palsy Children in Saudi Arabia – A Cross-Sectional Clinical Observational Study
Authors: Almajwal Ali , Almuneef Abdul Rahman , Alam Iftikhar , Abulmeaty Mahmoud , Bader Bader Al , Badr Mohamed Farouq , Almuammar May , Razak Suhail
Published: September 2019

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is considered as the main cause of severe physical impairment and malnutrition in children.This cross-sectional study intended to survey the nutritional status of cerebral palsy children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: We examined 74 children (age: 1-10 yrs) with CP, who attended Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City (SBAHC), Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Data on age, general demographics, nutritional status and dietary intake were collected. A child was considered underweight, wasted, stunted or thin if the standard deviation scores for his/her weight for age, weight for height, height for age and body mass index for age was ≤ -2.0 standard deviation (SD) using WHO growth standards. Multivariable logistic regression identified the factors associated with nutritional indicators.
Results: More than half (56.4%) of the children with cerebral palsy were malnourished as they had z-score below <-2 SD in at least one of the four indicators. Thinness (50%) was the most common form of malnutrition, followed by underweight, stunting and wasting. Arm anthropometrics gave similar results on the percent number of malnourished children. Factors that were independently associated with malnutrition with an adjusted OR (aOR) were as follow: age ≤ 5 yrs (aOR: 4.29); presence of cognitive impairment (aOR: 4.13); presence of anemia (aOR: 3.41) and inadequate energy intake (aOR: 4.86) (p, for all trends <0.05).
Conclusion: Cerebral palsy children of the current study have impaired growth and nutritional status as assessed by all four common nutritional status indicators. Further large-scale community-based studies for in-depth evaluation of nutritional status and growth patterns in children with CP are needed.
Keywords: cerebral palsy, nutritional status, dietary intake, growth, Saudi Arabia
An extrusion simulation of an aluminum profile by porthole die
Authors: Ayer Önder , Bingöl Sedat , Karakaya İsmail
Published: September 2019

The aluminum alloys are ideal material because of their corrosion resistance, recycling ability, high specific strength and especially low density for lightweight structures of transportation, aerospace, automotive industries. Hot extrusion process is the most used metal forming method for obtaining a variety of aluminum alloy profiles. The demand for large cross section, multi cavity and thin wall profiles has been increasing with the development of the industry and extrusion method is key solution for producing complex profiles with high productivity. These profiles are generally extruded by porthole dies. The extrusion process by porthole die is complicated and die design has great importance for the quality of the extruded product. Design of the porthole die should give optimum material flow and homogenous temperature distribution both for obtaining desired profile and eliminating die scrap. The measuring the temperature and material flow is not possible for closed die formation and it is so important to estimate both material flow, temperature change in the die. For this aim, an extrusion simulation of a porthole die for standard aluminum profile was investigated in this study with the support of HyperXtrude Inspire Extrude Metal 2019 software, which is specialized for FEM calculations of extrusion process. Each step of extrusion process was simulated. Aluminum AA6063 material was used for simulations, the process temperature was 4500 °C and punch velocity was selected as 5 mm/sec. Finally, the FEM results were obtained and the temperature distribution, pressure distribution, billet interface and relative die exit speed results were analyzed.
The Molecular Diversity Scope of Urazole in the Synthesis of Organic Compounds
Authors: Ziarani Ghodsi M. , Mohajer Fatemeh , Moradi Razieh , Mofatehnia Parisa
Published: September 2019

Background:

As a matter of fact, nitrogen as a hetero atom among other atoms has had an
important role in active biological compounds. Since heterocyclic molecules with nitrogen are highly
demanded due to biological properties, 4-phenylurazole as a compound containing nitrogen might be
important in the multicomponent reaction used in agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Considering the case
of fused derivatives “pyrazolourazoles” which are highly applicable because of their application for analgesic,
antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities as HSP-72 induction inhibitors (I and III) and novel
microtubule assembly inhibitors. It should be mentioned that spiro-pyrazole also has biological activities like
cytotoxic, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and cardiotonic activities.

Objective:

Urazole has been used in many heterocyclic compounds which are valuable in organic syntheses.
This review disclosed the advances in the use of urazole as the starting material in the synthesis of various
biologically active molecules from 2006 to 2019.

Conclusion:

Compounds of urazole (1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione) are the most important molecules which are
highly active from the biological perspective in the pharmaceuticals as well as polymers. In summary, many
protocols for preparations of the urazole derivatives from various substrates in multi-component reactions
have been reported from different aromatic and aliphatic groups which have had carbonyl groups in their
structures. It is noted that several catalysts have been synthesized to afford applicable molecules with urazole
scaffolds. In some papers, being environmentally friendly, short time reactions and high yields are highlighted
in the protocols. There is a room to synthesize new catalysts and perform new reactions by manipulating
urazole to produce biologically active compounds, even producing chiral urazole component as many groups
of chiral urazole compounds are important from biological perspective.
A Concept of Captcha Based Dynamic Password
Authors: Haque Md. Asraful , Ahmad Tauseef
Published: September 2019

Background:

The conventional text passwords are by far the main means of authentication
and they will continue to be popular as they are easy to deploy and to use. However, they have
been largely exposed to different kind of attacks like guessing, phishing and key-logger attacks.

Objective:

It is efficient to use both CAPTCHA and text password in a user authentication to create
an additional layer of security over the passwords. Captcha and password work side by side and independently
in such captcha-assisted systems. Captcha filters out the suspicious programs from the
human beings and password recognizes the legitimate user among the human beings.

Method:

In this paper, we have suggested a dynamic password scheme combining the traditional
text password and captcha. User authentication will be verified by different passwords at different
login session based on the captcha presentations.

Results:

Suggested method does not replace the conventional password process rather than modifying
it. Therefore, users’ current sign-in experience is largely preserved. It will be implemented in
software alone, increasing the potential for large-scale adoption on the Internet.

Conclusion:

The scheme is easy to implement and will be useful to improve the security to a great
extent.
A Behavioral Activation Mobile Health App for Smokers With Depression: Development and Pilot Evaluation in a Single-Arm Trial
Authors: Heffner Jaimee L , Watson Noreen L , Serfozo Edit , Mull Kristin E , MacPherson Laura , Gasser Melissa , Bricker Jonathan B
Published: September 2019

Background

The integration of Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression (BAT-D) into smoking cessation interventions is a promising approach to address depression as a barrier to quitting. However, this approach has only been tested as a face-to-face intervention, which has low reach.

Objective

The aims of the study were to develop a BAT-D mobile health app with high potential reach and determine its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects on theory-based behavioral processes of behavioral activation, reduced depressive symptoms, and smoking cessation.

Methods

Following a user-centered design process consisting of competitive analysis, focus groups, and prototype testing, we conducted a single-arm pilot trial of Actify!, a BAT-D app for depressed smokers. Participants used SmokefreeTXT along with Actify! to provide cessation content that had not yet been built into the app for this initial phase of pilot testing. Participants in the trial were current, daily smokers with mild to moderate depressive symptoms. We examined use outcomes for all enrolled participants and process and cessation outcomes at 6 weeks postenrollment for study completers (16/17, 94% retention).

Results

Regarding acceptability, average number of log-ins per participant was 16.6 (SD 13.7), and 63% (10/16) reported being satisfied overall with the app. Posttreatment interviews identified some usability challenges (eg, high perceived burden of planning and scheduling values-based activities). There was a significant decrease in depressive symptoms from baseline to follow-up (mean change in Patient Health Questionnaire–9 scores was –4.5, 95% CI –7.7 to –1.3; P=.01). Additionally, carbon monoxide (CO)-confirmed, 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) at 6-week follow-up was 31% (5/16), and the 30-day PPA was 19% (3/16).

Conclusions

Results demonstrate promising engagement with Actify! and potential for impact on theory-based change processes and cessation outcomes. Preliminary quit rates compare favorably to previous trials of smoking cessation apps for the general population (ie, short-term, self-reported 30-day quit rates in the 8% to 18% range) and a previous trial of face-to-face BAT-D for depressed smokers (ie, CO-confirmed, 7-day PPA rate of 17% at end of treatment).
Sala de Aula Invertida: Recomendações e Tecnologias Digitais para sua Implementação na Educação
Authors: Batista Bottentuit Junior João
Published: September 2019

A adoção de modelos mais ativos na sala de aula torna-se uma preocupação no cenário educacional, pois diversas características corroboram para este caminho, entre eles: o perfil diferenciado dos alunos, às demandas do mercado e o desenvolvimento de competências necessárias aos indivíduos no século XXI. Este artigo apresenta através de uma metodologia exploratória e descritiva o modelo de sala de aula invertida, além de aplicativos para dinamização de práticas pedagógicas em interação com o modelo invertido. A combinação de tecnologias e metodologias ativas possibilita aos alunos, além do desenvolvimento de habilidades cognitivas, um maior conhecimento sobre as possibilidades da cultura digital nos seus estudos.
O uso das Tecnologias Digitais como Ferramentas Cognitivas
Authors: Fernanda da Silva Patrícia
Published: September 2019

Este artigo descreve as falas trazidas pelos painelistas durante o I Workshop de Inovação Pedagógica da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Durante o painel professores representantes do curso de Engenharia, Odontologia e de Informática apresentaram algumas necessidades, metodologias, abordagens e projetos que estão sendo desenvolvidos na instituição nos cursos de graduação e pós-graduação a partir do uso das tecnologias digitais. Posteriormente o uso destas ferramentas é abordado, mostrando a sua importância para apoiar a aprendizagem dos alunos, bem como o uso das tecnologias digitais como ferramentas cognitivas. Para finalizar, são trazidas reflexões de como é possível levar os alunos a pensar a partir da utilização das tecnologias digitais.