bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PERCEPTUALS LEARNING STYLES PREFERENCES OF INTERNATIONAL MASTER'S STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Wahyudin Achmad Yudi , Rido Akhyar
Published: January 2020

It has been a consensus that learning styles have been a predominant factor of success in master's degree program. Since the preferences of learning styles are affected by students' cultural background, this study was carried out to explore the perceptual learning style preferences of international Master’s students in a Malaysian university. Sixty students consisting of Indonesian, Iranian, and Libyan were involved in the present study. The findings reveal that Indonesian and Libyan students tended to be more kinesthetic/tactile learners while Iranian tended to be more visual learners. This study suggested practitioners use various learning strategies to cater the learning style preferences of the students.
Ecoemprendimiento, sostenibilidad y generación de valor
Authors: Arroyave-Puerta Adriana María , Marulanda-Valencia Flor Ángela
Published: January 2020

Rev.esc.adm.neg
El objetivo de este artículo es evidenciar la relación existente entre la creación de empresas sostenibles, el cuidado del medio ambiente y la generación de valor social y económico a través del análisis del programa Emprender para la vida, que promueve negocios eco-amistosos en el Valle de Aburrá, Colombia. La metodología utilizada fue de tipo cualitativo y cuantitativo y a través de ella se obtuvieron datos de informes y entrevistas en profundidad, con el fin de identificar el perfil de los emprendedores apoyados, las líneas de intervención del programa y el carácter y número de empresas apoyadas por cada línea, esto como insumo para construir la cadena de valor de los ecoemprendimientos. Entre los resultados se destaca que en el período 2012-2015 la mayoría de los ecoemprendedores fueron hombres entre 25 y 35 años y con formación universitaria. De igual forma se encontró que un total de 76 iniciativas fueron apoyadas y que la línea de intervención más representativa fue la de gestión de residuos peligrosos y no peligrosos. Los resultados del programa, así como la propuesta de cadena de valor de los ecoemprendimientos permiten evidenciar que en cada uno de los eslabones es posible realizar aportes a la sostenibilidad a través de acciones como la reducción de costos por el uso racional de agua y energía o la utilización de materiales sustitutos que no afecten la calidad del producto final, lo que a su vez contribuye a la generación de valor económico.
Potential contributions of an on-site nurse mentoring program on neonatal mortality reductions in rural Karnataka state, South India: evidence from repeat community cross-sectional surveys
Authors: Ramesh B.M. , Kar Arin , Jayanna Krishnamurthy , Hallad Jyoti S. , Troy Cunningham , Potty Rajaram , Mohan H L , Crockett Maryanne , Bradley Janet , Fischer Elizabeth , Sudarshan H , Blanchard James , Moses Stephen , Avery Lisa
Published: January 2020

[b]Background: [/b]We assessed the effects of a nurse mentoring program on neonatal mortality in eight districts in India. [b]Methods: [/b]From 2012 to 2015, nurse mentors supported improvements in critical MNCH-related practices among health providers at primary health centres (PHCs) in northern Karnataka, South India. Baseline (n=5,240) and endline (n=5,154) surveys of randomly selected ever-married women were conducted. Neonatal mortality rates (NMR) among the last live-born children in the three years prior to each survey delivered in NM and non-NM-supported facilities were calculated and compared using survival analysis and cumulative hazard function. Mortality rates on days 1, 2-7 and 8-28 post-partum were compared. Cox survival regression analysis measured the adjusted effect on neonatal mortality of delivering in a nurse mentor supported facility. [b]Results:[/b] Overall, neonatal mortality rate in the three years preceding the baseline and endline surveys was 30.5 (95% CI 24.3-38.4) and 21.6 (95% CI 16.3-28.7) respectively. There was a substantial decline in neonatal mortality between the survey rounds among children delivered in PHCs supported by NM: 29.4 (95% CI 18.1-47.5) vs. 9.3 (95% CI 3.9-22.3) (p=0.09). No significant declines in neonatal mortality rate were observed among children delivered in other facilities or at home. In regression analysis, among children born in nurse mentor supported facilities, the estimated hazard ratio at endline was significantly lower compared with baseline (HR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.06-0.82, p=0.02). [b]Conclusion: [/b]The nurse mentoring program was associated with a substantial reduction in neonatal mortality. Further research is warranted to delineate whether this may be an effective strategy for reducing NMR in resource-poor settings. [b]Key words:[/b] Nurse mentoring, Quality of care, Neonatal mortality This work was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Grant Number OPPGH5310
Human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in Parkinson's disease：Inhibit T helper 17 cell differentiation and regulate immune balance towards a regulatory T cell phenotype
Authors: Bi Yong , Lin Xiaobin , Liang Huazheng , Yang Dehao , Zhang Xiaowei , Ke Jianming , Xiao Jingjing , Chen Zhilin , Chen Weian , Zhang Xu , Wang Shaoshi , Liu Chun-Feng
Published: January 2020

Parkinson's disease (PD), known as a neurodegenerative disorder, shows typical pathology of neuroinflammation, which might be the result of the imbalance between regulatory T cells (Treg) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells. The present study aimed to investigate the modulating effect of Ad-MSCs on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from PD patients. CD4 + peripheral blood T cells were isolated and co-cultured with Ad-MSCs at a ratio of 4:1 under Th17 or Treg polarizing conditions, respectively, for 4 days. Our results showed that Ad-MSCs specifically inhibited the differentiation of IL-17-producing CD4 + T cells collected from PBMCs of PD patients evidenced by the decreased expression of RORγt- the key transcription factor for Th17 cells, IL-6R, and IL-23R. In the meantime, Ad-MSCs and induced a functional CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + T regulatory cell phenotype evidenced by the secretion of IL-10. Furthermore, levels of LIF protein and its receptor mRNA were significantly increased under both polarizing conditions. These findings suggest that the regulation of the Th17/Treg balance by Ad-MSCs was correlated with the increase in LIF secretion. Therefore, Ad-MSCs are an important player in ­modulating inflammatory responses and a potential therapeutics for PD patients.
Economic Burden of Osteoporosis in the World: A Systematic Review
Authors: kemmak Asma Rashki , Rezapour Aziz , Jahangiri Reza , Nikjoo Shima , Farabi Hiro , Soleimanpour Samira
Published: January 2020

Background Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease that is associated with a reduction in bone mass and microstructures and deterioration of bone tissue. It is also associated with an increased risk of fracture that is the most important complication of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis and consequent fractures not only have a major impact on the health and quality of life, but also impose a significant economic burden on the health system of countries. Objective Since the population of many countries around the world is aging, the incidence of fractures due to osteoporosis is increasing too. The knowledge about costs and economic aspects of osteoporosis plays an important role in making policies and planning measures for the prevention and management of this disease, hence, this study systematically investigated the available evidence on the costs associated with osteoporosis worldwide. Methods Considering language, year of publication, and the research question, electronic searches were conducted in multiple databases and different sources. After selecting articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, the data were extracted and the results were summarized. To prevent bias, the whole procedure was performed by three researchers. Results Of a total of 1989 papers, 28 papers were included in the study on the basis of inclusion criteria. Among the selected studies, 13 papers reported direct and indirect costs. Based on the data extracted from the mentioned studies, the mean age of people with osteoporotic fractures was 50 years, with the highest costs associated with hip fractures. Conclusion There is a paucity of studies investigating the burden of osteoporosis in the world. The available studies indicate a lack of standardization in the methodological approach of assessing the economic burden of this disease. It is necessary to highlight the importance of studies on osteoporosis to inform policymakers and enhance health care planning.
Does Nutritional Status Affect Treatment Tolarability, Response and Survival in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients? Results of a Prospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Senem Karabulut , Izzet Dogan , Afsar Cigdem Usul , Mehmet Karabulut , Kahraman Sule , Ferhatoglu Ferhat , Didem Tastekin
Published: January 2020

Background: The efficacy and tolerability of modern cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens used in malnourished metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients is uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of malnutrition on efficacy and tolerability of cytotoxic chemotherapy and overall survival in mCRC patients.Methods: In this multicenter study, demographic, oncologic and nutritional data were collected prospectively from mCRC patients. Nutritional status of the patients were evaluated on the basis of NRI, BMI and WL before the first chemotherapy, after the first and second chemotherapy during 2 cycles of chemotherapy every 15 days. To determine the inter-treatment weight loss toxicity assessment was included to theese parameters after each chemotherapy. NRI calculation was performed as [1.51xserum albumin level (g/L)+41.7xcurrent weight/basic weight]. . NRIs were examined in 3 categories as ‘no malnutrition’ (NRI >97.5), ‘moderate malnutrition’ (97.5 ≥ NRI ≥83.5) or ‘severe malnutrition’ (NRI <83.5). Response to treatment and drug-induced toxicities were assessed based on Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 and National Cancer Institute CTCAE version 4.0 respectively.Results: One-hundred and thirty-seven mCRC patients were prospectively included. Median age was 48 (range 18-83). Primary location was colon in 66% of patients and 84% of their primary source was left colon. Malnutrition was detected in 39% of the cases. Response rate to treatment was twenty four percent. While there was no significant relationship between chemotherapy response and moderate/severe malnutrition (p=0.24), moderate/severe malnutrition was associated with multipl site of metastases, WHO PS of 1, over the median value of CEA/CA 19-9 levels (p=0.003, p=0.03, p<0.001, and p=0.02; respectively). Hypoalbuminemia and moderate/severe malnutrition were associated with all types of toxicity (p<0.001 and p<0.001). Moderate/severe malnutrition was associated with thrombocytopenia, and diarrhea following chemotherapy predominately, (p=0.02 and p=0.04; respectively). In moderate/severe malnutrition group median overall survival was prominently shorter than those with no malnutrition [6.6 moths (95%CI, 5.6-7.6) vs 11.9 moths (95% CI, 11.1-12.7) respectively, p<0.001].Conclusions: Our study showed that moderate/severe malnutrition in mCRC patients was associated with decreased overall survival and increased chemotherapy toxicity.
Control of Insect Pests and Diseases in an Ohio Fruit Farm with a Laser-guided Intelligent Sprayer
Authors: Chen Liming , Wallhead Matthew , Reding Michael , Horst Leona , Zhu Heping
Published: January 2020

Laser-guided variable-rate intelligent spray technology is designed to significantly reduce pesticide use with a positive impact on the environment. However, there have been no reports on applying this technology to commercial fruit farms. Comparative experiments of intelligent variable-rate and conventional constant-rate spray applications for pesticide use and pest control were conducted at a fruit farm in Ohio during two consecutive growing seasons. Apple (Malus pumila), peach (Prunus persica), blueberry (Vaccinium section Cyanococcus), and black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) were used for the tests. Pest severity of codling moth (Cydia pomonella), oriental fruit moth (Grapholitha molesta), scab (Venturia inaequalis), and powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) in apple; oriental fruit moth, brown rot (Monilinia fructicola), and powdery mildew (Podosphaera pannosa) in peach; spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii), mummy berry (Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi), and phomopsis (Phomopsis vaccinii) in blueberry; and anthracnose (Elsinoe veneta) in black raspberry were assessed. There was equal severity of pests between intelligent and conventional spray applications, whereas the intelligent spray reduced pesticide use by 58.7%, 30.6%, 47.9%, and 52.5% on average for apple, peach, blueberry, and black raspberry, respectively. These results illustrate that intelligent spray technology is more environmentally friendly than conventional standard spray technology and equally or more effective for control of insect and disease pests in fruit production.
The New Method of Sea-sky Line Detection Based on Mathematical Morphology
Authors: Wenqi Zhang , Wanmin Bai , Jun Yu , Shouyi Gao
Published: January 2020

To solve the problem of low accuracy and robustness of sea-sky line detection, this paper presents a method of sea- sky line detection based on the mathematical morphology. Firstly, the mathematical morphology closed-open operation is used to filter and denoise the sea-sky image. Then the Canny operator is used to obtain the sea-sky boundary of the image, Then mathematical morphological operation is used to remove some disturbing points. Finally, the sea-sky line is detected by Hough transform. The experimental results show that the algorithm can accurately and efficiently detect the sea-sky line under the complex sea-sky background.
Research on Digital Modeling and Optimization of Virtual Reality Scene
Authors: Xu Wenjing , Liu Pingping , Lu Zhaopan
Published: January 2020

The research about the modeling simulation and optimization in virtual campus roaming system is based on virtual reality technology, VC+ + platform and OpenGL and 3D Max modeling technology, which has achieved the roaming system of virtual campus with a good feeling of realism and real-time interactivity. Users can roam in 3D virtual campus scene, which achieves the interactive operation of campus reality and meets the requirements of digital education training.
Research on Noise Removal in Fiber Grating Sensing Signal
Authors: Zhou Xiaobo
Published: January 2020

Signal processing is one of the key technology of fiber grating sensor, noise interference on signal transmission, influence of fiber grating sensor practical application effect, in order to solve the noise problem of fiber grating sensing signal, design a denoising method of fiber grating sensing signal based on improved contourlet transform. The acquisition of fiber grating sensing signal firstly, and remove the unwanted signal, select the useful signal, then using contourlet transform, by filtering the noise filter, finally through the concrete experiment to test the effect of denoising. The results show that the improved contourlet transform can completely remove the fiber Bragg grating sensing signals, and improve the quality of FBG sensor communication, and verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Research of New Network Address Structure
Authors: Chong Jiao , Xie Jianping , Xu Yinqiu , Zhao Hongwen
Published: January 2020

With the wide application of Internet technology, the number of hosts accessing the Internet has grown rapidly, and addresses will be more and more widely used in other intelligent terminals such as e-commerce logistics codes, space codes, identity codes, and 3D geocodes. The number of existing addresses is no longer sufficient for this development demand. The emergence of IPv6 temporarily alleviated the problem of IP address shortage, and IPv6 did not fully consider the security of data transmission at the beginning of design. Chinese researchers have proposed a new Internet address architecture, that is, method of using whole digital code to assign address for computer, referred to as IPV9. IPV9 extends address capacity; supports more address hierarchies, more addressable nodes, and simpler automatic address configuration. Based on the study of IPv4 and IPv6 address structure, this paper designs the standards of the new generation network address structure, including IPV9 unicast address structure, cluster address structure and multicast address structure, which provides a solid foundation for new generation of Internet research.
From Network Security to Network Autonomous
Authors: Wang Yubian , Yuri Shebzukhov
Published: January 2020

In the 20th century, the emergence of the Internet has completely changed the work and life of human beings around the world. Today, people are increasingly inseparable from network. The Internet has been integrated with the global industry, agriculture, education, science, technology and national defense. The current Internet was originated in the United States. The Internet systems based on IPv4 and IPv6, they are controlled by the United States completely. Computers connected to the Internet are subject to data retention and backup in the United States. Data security is greatly threatened. In addition, due to limitations and loopholes in the design of the Internet, the Internet is subject to many different types of attacks. Internet research which based on security autonomy has received the attention of sovereign countries in the world. This paper mainly introduces the Future Internet system developed by Chinese researchers based on the current research on Internet servers, which is a new generation network system, the research and application of this system will have a profound impact on the world’s Internet.
Violence Cracking Technology of SSH Service Based on Kali-Linux
Authors: Ma Limei , Zhao Dongmei , Gao Yijun , Zhao Chen
Published: January 2020

In this paper, the current popular SSH password brute force cracking tool is researched, analyzed and summarized. The ssh_login module in Metasploit is used to brute force the SSH service to finally obtain the password. The Brute Spray tool is used to automatically call Medusa to blast the service, demonstrating SSH. The process of brute force cracking has certain reference value for penetration attack testing and security defense.
Research on IPv4, IPv6 and IPV9 Address Representation
Authors: YURY Halavachou , Wang Yubian
Published: January 2020

The new generation network architecture (IPV9) is designed to solve a series of problems such as the shortage of address space and the danger of information security. IPv4 addresses have a length of 32 bits and a theoretically expressible address space of 232, while IPv6 addresses extend to 128 bits and theoretically an address space of 2128. In this paper, by studying IPv4, IPv6 address structure focuses on the new generation of network IPV9 address representation method. This method adopts the address coding method of the variable-length and variable-position, ranging from 16 bits to 2048 bits. Moreover, it adopts the mechanism of verification before communication, and relies on the method of assigning addresses to the computers on the Internet with full character codes. It redefines the address structure of the future Internet and provides new solutions for the Internet of things and the Internet of everything.
Crawler Technology Based on Scrapy Framework
Authors: Wu Hejing
Published: January 2020

With the development of the times and the popularization of scientific and technological products, the Internet has become inseparable from our lives, and search engines have become a daily necessity of people.In view of the growing needs。This topic requires the design of a prototype crawler system based on Scrapy framework. The specific requirements and contents are as follows: analyzing the structure and rules of the target website, looking for data items that need to be crawled. Based on Scrappy framework, a crawler prototype program is implemented by customizing crawling rules.Select the appropriate database for data access and analysis.
Assessment of a Non-Optical Water Quality Property Using Space-based Imagery in Egyptian Coastal Lake
Authors: Abayazid Hala O. , El-Adawy Ahmed
Published: January 2020

Progressive anthropogenic intrusion and increasing water demand necessitate frequent water quality monitoring for sustainability management. Unlike laborious, time consuming field-based measurements, remote sensing-based water quality retrieval proved promising to overcome difficulties with temporal and spatial coverage. However, remotely estimated water quality parameters are mostly related to visibility characteristic and optically active property of water. This study presents results of an investigated approach to derive oxygen –related water quality parameter, namely Dissolved Oxygen (DO), in a shallow inland water body from satellite imagery. The approach deduces DO levels based on interrelated optical properties that dictate oxygen consumption and release in waters. Comparative analysis of multiple regression algorithms was carried out, using various combinations of parameters; namely, Turbidity, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Chlorophyll-a, and Temperature. To cover the wide range of conditions that is experienced by Edku coastal lake, ground truth measurements covering the four seasons were used with corresponding satellite imageries. While results show successful statistically significant correlation in certain combinations considered, yet optimal results were concluded with Turbidity and natural logarithm of temperature. The algorithm model was developed with summer and fall data (R2 0.79), then validated with winter and spring data (R2 0.67). Retrieved DO concentrations highlighted the variability in pollution degree and zonation nature within that coastal lake, as related to boundary interactions and irregularity in flow dynamics within. The approach presented in this study encourages expanded applications with space-based earth observation products for exploring non-detectable water quality parameters that are interlinked with optically active properties in water.
Validation of the Diagnostic Infant and Preschool Assessment in a Danish, trauma-exposed sample of young children
Authors: Løkkegaard Sille Schandorph , Elmose Mette , Elklit Ask
Published: January 2020

Background:

There exist only few developmentally sensitive assessment instruments for identifying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other potentially comorbid affective and behavioral symptomatology in preschool children. Consequently, young children who exhibit post-trauma symptomatology risk not being identified and not receiving the appropriate treatment. One of the few instruments that exist is the Diagnostic Infant and Preschool Assessment (DIPA).

Objective:

To examine internal reliability and convergent validity of the Danish version of the DIPA, a semi-structured interview of caregivers about their child’s mental health.

Method:

In total, 62 caregivers of trauma-exposed children aged 1-6 years were interviewed with the DIPA and completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

Results:

The children had experienced between one and eight traumas (Mdn = 3). Based on the DIPA, 48.4% of the children exhibited PTSD. The DIPA showed good to excellent internal consistency for the disorders of major depressive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, separation anxiety disorder and overall internal consistency of PTSD and reactive attachment disorder. Internal consistency was lower for each symptom cluster of PTSD and the overall consistency of sleep disorder with Cronbach’s alpha ranging between 0.54 and 0.69. Correlations between continuous scores of eight disorders of the DIPA and SDQ scales provided support for convergent validity of the DIPA.

Conclusion:

The study provides preliminary evidence to support the Danish version of DIPA as a valid measure of symptoms of young children exposed to psychological trauma. As a standardized assessment tool, the DIPA can aid in early and structured assessment of young children exposed to trauma and can help guide treatment for those in need.
Trust and general risk-taking in externalizing adolescent inpatients versus non-externalizing psychiatric controls
Authors: Mellick William , Sharp Carla , Sumlin Eric
Published: January 2020

Background:

Interpersonal trust is an important target for the conceptualization, identification, and treatment of psychiatric disorders marked by interpersonal difficulties. A core feature of adolescent externalising disorders is interpersonal impairment. However, research investigating trust is scarce. A relatively novel approach for studying trust in psychopathology is through examination of social decision making using behavioural economic games.

Objective:

To employ a modified trust game in order to determine whether externalising adolescents exhibit perturbed decision making in social and/or nonsocial contexts.

Methods:

Externalising inpatient adolescents (n= 141) and non-externalising psychiatric controls (n= 122) completed self-report measures of psychopathology and invested in an iterative trust game played under two conditions: social (trust) and nonsocial (lottery condition), each consisting of five consecutive trials.

Results:

Externalising adolescents showed a limited increase in trust investments, compared to a significant increase in lottery investments, across early game trials relative to psychiatric controls. This significant three-way interaction between experimental group, game condition, and trials became most evident at the second trial of games. Between-group differences on trust investments were non-significant. However, externalising adolescents invested significantly less in the trust relative to lottery condition, an effect unobserved in psychiatric controls.

Conclusions:

This study tentatively suggests that adolescent externalising disorders may be associated with an insensitivity to normative social exchange which may arise, in part, from a lack of anticipated co-player reciprocity. It is not the level of trust that may distinguish externalising adolescents but perhaps the form of which the trust exchange takes shape. Conclusions are tempered by the fact that the employed trust game did not include feedback in the form of co-player repayments.
Gene Therapy Repairs for the Epileptic Brain: Potential for Treatment and Future Directions
Authors: Ahmad Md. A. , Pottoo Faheem H. , Akbar Md.
Published: January 2020

Epilepsy is a syndrome specified by frequent seizures and is one of the most prevalent neurological
conditions, and that one-third of people of epilepsy are resistant to available drugs. Surgery
is supposed to be the main treatment for the remedy of multiple drug-resistant epilepsy, but it is a
drastic procedure. Advancement in genomic technologies indicates that gene therapy can make such
surgery unnecessary. The considerable number of new studies show the significance of mutation in
mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, NMDA receptors, GABA receptors, potassium channels and
G-protein coupled receptors. Illustration of the meticulous drug in epilepsy targeting new expression
of mutations in SCN8A, GRIN2A, GRIN2D and KCNT1 are conferred. Various methods are utilized
to express a gene in a precise area of the brain; Transplantation of cells in an ex vivo approach (fetal
cells, fibroblasts, immortalized cells), nonviral vector delivery and viral vector delivery like retrovirus,
herpes simplex virus adenovirus and adeno-related virus. Gene therapy has thus been explored to generate
anti-epileptogenic, anti-seizure and disease-modifying effects. Specific targeting of the epileptogenic
region is facilitated by gene therapy, hence sparing the adjacent healthy tissue and decreasing
the adverse effects that frequently go hand in hand with antiepileptic medication.
Neurocognitive and Psychiatric Markers for Addiction: Common vs. Specific Endophenotypes for Heroin and Amphetamine Dependence
Authors: Long Elizabeth C. , Kaneva Radka , Vasilev Georgi , Moeller F. Gerard , Vassileva Jasmin
Published: January 2020

Background:

The differential utility of neurocognitive impulsivity and externalizing/
internalizing traits as putative endophenotypes for dependence on heroin vs. amphetamine is unclear.

Objective:

This exploratory study aims to determine: (1) whether neurocognitive impulsivity dimensions
and externalizing/internalizing traits are correlated between siblings discordant for heroin and amphetamine
dependence; and (2) which of these associations are common across substances and which are substance-
specific.

Methods:

Pearson correlations between individuals with ‘pure’ heroin and amphetamine dependence and
their unaffected biological siblings (n = 37 heroin sibling pairs; n = 30 amphetamine sibling pairs) were
run on 10 neurocognitive measures, 6 externalizing measures, and 5 internalizing measures. Sibling pair
effects were further examined using regression.

Results:

Siblings discordant for heroin dependence were significantly correlated on delay aversion on the
Cambridge Gambling Task, risk-taking on the Balloon Analogue Risk Task, sensation seeking, and hopelessness.
Siblings discordant for amphetamine dependence were significantly correlated on the quality of
decision-making on the Cambridge Gambling Task, discriminability on the Immediate Memory Task,
commission errors on the Go/No Go Task, trait impulsivity, ADHD and anxiety sensitivity.

Conclusion:

Dimensions of impulsivity and externalizing/internalizing traits appear to aggregate among
siblings discordant for substance dependence. Risk-taking propensity, sensation seeking and hopelessness
were specific for heroin sibling pairs. Motor/action impulsivity, trait impulsivity, and anxiety sensitivity
were specific to amphetamine sibling pairs. Decisional/choice impulsivity was common across both heroin
and amphetamine sibling pairs. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the utility of neurocognitive
impulsivity and externalizing/ internalizing traits as candidate endophenotypes for substance
dependence in general and for substance-specific dependencies.
The Ambiguous Role of Microglia in Aβ Toxicity: Chances for Therapeutic Intervention
Authors: Merlo Sara , Spampinato Simona Federica , Caruso Grazia Ilaria , Sortino Maria Angela
Published: January 2020

Amyloid-β (Aβ) has long been shown to be critical in Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology.
Microglia contributes to the earliest responses to Aβ buildup, by direct interaction through
multiple receptors. Microglial cells operate Aβ clearance and trigger inflammatory/regenerative
processes that take place in the long years of silent disease progression that precede symptomatic
appearance. But in time and with aging, the fine balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory activity
of microglia deranges, negatively impacting its Aβ-clearing ability. Furthermore, in recent years,
microglial activation has proven to be much more complex than the mere dichotomic pro/antiinflammatory
polarization previously accepted. Microglia can display a wide spectrum of phenotypes,
which can even be mixed. On these bases, it is evident that while pharmacological intervention
aiding microglia to prolong its ability to cope with Aβ buildup could be extremely relevant, its
feasibility is hampered by such high complexity, which still needs to be completely understood.
Herbal Medicine for Glioblastoma: Current and Future Prospects
Authors: Khan Imran , Mahfooz Sadaf , Hatiboglu Mustafa A.
Published: January 2020

Background:

Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive and devastating tumours of
the central nervous system with short survival time. Glioblastoma usually shows fast cell proliferation
and invasion of normal brain tissue causing poor prognosis. The present standard of care in
patients with glioblastoma includes surgery followed by radiotherapy and temozolomide (TMZ)
based chemotherapy. Unfortunately, these approaches are not sufficient to lead a favorable prognosis
and survival rates. As the current approaches do not provide a long-term benefit in those patients,
new alternative treatments including natural compounds, have drawn attention. Due to their
natural origin, they are associated with minimum cellular toxicity towards normal cells and it has
become one of the most attractive approaches to treat tumours by natural compounds or phytochemicals.

Objective:

In the present review, the role of natural compounds or phytochemicals in the treatment
of glioblastoma describing their efficacy on various aspects of glioblastoma pathophysiology such
as cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, cellular signaling pathways, chemoresistance
and their role in combinatorial therapeutic approaches was described.

Methods:

Peer-reviewed literature was extracted using Pubmed, EMBASE Ovid and Google
Scholar to be reviewed in the present article.

Conclusion:

Preclinical data available in the literature suggest that phytochemicals hold immense
potential to be translated into treatment modalities. However, further clinical studies with conclusive
results are required to implement phytochemicals in treatment modalities.
Mitigating Perspectives of Asiatic Acid in the Renal Derangements of Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Kalidhindi Swapna , Uddandrao Veera Venkata Sathibabu , Sasikumar Vadivukkarasi , Raveendran Nivedha , Ganapathy Saravanan
Published: January 2020

Background:

The present study was conducted to evaluate the mitigating effects of Asiatic Acid (AA), on the changes in carbohydrate metabolism, insulin signaling molecules and renal function markers in Streptozotocin (STZ)-Nicotinamide (NAD) induced diabetic rats.

Methods:

AA (20 mg/kg BW) was supplemented orally to the diabetic rats for 42 days. The levels of plasma glucose, Hemoglobin (Hb), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) insulin and renal function markers, carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in the kidney and insulin signaling molecules in skeletal muscle were measured.

Results:

The administration of AA elicited a significant decrease in the levels of plasma glucose, insulin resistance, HbA1c, urea, uric acid, creatinine, glycogen, glycogen synthase, glucose-6- phosphatase, and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and a significant increase of body weight development, insulin, Hb, hexokinase, and glycogen phosphorylase and mRNA expressions of insulin signaling molecule like insulin receptor 1, insulin receptor 2 and glucose transporter-4 in the STZ-NAD induced diabetic rats. Further, the protective effect of AA was evidenced by its histological annotation of the kidney tissues.

Conclusion:

Hence, this study concluded that AA can protect against renal dysfunction by attenuating carbohydrate metabolic disorder and subsequently enhances glucose utilization and renal function in STZ-NAD-induced diabetic rats.
The Role of Leukotrienes Inhibitors in the Management of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Meshram Deepak , Bhardwaj Khushbo , Rathod Charulata , Mahady Gail B. , Soni Kapil K.
Published: January 2020

Background:

Leukotrienes are powerful mediators of inflammation and interact with specific
receptors in target cell membrane to initiate an inflammatory response. Thus, Leukotrienes (LTs)
are considered to be potent mediators of inflammatory diseases including allergic rhinitis, inflammatory
bowel disease and asthma. Leukotriene B4 and the series of cysteinyl leukotrienes (C4, D4, and E4) are
metabolites of arachidonic acid metabolism that cause inflammation. The cysteinyl LTs are known to
increase vascular permeability, bronco-constriction and mucus secretion.

Objectives:

To review the published data for leukotriene inhibitors of plant origin and the recent patents
for leukotriene inhibitors, as well as their role in the management of inflammatory diseases.

Methods:

Published data for leukotrienes antagonists of plant origin were searched from 1938 to 2019,
without language restrictions using relevant keywords in both free text and Medical Subject Headings
(MeSH terms) format. Literature and patent searches in the field of leukotriene inhibitors were carried
out by using numerous scientific databases including Science Direct, PubMed, MEDLINE, Google
Patents, US Patents, US Patent Applications, Abstract of Japan, German Patents, European Patents,
WIPO and NAPRALERT. Finally, data from these information resources were analyzed and reported
in the present study.

Results:

Currently, numerous anti-histaminic medicines are available including chloropheneremine,
brompheniramine, cetirizine, and clementine. Furthermore, specific leukotriene antagonists from allopathic
medicines are also available including zileuton, montelukast, pranlukast and zafirlukast and are
considered effective and safe medicines as compared to the first generation medicines. The present
study reports leukotrienes antagonistic agents of natural products and certain recent patents that could
be an alternative medicine in the management of inflammation in respiratory diseases.

Conclusion:

The present study highlights recent updates on the pharmacology and patents on leukotriene
antagonists in the management of inflammation respiratory diseases.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Mediated Immuno-Modulatory and Anti- Inflammatory Mechanisms in Immune and Allergic Disorders
Authors: Gugjoo Mudasir B. , Hussain Shahid , Amarpal  , Shah Riaz A. , Dhama Kuldeep
Published: January 2020

Background:

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are present in almost all the tissues of the
body and act as the backbone of the internal tissue homeostasis. Among their various characteristic
features, immuno-modulatory and/ anti-inflammatory properties play an important role in therapeutics.

Objective:

The current topic focuses on the characterization and immuno-modulatory and/ antiinflammatory
properties of MSCs. To present and discuss the current status of MSCs immunomodulatory
properties.

Methods:

Available literature on MSCs properties and patents have been detailed, critically interpreted,
and discussed based upon available literature. The main focus has been on their characteristic immunomodulatory
and anti-inflammatory properties though some of the basic characterization markers have
also been detailed. The databases searched for the literature include PubMed, Med Line, PubMed Central,
Science Direct and a few other scientific databases.

Results:

MSCs are present in a very limited concentration in the tissues, and as such their culture expansion
becomes imperative. MSCs immuno-modulatory and anti-inflammatory roles are achieved
through direct cell-cell contact and / by the release of certain factors. Such properties are controlled by
micro-environment upon which currently very limited control can be exerted. Besides, further insights
in the xeno-protein free culture media as against the fetal bovine serum is required.

Conclusions:

MSCs have been well-isolated, cultured and characterized from numerous tissues of the
body. The majority of the studies have shown MSCs as immuno-compromised with immunomodulatory
and / or anti-inflammatory properties except some of the latest studies that have failed to achieve
the desired results and thus, demand further research. Further research is required in the area to translate
the results into clinical application.
The Factors of the Holistic Health Status of Thai Elders in the 21st Century
Authors: Ruchiwit Manyat , Phanphairoj Kanjanee , Sumneangsanor Tipsuda , Mamom Jinpitcha
Published: January 2020

Background:

Holistic health is important for life, perhaps especially for elders. Focus
should not only be placed on illness or the physical part of their lives, but the person as a whole
should also be considered, emphasizing the connection of their mind, body, and the environment.

Objective:

The aims of this research were to study the factors of the Holistic Health Status (HHS)
of the Thai elderly in the 21st century, and to predict the factors affecting the development of HHS
from 3 aspects; physical health status, mental and emotional health status, and the social and environmental
health status.

Method:

The data were collected from 928 Thai elderly aged 60 and over in the central part of
Thailand. The research instrument was a questionnaire whose reliability was confirmed using a
Cronbach alpha coefficient of .904. Multiple regression analysis was used for predicting the factors
of HHS.

Results:

The results indicated that stress, increased age, gender, and social participation can predict
the HHS of Thai elders, and stress can predict each of the 3 aspects. Therefore, stress prevention
activities are very important for enhancing the HHS of Thai elders.

Conclusion:

The findings of this research can be used to improve the quality of life of elders in the
21st century.
Electrospun Cellulose Acetate Nanofiber Morphology and Property Derived from CaCl2-Formic Acid Solvent System
Authors: Liu Zhi , Xu Ningli , Ke Huizhen , Zhou Lei
Published: January 2020

Background:

Electrospun Cellulose Acetate (CA) nanofibrous membrane can be used in
many areas such as biomedicine, water treatment. However, due to the strong hydrogen-bond interaction,
the rare solvent can dissolve the CA and the resulting CA nanofibrous membranes always show
bad morphology and poor performance.

Aims:

To research the effect of CaCl2-Formic acid (CaCl2-FA) solvent system on the morphology and
structure of CA nanofibrous membrane.

Methods:

CA nanofibrous membrane was fabricated with a two-step dissolution method using the first
step of CaCl2-FA solvent system followed by the second step of FA solvent solely. Subsequently, the
CA nanofibrous membrane morphology and structure property were systematically investigated.

Results and Conclusion:

The results show that the CaCl2-FA can dissolve the CA efficiently. Additionally,
the regenerated CA nanofibers are well-formed under all the CA concentrations with controlling
fiber diameter ranging from 224.9 ± 38.6 nm to 367.8 ± 80.4 nm. The results suggest that this
two-step dissolution method can be an effective and alternative approach to dissolve CA and regenerate
CA nanofibrous membrane.
Novel Scaffolds for Leishmania infantum Trypanothione Reductase Inhibitors Derived from Brazilian Natural Products Biodiversity
Authors: da Paixão Vinícius Guimarães , da Rocha Pita Samuel Silva
Published: January 2020

Background:

Leishmania infantum causes the most lethal form of Leishmaniasis: Visceral leishmaniasis. Current therapy for this disease is related to the development of drug-resistant species and toxicity. Trypanothione Reductase (LiTR), a validated target for the drug discovery process, is involved with parasites' thiol-redox metabolism.

Objective:

In this study, through Virtual Screening employing two distinct Natural Products Brazilian databases, we aimed to identify novel inhibitor scaffolds against LiTR.

Results:

Thus, the “top 10” LiTR-ligand energies have been selected and their interaction profiles into LiTR sites through the AuPosSOM server have been verified. Finally, Pred-hERG, Aggregator Advisor, FAF-DRUGS, pkCSM and DataWarrior were employed and their results allowed us to evaluate, respectively, the cardiotoxicity, aggregation capacity, presence of false-positive compounds (PAINS) and their toxicities.

Conclusion:

Three molecules that overcame the in silico pharmacokinetic analysis and have a good interaction with LiTR, were chosen to use in vitro assays hoping that our computational results reported here would aid the development of new anti-leishmanial compounds.
ÖZ YETERLİK VE GERİBİLDİRİM ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİ: FEN ALANLARI ÖĞRETMEN ADAYLARI ÜZERİNE BİR ARAŞTIRMA
Authors: Akkuzu Güven Nalan , Uyulgan Melis Arzu
Published: January 2020

Bu çalışma öğretmen adaylarının
öz yeterlik inançları ile geribildirim arasındaki ilişkiyi tespit etmeyi ve
oluşabilecek davranış değişikliğini anlayabilmede öz yeterlik inançlarının
geribildirim türü, sıklığı, ders deneyim saati gibi çeşitli değişkenlerle olan
ilişkilerini belirlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırmanın örneklemini, bir devlet
üniversitesinin 2014-2015 ve 2015-2016 öğretim yılları Bahar dönemlerinde
Matematik ve Fen Bilimleri Eğitimi Bölümü’nde Fizik, Kimya ve Biyoloji Eğitimi
Anabilim Dalları'nda öğrenim gören son sınıf öğretmen adayları (N=102)
oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada kullanılan veri toplama araçları kişisel bilgi
formu,  Fen Alanları (Fizik, Kimya,
Biyoloji) Öğretimi Öz yeterlik İnanç Ölçeği ve Geribildirim Ölçeği’dir. Verilerin analizinde ortalama, standart sapma, ANOVA,
korelasyon analizleri kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçları; öğretmen
adaylarının fen alanları öğretimi öz yeterlikleri bakımından yüksek düzeyde öz
yeterlik inancına sahip olduklarını ortaya koymaktadır. Geribildirim ölçeğinde
ise mesleki gelişim boyutunda yüksek puanların ortaya çıkması geribildirimin
öğretmen adaylarının mesleki yeterliliklerini ve performanslarını
değerlendirmede önem taşıdığını göstermektedir. 
Ayrıca, öğretmen adaylarının öz yeterlik puanları geribildirim türü,
sıklığı ve ders deneyim saatlerindeki değişimlerde anlamlı fark göstermektedir.
ÜNİVERSİTE ÖĞRENCİLERİNİN BENLİK AYRIMLAŞMASI, ÖZGECİLİK, İÇ-DIŞ KONTROL ODAĞI VE POZİTİF-NEGATİF DUYGU DÜZEYLERİ ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİLERİN İNCELENMESİ
Authors: Mert Abdullah , Kahraman Meliha
Published: January 2020

Bu çalışmada, üniversite öğrencilerinin
benlik ayrımlaşması, özgecilik, iç-dış kontrol odağı ve pozitif-negatif duygu
düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkilerin incelenmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Araştırmanın örneklemi,
2018-2019 eğitim-öğretim yılında, Uşak Üniversitesi, Eğitim Fakültesi’nin
çeşitli bölümlerinde öğrenim görmekte olan ve araştırmaya gönüllü olarak
katılmayı kabul eden 196’sı kız (%61,8), 121’i erkek (%38,2) olmak toplam 317
üniversite öğrencisinden oluşmaktadır. Katılımcıların benlik ayrımlaşması düzeylerini
ölçmek amacıyla “Benlik Ayrımlaşması Ölçeği” (BAÖ), kontrol odağını belirlemek
amacıyla “Rotter’in İç-Dış Kontrol Odağı Ölçeği (RİDKOÖ), özgecilik düzeylerini
ölçmek amacıyla “Özgecilik Ölçeği” (ÖÖ) 
ve pozitif ve negatif duyguyu ölçmek amacıyla “Pozitif ve Negatif Duygu
Ölçeği” (PNDÖ) kullanılmıştır. Bağımsız değişkenlerin benlik ayrımlaşmasını açıklama
düzeyini belirlemek amacıyla aşamalı regresyon analizi yapılmıştır. Özgeciliğin
ve pozitif ve negatif duyguların tüm boyutları birlikte alt boyutlarının
birlikte benlik farklılaşmasını istatistiksel olarak anlamlı şekilde yordadığı
görülmüştür. Üniversite öğrencilerinin iç ve dış kontrol odağının şans ve
kişiler arası dış kontrol alt boyutu dışında benliğe ilişkin farklılaşmada bir
etkisinin olmadığını tespit edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, alan yazın kapsamında
tartışılmış ve çeşitli önerilerde bulunulmuştur.