bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of serum interleukin 22 as a biomarker for the differential use of molecular targeted drugs in psoriatic arthritis: A retrospective study
Authors: Miyagawa Ippei , Nakayamada Shingo , Ueno Masanobu , Miyazaki Yusuke , Iwata Shigeru , Kubo Satoshi , Sonomoto Koshiro , Anan Junpei , Ohkubo Naoaki , Inoue Yoshino , Tanaka Yoshiya
Published: January 2022

Background. We explored whether serum cytokines could be used as biomarkers for optimal use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNF-i) and interleukin (IL) 17 inhibitors (IL-17-i) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).Methods. In cohort 1 (47 patients treated with IL-17-i [n=23] or TNF-i [n=24] for ≥1 year), we identified serum cytokines that predicted the achievement of Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis- remission (DAPSA-REM), Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 90 and Minimal Disease Activity after 1 year of TNF-i or IL-17-i therapy. Subsequently, we developed treatment strategies based on the identified cytokines; initiation of IL-17-i therapy in patients with low IL-22 concentrations (IL-22 <0.61376 pg/ml) and TNF-i therapy in patients with high IL-22 concentrations (0.61376< IL-22 pg/ml). In cohort 2 (34 patients), treatment responses were compared between the strategic treatment group (n=17), which was treated based on the treatment strategies, and the mismatched treatment group (n=17) to verify the validity of the treatment strategies developed using serum cytokines as biomarkers.Results. In cohort 1, serum IL-22 concentration was identified as a predictor of DAPSA-remission after 1 year of IL-17-i therapy. Regarding treatment strategies, we selected TNF-i for patients with high IL-22 concentrations and IL-17-i for those with low IL-22 concentrations. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the strategic and mismatched treatment groups. Regarding treatment effects, disease activity significantly improved at 1 year in both groups. Upon comparison of the treatment effects, the rate of achieving DAPSA-REM and Minimal Disease Activity at month 12 was significantly higher in the strategic treatment group.Conclusions. We verified that serum IL-22 can be used as a biomarker for the proper selection of TNF-i and IL-17-i.
Use of Alexis® Retractor in Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: First Experiences at a Single Center
Authors: Plais Nicolas , Alonso Silvia Lozano , Buitrago America Novoa , Gil Maribel Almagro , Sanchez Rafael Carlos Gomez , Febres Luis Miguel Salmerón , Roldan Jose Luis Martin
Published: January 2022

INTRODUCTIONRetroperitoneal approach for Anterior Lumbar Spine Fusion (ALIF) surgery is a widespread approach used in lumbar surgery. It normally requires the use of metallic retractors fixed to the operative table. The friction between the blades and the soft tissues can produce injuries. In this study, we present the initial experience of ALIF surgeries performed with the Alexis retractor, a self-holding retractor made of 2 stiff plastic rings joined by a cylindrical reinforced polyurethane sheath that provides 360º circular retraction. We believe that its use could provide an excellent exposure and allow an atraumatic retraction in Mini-invasive ALIF.METHODSWe present a case series of 11 patients who underwent an anterior approach using the Alexis plastic ring wound retractor. In all cases, a mini-invasive pararectal and retroperitoneal approach was performed. Demographic and clinical data, complications and the surgeon´s experience were collected.RESULTSThe cohort included 8 female and 3 males (BMI: 27.0, Mean age: 50.2y.o). Three patients had previous abdominal surgery. For all the patients, the retractor provided a great exposure with a minimum incision size (6-7cm). We obtained an excellent visualization of the great vessels and the lumbar disc in a mini-invasive way. Moreover, we had less tissue handling with no interference from prolapsing bowel. The peritoneal sac was perfectly contained by the inner ring and the cylindrical sheath. We didn´t have to coagulate the subcutaneous fat and didn´t observe skin lacerations. No complications related to the retractor were reported.CONCLUSIONSAlexis retractor is a useful and safe retractor that can help to perform a mini-invasive anterior approach for ALIF. It provides a great exposure and an unobstructed view of the working area. It offers a low profile, radiolucent 360º atraumatic retraction. In this series, no complications related to the retractor were described.Level of Evidence: IV
Tunable Plasmonic Modes in Graphene-loaded Plasma Media
Authors: Heydari Mohammad Bagher
Published: January 2022

This paper investigates tunable magneto-plasmons in graphene-based structures combined with gyro-electric layers. In the general waveguide, each graphene sheet has been sandwiched between two different gyro-electric layers. The whole structure has been exposed in the presence of a magnetic bias. An accurate analytical model based on all propagating modes has been proposed and led to closed-form complicated relations. As a special case of the multi-layer waveguide, a hybrid graphene-gyroelectric structure is studied in this paper. It has been illustrated that the propagating features of the exemplary waveguide can be tuned by changing the external magnetic bias and the chemical potential of graphene, which makes it a new tunable platform for the design of non-reciprocal plasmonic devices in the THz region.
A Novel Defined Ferroptosis-Related Gene Signature for Predicting The Prognosis of Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Pan Ke-Hao , Liu Yi-Fan , Xu Bin , Chen Ming
Published: January 2022

Objective: We developed a predictive model associated with ferroptosis to provide a more comprehensive view of kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) immunotherapy. Methods: Gene expression data and corresponding clinical outcomes were obtained from the GEO and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases, and a ferroptosis-related gene set was obtained from the FerrDb database. Results: We identified 17 ferroptosis-related genes that were differentially expressed, including enrichment in genes involved in the immune system process. We established a ferroptosis-related gene-based prognostic model based on the results of univariate Cox regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.644 (3 years). We found that the higher exprssion of MT1G, LAMP2 and MIOX showed a higher proportion of CD8+ T cells, CD4+ memory activated T cells, etc. Finally, a predictive ferroptosis-related prognostic nomogram, which included the predictive values of age, gender, grade, TNM stage, and risk score, was established to predict overall survival.﻿Conclusions: In sum, we developed a ferroptosis-related gene-based prognostic model that provides novel insights into the prediction of KIRC prognosis and identifies the relevance of the immune microenvironment for patient outcomes.
Influence of Control Strategy in Risk Mitigation of Building Damage Due to Earthquake
Authors: Mamat Normaisharah , othman Mohd Fauzi , Yakub Mohd Fitri Mohd
Published: January 2022

Building structures are prone to damage due to natural disasters, and this challenges structural engineers to design safer and more robust building structures. This study is conducted to prevent these consequences by implementing a control strategy that can enhance a building's stability and reduce the risk of damage. Therefore, to realize the structural integrity of a building, a hybrid control device is equipped with control strategies to enhance robustness. The control strategy proposed in this study is adaptive nonsingular terminal sliding mode control (ANTSMC). ANTSMC is an integrated controller of radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) and nonsingular terminal sliding mode control (NTSMC), which has a fast dynamic response, finite-time convergence, and the ability to enhance the control performance against a considerable uncertainty. The proposed controller is designed based on the sliding surface and the control law. The building with a two-degree-of-freedom (DOF) system is designed in Matlab/Simulink and validated with the experimental work connected to the LMSTest.Lab software. The performance of this controller is compared with those of the terminal sliding mode control (TSMC) and NTSMC in terms of the displacement response, sliding surface, and the probability of damage. The result showed that the proposed controller, ANTSMC can suppress vibrations up to 46%, and its percentage probability of complete damage is 15% from the uncontrolled structure. Thus, these findings are imperative towards increasing the safety level in building structures and occupants, and reducing damage costs in the event of a disaster.
Gender figures in fiction communication
Authors: Sushkova Olena , Shestak Kateryna
Published: January 2022

The aim of the article is to identify female and male behaviour models, basing on a Ukrainian folk tale «Pro cholovika, shcho mav zlu zhinku»/«About a man who had an evil wife» as a component of gender figures in fiction communication. The relevance of the research is that developing studying of gender component of Ukrainian folk tales, the article emphasises the significance of gender figures in fiction communication. We state that gender identification of the tale’s characters is successful as they take themselves as a man and a woman. At the same time, they share certain gender role attitudes of their
parents, which we can regard as following: a man is weak and must obey a woman; a woman is strong and must control a man. In the process of the research, we found out that a folk tale «About a man who had an evil wife» demonstrates the interaction of a masculine woman and a feminine man. Shaping of gender identity of the characters results from the wrong gender model, which the man and the woman observed in their childhood and further transferred in their adult life: on both personal gender identity and interaction with the opposite sex.
Infographics as a medical informing tool during the covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Yanenko Yaroslav
Published: January 2022

The article defines the features of infographics as a means of medical information during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the possibilities of presenting the topic of coronavirus in infographics and the factors influencing on the target audience were identified. The article clarifies the main possibilities of using infographics during a pandemic, in particular, the use of infographics as a tool for communicating with the target audience and influencing the solution of social problems. Particular attention is paid to the specifics of infographics as a component of visual communications during a pandemic. The article defines the dominant colors in infographics, use of histograms, charts and maps, the ratio of «text-centric» and «graphic-centric» infographics. It was found that in infographics, images of characters of a certain gender are predominantly used, rather than gender-neutral symbols.
Analysis of informal communications in conditions of hybrid war
Authors: Yurkova Olga , Smola Lydiya
Published: January 2022

The article considers the information-psychological component of the Russian-Ukrainian hybrid war and the resilience of Ukrainian society in relation to external information influences, in particular, informal communications as their component. A brief overview of the most important research in the study of the phenomenon of hybrid warfare and its features in the context of the actions and military thought of the Russian Federation. Examples of the use of informal communications as a tool of the Russian information war against Ukraine are analyzed. The results of the study confirm that the channels of informal communication under certain conditions can be used to inject panic and provoke threatening consequences for national security. The need to increase society’s resilience to this category of hybrid influences is pointed out.
CHARACTERIZATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN AGRO-FOOD WASTE FLOURS
Authors: Rodrigues Camila , Silva Viviane , Loyola Anna , Silva Mauro , Augusti Rodinei , Melo Julio , Carlos Lanamar , Fante Camila
Published: January 2022

One of the recurrent problems of the agroindustry sector is the incorrect disposal of waste because of the complexity of the material, moisture, among other factors. Waste is not used in tonnage, but is systematically used. Examples of residues are malt bagasse and cassava peel, produced in large quantities in the brewing industry and flour production, respectively. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate bioactive compounds of flours produced from agroindustry waste to potentiate their use as an ingredient rich in antioxidants. The flours produced from agroindustry waste were evaluated for phenolic compounds, total carotenoids, antioxidant activity, and the attainment of phenolic profiles and fingerprints by paper spray mass spectrometry. It was possible to identify a broad class of compounds in both flours, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, among others. The flours can be possibly included in food commodities or packaging formulation since they are natural antioxidants, thus adding value to these products and reducing environmental issues. However, further analysis is needed to ensure bioavailability as well as food safety
PROMOVENDO O ENVOLVIMENTO E A APRENDIZAGEM DE ESTUDANTES NO ENSINO SUPERIOR: UMA EXPERIÊNCIA COM A ESCRITA CIENTÍFICA NA DISCIPLINA DE QUÍMICA INORGÂNICA
Authors: DeFreitas-Silva Gilson , Corrêa Roberta , Quadros Ana
Published: January 2022

PROMOTING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION: AN EXPERIENCE WITH SCIENTIFIC WRITING IN THE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COURSE. The student who has just entered higher education is faced with chemical knowledge that receives a much deeper treatment when compared to high school so that he is not always able to construct meanings for this knowledge. To help in this construction of meanings, we analyzed an experience in which students of an Inorganic Chemistry course were asked to produce a text based on the reading of a scientific divulgation text and to participate in the evaluation process of their colleagues’ texts. We observed a good involvement with the activity and the construction of relationships between the topic in question and the contents developed in the discipline, what contributed to improve the performance of the class. We argue that the involvement with creative writing of scientific texts should be encouraged throughout the entire undergraduate course
Further investigation of the irreversible floc breakup in flocculation kinetics modelling
Authors: Marques Rodrigo de Oliveira , Filho Sidney Seckler Ferreira
Published: January 2022

Recent research has shown that the equilibrium between aggregation and breakup in flocculation kinetics modelling may not hold due to irreversible floc breakup. This work investigated the influence of the coagulant/particle ratio and average velocity gradient () in the occurrence of this phenomenon with a different water matrix than previous research. Jar test assays were conducted with low (≈15 NTU), medium (≈50 NTU) and high (≈100 NTU) turbidity synthetic raw water, using alum as coagulant and kaolin as primary particles. Results were analyzed using Argaman and Kaufman's model and values for KA (aggregation constant) and KB (breakup coefficient) were determined with the evolutionary convergence method. Model fitting was satisfactory when the Al/particle ratio varied between 10 and 27 mg Al3+/g. Outside this range, residual turbidity increased after equilibrium, attributed to the irreversible floc breakup process and not adequately described by the model. A two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted, and the results indicated a plausible correlation between pKA (–log KA) and Al/particle ratio. As for pKB (–log KB), the results indicated a possible correlation with both Al/particle ratio and . The results suggest that the irreversible floc breakup may occur regardless of the water matrix composition.
Assessing membrane aerated biofilm reactor configurations in mainstream anammox applications
Authors: Wagner B. M. , Daigger G. T. , Love N. G.
Published: January 2022

Partial nitritation anammox (PNA) membrane aerated biofilm reactors (MABRs) have the potential to be employed in mainstream wastewater treatment and can drastically decrease the energy and carbon requirements for nitrogen removal. Previous PNA MABR studies have looked at 1-stage systems, but no study has holistically compared the performance of different MABR configurations. In this study, a PNA MABR was mechanistically modelled to determine the impact of the reactor configuration (1-stage, hybrid, or 2-stage system) on the location of the preferred niche for anammox bacteria and the overall nitrogen removal performance. Results from this study show that the 2-stage configuration, which used an MABR with a thin biofilm for nitritation and a moving bed biofilm reactor for anammox, had a 20% larger nitrogen removal rate than the 1-stage or hybrid configurations. This suggests that an MABR should focus on maximizing nitrite production with anammox implemented in a second-stage biofilm reactor to achieve the most cost-effective nitrogen removal. However, the optimal configuration will likely be facility specific, as each facility differs in operating costs, construction costs, footprint, and effluent limits. Additional experimentation is required to confirm these results, but this work narrows the number of viable configurations that need to be tested. The results of this study will inform researchers and engineers how to best implement PNA MABRs in mainstream nitrogen removal at larger scales.
Enhanced dewaterability of waste-activated sludge with zero-valent iron-activated persulfate oxidation under mild hydrothermal conditions
Authors: Li Panpan , Yu Yang , Zhu Lixiang , Zhou Zhanhang , Zhang Wenjie , Wu Peng , Yu Ran
Published: January 2022

A novel technique to enhance sludge dewaterability with zero-valent iron-activated persulfate (ZVI/PDS) and hydrothermal treatment (HT) under mild temperature is proposed in this study. Key operating parameters were considered to study their influences on the dewaterability of sludge. Comparative studies of organic matter, especially extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), were analyzed carefully to reveal the mechanisms involved. The results indicated that the specific resistance to filtration declined by 86.72%, and the capillary suction time reduced by 72.35% compared with the raw sludge under optimal conditions of 100 mg/g TSS ZVI and 200 mg/g TSS PDS doses at 120 °C. Soluble protein and fulvic acid-like in EPS were the key components affecting the sludge dewatering performance. The disappearance of the peak in the amide III led to a decrease in hydrophilic functional groups, which helped to improve sludge dewaterability.
Fuel and energy enterprises as objects of risk-oriented sanitary-epidemiologic surveillance
Authors:   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation, Andrishunas А.М. , Kleyn S.V. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation,   Perm State Medical University named after Academician E.A. Wagner, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation
Published: January 2022

The present research aims to provide analytical support for the risk-oriented model of sanitary-epidemiologic control over fuel and energy enterprises. The research task were to reveal the most common violations of sanitary-epidemiologic requirements by fuel and energy enterprises; to determine priority environmental indicators that should be included into a program of laboratory support for control and surveillance activities; to estimate actual impacts exerted by fuel and energy enterprises. We established that in 2020 there were totally more than 6 thousand economic entities that performed their activity in the sphere of “Electric energy, gas and steam supply; air conditioning”. Since fuel and energy enterprises tend to be located close to residential areas, violations in the sphere of ambient air protection (Clause 20) involve negative influence on a considerable number of people. In 2020 the greatest number of revealed violation regarding requirements to ambient air quality was registered for heat and power engineering enterprises in the Far East Federal District (FEFD), Siberian FD (SFD), Central FD (CFD), and Ural FD (UFD) and varied from 10.6 to 42.9 %. Average potential health risk (Rlav) per one economic entity amounted to 5.44∙10-4 for heat and power engineering. A share of economic entities dealing with this economic activity and assigned into extremely high and high (the 1st and 2nd accordingly) risk categories as per potential health risk amounts to 21.7 %. A scale of exposure (Mli) for economic entities operating in heat and power engineering can reach 930 thousand people. The greatest share of economic entities belonging to the 1st and 2nd risk categories as per potential health risk is registered in the SFD, Volga FD, CFD, UFD, and FEFD and amounts to 78.5 %. The greatest average potential health risk per one economic entity (Rlav) in the sphere of “Electric energy, gas and steam supply; air conditioning” was registered in the Siberian Federal District and amounted to 9.88∙10-4. The greatest numbers of economic entities operating in the sphere of “Electric energy, gas and steam supply; air conditioning” that belonged to the 1st and 2nd risk categories as per potential health risk are located in the Krasnoyarsk region (37.9 %), Kemerovo region (32.6 %), Tomsk and Omsk regions (29.7 % each).
Age-related aspects in risk of developing nervous system pathology in gymnasium students
Authors:   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation, Maklakova O.A. ,   Perm State National Research University, 15 Bukireva Str., Perm, 614990, Russian Federation, Valina S.L. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation, Shtina I.E. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation, Eisfeld D.А. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation
Published: January 2022

Growing neuropsychic disorders caused by intensified educational process are a peculiar feature of schoolchildren’s health at present. Our research aim was to examine age-related peculiarities in risks of developing nervous system pathology in school-children attending a gymnasium. We performed clinical examination of 94 children in primary school (Group A) and 56 children in middle school (Group B) who attended a gymnasium. The examination included determining contents of neuromediators and neurotrophic factors in blood, neuro-psychological computer testing (reaction test and STROOP-test). Educational activities were evaluated to determine whether the educational process conformed to hygienic standards. Statistical data analysis involved determining relative risk and odds ratio as well as establishing cause–effect relations. Hygienic assessment of educational activities revealed several adverse factors that made for developing disorders of the nervous system. They included growing weekly educational loads, irrational distribution of school subjects in schedules, and too long use of interactive whiteboards during lessons. We established that nervous system pathology was already developing in 62.8 % children in primary school and 42.9 % children in middle school. We also revealed that asthenoneurotic syndrome and neurosis-like syndrome were by 2.2 times more probable among primary schoolchildren whereas vegetative dysfunction was by 1.6 times more probable among middle school children. Asthenoneurotic syndrome in primary school children was accompanied with lower NOTCH-1 levels in 41.9 % cases; lower acetylcholine content in blood, in 66.7 %; greater serotonin content in blood, in 29.2 %. The disorder became apparent through increased fatigability and weakness, as well as children being too whiny and moody. Middle school children had by 3.1–6.4 times higher risks of lower neuregulin-1β and tumor necrosis factor contents in blood; developing vegetative dysfunctions in them were accompanied with sleeping disorders, headaches, and palpitation. Primary school children were established to have slower perception of a visual and sound stimulus, developing fatigue of kinesthetic reactions as well as rigid cognitive control and poorly automated gnostic functions.
Risks of incidence of breast cancer in a cohort of females occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation
Authors:   Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, 19 Ozyorskoe shosse, Ozyorsk, 456780, Russian Federation, Rumyantseva A.V. , Azizova T.V. ,   Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, 19 Ozyorskoe shosse, Ozyorsk, 456780, Russian Federation, Bannikova M.V. ,   Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, 19 Ozyorskoe shosse, Ozyorsk, 456780, Russian Federation
Published: January 2022

Breast cancer (BrCa) holds the first rank place in morbidity and mortality due to malignant neoplasms among Russian women. BrCa is a multifactorial disease and ionizing radiation is among factors that cause elevated risks of developing BrCa. Our research aim was to assess relative risk (RR) of incidence of BrCa among women who were occupationally exposed to chronic ionizing radiation taking into account radiation and non-radiation factors. RR of incidence of BrCa was analyzed in a cohort of women employed at a nuclear production enterprise, namely Mayak PA, in 1948–1982. 95 % of women started working at the enterprise at their reproductive age. All those women were chronically exposed to ionizing radiation at their workplaces. A mean cumulative breast absorbed dose of external gamma-ray exposure amounted to 0.45 (standard deviation was 0.68) Gy; an average cumulative muscle absorbed dose of internal alpha-particle exposure amounted to 0.003 (0.01) Gy. According to data taken from “Clinic” medical-dosimetric database, 165 BrCa cases were detected in 157 women of the analyzed cohort (8 women had BrCa in both breasts). Our analysis involved calculating RR of incidence of BrCa in relation to known non-radiation and radiation factors. Categorical data analysis was performed without age-related and calendar period-related stratification and with them. RR was analyzed based on Poisson regression with AMFIT module in EPICURE software package. Incidence of BrCa was revealed to be associated with attained age, age of menarche, age of menopause, number of abortions, age of concomitant diseases prior to cancer diagnosis, height, body mass index, age of hiring at the Mayak PA. There was no relationship between BrCa incidence and cumulative doses of occupational chronic external gamma-ray, internal alpha-particle and neutron exposure.
Stroke and stroke risk factors as disease burden
Authors:   Selcuk University, Faculty of Medicine, Selcuklu-Konya, 42130, Turkey, Ozturk S.
Published: January 2022

Stroke is the most common cause of disability and death in the world. Cardiovascular disease rates increase with age (10.9 % for people aged 20–30 years and 85.3 % for people older than 80 years). Coronary heart diseases is the leading cause of deaths attributable to cardiovascular diseases in the United States, followed by stroke, high BP, HF, diseases of the arteries, and other cardiovascular diseases. The report on the global burden of neurological disorders has shown that hemorrhagic stroke accounted for 35.7 % in it, and ischemic stroke, 22.4 %. Seven indicators are important and strategic to prevent cardiovascular disorders; they include healthy diet, sufficient physical activity, smokingstatius, BMI, cholesterol level, blood pressure, and glucose in blood on a fasting stomach. These indicators are associated with healthy behavior (diet quality, PA, smoking, BMI) which are as important as health factors (blood cholesterol, BP, blood glucose). There is a strong protective association between ideal cardiovascular health indicators and many clinical and preclinical conditions including premature all-cause mortality, stroke, CVD mortality, ischemic heart disease mortality, HF, deep venous thromboembolism, and pulmonary embolism. Atrial fibrillation, metabolic syndrome, renal failure, and sleep apnea are important risk factors which are modifiable and treatable. Air pollution has been reported as an increasing and very important risk factor for stroke. COVID-19 has been reported as another new stroke risk factor during the pandemic. Future targets must include each cardiovascular health indicator to decrease stroke risk burden and stroke risk.
Ecodesarrollo para una agricultura sostenible en la sierra
Authors: Tapia Mario E.
Published: January 2022

Durante los últimos cincuenta años esta  en debate con mayor intensidad el tema de desarrollo agrícola en la Sierra, Habiéndose probado una serie de alternativas, la mayoria de veces con modelos externos.
Desarrollo de comunidades campesinas
Authors: Dejo Soto Federico
Published: January 2022

Uno d elos principales objetivos que generalmente persiguen los estudios sobre comnidades campesinas (C.C.), esta refeido a la medición de la calidad de vida de las mismas y a las variables que la influyen o condicionan, sea mejorado o trabando su desarrollo.
Actores sociales y manejo del espacio andino
Authors: Alfaro Moreno Julio
Published: January 2022

Uno de los climas más importantes del desarrollo rural es determinar en que espacio o lugar se toman las principales decisiones, se ejecutan las acciones necesarias para potenciar los recursos naturales, y promoción las organizaciones sociales para ue tomen parte activa en dicho desarrollo.
Competencias lingüísticas y semántica interpretativa
Authors: Delgado Mercedes
Published: January 2022

En el marco de mi investigación: " El papael de los textos no científicos, particularmente literarios, en la formación académico profesional del estudiante universitario" (se entiende aquí por científicos los textos propios y específicos de la carrera que siga un estudiante universitario determinado), he realizado ya dos presentaciones como avances de dicha investigación.
Lectura en inglés
Authors: Ruiz Conejo Rosario
Published: January 2022

Es posible leer en lengua inglesa y comprender el texto aún sin hablar dicho idioma. Si Ud. necesita leer y comprender libros de texto, articulados publicados en revistas científicas, folletos, resumenes, instrucciones sobre uso y manejo de maquinaria agrícola publicados en inglés, este artículo puede ayudarlo.
La Cantuta y la educación nacional
Authors: Benavides de Abanto Flora
Published: January 2022

En el tiempo transcurrido desde que empecé a caminar por los senderos de la singular topografía cantuteña, no ha desmayado en mí esta música docente que no es otra cosa que el espíritu y la imagen siempre presentes el Dr. Peñaloza y de los maestros que junto a él se abrieron paso con energía, pero con prudencia; con sencillez, pero con seguridad; muy sabiente, pero con modestia.
Retraction Notice to “Meet the Editorial Board Member”
Authors: Vargo-Gogola Tracy
Published: January 2022

Meet the editorial board member page has been retracted at the request of editorial board member of the journal “Current Drug Targets”.

Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may have caused. The Bentham Editorial Policy on Article
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is transferred to the publishers, if and when the article is accepted for publication.
The Neuropharmacological Potential of Piperazine Derivatives: A Mini-
Review
Authors: Alghamdi Saad , Alshehri Mohammed M. , Asif Mohammad
Published: January 2022

Piperazine is a six-membered heterocyclic ring with two nitrogen atoms at positions one
and four. This piperazine moiety can be present in a slew of well-known medicines that have pharmacophoric
effects on a variety of receptors. Various piperazine analogs have core biological activities
involving the activation of monoamine pathways, primarily on neurotransmitter receptors. As a result,
piperazine analogs have a wide range of central clinical uses, including anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and
antidepressant. Due to its stimulant and euphoric effects, benzyl-piperazine is the prototype of piperazine
analogs, and this molecule is the main substance of recreational drugs. This review focuses on
the activity of piperazine pharmacophore on diverse neurotransmitter receptors used therapeutically
as anxiolytics (buspirone), antidepressants (vortioxetine), antipsychotics (clozapine), and other drugs.
Effects of Hydroxychloroquine on Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy in
Subjects with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Baidya Arjun
Published: January 2022

Objective:

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of hydroxychloroquine, an
anti-inflammatory drug, which was recently approved and used as an add on oral antidiabetic drug
for uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) on an adequate dose of sulfonylurea and metformin
on the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in subjects with Rheumatoid Arthritis and
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The primary objective was to evaluate the effect of hydroxychloroquine
on the onset of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and progression of the disease. Best-corrected visual
acuity (BCVA) charts with 3 or more lines worsening of visual acuity and the development of clinically
significant macular edema (CSME) were added as secondary objectives as described in the
Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS).

Methods:

This retrospective analysis was done from medical records of all Rheumatoid Arthritis
(RA) patients who also had T2DM and were treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) 400 mg OD
or 200 mg BID (N=65) and received ophthalmologic care at an endocrinology clinic in India up to
a mean follow-up of 3.5±0.5 years and matched subjects taking any other disease-modifying antirheumatic
drugs (DMARD) and pioglitazone (N=34).

Results:

Baseline characteristics were similar in both the groups, with matched glycated haemoglobin
(9.1 % and 9.2 % respectively, p=0.127). In both groups, over 3.5 years, HbA1c was reduced
significantly. No new cases of DR were detected in the HCQ group, whereas 2 patients had
developed DR in the pioglitazone group. At the base line visit, mild non-proliferative Diabetic
Retinopathy (NPDR) was present in 18 eyes and 14 eyes in the HCQ and pioglitazone groups, respectively.
Progression to moderate NPDR over 3.5 years occurred in 2 out of 18 (11 %) eyes in
the HCQ group and 8 out of 14 (57 %) eyes in the pioglitazone group, respectively, representing a
significant relative risk reduction (p=.001). No patients had progressed from mild NDPR to severe
NPDR in the HCQ group, whereas 2 eyes had progressed from mild NPDR to severe NPDR in the
pioglitazone group. None of the patients in either arm developed diabetic macular oedema.

Conclusion:

Progression of DR from mild to moderate NPDR or severe NPDR may be delayed by
HCQ. Large scale randomised prospective clinical trial is required to establish the risk-benefit profiles
of HCQ in T2DM.
Practice, Knowledge, and Awareness of the Diverse Effects of Diagnostic Radiology among Radiology Staff and Students in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Elasbali Abdelbaset Mohamed , Alyahyawi Amjad , Ahmed Hussain Gadelkarim
Published: January 2022

Background:

Diagnostic radiology has been linked to several health consequences.
Thus, the present study aimed to assess the practice, knowledge, and awareness of the diverse effects
of diagnostic radiology among radiology staff and students in Saudi Arabia.

Methodology:

In this study, 107 participants were recruited from August to December 2020. The
study included 56 radiology personnel (staff from Hail City Hospitals) and 51 radiology medical
students (students from the University of Ha’il).

Results:

To the question, “Have you ever been informed of radiation and its effects?” about 6/107
(5.6 %) answered “No,” among which 5/6 (83.3 %) were the staff. In response to the question, “In
your opinion, how hazardous is radiation to your body?” about 8/104 (7.7 %) indicated it as nonhazardous
(3 were staff and 5 were students). To the question, “Do you believe that radiation in
medical sites is harmful?” about 20/104 (19.2 %) answered, “No” (8 were staff and 12 were students).

Conclusion:

There is a lack of awareness, knowledge, and practice towards ionizing radiation protection
measures among radiology medical students and radiology department staff in Northern
Saudi Arabia. The paper notifies the health system advisors to include stressing guidelines regarding
radiation hazards. More actions are deemed necessary for the safety of patients and radiation
workers.
Effect of Estradiol on Chondrocytes in the Active Stage of Collagenase-
Induced Osteoarthritis
Authors: Ivanovska Nina , Ganova Petya , Belenska-Todorova Lyudmila
Published: January 2022

Aims:

The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of estradiol on chondrocyte
inflammatory potential and apoptosis in a mouse model of osteoarthritis (OA).

Background:

OA is a degenerative joint disease related to articular cartilage disintegration, together
with substantial changes in the subchondral bone. Estradiol (ED) is considered to be an important
player in maintaining bone homeostasis. Increasing evidence support the association between
the severity of cartilage erosion and chondrocyte death.

Objective:

It is of great importance to elucidate the role of chondrocytes in the development of OA
in relation to estrogen levels.

Methods:

The present work was conducted on a model of collagenase-induced osteoarthritis
(CIOA) in ICR (CD-2) mice. The cytokine and MMP-3 concentrations were assayed by ELISA,
and apoptosis of chondrocytes was determined by flow cytometry.

Results:

ED decreased the number of cultured TGF-β1 positive chondrocytes, reduced the percentage
of double-positive CD220+/TNF-α+ chondrocytes. ED reduced the rate of apoptosis and MMP-
13 production of stimulated arthritic chondrocytes, and inhibited the release of inflammatory
IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines in vitro.

Conclusion:

Our results show that ED affects chondrocyte functions as a part of its anti-arthritic
mechanism of action and it might be a perspective drug for healing OA.
Anticancer Perspectives of Sanguinarine: A Review
Authors: Gilani Syed Amir , Iahtisham-Ul-Haq  , Imran Muhammad , Gondal Tanweer Aslam , Ahmad Ishtiaque , Akram Aqsa
Published: January 2022

Background:

Sanguinarine, a benzophenanthridine alkaloid extracted from Sanguinaria
canadensis has been found to show an inhibitory role on proapoptotic and growth inhibitory activities
in various tumor cells of experimental subjects.

Objective:

This review highlights and summarizes the effects of sanguinarine against cancers alongside
the possible mechanisms involved as depicted in various in vitro and in vivo models.

Results:

Sanguinarine shows anticancer activities via various mechanisms like inhibiting cancer
cell proliferation, aberrantly activated signal transduction pathways, sang-mediated angiogenesis,
and induction of cell death and tumor suppressors’ expressions. It also enhances the cytotoxic effects
of chemotherapeutics via sensitizing cancer cells against these drugs, hence improving their
pharmacological attributes.

Conclusion:

Due to the significant role of sanguinarine against various types of cancer, it can be
explored for its potential functions in cancer treatment.
Volatile Chemical Profile of Ethanol-based Hand Sanitizer Marketed in Brazil by HS-SPME/GC-MS
Authors: Niculau Edenilson dos Santos , de Oliveira Daniel Augusto Barra , Carvalho Leandro Lima , Nogueira Karolina Lima , Oliveira Mirella Carvalho de Araújo
Published: January 2022

Aim:

This study aims to determine the volatile chemical profile of ethanol-based hand
sanitizer marketed in Brazil by HS-SPME/GC-MS.

Background:

Ethanol-based hand sanitizer has been used to protect against coronavirus disease
(COVID-19). In general, these formulations are prepared using a carbomer. In 2020 and 2021, the
production of hand sanitizer has increased due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Therefore, it is important
to know the composition of this formulation because certain molecules present in some alcoholic mixtures
can cause health problems.

Method:

Ethanol-based hand sanitizer, AL1, AL2, BL1, CL1, DL1, EL1, FL1, and GL1 (ethanol derivative
of fuel station), was purchased from manufacturers commercialized in Araguaína-TO and
analyzed by HS-SPME/GC-MS for determining volatile chemical profile.

Results:

The analyses showed different compositions for the ethanol-based hand sanitizers. Samples
AL1 and AL2 contained isopropyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, benzene, ethane-1,1-diethoxy, limonene, and
other compounds. Linear alkanes were also detected. Only ethyl acetate and ethane-1,1-diethoxy were
detected in CL1, in addition to ethanol. Thus, it is the most suitable sample among those analyzed.
The presence of benzene, alkanes, and other hydrocarbons may be associated with the use of fuel ethanol
to prepare these sanitizers, as shown in the sample GL1. Benzene, xylene, and toluene were
found in FL1. This sample is the most contaminated among those analyzed.

Conclusion:

The chemical profile of commercial ethanol-based hand sanitizer from eight different
samples sold in Araguaína-Brazil was established by GC-MS. Compounds like benzene and other alkanes
were found in some samples. These results suggested possible contamination by alcohols unqualified
in producing pharmaceutical substances. These analyzes are particularly relevant due to the
pandemic situation to avoid COVID-19 proliferation. Benzene and other alkanes are harmful to human
health and should be avoided in hand sanitizer production.
Nanostructured Hybrid Materials Based on Semiconductor Quantum Dots
and Graphene, Graphene Oxide, or Reduced Graphene Oxide
Authors: Garcia-Gutierrez Domingo I.
Published: January 2022

Nanostructured hybrid materials (NHMs) based on nanostructures, such as graphene or
graphene-related materials and semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) or nanoparticles, have attracted a
great deal of attention from the scientific community in the last decade. Their potential applications
range from more conventional optoelectronic uses (e.g., photodetectors and solar cells), passing
through the field of photocatalysis and spanning to the biotechnology arena, as they have been used
in bioimaging applications. In this perspective paper, a summary of the developments achieved in
this type of NHM is presented, along with an outlook on the main challenges that are still needed to
be overcome.
Appropriate Use of Antibiotics for the Management of Respiratory Tract
Infections
Authors: Raghav Himanshu , Tayal Prachi , Das Rina , Mehta Dinesh Kumar
Published: January 2022

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs)
cause high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Lower respiratory tract infections are generally more
serious than upper infections. Antibiotics are often inappropriately prescribed for patients with RTI.
Inappropriate utilization of antibiotics, specifically the broad spectrum in respiratory tract infection,
results in resistance to antibiotics. The common use of antibiotics is the prime reason for the spread of
drug-resistant bacterial strains, which not only results in expensive treatments but also causes a high
rate of morbidity and mortality due to undesired adverse effects of the drug.
A literature survey was performed using PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science search engines.
One hundred forty-five papers were retrieved, and more than 100 were included in this review.
This article describes the overview and diagnosis of respiratory tract infections and the plethora of
antibiotics that have been used in the management of RTIs.
Pulmonary nocardiosis caused by Nocardia otitidiscaviarum in an immunocompromised patient and its review of literature
Authors: Srivastava Saumya , Samaddar Arghadip , Tak Vibhor , Khan Salman , Bohra Gopal Krishna , Sharma Deepak , Ghosh Arnab , Nag Vijaya Lakshmi
Published: January 2022

Background:

Infections caused by Nocardia spp. can occur in immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Nocardiosis is a rare infection that has gained attention with its increased rate of occurrence in recent years. In India, especially in the northwest region, there is rare documentation of the pleural involvement in nocardiosis. We report here a case of pleural nocardiosis in an immunocompetent patient.

Case presentation:

We report a case of pulmonary nocardiosis caused by Nocardia otitidiscaviarum in an immunocompromised individual.

Result:

Pulmonary nocardiosis caused by Nocardia otitidiscaviarum can be missed if ignored. So proper identification is important for early diagnosis and treatment for the benefit of the patient.

Conclusion:

A team work of a clinician and a microbiologist is important for early management.
Mitochondrial Ion Channels in Aging and Related Diseases
Authors: Ashrafuzzaman Md.
Published: January 2022

Transport of materials and information across cellular boundaries, such as plasma, mitochondrial
and nuclear membranes, happens mainly through varieties of ion channels and pumps.
Various biophysical and biochemical processes play vital roles. The underlying mechanisms and
associated phenomenological lipid membrane transports are linked directly or indirectly to the cell
health condition. Mitochondrial membranes (mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) and mitochondrial
inner membrane (MIM)) host crucial cellular processes. Their malfunction is often found
responsible for the rise of cell-originated diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer’s, neurodegenerative
disease, etc. A large number of ion channels active across MOM and MIM are known to belong
to vital cell-based structures found to be linked directly to cellular signaling. Hence, their malfunctions
are often found to contribute to abnormalities in intracellular communication, which may
even be associated with the rise of various diseases. This article aims to pinpoint ion channels that
are directly or indirectly linked to especially aging and related abnormalities in health conditions.
An attempt has been made to address the natural structures of these channels, their mutated conditions,
and the ways we may cause interventions in their malfunctioning. The malfunction of ion
channel subunits, especially various proteins, involved directly in channel formation and/or indirectly
in channel stabilization leads to the rise of various channel-specific diseases, which are
known as channelopathies. Channelopathies in aging will be discussed briefly. This mini-review
may be found as an important reference for drug discovery scientists dealing with aging-related
diseases.