bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Model of Bed Demand to Facilitate the Implementation of Data-driven Recommendations for COVID-19 Capacity Management
Authors: Zhang Teng , McFarlane Kelly , Vallon Jacqueline , Yang Linying , Xie Jin , Blanchet Jose , Glynn Peter , Staudenmayer Kristan , Schulman Kevin , Scheinker David
Published: June 2020

Background:We sought to build an accessible interactive model that could facilitate hospital capacity planning in the presence of significant uncertainty about the proportion of the population that is positive forcoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading in the population. Our goal was to facilitate the implementation of data-driven recommendations for capacity management with a transparent mathematical simulation designed to answer the specific, local questions hospital leadership considered critical.Methods:The model facilitates hospital planning with estimates of the number of Intensive Care (IC) beds, Acute Care (AC) beds, and ventilators necessary to accommodate patients who require hospitalization for COVID-19 and how these compare to the available resources. Inputs to the model include estimates of the characteristics of the patient population and hospital capacity. We deployed this model as an interactive online tool with modifiable parameters.Results:The use of the model is illustrated by estimating the demand generated by COVID-19+ arrivals for a hypothetical acute care medical center. The model calculated that the number of patients requiring an IC bed would equal the number of IC beds on Day 23, the number of patients requiring a ventilator would equal the number of ventilators available on Day 27, and the number of patients requiring an AC bed and coverage by the Medicine Service would equal the capacity of the Medicine service on Day 21. The model was used to inform COVID-19 planning and decision-making, including Intensive Care Unit (ICU) staffing and ventilator procurement.Conclusion:In response to the COVID-19 epidemic, hospitals must understand their current and future capacity to care for patients with severe illness. While there is significant uncertainty around the parameters used to develop this model, the analysis is based on transparent logic and starts from observed data to provide a robust basis of projections for hospital managers. The model demonstrates the need and provides an approach to address critical questions about staffing patterns for IC and AC, and equipment capacity such as ventilators.Contributions to the literature:· Generation and implementation of data-driven recommendations for hospital capacity management early in the COVID-19 pandemic· The conceptualization, development, and deployment of an interactive simulation model in two weeks· Data-driven capacity management in the presence of significant uncertainty about the expected volume of patients, their clinical needs, and the availability of the workforceTrial Registration: Not applicable
Expression of modified snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin) protein confers insect resistance in Arabidopsis and cotton
Authors: He Peng , Wu Shuyin , Tian Lili , Hu Xiaoli , Chang Shufen , Jiang Yanli , Wu Zhiguo , Yu Jianing
Published: June 2020

Background: Cotton is a major fiber crop in the world that can be severely infested by pests in agricultural fields. Identifying new insect-resistance genes and increasing expression of known insect-resistance genes are imperative in cultivated cotton. Galanthus nivalis agglutinin, a type of plant lectin that is reportedly toxic towards Homoptera sap-sucking pests when administered in their artificial diet or when fed transgenic plant material expressing the gene. The natural GNA gene is mainly expressed in monocotyledons instead of in dicotyledons, thus modification of the gene is necessary to effectively express the GNA gene in transgenic cotton. Results: We report the artificial synthesis of a modified GNA gene (ASGNA), via codon augmentation, and its insertion into Arabidopsis thaliana and cotton to test its efficacy as an insect-resistance gene against cotton aphids and Plutella xylostella. The level of ASGNA expression in transgenic plants was determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the amount of ASGNA among transgenic plants reached approximately 6.5 μg/g fresh weight. A feeding bioassay showed that survival and reproductive rates of aphids fed transgenic tissues were significantly lower than those fed wild type tissues. Likewise, larvae mortality of P. xylostella fed with transgenic plants showed significantly increased levels. Similar results were recorded of aphids feeding on cotton cotyledons with transient expression of ASGNA. Conclusions: Altogether, results show that ASGNA exhibited high insecticidal activity towards sap-sucking insects and is a promising candidate gene to improve insect resistance in cotton and other dicot plants.
Catalytic fast pyrolysis of Pearl Millet and Sida cordifolia L. to investigate products distribution and bio-oil quality
Authors: LAOUGE Zakari BOUBACAR , MERDUN Hasan
Published: June 2020

Fast pyrolysis is an attractive way of converting abundant biomass resources into valuable products such as bio-oil. Nevertheless, high oxygenated compounds and water content of bio-oil limit its direct use as fuel or chemicals. Catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) is able to improve bio-oil properties so that downstream upgrading processes can be economically feasible. In this study five different catalysts such as zeolite socony mobil-5 (ZSM-5), cerium dioxide (CeO2), zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) were employed due to their potential in enhancing bio-oil properties. CFP of pearl millet (PM) and Sida cordifolia (Sida) was performed to investigate the effects of catalysts on the products distribution and chemical contents of bio-oil. The results showed that bio-oil yield decreased during CFP regardless of catalyst and biomass types. Among all catalysts, CeO2 was found to be the most suitable to produce acids and alkanes from CFP of PM; and acids, ketones, and aromatics from CFP of Sida. The high production of ketones from PM and alkanes from Sida was observed with Na2CO3 catalyst. The ZrO2 catalyst indicated the high aromatics production from PM, whereas alcohols, amines, and others were abundant in bio-oil from CFP of PM using ZSM-5. Overall, PM and Sida can be used to produce fuel or value-added chemicals through CFP.
Agreement in left ventricular function measured by echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with chronic total occlusion
Authors: Li Jiahui , Zhang Lijun , Wang Yueli , Zuo Huijuan , Huang Rongchong , Yang Xueyao , Han Ye , He Yi , Song Xiantao
Published: June 2020

Background: To determine the agreement between two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in left ventricular (LV) function in CTO patients: including end-systolic volume (LVESV), end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), and ejection fraction (LVEF).Methods: Eighty-eight CTO patients were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent 2DTTE and CMR within one week of each other. The correlation and agreement of LVEF, LVESV and LVEDV as measured by 2DTTE and CMR were assessed using Pearson correlation, Kappa analysis and Bland-Altman method. Results: The mean age of patients enrolled was 57 ± 10 years. There was a strong correlation (r=0.71, 0.90 and 0.80, respectively, all P<0.001) and a moderately strong agreement (Kappa=0.62, P<0.001) between the two modalities in measurement of LV function. The agreement in patients with EF≧50% was better than in those with an EF <50%. CTO patients without echocardiographic WMA had stronger intermodality correlations (r=0.84, 0.96, and 0.87, respectively) and smaller biases in LV function measurement.Conclusions: The difference in measurement between 2DTTE and CMR should be noticed in CTO patients with EF<50% or abnormal ventricular motion. CMR should be considered in these conditions.Trial registration: Retrospectively registered
Power-Line Interference Removal from High Sampled ECG Signals Using Modified Version of the Subtraction Procedure
Authors: Dotsinsky Ivan , Stoyanov Todor , Mihov Georgy
Published: June 2020

BackgroundThe acquired ECG signals are often contaminated by residual Power-Line Interference (PLI). A lot of methods, algorithms and techniques for PLI reduction have been published over the last few decades. The so called subtraction procedure is known to eliminate almost totally the interference without affecting the signal spectrum. The goal of our research was to develop a heuristic version of the procedure intended for ECG signals with high SR up to 128 kHz.ResultsThe PLI is extracted from the corrupted signal by technique similar to second order band-pass filter but with practically zero phase error. The sample number as well as the left and right parts outside the samples belonging to a current sine wave are counted and measured. They are used to compensate the error arising with the shift between the moving averaged free of PLI signal samples and their real position along the linear segments (usually PQ and TP intervals having frequency band near to zero). The here calculated PLI components are appropriately interpolated to ‘clean’ the dynamically changed in amplitude and position contaminated samples within the non-linear segments (QRS complexes and high T waves).ConclusionsThe reported version of the subtraction procedure is tested with 5 and 128 kHz sampled ECG signals. The maximum absolute error is about 20 μV except for the edges of the recordings. Finally, an approach to PLI elimination from paced ECG signals is proposed. It includes pace pulse elimination, signal re-sampling down to 4 kHz and subtraction procedure implementation followed by adding back the pace pulses.
Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Olfactory Dysfunction of Parkinson’s Disease - A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Li Chao , Chu Xue-lian , Tian Min , Li Feng , Xu Shu-jun , Zhang Chao
Published: June 2020

Background: Non-motor symptoms in PD usually arise at very early stage and suffer the damage decades from diagnose. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is considered as a highly efficient treatment option for PD’s motor function. However, the effect of DBS on NMS, especially hyposmia, has not been fully understood and there are contradictory data among different researches.Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of DBS on hyposmia in PD patients with a cohort study and identified whether the olfactory function scores influence the final surgery effect.Methods: A meta-analysis including six studies with 326 patients were conducted to evaluate the exact therapeutic effect of DBS on hyposmia in PD. Sub-group analyses based on sample size, gender, stimulation parameters were carried out to distinguish the difference. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate studies’ heterogeneity and stability. Potential publication bias were evaluated by Egger’s tests and the funnel plots.Results: Our study showed that DBS had clearly improved olfactory function in Parkinson patients (P < 0.0001) and the group heterogeneity as well as the publication bias advocate the convince of the result (Heterogeneity: Chi² = 6.39, df = 5 (P = 0.38); I² = 22%). Subgroup analysis also found that different groups of gender, education level or stimulation parameters have no obvious discrepancy on olfactory function improvement except age groups.Conclusion: In summary, this article summarize studies about DBS and hyposmia and offer evidences for the notion that DBS has authentic therapeutic value on the hyposmia in PD.
Heart failure as a cause of hospitalization in IPF: comparison of the HFpEF, HFrEF, and PH
Authors: Yamazaki Ryo , Nishiyama Osamu , Yoshikawa Kazuya , Saeki Sho , Sano Hiroyuki , Iwanaga Takashi , Tohda Yuji
Published: June 2020

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive and fibrosing lung disease. Some IPF patients require hospitalization because of heart failure (HF), including HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and HF due to pulmonary hypertension (HFPH). However, the association between IPF and HF has not been clarified. We retrospectively investigated the clinical features and outcomes of patients with IPF and HF.
Methods

We examined the data of patients with IPF who were admitted for HF to the Kindai University Hospital from January 2008 to December 2018.
Results

During the study period, 37 patients with IPF were hospitalized because of HF. Among the 34 patients finally included in the study, 17 (50.0%) were diagnosed with HFpEF, 6 (17.6%) with HFrEF, and 11 (32.3%) with HFPH. Patients with HFrEF had significantly higher values for B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and left ventricular (LV) end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters than patients with HFpEF and HFPH (BNP: P = 0.01 and P = 0.0004, LV end-systolic diameter: P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, and LV end-diastolic diameter: P = 0.01 and P = 0.0004, respectively). Notably, the difference between the LVEFs of the patients with HFpEF or HFPH was not significant. The patients with HFpEF had the best 30-day mortality rate (0%, P = 0.02).
Conclusions

In patients with IPF, HFpEF is the most common type of HF that requires nonelective hospitalization. Patients with HFpEF survived longer than patients with the 2 other types of HF.
A Case Report of Malaria-associated Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Zhou Xiao , Duan Meili
Published: June 2020

Background: Malaria-associated secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is rare. Moreover, the literature on malaria-associated HLH is sparse, and there are no similar cases reported in China.Case presentation: We report a case of a 29-year-old young woman with unexplained intermittent fever who was admitted to our hospital due to an unclear diagnosis. The patient concealed her history of travel to Nigeria and Dubai before onset. We made a diagnosis of malaria-associated secondary HLH. The treatment strategy for the patient included treatment of the inciting factor (artemether for 9 days followed by artemisinin for 5 days), the use of immunosuppressants (steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin) and supportive care. The patient was discharged in normal physical condition after 25 days of intensive care. No relapses were documented on follow-up at six months and 1 year. Conclusion: Early diagnosis of the primary disease along with timely intervention and a multidisciplinary approach can help patients achieve a satisfactory outcome.
Association Of Multispecific Red Blood Cell Alloimmunization With HLA-Class II Variants is Related to Mjor RhD Phenotypes
Authors: Maluskova Alena , Mrazek Frantisek , Kozelska Renata , Koristka Martin , Cermakova Zuzana
Published: June 2020

Background

It remains unclear why only some patients form alloantibodies against foreign RBC antigens. Transfusion of red blood cell (RBC) products and pregnancy are the most relevant causes of immunization against RBC alloantigens. Here we investigated the relationship between RBC alloantibodies, Rh phenotype, and HLA phenotype among patients with multiple RBC alloantibodies
Methods

In a group of 124 multi-responders—including both pregnant women and transplant recipients—we analyzed the distribution of HLA-Class II variants in subgroups of multi-responders to RBC alloantigens according to their Rh status.
Results

As expected, the RhD-negative phenotype was overrepresented in our alloimmunized group (49.2%) compared to in the general population. Importantly, HLA-DRB1*15 carriers were significantly overrepresented among D-negative multi-responders compared to D-positive multi-responders (Pc = 0.045). Furthermore, the linked HLA-DRB1*13, HLA-DQB1*06, and HLA-DQA1*01 variants were more frequent in individuals with the DCCee phenotype than in other RhD-positive phenotypes.
Conclusion

Our present findings showed that RBC multispecific alloimmunization was associated with particular HLA-Class II variants based on Rh status.
Investigation on the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers for Aid in Hu Bei Province During the Outbreak of Covid-19 Based on the Network Survey
Authors: Zhpu Peng , Du Na , OuYang Yingjie
Published: June 2020

Background:The objective of this study isto explore the mental health of healthcare workers went to Hubei for assistance during the outbreak of COVID-19.A total of 210 medical staff who traveled to Hubei Province for assistance in the first time completed the online questionnaire, including the Sleep Self-Assessment Scale (SRSS), Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD-7), and 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results:The average score of the SRSS of all the subjects（25.13±6.41）was significantly higher than the national norm（22.14±5.48）(p <0.001). The average score of the GAD-7 of all subjects（12.37±4.89）was at the level of moderate anxiety, while the average score of the PHQ-9 of them （8.90±5.42）was at the level of mild depression. The scores of SRSS and GAD-7 of all males（26.60±6.38, 14.45±3.80）were significantly higher than those of females（23.67±6.12, 10.28±4.99）(p <0.01).Conclusions: In this epidemic, the sleep quality of frontline medical staff in Hubei Province is poor, and the symptoms of anxiety and depression are common, while the anxiety is more prominent. Among them, the sleep and anxiety symptoms of males are more obvious than that of women, suggesting that we should pay attention to the psychological support of male doctors and nurses and provide them with appropriate psychological decompression training.
Concomitant Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair With Cholecystectomy: A Multicentric Study
Authors: zarogoulidis paul , Preda Silviu-Daniel , Konstantinos Sapalidis , Bințintan Vasile Virgil , Cristian Daniel Alin , Bică Marius , Pătrașcu Ștefan , Pantea Stelian , Patru Daniela , Șurlin Marin Valeriu
Published: June 2020

Introduction Concomitant surgery refers to performing two or more surgical operations on one patient under the same anesthesia. Patients and Methods We performed a retrospective multicentric study from October 2016 to October 2019, analyzing patients who underwent laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair. We extracted data of patients who underwent concomitant laparoscopic surgery for both hiatal hernia repair and cholecystectomy in the following Clinics: 1st Clinic of Surgery of Craiova Emergency Clinical County Hospital, “Colțea” Hospital, 3rd Clinic of Surgery of Cluj-Napoca and 3rd Surgery Clinic of University General Hospital of Thessaloniki and identified 20 patients who underwent hiatal hernia repair and had an added cholecystectomy. Allocation of data by hiatal hernia type showed 6 type IV hernia (complex hernia), 13 type III hernias (mixed type) and 1 type I hernia (sliding hernia). Out of the 20 cases analyzed, 19 were chronic cholecystitis and one patient presented with acute cholecystitis.Average operating time was 168 minutes. Blood loss was minimum. Cruroraphy was performed in all cases, mesh reinforce was added in 5 cases, and fundoplication was added in all cases: 3 Toupet, 2 Dorr and 15 Floppy-Nissen. Fundopexy was routinely added in cases with Toupet fundoplication. Cholecystectomy was performed in the following manner: 19 retrograde, 1 bipolar. Results All patients had favorable postoperative evolution. Patient follow up was at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, with no sign of recurrence for hiatal hernia (anatomical or symptomatic) and no postcholecystectomy syndrome. In conclusion concomitant laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair and cholecystectomy is a safe and feasible option for patients with indication of surgery for both pathologies.
Significant association between Cystatin C, Gensini score, and Potential biomarker for Increased Risk of coronary artery lesions
Authors: pan jianyuan , Chen Zhenfei , Zhou Gaoliang , Feng Jun , Zhang Jing
Published: June 2020

Objective: Cystatin C (Cys C) has been proposed as a useful biomarker of early impaired kidney function and predictor of mortality risk. The present analysis is to investigate the association of serum Cystatin C with the severity of coronary artery lesions, Gensini score (GS) and the risk of CAD.Methods: 682 CAD patients (230 females, 452 males; mean age 62.6±10.7 years, range from 31 to 86 years) and 135 healthy controls (41 females, 94 males; mean age 58.0±10.3 years, range from 38 to 84 years) were recruited in the current study. ELISA was applied to measure serum Cystatin C levels. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and Gensini score were calculated. Results: Serum TC, LDL-C, UA, Cystatin C and HCY were significantly elevated in CAD patients compared to healthy controls. There were significant differences regarding to Cystatin C, eGFR and Gensini score among different type of CAD patients, of which AMI group had an elevated serum Cystatin C, LDL-C, HCY and Gensini score than the other two groups. When stratified by the quartiles of Cystatin C, we found that age, proportion of male patients and hypertension and diabetes, HCY and Gensini score were increased in Quartile fourth groups than in other quartile groups. Spearman's correlation test revealed positive relationship between Cystatin C, HCY and Gensini score. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum Cystatin C level, presence of hypertension and diabetes, HCY, age and male were the risk factors for coronary artery lesions.Conclusions: In summary, our results suggested that Cystatin C is a promising clinical biomarker that provides complementary information to the established risk determinants. The serum Cystatin C level is strongly associated with Gensini score and could be used to evaluate the severity of coronary artery lesions.
Prognostic significance of platelet-lymphocyte ratio in extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma
Authors: Kim Hyeon-Jong , Bae Woo Kyun , Lee Kang Han , Hwang Eu-Chang , Bang Hyun-Jin , Shim Hyun Jeong , Cho Sang Hee , Chung Ik-Joo , Hwang Jun Eul
Published: June 2020

Background

Extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma (EP-NEC) is an aggressive type of cancer with poor prognosis. Although several biological and histological markers are prognostic factors in NEC, the correlation between prognosis and systemic inflammation markers, such as the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), is unclear. This study evaluated the association between NLR or PLR and median overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) in EP-NEC.
Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data from patients with unresectable or metastatic EP-NECs who received platinum-based chemotherapy at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital from August 2007 to March 2019. The cut-off values for NLR and PLR were 3 and 160, respectively.
Results

In total, 38 patients were analyzed. Both NLR and PLR at diagnosis had no significant associations with the response to initial chemotherapy. However, in the high-PLR group, median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were poorer than those in the low-PLR group (high vs. low: 10.6 vs. 17.1 months, log-rank p = 0.007 and 4.1 vs. 9.3 months, log-rank p = 0.032, respectively). However, the high-NLR group had insignificantly poorer median OS and PFS than the low-NLR group. In the multivariate analysis, high PLR and LDH were independent prognostic factors for median OS and PFS.
Conclusions

High PLR was associated with shorter survival of EP-NEC patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy. Therefore, PLR may be an independent prognostic factor in EP-NEC.
Prediction of Size of the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Wavelength Models: Cases of Turkey and World
Authors: Bulut Tevfik , Yıldız Mustafa Çağrı
Published: June 2020

The main purpose of the study is to predict the magnitude of the Covid-19 pandemic by using epidemiological wavelength models in Turkey and at international level. Therefore, firstly, the first 36 days of wavelengths based on the number of daily coronavirus cases in Turkey were calculated. In addition, 114 countries were compared in terms of Covid-19 wavelengths considering the cumulative number of the pandemic cases occured at the end of the first 36 days for evaluation on an equal plane. In the last part of the study, the wavelengths of 185 countries were examined comparatively based on the cumulative number of cases at the end of the time frame from the first epidemic case until 2020-04-16 (including that date). According to the findings of wavelength obtained in Turkey, it was observed that case wavelength on 2020-04-11, death and recovered case wavelength on 2020-04-16, and net wavelength on 2020-03-26 reached its peak. China was the country having the highest wavelength of case, death, and recovered case wavelengths in 114 countries at the end of the first 36 days since the first case occurred. In that country, wavelengths of case, death and recovered case were 33.6, 23.5 and 30.7, respectively. The first three countries with the highest net wavelength at the end of the first 36 days were Serbia (36.5), Netherlands (33.5) and Portugal (30.3), respectively. On the other hand, the country having the highest case and death wavelengths among 185 countries in the time interval from the first case until the date of 2020-04-16 (including that date) was the USA, and case and death wavelengths were 39.7 and 30.7, respectively. The country with the highest recovered case wavelength was China (33.3). The first 3 countries with the highest wavelengths are Canada (51.4), England (45.0) and Serbia (39.2), respectively.
WITHDRAWN: hnRNPM Deficiency Deteriorates Cognitive Function by Decreasing Synaptic Proteins
Authors: Akinyemi Akinsola Raphael , Li Dingfeng , Zhang Juan , Liu Qiang
Published: June 2020

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs), a wide sub-family within the diverse RNA-binding proteins family, contribute to multiple aspects of nucleic acid metabolism including alternative splicing, mRNA stabilization, transcriptional, posttranscriptional and translational regulation. In this study, we report that alteration to the endogenous level of Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M (hnRNPM) in pyramidal cells of the CA1 hippocampal region of young wildtype mice brain leads to cognitive dysfunction. We further show that deficit to hnRNPM level impedes synaptic transmission while affecting the expression levels of pre- and post-synaptic markers following its binding to the 3´UTR of synaptophysin (SYP) and Postsynaptic Density Protein 95 (PSD95). In addition, we gathered that knockdown of hnRNPM affects the expression level of NeuN (Rbfox3), a protein essential for hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. These further suggest that diminished level of hnRNPM could lead to synaptic dysfunction or deficits in neurogenesis and impaired cognitive functions as reported in NeuN homozygous knockout mice. Furthermore, we then show that hnRNPM binds directly and significantly to the 3´UTR of NeuN, synaptophysin and PSD95 to stabilize their mRNA. Our findings present a novel insight into the regulatory role of hnRNPM in synaptic transmission and cognitive functions.
Perceptions and knowledge of oncology patients of covid-19 infection in a developing country
Authors: Alami Arwa Y , Abdeen Gadeer , Sabbagh Rula El , Dabor Amneh
Published: June 2020

PurposeTo assess knowledge, beliefs, and measures followed by oncology patients in a developing country during the pandemic covid-10.Methods A survey conducted by phone calls to a group of patients treated at a cancer hospital, answers were recorded by the investigators. Data were analysed descriptively.Results Two hundred and one oncology patients answered the survey, mean age was 51.49 years; 66.2% were females, 49.2% of them were on active anticancer treatment. All patients knew of covid-19, 91%believed that it was contagious but only 46.3% thought they could become infected. While 75.1% believed that coming to the hospital increased the risk of infection, only 33.3% preferred to postpone their treatment. Only a minority thought that they will not seek medical treatment if they were infected with covid-19. Most of the participants followed preventive measures such as hand washing and use of disinfectants. Patients were followed by phone calls instead of clinical visits and 85.6% were satisfied with it.Conclusion: Study showed that most oncology patients are aware of the covid-19 pandemic, methods of spread and risk of infection. Most of them followed protective measures and adhered to social distancing. Patients were satisfied with phone calls as a replacement to clinical visits during the pandemic and their treatment plan was followed.
Crisis Management for Small Business during the COVID-19 Outbreak:Survival, Resilience and Renewal Strategies of Firms in Macau
Authors: ALVES Jose C , LOK Tan Cheng , LUO YuBo , HAO Wei
Published: June 2020

We know that small businesses are vulnerable to crisis, however little is still known about how they cope during long crisis as the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper provides a qualitative analysis of small businesses in Macau, China, in the months following the outbreak. We collected interview data from six local small firms. We found that the sudden decline in demand has the strongest impact on small firms. As compared with large firms, new startups and small firms show high flexibility in their reactions to the crisis, partly due to the low level of bureaucracy and limited social responsibility compliance. Among the various types of response strategies, all participant firms adopted flexible HR strategies. Other common survival strategies include the increase of product diversification, exploration of new markets, and increase of learning. We also found that some small businesses had a formal crisis plan and strategy before the outbreak, and these firms tend to have longer history, experience in dealing with crisis, and operate in more regulated sectors. Based on these results, we define five types of renewal and survival strategies for small businesses and propose a SME crisis resilience model.
Prognostic Function of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with GEP-NEN: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Yajie , Wen Bei , Zhang Yuxin , Dong Kangdi , Tian Shubo , Li Leping
Published: June 2020

Purpose: A high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) might be related to unfavorable prognosis. We sought to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies exploring the relationship between NLR with the prognosis in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (GEP-NEN).Methods: The databases PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched using words like 'neutrophil lymphocyte ratio', neuroendocrine tumors', and others through May 2020. We evaluated the significance of NLR on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with GEP-NEN in our study.Results: We gathered thirteen cohorts with 1598 cases. The pooled analysis revealed that a higher NLR related to worse OS (hazards ratio (HR): 4.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.35-6.29, P < 0.00001) and poor RFS (HR: 4.05, 95% CI: 2.78–5.90, P＜0.00001) in patients with GEP-NEN.Conclusion: A high NLR can be considered a high-risk prognostic factor in GEP-NEN.
Investigation of Stomata in Cut ‘Master’ Carnations: Organographic Distribution, Morphology, and Contribution to Water Loss
Authors: Lin Xiaohui , Li Hongbo , He Shenggen , Pang Zhenpei , Lin Shuqin , Li Hongmei
Published: June 2020

Leaf stomata are the main channels for water loss of plants including cut flowers. In this study, we investigated the organographic distribution, morphological characteristics, light–dark response, and water loss contribution of stomata in cut carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus L. ‘Master’), which are prone to typical water deficits despite a few and small leaves. Stomata were observed in the upper and lower leaf epidermis, stem surface, abaxial bract epidermis, and abaxial sepal epidermis. Stomatal density (SD) on the stem surface was the highest and significantly greater than that on the upper and lower leaf and abaxial bract epidermis. The sepal epidermis had the lowest SD and the smallest stomata whereas the upper leaf epidermis had the largest stomata. Changes in the water loss rate increased in the light and decreased in the dark in both intact and leaves-removed cut carnations. The water loss rate of the former was greater than that of the latter. However, the water loss rate for the stem-only cut carnations had weak change rhythms and was much lower than that for the intact and leaves-removed cut carnations. These findings demonstrate the differential contributions of stomata in leaves, stems, and floral organs to water loss, and help to elucidate further the mechanism underlying postharvest water deficit in cut carnations.
Scattering description of Andreev molecules
Authors: Pillet Jean-Damien , Benzoni Vincent , Griesmar Joël , Smirr Jean-Loup , Girit Çağlar
Published: June 2020

An Andreev molecule is a system of closely spaced superconducting weak links accommodating overlapping Andreev Bound States.
Recent theoretical proposals have considered one-dimensional Andreev molecules with a single conduction channel.
Here we apply the scattering formalism and extend the analysis to multiple conduction channels, a situation encountered in epitaxial superconductor/semiconductor weak links.
We obtain the multi-channel bound state energy spectrum and quantify the contribution of the microscopic non-local transport processes leading to the formation of Andreev molecules.
HUBUNGAN TINGKAT KREATIVITAS TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR FISIKA MATERI GLB DAN GLBB DI MAN INSAN CENDIKIA JAMBI
Authors: Winda Febrina Rosa
Published: June 2020

Penelitian ini menggunakan metode asosiatif kuantitafi. Tujuan diadakan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui hubungan tingkat kreativitas siswa terhadap hasil belajar fisika materi GLB dan GLBB. Subyek dari penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas X MIA-3 dan XI MIA-1 yang totalnya berjumlah 47 siswa. Data diperoleh dengan menyebarkan angket dan soal. Hasil uji Pearson Product Moment menunjukkan nilai pearson yang diperoleh sebesar 0,980 yang dikategorikan memiliki hubungan yang kuat. Uji linearitas juga menunjukkan bahwa antara tingkat kreativitas dan hasil belajar memiliki hubungan yang linier ditunjukkan dari nilai Sig. Devitation from Linearity diperoleh 0,274 0,05.
PENGEMBANGAN PANDUAN PRAKTIKUM BERBASIS INKUIRI TERBIMBING PADA MATERI FLUIDA STATIS
Authors: Kartika Nurul , Nyeneng I Dewa Putu , Maharta Nengah
Published: June 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan validitas, serta kemenarikan, kemudahan, dan kemanfaatan produk. Produk yang dikembangkan berupa panduan praktikum berbasis inkuiri terbimbing pada materi fluida statis untuk meningkatkan keterampilan proses sains. Penelitian ini dilakukan di MAN 1 Lampung Timur dengan menggunakan metode penelitian Research and Development (R D). Pengembangan dilakukan dengan mengadaptasi dari model penelitian dan pengembangan Borg and Gall yaitu, pengumpulan data, perencanaan, pengembangan produk, validasi produk, revisi produk, dan uji coba produk. Pengumpulan data menggunakan teknik wawancara dan teknik angket. Data hasil wawancara dan angket dianalisis kemudian digunakan untuk merencanakan produk. Produk yang telah dikembangkan dinilai tingkat validitas desain dan materi oleh dua orang dosen pendidikan fisika Universitas Lampung dan satu orang guru fisika MAN 1 Lampung Timur. Nilai Validitas desain mendapat nilai rata-rata 3,57 dengan kualitas sangat layak dan validitas materi mendapat nilai rata-rata 3,33 dengan kualitas layak. Setelah melalui uji validasi, produk direvisi sesuai saran dan perbaikan, kemudian produk diuji kemenarikan, kemudahan, dan kemanfaatan kepada 4 orang siswa-siswi kelas XI MIA 2 MAN 1 Lampung Timur yang diambil secara acak. Hasil uji kemenarikan mendapat nilai rata-rata 3,29 dengan kualitas tinggi, uji kemudahan mendapat nilai rata-rata 3,28 dengan kualitas tinggi, dan uji kemanfaatan mendapat nilai rata-rata 3,29 dengan kualitas tinggi.
Metal contamination assessment in water column and surface sediments of a warm monomictic man-made lake: Sabalan Dam Reservoir, Iran
Authors: Aradpour Saber , Noori Roohollah , Tang Qiuhong , Bhattarai Rabin , Hooshyaripor Farhad , Hosseinzadeh Majid , Haghighi Ali Torabi , Klöve Björn
Published: June 2020

In this study, metal concentrations in the water column and surface sediment of the Sabalan Dam Reservoir (SDR) were determined. Moreover, heavy metal pollution index (HPI), contamination index (CI), heavy metal evaluation index (HEI), enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), consensus-based SQGs (C-BSQGs), and mean probable effect concentration quotients (mPECQs) were evaluated for water and sediments of SDR. It was observed that metal concentrations in river entry sediment were lower, but those in river entry water were higher than corresponding values in the vicinity of the dam structure. The HPI values of water samples taken from 10 m depth in the center of SDR exceeded the critical limit, due to high concentrations of arsenic. However, according to CI, the reservoir water was not contaminated. The HEI values indicated contamination of SDR water with metals at 10 m depth. A comparison of water quality indices revealed that HEI was the most reliable index in water quality assessment, while CI and HPI were not sufficiently accurate. For SQGs, As and Cu concentrations in sediments were high, but mPECQ, Igeo, and EF revealed some degree of sediment pollution in SDR. The calculated EF values suggested minor anthropogenic enrichment of sediment with Fe, Co, V, and Ni; moderate anthropogenic enrichment with As and Mn; and moderate to severe anthropogenic enrichment with Cu. A comparison of SQG values revealed that the threshold effect and probable effect levels were the most reliable metrics in the assessment of sediment toxicity. Statistical analysis indicated similarities between metal concentrations in the center of the reservoir and near to the dam structure, as a result of similar sediment deposition behavior at these points, while higher flow velocity at the river entry point limited deposition of fine particles and associated metals.
Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors Promote Cell Cycle Arrest and Disrupt Mitochondria Bioenergetics in Ramos Cells
Authors: Kadir Mohamad F.A. , Othman Shatrah , Nellore Kavitha
Published: June 2020

Background:

The re-emerging of targeting Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase (DHODH) in cancer treatment particularly Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) has corroborated the substantial role of DHODH in cancer and received the attention of many pharmaceutical industries.

Objective:

The effects of Brequinar Sodium (BQR) and 4SC-101 on lymphoblastoid cell lines were investigated.

Methods:

DHODH expression and cell proliferation inhibition of lymphoblastoid and lymphoma cell lines were analyzed using Western blot analysis and XTT assay, respectively. JC-1 probe and ATP biochemiluminescence kit were used to evaluate the mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP generation in these cell lines. Furthermore, we explored the cell cycle progression using Muse™ Cell Cycle Kit.

Results:

Ramos, SUDHL-1 and RPMI-1788 cells are fast-growing cells with equal expression of DHODH enzyme and sensitivity to DHODH inhibitors that showed that the inhibition of DHODH was not cancer-specific. In ATP depletion assay, the non-cancerous RPMI-1788 cells showed only a minor ATP reduction compared to Ramos and SUDHL-1 (cancer) cells. In the mechanistic impact of DHODH inhibitors on non-cancerous vs cancerous cells, the mitochondrial membrane potential assay revealed that significant depolarization and cytochrome c release occurred with DHODH inhibitors treatment in Ramos but not in the RPMI-1788 cells, indicating a different mechanism of proliferation inhibition in normal cells.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study provide evidence that DHODH inhibitors perturb the proliferation of non-cancerous cells via a distinct mechanism compared to cancerous cells. These results may lead to strategies for overcoming the impact on non-cancerous cells during treatment with DHODH inhibitors, leading to a better therapeutic window in patients.
Persian Herbal Medicine in Functional Dyspepsia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Azimi Maryam , Zahedi Mohammad Javad
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

According to Rome IV, functional dyspepsia is diagnosed with the presence of dyspepsia in the absence of organic or metabolic causes. FD caused by several factors, such as impaired gastric accommodation and hypersensitivity to gastric distention. Several studies have reported the effectiveness of herbal medicine on FD. This article, thus, reviews Persian herbal medicine in FD.

Methods:

Electronic databases, including Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane, Embase, Web of science and Ovid, were searched so as to find clinical articles related to dyspepsia and herbal medicine by July 2019. Our search strategies were traditional medicine, complementary and alternative medicine, herb, plant, and dyspepsia. We excluded all articles except Persian clinical trials.

Results:

We found 34 clinical trials with 15 herbs and 4 compound herbal remedies like Asparagus racemosus, Brassica oleracea, Cynara scolymus, Ocimum basilicum, Mentha longifolia, Mentha pulegium, Mentha piperata, Pimpinella anisum, Nigella sativa, Mastic gum, Curcuma longa, Pistatio Atlantica, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Solanum tuberosum and Zingiber officinale and compound remedies of Rosa damascene & Crocus sativus, Trachyspermum copticom & Apium graveolence, Carum carvi & Mentha pipperata, Gingiber officinalis & Cynara scolymus are effective in functional dyspepsia.

Conclusion:

Many people use herbal and traditional remedies for the treatment of disorders such as gastrointestinal disorders, especially in Asian countries. Several studies reported the efficacy of herbal medicine in functional dyspepsia. Although their mechanisms are not fully understood, it seems they can modulate GI motility and improve symptoms of FD.
Chalcones: As Potent α-amylase Enzyme Inhibitors; Synthesis, In Vitro, and In Silico Studies
Authors: Ali Mahboob , Khan Momin , Zaman Khair , Wadood Abdul , Iqbal Maryam , Alam Aftab , Shah Sana , Ashfaq Ur Rehman  , Yousaf Muhammad , Rafique Rafaila , Khan Khalid Mohammed
Published: June 2020

Background:

The inhibition of α-amylase enzyme is one of the best therapeutic approach for
the management of type II diabetes mellitus. Chalcone possesses a wide range of biological activities.

Objective:

In the current study chalcone derivatives (1-16) were synthesized and evaluated their inhibitory
potential against α-amylase enzyme.

Methods:

For that purpose, a library of substituted (E)-1-(naphthalene-2-yl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-ones
was synthesized by Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction of 2-acetonaphthanone and substituted aryl
benzaldehyde in the presence of base and characterized via different spectroscopic techniques such as
EI-MS, HRESI-MS, 1H-, and 13C-NMR.

Results:

Sixteen synthetic chalcones were evaluated for in vitro porcine pancreatic α-amylase inhibition.
All the chalcones demonstrated good inhibitory activities in the range of IC50 = 1.25 ± 1.05 to 2.40 ±
0.09 μM as compared to the standard commercial drug acarbose (IC50 = 1.34 ± 0.3 μM).

Conclusion:

Chalcone derivatives (1-16) were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their α-
amylase inhibition. SAR revealed that electron donating groups in the phenyl ring have more influence
on enzyme inhibition. However, to insight the participation of different substituents in the chalcones on
the binding interactions with the α-amylase enzyme, in silico (computer simulation) molecular modeling
analyses were carried out.
Elaboration of Novel TTK1 Inhibitory Leads via QSAR-Guided Selection of Crystallographic Pharmacophores Followed By In Vitro Assay
Authors: Al-Sha'er Mahmoud A. , Taha Mutasem O.
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

Tyrosine threonine kinase (TTK1) is a key regulator of chromosome segregation.
Recently, TTK targeting came into focus for the enhancement of possible anticancer therapies.

Objective:

In this regard, we employed our well-known method of QSAR-guided selection of the
best crystallographic pharmacophore(s) to discover considerable binding interactions that transfer
inhibitors into TTK1 binding site.

Methods:

Sixty-one TTK1 crystallographic complexes were used to extract 315 pharmacophore
hypotheses. QSAR modeling was subsequently used to choose a single crystallographic pharmacophore
that, when combined with other physicochemical descriptors, elucidates discrepancy in bioactivity
of 55 miscellaneous inhibitors.

Results:

The best QSAR model was robust and predictive (r2(55) = 0.75, r2LOO = 0.72 , r2press
against external testing list of 12 compounds = 0.67), Standard error of estimate (training set) (S)=
0.63 , Standard error of estimate (testing set)(Stest) = 0.62. The resulting pharmacophore and QSAR
models were used to scan the National Cancer Institute (NCI) database for new TTK1 inhibitors.

Conclusion:

Five hits confirmed significant TTK1 inhibitory profiles with IC50 values ranging between
11.7 and 76.6 mM.
The Role of Molecular Imaging in the Assessment of Cardiac Amyloidosis: State-of-the-Art
Authors: Popescu Cristina , Burger Irene A.
Published: June 2020

Cardiac amyloidosis is a progressive infiltrative disease for which new treatments are
now available. As therapy should be started as early as possible to avoid complications such as restrictive
cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias and heart failure, a prompt and reliable diagnosis by means
of non-invasive tests would be highly warranted. Electrocardiography, echocardiography and cardiac
magnetic resonance imaging are all used in the evaluation of cardiac amyloidosis with varying
diagnostic and prognostic accuracy, but none of these modalities can effectively differentiate the
cardiac amyloid subtypes. We aim to highlight the most relevant findings in the literature of molecular
imaging in the assessment of patients with cardiac amyloidosis and to underline future clinical
perspective. We performed multiple searches using Pub-Med databases in order to find important
original articles on the role of molecular imaging in the assessment of patients affected by CA. Several
search terms were used, such as “cardiac amyloidosis”; “Light-chain amyloidosis”; “Transthyretin
amyloid cardiomyopathy”; “bone scintigraphy”; “single photon emission tomography” or
“SPECT”; “Positron emission tomography or PET”, and “cardiac imaging”. All radiopharmaceuticals
tracing cardiac amyloidosis were also included. Several studies about the role of SPECT with
bone-seeking tracer (47 articles) and innervation tracer (9 articles) in the work-up of CA, as well as
new PET amyloid-binding (14 articles) and bone radiotracer (4 articles) have been reviewed and
discussed. Molecular imaging represents a sensitive tool for early assessment of both amyloid burden
and cardiac innervation, to differentiate between subtypes and to monitor disease burden, disease
progression, and potential response to therapy.