bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Islamic Guidance and Counseling Program of Marriage and Family Self Readiness for FAI UIKA Bogor Students
Authors: Wulandari Gemi , Al Kattani Abdul Hayyie
Published: December 2020

Dating activity is widespread among students even to the point of having an abusive relationship. Dating is an activity to find a partner that is not recommended in Islam. This study aims to find out how the implementation of Islamic guidance and counseling programs of marriage and family self-readiness for FAI UIKA Bogor students. This research was conducted in the Faculty of Islamic Religion (FAI) of the University of Ibn Khaldun (UIKA) Bogor. The research method is descriptive qualitative with a field research approach. Data collection and analysis are collected from interview, observation and documentation techniques. The primary sources in this study is the coordinator and person in charge of guidance and counseling services at FAI UIKA and three students who were married. While the secondary data sources are the Dean, Deputy Dean, Lecturer, and Chair of BEM FAI, as well as three unmarried FAI students. Based on the results of the interviews, observations and documentation it could be concluded that the readiness program of marriage and family at FAI UIKA is implemented as an effort to overcome various cases of dating behavior among FAI UIKA students. The program implementation consists of four components: basic guidance services, responsive services, individual planning, and system support.AbstrakKegiatan pacaran tersebar luas di kalangan mahasiswa bahkan sampai pada titik hubungan yang melecehkan. Pacaran adalah kegiatan mencari jodoh yang tidak dianjurkan dalam Islam. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana implementasi program bimbingan dan konseling Islam perkawinan dan kesiapan diri keluarga pada mahasiswa FAI UIKA Bogor. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Fakultas Agama Islam (FAI) Universitas Ibn Khaldun (UIKA) Bogor. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah deskriptif kualitatif dengan pendekatan penelitian lapangan. Pengumpulan dan analisis data dikumpulkan dari teknik wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi. Narasumber utama dalam penelitian ini adalah koordinator dan penanggung jawab layanan bimbingan dan konseling di FAI UIKA dan tiga orang mahasiswa yang sudah berkeluarga. Sedangkan sumber data sekunder adalah Dekan, Wakil Dekan, Dosen, dan Ketua BEM FAI, serta tiga mahasiswa FAI yang belum menikah. Berdasarkan hasil wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi dapat disimpulkan bahwa program kesiapan pernikahan dan keluarga di FAI UIKA dilaksanakan sebagai upaya untuk mengatasi berbagai kasus perilaku pacaran di kalangan mahasiswa FAI UIKA. Pelaksanaan program terdiri dari empat komponen: layanan bimbingan dasar, layanan responsif, perencanaan individu, dan dukungan sistem.
Modeling and Optimization of Cutting Parameters during Machining of Austenitic Stainless Steel AISI304 Using RSM and Desirability Approach
Authors: Boucherit Septi , Berkani Sofiane , Yallese Mohamed Athmane , Khettabi Riad , Mabrouki Tarek
Published: December 2020

In the current paper, cutting parameters during turning of AISI 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel are studied and optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the desirability approach. The cutting tool inserts used in this work were the CVD coated carbide. The cutting speed (vc), the feed rate (f) and the depth of cut (ap) were the main machining parameters considered in this study. The effects of these parameters on the surface roughness (Ra), cutting force (Fc), the specific cutting force (Kc), cutting power (Pc) and the Material Removal Rate (MRR) were analyzed by ANOVA analysis.The results showed that f is the most important parameter that influences Ra with a contribution of 89.69 %, while ap was identified as the most significant parameter (46.46%) influence the Fc followed by f (39.04%). Kc is more influenced by f (38.47%) followed by ap (16.43%) and Vc (7.89%). However, Pc is more influenced by Vc (39.32%) followed by ap (27.50%) and f (23.18%).The Quadratic mathematical models, obtained by the RSM, presenting the evolution of Ra, Fc, Kc and Pc based on (vc, f, and ap) were presented. A comparison between experimental and predicted values presents good agreements with the models found.Optimization of the machining parameters to achieve the maximum MRR and better Ra was carried out by a desirability function. The results showed that the optimal parameters for maximal MRR and best Ra were found as (vc = 350 m/min, f = 0.088 mm/rev, and ap = 0.9 mm).
Ağır Metal Stresi (Cd) Altında Yetiştirilen Trigonella foenum-graecum L. Bitkisinin Bazı Büyüme ve Fizyolojik Parametrelerinin İncelenmesi
Authors: TUNÇTÜRK Rüveyde , TUNÇTÜRK Murat , NOHUTÇU Lütfi
Published: December 2020

Araştırma, 2019 yılında Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü’ ne ait tam kontrollü bitki büyütme odasında yürütülmüştür. Deneme, 2 kg toprak kapasiteli 1/3 kum, 1/3 perlit ve 1/3 toprak karışımı olarak hazırlanmış plastik saksılarda, Tesadüf Parselleri Deneme Deseni’ ne göre 4 tekrarlamalı olarak düzenlenmiştir. Araştırmada, beş farklı kadmiyum dozu (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 mg/L CdS04) kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada, temel büyüme parametrelerinden bitki boyu (cm), kök uzunluğu (cm), kök ve gövde yaş ağırlığı (g), yaprak ağırlığı (g) ve yaprak sayısı (adet) gibi parametreler ölçülerek bitki fidesi; kök, yaprak ve gövde kısımlarına ayrılmış ve bazı mineral madde içerikleri (Ca, K, Na, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb ve Se) ile fizyolojik parametrelerden Malon Di Aldehit (MDA) ve Askorbat peroksidaz enzim aktivitesi (APX) miktarları belirlenmiştir.

Çalışma sonucunda; kadmiyum stresinin tüm bitki gelişim parametreleri ile MDA ve APX miktarları üzerinde istatistiksel olarak önemli etkide bulunduğu, artan kadmiyum dozlarında MDA ve APX miktarının arttığı tespit edilirken, diğer parametrelerde azalmaların olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, kadmiyum dozlarının, incelenen mineral madde içerikleri üzerine bitki aksamları arasında istatistiksel olarak önemli farklılıkların olduğu belirlenmiştir.
Prospect of Cadaveric Transplantation in Bangladesh
Authors: Dulal Md Habibur Rahman
Published: December 2020

Abstract Not Available
Bangladesh Journal of Urology, Vol. 23, No. 2, July 2020 p.112
One Shot Dilatation (OSD) in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) - A Safe and Feasible Technique
Authors: Choudhury Abdul Matin Anamur Rashid , Hossain Tohid Mohammad Saiful , Parveen Tasmina
Published: December 2020

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of one-shot dilation (OSD) in standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).
Methods: This is a prospective, single -center study conducted between January 2017 to June 2019. Patients who underwent PCNL using one shot dilatation (21 – 24 Fr) for access in PCNL were included in the study. Access time, fluoroscopy time, successful dilation time, stone free rate, decrease hemoglobin level and transfusion rate, complication rate, length of post operative hospital stay, cost were recorded. Data was analyzed and reported using summary statistics.
Results: A total of 30 patients were enrolled in this survey. 30 patients in one shot dilation (OSD) group.The mean age was 39.5 years. Control group of 30 patients were included in standard PCNL procedure where method of tract dilation was done by regid Amplatz dilators. Access time and fluoroscopy time in OSD group was approximately shorter. Statistically it was significant. Successful dilation and stone free rate were subsequently 98% and was significant. Data collected included patient access time, radiation exposure, total operating time, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin concentrations, tract dilatation failures, complications and transfusions.
Conclusion: The use of one shot and standard prone position under general anaesthesia combines the advantages of these both methods including less radiation exposure and shorter access and operative time. One shot dilation technique is safe, economical and feasible technique with added advantage,lesser radiation exposure and lesser chance of blood transfusion.
Bangladesh Journal of Urology, Vol. 23, No. 2, July 2020 p.114-117
Outcome of Obturator Nerve Block by Inguinal and Transvesical Approach in Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor
Authors: Rahman Md Mahmud Ur , Chowdhury Md Shafiqul Alam , Rasul Md Amanur , Gupta Sudip Das , Rahman Mohammed Mizanur
Published: December 2020

Introduction and aim of the study : Spinal anaesthesia for transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) does not prevent unintended stimulation of the obturator nerve when electro resection is performed on the lateral and Postero-lateral wall of the bladder. It results in muscle contraction of the adductor muscles of the thigh, which may lead to perforation of bladder wall with the resectoscope loop. The aim of the study was to compare the outcome of obturator nerve block by inguinal and transvesical approach.
Materials and Methods: A prospective experimental study was done in the department of Urology Dhaka Medical College Hospital during the period of November 2016 to April 2018. Total 60 Patients were included for the study as per inclusion and exclusion Criteria. Patients were than allocated purposively into two groups by simple random sampling. Group A consisted of 30 patients where obturator nerve block (ONB) was done by transvesical approach and Group B also consisted of 30 patients where ONB was done by inguinal approach.
Results: In the present study, the baseline characteristics of the patients in Group-A and Group-B were almost similar having no statistically significant difference. Obturator jerk more frequently occurred in group-B, in 13 (56.37%) patients following TURBT compared to Group-A, where 05(16.67%) patients developed obturator jerk. The intergroup difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). In case of 26 (86.67%) patients tumour was completely resectable in group-A, while in 21 (70.00%) patients of Group- B tumour was completely resectable. This was not a statistically significant difference (P>0.05). There was no incidence of bladder wall perforation in group-A, wherears this complication occurred in 02 (06.67%) cases of Group-B (p>0.05). Mean operative time in Group-A and group-B is 50.46 (±11.64) and 59.10 (±15.83) respectively (p<0.05).
Conclusion: We conclude that transvesical approach is better in case of Jerk elimination and Less Procedure related time than inguinal approach during TURBT
Bangladesh Journal of Urology, Vol. 23, No. 2, July 2020 p.118-123
Voiding Disorders in Patients with Cerebrovascular Accident
Authors: Rahman Md Siddiqur , Islam Md Monowarul , Asaduzzaman Mohammad , Afroze Shahana , Zannat Is mot Ara , Haque Mohammad Mahbubul
Published: December 2020

Background: Cerebrovascular accident often happens in elderly group, frequently causing voiding dysfunction. The aim of the study was to determine the magnitudes of various types of voiding disorders among patients of cerebrovascular accidents attending in Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted at the department of Urology ofDhaka Medical College Hospital from July 2009 to June 2011. Hundred and eight patients were enrolled in the study.
Results: More than 61% subjects were male (n=66).Leading number of patients (45.4%) had three to six months disease duration. In this group 67.3% had overactive bladder, 64.7% had underactive bladder and 24.5% had normal activity of bladder. In patients with irritative symptoms majority had overactive bladder (71.4%) while in patients with obstructive symptoms half of the subjects had overactive bladder (50.0%). Majority of the subjects with DM (71.4%) and HTN (82.6%) had overactive bladder. Seventy percent (n=) subjects with overactive bladder had arterial stroke while around 82% (n=) of the underactive bladder subjects had venous stroke. More than 85% subjects with underactive bladder and around 78% subjects with overactive bladder had infection.
Conclusion: Voiding dysfunction is a common sequel of acute stroke and most of the patients with irritative symptoms and about half of the subjects with obstructive symptoms had overactive bladder. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension and arterial stroke were found to be associated with overactive bladder.
Bangladesh Journal of Urology, Vol. 23, No. 2, July 2020 p.136-141
Knowledge of Health Consequences of Psychoactive Substance Use among Senior Secondary School Students
Authors: Ojieabu Winifred A , Bello Shakirat I , Arute John E , Tijani Adebukola A , Okunye Lionel O , Saka Sule A , Ojieabu Christabel E , Uzor Philip F , Akpotu Mark O , Eze Uchenna IH
Published: December 2020

The rate of psychoactive substance (PAS) use in the adolescent group is increasing around the world. Drug abuse has a negative impact on students’ education especially that of secondary school students. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of psychoactive substance use and knowledge of the health consequences among secondary school students in Ogun State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 528 consenting students selected using random sampling method. Data obtained using a validated modified World Health Organization’s guidelines questionnaire were analyzed with SPSS 20, p-Value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Majority (78.8%) were within the age group 15-18 years, males were 61.4%. Alcohol (95.0%) ranked first of all the substances been consumed among the current PAS users. Age was highly significantly associated with PAS use. Average knowledge of health consequences of PAS use was 11.5%. There is need for continuous health educational intervention to boost the respondents’ knowledge about health consequences of uses of psychoactive substances.

Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 19(2): 199-205, 2020 (December)
ROL DE LAS MANIFESTACIONES REUMÁTICAS Y DERMATOLÓGICAS EN EL DIAGNÓSTICO DE COVID-19 EN PACIENTES PAUCISINTOMÁTICOS
Authors:   Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Solis Cartas Urbano ,   Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Valdés González Jorge Luis ,   Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Hernandez Perdomo Wilmar ,   Universidad de las Americas, Garófalo Espinel Ana Cristina ,   Ministerio de Salud Pública del Ecuador, Rodríguez Moldón Yarimi ,   Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Gafas González Carlos ,   Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo
Published: December 2020

La COVID-19 es una enfermedad sistémica que no solo incluye la presencia de manifestaciones respiratorias, sino también generales, neurológicas, cardiovasculares, dermatológicas y reumáticas. En muchas ocasiones este grupo de manifestaciones clínicas se presentan en ausencia de manifestaciones respiratorias. El objetivo de esta investigación fue identificar el rol de las manifestaciones dermatológicas y reumáticas como posible elemento facilitador del diagnóstico de COVID-19 en pacientes paucisintomáticos. Para esto se realizó una investigación básica, descriptiva y explicativa que incluyó a 111 pacientes con diagnóstico positivo de COVID-19. Los principales resultados incluyen la presencia de manifestaciones respiratorias en el 52,25% de los casos, manifestaciones reumáticas en el 50,45% y las dermatológicas en el 36,94%. En pacientes sin manifestaciones respiratorias el 60,38% presentó afectación reumática y el 45,28% dermatológicas. Las lesiones maculopapulares (60,96%) y las mialgias (82,14%) y las artralgias (62,59%) fueron las manifestaciones dermatológicas y reumáticas que con mayor frecuencia fueron identificadas en los pacientes con diagnóstico positivo de la enfermedad. Se concluye que existió una elevada frecuencia de presentación de manifestaciones reumáticas y dermatológicas en los pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19; resultado que se repitió dentro del grupo de pacientes confirmados de la enfermedad pero sin presencia de manifestaciones. La identificación de manifestaciones dermatológicas y reumáticas en pacientes sin expresión respiratoria puede constituir un elemento de sospecha clínica de COVID-19 en pacientes paucisintomáticos.
Advancing PPG Signal Quality and Know-How Through Knowledge Translation—From Experts to Student and Researcher
Authors: Huthart Samuel , Elgendi Mohamed , Zheng Dingchang , Stansby Gerard , Allen John
Published: December 2020

Objective: Despite the vast number of photoplethysmography (PPG) research publications and growing demands for such sensing in Digital and Wearable Health platforms, there appears little published on signal quality expectations for morphological pulse analysis. Aim: to determine a consensus regarding the minimum number of undistorted i.e., diagnostic quality pulses required, as well as a threshold proportion of noisy beats for recording rejection.

Approach: Questionnaire distributed to international fellow researchers in skin contact PPG measurements on signal quality expectations and associated factors concerning recording length, expected artifact-free pulses (“diagnostic quality”) in a trace, proportion of trace having artifact to justify excluding/repeating measurements, minimum beats required, and number of respiratory cycles.

Main Results: 18 (of 26) PPG researchers responded. Modal range estimates considered a 2-min recording time as target for morphological analysis. Respondents expected a recording to have 86–95% of diagnostic quality pulses, at least 11–20 sequential pulses of diagnostic quality and advocated a 26–50% noise threshold for recording rejection. There were broader responses found for the required number of undistorted beats (although a modal range of 51–60 beats for both finger and toe sites was indicated).

Significance: For morphological PPG pulse wave analysis recording acceptability was indicated if <50% of beats have artifact and preferably that a minimum of 50 non-distorted PPG pulses are present (with at least 11–20 sequential) to be of diagnostic quality. Estimates from this knowledge transfer exercise should help inform students and researchers as a guide in standards development for PPG study design.
Stem Cells and Organoid Technology in Precision Medicine in Inflammation: Are We There Yet?
Authors: Tran Florian , Klein Christine , Arlt Alexander , Imm Simon , Knappe Evelyn , Simmons Alison , Rosenstiel Philip , Seibler Philip
Published: December 2020

Individualised cellular models of disease are a key tool for precision medicine to recapitulate chronic inflammatory processes. Organoid models can be derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) or from primary stem cells ex vivo. These models have been emerging over the past decade and have been used to reconstruct the respective organ-specific physiology and pathology, at an unsurpassed depth. In cancer research, patient-derived cancer organoids opened new perspectives in predicting therapy response and provided novel insights into tumour biology. In precision medicine of chronic inflammatory disorders, stem-cell based organoid models are currently being evaluated in pre-clinical pharmacodynamic studies (clinical studies in a dish) and are employed in clinical studies, e.g., by re-transplanting autologous epithelial organoids to re-establish intestinal barrier integrity. A particularly exciting feature of iPSC systems is their ability to provide insights into organ systems and inflammatory disease processes, which cannot be monitored with clinical biopsies, such as immune reactions in neurodegenerative disorders. Refinement of differentiation protocols, and next-generation co-culturing methods, aimed at generating self-organised, complex tissues in vitro, will be the next logical steps. In this mini-review, we critically discuss the current state-of-the-art stem cell and organoid technologies, as well as their future impact, potential and promises in combating immune-mediated chronic diseases.
Co-Occurrence of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis and Sjögren’s Syndrome in a Patient With Acromegaly: A Case Report and Retrospective Single-Center Review of Acromegaly Patients
Authors: Fuchs Philipp S. , Lötscher Jonas , Berkemeier Caroline M. , Hirsiger Julia R. , Ghosh Adhideb , Li Quan-Zhen , Deigendesch Nikolaus , Christ Emanuel , Navarini Alexander A. , Recher Mike , Daikeler Thomas , Heijnen Ingmar A. F. M. , Berger Christoph T.
Published: December 2020

Background

ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) are uncommon autoimmune diseases. The co-occurrence in the same patient has been rarely described. Acromegaly has been associated with autoimmune thyroiditis, but the prevalence of other autoimmune disorders such as AAV and SS has not been evaluated in acromegaly.

Methods

Characterization of a patient with acromegaly and two rare autoimmune diseases—SS and AAV (microscopic polyangiitis (MPA))—by autoantibody-array and whole exome sequencing (WES). Single-center retrospective review of medical records of acromegaly patients to explore the prevalence of diagnosed autoimmune diseases.

Results

We report a Caucasian woman in her 50’s with a serologically (anti-SSA/Ro, anti-MPO-ANCA antibodies) and histologically confirmed diagnosis of symptomatic SS and MPA. SS with MPO-ANCA positivity preceded MPA. An exploratory autoantigen array detected a broad spectrum of autoantibodies. WES revealed heterozygous carrier status of the PTPN22 mutation R620W, which is associated with an increased risk for autoimmunity. A similar combination of positive anti-SSA/Ro autoantibodies and ANCA was only present in 5/1184 (0.42%) other patients tested for both antibodies in our clinic over six years. Amongst 85 acromegaly patients seen at our clinic in a 20-year period, 12% had a clinically relevant associated immunological disease.

Conclusion

We present a rare case of SS and AAV in a patient with acromegaly and multiple autoantibody specificities. Patients with SS and ANCA should be closely monitored for the development of (subclinical) AAV. Whether acromegaly represents a risk for autoimmunity should be further investigated in prospective acromegaly cohorts.
The Long-Term Effect of Bleeding for Limulus Amebocyte Lysate on Annual Survival and Recapture of Tagged Horseshoe Crabs
Authors: Smith David R. , Newhard Joshua J. , McGowan Conor P. , Butler C. Alyssa
Published: December 2020

In the U.S., 525,000 horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) per year have been captured during 2013–2017, brought to biomedical facilities, and bled to produce Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL), then mostly released to the area of capture. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission estimates short-term bleeding-induced mortality to be 15% (4% to 30%), resulting in mortality of approximately 78,750 horseshoe crabs annually in recent years comprising a minor portion (<13%) of the up to one million annual coastwide landings dominated by harvest for bait. However, the long-term effect of bleeding for LAL on annual survival and spawning behavior is unknown; thus, results from short-term studies alone might underestimate bleeding effects at the population level. To address this knowledge gap, we analyzed data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife horseshoe crab tagging database to estimate the differences in survival and recapture rates of bled and not bled horseshoe crabs tagged in the same years and geographic area. Contrary to expectation, survival was not lower for bled crabs compared to unbled crabs. Differences varied, but survival estimates tended to be higher for bled crabs than for unbled crabs. However, biomedical culling and selection for younger or healthier animals could have resulted in biomedically tagged individuals representing a healthier subset of the overall population with subsequent higher survival. Furthermore, the tagging analysis revealed a post-bleeding reduction in capture probability, which could indicate decreased spawning activity, evident in males more than females. Continued tagging of bled and unbled crabs in the same geographic area while recording age class and sex will contribute to the further resolution of LAL production’s effect on horseshoe crab populations.
Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms and Their Response to a Relevant in vivo Iron Source
Authors: Dauros-Singorenko Priscila , Wiles Siouxsie , Swift Simon
Published: December 2020

Biofilm infections can be chronic, life threatening and challenging to eradicate. Understanding in vivo stimuli affecting the biofilm cycle is one step toward targeted prevention strategies. Iron restriction by the host is a stimulus for biofilm formation for some Staphylococcus aureus isolates; however, in some infection scenarios bacteria are exposed to abundant amounts of hemoglobin (Hb), which S. aureus is able to use as iron source. Thus, we hypothesized a role for Hb in the biofilm infection. Microplate “biofilm” assays showed biofilm-matrix production was increased in the presence of hemoglobin when compared to the provision of iron as an inorganic salt. Microscopic analysis of biofilms showed that the provision of iron as hemoglobin consistently caused thicker and more structured biofilms when compared to the effect of the inorganic iron source. Iron responsive biofilm gene expression analysis showed that Agr Quorum Sensing, a known biofilm dispersal marker, was repressed with hemoglobin but induced with an equivalent amount of inorganic iron in the laboratory strain Newman. The gene expression of two biofilm structuring agents, PSMα and PSMβ, differed in the response to the iron source provided and was not correlated to hemoglobin-structured biofilms. A comparison of the model pathogen S. aureus Newman with local clinical isolates demonstrated that while there was a similar phenotypic biofilm response to hemoglobin, there was substantial variation in the expression of key biofilm dispersal markers, suggesting an underappreciated variation in biofilm regulome among S. aureus isolates and that no general inferences can be made by studying the behavior of single strains.
The Rationale for Using Bacteriophage to Treat and Prevent Periprosthetic Joint Infections
Authors: Van Belleghem Jonas D. , Manasherob Robert , Miȩdzybrodzki Ryszard , Rogóż Paweł , Górski Andrzej , Suh Gina A. , Bollyky Paul L. , Amanatullah Derek F.
Published: December 2020

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication after a joint replacement. PJI and its treatment have a high monetary cost, morbidity, and mortality. The lack of success treating PJI with conventional antibiotics alone is related to the presence of bacterial biofilm on medical implants. Consequently, surgical removal of the implant and prolonged intravenous antibiotics to eradicate the infection are necessary prior to re-implanting a new prosthetic joint. Growing clinical data shows that bacterial predators, called bacteriophages (phages), could be an alternative treatment strategy or prophylactic approach for PJI. Phages could further be exploited to degrade biofilms, making bacteria more susceptible to antibiotics and enabling potential combinatorial therapies. Emerging research suggests that phages may also directly interact with the innate immune response. Phage therapy may play an important, and currently understudied, role in the clearance of PJI, and has the potential to treat thousands of patients who would either have to undergo revision surgery to attempt to clear an infections, take antibiotics for a prolonged period to try and suppress the re-emerging infection, or potentially risk losing a limb.
Resilience: Safety in the Aftermath of Traumatic Stressor Experiences
Authors: Matheson Kimberly , Asokumar Ajani , Anisman Hymie
Published: December 2020

The relationship between adverse experiences and the emergence of pathology has often focused on characteristics of the stressor or of the individual (stressor appraisals, coping strategies). These features are thought to influence multiple biological processes that favor the development of mental and physical illnesses. Less often has attention focused on the aftermath of traumatic experiences, and the importance of safety and reassurance that is necessary for longer-term well-being. In some cases (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) this may be reflected by a failure of fear extinction, whereas in other instances (e.g., historical trauma), the uncertainty about the future might foster continued anxiety. In essence, the question becomes one of how individuals attain feelings of safety when it is fully understood that the world is not necessarily a safe place, uncertainties abound, and feelings of agency are often illusory. We consider how individuals acquire resilience in the aftermath of traumatic and chronic stressors. In this respect, we review characteristics of stressors that may trigger particular biological and behavioral coping responses, as well as factors that undermine their efficacy. To this end, we explore stressor dynamics and social processes that foster resilience in response to specific traumatic, chronic, and uncontrollable stressor contexts (intimate partner abuse; refugee migration; collective historical trauma). We point to resilience factors that may comprise neurobiological changes, such as those related to various stressor-provoked hormones, neurotrophins, inflammatory immune, microbial, and epigenetic processes. These behavioral and biological stress responses may influence, and be influenced by, feelings of safety that come about through relationships with others, spiritual and place-based connections.
Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 (CB1R) Expression in Limbic Brain Structures After Acute and Chronic Seizures in a Genetic Model of Epilepsy
Authors: Lazarini-Lopes Willian , da Silva-Júnior Rui M. P. , Servilha-Menezes Gabriel , Do Val-da Silva Raquel A. , Garcia-Cairasco Norberto
Published: December 2020

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is related to several physiological processes, associated to the modulation of brain excitability, with impact in the expression of susceptibility and control of epileptic seizures. The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) is widely expressed in the brain, especially in forebrain limbic structures. Changes in CB1R expression are associated with epileptic seizures in animal models and humans. The Wistar Audiogenic Rat (WAR) strain is a genetic model of epilepsy capable of mimicking tonic-clonic and limbic seizures in response to intense sound stimulation. The WAR strain presents several behavioral and physiological alterations associated with seizure susceptibility, but the ECS has never been explored in this strain. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to characterize CB1R expression in forebrain limbic structures important to limbic seizure expression in WARs. We used a detailed anatomical analysis to assess the effects of acute and chronic audiogenic seizures on CB1R expression in several layers and regions of hippocampus and amygdala. WARs showed increased CB1R immunostaining in the inner molecular layer of the hippocampus, when compared to control Wistar rats. Acute and chronic audiogenic seizures increased CB1R immunostaining in several regions of the dorsal hippocampus and amygdala of WARs. Also, changes in CB1R expression in the amygdala, but not in the hippocampus, were associated with limbic recruitment and limbic seizure severity in WARs. Our results suggest that endogenous alterations in CB1R immunostaining in WARs could be associated with genetic susceptibility to audiogenic seizures. We also demonstrated CB1R neuroplastic changes associated with acute and chronic seizures in the amygdala and hippocampus. Moreover, the present study brings important information regarding CB1R and seizure susceptibility in a genetic model of seizures and supports the relationship between ECS and epilepsy.
Recognition of Cognitive Impairment in Adult Moyamoya Disease: A Classifier Based on High-Order Resting-State Functional Connectivity Network
Authors: Lei Yu , Chen Xi , Su Jia-Bin , Zhang Xin , Yang Heng , Gao Xin-Jie , Ni Wei , Chen Liang , Yu Jin-Hua , Gu Yu-Xiang , Mao Ying
Published: December 2020

Objective: Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is a common complication in adult patients with moyamoya disease (MMD), and is reversible by surgical revascularization in its early stage of mild VCI. However, accurate diagnosis of mild VCI is difficult based on neuropsychological examination alone. This study proposed a method of dynamic resting-state functional connectivity (FC) network to recognize global cognitive impairment in MMD.

Methods: For MMD, 36 patients with VCI and 43 patients with intact cognition (Non-VCI) were included, as well as 26 normal controls (NCs). Using resting-state fMRI, dynamic low-order FC networks were first constructed with multiple brain regions which were generated through a sliding window approach and correlated in temporal dimension. In order to obtain more information of network interactions along the time, high-order FC networks were established by calculating correlations among each pair of brain regions. Afterwards, a sparse representation-based classifier was constructed to recognize MMD (experiment 1) and its cognitive impairment (experiment 2) with features extracted from both low- and high-order FC networks. Finally, the ten-fold cross-validation strategy was proposed to train and validate the performance of the classifier.

Results: The three groups did not differ significantly in demographic features (p > 0.05), while the VCI group exhibited the lowest MMSE scores (p = 0.001). The Non-VCI and NCs groups did not differ significantly in MMSE scores (p = 0.054). As for the classification between MMD and NCs, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the classifier reached 90.70, 88.57, 93.67, and 73.08%, respectively. While for the classification between VCI and Non-VCI, the AUC, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the classifier reached 91.02, 84.81, 80.56, and 88.37%, respectively.

Conclusion: This study not only develops a promising classifier to recognize VCI in adult MMD in its early stage, but also implies the significance of time-varying properties in dynamic FC networks.
A Connectome-Based, Corticothalamic Model of State- and Stimulation-Dependent Modulation of Rhythmic Neural Activity and Connectivity
Authors: Griffiths John D. , McIntosh Anthony Randal , Lefebvre Jeremie
Published: December 2020

Rhythmic activity in the brain fluctuates with behaviour and cognitive state, through a combination of coexisting and interacting frequencies. At large spatial scales such as those studied in human M/EEG, measured oscillatory dynamics are believed to arise primarily from a combination of cortical (intracolumnar) and corticothalamic rhythmogenic mechanisms. Whilst considerable progress has been made in characterizing these two types of neural circuit separately, relatively little work has been done that attempts to unify them into a single consistent picture. This is the aim of the present paper. We present and examine a whole-brain, connectome-based neural mass model with detailed long-range cortico-cortical connectivity and strong, recurrent corticothalamic circuitry. This system reproduces a variety of known features of human M/EEG recordings, including spectral peaks at canonical frequencies, and functional connectivity structure that is shaped by the underlying anatomical connectivity. Importantly, our model is able to capture state- (e.g., idling/active) dependent fluctuations in oscillatory activity and the coexistence of multiple oscillatory phenomena, as well as frequency-specific modulation of functional connectivity. We find that increasing the level of sensory drive to the thalamus triggers a suppression of the dominant low frequency rhythms generated by corticothalamic loops, and subsequent disinhibition of higher frequency endogenous rhythmic behaviour of intracolumnar microcircuits. These combine to yield simultaneous decreases in lower frequency and increases in higher frequency components of the M/EEG power spectrum during states of high sensory or cognitive drive. Building on this, we also explored the effect of pulsatile brain stimulation on ongoing oscillatory activity, and evaluated the impact of coexistent frequencies and state-dependent fluctuations on the response of cortical networks. Our results provide new insight into the role played by cortical and corticothalamic circuits in shaping intrinsic brain rhythms, and suggest new directions for brain stimulation therapies aimed at state-and frequency-specific control of oscillatory brain activity.
Decreased Functional Connectivity Between the Right Precuneus and Middle Frontal Gyrus Is Related to Attentional Decline Following Acute Sleep Deprivation
Authors: Li Bozhi , Zhang Liwei , Zhang Ying , Chen Yang , Peng Jiaxi , Shao Yongcong , Zhang Xi
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Acute sleep deprivation (SD) seriously affects cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and response inhibition. Previous neuroimaging studies have demonstrated a close relationship between the functional activities of the precuneus (PC) and the function of alert attention. However, the specific effect of the PC on attention decline after acute SD has not been elucidated. In this study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study the relationship between the changes of the PC functional connectivity and alertness decline after total SD.

Methods

Thirty healthy, right-handed adult men participated in the experiment. Alert attention and functional connectivity were assessed by the Psychomotor Vigilance Test and a resting-state fMRI scan before and after total SD. The region of interest to region of interest (“ROI-to-ROI”) correlation was employed to analyze the relationship between the PC and other brain regions after acute SD.

Results

Participants showed decreased alert attention after total SD. In addition, SD induced decreased functional connectivity between the right PC and the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the decreased PC functional connectivity and alertness decline after total SD.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the interruption of the connection between the right PC and the right MFG is related to the observed decline in alert attention after acute SD. These results provide evidence further elucidating the cognitive impairment model of SD.
Diabetic Nephropathy: Novel Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Zoja Carlamaria , Xinaris Christodoulos , Macconi Daniela
Published: December 2020

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus and the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease. The standard treatments for diabetic patients are glucose and blood pressure control, lipid lowering, and renin-angiotensin system blockade; however, these therapeutic approaches can provide only partial renoprotection if started late in the course of the disease. One major limitation in developing efficient therapies for DN is the complex pathobiology of the diabetic kidney, which undergoes a set of profound structural, metabolic and functional changes. Despite these difficulties, experimental models of diabetes have revealed promising therapeutic targets by identifying pathways that modulate key functions of podocytes and glomerular endothelial cells. In this review we will describe recent advances in the field, analyze key molecular pathways that contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease, and discuss how they could be modulated to prevent or reverse DN.
D-Dimer as a Prognostic Indicator in Critically Ill Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 in Leishenshan Hospital, Wuhan, China
Authors: Li Jinpeng , Liu Zeming , Wu Gaosong , Yi Meilin , Chen Yongfeng , Li Kun , Xu Xiaoming , Xiao Linqi , Wu Qian , Chen Jincao , Wu Xiaohui
Published: December 2020

Background: D-dimer is a small protein fragment and high levels of D-dimer have been associated with increased mortality in patients presenting to emergency departments with infection. Previous studies have reported increased levels of D-dimer in COVID-19; however, it is unclear whether an increased D-dimer level provides early warning of poor prognosis. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the usefulness of D-dimer as an early indicator of prognosis in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with COVID-19 admitted to Leishenshan Hospital in Wuhan, China, from February 15 to March 30, 2020. The final date of follow-up was April 11, 2020.

Results: Of the 1,643 patients with COVID-19, 691 had elevated D-dimer levels. Their median age was 65 years. Of the patients with elevated D-dimer levels, 45% had comorbidities, with cardiovascular disease (205 [29.7%]) being the most common. Patients with elevated D-dimer were more likely to require treatment with high-flow oxygen, anticoagulation, antibiotics, and admission to the intensive care unit They were also more likely to have increased interleukin-6, monocytes, and lymphocytes. Patients with elevated D-dimer levels had significantly higher mortality than those with normal or low D-dimer levels.

Conclusion: In patients with COVID-19, elevated D-dimer was associated with abnormal immunity, underlying disease, increased disease severity, and increased mortality. Taken together, D-dimer may be a marker for the early warning of disease severity and increased risk of death. These findings provide insights into the potential risk of elevated D-dimer in patients with COVID-19.
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Spinal Cord Vascularization
Authors: Vieira Jose Ricardo , Shah Bhavin , Ruiz de Almodovar Carmen
Published: December 2020

During embryonic central nervous system (CNS) development, the neural and the vascular systems communicate with each other in order to give rise to a fully functional and mature CNS. The initial avascular CNS becomes vascularized by blood vessel sprouting from different vascular plexus in a highly stereotypical and controlled manner. This process is similar across different regions of the CNS. In particular for the developing spinal cord (SC), blood vessel ingression occurs from a perineural vascular plexus during embryonic development. In this review, we provide an updated and comprehensive description of the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind this stereotypical and controlled patterning of blood vessels in the developing embryonic SC, identified using different animal models. We discuss how signals derived from neural progenitors and differentiated neurons guide the SC growing vasculature. Lastly, we provide a perspective of how the molecular mechanisms identified during development could be used to better understand pathological situations.
Lowering Nitrogen and Increasing Potassium Application Level Can Improve the Yield and Quality of Panax notoginseng
Authors: Ou Xiaohong , Cui Xiuming , Zhu Duanwei , Guo Lanping , Liu Dahui , Yang Ye
Published: December 2020

Excessive nitrogen (N) application and potassium (K) supplement deficiency is a common problem in Panax notoginseng cultivation. However, synergistic effects of lowering N and increasing K application on yield and quality of P. notoginseng have not been reported. Field experiments in two locations with different N and K combined application were conducted to study the effects on yield and quality. Then, the saponin accumulation mechanisms were explored by pot and hydroponic culture with 2- or 3-year-old seedlings. The investigation showed that 70% of P. notoginseng cultivation fields reached abundant levels of total nitrogen (TN) but had deficient levels of total potassium (TK), which may be detrimental to balance the N/K uptake of P. notoginseng. Moreover, the average biomass was 18.9 g, and P. notoginseng saponin (PNS) content was 6.95%; both were influenced by the N/K values of P. notoginseng. The field experiments indicated that compared to the conventional N and K application (N:K = 2:1), lowering N and increasing K application (N:K = 1:2) decreased root rot rate by 36.4–46.1% and increased survival rate, root biomass, and yield, as well as PNS content by 17.9–18.3, 5.7–32.9, 27.8–57.1, and 5–10%, respectively. The mechanism of lowering N and increasing K application on the PNS content improving was due to the decreasing of N/K value, which promoted photosynthesis, sugar accumulation, and the expression of saponin biosynthesis genes. Therefore, lowering N and increasing K application to the ratio of 1:2 would have great potential to improve the synergistic effect on yield and quality of P. notoginseng cultivation.
The Presentation of Eating Disorders in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Jawed Aisha , Harrison Amy , Dimitriou Dagmara
Published: December 2020

Objective: There is lack of information on the presentation of eating disorders (EDs) in Saudi Arabia using gold standard clinical tools. The present study aimed to provide data on the presentation of EDs in Saudi Arabia using clinically validated measures.

Method: Hundred and thirty-three individuals (33 male) with a mean age of 22 years (2.63) completed three measures: the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), a semi-structured interview, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), a self-report measure, and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to measure comorbid symptoms.

Results: Individuals in Saudi Arabia reported higher levels of restraint, eating concern and shape concern and a higher global score, but lower levels of weight concern on the EDE-Q compared to the EDE. Female participants reported a higher global score, alongside significantly higher scores on the restraint, shape concern and weight concern subscales than males. The most common ED subtype was other specific feeding or ED. Compared with Western community samples, symptom severity in this purposive sample obtained from community settings was significantly higher in this sample.

Discussion: Individuals with eating, weight and shape concerns in Saudi Arabia may feel more comfortable expressing their symptoms on a self-report tool compared with a face to face interview. However, it is possible that a self-report measure may over-estimate the severity of symptoms. The data suggest that clinicians in Saudi Arabia should regularly screen for EDs in all genders. It is also important to note that ED symptoms are a cause for concern in young people in Saudi Arabia.
The Paradox of the Moderate Muslim Discourse: Subtyping Promotes Support for Anti-muslim Policies
Authors: Hakim Nader H. , Zhao Xian , Bharj Natasha
Published: December 2020

Tolerant discourse in the United States has responded to heightened stereotyping of Muslims as violent by countering that “not all Muslims are terrorists.” This subtyping of Muslims—as some radical terrorists among mostly peaceful “moderates”—is meant to protect a positive image of the group but leaves the original negative stereotype unchanged. We predicted that such discourse may paradoxically increase people’s support of anti-Muslim policies because the subtyping and its associated negative stereotypes justify hostile actions toward Muslims. In Study 1, subtyping predicted support for three anti-Muslim policies, but only among political moderates and conservatives. In Study 2, participants who were exposed to subtyping narratives expressed greater support for surveillance of Muslims in the United States. The effect of subtyping narrative exposure was stronger on support for hawkish anti-terror policy when participants’ preexisting endorsement of subtyping was low. Irrespective of the well-meaning intentions of peaceful vs. radical subtyping, its expression can justify ongoing “War on Terror” policies. As the population of Muslims increases in North America, the intuition that most Muslims do not meet the negative stereotype may ironically reduce inclusion.