bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pedagogical conditions for professional foreign language teaching to students of “Agricultural Engineering” programme based on the model of content and language integrated learning
Authors: Baydikova Tatiana V.
Published: May 2020

Currently, content and language integrated learning is becoming more widespread in the teaching of agrarian university students. For university pedagogy, this is a fairly new and innovative approach aimed at achieving two goals at the same time: 1) the further development of students’ foreign language communicative competence; 2) the further development of professional competencies by means of a foreign language. The dual purpose testifies to the fact that with this approach, a foreign language is both the teaching goal and a mean of professional development of students. However, the effectiveness of the teaching methods will depend on the consideration of a number of pedagogical conditions. In this work we identify and substantiate six pedagogical conditions, the consideration of which, when developing the appropriate teaching methods, will contribute to the effectiveness of the process of professional foreign language teaching in an agrarian university students of the “Agricultural Engineering” programme. These conditions include: a) the selection of subject content of teaching is carried out on the basis of the implementation of intersubject communications reliance principle; b) in the learning process, problem speech tasks are used, as well as tasks that reflect the specifics of the students’ future professional activities;
c) the minimum level of foreign language proficiency by students is B1-B2; d) grouping students by level of knowledge of a foreign language; e) grouping students according to their study profiles within the framework of the programme; f) the competence of the teacher in the field of foreign language, profile specialty and methods of teaching them. The work describes in detail each of the selected conditions.
Problems of execution of state (municipal) contracts
Authors: Goryunova Tatyana
Published: May 2020

The state (municipal) contract includes a balance of interests of the public customer and the commercial executor (organization, private entrepreneur, individual). The execution of a state (municipal) contract is understood as the proper execution by both parties of their obligations. It is very difficult to observe the principle of equality of the parties in these contractual relations, given the advantages of the customer as a representative of the state (municipal) authority. We analyze the problem of execution of state (municipal) contracts. The main objective of the study is to systematize the main problems faced by the parties in the execution of state (municipal) contracts, to propose solutions to the existing problems. We denote risks in the execution of state (municipal) contracts by the parties. We analyze the problems of ensuring the execution of state (municipal) contracts, from the stage of obtaining a bank guarantee to applying for a claim on it, using the example of judicial practice. Special attention is paid to the grounds for recognition of the state (municipal) contracts null and void. As a research task, we define an attempt to assess the negative consequences for the executor of a state (municipal) contract if the state (municipal) contract is recognized as null and void. Based on the analyzed problems of the execution of state (municipal) contracts, we propose a model for minimizing the negative consequences for the parties.
Maximal linked systems and ultraﬁlters: main representations and topological properties
Authors: Chentsov Aleksandr G.
Published: May 2020

Questions connected with representation of the ultraﬁlter (UF) set for widely understood measurable space are investigated; this set is considered as a subspace of bitopological space of maximal linked systems (MLS) under equipment with topologies of Wallman and Stone types (measurable structure is deﬁned as a π -system with “zero” and “unit”). Analogous representations connected with generalized variant of cohesion is considered also; in this variant, for corresponding set family, it is postulated the nonemptyness of intersection for ﬁnite subfamilies with power not exceeding given. Conditions of identiﬁcation of UF and MLS (in the above-mentioned generalized sense) are investigated. Constructions reducing to bitopological spaces with points in the form of MLS and 𝑛-supercompactness property generalizing the “usual” supercompactness are considered. Finally, some characteristic properties of MLS and their corollaries connected with the MLS contraction to a smaller π -system are being studied. The case of algebras of sets is selected separately.
On the uniqueness of solution to the inverse problem of the atmospheric electricity
Authors: Chernov Andrei V.
Published: May 2020

We investigate the inverse problem of determination of two unknown numerical parameters occuring linearly and nonlinearly in the higher coeﬃcient of a linear second order elliptic equation of the diﬀusion–reaction type in a domain Ω diﬀeomorphic to a ball layer under special boundary conditions by observation in neighborhoods of the correspondent amount of points. For an analogous inverse problem under Dirichlet boundary conditions, suﬃcient conditions of solution uniqueness was obtained by the author formerly, but they had an abstract character and so were inconvenient for practical usage. In the paper, these conditions are extended to the case of diﬀerent boundary conditions and rendered concrete for the case of the exponential type higher coeﬃcient. The inverse problem investigated in the paper refers to research of electric processes in the Earth atmosphere in the frame of global electric circuit in the stationary approximation and arises from needs of recovering the unknown higher coeﬃcient of the equation on the base of observation data obtained from two local transmitters.
Educação política nas bases de dados na área da saúde
Authors: Carnut Leonardo , Oliveira Raquel Aparecida de
Published: May 2020

Desde o golpe de Estado de 2016 no Brasil, a discussão sobre a educação política retornou à cena educacional com muita força, especialmente no âmbito da saúde com a aceleração do desmonte do SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde). Revisar a literatura científica mundial indexada em bases de dados na área da saúde sobre o conceito de educação política. Tratou-se de uma revisão integrativa teórica, orientada pela captura do conceito de educação política e dos elementos teóricos-educacionais que embasaram esse conceito. Trabalhou-se como os portais Bireme e PubMED e as bases de dados Web of Science e SCOPUS.  A maior parte dos artigos incluídos (17) se encontrou indexados na Bireme (65,4%) e 61,5% (16) apresentaram o conceito de ‘educação política’. Majoritariamente, a concepção de educação política na saúde está associada à ideia de cidadania e contraditoriamente trabalha com as perspectivas críticas da educação. Por fim, os conceitos de educação política foram considerados reduzidos em termos qualitativos, mas esta revisão ajuda a traçar caminhos na ordem de um pensamento mais crítico sobre a educação política considerando a saúde como um direito social em uma sociedade capitalista.
Partial Unlock for COVID-19-Like Epidemics Can Save 1-3 Million Lives Worldwide
Authors: Shuler Robert L. , Koukouvitis Theodore , Suematsu Dyske
Published: May 2020

Objectives: We study partial unlock or reopening interaction with seasonal effects in a managed epidemic to quantify overshoot effects on small and large unlock steps and discover robust strategies for reducing overshoot. Methods: We simulate partial unlock of social distancing for epidemics over a range of replication factor, immunity duration and seasonality factor for strategies targeting immunity thresholds using overshoot optimization. Results: Seasonality change must be taken into account as one of the steps in an easing sequence, and a two step unlock, including seasonal effects, minimizes overshoot and deaths. It may cause undershoot, which causes rebounds and assists survival of the pathogen. Conclusions: Partial easing levels, even low levels for economic relief while waiting on a vaccine, have population immunity thresholds based on the reduced replication rates and may experience overshoot as well. We further find a two step strategy remains highly sensitive to variations in case ratio, replication factor, seasonality and timing. We demonstrate a three or more step strategy is more robust, and conclude that the best possible approach minimizes deaths under a range of likely actual conditions which include public response.
Understanding the Origin of ‘BatCoVRaTG13’, a Virus Closest to SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Rahalkar Monali C. , Bahulikar Rahul A.
Published: May 2020

Genomic analysis indicates that SARS-CoV-2 is most related to RaTG13, a beta corona virus derived from bats by 96% 1, a study led by Dr. Zhengli Shi. The physical description of RaTG13 is not available and at present only RaTG13 genome is available on the public database. Since RaTG13 is one of the main supports for SARS-COV-2 to have a natural origin, it is of utmost importance to understand the origin of this virus/ the exact sample from which the genome was sequenced. Here we have tried to investigate the origin of the sample from which RaTG13 would have been sequenced and its phylogenetic relationship to the previously described bat corona viruses. The genome of RaTG13 was sequenced from RNA of a bat fecal swab collected in 2013 from Yunnan, China. RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of RaTG13 shows that it is 100% similar to that of bat corona virus BtCoV/4991 also described by Dr. Zhengli Shi and her group in 2016 2. BtCoV/4991 was described to be a SARS-like (SL-) corona virus from bat feces sampled in an abandoned mine from Mojiang. These facts increase the possibility that RaTG13 could be the same as BtCoV/4991, based on the RdRp sequence similarities and similarities in sample collection dates and regions. RaTG13 RNA sample could have originated from the bat feces collected from an abandoned mineshaft in Mojiang. In 2012, this mineshaft reported deaths of three miners due to pneumonia and the exact etiological reason remained unknown. Paramyxoviruses were detected in the rats of this mineshaft and in general, the conditions were filthy with bat feces covered with fungi, etc. Dr. Zhengli Shi and her coworkers studied 276 bats fecal/anal swab samples from which a single SL-corona virus was detected, and this was BtCoV/4991. Therefore, the Rhinolophus affinis bat fecal sample originating from the abandoned mineshaft could be the source of the RaTG13 genome.
An ERA-Based Study of Built Environment Factors Affecting Lung Cancer Incidence Rate among Chinese Women
Authors: Xie Hongjie , Wang Qiankun , Yang Yiping , Zhang Xu , zhang Peng
Published: May 2020

Objective: Application of ERA methods to investigate the atmospheric pollution and built environment factors influencing lung cancer incidence rate in Chinese women. Methods: Lung cancer incidence rate among Chinese women at 339 cancer registries were obtained from the China Cancer Registry Annual Report 2017, air quality and built environment data were obtained from the Greenpeace and China Construction Yearbook. After multiple covariates variables were eliminated, an exploratory regression analysis was performed using the world standardized population incidence rate as the dependent variable. Air quality and built environment factors as the independent variable. Results: Shandong Peninsula, Hebei and Liaoning are high incidence rate areas of female lung cancer in China, with significant regional aggregation. In addition to air quality factors such as industrial smoke emission data, the association between built environmental factors such as urbanization rate, development LUI, population density and greening coverage of built-up areas and female lung cancer incidence rate is statistically significant. Conclusion: In addition to air quality factors, urban spatial factors can also significantly affect respiratory health. The LUI is positively while urbanization rates and population density are negatively correlated with the incidence rate of lung cancer. The role of green space for respiratory health has not been proven. In addition, there is little relationship between income and health, and similar findings are found for indicators such as the public transportation and roads network.
Estimates of SARS-COV-2 Behavior in the COVID-19 Crisis: Addressing Sample-Selection Bias for Public Health Applications
Authors: Straka John
Published: May 2020

This study surveys and assesses the implications from recent empirical studies and reports to highlight the characteristics of SARS-Cov-2 and the COVID-19 crisis, and then proposes a recursive bivariate probit (RBP) model specification and possible applications. The RBP model addresses sample selection bias to estimate key determinants of virus infection given nonrandom testing. Applicable to anonymized case-level or widely available local-area data in the U.S., multiple data sources are shown. With suitable data the model can control for observed (e.g. population density) and unobserved factors to estimate the marginal effects of varying state-prescribed measures and behavioral social distancing. Case-level scoring models may, in addition, eventually assist in clinical diagnostic assessments. Although not proposed to substitute for more random population testing and other methods, results could also be used in advance of more testing. Uncertain assumptions in epidemiological models reflect unclear effects from gradations of social distancing now occurring. Despite many calls for broader testing and targeted quarantining in the U.S., many practical obstacles remain, leaving unknowns, especially across local areas. Differing local transmission rates respond to stronger or weaker social distancing and quarantining. High risks from latent non-quarantining spread warn of potential overwhelming local outbreaks. The insidious nature of SARS-Cov-2 invites complacency, especially in non-hotspot areas. Complacent behaviors can fail to adequately address the public-goods problem, leading to various forms of continued local and macro COVID-19 waves and crises. To assess a worst case scenario, no model projection is needed, only the herd immunity threshold equation, estimates of the reproduction ratio, and the estimated mortality rate. With no ultimately successful countermeasures in treatment, vaccine, and non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), the analysis here suggests an eventual number of deaths much like the 1918 pandemic in U.S. deaths per capita (1.8-2.7 million U.S. deaths) and in the total number of deaths worldwide (around 50 million). This toll also reflects a hypothetical global “surrender” strategy of business-as-usual and no social distancing, which in practice no nation has followed. Some successes across the three broad social countermeasure efforts – which appears most likely, in a mix of outcomes – can lessen the high social costs.
Biochar - A Panacea for Agriculture or Just Carbon?
Authors: Tenic Elvir , Ghogare Rishikesh , Dhingra Amit
Published: May 2020

The sustainable production of food faces formidable challenges. Foremost is the availability of arable soils, which have been ravaged by the overuse of fertilizers and detrimental soil management techniques. As such, maintenance of soil quality, and reclamation of marginal soils, has become an increasingly important endeavor. Recently, there has been emerging interest in the use of biochar, a carbon rich, porous material thought to improve various aspects of soil performance. Biochar (BC) is produced through the thermochemical decomposition of organic matter at high temperature in an oxygen limited environment, in a process known as pyrolysis. Importantly, the source of organic material, or ‘feedstock,’ used in this process and different parameters of pyrolysis, especially temperature, determine the chemical and physical properties of biochar. Incorporation of BC impacts soil-water relations, tilth and nutrient status, pH, soil organic matter (SOM), and microbial activity. Soil amendment with BC has been shown to have an overall positive impact on soil health and crop productivity; however, initial soil properties need to be considered prior to the application of BC. There is an urgent need to understand the effects of long-term field application of BC and how it influences the soil microcosm. This knowledge will facilitate predictable enhancement of crop productivity and meaningful carbon sequestration.
The Emerging Potentials of Human Regulatory B Cells Mediated Therapies in Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Karim Md Rezaul
Published: May 2020

Regulatory B cells (Bregs) with immunosuppressive function are critical in maintaining immune tolerance. In recent years, Bregs is an essential part of the study due to its therapeutic relevance and function in immune tolerance. The positive and negative regulatory role of human Bregs in immune tolerance is being discussed in several pathologies, including in autoimmune diseases, cancers, chronic infections, strokes in multiple reports. The negative regulatory roles of human Bregs are associated with lesser numbers and functional abnormalities in most of these studies, including myasthenia gravis (MG). In this review, the potential findings regarding human Bregs in MG, and Bregs mediated potential therapeutic strategies with its pros and cons have been discussed based on previous and current reports.
Influence of Parents’ Oral Health Knowledge and Attitudes on Oral Health Practices of Children (5-12 Years) in a Rural School in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa: A Cross Sectional Survey
Authors: Neupaul Prenisha , Mahomed Ozayr
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Oral health knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of parents have a direct influence on their child’s oral health maintenance, dietary habits and encourage healthy behaviors. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, and attitude of parents with regards to the oral health practice of their children and its associated factors. Methods: A self -administered structured questionnaire was administered to parents or guardians of learners aged 5 to 12 years at a low socio-economic rural primary school in the uGu district, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa to collect demographic variables, knowledge of dental health, use of toothbrush, use of toothpaste, dietary practices and dental visits; practice with respect to dental care and attitudes towards oral health. The questionnaire was translated from English to IsiZulu was used. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess the association between parent’s sociodemographic factors with their oral health knowledge and practice scores. Results: One hundred and forty four completed survey instruments were received with an eighty percent (118) representation of mothers. Ninety five percent of the parents (136) had a positive attitude towards oral health with 86% (124) of the children brushed their tongue and 89% (128) of the children brushed their teeth happily. The mean knowledge score was 70% with a median of 72%. Children were significantly more likely to brush their tongues (AOR: 3.20 95% CI: 1.06-9.66) and were more likely to be happier when brushing their teeth (AOR: 4.65 95% CI: 1.41-15.38) when the caregivers were their mothers, and when parents had an above average knowledge score (AOR: 1.86 95% CI: 0.72-4.85) and had positive attitudes (AOR: 3.20 95%CI: 0.46-22.00). Conclusion: To reduce the gaps in knowledge, oral health promotion should be integrated into all point of care contact with parents at health facilities, increased community awareness and advertising campaigns as well as a more focused school health oral program that addresses primary prevention, screening and appropriate referrals to health facilities
The Emergence of Spatial Clustering in Medical Vaccine Exemptions Following California Senate Bill 277, 2015–2018
Authors: Gromis Ashley , Liu Ka-Yuet
Published: May 2020

Objectives. To understand how the elimination of nonmedical vaccine exemptions through California Senate Bill 277 (SB277) may have resulted in increased spatial clustering of medical exemptions.

Methods. We used spatial scan statistics and negative binomial regression models to examine spatial clustering in medical vaccine exemptions in California kindergartens from 2015 to 2018.

Results. Spatial clustering of medical exemptions across schools emerged following SB277. Clusters were located in similar geographic areas to previous clusters of nonmedical vaccine exemptions, suggesting a spatial association between high nonmedical exemption prevalence and increasing rates of medical exemptions. Regression results confirmed this positive association at the local level. The sociodemographic characteristics of the neighborhoods in which schools were located explained some, but not all, of the positive spatial associations between exemptions before and after SB277.

Conclusions. Elimination of nonmedical vaccine exemptions via SB277 may have prompted some parents to instead seek medical exemptions to required school vaccines. The spatial association of these 2 types of exemptions has implications for maintaining pockets of low vaccine compliance and increased disease transmission.
Policy Lessons From Early Reactions to the COVID-19 Virus in China
Authors: Liu Yu , Saltman Richard B.
Published: May 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 virus outbreak to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020. Although the Chinese central government implemented significant measures to control the epidemic from January 20 within China, the crisis had already escalated dramatically.

Between December 1, 2019, and January 20, 2020, a total of 51 days passed before the Chinese central government took full control. Several major factors combined to cause what had been in retrospect a clear break in the governmental information chain between December 1 and January 20. The management of this epidemic also illustrated key organizational limitations of the current Chinese health system, in particular provincial-level senior officials’ lack of knowledge and awareness of potential public health risks and insufficient emergency medical material storage and logistics arrangements.

We review the specific disease control actions that the Chinese central government took between January 20 and January 27, the major reasons why the governmental information chain had broken before January 20, and key structural health system limitations highlighted as the epidemic expanded.
Prognostic value of systemic inflammatory factors NLR, LMR, PLR and LDH in penile cancer
Authors: Hu Chen , Bai Yu , Li Jun , Zhang Guoyin , Yang Libo , Bi Chengwei , Zhao Bin , Yang Yong , Li Ruiqian , Wu Hongyi , Wang Qilin , Qin Yang
Published: May 2020

Background: Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC)represents an important public health problem for developing countries. The major prognostic factors in PSCC are pathological subtype, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, depth of invasion and grade, which are hard to obtain precisely before the operation. Besides, micro-metastases will be detected in about 30% of intermediate-risk patients with clinically non-palpable inguinal lymph nodes after i nguinal lymph node dissection( ILND ) . It means approximately 70% of patients are unable to benefit from ILND who might suffered from the complications of surgery. We hope some biomarkers could be found which are able to predict the outcome before surgery and reflect the inguinal lymph nodes metastasis. Methods: A total of 349 consecutive patients of penile cancer in Yunnan cancer hospital in China between October 2002 and December2017. 225 was succeed to follow-up. According to the (AUROC) curve, we get the cut-off point, K-M analysis and multivariate logistic regression models and Bivariate correlations were used to detect the results. The association between NLR,LMR,PLR,LDH and Overall survival(OS),progression free survival(PFS) , inguinal lymph node (N stage) was analyzed with K-M analysis, univariable, multivariable logistic regression and Kendall’s tau-b correlation coefficient. Results: Multivariate analysis reveal that only PLR was significant independent factor which is associated with inferior OS and PFS; Age and LDH was associated with inferior OS; Lymph node and metastatic status remained significant for OS and PFS as NCCN and EAU Guidelines indicated; the ages, tumor type, initial treatment and NLR LMR were not significant in predicting both OS and PFS. NLR, LMR and PLR were corresponded to N stage, while LDH was not associated with the N stage based on logistic regression model analysis. NLR, LMR and PLR were found weakly related to N stage through an application of Kendall’s tau-b correlation coefficient. Conclusions: PLR was significant independent factors for OS and PFS, Age and LDH was significant independent factors for OS. NLR, LMR, PLR was corresponded to N stage.
A novel framework for classification of selection processes in epidemiological research
Authors: Bjork Jonas , Nilsson Anton , Bonander Carl , Strömberg Ulf
Published: May 2020

Background: Selection and selection bias are terms that lack consistent definitions and have varying meaning and usage across disciplines. There is also confusion in current definitions between underlying mechanisms that lead to selection and their consequences. Consequences of selection on study validity must be judged on a case-by-case basis depending on research question, study design and analytical decisions. The overall aim of the study was to develop a simple but general framework for classifying various types of selection processes of relevance for epidemiological research. Methods: Several original articles from the epidemiological literature and from related areas of observational research were reviewed in search of examples of selection processes, used terminology and description of the underlying mechanisms. Results: We classified the identified selection processes in three dimensions: i) selection level (selection at the population level vs. study-specific selection), ii) type of mechanism (selection in exposure vs. selection in population composition), iii) timing of the selection (at exposure entry, during exposure/follow-up or post-outcome). Conclusions: Increased understanding of when, how, and why selection occur is an important step towards improved validity of epidemiological research.
Structural and functional similarities and differences in nucleolar Pumilio RNA-binding proteins between Arabidopsis and the charophyte Chara corallina
Authors: Park Su Hyun , Kim Hyung-Sae , Kalita Prakash Jyoti , Choi Sang-Bong
Published: May 2020

Background: Pumilio RNA-binding proteins are evolutionarily conserved throughout eukaryotes and are involved in RNA decay, transport, and translation repression in the cytoplasm. Although a majority of Pumilio proteins function in the cytoplasm, two nucleolar forms have been reported to have a function in rRNA processing in Arabidopsis. The species of the genus Chara have been known to be most closely related to land plants, as they share several characteristics with modern Embryophyta. Results: In this study, we identified two putative nucleolar Pumilio protein genes, namely, ChPUM2 and ChPUM3, from the transcriptome of Chara corallina. Of the two ChPUM proteins, ChPUM2 was most similar in amino acid sequence (27% identity and 45% homology) and predicted protein structure to Arabidopsis APUM23, while ChPUM3 was similar to APUM24 (35% identity and 54% homology). The transient expression of 35S:ChPUM2-RFP and 35S:ChPUM3-RFP showed nucleolar localization of fusion proteins in tobacco leaf cells, similar to the expression of 35S:APUM23-GFP and 35S:APUM24-GFP. Moreover, 35S:ChPUM2 complemented the morphological defects of the apum23 phenotypes but not those of apum24, while 35S:ChPUM3 could not complement the apum23 and apum24 mutants. Similarly, the 35S:ChPUM2/apum23 plants rescued the pre-rRNA processing defect of apum23, but 35S:ChPUM3/apum24+/- plants did not rescue that of apum24. Consistent with these complementation results, a known target RNA-binding sequence at the end of the 18S rRNA (5'-GGAAUUGACGG) for APUM23 was conserved in Arabidopsis and C. corallina, whereas a target region of ITS2 pre-rRNA for APUM24 was 156 nt longer in C. corallina than in A. thaliana. Moreover, ChPUM2 and APUM23 were predicted to have nearly identical structures, but ChPUM3 and APUM24 have different structures in the 5th C-terminal Puf RNA-binding domain, which had a longer random coil in ChPUM3 than in APUM24. Conclusions: ChPUM2 of C. corallina was functional in Arabidopsis, similar to APUM23, but ChPUM3 did not substitute for APUM24 in Arabidopsis. Protein homology modeling showed high coverage between APUM23 and ChPUM2, but displayed structural differences between APUM24 and ChPUM3. Together with the protein structure of ChPUM3 itself, a short ITS2 of Arabidopsis pre-rRNA may interrupt the binding of ChPUM3 to 3’-extended 5.8S pre-rRNA.
Empirical development of a typology on residential long-term care units in Germany - results of an exploratory multivariate data analysis
Authors: Bergmann Johannes Michael , Ströbel Armin Michael , Holle Bernhard , Palm Rebecca
Published: May 2020

Background: Organizational health care research focuses on describing structures and processes in organizations and investigating their impact on the quality of health care. In the setting of residential long-term care, this effort includes the examination and description of structural differences among the organizations (e.g., nursing homes). The objective of the analysis is to develop an empirical typology of living units in nursing homes that differ in their structural characteristics. Methods: Data from the DemenzMonitor Study were used. The DemenzMonitor is an observational study carried out in a convenience sample of 103 living units in 51 nursing homes spread over 11 German federal states. Characteristics of living units were measured by 19 variables related to staffing, work organization, building characteristics and meal preparation. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis (AHC) are suitable to create a typology of living units. Both methods are multivariate and explorative. We present a comparison with a previous typology (created by a nonexplorative and nonmultivariate process) of the living units derived from the same data set.Results: The MCA revealed differences among the living units, which are defined in particular by the size of the living unit (number of beds), the additional qualifications of the head nurse, the living concept and the presence of additional financing through a separate benefit agreement. We identified three types of living units; these clusters occur significantly with a certain combination of characteristics. In terms of content, the three clusters can be defined as: "house community", "dementia special care units” and "usual care". Conclusion: A typology is useful to gain a deeper understanding of the differences in the care structures of residential long-term care organizations. In addition, the study provides a practical recommendation on how to apply the results, enabling housing units to be assigned to a certain type. The typology can be used as a reference for definitions.
The prognostic value of IDO expression in solid tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Sen , Wu Jia , Shen Han , Wang Junjun
Published: May 2020

Background: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the metabolism of tryptophan into kynurenine. It is considered to be an immunosuppressive molecule that plays an important role in the development of tumors. However, the association between IDO and solid tumor prognosis remains unclear. Herein, we retrieved relevant published literature and analyzed the association between IDO expression and prognosis in solid tumors. Methods: Studies related to IDO expression and tumor prognosis were retrieved using PMC, EMbase and web of science database. Overall survival (OS), time to tumor progression (TTP) and other data in each study were extracted. Hazard ratio (HR) was used for analysis and calculation, while heterogeneity and publication bias between studies were also analyzed. Results: A total of 31 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, high expression of IDO was significantly associated with poor OS (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.52–2.43, P <0.001) and TTP (HR 2.25 95% CI 1.58–3.22, P <0.001). However, there was significant heterogeneity between studies on OS (I 2 =81.1%, P <0.001) and TTP (I 2 =54.8%, P =0.007). Subgroup analysis showed lower heterogeneity among prospective studies, studies of the same tumor type, and studies with follow-up periods longer than 45 months. Conclusions: The high expression of IDO was significantly associated with the poor prognosis of solid tumors, suggesting that it can be used as a biomarker for tumor prognosis and as a potential target for tumor therapy.
Impact of low skeletal muscle mass index and perioperative blood transfusion on the prognosis for HCC following curative resection
Authors: Bekki Tomoaki , Abe Tomoyuki , Amano Hironobu , Hattori Minoru , Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Nakahara Masahiro , Ohdan Hideki , Noriyuki Toshio
Published: May 2020

Background: This study aimed to assess the prognostic factors including low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and perioperative blood transfusion for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following curative surgery. Methods: This study included 139 patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomy between 2005 and 2016. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify variables associated with overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results: Low SMI was significantly related with poor OS, while blood transfusion had a strong impact on RFS. The male ratio and body mass index in the low SMI group were significantly higher than those in the high SMI group. There were no significant differences in age, virus aetiology, laboratory data, liver function, tumor makers, and operative variables between the groups. Tumor factors such as tumor diameter, tumor number, poor differentiation, and intrahepatic metastasis (IM) did not significantly differ between the two groups. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss volume, and recurrence ratio were significantly higher in the blood transfusion group than in the non-transfusion group. IM was associated with poor OS and RFS.Conclusions: Low SMI and blood transfusion were independently related with long-term prognosis in patients with HCC following curative surgery.
The puzzling mitochondrial phylogeography of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), the commercially most important insect protein species
Authors: Ståhls Gunilla , Meier Rudolf , Sandrock Christoph , Hauser Martin , Zorić Ljiljana Šašić , Laiho Elina , Aracil Andrea , Doderović Jovana , Badenhorst Rozane , Unadirekkul Phira , Adom Nur Arina Binte Mohd , Wein Leo , Richards Cameron , Tomberlin Jeffery K. , Rojo Santos , Veselić Sanja , Parviainen Tuure
Published: May 2020

Background The black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae, Hermetia illucens) is renowned for its bioconversion ability of organic matter, and is the worldwide most widely used source of insect protein. Despite varying extensively in morphology, it is widely assumed that all black soldier flies belong to the same species, Hermetia illucens. We here screened about 600 field-collected and cultured flies from 39 countries and six biogeographic regions to test this assumption based on data for three genes (mitochondrial COI, nuclear ITS2 & 28S rDNA) and in order to gain insights into the phylogeography of the species. Results Our study reveals a surprisingly high level of intraspecific genetic diversity for the mitochondrial barcoding gene COI (divergences up to 4.9%). This level of variability is often associated with the presence of multiple species, but tested nuclear markers (ITS2 and 28S rDNA) were invariant and fly strain hybridization experiments under laboratory conditions revealed reproductive compatibility. COI haplotype diversity is not only very high in all biogeographic regions (56 distinct haplotypes in total), but also in breeding facilities and research centers from six continents (10 haplotypes: divergences up to 4.3%). The high genetic diversity in fly-breeding facilities is mostly likely due to many independent acquisitions of cultures via sharing and/or establishing new colonies from field-collected flies. However, explaining some of the observed diversity in several biogeographic regions is difficult given that the origin of the species is considered to be New World (32 distinct haplotypes) and one would expect severely reduced genetic diversity in the putatively non-native populations in the remaining biogeographic regions. However, distinct, private haplotypes are known from the Australasian (N=1), Oriental (N=4), and the Eastern Palearctic (N=4) populations. We reviewed museum specimen records and conclude that the evidence for introductions is strong for the Western Palearctic and Afrotropical regions which lack distinct, private haplotypes.Conclusions Based on the results of this paper, we urge the black soldier fly community to apply molecular characterization (genotyping) of the fly strains used in artificial fly-breeding and share these data in research publications as well as when sharing cultures. In addition, fast-evolving nuclear markers should be used to reconstruct the recent invasion history of the species.
Association between Aminotransferase/alanine Aminotransferase Ratio and Cardiovascular Disease mortality in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Feng Xiaoran , Wen Yueqiang , Peng FenFen , Wang Niansong , Zhan Xiaojiang , Wu Xianfeng
Published: May 2020

Background Elevated aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among the general population. However, an association between AST/ALT ratio and CVD mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) has received little attention. Methods A total of 2224 incident PD patients from multi-centers were enrolled from November 1, 2005, to June 30, 2017, in this retrospective cohort study. The primary endpoint was CVD mortality. Eligible patients were divided into high and normal groups according to the AST/ALT ratio cut-off for CVD mortality with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The associations between the AST/ALT ratio and CVD mortality were evaluated by the Cox regression model. Results Of eligible 1579 patients with a mean age of 49.3±14.6 years, 55.4% of patients were male, 18.1% of patients had diabetes, and 64.2% of patients had hypertension. The prevalence of a high AST/ALT ratio was 76.6% in the cohort population. During a follow-up period with 4659.6 patient-years, 316 patients died, of which 193 (61.1%) deaths were caused by CVD episodes. The incidence of CVD mortality in the high group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (13.1% versus 9.2%, P=0.024). Cumulative CVD mortality rates were significantly different between the two groups by Kaplan-Meier analysis [hazards ratio (HR)=1.50, 95% confidence index (CI) 1.09-2.07, P=0.014]. After adjusting for confounding factors, a higher AST/ALT ratio was independently associated with an increased risk of CVD mortality compared with their counterparts (HR=1.43, 95%CI 1.08-2.41, P=0.002). Conclusions PD patients with high baseline AST/ALT ratio levels may be at a significant risk of CVD mortality.
Phantom and clinical evaluation of bone SPECT/CT image reconstruction with xSPECT algorithm
Authors: Miyaji Noriaki , Miwa Kenta , Tokiwa Ayaka , Ichikawa Hajime , Terauchi Takashi , Koizumi Mitsuru , Onoguchi Masahisa
Published: May 2020

Background Two novel methods of image reconstruction, xSPECT Quant (xQ) and xSPECT Bone (xB) that use an ordered subset conjugate gradient minimizer (OSCGM) for bone SPECT/CT have been proposed. The present study compares the performance characteristics of xQ, xB and conventional Flash3D (F3D) reconstruction using images derived from phantoms and patients. Methods A custom-designed body phantom for bone SPECT was scanned using a Symbia Intevo (Siemens Healthineers) and reconstructed xSPECT images were evaluated. The phantom experiments proceeded twice with different activity concentrations and sphere sizes. A phantom with 28-mm spheres containing a 99m Tc background and tumor-to-normal bone ratios (TBR) of 1, 2, 4 and 10, were generated and its convergence property was evaluated across 96 iterations. A phantom with four spheres (13-, 17-, 22-, and 28-mm diameters), containing a 99m Tc-background at TBR4, was also generated. The full width at half maximum of an imaged spinous process (10 mm), coefficients of variance (CV), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and recovery coefficients (RC) were evaluated after reconstructing images of a spine using Flash 3D (F3D), xQ and xB. Images from 20 patients with suspected bone metastases (male, n = 13) were acquired using 99m Tc-(H)MDP SPECT/CT, then CV and standardized uptake values (SUV) at the 4 th vertebral body (L4) were compared after xQ and xB reconstruction in a clinical setup. Results Mean activity concentrations with various TBR converged according to increasing numbers of iterations. Spatial resolution was improved in the order of xB, xQ and F3D regardless of the number of iterations during reconstruction. The CV and RC were better for xQ and xB than for F3D. The CNR peaked at 24 iterations for xQ and 48 iterations for F3D and xB, respectively. The RC between xQ and xB significantly differed at lower numbers of iterations but were almost equivalent at higher numbers of iterations. The SUV max and SUV peak in reconstructed xQ and xB images of clinical patients significantly differed. Conclusions The reconstructed xQ and xB images were more accurate than those reconstructed conventionally using F3D. Bone SPECT xB imaging offered essentially unchanged spatial resolution even when the numbers of iterations did not converge. The xB reconstruction further enhanced SPECT image quality using CT data. Our findings provide important information for understanding the performance characteristics of the novel xQ and xB algorithms.
Caloric restriction attenuates C57BL/6J mouse lung injury and extra-pulmonary toxicity induced by real ambient particulate matter exposure
Authors: Li Daochuan , Chen Shen , Li Qiong , Chen Liping , Zhang Haiyan , Li Huiyao , Yu Dianke , Zhang Rong , Niu Yujie , Lu Shaoyou , Ye Lizhu , Zeng Xiaowen , Dong Guanghui , Chen Rui , Aschner Michael , Zheng Yuxin , Chen Wen
Published: May 2020

Background: Caloric restriction (CR) is known to improve health and extend lifespan in human beings. The effects of CR on adverse health outcomes in response to particulate matter (PM) exposure and the underlying mechanisms have yet to be defined.Results: Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with a CR diet or ad libitum (AL) and exposed to PM for 4 weeks in a real-ambient PM exposure system located at Shijiazhuang, China, with a daily mean concentration (95.77 μg/m³) of PM2.5. Compared to AL-fed mice, CR-fed mice showed attenuated PM-induced pulmonary injury and extra-pulmonary toxicity characterized by reduction in oxidative stress, DNA damage and inflammation. RNA sequence analysis revealed that several pulmonary pathways that were involved in production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytokine production, and inflammatory cell activation were inactivated, while those mediating antioxidant generation and DNA repair were activated in CR-fed mice upon PM exposure. In addition, transcriptome analysis of murine livers revealed that CR led to induction of xenobiotic metabolism and detoxification pathways, corroborated by increased levels of urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and decreased cytotoxicity measured in an ex vivo assay.Conclusion: These novel results demonstrate, for the first time, that CR in mice confers resistance against pulmonary injuries and extra-pulmonary toxicity induced by PM exposure. CR led to activation of xenobiotic metabolism and enhanced detoxification of PM-bound chemicals. These findings provide evidence that dietary intervention may afford therapeutic means to reduce the health risk associated with PM exposure.
Oral health status and oral health-related quality of life among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the United Arab Emirates: A matched case-control study
Authors: Khalifa Nadia , Rahman Betul , Gaintantzopoulou Marianna D , Amad Suhail Al , Awad Manal M.
Published: May 2020

Background Nearly a quarter of the population in the UAE has type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and this medical condition is associated with poorer oral health. The effects on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), however, have not been examined in this population. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the impact of oral health problems, such as caries and periodontitis, on OHRQoL among Arab patients with and without T2DM. Methods This matched case-control study included 88 diabetic and 88 non-diabetic participants recruited from University Dental Hospital Sharjah and University Hospital Sharjah, UAE. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, as well as the Oral Health Impact Profile short form (OHIP-14) which measures OHRQoL. Clinical examinations were conducted to assess participants’ dental caries status, using the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) Index, and periodontal condition, via clinical attachment loss (CAL) dichotomized to CAL < 3mm and CAL ≥ 3mm. Linear regression models were used to identify the association between OHIP domains, clinical attachment loss, DMFT scores, and diabetes status. Results The mean age of the participants was 43.0 years. A significantly (p = 0.01) higher proportion of diabetic patients (23%) had a CAL ≥ 3mm compared to non-diabetic patients (10%). No significant differences in OHIP scores were observed between patients with and without diabetes. The results of the linear regression suggested that, irrespective of diabetic status, DMFT scores were significantly associated with physical disability, physical pain, psychological discomfort, and psychological disability, as well as total OHIP scores. CAL was significantly associated with the handicap domain. Among non-diabetics, OHIP scores were significantly associated with DMFT scores in five OHIP domains (functional limitation, physical disability, physical pain, psychological discomfort, psychological disability), as well as total OHIP scores. Among diabetics, CAL was significantly associated with both the social disability and handicap domains, while only the handicap domain reached statistical significance among non-diabetics. Conclusions Participants who had decayed teeth, irrespective of their diabetic status, reported substantial physical and psychological impacts on OHRQoL. CAL also had a significant impact on OHRQoL, being primarily associated with the OHIP handicap domain in both groups.