bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laser therapy low intensity in wound care and practice nurses / Laserterapia de baixa intensidade no tratamento de feridas e a atuação da enfermagem / Terapia de láser de baja intensidad en el tratamiento de heridas..
Authors: Lima Nadja Erlanda Pires , Gomes Gabriella De Moura , Feitosa Ankilma Do Nascimento Andrade , Bezerra André Luiz Dantas , Sousa Milena Nunes Alves de
Published: June 2018

Objetivo: identificar os benefícios da laserterapia no tratamento de feridas e a atuação da enfermagem neste processo. Metodologia: revisão Integrativa da Literatura. A partir das questões << Quais os benefícios do laser de baixa intensidade no tratamento de feridas? Qual a atuação da enfermagem neste processo? >>, a amostra foi composta por 12 (doze) artigos científicos. O levantamento bibliográfico foi realizado na Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde. Foram artigos publicados em português, inglês e espanhol, na íntegra nas bases de dados, no período entre 2008 a 2016. Resultados: são evidentes os benefícios da Terapia com Luz de Baixa Intensidade nas feridas, já na primeira sessão com a analgesia, anti-inflamatório e cicatrização. O profissional habilitado realiza a avaliação, desenvolve o plano de cuidados pautado no processo de enfermagem e exerce sua autonomia nesse tipo de tratamento. Conclusão: a literatura mostra os vários benefícios do uso da lasertarapia nas lesões cutâneas agindo de forma intrínseca e extrínseca e a enfermagem é uma profissão capaz de aplicar o recurso terapêutico, desde que obtenha qualificação adequada. Descritores: Assistência de Enfermagem. Cicatrização de Feridas. Terapia com Luz de Baixa Intensidade.
SEKİZİNCİ YÜZYILDAN GÜNÜMÜZE TAKVİMLERİMİZ
Authors: TEZCAN AKSU Belgin
Published: June 2018

Zaman kavramı genel olarak gök cisimlerinin düzenli hareketinden
elde edildiği için çok eski çağlardan beri insanlar gökyüzü gözlemlerine önem
vermişlerdir. Zamanı ölçerken ölçü aracı olarak Ay’ı ve Güneş’i
kullanmışlardır. İnsanoğlunun taş üzerine kazılı Antium Takvimi ile
başlayıp miladi takvime kadar gelen bir takvim süreci vardır. Her medeniyet ay
veya güneş yılını esas alıp bir de kendine göre önemli saydığı bir tarihi
başlangıç noktası kabul ederek takvim sistemlerini çeşitlendirmiştir.

Türkler de her on iki yıla bir hayvanın adı verilerek
oluşturulan on iki hayvanlı Türk takvimi ile başlayıp sonrasında sırasıyla
hicri, Celâli, İlhanlı, Rumi, Takvim-i Garbi ve son olarak da miladi takvim
sistemlerini kullanmışlardır.

Bu yazıda Türklerin tarih boyunca kullandıkları takvim
sistemlerinin özellikleri anlatıldıktan sonra Türkler tarafından kullanılan cep
takvimleri, takvîm-i dâimîler, ruz-nameler, saatli maarif takvimleri, kurum ve
kuruluşlara özgü özel takvimlerle belli konuları işleyen özel amaçlı
takvimlerden söz edilecek, en sonunda da Anadolu’da resmî takvim dışında
kullanılan halk takviminin özellikleri anlatılacaktır.
THE ROLE OF AMBROSE BIERCE’S STORY TITLES IN THE FORMATION OF THE “FEAR” CONCEPT
Authors: Mikhaleva Elizaveta Sergeevna
Published: June 2018

The article analyzes Ambrose Bierce’s story titles as a unified system and identifies how this system in its poetical originality is interrelated with the peculiarities of the writer’s artistic world. The paper examines the typology of Bierce’s story titles participating in implementation of the “fear” concept, evoking the reader’s curiosity, motivating him for certain interpretation, which correlates with the author’s conception. After analyzing and systematizing the original titles, epigraphs and subtitles of the American writer’s stories the researcher concludes on the importance of tragic pathos and the author’s interest in horrible. It is shown that Bierce comes out as a psychological expert not only in transferring nuances of personages’ emotion of fear but also in creating the atmosphere of horror.
“WHAT FOR?” AND “WHY?”: PRAYER THEME IN SYMBOLIST POETRY (K. D. BALMONT AND A. I. TOKAEV)
Authors: Khetagurova Dzerassa Kazbekovna
Published: June 2018

The article examines two poems: “What for?” by the major representative of “senior symbolists” K. D. Balmont and “Why?” by the Ossetian symbolist poet of the beginning of the XX century A. I. Tokaev. The central theme of both poems is a prayer, an appeal to God. Tokaev’s poetical work is written under the immediate influence of Balmont’s poem but the theme is interpreted differently by the poets. The analysis identified the peculiarities of the lyrical heroes’ images (Balmont’s disillusioned decadent and Tokaev’s sufferer with a heart-angel) and the specificity of representing the prayer theme from the viewpoint of modern spirit: the turn of the XIX-XX centuries with Balmont and revolutionary years of the beginning of the XX century with Tokaev. For the first time in Russian and Ossetian literary criticism the author refers to the comparative analysis of the chosen poems.
DIALECT PECULIARITIES OF THE ADYGHE HEROIC EPOS “NARTY”
Authors: Bersirov Batyrbii Makhmudovich , Anchek Suret Khazretovna
Published: June 2018

Focusing on the fragments of the Adyghe epos “Narty” the paper provides the comparative analysis of the language of different areas with a view to identify dialect peculiarities of sub-dialects. The study is conducted using genre and stylistic, textological and descriptive methods. The authors conclude that sub-dialects are identified in all texts, and dialecticisms are represented here basically at the phonetic level: final vowels are usually reduced, cut off, some interconsonant vowels in the unstressed position drop, sonorous consonants devoice, voiceless consonants voice and supra-dialect phonetic processes cause the units of a certain linguistic level to transform into the units of another linguistic level.
PHONETIC AND PHONOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES OF ENGLISH VARIANTS IN “OUTER CIRCLE” COUNTRIES
Authors: Bodnar Svetlana Sergeevna , Yatsenko Galina Sergeevna
Published: June 2018

The article examines the basic phonetic peculiarities of English variants in “Outer Circle” countries according to B. Kachru’s sociolinguistic theory of “three concentric circles”. The paper provides the general characteristic of the West African, East African, Indian, Singapore, and Philippine variants of English at the phonetic and phonological level. The research findings allow the authors to conclude that new phonetic features in English variants just couldn’t be ignored taking into account the linguistic situation in the modern world. The growing amount of people, who express their culture by means of the English language using pronunciation models of their native language, contributes to changes in modern English phonetics.
ATLANTIS AS A UTOPIAN MODEL IN THE NOVEL “ATLAS SHRUGGED” BY AYN RAND
Authors: Grigorovskaya Anastasiya Vasil'evna
Published: June 2018

The article is devoted to the study of Atlantis as a utopian model in the novel “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand. The novelty of this topic is the lack of knowledge on Ayn Rand’s creativity in Russia. The objective of the paper is to trace the origins of the image of Atlantis in the work of the writer. To achieve this goal, the author refers to the texts of Plato “Critias” and “Timaeus”, Francis Bacon “New Atlantis” and David M. Parry “The Scarlet Empire”. As a result, the conclusion is drawn that it is an individual utopia, based on the American utopian model of individualism that is predominant in Ayn Rand’s novel.
AUSTRIAN ÉMIGRÉ LITERATURE OF 1933-1945 IN THE CONTEXT OF HISTORY OF WORLD LITERATURE OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE XX CENTURY
Authors: Gurbanova Shakhla Intigam gyzy
Published: June 2018

The article is devoted to studying Austrian émigré literature and the trace it left in the history of world literature of the second half of the XX century. Austrian émigré literature was characterized by political passiveness; among its typical features the author mentions the motive of nostalgia for the Habsburg Monarchy epoch and the changes of the contemporary novel discourse. The study focuses on comparing German and Austrian émigré literature and identifying the motive for its more remarkable success among Austria’s northern neighbors. Austrian émigré literature is represented by such outstanding writers as S. Zweig, F. Werfel, R. Musil, H. Broch, E. Canetti, P. Celan and other talented literary figures mentioned in the article.
THE “LITTLE MAN” OF DOSTOEVSKY AND LU XUN
Authors: Yin Lu , Svitenko Natal'ya Vyacheslavovna
Published: June 2018

The article reveals the peculiarities of the literary embodiment of the “little man’s” existence in Dostoevsky’s works and the mechanisms of the reception of this image by the Chinese prose writer. The transformation and literary interpretation of the “little man” image in Lu Xun’s works are conditioned by difference in religious and philosophical worldviews of the Russian writer and the Chinese writer. In this regard, the work analyzes specificity of individual-authorial interpretations of the image of Christ, the hero-bearer of “alienated” “solitary” consciousness and the ways to overcome alienation in Dostoevsky’s and Lu Xun’s prose.
Maternal and Perinatal Outcome of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy In a Tertiary Hospital of Kathmandu
Authors: Paudel Narayani , Shrestha Santoshi , Parajuli Puspa
Published: June 2018

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are considered to be a major worldwide health problem causing an increased risk of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Hypertensive disorders are the most common medical disorders encountered during pregnancy.Objective: This study aimed to assess the maternal and perinatal outcome of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.Methods: A hospital based prospective study was conducted in Obstetrics ward of Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital. Total one hundred pregnant women admitted in antenatal ward with the diagnosis of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was designed and data collection was done through one- to- one interview technique during the period of December 2015 to January 2017. The collected data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science version 20.Results: Among 100 hypertensive disorders; 80% respondents had gestational hypertension, 16% had preeclampsia and two percent had eclampsia. Of total, 52% respondents had normal vaginal delivery followed by 46% caesarian section. One respondent had ante-partum hemorrhage, 11% had post-partum hemorrhage and one had developed hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes low platelets counts syndrome. Fortunately, no maternal mortality was occurred. Regarding perinatal outcome, 17% babies were born preterm, 13% babies had low birth weight and seven percent babies had birth asphyxia. Total fi ve were stillbirths and one percent had early neonatal death.Conclusion: Maternal outcome was good except few morbidities but perinatal outcome was found to be adverse. Proper management of hypertensive disorders is required to reduce perinatal morbidities and mortalities.Journal of Kathmandu Medical College,Vol. 6, No. 4, Issue 22, Oct.-Dec., 2017, Page: 145-149
VALUES OF INFORMATION POLICY IN THE SPACE OF UKRAINE-EU (IN THE LIGHT OF PLOTIN, LEVINAS AND SYNCRETIC APPROACHES IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF ANCIENT KYIV)
Authors: Holovanova Natalia Viktorivna
Published: June 2018

Properties of modern media space as a superposition of the physical, informational and virtual worlds are specified. Different approaches to the concepts of “media space”, “being”, “otherness”, “context” in the postmodern era are generalized. The questions of European unity in the genesis, the main sources of integration in Europe, the causes of the problem of preserving European identity, dialogue and related topics of understanding and problems of European identity in the metamodern era are presented. The interpretation of these concepts of Plotinus, Levinas and the main features of the philosophy of the Kievan Rus is considered. The main treaties and sources of soft law of the Council of Europe in the information sphere and the values that they carry with their content are analyzed. The joint actions of Ukraine, the European Union and the Council of Europe on implementation of transparency of media ownership, broadcasting of territorial communities, public broadcasting, digital broadcasting, information security measures are considered. The content of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and Ukraine and the emphasis on the protection of human rights in the system of international law are analyzed. The need for flexible approaches and a review of public policy in all areas in the context of globalization are emphasized. The main regulatory mechanisms in European cyberspace are presented. Principles and the history of the development of broadcasting of territorial communities in Europe are mentioned. The priorities of the state policy in the informational sphere are emphasized. The problems of development of modern information policy of Ukraine are determined. Directions of improvement of the concept of modern European media space and information policy in the region are proposed.
Using GPS Technology to Understand Spatial and Temporal Activity of Kangaroos in a Peri-Urban Environment
Authors: Henderson Timothy , Vernes Karl , Körtner Gerhard , Rajaratnam Rajanathan
Published: June 2018

The increasing kangaroo occurrence in expanding peri-urban areas can be problematic when kangaroos become aggressive towards people and present a collision risk to motor vehicles. An improved understanding on kangaroo spatial and temporal activity patterns in the peri-urban environment is essential to manage kangaroo–human conflict. In this study, we used GPS telemetry to determine activity patterns of male Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) in a peri-urban community on the north-coast of New South Wales, Australia. Two types of GPS devices were employed; collars and cheaper alternative glue-on units. Kangaroos moved on average 2.39 km a day, with an average movement rate of 1.89 m/min, which was greatest at dawn. The GPS glue-on devices had short deployment lengths of one to 12 days. Despite limitations in attachment time, the glue-on devices were viable in obtaining daily spatial and temporal activity data. Our results aid towards alleviating conflict with kangaroos by providing new insights into kangaroo movements and activity within a peri-urban environment and introduces a potential cheap GPS alternative for obtaining this data relative to more expensive collars.
Coupled Node Similarity Learning for Community Detection in Attributed Networks
Authors: Meng Fanrong , Rui Xiaobin , Wang Zhixiao , Xing Yan , Cao Longbing
Published: June 2018

Attributed networks consist of not only a network structure but also node attributes. Most existing community detection algorithms only focus on network structures and ignore node attributes, which are also important. Although some algorithms using both node attributes and network structure information have been proposed in recent years, the complex hierarchical coupling relationships within and between attributes, nodes and network structure have not been considered. Such hierarchical couplings are driving factors in community formation. This paper introduces a novel coupled node similarity (CNS) to involve and learn attribute and structure couplings and compute the similarity within and between nodes with categorical attributes in a network. CNS learns and integrates the frequency-based intra-attribute coupled similarity within an attribute, the co-occurrence-based inter-attribute coupled similarity between attributes, and coupled attribute-to-structure similarity based on the homophily property. CNS is then used to generate the weights of edges and transfer a plain graph to a weighted graph. Clustering algorithms detect community structures that are topologically well-connected and semantically coherent on the weighted graphs. Extensive experiments verify the effectiveness of CNS-based community detection algorithms on several data sets by comparing with the state-of-the-art node similarity measures, whether they involve node attribute information and hierarchical interactions, and on various levels of network structure complexity.
Physiochemical and Electrical Properties of Refined, Bleached and Deodorized Palm Oil under High Temperature Ageing for Application in Transformers
Authors: Mohamad Nur Aqilah , Azis Norhafiz , Jasni Jasronita , Ab Kadir Mohd Zainal Abidin , Yunus Robiah , Yaakub Zaini
Published: June 2018

This paper presents a high temperature ageing study of refined, bleached, and deodorized palm oil (RBDPO) olein at 170 °C in the presence of air. In total, two types of RBDPO were examined. The physiochemical and dielectric properties of RBDPO were measured and analysed. We found that the moisture and viscosities for both RBDPO increased as the ageing progressed, whereas the acidities fluctuated at very low levels at less than 0.005 mg KOH/g. The ageing on the AC breakdown voltages of both RBDPO were not affected throughout the ageing processes. The dielectric dissipation factors and relative permittivities for both RBDPO increased as the resistivities decreased with the ageing time.
A Dual-Function Instantaneous Power Theory for Operation of Three-Level Neutral-Point-Clamped Inverter-Based Shunt Active Power Filter
Authors: Hoon Yap , Mohd Radzi Mohd Amran , Hassan Mohd Khair , Mailah Nashiren Farzilah
Published: June 2018

This paper proposes a simple yet effective reference current generation algorithm based on instantaneous power pq theory to enhance mitigation performance of a three-phase three-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) inverter-based shunt active power filter (SAPF). The proposed algorithm is developed for dual functionality: generate reference current and synchronization phase to effectively govern operation of SAPF in mitigating harmonic current and compensating reactive power. Three key modifications are implemented: (1) replacement of numerical low-pass filter (LPF) with an average power detector to improve mitigation performance; (2) removal of needless reactive element to reduce algorithm complexity; and (3) integration of phase tracking feature to eliminate the needs of phase-locked loop (PLL). Simulation work of SAPF with the proposed algorithm was conducted and assessed in MATLAB–Simulink. In addition, to verify feasibility of the proposed algorithm, a laboratory prototype as constructed with TMS320F28335 digital signal processor (DSP) programmed as the controller. Performance of SAPF achieved by utilizing the proposed algorithm was thoroughly investigated and benchmarked with that demonstrated using the existing pq theory algorithm to evaluate the inherent advantages. Simulation and experimental results are obtained for different nonlinear loads and test conditions. Responses demonstrated by SAPF in both simulation and experimental works reveal superiority of the proposed algorithm over the existing algorithm.
A Class of Control Strategies for Energy Internet Considering System Robustness and Operation Cost Optimization
Authors: Hua Haochen , Hao Chuantong , Qin Yuchao , Cao Junwei
Published: June 2018

Aiming at restructuring the conventional energy delivery infrastructure, the concept of energy Internet (EI) has become popular in recent years. Outstanding benefits from an EI include openness, robustness and reliability. Most of the existing literatures focus on the conceptual design of EI and are lack of theoretical investigation on developing specific control strategies for the operation of EI. In this paper, a class of control strategies for EI considering system robustness and operation cost optimization is investigated. Focusing on the EI system robustness issue, system parameter uncertainty, external disturbance and tracking error are taken into consideration, and we formulate such robust control issue as a structure specified mixed H2/H∞ control problem. When formulating the operation cost optimization problem, three aspects are considered: realizing the bottom-up energy management principle, reducing the cost involved by power delivery from power grid (PG) to microgrid (MG), and avoiding the situation of over-control. We highlight that this is the very first time that the above targets are considered simultaneously in the field of EI. The integrated control issue is considered in frequency domain and is solved by a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Simulation results show that our proposed method achieves the targets.
A Simple Method to Evaluate Adaptation Measures for Urban Heat Island
Authors: Takebayashi Hideki
Published: June 2018

In recent years, adaptation measures such as awnings, louvers, directional reflective materials, mist sprays, and evaporative materials, have been developed with the expectation that they will serve as effective solutions to outdoor human thermal environments that are under the influence of urban heat island. A simple method to evaluate the aforementioned adaptation measures is examined in this study, focusing on their appropriate introduction on urban space. The influence of the solar transmittance of adaptation measures such as shading, on mean radiant temperature (MRT) is approximately 1.5 °C per 0.10. If a shielding device that reflects a large amount of solar radiation and facilitates high levels of evaporation is developed, MRT and standard new effective temperature (SET*) will both decrease.
Seasonal Variations in Water-Quality, Antibiotic Residues, Resistant Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance Genes of Escherichia coli Isolates from Water and Sediments of the Kshipra River in Central India
Authors: Diwan Vishal , Hanna Nada , Purohit Manju , Chandran Salesh , Riggi Emilia , Parashar Vivek , Tamhankar Ashok J. , Stålsby Lundborg Cecilia
Published: June 2018

Objectives: To characterize the seasonal variation, over one year, in water-quality, antibiotic residue levels, antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli isolates from water and sediment of the Kshipra River in Central India. Methods: Water and sediment samples were collected from seven selected points from the Kshipra River in the Indian city of Ujjain in the summer, rainy season, autumn and winter seasons in 2014. Water quality parameters (physical, chemical and microbiological) were analyzed using standard methods. High-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentrations of antibiotic residues. In river water and sediment samples, antibiotic resistance and multidrug resistance patterns of isolated E. coli to 17 antibiotics were tested and genes coding for resistance and phylogenetic groups were detected using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fisher tests were applied to determine seasonal variation. Results: In river water, seasonal variation was significantly associated with various water quality parameters, presence of sulfamethoxazole residues, bacteria resistant to ampicillin, cefepime, meropenem, amikacin, gentamicin, tigecycline, multidrug resistance and CTX-M-1 gene. The majority of the Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli isolates from river water and sediment in all different seasons belonged to phylogenetic group A or B1. Conclusions: Antibiotic pollution, resistance and resistance genes in the Kshipra River showed significant seasonal variation. Guidelines and regulatory standards are needed to control environmental dissemination of these “pollutants” in this holy river.
Association between Access to Public Open Spaces and Physical Activity in a Mediterranean Population at High Cardiovascular Risk
Authors: Colom Antoni , Fiol Miguel , Ruiz Maurici , Compa Montserrat , Morey Marga , Moñino Manuel , Romaguera Dora
Published: June 2018

Background: Regular physical activity is an important preventive factor of cardiovascular disease. Proximity and density of public open spaces are important modifying factors on the practice of physical activity. This article explores the cross-sectional relationship between access to public open spaces (POS) and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in elderly participants at high cardiovascular risk from PREDIMED-Baleares. Method: 428 elderly subjects at high cardiovascular risk, participating in the PREDIMED trial, from Palma de Mallorca (Spain) were assessed using Geographic Information Systems, and access to POS was determined. The quantity and intensity of LTPA was calculated using the Minnesota Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. In order investigate the association between access to POS and LTPA, generalized linear regression models were used. Results: Better access to POS was not consistently associated with total LTPA. Only distance to the nearest park showed a borderline significant positive associated with total LTPA and moderate-vigorous LTPA but was not associated with light LTPA. Conclusions: Although living near POS was not associated to total LTPA, higher levels of moderate-vigorous LTPA were associated to distances to the nearest park. Future work should be conducted on a larger sample size, integrating a longitudinal design, and greater heterogeneity in POS access and introducing objective measures of physical activity.
A Noninvasive Test for MicroRNA Expression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Gissi Davide B. , Morandi Luca , Gabusi Andrea , Tarsitano Achille , Marchetti Claudio , Cura Francesca , Palmieri Annalisa , Montebugnoli Lucio , Asioli Sofia , Foschini Maria P. , Scapoli Luca
Published: June 2018

MicroRNAs have recently been proposed as non-invasive biomarkers in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of a panel of miRNAs in epithelial cells collected by oral brushing from OSCCs from regenerative areas after OSCC surgical resection and from their respective normal distant mucosa. Oral brushing specimens were collected from 24 healthy donors, 14 OSCC patients with specimens from tumour and normal distant mucosa, and from 13 patients who had OSCC resection, with samples from regenerative areas after OSCC resection and normal distant mucosa. Expression levels of eight targets (miR-21, miR-375, miR-345, miR-181b, miR-146a, miR-649, miR-518b, and miR-191) were evaluated by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). A highly significant between-group difference was found for miR-21 (F = 6.58, p < 0.001), miR-146a (F = 6.974, p < 0.001), and miR-191 (F = 17.07, p < 0.001). The major difference was observed between samples from healthy donors and from OSCC brushing, whereas no significant differences were observed between areas infiltrated by OSCC and their respective normal distant mucosa. Furthermore, altered expression of miR-146a and miR-191 was also observed in regenerative areas after OSCC resection. Conclusions: Oral brushing could be proposed as a noninvasive method to study microRNA expression in oral mucosa in OSCC patients.
Scorpins in the DNA Damage Response
Authors: Palmieri Dario , Tessari Anna , Coppola Vincenzo
Published: June 2018

The DNA Damage Response (DDR) is a complex signaling network that comes into play when cells experience genotoxic stress. Upon DNA damage, cellular signaling pathways are rewired to slow down cell cycle progression and allow recovery. However, when the damage is beyond repair, cells activate complex and still not fully understood mechanisms, leading to a complete proliferative arrest or cell death. Several conventional and novel anti-neoplastic treatments rely on causing DNA damage or on the inhibition of the DDR in cancer cells. However, the identification of molecular determinants directing cancer cells toward recovery or death upon DNA damage is still far from complete, and it is object of intense investigation. SPRY-containing RAN binding Proteins (Scorpins) RANBP9 and RANBP10 are evolutionarily conserved and ubiquitously expressed proteins whose biological functions are still debated. RANBP9 has been previously implicated in cell proliferation, survival, apoptosis and migration. Recent studies also showed that RANBP9 is involved in the Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) signaling upon DNA damage. Accordingly, cells lacking RANBP9 show increased sensitivity to genotoxic treatment. Although there is no published evidence, extensive protein similarities suggest that RANBP10 might have partially overlapping functions with RANBP9. Like RANBP9, RANBP10 bears sites putative target of PIK-kinases and high throughput studies found RANBP10 to be phosphorylated following genotoxic stress. Therefore, this second Scorpin might be another overlooked player of the DDR alone or in combination with RANBP9. This review focuses on the relatively unknown role played by RANBP9 and RANBP10 in responding to genotoxic stress.
Bioengineering Approaches for Bladder Regeneration
Authors: Serrano-Aroca Ángel , Vera-Donoso César David , Moreno-Manzano Victoria
Published: June 2018

Current clinical strategies for bladder reconstruction or substitution are associated to serious problems. Therefore, new alternative approaches are becoming more and more necessary. The purpose of this work is to review the state of the art of the current bioengineering advances and obstacles reported in bladder regeneration. Tissue bladder engineering requires an ideal engineered bladder scaffold composed of a biocompatible material suitable to sustain the mechanical forces necessary for bladder filling and emptying. In addition, an engineered bladder needs to reconstruct a compliant muscular wall and a highly specialized urothelium, well-orchestrated under control of autonomic and sensory innervations. Bioreactors play a very important role allowing cell growth and specialization into a tissue-engineered vascular construct within a physiological environment. Bioprinting technology is rapidly progressing, achieving the generation of custom-made structural supports using an increasing number of different polymers as ink with a high capacity of reproducibility. Although many promising results have been achieved, few of them have been tested with clinical success. This lack of satisfactory applications is a good reason to discourage researchers in this field and explains, somehow, the limited high-impact scientific production in this area during the last decade, emphasizing that still much more progress is required before bioengineered bladders become a commonplace in the clinical setting.
MK-0677, a Ghrelin Agonist, Alleviates Amyloid Beta-Related Pathology in 5XFAD Mice, an Animal Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Jeong Yu-on , Shin Soo Jung , Park Jun Yong , Ku Bo Kyeong , Song Ji Soo , Kim Jwa-Jin , Jeon Seong Gak , Lee Sang Min , Moon Minho
Published: June 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive deficits, neuroinflammation, and neuronal death. The primary pathogenic cause is believed to be the accumulation of pathogenic amyloid beta (Aβ) assemblies in the brain. Ghrelin, which is a peptide hormone predominantly secreted from the stomach, is an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue-receptor type 1a (GHS-R1a). MK-0677 is a ghrelin agonist that potently stimulates the GHS-R1a ghrelin receptor. Interestingly, previous studies have shown that ghrelin improves cognitive impairments and attenuates neuronal death and neuroinflammation in several neurological disorders. However, it is unknown whether MK-0677 can affect Aβ accumulation or Aβ-mediated pathology in the brains of patients with AD. Therefore, we examined the effects of MK-0677 administration on AD-related pathology in 5XFAD mice, an Aβ-overexpressing transgenic mouse model of AD. MK-0677 was intraperitoneally administered to three-month-old 5XFAD mice. To visualize Aβ accumulation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration, thioflavin-S staining and immunostaining with antibodies against Aβ (4G8), ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN), and synaptophysin were conducted in the neocortex of 5XFAD and wild-type mice, and to evaluate changes of phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein (pCREB) levels, immunostaining with antibody against pCREB was performed in dentate gyrus of the hippocampus of 5XFAD and wild-type mice. The histological analyses indicated that MK-0677-treated 5XFAD mice showed reduced Aβ deposition, gliosis, and neuronal and synaptic loss in the deep cortical layers, and inhibited the decrement of pCREB levels in dentate gyrus of the hippocampus compared to vehicle-treated 5XFAD mice. Our results showed that activation of the ghrelin receptor with MK-0677 inhibited the Aβ burden, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration, which suggested that MK-0677 might have potential as a treatment of the early phase of AD.
Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye in the Presence of Visible Light Using SiO2@α-Fe2O3 Nanocomposites Deposited on SnS2 Flowers
Authors: Balu Sridharan , Uma Kasimayan , Pan Guan-Ting , Yang Thomas C.-K. , Ramaraj Sayee Kannan
Published: June 2018

Semiconductor materials have been shown to have good photocatalytic behavior and can be utilized for the photodegradation of organic pollutants. In this work, three-dimensional flower-like SnS2 (tin sulfide) was synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. Core-shell structured SiO2@α-Fe2O3 nanocomposites were then deposited on the top of the SnS2 flowers. The as-synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–Vis Spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The photocatalytic behavior of the SnS2-SiO2@α-Fe2O3 nanocomposites was investigated by observing the degradation of methylene blue (MB). The results show an effective enhancement of photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MB especially for the 15 wt % SiO2@α-Fe2O3 nanocomposites on SnS2 flowers.
Raistrickiones A−E from a Highly Productive Strain of Penicillium raistrickii Generated through Thermo Change
Authors: Liu De-Sheng , Rong Xian-Guo , Kang Hui-Hui , Ma Li-Ying , Hamann Mark T. , Liu Wei-Zhong
Published: June 2018

Three new diastereomers of polyketides (PKs), raistrickiones A−C (1–3), together with two new analogues, raistrickiones D and E (4 and 5), were isolated from a highly productive strain of Penicillium raistrickii, which was subjected to an experimental thermo-change strategy to tap its potential of producing new secondary metabolites. Metabolites 1 and 2 existed in a diastereomeric mixture in the crystal packing according to the X-ray data, and were laboriously separated by semi-preparative HPLC on a chiral column. The structures of 1–5 were determined on the basis of the detailed analyses of the spectroscopic data (UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D, and 2D NMR), single-crystal X-ray diffractions, and comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. Compounds 1–5 represented the first case of 3,5-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzoyl derivatives of natural products. Compounds 1–5 exhibited moderate radical scavenging activities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl (DPPH).
Dental caries prevalence among 12–15-year-olds in Lithuania between 1983 and 2005
Authors: Milčiuvienė Simona , Bendoraitienė Eglė , Andruškevičienė Vilija , Narbutaitė Julija , Sakalauskienė Jurgina , Vasiliauskienė Ingrida , Slabšinskienė Eglė
Published: June 2018

Objective. To analyze the dynamics of prevalence and severity of dental caries among 12- and 15-year-old schoolchildren in six regions of Lithuania. Material and methods. A total of 5910 schoolchildren aged 12 and 15 years were examined. Dental caries was diagnosed according to the criteria of World Health Organization. The prevalence of dental caries was calculated by dividing the number of children with caries by the number of all children examined and expressed as percentage. Severity of dental caries was described by DMF-T index. DMF-T indices of individual persons as well as each age group were determined. Oral hygiene was evaluated by a simplified oral hygiene index. Fluoride concentration in Kretinga was 1.6–2.2 ppm; in the other regions, it varied between 0.2 to 0.4 ppm. Results. The prevalence of dental caries among 12-year-olds was 88.4% in 1983 and 85.5% in 2005; among 15-year-olds, it was 95.5% and 92.9%, respectively. Mean DMF-T score decreased from 4.5 (in 1983) to 3.7 (in 2005) among 12-year-olds and from 6.4 (in 1983) to 5.6 (in 2005) among 15-year-olds. Oral hygiene index decreased from 1.69 in 1983 to 1.34 in 2005 among 12-year-olds and from 1.46 to 1.22 among 15-year-olds, respectively. Conclusions. A tendency towards decrease in the prevalence and severity of dental caries was observed, when caries prevention program was running. Correlation between oral hygiene and DMF-T was observed in both age groups. Decreased prevalence and intensity of dental caries among 12- and 15-year-olds were associated with improved oral hygiene, usage of fluoride toothpaste, and fluoride content in drinking water.
Prevalence of conventional risk factors in patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Rinkūnienė Egidija , Petrulionienė Žaneta , Laucevičius Aleksandras , Ringailaitė Ernesta , Laučytė Agnė
Published: June 2018

Extensive clinical and statistical studies have identified risk factors that increase the incidence of coronary heart disease. It is commonly suggested that more than 50% of patients with coronary heart disease lack any of the conventional risk factors. Objective. To determine the prevalence of four conventional risk factors among patients with coronary heart disease. Material and methods. We analyzed data of 606 patients with coronary heart disease (myocardial infarction, unstable and stable angina pectoris) hospitalized in the Clinics of Santariškės, Vilnius University Hospital, in 1997–2005. Results. Among patients with coronary heart disease, at least one of four conventional risk factors was present in 98% of patients. Hypertension was present in 47.7% of patients, diabetes – in 12.9%, dyslipidemia – 90.1%, and smoking – in 24.1% of patients. In younger patients (<55 years), only 2.3% of patients lacked any of four conventional risk factors. Two-thirds (66.5%) of younger patients with coronary heart disease had two and more risk factors. Conclusions. Considering the fact that patients with coronary heart disease often lack conventional risk factors, currently more attention is given to nontraditional risk factors as well as genetic causes of coronary heart disease. Nevertheless, the present study revealed that 98% of patients with coronary heart disease had at least one of four conventional risk factors. Among younger patients (younger than 55 years), conventional risk factors are identified very frequently. Thus, it can be concluded that in order to reduce the epidemic of coronary heart disease, much greater emphasis should be given to identify and to improve prevention of four conventional risk factors as well as the lifestyle of the patient.
inhibitor 2-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonylcarbamido]-1-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyridinium bromide (2-AP27) is a muscarinic M2 receptor antagonist
Authors: Skeberdis Vytenis , Gendvilienė Vida , Zablockaitė Danguolė , Martišienė Irma , Stankevičius Antanas
Published: June 2018

Aminopyridines are known to inhibit acetylcholine-activated K+ current (IKACh) in cardiac myocytes. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of 2-aminopyridine sulfonylcarbamide derivative 2-AP27 on isoprenaline-stimulated L-type Ca2+ current (ICaL) and to identify whether 2-AP27 acts via blocking of muscarinic M2-receptors in frog cardiomyocytes. The whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique was used to record ICaL in enzymatically isolated cardiac myocytes. Isoprenaline (0.1 μM), an agonist of β1-β2-adrenoreceptors, stimulated the ICaL up to 475±61% (n=4) (P<0.05) vs. control. Then, in the first series of experiments, carbachol (0.01 μM), an agonist of M2 muscarinic receptors, reduced the stimulatory effect of isoprenaline to 42±15% vs. isoprenaline alone. 2- AP27 (100 μM) alone completely abolished the inhibitory effect of carbachol on isoprenaline-stimulated ICaL, which recovered to 95±5.8% of the effect of isoprenaline. In the second series of experiments, adenosine (1 μM), an agonist of A1-adenosine receptors, reduced the stimulatory effect of isoprenaline on ICaL to 56±10% (n=3) (P<0.05). Then 2-AP27 (100 μM) applied in the presence of adenosine, had no effect on ICaL, which remained at 51±7.9% (n=3) (P<0.05) of the effect of isoprenaline. These results suggest that 2-AP27, a new derivative of 2-AP, containing 4-toluolsulfonylcarbamide instead of amino group and quaternizated nitrogen by 4-nitrobenzylbromide in pyridine ring, is acting as an antagonist of muscarinic M2 receptors in frog ventricular myocytes.
Estimating CO2/N2 Permselectivity through Si/Al = 5 Small-Pore Zeolites/PTMSP Mixed Matrix Membranes: Influence of Temperature and Topology
Authors: Casado-Coterillo Clara , Fernández-Barquín Ana , Valencia Susana , Irabien Ángel
Published: June 2018

In the present work, the effect of zeolite type and topology on CO2 and N2 permeability using zeolites of different topology (CHA, RHO, and LTA) in the same Si/Al = 5, embedded in poly(trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) is evaluated with temperature. Several models are compared on the prediction of CO2/N2 separation performance and then the modified Maxwell models are selected. The CO2 and N2 permeabilities through these membranes are predicted with an average absolute relative error (AARE) lower than 0.6% taking into account the temperature and zeolite loading and topology on non-idealities such as membrane rigidification, zeolite–polymer compatibility and sieve pore blockage. The evolution of this structure–performance relationship with temperature has also been predicted.
Manipulation of the Superhydrophobicity of Plasma-Etched Polymer Nanostructures
Authors: Du Ke , Jiang Youhua , Liu Yuyang , Wathuthanthri Ishan , Choi Chang-Hwan
Published: June 2018

The manipulation of droplet mobility on a nanotextured surface by oxygen plasma is demonstrated by modulating the modes of hydrophobic coatings and controlling the hierarchy of nanostructures. The spin-coating of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) allows for heterogeneous hydrophobization of the high-aspect-ratio nanostructures and provides the nanostructured surface with “sticky hydrophobicity”, whereas the self-assembled monolayer coating of perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (FDTS) results in homogeneous hydrophobization and “slippery superhydrophobicity”. While the high droplet adhesion (stickiness) on a nanostructured surface with the spin-coating of PTFE is maintained, the droplet contact angle is enhanced by creating hierarchical nanostructures via the combination of oxygen plasma etching with laser interference lithography to achieve “sticky superhydrophobicity”. Similarly, the droplet mobility on a slippery nanostructured surface with the self-assembled monolayer coating of FDTS is also enhanced by employing the hierarchical nanostructures to achieve “slippery superhydrophobicity” with modulated slipperiness.
Combining Albumin-Binding Properties and Interaction with Pemetrexed to Improve the Tissue Distribution of Radiofolates
Authors: Müller Cristina , Guzik Patrycja , Siwowska Klaudia , Cohrs Susan , Schmid Raffaella M. , Schibli Roger
Published: June 2018

Folic-acid-based radioconjugates have been developed for nuclear imaging of folate receptor (FR)-positive tumors; however, high renal uptake was unfavorable in view of a therapeutic application. Previously, it was shown that pre-injection of pemetrexed (PMX) increased the tumor-to-kidney ratio of radiofolates several-fold. In this study, PMX was combined with the currently best performing radiofolate ([177Lu]cm13), which is outfitted with an albumin-binding entity. Biodistribution studies were carried out in mice bearing KB or IGROV-1 tumor xenografts, both FR-positive tumor types. SPECT/CT was performed with control mice injected with [177Lu]folate only and with mice that received PMX in addition. Control mice showed high uptake of radioactivity in KB and IGROV-1 tumor xenografts, but retention in the kidneys was also high, resulting in tumor-to-kidney ratios of ~0.85 (4 h p.i.) and ~0.60 (24 h p.i.) or ~1.17 (4 h p.i.) and ~1.11 (24 h p.i.) respectively. Pre-injection of PMX improved the tumor-to-kidney ratio to values of ~1.13 (4 h p.i.) and ~0.92 (24 h p.i.) or ~1.79 (4 h p.i.) and ~1.59 (24 h p.i.), respectively, due to reduced uptake in the kidneys. It was found that a second injection of PMX—3 h or 7 h after administration of the radiofolate—improved the tumor-to-kidney ratio further to ~1.03 and ~0.99 or ~1.78 and ~1.62 at 24 h p.i. in KB and IGROV-1 tumor-bearing mice, respectively. SPECT/CT scans readily visualized the tumor xenografts, whereas accumulation of radioactivity in the kidneys was reduced in mice that received PMX. In this study, it was shown that PMX had a positive impact in terms of reducing the kidney uptake of albumin-binding radiofolates; hence, the administration of PMX resulted in ~1.3–1.7-fold higher tumor-to-kidney ratios. This is, however, a rather moderate effect in comparison to the previously shown effect of PMX on conventional radiofolates (without albumin binder), which led to 5–6-fold increased tumor-to-kidney ratios. An explanation for this result may be the different pharmacokinetic profiles of PMX and long-circulating radiofolates, respectively. Despite the promising potential of this concept, it is believed that a clinical translation would be challenging, particularly when PMX had to be injected more than once.
Time-Dependent Growth of Silica Shells on CdTe Quantum Dots
Authors: Modlitbová Pavlína , Klepárník Karel , Farka Zdeněk , Pořízka Pavel , Skládal Petr , Novotný Karel , Kaiser Jozef
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate the time dependent growth of silica shells on CdTe quantum dots to get their optimum thicknesses for practical applications. The core/shell structured silica-coated CdTe quantum dots (CdTe/SiO2 QDs) were synthesized by the Ströber process, which used CdTe QDs co-stabilized by mercaptopropionic acid. The coating procedure used silane primer (3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane) in order to make the quantum dots (QDs) surface vitreophilic. The total size of QDs was dependent on both the time of silica shell growth in the presence of sodium silicate, and on the presence of ethanol during this growth. The size of particles was monitored during the first 72 h using two principally different methods: Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The data obtained by both methods were compared and reasons for differences discussed. Without ethanol precipitation, the silica shell thickness grew slowly and increased the nanoparticle total size from approximately 23 nm up to almost 30 nm (DLS data), and up to almost 60 nm (SEM data) in three days. During the same time period but in the presence of ethanol, the size of CdTe/SiO2 QDs increased more significantly: up to 115 nm (DLS data) and up to 83 nm (SEM data). The variances occurring between silica shell thicknesses caused by different methods of silica growth, as well as by different evaluation methods, were discussed.