bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of growth rate on otolith-based discrimination of cod (Gadus morhua) ecotypes
Authors: Jónsson Einar Pétur , Campana Steven E. , Sólmundsson Jón , Jakobsdóttir Klara B. , Bárðarson Hlynur
Published: September 2021

Otolith shape has previously been used to identify ecotypes within the Icelandic cod (Gadus morhua) stock, using DST profiles to validate the results. Fish otolith shape variation has repeatedly been found to be largely determined by growth rate. To examine the effect of growth rate on the relationship between otolith shape and cod ecotypes (using the Pan I genotype as a proxy for ecotype), 826 archived sagittal otoliths collected over a 58 year sampling period were retrieved, the individual growth rate calculated, and otolith shape described using both Normalized Elliptic Fourier transform and Discrete Wavelet transform. Discriminant functions of otolith shape successfully classified ecotype, whether using Fourier or Wavelet descriptors, but only when excluding a heterozygous genotype from the analysis. The otolith shape variability of this genotype lowered the classification success, while otolith shape, in turn, was significantly affected by growth rate and cohort. Growth rate differences previously reported for the ecotypes were present, but were less marked than expected and indeed, growth rate variance attributable to ecotype identity was dwarfed by cohort- and location-related variance in growth. Such a strong effect of growth rate suggests that cod ecotype discrimination based on otolith shape is sensitive to both temporal and spatial variations in growth, which can mask the effect of ecotype-related growth rate differences on otolith shape.
The effect of camel milk curd masses on rats blood serum biochemical parameters: Preliminary study
Authors: Dikhanbayeva Fatima , Zhaxybayeva Elmira , Smailova Zhuldyz , Issimov Arman , Dimitrov Zhechko , Kapysheva Unzira , Bansal Nidhi
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to assess potential feeding effect of camel milk curd mass and its mixes to experimental rat’s blood serum biochemical parameters, enzymatic activity and the peptide toxicity. Fifty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n = 10 each). Each group was fed with camel milk pure curd mass and its mixes for 16 days. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed to collect the samples from the blood serum. Blood serum biochemical parameters total protein, cholesterol, glucose, albumin, triglycerides; the enzymatic activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase were determined on the A25 automatic analyser, and peptide toxicity analysed by the reference method. The statistical data have shown no significant differences in body weight gain in all groups. Total protein decreased in group II, IV, and V; however, it increased in group III compared to the control group. Cholesterol grew up in group II and it slightly increased in group V, dropped in groups III and IV compared to group I result. Glucose increased in groups II, III, IV compared to group I; still, group V results show a slight decrease. Albumin decreased in group IV, yet in group V it increased than the group I result. Simultaneously, groups II and III results were changed with less percentage. Triglyceride grew up in groups II, V, and it dropped significantly in groups III, IV compared to the control group. De Ritis ratio of enzymes in groups II, III, and IV fluctuated between 1.31 and 0.98 IU/L; however, group V demonstrated significant data versus group I. Diets peptide toxicity in all groups was lower than control group data. The experimental results indicated that curd mass from camel milk could be used as a pure or with additives and it did not discover the observed side effects.
Soil fertility interactions with Sinorhizobium-legume symbiosis in a simulated Martian regolith; effects on nitrogen content and plant health
Authors: Harris Franklin , Dobbs John , Atkins David , Ippolito James A. , Stewart Jane E.
Published: September 2021

Due to increasing population growth and declining arable land on Earth, astroagriculture will be vital to terraform Martian regolith for settlement. Nodulating plants and their N-fixing symbionts may play a role in increasing Martian soil fertility. On Earth, clover (Melilotus officinalis) forms a symbiotic relationship with the N-fixing bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti; clover has been previously grown in simulated regolith yet without bacterial inoculation. In this study, we inoculated clover with S. meliloti grown in potting soil and regolith to test the hypothesis that plants grown in regolith can form the same symbiotic associations as in soils and to determine if greater plant biomass occurs in the presence of S. meliloti regardless of growth media. We also examined soil NH4 concentrations to evaluate soil augmentation properties of nodulating plants and symbionts. Greater biomass occurred in inoculated compared to uninoculated groups; the inoculated average biomass in potting mix and regolith (2.23 and 0.29 g, respectively) was greater than the uninoculated group (0.11 and 0.01 g, respectively). However, no significant differences existed in NH4 composition between potting mix and regolith simulant. Linear regression analysis results showed that: i) symbiotic plant-bacteria relationships differed between regolith and potting mix, with plant biomass positively correlated to regolith-bacteria interactions; and, ii) NH4 production was limited to plant uptake yet the relationships in regolith and potting mix were similar. It is promising that plant-legume symbiosis is a possibility for Martian soil colonization.
Do endocrine adverse events predict longer progression-free survival among patients with non-small-cell lung cancer receiving nivolumab?
Authors: Chmielewska Izabela , Dudzińska Marta , Szczyrek Michał , Świrska Joanna , Wojas-Krawczyk Kamila , Zwolak Agnieszka
Published: September 2021

The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence and nature of immune-related endocrine adverse events (irAEs) among patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with nivolumab.

Methods: The study group included 35 patients (15 women, 20 men, 65.8 ± 7.1 years) with NSCLC in stage IIIB (n = 16, 45.7%) and IV (n = 19,54.3%) who were treated with nivolumab.

Results: Of the studied patients, 34.3% (n = 12) developed endocrine irAEs (irAE group): 22.9% (n = 8) hyperthyroidism and 8.6% (n = 3) hypothyroidism, and in one case, hypophysitis was observed. The median irAEs onset time was 2 months. In the group of patients with thyroid disorders, permanent hypothyroidism eventually developed in 58.3%. The severity of the analyzed irAEs ranged from mild to moderate (Grade 1–2); the case of hypophysitis was estimated as Grade 3. The comparison of progression-free survival time (PFS) between the two groups showed longer PFS in patients in the irAE group (p = 0.021). Patients with irAE were treated significantly longer with nivolumab and they received more doses of nivolumab, however in Cox analysis we did not find patients with irAE to experience progression later than patients without them.

Conclusions: Nivolumab therapy is associated with an increased risk of endocrine adverse effects, particularly thyroid dysfunction. Endocrine adverse effects can be successfully treated pharmacologically and usually do not require discontinuation of immunotherapy. The relationship between a better cancer prognosis in patients who developed endocrine irAE has not been found.
Detecting retinal neurodegeneration in people with diabetes: Findings from the UK Biobank
Authors: Channa Roomasa , Lee Kyungmoo , Staggers Kristen A. , Mehta Nitish , Zafar Sidra , Gao Jie , Frankfort Benjamin J. , Chua Sharon Y. L. , Khawaja Anthony P. , Foster Paul J. , Patel Praveen J. , Minard Charles G. , Amos Chris , Abramoff Michael D.
Published: September 2021

Importance

Efforts are underway to incorporate retinal neurodegeneration in the diabetic retinopathy severity scale. However, there is no established measure to quantify diabetic retinal neurodegeneration (DRN).

Objective

We compared total retinal, macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness among participants with and without diabetes (DM) in a population-based cohort.

Design/setting/participants

Cross-sectional analysis, using the UK Biobank data resource. Separate general linear mixed models (GLMM) were created using DM and glycated hemoglobin as predictor variables for retinal thickness. Sub-analyses included comparing thickness measurements for patients with no/mild diabetic retinopathy (DR) and evaluating factors associated with retinal thickness in participants with and without diabetes. Factors found to be significantly associated with DM or thickness were included in a multiple GLMM.

Exposure

Diagnosis of DM was determined via self-report of diagnosis, medication use, DM-related complications or glycated hemoglobin level of ≥ 6.5%.

Main outcomes and measures

Total retinal, mRNFL and GC-IPL thickness.

Results

74,422 participants (69,985 with no DM; 4,437 with DM) were included. Median age was 59 years, 46% were men and 92% were white. Participants with DM had lower total retinal thickness (-4.57 μm, 95% CI: -5.00, -4.14; p<0.001), GC-IPL thickness (-1.73 μm, 95% CI: -1.86, -1.59; p<0.001) and mRNFL thickness (-0.68 μm, 95% CI: -0.81, -0.54; p<0.001) compared to those without DM. After adjusting for co-variates, in the GLMM, total retinal thickness was 1.99 um lower (95% CI: -2.47, -1.50; p<0.001) and GC-IPL was 1.02 μm lower (95% CI: -1.18, -0.87; p<0.001) among those with DM compared to without. mRNFL was no longer significantly different (p = 0.369). GC-IPL remained significantly lower, after adjusting for co-variates, among those with DM compared to those without DM when including only participants with no/mild DR (-0.80 μm, 95% CI: -0.98, -0.62; p<0.001). Total retinal thickness decreased 0.40 μm (95% CI: -0.61, -0.20; p<0.001), mRNFL thickness increased 0.20 μm (95% CI: 0.14, 0.27; p<0.001) and GC-IPL decreased 0.26 μm (95% CI: -0.33, -0.20; p<0.001) per unit increase in A1c after adjusting for co-variates. Among participants with diabetes, age, DR grade, ethnicity, body mass index, glaucoma, spherical equivalent, and visual acuity were significantly associated with GC-IPL thickness.

Conclusion

GC-IPL was thinner among participants with DM, compared to without DM. This difference persisted after adjusting for confounding variables and when considering only those with no/mild DR. This confirms that GC-IPL thinning occurs early in DM and can serve as a useful marker of DRN.
Large-scale identification of extracellular plant miRNAs in mammals implicates their dietary intake
Authors: Chen Xi , Liu Lu , Chu Qinjie , Sun Shuo , Wu Yixuan , Tong Zhou , Fang Weijia , Timko Michael P. , Fan Longjiang
Published: September 2021

Extracellular microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed to function in cross-kingdom gene regulation. Among these, plant-derived miRNAs of dietary origin have been reported to survive the harsh conditions of the human digestive system, enter the circulatory system, and regulate gene expression and metabolic function. However, definitive evidence supporting the presence of plant-derived miRNAs of dietary origin in mammals has been difficult to obtain due to limited sample sizes. We have developed a bioinformatics pipeline (ePmiRNA_finder) that provides strident miRNA classification and applied it to analyze 421 small RNA sequencing data sets from 10 types of human body fluids and tissues and comparative samples from carnivores and herbivores. A total of 35 miRNAs were identified that map to plants typically found in the human diet and these miRNAs were found in at least one human blood sample and their abundance was significantly different when compared to samples from human microbiome or cow. The plant-derived miRNA profiles were body fluid/tissue-specific and highly abundant in the brain and the breast milk samples, indicating selective absorption and/or the ability to be transported across tissue/organ barriers. Our data provide conclusive evidence for the presence of plant-derived miRNAs as a consequence of dietary intake and their cross-kingdom regulatory function within human circulating system.
Acclimation of cadmium-induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress in mung bean seedlings by priming effect of phytohormones and proline
Authors: Hassan Meher , Israr Muhammad , Mansoor Simeen , Hussain Syeda Amna , Basheer Faiza , Azizullah Azizullah , Ur Rehman Shafiq
Published: September 2021

In this research, eight local mung bean (Vigna radiata) varieties were analyzed for their performance against two levels of CdCl2 solution (0.3 and 0.5 mM) alone and priming with gibberellic acid (GA3) (100 μM), salicylic acid (SA) (50 μM) and proline (5 mM) solution prior to Cd exposure. Mung bean seedlings were analyzed for disturbance in cytological, morphological, biochemical and enzymatic parameters under cadmium stress. For cytological studies, 48 h grown mung bean seedlings root tips were used to prepare slides and studied for percent mitotic index (MI%) and to calculate percent C-mitosis, laggard, sticky and fragmented chromosomes, pictures were captured by a Nikon camera (DS-Fi 1 Japan) attached with a microscope. One-week grown mung seedlings were studied for growth traits, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein, proline and antioxidant enzymes. ANOVA and DMR test of this research revealed that all the tested mung bean varieties and treatments were significantly different regarding mitotic index and number of chromosomal aberrations. Both the Cd treatments exhibited increased total chromosomal aberrations with different types and a maximum decrease in MI%. In pretreated samples, GA3, SA and proline serve as mitigating agents that reduce mutagenic effects of Cd in mung bean by increasing MI% and decreasing chromosomal aberrations as compared to non-pretreated samples. Both the Cd treatments showed a decrease in all growth traits. Total proteins were also found to be significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner in all genotypes. Cd treatment increased the activities of all antioxidant enzymes tested. Cd caused oxidative damage as indicated by elevated levels of MDA content in treated samples in comparison to control. Proline content levels were also high in Cd treated seedlings indicating stress. Results demonstrated that pretreatment with phytohormones and proline before Cd were found to improve all morphological parameters, by altering antioxidant enzymes activities along with a decrease in MDA and proline contents as well. It was further noticed that the performance of GA3 was better at 0.3 mM Cd treatment while SA was found to be a good mitigating agent at 0.5 mM Cd stress in all tested mung bean varieties. This research concluded less deleterious effects of Cd on AZRI-2006 while more sensitivity to NM-51 towards Cd. Priming with phytohormones and proline is a user-friendly, economical, and simple mitigation strategy to reduce Cd toxicity in plants and get better yield from contaminated lands.
Leveraging publicly available coronavirus data to identify new therapeutic targets for COVID-19
Authors: Sell Stacy L. , Prough Donald S. , Weisz Harris A. , Widen Steve G. , Hellmich Helen L.
Published: September 2021

Many important questions remain regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the viral pathogen responsible for COVID-19. These questions include the mechanisms explaining the high percentage of asymptomatic but highly infectious individuals, the wide variability in disease susceptibility, and the mechanisms of long-lasting debilitating effects. Bioinformatic analysis of four coronavirus datasets representing previous outbreaks (SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV), as well as SARS-CoV-2, revealed evidence of diverse host factors that appear to be coopted to facilitate virus-induced suppression of interferon-induced innate immunity, promotion of viral replication and subversion and/or evasion of antiviral immune surveillance. These host factors merit further study given their postulated roles in COVID-19-induced loss of smell and brain, heart, vascular, lung, liver, and gut dysfunction.
EQ-5D-5L-based quality of life normative data for patients with self-reported diabetes in Poland
Authors: Jankowska Agnieszka , Golicki Dominik
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The new, five-level EQ-5D generic questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) has never been used among diabetes patients in Poland.

Objectives

To develop health-related quality of life (HRQoL) norms for patients with self-reported diabetes, based on a large representative sample of the general Polish population, using the EQ-5D-5L.

Materials and methods

Members of the general public, selected via multistage stratified sampling, filled in the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and answered a question about the presence of diabetes. We estimated three types of EQ-5D-5L outcomes: limitations within domains, EQ VAS and EQ-5D-5L index. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and HRQoL, both in patients with diabetes and the general population sample.

Results

Among 2,973 respondents having complete EQ-5D-5L data, 255 subjects (8.6%) self-reported diabetes. Treatment with insulin, other drugs, combination therapy or lack of drug treatment was declared by 22.0%, 48.6%, 5.1% and 24.3% of patients, respectively. Respondents with diabetes had a lower EQ VAS score (18.5 points difference on a 100-points scale) and a lower EQ-5D-5L index score (0.135 difference; scale range: 1.59). The multivariate analysis showed that the factors independently improving the HRQoL in the general population were secondary or higher education, and factors reducing HRQoL were female sex, belonging to an older age group, being treated because of diabetes with insulin, other drugs or combination treatment. Respondents diagnosed with diabetes but not treated with drugs showed a decrease in EQ VAS scores, but not in the EQ-5D-5L index.

Conclusions

Diabetes leads to HRQoL deterioration in all age groups when compared to matched general population respondents without diabetes. The most significant HRQoL reduction experience older patients with a basic level of education. Obtained EQ-5D-5L normative data may be used in the clinical care of patients with diabetes and health technology assessment of new anti-diabetic drugs.
Reliability of ultrasonographic measurement of muscle architecture of the gastrocnemius medialis and gastrocnemius lateralis
Authors: May Samantha , Locke Simon , Kingsley Michael
Published: September 2021

Ultrasonography is widely used to measure gastrocnemius muscle architecture; however, it is unclear if values obtained from digitised images are sensitive enough to track architectural responses to clinical interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore the reliability and determine the minimal detectable change (MDC) of gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) muscle architecture using ultrasound in a clinical setting. A trained sonographer obtained three B-mode images from each of the GM and GL muscles in 87 volunteers (44 males, 43 females; 22±9 years of age) on two separate occasions. Three independent investigators received training, then digitised the images to determine intra-rater, inter-rater, and test-retest reliability for fascicle length (FL), pennation angle (θ) and muscle thickness. Median FL, θ, and muscle thickness for GM and GL were 53.6–55.7 mm and 65.8–69.3 mm, 18.7–19.5° and 11.9–12.5°, and 12.8–13.2 mm and 15.9–16.9 mm, respectively. Intra- and inter-rater reliability of manual digitisation was excellent for all parameters. Test-retest reliability was moderate to excellent with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values ≥0.80 for FL, ≥0.61 for θ, and ≥0.81 for muscle thickness, in both GM and GL. The respective MDC for GM and GL FL, θ, and muscle thickness was ≤12.1 mm and ≤18.00 mm, ≤6.4° and ≤4.2°, and ≤3.2 mm and ≤3.1 mm. Although reliable, the relatively large MDC suggest that clinically derived ultrasound measurements of muscle architecture in GM and GL are more likely to be useful to detect differences between populations than to detect changes in muscle architecture following interventions.
Lower blood pH as a strong prognostic factor for fatal outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients at an intensive care unit: A multivariable analysis
Authors: Kieninger Martin , Sinning Annemarie , Vadász Timea , Gruber Michael , Gronwald Wolfram , Zeman Florian , Lunz Dirk , Dienemann Thomas , Schmid Stephan , Graf Bernhard , Lubnow Matthias , Müller Thomas , Holzmann Thomas , Salzberger Bernd , Kieninger Bärbel
Published: September 2021

Background

Data of critically ill COVID-19 patients are being evaluated worldwide, not only to understand the various aspects of the disease and to refine treatment strategies but also to improve clinical decision-making. For clinical decision-making in particular, prognostic factors of a lethal course of the disease would be highly relevant.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed the first 59 adult critically ill Covid-19 patients treated in one of the intensive care units of the University Medical Center Regensburg, Germany. Using uni- and multivariable regression models, we extracted a set of parameters that allowed for prognosing in-hospital mortality.

Results

Within the cohort, 19 patients died (mortality 32.2%). Blood pH value, mean arterial pressure, base excess, troponin, and procalcitonin were identified as highly significant prognostic factors of in-hospital mortality. However, no significant differences were found for other parameters expected to be relevant prognostic factors, like low arterial partial pressure of oxygen or high lactate levels. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the pH value and the mean arterial pressure turned out to be the most influential prognostic factors for a lethal course.
Cell-to-cell transmission of HSV1 in human keratinocytes in the absence of the major entry receptor, nectin1
Authors: Kite Joanne , Russell Tiffany , Jones Juliet , Elliott Gillian
Published: September 2021

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) infects the stratified epithelia of the epidermis, oral or genital mucosa, where the main cell type is the keratinocyte. Here we have used nTERT human keratinocytes to generate a CRISPR-Cas9 knockout (KO) of the primary candidate HSV1 receptor, nectin1, resulting in a cell line that is refractory to HSV1 entry. Nonetheless, a small population of KO cells was able to support infection which was not blocked by a nectin1 antibody and hence was not a consequence of residual nectin1 expression. Strikingly at later times, the population of cells originally resistant to HSV1 infection had also become infected. Appearance of this later population was blocked by inhibition of virus genome replication, or infection with a ΔUL34 virus defective in capsid export to the cytoplasm. Moreover, newly formed GFP-tagged capsids were detected in cells surrounding the initial infected cell, suggesting that virus was spreading following replication in the original susceptible cells. Additional siRNA depletion of the second major HSV1 receptor HVEM, or PTP1B, a cellular factor shown elsewhere to be involved in cell-to-cell transmission, had no effect on virus spread in the absence of nectin1. Neutralizing human serum also failed to block virus transmission in nectin1 KO cells, which was dependent on the receptor binding protein glycoprotein D and the cell-to-cell spread glycoproteins gI and gE, indicating that virus was spreading by direct cell-to-cell transmission. In line with these results, both HSV1 and HSV2 formed plaques on nectin1 KO cells, albeit at a reduced titre, confirming that once the original cell population was infected, the virus could spread into all other cells in the monolayer. We conclude that although nectin1 is required for extracellular entry in to the majority of human keratinocytes, it is dispensable for direct cell-to-cell transmission.
Furió, A. (Ed.) (2020). En torno a la economía mediterránea medieval. Estudios dedicados a Paulino Iradiel. València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València. 402 pp. ISBN: 978-84-9134-661-6
Authors: Tello Hernández Esther
Published: September 2021

Reseña: Furió, A. (Ed.) (2020). En torno a la economía mediterránea medieval. Estudios dedicados a Paulino Iradiel. València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2020. 402 pp. ISBN: 978-84-9134-661-6.
Mas i Forners, A. (2020). Llengua, terra, pàtria i nació. L’evolució de la consciència lingüística i etnocultural entre els cristians de l’illa de Mallorca (segles XIV-XVII). Palma: Documenta Balear. 383 pp. ISBN: 978-84-18441-01-1
Authors: Montoya Abat Brauli
Published: September 2021

Resenya: Mas i Forners, A. (2020). Llengua, terra, pàtria i nació. L’evolució de la consciència lingüística i etnocultural entre els cristians de l’illa de Mallorca (segles XIV-XVII). Palma: Documenta Balear. 383 pp. ISBN: 978-84-18441-01-1.
Medio ambiente, recursos naturales y paisaje agrario en los espacios medievales (siglos VIII-XV). Introducción
Authors: Parra Villaescusa Miriam
Published: September 2021

El presente texto recoge una presentación e introducción reflexiva sobre el contenido de este número 22 de "Anales de la Universidad de Alicante. Historia Medieval", con especial atención a la temática que preside el Dosier Monográfico. Desde una aproximación global, se hace un balance en torno al estudio del medio ambiente, los recursos naturales y el paisaje agrario para cronología medieval y a posteriori se pasa a presentar y realizar una descripción de los diferentes trabajos que engloaban el mismo y las cuestiones tratadas por los distintos autores.
Leadership in Promotion of Regional Development - An Empirical Analysis of Power and Influence Tactics in the Finnish Regional Development Activity
Authors: Sotarauta Markku
Published: September 2021

It is always easier to find out the elements of success and/or failure in retrospect than to find new development paths for the future and new modes of action in the middle of uncertain and open-ended situations. True leadership is becoming more and more important and hence there seems to be a need to direct attention also towards studying power and competences needed in promotion of economic development of regions. When aiming to bring human agency back to regional development studies, one way to do it is to ask how people engaged in promotion of regional development actually influence complex processes and networks, how they influence other actors and what kind of power they have. It might also provide us with additional analytical leverage if we understood better the consequences of the choices made and the actions taken by powerful individuals and core coalitions formed by them. The research questions discussed here are: a) what kind of sources of power are used by regional development officers; and b) how regional development officers aim to influence the course of events? The empirical research is based on data gathered a)through 41 interviews of Finnish actors responsible for the promotion of economic development in city governments, technology centres, regional development agencies, and ministries and other national bodies,and b) through internet survey of development officers at local, regional and national levels (531 respondents, response rate 51.8 % ). The survey was designed to solicit information about power, influence tactics and competences in the context of regional development. In addition various bottlenecks in the daily workwere probed. The empirical analysis shows, for example, how interpretive power and network power are more important for regional development officers than institutional and resource power, and how indirect influence tactics surpass the direct ones.
A telepítési döntések árnyoldalai
Authors: Szántó Richárd
Published: September 2021

Az új létesítmények elhelyezéséról szóló döntések általában kiemelt fontosságúak a vállalatok, az állami szervek vagy más szervezetek életében. A pozitív hatások felemlegetése mellett ritkábban hallani a telepítési döntések árnyoldalairól: azok sokszor a helyi közösségek hangos ellenállásába ütköznek. A helyi érintett csoportok számára ugyanis a létesítmények a legtöbb esetben új kockázatok és tényleges negatív hatások megjelenését is jelentik. A tanulmány ezeknek a különböző kockázatpercepciók kialakulását magyarázza, és kísérletet tesz a telepítési döntések körüli konfliktusok megoldási lehetőségeinek vázolására is az eltérő megközelítések szemüvegein keresztül.
Tréningek és eredményességük mérésének problémái - Kutatás narratív módszerrel
Authors: Nyiri Zoltán
Published: September 2021

A hazai közép- és nagyvállalatok minden évben milliós nagyságrendű összegeket költenek nehezen mérhető eredményeket produkáló csapatépítő és kommunikációs tréningekre. A szerző cikkében bemutatja a leggyakoribb okokat, melyek miatt a készségfejlesztő tréningek eredményessége nehezen mérhető, és röviden beszámol a Szegedi Tudományegyetem Gazdaságtudományi Karán folyó kutatásról, amelynek keretében narratív interjúkkal próbálják felderíteni, hogy a tréningeket követően a résztvevó'k milyen - a képzésnek tulajdonított - változásokat észlelnek a munkavégzés során.
The Effectiveness of the Vaccine and the Reinfection Wave by Covid-19: What the Reports Shows
Authors: Lima Rivania Beatriz Novais , Torres Larissa Moreira , Pires Glauber Magalhães , Fernandes Peixoto Furtado Maria Isabel , Marques Ana Emilia Formiga
Published: September 2021

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the new coronavirus designated SARS-COVS2. Discoveries about the particularities of COVID-19 are constant and challenging. Currently, it has been proven that the recurrence of the disease in the same individual is possible due to the variants that the virus has. This new reality has led to discussions about the real effectiveness of the vaccine in controlling the pandemic. Objective: To obtain, through updated and reliable literature, the main data on the effectiveness of the vaccine. This comment reviewed current articles from the year 2020 to 2021, published by journals such as The Lancet, CNN, BCC and others. Further studies were needed to prove the action of passive immunization of the new variants. Recently, epidemiological studies have shown that coronavirus infection and mortality rates are falling as vaccination progresses.
The Control of the Past: Herbert Butterfield and the Pitfalls of Official History
Authors: Salmon Patrick
Published: September 2021

Herbert Butterfield (1900–1979) was one of the earliest and strongest critics of what he saw as the British government’s attempts to control the past through the writing of so-called, ‘official histories’. His famous diatribe against the ‘pitfalls’ of official history first appeared in 1949, at a time when the British government was engaged in publishing official histories and diplomatic documents on an unprecedented scale following the Second World War. But why was Butterfield so hostile to official history, and why do his views still matter today? Written by one of the few historians employed by the British government today, this important new book details how successive governments have applied a selective approach to the past in order to tell or re-tell Britain’s national history, with implications for the future. Providing a unique overview of the main trends of official history in Britain since the Second World War, the book details how Butterfield came to suspect that the British government was trying to suppress vital documents revealing the Duke of Windsor’s dealings with Nazi Germany. This seemed to confirm his long-held belief that all governments would seek to manipulate history if they could, and conceal the truth if they could not. At the beginning of the 21st century, official history is still being written and the book concludes with an insider’s perspective on the many issues it faces today– on freedom of information, social media and reengaging with our nation’s colonial legacy. Governments have recently been given many reminders that history matters, and it is Herbert Butterfield above all who reminds us that we must remain vigilant in monitoring how they respond to the challenge.
Continuing Medical Education Questions: August 2021
Authors: Ho Edith Y.
Published: September 2021

Article Title: A microsimulation model to determine the cost-effectiveness of treat to target strategies for Crohn's disease
Hyperechoic pancreas on ultrasonography: an analysis of its severity and clinical implications
Authors: Oh Hyunji , Park Hyun Jeong , Oh Jiyun , Lee Eun Sun , Park Sung Bin , Cha Min Jae , Ahn Soohyun
Published: September 2021

Purpose: This study investigated risk factors for hyperechoic pancreas (HP) on ultrasonography (US) according to HP severity.Methods: Between December 2008 and February 2014, 1,459 subjects who underwent abdominal US as part of health examinations were retrospectively included. Two radiologists assessed and categorized the severity of HP as normal, mild, moderate, and severe. Subjects were allocated to two groups as follows: fatty pancreas 1 (FP1; mild to severe HP) and fatty pancreas 2 (FP2; moderate to severe HP). Clinico-metabolic parameters such as the body mass index and blood test profile of subjects with normoglycemia and prediabetes/diabetes were compared (normal vs. FP1; normal or mild HP vs. FP2). Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between HP, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and diabetes/prediabetes with adjustment for clinico-metabolic parameters.Results: Of the 1,459 subjects, 71.2% and 40.4% showed HP and NAFLD on US, respectively. Normoglycemia and prediabetes/diabetes were present in 74.3% and 25.7% of subjects, respectively. Univariable analysis revealed that all the clinico-metabolic parameters were significantly associated with HP (all P<0.05). In the adjusted multivariable analysis, prediabetes/diabetes, NAFLD, age, and body mass index were significantly associated with HP with the FP1 and FP2 criteria. The independent factor with the strongest association with HP was NAFLD using the FP1 criterion (odds ratio [OR], 7.93; P<0.001) and prediabetes/diabetes using the FP2 criterion (OR, 6.96; P<0.001).Conclusion: NAFLD and prediabetes/diabetes were associated with US-diagnosed HP. Moderate to severe HP was a better predictor of prediabetes/diabetes, suggesting that evaluating HP severity may be useful in clinical practice.
Gambaran Pengetahuan dan Sikap Remaja Putri dengan Penyandang Disabilitas Tentang Pencegahan Kekerasan Remaja Putri Di Kota Bandung
Authors: Megawati Annisa
Published: September 2021

UNICEF states that adolescents with disabilities are three or four times more likely to be victims of violence than adolescents in general. This study aims to describe the knowledge and attitudes of young women with disabilities about preventing violence against young women. Based on the case in the city of Bandung, this study uses a descriptive cross-sectional approach. The research sample was all young women with disabilities in the city of Bandung. A total sampling technique brings 72 respondents as the research subjects, where the data collected by interview. The results showed that 45.8% of respondents were in the "less" category, while 59.7% were negative. The research concludes that there are still young women with disabilities who lack knowledge and have negative attitudes.[UNICEF menyatakan bahwa remaja penyandang disabilitas tiga atau empat kali lebih besar menjadi korban kekerasan dibandingkan remaja pada umumnya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui gambaran pengetahuan dan sikap remaja putri penyandang disabilitas tentang pencegahan kekerasan terhadap remaja putri di Kota Bandung. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif pendekatan cross-sectional. Sampel penelitian adalah semua remaja putri penyandang disabilitas di Kota Bandung. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan teknik total sampling dengan responden berjumlah 72 orang. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan teknik wawancara. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa 45,8% responden termasuk dalam kategori “kurang”, sedangkan 59,7% tergolong dalam kategori negatif. Penelitian menyimpulkan bahwa masih terdapat remaja putri difabel yang berpengetahuan kurang disertai sikap yang negatif.]
El archivo audiovisual y la construcción de la memoria a través del formato documental para televisión
Authors: Alzate Giraldo Alejandro , Maya Franco Claudia María , Heredia Ruiz Verónica
Published: September 2021

Este artículo presenta un análisis sobre el uso del archivo audiovisual como insumo de producciones documentales para la televisión pública, y su papel en la construcción de memoria, tomando como objeto de estudio el archivo audiovisual del canal Telemedellín, construido durante 18 años. En primer lugar, se plantea una revisión de las acepciones más frecuentes del concepto de archivo audiovisual, es decir, las relativas al almacenamiento, el acceso, el uso y su aplicación en los procesos narrativos. En segundo lugar, a través de la aplicación de un instrumento diseñado para esta investigación, se clasifican los documentales encontrados en archivo del canal Telemedellín, rastreando los que en su contenido usan el archivo audiovisual como fuente para su producción. Finalmente, se exponen las conclusiones, entre las que resulta relevante que es frecuente recurrir al archivo audiovisual en estos documentales creados para la televisión pública y que al hacer un uso sustancial del material de archivo crean nuevas narrativas, reactivando materiales ya grabados y aportando a la construcción de memoria.
Firmar en nombre propio. Representaciones de jóvenes universitarios sobre la escritura académica
Authors: Betancur Diela Bibiana
Published: September 2021

Este artículo de reflexión se deriva de una investigación doctoral. En él me propongo comprender las representaciones subjetivas que tienen algunos jóvenes universitarios de la Licenciatura en Literatura y Lengua Castellana de la Universidad de Antioquia sobre la escritura académica, a la luz de los Nuevos Estudios de Literacidad (NEL), como campo teórico que dialoga con perspectivas decoloniales en educación. De igual manera, vinculo las reflexiones de este trabajo al concepto de transmisión como un proceso que implica legar una herencia cultural, al mismo tiempo que habilita su transformación. En términos metodológicos, la investigación responde a un estudio colectivo de casos como estrategia que permite reunir una comprensión de lo singular, en unas coordenadas culturales e institucionales. Los resultados permiten comprender las incomodidades, pero también las posibilidades que a estos jóvenes les ha generado la escritura académica en sus convenciones, géneros discursivos predominantes y alternativos, y en la posibilidad de implicarse o no subjetivamente en ellos; representaciones que los enfrenta con el deseo, la demanda o el temor de firmar en nombre propio.
Review of Contesting the global development of sustainable and inclusive education: Education reform and challenges of neoliberal globalization
Authors: Napoli Mariangela , Naidorf Judith
Published: September 2021

This is an English-language review, followed by a Spanish-language translation.
Extração de compostos fenólicos do noni (Morinda citrifolia Linn) empregando energia ultrassônica
Authors: Lima Italo Andrey Souza Inácio , Ribeiro Italo Alonso , Neris Thamires Santos , Silva Sumária Sousa e , Loss Raquel Aparecida , Guedes Sumaya Ferreira
Published: September 2021

O noni (Morinda citrifolia Linn) é uma fruta conhecida pelo seu alto valor nutracêutico, em especial pelo seu potencial antioxidante, que sofre influência de acordo com a forma de consumo, in natura ou processado. Diante do exposto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar o teor de compostos fenólicos totais presentes na biomassa desidratada do noni. Para o preparo da biomassa, os frutos sem sementes foram higienizados e triturados. Posteriormente, as amostras foram desidratadas a 60 ºC em estufas com circulação de ar forçada. As amostras foram submetidas a extração com etanol, incubadas ou não em banho ultrassônico, conforme condições do planejamento fatorial completo 22, cujas variáveis foram o tempo e o pH.  Ao final da extração, o solvente foi evaporado, o extrato diluído em 5 mL de água destilada e submetido a análise dos compostos fenólicos totais. Nas extrações incubadas com o banho ultrassônico observou-se que este contribuiu para o aumento da concentração de compostos fenólicos totais extraídos em comparação ao método de maceração. Além disso, a extração assistida por energia ultrassônica reduziu o tempo de extração de 240 para 15 minutos. Desta forma, o ultrassom pode ser considerado uma ferramenta útil para aumentar a transferência de massa no processo de extração de compostos fenólicos da biomassa desidratada do noni.
circ_CHFR regulates ox-LDL-mediated cell proliferation, apoptosis, and EndoMT by miR-15a-5p/EGFR axis in human brain microvessel endothelial cells
Authors: Wu Shanwu , Yang Sheng , Qu Hongyan
Published: September 2021

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is a significant risk factor for various brain vascular diseases. Circular RNA (circRNA) is involved in the pathogenesis of brain vascular diseases. This study revealed the roles of circ_CHFR in ox-LDL-mediated cell proliferation, apoptosis, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Our results showed that circ_CHFR and EGFR expressions were dramatically upregulated, while miR-15a-5p expression was downregulated in ox-LDL-induced human brain microvessel endothelial cells (HBMECs) relative to control groups. circ_CHFR knockdown hindered the effects of ox-LDL exposure on cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and EndoMT in HBMECs, whereas these impacts were abolished by miR-15a-5p inhibitor. In addition, circ_CHFR functioned as a sponge of miR-15a-5p and miR-15a-5p bound to EGFR. Thus, we concluded that circ_CHFR silencing hindered ox-LDL-mediated cell proliferation, apoptosis, and EndoMT by downregulating EGFR expression through sponging miR-15a-5p in HBMECs. Our findings provide a new mechanism for studying circRNA-directed therapy in ox-LDL-induced human brain vascular diseases.
Resveratrol pretreatment mitigates LPS-induced acute lung injury by regulating conventional dendritic cells’ maturation and function
Authors: Guo Bingnan , Peng Yigen , Gu Yuting , Zhong Yi , Su Chenglei , Liu Lin , Chai Dafei , Song Tengfei , Zhao Ningjun , Yan Xianliang , Xu Tie
Published: September 2021

Acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe syndrome lacking efficient therapy and resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Although resveratrol (RES), a natural phytoalexin, has been reported to protect the ALI by suppressing the inflammatory response, the detailed mechanism of how RES affected the immune system is poorly studied. Pulmonary conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) are critically involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung diseases including ALI. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective role of RES via pulmonary cDCs in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mice. Murine ALI model was established by intratracheally challenging with 5 mg/kg LPS. We found that RES pretreatment could mitigate LPS-induced ALI. Additionally, proinflammatory-skewed cytokines decreased whereas anti-inflammatory-related cytokines increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by RES pretreatment. Mechanistically, RES regulated pulmonary cDCs’ maturation and function, exhibiting lower level of CD80, CD86, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II expression, and IL-10 secretion in ALI mice. Furthermore, RES modulated the balance between proinflammation and anti-inflammation of cDCs. Moreover, in vitro RES pretreatment regulated the maturation and function of bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Finally, the adoptive transfer of RES-pretreated BMDCs enhanced recovery of ALI. Thus, these data might further extend our understanding of a protective role of RES in regulating pulmonary cDCs against ALI.
The structure of L2 lexical-semantic networks as seen from a social network perspective
Authors: Feng Xuefang , Liu Jie
Published: September 2021

This study employed a social network analysis tool to investigate the organization of L2 lexical-semantic networks. A total of 49 Chines EFL learners of English completed a semantic fluency task in English. A lexical-semantic network was established on the data collected from the semantic fluency task. We conducted a CONCOR analysis to distinguish the central words from the peripheral ones in the lexical-semantic network. The relevance of three distributional features to the centrality of the words in the L2 lexical-semantic network was examined respectively. In addition, we analyzed the general explanatory effect of each of the three features on centrality. The results based on the distributional features are significantly correlational and report positive explanatory effects. In addition, words of similar distributional features were found to connect in a way that reflects semantic feature effects. Finally, theoretical, methodological, and pedagogical implications of the findings were discussed.
Effect of corrosion on surface degradation of galvanized steel in poultry dung, pig dung and urea solutions using rice straw as an inhibitor
Authors: Oyewole Olamide , Smart Paul , Ajani David , Olorunfemi Julius Bayode
Published: September 2021

Waste control is a big challenge in industries. The aim of this study is to control degradation of farm structure using rice husk as corrosion inhibitor in pig dung, poultry dung and urea solution environment. The rice straw was subjected to phytochemical analysis. The four variables: rice straw, Pig dung, urea and poultry dung solutions were used to determine the best approach to reduce the corrosion rate of galvanized steel used for farm structures. Time variation used was 3–12 days. The result from the phytochemical analysis showed that rice husk has constituents of a good inhibitor. The result from the variables’ mix in S1: A: 40 cm3; B: 40 cm3; C: 10 cm3 and D: 10 cm3 has the highest inhibition efficiency of 88.59%. The SEM result from the best combination showed that passive film was formed which was attributed to the adsorption via rice straw extract. The rice straw used in this study was an effective inhibitor. It is an agricultural waste that was converted into a viable process which is of economic value.
On the rheological properties of multi-walled carbon nano-polyvinylpyrrolidone/silicon-based shear thickening fluid
Authors: Sun Li , Wang Geng , Zhang Chunwei , Jin Qiao , Song Yansheng
Published: September 2021

This study examines the rheological properties of shear thickening fluid (STF) enhanced by additives such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and nano-silica (SiO2) at different mass fraction ratios. The rheological properties of the liquid (MWCNTs–PVP/SiO2–STF) and the effect of the rheological properties of the STF under different plate spacing of the rheometer were investigated. The optimal mass fraction mixing ratio was also studied. The MWCNTs–PVP/SiO2–STF system with different PVP mass fractions was fabricated using ultrasonic technology and the mechanical stirring method. Then, the steady-state rheological test of the MWCNTs–PVP/SiO2–STF system was carried out with the aid of the rheometer facility. Dynamic rheological and temperature sensitivity tests on the MWCNTs–PVP/SiO2–STF system with 0.1 and 0.15% PVP mass fractions were performed. The rheological test results show that the MWCNTs–PVP/SiO2–STF system has a significant shear thickening effect when the PVP mass fraction is increased from 0 to 0.15%. When the PVP mass fraction is 0.1% and the plate spacing is 1 mm, the system exhibits the best shear thickening performance. This is based on the following facts: the viscosity can be achieved as 216.75 Pa s; the maximum energy storage and energy consumption capabilities can be observed. As a result, PVP can significantly enhance the shear thickening performance of the MWCNTs/SiO2–STF system.