bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study protocol medical rehabilitation after COVID-19 disease: an observational study with a comparison group with obstructive airway disease / Re_Co
Authors: Rutsch Mercedes , Frommhold Jördis , Buhr-Schinner Heike , Djeiranachvili Levan , Gross Thomas , Schüller Per Otto , Katalinic Alexander , Deck Ruth
Published: April 2021

Background

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been the subject of a numerous research projects over the past year. In cases with a severe disease course or threatening long-term impairment due to disease, the German health care system offers insured persons the possibility of medical rehabilitation. In contrast to what was observed and expected at the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 patients with varying degrees of disease severity are represented in rehabilitation. To date, there is no common consensus on the content and aftercare of rehabilitation nor is there any knowledge about the short- and long-term effects of such a rehabilitation programme. In addition, these aspects were not considered with regard to the varying severity of the course of the disease. The present research project investigates this question.

Methods

The study sample will consist ofN = 350 rehabilitants after COVID-19 and a comparison group (CG) withN = 230 rehabilitants suffering from an obstructive respiratory disease. The participants will be recruited at five German rehabilitation facilities and undergo medical rehabilitation. This prospective, exploratory, multicentre, mixed-methods study will be evaluated as follows: (A) The quantitative portion includes questionnaires at different points in time (at the beginning and end of rehabilitation, after six and twelve months) and contains standardised measurement instruments. For example, participation limitations, quality of life, health status, fatigue, psychomental limitations and disorders, performance in different areas of life and ability to work are measured. (B) Qualitative interviews are held at different times (end of rehabilitation, after six and twelve months), and an expert workshop is conducted. Topics are rehabilitation content, satisfaction and aftercare as well as different outcomes on subjective health and participation impairments.

Discussion

Studies on other indications have already shown that pneumological rehabilitation has positive effects. Thus, it is expected that an improvement in different dimensions will be observed at the end of rehabilitation in both groups. With regard to the different severities of COVID-19, this study evaluates the long-term developments. Subsequently, the authors will elaborate concrete recommendations for medical rehabilitation after different courses of disease with regard to existing pneumological rehabilitation concepts.

Trial Registration

German Register of Clinical Trials,www.drks.de.Identifier: DRKS00023642; Registered: 01.12.2020.Date and version identifier: 08.04.2021; version 4.
Overexpressed pseudogene MT1L associated with tumor immune infiltrates and indicates a worse prognosis in BLCA
Authors: Ding Yanpeng , Liu Nuomin , Chen Mengge , Xu Yulian , Fang Sha , Xiang Wenbin , Hua Xinying , Chen Gaili , Zhong Yahua , Yu Haijun
Published: April 2021

Background

BLCA is a common cancer worldwide, and it is both aggressive and fatal. Immunotherapy (ICT) has achieved an excellent curative effect in BLCA; however, only some BLCA patients can benefit from ICT. MT1L is a pseudogene, and a previous study suggested that MT1L can be used as an indicator of prognosis in colorectal cancer. However, the role of MT1L in BLCA has not yet been determined.

Methods

Data were collected from TCGA, and logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier plotter, and multivariate Cox analysis were performed to demonstrate the correlation between the pseudogene MT1L and the prognosis of BLCA. To identify the association of MT1L with tumor-infiltrating immune cells, TIMER and TISIDB were utilized. Additionally, GSEA was performed to elucidate the potential biological function.

Results

The expression of MT1L was decreased in BLCA. Additionally, MT1L was positively correlated with immune cells, such as Tregs (ρ = 0.708) and MDSCs (ρ = 0.664). We also confirmed that MT1L is related to typical markers of immune cells, such as PD-1 and CTLA-4. In addition, a high MT1L expression level was associated with the advanced T and N and high grade in BLCA. Increased expression of MT1L was significantly associated with shorter OS times of BLCA patients (p < 0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that MT1L expression could be an independent prognostic factor in BLCA.

Conclusion

Collectively, our findings demonstrated that the pseudogene MT1L regulates the immune microenvironment, correlates with poor survival, and is an independent prognostic biomarker in BLCA.
Clinical-MRI radiomics enables the prediction of preoperative cerebral spinal fluid dissemination in children with medulloblastoma
Authors: Zheng Hui , Li Jinning , Liu Huanhuan , Wu Chenqing , Gui Ting , Liu Ming , Zhang Yuzhen , Duan Shaofeng , Li Yuhua , Wang Dengbin
Published: April 2021

Background

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common pediatric embryonal tumor. Accurate identification of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) dissemination is important in prognosis prediction. Both MRI of the central nervous system (CNS) and CSF cytology will appear false positive and negative. Our objective was to investigate the added value of preoperative-enhanced T1-weighted image-based radiomic features to clinical characteristics in predicting preoperative CSF dissemination for children with MB.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study included 84 children with histopathologically confirmed MB between November 2006 and November 2018 (training cohort, n=60; internal validation cohort, n=24). A set of cases between December 2018 and February 2020 were used for external validation (n=40). The children with normal head and spine magnetic resonance images (MRI) and no subsequent dissemination in 1 year were diagnosed as non-CSF dissemination. The CSF dissemination was manifested as intracranial or intraspinal nodular-enhanced lesions. Clinical features were collected, and conventional MRI features of preoperative head MRI examinations were evaluated. A total of 385 radiomic features were extracted from preoperative-enhanced T1-weighted images. Minimum redundancy, maximum correlation, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator were performed to select the features with the best performance in predicting preoperative CSF dissemination. A combined clinical-MRI radiomic prediction model was developed using multivariable logistic regression. Receiver operating curve analysis (ROC) was used to validate the predictive performance. Nomogram and decision curve analysis (DCA) were developed to evaluate the clinical utility of the combined model.

Results

One clinical and nine radiomic features were selected for predicting preoperative CSF dissemination. The combined model incorporating clinical and radiomic features had the best predictive performance in the training cohort with an AUC of 0.89. This was validated in the internal and external cohorts with AUCs of 0.87 and 0.73. The clinical utility of the model was confirmed by a clinical-MRI radiomic nomogram and DCA.

Conclusions

The combined model incorporating clinical, conventional MRI, and radiomic features could be applied to predict preoperative CSF dissemination for children with MB as a noninvasive biomarker, which could aid in risk evaluation.
MSC-derived exosomes carrying a cocktail of exogenous interfering RNAs an unprecedented therapy in era of COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Jamalkhah Monire , Asaadi Yasaman , Azangou-Khyavy Mohammadreza , Khanali Javad , Soleimani Masoud , Kiani Jafar , Arefian Ehsan
Published: April 2021

Background

The onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in ever-increasing casualties worldwide, and after 15 months, standard therapeutic regimens are yet to be discovered.

Main body

Due to the regenerative and immunomodulatory function of MSCs, they can serve as a suitable therapeutic option in alleviating major COVID-19 complications like acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, the superior properties of their cognate exosomes as a cell-free product make them preferable in the clinic. Herein, we discuss the current clinical status of these novel therapeutic strategies in COVID-19 treatment. We then delve into the potential of interfering RNAs incorporation as COVID-19 gene therapy and introduce targets involved in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Further, we present miRNAs and siRNAs candidates with promising results in targeting the mentioned targets.

Conclusion

Finally, we present a therapeutic platform of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes equipped with exogenous iRNAs, that can be employed as a novel therapeutic modality in COVID-19 management aiming to prevent further viral spread within the lung, hinder the virus life cycle and pathogenesis such as immune suppression, and ultimately, enhance the antiviral immune response.
Human brain region-specific variably methylated regions are enriched for heritability of distinct neuropsychiatric traits
Authors:   GTEx Consortium, Rizzardi Lindsay F. , Hickey Peter F. , Idrizi Adrian , Tryggvadóttir Rakel , Callahan Colin M. , Stephens Kimberly E. , Taverna Sean D. , Zhang Hao , Ramazanoglu Sinan , Hansen Kasper D. , Feinberg Andrew P.
Published: April 2021

Background

DNA methylation dynamics in the brain are associated with normal development and neuropsychiatric disease and differ across functionally distinct brain regions. Previous studies of genome-wide methylation differences among human brain regions focus on limited numbers of individuals and one to two brain regions.

Results

Using GTEx samples, we generate a resource of DNA methylation in purified neuronal nuclei from 8 brain regions as well as lung and thyroid tissues from 12 to 23 donors. We identify differentially methylated regions between brain regions among neuronal nuclei in both CpG (181,146) and non-CpG (264,868) contexts, few of which were unique to a single pairwise comparison. This significantly expands the knowledge of differential methylation across the brain by 10-fold. In addition, we present the first differential methylation analysis among neuronal nuclei from basal ganglia tissues and identify unique CpG differentially methylated regions, many associated with ion transport. We also identify 81,130 regions of variably CpG methylated regions, i.e., variable methylation among individuals in the same brain region, which are enriched in regulatory regions and in CpG differentially methylated regions. Many variably methylated regions are unique to a specific brain region, with only 202 common across all brain regions, as well as lung and thyroid. Variably methylated regions identified in the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and hippocampus are enriched for heritability of schizophrenia.

Conclusions

These data suggest that epigenetic variation in these particular human brain regions could be associated with the risk for this neuropsychiatric disorder.
Newly detected rapid eye movement associated sleep apnea after coronavirus disease 2019 as a possible cause for chronic fatigue: two case reports
Authors: Koczulla Andreas Rembert , Stegemann Antje , Gloeckl Rainer , Winterkamp Sandra , Sczepanski Bernd , Boeselt Tobias , Storre Jan , Dreher Michael
Published: April 2021

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 has become a health problem spreading worldwide with pandemic characteristics since March 2020. Post coronavirus disease 2019 symptoms are more frequent than initially expected, with fatigue as an often-mentioned issue.

Case presentations

We describe a 32-year-old white male and a 55-year-old white female who suffered from post coronavirus disease 2019 fatigue syndrome. On polysomnography, rapid eye movement associated sleep apnea with an increased hypopnea index during rapid eye movement phases of 36.8 and 19.5 events per hour was found. Based on the patients’ burdensome fatigue symptoms, we initiated automatic positive airway pressure therapy, which diminished sleep apnea (rapid eye movement index: 0.0 in both patients) and, consequently, also the fatigue symptoms.

Conclusions

Since sleep apnea and coronavirus disease 2019 are both associated with fatigue, a screening for sleep apnea might be considered in coronavirus disease 2019 patients with fatigue syndrome.
Foucault understood critical psychiatry
Authors: Iliopoulos John
Published: April 2021

Critical trends in psychiatry are abundant today. Their impact on how psychiatry is currently practised is considerable. Yet what deserves close examination is the extent to which these modes of critique (anti-psychiatry, liberation movements, activism, existential, narrative or hermeneutic approaches, theories of values, psychoanalysis) inherently belong to or have become part of the very system that they criticise. Despite their political, social or scientific influence, which is undeniable, their critical power is often limited by their inability to radically challenge the deeper anthropological and philosophical presuppositions on which mainstream psychiatry rests. It can be argued that Foucault offers such a challenge. Implementing his historico-philosophical method, Foucault is sceptical of the anti-psychiatric quest for non-oppressive modes of psychiatric power and the humanist and postmodern efforts to moralise or relativise psychiatric truth. All these modes of critique rest on preconceived notions of nature, power and truth and have been integrated by the pluralism of the psychiatric universe. Yet Foucault's critique seeks precisely the opposite: to explore a new anthropological conception of insanity that has the power to challenge the legal, moral or reductionist constraints under which medical truth currently operates.
Literature by Other Mediums: Revisiting Lu Xun's Preface to Outcry
Authors: Zhou Chenshu
Published: April 2021

By recounting how Lu Xun 鲁迅 went from studying medicine in Japan to writing for the magazine Xin qingnian 新青年 (New Youth), the preface to Nahan 呐喊 (Outcry, 1923), Lu Xun's first collection of short stories, not only presents an origin story of an important author but also contains important clues for understanding modern Chinese literature. This article offers a new reading of that canonical text by focusing on the problem of medium. Synthesizing author biography, media history, and textual analysis, it examines three intermedial references in the preface—the famous lantern slide, the modern periodical, and the recurring notion of outcry. As an autobiographical account, the preface contains narrated events that call for more media-centered analysis, including the “slide incident” (renamed “screen incident”) and Lu Xun's failed experiment with the periodical medium. Reading the preface as an act of narration, this article scrutinizes textual choices such as the confusing word dianying 电影 (film) and the outcry metaphor. The emergence of both modern vernacular literature and Lu Xun as a major literary figure, it is argued, should be historicized in a broader transnational media environment, in which diverse media practices intersected.
The Initiation Of Pre-Ecdysis And Ecdysis Behaviors In Larval Manduca Sexta: The Roles Of The Brain, Terminal Ganglion And Eclosion Hormone
Authors: Novicki Andrea , Weeks Janis C.
Published: April 2021

Each larval molt of Manduca sexta culminates in the sequential performance of pre-ecdysis (cuticle loosening) and ecdysis (cuticle shedding) behaviors. Both behaviors are thought to be triggered by the release of a peptide, eclosion hormone (EH), from brain neurons whose axons extend the length of the nervous system. EH bioactivity appears in the hemolymph at the onset of pre-ecdysis behavior, and EH injection can trigger pre-ecdysis and ecdysis behaviors prematurely. The present study examined the effects of removing or disconnecting portions of the central nervous system prior to the time of EH release on the initiation of pre-ecdysis and ecdysis behaviors at the final larval molt. We found that the initiation of pre-ecdysis abdominal compressions at the appropriate time required the terminal abdominal ganglion (AT) but not the brain; the initiation of pre-ecdysis proleg retractions at the appropriate time required neither the AT nor the brain; the initiation of ecdysis at the appropriate time usually required the brain but did not require the AT; and premature pre-ecdysis (but not ecdysis) could be elicited in isolated abdomens by injection of EH. Finally, pre-ecdysis behavior performed by brainless larvae was not associated with the normal elevation of EH bioactivity in the hemolymph or the normal loss of EH immunoreactivity from peripheral neurohemal release sites.
Shoulder pain and functional disability in type 1 diabetic patients: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Farooq Muhammad Nazim , Mehmood Aqsa , Amjad Fatima , Syed Jaweria
Published: April 2021

Objective: To assess the prevalence of shoulder pain and functional disability (SPFD) in Type-1 diabetic patients, and to explore its association with duration of the disease, age and gender.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on previously diagnosed patients with Type-1 diabetes mellitus between April 2019 and March 2020. Data was collected from six hospitals including three tertiary care hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Three hundred and twenty-eight patients were recruited through convenience sampling. Shoulder Pain and Disability Index was used to determine SPFD among participants. Point-biserial and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to find out the correlation between the variables. Independent t-test was used to determine the difference in the mean scores between the variables.

Results: The prevalence of SPFD was found 85.7%. A significant correlation was found of the SPFD with age (r = 0.332, p < 0.001), duration of the diabetes mellitus (r = 0.154, p = 0.005) and gender (rpb = 0.171, p = 0.002). A significant difference was found in SPFD mean scores between female and male patients (female patients = 43.42±22.80, male patients = 35.31±22.91, p = 0.002).

Conclusion: SPFD seems prevalent among Type-1 diabetic patients. Increasing age, long history of diabetes mellitus and female gender appear the associated risk factors for the shoulder pain and disability.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3401

How to cite this:Farooq MN, Mehmood A, Amjad F, Syed J. Shoulder pain and functional disability in type 1 diabetic patients: A cross-sectional survey. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(4):1211-1214. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3401

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Clinical observation of thrombolytic effect of alteplase combined with butylphthalide in patients with acute anterior circulation cerebral infarction
Authors: Qi Fan-xing , Hu Ying , Wang Sen
Published: April 2021

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical effect of alteplase combined with butylphthalide in treating patients with acute anterior circulation cerebral infarction.

Methods: Retrospective study methods were used. Eighty patient cases with acute anterior circulation cerebral infarction treated in Baoding First Central Hospital, China from January 2018 to December 2020 were randomly and averagely divided into two groups. Patients in the two groups were given symptomatic treatment. Patients in the experimental group were treated with alteplase combined with butylphthalide for thrombolytic therapy, whereas patients in the control group were treated with urokinase thrombolytic therapy. The NIHSS score, effective rates and neurological function recovery were analysed one day, seven days and 30 days after treatment were analyzed, respectively. So as the incidence of adverse reactions within seven days after drug adminutesistration.

Results: The NIHSS scores of the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment on one day, seven days and 30 days after treatment (experimental group, p=0.00; control group, p=0.02). The experimental group was more significantly lower than the control group (p=0.00). The effective rate of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p=0.03), and the recovery rate after treatment was significantly higher than that of the control group (p=0.04). Within one week after treatment, the complication rate was 15% in the experimental group and 20% in the control group but was not significantly different (p=0.56).

Conclusion: Alteplase combined with butylphthalide is effective and safe in the treatment of acute anterior circulation cerebral infarction without obvious complications.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3986

How to cite this:Qi FX, Hu Y, Wang S. Clinical observation of thrombolytic effect of alteplase combined with butylphthalide in patients with acute anterior circulation cerebral infarction. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(4):1145-1150.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3986

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Clinical observation of individualized nutritional formula on inflammation index, immune status and gastrointestinal tolerance in patients with severe head injury
Authors: Zhu Chunying , Zhang Yingfu , Li Wei , Li Qianqian
Published: April 2021

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical significance of individualized nutritional formulas on inflammatory factors, immune status and gastrointestinal tolerance in patients with severe head injury.

Methods: A total of 80 patients with severe head injury who were hospitalized in Baoding No.1 Central Hospital from March 2017 to March 2020 were randomly divided into two groups with 40 cases in each group. Patients in both groups were given enteral nutrition (EN), the control group was given conventional enteral nutrition formula through nasointestinal tube, and the experimental group was given individualized nutrition formula. All patients were tested for tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin 6(IL-6), IgA, IgM, IgG, serum intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) and D-lactic acid concentration before and after enteral nutrition treatment. The incidence of adverse reactions such as abdominal distension, diarrhea, constipation, and gastric retention within seven days after treatment of two groups were compared and analyzed.

Results: There was no significant difference in inflammatory factors such as TNF-a, CRP, IL-6, immunoglobulin levels, I-FABP and D-lactic acid concentration between the two groups before treatment (p>0.05). After treatment, the above indicators of the two groups of patients were better than before treatment, the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05), and the experimental group was significantly better than the control group (p<0.05). The experimental group had a gastrointestinal adverse reaction rate of 10%, and the control group had 27.5%, the difference was statistically significant (p=0.04).

Conclusions: Individualized nutritional formula has more significant advantages than conventional nutritional formula for patients with severe head injury, which can reduce inflammatory response, increase the patient’s immune level, improve the intestinal mucosal barrier function, have good gastrointestinal tolerance, and have a low incidence of adverse reactions.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3987

How to cite this:Zhu C, Zhang Y, Li W, Li Q. Clinical observation of individualized nutritional formula on inflammation index, immune status and gastrointestinal tolerance in patients with severe head injury. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(4):952-958.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3987

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Δημήτρης Λιάλιος (1869-1940)
Authors: Ταλακούδη Ευτυχία
Published: April 2021

Η διατριβή αυτή παρουσιάζει το έργο και τη ζωή του συνθέτη Δημήτρη Λιάλιου (1869-1940) του οποίου η συμβολή στη νεοελληνική σύνθεση είναι εξαιρετικά σημαντική. Είναι ο πρώτος νεοέλληνας συνθέτης της ηπειρωτικής Ελλάδας που έγραψε συμφωνικό έργο (Όνειρο μεσονυκτίου), μεγάλο χορωδιακό ορχηστρικό έργο (Missa pro Defunctis) και καλλιέργησε συστηματικά τα είδη της μουσικής δωματίου (4 κουαρτέτα εγχόρδων και τρίο με πιάνο). Έζησε και δημιούργησε στην Πάτρα, την Αθήνα και το Μόναχο. Η διατριβή αποτελεί μια ιστορικομουσικολογική μελέτη και βασίζεται κυρίως σε πρωτογενείς πηγές. Επιπλέον περιλαμβάνει ένα εκτελεστικό μέρος. Επικεντρώνεται στο βιολιστικό έργο του συνθέτη, το οποίο είναι μεγάλο και δεξιοτεχνικό. Στο πρώτο μέρος περιγράφεται η ζωή του συνθέτη χωρισμένη σε πέντε περιόδους. Το δεύτερο μέρος περιλαμβάνει τον πλήρη και αναλυτικό κατάλογο των έργων του. Το τρίτο μέρος περιέχει την επιμελημένη έκδοση των έξι παρακάτω έργων για βιολί και πιάνο: Illusion, Mein Leid, Ballade no. 1, Ballade no. 2, Tanzballade no. 1 «Smyrna», Σονάτα σε Λα ελάσσονα, ενώ στο τέταρτο μέρος ακολουθεί η ηχογράφηση αυτών των έργων. Στο παράρτημα παρατίθεται το χρονολόγιο της καλλιτεχνικής δραστηριότητας του συνθέτη, με πολλά στοιχεία από τις πρωτογενείς πηγές.
Οι κήρυκες της ιδέας του έθνους
Authors: Μακρής Αλέξανδρος
Published: April 2021

Την επαύριο του Α΄ Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου τα εκατομμύρια των βετεράνων και των συγγενών των πεσόντων αποτελούσαν μία νέα καινοφανή και πολυπληθή κοινωνική κατηγορία στις πρώην εμπόλεμες χώρες, ανάμεσα στις οποίες ήταν και η Ελλάδα. Οι παλαιοί πολεμιστές αποτέλεσαν έναν πυλώνα της κοινωνικής ιστορίας του Μεσοπολέμου, ωστόσο στη χώρα μας βρίσκονται εν πολλοίς στη λήθη της Ιστορίας. Η πορεία βεβαίως αυτών δεν ήταν εξαρχής αυτονόητη, αλλά ακολούθησε μία πολυκύμαντη διαδρομή.Το μείζον αυτό κοινωνικό ζήτημα αποτέλεσε αντικείμενο της παρούσας έρευνας εξεταζόμενο την περίοδο 1912–1940 κυρίως μέσα από τρεις οπτικές: α΄) τους προνοιακούς μηχανισμούς που αναπτύχθηκαν για τους παλαίμαχους, β΄) τις δραστηριότητες των συλλόγων που αυτοί ίδρυσαν, και γ´) το διεθνές πλαίσιο σε Βαλκάνια, Ευρώπη και Αμερική. Παράλληλα, εξετάστηκαν επιμέρους όψεις της ιστορίας των παλαιών πολεμιστών. Αφενός, η συμμετοχή των Ελλήνων παλαιμάχων στις τέσσερις διεθνείς παλαιοπολεμιστικές οργανώσεις που δραστηριοποιήθηκαν μεσοπολεμικά (Διεθνής των Παλαιών Πολεμιστών, FIDAC, CIAMAC, CIP), αφετέρου τη θέση των βετεράνων στη συγκρότηση και αναπαραγωγή της θεσμικής μνήμης των Εθνικών Πολέμων στη μεσοπολεμική Ελλάδα. Αυτές οι όψεις μας βοήθησαν –πιστεύουμε– να αποκτήσουμε μία πληρέστερη εικόνα για τις αντιλήψεις, τις τάσεις, τις πολιτικές νοοτροπίες των παλαιμάχων, αλλά και τη στάση που διαμόρφωσε το Κράτος και η κοινωνία απέναντι τους. Η διδακτορική έρευνα επεκτείνεται σε ποικίλες πτυχές της κοινωνικής ιστορίας του Μεσοπολέμου καθώς οι παλαιοί πολεμιστές αλληλοεπιδρούσαν με πολυάριθμα σύγχρονα φαινόμενα. Όλα αυτά εξετάζονται ταυτόχρονα με πυκνές αναφορές στις αντίστοιχες διεθνείς εξελίξεις διότι μία σταθερή επιδίωξη της παρούσας έρευνας είναι η ένταξη της ελληνικής περίπτωσης στο διεθνές πλαίσιο.
Mathematical Approach for Estimation of Alginate-Iron Salt Solutions Viscosity at Various Solid Concentrations and Temperatures
Authors: Permanadewi Indrasukma , Kumoro Andri Cahyo , Wardhani Dyah Hesti , Aryanti Nita
Published: April 2021

Alginate has been widely used in the pharmaceutical industries as tablet binder and disintegrant, release agent and controlled release drug delivery system. Whereas in the food industries, alginate is generally employed as thickener, emulsifier, stabilizer, texturizer, formulation aid, firming agent, flavor adjuvant, and surface-active agent. As one of the important raw materials in the functional food preparation, iron is hard to manage due to its vulnerability to oxidization, degradation and possesses a strong unique aroma. Considering its superior coating and release properties, alginate gel can be the best choice to preserve iron from various undesirable effects. Unfortunately, there has been lack information in the published literature to estimate the effect of temperature, concentration, and stirring time on the mechanical properties of alginate. Although many mathematical models have been developed based on these factors to predict the viscosity of the alginate-Fe solutions used as feed in spray drying application, no clear information have been reported for their accuracy. This study aims to examine four physical models for their suitability in estimating alginate-Fe solution viscosity, namely the Walther, Mark Houwink, Vogel – Tamman – Fulcher (VTF), and Intrinsic models. Prior to model validation, alginate-Fe solutions containing alginate: Fe (2:1) mass ratio were prepared. They were heated to desirable temperatures (30°, 45°, 60°, and 75°C), stirred for various stirring times (0 to 60 minutes), and subjected to viscosity measurement. The results exhibited that the viscosity of alginate-Fe solution with 5% alginate concentration stirred for 15 minutes at 30°C reached 320 cP. Whereas the viscosity of Alginate-Fe solution with 1% (m/m) concentration at the same temperature and stirring time was only 250 cP. This observation suggested that a higher alginate solution concentration leads to a higher the viscosity. As expected, a higher temperature and longer stirring time resulted in the decline of the Alginate-Fe solution viscosity. Although the proposed models demonstrated the similar trend, it can be concluded that the Walther model was proven to be the most accurate model used for the prediction of the Alginate-Fe solution viscosity compared to the other models as shown by its highest R2 value, which was 0.987.
The Functionality of African Streptococcus Thermophillus and Streptococcus Infantarius Sub Sp. Infantarius in Milk Fermentation
Authors: Maitha Isaac M. , Kaindi Dasel W. M. , Cheruiyot Cherotich
Published: April 2021

Fermentation serves a key role in inhibiting spoilage microorganism through acidification and production of antimicrobial compounds. The technological information on properties of Streptococcus infantarius sub sp. infantarius which is predominant in most African fermented is dairy products very little. This study was therefore carried out to determine the functionality of selected African Streptococci strains in fermented dairy products. Pasteurized milk samples from camels and cows were inoculated with different strains and a selected combination at a rate of 3% v/v and incubated at different temperatures of 25 oC, 30 oC, 37 oC, and 45 oC for 9 hours. Analysis was done after every 3 hours for pH and titratable acidity while viscosity was done after incubation and cooling of the product. The different fermented milk samples were subsequently evaluated for consumer acceptability. Milk inoculated with both African type Streptococcus thermophillus (146A8.2) and Streptococcus infantarius sub sp. infantarius CJ 18 (9377), and incubated for nine hours recorded the highest amount of titratable acidity of 0.97 for the camel milk and had the least pH value of 4.12 for cow milk compared to the other strains. The cow milk had the highest viscosity level of 59.64 cPs compared to camel milk which was 29.44 cPs. The levels of titratable acidity and viscosity depended on the strain and incubation temperature. The African type Streptococcus thermophillus (146A8.2) and Streptococcus infantarius sub sp. infantarius CJ 18 (9377), isolated from fermented camel milk had good technological properties that are useful as starter culture for development of fermented milk products.
Trans Fatty Acid Intake Modulates the Expression of Uncoupling Proteins 2 and 3 (UCP2 & UCP3) mRNA in Children
Authors: Sarhan Walaa M , Tawfik Safaa El-Hussien , El-Shal Amal S , Makani Vishruti , Abdel-Nour Hanim M.
Published: April 2021

Increased consumption of Trans Fats is associated with increased risk of Coronary Heart Disease. Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are mitochondrial proteins that disperse the inter-membrane electrochemical potential as heat. We aimed to detect the relation of high Trans-fat intake in diet on the expression of UCP2&3 m-RNA in children. A specific questionnaire to parents of sixty-eight children (4-15 years) was conducted. Accordingly, the subjects were sub-grouped into; High Trans-fat consuming group (37 subjects) and a Medium Trans-fat consuming one (31 subjects). Samples collected from Peripheral blood to analyze UCP2&3 mRNA expression by Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Levels of UCP2 expression was reduced in children consuming High Trans-fat (2.5 ±0.7) in comparison with Medium Trans-fat consuming ones (1.5± 0.2) with (p<0.001). However, not much significance was showed in UCP3 expression with values (2.1±0.5) in the High consuming group and (1.9±0.2) in Medium consuming group with (p=0.08). In Delta relationship the diet-induced changes in UCP2 (r=0.66, P=0.002) and UCP3 (r=0.61, P=0.06) mRNA expression was negatively correlated with percentage of Trans-fat in diet. The correlation of UCP2&3 mRNA expression and high Trans-fat intake suggests a mechanism by which high Trans-fat diet plays a role in childhood obesity.
Improving Body Weight of Female Wistar Rats Anemia by Using Iron Biofortified Maize
Authors: Muhammadong Jumadi , Sirajuddin Saifuddin , Djide M. Natsir , Mallongi Anwar
Published: April 2021

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of iron biofortified maize (IBM) on improving the body weight of Wistar anemia. The randomized complete design was carried out with four IBM levels covered R-1=10%; R-2= 12%; R-3=14%, and R-4=16% of body weight. The body weight was measured after IBM intake for 7 days. Data analyzed by ANOVA, Fisher's LSD, and Linear regression. There was an influence IBM on the improvement of the body weight of Wistar anemia. The R-3 improved up to 0.0109% d-1 significantly different from others at p<0.05. The body weight tends to increase with the IBM level following the equation Y=0.005x-0.0096; R2 = 0.79. The maximum safe level of IBM for the body weight of anemic Wistar rat was 14%.
A RESISTÊNCIA DAS MULHERES NEGRAS AO APARTHEID NA ÁFRICA DO SUL
Authors: Durgante Konzen Isadora , De Souza Silva Karine
Published: April 2021

O objetivo deste estudo de caso é evidenciar as nuances da resistência das mulheres negras contra o apartheid na África do Sul. O primeiro tópico busca genderizar a estrutura racista do regime. Na sequência, expõe-se o surgimento dos coletivos de mulheres e as táticas que notabilizaram o seu ativismo no processo de libertação nacional. O terceiro tópico aborda os questionamentos das sul-africanas ao movimento nacionalista antiapartheid e ao feminismo civilizatório ocidental. Por fim, apresenta-se as características do “feminismo maternista” sul-africano, o qual se utilizava da “maternidade combativa” como estratégia de luta.
MULHERES NEGRAS SERTANEJAS E SUAS RELAÇÕES AFETIVAS SOB AS PENAS DA LEI (CAETITÉ, 1890-1945)
Authors: Almeida Miléia Santos
Published: April 2021

A história das relações afetivas de mulheres negras no período pós abolição no Brasil foi por muito tempo invisibilizada ou estereotipada pela historiografia tradicional. Em relação aos sertões e regiões mais interioranas do país, os silêncios são ainda mais persistentes e, muito pouco sabemos de suas histórias familiares, suas dores e alegrias, seus relacionamentos conjugais e sua solidão. Por meio dos processos criminais de defloramento, homicídio e lesões corporais protagonizados por mulheres, identificadas como pretas e pardas em Caetité, região do alto sertão da Bahia, nas primeiras décadas republicanas, podemos descortinas inúmeras experiências e discursos que construíram as narrativas de suas vidas.
Highlighting the latest research: April 2021
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: April 2021

Sarah Jane Palmer presents a selection of recently published articles of interest to nurses working in cardiovascular nursing. The aim of this roundup is to provide a brief overview of the research papers selected. A full reference is provided for those who wish to look at the research in further detail.
Research Roundup
Authors: Heggs Karen
Published: April 2021

Synopses of a selection of recently published research articles of relevance to palliative care
A Review on Hybrid Composites used for Marine Propellers
Authors: RAHEEM ABDUL , SUBBAYA K.M.
Published: April 2021

Parts and constructions performance in the marine environments are subjected to high stress a priori to the measures of wind and waves. This review involve about the hybrid composite fabrication from artificial fibers of polymer composite. Hybrid composite furnish combination of property such as tensile modulus, compressive and impact strength which cannot realized in composite materials. The materials used for marine propellers of a varying number of blades with the fixed and controllable pitch having different diameters and skew angles and type of propellers were reviewed. Structural simulation, erosion wear tests, cavitations, bend twist coupling analyses, CFD case studies, fluid simulation method reviewed in this paper.

Glass fiber composites proved to be economical and its adaptable in economical point of view. Carbon fiber composite propellers have more advantages than others with little compromise. In current scenario hybrid composite have been established as highly efficient, structural materials, high performances and their use is rapidly increasing. The current paper outline the utilizing of hybrid composite material for marine propellers as their versatility in enhancing good results.
Ultrasound Assisted Synthesis, Molecular Structure,UV-Visible Assignments, MEP and Mulliken Charges Study of (E)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl) prop-2-en-1-one: Experimental and DFT Correlational
Authors: Shinde Rohit S.
Published: April 2021

Present investigation deals with the synthesis and density functional theory study (DFT) of a chalcone derivative; (E)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (CPMPP). The synthesis of a CPMPP has been carried out by the reaction of 4-methoxyacetophenone and 4-chlorobenzalehyde in ethanol at 30 ℃ under ultrasound irradiation. The structure of a synthesized chalcone is affirmed on the basis of FT-IT, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The geometry of a CPMPP is optimized by using the density functional theory method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) basis set. The optimized geometrical parameters like bond length and bond angles have been computed. The absorption energies, oscillator strength, and electronic transitions have been derived at the TD-DFT method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory for B3LYP/6-31G(d p) optimized geometries. The effect of polarity on the absorption energies is discussed by computing UV-visible results in dichloromethane (DCM). Since theoretically obtained wavenumbers are typically higher than experimental wavenumbers, computed wavenumbers were scaled with a scaling factor, and vibrational assignments were made by comparing experimental wavenumbers to scaled theoretical wavenumbers. Quantum chemical parameters have been determined and examined. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface plot analysis has been carried out at the same level of theory. Mulliken atomic charge study is also discussed in the present study.
Acute correction of proximal tibial coronal plane deformity in small children using a small monolateral external fixator with or without cross-pinning
Authors: Lim Chaemoon , Shin Chang Ho , Yoo Won Joon , Cho Tae-Joon
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Surgical correction of proximal tibia deformity in small children can be challenging. We present the surgical technique and outcome of proximal tibia osteotomy fixed with small monolateral external fixator in this patient group.

Methods

A total of 17 cases in eight patients younger than nine years of age were study subjects. A proximal tibia osteotomy was fixed with a small monolateral external fixator with or without cross-pinning. Outcome was evaluated by changes of radiographic parameters such as medial proximal tibia angle (MPTA), metaphyseal diaphyseal angle (MDA) and clinical findings of complications, time interval until weight bearing and fixator removal time.

Results

MPTA improved from a preoperative mean of 73° (sd 4°; 66° to 78°) to an immediate postoperative mean of 90° (sd 3°; 85° to 96°) in varus tibiae, and from 104° (sd 1°; 103° to 105°) to 89° (sd 1°; 88° to 89°) in valgus tibiae. In all, 15 of the 17 cases (88.3 %) achieved postoperative MPTA within the normal range (85° to 90°). MDA improved from a preoperative mean of 19° (sd 5°; 11° to 24°) to an immediate postoperative mean of 0° (sd 4°; -6° to 7°) in varus tibiae, and from -25° (sd 2°; -22° to -24°) to 2° (SD 1°; 1° to 3°) in valgus tibiae. Full weight bearing was possible at mean 1.7 months (0.5 to 3.0). Mean follow-up period was 6.5 years (sd 5.4; 1.0 to 16.0). No complications developed during the follow-up.

Conclusion

Proximal tibia osteotomy fixed with small monolateral external fixator provides accurate, safe and efficient correction in the management of coronal plane angular deformity in small children.

Level of Evidence

Level IV
Tunable magneto-optical Faraday rotation with a five-level atomic system near the plasmonic nanostructure
Authors: Vafafard Azar , Sahrai Mostafa , Asadpour Seyyed Hossein , Faizabadi Edris
Published: April 2021

We theoretically investigate the possibility of controlling the high magneto-optical rotation without suffering an accompanying loss in transmission via the presence of a plasmonic nanostructure near the atomic five-level system. The key to optimization is the introduction of an additional degree of freedom by the location of the plasmonic nanostructure. We show that placing the plasmonic nanostructure at different distances from the atomic system allows arbitrary magneto-optical rotations with virtually 100% transmission. We numerically and analytically show that the existence of the plasmonic nanostructure near the atomic system leads to a strong adjustment of the optical properties of the quantum systems. We present a number of controlling parameters with emphasis on realizing 45° and 90° rotations in the proposed structure. The introduced model can exhibit great performances in converting TE-TM polarization and isolator applications.
Suspended germanium waveguides with subwavelength-grating metamaterial cladding for the mid-infrared band
Authors: Sánchez-Postigo Alejandro , Ortega-Moñux Alejandro , Soler Penadés Jordi , Osman Ahmed , Nedeljkovic Milos , Qu Zhibo , Wu Yangbo , Molina-Fernández Íñigo , Cheben Pavel , Mashanovich Goran Z. , Wangüemert-Pérez J. Gonzalo
Published: April 2021

In recent years, sensing and communication applications have fueled important developments of group-IV photonics in the mid-infrared band. In the long-wave range, most platforms are based on germanium, which is transparent up to ∼15-µm wavelength. However, those platforms are limited by the intrinsic losses of complementary materials or require complex fabrication processes. To overcome these limitations, we propose suspended germanium waveguides with a subwavelength metamaterial lateral cladding that simultaneously provides optical confinement and allows structural suspension. These all-germanium waveguides can be fabricated in one dry and one wet etch step. A propagation loss of 5.3 dB/cm is measured at a wavelength of 7.7 µm. These results open the door for the development of integrated devices that can be fabricated in a simple manner and can potentially cover the mid-infrared band up to ∼15 µm.
Magneto-optical micro-ring resonators for dynamic tuning of add/drop channels in dense wavelength division multiplexing applications
Authors: Carvalho William O. F. , Mejía-Salazar J. R.
Published: April 2021

We numerically demonstrate an all-dielectric approach for magnetically
tunable add/drop of optical channels in dense wavelength division
multiplexing applications. Our concept comprises a micro-ring
resonator, with an inner magneto-optical disk, side-coupled to two
waveguides. The simulation results, obtained within the ITU-T G.694.1
recommendation, indicate high performance add/drop of odd and even
optical channels (along the entire C-band) by flipping the intrinsic
magnetization of the disk. Since the simulations were performed with
CMOS-compatible materials, it is hoped that the structure proposed
here can be integrated into future ultrafast optical communication
networks.
Fiber Bragg grating-electromagnetically induced transparent fast optical switch
Authors: Mousavi Narges Shafii , Parvin Parviz , Ilchi-Ghazaani Maryam
Published: April 2021

Here, an all-optical switch is modeled in the form of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) phenomena dealing with a three-level EIT silicon (Si) nanocrystalline medium. The EIT consists of two fields, namely a strong control and weak probe fields that interact with the medium. Fast-optical switching of the probe is achieved by applying a pulsed control field, which relies on both steady-state and transient density matrices. The effects of four significant parameters of interest, i.e., Rabi frequency of the control field, EIT nanocrystal density, FBG length, and spontaneous decay rate, have been extensively investigated to optimize the probe transmission. Subsequently, the time-dependent density matrix is solved to obtain the response time of the FBG-EIT switch. Eventually, FBG is modeled such that low index layers contain EIT material and the high index layers do not. The FBG-EIT switch satisfies the criteria of maximum transmission and minimum rise time to give out the optimal operational condition. Despite the optical switching is in OFF mode at Ωc=0 THz demonstrating a high FBG reflectance, the reflectance suddenly vanishes at a certain

Ω

c
s

to satisfy the equivalence of low and high refractive indices (switching ON). Therefore, a fast-optical switch is envisaged operating as large as 100 GHz in theory. The future applications of the FBG- EIT include the fast Q-switching of fiber lasers, ultra-fast modulation, optical quantum communication, and high speed optical processing and computation.