bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Ramadan fasting on glycaemic parameters & body mass index in type II diabetic patients
Authors: Aydın Neriman , Kul Seval , Karadağ Gülendam , Tabur Suzan , Araz Mustafa 
Published: January 2020

Background & objectives:
There has been an ongoing debate about the impact of Ramadan fasting (RF) on the health of these individuals who fast during Ramadan. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the relationship between RF and glycaemic parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

Methods:
Search terms were decided and databases such as MEDLINE EBSCO, Google Scholar and EMBASE were searched for eligible studies. Standardized mean differences and 95 per cent confidence intervals (CIs) of post-prandial plasma glucose (PPG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (%) and fructosamine levels were calculated for different treatment regimens.

Results:
Of the 40 studies, 19 were found eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Based on pooled results, significant reductions in FPG were found in single oral antidiabetics (OAD) [standardized weighted mean difference (SMD)=0.47, 95% CI=(0.20-0.74)], multi-OAD [SMD=0.36, 95% CI=(0.11-0.61)] and multitreatment subgroups [SMD=0.65, 95% CI=(0.03-1.27)] and overall [SMD=0.48, 95% CI=(0.27-0.70)]. Furthermore, HbA1c (%) [SMD=0.26, 95% CI=(0.03-0.49)] and body mass index (BMI) [SMD=0.18, 95% CI=(0.04-0.31)] were significantly decreased in the multi-OAD group.

Interpretation & conclusions:
The meta-analysis showed that RF was not associated with any significant negative effects on PPG and fructosamine levels. However, BMI and FPG and HbA1c (%) were positively affected by RF.
End-of-life decisions
Authors: Kuriakose Cijoy K. , Chandiraseharan Vignesh Kumar , John Ajoy Oommen , Bal Deepti , Jeyaseelan Visalakshi , Sudarsanam Thambu David 
Published: January 2020

Background & objectives:
In developing countries like India, there is a lack of clarity regarding the factors that influence decisions pertaining to life supports at the end-of-life (EOL). The objectives of this study were to assess the factors associated with EOL-care decisions in the Indian context and to raise awareness in this area of healthcare.

Methods:
This retrospectively study included all patients admitted to the medical unit of a tertiary care hospital in southern India, over one year and died. The baseline demographics, economic, physiological, sociological, prognostic and medical treatment-related factors were retrieved from the patient's medical records and analysed.

Results:
Of the 122 decedents included in the study whose characteristics were analyzed, 41 (33.6%) received full life support and 81 (66.4%) had withdrawal or withholding of some life support measure. Amongst those who had withdrawal or withholding of life support, 62 (76.5%) had some support withheld and in 19 (23.5%), it was withdrawn. The documentation of the disease process, prognosis and the mention of imminent death in the medical records was the single most important factor that was associated with the EOL decision (odds ratio - 0.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.74; P=0.03).

Interpretation & conclusions:
The documentation of poor prognosis was the only factor found to be associated with EOL care decisions in our study. Prospective, multicentric studies need to be done to evaluate the influence of various other factors on the EOL care.
Vitamin A deficiency increases the oleic acid (C18
Authors: Gopal Reddy Mooli Raja , Kumar Manchiryala Sravan , Acharya Vani , Venkata Surekha Mullapudi , Putcha Uday Kumar , Jeyakumar Shanmugam Murugaiha 
Published: January 2020

Background & objectives:
Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a key lipogenic enzyme responsible for endogenous synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and plays a key role in various pathophysiology, including fatty liver diseases. In this experimental study the impact of vitamin A deficiency was assessed on SCD1 regulation in relation to kidney biology, under high fructose (HFr) diet-fed condition in rats.

Methods:
Forty male weanling (21 day old) Wistar rats were divided into four groups control, vitamin A-deficient (VAD), HFr, VAD with HFr consisting of eight rats each, except 16 for the VAD group. The groups received one of the following diets: control, VAD, HFr and VAD with HFr for 16 wk, except half of the VAD diet-fed rats were shifted to HFr diet, after eight week period.

Results:
Feeding of VAD diet (alone or with HFr) significantly reduced the kidney retinol (0.51, 0.44 μg/g vs. 2.1 μg/g; P<0.05), while increased oleic (C18:1) and total MUFA levels (23.3, 22.2% and 27.3, 25.4% respectively vs. 14.7 and 16.6%; P<0.05) without affecting the SCD1, both at protein and mRNA levels, when compared with HFr. Comparable, immunohistological staining for SCD1 was observed in the distal convoluted tubules. Despite an increase in MUFA, morphology, triglyceride content and markers of kidney function were not affected by VAD diet feeding.

Interpretation & conclusions:
Feeding of VAD diet either alone or under HFr condition increased the kidney oleic acid (C18:1) levels and thus total MUFA, which corroborated with elevated SCD1 activity index, without affecting its expression status. However, these changes did not alter the kidney morphology and function. Thus, nutrient-gene regulation in kidney biology seems to be divergent.
Sexual functioning in females with depression in remission receiving escitalopram
Authors: Roy Pritha , Gupta Bandna , Tripathi Adarsh , Nischal Anil , Dalal Pronob Kumar , Kar Sujita Kumar 
Published: January 2020

Background & objectives:
Sexual functioning is a strong determinant of quality of life. Sexual dysfunction has been widely reported due to depressive disorder as well as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Thus, treatment with antidepressants can culminate in a double-edged sword, leading to drug discontinuation and symptom relapse. The objective of this study was to assess the sexual functioning of sexually active females with depression, currently in remission, receiving escitalopram and to compare with healthy controls.

Methods:
Fifty female patients with depression, currently in remission, with self-reported normal pre-morbid sexual function and receiving escitalopram for at least three months, were assessed on female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire and compared with healthy controls.

Results:
Half of the patients (n=25, 50%) in group A were found to have sexual dysfunction (FSFI score <26.55), while, 90 per cent (n=45) had decreased desire, 86 per cent (n=43) had decreased arousal, 54 per cent (n=27) had decreased lubrication, 68 per cent (n=34) had decreased orgasm, 62 per cent (n=31) had decreased satisfaction and 32 per cent (n=16) had pain during sexual activity. Patients receiving escitalopram had significantly higher sexual dysfunction as compared to healthy controls in mean total FSFI score (P<0.001) and all mean domain scores of FSFI except pain.

Interpretation & conclusions:
A significant proportion of sexually active females with depression currently in remission, receiving escitalopram, reported dysfunction in all domains of sexual function; thus, routine screening for sexual dysfunction during follow up is advisable for early identification and prompt treatment.
In vitro comparison of the cytotoxic effects of statins on U266 myeloma cell line
Authors: Terzi Hatice , Altun Ahmet , Şencan Mehmet 
Published: January 2020

Background & objectives:
Statins are one of the most widely used drugs and have antilipidemic effects as well as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorigenic effects. It has been shown that the synergistic combinations of statins which can provide better clinical benefit in the treatment of cancer and if administered with other anticancer agents, may be an alternative treatment modality. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of administrating statin in multiple myeloma (MM) cell line on cell proliferation.

Methods:
U266 myeloma cells were cultured in 25 or 75 cm2 flasks by using cell culture medium mixtures obtained with the supplementation of 10 per cent foetal bovine serum and one per cent of penicillin-streptomycin into RPMI 1640 medium. When the cells reached confluence (reached to the density of 70%), they were reproduced by passaging. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by using the XTT test.

Results:
Statins (atorvastatin and simvastatin), were administered to the U266 myeloma cell line at 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.12 μM concentrations. Inhibitor concentration 50 (IC50) values calculated for atorvastatin and simvastatin were determined as 94 and 38 μM, respectively. While 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.12 μM concentrations were used for bortezomib, the IC50 value calculated for this agent was 18.2 nM. When six concentrations of bortezomib used in the study were combined with 12.5 μM inactive concentrations of statins that did not cause inhibition in cell proliferation, both atorvastatin and simvastatin increased the effect of bortezomib at all the concentrations used, and simvastatin showed a stronger efficacy than atorvastatin.

Interpretation & conclusions:
Our in vitro results indicated that atorvastatin and simvastatin when used along with the conventional treatment in myeloma patients, may improve the effectiveness of the standard therapy and prevent the bortezomib-induced cytotoxic and neurotoxic side effects when used at a low dose. Further studies need to be done in MM patints to confirm these findings.
Autopsy-based morphometric study of coronary atherosclerosis in young adults
Authors: Thiripurasundari R. , Sreekumari K. , Aravindan K.P. 
Published: January 2020

Background & objectives:
The burden of cardiovascular diseases is high in Kerala, India, and a considerable proportion of these occur in young people. The objective of this study was to estimate the severity of atherosclerosis in autopsies done for accidental and suicidal deaths in victims below 40 yr of age.

Methods:
Coronary arteries from 77 autopsies done for unnatural deaths in a population below 40 yr were graded, and the degree of stenosis, intimal thickness index (ITI) and the intima-media ratio (IMR) were measured.

Results:
There were 65 males and 12 females in the sample. The American Heart Association (AHA) type 3-6 (pathological intimal thickening) was seen in 55.4 per cent [95% confidence interval (CI): 42.5-67.7%] of males and 25 per cent (95% CI: 5.5-57.2%) of females and advanced lesions (type 4-6) in 44.6 per cent (95% CI: 32.3-57.5%) of males and 8.3 per cent (95% CI: 0.2-38.5%) of females. Types 5 or 6 lesions were seen in 32.2 per cent (95% CI: 21.2-45.1%) of males. The mean stenosis was 57.3 per cent in males and 40.6 per cent in females. More than 40 per cent stenosis was seen in 76.6 per cent cases, more than 50 per cent in 54.5 per cent cases and more than 75 per cent stenosis in 14.3 per of the sample. The mean ITI (MIT) was 1.85 and the mean IMR was 4.11. The degree of stenosis, MIT and IMR were significantly associated with male sex, overweight and smoking.

Interpretation & conclusions:
Morphometric data showed that the degree of atherosclerotic narrowing of coronary arteries in young non-diseased population was high. It portends a danger to the community unless preventive measures are taken up.
Effects of Vitamin E on the immune system and tumor growth during radiotherapy
Authors: Gu Yeun-Hwa , Kang Ki-Mun , Yamashita Takenori , Song Jin Ho 
Published: January 2020

Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Vitamin E (VE) on the immune system and tumor growth during radiotherapy (RT) in mice model.

Methods:
C57BL/6NCrSlc mice were randomly distributed in four groups (control, VE alone, RT alone, and VE + RT). In the VE and VE + RT groups, VE was administered in the diet at 500 mg/kg. Radiation was delivered at 2 Gy in a single fraction on the whole body or at 6 Gy in three fractions locally in the RT and VE + RT groups. Changes in leukocytes and T lymphocytes were counted and compared between the four groups. To evaluate the effects on tumor growth, Ehrlich carcinoma cells were injected into the thighs of mice, and tumor volumes and growth inhibition rates were compared.

Results:
The number of leukocytes was increased in the VE group compared with that in the control group. The magnitude of leukocyte recovery after RT was also increased by VE. This change was affected largely by alterations in lymphocytes and monocytes rather than that in granulocytes. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were positively affected by VE. The tumor growth was inhibited not only by RT but also by VE alone. If RT was delivered with VE, tumor growth was markedly inhibited.

Conclusion:
VE could increase the number of leukocytes, primarily lymphocytes, even after RT was delivered. VE also inhibited the tumor growth in addition to RT. Thus, VE may be a useful radioprotective supplement in radiotherapy without inducing tumor growth.
Ideals of the Quantum Group Algebra, Arens Regularity and Weakly Compact Multipliers
Authors: Nemati Mehdi , Rajaei Rizi Maryam 
Published: January 2020

AbstractLet $\mathbb{G}$ be a locally compact quantum group and let $I$ be a closed ideal of $L^{1}(\mathbb{G})$ with $y|_{I}\neq 0$ for some $y\in \text{sp}(L^{1}(\mathbb{G}))$. In this paper, we give a characterization for compactness of $\mathbb{G}$ in terms of the existence of a weakly compact left or right multiplier $T$ on $I$ with $T(f)(y|_{I})\neq 0$ for some $f\in I$. Using this, we prove that $I$ is an ideal in its second dual if and only if $\mathbb{G}$ is compact. We also study Arens regularity of $I$ whenever it has a bounded left approximate identity. Finally, we obtain some characterizations for amenability of $\mathbb{G}$ in terms of the existence of some $I$-module homomorphisms on $I^{\ast \ast }$ and on $I^{\ast }$.
Representações do aprender línguas em narrativas visuais: o que mostram as imagens de sites de escolas de inglês
Authors: Da Silva Renato Caixeta 
Published: January 2020

This article is about the discourse on learning languages construed and transmitted by images in websites of private schools specialized in foreign languages teaching, evidencing the representations construed by these establishments to society. The argument favors the consideration of images in language studies, and the theoretical basis adopted includes the socio-semiotic approach to language, the Grammar of Visual Design, and the concept of social representation. The corpus analysis evidences the representation of the learning in optimal conditions of comfort, homogeneity, with the presence of resources and diverse instruments, in which the student is an agent of processes related to linguistic reception. It is concluded that these visual narratives contribute to the idea widely spread in society that the ideal language learning happens in private specialized schools and is reserved for few people.
Retrieving L2 word stress from orthography: Evidence from word naming and cross-modal priming
Authors: Post da Silveira Amanda 
Published: January 2020

In this paper we investigated how L1 word stress affects L2 word naming for cognates and non-cognates in two lexical stress languages, Brazilian Portuguese (BP, L1) and American English (AE, L2). In Experiment 1, BP-AE bilinguals named a mixed list of disyllabic moderate frequency words in L1 (Portuguese) and L2 (English). In Experiment 2, Portuguese-English bilinguals named English (L2) disyllabic target words presented simultaneously with auditory Portuguese (L1) disyllabic primes. It is concluded that word stress has a task-dependent role to play in bilingual word naming and must be incorporated in bilingual models of lexical production and lexical perception and reading aloud models.
Maternal undernutrition during lactation leads to reduction in skull size and thickness of adult-aged Wistar rats
Authors: Pires Lucas , Junior Albino , Chagas Carlos , Manaia Jorge , Gameiro Vinicius , Babinski Marcio 
Published: January 2020

IntroductionIt is known that the quality and quantity of milk is directly related to the dietary habits of the mother. Despite that, the rates of maternal malnutrition during lactation are increasing in several countries; thus, observing its effects on the offspring is relevant. The present study aims to verify the effects of maternal malnutrition during breastfeeding on the skulls of adult-aged Wistar rats.Material and methodsThirty-six newborn rats were divided in three groups: the control group, in which the mother received a regular commercial diet containing 23% protein in unlimited amounts; the protein-energy restriction group, in which the dam received a commercial diet containing 8% protein in unlimited amounts; the energy restricted group, in which the dam received a commercial diet containing 23% of protein in limited amounts. After weaning, all rats received the same diet as the control group until 180 days of age. Then, the rats were euthanized, and their crania were excised and measured in radiographic images. Afterwards, their skull was decalcified with nitric acid (5%) and histological samples were obtained and the thickness of the diploe was verified. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA followed by the Newman-Keuls test were performed for comparison purposes.ResultsIt was observed that the skull from the protein-energy restriction and energy-restriction groups was smaller and thinner than that of the control group in several parameters.ConclusionsMaternal malnutrition during the lactation period caused long-term effects in skull morphology of Wistar rats. These effects could not be reversed after regulation of the diet.
Medición de la comorbilidad depresiva en drogodependientes: Validez y eficacia diagnóstica del Inventario de Depresión de Beck (BDI-II) en dominicanos con múltiple consumo de sustancias
Authors: García-Batista Zoilo Emilio , Guerra-Peña Kiero , Cano-Vindel Antonio , Cantisano-Guzmán Luisa Marilia , Flores-Kanter Pablo Ezequiel , Medrano Leonardo Adrián 
Published: January 2020

Abstract: Measurement of depressive comorbidity in drug dependents: Validity and diagnostic efficiency of Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II) in Dominicans with multiple substance consumption. The present study proposed two main objectives, a) evaluate the validity of BDI-II for the identification of comorbid depressive symptoms in people with multiple substance abuse (i.e. Known-Groups Validity); and b) verify the diagnostic efficacy of the inventory for the distinction between general population and clinical drug dependents. From a two-stage sampling, a total of 116 Dominicans was selected, of whom 50% were drug-dependent. Analysis of differences between groups and analysis of COR curves were applied. The results show statistically significant and large effect size differences in depression levels in favor of the substance abuse group. In addition, COR curve analyses indicate that depression scores derived from BDI-II have adequate diagnostic performance indices. In short, evidence is provided in favor of the appropriateness and validity of the BDI-II to be applied in a population of drug dependents. Keywords: Drug dependents; depression; BDI-II; comorbidity; known-groups validity; COR curves; Dominican Republic. Resumen: El presente estudio se propuso como objetivos, a) evaluar la validez del BDI-II para la identificación de sintomatología depresiva comórbida en personas con múltiple abuso de sustancias (i.e. Known-Groups Validity); y b) verificar la eficacia diagnóstica del inventario para la distinción entre población general y drogodependientes clínicos. A partir de un muestreo bietapico, se seleccionó un total de 116 dominicanos de los cuales el 50% era drogodependiente. Se aplicaron análisis de diferencias entre grupos y análisis de curvas COR. Los resultados muestran diferencias estadísticamente significativas, y de tamaño del efecto grande, en los niveles de depresión en favor del grupo de personas con problemática de abuso de sustancias. Además, los análisis de curvas COR indican que los puntajes de depresión derivados del BDI-II presentan índices de rendimiento diagnóstico adecuados. En suma, se aporta evidencia a favor de la adecuación y validez del BDI-II para ser aplicado en población de drogodependientes. Palabras clave: Drogodependencia; depresión; BDI-II; comorbilidad; known-groups validity; curvas COR; República Dominicana.
Conflictos de intereses y su contención a través de soft law
Authors: Tortolero Cervantes Francisco 
Published: January 2020

La definición legal de los conflictos de intereses dista de ser clara. La exigencia ideal de una actuación irreprochable de los funcionarios públicos podría situarse en el registro de cromático del blanco. En el extremo contrario, el funcionamiento defectuoso de esta exigencia, resulta más fácil de percibir mientras se trate de actos de corrupción, o de tráfico de influencias. Tales comportamientos sancionables, que entran en el ámbito del derecho penal, podrían situarse en el registro cromático del negro. Sin embargo, la imbricación frecuente entre intereses públicos y privados de los agentes del Estado, vuelve cada vez más difícil identificar en qué momento las zonas grises entre el blanco y el negro, pueden ser permitidas, o bien, volverse reprochables. Estas zonas grises suelen implicar sanciones administrativas, o bien, permanecer como faltas de orden político. En la primera parte, se efectúa una revisión de las causas que explican la prototípica falta de efectividad latinoamericana de las normas deontológicas. Sostiene que la principal causa de la debilidad de las sanciones frente a los frecuentes conflictos de intereses, se explica por el formalismo legal tan enraizado en nuestro continente. En la segunda parte, se plantea que los sistemas ideados en el continente (haciendo énfasis en el caso mexicano) se muestran rebasados, y poco adaptados a las realidades actuales. La probidad pública parece un reto imposible de asumir para las administraciones nacionales. De ahí que el autor plantea la posibilidad de implementar, en un mayor número de casos, mecanismos de soft law, que imbricados con los existentes de hard law, pudieran ofrecer mejores condiciones para el combate a estos actos reprochables. Que aunque parecieran insignificantes (por encontrarse fuera del ámbito penal), suelen ir construyendo los antecedentes de conductas penalmente sancionables.
Paternidade e Masculinidades Negras Circunscritas: exercícios de autorreflexão emancipatórios
Authors: Pereira Artur Oriel , Santos Hasani Elioterio dos , Silva Alexandre Da 
Published: January 2020

<p>Este artigo apresenta reflexões sobre o gerenciamento da vida familiar às quais incluem as funções de zelo e educação das crianças, dos serviços domésticos e do equilíbrio do relacionamento afetivo, com vistas à compreensão de como homens negros pensam suas paternidades e masculinidades negras, bem como perceber de que forma isso emerge na cena contemporânea como realidades presentes em diferentes espaços sociais. Partimos de uma abordagem qualitativa, tendo como método de pesquisa a realização de entrevistas semiestruturada realizadas com pais negros e um exame de uma narrativa cinematográfica contemporânea – <em>Fences</em>, Um Limite Entre Nós (2017) – ambientado em Pittsburgh nos Estados Unidos dos anos 1960. Para isso, alternamos as interlocuções dos participantes, análises e discussões com os sentidos aparentes do filme. Tomamos como referencial teórico as pesquisas desenvolvidas por Connell (1995; 1998), Awkward (2001), Hall (2003), bell hooks (2004), Grossi (2004), Botton (2007), Fanon (2008), Miskolci (2012), Faustino (2014), Davis (2016) e Santos; Antunez (2018). A masculinidade negra enrijecida sob os pilares hegemônicos da modernidade ocidental e que com o colonialismo se expande tornando-se um modelo arriscado e traumatizante pela qual os homens negros estão circunscritos é um território carregado de conflitos, mas como um ato de resistência e reexistência alguns homens negros estão se reinventando com a conscientização de suas paternidades.</p>