bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward Overcoming Physical Disability in Spinal Cord Injury: A Qualitative inquiry of the Experiences of Injured Individuals and Their Families
Authors: Nikbakht-Nasrabadi Alireza , mmohammadi nooredin , Yazdanshenas Manijeh , Shabany Maryam
Published: May 2019

OBJECTIVES

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-changing experience for the individuals with SCI and their families. This study aimed to investigate physical strategies used for overcoming physical disability in individuals with SCI.

METHODS

In this qualitative study, 17 SCI persons and 13 family caregivers were selected by a purposeful sampling. Settings of the study were Brain and SCI research (BASIR) center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Southern Social Welfare Center of Tehran and SCI Association of Tehran, Iran. Data were collected by face-to-face semi-structured interviews, which were continued until data saturation. The gathered data were concurrently analyzed by the content analysis method.

RESULTS

The data analysis revealed one main theme (towards overcoming physical disability) and three sub-themes: 1) physical rehabilitation by various methods; 2) tendency towards the use of alternative medical methods; and 3) making effort for self-reliance.

CONCLUSION

The participants used physiotherapy and occupational therapy as an effective and essential approach offered by the healthcare team. Some individuals with SCI with help of their family had invented simple rehabilitation equipment for help to their physical rehabilitation. However, most participants had referred to different complimentary medicine specialists based on advice friends and relatives and they often had spent a lot of time and money ineffectively. Therefore, they need training and support of the healthcare team as well as social support to achieve physical independence and physical recovery. Further research is suggested to investigate the barriers to achieving physical empowerment in people with SCI in Iran.
Custom selected reference genes outperform pre-defined reference genes in transcriptomic analysis
Authors: Santos Karen Cristine Gonçalves Dos , Desgagné-Penix Isabel , Germain Hugo
Published: May 2019

Background: RNA sequencing allows the measuring of gene expression at a resolution unmet by expression arrays or RT-qPCR. It is however necessary to normalize sequencing data by library size, transcript size and composition, among other factors, before comparing expression levels. The use of internal control genes or spike-ins is advocated in the literature for scaling read counts, but the methods for choosing reference genes are mostly targeted at RT-qPCR studies and require a set of pre-selected candidate controls or pre-selected target genes.
Results: Here, we report an R-based script to select internal control genes based solely on read counts and gene sizes. This novel method first normalizes the read counts to Transcripts per Million (TPM) and then excludes weakly expressed genes using the DAFT script to calculate the cut-off. It then selects as references the genes with lowest TPM covariance. We used this method to pick custom reference genes for the differential expression analysis of three transcriptome sets from transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing heterologous fungal effector proteins tagged with GFP (using GFP alone as the control). The custom reference genes showed lower covariance and fold change as well as a broader range of expression levels than commonly used reference genes. When analyzed with NormFinder, both typical and custom reference genes were considered suitable internal controls, but the custom selected genes were more stable. geNorm produced a similar result in which most custom selected genes ranked higher (i.e. were more stable) than commonly used reference genes.
Conclusions: The proposed method is innovative, rapid and simple. Since it does not depend on genome annotation, it can be used with any organism, and does not require pre-selected reference candidates or target genes that are not always available.
Genome wide association mapping and candidate gene analysis for hundred seed weight in soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merrill ]
Authors: Zhao Xue , Dong Hairan , Chang Hong , Zhao Jingyun , Teng Weili , Qiu Lijuan , Li Wenbin , Han Yingpeng
Published: May 2019

Background

The hundred seed weight (HSW) was one of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] yield components, and was also especially critical for various soybean food types. In this study, a representative sample consisted of 185 accessions, selected from Northeast China, was tested under six tested environments for determination of quantitative trait nucleotide (QTN) of HSW through genome-wide association study (GWAS).

Result

A total of 24,180 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with minor allele frequency more than 0.2 and missing data less than 3% were utilized to the estimate linkage disequilibrium (LD) level in the tested association panel. Thirty-four association signals were identified to be associated with HSW via GWAS. Among them, nineteen QTN were the novel and another fifteen QTN were overlapped or located near the genomic regions of known HSW QTL. A total of 237 genes, derived from 31 QTN, located near peak SNP for six tested environments, were considered as candidate genes, such as plant growing regulation, hormone metabolism, cell, RNA, protein metabolism, development, starch accumulation, secondary metabolism, signaling, and TCA, some of which have been found to participant in the regulation of HSW. A total of 106 SNPs from 16 candidate genes were significantly associated with HSW in soybean.

Conclusions

The identified loci with beneficial alleles and the candidate genes might be valuable for the molecular network and MAS of HSW.
Usefulness of a stool to stabilize dental chairs for external chest compression
Authors: Awata Norimasa , Hitosugi Takashi , Miki Yoichiro , Kawakubo Yoshifumi , Yokoyama Takeshi
Published: May 2019

Objectives: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) requires immediate start of external chest compression (ECC) and cardioversion as soon as possible. During dental surgery, CPR should be started in the dental chair considering difficulty to move the patient from the dental chair to the floor. However, all types of dental chairs are not stable for ECC.
We previously developed a procedure to stabilize a dental chair by using a stool. ERC guideline 2015 adopted our procedure when cardiac arrest during dental surgery. The objective of this study was to verify the efficacy of a stool as a stabilizer in different types of dental chairs.
Materials and methods: Three health care providers participated in this study, and 8 dental chairs were examined. ECC were performed on a manikin that was laid on the backrest of a dental chair. A stool was placed under the backrest to stabilize the dental chair. The vertical displacement of the backrest by ECC were compared between with and without a stool, and recorded by a camcorder.
Results: In all 8 dental chairs, the method by using a stool significantly reduced the vertical displacements of the backrest by ECC. The reduction ratios were between nearly 39~85%, although it was different by chairs.
Conclusions: Our procedure to stabilize dental chairs by using a stool significantly reduced the displacement of a backrest against ECC in all chairs.
Clinical relevance: Effective ECC could be performed in dental chairs by using a stool when sudden cardiac arrest occurs during dental surgery.
Escherichia Coli O157:H7: Distribution, molecular characterization, antimicrobial resistance patterns and source of contamination of sheep and goat carcasses at an export Abattoir, Mojdo, Ethiopia
Authors: Abreham Solomon , Teklu Akafete , Cox Eric , Tessema Tesfaye Sisay
Published: May 2019

Background: Cattle have been identified as a major reservoir of E. coli O157:H7 for human infection; the ecology of the organism in sheep and goats is less understood. This study was carried out to determine prevalence, source of infection, antibiotic resistance and molecular characterization of Escherichia coli O157: H7 isolated from sheep and goat.
Methods: Systematic random sampling was carried out at Modjo export abattoir, Ethiopia, from November 2012 to April 2013 to collect 408 samples from 72 sheep and 32 goats. Samples collected were skin swabs, fecal samples, intestinal mucosal swabs and the inside and outside part of carcasses as well as carcass in contacts such as workers hands, knife, hook and carcass washing water. Then, samples were processed following standard bacteriological procedures. Non-Sorbitol fermenting colonies were tested on latex agglutination test and the positives are subjected to PCR for detection of attaching and effacing genes (eae) and shiga toxin producing genes (stx 1 and stx 2). All E. coli O157:H7 isolates were checked for their susceptibility pattern towards 15 selected antibiotics.
Results: E. coli O157:H7 were detected in only 20/408 samples (4.9%). Among these 20 positive samples, 70% (14/20), 25% (5/20) and 5% (1/20) were from sheep, goats and knife samples, respectively. No significant associations were found between carcasses and the assumed sources of contaminations. Of all the 20 isolates virulent genes were found in 10 (50%) of them; 3 (15%) with only the eaeA gene and 7(35%) expressing eaeA and stx 2 genes. All the isolates were susceptible to Norfloxacin (NOR) (100%).
Conclusions: The presence of virulent genes shows E. coli O157:H7 is a potential source of human infection in Ethiopia.
RPINaptaBASE: a Database for RNA-Protein Interaction Network Analysis and Aptamer Design
Authors: Torkamanian-Afshar Mahsa , Lanjanian Hossein , Nematzadeh Sajjad , Tabarzad Maryam , Najafi Ali , Kiani Farzad , Masoudi-Nejad Ali
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Background
The RNA-protein interactions play crucial roles in the biological processes. Recent developments to clarify RNA and protein structural features have the urgent need for designing various databases, related to the specificity and the mechanism of the underlying interactions between a protein and an RNA molecule. The majority of these databases have focused on RNAs or proteins macromolecules independently, and they do not have the capability to run integrated queries on the RNA-protein complex. Theses existing databases have a linear query structure. Furthermore, they only focus on interacting (positive) samples and they do not contain non-interacting (negative) samples.
Results
We developed a Database for RNA-Protein Interaction Network Analysis and Aptamer Design (RPINaptaBASE). RPINaptaBASE has a nested query approach that enables users to apply nonlinear query analysis. The query engine module contains a wide range of features related to RNA and protein sequences and secondary structure elements of these macromolecules, which are helpful to generate custom datasets, especially for machine learning approaches. In this version, more than 175 features were calculated and available to users. It provides a web interface with download management services allowing users to generate desired datasets of unique RNA or protein sequences in independent lists. Furthermore; the web service empowers users to create artificial datasets of positive and negative samples from RNA-protein complexes. In order to present negative samples, the idea of distinguishing protein sequences by their clans and families was employed to efficiently generate non-interacting pairs.
Conclusion
This database prepares a user-friendly platform to study RNA-protein interactions. It also provides an important simplified contribution to the oligonucleotide-aptamer design process using machine learning algorithms. RPINaptaBASE is freely available at http://rpinbase.com
Prevalence and clinical impact of Streptococcus pneumoniae nasopharyngeal carriage in solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Roca-Oporto Cristina , Cebrero-Cangueiro Tania , Gil-Marqués María Luisa , Labrador-Herrera Gema , Smani Younes , González-Roncero Francisco M. , Marín-Gómez Luis Miguel , Pachón Jerónimo , Pachón-Ibáñez Maria Eugenia , Cordero Elisa
Published: May 2019

Background: S. pneumoniae is the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia in the solid organ transplant recipient (SOTR); nevertheless, the prevalence of colonization and of the colonizing/infecting serotypes has not been studied in this population. In this context, the aim of the present study was to describe the rate, characteristics, and clinical impact of S. pneumoniae nasopharyngeal carriage.
Methods: A prospective observational cohort of Solid Organ Transplant recipients (SOTR) was held at the University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain with the aim to evaluate the S. pneumoniae colonization and the serotype prevalence in SOTR. Two different pharyngeal swabs samples from 500 patients were included in two different seasonal periods winter and spring/summer. Optochin and bile solubility tests were performed for the isolation of thew strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility studies (MICs, mg/l) of levofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, penicillin, amoxicillin, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, azithromycin and vancomycin for each isolate were determined by E-test strips. Capsular typing was done by sequential multiplex PCR reactions. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of factors potentially associated with pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriage and disease was performed. Results: Twenty-six (5.6%) and fifteen (3.2%) patients were colonized in winter and spring/summer periods, respectively. Colonized SOT recipients compared to non-colonized patients were more frequently men (79.5% vs. 63.1%, P<0.05) and cohabitated regularly with children (59% vs. 32.2%, P<0.001). The most prevalent serotype in both studied periods was 35B. Forty-five percent of total isolates were included in the pneumococcal vaccine PPV23. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and macrolides were the less active antibiotics. Three patients had non-bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia, and two of them died.
Conclusions: Pneumococcal colonization in SOTR is low with the most colonizing serotypes not included in the pneumococcal vaccines.
iPNHOT: A knowledge-based approach for identifying protein-nucleic acid interaction hot spots
Authors: Zhu Xiaolei , Liu Ling , He Jingjing , Fang Ting , Xiong Yi , Mitchell Julie C.
Published: May 2019

Background

The interaction between proteins and nucleic acids plays pivotal roles in various biological processes such as transcription, translation, and gene regulation. Hot spots are a small set of residues that contribute most to the binding affinity of a protein-nucleic acid interaction. Compared to the extensive studies of the hot spots on protein-protein interfaces, the hot spot residues within protein-nucleic acids interfaces remains less well-studied, in part because mutagenesis data for protein-nucleic acids interaction are not as abundant as that for protein-protein interactions.

Results

In this study, we built a new computational model, iPNHOT, to effectively predict hot spot residues on protein-nucleic acids interfaces. One training data set and an independent test set were collected from dbAMEPNI and some recent literature, respectively. To build our model, we generated 97 different sequential and structural features and used a two-step strategy to select the relevant features. The final model was built based only on 9 features using a support vector machine (SVM). The features include three unique features such as ∆SASsa1/2, ∆SASna1/2, and esp3, which are newly proposed in this study. Based on the cross validation results, our model gave F1 score and AUC as 0.720 and 0.807 on the subset collected from ProNIT, respectively, compared to 0.407 and 0.670 of mCSM-NA, a state-of-the art model to predict the thermodynamic effects of protein-nucleic acid interaction. The iPNHOT model was further tested on the independent test set, which showed that our model outperformed other methods.

Conclusion

In this study, by collecting data from a recently published database dbAMEPNI, we proposed a new model, iPNHOT, to predict hotspots on protein-nucleic acid interfaces. The result shows that our model outperformed the existing state-of-art models. Our model is available for users through a webserver: http://zhulab.ahu.edu.cn/iPNHOT/.
Tratamento de Fratura Le fort I em paciente jovem: relato de caso
Authors: Mulinari-Santos Gabriel , Fernandes Breno dos Reis , Mendes Bruno Coelho , Queiroz Sormani Bento Fernandes de , Coléte Juliana Zorzi , Souza Francisley Ávila , Garcia Júnior Idelmo Rangel
Published: May 2019

Em seu estudo, René Le Fort caracterizou três tipos de padrões fratura: Le Fort I, II e III. Na Le Fort I, observou um traço de fratura transverso na maxila acima do ápice dos dentes. Com o aumento da força de intensidade nos traumas, os três padrões de fratura Le Fort, são cada vez mais improváveis de acontecer de forma isolada. Com isso, este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar um caso clínico de uma fratura do tipo Le Fort I em um paciente jovem, tratada com placas de titânio nos pilares caninos e zigomáticos da maxila.Descritores: Traumatologia; Maxila; Fixação de Fratura.ReferênciasHupp JR, Ellis III E, Myron R. Cirurgia oral e maxilo facial –Tucker. 6. Ed; 2015.Bailey BJ. Head and Neck Surgery-Otolaryngology. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott Company; 2001.Tessier  P.  The classic reprint: experimental study of fractures of the upper jaw. I and II. René Le Fort, MD.  Plast Reconstr Surg. 1972;    50(5):497-506.Tessier  P.  The classic reprint: experimental study of fractures of the upper jaw. 3. René Le Fort, MD, Lille, France.  Plast Reconstr Surg. 1972;50(6):600-7.Cummings CW. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. St. Louis, USA, Mosby Year Book,1993, vol. 1Philadelphia: JB Lippincott Company; 2001.Miniti A. Bento,R.F. Butugan, O. ORL Clínica e cirúrgica. São Paulo: Atheneu; 1993.Birolini D, Utiyama E, Steinman E. Cirurgia de Emergência. São Paulo, Atheneu; 1997.Juhl JH. Crummy AB. Paul and Juhl´s Essential of Radiologic Imaging; 1996.Manson PN, Clark N, Robertson B, Slezak S, Wheatly M, Vander Kolk C et al. Subunit principles in midface fractures: the importance of sagittal buttresses, soft-tissue reductions, and sequencing treatment of segmental fractures. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1999;103(4):1287-306.
Scientific school and academic work of V.I. Molchanov. To the 150th anniversary of the birth of the scientist
Authors: Morgoshiya T. Sh. , Vavilova O. G. , Markhuliya Kh. M. , Syroezhin N. A. , Balashova E. D.
Published: May 2019

The life and scientific heritage of Professor V.I. Molchanov are presented. The article noted that in 1923–1950 he headed the Department of Children’s Diseases of the 1st Moscow State University (since 1930, the 1st MMI). It was emphasized that in 1909 he defended his doctoral thesis on the topic: «The adrenal glands and their changes in diphtheria.» One of the first to study the state of the nervous system in acute infections, particularly scarlet fever, which allowed him to study the pathogenesis of the «scarlet heart», white dermographism in scarlet fever. It is shown that he was the first in the world (1932) to establish a pathogenetic link between scarlet fever and rheumatism. The merit of V. I. Molchanov is the development of a clinic for a number of endocrine disorders in childhood. In his monograph «Disorders of growth and development in children» (1927), a classification of endocrinopathies is proposed, recognized both in the USSRand abroad. Vasily Ivanovich was the first chairman (since 1936) of the committee for the study of children’s rheumatism, chairman of the Moscow Society of Pediatric Physicians since 1941. The pedagogical activities of Professor V.I. Molchanov. The prominent national pediatric school founded by him with some bright representatives of it is covered. Many of the students of Molchanov later became heads of the departments of pediatrics at medical schools in the country and prominent scientists. The article highlights the merits of some of them. It is shown that the image of this extraordinarily talented person, who glorified Russian pediatrics outside of Russia, and now is for the younger generation a vivid example of disinterested service to science.
The problem of predisposition to diseases: classic approaches and modern technologies
Authors: Kobrinsky B. A. , Zhakov Ya. I. , Sukhorukov V. S.
Published: May 2019

The article is devoted to urgent pediatric problem of comparing traditional and innovative approaches to the study of predisposition to diseases. It is noted that in the era of the formation of personalized pediatrics, along with the introduction of the latest diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, it is important to take into account the classic achievements, including those associated with the ideology of diathesis developed in the Russian pediatrics – concepts of hereditary predispositions. The article contains data on changing classification of diathesis. Within the framework of the 4P medical paradigm and, first of all, personalized medicine, the authors discuss molecular genetic and other high-tech potential methods of the disease risk assessment. Based on the concept of the space-time bioecological continuum of transitional health states, in particular, using the example of the atopic march, the authors consider the approaches to multi-level research, adaptation mechanisms and their breakdowns, and possible development of appropriate prognostic biomarkers. Using the example of biophenotypes of bronchial asthma and variants of manifestations of disenergetic states, the authors pay their attention to the importance of identifying the individual characteristics of pathological processes in children. The authors have concluded that the main task of personalized pediatrics is the development of methodology used for designing a personal health management program based on the principles of a new strategy for diagnosing, monitoring and controlling individual (including genomic) health, with the formation of a genetic passports for each child.
Constitutional diversity in the dimensions of internal organs of teenagers
Authors: Erkudov V. O. , Pugovkin A. P. , Volkov A. Ja. , Musaeva O. I. , Zhivtsova P. A.
Published: May 2019

The anatomical dimensions of the internal organs are relatively stable and constitutionally determined. The connection between the somatotype and the size of the internal organs in adolescents - boys and girls - remains virtually unexplored. So, the purpose of this work is to compare the size of the internal organs separately in the group of young men and girls with lepto-, meso-and hypersome somatotype. The study involved 421 teenagers aged from 13 to 17 years: 225 boys and 196 girls. Their somatotypes were determined according to the patented method of V.A. Melnik, I.I. Salivon, N.I. Polina, and the sizes of abdominal organs and thyroid gland were determined using ultrasound morphometry. Their comparisons revealed the mosaic distribution of differences in the size of internal organs in children with different types of constitution. The authors discussed possible reasons of this difference: a methodological error in visualizing the size of internal organs, the influence of thyroid hormones, general biological and evolutionary factors, and the effect of narrow (in terms of gender and age) selection of the subjects. Thus, an orientation towards the constitutional features of the organism as a factor influencing the results of ultrasound examination of internal organs should be optional until the mechanisms and structure of these features are clarified in detail.
Virome and Inflammasomes, a Finely Tuned Balance with Important Consequences for the Host Health
Authors: Freer Giulia , Maggi Fabrizio , Pistello Mauro
Published: May 2019

Background:

The virome is a network of viruses normally inhabiting humans. It forms a conspicuous portion of the so-called microbiome, once generically referred to as resident flora. Indeed, viruses infecting humans without leading to clinical disease are increasingly recognized as part of the microbiome and have an impact on the development of our immune system. In addition, they activate inflammasomes, multiprotein complexes that assemble in cells and that are responsible for the downstream effects of sensing pathogens.

Objective:

This review aims at summarizing the evidence on the role of the virome in modulating inflammation and emphasizes evidence for Anelloviruses as useful molecular markers to monitor inflammatory processes and immune system competence.

Method:

We carried out a review of the literature published in the last 5 years and summarized older literature to take into account ground-breaking discoveries concerning inflammasome assembly and virome.

Results:

A massive amount of data recently emerging demonstrate that the microbiome closely reflects what we eat, and many other unexpected variables. Composition, location, and amount of the microbiome have an impact on innate and adaptive immune defences. Viruses making up the virome contribute to shaping the immune system. Anelloviruses, the best known of such viruses, are present in most human beings, persistently without causing apparent disease. Depending on their interplay with such viruses, inflammasomes instruct host defences to tolerate or forfeit a specific microorganism.

Conclusion:

The virome plays an important role in shaping human immune defences and contributes to inflammatory processes by quenching or increasing them.
Aminocoumarins: A Privileged Precursor for the Synthesis of Fused Heterocycles
Authors: Saigal  , Shareef Sumbulunnisan , Rahman Habibur , Khan Md. Musawwer
Published: May 2019

Aminocoumarins are one of the important core structural systems, present in several biologically and medicinally active compounds. Owing to its natural occurrence, potential pharmacological applications and remarkable versatility as a privileged precursor, several proficient synthetic protocols have been reported in the literature over the past years. The presence of an amino group and enamine carbon enhances its chemical reactivity and thus such functionality is repeatedly used for the construction of various fused and simple heterocycles. This review highlights the preparation of different aminocoumarins and their applications for the construction of a variety of five, six and eight membered fused heterocycles.
Travelers’ Diarrhea: A Clinical Review
Authors: Leung Alexander K.C. , Leung Amy A.M. , Wong Alex H.C. , Hon Kam L.
Published: May 2019

Background:

Travelers’ diarrhea is the most common travel-related malady. It affects millions of international travelers to developing countries annually and can significantly disrupt travel plans.

Objective:

To provide an update on the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of traveler’s diarrhea.

Methods:

A PubMed search was completed in Clinical Queries using the key term “traveler’s diarrhea”. The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, observational studies, and reviews. The search was restricted to English literature. Patents were searched using the key term “traveler’s diarrhea” from www.freepatentsonline.com.

Results:

Between 10% and 40% of travelers develop diarrhea. The attack rate is highest for travelers from a developed country who visit a developing country. Children are at particular risk. Travelers’ diarrhea is usually acquired through ingestion of food and water contaminated by feces. Most cases are due to a bacterial pathogen, commonly, Escherichia coli, and occur within the first few days after arrival in a foreign country. Dehydration is the most common complication. Pretravel education on hygiene and on the safe selection of food items is important in minimizing episodes. For mild travelers’ diarrhea, the use of antibiotic is not recommended. The use of bismuth subsalicylate or loperamide may be considered. For moderate travelers’ diarrhea, antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones, azithromycin, and rifaximin may be used. Loperamide may be considered as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy. For severe travelers’ diarrhea, antibiotics such as azithromycin, fluoroquinolones, and rifaximin should be used. Azithromycin can be used even for the treatment of dysentery whereas fluoroquinolones and rifaximin cannot be used for such purpose. Recent patents related to the management of travelers’ diarrhea are discussed.

Conclusion:

Although travelers’ diarrhea is usually self-limited, many travelers prefer expedient relief
of diarrhea, especially when they are traveling for extended periods by air or ground. Judicious use of
an antimotility agent and antimicrobial therapy reduces the duration and severity of diarrhea.
Antiproliferative Effects of Ellagic Acid on DU145 Cells
Authors: Carota Giuseppe , Sferrazzo Giuseppe , Spampinato Mariarita , Sorrenti Valeria , Vanella Luca
Published: May 2019

Background:

Prostate Cancer (PC) represents a leading cause of tumor-related death among men in the Western world. Above all, DU145 cell line represents the most particular cells model of PC, derived from a central nervous system metastasis. In recent years, functional and healthy diet has gained a pivotal role in society, allowing the possibility to deal with cancer before its emergence or progression, profiting by anti-tumor properties of dietary phytochemicals. Among them, Ellagic Acid (EA) is found in several fruits and vegetables, whose juice demonstrated antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic and anti-fibrotic properties.

Methods:

DU145 prostate cancer cell line was used to determine the effects of ellagic acid on cell viability. In order to evaluate metastatic feature of DU145, VEGF-A and OPG levels by ELISA assay were assessed. Expression of β-catenin, HO-1, HO-2 and SIRT1, markers of proliferative and defense capacities, were determined by western blotting. To strengthen the study, cell transfection with siRNA β-catenin was performed.

Results:

In the presence of EA, the viability of DU145 cells was reduced by about 40 and 50%, respectively after the exposure to 50 and 100 μM concentrations. We also observed a reduction of both levels of VEGF-A and OPG, confirming the important role of EA in facing the metastasis development. EA treatment (50 μM) induced a significant reduction of β-catenin and SIRT1 levels and, similarly, there was a decrease of HO protein expression, more pronounced for HO-2, showing EA activity on the proliferative feature of DU145 cells. Knockdown of β-catenin by siRNA, in the presence of EA treatment, inhibited cell proliferation.

Conclusion:

Ellagic acid exhibits significant antiproliferative effects in ourin vitromodel of prostate cancer’s metastasis, suggesting that, the use of EA as a multitarget natural compound, may represent a possible strategy for cancer chemoprevention.
The Role of Dental Providers in Preventing HPV‐Related Diseases: A Systems Perspective
Authors: Daley Ellen M. , Vamos Cheryl A. , Thompson Erika , Vázquez‐Otero Coralia , Griner Stacey B. , Merrell Laura , Kline Nolan , Walker Kimberly , Driscoll Annelise , Petrila John
Published: May 2019

Successfully educating dental providers and patients about the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and oropharyngeal cancer requires coordinated efforts to increase HPV‐related prevention practices. The aim of this study was to identify, using a systems perspective, the multi‐level determinants related to how dental providers can promote HPV prevention in dental practices. Data for this qualitative study were collected in 2015‐16 from focus groups with dentists (four focus groups, n=33), focus groups with dental hygienists (four focus groups, n=48), and in‐depth interviews with dental opinion leaders (n=13). Results were triangulated and mapped along micro, meso, and macro system levels. At the micro level, participants identified patient characteristics and low self‐efficacy as influential determinants when discussing HPV prevention. At the meso level, relationships among dentists, dental hygienists, and the physical practice environment were factors affecting dental providers' HPV prevention efforts. At the macro level, professional organizations impacted how dental providers interacted with their patients on this topic. These results suggest that improving HPV prevention among dental providers requires a multi‐level approach that considers the distinctive context of dental settings, dental training, and perceptions of professional roles. The findings suggested that the macro‐ and meso‐level determinants may be challenging to modify due to the distinctive culture and practice models of dentistry. Nevertheless, the association between HPV and oral cancer requires an expansion of prevention strategies used in dental practices. Improving dental providers' self‐efficacy to communicate HPV prevention through continuing education and integration of skill‐guided training in dental and dental hygiene curricula could facilitate this process.
An Automated Blood Pressure Display for Self-Measurement in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (iHealth Track): Device Validation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Mazoteras-Pardo Victoria , Becerro-De-Bengoa-Vallejo Ricardo , Losa-Iglesias Marta Elena , López-López Daniel , Calvo-Lobo César , Rodríguez-Sanz David , Martínez-Jiménez Eva María , Palomo-López Patricia
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a global public health issue and is closely related to chronic kidney disorder (CKD). In people with CKD, strict monitoring of blood pressure is an important part of therapy.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this research was to validate the iHealth Track blood pressure monitoring device for patients with CKD according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol 2010 (ESH-IP2).

METHODS

In total, 33 patients who received hemodialysis in Plasencia participated in the study. There were 9 successive measurements made, which conformed to the ESH-IP2. We calculated the differences between the standard reference device (Omron M3 Intellisense) and the test device (iHealth Track) for blood pressure and heart rate values. For 99 total comparisons of paired measurements, we classified differences into various categories (≤5 mmHg, ≤10 mmHg, and ≤15 mmHg for blood pressure; ≤3, ≤5, and ≤8 beats per minute for heart rate).

RESULTS

In 90 of 99 systolic blood pressure and 89 of 99 diastolic blood pressure comparisons between the devices, measurement differences were within 5 mmHg. In 81 of 99 heart rate comparisons between the devices, measurement differences were within 3 beats per minute. The mean differences between the test and reference standard measurements were 3.27 (SD 2.99) mmHg for systolic blood pressure, 3.59 (SD 4.55) mmHg for diastolic blood pressure, and 2.18 (SD 2.75) beats per minute for heart rate.
We also observed that for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, 31 of 33 participants had at least two of three comparisons between the devices with measurement differences less than 5 mmHg. For heart rate, 28 of 33 patients had at least two of three comparisons between the devices with measurement differences less than 3 beats per minute.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that iHealth Track meets the requirements of the ESH-IP2 in patients with CKD. Therefore, the iHealth Track is suitable for use in renal patients.
Avaliação e feedback no ensino superior: um estudo na Universidade do Minho
Authors: Ribeiro Pereira Diana , Flores Maria Assunção
Published: May 2019

Neste artigo apresentamos resultados de um estudo cujo objetivo principal consistiu em conhecer as perspetivas dos estudantes universitários sobre a avaliação no ensino superior, em particular sobre os métodos utilizados e o feedback. Os dados foram recolhidos através de um inquérito por questionário, aplicado a alunos do 3º ano de diferentes cursos da Universidade do Minho. No total, participaram 254 estudantes. Os dados revelam que os alunos tendem a valorizar o feedback, que veem como crítica construtiva, embora admitam que a sua eficácia e utilidade dependam da compreensão das tarefas, bem como da relação que mantêm com o professor.
Imagen social e identidad profesional de la psicología desde la perspectiva de sus estudiantes
Authors: Covarrubias-Papahiu Patricia
Published: May 2019

Se reportan los resultados de una investigación cuyo objetivo fue analizar las representaciones que tienen estudiantes de psicología sobre la imagen social de la psicología y su identidad profesional. Se utilizó una metodología cualitativa e interpretativa desde una perspectiva psicosocial. Los hallazgos más significativos muestran que los estudiantes piensan que la sociedad tiene una imagen estereotipada de la psicología, atribuyen su reconocimiento o desconocimiento social al capital cultural, social y económico de las personas, aprecian positivamente el desarrollo e identidad profesional de la psicología. Algunos vieron cumplidas sus expectativas durante su formación profesional, otros dudan de sus habilidades profesionales.
Tutoria: perspetiva de estudantes e professores de enfermagem
Authors: Marques Maria do Céu , Sim Sim Maria Margarida , Frade Maria dos Anjos , Chora Maria Antónia
Published: May 2019

Com o objetivo de avaliar o processo de tutoria, descreve-se a perceção dos estudantes e docentes da Escola Superior de Enfermagem São João de Deus (ESESJD) da Universidade de Évora (UÉ) em Portugal. Aplicaram-se questionários de autopreenchimento a 146 discentes e 19 docentes. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, descritivo e transversal. Os resultados indicam que globalmente, os estudantes percebem a tutoria como um recurso positivo, reconhecem no tutor, um orientador válido no percurso de formação, que está disponível e é amigável. Os docentes identificam-se como figuras de recurso e procuram responder às necessidades dos estudantes. Como problemas principais dos estudantes, emergem a adaptação ao ritmo e gestão das tarefas académicas. Na perspetiva dos professores, a tutoria trouxe benefícios. Concluem ambos os grupos que o regime deve ser facultativo e apontam dois episódios semestrais como os necessários/suficientes.
Participación dialógica en la Universidad: condición para el desarrollo del pensamiento crítico y el compromiso social
Authors: Monarca Héctor
Published: May 2019

Hace más de un siglo que las críticas a la escuela tradicional pusieron de relieve la importancia del aprendizaje activo. De la misma manera, con posterioridad, tanto desde el constructivismo como desde la psicología sociocultural se evidenció el papel relevante de la actividad de los estudiantes en sus aprendizajes. Finalmente, desde otros marcos teóricos como la sociología, la lingüística, la pedagogía crítica, etcétera, se ha insistido en la necesidad de la implicación de los estudiantes en sus propios procesos formativos. En esta línea, los aportes de Habermas y Freire han tenido importantes repercusiones en las prácticas de enseñanza, en donde lo dialógico se transforma en un rasgo y componente esencial de los procesos de construcción del conocimiento, del sujeto y de la sociedad. Este artículo aborda la participación dialógica de los estudiantes en la universidad, asumiendo un claro compromiso de ésta en la formación de profesionales críticos y comprometidos con la sociedad y el mundo en el que vivimos.
¿Qué leen los profesores de la Universidad de Sonora? Un estudio sobre la lectura como práctica cultural
Authors: Tarazón-Ruíz Flor-Alejandra , Gutiérrez Rohán Daniel Carlos
Published: May 2019

Este artículo se deriva de los resultados de la investigación realizada para describir las disposiciones culturales de los profesores, con base en los conceptos ordenadores de la teoría sociológica de Pierre Bourdieu. Así se aborda, específicamente, la reflexión sobre lo que leen los profesores, como un factor determinante en la adquisición de capital cultural. Por medio de un enfoque cualitativo, se entrevistó a profesores de tiempo completo de la Universidad de Sonora, a los que se considera como sujetos principales en la reestructuración de disposiciones culturales de los actores universitarios, con el objetivo de conocer la inclinación/gustos hacia la lectura como uno de los aspectos fundamentales que conforman el habitus de los individuos en el campo educativo.
Intercambio cooperativo versus mercantilización competitiva: las políticas de movilidad académica en el MERCOSUR y la Unión Europea
Authors: Solanas Facundo
Published: May 2019

La génesis de los procesos de internacionalización de la educación superior se vinculó estrechamente a la cooperación académica y científica entre las universidades, aunque el auge de la globalización y los procesos de mercantilización del sector transformaron en buena medida a ese intercambio en competitividad y competencia. Tanto el proceso de Bolonia como buena parte de las acciones de la Unión Europea (UE) pensadas para otros continentes, se enmarcan dentro de la estrategia para el mercado interior de servicios del Consejo Europeo de Lisboa de 2000, buscando una Europa más competitiva, donde el principal interés apuntaba a ampliar su “oferta” universitaria hacia los estudiantes de estos países. En este trabajo nos proponemos analizar cómo ha repercutido el cambio de paradigma sobre las políticas de movilidad académica en el MERCOSUR y la UE, apoyándonos en fuentes documentales y en la literatura existente en la materia.
Animación sociocultural y desarrollo comunitario versus educación para el desarrollo: una experiencia innovadora en Educación Superior
Authors: Pérez-Pérez Itahisa
Published: May 2019

El nuevo Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES) ha supuesto una adaptación en los métodos de enseñanza-aprendizaje, pasando de un modelo educativo basado en la enseñanza a un modelo basado en el aprendizaje. Así, el profesorado pasa a un segundo plano y el rol principal recae en el alumnado. El presente artículo se centra en una experiencia integradora, y a la vez novedosa, en nuestra facultad; se trata de vincular en clase tres disciplinas afines: la animación sociocultural, el desarrollo comunitario y la educación para el desarrollo. Esta vinculación se realiza por medio de una metodología participativa que desarrolla la competencia de trabajo en equipo y otorga un papel protagonista al estudiante. La experiencia se desarrolla en la asignatura “Estrategias educativas para la animación sociocultural y el desarrollo comunitario”, en el segundo del grado en Educación social, curso académico 2011/2012, en la Universidad Pablo de Olavide, en Sevilla, España.
El futuro de la educación superior en México
Authors: Acosta Silva Adrian
Published: May 2019

Este es un ensayo sobre el futuro de la educación superior mexicana. La idea central a discutir es la naturaleza cambiante de la reflexión prospectiva no solamente de la educación superior, sino de la sociedad, la economía y la política que le sirven de escenario y contexto a la educación terciaria nacional. A partir de una revisión sobre el concepto de futuro, y de los diversos futuros que pueden ser identificados en los distintos campos de la acción pública, en el texto se exploran algunos de los discursos internacionales dominantes sobre el tema y sus posibles implicaciones para pensar el caso mexicano. Asimismo, se registran algunos de los problemas críticos de la educación superior mexicana contemporánea, y se proponen  temas de lo que podría ser una política para el futuro de la educación terciaria nacional.
Motivos para la baja voluntaria definitiva de alumnos de licenciatura en instituciones de educación superior privadas. Un estudio en el Sureste de México
Authors: Barroso Tanoira Francisco Gerardo
Published: May 2019

Las bajas voluntarias definitivas de alumnos pueden deberse a diversos factores.  Sin embargo, en el caso de las instituciones de educación superior privadas, estas bajas generalmente se vinculan a problemas financieros de los alumnos o al nivel académico con el que éstos llegan desde la preparatoria. El presente estudio se realizó con participantes vinculados a cuatro instituciones de educación superior privadas en Mérida Yucatán, México, orientadas al segmento socioeconómico medio-alto.  Los resultados muestran que, contrariamente a lo que comúnmente se piensa, el factor económico no fue el más importante para las bajas voluntarias definitivas de los alumnos, siendo más importantes la falta de apoyo de tutores, autoridades de la escuela y profesores (apoyo organizacional), lo que se traduce en bajo rendimiento académico, materias reprobadas, falta de orientación vocacional e insuficiente adaptación al medio, en el caso de los foráneos.Palabras clave: educación superior, desempeño del estudiante, deserción, educación privada.
Tecnología Educativa. Campos de Formación y Perfil Diferencial
Authors: Jiménez Saavedra Sergio Aurelio
Published: May 2019

El presente artículo nace de resolver la problemática sociocultural relacionada con el campo de diseño curricular, respecto a la falta de formación de un perfil en tecnología educativa en la formación inicial de licenciatura en la ciudad de Oaxaca. Se inicia con el problema de investigación y su planteamiento; así mismo se muestran los objetivos perseguidos en un proyecto de tesis de maestría. Posteriormente se explica el diseño de una licenciatura en tecnología educativa en el nivel superior, describiendo sus campos de formación y su perfil diferencial
El plan de estudios de la licenciatura en Historia del sistema abierto de la UNAM. Una perspectiva histórica
Authors: Vargas Delgado Claudia-Priscila , Avella Alaminos Isabel
Published: May 2019

El artículo aporta una reflexión histórica a partir del análisis del plan de estudios de 1979 de la licenciatura en Historia del Sistema Universidad Abierta (SUA) de la Facultad de Filosofía y Letras (FFyL) de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), primera institución del país que ofreció la carrera de Historia en esa modalidad, con lo que sentó un precedente relevante para diversificar la oferta de formación profesional en el campo de la historia. Si bien existen documentos institucionales y análisis que desde la pedagogía aluden al tema, carecemos de una visión histórica del modelo de Historia SUA de la FFyL que nos permita entender bajo qué lineamientos se diseñaron los contenidos del plan de 1979 y en qué medida éste ha mantenido o no su vigencia como modelo curricular.
La transnacionalización de la educación superior: ¿qué papel juegan los nuevos regionalismos en la difusión de estas ideas? El caso del MERCOSUR (1992-2012) en perspectiva comparada
Authors: Botto Mercedes Isabel
Published: May 2019

El objetivo de este trabajo es contribuir a la comprensión de la reforma dela Educación Superiorde los años noventa en América Latina, analizando la influencia ejercida por los procesos de integración regional, más precisamente el MERCOSUR. ¿En qué medida ayudó a difundir y poner en marcha las ideas de transnacionalización o de  internacionalización que estaban en debate a nivel global? Para responder a esta pregunta, usaremos la comparación de la experiencia del MERCOSUR con la de otros regionalismos  identificando las iniciativas en torno a la movilidad de estudiantes y a la acreditación de carreras, dos iniciativas que abordan por igual todos los procesos de integración analizados.  La conclusión a la que llegamos sugiere que los nuevos regionalismos avanzaron a una tercera posición: defenderse de la globalización a través de políticas de cooperación solidaria, al tiempo que buscaban conformar un espacio regional de educación superior desde donde competir globalmente. En América del Sur, sin embargo, los avances se han reducido hasta el momento, a consolidar las capacidades nacionales, promoviendo los procesos de reforma inconclusos en los países menos desarrollados y consolidar las posiciones estratégicas y dominantes de los más desarrollados en la región, sin lograr establecer un espacio regional de educación superior.