bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acupuncture treatment for carotid atherosclerotic plaques: study protocol for a pilot randomized, single blinded, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Zhou Junhe , Zhao Lin , Meng Lingcui , Liang Huitao , Zhou Ting , Ye Siting , Qi Zhiqi , Huang Xichang , Zhou Peng , Fu Wenbin
Published: September 2020

Background

Carotid atherosclerosis disease (CAD) is generally associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents. However, CAD has not been taken seriously enough in the clinic, which, coupled with the single treatment and prevention of CAD, has led to a generally low level of patient compliance. Therefore, acupuncture is expected to be a safe and effective therapy that can be maintained in the long term for patients with CAD. The study objective is to evaluate the efficiency and reliability of acupuncture to relieve CAD and provide a new therapeutic idea for the clinical treatment of CAD.

Methods

This is a three-arm randomized clinical trial in China. Three groups (TA, SA, and MC) will be randomly allocated at a 1:1:1 ratio. The study will enrol 105 cervical atherosclerosis plaque patients in total on a voluntary basis, with 35 patients in each group. The treatment will last for 12 weeks, with two treatments per week for twenty-four treatments in total.

Results

Two 3D ultrasound indicators will be measured as the primary outcomes: the total plaque volume (PV) of the carotid artery on each side and the grey-scale median (GSM). The secondary outcomes will include intima-media thickness (IMT), lipid levels, apolipoprotein A-IV level, platelet count (PLT), fibrinogen (FIB), and platelet aggregation rate (PAR). All the outcomes will be assessed before treatment, after treatment, and after a 12-week follow-up period. This study will utilize per-protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis principles.

Conclusions

This trial is to evaluate the efficacy and reliability of acupuncture in relieving carotid atherosclerotic plaques by establishing acupuncture (TA), sham acupuncture (SA), and medication (MC) groups.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (no. YF2018-107-01). All data and findings will be provided by the principal investigator via email.

Trial registration

ChiCTR, ChiCTR1800019259. Registered on 1 November 2018—retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx
Dexamethasone in the era of COVID-19: friend or foe? An essay on the effects of dexamethasone and the potential risks of its inadvertent use in patients with diabetes
Authors: Alessi Janine , de Oliveira Giovana B. , Schaan Beatriz D. , Telo Gabriela H.
Published: September 2020

Background

The disclosure in the media of a benefit with the use of dexamethasone in patients with COVID-19 infection sets precedents for self-medication and inappropriate use of corticosteroids.

Methods

This is a critical interpretive synthesis of the data available in the literature on the effects of the use of corticosteroids and the impact that their indiscriminate use may have on patients with diabetes. Reviews and observational and experimental studies published until June 18, 2020 were selected.

Results

Corticosteroids are substances derived from cholesterol metabolism that interfere with multiple aspects of glucose homeostasis. Interactions between corticoid receptors and target genes seem to be among the mechanisms responsible for the critical functions of glucocorticoids for survival and anti-inflammatory effects observed with these medications. Corticosteroids increase hepatic gluconeogenesis, reduce peripheral use of glucose and increase insulin levels. Previous studies have shown that glucocorticoids have a pro-adipogenic function, increasing deposition of abdominal fat, and lead to glucose intolerance and hypertriglyceridemia. In addition, these drugs play a role in controlling liver metabolism and can lead to the development of hepatic steatosis. Glucocorticoids reduce the recruitment of osteoblasts and increase the number of osteoclasts, which results in increased bone resorption and greater bone fragility. Moreover, these medications cause water and sodium retention and increase the response to circulating vasoconstrictors, which results in increased blood pressure levels. Chronic or high-dose use of corticosteroids can, by itself, lead to the onset of diabetes. For those who were already diagnosed with diabetes, studies show that chronic use of corticosteroids leads to a 94% higher risk of hospitalization due to diabetes complications. In addition to the direct effects on glycemic control, the effects on arterial pressure control, lipids and bone metabolism also have a potential for severe consequences in patients with diabetes.

Conclusion

Fear and uncertainty toward a potentially serious infection may lead people to self-medication and the inappropriate and abusive use of corticosteroids. More than ever, it is necessary for health professionals to be alert and able to predict damages related to the use of these drugs, which is the first step to minimize the potential damages to come.
A study on input noise second-order filtering and smoothing of linear stochastic discrete systems with packet dropouts
Authors: Zhao Huihong , Li Zhifang , Li Bin , Li Tongxing
Published: September 2020

We investigate non-Gaussian noise second-order filtering and fixed-order smoothing problems for non-Gaussian stochastic discrete systems with packet dropouts. We present a novel Kalman-like nonlinear non-Gaussian noise estimation approach based on the packet dropout probability distribution and polynomial filtering technique. By means of properties of Kronecker product we first introduce a second-order polynomial extended system and then analyze the means and variances of the Kronecker powers of the extended system noises. To generate noise estimators in forms of filtering and smoothing, we use the innovation approach. We give an example to illustrate that the presented algorithm has better robustness against packet dropouts than conventional linear minimum variance estimation.
Why are supercentenarians so frequently found in French Overseas Departments? The cases of Guadeloupe and Martinique
Authors: Vallin Jacques
Published: September 2020

Many more cases of supercentenarians are observed in the French Départements d’Outre-Mer (DOM) than in metropolitan France. A first possible explanation is that the standard French protocol for validating age does not sufficiently cover DOMs. However, if additional checks can confirm the verity of this phenomenon, forming explanatory hypotheses can be relevant and quite interesting. Thanks to an INED research funding, a special protocol of deep age checking has been established to be applied to the two DOMs where the phenomenon is the most pronounced: Guadeloupe and Martinique. First results not only show that combining several additional checks does not leave much room for further doubting the ages of supercentenarians but they also support some arguments in favor of a possible fundamental explanation: genetic selection due to the extreme severity of mortality inflicted on their slave ancestors.
Effects of maternal depression and prenatal SSRI exposure on executive functions and susceptibility to household chaos in 6-year-old children: prospective cohort study
Authors: Dhaliwal Gurpreet , Weikum Whitney M. , Jolicoeur-Martineau Alexia , Brain Ursula , Grunau Ruth E. , Oberlander Tim F.
Published: September 2020

Background

Maternal depressed mood during pregnancy may shape a child's adaptation to their environment and engagement in goal-directed behaviour such as executive functions. Whether everyday household context also alters executive functions in children with prenatal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant exposure remains to be determined.

Aims

To examine the impact of prenatal depressed maternal mood and SSRI exposure on child executive functions and to determine whether these exposures shape a susceptibility to household chaos.

Method

A prospective cohort study of mothers and their children (118 mother–children dyads (47 SSRI-exposed, 71 non-exposed)) followed from the second trimester to 6 years. Regression models examined relationships between maternal depressed mood and household chaos on maternal report of child executive functions. Competitive-confirmatory regression models examined whether children were susceptible to household chaos or were positively influenced by less chaos.

Results

Prenatal SSRI exposure, third-trimester maternal depressed mood and household chaos in a three-way interaction were associated with executive functions within a model of differential susceptibility. When household chaos was low, children of non-prenatally depressed mothers had better executive function than children of prenatally depressed mothers, regardless of whether the mothers were SSRI-treated. However, when household chaos was high, SSRI-exposed children of mothers who were not depressed during pregnancy had poorer executive functions at 6 years of age compared with SSRI-exposed children whose mothers were symptomatic during pregnancy.

Conclusions

The impact of household chaos depended on whether mothers were prenatally depressed and whether mothers were SSRI-treated.
Imagery rescripting and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing as treatment for adults with post-traumatic stress disorder from childhood trauma: randomised clinical trial
Authors: Boterhoven de Haan Katrina L. , Lee Christopher W. , Fassbinder Eva , van Es Saskia M. , Menninga Simone , Meewisse Marie-Louise , Rijkeboer Marleen , Kousemaker Margriet , Arntz Arnoud
Published: September 2020

Background

Investigation of treatments that effectively treat adults with post-traumatic stress disorder from childhood experiences (Ch-PTSD) and are well tolerated by patients is needed to improve outcomes for this population.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two trauma-focused treatments, imagery rescripting (ImRs) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), for treating Ch-PTSD.

Method

We conducted an international, multicentre, randomised clinical trial, recruiting adults with Ch-PTSD from childhood trauma before 16 years of age. Participants were randomised to treatment condition and assessed by blind raters at multiple time points. Participants received up to 12 90-min sessions of either ImRs or EMDR, biweekly.

Results

A total of 155 participants were included in the final intent-to-treat analysis. Drop-out rates were low, at 7.7%. A generalised linear mixed model of repeated measures showed that observer-rated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms significantly decreased for both ImRs (d = 1.72) and EMDR (d = 1.73) at the 8-week post-treatment assessment. Similar results were seen with secondary outcome measures and self-reported PTSD symptoms. There were no significant differences between the two treatments on any standardised measure at post-treatment and follow-up.

Conclusions

ImRs and EMDR treatments were found to be effective in treating PTSD symptoms arising from childhood trauma, and in reducing other symptoms such as depression, dissociation and trauma-related cognitions. The low drop-out rates suggest that the treatments were well tolerated by participants. The results from this study provide evidence for the use of trauma-focused treatments for Ch-PTSD.
RAB6 GTPase regulates mammary secretory function by controlling the activation of STAT5
Authors: Cayre Surya , Faraldo Marisa M. , Bardin Sabine , Miserey-Lenkei Stéphanie , Deugnier Marie-Ange , Goud Bruno
Published: September 2020

The Golgi-associated RAB GTPases, RAB6A and RAB6A’, regulate anterograde and retrograde transport pathways from and to the Golgi. In vitro, RAB6A/A’ control several cellular functions including cell division, migration, adhesion and polarity. However, their role remains poorly described in vivo. Here, we generated BlgCre; Rab6aF/F mice presenting a specific deletion of Rab6a in the mammary luminal secretory lineage during gestation and lactation. Rab6a loss severely impaired the differentiation, maturation and maintenance of the secretory tissue, compromising lactation. The mutant epithelium displayed a decreased activation of STAT5, a key regulator of the lactogenic process primarily governed by prolactin. Data obtained with a mammary epithelial cell line suggested that defective STAT5 activation might originate from a perturbed transport of the prolactin receptor, altering its membrane expression and signaling cascade. Despite the major functional defects observed upon Rab6a deletion, the polarized organization of the mammary epithelial bilayer was preserved. Altogether, our data reveal a crucial role for RAB6A/A’ in the lactogenic function of the mammary gland and suggest that the trafficking pathways controlled by RAB6A/A’ depend on cell type specialization and tissue context.
The vascular endothelial cell-expressed prion protein Prnd/Doppel promotes angiogenesis and blood-brain barrier development
Authors: Chen Zhihua , Morales John E. , Avci Naze , Guerrero Paola A. , Rao Ganesh , Seo Je Hoon , McCarty Joseph H.
Published: September 2020

The central nervous system (CNS) contains a complex network of blood vessels that promote normal tissue development and physiology. Abnormal control of blood vessel morphogenesis and maturation is linked to the pathogenesis of various neurodevelopmental diseases. The CNS-specific genes that regulate blood vessel morphogenesis in development and disease remain largely unknown. Here, we have characterized functions for the prion protein two gene (Prnd) in CNS blood vessel development and physiology. Prnd encodes the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked protein Doppel, which is expressed on the surface of angiogenic vascular endothelial cells, but is absent in quiescent endothelial cells of the adult CNS. During CNS vascular development, Doppel interacts with receptor tyrosine kinases and activates cytoplasmic signaling pathways involved in endothelial cell survival, metabolism and migration. Analysis of mice genetically null for Prnd reveal impaired CNS blood vessel morphogenesis and associated endothelial cell sprouting defects. Prnd-/- mice also display defects in endothelial barrier integrity. Collectively, these data reveal novel mechanisms underlying Doppel control of angiogenesis in the developing CNS, and may provide new insights about dysfunctional pathways that cause vascular-related CNS disorders.
Visual acuity and egg spatial chromatic contrast predict egg rejection behavior of American robins
Authors: Luro Alec B. , Fernández-Juricic Esteban , Baumhardt Patrice , Hauber Mark E.
Published: September 2020

Color and spatial vision are critical for recognition and discrimination tasks affecting fitness, including finding food and mates and recognizing offspring. For example, as a counter defense to avoid the cost of raising the unrelated offspring of obligate interspecific avian brood parasites, many host species routinely view, recognize, and remove the foreign egg(s) from their nests. Recent research has shown that host species visually attend to both chromatic and spatial pattern features of eggs; yet how hosts simultaneously integrate these features together when recognizing eggs remains an open question. Here, we tested egg rejection responses of American robins (Turdus migratorius) using a range of 3D-printed model eggs covered with blue and yellow checkered patterns differing in relative square sizes. We predicted that robins would reject a model egg if they could visually resolve the blue and yellow squares as separate features or accept it if the squares blended together and appeared similar in color to the natural blue-green color of robin eggs as perceived by the avian visual system. As predicted, the probability of robins rejecting a model egg increased with greater sizes of its blue and yellow squares. Our results suggest that chromatic visual acuity and viewing distance have the potential to limit the ability of a bird to recognize a foreign egg in its nest, thus providing a limitation to host egg recognition that obligate interspecific avian brood parasites may exploit.
Glucose Transporter Expression and Regulation Following a Fast in the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris
Authors: Ali Raafay S. , Dick Morag F. , Muhammad Saad , Sarver Dylan , Hou Lily , Wong G. William , Welch Kenneth C.
Published: September 2020

Hummingbirds, subsisting almost exclusively on nectar sugar, face extreme challenges to blood sugar regulation. The capacity for transmembrane sugar transport is mediated by the activity of facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs) and their localisation to the plasma membrane (PM). In this study, we determined the relative protein abundance of GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT3, and GLUT5 via immunoblot using custom antibodies in whole-tissue and PM fractions of flight-muscle, heart, and liver of ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris). GLUTs examined were detected in nearly all tissues tested. Hepatic GLUT1 was minimally present in whole-tissue and absent in PM fractions. GLUT5 was expressed in flight-muscles at levels comparable to that of their liver, consistent with hummingbird flight-muscles’ hypothesised uniquely high fructose-uptake and oxidation capacity. To assess GLUT regulation, we fed ruby-throated hummingbirds 1M sucrose ad libitum for 24 hours followed by either 1 hour of fasting or continued feeding until sampling. We measured relative GLUT abundance and concentrations of circulating sugars. Blood fructose concentration in fasted hummingbirds declined (∼5 mM to ∼0.18 mM), while fructose-transporting GLUT2 and GLUT5 abundance did not change in PM fractions. Blood glucose concentrations remained elevated in fed and fasted hummingbirds (∼30 mM), while glucose-transporting GLUT1 and GLUT3 in flight muscle and liver PM fractions, respectively, declined in fasted birds. Our results suggest that glucose uptake capacity is dynamically reduced in response to fasting, allowing for maintenance of elevated blood glucose levels, while fructose uptake capacity remains constitutively elevated promoting depletion of blood total fructose within the first hour of a fast.
Small Businesses: Specifi cs of Activity and Normative-Legal Regulation of the Accounting and Reporting
Authors: Polenova S.
Published: September 2020

In article are worded premieres of the shaping specialized normative-legal base to organizations and methodical ensuring the accounting and accounting (fi nancial) to reporting on enterprise, using their simplifi ed forms, on base of the study of the particularities of the operation enterprise small business. Emphases is spared motivation to need of the development federal standard accounting and accounting (financial) to reporting under simplified to form, their construction and contents.
Triangle of Knowledge “Extra-Day Educational Activity and Conditions of Its Realization in Education
Authors: Nazarova T.
Published: September 2020

The article shows the methodological problems of the organization of extracurricular activities of schoolchildren in the context of the “knowledge triangle” concept, which includes interconnections in the triad “education - science - innovation” in order to systemically transform the school of a new generation in the conditions of information postmodernism. The homework of schoolchildren is presented as an extracurricular independent activity of a schoolchild, undergoing significant changes due to a breakthrough in the educational process of technical and technological innovations. The prerequisites of a new vision of the problems of organization and management of educational activity (cognition) of schoolchildren and their consideration in the conditions of developing innovations are shown. Technological innovations in the form of new electronic equipment and interdisciplinary humanitarian technologies affect the updating of the content of subject courses, which, when introduced into the context of educational activity, change the forms of information transmission, the structure of its activity organization and assimilation. Understanding this problem implies the knowledge of the researcher about the features of the content, self-organization operations, the resulting communicative relationships and the features of the translation of educational material. An analysis of educational development trends shows the desire of world communities to integrate and form a new global information society based on fundamental knowledge, science, technology, high technology, allowing to achieve an increase in the pace of economic development and favorable social transformations.

The factors of influence on the state of extracurricular work of schoolchildren, emerging didactic barriers in the real process of completing homework are considered. The views of domestic and foreign scientists on the problem of necessity and the abolition of homework are presented. The strategic guidelines of the organization of extracurricular activities are shown, designed to ensure the overcoming of negative influence factors through the development of instrumental-activity platforms, including digital ones, which provide rational forms of translation, perception, understanding and application of educational material.
Developing Evaluation of Teachers’ Activity in Conditions of Attestation: Regional Aspect
Authors: Temnyatkina Ol'ga
Published: September 2020

The problem of pedagogical activity’s perfection makes matters worse requirements in working out of set of instruments for adequate evaluation of results of teacher’s work, development his personal qualities. There is experience of estimation of competence results of professional activity about 60000 teachers of Sverdlovsk region in a process of their attestation for the first and the highest category in 2013-2017 years. It is used indexes of forming activity’s components as a quality of criterion-estimates system in expert sheets. It is revealed comparatively low level of developing analytical and creative components and component self-perfecting in a structure of pedagogical activity in results of analysis of forming of components of pedagogical activity. It is allowed to implement further correction of activity of teacher’s methodical unions, and also information-methodical services of region.
Developing an Approach to Integrating Procedures for External Independent Assessment of the Quality of Higher Education: Risk Analysis and Elimination
Authors: Korneva Evgeniya , Izmaylova Marina
Published: September 2020

The article presents the results of the author's research, revealing the weaknesses and risks of the problem of integration of Russian and European approaches to the independent assessment of the quality of higher education.
Analysis of Physicochemical Characteristics of Pauttika Honey Procured from Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Veena Veena , Verma Vandana , Udayakumar Amala , Pandhi Shikha , Kumar Arvind , Paswan Vinod Kumar
Published: September 2020

Ayurveda has described eight kinds of honey with the different medicinal values that gets change with the passage of time of one year. Pauttika honey is a specific kind of honey among the eight types of honey produced by Pauttika honey bee, which is indicated in the management of diabetes (Prameha), obesity (Sthaulaya), dyslipidemia, etc. To identify and standardize the type of honey and its honey bee on scientific parameters and the characteristics as mentioned in Ayurveda. Honey was procured from the natural honey hive and Standard methods were used forphysico-chemical analysis, sensory evaluation, and color hunter test.Bee identification was done by an expert entomologist. Analysis of honey, showed that procured honey was Pauttika type of honey as described in Ayurveda and bee was identified as Apis dorsata. Researchersalso found some changes in the properties of honey after the one year like in pH, HMF, Color, and Sensory evaluation. The Physico-chemical analysis of honey samples confirmed the good quality of Pauttikahoney produced by Apis dorsata also confirms a new variety of honey as mentioned in Ayurveda.
Supplementation of Low Ratio n-6:n-3 PUFA Reduces Body Fatness in Young Obese Balinese Women: A Randomized Study with Optimized Energy Regulation
Authors: Weta I Wayan , Sutirtayasa Wayan P , Sucipta Wayan C , Malik Safarina G , Subawa A.A.Ngurah , Widyadharma I Putu Eka
Published: September 2020

Background and Objectives: Obese Indonesians, including Balinese, are at higher risk of comorbidities like, CVD, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Urban Balinese are changing their diet from traditional to fast foods and the like that are high in saturated fats. Nutritional modification, such as increasing n-3 PUFA content in the diet, may aid in managing body fat accumulation-related diseases. This study investigated the effects of supplementation of n-6:n-3 PUFA with ratio of 2:1 on body fat reduction in young obese Balinese women.
Methods and Study Design: Sixty-six young obese Balinese women, aged 18-25, were randomly assigned equally into Intervention and Control groups, supplemented with 2100 mg:1100 mg and 240 mg:100 mg of n-6:n-3 PUFAs, respectively. Data were collected at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks of intervention. BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), conicity index, triglyceride concentrations, and Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP) were measured. Participants were advised to maintain <1500-Kcal daily energy intake and participate in a guided low-impact aerobics once a week. Results: After 12-weeks supplementation, all body fat indices (BMI, WC, WHtR, conicity index, and LAP), decreased significantly weather were unadjusted or adjusted by the reduced of energy intake in the Intervention group. Otherwise, in the Control group only some of WC indices (WC, WHtR, and conicity index) decreased stasticically. BMI and WC of the Intervention group decreased significantly more than the Control group. Conclusion: Twelve-week intervention with high-dose of low n-6:n-3 PUFAs ratio and restriction energy intake, reduced body fatness selectively in young obese Balinese women.
Impact of Mother-to-Mother Support Groups in Promoting Exclusive Breastfeeding in a Low-Resource Rural Community in Kenya: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: M’Liria Joseph Kobia , Kimiywe Judith , Ochola Sophie
Published: September 2020

Breastfeeding is the single most effective intervention for growth, health, development and survival of infants. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for 6 months alone can reduce under-five child mortality by up to 13%. Community-based strategies such as Mother-to-Mother Support Groups (MTMSGs) have improved the rates of EBF by increasing the length of maternal support before and after delivery. The rate of EBF in the study area was 18.6%, which was lower than national rate of 32% at the time of the study. Currently, the Kenyan national rate is 61% but with high regional variability. This study was designed to assess the impact of community-based MTMSGs with or without income generating activities in promoting EBF in low socio-economic rural setting in Kenya.
This was a cluster randomized controlled trial in which 3 health centres in Igembe South Sub-County in Meru County, Kenya were randomly allocated to three study groups, on a ratio of 1:1:1; to two treatment groups and a control group. The target population was pregnant mothers in their third trimester (33-37 weeks) and registered at ante-natal clinics in any of the 3 health centres. Total sample size was 249. Mothers in the first treatment group received breastfeeding education and support during seven monthly meetings by trained breastfeeding peer educators. Mothers in the second treatment group received breastfeeding education and support at the same frequency as those in first group in addition to conducting income generating activities facilitated by the research team. Mothers in the control group received no breastfeeding education. Infant feeding practices were determined based on 24–hour recall. Data was collected on monthly basis for 6 months postpartum by interviewers blinded to the study hypotheses. The primary outcome was EBF prevalence at six months while secondary outcome was cumulative EBF at six months.
Mothers in the first and second treatment groups were two times more likely to exclusively breastfed at 6 months compared to mothers in the control group [RR=2.42;CI 1.36-4.28;(p=0.004] and [RR=1.89;CI 1.02-3.49;(p=0.033)] respectively. There was no significant difference in the EBF rates at 6 months in the 2 treatment groups. Median duration of cumulative EBF for the control group was significantly lower at 0.7 months compared with first treatment group at 2.8 months (p<0.001) and second treatment group at 3.4 months (p<0.001). Mother-to-mother support groups is an effective strategy in promoting exclusive breastfeeding in low socio-economic rural settings and should therefore be strengthened in Kenya and similar circumstances.
Selected Engineering Properties and Drying Behavior of Tendu Fruit
Authors: Jamil Zeba , Mohite Ashish M. , Sharma Neha
Published: September 2020

In this study, the selected engineering properties of tendu fruit (ripe and unripe) and drying of behavior of tendu fruit slices in different dryers at two temperature levels were investigated. The drying was conducted at 50°C and 60 °C for the slices of 1cm, 2cm, and 3 cm in tray dryer, vacuum dryer, and freeze dryer, respectively. The moisture ratio using modified page equation was used to study the drying behavior. The engineering properties such as bulk density, true density, Carr’s compressibility index, surface area, unit volume, angle of repose, and the coefficient of static friction were studied for tendu fruits , results showed a slight variation in values of ripe and unripe fruit. The porosity and Carr’s compressibility index for ripe and unripe tendu fruits were found (26.12% and 24.89 %) and (6.64 and 7.67), respectively. Whereas the proximate analysis did not found major differences in the ash, crude fat, crude fiber, and protein content values. The drying ratio for vacuum drying was found better results when compared to tray drying for all thickness of fruit slices. The tendu fruit slices of 1cm thickness at 60°C found better result in vacuum drying compared to tray drying and the best fit for modeling on the basis of X2, R2 and RSME also proved it. Freeze drying as a continuous drying process found the best quality of dried slices for all thicknesses with the final product moisture content between 7-10% (wet basis, wb).
Core surgical field camps: a new deanery-based model for enhancing advanced skills in core surgical trainees through simulation
Authors: Room HJ , Ji C , Kohli S , Choh CTP , Robinson P , Knight J , Dennis S ,   on behalf of the Wessex Deanery Core Surgery Teaching Group
Published: September 2020

Hands-on wet lab simulation training is a vital part of modern surgical training. Since 2010, surgical ‘boot camps’ have been run by many UK deaneries to teach core surgical trainees basic entry level skills. Training in advanced skills often requires attendance at national fee-paying courses. In the Wessex Deanery, multiple, free of charge, core surgical ‘field camps’ were developed to provide more advanced level teaching in the particular specialty preference of each core surgical trainee. After the COVID-19 pandemic, national hands-on courses will be challenging to provide and deanery-based advanced skills training may be the way forward for craft-based specialties. The experiences over 2 years of delivering the Wessex core surgical field camps are shared, giving a guide and advice for other trainers on how to run a field camp.
Synovial plica of the elbow and its clinical relevance
Authors: Lubiatowski Przemysław , Wałecka Joanna , Dzianach Marcin , Stefaniak Jakub , Romanowski Leszek
Published: September 2020

A synovial plica (fold) is normal anatomic finding, and occurs in 86–100% of cases; however, symptomatic plica is much less common (7.2–8.7% of all elbow arthroscopies). Synovial plica syndrome is a painful elbow condition related to symptomatic synovial plica. Synovial plica syndrome is diagnosed by clinical examination (lateral elbow pain) commonly accompanied by local tenderness, pain at terminal extension and/or painful snapping. Synovial plica syndrome may be mimicked by other elbow conditions, commonly tennis elbow, loose bodies, and degenerative arthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound scan may support diagnosis in correlation with clinical findings, but symptomatic plica may also be diagnosed as unexpected during elbow arthroscopy. The arthroscopic resection is effective and safe if conservative treatment fails.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:549-557. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200027
Literature review of the causes of pain following total knee replacement surgery: prosthesis, inflammation and arthrofibrosis
Authors: Li Cheuk Yin , Ng Cheong Chung Kenneth Jordan , Ali Omar M. E. , Chung Nicholas D. H. , Li Cheuk Heng
Published: September 2020

Adverse knee pain occurs in 10–34% of all total knee replacements (TKR), and 20% of TKR patients experience more pain post-operatively than pre-operatively. Knee pain is amongst the top five reasons for knee replacement revision in the United Kingdom. The number of TKRs is predicted to continue increasing due to the ageing population. A narrative literature review was performed on the different causes of pain following TKR. A database search on Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar was conducted to look for articles related to TKR, pain, and cause. Articles were selected based on relevance, publication date, quality of research and validation. Relevant sections were added to the review. One hundred and fourteen articles were identified and potential causes of TKR pain included: arthrofibrosis, aseptic loosening, avascular necrosis, central sensitization, component malpositioning, infection, instability, nerve damage, overstuffing, patellar maltracking, polyethylene wear, psychological factors and unresurfaced patella. It is important to tailor our approach to address the individual causes of pain. Certain controllable risk factors can be managed pre-operatively to minimize post-operative pain. Risk factors help to predict adverse pain outcomes and identify specific causes. There are multiple causes of pain following TKR. Some factors will require further extensive studies, and as pain is a commonly attributed reason for TKR revision, its underlying aetiologies should be explored. Understanding these factors helps to develop effective methods for diagnosis, prevention and management of TKR pain, which help to improve patient outcomes.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:534-543. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200031
A 324-years temperature reconstruction from Pinus latteri Mason at highland in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
Authors: Lumyai Pichit , PALAKIT KITSADAPAN , DUANGSATHAPORN KHWANCHAI , WANTHONGCHAI KOBSAK
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Lumyai P, Palakit K, Suangsathaporn K, Wanthongchai K. 2020. A 324-years temperature reconstruction from Pinus latteri Mason at highland in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Biodiversitas 21: 3938-3945.  The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the growth of Pinus latteri and climate data in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Dendrochronological techniques were used to analyze 35 sample cores. The cross dated ring width data could be extended back for up to 324 years (1692-2015). The relationship between ring-width index and climate data indicated a significant correlation (p < 0.01) with the monthly rainfall in January, monthly temperature in August and September, extreme maximum temperature in August and mean maximum temperature in March and August. The reconstructed average monthly temperature in August was estimated at around  27.35 °C, a warming period could have occurred in 1694-1702, 1834-1844, 1848-1866, 1873-1876, 1884-1890, 1896-1902, 1911-1927, 1942-1958, and 1986-1990, with cooling periods occurring in 1703-1722, 1739-1752, 1865-1872, 1877-1883, 1891-1895, 1903-1910, 1928-1941, 1959-1961, and 1968-1970, which could explain the high fluctuations in temperature. Periods in the range 2.1-2.5, 10.1 , and 13.5 years were found to be common with the variations in  El Niño-Southern Oscillation. In conclusion, the pine growth information can be used to monitor the variations in climate in Thailand.
Short Communication: Proportion faunal assemblage of rodents in geoecological districts of Mordovia, Russia
Authors: Andreychev Alexey Alexey
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Andrechev A. 2020. Short Communication: Proportion faunal assemblage of rodents in geoecological districts of Mordovia, Russia. Biodiversitas 21: 3961-3968. In one natural area, animals may have different distribution. In some areas they inhabit, and in other areas, they do not inhabit. Scientists have been working on this issue for a long time. In this study reports that the species composition and distribution of species varies depending on geoecological districts. Twenty-eight rodent species have been recorded in the territory of Mordovia. The largest number of species in the region belongs to those living in coniferous and broad-leaved forests (42.9%). In the second place in terms of representation are species widely distributed in several natural areas (28.5%). They are slightly inferior to the types of steppe fauna (25%). The taiga type of fauna is represented by only 3.6% of the total number of registered species. For each geoecological district, the features of the rodent fauna are given and rare species are identified. The forest-steppe region of Mordovia is compared in rodent fauna with other regions of Russia with different typical faunal assemblages.
Distribution and molecular characterization of biosurfactant-producing bacteria
Authors: Alyousif Nassir , LUAIBI YASIN Y.Y. AL , HUSSEIN WIJDAN
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Alyousif NA, Luaibi YYYA, Hussein W. 2020. Distribution and molecular characterization of biosurfactant-producing bacteria. Biodiversitas 21: 4034-4040. Biosurfactants (BSs) are biological surface-active compounds produced by several microorganisms with many areas of application, as such become an important product in biotechnology and consequence to be used in industries. In recent years, many researchers pay attention to BSs producers' microorganisms. The present study was aimed to isolate, identify, and screening BS producing bacteria from six various sites in two different cities in Iraq. Four samples were collected from four sites in Basrah governorate and the rest two samples from Al-Garraf oilfield in Thi-Qar governorate. A total of 33 different bacterial isolates were obtained, 20 out of the 33 were found to be biosurfactants producing isolates that detected through the emulsification index (E24%), oil spreading test, and emulsification activity. The isolated bacterial strains were more identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that the biosurfactants producing isolates belonged to genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, and Aerococcus. Bacillus jeotgali and Aerococcus viridans are reporting as biosurfactant producing bacteria for the first time and Bacillus jeotgali is isolated for first time from crude oil of oilfield reservoir in this study in world. Moreover, six bacterial isolates were identified as new strains and deposited at NCBI Genbank under accession numbers MT261834 (Bacillus subtilis strain IRQNWYA3), MT261835 (Bacillus licheniformis strain IRQNWYB4), MT261836 (Pseudomonas stutzeri strain IRQNWYF2), MT261837 (Pseudomonas zhaodongensis strain IRQNWYF3), MT261838 (Pseudomonas sp. IRQNWYF4) and MT261839 (Bacillus licheniformis strain IRQNWYF5). A2 isolate that was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa has shown the highest values of emulsification activity and emulsification index (1.678±0.050 absorbance at 540 nm and 56.6% respectively) that show efficient potential of biosurfactant production. Phylogenetic tree was also constructed in this study based on 16S rRNA gene sequences of biosurfactant-producing bacteria to evaluate their close relationship and evolution between them.
Effect of growth conditions on β-glucosidase production by local isolate of Aspergillus niger using rice bran substrate
Authors: Sugiwati Sri , Hanafi Muhammad , Lioe Hanifah , Suhartono Maggy
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Sugiwati S, Hanafi M, Lioe HN, Suhartono MT. 2020.  Effect of growth conditions on β-glucosidase production by local isolate of Aspergillus niger using rice bran substrate. Biodiversitas 21: 4058-4066. β-Glucosidase is the family of glycosyl hydrolase that have potential role in various food industry, such as in tea, wine and vanilla industries to increase the aroma and production of isoflavone aglycons in soybean flour. The present work produced β-glucosidase from local isolate of Aspergillus niger InaCC F57 under solid-state fermentation (SSF) using rice bran substrate. Fermentation process was made in various conditions with respect to carbon source as substrate, initial pH of fermentation medium, incubation time, water to substrate ratio, fermentation temperature, and addition of Mandels mineral salts solution. The results showed that activity of β-glucosidase was best at, i.e., 2.45 U/mL, with the use of rice bran as substrate. Furthermore, optimum condition for the highest production of β-glucosidase occurred at pH 2.0, incubation time of 5 days, water to substrate ratio of 1.5: 1, and incubation temperature of 32°C. Additionally, in optimum fermentation conditions, production of β-glucosidase could be enhanced up to 26.22% with the presence of Mandels mineral salts solution as compared to the control.
Prope legitimate rootstocks determine the selection criteria for drought-tolerant cocoa
Authors: Zasari Maera , Wachjar Ade , Susilo Agung Wahyu , Sudarsono Sudarsono
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Zasari M, Wachar A, Susilo AW, Sudarsono. 2020. Prope legitimate rootstocks determine the selection criteria for drought-tolerant cocoa. Biodiversitas 21: 4067-4075. Drought tolerant cocoa seedlings are needed for the success of cocoa cultivation under drought conditions. Prope legitimate rootstock is feasible to be used in the selection of drought-tolerant cocoa seedlings. This objective of this study was to determine the selection criteria and tolerance of prope legitimate cocoa rootstocks in response to drought stress. This study was conducted in the greenhouse of Kaliwining experimental garden, Indonesian Center for Coffee and Cocoa Research, Jember, Indonesia. Plant materials were arranged in a split-plot design with 2 factors and 6 replications. The main plot was the soil moisture content, i.e 100%, and 25%, while the subplots were 13 prope legitimate cocoa rootstocks. The result showed that root fresh weight was the best characters for the selection of drought tolerance in prope legitimate cocoa rootstock. Based on the value of stress susceptible index and clustering analysis divided the tested prope legitimate rootstock into two groups. The group for tolerant genotype was consisted of ICCRI 03, ICS 60, TSH 858, KKM 22, KW 641, KW 516, and MCC 02, while the sensitive genotype group was consisted of Sul 01, Sul 03, Sca 06, KEE 02, KW 617, and Sul 02.
Screening and molecular identification of lipolytic bacteria from spent bleaching earth
Authors: SOLEHA SITI , Retnaningrum Endah
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Soleha S, Retnaningrum E. 2020. Screening and molecular identification of lipolytic bacteria from spent bleaching earth. Biodiversitas 21: 4155-4161. Lipolytic bacteria can produce nanobioremediation materials that encourage researchers to explore the diversity of these bacteria. Lipolytic bacteria were isolated from spent bleaching earth (SBE). Bacteria isolates were screened for their lipolytic index and crude lipase activity. Strain with the highest lipolytic index and crude lipase activity were identified using the 16S rRNA gene as genetic markers. The maximum likelihood method in MEGA6 software has been used to analyze the relationship of the isolate. The results showed that strain SBE01 had the highest lipolytic index and crude lipase activity of 8.8 ± 0.7 mm and 5.7 U/mL, respectively. Based on 16S rRNA gene analysis, the isolate was identified as Moraxella sp. Phylogenetic tree was shown that SBE01 isolate was closely related to Moraxella osloensis. Moraxella sp. has the potential to be used as a bioremediation agent from oil-contaminated environment.
Antioxidant activity and compound constituents of gamma-irradiated black rice (Oryza sativa L.) var. Cempo Ireng indigenous of Indonesia
Authors: Suryanti Venty , Riyatun  , SUHARYANA SUHARYANA , Sutarno  , Saputra Ozi Adi
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Suryanti V, Riyatun, Suharyana, Sutarno, Saputra OA. 2020. Antioxidant activity and compound constituents of gamma-irradiated black rice (Oryza sativa L.) var. Cempo Ireng Indigenous of Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 4205-4212. Nowadays, black rice is gaining consumer interest because of its health benefit. Due to the high content of antioxidant compounds such as phenolics and flavonoids, the nutritional profile of black rice is much better than any other rice varieties. Anthocyanins, pigment with powerful antioxidant properties, give a vibrant color to the rice. The antioxidant activity and chemical constituents of the non-irradiated and gamma-irradiated black rice Oryza sativa L. var Cempo Ireng were investigated. The total phenolic content was determined based on the reaction of the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent with samples. Total anthocyanin was determined by the pH differential method. Antioxidant activity was fulfilled using DPPH method. The results revealed that non-irradiated and gamma-irradiated black rice were categorized as potent antioxidants. It is noted that irradiation increased antioxidant activity and changed the chemical components of black rice. Both of non-irradiated and irradiated black rice contains simple phenolics and flavonoids, including anthocyanins. Non-irradiated and irradiated black rice possess similar types of secondary metabolites, with different chemical content. The non-irradiated black rice contains anthocyanins of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, whereas the irradiated black rice possesses anthocyanin of peonidin-3-O-glucoside. Additionally, irradiated black rice contains terpenoids, which increased its antioxidant activity compared to the control.