bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Human Breast Milk Microbiome and Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles in Healthy Mothers
Authors: Kim Su Yeong , Yi Dae Yong
Published: April 2020

The microbiota of human breast milk (HBM) contributes to infant gut colonization; however, whether bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) are present in HBM or might contribute to this process remains unknown. In the present study, we characterized the HBM microbiota of healthy Korean mothers and measured the key bacteria likely affecting infant gut colonization by analyzing both the microbiota and bacterial EVs. A total of 22 HBM samples were collected from lactating mothers. The DNA of bacteria and bacteria-derived EVs was extracted from each sample. Gene analysis was performed using Illumina MiSeq. Firmicutes accounted for the largest portion among the phyla, followed by Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, and Actinobacteria in both bacteria and bacterial EV samples. At the genus level, Streptococcus (25.1%) and Staphylococcus (10.7%) were predominant in bacterial samples, whereas Bacteroides (9.1%), Acinetobacter (6.9%), and Lactobacillaceae(f) (5.5%) were prevalent in bacterial EV samples. Several genera including Bifidobacterium were significantly positively correlated between the two samples. Our findings reveal the diverse bacterial communities in HBM of healthy lactating mothers and suggest the presence of key bacteria with metabolic activity in HBM and that EVs derived from these bacteria may contribute to the vertical transfer of gut microbiota from mother to infant.
A Self-Tuning NPID Control Method for FOPTD Processes
Authors: Garbaabaa Hinsermu A. , Geda Million G. , Wase Minyamer G. , Ranganathan Selvarasu , Jin Gang-Gyoo , Son Yung-Deug
Published: April 2020

Owing to the time-varying characteristics and nonlinearities of industrial processes, control has higher difficulties and results in challenges for advanced technology. In this paper, a self-tuning controller that includes a nonlinear proportional-integral-derivative (NPID) control function as well as a self-tuning function is proposed for ﬁrst-order plus time delay (FOPTD) process control. The NPID control function is implemented using the nonlinear PID controller whose optimum parameters are adapted by a neural network (NN). The self-tuning function is able to identify the process dynamics using a short period of process behavior and tune NPID parameters based on the identified parameters. The advantage of the proposed method is validated with a set of simulation works on three processes and the comparison results are presented.
COVID-19 Transmission Dynamics and Response: Opinions and Perspectives from Africa
Authors: Adeshakin Adeleye , Ayanshina Oluwamuyiwa , Essien-Baidoo Samuel
Published: April 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) since its declaration as a pandemic by world health organization (WHO) has spread across the various continent with little known about the most effective public health response for containing and mitigating the transmission of the epidemic. It is important to state that some authors have published on the lessons learned from transmission and management of COVID-19 infection but only a few considered it from the Africa perspective. Despite the late arrival of the pandemic in Africa and the notion that the virus may not thrive because of the high temperature in the continent; today the narrative has changed with the number of infected patients increasing daily. Herein, the authors have shared their perspectives and opinions on the dynamics and response to COVID-19 from Africa context to create more awareness and approach in mitigating the spread of the virus should the continent becomes the epicenter of COVID-19.
A Calcar Collar Is Protective Against Early Torsional/Spiral Periprosthetic Femoral Fracture
Authors: Johnson Aaron J. , Desai Shivam , Zhang Chunyang , Koh Kyung , Zhang Li-Qun , Costales Timothy , O’Toole Robert V. , Manson Theodore T.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Periprosthetic fracture is a leading reason for readmission following total hip arthroplasty. Most of these fractures occur during the early postoperative period before bone ingrowth. Before ingrowth occurs, the femoral component can rotate relative to the femoral canal, causing a spiral fracture pattern. We sought to evaluate, in a paired cadaver model, whether the torsional load to fracture was higher in collared stems. The hypothesis was that collared stems have greater load to fracture under axial and torsional loads compared with collarless stems.

Methods:

Twenty-two cadaveric femora (11 matched pairs) with a mean age of 77 ± 10.2 years (range, 54 to 90 years) were harvested. Following dissection, the femora were evaluated with use of a dual x-ray absorptiometry scanner and T scores were recorded. We utilized a common stem that is available with the same intraosseous geometry with and without a collar. For each pair, 1 femur was implanted with a collared stem and the contralateral femur was implanted with a collarless stem with use of a standard broaching technique. A compressive 68-kg load was applied to simulate body weight during ambulation. A rotational displacement was then applied until fracture occurred. Peak torque prior to fracture was measured with use of a torque meter load cell and data acquisition software.

Results:

The median torque to fracture was 65.4 Nm for collared stems and 43.1 Nm for uncollared stems (p = 0.0014, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). The median T score was –1.95 (range, –4.1 to –0.15). The median difference in torque to fracture was 29.18 Nm. As expected in each case, the mode of failure was a spiral fracture around the implant.

Conclusions:

Collared stems seemed to offer a protective effect in torsional loading in this biomechanical model comparing matched femora.

Clinical Relevance:

These results may translate into a protective effect against early periprosthetic Vancouver B2 femoral fractures that occur before osseous integration has occurred.
The Corporate Practice of Medicine
Authors: Moses Michael J. , Weiser Lori G. , Bosco Joseph A.
Published: April 2020

There has been an upsurge in the number of practices owned by non-physicians. With orthopaedic surgery as the next frontier in this market, orthopaedists need to consider the ethical consequences of such acquisitions. The history and trends of practice ownership are reviewed alongside how laws shifted to reflect a changing health-care climate. The 4 tenets of bioethics (beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice) are explored with regard to practice acquisition by non-physician entities. Although non-physician-owned corporations and private equity firms provide liquidity to the health-care sector, there are ethical concerns that may ultimately impact patient care. Orthopaedic surgeons must be cautious when engaging in acquisitions with non-physician-owned entities, as the goals of each party may not align. This may yield situations that infringe on the basic principles of bioethics for both physician and patient.
Co-regulation role of endogenous hormones and transcriptomics profiling under cold stress in Tetrastigma hemsleyanum
Authors: Peng Xin , Qiu Wenyu , Wu Hao , Chen Hongjiang , Zhang Zhongyi
Published: April 2020

The authors have withdrawn this preprint due to author disagreement.
Whether to Fused PET/CT or CECT in Post-Therapeutic Colorectal Cancer Assessments: A Study of the Efficacy of the Modality of Choice among Egyptian Patients.
Authors: Baz Ahmed , Hassan Talaat Ahmed
Published: April 2020

One of the most common cancers, colorectal cancer accounts for several tumor-related mortalities; its high recurrence rates either as a local recurrence of the disease or as a distant metastatic disease (up to 35-40%) have been reported in the treated patients within the first two years following surgery. There has been heated debate over the modality of choice for imaging of the primary colorectal cancer. This study investigates the diagnostic performance of fused Positron Emission Tomography/ Computed Tomography (PET/CT) in comparison to Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) as a follow-up and restaging imaging tool for post-therapeutic colorectal cancers. Data were collected from 84 Egyptian patients (26 females and 58 males, age ranges from 35 to 80 years) who were treated from colorectal cancers. They were referred to a private imaging center for evaluation of their disease recurrence by fused PET/CT.Disease recurrence was categorized as operative bed recurrence/residual (incomplete therapeutic response), nodal, and distal metastases. The site of the tumor recurrence was predominantly seen in the rectosigmoid region in 31 patients (36.9%), followed by the ascending colon where it was present in 13 patients (15.4%), then the transverse colon as depicted in 9 patients (10.7%); The descending colon recurrence was noted in 6 patients (7.1%), and the caecal recurrence existed in only one patient (1.3%). With reference to histopathology reports, the fused PET\CT had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and an overall accuracy of 93.33%, 83.33%, 93.33%, 83.33% & 90.48% respectively as compared to CECT (73.33%, 58.33%, 81.48%, 46.67%, 69. 05% respectively).Our findings indicate that fused PET\CT may be more effective than the CECT regarding the detection of operative bed recurrent disease and incomplete therapeutic responses. PET\CT may also offer a cost-effective whole-body scan for restaging of the recurrent diseases through an accurate detection of the nodal and distant metastases.
The yield of routine histopathology in fistula-in-ano: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Samarasekera Dharmabandhu Nandadeva , Jayarajah Umesh , Almeida Isuru S
Published: April 2020

Objective

Fistulae-in-ano with a specific aetiology such as TB and Crohn’s are usually complex and challenging to treat. This study was aimed to determine the yield of routine histological analysis in fistula-in-ano, in detecting specific aetiology. Histopathology reports of all patients without a previous diagnosis, who underwent surgery for fistulae-in-ano were retrospectively analysed.
Results

A total of 215 patients [median age:40 years(range:14–73), males = 178(82.8%)] were analysed. The majority(75%,n = 161) were simple fistulae and recurrent(67%,n = 145). Histological evaluation revealed inflamed granulation tissue in 94.9%(n = 204) of patients. Five(2.3%) patients had conclusive evidence of Crohn’s disease and three(1.4%) had tuberculosis. One patient(0.5%) had evidence of adenocarcinoma with mucinous differentiation. Significant proportion of fistula with a specific aetiology were complex fistulae (82%vs.22%,p < 0.001) and associated with abscess/collections (45.5%vs.11.8%, p < 0.001). Age, type of fistula, level of internal opening, recurrence and presence of haemorrhoids were comparable in those with and without a specific aetiology. One patient with Crohn’s and those with TB did not have any associated symptoms to suggest the diagnosis. Routine histopathological analysis in patients presenting with fistula in-ano should be performed as clinical prediction based on the nature of fistula may not be always accurate.
Enhanced melanin pigment production from Dietzia schimae NM3 in cheese whey using Box-Behnken design
Authors: Eskandari Sahar , Etemadifar Zahra
Published: April 2020

Melanin is a natural, dark-brown complex molecular structure pigment formed by the oxidative polymerization of phenolic compounds. Microbial melanin pigment can be use in industrial fields, canned additives and preservatives. Optimization method is used to produce a quick and sufficient product with reliable and cost-effective processes. In this project, four factors (temperature, l-tyrosine, pH and CuSO4) affecting in melanin production by Dietzia schimae NM3 were optimized by response surface methodology with Box–Behnken design in inexpensive medium (whey powder). The anti-bacterial activity of D. schimae melanin was assayed by disk diffusion test. The optimal medium compositions were obtained in whey 5% (w/v), l-tyrosine 2.5 g/l, CuSO4 0.013 g/l, pH 10.5, and temperature 32 °C by maximum yield of 790 mg/l melanin pigment. The ANOVA results of RSM showed a significant P-value (0.0001), model F-value (78.84) and probability R² (0.98), with insignificant lack of fit (0.091). Melanin also showed antibacterial activity against gram-positive strains such as Bacillus cereus (20 mm), B. subtilis (18 mm), Streptococcus pyogenes (17 mm), Staphylococcus epidermidis (18 mm), and S. aureus (18 mm), which was comparable with amoxicillin (AMX) and cefotaxime (CTX) as control positives. We realized the ability of D. schimae melanin pigment as natural substances to be considered for industrial fields due to its biocompatibility and physicochemical properties.
Astragaloside IV prophylactic administration relieves recurrent allergic atopic dermatitis
Authors: Zheng Jie , Yu Xi , Wei Xiao , Fan Hongwei , Hong Min
Published: April 2020

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a common allergic inflammatory skin disease with high relapse rates and recurring severity. However, the underlying pathogenesis of AD recurrence is still unclear. Our previous study reported Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) administration in sensitization stage ameliorated the allergic inflammation of AD. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of AS-IV which prophylactic applied in remission phase of AD and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.MethodsThe efficacy of AS-IV with prophylactic administration in remission phase of AD was evaluated in a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-induced AD relapse (AD-Re) model. Production of IL-4, IL-5 IL-13, IFN-γin mice ear tissues, IgE in serum were measured by ELISAs. Pharmacokinetic profile of AS-IV was assessed by HPLC-MS. Protein and gene expression levels of TLRs and NF-κB were detected by WB and qRT-PCR, respectively. Results: Prophylactic administration in remission phase of AD, AS-IV attenuated ear swelling, inflammatory cell infiltration, IgE production of ear homogenates in AD-Re mice. Levels of T helper (Th)2 cytokines including IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 but not Th1 cytokine IFN-γin AD-Re mice were inhibited remarkably with AS-IV preventively treatment. In addition, a different pharmacokinetic profile of AS-IV was observed as applied in remission phase. Moreover, AS-IV prophylactic administration decreased the gene expression of NF-κB and TLR8 in AD-Re mice. Consistently, the proteins expression of TLR8, TIRAP and MyD88 in ear homogenates also reduced obviously in AS-IV treated mice. Conclusions: Our finding indicated the disordered TLR8-mediated NF-κB pathway may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD recurrence. AS-IV prophylactic administration in remission phase could regulate TLR8-mediated NF-κB pathway to against AD recurrence. These findings further improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of AD recurrence and the pharmacological effects of AS-IV.
Time-dependent management of Hirschsprung disease during Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Prato Alessio Pini , Arnoldi Rossella , Faticato Maria Grazia , Felici Enrico , Nozza Paolo
Published: April 2020

INTRODUCTION – During Covid-19 pandemic, some elective non-deferrable surgical procedures has been maintained on a local basis to avoid complications of time-dependent issues. The aim of this paper is to suggest a possible strategy for the management of patients with Hirschsprung (HSCR) during this dramatic Covid-19 pandemic considering.MATERIALS AND METHODS - A systematic literature search on PubMed and Embase of all available literature addressing “Hirschsprung”, “preoperative enterocolitis”, “preoperative mortality”, “complications”, and “timing” in all possible combination has been performed limiting documents to the last 10 years and excluding non-English papers.RESULTS – Systematic review assessed 170 papers and focused on 10 full-text papers addressing the same issues as above. The incidence of preoperative HAEC proved to be as high as 34% with a mortality between 2.4% and 8%. Age at surgery varied in literature reports but recent evidences suggested that patients should be operated around 3 months of age after effective bowel decompression. Rectal irrigations should not be continued over 2 to 4 months to avoid nutritional issues and subsequent possible increase of surgical complications.CONCLUSIONS – Based on available literature, contingent shortage of health resources and necessity to avoid hospital overcrowding during this pandemic, we suggest as follows: 1) surgery should be delayed for healthy neonates up to 3 months of age, and a diverting enterostomy consider for those with ultralong HSCR, unwell or with ineffective nursing; 2) surgery can be delayed but rectal irrigations cannot be maintained indefinitely (ideally within 2 to 4 months at maximum); 3) Surgery could be postponed in older patients, provided previous bouts of HAEC are excluded. This chosen behaviour of our Center for Digestive Diseases aims at avoiding risk of complication and serve the best for our patients in this delicate setting of Covid-19 pandemic.
Clinical features of COVID-19 patients in one designated medical institutions in Chengdu, China
Authors: Zhou Gui , Tan Yun-Hui , Luo Jiang-Cuo , Lu Yi-Xiao , Feng Jing , Li Juan , Yang Yun-Mei , Chen Long , Zhang Jian-Ping
Published: April 2020

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics of patients infected with the 2019 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) responsible for coronavirus disease (COVID-2019).METHODS: Data were collected from 20 patients admitted to the Pidu District People’s Hospital in Chengdu from January 26, 2020 to March 1, 2020 with laboratory-confirmed SARS-Cov-2 infection. Clinical data were collected using the World Health Organization (WHO) nCoV CASE RECORDFORM Version 1.2 28JAN2020, which includes parameters such as: temperature, epidemiological characteristics, social network, history of exposure, and incubation period. If information was unclear, the team reviewed the original data and contacted patients directly if necessary.RESULTS: The median age of the 20 COVID-19 infected patients studied was 42.5 years. In this cohort, four patients became severely ill and one deteriorated rapidly during treatment. This patient was transferred to another medical center with an intensive care unit (ICU) for treatment. This patient died after admission to the ICU. Two of the twenty patients remained positive SARS-Cov-2 more than three weeks, and they were quarantined in a medical facility without medication. According to our analysis, all of the studied cases were infected by human-to-human transmission due to the lack of protective measures; transmission through contact within families requires confirmation. The most common symptoms at onset of illness were fever in 13 (65%) patients, cough in 9 (45%), headache in 3 (15%), fatigue in 6 (30%), diarrhea in 3 (15%), and abdominal pain in 2 (10%). Six patients (30%) developed shortness of breath upon admission. The median time from exposure to onset of illness was 6.5 days (interquartile range 3.25–9 days), and from the onset of symptoms to first hospital admission was 3.5 (1.25–7) days.CONCLUSION: Compared with patients infected with SARS-Cov-2 in Wuhan (up to the end of February 2020), the symptoms of patients in one hospital in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, were relatively mild and patients were discharged from the hospital after only a short stay. However, the fasting blood glucose of the infected individuals was found to be slightly elevated because of the state of emergency. The dynamic changes in lymphocyte levels can predict disease status of COVID-19. They are also suggestive of changes in mean platelet volume during disease progression. This suggests that the patients had mild cases of COVID-19. However, because there is no effective drug treatment for COVID-19, it is important to detect and identify severe cases from mild cases early.
WITHDRAWN: Interplay between cancer cells and M2 macrophages is necessary for miR-550a-3-5p down-regulation-mediated HPV-positive OSCC progression
Authors: Cao Mingxin , Zhang Weilong , Yu Xianghua , Wu Jiashun , Qiao Xinwei , Huang Meichang , Wang Ke , Wu Jingbiao , Tang Yajie , Jiang Jian , Liang Xinhua , Tang Ya-ling
Published: April 2020

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is increasing worldwide with typically higher grade and stage. Studies suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in cancer; However, their role in HPV-positive OSCC progression remains unclear.Methods: miRNA microarray was performed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs. qRT-PCR and FISH were performed to determine the relative expression of miR-550a-3-5p. CCK-8, Flow cytometry, Wound healing, Cell invasion assays and xenograft experiments were conducted to analyze the biological roles of miR-550a-3-5p. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) generation, co-culturing of cancer cells with TAMs, Western blot, Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, Immunohistochemistry and animal studies were performed to explore the mechanisms underlying the functions of miR-550a-3-5p. Results: In this study, we identified 19 miRNAs differentially expressed in HPV-positive OSCC specimens. One of these, miR-550a-3-5p, was down-regulated in HPV-positive OSCC. This down-regulation correlated with higher tumor size and nodal metastasis. Biofunctional investigations revealed that miR-550a-3-5p inhibited tumor growth and progression in nude mice models without altering the in vitro migration, invasion and EMT of HPV-positive OSCC cells. After co-culturing cancer cells with tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), we found that the effects of miR-550a-3-5p on suppressing migration, invasion and EMT of HPV-positive OSCC cells were dependent on decreasing M2 macrophages polarization. Moreover, we identified that miR-550a-3-5p, down-regulated by E6 oncoprotein, inhibited M2 macrophages polarization by YAP/CCL2 signaling, which in turn abrogating EMT program in HPV-positive OSCC cells. Using YAP inhibitor, verteporfin (VP) in a HPV-positive OSCC model of transgenic mice also showed that tumors were less progressive when compared to those in Vehicle group. In both xenografts and clinical HPV-positive OSCC samples, miR-550a-3-5p levels were inversely associated with YAP, CCL2 expressions and the number of M2 macrophages.Conclusions: E6/miR-550a-3-5p/YAP/CCL2 signaling induces M2 macrophages polarization to enhance EMT and progression, revealing a novel crosstalk between cancer cells and immune cells in HPV-positive OSCC microenvironment.
Therapeutic targeting Netrin-1-positive invasive bladder cancer cells with oridonin
Authors: Yu Meng , Li Yuanyuan , Sun Dan , Xing Haotian , An Jun , Yang Jieping , Wei Baojun , Liu Shuangjie , Kong Chuize , Yu Fan , Okumura Kazuhiro , Wakabayashi Yoichi , Izumi Hideki , Yashinami Michio , Mae Takao , Nagase Hiroki , Nakagawara Akira , Zhu Yuyan
Published: April 2020

Background

Small compound oridonin acts as an effective anti-tumor agent used for a wide variety of human malignancies, while the antitumor efficacy and molecular mechanism of oridonin against bladder cancer remains unclear.
Methods

Four independent cohorts of bladder cancer were employed to assess the correlation between netrin-1 expression and progression and prognosis of bladder cancer. Clinical potential of netrin-1 as a biomarker and oridonin-mediated netrin-1-targeting anti-tumor mechanism were investigated by QRT-PCR, Western blot and ELISA. Regulatory mechanisms of Netrin-1 were investigated by luciferase reporter assay and Western blot. The EJ-inoculated nude mice xenograft model was used for the in vivo study.
Results

High expression of netrin-1 was significantly correlated with a poor overall survival in three independent bladder cancer cohorts. Urinary netrin-1 level was significantly elevated in bladder cancer patients correlating with tumor invasion and grade. Netrin-1 promoted cell proliferation, tumorsphere-forming, migration and invasion in bladder cancer cells. Oridonin treatment strikingly suppressed these malignant phenotypes and induced cell death in TCC cell lines and murine xenografts. Oridonin markedly decreased netrin-1 through inhibiting NF-κB transcriptional activity and shortening the half-life of NTN1 mRNA via inducing IRE1α, resulting in repression of its downstream signaling.
Conclusions

Together, these results strongly suggest that netrin-1 promotes the progression of bladder cancer, and acts as a potential urinary biomarker for the diagnosis as well as the prediction of the tumor progression. Oridonin exerts its strong anti-tumor activity against the invasive bladder cancer by suppressing netrin-1 mRNA production and stability.
The C-terminal fragment of LRRK2 with the G2019S substitution increases the neurotoxicity of mutant A53T α-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons in vivo
Authors: Cresto Noémie , Gardier Camille , Gaillard Marie-Claude , Gubinelli Francesco , Roost Pauline , Molina Daniela , Joséphine Charlène , Dufour Noëlle , Aurégan Gwenaelle , Guillermier Martine , Bernier Sueva , Jan Caroline , Gipstein Pauline , Hantraye Philippe , Chartier-harlin Marie-Christine , Bonvento Gilles , Camp Nadja Van , Taymans Jean-Marc , Cambon Karine , Liot Géraldine , Bemelmans Alexis-Pierre , BROUILLET Emmanuel
Published: April 2020

Background: Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) likely play crucial roles both in sporadic and familial forms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The most prevalent mutation in LRRK2 is the G2019S substitution, which induces neurotoxicity through increased kinase activity. There is likely an interplay between LRRK2 and α-syn involved in the neurodegeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SNc) in PD. However, the mechanisms underlying this interplay are ill-defined. Here, we investigated whether LRRK2G2019S can increase the neurotoxicity induced by a mutant form of α-syn (A53T mutation) in DA neuronsin vivo.Methods: We used a co-transduction approach with AAV2/6 vectors encoding human a-synA53T and the C-terminal portion of LRRK2 (ΔLRRK2), which contains the kinase domain, with either the G2019S mutation (ΔLRRK2G2019) alone or the D1994A mutation (ΔLRRK2G2019S/D1994A), which inactivates the kinase activity of LRRK2. The AAVs were co-injected into the rat SNc and histological evaluation was performed at 6- and 15-weeks post-injection (PI). Results: Most SNc neurons co-expressed ΔLRRK2 and human α-synA53T after transduction. ΔLRRK2G2019S alone produced no cell loss at 15-weeks PI, whereas as expected, transduction with AAV-a-synA53T mixed with a control AAV coding for GFP produced significant loss of DA neurons. Co-injection of AAV-ΔLRRK2G2019S and AAV-α-synA53T induced a loss of DA neurons slightly but significantly greater than that produced by co-injection of AAV-α-synA53T and AAV-GFP. We also studied the inactive form, ΔLRRK2G2019S/D1994A at 6 weeks PI. Results showed that ΔLRRK2G2019S/D1994A did not alter the early toxicity of α-synA53T, in contrast to the active form ΔLRRK2G2019S that produced a moderate but significant increase in α-synA53T toxicity.Conclusion. Thus, these results show that mutant LRRK2 may selectively facilitate α-syn toxicity in DA neurons through a cell-autonomous mechanism involving its kinase activity. However, considering that the effect of ΔLRRK2G2019S upon human α-synA53T is moderate in our paradigm where pathological proteins are overexpressed, the study supports the hypothesis that the interplay between LRRK2 and α-syn also implicates non-cell-autonomous mechanisms such as those involved in neuroinflammation.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards COVID-19 among Patients with Musculoskeletal and Rheumatic Diseases in Nepal: A Web- based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Vaidya Binit , Bhochhibhoya Manisha , Baral Rikesh , Nakarmi Shweta
Published: April 2020

Introduction/objectives: The global health crisis created by Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) can be a serious concern to rheumatologists. The relationship of rheumatic diseases, their therapies, and COVID-19 with multiple genuine and malicious information available online can influence the knowledge and attitude of rheumatic patients. This web-based google-form study was conducted to understand the knowledge, attitude and practices of rheumatologic patients towards COVID-19 in Nepal. Methodology: A web based cross-sectional study was conducted among the patients with rheumatic diseases. Modified version of questionnaire prepared by Zhong BL et al was used after consent. It was then translated in Nepali language for comprehensibility. The final questionnaire contained a total of 29 questions; 6 for demographic parameters, 12, 5 and 6 for knowledge, attitude and practice behaviors, respectively. Simple descriptive statistics describing the positive responses in each domain. Multiple linear regression analysis done to observe demographic variables associated with the knowledge, attitude and practice. Results: Among 380 participants, 63.2% were female. Most of the participants were aware of the clinical features of COVID-19 (91.6 %), 71.5% had positive attitude towards its control, some (31.5 %) thought that they had greater chance of getting COVID-19 than others and 18.9 % believed that the anti-rheumatic medications could increase their susceptibility to infection. Majority (> 94.7%) practiced preventive measures.Conclusions: Patients with rheumatic diseases were aware of the general clinical features, route of transmission and general preventive measures regarding COVID-19.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children and Newborns: A Systematic Review
Authors: Liguoro Ilaria , Pilotto Chiara , Bonanni Margherita , Ferrari Maria Elena , Pusiol Anna , Nocerino Agostino , Vidal Enrico , Cogo Paola
Published: April 2020

A recent outbreak of a novel Coronavirus responsible for a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading globally. The aim of this study was to systematically review the existing evidence on SARS-CoV-2 infections in pediatric age.An electronic search was conducted in PubMed database. Papers published between the 1st of January and the 7th of April, 2020 including children aged 0-18 years were selected. Fifty-two studies and two reviews were included, with a total sample size of 4.612 children (2.366 males, 51.3%, weighted mean age 7 years). Patients showed mainly mild (1285/2679, 48.5%) and moderate (1035/2679, 39.1%) signs of the infection. Less than 2% of children were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The most commonly described symptoms were fever (49.2%) and cough (44.1%). Laboratory findings were often unremarkable. Children underwent a chest CT-scan in 85.7% of all cases, and 36% resulted normal. Overall, the estimated mortality was 0.07%. A higher proportion of newborns was severely ill (17%) and dyspnea was the commonest reported sign (40%). Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 affects children less severely than adults. Laboratory and radiology findings are mainly nonspecific. Larger epidemiological and clinical cohort studies are needed to better understand possible implications of COVID-19 infection in children.
Spatial distribution and risk area assessment of Aphelenchoides besseyi using geostatistical approaches in Giridih district of Jharkhand, India
Authors: Mondal Sandip , Khan Matiyar Rahaman , Mukherjee Abhishek
Published: April 2020

Distributed widely across the rice growing regions of India, the rice leaf and bud nematode (Aphelenchoides besseyi Christie 1942) can cause substantial yield loss in rice. Whitening of leaf tips is the characteristics damage symptom of this nematode and therefore it is popularly referred to as the rice white tip nematode (RWTN). While information on the damage severity of RWTN is available from others parts of the country, to date, no information is available from the state of Jharkhand. In order to generate a detailed information on spatial distribution of this nematode and to identify infestation hotspots, extensive field sampling was conducted across the Giridih district of Jharkhand. In total, 163 samples with each sample consisting of 30 randomly chosen panicles from three nearby rice fields were collected across the district. Moran’s I spatial autocorrelation test confirmed the presence of significant spatial clustering among the sampling locations. Optimized hotspot analysis found the presence of one significant hotspot in Dumri block and cold spots in adjoining areas of Gawan, Tisri, and Dhanwar blocks. Spatial interpolation techniques like inverse distance weighting (IDW) and ordinary kriging (OK) were employed to predict the population density at unsampled locations. Both IDW and OK resulted into generation of similar kind of maps where population density was found to be higher in Dumri, Giridih, Bengabad and some other pockets of the district. Finally, indicator kriging approach was employed which resulted into identifying both risk and nematode free areas. In risk areas, where the probability of the population density exceeding the economic threshold limit is high, immediate quarantine measures should be taken to prevent further dissemination of contaminated seeds. Our study provided a scientifically based decision method to devise preventive and curative protection measures against A. besseyi, a neglected pest of quarantine significance of rice in India.
Industrial development in Saudi Arabia: disparity in growth and development
Authors: Ali Anis
Published: April 2020

Industrial development in any nation plays a vital role in the strengthening of the economy and employs human resources as per specifications and directly towards the mainstream of the nation. In Saudi Arabia, there was rapid industrialization for four decades. Some manufacturing industries performed well, while some internal and external business environment factors influenced the others’ performance. The study focuses on historical development, as well as recent trends of well-performing and poor-performing industries of Saudi Arabia. Small manufacturing industries in Saudi Arabia are underdeveloped and need more attention to attain sustainable and progressive growth rate in the form of the number of establishments to enjoy the potential. Manufacture of tobacco, computer, electronics and optics, pharmaceuticals and transport equipment are the deprived and underdeveloped industries of the manufacturing sector. There should be some easy credit schemes for the development of deprived or underdeveloped manufacturing industries. To attain sustainable growth and development of the manufacturing sector, a positive attitude of the government towards underdeveloped manufacturing industries, favorable labor laws, and entrepreneurial awareness, technical and financial assistance are necessary. The growth and development of the manufacturing sector of Saudi Arabia will be helpful in the attainment of goals of Vision 2030.
Factors affecting tax auditors’ performance: the moderating role of locus of control
Authors: Ratnawati Vince
Published: April 2020

This study aims to investigate the effects of professionalism, competence, and role conflict on the tax auditors’ performance. This study also needs to investigate the moderating role of locus of control. The sample consists of 139 tax auditors at the Riau Directorate General Taxes Office-Indonesia. Data analysis techniques include multiple regression and moderated regression analysis. The results show that professionalism, competence, and role conflict affect the tax auditors’ performance. A tax auditor who is professional, has competence, and does not feel there is conflict in carrying out his/her role, will have better performance. Besides, this study also found out that locus of control moderates the effects of professionalism, competence, and role conflict on the tax auditors’ performance. Internal locus of control will further enhance the tax auditors’ performance with high professionalism, satisfactory competence, and reduce low performance resulting from role conflict. Internal locus of control will improve the performance, which decreases due to the occurrence of role conflict with the tax auditors.
The Essence and Mechanism of Financial Recovery of Lending Institutions
Authors: Osipova Dar'ya , Gavrilenko Irina
Published: April 2020

The current situation in the banking sector of the Russian Federation reveals a high degree of instability of lending institutions. In this regard, the Bank of Russia acts as a mega-regulator: its policy is to stabilize the banking market by using various financial and administrative instruments. Most commercial banks are not able to cope with the new requirements and regulations imposed by the state. As a result, they leave the market and recognize their insolvency. The present article introduces some statistics that characterizes the state of the banking sector over the past six years and confirms the situation described above. The existing banking legislation proved unable to determine the concept of insolvency of a commercial bank. The authors proposed a more specific definition of this concept, which fully reflects the essence of this economic phenomenon. In order to avoid bankruptcy, a credit institution may resort to a financial recovery procedure. A prompt and complete procedure gives an opportunity to avoid negative consequences and resume banking activities. The authors introduced a new interpretation of the financial recovery procedure in order to highlight the essence and specific features of the mechanism in the current economic conditions. The article presents a classification and a detailed roadmap of financial recovery measures. The roadmap provides a gradual financial recovery of the lending institution, which can be interpreted as the development of an economy.
Modern Trends in the Institutionalization of Civil Society in Kemerovo Region (Kuzbass): a Regional Study
Authors: Matveeva Elena , Mitin Alexander
Published: April 2020

The article deals with the institutionalization of civil society in Russia at the current stage. The aim of the study was to consider certain aspects of the interaction of the state and civil society in Russia in general and in Kemerovo Region (Kuzbass) in particular. The authors employed the method of sociological survey of the population and the expert assessment of non-profit sector representatives, which made it possible to assess the dynamics of the development of civil society institutions in Russia and in Kemerovo region. The authors used systemic and institutional approaches to identify the changes in the understanding of civil society, as well as to evaluate the work of authorities and public institutions through the prism of public attitude. All the numerous definitions of civil society appeared to provide no common understanding in government bodies and society. The paper focuses on some features of the development of civil society and challenges that inhibit the process of development of civil initiatives in regional politics. The assessed criteria included the level of social and political activity of the population, the trust of the population and non-profit organizations in the civil society institutions and authorities, the information accessibility in the media, and the attitude of the population to the issues of self-government. Social activity, which depends on the level of civic engagement, proved crucial for the development of regional civil institutions. This is especially important in the aspect of young citizen activism.
Leader Status in Youth Organizations and Movements: the Case of Ethnocultural Associations of the Kemerovo Region
Authors: Burmakina Anna
Published: April 2020

The research objective was to characterize the phenomenon of the leader status based on the case of various ethnocultural youth associations of the Kemerovo region. At first, leaders use their experience and skills to get promoted within and outside youth organizations. After that, the personality of the leader strengthens the organization in socio-political interaction. Power rests on authority and various types of capital. According to M. Weber, P. Bourdieu, and L. Stout, youth authority is unstable and requires constant conscious efforts. Youth leaders transfer their characteristics into various types of capital: by managing this capital, they climb the social ladder and exercise their power on the group. Youth organizations and movements act as a training platform for young leaders: they accumulate the required qualities and develop a certain specialization. As a result, they develop potentials that depend on the activity of the youth organization, which, in turn, diversifies the leader’s position in the organization. In general, youth organization leaders herald the interests and needs of their group, while pursuing their own goals.
Theory and Methodology of Strategic Modernization of Industrial Regions
Authors: Akulov Anatoly , Chelombitko Anna
Published: April 2020

Strategic planning documents developed for industrial regions of Russia deal with the strategic modernization of these regions. The problems associated with the development and implementation of these plans are connected with the quality of the theoretical and methodological basis, which requires the most modern ideas about the factors and road maps of industrial regions. The research objective was to systematize ideas about modern theoretical and methodological foundations of the strategic modernization of industrial regions. The success of strategic modernization proved to depend on a significant number of factors, including competitive advantages and local governments’ actions. There are two options for the strategic modernization of industrial regions: comprehensive diversification and the so-called smart specialization. The choice depends on the capacity of the local market, economic and geographical location, and the local significance of the area. The use of foreign experience plays a significant role in strategic modernization planning. The authors studied some cases of the most successful strategic modernization in the industrial regions of Western Europe, e.g. West Yorkshire, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Saarland, etc., where the local authorities used the opportunities of industrial culture to solve new production problems. The competitive advantages of these regions included agglomerations, favorable transport and geographical location, spatial significance, which allowed them to fully diversify their economy, develop the service sector, and apply various innovations. Unfortunately, this is not an option for most industrial regions of Russia. Therefore, these regions should resort to smart specialization, a more developed industrial culture, an innovative ecosystem, and a larger production complex. The authors recommend the authorities of Russian industrial regions to revitalize the most problematic areas and towns, as well as to develop an interregional approach to the strategic modernization and innovative ecosystems.
Strategic Directions of B2B Sales Development in Modern Economy
Authors: Brezhneva Valeria , Petruchina Vera
Published: April 2020

The research featured technologies of sales and promotion of products on the B2B market. B2B is a model of e-business. It is associated with establishment of contacts and business relationships between independent business entities. The research objective was to identify trends in the use of the e-business model for transactions on the Russian market. The study involved an analysis of objective factors and trends in the development of the economy, as well as the features of the B2B market. The obtained results allowed the authors to formulate new strategic directions for Russian companies in the development of online sales. A content analysis of related studies, together with sociological methods, we made it possible to reveal the great importance of e-transactions for the development of modern business. Unfortunately, they are limited in scale by the consequences of the economic crisis, sanctions, reduced consumer demand, and growing competition. The development of this e-business model is affected by Internet technologies, which ultimately leads to the digitalization of the global and domestic economy. Due to the rapid spread of digital technologies, most Russian companies do not have time to adapt to new conditions and experience difficulties in forming strategies for promoting their product on the Internet. Unqualified choice of promotion tools does not allow companies to achieve the planned conversion: they lose clients and thus underestimate the advantages of e-sales. The conservatism of management prevents companies from using global benefits of e-business. Therefore, it is imperative to develop and improve strategies and operational tactical decisions in the organization of B2B sales, e.g. in a more effective use of promotion tools based on the specifics of the market organizations. The article considers the main tendencies of development of foreign and domestic e-business. The authors estimated growth projections of Internet sales in Russia and specifics of the B2B market, including characteristics of consumer demand formation, behavior of the organizations-buyers compared to the consumer market. The paper also outlines the problems of e-platforms and describes a system of tools of product promotion in the B2B sector. As a solution to business problems on theB2B markets, the authors propose a number of strategies to improve sales management in order to maintain the growth trends of domestic business in the near future.
Russian Orthodox Church in Armenia: General Points of Activity
Authors: Makarova Kseniya , Kazakov Michael
Published: April 2020

The present research featured the public diplomacy of Russia in Armenia. The paper focuses on the activity of the Russian Orthodox Church as an institute of civil society in the context of Russian public diplomacy. It describes mechanisms and instruments used by religious organizations in Armenia. The research objective was to analyze the presence of the Russian Orthodox Church in Armenia as a special part of Russian public diplomacy mechanism. The authors employed analysis and synthesis to get a complex presentation of the subject, as well as induction and deduction to interpret facts. The historical method was used to study the phenomenon in its development. The network approach was used to study the current state of the phenomenon. The activity of the Russian Orthodox Church in Armenia is represented as part of Russian public diplomacy, which creates favorable conditions for achieving Russian foreign diplomacy goals. The results of the research can be used for studying principles and mechanisms of Russian public diplomacy. In conclusion, the authors claim that involvement of the Russian Orthodox Church in Russian public diplomacy can decrease the tension in Armenian public sphere. The tension is caused by various pseudo-religious movements that interfere with the restructuring of the local confessional space. Therefore, there is a growing need in a closer interaction between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Armenian apostolic church.
Preparation of composite adsorbents of activated carbon supported MgO/MnO2 and adsorption of Rhodamine B
Authors: Yue Xiangfeng , Zhao Jianhai , Shi Huanhuan , Chi Yongzhi , Salam Muhammad
Published: April 2020

Activated carbon (AC) was modified by MgO and MnO2 through an impregnation-precipitation-calcination procedure. The batch experiments of adsorption of Rhodamine B (RB) by a modified adsorption material, an MgO-MnO2-AC composite, were carried out and the characteristics of the composite adsorbent were evaluated. The results showed that manganese/magnesium loading changed the surface area, pore volume and increased the number of active adsorption sites of AC. The highest Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area (1,036.18 m2·g−1) was obtained for MgO-MnO2-AC compared with AC. The content of AC loaded with magnesium and manganese was 34.24 and 5.51 mg·g−1 respectively. The adsorption of RB on MgO-MnO2-AC was significantly improved. The maximum adsorption capacity of RB on MgO-MnO2-AC was 16.19 mg·g−1 at 25 °C under the RB concentration of 50 mg·L−1. The adsorption of RB by AC and MgO-MnO2-AC increased with the initial concentration of RB. The adsorption of RB increased first and then decreased when pH was between 3 and 11. The results indicated that the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation and Langmuir equation can be used to describe the adsorption of RB on MgO-MnO2-AC.