bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short-Wave Sensitive (“Blue”) Cone Activation Is an Aggravating Factor for Visual Snow Symptoms
Authors: Hepschke Jenny L. , Martin Paul R. , Fraser Clare L. 
Published: August 2021

Background and Purpose: Visual Snow (VS) is a disorder characterised by the subjective perception of black-and-white visual static. The aetiology of this condition is not known. In our previous work we suggested that there is a link between short-wave (S or “blue” cone) signals and severity of visual snow symptoms. Therefore we aimed to further characterise this potential link.Methods: Patients (n = 22) with classic VS based on the diagnostic criteria and healthy controls (n = 12), underwent Intuitive Colorimetry (IC) testing (Cerium Visual Technologies). Twelve hue directions (expressed as angle in CIE 1976 LUV space relative to D65) were rated on a five-point scale from preferred (relieving, positive score) to non-preferred (exacerbating, negative score), and overall preferred and non-preferred angles were chosen.Results: A non-preferred violet region near the tritanopic confusion line / S-cone axis (267 deg.) was strongly associated with exacerbation of VS symptoms (range 250–310 deg, mean 276 ± 16, n = 20, Rayleigh p &lt; 0.001). Two subjects with non-preferred region &gt; 90 deg from mean were considered as outliers. Median rank at hue angle 270 deg was significantly lower than at angle 90 (−1.5 vs. 0.0, p &lt; 0.001, Wilcoxon non-parametric rank-sum test). Patients showed preference for one of two spectral regions which relieved VS symptoms: orange-yellow (range 50–110 deg., mean 79 ± 24, n = 14) and turquoise-blue (range (210–250 deg., mean 234 ± 27, n = 8).Conclusion: Our results show that visual snow symptoms are exacerbated by colour modulation that selectively increased levels of S-cone excitation. Because S-cone signals travel on primordial brain pathways that regulate cortical rhythms (koniocellular pathways) we hypothesis that these pathways contribute to the pathogenesis of this disorder.
Protein and Energy Intake Assessment and Their Association With In-Hospital Mortality in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hajimohammadebrahim-Ketabforoush Melika , Vahdat Shariatpanahi Zahra , Vahdat Shariatpanahi Maryam , Shahbazi Erfan , Shahbazi Shaahin 
Published: August 2021

Background and Aim: It is partially known that nutritional intake could alleviate proteolysis and course of disease severity in patients with COVID-19; however, not enough data are available in this regard. The present study aimed to assess protein and energy intake and their association with in-hospital mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients.Methods: A total of 126 patients with COVID-19, who were critically ill, ≥5 days and a subset of 111 patients in ICU ≥10 days completed the present prospective observational cohort study.Results: Protein and energy intakes on Day 5 of ICU admission in survivors were 46 and 58% of target values, respectively. These values in non-survivors were 42 and 50% of target values, respectively (p &lt; 0.05). In the sample ≥10 days, protein and energy intakes in survivors reached 64 and 87% of target values, respectively, without statistically significant differences with non-survivors. In the sample ≥5 days, Cox proportional hazard regression was adjusted for GLIM, APACHE II, comorbidity, and age; the results indicated that the patients with protein and energy intake lower than 0.59 g/kg/day and 14 kcal/kg/day, had ~2-fold mortality hazard (protein: HR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.40–4.03; P = 0.001 and energy: HR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.27–3.92; P = 0.005).Conclusion: Actual protein and energy intakes in critically ill patients with COVID-19 are in suboptimal levels compared with goal recommendations in these patients. Moreover, higher amounts of protein and energy intakes in the early acute phase were significantly associated with better survival and lower risk of in-hospital mortality.
Identification of Target PTEN-Based miR-425 and miR-576 as Potential Diagnostic and Immunotherapeutic Biomarkers of Colorectal Cancer With Liver Metastasis
Authors: Hu Xiaoyun , Chen Qiuchen , Guo Hao , Li Kuo , Fu Boshi , Chen Yu , Zhao Haishan , Wei Minjie , Li Yalun , Wu Huizhe 
Published: August 2021

A major complication of colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most common and fatal types of cancers, is secondary liver metastasis. For patients with this fate, there are very few biomarkers available in clinical application, and the disease remains incurable. Recently, increasing studies demonstrated that tumorigenesis and development are closely related to immune escape, indicating that the roles of immune-related indicators might have been neglected in the past in colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM). Here, we unveil that elevated miR-425 and miR-576 promote CRLM through inhibiting PTEN-mediated cellular immune function. Specifically, miR-425 and miR-576 were identified for their significant upregulation in CRLM compared with the primary CRC tissues based on GSE81581 (n = 8) and GSE44121 (n = 18) datasets. Besides, we determined that the two microRNAs (miRNAs) coparticipated in restraining P53 and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathways associated with tumor metastasis, and both shortened the overall survival of the patients with metastatic susceptibility. Notably, in situ hybridization on relatively large samples of paired CRC tissues (n = 157) not only substantiated that the expression of miR-425 and miR-576 was dramatically upregulated in CRLM but also revealed that they were closely related to tumor deterioration, especially liver metastases. Moreover, we further confirmed that the combination of miR-425 and miR-576 was an effective predictive model for liver metastases and poor clinical outcomes. Mechanically, downregulated PTEN (GSE81558, n = 6) was verified to be a shared target of miR-425 and miR-576 acting as metastasis-related oncogenes, on account of the presence of binding sites (+2928–+2934 and +4371–+4378, respectively) and the collaborative suppression of P53/TGF-β signaling in CRLM, which was further confirmed in CRC cells (HCT116 and SW480) based on systematic molecular biology experiments. Importantly, the target PTEN was strongly associated with microsatellite instability, tumor microenvironment, and immune cell infiltration. Thus, we speculate that miR-425 and miR-576 are novel biomarkers for CRLM prevention and immunotherapy and upstream inhibitors of the PTEN-P53/TGF-β function axis.
Integrative Analysis of Minichromosome Maintenance Proteins and Their Prognostic Significance in Melanoma
Authors: Han Wei , Wu Yi-Zhu , Zhao Xiao-Yu , Gong Zhen-Hua , Shen Guo-Liang 
Published: August 2021

BackgroundMinichromosome maintenance (MCM) is known for participating in cell cycle progression, as well as DNA replication. While the diverse expression patterns and prognostic values ofMCMs in melanoma still remained unclear.MethodsIn the present study, the transcriptional and clinical profiles ofMCMs were explored in patients with melanoma from multiple databases, including GEO, TCGA, ONCOMINE, GEPIA, UALCAN, cBioPortal, and TIMER databases.ResultsWe found that the elevated expressions ofMCM2–6andMCM10were significantly expressed in melanoma compared to normal skin. High mRNA levels ofMCM4,MCM5, andMCM10were closely related to worse prognosis in patients with melanoma. GSEA showed hallmark pathways were most involved in mTORC1 signaling, G2M checkpoint, E2F targets, and mitotic spindle. Furthermore, we found potential correlations between theMCMexpression and the immune cell infiltration, including B cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells.ConclusionUpregulatedMCMgene expression in melanoma probably played a crucial part in the development and progression of melanoma. The upregulatedMCM4/5/10expressions could be used as potential prognostic markers to improve the poor outcome and prognostic accuracy in patients with melanoma. Our study might shed light on the selection of prognostic biomarkers as well as the underlying molecular pathogenesis of melanoma.
A Single-Institution Experience in the Use of Chest Radiographs for Hospitalized Children Labeled as Asthma Exacerbation
Authors: Beyyumi Ela , Tawil Mohamed I. , AlDhanhani Huda , Jameel Sara , Mouhssine Manal , AlNuaimi Hasa M. , Hamdoun Osama , Alabdouli Amnah , Alsamri Mohammed T. , Ghatasheh Ghassan A. , Zoubeidi Taoufik , Souid Abdul-Kader 
Published: August 2021

Background: Risks of diagnostic radiation have become more notable lately, particularly in young children with chronic medical conditions. This study reports on the cumulative radiation from chest radiographs in children with asthma. Its main purpose was to review our current practice and suggest minimizing the use of chest radiographs.Methods: The study was retrospective and conducted at a pediatric tertiary center. Eligibility criteria included children 2–15 y, admitted between January 2017 and December 2018 for asthma management.Results: Of the 643 children admitted as “asthma exacerbation,” 243 [40% females; age (mean ± SD) 5.4±3.3 y] met the study criteria for inclusion. Ninety-two (38%) children had a temperature of 38.8±0.7°C on the day of admission. Antibiotics were prescribed for 148 (61%) children, mainly for presumed pneumonia. Chest radiographs were requested for 214 (88%) children, mainly on the day of admission. Only 38 (18%) chest radiographs showed focal/multifocal pneumonia justifying antibiotic use. Significant predictors for requesting chest radiographs were antibiotic use for presumed pneumonia, lower oxygen saturation at presentation, and a requested blood culture. The rate of chest radiographs per year was negatively related to the child's age; the younger the child the higher the rate (model coefficient −0.259, P &lt; 0.001). For children &lt; 5 y, the rate of chest radiographs was 1.39 ± 1.21/y and radiation dose 0.028 ± 0.025 mSv/y. The corresponding rates for children ≥5 y were 0.78 ± 0.72/y and 0.008 ± 0.007 mSv/y, respectively (P &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: Chest radiographs were commonly requested for children with asthma, especially younger children. Prospective studies are necessary to measure the impact of this practice on the children's health.
The Effectiveness of Self-Guided Virtual-Reality Exposure Therapy for Public-Speaking Anxiety
Authors: Premkumar Preethi , Heym Nadja , Brown David Joseph , Battersby Steven , Sumich Alexander , Huntington Bethany , Daly Rosie , Zysk Eva 
Published: August 2021

Objectives: Self-guided virtual-reality exposure therapy (VRET) is a psychological intervention that enables a person to increase their own exposure to perceived threat. Public-speaking anxiety (PSA) is an anxiety-provoking social situation that is characterized by fear of negative evaluation from an audience. This pilot study aimed to determine whether self-guided VRET (1) increases exposure to PSA-specific virtual social threats, and (2) reduces anxiety, arousal, heartrate and PSA over repeated exposure.Methods: Thirty-two University students (27 completers) with high self-reported public-speaking anxiety attended 2 weekly self-guided VRET sessions. Each session involved the participant delivering a 20-min speech in a virtual classroom. Participants were able to increase their exposure to virtual social threat through the audience size, audience reaction, number of speech prompts, and their own salience in the virtual classroom at 4-min intervals. Participants' heartrates and self-reported anxiety and arousal were monitored during these intervals. Participants completed psychometric assessments after each session and 1 month later.Results: Participants increased their exposure to virtual social threat during each VRET session, which coincided with a reduction in heartrate and self-reported anxiety and arousal. Improvement in PSA occurred post-treatment and 1 month later. The in-session improvement in anxiety correlated with reductions in fear of negative evaluation post-treatment and 1 month later.Conclusions: Increased self-exposure to virtual social threat from self-guided VRET relieves anxiety and shows immediate reductions in subjective and physiological arousal during application, but also yields sustained improvement in PSA.
Funcionalidade de indivíduos pós-traumatismo cranioencefálico: um estudo de coorte
Authors: Silva Souza Marianny , Almeida de Brito Rozeane , Silva Matos Thais , Matos Lilian , Menezes Silva Bonfim Ester , Ramon Ferreira Belem Diego , Kássia Macêdo da Silva Bezerra Naiara , Alencar Lessa Eric 
Published: August 2021

Introdução. O traumatismo cranioencefálico (TCE) é uma condição de saúde que representa uma das causas mais frequentes de morbimortalidade em todo o mundo e promove forte impacto social, além de afetar o desempenho funcional dos indivíduos, que ao necessitarem dos cuidados imediatos devem ser submetidos a uma avaliação neurológica, visando o traçado do prognóstico e, desta forma, a reabilitação devida. Objetivos. Traçar o perfil e o prognóstico de pacientes vítimas de TCE e avaliar a funcionalidade pós-lesão, durante o período de internamento hospitalar. Método. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, do tipo coorte prospectivo, onde foi realizada uma coleta de dados clínicos e epidemiológicos dos pacientes vítimas de TCE e avaliado o prognóstico e funcionalidade através de instrumentos validados. A análise de dados foi realizada através do programa SPSS, no qual foi utilizada a estatística descritiva e analítica. Resultados. O perfil foi formado por jovens predominantemente do gênero masculino, em sua maioria eram trabalhadores rurais, tendo como causa do TCE os acidentes de trânsito que levou a graus leves a moderados de TCE em grande parte dos pacientes, com um resultado de um prognóstico pós-lesão de 13,5% de risco de mortalidade. Durante o internamento, foi comprovado uma evolução estatisticamente significante do nível de consciência e da funcionalidade. Conclusão. O conhecimento do perfil, prognóstico e desfecho funcional de pacientes pode auxiliar no manejo ideal do paciente e no suporte social, evitando assim futuros agravos e influenciando diretamente nos dias de internamento e nos custos para o sistema de saúde.
Biomarcadores clínicos de sintomas não motores na doença de Parkinson
Authors: Souza Robson Arruda , Vieira Ivan Victor Torres , Silva Jairo Pereira da 
Published: August 2021

Introdução. A doença de Parkinson (DP) é o segundo distúrbio neurodegenerativo que mais afeta a população idosa acima de 60 anos. Os sintomas não motores desempenham um papel fundamental na trajetória da doença, assim a identificação de biomarcadores periféricos e/ou centrais que sejam sensíveis, específicos e econômicos para o diagnóstico diferencial precoce, prognóstico e tratamento da DP são fundamentais para o manejo desses pacientes. Objetivo. Identificar e discutir as características dos principais de biomarcadores clínicos de sintomas não motores na DP. Método. Trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica através das bases dados PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, Science Direct. Os artigos foram selecionados segundo os critérios de inclusão: ensaios clínicos controlados randomizados, estudos quasi-experimentais e revisões sistemáticas que registraram a utilização de biomarcadores de sintomas não motores na DP. Resultados. A estratégia de busca utilizada resultou em 705 títulos, onde um total de 21 estudos foram incluídos para análise. Mais de 90% dos pacientes experimentam sintomas não motores durante o curso da DP. Os principais sintomas não motores relatados envolvem alterações do sistema sensorial, cognitivo e mudanças de personalidade. Conclusão. Os biomarcadores identificados neste estudo destacam o papel da identificação dos sintomas clínicos não motores no diagnóstico precoce da doença de Parkinson e o entendimento da etiologia para direcionar um manejo eficaz.
Penyisihan Kadar Amoniak dalam Limbah Cair Industri Pupuk Menggunakan Sequencing Batch Reactor
Authors: Sudarman Robby , Budiastuti Herawati , Djenar Nancy Siti , Panggalo Efniarsi S. , Nurhasyim Ajie 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRAK
Sifat toksik nitrogen amoniak dalam limbah cair berbahaya bagi kehidupan sehingga perlu untuk dihilangkan. Pada penelitian ini penyisihan kadar amoniak yang tinggi dalam limbah cair industri pupuk dilakukan melalui proses nitrifikasi dan denitrifikasi menggunakan Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR). Dua reaktor SBR digunakan dimana pada reaktor pertama (R1) dilakukan pengadukan dan pada reaktor kedua (R2) dilakukan aerasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pada pembebanan 0,787 mg amoniak/L/hari dan Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) 20 hari, efisiensi penyisihan kadar amoniak mampu dicapai pada kisaran 71,26%-90,91% (R1) dan 62,32% -92,21% (R2). Pengukuran pH pada HRT 20 hari berada pada rentang 8,25-8,65 pada R1 dan pH 8,34-8,73 pada R2. Pada HRT 15 hari, efisiensi penyisihan kadar amoniak efluen pada R1 menurun yaitu dari 90,89 % menjadi 86,81% dan pada R2 menurun dari 90,59% menjadi 40,99 %. Pada HRT 15 hari, efisiensi penyisihan kadar amoniak pada R1 lebih baik dibandingkan pada R2 yang disebabkan adanya penambahan aerasi pada R1 di akhir penelitian.
Kata kunci: amoniak, limbah cair, industri pupuk, sequencing batch reactor

ABSTRACT
The toxic nature of ammonia nitrogen in liquid waste is dangerous for life, so it needs to be eliminated. In this study, the removal of high ammonia levels in the fertilizer industry wastewater was carried out through a process of nitrification and denitrification using the Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR). Two SBR reactors were used where the first reactor (R1) was stirred and the second reactor (R2) was aerated. The results showed that at a load of 0.787 mg of ammonia/L/day and 20 days of Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT), the efficiencies of removal of ammonia levels were achieved in the range of 71.26%-90.91% (R1) and 62.32%- 92.21% (R2). The pH measurements at 20 days of HRT were in the range of 8.25-8.65 at R1 and pH 8.34-8.73 at R2. At 15 days of HRT, the effluent ammonia level removal efficiency at R1 decreased from 90.89% to 86.81% and at R2 decreased from 90.59% to 40.99%. At 15 days of HRT, the efficiency of ammonia level removal at R1 was better than that in R2 due to the addition of aeration to R1 at the end of the study.
Keywords: ammonia, liquid waste, fertilizer industry, sequencing batch reactor
Aktivitas Fundamental Matematis pada Tari Srimpi Pandhèlori
Authors: Widya Pramestika Irena , Suci Apriani Maria 
Published: August 2021

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan aktivitas fundamental matematis menurut Bishop pada Tari Srimpi Pandhèlori. Ada enam jenis aktivitas fundamental matematis menurut Bishop yaitu counting, locating, measuring, designing, playing, dan explaining. Jenis penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif. Subjek dari penelitian ini adalah pelatih tari Srimpi di Yayasan Siswa Among Beksa, Yogyakarta. Objek dari penelitian ini adalah aktivitas fundamental matematis pada tari Srimpi Pandhèlori. Peneliti membuat instrumen wawancara dan observasi, serta mengumpulkan dokumentasi untuk memperoleh data. Aspek yang diamati adalah gerakan, pola lantai, pakaian, dan aksesoris. Hasil dari penelitian ini yaitu 1) Ada aktivitas counting meliputi kegiatan mencacah, kuantifikasi, diagram panah, operasi bilangan, dan pola bilangan; 2) ada aktivitas locating meliputi ketentuan arah, tempat kedudukan, dan posisi berdasarkan jarak; 3) ada aktivitas measuring meliputi ukuran sudut, ukuran jarak, dan satuan; 4) ada aktivitas designing meliputi bentuk sudut, bangun datar, bentuk garis, kesejajaran dan garis berpotongan, kekongruenan dan kesebangunan, dan transformasi geomteri; 5) ada aktivitas playing meliputi aturan-aturan dan strategi; 6) ada aktivitas explaining meliputi perkembangan dan filosofi tari Srimpi Pandhèlori.
Preventing school disaffection, failure and dropout. The ESF projects “Last Round” and “Energy Start”
Authors: Dell'Anna Silvia , Ianes Dario 
Published: August 2021

Early school leaving is a very important issue in our country, both for its individual consequences and for the social and economic repercussions. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated some existing trends, increasing risk factors and putting at greater risk of dropout some portions of the school population. The article reflects on the phenomenon of early school leaving and on intervention options, with particular reference to the period of COVID-19 emergency. Starting from the results of two project experiences conducted in 2020 in some secondary schools of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, the contribution examines the protective and risk factors, the needs of students at risk, the contents and teaching strategies of interventions. Finally, it reflects on the different options for implementation, on monitoring and research.

Prevenire la disaffezione scolastica, l’insuccesso e l’abbandono. I progetti FSE “Last Round” ed “Energy Start”
La dispersione scolastica rappresenta una questione di grande rilevanza nel nostro Paese, sia per le sue conseguenze individuali sia per le ricadute sociali ed economiche. La pandemia da Covid-19 ha acuito alcune tendenze già esistenti, ampliando i fattori di rischio e colpendo con maggiore intensità alcune porzioni di popolazione scolastica. L’articolo riflette sul fenomeno dell’abbandono scolastico precoce e sulle opzioni di intervento, con particolare riferimento al periodo di emergenza sanitaria. A partire dai risultati di due esperienze progettuali condotte nell’anno 2020 in alcune scuole secondarie delle Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano, il contributo prende in esame i fattori protettivi e di rischio, i bisogni dell’utenza a rischio di dispersione, i contenuti e le strategie didattiche degli interventi formativi. Infine, si riflette sulle differenti modalità di implementazione, sul monitoraggio e sulla ricerca.