bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The anti-integrity activity of eugenol on inflammatory markers of chronic atherosclerosis
Authors: Karuppasamy Venkadeswaran , Kandhasamy Subramanian , Ramasamy Rajeswari , Sekar Suresh Kumar , Sriniva Venkatesh , Varatharajan varalakshmi , Ramar Suganya , R Subashini , Kannan Shalini
Published: November 2021

The putative anti-atherogenic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory potential of atherogenic diet-fed, eugenol-treated Wistar rats were studied. The levels of hematological parameters (ESR, WBC, and platelet count); the mean levels of nitric oxide (NO), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were investigated in serum samples. The mean ESR, platelet, and total WBC counts were all significantly higher in atherogenic diet-fed (Group II) rat when compared with normal (Group I), whereas the mean ESR, platelet, and total WBC counts were significantly lower in atherogenic diet-fed followed by eugenol treatment (Group III). The mean hepatic tissue mRNA transcript level of the gene responsible for CRP, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB and expression of their protein levels were determined in liver tissue samples were found to be significantly higher in the atherogenic diet-fed followed saline treatment (Group II) rats than the normal fed (Group I) rats. However, in hepatic tissue samples from an atherogenic diet-fed followed by eugenol treated rats, the mean mRNA the transcript level of the gene encoding CRP, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB and their mean concentration of the protein translation were significantly lower than the values in Group II rat’s hepatic tissue, approaching near-normal levels. These results are exhibited anti-atherogenic potential in hypercholesterolemic Wistar rats due to their hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Urban Heat and Urban Cool Islands of Different Land Use Types in Cuiabá, Brazil
Authors: Souza Natallia Sanches e , Nogueira Marta Cristina de Jesus Albuquerque , Santos Flávia Maria de Moura , Sanches Luciana
Published: November 2021

Urban heat islands (UHIs), urban cool islands (UCIs), and their varying effects due to land use/land cover types and the local climate were investigated from 2014 to 2015 in three urban zones located in Cuiabá city, Brazil, during hot-humid, and hot-dry periods. All the urban zones were analysed for land use/land cover type, local climate, and rate of warming and cooling based on the difference in air temperature (ΔT) between the urban zones and the rural zone located outside the urban perimeter. The annual UHI effect in all the urban zones exhibited varying intensities during the day, with the highest daytime intensity recorded after the sunrise. The duration of UHI effect varied with land use/land cover type; a consequence of high built-up density, verticalization, waterproof surface, and other peculiarities of urban areas. In the urban zones with high built-up density, the duration of UHI effect was observed for up to 24 h, while in the urban areas with low built-up density, the maximum duration of UHI effect was 8 h. On an average, during the daytime, the urban zone with approximately 70% of vegetation cover and water bodies recorded a UCI value of approximately –8 °C, whereas the urban zones with approximately 80% waterproof surface and bare land recorded a UCI value close to +2 °C during the hot-dry and hot-humid periods. The results indicate that land use and land cover types directly influence UHI intensity.
A Retrospective Study of 657 Women With Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VaIN)
Authors: Meng Fanhui , Cao Yunyun , Wang Yudong
Published: November 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the clinical characteristics of patients with VaIN and identify more sensitive diagnostic methods.Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 657 patients with VaIN from the International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Shanghai during a ten-year period. Results: Among the 657 patients, 26.5% were diagnosed with VaIN 2/3. The proportions of patients with VaIN 2/3 among those who did and did not undergo hysterectomy were 39.5% and 24.7%, respectively. The sensitivity of cytology for VaIN in those with only VaIN, VaIN concomitant with cervical or vulvar lesions, and posthysterectomy VaIN was 56.7%, 66.5%, and 72.3%, respectively. The sensitivity of hrHPV for VaIN in the same categories was 87.7%, 86.5%, and 74.3%, respectively. The sensitivity of cytology and hrHPV cotesting for VaIN in the same categories was 95.2%, 95.6%, and 95.0%, respectively. In patients who did not undergo hysterectomy, HPV16 was detected in 9.5% of VaIN 1 lesions among the HPV DNA-positive patients, while the other 12 types of HPV were detected in 62.6% of VaIN 1 lesions. In patients who underwent hysterectomy, HPV16 was detected in 2.1% of VaIN 1 lesions, and the other 12 types of HPV were detected in 54.2% of VaIN 1 lesions.Conclusions: A combination of cytology and colposcopy could increase the sensitivity of the diagnosis of VaIN. The other 12 high-risk types of HPV positive may be more closely related to VAIN 1, more attention should be paid.
Analysis on the Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of China's Grain Production
Authors: Li Shaoting , Zhang Daojun , Xie Yuan , Yang Chao
Published: November 2021

The rapid economic development and climate change have accelerated the changes in China's food production and have a potential impact on food security. In this paper, the grain sown area from 2001 to 2019 was selected to analyze the spatio-temporal evolution and driving factors of China's grain production through spatial autocorrelation analysis and geographically weighted regression. Our findings were as follows: (1) From the perspective of time characteristics, China's grain production from 2001 to 2019 experienced four stages: rapid decline, rapid growth, steady growth, and slow decline, although with an overall upward trend. (2) From the perspective of spatial characteristics, the overall spatial pattern had a significant positive correlation. The high values were mainly concentrated in Shandong, Anhui and Jilin, and moved to the northeast China as time went on. (3) In terms of influencing factors, the positive impact of agricultural labor force on the grain production gradually decreased, showing a decreasing trend from southwest to northeast. The promotion of agricultural mechanization on the grain production increased year by year, with the spatial distribution characteristics of high in the northeast and low in the southwest. Besides, the coefficient of water resources endowment was negative, showing a spatial distribution pattern of high north and low south.
Prediction of Surface Plasmon Resonsnce and More Accurate Representation of Absorption Features Both Below and Above the Bandgap in ZnO Nanorods array – Au Heterostructures
Authors: Qaemi Mahla , Hasanzadeh Abdollah
Published: November 2021

Well-oriented zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) arrays have been grown by low temperature chemical bath deposition on seeded substrates. A gold thin film has obliquely been deposited by DC magnetron sputtering on the ZnO NRs array. The structure, mophology/ chemical identity, vibrational identity have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field effect- scanning electron microscope/ energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FE-SEM/EDX) and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. The FCC structure of Au is formed on vertically oriented ZnO NRs-array. The wavelength dependent photocurrent of ZnO NRs array-Au heteronanostructure (HNS) was evaluated by photogain response under red, green and blue laser illuminations. Surface plasmon excitation activates selective response to green laser exposure. An analytical dispersion formalism has been constructed to fit experimental absorption spectrum over wide spectrum range and to extract precise bandgap energy, subband tailing, dielectric constant and carrier effective mass. The proposed model exploits the Frouhi–Bloomer (FB) parameterization and Gaussian oscillator dispersion to the complex dielectric function for Au decorated ZnO NRs array. Sharp variation in the optical absorption around the bandgap edge and the absorption behavior beyond the bandgap edge are covered as well. It is surprising that the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is included without new formalism. The new model has been satisfactorily tested on CuO optical absorption.
Skin Targeting of An Optimized Caffeine Nanostructured Lipid Carrier With Improved Efficiency Against Chemotherapy Induced Alopecia
Authors: Makky Amna , Sadddar Eman , galaa Doaa , Khattab Abeer
Published: November 2021

The current investigation was designed to develop and optimize caffeine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for topical alopecia treatment. Screening of drug solubility in various excipients was executed. The 23 full factorial design was employed for NLCs optimization. Lipid type, surfactant type, and drug concentration were the independent variables. Entrapment efficiency (EE), particle size, polydispersity index (PDI) and % drug release were the chosen responses. Physiochemical evaluation, in vitro release, ex-vivo permeation, and stability study were achieved. The solubility of caffeine in stearic acid and glyceryl monostearate (GMS) was 47.11 ± 3.048 and 32.67 ± 2.955 mg/g, respectively. Oleic acid: garlic oil mixture at ratio 1:1 v/v was the oily phase. Tween 80 and Cremophor EL, Transcutol HP, carbonate buffer (pH 10.8 and ionic strength 200Mm) were chosen as a surfactant, co-surfactant, and aqueous phase, respectively. The optimized formula showed particle size, %EE, PDI, zeta potential of 358nm, 72.55 %, 0.912, -24.8, respectively. The % release was 92.9 ± 4.9 % after 4hours. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed an improved permeation of caffeine-loaded NLCs to the whole skin layers. The histological examination proved the efficiency of caffeine NLCs optimized formula on promoting hair growth compared to the market formula.
Reversible Epigenetic Alterations Regulate Class I HLA Loss in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Rodems Tamara , Henninger Erika , Stahlfeld Charlotte , Gilsdorf Cole , Carlson Kristin , Kircher Madison , Singh Anupama , Krueger Timothy , Beebe David , Jarrard David , McNeel Douglas , Haffner Michael , Lang Joshua
Published: November 2021

Downregulation of HLA class I (HLA-I) impairs immune recognition and surveillance in prostate cancer and may underlie the ineffectiveness of checkpoint blockade. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating HLA-I loss in prostate cancer have not been fully explored. Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of HLA-I genomic, epigenomic and gene expression alterations in primary and metastatic human prostate cancer. Loss of HLA-I gene expression was associated with repressive chromatin states including DNA methylation, histone H3 tri-methylation at lysine 27, and reduced chromatin accessibility. Pharmacological DNMT and HDAC inhibition decreased DNA methylation and increased H3 lysine 27 acetylation and resulted in re-expression of HLA-I on the surface of tumor cells. Re-expression of HLA-I on LNCaP cells by DNMT and HDAC inhibition increased activation of co-cultured PSMA27-38-specific CD8+ T-cells. Methylated HLA-I was detected in HLA-Ilow circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which may serve as a biomarker for identifying patients who would benefit from epigenetic targeted therapies.
Coronavirus Spread Limitation Using Detective Smart System
Authors: Ismail Morsy , Galal Osama , Saad Waleed
Published: November 2021

Given the circumstances the world is going through due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19); this paper proposes a new smart system that aims to reduce the spread of the virus. The proposed Covid-19 containment system is designed to be installed outside hospitals and medical centers. Additionally, it works at night as well as at daylight. The system is based on Deep Learning applied to pedestrian temperature data sets that are collected using thermal cameras. The data set is primarily of temperature of pedestrians around medical centers. The thermal cameras are paired with conventional cameras for image capturing and cross referencing the target pedestrian with an existing central database (Big Data). If target is positive, the system sends a text message to the potentially infected person's cell phone upon recognition. The advisory sent text may contain useful information such as the nearest testing or isolation facility. This proposed system is assumed to be linked with the bigger network of the country’s Covid-19 response efforts. The simulation results reveal that the system can achieve an average precision of 90% fever detection among pedestrians.
Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Two New Species of Sporocadaceae From Hainan, China
Authors: Zhang Zhaoxue , Mu Taichang , Liu Shubin , Liu Rongyu , Zhang Xiuguo , Xia Jiwen
Published: November 2021

Species of Sporocadaceae have often been reported as plant pathogens, endophytes or saprobic, commonly isolated from a wide range of plant hosts. The isolated fungi were studied through a complete examination based on multi-locus phylogeny of a combined dataset of ITS/TUB2/TEF1-α, in conjunction with morphological characteristics. Nine strains isolated from Schima superba, Ficus microcarpa and Ilex chinensis in Hainan Province, China, represented four species, viz, Monochaetia schimae sp. nov., Neopestalotiopsis haikouensis sp. nov., Neopestalotiopsis piceana and Pestalotiopsis licualacola.
Serum Complement Protein C3a Level is Associated With Anti dsDNA Ab in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: a Brief Report
Authors: Cai Yao-Hua , Deng Jun , Chen Zhao-Lin , Mei Heng , Tang Liang , Luo Shan-Shan , Hu Yu
Published: November 2021

Objective. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that is characterized by complement dysfunction and a wide range of autoantibody production. However, data about the relation between C3a and anti-ds DNA Ab in SLE are scarce. Methods.Thirteen SLE patients, diagnosed on the basis of SLICC classification criteria (6 patients positive for anti-Sm Ab, 7 patients positive for anti-dsDNA Ab) were enrolled in the present study. Serum levels of C3a, C1q were quantified by Western Blotting. Clinical, biochemical, serological and other markers of disease activity (anti-SM, anti-dsDNA) were measured by standard laboratory procedure.Results.Serum C3a levels were significantly higher in anti-dsDNA Ab (+) patients compared to anti-Sm Ab (+) patients (p < 0.01). And serum C3a levels positively correlated with SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) (p < 0.05, r = 0.6134). Interestingly, C3a was slightly correlated positively with D-Dimer, but no significant difference was found (p = 0.0983, r = 0.4783).Conclusion.C3a level is relative to SLE disease activity and may be a promising biomarker for monitoring thrombophilia in SLE.
Anticorrosive Multi-band 5G Wireless Communication and THz Electromagnetic-Interference Shielding with Graphene Assembled Film
Authors: Song Rongguo , Mao Boyang , Wang Zhe , Zhang Ning , Fang Ran , Zhang Jingwei , Wu Yuen , Ge Qi , Novoselov Kostya , He Daping
Published: November 2021

Since first developed, the conducting materials in wireless communication and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding devices have been primarily made of metal-based structures. Here, we present a highly conductive and corrosion-resistant graphene assembled film (GAF) that can be used to fabricate multi-band 5G wireless communication electronics and EMI protection at frequencies ranging from tens of MHz to THz to demonstrate its potential in metal replacement in practical electronics. The GAF based antennas (dipole antenna, ultra-wideband antenna and 5G wireless communication antenna array) are comparable with metal-based antennas in terms of performance and device complexity. The EMI shielding effectiveness of GAF can reach up to 127 dB in the frequency range of 2.6 GHz - 0.32 THz, and a maximum shielding effectiveness per unit thickness is of 6966 dB/mm. Furthermore, the GAF metamaterials exhibit promising frequency selection characteristics and angular stability as flexible frequency selective surfaces that can work at 3.5 GHz and 60 GHz respectively.
Atrazine Induces the Cytotoxicity of Ovarian Granulosa Cells via Inhibition of Nrf2-Mediated Defense Response
Authors: Li Xiao-Wei , Li Xue-Nan , Talukder Milton , Zhao Ying-Xin , Cui Jia-Gen , Li Jin-Long
Published: November 2021

Atrazine (ATR) is a commercial herbicide, which is widely used worldwide. Diaminochlorotriazine (DACT) is the main metabolite of ATR, which poses potential risks to ecosystem and health. However, the mechanism of ATR and DACT on ovarian granulocyte cells (GCs) is still not clear. To investigate the toxic effect of ATR and DACT in quail ovarian GCs. We established primary ovarian GCs as models. GCs were cultured with ATR (20, 100, and 250 µM) and DACT (20, 100 and 200 µM). Which showed normal morphology and uniform size in GCs of the control group, ovarian GCs are specifically identified, in which cell purity was above 90%. The half-inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of ATR and DACT were 261.20 µM and 214.17 µM, respectively. High doses of ATR and DACT caused changes in the ultrastructure of mitochondria, leading to oxidative stressand changes in apoptosis-related indicators, ATR and DACT activated Nrf2-mediated defense system-related factors. Our research showed that ATR and DACT are cytotoxic to GCs. ATR induced oxidative stress in ovarian GCs and activated Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling pathway to alleviate the toxicity of ATR. These results suggested useful evidence to investigate the female reproductive toxicity of ATR and DACT.
Determinants of Sleep Quality in Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: COVID-Inconfidentes, A Population-Based Study
Authors: Júnior Luiz Antonio Alves Menezes , Lourenção Luciano Garcia , Andrade Amanda Cristina de Souza , Carraro Júlia Cristina Cardoso , Machado-Coelho George Luiz Lins , Meireles Adriana Lúcia
Published: November 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a negative effect on the health and behavior of the world’s population.
Objectives

To evaluate sleep quality and its associated factors in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.
Methods

This is a population-based serological survey of 1762 adults collected from October to December 2020 in the Iron Quadrangle region, Brazil. To measure sleep quality, we used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire and socio-demographic, health, health related behaviors, anxiety, vitamin D, weight gain/loss, and pandemic characteristics were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with sleep quality.
Results

More than half of the individuals evaluated had poor sleep quality (52.5%). In multivariate analysis, factors related to sleep quality included living alone (OR=2.36; 95%CI: 1.11-5.00), anxiety disorder (OR=2.22; 95%CI: 1.20-4.14), 5.0% weight loss during the pandemic (OR=1.66; 95%CI: 1.01-2.76), weight gain of 5.0% (OR=1.90; 95%CI: 1.08-3.34), insufficient vitamin D scenario (OR=1.47; 95%CI: 1.01-2.12), and symptoms of COVID-19 (OR=1.94; 95%CI: 1.25-3.01).
Conclusions

Our study revealed that more than half of the participants had poor sleep quality during the COVID-19 outbreak, and the factors associated with poor sleep quality were related to the pandemic, such as insufficient vitamin D scenario and weight change.
Diagnostic utility of measuring lactate dehydrogenase levels and its isoenzyme activities for the evaluation of malignancy in feline pleural effusion and ascitic fluid
Authors: Naito Eiji , Shimada Roka , YUKI Masashi
Published: November 2021

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes may be useful in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion (PE) and ascitic fluid (AF) etiologies in cats since tissue damage induces their release, thereby changing the pattern of their activity. The present study aimed to determine the diagnostic utility of measuring LDH levels and its isoenzyme activities in PE or AF in cats with malignancy. We measured LDH levels and its isoenzyme activities in serum, PE, and AF in 29 cats and compared the results between malignant, infectious diseases, and non-malignant, non-infectious diseases. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the accuracy of the tests in diagnosing feline malignancy. In PE or AF, significant differences were found in LDH levels and LDH isoenzymes activities among the three groups. The combination of LDH level and LDH-1 activity in PE or AF had the highest area under the ROC (AUC) value of 0.874 for discriminating malignant effusion from non-malignant effusion. The sensitivity and specificity of using the combination of LDH level (cutoff: <2,269 U/L) and LDH-1 activity (cutoff: <4.8%) in PE or AF for predicting malignancy with the highest AUC value were 94.4% and 72.7%, respectively. Our results suggest that the combination of LDH level and LDH-1 activity in PE or AF can potentially diagnose for malignancy. Considering that LDH isoenzymes can be measured inexpensively and easily, LDH tests can be readily accommodated in veterinary clinical practice.
Association Between Silymarin Use and Age-related Macular Degeneration in Patients With Chronic Hepatic Diseases: a Population-based Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chien Mu-Ming , Lin Hsiu-Chen , Lee Li-Fen , Keller Joseph Jordan , Wang Li-Hsuan
Published: November 2021

Silymarin is a bioflavonoid compound mostly used in patients with chronic hepatic diseases (CHDs). It has been shown to inhibit retinal angiogenesis in in vitro and in vivo animal studies. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision impairment worldwide, and no definite preventive measures for AMD exist at present. Through this study, we aimed to investigate whether the use of silymarin affects the risk of AMD in patients with CHDs. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the hazard ratio (HR) of AMD in this population-based retrospective cohort study. The CHDs was associated with a higher risk of AMD (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.33, 95% CI 1.22–1.46), and the use of silymarin reduced the risk of AMD among patients with CHDs (aHR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67–0.87). A higher accumulative dose (defined daily dose [DDD] < 631 mg) of silymarin was associated with a lower risk of AMD, but the difference was nonsignificant. In conclusion, CHDs were associated with a higher incidence of AMD, and the use of silymarin was associated with a reduced risk of AMD in patients with CHDs. However, a higher accumulative DDD of silymarin did not reduce the risk of AMD.
Precursors of select GPI-anchored proteins positively regulate GPI biosynthesis under the control of ERAD
Authors: Liu Yi-Shi , Wang Yicheng , Zhou Xiaoman , Zhang LinPei , Yang Ganglong , Gao Xiao-Dong , Murakami Yoshiko , Fujita Morihisa , Kinoshita Taroh
Published: November 2021

We previously reported that glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) biosynthesis is regulated by endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation (ERAD); however, the underlying mechanistic basis remains unclear. Based on a genome-wide CRISPR–Cas9 screen, we show that a widely expressed GPI-anchored protein CD55 precursor and ER-resident ARV1 together upregulate GPI biosynthesis under ERAD-deficient conditions. In cells defective in GPI transamidase, GPI-anchored protein precursors fail to obtain GPI, remaining the uncleaved GPI-attachment signal at the C-termini. We show that ERAD deficiency causes accumulation of the CD55 precursor, which in turn upregulates GPI biosynthesis, where the GPI-attachment signal peptide is the active element. Among the 32 GPI-anchored proteins tested, only the GPI-attachment signal peptides of CD55 and CD48 enhance GPI biosynthesis. ARV1 is essential for the GPI upregulation by CD55 precursor. Our data demonstrate an ARV1-dependent regulatory connection between GPI biosynthesis and precursors of select GPI-anchored proteins that are under the control of ERAD.
Zuhause statt Hörsaal
Authors: Neuber Katharina , Göbel Kerstin
Published: November 2021

Die Digitalisierung von Studium und Lehre stellt einen komplexen Entwicklungsprozess dar, der für alle beteiligten Akteurinnen und Akteure Herausforderungen, wie beispielsweise die Auseinandersetzung mit den Einsatzmöglichkeiten digitaler Medien und die Entwicklung digitaler Kompetenzen, mit sich bringt (Getto und Schulenburg 2018; Kerres 2016). Der Beginn der Corona-Pandemie und die damit verbundene erstmalige Schliessung der Universitäten im Frühjahr 2020 erforderte innerhalb kürzester Zeit die Umstellung der konventionellen universitären Lehre in Präsenzform auf online-gestützte Lehrformate. Wie diese Umstellung von Hochschulangehörigen in Deutschland erlebt wurde, in welchem Ausmass digitale Tools in der eigenen Lehre im Sommersemester 2020 eingesetzt wurden und welche personenbezogenen Merkmale hierfür relevant erscheinen, ist Gegenstand des vorliegenden Beitrags. Die deskriptive Auswertung der bundesweiten Befragung von Dozierenden deutscher Hochschulen verdeutlicht ambivalente Erfahrungen mit der Umstellung auf Online-Lehre. Dennoch wird insgesamt die Bewältigung der pädagogisch-didaktischen Herausforderungen durch die zeitweilige Schliessung der Universitäten aus Sicht der Dozierenden als erfolgreich eingeschätzt. Für das Ausmass der Nutzung digitaler Tools während des Lockdowns zeigen sich in den Korrelationsanalysen signifikante Zusammenhänge mit den bisherigen Vorerfahrungen, der selbsteingeschätzten Fähigkeit, digital zu lehren, sowie Unterschiede zwischen männlichen und weiblichen Befragten.
Zusammenhänge zwischen der Mediennutzung Studierender und ihrer Dozierenden an deutschen Hochschulen
Authors: Biehl Annalisa , Besa Kris-Stephen
Published: November 2021

Die wachsende gesellschaftliche Bedeutung von Digitalisierung zeigt sich in den letzten Jahren auch durch die zunehmende Etablierung digitaler Strukturen innerhalb der deutschen Hochschulen. Dieser Prozess hat nicht zuletzt bedingt durch die Corona-Pandemie eine Beschleunigung erfahren. Abgesehen von infrastrukturellen Voraussetzungen kommt in diesem Kontext neben der Hochschulleitung gerade den Dozierenden durch die Implementierung digitaler Lehr- und Lernformate innerhalb von Lehrveranstaltungen eine zentrale Funktion hinsichtlich der Umsetzung und Ausgestaltung von Digitalisierung an Hochschulen zu. An diese Prämisse anknüpfend ist es Ziel des vorliegenden Beitrags, auf Basis einer Befragung 171 Studierender deren studienbezogene Mediennutzung zum Zeitpunkt vor der Pandemie zu erfassen. Darüber hinaus soll das lehrveranstaltungsbezogene Medienhandeln von Dozierenden, erfasst durch eine Fremdeinschätzung der Studierenden, untersucht werden, um anschliessend mittels Korrelationsanalysen auf mögliche Zusammenhänge zwischen der Nutzung digitaler Anwendungen beider Akteursgruppen zu schliessen. Dazu soll insbesondere der Einbezug forschungs- und literaturbezogener Anwendungen in den Blick genommen werden. Die Ergebnisse werden abschliessend vor dem Hintergrund der veränderten Lehrsituation durch die Corona-Pandemie diskutiert.
Potential of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) for management of root-knot nematode in tomato
Authors: Regmi Homan , Abdelsamad Noor , DiGennaro Peter , Desaeger Johan
Published: November 2021

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) has been shown to induce plant defense responses to different plant pathogens, including reducing northern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne hapla, penetration and increasing plant mass in tomato. We wanted to further evaluate NAD that are effective against the more economically important species, M. incognita and whether NAD treatments of tomato seedlings in transplant trays can protect plants in the field. Different NAD concentrations (1  mM, 0.1  mM and 0.01  mM) and three application timings (pre; post; pre and post inoculation) were evaluated in growth room and greenhouse trials. The highest tested NAD concentration (1  mM) suppressed second-stage juveniles (J2) infection for all three application methods. Root gall ratings at 30 days after inoculation (DAI) were also suppressed by 1  mM NAD compared to the other two concentrations, and egg mass number was significantly suppressed for all concentrations and application timings compared to the non-treated control. The rate of 1  mM NAD for all three application timings also improved plant growth at 30 DAI. Long-term effects of 1  mM NAD (pre, pre + post, or post applications) on nematode infection, growth and yield of tomato were evaluated in two additional experiments. All NAD applications suppressed root galls after 60 days, but only the pre + post 1  mM NAD application suppressed gall severity at 105 days, as well as suppressed egg counts by 50% at 60 DAT. No significant difference in plant biomass and fruit yield after 105 days was observed among the treatments. Two field trials were conducted in spring and fall 2020 using tomato seedlings (cv. HM 1823) treated with two different NAD concentrations (1  mM and 5  mM in spring; 5  mM and 10  mM in fall) and transplanting seedlings in fumigated (chloropicrin  ±  1,3-dichloropropene) and non-fumigated plastic-mulch beds. No significant impact of NAD in terms of reducing RKN severity or overall tomato growth and production was seen in fumigated beds, but in non-fumigated beds 5  mM NAD slightly increased early fruit yield in spring, and 10  mM NAD reduced root-knot soil populations in fall.
The impact of financing policy on the cost of debt
Authors: Konieva Tetiana
Published: November 2021

The cost of debt is a key element to define the amount of the regular interest payments of a company and its business value. It is used for indicators that warn of the economic crisis, which is relevant for the countries where most companies are financially dependent on liabilities. The formalized criteria for the types of financing policy, improved procedure for the cost of debt calculation make it possible to reveal policy with the capital structure that minimizes the cost of debt.The study is based on Ukrainian food processing companies for the period 2013–2020. The studied database was distributed by the types of financing policies: 22% of the cases have a conservative policy, 15% – moderate, 26% – aggressive, 37% – super-aggressive. The results show that the highest weighted cost of debt (24.1%) belongs to the conservative policy, which replaces negative equity by the expensive long-term debts, as well as super-aggressive policy (20.8%) with trade payable that is near half of the capital, and long days payable outstanding. A company can reduce the cost of debt relying on non-interest-bearing liabilities and trade payable if its days payable outstanding are kept at the industrial level or below. Moderate and conservative financing policies, which are based on equity and avoid debts, provide the lowest weighted cost of debt: 2.1% and 1.2%.Thus, choosing the desired type of financing policy for the company, it is possible to form a capital structure that will reduce the cost of debt.
Cartografía de las formas de la imaginación
Authors: Esparza Urzúa Gustavo Adolfo
Published: November 2021

Ensayo académico
Astragalus hamosus Acts as an Insulin Sensitizer in the Treatment of Polycystic
Ovary Syndrome Rat Models by Affecting IRS1 Expression
Authors: Nejati Amir , Shahri Maryam Parvini Kohneh , Farahvash Tarlan
Published: November 2021

Background:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine abnormality
among women of reproductive age. Insulin resistance is known as the hallmark of PCOS
that leads to hyperinsulinemia and type 2 diabetes in PCOS patients.

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the expression pattern of IRS1 as a candidate gene in insulin
resistance development in the PCOS rat models.

Methods:

In this study, estradiol valerate was used for PCOS induction. Then, all of the rats were
divided into five experimental groups and treated with Astragalus hamosus extract. Ethanol was
used for extraction by Soxhlet, and extracts were analyzed by GC-MS. Ovarian morphology was
analyzed using histological experiments. Finally, the expression of IRS1 and hormonal titration of
testosterone and insulin were evaluated using qRT-PCR and ELISA assays, respectively.

Results:

Induction of PCOS led to an increase in body weight, which decreased after treatment
with the extract. Histological assessment declared an increased number of corpora lutea in treated
groups and reduced cystic follicles compared to the PCOS group. Astragalus hamosus extract-treated
groups exhibited decreased levels of insulin and testosterone compared to the PCOS group.
qRT-PCR results showed an increase in the expression levels of IRS1 in the treated groups compared
to the PCOS group.

Conclusions:

This study indicated the impact of Astragalus hamosus extract on PCOS by clarifying
the increased levels of IRS1 expression in the treated groups compared to the PCOS group.
Application of Nutraceuticals in Managing Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis
Authors: Musyuni Pankaj , Kumar Deepak , Pandita Deepti , Jain Gaurav Kumar , Nagpal Manju , Aggarwal Geeta
Published: November 2021

Background:

Several health problems, especially musculoskeletal disorders, are caused
by differences in work cultures and human lifestyles around the world. While the conventional approach
to treating such conditions emphasizes a balanced work-life and daily exercise, nutraceuticals
have proven to be successful. Nutraceuticals are dietary compounds that help sustain cartilage
metabolism homeostasis, reducing articular pain. Dietary intake of a variety of nutraceuticals is
thought to be essential for controlling and, more specifically, preventing osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Objective:

The current article offers a succinct overview in which data was gathered and searched
using specific key terms related to nutraceuticals, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis that were available
in public domains for analysis and evaluation.

Method:

The current write-up offers a concise summary of disease and its relevance as to how
nutraceuticals are helpful, based on the defined findings and their interpretation. The present review
also discusses the existing literature, patents, and current studies in the era of nutraceuticals
for osteoarthritis and osteoporosis treatment, offering a rational basis for further investigation and
research.

Result:

This article discusses a wide variety of nutraceuticals with possible uses for osteoarthritis
and osteoporosis patients. An analysis revealed that nutraceuticals' efficacy has been established.
However, further study and investigation are needed to determine their protection.

Conclusion:

As a result of this analysis, it was concluded that more innovation and technology
transfer were required. It was also concluded that greater industry-academic collaboration was required
to begin more effective research in the treatment of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis with
nutraceuticals.
Art education and sensitive tolos innovation project in the training of early childhood education teachers
Authors: Manrique Inés López-
Published: November 2021

This paper shows the experience developed in the compulsory subject Expression Laboratory of the 4th year of the Early Childhood Education Teaching Degree at the University of Oviedo within the Innovation Project Art Education and Sensitive Tools for Early Childhood Education (PINN-20-A-056). An optional project that was developed online during the first term of 2020-2021. It was developed in a stressful situation for the students, an educational context of distance learning, in which they felt stress and pandemic fatigue (Covid-19), with the additional disadvantage of not having common physical spaces in which to develop the artistic work of the subject in a context of didactics for Early Childhood Education. The objective was to integrate activities related to sensory stimuli and the well-being of people through the Visual Arts. To this end, a group of N=115 pupils were given the tools of art therapy and other disciplines. With a qualitative methodology, through semi-structured interviews, activities and questionnaires, the results were measured. The results are considered to have been positive, with an increase in motivation towards Art Education subjects. In conclusion, Art Therapy, Music Therapy and Mindfulness generate moments of relaxation and reduce anxiety in students.
Software Engineering Frameworks Used for Serious Games Development in Physical Rehabilitation: Systematic Review
Authors: Ambros-Antemate Jorge Fernando , Beristain-Colorado María Del Pilar , Vargas-Treviño Marciano , Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez Jaime , Hernández-Cruz Pedro Antonio , Gallegos-Velasco Itandehui Belem , Moreno-Rodríguez Adriana
Published: November 2021

Background

Serious games are a support in the rehabilitation process for treating people with physical disabilities. However, many of these serious games are not adapted to the patient’s needs because they are not developed with a software engineering framework with a set of activities, actions, and tasks that must be executed when creating a software product. Better serious games for rehabilitation will be developed if the patient and therapist requirements are identified, the development is planned, and system improvements and feedback are involved. The goal is that the serious game must offer a more attractive environment, while maintaining patient interest in the rehabilitation process.

Objective

This paper submits the results of a systematic review of serious games in physical rehabilitation identifying the benefits of using a software engineering framework.

Methods

A systematic research was conducted using PubMed, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, ACM Digital Library, Mary Ann Liebert, Taylor & Francis Online, Wiley Online Library, and Springer databases. The initial search resulted in 701 papers. After assessing the results according to the inclusion criteria, 83 papers were selected for this study.

Results

From the 83 papers reviewed, 8 used a software engineering framework for its development. Most of them focused their efforts on 1 or more aspects, such as data acquisition and processing, game levels, motivation, therapist supervision.

Conclusions

This systematic review proves that most of the serious games do not use a software engineering framework for their development. As a result, development systems overlook several aspects and do not have a standardized process, eventually omitting important implementation aspects, which impact the patient’s recovery time.
Is The Use of “Love Letters” a Form of Housing Discrimination?
Authors: McEvoy Dr. Sharlene A.
Published: November 2021

An unprecedented demand for houses due to the COVID pandemic has spurred competition among prospective home buyers who often resort to writing “so called” love letters to sellers to increase their chances of purchasing a house over competitors. This article examines the potential discriminatory impact of this device.
PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TRIFLUOPERAZINE LOADED TRANSDERMAL PATCHES FOR SUSTAINED RELEASE
Authors: PARAMBIL ANJU , PALANICHAMY SEENIVASAN , KUTTALINGAM ARUL , CHITRA VELLAPANDIAN
Published: November 2021

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to formulate and evaluate the polymeric transdermal delivery system of antipsychotic drug Trifluoperazine (TFP) for sustained drug release.
Methods: A transdermal patch loaded with (TFP) was formulated by solvent casting technique. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) K-30 and ethyl cellulose (EC) was used as a polymeric matrix with different ratios. Di n-butyl phthalate was used as a plasticizer. The parameters such as thickness, folding endurance and weight variation of the prepared patches were studied. The interaction study by attenuated total reflectance-infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were performed. In vitro drug release study was performed by modified paddle over-disc technique.
Results: The infrared spectroscopic study confirmed the absence of any chemical interaction between TFP and selected polymers. All the prepared formulations showed folding endurance values ranging from 130-162 and a satisfactory drug loading of 90-95%. In in vitro drug release study, formulations PE-3 and PE-4 exhibited a sustained and stable cumulative release of 54 % and 48% respectively, at the end of 24 h. The DSC and XRD analysis proved the partial conversion of the drug from crystalline to amorphous form when integrated into the polymeric matrix.
Conclusion: The prepared transdermal formulations using polymers PVP and ethyl cellulose demonstrated their ability to sustain the release of TFP. The developed formulation could be exploited for multiday therapy of TFP for the effective treatment of schizophrenia with a simplified dosing regimen and enhanced patient compliance.
DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TACROLIMUS TABLET FORMULATIONS FOR SUBLINGUAL ADMINISTRATION
Authors: MOHANAN JISHA , PALANICHAMY SEENIVASAN , KUTTALINGAM ARUL , NARAYANASAMY DAMODHARAN
Published: November 2021

Objective: The study aimed to prepare and characterize inclusion complexes of tacrolimus with β-cyclodextrin to improve its solubility and to formulate them into sublingual fast disintegrating tablets with a view to bypass the first-pass metabolism.
Methods: Tacrolimus: β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes (1:1 and 1:2 molar proportions) were prepared using the kneading method. Their characterization was accomplished by determining the drug content, solubility, Attenuated Total Reflection-Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and powder X-Ray Diffraction analysis (pXRD). These were then formulated to fast disintegrating tablets and evaluated for precompression as well as post compressional characteristics.
Results: SEM analysis showed the inclusion complexes as rough, non-porous, irregular surfaced aggregate particles. DSC and pXRD analyses confirm the crystallinity change and partial conversion to the amorphous form of the drug in the inclusion complexes. From the solubility studies, it was observed that both the inclusion complexes of 1:2 molar ratio (14.82±0.889 µg/ml) and 1:1 molar ratio (12.72±0.1004 µg/ml) improved the aqueous solubility to greater extents in comparison to that of the pure drug (3.05±0.121 µg/ml). All the tablet formulations showed good precompression and mechanical properties. The inclusion complex loaded tablets exhibited a superior drug release pattern when compared to tablets prepared with tacrolimus alone. The optimized formulation (TT3) showed an in vitro disintegration time of 34.33 s and a percent drug release of 97.87.
Conclusion: The inclusion complex formulation combined with the sublingual route of administration can be expected to result in an improved bioavailability of tacrolimus by increasing its solubility and bypassing first-pass metabolism.
METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF TIVOZANIB BY USING RP-HPLC IN BULK AND PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM
Authors: JOSE T. JAISON , SUBBAREDDY Y. , SANKAR K.
Published: November 2021

Objective: The current investigation was pointed at developing and progressively validating novel, simple, responsive and stable RP-HPLC method for the measurement of active pharmaceutical ingredient of Tivozanib.
Methods: A simple, selective, validated and well-defined stability that shows isocratic RP-HPLC methodology for the quantitative determination of Tivozanib. The chromatographic strategy utilized X-bridge phenyl column of dimensions 150x4.6 mm, 3.5 micron, using isocratic elution with a mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0.1 percent formic acid (50:50). A flow rate of 1 ml/min and a detector wavelength of 216 nm utilizing the PDA detector were given in the instrumental settings. Validation of the proposed method was carried out according to an international conference on harmonization (ICH) guidelines.
Results: LOD and LOQ for the two active ingredients were established with respect to test concentration. The calibration charts plotted were linear with a regression coefficient of R2>0.999, means the linearity was within the limit. Recovery, specificity, linearity, accuracy, robustness, ruggedness were determined as a part of method validation and the results were found to be within the acceptable range.
Conclusion: The proposed method to be fast, simple, feasible and affordable in assay condition. During stability tests, it can be used for routine analysis of the selected drugs.
THERAPEUTIC PROFILING OF NANO ENCAPSULATED DIOSGENIN VIA ATTENUATING HORMONAL STATUS, CELL PROLIFERATION, INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES, AND APOPTOSIS IN AN ANIMAL MODEL OF MAMMARY ONCOGENESIS
Authors: VENGAIMARAN MANOBHARATHI , DHAMODHARAN KALAIYARASI , SANKARAN MIRUNALINI
Published: November 2021

Objective: The central motive of this study is to explore the therapeutic impact of Diosgenin encapsulated Chitosan nanoparticles (DG@CS-NP) on mammary carcinogenesis in female Sprague Dawley rats via modulating hormonal status, cell proliferation, inflammatory responses, and Apoptosis.
Methods: 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) was administered subcutaneously near the mammary gland (25 mg/kg b. wt) to provoke mammary tumor in female Sprague Dawley rats. Following the progress of a tumor, DMBA-induced tumor-bearing rats were medicated orally with 5 mg/kg b. wt of DG@CS-NP. Consequently, the expression of ER, PR, PCNA, Cyclin D1, NF-κB, TNF-α, Bcl-2, Caspases-3, and p53 in experimental rats were revealed via architectural immunohistochemistry. Further, Diosgenin interactions with these proteins were evidently confirmed by molecular docking analysis.
Results: As a result, we noticed diminished levels of ER, PR, PCNA, Cyclin D1, NF-κB, TNF-α, and Bcl-2 expressions in DG@CS-NP medicated rats as well as with elevated levels of Caspases-3 and p53 expressions. In DMBA rats, the expressions were vice versa. Additionally, molecular docking analyses support these outcomes by highlighting the strong interaction between Diosgenin and breast cancer targets.
Conclusion: These reports prove that DG@CS-NP imposes its therapeutic impact by hormonal adjustments, downregulating proteins involved in inflammation and cellular proliferation, and thereby promotes apoptosis by impeding apoptotic inhibitors.
A NEW NP-UPLC METHOD FOR THE SEPARATION AND SIMULTANEOUS QUANTIFICATION OF RAMUCIRUMAB AND ERLOTINIB
Authors: CHAITANYA SIVA MADHU , NISSANKARARAO SRINATH , GANDHAM SATYA LAKSHMI
Published: November 2021

Objective: This investigation demonstrates a stability-indicating and reliable “normal phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography” method to simultaneously quantify Ramucirumab and Erlotinib in the pharmaceutical dosage form.
Methods: Successful separation was accomplished using Chiralcel-OD-3 column (50 mm x 4.6 mm, 3 μm) with an isocratic type of elution using a mobile phase containing n-hexane+isopropyl alcohol+methanol (89:10:1), respectively with 1.0 ml/min flow rate. The wavelength sensor was attuned at 266 nm to quantify Ramucirumab and Erlotinib.
Results: Erlotinib and Ramucirumab peaks were eluted with fine resolution at retention times 1.7807 min and 3.175 min, respectively. In the 10-150 μg/ml and 1-15 μg/ml concentration ranges for Erlotinib and Ramucirumab, the calibration graphs were linear, with regression coefficients of 0.99928 and 0.99976, respectively. The suggested ultra-performance liquid chromatography approach has been shown as sensitive, precise, robust, accurate, specific and stability indicating through the resolution of Erlotinib and Ramucirumab from its degradation-based compounds.
Conclusion: The established ultra-performance liquid chromatography technique was effectively extended to the evaluation of Erlotinib and Ramucirumab in the pharmaceutical dosage form and the test results appeared satisfactory.