bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of video game on bio- physiological parameters during intravenous cannulation among preschool children
Authors: Rackini M. Jaya , Shanmugapriya A. , David Anita
Published: January 2021

Background

Hospitalization is a completely new experience for infants and young children; they are too young to understand the stress of hospitalization. Distractions or diversions seek to divert the child’s attention to interesting or challenging tasks to draw attention away from painful or distressful medical procedure. Therefore, the present study assesses the effectiveness of video game on bio-physiological parameters during intravenous cannulation among preschool children admitted in paediatric ward.

Methods

A randomized true experimental research design was used to assess the effectiveness of video game technique on pain and bio-physiological parameters during Intravenous Cannulation among preschool children admitted in paediatric ward at Sri Ramachandra Hospital in Chennai. The collected data were grouped and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, to assess the effectiveness of video games.

Results

There was a significant difference in the mean score of oxygen saturation of post-test compare to pre-test for both groups. The number of children feeling severe pain was more in the control group during intervention and this difference was highly significant. Oxygen saturation was more in control but not significant, but the heart rate was significantly higher in control group during intervention. There was no association during pre- post-test and oxygen saturation, with selected demographic variables of the preschool children in both groups, apart from the fact that children from low income group had significant low heart rate during pre- and post-test

Discussion

Video game is an effective method in reducing pain in children undergoing intravenous cannulation. In this framework, the intervention (showing video game) reduced perception of pain and changes in bio-physiological parameters such as, heart rate and oxygen saturation, during intravenous cannulation.
The FIFA 11+ does not alter performance in amateur female basketball players—a randomized control trial
Authors: Nuhmani Shibili
Published: January 2021

Objectives

The FIFA-Medical and Assessment Research Centre (F-MARC) introduced the warm-up FIFA 11+ program to reduce injuries and promote fair play. Although the FIFA11+ program is a well-established warm-up protocol for injury prevention, studies on the program’s performance enhancement aspects have had controversial results. Therefore, the objective of the study is to investigate the efficacy of FIFA11+ program on sports performance parameters such as running speed, agility, and vertical jump performance in amateur female basketball players.

Methods

In this study, 59 amateur female basketball players were recruited and randomized into an experimental group (n=30) and a control group (n=29). The experimental group completed the FIFA 11+ program for 12 weeks (three times/week), while the control group members completed their regular training programs. The study adopted a pretest-posttest design. 20-yard sprint run, t test and vertical jump test were the outcome measures

Results

No statistically significant difference in the sports performance parameters (sprint test p=0.21, t test p=0.16, vertical jump test p=0.09) was found between groups’ post-test measurements. The paired sample t test revealed that the 12-week FIFA 11+ program did not demonstrate any significant improvement in the participants’ sprint, agility, and vertical jump performance (p>0.05).

Conclusions

The present study showed no enhancement in sports performance parameters such as sprint speed, agility, and vertical jump performance in amateur female basketball players. This lack of improvement in performance measures suggests that the program cannot be used as a training strategy for the targeted sports performance parameters.
Design of 320 Gbps hybrid AMI-PDM-WDM FSO link and its performance comparison with traditional models under diverse weather conditions
Authors: Chowdhury Ruhin , Choyon A. K. M. Sharoar Jahan
Published: January 2021

A comprehensive design is proposed for alternate mark inversion (AMI)-encoded free-space optical (FSO) communication system by hybridizing polarization division multiplexing (PDM) with wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and its performance is investigated under diverse weather conditions. The WDM transmitter comprises eight channels transmitting 320 Gbps data over the atmospheric turbulent channel considering gamma–gamma (G–G) distribution for the FSO channel model. A PDM-WDM technique not only maximizes the link capacity of the FSO system but also enhances the spectral efficiency (SE) of the system. Besides, the proposed hybrid AMI-PDM-WDM FSO system performance is compared with the traditional AMI-WDM-PDM and AMI-WDM models to demonstrate the advantages of our proposed model for the design of FSO link. It is observed that our proposed hybrid system exhibits excellent performance under diverse weather conditions over the traditional models in terms of Q factor, received optical power, bit error rate (BER), eye diagrams and optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR).
Implications of the vaginal microbiome and potential restorative strategies on maternal health: a narrative review
Authors: Moumne Olivia , Hampe Mary E. , Montoya-Williams Diana , Carson Tiffany L. , Neu Josef , Francois Magda , Rhoton-Vlasak Alice , Lemas Dominick J.
Published: January 2021

The vaginal microbiome undergoes dramatic shifts before and throughout pregnancy. Although the genetic and environmental factors that regulate the vaginal microbiome have yet to be fully elucidated, high-throughput sequencing has provided an unprecedented opportunity to interrogate the vaginal microbiome as a potential source of next-generation therapeutics. Accumulating data demonstrates that vaginal health during pregnancy includes commensal bacteria such as Lactobacillus that serve to reduce pH and prevent pathogenic invasion. Vaginal microbes have been studied as contributors to several conditions occurring before and during pregnancy, and an emerging topic in women’s health is finding ways to alter and restore the vaginal microbiome. Among these restorations, perhaps the most significant effect could be preterm labor (PTL) prevention. Since bacterial vaginosis (BV) is known to increase risk of PTL, and vaginal and oral probiotics are effective as supplemental treatments for BV prevention, a potential therapeutic benefit exists for pregnant women at risk of PTL. A new method of restoration, vaginal microbiome transplants (VMTs) involves transfer of one women’s cervicovaginal secretions to another. New studies investigating recurrent BV will determine if VMTs can safely establish a healthy Lactobacillus-dominant vaginal microbiome. In most cases, caution must be taken in attributing a disease state and vaginal dysbiosis with a causal relationship, since the underlying reason for dysbiosis is usually unknown. This review focuses on the impact of vaginal microflora on maternal outcomes before and during pregnancy, including PTL, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and infertility. It then reviews the clinical evidence focused on vaginal restoration strategies, including VMTs.
Transatlantic linguistic ties: The impact of Jamaican on African youth language practices
Authors: Tomei Renato , Hollington Andrea
Published: January 2021

This contribution seeks to shed light on global dimensions of language contact and language change with regard to African youth languages. Looking at the influences of Jamaican speech forms on youth language practices in Africa, the focus will be on transatlantic linguistic ties that link Africa and its Diaspora. As the case studies will illustrate, Jamaican has a huge impact on youths in Africa and is used extensively in their communicative practices. Music, in this regard, plays an important role: Reggae and Dancehall music are highly popular in many (especially Anglophone) African countries, and these Jamaican music genres are quite influential with regard to language practices among African youth and beyond. Music thus represents an important site of language contact, and also serves as a means to learn the Jamaican language. In our paper we will draw on examples from different African countries to illustrate the wide spread of Jamaican influences. Our focus will be on case studies in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa and the Gambia. We will discuss selected song examples from a sociolinguistic perspective that takes these various language practices as a base and then looks at the contexts and motivations for the use of Jamaican speech forms.
Youth language in Africa: Introduction to the special issue
Authors: Hurst-Harosh Ellen
Published: January 2021

This article introduces this special issue of Linguistics Vanguard which focuses on youth language practices in Africa. The study of youth language and the linguistic practices of youth in the African continent is a rich field that has been expanding and deepening in recent years. This special issue emerged from a collection of papers presented at a workshop during the International Congress of Linguists (ICL20) in Cape Town, July 2018. The articles that come together in this special collection showcase some of the most productive and fascinating aspects of youth language in Africa and demonstrate why this field is particularly relevant for sociolinguistics today. This introduction describes some of the key subfields in African Youth Language research. It also introduces the articles in the special issue, in relation to three main themes: the linguistic analysis of youth language; the relationship between youth language and identity; and individual creativity and stylistic choice.
The Economic Impact of Terrorism from 2000 to 2018
Authors: Bardwell Harrison , Iqbal Mohib
Published: January 2021

This paper estimates the economic impact of terrorism at $US 33 billion in 2018. In the 18 years from 2000 to 2018, terrorism cost the world economy $US 855 billion. This model follows the methodology of the 2019 Global Terrorism Index and uses a bottom-up cost accounting approach to aggregate the cost of four indicators that result from the incidents of terrorism. The four indicators include terrorism-related deaths, injuries, property damage and GDP losses. The findings of this paper show that global terrorism peaked in 2014 with 33,555 deaths globally and a consequential economic impact of $US 111 billion. From 2011 to 2014, terrorism-related deaths increased by 353%, and terrorist incidents rose by 190%. The 100 incidents with the highest economic impact from deaths and injuries are included in the analysis. The September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States stands as the incident with the highest economic impact accounting for deaths and injuries only at $US 40.6 billion, this is followed by the Sinjar massacre in Sinjar, Nineveh, Iraq at $US 4.3 billion.
Review of research, development and application of photovoltaic/thermal water systems
Authors: Kostić Ljiljana T. , Aleksić Jelena S.
Published: January 2021

Among the many techniques for obtaining heat and electricity, solar thermal collectors, photovoltaic (PV) technology and PV/thermal (PV/T) technology have a very important place. The PV/T collectors enable the simultaneous conversion of solar radiation into thermal and electrical energy in a single device, with better space utilization and cost efficiency during construction. Specially designed PV/T collectors can replace the outer walls or roof covers and can be widely used in private houses, flat complexes, hospitals, schools, tourist and other objects for water heating and electrical energy generation. Due to their great application potential, hybrid collectors have been the subject of very intensive scientific research and technical development for many years. In this review article, the focus is on the research, development and application of the PV/T water systems in the last 10 years. The main task of researchers and manufacturers is to increase the efficiency of PV modules and thermal absorbers, using new materials and design types as well as their proper integration into the PV/T collector. It is also necessary to reduce the cost of these systems and make them more competitive in the market. In addition, the importance of PV/T systems is in providing energy in clean and environmentally friendly ways.
COVID–19 infection and stroke risk
Authors: Sadeghmousavi Shaghayegh , Rezaei Nima
Published: January 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in Wuhan city, China in December 2019 and rapidly spread to other countries. The most common reported symptoms are fever, dry cough, myalgia and fatigue, headache, anorexia, and breathlessness. Anosmia and dysgeusia as well as gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea and diarrhea are other notable symptoms. This virus also can exhibit neurotropic properties and may also cause neurological diseases, including epileptic seizures, cerebrovascular accident, Guillian barre syndrome, acute transverse myelitis, and acute encephalitis. In this study, we discuss stroke as a complication of the new coronavirus and its possible mechanisms of damage.
Recent advances in the noninvasive detection of high-frequency oscillations in the human brain
Authors: Fan Yuying , Dong Liping , Liu Xueyan , Wang Hua , Liu Yunhui
Published: January 2021

In recent decades, a significant body of evidence based on invasive clinical research has showed that high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) are a promising biomarker for localization of the seizure onset zone (SOZ), and therefore, have the potential to improve postsurgical outcomes in patients with epilepsy. Emerging clinical literature has demonstrated that HFOs can be recorded noninvasively using methods such as scalp electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG). Not only are HFOs considered to be a useful biomarker of the SOZ, they also have the potential to gauge disease severity, monitor treatment, and evaluate prognostic outcomes. In this article, we review recent clinical research on noninvasively detected HFOs in the human brain, with a focus on epilepsy. Noninvasively detected scalp HFOs have been investigated in various types of epilepsy. HFOs have also been studied noninvasively in other pathologic brain disorders, such as migraine and autism. Herein, we discuss the challenges reported in noninvasive HFO studies, including the scarcity of MEG and high-density EEG equipment in clinical settings, low signal-to-noise ratio, lack of clinically approved automated detection methods, and the difficulty in differentiating between physiologic and pathologic HFOs. Additional studies on noninvasive recording methods for HFOs are needed, especially prospective multicenter studies. Further research is fundamental, and extensive work is needed before HFOs can routinely be assessed in clinical settings; however, the future appears promising.
Economic dynamics of epidemiological bifurcations
Authors: Aadland David , Finnoff David , Huang Kevin X.D.
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we investigate the nature of rational expectations equilibria for economic epidemiological models, with a particular focus on the behavioral origins and dynamics of epidemiological bifurcations. Unlike mathematical epidemiological models, economic epidemiological models can produce regions of indeterminacy or instability around the endemic steady states due to endogenous human responses to epidemiological circumstance variation, medical technology change, or health policy reform. We consider SI, SIS, SIR and SIRS versions of economic compartmental models and show how well-intentioned public policy may contribute to disease instability, uncertainty, and welfare losses.
Genetic and epigenetic concept of SARS-CoV-2 targets in different renal cancer subtypes
Authors: Akin-Bali Dilara Fatma , Sagkan Rahşan Ilikci
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Recent advances in defining the genetic landscape of has shown the host cell- SARS-CoV-2 interaction via ACE2 protein and the presence of at least three additional virus invasion genes including TMPRSS2, FURIN, CD147/BSG. In current study, we investigated the mutation and m-RNA expression patterns of target genes by evaluating the associations between genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in the target genes and susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection of renal cancer subtypes.

Methods

We investigated the mutation and m-RNA expression patterns of our target genes. The promoter methylation profiles of target genes were tested in the UALCAN database.

Results

The total rate of carrying genetic anomaly in the target genes including was 1.6% and seven mutations, one of which had a pathogenic feature, were detected. The expression analysis results in renal cancer groups showed that while the KIRC and KIRP patients had a lower level of TMPRSS2 than the healthy control, their ACE2 level was high. KICH patients had a higher level of CD147/BSG expression than the healthy group. The promoter methylation levels of ACE2 in KIRC and KIRP were reduced.

Conclusions

We concluded that renal cancer patients may be more sensitive to SARS-CoV-2 infection, which may worsen the prognosis.
Estradiol differentially regulates DUX4, β-catenin and PAX3/PAX7 in primary myoblasts of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy patients
Authors: Hangul Ceren , Celik Esin Guvenir , Kaya Hacer , Eroglu Onur , Uysal Hilmi , Karauzum Sibel Berker
Published: January 2021

Objectives

There is a clinical variability and heterogeneity among Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) patients. Escalation after menopause in women, early onset in men suggests that estrogen might be a protective factor on the course of FSHD. In spite of few molecular studies supporting the protective role of estrogen in FSHD in vitro, there is no study revealing the effect of estradiol on the protein levels of DUX4, β-catenin and PAX3/PAX7. In present study, we investigated the effect of estradiol treatment on the expressions of DUX4, β-catenin and PAX3/PAX7 protein levels.

Materials and Methods

Primary myoblasts of 63 and 71 years old (63yM/71yM) males; 47 years old (47yF) female FSHD patients were used. Cells were processed under these conditions; (i) untreated, (ii) 10 nM-30 min estradiol and (iii) 10 nM-4 h estradiol treated. The expression of DUX4, PAX3/PAX7 and β-catenin were examined by western-blotting.

Results

Expression of DUX4 significantly downregulated after 4 h treatment of estradiol while PAX3/PAX7 56 kDa variant expression upregulated in 71yM cells. β-catenin and PAX3 expression was variable among the samples.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that estrogen might be a palliative treatment option via downregulation of DUX4 protein in DUX4 expressing FSHD patients.
A novel three-dimensional cadmium sulfate-based inorganic-organic hybrid polymer with green photoluminescence
Authors: Zhang Tong , Zhao Zhen , Tang Yao , Liu Jing-Si , Huang Gui-Lin , Liu Xi
Published: January 2021

Layer diffusion of 3,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole (BptH) in ethanol on an aqueous solution of cadmium sulfate leads to a novel three-dimensional cadmium sulfate-based inorganic-organic hybrid polymer (IOHP), CdSO4(H2O)(BptH)·1.5H2O (1). Its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), and further characterized by elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), infrared spectra (IR), and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. IOHP 1 exhibits a novel 2-nodal 3,5-connected nanoporous structure formed by BptH ligands connecting 2D neutral inorganic cadmium sulfate layers. Water molecules reside in its nanoporous channels. The thermal stability and solid-state photoluminescence properties of the compound have also been investigated.
Orbitofrontal State Representations Are Related to Choice Adaptations and Reward Predictions
Authors: Stalnaker Thomas A. , Raheja Nishika , Schoenbaum Geoffrey
Published: January 2021

Animals can categorize the environment into “states,” defined by unique sets of available action-outcome contingencies in different contexts. Doing so helps them choose appropriate actions and make accurate outcome predictions when in each given state. State maps have been hypothesized to be held in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), an area implicated in decision-making and encoding information about outcome predictions. Here we recorded neural activity in OFC in 6 male rats to test state representations. Rats were trained on an odor-guided choice task consisting of five trial blocks containing distinct sets of action-outcome contingencies, constituting states, with unsignaled transitions between them. OFC neural ensembles were analyzed using decoding algorithms. Results indicate that the vast majority of OFC neurons contributed to representations of the current state at any point in time, independent of odor cues and reward delivery, even at the level of individual neurons. Across state transitions, these representations gradually integrated evidence for the new state; the rate at which this integration happened in the prechoice part of the trial was related to how quickly the rats' choices adapted to the new state. Finally, OFC representations of outcome predictions, often thought to be the primary function of OFC, were dependent on the accuracy of OFC state representations.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTA prominent hypothesis proposes that orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) tracks current location in a “cognitive map” of state space. Here we tested this idea in detail by analyzing neural activity recorded in OFC of rats performing a task consisting of a series of states, each defined by a set of available action-outcome contingencies. Results show that most OFC neurons contribute to state representations and that these representations are related to the rats' decision-making and OFC reward predictions. These findings suggest new interpretations of emotional dysregulation in pathologies, such as addiction, which have long been known to be related to OFC dysfunction.
Becoming
Authors: Boylorn Robin M. , Orbe Mark P.
Published: January 2021

In this introduction to the special issue the authors craft a critical autoethnography to chronicle their relationship and/to critical autoethnography. They use Michelle Obama’s book and documentary Becoming to reflect on how the critical reflexivity inherent in autoethnographic work can be used to document relationships, moments of revelation, and self-empowerment. They then preview four articles that map experiences of becoming linked to racialized identity, disability, and family.
Incidents and adverse events notified at hospital level
Authors: Mascarello Andreia , Massaroli Aline , Pitilin Erica de Brito , Araújo Jeferson Santos , Rodrigues Maria Eduarda , Souza Jeane Barros de
Published: January 2021

Objective: to identify the incidents and adverse events notified in a large size hospital. Methods: a retrospective study was carried out based on data extracted from handwritten notifications sheets, made available by the Patient Safety Nucleus of a large size hospital. The following variables were analyzed: type of incident, according to international safety goals; severity of the incidents with damage; and measures proposed to minimize the effects of the notified incident. Results: among the 1167 notifications, 653 (66.8%) of the incidents were related to pharmacovigilance, 563 (48.6%) presented as potential harm, 355 (28.7%) caused harm to the patient and of these, 228 (68.0%) were of mild intensity. Proposed actions were described in 705 (60.4%) of the notifications. Conclusion: the notifications allowed identifying a high number of incidents with potential to cause harm, denoting failures that could be minimized with the implementation of institutional protocols and professional training.
El "blockbuster" como género analógico
Authors: Del Río Castañeda Laro
Published: January 2021

Las películas blockbuster son definidas, habitualmente, por su éxito económico. Sin embargo, nosotros, en la medida en que hemos crecido y participado en la sociedad occidental contemporánea, somos capaces de distinguir qué película es (o puede llegar a ser) un blockbuster sin necesidad de saber la cantidad de dólares que ha hecho ni la cantidad de espectadores que la han visto. Podemos decir, así, que resulta imposible colocar la taquilla en el centro de la definición del blockbuster. En el presente artículo, intentaremos profundizar en las especificidades de este género y repensar dos conceptos que han sido empleados para investigar la cultura de masas desde las perspectivas de las teorías de la recepción: las nociones kitsch (Eco) y trash (Fernández Porta). Nuestro objetivo será esbozar la particular manera en que la lógica del blockbuster se ha cristalizado en un género analógico que va más allá de –y no casa exactamente con– las taxonomías clásicas aceptadas por la teoría fílmica.
Relaciones fraternas en 'Piel de lobo', de Lara Moreno, y 'Hermanas', de Pascal Rambert
Authors: Pablo Ruano Clara
Published: January 2021

El artículo realiza un estudio comparativo de la novela Piel de lobo (2016), de Lara Moreno, y la obra Hermanas (Bárbara & Irene) (2018), de Pascal Rambert, que se examinará tanto en su dimensión dramática como teatral. Un análisis de las instancias discursivas de las dos obras nos permitirá reflexionar sobre cómo se codifica el conflicto entre hermanas en dos géneros literarios distintos. Esta revisión permitirá, por tanto, poner en juego los vínculos entre la narrativa y la escena.
Desafíos de la deliberación electrónica en la era de la representatividad digital
Authors: González del Castillo Javier
Published: January 2021

La nueva participación digital apoyada en las nuevas tecnologías exige una nueva manera de entender la democracia, la deliberación y la votación electrónica. Es un paradigma que no alcanza con tecnificar los procedimientos tradicionales. Surgen problemas que son eminentemente propios del nuevo ecosistema digital. Por ejemplo, la participación masiva a través de plataformas de deliberación electrónica encierra unos desafíos completamente nuevos. No puede compararse la gestión tradicional en un auditorio presencial de algunas decenas de personas con la intervención activa de cientos o miles de usuarios online. Sencillamente, hay que gestionar de manera nueva y particular las diferentes opciones digitales que emergen. Por ello, para alcanzar una democracia electrónica deseable, es imprescindible señalar certeramente cuáles son las amenazas más acuciantes que pueden desvirtuar una sana democracia. En las siguientes líneas, expondré los desafíos más relevantes.
Effect of 1-acyl-5,6-dimethoxy / diethoxy-2-methylthiobenzimidazoles on APD90 and isometric contraction in guinea pig atrium and aortic preparations activated by carbachol and phenylephrine
Authors: GARALIENĖ Vida , LABANAUSKAS Linas , BRŪKŠTUS Algirdas , BARSYS Vygantas
Published: January 2021

Studies have shown that 1-acyl-5,6-diethoxy-2-methylthiobenzimidazole derivatives 3-pyridyl-(1); 2-pyridyl- (2); 4-thiazolyl- (3); 4-pyridyl- (4); methyl- (5); 2-thienyl- (6) and 1-acetyl-5,6-dimethoxy-2-methylthiobenzimidazole (7) exhibit positive inotropic properties.
The goal of the study was to investigate the effects of the above-mentioned compounds in restoring a decreased isometric contraction and APD90 induced by carbachol in an isolated guinea pig atrium, and to relax the aortic rings precontracted by phenylephrine.
Isometric contraction and APD90 were recorded by using a force transducer and standard microelectrode technique (stimulation rate 1 Hz).
Carbachol (1 μM) caused a decrease of the isometric contraction and APD90 on an overage by 63.2% and 49.6%, respectively. Compounds 1–5 used in a dose-dependent fashion (10–500 μM) abolished the action of carbachol and restored the contraction force and APD90 in the electrically driven atrium significantly; compound 2 reversed the APD90 to the baseline. Compounds 2 and 7 antagonized the contraction of aortic rings evoked by phenylephrine (10–4 M) and caused their relaxation by 24.4% and 17% at a dose of 10–4 M and by 76.2% and 72.5% at a dose of 5 × 10–4 M in groups 2 and 7, respectively.
Conclusion. The results presented in the study have shown that some 1-acyl-5,6-dimethoxy / diethoxy-2-methylthiobenzimidazoles are able to abolish the effects of carbachol and phenylephrine on the AP duration and isometric contraction in guinea pig atrium and blood vessels. These data will contribute to the synthesis of targeted compounds with positive inotropic and blood-vessel relaxing characteristics among benzimidazole derivatives, which could be useful in clinical practice.

Keywords: 1-acyl-2-methylthio-5,6-dimethoxy / diethoxybenzimidazoles, guinea pig atrium, blood vessel, phenylephrine hydrochloride, carbamylcholine chloride
Human papillomavirus and other risk factors in Lithuanian cervical carcinoma patients
Authors: GUDLEVIČIENĖ Živilė , SMILGEVIČIŪTĖ-IVSHIN Alė , VAITKUVIENĖ Aurelija , ŠEPETIENĖ Agnė , DIDŽIAPETRIENĖ Janina
Published: January 2021

Background. Cervical cancer is the second biggest cause of female cancer mortality worldwide and the most common cancer in women in Lithuania. The incidence of cervical cancer is strongly associated with HPV prevalence. However, not only HPV infection plays a crucial role in cervical cancer development; other risk factors which vary in different populations and geographical regions as well as HPV prevalence are important. The aim of this study was to detect the HPV, its type’s prevalence and other cervical cancer risk factors for Lithuanian women.
Materials and methods. 191 women with primary diagnosed invasive cervical cancer (cases group) and 397 control women were invited to participate in the study. All women were interviewed and samples for HPV testing were taken.
Results. In the cases group, 92.7% of women and in the control group 26.7% were infected by HPV (p < 0.0001). HPV 16 was the most common type in both groups. HPV infection increases the risk of cervical cancer 75 times (OR = 75.39; 95% CI 33.61–192.98).
Women with lower education, workers, those who started sexual intercourses before 20 years of age, at older age of the first menstrual period, 3–5 or more childbirths, smokers and with a long ago or never performed Pap test are at a significantly higher risk of cervical cancer development. Other non-HPV risk factors were not associated with cervical cancer risk.
Conclusions. Data of our study show a high prevalence of HPV in Lithuanian population. It may have an impact on the biggest cervical cancer incidence. The other risk factors are similar as in other lower economic resource countries.

Keywords: HPV, cervical cancer, risk factors
Levantamento de indicadores demográficos de Santa Maria/RS no período de 2000 a 2010
Authors: Loiola Dorietson Braga , Jacobi Luciane Flores
Published: January 2021

A partir do Banco de Dados disponibilizado pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística e de informações coletadas no DATASUS, procurou-se identificar tendências demográficas e sociais nos anos de estudo, comparando-se, no que diz respeito ao indicador taxa de mortalidade infantil de Santa Maria/RS com o Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Região Sul do Brasil e o País como um todo. Além desse indicador, foram calculados e analisados também: razão de sexo, razão de dependência, idade mediana da população, taxa bruta de mortalidade, taxa específica de mortalidade por sexo e idade, índice de sobremortalidade masculina por idade, taxa bruta de natalidade e taxa de fecundidade geral. Como resultado, verificou-se que a população urbana aumentou, enquanto a rural diminuiu, sendo que as mulheres contribuíram mais que os homens em ambos os casos. Há predomínio da população feminina nas faixas de idade mais elevadas, sendo que, no meio rural essa superioridade é menor. Da mesma forma, houve um aumento na mortalidade, sendo alta nos primeiros anos de vida e a partir da terceira idade, contribuindo mais com ela o sexo masculino, que sofrem um risco bem maior dos 15 aos 49 anos.
Palavras-chave: Indicadores sociais; estatística descritiva; população residente; censo demográfico.
ensino de Bioquímica
Authors: Solner Tiago Barboza , Fernandes Liana da Silva , Fantinel Leonardo
Published: January 2021

O presente artigo é um recorte do trabalho desenvolvido no mestrado intitulado “O Ensino de Bioquímica: Uma Proposta de Ensino a partir de uma Sequência Didática”, no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino de Ciências e Matemática (PPGECIMAT) da Universidade Franciscana (UFN), e se insere no âmbito das pesquisas. Tem como objetivo investigar como está ocorrendo o Ensino de Bioquímica, do componente curricular de Química, do ensino médio em escolas da rede pública e privada de ensino na cidade de Santa Maria – RS. Essa pesquisa de caráter qualitativo e contou com a participação de oito professores, sendo quatro da rede pública e quatro da rede privada de ensino. Para coleta de dados foi utilizada uma entrevista do tipo semiestruturada. Após a análise das entrevistas concluiu-se que é necessário desenvolver estratégias, para que esses professores consigam abordar todo o conteúdo programático, possivelmente por meio de uma metodologia que dê o suporte necessário, a fim de colaborar com o melhoramento de alguns problemas mencionados durante a realização deste estudo, visando melhorar o processo de ensino e aprendizagem dos estudantes, auxiliando, de maneira motivadora, os professores em exercício na Educação Básica.
Palavras-chave: Ensino de química; entrevistas; educação básica.
Influência da formação inicial docente na experimentação na sala de aula de Ciências e Química
Authors: Rotta Jeane Cristina Gomes , Nóbrega de Araújo Camila , Bezerra Francisco Edevaldo Monte
Published: January 2021

A experimentação, quando realizada adequadamente nas aulas de Química ou de Ciências, pode contribuir para a aprendizagem dos conceitos de ciências. Nesse sentido, essa pesquisa teve o objetivo de analisar como a formação inicial de professores de Ciências e Química pode influenciar em suas concepções sobre a experimentação e práticas experimentais nas aulas da educação básica. Participaram dessa pesquisa professores que atuavam nas séries finais do ensino fundamental e no ensino médio. Como instrumento de pesquisa foi utilizado um questionário para identificar a influência da formação inicial desses professores, nas suas concepções sobre a realização de atividades experimentais em suas aulas. A metodologia de análise utilizada foi materialismo dialético que considera as pesquisas qualitativa e quantitativa como complementares no processo de compreensão do objeto de estudo. Os resultados indicaram que há uma relação entre as concepções sobre a utilização pedagógica da experimentação nas aulas de Ciências e Química, desenvolvidas na formação inicial, e o embasamento metodológico abordado nas atividades experimentais, realizadas pelos docentes que participaram dessa pesquisa. Percebemos a complexidade desse contexto e, consequentemente, a necessidade de outras pesquisas que auxiliem a elucidar os demais aspectos dessa relação.
Palavras-chave: Experimentação; formação inicial de professores; ensino de Ciências e Química.
Cold sintering of microwave dielectric ceramics and devices
Authors: Wang Dawei , Li Linhao , Jiang Juan , Lu Zhilun , Wang Ge , Song Kaixin , Zhou Di , Reaney Ian M.
Published: January 2021

Microwave (MW) dielectric ceramics are used in numerous electronic components for modern wireless communication systems, including antennas, resonators, capacitors and filters. However, to date, MW ceramics are manufactured by an energy-intensive, conventional high-temperature (> 1000 °C) sintering technology and thus cannot be co-sintered with low melting point and base electrodes (Ag, Al, etc., < 1000 °C), nor directly integrated with polymers (< 200 °C). Cold sintering is able to densify ceramics at < 200 °C via a combination of external pressure and a transient liquid phase, reducing the energy consumed and facilitating greater integration with dissimilar materials. This review outlines the basics of MW ceramics alongside the mechanism of cold sintering. Recent developments in cold sintering of MW ceramics, composites and devices are described, emphasizing new materials and progress towards component/device fabrication. Future prospects and critical issues for advancing cold-sintered MW materials and devices, such as unclear mechanism, lowQ × fvalues and poor mechanical properties, are discussed.

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Effect of processing on the structures and properties of bismuth sodium titanate compounds
Authors: Mahajan Amit , Zhang Hangfeng , Wu Jiyue , Venkata Ramana E. , Yu Chuying , Tarakina Nadezda V. , Reece M. J. , Yan Haixue
Published: January 2021

The processing of sodium (Na) and bismuth (Bi)-based piezoelectric compounds are always a concern due to their volatilization at high temperatures (> 1000 °C) and the hygroscopic nature of the precursors. The effect of drying and impurities in the precursors on 0.94(Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3)–0.06BaTiO3(BNTBT) ceramics was investigated. A substantial difference in the weight fraction of polar (R3c) and weak-polar (P4bm) phase at room temperature was observed for BNTBT obtained from dried, undried and low purity precursors, evaluated by XRD and Raman. The local crystal structure was evaluated by transmission electron microscope, which showed the presence of both ferroelectric domains and polar nano regions. The electrical measurements corroborated well with the structure results, and showed a variation in the depolarization temperature (Td). The results highlight the importance of the pre-processing steps on the functional compounds obtained from sensitive elements, which has broader implementations for similar systems.
Basidiomycetes Biodiversity in the Area of Impact of Emissions of the Volgograd Aluminum Plant
Authors:   Volgograd State University, Oganesyan Helen , Kuragina Nadezhda ,   Volgograd State University
Published: January 2021

There are a large number of operating plants, combines and factories on the territory of Volgograd. Daily they emit tons of pollutants into the atmosphere, such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, fluoride compounds, nitrogen oxides, inorganic dust, etc. All of them are absorbed by the environment, including mushrooms. It is known that fruiting bodies of fungi accumulate heavy metals from the environment well and are excellent bioindicators. The study of the accumulation of toxic substances in the basidiomes of macromycetes in Volgograd has not previously been carried out. The purpose of our study was to assess the contamination of mushroom fruiting bodies in the sanitary protection zone of the plant by the bioindication method. We used standard methods of field research, microscopic analysis of samples using a Mikmed-5 binocular microscope, a Levenhuk C 510 NG camera and a standard set of reagents (5 % alkali solution and Meltzer’s reagent for determining the reaction of cell walls to iodine) and the bioindication method with the use of the lower crustaceans Daphnia as a test object. During mycological studies performed in fall-2019 in the study area, 14 species of fungi were identified. As a result of the bioindication research, a macromycete that accumulates harmful substances to a greater extent – Tricholoma equestre (L.) P. Kumm was identified. This species is considered tasty by the inhabitants of the city. The study proves that picking and eating mushrooms from the territory of sanitary protection factories, in particular the Aluminum Plant, is unsafe.
Soil-Ecological Features of Gray-Brown (Chestnut) Soils Formed on the North-Eastern Slope of the Lesser Caucasus (Within the Shamkirchay Reservoir Basin)
Authors:   Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Sadigov Ramil
Published: January 2021

On the north-eastern slope of the Lesser Caucasus, within the boundaries of Shamkir administrative district, the most common soils in the Shamkirchay reservoir basin are gray-brown (chestnut) soils. Since the commissioning of the reservoir, these lands have been intensively used as new irrigated areas under agricultural production. To some extent, non-compliance with planting norms when using irrigation can lead to a decrease in soil fertility parameters, soil degradation, and an increased risk of salinization. The main purpose of the study is to analyze the current state of the main physicochemical and fertility indicators of soils in the basin and the relationship between them in the gray-brown (chestnut) soils spread within the basin boundaries of the reservoir. Diagnostic indicators, agrochemical properties and results of their analysis of soil plots placed in characteristic places were analyzed in tables and explanations. The main indicators are humus, total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, granulometric composition (sand, dust, silt and clay fractions), soil environmental reaction (pH) and carbonate content (CaCO3), statistical analysis. The article has covered studies in dark, conventional and light gray-brown (semi-brown) semi-soils in three sub-areas of gray-brown (chestnut) soils, mainly distributed in the Shamkirchay reservoir. In each of the three subclasses, profiles are set in specific locations. The practical part has been implemented in 2 stages. During the field studies, 9 profiles have been excavated, relevant samples have been taken, and analysis has been performed to determine the diagnostic performance. The results of the analyses have been presented in the respective tables and have been analyzed in detail. All analyses have been carried out on the basis of modern methods.
Blood platelets in the development of sepsis, septic shock and multiple organ failure syndrome
Authors: Serebryanaya N. B. , Yakutseni P. P.
Published: January 2021

Participation of blood platelets in the development of sepsis is clearly illustrated by hemocoagulation disorders and frequently observed thrombocytopenia. In the patients with sepsis, thrombocytopenia develops rapidly, with minimal platelet counts registered on the fourth day of observation, after which the platelet counts usually rise. Continuous thrombocytopenia and absence of a relative increase in platelets are considered predictors of patient death. The mechanisms of thrombocytopenia developing in sepsis are quite diverse, but the processes in periphery are prevailing, e.g., the so-called “platelet consumption” which is determined by their activation, chemotaxis and isolation in the microvasculature. Recently, a mechanism has been identified for the accelerated removal of platelets with desialized surface glycoproteins from the circulation. Sialidases, also known as neuraminidases, are widely present in viruses and bacteria, and pharmacological inhibition of sialidases is able to withstand thrombocytopenia in the infectious process. The key role of platelets in the development of septic shock was revealed. Sequestration of platelets in the microvessels of the lungs and brain (manifesting as thrombocytopenia) is accompanied by rapid serotonin release, thus underlying the main clinical manifestations, e.g., decreased blood pressure, heart rate and increased capillary permeability. To counteract sharp release of this mediator, pharmacological attempts are made to inhibit the SERT transporter by means of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Blood platelets are key participants in the pathogenesis of multiple organ failure syndromes, such as acute renal damage, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial dysfunction, and sepsis-associated encephalopathy. To restore impaired vascular permeability in these conditions, in particular, sepsis-associated encephalopathy, a pharmacological S1P receptor mimetic is under study. The review specifies possible pathogenetically significant targets that can be used to perform pharmacological correction of conditions associated with sepsis and concomitant thrombocytopenia.
Сatalase antibodies in patients with systemic scleroderma as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of the disease
Authors: Emelyanova O. I. , Gontar I. P. , Rusanova O. A. , Zborovskaya I. A.
Published: January 2021

The study covered 30 apparently healthy individuals and 38 patients with systemic scleroderma. The patients gave their consent to participate in the study in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki in the current (2013) version (ACR/EULAR). The donors and patients had their blood tested for catalase antibodies with immunoenzyme assay and using magnetic sorbents upon hospital admission and before discharge. It was found that the patients with systemic scleroderma had a reduced oxidase activity of catalase as well as elevated catalase antibodies, compared with the controls. We revealed a statistically significant regularity that the concentration of catalase immunoglobulins is associated with activity and course of the disease. To assess the activity of systemic scleroderma we performed a complex evaluation of two parameters: enzymatic activity and catalase antibody levels. It was established that catalase autoantibodies are mostly revealed in patients with high-activity scleroderma, subacute and acute course of the disease, and when the lungs, skin, kidneys, joints and nervous system were involved, which was conclusively confirmed by a correlation analysis. It is especially important that catalase antibodies should be revealed at early stage of the disease development; they are of especial diagnostic importance, and their changes over time may form the basis for assessing efficiency of administered therapy. The changes in biochemical activity of catalase, elevated antibody titers provide additional criteria of diagnosis in systemic scleroderma. Monitoring of these parameters in hospital settings helps to evaluate the effectiveness of administered therapy and adjust its correction, which is confirmed by inclusion of such extracorporal techniques as plasma separation into the combined treatment schedules. Studying biochemical activity of catalase and formation of catalase antibodies expands our understanding of scleroderma development and opens new avenues for research.