bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Shear Force on Skin Viability in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: de Wert Luuk A. , Geerts Margot , van der Brug Sander , Adriaansen Laura , Poeze Martijn , Schaper Nicolaas , Bouvy Nicole D.
Published: November 2019

Background. Shear is a major risk factor in the development of diabetic foot ulcers, but its effect on the skin of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) remains to be elucidated. The aim was to determine skin responses to shear in DM patients with and without diabetic polyneuropathy (DNP).Methods. The forearm skin was loaded with 14.5 N shear (+2.4 kPa pressure) and with 3.5 kPa pressure for 30 minutes in 10 type 2 DM patients without DNP, 10 type 2 DM patients with DNP, and 10 healthy participants. A Sebutape collected IL-1α(measure of tissue damage). A laser Doppler flowmeter measured cutaneous blood cell flux (CBF) as a measure of the reactive hyperaemic skin response.Findings. Reactive hyperaemia and IL-1αrelease was significantly increased after shear loading in all three groups and was higher compared to the responses to pressure loading. The reactive hyperaemic response after shear loading was impaired in patients with type 2 DM compared to healthy participants but did not differ between patients with and without DNP. The reactive hyperaemic response was negatively correlated with the blood glucose level but did not correlate with the DNP severity score.Interpretation. Shear is important in the development of tissue damage, but the reparative responses to shear are impaired in patients with type 2 DM. DNP was not associated with altered skin responses, suggesting that the loss of protective sensation to sense shear to skin remains a key factor in the development of diabetic foot ulcers in patients with DNP.
Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of SGLT-2 Inhibitors in an Italian Cohort of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Mirabelli Maria , Chiefari Eusebio , Caroleo Patrizia , Vero Raffaella , Brunetti Francesco Saverio , Corigliano Domenica Maria , Arcidiacono Biagio , Foti Daniela Patrizia , Puccio Luigi , Brunetti Antonio
Published: November 2019

Background. SGLT-2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter-2) inhibitors are a novel class of oral hypoglycemic agents for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Herein, we aimed to assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of SGLT-2 inhibitors in a Southern Italy population of subjects affected by T2DM. Patients and Methods. 408 diabetic patients treated with one of the three SGLT-2 inhibitors currently available in Italy (dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, and canagliflozin), either alone or in combination with other antidiabetic drugs, were retrospectively assessed at baseline, during, and after 18 months of continuous therapy. Results. Treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors resulted in a median decrease in HbA1c of 0.9%, with a percentage of decrement of 12 in relation to the baseline value, followed by a significant reduction (P<0.001) in fasting plasma glucose. Variations in HbA1c occurred independently of the baseline clinical or biochemical characteristics. In addition, treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors reduced body weight (P<0.008) and decreased diastolic blood pressure (P=0.004). With regard to safety outcomes, 66 patients out of 91 stopped SGLT-2 inhibitors during follow-up because of chronic or recurring genital infections, while the rest experienced other adverse events, such as urinary tract infections, polyuria, nausea, hypotension, dizziness, acute coronary event, worsening of glycemic control status, and rapid deterioration of renal function. Conclusion. In our patients’ population, the glycometabolic effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors were durable and comparable to those observed in multicenter randomized controlled trials. This notwithstanding safety concerns must be raised regarding the frequent occurrence of genitourinary infections and the risk of a rapid decline of renal function in patients with evidence of volume depletion and/or receiving other medications which can adversely affect kidney function.
Prognostic Value of the Systemic Inflammation Response Index in Patients with Adenocarcinoma of the Oesophagogastric Junction: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
Authors: Chen Yuan , Jin Ming , Shao Yingjie , Xu Guoping
Published: November 2019

Systemic inflammation is closely related to the occurrence and development of tumours. Based on preoperative neutrophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte counts, a new systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) was established, and the predictive ability of the SIRI for the survival of patients with adenocarcinoma of the oesophagogastric junction (AEG) was evaluated by propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. A total of 302 AEG patients undergoing radical surgery were studied. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the predictive capabilities of the SIRI. PSM was implemented to balance the baseline characteristics. The results showed that the SIRI, PLR, NLR, and MLR were associated with overall survival (OS) in AEG patients based on the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the SIRI was an independent prognostic factor. The AUC for the SIRI was significantly greater than that for the NLR, PLR, and MLR in predicting the 3- and 5-year OS of AEG patients. In PSM analysis, the SIRI remained an independent prognostic indicator of OS in AEG patients. The SIRI is a novel, simple, and inexpensive prognostic predictor for AEG. The prognostic value of the SIRI is superior to that of the PLR, NLR, and MLR. The SIRI can be used to distinguish the prognosis of AEG patients with different TNM stages and can be an important supplement to TNM staging.
Does Arterial Hypertension Affect Plasma Levels of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Tissue Inhibitors in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease? A Preliminary Study
Authors: Kuliczkowski Wiktor , Banaszkiewicz Marta , Mysiak Andrzej , Makaś Grzegorz , Bil-Lula Iwona
Published: November 2019

Background. Arterial hypertension (HT) is a serious and prevalent epidemiological factor in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). Metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-2 and MMP-9, and their natural endogenous tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) are involved in the pathogenesis of HT and its complications. MMPs are also involved in the development of diabetes (DM), a risk factor for CAD. The aim of the study was to explore the influence of CAD, HT, and DM on changes in plasma levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and their inhibitor TIMP-4. Methods and Results. The study involved 70 patients with stable CAD admitted for coronary angiography and 15 healthy subjects. Whole blood samples were collected prior to angiography. MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-4 levels in plasma were estimated using ELISA tests. CAD patients showed a significantly increased level of TIMP-4 and decreased level of MMP-2 in comparison to healthy controls (p=0.011 and p=0.037, respectively). Concentration of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-4 did not differ in the group with and without hypertension. Patients with DM presented higher MMP-2 level than patients without DM (p<0.001). Multiple regression analysis of the influence of independent variables such as CAD stage, DM, and HT on MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-4 showed that only DM was independently associated with a higher level of MMP-2 (β = 0.42, R2 = 0.17, p<0.001). Conclusion. Data showed that patients with CAD presented higher TIMP-4 and lower MMP-2 concentration regardless of HT and DM. HT had no effect on MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-4 levels in serum. DM was independently associated with higher MMP-2 concentration; however, co-occurrence of CAD and DM was associated with the balance in the MMP-2 level. Concentration of MMP-9 did not change significantly in any of the analysed groups.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Myelin Basic Protein Adsorbed on Liquid Crystalline Dioleoylphosphatidylcholine Monolayer
Authors: Lei Zhang , Runguang Sun , Changchun Hao , Huihui Yang , Chengxi Hu
Published: November 2019

To investigate the stability and dynamic characteristics of monolayer adsorbed on unsaturated lipid dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) with varying concentrations of myelin basic protein (MBP), the system is studied by applying Langmuir technique and making atomic force microscope (AFM) observation, which is based on the mass conservation equation analysis method referred to in the thermodynamics theory. As indicated by surface pressure-mean molecular area (π−A) and surface pressure-adsorption time (π−T) isotherms, the physical properties of monolayer derived from the interaction of varying concentrations of MBP with liquid crystalline unsaturated lipid DOPC molecules were qualitatively studied. As revealed by surface morphology analysis with AFM, the micro region was expanded as the concentration of MBP in the subphase was on the increase, suggesting that hydrophobic interactions led to the MBP insertion, thus causing accumulation of the MBP on the surface of the monolayer. Experimental results have demonstrated that the partition coefficient of the interaction between MBP and unsaturated phospholipid DOPC and the molecular area of MBP adsorbed on the monolayer film was calculated using the mass conservation equation. In addition, not only does the varying concentration of MBP in the subphase exerts significant effects on the arrangement and conformation of DOPC monolayer, it also has certain guiding significance to exploring the structural changes to biofilm supramolecular aggregates as well as the pathogenesis and treatment of related diseases.
CZYH Alleviates β-Amyloid-Induced Cognitive Impairment and Inflammation Response via Modulation of JNK and NF-κB Pathway in Rats
Authors: Deng Yuanyuan , Ye Lianzhi , Yu Cheng , Yin Caixia , Shi Jingshan , Gong Qihai
Published: November 2019

Cu-Zhi-Yi-Hao (CZYH), an empirical formula of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used for amnesia treatment in clinical practice. However, its underlying pharmacological mechanism has not been fully illuminated. The current study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of CZYH on a β-amyloid 25-35- (Aβ25-35-) induced learning and memory deficit rat model. CZYH (200, 400, or 800 mg/kg), donepezil (1.0 mg/kg), or distilled water was given to Aβ25-35-stimulated animals for 17 days consecutively. The Morris water maze test revealed that CZYH (400 or 800 mg/kg) administration improved the Aβ25-35-induced cognitive impairments in rats, and Nissl staining demonstrated that CZYH mitigated the Aβ-caused neuron loss. In addition, CZYH treatment markedly inhibited the activation of microglia as evidenced by a decreased level of IBA-1 and increased YM-1/2 protein expression. The protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and COX-2 were also repressed by CZYH. Besides, CZYH treatment alleviated Aβ-induced IκB-α degradation and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation, as well as reduced the JNK phosphorylation level. In conclusion, the present study suggests that CZYH could improve learning and memory abilities and relieve neuron loss in Aβ25-35-induced rats, at least partly through inhibition of the neuroinflammatory response via inhibiting the JNK-dependent NF-κB activation, indicating that CZYH might be a promising formula for the treatment of AD.
Mitophagy, Mitochondrial Dynamics, and Homeostasis in Cardiovascular Aging
Authors: Wu Ne N. , Zhang Yingmei , Ren Jun
Published: November 2019

Biological aging is an inevitable and independent risk factor for a wide array of chronic diseases including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Ample evidence has established a pivotal role for interrupted mitochondrial homeostasis in the onset and development of aging-related cardiovascular anomalies. A number of culprit factors have been suggested in aging-associated mitochondrial anomalies including oxidative stress, lipid toxicity, telomere shortening, metabolic disturbance, and DNA damage, with recent findings revealing a likely role for compromised mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial quality control machinery such as autophagy. Mitochondria undergo consistent fusion and fission, which are crucial for mitochondrial homeostasis and energy adaptation. Autophagy, in particular, mitochondria-selective autophagy, namely, mitophagy, refers to a highly conservative cellular process to degrade and clear long-lived or damaged cellular organelles including mitochondria, the function of which gradually deteriorates with increased age. Mitochondrial homeostasis could be achieved through a cascade of independent but closely related processes including fusion, fission, mitophagy, and mitochondrial biogenesis. With improved health care and increased human longevity, the ever-rising aging society has imposed a high cardiovascular disease prevalence. It is thus imperative to understand the role of mitochondrial homeostasis in the regulation of lifespan and healthspan. Targeting mitochondrial homeostasis should offer promising novel therapeutic strategies against aging-related complications, particularly cardiovascular diseases.
A Wrapper Feature Subset Selection Method Based on Randomized Search and Multilayer Structure
Authors: Mao Yifei , Yang Yuansheng
Published: November 2019

The identification of discriminative features from information-rich data with the goal of clinical diagnosis is crucial in the field of biomedical science. In this context, many machine-learning techniques have been widely applied and achieved remarkable results. However, disease, especially cancer, is often caused by a group of features with complex interactions. Unlike traditional feature selection methods, which only focused on finding single discriminative features, a multilayer feature subset selection method (MLFSSM), which employs randomized search and multilayer structure to select a discriminative subset, is proposed herein. In each level of this method, many feature subsets are generated to assure the diversity of the combinations, and the weights of features are evaluated on the performances of the subsets. The weight of a feature would increase if the feature is selected into more subsets with better performances compared with other features on the current layer. In this manner, the values of feature weights are revised layer-by-layer; the precision of feature weights is constantly improved; and better subsets are repeatedly constructed by the features with higher weights. Finally, the topmost feature subset of the last layer is returned. The experimental results based on five public gene datasets showed that the subsets selected by MLFSSM were more discriminative than the results by traditional feature methods including LVW (a feature subset method used the Las Vegas method for randomized search strategy), GAANN (a feature subset selection method based genetic algorithm (GA)), and support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE). Furthermore, MLFSSM showed higher classification performance than some state-of-the-art methods which selected feature pairs or groups, including top scoring pair (TSP), k-top scoring pairs (K-TSP), and relative simplicity-based direct classifier (RS-DC).
Urinary Cotinine Is as Good a Biomarker as Serum Cotinine for Cigarette Smoking Exposure and Lung Cancer Risk Prediction
Authors: Thomas Claire E. , Wang Renwei , Adams-Haduch Jennifer , Murphy Sharon E. , Ueland Per Magne , Midttun Øivind , Brennan Paul , Johansson Mattias , Gao Yu-Tang , Yuan Jian-Min
Published: November 2019

Background:

Cotinine is a metabolite of nicotine. Serum and urinary cotinine are validated biomarkers for cigarette exposure. Their performance for lung cancer risk prediction has not been simultaneously examined in epidemiologic studies.

Methods:

A nested case–control study, including 452 incident lung cancer cases and 452 smoking-matched controls in the Shanghai cohort study, was conducted. Mass spectrometry–based methods were used to quantify cotinine in serum and urine samples collected from current smokers at baseline, on average 10 years before cancer diagnosis of cases. Logistic regression was used to estimate ORs, 95% confidence intervals (CI), and AUC ROC for lung cancer associated with higher levels of cotinine.

Results:

Serum and urinary cotinine levels were significantly higher in lung cancer cases than controls. Compared with the lowest quartile serum cotinine (≤0.40 nmol/mL), the OR of lung cancer for smokers in the highest quartiles (>1.39 nmol/mL) was 5.46 (95% CI, 3.38–8.81). Similarly, the OR was 5.49 (95% CI, 3.39–8.87) for highest (>16.38 nmol/mg creatinine) relative to the lowest quartile of urinary total cotinine (≤4.11 nmol/mg creatinine). A risk prediction model yielded an AUC of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.69–0.75) for serum cotinine and 0.72 (95% CI, 0.69–0.75) for urinary total cotinine combined with smoking history.

Conclusions:

Urinary and serum cotinine have the same performance in prediction of lung cancer risk for current smokers.

Impact:

Urinary cotinine is a noninvasive biomarker that can replace serum cotinine in risk prediction of future lung cancer risk for current smokers.
Metformin Use and Pancreatic Cancer Survival among Non-Hispanic White and African American U.S. Veterans with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Toriola Adetunji T. , Luo Suhong , Thomas Theodore S. , Drake Bettina F. , Chang Su-Hsin , Sanfilippo Kristen M. , Carson Kenneth R.
Published: November 2019

Background:

The effect of metformin use on survival among patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is controversial. Furthermore, there are no data on African American patients. To address these, we analyzed data from the United States Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Methods:

A population-based retrospective cohort study evaluating overall survival among 3,811 patients with PDAC with preexisting diabetes mellitus, diagnosed with PDAC within the VHA between 1998 and 2013. We calculated HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using multivariable adjusted time-varying Cox proportional hazards regression to control for immortal time bias and confounders.

Results:

Metformin use was not associated with overall survival in the complete analyses (HR = 1.05; 95% CI, 0.92–1.14; P = 0.28). However, among patients who were metformin naïve at the time of PDAC diagnosis (N = 1,158), metformin use was associated with improved overall survival in non-Hispanic white patients (HR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.61–0.99; P = 0.04), but not African American patients (HR = 1.20; 95% CI, 0.75–1.93; P = 0.45). The survival benefit among non-Hispanic whites was limited to patients with metastatic disease (HR = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.44–1.01; P = 0.06). Among African American patients with metastatic disease, HR was 1.30 (95% CI, 0.77–2.53; P = 0.28). There was a suggestion of heterogeneity by race in patients with metastatic disease (Pheterogeneity = 0.05).

Conclusions:

We observed no associations between metformin use and survival in patients with PDAC, but there appears to be a survival benefit among non-Hispanic white patients who were metformin naïve at the time of PDAC diagnosis.

Impact:

If confirmed in other studies, our findings suggest that metformin as an adjunctive treatment for PDAC may not improve survival among African American patients.
USP22 Interacts with PALB2 and Promotes Chemotherapy Resistance via Homologous Recombination of DNA Double-Strand Breaks
Authors: Nardi Isaac K. , Stark Jeremy M. , Larsen Adrien , Salgia Ravi , Raz Dan J.
Published: November 2019

Homologous recombination (HR) is a highly conserved pathway that can facilitate the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB). Several Deubiquitinases (DUB) have been implicated as key players in DNA damage repair (DDR) through HR. Here, we report USP22, a DUB that is highly overexpressed in multiple cancer types, is necessary for HR through a direct interaction with PALB2 through its C-terminal WD40 domain. This interaction stimulates USP22 catalytic activity in vitro. Furthermore, we show USP22 is necessary for BRCA2, PALB2, and Rad51 recruitment to DSBs and this is, in part, through USP22 stabilizing BRCA2 and PALB2 levels. Taken together, our results describe a role for USP22 in DNA repair.

Implications:

This research provides new and exciting mechanistic insights into how USP22 overexpression promotes chemoresistance in lung cancer. We believe this study, and others, will help aid in developing targeted drugs toward USP22 and known binding partners for lung cancer treatment.
The Diagnosis and Treatment of Craniopharyngioma
Authors: Müller Hermann L.
Published: November 2019

Craniopharyngioma (CP) is a rare embryonic malformation of the sellar/parasellar region with a low histological grade. Clinical manifestations are related to hypothalamic/pituitary deficiencies, visual impairment, and increased intracranial pressure. Recent insight into the molecular pathogenesis of CP opens new perspectives on targeted therapy in papillary CP harboring BRAF-V600E mutations. Further research to elucidate pathogenic mechanisms and hopefully prevent hypothalamic involvement of CP is warranted. If the tumor is favorably localized, the therapy of choice is complete resection, with care taken to preserve the optical and hypothalamic functions. In patients with unfavorable tumor localization (i.e., hypothalamic involvement), the recommended therapy is a limited hypothalamus-sparing surgical strategy followed by local irradiation. Surgical treatment strategies should be based on a multidisciplinary approach involving experienced teams. Centralizing the treatment of CP in experienced “centers of excellence” and multicenter-based networks for reference assessments should be considered to assure a high standard of treatment quality. CP recurrence and progression are frequent. Irradiation has proven effective in reducing recurrences and progression. Proton beam therapy, available in a wider range in the near future, will help to avoid radio-oncological side effects. Anatomical involvement and/or surgical lesions of posterior hypothalamic areas can result in serious sequelae that compromise quality of life (QoL), such as hypothalamic obesity and psychopathological symptoms. Novel insights into neuropsychological sequelae after CP occurrence should be the basis for the development of therapeutic neuropsychological interventions. CP should be managed as a frequently chronic disease, providing ongoing care of pediatric and adult patients’ clinical and QoL consequences by experienced multidisciplinary teams.
Urinoir Model as A Liquid Organic Fertilizer Producer of Nitrogen, Phospate and Potassium
Authors: Ganefati Sri Puji , Sutomo Adi Heru , Iswanto Iswanto
Published: November 2019

Environment plays role as transmission media for various kinds of environmental based diseases such as Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Diarrhoea, Poliomyelitis, Measles, Hepatitis, Thypus and Herpes. This kind of disease stills a health problem for Indonesia. The mortality survey conducted in ten provinces by Sub-Directorate of ARI of the MoH of Indonesia in 2005 found that Pneumoniae as a type of ARI diseases was the greatest cause of death among infants (22.3 %) and under-five children (23.6 %), and based on Surkesnas report in 2010, the number of Thypus cases in Indonesia increased by 20.73 %. Meanwhile, among those diseases, Thypus, Hepatitis and Herpes can be transmitted by human urine, as well. On the other hand, urine can be processed becoming organic fertilizer because it consists of essential substances for plants growth, i.e. 80 % Nitrogen and Phospate and Potassium in the rest 20 %. 75 – 90 % of the Nitrogen is in form of Urea and only the small percentage of Ammonium and Creatinine. Meanwhile, 90 – 100 % of Phosphate and Sulphur   are in dissolved inorganic form and can be directly absorbed by plants. The use of liquid organic fertilizer is able for improving soil fertility which is depraved due to the continuing use of chemical fertilizer. The aim of the research was to understand the influence of the use of urinoir model in various urine detention times, on the concentration of the yielded Nitrogen, Phospate and Potassium (K) by conducting an experiment which employed post-test design. The results showed that the various urinoir models (I, II dan III) had effect on the concentration of those three substances of the liquid fertilizer (p < 0,001), and Model I (i.e. 5 day detention time) is found as the most appropriate urinoir model in producing the N, P an K subtances in the fertilizer.
Measuring Efficiency of Hospitals by DEA: An Empirical Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Rasool Syed Aziz , Saboor Abdul , Raashid Muhammad
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACT

There has been increasing focus on efficiency measurement in health sector around the world. This empirical study aims at measuring efficiency level of non-profit private organization by using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in the health sector of Pakistan. DEA is non-parametric linear programming based approach for homogeneous decision making units. Layton Rehmatullah Benevolent Trust (non-profit private organization) will be subject matter for investigational analysis constituting over 16 sub-units spreading across the country. Secondary data of number of patient beds, specialists and nurses in all the 16 branches of LRBT hospitals will be used applying quantitative specification tool, both scale and technical efficiency levels in an environment where multiple of inputs and outputs are in place, will be used for final evaluation. The outcomes so expected will help policy makers to formulate effective plans and programs in order to enhance the efficiency of health measures conducted by non- profit private organizations.

 
Reliability and Validaty of St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) into Indonesian Version
Authors: Adnan Adnan , Perwitasari Dyah Aryani , Mulyani Ully Adhie
Published: November 2019

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the disease as the highest contributor to the disease burden in Indonesia. Tuberculosis can affect the patients’ quality of life, such as psychological, physical, and social functioning. St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) is a special instrument which was widely used to measure the patients’ quality of life with respiratory disease. The objective of this study was to validate the Indonesian version of the SGRQ as instrument to collect data. A descriptive cross section design with 61 subjects was conducted at the Pulmonary Clinics and Primary Health Centers in the region of Yogyakarta within 3 months. The validation process included the known group validity, convergent and discriminant validity and factor analysis. There were 14 items question numbers which did not meet the criteria for convergent validity and 9 items which did not meet the criteria for discriminant validity. Known group validity analysis on gender showed that of the three domains of SGRQ, the activity domain gave statistically significant result. The factor analysis showed the result of Kaiser Meyer Olkin analysis (KMO) was less than 0.5. With a few modifications, the Indonesian version of SGRQ is valid and reliable for measuring quality of life in tuberculosis patients.
Nutritional Intakes of Obese Elementary School Children Residing in the Shimokita Peninsula of Aomori, Japan
Authors: Kumagai Takako , Nakamura Yumiko , Naijo Emi , Sugimoto Akiko , Kavanagh Barry , Ito Haruyuki
Published: November 2019

This research examined the lifestyles and eating habits of 42 elementary school fifth graders(20 boys and 22 girls) over a 3-day period; these children resided in theShimokita Peninsula, Aomori prefecture, which has the highest childhood obesityrate in Japan. The children’s nutritionalintakes were recorded via questionnaires and self-documented meal recorddiaries overa 3-day period (1 weekday and the weekend). The meal record diaries recorded which meals the children ate (including snacks) during the 3-day period. A regular feature of these children’s lifestyle was theviewing of at least 3 hours of television per day. Compared with the National Health and Nutrition Survey conductedby the Japanese government, the nutritionaland energy intake levels were the same but when we examined food group intakes,the vegetable intake was lower on weekends in comparison to the weekdays whenthe children were provided school lunches. In addition, salt intake exceededthe recommended standard in more than 80% of the study sample. We suggest thatthe pattern of reduced vegetable intake juxtaposed with high salt intake stemsfrom childhood and is repeated and passed down through generations; therefore, theguardians of these children require nutritional guidance and education.
Effect of Indirect Advertising and Promotion Activities of Tobacco Products in Khulna
Authors: Azad-uz-zaman Qazi , Hossain Quazi Zahangir
Published: November 2019

Different forms of tobacco advertisement and promotional activities are the burden of tobacco epidemic in Bangladesh. A descriptive type of cross-sectional study was carried out on a total of 404 adults, randomly selected from urban and rural areas. Data were collected implementing both qualitative and quantitative methods from July to September 2013 and found 52% of the respondents were smoking cigarette or bidi, within them only 30% of the male adults were never user of tobacco of any kind. The respondents mainly noticed packet wall (52%), posters (65%), and big size packets (38%) as indirect advertisement as well as free sample (51%) and free gifts (43%) as promotional activities. A significant effect was identified of the activities on increasing consumption which tobacco control advocates and practitioners always argue. Existing laws do not allow giving free samples and free gift to persons, it should be enforced adequately as well as all tobacco control activists should be vigilant on unlawful activities of tobacco traders.
Biosecurity of Poultry Worker Related to Avian Influenza in Bangladesh
Authors: Roy Swapan Kumar , Hossain Quazi Zahangir
Published: November 2019

Research on biosecurity of poultry workers of Live Bird Market (LBM) in urban and rural areas related to highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) was undertaken during March-June, 2014 at Keshabpur upazila (22°48´-22°57´N latitude and 89°06´-89°22´E longitude), Jessore, Bangladesh. A non-randomized (purposive) sampling method was applied and a descriptive type of cross sectional study was performed among 72 workers, dividing them into two groups as 36 urban and 36 rural poultry workers of LBM through split-halves variation technique. They were interviewed confidentially in their work place using a structured pretested questionnaire. Among respondents 53%, 75%, 45%, 81%, and 56% of urban and 50%, 42%, 50%, 89%, and 36% of rural residence had attended up to primary school, knowledge about AI through media like TV and radio, used proper personal protective equipment as mask and gloves, washed their hands and equipment after finishing work and cleaned stalls/cages daily and mostly they used water as a cleaning material, respectively. In urban (14%) and rural (36%) workers used the same vehicle to transport poultry and humans. A combined effort is required to enhance knowledge and change behavior among those most at risk in low-income countries and precautions necessary to avoid spreading the virus among poultry and humans.
Body Mass Index can be a Good Predictor of Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women in India
Authors: Chowdhury Biplob , Kundu Brajanath
Published: November 2019

Risk factors for the prediction of osteoporosis are an important and cost effective method since osteoporosis is a silent disease. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the associations between weight, body mass index (BMI), the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool (OST), and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women in India. In this cross sectional study, 90 postmenopausal women aged 45–85 years who had given consent participated and the study was conducted between April, 2012 and May, 2013. BMD was measured by ultrasound bone densitometry at calcaneal site. Linear regression multivariate models were used to examine the associations with weight, BMI, OST, and BMD. Body weight, BMI, and OST had almost similar overall performance in their ability to classify women with BMD T-score ≤−2.5. Regression results showed that the linear combination of three independent variables BMI, OST and body weight. BMI predicted 65.7% of the variance in BMD, R2 = .657, R2 adjusted = .609, (F=21.295, p<.000). The strongest predictor of low BMD was BMI. BMI showed significant association with BMD with a correlation of .846. Low weight and BMI predict osteoporosis and are associated with increased risks in postmenopausal women. The negative impact of low body weight on bone health should be more widely recognized.
Role of Mothers’ Nutritional Knowledge, Nutritional Factors on The School Performance
Authors: Farhana JasminAra , Akther Farhana , Talukder Mesbah Uddin , Islam Md. Ariful , Islam Md. Torikul , Bhuyan Md. Aminul Haque
Published: November 2019

A cross sectional study was carried out to investigate the effects of mothers’ nutritional knowledge, health and nutritional factors and socio-economic parameters on school performance among class five students of University Laboratory School, Dhaka. All of the eighty students were selected for this study. This study found there is a strong relationship between mother’s knowledge score and school performance. It was found that mothers’ knowledge score was responsible for 91.1 percent change in school performance. The mean BMI of the mothers was 20.44. We found that the school performance measured by class roll number of the students is significantly related with mothers BMI. There was an imperfect negative association between socio-economic parameters and school performance. But the relationship between the school performances with socio-economic parameters was strongly significant. This study also observed the relationship between Individual Dietary Diversity Score (IDDS) of respondent and marks achieved in class 4 final exam. It is alarming that consumption percentage were low for eggs (30) and milk and milk products (37.5), but majority of the students who consumed milk and milk products (63.3%) and eggs (66.7%) got the highest marks.
TLC-Bioautography Profile of Ethyl Acetate Extract of 5 Bacteria Isolated from Ficus carica L Rhizosphere
Authors: Narwanti Iin , Sulistyani Nanik
Published: November 2019

Research has been conducted on the 5 isolates of bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of Ficus carica L as a producer of antibiotics. The previous study showed they have NRPS gene profiles that differ from each other. This study aims to determine the TLC Rf spots having inhibition activity against the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. The study was conducted using the 5 bacteria isolates, namely T19, T24, T25, T37 and T41. All isolates were fermented at room temperature for 14 days. Further the each broth culture was filtered and extracted using ethyl acetate. Components in the extract were separated by thin layer chromatography (TLC) with the mobile phase of chloroform-methanol (7: 3), followed by bioautography test against the S. aureus and E. coli to determine the chromatogram spots containing antibiotics. TLC results showed all isolates had different chromatogram profiles. The bioautography results showed that only isolate T25 can produce antibiotics against S. aureus. The antibiotic spot was at Rf 0.9 in the use of chloroform-methanol (7: 3) solvent system.
Microbial Air Contamination in an Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Chang Chih-Yi , Tseng Liang , Yang Lung-Shih
Published: November 2019

Unit layout affects every aspect of intensive care services, including patient safety. A previous study has shown that patients admitted to beds adjacent to the sink and to the door of a large bayroom had the highest number of positive blood cultures and the highest blood culture incidence density, respectively. The present study measures microbial air contamination in a medical intensive care unit of a medical center in central Taiwan. Of the 17 rooms, 8 rooms with distinct physical environmental characteristics were selected. Sampling tests were conducted between December 2013 and February 2014 with a microbial air sampler (MAS-100NT). TSA was used for bacteria collection and DG18 for fungi collection. The overall average bacterial and fungal concentrations were 83CFU/m3 and 69CFU/m3, respectively. The ranges were between 8-354 CFU/m3 and 0-1468 CFU/m3, respectively. A significant difference was found in the bacterial concentration (p=.005) between different room locations. The highest concentration was found in the rooms located at the front end of the circulation (99 CFU/m3), while the lowest was found in the rooms located at the rear end of the circulation (55CFU/m3). Differences in fungal concentrations for different room locations did not reach statistical significance. In addition, differences in bacterial and fungal concentrations for rooms with different sink locations did not reach statistical significance. Even though the microbial concentrations generally complied with standards, the results may help designers and hospital administrators develop a healthier environment for patients.
Black Cumin Seed Oilas Hepatoprotector in Decreasing SGPT and SGOT Activity and Increasing p53 Gene Expression in Sprague Dawley Rats Induced by Alloxan
Authors: Akrom Akrom , Darmawan Endang , Yuhelvia Liesma
Published: November 2019

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of BCSO on SGPT/SGOT levels and p53 expression in rats induced by alloxan. This study applied a post test only control group design. A total of 42 SD rats were divided into 6 groups. Group I was normal rats. Group II (negative control) was given alloxan. Group III and IV (treatment groups) were given BCSO with equivalent doses of 6.8 mg/kg and 68 mg/kg thymoquinone, respectively (BCSO 6.8 and BCSO68 groups). Group V (positive control) was given vitamin C. Group VI (control media) were given DMSO. BCSO and Vitamin C are given for 1 week. Alloxan was given on 7th day, i.p. On the 8th day did blood sampling for measurement of SGPT and SGOT levels. Liver retrieval was performed on the 9th day continued immunohistochemistry staining. The average levels of SGPT/SGOT were then analyzed with ANOVA test. p53 expression was analyzed by Kolmogorov Semirnov and Levene then followed by Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney. Statistical tests performed on 95% confidence level. The results showed that the induction of alloxan increased levels of SGPT/SGOT. BCSO68 reduced SGPT /SGOT levels in alloxan-induced rats (p < 0.05). Both BCSO 6.8 and BCSO68 increased the expression of p53 in liver tissue of alloxan – induced rats. Average percentage of p53 expression in group I to group VI were 11.12 ± 0.37; 19.24 ± 4.47; 30.31 ± 1.59; 40.43 ± 1.74; 29.67 ± 0.47; 12.02 ± 1.01, respectively. The result of statistical analysis showed the value of p < 0.05 in all groups except in group III. It can be concluded that BCSO may have hepatoprotective effect and increase the expression of p53 in the liver of alloxan-induced rats.
Obesity and Hypertension in Students of Jahangirnagar University: Alarming Issues
Authors: Paul Sudip , Solayman Md. , Biswas Puja , Saha Moumoni , Hossain Md. Sabir
Published: November 2019

The prevalence of obesity and hypertension (HTN) in university students of Bangladesh has not reported yet. Considering the proper health maintenance of this population in mind, the study was aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity and HTN as well as relationship among them in the students of a residential university of Bangladesh, Jahangirnagar University. This descriptive cross sectional study included 500 randomly selected students (250 males and 250 females). Participants completed a questionnaire on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, dietary factors, smoking and family history of obesity, HTN, and coronary artery disease. Blood pressure and anthropometric parameters such as height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured following standard procedure. The Statistical analyses were performed using the software SPSS.The prevalence of overweight was 25% (31.1% males, 15.6% females) and obesity 7.2% (9.4% males, 4% females). Pre-HTN was found at 27.1% (38% males, 11.2% females) and HTN at 2.2% (3.3% males, 0.4% females). A high rate of smoking, sedentary behavior, physical inactivity, excessive consumption of unhealthy food, and caffeine-rich drinks was also observed. Significant correlation was found between parameters of obesity and HTN. High prevalence of pre-HTN in males and central obesity in females were found which is immediately needed to control for better health maintenance of this population.
Incidence of Opportunistic Infections among Adult HIV Positive People Receiving Co-trimoxazole Prophylaxis
Authors: G Yihun Tariku , Yaya Yaliso , Jerene Degu , Tamiso Alemu
Published: November 2019

In Ethiopia, Co-trimoxazole prophylaxis therapy (CPT) used to prevent opportunistic infections among people living with HIV is the standard of practice; however incidence of opportunistic infection and their predictors are rarely documented in the country.  This was a retrospective follow up study to describe the incidence and predictors of opportunistic infections among 244 adults receiving CPT. Participants were followed for a median time of 72 weeks. During a study period a total of 53opportunistic infections were recorded; making the overall incidence rate 23.9/100 person-years. High incidence of opportunistic infections is likely to occur if: the clients were married (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 1.965;(95% CI: 1.109, 3.451), had history of tuberculosis treatment (AHR: 2.34(95% CI:1.05, 5.24)), patients who are indicated for CPT because of both clinical and WHO clinical staging criteria(AHR 2.418 (95% CI:1.02, 5.72 ),and had poor adherence to CPT (AHR, 2.11 (95% CI: 1.19-3.72)). Eventhough adherence is non-substitutable strategy to prevent opportunistic infection, the cohort of HIV patients failed to adhere to CPT, which in turn resulthigh incidence of opportunistic infections among them, therefore improving adherence as guideline should be a priority to prevent OIs among people living with HIV in the study region.
Sex, Friends and Bullying Among Adolescents
Authors: Gustina Erni , Wibowo Marsiana
Published: November 2019

Bullying is a common problem among adolescents in the world. Bullying gives serious long-term effects on mental and physical health. Several studies found that adolescent involvement in bullying was related with maladjustment for both male and female. Male are more involved in physical and verbal bullying, whereas girls are more involved in relational bullying. Having a lot of friends can protect adolescents from bullying behavior and reduce their vulnerability to be a bullying victim. The purpose of this study was to know the relationship between sex and the number of friends with bullying among adolescents in Junior high School at Yogyakarta city. This study was an observational analytic study with cross sectional design. The samples of the study were adolescent aged 13-15 years in five junior high schools. The instrument of the study was a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using chi square test. There were 250 adolescent involved in the study. The highest bullying incidence was 77.27% and the lowest was 22.73%. Both of them were verbal bullying. Bivariat analysis showed relationship was between sex and bullying (p= 0.03; PR= 0.74) and there was no relationship between the number of friends and bullying (p= 0.23; PR= 1.26). It can be concluded that there was relationship between sex and bullying among adolescents but there was no relationship between number of friends and bullying among adolescents. School should concern strict rules againt bullying behavior to minimize the occurrence of bullying behavior at school.
Model to Reduce HIV Related Stigma among Indonesian Nurses
Authors: Sismulyanto Sismulyanto , Supriyanto S. , Nursalam Nursalam
Published: November 2019

Stigmatization of persons living with HIV (PLWH) did by health professionals including nurses. Stigma was a barrier of nurses to implement nursing care to PLWH patients. The purpose of this study was to make model of reducing stigma among nurses particularly in the hospital, district of Banyuwangi, Indonesia. Design used in this study was analytical observational. The population was all nurses who worked in 4 hospitals in Banyuwangi of Indonesia. Total sample recruited were 77 respondents. Data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by using Smart PLS (Partial Least Squares). The result showed that stigma existed among nurses particularly on labelling and stereotyping to PLWH patient. Transcultural components had influence to nurses’ stigma on HIV and AIDS patients; there were jobs factor, facilities factor, values factor, and knowledge factor. Stigmatizing attitudes were found among nurses with quite satisfied. It can be concluded to reduce the stigma of nurses by intervening on transcultural components among other factors affecting jobs factor, facilities factor, values factor and knowledge factor. Further research should apply this model in nursing care.
Contribution Factors on Early Initiation of Breastfeeding
Authors: Ariyani Dwi Fitria , Handayani Lina
Published: November 2019

One of the causes of high Infant Mortality Rate is the low coverage of exclusive breastfeeding. One of the supporting factors to exclusive breastfeeding is implementation of Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (EIB). Mother’s knowledge and understanding about the EIB, as well as the role of birth attendants, especially midwives can be strongly support it’s the EIB. The purpose of this research was to determine the relationship between mother's knowledge, mother’s attitudes and midwife role with the implementation of Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (EIB). The research was an observational analytic research employed cross sectional design. The subjects were maternity mothers who inpatient at Pulang Pisau Hospital in Central Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. The results showed that there were significant relationships between mother's knowledge, attitudes and midwife role with the Implementation of Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (EIB). Attitude was the most influenced variable to the EIB.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Concentration in Brain of Rat Treated with Anaerobic Exercises
Authors: Flora Rostika , Zulkarnain Muhammad , Ardi Yuliana , Sorena Esti , Wati Roslina , Wena Syokuma , Juliansyah Rahmad Aswin , Slamet Samwilson
Published: November 2019

Anaerobic  exercise is a high-intensity exercise that needs quick energy supplies obtained in a very short time. However, this exercise may result in tissue hypoxia which is characterized by the increase of HIF-1α concentration. The presence of HIF-1α will induce the secretion of VEGF and, eventually, trigger angiogenesis. Nevertheless, it is still unclear whether anaerobic exercise will also cause hypoxia in which this condition will increase the concentration of VEGF in brain tissues. The aim of this study was to find out the effect of anaerobic exercise frequency towards VEGF concentration of Wistar rat brain tissues.  Brain tissues were taken from rats treated with anaerobic exercise using treadmill. This exercise was given in different frequencies; one time, three times, and seven times a week.  The data collected were analyzed using independent t-test. The results of this study showed that anaerobic  exercise done once a week could significantly increase VEGF concentration (p < 0.05) if compared with the one in control group (95.21 ± 31.99 v.s. 63.36 ± 11.01 pg/mL). Meanwhile, VEGF concentration of treatment groups given exercise three times a week (47.97 ± 10.68 pg/mL) and seven times a week (40.56 ± 13.98 pg/mL) showed a significant decrease if compared with that of control group (63.36 ± 11.01 pg/mL). Anaerobic  exercise affected VEGF concentration as an indicator of angiogenesis in brain tissue of wistar rats.