bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Intersectional Analysis of the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failures in India
Authors: Ulahannan Sabu K , Basappa Yogish Channa , Joice Sangeetha V , Srini Prashanth N
Published: June 2020

Background: Nutritional inequality in India has been estimated typically using stunting, wasting and underweight separately which hide the overall magnitude and severity of undernutrition. We used the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) that combines all three forms of anthropometric failures to assess the severity of undernutrition and identify the most vulnerable social groups and geographical hotspots.Method: CIAF was constructed using child anthropometric data from the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4, 2015-16). We considered 24 intersecting sub-groups based on intersections across four main axes of inequality i.e., caste [Scheduled Tribe (ST), Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other], economic position (poor and non-poor), place of residence (rural and urban) and gender (male and female) (eg. ST-Poor-Rural-Female). Cross-tabulation and logistic regression were done to assess the odds of CIAF among intersecting groups and to identify the most vulnerable sub-groups. Concentration curve was plotted to visualise economic inequality in child undernutrition across caste categories. Choropleth maps were constructed and descriptive analysis of the district-level prevalence of CIAF was performed to identify the geographic clustering of undernutrition.Results: Overall 55.1% of children were undernourished by CIAF and 6.7% of children have simultaneous three anthropometric failure. In sub-group analysis, children from ST and SC caste have a higher risk of undernutrition irrespective of other axis of inequality. The typical urban advantage is reversed among the children from poor SC and other-caste in most sub-groups. Compared with CIAF, socio-economic inequality was amplified for simultaneous-three-failures among all caste categories. Socio-economic inequalities within caste are more for other caste and SC categories than with ST. Based on the analysis of the high prevalence in the co-occurrence of two or three failures, 111 districts from 12 of 29 states in India were identified across four geographic clusters.Conclusions: The study shows social and eco-geographical clustering of multi-dimensional anthropometric failures and indicates the need for focused nutritional interventions among SC and ST community in general and ST children from the poor households. Furthermore, governance interventions that target entire regions across districts and states combined with decentralised planning are needed.
Afebrile Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection have a Longer Viral Positivity Duration: A Retrospective Analysis of 125 Patients
Authors: Ding Rui , Zhao Rugang , Xie Wen , Fan Ying , Liu Ligai , Cao Ying , Cheng Cheng , Wang JingJing , Wang Qi , Wang Yanbin , Zhang Ting , LI Minghui
Published: June 2020

Background: A pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is on-going. Clinical characters of afebrile cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 remain poorly understood and informations are limited on the duration of SARS-CoV-2 viral positivity.Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective study of 125 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 26 to March 15, 2020. Differences were compared among patients with/without fever. Risk factors for the duration of SARS-CoV-2 viral positivity were evaluated.Results: A total of 125 patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 test were enrolled, including 38 afebrile patients and 87 febrile patients. On admission, a total of 35 (28%) patients had leukopenia, 41 (32.8%) had lymphopenia and 6 (4.8%) had thrombocytopenia. 73 patients (58.4%) had a loss of T lymphocytes and 96 patients (76.8%) had decreased CD4+T lymphocytes. Compared with febrile cases, afebrile patients had a significantly higher white blood cell count (P = 0.001), total lymphocytes (P < 0.001), platelet count (P < 0.001), T lymphocytes (P = 0.013) and CD8+ T lymphocytes (P = 0.002). The median SARS-CoV-2 viral positivity duration of these 125 patients was 14 days (IQR, 10-30 days) and for febrile and afebrile group were 12 days (IQR, 9-23 days) and 23 days (IQR, 11-30 days) respectively. Multivariate Cox regression results showed that the fever [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.497, P = 0.006], young age (HR = 0.965, P = 0.018), and higher count of platelet (HR = 4.555, P = 0.034) were the predominant risk factor for the SARS-CoV-2 viral positivity duration.Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 virial positivity duration of the afebrile group was significantly longer than that in the febrile group. Fever, young age and a higher count of platelet were the independent protective factors for a shorter SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity duration.
Toward Understanding Curcumin Delivery by Trimethyl Chitosan -polyethylene Glycol: Optimization Ofpolymer Concentration and Chain Length by Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Sohrabi Somayeh , Khedri Mohammad , Maleki Reza , Moraveji Mostafa , Ghasemy Ebrahim
Published: June 2020

The second main cause of death in the world and one of the major public health problems is cancer. Curcumin is anatural bioactive substance with good anti-cancerous effect.However, due to thelow cellular uptake of curcumin anti-cancer drug, it is vital to exploit a noble formulation, which can contribute to a decrease in its hydrophobicity and enables theefficient therapeutic effect of curcumin. Biocompatibility and hydrophilicity of the polyethylene glycol cause itto be one of the most attractive drug carriers. Chitosan is also of great importance, consideringits biocompatibility,and is used along with thedrug-carrying polymers. In this study, for the first time, a combination oftrimethyl chitosan and polyethylene glycol was employedto deliver curcumin.Herein, hydrophilicity, stability, and energy analysis of the systems have been investigated, from which it was found thatthe 60/40 is the optimum ratio concentration ofchitosan to polyethylene glycol for Curcumin delivery. Another characteristic property of the hybrid drug delivery system was the PEG chain length, with its least magnitude being the optimal value. Results of the present molecular study give a practicalinsight into the curcumin drug delivery system and propose a novel hybrid carrier for efficient curcumin delivery, which can be further exploited to develop novel nanomedicine systems.
Evaluation of Metadata Describing Topographic Maps in a National Library
Authors: Kuzma Marta , Moscicka Albina
Published: June 2020

The aim of our research is topographic maps metadata to evaluate their usability of specific users’ needs, using topographic maps because they are typically among the most heavily used for research and other purposes.To assess metadata for the purposes of evaluating the usability of topographic maps, a two-stage procedure was used. It covers the evaluation of topographic maps metadata, followed by their assessment in terms of whether maps found on their basis might be useful in our research.The research was carried out on 35,092 topographic maps issued in the years 1608-2017, in scales ranging from 1:10,000 to 1:500,000 from the National Library of Poland. These maps mainly cover the current territories of Poland, Belarus, Germany, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Russia.The conducted analysis of topographic maps in the National Library of Poland revealed that the collected data are very interesting and match the users’ needs.
The Prevalence Rate of Sexual Violence in Worldwide Countries: A Trend Analysis
Authors: Borumandnia Nasrin , Khadembashi Naghmeh , Tabatabaei Mohammad , Majd Hamid Alavi
Published: June 2020

Background: The purpose of the present study is to showcase an image of Sexual Violence (SV) temporal trends through exploring differences in the prevalence rates during 1990-2017 across 195 countries and territories.Methods: The SV prevalence data for both sexes reported by the Global Burden of Disease database during 1990-2017 for 195 countries were analyzed via Growth Mixture models (GMM). Results: In worldwide, the SV prevalence rate was higher in women than in men and decreased in both genders over time. The declining trend in male SV prevalence is visible in countries with both high to very high and also moderate to low Human Development Index (HDI), but the prevalence of SV against women in countries with moderate to low HDI has increased. Findings of GMM identified six classes of SV prevalence trajectories. The highest decrease in the prevalence of SV against men was in Bermuda and the highest increase was observed in Equatorial Guinea and Luxembourg. The aforementioned countries had distinct trends from others, while other countries had very slow declining trends. SV against women in China, North Korea, and Taiwan has increased the most among countries in the world. Bermuda, Guyana, Mexico, Nigeria and Saint Lucia have witnessed the largest declines in recent decades and Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Equatorial Guinea have been ranked next. The observed trend in terms of SV prevalence rate against women in other countries has been mostly decreasing.Conclusion: Given the high economic and social burden that SV has on victims and society, the rate of SV in most countries does not seem to have dropped remarkably and requires special attention from relevant policy makers. In addition, the rate of SV prevalence is highly heterogeneous among world countries which may be due to the definitions used, tools used, and more importantly, the culture, norms.
Analysis of Six Bone-derived Factors in Plasma and Csf of Chinese Patients With Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Chen Xiang , Lin Yuwan , Chen Chaojun , Guo Wenyuan , Zhou Miaomiao , Qiu Jiewen , Zhang Zhiling , Mo Mingshu , Ding Liuyan , Ye Panghai , Wu Yijuan , Zhu Xiaoqin , Ren Yi , Yang Xingling , Zhang Xiaokang , Wu Zhuohua , Xu Pingyi
Published: June 2020

BackgroundParkinson's disease (PD) has a close relationship with osteoporosis and bone secretory proteins may be involved in disease progress.ObjectivesTo detect the six bone-derived factors in plasma and CSFof patient swith PD and evaluate their correlations with CRP level, motor impairment and HY stage of the disease.MethodsWe included 250 PD patients and 250 controls. Levels of OCN, OPN,OPG, SO, BMP2 andDKK-1 in Plasma and CSF were measured by custom protein antibody arrays.Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U-testand Spearman’s rank correlation.ResultsPlasma levels of OCN and OPN were correlated with CRP level and HY stage and motor impairment of PD.Furthermore, the plasma assessment with CSF detection may enhance their potential prediction on PD.ConclusionsOCN and OPN may serve as potential biomarkers for PD. The inflammation response may be involved in the cross-talks between the two factors and PD.
Nitrogen Addition Did Not Alter the Relationships Between the Leaf and Root Traits of Machilus Pauhoi seedlings
Authors: Zou Yuxing , Li Baoyin , Yu Hua , Chen Xiaoping , Deng Xingyu , Cheng Dongliang , Zhong Quanlin
Published: June 2020

Leaves and roots are important resource acquisition organs of seedlings and both are sensitive to the environment. However, it is currently unclear whether leaf and root traits have a similar response model to nitrogen (N) deposition. Furthermore, the relationships between the responses of leaf and root traits to N deposition are still unknown.Exogenous nitrogen input experiments were conducted to simulate the effects of nitrogen deposition in Shunchang County, south of China. We measured the biomass, morphological characteristics, and nutrient concentrations (total of 12 functional traits of leaves and roots) of Machilus pauhoi seedlings. The responses of leaf and root traits to N addition were analyzed. In addition, the relationships between paired leaf and root traits were analyzed.We found that the responses of the leaves and roots to short-term nitrogen deposition were not consistent. The specific leaf area (SLA) (specific root length, SRL), tissue density (TD), carbon (C) content, N content, C/N, and N/phosphorus (P) of the leaf and root did not appear to respond to N addition. However, the biomass, P content, and C/P of the leaf and root markedly responded to N addition. The nutrient concentrations of the leaf and root were correlated, while the phenotypic traits were not. Furthermore, short-term N addition did not alter the relationship between the leaves and roots.Our results show that, in the context of global change of nitrogen deposition, the correlation between the leaves and roots of a plant has a certain tolerance for nitrogen deposition, which is of great significance for the efficient cultivation of quality seedlings and understanding how terrestrial forest ecosystems respond to nitrogen deposition.
Lengthening of Achilles Tendon from the Percutaneous Tenotomy Procedure in Ponseti’s Method
Authors: Lin Yen Chang , Chang Wei Ning , Lai Yu Cheng
Published: June 2020

Background Talipes equinovarus is one of the common congenital disease of foot deformity of newborn. Initial treatment is often with the Ponseti method. Studies have demonstrated that radiographic measurements can be made with clubfoot. The purposes of this study were to document the amount of Achilles tendon lengthening obtained from PAT in Ponseti’s method and to analyze the factors that might impact on the amount of equinus correction. Methods This is a retrospective study carried out from 2002 to 2006. Sixteen feet of twelve children that received percutaneous Achilles tendon tenotomy (PAT) for the treatment of congenital clubfoot were included. Assessments before and after treatment were performed using Dimeglio system. The foot length from toe to heel at the time of PAT, the pre- and post-PAT ankle dorsiflexion and post-casting lateral view of foot were obtained. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to establish relationships between pre-, post-PATT and post-casting Tibio-calcaneal angle (TCA) and Achilles tendon length(ATL).Results The TCA before, after PATT, and after casting were -9.3, 27.4 and 18.4degrees. The ATL before, after PATT, and after casting were 22.7, 31.3, and 28.3mm. The overall lengthening of Achilles tendon was 5.7% of the foot length. The pre-PATT TCA was correlated with post-PATT and post-casting TCA. The pre-PATT ATL was correlated with post-PATT ATL and post-casting ATL.Conclusion Post-PAT correction effect is negatively correlated with the pre-PAT severity of equinus. The comparison between post-PAT and post-casting TCA could be used to check the quality of casting in the Ponseti method.Level of Evidence: level IV
Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction and in Situ Derivatization for Determining Phytohormones and in Oilseeds by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Luo Zhoufei , Xu Mengwei , Wang Ruozhong , Liu Xiubing , Xiao Langtao
Published: June 2020

Background: Phytohormones are a group of naturally occurring signaling molecules which influence physiological processes of oil crops. Simultaneous determination of multiple phytohormones in oilseeds is still a challenge due to their trace concentrations, species diversity, and lipid interference. Therefore, a simple and selective method for the simultaneous determination of multiple phytohormones in oilseeds is urgently needed.Results: In this study, the Fe3O4@Ti3C2@β-CD nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and used for the first time as an adsorbent for the magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction of phytohormones from oilseeds. The magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction and in situ derivation by the addition of N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide (EDC) were ingeniously combined. This efficient pre-treatment method integrated the extraction, purification, and derivatization processes into one single step. Several parameters affecting the efficiency of extraction and derivatization were evaluated. Under the optimized analysis conditions, satisfactory methodological performance was achieved. High linearities (R2 > 0.9928) at three spiked levels, as well as the low matrix effect (ranged from ­16.63 % to 17.06 %) and limits of detection (0.89-13.62 pg/mL) were also obtained. The intra and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 13.7 % and 11.6 %, respectively. The recoveries were ranged from 80.4 % to 115.1 %. This method was successfully employed for analyzing 12 phytohormones in different oilseeds samples.Conclusion: A simple and sensitive method based on the magnetic solid phase extraction integrated with in situ derivations for the profiling of 12 phytohormones, including 9 gibberellins (GAs), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and jasmonic acid (JA) in a single rapeseed seed was developed by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).
LncRNA DLGAP1-AS2 SiRNA Silencing Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Migration and Invasion by Up-regulating MiR-154-5p Through Methylation
Authors: Chen Kai , Zhang Zhuqing , Yu Aijun , Li Jian , Liu Jinlong , Zhang Xuejun
Published: June 2020

Background:DLGAP1-AS2 has been characterized as an oncogenic lncRNA in glioma. This study was performed to explore the role of DLGAP1-AS2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods:Expression of DLGAP1-AS2 and miR-154-5p in paired HCC and non-tumor tissues from 62 HCC patients was determined by RT-qPCR. The 62 HCC patients were followed up for 5 years to analyze the prognostic value of DLGAP1-AS2 for HCC. DLGAP1-AS2 siRNA silencing and miR-154-5p overexpression was achieved in HCC cells to study the relationship between them. Methylation of miR-154-5p was analyzed by methylation-specific PCR. Cell proliferation was analyzed by CCK-8 assay.Results: DLGAP1-AS2 was upregulated in HCC and predicted poor survival. MiR-154-5p was downregulated in HCC and inversely correlated with DLGAP1-AS2. In HCC cells, DLGAP1-AS2 siRNA silencing resulted in the upregulation of miR-154-5p and decreased methylation of miR-154-5p gene. Transwell assay showed that, DLGAP1-AS2 siRNA silencing and miR-154-5p overexpression inhibited cell invasion and migration, and the combination of LGAP1-AS2 siRNA silencing and miR-154-5p overexpression showed stronger effects.Conclusion: DLGAP1-AS2 siRNA silencing may inhibit HCC cell migration and invasion by up-regulating miR-154-5p through methylation.
Important Aedes Spp. Infestation Levels In Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo
Authors: Francis Wat’senga Tezzo , Sylvie Fasine , Zola Manzambi Emile , Carmen Marquetti Maria del , Guillaume Binene Mbuka , Gillon Ilombe , Richard Mundeke Takasongo , Nathalie Smitz , Andre Bisset Juan , Wim Van Bortel , Vanlerberghe Veerle
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND Arboviruses such as dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya and Zika are among the most important emerging infectious diseases worldwide. Yellow fever and chikungunya outbreaks, and few dengue cases have been reported in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in recent years. Although the main vectors of these arboviruses, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus , were reported in DRC, the lack of detailed information on their presence and spread hampers transmission risk assessments in this region. METHODS In 2018, two cross-sectional surveys were realized in Kinshasa province (DRC), one in the rainy (January/February) and one in the dry season (July). Four hundred houses were visited in each of the four selected communes (N’Djili, Mont Ngafula, Lingwala and Kalamu). Breedings sites were recorded, larvae and pupae collected and reared to obtain adults for genus and species identification. A subset of specimen was DNA-barcoded for species validation. RESULTS The most rural commune (Mont Ngafula) had the highest infestation levels, with a Breteau Index of 82.2 and 19.5/100 houses in rainy and dry season, respectively. The Breteau Index in the other communes Kalamu, Lingwala and N’Djili elevated to 21.5 (4.7), 36.7 (9.8) and 41.7 (7.5) in the rainy (and dry) season respectively. The House index was on average 27.5% and 7.6%; and the Cotainer Index 15.0% and 10.0% in rainy and dry season, respectively. The vast majority of Aedes positive containers were found outside the houses (aOR 27.3 (95%CI 14.9-50.0)). The main breeding sites were used tires, water storage containers and trash. Anopheles larvae were also found in Aedes breeding sites in all four communes in the rainy season. CONCLUSIONS These results show that Kinshasa is highly infested with Aedes spp. which indicates a high potential for arbovirus transmission in the area. The present study evidences that Aedes breeding sites are mainly located outdoors. The most productive containers (for Aedes pupae production) during the dry season are the water storage containers, while over the rainy season these are the artificial containers, especially tires. This will have an impact on the design of control strategies for these vectors in Kinshasa.
Trends and Distributions of Road Traffic Crashes and Injuries, Nigeria, 2013 – 2016
Authors: Babalola Obafemi
Published: June 2020

BackgroundAfrica accounts for one-fifth of low- and middle-income countries’ contributions to the global road traffic mortality, and Nigeria reported > 25% of this. Over the years, the trends in road traffic crashes (RTCs) in Nigeria have a slow decline. This study describes the magnitude and distribution of RTCs and injuries in Nigeria and determines if the sustainable development goal (SDG 3.6) target set in 2011 was achieved in 2016. MethodsRTCs surveillance data from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) 2013 - 2016 was analyzed. Variables like date of the crash, route of the crash, location of the crash, the probable cause of the crash, age and sex of people involved, injured, or killed, road users type and make of vehicles were anonymized and abstracted on Microsoft Excel worksheet. RTCs outcome were classified as minor, moderate, and fatal. The road traffic injury (RTI) fatality rate is the proportion of persons killed in RTC per 100,000 population. Data analyzed for frequency, proportions, and ratio but presented in tables, trend, and charts.ResultsThere were 42,813 RTCs involving 56,331 vehicles and 283,949 persons. Fatal RTCs were 12,031 (28.1%) and 23,412 (8.2%) persons died. Male to female ratio was 3:1. North-Central zone (NCZ) reported 16,097 (37.6%) of the RTCs while South-West zone (SWZ) had the highest proportion of RTCs that were fatal 2,474/6,902 (35.8%). RTI fatality rate was highest in NCZ followed by SWZ with 23.8 and 12.7 deaths per 100,000 population, respectively. The States with the highest fatal RTCs were Oyo 631/1209 (52.0%), Yobe 114/269 (42.4%), Ondo 446/1073 (41.6%) and Kogi 566/1368 (41.4%). The commonest causes of RTCs were speed violation and loss of vehicle control. From 2011 to 2016, reduction in RTC and Fatal RTC were 27.4% and 7.8%, respectively and SDG 3.6 target not met.ConclusionsRTCs remains a major public health in Nigeria where fatal RTCs, injuries, and RTI fatality rate are differentially distributed in states and geo-political zones. RTI fatality rate was highest in NCZ and SWZ, and SDG 3.6 target was not met. Therefore, a context-specific RTCs preventive strategies should be designed and implemented in Nigeria.
CRISPR-Cas9 Mediated Knockout of NtAn1 to Enhance the Lipid Accumulation in Tobacco Seed for Biodiesel Production
Authors: Tian Yinshuai , Liu Xinanbei , Li Tingting , Qin Huan , Li Xiao , Chen Kai , Chen Fang , Xu Ying
Published: June 2020

Background: Tobacco seed lipid is a promising non-edible feedstock for biodiesel production. In order to meet the increasing demand, achieving high seed lipid content is one of the major goals in tobacco seed production. The TT8 gene and its homologs negatively regulate seed lipid accumulation in Arabidopsis and Brassica species. We speculated that manipulating the homolog genes of TT8 in tobacco could enhance the accumulation of seed lipid.Results: In this present study, we found that the TT8 homolog genes in tobacco, NtAn1a and NtAn1b, were highly expressed in developing seed. Targeted mutagenesis of NtAn1 genes were created by the CRISPR-Cas9 based gene editing technology. Due to the defect of PAs biosynthesis, mutant seeds showed a phenotype of yellow seed coat. Seed lipid accumulation was enhanced by about 18% and 15% in two targeted mutant lines, respectively. Protein content was also significantly increased in mutant seeds. In addition, the seed yield related traits were not affected by the targeted mutagenesis of NtAn1 genes. Thus, the overall lipid productivity of the NtAn1 knockout mutants were dramatically enhanced. Conclusion: Tobacco NtAn1 genes regulate both PAs and lipid accumulation in the process of seed development. Targeted mutagenesis of NtAn1 genes could generate a yellow-seeded tobacco variety with high lipid and protein content. Furthermore, the present results revealed that CRISPR-Cas9 system could be employed in tobacco seed de novo domestication for biodiesel feedstock production.
Acute Cardiac Injury and COVID-19 – A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Salah Husam M , Candales Angel Lopez
Published: June 2020

Introduction:The ongoing global pandemic, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has ranged from an asymptomatic state to unprecedented number of deaths worldwide. In symptomatic patients, a viral pneumonia can unrelentingly progress to multi-system failure with preferential cardiac tropism. Although the full spectrum of COVID-19 cardiac manifestations is still not clear; acute cardiac injury (ACI) remains a common finding. The goal of our study, not only is to examine the current prevalence of ACI among COVID-19 infected patients but also, the reported mortality.Method:After thoroughly searching the literature for appropriate studies, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. Inclusion criteria were 1) Cohort study, case-control study, or case series study. 2) The study population included individuals with COVID-19 3) The presence or absence of cardiac injury was reported in the study 4) Mortality among patients with cardiac injury is reported or can be calculated.Results:Ten studies were included with a total of 1664 patients. The prevalence of ACI was 30.8%. The mortality rate among patients with concurrent COVID-19 and ACI was 53%.Conclusion:ACI can occur in one third of patients with COVID-19. Concurrent COVID-19 and ACI entails a high mortality rate. Serum troponin level can be a good prognostic tool in COVID-19.
Associations of Experienced Parenting Style and Empathy Among Male Offenders in China
Authors: Wang Shaishai , Hu Huagang , Wang Xinyang , Dong Bo , Zhang Tianyang
Published: June 2020

Background: Parenting style has an important influence on the development of individuals and has been associated with empathy. The present study aimed to investigate different parenting style factors in childhood and adolescence and associated cognitive and affective empathy among offenders, which may help to inform effective intervention strategies to improve empathy.Methods: A total of 994 prisoners were selected for their parents being the caregivers whose caregivers were fathers and mothers, used the Parental Bonding Instrument to collect information on the parenting styles they experienced in childhood and adolescence, and used the Interpersonal Reactivity Index to evaluate their empathy. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to explore associations between different parenting style factors and the empathy of offenders, and one-way multivariate analysis of variance and a t-test was used to explore the differences in cognitive and affective empathy with different degrees of parenting style factors.Results: The parental care and control factors in childhood and adolescence had a significantly greater influence on the empathy of offenders than the parental encouragement factor. There were different associations between parental care and control factors and offenders’ empathy depending on whether the parenting styles were consistent or inconsistent. When the parenting styles were consistent, different degrees of parental care had a significantly influence on the cognitive and affective empathy while different degrees of parental control only had a significantly influence on the affective empathy of offenders. And when the parenting styles were inconsistent, different degrees of paternal and maternal control had an association with the cognitive and affective empathy of offenders.Conclusion: Different parenting style factors experienced in childhood and adolescence had different associations with the empathy of offenders. Different degrees of parenting style factors also had different predictive effects on offenders’ cognitive and affective empathy depending on whether the paternal and maternal parenting styles were consistent or inconsistent. Moreover, the parental control factor had a particular influence on the empathy of offenders. Our findings underscore the pressing need for taking preventive monitoring measures or developing policies to improve parenting styles.
Two rare cases of ovarian collision tumor
Authors: tian yan , cao xinshan , ma mimi , cui yunfu , mu qingchao
Published: June 2020

Background: Collision tumor is a clinically rare disease, it is defined as two or more primary tumors from different tissues occurring at the same anatomical site. Ovarian collision tumor is more rare. Case presentation: A patient was hospitalized with a pelvic mass. The CA125 level was 53.46U per milli liter (normal range, 0 to 30u/ml). Another patient was hospitalized with lower abdominal pain and no apparent hormonal abnormalities. Ovarian lesions were found in both patients after examination, and postoperative pathology showed that both patients were ovarian collision tumors. Conclusion: Collision tumor composed of mature cystic teratoma, follicular membranous cell tumor and serous cystadenoma was first reported. The biological behavior of collision tumor is different due to its different components. Accurate diagnosis is of great significance to treatment.
Dorzolamide/Timolol-Fixed Combination For Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Protocol For Systematic Review
Authors: Qi Yan-Xiu , Liu Hong-wei , Sun Quan , Su Xing-jie , Han Lin
Published: June 2020

Background: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a very common disorder, and it is the second leading cause that results in blindness worldwide after cataracts. Previous studies have reported that dorzolamide/timolol-fixed combination (DTFC) can be used in treating POAG. However, there are still inconsistent results. Thus, this study will systematically investigate the efficacy and safety of DTFC on POAG. Methods: A comprehensive search will be carried out in Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHI, ACMD, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WANGFANG database from origin to the present. There are no limitations related to the language and publication status. Only randomized controlled trials that assessed the efficacy and safety of DTFC for the treatment of POAG will be included. Two researchers will independently undertake record selection, data extraction, and study quality assessment. Any divisions will be solved by discussion with a third researcher. We will perform statistical analysis using RevMan 5.3 software Discussion: This study will summarize the present evidence to identify the efficacy and safety of DTFC in treating POAG through mean intraocular pressure, best corrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, bioelectric activity of the retina, rate of progression of glaucoma, quality of life, and adverse events. The results of this study will help to determine whether DTFC is effective and safety for the treatment of POAG.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42020170531.
Prelacteal Feeding and Associated Factors Among Northwestern Ethiopian Women Having Children Less than Six Months Age: A Community Based Cross- Sectional Study
Authors: G/slassie1 Maezu , Mulugeta Kiflay , Berhe Abraha Teklay
Published: June 2020

Background: Prelacteal feeding is administration of any food or fluid other than breast milk before initiation of breast feeding. Optimal breastfeeding including discouraging prelacteal feeding could save 823,000 lives per year among children ages five years old and younger. Despite of this mothers give prelacteal feeding to their child in different part of Ethiopia; However, there is a paucity of information on prevalence of prelacteal feeding and associated factors in the study area. Thus, the current study aimed at determining of the prevalence of prelacteal feeding and associated factors among mothers of children aged less than six months in Gozamen district, East Gojjam zone, North West Ethiopia, 2019-2020Methods: A community -based cross-sectional study was conducted among 741 mothers of children aged less than six months in Gozamen district from August 2019 to Feb 2020. Stratified cluster sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were collected by face to face interviewer-administered, pretested and semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression model were employed. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to identify factors associated with prelacteal feeding.Results: In this study the prevalence of prelacteal feeding was found to be 17.1%with 95%CI [14.3, 20]. Mothers who had no ANC follow up [AOR: 7.53, CI; 3.32, 17.05], those mothers who did not discard colostrum [AOR: 0.12, CI; 0.07, 0.12] time of breast feeding initiation [AOR: 3.53, CI; 2.05, 6.11] and mothers who had single ANC visit [AOR: 2.98, CI; 1.52, 5.85] were significant independent factors associated with prelacteal feeding.Conclusion: This study concluded that prelacteal feeding was high in the study area .Therefore, in order to tackle this problem strengthening antenatal follow up, timely initiation of breastfeeding, health education and awarenes creation of the communities are recommended interventions.
Bladder filling volume variation between the first and second days of planning computed tomography for prostate cancer radiation therapy and correlation with renal function
Authors: Ishibashi Naoya , Maebayashi Toshiya , Sakaguchi Masakuni , Aizawa Takuya , Okada Masahiro
Published: June 2020

Background

During radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer, bladder filling helps exclude the organ from irradiation and reduces adverse effects. For RT planning, we performed computed tomography (CT) for 2 consecutive days to evaluate inter-day variations in organs such as the bladder. However, the patient factors that are associated with large intra-patient variations in bladder filling volume prior to RT are not known.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 97 prostate cancer patients who underwent CT for 2 consecutive days for RT planning between March 2015 and March 2020 and with confirmed water intake volume before the scans. Patients consumed 500 mL of water immediately after urination and underwent CT 30 min after the start of water intake; CT was performed under similar conditions over 2 consecutive days. Patient information was collected from the medical records taken before CT.

Results

The median bladder filling volume was 102.8 cm 3 (range: 31.7 to 774.0) and the median intra-patient bladder filling volume variation was 23.4 cm 3 (range: 0.4 to 277.7). Univariate analysis revealed that the intra-patient variation was significantly larger in patients with an eGFR higher than the median ( P =0.003). No other factor showed correlations with the variation. As the larger bladder filling volume of the 2 consecutive days in patients increased (median 121.5 cm 3 , range: 47.8 to 774.0), the intra-patient variation also increased.

Conclusions

Patients with a higher eGFR show greater variation in bladder filling volume, and caution should be exercised when applying RT in these patients.
Lean bundles within Jordanian manufacturing SMEs and their effect on business performance
Authors: Al-Hyari Khalil
Published: June 2020

Maximizing customer value and minimizing waste have become the heart of the formulation of SMEs in the manufacturing sector of Jordan to survive in the new global marketplace. Therefore, lean manufacturing philosophy is used in SMEs to improve performance regarding quality, delivery, and costs to become efficiently competitive, thus accomplishing sustainable economic growth. The current study was designed to analyze the extent to which lean management bundles are adopted by SMEs manufacturing organizations in Jordan and the effect on their performance. Data were collected from 278 manufacturing SMEs in Jordan based on a structured questionnaire. The theoretical relationships were examined using structural equation modeling. The results show that Total Quality Management (TQM) and Human Resources Management (HRM) lean bundles are positively associated with manufacturing SMEs’ performance. The outcomes of this study may be considered as incentives for other practitioners and entrepreneurs of SMEs when implementing lean bundles by acknowledging the positive effect on their performance. Moreover, the findings of this study could be used in an internal checklist before and during the implementation of Lean Manufacturing (LM).
Impact of rural depopulation and climate change on vegetation, runoff and sediment load in the Gan River basin, China
Authors: Huang Lidong , Ye Aizhong , Tang Chongjun , Duan Qingyun , Zhang Yahai
Published: June 2020

Climate change and rural depopulation are changing the ecological and hydrological cycles in China. Data on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), temperature, precipitation, streamflow, sediment and rural population are available for the Gan River basin from 1981 to 2017. We investigated the spatio-temporal variations in climate, human activity and vegetation mainly using the Mann–Kendall test and examined their relationship using the Granger causality test. The results showed that (1) the temperature markedly increased in all seasons; (2) the precipitation increased in summer and winter but decreased in spring and autumn; (3) overall, the NDVI increased markedly during 2005–2017, but showed seasonal differences, with decreases in summer and winter and increases in spring and autumn; (4) the annual sediment transport showed a significant decreasing trend and (5) a large number of the population shifted from rural to urban areas, resulting in a decrease in the rural population between 1998 and 2018. Rural depopulation has brought about farmland abandonment, conversion of farmland to forests, which was the factor driving the recovery of the vegetation and the decrease in sediment. The results of this study can provide support for climate change adaptation and sustainable development.
The Preliminary Identification of Potential Vaccine Targets for SARSCoV2 and Computer-aided Synthesis ("Small Interfering RNA Design")
Authors: Mouhcine Mohammed , Kadil Youness , Filali Houda
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

Coronaviruses constitute the subfamily Orthocoronavirinae, in the Coronaviridae
family. Those viruses are a positive-sense and very long single-stranded RNA viruses. Infection-
related to SARS CoV2 was named as a pandemic disease by the World Health Organization
on Mars 4, 2020.

Aim and Objective:

The objective of this work is the identification of potential vaccine targets of
SARS CoV2. We aim to provide the potential therapeutic target that can inhibit the spread of virus
and identify miRNAs, and reminding proposals to improving the effectiveness of these vaccines.

Methods:

Several clinical trials have been stated to design the management process against this pathology
and the most proposed drugs have been commercialized for other viral pathologies. Thus, no
specific therapeutic protocol has been established.

Results:

Our result showed that the potential molecules may specific region in the viral ARN and exert
an inhibitor activity against the viral transcription.

Conclusion:

We conclude throughout our results that several potential therapeutic targets can act at
different stages of the viral life cycle by identifying siRNA interfering with molecules that may inhibit
viral replication.
Central Composite Design for the Development and Evaluation of Floating-mucoadhesive Tablets of Gliclazide
Authors: Bansal Manoj , Verma Ravinder , Mittal Vineet , Kaushik Deepak
Published: June 2020

Background:

Gliclazide assimilation rate from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is slow
and inconstant, which may be either due to poor dissolution or poor permeability of the drug
across the GI membrane.

Objective:

The present investigation deals with the formulation of floating-mucoadhesive tablets
of gliclazide for oral administration using the central composite design by direct compression
technique, using HPMC K4M and Carbopol 934 as release controlling polymers and sodium
bicarbonate as an effervescent agent.

Methods:

Central composite design was employed to quantify the effect of three factorsconcentration
of HPMC K4M (X1), the concentration of Carbopol 934 (X2), and concentration
of sodium bicarbonate (X3) on floating lag time, drug release and mucoadhesive time of the
formulation.

Results:

The results revealed that floating lag time decreases with a rise in the concentration of
sodium bicarbonate, drug release was highest at low levels of HPMC and Carbopol and mucoadhesive
time was highest at a high level of Carbopol.

Conclusion:

The optimized batch (F-7) shows a mucoadhesive time of 23 minutes 27 seconds,
floating lag time of 22 seconds and in vitro cumulative percentage of drug release 86.73 % in
10h. From the investigation, it can be summarized that the gastro-retentive drug delivery can be
utilized to enhance bioavailability and gastric residence time of the drugs.
1+1 > 2: Integration of the Host-directed Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Virus-targeted Modern Medicine in Control of COVID-19
Authors: Sun Jianjun
Published: June 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused millions of infections and hundreds of thousands
deaths in the world. The pandemic is still ongoing and no specific antivirals have been found to control
COVID-19. The integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine with supportive measures of Modern
Medicine has reportedly played an important role in the control of COVID-19 in China. This review
summarizes the evidence of TCM in the treatment of COVID-19 and discusses the plausible
mechanism of TCM in control of COVID-19 and other viral infectious diseases.
Assessment of Potential Impacts of Peach Kernels and Cardoon as Co-Firing Fuels with Lignite Through Experiments on Reactivity and Ash Behavior
Authors: Vamvuka Despina , Avgoustidis Christos , Stratakis Antonios , Alevizos George
Published: June 2020

Objective :

The reactivity and combustion performance of mixtures of lignite with
peach kernel and cardoon were investigated, through thermal analysis experiments, for assessing
the potential impacts of these wastes as co-firing fuels.

Methods:

Additionally, a control method was applied to reduce problematic elements from
biomass ashes in order to mitigate deposition phenomena in co-firing units. The results
showed that combustion performance of raw fuels followed the order cardoon>peach
kernel>lignite, however in case of blends, this order was reversed lignite/peach kernel>
lignite/cardoon, revealing synergistic effects between component fuels.

Results:

The combustion performance of lignite was improved by blending it with biomass
fuels. Deposition problems should be expected in boilers firing peach kernel and cardoon
fuels above 900°C.

Conclusion:

After alkalis leaching, the reactivity and efficiency of woody materials and
mixtures with lignite were enhanced, while the slagging/fouling propensity was reduced.
IoT with Cloud-Based End to End Secured Disease Diagnosis Model Using Light Weight Cryptography and Gradient Boosting Tree
Authors: Shankar K.
Published: June 2020

Background:

With the evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology and connected devices employed in the medicinal domain, the different characteristics of the online healthcare applications become advantageous.

Aim:

The objective of this paper is to present an IoT and cloud-based secured disease diagnosis model. At
present, various e-healthcare applications with the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) offers diverse dimensions and services online.

Method:

In this paper, an efficient IoT and cloud-based secured classification model are proposed for disease diagnosis. It is used to avail efficient and secured services to the people globally over online healthcare
applications. The presented model includes an effective gradient boosting tree (GBT) based data classification and lightweight cryptographic technique named rectangle. The presented GBT–R model offers a better
diagnosis in a secure way.

Results:

It is validated using the Pima Indians diabetes data, and extensive simulation takes place to verify
the consistent performance of the employed GBT-R model.

Conclusion:

The experimental outcome strongly suggested that the presented model shows maximum performance with an accuracy of 94.92.
Contemporary reception of Eddic themes in new media: virtual 'Nordic' identities, case study: Dark Age of Camelot
Authors: Jiresch Ester , Boswijk Vincent
Published: June 2020

This article discusses the most recent (twenty-first century) development in reception and adaptation of Nordic mythology (particularly referring to the Prose and Poetic Edda) and the appropriating of Nordic identities (stereotypes) that is taking place in the so-called new media. In the last two decades the reception of Nordic mythology or Nordic 'themes' in different new media like film, comic books, heavy metal music and computer games has exploded. New media are generally considered expressions of 'popular' culture and have therefore not yet received much scholarly attention. However, since those media are growing notably and especially computer games (console and online applications) reach an enormous audience. Scientific interest in them has increased in recent years. Miller mentions the 'sexiness of Vikings in video games, the pretense of Viking-like settings for popular television programs […]' (Miller, 2014, p. 4). The case study is Dark Age of Camelot (DAoC – Mythic Entertainment 2001) which is a MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) that is currently (2015) still available to play online. We will show examples of themes (characters, narratives, objects etc.) deriving from Eddic texts and how they are represented and deployed in the game. Since the representation of 'Nordic' identity is a key feature in the game's construction, it will therefore be addressed as well. The fictional world of DAoC consists of three realms – Albion, Hibernia and Midgard – that are at war with each other. Their (human) inhabitants are respectively based on medieval Anglo-Saxon, Celtic and Norse tribes that differ distinctively in their character traits. Our goal is to elaborate on the representation of identity traits of the fictional 'Norse' races (as defined by the game) that appear in DAoC. We will scrutinize if and how the game uses older or more current concepts of (national) identity. In order to do so, an overview of Scandinavian / Nordic identity constructions that have been popular and / or widespread from antiquity will be presented, via medieval sources to romanticism and nineteenth century nationalism until current discussions of national identity.