bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood-based Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease: The Long and Winding Road
Authors: Manzine Patricia R. , Vatanabe Izabela P. , Peron Rafaela , Grigoli Marina M. , Pedroso Renata V. , Nascimento Carla M.C. , Cominetti Marcia R.
Published: January 2020

Background:

Blood-based biomarkers can be very useful in formulating new diagnostic and treatment
proposals in the field of dementia, especially in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, due to the influence of
several factors on the reproducibility and reliability of these markers, their clinical use is still very uncertain.
Thus, up-to-date knowledge about the main blood biomarkers that are currently being studied is extremely important
in order to discover clinically useful and applicable tools, which could also be used as novel pharmacological
strategies for the AD treatment.

Objective:

The aim of this paper was to carry out a literature review on the major blood-based biomarkers for AD,
connecting them with the pathophysiology of the disease.

Methods:

A narrative review was performed based on the current candidates of blood-based biomarkers for AD
to show the main results from different studies, focusing on their clinical applicability and association with AD
pathogenesis.

Results:

Recent advances in the search of blood-based AD biomarkers were summarized in this review. The
biomarkers were classified according to the topics related to the main hallmarks of the disease such as inflammation,
amyloid, and tau deposition, synaptic degeneration and oxidative stress. Moreover, molecules involved in
the regulation of proteins related to these hallmarks were described, such as non-coding RNAs, neurotrophins,
growth factors and metabolites. Cells or cellular components with the potential to be considered as blood-based
AD biomarkers were described in a separate topic.

Conclusion:

A series of limitations undermine new discoveries on blood-based AD biomarkers. The lack of reproducibility
of findings due to the small size and heterogeneity of the study population, different analytical
methods and other assay conditions make longitudinal studies necessary in this field to validate these structures,
especially when considering a clinical evaluation that includes a broad panel of these potential and promising
blood-based biomarkers.
Thiazole Compounds as Antiviral Agents: An Update
Authors: Singh Inder P. , Gupta Shiv , Kumar Sanjay
Published: January 2020

Background:

Thiazole is a good nucleus owing to its various pharmaceutical
applications. Thiazole containing compounds (thiazoles) have shown various biological activities
like antioxidant, analgesic, antibacterial, anticancer, antiallergic, antihypertensive,
antiinflammatory, antimalarial, antifungal and antipsychotic. The scaffold is present in more than
18 FDA approved drugs and also in more than 70 experimental drugs. Only a few reviews are
available in the literature despite its great medicinal importance. During the course of time, this
scaffold has been studied extensively for its antiviral activities and provided compounds with
activity in the nM range. However, no focused review is available on the compilation of antiviral
activities shown by this scaffold.

Objective:

In the present review, we have made an effort to compile antiviral literature of thiazoles
reported from the year 2011 to till date.

Methods:

We searched the SciFinder database (excluding patent literature) with keywords like
“antiviral”, “anti-HIV” and “virus”. Further filters were applied for the year of publication and
keywords thiazole, reviews etc. to find relevant literature reported on the antiviral activities of thiazoles.

Results:

Nearly, 50 research articles were selected to compile and review the antiviral literature of
thiazoles reported from the year 2011 to till date. Compounds 8, 25, 40, 62, 72, 73, 91, 112, 113,
131, 137, 175, 198, 200, 201 and 213 were reported in the literature with potent antiviral activity
against CVB, SARS, RSV, HCV, HRV, VZV, TMV, FMDV, DENV, YFV, influenza virus, Junin
virus, HIV-1, HSV, VV and EBV, respectively.

Conclusion:

There is further scope for the synthesis and evaluation of novel thiazole compounds
by taking the most active compounds as lead structures. In conclusion, this review provides an
overview of antiviral activities of thiazole compounds reported from the year 2011 to till date.
Depression and HIV Disease Progression: A Mini-Review
Authors: Yousuf Abdilahi , Mohd Arifin Siti Roshaidai , Musa Ramli , Md. Isa Muhammad Lokman
Published: January 2020

Background:

Depression is the most common mental disorder and a leading cause of disability, which commonly presents unexplained psychological and physical symptoms. Depression and HIV/AIDS are commonly comorbid. This review provides an insight into the effect of depression on disease progression among people living with HIV.

Methods:

A search for relevant articles was conducted using a database like MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO and CINAHL. Peer-reviewed English journals published between 2015 and 2019 were included in the review.

Results:

A total of eight studies conducted in different settings were included in the review. This review has found that psychosocial, neurohormonal and virologic factors associated with depression affect HIV disease progression. Yet, the chronicity of depression, absence of the hormones that have a buffer effect on depression and lack of examination if depression is a predictor, or an outcome of disease progression, were some of the gaps that require further investigation.

Conclusion:

Considerably, more research is needed to better understand the effect of mental disorder, especially depression, on HIV disease progression to AIDS and future interventions should, therefore, concentrate on the integration of mental health screening in HIV clinical setup.
Flexural Strength of Modified Reactive Powder Concrete One Way Slabs
Authors: Abtan Yaarub G. , Hassan Hassan Falah
Published: January 2020

Background:

Over the last three decades, the interest in using advanced high-performance materials in the construction industry has been increasing worldwide. Recently, a very high strength cement-based composite with high ductility called Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) has been developed. The RPC concept is based on the principle that a material with a minimum of defects such as micro-cracks and voids will be able to achieve greater load-carrying capacity and durability.

Methods:

In the present paper, an experimental program of sixteen reinforced concrete one-way slabs was conducted to investigate their behavior under flexural loading. Four of these slabs were with Normal Concrete (NC) and the others of Modified Reactive Powder Concrete (MRPC). All slabs were identical in the dimension of its length and width (1000×500) mm, respectively, and its thickness was varied as one of the variables used in the present work. Other parameters for a one-way slab are concrete type, steel fibers content and flexural steel reinforcement ratio (0.33 and 0.66)%.

Results:

The results showed that the MRPC slabs with steel fibers failed in a ductile manner and had ultimate load capacity more than that of non-fibrous MRPC with an improvement percentage that reaches up to (66) %. This percentage became (212) % in comparison with normal concrete slabs.

Conclusions:

Moreover, the results showed that slabs, for both concrete types, reinforced with lower steel ratio failed by tension mode, otherwise, the slabs of higher reinforcement steel ratio failed by combined tension-shear mode. However, an improvement was observed in the ultimate load capacity up to (53 and 98) % when the ratio of steel reinforcement and slab thickness increased, respectively.
Optimizing Irrigation Water and Nitrogen Fertilizer Levels for Tomato Production
Authors: Tesfay Teklay , Berhane Abadi , Gebremariam Mebrahtu
Published: January 2020

Background:

Though nitrogen and water are key factors for tomato production, their optimum integration is not well identified in the study area. Therefore, optimizing irrigation level and nitrogen fertilizer rates are crucial to boost tomato yield as well as for better nutrient and Water Use Efficiency (WUE).

Objective:

The objective of the present study was to determine the optimum irrigation water and nitrogen fertilizer levels for higher tomato yield, improved water and nutrient use efficiencies.

Methods:

Split plot design was implemented with three irrigation levels expressed as a percentage of potential Evapotranspiration (ETc) allotted to the main plots and four nitrogen levels as sub-plots. Climate data were imported to AquaCrop model climate dataset for determining irrigation water amount and irrigation scheduling. Irrigation scheduling was determined using the FAO AquaCrop model and the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) in AquaCrop model was determined using Penman-Monteith method.

Results:

Irrigation water and nitrogen fertilizer levels markedly influenced the growth and yield performance of tomato, nutrient residue, Agronomic Efficiency (AE), Partial Factor Productivity (PFP) as well as Water Use Efficiency (WUE). With this, the most influential factor for tomato production was the nitrogen level rather than irrigation.

Conclusion:

In this study, higher growth and yield performance as well as, better water and nutrient use efficiencies of tomato were obtained while the irrigation level of 75% ETc is interacted with a nitrogen fertilizer rate of 92 kg N/ha.
Induction of Bacterial Canker Resistance in Tomato Plants Using Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria
Authors: Kolomiiets Yuliya , Grygoryuk Ivan , Likhanov Artur , Butsenko Lyudmila , Blume Yaroslav
Published: January 2020

Background:

By inducing the production of inhibitory allelochemicals and mechanisms of systemic resistance plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) help plants to cope with stresses.

Materials and Methods:

In this study cell suspensions of Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens or Azotobacter chroococcum were used to test the efficacy of these PGPB in inducing resistance in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) against Clavibacter michiganensis subsp michiganensis, a bacteria known to cause canker disease. To test this hypothesis, seedlings of Chaika variety, characterized by short growing, early-ripening, high productivity and resistance against fusarium and the C. michiganensis strain ІZ-38 isolated in Kyiv were employed.

Results and Conclusion:

The use of cell suspensions of the PGPB B. subtilis, A. chroococcum or P. fluorescens induced an increment in the resistance of tomato plants against the causative agent of bacterial canker (C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis) by 42–50%. PGPB in fact promoted in C. michiganensis infected tomato plants: i) the accumulation of chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids; ii) the thickening of the upper and lower epidermis of leaves; iii) the deposition of biopolymers with protective properties in epidermal cells; iv) the activity of the peroxidase enzyme and v) the net productivity of photosynthesis.
Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma and its Validity as a Tumor Biomarker
Authors: Sadik Noha A. , Ahmed Nagwa R. , Mohamed Moataz F. , Ashoush Omar A.
Published: January 2020

Background:

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers associated with deaths worldwide and the presence of valid biomarkers for early diagnosis in high-risk patients can ameliorate the outcome of HCC. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) has been found to play an essential role in the process of HCC growth and progression.

Objectives:

Therefore, we evaluated the serum VEGF levels in patients with HCC and liver cirrhosis and estimated its significant value for differentiating HCC patients from liver cirrhosis patients.

Material and methods:

Eighty-one subjects were enrolled in the study, 30 patients had HCC, 31 patients had liver cirrhosis and 20 were healthy control subjects. VEGF and AFP were measured using ELIZA. Abdominal ultrasound and triphasic abdominal computed tomography were performed in all subjects. Receiver Operating Characteristics curve analysis was performed for serum VEGF to determine its validity as a tumor biomarker.

Results:

The median levels of the serum VEGF were highly expressed in the HCC group (418 pg/ml) and the liver cirrhosis group (308 pg/ml) with no significant difference (P = 0.767); however both groups showed a significant increase compared to the control group (0.8 pg/ml, P <0.000). Serum VEGF showed high sensitivity (100%) and high specificity (100%) in differentiating HCC patients from controls with a cut-off value of ≥ 64.2 pg/ml, although it showed low sensitivity (29.2%) and specificity (85.7%) for differentiating HCC patients from liver cirrhosis patients.

Conclusion:

VEGF can be used as a reliable biomarker for differentiating HCC patients from healthy subjects but it can't be used as a reliable biomarker for differentiating HCC patients from high-risk patients as liver cirrhosis. The elevated serum VEGF levels in HCC and liver cirrhosis patients can elucidate the crucial role of angiogenesis in HCC and liver cirrhosis.
Microstrip Antenna-inception, Progress and Current-state of The Art Review
Authors: Gunaram  , Sharma Vijay
Published: January 2020

Background:

Microstrip antenna has gained significant attention for a large number of
communication systems due to its adaptable features and compatibility.

Objective:

The major objective of this manuscript is to assess the microstrip antenna technology for
structure adaptability, the feature based performance capabilities, design and versatility.

Methods:

The major reviews conducted in every decade on antenna technology highlighted the significance
of microstrip antenna technology. Moreover, a review of the articles on microstrip antenna
published in ‘IEEE Transaction on Antenna and Propagation’ revealed that these antennas can primarily
be used instead of other types of antennas.

:

The available presentation of microstrip antennas includes features, such as small size, flatness (low
profiles), wide-ranging impedance bandwidth, high gain, and circular polarization. A chronological
assessment of the major endeavors in the microstrip antenna study conducted during the last four
decades, is highlighted.

Results:

This manuscript focuses on the cutting-edge developments in the microstrip antenna technology
and facilitates various modern designated extents, which provide the readers an insight into
the tractability presented by microstrip antennas and their prospective benefits as compared to different
types of other antennas like lens antenna, dish antenna, horn antenna, etc. The recent advancements
in manufacturing techniques of microstrip antenna are reviewed. A large number of
publications on the applications of microstrip antennas, such as communication, sensing, energy
harvesting, biomedical relevance etc. are also included to show their importance at present.

Conclusion:

This article presents a state of the art evaluation of the research carried out on microstrip
antennas from the time of their inception to till date. It consolidates the information for the
researchers working in this field and will be helpful in enhancing the efforts for the research.
العوامل المؤثرة على استقلالية وموضوعية التدقيق الداخلي دراسة ميدانية على واقع المؤسسات الحكومية في كرميان
Authors: Habeeb Soran Mohammed Amin , Mohammed Amin Honar Mohammed , Abdulkarim Peshkawt Abdullah
Published: January 2020

The Research aims at identifying the factors that affect the Independence and Objectivity of the Internal Auditor by Analyzing the Factors and the variables that constitute them, in addition to surveying the society of the study on the availability of these factors among the internal auditors in the government institutions of the Garmain administration.
 
Study findings:
1 - The conditions of independence and objectivity of the internal auditor are not available from the point of view of the categories covered by the research based on the results of the research.
2 - There are obstacles to provide the conditions of independence and objectivity of the internal auditor, which indicates the agreement of the sample members on the availability of constraints to provide the conditions of independence and objectivity of the internal auditor.
3. In most cases, there is competition among the accountants to act as an internal auditor, leading to the administration's support in imposing its hegemony on the internal auditors.
4. A specialized team of internal auditors who have the skills, knowledge and specialization to enable them to perform their work independently and objectively is not provided.
 
 
 
Study recommendations:
1 - Focus on the appointment of the auditor by a higher body of the Director based on competencies.
2 - Work to be isolated internal auditor by a higher body of the Director to prevent it from affecting the independence and objectivity.
3 - Interest in the development of special frameworks as an exam to compete for the position of internal auditor.
4. To force the management of institutions not to impose restrictions on the scope of the internal audit.
The problem of the distribution of competencies between the federal authorities and the authorities of the Kurdistan Region
Authors: Saeed Kurdistan Salim
Published: January 2020

The federal system in Iraq was constitutionally adopted in 2004 in Article 4 of the Transitional Administrative Law of the State. It was subsequently adopted in the 2005 Constitution of Iraq. Article 1 states that "Iraq is a single, sovereign and independent federal state, (Article 117) in the Kurdistan Region and its existing authorities, a federal territory and defined the terms of reference of both the federal government and the terms of reference of the regions in the fourth and fifth of it. The constitutional organization contained in the Iraqi constitution has defined the terms of reference of the federal government exclusively, and gave broad powers to the governments of the regions, with the definition of some common competencies, and accordingly the Kurdistan Regional Government is the general jurisdiction and the federal government with exceptional jurisdiction, which supports the authority of the Kurdistan Region constitutionally Independence and internal sovereignty, But the process of application of these materials accompanied by different problems generated multiple political and economic problems between the parties, which led to shortcomings in the federal democratic experiment in Iraq The study dealt with this issue through two sections, the first deals with the terms of reference of the federal government and regional governments according to the Constitution of 2005. The second addresses Problems of the exercise of the functions of the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Characteristics of Gun Advertisements on Social Media: Systematic Search and Content Analysis of Twitter and YouTube Posts
Authors: Jordan Lisa , Kalin James , Dabrowski Colleen
Published: January 2020

Background

Although gun violence has been identified as a major public health concern, the scope and significance of internet gun advertising is not known.

Objective

This study aimed to quantify the characteristics of gun advertising on social media and to compare the reach of posts by manufacturers with those of influencers.

Methods

Using a systematic search, we created a database of recent and popular Twitter and YouTube posts made public by major firearm manufacturers and influencers. From our sample of social media posts, we reviewed the content of the posts on the basis of 19 different characteristics, such as type of gun, presence of women, and military or police references. Our content analysis summarized statistical differences in the information conveyed in posts to compare advertising approaches across social media platforms.

Results

Sample posts revealed that firearm manufacturers use social media to attract audiences to websites that sell firearms: 14.1% (131/928; ±2.9) of Twitter posts, 53.6% (228/425; ±6.2) of YouTube videos, and 89.5% (214/239; ±5.1) of YouTube influencer videos link to websites that facilitate sales. Advertisements included women in efforts to market handguns and pistols for the purpose of protection: videos with women included protection themes 2.5 times more often than videos without women. Top manufacturers of domestic firearms received 98 million channel views, compared with 6.1 billion channel views received by the top 12 YouTube influencers.

Conclusions

Firearm companies use social media as an advertising platform to connect viewers to websites that sell guns. Gun manufacturers appropriate YouTube servers, video streaming services, and the work of YouTube influencers to reach large audiences to promote the widespread sale of consumer firearms. YouTube and Twitter subsidize gun advertising by offering server and streaming services at no cost to gun manufacturers, to the commercial benefit of Google and Twitter’s corporate ownership.
Discrepancies in Written Versus Calculated Durations in Opioid Prescriptions: Pre-Post Study
Authors: Slovis Benjamin H , Kairys John , Babula Bracken , Girondo Melanie , Martino Cara , Roke Lindsey M , Riggio Jeffrey
Published: January 2020

Background

The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. Long-term use of opioid medications is associated with an increased risk of dependence. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention makes specific recommendations regarding opioid prescribing, including that prescription quantities should not exceed the intended duration of treatment.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine if opioid prescription quantities written at our institution exceed intended duration of treatment and whether enhancements to our electronic health record system improved any discrepancies.

Methods

We examined the opioid prescriptions written at our institution for a 22-month period. We examined the duration of treatment documented in the prescription itself and calculated a duration based on the quantity of tablets and doses per day. We determined whether requiring documentation of the prescription duration affected these outcomes.

Results

We reviewed 72,314 opioid prescriptions, of which 16.96% had a calculated duration that was greater than what was documented in the prescription. Making the duration a required field significantly reduced this discrepancy (17.95% vs 16.21%, P<.001) but did not eliminate it.

Conclusions

Health information technology vendors should develop tools that, by default, accurately represent prescription durations and/or modify doses and quantities dispensed based on provider-entered durations. This would potentially reduce unintended prolonged opioid use and reduce the potential for long-term dependence.
Effectiveness of the InCharge Prevention Program to Promote Healthier Lifestyles: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Mesman Mathijs , Onrust Simone , Verkerk Renée , Hendriks Hanneke , Van den Putte Bas
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

InCharge is a newly developed school-based health intervention aimed at older adolescents. It aims to promote a healthier lifestyle by increasing self-regulation skills. After the InCharge program’s effectiveness was previously investigated in a pilot study, the content of the program was adapted.

OBJECTIVE

This study describes the protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial that aims to investigate the effectiveness of the InCharge program.

METHODS

A cluster randomized controlled trial including 70 classes with older adolescents (aged 16 years or older) in the Netherlands will be conducted to test the effectiveness of the InCharge program. After schools are recruited, randomization occurs at the class level. The trial consists of the following two conditions: an experimental condition and a control condition. Participants in the experimental condition will be given the InCharge intervention, consisting of four lessons of 50 minutes, with each lesson containing three assignments of approximately 15 minutes. While participants in the experimental condition will receive InCharge, participants in the control condition will receive regular academic school courses. Surveys are administered 1 week before the intervention (baseline), 1 week after the intervention (posttest), and 12 weeks after the intervention (follow-up). Variables of interest include, but are not limited to, self-regulation; predictors of snack intake, physical activity, and alcohol use; and interpersonal communication regarding these health behaviors. In addition to surveys, observations will be conducted during the first and fourth lessons, teachers will be interviewed, and focus groups will be held with a selection of students from the intervention condition.

RESULTS

Enrollment started in September 2017. As of June 2019, a total of 1216 participants were enrolled for this trial. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences. The trial has been approved by the Ethics Review Board of the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences of the University of Amsterdam (reference no.: 2017-PC-8244).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study protocol, the design of a cluster randomized controlled trial is described, which assesses how effectively the school-based intervention InCharge stimulates healthier lifestyles in late adolescents. We hypothesize that participants in the experimental condition will consume less alcohol, eat fewer unhealthy snacks, and be more physically active compared with participants in the control condition.

CLINICALTRIAL

Netherlands Trial Register (NL6654); https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6654

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

RR1-10.2196/17702
A PERSPECTIVE REVIEW ON APPLICATIONS OF NANOPARTICLE MEDIATED DRUG DELIVERY TO THE CNS
Authors: KEERTHANA V. , DHANALAKSHMI S. , HARIKRISHNAN N.
Published: January 2020

Delivery of drugs into the brain is one of the most interesting and challenging areas of research. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective semipermeable membrane that separates blood from the brain in the central nervous system. It acts as a barrier to protect the brain from microbes, neurotoxins and other chemical substances and also blocks the entry of many drugs into the brain. An estimated 6.8 billion people die every year from CNS diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, sclerosis, brain stroke, dementia and others. According to WHO, one billion people are affected worldwide, about 50 million suffer from epilepsy and 24 million suffer from Alzheimer and other dementias. This indicates the importance of the delivery of drugs into the brain for treating various neurological diseases and psychological disorders. In drug targeting, a concept was introduced by Dr. Paul Ehrlich as a ‘magic bullet’ that gave tremendous hope for the researches to deliver drugs into the brain. This review discuses about various drug targeting strategies and applications of nanotechnology in designing drug delivery systems with the ability to cross through the BBB for treating neurological diseases.
ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND TOTAL PHENOL AND FLAVONOIDS ANALYSIS OF SAMBUCUS NIGRA (ELDERBERRY)
Authors: GOUD N. SRINIVAS , PRASAD GOBIND
Published: January 2020

Objective: The goal of this study was paying attention on the chemical characterization of phytochemical compounds and their antioxidant activity of Sambucus nigra L.

Methods: Phytochemical analysis was performed by Sambucus nigra L fruit extract. Total Phenol and Flavonoids content of elderberry fruit extract also determined using Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method and aluminum chloride colorimetric method. Antibacterial activity was performed by disk diffusion method and Antioxidant capacity was investigated by DPPH assay, butylhydroxytoluene used as a standard.

Results: The richest anthocyanin in elderberry fruits was cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside. The antioxidant capacity obtained for elderberry extract proved that elderberry shown highest antioxidant activity, being the richest anthocyanins. The antioxidant capacity of elderberry fruit methanolic extract was recorded 62.56±1.12 percentages of scavenging activity. We also investigated antibacterial activity against four species Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus. There E. coli was recorded 12.0 mm and Pseudomonas putida was recorded 0.34 mm zone of inhibition.

Conclusion: The conclusion of our study is that Sambucus nisgra fruit extract has very high antioxidant activity which makes it recommendable for food industry and dietary supplement.
AMELIORATIVE ROLE OF SILYMARIN AGAINST ASPARTAME–INDUCED BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES, OXIDATIVE STRESS, INFLAMMATORY EFFECT AND GENOTOXICITY IN MALE ALBINO RATS
Authors: ELBALLAT SABHA E. , M. ABAS AL-SHIMAA
Published: January 2020

Objective: Aspartame (ASP) is one of the most common artificial sweeteners. It has been recorded to be safe by World Health Organization. However, numerous publications have concluded that ASP is a genotoxic and carcinogenic sweetener.

Methods: The current study aims to examine the effect of ASP consumption (250 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 d) on some biochemical parameters, oxidative/antioxidative status in different tissues, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), chromosomal aberration (CA) frequency and mitotic index (MI) percentage in addition to the possible ameliorative role of silymarin (50 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 d) against ASP-induced toxicity in male albino rats.

Results: The present results have confirmed that ASP is able to induce significant increase in the blood glucose level, liver, kidney and lipid function tests, Malondialdehyde (MDA) level, serum TNF-α level, frequency of CA and MI%. Meanwhile, Glutathione reduced level (GSH), Glutathione–S-transferase (GST) and catalase activity (CAT) were decreased by ASPadministration. Recovery group showed slight enhancement in all parameters but remained significant as compared to the control group. Co-administration of ASP with silymarin showed greater improvement than the recovery group.

Conclusion: Silymarin have an ameliorative role against biochemical oxidative stress, inflammatory changes in blood and different tissues, chromosomal aberrations and MI% induced by ASP administration.
Baseline profiles of auditory, vestibular, and visual functions in youth tackle football players
Authors: White-Schwoch Travis , Krizman Jennifer , McCracken Kristi , Burgess Jamie K , Thompson Elaine C , Nicol Trent , Kraus Nina , LaBella Cynthia R
Published: January 2020

Aim: Neurosensory tests have emerged as components of sport-related concussion management. Limited normative data are available in healthy, nonconcussed youth athletes. Patients & methods/results: In 2017 and 2018, we tested 108 youth tackle football players immediately before their seasons on the frequency-following response, Balance Error Scoring System, and King-Devick test. We compared results with published data in older and/or and nonathlete populations. Performance on all tests improved with age. Frequency-following response and Balance Error Scoring System results aligned with socioeconomic status. Performance was not correlated across neurosensory domains. Conclusion: Baseline neurosensory functions in seven 14-year-old male tackle football players are consistent with previously published data. Results reinforce the need for individual baselines or demographic-specific norms and the use of multiple neurosensory measures in sport-related concussion management.
APPLICATION OF THE LEARNING COMMUNITIES APPROACH TO TEACHING ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES
Authors: Sukhachova Nataliia , Voskoboinyk Valentina
Published: January 2020

The paper focuses on the peculiarities of application of the Learning Communities to teaching English for Specific Purposes at the university. Combining two disciplines (a practical English language course and a business-oriented one) over a semester, around interdisciplinary themes requires intentional restructuring of students’ time, credit, and learning experiences to build community, changing of the curriculum and fostering more explicit connections among students, between students and their teachers, teachers and administration, and among disciplines. The experience of using the Learning Communities approach has demonstrated the positive results for all involved. Studying real-life professional situations through case studies and problem-based tasks through collaboration in English, students benefit from both developing their English language competency and mastering the material on the disciplines related to their future professional field. Teachers experience a more coherent and enriched teaching environment. The university gets the opportunity to develop models for students’ internships and cooperative education that are designed for the needs of local businesses and provide outreach to the community.
INTERNATIONALISATION OF ADVANCED TRAINING FOR TEACHERS OF MEDICAL ENGLISH
Authors: Gavrilyuk Oksana , Markovina Irina , McFarland Jonathan
Published: January 2020

In the present context of medical science and technology advances, growing cultural diversity and the internationalisation of higher medical education, the problem of refresher training for Medical English teachers is becoming ever more relevant. The aim of the paper is to provide a scientific basis for creation of a relevant advanced training programme for Russian university teachers of Medical English. The results of the content-analysis of both national and international higher educational docu­ments, a review of research, theory, and current foreign language teaching practice in Prof. V. F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University (KrasSMU) and I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University) allowed us to determine five principles that formed the basis for the design of a relevant advanced training programme for teachers of Medical English. Among the core principles of the programme development we suggested the principles of teacher’s autonomy, professionalisation, problem-based training, innovation, and internationalisation. Within the scope of these principles, characteristics of the proposed novel approach to the organisation of professional development courses for Medical English teachers make this approach effective and relevant to the modern educational context. The proposed approach to an advanced training course design is based on the use of some novel professionally focused forms of communication between students, teachers, experts and clinicians. Our findings indicate that this approach is beneficial for modern teachers of Medical English.
ECO-COMICS AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL FOR TEACHING ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM AND ESP
Authors: Vasileva Polina Alexandrovna , Golubev Vadim Yurevich
Published: January 2020

For the last forty years, environmental issues have gained importance across national borders. Journalists are expected to be national advocates for change in order to improve the quality of environmental health, conservation and social justice. Environmental studies emphasize a multi-disciplinary approach. The paper discusses the use of eco-comics in environmental journalism studies and promoting environmental awareness through journalism. The medium of comics has been around for many decades and comes in a variety of forms, from different cultural backgrounds; it is rich in material for academic study. Eco-comics for academic and professional purposes provide an inquiry-based content course designed to familiarize students with the fundamental concepts of the natural and social sciences as well as humanities. English for specific purposes(ESP) focuses on combining theoretical and practice-based approaches. The theoretical part of the research contains a brief historical summary of comics and their uses in an educational setting. Special attention is devoted to eco-comics as influential medium of mass media to form public awareness. The authors highlight the role of eco-comics in encouraging students to be co-creators of interdisciplinary environmental journalism studies in English and environmental awareness campaigns. The paper contains practical results of an experimental case study of using eco-comics in the ESP classroom.
EUPHEMIZATION AS PART OF RUSSIAN MEDIA OPPOSITION DISCOURSE
Authors: Golubev Vadim , Teplyashina Alla
Published: January 2020

Opposition discourse does not have a long history or established traditions in Russia as it does in the West where it has long become an integral part of political culture and plays a special role in modern mass communications. This paper raises the problem of risks associated with the danger of critical journalism being branded extremism on the one hand and violating the law prohibiting journalist using vocabulary not part of the Russian literary standard, on the other. It presents the results of content analysis of media texts that use a variety of expressive means of veiling sharp criticism of Russian government and mitigating emotions such as euphemisms. Considerable attention is paid to queering as an aspect of the verbal picture of an anti-world. A case study of Novaya Gazeta, the most consistent critic of Russian government, illustrates the impact recent legislation on extremism and the use of the Russian language has had on journalism in Russia and examines the ways opposition media have employed to comply with the regulations.
Conocimientos sobre metodología de la investigación, estadística y epidemiología en residentes de un hospital pediátrico
Authors: Medina Myriam L. , Zaloff Dakoff Ana M.
Published: January 2020

Introducción: El entrenamiento en investigación es fundamental en la residencia porque estimula el pensamiento crítico y eleva la calidad de atención. Sin embargo, la formación en investigación de los profesionales en formación es escasa y no les permite un desempeño exitoso del quehacer investigativo.Objetivo: Describir el nivel de conocimientos sobre metodología de la investigación, estadística y epidemiología en médicos residentes y enfermeros residentes de un hospital pediátrico.Método: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Se invitó a participar a todos los médicos residentes y enfermeros residentes de pediatría del hospital pediátrico Dr. Avelino Castelán, ciclo junio-diciembre 2017. Se les distribuyó un cuestionario. Los datos fueron cargados y procesados estadísticamente.Resultados: De los 26 participantes, 18 fueron médicos residentes y 8 enfermeros residentes, de los cuales 21 fueron mujeres y 5 hombres; rango etario 25-35 años. En relación con los hábitos científicos, 11 (42.3%) efectuaron algún curso de estadística, metodología de la investigación o epidemiología. La mediana de publicaciones leídas fue de 1 por semana. El número de participantes con publicaciones fue de 8 (30.7%). La mediana de respuestas correctas fue de 3.5. Solo 6 (23%) aprobaron. En relación a metodología de la investigación y epidemiología, tanto médicos (42.1%) como enfermeros (42.5%) tuvieron puntajes similares. En relación a estadística, los médicos (38.8%) tuvieron mayor puntaje que los enfermeros (27.5 %).Conclusiones: El bajo nivel de conocimientos sobre metodología de la investigación, estadística y epidemiología en la población estudiada, resultó preocupante. Los profesionales en formación no estarían capacitados para utilizarlos en su práctica clínica diaria. Esto afectaría la toma de decisiones que debe basarse en la mejor evidencia científica disponible y el empleo del juicio crítico, lo que repercutiría en la calidad asistencial. Esto nos lleva a reforzar conocimientos en esta población mediante estrategias académicas.
Competencias comunicativas para acciones de promoción y prevención en salud. Una propuesta de indicadores
Authors: Ramírez Medel María Del Carmen , García Sánchez Sandra Luz
Published: January 2020

Introducción: En el Plan Nacional de Salud 2013-2018 se especificó que todo el personal de salud debe estar capacitado para llevar a cabo acciones de promoción y prevención de salud (PPS), por lo que es necesario formar a los estudiantes de medicina en las destrezas que estas actividades requieren y, que idealmente, deberían incluir aquellas que faciliten la vinculación y entendimiento entre ellos y la población meta, por lo que el desarrollo de las competencias comunicativas (CC) juega un papel fundamental para lograr la permeabilidad de los mensajes de los que son voceros, especialmente para las poblaciones vulnerables como lo marcan las estrategias nacionales de salud, y que para este caso es la de niños de poblaciones rurales.Objetivo: Presentar la estructura de implementación de una propuesta de evaluación del nivel de dominio de CC en estudiantes de medicina, que llevan a cabo actividades de prevención de parasitosis y promoción de la salud (PPPS) con niños de una población rural, y con ello identificar las CC necesarias que deben desarrollar para influir significativamente en ellos.Método: Fue una investigación con enfoque cualitativo, desde un paradigma sociocrítico, método etnográfico y con técnicas de observación y entrevistas semiestructuradas. La muestra fue de 24 estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad Vasco de Quiroga, que realizaron una actividad de PPPS dirigida a niños de una primaria rural. Resutados: Se observaron deficiencias en las dimensiones en las que se evaluó la competencia comunicativa, principalmente en el manejo de información, lenguaje y conocimiento del entorno, se hace una propuesta de indicadores para las competencias a desarrollar.Conclusión: La más importante fue la evidencia sobre la necesidad de desarrollar las CC para el buen cumplimiento de actividades de PPPS en comunidades vulnerables.
El residente como educador en urgencias: una evaluación de sus necesidades educativas
Authors: Mercado-Cruz Eduardo , Sánchez Mendiola Melchor
Published: January 2020

Introducción: Los residentes desempeñan roles como médicos, estudiantes y docentes. Los residentes de medicina de urgencias (RMU) enfrentan factores únicos que dificultan sus actividades educativas.Objetivo: Evaluar las necesidades educativas que tienen los RMU durante el desempeño de su rol docente e identificar las características de las intervenciones educativas que necesitan.Método: Estudio descriptivo transversal no experimental mediante una encuesta desarrollada a partir de la literatura disponible. La encuesta fue aplicada de forma voluntaria y anónima a todos los RMU de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) y a una muestra de sus profesores.Resultados: 125 residentes y 8 profesores respondieron la encuesta. Los RMU invierten 37.24 ± 23.08% de su tiempo en actividades docentes. Estimaron su habilidad para enseñar en 6.9 ± 1.6 en escala de 1 a 10, donde 1 es nada competente y 10 totalmente competente. El 89.4% de los RMU consideró que es importante adquirir habilidades docentes durante la residencia. Sus estrategias de enseñanza preferidas fueron: discusión de casos clínicos, aprendizaje en escenarios reales y enseñanza en la cabecera del paciente. Las principales limitantes para ejercer su rol docente fueron falta de tiempo y exceso de trabajo.Conclusión: Los RMU identifican la necesidad de recibir entrenamiento formal en educación médica. Las dificultades para enseñar que enfrentan los RMU son similares a las de sus pares de otras especialidades médicas. Es necesario que los cursos de especialización en medicina de urgencias incorporen estrategias formales para mejorar las habilidades docentes de sus residentes. Las actividades educativas realizadas en el servicio de urgencias deberán ser de corta duración, centradas en el estudiante y enfocadas a la clínica para garantizar el mayor beneficio a los residentes y a sus estudiantes.
Liminalidad en la educación del profesional de la salud: ¿fluimos de un umbral a otro?
Authors: Sánchez Mendiola Melchor
Published: January 2020

Uno de los atributos más fascinantes de los seres vivos es nuestra capacidad de aprender, que raya en lo infinito.
La implementación del Acuerdo de paz en Colombia: entre la “paz territorial” y la disputa por el territorio
Authors: Ahumada Beltrán Consuelo
Published: January 2020

La firma del Acuerdo Final entre el Gobierno Nacional y las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), el 24 de noviembre de 2016, generó muchas expectativas. Sin embargo, los importantes avances alcanzados durante los meses subsecuentes dieron paso a un periodo de estancamiento e incluso de franco retroceso en su implementación. En este artículo se analizarán las dificultades en el cumplimiento del Acuerdo Final, en especial, en lo que respecta a su primer punto sobre Reforma Rural Integral (RRI). El análisis parte del planteamiento de que, si bien este Acuerdo se centró en generar las condiciones para culminar con el conflicto armado y el restablecimiento de las condiciones democráticas en el país...
Line of sight implementation for game platformer
Authors: Kristanto Andika Eko , Husniah Lailatul , Sofyan Ali
Published: January 2020

Traditional weapon is one of cultural heritage from our ancestors in Indonesia. While it can be noted that the popularity of less traditional weapons in the know by many people because it is losing popularity with weapons from other countries. But now there are some people who make use of media technology to preserve the traditional cultures ranging from custom homes, traditional clothing and also a traditional weapon from every province in Indonesia. Be aware that in Indonesia traditional weapon there are diverse, but some provinces have the same traditional weapons it can because the province having the same family or experience the separation area. So on the development level, authors will make the concept of continuous Boss for some provinces that have same traditional weapons. In addition to developing a level of the game, the author also applied line of sight method on the boss enemy.