bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sedation Efficacy of Midazolam in Conjunction with Ketamine and Alfaxalone in Female Laboratory Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus)
Authors: Wharton Keely Nicole , Walsh Courtney A , Haulter Marlena , Ekanayake Dinesh , Ekanayake-Alper Dil
Published: July 2024

Guinea pigs have been integral as models used in biomedical research, making significant contributions to nutritional, auditory, immunologic, and hypersensitivity studies, and necessitating the routine need for sedation in laboratory settings. The ketamine-xylazine (KX) combination has been the standard sedation protocol for decades. However, due to the adverse effects and abuse potential of xylazine, this study explores the possibility of substituting xylazine with midazolam and examines the combined use of midazolam with ketamine and alfaxalone in female laboratory guinea pigs. Our findings indicate that KX facilitates the fastest induction and longest duration of sedation compared with other sedatives, including ketamine-midazolam (KM), which, despite its rapid induction, results in significantly shorter sedation durations. KX also ensures a deeper anesthetic depth and greater odds of loss of withdrawal and inguinal reflexes, in contrast to KM and alfaxalone-midazolam (AM), under which only 15% of the animals lost these reflexes. In terms of cardiopulmonary function, KM led to an increased heart rate attributed to elevated sympathetic activity. All 4 sedative protocols lead to respiratory depression, except KM, which causes minimal reduction. Adverse events varied, with 75% of animals experiencing injection site reactions after KX administration and 67% exhibiting regurgitation post-KM administration. No adverse events were reported for the AM combination, suggesting its safer profile. In conclusion, while KX remains the superior protocol for sedation due to its efficiency, reliability, and minimal impact on physiologic parameters, midazolam is not a preferable alternative to replace xylazine. Its increased sympathetic tone, hyperesthesia, and shorter action duration, coupled with a higher potential for adverse events, limit its suitability to combine with ketamine in guinea pig sedation. However, when midazolam is used in conjunction with safer alternatives like alfaxalone, it presents a viable sedation strategy, emphasizing the need for further research into optimizing sedative combinations for laboratory guinea pigs.
«Perinatal portrait», reproductive health parameters and risk factors for fat metabolism disorders in young overweight women
Authors: Pavlushynskyi Yu.M. , Makarchuk O.M. , Kyshakevych I.T. , Ostrovska O.M.
Published: July 2024

Overweight and obesity are one of the most serious social and medical problems today. It is appropriate to single out a special category of young women aged 18–35 years with excessive body weight, that is, the age which is capable of ensuring the reproductive potential of the future.The objective: to determine the probable factors of metabolic imbalance and the main parameters of reproductive health disorders in young overweight women.Materials and methods. Reproductive health parameters and the main predictors of its impairment were evaluated in two groups of patients – the main group (890 women with BMI > 25.0 kg/m2) and a control group (40 patients with BMI of 18.5–24.9 kg/m2).The main group was divided into two subgroups taking into account the age of formation of overweight and obesity: I subgroup – 596 women with pubertal obesity (66.9%) and II subgroup – 294 women with overweight in the postpubertal period (33.1%).Results. A high rate of pregnancy complications (86.9%), gestational diabetes (25.8%), preeclampsia (34.1%), premature birth and low birth weight fetus (20.9%), as well as the birth of a girl with a large body weight (24.4%), can become modified factors in the formation of the reproductive system according to the characteristics of the “perinatal portrait” and form the basis of screening programs. The relationship between the early introduction of complementary foods and the absence of breastfeeding and the presence of obesity in the girl in the future was established (OR=7.25; 95% CI: 2.99–17.59; χ2=23.53, p<0.0001).Attention should be paid to reproductive function disorders: amenorrhea was found 1.7 times more often in the case of postpubertal obesity, as well as abnormal uterine bleeding or metrorrhagia, infertility (24.4%), dyshormonal breast diseases (34.7%), polycystic ovary syndrome (59.8%), proliferative processes of the endometrium and myometrium (34.7%), as well as the formation of endometrial hyperplasia and polyposis with age (25.8%).A high percentage of stressogenic factors was determined in the examined cohort of patients, which could initiate the manifestation of metabolic and endocrine disorders in 569 cases – 63.9% (OR=4.14; 95% CI: 2.07–8.25; χ2=17.38, p<0.0001).Conclusions. Probable predictors of impaired fat metabolism in young women were statistically identified: heredity from the mothers of such patients regarding metabolic and endocrine disorders, body weight at birth more than 4000 g and artificial feeding, early age of menarche, pubertal paratrophy, stress factors, infectious diseases during menarche, hypodynamia and a high level of intellectual differentiation.The reproductive health of women with overweight and obesity is characterized by a high frequency of menstrual cycle disorders, increased manifestations of changes in the vaginal microbiome and dysuric symptoms, as well as infertility, hormone-dependent diseases, and impaired reproductive function.
Treatment of uterine fibroid symptoms with relugolix combination therapy
Authors: Al-Hendy Ayman , Lukes Andrea S. , Poindexter Alfred N. , Venturella Roberta , Villarroel Claudio , Critchley Hilary O.D. , Li Yulan , McKain Laura , Ferreira Juan C. Arjona , Langenberg Andria G.M. , Wagman Rachel B. , Stewart Elizabeth A.
Published: July 2024

Uterine fibroids are a common cause of heavy menstrual bleeding and pain. Treatment with the combination of relugolix (an oral gonadotropin-releasing hormonereceptor antagonist), estradiol, and norethindrone acetate, administered once daily, may have efficacy in women with uterine fibroids and heavy bleeding while avoiding hypoestrogenic effects. Methods. We conducted two replicate international, double-blind, 24-week, phase 3 trials involving women with fibroid-associated heavy menstrual bleeding. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive once-daily placebo, relugolix combination therapy (40 mg of relugolix, 1 mg of estradiol, and 0.5 mg of norethindrone acetate), or delayed relugolix combination therapy (40 mg of relugolix monotherapy, followed by relugolix combination therapy, each for 12 weeks). The primary efficacy end point in each trial was the percentage of participants with a response (volume of menstrual blood loss <80 ml and a ≥50% reduction in volume from baseline) in the relugolix combination therapy group, as compared with the placebo group. Key secondary end points were amenorrhea, volume of menstrual blood loss, distress from bleeding and pelvic discomfort, anemia, pain, fibroid volume, and uterine volume. Safety and bone mineral density were assessed.Result. A total of 388 women in trial L1 and 382 in trial L2 underwent randomization. A total of 73% of the participants in the relugolix combination therapy group in trial L1 and 71% of those in trial L2 had a response (primary end point), as compared with 19% and 15%, respectively, of those in the placebo groups (P<0.001 for both comparisons). Both relugolix combination therapy groups had significant improvements, as compared with the placebo groups, in six of seven key secondary end points, including measures of menstrual blood loss (including amenorrhea), pain, distress from bleeding and pelvic discomfort, anemia, and uterine volume, but not fibroid volume. The incidence of adverse events was similar with relugolix combination therapy and placebo. Bone mineral density was similar with relugolix combination therapy and placebo but decreased with relugolix monotherapy.Conclusions. Once-daily relugolix combination therapy resulted in a significant reduction in menstrual bleeding, as compared with placebo, and preserved bone mineral density in women with uterine fibroids.
Comparative analysis of Apgar scores in newborns: the impact of anesthesia methods during cesarean delivery
Authors: Abbood E.Sh. , Abed D.N. , AL-Hiali S.J.
Published: July 2024

Analgesia during caesarean section has a protective property regarding the condition of mother and child. Anesthesia methods should minimize harm to the newborn. The main problem after general anesthesia is respiratory distress syndrome.The objective: to evaluate the impact of the use of different types of anesthesia (general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia) during cesarean section on the health of newborns.Materials and methods. 120 full-term pregnant women who underwent planned cesarean section were included in the study. The study participants are divided into groups: I group – 70 pregnant women who underwent a cesarean section under general anesthesia; Group II – 50 patients with spinal anesthesia during cesarean section.The duration of labor and the time of induction of anesthesia were carefully recorded. To assess the health of the newborn the Apgar score was used 1, 5 and 10 minutes after delivery.Results. The study found that the method of delivery affects the neonatal Apgar score. Shorter time from anesthesia to birth (within 5 min) and delivery through the uterus (more than 120 s) led to a decrease in Apgar scores by 1 min.At the same time, it was established that the assessment of newborns at birth according to the Apgar scale at the level of 4–6 points after 5 and 10 minutes was lower during childbirth with general anesthesia compared to the assessment of newborns who were born with the use of spinal anesthesia, and at the assessment of 7–10 points – greater after 5 min and 10 min in newborns who were born in childbirth with spinal anesthesia than in babies who were born in childbirth under usual general anesthesia.Conclusions. The results of the study demonstrate that the methods of anesthesia during cesarean section improve the health of the mother and the child. Health care providers can improve prenatal care and outcomes with this knowledge. Spinal anesthesia improves the condition of the newborn, as determined by the Apgar score at three intervals.
Dynamic changes of views on the use of progesterone for the prevention of premature birth
Authors: Narytnyk T.T. , Tsapenko T.V. , Kupchik V.I.
Published: July 2024

The problem of premature birth (PB) has existed since ancient times, although a scientific approach was not immediately applied to it. Until the beginning of the 18th century, the condition of prematurity and disorders in newborns, which were associated with reduced intrauterine development, was defined as “lack of energy and vitality” or “weak breathing” in babies.Of course, this approach led to high rates of perinatal mortality at the time, which gave scientists the impetus to delve more deeply into the study of the problem of the development of premature labor. Since that time, the achievements of science and technology have been actively used every decade to improve the conditions and opportunities for the birth of newborns, as evidenced by the birth rate of newborns with a body weight of about 500 g.But, recalling the well-known saying of Hippocrates: “It is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it”, it was necessary to turn to the issues of prematurity prevention, to delve into the study of the mechanisms of occurrence and the possibilities of eliminating the threat of premature labor. And, in contrast to the successes on the front of baby care, PB still remains a condition that can be prevented quite rarely, despite advances in medicine and tenth of studied mechanisms for triggering spontaneous labor in less than 36 weeks of gestation.Approaches to prevent PB today have two main directions: the use of progesterone drugs and mechanical impact on the cervix by using an obstetric pessary or cervical cerclage. Recommendations on the optimal choice of management tactics, advice on the use of this or that method of prevention in a specific woman with progressive cervical insufficiency are updated every few years.However, taking into account the globally unchanged frequency of PB, it is quite logical that in practice it may be difficult for doctors to find an optimal approach that would help, firstly, to clearly state the need for medical care for pregnant women; secondly, to choose the most effective method to stop the structural preparation of the cervix for childbirth; and thirdly, to avoid unjustified use of medical interventions and prescriptions in pregnant women.This article reviews the latest views of different schools of obstetrician-gynecologists on the use of progesterone in different groups of women for the PB prevention, their recommendations and controversies, as well as problems that remain unresolved and require further analysis to ensure a favorable course of pregnancy and prevent the development of PB.
Tumor-promoting roles of IL-4 and TGF-β3, their implications in the progression of breast tumors
Authors: Sahar B.R. , Al-Jumaily R.M.Kh.
Published: July 2024

Immunosuppressive cytokines are the main components of the tumor microenvironment and perform a vital function in controlling the immune response to malignant neoplasms.The objective: to study the influence of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3) on the development of breast tumors in women.Materials and methods. The concentration of cytokines IL-4 and TGF-β3 in blood serum was determined in 40 women with benign breast tumors, 40 women with malignant breast tumors, and 40 healthy patients without breast pathology, who were included in the control group.Breast cancer (BC) patients were divided into two groups; the first group included patients with the II stage of BC, who were considered to have a low level of BC, and the second group included patients with III and IV stages of BC, who were considered to have a high level. The method of solid phase immunoenzymatic analysis was used to determine the level of cytokines.Results. The results showed that women with benign breast tumors (86.82±1.67 pg/ml) had no statistically significant difference in IL-4 levels compared to the control group (88.25±1.56 pg/ml). However, a significantly higher level of IL-4 (P=0.0001) was found in women with BC (97.12±1.84 pg/ml) compared to the control group.In addition, the results showed that the concentration of TGF-β3 did not increase significantly in women with benign breast tumors (80.84±2.88 pg/ml) compared with patients with BC and controls (80.84±2.88 and 87.89±2.41 pg/ml, respectively). However, the level of TGF-β3 was significantly higher (P=0.01) in women with BC compared to the control group.Conclusions. The results of the current study indicate that the concentrations of TGF-β3 and IL-4 in the blood serum of women may be useful predictors for the early detection of breast cancer, as well as serve as a prognostic indicator of its development.
Perancangan Sistem Arsip Berbasis Online Pada BPP Medan Krio
Authors: Siregar Farid Akbar , Hutagalung Fatma Sari , Riza Ferdy
Published: July 2024

Saat ini sistem arsip pada BPP Medan Krio masih menggunakan cara manual, yaitu dengan harus mendatangi tim arsip langsung ke lokasi dan memberikan berkas yang akan diarsip kepada tim arsip, hal ini menjadi kurang efisien karena memakan waktu dalam pengumpulan arsip dan beresiko arsip hilang. Sumber Daya Manusia yang ada di BPP Medan Krio bukan berasal dari profesional bidang pengembangan sistem, sehingga penggunaan teknologi belum optimal dilakukan dikarenakan keterbatasan dari kemampuan dan wawasan staff. Maka dari itu kami memberikan solusi berupa pembuatan dan pelatihan sistem arsip online sehingga berkas-berkas pengarsipan dapat dikumpulkan dari jauh (online) tanpa harus mendatangi tim arsip ke lokasi. Rencana kegiatan yang nanti akan tim lakukan yaitu dimulai dengan sosialisasi mengenai sistem yang akan ditawarkan kepada pihak mitra dan pengumpulan data yang diperlukan, lalu kemudian tim membuat aplikasi yang diusulkan kepada mitra bersama dengan modul penggunaan aplikasi dan simulasi penggunaan aplikasi oleh tim. Setelah aplikasi dan modul sudah rampung kemudian tim akan melakukan pelatihan penggunaan aplikasi kepada BPP medan krio yang diakhiri dengan evaluasi pelatihan serta penyusunan laporan akhir.Dengan harapan pelatihan tersebut dapat membantu para staff untuk meningkatkan pelayanan sistem pengarsipan yang ada di BPP medan Krio dengan cara online.
How Do Socioeconomic Differences Among Low-Income and Racially Minoritized Students Shape Their Engagement and Access in School Choice Systems?
Authors: Singer Jeremy
Published: July 2024

Socioeconomic differences among low-income and racially minoritized students may be consequential for understanding the dynamics of school choice—especially in high-poverty and racially segregated urban contexts that are often targeted by school choice policies. Yet school choice research largely focuses on differences between groups and relies on measures that broadly categorize students as low-income or not. Drawing on parent interviews in Detroit, this study describes socioeconomic differences among low-income and racially minoritized families and examines how those differences relate to their engagement in the school choice process. While families faced a similar landscape of choice, relied on similar types of resources, and did not have drastically different preferences, relative socioeconomic disadvantages translated to more constrained access and engagement in school choice.
“He’s Probably the Only Teacher I’ve Actually Learned From”: Marginalized Students’ Experiences With and Self-Perceptions of High School Mathematics
Authors: Douglas Ashli-Ann , Rittle-Johnson Bethany , Adler Rebecca , Méndez-Fernández Adriana P. , Haymond Claudell , Brandon Jamila , Durkin Kelley
Published: July 2024

Understanding how marginalized students experience and perceive mathematics is critical to achieving the goal of inclusive and equitable math pedagogy. We report on 67 focus groups with 251 predominantly Black high schoolers experiencing economic marginalization in the Southern United States and attended to their achievement level and race-gender identities. Students often shared concerns about their teacher’s math knowledge for teaching and effectiveness in supporting academic success. Their self-perceptions of math identities varied, and students often did not value advanced math even when they expressed career interests that require advanced math. We discuss practical implications for supporting the math development of marginalized high schoolers, including centering the needs and strengths of Black girls, and propose an expanded inclusive and equitable pedagogical framework.
Enhanced Thermal Study in Hybrid Nanofluid Flow through a Channel Motivated by Water/Cu+Al2o3 and Entropy Generation
Authors: Abbas Zaheer ,   Department of Mathematics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan, Rafiq Muhammad Yousuf , Hasnain Jafar , Mustafa Ghulam , Arslan Muhammad Shakib ,   Department of Mathematics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan,   Department of Computer Science, Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan,   Department of Mathematics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan,   Department of Mathematics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Published: July 2024

This study examines the analysis of entropy generation in the magnetohydrodynamic oscillatory convective flow of hybrid nanofluid through a porous horizontal channel with velocity slip. The analysis incorporates suction at the cold wall and injection at the hot wall. Variable viscosity, thermal radiation, and viscous dissipation are also considered. Utilizing similarity transformations, the governing nonlinear partial differential equations are converted into ordinary differential equations, and exact solutions are obtained using Mathematica. Graphs are used to illustrate the impact that a variety of physical factors have on velocity, temperature, entropy generation, the Bejan number, skin friction, and the Nusselt number. The graphic results demonstrate that the fluid velocity is positively correlated with the cold wall slip parameter and negatively correlated with the hot wall slip parameter. There is an opposite relationship between fluid temperature and thermal radiation and an ascending relationship between fluid temperature and the Brinkman number. Findings from this study have important implications for better thermal management, device performance, and reliability as well as for optimizing microelectronic cooling systems.
Entanglements for Visualization: Changing Research Outcomes through Feminist Theory
Authors: Akbaba Derya , Klein Lauren , Meyer Miriah
Published: July 2024

A growing body of work draws on feminist thinking to challenge assumptions about how people engage with and use visualizations. This work draws on feminist values, driving design and research guidelines that account for the influences of power and neglect. This prior work is largely prescriptive, however, forgoing articulation of how feminist theories of knowledge— or feminist epistemology — can alter research design and outcomes. At the core of our work is an engagement with feminist epistemology, drawing attention to how a new framework for how we know what we know enabled us to overcome intellectual tensions in our research. Specifically, we focus on the theoretical concept of entanglement, central to recent feminist scholarship, and contribute: a history of entanglement in the broader scope of feminist theory; an articulation of the main points of entanglement theory for a visualization context; and a case study of research outcomes as evidence of the potential of feminist epistemology to impact visualization research. This work answers a call in the community to embrace a broader set of theoretical and epistemic foundations and provides a starting point for bringing feminist theories into visualization research.
Touching The Ground: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Data Physicalizations for Spatial Data Analysis Tasks
Authors: Herman Bridger , Jackson Cullen D. , Keefe Daniel
Published: July 2024

Inspired by recent advances in digital fabrication, artists and scientists have demonstrated that physical data encodings (i.e., data physicalizations) can increase engagement with data, foster collaboration, and in some cases, improve data legibility and analysis relative to digital alternatives. However, prior empirical studies have only investigated abstract data encoded in physical form (e.g., laser cut bar charts) and not continuously sampled spatial data fields relevant to climate and medical science (e.g., heights, temperatures, densities, and velocities sampled on a spatial grid). This paper presents the design and results of the first study to characterize human performance in 3D spatial data analysis tasks across analogous physical and digital visualizations. Participants analyzed continuous spatial elevation data with three visualization modalities: (1) 2D digital visualization; (2) perspective-tracked, stereoscopic "fishtank" virtual reality; and (3) 3D printed data physicalization. Their tasks included tracing paths downhill, looking up spatial locations and comparing their relative heights, and identifying and reporting the minimum and maximum heights within certain spatial regions. As hypothesized, in most cases, participants performed the tasks just as well or better in the physical modality (based on time and error metrics). Additional results include an analysis of open-ended feedback from participants and discussion of implications for further research on the value of data physicalization. All data and supplemental materials are available at https://osf.io/7xdq4/.
Scenario Development for Safety Assessment in Deep Geologic Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel: A Review
Authors: Kuhlman Kristopher , Bartol Jeroen , Carter Alexander , Lommerzheim Andree , Wolf Jens
Published: July 2024

Radiation and radioactive substances result in the production of radioactive wastes which require safe management and disposal to avoid risks to human health and the environment. To ensure permanent safe disposal the performance of a deep geological repository for radioactive waste is assessed against internationally agreed risk-based standards. Assessing post-closure safety of the future system’s evolution includes screening of Features, Events, and Processes (FEPs) relevant to the situation, their subsequent development into scenarios, and finally the development and execution of safety assessment (SA) models. Global FEP catalogs describe important natural and man-made repository system features and identify events and processes that may affect these features into the future. By combining FEPs, many of which are uncertain, different possible future system evolution scenarios are derived. Repository licensing should consider both the reference or “base” evolution as well as alternative futures that may lead to radiation release, pollution, or exposures. Scenarios are used to derive and consider both base and alternative evolutions, often through production of scenario-specific SA models and the recombination of their results into an assessment of the risk of harm. While the FEP-based scenario development process outlined here has evolved somewhat since its development in the 1980s, the fundamental ideas remain unchanged. A spectrum of common approaches is given here (e.g., bottom-up vs. top-down scenario development, probabilistic vs. bounding handling of uncertainty), related to how individual numerical models for possible futures are converted into a determination as to whether the system is safe (i.e., how aleatoric uncertainty and scenarios are integrated through bounding or Monte Carlo approaches).
Patterns and correlates of two-year changes in depressive symptoms for autistic adults
Authors: Zheng Shuting , Farmer Cristan , Taylor Julie , Adams Ryan , Olson Lindsay , Bishop Somer
Published: July 2024

Background: Autistic adults are at elevated risk for depression. However, longitudinal data on the trajectory of depressive symptoms and its associated factors in autistic adults are scarce.Methods: A community sample of 315 autistic adults participated in a two-year longitudinal study from the beginning of (March 2020) to the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2022). They provided five waves of data on self-reported depressive symptoms and sociodemographic and life circumstances information.Results: Multilevel model results showed that autistic adults reported large between-individual variability in self-reported depressive symptoms, and on average, they experienced an increase (i.e., worsening) in self-reported depressive symptoms over the two years of the study. Autistic adults with a depression history and lower annual household income reported higher levels of depressive symptoms. More importantly, autistic adults reported lower depressive symptoms when they were engaged in work or school, and those who had higher levels of depressive symptoms at the start of the study were more reactive to changes in work or school participation.Conclusions: Findings from the current study have implications for potential venues of depression treatment in autistic adults around promoting employment/education, providing symptom monitoring, and addressing mental health disparities for those with lower incomes.
Comparative Reliability of 108 Scales and their Short-Form Counterparts
Authors: Sibley Chris G , Stronge Samantha , Lilly Kieren James , Yogeeswaran Kumar , Van Tongeren Daryl R. , Milfont Taciano L , Zubielevitch Elena , Bulbulia Joseph , Wilson Marc , Overall Nickola , Osborne Danny
Published: July 2024

Short-form scales are often necessary for large omnibus surveys. This study compared the reliability of 108 short-form scales and single-item indicators included in the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study (NZAVS) with their full-form parent counterparts. Scale psychometrics were evaluated using an omnibus dataset pooling multiple samples with a foundation sample that employed a planned missing design presenting a random selection of 66% of the 1,012-item pool to n=2,947 undergraduates. Comparative reliability estimates for all short and full-form scales are reported. The majority of short-form scales displayedadequate reliability, indexed by coefficient omega. Fit statistics for all 108 full-form scales are also reported, and factor loadings are provided in an online supplement. These results calibrate conclusions for studies that necessarily employ short-form scales, and indicate that the majority of short-form scales employed by the NZAVS display adequate internal reliability relative to their original full-form (parent) versions.
Exploring the Persistent Drive of Unauthorized Pilgrims: Towards a Scalable and Affordable Future Model for Hajj Access
Authors: Alturki Hala
Published: July 2024

There has been a major crackdown from the Hajj Administration this year (2024) on pilgrims performing the Hajj without a permit. The Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith, continues to draw millions of devotees annually, despite the significant sacrifices, risks, and discomforts faced by those who journey without official permits. This paper delves into the underlying motives and compounded complexities driving pilgrims to undertake the Hajj without permit, examining factors such as spiritual obligation, economic barriers, and limited accessibility. By unraveling underpinning issues, the study sheds light on the shortcomings of the existing infrastructure and urban setup, which fuel the persistent demand for unauthorized Hajj participation. It emphasizes integrating past insights and present-day realities, to draw a holistic urban strategy to manage pilgrim influx sustainably while fostering economic opportunities. The proposed model advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement to refine urban planning, preserve cultural heritage, and enhance the pilgrimage experience. Ultimately, this approach aims to ensure Makkah's continued role as a spiritual hub while addressing the evolving needs of pilgrims and residents alike.
Efficacy of Apatinib Combined with Etoposide for Maintenance Therapy in Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Zhang Haili , Dong Guilan , Lv Lili
Published: July 2024

Objective: To investigate the efficacy, safety and survival of apatinib combined with etoposide for maintenance therapy in extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).
Method: A total of 70 patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer after standard chemo-radiotherapy who were admitted to Tangshan people’s Hospital from January 2019 to February 2023 were enrolled and then grouped into the observation group and the control group by random number table method, with 35 patients in each group. Patients from the observation group received apatinib combined with oral etoposide capsules for maintenance therapy. Patients from the control group received etoposide capsules for maintenance chemotherapy. The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of these two groups were compared, and the 6-month and 1-year survivals were followed up.
Results: The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (ODC) of the observation group were higher than those of the control group [37.1% (13 / 35) vs. 17.1% (6 / 35), 65.7% (23 / 35) vs. 40% (14 / 35)], and the differences were statistically significant (all p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between these two groups (p>0.05). The 6-month and 1-year survival rates of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all p<0.05).
Conclusion: Apatinib combined with etoposide capsules applied for maintenance therapy in extensive stage small cell lung cancer could provide improved clinical efficacy and survival rate of patients, with tolerable adverse reactions.
Quality of Life of Cancer Patients In A Cancer Hospital of Chitwan
Authors: Gurung Sunita , Rai Lalita
Published: July 2024

Introduction: Cancer is the third leading cause of death in developing countries and is appearing indistinctly public health catastrophe. Quality of Life (QoL) is one of the most important patient-reported outcomes in cancer therapy. As many studies had shown that QoL is important to be assessed but it is still lacking in it. Thus, the objective of this research was to assess quality of life of cancer patients.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used to assess the quality of life of cancer patients in B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was adopted to collect data from 384 respondents. Structured interview schedule; European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30): A Quality of Life Instrument tool was used to collect data. Descriptive (mean, frequency, percentage, and standard deviation) and inferential (Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H and Pearson's correlation coefficient) statistics were applied for data analysis in Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version-16.
Results: The finding of this study showed that more than half (63.3%) of the respondents had high quality of life. The average quality of life score for three different scales were 59.8 (global health status scale), 82.0 (functional scale) and 25.8 (symptom scale). Education, annual family income, ECOG performance status and site of cancer were found to be significantly associated with the three different quality of life scales. There was positive relation of functional scale and negative relation of symptom scale with global health status scale.
Conclusion: Most of the respondents had high QoL but few of them had still low QoL. Therefore the research finding highlights the importance of provision of necessary beneficiaries for cancer patients to improve their quality of life.
Does Radical Lymphadenectomy Improve Survival in Esophageal and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer?
Authors: Adhikari Mahesh Mani , Thakur Binay , Shun Zhenqing , Khatiwada Sagar , Bhattarai Sachee , Tiwari Manoj
Published: July 2024

Background: Esophageal carcinoma is one of the deadliest cancer in gastrointestinal system with 5-years survival of only 24%. Lymphnode metastasis has been associated with worse outcome. But the extent of lymphnode dissection has been a debate among surgeons worldwide. This study aimed to compare the overall survival of patients undergoing radical and non-radical lymphadenectomy in a tertiary referral cancer hospital in Nepal.
Methodology: This study included 634 patients of esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancer who underwent surgical resection at our institution over a period of 2001- 2019. The patients were divided into 2 groups; radical lymphadenectomy (RLN) and non-radical lymphadenectomy (NRLN) groups. RLN group underwent two-field or three field lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer and D2 or D2 + lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy for GEJ cancer. NRLN group underwent nodal sampling or D1 dissection.
Results: RLN was performed in 85.9%. NRLN was done in 14.1%. Surgery alone was performed in 47.1% and multimodality approach in 52.9% cases. Median survival for RLN and NRLN groups was 34 and 15 months, respectively (p < .001).
Conclusion: Improved median survival has been observed after radical lymphadenectomy for esophageal and GEJ cancer.
تحسين البرمجة الخطية باستخدام تقنيات الذكاء الاصطناعي : دراسة تجريبية
Authors: Muna Shaker Salman
Published: July 2024

يعد مجال بحوث العمليات احد المجالات الرئيسة في علوم الادارة والهندسة الصناعية، ومن اهم تلك المجالات هي البرمجة الخطية (Linear Programming)  والتي تضمنت تقنيات مهمة منها : (تحسين العمليات الانتاجية من خلال تطبيق تقنيات وادوات مثل تحليل الشبكات وتحليل العوامل الرئيسية وتحليل الانحدار اضافة الى تصميم نماذج لتحسين الامداد بالموارد الاولية  والتخطيط والتحكم بسلاسل الامداد كذلك تحسين تقنيات تحليل البيانات والذكاء الاصطناعي في اتخاذ القرارات الاستراتيجية مثل البيانات الكبيرة Big Data، Machin Learning، التعليم العميق Deep learning ). كما ساهمت تقنيات البرمجة الخطية في تحسين الجودة وادارة المخاطر من خلال تقليل المخاطر المرتبطة بالعمليات مثل ادارة الجودة الشاملة، تصميم التجارب، تحليل المخاطر وتصميم النظم المرنة لتساعد على الابتكار وتطوير المنتجات. وتعد تقنيات ربط البرمجة الخطية بالذكاء الاصطناعي ذات اهمية كبيرة اذ ساعدت على تطوير الانظمة والتقنيات التي تتميز بالقدرة على تعلم والتفكير واتخاذ القرارات بشكل مشابه للإنسان على سبيل المثال (استعمال الذكاء الاصطناعي في تحسين عمليات التخطيط والتحليل في مشكلات البرمجة الخطية). في دراستنا تم تسليط الضوء على احدى تقنيات الذكاء الاصطناعي في مجال البرمجة الخطية وهي الخوارزمية الجينية (Genetic Algorithm (GA)) اذ يهدف البحث ايجاد القيم المثلى لمتغيرات دالة الهدف في ظل القيود المفروضة على مشكلة البرمجة الخطية ومن خلال التحسين (Optimization) غان قيمة دالة الهدف حققت اعظم الارباح مقارنة بدالة الهدف المحسوبة ضمن طريقة السمبلكس (Simplex Method) ، كما تم حساب دالة اللياقة على ضوء المعطيات في المسألة ، وتم ايجاد النتائج بالاستعانة ببرنامج [MATLAB R2019a] .
Bilgisayımsal Düşünme Becerilerinin Oyun Programlama Aracılığıyla Geliştirilmesi: Ortaokul Öğrencileri için Bir Çerçeve
Authors: Özmen Yağız Büşra , Usluel Yasemin Koçak
Published: July 2024

Bu çalışmanın amacı, bilgisayar oyunu programlama aracılığıyla bilgisayımsal düşünme becerilerinin geliştirilmesi ve değerlendirilmesi için öğretmenlere bir çerçeve sunmaktır. Bu çerçeve, ortaokul düzeyindeki öğrenciler için tasarlanmış bir dizi bilgisayar oyunu programlama etkinliğinden oluşmaktadır. Çerçevenin geliştirme süreci, durum çalışması yöntemiyle biçimlendirilmiştir. Bu doğrultuda alanyazın taraması, ihtiyaç analizi, öğrenen analizi ve doküman incelemesi yapılmıştır. Alanyazından hareketle, bilgisayımsal düşünme becerileri bağlamında; parçalara ayırma, örüntü tanıma, soyutlama, algoritma tasarımı ve hata ayıklama incelenmiştir. Bilgisayımsal düşünmede problem çözme yaklaşımları olarak ise deneyimleme, üretme, hata ayıklama, azimli olma ve işbirliği yapma ele alınmıştır. İhtiyaç ve öğrenen analizleri kapsamında bilişim teknolojileri alanında en az beş yıllık tecrübeye sahip olan dört öğretmen ile yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Doküman incelemesi için ise farklı ülkelerin öğretim programlarının, ulusal ve uluslararası kuruluşların yönerge ve raporlarının bilgisayımsal düşünme becerileri açısından ayrıntılı bir değerlendirilmesi yapılmıştır. Araştırmacılar tarafından oluşturulan görüşme formları ve ulaşılan dokümanlardan toplanan verilerin çözümlenmesinde içerik analizinden faydalanılmıştır. Sonuç olarak, ortaokul öğrencilerine uygun öğrenme aktiviteleri ve kazanımlar içeren bir çerçeve geliştirilmiştir. Bu çerçevenin, öğrencilerin bilgisayar oyunu programlama ve bilgisayımsal düşünme becerilerinin geliştirilmesine yönelik düzenlenebilecek etkinlikler ve bu etkinliklerin öğretim ortamlarında nasıl uygulanacağı konusunda katkı getirebileceği ileri sürülebilir.
Trafik Öğreniyorum Programı Kursiyerlerinin Trafik Ve Kurs İle İlgili Görüşleri
Authors: Özge Sağbaş Nuray , Kamer S. Tunay , Özkaya Nur
Published: July 2024

Trafikte yaşanan kazalar her geçen gün artmaktadır. Kazaların nedenleri insan, araç ve yol üçlüsüne bağlı gibi görünse de hepsinin temelinde eğitimsizlik vardır. Trafik kurallarının öğretilmesi şeklinde yapılan eğitimler yerine öğrenilen trafik kurallarının davranışlarla hayata dönüştürülmesinin daha önemli olduğu bilinmektedir. Bu araştırmada trafik öğreniyorum kurs programına katılanların trafik ve kursa ilişkin görüşlerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu çalışma, nitel araştırma yaklaşımına dayalı olarak 15 kursiyerin katılımıyla bir odak grup görüşmesiyle yapılmıştır. Araştırmada nitel araştırma desenlerinden olgubilim esas alınarak kursiyerlerin trafik ve kurs ile görüşleri ortaya çıkarılmıştır. Amaçlı örnekleme yöntemlerinden maksimum çeşitlilik örneklemesinin kullanıldığı halk eğitimi merkezlerinde trafik öğreniyorum kursu alan 15 kursiyer çalışmanın grubunu oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmanın verileri, araştırmacı/araştırmacılar tarafından hazırlanan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ile toplanmıştır. Katılımcıların görüşlerinden elde edilen veriler, literatür doğrultusunda önceden belirlenmiş temalara göre içerik analizi yöntemi ile analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda katılımcıların görüşleri trafik güvenliğinin önemi, trafik kurallarının çıkış sebebi, trafikte sağlıklı iletişim ve uygun davranış ilkeleri, trafikte hak ihlaline yol açmamak için yapılması gereken davranışlar, trafik sorunlarını çözme ve önleme, kurs programının sağladığı katkılar olmak üzere yedi tema altında ele alınmıştır. Verilen cevaplarda genel olarak eğitimin çok önemli olduğu vurgulanmaktadır.
Fostering Early Childhood Independence Through Positive Parenting Programs
Authors: Kusmiatiningsih Ely , Nurhayati Sri , Ansori
Published: July 2024

Abstrak: Penelitian ini mengkaji implementasi dan dampak dari Program Positive Parenting. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan penelitian kualitatif dan menggunakan metode studi kasus. Studi kasus ini dirancang khusus untuk mengeksplorasi dampak program pengasuhan positif terhadap peningkatan kompetensi orang tua dalam menumbuhkan kemandirian anak usia dini dalam konteks Bandung. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara dengan manajer pelatihan, kepala sekolah, guru, dan orang tua yang terlibat dalam program ini. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa Program Positive Parenting di Playgroup Atinidi dirancang dengan cermat dengan tujuan yang jelas. Isi dan metode pengajaran disesuaikan untuk memenuhi tahap perkembangan anak dan kebutuhan orang tua. Topik mencakup tanda-tanda kemerdekaan, membina kemandirian, dan pentingnya. Program ini secara efektif meningkatkan kompetensi orang tua dalam membina kemandirian anak usia dini. Dampak program diukur melalui perubahan yang dapat diamati dalam perilaku anak-anak dan umpan balik dari orang tua dengan penekanan kuat pada kolaborasi dan keterlibatan masyarakat. Studi ini berkontribusi pada literatur dengan memberikan wawasan tentang kemampuan beradaptasi budaya Program Pengasuhan Positif dalam konteks Indonesia dan mengusulkan arah untuk penelitian dan praktik di masa depan.
Photochemical processes to cellular DNA damage by UV radiation of different wavelengths: biological consequences
Authors: Fraikin G. Ya. , Belenikina N. S. , Rubin A. B.
Published: July 2024

UV radiation of sunlight induces in cellular DNA of different organisms photochemical reactions, which may lead to the development of series biological responses to arising lesions, including apoptosis, mutagenesis, and carcinogenesis. The chemical nature and the amount of DNA lesions depend on the wavelength of UV radiation. Photons of UV radiation in the region B (UVB, 290–320 nm) cause the production of two main defects, namely, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and, with a less yield, pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts; their formation is the result of the direct UVB photon absorption by DNA bases. Photons of UV radiation in the region A (UVA, 320–400 nm) induce only cyclobutane dimers that can be formed by triplet-triplet energy transfer from cellular chromophores, absorbing photons of this UV region, to DNA thymine bases. UVA is much more effective than UVB in the sensitized oxidatively lesion formation in DNA such as single strand breaks and oxidized bases; among those, 8-oxo-dihydroguanine is the most frequent since it can be produced from several oxidation processes. In recent years, multiple papers, reporting novel, more detailed information about molecular mechanisms of photochemical reactions underlying the formation of different lesions in DNA were published. The present review mainly aims at summarizing and analyzing data contained in these publications, particularly regarding oxidative reactions that are initiated by reactive oxygen species and radicals generated by potential endogenous photosensitizers such as pterins, riboflavin, protoporphyrin IX, NADH, and melanin. The role of specific DNA photoproducts in genotoxic processes induced in living systems by UV radiation of different wavelengths, including human skin carcinogenesis, is discussed.
Prime-editing methods and pegRNA design programs
Authors: Mikhaylova E. V. , Kuluev B. R. , Gerashchenkov G. A. , Chemeris D. A. , Garafutdinov R. R. , Kuluev A. R. , Baymiev An. K. , Baymiev Al K. , Chemeris A. V.
Published: July 2024

It has been 10 years since CRISPR/Cas technology was applied to edit the genomes of various organisms. Its ability to produce a double-strand break in a DNA region specified by the researcher started a revolution in bioengineering. Later, the Base Editing (BE) method was developed. BE is performed via the formation of single-strand breaks by the mutant form of Cas nuclease (nickase), cross-linked with deaminases and other enzymes. It can be used to promote A↔G and C↔T transitions, and a C→G transversion. Just over three years ago, a new Prime Editing (PE) variant of CRISPR/Cas was invented. Unlike BE, in PE the nickase is fused with reverse transcriptase, capable of building a new DNA chain using the pegRNA template. The pegRNA consists of an elongated guide RNA with an extra sequence at the 3ꞌ-end. Prime editing makes it possible to insert the desired mutations into this extra sequence and to carry out any substitutions and indels of bases without the use of special donor DNA. To date, a number of PE variants have been proposed, and they are briefly considered in this review with an emphasis on prime editing of plant genomes. Some attention is also paid to pegRNA design programs, as well as evaluation of the efficiency of the editing. Such a variety of PE techniques is due to the opportunities of high-precision introduction of desired changes with a rather low frequency of off-target mutations in the genomes of various organisms. The relatively low efficiency of prime editing inspire researchers to offer new approaches. There is hope that further development of the technology will improve PE enough to take its rightful place among the genome targeting methods, suitable for any organisms, and will have a positive impact on the agricultural sector, industrial biotechnologies, and medicine.
Protein repeats show clade-specific volatility in Aves
Authors: Sharma S. , Teekas L. , Vijay N.
Published: July 2024

Protein repeats are a source of rapid evolutionary and functional novelty. Repeats are crucial in development, neurogenesis, immunity, and disease. Repeat length variability and purity can alter the outcome of a pathway by altering the protein structure and affecting the protein-protein interaction affinity. Such rampant alterations can facilitate species to rapidly adapt to new environments or acquire various morphological/physiological features. With more than 11.000 species, the avian clade is one of the most speciose vertebrate clades, with near-ubiquitous distribution globally. Explosive adaptive radiation and functional diversification facilitated the birds to occupy various habitats. High diversity in morphology, physiology, flight pattern, behavior, coloration, and life histories make birds ideal for studying protein repeats’ role in evolutionary novelty. Our results demonstrate a similar repeat diversity and proportion of repeats across all the avian orders considered, implying an essential role of repeats in necessary pathways. We detected positively selected sites in the polyQ repeat of RUNX2 in the avian clade; and considerable repeat length contraction in the Psittacopasserae. The repeats show a species-wide bias towards a contraction in Galloanseriformes. Interestingly, we detected the length contrast of polyS repeat in PCDH20 between Galliformes and Anseriformes. We speculate that length variability of serine repeat and its interaction with β-catenin in the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway could have facilitated fowls to adapt to their respective environmental conditions. We believe our study emphasizes the role of protein repeats in functional/morphological diversification in birds. We also provide an extensive list of genes with considerable repeat length contrast to further explore the role of length volatility in evolutionary novelty and rapid functional diversification.