bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary rehabilitation can alter the respiratory microbiome in patients with COPD
Authors: Ma Haiman , Wu Shuo , Zhang Yan , Xu Xi , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Zhao Feng , Ti Xinyu , Qu Shuoyao
Published: February 2023

Background
As one of the main causes ofchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory microbiome is of great significance to the disease progression. Meanwhile, pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), as an effective nonpharmacologicintervention for COPD, evaluation of the efficacy is limited to the improvement of symptoms and lung function, which is one-sided to a certain extent. Therefore, an individualized 2-week intensive PR programme was established in the present study for patients with COPD to investigate whether this short course of PR can have impact on respiratory microbiome in patients.
Methods
The patients with stable COPD who participated in this study underwent short-term, high-intensity and center-based PR programme, which included two major components: respiratory muscle training and vibration expectoration. Sputum samples were collected before and after the PR to detect alterations of respiratory microbiome by metagenomic sequencing. The main purpose was to observe changes of composition, function and resistance genes in respiratory microbiomebefore and after PR, and explore the relationship of respiratory microbiome with lung function and symptoms.
Results
After the 2-week intensive PR, the abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetesdecreased, while that of Proteobacteria increased at the phylum level; the abundance of Streptococcus and Prevotella decreased, while that of Neisseria increased at the genus level. Concomitantly, it was found that Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Streptococcus and Prevotella were negatively correlated with lung function and positively correlated with CAT score, while Neisseria was positively correlated with lung function and negatively correlated with CAT score. Based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, the functional abundance of most respiratory microbiome decreased after 2-week PR. Simultaneously, the species function abundance was negatively correlated with the lung function of COPD. In addition, the resistance gene fluctuated with the attribution of the species, and the macrolide resistance genes of COPD were significantly reduced after 2-week PR.
Conclusions
The short course of intensive PR can alter the composition, function and antibiotic resistance genes of respiratory microbiome in patients with COPD, which plays a role by promoting the self-regulation ability of patients. This study provides a novel, gentle and non-pharmacologic intervention for the regulation of microbiome in the future.
Adrenal gland as first metastasis from broad ligament leiomyosarcoma: case report and literature review
Authors: Lan Yibi , Lv Zili , Wen Zhang , Guan Xuecun , Wu Bo , Fu Weijin
Published: February 2023

Background
Primary leiomyosarcoma(LMS) very rarely arises in the broad ligament. Metastasis is usually to lungs, liver, and so on, but seldomly to adrenal gland. Clinical presentation and imaging findings of metastatic broad ligament LMS are often nonspecific.The diagnosis is mainly based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry findings, and surgical resection is the preferred treatment method.
Case presentation
We present an extremely rare case of 49-year-old woman with recurrent broad ligament LMS metastasizing to right adrenal gland. Previously, she was diagnosed with broad ligament LMS and underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The disease-free interval was 3 years until metastases were found. Computerized tomography (CT) performed, revealed right adrenal lesion. Adrenal lesion was completely resected. Pathological examination showed both the primary and the secondary LMS to have features of well-differentiated tumors.
Conclusions
Up to know, we highlight the uncommon case of broad ligament LMS with the adrenal metastatis. It is indicated that well-differentiated of broad ligament LMS also have the malignant potential of distant metastasis even if the patient have performed surgical treatment. We hope this uncommon case helps clinicians gain further understanding of metastasized broad ligament LMS.
Antimycobacterial Effects of Herbal Preparations Used In Buruli Ulcer Endemic Communities In Ghana
Authors: Ackah Ralphael Yaw , Amponsah Isaac Kingsley , Ekuadzi Edmund , Baah Michael Kwesi , Dickson Rita Akosua
Published: February 2023

Buruli ulcer is a devastating skin infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. It is endemic in the Amansie West district of the Ashanti region of Ghana where patients rely mainly on herbal preparations from practitioners. This work aimed at validating some preparations employed by traditional healers in the Amansie West district for the management of Buruli ulcer. Four herbal preparations, obtained from practitioners in four communities were tested against the clinical M. ulcerans strain (NM203) using the resazurin microplate assay. Cytotoxicity test was done on the extracts using Chang liver cells. Chemical profiling of the active formulation was done using High-performance liquid chromatography. Some traditional herbal practitioners considered painless wounds in the extremities as diagnostic of BU whereas others relied on diagnosis of BU from a recognized conventional healthcare facility before proceeding to treat with herbal products. A formulation containing the roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta and seeds of Picralima nitida, as plant ingredients, was considerably active (MIC = 32µg/mL). The preparations were non-cytotoxic to Chang- liver cells. The herbal preparations showed considerable antimycobacterium ulcerans activity and are not toxic. A major peak in the HPLC chromatogram of the active formulation with a retention time of 17.86 min was identified as a marker for the quality analytics of the active formulation. A traditional herbal preparation used in Buruli ulcer endemic community was validated to show antimycobacterium ulcerans activity. Validation of similar preparations could afford novel drugs or products for this neglected tropical disease.
USE OF BACTERIAL LYSATE IN COMPLEX TREATMENT OF ACUTE BRONCHITIS COMBINED WITH EUTHYROID SICK SYNDROME IN PRESCHOOLERS
Authors: Havrylenko Anastasiia
Published: February 2023

Objective. This study's objective was to determine bacterial lysate's effect on the state of humoral immunity (IgA, IgM, IgG) in preschool children with acute bronchitis in combination with euthyroid sick syndrome.
Materials and methods. We examined 135 children of preschool age (3 to 6 years) with acute bronchitis (main group) and 28 healthy children (control group). Group Ia included 45 children with acute bronchitis who were treated according to the standard scheme. Preschoolers with acute bronchitis in Group Ib (47 patients) additionally received bacterial lysate. Group IIa included 21 children with acute bronchitis and euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) manifestations who received standard therapy. Group IIb consisted of 22 patients with acute bronchitis and ESS who received standard therapy and were additionally given an immunomodulator.
The bacterial lysate consisted of Staphylococcus aureus 6×109 colony-forming units (CFU), Streptococcus pyogenes 6×109 CFU, Streptococcus viridans 6×109 CFU, Klebsiella pneumoniae 6×109 CFU, Klebsiella ozaenae 6×109 CFU, Haemophilus influenzae B 6×109 CFU, Neisseria catarrhalis 6×109 CFU, Streptococcus pneumoniae 6×109 CFU (the latter included the following types in amount of 1×109 CFU each: TY1/EQ11, TY2/EQ22, TY3/EQ14, TY5/EQ15, TY8/EQ23, TY47/EQ24). The effectiveness of bacterial lysate in children with acute bronchitis and with or without ESS was determined by comparing the humoral immunity parameters (IgA, IgM, IgG) in the acute period (1 to 2 days after the onset) and convalescence period (7 to 10 days after the onset).
Levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, and IgG) were measured by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All results were statistically processed using the SPSS 26 software.
Results. No statistically significant difference was found between the values of immunoglobulins A, M, and G in children with acute bronchitis and with or without ESS manifestations in the acute period of the disease. At the same time, the above parameters were significantly higher than the corresponding values in the control group.
A statistically significant difference was observed in the humoral immunity parameters of patients who were given the bacterial lysate vs. patients who were not.
In children who were additionally given the bacterial lysate, IgA levels practically equaled the levels of the control group in the convalescence period. The serum levels of IgM and IgG in children who additionally received the immunomodulator tended to approach the values of the control group.
Conclusions. The use of bacterial lysate positively affected the restoration of humoral homeostasis, especially on the level of immunoglobulin A, in children with acute bronchitis and with or without the euthyroid sick syndrome. The bacterial lysate demonstrated high efficiency against this disease in this group of patients.
DETERMINATION OF THE INFLUENCE MECHANISMS OF SUCCINIC ACID-BASED DRUG ON IMPROVING THE STATE OF ERYTHROCYTE LINK OF OXYGEN TRANSPORT DURING AEROBIC PHYSICAL LOADS
Authors: Gunina Larisa , Ataman Yurii , Belenichev Ihor , Golovashchenko Roman , Voitenko Valentina , Bezugla Victoria
Published: February 2023

Introduction. Strenuous aerobic work inherent to cyclical sports requires adequate oxygenation of the athletes’ working muscles. One of the ways to improve the oxygen transport function of blood is to optimize the structural and functional state of erythrocytes, for example, by using succinic acid in the form of the medical drug Armadin Long. This pharmacological drug is widespread in clinical practice for treating hypoxic and ischemic conditions, and very little is known about its use for improving the condition of the erythrocytes in the blood of athletes, which determined the relevance of this study.
The objective of the study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of using the medical drug Armadine Long to improve the state of the erythrocyte link of the blood oxygen transport system during aerobic exercise.
Materials and Methods. A randomized blinded placebo-controlled trial included 40 male middle-distance runners (aerobic discipline of athletics). The subjects were divided into two subgroups matched for number, age, and anthropometric characteristics (strats). In this work, laboratory methods were used, including hematological tests (in particular, hemoglobin and erythrocytes level measurement and erythrocyte characteristics evaluation), as well as biochemical method: the study of prooxidant and antioxidant balance (activity of lipid peroxidation according to changes in the content of maloniс dialdehyde and antioxidant protection according to changes in the concentration of reduced glutathione) and functional characteristics of erythrocyte membranes (permeability, sorption capacity, sorption capacity of the glycocalyx) as well as evaluation of the main components of lipid and protein composition of red blood cell membranes. Pedagogical research methods were based on the determination of relative aerobic capacity using the generally accepted PWC170 test.
Results of the study. During 21 days of intensive loads, an almost two-fold increase in contents of malonic dialdehyde was observed with a parallel decrease in reduced glutathione content by 23.5 % during aerobic loads. At the same time, there was a deterioration of the functional characteristics of erythrocytes and a decrease in the relative aerobic capacity in comparison with the baseline data.
The use of the medical drug Armadine Long at a dose of 600 mg per day improved the indicated characteristics of erythrocytes. At the same time, there were positive changes in the protein and lipid state of the erythrocyte membranes, and the athletes’ aerobic power increased by 38.7%. It substantiates the high ergogenic ability of succinic acid, which is based on the normalization of the lipoperoxidation process and the improvement of the structural and functional characteristics of erythrocyte membranes.
Automatic coordination control technology of interconnected medium voltage direct current (MVDC) distribution network based on frequency deviation
Authors: Ji Kunyang
Published: February 2023

The automatic coordination control technology of interconnected medium voltage direct current (MVDC) distribution network based on frequency deviation is studied to improve the influence of frequency deviation on the operation of MVDC distribution network. Firstly, two regional interconnected MVDC distribution networks are built, and connected and operated in parallel with the AC power grid through the medium voltage single-phase AC port, to realize the interconnection of different regions of the distribution network according to the MVDC feeder. Through the mutual power support of each division of the distribution network, the frequency of each division of the distribution network is the same, and the frequency deviation of each division is reduced. According to the zoning frequency characteristics of the interconnected MVDC distribution network, the control strategy of the flexible interconnection device and the control strategy of the photovoltaic power generation system are combined to realize the automatic coordinated control of the frequency deviation of the interconnected MVDC distribution network. The experimental results show that this technology can improve the frequency deviation of the interconnected MVDC distribution network, realize the automatic coordinated control of the distribution network, and the fluctuation range of the tie line power deviation in each region decreases significantly.
Polygenic Regulation by Flos Daturae in the Treatment of Breast Cancer:
A Study based on Network Pharmacology and Bioinformatics
Authors: Xiao Yang , Ma Mengcong , Li Yichen , Xiao Yunfeng
Published: February 2023

Background:

In recent years, Chinese herbal medicine has been gradually emerging as a suitable
treatment option for breast cancer. However, the mechanism underlying its effects remains to be elucidated.

Objective:

The drug targets and Flos Daturae targets were intersected to obtain 86 component-disease
intersection genes.

Methods:

The String database and Cytoscape3.8.0 were employed, and finally, AKT1, MYC, EGFR,
MAPK14 PTGS2, and VEGFA were obtained as the six core genes.

Results:

According to the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), six core gene correlation
analysis figures were constructed. The GO enrichment analysis and the KEGG pathway enrichment
analysis were conducted using the R package. Finally, molecular docking between the core genes and the
main active components was performed for verification.

Conclusion:

The results indicated that Flos Daturae has multiple components and multiple targets that
regulate the body functions, through which it plays a role in the treatment of breast cancer. In addition, it
was inferred that polygenic regulation is better than the single-gene approach in breast cancer treatment.
Estimation of Rotor Velocity and Stator Resistance for PMSM Drive using
Back-EMF SMO
Authors: Saadaoui Oussama , Khlaief Amor , Abassi Moez , Chaari Abdelkader
Published: February 2023

Background:

Sensorless control of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) at
low speed remains a challenging task.

Introduction:

In this paper, a sensorless vector control of PMSM using a new structure of a back
EMF sliding mode observer (SMO) is proposed.

Methods:

To remove the mechanical sensors, a back EMF-SMO is built to estimate the rotor position
and speed of PMSM drives. The SMO, which replaces a sign function with a sigmoid function,
can reduce the chattering phenomenon. This sensorless speed control shows great sensitivity
to stator resistance and system noise.

Results & Discussion:

To improve the robustness of sensorless vector control, the back EMFSMO
technique has been used for stator resistance estimation. A novel stator resistance estimator
is incorporated into the sensorless drive to compensate for the effects of stator resistance variation.

Conclusion:

The validity of the proposed SMO with a 1.1 kw low-speed PMSM sensorless vector
control has been demonstrated by real experiments.
Study on Adsorption of Ag+ by Waste Tea: Adsorption Kinetics,
Thermodynamics, Isotherm Properties
Authors: Zhai Qing-Zhou , Li Xiao-Dong
Published: February 2023

Aims:

In order to explore the adsorption effect of tea on heavy metal ions in industrial
wastewater, Ag+ is used as the research object in this paper.

Background:

In recent years, heavy metal pollution in water has seriously affected human
health and the stability of the ecological environment. In order to reduce the harmfulness of
heavy metals, various countries have issued a variety of control standards for heavy metals in
water, but there are still great restrictions in the prevention and control technology and level
of heavy metal pollution. Therefore, how to effectively treat heavy metal pollution in water
has become a hot topic in the field of water pollution management.

Objective:

The optimized conditions of the adsorption are obtained. Properties of the thermodynamics,
adsorption kinetics, and adsorption isotherm are obtained.

Methods:

In order to determine the best adsorption conditions for Ag+, the influence of factors
such as pH value, initial concentration of Ag+, tea dosage, contact time, and adsorption
temperature on the adsorption effect of tea is studied. The thermodynamics, adsorption kinetics,
and adsorption isotherm are studied.

Results:

The results showed that when the temperature is 25°C, the pH of the solution was
3.5, the amount of adsorbent was 2.5 g/L, the initial concentration of Ag+ was 125 μg/L and
the contact time was 30min, the adsorption rate was highest, reaching 98.11%. The thermodynamic
study of adsorption showed that at room temperature and above (298.15-318.15 K),
ΔG° < 0, indicating that the adsorption process can be spontaneous. The value of ΔGo in this
study is between -20 and -80 kJ/mol, indicating that this is a physicochemical adsorption process.
ΔHo = -80.111 kJ/mol < 0, indicating that the adsorption process of Ag+ is exothermic.
ΔSo = -188.977 J/(mol·K) < 0, indicating that the adsorption is a process of entropy reduction.
The adsorption kinetics study showed that the adsorption equilibrium capacity of different
concentrations had a large gap with the experimental results, and the correlation coefficient
was small by fitting the quasi-first-order kinetic equation and combining it with the experimental
measurements. When the quasi-second-order kinetic equation was used, the calculated
values of the equilibrium adsorption capacity of each concentration were basically close to the
experimentally measured values, and the correlation coefficient was large, so the kinetics of
the adsorption system of Ag+ by tea conformed to the quasi-second-order kinetic equation.
The adsorption isotherm of this adsorption process is accorded with the Freundlich model and
belonged to heterogeneous adsorption.

Conclusion:

Tea is a good adsorbent and has the potential for adsorption of Ag+.
Surface-Tailored Iron Oxide Magnetic Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Pandya S.R.
Published: February 2023

Iron Oxide Magnetic Nanomaterials (IOMNMs) are widely used biocompatible and FDA approved nanomaterials to develop numerous biomedical applications. However, bare IOMNMs have shown limited applications due to columbic forces that increase the agglomeration, resulting in increased size. Thus, modifying the surface charge and design of IOMNMs are of much interest while talking about their applications in highly developed medical technologies and biotechnologies inclusive of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) contrast agents, magnetic separation and immobilization of different proteins, antibodies, enzymes and several other biological substances. Usually, IOMNMs are modified with biocompatible functional groups like amine, carboxylic acid, hydroxyl group to enhance their bioavailability. The present article emphasizes possible synthetic approaches for tailored iron oxide nanoparticles and their surface chemistry, allowing both therapeutic and diagnostic applications (theranostic).
Magnetic Nanoparticles for Nucleic Acid Delivery: Magnetofection, Gene Therapy and Vaccines
Authors: Tuttolomondo M.V.
Published: February 2023

Gene therapy offers an alternative for the treatment of diseases such as cancer or neurodegenerative diseases by replacing, introducing or inactivating genes in the patient. In this aspect, the use of nanoparticles as nucleic acid delivery systems that prevents its degradation and facilitates its incorporation into target cells has been a subject of intense study in recent years. Among them, magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) offer advantages as new alternatives for non-viral transfection, such as guiding the nanoparticle and its content through magnetic fields towards target organs, increasing the efficiency and reducing transfection times. The use of MNP carrying genetic information to achieve transfection by the application of magnetic fields is known as magnetofection. In most cases, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are used as vehicles which also contain a cationic organic coating to increase their stability, gene incorporation and interaction with cell membranes. Another field in which the application of these new technologies is gaining attention is in the development of DNA and RNA- based vaccines for immunization and immunotherapy. In the following chapter, the use of magnetofection for in vitro experiments as well as the study of in vivo vaccine assays or gene therapy using MNP as nucleic acid carriers, will be discussed.
Applications of Magnetic Oxide Nanoparticles in Hyperthermia
Authors: Pullar R.C.
Published: February 2023

Magnetic oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are probably the most common nanomaterials in everyday biomedicine, and have been in use since the 1990’s. They are usually magnetic iron oxide NPs, made of magnetite (Fe3O4) or maghemite (γ-Fe2O3), or a mixture of the two. Both of these have the spinel structure, and other spinel ferrites such as ZnFe2O4, CoFe2O4 and NiFe2O4 are also used. For applications in magnetic hyperthermia these NPs must be below the magnetic domain size, making them superparamagnetic, which means that their magnetisation can be “switched on” by the application of an external magnetic field. Magnetic hyperthermia treatment is a form of thermotherapy which is used to kill tumour cells with thermal energy (heat) in a very localised manner, by causing magnetic oxide NPs to heat up near tumour cells. Under an applied AC magnetic field the magnetic spin of the NPs switches rapidly in direction, transforming the magnetic energy into thermal energy. Temperatures of 41-46 °C are sufficient, this localised heating elevating the temperature of tumour cells, inhibiting growth, killing them, or inducing tumour cell apoptosis. Magnetic NPs were first used in tumour thermotherapy in 1996, and since then there has been a great deal of research in this field. The treatment can be applied alone, or used in combination with other therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and it has shown excellent synergistic effects in combination with anticancer drugs (chemotherapeutics).
Ferromagnetic Ni Nanostructures via Chemical Reduction Methods
Authors: Revathy R.
Published: February 2023

For the last couple of decades, nickel (Ni) nanostructures are in the focus of active research since they are widely applied in countless walks of modern life. But being tiny magnets, their synthesis in monodisperse form is extremely challenging. In this chapter, we review the recent trends in the synthesis of Ni through chemical reduction routes without the aid of magnetic field, hydrothermal environments, and templates. The particle size and morphology of the synthesized Ni nanostructures can easily be tailored by controlling the reaction conditions. Depending on particle size and morphology, these ferromagnetic nanomaterials have a wide variety of applications in various technological fields.
HAND AND WRIST PAIN
Authors: Ayudia Hakim Izza , Nandar Kurniawan Shahdevi
Published: February 2023

Hand and wrist disorder affects a patient’s overall well-being and health-status. Epidemiology of elbow pain and pain per year in 58 of 10,000 patients in the UK, and is the fourth most common musculoskeletal site in the upper extremity after the shoulder, hand and. Characteristics of pain that can arise in the form of pain isuch ias radiating, tingling, thick feeling and can be in the form of weakness when gripping. This can happen because of a movement that is not appropriate and occurs repeatedly. There is a special physical examination that can support a diagnosis of pain in the hands and hands. The therapy used initially is non-steroidal anti-pain, even if it cannot be resolved, corticosteroid injections can be given to the painful area.
PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME
Authors: Adiyatma Hardi , Nandar Kurniawan Shahdevi
Published: February 2023

Piriformis syndrome is a disease characterized by inflammation of the peripheral nerves in the sciatic nerve caused by abnormal conditions in the piriformis muscle. Piriformis syndrome is caused by excessive or excessive contraction of the piriformis muscle. Piriformis syndrome is underdiagnosed and considered as common back pain and causes 6% of similar symptoms to Low Back Pain (LBP) and the incidence rates in LBP patients varying, from 5% to 36%. The incidence of PS is about 2.4 million new cases each year and it is more common in women than men. Piriformis syndrome usually happened in the 4th and 5th decades of life. There are various variations of the relationship between the sciatic nerve and the piriformis muscle where this anatomical shape is a risk factor for piriformis syndrome. The diagnosis of piriformis using functional (Fair Test, Beatty Maneuver, Modified Beatty Maneuver, Pace Test, Freiberg Test, Braggard Test, Straight Leg Raise Test, Bonnet Test, Micrine Test) and imaging modalities (USG, EMG, CT-Scan, MRI). The management of piriformis syndrome is carried out in the order of warning management, medical management, physical therapy, steroid spraying, botulinum spraying, and surgical technique. The prognosis of piriformis syndrome depends on the severe condition of each patient, a study reports that even patients who have undergone surgery can still get piriformis syndrome again
CLASSICAL MIGRAINE
Authors: Nandar Kurniawan Shahdevi , Kusuma Wardhani Dyah
Published: February 2023

A classic migraine is a recurrent attack of visual, sensory, or other central nervous system symptoms that are unilateral and last several minutes, followed or not followed by a migraine attack. Migraine commonly occurs in 19% of women and 11% of men worldwide, with 20% of sufferers experiencing classic migraine. The etiopathophysiology of classical migraine is not known with certainty, but vascular, neurological, and genetic dysfunction are suspected to be the cause. Classical migraine pathophysiology is associated with the theory of cortical spreading depression, which can explain the process of aura. There are four phases in classical migraine, namely prodromal, aura, headache, and prodromal phases, each of which has its own symptoms. This is the basis for the diagnosis of migraine, which is established based on the history and physical examination. Migraine therapy includes preventive therapy (lifestyle changes and prophylactic administration) as well as abortive therapy (administration of specific and non-specific drugs).
El conflicto chileno-mapuche en clave transnacional: el caso del Comando Jungla chileno y sus vínculos con la doctrina de securitización colombiana
Authors: Riobó Rodríguez Juan Camilo
Published: February 2023

Este artículo tiene por objetivo analizar cómo la capacitación de un grupo de carabineros de Chile en el año 2018 en Colombia, que se conoció como Comando Jungla durante el gobierno de Sebastián Piñera (2018-2022), se convirtió en un hito clave para la profundización del modelo de seguridad policial en la Araucanía. El documento estudia, desde un enfoque multidimensional y comparativo, la construcción de un marco de análisis que aborda las continuidades y rupturas de la aplicación de las políticas de seguridad colombianas en Chile, adaptadas a través del desarrollo y la inserción de este tipo de comandos en zonas de alta complejidad.
Termites (Blattodea: Isoptera) of Canada, continental USA, and Mexico: an identification key to families and genera, checklist of species, and new records for Mexico
Authors: De Luna Manuel , Rudolf H. Scheffrahn , García-Barrios Roberto , Cuellar-Rodriguez Gerardo
Published: February 2023

An illustrated identification key to the North American termite families and genera based mainly on the soldier caste is proposed. A checklist of termites (Insecta: Blattodea: Isoptera) of Canada, continental USA and Mexico is presented, listing 89 species (and two subspecies) grouped in 26 genera and four families. Five species are added to the Mexican termite fauna, these records are for the states of Campeche: Cryptotermes cavifrons; Quintana Roo: Cryptotermes cavifrons, Neotermes holmgreni, Neotermes phragmosus, Neotermes mona; Sonora: Incisitermes banksi; and Yucatan: Neotermes phragmosus. Other 32 new state records are made for the states of Aguascalientes, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Jalisco, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Sonora, and Yucatan. The species Coptotermes crassus, Coptotermes havilandi, Incisitermes perparvus, Microcerotermes strunckii, Nasutitermes costalis, Incisitermes nigritus and Termes melindae are eliminated from the termite fauna of this region.
Estrategias de la OCDE para sumar influencia en la gobernanza económica internacional
Authors: González-Parias Carlos Hernán , Londoño-Arias José Albán , Paradela-López Miguel , Builes-Tobón Carlos Alberto
Published: February 2023

Este artículo analiza las estrategias empleadas por la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económicos (OCDE) desde la primera década del siglo XXI para aumentar su influencia en las dinámicas de la gobernanza económica mundial. En particular, la OCDE ha emprendido tres estrategias: una alianza estratégica con el G-20; la inclusión de nuevos miembros, especialmente Estados cuyo ingreso resulta estratégico, y el reforzamiento de la asociación sin membresía, con el objeto de apoyar el desarrollo en transición de los países de Latinoamérica y el Caribe. Con una metodología cualitativa de revisión documental de textos académicos, oficiales y de prensa, se concluye que estas estrategias han dado resultados disímiles a la organización. Por una parte, son pertinentes los vínculos con el G-20; pero, el ingreso de nuevos miembros no ha sido claramente efectivo.
La guerra irrestricta como estrategia del ELN en Colombia
Authors: Villalba-Garcia Luisa Fernanda , Coronado-Camero Faiver , Sierra-Gutiérrez William Alfredo
Published: February 2023

La guerra irrestricta, definida como una guerra que supera los límites, ha sido bien estudiada desde su origen conceptual en 1999. En Occidente, se ha utilizado principalmente para analizar estrategias de balance de poder, ignorando su potencial para estudiar conflictos intraestatales. Este artículo analiza cómo emplea la guerra irrestricta el grupo armado organizado Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) en Colombia. Para ello, primero se desarrolla el concepto de guerra irrestricta; luego se analiza el ELN desde su identidad, su ideología y su interacción con el entorno, y finalmente se abordan ocho variables de la guerra irrestricta evaluando si el ELN las aplica. Se concluye que este grupo ha cambiado su estrategia hacia la omnidireccionalidad y se plantean recomendaciones para el Estado colombiano en su lucha contra esta amenaza.
Negotiating Lives
Authors: Arratia-Sandoval Esteban
Published: February 2023

How do criminal agendas affect a peace process with violent non-state actors? This article endeavors to resolve this question by presenting a qualitative analysis of the gang truce in El Salvador during the government of Mauricio Funes, using the Peace Triangle as an analytical framework based on three study variables: issues, behavior, and attitudes. It aims to make a double contribution to peace studies, filling a gap in academic knowledge about the sustainability of peace processes and examining the relationship between criminal agendas and conflict resolution. The study reveals that the former Salvadoran president’s inadequate management of criminal agendas transformed the peace negotiation into a damage control strategy, as it was not intended to modify the scale of gang-committed predatory crimes but rather, to shape its behavior.
Losing a war while defeating the enemy
Authors: Ünal Mustafa Coşar , Miron Marina
Published: February 2023

This article longitudinally analyzes the strategic interaction between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in their four decades of conflict. Using contemporary strategic theory as an analytical framework, it analyzes how the parties’ strategies –grand and military– and political objectives align. It finds that both parties have struggled with establishing (aligning policy, strategy, and resources) and, in several instances, maintaining a functioning strategy bridge. Static approaches that solely worked in a specific context and the absence of a strategy bridge have plagued both actors, thus perpetuating the ongoing conflict. The authors conclude that the conflict will likely continue unless one of the parties can create and maintain a working strategy bridge for an extended period.
Social Media Listening and Digital Profiling Study of People With Headache and Migraine: Retrospective Infodemiology Study
Authors: Goadsby Peter , Ruiz de la Torre Elena , Constantin Luminita , Amand Caroline
Published: February 2023

Background

There is an unmet need for a better understanding and management of headache, particularly migraine, beyond specialist centers, which may be facilitated using digital technology.

Objective

The objective of this study was to identify where, when, and how people with headache and migraine describe their symptoms and the nonpharmaceutical and medicinal treatments used as indicated on social media.

Methods

Social media sources, including Twitter, web-based forums, blogs, YouTube, and review sites, were searched using a predefined search string related to headache and migraine. The real-time data from social media posts were collected retrospectively for a 1-year period from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018 (Japan), or a 2-year period from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018 (Germany and France). The data were analyzed after collection, using content analysis and audience profiling.

Results

A total of 3,509,828 social media posts related to headache and migraine were obtained from Japan in 1 year and 146,257 and 306,787 posts from Germany and France, respectively, in 2 years. Among social media sites, Twitter was the most used platform across these countries. Japanese sufferers used specific terminology, such as “tension headaches” or “cluster headaches” (36%), whereas French sufferers even mentioned specific migraine types, such as ocular (7%) and aura (2%). The most detailed posts on headache or migraine were from Germany. The French sufferers explicitly mentioned “headache or migraine attacks” in the “evening (41%) or morning (38%),” whereas Japanese mentioned “morning (48%) or night (27%)” and German sufferers mentioned “evening (22%) or night (41%).” The use of “generic terms” such as medicine, tablet, and pill were prevalent. The most discussed drugs were ibuprofen and naproxen combination (43%) in Japan; ibuprofen (29%) in Germany; and acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, and caffeine combination (75%) in France. The top 3 nonpharmaceutical treatments are hydration, caffeinated beverages, and relaxation methods. Of the sufferers, 44% were between 18 and 24 years of age.

Conclusions

In this digital era, social media listening studies present an opportunity to provide unguided, self-reported, sufferers’ perceptions in the real world. The generation of social media evidence requires appropriate methodology to translate data into scientific information and relevant medical insights. This social media listening study showed country-specific differences in headache and migraine symptoms experienced and in the times of the day and treatments used. Furthermore, this study highlighted the prevalence of social media usage by younger sufferers compared to that by older sufferers.
Use of a Mobile Application Connecting Older Adults with Senior Welfare Centers during the COVID-19 Pandemic and its Effect on Improving Digital Literacy and Social Support in Korea: Development and Usability Study (Preprint)
Authors: Chung Soondool , Lee Ahyoung , Lee Hajin
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

In South Korea, social distancing measures were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and senior welfare centers were forced to close. Consequently, senior center members experienced difficulties from a loss of social interaction and the social services on which they relied. To compensate for this, senior welfare centers offered virtual programs; however, many older adults experienced hardship accessing information online. We developed a user-friendly mobile application “Welsh”, that connects senior welfare centers and older adults to provide information and services and foster social interaction.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the app in three areas (information acquisition, convenience, and social interaction) and to examine the effects of using Welsh on increasing digital literacy and social support among users.

METHODS

Study participants were recruited from May to September 2020 from five senior welfare centers located in Seoul, Korea. Survey questionnaires were collected from 376 older adults at 4-week intervals before and after using Welsh. Paired sample t-statistics were calculated with the pre- and post-test scores of digital literacy and social support.

RESULTS

Participants rated the app positively in the order of information acquisition, convenience, and social interaction. Also, they reported increased digital literacy after using Welsh, but there was no significant change in social support.

CONCLUSIONS

Implications for developing a user-friendly mobile app for older adults and ways of increasing digital literacy among senior center members are discussed.
A Serious Game to Self-Regulate Heart Rate Variability as a Technique to Manage Arousal Level Through Cardiorespiratory Biofeedback: Development and Pilot Evaluation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Estrella Tony , Alfonso Carla , Ramos-Castro Juan , Alsina Aitor , Capdevila Lluis
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) is an established intervention for increasing heart rate variability (HRV) in the clinical context. Using this technique, participants become aware of their HRV through real-time feedback and can self-regulate it.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was 2-fold: first, to develop a serious game that applies the HRVB technique to teach participants to self-regulate HRV and, second, to test the app with participants in a pilot study.

METHODS

An HRVB app called the FitLab Game was developed for this study. To play the game, users must move the main character up and down the screen, avoiding collisions with obstacles. The wavelength that users must follow to avoid these obstacles is based on the user’s basal heart rate and changes in instantaneous heart rate. To test the FitLab Game, a total of 16 participants (mean age 23, SD 0.69 years) were divided into a control group (n=8) and an experimental group (n=8). A 2 × 2 factorial design was used in each session. Participants in the experimental condition were trained in breathing techniques.

RESULTS

Changes in the frequency and time domain parameters of HRV and the game’s performance features were evaluated. Significant changes in the average RR intervals and root mean square of differences between adjacent RR intervals (RMSSD) were found between the groups (P=.02 and P=.04, respectively). Regarding performance, both groups showed a tendency to increase the evaluated outcomes from baseline to the test condition.

CONCLUSIONS

The results may indicate that playing different levels leads to an improvement in the game’s final score by repeated training. The tendency of changes in HRV may reflect a higher activation of the mental system of attention and control in the experimental group versus the control group. In this context, learning simple, voluntary strategies through a serious game can aid the improvement of self-control and arousal management. The FitLab Game appears to be a promising serious game owing to its ease of use, high engagement, and enjoyability provided by the instantaneous feedback.
Особливості нелакунарного інсульту варолієвого моста: результати госпітального проспективного когортного дослідження і презентація серії клінічних випадків у білих дорослих європейців
Authors: Prokopiv M.M. , Yevtushenko S.K. , Fartushna O.Ye.
Published: February 2023

Актуальність. Мостові інсульти мають катастрофічні наслідки. Проте не опубліковано нових даних госпітальних проспективних когортних досліджень, у яких повідомляються й аналізуються клінічні й нейровізуалізаційні особливості нелакунарних мостових інсультів. Мета: дослідження спрямоване на визначення клінічних і нейровізуалізаційних особливостей нелакунарних мостових інсультів у госпітальному проспективному когортному дослідженні, яке проілюстровано серією клінічних випадків у дорослих білих європейців. Матеріали та методи. Ми проспективно набрали 120 пацієнтів із гострим інсультом вертебробазилярного басейну, підтвердженим магнітно-резонансною томографією, госпіталізованих до неврологічного центру університетської лікарні. Усім хворим проведено комплексне неврологічне, клінічне, лабораторне, ультразвукове й нейровізуалізаційне обстеження. Результати. Зі 120 дорослих пацієнтів (віком від 28 до 89 років) у 23 (19,2 %) було діагностовано нелакунарний інсульт моста. Проведено комплексний клінічний, неврологічний, лабораторний та інструментальний аналіз нелакунарних інсультів моста. Висновки. Ми подали всебічний огляд та аналіз клінічних особливостей нелакунарного мостового інсульту.
Комплексна корекція розладів засинання та сну у дітей в умовах воєнного стану
Authors: Kyrylova L.H. , Miroshnykov O.O. , Berehela O.O. , Filozop M.V.
Published: February 2023

Актуальність. Актуальність теми полягає у значній поширеності порушень сну як у дітей із розладами нейророзвитку, так і у нормотипових дітей, що при перебуванні в умовах хронічного стресу лише наростають. Приблизно 40–80 % дітей з розладами нейророзвитку страждають на такі порушення нічного сну, як труднощі із засинанням, часті нічні пробудження, нічні жахи, порушення дихання під час сну або нічний енурез, що впливають на якість життя, когнітивну та поведінкову сферу дитини та усієї сім’ї. Матеріали та методи. Проведено клінічне спостереження ефективності використання нейроадаптогену Фломма у дітей як із ізольованими порушеннями сну, так і за їх наявності як суміжної скарги у комплексі розладів нейророзвитку. Обстежено 70 дітей, які проходили лікування на базі відділення психоневрології ДУ «ІПАГ ім. О.М. Лук’янової НАМН України» в період воєнного часу та мали розлади засинання та підтримання сну як одну із домінуючих скарг. Віковий діапазон обстежених дітей становив від 3 до 7 років (середній вік 4,00 ± 2,34 року). Усі діти були розподілені на 2 групи: 1-ша група — 42 дитини із діагностованими розладами нейророзвитку; 2-га група — 28 нормотипових дітей із ізольованими розладами засинання та підтримання сну. Загальну поширеність порушень сну в обстежених дітей було визначено за допомогою опитувальника CSHQ-A до та після лікування. Результати. Після 30 діб застосування нейроадаптогену Фломма відмічалося зменшення частоти усіх видів розладів сну та зниження балів за усіма субшкалами опитувальника CSHQ як у нормотипових дітей, так і у дітей з розладами ней­ророзвитку, що дає змогу рекомендувати цю дієтичну добавку до застосування у комплексній корекції порушень засинання та підтримання сну. Висновки. Таким чином, нейроадаптоген Фломма є перспективним у лікуванні різних порушень сну та може бути рекомендований до застосування у комплексному лікуванні пацієнтів дитячого віку. На основі клінічного спостереження показано високу ефективність застосування нейроадаптогену Фломма при розладах сну та засинання як у вигляді самостійного розладу у нормотипових дітей, так і у вигляді симптому у дітей з розладами нейророзвитку, особливо в умовах гострого та хронічного стресу, обумовленого воєнним станом.
Pengantar Redaksi
Authors: Studi Pemuda Jurnal
Published: February 2023

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Analisis Pengangguran Usia Muda di Pulau Jawa Sebelum dan Saat Pandemi Covid-19
Authors: Br. Saragih Meilani Thereza , Usman Hardius
Published: February 2023

The Covid-19 pandemic has harmed the employment sector. Many companies do layoffs of employees and limit the recruitment of new employees. As a result, there is an increase in unemployment, especially in the younger age group. This study aims to analyze the status of youth unemployment in Java in the period before and during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on youth unemployment in Java. The island of Java was chosen as the research locus because it is the area most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia. To achieve these objectives, we used the binary logistic regression analysis method with interaction effect. The results showed that gender, residency, education level, graduation time, marital status, work experience, and migration status affected the youth unemployment status in Java before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, the occurrence of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 affected youth unemployment in Java Island. There are different conditions of youth unemployment status in the period before and during the Covid-19 pandemic in terms of residency, education level, work experience, and migration status.
KPI Design Method for Performance Appraisal of Media Advertising Company Based on Entropy Value Method
Authors: Gu Jiachen
Published: February 2023

In order to optimize the performance appraisal system of the sales department of media advertising company, this paper takes company H as the research object, designs the KPI appraisal method for advertising sales personnel based on the current operation situation of the company, introduces the entropy value method to calculate the weight of each KPI index to ensure the objectivity and accuracy of the index, and provides reference for the scientific setting of the performance index of the sales department of media advertising company.