bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Time Course of Platelet Activation Markers as a Potential Prognostic Indicator after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Angioplasty in Qatar
Authors: Saleh Haissam Abou , Elmi Asha , Salameh Yasmeen , Kabeer Basirudeen , Al-Qahtani Awad , Al Suwaidi Jassim , Gehani Abdurrazzak , Yacoub Magdi 
Published: July 2019

RationaleMyocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. In Qatar specifically, cardiovascular diseases account for 20% of the main causes of death in the country, and the cases of MI is rising rapidly. Recent developments in the management of MI, particularly the emergent opening of the Culprit artery by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), have resulted in significant improvement of outcome in patients. In spite of that, the early and long outcome following MI varies considerably in different patients, and a significant number develop major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in the first year after successful PPCI. The clinical complications of MI, such as ventricular remodelling and heart failure, are thrombo-inflammatory processes that involve platelet activation and interactions with blood cells, the endothelium, and the myocardium. Increased platelet activation has been reported in numerous cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, stroke, acute coronary syndromes, and myocardial infarction. However, the course of platelet activation after MI and its role in adverse remodelling has not yet been assessed.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate the time course of platelet activation markers in patients diagnosed with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in Qatar. Findings will be correlated with patients’ clinical outcomes to evaluate the role of platelet activation markers as prognostic markers of disease progression in adverse remodelling after PPCI.MethodsPlatelet activation was assessed by expression of inflammatory markers platelet P-selectin (CD62P), and lysosome-associated membrane protein (CD63), and formation of platelet-neutrophil aggregates (PNA) using flow cytometry. Measurements were done in peripheral blood samples obtained from healthy subjects (n = 25) and from patients at admission to the cath lab at day 0 (n = 55) before PPCI, and 48 hours (n = 51) and, 1 month (n = 48) after PPCI. P-selectin and CD63 expression is defined as the percentage of antibody-positive platelets (P-sel+ and CD63+). PNA are gated by their characteristic forward and side scatter properties and identified as dual-labelled cells in the gate of neutrophils exhibiting leukocyte CD45 and platelet CD42b fluorescence (CD45+/CD42b+).ResultsPlatelet P-selectin and CD63 expression were high in patients at day 0 than in healthy control subjects (% of expression: 24.4 ± 3.0 vs 9.0 ± 2.7; p
Assessment of HER2 Status of Metastatic Breast Carcinoma on Cell Block Preparations of Fine Needle Aspirates is Unreliable
Authors: Shanmugam Vignesh , Hoda Syed , Dilcher Thomas , Pacecca Adam , Hoda Rana 
Published: July 2019

Objectives: HER2 status of breast carcinoma is a powerful prognostic and predictive biomarker-particularly in the metastatic setting. Limited data is available regarding assessment of HER2 on cell block preparations (CBP). The primary objective of this study was to assess correlation between HER2 results obtained via immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) in cases of metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC) on CBP. Secondary objectives included study of inter-observer variability in interpretation of HER2 on IHC, and concordance between HER2 results on CBP and formalin-fixed paraffin embedded material (FFPEM). Materials and Methods: Cases of MBC diagnosed on fine needle aspirates (FNA) with HER2 testing performed via IHC and FISH on CBP over 5 years (2010-2015) were reviewed. CBP material was fixed in an ethanol-based fixative (CytoRich Red Fixative system, BD). HER2 IHC was performed using polyclonal antibodies against Cerb-2 (Dako 0485). HER2 FISH testing was performed using the LSI HER2/neu/CEP17 probes (Vysis/Abbott Molecular Inc., Des Plaines, IL). Results: Seventeen cases (all female, median age: 59) were analyzed. 41% of CBP were products of bone FNA (7/17). Other sites included lymph node (3), lung (2), pleural fluid (2), liver (1), skeletal muscle (1) and mesentery (1). Median interval between diagnosis of primary carcinoma and FNA of metastasis was 5 years (range: 10 months-32 years). FISH was inconclusive due to suboptimal specimen quality in 2 cases. Correlation between IHC and FISH results was as follows: IHC 0/1+ (0/2; 0% amplification), IHC 2+ (2/12; 16.7% amplification) and IHC 3+ (0/1; 0% amplification). Inter-observer agreement of IHC scoring between 2 pathologists who independently reviewed IHC slides was fair (66.7% agreement, κ = 0.31). Comparison of HER2 results on CBP with FFPEM (primary carcinoma or metastasis) showed a high discordance and slight agreement (discordance rate = 37.5%; κ = 0.02). Conclusions: In this study, (a) 16.7% of MBC cases that scored 2+ on IHC showed amplification on FISH, (b) there was poor inter-observer agreement in HER2 scoring of IHC on CBP, and (c) there was high discordance between HER2 results obtained on CBP and FFPEM. Our results indicate that HER2 testing of MBC on CBP may be unreliable.
تطور الأنماط التركيبية في اللغة العربية (دراسة إحصائية تحليلية حاسوبية)
Authors: Naife Mona 
Published: July 2019

تتناول هذه الورقة البحثية موضوع “ تطور الأنماط التركيبية في اللغة العربية (دراسة إحصائية تحليلية حاسوبية)، إذ يهدف البحث إلى إنشاء مدونة لغوية تحصر (نسبيًا) الأنماط التركيبية في اللغة العربية، حصرًا تامًا على جهة الاستقرار والشمول، ذلك باعتماد عينات لغوية منتقاة من فترات تاريخية مختلفة (قديمًا وحديثًا)، وسيتم اعتماد الفترة ابتداءً من ق 200 قبل الهجرة إلى القرن الرابع عشر مقياسًا زمنيًا لأجناس النصوص الممتدة في هذه الحقبة الزمنية؛ وذلك بهدف تغطية الفترات الزمنية التي مرت بها اللغة العربية، ثم تأتي خطوة المقارنة والتحليل بدراسة مقارِنة للتحولات التي طرأت على طيف هذه الأنماط التركيبية خلال تلك الحقب الزمنية المختلفة. ويأتي الانتقال إلى إعداد المعالجة الإحصائية لهذه الأنماط، وذلك بإعدادها على نحو يكون صالحًا للمعالجة الآلية.الحاسوبية؛ بترميز كل نمط ترميزًا صوريًا مستقلًاوانطلاقًا مما سبق؛ فإننا سنعتمد لتحقيق أهداف البحث منهجًا رئيسًا وهو المنهج التاريخي بالاستعانة بآليات المناهج الأخرى متعددة كآليات المنهج الإحصائي، والمنهج التحليلي. وهي مناهج تتناسب وطبيعة الأهداف التي يهدف إليها هذا المشروع. أما المنهج الوصفي فلتتبع الخصائص المميزة لكل فترة من الفترات الزمنية المختلفة المستهدفة في هذا البحث. ثم المنهج الإحصائي الذي هو استقراء الأنماط النحوية لكل فترة زمنية، وإحصائها.. أما المنهج التحليلي؛ فهو قراءة تحليلية في خصائص هذه الأنماط، ومستوى درجة ترددها، وإيقاع استعمالها في كل فترة من الفترات الزمنية المختلفة.. والغاية المرجوة من المزاوجة بين هذه المناهج، هي الوصول إلى خلاصات دقيقة؛ لتعطي صورةً مفصلة عن تطور الأنماط التركيية في اللغة العربية، وعن الإيقاع العام الذي تحكمه التحولات الأساسية التي شهدها هذا التطور خلال الفترات الزمنية المختلفة.
Body measurements and size estimation of whale sharks in Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Authors: Matsumoto Rui , Sato Keiichi 
Published: July 2019

Background Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (formerly Okinawa Expo Aquarium) has been conducting research on the whale shark, both in captivity and in the wild since 1975. Proportional measurements, including total length, girth, and weight, are essential to examine the growth, maturity, and physical condition of the animal, as well as to estimate the required quantity of food and drug dose for medical treatment. However, measurement of the precise length of large aquatic animals is very difficult and often results in errors. We formulated an allometric equation used to estimate the total length (TL) and body weight (BW) by measuring appropriate smaller body parts. Approach We used morphometric data from 33 individuals stranded or accidentally caught by commercial fishery off Okinawa Island between 1979 and 2010. We examined 66 measured characters of each whale shark. Furthermore, we applied the conventional allometric function, and modified the function to be logarithmic to use a liner approximation. The reduced major axis (RMA) test was applied to all logarithmic morphometric data, and we chose to measure characters that were highly correlated with TL. Some of the characters showing high correlation with TL according to the RMA test were further analyzed for sex-based differences using the t-test. The most suitable morphometric characters that were measurable in free-swimming sharks were chosen from the set of characters that passed those tests. In addition, we analyzed weight data from 8 specimens (7 male and 1 female) that were considered to be in an almost normal condition. We applied the conventional allometric function to an estimation equation. Girth measurement at the posterior margin of the pectoral fins was directly performed on the free-swimming individuals. Results A high coefficient of determination (R2) was obtained for 8 morphometric characters: pre-first dorsal length (PD1), pre-second dorsal length (PD2), pre-caudal length (PRC), pre-pelvic length (PP2), pre-anal length (PAL), length of dorsal caudal margin (CDM), mouth width (MOW), and interorbital space (INO). We considered that the equation formulated using PD1 was the most suitable based on sex-based differences and the animal's swimming properties. The following equation estimates the TL in centimeters:log TL = 0.964 log PD1 + 0.443 (R2 = 0.930, n = 33)For BW estimation, the sex-based differences could not be tested because of the small sample size. The following equation estimates BW in kilograms:BW = 4.510 TL3.280 (R2 = 0.958, n = 8)The data of girth measurements was collected from captive (n = 3) and wild (n = 6) sharks. Conclusions Data on proportional measurements is useful as an index of growth condition. Our focus is to monitor the size of our females and track the physiological indicators of maturation to achieve the first captive reproduction of whale sharks.
A Cidade como experiência de aprendizagem: reflexões ilustradas sobre o currículo educativo da Cidade
Authors: Lúcio Joana 
Published: July 2019

[PT] Para discutir o currículo educativo da cidade, é importante atender-se à definição de «Cidade Educadora» (Bernet, 1990), que determina ser possível aprender na cidade (ou seja, a cidade enquanto contexto/meio educativo), aprender da cidade (ou seja, a cidade enquanto agente educativo) e aprender a cidade (ou seja, a cidade enquanto conteúdo educativo). Estes dois últimos aspetos são particularmente relevantes, nomeadamente no que diz respeito à questão da intencionalidade que, no fundo, é aquilo que distingue uma «cidade educativa» (que são todas, na medida em que todas são passíveis de apreensão) de uma «Cidade Educadora». Neste artigo, discutiremos o currículo educativo da cidade na sua pluridimensionalidade, invocando os métodos visuais (fotografia e desenho) não apenas como ilustração de um argumento, mas também enquanto ferramentas de apreensão, apropriação e manipulação do contexto urbano e, nessa medida, da experiência educativa da cidade. Empiricamente, este artigo fundamenta-se num projeto de desenvolvimento local (2006-2011) baseado em Massarelos, no Porto (Portugal), e mais concretamente nos dados recolhidos junto de crianças e jovens com idades entre os 5-17 anos. Ao discutirmos as perceções, apropriações e projetos de crianças e jovens sobre a cidade, contribuímos para um currículo educativo da cidade mais integrador, mais participado e mais crítico. [ES] Para discutir el currículo educativo de la ciudad, es importante tener en cuenta la definición de "Ciudad Educadora" (Bernet, 1990), que determina que es posible aprender en la ciudad (es decir, la ciudad es contexto/medio educativo), aprender de la ciudad (es decir, la ciudad es agente educativo) y aprender la ciudad (es decir, la ciudad es contenido educativo). Estos dos últimos aspectos son particularmente relevantes, en particular en lo que se refiere a la cuestión de la intencionalidad, que en el fondo es lo que distingue a una "ciudad educativa" (que son todas, en la medida en que todas son susceptibles de aprehensión) de una "Ciudad Educadora". En este artículo discutiremos el currículo educativo de la ciudad en su pluridimensionalidad, invocando los métodos visuales (fotografía y diseño) no sólo como ilustración de un argumento, sino también como herramientas de aprehensión, apropiación y manipulación del contexto urbano y, en esa medida, de la experiencia educativa de la ciudad. Empíricamente, este artículo se basa en un proyecto de desarrollo local (2006-2011) basado en Massarelos, Porto (Portugal), y más específicamente en los datos recogidos de los niños y jóvenes de 5-17 años. Al discutir las percepciones, apropiaciones y proyectos de niños y jóvenes sobre la ciudad, contribuimos a un currículo educativo de la ciudad más integrador, más participativo y más crítico.
Évaluation de l’activité antibactérienne contre Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians et Pseudomonas cichorii de différents extraits végétaux à base d’espèces horticoles et d’essences forestières
Authors: Delisle-Houde Maxime , Toussaint Vicky , Tweddell Russell J. 
Published: July 2019

Différents extraits hydro-éthanoliques à base de résidus d’espèces horticoles et d’essences forestières ont été testés in vitro pour leur activité antibactérienne envers Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians et Pseudomonas cichorii, respectivement responsables de la tache bactérienne et de la maladie des taches et des nervures noires de la laitue. Des 17 extraits d’espèces horticoles, 13 extraits affichent une concentration minimale létale (CML) ≥ 50 mg ml-1 envers X. campestris pv. vitians et P. cichorii. En contrepartie, trois des 20 extraits à base d’espèces forestières affichent une CML ≥ 50 mg ml-1 envers les deux bactéries. De faibles CMLs (≤ 6,25 mg ml-1) envers les deux bactéries ont été obtenues avec l’extrait #3 à base de fruits de canneberge et les extraits de fruits d’aulne rugueux, d’écorce de chêne rouge, d’écorce d’érable rouge et de rameaux de sapin baumier. Les résultats obtenus montrent que l’activité antibactérienne varie selon l’espèce et la structure utilisées dans la préparation de l’extrait; les extraits d’essences forestières présentant une plus forte activité antibactérienne. L’activité antibactérienne peut également varier selon le lot considéré d’un même extrait. Les extraits présentant une forte activité antibactérienne (CML ≤ 6,25 mg ml-1) seront testés au cours de travaux futurs afin d’évaluer leur efficacité à limiter le développement des populations de X. campestris pv. vitians et P. cichorii sur les plants de laitue et à réprimer le développement de la tache bactérienne et de la maladie des taches et des nervures noires.
TLR2 polymorphism (rs650082970) is associated with somatic cell count in goat milk
Authors: Ogorevc Jernej , Simčič Mojca , Zorc Minja , Škrjanc Monika , Dovč Peter 
Published: July 2019

Pathogens invading the mammary gland are recognized through a range of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), residing on the plasma membrane of mammary epithelial cells. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) signalling is responsible for recognition of Gram-positive bacteria, which are the most common mastitis-causing pathogens in goats. Somatic cell counts (SCC) in milk are routinely determined in goat dairy flocks and serve as an indicator of milk quality, which is highly correlated to intramammary infections. Recently, a single nucleotide polymorphism of the TLR2 was suggested to be associated with SCC in goat milk. To further test the suggested association, we genotyped 61 Slovenian Alpine goats included in the dataset. The effect of the genotype was analysed using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of SAS/STAT software. We found the TLR2 genotypes significantly (p = 0.0007) associated with milk SCC. Animals with the A/G genotype had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower SCC value in milk compared to the G/G genotype. Our data suggest that the A allele is the minor one and is associated with lower milk SCC. In the current study, we provide a validated PCR-RFLP based genotyping assay for the TLR2 SNP (rs650082970) and confirm its association with milk SCC. Further studies to confirm the association on a larger number of animals of different breeds and to explain functional consequences of the polymorphism in relation to SCC are encouraged.
PCR Detection of Mixed and Zoonoses Malaria Using Plasmodium spp Dynein Light Chain (dlc-tctex) Gene
Authors: Kariuki Maureen W. , Githui Elijah K. , McArthur Andrew G. , Aman Rashid A. , Njagi Nyamu M. , Mwangemi Agatha C. , Kamau Lucy W. 
Published: July 2019

Novel gene targets are needed in accurate diagnosis of malaria. Previous studies show that the dynein light chains (dlc) in Plasmodium are uniquely conserved within the species, possibly due to their role as the cargo adptor moiety. This study aimed at the development of PCR assay for the detection of Plasmodium based on the (dlc-Tctex) as a genus and species-specific tool in malaria diagnosis. Multiple primers were designed based on Plasmodium spp dlc(Tctex) genes. The primers were applied on PCR to detect malaria on clinical samples and on laboratory maintained isolates of P. falciparum and P. vivax for human infecting species and P. knowlesi and P. cynomolgi for zoonoses infection involving primates. The amplified PCR fragments were gene cleaned and sequenced. BLASTn e-values output from the raw nucleotide queries supports that the genes are uniquely conserved. Species-specific primers amplified P. falciparum infections with no cross-reactivity to P. vivax, P. knowlesi or P. cynomolgi species. In this assay only 11 out of the 30 microscope positive malaria positive clinical blood samples were positive for PCR detection of P. falciparum infection. Primers designed for Plasmodium genus amplified the target band in all clinical malaria samples but also had another specific band amplification. This preliminary data demonstrate that a species-specific dlc(Tctex) PCR assay can be used for detection of P. falciparum and optimized genus primers can be applied to differentiate mixed malaria infections.
Prevalence of PCOS with Associated Symptoms and Complications at Tertiary Care Hospital of Karachi
Authors: Zafar Urooj , Memon Zahida , Moin Kausar , Agha Shanza , Hassan Jahan Ara , Zehra Dabeeran 
Published: July 2019

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of PCOS among different gynecological disorders at tertiary care hospital of Karachi and to assess the most frequent presenting complaint with associated complications among them.
Study Design: Single-centered cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Gynecological clinic of Karachi at a Tertiary care Hospital during 3rd December 2018 to 29th March 2019.
Methodology: Total 335 premenopausal women approached the clinic with different gynecological disorders during the period of four months and 305 patients agreed to participate. The patients were enrolled via convenient sampling technique. After taking the informed consent they were evaluated through clinical interviews, questionnaire, and anthropometric measurements. The diagnosis of PCOS was made by using Rotterdam criteria 2003. Menstrual irregularities were assessed via history. Clinical hyperandrogenism was evaluated by using modified Ferriman–Gallwey scale and Acne Global Grading System. Obesity was calculated through BMI. The Hamilton scale was used to appraise associated psychological disturbances.
Results: PCOS was the most prevalent gynecological disorder (55.41%) among women of the premenopausal age. Overall, the most frequent presenting complaint was infertility but age related variations in symptoms showed that young adolescent and adulthood had more menstruation irregularities while, in late adolescent the chief complaint was infertility. Moreover, these patients were either overweight 32% or obese 46.2%. Other associated problems such as anxiety and migraine were more frequent in young adults and juveniles respectively.
Conclusion: PCOS is the most common gynecological problem in our region. These women usually presents with altered complains that influence their physiological and psychological health which in turn effects the quality of life.
Efficacy of a thermoplastic mask and pneumatic abdominal compression device for immobilization in stereotactic ablative radiotherapy of spine metastases
Authors: Walter Yohan A. , Speir Daniel B. , Burrell William E. , Wang Chiachien J. , Wu Hsinshun T. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractStereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) has become a key technique in management of spine metastases. With improved control over treatment plan dosimetry, there is a greater need for accurate patient positioning to guarantee agreement between the treatment plan and delivered dose. With serious potential complications such as fracture and myelopathy, the margins of error in SABR of the spine are minimal. In this study, we assessed the performance of two patient immobilization setups in SABR for spinal metastases. First, a Type‐S head and shoulders mask (CQ Medical, Avondale, PA), and second, the BPL1 setup, which includes a wing board, vacuum bag, and the Respiratory Belt for the Body Pro‐Lok ONE (CQ Medical, Avondale, PA). Immobilization was assessed using image‐guided intrafraction repositioning shifts. Required planning target volume (PTV) margins were calculated based on repositioning data for 172 treated fractions using 2 standard deviation (2SD) and analytic approaches. Overall, 91.7% and 74.1% of fractions treated had total 3D repositioning shifts ≤3.0 mm using the Type‐S and BPL1 setups, respectively. In the thoracic spine, 43.2% and 46.5% of fractions had shifts ≤1.5 mm for the respective setups. Suggested margins were under 3.5 mm in all directions and use cases. In the posterior‐anterior direction, the BPL1 setup had a 0.6 mm smaller suggested margin for the thoracic spine compared to the Type‐S setup, at 1.4 mm, calculated using the analytic approach. Both the Type‐S and BPL1 setups are effective for immobilization in spine SABR. The Type‐S demonstrated superior immobilization in the upper spine and remains the clinical standard for cervical and upper thoracic spine positioning. The BPL1 setup showed effective immobilization in use cases treating the mid‐to lower thoracic spine and lumbar spine and remains our clinical standard for those use cases. Results additionally demonstrate feasibility of potential PTV margin reduction.