bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DYNAMICS OF GLYCEMIC CONTROL AFTER RENAL DENERVATION IN PATIENTS WITH RESISTANT HYPERTENSION AND TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: Falkovskaya A. Yu. , Mordovin V. F. , Pekarsky S. Ye. , Bayev A. Ye. , Semke G. V. , Ripp T. M. , Kravtchenko Ye. S. , Zyubanova I. V.
Published: June 2020

The aim of the study was to evaluatetheglycemic control dynamics depending on degree of blood pressure (BP) reduction and dynamic of TNF-α after 6 and 12 months of Tran catheter renal denervation (TRD) of patients with true resistant hypertension (RH) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Material and methods. Thirty two essentially hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and resistant hypertension were included in single-arm prospective interventional study. Office BP measurement, ambulatory 24-h BP, renal Doppler ultrasound and assessment of renal function (proteinuria, creatinine, eGFR), HbА1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels, activity of TNF-α were performed at baseline and 6 and 12 months after TRD. On average, patients were taking 4 (3–6) antihypertensive drugs. None of the patients changed the antihypertensive treatments during follow-up. A 6 months follow-up was completed by 27 patients (43–75 years old, 14 male), 12 months follow-up was completed by 26 patients. Results. Renal denervation significantly reduced the systolic office BP (SBP) as well as 24-h SBP (– 27.2/–10.7 mm Hg and–13.4/–10 mm Hg, respectively, p < 0.01 after 6-month follow-up, and –31,7/–12,8 mmHg and –13.4/–10 mm Hg, respectively, p < 0.01 after 12-month follow-up) without any negative effect on renal function. The number of responders with reduction of SBP >10 mmHg according to ABPM were 56% (15/27) after 6-month and 61.5% (16/26) after 12-month follow-up. There were significant reduction of the average HbA1c levels (from (6.9 ± 1.8)% to (5.8 ± 1.5)%, p = 0.04) and nonsignificant decreasing of FPG levels (from 8.7 ± 2.8 to 7.7 ± 2.1 mmol/L, p = 0.07) after 6-month followup. Conspicuously, the responders according to ABPM had significantly higher mean dynamics of HbA1c than the non-responders after 6-month follow-up (–2.4 ± 1.9 and –0.1 ± 0.8%, p = 0.02, respectively) as well as after 12-month follow-up (–0.12 ± 0.98 and 1,26 ± 1.11%, p = 0.04 for HbA1c, and – 0.89 ± 1.9 и 0.85 mmol/L ± 1.19, p = 0.02 for FPG levels). There were significant decreasing of TNF-α after 12-monthfollow-up (from 2.21 (1.54–3.65) to 1.4 (1.11–1.47pg/ml), p = 0.007), without relation to BP and HbA1c dynamics, and response to TRD. There were not the correlations between dynamics of HbA1c and FPG levels with BP reduction and change of TNF-α after 12-month follow-up. Conclusions. Renal denervation of patients with true resistant hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2 after 6 and 12 months was followed by improved glycemic control, BP reduction and decreasing of mean levels of TNF-α. Glycemic control improvement after the renal denervation was more expressive in the responders.
A few words on grapevine leaf water potential
Authors: Deloire Alain , Pellegrino Anne , Rogiers Suzy
Published: June 2020

The majority of vineyards are grown under limiting water supply, with consequences on grapevine physiology, berry growth and composition/quality versus wine styles. Assessing vine water status is crucial to understand vine function and to optimize drought mitigation strategies, such as irrigation. In this regard, the leaf water potential methods, notably predawn and stem water potentials, are relevant for quantifying vine water status and are generally used as references to calibrate others methods and/or for precision irrigation.
Vers une révision des recommandations d’apports en phosphore chez le ruminant
Authors: BRAVO D. , MESCHY F.
Published: June 2020

Pour répondre aux impératifs environnementaux émergents, il est devenu nécessaire de considérer les recommandations d’apport en phosphore à la fois sous l’angle d’une connaissance plus fine des besoins des animaux et de la maîtrise des rejets polluants. Les paramètres les plus sensibles de l’approche factorielle, besoin d’entretien et efficacité de l’utilisation digestive du phosphore ou coefficient d’absorption réelle (CAR), ont été réexaminés par l’analyse quantitative d’une base de données bibliographiques et par de nouvelles données expérimentales. Le besoin d’entretien apparaît fortement dépendant du flux salivaire de phosphore et de ses facteurs de variation ; il est donc logique de l’estimer à partir de la matière sèche ingérée et non du poids vif des animaux. La prise en compte de l’excrétion fécale du phosphore d’origine microbienne devrait contribuer à l’avenir à mieux préciser le besoin d’entretien. Les CAR retenus jusqu’à présent pour le calcul des recommandations sont notablement inférieurs aux données expérimentales publiées ; des différences substantielles sont observées entre les CAR des différents aliments et certains facteurs d’explication ont pu être mis en évidence. Les systèmes futurs devront adopter des valeurs de CAR différentes selon les aliments ou au moins selon les familles d’aliments. La vitesse de libération du phosphore dans le rumen est très variable selon les matières premières, ce qui suggère des différences importantes de disponibilité du phosphore pour l’écosystème du rumen. Dans la perspective d’une réduction sensible de l’apport de phosphore aux ruminants, il deviendra nécessaire de vérifier l’impact de cette disponibilité sur l’efficacité des microorganismes du rumen.
5G energy efficiency for Internet of Things
Authors: Kanehisa Rodrigo , Barbosa Felipe , De Castro Alberico
Published: June 2020

The Internet of Things (IoT) consists of devices capable of measuring the environment and executing tasks without human intervention. Due to its size, these devices have restrictions in processing, memory, and battery. These devices can reach a trillion nodes and, therefore, requires network connections that are capable of both handle a large number of nodes connected and low energy transmission. The fifth generation of telecommunications technology (5G) is a key concept to address those requirements as new applications and business models require new criteria such as security trustworthy, ultra-low latency, ultra-reliability, and energy efficiency. Although the next generation of connections is at its early stage, progress has been made to achieve 5G enabled IoT technologies. This paper describes a review of the main technologies such as Cloud, Software Defined Network, device-to-device communication, Evolved Package Core and Network Virtual Function Orchestration that are planned to be applied for both fields of 5G and IoT.
The miR156: A Master Regulator to Harmonize Complex Biofuel Traits in Lignocellulosic Biomass Crops
Authors: Singh Akhlash
Published: June 2020

Currently, energy security and environmental degradation are the two biggest challenges before humanity that can be surmounted with the use of green and sustainable biofuels produced from lignocellulosic crops. In the future, to ensure adequate and cost-effective supply of biofuels, it requires a sufficient amount of amenable and quality lignocellulosic feedstocks. Therefore, agricultural yields of lignocellulosic biomass crops should be substantially increased by intense genetic maneuvering of key gene regulatory mechanisms and signaling pathways that control plant biomass yield. Recently, numerous miRNAs families are identified, characterized, and validated across the plant kingdom. Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are 21 to 24 nucleotides long, non-coding small RNAs, act as regulators of their target genes via inducing modifications in transcription, translation, and epigenome. MiRNAs represent many hallmark characteristics like sequence-specific regulation, tissue, and species-specific expression, evolutionary conservation, and functional diversity. They coordinate well physiological and life cycle processes in plants under adverse environmental conditions. Hence, miRNAs offer accurate, precise, and efficient regulatory switches in the miRNA-targeted genetic networks. It is evident from the study of the miR156 family and its target SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) genes network that controls highly significant agronomic traits in crop plants. The miR156/SPL module acts as a master circuit that synchronizes many intricate complex biological functions such as growth and development, and metabolic processes by sensing internal and external environmental signals in plants. Therefore, miR156 can prove a potential target for miRNAs based plant biotechnology to harmonize complex biofuel traits and improve biomass yield in lignocellulosic biomass crops.
Keanekaragaman Spesies Kupu-Kupu di Taman Cibodas, Cianjur, Jawa Barat sebagai Sumber Pembelajaran Biologi
Authors: Murwitaningsih Susanti , Dharma Agus Pambudi , Depta Depta , Nurlaeni Yati
Published: June 2020

Indonesia has many endemic butterfly species and there are about 2,000 species found in Indonesia from 17,500 species of butterflies in the world. This research was conducted for five months from January to May 2017 at Cibodas Botanical Garden of Cianjur Regency, West Java. Technique of taking data is done by butterfly captured directly by insect net in each observation point. The observation of butterflies in the three locations of Sakura Park, Guest House and Fountain at Cibodas Botanical Garden found 98 individuals from 21 species consisting of 4 families, among others Papilionidae (4 species), Nymphalidae (12 species), Pieridae ( 4 species), and Lycaenidae (1 species). At the location of Sakura Park has the highest index value, among others, the species diversity index (H '= 1.92) is moderate, the species richness index (R = 3.51), and the dominance index (C = 0.27), while the species evenness index highest at the Fountain location (E = 0.87). Students are rarely invited to visit KRC to learn directly.
Pengembangan Buku Ajar Berbasis Keterampilan Berpikir Kritis
Authors: Salim Salim , Saputra Hendra Nelva
Published: June 2020

This teaching material development offers a solution to facilitate the students ' critical thinking skills through chemical learning. The purpose of this research is to produce decent teaching materials to facilitate students' critical thinking skills. This type of research is development research using Dick, Carey, and Carey's development models. Research instruments use poll responses from learning media experts, learning design, and learning materials. The resulting development product is a teaching book. Based on the results of data analysis obtained from the responses of learning media experts, learning design experts, and learning materials experts demonstrate that the teaching materials are developed worthy to be used in the process of learning chemistry with the access The average percentage score amounted to 89.33% of the learning media experts, 83.33% of the learning design experts, and 93.33% of the learning material experts. This chemical teaching materials development product is also feasible to facilitate students ' critical thinking skills in the learning process. The results of the assessment of all test subjects against the critical Thinking skills indicator show an average percentage of 95% of the learning media experts, 80% of the learning design experts, and 100% of the learning material experts.
Alat Peraga Sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Pemahaman Konsep Peserta didik Pada Materi Mekanika Fluida
Authors: Prihatiningtyas Suci , Haryono Heny Ekawati
Published: June 2020

This research is aimed to increase students' understanding of the concepts of fluid mechanics by applying teaching aids. The research method uses pre-experiment. The research design uses the One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. Data collection techniques using the test of understanding the concept of fluid mechanics as many as 10 essay questions. N-gain test is used to determine the increase in understanding of the concepts of learning outcomes before and after being taught using teaching aids. The results showed that learning by using instructional media in the form of fluid mechanics teaching aids influences students' understanding of concepts by 0.71 with high criteria. This proves that there is an increase in students' understanding of the concepts of fluid mechanics.
The Pope's Agents in Constantinople: Eugenius IV's Legation on the Eve of the Council of Ferrara-Florence (1438-1439)
Authors: Halff Maarten
Published: June 2020

The legation sent by Pope Eugenius IV to Constantinople in 1437 played a critical role in the long diplomatic efforts towards a reunification of the Latin and Greek Churches, and paved the way for the Council of Ferrara-Florence (1438–1439). With some exceptions, such as the later Cardinal Nicholas Cusanus, the members of the delegation have not received wide attention. This paper presents a biographical analysis of all those involved – the nuncios, the financiers and the galley commanders – and their relationship to the Pope. The findings provide new insight into Eugenius IV’s diplomacy towards the Byzantines, as well as Cusanus’s place in it. Cusanus’s presence added conciliar legitimacy, but the key functions were in the hands of a core team of Venetians – including non-patricians – who had prior experience in Constantinople and a personal connection to the Pope.
La teoría de Ockham sobre la cognición sensitiva y la racionalidad animal no-humana
Authors: Deni Gamboa Lydia
Published: June 2020

Para Ockham, todo animal posee un alma sensitiva, en virtud de la cual, puede tener deseos sensitivos, cogniciones intuitivas sensitivas y cogniciones abstractivas sensitivas. Entre estas últimas, tenemos representaciones sensibles, actos del sentido común y recuerdos. El objetivo de este artículo es el de reconstruir la teoría de Ockham sobre la cognición animal sensitiva. Esta reconstrucción muestra que Ockham adscribe a los animales, en general, una capacidad de representar diferentes propiedades de las cosas singulares, una memoria episódica, una memoria procedimental y cierto tipo de ilusiones. Debido a que ciertas representaciones sensibles son equivalentes a proposiciones mentales, según Ockham, los animales no-humanos pueden juzgar y formar silogismos.
Implementasi Model Proyeksi Simple Time Series: Pelatihan Untuk Perencana Pembangunan Daerah
Authors: Rasyid Mohtar
Published: June 2020

Perencanaan daerah menjadi salah satu elemen penting pembangunan daerah. Terkait dengan hal tersebut, Bappenas serta Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis UTM menyelenggarakan pelatihan perencanaan pembangunan daerah bagi aparat perencana daerah. Tujuan dari artikel ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan kegiatan pelatihan yang meliputi bahan kajian, metode penyampaian serta evaluasi hasil pelatihan. Metode penyajian di desain dengan pendekatan before-after treatment evaluation. Sebelum dilakukan pelatihan, terlebih dahulu dilakukan simulasi perhitungan data oleh peserta yang diukur waktunya oleh narasumber dan tim. Setelah dilakukan pelatihan, peserta diwajibkan untuk mengerjakan tugas dengan data riil pembangunan. Hasil evaluasi menunjukkan bahwa lebih dari separuh (75%) peserta dapat mengerjakan tes dalam waktu yang lebih cepat. Diantara 25% peserta yang masih kesulitan mengerjakan tes dalam waktu lebih cepat mengakui bahwa belum pernah membuat analisis kuantitatif. Namun setelah diberikan toleransi perpanjangan waktu, semua peserta dapat melakukan tugas proyeksi secara tuntas. Berdasarkan hasil pelatihan ini disimpulkan bahwa pengenalan model proyeksi yang lebih sederhana terbukti efektif dalam meningkatkan kemampuan aparat dalam melakukan perencanaan daerah.
Structure, physical and mechanical properties of bronze castings obtained by continuous and centrifugal casting
Authors: Marukovich E. I. , Kharkov V. A. , Sazonenko I. O. , Kukareko V. A. , Kushnerov A. V.
Published: June 2020

The influence of crystallization conditions (continuous and centrifugal casting) of small-sized BrА1Fe4Ni4 bronze castings on the structure, phase composition, and hardness was studied. It was found by metallographic and X-ray diffraction methods that the castings consist of (α + γ')-eutectoid, α phase and AlCu, Al2Cu3 intermetallic compounds. The matrix phase in the alloy, crystallized by centrifugal casting, due to its higher alloying with Al atoms, has an increased value of the crystal lattice parameter, compared with the case of continuous casting. The hardness of the casting obtained by centrifugal casting increases compared with continuous casting, which is due to the formation of a more dispersed structure, as well as a large solid solution hardening of the matrix phase of the casting.
The experience of using calcium carbide for the deoxidation of steel to replace aluminum in the conditions of OJSC «BSW – Management company of the holding «BMC»
Authors: Grudnitsky О. M.
Published: June 2020

The article deals with issues related to the use of calcium carbide in steelmaking, instead of secondary aluminum and other deoxidizing materials, in order to reduce the cost of deoxidizing steel and slag.

It was assumed that reducing the content of aluminum in the metal of the reinforcing steel grade would improve its spillability, and by improving the spillability, the yield of usable metal would increase. It was also expected that as a result of the use of calcium carbide for deoxidizing the coating slag in the ladle, the degree of contamination of cord steel with non-metallic inclusions would decrease.

During the tests, the optimal amount of additive material was determined. In General, as a result of the work carried out, it was found that calcium carbide can be used for deoxidation of slag and metal during extra-furnace steel processing

The methods of adding the material are described in detail. The results of this work are presented.
La salud pública en la primera ola: una agenda para la cooperación ante Covid-19
Authors: Barrientos-Gutiérrez Tonatiuh , Alpuche-Aranda Celia , Lazcano-Ponce Eduardo , Pérez-Ferrer Carolina , Rivera-Dommarco Juan
Published: June 2020

El Covid-19 representa uno de los retos más grandes en la historia reciente de la salud pública. Es fundamental que se fortalezcan los lazos de cooperación científica bajo un obje­tivo común: proteger la salud de la población. En este artículo se presentan ideas que necesitan un desarrollo urgente y colaborativo. Se discute la estimación de la magnitud de la epidemia mediante un panel nacional de seroprevalencia y nuevas estrategias para mejorar el monitoreo en tiempo real de la epidemia. También se analizan las externalidades nega­tivas asociadas con la respuesta a la pandemia. Finalmente, se presenta un marco general para el desarrollo de ideas para salir del confinamiento, resaltando la importancia de implementar acciones estructurales, sostenibles y equitativas. Se hace un llamado a la solidaridad y la cooperación, donde nuestros esfuerzos y creatividad se dediquen a la resolución de los problemas que enfrentan México y el mundo.
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FERMENTATIVE EXTRACT OF Lactobacillus acidophilus AS ANTIMICROBIALS AGAINST Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Akter Mst Nahid , Hashim Roshada , Sutriana Amalia , Mohd Nor Siti Azizah
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity of the commercial Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) cells and cell free extract against Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila). The in vitro method was carried out using well diffusion method. For in vivo evaluation, the effect of L. acidophilus on the survival rate of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (P. hypophthalmus) infected with A. hydrophila was evaluated. The well diffusion method showed a significant inhibition ability of L. acidophilus cells against A. hydrophila compared to the cell free extract. The inhibition diameters obtained with cells and cell free extract were 17.23 mm and 15.17 mm, respectively. P. hypophthalmus injected with L. acidophilus cells and cell free extract following challenged with A. hydrophila cells showed survival rate of 70% and 60% respectively, at 2-week post challenged. The gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) result revealed that a diverse of compounds was detected in both the L. acidophilus cells and cell free extract, among them the most abundant component was pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(2-methylpropyl), which showed a promising anticancerous activity and might be played a significant role in the recovery of the infectious P. hypophthalmus. The current study revealed that both cells and cell free extract of L. acidophilus have antimicrobial activity against A. hydrophila.
A Dual-Grid, Implicit, and Sequentially Coupled Geomechanics-and-Composition Model for Fractured Reservoir Simulation
Authors: Li Xin , Li Xiang , Zhang Dongxiao , Yu Rongze
Published: June 2020

In the development of fractured reservoirs, geomechanics is crucial because of the stress sensitivity of fractures. However, the complexities of both fracture geometry and fracture mechanics make it challenging to consider geomechanical effects thoroughly and efficiently in reservoir simulations. In this work, we present a coupled geomechanics and multiphase-multicomponent flow model for fractured reservoir simulations. It models the solid deformation using a poroelastic equation, and the solid deformation effects are incorporated into the flow model rigorously. The noticeable features of the proposed model are it uses a pseudocontinuum equivalence method to model the mechanical characteristics of fractures; the coupled geomechanics and flow equations are split and sequentially solved using the fixed-stress splitting strategy, which retains implicitness and exhibits good stability; and it simulates geomechanics and compositional flow, respectively, using a dual-grid system (i.e., the geomechanics grid and the reservoir-flow grid). Because of the separation of the geomechanics part and the flow part, the model is not difficult to implement based on an existing reservoir simulator. We validated the accuracy and stability of this model through several benchmark cases and highlighted the practicability with two large-scale cases. The case studies demonstrate that this model is capable of considering the key effects of geomechanics in fractured-reservoir simulation, including matrix compaction, fracture normal deformation, and shear dilation, as well as hydrocarbon phase behavior. The flexibility, efficiency, and comprehensiveness of this model enable a more realistic geocoupled reservoir simulation.
One year follow-up and mediation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for adult depression
Authors: A-Tjak Jacqueline G.L. , Morina Nexhmedin , Topper Maurice , Emmelkamp Paul M.G.
Published: June 2020

Background Existing therapies for depression are effective, but many patients fail to recover or relapse. To improve care for patients, more research into the effectiveness and working mechanisms of treatments is needed. We examined the long-term efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), testing the hypothesis that CBT outperforms ACT and that both therapies work through their designated mechanisms of change.Methods We conducted a randomized controlled trial with 82 patients suffering from MDD. Data were collected before, during and after treatment, and at 12-month follow-up, assessing symptoms of depression, quality of life, dysfunctional attitudes, decentering , and experiential avoidance.Results Patients in both conditions reported significant and large reductions of depressive symptoms (d = -1.26 to -1.60) and improvement in quality of life (d = 0.91 to -1.28) 12 months following treatment. Our findings indicated no significant differences between the two interventions. Dysfunctional attitudes and decentering mediated treatment effects of depressive symptoms in both CBT and ACT, whereas experiential avoidance mediated treatment effects in ACT only. Conclusions Our results indicate that CBT is not more effective in treating depression than ACT. Both treatments seem to work through changes in dysfunctional attitudes and decentering, even though the treatments differ substantially. Change in experiential avoidance as an underlying mechanism seems to be an ACT-specific process. Further research is needed to investigate whether ACT and CBT may work differently for different groups of patients with depression.Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01517503. Registered 25 January 2012 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01517503?term=NCT01517503&rank=1
Health TAPESTRY Ontario: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial to Test Reproducibility and Implementation
Authors: Mangin Dee , Lamarche Larkin , Bomze Sivan , Borhan Sayem , Browne Tracy , Carr Tracey , Datta Julie , Dolovich Lisa , Howard Michelle , Marentette-Brown Sarah , Oliver Doug , Risdon Cathy , Talat Samina , Tarride Jean-Eric , Thebane Lehana , Valaitis Ruta , Price David
Published: June 2020

Background: Health TAPESTRY (Health Teams Advancing Patient Experience: STRengthening qualitY) aims to help people stay healthier for longer where they live by providing person-focused care through the integration of four key program components: 1) trained volunteers who visit clients in their homes, 2) an interprofessional primary health care team, 3) use of technology to collect and share information, and 4) improved connections to community health and social services. The initial randomized controlled trial of Health TAPESTRY found promising results in terms of health care use and patient outcomes, indicating a shift from reactive to preventive care. The trial was based on one clinical academic centre, thus limiting generalizability. The study objectives are: 1) to test reproducibility of the established effectiveness of Health TAPESTRY on physical activity and hospitalizations, 2) to test the feasibility of, and understand the contributing factors to, the implementation of Health TAPESTRY in six diverse communities across Ontario, Canada, and 3) to determine the value for money of implementing Health TAPESTRY.Methods: This planned study is a pragmatic parallel randomized controlled trial with a delayed intervention for control participants at six months. This trial will simultaneously assess effectiveness and implementation in a real world setting (Type II hybrid) in six diverse communities across Ontario. Participants 70 years of age and older will be randomized into the Health TAPESTRY intervention or the control group (usual care). Intervention clients will receive an individualized plan of care from an interprofessional care team. The plan will be based on a client’s goals and current health risks identified through volunteer visits. The study’s outcomes are mapped onto the RE-AIM framework, with levels of physical activity and number of hospitalizations as the co-primary outcomes. The main analysis will be a comparison at six months.Discussion: It is important to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of Health TAPESTRY in multiple communities prior to scaling or widespread adoption.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03397836 (posted January 12, 2018).
Theoretically designed interventions for colorectal cancer prevention: A Case of the Health Belief Model
Authors: Rakhshanderou Sakineh , Maghsoudloo Maryam , Safari-Moradabadi Ali , Ghaffari Mohtasham
Published: June 2020

Background: According to the WHO, most chronic diseases, including cancer, can be prevented by identifying their risk factors such as unhealthy diet, smoking and physical inactivity. This research examined the effectiveness of a theory-based educational intervention on colorectal cancer-related preventive nutritional behaviors among a sample of organizational staff. Methods: In this interventional study, 110 employees of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were randomly divided into two groups (intervention and control) with cluster sampling. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire containing two parts of 10-dimensional information and health belief model constructs. The educational intervention was conducted for one month and in four sessions in the form of classroom lecture, pamphlet, educational text messages via mobile phones and educational pamphlets through the office automation system. Two groups were evaluated in two stages, pre-test and post-test. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18 software, analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and independent t-test (intergroup comparisons). Results: Two groups were evaluated for variables such as age, sex, education level and family history of colorectal cancer, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). After the two months since intervention, except for the mean score of perceived barriers, which was not significant after intervention, the mean scores of knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived self-efficacy, behavioral intention, and preventive behaviors were significantly increased after the intervention in the intervention group compared to the control group (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Implementation of educational intervention based on health belief model was effective for the personnel, and can enhance the preventative nutritional behaviors related to colorectal cancer.
Inhibition of lipogenesis and induction of apoptosis by valproic acid in prostate cancer cells via the C/EBPα/SREBP-1 pathway
Authors: Pang Bo , Zhang Juanjuan , Yuan Jihong , Shi Yanan , Qiao Ling
Published: June 2020

Background: Lipid metabolism reprogramming is now accepted as a new hallmark of cancer. Hence, targeting the lipogenesis pathway may be a potential avenue for cancer treatment. Valproic acid (VPA) emerges as a promising drug for cancer therapy, however, the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of VPA on cell viability, lipogenesis, and apoptosis in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Methods: The effects of VPA on the viability and migration of PC-3 cells were investigated using MTT cell viability assay and wound-healing assay. Oil-Red O staining was used to examine lipid droplets, and DAPI staining assay and Annexin V-FITC and PI double-staining assay were used to measure the extent of cell apoptosis. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to determine the expression of lipogenesis and apoptosis genes. Statistical and analytical data were analyzed with SPSS 17.0 Software, and statistical significance was set to * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, and *** P < 0.001 levels. Results: The results showed that VPA significantly reduced lipid accumulation and induced apoptosis of PC-3 cells. Moreover, the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), as well as sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) and its downstream effectors, including fatty acid synthase (FASN), acetyl CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), and antiapoptotic B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), markedly decreased in PC-3 cells after VPA administration. Mechanistically, the overexpression of C/EBPα rescued the levels of SREBP-1, FASN, ACC1, and Bcl-2, enhanced lipid accumulation and attenuated apoptosis of VPA-treated PC-3 cells. Conversely, knockdown of C/EBPα by siRNA further decreased lipid accumulation, enhanced apoptosis, and reduced the levels of SREBP-1, FASN, ACC1, and Bcl-2. In addition, SREBP-1a and 1c enhanced the expression of FASN and ACC1, but only SREBP-1a had a signiﬁcant eﬀect on Bcl-2 expression in VPA-treated PC-3 cells.Conclusions: On the whole, it is concluded that VPA significantly inhibits cell viability via decreasing lipogenesis and inducing apoptosis via the C/EBPα/SREBP-1 pathway in PC-3 cells. Therefore VPA which targets lipid metabolism and apoptosis is a promising candidate for prostate cancer chemotherapy.
Occurrence, risk factors and genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in dogs and cats in Guangzhou, southern China: high genotype diversity and zoonotic concern
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Lin Xuhui , Sun Yongxiang , Qi Nanshan , Lv Minna , Xiao Wenwan , Chen YuanCai , Xiang Ruiping , Sun mingfei , Zhang Longxian
Published: June 2020

Background: Enterocytozoon bieneusi, a common opportunistic fungal pathogen, has a wide range of hosts. Limited epidemiological data on E. bieneusi intestinal infections in companion animals (dogs and cats) in China exists. In this study, fecal samples (651 from dogs and 389 from cats) in Guangzhou city, Guangdong Province, China, were collected, and the ribosomal internal transcribed (ITS) spacer region from the DNA extracted from them was Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-amplified and sequenced.Results: Based on the sequencing data, E. bieneusi was identified in the fecal samples collected from 149 (22.9%) and 79 (20.3%) dogs and cats. Of the factors investigated, poor living conditions appeared to be the major risk factor for contracting the pathogen. Eleven E. bieneusi genotypes, six known (PtEb IX, GD1, D, CD9, EbpC, I) and five novel (designated here as GD2– GD6), were found in dogs. Eight genotypes, six known (PtEb IX, GD1, D, CD9, EbpC, Type IV) and two novel (GD2 and GC1), were identified in cats. Genotype PtEb IX was most common in both dogs and cats, followed by genotype GD1.Conclusions: Although PtEb IX was the most common E. bieneusi genotype in dogs, this is the first report of this genotype dominating in cats. The same genotype distribution of the pathogen between the two different companion animals species in the same geographic area indicates that inter-species transmission is probable. The widespread existence of zoonotic E. bieneusi genotypes (D, EbpC, Type IV) in companion animals indicates that they are potential sources of environmental contamination and infections in humans.
Blood parasites in vectors reveal a united blackfly community in the upper canopy
Authors: Chakarov Nayden , Kampen Helge , Wiegmann Anja , Werner Doreen , Bensch Staffan
Published: June 2020

Background: The behaviour of blood-sucking arthropods is a crucial determinant of blood protozoan distribution and hence of host-parasite coevolution, but it is very challenging to study in the wild. The molecular identification of parasite lineages in vectors can be a useful key to understand the behaviour and transmission patterns realised by these vectors. Methods: In this study, we collected blackflies around nests of three raptor species in the upper forest canopy in central Europe and examined the presence of vertebrate DNA and haemosporidian parasites in them. We molecularly analysed 156 blackfly individuals, their vertebrate blood meals, and the haemosporidian parasite lineages they carried. Results: We identified nine species of Simulium blackflies, largely belonging to the subgenera Nevermannia and Eusimulium. Only 1% of the collected specimens was visibly engorged, and only 4% contained remains of host DNA. However, in 29% of the blackflies Leucocytozoon lineages were identified, which is evidence of a previous blood meal on an avian host. Based on the known vertebrate hosts of the recorded Leucocytozoon lineages, we can infer that large and/or abundant birds, such as thrushes, crows, pigeons, birds of prey, owls and tits are the main targets of ornithophilic blackflies in the canopy. Blackfly species contained similar proportions of host group-specific parasite lineages and thus do not appear to be associated with particular host groups. Conclusions: The Leucocytozoon clade infecting thrushes, crows, and pigeons present in most represented blackfly species suggests a lack of association between hosts and blackflies, which can increase the probability of host switches of blood parasites. However, the composition of the simuliid species differed between nests of common buzzards, goshawks and red kites. This segregation can be explained by coinciding habitat preferences between host and vector, and may lead to the fast speciation of Leucocytozoon parasites. Thus, subtle ecological preferences and lack of host preference of vectors in the canopy may enable both parasite diversification and host switches, and enforce a habitat-dependent evolution of avian malaria parasites and related haemosporidia.
Forty Years after Alma-Ata: How People Trust Primary Health Care?
Authors: Bazargani Homayoun Sadeghi , Saadati Mohammad , Tabrizi Jafar Sadegh , Farahbakhsh Mostafa , Golestani Mina
Published: June 2020

Background: Primary Health Care (PHC) was introduced as the first level of health services delivery after Alma-Ata declaration. However, after forty years, it needs to be more trustful to achieve its predefined objectives. Public trust in PHC is one of the neglected issues in the context. The aim of this study is to evaluate public trust in PHC in Iran.Methods: The present investigation is a household survey conducted in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Two-stage cluster sampling method with Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) approach was used. Totally, 1178 households were enrolled in the study. PHC trust questionnaire and Ultra-short version of Socio-Economic Status assessment questionnaire (SES-Iran) was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using STATA software (version 15) through descriptive statistics and linear regression. Results: The mean± SD age of the participants was 41.2±15.1 and most (53.7%) were female. Mean score of PHC trust was 56.9±24.7 (out of 100). It was significantly different between residents of Tabriz (the capital of province) and other cities in the province (p<0.001). Linear regression showed that younger age, gender, insurance type, being married, and households higher socio-economic status had a significant positive effect on PHC trust level with R2 = 0.14383.Conclusions: Public trust in PHC system in Iran needs to be improved. Individual variables had a small but key role in trust level. PHC trust cannot be only affected by individual's variables and experiences but also by health system and health providers' characteristics and public context in which PHC system exists. PHC trust level could be used as a public indicator in health systems especially in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) to contribute in system strengthening policies at the national and international levels.
A population pharmacokinetic model is beneficial in quantifying hair concentrations of ritonavir-boosted atazanavir: A study of HIV-infected Zimbabwean adolescents.
Authors: NGARA Bernard , Zvada Simbarashe , Chawana Tariro Dianah , Stray-Pedersen Babill , Nhachi Charles Fungai Brian , Rusakaniko Simbarashe
Published: June 2020

Background Adolescents experience higher levels of non-adherence to HIV treatment. Drug concentration in hair promises to be reliable for assessing exposure to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. Pharmacokinetic modelling can explore utility of drug in hair. We aimed at developing and validating a pharmacokinetic model based on atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r) in hair and identify factors associated with variabilities in hair accumulation. Methods We based the study on secondary data analysis whereby data from a previous study on Zimbabwean adolescents which collected hair samples at enrolment and three months follow-up was used in model development. We performed model development in NONMEM (version 7.3) ADVAN 13. Results There is 16% / 18% of the respective ATV/r in hair as a ratio of steady-state trough plasma concentrations. At follow-up, we estimated an increase of 30% /42% of respective ATV/r in hair. We associated a unit increase in adherence score with 2% increase in hair concentration both ATV/r. Thinner participants had 54% higher while overweight had 21% lower atazanavir in hair compared to normal weight participants. Adolescents receiving care from fellow siblings had atazanavir in hair at least 54% less compared to other forms of care. Conclusion The determinants of increased ATV/r concentrations in hair found in our analysis are monitoring at follow up event, body mass index, and caregiver status. Measuring drug concentration in hair is feasibly accomplished and could be more accurate for monitoring ARV drugs exposure. Keywords Pharmacokinetic modelling, HIV/AIDS, Adolescents, Adherence, Hair, NONMEM
Occupational pesticide exposure and the risk of death in patients with Parkinson’s disease: an observational study in Southern Brazil.
Authors: Medeiros Márcio Schneider , Reddy Sumanth P. , Socal Mariana P. , Schumacher-Schuh Artur Francisco , Rieder Carlos Roberto de Mello
Published: June 2020

Background: Multiple studies have suggested that various pesticides are associated with a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD) and may influence the progression of the disease. However, the evidence regarding the impact of pesticide exposure on mortality among patients with PD is equivocal. This study examines whether pesticide exposure influences the risk of mortality among patients with PD in Southern Brazil. Methods: A total of 150 patients with idiopathic PD were enrolled from 2008-2013 and followed until 2019. In addition to undergoing a detailed neurologic evaluation, patients completed surveys regarding socioeconomic status and environmental exposures. Results: Twenty patients (13.3%) reported a history of occupational pesticide exposure with a median duration of exposure of 10 years (mean = 13.1, SD = 11.2). Patients with a history of occupational pesticide exposure had higher UPDRS-III scores, though there were no significant differences in regards to age, sex, disease duration, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and age at symptom onset. Patients with occupational pesticide exposure were more than twice as likely to die than their unexposed PD counterparts (HR = 2.32, 95% CI [1.15, 4.66], p = 0.018). Occupational pesticide exposure was also a significant predictor of death in a cox-proportional hazards model which included smoking and caffeine intake history (HR = 2.23, 95% CI [1.09, 4.59], p = 0.03)) and another which included several measures of socioeconomic status (HR = 3.91, 95% CI [1.32, 11.58], p = 0.01).Conclusion: In this prospective cohort study, we found an increased all-cause mortality risk in PD patients with occupational exposure to pesticides. More studies are needed to further analyze this topic with longer follow-up periods, more detailed exposure information, and more specific causes of mortality.
CT findings of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Wang Xiaoyang , Liu Chenbin , Hong Liang , Yuan Cuiyun , Ding Jiguang , Jia Qing , Sun Gangqiang , Peng Wenxian , Sun Qingfeng
Published: June 2020

Objective: We aimed to describe the chest CT findings in sixty-seven patients infected by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Method and material: We retrospectively reviewed 67 patients hospitalized in Ruian People's Hospital. All the patients received the positive diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The CT and clinical data were collected between January 23 rd , 2020 and February 10 th , 2020. The CT images were analyzed by the senior radiologists. Conclusion: There are 54 patients with positive CT findings and 13 patients with negative CT findings. The typical CT findings in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were ground glass opacities (42/54), lesions located in the peripheral area (50/54), multiple lesions (46/54), and lesions located in the lower lobes (42/54). There were less typical CT findings, including air bronchogram (18/54), pleural thickening or pleural effusion (14/54), consolidation (12/54), lesions in the upper lobes (12/54), interlobular septal thickening (11/54), reversed halo sign (9/54), single lesion (8/54), air cavities (4/54), bronchial wall thickening (3/54), and intrathoracic lymph node enlargement (2/54).
miR-138-5p inhibits the metastasis of prostate cancer by targeting FOXC1
Authors: Zhang Dapeng , Liu Xiaodong , Zhang Qingwei , Chen Xin
Published: June 2020

Background: This study aimed to uncover the effect of miR-138-5p on the proliferation and metastasis of PCa cell lines, and further explore the potential regulatory mechanisms via regulating FOXC1.Methods: 60 pairs tumor tissues and corresponding paracancerous tissues from PCa patients were collected to determine the expression level of miR-138-5p by qRT-PCR. Subsequently, over-expression of miR-138-5p were established to explore the proliferation and metastasis of miR-138-5p in PCa cell lines was analyzed by CCK-8, Tranwell assay and Wounding healing assay, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter gene assay were performed to search for the target genes of miR-138-5p, and FOXC1 was selected. Finally, the biological role of miR-138-5p and FOXC1 in the progression of PCa was clarified by a series of rescue experiments. Results: The results of qRT-PCR revealed that miR-138-5p was lowly expressed in PCa tissues and cell lines. Besdies, these PCa patients with low-miR-138-5p had a higher Gleason score, lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis of PCa, compared with the patients with high-miR-138-5p. Over-expression of miR-138-5p inhibited the viability, migratory and invasive capacities of PC-3 and DU-145 cells. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter gene assay suggested that FOXC1 was predicted to be the target of miR-138-5p. Moreover, FOXC1 level was negatively correlated to that of miR-138-5p in PCa tissues. Importantly, FOXC1 could reverse miR-138-5p mimic induced-inhibition of PCa malignant progression.Conclusions: Downregulated miR-138-5p was closely associated with Gleason score, distant metastasis and poor prognosis of PCa patients. In addition, miR-138-5p alleviated the malignant progression of PCa by targeting and downregulating FOXC1.
Surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates weighing less than 1,500 g: A 9-year single center experience
Authors: Lee Jun Ho , Lee Hyun Ju , Park Hyun-Kyung , Ahn Ja-Hye , Kim Hee Sun , Jang Hyo Jun , Ro Sun Kyun , Kim Hyuck
Published: June 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and outcomes of early surgical ligation in preterm neonates with hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (HSPDA) and to investigate predictors for surgical treatment after unsuccessful medical management.Methods: Medical records from the neonatal intensive care unit of Hanyang University Seoul Hospital from January 2010 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. 233 preterm neonates weighing less than 1,500 g with HSPDA were enrolled in our study. Of these preterm neonates, 134 underwent surgical ligation and were subdivided into the early ligation group (n = 49; within 10 days of age) and the late ligation group (n = 85; after 10 days of age).Results: The mean gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower in the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation group than in the Non-ligation group (p < 0.001). PDA ductal diameter > 2.0 mm (p < 0.001), low Apgar score at 5 minutes (p = 0.033), and chorioamnionitis (p = 0.037) were the predictors for receiving surgical treatment for PDA. Early ligation was significantly associated with a low incidence of culture-proven sepsis (p = 0.004), mechanical ventilator time > 4 weeks (p = 0.007), necrotizing enterocolitis stage (NEC) ≥ III (p = 0.022), and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) grade ≥ III (p = 0.035).Conclusions: Early surgical ligation minimizes the adverse effects of HSPDA in predicted preterm neonates who subsequently require surgical treatment for PDA. This result suggests that in preterm neonates weighing less than 1,500 g with HSPDA that is unresponsive to medical treatment, delayed ductal closure should be avoided to reduce severe NEC, severe IVH, culture-proven sepsis, and facilitate earlier endotracheal extubation.