bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Pathogenic Deletion in Forkhead Box L1 (FOXL1) Identifies the First Otosclerosis (OTSC) Gene
Authors: Abdelfatah Nelly , Mostafa Ahmed A. , French Curtis R. , Doucette Lance P. , Penney Cindy , Lucas Matthew B. , Griffin Anne , Booth Valerie , Rowley Christopher , Besaw Jessica E. , Tranebjærg Lisbeth , Rendtorff Nanna Dahl , Hodgkinson Kathy A. , Little Leichelle A. , Agrawal Sumit , Parnes Lorne , Batten Tony , Moore Susan , Hu Pingzhao , Pater Justin A. , Houston Jim , Galutira Dante , Benteau Tammy , MacDonald Courtney , French Danielle , O’Rielly Darren D. , Stanton Susan G. , Young Terry-Lynn
Published: May 2021

Otosclerosis is a bone disorder of the otic capsule and common form of late-onset hearing impairment. Considered a complex disease, little is known about its pathogenesis. Over the past 20 years, ten autosomal dominant loci (OTSC1-10) have been mapped but no genes identified. Herein, we map a new OTSC locus to a 9.96 Mb region within the FOX gene cluster on 16q24.1 and identify a 15 bp coding deletion in Forkhead Box L1 co-segregating with otosclerosis in a Caucasian family. Phenotype ranges from moderate to severe hearing loss resolved by stapedectomy, to profound sensorineural loss requiring a cochlear implant. Mutant FOXL1 is both transcribed and translated and correctly locates to the cell nucleus. However, the deletion of 5 residues in the C-terminus of mutant FOXL1 causes a complete loss of transcriptional activity due to loss of secondary (alpha helix) structure. FOXL1 (rs764026385) was identified in a second unrelated case on a shared background. We conclude that FOXL1 (rs764026385) is pathogenic and causes autosomal dominant otosclerosis and propose a key inhibitory role for wildtype Foxl1 in bone remodelling in the otic capsule. New insights into the molecular pathology of otosclerosis from this study provide molecular targets for non-invasive therapeutic interventions.
An Unusual Cause of Failure In Zenith Alpha Abdominal Endograft
Authors: Berchiolli Raffaella N , Marconi Michele , Bargellini Irene , Bertagna Giulia , Adami Daniele , Mocellin Davide M , Cioni Roberto , Ferrari Mauro
Published: May 2021

BackgroundThe disruption of the stent component of the graft is an unusual complication of the endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR).Case presentationA 71-year-old man underwent EVAR followed by initial significant sac shrinkage. At 24 months, ultrasound and computed tomography showed sac growth associated with suprarenal stent graft separation from main body, without evidence of endoleak. A thoracic endograft was placed with complete relining of the previous graft.Conclusions.The report demonstrates un uncommon cause of endograft failure with suprarenal stent separation from a Zenith Cook main body and highlights the need for continuous follow-up.
Genetic Variants Associated with the Occurrence and Progression of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review Protocol
Authors: Terhune Elizabeth A. , Heyn Patricia C , Piper Christi R , Hadley-Miller Nancy
Published: May 2021

BackgroundAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a structural lateral spinal curvature of ≥ 10° with rotation. Approximately 2–3% of children in most populations are affected with AIS, and this condition is responsible for approximately $1.1 billion in surgical costs to the U.S. healthcare system. Although a genetic factor for AIS has been demonstrated for decades, with multiple loci identified across populations, treatment options have remained limited to bracing and surgery.MethodsThe databases MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Google Scholar, and Ovid MEDLINE will be searched and limited to articles in English. We will conduct title and abstract, full-text, and data extraction screening through Covidence, followed by data transfer to a custom REDCap database. Quality assessment will be confirmed by multiple reviewers. Studies containing variant-level data (i.e. GWAS, exome sequencing) for AIS subjects and controls will be considered. Outcomes of interest will include presence/absence of AIS, scoliosis curve severity, scoliosis curve progression, and presence/absence of nucleotide-level variants. Analyses will include odds ratios and relative risk assessments, and subgroup analysis (i.e. males vs. females, age groups) may be applied. Quality assessment tools will include GRADE and Q-Genie for genetic studies.DiscussionIn this systematic review we seek to evaluate the quality of genetic evidence for AIS to better inform research efforts, to ultimately improve the quality of patient care and diagnosis.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO registration #CRD42021243253
Can an invasive African grass affect carbon and nitrogen stocks in open habitats of the Brazilian Cerrado?
Authors: Garcia Diana Bertuol , Xavier Rafael Oliveira , Camargo Plinio Barbosa , Vieira Simone A. , Pivello Vania Regina
Published: May 2021

Considering the emergence of ecosystems dominated by invasive species, there is growing interest in estimating the effect of biological invasions in ecosystem processes and provision of services. African grasses are the most invasive plants in the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna), but their impact on C and N stocks is poorly known. We compared patterns of C and N stocks in the aboveground biomass, root biomass and soil in open Cerrado (campo sujo) sites, both uninvaded and invaded by the African grass Urochloa decumbens. In both sites we estimated the aboveground biomass of U. decumbens and native grasses, as well as the root biomass up to 50 cm. We obtained C and N contents in the soil, as well as C and N stocks, up to 1 m depth, and variation in soil δ13C and δ15N. Although invasion did not affect the aboveground biomass, it did affect belowground biomass, leading to higher C stock in fine roots and soil N content close to soil surface, as well as higher C content along the soil profile. C and N soil stocks, soil δ13C and δ15N values did not significantly differ between invaded and uninvaded site. Even a relatively low level of invasion by U. decumbens changed the root distribution pattern and increased C and N contents in the upper soil, which may promote ecosystem changes by altering nutrient dynamics. Although still preliminary, our study shows that dominance by U. decumbens can have severe effects in the Cerrado belowground environment.
Xanthomatous Hypophysitis Secondary to a Ruptured Rathke’s Cleft Cyst: A Case Report
Authors: Gezer Emre , Çabuk Burak , Bayrak Büşra Yaprak , Cantürk Zeynep , Çetinarslan Berrin , Selek Alev , Sözen Mehmet , Köksalan Damla , Ceylan Savaş
Published: May 2021

PurposeHypophysitis (HP) is a rare disease which develops secondary to chronic or acute inflammation of the pituitary gland and may cause symptoms related to pituitary dysfunction and mass compression. Lymphocytic HP is the most common subtype of primary HP, while xanthomatous HP (XHP) is considered the rarest form, with 35 reported cases, to date. Case ReportA 35-year-old woman was initially admitted to a Gynecology clinic with a 2-year history of amenorrhea and headache. She was started on cabergoline 0.5 mg twice a week for macroprolactinoma. Due to persistent amenorrhea with low gonadotropins, she was referred to our Endocrinology clinic. Her pituitary function profile revealed panhypopituitarism and a 13 x 11 x 12 mm sized sellar mass with diffuse enhancement which sustained toward the infundibulum and dura was observed on the gadolinium-enhanced pituitary MRI. The patient underwent an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach for tumor resection and thick yellowish fluid draining from the lesion was observed. The histopathological diagnosis was reported as a rupture of an Rathke’s cleft cyst and a xanthomatous hypophysitis. The surgery did not improve the symptoms/pituitary functions, however, headache recovered immediately after the first dose of high dose methylprednisolone treatment. ConclusionThe inflammatory process in a xanthomatous lesion may actually be a secondary response to mucous fluid content release from a ruptured cyst, thus recommended to classify XHP as secondary hypophysitis. Since the differentiation of XHP from other pituitary tumors may be challenging preoperatively, surgery is the major diagnostic tool and also, the most recommended therapeutic option.
The association of pulmonary function, physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, Borg dyspnea scales and health related quality of life in patients with resected lung cancer
Authors: Li Xinping , Chen Yi , Liu Shuangchun , Zhang Mingsheng
Published: May 2021

Background

Understanding the determinants of quality of life for the patients after lung resection would be beneficial to affect the prevention programs and the treatment strategies. This novel study aims to explore the relationship between pulmonary function, physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), dyspnea, and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with resected lung cancer.
Methods

A cross-sectional study design with 38 lung cancer survivors after surgery for one month was conducted. We assessed CRF by measuring maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and anaerobic threshold (VT).Forced vital capacity (FVC) was measured using a spirometer. Physical activity, dyspnea, and HRQoLwereinvestigated by 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), Borg dyspnea scales, and the SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36), respectively.Data analyses were conducted using SmartPLS to examine path analyses between the measures.
Results

There was a significant relationship between CRF andHRQoL in this cohort of cancer survivors.FVC (f2 = 0.265) and 6MWD (f2 = 0.389) have a medium to large effect size on the perceived CRF while CRF (f2 = 0.467) was found to have large effect sizes on perceived QoL. More importantly, our results showed that CRF positively and significantly mediated the paths betweenFVC, 6MWD, andHRQoL[β = 0.22 (0.457*0.474),P < 0.01; β = 0.28 (0.525*0.540), P < 0.01; respectively].
Conclusions

Pulmonary function, physical activity, and dyspnea had an indirect effect on the quality of life in patients with resected lung cancer. Furthermore, CRF mediates pulmonary function and physical activity to produces an impact on their quality of life.
Longitudinal Study of Inflammatory, Behavioral, Clinical and Psychosocial Risk Factors for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropath
Authors: Kleckner Ian , Jusko Todd , Culakova Eva , Chung Kaitlin , Kleckner Amber S. , Asare Matthew , Inglis Julia E. , Loh Kah Poh , Peppone Luke J. , Miller Jessica , Melnik Marianne , Kasbari Samer , Ossip Deborah , Mustian Karen M.
Published: May 2021

Purpose. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common dose-limiting side effect of taxane and platinum chemotherapy for breast cancer. Clinicians cannot accurately predict CIPN severity partly because its pathophysiology is poorly understood. Although inflammation may play a role in CIPN, there are limited human studies. Here, we identified the strongest predictors of CIPN using variables measured before taxane- or platinum-based chemotherapy, including serum inflammatory markers.Methods. 116 sedentary women with breast cancer (mean age 55 years) rated (1) numbness and tingling and (2) hot/coldness in hands/feet on 0-10 scales before and after six weeks of taxane- or platinum-based chemotherapy. A sub-study was added to collect cytokine data in the final 55 patients. We examined all linear models to predict CIPN severity at 6 weeks using pre-chemotherapy assessments of inflammatory, behavioral, clinical, and psychosocial factors. The final model was selected via goodness of fit.Results. The strongest pre-chemotherapy predictors of numbness and tingling were worse fatigue/anxiety/depression (explaining 27% of variance), older age (9%), and baseline neuropathy (5%). The strongest predictors of hot/coldness in hands/feet were worse baseline neuropathy (11%) and fatigue/anxiety/depression (6%). Inflammation was a risk for CIPN, per more pro-inflammatory IL-1β (6%) predicting numbness/tingling and less anti-inflammatory IL-10 predicting numbness and tingling (6%) and hot/coldness in hands/feet (9%).Conclusions. The strongest pre-chemotherapy predictors of CIPN included worse fatigue/anxiety/depression and baseline neuropathy. A pro-inflammatory state also predicted CIPN. Because this is an exploratory study, these results suggest specific outcomes (e.g., IL-1β) and effect size estimates for designing replication and extension studies.Trial Registration. NCT00924651
Histopathological characteristics of cervical extensor tissue in patients with dropped head syndrome
Authors: Endo Kenji , Matsubayashi Jun , Sawaji Yasunobu , Murata Kazuma , Konishi Takamitsu , Nagao Toshitaka , Yamamoto Kengo
Published: May 2021

Background
To date, the histopathologic characteristics of dropped head syndrome (DHS) have not been reported sufficiently. The present study investigates the histopathology of biopsy specimens from the cervical paravertebral region in patients with DHS.
Methods
Histopathological parameters were evaluated in biopsy specimens of the cervical paravertebral soft tissue from 15 patients with DHS.
Results
Among the 15 cases of DHS examined, skeletal muscle was identified in 7 cases, all of which showed necrosis, microvessel proliferation and atrophy. The ligament was identified in 12 cases, 8 of which showed degeneration. The lag time between the onset of symptoms and the performance of a biopsy in all 8 cases, which showed degeneration was over 3 months. Microvessel proliferation in the ligament was observed in 1 of the 4 cases, in which the lag time between the onset of symptoms and the performance of a biopsy was less than 3 months (acute or subacute phase), and in 7 of the 8 cases, in which the lag time between the symptoms and the performance of a biopsy was over 3 months (chronic phase). Chronic inflammation in the ligament was identified in 1 of the 12 cases.
Conclusions
The identification of necrosis, microvessel proliferation, and atrophy in the skeletal muscle of patients with DHS and the presence of ligament degeneration and microvessel proliferation in the chronic but not acute or subacute phases may suggest that persistent skeletal muscle damage of the cervical paravertebral region causes subsequent ligament damage in patients with DHS.
Influence of Climate Variables on the Leaf Morphology of Ebony (Diospyros celebica) and Their Classification Using the Random Forest Algorithm
Authors: Rofianto Dani , Siregar Iskandar Zulkarnaen , Herdiyeni Yeni
Published: May 2021

Background: Climate plays an important role in the growth process of various plant species, and the ebony species is no exception to this. Ebony (Diospyros celebica Bakh.) is a Sulawesi endemic flora species whose wood is widely used as a material for light to heavy construction and important raw material for Indonesia’s timber industry. Massive forest exploitation threatens preservation of the Diospyros celebica, so conservation is needed to save it from extinction. However, the difficulty in distinguishing Diospyros celebica in the tillering phase caused many seed collection errors, so a system was needed to identify plants correctly. This study aims to extract leaf morphological features, analyze the correlation between leaf morphological features and climate variables, and classify them based on the region where Diospyros celebica grows. Result: The results show that several leaf morphological characteristics were sufficiently correlated with climate variables such as MAT and MAP. In dry weather, the leaves of Diospyros celebica tend to have relatively small leaf sizes, whereas, in wetter weather, the leaves tend to have a much larger size. The classification results could distinguish leaf morphology based on growing regions with an accuracy rate of 94.59%. Conclusions: By obtaining a high level of classification accuracy, it can be interpreted that the size of the leaf morphology of the same species (Diospyros celebica) is different in each region, influenced by climate variables, in this case MAT and MAP.
Selective and mechanistic pressures shaping cancer aneuploidies
Authors: Shih Juliann , Gao Galen , Spurr Liam , Berger Ashton , Ha Gavin , Rendo Veronica , Meyerson Matthew , Cherniack Andrew , Taylor Alison , Beroukhim Rameen
Published: May 2021

Aneuploidies, defined as whole-arm or whole-chromosome imbalances, are the most prevalent alteration in cancer genomes. However, the extent to which they are enriched due to selection is unclear, against the alternative hypothesis that they are passenger events that are simply highly prone to occur. We developed a novel method, BrISCUT, that identifies loci under selective advantage or disadvantage due to arm-level copy-number alterations by interrogating length distributions of events that are bounded at either the telomere or centromere. These loci were significantly enriched for known cancer driver genes, including genes not detected through analysis of focal copy-number events, and were often lineage-specific. We also formally quantified the role of selection and mechanistic biases in driving aneuploidy, finding that rates of arm-level SCNAs are most highly correlated with selective pressures. These results provide insight into the causes of aneuploidies and their contributions to tumorigenesis.
Factors Associated With Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in Neonates: a Pilot Study
Authors: Park Ji Sook , Jun Jin Su , Seo Ji-Hyun , Lim Jae Young , Park Chan-Hoo , Woo Hyang Ok , Youn Hee-Shang
Published: May 2021

Objective: The study was to conduct an investigation of associated factor with macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in neonates.Results: MIF was measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) using sera obtained from sick neonates on the median postnatal 2.0nd day. Clinical details were reviewed from medical record and grouped into preterm and near or full-term neonates based on 34 weeks of gestation at birth. Statistical analyses were performed between MIF concentration and clinical factors. In total, 77 neonates consisted of preterm (n = 42) and term neonates (n = 35) were included. The median value of plasma MIF was higher in preterm neonates (7,037.6 pg/mL, IQR: 3,285.2-12,267.4) than in the others (3,968.8 pg/mL, IQR: 2,566.4-6,995.2, P = 0.013). Among 42 preterm neonates, those with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in later had higher MIF concentration (12,170.9 pg/mL, IQR: 8,353.3-23,537.7, n = 9) compared with the others without NEC (5,189.6 pg/mL, IQR: 3,220.2-9,097.9, n = 33, P = 0.016). Associated factors of higher MIF in neonates were preterm neonates and NEC.
Dissemination of cagA and cagE Virulence Genes Among H. Pylori Strains From Sudanese Patients With Gastric Discomfort
Authors: Osman Esraa , Elnosh Maram M. , Albasha Aalaa Mahgoub , Fadl Amira A M , Marouf Luai Osman Ibrahim , Altayb Hisham N.
Published: May 2021

ObjectivesHelicobacter pylori cytotoxin-associated gene pathogenicity island (cag-PAI) is one of the strain-specific genes (they do not exist in all strains). cag-PAI is involved in inducing inflammation, ulceration, and carcinogenesis. This study aimed to detect and characterize cagA and cagE virulence genes among H. pylori strains from Sudanese patients with gastric discomfort.ResultOut of 288 gastric biopsies screened for the presence of H. pylori, 34% (98/288) were positive, cagA gene was present in 41% (40/98) of specimens, mostly in patients with gastritis 72.5% (29/40), followed by duodenal ulcer 15% (6/40), esophagitis 5% (2/40), and 7.5% (3/40) in patients diagnosed normal by endoscopy. cagE gene was present in 39% (38/98) of specimens, the majority 73.7% (28/38) were from patients with gastritis, 10.5% (4/38) duodenal ulcer, 5.3% (2/38) esophagitis, 2.6% (1/38) gastric ulcer, and 7.9% (3/38) were diagnosed as normal. The cagA and cagE protein sequences have synonymous amino acid variations.
Aerobic Exercise Training Prevents Impairment in Renal Parameters and in Body Composition of Rats Fed a High Sucrose Diet.
Authors: Souza Jaqueline Aparecida , Pinto Angélica Barbosa Gonçalves , Oliveira Emerson Cruz , Coelho Daniel B. , Totou Nádia Lúcia , Lima Wanderson Geraldo , Becker Lenice Kappes
Published: May 2021

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of swimming training (T) on the renal system and body composition parameters in young animals treated with a high sucrose diet (SUD) during 12 weeks.Results: The SUD impaired the physical performance, increased the body adiposity index (BAI), Lee index (LI) and retroperitoneal adipose tissue (RAT) weight, proteinuria, plasma creatinine and number renal cells nuclei, decreased urinary volume and creatinine besides creatinine clearance. The T reversed the increased the BAI, LI, RAT weight, plasma and urinary creatinine, creatinine clearance and number renal cells nuclei. This study found that eight weeks of swimming physical training protected renal function and restored normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) values. Swimming training also contributed to prevention of the onset of a renal inflammatory process and caused a decrease in the risk of development of obesity promoted by SUD decreasing the body composition parameters (BAI, LI, and RAT weight).
Budget Impact Analysis of Trastuzumab Biosimilar for the Treatment of Breast Cancer and Gastric Cancer in China
Authors: gu ruimin , Zhao Yiming , Zhou Honggang , Yang Cheng
Published: May 2021

Background: Breast cancer and gastric cancer are the two major cancers in terms of incidence among all malignancies in China. Trastuzumab is a high-priced antitumor targeted drug indicated for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive early breast cancer (EBC), metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and metastatic gastric cancer (MGC). Trastuzumab, as a price negotiation, was added to the National Reimbursement Medicine List (NRML) in China in 2017 and was the drug with the highest ﬁnancial consumption among all cancer drugs in 2018. A trastuzumab biosimilar gained market authorization in China in August 2020. This study aimed to estimate the budgetary impact of switching from a trastuzumab originator to a trastuzumab biosimilar from the Chinese payer’s perspective and the number of additional patients who could be treated with the biosimilar as resulting savings in China.Methods: Five-year budgetary savings and the number of patients potentially affected were measured based on epidemiological data of breast and gastric cancers in the Chinese population available in the literature, trastuzumab market projected data in China, and original and biosimilar drug doses and costs. The robustness of the model was tested with extensive sensitivity analyses.Results: The projected budgetary savings ranged from 0.59-1.03 billion RMB over a 5-year time period, and the total cost of savings was 3.97 billion RMB. The number of additional patients who could be treated with the biosimilar according to the budget savings would be 9005-15762. Most cost savings refer to the treatment of HER2-positive EBC (86%). Sensitivity analyses showed that the prices of the trastuzumab originator and biosimilar and the number of patients treated with trastuzumab were major influencing factors.Conclusions: The introduction and penetration of a trastuzumab biosimilar in China could lead to significant budget savings. Further studies could focus on improving the refined management of drug prescriptions, particularly for HER2-positive EBC, and therefore improve the efficiency of drug costs.
The Misleading "Smoker's Paradox" in Young Stroke
Authors: Liang Cheng-Loong , Chen Han-Jung , Lee Yi-Che , Wu Cheng-Chun , Tsai Chon-Haw , Chen Po-Lin , Chang Wei-Lun , Yeh Po-Yen , Wei Cheng-Yu , Tsai Ming-Jun , Sun Yu , Lin Chih-Hao , lee Jiunn-Tay , Lai Ta-Chang , lien Li-Ming , Lin Mei-Chen , Lin Cheng-Li , Wang hao kuang , Hsu Chung Y.
Published: May 2021

Objective: Stroke in young adults is uncommon, and the etiologies and risk factors of stroke in young adults differ from those in the older populations. Smoker’s paradox is an unexpected favorable outcome, and age difference was used to explain the association between smoking and the favorable functional outcome. This study aimed to investigate the existence of this phenomenon in young stroke patients.Methods: We analyzed a total of 9,460 young stroke cases registered in the nationwide stroke registry system of Taiwan between 2006 and 2016. Smoking criteria included having a past or current history of smoking more than 1 cigarette per day for more than 6 months. After matching for sex and age, a Cox model was used to compare complications, mortality and outcomes between smokers and non-smokers.Results: Smoking was associated with older age, higher comorbidities, and higher alcohol consumption. Smoking patients with NIHSS scores of 11–15 had a worse functional outcome (adjusted OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.76–0.87), and smoking cessation would substantially reverse those effects.Conclusion: The smoker’s paradox definitely does not exist, and therefore we continue to strongly advocate the importance of smoking cessation.
Nutritional vulnerability and associated risk factors estimation of Bangladeshi wetland community people aged 50 years and over
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Meshbahur , Farhana Zaki , Uddin Md Taj , Islam Md. Ziaul , Hamiduzzaman Mohammad
Published: May 2021

People aged 50 years and over often show nutritional vulnerability in South-Asia including Bangladesh. Consequently, they present physical weakness and illness that escalate overtime. In Bangladesh, community-focused investigations have potentials to inform healthcare interventions, but current studies examine older adults’ nutrition status which are not all-encompassing [e.g., wetland communities]. We, therefore, assessed the malnutrition status among wetland community-dwelling older adults aged ≥50 years in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey with 400 older adults was conducted in the north-eastern wetland community of Bangladesh through simple random sampling. Demographic and health information were collected using a structure questionnaire and the Nestle Mini Nutrition Assessment-Short Form criteria was used to assess the nutrition status. Respondent’s socio-demographic and health profiles were assessed, and the Pearson’s Chi-square association test was performed to identify the associated socio-demographic and health factors of older adult’s malnutrition. The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition were 59.75 and 39.75 percent respectively. Malnutrition prevalence rate was higher with increasing of age and female were more malnourished than male. The age, gender, educational status, occupation and income were significantly associated with older adults’ malnutrition. The wetland community-dwelling people who are suffering sleeping disorders and poor self-rating health condition were found to be more malnourished. The findings confirm that the prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition are high among community-dwelling people aged ≥50 years in wetland communities. Our findings suggest the health professionals to implement public health and clinical interventions simultaneously to improve nutritional status of this cohort.
Comparison of the fertility of tumor suppressor gene-deficient C57BL/6 mouse strains reveals stable reproductive aging and novel pleiotropic gene
Authors: Kohzaki Masaoki , Ootsuyama Akira , Umata Toshiyuki , Okazaki Ryuji
Published: May 2021

Tumor suppressor genes are involved in maintaining genome integrity during reproduction (e.g., meiosis). Thus, deleterious alleles in tumor suppressor-deficient mice would exhibit higher mortality during the perinatal period. A recent aging model proposes that perinatal mortality and age-related deleterious changes might define lifespan. This study aimed to quantitatively understand the relationship between reproduction and lifespan using three established tumor suppressor gene (p53, APC, and RECQL4)-deficient mouse strains with the same C57BL/6 background. Transgenic mice delivered slightly reduced numbers of 1st pups than wild-type mice [ratio: 0.81-0.93 (p=0.1-0.61)] during a similar delivery period, which suggest that the tumor suppressor gene-deficient mice undergo relatively stable reproduction. However, the transgenic 1st pups died within a few days after birth, resulting in a further reduction in litter size at 3 weeks after delivery compared with that of wild-type mice [ratio: 0.35-0.68 (p=0.034-0.24)] without sex differences, although the lifespan was variable. Unexpectedly, the significance of reproductive reduction in transgenic mice was decreased at the 2nd or later delivery. Because mice are easily affected by environmental factors, our data underscore the importance of defining reproductive ability through experiments on aging-related reproduction that can reveal a trade-off between fecundity and aging and identify RECQL4 as a novel pleiotropic gene.
ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CRISIS ON THE FINANCIAL SECURITY OF BUSINESS IN UKRAINE
Authors: Zakharkin О. , Zakharkina L. , Bilous Yu. , Holovata V.
Published: May 2021

The article analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business activities in Ukraine and the world and its financial security. The analysis showed that the economy of Ukraine, like most countries in the world, has suffered significant losses from the introduction of anti-epidemic restrictions on business activities, which manifested itself in falling GDP, industrial production index, investment activity. Due to the temporary or complete cessation of business, the unemployment rate has increased significantly. The pandemic crisis also harmed enterprises' financial results, which declined significantly in all economic activities, especially in industry, transport, temporary accommodation, and catering, where the share of unprofitable enterprises reaches 73%. Thus, the problem of ensuring the financial security of business becomes relevant. The work aims to develop methodological approaches to assessing the impact of the pandemic crisis on businesses' financial security and to identify effective ways to ensure such security. The research used scientific abstraction, comparative and systematic analysis and synthesis, systematization, and logical generalization. It was determined that small and medium-sized businesses were most affected by the pandemic, where more than 60% of entrepreneurs had a strong negative impact. Large businesses suffered less, but they also suffered significant losses due to declining business activity and demand in domestic and foreign markets. The pandemic had the least impact on agriculture, which suffered the least losses, primarily due to the slight impact of restrictions on this business's activities. The paper systematized the risks arising from the pandemic crisis factors and identified their manifestations and financial consequences for the business. Studies have shown that such effects manifest themselves in the form of total or partial loss of profits, problems with debt repayment, reduced financial stability, liquidity, increased receivables, increased costs of anti-epidemic measures, and so on. Thus, the procedure for assessing the business's financial security is to take into account all the factors that shape the financial position of businesses during a pandemic crisis.
Vendéglátóhelyek működésének vizsgálata fenntarthatósági Balanced Scorecard segítségével
Authors: Debreceni János , Fehér Orsolya , Fekete-Frojimovics Zsófia
Published: May 2021

A Magyarországon működő vendéglátóhelyekre irányuló kutatások, a szektor gazdasági jelentőségéhez és növekvő teljesítményéhez képest ritkák. Arra vállalkozunk, hogy egyrészt a vendéglátás tudományos minőségű kutatásának fontosságára irányítsuk a figyelmet, másrészt egy adaptálható mérési módszert dolgozzunk ki. Jelen tanulmány bemutatja a társadalmi felelősségvállalás szerepét a vendéglátásban, valamint egy koncepcionális keretmunkát a Balanced Scorecard alkalmazásával. A javasolt kutatási modell egyrészt javaslatot tesz a módosított Balanced Scorecard dimenziók szempontjaira, másrészt a vendéglátásról szóló tudományos minőségű párbeszédhez járul hozzá.
A magyar filmipar mint a kreatív gazdaság mozgatórugója
Authors: Tóth Tímea Zsófia
Published: May 2021

Napjainkban a kulturális és kreatív iparágak központi szerepet játszanak a versenyképesség növekedésében, olyan előnyöket indukálva, amelyekre más területeken nincs példa. A szegmensbe azokat a tevékenységeket soroljuk, amelyek kreatív képességeken, készségeken alapulnak, egyszerre rendelkeznek kulturális és gazdasági hatással. Ennek egyik tipikus példája a film világa, amelyet mind filmművészetként, mind filmiparként is definiálhatunk, annak függvényében, hogy az alkotói vagy az üzleti aspektus felől közelítjük meg. A filmipar, mint a kreatív gazdaság egyik széles szegmense képes a gazdaság élénkítésére, amit egyértelműen befolyásol a szabályozási, finanszírozási és gazdasági környezet, ezért a nemzeti sajátosságokat is ajánlatos górcső alá venni. Hazánkban a filmipari szektor teljesítménye 2004 óta közel a húszszorosára nőtt, 2016-ban 125,5 milliárd, 2015-ben 72 milliárd forintot fordítottak filmkészítésre, amelyeknek számszerűsíthető adóbevétel-generáló és GDP növelő hatása van. A magyar filmipar vizsgálatakor érdemes kitérni a gazdasági környezet átalakulására, a filmipari szektor teljesítményében bekövetkezett változásokra, valamint a törvényi szabályozás és jogszabályi módosítások hatásaira. A jelenlegi helyzet megismeréséhez érdemes a filmgyártást, a filmfinanszírozást, a filmforgalmazási és moziüzemeltetési piacokat is megvizsgálni. A kutatás alapvetően szekunder adatokra támaszkodik, célja hogy egy átfogó képet adjon a szektorban történt, a kínálati oldalt érintő változásokról, illetve egy összehasonlító elemzést készítsen a térség filmiparáról versenyképességi szempontból. Mindezeket összegezve nyilvánvalóvá válhatnak a magyar filmipar sikerességének faktorai.
Nieważność czynności prawnej na przykładzie małżeństwa kanonicznego
Authors: Bartczak Adam
Published: May 2021

Niniejszy artykuł prezentuje problematykę nieważności czynności prawnej na przykładzie małżeństwa kanonicznego. Punktem wyjścia stały się rozważania na temat małżeństwa kanonicznego jako aktu prawnego. Następnie, omówiona została problematyka nieważności aktu prawnego w prawie kanonicznym. W trzeciej części przedstawione zostały istotne przesłanki, które powodują, nieważność małżeństwa. Są to przeszkody małżeńskie, zgoda małżeńska i forma małżeńska. Na koniec zaprezentowano problematykę samej sankcji nieważności w odniesieniu do małżeństwa kanonicznego. Konkluzja wykazuje, że nieważność czynności prawnej w kanonicznym prawie małżeńskim różni się od koncepcji nieważności w prawie polskim.
Therapeutic Dilemma in Personalized Medicine
Authors: EL Desoky Ehab S.
Published: May 2021

:

The practice of medicine depends, over a long time, on identifying therapies that target
an entire population. The increase in scientific knowledge over the years has led to the gradual
change towards individualization and personalization of drug therapy. The hope of this change is to
achieve a better clinical response to given medications and reduction of their adverse effects.
Tailoring of medicine on the road of personalized medicine considers molecular and genetic mapping
of the individual. However, many factors still impede the smooth application of personalized
medicine and represent challenges or limitations in its achievement. In this article, we put some
clinical examples that show dilemmas in the application of personalized medicine such as opioids
in pain control, fluoropyrimidines in malignancy, clopidogrel as antiplatelet therapy and oral hypoglycemic
drugs in Type2 diabetes in adults. Shaping the future of medicine through the application
of personalized medicine for a particular patient needs to put into consideration many factors such
as patient’s genetic makeup and life style, pathology of the disease and dynamic changes in its
course as well as interactions between administered drugs and their effects on metabolizing enzymes.
We hope in the coming years, the personalized medicine will foster changes in health care
system in the way not only to treat patients but also to prevent diseases.
The Effect of Levothyroxine in Comparison with Placebo on Serum Osteocalcin
Levels in Patients with Subclinical Hypothyroidism
Authors: Rezaee Reihaneh , Mohebbi Masoud , Afkhamizadeh Mozhgan , Yaghoubi Mohammad Ali , Hoseinzadeh Mansoureh , Najafi Mona Najaf , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: May 2021

Background and Objective:

Subclinical hypothyroidism can potentially develop into
overt hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormones have substantial roles in metabolism and glucose homeostasis
and thus, are closely related to determinant factors of metabolic syndromes, such as obesity
and insulin resistance. Osteocalcin is considered a predictor of metabolic conditions in thyroid diseases.
This study aimed to investigate the effect of levothyroxine vs. placebo on serum osteocalcin
levels in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Methods:

This randomized clinical trial was performed on 30 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism,
who were referred to the endocrine clinics of Ghaem and Imam Reza hospitals in Mashhad,
Iran. After giving informed consent, patients were randomly divided into intervention (50 μg/-
day levothyroxine for 2 months) and control (placebo) groups. Serum levels of osteocalcin, thyroid
hormones, lipid profile, insulin, and fasting glucose, as well as other clinical and anthropometric data,
were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. SPSS was used to analyze the data, and p
< 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

Mean age in the intervention and control groups was 35.07 ± 9.94 and 31.30 ± 4.30, respectively
(p = 0.20). There was no significant difference between osteocalcin levels before and after
the intervention in either of the groups (p = 0.54). TSH level was significantly decreased in the
levothyroxine group after the intervention (p < 0.01). T4 level was significantly increased in the intervention
group (p = 0.02).

Conclusion:

Levothyroxine had no significant effect on the increasing levels of serum osteocalcin
in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Clinical Trail Registration Code:

We have registered the trial in the Iranian Registry of Clinical
Trials (IRCT) with the registration code IRCT20171129037677N1.
Bioinformatics Approach on Bioisosterism Softwares to be Used in Drug Discovery and Development
Authors: da Silveira Nelson José Freitas , de Azevedo Walter Filgueira , Guedes Rita Cardoso , Santos Leandro Marcos , Marcelino Rodolfo Cabral , da Silva Antunes Patrícia , Elias Thiago Castilho
Published: May 2021

Background:

In the rational drug development field, bioisosterism is a tool that improves lead compounds' performance, referring to molecular fragment substitution that has similar physical-chemical properties. Thus, it is possible to modulate drug properties such as absorption, toxicity, and half-life increase. This modulation is of pivotal importance in the discovery, development, identification, and interpretation of the mode of action of biologically active compounds.

Objective:

Our purpose here is to review the development and application of bioisosterism in drug discovery. In this study history, applications, and use of bioisosteric molecules to create new drugs with high binding affinity in the protein-ligand complexes are described.

Method:

It is an approach for molecular modification of a prototype based on the replacement of molecular fragments with similar physicochemical properties, being related to the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic phase, aiming at the optimization of the molecules.

Results:

Discovery, development, identification, and interpretation of the mode of action of biologically active compounds are the most important factors for drug design. The strategy adopted for the improvement of leading compounds is bioisosterism.

Conclusion:

Bioisosterism methodology is a great advance for obtaining new analogs to existing drugs, enabling the development of new drugs with reduced toxicity, in a comparative analysis with existing drugs. Bioisosterism has a wide spectrum to assist in several research areas.
Effects of Nanomaterials on Plant Growth at Molecular Level
Authors: Li Yuxin , Rui Yukui , Huang Bo , Liu Mengyuan , Muhammad Adeel , Lu Zihan , Lu Shuang
Published: May 2021

Nanomaterials are widely used in all walks of life, bring great changes to our life and
production. In addition, nanomaterials have also been used in agriculture. The most common
ones are carbon-based nanomaterials and TiO2 nanoparticles, which can
A Review on Effect of Various Parameters on the Rheological Behaviour, Thermal Properties and Viscosity of Potato Starch
Authors: Porwal Omji , Malviya Rishabha , Ameen Muath Sheet Mohammed , Anwar Esra Tariq , Sharma Akanksha
Published: May 2021

Aim:

The manuscript aims to describe the rheological behavior of potato starch in reference to different parameters.

Methods:

Various search engines such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, Google Patents, etc. were used for the literature survey.

Discussion:

The manuscript describes the rheology and its classification. It describes the importance of rheology and factor affecting viscosity. The manuscript focuses on the physicochemical properties of potato starch, rheological properties of potato starch and pharmaceutical uses of potato starch. The rheological property of potato starch depends on the shear rate and viscosity.

Conclusion:

Rheological behavior of potato starch plays a significant role in food processing. In the future, potato starch will be used in various pharmaceutical companies, manufacturing, daily life and food products.
Polysaccharide as Green Corrosion Inhibitor
Authors: Dewangan Y.
Published: May 2021

The carbohydrates associated with polysaccharide glycosidic bonds are tightly chained, usually linear and highly branched complex molecules. Their structure mainly consists of hydroxyl groups in the form of functional groups, in which an oxygen heterogeneous atom is present. Some polysaccharides have hetero atoms. Nitrogen and Sulfur in addition to oxygen, which have unshared electron pairs. Hetero atoms easily share their electron pair to the vacant d orbitals of the metal ion and prevent the metal from corrosion. Polysaccharides are biodegradable, renewable, inexpensive and environment friendly due to which they are easily used as corrosion inhibitors. The present study mentions some major research work in which polysaccharides are used as corrosion inhibitors. Their mixed type nature has been reported in most research papers, and in the case of steel metal, they mainly follow the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Chemical (gravimetric analysis) and electrochemical (EIS & PDP) studies are frequently used for the corrosion inhibition study. Some of the current research papers have also used computational or theoretical studies such as quantum chemical study and MD simulation. At the end of this book chapter, a discussion is also given regarding further research and direction related to the topic.
Sustainable Corrosion Inhibitors for Copper and its Alloys
Authors: El Ibrahimi B.
Published: May 2021

The good properties of copper, as well as its alloys, make them a often used metallic materials in various industries. Regardless of their excellent corrosive resistance, the corrosion process of copper materials can occur under some specific conditions, hence, the need for corrosion inhibitors. Recently, due to many environmental agencies, the “green” aspect was introduced in many fields, including inhibition of corrosion. Keeping in mind economic and eco-friendly aspects, a wide range of compounds were employed as ecological inhibitors for copper materials. For this purpose, the current chapter aims to explore the application of numerous compounds as sustainable inhibitors to control the corrosion of copper materials in various media.
Primipar adölesan annelerin bebeğini algılaması yetişkin annelerden farklı mıdır?
Authors: ÖZCAN Şadiye , KIRCA Nurcan
Published: May 2021

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, primipar adölesan annelerle yetişkin annelerin bebeklerini algılama durumlarını karşılaştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Araştırma, tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel olarak planlandı. Araştırmanın verileri Mart 2019- Şubat 2020 tarihleri arasında “Kişisel Bilgi Formu” ve “Yenidoğanı Algılama Ölçeği” kullanılarak toplandı.Bulgular: Araştırmaya katılan adölesan kadınların yaş ortalaması 18.42 ± 0.70, yetişkin kadınların 27.30±5.65 olarak saptandı. Adölesan kadınların %60’ının çekirdek ailede yaşarken, yetişkin kadınların % 80’inin çekirdek ailede yaşadığı bulundu. Adölesan kadınların ortalama evlenme yaşı 17.22±0.70 iken yetişkin kadınların ortalama evlenme yaşı 24.62 ±5.16 olarak belirlendi. Sonuç: Adölesan annelerin bebeğini algılaması, yetişkin annelere göre daha olumsuzdur. Sağlık çalışanları, adölesan annelerin bebekleriyle iletişimini ve bebeklerini algılama durumlarını mutlaka değerlendirmelidirler. Eğer bu durum adölesan dönemde yeterince değerlendirilmez ve müdahale edilmezse, ilerleyen yıllar içerisinde daha büyük sorunlara dönüşerek hem ailenin, hem de toplumun sağlığını etkileyebilmektedir. Sağlık çalışanları adölesan annelere daha fazla destek sağlamalı, daha fazla bilgi vermeli ve yakınlarını adölesan annelere destek sağlama konusunda teşvik etmelidir.
Аналитическое описание спектральных характеристик сенсора коэффициента преломления на основе отражательного интерферометра
Authors: Терентьев В.С. , Симонов В.А.
Published: May 2021

The analytical formulas, describing spectral properties of sensor based on oblique incidence reflection interferometer in Kretschmann optical scheme. The sensor is designed for measuring the refractive index of analyte (liquid or gas) exploiting the effect of total internal reflection in multilayered metal-dielectric structure. The properties of comprised in the structure thin metal layer, that are necessary for optimization of sensor’s spectral profile, are defined. The spectral profile represents peaks with varying width. The oblique quaterwave dielectric layers are also used in the structure. The analytical properties of sensor depending on light polarization are given: resolution, sensitivity, contrast and figure of merit (FOM). It is shown in the paper, that sensor shows high grade parameters in both polarizations, but it is preferably to use S polarization to maximize FOM due to higher finesse in the sensor structure. The method of fabrication of such sensor structure with optical control during vacuum sputtering is proposed.