bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of pecuniary costs and time costs on choice of healthcare providers among caregivers of febrile children in rural Papua New Guinea
Authors: Tsukahara Takahiro , Sugahara Takuma , Ogura Seiritsu , Hombhanje Francis Wanak
Published: December 2019

Background

User fees, transportation costs, and time costs impair access to healthcare by rural communities in low and middle income countries. However, effects of time costs on demand for healthcare are less understood than effects of user fees for health providers. In addition, prospective patients might not know about all health services available. This study aims to investigate how the family caregivers of febrile children respond to the pecuniary costs and time costs in their choice of health providers in rural Papua New Guinea.

Methods

Using an original questionnaire, we surveyed households in the catchment area surrounding Dagua Health Center in East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, during February–March 2015. We estimated the probability of choosing one among four categories of providers (i.e., the health center, aid posts, village health volunteers [VHVs], or home-treatment) via a mixed logit model in which we restrict alternatives to those for which family caregivers knew cost information.

Results

Of 1173 family caregivers, 96% sought treatment for febrile children from four categories of providers. Almost all knew the location of the health center and a health volunteer, but only 50% knew the location of aid posts. Analysis by discrete choice model showed that pecuniary costs and time costs were inversely associated with the probability of choosing any type of provider. We then changed pecuniary costs and time costs counterfactually to calculate and compare the probability of choosing each provider. Time costs affected the choice more than pecuniary costs, and individual heterogeneity appeared among caregivers with respect to pecuniary costs. When pecuniary or time costs of VHVs are altered, substitution between VHVs and home-treatment appeared.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that policies to increase awareness of aid posts and reduce time costs in addition to treatment fees for each category of healthcare provider could help developing economies to improve access to essential healthcare services.
Low-pressure support vs automatic tube compensation during spontaneous breathing trial for weaning
Authors: Guérin Claude , Terzi Nicolas , Mezidi Mehdi , Baboi Loredana , Chebib Nader , Yonis Hodane , Argaud Laurent , Heunks Leo , Louis Bruno
Published: December 2019

Background

During spontaneous breathing trial, low-pressure support is thought to compensate for endotracheal tube resistance, but it actually should provide overassistance. Automatic tube compensation is an option available in the ventilator to compensate for flow-resistance of endotracheal tube. Its effects on patient effort have been poorly investigated. We aimed to compare the effects of low-pressure support and automatic tube compensation during spontaneous breathing trial on breathing power and lung ventilation distribution.

Results

We performed a randomized crossover study in 20 patients ready to wean. Each patient received both methods for 30 min separated by baseline ventilation: pressure support 0 cmH2O and automatic tube compensation 100% in one period and pressure support 7 cmH2O without automatic tube compensation in the other period, a 4 cmH2O positive end-expiratory pressure being applied in each. Same ventilator brand (Evita XL, Draeger, Germany) was used. Breathing power was assessed from Campbell diagram with esophageal pressure, airway pressure, flow and volume recorded by a data logger. Lung ventilation distribution was assessed by using electrical impedance tomography (Pulmovista, Draeger, Germany). During the last 2 min of low-pressure support and automatic compensation period breathing power and lung ventilation distribution were measured on each breath. Breathing power generated by the patient’s respiratory muscles was 7.2 (4.4–9.6) and 9.7 (5.7–21.9) J/min in low-pressure support and automatic tube compensation periods, respectively (P = 0.011). Lung ventilation distribution was not different between the two methods.

Conclusions

We found that ATC was associated with higher breathing power than low PS during SBT without altering the distribution of lung ventilation.
Multiplicity of solutions for mean curvature operators with minimum and maximum in Minkowski space
Authors: Zhang Yanhong , Wang Suyun
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we study the existence and multiplicity of solutions of the quasilinear problems with minimum and maximum$$\begin{aligned}& \bigl(\phi \bigl(u'(t)\bigr)\bigr)'=(Fu) (t),\quad \mbox{a.e. }t\in (0,T), \\& \min \bigl\{ u(t) \mid t\in [0,T]\bigr\} =A, \qquad \max \bigl\{ u(t) \mid t\in [0,T]\bigr\} =B, \end{aligned}$$(ϕ(u′(t)))′=(Fu)(t),a.e. t∈(0,T),min{u(t)∣t∈[0,T]}=A,max{u(t)∣t∈[0,T]}=B,where$\phi :(-a,a)\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ϕ:(−a,a)→R($0< a<\infty $0<a<∞) is an odd increasing homeomorphism,$F:C^{1}[0,T]\rightarrow L^{1}[0,T]$F:C1[0,T]→L1[0,T]is an unbounded operator,$T>1$T>1is a constant and$A, B\in \mathbb{R}$A,B∈Rsatisfy$B>A$B>A. By using the Leray–Schauder degree theory and the Brosuk theorem, we prove that the above problem has at least two different solutions.
Dynamic complexity and bifurcation analysis of a host–parasitoid model with Allee effect and Holling type III functional response
Authors: Liu Hua , Zhang Kai , Ye Yong , Wei Yumei , Ma Ming
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we focus on dynamics in a basic discrete-time system of host–parasitoid interaction. We perform local stability analysis of this system. Furthermore, both flip and Neimark–Sacker bifurcations are also analyzed in the interior of $R_{ +}^{2}$R+2 by using center manifold theorem and bifurcation theory. Finally, numerical simulations are deployed to validate our results with theoretical analysis and to exhibit the dynamical behaviors.
A significant proportion of venous thromboembolism events in general surgical patients occurs after discharge: analysis of the ACS-NSQIP Essentials database
Authors: Salous Abdelghaffar K. , Reyad Ashraf , Sweeney Karen , Mavanur Arun
Published: December 2019

Background

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in general surgical patients.

Methods

The ACS-NSQIP database was queried and VTE data were collected and analyzed to assess the incidence of VTE at a 500-bed, non-profit, teaching, inner city, community hospital and similar peer institutions from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2011.

Results

Post-discharge VTE events accounted for 40% of all VTE events within 30 days of discharge. Data show a significant proportion of post-discharge VTE events that may be preventable with extending VTE prophylaxis in the post-discharge period.

Conclusion

This is the first paper to report on this high post-discharge incidence of VTE in general surgical patients and to recommend continuation of VTE prophylaxis in the post-discharge period.
Frequency and distribution of neglected tropical diseases in Mozambique: a systematic review
Authors: Grau-Pujol Berta , Massangaie Marilia , Cano Jorge , Maroto Carmen , Ndeve Alcino , Saute Francisco , Muñoz Jose
Published: December 2019

Background

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect more than one billion people living in vulnerable conditions. In spite of initiatives recently contributing to fill NTDs gaps on national and local prevalence and distribution, more epidemiological data are still needed for effective control and elimination interventions.

Main text

Mozambique is considered one of the countries with highest NTDs burden although available data is scarce. This study aims to conduct a systematic review on published available data about the burden and distribution of the different NTDs across Mozambique since January 1950 until December 2018. We identified manuscripts from electronic databases (Pubmed, EmBase and Global Health) and paper publications and grey literature from Mozambique Ministry of Health. Manuscripts fulfilling inclusion criteria were: cross-sectional studies, ecological studies, cohorts, reports, systematic reviews, and narrative reviews capturing epidemiological information of endemic NTDs in Mozambique. Case-control studies, letters to editor, case reports and case series of imported cases were excluded. A total of 466 manuscripts were initially identified and 98 were finally included after the revision following PRISMA guidelines. Eleven NTDs were reported in Mozambique during the study span. Northern provinces (Nampula, Cabo Delgado, Niassa, Tete and Zambezia) and Maputo province had the higher number of NTDs detected. Every disease had their own report profile: while schistosomiasis have been continuously reported since 1952 until nowadays, onchocerciasis and cysticercosis last available data is from 2007 and Echinococcosis have never been evaluated in the country. Thus, both space and time gaps on NTDs epidemiology have been identified.

Conclusions

This review assembles NTDs burden and distribution in Mozambique. Thus, contributes to the understanding of NTDs epidemiology in Mozambique and highlights knowledge gaps. Hence, the study provides key elements to progress towards the control and interruption of transmission of these diseases in the country.
Attachment to mothers and fathers during middle childhood: an evidence from Polish sample
Authors: Kamza Anna
Published: December 2019

Background

Middle childhood is a significant period of change both for a child’s cognition and social functioning. Considering that the primary developmental theme of attachment in middle childhood is the balance between child’s growing autonomy and the constant need of relatedness, cultural differences in developmental trends in the attachment might be considered as a function of individualism and collectivism orientations. However, little is known about whether the findings on predictors of individual differences in the attachment in middle childhood found in Western cultures, hold within the non-Western ones. Moreover, still little is known about differences between attachment to mothers and fathers in middle childhood. Hence, one goal of the present study was to investigate the role of a child’s age, sex, and emotionality in a middle-childhood attachment to mothers and fathers in the Polish sample. The second aim was to compare obtained results to the attachment research that focused on Western cultures.

Methods

The sample consisted of 132 children aged 8–12 years (51% boys). They completed the Kern’s Security Scale and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire. Mothers completed a child’s EAS-C and short sociodemographic questionnaire. Pearson’s correlations were conducted to test relationships between a child’s age, sex, emotionality, SES, and attachment-related variables. A paired-samples t-test was used to compare the intensity of preoccupied and avoidant coping strategies with parents in the whole sample. The effects of a child’s age, sex, temperament, and attachment figure were tested with separate repeated-measures ANOVA.

Results

Some of the results replicated prior studies conducted in Western cultures. Similarly to the individualistic cultures, older Polish children reported less preoccupied and more avoidant coping strategies with their parents than younger children. Second, older girls reported higher felt-security with their fathers than with mothers, which suggests some significant changes in attachment relationships regarding the child’s sex. However, as opposed to Western cultures, there were no links between the child’s sex and preoccupied and avoidant coping. Polish children also reported higher rates of preoccupied coping than the avoidant one. Finally, children with relatively lower emotionality reported higher attachment security with both parents than children with relatively higher emotionality.

Conclusions

The current study extends previous work on attachment in middle childhood, the area of rather sparse research, as compared to other developmental periods. The findings reveal the existence of both some specificity in the middle-child attachment in the Polish sample, as well as some culture-universal developmental trends. However, as many questions remain unanswered, they also highlight the strong need for future cross-cultural and comparative studies.
NO2 sensing properties of WO3-decorated In2O3 nanorods and In2O3-decorated WO3 nanorods
Authors: Nam Bumhee , Ko Tae-Kyoung , Hyun Soong-Keun , Lee Chongmu
Published: December 2019

In2O3nanoparticle (NP)-decorated WO3nanorods (NRs) were prepared using sol–gel and hydrothermal methods. The In2O3NRs and WO3NPs were crystalline. WO3NP-decorated In2O3NRs were also prepared using thermal evaporation and hydrothermal methods. The NO2sensing performance of the In2O3NP-decorated WO3NR sensor toward NO2was compared to that of the WO3NP-decorated In2O3NR sensor. The former showed a high response to NO2due to a significant reduction of the conduction channel width upon exposure to NO2. In contrast, the latter showed a far less pronounced response due to limited reduction of the conduction channel width upon exposure to NO2. When the sensors were exposed to a reducing gas instead of an oxidizing gas (NO2), the situation was reversed, i.e., the WO3NP-decorated In2O3NR exhibited a stronger response to the reducing gas than the In2O3NP-decorated WO3NR sensor. Thus, a semiconducting metal oxide (SMO) with a smaller work function must be used as the decorating material in decorated heterostructured SMO sensors for detection of oxidizing gases. The In2O3NP-decorated WO3NR sensor showed higher selectivity for NO2compared to other gases, including reducing gases and other oxidizing gases, as well as showed high sensitivity to NO2.
The chemical case for Mercury mantle stripping
Authors: Helffrich George , Brasser Ramon , Shahar Anat
Published: December 2019

Mercury, the Solar System’s innermost planet, has an unusually massive core prompting speculation that the planet lost silicate after it formed. Using the unusually high sulfur and low iron composition of its surface and space geodetic constraints on its core composition, we show Mercury’s chemistry to be compatible with formation in a larger planet at minimum 1.4–2.5 times Mercury’s present mass and possibly 2–4 times its mass by similarity with other rocky Solar System bodies. To do this, we apply an experimentally determined metal-silicate partitioning model for sulfur to Mercury’s silicate. The model is validated by applying it to Vesta, which, when evaluated at the conditions of Vestan self-differentiation, yields sulfur contents in its silicate in the range of HED meteorites. Mercury could have lost a substantial fraction of its rocky material through impacts or by being itself a remnant impactor. Independent of any stripping, because a significant amount of silicon resides in Mercury’s core, silicate meteoritic debris from Mercury would likely be characterized by30Si isotopic enrichment >+ 0.10‰ relative to parent sources that could aid identification of a new meteorite class.
The performance of using an autoencoder for prediction and susceptibility assessment of landslides: A case study on landslides triggered by the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake in Japan
Authors: Nam Kounghoon , Wang Fawu
Published: December 2019

Background

Thousands of landslides were triggered by the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake on 6 September 2018 in Iburi regions of Hokkaido, Northern Japan. Most of the landslides (5627 points) occurred intensively between the epicenter and the station that recorded the highest peak ground acceleration. Hundreds of aftershocks followed the major shocks. Moreover, in Iburi region, there is a high possibility of earthquakes occurring in the future. Effective prediction and susceptibility assessment methods are required for sustainable management and disaster mitigation in the study area. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of an autoencoder framework based on deep neural network for prediction and susceptibility assessment of regional landslides triggered by earthquakes.

Results

By applying 12 sampling sizes and 12 landslide-influencing factors, 12 landslide susceptibility maps were produced using an autoencoder framework. The results of the model were evaluated using qualitative and quantitative assessment methods. The ratios of the sampling sizes on the non-landslide points randomly generated from the combination zone including plain and mountain (PM) and a mountainous only zone (M) affected different prediction abilities of the model’s performance.

Conclusions

The 12 susceptibility maps, including the landslide susceptibility index, indicated the various spatial distributions of the landslide susceptibility values in both PM and the M. The highly accurate models explicitly distinguished the potential areas of landslide from stable areas without expanding the spatial extent of the potential landslide areas. The autoencoder is proved to be an effective and efficient method for extracting spatial patterns through unsupervised learning for the prediction and susceptibility assessment of landslide areas.
A new vector system for targeted integration and overexpression of genes in the crop pathogen Fusarium solani
Authors: Nielsen Mikkel Rank , Holzwarth Anna Karolina Rilana , Brew Emmett , Chrapkova Natalia , Kaniki Samba Evelyne Kabemba , Kastaniegaard Kenneth , Sørensen Trine , Westphal Klaus Ringsborg , Wimmer Reinhard , Sondergaard Teis Esben , Sørensen Jens Laurids
Published: December 2019

Background

Besides their ability to produce several interesting bioactive secondary metabolites, members of theFusarium solanispecies complex comprise important pathogens of plants and humans. One of the major obstacles in understanding the biology of this species complex is the lack of efficient molecular tools for genetic manipulation.

Results

To remove this obstacle we here report the development of a reliable system where the vectors are generated through yeast recombinational cloning and inserted into a specific site inF. solanithroughAgrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. As proof-of-concept, the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP) was inserted in a non-coding genomic position ofF. solaniand subsequent analyses showed that the resulting transformants were fluorescent on all tested media. In addition, we cloned and overexpressed the Zn(II)2Cys6transcriptional factorfsr6controlling mycelial pigmentation. A transformant displayed deep red/purple pigmentation stemming from bostrycoidin and javanicin.

Conclusion

By creating streamlined plasmid construction and fungal transformation systems, we are now able to express genes in the crop pathogenF. solaniin a reliable and fast manner. As a case study, we targeted and activated the fusarubin (PKS3:fsr) gene cluster, which is the first case study of secondary metabolites being directly associated with the responsible gene cluster inF. solanivia targeted activation. The system provides an approach that in the future can be used by the community to understand the biochemistry and genetics of theFusarium solanispecies complex, and is obtainable from Addgene catalog #133094.

Graphic abstract
Mathematical modeling of the electron-beam wire deposition additive manufacturing by the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method
Authors: Trushnikov Dmitriy Nikolayevich , Koleva Elena Georgieva , Davlyatshin Roman Pozolovich , Gerasimov Roman Mikhailovich , Bayandin Yuriy Vitalievich
Published: December 2019

Background

The actual problem for calculating a shape of free surface of the melt when analyzing the processes of wire-based electron-beam surfacing on the substrate, being introduced into additive manufacturing, is the development of adequate mathematical models of heat and mass transfer. The paper proposed a formulation of the problem of melt motion in the framework of the Lagrangian description. The mathematical statement includes the balance equations for mass, momentum and energy, and physical equations for describing heat and mass transfer.

Methods

The smoothed particle hydrodynamics method was used for numerical simulation of the process of wire-based electron-beam surfacing on the substrate made from same materials (titanium or steel). A finite-difference analog of the equations is given and the algorithm for solving the problem is implemented. To integrate the discretized equations Verlet method was utilized. Algorithms are implemented in the open software package LAMMPS.

Results

The numerical simulation results allow the estimation of non-stationary volume temperature distributions, melt flow velocities and pressures, and characteristics of process.

Conclusion

The possibility of applying the developed mathematical model to describe additive production is shown. The comparison of numerical calculations with experimental studies showed good agreement.
A pilot summer day camp cooking curriculum to influence family meals
Authors: Williams Lindy , Magee Aleshia , Kilby Cameron , Maxey Katherine , Skelton Joseph A.
Published: December 2019

Background

Efforts to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity have approached the issue from many different angles, with a family approach being the gold standard. While most efforts focus on the parents, few have viewed the child as the agent of change. In this study, we explored the feasibility of implementing a cooking curriculum into a summer day camp to determine its reception and explore the potential of home reach.

Methods

In partnership with a local YMCA, a child-focused cooking curriculum was developed, designed to be delivered to various age groups with key nutritional messages. Interviews were conducted with participating children and their parents to determine acceptability and potential to influence the home environment as well as explore children’s understanding of nutrition and cooking topics.

Results

Children in the study ranged from 7 to 15 years of age. Children overwhelmingly enjoyed the cooking camp and talked about it with their parents at home. Almost all parents had plans to try the recipes at home, and many had already made one or more of the recipes.

Conclusions

It is feasible to incorporate cooking lessons into a children’s summer day camp, with some evidence of reach into the home. Future studies should evaluate children as agents of change in cooking and meal preparation, and assess if this could increase the number and quality of family meals.
Traumatic submacular hemorrhage: available treatment options and synthesis of the literature
Authors: Casini Giamberto , Loiudice Pasquale , Menchini Martina , Sartini Francesco , De Cillà Stefano , Figus Michele , Nardi Marco
Published: December 2019

Sub-macular hemorrhage (SMH) is a hematic collection between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium; one of its causes is ocular blunt trauma, that usually affects young patients. Persisting SMH leads to a damage of photoreceptors mediated by three main mechanisms: iron-related toxicity, impairment of diffusion of oxygen and nutriment, mechanical damage due to clot contraction. Since early photoreceptors’ damage has been reported within 24 h, it is suggested to provide an early treatment, although there are no guidelines or consensus between authors regarding treatment strategies. The aim of this review was to present and compare available treatment options, like intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) associated with pneumatic displacement, pneumatic displacement alone, subretinal tPA injection with pneumatic displacement, and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection. All procedures obtained consistent results, though the most effective seemed to be pars plana vitrectomy, subretinal tPA and gas tamponade, probably due to a quicker liquefaction and displacement of the clot. Limitations concern the greater invasiveness and the higher incidence of complications. Alternatively, intravitreal injection of tPA and gas may represent a less invasive option with fewer complications. Intravitreal injection of gas and prone position could be preferred in young patients without coexisting ocular pathology, being a minimally invasive treatment, with lower risk of complications and a good visual recovery. Anti-VEGF agent have found, to date, limited employment in cases of traumatic SMH even though they may be useful as alternative or adjuvant therapy. Most of the published literature consists of small studies and case reports, therefore further investigations and larger clinical trials are required to fully understand safety and efficacy of the procedures. A preoperative comprehensive evaluation may be helpful to realize a surgical plan tailored on patient.
Dietary diversity cutoff values predicting anemia varied between mid and term of pregnancy: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Zerfu Taddese Alemu , Baye Kaleab , Faber Mieke
Published: December 2019

Background

Correcting anemia during pregnancy often requires integrating food and non-food-based approaches. Nonetheless, little is known about specific dietary diversity (DD) cutoff values predicting risk of anemia during the different trimesters of pregnancy.

Objective

We aimed to determine the lowest possible DD cutoff values associated with risk of maternal anemia at mid and term of pregnancy in a rural resource limited setting of Ethiopia.

Design

A multi-center prospective cohort study was conducted enrolling 432 eligible pregnant women from eight rural health centers selected from four districts in Arsi zone, Central Ethiopia. Women were classified into exposed (n= 216) and unexposed (n= 216) groups, based on Women’s Individual Dietary Diversity (WIDD) score, and were followed from mid to term of pregnancy. The cutoff values for WIDD corresponding to the lowest risk of anemia were defined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Logistic regressions were also fitted to identify food groups associated with low anemia risk during pregnancy.

Results

The overall prevalence of anemia increased from 28.6 to 32.4% between mid and term of pregnancy. Calculatedly, using the ROC curve analysis, the minimum WIDD score associated with lower risk of anemia was three and four respectively at these periods. Not consuming animal source foods [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.35–4.14], pre-existing anemia (AOR 28.56; 95% CI, 14.33, 56.79), and low DD during pregnancy (AOR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.09–4.52) were associated with risk of anemia at term.

Conclusion

The cutoff for WIDD score predicting risk of anemia varied significantly, increasing from three to four, between mid and term of pregnancy. Additional population-based observational and experimental studies validating the metrics are needed before policy level recommendations.

Trial registration

This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov asNCT02620943.
Pathogenic microbes contaminating mobile phones in hospital environment in Northeast India: incidence and antibiotic resistance
Authors: Sailo Christine Vanlalbiakdiki , Pandey Puja , Mukherjee Subhajit , Zami Zothan , Lalremruata Ralte , Nemi Lalnun , Kumar Nachimuthu Senthil
Published: December 2019

Background

The present study attempts to identify and determine the pattern of drug susceptibility of the microorganisms present in mobile phones of health care workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs in a hospital environment. Mobile phones of 100 participants including both genders were randomly swabbed from nine different wards/units and the bacterial cultures were characterized using VITEK 2 system.

Results

Forty-seven mobile phones were culture positive and a total of 57 isolates were obtained which consisted of 28 Gram-positive organisms and 29 Gram-negative organisms. The predominating organisms were Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus hominis. Among all the isolates from the mobile phones of HCW and non-HCWs, five isolates had ESBL and three isolates had colistin resistance. Incidentally, MRSA was not found on the mobile phones tested. The isolated organisms showed 100% susceptibility to linezolid, daptomycin, vancomycin, imipenem, meropenem, gentamicin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin and tigecycline, while high resistance was shown against benzylpenicillin (75.0%), cefuroxime and cefuroxime axetil (56.5%). Non-HCWs’ mobile phones were more contaminated as compared to HCWs (P = 0.001) and irrespective of individuals’ gender or toilet habits, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms were present on the mobile phones.

Conclusion

This study reports for the first time that the mobile phones of non-health care workers harbour more bacterial diversity and are more prone to cause transmission of pathogens. This study can serve to educate the public on personal hand hygiene practices and on maintaining clean mobile phones through antiseptic measures.
Effects of Helichrysum bracteatum flower extracts on UVB irradiation-induced inflammatory biomarker expression
Authors: Kim Yun Jeong , Seok Ji Hyun , Cheung Waiting , Lee Sung-Nae , Jang Hyun Hee , Bae Seunghee , Lee Hyunsang
Published: December 2019

Background

The present study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity ofHelichrysum bracteatum(H. bracteatum) flower extracts in vitro.

Methods

H. bracteatumflowers were extracted with water, ethanol and 1,3-butylene glycol, and the anti-oxidative activities of the extracts were measured using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The inhibition of the expression of inflammation-related genes, including tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), was evaluated in vitro using reverse transcription-PCR in ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKa cells). To investigate the inhibitory effects ofH. bracteatumflower extracts on UVB-induced inflammatory responses in HEKa cells, the production of nitric oxide (NO) and TNF-α was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation; statistical significance was calculated using the Student’st-test.

Results

The DPPH assay results showed thatH. bracteatumflower extracts have good anti-oxidative effects and inhibited the expression of inflammation-related genes IL-6, COX-2 and TNF-α. Moreover, the production of NO and TNF-α was inhibited byH. bracteatumflower extracts.

Conclusions

These findings indicate thatH. bracteatumflower extracts have efficacy against UVB-induced inflammation-related gene expression.
An improvement in acute wound healing in rats by the synergistic effect of photobiomodulation and arginine
Authors: Mostafavinia Atarodsadat , Bidram Mohammad , Gomi Avili Amirhossein , Mahmanzar Mohammadamin , Karimifard Seyed Ali , Sajadi Ensieh , Amini Abdollah , Hadipour Jahromy Mahsa , Ghoreishi Seyed Kamran , Chien Sufan , Bayat Mohammad
Published: December 2019

In this probe, at first we examined the best route and dosage of arginine administration on wound healing in an excisional wound model in rats. Next, we intend to assess the impact of photobiomodulation (PBM) and arginine, individually and together, on the wound healing. In the pilot study, an excisional wound was made in each of 24 rats. There were 4 groups. Group 1 was the control group. In groups 2 and 3, wounds were topically treated with arginine ointments (ARG.) 2% and 5%, respectively. In group 4, arginine was injected (ARG. INJ.,i.p.). In the main phase, in 24 new rats, an excisional wound was made. There were 4 groups: group 5 served as the control. Wounds in group 6 were topically treated with ARG 2%. Wounds in group 7 were subjected to PBM. Wounds in group 8 were treated with PBM+ARG. 2%. On day 15, wound area measurement, wound strength, and stereological examination were performed. In the pilot study, we found that the ARG 2% ointment significantly decreased wound area than ARG. 5%, ARG. INJ. and control groups, and significantly increased wound strength compared to the control and ARG.5% groups. In the main phase, a significant decrease of wound area in all treatment regimens was induced. PBM + ARG. 2% and PBM treatment regimens significantly improved wound strength and almost all stereological parameters, compared to the control and ARG. 2% groups. PBM + ARG. 2% induced anti-inflammatory and angiogenic activities, and hastened the wound healing process in an excisional wound model in rats.
Biological wastewater treatment and bioreactor design: a review
Authors: Narayanan C. M. , Narayan Vikas
Published: December 2019

Various processes that have been successfully developed for wastewater treatment (treatment of industrial wastes/effluents) have been surveyed with special reference to biological treatment including design of bioreactors. Limitations of each process, design and performance characteristics of different kinds of bioreactors developed starting from stirred tanks to packed bed, fluidized bed, moving bed, semifluidized bed, inverse fluidized bed, sludge bed/sludge blanket and downflow stationary fixed film bioreactors have been highlighted. Utilization of membrane-based technology and liquid phase oxygen technology in wastewater treatment has also been analyzed. Both aerobic and anaerobic processes have been considered and possibilities of clubbing waste treatment with waste utilization (production of valuable products from waste streams) have also been surveyed and scrutinized.
D76V, L161R, and C117S are the most pathogenic amino acid substitutions with several dangerous consequences on leptin structure, function, and stability
Authors: Al-Shuhaib Mohammed Baqur S.
Published: December 2019

Background

Leptin is a versatile hormone with a variety of functions, including regulation of food intake by inhibiting hunger. Any deleterious mutation in this protein can lead to serious consequences for the body. This study was conducted to identify the most deleterious non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) of human LEP gene and their impact on its encoded protein.

Methods

To predict the possible impact of nsSNPs on leptin, a total of 90 nsSNPs were retrieved from dbSNP and investigated using many in silico tools which specially designed to analyze nsSNPs’ consequences on the protein structure, function, and stability.

Results

Three nsSNPs, namely D76V, L161R, and C117S, were found to be completely deleterious by all utilized nsSNPs prediction tools, thus affecting leptin protein structure, biological activity, and stability. Evolutionary information indicated L161R and C117S mutations to be located in extremely high conserved positions. Furthermore, several deleterious mechanisms controlled by both L161R and C117S mutations which alter several motifs in the secondary structure of leptin were detected. However, all D76V, L161R, and C117S mutations exhibited alteration in polar interactions in their representative positions. Further in-depth analyses proved several harmful structural effects of the three nsSNPs on leptin, which may lead to multiple intrinsic disorders in the altered protein forms.

Conclusions

This study provides the first comprehensive computation of the effect of the most damaging nsSNPs on leptin. The exploration of these missense mutations may present novel perspectives for various deleterious consequences originated from such amino acids substitutions. The dynamics of leptin performance, therefore, in many biological pathways, may be changed to create a variety of disorders, such as obesity and diabetes. These findings will help in detecting the most harmful variations needed to be screened for clinically diagnosed patients with leptin disorders.

Trial registration

ISRCTN73824458
Relative time seislet transform
Authors: Geng Zhicheng , Wu Xinming , Fomel Sergey , Chen Yangkang
Published: December 2019

The seislet transform uses the wavelet-lifting scheme and local slopes to analyze the seismic data. In its definition, the designing of prediction operators specifically for seismic images and data is an important issue. We have developed a new formulation of the seislet transform based on the relative time (RT) attribute. This method uses the RT volume to construct multiscale prediction operators. With the new prediction operators, the seislet transform gets accelerated because distant traces get predicted directly. We apply our method to synthetic and real data to demonstrate that the new approach reduces computational cost and obtains excellent sparse representation on test data sets.
Impact of Breast Cancer Treatment on Employment: Results of a Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study (CANTO)
Authors: Dumas Agnes , Vaz Luis Ines , Bovagnet Thomas , El Mouhebb Mayssam , Di Meglio Antonio , Pinto Sandrine , Charles Cecile , Dauchy Sarah , Delaloge Suzette , Arveux Patrick , Coutant Charles , Cottu Paul , Lesur Anne , Lerebours Florence , Tredan Olivier , Vanlemmens Laurence , Levy Christelle , Lemonnier Jerome , Mesleard Christelle , Andre Fabrice , Menvielle Gwenn
Published: December 2019

PURPOSE

Adverse effects of breast cancer treatment can negatively affect survivors’ work ability. Previous reports lacked detailed clinical data or health-related patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and did not prospectively assess the combined impact of treatment and related sequelae on employment.

METHODS

We used a French prospective clinical cohort of patients with stage I-III breast cancer including 1,874 women who were working and ≥ 5 years younger than legal retirement age (≤ 57 years) at breast cancer diagnosis. Our outcome was nonreturn to work (non-RTW) 2 years after diagnosis. Independent variables included treatment characteristics as well as toxicities (Common Toxicity Criteria Adverse Events [CTCAE] v4) and PROs (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC] Quality of life Questionnaires, Breast cancer module [QLQ-BR23] and Fatigue module [QLQ-FA12], Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) collected 1 year after diagnosis. Logistic regression models assessed correlates of non-RTW, adjusting for age, stage, comorbidities, and socioeconomic covariates.

RESULTS

Two years after diagnosis, 21% of patients had not returned to work. Odds of non-RTW were significantly increased among patients treated with combinations of chemotherapy and trastuzumab (odds ratio [OR] v chemotherapy-hormonotherapy: for chemotherapy-trastuzumab, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.18 to 3.44; for chemotherapy-trastuzumab-hormonotherapy, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.41). Other significant associations with non-RTW included grade ≥ 3 CTCAE toxicities (OR v no, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.18), arm morbidity (OR v no, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.19 to 2.13), anxiety (OR v no, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.11), and depression (OR v no, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.34 to 3.91).

CONCLUSION

Receipt of systemic therapy combinations including trastuzumab was associated with increased odds of non-RTW. Likelihood of unemployment was also higher among patients who reported severe physical and psychological symptoms. This comprehensive study identifies potentially vulnerable patients and warrants supportive interventional strategies to facilitate their RTW.
Decreased Mitochondrial Dynamics Is Associated with Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Rate, and Fitness in African Americans
Authors: Dubé John J , Collyer Michael L , Trant Sara , Toledo Frederico G S , Goodpaster Bret H , Kershaw Erin E , DeLany James P
Published: December 2019

Context

African American women (AAW) have a higher incidence of insulin resistance and are at a greater risk for the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes than Caucasian women (CW). Although several factors have been proposed to mediate these racial disparities, the mechanisms remain poorly defined. We previously demonstrated that sedentary lean AAW have lower peripheral insulin sensitivity, reduced maximal aerobic fitness (VO2max), and lower resting metabolic rate (RMR) than CW. We have also demonstrated that skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration is lower in AAW and appears to play a role in these racial differences.

Objective

The goal of this study was to assess mitochondrial pathways and dynamics to examine the potential mechanisms of lower insulin sensitivity, RMR, VO2max, and mitochondrial capacity in AAW.

Design

To achieve this goal, we assessed several mitochondrial pathways in skeletal muscle using gene array technology and semiquantitative protein analysis.

Results

We report alterations in mitochondrial pathways associated with inner membrane small molecule transport genes, fusion–fission, and autophagy in lean AAW. These differences were associated with lower insulin sensitivity, RMR, and VO2max.

Conclusions

Together these data suggest that the metabolic racial disparity of insulin resistance, RMR, VO2max, and mitochondrial capacity may be mediated by perturbations in mitochondrial pathways associated with membrane transport, fission–fusion, and autophagy. The mechanisms contributing to these differences remain unknown.
Notch signaling governs the expression of glypican Dally to define the stem cell niche
Authors: Zhao Songhua , Wu Chan , Gao Zhiyang , Li Xin , Zheng Guo , Wang Zhaohui
Published: December 2019

Extracellular glypicans play pivotal roles in organogenesis, stem cell maintenance, and cancer development. However, the growth phenotypes associated with different levels of glypican are not consistent in development or tumorigenesis. This requires the clarification on how the spatial patterns of glypican relate to the distribution of signaling molecules in different cellular context, and how glypican expression is regulated. We have previously reported that Dally, one of the glypican members in Drosophila, is required in the niche for the maintenance of germline stem cells (GSCs) via short-range BMP signaling in ovary. However, the regulatory mechanism of glypican pattern in the ovarian stem cell niche remains elusive. Our current data demonstrate that Notch pathway is genetically upstream of Dally and its function to maintain GSC relies on Dally expression. Combining yeast and fruit fly genetics, we illustrate that Dally is under the transcriptional control of Notch signaling via the transcription factor Su(H). Further, we assayed human glypicans and disease-associated variants in Drosophila ovary, which can serve as an effective system to evaluate the structure-function relationship of the human homologs.
Probing the mechanical landscape – new insights into podosome architecture and mechanics
Authors: van den Dries Koen , Linder Stefan , Maridonneau-Parini Isabelle , Poincloux Renaud
Published: December 2019

Podosomes are dynamic adhesion structures formed constitutively by macrophages, dendritic cells and osteoclasts and transiently in a wide variety of cells, such as endothelial cells and megakaryocytes. They mediate numerous functions, including cell–matrix adhesion, extracellular matrix degradation, mechanosensing and cell migration. Podosomes present as micron-sized F-actin cores surrounded by an adhesive ring of integrins and integrin–actin linkers, such as talin and vinculin. In this Review, we highlight recent research that has considerably advanced our understanding of the complex architecture–function relationship of podosomes by demonstrating that the podosome ring actually consists of discontinuous nano-clusters and that the actin network in between podosomes comprises two subsets of unbranched actin filaments, lateral and dorsal podosome-connecting filaments. These lateral and dorsal podosome-connecting filaments connect the core and ring of individual podosomes and adjacent podosomes, respectively. We also highlight recent insights into the podosome cap as a novel regulatory module of actomyosin-based contractility. We propose that these newly identified features are instrumental for the ability of podosomes to generate protrusion forces and to mechanically probe their environment. Furthermore, these new results point to an increasing complexity of podosome architecture and have led to our current view of podosomes as autonomous force generators that drive cell migration.
Computed tomography head and facial bones review of a 2700 year old Egyptian mummy
Authors: Lockwood Paul , Elliott James , Nelson Andrew , Harris Samantha
Published: December 2019

CT scanning techniques used in head and facial bones examination in the clinical environment can also be transferable to the imaging of post-mortem cases as a novel non-destructive and non-invasive investigation in forensic cases. We describe a study of the head and facial bones of a 2700-year-old Egyptian mummy. Cross-sectional investigation can lead to discovering unknown information of skeletal and soft tissue structures and anatomy to contribute to the knowledge of preserved mummified remains and the practice of palaeoradiology.
E-cigarette use and onset of first cigarette smoking among adolescents: An empirical test of the ‘common liability’ theory
Authors: Cheng Hui G. , Largo Edward G. , Gogova Maria
Published: December 2019

Background: E-cigarettes have become the most commonly used tobacco products among youth in the United States (US) recently. It is not clear whether there is a causal relationship between e-cigarette use and the onset of cigarette smoking. The “common liability” theory postulates that the association between e-cigarette use and cigarette smoking can be attributed to a common risk construct of using tobacco products. This study aims to investigate the relationship between ever e-cigarette use and cigarette smoking onset in the US using a structural equation modeling approach guided by the “common liability” theory.

Methods: The study population is non-institutionalized civilian adolescents living in the US, sampled in the longitudinal Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study. Information about tobacco product use was obtained via confidential self-report. A structural equation modeling approach was used to estimate the relationship between e-cigarette use at wave 1 and the onset of cigarette smoking at wave 2 after controlling for a latent construct representing a “common liability to use tobacco products.”

Results:  After controlling for a latent construct representing a “common liability to use tobacco products”, ever e-cigarette use does not predict the onset of cigarette smoking (β=0.10, 95% CI= -0.09, 0.29, p=0.299). The latent “common liability to use tobacco products” is a robust predictor for the onset of cigarette smoking (β=0.42; 95% CI=0.08, 0.76; p=0.015).

Conclusions: Findings from this study provide supportive evidence for the ‘common liability’ underlying observed associations between e-cigarette use and smoking onset.
Construction of wood products. Course and diploma design
Authors: Bartashevich Aleksandr , Gayduk Sergey
Published: December 2019

The teaching guide contains the characteristics of the discipline "Designing of products from wood", the main provisions of Technical regulations of the Customs Union "On safety of furniture products", the contents of the course and diploma projects, form jobs course and diploma projects, as well as examples of drawings and other information needed to complete projects.
For students of higher education institutions.
Subject competences of General mathematical education in the category of subject development
Authors: Gorbachev Vasiliy
Published: December 2019

The monograph investigates the methodology of formation in mathematical activity of the teaching of subject and General subject competences: principles of allocation, method of classification, criteria of formation. The subject realization of specific competencies is substantiated and detailed by adequate types of teaching activities, which significantly deepen the understanding of classical methods of teaching mathematics.
In the content of General subject internal-procedural and theoretical-developing competencies, special attention is paid to the category of development of the subject of teaching. Within the framework of substantiation of internal procedural competence in the spectrum of educational mathematical theories, the problem of system formation of abstract mathematical thinking in the objective sequence of its levels is investigated.
For University teachers, researchers in the areas of content of General education, competence approach in educational activities, methods of teaching mathematics, as well as teachers of mathematics and students of bachelor's and master's pedagogical education.