bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MRI Characteristics in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Preceding Direct Oral Anticoagulant Therapy as compared to Vitamin K Antagonists
Authors: Meinel Thomas , Kaesmacher Johannes , Gralla Jan , Seiffge David Julian , Auer Elias , Frey Sebastién , El-Koussy Marwan , Arnold Marcel , Fischer Urs , Göldlin Martina , Jung Simon , Hakim Arsany
Published: December 2019

Background: Despite the utility of neuroimaging in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), imaging characteristics in patients with preceding direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) have hardly been described. We aimed to determine presence of large vessel occlusion (LVO), thrombus length, infarction diameter, and occurrence of hemorrhagic transformation in AIS patients with preceding DOAC as compared to VKA therapy. Methods: Using a prospectively collected cohort of AIS patients, we performed univariate and multivariable regression analyses regarding imaging outcomes. Additionally, we provide a sensitivity analysis for the subgroup of patients with confirmed therapeutic anticoagulation. Results: We included AIS in patients with preceding DOAC (N=75) and VKA (N=61) therapy, median age 79 (IQR 70 – 83), 39% female. Presence of any LVO between DOAC and VKA patients (29.3% versus 37.7%, P=0.361), and target LVO for endovascular therapy (26.7% versus 27.9%, P=1.0) was equal with a similar occlusion pattern. DOAC as compared to VKA were associated with a similar rate of target LVO for EVT (aOR 0.835, 95% CI 0.368 – 1.898). The presence of multiple lesions and characteristics of the thrombus were similar in DOAC and VKA patients. Acute ischemic lesion diameter in real world patients was equal in patients taking DOAC as compared to VKA. Lesion diameter in VKA patients (median 13 mm, IQR 6 – 26 versus median 20 mm, IQR 7 – 36, P=0.001), but not DOAC patients was smaller in the setting of confirmed therapeutic VKA. The frequency of radiological hemorrhagic transformation and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in OAC patients was low. Sensitivity analysis considering only patients with confirmed therapeutic anticoagulation did not change any of the results. Conclusion: Preceding DOAC treatment showed equal rates of LVO and infarct size as compared to VKA in AIS patients. This study adds to the knowledge of imaging findings in AIS patients with preceding anticoagulation.
The influence of immediately loaded basal implant treatment on patient satisfaction
Authors: Awadalkreem Fadia , Khalifa Nadia , Satti Asim , Suleiman Ahmed Mohamed
Published: December 2019

Background: Improving patient satisfaction and quality of life is of great importance when considering the different prosthetic treatment options for patients with severely resorbed residual alveolar ridges. We aimed to evaluate and compare patients’ satisfaction when changing from fixed, removable, and/or conventional implant prostheses to basal implant-supported prostheses. Methods : Sixty patients with a history of fixed, removable, and/or conventional implant prostheses who received basal implant-supported prostheses (BCS Ò , IHDE Implant System) were included in this study. Direct interviews were conducted using a four-section questionnaire that covered sociodemographic data, clinical examination, information on previous prostheses, and new implant information. The obtained data were statistically analysed using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test and chi-square test. Results: Patients were predominantly female, partially edentulous, and aged between 40 and 59 years. Patients’ general satisfaction with basal implants was very high (7.7 out of 8). Patients’ satisfaction with comfort, mastication, speech, and aesthetics significantly improved with the new basal implants. Males aged between 40 and 59 years and patients who had previously used both fixed and removable prostheses were generally the most satisfied. Although some patients had complaints, they still had high satisfaction and would choose the same treatment modality again. Conclusions: Basal implant-supported prostheses have a positive impact on oral health and highly increase patients’ satisfaction.
Diabetics’ self-care practice and its determinants among Adult diabetic patients in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Authors: Yehualashet Fikadu Ambaw , Takele Wuber Worku , Tegegne Eleni Tesfaye , Ayele Amare Demsie
Published: December 2019

Background: Appropriate diabetic self-care is indispensable to prevent and limit diabetic associated short and long term complications including death. Therefore, this comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis were aimed at exploring and determining the pooled national percentage of diabetic self-care and its determinants among adult diabetic patients in Ethiopian. Methods: Different electronic databases including PubMed/Medline and search engines such as Google scholar were used to retrieve published studies. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) quality appraisal checklists were used to appraise the quality of studies. Data were extracted using excel spreadsheets and analyses were done by STATA 14. Heterogeneity among studies was diagnosed using the I2. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was employed for substantial heterogeneity (I2>50%). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were carried out. The funnel plot and Egger’s regression test was used to identify publication bias. Moreover, the nonparametric trim and fill analysis was done for findings with significant Egger’s test (p<0.05) and asymmetric distribution of studies in the funnel plot. The pooled estimate of diabetic self-care and odds ratio was reported based on the 95% CI. Results: Well over half of the Ethiopian diabetic patients have good self-care 54.04% (47.07-61.01, I2 =97.3, P<0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the highest and the lowest pooled estimate of self-care was detected in Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples and Hareri region with 81.96% and 44.53% respectively. Being knowledgeable about diabetes mellitus 2.69%, having good social support 2.25%, owning private glucometer 3.04%, and being urban residents 3.26% have promoted diabetic victims to apply self-care practice. Conclusions: Despite the life-threatening complications of diabetes mellitus, the percentage of patients applying self-care has remained low in Ethiopia, depicting the high proportion of diabetic patients are prone to develop long and short term life-threatening consequences of diabetes mellitus. Therefore, improving the client’s awareness about the disease and counseling clients about the significance of social support are believed to be possible strategies to improve self-care practice and policymakers are strongly recommended to combat diabetic associated complications to attain sustainable development goal 3.4 aims to reduce premature death.
Social and Economic Variables Related with Paraquat Self-Poisoning: an Ecological Study
Authors: Buendia Jefferson , Chavarriaga Gabriel Jaime Restrepo , Zuluaga Andres F.
Published: December 2019

Background Paraquat self-poisonings constitute a significant contributor to the global burden of suicide.Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between social and economic variables with the incidence of self-poisoning with Paraquat in the northeast of Colombia.Methods Records of 154 cases of self-poisoning with Paraquat and several socio-economic variables of six regions of northeast of Colombia were analyzed. Results Most of the cases were mestizos, farmworkers, between 20 and 29 years, with intentional exposure using the oral route. Multivariate analyses revealed significant associations among the incidence of self-poisoning with PQ with the ecological factors such as poverty greater than 30% (IRR 15.9 IC95% 5.56-44.72), land Gini index <0.7 (IRR 7.11 IC95% 3.58-14.12), private health insurance <40% (IRR 3.39 IC95% 1.30-8.82) and planted area >10% (IRR 2.47 IC95% 1.60-3.80).Conclusion There is a relationship between ecological factors and, as such, this study opens the way to further developments in the field.
Hotspots of unimproved sources of drinking water in Ethiopia: Mapping and Spatial analysis of Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey Data 2016
Authors: Bogale Getahun Gebre
Published: December 2019

Background: More than 35% of Ethiopian population is using drinking water from unimproved sources. As per the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, Ethiopia is aspiring to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030. For these goals to be accomplished, it is important to map the country’s hotspot areas of unimproved source of drinking-water so that resource allocation and disease control can be optimized there. Methods: A population based cross-sectional study was conducted in Ethiopia from January 18 to June 27, 2016. Data were collected from 10,064 households using a pretested and structured questionnaire. A stratified two-stage cluster sampling was employed where the enumeration areas were primary sampling units and households were secondary sampling units. Systematic sampling with probability proportional to size was employed to select samples. Data were cleaned in spreadsheet and entered in to SaTScan and ArcGIS soft-wares for mapping and analysis. The Global Moran’s I and spatial scan statistical tests (Bernoulli model) were done to explore the presence of clustering in the study area and local spatial clusters (hotspots) of unimproved sources of drinking water using ArcGIS version 10.3 and Kuldorff’s SaTScan version 9.4 soft-wares, respectively. Moran’s I value closer to +1 declared presence of clustering at national level and Log-Likelihood ratio (LLR) greater than the critical value with p<0.05 declared statistical significant hotspots across the regions. Results: In this study, unimproved sources of drinking water were spatially clustered at the study area (Moran’s I: 0.35, p<0.05). A total of 143 significant clusters were identified. Of which, eight were most likely (primary) clusters and the rest 135 were secondary clusters. The first spatial window which contains primary clusters was located in Amhara and Afar regions (LLR: 78.89, at p<0.001). The rest 33 spatial windows which contain secondary clusters were found in all regions, except Gambela region and Addis Abeba city administration (with a range of LLR: 10.09-78.89, p<0.001). Conclusions: This study identified non-random clusters and hot spots of unimproved sources of drinking water. Therefore, the result helps decision makers for their geographical interventions to combat problems related to hotspots.
Model of Company’s Social Sustainability
Authors: Oželienė Danguolė
Published: December 2019

Due to an excessive focus towards economic and environmental dimensions, sustainable development loses the essence of holisticity. Establishing long-term business success requires effective social activities which are of equal importance as economic ones. In the past the tendency of businesses that were avoiding participation in active search of solutions of social problems was justified by the lack of resources and competences in the social field. However, the idea of creating a shared value has proved that solving social problems is financially beneficial for businesses. Yet the social dimension has not been defined distincly, and its content has not been clearly expressed. As a consequence, companies struggle to identify the content and tools of the social dimension themselves. The aim of this article is to create a model for the social dimension of enterprise sustainable development and to develop an indicators system available for quantitative assessment of the social dimension. The result of the research carried out was the critical evaluation of scientific publications, the content of the social dimension of sustainable development was analyzed. A hierarchical system of indicators has been developed for quantitative evaluation using Pareto’s rule and a model for the social dimension of sustainable development of the company was created.
Spatial Analysis of Local Government Fiscal Condition in Nebraska
Authors: Maher Craig , Majumder Mahbubul , Liao Wei-Jie , Liao Yansi
Published: December 2019

The effects of urban growth on outlying communities is a long-stand empirical question. Often couched in the concept of spread-backwash effect, Ganning, Baylis and Lee (2013) find that not until the late-1980s did empirical studies on the spread and backwash effects emerge. Most empirical investigations examine this theoretical phenomenon within the context of either population or income change. We propose to consider the spread-backwash effect from the perspective of local government fiscal health. There is a substantial body of research in the public finance literate focusing on government fiscal health/fiscal condition that is applicable and the setting of Nebraska offers a unique case-study. The U.S. state of Nebraska has approximately 1.8 million residents and the state’s population is changing (getting older and more diverse), as well as shifting to the urban centers of Omaha and Lincoln. In 1950, two-thirds of the state’s population lived outside of the metropolitan counties of Lancaster, Sarpy and Douglas. In 2050, the U.S. Census is projecting the two-thirds of the state’s population will reside in these three counties. This is raising a host of challenges and questions that residents and policy-makers are being forced to address.Methodologically, we propose a spatial neighborhood statistics model, the Markov Random Field model, to assess our central hypotheses that the further the distance from the urban center, the weaker the municipality’s fiscal condition. The study is prepared according to the procedure used by Pandey et al. (2015). While the Pandey et al. (2015) research was on E.coli flows through streams, the research design offers a good deal of applicability to this study. We will also run a set of regression models to ensure the robustness of this study. We examined the fiscal data of 69 municipalities in Nebraska that are in the Omaha-Council Bluffs MSA and the Lincoln-Beatrice MSA from 2001 to 2016. The data analysis focuses on the fiscal condition of municipalities and their proximity to the two urban centers in Nebraska, Omaha and Lincoln. The five indicators used as the dependent variables are: general revenues/general expenditures, debt per capita, debt/property valuation, net cash balances/general expenditures and property taxes/general revenues. The key independent variable of this research is the municipalities’ proximity to the Nebraska urban centers of Omaha or Lincoln, which is measured by the municipalities’ distance to the urban centers on Google Map. Other independent variables will reflect economic, demographic and institutional constructs. Our findings support the backwash effect in that, the further a city is from the urban center, the worse their fiscal condition. More specifically, the greater the distance a city is from Lincoln or Omaha, NE (urban center), the lower the city’s revenues to expenditures, the lower its net balance and the lower the city’s property tax collections as a percentage of revenues.
Los millennials: una generación diferente e innovadora. Aspectos psicológicos y emocionales
Authors: Betancur Arias Juan Diego
Published: December 2019

Egocéntricos, innovadores, difíciles de asombrar, retadores, digitales, amantes de la tecnología, flexibles, diversos, simplistas, profesionales con los mejores estándares de calidad académica (Lasheras y Jiménez, 2012), exploradores de la vida y las experiencias que los van formando, sin vínculos fuertes hacia el trabajo, familiares, amantes del buen gusto y las redes sociales. Los millennials, de acuerdo con United States Census Bureau (2016), representan más del 41% de la población mundial y en Colombia, según el Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE, 2016), representan el 40% de la población total.
Income smoothing in banks and insurance companies and its impact on earnings per share – evidence from Jordan
Authors: Al-Othman Leqaa
Published: December 2019

This study aims to determine the existence of practices of income smoothing in banks and insurance companies in Jordan. Also, it focuses the to determining the impact of the income smoothing on earning per share (EPS). The study covered all the companies in the study population, which are 38 companies – 15 banks and 23 insurance companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE). The results show that income smoothing is practiced by Jordanian banks and insurance companies. The number (and percentage) of insurance companies that practiced income smoothing is greater than the number of banks: 34.8% of insurance companies and 20% of banks practiced income smoothing. The results also clearly indicate that financial institutions, which practice smoothing, have a higher EPS compared to those that do not practice income smoothing; this also indicates that the most important goal of using income smoothing is to maintain a positive earnings level.
EFICÁCIA DO LASER DE BAIXA INTENSIDADE NA ACELERAÇÃO DO MOVIMENTO ORTODÔNTICO
Authors: Summa Bárbara Aparecida Marques
Published: December 2019

A terapia de laser de baixa intensidade (TLBI) fornece vários benefícios para os pacientes que recebem o tratamento ortodôntico. De acordo com alguns artigos, o movimento do tratamento do ortodôntico (MTO) pode ser melhorado, mas alguns relataram resultados contraditórios. Esta monografia fez uma revisão da literatura sobre os diferentes aspectos do uso do LBI no MTO e suas alterações. Alguns trabalhos verificaram que a quantidade de movimento dos dentes no grupo irradiado com laser foi significantemente maior do que no grupo não irradiado. A irradiação com laser de baixa potência acelera o processo de remodelação óssea, estimulando a proliferação de células osteoblásticas e osteoclásticas e função durante a movimentação ortodôntica. Alguns artigos relataram que o uso do LBI além de acelerar o movimento ortodôntico, pode contribuir para modular a dor. A laserterapia na odontologia se tornou uma técnica promissora, eficiente e de baixo custo para o paciente. Por esse motivo este trabalho visa revisar a literatura a respeito da eficácia do LBI na movimentação ortodôntica.
Trends in the Development of Oil and Gas Complex
Authors: Garnov A. P. , Garnova V. Yu. , Tishkina N. P.
Published: December 2019

The home oil and gas complex plays an important role in Russian economy. The article deals with finding the key trends in the development of oil and gas complex and analyzing the acute challenges facing oil and gas enterprises. The authors came to the conclusion that in today’s conditions the oil and gas complex encounters severe competition on global market due to high volatility of oil prices and growth in extraction cost. The complicated macro-economic situation caused the shortage of finance. In the coming decade the distribution of different power resource consumption will considerably change. To secure their competitiveness enterprises of the oil and gas complex should revise strategies of positioning on power resource market. The authors propose to use three possible ways of developing oil and gas companies: to extract mineral resources at max rate, to diversify, to start development of renewable sources of power. Irrespective of the selected way of development oil and gas companies should watch closely the three important aspects: reforming the portfolio structure focusing on strengths and new fields of growth, introducing digital technologies and attracting competent experts.
Economic Security of Households in the Region (Illustrated by the Ivanovo, Vladimir, Kostroma and Yaroslavl’ Regions)
Authors: Ledyaykina I. I.
Published: December 2019

Today when Russian economy is passing over to the market way of development, new objects are involved in trade and cash relations and the role of money is rising analysis of problems dealing with household economic security guarantee acquires extreme importance. It is defined as a situation, when conditions of living interest protection are secured, the system of social development and social protection of personality and family is guaranteed. The article provides the author’s classification of key elements of household economic security, threats to its different types are identified and the level of economic protection of households in the Ivanovo region and a number of adjoining regions (Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl’) is estimated on the basis of principle social indicators. Figures of human potential reproduction in Ivanovo, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl’ regions were analyzed and compared with the average Russian and critical (threshold) values. The author underlined the active role of households in ensuring and strengthening their economic security. The key direction of their efforts today should become efficient management of their own economic security and investment into it. The article puts forward an idea to organize on mass media sites popularization of relevant economic behavior, where scientists and practical specialists in the field of economic security can take part.
Methods of Machine-Aided Training in Small Business: Content and Management
Authors: Tishchenko S. A. , Shakhmuradian M. A.
Published: December 2019

The article provides key characteristics of standard methods of machine-aided training used by companies in operative business processes. Within the frames of home orientation to the innovation business development, digital economy and infrastructure for data storage the human factor becomes essential. The use of methods of artificial intellect by employees of small enterprises faces obstacles that imply personnel ignorance concerning strategic functionality of available today algorithms of business processes. Small commercial enterprises encounter the problem that they do not know the key instrumental principles of functioning and use of machine-aided training algorithms. At the same time business processes of the enterprise could be seriously improved through implementing algorithms of machine-aided training. The authors conducted a formal and analytical review of potential means for small business optimization. They described types of algorithms and models of machine-aided training, such as multiple regressive model, logistic regression, etc., as well as instrumental problems of their use by enterprise analysts and developers. Recommendations were prepared aimed at use of these models in order to raise the efficiency of small commercial enterprises.
Avaliação qualitativa do uso de tijolos de solo-cimento com incorporação de resíduos da fibra de bambu produzidos no município de Itajubá (MG)
Authors: Pacheco Vilela David , Ornaghi Sant’Anna Daniele
Published: December 2019

Esta pesquisa propôs-se a estudar materiais construtivos à base dos resíduos da confecção de produtos feitos de bambu, a sua fibra, os quais foram submetidos à caracterização tecnológica e avaliados quanto à viabilidade de ser incorporados na composição da mistura dos tijolos de solo-cimento, em substituição adicional. Sua finalidade é utilizar tais resíduos de forma produtiva, para ser empregados como um novo material, mais especificamente na fabricação dos tijolos de solo-cimento. Realizaram-se alguns ensaios com o solo usado na fabricação dos tijolos, com o intuito de caracterizá-lo e constatar sua aplicação na composição solo-cimento, além dos ensaios de resistência à compressão e à absorção de água, nos quais foram empregados como corpos de prova os próprios tijolos, conforme as referidas normas. As contribuições desta pesquisa permitem integrar a tecnologia produtiva, o baixo custo e a necessidade de soluções viáveis para minimizar os impactos ambientais na construção civil e alcançar um aproveitamento otimizado dos recursos locais na implementação de futuras construções utilizando essa técnica.
3D Culture Modelling: An Emerging Approach for Translational Cancer Research in Sarcomas
Authors: Heredia-Soto Victoria , Redondo Andrés , Kreilinger José Juan Pozo , Martínez-Marín Virginia , Berjón Alberto , Mendiola Marta
Published: December 2019

Sarcomas are tumours of mesenchymal origin, which can arise in bone or soft tissues. They
are rare but frequently quite aggressive and with a poor outcome. New approaches are needed to characterise
these tumours and their resistance mechanisms to current therapies, responsible for tumour
recurrence and treatment failure. This review is focused on the potential of three-dimensional (3D) in
vitro models, including multicellular tumour spheroids (MCTS) and organoids, and the latest data about
their utility for the study on important properties for tumour development. The use of spheroids as a
particularly valuable alternative for compound high throughput screening (HTS) in different areas of
cancer biology is also discussed, which enables the identification of new therapeutic opportunities in
commonly resistant tumours.
Electrodeposition of Polysaccharide and Protein Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Zou Yang , Zhong Yuye , Li Houbin , Ding Fuyuan , Shi Xiaowen
Published: December 2019

In the last few decades, polysaccharide and protein hydrogels have attracted significant
attentions and been applied in various engineering fields. Polysaccharide and protein
hydrogels with appealing physical and biological features have been produced to meet different
biomedical applications for their excellent properties related to biodegradability, biocompatibility,
nontoxicity, and stimuli responsiveness. Numerous methods, such as chemical
crosslinking, photo crosslinking, graft polymerization, hydrophobic interaction, polyelectrolyte
complexation and electrodeposition have been employed to prepare polysaccharide and
protein hydrogels. Electrodeposition is a facile way to produce different polysaccharide and
protein hydrogels with the advantages of temporal and spatial controllability. This paper reviews
the recent progress in the electrodeposition of different polysaccharide and protein hydrogels.
The strategies of pH induced assembly, Ca2+ crosslinking, metal ions induced assembly,
oxidation induced assembly derived from electrochemical methods were discussed. Pure,
binary blend and ternary blend polysaccharide and protein hydrogels with multiple functionalities
prepared by electrodeposition were summarized. In addition, we have reviewed the applications
of these hydrogels in drug delivery, tissue engineering and wound dressing.
Appetite Reducing Herbal Drugs from the Perspective of Avicenna and Aghili in Iranian Traditional Medicine (Persian medicine)
Authors: Parsa Elham , Mokaberinejad Roshanak , Khodadoost Mahmood , Zareiyan Armin , Mojahedi Morteza , Yaghmaei Farideh , Jafari Parisa , Hakimi Fatemeh
Published: December 2019

:

The increasing prevalence of obesity is one of the major problems of today's society. Man
needs food to continue living, daily activities, and even the metabolism of food; and appetite plays an
important role in receiving foods. Appetite and weight reducing synthetic drugs, which are mostly
costly and have significant side effects, are recommended for some patients, and have limited
effectiveness in the treatment of obesity. Given the epidemic of obesity and the lack of satisfaction
with synthetic drugs these days, people are more likely to use herbal medicines. Complementary
medicine has always been considered for the choice of new treatment. This medicine has a long
history. Persian Medicine is one of the traditional medicine systems.

:

This study was a qualitative study on the Books of Canon and the Makhzan Al-Aladvia.

:

Saffron has been introduced in both modern medicine and in Iranian medicine to reduce appetite.

:

In the case of Purslane seed and Chio nut, Figs, Sesame seeds, Camphor, and Solomon's seal, and
Opium poppy, which have been appetite suppressant in traditional medicine books, in the books and
articles of modern medicine, they have not proved to be appetite reducing. Modern medicine has
known Gourd as a weight reducing food with the effects on fat but there is no talk about its effects on
appetite. According to traditional Iranian medicine, Chio nut causes anorexia due to weakness in the
stomach. Therefore, it is not advisable for weight loss. More clinical studies are conducted to prove
the effects of appetite suppressant and weight loss effects of these herbal medicines seem logical.
Effects of N-acetylcysteine on Pulmonary Functions in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: A Randomized Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Study
Authors: Mehrabi Samrad , Moradi Maryam M. , Khodamoradi Zohre , Nazarinia Mohammad A.
Published: December 2019

Background:

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systematic and rare autoimmune disease that affects many organs. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), thiol-containing compound, can act both as the precursor of reduced glutathione and direct scavenger of reactive oxygen species.

Objective:

We assessed the clinical effect of NAC on the pulmonary function test of patients with diffuse scleroderma.

Methods:

This study is a randomized double-blind clinical trial that was done on 25 patients with diffuse SSc without lung involvement on primary chest high-resolution computed tomography. Placebo was administered for 13 patients and 1200 milligram NAC for 12 patients. Body plethysmography parameters were assessed at the beginning of the study and after 24 weeks.

Results:

Patients in the two groups were matched in the basic demographic data like age, duration of disease, and modified Rodnan skin score. The analysis showed no significant differences in parameters of plethysmography between the two groups. After importing the data of 2 patients in the placebo-treated group, who developed interstitial lung disease, DLCO in the placebo-treated group was 90.69 ± 21.29 milliliter at the end of the study, which significantly decreased compared with the beginning of the study (102.30 ± 13.83 ml). Also, changes of DLCO between the two groups were significantly different.

Conclusions:

In this trial, the sensitivity of DLCO as the first marker in the evaluation of pulmonary function in patients with SSc was confirmed. On the other hand, NAC had no effect versus placebo in a period of 24 weeks.
Stability Analysis at Key Positions of EGFR Related to Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Ghosh Avirup , Yan Hong
Published: December 2019

Background:

Mutations in a protein called the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor
(EGFR) can cause Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), which is the most common form of
lung cancer. Many NSCLC cases arise from the L858R mutation, where Leucine (L) is replaced by
arginine (R) at the 858th position in the EGFR, and that is also recognized as an exon 21
substitution. Moreover, half of the EKFR-mutated lung cancer patients develop acquired resistance
to the first-generation EGFR-TKIs due to another mutation T790M.

Objective:

In this research work, a novel method is used to investigate the possible reason for the
EGFR mutation to takes place in the specific 858th and 790th position, and also, we evaluated the
hydrogen bonds to measure the overall stability of different structures.

Methods:

We performed the molecular dynamics simulation and used Amber tool to achieve our
primary objectives and later we use CPPTRAJ to analyze other changes in the hydrogen bonds for
different mutational structures of EGFR.

Results:

First, we investigated the hydrogen bonds in different positions in the EGFR kinase
domain and estimated why the first stage mutation (L858R) and resistance mutation
(L858R/T790M) take place in the 858th and 790th position respectively. We found the hydrogen
bond counts in the 858th and 790th position is lesser than the neighborhood positions and that yields
to achieve a least stability in that position.

Conclusion:

Our method represents an important contribution to molecular dynamics analysis for
NSCLC studies. The results obtained from this study provide a useful insight into the NSCLC drug
resistance.
Transcriptome Analysis of MDA-MB-231 Cells Treated with Fumosorinone Isolated from Insect Pathogenic Fungi
Authors: Liu Zhiqin , Tian Yingchao , Chen Queting , Zhang Gaotao , Li Chunqing , Luo Du-Qiang
Published: December 2019

Background:

In our previous study, we have isolated a new compound, named Fumosorinone (FU)
from insect pathogenic fungi, and was found to inhibit proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer
MDA-MB-231 cells.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms for FU effects on MDAMB-
231 cells.

Methods:

After MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with FU for 48h, RNA sequencing was used to identify the
effect of FU on the transcriptome of MDA-MB-231 cells. The validation of the relative expression of the selective
genes was done using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).

Results:

The transcriptome results showed that 2733 genes were differentially expressed between the untreated
and the FU-treated cells, including 1614 up-regulated and 1119 down-regulated genes. The multiple genes are
associated with cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion. Functional analysis identified multitude of pathways
related to cancer, such as cell cycle, ECM–receptor interaction, p53 signaling pathway. We selected 4
upregulated and 9 downregulated genes, which are associated with breast cancer to verify their expression using
qRT-PCR. The validation showed that HSD3B1, ALOX5, AQP5, COL1A2, CCNB1, CCND1, VCAM-1,
PTPN1 and PTPN11 were significantly downregulated while DUSP1, DUSP5, GADD45A, EGR1 were upregulated
in FU-treated MDA-MB-231cells.

Conclusion:

These aberrantly expressed genes and pathways may play pivotal roles in the anti-cancer activity of
FU, and maybe potential targets of FU treatments for TNBC. Further investigations are required to evaluate the
FU mechanisms of anti-cancer action in vivo.
Congestion and Pollution, Vehicle Routing Problem of a Logistics Provider in Thailand
Authors: Moryadee Chanicha , Aunyawong Wissawa , Shaharudin Mohd Rizaimy
Published: December 2019

Aim and Objective:

This study aims to minimise the travelling distance, operation cost in terms of fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions. It introduces the Time-Dependency Pollution-Routing Problem (TDPRP) with the implementation of the time-dependency and emission model, including constraints such as the limitation of vehicle capacity and vehicle’s speed during different time periods in Thailand. Furthermore, the time window constraint is applied for representing a more realistic model. The main objective is to minimise the total pollution generated because of transportation.

Methods:

The Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Tabu Search (TS) methods have been used to generate the optimal solution with a variety of experiments. The best solutions from all the experiments have been compared to the original solution in terms of the quality of the solution and the computation time.

Results:

The best solution was generated by using the TS method with 30,000 trials. The minimum of the total CO2 emissions was 183.9846 kilograms produced from all of the vehicles during transportation, nearly half from the current transportation plan, which produced 320.94 kilograms of CO2 emissions.

Conclusion:

The proposed model optimised both the route and schedules (multiple time periods) for a number of vehicles, for which the transportation during a fixed congestion period could be predicted to avoid traffic congestion and reduce the CO2 emission. Future research is suggested to add other specific algorithms as well as constraints in order to make the model more realistic.
Evidence-Based Data About Prevalence and Risk of Malignancy of Thyroid Incidentalomas Detected by Different PET Radiopharmaceuticals
Authors: Signore Giovanni , Albano Domenico , Giovanella Luca , Bertagna Francesco , Treglia Giorgio
Published: December 2019

Background:

To date, several meta-analyses and systematic reviews have reported data
about the prevalence and risk of malignancy of thyroid incidentalomas detected by different PET radiopharmaceuticals.

Objective:

This article aims to summarize the published evidence-based data about the prevalence and
risk of malignancy of thyroid incidentalomas detected by different PET radiopharmaceuticals.

Methods:

A comprehensive computer literature search of systematic reviews and meta-analyses published
up to July 2019 in PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane library databases regarding the prevalence
and risk of malignancy of thyroid incidentalomas detected by different PET radiopharmaceuticals was
carried out.

Results:

We have summarized the data about prevalence and risk of malignancy of thyroid incidentalomas
detected by different PET radiopharmaceuticals (fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose, radiolabelled
choline and prostate-specific membrane antigen) taking into account 8 evidence-based articles.

Conclusion:

Evidence-based data demonstrated that thyroid incidentalomas detected by different PET
radiopharmaceuticals are not infrequent and their risk of malignancy is not negligible, in particular if
focal pattern is evident at PET, thus requiring further clinical and instrumental evaluation.
Persentase Karkas, Bagian Karkas dan Lemak Abdominal Broiler dengan Suplementasi Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC) di Dalam Ransum
Authors: Anwar Pajri , Jiyanto Jiyanto , Santi Melia Afnida
Published: December 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat persentase karkas, potongan komersial karkas dan lemak abdominal broiler dengan suplementasi andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.) di dalam ransum. Penelitian menggunakan 80 ekor DOC broiler strain CP 707 produksi Chareon Pokhpan Indonesia. Ransum perlakuan diberikan umur 3 hari (bobot rata-rata 71.63Â±3.12 g/ekor) dipelihara sampai umur 30 hari. Penelitian menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap dengan 4 perlakuan dan 4 ulangan dengan 5 ekor broiler setiap ulangan. Ransum perlakuan yang diberikan adalah: P1= ransum kontrol + 0% andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.); P2= ransum kontrol + 0.25% andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.); P3= ransum kontrol + 0.50% andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.); P4= ransum kontrol + 0.75% andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.). Peubah yang diamati adalah persentase karkas, persentase potongan karkas dan persentase lemak abdominal broiler. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa suplementasi andaliman di dalam ransum tidak berpengaruh nyata (P>0.05) terhadap persentase karkas dan potongan komersial karkas. Suplementasi andaliman sampai 0.75% menghasilkan persentase karkas yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan ransum kontrol. Persentase karkas yang dihasilkan pada penelitian adalah 57.83Â±3.72% sampai 60.03Â±1.77%. Namun suplementasi andaliman dalam ransum berpengaruh nyata (P<0.05) terhadap persentase lemak abdominal. Persentase lemak abdominal penelitan adalah 0.46Â±0.06% sampai 0.83Â±0.06%. Kesimpulan hasil penelitian adalah suplementasi andaliman dalam ransum sampai 0.75% menghasilkan persentase karkas yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan kontrol dan meningkatkan persentase lemak abdominal broiler.
Nilai Koefisien Cerna Protein Kasar dan Total Digestible Nutrien (TDN) Kambing Bligon Betina yang Mendapat Suplemen Mengandung Protein Tidak Terdegradasi
Authors: Setiyawan Ahmad Iskandar , Sakti Awistaros Angger , Suryani Ria
Published: December 2019

Pemanfaatan protein ransum oleh ternak ruminansia untuk meningkatkan produksi tidak dapat optima dengan adanya mikrobia rumen. Keadaan ini menyebabkan menurunnya nilai hayati protein pakan. Untuk itu, perlu dilakukan perlindungan protein pakan. Salah satu yang dilakukan dengan penambahan bahan kimia misalnya formaldehida. Tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu mengetahui nilai konsumsi, koefisien cerna dan nutrien tercerna protein kasar serta TDN kambing bligon betina yang mendapat suplemen mengandung protein tidak terdegradasi. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) dibagi menjadi 5 kelompok yaitu P1 (Pennisetum purpureum + Gliricidia maculata); P2 (Pennisetum purpureum+suplemen protein); P3 (Pennisetum purpureum+suplemen protein terproteksi 15%); P4 (Pennisetum purpureum+suplemen protein terproteksi 30%); P5 (Pennisetum purpureum+suplemen protein terproteksi 45%). Hasil dari penelitian didapat tidak terdapat perbedaan yang nyata nilai konsumsi, koefisien cerna dan nutrien tercerna protein kasar antar perlakuan. Perbedaan yang nyata (p<0.05) pada nilai koefisen cerna TDN dari yang tertinggi yaitu P 3 : 78,5Â±2,7%; P 2 : 78,3Â±2,3%; P 4 : 78,1Â±2,3%; P 5 : 74,8Â±2,2%; dan P 1 : 68,7Â±3,5%. Dari penelitian yang dilakukan dapat disimpulkan penggunaan suplemen yang mengandung protein tidak terdegradasi hingga 45% dalam ransum formulasi tidak berpengaruh terhadap nilai konsumsi, koefisien cerna, dan nutrien tercerna protein kasar. Namun dapat meningkatkan nilai koefisien cerna TDN 78,5% untuk pemberian 15% dalam ransum dan pertambahan bobot badan sebesar 61,3Â±10,2 gram/hari untuk pemberian 45% dalam ransum.Â
Variación de la diversidad de Staphylinidae, Silphidae y Trogidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) en un gradiente urbano-agrícola en una región semiárida del Estado de México, México
Authors: Jiménez-Sánchez Esteban , Quezada-García Roberto , Padilla-Ramírez Jorge , Moreno Maricela L. , Angel Mónica A.
Published: December 2019

Se estudió el efecto del uso de suelo sobre la diversidad de coleópteros necrófilos y epigeos en una zona semiárida del Estado de México, poniendo a prueba la siguiente hipótesis: las áreas dedicadas a la producción agrícola representan un refugio para las especies de Staphylinidae, Trogidae y Silphidae. Para lo cual se realizaron muestreos mensuales durante un año con trampas de caída y trampas tipo NTP 80 cebadas con carroña. Ambas trampas fueron distribuidas en tres localidades con diferente uso de suelo (zona agrícola, zona suburbana y zona urbana). En la zona agrícola la abundancia y riqueza fueron mayores, y la diversidad fue significativamente menor que lo registrado en la zona suburbana y urbana, debido a que en la zona agrícola dos especies (Nicrophorus mexicanus Mattews, 1888 y Belonuchus sp.) concentraron el 70% de la abundancia, mientras que en las otras dos zonas las especies tuvieron mayor equidad. El recambio espacial de especies y el anidamiento contribuyeron de manera similar en la variación de la composición del ensamble de especies entre los sitios, la zona agrícola albergó el 70.6% de las especies que estuvieron presentes tanto en la zona urbana como en la zona suburbana o en alguna de éstas, así como un mayor número de especies con afinidad alta por este sitio, lo que sugiere que la zona agrícola funciona como refugio de las especies de coleópteros necrófilos y epigeos que se distribuyen en esta región semiárida, cuyas poblaciones se vieron favorecidas durante todo el año, debido al aporte constante de materia orgánica y humedad. Finalmente, en cuanto al inventario de especies, se registró a Belonuchus erichsoni Bernhauer, 1917 por primera vez para el Estado de México.
Petanque: Apa saja faktor fisik penentu prestasinya?
Authors: Hanief Yulingga Nanda , Purnomo Ardhi Mardiyanto Indra
Published: December 2019

Petanque merupakan permainan dengan melempar bola besi (BOSI) sedekat mungkin pada sasaran berupa bola kayu (cochonnet). Permainan ini menuntut akurasi yang tinggi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui faktor fisik dominan penentu prestasi petanque. Penelitian ini merupakan deskriptif kuantitatif. Populasi sekaligus sampel pada penelitian ini adalah semua atlet petanque Kota Kediri yang berjumlah 15 atlet dengan usia rata-rata 15 tahun. Teknik pengambilan data berupa tes dan pengukuran dengan item tes yaitu tinggi badan, panjang lengan, panjang telapak tangan, kekuatan otot lengan, kelentukan pergelangan tangan, keseimbangan, power otot lengan, kekuatan peras tangan, dan koordinasi mata-tangan. Teknik analisis data menggunakan analisis konfirmatori dengan bantuan SPSS versi 23. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dari sembilan variabel yang dianalisis terdapat enam indikator variabel yang menunjukkan sebagai faktor fisik dominan penentu prestasi petanque, antara lain tinggi badan, panjang lengan, kekuatan otot lengan, kelentukan pergelangan tangan, keseimbangan, dan koordinasi mata-tangan. Untuk mendapatkan hasil lemparan yang akurat, faktor fisik tersebut harus menjadi penekanan utama setiap pelatih ketika berurusan dengan atlet pemula. Petanque: What are the physical factors that determine performance? AbstractPetanque is a game by throwing an iron ball (BOSI) as close as possible to the target in the form of a wooden ball (cochonnet). This game demands high accuracy. The purpose of this study was to determine the dominant physical factors determining petanque achievement. This research is a quantitative descriptive. The population as well as the sample in this study were all petanque athletes in the City of Kediri totaling 15 athletes with an average age of 15 years. Data collection techniques in the form of tests and measurements with test items namely height, arm length, palm length, arm muscle strength, wrist flexion, balance, arm muscle power, squeeze strength, and eye-hand coordination. The data analysis technique used explanatory analysis with the help of SPSS version 23. The results showed that of the nine variables analyzed there were six indicator variables that showed as dominant physical factors determining petanque achievement, including height, arm length, arm muscle strength, wrist flexion. , balance and eye-hand coordination. To get accurate toss results, these physical factors must be the main emphasis of every coach when dealing with novice athletes.
The NASSS-CAT Tools for Understanding, Guiding, Monitoring, and Researching Technology Implementation Projects in Health and Social Care: Protocol for an Evaluation Study in Real-World Settings
Authors: Greenhalgh Trisha , Maylor Harvey , Shaw Sara , Wherton Joseph , Papoutsi Chrysanthi , Betton Victoria , Nelissen Natalie , Gremyr Andreas , Rushforth Alexander , Koshkouei Mona , Taylor John
Published: December 2019

Background

Projects to implement health care and social care innovations involving technologies are typically ambitious and complex. Many projects fail. Greenhalgh et al’s nonadoption, abandonment, scale-up, spread, and sustainability (NASSS) framework was developed to analyze the varied outcomes of such projects.

Objective

We sought to extend the NASSS framework to produce practical tools for understanding, guiding, monitoring, and researching technology projects in health care or social care settings.

Methods

Building on NASSS and a complexity assessment tool (CAT), the NASSS-CAT tools were developed (in various formats) in seven co-design workshops involving 50 stakeholders (industry executives, technical designers, policymakers, managers, clinicians, and patients). Using action research, they were and are being tested prospectively on a sample of case studies selected for variety in conditions, technologies, settings, scope and scale, policy context, and project goals.

Results

The co-design process resulted in four tools, available as free downloads. NASSS-CAT SHORT is a taster to introduce the instrument and gauge interest. NASSS-CAT LONG is intended to support reflection, due diligence, and preliminary planning. It maps complexity through stakeholder discussion across six domains, using free-text open questions (designed to generate a rich narrative and surface uncertainties and interdependencies) and a closed-question checklist; this version includes an action planning section. NASSS-CAT PROJECT is a 35-item instrument for monitoring how subjective complexity in a technology implementation project changes over time. NASSS-CAT INTERVIEW is a set of prompts for conducting semistructured research or evaluation interviews. Preliminary data from empirical case studies suggest that the NASSS-CAT tools can potentially identify, but cannot always help reconcile, contradictions and conflicts that block projects’ progress.

Conclusions

The NASSS-CAT tools are a useful addition to existing implementation tools and frameworks. Further support of the implementation projects is ongoing. We are currently producing digital versions of the tools, and plan (subject to further funding) to establish an online community of practice for people interested in using and improving the tools, and hold workshops for building cross-project collaborations.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/16861