bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bentonite nanoclay-based drug-delivery systems for treating melanoma
Authors: Hosseini Faezeh , Hosseini Farzaneh , Jafari Seyyed Mehdi , Taheri Azade
Published: March 2018

Local chemotherapy with biocompatible drug-delivery systems prolongs survival in patients. Due to the biocompatibility and high loading capacity, bentonite nanoclay is a good candidate for the fabrication of drug-delivery vehicles. In this study, doxorubicin-bentonite nanoclay complex (DOX-Bent complex) was prepared for the first time as a sustained-release drug-delivery system for intratumoural chemotherapy of melanoma. An efficient loading of DOX on 1 mg of bentonite nanoclay as high as 994.45 ± 4.9 µg was obtained at a 30:1 DOX:bentonite nanoclay mass ratio. The DOX-Bent complex showed a low initial burst release of DOX in the first 24 h of release, followed by a sustained-release pattern for 21 days. The cumulativein vitrorelease of DOX from the DOX-Bent complex at pHs 6.5 and 7.4 revealed that the DOX-Bent complex can distinguish between tumour and normal tissues and express specific drug release at the tumour site. The results of cytotoxicity experiments indicated that the release pattern of DOX can supply sufficient DOX to inhibit growth of the melanoma cancer cell with an IC50 of 0.29 ± 0.07 µg/mL. It is thus suggested that the DOX-Bent complex be introduced as a drug-delivery system for effective local cancer therapy.
Innovation: from small “i” to large “I”
Authors: Lee Sang M.
Published: March 2018

Innovation is the lifeline for every organization. The primary purpose of innovation is to apply new ideas or technologies to create new or added value for the organization. This narrow goal is for small “i”. In the dynamic digital age, however, the goal of innovation should be much more aspirational and noble: “doing well by doing good” for the society at large and humanity. This lofty goal of innovation is for large “I”. In this paper, we review the evolution process of innovation and propose how innovation can disrupt the barriers to creating a smart future, the aspirational goal of innovation for the greater good.
Gaps in Receipt of Clinically Indicated Genetic Counseling After Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Authors: Katz Steven J. , Ward Kevin C. , Hamilton Ann S. , Mcleod M. Chandler , Wallner Lauren P. , Morrow Monica , Jagsi Reshma , Hawley Sarah T. , Kurian Allison W.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Little is known about the extent to which genetic counseling is integrated into community practices for patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer. We examined the receipt of clinically indicated genetic counseling in these patients.

Patients and Methods

We surveyed 5,080 patients between the ages of 20 and 79 years, diagnosed from July 2013 to August 2015 with early-stage breast cancer and reported to the SEER registries of Georgia and Los Angeles County. Surveys were linked to SEER clinical data and genetic test results. The study sample (N = 1,711) comprised patients with indications for formal genetic risk evaluation.

Results

Overall, 47.4% did not get tested, 40.7% tested negative, 7.4% had a variant of uncertain significance only, and 4.5% had a pathogenic mutation. Three quarters (74.6%) received some form of genetic counseling (43.5%, formal counseling and 31.1%, physician-directed discussion). Virtually all tested patients (96.1%) reported some form of genetic discussion (62.2%, formal counseling and 33.9%, physician-directed discussion). However, only one half (50.6%) of those not tested received any discussion about genetics. Younger women were more likely to report some type of counseling, controlling for other factors: odds ratio, 4.5 (95% CI, 2.6 to 8.0); 1.9 (95% CI, 1.1 to 3.3); and 1.5 (95% CI, 1.0 to 2.3) for women younger than 50 years of age, 50 to 59 years of age, and 60 to 69 years of age versus those 70 years of age and older. Patients’ assessments of the amount of information they received about whether to get tested were similarly high whether they were counseled by a genetics expert or by a physician only (80.8% v 79.4% stated information was just right, P = .59).

Conclusion

Less than one half (43.5%) of patients with clinical indications received formal genetic counseling. There is a large gap between mandates for timely pretest formal genetic counseling in higher-risk patients and the reality of practice today.
Recent advances in the management of large and complex colonic polyps
Authors: Longcroft-Wheaton Gaius , Bhandari Megha , Alkandari Asma , Bhandari Pradeep
Published: March 2018

The endoscopic management of large colonic polyps is a rapidly changing field. Rapid evolution in endoscopic techniques and skills has resulted in diminishing the role of surgery in the management of larger and complex polyps. This is resulting in organ preservation for many who otherwise would have undergone surgery. However, it also poses new challenges. This article reviews these new advances and the developments which are overcoming these difficulties.
An international, Delphi consensus study to identify priorities for methodological research in behavioural trials: A study protocol
Authors: Byrne Molly , McSharry Jenny , Meade Oonagh , Lavoie Kim L. , Bacon Simon L.
Published: March 2018

Background: Effective behaviour change interventions are needed to impact important health outcomes, including morbidity and mortality. However, the uptake and impact of behavioural interventions have been limited by methodological challenges. The International Behavioural Trials Network (IBTN) was established in 2013 to facilitate global improvement in methodological quality of behavioural trials. There has been no formal process, within the network or in the broader literature, to define the most important research priorities to achieve this aim. In this project, we will conduct an international, Delphi consensus study to identify and achieve consensus on priorities for methodological research in behavioural trials among IBTN members.

Methods: Fifteen core members of IBTN, who are experts in the field of behavioural intervention research, will be invited to brainstorm a complete list of all items they consider priority areas for methodological research in trials of behavioural interventions. The IBTN Research Prioritisation team (the authors) will review all items generated, removing duplicates and merging similar topics, and generate a ‘long-list’ of items. This long-list will be sent to the 15 IBTN core members for approval.

We will then administer two online Delphi surveys to all IBTN members. In the first survey, respondents will be asked to rate the importance of each item on a nine-point scale and rank their top five priorities. In the second survey, respondents will receive feedback on others’ responses and a reminder of their own responses in survey 1, and will be asked to re-rate items and re-select their ‘top five’.

Discussion: Findings from the project will be used to develop the research agenda of the IBTN and to make recommendations for future research.
ANIMA: Association network integration for multiscale analysis
Authors: Deffur Armin , Wilkinson Robert J. , Mayosi Bongani M. , Mulder Nicola M.
Published: March 2018

Contextual functional interpretation of -omics data derived from clinical samples is a classical and difficult problem in computational systems biology. The measurement of thousands of data points on single samples has become routine but relating ‘big data’ datasets to the complexities of human pathobiology is an area of ongoing research. Complicating this is the fact that many publically available datasets use bulk transcriptomics data from complex tissues like blood. The most prevalent analytic approaches derive molecular ‘signatures’ of disease states or apply modular analysis frameworks to the data. Here we describe ANIMA (association network integration for multiscale analysis), a network-based data integration method using clinical phenotype and microarray data as inputs. ANIMA is implemented in R and Neo4j and runs in Docker containers. In short, the build algorithm iterates over one or more transcriptomics datasets to generate a large, multipartite association network by executing multiple independent analytic steps (differential expression, deconvolution, modular analysis based on co-expression, pathway analysis) and integrating the results. Once the network is built, it can be queried directly using Cypher, or via custom functions that communicate with the graph database via language-specific APIs. We developed a web application using Shiny, which provides fully interactive, multiscale views of the data. Using our approach, we show that we can reconstruct multiple features of disease states at various scales of organization, from transcript abundance patterns of individual genes through co-expression patterns of groups of genes to patterns of cellular behaviour in whole blood samples, both in single experiments as well as in a meta-analysis of multiple datasets.
Prevalence of undiagnosed and untreated attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in men with alcohol dependence – A case-control study
Authors: V Sushruth , Chate Sameeran , Patil N. , Tekalaki Bheemsain , Patil Sandeep
Published: March 2018

Aim of the study

To compare the prevalence of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among male alcohol users.

Subject or material and methods

The current case-control study included 50 male patients with alcohol abuse and 50 age-matched healthy controls. Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale-Revised, severity of alcohol dependence questionnaire, alcohol use disorders identification test, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview Scale, adult ADHD self-report scale version 1.1 screener, diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders criteria for adult ADHD, and ADHD-rating scale-IV were used to assess the patients. The data obtained were analyzed using EPIINFO 7 and compared using paired t-test, student’s t-test, and Pearson’s chi-square test (P ≤ 0.05).

Results

The prevalence of undiagnosed ADHD was significantly higher in alcohol abuse cases when compared to healthy controls (31 vs. 4; P < 0.0001). The most common (16) subtype of ADHD in alcohol abuse cases was the hyperactive/impulsive type, whereas in controls, it was the inattentive type (3). The severity of alcohol dependence was moderate in alcohol abuse cases with adult ADHD (25), whereas mild dependence was observed in cases without adult ADHD (9). The SAD-Q (34.46 ± 7.70 vs. 32.12 ± 10.17) and AUDIT-C (31.34 ± 3.63 vs. 29.23 ± 5.43) scores were higher in cases with adult ADHD as compared to cases without ADHD.

Discussion

A significant association between alcohol abuse and the prevalence of ADHD was observed. The majority of the patients were young adults indicating that alcohol abuse with or without ADHD tends to commence early in life.

Conclusions

Patients diagnosed with alcohol abuse should be screened frequently and treated for ADHD.
Effects of an educational intervention targeting body image on self-esteem of Iranian high-school students: a quasi-experimental trial
Authors: Gharemani Leila , hemmati Nahid , Kaveh Mohammad Hossein , fararoei mohammad
Published: March 2018

Aim of the study

Many individuals, especially youth, are concerned about their body image and devote much time to thinking about changes to their appearance. Most studies on the effect of educational programs on body image have focused on treatment of negative body image. Few studies have evaluated the effect of educational programs on prevention of negative body image and its improvement in the general population. The current study examined the effect of a self-efficacy theory-based educational program on body image concern and self-esteem among female high school students in Shiraz.

Subject or material and methods

In this quasi-experimental study, 150 students (72 in the intervention and 78 in the control group) were selected from high schools in Shiraz using cluster sampling. The intervention group took part in six 45-minute educational sessions. The educational content was determined using the 8-step Cash model proportional to Iranian culture. The study data was collected using Littleton’s body image concern and Rosenberg’s self-esteem questionnaires. It was then analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and the Friedman test.

Results

The results showed no significant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding parental occupations, parental educational levels, age, body image concern and self-esteem at baseline. The mean score for body image concern decreased in both groups during the study period, but the decrease was more significant in the intervention group. The mean score of self-esteem also significantly increased in the intervention group during the study period (p<0.0001.

Discussion

This study showed that body image education could reduce body image concerns and increase self-esteem

Conclusions

.
Biomedical and psychosocial interventions in the mental health care system in Lithuania: “Leaving the psychiatrist’s clinic – with at least a couple of prescriptions”
Authors: Šumskienė Eglė , Petružytė Donata , Klimaitė Vaiva
Published: March 2018

Aim of the study

The aim of article is to reveal evaluations of mental health care system from a perspective of experts, as well as subjective view of patients in mental health centers towards the treatment they are getting.

Subject or material and methods

This article includes data from two studies done in Lthuania: expert and patient research. Research participants were 20 experts (nongovernmental organizations, academics, service workers, decision makers, central government) and 30 patients (heterogeneous according to their demographic characteristics, diagnoses, different treatment forms received).

Results

According to patients’ view, psychotherapeutic treatment requires much higher degree of patients’ active involvement and input; medication based treatment contributes to the patient’s passive position regarding his healing process.

Discussion

Experts’ opinions regarding the balance between psychotherapy and medication: the availability of psychotherapy in bigger cities and a lack of them in provinces; the supply of private providers and lack of public services; a progressive youth and a conservative older generation; a paradoxical concentration of psychotherapy in in-patient facilities and a lack of them in the community.

Conclusions

Though mental health care requires a clear and ethical balance of biomedical and psychotherapeutic interventions, a clear and public dialogue about the efficacy and advantage of different treatments is needed, but this consensus is still not achieved in many countries including Lithuania.
Both, psychotherapy and medication based treatment are regarded as useful elements of treatment from perspective of experts, as well as patients. However, there is lack of availability of psychotherapy services in mental health system in Lithuania
Is flexibility always associated with mental health? A study of coping and depression
Authors: Shell Jordana , Beaulieu Leah , Pothier Brittany , Dobson Keith , Drapeau Martin
Published: March 2018

Aim of the study

The present study aimed to determine if there is indeed a relationship between coping flexibility, defined as an ability to use a greater variety of coping strategies, and depression scores in patients suffering from major depression

Subject or material and methods

The participants of this study were clinical patients undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The sample was taken from the cognitive-behavioural therapy arm of Jacobson’s landmark study (1996, 2008). Depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck, Rush, Shaw & Emery, 1979), coping strategies were identified using the Coping Patterns Rating Scale (CPRS; Perry, Drapeau, & Dunkley, 2005), and coping flexibility was calculated using Gini’s C concentration measure.

Results

No significant association was found between flexibility in coping and severity of depression.

Discussion

No correlation was found between BDI scores and flexibility scores, suggesting that coping flexibility is not related to depression severity. However, while flexibility in coping, or lack thereof, is not associated with depression severity, it remains to be seen if decreased flexibility in coping is different in individuals suffering from depression when compared to non-depressed individuals.

Conclusions

The absence of a significant association between coping flexibility and depression severity does to some extent call into question theories about flexibility in mental health, or at the very least, it circumscribes them. While mental illness may be related to increased cognitive and behavioral rigidity, it appears that the severity of the illness is unrelated to rigidity.
EDITORIAL
Authors: Cyranka Katarzyna
Published: March 2018

Several articles in this issue of Archives address the subject of education and psychoeducation in relation to various issues connected with mental health [1]. Assuming that emotional intelligence is of paramount importance in achieving professional efficiency by residents functioning in the emergency department of the Iranian university hospital, they argue that short educational training improving this type of intelligence brings the expected results. Shah et al. [2] postulate educating medical students towards more liberal attitudes to sexual behavior. The premise for this would be the results of their research indicating the relatively conservative opinions of students who start their medical studies in India with respect to autoerotic, heterosexual, homosexual, deviant and non-sexual behaviors. Ghahremani et al. [3] studied the impact of the short educational program on the negative image of one's body and self-respect in the group of high school students in Iran - stating its promising effectiveness.
AINOSAINOS: DOS ENIGMAS
Authors: Giffoni Giovanna
Published: March 2018

O que diz o enigma? De que fala o enigma, e de onde? Onde vige o enigma dentro dovigor enigmático? Responder à pergunta é procurar o monstro recolhido em rodilhas narecôndita rotunda, ao centro circular do labirinto. Mas, queremos mesmo encontrá-lo?No empenho de demanda pelo monstro lança-se Teseu, desfazendo o emaranhadocarretel em carreiras de corredores lineares. Não para decifrar o enigma, mas para deleescapar após ver o seu rosto – face a face. Contemplar a face do monstro, demonstrá-laa si mesmo, como monstro também que se vislumbra num espelho. Assim o diz. Atravésdo espelho em enigma: a si mesmo. O presente artigo apresenta um breve estudo sobreenigma aliado a tradução direta do grego de alguns exemplos extraídos da AntologiaGrega.
The importance of forage
Authors: Short Emma
Published: March 2018

Emma Short BSc (Hons), equine nutritionist at Baileys Horse Feeds, explains just why forage is such a vital part of the equine diet
The horse's sole … getting to the bottom of it
Authors: Brown Sarah-Mary
Published: March 2018

Sarah-Mary Brown FWCF examines the sole, its functions and common ailments
Ex-racehorses: a unique veterinary challenge
Authors: Sidlow Gordon
Published: March 2018

Trustee of the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre Gordon Sidlow BVMS MRCVS, describes their philosophy and rehabilitation process
Radiological appearance of the navicular bone
Authors: Biggi Marianna
Published: March 2018

Marianna Biggi, equine diagnostic imaging specialist, from Vet-CT teleradiology services, advises on radiological interpretation of the navicular bone
Thoughts on the diagnosis and control of Johne's disease in cattle
Authors: Cutler Keith
Published: March 2018

The reliable detection of Map infected animals prior to progression to shedding significant quantity of the infectious organism and clinical Johne's disease continues to frustrate. A lack of ‘good’ laboratory tests is often cited as the cause yet the tests available have high specificity. Perhaps an overreliance on confirmatory testing and a willingness to interpret positive results as ‘false’ positives due to cross reactivity is confounding the situation which may become clearer with the development of new testing technologies allowing real progress to be made.
Evaluation of key performance indicators to monitor performance in beef herds
Authors: Hewitt Sarah , Green Martin , Hudson Chris
Published: March 2018

Key performance indicators can be used to monitor the efficiency of production, identify areas where improvements could be made, and monitor the effects of any management changes. Their use in the beef sector is increasing, however the evidence behind which performance indicators are most useful in achieving overall enterprise success is limited. A collaborative project between The University of Nottingham and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Beef and Lamb aims to investigate the relationships between key performance indicators and enterprise success using focus group discussion, data analysis and simulation modelling.
Dairy Sheep and Goat Conference 2018
Authors: Wilkinson Anthony
Published: March 2018

Over a hundred and twenty delegates from Canada, Israel, Europe and the British Isles came together for the annual Dairy Sheep and Goat Conference held near Bristol for the third year running on the 19th and 20th February, 2018. The conference was organised by The Dairy Sheep and Goat Consultancy.
Exotic diseases threatening the national pig herd's health
Authors: Crayford Georgina
Published: March 2018

African swine fever and porcine epidemic diarrhoea are two notifiable diseases of pigs that, thankfully, have not reached the UK. However the potential for an incursion of one of these diseases is very real, especially considering the global trade of pigs and pig meat and the movement of people and vehicles. This article highlights how veterinary practitioners can best support their pig-keeping clients to ensure their herds do not fall victim to either disease. The latest developments around the pig industry's commitments to reduce antibiotic use are also covered.
NHS pensions for new employees
Authors: Dempsey Mark
Published: March 2018

Starting a new job is a testing time timing for both employer and employee. Mark Dempsey outlines the process for enrolment on to the NHS Pension scheme
Análise da lei de depósito legal brasileira sob a ótica de Larivière (2000)
Authors: Rodrigues Marcia
Published: March 2018

O presente trabalho apresenta uma revisão teórica sobre o tema do depósito legal de publicações, incluindo uma análise da lei brasileira sobre depósito legal – Lei n. 10.994/2004, à luz das recomendações propostas por Larivière, em sua publicação intitulada Guidelines for legal deposit legislation, publicada em 2000. O estudo aponta mudanças, ao longo da história, das finalidades do depósito legal. O paradigma atual faz com que o objetivo principal do depósito legal convirja para a  preservação do patrimônio cultural e a construção de uma memória documental nacional. A análise da lei brasileira demonstra a necessidade de adequação de alguns aspectos apontados por Larivière (2000). De forma ampla, a lei mostra-se adequada aos propósitos do depósito legal e, consequentemente, aos objetivos do Controle Bibliográfico Universal.
In vitro conservation of ornamental plants
Authors: Corrêa da Silva Diogo Pedrosa , Ozudogru Elif Aylin , Dos Reis Michele Valquíria , Lambardi Maurizio
Published: March 2018

The market of flowers and ornamental plants is dependent on the diversification of species and the availability of high quality propagation materials. Actually, in vitro culture techniques performance a prominent role in the multiplication and maintenance of commercially propagated ornamental plant species, and are promising for the production of thousands of high quality plants in relatively short term. In addition, when market demand for a particular species is low or zero in a specific period of the year, in vitro culture techniques allow the conservation of cultures under aseptic conditions, by Slow Growth Storage (SGS), from a few weeks to one year (or more), without affecting their viability and potential regrowth. This can be achieved by modifying the constitution of the culture medium and the maintenance conditions of in vitro cultures. Obviously, the success of the technique depends on greatly on the physiological characteristics of the species to be conserved, as well. Once a SGS protocol is optimized, the expenses labor, the possibility of contamination and the probability of somaclonal variation can be reduced markedly.
La Evolución biológica en la Biofilosofía de F. J. Ayala
Authors: Cano Espinosa Diego
Published: March 2018

El discurso biológico de Ayala se centra en estas tres cuestiones: 1) El hecho de la evolución. 2) Historia de la evolución. 3) Mecanismos del desarrollo y cambio evolutivos. El hecho determinante y cierto, según Ayala, es la evidencia de relaciones entre todos los organismos debidas a una común descendencia con modificaciones como lo han demostrado con abundancia la Paleontología, Anatomía comparada, Biogeografía, Embriología, Genética Molecular, Bioinformática y otras disciplinas biológicas que nos llevan a la afirmación de que el hecho de la evolución de los seres vivos tiene el mismo grado de certeza que poseen los hechos históricos y científicos ampliamente confirmados. Para Ayala, explicaciones acerca del origen del mundo, del hombre y de otras criaturas se encuentran en todas las culturas. Tras la publicación del Origen de las Especies de C. Darwin en 1859, se produce gran polémica en los medios científicos, culturales y religiosos, pero pasado un período de maduración, el darwinismo logra ser aceptado especialmente bajo las formas de Neo-darwinismo y Teoría Sintética. Otro asunto muy distinto son las diversas teorías y micro-teorías que se proponen para explicar los mecanismos de la evolución de los organismos vivos que presentan todavía profundas lagunas, deficiencias y controversias que han provocado la aparición de teorías alternativas. No obstante, el darwinismo moderno constituye un peldaño importante en la reconstrucción del sinuoso y complejo proceso evolutivo de la vida a través de millones de años acudiendo a una razonable explicación causal sin que esto atente contra ningún supuesto religioso.
Hacia una filosofía de la astrobiología
Authors: Aretxaga-Burgos Roberto
Published: March 2018

Tomando como fundamento la historia y literatura astrobiológicas, exploramos la posibilidad y necesidad de una Filosofía de la Astrobiología, proponemos una definición de Filosofía de la Astrobiología y su consideración como subdisciplina de la Filosofía de la Ciencia, distinta de la Filosofía de la Biología. Incluimos una bibliografía para una Filosofía de la Astrobiología.
La pregunta por el hombre y las antropologías
Authors: Estrada Juan A.
Published: March 2018

La pregunta por el hombre ha generado distintas respuestas. Las antropologías están ligadas a los códigos culturales y en éstos han sido determinantes las teologías. En esta breve reflexión se analizan las antropologías hebreas, griegas y cristianas, comparándolas y especificando sus aportaciones a la cultura occidental. Se concluye con algunas indicaciones sobre la discusión antropológica actual.
Nuevas perspectivas en el debate sobre la naturaleza humana
Authors: Marcos Alfredo
Published: March 2018

En un artículo anterior, titulado Filosofía de la naturaleza humana, he expuesto mi posición crítica respecto de las corrientes que abogan por la negación de la naturaleza humana, por su completa naturalización o por su completa artificialización. Aquí haré un breve resumen de esta posición (apartado 1), para a continuación profundizar en las críticas, pero ya en diálogo con varios autores que configuran un cambio de perspectiva contemporáneo respecto de la cuestión (apartado 2). En su conjunto, estos autores presentan una crítica muy lúcida al naturalismo vigente, así como sugerencias interesantes para una nueva y más acertada teoría de la naturaleza humana. Me detendré especialmente en las aportaciones de Thomas Nagel, porque creo que echan las bases para un posible diálogo constructivo, en torno a la naturaleza humana, entre posiciones teístas y no teístas (apartado 3). Este diálogo ha de apoyarse, según defiendo en el apartado conclusivo, en las indicaciones del sentido común crítico (apartado 4)., anidación, fecundación, diálogo.
Algunas cuestiones sobre el concepto de mejora
Authors: Cañón Loyes Camino
Published: March 2018

En los años ochenta emergió la cuestión de la licitud moral de la mejora por relación a la terapia. Para presentar la problemática actual sobre el tema se ofrece el constructo denominado Práctica de Intervención del Cuerpo (PIC) caracterizado por cinco parámetros: M o la materia de la transformación, CT o la tecnociencia disponible, A o las concepciones vigentes de lo natural y lo artificial, N o las visiones de la naturaleza humana culturalmente compartidas y V o las valoraciones éticas a las que se apela para legitimar la transformación. Se apunta el nivel ontológico como necesario para comprender y debatir las diferencias existentes en criterio moral. El concepto de naturaleza humana como referente normativo está en crisis, pero su ausencia deja un vacío que hace urgente una deliberación para llegar a una instancia normativa común.
El impacto de las Tecnologías de la Comunicación y la Información en los procesos cognitivos humanos. Implicaciones para la naturaleza humana
Authors: Lumbreras Sara , Moreno Ana , Latorre Jesús
Published: March 2018

Las Tecnologías de la Comunicación y la Información (TCIs) han cambiado drásticamente la manera en la que accedemos al conocimiento y procesamos datos, cómo aprendemos y trabajamos y nuestra manera de relacionarnos con otros seres humanos. El interés creciente que despiertan las consecuencias del uso de las TCIs se ha manifestado en múltiples estudios aislados que analizan estos fenómenos desde puntos de vista diferentes. Este artículo tiene como objetivo proporcionar una perspectiva unificadora de estos trabajos, reflexionando sobre las consecuencias que el uso de las TCI está teniendo en nuestras habilidades intelectuales y en cómo nos percibimos a nosotros mismos como seres humanos.
Anotaciones sobre la ciencia y la fe a la luz de la epistemología actual
Authors: Prieto López Leopoldo José
Published: March 2018

La ciencia ha sido utilizada frecuentemente como instrumento de refutación de la religión. El intento más decidido en esta dirección lo ha realizado el positivismo, que identificando ciencia y verdad, declaraba falsas las afirmaciones de la religión. El neopositivismo, posteriormente, apelando al principio de verificación empírica, en lugar de declarar falsas las posiciones de la religión, las considera carentes de sentido. La actual epistemología, sin embargo, ha criticado el uso que se hace de dicho principio. Así pues, el staus quaestionis actual sobre la relación ente ciencia y fe se asienta sobre dos fundamentos: si, de un lado, las diferencias de objeto, método y fines entre ciencia y religión hacen lógicamente imposible una refutación de la religión por la ciencia, de otro lado, la misma ciencia admite la existencia de un espacio abierto para garantizar una certeza (fundada en la fe) que ella misma no es capaz de proporcionar.
Cereblon Maintains Synaptic and Cognitive Function by Regulating BK Channel
Authors: Choi Tae-Yong , Lee Seung-Hyun , Kim Yoon-Jung , Bae Jae Ryul , Lee Kwang Min , Jo Youhwa , Kim Soo-Jeong , Lee A-Ram , Choi Sekyu , Choi La-Mee , Bang Sunhoe , Song Mi-Ryoung , Chung Jongkyeong , Lee Kyung Jin , Kim Sung Hyun , Park Chul-Seung , Choi Se-Young
Published: March 2018

Mutations in thecereblon(CRBN) gene cause human intellectual disability, one of the most common cognitive disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms ofCRBN-related intellectual disability remain poorly understood. We investigated the role ofCRBNin synaptic function and animal behavior using male mouse andDrosophilamodels.Crbnknock-out (KO) mice showed normal brain and spine morphology as well as intact synaptic plasticity; however, they also exhibited decreases in synaptic transmission and presynaptic release probability exclusively in excitatory synapses. Presynaptic function was impaired not only by loss of CRBN expression, but also by expression of pathogenic CRBN mutants (human R419X mutant andDrosophilaG552X mutant). We found that the BK channel blockers paxilline and iberiotoxin reversed this decrease in presynaptic release probability inCrbnKO mice. In addition, paxilline treatment also restored normal cognitive behavior inCrbnKO mice. These results strongly suggest that increased BK channel activity is the pathological mechanism of intellectual disability inCRBNmutations.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCereblon(CRBN), a well known target of the immunomodulatory drug thalidomide, was originally identified as a gene that causes human intellectual disability when mutated. However, the molecular mechanisms of CRBN-related intellectual disability remain poorly understood. Based on the idea that synaptic abnormalities are the most common factor in cognitive dysfunction, we monitored the synaptic structure and function ofCrbnknock-out (KO) animals to identify the molecular mechanisms of intellectual disability. Here, we found thatCrbnKO animals showed cognitive deficits caused by enhanced BK channel activity and reduced presynaptic glutamate release. Our findings suggest a physiological pathomechanism of the intellectual disability-related geneCRBNand will contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies forCRBN-related intellectual disability.
Zapata reactivado: una visión žižekiana del Centenario de la Constitución
Authors: Centeno Ramón I.
Published: March 2018

La Constitución de 1917 ha cumplido cien años. Su principal innovación, producto de la guerra civil en curso, fue la gestación de un constitucionalismo social, plasmado en los artículos 3, 27 y 123. Cien años después, el potencial emancipatorio implicado en esos artículos ha sido revocado en la práctica política de México. Este ensayo da sustento a la anterior afirmación, pero también sugiere una ruta para rehabilitar la justicia social. Inspirado en la crítica de la ideología de Žižek, sostengo que hay que volver a empezar, hay que repetir a Zapata; esto es, hay que recuperar, para la época actual, el tipo de intervención capaz de imponer nuevas coordenadas para la reinvención política del país.

The Constitution of 1917 is now one hundred years old. Its primary innovation, a product of the ongoing civil war, was the development of a social constitutionalism, as expressed in articles 3, 27 and 123. One hundred years later, the emancipatory potential implied in these articles has been eliminated from political practice in Mexico. This essay substantiates this assertion, but also suggests a way to regenerate social justice. Inspired by Žižek's critique of ideology, I propose that we must begin from the beginning, we must repeat Zapata; in other words, we must retrieve, for our present moment, the type of intervention capable of infusing new directions to enable the political reinvention of the country.
Reflections on The Possibility of Using Statistical Analysis Science and Innovation in The Republic of Moldova
Authors: Aurelia Turcan (Susu)
Published: March 2018

The evaluation and comparability of statistics indicators of the   science and innovation  on international background reflect country competitiveness and it position regarding field of science, innovation and distribution of new technologies. Better comprehensions of the factors that contribute at the success in these fields are helped by using proper indicators like instruments of identification of the best practice. But the system of indicators is developed only for the ”science”. The ”innovation” in Moldova is not covered by statistical work and can only be assessed indirectly.
Theoretical Issues of Legal Regulation of Municipal Solid Waste Handling
Authors: Alua Altynbekkyzy , Nurzhanovich Bekezhanov Dauren
Published: March 2018

The relevance of comparative analysis of legal regulation of environmental protection is due to several reasons. Firstly, it expands the boundaries of interpretation of legal norms and acts of environmental law. Secondly, it allows relying on experience in the latest achievements of legislative activity in developed countries. Thirdly, taking into consideration the legislative mistakes of other countries, it helps to avoid similar mistakes in the process of improving Kazakh legislation. And finally, it is the starting point for multilateral and bilateral cooperation in the field of environmental law.
Valstybės ir bažnyčios santykiai konstitucinėje jurisprudencijoje: tarp atskyrimo ir atskirumo
Authors: Murauskas Donatas
Published: March 2018

The article analyses current scholarship on the relations between the church and the state in the jurisprudence of Lithuanian Constitutional Court. Particular attention is drawn to the principle of the separateness of the state and the church (bažnyčios ir valstybės atskirumas) which is perceived as a peculiar feature of Lithuanian constitutional jurisprudence. The constitutional jurisprudence is analysed considering the concept of state-neutrality developed by representatives of political philosophy. The risks related to development of the constitutional idea of the cooperation of state and church in the light of state neutrality principle are identified.
Administracinės teisės samprata ir mokslas tarpukario Lietuvoje
Authors: Deviatnikovaitė Ieva
Published: March 2018

Gian Domenico Romagnosi published the first book about administrative law in 1814. The first administrative case in France was examined by the Tribunal des conflits in 1873. Lawyer Antoni Okolski introduced definition of administrative law in Polish language in 1880. In the interwar period, neither a state nor a higher education institution in Lithuania published at its own expense any administrative law book. However, it was analysed in some scientific articles. Thus, the purpose of this study is to analyse them as it allows to establish the development of administrative law in Lithuania.
Relationship maternal subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness and development of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kansu-Celik Hatice , Karakaya Burcu Kisa , Tasci Yasemin , Hancerliogullari Necati , Yaman Selen , Ozel Sule , Erkaya Salim
Published: March 2018

Objective

We investigated whether the ultrasonographic measurement of maternal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) thickness in the second trimester played a role in predicting gestational diabetes.

Materials and methods

This was a prospective cross-sectional study in which 223 women were classified as healthy (n = 177) or as gestational diabetes (n = 46) on the basis of a negative or positive two-step oral Glucose Challenge Test (GCT), respectively. The depth of the abdominal SAT was evaluated by two-dimensional ultrasonography. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist/hip ratio were determined.

Results

There was a positive strong significant correlation between a 50-g GCT level and BMI, WC, and SAT thickness (p < 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed SAT thickness above 16.75 mm predicted gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with a sensitivity of 71.7%, a specificity of 57.1%, a positive predictive value of 32.3%, and a negative predictive value of 87.6%. There was a good correlation between SAT, BMI, and WC.

Conclusion

Increased SAT, BMI, and WC measurements may be helpful in predicting the risk of the development of GDM in pregnant women.
Risk factors contributing to gingival recession among patients undergoing different orthodontic treatment modalities
Authors: Sawan Nozha Mahmoud , Ghoneima Ahmed , Stewart Kelton , Liu Sean
Published: March 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors contributing to gingival recession among patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Methods

Records of 100 Caucasian patients who completed orthodontic treatment were evaluated before and after treatment. Intercanine and molar widths, arch perimeter, arch depth, and keratinized gingival height were measured for both arches. The association of orthodontic treatment strategy (changing incisal inclination, expansion, and extraction), keratinized gingival height, and various other measurements with gingival recession was evaluated by using generalized linear mixed models with logistic regression analysis.

Results

For each 1 mm increase in pre- and post-treatment keratinized gingival height, there was 0.77 and 0.51 times lower odds of gingival recession. For each 1 mm increase in post-treatment intercanine width, there was 0.80 times lower odds of gingival recession. And for each 1 mm increase in change in the arch depth, there was 1.16 times higher odds of gingival recession. For each 1 mm increase in pre- and post-treatment mandibular symphysis width, there was 0.47 and 0.39 times lower odds of gingival recession.

Conclusion

Regardless of the type of orthodontic treatment, increased keratinized gingival height, mandibular symphysis width, and post-treatment intercanine width lower the risk of gingival recession.
Book review
Authors: Longhurst Phil
Published: March 2018

Sustainable solid waste management
Medición de carbono del estrato arbóreo del bosque natural Tinajillas-Limón Indanza, Ecuador
Authors: Jumbo-Salazar Carlos Alberto , Arévalo Delgado Carla Daniela , Ramirez-Cando Lenin J.
Published: March 2018

Establecer la eficiencia de los bosques en materia de servicios ecológicos y funciones ecosistémicas, implica descubrir las condiciones que regulan su desempeño, mismas que guardan relación con las características funcionales de las especies vegetales. A fin de aportar con conocimiento sobre estos requerimientos, se condujo la presente investigación, considerando el comportamiento de las especies en función del hábitat, valor de importancia, interacciones intra- e interespecíficas, para con ello, arribar a la determinación de las cantidades de carbono almacenado en el estrato arbóreo del bosque natural Tinajillas, ubicado al sur de la Cordillera Oriental de los Andes, cantón Limón Indanza, provincia de Morona Santiago. Para el efecto, se aplicó el método recomendado por el Manual de Campo de la Evaluación Nacional Forestal del Ecuador, y los criterios del Panel Intergubernamental para el Cambio climático. Como resultado de la investigación, se estableció que en las 118 ha de bosque, el volumen de madera es de 13 521 m³, es decir 115 m³/ha, representado en su mayoría por especies de la familia Melastomataceae, entre las que consta Miconia sp. La cantidad de carbono almacenado, es de 4 835 t, resultando 41 t/ha. La familia Melastomataceae contiene mayor cantidad de carbono (13 t/ha), mientras que la especie con mayor cantidad de carbono almacenado es Miconia sp con un valor de 8 t/ha. Al resultar los índices de valor de importancia en favor de estas especies y juzgando por las Clases Naturales de Edad, se desprende que el bosque se encuentra en un período de sucesión vegetal, situación que contribuye a generar una importante dinámica en materia de captura de carbono.
Árboles dispersos y su efecto en la productividad de los potreros en la amazonia ecuatoriana
Authors: Congo Yépez Carlos Danilo , Velástegui Lara Francisco Javier , Caicedo Vargas Carlos Estuardo , Rodríguez Iturralde Luis Fernando , Vera Zambrano Antonio Plutarco , Montero Cruz Andersson Omar
Published: March 2018

Se seleccionaron 50 potreros con 10 años de establecimiento asociados con especies arbóreas, se realizó el inventario de las especies dispersas con diámetros de altura al pecho (DAP) ≥ 5 cm. En cada árbol se midieron las variables dasométricas DAP, altura total, área de copa. Se determinó su frecuencia, riqueza, abundancia, índice de valor de importancia, índice de biodiversidad basada en la abundancia proporcional de especies(Shannon,Simpson) y de riqueza de especies (Margalef). Se registraron 22 familias, el 83,8% corresponden a especies maderables y el 16,2% a especies frutales, la familia con mayor número de individuos fue Boraginaceae con 194 individuos. El DAP explico el 96% de la variación del área basal, a medida que este se incrementó y las estructuras de las especies arbóreas no demostraron inﬂuir en la producción de materia seca, cobertura y calidad de las pasturas, debido a la baja cobertura arbórea (3,69 ± 0,67%) y al número de árboles dispersos en los potreros (5 a 7 árboles ha−1). El impacto de la cobertura arbórea demostró que incide signiﬁcativamente en el crecimiento de las plantas, demostrando que el cultivar Marandú tiene una mejor tolerancia a la sombra respecto al Dallis y Saboya. Se concluye que los ecosistemas ganaderos Amazónicos del centro norte del Ecuador de acuerdo a los índices de biodiversidad estarían considerados como bajos, pero con una riqueza media de especies dispersas en potreros. Se identiﬁcó 4 especies con mayor peso ecológico superior al promedio (3,4%) Cordia alliodora, Cedrela odorata, Schizolobium parahybum y Psidium guajava.
Los miedos en tiempos de crisis según docentes y estudiantes de Argentina
Authors: Langer Eduardo
Published: March 2018

This paper address the meanings and the sense that secondary teachers and students of urban poverty schools in the suburbs of Buenos Aires (Argentina) assign to their fears in times of crisis. The goal is to describe the tensions between fear and hopes contained in those meanings and senses, whether inside or outside of the school context. The central question of this paper is how and why, despite living –and surviving– in a state of societal crisis which produces many fears in people, both teachers and students value the school as useful, and have hopes about their education and training, and also about their future. The paper answers to this question within the framework of a multiple research methods process which includes interviews and in-depth observations to students and teachers; audiovisual productions in a secondary school; and action and intervention with all secondary schools of the San Martin District of Buenos Aires. The results of the discussion are that in spite of the fears, the uncertainty, and the disorientation that seems to prevail in the school; teachers and students also have hopes, wishes, dreams, and projects, even in conditions where it seems there is no place for them.
Cuerpo, género y espacio. Sistemas automotrices en el nivel medio superior
Authors: Ayala Silvia Ochoa
Published: March 2018

The study of school spaces and their interrelationships, with other aspects such as the generic position that, bodies take in different places of their school environment is a field of fruitful study, which, allows to analyze the dynamics of networks power in educational institutions, from a different perspective. The characteristics of each campus are significant for defining their particularities in institutional generality. This qualitative work is based on field notes, interviews and autobiographies in a group of 6th semester, the last of the technical expertise of Automotive Systems CECyT N°7 “Cuauhtémoc” Instituto Politécni-co Nacional, México, morning shift. This group was formed with 40 students 32 men and 8 women. Four accounts as performative pictures show the complexity of networks space-gender, where axes intersec-tional gender, ethnicity, class and age condition, overlap to build situated dynamic of technical specialty.