bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of inflammatory cytokines in dry eye in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Cui Hong , Li Zheng-ri , Ren Ning , Sun Li-xia , Li Ying-jun 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Background

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the ocular surface characteristics and the levels of tear and conjunctiva inflammatory cytokines.

Methods

This study enrolled 102 diabetes patients with dry eye (DE) and 117 volunteers. All enrolled subjects were tested in the following sequence: Ocular surface disease index (OSDI) was self-answered and ocular surface characteristics including Schirmer I test (SIt), tear-film breakup time (BUT), and corneal fluorecein staining (CFS) were evaluated. Levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) were measured in the conjunctiva using a multiplex immunobead assay. Periodicacid-Schiff (PAS) staining, immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and flow cytometry were also performed. Spearman correlations between cytokines and ocular surface parameters were calculate.

Results

The ELISA results showed that the levels of IL-lβ and TNF-α in the DE patients with diabetes group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.023). The immunohistochemical staining results and western-blot results showed that the expression levels of TGF-β1 and NF-κB in the conjunctiva in the diabetes mellitus group were significantly increased compared to those in the normal group. The flow cytometric results showed that the expression levels of CCR6 and IL-17 were significantly increased in diabetes mellitus group compared to the normal group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Inflammatory cytokines were highly expressed in the conjunctiva and tears of diabetic patients with dry eye. The mechanism for this might be related to hyperglycemia-induced activation of the NF-κB pathway, which increased the levels of inflammatory cytokines. In addition, chemokines might also play a role in the pathogenesis of dry eye in diabetes mellitus.
An improved source apportionment mixing model combined with a Bayesian approach for nonpoint source pollution load estimation
Authors: Yan Zhongyue , Xu Jing , Ruan Xiaohong 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
A nonpoint source (NPS) loads evaluation method based on the Bayesian source apportionment mixing model was established in this research. The model assumed that (1) the pollutant concentration from each source mixed with the others in the monitoring section during transport, (2) transport only considered first-order attenuation, (3) point source pollution had relatively stable emissions, and (4) the measurement error was random, unrelated, and consistent with a normal distribution (mean of 0). All unknown parameters in the model were taken as random variables, and their posterior distributions were derived by Markov chain Monte Carlo procedures based on historical data, literature, and empirical information. The outflow system of the Huaihe River was adopted as a case study to verify the feasibility of the model. Gelman–Rubin, automatic frequency control statistics, and the determination coefficient (R2) verified the reliability. The results showed that the total loads of ammonia nitrogen (NH4+), chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus from NPSs accounted for 16.35–27.58%, 18.78–25.69%, 21.68–29.71%, and 42.11–52.09%, respectively. The parameter sensitivity analysis showed that prior distribution of NPS concentration was the most sensitive one, which should be determined reasonably based on the empirical or historical information.
Radon assessment for selected sites in the Tigris River
Authors: Amin Sahar A. , Alani Rana R. , Jassim Ali A. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
In the current research, water samples were collected from selected sites in the Tigris River. The water samples were collected monthly started from September 2017 to January 2018.The results demonstrate that the total average values of radon activity level for the 5 months for site 1, site 2, site 3 and site 4 were 36.6, 28.5, 46.2 and 37.2 Bq.m−3, respectively. The average radon concentration value of the four sites during the 5 months was 37.1 Bq.m−3. Dissolved radon concentrations for the study samples were also calculated and their average values were 1.242, 0.930, 1.510 and 0.930 Bq.L−1 for site 1, site 2, site 3 and site 4, respectively. The overall average calculated radon surface exhalation rate for the water samples was 0.363 Bq.m−2.h−1. Annual effective doses due to water consumption for adults, children and babies were also calculated. The obtained values of radon concentrations in the study water samples were found to be lower than the maximum permissible concentrations in water as recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Also, the results reveal that the radon activity level has its lowest value during November but that there are no considerable variations with different times of the year.
Ambulatory Hemodynamic Monitoring in the Management of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Raina Amresh , Benza Raymond L. 
Published: February 2019

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling, rise in pulmonary arterial pressures, and if left untreated, right heart failure. Invasive hemodynamic assessment with right heart catheterization (RHC) has been the gold standard for the diagnosis and serial assessment of patients with PAH. However, RHC has important limitations and might be supplemented by newer technologies in the management of PAH patients.Implications for Clinicians: Implantable hemodynamic monitors (IHM) hold the promise of being able to provide accurate pulmonary artery pressure measurements, with frequent or continuous remote monitoring in the home or ambulatory setting. As such, IHMs may provide a more complete understanding of a patient's hemodynamic profile and burden of disease. IHM data may also help to provide ongoing feedback in terms of a PAH patient's response to medical therapy and other interventions and might be valuable in specific subsets of patients with borderline or exercise-induced PAH.Conclusions: Though clinical studies using IHMs in PAH patients have been limited to small series and case reports, these devices hold a great deal of promise to supplement RHC in the management of PAH patients and warrant further investigation and clinical experience.
Sodium Oleate Increases Ampicillin Sensitivity in Methylophilus quaylei Biofilms on Teflon and Polypropylene
Authors: Mohamed Abir M.H.A. , Vladimirovna Shevlyagina N. , Grigorievich Zhukhovitsky V. , Borisovna Pshenichnikova A. , Ivanovich Shvets V. 
Published: February 2019

Background:Drug combination is a new therapy to improve antibiotic deficiency treatment towards biofilm resistance.Objective:This study was conducted to determine the potential effect of sodium oleate to inhibit established biofilms of two strains, methylotrophic bacteria Methylophilus quaylei in combination with ampicillin. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ampicillin was determined and added in combination with sodium oleate and examined on planktonic and established biofilms of two strains M. quaylei were characterized by different properties of cell surface hydrophobicity.Methods:The effect on biofilms was evaluated by the number of colony forming units (CFUs), crystal violet assay, light and scanning electron microscopy.Results:The study demonstrates that sodium oleate has a promoting activity against planktonic growth of M. quaylei strains and has a slight inhibitory effect on biofilm. Addition of sodium oleate enhances the bactericidal effect of ampicillin against biofilm cells. Combination of ampicillin 0.1 mg/ml (MIC) and sodium oleate 0.03 mg/ml showed a remarkable destruction effect on established biofilms.Discussion:Combination of ampicillin 0.1 mg/ml (MIC) and sodium oleate 0.03 mg/ml showed a remarkable destruction effect on established biofilms. Overall, results indicated that sodium oleate in combination with ampicillin enhances the inhibition of M. quaylei biofilms and this combination can be utilized for combating bacterial biofilm resistance.Conclusion:Overall, results indicated that sodium oleate in combination with ampicillin enhances the inhibition of M. quaylei biofilms and this combination can be utilized for combating bacterial biofilm resistance.
Body Composition in Adolescents and Young Adults with Anorexia Nervosa: A Clinical Review
Authors: Tannir Hana , Itani Leila , Kreidieh Dima , El Masri Dana , Traboulsi Samira , El Ghoch Marwan 
Published: February 2019

Background:Anorexia nervosa is a serious health condition characterized by a significant low body weight and alteration in body composition components.Aim:In the current paper, we aim to summarize the available literature concerning changes in body fat, lean, and bone masses, during anorexia nervosa and after complete weight restoration.Methods:Data were summarized using a narrative approach based on clinical expertise in the interpretation of the available evidence base in the literature.Results:The available data revealed three main findings. Firstly, anorexia nervosa causes a significant reduction in body fat mass, however it is completely restored after short-term weight normalization but with a central adiposity phenotype that does not seem to negatively influence treatment outcomes and appears to normalize after 1 year of normal weight maintenance. Secondly, anorexia nervosa causes a significant reduction in bone mineral density, but weight restoration is associated first (≈12 months) with stabilization of bone mineral density, followed by improvements (after ≈16 months); and finally, with complete normalization (after ≈30 months) after normal-weight maintenance. Thirdly, during anorexia nervosa loss of lean and skeletal body mass occurring in particular from the extremities rather than the central regions has been consistently reported, especially in patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≤ 16.5 Kg/m2 however short-term weight restoration is associated with complete normalization.Conclusion:Anorexia nervosa adversely affects body composition, however this medical complication seems to be reversible through the main treatment strategy of body weight restoration followed by normal weight maintenance, and this should be openly discussed with patients.
Glucose Lowering Activity of Aqueous Ammodaucus leucotrichus Extract in Diabetic Rats
Authors: El-Ouady Fadwa , Eddouks Mohamed 
Published: February 2019

Background:Ammodaucus leucotrichus (Apiaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used by the Moroccan population to treat various diseases including diabetes.Aims:The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of the aqueous extract prepared from the fruits of this medicinal plant. Normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated orally by the extract of Ammodaucus leucotrichus (A. leucotrichus) at a dose of 10 mg/kg.Methods:The blood glucose levels were determined during 6 hours and 15 days during this treatment. In addition the oral glucose tolerance test as well as the analysis of histopathological changes of liver was performed. The antioxidant activity of aqueous A. Leucotrichus extract was also valuated by the method of trapping of free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH).Results:A. Leucotrichus fruit aqueous extract (ALFAE) reduced the blood glucose levels in both normal and diabetic rats. In addition, a remarkable influence on glucose tolerance was also noticed after ALFAE treatment. Moreover, ALFAE was able to exhibit a beneficial effect on histologlogical structure of liver. Finally a potential antioxidant effect has been shown in vitro.Conclusion:In conclusion, this study demonstrates the antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic effects of A. Leucotrichus in rats supporting then its traditional use for the management of diabetes.
Different Cabergoline Effect on Metabolic and Anthropometric Parameters in Female Prolactinoma Patients Versus Idiopathic Hyperprolactinemia Patients
Authors: Aboelnaga Mohamed M. , Eladawy Eman H. , Elshafei Maha M. , Abdullah Nahed , Shaer Moustafa El. 
Published: February 2019

Background:
Hyperprolactinemia can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, abnormal
glucose homeostasis and dyslipidemia. Reversibility of these changes after normalization of prolactin
with dopamine agonists is still controversial and needs more clarification.

Objective:
We aimed to: 1) evaluate and compare metabolic and anthropometric profile in female with
newly diagnosed prolactin-secreting adenoma versus female idiopathic hyperprolactinemic patients;
2) compare the effects of one year cabergoline therapy on the metabolic profile and anthropometric
parameters (by using visceral adiposity index as index for evaluation of adipose tissue dysfunction) in
females with prolactinoma to female idiopathic hyperprolactinemic patients.

Patients and Methods:
We enrolled 40 female patients with newly diagnosed prolactinoma and 40
female patients with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia, who were matched according to: age; weight;
BMI; waist; and prolactin levels. We enrolled the participants in this study at the time of diagnosis
before therapy and they were followed up for 12 months.

Results:
Cabergoline therapy had significant favorable effects on metabolic and anthropometric parameters,
visceral adiposity index and in all patients (apart from HDLc in prolactinoma patients).

:
Cabergoline therapy was significantly more effective in patient with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia
than prolactinoma patients with regard to BMI, waist circumference, HDLc and visceral adiposity index
despite normalization of prolactin levels in both groups.

Conclusion:
12 months of Cabergoline treatment improved most of the anthropometric and metabolic
parameters, and visceral adiposity index as a marker for adipose tissue dysfunction in both idiopathic
hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma patients. However, Cabergoline treatment was more effective in
idiopathic hyperprolactinemic than prolactinoma patients.
Evaluation of the Radioprotective Effects of Melatonin Against Ionizing Radiation-Induced Muscle Tissue Injury
Authors: Shabeeb Dheyauldeen , Keshavarz Mansoor , Shirazi Alireza , Hassanzadeh Gholamreza , Hadian Mohammed Reza , Nowrouzi Azin , Najafi Masoud , Musa Ahmed Eleojo 
Published: February 2019

Background:Radiotherapy (RT) is a treatment method for cancer using ionizing radiation (IR). The interaction between IR with tissues produces free radicals that cause biological damages.As the largest organ in the human body, the skeletal muscles may be affected by detrimental effects of ionizing radiation. To eliminate these side effects, we used melatonin, a major product secreted by the pineal gland in mammals, as a radioprotective agent.Materials and Methods:For this study, a total of sixty male Wistar rats were used. They were allotted to 4 groups: control (C), melatonin (M), radiation (R) and melatonin + radiation (MR). Rats’ right hind legs were irradiated with 30 Gy single dose of gamma radiation, while 100 mg/kg of melatonin was given to them 30 minutes before irradiation and 5 mg/ kg once daily afternoon for 30 days. Five rats in each group were sacrificed 4, 12 and 20 weeks after irradiation for histological and biochemical examinations.Results:Our results showed radiation-induced biochemical, histological and electrophysiological changes in normal rats’ gastrocnemius muscle tissues. Biochemical analysis showed that malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly elevated in R group (P<0.001) and reduced significantly in M and MR groups after 4, 12, and 20 weeks (P<0.001), However, the activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase(SOD)decreased in the R group and increased in M and MR groups for the same periods of time compared with the C group (P<0.001), while melatonin administration inverted these effects( P<0.001).Histopathological examination showed significant differences between R group for different parameters compared with other groups (P<0.001). However, the administration of melatonin prevented these effects(P<0.001). Electromyography (EMG) examination showed that the compound action potential (CMAP) value in the R group was significantly reduced compared to the effects in the C and M groups after 12 and 20 weeks (P<0.001). The administration of melatonin also reversed these effects (P<0.001).Conclusion:Melatonin can improve biochemical, electrophysiological and morphological features of irradiated gastrocnemius muscle tissues.Our recommendation is that melatonin should be administered in optimal dose. For effective protection of muscle tissues, and increased therapeutic ratio of radiation therapy, this should be done within a long period of time.
Antibacterial activity of ethyl acetate fraction from methanolic extracts of ant-plant tubers towards Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10566
Authors: Fatriadi Fajar , Kurnia Dikdik , Satari Mieke Hemiawati 
Published: February 2019

Introduction: Streptococcus sanguis is an initial cause of dental plaque formation which is the initial cause of caries. One of the preventive treatments can be done by using the mouthwash containing antibacterial substances. Along time, natural remedies are proven to be having more antibacterial properties. Ant-plant (Myrmecodia pendens Merr. & Perry) tubers are types of epiphytic plant that grows in many parts of Papua, with many health benefits, and are known to contain flavonoids, tannins, and tocopherols. This study was aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of ethyl acetate fraction from methanolic extracts of ant-plant tubers on the growth of Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10566. Methods: The ant-plant tubers were extracted with soxhletation method using the methanol solvent. The fractionation was then performed using ethyl acetate to obtain the ethyl acetate fraction. Result: The phytochemical test showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of the ant-plant contained phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, and terpenoids. The bacterial test in this study was using the microdilution method using the ELISA Reader by measuring the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of ethyl acetate fraction of ant-plant tubers towards Streptococcus sanguis with positive control was using the chlorhexidine gluconate as the golden standard medication. The ethyl acetate fraction of ant-plant tuber had an antibacterial effect towards Streptococcus sanguis in the MIC of 31.25 ppm, while chlorhexidine gluconate was 0.49 ppm. Conclusion: The ethyl acetate fraction of ant-plant had a lower antibacterial activity compared to chlorhexidine gluconate on the growth of Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10566.Keywords: Ant-plant tubers, Myrmecodia pendens Merr. & Perry, antibacterial activity, Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10566.
Balıkesir şehir merkezinde trafik kaynaklı hava kirliliği seviyelerinin analizi
Authors: MUTLU Atilla 
Published: February 2019

Bu çalışmada, ülkemizin nüfus ve ulaşım açısından en yoğun şehirleri olan İstanbul, İzmir ve Bursa illerini birbirine bağlayan karayolu ağları ortasında bulunan Balıkesir il merkezinde trafikten kaynaklanan hava kirliliği seviyeleri incelenmiştir. İl merkezinde bulunan toplam 24 kavşak analiz edilmiş ve bu kavşaklardan geçen taşıt sayımları yapılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler COPERT programı yardımı ile analiz edilerek, kirleticilere ait trafik kaynaklı emisyonlar hesaplanmıştır. İncelenen toplam 24 kavşakta oluşan trafik faaliyetleri neticesinde, sıcak ve soğuk iklim özellikleri dikkate alınarak, yapılan analizler sonucunda yıllık olarak yaklaşık 682 ton CO ve 133 ton NOx emisyonlarının trafik kaynaklı olarak atmosfere salındığı tahmin edilmektedir. İl merkezinden geçen İzmir-Bursa-İstanbul ana ulaşım hattı üzerinde bulunan kavşaklarda trafik yoğunluğunun diğer kavşaklardan daha fazla ve dolayısıyla atmosfere verilen CO ve NOx kirleticileri ile yakıt tüketimlerinin daha fazla olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
“Nossa professor!...”: a voz de personagens que ecoa em diários reflexivos de um docente em formação
Authors: Sant´ana Tatiana Fernandes , Melo Geisiane Nunes de 
Published: February 2019

Resumo
Na iniciação à docência, uma forma de o professor refletir sobre seu trabalho é através de gêneros autobiográficos, como o diário reflexivo, por revelarem posicionamentos, posições sociais e identidades, permitindo o docente ser ouvido (REICHMANN, 2009). Em produções deste tipo, destacam-se mecanismos enunciativos, como as vozes – de narrador, de personagem e social - (BAKHTIN [1992] 2010; BRONCKART, [1999]2009), que circundam o discurso do professor e permitem o leitor perceber as influências presentes nas ações profissionais do autor. Ancorado na Linguística Aplicada (CAVALCANTE; MOITA LOPES, 1991; MOITA LOPES, 2006), em especial, no construto teórico do Interacionismo Sociodiscursivo (BRONCKART, [1999]2009), este estudo apresenta como objetivo: identificar as vozes de personagens que perpassam no discurso de um docente em sala de aula, investigando a influência destas vozes na prática de ensino de Língua Portuguesa, na educação básica. Esta pesquisa, de natureza qualitativo-interpretativa (ERICKSON, 1989), após analisar dois diários reflexivos, chegou aos seguintes resultados: as vozes de personagens se revelam quando o professor recorre a cenas do seu trabalho para ter o reconhecimento de seus alunos, para retomar alguma prática que até então não era a produtiva ou mesmo para relatar problemas relacionados às prescrições escolares, numa tentativa de reconstruir sua ação docente.
Palavras-chave: Interacionismo sociodiscursivo. Diário reflexivo. Voz de de personagens.

Abstract
In the initiation to teaching, one way for a teacher to reflect on his work is through autobiographical genres such as the reflective diary, for they reveal attitudes, social positions and identities, allowing the teacher to be heard (REICHMANN, 2009). In those kinds of productions, there are highlights on declarative mechanisms as the – narrator’s, character’s and social – voices (BAKHTIN [1992]2010; BRONCKART, 1999), that encircle the narrator’s speech and allow the reader to realise the present influences in the author’s professional actions. Based on Applied Linguistics (CAVALCANTE; MOITA LOPES, 1991), especially in the theoretical construct of Socio-Discursive Interactionism (BRONCKART, [1999]2009), this study presents as objectives: to identify characters’ voices that are in teacher’s speech in the classroom, and to investigate the influence of these voices on a Portuguese Language teacher, in basic education. This qualitative-interpretative research, (ERICKSON, 1989), after analysing two out of ten reflective diaries, reached the following results: characters’ voices are revealed when a teacher appeals to scenes of his work in order to (a) have his students’ recognition; (b) return to some practice that until the moment was not produced; or (c) report problems related to the school prescriptions, in an attempt of rebuilding his educational action.
Keywords: Socio-Discursive Interactionism. Reflective diary. Character’s voice.