bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thyrotoxicosis in patients with COVID-19: the THYRCOV study
Authors: Lania Andrea , Sandri Maria Teresa , Cellini Miriam , Mirani Marco , Lavezzi Elisabetta , Mazziotti Gherardo 
Published: July 2020

Objective:
This study assessed thyroid function in patients affected by the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), based on the hypothesis that the cytokine storm associated with COVID-19 may influence thyroid function and/or the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may directly act on thyroid cells, such as previously demonstrated for SARS-CoV-1 infection.

Design and methods:
This single-center study was retrospective and consisted in evaluating thyroid function tests and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) values in 287 consecutive patients (193 males, median age: 66 years, range: 27–92) hospitalized for COVID-19 in non-intensive care units.

Results:
Fifty-eight patients (20.2%) were found with thyrotoxicosis (overt in 31 cases), 15 (5.2%) with hypothyroidism (overt in only 2 cases), and 214 (74.6%) with normal thyroid function. Serum thyrotropin (TSH) values were inversely correlated with age of patients (rho −0.27; P < 0.001) and IL-6 (rho −0.41; P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, thyrotoxicosis resulted to be significantly associated with higher IL-6 (odds ratio: 3.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.97–5.36; P < 0.001), whereas the association with age of patients was lost (P = 0.09).

Conclusions:
This study provides first evidence that COVID-19 may be associated with high risk of thyrotoxicosis in relationship with systemic immune activation induced by the SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Endothelial Progenitor Cells are Increased in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Treated with Gemcitabine and Intravenous Omega 3 Compared with Controls
Authors: Isherwood John , Arshad Ali , Chung Wen , Runau Franscois , Cooke Jill , Pollard Cristina , Howells Lynne , Fishwick Jenny , Thompson John , Metcalfe Matthew , Steward William , Dennison Ashley 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Introduction Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) is a devastating disease. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are important mediators in PAC. Omega 3 fatty acids (ω-3FAs) have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Methods This was a single centre study investigating intravenous ω-3FAs and gemcitabine chemotherapy versus gemcitabine therapy alone in patients with APC. The primary outcome measure was the level of EPCs with the secondary outcome measure being the relationship between the EPC levels, progression free survival and overall survival.Results Over the treatment period CD45-, CD31+, CD133+ EPCs and CD45-, CD31+, CD34+ EPCs significantly increased (P=O.O42 and P=0.0001), whilst no change was observed in control EPCs (P=0.705). There was a non-significant downward trend in control EPCs (P=0.930, 95%). There was a significant difference between the trial and control patients over time on logistic regression analysis (P=0.0001). There was a significant increase in CD45-, CD34+, CD31+ and CD133+ EPCs trial EPCs over treatment (P=0.007). There was no significant increase seen in control EPCs (P=0.358, 95%). There was a significant difference between the trial and control patients over treatment on logistic regression analysis (P=0.0001). There was a significant correlation in the trial patients between progression free survival benefit and an increase in EPCs.Conclusion Intravenous ω-3FAs with gemcitabine chemotherapy in APC results in a significantly increased level of EPCs. There appears to be a survival benefit in patients with an increase in EPCs which may be the result of a reduction in pro-inflammatory mediators.
Adolescent Obesity and its association with socio-demographic profile, lifestyle factors, dietary and physical activity patterns; findings from southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Adeomi Adeleye Abiodun , Olodu Monday Daniel , Yaya Sodiq , Ademiju Adediti , Ajibade Raphael 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe prevalence of adolescent obesity is rising in all parts of the world, but only very few studies have considered factors influencing obesity among Nigerian adolescents. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity and its association with socio-demographic profile, lifestyle factors, dietary patterns and physical activity patterns among in-school adolescents in Southwest, Nigeria.MethodA total sample size of 400 in-school adolescents was selected through a multi-stage sampling technique from secondary schools in Ile-Ife. The dietary patterns were assessed using a 92-item QFFQ, while the activity patterns were assessed using the physical activity questionnaire for older children and adolescents. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS.ResultThere were 211 (52.8%) males and 189 (47.3%) females, with mean ages of 14.8 ± 2.1 and 14.4 ± 1.9 years respectively. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 12.8%, and the associated factors were age, sex, class, the number of children in the family, birth orders and the dietary pattern dominated by starchy foods, roots and tubers (p < 0.05). However, no significant relationship existed between adolescents’ obesity and lifestyle factors, as well as physical activity patterns (p > 0.05). After controlling for confounders, age, number of children and birth orders remained significant.ConclusionThe prevalence of overweight/obesity was relatively high among the respondents, and this was associated with the age, number of children in the family and the birth order of the adolescents. The findings of this study underscore the importance of family planning to the control of the obesity epidemic in Nigeria.
Genetic Management Algorithm in High-Risk Fabry Disease Cases; Especially in Female Indexes with Mutations
Authors: Sezer Ozlem , Ceylaner Serdar 
Published: July 2020

Background:
Fabry Disease (FD, OMIM#301500) is a progressive, life-threatening, multisystemic,
rare lysosomal storage disease. Today, approximately 1000 mutations are recorded in the
Human Gene Mutation Database (www.hgmd.org) for GLA. Among the identified mutations, genetic
variants of unknown significance (GVUS) and novel mutations cause problems in terms of diagnosis
and treatment approach.

Methods:
In our study, 510 high-risk patients were enrolled. 229 out of 510 were Male (45%) (Mean
age was 40.8 ±15.0) and 281 of were Female (55%) (Mean age was 39, 7±15.5). The definite diagnosis
of the FD was confirmed by GLA gene sequence analysis. GLA mutation was found in 15 cases
(3.4%). Family members of the relevant indexes were included in the screening programs according to
the X-linked inheritance pattern. And then we conducted family screening on 74 family members of 15
index cases. Of those 74 cases, 39 had mutations (53%). In males, α-GalA activity and in both gender
Lyso-Gb3 levels were measured and multisystem evaluation was performed in all cases with the mutation.

Results:
We found six different familial mutation types; two of them pathogenic; p.D170N (1),
p.P205S (13), one of them GVUS; p.Q330R (1), three of them likely benign; p.D313Y (12), p.S126G
(25), c.-30G>A (2) mutations were detected.

Conclusions:
The purpose of this retrospective study is to approach Fabry disease on a genetic basis
and to improve its management and to draw attention to the importance of early diagnosis. We also
aimed to evaluate the appropriate algorithms to determine whether the mutation is the FD-causing mutation
or not.
Mitigasi Spritual dalam Naskah Lontar Roga Sanghara Bhumi
Authors: Ardiyasa I Nyoman Suka 
Published: July 2020

The island of Bali is an island very vulnerable to disaster, it is proven with historical records that Bali has experienced a major earthquake better known as <em>Gejer Bali</em>. Various efforts have been made by the community from the past until now in the effort of mitigation done in <em>sekala </em>and <em>niskala</em>. In the community, people believe that if they want to avoid the disaster then the community must implement the <em>tri hita karana</em>, while <em>niskala </em>(theologically) done with various <em>upakara</em>. <em>Upakara </em>sources and the types of disasters that occur in this world are believed to be contained in the <em>Lontar Roga Sanghara Bhumi </em>manuscript. But the existence of the manuscript is not much to know so it is necessary to conduct a more in-depth review so that it can be disseminated to the public. To focus on these reviews, we focused on three problem formulas: analyzing the summary of the <em>Roga Sanghara Bhumi lontar </em>manuscripts, the types of disasters mentioned in the <em>Roga Sanghara Bhumi lontar</em>, <p>and the theological attempts made in dealing with the disasters mentioned in <em>lontar Roga Sanghara Bhumi</em>.</p>From the results of the study conducted it is briefly known that the <em>lontar Roga Sanghara Bhumi </em>contains about the causes of catastrophe or disaster occurred in the world, the types of catastrophes or disasters that can occur in the world and some characteristics of the coming disaster or disaster, while the types The disaster mentioned in the lontar of <em>Roga Sanghara Bhumi </em>is a type of disaster that repeats every <em>sasih </em>it and the kind of disaster that occurs which is seen from the bad gesture, in the concept of <em>Lontar Roga Sanghara Bhumi </em>called <em>Durmanggala</em>. The theological efforts undertaken in tackling the disasters mentioned in the <em>lontar </em>of <em>Roga Sanghara Bhumi </em>are performing ceremonies that are shown to <em>Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa </em>with the aim of pleading for salvation such as <em>Prayascita </em>Ceremony, Master <em>Piduka</em>, <em>Labuh Gentuh, Jagat, Pamahayu Bumi </em>and <em>Nangluk Mrana. </em>All these ceremonies are theological (mitigation) efforts in reducing disaster risks that occur on earth.
CONSTRUCTION AND ANALYSIS OF BALANCED INCOMPLETE SUDOKU SQUARE DESIGN
Authors: Dauran N. S. , Odeyale A. B. , Shehu A. 
Published: July 2020

Sudoku squares have been widely used to design an experiment where each treatment occurs exactly once in each row, column or sub-block. For some experiments, the size of row (or column or sub-block) may be less than the number of treatments. Since not all the treatments can be compared within each block, a new class of designs called balanced incomplete Sudoku squares design (BISSD) is proposed. A general method for constructing BISSD is proposed by an intelligent selection of certain cells from a complete Latin square via orthogonal Sudoku designs. The relative efficiencies of a delete-one-transversal balance incomplete Latin Square (BILS) design with respect to Sudoku design are derived. In addition, linear model, numerical examples and procedure for the analysis of data for BISSD are proposed
Redirecting EFL writing instruction through mind mapping technique in senior high school
Authors: Besral Besral , Luli Sari Yustina , Putri Yola Veranita 
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this research was to see the effects of Mind Mapping Technique toward students’ writing ability especially in writing descriptive text. The results of Post-test experiment and control class were used to confirm the hypothesis. The population of this research was all of the students at X grade of Senior High School 3 Padang Panjang, consisting of 96 students who spread in 3 classes. Two classes were taken as sample by using cluster random sampling. Writing test was used to collect the data. The treatments were done in six meetings. The data of this research were analyzed by using Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) Program. The result showed that the mean score of students’ post-test at experimental class was (65.94) higher than those of control class (58.16). The calculation of the test showed that t-calculate was (8.27) higher than t-table (1.67) at the significant level of .05 meaning that students who were taught through Mind Mapping technique produced better writing skills in descriptive text. It can be concluded that teaching writing by using mind mapping technique gave significant difference on students’ writing ability at X grade of Senior High School 3 Padang Panjang. Therefore it is recommended that English teachers should use this technique to improve students’ writing ability.
ESTÁGIO SUPERVISIONADO NO INSTITUTO FEDERAL DO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE E A PRECARIZAÇÃO DO TRABALHO DO/A ASSISTENTE SOCIAL NA ASSISTÊNCIA ESTUDANTIL
Authors: Silva Araujo Ana Ligia Alcindo 
Published: July 2020

O presente artigo é resultante do processo de vivência em campo de estágio na área da educação. Sendo assim, no decorrer do texto existe um ordenamento de reflexões e análises que foram feitas ao longo desse processo a partir do cotidiano profissional vivenciado entre maio de 2014 a junho de 2015 no IFRN Reitoria, situado na zona Sul de Natal, no território do bairro Tirol. Com isso, a produção textual problematiza e analisa as configurações do campo e, por conseguinte, aponta as condições que se apresenta a política de Assistência Estudantil no IFRN Reitoria, as quais possuem raiz em um passado histórico e que este traz consigo diversos rebatimentos aos estudantes daquela instituição nos tempos atuais. Do mesmo modo, expõe um debate critico sobre os desafios e limites que têm se apresentado ao exercício profissional do/a Assistente Social na política de Educação, mais precisamente no âmbito do IFRN Reitoria, bem como a explanação sobre os entraves e dificuldades à materialização equânime da politica de assistência estudantil como um direito dos estudantes.

Palavras-Chaves: Estágio supervisionado; Assistência estudantil; Serviço Social
Environmentally relevant levels of four psychoactive compounds vary in their effects on freshwater fish condition: a brain concentration evidence approach
Authors: Hubená Pavla , Horký Pavel , Grabic Roman , Grabicová Kateřina , Slavík Ondřej , Randák Tomáš 
Published: July 2020

BackgroundThe aquatic environment has been contaminated with various anthropogenic pollutants, including psychoactive compounds that may alter the physiology and behavior of free-living organisms. The present study focused on the condition and related mortality of the juvenile chub (Squalius cephalus). The aim of the study was to test whether the adverse effects of the antidepressants sertraline and citalopram, the analgesic tramadol and the illicit drug methamphetamine, on fish condition exist under environmentally relevant concentrations and whether these effects persist after a depuration period. Innovative analyses of the fish brain concentrations of these compounds were performed with the aim to show relationship between compound brain tissue concentration and fish condition.MethodsThe laboratory experiment consisted of 42 days of exposure and a subsequent 14-day depuration period with regular monitoring of the condition and mortality of exposed and control fish. Identical methodology, including individual brain concentration analyses for the tested compounds, was applied for all substances. Additional study on feeding under sertraline exposure was also conducted. The feeding was measured from the 28th day of the exposure, three times in a week, by observation of food intake during 15 minutes in social environment.ResultsThe effects of particular psychoactive compounds on chub condition varied. While sertraline induced a lower condition and increased mortality, the effects of methamphetamine were inverse, and tramadol and citalopram had no significant effect at all. Individual brain concentrations of the tested compounds showed that the effects of sertraline and methamphetamine on fish condition were increased with brain concentration increases. Additionally, the food intake was reduced in case of sertraline. In contrast, there was no relationship between tramadol and citalopram brain tissue concentration and fish condition, suggesting that the concentration-dependent effect is strongly compound-specific. Methamphetamine was the only compound with a persistent effect after the depuration period. Our results demonstrate the suitability of the brain concentration evidence approach and suggest that changes in fish condition and other related parameters can be expected in freshwater ecosystems polluted with specific psychoactive compounds.
A New Family of Proton‐Conducting Electrolytes for Reversible Solid Oxide Cells: BaHfxCe0.8−xY0.1Yb0.1O3−δ
Authors: Murphy Ryan , Zhou Yucun , Zhang Lei , Soule Luke , Zhang Weilin , Chen Yu , Liu Meilin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractReversible solid oxide cells based on ceramic proton conductors have potential to be the most efficient system for large‐scale energy storage. The performance and long‐term durability of these systems, however, are often limited by the ionic conductivity or stability of the proton‐conducting electrolyte. Here new family of solid oxide electrolytes, BaHfxCe0.8−xY0.1Yb0.1O3−δ (BHCYYb), which demonstrate a superior ionic conductivity to stability trade‐off than the state‐of‐the‐art proton conductors, BaZrxCe0.8−xY0.1Yb0.1O3−δ (BZCYYb), at similar Zr/Hf concentrations, as confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis, Raman, and X‐ray diffraction analysis of samples over 500 h of testing are reported. The increase in performance is revealed through thermodynamic arguments and first‐principle calculations. In addition, lab scale full cells are fabricated, demonstrating high peak power densities of 1.1, 1.4, and 1.6 W cm−2 at 600, 650, and 700 °C, respectively. Round‐trip efficiencies for steam electrolysis at 1 A cm−2 are 78%, 72%, and 62% at 700, 650, and 600 °C, respectively. Finally, CO2H2O electrolysis is carried out for over 700 h with no degradation.
Engineered Ovalbumin Nanoparticles for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Habibi Nahal , Christau Stephanie , Ochyl Lukasz J. , Fan Zixing , Hassani Najafabadi Alireza , Kuehnhammer Matthias , Zhang Mengwen , Helgeson Matthew , von Klitzing Regine , Moon James J. , Lahann Joerg 
Published: July 2020

AbstractOvalbumin (OVA) is a protein antigen that is widely used for eliciting cellular and humoral immune responses in cancer immunotherapy. As an alternative to solute OVA, engineering approach is developed herein towards protein nanoparticles (pNPs) based on reactive electrospraying. The resulting pNPs are comprised of polymerized OVA, where individual OVA molecules are chemically linked via poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) units. Controlling the PEG/OVA ratio allows for fine‐tuning of critical physical properties, such as particle size, elasticity, and, at the molecular level, mesh size. As the PEG/OVA ratio decreased, OVA pNPs are more effectively processed by dendritic cells, resulting in higher OT‐I CD8+ cells proliferation in vitro. Moreover, pNPs with lower PEG/OVA ratios elicit enhanced lymphatic drainage in vivo and increased uptake by lymph node macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells, while 500 nm OVA pNPs show poor draining lymph nodes delivery. In addition, pNPs with lower PEG/OVA ratios result in higher anti‐OVA antibody titers in vivo, suggesting improved humoral immune responses. Importantly, OVA pNPs result in significantly increased median survival relative to solute OVA antigen in a mouse model of B16F10‐OVA melanoma. This work demonstrates that precisely engineered OVA pNPs can improve the overall anti‐tumor response compared to solute antigen.
Three Attacks on the Mediated Semi‐Quantum Key Distribution without Invoking Quantum Measurement
Authors: Zou Xiangfu , Rong Zhenbang , Zhou Nan‐Run 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSemi‐quantum key distribution is a very interesting new branch of quantum key distribution. It can be implemented when one or more participants are restricted to operate quantum states only on the quantum computational basis. Very recently, a mediated semi‐quantum key distribution protocol without invoking two participants' quantum measurement has been proposed. The protocol allows two “classical” participants without sophisticated quantum capability to establish a shared secret key under an untrusted third party. It is claimed that the protocol is secure against several well‐known attacks. However, in this paper, it is first pointed out that there exist three attacks “Measurement Attack, Modification Attack, and Collective Attack” on the mediated semi‐quantum key distribution protocol without invoking quantum measurement. By proposed attacks, a malicious third party can obtain the secret key without being noticed by legitimated participants.
Teratogen update: Topical use and third‐generation retinoids
Authors: Williams Amy Lavin , Pace Nelson D. , DeSesso John M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe first pharmaceutical retinoids approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration were given black‐box warnings against their use in pregnancy due to potential teratogenic effects. These first‐ and second‐generation retinoids were initially formulated for oral dosing and are structurally very similar to vitamin A, which has beneficial effects on skin as well as plays a vital role in driving healthy embryogenesis. Some of these early retinoids have since been reformulated for topical application, which has resulted in their diminished potential for systemic exposures. Additionally, rational drug design has been applied to create today's third‐generation retinoids (adapalene, tazarotene, and bexarotene). These compounds include aromatic rings within their molecular cores to provide structural rigidity that contrasts with the flexible aliphatic backbone of vitamin A and the earlier generations of retinoids, and thus limits their off‐target activity. As a result of these design features, the teratogenic potential in animals of the third‐generation retinoids and those reformulated for topical use is generally less than seen with oral administration of earlier generations of retinoids. The available, but limited, epidemiologic data further show little‐to‐no teratogenic potential associated with real‐life use of these compounds in humans. Given the paucity of epidemiologic data available at this time, however, it is recommended that the use of topical retinoids during pregnancy be avoided. However, in circumstances when inadvertent exposure in pregnancy may occur, the available data provide some reassurance that adverse pregnancy outcomes are unlikely.
THz wireless communication system based on wavelet transform
Authors: Zhao Yingxin , Huang Yingjie , Wu Hong , Zhang Yuting , Xu Xiyan , Yang Menghuan , Liu Zhiyang , Ding Shuxue 
Published: July 2020

SummaryWith a very wide frequency band not allocated at present, THz waves have many optimal characteristics such as high transmission rate, large capacity, and high security. The research of THz communication technology has become a hotspot in wireless communication. For THz wireless communications, it is crucial to study advanced electrical signal processing techniques. In this paper, in view of the shortcomings of traditional orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technology, we propose wavelet transform orthogonal multicarrier modulation method in THz system. In addition, we study THz channel coding technology to ensure that the THz wireless communication baseband system has better bit error rate (BER) performance and low computational complexity. Based on above, a THz wireless communication baseband system is conceived.