bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Levels in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Yu-Lan , Wu Jun , Zhang Tian-Ping , Cheng Qian-Yao , Wang Xue-Ping , Gu Ming-Ming , Pan Hai-Feng , Ye Dong-Qing 
Published: March 2019

Conclusion:
Patients with RA have lower circulating IGF-1 level than healthy controls, particularly for patients
from Asia and Europe. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the role of IGF-1 in the pathological process of
RA.

Results:
A total of eleven articles with 334 cases and 261 controls were finally included. Compared with the
healthy group, the RA group had lower circulating IGF-1 levels (pooled SMD= -0.936, 95% CI= -1.382 to -0.489,
p<0.001). The subgroup analysis showed that RA patients from Asia (SMD= -0.645, 95% CI= -1.063 to -0.228,
p= 0.002) and Europe (SMD= -1.131, 95% CI= -1.767 to -0.495, p<0.001) had lower circulating IGF-1 levels, no
significant difference in plasma/serum IGF-1 levels was observed in RA patients from America. Sensitivity
analysis indicated the stability and credibility of the overall effect sizes.

Methods:
PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases were searched up to December 2018 in English,
and the studies comparing serum/plasma IGF-1 levels between RA group and healthy control group were what we
are interested in. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the methodological quality of the
included studies. The heterogeneity test was performed by the Cochrane Q statistic and I2 –statistic. The publication
bias was evaluated by the funnel plot and Egger’s test. The standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence
interval (CI) was calculated by the fixed-effects or random-effects model.

Background and Objectives:
Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels have been investigated in
rheumatoid arthritis (RA), however, produced inconsistent results. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to derive
a more precise conclusion about serum/plasma IGF-1 levels in RA patients.
Pharmacokinetics of Benzoic Acid, 4-[[(2-Hydroxyethyl)Amino]Carbonyl]- Methyl Ester from Portulaca Oleracea L. in Rats after Intravenous and Oral Administrations Using UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS
Authors: Xu Haoran , Ying Zheming , Wang Lina , Zhang Wenjie , Ying Xixiang , Yang Guanlin 
Published: March 2019

Objective:
The aim of this study is to investigate the pharmacokinetics of benzoic acid, 4-
[[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]carbonyl], methyl ester in rats after intravenous and oral administrations at
doses of 3 mL/kg.

Methods:
A rapid, high selective ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic electrospray quadrupole-
time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS) method was applied to investigate the
pharmacokinetics of benzoic acid, 4-[[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]carbonyl]-, methyl ester with p-coumaric
acid as internal standard (IS) in rats after intravenously and orally dosed.

Results:
The pharmacokinetic data of benzoic acid, 4-[[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]carbonyl]-, methyl ester
was analyzed in the two-compartment open model. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were, respectively,
36.474 μg·h/mL, 12.59 μg·h/mL (AUC0→∞), and T1/2α was 0.14 h, 0.359 h; T1/2β was 3.046 h,
5.646 h after intravenous and oral administrations.

Conclusion:
Benzoic acid, 4-[[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino] carbonyl]-, methyl ester was rapidly distributed
in rat’s plasma with the absolute bioavailability of 34.5%.
Design, Synthesis, Anti-Proliferative Evaluation and Cell Cycle Analysis of Hybrid 2-Quinolones
Authors: Mohamed Heba A.E. , Al-Shareef Hossa F. 
Published: March 2019

Background:
Quinolones are a significant group of nitrogen heterocyclic compounds that exist in therapeutic
agents, alkaloids, and synthetic small molecules that have important biological activities. A wide range of
quinolones have been used as antituberculosis, antibacterial, anti-malarial, antifungal, anticonvulsant, anticancer
agents and urease inhibitors.

Methods:
Ethyl 3,3-disubstituted-2-cyano propionates containing hybride quinolones derivatives were synthesized
by the reaction of 1-amino-7-hydroxy-4-methylquinolin-2(1H)-one and its dibromo derivative with α, β-unsaturated
carbonyl in ethanol.

Results:
A novel series of hybrid 2-quinolone derivatives was designed and synthesized. The compounds structures
were confirmed using different spectroscopic methods and elemental analysis. The cytotoxic activities of all the
compounds were assessed against HepG2 cell line in comparison with doxorubicin as a standard drug.

Conclusion:
Most compounds revealed superior anti-proliferative activity than the standard. Compound 4b, is the
most active compound (IC50 = 0.39mM) compared with doxorubicin (IC50 = 9.23mM). DNA flow cytometric analysis
of compound 4b showed cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase with a concomitant increase of cells in apoptotic phase.
Dual annexin-V/ propidium iodide staining assay of compound 4b revealed that the selected candidate increased the
apoptosis of HepG-2 cells more than control.
Mitigation of Radiation-induced Pneumonitis and Lung Fibrosis using Alpha-lipoic Acid and Resveratrol
Authors: Azmoonfar Rasoul , Amini Peyman , Yahyapour Rasoul , Rezaeyan Abolhassan , Tavassoli Alireza , Motevaseli Elahe , Khodamoradi Ehsan , Shabeeb Dheyauldeen , Musa Ahmed E. , Najafi Masoud 
Published: March 2019

Background:
Lung is a radiosensitive organ. Studies have shown that exposure
of the lung to acute and high doses of radiation following inhalation of radioactive agents
or an accidental radiological event may lead to pneumonitis and fibrosis, which are associated
with a risk of death. So far, some agents have been studied for mitigation of pneumonitis
and fibrosis following exposure of murine lung tissues to ionizing radiation. In this
study, we aimed to detect the possible mitigatory effect of alpha-lipoic acid, resveratrol
and their combination on mice pneumonitis and fibrosis markers following irradiation.

Methods:
25 mice were divided into 5 groups: control, radiation; radiation plus alpha-lipoic
acid; radiation plus resveratrol; and radiation plus both resveratrol and alpha-lipoic acid. Mice
chest regions were irradiated with 18 Gy using a cobalt-60 gamma rays source. Treatments
started 24 h after irradiation and continued for two weeks. After 100 days, all mice were sacrificed
and their lung tissues removed for histopathological evaluation.

Results:
Pathological study showed that exposure to radiation led to severe pneumonitis and
moderate fibrosis after 100 days. Both resveratrol and alpha-lipoic acid, as well as their
combination could mitigate pneumonitis and fibrosis markers. Although, resveratrol could
not mitigate infiltration of most inflammatory cells as well as inflammation and vascular
damage, alpha-lipoic acid and its combination were able to mitigate most damaged markers.

Conclusion:
Alpha-lipoic acid and its combination with resveratrol were able to mitigate
fibrosis and pneumonitis markers in mice lung tissues following lung irradiation. Although
resveratrol has a protective effect on some markers, it has a weaker effect on lung injury.
In conclusion, our results suggest that the combination of resveratrol and alpha-lipoic acid
has a potent mitigatory effect compared to the single forms of these agents.
Preparation, Optimization and In vitro Evaluation of Glipizide Nanoparticles Integrated with Eudragit RS-100
Authors: Saharan P. , Bahmani K. , Saharan S.P. 
Published: March 2019

Background:
Solubility is an important criterion for drug efficacy, independent
of the route of administration. It also poses a major challenge for pharmaceutical industries,
which are developing new pharmaceutical products, since 40% of the active substances
being identified are either insoluble or poorly soluble in aqueous media.

Objective:
The objective of this study was to develop nanoformulation of glipizide drugloaded
nanoparticles providing controlled release formulation.

Method:
Nanoparticles were prepared by the solvent evaporation method. Eudragit RS100,
a nonbiodegradable polymer with varying ratios was used for making the formulation. The
effect of key formulation variables on the particle size and entrapment efficiency and drug
loading of nanoparticles were studied by using factorial design.

Results:
DSC thermograms indicate that glipizide was dispersed in an amorphous state in
the polymer. TEM study indicates that the nanoparticles were in spherical shape. The mean
diameter was dependent on the presence of the amount of Eudragit RS100 and viscosity of
the organic phase. The in vitro study showed that the cumulative drug release was from
69.52-81.44 % in 10 hrs at pH 6.8 in phosphate buffer respectively.

Conclusion:
Conclusion: The developed NPs could reduce dose frequency, decrease side effects, and
improve patient compliance. Using factorial design, maximum entrapment efficiency with
minimum particle size could be achieved with a few experiments.
GETTING BETTER: ALN AND STUDENT SUCCESS
Authors: Moore Janet C. , Sener John , Fetzner Marie 
Published: March 2019

In the U.S., only 38 of every 100 ninth graders enroll in college; of these 38, only 18 complete bachelors’ degrees within six years. Asynchronous learning networks (ALN)—asynchronous, highly interactive, instructor-led, resource-rich, cohort-based learning—can yield high success rates. Growing demand for online education and the expectation among higher education leaders that ALN learning outcomes will exceed face to face outcomes reflect belief in ALN’s power to engage learners. Sloan-C’s body of research confirms that ALN is especially suited for the anytime, anywhere, affordable access that is responsive to learners in a knowledge society. In fact, the original principles of ALN are the same principles that characterize ALN programs that have high student success rates. This paper includes vignettes from two- and four-year ALN programs that have used these principles to achieve high success rates.
Asynchronous Learning Networks: A Sloan Foundation Perspective
Authors: Mayadas Frank 
Published: March 2019

This paper is based on a chapter in THE LEARNING REVOLUTION, the challenge of Information Technology in Academia (Diana G.Oblinger and Sean C. Rush, eds.), to be published this year by Anker Publishing Co., Boston, Mass.Over the years small numbers of motivated individuals have studied by themselves, away from university centers, to acquire knowledge in post-secondary subjects. Correspondence study began over a century ago and since then, other forms of "distance education" have become established. In spite of all this progress, off-campus learners have worked mainly in isolation, with only occasional contact with instructors and peers.Today’s low-cost communications and computer technologies, however, enable learning in Asynchronous Learning Networks (ALNs), in the process simultaneously overcoming barriers of isolation, distance and those imposed by rigid time constraints. The paper describes some projects at institutions of higher education funded by the Sloan Foundation, identifies some early results and possible evolution of ALN’s to large scale implementations.
Institutional Policy for ALN
Authors: Harris Dale A. , DiPaolo Andy 
Published: March 2019

For the past five years, Stanford has been involved in developing the capability to offer courses to remote learners over the Internet. This has evolved into a robust operation, which over the past year has offered 180 courses to approximately 4000 distance learners. More recently, the Department of Electrical Engineering has extended its offerings so that it is now possible to earn course credits sufficient to obtain a Master’s degree and academic certificates entirely online. In this paper, we discuss the issues of institutional policy which have emerged as we have gone through this evolution. Our experience at Stanford will be discussed within the broader framework of institutional policy and of the general institutional resistance to change in higher education. A version of this paper was presented at the Fourth International Conference on Asynchronous Learning Networks held in New York in November 1998.
Successful Online Teaching Using An Asynchronous Learner Discussion Forum
Authors: Rossman Mark H. 
Published: March 2019

At Capella University online courses are offered using an asynchronous learner discussion forum. At the conclusion of each course, learners are requested to complete and electronically submit a course evaluation form.A document analysis of more than 3000 course evaluations from 154 courses conducted during the past 11 quarters was conducted. Each course folder was reviewed. The narrative responses were ultimately grouped into the following categories: Faculty Feedback, Learner Discussions and Course Requirements. General observations related to these categories were presented followed by several tips for successful teaching in an online environment using an asynchronous learner discussion forum. The tips were initially generated by the document analysis. Additional tips were added and the list was revised each quarter following the end-of-quarter teleconference with the instructors.
Health-related quality of life in Slovenian patients with colorectal cancer: a single tertiary care center study
Authors: Grosek Jan , Novak Jerica , Kitek Katja , Bajric Alta , Majdic Ana , Kosir Jurij Ales , Tomazic Ales 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the surgical treatment on Slovenian colorectal cancer patients’ health-related quality of life and to compare the results to the health-related quality of life of the general Slovenian population.

Patients and methods
A total of 413 patients with colorectal cancer operated on at the Abdominal Surgery Department at the Ljubljana University Medical Center between January 1st, 2016 and December 31st, 2017 were sent two standardized and validated questionnaires: the EORTC QLQ-C30 version 3 and EORTC QLQ-CR29. The questionnaires were returned by 197 patients.

Results
Compared to the general population, poorer physical (p < 0.001), role (p = 0.002), cognitive (p = 0.021), and social functioning (p < 0.001) with higher frequency of constipation (p < 0.001), diarrhea (p < 0.001), and financial difficulties (p < 0.001) were reported by the colorectal patients. Female patients reported lower cognitive (p = 0.034) and emotional (p = 0.008) functioning, as well as higher frequency of bloating (p = 0.049) and hair loss (p = 0.01). Compared to the younger group of patients, lower physical functioning (p < 0.001) and higher urinary frequency (p = 0.007), urinary incontinence (p = 0.007), buttock pain (p = 0.007), and anxiety regarding body weight (p = 0.031) were detected among the older group of colorectal patients.

Conclusions
The global health status of colorectal patients in Slovenia is comparable to that of the general Slovenian population, but there is a significantly lower level in some of the quality-of-life scales.
Do discurso à semiótica social
Authors: Tomazi Micheline Mattedi , Cavalcanti Camilla Reisler 
Published: March 2019

O objetivo deste artigo é demonstrar quais os principais modos pelos quais os atores sociais são representados em um anúncio publicitário, visando à construção de um discurso polarizado e de uma ideologia humanizadora, a fim de atingir seu público-alvo. O aporte teórico utilizado encontra respaldo na semiótica social proposta por Kress e van Leeuwen (2001, 2006), Kress (2010), van Leeuwen (2008) e Machin (2012). O objeto de análise é um vídeo produzido pela campanha Dermablend 2014, intitulada “Camo confessions”(Confissões de Camuflagem). Os resultados demonstram que o uso de recursos semióticos é crucial na construção e distribuição de conhecimento, relacionando intimamente aspectos discursivos, linguísticos e ideológicos. Um foco maior para essa relação torna-se necessário, já que esses recursos semióticos fazem parte de uma cadeia retroalimentadora de outros discursos publicitários atuais.
Diagnóstico da cria e recria de bezerras em propriedades leiteiras no município de Corinto (MG).
Authors: Rabello Conceição Tânia Guimarães , Lopes Marcos Aurélio , Cardoso Milton Ghedini , Vieira Juliana Aparecida , Pereira Alessandro Botelho 
Published: March 2019

Objetivou-se realizar um diagnóstico de propriedades produtoras de leite, no que diz respeito a aspectos relacionados à cria e recria de fêmeas bovinas leiteiras, no município de Corinto, MG. Foram realizadas entrevistas com 30 produtores de leite de diferentes níveis tecnológicos e escalas de produção de leite, no período de abril a julho de 2016. Foi aplicado um formulário semi estruturado contendo 157 questões. Os dados foram cadastrados em planilhas do software Sphinx® e realizado o agrupamento das respostas por meio de sua categorização e frequência. Os resultados demonstraram pontos fortes, incluindo realização de cura de umbigo (93,3%), localização dos bezerreiros acima (20%), ao lado (46,7%) ou longe do curral (10,0%). Porém, diversas limitações no manejo da criação de bezerras e novilhas foram identificadas, como a inexistência de calendário sanitário (83,3%), não realização de escrituração zootécnica (60,7%), ordenha manual com bezerro ao pé (63,3%), não execução da pesagem rotineira das bezerras (96,7%), não fornecimento do leite de transição para as bezerras (83,3%), além de possível falha no diagnóstico de doenças por parte dos produtores. Assim, é imperativo a disseminação de práticas de manejo adequadas pelos técnicos extensionistas e a formulação de políticas públicas que atendam as aspirações e promovam a sustentabilidade econômica e social dos agricultores familiares.
Pengaruh Kreatifitas dalam bekerja terhadap kebermaknaan hidup
Authors: Aziz Rahmat , Mangestuti Retno 
Published: March 2019

This study aimed to examine the direct effect of creativity on the meaning of life, and an indirect effect through performance. Subjects were 186 teachers (113 male and 73 female). The data were collected by the creativity scale, the job performance scale, and the meaning in life scale. The data were analyzed by moderated regression analysis. The results showed that performance play a role in strengthening the relationship between creativity and the search for a meaningful life (p <.01), but not in the relationship between creativity and the presence of meaning of life (p> .05).
Clinical Manifestation of Peripheral Artery Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Melitus with Ankle Branchial Index Measurement
Authors: Nasution Winny W , Heryaman Henhen , Martha Januar W , Ridwan Apen A 
Published: March 2019

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease that has a high prevalence in Asia, including Indonesia. One of the complications of DM is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAP). Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) measurement is a simple and non-invasive methods that can be used for PAP evaluation. This study aims to provide an overview of the clinical manifestations of PAP and the value of ABI as early detection of PAP in patients with type-2 DM. This research uses quantitative descriptive design studies. The research variables used to assess PAP were ABI values, age, sex, duration of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and clinical manifestations of PAP such as pain, intermittent claudication, muscle atrophy, skin discoloration, sweating, wound healing impairment, and gangrene. This study involved 92 research subjects. From the study we found out that the normal ABI value and the ABI value of the PAP category in patients with type 2 diabetes were 91.3% and 7.6%. The ABI value of the PAP category in DM patients is more commonly found in women (6.5%), adult patients (5.4%), duration of DM up to 2 years (5.4%), and with hypertension (5.4%) . Pain and numbness are the most common clinical manifestations of PAP in DM patients.

Keywords: diabetes mellitus, ankle brachial index, peripheral artery disease.
A case study of translator’s preface in Yok Edici
Authors: Aktener Ilgın 
Published: March 2019

Translation and publication of foreign literature
have at times resulted in obscenity court cases (e.g. the Aphrodite [1940] and Tropic
of Cancer [1988] cases) against Turkish translators and publishers since
the first decades of the Turkish Republic.&nbsp;
The recent obscenity court cases against the Turkish translators and
publishers of William S. Burroughs’ The
Soft Machine and Chuck Palahniuk’s Snuff
(2011) were interpreted as instances of censorship. Taking this as a starting
point, this article conducts a case study of Ahmet Ergenç’s translator’s
preface for Exterminator!, a book by
Burroughs which contains obscenity and was published in Turkey after the
aforementioned court cases. The aims of this case study is to investigate the
purpose of and reasons behind Ergenç’s preface and to determine whether
Ergenç’s preface was influenced by the court cases and the censorial conditions
under which Turkish translators work. To do so, Ergenç’s preface is studied in
the light of Genette’s (1997) understanding of allographic and authorial
prefaces and an interview is conducted with Ergenç. As a result, it is
discussed that Ergenç aimed at informing readers unfamiliar with Burroughs
about his style, which consists of fragmented narrative and obscene words, to
prevent misinterpretations of them as translation mistakes on the part of the
reader. As to the question of the influence of censorship on Ergenç’s preface,
results of the analysis of the preface and the interview are conflicting. The article
concludes that Ergenç denies any authorial responsibility for fragmentation and
obscenity in Exterminator! and uses
his preface to embrace invisibility as a translator while also gaining
visibility at the same time through it.