Human milk is considered to be the optimal source of infant nutrition. Some of the benefits of breastfeeding have been ascribed to human milk oligosaccharides(HMO). For instance, HMO can affect faecal characteristics ...Human milk is considered to be the optimal source of infant nutrition. Some of the benefits of breastfeeding have been ascribed to human milk oligosaccharides(HMO). For instance, HMO can affect faecal characteristics such as stool consistency and stool frequency. Such effects on stool characteristics can be beneficial for young infants as hard stools and even constipation is common in that age group. Prebiotics in infant milk formulas have been introduced to exert similar functionalities. A specific mixture of prebiotics consists of a combination of short chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides(scGOS/lcFOS) in a ratio of 9:1. This specific mixture has been developed to closely resemble the molecular size composition of HMO. Many studies have been done with scGOS/lcFOS, and indicators for digestive comfort have often been included as secondary outcomes. This review summarizes the effects of scGOS/lcFOS(9:1) on stool consistency,stool frequency and transit time in healthy term and preterm infants. In several of the studies with scGOS/lcFOS in a ratio of 9:1 in infant milk formulas, positive effects of this mixture on stool characteristics such as stool consistency and stool frequency were observed. As stool consistency was shown to be correlated to whole gut transit time, scGOS/lcFOS can be hypothesised to have a role in reducing the risk of constipation.展开更多
The aim of the present study is to design a new fifth order system of Emden–Fowler equations and related four types of the model.The standard second order form of the Emden–Fowler has been used to obtain the new mod...The aim of the present study is to design a new fifth order system of Emden–Fowler equations and related four types of the model.The standard second order form of the Emden–Fowler has been used to obtain the new model.The shape factor that appear more than one time discussed in detail for every case of the designed model.The singularity atη=0 at one point or multiple points is also discussed at each type of the model.For validation and correctness of the new designed model,one example of each type based on system of fifth order Emden–Fowler equations are provided and numerical solutions of the designed equations of each type have been obtained by using variational iteration scheme.The comparison of the exact results and present numerical outcomes for solving one problem of each type is presented to check the accuracy of the designed model.展开更多
BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)is a ubiquitous bacterium that affects nearly half of the world’s population with a high morbidity and mortality rate.Polymorphisms within the tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-A...BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)is a ubiquitous bacterium that affects nearly half of the world’s population with a high morbidity and mortality rate.Polymorphisms within the tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-A)promoter region are considered a possible genetic basis for this disease.AIM To functionally characterize the genetic variations in the TNF-A 5’-region(-584 to+107)of Sudanese patients infected with H.pylori using in silico tools.METHODS An observational study was carried out in major public and private hospitals in Khartoum state.A total of 122 gastric biopsies were taken from patients who had been referred for endoscopy.Genomic DNA was extracted.Genotyping of the TNF-A-1030 polymorphism was performed using PCR with confronting two-pair primer to investigate its association with the susceptibility to H.pylori infection in the Sudanese population.Furthermore,Sanger sequencing was applied to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 5’-region(-584 to+107)of TNF-A in H.pylori-infected patients.Bioinformatics analyses were used to predict whether these mutations would alter transcription factor binding sites or composite regulatory elements in this region.A comparative profiling analysis was conducted in 11 species using the ECR browser and multiple-sequence local alignment and visualization search engine to investigate the possible conservation.Also,a multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to estimate odds ratios and their 95%confidence intervals for the association between TNF-A-1030,sociodemographic characteristics and H.pylori infection.Differences were statistically significant if P<0.05.Statistical analyses were performed using Stata version 11 software.RESULTS A total of seven single nucleotide polymorphisms were observed in the TNF-A 5’-region of Sudanese patients infected with H.pylori.Only one of them(T>A,-76)was located at the in silico-predicted promoter region(-146 to+10),and it was predicted to alter transcription factor binding sites and composite regulatory elements.A novel mutation(A>T,+27)was detected in the 5’untranslated region,and it could affect the post-transcriptional regulatory pathways.Genotyping of TNF-A-1030 showed a lack of significant association between-1030T and susceptibility to H.pylori and gastric cancer in the studied population(P=0.1756)and(P=0.8116),respectively.However,a significant association was detected between T/C genotype and H.pylori infection(39.34%vs 19.67%,odds ratio=2.69,95%confidence interval:1.17-6.17,P=0.020).Mammalian conservation was observed for the(-146 to+10)region in chimpanzee(99.4%),rhesus monkey(95.6%),cow(91.8%),domesticated dog(89.3%),mouse(84.3%),rat(82.4%)and opossum(78%).CONCLUSION Computational analysis was a valuable method for understanding TNF-A gene expression patterns and guiding further in vitro and in vivo experimental validation.展开更多
<strong>Introduction:</strong> <span><span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Caesarean section (CS) is a major reproductive hea...<strong>Introduction:</strong> <span><span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Caesarean section (CS) is a major reproductive health intervention to improve maternal and foetal outcomes if appropriately performed. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">This study aimed to assess the quality of Caesarean sections (CS) in a rural</span> <span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">setting in Cameroon. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Materials and Methods: </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">A prospective study con</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ducted in 3 hospitals from February 1</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">st</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 2020 to April 30</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 2020. One hundred and twenty women who had a CS were included. Data were grouped into 5 categories: </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) Sociodemographic and obstetrical characteristics, </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) Geographic and financial access, </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">3</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) Diagnostic procedures, </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">4</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) Operative parameters and </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">5</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) Post-operative parameters. The Dujardin’s model and context-relevant</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> criteria served to construct the quality score. The scale was 0 </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 20 and scores ≤ 15 were considered as unacceptable quality while those >15 were considered as acceptable quality CS. Logistic regressions permitted to measure associations. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Results:</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> There were 538 deliveries and 120 (22.3%) CS. The mean (SD) gestational age was 38.7 (2.6) weeks with extremes of 31 and 43 weeks. Group 5 of the Robson’s classification was predominant (35.0%). Motorbikes were the mode of transport to the maternity for 72.5% (87/120) of women. No referral was made by ambulance. Only 44 (36.7%) women had paid the full cost of the CS prior to surgery. In addition, 26 (21.6%) women had a complete clinical examination on admission. The surgical team was not complete (<6 staffs) in 56 (43.3%) cases. Anaesthesia was done by nurses in all cases. CS was done by a general practitioner and by nurses in 86 (71.7%) and 14 (11.7%) cases respectively. Overall, mean (SD) quality score (QS) was 16.33 (1.60).</span><b> </b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Sixty six of the 120 (55.3%) caesarean sections had unacceptable quality CS. Mean (SD) QS was significantly higher in faith-based hospitals than in public hospitals (18.00 (0.91) versus 15.59 (1.24);P</span></span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">0.001).</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Immediate </span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">postoperative clinical monitoring was effective only in 66 (55%) of cases. Apgar score was below 7 over 10 in 17 (14.2%) cases of which 6 freshes still births. No maternal death was recorded and maternal complications were recorded in 14 (11.7%) cases. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Conclusion: </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The quality of CS is generally poor in rural settings in West-Cameroon. The quantity and quality of staffs required for Caesarean sections in the hospitals are sometimes insufficient. The poor quality of CS in this region could be addressed using the faith-based hospitals: St Vincent de Paul’s Hospital as a model.</span></span></span></span>展开更多
This article focuses on two English translations of Ji Yun's 纪昀 eigh- teenth-century collection of "stories of the strange," Random Jottings at the Cottage of Close Scrutiny (Yuewei caotang biji 阅微草堂笔记). ...This article focuses on two English translations of Ji Yun's 纪昀 eigh- teenth-century collection of "stories of the strange," Random Jottings at the Cottage of Close Scrutiny (Yuewei caotang biji 阅微草堂笔记). The translation done by Leo Tak-hung Chan is set within the context of his 1998 sinological monograph, while David Pollard's recent translation, published in 2014, stands as an edited volume of translation oriented toward the general reader. Referring to textual and paratextual elements in these two translations, I hope to show how the "setting" of a translation modulates its tone and message, which in turn unfolds with the selection, style and overall structure of the translation. I also draw from an actual dialog between Leo Chan and David Pollard, which evolves around the various aspects in translating Ji Yun's work and the more general issues in sinology and translating Chinese literature. The dialog between the two translators of Ji Yun further illustrates the translators' approaches to the original text, their mediating efforts toward crosscultural readability and literary felicity and specifically, how the state of mind of a translator might come into play with the "flavor" of a translation.展开更多
If a domesticated translation from Chinese to English can be understood as an act of eurocentrism, then the difficulties in translating Wong Bik-wan's latest novel Weixi chong xing (The re-walking of Mei-hei, 2014)...If a domesticated translation from Chinese to English can be understood as an act of eurocentrism, then the difficulties in translating Wong Bik-wan's latest novel Weixi chong xing (The re-walking of Mei-hei, 2014) reveal how this Hong Kong female writer uses language to escape patriarchal and colonial influences. This article examines how Wong makes use of the strategy of writing as a "repressed" individual (both in terms of her subject position and language style). Even though her language and sentences are at times short and dense, and the rhythm is fast, Wong demonstrates how one can reveal more by seemingly saying less. Attempts to reduce her text to a single interpretation have only resulted in failure. If it is hard for the repressed to speak without oppression, Wong illustrates how one can circumvent the constraints through the tactic of evasion, and demonstrates how the repressed can explode from gaps and silence.展开更多
文摘Human milk is considered to be the optimal source of infant nutrition. Some of the benefits of breastfeeding have been ascribed to human milk oligosaccharides(HMO). For instance, HMO can affect faecal characteristics such as stool consistency and stool frequency. Such effects on stool characteristics can be beneficial for young infants as hard stools and even constipation is common in that age group. Prebiotics in infant milk formulas have been introduced to exert similar functionalities. A specific mixture of prebiotics consists of a combination of short chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides(scGOS/lcFOS) in a ratio of 9:1. This specific mixture has been developed to closely resemble the molecular size composition of HMO. Many studies have been done with scGOS/lcFOS, and indicators for digestive comfort have often been included as secondary outcomes. This review summarizes the effects of scGOS/lcFOS(9:1) on stool consistency,stool frequency and transit time in healthy term and preterm infants. In several of the studies with scGOS/lcFOS in a ratio of 9:1 in infant milk formulas, positive effects of this mixture on stool characteristics such as stool consistency and stool frequency were observed. As stool consistency was shown to be correlated to whole gut transit time, scGOS/lcFOS can be hypothesised to have a role in reducing the risk of constipation.
文摘The aim of the present study is to design a new fifth order system of Emden–Fowler equations and related four types of the model.The standard second order form of the Emden–Fowler has been used to obtain the new model.The shape factor that appear more than one time discussed in detail for every case of the designed model.The singularity atη=0 at one point or multiple points is also discussed at each type of the model.For validation and correctness of the new designed model,one example of each type based on system of fifth order Emden–Fowler equations are provided and numerical solutions of the designed equations of each type have been obtained by using variational iteration scheme.The comparison of the exact results and present numerical outcomes for solving one problem of each type is presented to check the accuracy of the designed model.
文摘BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)is a ubiquitous bacterium that affects nearly half of the world’s population with a high morbidity and mortality rate.Polymorphisms within the tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-A)promoter region are considered a possible genetic basis for this disease.AIM To functionally characterize the genetic variations in the TNF-A 5’-region(-584 to+107)of Sudanese patients infected with H.pylori using in silico tools.METHODS An observational study was carried out in major public and private hospitals in Khartoum state.A total of 122 gastric biopsies were taken from patients who had been referred for endoscopy.Genomic DNA was extracted.Genotyping of the TNF-A-1030 polymorphism was performed using PCR with confronting two-pair primer to investigate its association with the susceptibility to H.pylori infection in the Sudanese population.Furthermore,Sanger sequencing was applied to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 5’-region(-584 to+107)of TNF-A in H.pylori-infected patients.Bioinformatics analyses were used to predict whether these mutations would alter transcription factor binding sites or composite regulatory elements in this region.A comparative profiling analysis was conducted in 11 species using the ECR browser and multiple-sequence local alignment and visualization search engine to investigate the possible conservation.Also,a multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to estimate odds ratios and their 95%confidence intervals for the association between TNF-A-1030,sociodemographic characteristics and H.pylori infection.Differences were statistically significant if P<0.05.Statistical analyses were performed using Stata version 11 software.RESULTS A total of seven single nucleotide polymorphisms were observed in the TNF-A 5’-region of Sudanese patients infected with H.pylori.Only one of them(T>A,-76)was located at the in silico-predicted promoter region(-146 to+10),and it was predicted to alter transcription factor binding sites and composite regulatory elements.A novel mutation(A>T,+27)was detected in the 5’untranslated region,and it could affect the post-transcriptional regulatory pathways.Genotyping of TNF-A-1030 showed a lack of significant association between-1030T and susceptibility to H.pylori and gastric cancer in the studied population(P=0.1756)and(P=0.8116),respectively.However,a significant association was detected between T/C genotype and H.pylori infection(39.34%vs 19.67%,odds ratio=2.69,95%confidence interval:1.17-6.17,P=0.020).Mammalian conservation was observed for the(-146 to+10)region in chimpanzee(99.4%),rhesus monkey(95.6%),cow(91.8%),domesticated dog(89.3%),mouse(84.3%),rat(82.4%)and opossum(78%).CONCLUSION Computational analysis was a valuable method for understanding TNF-A gene expression patterns and guiding further in vitro and in vivo experimental validation.
文摘<strong>Introduction:</strong> <span><span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Caesarean section (CS) is a major reproductive health intervention to improve maternal and foetal outcomes if appropriately performed. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">This study aimed to assess the quality of Caesarean sections (CS) in a rural</span> <span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">setting in Cameroon. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Materials and Methods: </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">A prospective study con</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ducted in 3 hospitals from February 1</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">st</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 2020 to April 30</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 2020. One hundred and twenty women who had a CS were included. Data were grouped into 5 categories: </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) Sociodemographic and obstetrical characteristics, </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) Geographic and financial access, </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">3</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) Diagnostic procedures, </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">4</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) Operative parameters and </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">5</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) Post-operative parameters. The Dujardin’s model and context-relevant</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> criteria served to construct the quality score. The scale was 0 </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 20 and scores ≤ 15 were considered as unacceptable quality while those >15 were considered as acceptable quality CS. Logistic regressions permitted to measure associations. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Results:</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> There were 538 deliveries and 120 (22.3%) CS. The mean (SD) gestational age was 38.7 (2.6) weeks with extremes of 31 and 43 weeks. Group 5 of the Robson’s classification was predominant (35.0%). Motorbikes were the mode of transport to the maternity for 72.5% (87/120) of women. No referral was made by ambulance. Only 44 (36.7%) women had paid the full cost of the CS prior to surgery. In addition, 26 (21.6%) women had a complete clinical examination on admission. The surgical team was not complete (<6 staffs) in 56 (43.3%) cases. Anaesthesia was done by nurses in all cases. CS was done by a general practitioner and by nurses in 86 (71.7%) and 14 (11.7%) cases respectively. Overall, mean (SD) quality score (QS) was 16.33 (1.60).</span><b> </b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Sixty six of the 120 (55.3%) caesarean sections had unacceptable quality CS. Mean (SD) QS was significantly higher in faith-based hospitals than in public hospitals (18.00 (0.91) versus 15.59 (1.24);P</span></span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">0.001).</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Immediate </span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">postoperative clinical monitoring was effective only in 66 (55%) of cases. Apgar score was below 7 over 10 in 17 (14.2%) cases of which 6 freshes still births. No maternal death was recorded and maternal complications were recorded in 14 (11.7%) cases. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Conclusion: </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The quality of CS is generally poor in rural settings in West-Cameroon. The quantity and quality of staffs required for Caesarean sections in the hospitals are sometimes insufficient. The poor quality of CS in this region could be addressed using the faith-based hospitals: St Vincent de Paul’s Hospital as a model.</span></span></span></span>
文摘This article focuses on two English translations of Ji Yun's 纪昀 eigh- teenth-century collection of "stories of the strange," Random Jottings at the Cottage of Close Scrutiny (Yuewei caotang biji 阅微草堂笔记). The translation done by Leo Tak-hung Chan is set within the context of his 1998 sinological monograph, while David Pollard's recent translation, published in 2014, stands as an edited volume of translation oriented toward the general reader. Referring to textual and paratextual elements in these two translations, I hope to show how the "setting" of a translation modulates its tone and message, which in turn unfolds with the selection, style and overall structure of the translation. I also draw from an actual dialog between Leo Chan and David Pollard, which evolves around the various aspects in translating Ji Yun's work and the more general issues in sinology and translating Chinese literature. The dialog between the two translators of Ji Yun further illustrates the translators' approaches to the original text, their mediating efforts toward crosscultural readability and literary felicity and specifically, how the state of mind of a translator might come into play with the "flavor" of a translation.
文摘If a domesticated translation from Chinese to English can be understood as an act of eurocentrism, then the difficulties in translating Wong Bik-wan's latest novel Weixi chong xing (The re-walking of Mei-hei, 2014) reveal how this Hong Kong female writer uses language to escape patriarchal and colonial influences. This article examines how Wong makes use of the strategy of writing as a "repressed" individual (both in terms of her subject position and language style). Even though her language and sentences are at times short and dense, and the rhythm is fast, Wong demonstrates how one can reveal more by seemingly saying less. Attempts to reduce her text to a single interpretation have only resulted in failure. If it is hard for the repressed to speak without oppression, Wong illustrates how one can circumvent the constraints through the tactic of evasion, and demonstrates how the repressed can explode from gaps and silence.