bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trabecular and cortical bone are unaltered in response to chronic lipopolysaccharide exposure via osmotic pumps in male and female CD-1 mice
Authors: Bott Kirsten N. , Yumol Jenalyn L. , Comelli Elena M. , Klentrou Panagiota , Peters Sandra J. , Ward Wendy E.
Published: February 2021

Chronic low-grade inflammation has been identified as an underlying cause of many diseases including osteoporosis. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent inducer of the inflammatory response that can negatively affect bone outcomes by upregulating bone resorption and inhibiting bone formation. The objective of this study was to assess the longitudinal response of trabecular and cortical bone structure and bone mineral density to LPS continuously administered for 12 weeks in male and female CD-1 mice. Mice were assigned to one of four LPS groups at 8-weeks of age: placebo (0.0 μg/d), low (0.9 μg/d), mid (3.6 μg/d) and high (14.4 μg/d) dose. Trabecular and cortical bone outcomes were measured at 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks of age using in vivo micro-computed tomography. The anticipated serum LPS dose-dependent response was not observed. Therefore, the low, mid, and high LPS groups were combined for analysis. Compared to the placebo group, endpoint serum LPS was elevated in both males (p < 0.05) and females (p < 0.05) when all LPS treatment groups were combined. However, there was no significant change in trabecular or cortical bone outcomes in the combined LPS groups compared to the placebo following the 12-week LPS intervention for either sex. This suggests that although serum LPS was elevated following the 12-week LPS intervention, the dosages administered using the osmotic pumps was not sufficient to negatively impact trabecular or cortical bone outcomes in either male or female CD-1 mice.
Risk of gastrointestinal cancer in patients with an elevated level of gamma-glutamyltransferase: A nationwide population-based study
Authors: Hong Seung Wook , Lee Hyun Jung , Han Kyungdo , Moon Jung Min , Park Seona , Soh Hosim , Kang Eun Ae , Chun Jaeyoung , Im Jong Pil , Kim Joo Sung
Published: February 2021

Emerging evidence that an elevated serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) level is associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal cancer, but still controversial. The aim of this study to assess the relationship between GGT level and risk of gastrointestinal cancer, and the contribution of the interaction of hyperglycemia with elevated GGT level to the incidence of gastrointestinal cancer by the stratified analysis. A total of 8,120,665 Koreans who received medical checkups in 2009 were included. Subjects were classified according to the quartile of GGT level for women and men. The incidence rates of gastrointestinal cancer for each group were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. During follow-up, 129,853 cases of gastrointestinal cancer newly occurred (esophagus, 3,792; stomach, 57,932; and colorectal, 68,789 cases). The highest GGT quartile group showed an increased risk of gastrointestinal cancer (esophagus, hazard ratio = 2.408 [95% confidence interval, 2.184–2.654]; stomach, 1.121 [1.093–1.149]; and colorectal, 1.185 [1.158–1.211]). The risk increased significantly with the rise in GGT quartile level, regardless of the site of cancer. The stratified analysis according to glycemic status showed that the effect of elevated GGT was predominant in the risk of esophageal cancer. The effect of elevated GGT further increased the risk of stomach and colorectal cancers in diabetic patients. An elevated level of GGT was associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal cancer, regardless of the site of cancer. The effect of the increase in GGT level on the risk of gastrointestinal cancer depended on the type of cancer and glycemic status.
Human movement and gully erosion: Investigating feedback mechanisms using Frequency Ratio and Least Cost Path analysis in Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Nir Nadav , Knitter Daniel , Hardt Jacob , Schütt Brigitta
Published: February 2021

The cost of human movement, whether expressed in time, effort, or distance, is a function of natural and human related variables. At the same time, human movement itself, whether on land, air or sea, causes environmental cost. We are looking into the long-term environmental relationship of this interplay. Gullies—linear landforms, which dissect the landscape—are considered to be a cost for human movement, as they can form unpassable barriers destroying present path networks. On the other hand, human movement creates pathways, which flatten the surface and decrease the water permeability potential. This process results in runoff generation and possibly gully erosion. Accordingly, the spatial relationship between pathways and gullies is investigated. In the Tigray region of the Northern Ethiopian Highlands, gullies and pathways were mapped using remote sensing data. Frequency Ratio was used for assessing pathways as a variable affecting the location of gullies while Least Cost Paths were tested to evaluate the possible constraining impact gullies have on mobility. Based on these results, it is concluded that a positive feedback exists between the cost of human movement and gully erosion. We further discuss possible effects gullies may have had on trade, territory, and political affairs in Tigray. Consequently, we suggest that movement cost and gullying may not only hold strictly environmental or movement-related implications, but also socio-cultural ones.
People who use drugs in rehabilitation, from chaos to discipline: Advantages and pitfalls: A qualitative study
Authors: Mahboub Nadine , Honein-AbouHaidar Gladys , Rizk Rana , de Vries Nanne
Published: February 2021

Evidence-based models emphasizing on lifestyle behaviours for the treatment of drug use is still in its infancy. The development of multicomponent effective drug use intervention programs as part of health promotion is crucial to decrease risk of relapse. This study aims at exploring the lifestyle practices including dietary intake, physical activity and sleep of people who use drugs undergoing residential rehabilitation treatment in Lebanon with its perceived benefits and pitfalls. A purposive sample of 18 males and 9 females at different stages of recovery from drug use in rehabilitation centers participated in the qualitative discussions. The six phases thematic analysis revealed three themes: chaotic lifestyle, structuredlifestyle, benefits and pitfalls, and suggestions for making rehabilitation a better experience. Participants discussed their chaotic lifestyle during addiction with poor food intake, disrupted sleep and low physical activity moving to a more disciplined routine enforcing normality in lifestyle practices with social and professionlprofessional support. The early phases of treatment were marked with increased food intake and weight gain perceived as a health indicator and the sole divergent from drugs, moving towards more structured meals and efforts to lose weight in later stages. Lack of variety of Physical activity programs taking into consideration the motivational differences among the participants was also highlighted. Measures for improving rehabilitation services in terms of promoting healthy eating behaviours and environmental control were thoroughly addressed. These findings shed the light on the challenges faced in maintaining a healthy lifestyle in rehabilitation centers and the necessities of addressing them to improve the overall rehabilitation experience, prevent relapse and inform the development of future targeted intervention programs tackling all aspects of behavioural changes.
Altitude and the distributional typology of language structure: Ejectives and beyond
Authors: Urban Matthias , Moran Steven
Published: February 2021

The first decades of the 21st century have witnessed a renewed interest in the relationship between language structure and the various social and ecological niches in which the languages of the world are used and against the background of which they evolved. In this context, Everett (2013) argued for direct geographical influences on the sound structure of languages. It was observed that ejective consonants, produced with a sudden burst of non-pulmonic air to a salient acoustic effect, tend to occur in high-altitude environments in which these sounds may be adaptive due to a reduced articulatory effort and/or to prevent desiccation. Here, we evaluate this claim and at the same time place it into a broader context. We observe that the distribution of another class of typologically unusual sounds, uvulars, is highly similar to that of ejectives, but that the proposed explanations are not available to account for the similar geographical patterning of uvulars. Hence, we test an alternative explanatory account that would posit indirect rather than direct environmental influences on language structure that are mediated by anthropological factors, in particular the relative sociolinguistic isolation of speech communities at the highest altitudes. Applying Bayesian Logistic Mixed Effects Regression to a large database of phonological inventories of the world’s languages, however, we do not find strong support for either a correlation of ejectives or uvulars with high-altitude environments, though the association is somewhat stronger for ejectives than uvulars. A phylogenetic exploration of the development of both classes of sounds in two large language families spoken in widely different environments, Indo-European and Sino-Tibetan, together with a qualitative assessment of the dedicated literature, in contrast, suggests a strong role of language contact rather than environmental factors.
Urinary leukotrienes and histamine in patients with varying severity of acute dengue
Authors: Silva Tehani , Jeewandara Chandima , Gomes Laksiri , Gangani Chathurika , Mahapatuna Sameera D. , Pathmanathan Thilagaraj , Wijewickrama Ananda , Ogg Graham S. , Malavige Gathsaurie Neelika
Published: February 2021

Background

Vascular leak is a hallmark of severe dengue, and high leukotriene levels have been observed in dengue mouse models, suggesting a role in disease pathogenesis. We sought to explore their role in acute dengue, by assessing levels of urinary LTE4 and urinary histamine in patients with varying severity of acute dengue.

Methods

Urinary LTE4,histamine and creatinine were measured by a quantitative ELISA, in healthy individuals (n = 19), patients with dengue fever (DF = 72) and dengue haemorrhagic fever DHF (n = 48). The kinetics of LTE4 and histamine and diurnal variations were assessed in a subset of patients.

Results

Urinary LTE4 levels were significantly higher (p = 0.004) in patients who proceed to develop DHF when compared to patients with DF during early illness (≤ 4 days) and during the critical phase (p = 0.02), which continued to rise in patients who developed DHF during the course of illness. However, LTE4 is unlikely to be a good biomarker as ROCs gave an AUC value of 0.67 (95% CI 0.57 and 0.76), which was nevertheless significant (p = 0.002). Urinary LTE4 levels did not associate with the degree of viraemia, infecting virus serotype and was not different in those with primary vs secondary dengue. Urinary histamine levels were significantly high in patients with acute dengue although no difference was observed between patients with DF and DHF and again did not associate with the viraemia. Interestingly, LTE4, histamine and the viral loads showed a marked diurnal variation in both patients with DF and DHF.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that LTE4 could play a role in disease pathogenesis and since there are safe and effective cysteinyl leukotriene receptor blockers, it would be important to assess their efficacy in reducing dengue disease severity.
Using extended complexity theory to test SMEs’ adoption of Blockchain-based loan system
Authors: Sun Wei , Dedahanov Alisher Tohirovich , Shin Ho Young , Li Wei Ping
Published: February 2021

Blockchain-based loan system can be summed up as: information exchange between various government departments; information exchange between enterprises and various financial institutions; detection of the actual use of loans in the form of encrypted currency. This technology is supposed to reduce a lot of financing costs for SMEs on average. Therefore, this research extends complexity theory to discover the factors that affect the use of Blockchain loan systems by SMEs. Complexity, perceived risk, perceived fairness and reward sensitivity prove to have significant effects on usage intention. Complexity proves to have moderating effects on other relationships. This research may contribute to the system performance improvement and provide opportunities for SMEs to share information with financial institutions or individuals around the world, thereby providing investors with equal opportunities for competition.
Network mapping of primary CD34+ cells by Ampliseq based whole transcriptome targeted resequencing identifies unexplored differentiation regulatory relationships
Authors: Schwaber Jessica L. , Korbie Darren , Andersen Stacey , Lin Erica , Chrysanthopoulos Panagiotis K. , Trau Matt , Nielsen Lars K.
Published: February 2021

With the exception of a few master transcription factors, regulators of neutrophil maturation are poorly annotated in the intermediate phenotypes between the granulocyte-macrophage progenitor (GMP) and the mature neutrophil phenotype. Additional challenges in identifying gene expression regulators in differentiation pathways relate to challenges wherein starting cell populations are heterogeneous in lineage potential and development, are spread across various states of quiescence, as well as sample quality and input limitations. These factors contribute to data variability make it difficult to draw simple regulatory inferences. In response we have applied a multi-omics approach using primary blood progenitor cells primed for homogeneous proliferation and granulocyte differentiation states which combines whole transcriptome resequencing (Ampliseq RNA) supported by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) validation and mass spectrometry-based proteomics in a hypothesis-generation study of neutrophil differentiation pathways. Primary CD34+ cells isolated from human cord blood were first precultured in non-lineage driving medium to achieve an active, proliferating phenotype from which a neutrophil primed progenitor was isolated and cultured in neutrophil lineage supportive medium. Samples were then taken at 24-hour intervals over 9 days and analysed by Ampliseq RNA and mass spectrometry. The Ampliseq dataset depth, breadth and quality allowed for several unexplored transcriptional regulators and ncRNAs to be identified using a combinatorial approach of hierarchical clustering, enriched transcription factor binding motifs, and network mapping. Network mapping in particular increased comprehension of neutrophil differentiation regulatory relationships by implicating ARNT, NHLH1, PLAG1, and 6 non-coding RNAs associated with PU.1 regulation as cell-engineering targets with the potential to increase total neutrophil culture output. Overall, this study develops and demonstrates an effective new hypothesis generation methodology for transcriptome profiling during differentiation, thereby enabling identification of novel gene targets for editing interventions.
Addition of angled rungs to the horizontal ladder walking task for more sensitive probing of sensorimotor changes
Authors: Eisdorfer Jaclyn T. , Phelan Michael A. , Keefe Kathleen M. , Rollins Morgan M. , Campion Thomas J. , Rauscher Kaitlyn M. , Sobotka-Briner Hannah , Senior Mollie , Gordon Gabrielle , Smith George M. , Spence Andrew J.
Published: February 2021

One method for the evaluation of sensorimotor therapeutic interventions, the horizontal ladder walking task, analyzes locomotor changes that may occur after disease, injury, or by external manipulation. Although this task is well suited for detection of large effects, it may overlook smaller changes. The inability to detect small effect sizes may be due to a neural compensatory mechanism known as “cross limb transfer”, or the contribution of the contralateral limb to estimate an injured or perturbed limb’s position. The robust transfer of compensation from the contralateral limb may obscure subtle locomotor outcomes that are evoked by clinically relevant therapies, in the early onset of disease, or between higher levels of recovery. Here, we propose angled rungs as a novel modification to the horizontal ladder walking task. Easily-adjustable angled rungs force rats to locomote across a different locomotion path for each hindlimb and may therefore make information from the contralateral limb less useful. Using hM3Dq (excitatory) Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) expressed in large diameter peripheral afferents of the hindlimb in the intact animal, we characterized the sensitivity of our design to detect stepping differences by comparing locomotor changes observed on angled rungs to those observed on a standard horizontal ladder. On our novel asymmetrical ladder, activation of DREADDs resulted in significant differences in rung misses (p = 0.000011) and weight-supporting events (p = 0.049). By comparison, on a standard ladder, we did not observe differences in these parameters (p = 0.86 and p = 0.98, respectively). Additionally, no locomotor differences were detected in baseline and inactivated DREADDs trials when we compared ladder types, suggesting that the angled rungs do not change animal gait behavior unless intervention or injury is introduced. Significant changes observed with angled rungs may demonstrate more sensitive probing of locomotor changes due to the decoupling of cross limb transfer.
Dietary iso-α-acids prevent acetaldehyde-induced liver injury through Nrf2-mediated gene expression
Authors: Takase Takahito , Toyoda Tsudoi , Kobayashi Naoyuki , Inoue Takashi , Ishijima Tomoko , Abe Keiko , Kinoshita Hiroshi , Tsuchiya Youichi , Okada Shinji
Published: February 2021

Acetaldehyde is the major toxic metabolite of alcohol (ethanol) and enhances fibrosis of the liver through hepatic stellate cells. Additionally, alcohol administration causes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induce hepatocyte injury-mediated lipid peroxidation. Iso-α-acids, called isohumulones, are bitter acids in beer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of iso-α-acids against alcoholic liver injury in hepatocytes in mice. C57BL/6N mice were fed diets containing isomerized hop extract, which mainly consists of iso-α-acids. After 7 days of feeding, acetaldehyde was administered by a single intraperitoneal injection. The acetaldehyde-induced increases in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were suppressed by iso-α-acids intake. Hepatic gene expression analyses showed the upregulation of detoxifying enzyme genes, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). In vitro, iso-α-acids upregulated the enzymatic activities of GST and ALDH and induced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nfe2l2; Nrf2), a master regulator of antioxidant and detoxifying systems. These results suggest that iso-α-acid intake prevents acetaldehyde-induced liver injury by reducing oxidative stress via Nrf2-mediated gene expression.
Low bone mass in people living with HIV on long-term anti-retroviral therapy: A single center study in Uganda
Authors: Mwaka Erisa Sabakaki , Munabi Ian Guyton , Castelnuovo Barbara , Kaimal Arvind , Kasozi William , Kambugu Andrew , Musoke Philippa , Katabira Elly
Published: February 2021

Background

This study set out to determine the prevalence of low bone mass following long-term exposure to antiretroviral therapy in Ugandan people living with HIV.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 199 people living with HIV that had been on anti-retroviral therapy for at least 10 years. All participants had dual X-ray absorptiometry to determine their bone mineral density. The data collected included antiretroviral drug history and behavioral risk data Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Inferential statistics were analyzed using multilevel binomial longitudinal Markov chain Monte Carlo mixed multivariate regression modelling using therstanarmpackage.

Results

One hundred ninety nine adults were enrolled with equal representation of males and females. The mean age was 39.5 (SD 8.5) years. Mean durations on anti-retroviral treatment was 12.1 (SD 1.44) years, CD4 cell count was 563.9 cells/mm3. 178 (89.5%) had viral suppression with <50 viral copies/ml. There were 4 (2.0%) and 36 (18%) participants with low bone mass of the hip and lumbar spine respectively. Each unit increase in body mass index was associated with a significant reduction in the odds for low bone mineral density of the hip and lumbar spine. The duration on and exposure to the various antiretroviral medications had no significant effect on the participant’s odds for developing low bone mass. All the coefficients of the variables in a multivariable model for either hip or lumbar spine bone mass were not significant.

Conclusion

These results provide additional evidence that patients on long term ART achieve bone mass stabilization. Maintaining adequate body weight is important in maintaining good bone health in people on antiretroviral therapy.
Embankment seismic fragility assessment: A case study on Xi’an-Baoji expressway (China)
Authors: Che Fa , Yin Chao , Zhao Xingkui , Hu Zhinan , Sheng Lu , Liu Dong
Published: February 2021

Although embankment seismic damages are very complex, there has been little seismic fragility research yet. Researches on seismic fragility of bridges, dams and reinforced concrete (RC) structures have achieved fruitful results, which can provide references for embankment seismic fragility assessment. Meanwhile, the influencing degrees of retaining structures, such as retaining walls on the embankment seismic performances are still unclear. The K1025+470 embankment of the Xi’an-Baoji expressway was selected as the research object, and the finite difference models of the embankment fill-soil foundation system and embankment fill-soil foundation-retaining wall system were established. The ground-motion records for Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) were selected and the dynamic response analysis were conducted. Probabilistic Seismic Demand Analysis (PSDA) was used to deal with the IDA results and the seismic fragility curves were generated. Based on the assessment results, the influences of the retaining wall on the embankment seismic fragility were further verified. The research results show that regardless of which seismic damage parameter is considered or the presence or absence of the retaining wall, larger PGAs always correspond to higher probabilities of each seismic damage grade. Seismic damages to the embankment fill-soil foundation-retaining wall system are always lower than those of the embankment fill-soil foundation system under the same PGA actions, thus, the retaining wall can decrease the embankment seismic fragility significantly.
Stakeholder perspectives towards the use of toxicants for managing wild pigs
Authors: Tucker Williams Ellary , Lepczyk Christopher A. , Morse Wayde , Smith Mark
Published: February 2021

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are one of the most detrimental invasive mammals in the US. Lack of adequate population control has allowed pigs to become established across the landscape, causing significant ecological and economic damage. Given the need for additional tools for reducing wild pig populations, two toxicants, warfarin and sodium nitrite, are at the forefront of the discussion regarding future wild pig management. However, no research has examined stakeholders’ perspectives towards the use of toxicants in wild pig management. Given the lack of knowledge, our goal was to determine stakeholders’ perspectives towards the legal use of toxicants for managing wild pigs. We surveyed 1822 individuals from three stakeholder groups (hunters, farmers, and forestland owners) across Alabama during February 2018 using an online survey following the Tailored Design Method. All three stakeholder groups were generally supportive of toxicant use, though their views differed slightly by group. Furthermore, all stakeholder groups were supportive of toxicant purchasing and use regulations, while accidental water contamination, human health impact, and incorrect usage of a toxicant were stakeholders’ greatest concerns. These results indicate that these groups would likely be in support of using toxicants for wild pig management in Alabama and could be a model for other states or locations. Consequently, these results have direct implications for shaping policy and possible use of toxicants as a future wild pig management tool.
Assessing anxiety, depression and insomnia symptoms among Ebola survivors in Africa: A meta-analysis
Authors: Acharibasam Jeremiah W. , Chireh Batholomew , Menegesha Hayelom G.
Published: February 2021

Background

During health disaster events such as the current devastating havoc being inflicted on countries globally by the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic, mental health problems among survivors and frontline workers are likely concerns. However, during such health disaster events, stakeholders tend to give more precedence to the socio-economic and biomedical health consequences at the expense of mental health. Meanwhile, studies show that regardless of the kind of disaster/antecedent, all traumatic events trigger similar post-traumatic stress symptoms among survivors, families, and frontline workers. Thus, our study investigated the prevalence of anxiety, depression and insomnia symptoms among survivors of the 2014–2016 Ebola virus disease that plagued the West African sub-region.

Methods

We systematically retrieved peer-reviewed articles published between 1970 and 2019 from seven electronic databases, including Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PsychInfo, PubMed, Scopus, Springer Link, Web of Science on Ebola and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. A comprehensive hand search complemented this literature search. Of the 87 articles retrieved, only 13 met the inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis.

Results

After heterogeneity, influence, and publication bias analysis, our meta-analysis pooled proportion effects estimates showed a moderate to a high prevalence of anxiety (14%; 99% CI: 0.05–0.30), depression (15%; 99% CI: 0.11–0.21), and insomnia (22%; 99% CI: 0.13–0.36). Effect estimates ranging from (0.13; 99% CI: 0.05, 0.28) through to (0.11; 99% CI: 0.05–0.22), (0.15; 99% CI: 0.09–0.25) through to (0.13; 99% CI: 0.08–0.21) and (0.23; 99% CI: 0.11–0.41) to (0.23; 99% CI: 0.11–0.41) were respectively reported for anxiety, depression and insomnia symptoms. These findings suggest a significant amount of EVD survivors are struggling with anxiety, depression and insomnia symptoms.

Conclusion

Our study provided the first-ever meta-analysis evidence of anxiety, depression, and insomnia symptoms among EVD survivors, and suggest that the predominant biomedical health response to regional and global health disasters should be complemented with trauma-related mental health services.
Machine learning-based prediction of in-hospital mortality using admission laboratory data: A retrospective, single-site study using electronic health record data
Authors: Seki Tomohisa , Kawazoe Yoshimasa , Ohe Kazuhiko
Published: February 2021

Risk assessment of in-hospital mortality of patients at the time of hospitalization is necessary for determining the scale of required medical resources for the patient depending on the patient’s severity. Because recent machine learning application in the clinical area has been shown to enhance prediction ability, applying this technique to this issue can lead to an accurate prediction model for in-hospital mortality prediction. In this study, we aimed to generate an accurate prediction model of in-hospital mortality using machine learning techniques. Patients 18 years of age or older admitted to the University of Tokyo Hospital between January 1, 2009 and December 26, 2017 were used in this study. The data were divided into a training/validation data set (n = 119,160) and a test data set (n = 33,970) according to the time of admission. The prediction target of the model was the in-hospital mortality within 14 days. To generate the prediction model, 25 variables (age, sex, 21 laboratory test items, length of stay, and mortality) were used to predict in-hospital mortality. Logistic regression, random forests, multilayer perceptron, and gradient boost decision trees were performed to generate the prediction models. To evaluate the prediction capability of the model, the model was tested using a test data set. Mean probabilities obtained from trained models with five-fold cross-validation were used to calculate the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve. In a test stage using the test data set, prediction models of in-hospital mortality within 14 days showed AUROC values of 0.936, 0.942, 0.942, and 0.938 for logistic regression, random forests, multilayer perceptron, and gradient boosting decision trees, respectively. Machine learning-based prediction of short-term in-hospital mortality using admission laboratory data showed outstanding prediction capability and, therefore, has the potential to be useful for the risk assessment of patients at the time of hospitalization.
Changes in the tumor microenvironment and outcome for TME-targeting therapy in glioblastoma: A pilot study
Authors: Ali Sehar , Borin Thaiz F. , Piranlioglu Raziye , Ara Roxan , Lebedyeva Iryna , Angara Kartik , Achyut Bhagelu R. , Arbab Ali Syed , Rashid Mohammad H.
Published: February 2021

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a hypervascular and aggressive primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Recent investigations showed that traditional therapies along with antiangiogenic therapies failed due to the development of post-therapy resistance and recurrence. Previous investigations showed that there were changes in the cellular and metabolic compositions in the tumor microenvironment (TME). It can be said that tumor cell-directed therapies are ineffective and rethinking is needed how to treat GBM. It is hypothesized that the composition of TME-associated cells will be different based on the therapy and therapeutic agents, and TME-targeting therapy will be better to decrease recurrence and improve survival. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the changes in the TME in respect of T-cell population, M1 and M2 macrophage polarization status, and MDSC population following different treatments in a syngeneic model of GBM. In addition to these parameters, tumor growth and survival were also studied following different treatments. The results showed that changes in the TME-associated cells were dependent on the therapeutic agents, and the TME-targeting therapy improved the survival of the GBM bearing animals. The current GBM therapies should be revisited to add agents to prevent the accumulation of bone marrow-derived cells in the TME or to prevent the effect of immune-suppressive myeloid cells in causing alternative neovascularization, the revival of glioma stem cells, and recurrence. Instead of concurrent therapy, a sequential strategy would be better to target TME-associated cells.
An open-sourced, web-based application to analyze weekly excess mortality based on the Short-term Mortality Fluctuations data series
Authors: Németh László , Jdanov Dmitri A. , Shkolnikov Vladimir M.
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic stimulated the interest of scientists, decision makers and the general public in short-term mortality fluctuations caused by epidemics and other natural or man-made disasters. To address this interest and provide a basis for further research, in May 2020, the Short-term Mortality Fluctuations data series was launched as a new section of the Human Mortality Database. At present, this unique data resource provides weekly mortality death counts and rates by age and sex for 38 countries and regions. The main objective of this paper is to detail the web-based application for visualizing and analyzing the excess mortality based on the Short-term Mortality Fluctuation data series. The application yields a visual representation of the database that enhances the understanding of the underlying data. Besides, it enables the users to explore data on weekly mortality and excess mortality across years and countries. The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, to describe a visualization tool that aims to facilitate research on short-term mortality fluctuations. Second, to provide a comprehensive open-source software solution for demographic data to encourage data holders to promote their datasets in a visual framework.
De crisis sanitaria a crisis económica y laboral: patrones espaciales del impacto de la COVID-19 en el empleo formal de México
Authors: Casado Izquierdo José María
Published: February 2021

Tras un breve repaso de las consecuencias para México de la pandemia desatada por la influenza A (H1N1) en 2009 y estudios similares al presente sobre el impacto de la COVID-19 en el mercado de trabajo, se aborda el desarrollo inicial de la epidemia en México y las medidas adoptadas por el gobierno federal ante esta situación. Se analiza a continuación su impacto en la economía en general y en el mercado de trabajo en particular, aunque la atención se centra en sus repercusiones sobre el empleo formal a partir de datos del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), datos que permiten investigar la existencia de patrones espaciales y su vinculación con ciertas actividades económicas. A la dramática destrucción del empleo en los tradicionales centros turísticos de sol y playa de Cancún, la Riviera Maya y Riviera Nayarit, se une la crisis de las actividades de alojamiento y servicio de alimentos y bebidas en algunas grandes urbes como la Ciudad de México. El cierre casi total de las manufacturas, particularmente de la industria automotriz, afecta gravemente al corredor del Bajío, mientras la mayor diversificación industrial de la frontera norte surge como una barrera frente a la crisis. Otro sector duramente castigado es la construcción, lo que repercute tanto en el escaso empleo formal de pequeños municipios rurales como en el empleo de grandes zonas metropolitanas y ciudades, especialmente la zona metropolitana de Monterrey; y también de espacios petroleros como Ciudad del Carmen y Tampico-Altamira-Ciudad Madero. Finalmente, la disminución del empleo formal en ciertas regiones agropecuarias, principalmente áreas de agricultura comercial, no es atribuible a la epidemia sino a la propia naturaleza estacional de esta actividad.
El papel del trabajo de campo en la geografía: de las epistemologías de la curiosidad a las del deseo
Authors: Claval Paul
Published: February 2021

La idea de que la geografía debe basarse en el trabajo de campo se estableció tardíamente: el geógrafo no es un explorador o un viajero; su trabajo no consiste en informar lo que observa en cada lugar, sino en transformar la visión particular de quienes están en contacto con la realidad en una visión general, donde se distinguen áreas, se dibujan líneas, se producen convergencias. La concepción moderna del oficio de geógrafo se definió a finales del siglo xviii y comienzos del xx.

¿Qué aporta el trabajo de campo? Garantiza la autenticidad de las observaciones recogidas y permite descubrir realidades que escapan a otras estrategias de investigación. Y, en otro ámbito, resulta útil para la formación del ciudadano. Este breve ensayo se centra precisamente en la génesis y evolución de estas preocupaciones.
Enseñando con actitud: ¿Cuán efectiva ha sido la formación ciudadana en Chile?
Authors: Disi Pavlic Rodolfo , Mardones Roberto
Published: February 2021

Aunque la formación ciudadana ha sido utilizada como componente del currículo oficial escolar para superar los bajos niveles de participación política en Chile, todo indica que su implementación curricular en la experiencia escolar no ha sido exitosa. Si bien su aplicación en Chile tiene larga data, su efecto sobre la disposición de los estudiantes a participar políticamente no ha sido estudiado apropiadamente. Sostenemos que, aunque puede promover actitudes participativas, cómo se implementa moldea sus efectos. Análisis de regresión de la encuesta ICCS 2016 con variables a nivel de escuela e individual demuestran que la integración de la materia transversalmente tiene un efecto positivo, pero sólo en actitudes relacionadas con la participación electoral, mientras que otras formas de implementación tienen efectos nulos o incluso negativos en actitudes sobre otras formas de participación.
“La escuela que busco, la escuela que ofrezco”: Contenidos y racionalidades de la oferta educativa del mercado escolar chileno
Authors: Oyarzún Maldonado Cristian José
Published: February 2021

El sistema escolar chileno es un espacio social único para analizar la puesta en acto de políticas de mercado y accountability. El artículo presenta una investigación que examina los contenidos y racionalidades de la oferta educativa de escuelas de Santiago de Chile. La oferta educativa se operacionalizó mediante afiches de publicidad exterior que, siguiendo la teoría de S. Ball, constituyen fabricaciones, es decir, imágenes o versiones de las escuelas, que pueden o no ser verídicas, y cuyo fin es responder a las disciplinas del mercado. En lo metodológico, se empleó un enfoque mixto secuencial que, en la primera fase cuantitativa, permitió analizar variables predictoras del uso de afiches en una población de escuelas e identificar afiches prototípicos. Luego, en la segunda fase cualitativa, se indagó en la interpretación sociocultural que directivos y familias efectuaron de los afiches prototípicos. La integración de hallazgos cuantitativos y cualitativos sugiere que: (a) la subvención por asistencia incide significativamente en la conducta comercial de los proveedores y sus estrategias de posicionamiento; (b) la consolidación de un cuasi-mercado performativo induce a los proveedores a intentar captar un público favorecido en términos socioeconómicos y académicos; (c) los actores educativos desarrollan argumentos en favor de perfiles diferenciados de estudiantes según tipos de escuela, justificando dinámicas de autosegregación; y (d) los programas y reconocimientos estatales son recontextualizados como insumos publicitarios y medios para certificar la oferta educativa.
Competências genéricas auto referidas por universitários brasileiros
Authors: Carvalho Priscila Larangeira , Araújo Fernanda Ribeiro de , Scachetti Rodolfo Eduardo , Freire Seoane María Jesús , Oliveira-Monteiro Nancy Ramacciotti de
Published: February 2021

Embora não haja uniformização da noção de competência e dos instrumentos usados em sua avaliação, as competências genéricas são tidas em associação à empregabilidade, e entendidas como uma composição de habilidades cognitivas e práticas, comportamentais e sociais, numa união de características individuais e qualidades requeridas para atividades de diferentes profissões. A escolaridade promove o desenvolvimento de competências específicas para exercício de determinadas ocupações, além de oportunidades para incremento de competências genéricas, também exigidas no mundo do trabalho. Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar auto percepção da valoração de competências genéricas adquiridas por universitários brasileiros, de ensino privado noturno, segundo área de conhecimento e condição de estarem ou não inseridos no mercado de trabalho. Foram avaliados 1.001 desses universitários no terceiro ano da graduação, com uso da Escala de Competências Genéricas. A maior valoração na amostra global foi atribuída à competência Responsabilidade no trabalho, seguida pela competência Compromisso ético e, em terceiro lugar, pela Capacidade de aprender. No outro extremo, de menor valoração, ficaram Capacidade de organização e planejamento, Habilidade de gestão da informação e Resolução de problemas. Esses resultados foram comparados com dados de outros estudos, latino americanos e europeus.
CONSTITUTIONALIZATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF LAW AND THEIR IMPORTANCE FOR LEGAL BEHAVIOR
Authors:   Candidate of Legal Sciences, Associate Professor, Director of the Institute of Law, Head of the Department of Theory of State and Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law, South Ural State University (National Research University), Titova E.V. , Kuzmin A.G. ,   Doctor of Law, Associate Professor, Professor of the Department of Theory of State and Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law, South Ural State University (National Research University
Published: February 2021

The article analyzes the objective and natural character of the origin of legal principles; the process of constitutionalization of the principles of Russian law and their implementation into the legitimate behavior of the participants of public relations. The authors substantiate that the content of constitutional principles is represented by three main elements: requirement, ideal, and knowledge. The most essential feature of constitutional principles is their ability for the legal expression of the most socially and politically significant values and ideals (legality, justice, humanism, freedom, equality, respect, trust) for an individual, society, and state. Regulatory features and normative significance of the principles of law are obtained as a result of constitutional formalization, and their embodiment insignificant rules of conduct of the state and the citizen contribute to the establishment of constitutional order. Special attention is paid to the content of some constitutional principles: the principle of respect and protection of human dignity; the principle of maintaining citizens’ trust in the law and the state; the principle of respect for the state power
ORIGIN OF THE SEPARATE TYPES OF THE GUARANTEE (THE MORTGAGE) LEGAL RELATIONSHIPS
Authors:   DOCTOR OF JURIDICAL SCIENCE, PROFESSOR, Professor of the Department «Civil Law and Process» of Law Institute, Sevastopol State University, Rotan V.G. , Ochkurenko S.V. ,   Doctor of Juridical Science, Associate Professor, Head of the Department «Financial and Banking Law» of Law Institute, Sevastopol State Universit
Published: February 2021

In this article it analyzes the regulations of the Civil Code, which relates to the origin of the legal relationship apropos of the guarantee (mortgage).It notices on the variety of the terms, used by the legislators which relates the origin of the guarantee (mortgage) legal relationships. Here the lacks of the legal technique appeared. But the variety of the terms is caused first of all by the complexity of the complex of the legal relationships, which is the legal construction of the mortgage (guarantee). This is why the necessity of the investigation of the origin of the separate types of the mentioned legal relationship appears. At the moment of the conclusion of the agreement of mortgage the legal relationship which substance contains the rights of mortgagee to satisfy its requirement, guaranteed by the mortgage, appears only as the relationship, which has the frame character, because the standard of law, which is the base of the legal relationship has not the signs of the direct operation. Other legal relationships, which are the part of the legal construction of the mortgage, appear both at the moment of the conclusion of the agreement and later at the coming of the appropriate judicial cases. The definition of the moment of the origin of the separate types of the guarantee( mortgage) legal relationship allow to bring in these relationship the necessary legal determination and to choose correctly the means of the defense of the right of participants of the proper relations.
THE LEGAL NATURE OF THE MORTGAGE (THE GUARANTEE) AND ITS DELIMITATIONS FROM THE ADJACENT CIVIL AND LAW PHENOMENON
Authors:   Doctor of Juridical Science, Professor, Professor of the Department «Civil Law and Process» of Law Institute, Sevastopol State University., Rotan V.G. , Ochkurenko S.V. ,   Doctor of Juridical Science, Associate Professor, Head of the Department «Financial and Banking Law» of Law Institute, Sevastopol
Published: February 2021

In this article it substantiates the understanding of the sense of the mortgage (the guarantee) as the complex of the liability law. The absolute (of estate) law relationships apropos of the mortgage (the guarantee) have especially auxiliary significance. And this is why they cannot express the essence of the mortgage (the guarantee).There is an insolubility of the question on the character of the mortgage (the guarantee) in the science. It is caused by this: the discussion on the character of the mortgage (the guarantee) is implementing in principle out of touch of the standards of law, which regulate the mortgage (the guarantee) relationships and out of law relationship, appearing as a result of such regulation or this discussion does not take into account in the appropriate measure the content of the corresponding law statements. The supposed inclusion of the statements on the mortgage (guarantee) in part II of the Civil Code will negatively influence the structure of the Civil Code. We have to differ the mortgage (the guarantee) from the adjacent law phenomenon. In particular the assignment to the mortgagee (creditor on the obligation, which is secured by the mortgage (the guarantee) of the right to satisfy its requirement at the expense of sources, enumerated in paragraph 2 of the article 334 of the Civil Code does not mean that the appropriate rights and law
PROBLEMS OF PROTECTION AGAINST CORRUPTION IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Authors:   Candidate of Political Sciences, Associate Professor ofCriminal Law and Criminology, The Middle Volga Institute (branch) of the Federal State Budget Educational Institution of Higher Education “All-Russian state University of justice (RPA of the Ministry of justice of Russia)”, Shirmanov E. V.
Published: February 2021

The Right to health protection is one of the most fundamental constitutional rights. It is subject to criminal legal protection. While the attacks on him appear not only in the form of crimes such as causing harm by negligence (part 2 of article 118 of the Russian Criminal Code), failure to assist a patient (article 124 of the Russian Criminal Code), etc., but also corruption crimes. Corruption threatens the normal relationship between doctor and patient, medical institution and patient, which reduces the quality of medical care. It threatens not only people’s property, but also their lives and health. Manifestations of corruption in health care are different, they are many, and they should all be taken into account in determining measures and means to combat this dangerous social phenomenon. The effectiveness of the fight against corruption in the health sector is largely due to the knowledge of its various manifestations. These problems are the subject of the proposed article
TO THE QUESTION ABOUT THE CONCEPT «PROCEDURAL COSTS IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS»
Authors:   Doctor of Law, Professor, Professor of the Department of Criminal Procedure, Criminalistics and Forensic Science, South Ural State University, Darovskikh S.M. , Makarova Z.V ,   Leading Expert of the Institute of Open and Distance Education, Doctor of Law, Professor of South Ural State University.
Published: February 2021

The article is devoted to the issues of formulating the definition of such a criminal procedural concept as «procedural costs». Emphasizing the importance both for science and for law enforcement of clarity and clarity when formulating the definition of criminal procedural concepts, the authors point out that the formulation of this concept present in the current Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation is far from being improved. Having studied the opinions on this issue of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, a number of procedural scholars, the authors propose their own version of the definition of the concept of «criminal procedural costs» with its allocation in a separate paragraph of Article 5 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation.