bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of preoperative frailty on quality of life after cardiac surgery: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bezzina Kathryn , Fehlmann Christophe A. , Guo Ming Hao , Visintini Sarah M. , Rubens Fraser D. , Wells George A. , Mazzola Rosetta , McGuinty Caroline , Huang Allen , Khoury Lara , Boczar Kevin Emery
Published: February 2022

Background

Frailty has emerged as an important prognostic marker of adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery, but evidence regarding its ability to predict quality of life after cardiac surgery is currently lacking. Whether frail patients derive the same quality of life benefit after cardiac surgery as patients without frailty remains unclear.

Methods

This systematic review will include interventional studies (RCT and others) and observational studies evaluating the effect of preoperative frailty on quality-of-life outcomes after cardiac surgery amongst patients 65 years and older. Studies will be retrieved from major databases including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and Medline. The primary exposure will be frailty status, independent of the tool used. The primary outcome will be change in quality of life, independent of the tool used. Secondary outcomes will include readmission during the year following the index intervention, discharge to a long-term care facility and living in a long-term care facility at one year. Screening, inclusion, data extraction and quality assessment will be performed independently by two reviewers. Meta-analysis based on the random-effects model will be conducted to compare the outcomes between frail and non-frail patients. The evidential quality of the findings will be assessed with the GRADE profiler.

Conclusion

The findings of this systematic review will be important to clinicians, patients and health policy-makers regarding the use of preoperative frailty as a screening and assessment tool before cardiac surgery.

Study registration

OSF registries (https://osf.io/vm2p8).
Skull morphological evolution in Malagasy endemic Nesomyinae rodents
Authors: Terray Léa , Denys Christiane , Goodman Steven M. , Soarimalala Voahangy , Lalis Aude , Cornette Raphaël
Published: February 2022

Madagascar is a large island to the south-east of Africa and in many ways continental in size and ecological complexity. Here we aim to define how skull morphology of an endemic and monophyletic clade of rodents (sub-family Nesomyinae), that show considerable morphological variation, have evolved and how their disparity is characterized in context of the geographical and ecological complexity of the island. We performed a two-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis on 370 dorsal and 399 ventral skull images of 19 species (comprising all nine extant endemic genera) and tested the influence of three ecological parameters (climate, locomotor habitat and nychthemeral cycle) in a phylogenetic context on size and shape. The results indicate that skull shape appears to importantly reflect phylogeny, whereas skull size does not carry a significant phylogenetic signal. Skull shape is significantly influenced by climate while, skull size is not impacted by any of the ecological factors tested, which is controversial to expectations in an insular context. In conclusion, Nesomyinae must have evolved under unusual types of local constraints, preventing this radiation from demonstrating strong ecological release.
A self-directed upper limb program during early post-stroke rehabilitation: A qualitative study of the perspective of nurses, therapists and stroke survivors
Authors: Chin Lay Fong , Rosbergen Ingrid C. M. , Hayward Kathryn S. , Brauer Sandra G.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

This study aimed to explore the perspective of nurses, therapists and stroke survivors on the performance of upper limb self-exercise and use outside therapy during early inpatient stroke rehabilitation.

Methods

A descriptive qualitative approach was used in focus groups with nurses (n = 21) and therapists (n = 8), as well as in-depth semi-structured interviews with stroke survivors (n = 8) who were undergoing subacute inpatient stroke rehabilitation. Inductive thematic analysis of data was performed according to participant group.

Results

Nurses and therapists perceived that stroke survivors played a central role in determining the success of a self-directed upper limb program. Nurses perceived that stroke survivors needed a lot of prompting to be motivated to perform self-directed upper limb therapy outside therapy. Therapists perceived that not all stroke survivors would be able to perform self-directed upper limb therapy and deemed it important to consider stroke survivor factors before commencing a program. Although some stroke survivors expressed initial reservations with performing self-practice, many indicated that they would participate in the self-directed upper limb program because they wanted to recover faster.

Conclusion

A difference between the perspective of nurses/therapists and stroke survivors towards self-directed upper limb performance outside therapy was found. Deeper stroke survivor engagement and a shift in rehabilitation culture to encourage stroke survivor autonomy are important considerations for a self-directed upper limb program. Teamwork amongst healthcare professionals and families is essential to support stroke survivors to participate in a self-directed upper limb program during early inpatient stroke rehabilitation.
Persons tested for SAR-CoV-2 at a military treatment facility in Hawaii
Authors: Barranco-Trabi Javier , Morgan Stephen , Singh Seema , Hill Jimmy , Kayatani Alexander , Mank Victoria , Nesmith Holly , Omara Heather , Tripoli Louis , Lustik Michael , Masel Jennifer , Chi Sharon , Ngauy Viseth
Published: February 2022

Health inequalities based on race are well-documented, and the COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. Despite the advances in modern medicine, access to health care remains a primary determinant of health outcomes, especially for communities of color. African-Americans and other minorities are disproportionately at risk for infection with COVID-19, but this problem extends beyond access alone. This study sought to identify trends in race-based disparities in COVID-19 in the setting of universal access to care. Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) is a Department of Defense Military Treatment Facility (DoD-MTF) that provides full access to healthcare to active duty military members, beneficiaries, and veterans. We evaluated the characteristics of individuals diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection at TAMC in a retrospective, case-controlled (1:1) study. Most patients (69%) had received a COVID-19 test within 3 days of symptom onset. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with testing positive and to estimate adjusted odds ratios. African-American patients and patients who identified as “Other” ethnicities were two times more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 relative to Caucasian patients. Other factors associated with testing positive include: younger age, male gender, previous positive test, presenting with >3 symptoms, close contact with a COVID-19 positive patient, and being a member of the US Navy. African-Americans and patients who identify as “Other” ethnicities had disproportionately higher rates of positivity of COVID-19. Although other factors contribute to increased test positivity across all patient populations, access to care does not appear to itself explain this discrepancy with COVID-19.
Progression in training volume and perceived psychological and physiological training distress in Norwegian student athletes: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Nyhus Hagum Cathrine , Tønnessen Espen , A. I. Shalfawi Shaher
Published: February 2022

This cross-sectional study examined self-reported weekly training volume and perceived training distress in Norwegian student athletes according to gender, type of sport, school program, and school year. The Norwegian version of the Multicomponent Training Distress Scale (MTDS-N) was completed by 608 student athletes (M age = 17.29 ± .94). Univariate and multivariate techniques were used in data analyses. Results revealed significant differences in weekly training volume between sport types. No significant differences in weekly training volume were found for gender, school year, or school program. However, a multivariate effect was found for gender, with females perceiving higher levels of training distress than males. A multivariate interaction effect between school year and training volume was also observed. We recommend that practitioners use a conceptual framework to periodize training and monitor training distress in student athletes, particularly in females, to preserve physiological and psychological well-being and ensure a progressive training overload leading to positive performance development.
On global attractivity of a higher order difference equation and its applications
Authors: Almaslokh Abdulaziz , Qian Chuanxi
Published: February 2022

Consider the following higher order difference equation

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where
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Was Reish Lakish a Gladiator?
Authors: Olshanetsky Haggai
Published: February 2022

It is often mentioned that Reish Lakish (Shim’on ben Lakish), one of the most important rabbis in the land of Israel during the 3rd century AD, had been a gladiator before he became a rabbi. They all base their opinion on one legend in the Babylonian Talmud, and especially one sentence in it. The current article wishes to revisit this issue and to prove that there is no concrete basis for this assumption.
Towards a Modern Culture of Antiquity in a Multidisciplinary Perspective
Authors: Rossi Simona
Published: February 2022

This research seeks to highlight a moment in the evolution of the culture of the Antiquity in the 19th century throughout the experience of the architect Antonio Niccolini with the Temple of Serapis in the town of Pozzuoli, Italy. This ancient site dating back to the Flavian Age turned out to be a complex but also stimulating case study for many distinguished European scholars given its historical and geological singularities. Among them was Antonio Niccolini, one of the most influential architects of the Bourbon Kingdom, working in Naples from 1807 to 1850. He will engage this line of research bringing an avant-garde concept regarding the approach to the knowledge of Antiquity and the preservation of ancient sites.
Continuing Medical Education Questions: February 2022
Authors: Parsa Nasim
Published: February 2022

Article Title: Cancer Risk in Patients with and Relatives of Serrated Polyposis Syndrome and Sporadic Sessile Serrated Lesions
Continuing Medical Education Questions: February 2022
Authors: Shoreibah Mohamed
Published: February 2022

Article Title: Acute On Chronic Liver Failure Clinical Guidelines
Guaman Poma y la güergüenza colonial
Authors: Uparela Paola
Published: February 2022

Primer nueva corónica y buen gobierno (1615), elaborada e ilustrada por Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala, despliega “rarezas” que han pasado inadvertidas por los críticos. Una de las imágenes quizá más extrañas del manuscrito es la del capítulo “El corregidor y padre tiniente anda rrondando y mirando la güergüenza de las mugeres”. En este dibujo, Guaman Poma presenta a una mujer indígena con la “güergüenza” (vagina y ano) descubierta ante la mirada de un corregidor y un indio. Este dibujo es una anomalía en la historia de la representación del desnudo femenino; y esa “güergüenza” resiste tanto la mirada a la que se expone, como la labor hermenéutica del crítico. Teniendo en cuenta que el dibujo de Guaman Poma permite múltiples y contradictorias formas de interpretación, este artículo ensaya tres lecturas diferentes: la primera, dentro del contexto colonial de las visitas ordenadas por el virrey Francisco de Toledo; la segunda, dentro del contexto de la crónica y de las denuncias de Guaman Poma contra las violaciones sexuales a las indígenas por parte de autoridades coloniales; y la tercera, en des-contexto y en conexión con otras representaciones de desnudos femeninos de diferentes épocas. A partir de un examen detallado, sostengo que el desnudo de Guaman Poma representa una instancia americana de insurrección contra la mirada colonial y androcéntrica sobre el cuerpo y los genitales femeninos.
La visión exculpatoria de la feminidad en Lágrimas de la nobleza de Luisa de Padilla
Authors: Ibarreche Xabier Granja
Published: February 2022

La mayoría de los manuales de urbanidad y libros de conducta publicados en España entre los siglos XVI y XVII, escritos por varones considerados ilustres por su sabiduría o autoridad religiosa, tenían como fin educar a los jóvenes de la nobleza en las reglas de urbanidad, reglas que insistían en mantener las jerarquías sociales tanto como la moral católica. Casi sin excepción, estos tratados veían en la mujer la causa de toda corrupción moral. Entre estas voces abierta o solapadamente misóginas, es casi única la voz de Luisa de Padilla, condesa de Aranda, autora de Nobleza virtuosa, un manual didáctico de comportamiento cívico y moral dirigido a la educación de la nobleza española y publicado en cuatro partes. Lágrimas de la nobleza, la tercera parte y la más comentada hasta el momento, trata de los vicios de la nobleza, uno de los cuales es la frecuente infidelidad del marido. Enfocándose en este aspecto del tratado, Granja observa que Padilla se aparta de la opinión de sus contemporáneos al elaborar una vehemente defensa de la mujer. En contra de la opinión general, la cual culpa a la mujer de ser innatamente inmoral e incapaz de controlar sus pasiones, Padilla acusa una y otra vez al esposo adúltero, culpándolo de los múltiples males que acosan los matrimonios. Al mismo tiempo, la autora acusa a las autoridades jurídicas y religiosas no solo de no castigar el adulterio masculino con la misma vehemencia que el femenino sino de considerar dicho comportamiento normal entre los hombres de la nobleza.
The Myth of Marisol in Twenty-First-Century Spanish Cultural Production
Authors: Stafford Katherine O.
Published: February 2022

On September 2, 1976, less than a year after the death of dictator Francisco Franco, the then newly established liberal weekly magazine Interviú published what soon became, and would remain, its most famous cover. On it appeared a nude photo of an all grown-up Marisol, the adored child star of sentimental comedies during the Franco era. The photo was meant to signal the erotically-charged, liberating mood of Spain’s transition to democracy. When the famous photo was used on the cover of the magazine’s last issue, in January of 2018, the editors took the opportunity to remind readers of the controversial cover and what it stood for at the time. As a nostalgic historical referent, the Interviú cover has had a role to play in recent Spanish popular cultural productions. This article takes issue with the magazine’s all too-quick equation between newly acquired political freedom and the right to publish photos of famous women in the nude. More specifically, this essay examines the Interviú cover of the nude Marisol as a “sign event” of immediate and lasting proportions. Viewed from a gendered perspective, the cover’s enduring cultural resonance reveals the persistence of sexist attitudes. The essay further argues Marisol’s evolution in the public eye reveals unsettling continuities between the Franco era and what comes after.
Introduction: Reframing Female (Dis)abilities
Authors: Fernández Esther , Ketz Victoria L.
Published: February 2022

The initial definition of “disability” leads to a historical overview of the marginalization of these persons with disabilities in society. In the nineteenth century, this devalued state changed with the rise of political activism. Further, these concerns not only prompted social change, but also led to the emergence of disability studies. This interdisciplinary domain has cultivated a number of distinct methods with which to approach the field including medical, social, phenomenological, and cultural models. All of these, furthering a deeper understanding of this complex field, influenced the humanities and in particular, the analysis of English and Spanish cultural productions.
Deaf Culture and the Performing Arts in Spain: Rozalén and La Niña de los Cupones
Authors: Connolly Kathleen Honora
Published: February 2022

This paper analyzes how singer-songwriter Rozalén, her collaborator Beatriz Romero, and Deaf flamenco performer María Ángeles Narváez (La Niña de los Cupones) create performances that reach both Deaf and hearing audiences. I will consider how these performances can be transformative in building new interpretive frameworks in Spanish society in which to incorporate Deaf language and culture. These frameworks challenge models of disability that pathologize individuals with impairments and expand upon traditional performance practices and aesthetics in order to incorporate Spanish Sign Language.
Locura y discapacidad enDeliriode Laura Restrepo
Authors: Campo Astrid Lorena Ochoa
Published: February 2022

A través del concepto de “narrative prosthesis” (Mitchell y Snyder 2000) se analiza la estructura narrativa de las historias de personajes con discapacidad en la novela Delirio (2004) de Laura Restrepo. Este análisis cuestiona su función metafórica como crítica de la desintegración de la sociedad colombiana por causa de la violencia y el narcotráfico. A pesar de la limitada representación de la discapacidad en Delirio, se sugiere este análisis simultáneo de las discapacidades físicas y mentales como punto de partida para reflexionar sobre las experiencias de personas con discapacidades en Colombia.
Inextricably Tied: Gender, Race, Chronic Illness, and Disability in the Works of Edelma Zapata Pérez
Authors: Ossa Luisa Marcela
Published: February 2022

This article examines the works of Colombian author Edelma Zapata Pérez as disability life writing, that is, literature that gives the disabled author agency (Couser). Since Zapata Pérez was multi-ethnic and disabled, Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality is utilized to demonstrate that these identities are intertwined in her life and writings. Subsequently, Zapata Pérez’s representations of disability are examined via Siebers’s idea of complex embodiment, which “raises awareness of the effects of disabling environments on people’s lived experience of the body, but it emphasizes as well that some factors affecting disability, such as chronic pain, secondary health effects, and aging, derive from the body.”
The sasachakuy tiempo: The Representation of Intersectional Violence in Literature of the Peruvian Armed Conflict (1980-2000)
Authors: Berríos-Brown Claudia
Published: February 2022

In Peruvian society a colonial foundation remains in which racism, classism, and patriarchal structures intersect to make historically marginalized communities more vulnerable to violence. Research shows that indigenous communities suffered the most devastating effects during the Peruvian Armed Conflict, known as the sasachakuy tiempo in Quechua or “difficult time,” a period in which they suffered dehumanizing violence. Through an intersectional analysis of novels that fictionalize this period, Julio Ortega’s Adiós Ayacucho, Óscar Colchado Lucio’s Rosa Cuchillo, and Claudia Salazar Jiménez’s La sangre de la aurora, the article shows how violence and systems of oppression affect more intensely extremely marginalized groups.
Matematización en procesos de generación de conciencia ambiental: un estudio en formación de profesores de matemáticas
Authors: Macias-Becerra Erika-Daniela , Ordoñez-Hernández Laura-Stephanie , Forero-Poveda Alberto
Published: February 2022

El presente artículo tiene por objetivo principal estudiar las posibles relaciones entre procesos y esquemas asociados a la modelación matemática y a la matematización de fenómenos ambientales, y los elementos vinculados a la generación de conciencia ambiental, a partir de un análisis realizado sobre productos construidos por un grupo de estudiantes, que han cursado el espacio de formación Matematización de problemas medio ambientales, del proyecto curricular de Licenciatura en Matemáticas LEMA y un grupo de estudiantes de primer semestre, que por el contrario no han experimentado de manera formal un proceso de modelación matemática; análisis que se hace a partir de un estudio de caso en investigación cualitativa de tipo explicativo, que permitió evidenciar una comprensión de la matematización, la conciencia ambiental y la relación existente entre estos dos aspectos. El análisis realizado sobre los productos y las interpretaciones de los estudiantes que participaron directamente en la matematización de los fenómenos ambientales nos permite manifestar la importancia del uso y manejo de esquemas, actividades y métodos en matemáticas y estadística en los procesos que permitan comprender a profundidad los impactos ambientales en diversas situaciones que se manifiestan en nuestra realidad, así como en la toma de decisiones y en la generación de conciencia ambiental en comunidad. El trabajo contribuye a fomentar espacios para la reflexión de nuestra actuación como profesores de matemáticas en los procesos de generación de conciencia ambiental a partir de la matematización como actividad humana.
Estimación de fugas en tuberías a presión para sistemas de agua potable mediante redes neuronales artificiales y Epanet
Authors: Ladino-Moreno Edgar-Orlando , García-Ubaque César-Augusto , García-Vaca María-Camila
Published: February 2022

Este trabajo trata de la estimación de una fuga para un sistema de tubería principal sin ramificaciones. Se propone un algoritmo y una red neuronal con cuatro variables de entrada, una capa oculta con 25 neuronas y tres variables de salida. La obtención de los datos se realizó mediante un bucle anidado en Visual Basic (Excel®) estableciendo 35.837 escenarios de fuga para una tubería de 30 m que conduce agua con viscosidad cinemática de 0,000001 (m2/s), un diámetro igual a 0,15222 m, rugosidad de 0,0000015 m, pérdida de carga de 3,5 m y dos accesorios (k1, k2) que suma 1,5. Se instalaron en el sistema hidráulico dos caudalímetros y dos manómetros virtuales al inicio y al final de la tubería. Asimismo, se utiliza Epanet® e Hydroflo® (Tahoe Design Software) para estructurar el modelo hidráulico y validar los datos iniciales. Se utilizó MatLab R2021a para analizar los algoritmos de aprendizaje de retropropagación y regularización bayesiana, adoptando la función de transferencia log sigmoide. Como función de control se implementó el error medio cuadrático y el coeficiente de determinación R2. El modelo neuronal obtenido presentó un error medio cuadrático de 1,44E-06 y un error relativo igual a 0,0055 % para los datos de entrenamiento. La validación cruzada de la red neuronal se realizó a partir de 5.973 datos de entrada independientes.
Modelo de referencia ágil y escalado para la industria de software
Authors: Gómez-Campo Cristian-Esthibel , Cañizares-Hernández Tania-Guadalupe , Pardo-Calvache César-Jesús
Published: February 2022

Los beneficios de los marcos ágiles aplicados en proyectos pequeños han despertado el interés de la industria de software a gran escala. Sin embargo, aplicarlos en ambientes escalados ha significado superar múltiples desafíos, entre ellos: comunicación, coordinación y cooperación. Como respuesta a estos desafíos, surgen los marcos escalados, que describen guías de implementación para lograr la transformación a gran escala; no obstante, se identificó en la literatura una falta de claridad conceptual con respecto a los elementos prescritos por estos marcos. Este artículo presenta el modelo de referencia Scaled Agile Model (SAM), el cual integra la experiencia reportada en la literatura y los atributos fundamentales de los marcos escalados SAFe, LeSS, Nexus y DAD. Se siguió una estrategia de armonización de múltiples modelos que permitió integrar y obtener un modelo de referencia en función de los resultados de la armonización de los marcos y la literatura encontrada. SAM fue evaluado en términos de claridad, idoneidad y completitud mediante un grupo focal. El modelo de referencia propuesto define 16 roles, 3 niveles de escalamiento y 34 prácticas, agrupadas en 8 categorías de prácticas. Los hallazgos sugieren una buena aceptación por parte de los expertos que evaluaron la propuesta. Asimismo, el modelo propuesto pretende ser de gran beneficio práctico para las empresas que desean escalar sus prácticas, que las estén escalando o que ya escalaron y quieren evaluar su implementación.
Conformity and Homogeneity Indices for Brain Cancer Patients Using 3DCRT Technique
Authors: Ismael Dler Khalid
Published: February 2022

Background: 3D conformal radiotherapy 3DCRT technique are used to treat patients with brain cancer. Goal: this study aims to compare conformity and homogeneity indices for eight patients of brain cancer by using three-dimension conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) technique on planning target volume (PTV) located in brain. Methods: Comparative study of Conformity and Homogeneity indices for ten brain cancer patients during period from October 2019 to March 2020 that carried out at ZCC (Zhianawa Cancer Center) in Sulaimany-Iraq. 3DECRT technique was applied to get the heist dosage to the target volume (tumor) and lowest dose to the healthy structures around the tumor. By using Linear Accelerator machine- LINAC, Elekta synergy type with 6MV photon beam. SPSS-version 22 was applied for analyzing and caring out the data measurements. Results: It has been observed from the results, in both techniques the highest conformity and homogeneity indices have the acceptable values, in this study with 3D-CRT plan technique showed that the mean conformity and homogeneity indices were (0.1999 ± 0.03, 0.9457 ± 0.05) respectively. The mean dose values for organs at risk spinal cord and brain stem were (41.98 ± 2.23, 26.01 ± 16.62) respectively, for ten right and left parotid glands were (23.52 ± 3.99, 23.34 ± 3.93) respectively. In both plans, the average dose values for all organs at risk mentioned above were less than tolerance radiation doses. Conclusion: This study also supports that indices of homogeneity and conformity are important tools for improving the long-term quality of life of brain cancer patients using 3DCRT technology.
The mechanism of Danzikang Knee Granule in regulating the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells based on TGF-β signaling pathway in cartilage repair in knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Xiaoyu Yu , Hui Xiong , Xiaolong Lu , Lili Xiang , Zhuo Yang , Xinyu Qi
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Danzikang Knee Joint Granules in regulating the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into cartilage to cartilage repair of knee osteoarthritis based on the TGF-β signaling pathway. For this purpose, 60 SD rats were divided into four groups; the control group and treated groups with low, medium, and high concentrations of Danzikang. The histopathology of rats was analyzed and TGF-β signaling pathway-related proteins were determined. Results showed that the average optical density in serum of the Danzikang Granule intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05), and the average optical density increased with drug concentration increasing (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, Danzikang knee granule cell survival in the intervention group was elevated the serum and reduced cell apoptosis rate (P < 0.05). Danzikang knee infusion concentrations were positively correlated with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell survival rates (P < 0.05), and negatively correlated with apoptosis rate (P < 0.05). TGF-β1, BMP2, and BMP4 were significantly increased in the three concentrations of the Danzikang Granule serum intervention group (P<0.05). TGF-β1, BMP2 and BMP4 were significantly increased in the high concentration group, while TGF-β1, BMP2 and BMP4 were significantly decreased in the low concentration group (P<0.05). The Wakitani histological score of the control group was significantly lower than the other three groups (P<0.05). In general, Danzikang Knee Granule plays a role in cartilage repair in knee osteoarthritis by promoting mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and cartilage differentiation, and the specific mechanism may be related to TGF-β1/BMPs signaling pathway.
The role of IL-6, IL-10, and PGE2 in the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation by dual-channel endoscopic lumbar discectomy
Authors: Du Peijin , Zhang Qingshan , Zhang Yaning
Published: February 2022

is the This study aimed to explore the role of IL-6, IL-10, and PGE2 in the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation with dual-channel endoscopic lumbar discectomy. For this purpose, we selected 182 patients with intervertebral disc herniation in our hospital and randomly divided them into the control group and the study group according to the order of admission, of which 85 cases were in the control group, 97 cases in the study group, and control group was treated with conventional lumbar discectomy; the study group was treated with dual-channel spine endoscopic lumbar discectomy to observe and compare the operation-related indexes, lumbar function indexes, clinical effects, serum-related indexes and the evaluation value of the two groups of patients. Results showed that the operation time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and postoperative pain scores of the study group were lower than those of the control group (p<0.05); the ODI and RMQ scores of the study group after treatment were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). The excellent and good rate of the study group was 89.69% higher than that of the control group 77.65% (p<0.05); the levels of IL-6 and PGE2 in the study group after treatment were lower than those of the control group, and the IL-10 level was higher than that of the control group. (P<0.05); Using the lumbar spine function score as the comparison standard: IL-6, IL-10, PGE2 for the evaluation value of dual-channel endoscopic lumbar discectomy for the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation: sensitivity 96.18%, specificity 96.27%, the accuracy of 97.06% was higher than the single diagnosis result (P<0.05. It is worthy of clinical promotion. IL-6, IL-10, PGE2 predict dual-channel spine Endoscopic lumbar discectomy for the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation has high prognostic sensitivity and accuracy, which can provide references for clinical treatment and prognostic medication.
Significance of screening sensitive methylation sites using whole-genome sequencing in early diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhang Yu , Lu Ning , Pu Shunchang , Mu Kui
Published: February 2022

The current study aimed to screen the sensitive methylation sites of non-small cell lung cancer by whole-genome sequencing and construct an early warning system for lung cancer. For this purpose, from June 2017 to December 2020, fresh NSCLC tissues and paired adjacent NSCLC tissues from 45 patients were collected. DNA and total RNA were extracted from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and paired non-cancerous lung tissues. The DNA library combined with a biotinylated probe was collected by Dynabeads m270 streptavidin beads. The concentration of the final library was determined by qubit dsDNA HS assay. Quantitative analysis of DMR methylation in 45 paired tumor and normal lung tissues was performed. RT qPCR and Western blot were used to verify the mRNA expression of candidate genes. Results showed that the methylation rate of CpG 7 in stxbp6 in stage III NSCLC was higher than that in stage I and early-stage II NSCLC; The methylation rates of cpg1 and 38-39 units in fzd10 were higher in stage I NSCLC than in stage II and III NSCLC; The methylation rates of CpG 6 in stxbp6 and CpG 4 and 20-21 in bcl6b in patients with tumor diameter > 3cm were higher than those in patients with tumor diameter < 3cm; Methylation of CpG unit 3 in stxbp6 is associated with age. Stxbp6, bcl6b, fzd10 and hspb6 mRNA expression were down-regulated in patients under 45 years old. The methylation rates of CpG 7 in stxbp6, CPG 6 in stxbp6 and CpG 4 and 20-21 in bcl6b were negatively correlated with the survival time of patients; The methylation rates of CpG 1 and 38-39 units in fzd10 were positively correlated with survival time (P<0.05). It was concluded that the methylation rates of CpG 7 in stxbp6, CPG 6 in stxbp6 and CpG 4 and 20-21 in bcl6b are valuable for early diagnosis.
Comparative Computational Analysis of Dirithromycin and Azithromycin in Search for a Potent Drug against COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2: Evidence from molecular docking and dynamic simulation
Authors: Adel Kadri , Amor Mosbah , Alaeddine Redissi , Emira Noumi , Mousa Alreshidi , Kaïss Aouadi , Siwar Ghannay , Jamal Siddiqui Arif , Mohd Adnan , De Feo Vincenzo , Mejdi Snoussi
Published: February 2022

Due to the emergency and uncontrolled situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that arising in the entire world, it is necessary to choose available drugs that can inhibit or prevent the disease. Therefore, the repurposing of the commercial antibiotic, dirithromycin has been screened for the first time against fifteen receptors and compared to the azithromycin using a molecular docking approach to identify possible SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. Our docking results showed that dirithromycin fit significantly in the Furin catalytic pocket having the lowest binding score (-9.9 Kcal/mol) with respect to azithromycin (-9.4 Kcal/mol) and can interact and block both Asp154 and Ser368 residues by Van der Walls interaction as well as bound to His194 and Ser368 residues via hydrogen bonds. Good results were also obtained with the Tmprss-2 receptor. A Molecular Dynamic simulation was assessed to confirm this interaction. Additionally, detailed receptor-ligand interactions with SARS-CoV-2 and pro-inflammatory mediators were investigated suggesting more target information with interesting results. The findings of this study are very efficient and provide a basis for the development of dirithromycin for clinical trial applications to be efficient in treating SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Identification of differentially expressed genes, transcription factors, microRNAs and pathways in neutrophils of sepsis patients through bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Zheng Yukai , Peng Lu , He Zhijie , Zou Zijun , Li Fangyi , Huang Canxia , Li Weichao
Published: February 2022

Sepsis has been recognized to be a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the dysregulation of the host response to infections. Our work aims to screen key biomarkers related to neutrophils in sepsis using bioinformatics analysis. For this purpose, the microarray datasets related to neutrophils in sepsis patients were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. According to the Bayesian test, the Limma package in R was used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Then, DEGs were uploaded to the DAVID online diagnostic tool for subsequent Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment on the selected DEGs. Next, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established based on the selected DEGs using the STRING website and the Cytoscape software. Furthermore, according to the function of the iRegulon plug-in in Cytoscape, our study further predicts and established regulatory networks related to transcription factors and regulatory genes. In addition, the miRWalk2.0 database was used to search for miRNA-DEG pairs, associated with the conduction of intersections of miRNAs predicted by TargetScan, Miranda, miRDB and RNA22 databases. Then, these miRNA-DEG pairs were also displayed in the form of a regulatory network through Cytoscape. Finally, two datasets were selected to verify the screened genes, regulatory factors, and miRNAs, to plot receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and compute the area under the curve (AUC) values. The results showed that AKT1, MMP9, ARG1, ETS1 targeting AKT1, and has-miR-124-3p targeting RPS6KA5 may have diagnostic value for patients with sepsis and septic shock. While further experimental studies are required to confirm their role in septic neutrophils.
Changes in inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, glucose and lipid metabolism, and insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Zhong Peiwen , Guan Baoxing , Lin Yanting , Zhang Siyou
Published: February 2022

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disease in women, affecting women's menstruation and significantly impacting women's physical and mental health. Studies have shown that insulin resistance has an important relationship with polycystic ovary. It is of great significance to explore the changes of inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, glucose and lipid metabolism, and insulin resistance in patients with PCOS. In the study process, 642 polycystic ovary patients in the first half of 2019 were divided into insulin resistance (n=357) and non-insulin resistance (n=285) groups. Oxidative stress index, glucose, and lipid metabolism index, and inflammatory factors were detected during the study process. The results showed that the levels of hs-CRP, TNF- α, and IL-6 in the IR group were 5.9mg/L, 9.2μg/L, and 87.2ng /ml, while those in the non-IR group were 4.6mg/L, 6.3μg/L and 51.5ng/ml, respectively. Thus, IL-6 and insulin levels maintain a dynamic balance. Low levels of IL-6 can promote insulin secretion, while high levels can inhibit its secretion. The results of this study will provide a specific clinical reference value for the prevention and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Circulating tumor DNA detection in peripheral blood in postoperative efficacy evaluation and recurrence risk prediction of lung cancer
Authors: Lv Kun , Yang Xiongtiao , Li Zhihua , Ma Chengfang , Hong Qiongchuan
Published: February 2022

This study mainly explores the application in the evaluation of postoperative efficacy and recurrence risk prediction. In this study, 50 lung cancer patients treated with thoracic surgery were selected. Collect the peripheral blood of these patients before the operation, separate the blood sample from the plasma by high-speed centrifugal separation, extract the DNA in the plasma by the magnetic bead method, and then extract the ctDNA. A liquid-phase chip capture system is used to highly concentrate target DNA. We use the IlluminaHiseq platform to sort with high throughput and high depth. As an indicator of ctDNA detection and analysis, the AF value of gene mutation frequency is used for calibration. The sensitivity of CEA detection in peripheral blood of tumor patients (TP) is 30% (15/50), and the sensitivity of ctDNA detection is significantly higher than that of CEA detection. Research results show that the number
THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY ON BUSINESS STRATEGY PERFORMANCE IN BUILDING CORE COMPETENCE IN SMALL MEDIUM ENTERPRISES MOGADISHU - SOMALIA.
Authors: AHMED ABDINOR ABUKAR
Published: February 2022

The goal of this research was to look at the effect of technology on business strategy performance in Mogadishu, Somalia. The study focused on the impact of communication technologies on business strategy performance in Mogadishu, Somalia, the impact of digital marketing technologies on business strategy performance in Mogadishu, Somalia, and the significance of business information management technologies on business strategy performance in Mogadishu, Somalia. This study was conducted among a pre-selected group of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The intended audience consisted of business employees and general managers. Staff and general managers were chosen based on their knowledge and expertise in the roles of technology in the attainment of business goals in their respective regions. The study's sample size was 92 respondents from the target population. This is due to the nature of the data to be created, which involves the employment of numerous methodologies to gain a better knowledge of the study issue under consideration. According to Amin, the method is also well-known for enhancing validity and reliability while decreasing biases (2012). Sloven's algorithm was used to estimate the sample size of genuine respondents. To collect data, self-administered questionnaires were used, and these were sent to employees and general managers for replies. This study found that communication technologies have a significant impact on the success of business strategies at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Mogadishu, Somalia, although digital marketing and business information management technologies had a minor impact. Business strategy and technology are tightly connected. A business strategy cannot be implemented if a firm lacks technology.

Even firms that have successfully linked business and technology strategies fail to recognize the l ink between effective intellectual capital strategy and both business and technology strategies, so

the researcher advised companies to focus on technology as a core competence and continue to b enefit from its various strategies such as communication strategies and digital marketing strategie s.
Deliberate Techniques in Teaching ESP at Polytechnic University of Tirana
Authors: Vrapi Fatmir , Karapici Viola
Published: February 2022

The purpose of the article is to present and find out the techniques used in teaching English for Specific Purposes at Polytechnic University of Tirana, whether the syllabus and materials used are effective, and whether the feedback from the students is positive.

This is mostly a qualitative study. Two lecturers from the Foreign Language Centre, part of the Polytechnic University of Tirana, were selected in this study to obtain and analyze the real data. There was also a questionnaire from two students’ groups that had already taken ESP classes, a subject in their first semester. The data were analyzed by using descriptive analysis. The results showed that teachers used a variety of methods in teaching ESP to students of Engineering Branches. The methods resulted mostly successful, and there was mainly positive feedback from students, but it also leaves space for improvement and suggestions on steps that could be taken in order to achieve more and better practical outcomes.   

After having studied the textbooks and CD, teachers modified these teaching materials based on students’ prior knowledge in the field of ESP and adapted them with their syllabuses and lesson plans. The materials used tend to develop all the necessary skills (reading, listening, speaking, writing) and competencies needed from the students (linguistic, socio-linguistic, pragmatic) in compliance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

As an assessment method, both oral and written tests were used at the end of the teaching period that corresponded to the end of the Semester. However, continuous assessment, including also the constant feedback during the classes, was part of the general assessment for the students to obtain the final mark.
China’s New Developments in Crackdown on Criminal Copyright Infringement in the Digital Era
Authors: Yu Jiajia
Published: February 2022

Under the external pressure mainly in the frame of the TRIPS and out of the intrinsic motivation to strengthen intellectual property protection from the height of national strategy, China raised the protective level under criminal law and introduced punitive damages in all intellectual property infringement cases. Rulemaking activities enlarged the scope of criminal offences of Internet piracy, and law enforcement became more active than before. Specifically, tricks for pirating online games, including setting up a private service and hacking games to cheat can be crimes. Additionally, the unauthorised dissemination of copyrighted works through information networks (peer-to-peer file-sharing technology or leeching websites) and circumvention or disability of technological protection measures have been criminalised. The Internet service provider may face a criminal sanction when it fails to delete or block pirated content. The commercial scale, a constructive element of criminal copyright infringement, gained a measuring standard in online piracy cases.
A model-driven engineering design process for the development of control software for Intralogistics Systems
Authors: Aicher Thomas , Fottner Johannes , Vogel-Heuser Birgit
Published: February 2022

Mass customization and small lot sizes have increased the demand for flexible software engineered Intralogistics Systems. To deal with these demands, not only is the effort of diverse engineering disciplines called for but also error-proneness must be reduced. Hence, a modular architecture, which enables changes in the plant design with minimized engineering and commissioning effort, is desired. In order to improve the reusability and applicability of automation control software, a meta model and layout-oriented editor for Intralogistics Systems is presented in this paper. The evaluation of the meta model is performed by commissioning an actual industrial Intralogistics System and expert evaluation.
Neuartiges wegbasiertes Modell zur Abbildung des Zeitverhaltens eines Kreuzstromwärmeübertragers
Authors: Geneder Stefan , Jumar Ulrich
Published: February 2022

Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird ein physikalisch basierter Ansatz zur Modellierung eines Fahrzeugkühlers vorgestellt. Es werden erstmals alle für das dynamische Verhalten wesentlichen Effekte, dies sind die nichtlineare Wärmeübertragung, die thermische Trägheit, die Fluidlaufzeit sowie die Dispersion, in einer echtzeitfähigen Berechnung abgebildet. Die Grundgedanken der Modellbildung sind eine ausreichend hohe Diskretisierung des Modells und eine wegbasierte Betrachtung, wodurch die Annahme eines quasistationären Zustandes für einen einzelnen Rechenschritt eines Berechnungselements gestattet ist. So ist letztendlich nur ein einfacher algebraischer Zusammenhang zu lösen.
Late Triassic–Early Jurassic paleogeomorphic characteristics and hydrocarbon potential of the Ordos Basin, China, a case of study of the Jiyuan area
Authors: Ma Haiyong , Han Tianyou , Feng Juanping , Shen Long , Liu Zhe
Published: February 2022

Paleogeomorphology is the surface morphology formed by the deposition of strata in the basin in historical period, which is greatly affected by the regional tectonic movement; however, the effect of basin paleogeomorphology on reservoir has been underexplored. This study documents the basin paleogeomorphic terrain features and their implications for the depositional processes and oil migration and accumulation in the Jiyuan area of the Ordos Basin. Stratigraphic classification is achieved through well logging data analysis. A seismic fine interpretation of the Triassic–Jurassic paleogeomorphology is conducted. Typical drilling core observations were utilized in a well section analysis of the strata at the top of the Yanchang formation sedimentary facies characteristics. Studies have shown that the Chang 1 subsection on top of the Triassic Yanchang formation in the Jiyuan area was eroded by an ancient Jurassic river, and the residual strata are primarily distributed in the Dingbian and Jiyuan plateaus. The Chang 1 reservoir in the Jiyuan area is dominated by a delta distributary channel sand body. The reservoir is concentrated in a high reservoir sand body structure position, and is controlled by a combination of structural and rock characteristics. This study suggests that the Indosinian movement in the late Triassic caused the entire basin to uplift and denudate, and the strata at the top of the Yanchang formation suffered from weathering and river erosion. The residual strata in the upper part of the Yanchang formation are controlled by the late Triassic–early Jurassic paleogeomorphology.