Prenatal Secondhand Smoke Exposure: Correlation Between Nicotine in Umbilical Cord Blood and Neonatal Anthropometry

Mery Ramadani,Budi Utomo,Hartono Gunardi,Endang L Achadi 질병관리본부 2019 Osong Public Health and Research Persptectives Vol.10 No.4

Objectives: Nicotine narrows uterine blood vessels reducing the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus. This study examined the effects of fetal exposure to secondhand smoke on neonatal anthropometry. Methods: This cross sectional study recruited 128 pregnant women in the third trimester of single pregnancies who had no chronic illness, were not active or ex-smokers, and who were willing to participate in the study. Pregnant women who were exposed to secondhand smoke had umbilical cord blood nicotine concentrations of ≥ 1 ng/mL. Neonatal anthropometry was assessed according to the newborn birth weight and length. The independent t-test was used to determine the neonatal difference in mean birth weight and length between the women who were exposed to secondhand smoke, and those who were not exposed. A multiple linear regression analysis was employed to assess the effect of secondhand smoke exposure on birth weight and birth length, controlling for potential confounding variables (weight gain during pregnancy, body mass index, parity, maternal age, and maternal hemoglobin). Results: There were 35 women exposed to secondhand smoke (nicotine ≥ 1 ng/mL). Neonate birth weight and birth length were lower among mothers who were exposed to secondhand smoke. However, only neonate birth weight was significantly reduced by exposure to secondhand smoke (p = 0.005). The mean birth weight of these neonates was 2,916.5 g ± 327.3 g which was 205.6 g less than in unexposed fetuses. Conclusion: Exposure of mothers to secondhand smoke during pregnancy reduces fetal development and neonatal weight.

Comparative study of acute in vitro and short-term in vivo triiodothyronine treatments on the contractile activity of isolated rat thoracic aortas

Ruth Mery Ló,pez,Jorge Skiold Ló,pez,Jair Lozano,Hé,ctor Flores,Rosa Angelica Carranza,Antonio Franco,Enrique Fernando Castillo 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2020 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.24 No.4

We aimed to characterize the participation of rapid non-genomic and delayed non-genomic/genomic or genomic mechanisms in vasoactive effects to triiodothyronine (T3), emphasizing functional analysis of the involvement of these mechanisms in the genesis of nitric oxide (NO) of endothelial or muscular origin. Influences of in vitro and in vivo T3 treatments on contractile and relaxant responsiveness of isolated rat aortas were studied. In vivo T3-treatment was 500 μg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹, subcutaneous injection, for 1 (T31d) and 3 (T33d) days. In experiments with endothelium- intact aortic rings contracted with phenylephrine, increasing concentrations of T3 did not alter contractility. Likewise, in vitro T3 did not modify relaxant responses induced by acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) nor contractile responses elicited by phenylephrine or angiotensin II in endothelium-intact aortas. Concentration- response curves (CRCs) to acetylcholine and SNP in endothelium-intact aortic rings from T31d and T33d rats were unmodified. T33d, but not T31d, treatment diminished CRCs to phenylephrine in endothelium-intact aortic rings. CRCs to phenylephrine remained significantly depressed in both endothelium-denuded and endothelium- intact, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor-treated, aortas of T33d rats. In endotheliumdenuded aortas of T33d rats, CRCs to angiotensin II, and high K⁺ contractures, were decreased. Thus, in vitro T3 neither modified phenylephrine-induced active tonus nor CRCs to relaxant and contractile agonists in endothelium-intact aortas, discarding rapid non-genomic actions of this hormone in smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Otherwise, T33d-treatment inhibited aortic smooth muscle capacity to contract, but not to relax, in an endothelium- and NO-independent manner. This effect may be mediated by delayed non-genomic/genomic or genomic mechanisms.

Cross-tabulation Analysis of Indonesian Social Research in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Yusnaini,Nengyanti,Mery Yanti,Anang Dwi Santoso 아시아기술혁신학회 2023 Asian Journal of Innovation and Policy Vol.12 No.1

This study investigates the productivity of Indonesian social scientists during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular concentration on their contributions to COVID-19 prevention and management. By categorizing social science research according to themes such as authors' gender, authors' institution of origin, forms of collaboration, and journal quality, this study examines the patterns and factors that influence research output. Using information from the Scopus database, 1,071 journal articles were analyzed in total. The findings indicate that collaborations with foreign researchers considerably improve productivity and publication quality, with Malaysian and Australian institutions serving as the most active partners. Nevertheless, there are gender disparities, as female authors write and are cited less frequently than male authors. The study stresses the importance of increasing international collaboration among Indonesian authors and implementing affirmative action policies to support and empower female researchers. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing policymakers, funding agencies, and academic institutions with recommendations for fostering a more inclusive and influential research environment in Indonesia.

Seismo-tectonic and morphological study of the northeast Himalaya

Suraj Gupta,Mery Biswas 한국지질과학협의회 2023 Geosciences Journal Vol.27 No.1

The study of the spatial distribution of strain and stress accumulation in a continent-continent convergent system is significant for seismic hazard assessment. The Indian Plate is moving towards the north-east at a pace of 5cm/year, according to GPS velocity vectors. Since the Main Central Thrust (MCT) was active from 23 Ma to 12 Ma, when the Eurasian and Indian Plates collided for the first time, The Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) was formed by continuous collision to the south of the MCT, which continued until 3 Ma. The Main Frontal Thrust (MFT) is newly formed in the Himalayan Orogeny and is still tectonically active. This tectonically active area has been divided into four regions according to the computed ‘b’ value distribution. Regions 2 and 3 represent the inverse relationship between magnitude and frequency distribution. The magnitude range is greater than the frequency in Region 2, while the frequency distribution is greater than the magnitude in Region 3. In an overview of such alteration, two selected watersheds, namely Kameng from R-3 (Region 3) and Dibang from R-2 (Region 2), display the different values of the index of active tectonics (IAT), considering the sub-basins. Here parameters like the basin shape index (Bs), the compactness coefficient (Cc), the form ratio (Rf), the circularity ratio (Rc), the leminscate coefficient (k), the hypsometric integral (HI), the stream gradient index (SL), and the sinuosity index (SI) have been considered to compute the IAT. According to the overall average range of the IAT of the two watersheds, Kameng is more active (2.198) than Dibang (2.272). The VP and VS anomalies at 20 km, 40 km and 60 km indicate that the Kameng watershed is more active than Dibang as the higher range of VP and VS at a depth of 20 km lies near the foredeep section and it is also supported by the location of active sub-basins between the MBT (Main Boundary Thrust) and the MFT (Main Frontal Trust). The active crustal shortening across the southern part of the Kameng River, around the Main Frontal Thrust Décollement Zone, intensifies the plate movement by 10 mm/year along the section of R-3.

A Self-standing and Binder-free Electrodes Fabricated from Carbon Nanotubes and an Electrodeposited Current Collector Applied in Lithium-ion Batteries

Luais, Erwann,Mery, Adrien,Abou-Rjeily, John,Sakai, Joe,Tran-Van, Francois,Ghamouss, Fouad The Korean Electrochemical Society 2019 Journal of electrochemical science and technology Vol.10 No.4

In this paper, we report the preparation of a flexible, self-standing and binder-free carbon nanotubes (CNTs) electrode with an electro-generated current collector. The copper current collector layer was electrodeposited on the backside of CNTs self-standing film obtained by a simple filtration process. The obtained CNTs-Cu assembly was used as a negative electrode in Li-ion batteries exhibiting good performance along with proving its applicability in flexible batteries.

The Development of Digital Age Literacy: A Case Study in Indonesia

MUJTAHID, Iqbal Miftakhul,BERLIAN, Mery,VEBRIANTO, Rian,THAHIR, Musa,IRAWAN, Dedi Korea Distribution Science Association 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.2

This research aims to develop the instrument of feasible and reliable digital-age literacy to be used in the learning process. This needs to be done due to a different region, tribe, and gender involved in this research. The digital-age literacy developed in this research consisting of 8 constructs, including 1) basic literacy, 2) scientific skill, 3) economy skill, 4) information skill, 5) technology skill, 6) visual skill, 7) various cultures skill, and 8) global awareness. As many as 650 respondents were chosen through stratified and random sampling in this survey. Those respondents were students at Universitas Terbuka based on gender and Ethnicity comparison. To see the internal consistency, the data were then analyzed using SPSS 23.00 version for Windows. It was obtained that all questionnaire constructs were valid and reliable, proven by obtaining a high mean reliability value of Cronbach Alpha (0.816 > 0.6), in which each item had a high value (0.778-0.841). Therefore, the number obtained the results proved that this research had produced a quality instrument that can be used to evaluate the students' mastery of the digital-age literacy of the learning process in Universitas Terbukain Asia, especially in Indonesia.

Adaptive Image Segmentation Based on Histogram Transition Zone Analysis

Acuna, Rafael Guillermo Gonzalez,Mery, Domingo,Klette, Reinhard Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems 2016 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL of FUZZY LOGIC and INTELLIGE Vol.16 No.4

While segmenting "complex" images (with multiple objects, many details, etc.) we experienced a need to explore new ways for time-efficient and meaningful image segmentation. In this paper we propose a new technique for image segmentation which has only one variable for controlling the expected number of segments. The algorithm focuses on the treatment of pixels in transition zones between various label distributions. Results of the proposed algorithm (e.g. on the Berkeley image segmentation dataset) are comparable to those of GMM or HMM-EM segmentation, but are achieved with significantly reduced computation time.

Early stage (IA-IB) primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube: case-control comparison to adenocarcinoma of the ovary

Charlotte Vaysse,Cyril Touboul,Thomas Filleron,Eliane Mery,Eva Jouve,Pierre Leguevaque,Philippe Morice,Eric Leblanc,Denis Querleu 대한부인종양학회 2011 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.22 No.1

Objective: Early stage primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube (PCFT) is an uncommon condition when strict criteria are applied. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome stage IA-IB PCFT to a matched group of ovarian cancer (OC). Methods: Between 1990 and 2008, 32 patients with stage IA-IB of PCFT were recorded in the database of three French Institutions. A control group of patients with OC was constituted. Results: Eleven eligible PCFT cases and 29 OC controls fulfilled the stringent inclusion criteria. Median follow-up was 70.2 months. Five-year overall survival was 83.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.3 to 97.5) for PCFT and 88.0% (95% CI, 66.9 to 96.0) for OC (p=0.93). In the subgroup of patients with grade 2-3, the outcome was similar in PCFT compared to OC patients (p=0.75). Five-year relapse-free survival was respectively 62.5% (95% CI, 22.9 to 86.1) and 85.0% (95% CI, 64.6 to 94.2) in the PCFT and OC groups (p=0.07). In the subgroup of patients (grade 2-3), there was no difference between PCFT and OC (p=0.65). Conclusion: The findings did not reveal any difference in prognosis between early stage of PCFT and OC when grade is taken into account. Management of PCFT should mirror that of ovarian carcinoma. Objective: Early stage primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube (PCFT) is an uncommon condition when strict criteria are applied. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome stage IA-IB PCFT to a matched group of ovarian cancer (OC). Methods: Between 1990 and 2008, 32 patients with stage IA-IB of PCFT were recorded in the database of three French Institutions. A control group of patients with OC was constituted. Results: Eleven eligible PCFT cases and 29 OC controls fulfilled the stringent inclusion criteria. Median follow-up was 70.2 months. Five-year overall survival was 83.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.3 to 97.5) for PCFT and 88.0% (95% CI, 66.9 to 96.0) for OC (p=0.93). In the subgroup of patients with grade 2-3, the outcome was similar in PCFT compared to OC patients (p=0.75). Five-year relapse-free survival was respectively 62.5% (95% CI, 22.9 to 86.1) and 85.0% (95% CI, 64.6 to 94.2) in the PCFT and OC groups (p=0.07). In the subgroup of patients (grade 2-3), there was no difference between PCFT and OC (p=0.65). Conclusion: The findings did not reveal any difference in prognosis between early stage of PCFT and OC when grade is taken into account. Management of PCFT should mirror that of ovarian carcinoma.

Adaptive Image Segmentation Based on Histogram Transition Zone Analysis

Rafael Guillermo Gonzalez Acun,Domingo Mery,Reinhard Klette 한국지능시스템학회 2016 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL of FUZZY LOGIC and INTELLIGE Vol.16 No.4

While segmenting “complex” images (with multiple objects, many details, etc.) we experienced a need to explore new ways for time-efficient and meaningful image segmentation. In this paper we propose a new technique for image segmentation which has only one variable for controlling the expected number of segments. The algorithm focuses on the treatment of pixels in transition zones between various label distributions. Results of the proposed algorithm (e.g. on the Berkeley image segmentation dataset) are comparable to those of GMM or HMM-EM segmentation, but are achieved with significantly reduced computation time.

On the Impact of Siloxanated Side Chains on the Properties of Semiconducting Polymers

Benoit Heinrich,Thomas Heiser,Patrick Leveque,Nicolas Leclerc,Stephane Mery 한국고분자학회 2021 한국고분자학회 학술대회 연구논문 초록집 Vol.46 No.2

For several years, semiconducting polymers substituted with siloxane side chains have shown remarkable charge transport properties, without being able to clearly identify its origin. To help clarify this matter, different series of π-conjugated polymers functionalized with either neat-alkylated or siloxane containing side-chains were synthesized and extensively characterized. While electronic molecular properties were little affected by the lateral chain change, the siloxane-functionalized polymers systematically showed enhanced charge carrier mobility values, suggesting the effect of a modified structure and/or morphology. Effectively, an extended X-ray scattering study of bulk materials and thin films evidenced an improved stacking of backbones enhancing the efficiency of conduction pathways. These results were explained in compliance with the intrinsic properties of siloxane. Molecular design rules were specified for the rational substitution of semiconducting polymer side chains.