bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in inflammatory gene expression in brain tissue adjacent and distant to a viable cyst in a rat model for neurocysticercosis
Authors: Carmen-Orozco Rogger P. , Dávila-Villacorta Danitza G. , Delgado-Kamiche Ana D. , Celiz Rensson H. , Trompeter Grace , Sutherland Graham , Gavídia Cesar , Garcia Hector H. , Gilman Robert H. , Verástegui Manuela R. ,   for the Cysticercosis Working Group in Peru
Published: April 2021

Background
The parasite Taenia solium causes neurocysticercosis (NCC) in humans and is a common cause of adult-onset epilepsy in the developing world. Hippocampal atrophy, which occurs far from the cyst, is an emerging new complication of NCC. Evaluation of molecular pathways in brain regions close to and distant from the cyst could offer insight into this pathology.

Methods
Rats were inoculated intracranially with T. solium oncospheres. After 4 months, RNA was extracted from brain tissue samples in rats with NCC and uninfected controls, and cDNA was generated. Expression of 38 genes related to different molecular pathways involved in the inflammatory response and healing was assessed by RT-PCR array.

Results
Inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1, together with TGF-β and ARG-1, were overexpressed in tissue close to the parasite compared to non-infected tissue. Genes for IL-1A, CSF-1, FN-1, COL-3A1, and MMP-2 were overexpressed in contralateral tissue compared to non-infected tissue.

Conclusions
The viable cysticerci in the rat model for NCC is characterized by increased expression of genes associated with a proinflammatory response and fibrosis-related proteins, which may mediate the chronic state of infection. These pathways appear to influence regions far from the cyst, which may explain the emerging association between NCC and hippocampal atrophy.
Prevalence and determinants of anemia among pregnant women in East Africa; A multi-level analysis of recent Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Liyew Alemneh Mekuriaw , Tesema Getayeneh Antehunegn , Alamneh Tesfa Sewunet , Worku Misganaw Gebrie , Teshale Achamyeleh Birhanu , Alem Adugnaw Zeleke , Tessema Zemenu Tadesse , Yeshaw Yigizie 
Published: April 2021

IntroductionAnemia during pregnancy is a public health problem that leads to different life-threatening complications and poor pregnancy outcomes. So far, the evidence is scarce on pooled prevalence and determinants of anemia during pregnancy in East Africa for integrated intervention. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of anemia among pregnant women in eastern Africa using recent Demographic and Health Surveys.MethodSecondary data analysis was conducted using data from recent Demographic and Health Survey datasets from 10 East African countries. A total of 8583 (weighted sample) pregnant women were included in the analysis. The multi-level mixed-effects generalized linear model (Poisson regression with robust error variance) was fitted to identify determinants of anemia. Finally, the adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) with 95% CI and random effects for the multilevel generalized linear mixed-effects model was reported.ResultsIn this study, the overall prevalence of anemia among pregnant women was 41.82% (95% CI: 40.78, 42.87) with a large difference between specific countries which ranged from 23.36% in Rwanda to 57.10% in Tanzania. In the multi-level analysis, teenage pregnant women (aPR = 1.22;95%CI:1.02, 1.40), unmarried women (aPR = 1.14; 95% CI;1.02,1.28), pregnant women who had unimproved toilet facility (aPR = 1.17;95%CI:1.06,1.27), and those women from countries with high illiteracy level (aPR = 1.12;95%CI; 1.07,1.18) had a higher prevalence of anemia during pregnancy.ConclusionAnemia is still a public health problem in East Africa. Therefore, enabling the households to have improved toilet facilities by strengthening the existing health extension program, reducing teenage pregnancy, and improving the community literacy level is vital to reduce the prevalence of anemia during pregnancy in East Africa.
Direct Search in Conceptual Design
Authors: Skvortsov E. B. 
Published: April 2021

The notion Concept implies a set of rules and ideas combining in a common intention actual principles for application, structure and form of a future artificial object. A rational concept is considered as a product of "conceptual design", which is nothing more than a step-by-step research on the possibility of achieving a desired goal. It precedes a full-scale development oriented to the project implementation. The author studies conceptual design as the process of idea evolution involving several s tages (Fig. 1). One of them is considered, for which an effort is made to generate an effective methodology of direct search for a rational concept with due regard for system and other methods.
Mediation in Georgia. Development perspectives and challenges
Authors: Bibiluri Megi 
Published: April 2021

The article discusses the legal and systemic issues of the creation of a modern mediation institution in Georgia. It discusses Georgia’s historic experience traditions of settlements of disputes by means of peaceful methods, part of which are still preserved in the high mountainous regions of the country. In 2013, the country was also introduced to the mediation for settlement of collective labour disputes, which is implemented by active involvement from the government. Already existing statistics demonstrate that mediation in the given sphere is effective and actually serves for the settlement of disputes between employers and groups of employees. In 2019, Georgia adopted the law on mediation, which regulates the issue of private mediation conduction andexecution of achieved agreements. Mediators training and professional development system were created. By the adoption of the given Law ended the almost eightyear phase of mediation legal and institutional regulation,which, according to the opinion of the author of the article, was a process prolonged in time. Unified Law could have been adopted at the early stage of the reform which would have made the process of extensive usage of mediation in the country faster. As reason for introduction of mediation institution in Georgia is named the obligations of the country in the process of integration with the European Union, overloading of civil courts in the country and prolonged disputes.
Robuste Positionsstützung von automatisierten fliegenden Systemen durch Referenzmarker für die Präzisionslandung sowie Ortung in Bereichen ohne GNSS-Empfang
Authors: Kathe Endres , do Carmo Lucas Amilcar , Neumann Enrico , Isaac Delso Pedro Miguel 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungEine besonders kritische Flugphase bei der Automatisierung von unbemannten automatisch fliegenden Systemen (UAV) stellt das Landen dar. Je nach Größe des nutzbaren Flugkorridors und des Landeplatzes sind hier Genauigkeiten im Zentimeterbereich an die Wiederholbarkeit der Flugbahn und Landeposition gefordert. Elektromagnetische Störungen können die Nutzung herkömmlicher Systeme wie GNSS besonders im Landebereich erschweren. Das von IAV entwickelte optische Ortungssystem stellt eine ganzheitliche Entwicklung dar, die über den Aufbau der Referenzmarker, die Einbindung und hardwareseitige Steuerung der Kamera, die Bildverarbeitung und Positionsberechnung bis hin zu der Integration in das Flugsteuerungssystem reicht. Durch den spezifischen Aufbau unseres Systems wird eine hohe Robustheit gegenüber Änderungen der Umgebungsbedingungen erreicht. Zusätzlich wird die Integrität des Systems durch die Schätzung der (Positions-)Genauigkeiten und der Rückmeldung des Zustandes des Gesamtsystems sichergestellt. Durch das Kalibrieren der Landemarkierungen und die Integration des erweiterten Kalman Filters ist zusätzlich eine absolute Ortung im Raum möglich. Die Entwicklung und Tests des Systems erfolgten sowohl in der Simulation als auch unter realen Flugbedingungen.
MÉTODO DE NEWTON-RAPHSON PARA RESOLUÇÃO DE EQUAÇÕES
Authors: De Morais Lucas Henrique , Nunes Yves Eduardo Chifarelli de Oliveira , Corsi Marlon Ferreira 
Published: April 2021

O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver códigos de programação baseados no método iterativo de Newton-Raphson para a resolução rápida e eficiente de problemas correlatos às atividades de bordo, por meio de uma linguagem simples e estruturada (Pascal), voltada para um programa livre e capaz de ser processada por dispositivos móveis de plataformas Android ou iOS. Assim, a ferramenta foi desenvolvida com base nas técnicas de processamento voltadas para aplicativos, com base em exemplos mais simplificados e com o uso da verificação e validação da aplicação. O desenvolvimento partiu de uma modelagem de resolução mais simples para uma mais complexa: equação polinomial (modelo para fluxo de tubulações), equação exponencial (modelo característico de crescimento populacional) e equação trigonométrica (modelo característico da trajetória de um projétil). Dessa forma, foram abordadas as principais variações disponíveis no programa para problemas de viés matemático e também de cunho físico para um sistema bidimensional. Portanto, visa-se também motivar outros estudos para melhor aprimoramento das ferramentas já desenvolvidas, proporcionadas pelo constante avanço tecnológico, as quais podem e devem ser utilizadas cada vez mais na prática marítima, a fim de coletar novos experimentos, aprofundar conceitos e formular conjecturas, de modo a proporcionar o crescimento do meio marítimo como um todo.
Parte II. Tradicional fiesta patronal en homenaje a la santísima “Virgen de las Nieves”
Authors: Alarcón Calixto Karinna , Barrionuevo Clarissa , Bazán Rojas Arturo , Catacore Carricholi Evelyn , Espinoza Escobar Jacqueline , Espinoza Galván Katia , García Concha Orlando , Lloclle Huillca Orlando , Prado Castro Patricia , Suclupe Gallegos Valeria , Vera Quispe Martin 
Published: April 2021

1. Aparición de la Virgen
Se dice que cuatro hermanas caminaban por la nevada Sara-Sara, la Virgen de las Nieves junto con sus tres hermanas: La Virgen del Carmen de Chumpi, la Virgen de Copacabana de Cahuacho y la Virgen de las Nieves de Cora-Cora. Estas mujeres conforme iban descendiendo de dicho nevado iban tomando distinto camino, la mujer que se dirigió a Qasiri era la Virgen de las Nieves.
Principios técnicos de la tomografía computarizada
Authors: Martínez Rozo Ricardo 
Published: April 2021

Alrededor del año 1972 fue dado a conocer uno de los más interesantes aparatos que revolucionaria los estudios paraclínicos a nivel mundial: la tomografía computarizada. Utilizando equipos secuenciales de Rayos X y de procesamiento automático de información, en un fenomenal acopio de ingenio. Esto le reportó a su inventor, G. Housfield, el primer Premio Nobel de medicina otorgado a un profano de la medicina.
El equipo básico, integrado por un equipo de Rayos X cuyo tubo emisor puede girar 180º a lado y lado del paciente y un computador que integra la información obtenida por el rastreo de los Rayos X, que atraviesan al paciente y su funcionamiento será analizado en este artículo.
Parametric study of direct filling system of medium-head navigation locks
Authors: Kašpar Tomáš , Fošumpaur Pavel , Králík Martin , Zukal Milan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAs part of the research focusing on the safety of vessels during the lockage in navigation locks, two different 1D numerical modeling approaches were tested. These approaches are used to determine the force effects on vessels during the direct filling process of the navigation lock. These numerical models were verified using data measured on a physical model. Using the selected 1D model, a parametric study focusing on the impact of the basic parameters of the navigation lock including the lifting velocity of the gates on the maximum hawser forces was performed. The research has shown that with a suitable design of the upper gate, the direct filling system may also be used for medium-head navigation locks with a normal lift of up to 5 m.
Increased Erythrocyte Phosphatidylserine Exposure in Chronic Renal Failure
Authors: BONOMINI MARIO , SIROLLI VITTORIO , SETTEFRATI NICOLA , DOTTORI SECONDO , DI LIBERATO LORENZO , ARDUINI ARDUINO 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
The appearance of phosphatidylserine, an aminophospholipid normally confined to the inner monolayer, at the outer leaflet of red cell membrane may have several pathophysiologic implications. This study examines erythrocyte phosphatidylserine exposure in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on conservative treatment or on dialysis, to assess possible alterations to phospholipid asymmetry in a condition associated with a state of deranged red cell function. A significant increase in phosphatidylserine-expressing erythrocytes was found in undialyzed patients with CRF (2.32%) and patients on hemodialysis (3.06%) and on peritoneal dialysis (2.14%) compared with control subjects (0.68%). In undialyzed CRF patients, a strong correlation (r = 0.903) was found between the percentage of phosphatidylserine-expressing red cells and the serum creatinine concentration. The increased exposure of phosphatidylserine in uremic erythrocytes may be due to inhibition of phosphatidylserine transport from the outer to the inner leaflet of plasma membrane and may promote an increased erythrophagocytosis. In reconstitution experiments, normal erythrocytes showed an increase in phosphatidylserine-expressing cells when incubated in uremic plasma (3.2% after 2 h versus 1.1% at beginning of incubation), whereas phosphatidylserine-positive uremic erythrocytes decreased when resuspended in normal plasma (2.03% after 2 h and 1.65% after 8 h versus 2.9% at beginning of incubation). Preliminary characterization of the putative uremic compound(s) indicates a molecular weight between 10,000 and 20,000, as well as heat instability. These findings show an impairment of erythrocyte membrane phospholipid asymmetry in CRF patients, regardless of the dialysis treatment. Such abnormality seems related to the uremic state and could contribute to the red cell pathology present in CRF.
Activation of 5-Lipoxygenase and Related Cell Membrane Lipoperoxidation in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: MACCARRONE MAURO , TACCONE-GALLUCCI MASSIMO , MELONI CARLO , COCOCCETTA NELLA , DI VILLAHERMOSA SIMONE MANCA , CASCIANI CARLO U. , FINAZZI-AGRO ALESSANDRO 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Lipid peroxidation was shown at the membrane level in peripheral blood cells of patients hemodialyzed on cuprophan dialyzers, and was mainly attributable to the generation of conjugated hydroperoxides in the lipid bilayer. The oxidative index (i.e., the A234/205 ratio) of membrane lipids was 3.2-fold higher in hemodialysis patients than in healthy control subjects, and also the level of leukotriene B4 was significantly increased (up to 1.7-fold over control). Both membrane peroxidation and release of leukotriene B4 were linked to upregulation of 5-lipoxygenase activity (up to 2.4-fold over control) and expression at the protein level (up to 1.9-fold). Vitamin E, the most important lipophilic antioxidant, prevented both membrane peroxidation and release of leukotriene B4 by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase activity without affecting enzyme expression. Similar results were observed in patients hemodialyzed on polymethylmetacrylate membranes, but in this case the activation of 5-lipoxygenase was less pronounced. The use of a purified 5-lipoxygenase demonstrated that vitamin E was a reversible inhibitor of enzyme activity (IC50 = 35 ± 4 μM), further characterized as noncompetitive (Ki = 30 ± 3 μM). Taken together, the results reported here shed some light on the mechanism responsible for the oxidative damage in hemodialysis. Moreover, the beneficial effect of vitamin E described here may have relevance for the therapy of patients with kidney disease.
Nitric Oxide Synthesis and Oxidative Stress in the Renal Cortex of Rats with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: ISHII NAOHITO , PATEL KAUSHIK P. , LANE PASCALE H. , TAYLOR TRACI , BIAN KA , MURAD FERID , POLLOCK JENNIFER S. , CARMINES PAMELA K. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that diabetes mellitus disrupts the balance between synthesis and degradation of nitric oxide (NO) in the renal cortex. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin, and sufficient insulin was provided to maintain moderate hyperglycemia for the ensuing 2 wk. Despite an 80% increase in total NO synthase activity measured by L-citrulline assay, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase staining was unaltered, and no changes in NO synthase isoform protein levels or their distribution were evident in renal cortex from diabetic rats. Superoxide anion production was accelerated twofold in renal cortical slices from diabetic rats, with an associated 50% increase in superoxide dismutase activity. Western blots prepared by use of a monoclonal antinitrotyrosine antibody revealed an approximately 70-kD protein in renal cortex from sham rats, the nitrotyrosine content of which was threefold greater in cortical samples from diabetic rats. These observations indicate that the early stage of diabetes mellitus provokes accelerated renal cortical superoxide anion production in a setting of normal or increased NO production. This situation can be expected to promote peroxynitrite formation, resulting in the tyrosine nitration of a single protein of unknown identity, as well as a decline in the bioavailability of NO. These events are consistent with the postulate that oxidative stress promotes NO degradation in the renal cortex during the early stage of diabetes mellitus.
Involvement of the Activin-Follistatin System in Tubular Regeneration after Renal Ischemia in Rats
Authors: MAESHIMA AKITO , ZHANG YOU-QING , NOJIMA YOSHIHISA , NARUSE TAKUJI , KOJIMA ITARU 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
This study was conducted to investigate the involvement of the activin-follistatin system in renal regeneration after ischemic injury. Expression of mRNA for the activin βA subunit was not detected in normal kidneys but increased markedly after renal ischemia. Immunoreactive βA subunit was detected in tubular cells of the outer medulla in ischemic but not normal kidneys. Expression of mRNA for follistatin, an antagonist of activin A, was abundant in tubular cells of the outer medulla in normal kidneys and decreased significantly after renal ischemia. For assessment of the role of the activin-follistatin system in renal regeneration after ischemic injury, recombinant follistatin was intravenously infused into rats with renal ischemia, at the time of reperfusion. Exogenous follistatin prevented the histologic changes induced by ischemic injury, reduced apoptosis in tubular cells, and accelerated tubular cell proliferation. Serum levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were significantly lower in follistatin-treated rats. Conversely, intravenous administration of recombinant activin A inhibited tubular cell proliferation after ischemic injury. These results indicate that the activin-follistatin system participates in renal regeneration after ischemic injury. Follistatin administered intravenously accelerates renal regeneration after renal ischemia, presumably by blocking the actions of endogenous activin.
Opportunities for Improving the Care of Patients with Chronic Renal Insufficiency
Authors: NISSENSON ALLEN R. , COLLINS ALLAN J. , HURLEY JUDITH , PETERSEN HANS , PEREIRA BRIAN J. G. , STEINBERG EARL P. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
There are between 2 and 13 million Americans with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recent reports suggest that their treatment is currently suboptimal. To further investigate this issue, patterns of practice for the treatment of patients with CKD who were enrolled in a large health maintenance organization in New Mexico were analyzed. Among the >200,000 patients who were enrolled in the health maintenance organization between 1994 and 1997, a cohort of 1658 patients who exhibited at least two gender-specific, elevated creatinine concentrations (Cr), separated by at least 90 d, were identified. The proportions of patients with Cr values of <2.0, 2.0 to 2.9, 3.0 to 3.9, and ≥4.0 mg/dl were 73, 17, 3, and 7%, respectively. The majority of patients were treated by a primary care physician until Cr values reached 3.0 mg/dl, at which time a nephrologist was consulted. Care tended to be transferred to the nephrologist when the Cr reached 4.0 mg/dl. Only 7.4% of patients received erythropoietin (EPO). Use of EPO increased as Cr increased. EPO was unlikely to be prescribed unless the patient had visited a nephrologist. Fewer than one half of all patients with CKD and fewer than 20% of patients with CKD with Cr values of ≥4.0 mg/dl received an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI). Nephrologists were not more likely to prescribe ACEI than were primary care physicians. Diabetic patients were more likely to receive ACEI than were nondiabetic patients, but ACEI use was quite low even among diabetic patients with CKD. The average number of hospitalizations per patient-year increased as Cr increased and was more than twice as high for patients with Cr values of ≥4.0 mg/dl, compared with those with Cr values of <2.0 mg/dl. The reasons for hospitalization were more likely to be related to comorbidities than to CKD itself, however. There are many opportunities to improve the care of patients with CKD. Better adherence to practices known to be of clinical benefit for patients with CKD not only will improve patient outcomes but also may reduce the costs of care. Providers, policy-makers, and payers should view CKD as a major public health problem and initiate innovative programs to address this growing patient population.
High Adenosine and Deoxyadenosine Concentrations in Mononuclear Cells of Hemodialyzed Patients
Authors: SAMPOL JEROME , DUSSOL BERTRAND , FENOUILLET EMMANUEL , CAPO CHRISTIAN , MEGE JEAN-LOUIS , HALIMI GILLES , BECHIS GUY , BRUNET PHILIPPE , ROCHAT HERVE , BERLAND YVON , GUIEU REGIS 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Infections are one of the most important complications of hemodialysis (HD). The high concentrations of adenosine (Ado) and of its metabolites during HD may contribute to the dialysis-induced immune deficiency through their known ability to alter lymphocyte function. The influence of HD on Ado metabolism was assessed in mononuclear cells through the measurement of (1) the concentrations of nucleosides in mononuclear cells and (2) the activities of mononuclear cell Ado deaminase (MCADA) and Ado kinase, two enzymes involved in Ado concentration regulation. Nine end-stage renal failure hemodialyzed patients (five men and four women; mean age, 69 ± 10 yr) and eight healthy volunteers (four men and four women; mean age, 53 ± 19 yr) were included in the study. Before HD, Ado, deoxyadenosine, and inosine concentrations were respectively 2.9-, 2.5-, and 2.5-fold higher in mononuclear cells of patients than in healthy volunteers. During HD, Ado concentration decreased by 34%, whereas inosine concentration increased by 27%. Before HD, MCADA activity level was 2.1-fold lower in patients than in control subjects. After HD, MCADA activity increased by nearly 50% but remained lower than in control subjects. Ado kinase activity level of patients did not differ from that of control subjects and was unchanged by HD. The influence of Ado on in vitro mononuclear cell proliferation and interferon-γ production also was evaluated. Ado inhibited cell proliferation and interferon-γ production in a dose-dependent manner, and these inhibitions were stronger for patients than for healthy volunteers. The high concentrations of Ado and deoxyadenosine in mononuclear cells and the low MCADA activity level likely are involved in the immune defect of patients who are undergoing HD.