bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enseñanza del emprendimiento: entre la política y la praxis educativa
Authors: Damián Simón Javier
Published: October 2022

En México a finales del siglo XX se incluyó el tema del emprendimiento en la educación superior pública, como una política educativa derivada de las recomendaciones de organismos internacionales. El objetivo de la investigación es mostrar cómo se asume la enseñanza del emprendimiento en una pequeña universidad establecida en un contexto con fuertes rezagos económicos y educativos, para describir su correspondencia con las políticas educativas al respecto. Mediante una investigación cualitativa participaron todos los egresados de la cohorte 2015-2020 de un programa de pregrado relacionado con los negocios, quienes proporcionaron información mediante relatos de vida narrando las actividades de emprendimiento realizadas durante los cinco años de formación universitaria. Se encontraron debilidades institucionales, principalmente, el trabajo de los profesores que limitan el alcance de los objetivos de la enseñanza del emprendimiento, además se identifica una brecha importante entre lo que dictan las políticas educativas que debe caracterizar este tipo de enseñanza con lo que realmente sucede en la praxis.
A Landau–Ginzburg mirror theorem via matrix factorizations
Authors: He Weiqiang , Polishchuk Alexander , Shen Yefeng , Vaintrob Arkady
Published: October 2022

For an invertible quasihomogeneous
polynomial

𝒘

{{\boldsymbol{w}}}

we prove an all-genus mirror theorem
relating two cohomological field theories of Landau–Ginzburg type.
On the B-side it is the Saito–Givental theory for a specific
choice of a primitive form. On the A-side, it is the matrix factorization CohFT
for the dual singularity

𝒘
T

{{\boldsymbol{w}}^{T}}

with the maximal diagonal symmetry group.
Analysis of quad-band polarization- and incident-angle independent low profile metamaterial absorber
Authors: Kaur Manpreet , Singh Hari Shankar
Published: October 2022

In this paper, a quad-band polarization- and incident-angle independent low-profile metamaterial absorber is proposed. The design consists of three square rings one into another and one plus-shaped slot structure. The size of the unit cell is 11 × 11 mm2 and is printed on an FR-4 substrate having a thickness of 1 mm. It provides 99.2%, 97.6%, 99.3%, and 99.9% absorption at 3.55 GHz, 5.27 GHz, 7.57 GHz, and 11.57 GHz, respectively, thus covering the S, C, and X bands. The surface current distribution of the proposed absorber is also shown at the four resonating frequencies to get a better insight into the design. Moreover, the stability of the proposed design is also validated with different incident angles (for both TE and TM modes) and polarization angles. In addition, a prototype of the proposed absorber structure is also fabricated and then verified experimentally.
Interlocked life cycles of counterfactual mood forms from Archaic to Classical Greek
Authors: Roi Ezra la
Published: October 2022

Based on a corpus study of 2074 occurrences in Archaic (424) and Classical (1650) Greek, I offer a unified explanation for the temporal reference extensions of counterfactual mood forms in declarative, interrogative, wish and de-activated illocutions (i.e. subordinate clauses). I propose a diachronic trajectory (life cycle) for counterfactual mood forms from past to present and future reference. Extensions are constrained diachronically by grammatical aspect (e.g. imperfect facilitating extensions to present reference more than the aorist or pluperfect), and actionality of the state of affairs in clausal context (atelic states of affairs enabling temporal extensions), as well as synchronically by illocutionary usage, collocations with temporal adverbs and common ground knowledge (i.e. temporal location known or not). This trajectory explains the replacements of the inherited counterfactual optative by the counterfactual indicative, because their life cycles are interlocked: in Archaic Greek the counterfactual optative had already extended from its original past to present and future reference and is losing its counterfactuality, whereas the counterfactual indicative referred only to the past and sometimes the present. In Classical Greek, temporal extensions of the counterfactual indicative are continued across different aspects, clause types and illocutions at different rates of change and the counterfactual optative is filtered out of the system.
Linguistic evidence for Kuṣāṇa trade routes
Authors: Schoubben Niels
Published: October 2022

Late Sanskrit lardayati ‘to load’ is probably not inherited from a PIE root *lerd-, as has recently been argued by Kaczyńska (2020), but can be explained as a denominative of *larda- ‘load, cargo’. This noun *larda- could be a borrowing from Bactrian *λιρτο /lirtə/ ‘load, cargo’ < Old Iranian *dr̥šta-. This etymology fits well with the fact that lardayati is phrased together with sthora- ‘pack-animal’, likely another instantiation of the Iranian collocation of *staura- ‘animal’ and *√darz- ‘to load’, for which I discuss evidence from Niya Prakrit, Parthian and Khotanese. In addition, further support is drawn from the independent historical evidence for the domination of the main trade routes of Central and South Asia by the Kuṣāṇa dynasty in the first centuries of our era.
Chebyshev wavelet-Picard technique for solving fractional nonlinear differential equations
Authors: Xu Xiaoyong , Zhou Fengying
Published: October 2022

In the present paper, an efficient method based on a new kind of Chebyshev wavelet together with Picard technique is developed for solving fractional nonlinear differential equations with initial and boundary conditions. The new orthonormal Chebyshev wavelet basis is constructed from a class of orthogonal polynomials called the fifth-kind Chebyshev polynomials. The convergence analysis and error estimation of the proposed Chebyshev wavelet expansion are studied. An exact formula for the Riemann-Liouville fractional integral of the Chebyshev wavelet is derived. Picard iteration is used to convert the fractional nonlinear differential equations into a fractional recurrence relation and then the proposed Chebyshev wavelet collocation method is applied on the converted problem. Several test problems are given to illustrate the performance and effectiveness of the proposed method and compared with the existing work in the literature.
A new numerical formulation for the generalized time-fractional Benjamin Bona Mohany Burgers’ equation
Authors: Chawla Reetika , Deswal Komal , Kumar Devendra
Published: October 2022

In this article, we present a novel numerical formulation for the generalized time-fractional Benjamin Bona Mohany Burgers’ (BBMB) equation using Atangana Baleanu Caputo (ABC) derivative. First, we apply a linearization technique to deal with the generalized non-linear expression, and then the Crank–Nicolson finite difference formula is used in the temporal direction. A reliable numerical technique is applied to discretize the time-fractional ABC derivative, and the central difference formulae are used to approximate the derivatives in the spatial direction. The method is shown unconditionally stable and second-order convergent in both directions through the Fourier analysis. The numerical results of two test problems are analyzed to validate the theoretical results.
Value of 18F FDG-PET/CT parameters on long term follow-up for patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zoair Mohammed , Taber Samantha , Bittner Roland , Foerster Gregor , Griff Sergej , Bauer Torsten T. , Pfannschmidt Joachim
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of PET/CT in the preoperative staging of non-small cell lung cancer in predicting long-term survival and diagnostic performance, validated by histopathology following surgical resection.

Methods

Between 02/2009 and 08/2011, 255 patients with non-small cell lung cancer were included in this single-center prospective study. All underwent 18F FDG-PET/CT for pre-operative staging, and in 243 patients complete surgical resection was possible. Regarding lymph node involvement and extrathoracic metastases, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated using the histopathological staging as reference. Median follow-up for censored patients was 9.1 years.

Results

Overall 5-year survival rate of all patients was 55.6%, and of patients who had complete surgical resection it was 58.2%. In multivariate analysis of all surgically resected patients lymph node involvement (p=0.029) and age >61 years (p=<0.001) were significant independent prognostic factors. SUVmax and SUVmean cut-offs between SUV 2 and 11, however, were not associated with better or ;worse survival. The PET-CT sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for predicting lymph node involvement were 57, 95, 88, and 76%, respectively. Furthermore, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for detecting extrathoracic metastases were 100, 58, 98, and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions

In this study, tumor 18F FDG-uptake values did not provide additional prognostic information. Age>61 years and lymph node metastasis were associated with worse long-term survival in surgically resected patients. 18F FDG-PET/CT scans allow for improved patient selection. However, in staging mediastinal lymph nodes, there is a high rate of false positives and false negatives, suggesting that tissue biopsy is still indicated in many cases.
Prognostic value of heart rate variability in acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Pernaje Seetharam Smitha , Shankar MS Vinutha , Udupa Kaviraja , A. Raveesha , Reddy Niranjan
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To assess the predictive value of pre-discharge heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

145 consecutive male patients with ACS (aged 57.12 ± 10.81 years) were included in this study. Fifteen minutes electrocardiogram recording was done to measure time-domain [standard deviation of N–N intervals (SDNN), root-mean square differences of successive R–R intervals (rMSSD)] and frequency-domain [low-frequency (LF) power, high-frequency (HF) power and total power (TP)] HRV parameters before and after PCI. The primary end point was the occurrence of major clinical events (MCE) defined as death, sudden death or re-acute myocardial infarction at the end of 3 months follow-up.

Results

At a follow-up of 3 months, MCE occurred in 06 patients (4.14%) (Cardiac death was 3.01%, while that of sudden death was 1.13%). Out of six-MCE, four deaths and two re-AMIs occurred. Pre-discharge HRV values (SDNN, rMSSD, TP, LF and HF) were significantly lower in patients with ACS without MCE. Only total power HRV index (AUC=0.748; p=0.040) showed greater prognostic accuracy.

Conclusions

In conclusion, study showed an increase in SDNN, rMSSD, LF, HF and TP after successful revascularization with PCI in patients who had MCE. The resultant sensitivity, specificity of HRV is still limited in the present study. Particularly, its sensitivity is higher (33–83%) with a modest specificity (61–72%).
Co-creation environment with cloud virtual reality and real-time artificial intelligence toward the design of molecular robots
Authors: Konagaya Akihiko , Gutmann Gregory , Zhang Yuhui
Published: October 2022

This paper describes the design philosophy for our cloud-based virtual reality (VR) co-creation environment (CCE) for molecular modeling. Using interactive VR simulation can provide enhanced perspectives in molecular modeling for intuitive live demonstration and experimentation in the CCE. Then the use of the CCE can enhance knowledge creation by bringing people together to share and create ideas or knowledge that may not emerge otherwise. Our prototype CCE discussed here, which was developed to demonstrate our design philosophy, has already enabled multiple members to log in and touch virtual molecules running on a cloud server with no noticeable network latency via real-time artificial intelligence techniques. The CCE plays an essential role in the rational design of molecular robot parts, which consist of bio-molecules such as DNA and protein molecules.
Flower shaped gap tuned plasmonic nano-antenna for optical wireless communication
Authors: S. Kavitha , Sairam Kanduri V S S S S , Singh Ashish , Mishra Sheo Kumar
Published: October 2022

In this manuscript the plasmonic flower shaped silver nano dipole antenna is investigated on the silicon dioxide substrate for the optical wireless communication. The nano-circuit modeling of the proposed flower shaped nano dipole antenna is discussed which will enable the design of nano-photonic chips. The resonance tuning of the proposed flower shaped nano antenna is exhibited through end-to-end stacking of the flower cells over a petal of the nanostructure. The various possible structures were designed to tune the frequency in the range from 170 to 271 THz which covers 1550 nm window of the optical communication. The gap tuned flower shaped nano dipole antenna is designed by controlling the optical coupling of the waves in between two dipole arms of the nano-antenna. Further the detailed investigation on the performance of the flower shaped nano dipole antenna is executed through the design parameters such as gap of the nano dipole antenna feed G and radius of the flower cell R. The optimum nano-antenna characteristics which are suitable for the optical wireless communication are observed at the resonance frequencies such as 270, 284.5, 260.5, 226.5 and 209 THz with reflection coefficients −42.17, −42.42, −42.17, −45.20 and −50.33 dB respectively.
Design and construction of passively pulse compressor using PM–Mach–Zehnder interferometers
Authors: Mutar Baraa H. , Hammadi Yousif I. , Mansour Tahreer S.
Published: October 2022

In line fiber Mach–Zehnder inferometer (MZI) pulse compression was designed three different lengths of single mode-polarization maintaining fiber with (8, 16, 24) cm after splicing them between two single mode fibers (SMF-28e) with (23 and 13) cm and applying different weights on splicing region and the cross sectional area of SM-PM fiber, the designed performance of the in line fiber compressor system was studies in terms of compressor factor. Two minima pulse compression factor were obtained, one is 1.13 with FWHM 251.584 pm, centered wavelength 1547.394 nm, 52 cm interferometer length and 5 g was applied on the micro-cavity splicing region, and the second is equal 1.10 with FWHM 259.730 pm, centered wavelength 1547.120 pm and, 68 cm interferometer length and 10 g was applied on the cross sectional area of the second PMFs, in the case of single and cascaded interferometers, respectively. The input of the all interferometers was pulsed laser source with peak power 1.2297 mW, 286 pm spatial FWHM, 10 ns temporal FWHM, 3 kHz repetition rate and centered at 1546.7 nm.
Has Higher Education Fallen Down the Rabbit Hole?
Authors: Friedman Hershey H. , Friedman Linda Weiser
Published: October 2022

Most Americans believe that higher education is heading in the wrong direction. In Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the eponymous heroine’s tumble into a rabbit hole immerses her in a bizarre, surreal, disorienting universe. Has higher education fallen down the rabbit hole? This paper will examine the many ways that academe has become a peculiar, illogical, and topsy-turvy world where things are often the opposite of what we call them and of what we expect them to be. To restore the credibility of our education system and make it of value to most students, it must be completely reimagined and, in fact, totally rebuilt from the ground up.
Drag Reduction Method of Deep Pine Components in Soda Saline-Alkali Soil for a Smart City
Authors: Wang Jingli , Feng Weizhi , Zhang Hang , Sun Jia , Zhao Qinglai
Published: October 2022

The traditional method of deep pine in soda saline-alkali soil has great resistance, so the structure of the deep pine shovel is optimized to reduce the resistance. The deep pine shovel structure model was constructed with bionic technology, and the 3-D bionic model was built with Unigraphics software to imitate the appearance of the paw and toe of the Daurian typhus. The tip of the deep loose shovel imitates the surface structure of the lip base of the head of a dung beetle, which makes the tip of the shovel have good nonstick and wear resistance characteristics. The structural parameters, manufacturing materials, and technology of the spatula tip were determined, and the connection and fixation of the spatula tip and handle were completed by force analysis of the spatula tip and handle. In order to verify the drag reduction effect of the proposed method, a comparative experiment was designed. The experimental results show that the resistance of the designed deep pine shovel is 5,592.8 N when the tillage depth is 25 cm and 7,129 N when the tillage depth is 30 cm. When the tillage speed is 0.2 m/s, the resistance to the deep pine shovel of the drag reduction method in this paper is 521 N. When the tillage speed increases to 1.0 m/s, the resistance of the deep pine shovel in this paper is only 1,035 N. The method in this paper has good drag reduction effect and high application value.
Smart Reliability Analysis of Wind Resistance of Lightweight Steel Structures in Super Tall Buildings in a Smart City
Authors: Lu Chunting , Yang Zheng , Zheng Lei , Liu Zonghui
Published: October 2022

To improve the stability of the lightweight steel structure of super high-rise buildings, the wind-resistance reliability of the structure is analyzed in this paper. Based on the stress model of the lightweight steel structure of super high-rise buildings, the additional internal forces of the lightweight steel structure under strong wind are calculated, and the stress analysis is completed. Then, the data of the lightweight steel structure node of super high-rise buildings are divided into topographic data and ground object data, and part of the data noise is eliminated by filtering calculation, so as to complete the processing of the measurement data of lightweight steel structure by laser scanning. On this basis, combined with the data obtained, the wind-induced internal pressure and surface net wind pressure of the lightweight steel structure of super high-rise buildings are calculated after the wind-induced failure criterion is defined, and the wind-induced internal pressure and surface net wind pressure of the lightweight steel structure are calculated. Additionally, the wind-resistance reliability analysis is completed by combining the stiffness equation. The experimental results show that the method has high reliability and a short analysis time, which fully proves the effectiveness of the method.
Aspectos valorizados pelos enfermeiros perante a dor crônica de uma pessoa em cuidados paliativos
Authors: Sá José , Teixeira Joana
Published: October 2022

Objetivo: identificar os aspectos valorizados pelos enfermeiros de uma unidade de cuidados continuados perante a dor crônica de uma pessoa em cuidados paliativos. Método: estudo qualitativo, descritivo, exploratório, sob a perspectiva construtivista. Coleta de dados efetuada através de entrevista semiestruturada a sete enfermeiros de Portugal de forma não aleatória, e realizada análise de conteúdo. Resultados: através dos relatos dos participantes identificou-se que os enfermeiros perante a dor crônica valorizam vários aspectos, como: comunicação verbal e não-verbal, dimensão psicológica, dimensão emocional, reações físicas, resposta alimentar e a sintomatologia. Conclusões: é fundamental a implementação de uma abordagem que privilegie a pessoa e que a dor seja entendida numa dimensão científica, antropológica e subjetiva. Os enfermeiros devem assim desenvolver uma atitude de avaliação e de escuta ativa de forma a determinar e caracterizar a dor no sistema pessoal e familiar.
Aleitamento materno na perspectiva de puérperas
Authors: De Vargas Perez Rhayanna , Alende Prates Lisie , Mendes Lipinski Jussara , De Lima Escobal Ana Paula , Cremonese Luiza , Da Silva Gomes Natália
Published: October 2022

Objetivo: compreender as percepções de puérperas acerca do aleitamento materno. Método: pesquisa qualitativa, desenvolvida em outubro de 2019, em município da Fronteira Oeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, com sete puérperas, nos seus domicílios, utilizando-se a técnica de criatividade e sensibilidade “Almanaque” e entrevista semiestruturada. Adotou-se a análise de conteúdo. Resultados: as puérperas apresentam conhecimentos superficiais sobre os benefícios do aleitamento materno e o tempo recomendado para manter a prática de forma exclusiva. Elas reconhecem a importância das orientações profissionais e de suporte social para adesão e manutenção do aleitamento. Conclusão: são necessárias ações de educação em saúde, que ultrapassem o modelo biomédico e incluam uma escuta de qualidade quanto aos saberes, as experiências e as crenças das mulheres sobre o aleitamento materno, bem como o ambiente e as influências que recebem das pessoas que a cercam.
Fatores de risco para sofrimento psíquico no processo de trabalho de enfermeiras hospitalares
Authors: Da Cruz Fabres Sharon , Quinzen Willrich Janaína , Antunes Machado Roberta , Silveira de Menezes Etiene , Dos Santos Germano Karoline , Trindade Fagundes Angélica , Prado Kantorski Luciane
Published: October 2022

Objetivo: identificar os fatores de risco que contribuem para o desenvolvimento do sofrimento psíquico no processo de trabalho de enfermeiras de um Hospital Escola no Sul no Brasil. Método: pesquisa qualitativa, de caráter descritivo, realizada com oito enfermeiras mediante a aplicação de uma entrevista semiestruturada. Resultados: foram relatadas, como fatores de risco envolvidos no processo de sofrimento psíquico, a dificuldade de comunicação e as relações interpessoais conflituosas; a proximidade com a dor do outro como fator de risco para o sofrimento psíquico; a sobrecarga de trabalho frente às demandas de gestão da unidade e gestão do cuidado e a falta de recursos materiais. Conclusão: diferenciados fatores de risco vivenciados no processo de trabalho estão contribuindo para o desenvolvimento do sofrimento psíquico dessas trabalhadoras em saúde. É válido reforçar a importância de ações que foquem na minimização desses riscos e no manejo adequado das situações emergentes.
Development of a Problematic Khat Use Screening Test (PKUST-17) in Ethiopia: Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory Analysis
Authors: Mihretu Awoke , Fekadu Abebaw , Norton Sam , Habtamu Kassahun , Teferra Solomon
Published: October 2022

Problematic khat use has been poorly defined and measured. This study aimed to develop a problematic khat use screening tool in the Gurage Community, South-central Ethiopia. We have used a series of methods (systematic review, qualitative study and cognitive interviewing) to generate a pool of items for problematic khat use screening tool. Classical test theory (inter-item, and item-total correlation, intraclass correlation, Cronbachalpha and exploratory factor analysis) and a 2-parameter item response theory statistics were used for initial psychometric evaluation of the scale. Initially, we developed a pool of 50 items. IRT analysis indicated that the item, ’’during the past three months, how often have you experienced irritability when you didn’t chew khat?” showed the highest discrimination (α thresholds =2.44). The item about “during the past three months, to what extent have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of your use of khat? was the most difficult (first β thresholds =0.25) item, which was the only positive coefficient. The test information function graph depicts that the scale provided a lot of information in the latent trait’s moderate range. We found that employing series of methods is very important for item selection and refinement. We developed a Problematic Khat Use Screening Test with 17 items which will have a good utility for the general population or primary health care setting more than for the clinical population. Future studies should do full-scale validation of the scale.
What Is Hidden Behind The Gender Differences Of Carotid Atherosclerosis?
Authors: Gaisenok Oleg V.
Published: October 2022

This review article reveals possible causes that may underlie gender differences of carotid atherosclerosis: vascular anatomy, localization and morphology of atherosclerotic plaques, different effects and prevalence of known risk factors between genders (arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, depression / stress). A separate place in the review is given to markers of inflammation and the protective effect of female sex hormones.
Awareness And Knowledge Of MRI Safety Among Radiological Students, Interns, Fresh Graduates And Trainees
Authors: Asiri Abdullah Ali M
Published: October 2022

Background — Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a safe imaging technique that provides superior soft tissue contrast compared to other radiological imaging modalities. The main objective of this study was to measure awareness and knowledge of radiology students, interns, new graduates, and trainees regarding the safety of MRI. Material and Methods— To measure awareness and knowledge of the safety of MRI use, data was collected using a questionnaire from 166 subjects (age: 20-60 years) from August to September 2020 at Najran University and all hospitals and dispensaries in Najran region. Results — A total of 166 participants (45.2% male and 54.8% female) were included in the study. The participants were students (44%) from multiple levels (level 3-9), interns (17%), new graduates (19%), and trainees (20%). Our results showed that MRI is a safe method of evaluation and is superior to other tests in terms of safety and accuracy. Pregnant women can do the MRI scan after the end of the first 3 months. Conclusion — The MRI scan is safe but it has some risks that must be considered. There are different levels of knowledge and awareness regarding the safety of MRI use among the students, interns, fresh graduates, and trainees from all hospitals.
Relationship Between The BRAF V600E And Tumor Size, Lymph Node, And Distant Metastasis In Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Wikanta Edmond Rukmana , Prajoko Yan Wisnu , Issakh Benny , Istiadi Hermawan , Puspasari Dik
Published: October 2022

Aim – This study aimed to analyze the association between B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) V600E and tumor size, lymph node, and distant metastasis (TNM) status on patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Material and Methods – This research is a cross-sectional study. A total of 40 samples were papillary thyroid carcinoma tissue paraffin blocks from thyroidectomy surgery at State General Hospital (RSUP) Dr. Kariadi Semarang. Assessment of BRAF V600E mutation protein expression through immunohistochemical methods using antibody BRAF V600E was conducted. Results – The mean age of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma with a positive BRAF V600E mutation was 49 years. The highest incidence was 71.4% in women. A significant difference between BRAF V600E and tumor size (p=0.03) was observed with as many as 53.2% more cases at size > 4 cm. A significant difference in the expression of BRAF V600E with enlargement of the lymph node (p=0.011) by 60.7% was observed compared to those without enlarged lymph nodes. On the other hand, no significant relationship between BRAF V600E expression and distant metastasis (p=0.652) was observed. The prevalence ratio in the positive BRAF V600E case at tumor size is more than 4 cm, and enlargement of lymph is 9.533 and 7.727. Conclusion – There is a significant relationship between BRAF V600E expression and tumor size and enlarged lymph nodes, while there is no significant relationship between BRAF V600E expression and distant metastases.
Blood Levels Of Hormones, Cytokines And Leukocyte Content Versus Hypertrophic Scar Laser Treatment Outcome
Authors: Vasilyeva Lyudmila S. , Kobets Maksim V. , Makarova Olga A.
Published: October 2022

The goal was to identify the changes in blood levels of hormones, cytokines, and the number of leukocytes associated with the success of laser treatment of hypertrophic scars. Material and Methods — The lipid, hormonal, cytokine and leukocyte composition of blood was studied in 15 women with normotrophic scars (Group 1) and 30 women with hypertrophic scars (Group 2). Blood was taken before treatment on days 5-7 of the menstrual cycle, followed by laser treatment. The clinical parameters of scars were assessed before treatment and 3 months after it, and two subgroups were identified: with a successful treatment outcome (2a) and with an unsuccessful outcome (2b). A retrospective analysis of blood composition was performed in each subgroup. The data were processed using the methods of nonparametric statistics. The differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. Results — At a successful treatment outcome, the clinical parameters of scars were associated with low estradiol level, high progesterone content and high number of segmented neutrophils. These changes create conditions for scar hypertrophy, but retain the body’s capability of responding to the treatment by inflammatory process with normotrophic scarring. At an unsuccessful treatment outcome, the scar hypertrophy was restored under conditions of low blood content of luteinizing hormone, and high levels of growth hormone and transforming growth factor β. Conclusion — Features of changes in the blood levels of hormones, cytokines, and leukocyte content are associated with the success of laser treatment of hypertrophic scars.
Structure Of Comorbidity In Urban Population With Essential Hypertension In The Clinical Practice Of A Local General Practitioner
Authors: Osmanov Esedulla M. , Manyakov Rustam R. , Garaeva Amina S. , Tuktamysheva Liliya M. , Korkmazova Laurija H. , Arsanukaev Imam M. , Garaeva Jasmina A. , Antonov Arthur A.
Published: October 2022

Taking into account gender- and age-related features, to examine the structure of comorbidity in outpatients with essential hypertension residing in the city of Tambov. Material and Methods — This research was an observational cross-sectional study based on data extracted from 47,113 electronic medical records (EMRs) of patients 20-99 years of age residing in Tambov. The study included 29,282 (62.2%) women and 17831 (37.8%) men. Results — Essential hypertension is habitually associated with osteochondrosis (41.5% of patients with hypertension), cerebrovascular diseases (35.1%), arthrosis (28.3%), ischemic heart disease (IHD) (28.7%), menopausal disorders (17.5%), pancreatic diseases (15.4%), diabetes mellitus (14.7%), benign mammary dysplasia (14.2%), retinal diseases (12.9%), disorders of lipoprotein metabolism (12.4%), senile cataract (10.6%), gastritis and duodenitis (10.7%), varicose veins (10.1%), and thyroid diseases (10.0%). IHD is more common among men with hypertension, while other comorbidities are more characteristic for women. The most striking gender-related difference was associated with the finding that women with hypertension had varicose veins as a comorbidity (RR=1.398; 95% CI 1.376-1.422), while the smallest difference between genders related to retinal diseases (RR=1.065; 95% CI 1.038-1.092). IHD was strongly associated with the male gender (RR=1.101; 95% CI 1.056-1.148). Three diseases were more often associated with hypertension in the age range of 80-89 years (cerebrovascular disease, IHD, osteochondrosis); some of the diseases had the highest incidence in the age range of 60-69 years, and other disorders occurred in the age range of 40-59 years. Conclusion — The gender- and age-related features of comorbid pathology associated with essential hypertension among urban residents revealed in this study are extremely important in the clinical practice of a local general practitioner for developing optimal patient-oriented treatment plans.
Ethanol alters the relationship between IGF-1 and bone turnover in male macaques
Authors: Sattgast Lara H , Branscum Adam J , Newman Natali , Gonzales Steven W , Benton Mary Lauren , Baker Erich J , Grant Kathleen A , Turner Russell T , Iwaniec Urszula T
Published: October 2022

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) influences bone turnover. Transient decreases in IGF-I levels and/or bioavailability may contribute to the detrimental effects of alcohol on bone. The goals of this non-human primate study were to i) evaluate the 20-h response of bone turnover markers to ethanol consumption and ii) assess how ethanol consumption influences the relationship between IGF-1 and these markers. Osteocalcin (bone formation), carboxyterminal cross-linking telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX, bone resorption), IGF-1, and IGF binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) were measured in plasma from male rhesus macaques (N = 10, 8.4 ± 0.3 years) obtained at 12:00, 16:00, and 06:00 h during two phases: pre-ethanol (alcohol-naïve) and ethanol access. During the ethanol access phase, monkeys consumed 1.5 g/kg/day ethanol (4% w/v) beginning at 10:00 h. Osteocalcin and CTX were lower, and the ratio of osteocalcin to CTX was higher at each time point during ethanol access compared to the pre-ethanol phase. Pre-ethanol marker levels did not vary across time points, but markers varied during ethanol access. IGF-1 levels, but not IGFBP-1 levels, varied during the pre-ethanol phase. In contrast, IGF-1 levels were stable during ethanol access but IGFBP-1 levels varied. There were positive relationships between IGF-1 and turnover markers during the pre-ethanol phase, but not during ethanol access. In conclusion, chronic ethanol consumption reduces levels of bone turnover markers and blocks the normal positive relationship between IGF-1 and turnover markers and alters the normal relationship between IGF-1 and IGFBP-1. These findings support the hypothesis that chronic alcohol consumption leads to growth hormone/IGF-1 resistance.
The role of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) in steroidogenic cell function of the testes and ovaries of mature mice
Authors: Smith Olivia E , Morin Fanny , Roussel Vickie , Bertucci Micka C , Boyer Alexandre , Murphy Bruce D
Published: October 2022

In brief

The nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) is essential for mature mouse gonad steroidogenic gene expression, for Leydig and Sertoli cell function, and depletion of SF-1 in steroidogenic cells of the testis compromises steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis and male fertility.

Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1 or NR5A1) plays an essential role in the development of fetal gonads and regulates genes involved in steroid biosynthesis. Since SF-1 is expressed in multiple cell types in mouse gonads, we developed three novel conditional knockout (cKO) mouse models employing Cre-recombinase and floxed alleles of SF-1 (Nr5a1f/f) to identify its role in testes and ovaries of mature mice: Cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase (Cyp17Cre/+;Nr5a1f/f, Leydig and theca cell-specific), aromatase (Cyp19Cre/+;Nr5a1f/f, Sertoli and granulosa cell-specific), as well as a combination of both (Cyp17+Cyp19-Cre;Nr5a1f/f). Compared to control animals, Cyp19-Cre;Nr5a1f/f cKO males showed normal fertility and testicular function. The Cyp17Cre/+;Nr5a1f/f cKO males had smaller testis, with drastically reduced Leydig cell volumes and impaired steroidogenesis, though their reproductive performance remained comparable to controls. Some 50% of Cyp17Cre/++Cyp19Cre/+;Nr5a1f/f double-cKO (dKO) males were infertile, while the remaining 50% showed significantly reduced fertility. These dKO males also had smaller testis with degenerative seminiferous tubules, abnormal Leydig cell morphology and lower levels of intra-testicular testosterone. Abnormal Sertoli cell localization was noted in dKO testes, with increased Sox9, p27 and inhibin subunit ßb and decreased androgen receptor expression. Female mice from all genotypes showed normal reproductive capacity, though steroidogenic gene expression levels were significantly decreased in both Cyp17Cre/+;Nr5a1f/f cKO and dKO females. These results show the essential role of SF-1 in mature mouse gonad steroidogenic gene expression, for Leydig and Sertoli cell function, and that depletion SF-1 in all steroidogenic cells of the testis compromises steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis and male fertility.
David frente a Goliat: el superior interés del menor y el derecho a la tutela judicial efectiva en tela de juicio
Authors: Mayordomo Rodrigo Virginia Victoria
Published: October 2022

El asesinato de una niña a manos de su padre, al haberle sido retirada contra la voluntad de su madre la vigilancia en las visitas, lleva a cuestionar si prima realmente el superior interés del menor. Doce años de batalla judicial por parte de aquélla dieron como resultado que el Comité de Naciones  Unidas para la Eliminación de la  Discriminación contra la Mujer condenara al  Estado español por negligencia en  la protección de la menor. España se negó a admitir la resolución negándole valor ejecutivo  y, en consecuencia, a indemnizar a la madre por anómalo funcionamiento de la Administración de Justicia.
Engaged, Exhausted or Indifferent? Study Environment Factors and Doctoral Students’ Well-being
Authors: Žiedelis Arūnas
Published: October 2022

Creating decent conditions for doctoral students is a challenge that higher education institutions do not always manage to cope with. This tendency is also indirectly seen in the indicators of the well-being of doctoral students. The purpose of this study was to distinguish different well-being groups of doctoral students and to identify predictors of belonging to them. 633 doctoral students from various fields of science participated in the study, and were asked to answer questions about their study engagement, exhaustion, and the main study environment characteristics (demands and resources). The applied cluster analysis revealed that according to study engagement and burnout, four groups of doctoral students’ well-being can be distinguished, i.e., successful, exhausted, burned-out and indifferent doctoral students. Regression analysis made it possible to distinguish four study environmental characteristics that differentiate different groups of doctoral students’ well-being. Fewer opportunities for development, lack of support from the dissertation supervisor, higher study load, and more frequent encounters with conflicting expectations were associated with a lower probability of belonging to the group of doctoral students of the highest well-being. The results show that the antecedents for the well-being of doctoral students should be sought in the institutional environment, which facilitates or complicates the implementation of the tasks. The article also discusses suggestions based on the research results to improve the process of training doctoral students.
The impact of vitamin D(3) on bone remodeling in different types of experimental pathology
Authors:   Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Mazanova A. O. , Makarova O. O. ,   Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;, Khomenko A. V. ,   Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;, Vasylevska V. M. ,   Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;, Lototska O. Yu. ,   Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;, Shymanskyi I. O. ,   Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;, Veliky M. M. ,   Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
Published: October 2022

Osteoporosis is a progressive systemic skeletal disease characterized by a decrease in bone density, impairment of its microarchitectonics, and an increased risk of fractures that occur under minimal or no mechanical stress. One of the main causes of osteoporosis is vitamin D deficiency, which leads to disruption of normal bone remodeling. The aim of our study was to analyze the features of the process of bone tissue remodeling by measuring the key biochemical markers of bone formation/resorption in primary and secondary osteoporosis, as well as to investigate the potential corrective effect of vitamin D3 supplementation. The work was conducted on rats with different osteoporosis models: alimentary, dysfunctional and secondary osteoporosis associated with diabetes mellitus. We used ELISA to measure 25(OH)D content in blood serum. Blood serum and bone tissue calcium, and alkaline phosphatase activity were determined with bioassay kits. The content of inorganic phosphate in blood serum and ash was assayed by the Dyce method. It was shown that all the studied pathological conditions were accompanied by vitamin D deficiency, which led to impaired absorption of calcium in the intestine and reabsorption of inorganic phosphates by the kidneys, reducing, as a result, their concentration in the blood serum. Hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia contributed to the disruption of normal bone remodeling, excessive activation of alkaline phosphatase, and a decrease in the content of calcium and phosphate in bone tissue. Thus, sufficient vitamin D bioavailability was confirmed to be critical for effective bone remodeling in primary and secondary osteoporosis. Keywords: bone remodelin, osteoporosis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, vitamin D
Detection of unusual high molecular form of albumin in blood serum of COVID-19 patients
Authors:   Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv, Kit Yu. , Starykovych M. ,   Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv;, Manko N. ,   Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv;, Kannan S. ,   College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar;, Orfin A. ,   Municipal Non-commercial Enterprise of Lviv Regional Council “Lviv Regional Infection Clinical Hospital”, Lviv, Ukraine, Souchelnytskyi S. ,   Oranta CancerDiagnostics AB, Uppsala, Sweden;, Stoika R. ,   Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv;
Published: October 2022

Blood sera of 12 severe Covid-19 patients and 14 healthy human donors were subjected to original TCA-extraction/acetone-precipitation followed by SDS-PAAG electrophoresis and mass-spectrometry. 76 kDa protein was detected as one of the differentially expressed proteins in the samples of Covid-19 patients. This 76 kDa protein was identified with mass-spectrometry as human serum albumin. Such molecular form of albumin was absent in blood serum of healthy human donors. The potential ways of generation of the unusual form of human serum albumin and its probable diagnostic value were discussed. Keywords: acetone-precipitation, biomarker proteins, COVID-19, electrophoresis, mass-spectrometry, TCA-extraction, unusual form of human serum albumin
Precautionary Measures, Attitude, and Productive Activities of Students in West Java Province, Indonesia, during Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Pratiwi Rimadani , Maisyarah Intan T. , Saptarini Nyi M.
Published: October 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic has been ongoing for approximately one year, hence, several activities must be carried out remotely from home. Studying from home for every level of education has its challenges, specifically for university students in terms of maintaining productive activity. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the impact of a one-year pandemic on the precautionary measures, attitudes, and productive activities of students in Indonesia. A descriptive cross-sectional approach was used, and an online questionnaire was distributed between 11–15 January 2021 to 628 undergraduates in West Java Province. The result showed that students still adhere to health protocols by wearing a face mask (93.8%), washing hands (74.7%), and social distancing (64.5%), but they were feeling bored (60.2%) with the online activities carried out at home. A total of 81.4% hope the activity and online class can change to face-to-face to keep social interaction with other people. In productivity, more than 40% can find new hobbies and carry out positive activities while staying at home. They were also feeling more grateful during the pandemic. Based on the results, students are still aware of health protocols and regulations of the government as precautionary measures for the spread of Covid-19. Despite the boredom, they can still stay productive by engaging in positive activities at home.
Correlation between Serum Level of Vitamin D and Covid-19 Infection Severity: A Literature Review
Authors: Wulansari Devyani D. , Tsani Indi R. , Prasetya Rahmad A.
Published: October 2022

In recent years, infectious diseases caused by viruses have become one of the biggest global health problems, including coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infection. Covid-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which can induce immune responses and inflammatory reactions, thereby leading to the damage of tissues. Hyperinflammation due to cytokine storm in infected patients increases the risk of severe infection and death. Vitamin D can also reduce the severity of infections because it acts as an immunomodulator. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D on Covid-19 infections. A total of nine articles were collected using literature searching on several databases, such as PUBMED and Science Direct with the keywords of “Covid-19”, “immunomodulator”, and “vitamin D”. Five of them were observational or retrospective studies, which determined the correlation between serum concentration of vitamin D and Covid-19 infection severity. Meanwhile, another four articles were random clinical trials testing the effect of the drugs’s supplementation on infected people. The results showed that high levels of serum vitamin D can cause low concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which reduces the incidence of acute respiratory infections and the severity of the viral infection. Furthermore, vitamin D, specifically D3, has the potential to act as an immunomodulator in Covid-19 by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby reducing the risk of severity.