bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Contoured Insoles with Different Materials on Plantar Pressure Offloading in Diabetic Elderly during Gait
Authors: Shi Qiu Qiong , Li Pui Ling , Yick Kit-Lun , Li Nga-Wun , Jiao Jiao
Published: June 2022

To investigate the effect of contoured insoles constructed of different insole materials, including Nora Lunalastik EVA, Nora Lunalight A fresh, Pe-Lite, and PORON® Medical 4708 with Langer Biomechanics longitudinal PPT® arch pads on offloading plantar pressure on the foot of the elderly with Type 1 or 2 diabetes during gait. Twenty-two elderly with Type 1 or 2 diabetes participated in the study. Their plantar pressure was measured by using an insole measurement system, while the participants walked 10 m in their bare feet or used each experimental insole in random order. The plantar surface was divided into four specific regions including the toes, forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot. The mean peak pressure (MPP) and pressure-time integral (PTI) of ten steps with or without wearing one of the four insoles were analyzed on the dominant foot and the four specific plantar regions. After completion of the activities, the participants scored each insole from 1 (the least comfortable) to 10 (the most comfortable). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) factor of the insoles had significant effects on the MPP (P < 0.001) and PTI (P = 0.004) in the dominant foot during gait. Pairwise comparison results showed that the MPP and PTI in the dominant foot were significantly lower (P < 0.001) with PORON® Medical 4708 than barefoot, Nora Lunalight A fresh, and Pe-Lite. Additionally, the insole materials had a significant effect for the forefoot (P < 0.001) and rearfoot (P < 0.001) in terms of the MPP and PTI compared with the barefoot condition during gait. Regardless of the plantar region, the MPP and PTI values were the lowest when PORON® Medical 4708 was used as the insole material among four insole materials. Meanwhile, a significantly lower MPP and PTI can be found in the forefoot and rearfoot with the use of the four experimental insoles when compared with barefoot. The soft insole materials (i.e., PORON® medical 4708 and Nora Lunalastik EVA) had a better performance than the rigid insole materials (i.e., Nora Lunalight A fresh, and Pe-Lite) on plantar pressure offloading for diabetic elderly.
Qualitative analysis of a prey-predator model with prey refuge and intraspecific competition among predators
Authors: Surendar Maruthai Selvaraj , Sambath Muniagounder , Balachandran Krishnan , Ma Yong-Ki
Published: June 2022

In this paper we consider a prey-predator model with prey refuge and intraspecific competition between predators using the Crowley-Martin functional response and investigate the dynamic characteristics of spatial and non-spatial prey-predator systems with each analytical and numerical approach. The local stability of non-trivial interior equilibrium, the existence of a Hopf bifurcation, and stability of bifurcating periodic solutions have been obtained in the absence of diffusion. For the spatial system, the Turing and non-Turing patterns are evaluated for some set parametric beliefs, and for prey and predator inhabitants some exciting results are obtained. Numerical simulation demonstrates that both prey and predator populations will not converge to the stationary state at any foreseeable future time when the parametric values are ingested in the Turing domain.
Effect of Melatonin on Alpha Synuclein and Autophagy in Dopaminergic Neuronal Differentiation of Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Ibrahim Hadeer A. M. , Hussein Abdelaziz M. , Gabr Mahmoud , El-Saeed Rasha A. , Ammar Omar A. , Mosa Ahmed A.H. , -Aziz Abdel-Aziz F. Abdel
Published: June 2022

The current work investigated the effect of melatonin on differentiation of adipose mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) into dopamine producing cells and also its effect on autophagy process and alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn) secretion. AD-MSCs were characterized by flow cytometry and divided into 4 groups (n = 6); i) control group (AD-MSCs without any treatment), ii) M + MSCs group (MSCs treated with 1 µM melatonin for 12 days), iii) DN group (MSCs cultured in neurobasal A medium and essential neuronal growth factors for 12 days) and iv) DN + M group (MSCs cultured in neurobasal A medium and 1µM melatonin for 12 days. By the end of experiments, the dopamine and α-Syn levels using ELISA, the expression of MAP-2, m-TOR and α-Syn genes at the level of mRNA and detection of autophagosomes formation using transmission electron microscope were performed. We found that the isolated cells were MSCs due to their positivity expression for CD105 and CD90 and negativity expression for CD34 and CD45. The concentration of dopamine was significantly higher and α-Syn concentration was significantly lower in DN + M group when compared to other groups (p < 0.005). Also, this group showed the highly expression for MAP-2 gene and less expression for m-TOR and α-Syn genes(p < 0.005). Moreover, there was significantly increase in autophagosomes formation in this group than other group (p < 0.005). It is concluded that the melatonin promotes dopaminergic neural differentiation via induction of autophagy process and reduction of α-Syn secretion which may be become one of the possible ways to treat Parkinson’s disease.
Zur Verankerung von Themen der Digitalisierung in Modulhandbüchern der Studiengänge Sozialer Arbeit
Authors: Erdwiens Daniel , Seidel Andreas
Published: June 2022

Die Soziale Arbeit ist in vielschichtiger Weise von der digitalen Transformation betroffen. Dies gilt für die Gegenwart und es ist anzunehmen, dass sich diese Veränderungen zukünftig durch weitere technische Entwicklungen noch verstärken werden. Diese Veränderungen haben Auswirkungen auf die Profession der Sozialen Arbeit, die Adressat:innen und die Organisationen. Damit verknüpft sind Anforderungen an die Aus- und Weiterbildung von Fachkräften in der Sozialen Arbeit. Der digitale Wandel ist auch für den Hochschulbereich von grosser Bedeutung und hat praktische Auswirkungen im akademischen Ausbildungsbetrieb. Bezogen auf die akademische Ausbildung hat die Digitalisierung auch Konsequenzen für den hochschuldidaktischen und -curricularen Alltag. Ein Modulhandbuch gilt als das zentrale Dokument, das die Lehr- und Lernaktivitäten an der Hochschule grundlegend steuert; hier sind die Studieninhalte sowie die Kompetenzen beschrieben, die Studierende im Rahmen ihres Studiums erwerben sollen. Im vorliegenden Beitrag soll auf Grundlage einer Dokumentenanalyse in Modulhandbüchern deutscher Studiengänge Sozialer Arbeit (Hochschulen und Universitäten, N=180) die Forschungsfrage beantwortet werden, in welchem Ausmass Inhalte zum Thema Digitalisierung in diesen Dokumenten repräsentiert sind. Während sich in 30% der Modulhandbücher der Begriff der Medienkompetenz und in 39,4% der Begriff der Medienpädagogik findet, ist der Begriff Digitalisierung nur in 2,2% dieser Dokumente vertreten. Inhalte zu Digitalisierung und Medienkompetenz resp. -pädagogik finden sich häufiger in den Bachelor- als in Masterstudiengängen der Sozialen Arbeit. Die Untersuchung macht deutlich, dass Inhalte zum Thema Digitalisierung in den hochschulcurricularen Dokumenten noch nicht repräsentiert sind. Mit diesem Beitrag soll das Thema der Digitalisierung in der Sozialen Arbeit sowie deren curriculare Verankerung in der akademischen Ausbildung betrachtet und eine Diskussion hierzu angestossen werden.
Differenzreflexive Lehre mit und über Medien
Authors: Klenk Florian Cristóbal , Rau Franco
Published: June 2022

Wie lassen sich Lernsituationen für angehende Lehrkräfte gestalten, in denen Heterogenitäts- und Digitalisierungsdiskurse miteinander verknüpft werden? Zur Beantwortung dieser Frage werden in diesem Beitrag anhand zweier Good-Practice-Beispiele der Technischen Universität Darmstadt konzeptionelle Überlegungen zur Realisierung von Lehrveranstaltungen und praktische Erfahrungen im Einsatz digitaler Spiele vorgestellt und es wird diskutiert, wie diese zur Entwicklung von Diversity- und Medienkompetenz beitragen können. Im Fokus stehen praxiserprobte Konzepte für die bildungswissenschaftlichen Studienanteile der Lehrkräftebildung. Im Mittelpunkt des ersten Projektes «Queers in Games» werden (Lern-)Situationen beschrieben, in denen sich anhand der Erprobung und Thematisierung digitaler Spiele Diskussions- und Reflexionsanlässe zu vielfältigen sexuellen Orientierungen und Lebensweisen eröffnen. Das zweite Projekt «DIVERSITY goes DIGITAL» präsentiert eine programmatische Konzeption einer Lehrveranstaltung, die darauf abzielt, über die medienpädagogische Entwicklung von Erklärvideos eine diversitätsorientierte Reflexion von Differenzordnungen – Ableismus, Heteronormativität, Klassismus und Rassismus – zu evozieren. Das gemeinsame Ziel beider Projekte war es, angehende Lehrpersonen bei der Entwicklung und Stärkung der Medien- und Diversity-Kompetenz zu unterstützen. Zum Abschluss des Beitrags werden Impulse für eine differenzreflexive Medienbildung in der Lehrerkräftebildung zusammengefasst und zur Diskussion gestellt.
Paving the Road Towards Supporting Scalable Collaborative Writing in High-Diversity Distance Learning Groups
Authors: Burchart Marc
Published: June 2022

Nowadays, collaborative learning in a virtual environment is highly relevant, especially in distance education and during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, higher education institutions are striving to develop software tools for collaborative online learning and to support large numbers of students working simultaneously. For this purpose, it is important to collect information about the ongoing process of the collaborative work, especially learning and interaction data, e.g. how the students interact with the other group members and whether or how they exchange information with the teachers. These collected data are then analysed with methods of learning analytics with the help of the software tools and the results are used to support learners and teachers. In this paper, an architecture is proposed that enables collaborative writing by hundreds of students divided into many groups. It uses the synergy of the learning environment Moodle and the online editor Etherpad Lite. The needed software tools can be easily integrated into it. A prototype of the architecture and first required methods of data collection and learning analytics have already been developed and successfully tested in a first pilot usage with about 300 students. The long-term goal of this project is to support collaborative writing in near real time using self-developed software.
Hacia Helsinki / Helsinki Bound
Authors: Lagunaries
Published: June 2022

This provocation responds to Lagunaries' participation as a keygroup in Philosophy Performance Problems 2022. Using our constantly evolving methodology to work with texts and stories, we set out to think together through a coral writing exercise, the different meanings to the words key and group. In Spanish key is both a llave and a clave, which in turns unlock different meanings.  We also use the word grupa to propose breaking away from established non-feminist ways of being together.
Performativity of Death in Post-Soviet Russia: The Party of the Dead's growing membership
Authors: Agitatsia
Published: June 2022

Our research group AGITATSIA unites researchers connected with post-Soviet history (from Belarus/Germany, Russia, USA/Estonia and France), and with interest in collectivity and multidisciplinary approach. Our areas of study include philosophy, cultural studies, art criticism, linguistics, artistic performative activity, sociology; we are united by an interest in the most radical line in contemporary Russian art, which is actionism and political performance.
We believe that the theme of performativity of death brings together two important lines of an involved, independent art—death and performance—which constitute the “burning and smouldering” problems of the contemporary cultural process in Russia. The COVID-19 pandemic became a pretext for artists and activists to resurrect the problem of death and methods of working with it. Now after the beginning of full-scale Russian military invasion throughout the whole territory of Ukraine it became clear that artists anticipated reality in many ways. The question of death in Russia is haunted by a question of justice—both philosophically and in relation to the perceived failures of the system of law. The necro-performances of the collective Party of the Dead from Saint-Petersburg manifest the importance of performance as a ritual of mourning in days of pandemic and war.
Modal behavior of post low velocity impact flax/epoxy composite structures
Authors: Srihi Khouloud , Zergoune Zakaria , Massé Nadia , Genc Garip , El Hafidi Ali
Published: June 2022

Natural fibers are increasingly used for polymer composite intending to minimize the environmental impact. Bio-composite materials are increasingly being used in industrial transport structures, including aerospace and automotive. Natural fiber reinforces composites with equivalent performances of glass fiber composites, have higher amount of fiber, resulting in less pollution and much lighter weight, which reduces the fuel consumption. Also, they offer the ability to design complex parts and high mechanical properties structures. Barely visible impact damage (BVID) represent a serious threat to the efficiency of bio-composite materials. In this paper, modal analysis was used to investigate and evaluate the impact-induced damage of flax/epoxy composite plates. The vibratory behavior is an indicator of the structural health monitoring of composite materials. Natural frequency, damping loss factors and displacement pattern, named mode shapes, are studied in order to detect damage and anticipate perilous consequences through time.
Nanoinformatics and Personalized Medicine: An Advanced Cumulative
Approach for Cancer Management
Authors: Khan Fariya , Akhtar Salman , Kamal Mohammad Amjad
Published: June 2022

Background:

Even though the battle against cancer has advanced remarkably in last few decades and the survival rate has improved very significantly, an ultimate cure for cancer treatment stills remains an undeterred problem. In such scenario, nanoinformatics, which is bioinformatics coupled with nanotechnology, endows with many novel research opportunities in the preclinical and clinical development of specially personalized nanosized drugs and carriers bestowing newer dimensions in anticancer research and therapy. Personalized nanomedicines tends to serve as a promising treatment option for cancer owing to their noninvasiveness and their novel approach. Explicitly, the field of personalized medicine is expected to have an enormous impact in clinical research owing to its diverse advantages and its versatility to adapt a drug to a cohort of patients.

Objective:

The current review attempts to explain the implications of nanoinformatics as a new emerging field in the field of pharmacogenomics and precision medicine. This review also recapitulates how nanoinformatics could accelerate the developments of personalized nanomedicine in anticancer research, which is undoubtedly the need of the hour.

Conclusion:

The approach and concept of personalized nanomedicine has been facilitated by humongous impending field of Nanoinformatics. The breakthrough progressions made through nanoinformatics have prominently changed the insight of the future personalized medicinal drug in cancer research. Nanoparticle based medicine has been developing and has created a center of attention in recent years, with a prime focus on proficient delivery mechanisms for various chemotherapy drugs. Nanoinformatics has allowed merging of all recent advances from creating nanosized particles that contain drugs targeting cell surface receptors to other potent molecules designed to kill cancerous cells and its subsequent application to personalize medicine.
Construction of a Competitive Endogenous RNA Network Related to Exosomes
in Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Wang Tong , Xu Zi-hui , Cheng Mao-yuan , Shan Meng-ya , Tang Cui-yao , Pan Nai-jia , Tang Xian-lun
Published: June 2022

Background:

The competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network plays an important
role in the occurrence and development of a variety of diseases. This study aimed to construct a
ceRNA network related to exosomes in diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods:

We explored the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and then analyzed the
RNAs of samples to obtain differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs), miRNAs (DEMs) and
mRNAs (DEGs) alongside the progress of DR. Next, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) analysis
of DEGs, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)
analysis of up-DEGs were performed. In addition, a ceRNA network related to exosomes in DR
was constructed on the base of DELs, DEMs and DEGs. Finally, the function of the ceRNA network
was explored by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis.

Results:

Through our analysis, 267 DELs (93 up and 174 down), 114 DEMs (64 up and 50 down)
and 2368 DEGs (1252 up and 1116 down) were screened. The GSEA analysis results show that
these genes were mainly related to cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, hippo signaling pathway
and JAK-STAT signaling pathway. The GO and KEGG results show that these up-DEGs were
mainly enriched in viral gene expression, components of ribosomes, mineral absorption, Wntprotein
binding, and TGF-β signaling pathway. Besides, a ceRNA network, including 15 lncRNAs
(e.g., C1orf145, FGF14-IT1, and PRNT), 3 miRNAs (miR-10a-5p, miR-1297 and miR-507) and 11
mRNAs (NCOR2, CHAC1 and LIX1L, etc.) was constructed. Those 5 lncRNAs were up-regulated, 1
miRNA was down-regulated and 5 mRNAs were up-regulated in DR, while 10 lncRNAs were downregulated,
2 miRNAs were up-regulated and 6 mRNAs were down-regulated in DR.

Conclusion:

The novel ceRNA network that we constructed will provide new insights into the underlying
molecular mechanisms of exosomes in DR.
Protective Effects of Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Extract in Preventing DSS
Induced Ulcerative Colitis Based on Pharmacodynamic, Pharmacokinetic and Tissue
Distribution
Authors: Wang Xinrui , Quan Shuai , Li Jingyang , Liu Ying , Sun Huageng , Zhang Jingze , Liu Dailin
Published: June 2022

Background:

Based on pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies, we explored
the potential effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) -induced ulcerative
colitis in mice and its underlying mechanism.

Methods:

A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method was developed to measure the content of five components
of GSPE in rat plasma and tissue. After oral administration of GSPE, correlative index levels of interleukin-
1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), factor-α (TNF-α), Nitric Oxide (NO), malonaldehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase
(SOD) were detected in the serum and colon tissues. The protein expression levels of HO-1, Nrf2 and NF-κB
in the mouse colonic mucosa were analysed using immunohistochemistry.

Results:

Pharmacodynamic tests showed substantially reduced mice body weight, diarrhea, and bloody stool in the
model group. The pathological damage to the colonic mucosa of mice in the GSPE groups was remarkably reduced
in a dose-dependent manner. The histopathological score of the colon in the model group was significantly higher
than that of the control group (P <0.05), suggesting that DSS caused severe damage to the colon. After oral administration
of GSPE, the serum and colonic tissue levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, NO, and MDA decreased, whereas
SOD content increased. Moreover, the protein levels of NF-κB and Keap-1 were significantly decreased, whereas the
expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins increased (P＜0.01) based on the results of the microwaveimmunohistochemical
assay. The pharmacokinetic results showed that catechin, epicatechin, and procyanidins B1,
B2, and B4 are widely distributed in the tissues and blood of rats and may accumulate in some tissues. Catechin and
epicatechin peaked at 0.25 and 1.5 h for the first and second time, respectively. Procyanidin B1, B2, and B4 peaked
at 0.5 and 1.5 h for the first and second time, respectively, owing to the effect of the hepato-enteric circulation. The
active components of GSPE can reach the colon of the lesion site, and hepatoenteric circulation can increase the
residence time of the active components in the body, further increasing the anti-ulcer activity.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that GSPE has a potential protective effect against DSS-induced ulcerative colitis
in mice.
Establishment of New Genetic Markers and Methods for Sex Determination of Mouse and Human Cells using Polymerase Chain Reactions and Crude DNA Samples
Authors: Ma Hong , Liao Dezhong J. , Zhang Keyin , Yang Jianglin , Qin Zhenwei , Lu Tianzu , Lou Didong , Ran Qianchuan , Huang Hai , Cheng Shuqiang , Zellmer Lucas
Published: June 2022

Background:

The currently available methods for sexing human or mouse cells have weaknesses. Therefore, it is necessary to establish new methods.

Methods:

We used bioinformatics approach to identify genes that have alleles on both the X and Y chromosomes of mouse and human genomes and have a region showing a significant difference between the X and Y alleles. We then used polymerase chain reactions (PCR) followed by visualization of the PCR amplicons in agarose gels to establish these genomic regions as genetic sex markers.

Results:

Our bioinformatics analyses identified eight mouse sex markers and 56 human sex markers that are new, i.e. are previously unreported. Six of the eight mouse markers and 14 of the 56 human markers were verified using PCR and ensuing visualization of the PCR amplicons in agarose gels. Most of the tested and untested sex markers possess significant differences in the molecular weight between the X- and Y-derived PCR amplicons and are thus much better than most, if not all, previously-reported genetic sex markers. We also established several simple and essentially cost-free methods for extraction of crude genomic DNA from cultured cells, blood samples, and tissues that could be used as template for PCR amplification.

Conclusion:

We have established new sex genetic markers and methods for extracting genomic DNA and for sexing human and mouse cells. Our work may also lend some methodological strategies to the identification of new genetic sex markers for other organismal species.
Peptide Triazole Inhibitors of HIV-1: Hijackers of Env Metastability
Authors: P. Carter Erik , G. Ang Charles , M. Chaiken Irwin
Published: June 2022

With 1.5 million new infections and 690,000 AIDS-related deaths globally each year, HIV-
1 remains a pathogen of significant public health concern. Although a wide array of effective antiretroviral
drugs have been discovered, these largely target intracellular stages of the viral infectious
cycle, and inhibitors that act at or before the point of viral entry still require further advancement. A
unique class of HIV-1 entry inhibitors, called peptide triazoles (PTs), has been developed, which irreversibly
inactivates Env trimers by exploiting the protein structure’s innate metastable nature. PTs,
and a related group of inhibitors called peptide triazole thiols (PTTs), are peptide compounds that dually
engage the CD4 receptor and coreceptor binding sites of Env’s gp120 subunit. This triggers dramatic
conformational rearrangements of Env, including the shedding of gp120 (PTs and PTTs) and
lytic transformation of the gp41 subunit to a post-fusion-like arrangement (PTTs). Due to the nature
of their dual receptor site engagement, PT/PTT-induced conformational changes may elucidate mechanisms
behind the native fusion program of Env trimers following receptor and coreceptor engagement,
including the role of thiols in fusion. In addition to inactivating Env, PTT-induced structural
transformation enhances the exposure of important and conserved neutralizable regions of gp41, such
as the membrane proximal external region (MPER). PTT-transformed Env could present an intriguing
potential vaccine immunogen prototype. In this review, we discuss the origins of the PT class of peptide
inhibitors, our current understanding of PT/PTT-induced structural perturbations and viral inhibition,
and prospects for using these antagonists for investigating Env structural mechanisms and for
vaccine development.
Calprotectin: The Link Between Acute Lung Injury and Gastrointestinal Injury in Covid-19: Ban or Boon
Authors: Alexiou Athanasios , Batiha Gaber El-Saber , Al-Kuraishy Hayder M. , Al-Gareeb Ali I. , Al-Niemi Marwa S.
Published: June 2022

The pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is related to the direct cytopathic effect and associated hyper-inflammation due to exaggerated immune response. Different experimental and clinical studies revealed that many biomarkers could be used to determine the Covid-19 severity, such as Ddimer, procalcitonin, C-reaction protein (CRP), IL-6, and ferritin. Calprotectin (CP) is associated with intestinal inflammation, intestinal injury, and different respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis. Thus, CP might be a possible biomarker linking intestinal injury and acute lung injury (ALI) in Covid-19. Therefore, this study aimed to find a potential role of CP regarding GITI and ALI in Covid-19. CP is a complex protein consisting of S100A8 and S100A9, belonging to the Ca+2-binding proteins S100 family abundant in the cytosol of neutrophils and expressed on the monocyte membranes, macrophages, and intestinal epithelial cells. CP is a proinflammatory protein that acts through activation of the receptor for the advanced glycation end product (RAGE) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). CP is a biomarker of neutrophil activation and is released following the turnover of neutrophils. CP could be controversial; it increases airway inflammation or protects lung and airway epithelium from an exaggerated immune response. Therefore, a high level of CP in different respiratory disorders might be protective and compensate against abnormal immune responses. CP level is high in Covid-19 and correlated with Covid-19 severity and oxygen demand due to activation of proinflammatory cytokines and inflammatory signaling pathways. Therefore, CP level is elevated in both ALI and intestinal inflammation so that it could be a potential biomarker that links the respiratory and intestinal injury in Covid-19.
CTLA-4: As an Immunosuppressive Immune Checkpoint in Breast Cancer
Authors: Ghahremani Dehbokri Shaho , Alizadeh Nazila , Isazadeh Alireza , Baghbanzadeh Amir , Abbaspour-Ravasjani Soheil , Hajiasgharzadeh Khalil , Baradaran Behzad
Published: June 2022

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the prevalent diseases and causes of death in women, and its incidence rate is increasing in numerous developed and developing countries. The common approach to BC therapy is surgery, followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy, which doesn't lead to acceptable outcomes in many patients. Therefore, developing innovative strategies for treating BC is essential for the most effective therapy. The immunotherapy of BC is a promising and attractive strategy that can increase the immune system's capacity to recognize and kill the tumor cells, inhibit the recurrence of the tumors, and develop new metastatic sites. The blockade of immune checkpoints is the most attractive and promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. The cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is a cellsurface glycoprotein expressed by stimulated T cells and has pivotal roles in cell cycle modulation, cytokine generation, and regulation of T cell proliferation. Currently, anti- CTLA-4 agents such as monoclonal antibodies (Ipilimumab and tremelimumab) are broadly applied as therapeutic agents in clinical studies of different cancers. The anti- CTLA-4 antibodies, alone or combined with other therapeutic agents, remarkably increased the tumor-suppressive effects of the immune system and improved the prognosis of cancer. The immune checkpoint inhibitors may represent promising options for BC treatment as in monotherapy or in combination with other conventional treatments. In this review, we discuss the role of CTLA-4 and its therapeutic potential by inhibitors of immune checkpoints in BC therapeutics.
Chemical and Physical Approaches for Improved Biopharmaceutical
Activity of Amphotericin B: Current and Future Prospective
Authors: Mahor Ajay , Sawant Devesh M. , Goyal Amit Kumar
Published: June 2022

Over the last 50 years, the number of patients with mycotic infections has gradually in-creased. Amphotericin-B is a gold-standard drug used in serious systemic fungal infections. How-ever, limited solubility and permeability are challenging issues associated with Amphotericin-B. Chemical modification is one of the ways to get its broader applicability and improved physico-chemical properties. The review article provides a comprehensive overview of the chemical modifi-cation approach for investigating the mechanism of action, biological activity, bioavailability, and toxicity of Amphotericin B. Further, several drug delivery approaches have also been utilized to provide better therapeutic outcomes. This gives an overview of chemical approaches for exploring various factors associated with Amphotericin B and information on its drug delivery approaches for improved biopharmaceutical outcomes.
Intermittent Fasting as Possible Treatment for Heart Failure
Authors: Garza-González Salvador , Nieblas Bianca , Solbes-Gochicoa María M. , Altamirano Julio , García Noemí
Published: June 2022

Western-style diet often leads to food overconsumption, which triggers the development of
comorbidities, such as obesity, insulin resistance, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, type 2
diabetes, and heart failure (HF). Several studies suggest that intermittent fasting (IF) protects against the
development of those morbidities. This study presents evidence of the beneficial effects of IF on HF.
Based on the current evidence, we discuss the potential molecular mechanisms by which IF works and
where liver ketone bodies (KBs) play important roles. There is evidence that IF promotes a metabolic
switch in highly metabolic organs, such as the heart, which increases the use of KBs during fasting.
However, besides their role as energy substrates, KBs participate in the signaling pathways that control
the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress protection and metabolism. Several molecular factors,
such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), peroxisome proliferatoractivated
receptor, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), sirtuins, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related
factor 2 (Nrf2) are involved. Furthermore, IF appears to maintain circadian rhythm, which is essential
for highly metabolically active organs. Finally, we highlight the important research topics that need to
be pursued to improve current knowledge and strengthen the potential of IF as a preventive and therapeutic
approach to HF.
Optimized Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity of α-Aminophosphonates
Against a Multidrug Resistant Uterine Sarcoma Cell Line
Authors: Tóth Szilárd , Keglevich György , Varga Petra Regina , Dinnyési Emőke , Szakács Gergely
Published: June 2022

Background:

α-Aminophosphonates are potentially biologically active species.

Objective:

We wished to compare the synthetic methods and evaluate the effect of the α-
aminophosphonates on sarcoma cell lines.

Methods:

We investigated microwave-assisted Kabachnik–Fields and Pudovik reactions, as well as substitutions,
and applied in vitro cytotoxicity screening.

Results:

The Kabachnik–Fields condensation and the Pudovik reaction were found to be the most suitable
regarding efficiency. Surprisingly, the multidrug resistant (MDR) uterine sarcoma (Mes-Sa/Dx5) cell line
was the most susceptible to the aminophosphonates tested.

Conclusions:

α-Aminophosphonates may indeed display anticancer effect. Substituents in the para position
of the phenyl ring have an impact on the activity: the 4-Me and 4-Cl derivatives were more toxic to
all cell lines as compared to the 4-H and 4-MeO species.
A Deep Learning Model for Diagnosing COVID-19 and Pneumonia
through X-ray
Authors: Liu Xiangbin , Wu Wenqian , Chun-Wei Lin Jerry , Liu Shuai
Published: June 2022

Background:

The new global pandemic caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19),
novel coronavirus pneumonia, has spread rapidly around the world, causing enormous damage to daily
life, public health security, and the global economy. Early detection and treatment of COVID-19 infected
patients are critical to prevent the further spread of the epidemic. However, existing detection
methods are unable to rapidly detect COVID-19 patients, so infected individuals are not detected in a
timely manner, which complicates the prevention and control of COVID-19 to some extent. Therefore,
it is crucial to develop a rapid and practical COVID-19 detection method. In this work, we explored the
application of deep learning in COVID-19 detection to develop a rapid COVID-19 detection method.

Method:

Existing studies have shown that novel coronavirus pneumonia has significant radiographic
performance. In this study, we analyze and select the features of chest radiographs. We propose a chest
X-Ray (CXR) classification method based on the selected features and investigate the application of
transfer learning in detecting pneumonia and COVID-19. Furthermore, we combine the proposed CXR
classification method based on selected features with transfer learning and ensemble learning and propose
an ensemble deep learning model based on transfer learning called COVID-ensemble to diagnose
pneumonia and COVID-19 using chest x-ray images. The model aims to provide an accurate diagnosis
for binary classification (no finding/pneumonia) and multivariate classification (COVID-19/No findings/
Pneumonia).

Results:

Our proposed CXR classification method based on selection features can significantly improve
the CXR classification accuracy of the CNN model. Using this method, DarkNet19 improved its
binary and triple classification accuracies by 3.5% and 5.78%, respectively. In addition, the COVIDensemble
achieved 91.5% accuracy in the binary classification task and 91.11% in the multi-category
classification task. The experimental results demonstrate that the COVID-ensemble can quickly and
accurately detect COVID-19 and pneumonia automatically through X-ray images and that the performance
of this model is superior to that of several existing methods.

Conclusion:

Our proposed COVID-ensemble can not only overcome the limitations of the conventional
COVID-19 detection method RT-PCR and provide convenient and fast COVID-19 detection but
also automatically detect pneumonia, thereby reducing the pressure on the medical staff. Using deep
learning models to automatically diagnose COVID-19 and pneumonia from X-ray images can serve as
a fast and efficient screening method for COVID-19 and pneumonia.
A Short Review on the Efficacy of Derivatives of Curcumin
Authors: Sameera Rege , Varshneya Megha , Momin Shamim
Published: June 2022

Curcumin with medicinal value should possess good bioavailability and stability. Unfortunately,
the bioavailability of curcumin is less, and its stability depends on the medium. After intake
of curcumin, it undergoes metabolism to form metabolites, which are bioactive and show better bioavailability
than curcumin. Hence, the disadvantages of curcumin can be overcome by the formation
of its synthetic derivative. In this review paper, the derivatives of curcumin, namely tetrahydrocurcumin,
hexahydrocurcumin, octahydrocurcumin, deketene curcumin, and dimethoxycurcumin are
discussed. The diketo group, diene moiety, and ortho-methoxy phenolic groups present in curcumin
influence its properties. Curcumin undergoes degradation in alkaline and non-polar mediums, mainly
because of its property to exhibit keto-enol tautomerism, which is further enhanced due to the presence
of diene moiety and ortho-methoxy phenolic groups. If the keto-enol tautomerism is inhibited
by its derivatization, then its stability is improved. This is especially true in the case of hexahydrocurcumin,
octahydrocurcumin, and deketene curcumin, which do not possess an active methylene
group. Although tetrahydrocurcumin undergoes keto-enol tautomerism, the degradation of enol tautomer
is prevented due to the absence of diene moiety. The activities of curcumin are medium dependent,
whereas the activities of hydrogenated derivatives of curcumin and deketene curcumin are
medium independent. Dimethoxycurcumin exhibits keto-enol tautomerism and can undergo degradation
in alkaline and non-polar mediums at a faster rate than curcumin. The reason is that the strong
activating hydroxyl groups in curcumin are replaced by a stronger activating methoxy group in dimethoxycurcumin.
On the other hand, in acidic and polar mediums, the rate of beneficial activities
of dimethoxycurcumin is more than curcumin. Also, the bioavailability of the above-mentioned derivatives
of curcumin is more than curcumin.
The Psychological Sequelae of COVID-19 Among Disease Survivors
in Argentina
Authors: Tisocco Franco , Doolan Alejandra , Vicente María Laura , Liporace Mercedes Fernández , Solano Alejandro Castro
Published: June 2022

Background:

While more than a year has passed since the COVID-19 outbreak, it is
still a growing health concern. Moreover, ample consensus exists for the presence of not only a
physical but also a psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those reported as hardest
hit were individuals who had been infected with COVID-19. Survivors have exhibited a
higher prevalence of psychological morbidity i.e., PTSD, depression, and anxiety- as compared
with the general population and health workers. Additionally, COVID-19 patients and survivors
have been psychologically impacted by a staggering number of disease-related stressors.

Objective:

The study was aimed at analyzing COVID-19's impact on the psychological state of
Argentinian disease survivors.

Method:

Two hundred and ninety-six COVID-19 survivors (67.2% female; Mage = 44.81;
SDage = 12.16) from a major Buenos Aires hospital completed a questionnaire and a set of
psychological measures - COVID-19 emotional impact, psychological sequelae, disease-related
stressors, PTSD, and psychological distress.

Results:

The most impactful psychological sequelae and disease stressors revolved around having
the disease awaiting test results, fear of infecting loved ones, being apart from family and
friends during the disease, fear of physical sequelae and symptoms, and returning to isolation.
PTSD prevalence rates were 33.8%. Survivor's psychological distress levels were moderately
higher than pre-COVID-era general population levels, yet not significantly different from pre-
COVID-era clinical inpatients. Female gender, age, and hospital admission emerged as significant
predictors of increased adverse psychological outcomes.

Conclusion:

Intervention for COVID-19 survivors is urgently needed, with particular attention
to the alarming PTSD prevalence rates, as discussed in the study.
Assessment of Nano Lipid Carrier Loaded Transdermal Patch of Rizatriptan
Benzoate
Authors: Bhattacharyya Sayani , Nanjareddy Lavanya
Published: June 2022

Background:

Migraine is a neurological disorder and is accompanied by different painful
episodes. Hence, the maintenance of a steady-state concentration of drugs can be beneficial for
patients suffering from migraine. The present investigation focuses on the development of nano
lipid carriers (NLCs) loaded with transdermal patches of rizatriptan benzoate to sustain the effect
of the drug for the enhancement of therapeutic effects.

Method:

Stearic acid and peanut oil were used to make the NLCs. A central composite design
was employed to observe the effect of formulation factors like solid lipid ratio, phase volume ratio,
and concentration of surfactants on the formation of nanoparticles. The effects were evaluated for
the responses like particle size and entrapment of the drug in the nanocarriers. The optimized formulation
was subjected to compatibility, thermal, surface characteristics, and surface morphology
studies. The optimized formulation was dispersed in HPMC 15CPS and PVP K30 polymer matrix,
and the transdermal patch was evaluated for its mechanical properties, drug release study, and skin
irritation study.

Results:

The experimental design was suitable to produce nanosized stable lipid carriers of the
drug with high drug entrapment. The drug and excipients were found to be compatible. The thermal
and surface characteristics study proved the high loading of drugs in the nanoparticles. The
surface morphology study showed the formation of irregular-shaped NLCs. The transdermal patch
had good mechanical properties. The ex vivo study of the formulated patch showed a sustained
release of the drug over 24h. No skin irritation was reported from the transdermal patch.

Conclusion:

Therefore, it can be concluded that the nanoparticles loaded transdermal patch of
rizatriptan benzoate can be promising in controlling the divergent phases of migraine.
From Commonplacing to Expressing Confessional Identity: The Sturmian Paroemiology in Strasbourg and the Hungarian Albert Szenci Molnár
Authors: Förköli Gábor
Published: June 2022

In the early modern period, commonplacing was a general method for structuring knowledge and taking notes. At the protestant gymnasium of Strasbourg, the disciples of Johann Sturm encouraged their pupils to compose their own handwritten commonplace-books to acquire a richness in subject knowledge and in idioms. This paper focuses on the annotations of one of their Hungarian students, Albert Szenci Molnár (1574-1634), a most important author of the Calvinist late humanism in the Kingdom of Hungary and in Transylvania. Analysing this unique source enables us to understand how the normative prescriptions of excerpting as a scholarly exercise were put into practice by students. The paper argues that Molnár’s commonplace-book follows the structure that his teacher, Johann Bentz determined in one of his textbooks. The manuscript seems to meet the general requirements of protestant education, it also documents Molnár’s interest in Hungarian contributions to international humanism and his serious conflict with Lutheran authorities about issues in communion theology. Hence, the notebook has, above its conventional contents, a more personalised layer where individual choices of readings become visible.
FASCÍCULO COMPLEMENTARIO IX: LOS PASTIZALES CALCÍFILOS DEL ESTADO DE GUANAJUATO
Authors:   Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Centro regional del Bajío, Rzedowski Jerzy , Calderón de Rzedowski Graciela ,   Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Centro regional del Bajío
Published: June 2022

En el transcurso de las expliraciones tendientes a la elaboración de la Flora del Bajío y de regiones adyacentes se localizaron en el estado de Guanajuato algunas áreas aisladas de afloramiento de sustratos ricos en carbonato de calcio cubiertas de pastizal. Se muestró la flora de plantas vasculares de 8 localidades con tal vegetación y roca madre, y como resultado se obtuvo una lista de 282 especies, de las cuales 25 se comportan francamente como malezas y no se incluyen en el análisis ulterior. 11 componentes no pudieron identificarse a nivel de especies y, al menos en su mayoría, representan taxa aún no descritos. 75 entidades definen registros nuevos para el estado de Guanajuato y aunque la presencia de muchas ya era esperada, un contingente significativo lo consitutuyen plantas previamente desconocidasl del centro del país. Un importante conjunto de 50 especies lo conforman las preferente o estrictamente calcícolas, que les confieren particular individualidad a estos pastizales, a pesar del hecho de que sus elementos dominantes son los mismos que suelen prevalecer en comunidades de gramíneas que prosperan sobre suelos derivados re rocas ígneas. Aunque variados indicios hacen pensar que podría tratarse de pastizales secundarios, los autores se inclinan a considerar que su existencia está fundamentalmente determinada por la roca madre en combinación con algunos elementos de orden topográfico.
FASCÍCULO COMPLEMENTARIO X: LISTADO FLORÍSTICO DEL ESTADO DE MICHOACÁN SECCIÓN III (Angiospermae: Connaraceae-Myrtaceae excepto Fagaceae, Gramineae, Krameriaceae y Leguminosae)
Authors:   Facultad de Biología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Rodríguez Jiménez L. Socorro , Espinosa Garduño Judith ,   Departamento de Botánica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional
Published: June 2022

En este trabajo se presentan, en forma de un listado, los resultados parciales de la recopilación de información relativa a la riqueza de la flora fanerogámica de Michoacán. Este Inventario se elaboró con base en las colectas realizadas en el estado y depositadas en los 10 herbarios que consideramos tienen la mayor representación de la flora de dicha entidad. Con el objeto de facilitar su consulta y dad la cantidad de información recabada, se consideró conveniente presentar este listado en 5 secciones, en las que los datos se disponen en un formato de columnas, eliminando al máximo el uso de claves y símbolos. En cada sección se incluye una relación de colectores, indicando las instituciones para las que éstos realizaron el trabajo de campo.
FASCÍCULO COMPLEMENTARIO XIV: NOTA SOBRE LA VEGETACIÓN Y LA FLORA DEL NORESTE DEL ESTADO DE GUANAJUATO
Authors:   Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Centro regional del Bajío, Rzedowski Jerzy , Calderón de Rzedowski Graciela ,   Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Centro Regional del Bajío, Galván Raquel ,   Departamento de Botánica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional
Published: June 2022

El sector NE de Guanajuato, conocido también como "Sierra Gorda", difiere notablemente del resto del estado en su relieve más accidentado, en la presencia de áreas ubicadas a altitudes inferiores a 1000 m, así como de extensos afloramientos de rocas sedimentarias marinas, en su vegetación mejor conservada y en su flora, que muestra más vínculos con la de San Luis Potosí y de Querétaro. La cubierta vegetal de la zona consiste en forma esencial de bosques de encino y de pino, así como de matorrales xerófilos (principalmente el crasicaule y el submontano), pero es de llamar la tención la existencia de numerosos elementos florísticos del bosque mesófilo de montaña y del bosque tropical caducifolio. Se presenta una breve relación de la historia de la exploración botánica de la Sierra y se integra una lista de 264 especies de plantas vasculares colectadas en el NE de Guanajuato, que son registros nuevos para la flora del estado.
FASCÍCULO COMPLEMENTARIO XVIII: CONTRIBUCIÓN AL CONOCIMIENTO DE LAS PLANTAS DEL GÉNERO IPOMOEA L. (CONVOLVULACEAE) EN EL ESTADO DE GUANAJUATO, MÉXICO
Authors:   Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Centro regional del Bajío, Carranza González Eleazar
Published: June 2022

El estado de Guanajuato, ubicado en el centro de la República Mexicana, forma parte de las provincias fisiográficas Sierra Madre Oriental, Eje Volcánico Transversal y Altiplanicie Mexicana. Sus condiciones ambientales naturales son altamente diversas y han estado sometidas a grandes presiones demográficas, dando como resultado una serie de paisajes totalmente alterados, quedando sólo pequeñas porciones sin cambios importantes. En esta contribución se presentan mapas de geología, suelo y clima así como de la vegetación del estado y descripciones generales de cada uno de estos componentes ecológicos. Se realizó un estudio del género Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) en la entidad, con énfasis en la distribución de las especies y su correlación con los principales factores ambientales: geología, suelo, clima y vegetación. Se elaboró un listado de 33 especies encontradas, que incluye ilustraciones, nombres comunes y usos registrados, así como una clave dicotómica para su determinación. Se hizo también un análisis de la diversidad del género, tomando como base áreas cuadradas de aproximadamente 15 km por lado, a lo largo y ancho del territorio guanajuatense y se elaboró un diagnóstico del estado de conservación de las especies de acuerdo con su abundancia y su nivel de endemismo. Las regiones con rocas ígneas extrusivas, suelos de los tipos feozem, litosol y luvisol, así como con climas cálidos y con cubierta vegetal más alterada en el estado, resultan reunir las condiciones más propicias para el establecimiento de una mayor cantidad de especies de Ipomoea.