bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2 on diabetic retinopathy and its mechanism of action
Authors: Sun Zaohe , Wan Guangming , Liang Shenzhi , Qian Cheng 
Published: May 2021

Purpose: To investigate the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) on human retinal vascular endothelial cells (RECs) and human retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) cultured in high glucose (HG) in vitro, and the underlying mechanism.
Methods: Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to determine cell proliferation while Western blot was used to assay the expressions of extracellular matrix and angiogenesis-related factors, Expressions of cytokines and chemokines were assessed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Changes in Smad, ERK, JNK and p38MAPK signal pathway were measured by transfection and interference.
Results: The level of expression of BMP-2 in HG group was higher than that in normal glucose (NG) culture group. The expressions of angiogenesis-related factors i.e. vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1), pro-inflammatory factors i.e. IL-6 and chemokine monocyte chemokine protein-1 (MCP1), increased significantly in HG group compared to NG and HG + BMP-2 groups. Phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 and activation of ERK, JNK and p38MAPK signaling pathways were enhanced by BMP-2.
Conclusion: These results suggest that BMP-2 promotes angiogenesis and enhances the expressions of inflammatory cytokines via Smad signaling pathway.
Medication errors in a health care facility in southern Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alshahrani Sultan M. , Alakhali Khaled M. , Al-Worafi Yaser Mohammed 
Published: May 2021

Purpose: To identify medication errors at Aseer Central Hospital (ACH, Abha) in the southern province of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted by reviewing adult patients’ records (> 15 years old) at ACH’s inpatient and outpatients settings over an 8-week period in October and November 2015.
Results: We identified 113 medication errors, including 112 prescribing errors and 1 dispensing error. Most medication errors (91.2 %) in this study were for inpatient prescriptions. The most common prescribing error was medication duplication (31.2 %) followed by missing patient identifying information (25 %).
Conclusion: Medication errors, mainly in inpatient prescriptions, have been fully identified at ACH. Educational interventions such as workshops could help minimize and prevent medication errors.
Boeravinone B promotes fracture healing in ovariectomyinduced osteoporotic rats via the regulation of NF-κB p65/IκB-α/SIRT-1 signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Jianlin , Zong Longze , Bai Dongyu 
Published: May 2021

Purpose: To investigate the fracture-healing effect of boeravinone B in ovariectomy-induced (OVX) osteoporotic rats.
Methods: Adult female Wistar rats (n = 30) were ovariectomized and after three months, the unilateral cross-tibial fractures were fixed with intramedullary nails. The rats were then randomly assigned to three groups of 10 rats each: normal control group, OVX group and 100 mg/kg body weight boeravinone B group. Boeravinone B was orally administered for a period of 5 weeks. The effect of boeravinone B on indices of bone formation and resorption was assessed. Levels of inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blotting was used to determine the expression levels of NF-κB p65, IкB-α and SIRT1 proteins.
Results: There were significant increases in the activities of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and collagen type I fragment (CTX) level and serum osteocalcin (OC) of OVX group, when compared with normal control group (p < 0.05). However, treatment with boeravinone B significantly reduced the activities and levels of these parameters, relative to OVX group (p < 0.05). The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β significantly increased in OVX group, relative normal control group, but were significantly lower following treatment with boeravinone B (p < 0.05). Bone mineral content (BMC) was not significantly altered in OVX and boeravinone B-treated groups, when compared with normal control group (p > 0.05). There was significant reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) of OVX group relative to normal control group (p < 0.05). However, treatment with boeravinone B significantly increased the BMD, when compared with OVX group (p < 0.05). After Week 5 of treatment, boeravinone B significantly enhanced bone remodeling and formation of callus. Treatment with boeravinone B significantly reduced the expression levels of NF-κB p65 and IκB-α proteins, and significantly upregulated the expression of SIRT-1 (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The results obtained in this study suggest that boeravinone B promotes the healing of fracture caused by osteoporosis via a mechanism involving NF-κB p65/IκB-α/SIRT-1 signaling pathway.
Estudo de viabilidade do reaproveitamento de água de chuva na cidade de Belo Horizonte-MG para utilização residencial
Authors: Alvim Fábio Henrique Silva , Silva Álvaro Bittencourt Henrique 
Published: May 2021

Dentro do novo paradigma de desenvolvimento urbano que se estabeleceu devido à ameaça aos recursos hídricos, tornou-se necessária a busca por meios sustentáveis neste milênio, visando reduzir o consumo exacerbado de água e o incentivo à elaboração de soluções de reutilização desse bem essencial de consumo. Uma dessas alternativas que tem se mostrado promissora é o reaproveitamento da água da chuva. O objetivo do trabalho desenvolver um estudo de caso e avaliar a viabilidade de implantação de um sistema de captação da água da chuva em uma residência localizada no município de Belo Horizonte-MG, com o intuito de reduzir o consumo de água distribuído pela Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais (COPASA). A metodologia utilizada consiste em estimar e dimensionar todas as variáveis que afetam o processo, como a precipitação, a área de coleta e demanda dos moradores, analisando a viabilidade econômica do sistema proposto e considerando o valor gasto e a sua respectiva economia anual na despesa da concessionária pública. A partir das etapas metodológicas do estudo de caso, foi definido uma caixa d’água com capacidade de 5m³ ocasionando em um valor de investimento para instalação do projeto em R$ 4.991,85, bem como concluiu-se ainda que o tempo de retorno do valor investido será de 10 anos e os moradores após esse tempo economizariam um valor de R$ 5.120,91 ao longo dos 10 anos restantes do projeto. Dessa forma o projeto proposto torna-se viável com a economia gerada no longo prazo. As áreas de Engenharia Civil e Arquitetura possuem um papel muito importante nesse sentido, uma vez que diversas edificações já começaram a se adaptar aos novos tempos e a adotar a solução do aproveitamento de água da chuva.
Alleviation of Salinity Hazards in Different Maize Genotypes Using Inorganic Ions (Ca++ and K+)
Authors: Suhaib Muhammad , Mujtaba Asma , Munir Masooma , Saqib Zulfiqar Ahmad 
Published: May 2021

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to evaluate and compare the efficiency of Ca and K ions and different maize genotypes with imposed salinity. Two levels of K+ and Ca++ (5 and 10 mM) each were tested on two maize genotypes (Pioneer-3335 and Syngenta-8441) under 100 mM NaCl stress. Saline treatment adversely affected the plant physiological parameters and disturbed the ionic balance and resulted in poor plant growth. However, Syngenta-8441 was more prone to salt stress as compared to Pioneer-3335. Both of the inorganic ions showed significant effects on physiological and ionic components of both genotypes. Among the inorganic ions K was found to be more efficient than Ca in improving the plant growth. Improved physiological and ionic traits were observed more significant with 10 mM K ion treatment followed by 5 mM K. Among Ca treatments higher level of Ca (10 mM) showed more significant results as compared to 5mM Ca++. This study revealed that Ca++ and K+ both are compulsory for maintaining the crop growth because of their mutual effects under salt stress. However, the alleviative efficiency of K is far better than Calcium but its (Ca++) role could not be neglected, while regarding genotypic differential response imposes the fact that Pioneer-3335 is more tolerant to salinity menace as compared to Syngenta- 8441 but both of the genotypes were significant in their recovery from stress to applied Ca++ and K+.
Seasonal Assessment of Water Quality by Statistical Analysis in the Coastal Area of Sindh, Pakistan
Authors: Nasir Muhammad Imran , Abbasi Haq Nawaz , Zubair Arif , Ahmad Waqar 
Published: May 2021

Monitoring of groundwater is very important because of climatic and demographic patterns along the coastline of Sindh Province, Pakistan. Seventy representative groundwater samples were collected during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons for the investigation of physico-chemical variables to understand the groundwater chemistry of the coastal belt. Multivariate statistical techniques were applied to interpret the data to reveal the pollution sources in the groundwater samples. The normalized charge balance index (NCBI) was computed on the data set and the I:Tz- and I:Tz+ were analyzed in the collected groundwater samples. Cations were in excess and alkalinity in the aquifer of the study area was balanced by Ca+ + Mg+ ions. The contribution of ions was insignificant for charge balance. Mg+2 and Ca+2 were in huge concentration and alkaline hardness was maintained by the alkaline rocks formation. Majority of the charge was balanced by S0-2 and Cl-. In groundwater ionic composition is used to categorize it into ionic types of groundwater based on the dissolved cation and anion. The ionic reaction is likely regulated by domestic geological formation. The sample location illustrates Na+-S0-2 and Na+-Cl- nature of -2 +- groundwater. The groundwater with Na+-S04 and Na -Cl dominancy generally shows saline characteristics that make groundwater unfit to use for irrigation and drinking purposes.
A Recombinant Humanized Monoclonal Antibody for Treatment of Endometriosis in a Rat Model
Authors: Işık Hatice , Moraloglu Ozlem , Kilic Sevtap , Seven Ali , Caydere Muzaffer , Batıoğlu Sertac 
Published: May 2021

Aim Angiogenesis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Thus, the inhibition of angiogenesis may prevent endometriosis. Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody against VEGF. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy on the prophylaxis and treatment of endometriotic foci in a rat model. Methods This experimental study is prospective, randomized, and placebo-controlled. Thirty-six Wistar-Albino female rats were divided into 3 groups. Experimental endometriosis was induced by the implantation of autologous endometrial tissue. The bevacizumab administration route was intraperitoneal. Group A was the prophylaxis group; Group B was the treatment group, and Group C was the control group. The volumes of the implants as well as their VEGF and Ki-67 immunohistochemical staining are main outcome measures. Results The volumes of the lesions were smaller in Group A than Group C [P<.05]. The volumes of endometriotic foci in Group B were smaller than in Group C [P<.05]. Bevacizumab caused regression and atrophy of the endometriotic lesions. After the treatment the histopathologic and immunohistochemical scores in Group B were less than before treatment and less than the scores in Group C. Conclusions Bevacizumab treatment had a regressive effect on the endometriotic implants. As an anti-VEGF agent, bevacizumab has beneficial effects on the prophylaxis and treatment of endometriosis.
Bridging theory-to-practice gaps in a long-term ventilated unit during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Tariga Jose Arnold 
Published: May 2021

Background and objective: COVID-19 had greatly impacted nurse-patient ratios worldwide, forcing hospitals to hire new nurses with minimal experience or without specialized skills. To ensure clinical competence, the author developed the Long Term Critical Care Transition Modules and conducted this study to assess its effectiveness.Methods: Three learning modules were developed and data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and competency checklist. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-test to evaluate if there was a significant improvement in the skills and competence levels before and after being subjected to the modules. Results: Demographic profiles indicated that majority of the nurses were in their early career. A significant improvement of competency levels among nurses post-module attendance was also noted (p < .05).Conclusions: The transition modules can be an effective methodology in upskilling nurses with minimal or without prior experience in long-term care, within a short period of time.
El apoyo internacional a la reforma educativa en España
Authors: Delgado Lorenzo , Martín Óscar J. 
Published: May 2021

In the 1960s, an international debate emerged on the role of education in the worldwide changes taking place in the political, social and economic sphere. Multilateral agencies such as the OECD and UNESCO played an important role in this process. Inspired by some of the central tenets of modernization and human capital theories, these organizations sought to steer the transitions from “traditional societies” to “modern” ones. In Franco’s Spain, this process of modernization was led by the technocratic sectors of the dictatorship, who aspired to become the agents of a project of change controlled from the state apparatus. International organizations actively participated in the analysis of the Spanish educational system, and recommendeding measures to bring it into line with the needs of economic development. The corollary of this work was their support for the 1970 General Education Law, which also enjoyed the endorsement of some of the main foreign allies of the Franco regime, such as the United States, the World Bank and the Ford Foundation. This support took the form of advice, funding, specialist training and educational assistance. The article addresses this whole process. It examines the efforts of various international actors and their involvement in the modernization of education in Spain as a step towards convergence with the Western model.
Identification of potential gene signatures associated with osteosarcoma by integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Jia Yutao , Liu Yang , Han Zhihua , Tian Rong 
Published: May 2021

BackgroundOsteosarcoma (OS) is the most primary malignant bone cancer in children and adolescents with a high mortality rate. This work aims to screen novel potential gene signatures associated with OS by integrated microarray analysis of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.Material and MethodsThe OS microarray datasets were searched and downloaded from GEO database to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between OS and normal samples. Afterwards, the functional enrichment analysis, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and transcription factor (TF)-target gene regulatory network were applied to uncover the biological function of DEGs. Finally, two published OS datasets (GSE39262andGSE126209) were obtained from GEO database for evaluating the expression level and diagnostic values of key genes.Results In total 1,059 DEGs (569 up-regulated DEGs and 490 down-regulated DEGs) between OS and normal samples were screened. Functional analysis showed that these DEGs were markedly enriched in 214 GO terms and 54 KEGG pathways such as pathways in cancer. Five genes (CAMP, METTL7A, TCN1, LTF and CXCL12) acted as hub genes in PPI network. Besides, METTL7A, CYP4F3, TCN1, LTF and NETO2 were key genes in TF-gene network. Moreover, Pax-6 regulated four key genes (TCN1, CYP4F3, NETO2 and CXCL12). The expression levels of four genes (METTL7A, TCN1, CXCL12 and NETO2) inGSE39262set were consistent with our integration analysis. The expression levels of two genes (CXCL12 and NETO2) inGSE126209set were consistent with our integration analysis. ROC analysis ofGSE39262set revealed that CYP4F3, CXCL12, METTL7A, TCN1 and NETO2 had good diagnostic values for OS patients. ROC analysis ofGSE126209set revealed that CXCL12, METTL7A, TCN1 and NETO2 had good diagnostic values for OS patients.
Effect of Soil Application of Cattle Urine and Nitrogen on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake by Maize (Fodder) in Inceptisol
Authors: Janjal P. S. , Jadhav A. B. , Patil A. V. , Pachpute S. T. 
Published: May 2021

The experiment was conducted to study effect of soil application of cattle urine and nitrogen levels on growth, yield and nutrient uptake by maize (fodder) in Inceptisol at the Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry and Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture, Pune, during Kharif-2019. There were seven treatment viz., 1) Absolute control; 2) Recommended dose of fertilizers 100:50:50 kg ha-1 N, P2O5 and K2O; 3) General recommended dose of fertilizers 100:50:50 kg ha-1 N, P2O5 and K2O + FYM @ 5 t ha-1; 4) 25% RDN + 75% N through cattle urine + FYM @ 5 t ha-1; 5) 50% RDN + 50% N through cattle urine + + FYM @ 5 t ha-1; 6) 75% RDN + 25% N + FYM @ 5 t ha-1; 7) 100% N through cattle urine + FYM @ 5 t ha-1 and three replications in completely randomized design.
Periodical plant height and number of functional leaves at 20, 40 and 60 DAS was found to be significantly higher with the soil application 50% RDN through urea + 50% N through cattle urine along with FYM @ 5 t ha-1. The magnitude of increase in the leaf area was found higher from 494 to 969 cm2 at 40 to 60 DAS than 20 to 40 DAS (203 to 494 cm2) with the application of 75% RDN through urea + 25% N through cattle urine + FYM @ 5 t ha-1. Soil application of 75% RDN through urea + 25% N through cattle urine with FYM @ 5 t ha-1 reported significantly higher chlorophyll in fodder maize. Soil application of 75% RDN through urea + 25% N through cattle urine + FYM @ 5 t ha-1 reported significantly higher nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, iron, zinc and copper uptake by fodder maize. Similar treatment also recorded significantly higher green fodder (984 g pot-1) and dry matter (423.11 g pot-1) yield of maize. Similar treatment also found superior for nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, iron, zinc and copper uptake by fodder maize.
Special Education in Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Analysis of 32 Years of Research
Authors: Alqahtani Rashed Fehaid , Alshuayl Mohammed , Ryndak Diane L. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Saudi Arabia has produced more peer-reviewed research in the past 10 years than ever before (El-Showk, 2016). The country is leading its Arab counterparts in the annual number of both published scientific research and obtained patents. A review of the published research across topics and fields of study, the research designs used, and the populations targeted, is needed in various fields to move related scientific research forward. The current review addresses the Saudi Arabian research related to special education during a 32-year period; that is, between 1984 and 2016. This review identified 3,381 relevant publications, yielding 499 publications that met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis. These studies were analyzed to determine any trends of publication, language used for publications, use of interventions, research design, participants, settings, research topics, and affiliation of the authors. The discussion notes drawbacks and highlights areas for further consideration by special education researchers in Saudi Arabia.
Optimizing the effective spot size and the dosimetric leaf gap of the AcurosXB algorithm for VMAT treatment planning
Authors: Passal V. , Barreau M. , Tiplica T. , Dufreneix S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study is to provide and test a new methodology to adjust the AcurosXB beam model for VMAT treatment plans.MethodThe effective target spot size of the AcurosXB v15 algorithm was adjusted in order to minimize the difference between calculated and measured penumbras. The dosimetric leaf gap (DLG) was adjusted using the asynchronous oscillating sweeping gap tests defined in the literature and the MLC transmission was measured. The impact of the four parameters on the small field output factors was assessed using a design of experiment methodology. Patient quality controls were performed for the three beam models investigated including two energies and two MLC models.ResultsEffective target spot sizes differed from the manufacturer recommendations and strongly depended on the MLC model considered. DLG values ranged from 0.7 to 2.3 mm and were found to be larger than the ones based on the sweeping gap tests. All parameters were found to significantly influence the calculated output factors, especially for the 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm field size. Interactions were also identified for fields smaller than 2 cm × 2 cm, suggesting that adjusting the parameters on the small field output factors should be done with caution. All patient quality controls passed the universal action limit of 90%.ConclusionThe methodology provided is simple to implement in clinical practice. It was validated for three beam models covering a large variety of treatment types and localizations.
Beam energy metrics for the acceptance and quality assurance of Halcyon linear accelerator
Authors: Gao Song , Chetvertkov Mikhail A. , Cai Bin , Dwivedi Abhishek , Mihailidis Dimitris , Ray Xenia , Netherton Tucker , Court Laurence E. , Simon William E. , Balter Peter A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPurposeEstablish and compare two metrics for monitoring beam energy changes in the Halcyon platform and evaluate the accuracy of these metrics across multiple Halcyon linacs.MethodThe first energy metric is derived from the diagonal normalized flatness (FDN), which is defined as the ratio of the average measurements at a fixed off‐axis equal distance along the open profiles in two diagonals to the measurement at the central axis with an ionization chamber array (ICA). The second energy metric comes from the area ratio (AR) of the quad wedge (QW) profiles measured with the QW on the top of the ICA. Beam energy is changed by adjusting the magnetron current in a non‐clinical Halcyon. With D10cm measured in water at each beam energy, the relationships between FDN or AR energy metrics to D10cm in water is established with linear regression across six energy settings. The coefficients from these regressions allow D10cm(FDN) calculation from FDN using open profiles and D10cm(QW) calculation from AR using QW profiles.ResultsFive Halcyon linacs from five institutions were used to evaluate the accuracy of the D10cm(FDN) and the D10cm(QW) energy metrics by comparing to the D10cm values computed from the treatment planning system (TPS) and D10cm measured in water. For the five linacs, the D10cm(FDN) reported by the ICA based on FDN from open profiles agreed with that calculated by TPS within –0.29 ± 0.23% and 0.61% maximum discrepancy; the D10cm(QW) reported by the QW profiles agreed with that calculated by TPS within –0.82 ± 1.27% and –2.43% maximum discrepancy.ConclusionThe FDN‐based energy metric D10cm(FDN) can be used for acceptance testing of beam energy, and also for the verification of energy in periodic quality assurance (QA) processes.