bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retinal pigment epithelium tear in an idiopathic acute onset bullous central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Ou You-Ci , Cheng Cheng-Kuo , Yang Chang-Sue
Published: February 2023

Although retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tears are common in patients with chronic conditions such as exudative age-related macular degeneration or may occur in response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor or laser treatment, a spontaneous RPE tear can occur in patients with acute and new-onset bullous central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). We present a rare case of a healthy young Asian man with unilateral massive subretinal fluid (SRF). An idiopathic acute-onset bullous CSCR with an RPE tear was diagnosed through ancillary examinations. This patient exhibited good visual recovery as indicated by foveal sparing, spontaneous resolution of SRF, and the lack of a need for unnecessary surgery.
Žune Ba-F epithermal deposit Part 2: Geophysical characterization and exploration perspective
Authors:   Faculty of Mining Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Croatia, Orešković Jasna , Milošević Aleksej ,   University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Mining, Kolar Saša ,   Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering; University of Zagreb, Croatia, Šoštarić Sibila ,   Faculty of Mining Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb
Published: February 2023

The Žune barite-fluorite ore body in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina has been explored in order to determine spatial distribution of the ore body. At the Žune site, barite mineralization occurs in the form of veins and is hosted by dolostone. A geophysical survey was carried out with the aim to detect anomalies associated with the barite-fluorite deposit and to characterize the abandoned old deposit. Therefore, 2D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) was measured along four profiles. Prior to surface geophysical measurements, detailed geological field mapping of the ore body and host rocks was undertaken. The geometry of the abandoned mining cut with steep walls and complex structural setting with barite that incorporates coarse fragments of host rock and fluorite makes interpretation of the results challenging. The collected geological data were used to calibrate the geophysical models. Forward modelling in addition to inversion of the ERT data helped to reduce the ambiguity of geophysical data interpretation. The results revealed that the barite vein in the area of mining cut is limited to a depth of about 10 m and length is about 40 m. There is no indication for barite mineralization in the area south of the mining cut, while anomalies that may be associated with ore bodies are present in the northern and northeastern part.
Преобразование Рисса для одномерного $(k,1)$-обобщенного преобразования Фурье
Authors: Ivanov Valerii Ivanovich
Published: February 2023

Для $(k,1)$-обобщенного преобразования Фурье на прямой $\mathbb{R}$ определяется
преобразование Рисса. При $1<p<\infty$ для него доказываются $L^p$-неравенства со
степенными и кусочно-степенными весами.
Библиография: 20 названий.
Effects of a Dementia Special Care Unit on the Changes in Physical Function, Cognitive Function, and Problematic Behaviors among Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Shin Il-Ho , Song Hyunjong
Published: February 2023

Background: This study compared changes in physical function, cognitive function, and problematic behaviors among nursing home residents with dementia between the dementia specialized care and general units.Methods: To assess the effects of a dementia specialized care unit (D-SCU), this study applied the difference-in-differences method. While the D-SCU was introduced in July 2016, the service was provided in January 2017. We defined the pre-intervention period as July 2015 to December 2016 and the post-intervention period as January 2017 to September 2018. We matched long-term care (LTC) insurance beneficiaries using the propensity score matching method to minimize selection bias. After this matching, two new groups were obtained, each with 284 beneficiaries. To characterize the actual effects of the D-SCU on physical function, cognitive function, and problematic behaviors among dementia beneficiaries, we conducted a multiple regression analysis that controlled for demographics, LTC need, and LTC benefit utilization.Results: The physical function score significantly increased according to the time effect, and the interaction term between time and the use of D-SCU was significant. Therefore, the activities of daily living (ADL) score of the control group increased by 5.01 points more than that in the group of beneficiaries using the D-SCU (p<0.001). However, the interaction term had no significant effect on cognitive function or problematic behavior.Conclusion: These results revealed the partial effect of the D-SCU on LTC insurance. Further research is required that considers the variables of service providers.
Evaluating the use of the respiratory-rate oxygenation index as a predictor of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen failure in COVID-19
Authors: Weerasuriya Scott , Vlachos Savvas , Bobo Ahmed , Jayaprabhu Namitha Birur , Matthews Lauren , Blackstock Adam R , Metaxa Victoria
Published: February 2023

Background: It can be challenging for clinicians to predict which patients with respiratory failure secondary to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will fail on high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen and require escalation of therapy. This study set out to evaluate the association between the respiratory rate-oxygenation index (ROX) and HFNC failure in such patients and to assess whether ROX trajectory correlates with treatment failure.Methods: This was a single-centre, retrospective, observational study of patients with COVID-19 requiring HFNC, conducted over a 3-month period. ROX was calculated as “pulse-oximetry oxygen saturation (SpO2) over the fractional inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2)/respiratory rate” for each patient at 2, 4, and 12 hours from starting HFNC. HFNC failure was defined as escalation to continuous positive airway pressure ventilation or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Time-to-event analyses were performed to account for the longitudinal data set and time-dependent variables.Results: We included 146 patients. Ninety-three (63.7%) experienced HFNC failure, with 53 (36.3%) requiring IMV. Higher ROX values were associated with a lower subhazard of HFNC failure on time-to-HFNC failure analysis (subhazard ratio, 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18–0.46; P<0.001). This remained true after controlling for informative censoring. Median ROX values changed differentially over time, increasing in the HFNC success group (0.06 per hour; 95% CI, 0.05–0.08; P<0.001) but not in the HFNC failure group (0.004 per hour; 95% CI, –0.05 to 0.08; P=0.890).Conclusions: A higher ROX is associated with a lower risk of HFNC failure. Monitoring ROX trajectory over time may help identify patients at risk of treatment failure. This has potential clinical applications; however, future prospective studies are required.
Case Report: Reemerging Paragonimiasis in Umphang District, Thailand
Authors: Hanprom Jiranat , Lapphra Keswadee , Tontiwattanasap Worawit , Papwijitsil Ratchadaporn , Copeland Katherine , Chokephaibulkit Kulkanya
Published: February 2023

Paragonimiasis is a food-born zoonotic parasitosis caused by Paragonimus spp. Six cases of reemerging paragonimiasis within the Karan hill-tribe near the Thai–Myanmar border were evaluated to review clinical manifestations, predisposing factors, and treatment regimens. All patients tested positive for paragonimiasis eggs and presented with an array of symptoms, including chronic cough, hemoptysis, peripheral eosinophilia, and thoracic radiograph abnormalities. All fully recovered after a 2- to 5-day course of 75 to 80 mg/kg/day praziquantel. We conclude that paragonimiasis should be considered during differential diagnoses to promote early treatment and to prevent misdiagnosis of reemerging or sporadic cases. This applies particularly to endemic regions and high-risk groups known to habitually consume raw or undercooked intermediate or paratenic hosts.
Influence of Contractor Selection Criteria on Critical Success Factors of Public Project Delivery in Abuja
Authors: Adejoh A. A , Asebiomo M. M , Ogunbode E. B , Oyewobi L. O , Sani M. A , Isa R. B , Jimoh R. A
Published: February 2023

There are so many contractors that are not technically and managerially competent. This makes contractor selection processes an onerous task to be performed by the client. Yet, without a proper and accurate method for selecting the most appropriate contractor, the performance of the project will be affected denying clients value for money. Therefore, the study assessed the Influence of contractor selection criteria on critical success factor of public project delivery in Abuja, Nigeria using self-administered structured questionnaires to construction professionals. It was discovered that experience, financial capability, and technical capability are widely considered criteria in the selection process while all the critical success factors for project delivery are very much crucial and that procurement related factors, project stakeholders’ related factors, and daily site factors are essential factors to effective project delivery. The study concluded that there exists a significant relationship between the factors considered in selection of contractors and the criteria success factors. Based on the relati0nship between selection criteria and success factors, there is the need to adopt the selection criteria for each individual project based on project characteristics, client characteristics and external environment for effective project delivery. It is necessary to make good assessment of the technical capacity and experience of the contractors when considering the costfactor for project delivery.
Influence of Recovery Efforts on Solid Waste Management Practices in Nigeria: A Review
Authors: Moro Otuawe
Published: February 2023

The predominance of unwanted materials lying fallow in the environment, and the availability of information on waste management, offer the opportunity to explore the use of these resources as sources of recovered material. Regulatory drivers aim to harmonise the recovery potentials of wastes, thereby reducing the volumes sent to landfill. In this vein, this paper investigates the emissions from municipal solid wastes, which can lead to major environmental impacts. This study assessed the influence of recovery efforts on solid waste management practices in Nigeria. This was done by examining available literature chronicling pollution from unregulated dumpsites which can bioaccumulate in the environment, causing climatic impacts. It was discovered that emissions from waste can impact soil, water, and air, thus contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Many developed countries have recorded significant improvement in adopting treatment facilities that can enable them to meet up sustainable development goals. However, developing countries still need assistance in developing a sustainable waste management programme that can help change their lifestyle, thus improving the management of the waste they produce. It becomes imperative that making the right choices can change the consumption pattern, thus, reducing the influx of pollutants whilst fostering a clean environment. Thus, a high-level recovery of resources can secure a sustainable future and a healthy environment.
Organisational Characteristics as a Catalyst for Effective Performance of Nigerian Construction Organisations
Authors: Okigbo O. N , Saidu I , Ola-Awo W. A , Adamu A. D
Published: February 2023

Organisational characteristics are distinctive features of an organisation that enable it to perform its statutory roles. It has a lot of influences on organisational performance but less study has indicated the role it plays in improving the performances of organisations. This study appraised different types of organisation characteristics in the Nigerian construction industry and their roles in improving the performances of organisations. In achieving the aim of the study 366 questionnaires were distributed purposefully to management members of construction organisations practising in Abuja who are members of the federation of the construction industry (FOCI). 310 of the questionnaires that were distributed were retrieved, this represented an 82% of response rate. A hypothesis was formulated and tested using multiple regression analysis. Each type of the characteristic form a model equation, the p-values of all the models were 0.000 and The model's result showed that management style, decision making style, organisational culture, organisation effectiveness, organisation efficiency, behaviour and structure have a predictive value of 26%, 45% 20%, 34%. 14%, 54%, and 44% respectively, indicated that all types of characteristics used in the study significantly affect organisational performance. Putting special attention on them by the management of the organisation will significantly improve its performance. The study recommended that organisations in the Nigerian construction industry pay more attention to the identified types of organisational characteristics in order to achieve effective performance.
Drama-in-Education, Multimedia Technology and Childhood Language Curriculum: The University Staff School (USS) Benin City, Edo State Experience
Authors: Idogho Joseph Agofure , Olubodun Oladipo Adeyeye.
Published: February 2023

The continuous evolutions in information and communication technologies (ICTs) fields and the quest for educators to improve service delivery have opened new channels and opportunities to enhance teaching and educational methods. On one hand, these may improve the abilities of educators to present information in interactive and mediaenhanced formats, relative to traditional methods. This may help pupils or learners by offering them the information in channels and methods that can be easier to understand, deal with and retrieve. On the other hand, offering those alternative methods can be helpful, particularly for children and pupils in rural areas where they can have virtual or remote instructors. This article investigated the impact of utilizing multimedia technologies on enhancing, or not, the effectiveness of teaching pupils at early stages in the University Staff School (USS) in Benin City (using Primary V class arms). The study is anchored in the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning that upholds three main assumptions: there are two separate channels (auditory and visual) for processing information; there is limited channel capacity; and that learning is an active process of filtering, selecting, organizing, and integrating information. The Brainwave Video Anthology – a collection of English language packed with English alphabets, words and sound ‘pronunciation’ was retrieved from YouTube to test students’ ability to understand English letters, words and pronunciation “language skills.” Two groups were selected from the school; based on their class distribution, where one group was taught the subject in basic English using the multimedia technology (YouTube video) developed for this purpose and the second class was taught the same subject using traditional methods of teaching (i.e., direct pupils-to-child instruction, board, etc.). Results showed that in teaching language skills at this age, using programmes or multimedia-enhanced methods of teaching can be effective in getting pupils’ attention, especially when cartoon characters are used. Hence, the study recommended the introduction and use of multimedia alongside the already existing dramain- education (D-I-E) in the early childhood curriculum in Nigerian schools.
Les Causes de L’indélité des Femmes dans L’heptaméron
Authors: Mamman Musa Adamu
Published: February 2023

Entertainment is the inherent function of the novella (short stories), and historical facts are the inherent material of the novella. It is influenced by a narrative tradition that dates back to the fabliau and it is also influenced by the didactic moralism of the Exemplum. Besides entertainment, Marguerite de Navarre's L’Heptaméron presents a picture of the crisis in social morality, in spite of the fact that Christian morality was anchored in French society in the sixteenth century. The main thing is to appreciate the lessons learned from the frequent cases of rape, from the evil acts exposed by the author of L’Heptaméron.
Is the African Cinema Definition ‘Real’ or ‘Idealistic’
Authors: Kuntoh Sarah
Published: February 2023

To a large extent, the world seems to have seen more films from the West than from anywhere else. In sub-Saharan Africa for example, it was not until the early 1960s that the Africans had the opportunity to stand behind the lens to tell their own story. Unlike the cinema of the West, ‘African cinema’ was borne more out of the resistance to its representation by the West. From Ousmane Sembene’s time till now, other filmmakers from Anglophone as well as Lusophone countries have made different films on different subjects about nation and culture. But in many scholarly writings, for several years, these national cinemas are not seen as such but are bundled up under the rubric of African cinema. Who defines African cinema, can we look at its constituents as national cinemas? Is the definition known before evolving? Are the films made in contemporary times in cosmopolitan settings losing their ‘Africanness’? Does the term African cinema possess colonial undertones? This article seeks to trace the beginnings of African cinema and its evolution and find out how the cinemas in sub-Saharan Africa especially kowtowing to the pigeonhole of the idealism of how the West defines it, or whether gradually the emerging stories from different nations are making the world rethink films from Africa in a different or ‘real’ way. The paper further considers the progress of filmmaking in Anglophone Africa, with a particular reference to Ghana and how this art wrapped in culture and ideology has defined itself over the years. The study adopts analytical and historicocritical methods.
Concurrent Use of Traditional and Orthodox Modes of Healthcare Services among Out-Patient Nursing Mothers in Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Nwaobilor Stephen Ogbonna , Aluko-Arowolo Sola
Published: February 2023

Every society makes provisions for the health care delivery system for its members, this is intending to provide medical and related services for the maintenance of good health, particularly through the prevention and treatment of diseases. This is in recognition of the pervasive importance of good health upon which life is contingent. Despite the development of more researched and formulated orthodox medicines, herbal medicines continue to be well patronized by persons across the world with some patrons concurrently using both forms, oblivious of the unwelcome effects that may occur. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. For the study, a quantitative approach was used in analyzing the data collected, the population of the study were females between the ages 15-49 with a total of 1081 nursing mothers in Ikenne Local Government Area (LGA), Ogun Nigeria. Sample size determination calculation by Cochran was used to determine the sample size of 190. A multi-stage random sampling, purposive sampling and accidental sampling technique were used to select the respondents. The study revealed that all the social and demographic characteristics of respondents except community had a significant association with respondents’ concurrent usage of herbal and orthodox medicines. It was also observed that 2 in every 10 nursing mothers uses both orthodox and herbal drugs concurrently on their children. The study concluded that 11.05% of respondents concurrently used herbal and orthodox medicines for infant health problems.
Mental Health Promotion for Internally Displaced Persons Using Drama Therapy in Makurdi Area, North Central Nigeria
Authors: Igbaba Sunday Ogbu
Published: February 2023

Trends in contemporary global arts practice have shown that experts in the field of mental health have long tapped into visual arts and music to help treat developmental disabilities and several other mental issues, including depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, as well as schizophrenia and bipolar spectrum. Today, therapists are finding great benefit from another art form; drama.” However, the paradox in Nigeria, especially in the northern part is that drama technique as a psychotherapeutic practice does not exist in the protocol of mental health facilities. In retrospect, it is obvious that the poor status of mental health care in northern Nigeria is due mainly to lack of facilities, un-affordability and inaccessibility to health facilities. Against this backdrop of increasing mental health issues, especially post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD); resulting from insurgency attacks, communal clashes, herdsmen carnage, road accident and flood, which have given rise to various internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps vis-à-vis their psychological implication in the north. The need for the availability of drama therapy technique becomes highly imperative for affordable, accessible and effective mental healthcare promotion. The paper discusses the concept and practice of drama and theatre therapy techniques, and how they can be applied in psychotherapeutic sessions both at individual and group therapy levels. The improvisational approach which keys into various expressive art techniques shall be utilized. The approach is used to create believable characters out of IDPs themselves, through storytelling, songs, music, dance, etc., to enable them to get emotionally involved to establish a recall of the experience that brought about their disadvantaged psychological condition. This leads to clinical discussions that will facilitate the way forward in making individual and collective choices and decisions that will bring about not just mental health, but holistic well-being.
Theatre Designs for Counter-Terrorism: Performances of Ojo Bakare’s Drums of War as Paradigm
Authors: Asuquo Nsikan Bassey
Published: February 2023

The fight against terrorism has been unabated because as military forces kill members of terrorists groups, the terrorists are recruiting new members. So, there is a need to imbue in every society's psyche, a strong revulsion to be conscripted for terrorism. This study, therefore, uses Drums of War performances which were staged at different times of groups and communal hostilities with a glaring atmosphere of imminent bloodbaths in Nigeria, as paradigms with which to investigate the potential of theatre designs (in rousing the stark horrors of war/violence) as a psychological strategy for engineering in a people, a mindset that eschews violence or terror against fellow mankind. This study adopts a qualitative research methodology (which includes: participatory observation, focus group discussions with members of the audience community and interviews with the playwright and play director) for primary data gathering; while secondary data are gathered from journals and other library materials. This study anchors its argument on the Hypodermic Needle Theory and submits that: if every society (especially ones that are easy targets for terrorist recruitment) is strategically and effectively saturated with dramas that arouse an anti-terrorist vibe, the people (who are potential recruits for terrorist’s acts) would be indoctrinated against becoming willing conscripts into terrorism; hence, a dwindling in the manpower for the continuous proliferation of terrorism.
Multi-Linguistic Interferences in the Articulation of English Fricatives among Selected Students in a Public University in Lokoja, Nigeria
Authors: Nsairun Theodore Shey
Published: February 2023

In the quest to solve human communication problems, the need to learn a foreign language arises, and this usually occurs in a multilingual setting. In the process of this learning, some challenges occur, especially the phonological phenomenon of interference. Given this challenge, the paper contributes to scholarly works on language learning by exploring the articulation of English fricatives by selected [ethnic] students of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Lokoja, Nigeria. The researchers carefully selected some participants from the Ebira, Igala and Okun-Yoruba ethnic groups, which form the majority of ethnicities in the university community. A total of 60 students were selected for this study; 20 each from the 3 major ethnic groups in FUL. The major instrument used for this research is the Read Aloud Method, containing nine carefully structured sentences each containing a target English fricative sound. The selected test items were read aloud by the participants and subjected to both perceptual and acoustic analyses. The acoustic analysis was done using the speech analyzer PRAAT. Audio-Articulation Model developed by Mehmet Demirezen was used as the framework for this study. The study reveals that there is a dominant influence from the mother tongue of the participants as they were unable to properly articulate some fricatives in some cases. Also, the study found that there is an overlapping peculiar to the different speakers representing each ethnic group. It can be concluded that since ethnic groups have their distinct languages, it is a factor in the inability of speakers to properly produce fricative sounds. This absence of the fricatives in the L1 shows up in the production of the L2.
Integrated community case management of childhood illnesses; impact on training of community health workers in Vandeikya, North-East Zone of Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Abua Uya John , Igbudu Terhemen Joseph , Egwuda Livinus , Awua David , Enokela Pius
Published: February 2023

Community health workers appropriately trained on Integrated Community Case Management (ICCM) of childhood illnesses can correctly treat children below 5 years who have pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria. In Benue State, Nigeria, primary healthcare workers care for most children at community level, as such they need to be trained on ICCM. The objective of this study was to find out if training of primary healthcare workers in Vandeikya, North-East Zone of Benue State can improve their knowledge on ICCM. In Benue North-East, Vandeikya Local Government Area (LGA) was randomly selected out of seven LGAs. Health Officers’ in-charge of 30 Primary HealthCare Clinics were selected and trained based on our adapted ICCM training manual. The Pre- and Post-training assessment test for this study was designed based on the training manual. Paired sample t-test was conducted to find out if there was any significant difference in the knowledge of primary health care workers before and after receiving training. There was statistical difference in pre-training scores (X = 142.100, S1 = 25.925) and post-training scores (X =177.600, S2 =13.587) at (t=6.643, P=0.000). This result strongly indicated that the teaching intervention has improved the knowledge of the Primary Health Care workers on ICCM in Vandeikya LGA.
Prevalence and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Proteus Species Isolated from Clinical Specimens from Selected Hospitals in Jigawa State, North-West Nigeria.
Authors: Obadire S.O. , Mitsan O. , Ige I.P. , Ugbomoiko D. , Odewusi O.O. , Oke O.C.
Published: February 2023

Proteus is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the family of Enterobactericeae. Antibiotic resistance of bacteria is commonly seen in daily medical practice with multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria posing the greatest threat to human health. To determine the prevalence of Proteus species isolated from clinical samples and antibiotics sensitivity pattern from selected hospitals in Jigawa state, Nigeria. The study was carried out on all Proteus organisms isolated from clinical samples from selected hospitals in Jigawa State. The clinical samples were aseptically collected and inoculated on plates of Blood agar, and MacConkey agar (Oxoid Cambridge, UK) and incubated at 370C for 24 hours. Suspected Proteus colonies were identified through biochemical tests according to Barrow and Felthan. Modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used to test the susceptibility of the Proteus isolates to nine different antimicrobial agents. The diameter of zone of growth-inhibition was observed, measured and recorded sensitive (S) or resistance (R) according to CLSI, 2012. It was found that 191 isolates were identified as Proteus species representing 10.3% encountered were susceptible to Imipenem (100%). The prevalence of Proteus species is on the increase in Jigawa state and by extension North-west Nigeria. Prudent use of antimicrobial agents is advocated in order to tame the trend.
Pinellia polysaccharide activates PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and regulates the expression of airway smooth muscle related apoptosis molecules in airway remodeling in rats with cough variant asthma
Authors: He Pingping , Yang Rui
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Pinellia polysaccharide on airway remodeling in cough-variant asthmatic rats, and the involvement of PI3K/AKT signal route in the process.

Methods: Seventy-five Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were assigned to 5 groups: blank control, model, low-dose Pinellia polysaccharide (100 mg/kg), medium-dose Pinellia polysaccharide (200 mg/kg) and high-dose Pinellia polysaccharide (400 mg/kg) groups, each with 15 rats. Immunoblot assay was employed to measure relative protein concentrations of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), phosphorylated phosphoinositide-3-kinase (p-PI3K), MMP-9, B lymphocytes expression of cell tumor-2, B-lymphoma-2 gene-related promoter (Bad), Fas, and Caspase-3.

Results: The levels of Wat, Wam, Wai, p-AKT, p-PI3K, MMP-9 and bcl-2 in model group were significantly higher than those in blank control group (p < 0.05). However, these factors were significantly up-regulated, relative to blank control levels, but lower than those in the model group (p < 0.05). The levels of Bad, Fas and Caspase3 in the model group were significantly lower than the corresponding levels in the blank control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, levels of Bad, Fas and Caspase3 differed significantly amongst rats given the 3 doses of Pinellia polysaccharide (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Pinellia polysaccharide mitigates cough-variant asthma in rats through stimulation of PI3K/AKT signal route, regulation of expressions of airway smooth muscle-related apoptotic molecules (Bad, Fas and Caspase-3), and slowing down airway remodeling and airway inflammation. Thus, this polysaccharide is a potential agent for the management of cough variant asthma.
Marsilea crenata extract modulates SOD1 expression in male rat testes via Nrf2 pathway
Authors: Rahayu Sri , Luthfiana Nana , Prasetyawan Sasangka , Anzila Ivakhul
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To investigate the potential effect of M. crenata ethanol extract as source of antioxidants through SOD1 and Nrf2 expression levels in rat testes.

Methods: Phytochemical analysis of M. crenata was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while antioxidant activity was determined by 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH radical) assay. This study used 24 male rats (n = 6), divided into 4 groups: control (normal rat without any treatment); PS1, PS2, and PS3 (normal rat which orally received ethanol extract of M. crenata leaves at a dose of 43.2, 86.4, and 129.6 mg/200 g body weight for 30 days, respectively). The expression levels of Nrf2 and SOD1 were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results: Quercetin and genistein were found in ethanol extract of M. crenata leaves with retention times of 8.812 and 22.309 min, respectively. M. crenata leaves extract was categorized as a strong antioxidant (IC50: 33.68 ppm). There was an increase in Nrf2 expression in rat testis in PS1 group. An upregulation of SOD1 expression was found in PS2 group.

Conclusion: M. crenata extract is a rich natural source of antioxidants and phytoestrogen and thus may be useful in the management of testicular dysfunctions. More studies will be required to firmly establish this finding.
Curcumin inhibits expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus of mice with sleep deprivation
Authors: Ruan Sha-sha , He Pei-cheng , Cao Qin-qin , Ma Tao
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To determine the inhibitory effect of curcumin on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus of mice with sleep deprivation.

Methods: Expressions of BDNF and miRNA-206 were evaluated using quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in a sleep-deprived mouse model. Interaction of BDNF and miRNA-206 was assessed by dual luciferase and qPCR) assays. The effect of curcumin on BDNF and miRNA-206 was also determined by qRT-PCR.

Results: Expressions of BDNF and miRNA-206 were significantly suppressed in hippocampus of mice in sleep deprivation group compared with control mice (p < 0.05). Treatment with miRNA-206 significantly suppressed the luciferase activity of wild type (WT) BDNF reporter gene vector (p < 0.05) rather than the mutated (mut) vectors. Inhibition of miRNA-206 upregulated RNA and protein levels of BDNF (p < 0.05), while curcumin treatment inhibited BDNF expression (p < 0.01) and upregulated miRNA-206 level (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Curcumin inhibits BDNF expression by upregulating miRNA-206 level in hippocampus tissues of mice in the sleep deprivation model. The relationship between BDNF and miRNA-206 might provide a new direction for the development of new therapeutics for sleep deprivation.
Effect of methanol aqueous extract of Satureja montana and two of its bioactive components on memory in rats
Authors: Vilmosh Natalia B , Delev Delyan P , Kostadinov I Ilia D , Zlatanova Hristina I , Georgieva-Kotetarova Maria T , Kandilarov Ilin K , Kostadinova Ivanka I
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Satureja montana Lamiaceae extract on cognition in rats.

Methods: A total of 128 male, 8-week-old Wistar rats were used in this study. The rats were randomly and equally assigned to 16 groups (n = 8), which were orally given either saline and olive oil (two negative and two positive controls), S. montana Lamiaceae (250 and 500 mg/kg), RA (15 mg/kg), or carvacrol (500 mg/kg). For each experimental model, acute cold stress and chronic unpredictable mild stress models were used to induce memory impairment in rats. A new object recognition test was used to investigate cognition.

Results: Acute stress did not produce a significant impact on cognition (p > 0.05). However, S. montana at a dose of 500 mg/kg significantly increased the discrimination index, relative to positive control rats (p = 0.001), while the lower dose of dry extract and RA had significant impacts only on time spent on new object investigation (p = 0.025 and p = 0.014, respectively). Chronic stress significantly reduced the duration of new object investigation but not the discrimination index (p = 0.037 and p = 0.009). Both doses of Satureja montana and RA increased levels of all studied parameters when compared to positive saline group, as well as novel object recognition when compared to RA and carvacrol (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Satureja montana and RA (but not carvacrol) have moderate effects on cognition abilities in rat models of acute and chronic stress. More research is required to establish the specific biochemical processes through which S. montana and RA affect memory.
Effect of combined use of sodium hyaluronate and rhEGF on xerophthalmia in the elderly after cataract surgery
Authors: Chen Xiaoxi , Yang Lixia , Han Jin , He Yan
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To determine the effect of combined use of sodium hyaluronate and recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) on xerophthalmia in elderly patients after cataract surgery, as well as levels of serum inflammatory factors.

Methods: A total of 84 elderly patients diagnosed with xerophthalmia after phacoemulsification were retrospectively studied. The patients comprised two groups: control group consisting of 40 patients given basic therapy using anti-inflammatory drugs and sodium hyaluronate eye drops (1 drop 3 times a day), and combination group (n = 44) who additionally received rhEGF. The expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in tears were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After 4 weeks of treatment, clinical efficacy was assessed.

Results: There was significantly higher clinical efficacy in the combination group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The values of tear break-up time (BUT) and Schirmer test (Sit) in both groups increased significantly with time, while fluorescein corneal staining (FL), symptom score, and expression levels of IL-6, hs-CRP and TNF-α significantly decreased (p < 0.05). At 2 weeks and 4 weeks of therapy, the combination group had higher values of BUT and Sit than the control group (p < 0.01). However, FL value, symptom score, and levels of IL-6, hs-CRP and TNF-α were significantly lower in the combination group than in the control group (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Sodium hyaluronate, in combination with rhEGF, improves treatment efficacy in elderly xerophthalmia patients after operation, reduces inflammatory reactions, and enhances disease alleviation. However, a multi-center prospective study will be required to validate the findings of this study.
Co administration of oxiracetam and monosialotetrahexosylganglioside for the treatment of patients with craniocerebral injury, and their effect on serum S100 proteins and neuron specific enolase
Authors: Guo Yuzhen , Wang Xiaozhen , Lian Lifeng , Pan Sufei
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of oxiracetam plus monosialotetrahexosylganglioside (GM1) in the treatment of craniocerebral injury, and its effect on serum S100 proteins and neuron-specific enolase (NSE).

Methods: A total of eighty patients with severe craniocerebral injury admitted to Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital between January 2020 and December 2021 were selected for the study, and assigned 1:1 to control group (GM1 only, 2 mL daily through intravenous drip) and study group (GM1, 2 mL daily through intravenous drip, in combination with oxiracetam, and 4 g dissolved in 100ml of saline daily through intravenous drip). The treatment duration was two months.

Results: Baseline patient characteristics were comparable between the two groups (p > 0.05). GM1 plus oxiracetam produced better restoration of cranial functions of patients after craniocerebral injury when compared with GM1 alone, as evidenced by the significantly lower S100 proteins and NSE levels of the study group than the corresponding parameters of the control group after 1, 2, 3, and 7 days of treatment (p < 0.05). More significant mitigation of inflammatory reactions was observed in patients co-administered GM1 and oxiracetam than in those who received GM1 only, as shown by the lower serum concentrations of inflammatory factors {(c-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and neuropeptide Y (NPY)} in the study group as compared with the control group (p < 0.05). A few patients experienced minor adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea and vomiting, dizziness and headache, and rash during treatment (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Co-administration of oxiracetam and GM1 is a viable strategy for the treatment of patients with craniocerebral injury, as it significantly lowers the levels of serum S100 proteins and NSE, mitigates inflammatory reactions, and ameliorates cerebral hemodynamics in patients. The combined therapy also has a good safety profile.
Effects of combination treatment with theophylline sustained release tablets and thymalfasin on pulmonary function, immunity, and inflammation in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory failure
Authors: Liu Yu , Zhang Chunhui , Chen Xiulan
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To investigate the effect of combined administration of theophylline sustained-release tablets and thymalfasin on pulmonary function, immunity, and inflammation in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory failure.

Methods: A total of 122 elderly patients in Fujian Geriatric Hospital, Fuzhou, China who suffered from acute attack of COPD with respiratory failure from January 2019 - January 2020 were selected for this study. The patients were divided randomly and evenly into study and control groups. Theophylline sustained-release tablets were administered to subjects in the control group, while theophylline sustained-release tablets and thymalfasin were administered to subjects in the study group. Pulmonary function indicators, viz, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC), blood gas indicators (PaCO2, PaO2, and SaO2), inflammatory factors (sICAM-1, PGE2, and hs-CRP), immune cells (Th17, Treg, and Th17/Treg), as well as exercise ability (the 6 min walking distance test) were evaluated for each group. Adverse reactions were also assessed.

Results: There were no significant differences in pulmonary function, blood gas, inflammation, immunity, and exercise ability between the two groups before treatment (p < 0.01). However, all parameters improved significantly for both groups after treatment, with better outcomes for all parameters in the study group. A proportion of (14.75 %) patients in the study group showed adverse events, while 13.11 % of the patients in the control group exhibited adverse effects, meaning that the study group had a slightly but not significantly higher rate of adverse events.

Conclusion: The combined administration of theophylline sustained-release tablets and thymalfasin reduces inflammation and improves physical immunity, leading to enhancement of blood gas and pulmonary function in elderly patients with COPD and respiratory failure. However, further clinical trials are required prior to application of this combination therapy in clinical practice.
Effect of intraspinal dexamethasone on intrapartum fever, and maternal and infant outcomes
Authors: Zhang Ran , Xu Min , Dai Junxia
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To study the effect of intraspinal injection of dexamethasone (DXMS) on intrapartum fever and maternal and infant outcomes.

Methods: A total of 200 puerperal women who gave birth in The Fourth Hospital of Shi Jia Zhuang from May 2020 to September 2021 were randomly selected and randomly divided into two groups: routine group (control group) and study group, with 100 women in each group. The routine group received epidural block anesthesia. In addition to the treatment given to the routine group, mothers in the study group were injected with 5 mg of dexamethasone in the spinal canal through an epidural catheter. Pain, fever, as well as maternal and infant outcomes were evaluated.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the degree of pain between the two groups, before and 1 h after anesthesia (p > 0.05). However, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at the end of the first and second stage of labor were significantly lower in the study group (1.76 ± 0.56 and 3.41 ± 0.39, respectively) than in the control group (4.73 ± 0.48 and 6.11 ± 0.63, respectively; p < 0.05). In the control group, 23 puerperal women (23 %) had body temperature ≥ 37.5 oC but < 38 oC, while 19 puerperal women (19 %) had body temperature ≥ 38 oC. There was no statistically significant difference in Apgar scores between the two groups at 1 min and 5 min after delivery (p > 0.05). In the control group, there were 9 (9 %) cases of headache, 5 (5 %) cases of prolonged labor, and 7 (7 %) cases of weak contractions, while the corresponding numbers in the study group were 2 (2 %), 0 (0 %) and 1 (1 %), respectively.

Conclusion: The use of intrathecal dexamethasone in women reduced maternal pain and likelihood of fever during labor, with no significant effect on the newborn.
MicroRNA 744 induces apoptosis and autophagy in human gastric cancer by targeting heparanase-1
Authors: Zhao Dan , Xie Xiaohong , Tan Qin , Zhao Xin , Xing Dingpei
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To study the possible anti-cancer effects of miR-744 on human gastric cancer cells, and the underlying mechanism.

Methods: The mRNA expression of miR-744 was determined using qRT-PCR, while CCK-8, Annexin V/PI and acridine orange assays were used to determine cell viability, apoptosis and autophagy, respectively. The expressions of target proteins were determined using qRT-PCR and Immunoblotting.

Results: Significant suppressions of miR-744 were observed in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-744 inhibited the proliferation while silencing of miR-744 promoted the proliferation of gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, the tumor-suppressive effect of miR-744 in gastric cancer was due to induction of apoptosis and autophagy. Heparanase-1 (HPSE-1) was identified as the target of miR-744. Silencing of HSPE-1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, whereas its overexpression significantly restored the growth-inhibitory effects of miR-744 overexpression on gastric cancer (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: These results indicate that miR-744 exerts a tumor-suppressive effect on the growth and proliferation of gastric cancer cells in vitro by targeting HPSE-1. There is need to further determine the anti-cancer effect of miR-744 expression in animal models.
Avenarius, Richard (1843–96)
Authors: Russo Krauss Chiara
Published: February 2023

The German philosopher Richard Avenarius was the founder of ‘empiriocriticism’, a school that aimed at establishing a scientific and purely empirical philosophy. Avenarius’ idea of an energy-saving principle regulating knowledge, and his refusal of the distinction between a psychical inner world and a physical outer world were shared by Ernst Mach, thus the term empiriocriticism was later used to indicate them both. Avenarius elaborated a theory of knowledge based on the advances of physiological and experimental psychology. He was a key figure in the nineteenth-century German debate about the relationship between philosophy and psychology. Even though Avenarius had a great influence on thinkers such as Husserl, Schlick, William James, and others, due to the difficulty of his writings his philosophy is now poorly studied and little known.
Repugnant Conclusion
Authors: Ryberg Jesper
Published: February 2023

Over the past four decades philosophical attention has been directed to the ethical questions that arise when one’s actions will affect the identity or number of people that will come into existence. This consideration has become known as population ethics. A pivotal point in the discussion of population ethical issues is the Repugnant Conclusion which, in Derek Parfit’s original formulation, states: ‘For any possible population of at least ten billion people, all with a very high quality of life, there must be some much larger imaginable population whose existence, if other things are equal, would be better even though its members have lives that are barely worth living’ (Parfit 1984: 388). The cardinal philosophical task has been to provide answers to population ethical questions without being forced to accept the Repugnant Conclusion. Various attempts at meeting this challenge have been developed.