bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of knowledge and attitude on the utilization rate of cervical cancer screening tests among Ethiopian women: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kassie Ayelign Mengesha , Abate Biruk Beletew , Kassaw Mesfin Wudu , Aragie Teshome Gebremeskel , Geleta Bonsa Amsalu , Shiferaw Wondimeneh Shibabaw
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Cervical cancer is a major public health problem, particularly in resource-limited settings. The use of vaccination and screening tests has reduced the burden of cervical cancer in developed countries. However, the situation is quite the reverse in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to estimate the pooled impact of knowledge and attitude on the prevalence of cervical cancer screening service utilization rates among Ethiopian women.

Methods

Studies that examined cervical cancer screening service utilization among women in Ethiopia were searched from five international databases. Cochran’s Q chi-square and the I-squared test statistics were used to check the presence of heterogeneity among the included studies. The funnel plot and Egger’s regression tests were also used to assess the presence of publication bias. A weighted DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was employed. Subgroup analysis was performed by the study population concerning the prevalence of cervical cancer screening service utilization rates. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted to assess the effect of a single study on the pooled estimates. Data analysis was performed using STATA™ Version 14 software.

Results

A total of 44 studies with 28,186 study participants were included. The estimated pooled prevalence of cervical cancer screening service utilization was 8.11% (95% CI: 7.26, 8.97). After adjustment for publication bias with the trim and fill analysis, the estimated prevalence rate appeared to be 5.47% (95% CI: 4.66, 6.28). The prevalence of cervical cancer screening service utilization was higher among HIV-positive women, 16.85%, and in studies conducted among health care workers, 10.24%, than the general population. The pooled effect of knowledge on the utilization of cervical cancer screening tests among Ethiopian women was statistically significant (AOR=3.20, 95% CI: 1.63, 6.31). Similarly, the pooled estimated odds of utilizing cervical cancer screening tests were 6.1 times higher (AOR=6.09, 95% CI: 1.09, 34.36) among women who had a favorable attitude towards the screening tests.

Conclusion

Knowledge and attitude had a significant impact on the prevalence of cervical cancer screening test utilization rates among women in Ethiopia. However, the prevalence of cervical cancer screening service utilization among Ethiopian women is very low. Hence, large-scale awareness programs and situation-based strategies need to be designed to increase the uptake of cervical cancer screening services in the country.
Timeliness of immunisation with the pentavalent vaccine at different levels of the health care system in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Hefele Lisa , Syphan Sengdavanh , Xayavong Dalouny , Homsana Anousin , Kleine Daria , Chanthavilay Phetsavanh , Nouanthong Phonethipsavanh , Xaydalasouk Kinnaly , Phathammavong Outavong , Billamay Somxay , Xeuatvongsa Anonh , Reinharz Daniel , Black Antony P. , Muller Claude P.
Published: December 2020

Background

The timely administration of vaccines is considered to be important for both individual and herd immunity. In this study, we investigated the timeliness of the diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis-hepatitis B-Haemophilus influenzaetype b (pentavalent) vaccine, scheduled at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. We also investigated factors associated with delayed immunization.

Methods

1162 children aged 8–28 months who had received the full course of the pentavalent vaccine at different levels of the health care system were enrolled. Vaccination dates documented in hospital records and/or immunisation cards were recorded. Age at vaccination and time intervals between doses were calculated. Predictors for timely completion with the pentavalent vaccine at 24 weeks were assessed by bivariate and multivariable analyses.

Results

Several discrepancies in dates between vaccination documents were observed. In general, vaccination with the pentavalent vaccine was found to be delayed, especially in health care settings below the provincial hospital level. Compared to the central hospital level, less participants who were vaccinated at the district/health center level received the third dose by 16 (48% at the central hospital level vs. 7.1% at the district and 12.4% at the health center level) and 24 weeks of age (94.4% at the central hospital level vs 64.6% at the district-outreach and 57.4% at the health center level) respectively. In logistic regression analyses, lower education level of the mother as well as vaccination by outreach service, were independently associated with delayed completion of vaccination.

Conclusion

We observed a general delay of vaccination, especially at lower ranked facilities, which correlated with indicators of poor access to health services. This highlights the need for further improving health equity in rural areas. Age-appropriate vaccination should become a quality indicator for the national immunization programme. In addition, we recommend further training of the health care staff regarding the importance of reliable documentation of dates.
Prevalence of anxiety towards COVID-19 and its associated factors among healthcare workers in a Hospital of Ethiopia
Authors: Kibret Simegnew , Teshome Diriba , Fenta Efrem , Hunie Metages , Tamire Tadese
Published: December 2020

Background

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a pandemic on 11 March 2020. Healthcare workers are directly involved in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with COVID-19.This study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety and its associated factors towards the COVID-19 outbreak among healthcare workers in a Hospital of Ethiopia.

Methods

A Hospital-based survey study was conducted on a total of 305 Healthcare workers in a Hospital of Ethiopia. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze data between independent variables with anxiety. Variables with a p-value of <0.2 were transformed into multivariate analysis. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI, p-values of <0.05 were used to show the strength of association and level of significance.

Results

The prevalence of CVID-19 anxiety was 63%. In multivariate logistic regression, age of 30–39 (AOR, 3.05; 95% CI, (1.70, 5.47) and age of ≥40 (AOR, 11.32; 95% CI (3.37, 37.98), being married (AOR, 3.56; 95% CI, (2.30, 6.38), having chronic illness (AOR, 3.43; 95% CI, (1.59,7.43), having suspected COVID-19 family members (AOR, 5.20; 95% CI, (2.11, 12.78), and not having an access to PPEs (AOR, 2.55; 95% CI, (1.43, 4.56) were statistically significantly associated with anxiety.

Conclusion

Being married, having a chronic illness, having suspected COVID-19 family members, not having access to PPEs, and age greater than or equal to 30 years were identified as risk factors for anxiety of Healthcare Workers towards COVID-19.
Virulence profiles of some Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates and their association with the suppression of Candida growth in polymicrobial infections
Authors: Abd El-Baky Rehab Mahmoud , Mandour Sahar A. , Ahmed Eman Farouk , Hashem Zeinab Shawky , Sandle Tim , Mohamed Doaa Safwat
Published: December 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause a variety of diseases especially in the hospital environment. However, this pathogen also exhibits antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. This study aimed to characterize different virulence factors, secreted metabolites and to study their role in the suppression of Candida growth. Fifteen P. aeruginosa isolates were tested for their anticandidal activity against 3 different Candida spp. by the cross-streak method. The effect on hyphae production was tested microscopically using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Polymerase chain reaction was used in the detection of some virulence genes. Lipopolysaccharide profile was performed using SDS-polyacrylamide gel stained with silver. Fatty acids were analyzed by GC-MS as methyl ester derivatives. It was found that 5 P. aeruginosa isolates inhibited all tested Candida spp. (50–100% inhibition), one isolate inhibited C. glabrata only and 3 isolates showed no activity against the tested Candida spp. The P. aeruginosa isolates inhibiting all Candida spp. were positive for all virulence genes. GC-Ms analysis revealed that isolates with high anticandidal activity showed spectra for several compounds, each known for their antifungal activity in comparison to those with low or no anticandidal activity. Hence, clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa showed Candida species-specific interactions by different means, giving rise to the importance of studying microbial interaction in polymicrobial infections and their contribution to causing disease.
Genetic Algorithm Coupled with Neural Networks to Guesstimate the Subsurface Features of the Earth
Authors: Raj A. Stanley , Srinivas Y. , Damodharan R. , Chendhoor B. , Vimal M. Sanjay
Published: December 2020

Electrical resistivity method is often used to estimate the subsurface structure of the earth. Many inversion algorithms are available to estimate the subsurface features. However, predicting the exact parameter in the non-linear subsurface of the earth is difficult because of its complex composition. Soft computing tools can approximate the subsurface parameters more clearly. Each soft computing tool has certain advantages and disadvantages. A hybrid formation of algorithms will make the decision more appropriate than depending on a single tool. Here in our study the data obtained through Vertical Electrical Sounding has been used to determine the sub surface characteristics of earth viz., true resistivity and thickness. Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) requires certain optimizing procedures. Here in this paper, Genetic Algorithm (GA) is applied to optimize Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). This coupled approach is tested with the field data. Error percentage of algorithm nearly mimics the behavior of earth and is verified. The best performance result shows that this technique can be implemented to estimate the non-linear characteristics of the earth more noticeably.
Emphysematous Gastritis in a Transplant Recipient With Clostridium ventriculi Infection
Authors: St. Michel David Patrick , Borth Amy , Rubin Jonah , Goussous Naeem , Twaddell William , Malik Saad , Barth Rolf
Published: December 2020

Clostridium ventriculi is a rare infection in poorly controlled diabetic patients with a history of gastroparesis. We present the first documented case in a transplant recipient, who underwent a simultaneous liver kidney transplant. Computed tomography showed emphysematous gastritis, endoscopy revealed gastric necrosis, and microscopy confirmed the diagnosis. Operative intervention was high risk, given the previous liver transplant. Antibiotics and proton pump inhibitor treatment with repeat endoscopy at 4 days showed resolution of gastric necrosis and elimination of microscopic evidence of infection. Combination antibiotic and proton pump inhibitor therapy may be an effective treatment for this rare, life-threatening infection.
Synergistic Effect of Biofat and Biochar of Cashew Nutshell on Mitigate Methane in the Rumen
Authors: Saenab Andi , Wiryawan Komang G , Retnani Y , Wina Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of biofat with biochar or biosmoke (bioindustrial products of cashew nut shells) at the best level as feed additive in reducing methane production and improving in vitro rumen fermentation. This experiment had two series of combination and each used a randomized block design with 6 treatments and 4 replications. A series of biofat (BF) and biochar (BC) combination were added each to substrate as followed BFBC1 = 0: 100%; BFBC2 = 25:75%; BFBC3 = 50:50%; BFBC4 = 75:25%; BFBC5 = 100: 0%. While, a series of biofat (BF) and biosmoke (BS) combination as followed BFBS1 = 0: 100%; BFBS2 = 25:75%; BFBS3 = 50:50%; BFBS4 = 75:25%; BFBS5 = 100: 0%. Both series used a control treatment which contained only substrate. The in vitro experiment was repeated 4 times and each treatment was done in duplicates. The measured variables were: total gas and CH4 productions, dry matter, organic matter, NDF degradability, NH3 and partial VFA concentrations. The results showed that the combination of biofat and biochar levels resulted in a significant decrease (P<0.01) of CH4 production in the rumen. CH4 production was 88.50% (BFBC1), 63.15% (BFBC2), 61.50% (BFBC3), 58.16% (BFBC4) and 73.93% (BFBC5) compared to control treatment (100% CH4 production). The combination caused higher NH3 at BFBC4 and significantly higher propionate and total VFA in the rumen than control. Dry matter degradation values increased by a combination level biofat and biochar (BFBC4 and BFBC5), but these results were the same as control. Addition of combination of biofat and biosmoke caused a significant decrease (P<0.01) of CH4 production in the rumen. CH4 production was 71.98% (BFBS1), 65.57% (BFBS2), 64.81% (BFBS3),60.21% (BFBS4) dan 80.72 (BFBS5) compared to control treatment (100% CH4 production). At BFBS4 level, NH3 production, DMD and OMD values were lower than control. In conclusion, the best combination producing synergistic effect as feed additive to reduce methane and increase ammonia in the in vitro rumen was combination of biofat and biochar (BFBC4=75: 25%) or biofat with biosmoke (BFBS4= 75: 25%).
Strategy and Policy on Dairy Cattle Development in Areas Outside Java Island in Supporting Domestic Fresh Milk Production
Authors: Priyanto Dwi , Rahmayuni Dewi
Published: December 2020

Production of domestic fresh milk has not yet meet the national milk demand, so high amount of milk is still imported (88.56%). The distribution of the dairy cattle population is still concentrated in Java Island (98.84%) which already has limited available land resources. The low productivity of dairy cow is due to the decline in the quality of breed, limited feed and capital. The business scale majority is still low, although its institutional aspect has been well established with the existence of cooperatives and the milk processing industry. This paper discusses the strategies and policies for developing dairy cows in areas outside Java which are appropriate from the upstream to the downstream aspects. The development of dairy cows in areas outside Java Island is still slow, even experiencing a population decline in the last 4 years by 66.21% compared to that in Java that has an increase of 22.09%. Barriers include weak human resource factors, lack of availability of feed (forages and concentrates), low milk productivity and quality, and the production market which is the main thing in dairy business has not been developed. There were many obstacles encountered when dairy cow development program in areas outside Java island was established. Therefore, it requires strategies and policies as well as steps that must be carried out on target. There are several things that need to be done, namely selecting the location, procuring the right breed, training the human resources (target breeders), planting forage and making concentrates, and the main thing is institutional development (upstream to downstream), especially institutions for milk production and marketing. Routine assistance by related agencies and other institutions is needed to ensure the sustainability of dairy farming outside Java.
Gut microbiota is an endocrine organ
Authors: Demidova Tatiana Y. , Lobanova Kristina G. , Oynotkinova Olga S.
Published: December 2020

The gut microbiota affects the processes of food digestion, intestinal peristalsis, controls the work of the intestinal epithelium, has protective properties against pathogenic microorganisms, activating local immunity and stimulating the secretion of mucus by intestinal cells. Besides the gut microbiota participates in the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, mediates the processes of gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, lipogenesis and lipolysis, and affects on feelings of hunger and satiety. All these processes occur because the gut microbiota produces active metabolites throughout their life activity. Gut microbiota and active metabolites of the gut microbiota activate the synthesis of hormones. The gut microbiota affects the synthesis of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1, glucagon-like peptide-2, YY-peptide, glucose-dependent insu-linotropic peptide, ghrelin, leptin, cholecystokinin, serotonin, and insulin. Disturbance of the secretion of these hormones is one of the links in the pathogenesis of endocrine diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Thus, the gut microbiota is an endocrine organ. Changes in the composition and functions of the gut microbiota lead to metabolic disorders.

This article describes the effect of gut germs and active metabolites of the gut microbiota on the synthesis hormones by means of receptor mechanisms, genes, and enzymes.
Comparative assessment of energy metabolism, body composition and metabolic features in children with hypothalamic and simple obesity
Authors: Okorokov Pavel L. , Kalinin Alexey L. , Strebkova Natalia A. , Kareva Maria A. , Vasyukova Olga V. , Peterkova Valentina A. , Bezlepkina Olga B.
Published: December 2020

Background: Hypothalamic obesity often develops after surgical treatment of craniopharyngioma and is characterized by rapid weight gain, high frequency of metabolic disorders, body composition specificity and resistance to standard lifestyle modification approaches and medication therapy of obesity. Recent studies show that one of the mechanisms, explaining weight gain in these children is decrease in resting energy expenditure (REE).

Aims: To compare REE, body composition parameters, and the frequency of metabolic disorders in children with hypothalamic and simple obesity.

Materials and methods: The study included 60 obese children aged 7 to 17 years, divided into two groups. The study group included 20 children with hypothalamic obesity, developed after craniopharyngioma treatment. The control group consisted of 40 children with simple obesity. Body composition, REE, and metabolic disorders were associated in all children.

Results: Children with hypothalamic obesity showed a significant decrease of resting energy expenditure. The average decrease in REE was 13.1%, but in single patients it reached 33.4%. The percentage of fat mass in hypothalamic and simple obesity does not differ significantly (39.7% [36.2; 42.6] vs 38.8 % [35.9; 43.2]; p=0.69). Screening for metabolic disorders revealed a high prevalence of metabolic disorders in hypothalamic obesity: impaired glucose tolerance - in 10%; dyslipidemia - 55%, insulin resistance-50%, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease - 60 %.

Conclusions: Children with hypothalamic obesity showed a significant decrease of resting energy expenditure. When planning a diet in this group of patients it is preferable to use indirect calorimetry. Hypothalamic obesity even at an early age is associated with a high frequency of metabolic disturbance. Hypothalamic obesity in children is not associated with more pronounced hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance compared to the simple obesity.
Hereditary cancer syndromes: a modern paradigm
Authors: Baranova Elena E. , Bodunova Natalia A. , Vorontsova Мaria V. , Zakharova Galina S. , Makarova Maria V. , Rumyantsev Pavel O. , Hat'kov Igor E.
Published: December 2020

About 5–10% of malignant neoplasms (MN) are hereditary. Carriers of mutations associated with hereditary tumor syndromes (HTS) are at high risk of developing tumors in childhood and young age and synchronous and metachronous multiple tumors. At the same time, this group of diseases remains mainly an oncological problem, and clinical decisions are made only when MNs are detected in carriers of pathogenic mutations.

Individual recommendations for cancer screening, treatment, and prevention should be developed for carriers of mutations associated with HTS to prevent an adverse outcome of the disease. It is essential to identify patients at risk by doctors of all specialties for further referral to medical and genetic counseling with molecular genetic testing (in case of indications). The problems of standardization of enrollment criteria for genetic tests, further tactics of prevention, screening, and treatment of many hereditary oncological diseases remain unsolved.

This review was created to inform doctors of various specialties, including endocrinologists, about the HTS. This allows them to get acquainted with main clinical features of specific syndromes, helps to understand the difference between hereditary and non-hereditary cancer, recognize signs of hereditary cancer, and introduce the indications for genetic examination and genetic counseling of the patient. Also, significant differences between international and domestic recommendations on screening measures, diagnosis, and treatment of HTS underline the need to review the existing and develop new algorithms for medical support of patients with HTS.
Telomere biology and metabolic disorders: the role of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Dudinskaya Ekaterina N. , Tkacheva Olga N. , Brailova Natalia V. , Strazhesko Irina D. , Shestakova Marina V.
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance accelerates the aging process, but its speed depends on the individual characteristics of the metabolism. One of the reasons for the different aging rates in individuals with insulin resistance is the initially different “genetic protection” of cells, which many scientists associate with replicative cellular aging.

AIMS: to study the relationship between the state of carbohydrate metabolism and markers of replicative cell aging in individuals with different sensitivity to insulin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The observation study included 305 patients. The parameters of glucose metabolism and telomere biology were studied.

RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 51.5±13.3 years. Patients were divided into three groups depending on presence of insulin resistance: healthy, with insulin resistance and with type 2 diabetes. The mean age of healthy patients was 48.82±13.87 years, in insulin resistance group — 53.04±12.8, in 2 diabetes mellitus — 58.4±7.90. The median telomere length was 9.76. The median telomerase activity was 0.48. Both telomere length and telomerase activity progressively decrease as insulin resistance increases. In patients with diabetes, short telomere lengths and low telomerase activity predominated. The insulin resistance index has the greatest impact on the risk of detecting “short” telomeres. In patients with insulin resistance, an increase in glycated hemoglobin increases the likelihood of detecting short telomeres by 2.4 times, and in diabetes mellitus by 4.26 times, an increase in fasting plasma glucose by 90%, and an increase in HOMA-IR by 35%. An increase in insulin resistance increases the risk of detecting «low» telomerase activity by 53% and the risk of detecting «very low» telomerase activity by 92%. A decrease in synsulin resistance increases the chance of increasing telomerase activity to «very high» by 51%.

CONCLUSION: Shorter telomeres are associated with more pronounced disorders of carbohydrate metabolism and a higher degree of insulin resistance. Further studies of metabolic status are necessary to personalize their lifestyle and treatment goals.
Transient hyperinsulinism in neonates
Authors: Bolmasova Anna V. , Melikyan Maria A. , Krylova Natalya A. , Ionov Oleg V. , Ryumina Irina I. , Bockeria Ekaterina L. , Pekareva Natalya A. , Degtyareva Anna V.
Published: December 2020

Congenital hyperinsulinusm is rare disease characterized high secretion of insulin by pancreatic beta cells leading to the development of hypoglycemia. Persistent and transient forms of hyperinsulinism are distinguished. Transient hyperinsulinism are the most common cause of severe hypoglycemia in newborns. The etiology of this disease is not known. There are risk factors for the development of transient hyperinsulinism: asphyxia at birth, prematurity, maternal diabetes, low or large weight by gestation. Hypoglycemia with hyperinsulinism is severe. Therefore, early diagnosis and therapy especially during the neonatal period, are necessary.

The article describes 3 clinical cases of transient hyperinsulinism in children with different gestational age and concomitant pathology. All children recevied insulinostatic therapy with diazoxide with a positive effect: euglycemia without glucose requirement . In all children, therapy was completed subsequently. At the time of publication of the article, the physical and psychomotor development of children is normal.
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Financial Performance of Firms on the Indonesia Stock Exchange
Authors: Devi Sunitha , Warasniasih Ni Made Sindy , Masdiantini Putu Riesty , Musmini Lucy Sri
Published: December 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has harmed the national economy and caused a decline in various businesses' financial performance. This study aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on firms' financial performance listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The research samples included 214 companies, which were divided proportionally into nine sectors or 49 sub-sectors. Data analysis used was the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. The results show an increase in the leverage ratio and short-term activity ratio but a decrease in the public companies' liquidity ratio and profitability ratio during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no significant difference in the liquidity ratio and leverage ratio. However, the public companies' profitability ratio and short-term activity ratio differed significantly between before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector that experienced an increase in liquidity ratio, profitability ratio, and short-term activity ratio but a decrease in the leverage ratio was the consumer goods sector. In contrast, the sectors experiencing a decrease in the liquidity and profitability ratios were property, real estate and building construction, finance, trade, services, and investment sectors.
ANÁLISE COMPARATIVA DE MÉTODOS PARA TRIAGEM DE HCV EM SERVIÇOS DE HEMOTERAPIA
Authors: Carboni Gabriela , Boehm Renata Eliane , Doro Claudete Mistura , Tiecher Caroline , Ehrhardt Alexandre
Published: December 2020

Dentre as hepatites virais, a hepatite C (HCV) constitui um significativo problema de saúde pública, havendo a necessidade de testes de triagem cada vez mais eficazes na detecção do HCV, a fim de aumentar a segurança do sangue doado. Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo comparar a eficácia da triagem para HCV entre as metodologias utilizadas pelo hemocentro, verificando, ainda, a possível ocorrência de redução da janela imunológica após a introdução da metodologia de teste de ácidos nucleicos (NAT). O estudo foi realizado por meio de avaliação retrospectiva de planilhas de registro sorológico de 12.443 doadores de sangue triados no período de julho de 2014 a junho de 2015 para o vírus HCV no Hemocentro Regional de Passo Fundo – Hemopasso. Dos possíveis doadores de sangue avaliados, 45 indivíduos (0,36%) apresentaram anti-HCV CMIA inconclusivo com resultado do NAT indetectável. Apenas 7 (0,05%) dos candidatos à doação de sangue apresentaram anti-HCV reagente pela metodologia CMIA e NAT detectável. Não foi observada qualquer detecção no período de janela imunológica do HCV pelo teste NAT. Não houve nenhum resultado falso-positivo pela metodologia CMIA. Assim, as metodologias CMIA e NAT utilizadas em associação são de extrema importância para o esclarecimento de possíveis falsos resultados, essenciais para a diminuição do risco de contaminações pós-transfusionais.
Optimization of fermentation of Fomes fomentarius extracellular polysaccharide and antioxidation of derivatized polysaccharides
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Li Yue , Zong Shuai , Ye Ming
Published: December 2020

Fermentation is a metabolic process that converts sugars into acids, gases, or alcohol. This process occurs in yeasts and bacteria, as well as in muscle cells when faced with a lack of oxygen. In this paper, isolation, culture, purification and extracellular polysaccharides of strain Fomes fomentarius were studied. Extraction of polysaccharides from a culture based on F. fomentarius extracellular polysaccharides, extracellular polysaccharides fermentation experiments was optimized and compared, the optimal fermentation method was obtained; extracellular polysaccharides were sulfated, phosphorylated experiments, selenium acidified, discussed the preparation of derivative polysaccharides and microscopic detection, and finally studied extracellular polysaccharides on DPPH, The scavenging ability, superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability of the derived polysaccharides were compared. The results showed that the extracellular polysaccharide and derivatized polysaccharide of F. fomentarius had certain antioxidant activity.
Immunohistochemical expression of ATRX in gliomas
Authors: Jalal Jalal Ali , Rowandizy Anjam Ibrahim Sulaiman , Ismael Ava Taher
Published: December 2020

Glioma is one of the primary tumors of the central nervous system that occurs in the spinal cord or brain and the origin of the tumor is from glial cell cells. The most common site of glioma tumors is the brain. Glioma accounts for 30% of all central nervous system tumors and 80% of malignant brain tumors. Alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX) mutations are frequently distinguished in gliomas. Current research is an attempt to assess ATRX immunoexpression in different types of gliomas diagnosed, in Erbil-Iraq, and to evaluate its association with patient's age, gender, tumor location, grade and type. From January 2015 to January 2017, we reviewed and analyzed 97 cases of glioma. Immunohistochemical staining, for ATRX, was performed using an automated immunostainer technique. According to the WHO grading system for brain tumors, 16 (16.5%) cases were grade I gliomas, 27 (27.8%) were grade II, 10 (10.3%) were anaplastic gliomas (grade III), and 44 (45.3%) cases were glioblastomas WHO (grade IV). Positive ATRX immunoexpression was demonstrated in 27 (27.8%) cases. The highest rates of ATRX expression (55.6%) were among 30-39 years' age group, supratentorial (34.2%), and among grade II and III tumors (40.7% and 30% respectively). A significant association was observed between ATRX expression and patient's age, tumor location, tumor type and grade (p-values 0.010, 0.004, 0.004, and 0.037 respectively). No significant association was found between ATRX expression and patient's gender (p-value 0.097). It was found that ATRX is frequently expressed in grade II and III astrocytomas and was significantly related to the patient's age, tumor location, type and grade, so it can be used as a good diagnostic and prognostic indicator for glioma.
Identification of atrial fibrillation-related circular RNAs and constructing the integrative regulatory network of circular RNAs, microRNAs and mRNAs by bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Zhai Zhenyu , Qin Tao , Liu Fuxiang , Han Lu , Zhou Hongtao , Li Qing , Xia Zirong , Li Juxiang
Published: December 2020

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia with a high incidence of stroke. Many circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been demonstrated they are elated to various heart diseases and may play important roles in diagnostics or many pathophysiological processes. Nevertheless, there is Few studies on circRNAs functions in persistent AF. To identify AF-related circRNAs and construct the integrative regulatory network of circular RNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs, we collected human right atrial appendage tissues from 5 patients suffering persistent AF (AF group) and 5 patients with normal sinus rhythm (NSR group) and characterized the global changes in circRNA expression with high-throughput sequencing technology. The differential expression of circRNAs and the interactions between circRNAs and microRNAs were analyzed. The microRNA expression file GSE68475 dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to explore the differentially expressed microRNAs. The target genes of overlapped miRNAs were predicted by using DIANA-TarBase v8. We constructed the circRNA- miRNA-mRNA network using Cytoscape (version 3.4.0) and the network topology was analyzed by utilizing CentiScaPe app. Results showed that all of 600 differentially expressed circRNAs related to AF were screened, including 340 up-regulated and 260 down-regulated circRNAs. An integrative regulatory network was constructed, which included 30 circRNAs, 9 miRNAs and 130 target mRNAs of these miRNAs. It was concluded that that 30 circRNAs, including 8 upregulated circRNAs and 22 downregulated circRNAs, were predicted to highly possibly function as sponges of 9 miRNAs to regulate gene expression by using bioinformatics analysis. Moreover, the interactions of hsa-miR-339-5p with its related circRNAs and target mRNAs constructed the hub regulatory network in persistent AF by utilizing topology analysis. Our proposed regulatory network of circRNAs-miRNAs-mRNAs may provide new insight into the potential mechanism underlying persistent AF. Additionally, these important molecular may become novel biomarkers providing a new strategy in diagnosis and therapy of AF.
The effect of Ultraviolet-B irradiation on the photodegradation of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin as inhibitors of bacterial DNA replication and cell division in urea medium
Authors: Alhassani Ansam , Alnakshbandi Abdulkadir A. , Al-Nimer Marwan S.
Published: December 2020

Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and Norfloxacin are second-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic against bacterial DNA gyrase, which reduces DNA strain throughout replication. As DNA gyrase is essential through DNA replication, subsequent DNA synthesis and cell division are inhibited. Direct photolysis of fluoroquinolones was studied by using UV irradiation in the presence or absence of other substances that generate free radicals. This study aimed to assess the effect of Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation in removing ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin by using a simulating model of wastewater contained urea at pH 4. A known concentration of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin were prepared in an appropriate aqueous solution in presence or absence 0.2M urea and adjusted at pH 4. The dis­solved drugs were irradiated with UVB-lamp in a dark place for 60 minutes. The percent of removal and the rate of elimination (k) of each drug were calculated. The direct photolysis effect of UVB irradiation was observed with ciprofloxacin which amounted to 24.4% removal compared with12.4% removal of norfloxacin after 60 minutes of irradiation. The effect of UVB irradiation was enhanced by urea to reach 38.9% and 15% for ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin. The calculated k of ciprofloxacin has amounted to three folds of that of norfloxacin. Direct photolysis of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin can be achieved simply by using a simulation model of 0.2 M urea and UVB irradiation at pH 4. UVB is highly effective in removing ciprofloxacin compared with norfloxacin by 2-3 folds.
Hybrid derivatives in contemporary Korean
Authors: Borowiak Anna
Published: December 2020

The advances in international and intercultural communication resulting in the multilingualism of native communicative communities and ultimately leading to the creation of the global communicative community, is well reflected in the lexical subsystem of many languages all around the world. This subsystem is continuously being enriched not only with numerous borrowings but also with the formations of hybrid type. As far as the Korean language is concerned, opening of the Korean borders to the world in 1876, also opened ‘the lexicon borders’ to the considerable number of Western loanwords, which, with time, started to be used in morpheme-based word-formation processes such as derivation and composition, as well as in new word-formation processes – among them blending and reanalysis. Despite the fact that there are two types of hybrid derivatives distinguished according to the origin of their counterparts (roots and affixes), which are coined and used in contemporary Korean, this article, given its scope, focuses only on the derivatives having the Koreanized bases of European provenance.
Grunnen til at retrofleks l snart er einerådande i hovudstaden Oslo
Authors: Håkon Jahr Ernst
Published: December 2020

This paper describes a sound change involving the lateral system in Oslo Norwegian from ca. 1880 till today. From an early (c. 1880) system comprised of mainly one dental (or alveolar) /l/ in all positions (except for an occasional retroflex [ɭ] for the assimilated cluster [rl]), the retroflex [ɭ] allophone spread during the 20th century to all phonological contexts except following an [a(:)] or [o(:)] in a stressed syllable. Jahr (1975, 1988) claimed that this situation would probably prevail, and the sound change would not be completed and yield a simpler system, because of the attitude of Oslo speakers towards a low-status dialect feature associated with an area southeast of the capital. However, around the turn of the millennium, the development towards a simple one /l/ allophone system nevertheless continued, and children throughout the city started using the retroflex [ɭ] also after [a(:)] and [o(:)]. The last leg of this very long development could be completed, the author claims, because a large region around the capital in the last 50 years has aquired an oral variety based in the capital, but the speakers of this region did not have the negative attitude of the Oslo speakers towards the low-status dialect southeast of Oslo (the Østfold dialect). Therefore, the ‘new’ speakers of the mainly Oslo dialect, from the region around the capital, did not copy the ‘strange’ Oslo exception of the lateral system after the vowels [a(:)] and [o(:)], and this over the years came to have decisive impact also on the speech of young speakers from Oslo itself.
Twarz miasta: próba zdefiniowania
Authors: Koszko Marta
Published: December 2020

Cities belong to the main habitats of human beings. Urban space is a peculiar type of space due to cultural, social, ethnic and linguistic diversity of its inhabitants. This diversity creates a unique image and identity of each urban settlement. The present paper defines the uniqueness of the city as its parameter, its ‘face’. Similarly to the biological face, the face of the city is inimitable. In order to define the ‘face of the city’, a survey was conducted in which the main parts of the human face (eyes, ears, nose, mouth) were compared to the features of the urban space. The survey also focused on expression, biological processes (youth, old age), applied treatments, such as ornamentation, as well as on general changes in image.
Is epistemological reliabilism consistent with grammatical evidentiality and conjunct/ disjunct marking?
Authors: Łukasiewicz Elżbieta
Published: December 2020

The paper discusses how evidentiality and conjunct/disjunct marking in grammar are related to reliabilism, a contemporary theory of epistemic justification developed within the Anglo-American analytic tradition. It is assumed that many problems and ideas concerned with theories of knowledge, and with justification of beliefs in particular, which are widely discussed in contemporary philosophical debates, are worth reconsidering in the light of what grammars of natural languages impose on the epistemic agent. Section two explains how the notions of knowledge, belief and justification are understood in the paper. The section also outlines the major problems concerning the internalist justification of beliefs. Section three presents an externalist view on the problem of justification: process reliabilism. The reliabilist theory of justification is set in the context of two grammatical categories: evidentiality and conjunct/disjunct marking (egophoricity). Since the two categories are still little known, section four offers a brief presentation of evidentiality and egophoricity in grammar, illustrated with data from two languages. Finally, section five addresses the problem whether the premises of reliabilism are reconcilable with ‘natural epistemology’ encoded in grammar. The final conclusion says that the externalist premises of reliabilism are certainly not congruent with grammatical evidentiality and evidentialityrelated categories, but they are not logically inconsistent therewith. Furthermore, since the reliabilist program declares interest in ‘folk epistemic practices’, the approach might greatly benefit from what ‘natural epistemology’ tells us about epistemic folk concepts and epistemic practices employed by speakers of diverse world languages.
Runes, ogham and Latin scripts: transition between orality and literacy in post-Roman Britain
Authors: Mianowski Jacek
Published: December 2020

Runic and ogham scrips are an important part of the heritage of the British Isles. While it is difficult to determine exactly where and when they were invented, and the contemporary consensus on this issue leaves many questions open, the importance of these writing systems in the oral-literate transition cannot be called into question. For these reasons, the following study has two aims. Firstly, it attempts to familiarise the reader with the historical background to the process of transition from orality to literacy. Secondly, it tries to allocate runes, ogham and Latin scripts within an anthropological perspective.
The Earth as soundscape: a very sketchy portrait of a very noisy planet
Authors: Puppel Stanisław
Published: December 2020

The earth forms a gigantic sound theatre. The sound arena, as we may also call it, has been formed in a number of phases. They include the following: the phase of the formation of the natural sound arena (geophony), the formation of the bio sound arena (biophony/zoophony), the phase of the formation of the human sound arena (anthropophony), the phase of the formation of machine-produced sound arena (technophony). All of them are merged into the Earth’s soundscape. In ecological terms, technophony should be kept at a minimum if the Earth’s overall wellbeing is to be considered seriously.
“Oscillate Wildly”: Morrissey’s art and persona as a continuation of Oscar Wilde’s artistic legacy
Authors: Adamskich Karolina
Published: December 2020

The works of Oscar Wilde form a link between late Victorian and modernist literature. His art and wit have continued to exert a great influence on other artists. The art of Morrissey, a legendary poet and singer, may serve as a case in point. Thus, this paper aims at presenting Morrissey’s works and persona as a continuation of Oscar Wilde’s artistic legacy. The article presents their attitude to life and to the process of creation. In view of that, breaking with traditional moral code, the artists’ fascination with beauty, their defense of humanity and all possible freedoms, as well as earnestness of their works, is depicted as the key to the analysis of their art. Thus, the writers’ rebellion against society and modern life, along with propounding aestheticism, will be investigated in this paper
Comment survivre dans l’ombre d’un géant : le cas des plateformes de covoiturage de petite et moyenne taille en Chine
Authors: Sun Shouheng
Published: December 2020

Cet article vise à explorer comment les plateformes de l’économie collaborative de petite et moyenne taille obtiennent un avantage concurrentiel et ont la chance de survivre et de se développer sur un marché monopolisé par des géants de l’industrie. Nous prenons l’exemple du marché chinois du covoiturage, pour lequel une étude de cas a été menée en utilisant la matrice de modèle d’affaires comme outil d’analyse. Trois catégories typiques de plateformes ont été résumées à partir de 128 plateformes de mobilité intelligente de transport de petite et moyenne taille. En comparant et en analysant la matrice de modèle d’affaires entre ces trois types de plateformes et Didi1, le géant chinois de l’industrie technologique, on constate que les plateformes de covoiturage de petite et moyenne taille peuvent développer un avantage concurrentiel unique en offrant une proposition de valeur différenciée et en construisant la matrice de modèle d’affaires correspondant dans un domaine spécifique. Afin de gagner plus d’espace sur le marché, ils devraient constamment effectuer une segmentation du marché et une identification des utilisateurs plus sophistiquées dans le but de rechercher de nouvelles occasions commerciales.
La consommation collaborative en Europe : Démêler la dualité des rôles
Authors: Torrent-Sellens Joan , Cuguero-Escofet Natàlia
Published: December 2020

Cet article apporte de nouvelles preuves sur l’économie collaborative en Europe grâce à l’analyse des motivations à participer à une plateforme collaborative en tant qu’acquéreur ou fournisseur. À cet effet, nous analysons un échantillon paneuropéen de 14 050 citoyens provenant de 28 pays. L’étude, qui applique une méthodologie de prévision empirique grâce à un modèle d’équations structurelles, fournit deux principales contributions à la littérature. Premièrement, les motivations économiques et les motivations basées sur l’efficacité prédisent l’acquisition et la fourniture de biens et services sur les plateformes collaboratives en Europe. Deuxièmement, les échanges non financiers prédisent également la fourniture sur les plateformes collaboratives. Nos résultats ont également des incidences sur l’aménagement du territoire. Comprendre les motivations entre les acquéreurs et les fournisseurs peut favoriser les échanges collaboratifs des ressources essentielles, plus particulièrement à petite échelle et à l’échelle locale.
Stage-specific response in early mouse embryos exposed to prednisolone in vitro
Authors: Uppangala Shubhashree , Daddangadi Akshatha , Joseph Jeena Susan , Salian Sujit Raj , Pandya Riddhi Kirit , Kalthur Guruprasad , Adiga Satish Kumar
Published: December 2020

Corticosteroids are increasingly being used during the peri-implantation period to treat women with repeated IVF failure and recurrent miscarriage. However, the direct effects of prednisolone (PRDL), one of the commonly used corticosteroids on early embryo development is not understood. To mimic the possible clinical scenario and to understand the embryonic response to direct PRDL exposure, this pilot study was conducted in a mouse model. Cleavage stage embryos exposed to 3 and 30 µM PRDL in vitro were assessed for peri-implantation developmental potential, genetic integrity, inner cell mass (ICM) proliferation and pluripotency markers in the proliferated ICM cells. Exposure to 30 µM PRDL delayed the embryonic progression beyond compaction (P < 0.05) in comparison to vehicle control and, had reduced total cell number (P < 0.001) than all other groups. In addition, 30 µM PRDL exposure resulted in poor hatching potential (P < 0.05) and increased apoptosis in blastocysts (P < 0.05) compared to 3 µM PRDL. On the other hand, completely formed ICM outgrowths were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in 3 µM PRDL compared to control. However, no significant differences were observed in the expression of pluripotency genes. In conclusion, the trend observed in embryos exposed to PRDL in vitro provides important information concerning the use of this drug when treating patients at the peri-implantation phase of IVF cycles. However, the clinical value of this observation on human embryo development needs further research.