bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Oral Contraceptive Pills on the Macula, the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer, The Ganglion Cell layer and The Choroidal Thickness
Authors: Shaaban Yasmine Maher , Badran Tamer Abdel-Fattah 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Background To evaluate the effect of oral contraceptive pills (OCP) on the macula, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), the ganglion cell layer ( GCL), and the choroidal thickness (CT). Methods In this prospective observational cross-sectional study, 60 eyes of 30 healthy women taking monophasic OCP (0.03 mg ethinylestradiol and 0.15 mg levonorgestrel) for contraception for at least one year were compared with 60 eyes of a control group of 30 healthy women who were not taking any OCP. Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) was used to evaluate the macula, the RNFL, the GCL, and the CT. Measurements were taken in the follicular phase (day 3) of the last menstrual cycle in all women. Results No disparity in terms of age between both groups was observed (p=0.444). All the macular parameters measurements were considerably lower in the OCP group compared to the control group (p<0.001). Also, the RNFL thickness, the GCL thickness, and the CT were all significantly thinner in the OCP group (p<0.001). Conclusions The use of OCP can cause significant changes in the retina and choroid thickness over one year period. The women who are using OCP for longer duration could have some eye problems. OCT should be routinely done for follow up. Further long term studies are required, using different preparations of OCP. It is important to find out when this thickness alterations can be clinically significant or symptomatic and if these changes are reversible or not.
Light Modulates Virulence Factors in Strain Aac5 of Acidovorax citrulli
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxiao , Zhao Mei , Yang Yuwen , Yang Linlin , Yan Jianpei , Fan Zehui , Bai Xue , Guan Wei , Walcott Ron , Zhao Tingchang 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Background: Acidovorax citrulli causes bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), a disease that poses a global threat to watermelon and melon production. Despite the economic importance of BFB, relatively little is known about the regulation of A. citrulli pathogenesis. Light has a role in regulating the virulence factors of many plant pathogenic bacteria; however, the role of light in A. citrulli is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the roles of light in A. citrulli pathogenicity.
Results: We found that light suppressed swimming motility andbiofilm formation in A. citrulli Aac5 strain. Furthermore, we found that A. citrulli Aac5 strain exhibited significant differences in colony morphology under light and dark conditions. In fact, the twitching motility of A. citrulli Aac5 strain also was supressed cultured by light conditions compared to dark conditions. In addition, the expression of hrpG, hrpX, and hrcC genes, which are important for type 3 secretion system (T3SS), was inhibited under light compared to dark conditions. However, in A. citrulli host interactions, light suppressed ROS production and enhanced callose deposition by watermelon when induced by A. citrulli; in addition, light enhanced the ability of A, citrulli to infect watermelon. These results suggest that light affected the pathogenicity of A. citrulli Aac5 strain by regulating its virulence factors and watermelon immune response.
Conclusions: Light as an important environmental factor plays an important role in regulating the occurrence of plant diseases. BFB as an important watermelon disease seriously threatens the development of the industry. However, there are few reports on the impact of environmental factors on the disease. In our studying, we report for the first time that light can inhibit the expression of major virulence factors, such as swimming motility, biofilm formation, twitching motility, and even key gene of T3SS in A. citrulli Aac5 strain. But surprisingly, the light enhances the pathogenicity of A. citrulli Aac5 strain for natural host watermelons. The important phenotypes of host immune response are also different between ROS and callose deposition. These phenomena reflect the close relationship between BFB occurrence and light factor, which is of great significance for the study of BFB.
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion in human immunodeficiency virus infected adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Loan James JM , Poon Michael TC , Mankahla Ncedile , Meintjes Graeme , Fieggen Graham 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Background
Hydrocephalus is a common, life threatening complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related central nervous system opportunistic infection which can be treated by insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). In HIV-infected patients there is concern that VPS might be associated with unacceptably high mortality. To identify prognostic indicators, we aimed to compare survival and clinical outcome following VPS placement between all studied causes of hydrocephalus in HIV infected patients.

Methods
The following electronic databases were searched: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, LILACS, Research Registry, the metaRegister of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, African Journals Online, and the OpenGrey database. We included observational studies of HIV-infected patients treated with VPS which reported of survival or clinical outcome. Data was extracted using standardised proformas. Risk of bias was assessed using validated domain-based tools.

Main results
670 unique study records were screened. Eight observational studies were included. Two included a total of 90 patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and six included a total of 48 patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM). All of the CM and one of the TBM studies were of weak quality. One of the TBM studies was of moderate quality. One-month mortality ranged from 62.5-100% for CM and 33.3-61.9% for TBM. These pooled data were of low to very-low quality and was inadequate to support meta-analysis between aetiologies. HIV-infected patients with TBM had higher risk of one-month mortality compared with HIV non-infected controls (odds ratio 3.03; 95% confidence-interval 1.13- 8.12; p=0.03).

Conclusions
The evidence base is currently inadequate to inform prognostication in VPS insertion in HIV-infected patients. A population-based prospective cohort study is required to address this, in the first instance.

Registration
International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) registration ID: CRD42016052239
Household drinking water safety among the population of Gaza Strip, Palestine: knowledge, attitudes, practices, and satisfaction
Authors: Abuzerr Samer , Nasseri Simin , Yunesian Masud , Hadi Mahdi , Mahvi Amir Hossein , Nabizadeh Ramin , Mustafa Ayman Abu 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
A descriptive cross-sectional study employing a structured questionnaire was employed to assess knowledge, attitude, practice, and satisfaction (KAPS) of Gaza's community on issues related to household drinking water safety. The results showed that of 1,857 household heads, 1,621 (87.3%) were males, with the majority (967, 52.1%) having a university educational level. Of surveyed households, 744 (40.1%) consisted of 5–7 persons and 885 (47.7%) of the households resided in refugee camps. Mean percentages for KAPS were 82 ± 15.5%, 64.9 ± 39.7%, 53.2 ± 14.1%, and 37.3 ± 26.56%, respectively. There were statistically significant associations between some sociodemographic variables and mean percentage of KAPS scores. Educational level was the only variable significantly associated (p &lt; 0.05) with all mean KAPS scores. There was a significant positive linear correlation between knowledge-attitude (r = 0.362, p &lt; 0.05), but a significant negative linear correlation between knowledge-practice (r = −0.070, p &lt; 0.05) was also observed. Therefore, the Local Government Authority (LGA) should arrange community awareness campaigns on the importance of safety and hygiene measures of drinking water storage. Furthermore, and due to the poor financial capabilities of the LGA in Gaza, it is highly recommended that LGA contact relevant international donors in order to support programs aiming at improving household water supply.
Exploration of Fungal Lipase as Direct Target of Eugenol through Spectroscopic Techniques
Authors: Naz Farheen , Anis Haider , Hasan Ziaul , Islam Asimul , Khan Luqman A. 
Published: May 2019

Background:
Fungal lipase dependent processes are important for their pathogenicity.
Lipases can therefore be explored as direct target of promising herbal antifungals.

Objective:
We explored Aspergillus niger lipase as a direct target of eugenol through spectroscopic
techniques and compare results with Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme to comment on
selectivity of eugenol towards lipase.

Methods:
In vitro activity assays of lipase are used to determine concentration ranges. UV-Visible,
Fluorescence and Circular dichroism spectroscopy were employed to determine binding constant,
stoichiometric binding sites and structural changes in Lipase, BSA and lysozyme following
incubation with varying concentrations of eugenol.

Results:
In activity assays 50% inhibition of lipase was obtained at 0.913 mmoles/litre eugenol.
UV-vis spectroscopy shows formation of lipase-eugenol, Bovine Serum Albumin-eugenol and
lysozyme-eugenol complex well below this concentration of eugenol. Eugenol binding caused blue
shift with Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme suggestive of compaction, and red shift with
lipase. Negative ellipticity decreased with lipase but increased with Bovine Serum Albumineugenol
and lysozyme-eugenol complexes suggesting loss of helical structure for lipase and
compaction for Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme. Binding of eugenol to lipase was strong
(Ka= 4.7 x 106 M-1) as compared to Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme. The number of
stoichiometric eugenol binding sites on lipase was found to be 2 as compared to 1.37 (Bovine
Serum Albumin) and 0.32 (lysozyme). Docking results also suggest strong binding of eugenol with
lipase followed by Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme.

Conclusion:
Eugenol is found to be effective inhibitor and disruptor of secondary and tertiary
structure of lipase, whereas its binding to Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme is found to be
weak and less disruptive of structures suggesting selectivity of eugenol towards lipase.
Therapeutic Hypothermia and Neuroprotection in Acute Neurological Disease
Authors: Kurisu Kota , Kim Jong Youl , You Jesung , Yenari Midori A. 
Published: May 2019

:Therapeutic hypothermia has consistently been shown to be a robust neuroprotectant in many labs studying different models of neurological disease. Although this therapy has shown great promise, there are still challenges at the clinical level that limit the ability to apply this routinely to each pathological condition. In order to overcome issues involved in hypothermia therapy, understanding of this attractive therapy is needed. We review methodological concerns surrounding therapeutic hypothermia, introduce the current status of therapeutic cooling in various acute brain insults, and review the literature surrounding the many underlying molecular mechanisms of hypothermic neuroprotection. Because recent work has shown that body temperature can be safely lowered using pharmacological approaches, this method may be an especially attractive option for many clinical applications. Since hypothermia can affect multiple aspects of brain pathophysiology, therapeutic hypothermia could also be considered a neuroprotection model in basic research, which would be used to identify potential therapeutic targets. We discuss how research in this area carries the potential to improve outcome from various acute neurological disorders.
Circulating Biomarkers for Response Prediction of Rectal Cancer to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Bedin Chiara , Crotti Sara , D’Angelo Edoardo , D’Aronco Sara , Pucciarelli Salvatore , Agostini Marco 
Published: May 2019

:
Rectal cancer response to neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy (pCRT) is highly variable.
In fact, it has been estimated that only about 21 % of patients show pathologic Complete
Response (pCR) after therapy, while in most of the patients a partial or incomplete tumour
regression is observed. Consequently, patients with a priori chemoradioresistant tumour
should not receive the treatment, which is associated with substantial adverse effects and does
not guarantee any clinical benefit. For Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients (LARC), a
standardized neoadjuvant treatment protocol is applied, the identification and the usefulness
of prognostic or predictive biomarkers can improve the antitumoural treatment strategy, modifying
the sequence, dose, and combination of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgical resection.

:
For these reasons, a growing number of studies are actually focussed on the discovery and investigation
of new predictive biomarkers of response to pCRT. In this review, we have selected
the most recent literature (2012-2017) regarding the employment of blood-based biomarkers
potentially predicting pCR in LARC patients and we have critically discussed them
to highlight their real clinical benefit and the current limitations of the proposed methodological
approaches.
Therapeutic Efficacy of Molecular Hydrogen: A New Mechanistic Insight
Authors: Ishibashi Toru 
Published: May 2019

Background:Molecular hydrogen (H2) is now recognized as a therapeutic gas for the treatment of numerous diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and inflammatory diseases. Nonpolar, neutral H2 is assumed to have health benefits facilitated by its passive diffusion across the human body immediately after administration and is considered a safe therapeutic inert gas that does not interfere with physiological enzymatic reactions. The effects of H2 on mammalian cells are assumed to be based on non-enzymatic reactions with reactive oxygen species (ROS) exhibiting extremely high reactivity. However, many reports on therapeutic applications of H2 have the limitation to regard H2 only as a scavenger for the hydroxyl radical and peroxynitrite.Methods:Apart from this proposed principle, a new possible mechanism of H2 activation and consumption in mammalian cells is considered in this review, which is specifically focused on the mitochondrial complex I that has a close evolutionary relationship with energy-converting, membrane-bound [NiFe]-hydrogenases (MBH). Notably, the possibility that H2 may function as both electron and proton donor in the ubiquinone-binding chamber of complex I is discussed.Results:H2 is proposed to act as the rectifier of the mitochondrial electron flow in the disordered or pathological state when the accumulation of electrons leads to ROS production, specifically during the re-supply of O2 after hypoxia in the mitochondria.Conclusion:Furthermore, H2 is proposed to convert the quinone intermediates to the fully reduced ubiquinol, thereby increasing the antioxidant capacity of the quinone pool as well as preventing the generation of ROS.
Role of Neuroimaging Modality in the Assessment of Oxidative Stress in Brain: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Pareek Vikas , Nath Banshi , Roy Prasun K. 
Published: May 2019

Background & Objective:Oxidative stress (OS) is the secondary source of an injury in consequence to the earlier caused primary injury; it is the condition of an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants within the physiological system. OS causes alterations in proteins and DNA structure, leading to inflammation, apoptotic cell death, and tissue damage. Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Glioma-induced neurodegeneration and the normal aging-related neuro-degeneration are primarily associated with the increased OS. The present review article is committed to delivering a comprehensive overview of the current neuroimaging modalities which estimates an indirect correlate of OS in the brain. OS-induced changes in white matter tracts and the gray matter volumes are reviewed assessing the role of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) respectively. Further, the role of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to assess the OS-induced alterations of chemical moieties, and thus the resultant structural implications in the neurological disorders are also briefly as well as precisely reviewed.Conclusions:In the present review article we present an overview of the role of neuroimaging modalities in the diagnosis, and longitudinal assessment during treatment of the OS induced changes.
Mi experiencia como mediador en los foros, con el tema "Los valores"
Authors: Hernández Macías Aurora 
Published: May 2019

El objetivo del artículo es describir el uso de los foros como espacios, en los que los estudiantes del Bachillerato Tecnológico Bivalente a Distancia del Instituto Politécnico Nacional pueden participar y manifestar sus opiniones, de acuerdo con las preguntas detonadoras que propone el docente-asesor. El rol fundamental del asesor dentro de los foros es ser mediador, con el objeto de establecer y orientar un diálogo didáctico-pedagógico. En este caso, se recurrió al foro como escenario para analizar la estrategia empleada por el asesor entre dos grupos de estudiantes, para hacer resaltar el respeto, la tolerancia y la pluralidad.
Estado, democracia e sujeito de direito: para uma crítica da política contemporânea
Authors: Giacoia Junior Oswaldo 
Published: May 2019

No presente artigo, indico a relevância da contribuição de Nietzsche para a reflexão e o debate sobre problemas fundamentais de filosofia política e do direito contemporâneas, tais como soberania, cidadania, direitos humanos, justiça, estado e democracia. Nesse contexto, o artigo pretende mostrar que uma aproximação entre Nietzsche e Agamben esclarece o projeto de superação da forma direito, ao interpretar a desigualdade política a partir da noção de bando, ao invés de recorrer ao paradigma do contrato social.
O viés político da tese de Arendt sobre Agostinho
Authors: Santos Rodrigo Ponce 
Published: May 2019

A tese de Arendt sobre Agostinho (Der Liebesbegriff bei Augustin / O Conceito de Amor em Agostinho), apresentada em 1929 e revisada pela autora entre os anos cinquenta e sessenta, é geralmente tomada como obra de juventude e preterida por seus leitores e comentadores. Na contramão dessa tendência, este artigo sugere que possamos encontrar nesses escritos o despontar de temas que serão deslocados pela autora em seus posteriores esforços para iluminar a experiência política. Trata-se então de tecer um comentário geral sobre a tese, indicando possíveis aproximações com os textos da maturidade, sobretudo no que diz respeito a três temas: a revelação de um ser singular através da ação; o papel da memória e da narração na constituição de nossa existência; e a confiança como única garantia de nossos acordos e promessas.
Menumbuhkan Motivasi Belajar Dari Aspek Value, Expectancy dan Self Regulated Learning
Authors: Tahmidatien Lilik , Krismanto Wawan 
Published: May 2019

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengulas tentang: 1) bagaimanakah aspek Value, Expectancy dan Self Regulation pada konsep motivasi?, 2) bagaimana strategi menumbuhkan Value dan Expectancy positif serta kemampuan Self Regulated Learning pada siswa?. Metode yang digunakan adalah studi pustaka dari berbagai buku dan jurnal ilmiah. Membahas tentang motivasi, maka ada dua konsep yang penting yaitu value dan ekspektasi, yang kemudian oleh Eccles dan Wigfild diistilahkan dengan Expectancy-Value Model. Value yaitu nilai subyektif terhadap tujuan yang ingin dicapai, dengan kata lain value mengacu pada sejauh mana seseorang peduli atau menghargai tugas yang ada. Dengan demikian seberapa keras siswa belajar akan dipengaruhi oleh value yang mereka miliki atas tujuan yang telah mereka tetapkan. Agar termotivasi dalam mengejar tujuan belajar, siswa juga harus memegang harapan terhadap hasil belajar yang positif (Expectancy), yaitu harapan untuk keberhasilan mencapai tujuan. Ekspektasi atau harapan dapat memberikan pengaruh yang kuat pada motivasi siswa. Seberapa keras siswa belajar sangat bergantung pada seberapa besar harapan yang ingin mereka capai. Harapan terhadap hasil juga mencerminkan keyakinan bahwa tindakan spesifik yang dilakukannya akan membawa hasil yang diinginkan. Harapan positif akan terhubung/terkait dengan perilaku siswa dan berujung pada hasil positif yang diinginkan. Lingkungan belajar yang dekat dengan penggunaan teknologi (digital) juga menuntut keterlibatan diri karena minimnya bimbingan dan dukungan terstruktur dan intensif sepanjang proses pembelajaran berlangsung. Untuk mendorong pembelajaran yang efektif pada lingkungan seperti itu, siswa harus dilatih dalam menguasai strategi self regulation. Secara umum, self regulation dapat menjelaskan proses pembelajaran siswa dan keberhasilan mereka di kelas. Ketika siswa termotivasi untuk belajar, mereka cenderung lebih menginvestasikan waktu dan energi yang diperlukan untuk belajar dan menerapkan keterampilan self regulation yang sesuai. Maka menjadi tantangan bagi para pendidik saat ini untuk menumbuhkan value dan Expectancy yang positif pada siswa serta meningkatkan kemampuan self regulated learning mereka agar termotivasi mencapai tujuan belajar yang dingginkan.
Fables of Response-ability: Feminist Science Studies as Didactic Literature
Authors: Kenney Martha 
Published: May 2019

Recent literature in feminist science studies is rich with stories about how we are constituted by and in relation to (sometimes toxic) chemicals. Scholars such as Natasha Myers, Mel Chen, and Eva Hayward have written vivid accounts of the chemical ecologies of late industrialism, arguing that we cannot think of bodies as separate from environments. In this article, I read feminist scholarship on chemical ecologies as fables of response-ability, stories that teach us to attend and respond within our more-than-human world. Amplifying their didactic registers, I pay attention to moments in the texts that are speculative, poetic, and personal, moments that work on the bodies, imaginations, and sensoria of their readers. By reading these texts together, I hope to both acknowledge the didactic work that feminist science studies scholars are already doing and encourage others to experiment with telling their own fables of response-ability.
How Technology Is Forcing the Disability Rights Movement into the 21st Century
Authors: Thompson Vilissa 
Published: May 2019

One of the unspoken realities of technology is the fact that it has propelled the Disability Rights Movement into the 21st century by allowing more intersected voices and perspectives to be widely shared and heard. Online activism has reshaped the history and leadership of our community, and this impact is not only empowering for the collective movement, but to individual activists and advocates as well. Vilissa Thompson, social worker and activist, recounts the impact of technology in her work and the various ways members in the disability community use technology to ramp their voices.