bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Covid-19 lockdown on sleep quality, physical activity, and body weight among university students: A retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Vanoh Divya , Juanis Allyanna Willma
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND:

Covid-19 lockdown had caused lifestyle changes especially in sleep, physical activity, and body weight. Thus, this study aimed to determine the weight changes before and after the lockdown period and further assessed the association between sleep quality, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI).

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study involving 107 undergraduate students in Universiti Sains Malaysia. Subjects recalled information during the first lockdown implemented in Malaysia from early March 2020 to July 2020. The questionnaire consisted of socio-demography, anthropometry, and physical activity using International Physical Activity Questionnaire and sleep quality using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Chi-square analysis was used to determine the association between the variables using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 26.0.

RESULTS:

There was a significant increase of 1.8 kg in weight before and after the lockdown period. The majority of respondents had poor sleep quality (80.4%) and low physical activity (60.2%), respectively. Almost 29% of the subjects had sleep latency of more than 30 min while 69.1% of them had sleep duration of <7 h. There was no significant association between sleep quality and BMI as well as physical activity and BMI.

CONCLUSION:

Our study demonstrated that the prevalence of poor sleep quality and low physical activity among university students was high during Covid-19 confinement. Moreover, youths have a significant increase in body weight during the lockdown period. Thus, university students may adopt exciting leisure activities to keep themselves active such as doing meditation or joining online exercise classes.
The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on modification of medical teaching in Italy: A narrative review
Authors: Brusini Antonio
Published: April 2023

During the first wave of Covid-19 in Italy, there was a problem with University. Universities couldn't do face-to-face (FTF) lessons and started to do online lessons (OL). This study investigates the impressions of students, teachers, and institutions during the first wave situation. A search was conducted on the main international databases, and only studies conducted in Italy starting during the Covid-19 pandemic are considered. 9 studies tell about the impressions of students about OL lessons, and 10 studies speak about medical resident's situation and teacher's impressions. Studies about students give conflicting results, teachers are generally satisfied with the contents, but agree on the difficulty of not having relationships with students. Medical residents have reduced significantly the clinical and surgical practice, sometimes increasing the research. In the future, it is indispensable to create a system that guarantees the efficacy of FTF lessons for practice, it is still low in sanitary and medical courses in Italy during the pandemic period.
Designing an acceptance model and using public health apps by Iranian users
Authors: Ghalyan Shahrzad , Heydarinejad Sedighe , Nouri Rasool , Khatibi Amin
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND:

Nowadays, there are hundreds of mobile applications related to sports, health and fitness. The benefits of using mobile phones in physical activity can be seen in the increasing use of mobile health applications. The purpose of this study was to design a behavioral model of acceptance and use of public health apps by Iranian users.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The present study was a qualitative and exploratory approach that was conducted based on the theme analysis method (team). The statistical population included programmers and designers of sports programs and academic specialists in the field of sports and computers. Data collection was performed through review of documents, backgrounds and semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted in person or by telephone and each interview lasted about 20 to 40 minutes.

RESULTS:

In total, 249 key points with marker codes were extracted from 14 interviews which were classified into 21 sub-themes and 6 main themes (app quality, digital literacy, social influences, facilitating conditions, intention to use, trust and accept the app. Finally, the pattern of acceptance and use of health apps by Iranian users were presented in accordance with UTAUT theory.

CONCLUSION:

The results of this study can help the officials of the federation, public sports boards and clubs to use information and communication technology as a media in their strategies and programs to develop sports and health at the community level. It also contributes to social vitality and improves the quality of life of individuals.
A study of the effects of blended learning on university students' critical thinking: A systematic review
Authors: Haftador Alireza Mortezaei , Tehranineshat Banafsheh , Keshtkaran Zahra , Mohebbi Zinat
Published: April 2023

One of the basic, constructive needs of humans, which plays a major part in their development is critical thinking. As education is one of the factors in shaping individuals' critical thinking, the present study addresses the effects of blended learning and its subcategories on university students' critical thinking (and its subcategories). The present article is a review study. Data were collected using valid search engines and databases. The keywords which were used included blended learning, integrated learning, blended training, integrated training, critical thinking, critical thinking disposition, and critical thinking skills, as well as the subcategories of blended learning, that is, the flex model, the self-blended model, the enriched virtual model, and the rotation model and its subcategories (the station rotation model, the lab rotation model, the flipped classroom model, and the individual rotation model). The results of 14 sources, out of the selected 15 sources, showed that blended learning and its subcategories, that is, the flex model, the self-blended model, the enriched virtual model, and the rotation model and its subcategories contribute to university students' critical thinking of disposition and skill. One of the essential skills which must be given more serious attention in learning in the twenty-first century is critical thinking. Having the benefits of both lecturing and e-learning, blended learning is a more effective and practical method for promoting critical thinking in university students.
Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Persian version of selected PROMIS measures for use in lumbar canal stenosis patients
Authors: Oskouie Iman M. , Rostami Mohsen , Moosavi Mersad , Zarei Mohammad , Jouibari Morteza Faghih , Ataie Hosienali , Jafarieh Arash , Moghadam Navid , Kordi Ramin , Khadivi Masoud , Mazloumi Adel
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND:

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) developed a new measurement system called the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) which can be used for multiple health conditions. The 29-item short form (PROMIS-29) with seven domains was more often used by clinical researchers to measure the physical function, mood and sleeping status of patients with low back pain (LBP). Translation of the PROMIS into multiple languages and adaptation of its application in different cultural diversities can help to further standardize clinical research studies and make them comparable to each other. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt the PROMIS-29 into Persian (P-PROMIS-29) and evaluate the construct validity and reliability of the translated questionnaire among patients with lumbar canal stenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The translation was conducted by using the multilingual translation methodology guideline. Construct validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability at a two-week interval for the P-PROMIS-29 were calculated. Construct validity was assessed by calculating correlations between the P-PROMIS-29 with Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Roland–Morris results.

RESULTS:

The study sample included 70 participants with lumbar canal stenosis. Internal consistencies were moderate to good with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.2 to 0.94. The test–retest reliability evaluation was excellent with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranging from 0.885 to 0.986. Construct validity of different domains of P-PROMIS-29 were moderate to good, with Pearson's correlation coefficient results ranging from 0.223 to 0.749.

CONCLUSION:

Our results showed that P-PROMIS-29 is a valid and reliable measurement tool for evaluation of patients with lumbar canal stenosis.
Assessment of Perceived Stress During Corona (COVID-19) Pandemic Among Health-Care Workers
Authors: Jain Akhilesh , Jain Naman , Goyal Manish Kumar , Goyal Ashok , Yadav Kuldeep Singh , Yadav Rakshit
Published: April 2023

Introduction:

The pandemic of COVID-19 has caused both physical and psychological suffering not only to the general population but also to health-care workers (HCWs). Assessment of mental stress in HCWs is important as they have played a crucial role during this pandemic. Hence, this study was planned to assess the level of stress in HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 312 subjects were included by purposive sampling method in this cross-sectional study. A self-designed pro forma was used to collect sociodemographic details of subjects. The Hindi version of the perceived stress scale (PSS)-10 was used to assess stress. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 28.

Results:

The level of perceived stress was significantly higher in HCWs working in government hospitals and quarantine services. Similarly, paramedical personnel and nursing staff were found to have more median PSS levels (18 and 16, respectively) as compared to doctors and others (15 and 16, respectively), and this observation was also significant in our study (P = 0.007). Although not statistically significant, stress was more among female HCWs, those from nuclear family, younger age group, and those who had been taking treatment for some psychiatric illness.

Conclusion:

There is a need to assess the ongoing stress among HCWs and address the contributing factors, thus enabling them to perform their duties more effectively and optimally.
Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal: A Tertiary Care Experience in North India
Authors: Tali Tavseef Ahmad , Amin Fiza , Sofi Shahid Rashid , Sofi Mushtaq Ahmad , Khan Nazir Ahmad , Najmi Arshad Manzoor , Rasool Malik Tariq , Wani Shaqul Qamar , Dar Nazir Ahmad
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACT

Aim:

The aim of this study was to study the treatment outcome and survival of squamous cell carcinoma anal canal using concurrent chemoradiotherapy in a tertiary care hospital.

Materials and Methods:

This was a retrospective study performed in our hospital, in which all necessary clinical and epidemiological details of the 38 cases diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma anal canal from January 2015 to December 2021 were analyzed.

Results:

Most patients were male in gender, 22 (57.90%) and 16 (42.10%) were females, with a male: female ratio of (1.37:1). All patients received concurrent chemoradiation as the definitive treatment. The mean 5-year survivals were (48 months). Five years of overall survival was 68% and for clinical stage I, II, and III was 100%, 64%, and 37%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The standard of care for stage I to III anal squamous cell carcinoma is concurrent chemoradiotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin-C with excellent response rates.
Spatially Fractionated Radiotherapy: Dosimetric and Clinical Report
Authors: Barsing Shubhangi , Pemmaraju Gopal , Huilgol Nagraj , Parab Anand , Singh Anuradha
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACT

Aim:

Lattice is a three-dimensional technical development of the two-dimensional grid technology, which forms high-dose “islands” amid a “sea” of lower dose. When compared to grid, lattice offers enhanced dose distribution and organs-at-risk (OAR) sparing, which may be useful for big or deep-seated cancers. In this study, we used a Halcyon 2.0 (6MV) linear accelerator to treat the palliative cases with lattice radiation using volumetric modulated arc treatment (VMAT). With new machines and techniques, it’s becoming more difficult to adapt and reinvent traditional grid radiation. In our study, we used VMAT to deliver high-dose radiation to the tumor while sparing the surrounding areas and normal tissues. New methodologies and the same thing we showed in our study are bringing development to lattice planning.

Materials and Methods:

Four patients were treated with grid technique. All the structures of respective patients were manually contoured on Eclipse SomaVision for lattice planning, important parameters include the vertex volume diameter and center-to-center spacing. Spheres were contoured in the axial slice inside the gross tumor volume. VMAT was planned with a single isocenter and multiple arcs (full arcs 360°). Optimization was set giving high priorities to the target volume, ensuring that the tumor received the required dose and that the OARs were met.

Results:

VMAT lattice therapy as a strategy to improve initial responsiveness while reducing OAR toxicity. All the target spheres achieved >95% of the prescription dose and dose fall-off outside the target sphere was achieved due to the ring shape sphere constraints.

Conclusions:

Bulky tumors were treated with lattice radiation with a high dose per fraction in this study, with the vertices receiving the specified dose and the region between the vertices being spared. As it was a task for physicists to design a lattice radiation considering the vertices and periphery regions and to achieve the OARs according to the dose constraint protocol, the VMAT plan was well realized using optimization and computation.
Thromboelastography parameters in chronic viral liver disease and liver resection: a retrospective study
Authors: Di Ying , Li Jialu , Ye Chunjuan , Wang Zheng , Zhu Qianqian
Published: April 2023

Introduction:

Thromboelastography (TEG) provides a global assessment of haemostasis and is potentially applicable to liver disease. The present study aimed to explore the utility of TEG for the evaluation of patients with chronic viral liver disease, which has previously not been investigated.

Methods:

Demographic characteristics and TEG parameters were collected before surgery. Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores were used to categorise stages of liver cirrhosis. Liver resections were classified as low, medium and high complexity.

Results:

A total of 344 patients were included. Results showed significantly longer K-time, smaller α-angle and lower maximum amplitude (MA) with increasing liver disease severity as measured by the CTP and MELD scores (P < 0.05 for all). After multivariable adjustment (including age, sex, liver disease aetiology, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], albumin, total bilirubin, haemoglobin and platelet count), TEG parameters (except R-times) were either weakly or inversely related to the severity of liver disease as defined by the MELD score (absolute r < 0.2 and P < 0.05 for all except R-times). R-times obtained before surgery were weakly correlated with perioperative blood loss (r < 0.2 and P < 0.05 for all).

Conclusions:

The correlation between TEG parameters and severity of liver disease was weak. In addition, R-times obtained before liver resection were weakly associated with perioperative blood loss after multivariable adjustments. TEG utility for haemostasis assessment and prediction of blood loss during liver resection should be further explored in high-quality studies.
Efficacy of Limited Dose Modifications for Palbociclib-Related Grade 3 Neutropenia in Hormone Receptor–Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Kim Seul-Gi , Kim Min Hwan , Park Sejung , Kim Gun Min , Kim Jee Hung , Kim Jee Ye , Park Hyung Seok , Park Seho , Park Byeong Woo , Kim Seung Il , Ji Jung Hwan , Jeong Joon , Shin Kabsoo , Lee Jieun , Kim Hyung-Don , Jung Kyung Hae , Sohn Joohyuk
Published: April 2023

Purpose Frequent neutropenia hinders uninterrupted palbociclib treatment in patients with hormone receptor (HR)–positive breast cancer. We compared the efficacy outcomes in multicenter cohorts of patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) receiving palbociclib following conventional dose modification or limited modified schemes for afebrile grade 3 neutropenia.Materials and Methods Patients with HR-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative mBC (n=434) receiving palbociclib with letrozole as first-line therapy were analyzed and classified based on neutropenia grade and afebrile grade 3 neutropenia management as follows: group 1 (maintained palbociclib dose, limited scheme), group 2 (dose delay or reduction, conventional scheme), group 3 (no afebrile grade 3 neutropenia event), and group 4 (grade 4 neutropenia event). The primary and secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) between groups 1 and 2 and PFS, overall survival, and safety profiles among all groups.Results During follow-up (median 23.7 months), group 1 (2-year PFS, 67.9%) showed significantly longer PFS than did group 2 (2-year PFS, 55.3%; p=0.036), maintained across all subgroups, and upon adjustment of the factors. Febrile neutropenia occurred in one and two patients of group 1 and group 2, respectively, without mortality.Conclusion Limited dose modification for palbociclib-related grade 3 neutropenia may lead to longer PFS, without increasing toxicity, than the conventional dose scheme.
Level compatibility in Sharifi’s conjecture
Authors: Lecouturier Emmanuel , Wang Jun
Published: April 2023

Romyar Sharifi has constructed a map
$\varpi _M$
from the first homology of the modular curve
$X_1(M)$
to the K-group
$K_2(\operatorname {\mathrm {\mathbf {Z}}}[\zeta _M+\zeta _M^{-1}, \frac {1}{M}]) \otimes \operatorname {\mathrm {\mathbf {Z}}}[1/2]$
, where
$\zeta _M$
is a primitive Mth root of unity. Sharifi conjectured that
$\varpi _M$
is annihilated by a certain Eisenstein ideal. Fukaya and Kato proved this conjecture after tensoring with
$\operatorname {\mathrm {\mathbf {Z}}}_p$
for a prime
$p\geq 5$
dividing M. More recently, Sharifi and Venkatesh proved the conjecture for Hecke operators away from M. In this note, we prove two main results. First, we give a relation between
$\varpi _M$
and
$\varpi _{M'}$
when
$M' \mid M$
. Our method relies on the techniques developed by Sharifi and Venkatesh. We then use this result in combination with results of Fukaya and Kato in order to get the Eisenstein property of
$\varpi _M$
for Hecke operators of index dividing M.
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE SITUATION OF USING WEB SITES TO DEVELOP ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
Authors: TRAN KIEU MY AN
Published: April 2023

Lifelong learning is an essential skill that every student needs to develop. Students whose univeresity major is English are no exception since language is changing all the time. They need to update their knowledge so as to keep up with the world. With the development of technology nowadays, students can access many webpages through the internet to improve their language proficiency. This research is carried out in order to understand the situation of how the seniors at the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (abbreviated to IUH) whose major is English use web sites to learn English, identify their advantages and disadvantages, and then give some suggestions on how to overcome these disadvantages. Data is collected through the use of closed-ended and open-questions in the questionaire which is published on the Google Form gadget. The paper finishes with the students’ reflection based on their practical experience and its author’s suggestions for better usage of web sites to improve the students’ language competence in an autonomous way.
READINESS FOR AUTONOMOUS LEARNING OF FRESHMEN IN A BACHELOR OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMME
Authors: NGUYEN TRUONG SA  , NGUYEN THI DIEM THI
Published: April 2023

This research aims at examining the extent to which first-year students in a Bachelor in English Language Programme in Vietnam are ready for autonomy learning. With the quantitative approach and the adapted Nguyen and Habok’s Learner Autonomy Perception Questionnaire by Nguyen and Habok (2021), 180 freshmen in the programme were asked to make their choice against a range of statements related to beliefs about teacher’s and learner’s roles, students’ motivation and desire in studying foreign language. After that, one-sample T-test was run and the result showed that the participants demonstrated quite a good level of readiness to be autonomous learners. Among the four investigated aspects, students’ beliefs of teachers’ roles can be said to potentially create restrictions to their initiative-taking in their learning. The participants appeared to have sufficient knowledge of their selves as language learners, which plays an essential role in fostering their self-study ability.
The Effects of Renewable Energy, Innovation, and Governance on Climate Change and Economic Growth—Investigating the Opportunities and Challenges for Emerging Asia
Authors: Haldar Anasuya , Sethi Narayan
Published: April 2023

The paper investigates the opportunities provided by renewable energy consumption and innovation along with the challenges posed by corruption and political instability, for climate- change mitigation and economic growth in seven selected emerging Asian economies from 2000 to 2018. Based on panel ARDL and 3SLS estimations, we find that both renewable energy and corruption control are beneficial to the economy and the environment. In contrast, innovation, non-renewable energy consumption, and trade result in environmental degradation in these economies. These findings are relevant for sustainable economic growth in these countries.
Üreme Turizmi Yoluyla Kadınların Nesneleştirilmesi -Dinî Perspektiften Bir Değerlendirme-
Authors: GÖRGÜLÜ Ülfet , DEMİR Zekiye
Published: April 2023

Yardımla üreme teknolojileri aracılığıyla başkasına ait rahim ve/veya üreme hücresini kullanmak isteyen kişilerin bu uygulamaların serbest olduğu ülkelere seyahatleri “üreme turizmi” olarak adlandırılmaktadır. Taşıyıcı annelik ya da yumurta satışı üreme turizmi yoluyla ticari bir sektöre dönüşmüş durumdadır. Taşıyıcı annelik yapan ya da yumurtalarını satan kadınlar genellikle ekonomik nedenlerle bu işe girişmektedirler. Üreme turizminin başat aktörü olan bu kadınlar hem fiziksel yönden hem psikolojik ve duygusal açıdan istismar edilmektedir. Taşıyıcı annelik yapan kadınların bebekle duygusal bağ kurulumu istenmemekte, üzerlerinde psikolojik baskı oluşturulmaktadır. Üreme hücresini satan kadınların fiziksel ve mental özelliklerinin ilgili mecralarda reklam aracı olarak pazarlandığı görülmektedir. Uygulamada “alan razı, satan razı” durumu var gibi görünse de yumurta satışı, özünde kadını değersizleştiren, fiziksel özelliklerine göre kıymet biçilen bir nesneye dönüştürmektedir. Ayrıca bu kadınlar rahimlerinin gebeliğe hazırlanması veya yumurtalarının olgunlaşması için yüksek oranda hormona maruz bırakılmaktadırlar. Bunun sonucunda sağlıklarının bozulma riskiyle karşılaşmaktadırlar. Bu çalışmada üreme teknolojileri ve turizmi, kadınların nesneleştirilmesine yol açması açısından ele alınmış ve dinin genel ilkeleri perspektifinden kritiğe tabi tutulmuştur.
101 Reasons for a Citizen's Income
Authors: Torry Malcolm
Published: April 2023

For anyone new to the subject of Citizen's Income, or who wants to introduce friends, colleagues or relatives to the idea, this valuable guide will be essential reading, offering a convincing case for a Citizen's Income and a much needed resource for all interested in the future of welfare in the UK.
Pengadaan Aplikasi Online Arsip Vital Keluarga Cerdas (ARVIGADAS) oleh Pemerintah sebagai Sarana Pencegah Sengketa Tanah dalam Masyarakat Pasca Terjadinya Bencana
Authors: Sion Sihombing Liyanti Damena Putri
Published: April 2023

Kerusakan atau kehilangan arsip vital merupakan salah satu dampak yang terjadi pasca bencana yang terjadi di Indonesia. Dalam tulisan ini, akan direkomendasikan suatu pengadaan aplikasi online bernama ARVIGADAS ( Aplikasi Arsip Vital Keluarga Cerdas), sebuah aplikasi yang berfungsi untuk menyimpan hasil alih media arsip- arsip vital keluarga. Pengadaan aplikasi ini  bertujuan untuk mencegah salah satu permasalahan yang terjadi akibat hilang atau rusaknya arsip vital keluarga yaitu sengketa tanah akibat hilang atau rusaknya sertifikat tanah sebagai bukti kepemilikan tanah. Adapun pengadaan aplikasi dan alih media arsip dilakukan berdasarkan dasar-dasar hukum kearsipan yang ada.
Global Rheumatology: una apuesta para publicar y difundir la ciencia
Authors: Fajardo Estefanía
Published: April 2023

Con dos participaciones se espera motivar a la publicación de investigaciones y al uso correcto, pertinente y adecuado de los canales de comunicación para la difusión de información que aporte a la sociedad desde lo científico.
Miopatias inflamatórias, o que são e o que fazer?
Authors: Aguirre Richard
Published: April 2023

São um grupo de doenças que causam inflamação dos músculos, embora as causas ainda não sejam conhecidas.
ACR, EULAR and GRAPPA are Present in PANLAR 2021
Authors: Fajardo Estefanía
Published: April 2023

The scientific program includes symposia on covid-19, psoriatic arthritis, and updates.
Ludwik Fleck a současná filosofie vědy
Authors: Černý Jindřich
Published: April 2023

The present paper aims at describing systematically the theory of thought-styles and thought-collectives of Polish microbiologist, Ludwik Fleck. The paper describes its starting point: case study of so-called Wasserman test. In what follows, Fleck’s theory is presented at first in the light of Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn. Some similarities between the two thinkers are pointed out (e. g. use of incommensurability concept, reference to gestalt psychology, theory-ladenness of observation, view on scientific literature). Yet Fleck’s views differs from Kuhn’s in some important respects (e. g. views on stabilisation, absence of counterpart of scientific revolutions in Fleck’s theory). Contrary to the prevailing view, these differences preclude consideration of Fleck as a forerunner of Kuhn. For this reason, the present paper mentions also possibility of presentation of Fleck’s views in another context which is deemed more helpful: French epistemology (e. g. Canguilhem, Hacking).
Funkce rozumu a Proces a realita
Authors: Kaplický Martin
Published: April 2023

This text concentrates on the investigation of relations of two books of Alfred North Whitehead: Process and Reality and Function of Reason, both being published in the same year 1929. Author of the text first exhibit Whitehead’s conception of method of speculative philosophy as it is presented on the initial pages of Process and Reality. He points out at Whitehead’s rejection of mathematical axiomatic method and position of rigid empiricism as appropriate methods of construction of philosophical scheme and shows Whitehead’s own philosophical method: method of descriptive generalization, which can be shortly summed up as imaginative construction of basic speculative scheme which is based on former empirical observations and is subsequently tested by new empirical observations. It is shown that Whitehead does not presents in Process and Reality the process of imaginative construction of his philosophy. One phase of Whitehead’s method of descriptive generalization is therefore missing in Process and Reality. It is argued that this missing phase of descriptive generalization can be found in Function of Reason.
POLYMORPHISM OF GENES RESPONSIBLE FOR NEUROHUMORAL MECHANISMS OF DEVELOPMENT OF CHRONIC HEART FAILURE WITH PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTION IN PERSONS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: Sveklina Tatiana S. , Kolyubaeva Svetlana N. , Shustov Sergey B. , Kuchmin Alexey N. , Kozlov Vadim A. , Nagorny Mikhail B.
Published: April 2023

The search for genetic markers of chronic heart failure (CHF), comorbid with type II diabetes mellitus, is an urgent task. The study aim was to identify genetic polymorphisms associated with impaired neurohumoral regulation in patients with CHF with preserved and low ejection fraction and type II diabetes mellitus. Material and methods. Polymorphisms of genes responsible for neurohumoral mechanisms of CHF development were studied in 167 patients (69.9±10.1 years) with type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, CHF with preserved or low ejection fraction, and healthy volunteers. Results and discussion. The angiotensin gene, angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensin 1 and 2 receptors polymorphisms are not involved in the CHF formation in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. In the control group, rs1403543 GA polymorphism was found in 90.48% of the examined, in patients with CHF with preserved ejection fraction and type II diabetes mellitus, GA and AA variants were found in 20% of cases, in the CHF group with a low ejection fraction AA polymorphism was found in 53.85% of the examined. It is possible they do not participate in the formation of CHF in patients with type II diabetes mellitus, or have a protective effect. The gene GNB: 825 C > T rs5443 polymorphism was detected from 53.33 to 61.9% of the examined in all groups. rs1799998 polymorphism is not associated with the development of CHF. The rs2070744 polymorphism is associated with the development of CHF with a preserved ejection fraction, but not CHF with a low ejection fraction, in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. The gene NOS3: 894 G > T rs1799983 in heterozygous and homozygous variants polymorphism was more common in patients with CHF with preserved ejection fraction (statistically insignificant). Conclusions. CHF with a preserved ejection fraction and CHF with a low ejection fraction in patients with type II diabetes mellitus are associated with different polymorphisms and have different pathogenesis. The gene AGTR2 polymorphism rs1403543 in patients with type II diabetes mellitus and CHF with preserved ejection fraction occurs less frequently than in the control group. The gene GNB polymorphism rs5443 in patients with CHF with a preserved ejection fraction and CHF with a low ejection fraction occurs much less frequently than in the control group. The gene NOS3 polymorphism rs2070744 in patients with CHF with a preserved ejection fraction occurs significantly more often than in the control group and in patients with CHF with a low ejection fraction.
Assessing the ecological vulnerability of Western Atlantic marine benthic gastropods
Authors: Carranza Alvar , Arim Matías
Published: April 2023

Assessing the extinction risk in marine invertebrates poses serious challenges to conservation biology, due to the magnitude of marine biodiversity, the inaccessibility of most of the marine realm, and the lack of appropriate data on population dynamics and ecology for most species. However, simple life history traits have a huge potential for preliminary screening criteria for assessing large numbers of species whose status is harsh or impossible to evaluate. Body size and trophic position could be strong predictors of extinction risk providing a general framework for the assessment of species vulnerability. We analyzed the Body Size-Trophic Position (BS-TP) relationship along 1,067 genera representing 4,256 nominal species of western Atlantic benthic gastropods. We found that a carnivore diet characterizes 67% of the genera and that, supporting theoretical predictions, the probability of being carnivores as a function of size showed a unimodal trend. For species with adult body sizes larger than 5 cm, a negative association between trophic position and body size was detected. This result points to an energetic restriction for the viability of large species, implying that organisms placed near the BS-TP boundary are extremely vulnerable to environmental changes. With this result, 109 genera from 42 families of carnivore gastropods and 33 genera from 19 families of herbivore gastropods that may be more vulnerable from the analyzed perspective were identified and ranked. Supporting these results, while the most vulnerable genera are not represented in global IUCN assessments, all our ‘top 10’ vulnerable families are being considered in National or Regional Red Lists. Prior to conducting regional or global conservation assessments for invertebrate taxa, screening methods should be strongly considered.
The Health Status of the Elderly Greeks and the Effect of the Economic Crisis
Authors: Koutrafouri Kleanthi , Giakoumatos Stefanos
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Due to the economic crisis in Greece, effects on health status of the population have been reported in several studies. Few publications have examined the role of socio-economic factors on health status. In this study, we extensively presented the health status of the elderly aged over 65 with respect to socio-demographic determinants, before and after the economic crisis, a topic which remains quite unexplored. We used the health surveys microdata conducted by the ELSTAT in two waves, 2009 and 2014. Among a sample of 2028 elderly in wave 1 and 2699 in wave 2 was found a considerable decline in in-patient hospitalization after the economic crisis and the examined chronic diseases were increased. Women most reported depression and hypertension, while diabetes was mostly increased in men. Depression, stroke and diabetes were significantly increased in respondents 85+ after the financial crisis. The results show that the health status of the elderly worsened due to the economic crisis in Greece.

Keywords: Health status, Elderly, Economic crisis.
Percepção dos efeitos de suplemento placebo em praticantes de musculação
Authors: Soares Cuz Leonardo , Dos Santos Andrade Laert , De Souza Elton Bicalho
Published: April 2023

O efeito placebo é tido como importante artifício usado para modificar a performance nos treinamentos. O presente estudo teve por objetivo verificar o efeito placebo no desempenho de praticantes de musculação. Estudo experimental aplicado em dez participantes de musculação, de ambos os sexos, numa academia da cidade de Barra do Piraí/RJ. Os participantes receberam um frasco com 10 cápsulas de um produto fictício, fabricado em uma farmácia de manipulação, com um rótulo contendo nome e possíveis efeitos colaterais. Um folder explicativo também foi entregue e para dar maior credibilidade. Foi aplicado um questionário para levantamento de dados sociodemográficos e de saúde dos envolvidos, bem como a entrega de uma caderneta para anotação de percepção dos efeitos e registro de intercorrências. Sete dos dez participantes reportaram algum efeito colateral e afirmaram que treinaram melhor do que com o produto que utilizavam antes. A maioria (n = 6) afirmou que compraria o produto se fosse lançado no mercado. Foi percebido melhora nas médias de percepção significativa do esforço em todos os dias. Concluise-se que o placebo proporcionou melhor no desempenho.
Comunicação da má notícia e protocolo SPIKES
Authors: Nobre Julio Cesar de Almeida , Ramos Sarah Milene da Silva , Ferreira Letícia Faria
Published: April 2023

A comunicação da má notícia tem sido bastante discutida nos dias atuais. De modo articulado a esta discussão, foi criado o protocolo SPIKES, com o objetivo de nortear o profissional de saúde no estabelecimento de tal comunicação. Neste contexto, busca-se os argumentos sobre Normatividade Vital, em Canguilhem, bem como a Abordagem Centrada na Pessoa, de Carl Rogers, visto que estes, ao trazerem, entre outras coisas, um foco na autonomia da pessoa, parecem dialogar intimamente com a comunicação da má notícia. Logo, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo, realizar uma análise das implicações dos conceitos de Normatividade Vital e aqueles articulados a relação de ajuda centrada na pessoa, com os processos de comunicação da má notícia e o protocolo SPIKES. Por meio de uma metodologia qualitativa, de natureza básica e objetivos exploratórios, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica que possibilitou a conclusão de que as respectivas teorias podem ser consideradas como significativamente imbricadas com tais processos comunicacionais, principalmente quando se tem em mente que o modo como a má notícia é apresentada, interfere diretamente na capacidade normativa de quem a recebe.
Year-round presence of northern and southern hemisphere Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) at the Galapagos Archipelago.
Authors: Denkinger Judith , Douglas Annie B. , Biggs Douglas , Sears Richard , Narvaez Martin , Alarcon Daniela E.
Published: April 2023

Information about blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) in the Eastern Tropical Pacific is scarce with only few whales sighted within the last decades. Molecular, photo ID and acoustic studies suggest a connectivity of Chilean and Antarctic blue whales to potential breeding areas off the coast of Peru and in the Galapagos, whereas blue whales of the Costa Rica Dome relate to the Northern Hemisphere population feeding off the coast of California and breeding areas are yet unknown.
With opportunistic sighting records in the Galapagos, we document group size and distribution throughout the year during a 17-year period from 2001 to 2018. Sightings slightly increased during the study period with 50% of the whales seen as singletons. Whales were seen year-round but mostly during the Austral winter (82%) and calf sightings occurred from June to September. With 18% of the sightings occurring during the Austral summer, we propose there is geographical overlap between equatorial Galapagos and Northern hemisphere blue whales. One blue whale was identified in the Galapagos in February 2009, resighted in the Costa Rica Dome in January 2014, and sighted again in the Galapagos in May 2016, when whales from the Southern Hemisphere could already be present. The fact that blue whale sightings were recorded throughout the year and the identified individual strongly suggest a non-migratory blue whale population and that in the Galapagos overlapping of both North and South East Pacific blue whale populations can occur.
Habitat preference of common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Skjálfandi Bay, Iceland
Authors: Lechwar Aleksandra , Rasmussen Marianne , Basran Charla , Collins Sinéad
Published: April 2023

Anthropogenic activity has contributed to increased extinction rates, creating a need to monitor and conserve vulnerable species. Understanding the distribution and habitat preference of threatened species can identify crucial habitats, for which protection can improve the population size numbers.  Here, we investigate the habitat preference of the common minke whale, a rapidly declining yet understudied cetacean species. We analysed minke whale sightings over time and in relation to environmental factors (depth, sea surface temperature, sediment, chlorophyll), based on long-term monitoring data from Skjálfandi Bay in the northeast of Iceland. We found minke whales have a preference for water depth between 9-70m, and water temperature of either colder than 6°C or warmer than 9°C. Shallow depth was a strong predictor of minke whale presence, which matched sandeel distribution. Sandeels require shallow depths for spawning and overwinter burrowing, and the match between minke whale depth presence and sandeel habitat is in good agreement with sandeels being an important minke whale food source. Although the relationship between minke whale presence and sea surface temperature is weak, it also matched sandeel distribution. We also detected a decline in minke whale population size over the study period (2009-2018). The population decline observed here is consistent with the population trend estimated for the Icelandic population. We suggest that the habitat preferences identified here should be considered for conservation recommendations and minimising disturbance in the identified, crucial feeding areas.
Migration of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) between the Cape Verde Islands and Iceland
Authors: Wenzel F. W. , Jann B. , Allen J. , Carrillo M. , Hanquet S. , Katona S. K. , Martin A. R. , Reeves R. R. , Seton R. , Stevick P. T.
Published: April 2023

The movements of individual humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) can be tracked by matching photographs of the distinctive markings on the ventral sides of their tail flukes. During the winter-spring seasons of 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 a total of 42 individual humpbacks were identified by fluke photographs from the waters of the Cape Verde Islands. These were compared with photographs taken elsewhere in the North Atlantic. One match was made with a whale previously photographed in the Denmark Strait off Iceland, providing the first direct evidence of a link between the humpbacks in tropical waters of the eastern North Atlantic and a high-latitude feeding ground. This finding is consistent with the mitochondrial DNA evidence of at least two distinct breeding populations of humpback whales in the North Atlantic. The presence of cows with young calves as well as singers during the humpback mating and calving season implies that waters surrounding the Cape Verde archipelago constitute a breeding and calving ground for an eastern North Atlantic population of humpback whales.
A note on using satellite telemetry to document the use of San Ignacio Lagoon by gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) during their reproductive season
Authors: Mate Bruce R. , Lagerquist Barbara A. , Urban-Ramirez Jorge
Published: April 2023

In February 1996, 12 gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), consisting of six animals without calves and six females with calves, were instrumented with Argos satellite-monitored radio tags in San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur, Mexico. San Ignacio is one of only three major breeding and calving lagoons located along the Pacific Baja Coast. Tracking periods ranged from 1.5 to 20.8 days. Mothers stayed in the lagoon longer than animals without calves and made repeated excursions to and from the lagoon. The experiment took place at a time of year when the number of animals without calves usually declines, which likely influenced the residence time of these animals in the lagoon. The question of residence time and turnover of both animals with and without calves is important in establishing how many whales actually use the lagoon during the winter reproductive season.
Distance measurements using binoculars from ships at sea: accuracy, precision and effects of refraction
Authors: Kinzey Douglas , Gerrodette Tim
Published: April 2023

The distances to 1,576 targets between 0.3 and 10.4km from two ships were measured using the reticle scale in 253 binoculars during cetacean surveys in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Distances were measured under a range of conditions representing the environmental variability in three years of field surveys. Alternative formulae for calculating distance from optical devices were applied to the reticle measurements and compared to distances measured by radar. Reticles in 253 binoculars provided unbiased measurements to about a third of the way to the horizon, or from 0-4km for the 10.5m platform heights used for the study. Between 4 and 8km (approximately one-third to two-thirds of the distance to the horizon), distances tended to be slightly underestimated, reaching a maximum bias at the most distant targets of 6% for one ship and 16% for the other. Distances beyond about two-thirds of the way to the horizon were not measurable because the angles were too small. The negative bias in measurements of distances from 4-8km was due to refraction of light and other factors. Refraction had less of an effect than expected for a temperature gradient based on a standard atmosphere, suggesting a mean gradient for the eastern tropical Pacific of –0.02°C m–1 in the first 10m above the sea surface rather than the standard value of –0.0065°C m–1. Correcting the measurements for refraction improved their accuracy, eliminating the bias for one ship and reducing it for the other. Adjusting for refraction should improve measurements of distance using theodolites or photographic/video imaging as well as measurements using binoculars. An additional regression-based correction suggested that the remaining negative bias for one ship was a complex interaction of Beaufort Sea state, swell height and wind speed. Precision of distance measurements decreased multiplicatively with target distance. Including errors due to bias, the multiplicative standard error was 12%, or a 95% confidence interval from 0.8-1.2km for a target at 1km and from 6.5-9.9km for a target at 8km. Compared with other methods of measuring distance to marine mammals at sea, measurements using binocular reticles are more precise than distances estimated by eye, less precise than distances measured with photographic imaging, and useful over a larger range.
Overview of minke whale sightings surveys conducted on IWC/IDCR and SOWER Antarctic cruises from 1978/79 to 2000/01
Authors: Matsuoka Koji , Ensor Paul , Hakamada Takashi , Shimada Hiroyuki , Nishiwaki Shigetoshi , Kasamatsu Fujio , Kato Hidehiro
Published: April 2023

The IWC Southern Hemisphere minke whale assessment cruises (IDCR and SOWER) have been conducted since 1978/79 in the Antarctic regions of all six IWC management Areas for baleen whales (covering all, or more recently, part, of one Area each season). During the 23-year history of the programme to 2000/01, a total search distance on primary effort of 70,340 n.miles has been achieved during 2,448 ship-days in the Antarctic. A total of 6,027 primary minke whale school sightings were recorded. Over the years, there have been two major and some minor modifications to the survey design as a result of the development of survey procedures. These developments represent the best possible compromise between statistical needs and logistics. This paper outlines the most significant modifications that have occurred to the research equipment, protocols and data collection. Some preliminary results are also included. From 1985/86, the beginning of the second circumpolar set of cruises, the programme (initially a combination of Discovery marking and sightings) became essentially a dedicated line-transect systematic sightings cruise only. Modification of the survey design from the third circumpolar set of cruises (from 1991/92), to cover the whole region south of 60°S in the Antarctic resulted in a change in emphasis of the latitudinal coverage, especially in Areas I, II, III and V; the implications of this are discussed. The paper also describes: guidelines for the identification of minke whales; methods used for assessment of duplicate status in passing mode with independent observer; the protocol used for conducting the estimated angle and distance experiment; and methods used for determining the southern boundary of the research area (ice-edge). The programme has also enabled collection of biopsy, photo-identification, oceanographic and acoustic samples, and can be adapted to research programmes in other parts of the world. It is concluded that the programme has developed and established standard sighting procedures and has also improved the precision of whale identification standards in the Southern Ocean.