bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spectrum of ear, nose and throat disorders among children reporting to the out-patient department of a tertiary care center, Nepal
Authors: Chaudhari Bijay Kumar , Gautam Dipendra , Pantha Tridip Bahadur , K. C. Arun , Sharma Arati 
Published: July 2018

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems are more common in children than adults. The objective of this study was to know the occurrence of various ENT disorders among children reporting to the out-patient department of a tertiary care center and to see their associations with three age-groups.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Out-Patient Department of Ear, Nose and Throat from 2016 to 2017. All the patients of age group 0-16yrs were included in the study. Informed consent or ascent from the patients and permission from their parents were taken. Detailed history taking, clinical examinations and appropriate investigations were performed and recorded in a pre-formed proforma. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel format 2013 and statistical analysis was done with SPSS 20 version. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 968 patients were examined, males 633(65.4%) and females 335(34.6%). The spectrum of ENT disorders reported were chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) 126 (13.0%), Otitis media with effusion (OME) 113 (11.7%), acute otitis media (AOM) 98 (10.1%), otomycosis with otitis externa 59 (6.1%), wax 36 (3.7%), foreign body ear (FB ear) 11 (1.1%), acute mastoiditis 22 (2.3%), acute rhinitis 35(3.6%), chronic sinusitis 33(3.4%), deviated nasal septum (DNS) 34 (3.5%), FB nose 21 (2.2%), vestibulitis with epistaxis 20 (2.1%), injury/trauma 11 (1.1%), tonsillitis 89 (9.2%), adenoid hypertrophy 71 (7.3%), acute pharyngitis 52 (5.4%), chronic pharyngitis 46 (4.7%), cervical lymphadenitis 37 (3.8%), FB esophagus 8 (0.8%) and laryngitis 12 (1.2%). CSOM was significantly associated with the age-groups 5-9 yrs whereas, AOM with 0-4 yrs. Adenoid hypertrophy was significantly associated with 0-4 yrs whereas, pharyngitis with 10-16 yrs.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Most common ENT disorders reported were ear disorders and second most common throat disorders. Significant associations were found between disorders and age-groups.</p>
Pendampingan Pembuatan Bahan Ajar Berbasis Kurikulum 2013 Bagi Guru Administrasi Perkantoran
Authors: Nikmah Choirul , Pahlevi Triesninda , Puspasari Durinda , Puspasari Durinta , Susilowibowo Joni 
Published: July 2018

Changing of Curriculum involves change of substance, implementation, and evaluation. Teacher must have better preparation to improve learning quality. Around 73% of school in Jombang, from elementary to high school, had applied curriculum of 2013. However, teacher faces difficulty to prepare teaching material since there are several new subjects that never been taught previously in Vocational High School for office administration department. Besides, there are many books based on curriculum of 2013 are not sold freely. Thus, to solve those problems, teacher training and mentoring to create teaching material based curriculum 2013 needs to be held. It uses training and mentoring method. The training aims to enhance teacher competency to create teaching material, in the form of module, based on curriculum of 2013. The training result is module based on curriculum of 2013.
Keywords: Teaching material, Module, Curriculum of 2013, Training
Еще раз о «Креативном поле»
Authors: Богоявленская Диана Борисовна 
Published: July 2018

The article summarizes 35-years experience of use of a method “Creative field”. The author distinguishes two sides of the issue relating to its application by other researchers: lack of understanding the new paradigm of disclosing the creative nature and the principles of its investigation and identification.The two-layer model of task accomplishment is described, confirmingS.L.Rubinstejn’s idea of thinking as knowledge-absorbing, not simply problem-solving.The author gives us the principles, which observance is necessary forimplementation of the method. The similarities and differences between the author’s point of view and other domestic scientists’ opinions on the nature of creativity and the “Creative field” method are analyzed in detail.
Coronary Microcirculation in Heart Failure with Preserved Systolic Function
Authors: Vasiljevic Zorana , Krljanac Gordana , Zdravkovic Marija , Lasica Ratko , Trifunovic Danijela , Asanin Milika 
Published: July 2018

Background:
The Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) is defined as the preserved
left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with the signs of heart failure, elevated natriuretic peptides, and either
the evidence of the structural heart disease or diastolic dysfunction. The importance of this form of heart failure
was increased after studies where the mortality rates and readmission to the hospital were founded similar as in
patients with HF and reduced EF (HFrEF). Coronary microvascular ischemia, cardiomyocyte injury and stiffness
could be important factors in the pathophysiology of HFpEF. Methods: The goal of this work is to analyse the
relationship of HFpEF and coronary microcirculation in previous studies.

Results:
The useful diagnostic marker of coronary microcirculation in HFpEF may be the parameters measured
by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), the coronary flow reserve (CFR), as well as fractional flow reserve
(FFR) and quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE). Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging
represents the diagnostic gold standard in HFpEF. Coronary microvascular dysfunction in the absence of
obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is poorly understood and may be more prevalent amongst women than
men. Troponin level may be important in risk stratification of HEpEF patients.

Conclusion:
There are no precise answers with respect to the pathophysiological mechanism, nor are there any
precise practical clinical assessment of and diagnostic method for coronary microvascular dysfunction and diastolic
dysfunction. In accordance with that, there is no well-established treatment for HFpEF.
Linc01638 Promotes Tumorigenesis in HER2+ Breast Cancer
Authors: Liu Peng , Tang Hailin , Wu Jiali , Qiu Xingsheng , Kong Yanan , Zhang Lijuan , Xie Xinhua , Xiao Xiangsheng 
Published: July 2018

Background:
Long non-coding RNAs play crucial roles in various biological activities
and diseases. The role of long intergenic non-coding RNA01638 (linc01638) in breast cancer, especially
in HER2-positive breast cancer, remains largely unknown.

Objective:
To investigate the effect of linc01638 on tumorigenesis in HER2-positive breast cancer.
</P><P>
Methods: We first used qRT-PCR to detect linc01638 expression in HER2-positive breast cancer
cells and tissues. Then we analyzed the effects of linc01638 expression in HER2-positive breast
cancer cells through cell apoptosis assay, cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, and cell
invasion assay. We conducted mouse xenograft model to further confirm the role of linc01638 in
HER2-positive breast cancer. Moreover, we used Western blot and IHC analysis to access the effect
of linc01638 on DNMTs, BRCA1 and PTEN expressions in transplanted tumors.

Results:
Linc01638 was found to be remarkably overexpressed in HER2-positive breast cancer cells
and tissues. Suppression of linc01638 enhanced cell apoptosis, as well as inhibited the growth and
invasiveness of HER2-positive breast cancer cells in vitro and tumor progression and metastasis in
vivo. Furthermore, inhibition of linc01638 by shRNA attenuated expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a,
and DNMT3b, and promoted expression of BRCA1 and PTEN in HER2-positive breast cancer cells
and mouse xenograft models.

Linc01638 might be a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for treatment of
HER2-positive breast cancer.
Identifying Cases of Sleep Disorders through International Classification of Diseases (ICD) Codes in Administrative Data
Authors: Jolley Rachel J , Liang Zhiying , Peng Mingkai , Pendharkar Sachin R , Tsai Willis , Chen Guanmin , Eastwood Cathy A , Quan Hude , Ronksley Paul E 
Published: July 2018

Objectives
Prevalence, and associated morbidity and mortality of chronic sleep disorders have been limited to small cohort studies, however, administrative data may be used to provide representation of larger population estimates of disease. With no guidelines to inform the identification of cases of sleep disorders in administrative data, the objective of this study was to develop and validate a set of ICD-codes used to define sleep disorders including narcolepsy, insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in administrative data.
Methods
A cohort of adult patients, with medical records reviewed by two independent board-certified sleep physicians from a sleep clinic in Calgary, Alberta between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2011, was used as the reference standard. We developed a general ICD-coded case definition for sleep disorders which included conditions of narcolepsy, insomnia, and OSA using: 1) physician claims data, 2) inpatient visit data, 3) emergency department (ED) and ambulatory care data. We linked the reference standard data and administrative data to examine the validity of different case definitions, calculating estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV).
Results
From a total of 1186 patients from the sleep clinic, 1045 (88.1%) were classified as sleep disorder positive, with 606 (51.1%) diagnosed with OSA, 407 (34.4%) with insomnia, and 59 (5.0%) with narcolepsy. The most frequently used ICD-9 codes were general codes of 307.4 (Nonorganic sleep disorder, unspecified), 780.5 (unspecified sleep disturbance) and ICD-10 codes of G47.8 (other sleep disorders), G47.9 (sleep disorder, unspecified). The best definition for identifying a sleep disorder was an ICD code (from physician claims) 2 years prior and 1 year post sleep clinic visit: sensitivity 79.2%, specificity 28.4%, PPV 89.1%, and NPV 15.6%. ICD codes from ED/ambulatory care data provided similar diagnostic performance when at least 2 codes appeared in a time period of 2 years prior and 1 year post sleep clinic visit: sensitivity 71.9%, specificity 54.6%, PPV 92.1%, and NPV 20.8%. The inpatient data yielded poor results in all tested ICD code combinations.
Conclusion
Sleep disorders in administrative data can be identified mainly through physician claims data and with some being determined through outpatient/ambulatory care data ICD codes, however these are poorly coded within inpatient data sources. This may be a function of how sleep disorders are diagnosed and/or reported by physicians in inpatient and outpatient settings within medical records. Future work to optimize administrative data case definitions through data linkage are needed.
Occurence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in raw cow milk from vending machines
Authors: Krahulcová Monika , Lépesová Kristína , Bírošová Lucia 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
The prevalence of antibiotic resistant coliform bacteria and enterococci in fresh raw cow milk obtained from four vending machines in Slovakia was assessed. Also, differences in the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in milk according to season (winter and summer) were compared. Number of total coliform bacteria ranged from 2.45 to 4.18 log CFU/mL. Majority of them were resistant to ampicillin. This was expected due to their intrinsic resistance apart from Escherichia coli which is sensitive to ampicillin. In addition, we observed also tetracycline and gentamicin resistance. Each of our samples contained E.coli. Number of total enterococci ranged from 1.95 to 3.78 log CFU/mL. We have observed predominantly vancomycin resistance in all tested samples. In samples taken during winter we have found higher number of total and resistant coliforms as well as total enterococci compared to those taken during summer.
MTHFR - Ala222Val Effects on Metabolic Syndrome Progression
Authors: Csép Katalin , Szigeti Eszter , Szalman Krisztina 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Objective: Methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in adapting metabolism to environmental challenges by various mechanisms, including the control of gene expression by epigenetic and post-translational changes of transcription factors. Though a metabolic syndrome candidate gene, association studies of its common polymorphism rs1801133 (MTHFR-Ala222Val) remain inconclusive with important ethnic differences, and the effect on disease progression was not addressed.

Methods: 307 middle-aged metabolic syndrome patients in a central Romanian hospital setting were investigated metabolically, and genotyped by PCR-RFLP. Disease progression was assessed by the age of onset of metabolic components, as well as development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and atherosclerotic complications.

Results: The minor allele frequency of rs1801133 was 30.13%. Metabolic parameters showed no statistically significant differences according to genotype, but variant carriers developed dysglycemia and dyslipidemia earlier (53.28±10.8 vs 59.44±9.31 years, p<0.05 and 58.57±11.31 vs 64.72±10.6 years, p<0.1).While the polymorphism did not influence hepatic complications, an inverse association was found for manifest atherosclerosis (OR=0.49, p=0.006, 95%CI:0.29-0.81), which may be folate-status dependent, and needs further investigations. Simultaneous analysis with transcription factor polymorphisms (rs1801282, rs8192678) showed that the more protective genotypes were present the later metabolic disturbances developed, and in the presence of the other two variants the apparent protective cardiovascular effect disappeared.

Conclusions: The common functional polymorphism rs1801133 may influence metabolic syndrome progression, the age of onset of components and development of atherosclerotic complications. Besides simple additive effects, complex mitigating and aggravating variant interactions may exist, and the protective or predisposing outcome may depend on modifiable environmental factors.
Optimization of a Density Gradient Centrifugation Protocol for Isolation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Authors: Şerban Georgiana Mihaela , Mănescu Ion Bogdan , Manu Doina Ramona , Dobreanu Minodora 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Objective: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are extremely important in the body’s immune response. Their isolation represents a major step in many immunological experiments. In this two phase study, we aimed to establish an optimum protocol for PBMC isolation by density-gradient centrifugation.

Methods: During Phase-1, we compared two commercially available PBMC isolation protocols, Stemcell Technologies (ST) and Miltenyi Biotec (MB), in terms of PBMC recovery and purity. Twelve blood samples were assigned to each protocol. Each sample was divided in three subsamples of 1ml, 2ml and 3ml in order to assess the influence of blood sample volume on isolation performance. During Phase-2, a hybrid protocol was similarly tested, processing six blood samples. Additionally, we performed a flow cytometric analysis using an Annexin-V/Propidium-Iodide viability staining protocol.

Results: Phase-1 results showed that, for all subsample volumes, ST had superior PBMC recovery (mean values: 56%, 80% and 87%, respectively) compared to MB (mean values: 39%, 54% and 43%, respectively). However, platelet removal was significantly higher for MB (mean value of 96.8%) than for ST (mean value of 75.2%). Regarding granulocyte/erythrocyte contamination, both protocols performed similarly, yielding high purity PBMC (mean values: 97.3% for ST and 95.8% for MB). During Phase-2, our hybrid protocol yielded comparable results to MB, with an average viability of 89.4% for lymphocytes and 16.9% for monocytes.

Conclusions: ST yields higher cell recovery rates and MB excels at platelet removal, while the hybrid protocol is highly similar to MB. Both cell recovery and viability increase with blood sample volume.
A pilot study to assess kidney functions and toxic dimethyl-arginines as risk biomarkers in women with low vitamin D levels
Authors: Damiati Samar 
Published: July 2018

Summary

Background
Although vitamin D in not a traditional marker for cardiovascular and renal diseases, several studies have proposed a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and these diseases due to the effect of vitamin D on endothelial function. Asymmetric and symmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA and SDMA, respectively) are endogenous markers of endothelial dysfunction, and are considered as future markers for the assessment of cardiovascular and renal diseases. The present study investigated the association of kidney function tests (urea and creatinine) and dimethylarginine toxins (ADMA and SDMA) in women with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. Indeed, sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone) were analyzed in the participants.

Methods
Women were divided into two groups: premenopausal women (younger than 50 years) and postmenopausal women (older than 50 years). Urea, creatinine, estrogen, testosterone, ADMA, and SDMA levels were analyzed when vitamin D level was deficient or insufficient in the participants.

Results
The premenopausal women group showed no significant correlations between dimethylarginine toxins and renal failure tests or sex hormones. In the elderly (postmenstrual) women group, only SDMA was significantly correlated with urea and creatinine, while both ADMA and SDMA were not correlated with sex hormones.

Conclusions
Although ADMA and SDMA are promising candidates of endothelial dysfunction and are increased in menopause and aging, no direct link between ADMA and further progression of renal failure was observed in women with low vitamin D levels. In contrast, a possible direct correlation between SDMA and renal dysfunction was noticed, but only in an age-dependent manner.
Dual roles of the mineral metabolism disorders biomarkers in prevalent hemodilysis patients: In renal bone disease and in vascular calcification
Authors: Baralić Marko , Brković Voin , Stojanov Vesna , Stanković Sanja , Lalić Nataša , Đurić Petar , Đukanović Ljubica , Kašiković Milorad , Petrović Milan , Petrović Marko , Stošović Milan , Ležaić Višnja 
Published: July 2018

Summary

Background
Vascular calcification (VC) is highly prevalent in dialysis (HD) patients, and its mechanism is multifactorial. Most likely that systemic or local inhibitory factor is overwhelmed by promoters of VC in these patients. VC increased arterial stiffness, and left ventricular hypertrophy. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the association of VC and myocardial remodeling and to analyze their relationship with VC promoters (fibroblast growth factor 23-FGF23, Klotho, intact parathormon-iPTH, vitamin D) in 56 prevalent HD patients (median values: age 54 yrs, HD vintage 82 months).

Methods
Besides routine laboratory analyzes, serum levels of FGF 23, soluble Klotho, iPTH, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3; pulse wave velocity (PWV); left ventricular (LV) mass by ultrasound; and VCs score by Adragao method were measured.

Results
VC was found in 60% and LV concentric or eccentric hypertrophy in 50% patients. Dialysis vintage (OR 1.025, 95%CI 1.007–1.044, p=0.006) FGF23 (OR 1.006, 95% CI 0.992–1.012, p=0.029) and serum magnesium (OR 0.000, 95%CI 0.000–0.214, p=0.04) were associated with VC. Changes in myocardial geometry was associated with male sex (beta=-0.273, 95% CI -23.967 1.513, p=0.027), iPTH (beta 0.029, 95%CI -0.059–0.001, p=0.027) and vitamin D treatment (beta 25.49, 95%CI 11.325–39.667, p=0.001). Also, patients with the more widespread VC had the highest LV remodeling categories. PWV was associated patient’s age, cholesterol, diastolic blood pressure, LV mass (positively) and serum calcium (negatively), indicating potential link with atherosclerotic risk.

Conclusions
Despite to different risk factors for VC and myocardial remodeling, obtained results could indicate that risk factors intertwine in long-term treatment of HD patients and therefore careful and continuous correction of mineral metabolism disorders is undoubtedly of the utmost importance.
Microbiological quality of farmed grass carp, bighead carp, Siberian sturgeon, and wels catfish from Eastern Poland
Authors: Pyz-Łukasik Renata , Paszkiewicz Waldemar 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Introduction
The purpose of this study was to determine the microbiological quality of food fish and its safety for consumers.

Material and Methods
The study included 24 fish representing grass carp, bighead carp, Siberian sturgeon, and wels catfish. Specimens were collected in winter. Aerobic bacteria, psychrophilic, Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus spp., and E. coli counts were made, and the presence of Salmonella spp., L. monocytogenes, S. aureus, and other coagulase-positive staphylococci was investigated.

Results
The microbiological analysis showed a similar level of aerobic, psychrophilic, and Staphylococcus spp. contamination of the four fish species. The Enterobacteriaceae count was higher in the muscles of grass carp and bighead carp than S. sturgeon and wels catfish. No pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella spp., E. coli, L. monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, or other coagulase positive staphylococci were found in samples of the examined fish species.

Conclusion
The fresh fish examined in this study were of good microbiological quality and there was no health risk for consumers.
New method of analysis of nitrofurans and nitrofuran metabolites in different biological matrices using UHPLC-MS/MS
Authors: Śniegocki Tomasz , Giergiel Marta , Sell Bartosz , Posyniak Andrzej 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Introduction
The major difficulty in analysis of nitrofurans in feed, feed water, and food of animal origin is that nitrofurans have low molecular weights and fast metabolism. The principal goal of this study was to prepare a procedure for the determination of nitrofurans and their metabolites by a single method in different types of feed, feed water, and food of animal origin.

Material and Methods
Two-gram samples were subjected to hydrolysis and derivatisation processes by addition of hydrochloric acid and 2-nitrobenzaldehyde. After incubation the sample was purified by solid phase extraction technique. Nitrofurans were analysed using ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-MS/MS (UHPLC-MS/MS).

Results
The results of validation fulfil the requirement of the confirmatory criteria according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC regarding apparent recoveries (88.9%–107.3%), repeatability (2.9%–9.4%) and within-laboratory reproducibility (4.4%–10.7%).

Conclusion
The method can be successfully applied to monitor nitrofurans and their metabolites in different matrices.
Genotoxicity and mutagenicity of inosine pranobex
Authors: Tobólska Sylwia , Terpiłowska Sylwia , Jaroszewski Jerzy , Siwicki Andrzej Krzysztof 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Introduction
Inosine pranobex (Methisoprinol, ISO, Isoprinosine) is an immuno-modulatory antiviral drug that has been licensed since 1971 in several countries worldwide. In humans, the drug is approved for the treatment of viral infections, and it might also have therapeutic use in animals. The aims of the presented work were to investigate the genotoxicity of inosine pranobex on BALB/3T3 clone A1 and HepG2 cell lines and to elucidate its mutagenicity using the Ames test.

Material and Methods
The BALB/3T3 clone A1 and HepG2 cells were incubated with inosine pranobex at concentrations from 0.1 to 1,000 μg/mL. The genotoxicity was determined by comet and micronucleus assays, and the mutagenicity was determined by Ames assay.

Results
Inosine pranobex did not induce a significant dose-related increase in the number of comets or micronuclei in BALB/3T3 clone A1 and HepG2 cells. Moreover, based on the results of the Ames test, it was concluded that inosine pranobex is not mutagenic in the Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay.

Conclusion
Based on the results of a comet assay, micronucleus assay, and Ames test, it was concluded that inosine pranobex is neither genotoxic nor mutagenic.