bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Vivo and in Vitro Evaluation of the Anti-inflammatory Effect of Thymoquinone Toward Ischemic Brain Injury Alleviation via Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway
Authors: Amin Nashwa , Du Xiaoxue , Chen Shijia , Ren Qiannan , Badry Azhar , Botchway Benson O.A. , Hu Zhiying , Fang Marong
Published: October 2020

Background - In recent years, considerable efforts have been devoted to exploring effective therapy for cerebral ischemia. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated - inflammation plays a crucial role in ischemic brain injury. Triptolide (TP) has been widely used for ischemic therapy although administrating a chronic dose of this therapy may cause serious drawbacks and higher liver toxicity. Considering these critical side effects, here we demonstrate the employment of thymoquinone (TQ) as a new alternative drug for alleviating ischemic brain damage via suppression of inflammatory cytokines by inducing Nrf2/HO-1 under a chronic dose without toxicity. Methods- We assessed a photo-thrombosis mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia to investigate the impact of the chronic dose of TQ to alleviates ischemic brain damage, meanwhile, we used Pc12 to determine the efficiency of TQ to attenuate the OGD/R induces cell death. Results- Our in vivo and in vitro results indicate that the administration of TQ drug can sufficiently mitigate the brain damage after stroke by increasing the Nrf2/HO-1 expression and thereby modulate the cell death and inflammation resulting from cerebral ischemia. The observation based on YFP mice elucidates the role of TQ therapy in recovering the brain status after injury through increasing the dendrite spines density and the ratio of YFP reporter cells with NeuN expression. Conclusions- Our study is the first to focus on the crucial role of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway as a promising ischemic therapy under a chronic dose of TQ by increasing proliferating protein expression, decreasing inflammation and neuronal cell death as well as controlling the autophagy process.
Minimum acceptable diet and stunting among children aged 6-23 months in Dalit and Non-Dalit and associated factors: A cross-sectional comparative study of Dhanusha district, Nepal
Authors: Sah Anil Kumar , Paudel Rajan , Devkota Madhu Dixit , Sigdel Ramesh , Pandey Ashok
Published: October 2020

BackgroundNutrition contributes to the growth, development and survival of children, while inadequate feeding practices increase the risk of stunting. Inadequate feeding manifests severe impact on child physical and cognitive development. The aim of the study was to assess the status and to identify factors associated with minimum acceptable diet (MAD) and stunting among children aged 6-23 months in Dalit and Non-Dalit.MethodsThe study design was cross-sectional comparative and was conducted among mothers with their children aged 6-23 months children of Dhanusha district. A sample of 599 respondents was taken. Multistage simple random sampling was applied to the sample of which 299 were Dalit and 300 were Non-Dalit. Interview and anthropometry measurement and structure questionnaires were practiced as tools of data collection techniques. Descriptive and inferential analyses were carried out by using Statistical Package for Social Science.ResultsThe prevalence of MAD and stunting were 131(43.8%) and 149(49.9%) among Dalit and 133(44.3%), and 117(39%) among Non-Dalit respectively. Children aged 6-11 months (AOR=0.25, 95 CI: 0.11-0.54), child having no illness (AOR=4.31, 95% CI: 1.56-11.88) and mothers with no knowledge on child feeding (AOR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.16-0.61) were significantly associated with MAD among Dalit. Children aged 6-11 months (AOR=0.37, 95 CI: 0.21-0.64), children having no illness (AOR=4.80, 95% CI: 2.23-10.32), mothers with no knowledge on child feeding (AOR=0.26, 95% CI: 0.16-0.42) and birth interval up to two years (AOR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.56-3.19) were also significantly associated among Non-Dalit. Nuclear family types (AOR=1.93, 95% CI: 1.11-3.34) among Dalit while no ante natal care (ANC) visit (AOR=3.20, 95% CI: 1.15-8.90), no media exposure (AOR=3.10, 95% CI: 1.11-8.64 and 6-11 months children (AOR=0.24, 95% CI: 0.10-0.57) in Non-Dalit were significantly associated with stunting.ConclusionThe prevalence of MAD practices was observed similar in both the groups, but stunting was higher in Dalit than Non-Dalit. Being key associated factors of MAD practices, age of child, child illness and knowledge on child feeding existed in Dalit and Non-Dalit, while birth interval also among Non-Dalit. Nuclear family in Dalit while age of child, ANC visit and media exposure among Non-Dalit were the major factors of stunting. Maternal nutrition education, access and utilization of health services should help in improving the nutritional status of children.
IL-6R Protective Variant rs7529229 Reduces Interleukin-6 Signaling and Contributes To A Decreased Ischemic Stroke Risk
Authors: Zhang Haihua , Zhao Wenbo , Liu Bian , Wang Tao , Han Zhifa , Ji Xunming , Liu Guiyou
Published: October 2020

Background Interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and ischemic stroke (IS). Growing evidence shows that the minor alleles of IL-6 receptor gene (IL-6R) variants rs2228145, rs7529229, and rs4129267 significantly increase soluble IL-6R levels and reduce CAD risk. However, the role of IL-6R variants in IS is largely unknown, prompting us to perform a comprehensive analysis. Methods In stage 1 of this study, we performed a meta-analysis of three genome-wide association study datasets from MEGASTROKE, UK Biobank, and the Million Veteran Program to evaluate the association of rs7529229 with IS. In stage 2, we conducted an expression quantitative trait loci analysis to examine the effects of rs7529229 on IL-6R expression in neuropathologically healthy individuals from the UK Brain Expression Consortium, GTEx project, and the eQTLGen Consortium. In stage 3, we used a tissue-specific gene expression analysis to evaluate differences in IL-6R expression across human tissues using gene expression data from GTEx. In stage 4, we conducted a case–control gene expression analysis to explore the differential expression of IL-6R in the whole blood of IS patients and healthy controls. Results We found that: (1) the rs7529229 minor allele significantly reduced the risk of developing IS (odds ratio=0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.95–0.99, P=2.30E-03); (2) the rs7529229 minor allele significantly reduced IL-6R expression in relevant tissues especially in blood vessels and whole blood; (3) IL-6R was mainly expressed in skeletal muscle and whole blood; and (4) IL-6R expression was significantly reduced in the whole blood of healthy controls compared with IS patients. Importantly, the biological senses in stages 1–4 were all convergent. Conclusions Taken together, our findings indicate that the rs7529229 minor allele decreases IL-6R expression in relevant tissues, diminishes IL-6 signaling, and eventually reduces the IS risk. Hence, IL-6R may be a potential therapeutic target for IS. Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody that blocks both membrane-bound and circulating IL-6R, might be effective in treating IS or lowering its risk of development, so warrants further testing in suitably powered randomized controlled trials.
Effect of dexmedetomidine on lung function and prognosis a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Bingcheng , Yang Jing , Sun Guoliang , Yao Weifeng , Hei Ziqing
Published: October 2020

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on lung function and prognosis.Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library from inception to January 30, 2020 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines. Randomized controlled trials of dexmedetomidine associated with lung function were assessed. The primary outcomes are pH, PaO2, PaCO2, respiratory index (RI) and time to extubation. The secondary outcomes are PaO2/FiO2, length of hospital stay and events of pulmonary complications.Results: 17 trials of 924 patients were included. Compared with placebo group, dexmedetomidine group had higher PaO2 (MD: 10.96; 95% CI: from 0.77 to 21.15; p=0.04) and PaO2/FiO2 (MD: 30.77; 95% CI: from 19.11 to 42.43; p<0.00001). The dexmedetomidine group had lower PaCO2 (MD: -0.88; 95% CI: from -1.66 to -0.11; p=0.002) and shorter length of hospital stay (MD: -1.19; 95% CI: from -2.21 to -0.16; p=0.02). The dexmedetomidine group had lower occurrence of pulmonary complications (RR: 0.28; 95% CI: from 0.09 to 0.82; p=0.02). However, there is no significant difference in pH, respiratory index and extubation time.Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine has better influence on lung function and prognosis.
A New SOFA Score Calculation to Improve the Predictive Performance for Mortality
Authors: Arakawa Makoto , Levy Jerrold H , Kondo Kenta , Iba Toshiaki
Published: October 2020

Background: The sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) is one of the most commonly used scoring systems to evaluate organ failure in sepsis. The trajectory of the SOFA score, a delta-SOFA (SOFAΔ), is proposed as a better indicator for predicting mortality, and potentially as an endpoint in exploratory clinical trials. However, there are some concerns about the use of SOFAΔ. For example, SOFAΔ represents only the changes in the score, and the potential value of the absolute SOFA score has not been considered. Therefore, we hypothesized that the addition of the absolute SOFA score to the SOFAΔ would improve the predictive performance for patient outcomes. Based on this theory, a new indicator, SOFAComb calculated by SOFAΔ + absolute SOFA score, was examined in this study. Methods: Data obtained from 297 patients in multiinstitutional post-marketing surveys performed during June 2014, and May 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were diagnosed as having sepsis-associated disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) and treated with antithrombin concentrate. The SOFAComb and SOFAΔ were calculated on days 2, 4, and 7, and the performance was analyzed in terms of predictive ability for 28-day mortality.Results: Of the 297 patients included in the analysis, 214 patients survived (72.1%), while 83 patients (27.9%) died. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of SOFA at baseline for predicting 28-mortality was 0.679. The AUCs of SOFAΔ on day 2, 4, 7 were 0.662, 0.769, 0.815, respectively, and those of SOFAComb on day 2, 4, 7 were 0.765, 0.830, 0.866, respectively. The AUCs of SOFAComb were significantly greater at all time points compared to SOFAΔ (day 2: P <0.001, day 4: P =0.002, day 7: P <0.001). In addition, the accuracy of SOFAComb was better than that of SOFAΔ (day 2: P <0.001, day 4: P =0.067, day 7: P =0.049). Conclusions: SOFAComb is simple to calculate and provides better predictive performance compared to SOFAΔ for predicting mortality. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Personalized pollen monitoring and hay fever symptom scores: a feasibility study
Authors: Weger Letty de , Hal Peter TH.W van , Bos Bernadette , Molster Frank , Mostert Marijke , Hiemstra Pieter S.
Published: October 2020

Background. Pollen is a major trigger for allergic symptoms in sensitized individuals. Airborne pollen is usually monitored by Hirst type pollen samplers located at rooftop level, providing a general overview of the pollen distribution in the larger surroundings. In this feasibility study, grass pollen-sensitized subjects monitored the pollen in their direct environment using a portable pollen sampler (Pollensniffer) and scored their symptoms, to study the relation between symptom severity and personal grass pollen exposure. For comparison the symptoms were also correlated with pollen collected by the rooftop sampler. Methods. Nine grass pollen-sensitized individuals were enrolled in this study (May 2018) and asked to monitor personal pollen exposure using a Pollensniffer on their way to school, work or other destination, and to score their symptoms via a mobile app on a scale from 0 to 10. Daily pollen concentrations were collected by a Hirst type sampler at rooftop level. Pollen grains were analysed using a microscope. Results. Three of the four participants with high grass pollen-specific (GPS) IgE (>9.6 kU/l) reported high symptom scores (>4) and an analysis showed a significant correlation (CC) between eye, nose and lung symptoms and the grass pollen counts collected by the Pollensniffer, as well as the daily grass pollen concentrations monitored by the rooftop sampler (CC>0.54). In contrast, the participants with low GPS IgE levels (<9.6 kU/l) reported low symptom scores (<4) and often other sensitizations were present. For these subjects, no significant positive correlations (CC<0.3) of symptoms with either grass pollen collected by the personal or the rooftop sampler were found. Conclusion. Our results show that correlations between the severity of clinical symptoms of grass pollen allergic patients, and airborne grass pollen counts as determined by a personal pollen sampler (Pollensniffer) or a rooftop sampler, is restricted to patients with high GPS IgE levels, high symptom scores and no relevant other sensitizations. Based on the number of subjects included in this feasibility study, no conclusions can be drawn on the performance of the personal pollen sampler in relating symptoms and pollen exposure in comparison with the rooftop sampler.Trial registrationThe study was approved by the Committee Medical Ethics of the LUMC (approval numbers: NL63953.058.17/ P17.304).
Atypical Deletion of Williams-Beuren Syndrome Reveals the Mechanism of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Zhou Jianrong , Zheng Ying , Liang Guiying , Qin Xianyu , Yang Hang , Chen Shaoxian , Ge Tongkai , Huang Shufang , Zhang Kai , Zhou Xianwu , Xu Xiaoli , Weng Pengju , Zhang Yong , Li Ping , Wang Shushui , Zhuang Jian , Wu Yueheng , Chen Jimei
Published: October 2020

Background The Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a multiple phylogenetic disorder, caused by the hemizygous deletion of 1.55 to 1.84 Mb on chromosome 7q11.23, which encodes a fragment of 26 to 28 genes. Among these genes, the deletion of the elastin (ELN) gene haplotype is the main cause of cardiovascular abnormalities. Other genes, such as CLIP2, GTF2IRD1, and GTF2I, may be associated with specific cognitive and craniofacial features. However, genes associated with specific neurocognitive phenotypes are still controversially discussed. The purpose of this study is to further explore the mechanism of neurodevelopmental disorders in patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome.Patients and methods Patients who had been diagnosed with WBS were recruited. The deletion was precisely defined by chromosome microarray analysis and the clinical phenotype was evaluated. Results This study identified nine patients with atypical deletions from 111 patients with WBS. One patient had normal neurodevelopmental with deletion of Williams-Beuren syndrome chromosomal region (WBSCR) telomere side genes, including GTF2I and GTF2IRD1, while another patient retained these genes but showed neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Seven of the eight patients with the WBSCR22 gene deletion developed growth restriction.Conclusions By comparing the genotype and phenotype of patients with typical deletions and atypical deletions, the deletion of GTF2I and GTF2IRD1 genes alone insufficient to induce typical neurocognitive phenotypes in WBS patients. The BAZ1B, FZD9, and STX1A genes may play an important role in the neurodevelopment of patients with WBS. Furthermore, the deletion of the WBSCR22 gene may be the main cause of physical growth restriction in WBS patients.
Ethnoveterinary Practices of Medicinal Plants and Non-plant Remedies Used in Animal Health Management in Dawuro Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Dinbiso Tegegn Dilbato , Tolosa Tadele Tolesa , Begna Feyissa Deressa
Published: October 2020

Background: Ethnoveterinary medicine is frequently used for treating various livestock diseases by many different ethnic groups in Ethiopia. To this end, the indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants and non-plant remedies has not been systematically documented and studied in the Dawuro zone. Therefore, a community based cross-sectional study design was conducted from November, 2017 to September, 2018 in order to identify and document medicinal plants and non-plant ethnoveterinary practices in Dawuro zone, Southern Ethiopia.Methods: Relevant ethnoveterinary data was collected from purposively selected 115 key informants using semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, observations and field guided walk methods. The obtained data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, quantitative ethnobotanical methods and T-test and significantly test was set to p < 0.05. The plants claimed having medicinal value were collected and botanically identified.Results: The study revealed 103 plant species belong to 47 families and 11 non-plant remedies used to manage 36 different livestock ailments. Family Asteraceae accounted for 11.5% of the total species recorded. The majority of plants (56.2%) were harvested from wild habitat. Herbs (33.8%) were the main source of medicine followed by tree (30.6%). Leaves (43.6%) and roots (27.5%) were the main plant parts used while pounding was the major form in remedy preparation. The highest Informant Consensus Factor (0.83) value was scored for the diseases of reproductive system. Cyphostema sp., Calpurina aurea and Pentas schimperiana were showed the highest Fidelity Level (100%) to treat diseases of reproductive system, ectoparasites, and emaciation and bone broken as plant materials whereas Bear faeces, sharp hot iron or wire/knife, and salt were non-plant remedies used as treatment, respectively. Azadirachta indica was the most preferred species to treat blackleg and also with highest use-value (UVs = 0.25).Conclusion: The study revealed that the local community of the study areas was used with a rich of indigenous knowledge of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants. The loss of valuable medicinal plant resources of the area calls for urgent and coordinated actions to develop conservation strategy.
Evaluation of Ethanol Injection, Radiofrequency Ablation, and Levothyroxine Therapy in the Management of Benign Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Arefzadeh Alireza , ghanaati hossein , Avankai Mahsa Alborzi , Abrishami Alireza , Niazkar Hamidreza , Hosseinpour Hamidreza
Published: October 2020

Background: Thyroid nodules are a common clinical finding. Even though there are various accepted treatments for the benign thyroid nodules, there are alternative methods for managing these patients with fewer expenses and also minimum complications. This study aims to compare the volume decline of radiofrequency (RF) ablation and single-session ethanol ablation (EA) and the effects of levothyroxine therapy for benign thyroid nodule treatment.Materials: In this clinical trial, 90 patients with benign thyroid nodules in different centers in Tehran, Iran, from December 6, 2018, to December 6, 2019, were included. Patients who had met the inclusion criteria were selected and randomly allocated into three groups (each of 30) of a single session of radiofrequency ablation (Group 1), a single session of ethanol injection (Group 2), or a 6-month LT4 treatment (Group 3). Thyroid tests, including TSH, T4, T3, anti-TPO, T3RU, and serum Calcitonin level, were recorded at baseline and again at 1, 3, and six months. Nodule volume was also assessed through sonography at baseline and the other checkpoints.Results: The mean volume reduction after 6 months of intervention for ethanol injection group, radiofrequency ablation group, and LT4 treatment group were 72.2%, 83.4%, and 21.8%, respectively. There was a significant relationship between mean volume reduction and months (1, 3, and six) (P<0.001).Conclusions: Although radiofrequency ablation therapy is the best modality for managing benign thyroid nodules in our study, it is more expensive than the other modalities despite comparable therapeutic effects.
Evaluation of a New Model of Postoperative Care: A Preliminary Cost-effectiveness Analysis Using Markov Modelling
Authors: Ludbrook Guy
Published: October 2020

Background: Re-design of systems or models of care to manage perioperative care has the potential to generate higher value care (improved outcomes; ideally lower cost). However, this needs high quality measurement of cost-effectiveness to allow stakeholders to select those which provide most value, and to plan future interventions. Data on cost-effective analysis in this area are sparse, and trials often apply relatively simple analytic techniques.Methods: This analysis utilised recently published data from a small feasibility trial of a new model of medium-acuity postoperative care for moderate-risk patients undergoing surgery (Advanced Recovery Room Care; ARRC). The trial 1 data were used to develop a Markov cost-effectiveness model of patient transition (model transition probabilities) between locations of care (model states), each with different effects and cost. Cost was taken from the perspective of hospitals. The effect chosen was patient postoperative days at home after surgery (DAH), an effect reflecting quality of in-hospital care, acknowledged financially by healthcare fundholders, and relevant to consumers. A model cycle time of 4 hours run out to 30 days after surgery reflected clinically relevant timelines and costs.Results: This model showed the potential differences before and after introduction of ARRC in ICU use, re-admissions, and DAH, in particular, which reflected the findings from the ARRC trial. Incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of introduction of ARRC was minus $601 for every increased day at home. Sensitivity analysis revealed 805 of 1000 simulations found a negative ICER.Conclusions: These data suggest that the ARRC model may have positive cost-effectiveness, something to be examined in a future prospective clinical trial. Such cost-effectiveness modelling may have utility in examination of other innovations in perioperative care.Trial registration: The ARRC trial on which this analysis is based was prospectively registered: ANZCTRN 12617001173381
Effects of Histobulin on Depression and Anxiety in Chronic Urticaria: Psychiatric Manifestations or Psychiatric Comorbidities of Chronic Urticaria?: A Case Report
Authors: Noh G , Cho Sungjin
Published: October 2020

Background: Psychiatric comorbidities of chronic urticaria (CU) have been reported and examined recently. The prevalence of mental disorders and emotional distress is high in patients with chronic urticaria. Histobulin is well known to be effective in chronic urticaria. Case Presentation: Three cases of CU accompanying psychiatric manifestations (PMs) were treated with Histobulin. One patient with CU with severe depression showed clinical changes in depressive symptoms in parallel to changes in allergic symptoms. Histobulin improved not only chronic urticaria but also the accompanying PMs in two other patients with CU. The PMs were not improved by an antihistamine (H1 blocker) in all 3 cases. Histobulin is effective not only for allergic manifestations (AMs) but also for PMs of chronic urticaria. Conclusions: PMs seem to be clinical manifestations of chronic urticaria through histamine-mediated mechanisms. PMs as well as AMs of chronic urticaria were effectively and causatively treated with Histobulin. These conditions were suggested to be ‘allergic psychiatric manifestations (APM)’ or ‘histamine-mediated psychiatric manifestations (HmPM). Further study of PMs based on histamine-mediated mechanisms, including allergies, is necessary. Accordingly, it should be clarified whether the PMs of CU are actual PMs of CU or are psychiatric comorbidities of CU.
Characteristics of Peripheral Blood Cells in COVID-19 Patients Revealed by a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Tong Xunliang , Cheng Anqi , Yuan Xueting , Zhong Xuefeng , Wang He , Zhou Wei , Xu Xiaomao , Li Yanming
Published: October 2020

Background Peripheral hematological changes in severe COVID-19 patients may reflect the immune reaction during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Characteristics of peripheral blood cells as early signals were needed to be investigated for clarifying its associations with the fatal outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed and the hospitalized COVID-19 patients were recruited in wards of Tongji Hospital (Wuhan, China). Characteristics of peripheral blood cells in survivors and non-survivors were analyzed. Also the comparison among patients with different level of eosinophils was performed. Results198 patients were included in this study, of whom 185 were discharged and 13 died in hospital. Compared to the survivors, counts of lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils were significantly decreased in non-survivors. According to the level of eosinophils, patients were divided into low EOS group (< 0.02×109/L) and normal EOS group (≥ 0.02×109/L). Patients in the low EOS group showed a significantly higher fever compared to normal EOS group. The proportion of patients in low EOS group who used glucocorticoids increased significantly than the other group. Death rate in the low EOS group was higher and no patient death in normal EOS group. Moreover, positive correlation was found between the counts of lymphocytes and eosinophils in patients with glucocorticoids use but not in patients without the treatment. Conclusions Hematological changes differed between survivors and non-survivors with COVID-19. Lymphopenia and eosinopenia could serve to predict the poor prognosis of COVID-19 patients. Initial counts of eosinophils may guide us in usage of glucocorticoids for COVID-19 treatment.
Psychological Distress in Iranian Military Personnel: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Alizadeh1 Azizeh , Dowran Behnaz , azizi maryam , Salimi Seyed -Hossein
Published: October 2020

Background: Military personnel are likely to encounter mental health problems due to High-risk occupations associated with significant levels of psychological distress. The aim of the present study was to explore psychological distress experienced by Iranian military personnel. Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted on 15 Iranian military personnel. Purposeful sampling was used to select the participants and continued until data saturation was reached. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and then the qualitative data were analyzed through direct content analysis. Results: By analyzing show 395 primary codes, 2 main categories, including demands and resources were extracted from the experiences of military members. The categories included several sub-categories, which were classified according to their significant characteristics. Findings of this study ascertain that different factors affect the military member’s psychological distress.Conclusions: Military organization and leaders should consider the factors of psychological distress that raised by specialists, and assign policies to improve their mental health. According to the present results, it is recommended that the process of psychological distress in military members be investigated further.
Factors Associated With Depressive Symptoms and Perceived Stigma in Patients With Tuberculosis
Authors: Kelesoglu Fadime , Guveli Hulya
Published: October 2020

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the levels of perceived stigma and social support and presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with tuberculosis and to investigate the association of perceived stigma and depression with demographic and disease related factors.Methods: This study included patients older than 18 years of age with tuberculosis. The hospital anxiety depression scale (HADS), stigma of tuberculosis scale (STS), and multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) were applied to the participants. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to define correlates of depression and perceived stigma.Results: A total of 204 patients were included. The risk of anxiety and depression were 25% and 36.8%, respectively. Multivariate binary logistic regression analyses suggested that higher HADS-anxiety scores and lower MSPSS scores were associated with a depressive HADS score and that a lower BMI, higher HADS-anxiety score, and higher HADS-depression score were associated with high levels of perceived stigma.Conclusions: The rates of depression, stigmatization, and anxiety were high in these patients. Anxiety symptoms were positively and social support was inversely associated with depressive symptoms. A lower BMI and higher depression and anxiety scores were independently associated with high levels of perceived stigma.
Resumption of School After Lockdown in Covid-19 Epidemic: Occult Fracture on the Same Site of the Same Grade Adolescents
Authors: Wen Jie , Wang Jianzhou , Xiang Feng , Arthur Djandan Tadum , Tang Zhongwen , Liu Hong , Xiao Sheng
Published: October 2020

Background：As the capital city of Hunan Province next to Hubei Province very closely, Changsha started Level 1 response of major public health emergency on January 23. After 75 days of lockdown due to Covid-19 epidemic, students in the 9th grade of junior high school started hard training for physical entrance examination. Case Presentation：We report three cases of occult fracture on the same site in adolescents of the same grade since resumption of school after lockdown in covid-19 epidemic. Three students in the 9th grade of junior high school who were facing the physical examination in two weeks are diagnosed the occult fracture of the distal femur. Conclusion：It is recommended that the students, parents, education providers and policy makers should all pay attention to the physical exercise of students that should be from a small amount to a medium amount and then to examination training. The sudden increase in the amount of exercise may cause hidden fracture of young people.
Determinants of productivity and efficiency of teff production in southwest Ethiopia: Parametric approach
Authors: Anaye Assefa Ayele , Awel Meded , Oljirra Alemayehu , Bayessa Mulubrhan , Aliyi Ibrahim , Faris Abduselam
Published: October 2020

Agriculture in Ethiopia is characterized by low productivity for most crops including teff which is gaining prominence as both a food and income crop. The low productivity is mostly attributed to inefficiencies. To solve this, improving efficiency of the farmer has received the greatest attention as it is more cost effective than introducing new technologies. This study was undertaken in southwest Ethiopia to assess productivity and technical, allocative and economic efficiencies of teff farmers and identifies factors that determine productivity and inefficiencies. Cross sectional data from a random sample of 323 teff producing farmers collected during 2018/19 production season were used for the analysis. A Cobb-Douglas production function was employed to assess teff productivity and factors conditioning productivity. In addition, stochastic production frontier model was used to estimate technical, allocative and economic efficiency level where as OLS regression was used to identify factors affecting inefficiencies level. The result depicted that productivity of teff was significantly influenced by the use of seed, fertilizer, and labor. The estimated mean values of technical, allocative and economic efficiencies were 69, 60 and 56% respectively, which indicate the presence of inefficiency in teff production in the study area. The OLS model results revealed that education levels, age, soil fertility and frequency of extension contact had a significant negative effect on technical inefficiency. Similarly, education levels, participation in off/non-farm activities, soil fertility and frequency of extension were found to have negative effect on allocative inefficiency while education levels, participation in off/non-farm activities and soil fertility had negative influence on economic inefficiency. Hence, policies and strategies of the government should be directed towards the above mentioned determinants.
Verification and Modification of a Model to Predict Bitter Pit for ‘Honeycrisp’ Apples
Authors: Marini Richard P. , Baugher Tara Auxt , Muehlbauer Megan , Sherif Sherif , Crassweller Robert , Schupp James R.
Published: October 2020

‘Honeycrisp’ (Malus ×domestica) apples were harvested from a total of 17 mid-Atlantic orchards during 2018 and 2019 to verify a previously published bitter pit prediction model. As in the previous study, bitter pit incidence was associated with low calcium (Ca) levels and high ratios of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and/or magnesium (Mg) to Ca in the fruit peel and excessive terminal shoot growth. The best two-variable model for predicting bitter pit developed with the 2018–19 data set contained boron (B) and the ratio of Mg to Ca (R2 = 0.83), which is different from previous models developed with data from three individual years (2015–17). When used to predict the bitter pit incidence of the 2018–19 data, our previous best model containing the average shoot length (SL) and the ratio of N to Ca underestimated the incidence of bitter pit. The model is probably biased because one or more important variables related to bitter pit have not yet been identified. However, the model is accurate enough to identify orchards with a low incidence of bitter pit.
Variation in Phosphorus Availability, Root Architecture Attributes, and Onset of Storage Root Formation among Sweetpotato Cultivars
Authors: Villordon Arthur , Gregorie Jeffrey C. , LaBonte Don
Published: October 2020

The primary objective of this work was to generate species-specific information about root architectural responses to variations in inorganic phosphate (Pi) availability at the onset of storage root formation among six sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) cultivars. Three Pi levels were used: 0 (low Pi); 0.17 (medium Pi); and 0.34 (high Pi) g/pot triple super phosphate (0N–46P–0K). The check cultivar ‘Bayou Belle’ (BB) consistently showed evidence of storage root formation at 15 days in adventitious roots (ARs) grown across three Pi levels and two planting dates (PDs). Storage root formation was also detected in ‘Orleans’ (OR) and ‘Beauregard’ (BX), but it was less consistent relative to BB. In general, BB had the lowest adventitious root (AR) number relative to the other cultivars, but the magnitudes of difference varied with Pi availability and PD. With the first PD, BX had a 45% higher AR number compared with BB in low Pi conditions; however, there were no differences in the second PD. Within cultivars, BX and Okinawa grown in low Pi showed combined 17% and 24% reductions in primary root length (PRL) relative to roots grown in high Pi. BB had a higher lateral root number (LRN) and lateral root density (LRD) across Pi levels, corroborating prior data regarding the association of these root architectural attributes with the onset of storage root formation. The experimental data support the hypothesis regarding the existence of genetic variation for Pi efficiency in sweetpotato and that some well-documented Pi-efficient root traits like high LRN and LRD are indirectly selected for in-breeding programs that focus on early storage root formation and stable yields across environments.
Predicting Hollow Heart Incidence in Triploid Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
Authors: Trandel Marlee A. , Perkins-Veazie Penelope , Schultheis Jonathan
Published: October 2020

In triploid (seedless) watermelon [Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus (Thunb. Matsum. and Nakai)], hollow heart (HH) is a disorder that is expressed as a crack in the center of the fruit that expands to an open cavity. Although HH incidence and severity is part of a screening process for marketable watermelon fruit during cultigen evaluations, HH incidence is highly variable with growing season, even when the best cultural practices are used. Placental tissue firmness is also measured because firmness is related to the marketability of watermelon and may be related to HH. Genetic and environmental factors can influence watermelon HH development, including plant genetics, pollen amount and viability, pollinator activity, and temperature and rainfall fluctuations. We used seedless watermelon cultigen evaluation data collected over 3 years (2012–14) to determine the relationship between germplasm HH and tissue firmness. Transplanted watermelon representing 30 to 44 cultigens per year were grown at the Central Crops Research Station, Clayton, NC, and interplanted with pollenizers ‘Ace’ and/or ‘SP-6’. Harvested fruit were cut length-wise and rated for HH incidence and severity. Flesh firmness was determined by a handheld penetrometer at five locations in the flesh (stem end, top side, ground spot, blossom end, and heart). A common cultigen subset, consisting of 13 cultigens that were grown in all three experiments, was used for analysis of HH severity and incidence, and placental firmness. The presence of HH was negatively correlated with tissue firmness in both the large multiyear cultigen set (R2 = −0.32; P = 0.0001) and the common cultigen set (R2 = −0.78; P = 0.0001). Cultigens with lower watermelon tissue firmness values had higher HH incidence and severity. By using multiyear cultigen studies and logistic regression, we were able to detect trends for cultigen susceptibility to this highly variable disorder. Using logistic regression, the probability of HH development was highest for ‘Bold Ruler’, ‘Liberty’, and ‘Affirmed’, and lowest for ‘Maxima’ and ‘Captivation’. The identification of cultigens with a tendency for higher or lower rates of HH will be useful for further research of the causes of HH. Measurements of placental flesh firmness may be useful indicators of susceptible cultigens.
Fluopyram Controls Shoot-galling Caused by Pacific Shoot-gall Nematode and Improves Turf Quality in Annual Bluegrass Putting Greens
Authors: Petelewicz Paweł , Orliński Paweł M. , Schiavon Marco , Mundo-Ocampo Manuel , Becker J. Ole , Baird James H.
Published: October 2020

Golf courses in coastal regions of northern California are often faced with severe injury caused by pacific shoot-gall nematodes (Anguina pacificae) on their annual bluegrass (Poa annua) host in putting greens. For years, fenamiphos was used for mitigating disease outbreaks until its registration was withdrawn in 2008. An alternative product containing azadirachtin was intended for nematode suppression. Still, it required repeated applications throughout the year with questionable efficacy, making attempts to lessen the impact of the pathogen costly. This study evaluated fluopyram as a novel nematicide for control of pacific shoot-gall disease. Various application frequencies and rates were tested at several golf courses affected by the nematode. Results revealed that fluopyram applied once at 0.22 lb/acre reduced the number of new shoot-galls and improved annual bluegrass appearance for several months. Increased rates and application frequency occasionally improved the efficacy further. Although the visual quality of turf treated with this plant protection compound was tremendously enhanced, and the number of new shoot-galls was reduced, rarely a significant effect was observed on the population density of several soil-dwelling plant-parasitic nematodes, including pacific shoot-gall nematode. It is hypothesized that fluopyram did not move significantly past the thatch layer and into the soil. However, it effectively reduced the ability of pacific shoot-gall nematode juveniles to induce new shoot galls. Due to its long half-life, it likely protected against both new nematode infections and dissemination of pacific shoot-gall nematode when the shoot-galls decomposed.
Cr2O3 in corundum: Ultrahigh contents under reducing conditions
Authors: Griffin William L. , Gain Sarah E.M. , Saunders Martin , Cámara Fernando , Bindi Luca , Spartà Deborah , Toledo Vered , O’Reilly Suzanne Y.
Published: October 2020

Xenocrysts and xenoliths in Upper Cretaceous pyroclastics on Mount Carmel (northern Israel) represent a series of similar magma-fluid systems at different stages of their evolution, recording a continuous decrease in oxygen fugacity (fO2) as crystallization proceeded.

Corundum coexisting with Fe-Mg-Cr-Al spinels, other Fe-Mg-Al-Na oxides, and Fe-Ni alloys in apparent cumulates crystallized at fO2 values near the iron-wüstite (IW) buffer (fO2 = IW±1) and is zoned from high-Cr cores to lower-Cr rims, consistent with fractional crystallization trends. The reconstructed parental melts of the cumulates are Al-Cr-Fe-Mg oxides with ca. 2 wt% SiO2. Corundum in other possible cumulates that contain Cr-Fe (Fe 45 wt%) alloys has low-Cr cores and still lower-Cr rims. Corundum coexisting with Cr0 (fO2 = IW-5) in some possible cumulates has low-Cr cores, but high-Cr rims (to >30% Cr2O3). These changes in zoning patterns reflect the strong decrease in the melting point of Cr2O3, relative to Al2O3, with decreasing fO2. The electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) analyses show that all Cr in corundum that coexists with Cr0 is present as Cr3+. This suggests that late in the evolution of these reduced melts, Cr2+ has disproportionated via the reaction 3Cr2+(melt) → 2Cr3+(Crn) + Cr0.

The most Cr-rich corundum crystallized together with β-alumina phases including NaAl11O17 (diaoyudaoite) and KAl11O17 (kahlenbergite) and β″-alumina phases; residual melts crystallized a range of (K,Mg)2(Al,Cr)10O17 phases with the kahlenbergite structure. The parental melts of these assemblages appear to have been Al-Cr-K-Na-Mg oxides, which may be related to the Al-Cr-Fe-Mg oxide melts mentioned above, through fractional crystallization or liquid immiscibility.

These samples are less reduced (fO2 from IW to IW-5) than the assemblages of the trapped silicate melts in the more abundant xenoliths of corundum aggregates (fO2 = IW-6 to IW-10). They could be considered to represent an earlier stage in the fO2 evolution of an “ideal” Mt. Carmel magmatic system, in which mafic or syenitic magmas were fluxed by mantle-derived CH4+H2 fluids. This is a newly recognized step in the evolution of the Mt. Carmel assemblages and helps to understand element partitioning under highly reducing conditions.
Production cycle characteristics of high-purity quartz opencasting
Authors: Valerii Kantemirov , Roman Titov , Andrei Iakovlev , Maria Kozlova
Published: October 2020

Introduction. Currently, the main raw material for obtaining transparent quartz glass, an indispensable component in the production of single-crystal silicon, is high-purity quartz concentrate. The concentrate is a product of grinding natural “pure” quartz, which has undergone a cycle of mechanical and deep chemical refining, with a particle size of 0.1–0.3 mm and a total impurity content of no more than 20–30 ppm. However, in nature, deposits of pure quartz are quite rare, and it means that each explored site is of particular importance and is to be developed with minimal losses of quartz raw materials. Research aim is to develop technical solutions for processing small veins of high-purity granulated quartz. Methodology. Physical and mechanical properties and mining conditions for the individual quartz veins of the Kyshtym deposit are analyzed. Production cycle solutions for opencasting quartz veins have been developed allowing to reduce the degree of quartz over-grinding. Results. Granulated quartz, due to its structure, has the property of “avalanche” destruction into small grains. This significantly reduces the yield of the conditioned fraction –400 +20 mm, and regarding small reserves of quartz in veins, on average 0.1–2 thousand tons, it raises the question as to whether the development is feasible and effective. To increase the yield of conditioned fractions of quartz raw materials, a non-explosive technology of quartz breaking is proposed with a hydraulic hammer on a hydraulic excavator in combination with quartz vein preliminary exposure from the host rocks using a special technology for blasting rocks in the contact zone of “quartz-rock”. Conclusions. The proposed technical solutions will allow to involve small quartz veins of high purity granulated quartz into the development and provide high productivity and efficiency of mining operations without significant losses of scarce raw materials.
Studying ore field structure and rock properties of the Delken deposit to substantiate the optimal pit walls design
Authors: Marina Potapchuk , Igor Rasskazov , Mikhail Lomov , Maksim Rasskazov
Published: October 2020

Introduction. In order to determine a key design parameter substantiated by technical-economic and geomechanical analyses, the critical angle of slope of the nonmining wall in Delken deposit pit which depends on the properties and the state of rock building up the wall and its structures, and in order to determine the forms and the elements of mineral occurrence, the authors carried out comprehensive research consisting of the of deposit’s geological and structural features determination, including endogeneous and exogeneous jointing, and the detailed examination of physical and mechanical properties of rock and ore. Research aim is to study geological-structural properties of the deposit in order to analyze and substantiate the optimal and safe structure of pit walls when developing ore at the Delken gold deposit. Methodology. The structural features of Vodorazdelny ground were determined by carrying out the comparative analysis of geological sections and maps, structural description of core and building the scheme of rock blocking according to the level of destruction during deposit opencast. Physical and mechanical properties of rock were determined in laboratory conditions. Numerical analysis of wall stability was fulfilled with modern software. Results. The comprehensive research consisting of the analysis of mining and geological conditions of development, deposit’s geological and structural features determination, detailed examination of the properties of rock building up the slopes of the quarry have made it possible to substantiate the rational design of pit walls when developing ore reserves of the deposit. Summary. The results of the research carried out at the deposit may be applied when substantiating the safest technology of uncovering the deposit and the safest mining sequence.
Investigation of the effect of Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir, Oseltamivir and some home remedies in the light of Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Talukdar Keka
Published: October 2020

Modeling and simulation is another way of finding the interaction between different drugs and chemical species with human cell. Preliminary studies before clinical trial involve computer simulation based on the physical modeling so that clinical trial can be made easier. In many aspects of drug developing, simulation is an essential tool. Here molecular dynamics simulation is performed for the interaction of the spike protein of Covid-19 virus and some of the recently used drugs. Also, the effect of caffeine, theanine, nicotine etc on the virus is found by simulation
Use of accelerometer end gyroscope in biomechanical studies of horses
Authors: BECKER KATARZYNA , LEWCZUK DOROTA
Published: October 2020

In recent years, along with the available techniques, the possibilities of measuring movement biomechanics have increased significantly. The monitoring of horses’ activity is useful for carers, trainers and riders, because it allows them to provide the horses with appropriate health care, as well as to select appropriate diet and exercise intensity. This was made possible by modern inertia measuring devices (IMUs), non-invasive electronic devices based on accelerometry and rotation analysis. The purpose of this study is to review biomechanical tests performed on horses by means of these devices. Measurements obtained with accelerometers and gyroscopes are used in the fields of veterinary research, behaviour analysis and training. The quantitative and qualitative monitoring of horses’ activity can play a key role in ensuring adequate living conditions and appropriate training loads. The first research using these techniques was carried out as early as the 1990s. Such research is currently used on a wide scale in biomechanical studies of horses, as well as in practice. Due to the growing interest in horse riding, it has become a valuable tool in training horses and in assessing their welfare.