bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INVESTIGATION OF SUPERCRITICAL CO2-EXTRACTS OF WILD LEDUM PALUSTRE L. (RHODODENDRON TO-MENTOSUM HARMAJA) AND IDENTIFICATION OF ITS METABOLITES BY TANDEM MASS SPECTROMETRY
Authors: Razgonova Maya Petrovna , Zakharenko Aleksandr Mikhaylovich , Golokhvast Kirill Sergeyevich
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this research is to investigate and identify polyphenolic complexes and other biologically active compounds by tandem mass spectrometry, presented in the leaves and stems of Ledum palustre L. Carbon dioxide, compressed to a supercritical state, was used for the most environmentally friendly extraction of polyphenolic complexes and other biologically active compounds of Ledum palustre L. The most effective extraction characteristics (pressure 350 bar; temperature 60 °С; extraction time 1-hour, co-solvent MeOH 3.5%) supercritical CO2-extraction of L. palustre were obtained empirically. To identify target analytes in supercritical extracts, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used in combination with a BRUKER DALTONIKS ion trap. The results showed the presence of 61 biologically active compounds corresponding to the rhododendron species, of which 32 were identified for the first time in L. palustre. These are flavanols dihydrokaempferol, quercetin arabinoside, myricetin galactoside; flavones: diosmetin, nevadensin, cirsimaritin; flavanone naringenin; anthocyanins delphinidin, petunidin, cyanidin pentoside, delphinidin pentoside, peonidin 3-(6-O-acetyl) glucoside, peonidin-3-O-malonylglucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, peonidin 3-O-glucoside; ellagic acid; lignan medioresinol; a type A procyanidin dimer; sterols fucosterol and avenasterol, etc.
RESISTANCE OF TANGENTIAL SWIRLERS WITH ANNULAR CHANNELS
Authors: Voinov Nikolaj Aleksandrovich , Bogatkova Anastasiya Viktorovna , Deryagina Nina Vladimirovna , Zemtsov Denis Andreevich , Kozhukhova Nataliya Yul`evna
Published: April 2022

A review of vortex apparatuses and processes in which a rotating gas-liquid flow is used as an intensification of heat and mass transfer is presented.

It is shown that tangential swirlers, which are easy to manufacture and compact, have found the greatest application in industrial practice for creating gas (steam) rotation.

It is experimentally established that tangential swirlers with annular walls of channels intended for gas passage have the lowest hydraulic resistance.

The data on the hydraulic resistance of tangential swirlers with annular channels, velocity and pressure obtained experimentally and by calculation in a wide range of variation of the design parameters of the device are presented.

The dependences between the hydraulic resistance of the swirler and its design parameters are revealed.

Numerical simulation of the parameters of the gas flow in the channels is carried out. Diagrams of the pressure and velocity distribution are presented and analyzed, and experimental data on the influence of the design parameters of the swirler channel, such as width and length, on its hydraulic resistance are confirmed.

An empirical dependence for determining the hydraulic resistance coefficient of a tangential swirler with annular channels is presented for engineering calculations.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REDOX STATE OF THE LIGNIN-CARBOHYDRATE WOOD MATRIX AT THE INITIAL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT ON THE EXAMPLE OF SCOTS PINE
Authors: Gusakova Mariya Arkad'yevna , Bogolitsyn Konstantin Grigor'yevich , Krasikova Anna Alekseyevna , Selivanova Nataliya Vladimirovna , Khviuzov Sergey Sergeyevich
Published: April 2022

The studies of wood formation at the initial stages allowed confirming the determining role of the redox transformations of monolignols in the lignification of plant matrix. The change in the composition of the phenolic fraction (conjugated and non-conjugated phenolic structures) of the phenol-quinone redox system of the cell wall was studied using the derivative and differential UV spectroscopy. It was shown that the accumulation of low-molecular phenolic compounds in the initial period of ontogenesis occurs mainly in the "needles" of plants. It was confirmed that the seedlings being removed to the hardening site adapt to the existing temperature regime. It is characterized by lower content of low-molecular phenolic compounds preventing the development of oxidative processes. The plant is exposed to oxidative stress at low temperatures, when the enzymatic (peroxidase activity) system of plant protection is activated. The change in the coniferyl alcohol content as a marker of the lignification is shown. The correlation of changes in peroxidase activity with the total content of phenolic compounds and coniferyl alcohol was shown. The IR spectroscopy method showed a change in the ratio of carbohydrate and lignin components at the initial stages of the development of seedlings of scots pine.
ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF CHAGA MUSHROOM (INONOTUS OBLIQUUS)
Authors: Zeyle Lyubov' Andreyevna , Novikov Ivan Viktorovich , Petrova Elena Vasilievna , Rabcevich Evgenia Sergeevna
Published: April 2022

Birch chaga Inonotus obliquus is used as a component of many medicines. This is due to the versatile therapeutic effect associated with the content of a large number of biologically active substances of inorganic, organometallic and organic nature, a high content of macro- and microelements both in a free state and in the form of chelate complexes. To establish the qualitative and quantitative elemental composition of birch chaga, highly sensitive physicochemical methods of analysis were used, such as atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and neutron activation analysis (NAA). The scientific novelty of this study lies in the conduct of a complex physicochemical elemental layer-by-layer analysis of chaga, the analogs of which have not been found in the available literature. The analyzed samples of birch chaga layers contain the following elements: K, Na, Mg, Ca, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Mo, Co, Cr, P, Br, Se, V, Al, Ba, Li, Ag, Au, Rb, Cs, As, Sb, B, Sr, Pb, Ni, Ti, Be, Ta, U, Th, Sc; the concentration of elements is highest in the outer layer of the fungus. It is noted that the content of both biogenic elements (K, Co, Mn) and potentially toxic (Ag, Br, Rb) is significantly higher than the corresponding clarkes in bios. Differences in the content of elements correlate with modern biochemical concepts of the composition of chaga, and in most cases also correlate with the values of clarkes in bios. The value of the detected toxicant elements does not exceed the MPC.
VISUAL AND ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF NON-FIBRE INCLUSIONS IN TISSUE-PAPER FROM RECOVERED PAPER IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE ENTERPRISE OF SYKTYVKAR TISSUE GROUP OJSC
Authors: Kurov Viktor Sergeyevich , Kostin Vasiliy Anatol'yevich , Midukov Nikolay Petrovich , Osipov Pavel Vasil'yevich , Ushanova Ellina Arturovna , Petrov Sergey Nikolayevich
Published: April 2022

The article is devoted to solving an important scientific and technical task, improving the technology of production of tissue-paper. The study pays special attention to the problems related to the use of recovered paper, microscopic images of the surface of samples obtained from recovered paper sampling at various stages of the production of tissue-paper at the enterprise of Syktyvkar Tissue Group OJSC are presented. The main result of scientific research was a preliminary assessment of the study of the recovered paper stock preparation technology at the enterprise, for which the sampling from various stages of production were examined by a scanning electron microscope, which made it possible to visually assess the degree of cleaning of recovered paper from impurities from images of the microstructure of the surface of various scales. The chemical composition of the main additives was established by energy-dispersive X-ray spectral micro assay (EDX). Preliminary assessment of the nature of contamination, visual assessment of the microstructure of samples obtained from recovered paper stock from various stages of cleaning, allowed the engineers of the enterprise to evaluate the effectiveness of individual units of the stock preparation department for the production of tissue-paper. The obtained data will make it possible to specify the scientific and technical task and direct subsequent scientific work to improve the recovered paper stock preparation unit, which more requires perfection.
Posttreatment Gene Scores Support Histologic and Endoscopic Response Thresholds in Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Authors: Ruffner Melanie A. , Cotton Cary C. , Dellon Evan S.
Published: April 2022

INTRODUCTION:

The correlation between clinical and molecular treatment response thresholds in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is not well understood.

METHODS:

We evaluated posttreatment EoE diagnostic panel gene expression profiles across histologic and endoscopic thresholds (EREFS) in a prospective adult EoE cohort.

RESULTS:

We observed a strong inverse correlation between posttreatment gene score and eosinophil count (R = −0.66; P < 0.001); biopsies with <15 eos/hpf had higher gene scores (≥425) vs those with ≥15 eos/hpf. Findings for EREFS were similar; EREFS ≤2 was associated with EoE diagnostic panel scores ≥395.

DISCUSSION:

Molecular signatures support the use of posttreatment response thresholds <15 eos/hpf and EREFS ≤2 in clinical practice and trials.
Overweight and Obese Status Is Not Associated With Disease Activity for Children and Adolescents With Newly Diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Jain Animesh , Bricker Josh , Kappelman Michael D. , Dotson Jennifer L. ,   for the ImproveCareNow Pediatric IBD Learning Health System
Published: April 2022

INTRODUCTION:

Despite the high prevalence of pediatric obesity, its impact on Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) activity remains poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate disease-related outcomes in overweight and obese children with CD and UC.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the ImproveCareNow Network, a multicenter registry of children with inflammatory bowel disease. We included children with newly diagnosed CD and UC enrolled in ImproveCareNow Network from September 2006 to December 2018 who had at least 1 follow-up visit 12–18 months after diagnosis. Patients were stratified into normal weight, overweight, or obese categories. Primary outcome was remission at 1 year based on physician's global assessment (PGA); key secondary outcomes included short pediatric CD activity index and pediatric UC activity index.

RESULTS:

There were 4,972 children included (70% CD). Compared with normal weight, obese and overweight children with CD did not have worse disease activity at 1 year based on PGA. However, obese children did have modestly worse disease activity based on short pediatric CD activity index (inactive 43% vs 58%, mild 48% vs 36%, and moderate-severe 9% vs 7% for obese vs normal weight, P < 0.01). For children with UC, there were no differences in disease activity at 1 year based on PGA or pediatric UC activity index. Logistic regression mirrored these findings.

DISCUSSION:

Obese and overweight children with newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease do not seem to have worsened disease activity at 1 year after diagnosis compared with normal weight children.
Moisture Buffering and Mould Growth Characteristics of Naturally Ventilated Lime Plastered Houses.
Authors: Paralkar Vismaya , Damle Rashmin
Published: April 2022

Lime plaster is well known for its moisture buffering capabilities but is also susceptible to mould growth. This work focusses on the hygrothermal performance of lime plaster in naturally ventilated residential spaces. Surveys are carried out for 45 traditional buildings of Ahmedabad in India with measurements of ambient variables, such as temperature, relative humidity, wall moisture content, etc. Mould growth patterns of these spaces are related to the measured variables and wall characteristics. Hygrothermal simulations of some spaces are also carried out to observe the moisture buffering of lime plaster. Experimental observations are contrasted with simulation results to see if numerical predictions are realistic.
Prevalencia de complicaciones obstétricas en los embarazos múltiples atendidos en el Hospital José Carrasco Arteaga-IESS, Cuenca- Ecuador entre Junio del 2014 y Junio del 2019
Authors: Flores Brito Pedro José , Ordoñez Crespo José Federico , Abril Matute Cumandá Patricia
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND: Multiple pregnancy is the development of two or more fetuses simultaneously; but being the human species uniparous par excellence, MP is sensitive to the appearance of complications that affect both the mother and the fetuses, due to the high metabolic demand, hyperplacentation, and uterine distention. Among the most common obstetric and metabolic complications in women with MP are: premature delivery, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, intrauterine growth restriction, premature rupture of membranes, gestational diabetes, anemia, urinary tract infection, hypothyroidism, and postpartum hemorrhage. The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence and risk factors related to obstetric and metabolic complications in multiple pregnancies. METHODS: An observational, descriptive and correlational cross-sectional study was carried out in the city of Cuenca, at Hospital José Carrasco Arteaga –IESS, during the period of June 2014 to June 201, in the department of obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN), with a sample of 64 patients with multiple pregnancies. RESULTS: The results showed that 71.42% of the patients presented some of the studied complications. Preterm delivery was the most common obstetric complication, occurring in 79.7% of the patients, followed by preeclampsia, which occurred in 23.5%; while the most frequent metabolic complication was urinary tract infection ( in 37.5% of the patients), followed by anemia, which occurred in 25% of the patients. A statistically significant association (p<0.05) was found between the patient`s age and the presence of premature rupture of membranes. CONCLUSION: 71.42% of women with multiple pregnancy had obstetric or other type of complications. Preterm delivery was the most frequent complication, followed by urinary tract infections, anemia, and preeclampsia. A significant association was found between the age of the mother and the occurrence of premature rupture of membranes.
Scholars and Literati at the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Toulouse (1729-1793)
Authors: De la Croix David , Delvaux Elise
Published: April 2022

This note is a summary description of the set of literati whowere members of the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Toulouse from its inception in 1729 to its (temporary) dissolution by the French Revolutionary Convention in 1793.
In-silico structural modelling of cytochrome complex proteins of white turmeric (Curcuma zedoaria)
Authors: Tripathy Chandra Sekhar , Sahoo Bhaskar Chandra , Dash Manaswini , Sahoo Debasis , Sahoo Suprava , Kar Basudeba
Published: April 2022

Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe (white turmeric) is a perennial herbaceous plant of family Zingiberaceae and mainly found in the wild areas of tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The cytochrome proteins in plants play important roles in promoting their growth and development, as well as protecting them from stresses and diseases. Cytochrome proteins like psbF, psbE, petB, petD, petN, petG, and ccsA play important roles in degradation of mis-folded proteins, ATP formation, cyclic electron flow and biogenesis of c-type cytochrome of C. zedoaria. However, due to lack of structural availability of these C. zedoaria cytochrome proteins in structural databases, the physiochemical parameters of sequences were estimated using Expasy ProtParam web tool. Self-Optimized Prediction Method with Alignment (SOPMA) server and MODELLER version 9.23 were used for modelling along with Qualitative Model Energy Analysis (QMEAN) and Protein Structure Analysis (ProSA) servers were implemented for validating the secondary and tertiary structures of these proteins. The obtained QMEAN4 values of the modelled cytochrome proteins were -2.04, -1.20, -3.01, -1.57, -2.11, -1.74 and -12.87. The Z-scores obtained from ProSA server were 0.5, -0.83, -1.5, -0.58, -0.02, 0.14 and -3.73. All seven modelled structures have been submitted to protein model database (PMDB). The derived results will be helpful in further investigations towards determining the crystal structure of the hypothetical proteins, structural motifs, physiochemical properties, and also protein-protein interaction studies of various cytochrome proteins.
Normative Entwicklungen der christlich-jüdischen Beziehungen in Frankfurt im Spätmittelalter
Authors: Battenberg J. Friedrich
Published: April 2022

Social historical research assumes that Jewish living conditions of the imperial city Frankfurt had substantially deteriorated since their ghettoization in 1462. This deterioration announced itself normatively thirty years before against the backdrop of ecclesiastical demand for visible division regarding clothing and housing. It is a fact less known.

This development had started with citizenship no longer being granted by the city council to Jews but they were mere inhabitants (»Beisassen«) protected by »Stättigkeit« which was then valid for all Jews. By which, in its first general version 1424, the old state of rights was still mirrored in order to limit successively from 1439 the rights of Frankfurt’s Jews.

Finally, in the version of 1474, the council abandoned its autonomous municipal statuary law for ruling Jewish matters as far as it was not in accord with »Christian order« and »common law« which is canon law and Roman law, »Ius Commune«. So this meant in fact that the council submitted to the norms of Adversus-Judaeos of Papal church. The continuing imperial »Kammerknechtschaft« (Chamber serfdom) which was to secure the influence of emperor and empire could not keep back this process of detoriation of law.
On a tangent equation by primes
Authors: Dimitrov Stoyan Ivanov
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we introduce a new diophantine equation with prime numbers.
Let

[
⋅
]

[\,\cdot\,]

be the floor function.
We prove that, when

1
<
c
<

23
21

1<c<\frac{23}{21}

and

θ
>
1

\theta>1

is fixed, then every sufficiently large positive integer 𝑁 can be represented in the form

N
=

[

p
1
c

⁢

tan
θ

⁡

(

log
⁡

p
1

)

]

+

[

p
2
c

⁢

tan
θ

⁡

(

log
⁡

p
2

)

]

+

[

p
3
c

⁢

tan
θ

⁡

(

log
⁡

p
3

)

]

,

N=[p^{c}_{1}\tan^{\theta}(\log p_{1})]+[p^{c}_{2}\tan^{\theta}(\log p_{2})]+[p^{c}_{3}\tan^{\theta}(\log p_{3})],

where

p
1

,

p
2

,

p
3

p_{1},p_{2},p_{3}

are prime numbers.
We also establish an asymptotic formula for the number of such representations.
Haggai as an Old Book
Authors: Rückl Jan
Published: April 2022

Like other »post-exilic« books, Haggai was traditionally considered to be a »late« text. In agreement with this, several important studies published in recent decades have paid great attention to the ways Haggai works with older literary traditions. However, in the wake of shifts in the dating of many biblical texts, even entire literary traditions, the question arises: if we continue to situate at least a substantial core of Haggai in the early Persian period, which texts or traditions could have been known to the prophet or redactor(s) of the book? The article argues that, within the history of biblical literature, Haggai can be considered a relatively old book, and that it offers a small yet interesting window into several traditional aspects of Judean religion, mostly uninfluenced by the important theological developments of the »exilic« and Persian periods.
Experimental and Statistical Investigation of the Bending and Surface Roughness Properties on Three-Dimensional Printing Parts
Authors: Çelebi Ahu
Published: April 2022

This research is purposed to analyze the bending strength and surface roughness results of polylactic acid samples produced by fused filament fabrication. Using the experimental design method, the effect of fill density, layer thickness, infill, and raster orientation parameters on the bending and surface roughness performance of samples was investigated. In the study, the individual effects and interactions of the main four factors were analyzed using 2331 mixed-level factorial design approaches. Whereas linear and honeycomb filled were preferred in the experimental design, 30°, 60°, and 90° angles were used as raster orientation and 50 % and 100 % were used as fill density. In addition, 0.15 mm and 0.05 mm were printed as layer thicknesses. Samples were tested using a stylus profilometer (Mitutoyo SJ-301) to determine surface roughness characteristics, and the AUTOGRAPH AG-IS 100 KN was utilized to analyze the bending strength of the parts. In addition, fracture surfaces were analyzed by stereo microscope at various magnifications. The data were analyzed using the Minitab 19 software program. The most effective parameter for bending strength is the layer thickness with 40.02 %. In addition, it has been observed that the fast honeycomb fill pattern has higher strength than the linear fill pattern. Inversely to literature, according to our result, when the layer thickness is reduced, the surface roughness increases, because of the bubble on the surface of the printed sample. The results obtained from this study will provide preliminary information to the users in order to produce the parts that will provide the necessary requirements according to the usage area with minimum time and costs.
A New Method for Characterizing the Fatigue Performance of High-Modulus Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Lv Songtao , Zhao Tianda , Xia Chengdong , Zhao Shungen , Liu TieJun , Liu Yunhua , Liu Biao , Cabrera Milkos Borges
Published: April 2022

The current fatigue model of high-modulus asphalt mixture (HMAM) is usually built without considering the effect of loading frequency, which leads to the imprecision in the selection of fatigue parameters for the design of high-modulus asphalt pavement structures. The purposes of this study are to solve the problem of uncertainty in the characterization of fatigue performance of HMAM at various loading frequencies and to optimize the structural resistance design of high-modulus asphalt pavements. In this study, the four-point bending beam was first used to carry out the strength test on the HMAM at ten loading rates. The effects of different loading frequencies (1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 Hz) and stress levels on the four-point bending fatigue life of HMAM were then explored. The test results show that the fatigue curve derived from the nominal stress ratio deviates significantly from the theoretical strength failure point (1,1) for Nf = 1 by extending toward both ends; however, derived from the rate-dependent stress ratio (considering the effect of loading rate), it passes through the point (1,1), which reveals the correlation between the strength failure and the fatigue damage. In addition, a new method for calculating structural strength coefficients is proposed by developing a unified fatigue model for HMAM under different loading frequencies. The results of this study could predict the fatigue life of HMAM at different loading frequencies more precisely.
Response of Characteristics of Subway Vibration Load Based on Finite Element Method
Authors: Zhou Xin
Published: April 2022

Affected by the train vibration load, the frequency characteristics of the subway tunnel frequency spectrum are unstable, resulting in a low accuracy of the analysis results of the subway vibration load response characteristics. Therefore, the analysis method of the subway vibration load response characteristics based on the finite element method is designed. The acceleration index is used to evaluate the impact of vibration on the environment. According to the evaluation results, the soil constitutive model is constructed, the basic characteristics of the dynamic stress-strain relationship of the soil are analyzed, and the influencing factors of the vibration load calculation are determined. The three-dimensional finite element model of subway tunnel is established by using the finite element analysis software, and the linear time history analysis of the model is carried out by using the direct integration method. The time step is obtained to ensure the accuracy of the calculation results, so as to realize the accurate analysis of the response characteristics of subway vibration load. The experimental results show that the accuracy of the design method is high, and the frequency spectrum obtained by the analysis is basically the same as the actual frequency spectrum, which shows that the method has practical application significance.
Sensitivity and specificity of clinical diagnosis of Graves’ disease and non-Graves’ disorders compared to serum TSH receptor antibodies
Authors: Meena Mohammed
Published: April 2022

Background and objective: Sensitivity and specificity of clinical diagnosis of different hyperthyroid conditions were studied and compared with serum thyrotropin receptor antibodies test, as a standard test for diagnosing Graves' disease. This study aimed to assess the degree of sensitivity and specificity of clinical diagnosis of hyperthyroid conditions compared to the thyrotropin receptor antibodies test, which was selected as a standard test for diagnosis of Graves’ disease in the study. Methods: We studied patients presenting to endocrine outpatient clinics and other outpatient settings in Erbil city, presenting with clinical features of thyrotoxicosis. Serum or plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone, free T4, and thyrotropin receptor antibodies measurements were done for all the patients. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroid ultrasonography were done for most patients. Radioactive thyroid uptake was available for a limited number of patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and accuracy index of clinical diagnosis of the thyrotoxicosis cases were calculated. Results: A total of 150 patients were included in our study, female 102, males 48, mean age 38 (range 16-78) years, pretest diagnosis of (Graves’ disease N=58, and non-Graves’ disease N=92 and posttest diagnosis of (Graves’ disease n= 59 vs. non-Graves’ disease=91). Sensitivity of 74.6%, specificity (84.60%), positive predictive value (75.9%), negative predictive value (83.7%), positive likelihood ratio (4.847), negative likelihood ratio (0.30), and accuracy index (80.7%) of the clinical diagnosis were estimated. Conclusion: The study showed that clinical diagnosis of Graves' disease and non-Graves’ disease disorders, using thorough clinical examination and primary essential investigations, has high sensitivity and specificity index. However, the serum thyrotropin receptor antibodies test remains the standard method in the differential diagnosis of Graves' disease. Other studies are needed to study ultrasound and scintigraphy compared to the thyrotropin receptor antibodies test.
Utility of inflammatory makers, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and procalcitonin tests in COVID-19
Authors: K. Rostam Shkar , Shekhany Khattab , Baqi Hardi
Published: April 2022

Background and objective: Many tests are conducted for monitoring the progression and the severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection. However, the extent to which these tests are helpful in clinical practice and therapeutics of COVID-19 is still ambiguous. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of performing inflammatory marker tests, liver function tests, and procalcitonin test in the diagnosis and monitoring of COVID-19 infection. Methods: The current study compares the results of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, ferritin, and procalcitonin tests in two different populations of 123 COVID-19 suspects and a control group of 110 healthy individuals in Erbil city of Kurdistan region of Iraq to search for possible significant differences in both groups. Results: The COVID-19 group had significantly higher ferritin and procalcitonin mean values than the control group (P = 0.001). The differences between alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were significant in some age and gender classes of both groups. However, the overall differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.339 and 0.286, respectively). Conclusion: The outcome of the current study suggests that among the group of tests conducted for the study population, the most useful tests are ferritin and procalcitonin to monitor the COVID-19 patients' health status.
Prevalence and extent of coronary artery disease among patients with a zero calcium score
Authors: Gardi Nasih , Abdullah Aras , Al-Talabany Shaween , Al-tawil Namir , Abdulla Shilan
Published: April 2022

Background and objective: Coronary artery calcium is a specific indicator of and an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, calcium scoring may miss non calcified plaques, which were indicated to be of clinical importance. This study aimed to identify the presence of non calcified plaques in patients with zero coronary artery calcium score who have been examined with computed tomography coronary angiography and find out any association between the presence of non-calcified plaques and risk factors and presenting symptoms in those patients. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the computed tomography images of 9826 consecutive patients attending the cardiac center in Erbil, Iraq, between January 2016 and September 2020. Of these patients, we included 2805 patients with a zero coronary artery calcium score in the study. Coronary calcium-scoring scans were followed by computed tomography coronary angiography (256 MSCT Philips ICT). The coronary artery calcium scores were calculated, and the presence of non calcified plaques and significant stenosis (>50% of vessel diameter) were evaluated. Results: Of the 2805 patients with a zero coronary artery calcium score, 896 (31.9%) had atherosclerotic plaques; 143 patients (5.1%) had significant coronary stenosis. Among coronary risk factors, diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.1; 95% CI 1.4-3.3), hypertension (OR = 1.3; 95% CI 1.07-1.58)), male sex (OR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.5-2.3) and old age (OR was 3.2 for the age group 35-44 years reaching 27.7 in the age group ≥ 75 years) were significantly correlated with the presence of atherosclerosis and obstructive coronary artery disease. Conclusion: Although coronary artery calcium scoring is a safe and reliable test to exclude obstructive coronary artery disease, the absence of coronary artery calcium does not absolutely exclude the presence of atherosclerosis. Computed tomography coronary angiography is mandatory for determining the atheroma burden from zero coronary artery calcium score plaques.
The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoantibodies among patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Khaleel Khoshawi , Hussain Saeed
Published: April 2022

Background and objective: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and inflammatory autoimmune systemic disease of unknown cause that may affect many tissues and organs. Rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disorders may occur in the patient simultaneously. The main antigens that give rise to thyroid antibodies are thyroglobulin, thyroid peroxidase, anti-cyclic citrullinated protein, and thyroid hormone receptor. This study aimed to determine the frequency of thyroid dysfunction and seroprevalence of anti-thyroid antibody in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and its association with inflammatory marker C-reactive protein. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed at Rizgari Teaching Hospital and CMC private hospital, Erbil, Iraq. From 15 January to15 October 2020. A hundred patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included in the study, in addition to 70 controls. The serum levels of biomarkers were determined by the chemiluminescent immunoassay method. Results: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had 6% of thyroid dysfunctions. Regarding the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 9% had positive anti-thyroid peroxidase, 13% had positive anti-thyroglobulin, and 6% were positive for a combination of both. There was a statistically significant (P <0.001) high level of serum anti-cyclic citrullinated protein and C-reactive protein in rheumatoid arthritis than in control. Euthyroid profiles were 73% inrheumatoid arthritis patients and 82.9% in control. Conclusion: The study delineated the co-existence of thyroid disorder in rheumatoid arthritis patients with or without autoimmune origin, besides the increased prevalence of auto-thyroid antibody among rheumatoid arthritis with thyroid dysfunction.
Preimplantation chromosomal mosaics, chimaeras and confined placental mosaicism
Authors: West John D , Everett Clare A
Published: April 2022

Some human preimplantation embryos are chromosomally mosaic. For technical reasons, estimates of the overall frequency vary widely from <15 to >90% and the true frequency remains unknown. Aneuploid/diploid and aneuploid/aneuploid mosaics typically arise during early cleavage stages before the embryonic genome is fully activated and when cell cycle checkpoints are not operating normally. Other mosaics include chaotic aneuploid mosaics and mixoploids, some of which arise by abnormal chromosome segregation at the first cleavage division. Chimaeras are similar to mosaics, in having two genetically distinct cell populations, but they arise from more than one zygote and occur less often. After implantation, the frequency of mosaic embryos declines to about 2% and most are trisomic/diploid mosaics, with trisomic cells confined to the placenta. Thus, few babies are born with chromosomal mosaicism. This review discusses the origin of different types of chromosomal mosaics and chimaeras; their fate and the relationship between preimplantation chromosomal mosaicism and confined placental mosaicism in human conceptuses and animal models. Abnormal cells in mosaic embryos may be depleted by cell death, other types of cell selection or cell correction but the most severely affected mosaic embryos probably die. Trisomic cells could become restricted to placental lineages if cell selection or correction is less effective in placental lineages and/or they are preferentially allocated to a placental lineage. However, the relationship between preimplantation mosaicism and confined placental mosaicism may be complex because the specific chromosome(s) involved will influence whether chromosomally abnormal cells survive predominately in the placental trophoblast and/or placental mesenchyme.

Lay summary

Human cells normally have 23 pairs of chromosomes, which carry the genes. During the first few days of development, some human embryos are chromosomal mosaics. These mosaic embryos have both normal cells and cells with an abnormal number of chromosomes, which arise from the same fertilised egg. (More rarely, the different cell populations arise from more than one fertilised egg and these embryos are called chimaeras.) If chromosomally abnormal cells survive to term, they could cause birth defects. However, few abnormal cells survive and those that do are usually confined to the placenta, where they are less likely to cause harm. It is not yet understood how this restriction occurs but the type of chromosomal abnormality influences which placental tissues are affected. This review discusses the origin of different types of chromosomally abnormal cells, their fate and how they might become confined to the placenta in humans and animal models.
NT-proBNP Cut-off Values for Risk Stratification in Acute MI and Comparison with Other Risk Assessment Scores
Authors: Tan Shirley Siang Ning , Koh Keng Tat , Fong Alan Yean Yip , Bujang Mohammad Adam bin , Tiong Lee Len , Cham Yee Ling , Ho Kian Hui , Tan Chen Ting , Khaw Chee Sin , Mohd Amin Nor Hanim , Oon Yen Yee , Said Asri , Lau Kent Ter , Yong Kar Ying , Pang Daniel Cheng Lee , Bhavnani Chandan Deepak , Wong Ing Tien , Shu Francis Eng Pbeng , Ong Tiong Kiam
Published: April 2022

Background: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) provides prognostic information regarding the risk of death, acute heart failure and the development of AF in patients with acute coronary syndrome. While there are established cut-off values for the association between clinical risk assessment scores and in-hospital mortality, there is no clear cut-off value for NT-proBNP to guide risk stratification in patients with acute MI (AMI). Our study sought to evaluate the cut-off values of NT-proBNP in all-cause mortality post AMI and to compare with other available risk assessment scores. Methods: We conducted a multi-centre, prospective, observational study involving 411 patients admitted for AMI. Plasma NT-proBNP was assessed within 24 hours of admission. Results: One-year all-cause mortality occurred in 31 (7.6%) of 411 patients. NT-proBNP ≥404 pg/ml had an area under the curve of 0.66 (95% CI [0.54–0.77]; p=0.004) to predict all-cause mortality at 1 year (sensitivity: 80.6%; specificity: 36.9%; positive predictive value: 9.47%; negative predictive value: 95.89%). Using the Youden index, an NT-proBNP level ≥1,995 pg/ml was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality at 1 year (adjusted HR 2.6; 95% CI [1.3–5.5]; p=0.010), regardless of cardiovascular disease risk factors or revascularisation status. There were no significant differences among the predictive values of NT-proBNP, Thrombolysis in MI risk score, Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk score and left ventricular ejection fraction in predicting all-cause mortality at 1 year (p>0.05). Conclusion: NT-proBNP level ≥1,995 pg/ml measured within 24 hours of admission for AMI was associated with higher all-cause mortality at 1 year. Randomised controlled trials are needed to further validate the usefulness of NT-proBNP for risk stratification in patients with AMI.
Palabra de remedio y otras historias de yagé
Authors: Suárez Álvarez Carlos
Published: April 2022

Carlos Miguel Gómez Rincón (2020). Palabra de remedio y otras historias de yagé. Bogotá:

Editorial Fundación Literaria Común Presencia. 212 p. ISBN: 9789589233818-1542
Hematocolpos on late-onset hymenal imperforation: A case report
Authors: Diarra Daouda , Salihou Abdoulfatihi , Traore Boubacar , Laoudihi Dalale , Chbani Kamilia , Salam Siham , Ouzidane Lahcen EL
Published: April 2022

We report the case of a patient with hematocolpos on hymenal imperforation, revealed following cyclic pelvic pain with primary amenorrhea associated with pelvic heaviness for one year. MRI showed significant distension of the vagina forming a pseudo mass, well limited, in T1 high signal, in moderate T2 high signal, with the presence of declining deposits in hyposignal related to hemosiderin. A hymenotomy was performed under general anaesthesia, the postoperative course was favourable. This case illustrates the particularity of suspecting a hematocolpos in the presence of a pelvic mass in a young girl with amenorrhea.
EU aid for trade as contested trade policy intervention: The case of the EU-MUTRAP project in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Nguyen Trinh Thanh
Published: April 2022

This paper explains the EU's Aid for Trade (AfT) and trade relations with Vietnam, and examines how EU AfT influences Vietnam's trade policy reform. It provides an analysis of EU AfT as a contested trade policy intervention by using the results of the EU-MUTRAP project in Vietnam. The finding is that EU AfT can interfere as an “external impacts” on Vietnam's trade policy reform. Based on the priorities of EU trade policies towards Vietnam, the EU uses AfT projects to support and change the Vietnamese trade environment. The paper partially proves the contribution of the EU-MUTRAP on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement negotiations and implementation.
COASTAL VULNERABILITY MAPPING OF KALIANDA COAST, SOUTH LAMPUNG, USING COASTAL VULNERABILITY INDEX (CVI) METHOD
Authors: Pamungkas Rifky Jati , Diansyah Gusti , Ulqodry Teungku Zia
Published: April 2022

The coastal region is a strategic area that has enormous potential. Kalianda is one of the coastal areas in South Lampung which has great potential with the main activities are fisheries and marine tourism, but it is also vulnerable to physical effects. The purpose of this study was to assess the vulnerability of physical parameters and to analyze the level of Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) in Kalianda, South Lampung. The results showed that the vulnerability level of the Kalianda Coast based on the rate of shoreline change  and geomorphological parameters were at a very high level of vulnerability. Whereas based on the parameters of the mean significant wave height, the average tidal tides and beach slope, the Kalianda Coast was at a low level of vulnerability. Overall, the results of the analysis indicated that CVI value ranged from 3.10 to 9.94, which categorized as low and medium vulnerability levels. Distribution of Kalianda coastal vulnerability level along  3.30 km (11.29%) was at low vulnerability level and along 25.98 km (88.71%) was categorized as medium vulnerability level.
PENGARUH FAKTOR-FAKTOR PRODUKSI TERHADAP HASIL TANGKAPAN NELAYAN JARING INSANG (GILLNET) DI PERAIRAN WADUK PANGLIMA BESAR SOEDIRMAN KABUPATEN BANJARNEGARA
Authors: Kurnia Dhimas Ragil , Sukardi Purnama , Iqbal Achmad
Published: April 2022

Waduk Panglima Besar Soedirman, Kabupaten Banjarnegara, merupakan waduk dengan fungsi untuk pembangkit listrik, irigasi pertanian, pariwisata, budidaya dan penangkapan ikan. Jaring Insang (Gillnet) merupakan salah satu alatvtangkap yang banyak digunakan oleh nelayan perairan Waduk PB Soedirman. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor produksi penangkapan ikan menggunakan gillnet dan pengaruhnya terhadap hasil tangkapan nelayan. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan Juni sampai dengan Agustus 2019. Data faktor-faktor produksi penangkapan ikan dan hasil tangkapan dianalisis menggunakan rumus fungsi produksi Cobb-Douglas untuk mengetahui pengaruh faktor-faktor produksi terhadap hasil tangkapan nelayan. production function analysis to determine the effect of fishing production factors on fishermen's catches. Faktor-faktor produksi penangkapan ikan menggunakan gillnet yaitu panjang jaring (X1), lebar mata jaring (X3), lama waktu penangkapan (X4), umur nelayan (X5) dan pengalaman nelayan (X6), secara bersama-sama memberikan pengaruh signifikan terhadap hasil tangkapan nelayan (Y), pada tingkat kepercayaan 95%. Secara parsial atau satu per satu, pada tingkat kepercayaan 95%, hanya panjang jaring (X1), lebar mata jaring (X3), lama waktu penangkapan (X4) dan pengalaman nelayan (X6) yang memberikan pengaruh signifikan terhadap hasil tangkapan nelayan (Y).
STRUKTUR KOMUNITAS MANGROVE DI KAWASAN MANGROVE BULAKSETRA, KABUPATEN PANGANDARAN
Authors: Hakim Muhammad Romdonul , Krisnafi Yaser , Edi Prayitno Muhammad Riyono
Published: April 2022

Kawasan mangrove Bulaksetra diinisiasi oleh masyarakat Desa Babakan, Kabupaten Pangandaran yang merehabilitasi kawasan pemukiman nelayan yang rusak oleh tsunami pada tahun 2006 dengan tumbuhan mangrove. Bibit mangrove yang ditanam untuk kegiatan rehabilitasi didominasi oleh Rhizophora apiculata. Metode pengamatan menggunakan transek kuadran. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan pada stasiun 1 Rhizophora apiculata menjadi jenis mangrove yang paling dominan untuk stadia pohon, anakan dan semai dengan Indeks Nilai Penting (INP) berturut-turut: 185,82; 100,00; dan 200,00. Pada stasiun 2 didominasi oleh Sonneratia spp. untuk stadia pohon, anakan dan semai dengan INP berturut-turut: 300,00; 66,67; dan 200,00. Terakhir, pada stasiun 3 hanya terdapat mangrove Rhizophora spp. pada stadia anakan dengan INP 200,00. Hasil ini menunjukkan bibit Rhizophora apiculata telah berhasil tumbuh dengan baik terbukti pada stasiun 2 dan 3 ditemukan Rhizophora apuiculata pada stadia anakan. Nilai indeks keanekaragaman < 2 menunjukkan kawasan mangrove Bulaksetra bersifat rentan apabila ada tekanan ekologis dari lingkungan sekitarnya.
ANALISIS TEKNIS DAN FINANSIAL USAHA PERIKANAN TANGKAP PAYANG DI PANGKALAN PENDARATAN IKAN PASIR BARU KABUPATEN PADANG PARIAMAN
Authors: Sarianto Deni , . Harisjon , . Yernawilis
Published: April 2022

Padang Pariaman Regency is one of the districts on the west coast of Sumatra Island. Padang Pariaman Regency has 3 units of Fish Landing Bases (PPI), one of which is in Sungai Limau sub-district, namely PPI Pasir Baru. The existence of PPI is one of the supporting facilities in the capture fisheries sector. This study aims to determine the technical aspects of the payang fishing gear and economic aspects including capital, business costs and to analyze the level of business feasibility from a financial perspective by calculating the value of PP, NPV, IRR and BC. The method used in this research is descriptive method of case studies and descriptive surveys. The sampling method was purposive sampling with quota sampling. The number of samples is 9 Payang businesses. The data analysis method used is technical and financial analysis. The results of the research based on financial analysis concluded that the business of catching payang at PPI Pasir Baru was feasible to be operated with an NPV value of Rp. 238,176,861, -. (NPV = positive); IRR of 54% (IRR> i); PP  for 4 years 22 days: and the payang B / C ratio of 1.176 (> 1).
DOSIS DAN LAMA PERENDAMAN MINYAK CENGKEH (Eugenia aromatica) TERHADAP DURASI INDUKSI DAN SEDATASI PADA ANESTESI IKAN CEMPEDIK (Osteochilus spilurus)
Authors: Kurniawan Ardiansyah
Published: April 2022

Percepatan Pulau Belitung sebagai tujuan wisata geologi menempatkan produk berbasis ikan Cempedik (Osteochilus spilurus) sebagai salah satu geo-produknya. Hal ini berpotensi memicu adanya distribusi ikan dari pulau lain ke Belitung Timur. Salah satu kelemahan ikan Cempedik adalah lebih cepat mengalami pembusukan pada bagian perut. Transportasi dalam kondisi hidup menjadi salah satu pilihan mendistribusikan ikan ini. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui durasi hingga pingsan (induksi) dan pulih sadar (sedatasi) ikan Cempedik dengan memanfaatkan minyak Cengkeh sebagai anestesi dalam transportasi hidup. Minyak Cengkeh murni digunakan sebagai anestesi ikan dengan perlakuan dosis (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, dan  0.5 ml/10L), dan  lama perendaman (2.5, 4, 6.5, dan 8 jam). Data dianalisis dengan sidik ragam dan uji Tukey. Perlakuan dosis memberikan dampak berbeda nyata (P>0,05) pada durasi induksi, namun tidak pada durasi sedatasi. Durasi induksi tercepat yaitu 2.32±0.75 menit dihasilkan pelakuan dosis 0,4 ml/10L yang menghasilkan durasi sedatasi selama 4.17±1.20 menit. Tidak terdapat perbedaan nyata durasi sedatasi ikan pada perlakuan lama perendaman yang berbeda.
PENGARUH PEMBERIAN PROBIOTIK PELEPAH PISANG (Musa paradisiaca) PADA PAKAN KOMERSIAL TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN KELANGSUNGAN HIDUP IKAN NILA (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Akbarurrasyid Muhammad
Published: April 2022

Pakan merupakan salah satu faktor terpenting yang berpengaruh terhadap pertumbuhan dan kelangsungan hidup ikan yang dibudidayakan. Penggunaan pakan dalam budidaya perlu diefesiensikan untuk dapat mengoptimalkan hasil produksi. Mutu pakan dapat ditingkatkan dengan penambahan probiotik pelepah pisang. Pelepah pisang mengandung sejumlah metabolit sekunder khas yang berguna untuk aktivitas mikrobiologis. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat pertumbuhan dan kelangsungan hidup ikan nila. Penelitian dilakukan secara kuantitatif dengan menggunakan 4 perlakuan, yakni: K (tanpa perlakuan), A (100 ml/kg), B (150 ml/kg) dan C (200 ml/kg). Hasil penelitian diperoleh bahwa penggunaan probiotik pelepah pisang berpengaruh terhadap pertumbuhan ikan nila. Rata-rata pertumbuhan tertinggi diperoleh pada perlakuan C (200 ml/kg) sebesar 8,27 gram untuk laju pertumbuhan bobot mutlak, 0,23% untuk laju pertumbuhan spesifik dan 3,3 cm untuk pertumbuhan Panjang mutlak. Tingkat kelangsungan hidup tertinggi diperoleh pada perlakuan B (150 ml/kg) sebesar 76,6%.