bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EFEMP1 Overexpression Contributes to Neovascularization in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Cheng Lu , Chen Chong , Guo Wenke , Liu Kun , Zhao Qianqian , Lu Ping , Yu Fudong , Xu Xun 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness, and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in AMD can lead to serious visual impairment. Gene expression profiling of human ocular tissues have a great potential to reveal the pathophysiology of AMD. This study aimed to identify novel molecular biomarkers and gene expression signatures of AMD.Methods: We analyzed transcriptome profiles in retinal-choroid tissues derived from donor patients with AMD in comparison with those from healthy controls using a publicly available dataset (GSE29801). We focused on the EFEMP1 gene, which was found to be differentially upregulated in AMD, especially in wet AMD eyes. Serological validation analysis was carried out to verify the expression of EFEMP1 in 39 wet AMD patients and 39 age- and gender-matched cataract controls, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We then investigated the role of EFEMP1 in angiogenesis through in vitro experiments involving EFEMP1 overexpression (OE) and knockdown in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).Results: An increase in EFEMP1 expression was observed in the retinal-choroid tissues of eyes with AMD, which was more significant in wet AMD than in dry AMD. In addition, there was a significant increase in serum fibulin-3 (EFEMP1 encoded protein) concentration in patients with wet AMD compared with that in the controls. Tube formation and proliferation of EFEMP1-OE HUVECs increased significantly, whereas those of EFEMP1 knockdown HUVECs decreased significantly compared with those of the control. Additional extracellular fibulin-3 treatments did not increase tube formation and proliferation of wildtype and EFEMP1 knockdown HUVECs, indicating that the proangiogenic properties of EFEMP1 are of cell origin. We also found that vascular endothelial growth factor expression in HUVECs was upregulated by EFEMP1 overexpression and downregulated by EFEMP1 knockdown.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate EFEMP1 as a novel biomarker for CNV in AMD, providing a new target for the development of wet AMD-directed pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.
Utilisation, Availability and Price Changes of Medicines and Protection Equipment for COVID-19 Among Selected Regions in India: Findings and Implications
Authors: Haque Mainul , Kumar Santosh , Charan Jaykaran , Bhatt Rohan , Islam Salequl , Dutta Siddhartha , Abhayanand Jha Pallavi , Sharma Yesh , Sefah Israel , Kurdi Amanj , Wale Janney , Godman Brian 
Published: January 2021

Background: COVID-19 has already claimed a considerable number of lives worldwide. However, there are concerns with treatment recommendations given the extent of conflicting results with suggested treatments and misinformation, some of which has resulted in increased prices and shortages alongside increasing use and prices of personal protective equipment (PPE). This is a concern in countries such as India where there have been high patient co-payments and an appreciable number of families going into poverty when members become ill. However, balanced against pricing controls. Community pharmacists play a significant role in disease management in India, and this will remain. Consequently, there is a need to review prices and availability of pertinent medicines during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in India to provide future direction.Objective: Assess current utilisation and price changes as well as shortages of pertinent medicines and equipment during the early stages of the pandemic.Our Approach: Multiple approach involving a review of treatments and ongoing activities across India to reduce the spread of the virus alongside questioning pharmacies in selected cities from early March to end May 2020.Our Activities: 111 pharmacies took part, giving a response rate of 80%. Encouragingly, no change in utilisation of antimalarial medicines in 45% of pharmacies despite endorsements and for antibiotics in 57.7% of pharmacies, helped by increasing need for a prescription for dispensing. In addition, increased purchasing of PPE (over 98%). No price increases were seen for antimalarials and antibiotics in 83.8 and 91.9% of pharmacies respectively although shortages were seen for antimalarials in 70.3% of pharmacies, lower for antibiotics (9.9% of pharmacies). However, price increases were typically seen for PPE (over 90% of stores) as well as for analgesics (over 50% of pharmacies). Shortages were also seen for PPE (88.3%).Conclusion: The pandemic has impacted on utilisation and prices of pertinent medicines and PPE in India but moderated by increased scrutiny. Key stakeholder groups can play a role with enhancing evidenced-based approaches and reducing inappropriate purchasing in the future.
Pioglitazone-Mediated Attenuation of Experimental Colitis Relies on Cleaving of Annexin A1 Released by Macrophages
Authors: da Rocha Gustavo Henrique Oliveira , de Paula-Silva Marina , Broering Milena Fronza , Scharf Pablo Rhasan dos Santos , Matsuyama Larissa Satiko Alcântara Sekimoto , Maria-Engler Silvya Stuchi , Farsky Sandra Helena Poliselli 
Published: January 2021

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) which burden health systems worldwide; available pharmacological therapies are limited and cost-intensive. Use of peroxisome proliferator activated-receptor γ (PPARγ) ligands for IBD treatment, while promising, lacks solid evidences to ensure its efficacy. Annexin A1 (AnxA1), a glucocorticoid-modulated anti-inflammatory protein, plays a key role on IBD control and is a potential biomarker of IBD progression. We here investigated whether effects of pioglitazone, a PPARγ ligand, rely on AnxA1 actions to modulate IBD inflammation. Experimental colitis was evoked by 2% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in AnxA1 knockout (AnxA1−/−) or wild type (WT) C57BL/6 mice. Clinical and histological parameters were more severe for AnxA−/−than WT mice, and 10 mg/kg pioglitazone treatment attenuated disease parameters in WT mice only. AnxA1 expression was increased in tissue sections of diseased WT mice, correlating positively with presence of CD68+macrophages. Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and inactive 33 kDa AnxA1 levels were increased in the colon of diseased WT mice, which were reduced by pioglitazone treatment. Cytokine secretion, reactive oxygen species generation and MMP-9 expression caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment in AnxA1-expressing RAW 264.7 macrophages were reduced by pioglitazone treatment, effects not detected in AnxA1 knockdown macrophages.LPS-mediated increase of AnxA1 cleaving in RAW 264.7 macrophages was also attenuated by pioglitazone treatment. Finally, pioglitazone treatment increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in AnxA1-expressing RAW 264.7 macrophages, but not in AnxA1-knockdown macrophages. Thus, our data highlight AnxA1 as a crucial factor for the therapeutic actions of pioglitazone on IBDs.
Post-traumatic Growth Dimensions Differently Mediate the Relationship Between National Identity and Interpersonal Trust Among Young Adults: A Study on COVID-19 Crisis in Italy
Authors: Ellena Adriano Mauro , Aresi Giovanni , Marta Elena , Pozzi Maura 
Published: January 2021

BackgroundIn Italy, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a collective trauma. Post-traumatic growth (PTG) has been defined as the subjective experience of positive psychological changes as a result of a traumatic event. PTG can involve changes in five psychological main dimensions: relating to others, new possibilities, personal strength, spiritual change, and appreciation of life. In the context of national emergencies, those PTG dimensions encompassing changes at the social level (e.g., relating to others) can play a role in coping strategies that involve a renewed sense of self and one’s social identities, including national identities, and in turn, foster a stronger sense of trust and connection to others.AimTo investigate how each of the five PTG dimensions mediates the association between the salience of national identity and interpersonal trust in a sample of Italian young adults. Trust in national and European institutions were expected to positively predict the strength of the Italian national identity which in turn was expected to be positively associated with interpersonal trust, and the PTG relating to others dimension to mediate this association.MethodThis study involves the secondary analysis of data from a representative sample of 2,000 Italian young adults (age range 18–34 years). Participants completed a web survey during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis in Italy with measures of trust in EU and national institutions, national identity, interpersonal trust, and the PTG Inventory. Structural equation modeling procedures were employed for key hypotheses tests.ResultsTrust in national institutions positively predicted national identity, which in turn was positively associated with interpersonal trust. Evidence of a full mediation effect of the PTG relating to others dimension on the association between national identity and interpersonal trust was found.DiscussionFindings contribute to clarify the psychological responses to collective traumas. In the context of Italy’s COVID-19 crisis, trust in national institutions reinforced Italian national identity, which was in turn associated with greater interpersonal trust, but only when psychological responses to the trauma involved changes in how individuals perceived and related to others, and not merely a focus on the self. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Working Memory Alterations Plays an Essential Role in Developing Global Neuropsychological Impairment in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Tyagi Rahul , Arvind Harshita , Goyal Manoj , Anand Akshay , Mohanty Manju 
Published: January 2021

BackgroundNeuropsychological profile of Indian Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) subjects remains unidentified and needs to be evaluated.MethodsA total of 69 DMD and 66 controls were subjected to detailed intelligence and neuropsychological assessment. The factor indexes were derived from various components of Malin’s Intelligence Scale for Indian Children (MISIC) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT).ResultsPoor verbal and visual memory profiles were demonstrated by DMDs, which include RAVLT-immediate recall (IR) (p = 0.042), RAVLT-delayed recall (DR) (p = 0.009), Rey–Osterrieth complex figure test (RCFT)-IR (p = 0.001), and RCFT-DR (p = 0.001). RAVLT-memory efficiency index demonstrated poor verbal memory efficiency (p = 0.008). Significant differences in the functioning of working memory axis [RAVLT T1 (p = 0.015), recency T1 (p = 0.004), Digit Span Backward (p = 0.103)] were observed along with reduced performance in visuomotor coordination, visuospatial, and visual recognition abilities. Block designing efficiency index and attention fraction showed a normal performance in DMD kids.ConclusionWorking memory deficits were found to be the crucial element of cognitive functioning in DMD cases. Working memory interventions may be beneficial to improve the neuropsychological profile in DMD.
Motivación laboral en una empresa de servicios de Lima, Perú
Authors: Nolazco Labajos Fernando Alexis , Bustamante Cieza Elvis Iván , Moreno Rodríguez Rosa Ysabel , Carhuancho Mendoza Irma Milagros 
Published: January 2021

El talento humano es el recurso más importante y capaz de generar crecimiento en cualquier entidad. Por ello, compañías de todo tipo, tamaño, industria y ubicación direccionan sus esfuerzos en satisfacer sus necesidades creando espacios donde superen sus expectativas y logren sus satisfacciones. En ese contexto, en la compañía en estudio, no se evidenció una estructura de reconocimientos, prevalece una falta de capacitación, de oportunidades, de crecimiento y desarrollo. No existen estrategias para motivar al personal y/o espacios para el desarrollo de sus habilidades entre otras acciones. Por tal razón, el objetivo fue diagnosticar y determinar factores predominantes de la motivación laboral en los trabajadores de una empresa de servicios en Lima. El estudio se basó en un enfoque mixto, sintagma holístico, nivel comprensivo, método inductivo-deductivo, la técnica fue la encuesta y entrevista apoyada de guía de entrevista, unidades informantes fueron treinta entre trabajadores y extrabajadores y tres entrevistados. Los resultados evidencian desmotivación respecto a reconocimientos, bonos de incentivos, recompensas pero adicionales al salario y al aspecto de autonomía. En tanto manifestaron sentirse motivados con la cooperación entre áreas; la afiliación con los dueños, la marca y la interrelación con los colegas generando un ambiente de confianza. Se consideran como factores predominantes la flexibilidad de horario, el feedback, integración, el fomento de investigación y apertura a nuevas formas de solución de problemas
The Microbiome and p-Inulin in Hemodialysis: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Raj Dominic S. , Sohn Michael B. , Charytan David M. , Himmelfarb Jonathan , Ikizler T. Alp , Mehrotra Rajnish , Ramezani Ali , Regunathan-Shenk Renu , Hsu Jesse Y. , Landis J. Richard , Li Hongzhe , Kimmel Paul L. , Kliger Alan S. , Dember Laura M. ,   for the Hemodialysis Novel Therapies Consortium
Published: January 2021

Background
The intestinal microbiome is an appealing target for interventions in ESKD because of its likely contribution to uremic toxicity. Before conducting clinical trials of microbiome-altering treatments, it is necessary to understand the within-person and between-person variability in the composition and function of the gut microbiome in patients with ESKD.

Methods
We conducted a multicenter, nonrandomized, crossover feasibility study of patients on maintenance hemodialysis consisting of three phases: pretreatment (8 weeks); treatment, during which the prebiotic, p-inulin, was administered at a dosage of 8 g twice daily (12 weeks); and post-treatment (8 weeks). Stool samples were collected 1–2 times per week and blood was collected weekly for 28 weeks. The gut microbiome was characterized using 16S ribosomal-RNA sequencing and metabolomic profiling.

Results
A total of 11 of the 13 participants completed the 28-week study. Interparticipant variability was greater than intraparticipant variability for microbiome composition (P<0.001 by UniFrac distances) and metabolomic composition (P<0.001 by Euclidean distances). p-Inulin was well tolerated by 12 of 13 participants. Adherence to the frequent sample collection and self-aliquoting of stool samples were both 96%. A change in the microbiome composition from pretreatment to post-treatment was evident by the overall shifts in weighted UniFrac distances (P=0.004) and a progressive decrease in prevalence of high intraclass correlations, indicating an increase in intraparticipant microbiome diversity during and after p-inulin treatment. An effect of p-inulin on the metabolomic profile was not evident.

Conclusions
The intraparticipant stability of the gut microbiome under no-treatment conditions, the tolerability of p-inulin, the signals of increased diversity of the microbiome with p-inulin treatment, and the willingness of participants to provide stool samples all support the feasibility of a larger trial to investigate interventions targeting the gut microbiome in patients with ESKD. Whether or not p-inulin has sufficient efficacy as an intervention requires evaluation in larger studies.

Clinical Trial registry name and registration number:
Gut Microbiome and p-Inulin in Hemodialysis, NCT02572882
Hardware and Software Implementation for Global Navigation Satellite System Signal Processing by Temporary Accumulation Method to Monitor Radio-navigation Signals
Authors: Eremeev D. A. 
Published: January 2021

Currently, a scope of satellite radio-navigation applications is more and more extending. Accordingly, there are also increasing requirements for the quality of determining coordinates and time. Therefore, radio-navigation signals monitoring, in particular their waveform control, waveform distortion analysis, is a challenge. However, a power of navigation signals is lower than the noise level, therefore, the special methods and equipment, which provide increasing a signal-to-noise ratio, are necessary to analyze their waveform. Usually, complexes based on the large aperture antennas are used for this purpose. But they have a number of disadvantages, namely high complexity, high price, large size, necessity to guide and track each individual satellite.The paper gives a brief description of the temporary accumulation method (TAM). This method can be applied to signals containing repetitive elements (basic elements). Radio-navigation signals are such signals. TAM allows you to increase the signal-to-noise ratio and evaluate the waveform of signal basic elements by superimposing and averaging the appropriate signal samples. Gain increases with increasing accumulation time.The paper proposes a small-scale breadboard of the software-hardware complex to monitor signals of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) based on an omnidirectional antenna, a software-defined radio system, and a personal computer. This breadboard allows recording of digital samples of the navigation signals observed, and then their processing by the temporary accumulation method.Presents operation estimates of the proposed breadboard for monitoring GNSS signals. Gives estimates of the GLONASS navigation signal waveforms in the time domain (signal basic elements) and in the frequency domain (energy spectrum). Also based on the use of TAM, estimates the signal power and energy gain. Proves that using the hardware-software complex proposed for radio-navigation signals monitoring is possible.The proposed scheme of the small-scale breadboard for monitoring GNSS signals can be used directly for monitoring and also to test various methods and technologies of navigation signal processing based on the use of information about the waveform of the received signal.
La comprensión del movimiento rectilíneo a través de las representaciones semióticas
Authors: Gómez Rodríguez Nicolle Johana , Sánchez Monroy Didson Harvey , Sepúlveda Delgado Omaida 
Published: January 2021

Se presenta en el documento una experiencia de aula, resultado de un trabajo de investigación enfocado en exteriorizar el uso de la teoría de las representaciones semióticas para la enseñanza y aprendizaje del movimiento rectilíneo, con el fin analizar las actividades cognitivas de tratamiento y conversión realizadas por los estudiantes con el objetivo de lograr una mejor comprensión del objeto de estudio. En ese sentido, se diseñaron e implementaron situaciones creando condiciones para la realización de los procesos de formación, tratamiento y conversión entre los diferentes registros de representación semiótica, según la teoría de los registros de representación. Para el desarrollo del estudio se realizó la investigación con un enfoque cualitativo siguiendo el diseño de investigación-acción con las etapas de planeación, acción y evaluación.
Como resultado principal se evidencia en el estudio y según los resultados presentados que los estudiantes parten de los conocimientos previos para solucionar cada situación planteada, así como también que se apoyan principalmente en los sistemas de representación gráfico y verbal, realizando el respectivo tratamiento y las conversiones entre registros semióticos, promoviendo además el desarrollo del razonamiento matemático a través de la resolución de problemas.
Evaluación de la conciencia metacognitiva en estudiantes de media desde la clase de ciencias
Authors: Montes Leguía Alfredo Josué , López Hernández Armando Manuel , Pacheco Lora Luis Carlos 
Published: January 2021

El presente trabajo investigativo tiene como propósito mostrar el análisis de los resultados obtenidos en la aplicación del Inventario de Habilidades Metacognitivas (MAI) que fue aplicado con el fin de indagar las semejanzas y diferencias de la conciencia metacognitiva de un grupo de 15 estudiantes de media académica de la Institución Educativa La Victoria, con características socioculturales específicas en una clase de ciencias. Esto es parte de la identificación inicial de los procesos que integran el impulso de la conciencia metacognitiva, como plataforma para un planteamiento didáctico. Se denota una metodología cuantitativa descriptiva, en tanto que el MAI es una prueba de autorreporte y sus opciones de respuesta se localizan en una escala Likert. Los resultados mostraron tendencias en algunas categorías de la prueba y disparidades en otras, los cuales fueron objeto de reflexión sobre las habilidades que tienen los estudiantes en cuanto a sus procesos metacognitivos.
Pelatihan Pengembangan Potensi Desa Melalui Sektor Unggulan Ubi Sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Ekonomi Masyarakat di Desa Tohkuning Kabupaten Karanganyar
Authors: Panglipurningrum Yofhi Septian , Utomo Agus , Pahlawi Lukman Akhmad Imron 
Published: January 2021

Kegiatan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat ini menggunakan prinsip pendampingan, pemberdayaan masyarakat, dimana pengabdi bertindak sebagai fasilitator. Pendampingan adalah suatu kegiatan konsultasi untuk nmemfasilitasi dan memotivasi dengan tujuan menyelesaikan suatu permasalahan yang dihadapi oleh kelompok masyarakat. Pemberdayaan adalah suatu upaya memulihkan atau meningkatkan keberdayaan suatu komunitas utuk mampu berbuat sesuai dengan harkat dan martabat mereka dalam melaksanakan hak-hak dan tanggungjawab mereka sebagai manusia dan warga negara. Kegiatan sosialisasi marketing umkm churros ubi di Desa Tohkuning yang dilaksanakan pada tanggal 15 Agustus 2019. Sosialisasi ini bertujuan untuk memberikan pengetahuan kepada masyarakat tentang bagaimana suatu produk dikemas secara baik dan benar, strategi pemasaran produk yang baik dan benar serta mengetahui sasaran yang akan dituju dari produk churros ubi tersebut. Dengan adanya kegiatan ini Masyarakat Desa Tohkuning mendapatkan pengetahuan tentang menginovasi produk dan pemasaran produk UMKM. Sehingga dapat menbantu perekonomian masyarakat di Desa Tohkuning.
Епидемиология на миастения гравис
Authors: Иванов Златин , Стефанов Георги , Искров Георги , Стефанов Румен 
Published: January 2021

Миастения гравис (МГ) е прототипно автоимунно заболяване, което води до характерна уморяемост и слабост на очедвигателните, булбарните и дихателните мускули, както и на мускулите на тялото и крайниците. В зависимост от засегнатата мускулна група МГ се дели на очна и генерализирана форма. За отчитане тежестта на заболяването най-често се използва модифицираната скала на Osserman. В зависимост от възрастта на отключване на симптомите се наблюдава МГ при възрастни, ювенилна МГ и вродени миастенни синдроми.
Изучаването на епидемиологията на МГ е важна задача, защото поставянето на диагнозата налага мултидисциплинарно сътрудничество между медицински специалисти от различни области. Пациентската популация при МГ е разнородна по възраст, като при възрастните пациенти често се наблюдават коморбидности. Сериозната прогноза на МГ изисква прецизно и обширно изучаване на тази патология.
Настоящата публикация има за цел да анализира епидемиологичните данни за МГ, да представи оценка за разпространението на МГ в България, както и да опише пътя на пациента с акцент върху ключови моменти и проблемни области.