bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ONLINE LEARNING AT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN UKRAINE: ACHIEVEMENTS, CHALLENGES, AND HORIZONS
Authors: Krylova-Grek Yuliya , Shyshkina Mariya P. 
Published: November 2021

Online learning has shown considerable growth over the last decade, as the Internet and education were combined to serve millions of people to gain new skills. This paper outlines benchmarking studies of the current online learning trends. We have demonstrated the weak points in organizing and conducting online classes, identified the shortcomings of excessive digitalization of education, and suggested several problem-solving alternatives. We strongly believe that the appropriate arrangement of distance learning is impossible without getting feedback from all participants of the learning process. Our study represents the benefits and challenges of distance learning noticed by students. The given study is the initial stage of the multi-level research. To receive a qualitative and valid result, we developed a questionnaire with cross-sectional questions, which allowed analysing each question from multiple perspectives, namely we were interested in the opinion of students on the following issues: transition to entirely distance learning; the role of a teacher in distance learning; the influence of distance learning format on the education quality (perception, understanding, learning, and mastering the material); difficulties and challenges. After examining the data obtained, we have managed to single out the following aspects: the most advisable forms of ICT use in the learning organization, balanced learning workload, and communication between teacher and student; co-ordination within the institution to avoid students' overload, which leads to demotivation and physical fatigue to cope with the scope of learning materials. The findings of this study indicate weak aspects in the organization and use of ICT in education. Based on these findings, we offered strategies for successful distance and blended learning. Besides, our findings must be taken into account when organizing blended learning.
Impacto de ácidos graxos essenciais na terapêutica suplementar da dismenorreia primária: uma revisão de ensaios clínicos
Authors: Guimarães Maiara Moeme Alvim , Araújo Edilene Maria Queiroz , Santos Junior Aníbal de Freitas , Travassos Ana Gabriela Álvares 
Published: November 2021

Dismenorreia primária (DP) é a denominada cólica menstrual e o aparecimento de sintomas pode estar associado à ação das prostaglandinas (PG) e leucotrienos (LT). Os ácidos graxos essenciais (AGE), principalmente o ômega 3, possuem propriedades anti-inflamatórias inibitórias da síntese de PG. Assim, esta revisão sistemática tem como objetivo discutir o uso da suplementação de AGE no tratamento de DP. Estudos originais do tipo ensaio clínico, publicados entre 2000 a 2021 foram pesquisados nos bancos de dados Pubmed e Scielo. Oito artigos foram incluídos e analisados neste estudo. A partir dos resultados afirma-se que os AGE, sobretudo ômega 3, são relevantes no tratamento da DP, identificando-se como mecanismo de ação a inibição da atividade da ciclo-oxigenase pelo ômega-3, que leva a menor produção de PG e LT pró-inflamatórias, aumentando a formação de seus derivados, anti-inflamatórios. Logo, sugere-se que a suplementação dietética a partir de 300 mg de ômega-3, 8-2 dias antes e até 3-2 dias após a menstruação, principalmente após 2 meses, reduz dor em mulheres com DP.
Biomechanics of Lumbar Spine Injury in Road Barrier Collision–Finite Element Study
Authors: Pachocki L. , Daszkiewicz K. , Łuczkiewicz P. , Witkowski W. 
Published: November 2021

Literature and field data from CIREN database have shown that lumbar spine injuries occur during car crashes. There are multiple hypotheses regarding how they occur; however, there is no biomechanical explanation for these injuries during collisions with road safety barriers (RSBs). Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the mechanics of vertebral fractures during car collisions with concrete RSBs. The finite element method was used for the numerical simulations. The global model of the car collision with the concrete RSB was created. The lumbar spine kinematics were extracted from the global simulation and then applied as boundary conditions to the detailed lumbar spine model. The results showed that during the collision, the occupant was elevated, and then dropped during the vehicle landing. This resulted in axial compression forces 2.6 kN with flexion bending moments 34.7 and 37.8 Nm in the L2 and L3 vertebrae. It was shown that the bending moment is the result of the longitudinal force on the eccentricity. The lumbar spine index for the L1–L5 section was 2.80, thus indicating a lumbar spine fracture. The minimum principal strain criterion of 7.4% and damage variable indicated L2 and L3 vertebrae and the inferior part of L1, as those potentially prone to fracture. This study found that lumbar spine fractures could occur as a consequence of vehicle landing during a collision with a concrete RSB mostly affecting the L1–L3 lumbar spine section. The fracture was caused by a combination of axial forces and flexion bending moments.
The Mode of Trench-Parallel Subduction of the Middle Ocean Ridge
Authors: Shen Xiaobing , Leng Wei 
Published: November 2021

Trench-parallel subduction of mid-ocean ridges occurs frequently in plate motion history, such as along the western boundary of the Pacific plate in the early Cenozoic and along the eastern boundary of the Pacific plate at present. Such subduction may strongly alter the surface topography, volcanic activity and slab morphology in the mantle, whereas few studies have been conducted to investigate its evolutionary process. Here, we construct a 2-D viscoelastoplastic numerical model to study the modes and key parameters controlling trench-parallel subduction of mid-ocean ridges. Our model results show that the subduction modes of mid-ocean ridges can be primarily categorized into three types: the fast spreading mode, the slow spreading mode, and the extinction mode. The key factor controlling these subduction modes is the relative motion between the foregoing and the following oceanic plates, which are separated by the mid-ocean ridge. Different subduction modes exert different surface geological expressions, which may explain specific evolutionary processes related to mid-ocean ridge subduction, such as topographic deformation and the eruption gap of volcanic rocks in East Asia within 55–45 Ma and in the western North American plate during the late Cenozoic.
Radiotherapy Plus Chemotherapy Leads to Prolonged Survival in Patients With Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Compared With Radiotherapy Alone Regardless of Surgical Resection and Distant Metastasis: A Retrospective Population Study
Authors: Zhou Weili , Yue Yangyang , Zhang Xin 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundWhether anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) patients benefit more from radiotherapy plus chemotherapy (RCT) than from radiotherapy alone (RT) was controversial. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of RCT versus RT on ATC overall and within subgroups by surgical resection and distant metastasis in a large real-world cohort.MethodsPatients with ATC diagnosed between 2004 and 2015 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) was performed to balance variables between the two groups. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model and Fine-Gray compete-risk model were carried out to investigate prognostic factors relating to overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Subgroup analysis was carried out, and a forest plot was graphed.ResultsOf the 491 ATC patients, 321 (65.4%) were in the RCT group and 170 (34.6%) were in the RT group. The median OS was 4 months [interquartile range (IQR) 2–7] and 2 months (IQR 1–4) for patients in the RCT and RT groups, respectively. As indicated by the inverse probability weighting multivariate regression, RCT was associated with significantly improved OS (adjusted HR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.56–0.85, p &lt; 0.001) and CSS (adjusted subdistribution HR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.61–0.96, p = 0.018). The prominent effect of RCT versus RT alone remains significant within each subgroup stratified by surgical resection and distant metastasis. Older age, single marital status, surgical resection, distant metastasis, and tumor extension were significant prognostic factors of survival.ConclusionsRCT contributes to prolonged OS and CSS compared with RT alone in ATC patients, regardless of surgical resection and distant metastasis. RCT should be preferentially applied to ATC patients.
Construction of Concave PdAg Nanoshells with Limited Thickness for Efficient Electroxidation of Ethanol
Authors: Wu Quanlin , Zhang Gongguo , Zhao Na , Zheng Yiqun , Ma Yanyun , Liu Feng , Liu Maochang 
Published: November 2021

Noble metal nanocrystals enclosed with curved surfaces are of great benefit for applications in electrocatalysis since the atomic steps and kinks on these facets have higher chemical activity. Herein, we report the fabrication of PdAg nanoshells with tunable thickness in the range of 5–13 nm and a unique concave cubic morphology, as well as the exploration of their applications for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in alkaline media. The success of current work relies on the conformal deposition of PdAg on concave Au nanocubes, where the controlled reaction kinetics and proper chosen capping agent are both crucial for the growth mode. When loaded on carbon black and working as electrocatalysts, they exhibited superb electrochemical activity (e.g., 600.21 mA mg−1 in mass activity and 19.57 A m−2 in specific activity), together with improved EOR kinetics and long-term durability, as compared to Au@Pd nanoparticles and commercial Pd/C. The current work offers a feasible strategy to produce PdAg bimetallic nanocrystals with concave surface and validates their promising application as fuel cell catalysts, which could be extended to morphology engineering of other noble-metal nanocrystals for a broad range of applications.
Impaired Microcirculation and Vascular Hemodynamics in Relation to Macrocirculation in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Svensson Christina , Eriksson Per , Bjarnegård Niclas , Jonasson Hanna , Strömberg Tomas , Sjöwall Christopher , Zachrisson Helene 
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality, unexplained by traditional risk factors. Impairment of microcirculation and vascular hemodynamics may represent early signs of vascular affection. We hypothesized that studies of microcirculation and pulse waves may provide additional information, compared to ultrasound (US) alone, for the detection of early vascular disease in SLE.Methods: Sixty well-characterized SLE-patients (52 women, eight men; mean age 43.21 ± 1.3 years) characterized by lupus nephritis (LN; n = 20), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS; n = 20) or skin and joint involvement (n = 20) and 60 healthy controls were included. Microcirculatory peak oxygen saturation (OxyP) was evaluated using a novel combined laser Doppler flowmetry/diffuse reflectance spectroscopy method. Pulse waves were recorded in the radial artery by the aid of applanation tonometry in order to calculate central augmentation index (AIx75). Intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque occurrence were evaluated using high frequency US, in carotid and central arteries.Results: Lower OxyP (84 ± 8 vs. 87 ± 5 %, p = 0.01) and higher AIx75 (17.3 ± 13.9 vs. 10.0 ± 14.2 %, p = 0.005) were seen in the SLE cohort. OxyP was inversely correlated with IMT in internal carotid artery (ICA), (R = −0.32, p = 0.01). AIx75 correlated with IMT in common carotid artery (CCA), (R = 0.36, p = 0.005), common femoral artery (CFA), (R = 0.43, p = 0.001), and ICA (R = 0.27, p = 0.04). AIx75 correlated negatively with OxyP (R = −0.29, p = 0.02). SLE-patients with plaque had lower OxyP values (80 ± 8 vs. 85 ± 7 %, p &lt; 0.001) and higher AIx75 (23.0 ± 11.6 vs. 15.5 ± 14.2 %, p &lt; 0.001) compared to those without plaque.Conclusion: Impaired microcirculation and vessel hemodynamics were observed in SLE. These methods correlated with IMT and plaque occurrence. The importance of early macro- and micro-circulatory vascular affection for increased risk of CVD in SLE will be followed-up in future studies.
Risk Factors and Management of Catheter Malfunction During Urgent-Start Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Zhao Lijuan , Yang Jun , Bai Ming , Dong Fanfan , Sun Shiren , Xu Guoshuang 
Published: November 2021

Background: Catheter malfunction is a common complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the risk factors and management of catheter malfunction in urgent-start PD.Methods: Patients who underwent urgent-start PD were divided into catheter-malfunction and control groups. Baseline demographic and laboratory data of the two groups were compared, and the risk factors for catheter malfunction were analyzed. Primary outcome measure was catheter survival, and the secondary outcomes were surgical complications and malfunction treatment.Results: Total of 700 patients was analyzed, among whom 143 (20.4%) experienced catheter malfunctions, specifically catheter migration (96, 67.1%), omental wrapping (36, 25.2%), and migration plus omental wrapping (11, 7.7%). Catheter survival time in the malfunction group (202.5 ± 479.4 days) was significantly shorter than that in the control group (1295.3 ± 637.0 days) (P &lt; 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed higher body mass index [hazard ratio (HR), 1.061; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.010–1.115; P = 0.018], lower surgeon count (HR, 1.083; 95% CI, 1.032–1.136; P = 0.001), and higher serum potassium (HR, 1.231; 95% CI, 1.041–1.494; P = 0.036) as independent risk factors for catheter malfunction, while older age (HR, 0.976, 95% CI, 0.962–0.991; P = 0.002) and colonic dialysis (HR, 0.384; 95% CI, 0.254–0.581; P &lt; 0.001) as protective factors. Further subgroup analysis revealed a shorter catheter survival time in patients with younger age ( ≤ 40 years), higher serum potassium levels (≥5 mmol/L), while a longer catheter survival time in patients with colonic dialysis. PD tube and subcutaneous tunnel preservation was successful in 41 out of 44 patients with omental wrapping. All patients had good post-incision prognoses.Conclusions: Urgent-start PD is safe and effective for unplanned PD patients. Adequate pre-operative colonic dialysis and serum potassium level control are conducive in preventing catheter malfunction. Conservative treatment is effective in managing catheter migration alone, while preservation of the PD tube and the subcutaneous tunnel is effective for omental wrapping.
More Than 100 Persistent Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 (Long COVID): A Scoping Review
Authors: Hayes Lawrence D. , Ingram Joanne , Sculthorpe Nicholas F. 
Published: November 2021

Background: Persistent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms are increasingly well-reported in cohort studies and case series. Given the spread of the pandemic, number of individuals suffering from persistent symptoms, termed ‘long COVID', are significant. However, type and prevalence of symptoms are not well reported using systematic literature reviews.Objectives: In this scoping review of the literature, we aggregated type and prevalence of symptoms in people with long COVID.Eligibility Criteria: Original investigations concerning the name and prevalence of symptoms were considered in participants ≥4-weeks post-infection.Sources of Evidence: Four electronic databases [Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)] were searched.Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley framework. Review selection and characterisation was performed by three independent reviewers using pretested forms.Results: Authors reviewed 2,711 titles and abstracts for inclusion with 152 selected for full-text review. 102 articles were subsequently removed as this did not meet inclusion criteria. Thus, fifty studies were analysed, 34 of which were described as cohort studies or prospective cohort studies, 14 were described as cross-sectional studies, one was described as a case control study, and one was described as a retrospective observational study. In total, &gt;100 symptoms were identified and there was considerable heterogeneity in symptom prevalence and setting of study. Ten studies reported cardiovascular symptoms, four examined pulmonary symptoms, 25 reported respiratory symptoms, 24 reported pain-related symptoms, 21 reported fatigue, 16 reported general infection symptoms, 10 reported symptoms of psychological disorders, nine reported cognitive impairment, 31 reported a sensory impairment, seven reported a dermatological complaint, 11 reported a functional impairment, and 18 reported a symptom which did not fit into any of the above categories.Conclusion: Most studies report symptoms analogous to those apparent in acute COVID-19 infection (i.e., sensory impairment and respiratory symptoms). Yet, our data suggest a larger spectrum of symptoms, evidenced by &gt;100 reported symptoms. Symptom prevalence varied significantly and was not explained by data collection approaches, study design or other methodological approaches, and may be related to unknown cohort-specific factors.
Identification and Analysis of Potential Autophagy-Related Biomarkers in Endometriosis by WGCNA
Authors: Wang Jing , Cong Shanshan , Wu Han , He Yanan , Liu Xiaoli , Sun Liyuan , Zhao Xibo , Zhang Guangmei 
Published: November 2021

Background: Endometriosis is a serious gynecological disorder characterized by debilitating pain, infertility and the establishment of innervated endometriosis lesions outside the uterus. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are pivotal in endometriosis. The work screened autophagy-related genes (ATGs) as potential biomarkers to reveal new molecular subgroups for the early diagnosis of endometriosis.Materials and Methods: The gene lists of ATGs from five databases were integrated. Then, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to map the genes to the gene profile of endometriosis samples in GSE51981 to obtain functional modules. GO and KEGG analyses were performed on the ATGs from the key modules. Differentially expressed ATGs were identified by the limma R package and further validated in the external datasets of GSE7305 and GSE135485. The DESeq2 R package was utilized to establish multifactorial network. Subsequently, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to identify new molecular subgroups. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting were used to confirm the differential expression of hub ATGs, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and Spearman correlation analysis were applied to assess the diagnostic value of hub ATGs in 40 clinical samples and human primary endometrial stromal cells (ESCs).Results: We screened 4 key modules and 12 hub ATGs and found the key genes to be strongly correlated with endometriosis. The pathways of ATGs were mainly enriched in autophagy, apoptosis, ubiquitin-protein ligase binding, and MAPK signaling pathway. The expression levels of EZH2 (Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2) and RND3 (also known as RhoE) had statistically significant changes with higher values in the endometriosis group compared with the controls, both in the tissue samples and primary ESCs. Besides, they also showed higher specificity and sensitivity by the receiver operating characteristic analysis and Spearman correlation analysis for the diagnosis of endometriosis. The TF-mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA multifactorial network was successfully constructed. Four new molecular subgroups were identified, and we preliminarily showed the ability of IQCG to independently differentiate subgroups.Conclusion: EZH2 and RND3 could be candidate biomarkers for endometriosis, which would contribute to the early diagnosis and intervention in endometriosis.
High-Dose Betahistine Improves Cognitive Function in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Wang Yongqian , Huang Xufeng , Fan Hongzhen , An Huimei , Ma Ting , Zhang Qi , Zhao Wenxuan , Yun Yajun , Yang Wenshuang , Zhang Xiaolu , Wang Zhiren , Yang Fude 
Published: November 2021

Background: There is currently no effective treatment for cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS). Recent studies have shown that increased histamine levels in the brain may help to improve CIAS symptoms. Betahistine is an H1-receptor agonist and H3-receptor antagonist. This study evaluated the effect of high-dose betahistine on cognitive function as well as its safety in Chinese Han patients with schizophrenia.Methods: This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 89 patients with schizophrenia who were randomly administered betahistine (72 mg/d) or placebo for 12 weeks. At baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after commencing the intervention, we measured changes in cognitive function and clinical symptoms using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), respectively. Furthermore, we used the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) to assess the adverse effects of the patients' medications.Results: Compared to the placebo group, the betahistine group showed significant improvements in the MCCB composite score after 12 weeks of treatment (p = 0.003) as well as improvements in MCCB verbal learning (p = 0.02) and visual learning (p = 0.001) domain scores. However, there were no significant improvements in the PANSS total scores or subscores (p &gt; 0.05). Generally, high-dose betahistine treatment was considered safe in patients with schizophrenia.Conclusions: Additional use of high-dose betahistine can effectively improve cognitive function but not psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Betahistine (72 mg/d) is well tolerated by Chinese Han patients with schizophrenia.Trial Registration:chictr.org.cn, identifier: ChiCTR1900021078. http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=35484&amp;htm=4
Determinants of Recent HIV Self-Testing Uptake Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Jiangsu Province, China: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Li Jianjun , Marley Gifty , Zhang Ye , Chen Yunting , Tang Weiming , Rongbin Yu , Fu Gengfeng 
Published: November 2021

Background: To help inform regarding HIV self-testing (HIVST) upscale, we assessed the determinants of recent HIVST uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Jiangsu province, China.Methods: We conducted a convenience online survey from March to April, 2020 among men aged ≥16 years, who had ever had sex with other men. Statistical analysis included Pearson's chi-square test, bivariate correlation, and multivariable logistic regression. p &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Of the total 692 participants, 69.5% (481) were aged between 18 and 40 years, and 65.9% (456) had reportedly ever self-tested. Using HIVST for first HIV test (aOR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.21–3.26), perceiving HIVST as more private (aOR = 1.41, 95% CI: 0.85–2.35), and users not needing to go to a health facility (aOR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.20–2.34) were associated with recent HIVST as facilitating factors.Conclusion: HIVST uptake rate has increased among Jiangsu MSM and can be further promoted by healthcare workers routinely recommending HIVST to their clients.