bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Esnek kaplamalı yollarda Kayseri volkanik cüruf malzemelerinin çimento ile stabilizasyonu
Authors: ACAR Mehmet Cemal
Published: November 2021

Kayseri Volkanik cürufu (VC), patlayıcı volkanik aktivite sonucu oluşan zemin ebatlarında ponza, kaya kırıntıları, puzolanik mineraller ve volkanik kül içeren doğal malzemelerdir. Volkanik cüruf, konik cüruf tepeleri şeklinde doğada hazır agrega olarak bulunmakta veya yapı temel kazılarından atık olarak çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Kayseri’de bol miktarda doğal olarak bulunan bu cürufların, havaalanı gibi geniş hacimli dolgu projelerinde ve esnek kaplamalı karayollarının temel, alttemel ve çeşitli dolgularında doğrudan veya çimento ile iyileştirildikten sonra inşaat malzemesi olarak kullanım potansiyelinin araştırılmasıdır. Elde edilen sonuçlar, volkanik cürufun yol dolgu ve alttemel tabakası için uygun olduğu ancak Kaliforniya taşıma oranı (CBR) değerinin düşük olmasından dolayı, zemin iyileştirme yapılmadan temel tabakası için uygun olmadığı ve kullanılamayacağını göstermiştir. VC'nin karayollarının temel tabakasında kullanımını araştırmak için, %3 ve %5 çimento ile stabilize edilerek tek eksenli basınç dayanımı (UCS) ve CBR deneyleri yapılmıştır. En iyi sonuç olarak, %5 çimento karışımıyla 7 ve 28 günlük UCS dayanımı sırasıyla 3,1 MPa ve 4,97 MPa ve CBR dayanımı sırasıyla %108,4 ve %148,6 elde edilmiştir. Bu değerler, temel tabakası için standartlarda belirtilen minimum dayanım gereksinimini karşılamıştır. Sonuç olarak, doğada hazır olarak bulunan volkanik cürufların %5 çimento ile stabilize edilmesiyle geoteknik özelliklerinin iyileştirilebileceği ve esnek kaplamalı yollarda temel, alttemel ve çeşitli dolgularda inşaat malzemesi olarak kullanılabileceği ortaya koyulmuştur.
AISI 316-L paslanmaz çeliğin yüzey işlemlerinde termo-kimyasal elektrolitik plazma teknolojisinin uygulanması
Authors: KUMRUOĞLU Levent Cenk , OZEL Ahmet
Published: November 2021

Yüzey özelliklerinin iyileştirilmesinde elektrolit olarak ara-yer elementlerinin kimyasal bağlı olduğu bileşikler saf su içinde çözündürülerek kullanılmıştır. Elektrolitler suda çözünebilen N (azot) ve C (karbon) gibi ara-yer element içeren inorganik tuzlardan seçilmiştir. 3 farklı elektrolit oluşturulmuştur. Birinci elektrolit H2N-CO-NH2, ikincisi NH4NO3 esaslı olarak seçilmiştir. Elektrolit/316 L ara yüzeyinde 300V ve daha yüksek gerilim uygulanarak yüksek enerjili plazma oluşturulmuştur. Yüksek enerjili plazma içinde iyonize olan N ve C elementleri 316L yüzeyine difüze olmuştur. Elektrolitik plazma difüzyon işlemleri, farklı çözeltiler kullanılarak 316 L paslanmaz çelik altlık için gerçekleştirilmiştir. Plazma difüzyon süresi 5 saniye ile 30 dakika arasında seçilmiştir. İşlemler sonucunda yüzeylerin N, C ve O içeren fazlardan oluştuğu, artan süreye bağlı olarak difüzyon mesafesinin ve sertliğin arttığı gözlenmiştir
Flaş sinterleme yönteminin uçucu kül mikroyapısına etkisi
Authors: ÇETİNKAYA Zeynep
Published: November 2021

Bu çalışmada termik santral atığı olan cam seramik malzemelerden uçucu kül’ ün yoğunlaştırılması (sinterlenmesi) elektrik alan destekli flaş sinterleme yöntemiyle gerçekleştirilmiştir. Uçucu Kül numuneleri Tunçbilek Termik Santralinden (Kütahya, Türkiye) temin edilmiştir. Flaş sinterleme deneyinde 0,85 A akım üst limiti belirlenerek 450 V/mm elektrik alan uygulanmıştır. XRD analizine göre yapıda camsı faz, kuvars, hematit, manyetit, magnezyoferrit ve müllit yapıları bulunmaktadır. Kimyasal analizi (XRF) ile içeriğinde belirlenen yüksek orandaki SiO2, Al2O3 ve Fe2O3’ün tek başlarına ve/veya birlikte oluşturdukları cam-seramik malzemelerin sinterlenmesi 1500℃ ve üzeri sıcaklıklarda gerçekleştiği literatürde rapor edilmiştir. Elektrik alanlı flaş sinterleme işlemi uçucu külün ortalama sinter sıcaklığını 1500℃’lerden 1137℃’ye düşürürken sinter süresini de 3 saatten 70 saniyeye çekmiştir. Bu yöntem ile gerçekleştirilen sinterleme işlemi geleneksel sinterleme yöntemlerinden daha düşük sıcaklık ve daha kısa sürede gerçekleştirilmiştir. Literatürdeki uçucu kül sinterleme işlemlerinin SEM mikrografları ile karşılaştırıldığında daha yoğun bir yapı sinter işleminin başarılı bir şekilde gerçekleştiğini kanıtlanmıştır.
Chelex DNA extraction Protocol v1
Authors: Chang Sarah , Russello Michael
Published: November 2021

Laboratory protocol for DNA extraction from animal tissue with Chelex.
Validation of manual blood culture bottles v2
Authors: Ombelet Sien , Hardy Liselotte , Jacobs Jan
Published: November 2021

Use of equipment-free, “manual” blood cultures is still widespread in low-resource settings, as requirements for implementation of automated systems are often not met. Quality of manual blood culture bottles currently on the market, however, is usually unknown. An acceptable quality in terms of yield and speed of growth can be ensured by evaluating the bottles using simulated blood cultures. In these experiments, bottles from different systems are inoculated in parallel with blood and a known quantity of bacteria. Based on literature review and personal experiences, we propose a short and practical protocol for an efficient evaluation of manual blood culture bottles, aimed at research or reference laboratories in low-resource settings. This laboratory protocol was used in a study for Médecins Sans Frontières' Mini-Lab project, which aims to bring clinical bacteriology to low-resource settings. Three bottle types were evaluated in this study; two "manual" blood culture bottles and one automated system.
PanelsDB2, FMDB to manage CGP report xml data. v1
Authors: Fukuyama Keita
Published: November 2021

PanelsDB2, FMDB to manage CGP report xml data. The descrition about DB usage.
“Learning Interest Index”: An Inventory Test for Assessing Learning Motivation in Adolescents
Authors: Tolstykh N.N. , Fyodorov V.V. , Kharchenko M.A. , Pogodina A.V. , Babanin P.A.
Published: November 2021

The article provides theoretical justification and describes the development, psychometric verification and approbation of the Learning Interest Index inventory for assessing learning motivation in adolescents of different age groups. The theoretical basis was a resource approach aimed at identifying those motivational-value and personality components that make a significant positive contribution to both the process and the result of learning activities of adolescents. The sample for psychometric verification of the test consisted of 572 adolescents (44.5% boys, 55.5% girls) studying in 7—11 grades of several medium-ranked schools of Moscow and the Moscow region. To identify the structure of learning interest, exploratory factor analysis was applied separately for the sub-samples of middle (grades 7—9) and older (grades 10—11) adolescents. The model of the Learning Interest Index includes both simple, unambiguous, and complex, combined factors. For a sample of middle-aged adolescents, a seven-factor model of the Learning Interest Index was obtained. The structure of the learning interest of older adolescents includes nine factors. Psychometric verification showed that all scales of the questionnaire have acceptable reliability, as well as construct and empirical validity.
Myasthenia gravis and coronavirus disease 2019: A report from Iran
Authors: Etemadifar Masoud , Akafzadeh-Savari Mahsa , Salari Mehri , Akhavan Sigari Amirhossein , Ebrahimi-Pelarti Sara , Sedaghat Nahad , Etemad Koorosh
Published: November 2021

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly and has affected millions of people worldwide. Comorbid diseases have complicated the course of infection and increased mortality. Myasthenia gravis (MG) affects the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) and can compromise respiratory muscle action, leading to worse clinical outcomes in individuals infected with the COVID-19 theoretically. In this study, the aim is to assess the pattern of COVID-19 infection in patients with MG based on several factors.
Methods: This was a prospective cohort study following 150 patients with MG over a six-month period. The patients were monitored for the development of signs and symptoms of the COVID-19 infection.
Results: Comparison of the patients infected with COVID-19 with MG and those not infected was performed independently based on age, duration since MG diagnosis, status of thymectomy, and current clinical status of MG disease. Data analysis did not reveal increased susceptibility or increased severity of COVID-19 illness based the criteria assessed.
Conclusion: COVID-19 related deaths and susceptibility were not related to age, thymectomy status, and disease duration in patients with MG.
Beta-thalassemia intermedia with ischemic transients misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis: A case report
Authors: Ghadiri Fereshteh , Sahraian Mohammad Ali , Moghadasi Abdorreza Naser
Published: November 2021

The article's abstract is not available.
Comparison of the effectiveness of ondansetron versus metoclopramide in hyperemesis gravidarum: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Moradiha Fatemeh , Farahmandrad Sahar , Gholami Hamideh
Published: November 2021

Objective: Nausea and vomiting are the most common complications and the first cause of hospitalization of pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy. Given the maternal and fetal complications as well as the negative psychosocial and economic effects of nausea and vomiting, the present study aimed to compare the antiemetic effects of ondansetron and metoclopramide.
Methods: The present double-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 153 pregnant women with a complaint of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy referred to the obstetrics and gynecology ward. Patients were randomly divided into two metoclopramide and ondansetron groups. The outcomes of interest were nausea and vomiting, the number of used doses of the drug, and the length of hospital stay. The Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) questionnaire was used to assess the severity of nausea and vomiting.
Results: The mean age was significantly higher in the metoclopramide group (28.44±6.45 vs. 25.43±5.42 years, P=0.004). On day 3, the PUQE score was significantly higher in the ondansetron group (6.60±1.10 vs. 6.56±0.88, P<0.001). The decrease in the severity of nausea and vomiting was significantly higher in the ondansetron group (5.29±1.35 vs. 4.90±1.17, P=0.05) in the second day compared to the first day. In the repeated measure analysis, significant differences were found between the two treatment groups (F=7.01, P=0.009). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the length of hospital stay (P>0.05).
Conclusion: In this study, ondansetron revealed more efficacy than metoclopramide on the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) management. Ondansetron may, therefore, be considered as a safe and effective alternative for metoclopramide in the treatment of NVP.
A review on using ultrasound for evaluation of pediatric blunt abdominal trauma
Authors: Chardouli Mojtaba , Yasinzadeh Mohammadreza , Meshkini Mohammad , Jalilvand Hadi , Basir Ghafouri Hamed , Sadeghi-Bazargani Homayoun , Mirkarimi Sayyed Mohammadreza
Published: November 2021

This study reviewed the former studies conducted on the usefulness of accuracy of focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) or any plain ultrasonography (US) scan in pediatric blunt abdominal trauma (BAT), to assess its accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV).
Searches were conducted using the predefined keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms across MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Collaboration Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, Magiran and SID.ir databases. Duplicate publications were excluded; then the titles and abstracts of eligible studies were reviewed for how they report blunt trauma, pediatric patients, and ultrasound modality in their text. Cochrane RevMan version 5.3 was used for the results analysis and assessing the risk of bias in the studies.
Out of 923 studies, 902 were excluded, and only 19 articles were included in this review, out of which one was a randomized clinical trial (RCT), three were cohort studies, two were contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) studies, and 13 were prospective or retrospective descriptive studies. The total population studied in the articles was 3454 patients. The results showed that the specificity of US in pediatric BAT was 93%, the sensitivity was 54%, and the PPV in comparison to clinical examination was 73% versus 37%. CEUS protocol achieved 100% in both sensitivity and specificity analysis. The only RCT study which included about 28% of the studies population also reached a sensitivity and specificity of 97% and 98%, respectively using a combinational protocol of clinical examination, laboratory investigation, and US assessment.
Ultrasonography does not provide more results than clinical examination, though better PPV results. A combination of follow-up, US examination, and laboratory requests may also have more accurate results. Moreover, a CEUS protocol may reach that goal with an acceptable time-saving outcome, but it needs more studies to be confirmed.
CHANGES IN THE MAMMALIAN COMPLEX (MAMMALIA) ON THE TERRITORY OF THE ROSTOV NATURE RESERVE SINCE THE MID-TWENTIETH CENTURY
Authors: Minoranskiy Victor A. , Malinovskaya Yulia V. , Tikhonov Alexey V. , Dankov Vasily I. , Kilyakova Valentina S.
Published: November 2021

The complex of mammals on the territory of the Rostov Nature Reserve located in the arid steppes in the 20th-21st centuries was studied and the reasons for the changes that occurred in it were determined. We used the authors' observations since 1959, data from the staff of the Rostov Nature Reserve and publications on mammals. A total of 46 species of mammals were recorded. Under the influence of human activity steppe ecosystems underwent profound transformations, which led to changes in the number, distribution and importance of many mammals and to the disappearance of some and the penetration of other species here. The creation of the Rostov Nature Reserve has had a positive impact on the restoration of biocenoses. However, their composition differs from that of the mid-twentieth century. In the 21st century steppe ecosystems, including mammals, are affected by increased economic activity and climate change.
Programa Artemis: acuerdos y tecnologías para la exploración y explotación de la Luna
Authors: Gómez Gómez Edgar Leonardo , Ruiz Pedroza Laura Camila
Published: November 2021

Este artículo tiene como objeto analizar el programa Artemis, liderado por NASA y desarrollado en compañía de otras agencias espaciales y socios, tanto privados, como estatales que buscan llevar nuevamente personas a la Luna, esta vez para iniciar un proceso de colonización y explotación de recursos como fase previa del proyecto a largo plazo para enviar humanos a Marte. El artículo se enmarca en el Derecho Internacional para analizar los principios de pacta sunt servanda, aplicables en el derecho espacial y sus respectivos efectos vinculantes, identificando elementos que son contrarios con la normativa internacional. Se inicia con un recuento de los esfuerzos por alcanzar la Luna, desde donde reaparecen ciertas lagunas jurídicas; luego, se presenta una visión general del programa y se especifican los puntos disímiles y comunes entre las normativas, además de mostrar las tecnologías desarrolladas para el programa como sistemas de lanzamiento; cápsula de transporte; estación orbital; vehículos lunares; equipos para exploración y extracción de recursos lunares; módulos habitables; entre otros. Como resultado se presenta una visión crítica frente al hecho de que un grupo reducido de países puedan apropiarse de los recursos lunares, los cuales pertenecen a toda la humanidad, así como frente a su reserva de información. Se finaliza concluyendo que la comunidad internacional debe prestar atención a este programa y propender por el respeto, la firma y la ratificación de las normas establecidas desde la ONU, con el objetivo de que cualquier actividad relacionada con explotación de cuerpos celestes impacte positivamente a todo el planeta.
Vivienda de Interés Social en Ica
Authors:   , Haro Diaz Cristhian Gustavo
Published: November 2021

Este documento surge por la aparición de una vivienda social inadecuada en Ica, por no responder al estilo de vida del usuario y por no entender su desarrollo económico en el tiempo. El estado a través de la empresa privada busca solucionar la demanda existente de vivienda presentando una estandarización de módulos de vivienda para agilizar su construcción, y llegar a las metas establecidas. Se entregan módulos básicos construidos con la opción de expandirlos a través del tiempo, sin embargo, los módulos entregados no suelen entender el contexto inmediato donde se emplazan y tampoco comprenden el estilo de vida de las familias causando una inversión adicional a pesar de poder expandirlos en el tiempo, porque los residentes al expandirlos, tratan de moldear estos módulos con su identidad probando soluciones informales y a veces arriesgadas, demostrando el desinterés del estado y la empresa privada por la realidad del usuario y su desarrollo económico. Esta investigación se hizo para demostrar la importancia de entender al ser humano, para comprender su realidad, y para precisar que el arquitecto tiene un rol social importante en mejorar la vida de las personas.
Resiliencia y calidad de vida familiar en padres de personas con discapacidad cognitiva de Lima y Callao
Authors:   , Uccelli Layseca Micaela Patricia
Published: November 2021

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar la relación que existe entre las variables resiliencia y calidad de vida familiar en padres de personas con discapacidad cognitiva. Se utilizó un método cuantitativo con un diseño de tipo correlacional. La muestra está conformada por 179 padres (23% hombres y 77% mujeres), con edades entre 24 y 86 años. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron; la escala adaptada de Resiliencia (Castilla, Coronel, Bonilla, Mendoza & Barboza, 2016) y la escala adaptada de Calidad de Vida Familiar (Córdoba, Verdugo & Gómez, 2011). Se presentan relaciones significativas positivas entre resiliencia y las dimensiones recursos familiares (moderada, .28), rol parental e interacción familiar (débiles, entre .17 y .19) del eje A (importancia) de la Calidad de Vida Familiar. Así como relaciones significativas positivas (débiles y moderadas, entre .21 y .35) entre resiliencia y todas las dimensiones del eje B (satisfacción). Respecto a las comparaciones, se presentan diferencias según el tipo de discapacidad, siendo los casos de Trastornos del Espectro Autista los más significativos. Según el grado de discapacidad, a mayor severidad menor calidad de vida familiar. Se concluyó, que existen relaciones significativas entre la resiliencia y calidad de vida familiar.
Networks in the context of digital culture: technologies, coordinators, university teachers and students
Authors: Paniago Maria Cristina Lima , Santos Rosimeire Martins Régis dos , Dorsa Arlinda Cantero
Published: November 2021

This research aims to analyze networks of relations in the context of digital culture, focusing on the relationships among technologies, coordinators, university teachers, and students. It is qualitative research with virtual etnography approach, developed in a private university in the Center-West of Brazil, with the participation of 39 university teachers, 285 students and 7 coordinators, answering questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, and posting messages at Facebook, related to the digital culture and to the formative educational process. The results point to a context of mismatch between the comings and goings of university teachers, students and coordinators, seeking to appropriate the technologies in order to invent other ways of teaching and learning, in different times and spaces, individually and collaboratively, with openness to the innovation in a critical way.
Ten Simple Rules for Sharing Experimental and Clinical Data with the Modeling Community
Authors: König Matthias , Grzegorzewski Jan , Golebiewski Martin , Hermjakob Henning , Hucka Mike , Olivier Brett , Keating Sarah , Nickerson David , Schreiber Falk , Sheriff Rahuman , Waltemath Dagmar
Published: November 2021

Science continues to become more interdisciplinary and to involve increasingly complex data sets. Many projects in the biomedical and health related sciences adhere to the principles of FAIR data sharing, or aim to follow them. Data sharing has been proven to foster collaboration, to lead to better research outcomes, and to help ensure reproducibility of results. Data generated in biomedical and health research are specific in the sense that they are heterogeneous, often big, and highly sensitive in terms of data protection needs and contextuality. Data sharing has to respect these features, but at the same time advances in medical therapy and treatment are time-critical. Modeling and simulation of biomedical processes have become an established tool, and a global community has been developing algorithms, methodologies, and standards for applying biomedical simulation models in clinical research. However, it can be difficult for clinician scientists to follow the specific rules and recommendations for FAIR data sharing within the domain. With this paper, we aim to clarify the standard workflow for sharing experimental and clinical data with the simulation modeling community. By following these recommendations, data sharing will be improved, collaborations will become more effective, and the FAIR publication and subsequent reuse of data will become possible at the level of quality necessary in biomedical and health related sciences.
Lamotrigine Attenuates Neuronal Excitability, Depresses GABA Synaptic Inhibition, and Modulates Theta Rhythms in Rat Hippocampus
Authors: Kazmierska-Grebowska Paulina , Siwiec Marcin , Sowa Joanna Ewa , Caban Bartosz , Kowalczyk Tomasz , Bocian Renata , MacIver M Bruce
Published: November 2021

Theta oscillations generated in hippocampal (HPC) and cortical neuronal networks are involved in various aspects of brain function, including sensorimotor integration, movement planning, memory formation and attention. Disruptions of theta rhythms are present in individuals with various disorders, including epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. Theta rhythm generation involves a specific interplay between cellular (ionic) and network (synaptic) mechanisms. HCN channels are theta modulators, and several medications are known to enhance their activity. We investigated how different doses of lamotrigine (LTG), an HCN channel activator, and antiepileptic and neuroprotective agent, would affect hippocampal theta rhythms in acute HPC slices (in vitro) and anaesthetized rats (in vivo). Whole-cell patch clamp recordings revealed that LTG decreased GABAA-fast transmission in CA3 and CA1 cells, in vitro. In addition, LTG directly depressed CA3 and CA1 pyramidal neuron excitability. These effects were partially blocked by ZD 7288, a selective HCN blocker, and are consistent with decreased excitability associated with antiepileptic actions. Lamotrigine also depressed hippocampal theta oscillations in vitro, also consistent with its neuronal depressant effects. In contrast, it exerted an opposite, enhancing effect, on theta recorded in vivo. The contradictory in vivo and in vitro results indicate that LTG increases ascending theta activating medial septum/entorhinal synaptic inputs that over-power the depressant effects seen in hippocampal neurons. These results provide new insights into LTG actions and indicate an opportunity to develop more precise therapeutics for the treatment of dementias, memory disorders and epilepsy.
New Perspectives for Eye-Sparing Treatment Strategies in Primary Uveal Melanoma
Authors: Bilmin Krzysztof , Synoradzki Kamil J. , Czarnecka Anna M. , Spałek Mateusz J. , Kujawska Tamara , Solnik Malgorzata , Merks Piotr , Toro Mario Damiano , Rejdak Robert , Fiedorowicz Michał
Published: November 2021

Uveal melanoma is the most common intraocular malignancy and arises from melanocytes in the choroid, ciliary body, or iris. Radiotherapy is the mainstay of therapy for most patients with localized uveal melanoma. Another RT technique used in the treatment of uveal melanomas is charged-particle radiotherapy. Photodynamic therapy is based on the selective destruction of cancer cells or pathological vessels. High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a promising technology of thermal destruction of solid tumors located deep under the skin. The principle of operation is based on the heating of a tumor. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) induces the reactive oxygen species and kills cancer cells. Electroporation applied in vivo delivers drugs or genetic material from the intercellular space to cells. Iontophoresis is a technique in which using electric current increases the biodistribution of drugs in the eyeball. Transcorneal iontophoresis has been shown to increase the local concentration of antibacterial and antifungal drugs, steroids, DNA, and RNA molecules. Theranosticsincorporates diagnostic imaging and therapy. Although no theranostic markers have been developed specifically for uveal melanoma, some NPs have already found use in ophthalmology. UM presents an unmet clinical need. Novel eye-preserving therapeutic approaches for the localized disease are needed.
Glial-Neuronal Interactions in Pathogenesis and Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Lukacova Nadezda , Kisucka Alexandra , Kiss Bimbova Katarina , Bacova Maria , Ileninova Maria , Kuruc Tomas , Galik Jan
Published: November 2021

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) elicits an acute inflammatory response which comprises numerous cell populations. It is driven by the immediate response of macro-phages and reactive M1 microglia, which triggers activation of genes responsible for the dysregulated microenvironment within the lesion site and in the spinal cord parenchyma immediately adjacent to the lesion. Recently published data indicate that microglia induces astrocyte activation and determines the fate of astrocytes. Conversely, astrocytes have the potency to trigger microglial activation and control their cellular functions. Here we review current information about the release of diverse signaling molecules (pro-inflammatory vs anti-inflammatory) in individual cell phenotypes (microglia, astrocytes, blood inflammatory cells) in acute and subacute SCI stages, and how they contribute to delayed neuronal death in a the surrounding spinal cord tissue which is spared and functional but reactive. In addition, temporal correlation in progressive degeneration of neurons and astrocytes and their functional interactions after SCI are discussed. Finally, the review highlight the time-dependent transformation of reactive mi-croglia (M1) and astrocytes (A1) into their neuroprotective phenotypes (M2a, M2c and A2) which are crucial for spontaneous post-SCI locomotor recovery. We also provide sug-gestions on how to increase functional outcome after SCI and discuss key therapeutic approaches.
Surviving “Los Sures”: An anthropological reflection on the Nuyoricans lived experiences in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn and the current urban context of gentrification in New York City
Authors: Vazquez Victor , McAfee Ashley
Published: November 2021

The following article presents an anthropological and historical reflection on the Puerto Rican inner-city neighborhood better known as “Los Sures” in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City (nyc). The analysis will explore the contemporary academic discussion regarding the following concepts: poverty, the welfare State, the discourse surrounding welfare recipient’s culture, inner-city living conditions, and the current context of gentrification.
Identificación de los componentes del Entorno Personal de Aprendizaje de estudiantes de ingeniería
Authors: Jerez Naranajo Yannelys Virginia , Barroso Osuna Julio
Published: November 2021

La necesaria transformación educativa en función del desarrollo de competencias para el aprendizaje ubicuo y permanente con las TIC lleva al surgimiento de los Entornos Personales de Aprendizaje como una estrategia metodológica que permite colocar al estudiante en el centro del proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje permitiéndole construir un escenario de aprendizaje propio mediante la interacción con otras personas, materiales de enseñanza y recursos de información en general. El presente trabajo busca identificar las herramientas tecnológicas que conforman los PLE de los estudiantes, así como los objetivos del uso. Los datos obtenidos pueden contribuir al desarrollo de estrategias y propuestas metodológicas para lograr la gestión de los PLE de los estudiantes desde las diferentes asignaturas del currículo.
Como resultado se obtuvieron las herramientas más utilizadas con fines personales y académicos. Sobresalen las herramientas usadas por orientación docente como los buscadores, los procesadores de texto, las herramientas para la creación de presentaciones colectivas y las herramientas para leer y enviar correos electrónicos. Lo anterior demuestra la validez de incluir en el diseño didáctico de las asignaturas actividades dirigidas al desarrollo de los PLE de los estudiantes.
miRNA Expression Profiling Regulates Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition in 125I Seed Irradiation of Gastric Carcinoma Cell
Authors: Ma Zhenhuan , Li Zhen , Zou Lei , Li Guojian , Bao Yan , Du Lingjuan , Yang Yong
Published: November 2021

Backgroud The aim of this study is to examine miRNA profiling and miR-1285-3p participates in 125I seed irradiation of gastric carcinoma cell via the regulation of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Methods An in vitro I-125 seed irradiation model was established, followed by the small RNA-Sequencing to investigate the full spectrum of miRNAs that are response to I-125 seed implantation. Validation was performed with quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). qRT-PCR was also employed to measure miR-1285-3p and EMT-related mRNAs expression. Western blotting assay was performed to test the expression of EMT-related proteins. Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to confirm the direct targeting of SMAD2/3 and SMAD4 by miR-1285-3p.Results A total of 1034 miRNAs were initially detected. Of these, 11 miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed between I-125 seed irradiation and control groups. Six miRNAs (hsa-miR-127-3p, hsa-miR-1285-3p, hsa-miR-296-5p, hsa-miR-421, hsa-miR-495-3p, and hsa-miR-548am-3p) were up regulation and five miRNAs (hsa-miR-17-5p, hsa-miR-193b-5p, hsa-miR-23b-5p, hsa-miR-483-5p, hsa-miR-92a-1-5p) were down regulation between I-125 seed irradiation treatment and control groups. EMT is involved in gastric cancer cells treatment with I-125 seed implantation, and downregulation of miR-1285-3p can repress EMT through its targeting of SMAD pathway, which make miR-1285-3p a novel target of I-125 therapeutic intervention for human gastric cancer.Conclusions This study revealed that miR-1285-3p inhibited EMT by targeting SMAD pathway in 125I seed irradiation of gastric carcinoma.
Assessing Equivalent and Inverse Change in Genes Between Diverse Experiments
Authors: Neums Lisa , Koestler Devin C. , Xia Qing , Hu Jinxiang , Patel Shachi , Bell-Glenn Shelby , Pei Dong , Zhang Bo , Boyd Samuel , Chalise Prabhakar , Thompson Jeffrey A.
Published: November 2021

Background: It is important to identify when two exposures impact a molecular marker (e.g., a gene’s expression) in similar ways, for example, to learn that a new drug has a similar effect to an existing drug. Currently, statistically robust approaches for making comparisons of equivalence of effect sizes obtained from two independently run treatment versus control comparisons have not been developed. Results: Here, we propose two approaches for evaluating the question of equivalence between effect sizes of two independent studies: a bootstrap test of the Equivalent Change Index (ECI), which we previously developed, and performing Two One-Sided t-Tests (TOST) on the difference in log-fold changes directly. The ECI of a gene is computed by taking the ratio of the effect size estimates obtained from the two different studies, weighted by the maximum of the two p-values and giving it a sign indicating if the effects are in the same or opposite directions, whereas TOST is a test of whether the difference in log-fold changes lies outside a region of equivalence. We used a series of simulation studies to compare the two tests on the basis of sensitivity, specificity, balanced accuracy, and F1-socre. We found that TOST is not efficient for identifying equivalently changed gene expression values (F1-score = 0) because it is too conservative, while the ECI bootstrap test shows good performance (F1-score = 0.96). Furthermore, applying the ECI bootstrap test and TOST to publicly available microarray expression data from pancreatic cancer of tumor tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) showed that, while TOST was not able to identify any equivalently or inversely changed genes, the ECI bootstrap test identified genes associated with pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, and other disease types associated with pancreatic cancer. Conclusion: A bootstrap test of the ECI is a promising new statistical approach for determining if two diverse studies show similarity in the differential expression of genes and can help to identify genes which are similarly influenced by a specific treatment or exposure.
Urinary Proteome Changes in Global Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Rat Model Using Proteomics
Authors: Sun Xiaopeng , Li Qiujie , Wang Mingshan , Qin Weiwei
Published: November 2021

Background

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is the leading cause of death in severe hypotension caused by cardiac arrest, drowning, and excessive blood loss. Urine can sensitively reflect pathophysiological changes in the brain even at an early stage.
Methods

In this study, a rat model of global cerebral I/R injury was established via Pulsinelli’s four-vessel occlusion (4-VO) method. The proteomics techniques of data-independent acquisition (DIA) and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) were applied to profile the urinary proteome. The differentially expressed proteins were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis.
Results

One hundred and sixty-four proteins significantly differed in the 4-VO rat urine samples compared to the control samples (1.5-fold change, p<0.05). GO analysis showed that the acute-phase response, the ERK1 and ERK2 cascade, endopeptidase activity, blood coagulation, and angiogenesis were overrepresented. After PRM validation, fifteen differentially expressed proteins were identified, and their expression was consistent with the DIA quantification. The abundance of FGG, COMP, TFF2, and HG2A was significantly changed only at 12 h after I/R injury. APOE, FAIM3, FZD1, IL1R2, UROK and CD48 were upregulated only at 48 h after I/R injury. KNG1, CATZ, PTGDS, PRVA and HEPC showed an overall trend of upregulation or downregulation at 12 and 48 h after I/R injury, reflecting the progression of cerebral I/R injury.
Conclusion

In this study, fifteen differentially expressed urinary proteins were identified and validated in a 4-VO rat model. Eight of these proteins were reported to be associated with cerebral I/R injury. These findings provide important clues to inform the monitoring of cerebral I/R injury and further the current understanding of its molecular biological mechanisms.
Robust Application of Supervised Machine Learning Techniques for Cause of Death Determination from Verbal Autopsies
Authors: Mapundu Michael T. , Kabudula Chodziwadziwa W. , Musenge Eustasius , Olago Victor , Celik Turgay
Published: November 2021

Background: Verbal Autopsy (VA) is a tool commonly used in low to medium income countries to ascertain cause of death, where most deaths are not assigned a medically certified cause. As such, they strengthen health priorities, inform policy, practice and provide vital information where civil registration systems are weak. Physician diagnosis is used as a gold standard to determine cause of death, from VA interviews even though it is inconsistent and expensive. Alternatively, conventional computer algorithms and machine learning approaches have been applied.However, they fail to perform optimally because of data quality and ineffective strategies that they employ. We present a robust machine learning framework that can accurately classify cause of death using only narratives from VA interviews. Methods: Experiments started with data acquisition of the VA narratives, followed by data preprocessing. We created numeric vectors to represent the narratives using various feature engineering techniques for twelve cause of death categories. Furthermore, we applied data balancing, feature scaling, hyper-parameter tuning and dimensionality reduction in order to improve model performance. We applied eight different classification approaches to the vectors to generate model predictors of cause of death. Validation was done using Precision, Recall, Accuracy, F1-score and Receiver Operating Characteristic Area Under Curve (ROCAUC). Results: We used the physician diagnosis as our gold standard for validation of our models. Our five best classifiers attained a Precision, Recall, Accuracy and F1-score of 95%, 94%, 93%, 92% and 91% respectively in cause of death classification of all twelve disease categories. We report on Micro-Average ROCAUC of 96% and Macro-Average ROCAUC of 95% of our twelve classes. Conclusion: Our proposed robust machine learning framework can be a faster and cost effective way to determine cause of death from rich informative unstructured VA narratives. This study can also serve as a benchmark of model comparability and generalisation of machine learning models in determining cause of death using VA data. Our study was limited in terms of data quality. Future work aims at using combined responses and narratives for our models and also applying deep learning architectures for cause of death classification using VAs.
Application of Polymer Clip to Ligate the Distal Ureter in Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Radical Nephroureterectomy
Authors: Wang Chunyang , Yu Hongkai , Song Yong , Zhang Lei , Zhang Fan , Fu Weijun , Chen Guangfu , Sun Shengkun , Zhang Xu
Published: November 2021

Purpose：Distal ureter management in radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) is challenging. Methods: This study describes a simple endoscopic clip technique with polymer clip ligation for the management of the distal ureter during retroperitoneal laparoscopic RNU. This endoscopic technique was used in 14 patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Transurethral resection of the bladder cuff was performed using a bipolar β electrode (mounted on resectoscope). Subsequently, a Super Scope (S-scope) with a 5-mm-diameter dual working channel was used with clip applier to deliver the polymer clips, which consequently ligated the ureteral stump and avoided urine spillage from the upper tract. Results: Distal ureter was managed successfully in all 14 cases using polymer clip, without any cases of urine spillage. Conclusions: Therefore, polymer clip ligation technique provides a simple and safe option for distal ureter management in retroperitoneal laparoscopic RNU.
Biochemical Studies on Cerebrospinal Fluid in Patients With Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome: Toward a Potential Search for Biomarkers
Authors: Cheng Lijuan , yuehong huang , Luo Yan , Yang Hao , Hu Xiaohua , Shen Jianzhong , Huang Wangshan , Nie Yunzhi , Di Haibo
Published: November 2021

Background: This study aimed to examine and screen patients for potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS). Methods: Patients with UWS, patients who regained consciousness (RC; patients in a minimally conscious state), and patients who had emerged from the minimally conscious state were evaluated using the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected from five healthy controls and 10 patients (5 UWS; 5 RC). Two-dimensional electrophoresis and proteomic analysis were used to examine and identify differentially expressed proteins in the CSF. Results: Compared with the control group, there were at least six proteins expressed at higher levels and two proteins expressed at lower levels in the CSF of the RC group than in the CSF of the UWS group. However, expression of vitamin D-binding protein (VDP) showed a further increase of 4.52-fold, that of DNA replication licensing factor mini-chromosome maintenance 4 (MCM4) showed a reduction of -20.61-fold, and that of hemoglobin subunit beta reversed to -8.34-fold in the UWS group. Another converse expression was of protein coenzyme Q-binding protein COQ10 homolog A (COQ10A), which was -4.31-fold in the RC group and 1.51-fold in the UWS group, compared to the control group. Expression of other proteins demonstrated an ascending trend in the RC group compared to the control group. Conclusions: The three differentially expressed proteins, VDP, DNA replication licensing factor MCM4, and hemoglobin subunit beta, may be involved in consciousness maintenance. This study identified potential biomarkers for UWS and will provide new insights into the pathogenesis of UWS.
Different concentrations of Chinese medicine Xiaoyingdaotan Decoction on Hashimoto’s thyroiditis mouse model
Authors: Zhou Yingjia , Shen Hongmei , Wen Weibo
Published: November 2021

Background

Through the detection of Notch/Treg/Th17 pathway related factors, to explore the effect of different concentrations of Chinese medicine Xiaoyingdaotan Decoction on Hashimoto's thyroiditis mouse model.
Methods

To make the mouse model of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and to administer the Chinese medicine Xiaoyingdaotan Decoction of different concentrations by gavage. After the treatment, the expression of serum Notch protein and Treg/Th17 cytokine levels in mice were detected. The quantitative data conformed to the normal distribution with t test, and did not conform to the normal distribution with Wilcoxon rank sum test.
Results

The serum Notch protein expression of mice in the model group was significantly higher than that of the other groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). Comparing the high-dose Chinese medicine group with the low-dose Chinese medicine group and the model group, the level of the key activation protein FOX-P3 in serum of Treg cells in mice was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the serum TGF-β levels of each group of traditional Chinese medicine were significantly higher than that of the model group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The levels of key activating proteins STAT3, RORγt and IL-22 in serum of Th17 cells in each group of traditional Chinese medicine mice were significantly lower than those in the model group, with statistical differences (P<0.05).
Conclusion

Different concentrations of Chinese medicine Xiaoyingdaotan Decoction can down-regulate the expression of Notch protein in HT mouse model, and can effectively regulate Treg/Th17 cytokines.
Feline Pleural Effusions: Prevalence and Radiographic Signs Predicting Disease Aetiology
Authors: Hung Lily , Hopper Belinda Judith , Hillman Alison , Lenard Zoe
Published: November 2021

Background:The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of underlying conditions causing pleural effusion in cats and to calculate the positive predictive values, negative predictive values, sensitivity and specificity of radiographic signs.Methods:Data from 151 cats diagnosed with pleural effusion with known aetiologies were retrospectively analysed. Seventy-one patients’ thoracic radiographs were available for a prospective, blinded evaluation by two radiologists. Results:Congestive heart failure (52.3%) was the most common diagnosis, followed by neoplasia (21.9%), pyothorax (10.6%), idiopathic chylous effusion (5.3%), feline infectious peritonitis (1.3%) and Other or cats with multiple diagnoses (total 9.3%). Cats with an enlarged cardiac silhouette had a high positive predictive value of congestive heart failure (73% and 81% for radiologist 1 and 2 respectively). The presence of unilateral effusion was highly predictive of pyothorax (75%) for radiologist 1 and poorly predictive (20%) for radiologist 2. Mediastinal masses (100%, 83% for radiologist 1 and 2 respectively), pulmonary nodules (50%, 50%) and pulmonary masses (50%, 67%) had moderate probabilities of neoplasia. The remainder of the radiographic variables were not informative predictors of underlying disease. Conclusions:In our population of cats, congestive heart failure was the most common cause of pleural effusion. Radiographically enlarged cardiac silhouette, presence of a mediastinal mass and unilateral effusion may be useful predictors of aetiology. Limitations of radiography alone as a diagnostic tool are discussed.
Neurocognitive effects of repeated ketamine infusion treatments in patients with treatment resistant depression: A retrospective chart review
Authors: Dai Danika , Miller Courtney , Valdivia Violeta , Boyle Brian , Li Shuang , Seiner Steve , Meisner Robert
Published: November 2021

BackgroundKetamine has emerged as a rapid-acting antidepressant in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) increasingly used in non-research, clinical settings. Few studies, however, have examined neurocognitive effects of repeated racemic ketamine infusion treatments in patients with TRD. In an effort to identify potential effects after serial infusions, we conducted a retrospective chart review to identify statistically significant changes in cognition in patient undergoing serial intravenous infusions; concomitantly, we examined baseline cognition as potential predictor of anti-depressant potential. MethodsTwenty-two patients with TRD were examined after they finished the induction phase of 8-10 repeated intravenous ketamine infusions and completed the assessments of their depressive symptoms (measured by the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report Scale: QIDS-SR16) and cognitive function (measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment: MoCA) before the first and the last ketamine treatments. ResultsRepeated ketamine infusions administered through an escalating dose protocol with 8-10 infusion sessions produced a 47.2% reduction response in depression; there was no evidence of impairment as reflected in MoCA testing. There was a moderate association between baseline cognition and antidepressant response with a pearson correlation of 0.453. ConclusionIn this naturalistic sample of patients with TRD in our clinical service, repeated ketamine infusions significantly decreased depression symptoms without impairing cognitive performance. The baseline cognition may positively predict antidepressant responses of repeated ketamine treatment.