bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Moderating Role of Deviant Peer Affiliation in the Relation between Cyber-Victimization, Tobacco and Alcohol Use, and Age Differences
Authors: Sun Xiaojun , Yao Liangshuang , Niu Gengfeng , Lin Shanyan
Published: August 2021

Cyber-victimization, tobacco and alcohol use are all prominent public health problems among adolescents throughout the world. Against this background, this study examined the association between cyber-victimization and tobacco and alcohol use, as well as the moderating role of deviant peer affiliation and the potential age differences among elementary, middle, and high school students. A survey conducted among 1488 school students (aged 9–19 years, consisting of 702 elementary school students, 318 middle school students, and 468 high school students) found that cyber-victimization was positively correlated with tobacco and alcohol use among students of all stages. However, the moderating mechanism was different. Among elementary school students, deviant peer affiliation played a positive moderating role. For individuals with high deviant peer affiliation, this association was stronger. Among middle school students, the moderating role of deviant peer affiliation was insignificant. Among high school students, deviant peer affiliation played a negative moderating role; this association was significant for individuals with low deviant peer affiliation. The results of this study clarify the relationship between cyber-victimization and tobacco and alcohol use by examining the moderating role of deviant peer affiliation and age differences, providing intervention guidance for reducing the negative influences of cyber-victimization on children and adolescents with respect their use of tobacco and alcohol.
Novel Therapeutic Targets for the Treatment of Right Ventricular Remodeling: Insights from the Pulmonary Artery Banding Model
Authors: Mamazhakypov Argen , Sommer Natascha , Assmus Birgit , Tello Khodr , Schermuly Ralph Theo , Kosanovic Djuro , Sarybaev Akpay Sh. , Weissmann Norbert , Pak Oleg
Published: August 2021

Right ventricular (RV) function is the main determinant of the outcome of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). RV dysfunction develops gradually and worsens progressively over the course of PH, resulting in RV failure and premature death. Currently, approved therapies for the treatment of left ventricular failure are not established for the RV. Furthermore, the direct effects of specific vasoactive drugs for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, Group 1 of PH) on RV are not fully investigated. Pulmonary artery banding (PAB) allows to study the pathogenesis of RV failure solely, thereby testing potential therapies independently of pulmonary vascular changes. This review aims to discuss recent studies of the mechanisms of RV remodeling and RV-directed therapies based on the PAB model.
Psychological Morbidity among University Students in Hong Kong (2014–2018): Psychometric Properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and Related Correlates
Authors: Li Xiang , Shek Daniel T. L. , Shek Esther Y. W.
Published: August 2021

Although mental health problems among Hong Kong university students are serious, there is a lack of studies examining the psychometric properties of related assessment scales and correlates. This study attempted to validate the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) in Hong Kong university students and examine the demographic (gender), time (cohort), and well-being correlates (positive youth development attributes and life satisfaction) of psychological morbidity. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factor structure of the DASS (n = 6704). Gender and cohort invariance were further established using a multigroup CFA. The three-factor model of the DASS showed a superior fit and factorial invariance across gender and five different cohorts. Regarding gender and cohort correlates of psychological morbidity, males exhibited more depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms than their female counterparts. The intensity of psychological distress also escalated after the Umbrella Movement in 2014. Furthermore, well-being measures (positive youth development and life satisfaction) were negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. In short, the Chinese DASS demonstrated good psychometric properties. This study also showed that gender, cohort (occurrence of political events), and well-being were associated with psychological morbidity indexed by the DASS measures.
Personal Tools and Psychosocial Resources of Resilient Gender-Based Violence Women
Authors: García Montes Rebeca , Corral Liria Inmaculada , Jimenez Fernandez Raquel , Rodriguez Vázquez Rocío , Becerro de Bengoa Vallejo Ricardo , Losa Iglesias Marta
Published: August 2021

Gender-based violence is considered a serious social and public health problem. Overcoming this situation implies a process that results in the favorable biopsychosocial rehabilitation of the resilience of women. The objective of this study was to analyze the tools, resources and personal and psychosocial mechanisms used by women survivors of gender-based violence. The design was an interpretative phenomenology. It was carried out with 22 women who have overcome gender-based violence. Data were collected through personal interviews and narration. The results were grouped into four themes: “Process of violence”, “Social resources for coping and overcoming GBV”, “Personal tools for coping and overcoming GBV” and “Feelings identified, from the abuse stage to the survival stage”. Several studies concluded that overcoming abuse is influenced by the women’s social network, and it can be the action of these people determining their survival to gender violence. Despite the recognized usefulness of these available resources, it would be desirable to strengthen them in order to be able to drive more women toward survival, assuming a strengthening of coping and overcoming, without forgetting the importance of other support mechanisms, such as their family and group therapies.
A Study of Analogical Density in Various Corpora at Various Granularity
Authors: Fam Rashel , Lepage Yves
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we inspect the theoretical problem of counting the number of analogies between sentences contained in a text. Based on this, we measure the analogical density of the text. We focus on analogy at the sentence level, based on the level of form rather than on the level of semantics. Experiments are carried on two different corpora in six European languages known to have various levels of morphological richness. Corpora are tokenised using several tokenisation schemes: character, sub-word and word. For the sub-word tokenisation scheme, we employ two popular sub-word models: unigram language model and byte-pair-encoding. The results show that the corpus with a higher Type-Token Ratio tends to have higher analogical density. We also observe that masking the tokens based on their frequency helps to increase the analogical density. As for the tokenisation scheme, the results show that analogical density decreases from the character to word. However, this is not true when tokens are masked based on their frequencies. We find that tokenising the sentences using sub-word models and masking the least frequent tokens increase analogical density.
Expression Patterns of Three Important Hormone Genes and Respiratory Metabolism in Antheraea pernyi during Pupal Diapause under a Long Photoperiod
Authors: Wang Qi , Luo Yu-Tong , Wang Yong , Wang De-Yi , Duan Xiao-Xia , Zhang Yao-Ting , Bian Yu-Meng , Liu Wei , Qin Li
Published: August 2021

The Chinese oak silkworm is commonly used in pupal diapause research. In this study, a long photoperiod was used to trigger pupal diapause termination. Genes encoding three hormones, namely prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH), ecdysis triggering hormone (ETH), and eclosion hormone (EH), were studied. Additionally, ecdysteroids (mainly 20-hydroxyecdysone, 20E) were quantified by HPLC. Pupal diapause stage was determined by measuring respiratory intensity. The pupae enter a low metabolic rate, which starts approximately 1 month after pupal emergence. ApPTTH expression showed a small increase at 14 days and then a larger increase from 35 days under the long photoperiod treatment. A similar pattern was observed for the titer of 20E in the hemolymph. However, ApETH expression later increased under the long photoperiod treatment (42 days) just before eclosion. Moreover, ApEH expression increased from 21 to 35 days, and then decreased before ecdysis. These results suggest that hormone-related gene expression is closely related to pupal development. Our study lays a foundation for future diapause studies in A. pernyi.
Improvement of Service Quality in the Supply Chain of Commercial Banks—A Case Study in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Han-Khanh , Nguyen Thuy-Dung
Published: August 2021

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic caused a serious impact on the business activities of enterprises and households, affecting the operation of banks around the world, especially for capital mobilization from those with savings deposits at commercial banks. In face of the unpredictable developments of the pandemic, many services of banks in Vietnam were also affected, so it has been necessary to make a plan to maintain business operations and respond effectively to these difficulties. In this study, the authors used three research models to form a three-dimensional frame of reference (past, present, and future) to identify, analyze, and evaluate the factors affecting the service quality of commercial banks’ savings deposit mobilization, and to suggest solutions that can minimize risks and improve customer satisfaction for savings deposits at commercial banks, improve service quality to avoid potential long-term risks, as well as maintain sustainable growth and social stability in the future.
Influence of the Surface Chemistry of Graphene Oxide on the Structure–Property Relationship of Waterborne Poly(urethane urea) Adhesive
Authors: Tounici Abir , Martín-Martínez José Miguel
Published: August 2021

Small amounts—0.04 wt.%—graphene oxide derivatives with different surface chemistry (graphene oxide—GO-, amine-functionalized GO—A-GO-, reduced GO—r-GO) were added during prepolymer formation in the synthesis of waterborne poly(urethane urea) dispersions (PUDs). Covalent interactions between the surface groups on the graphene oxide derivatives and the end NCO groups of the prepolymer were created, these interactions differently altered the degree of micro-phase separation of the PUDs and their structure–properties relationships. The amine functional groups on the A-GO surface reacted preferentially with the prepolymer, producing new urea hard domains and higher percentage of soft segments than in the PUD without GO derivative. All GO derivatives were well dispersed into the PU matrix. The PUD without GO derivative showed the most noticeable shear thinning and the addition of the GO derivative reduced the extent of shear thinning differently depending on its functional chemistry. The free urethane groups were dominant in all PUs and the addition of the GO derivative increased the percentage of the associated by hydrogen bond urethane groups. As a consequence, the addition of GO derivative caused a lower degree of micro-phase separation. All PUs containing GO derivatives exhibited an additional thermal decomposition at 190–206 °C which was ascribed to the GO derivative-poly(urethane urea) interactions, the lowest temperature corresponded to PU+A-GO. The PUs exhibited two structural relaxations, their temperatures decreased by adding the GO derivative, and the values of the maximum of tan delta in PU+r-GO and PU+A-GO were significantly higher than in the rest. The addition of the GO derivative increased the elongation-at-break, imparted some toughening, and increased the adhesion of the PUD. The highest T-peel strength values corresponded to the joints made with PUD+GO and PUD+r-GO, and a rupture of the substrate was obtained.
COSMOtherm as an Effective Tool for Selection of Deep Eutectic Solvents Based Ready-To-Use Extracts from Graševina Grape Pomace
Authors: Panić Manuela , Gunjević Veronika , Radošević Kristina , Cvjetko Bubalo Marina , Ganić Karin Kovačević , Redovniković Ivana Radojčić
Published: August 2021

The aim of this work is to develop an industrially suitable process for the sustainable waste disposal in wine production. The proposed process involves the development of an environmentally friendly method for the isolation of biologically active compounds from Graševina grape pomace according to the green extraction principles, in order to obtain a ready-to-use extract. In this process, deep eutectic solvents (DES) were used as extraction solvents. Aiming to save time in selecting the optimal DES that would provide the most efficient Graševina pomace polyphenols extraction, the user-friendly software COSMOtherm was used and 45 DES were screened. Moreover, the prepared extracts were chemically and biologically characterized to confirm their safety for human application. Computational and experimental results proved the applicability of COSMOtherm in the selection of the optimal DES for the environmentally friendly preparation of the ready-to-use extract from Graševina grape pomace with expected application in the cosmetic industry.
Synthesis, DFT Calculations, Antiproliferative, Bactericidal Activity and Molecular Docking of Novel Mixed-Ligand Salen/8-Hydroxyquinoline Metal Complexes
Authors: Al-Farhan Badriah Saad , Basha Maram T. , Abdel Rahman Laila H. , El-Saghier Ahmed M. M. , Abou El-Ezz Doaa , Marzouk Adel A. , Shehata Mohamed R. , Abdalla Ehab M.
Published: August 2021

Despite the common use of salens and hydroxyquinolines as therapeutic and bioactive agents, their metal complexes are still under development. Here, we report the synthesis of novel mixed-ligand metal complexes (MSQ) comprising salen (S), derived from (2,2′-{1,2-ethanediylbis[nitrilo(E) methylylidene]}diphenol, and 8-hydroxyquinoline (Q) with Co(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Al(III), and La(III). The structures and properties of these MSQ metal complexes were investigated using molar conductivity, melting point, FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, UV–VIS, mass spectra, and thermal analysis. Quantum calculation, analytical, and experimental measurements seem to suggest the proposed structure of the compounds and its uncommon monobasic tridentate binding mode of salen via phenolic oxygen, azomethine group, and the NH group. The general molecular formula of MSQ metal complexes is [M(S)(Q)(H2O)] for M (II) = Co, Ni, and Cd or [M(S)(Q)(Cl)] and [M(S)(Q)(H2O)]Cl for M(III) = La and Al, respectively. Importantly, all prepared metal complexes were evaluated for their antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The metal complexes exhibited high cytotoxic potency against human breast cancer (MDA-MB231) and liver cancer (Hep-G2) cell lines. Among all MSQ metal complexes, CoSQ and LaSQ produced IC50 values (1.49 and 1.95 µM, respectively) that were comparable to that of cisplatin (1.55 µM) against Hep-G2 cells, whereas CdSQ and LaSQ had best potency against MDA-MB231 with IC50 values of 1.95 and 1.43 µM, respectively. Furthermore, the metal complexes exhibited significant antimicrobial activities against a wide spectrum of both Gram-positive and -negative bacterial and fungal strains. The antibacterial and antifungal efficacies for the MSQ metal complexes, the free S and Q ligands, and the standard drugs gentamycin and ketoconazole decreased in the order AlSQ > LaSQ > CdSQ > gentamycin > NiSQ > CoSQ > Q > S for antibacterial activity, and for antifungal activity followed the trend of LaSQ > AlSQ > CdSQ > ketoconazole > NiSQ > CoSQ > Q > S. Molecular docking studies were performed to investigate the binding of the synthesized compounds with breast cancer oxidoreductase (PDB ID: 3HB5). According to the data obtained, the most probable coordination geometry is octahedral for all the metal complexes. The molecular and electronic structures of the metal complexes were optimized theoretically, and their quantum chemical parameters were calculated. PXRD results for the Cd(II) and La(III) metal complexes indicated that they were crystalline in nature.
Mechanisms of Tebuconazole Adsorption in Profiles of Mineral Soils
Authors: Siek Marcin , Paszko Tadeusz , Jerzykiewicz Maria , Matysiak Joanna , Wojcieszek Urszula
Published: August 2021

The study attempted to identify the soil components and the principal adsorption mechanisms that bind tebuconazole in mineral soils. The KF values of the Freundlich isotherm determined in 18 soils from six soil profiles in batch experiments after 96 h of shaking ranged from 1.11 to 16.85 μg1−1/n (mL)1/n g−1, and the exponent 1/n values from 0.74 to 1.04. The adsorption of tebuconazole was inversely correlated with the soil pH. Both neutral and protonated forms of this organic base were adsorbed mainly on the fraction of humins. The adsorption of the protonated form increased in the presence of hydrogen cations adsorbed in the soil sorption sites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy coupled with the molecular modeling studies and partial least squares regression analysis indicated that the tebuconazole molecule is bound in the organic matter through the formation of hydrogen bonds as well as hydrophobic and π–π interactions. Ion exchange was one of the adsorption mechanisms of the protonated form of this fungicide. The created mathematical model, assuming that both forms of tebuconazole are adsorbed on the organic matter and adsorption of the protonated form is affected by the potential acidity, described its adsorption in soils well.
Separation and Determination of Chemopreventive Phytochemicals of Flavonoids from Brassicaceae Plants
Authors: Bajkacz Sylwia , Ligor Magdalena , Baranowska Irena , Buszewski Bogusław
Published: August 2021

The main aim of this study was to develop a method for the isolation and determination of polyphenols—in particular, flavonoids present in various morphological parts of plants belonging to the cabbage family (Brassicaceae). Therefore, a procedure consisting of maceration, acid hydrolysis and measurement of the total antioxidant capacity of plant extracts (using DPPH assay) was conducted. Qualitative analysis was performed employing thin-layer chromatography (TLC), which was presented to be a suitable methodology for the separation and determination of chemopreventive phytochemicals from plants belonging to the cabbage family. The study involved the analysis of 25 vegetal samples, including radish, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, canola, kohlrabi, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, red cabbage, pak choi and cauliflower. In addition, selected flavonoids content in free form and bonded to glycosides was determined by using an RP-UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method.
The Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Weakly Coupled Diketopyrrolopyrroles
Authors: Pieczykolan Michał , Derr James B. , Chrayteh Amara , Koszarna Beata , Clark John A. , Vakuliuk Olena , Jacquemin Denis , Vullev Valentine I. , Gryko Daniel T.
Published: August 2021

Three centrosymmetric diketopyrrolopyrroles possessing either two 2-(2′-methoxyphenyl)benzothiazole or two 2-(2′-methoxyphenyl)benzoxazolo-thiophene scaffolds were synthesized in a straightforward manner, and their photophysical properties were investigated. Their emission was significantly bathochromically shifted as compared with that of simple DPPs reaching 650 nm. Judging from theoretical calculations performed with time-dependent density functional theory, in all three cases the excited state was localized on the DPP core and there was no significant CT character. Consequently, emission was almost independent of solvents’ polarity. DPPs possessing 2,5-thiophene units vicinal to DPP core play a role in electronic transitions, resulting in bathochromically shifted absorption and emission. Interestingly, as judged from transient absorption dynamics, intersystem crossing was responsible for the deactivation of the excited states of DPPs possessing para linkers but not in the case of dye bearing meta linker.
ROCK2-Specific Inhibitor KD025 Suppresses Adipocyte Differentiation by Inhibiting Casein Kinase 2
Authors: Tran Nhu Nguyen Quynh , Chun Kwang-Hoon
Published: August 2021

KD025, a ROCK2 isoform-specific inhibitor, has an anti-adipogenic activity which is not mediated by ROCK2 inhibition. To identify the target, we searched binding targets of KD025 by using the KINOMEscanTM screening platform, and we identified casein kinase 2 (CK2) as a novel target. KD025 showed comparable binding affinity to CK2α (Kd = 128 nM). By contrast, CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 and ROCK inhibitor fasudil did not show such cross-reactivity. In addition, KD025 effectively inhibited CK2 at a nanomolar concentration (IC50 = 50 nM). We examined if the inhibitory effect of KD025 on adipocyte differentiation is through the inhibition of CK2. Both CX-4945 and KD025 suppressed the generation of lipid droplets and the expression of proadipogenic genes Pparg and Cebpa in 3T3-L1 cells during adipocyte differentiation. Fasudil exerted no significant effect on the quantity of lipid droplets, but another ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 increased the expression of Pparg and Cebpa. Both CX-4945 and KD025 acted specifically in the middle stage (days 1–3) but were ineffective when treated at days 0–1 or the late stages, indicating that CX-4945 and KD025 may regulate the same target, CK2. The mRNA and protein levels of CK2α and CK2β generally decreased in 3T3-L1 cells at day 2 but recovered thereafter. Other well-known CK2 inhibitors DMAT and quinalizarin inhibited effectively the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Taken together, the results of this study confirmed that KD025 inhibits ROCK2 and CK2, and that the inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation is through the inhibition of CK2.
Migraine and Its Association with Hyperactivity of Cell Membranes in the Course of Latent Magnesium Deficiency—Preliminary Study of the Importance of the Latent Tetany Presence in the Migraine Pathogenesis
Authors: Cegielska Joanna , Szmidt-Sałkowska Elżbieta , Domitrz Wojciech , Gaweł Małgorzata , Radziwoń-Zaleska Maria , Domitrz Izabela
Published: August 2021

So far, there is no consistent and convincing theory explaining the pathogenesis of migraines. Vascular disorders, the effect of oxidative stress on neurons, and the contribution of magnesium-calcium deficiencies in triggering cortical depression and abnormal glutaminergic neurotransmission are taken into account. However, there are no reliable publications confirming the role of dietary deficits of magnesium and latent tetany as factors triggering migraine attacks. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of latent magnesium deficiency assessed with the electrophysiological tetany test on the course of migraine. The study included: a group of 35 patients (29 women and six men; in mean age 41 years) with migraine and a control group of 24 (17 women and seven men; in mean age 39 years) healthy volunteers. Migraine diagnosis was based on the International Headache Society criteria, 3rd edition. All patients and controls after full general and neurological examination were subjected to a standard electrophysiological ischemic tetany test. Moreover, the level of magnesium in blood serum was tested and was in the normal range in all patients. Then, the incidence of a positive tetany EMG test results in the migraine group and the results in the subgroups with and without aura were compared to the results in the control group. Moreover, the relationship between clinical markers of spasmophilia and the results of the tetany test was investigated in the migraine group. As well as the relationship between migraine frequency and tetany test results. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of the electrophysiological exponent of spasmophilia between the migraine and control group. Neither correlation between the occurrence of clinical symptoms nor the frequency of migraine attacks and the results of the tetany test was stated (p > 0.05). However, there was an apparent statistical difference between the subgroup of migraine patients with aura in relation to the control group (p < 0.05). The result raises hope to find a trigger for migraine attacks of this clinical form, the more that this factor may turn out to be easy to supplement with dietary supplementation.
Vitamin D Status among First-Generation Immigrants from Different Ethnic Groups and Origins: An Observational Study Using the Canadian Health Measures Survey
Authors: Yousef Said , Manuel Douglas , Colman Ian , Papadimitropoulos Manny , Hossain Alomgir , Faris MoezAlIslam , Wells George A.
Published: August 2021

One in five Canadians are first-generation immigrants. Evidence suggests the baseline risk for vitamin D (vitD) deficiency is increased among immigrants who move from equatorial to northern countries. We investigated the prevalence and determinants of vitD deficiency/insufficiency among first-generation immigrants compared with native-born Canadians and identified explanatory covariables. We used a cross-sectional design with data from the national Canadian Health Measures Survey (Cycles 3 and 4) (11,579 participants aged 3–79 years). We assessed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D) levels, sociodemographic and environmental factors, immigration status, length of time in Canada, vitD-rich food intake, ethnicity, and place of birth. Immigrants had lower mean S-25(OH)D than non-immigrants (51.23 vs. 62.72 nmol/L, p < 0.001). Those with younger age at the time of immigration (<18 years) had a high risk for low vitD, and S-25(OH)D levels increased with the length of time they had lived in Canada. The highest deficiency levels were in immigrants born in Morocco, India, and Lebanon compared with native-born Canadians. Ethnicity was the factor most strongly associated with S-25(OH)D. Compared with the white ethnic grouping, the Japanese had the highest level of vitD deficiency, followed by Arabs and Southeast Asians. Ethnic variations, dietary intake, and lifestyle factors are the main predictors of/explanatory factors for vitD status among Canadian immigrants.
Dietary and Health Correlates of Sweetened Beverage Intake: Sources of Variability in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
Authors: Swithers Susan E. , Bonanno G. R. , Figueroa Janet , Welsh Jean A. , Sylvetsky Allison C.
Published: August 2021

Recent studies using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) have used inconsistent approaches to identify and categorize beverages, especially those containing low-calorie sweeteners (LCS), also referred to as low-calorie sweetened beverages (LCSBs). Herein, we investigate the approaches used to identify and categorize LCSBs in recent analyses of NHANES data. We reviewed published studies examining LCS consumption in relation to dietary and health outcomes and extracted the methods used to categorize LCS as reported by the authors of each study. We then examined the extent to which these approaches reliably identified LCSBs using the Internet Archive Wayback Machine to examine beverage ingredients lists across three NHANES cycles (2011–2016). None of the four general strategies used appeared to include all LCSBs while also excluding all beverages that did not contain LCS. In some cases, the type of sweetener in the beverage consumed could not be clearly determined; we found 9, 16, and 18 of such “mixed” beverage identifiers in the periods 2011–2012, 2013–2014, and 2015–2016, respectively. Then, to illustrate how heterogeneity in beverage categorization may impact the outcomes of published analyses, we compared results of a previously published analysis with outcomes when “mixed” beverages were grouped either all as LCSBs or all as sugary beverages. Our results suggest that caution is warranted in design and interpretation of studies using NHANES data to examine dietary and health correlates of sweetened beverage intake.
Focus on the Lymphatic Route to Optimize Drug Delivery in Cardiovascular Medicine
Authors: Tessier Nolwenn , Moawad Fatma , Amri Nada , Brambilla Davide , Martel Catherine
Published: August 2021

While oral agents have been the gold standard for cardiovascular disease therapy, the new generation of treatments is switching to other administration options that offer reduced dosing frequency and more efficacy. The lymphatic network is a unidirectional and low-pressure vascular system that is responsible for the absorption of interstitial fluids, molecules, and cells from the peripheral tissue, including the skin and the intestines. Targeting the lymphatic route for drug delivery employing traditional or new technologies and drug formulations is exponentially gaining attention in the quest to avoid the hepatic first-pass effect. The present review will give an overview of the current knowledge on the involvement of the lymphatic vessels in drug delivery in the context of cardiovascular disease.
An Updated Overview of the Emerging Role of Patch and Film-Based Buccal Delivery Systems
Authors: Jacob Shery , Nair Anroop B. , Boddu Sai H. S. , Gorain Bapi , Sreeharsha Nagaraja , Shah Jigar
Published: August 2021

Buccal mucosal membrane offers an attractive drug-delivery route to enhance both systemic and local therapy. This review discusses the benefits and drawbacks of buccal drug delivery, anatomical and physiological aspects of oral mucosa, and various in vitro techniques frequently used for examining buccal drug-delivery systems. The role of mucoadhesive polymers, penetration enhancers, and enzyme inhibitors to circumvent the formulation challenges particularly due to salivary renovation cycle, masticatory effect, and limited absorption area are summarized. Biocompatible mucoadhesive films and patches are favored dosage forms for buccal administration because of flexibility, comfort, lightness, acceptability, capacity to withstand mechanical stress, and customized size. Preparation methods, scale-up process and manufacturing of buccal films are briefed. Ongoing and completed clinical trials of buccal film formulations designed for systemic delivery are tabulated. Polymeric or lipid nanocarriers incorporated in buccal film to resolve potential formulation and drug-delivery issues are reviewed. Vaccine-enabled buccal films have the potential ability to produce both antibodies mediated and cell mediated immunity. Advent of novel 3D printing technologies with built-in flexibility would allow multiple drug combinations as well as compartmentalization to separate incompatible drugs. Exploring new functional excipients with potential capacity for permeation enhancement of particularly large-molecular-weight hydrophilic drugs and unstable proteins, oligonucleotides are the need of the hour for rapid advancement in the exciting field of buccal drug delivery.
The Effect of Plasma Protein Binding on the Therapeutic Monitoring of Antiseizure Medications
Authors: Charlier Bruno , Coglianese Albino , De Rosa Federica , de Grazia Ugo , Operto Francesca Felicia , Coppola Giangennaro , Filippelli Amelia , Dal Piaz Fabrizio , Izzo Viviana
Published: August 2021

Epilepsy is a widely diffused neurological disorder including a heterogeneous range of syndromes with different aetiology, severity and prognosis. Pharmacological treatments are based on the use, either in mono- or in polytherapy, of antiseizure medications (ASMs), which act at different synaptic levels, generally modifying the excitatory and/or inhibitory response through different action mechanisms. To reduce the risk of adverse effects and drug interactions, ASMs levels should be closely evaluated in biological fluids performing an appropriate Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM). However, many decisions in TDM are based on the determination of the total drug concentration although measurement of the free fraction, which is not bound to plasma proteins, is becoming of ever-increasing importance since it correlates better with pharmacological and toxicological effects. Aim of this work has been to review methodological aspects concerning the evaluation of the free plasmatic fraction of some ASMs, focusing on the effect and the clinical significance that drug-protein binding has in the case of widely used drugs such as valproic acid, phenytoin, perampanel and carbamazepine. Although several validated methodologies are currently available which are effective in separating and quantifying the different forms of a drug, prospective validation studies are undoubtedly needed to better correlate, in real-world clinical contexts, pharmacokinetic monitoring to clinical outcomes.
Artificial Neural Network to Forecast Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide in Sandstone and Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Saberi Hossein , Esmaeilnezhad Ehsan , Choi Hyoung Jin
Published: August 2021

Polymer flooding is an important enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method with high performance which is acceptable and applicable on a field scale but should first be evaluated through lab-scale experiments or simulation tools. Artificial intelligence techniques are strong simulation tools which can be used to evaluate the performance of polymer flooding operation. In this study, the main parameters of polymer flooding were selected as input parameters of models and collected from the literature, including: polymer concentration, salt concentration, rock type, initial oil saturation, porosity, permeability, pore volume flooding, temperature, API gravity, molecular weight of the polymer, and salinity. After that, multilayer perceptron (MLP), radial basis function, and fuzzy neural networks such as the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system were adopted to estimate the output EOR performance. The MLP neural network had a very high ability for prediction, with statistical parameters of R2 = 0.9990 and RMSE = 0.0002. Therefore, the proposed model can significantly help engineers to select the proper EOR methods and API gravity, salinity, permeability, porosity, and salt concentration have the greatest impact on the polymer flooding performance.
The Influence of Hydrophobic Blocks of PEO-Containing Copolymers on Glyceryl Monooleate Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery
Authors: Forys Aleksander , Chountoulesi Maria , Mendrek Barbara , Konieczny Tomasz , Sentoukas Theodore , Godzierz Marcin , Kordyka Aleksandra , Demetzos Costas , Pispas Stergios , Trzebicka Barbara
Published: August 2021

The investigation of properties of amphiphilic block copolymers as stabilizers for non-lamellar lyotropic liquid crystalline nanoparticles represents a fundamental issue for the formation, stability and upgraded functionality of these nanosystems. The aim of this work is to use amphiphilic block copolymers, not studied before, as stabilizers of glyceryl monooleate 1-(cis-9-octadecenoyl)-rac-glycerol (GMO) colloidal dispersions. Nanosystems were prepared with the use of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(lactic acid) (PEO-b-PLA) and poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(5-methyl-5-ethyloxycarbonyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one) (PEO-b-PMEC) block copolymers. Different GMO:polymer molar ratios lead to formulation of nanoparticles with different size and internal organization, depending on the type of hydrophobic block. Resveratrol was loaded into the nanosystems as a model hydrophobic drug. The physicochemical and morphological characteristics of the prepared nanosystems were investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The studies allowed the description of the lyotropic liquid crystalline nanoparticles and evaluation of impact of copolymer composition on these nanosystems. The structures formed in GMO:block copolymer colloidal dispersions were compared with those discussed previously. The investigations broaden the toolbox of polymeric stabilizers for the development of this type of hybrid polymer/lipid nanostructures.
Technological Development and the Labour Market: How Susceptible Are Jobs to Automation in Hungary in the International Comparison?
Authors: Illéssy Miklós , Huszár Ákos , Makó Csaba
Published: August 2021

In our study, we analyse data from the Hungarian Microcensus (2016) in order to map the proportion of Hungarian jobs threatened by the spread of automation. In doing so, we use the internationally well-known methodology of Carl Benedict Frey and Michael A. Osborne who estimated the probability of computerization for 702 occupations. The analysis was then repeated by Panarinen and Rouvinen for the Finnish labour market by converting the probabilities defined for the US occupational statistics to the European International Standard Classification of Occupations. Similar calculations were conducted for the Swedish and Norwegian labour markets. According to our results, almost every second Hungarian employee (44%) works in a job that is threatened by the development of digital technologies. The same ratio is 47% in the US and 53% in Sweden, while it is much lower in Finland (35%) and Norway (33%). It is especially alarming that 13% of the Hungarian workforce (i.e., almost 600,000 employees) works in an occupation where the probability of computerization is above 95%, while the number of those working in occupations where the same ratio is above 90% exceeds one million (i.e., 25% of the total Hungarian labour force). Diving deeper into the analysis, we can state that those with higher educational qualifications are more likely to work in an occupation that is more protected against computerization. Overall, there are no significant differences in the probability of computerization by gender; however, women are over-represented in the most endangered occupations.
Data of the COVID-19 mRNA-Vaccine V-Safe Surveillance System and Pregnancy Registry Reveals Poor Embryonic and Second Trimester Fetal Survival Rate. Comment on Stuckelberger et al. SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Willingness among Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women during the First Pandemic Wave: A Cross-Sectional Study in Switzerland. Viruses 2021, 13, 1199
Authors: Stroobandt Serge , Stroobandt Roland
Published: August 2021

Dr. Sarah Stuckelberger and her colleagues should be commended for their cross-sectional study assessing the willingness of Swiss pregnant and breastfeeding women to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 [...]
Socio-Institutional Drivers of Groundwater Contamination Hazards: The Case of On-Site Sanitation in the Bwaise Informal Settlement, Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Twinomucunguzi Felix R. B. , Silvestri Giorgia , Kinobe Joel , Mugabi Allan , Isoke Jenifer , Nyenje Philip M. , Foppen Jan Willem , Kulabako Robinah N. , Kansiime Frank
Published: August 2021

Socio-institutional factors are poorly addressed in the risk assessment of groundwater contamination. This paper contributes to the development of a socio-institutional assessment framework based on a case study of contamination by on-site sanitation (OSS) in an informal settlement of Bwaise (Kampala, Uganda). We conducted a snapshot survey of the recent extent of groundwater contamination by OSS using microbial and hydro-chemical indicators. Through transition arenas and key informant interviews, we investigated the socio-institutional drivers of the contamination. Overall, 14 out of the 17 sampled groundwater sources tested positive for Escherichia coli during the wet season. Nitrate concentrations at four sources exceeded the World Health Organization guideline value (50 mg/L), attributed to OSS. Despite the high contamination, the community highly valued groundwater as an alternative to the intermittent municipal water supply. We deduced six drivers of groundwater contamination, including land-use management, user attributes, governance, infrastructure management, groundwater valuation, and the operating environment (“LUGIVE”). Qualitative indicators for each of the drivers were also construed, and their interlinkages presented in a causal loop diagram, representing a socio-institutional assessment framework. The framework can help policymakers and the community to analyze various socio-institutional control levers to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination by OSS in informal settlements.
The features of antibacterial therapy in children
Authors: Kulagina Lyudmila Yurievna , Zvegintseva Albina Ayratovna , Zamalutdinova Alina Garafutdinovna , Maksimov Maksim Leonidovich
Published: August 2021

At present, the use of antibacterial drugs is one of the most frequently recommended methods of treating a large number of infectious diseases. However, in clinical practice, excessive use of antibiotics, unreasonable antibiotic therapy, and inappropriate combinations are quite common, which creates the risk of unwanted side effects, increases the cost of treatment and leads to an increase in microorganism resistance. That is why, in modern medicine, the problem of rational antibiotic therapy, i.e. the adequate use of antibacterial drugs, compliance with strict indications for their use, certain schemes and principles of use, and the creation of protocols for antibiotic therapy in pediatric practice, remains relevant. Antibacterial drugs should be prescribed for inflammatory diseases of bacterial etiology and for perioperative prophylaxis. Antibiotics should not be used in the treatment of uncomplicated acute viral respiratory diseases, since they do not have an antiviral effect, do not reduce fever, and do not prevent the development of bacterial complications. The purpose of this work is to form a methodological approach to the use of antibacterial drugs in pediatrics based on existing Russian recommendations.
A clinical case of focal liver lesion in tuberculosis
Authors: Kirichenko Igor Borisovich
Published: August 2021

In the clinical practice of a general practitioner, there are many difficulties in the diagnosis of certain nosological forms, even in spite of various diagnostic studies. This is often due to the fact that in most cases, the used methods, especially ultrasound, as well as the results of many biochemical studies, make it possible to suspect pathology or reveal its indirect signs. Accurate diagnostic methods such as laparoscopy, biopsy, targeted biopsy, computed tomography and colonoscopy are rarely used. The clinical case presented below is one of the confirmations of the above [2; 3].
Blood groups
Authors: Olefir Irina Anatolievna
Published: August 2021

On June 14, 1868, Karl Landsteiner, an outstanding scientist, known for his works in the field of immunohematology and immunochemistry, who received the Nobel Prize for the discovery of blood group systems in 1930, was born in a Viennese family. In 1900, Karl Landsteiner published a work in which he described in detail the process of agglutination that occurs when the blood plasma of one person is mixed with the red blood cells of another one. At that time, the scientist came to the conclusion that this phenomenon was of an immunological nature. In 1901, Landsteiner decided to divide human blood into three subgroups: A, B, and C; a little later, the AB group was added to them, while the C group was renamed as O. In addition, it was Landsteiner who invented a fairly simple scheme that allows developing and introducing the basic principles of blood transfusion into wide practice, and the world got a wonderful opportunity to save hundreds and thousands of human lives. Thanks to this discovery, made more than 100 years ago, more than 100 million donations are made every year around the world, more than half of which are in developed countries with high living standards and incomes. Here people come to blood donation deliberately, and not for the sake of receiving financial or any other benefit. Thanks to blood transfusion, it became possible to successfully carry out many surgical interventions accompanied by the loss of a large amount of blood, exchange blood transfusion for hemolytic disease of newborns, and substitution therapy for many pathological conditions. Karl Landsteiner’s work was highly appreciated: in 1930, due to the discovery of blood groups, he became the Nobel Prize laureate in the field of medicine.
Automation of the technology of connecting parts in the manufacture of aerospace products
Authors: Ponomarev S. I.
Published: August 2021

The paper describes the improvement of the technology of manufacturing parts and components of aerospace production using computer-aided design and technological process control. The theoretical foundations and algorithms for constructing the technological process of manufacturing parts and components of the aerospace industry using various methods of joining heat-resistant materials, for example, by diffusion welding, are designed on the basis of theoretical and experimental studies proposed by the author of the patented connection method «Method for joining a heat-resistant cobalt-based alloy with silicon nitride-based ceramics» and technological equipment «Installation for obtaining metal-ceramic products», as well as «Attribute database for creating technological processes for obtaining parts of aerospace production by diffusion welding» and «Attribute database of technological equipment, tools and devices for mechanical processing of aerospace production parts», registered in the register of databases of the Russian Federation. The research is conducted at the Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics of the Siberian State University of Science and Technology named after academician M.F. Reshetnev.
Dilma Rousseff, a trajetória de uma mulher política: a primeira presidenta nas capas de O Globo (2011-2016)
Authors:   , Veloso Tatiana Scali Abritta
Published: August 2021

O presente trabalho busca apreender como o jornal O Globo construiu e desconstruiu, a partir da narrativa imagética fotojornalística, a imagem pública da presidenta Dilma Rousseff no exercício da presidência da República no período de 2011 a 2016. Para tanto, fez-se necessário compreender como sua trajetória de vida influenciou diretamente na construção de sua imagem pública tanto pela imprensa, quanto pelo marketing político e por grupos organizados opositores à narrativa histórica da Ditadura Civil Militar (1964-1985). Nesse sentido, buscou-se apreender como a representação da mulher politicamente perigosa, a guerrilheira, foi atualizada pelo periódico, grupos opositores, e posteriormente ressignificada pelo marketing político. Para atender aos ditames do marketing político, Dilma Rousseff submeteu-se a procedimentos estéticos para tornar-se adequada à disputa eleitoral. Dessa maneira, investigou-se também como Rousseff suavizou sua imagem e aderiu ao guarda-roupa do poder, adotando ternos femininos que historicamente têm sua origem no vestuário alternativo do século XIX, adotado por sufragistas e feministas. A pesquisa abrange um recorte temporal amplo, pois que a representação imagética feminina é um constructo social e histórico de longa duração em que muitos estereótipos e estigmas são também perenizados em uma rede discursiva imagética. Os dados foram aferidos tanto nas características que a imprensa atribuía a Rousseff, quanto nas fotografias que fotojornalistas produziram que legitimavam essa narrativa. Eles, os dados, compõem uma análise histórico-semiótica das séries fotográficas identificadas e analisadas em que se identifica como o jornal, O Globo, narrou, em suas capas, a primeira mulher brasileira eleita a ocupar o cargo de presidenta no espaço secularmente masculino da política nacional.