bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between Luteinizing Hormone/Choriogonadotropin Receptor Ins18LQ Gene Polymorphism and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Lubis Hilma Putri , Siregar Muhammad Fidel Ganis , Adenin Ichwanul , Halim Binarwan , Siregar Henry Salim , Prabudi M. Oky
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders of women in the childbearing period. However, its pathophysiology is still unclear. Certain polymorphisms of the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) genes may lead to changes in the bioactivity of this hormone. The important functional role of LHCGR in the metabolism of androgen and ovulation, the LHCGR gene variant, may be related to the risk of PCOS.
AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between LHCGR Ins18LQ gene polymorphism and PCOS.
METHODS: A case–control study was performed in women with PCOS and non-PCOS from May 2019 to October 2019 in HFC IVF Center. We included 50 women with PCOS and 50 healthy controls. Polymorphism of the LHCGR (ins18LQ) gene was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.
RESULTS: From this study, we found that there was no significant difference in the proportion of ages between the groups (p > 0.05). There were significant differences in the characteristics of body mass index, FSH level, LH level, and LH/FSH ratio between the PCOS and control groups (p < 0.05). We also found that the proportion of heterozygote variant non-ins/ins was higher in the PCOS group compared to the control group, but there was no significant difference between the polymorphisms of the non-ins and non-nonins variants between the PCOS and control groups (p = 0.269). The frequency of ins alleles was higher in the PCOS group compared to the control group.
CONCLUSION: There was no significant association between LHCGR ins18LQ gene polymorphism and PCOS.
Plasma Levels of the Engulfment and Cell Motility Protein-1 are Associated with Kidney Damage in Diabetic Nephropathy: A Single-Center Pilot Study in Indonesia Population
Authors: Elfiani Elfiani , Nasrul Ellyza , Yanwirasti Yanwirasti , Ali Zulkhair , Puspasari Anggelia
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic kidney disease with microvascular complications which influence a patient’s quality of life and poses a potentially significant economic burden. The discovery of new biomarkers is needed to gain a better understanding and find additional treatment approaches beyond controlling plasma glucose and blood pressure. The engulfment and cell motility protein called engulfment and cell motility protein (ELMO)-1 is known to play a role in tissue remodeling and is associated with DN progression in animal models. Human studies correlating this protein with DN have been limited, although a genetic variation of ELMO-1 has been associated with DN.
AIMS: This research aimed to investigate the association and correlation of circulating ELMO-1 with the level of kidney damage in DN.
METHODS: The research design was cross-sectional. In this study, 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) participated. Patients’ blood pressure, plasma glucose, and renal function parameters were measured to confirm the diagnosis. Albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) was used to assess the level of kidney damage and determines DN group.
RESULTS: Analyses shown the severity of albuminuria which is associated with plasma ELMO-1 when DN is evident. Furthermore, in all study participants, plasma ELMO-1 was correlated with increased proteinuria, ACR, and decline of glomerular filtration rate.
CONCLUSIONS: Our research findings provide support for ELMO-1 as a promising marker of kidney damage level in patients with T2DM, especially when DN has occurred. Larger sample sizes and multicenter research in the Indonesian population are needed to confirm these results.
Application of Scaevola taccada (Gaertn.) Roxb. Reduce Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Interleukin-1β in Sprague Dawley Mice Suffering from Mastitis
Authors: Prihantono Prihantono , Ardi Syamsu Salman , Smaradhania Nilam , Ahmad Mardiana , Siagian Nurul Aini , Lubis Kholilah , Umrah Andi Sitti
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue, usually caused by bacteria. Mastitis stimulates pro-inflammatory cytokines. The cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a crucial mediator of the inflammatory response. This cytokine has adverse effects of hosting immunity that mediates resistance to pathogens and also exacerbates damage during chronic disease and acute tissue injury. Scaevola taccada (Gaertn.) Roxb. has been used as an ethnomedicine for healing sores in several provinces in Indonesia.
AIM: This study aimed to assess the profile of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β through the treatment effect of leaf extracts of S. taccada (Gaertn.) Roxb. as adjuvant for healing mastitis.
METHODS: This study was a true control group experiment using the pre-test-post-test control design aimed to measure the effect of hydroalcoholic compounds in leaf extracts of S. taccada on the systemic pro-inflammatory activity of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The treated animals were 18 mice of Sprague Dawley strain induced by Staphylococcus aureus. These treated mice were divided into three groups in which each group consisted of six mice. The mice in the Group I (negative control) were given 1 ml aquabides/250 g body weight, those in the Group II (positive control) were delivered with 9.6 mg/ml amoxicillin/250 g body weight, and those in the Group III (experimental) were given 9.6 mg amoxicillin/250 g body weight + 400 mg/ml leaf extracts of S. taccada/g body weight for 5 days, respectively. Pathological examinations were carried out from the inflamed tissues to prove the healing process of the treated mice. IL-1Β levels were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and post hoc tests.
RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences of IL-1β levels after the administration of leaf extracts of S. taccada among all the treated mice groups at p < 0.05. The Group III had the lowest IL-1β level with the mean value ± 1.45 pg/ml compared to the IL-1β level in the Group II (positive control) with the mean value ± 3.82 pg/ml and the IL-1β level in the Group I (negative control) with the with mean value ± 5.22 pg/ml. The pathological analysis of breast tissues of the treated mice proved that leaf extracts of S. taccada (Gaertn Roxb.) could reduce damaged tissues, cellular infiltration, and subcutaneous edema induced by this pathogenic microorganism.
CONCLUSION: Leaf extracts of S. taccada had a significant function as adjuvant for healing mastitis by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β.
Cyclea barbata Miers Ethanol Extract and Coclaurine Induce Estrogen Receptor α in the Development of Follicle Pre-ovulation
Authors: Noviyanti Noviyanti , Yueniwati Yuyun , Ali Mulyohadi , Rahardjo Bambang , Permatasari Galuh W
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: Menstrual disorders to women are generally caused by the disturbance of estrogen production level. This can cause problems in the female reproductive organs. Herbal medications at this moment are demanding to prevent the risk of chemical substances, one of them is grass jelly leaves (Cyclea barbata) which has the potency to induce estrogen levels to women and some people use it to overcome fertility problems. One of the active compounds content is coclaurine.
AIM: The study aimed to know the main compound leaves of C. barbata which has an important role in estrogen induction, protein target, and pathway through to activate estrogen production.
METHODS: There are 18 active compounds from C. barbata gained from database and had been confirmed the presence of coclaurine compound used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Then, it predicted that the potency of molecular interaction between active compounds of ESRα had been done by the molecular docking and in vitro approach.
RESULTS: Coclaurine has the highest binding affinity to activate ESRα. Even though the network analysis prediction did not show the direct interaction, we predict the coclaurine might first interact with other steroid proteins showing by Cytoscape analysis. In vitro results showing the maximum dosage of C. barbata extract is in 100 ppm, while coclaurine dosage is optimum at 100 and 200 μM/L to induce the maturation of oocytes.
CONCLUSION: Coclaurine compounds give stimulation of hormonal induction through several proteins such as SRC, ADRB2, and ADRB3 which involve CYP1A1 and CYP19A1, then activate estrone and estradiol to help the increase of estrogen. C. barbata ethanol extracts and coclaurine had been proved having ability to enhance development follicles pre-ovulation.
Atomic Force Microscope Surface Roughness Analysis of Surface Treated Ceramics
Authors: Salem Amna , Mohsen Cherif
Published: October 2020

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface roughness of two types of ceramic after different surface treatments using an atomic force microscope (AFM).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred sixty disks were fabricated of the two types of ceramic eighty disks of lithium disilicate (LD) (IPS e. max computer-aided design [CAD]) and eighty disks of hybrid ceramic (VITA Suprinity pc). Disks were subdivided into four groups according to the surface treatment (n = 20). Eighty disks of (IPS e. max CAD) were subdivided into LD I: control (no treatment), LD II: Sandblasting (Al2O3, 50 μm particle size), LD III: Hydrofluoric acid etching, and LD IV: Tribochemical surface treatment. Eighty disks of (VITA Suprinity pc) were subdivided into HD I: control (no treatment), HD II: Sandblasting (Al2O3, 50 μm particle size), HD III: Hydrofluoric acid etching, and HD IV: Tribochemical surface treatment. Then, surface treated disks surface roughness was analyzed by AFM (ThermoMicroscope, Bruker, Santa Barbara, CA, USA). The results were analyzed using SPSS program software version 25. Statistical analysis was done by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test with significance level 0.05.
RESULTS: Tribochemical surface treatment groups of both types of ceramic L.D IV (279 ± 147 nm) and H.D IV (269.8 ± 142.2 nm) had the highest mean Ra values followed by surface abrasion with Al2O3 50 μ; L.D II (265.5 ± 140 nm), H.D II (204.5 ± 107.7 nm), hydrofluoric acid etching then control groups.
CONCLUSION: Different surface treatments increased surface roughness significantly for both types of ceramic.
The Impact of Dust and Salt Aerosols of the Aral Sea on the Tissues of Rat Testes in the Experiment
Authors: Suleimen Assylgul , Yesimova Roza , Rakhimova Bibigul , Suleimen Gulnaz , Yerubay Aidana , Britko Valeriy , Aitkulov Aidar , Berikbai Kultanov
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: The Aral Sea crisis is recognized as one of the global environmental problems of our time. The extreme environmental situation in the region is caused by massive chemical pollution of the territory for several decades by high doses of pesticides, herbicides, dumping of industrial waste into the rivers that feed the Aral Sea. As a result of the Aral Sea desiccation, aridization of the territory, climate change, and salinization of soil and water occurred. This led to increased mineralization of precipitation, climate change, the spread and deposition of dust on an area of about 25 million hectares. One of the factors in reducing fertile activity in humans is a decrease in spermatogenesis activity. Based on identified trends, WHO is forced to review the main indicators of spermograms in the direction of their reduction.
AIM: To study the effect of dust and salt aerosols of the Aral Sea on reproductive function, rat testes were studied after 7 and 24 days of inhalation administration.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Some morphometric parameters of the testes were evaluated: The diameter of the convoluted seminiferous tubules and the thickness of the germinal epithelium. The obtained comparative morphological and histological characteristics of the testes of the control and experimental groups indicate the negative effect of the components of dust and salt aerosols of the Aral Sea on the reproductive function of male rats.
RESULTS: The thickness of the epithelial spermatogenic layer in the second group of rats is on average 64.52 μm, which is significantly less compared to the control group (81.3 μm). The thickness of the epithelial spermatogenous layer in the third group is on average within 73.36 μm, which is significantly less than in the control group (81.3 μm), but more than in the group exposed to dust and salt aerosols for 7 days (64, 52 μm).
CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the impact of dust and salt aerosols of the Aral Sea leads to a change in the morphological and histological characteristics of the testes of animals. In experimental groups, a decrease in the diameter of the convoluted seminiferous tubule and a decrease in the thickness of the epithelial spermatogenic layer were observed. This indicates the negative effect of the components of dust and salt aerosols of the Aral Sea on the reproductive function of male rats exposed to dust for 7 and 24 days.
Retraction: Five papers from Open Access Maced J Med Sci. Vol. 7 No. 18 (2019): Sep 30 (Global Dermatology)
Authors: Spiroski Mirko
Published: October 2020

Editor-in-Chief has retracted the following articles from the special issue Vol. 7 No. 18 (2019): Sep 30 (Global Dermatology): (1) DNA Waves and Their Applications in Biology - Massimo Fioranelli et al. - Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences (2019) - DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.767; (2) Recovery of Brain in Chick Embryos by Growing Second Heart and Brain - Massimo Fioranelli et al. - Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences (2019) - DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.777; (3) A Mathematical Model for the Signal of Death and Emergence of Mind Out of Brain in Izhikevich Neuron Model - Massimo Fioranelli et al. - Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences (2019) - DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.774; (4) A Black Hole at the Center of Earth Plays the Role of the Biggest System of Telecommunication for Connecting DNAs, Dark DNAs and Molecules of Water on 4+N- Dimensional Manifold - Massimo Fioranelli et al. - Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences (2019) - DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.776 (5) New System Delivering Microwaves Energy for Inducing Subcutaneous Fat Reduction: In - Vivo Histological and Ultrastructural Evidence - Nicola Zerbinati et al., Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences (2019) - DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.778
An internal investigation has raised sufficient evidence that they are not directly connected with the special issue Global Dermatology and contain inconsistent results. As such, we retract these articles from the literature and by guidelines and best editorial practices from the Committee on Publication Ethics. We apologize to our audience about this unfortunate situation.
L’idée de régulation dans les sciences : hommage à l’épistémologue Jean Piaget
Authors: Diebolt Claude
Published: October 2020

Le 16 septembre 2020 on célèbrera le 40 ème anniversaire de la mort de Jean Piaget (1896-1980). Cette contribution rend hommage à l’épistémologue, biologiste et psychologue, à son analyse systémique, à sa classification hiérarchique des différents niveaux de régulation comme source d’inspiration originale pour mes propres travaux en cliométrie de la croissance et des cycles économiques. Codes JEL : A12, B25, B31, B41, N00
Faciliter la mobilité quotidienne des jeunes éloignés de l’emploi : une évaluation expérimentale
Authors: Anne Denis , Le Gallo Julie , L’Horty Yannick
Published: October 2020

La capacité de mobilité quotidienne des jeunes, en transport individuel ou collectif, est un facteur déterminant de leurs chances d’insertion professionnelle, en particulier pour les jeunes décrocheurs qui ont quitté le système scolaire sans accéder à une formation ou à un emploi, et pour qui la faible capacité de déplacement est un obstacle avéré à l’insertion professionnelle. Dans ces conditions, comment améliorer la mobilité de ces jeunes décrocheurs ? Dans cet article, nous présentons les résultats d’une évaluation d’impact par expérience contrôlée de seize dispositifs innovants ciblés sur ce public particulier. Portés par des associations locales ou nationales, ces dispositifs ont des contenus variés : diagnostic en matière de mobilité, formation à la mobilité dans le cadre d’ateliers, apprentissage de modes de transport alternatifs, mise à disposition de deux-roues, aides financières et accompagnement pour le passage du permis de conduire et pour l’acquisition d’un véhicule. La base de données expérimentale couvre 275 jeunes suivis entre août 2015 et décembre 2016. L’évaluation montre qu’une aide à la mobilité améliore les chances d’accès à une formation et à un emploi. Toutefois, l’intensité des actions joue un rôle important. A trop faible dose, les aides à la mobilité peuvent même avoir un effet contre-productif sur l’insertion des jeunes. Pour qu’elles soient efficaces, ces aides gagnent à être intensives. Codes JEL : C93, J16, J61, J71
À propos du statut épistémologique des expériences en économie
Authors: de Curraize Yves , Thoron Sylvie
Published: October 2020

Apparue dans l’immédiat après-guerre, voire dans les années 1930, la pratique des expériences en économie a connu un essor important depuis les années 1970, une consécration dans les années 2000 à travers l’attribution de prix Nobel en économie expérimentale, et tout récemment la reconnaissance similaire des travaux pionniers d’Esther Duflo sur les Expériences Aléatoires Contrôlées (EAC) en économie du développement. Dans cet article nous nous intéressons aux deux méthodologies les plus couramment utilisées : les EAC et celles qui entrent dans la catégorie de l’économie expérimentale. Partageant le même principe de base qui est de provoquer une observation dans le but d’étudier certains phénomènes, elles n’en diffèrent pas moins par leur origine et leur statut épistémologique. D’une part l’économie expérimentale, tournée vers la théorie, trouve ses origines dans une tentative réfutationniste dans les années 1970. D’autre part les EAC, tournées vers l’évaluation des politiques publiques, viennent d’une recherche de confirmation. Nous montrons par contre que l’influence conjointe des deux méthodologies a ensuite ébranlé une conception de l’économie décrite par Hausman [1992] comme science inexacte et séparée. Économie expérimentale et EAC ont œuvré pour que l’économie devienne une discipline moins généraliste et plus contextualisée. Elles ont aussi obligé les chercheurs, expérimentalistes, randomistes et théoriciens à repenser la définition du domaine de l’économie. Quand certains s’efforcent de le préciser, d’autres tentent de l’élargir, selon différentes conceptions de l’interdisciplinarité. Par contre, il semble que les différentes méthodologies expérimentales ne remettent que peu en question la théorie de la rationalité comme référence normative.
L’analyse des chaînes de valeur en Wallonie : un éclairage nouveau pour la politique économique et d’innovation au niveau régional
Authors: Danguy Jérôme , Hennart Florence , Persyn Lionel
Published: October 2020

Les dynamiques de création de valeur ajoutée et d’innovation trouvent de plus en plus leur origine au croisement des technologies, des compétences et des secteurs. La stratégie régionale de spécialisation intelligente et la politique de pôles de compétitivité en Wallonie visent notamment à favoriser ces fertilisations croisées. Par ailleurs, avec les évolutions de l’économie (mondialisation, digitalisation…), les chaînes de valeur sont en mutation, induisant de nouveaux enjeux de compétitivité régionale. Dans ce contexte, il est utile de développer de nouveaux outils d’analyse permettant d’appréhender les relations intersectorielles, comme facteur d’ancrage régional et comme source d’innovations. Grâce à une combinaison d’approches mobilisant le tableau entrées-sorties interrégional, des données microéconomiques et macroéconomiques, plusieurs chaînes de valeurs wallonnes ont été analysées récemment (le secteur chimique incluant l’industrie pharmaceutique et le secteur de la construction). Cette contribution illustre l’éclairage nouveau que cette approche via les chaînes de valeur peut amener pour la politique économique et d’innovation au niveau régional. En particulier, elle permet d’explorer les questions liées au positionnement régional au sein des chaînes de valeur, à l’ancrage régional des secteurs au travers de leurs liens avec d’autres secteurs en amont et en aval, en Wallonie et avec l’extérieur, et au potentiel d’innovation intersectoriel. Classification JEL : O14, O38, L65, L74
Tous les travailleurs bénéficient-ils autant du partage de la rente ?
Authors: Rycx François , Volral Mélanie , Waroquier Alexandre
Published: October 2020

Les entreprises plus profitables partagent une partie de leurs profits avec leurs travailleurs sous la forme de salaires plus élevés. Ce phénomène s’appelle le partage de la rente et existe dans de nombreux pays. Certaines études vont plus loin dans l’analyse en examinant le rôle joué par différentes variables modératrices (e.g. le genre, le niveau d’éducation, l’ancienneté, le niveau de négociation collective, le pays de naissance). L’objectif de ce papier est de fournir un résumé de la littérature consacrée au partage de la rente, en apportant une analyse plus approfondie du marché du travail belge, et d’approcher les différences d’estimation dans ce phénomène en fonction du pays de naissance du travailleur. Classification JEL : D31, J31, J61, J71
Les stratégies rhétoriques de légitimation des investisseurs institutionnels
Authors: Al-Masri Khaled
Published: October 2020

Cet article cherche à explorer les stratégies rhétoriques mobilisées par les investisseurs institutionnels afin de récupérer leur légitimité, fortement dégradée, suite à la crise financière de 2008. Les résultats sont révélateurs d’un court-termisme marqué, ainsi que de la très faible conscience de la responsabilité sociétale et de la finance durable que les responsables des investisseurs institutionnels ont ou devraient avoir. Les acteurs financiers n’ont consacré que 5 % de leurs discours écrits sur la gestion de risques pour le champ sociétal, durable, et relationnel. Notre étude a montré que le recours à un discours social et environnemental dans les documents de référence de la banque Société Générale représente des manœuvres rhétoriques mobilisées pour faire face à des pressions sociales et financières.
La communication financière sur Internet des associations de solidarité internationale
Authors: Carrière Rigard-Cerison Sophie , Janin Rémi
Published: October 2020

L’objet de cet article est d’étudier, en nous appuyant sur une étude empirique basée sur un échantillon de 81 observations, les facteurs qui incitent les Associations de Solidarité Internationale (ASI) faisant appel à la générosité du public à publier volontairement leurs états financiers sur leur site internet. Nos résultats, sur la base de régressions logistiques, suggèrent que la divulgation volontaire d’informations comptables par les ASI via leur site internet est influencée par l’usage des fonds qui leur sont alloués. Les ASI qui publient l’information la plus complète sur leurs état financiers (un bilan et un CER, à jour et comparables sur au moins deux années) seraient celles qui peuvent paraître les plus vertueuses, soit parce qu’elles consacrent une part très importante de leurs ressources à leurs missions sur le terrain, soit encore parce qu’elles sont en mesure de démontrer sur un plan comptable, via les fonds dédiés, leur capacité à affecter promptement les fonds qu’elles ont levés aux missions que leurs contributeurs souhaitent privilégier.
Défaillance des petites et très petites entreprises
Authors: Rivet Alain , Reix Christian , Montintin José
Published: October 2020

Sur la base d’un échantillon de 192 petites et très petites entreprises en difficulté sur le département de la Haute-Vienne sur la période 2010-2013, cette recherche décrit les caractéristiques de ces entreprises en difficulté et propose une typologie basée sur la capacité de ces entreprises à mobiliser des ressources diverses dont partenariales et la nature du contexte dans lequel elles se meuvent. Pour ce faire, elle s’appuie à la fois sur des données quantitatives concernant par exemple les ventes, les effectifs, l’ancienneté de l’entreprise et du dirigeant mais aussi des informations sur la personnalité du dirigeant, son cadre familial et patrimonial. Tout en confortant la pertinence de l’accompagnement à porter à ces structures, elle confirme que celui-ci doit se faire tant en amont des difficultés qu’en aval et surtout qu’il doit être adapté au profil de l’entreprise ou du chef d’entreprise concerné.
Pratiques d’Organisations Responsables
Authors: Bidi Georges , Feige Jimmy
Published: October 2020

La Responsabilité Sociétale des Organisations (RSO) est un processus d’engagement des organisations, en collaboration avec leurs parties prenantes, destiné à « intégrer les préoccupations en matière sociale, environnementale, éthique, de droits de l’homme et de consommateurs dans leurs activités commerciales et leur stratégie de base » (communication de la Commission Européenne au parlement européen, 2011). Il est question pour les organisations de mener des actions en direction de leurs multiples parties prenantes. Le contexte et la zone géographique participent à la définition d’un modèle RSO. D’ailleurs, la RSO est émergente en Afrique. L’objectif de cet article est d’enrichir les enseignements relevant de la RSO dans le contexte sénégalais et particulièrement dakarois pour mieux comprendre les comportements d’acteurs et d’organisations. Nous contribuons à la définition d’un modèle RSO dakarois, avec mise en évidence des problématiques responsables communes locales analysées au sein des organisations (grands groupes, PME, administrations et associations).
La gamification
Authors: Rochas Audrey
Published: October 2020

Cet article se propose d’identifier les différents moyens de favoriser la fidélisation des employés. Il s’intéresse plus spécifiquement aux générations X et Y qui doivent désormais travailler main dans la main et à la nécessité de repenser l’organisation pour objectif d’améliorer le sentiment d’attachement des employés tout en favorisant leur épanouissement. En se fondant sur la littérature liée à l’implication des employés, aux spécificités des générations X et Y au sein des organisations et à la gamification, nous proposons la modélisation d’un système intergénérationnel vertueux et fidélisant pour l’organisation fondé sur la gamification.
Myth in Action? Figurative Images on Ceramics as a Source for Studying the Pre-Christian Beliefs of Western Slavs
Authors: Kajkowski Kamil
Published: October 2020

The spiritual culture of Western Slavs is becoming an increasingly prominent research field in archaeology. The dynamic growth of material evidence allows archaeologists not only to expand the corpus of evidence used in their work but also to formulate new hypotheses that broaden the current state of knowledge, as well as to develop new research trajectories. The study of relics of cult-places and the material remains of ritual ceremonies play a particularly significant role here. Research into material culture, including iconographic sources, is of great significance. Both these research topics can be broadened by the studies of objects commonly extracted from the earth, namely ceramic vessels.Moreover, not only the ritual behaviour that accompanies their production, or the symbolism of vessels, as such, or their forms but also about their ornamentation is of interest. Thus far, the issue of ornamentation has remained on the fringes of mainstream scholarly debates. Marek Dulinicz is among the scholars who have made the most substantial contributions to this field of research. However, since 2008, there have been no further studies on this topic. Although the corpus of completely preserved or fragmented vessels with figural depictions known today has expanded, the body of material with narrative scenes remains fairly small. New finds of vessels (or their fragments) with such imagery are found very rarely – even though numerous excavation campaigns are being undertaken – leading to the situation in which vessels with narrative scenes become rare and exceptional sources. This paper will specifically address this particular body of material. Around twenty different vessels will be considered here. Most of them are known from the area inhabited by the Baltic Slavs and the territory of modern-day Poland (Masovia and Silesia). One shard comes from Slovakia. The present paper seeks to provide answers to questions about the purpose of placing figural imagery on vessels, as well as to investigate the spatial and chronological occurrence of such finds, and the possible functions the vessels had in the everyday lives of their users.
Božična jama pri Novi Štifti (Gornji Grad) – primer antičnega jamskega svetišča
Authors: Češarek Domen , Jamnik Pavel
Published: October 2020

This article presents the archaeological and ethnological research of the Božična jama Cave in Slovenia, Styria region, as a possible shrine of fertility. The archaeological finds from the cave indicate that the cave was used for cult purposes. The authors point out the artificially built circle in the middle of the cave and suggest that it was probably devoted to establishing a cosmic space suitable for ritual purposes. The archaeological finds indicate the symbolism of the Sun, phallus and solar deity which are usually connected with fertility. The Božična jama Cave is thus far the only archaeological site in Slovenia to be confirmed as a Late Antiquity archaeological cave site that can be assumed to be a ritual cave connected with fertility.
Image, Function, Meaning, and Structure: The Role of Aphorisms in the Kazakh Epic Poem Kyz Zhibek
Authors: Abduov Muhammadgali , Abduova Nazilya , Stanciu Nicolae
Published: October 2020

In this article, the function of aphorisms in folk song, which also contains lyrical and dramatic elements, is analysed and defined through cultural (mostly folklore) literature, and linguistic methods. The main purpose of this paper is to show the role of the gnomic words generated by folk creators in an epic poem’s plot, their main functions in the development of conflict and the aesthetic expression of the work. Therefore, the meaning of symbols has been interpreted in close connection with the actions, archetypes and metaphors inserted in the structure of the song. Using as an example the song “Kyz Zhybek”, which is a prominent creation in Kazakh folklore, and reviewing research papers on the subject, the present article follows the contrastive analysis in researching the echoes of archetypal traditions in a Muslim cultural frame. Ethnos in culture remains in an attempt to recover the identity of a group using what seems specific in folklore, history, and linguistics and to track them in an original ideology articulated on national and universal bases. This paper may help researchers when studying folklore heritage, with understanding the scope of using the aphorisms and the main function actualised by them in folk literature. In addition, the role of aphorisms in a folk song is systematised, and their historical and identity significance is underlined.
О мифологических мотивах в былине “Добрыня и Настасья”
Authors: Yuyukin Maxim Anatol’evich
Published: October 2020

This article deals with mythological motifs reflected in the bylina “Dobrynya and Nastas’ya” discussed in comparison with the Baltic, South Slavic, and Ossetic epic texts.
Critica textual de 1 Re 22,35. Aportación de una nueva lectura de la Vetus Latina
Authors: Trebolle Barrera Julio
Published: October 2020

Nuevas lecturas de la VL de Reyes coincidentes con el texto griego luciánico poseen un alto valor crítico, pues, incluso en los casos en los que perecen contener "adiciones" respecto a la Septuaginta mayoritaria, corresponden en realidad a lecturas del griego antiguo (1 Re 22,10.32.34.52). A la luz de una de estas nuevas lecturas, se trata de reconocer los diferentes hilos de transmisión textual del pasaje de 1 Re 22,35 y el proceso de derivación de los mismos.
De nuevo en torno al protocejel del año 913
Authors: Corriente F.
Published: October 2020

Este singular texto, extraído de Almuqtabis de Ibn Ḥayyān, es ahora revisado y editado a la luz de la versión paralela incluida en Azzaharāt Azzaharāt ƒT nukat al’axbār alma’ṯūra de Ibn Simāk Al‛Āmilī, obra recientemente publicada por el Dr. M. A. Makkī. Las necesarias correcciones producen un texto más castizo, que requiere una escansión diferente, pero continúa apoyando los principios establecidos por el autor para la versión acentual del ‛arūḍ generada en Alandalús y que constituye la base métrica del muwaššaḥ y cejel, como consecuencia de la pérdida del ritmo cuantitativo en la pronunciación local del árabe.
De los bienes de judíos, ¿qué se hizo?
Authors: León Tello Pilar
Published: October 2020

Para combatir las herejías de los judaizantes que tanto perturbaban a la sociedad española, los Reyes Católicos recurrieron a medidas de excepción que no fueron suficientes para conseguir el objetivo final de facilitar la unidad religiosa del reino. El edicto del 31 de marzo de 1492 puso fin a estos problemas decretando la supresión total del judaísmo. Se conservan algunos inventarios de bienes judaicos hechos en 1492 y listas de habilitaciones ante los receptores de la Inquisición, que nos dan idea del número de judíos y conversos en esa época y del estado de prosperidad o decadencia que tenían en las distintas ciudades.
Una nueva posible identificación de 7Q5
Authors: Spottorno M.ª Victoria
Published: October 2020

Solamente dos de los dieciocho pequeños fragmentos de la Cueva 7 de Qumrán han sido identificados como textos del Antiguo Testamento en la edición príncipe. Posteriormente J. O'Callaghan identificó algunos otros fragmentos con textos del Nuevo Testamento, iniciando una polémica que hoy continúa. La autora identifica el fragmento 5, punto clave en la teoría de J. O'Callaghan, con un texto veterotesta­mentario.
Conflitos na fronteira amazônica: conservação e disputas nas áreas protegidas do Amapá – Brasil
Authors: Lomba Roni Mayer , Porto Jadson Luis Rebelo
Published: October 2020

O artigo é uma análise sobre a fragmentação do território amapaense a partir da criação das áreas legalmente protegidas. Com isso, o objetivo foi analisar esse processo de intervenção espacial que, em muitos casos, tornaram-se espaços permeados por conflitos socioambientais. Questiona-se que tais áreas protegidas não têm representado um espaço real de preservação ou conservação, com diversas formas de disputa, e manifestações de uso do território que impactam no ambiente, economia e sociedade. Pela corrente do pensamento crítico, realizou-se interpretações teóricas do tema, uso de dados, mapas e entrevistas qualitativas. O artigo está dividido em três seções: a primeira apresenta uma análise teórica sobre a agenda ambiental brasileira em um contexto global; a segunda, a formação histórica do estado do Amapá e as unidades de conservação em seu território; a terceira, a gestão e conflitos nas áreas protegidas amapaenses, seguido pelas considerações finais que trazem as reflexões abordadas no texto.
Onde estão os ricos?
Authors: Confins
Published: October 2020

Para responder à pergunta “onde estão os ricos?” pesquisadores da FGV Social usaram dados da Receita Federal sobre as declarações do Imposto de Renda de Pessoa Física (IRPF) de 2018. O texto mapeia os resultados por município e mostra a sua concentração no Sudeste, Sul e – cada vez mais – no Centro-Oeste, em Brasília e na região de produção de soja, milho e algodão.
Territórios cercados, territórios esvaziados e conservação da natureza no oeste da província de Santa Cruz, Patagônia sul
Authors: Schweitzer Alejandro Fabian
Published: October 2020

A implantação das primeiras áreas protegidas na Província de Santa Cruz faz parte de uma estratégia de ocupação efetiva do espaço pelo estado nacional, complementar à implantação dos territórios nacionais e às políticas de assentamento e colonização. Os parques nacionais localizados no oeste de Santa Cruz estão entre as primeiras áreas protegidas da Argentina. Desde a década de 1930, havia uma autoridade nacional de fiscalização, mas somente em 1980, com a criação da Administração de Parques Nacionais, o esvaziamento desses espaços e a erradicação de parte das atividades pré-existentes foram impostas. A partir da década de 1990, estratégias de compra e concentração de terras foram implantadas em grandes capitais, com a presença de bancos e fundações que intervieram na expansão e criação de áreas protegidas, cercando e esvaziando novos espaços. Este artigo busca contribuir para uma maior compreensão dos processos de produção do espaço e da natureza nos espaços periféricos, as formas pelas quais os estados nacionais e regionais organizaram políticas de conservação desde as primeiras áreas protegidas até os desafios atuais para esses espaços. o cenário global de hegemonia do capital financeiro. Para isso, a primeira seção analisa a evolução do território em relação à implantação de áreas protegidas e a situação atual das ações de conservação. Em uma segunda seção, são expostas as estratégias dos atores presentes no território e as condições materiais para a manutenção e o avanço das atividades relacionadas à conservação. Em conclusão, são levantadas questões sobre o cenário de conservação e as diretrizes de políticas públicas, que variam entre apoio à nova dinâmica do vácuo de conservação, manutenção do vácuo extrativista ou atenção às necessidades básicas da população e melhoria de condições de vida.
Prepuce-sparing corporoplasty as a safe alternative for patients with acquired penile curvature
Authors: De Rose Aldo Franco , Ambrosini Francesca , Mantica Guglielmo , Zero Enrico , Banchero Riccardo , Terrone Carlo
Published: October 2020

Objectives: penile curvature is a rare condition, classified as congenital or acquired (Peyronie’s disease) (PD). Surgical correction is the standard treatment. It’s common practice to associate circumcision with penile de-gloving to prevent complications. In this paper we evaluate the feasibility of penile surgery avoiding circumcision. Materials and methods: patients presenting with penile curvature were treated using a modified Nesbit procedure. Patients were divided into group A if they opted for a prepuce-sparing surgery and the others into group B. Patients were evaluated pre and postoperatively and postoperative complications were assessed. The 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) was administered before and 6 months after surgery and we compared the difference of mean value using T-Test. Results: Group A and B were made of 53 and 16 patients respectively. Median age was 59 years [interquartile range (IQR) 12] in A and 62 (IQR 9) in B (p = 0.2). Median curvature was 40° (IQR 40°) in A and 40 ° (IQR 30°) in B (p = 0.62). Mean difference between pre- and post-operative IEFF was 1.9 ± 2 in A and 2.6 ± 2.1 in B (p = 0.36). Conclusions: According to our experience, surgical correction of penile curvature without performing circumcision could be a safe and feasible strategy. We recommend performing circumcision only in patients who present with pre-operative phimosis.
Primary small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bladder: Case report and literature review
Authors: Olivieri Valerio , Fortunati Valentina , Bellei Luca , Massarelli Massimo , Ruggiero Gabriele , Abate Danilo , Serra Nicoletta , Griffa Daniele , Forte Flavio , Corongiu Emanuele
Published: October 2020

Background: Neuroendocrine tumours (NET) are extremely rare and aggressive. Although they commonly affect intestine, many organs may be involved such as pancreas, lung or urinary tract. Bladder is rarely involved. Actually, two main forms of bladder NET have been described: small-cell and large-cell. The first one is considered highly agressive since it shows poor oncologic outcomes being mainly diagnosed at advanced stage: the second one is extremely rare and equally aggressive. Case report: A 78-years-old Caucasian male presented to our facility for lower urinary tract symptoms and gross hematuria recently occurred. He was a strong smoker since many years. No familiarity for urothelial cancer was referred nor previous episodes of hematuria until that time. Citology was negative; outpatient ultrasound of the bladder revealed a 3 cm bladder thickening highly suspicious for bladder cancer; patient underwent TC scan that confirmed the bladder lesion. A transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) was performed. After 3 months total body TC showed multiple visceral metastases also involving brain and lymph nodes. Best supportive care was offered but the patient died 6 months later. Results: Pathology revealed a mixed bladder tumor: 30% of the specimen resulted as an high-grade urothelial cancer (G3) and 70% as small-cell neuroendocrine variant.Microscopic muscle involvement was excluded.Conclusions: Neuroendocrine tumors are uncommon entities which origin from cells of neuro-endocrine system and may potentially involve all human tissues. Neuroendocrine smallcell carcinoma of the bladder is a non-urothelial histotype: it is highly aggressive and diagnosed mainly at advanced stages. Whenever considering the high risk of metastatic spread and the poor prognosis, a multimodal approach is highly suggested. TURB alone is uneffective in disease control due to its aggressive nature. Unless metastatic, radical cystectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy represent the gold standard.
Intralesional injection of the calcium channel blocker Verapamil in Peyronie's disease: A critical review
Authors: Asali Murad , Asali Muhammad
Published: October 2020

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of an intralesional injection of verapamil in men with Peyronie’s disease (PD). Materials and Methods: The data provided in the current review are based on a thorough review of the available original articles on PD retrieved with a systematic literature search using PubMed- Medline, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, up to December 2019, to identify studies dealing with Peyronie’s disease and its treatment. Included were only original articles, that we thoroughly evaluated. We searched for the primary and secondary terms of: “Peyronie’s disease,” “Penile curvature,” “Erectile dysfunction,” “Verapamil and Peyronie’s disease,” “Calcium channel blocker,” and “Intralesional injection.”Results: The initial search of the databases yielded a total of 1240 studies (PubMed: 1058; Cochrane: 182), as of December 2019. Seventy studies were removed due to duplication. Further 986 studies were removed due to not being in English (except for one study by Arena F. for which we got a translation form Italian), being about animal experimentations, not being full-text, and not being clinical trials. Likewise, studies not referring at all to verapamil were excluded (148). From the remaining 36 full-text articles we focused on 13 studies which met the inclusion criteria, mainly being deemed relevant to the context of this study. Conclusions: Calcium channel blockers have been shown in both in vitro and in vivo studies to inhibit the synthesis and secretion of extracellular matrix molecules, as well as to increase collagenase activity. Patients with localised plaque are the best candidates for intralesional injections of verapamil. The beneficial effects of intralesional verapamil are apparent within the first three months. For patients who respond to treatment, the injections should be continued for six months. Patients who fail to respond to intralesional verapamil or whose angulation is greater than 30° at presentation should be considered candidates for surgery. Injection of verapamil is clinically safe for patients with Peyronie’s disease, and it appears to induce a rapid, beneficial effect in patients for the reduction of plaque size. Intralesional verapamil injection for Peyronie’s disease could reduce pain, decrease penile curvature, and improve sexual function.
Characterization of progression-related alternative splicing events in testicular germ cell tumors
Authors: Zhang Chuan-Jie , Li Zong-Tai , Shen Kan-Jie , Chen Lu , Xu Dan-Feng , Gao Yi
Published: October 2020

Accumulating evidence supports the significance of aberrant alternative splicing (AS) events in cancer; however, genome-wide profiling of progression-free survival (PFS)-related AS events in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) has not been reported. Here, we analyzed high-throughput RNA-sequencing data and percent-spliced-in values for 150 patients with TGCT. Using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis and a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method, we identified the top 15 AS events most closely associated with disease progression. A risk-associated AS score (ASS) for the 15 AS events was calculated for each patient. ASS, pathological stage, and T stage were significantly associated with disease progression by univariate analysis, but only ASS and pathological stage remained significant by multivariate analysis. The ability of these variables to predict 5-year progression was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. ASS had stronger predictive value than a combination of age, pathological stage, and T stage (area under the curve = 0.899 and 0.715, respectively). Furthermore, Kaplan–Meier analysis of patients with low and high ASS demonstrated that high ASS was associated with significantly worse PFS than low ASS (P = 1.46 × 10−7). We also analyzed the biological functions of the PFS-related AS-related genes and found enrichment in pathways associated with DNA repair and modification. Finally, we identified a regulatory network of splicing factors with expression levels that correlated significantly with AS events in TGCT. Collectively, this study identifies a novel method for risk stratification of patients and provides insight into the molecular events underlying TGCT.
18F-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography computed tomography incidental finding in a patient after COVID-19 infection
Authors: Mirzaei Siroos , Farhan Cherin , Karolyi Mario
Published: October 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has now reached most countries. However, the referred patients to a nuclear medicine department will be primarily the asymptomatic ones. We report the case of a patient (84-year-old male) who was sent for 18F-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography computed tomography (PSMA PET-CT) with suspicion of recurrent disease after prostate cancer and total prostatectomy 2 years prior to the examination. He suffered from COVID-19 pneumonia 4 weeks prior to PET-CT examination. The 18F-PSMA PET-CT revealed moderate elevated uptake in the area of previous pneumonia in the right lung. The radiological findings showed ground glass changes in this area indicating possible residual inflammatory disease even weeks after infection.