bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Results of medical treatment with psyllium, lactobacillus, and tryptophan (Plurilac® Trio) in obstructive defecation syndrome
Authors: Valiyeva Sayali , Tiso Domenico , Cerri Paolo , Pisciaroli Antonio , Pietroletti Renato 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionThe term “obstructive defecation syndrome” (ODS) describes a complex condition characterized by defecatory disorders. Such a condition represents a significant proportion of patients, which is estimated to be up to 30% of patients affected by chronic constipation. Presently, a broad agreement has been reached on diagnostic studies, whereas the choice of treatment that aims to improve the quality of life and/or correct the prevalent abnormalities or all anatomical abnormalities remains controversial.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study on 174 patients out of a total of 232 with ODS who were observed in a specialized university unit of surgical coloproctology between 2018 and 2022. Clinical assessment included examining the values of the Agachan–Wexner constipation score and Patient Assessment of Constipation (PAC)-quality of life (QoL) scores, a full digital anorectal examination, anoscopy, RX defecography, and a urogynecological consultation; a functional anorectal test, an endoanal ultrasound, and colonoscopy were performed in select patients. The patients were reevaluated after an 8–10-week course of medical treatment based on a high-fiber diet and fluid intake and 6 g of psyllium combined with lactobacillus and tryptophan b.i.d. The results were analyzed by means of the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, comparing pretreatment scores with the results at the first follow-up visit.ResultsAfter 8–10 weeks of conservative treatment, 128 patients declared full satisfaction, 29 reported moderate satisfaction, and 17 (9.7%) declared no improvement. Among these 17, there were 5 patients with paradoxical puborectal contractions. The value of the Agachan–Wexner constipation score after treatment decreased from the pretreatment Agachan–Wexner constipation score mean value of 23.4 ± 3.7 (mean ± SD range 15–27) to a mean value of 5.3 ± 0.7 (range 3–8, p &lt; 0.001). The quality of life improved, as shown by the PAC-QoL score, indicating great improvement in social relationships.ConclusionsGiven the benefits of conservative therapies, they represent a cornerstone in the treatment of ODS, a complex disorder. Diet and bulking agents are mandatory forms of treatment prior to making any surgical attempt, also considering the fact that the psychosomatic component of ODS is an essential prerequisite to match patient expectations.
Results of routine thoracic radiographic examinations rarely impact the plan to proceed with anesthetic procedures in dogs with presumed acute intervertebral disc herniation
Authors: Takedai Teiko , Block Nicole , Pinal Karina M. , Frederick Steven W. 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionAcute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) constitutes an emergency because associated neurological clinical signs can be progressive, with prognosis dependent on preoperative presence of deep pain perception. Pre-anesthetic thoracic radiographs are routinely performed to evaluate for potential pathology that could result in increased risk or change in overall prognosis. However, due to the emergent nature of this disease, the weight of thoracic radiographic findings on treatment plans for these dogs in unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical benefit of thoracic radiographs prior to advanced spinal imaging and surgery for acute non-ambulatory dogs with suspected T3-L3 myelopathy.MethodsConsecutive dogs presented with presumed acute IVDH between July 2020-July 2022 were identified, and medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Age, body weight, and alteration of treatment plan were compared between the dogs with positive thoracic pathology identified on thoracic radiographs and those with negative thoracic pathology.ResultsOnly 2/105 dogs had their diagnostic and treatment plans changed due to thoracic radiographic findings. Dogs with radiographic pathology diagnosed (2/16) were more likely to have their treatment plans changed than dogs with no radiographic pathology (0/89) (p = 0.014). The odds of radiographic thoracic pathology were 4.6 times higher in dogs aged 12 years or older [OR 4.6 (95%CI 1.2–17, p = 0.026].DiscussionPerforming routine thoracic radiography prior to advanced (anesthetized) diagnostic spinal imaging in presumed IVDH cases rarely resulted in a change to the treatment plan, thought eh practice may be clinically relevant in dogs 12 years of age or older.
Functionality and Health-Promoting Properties of Polysaccharide and Plant-Derived Substances from Mesona chinensis
Authors: Seah Romson , Siripongvutikorn Sunisa , Wichienchot Santad , Usawakesmanee Worapong 
Published: April 2024

Mesona chinensis, in Thai called Chao Kuay and in Chinese Hsian-tsao, belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This herbal plant grows widely in Southern China, Taiwan (China), Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The Mesona plant is used to make functional products such as drinks and soft textured sweet treats, and also traditional medicine, to treat heat stroke, high blood pressure, heart attack, high blood sugar, hepatic diseases, colon diseases, inflammatory conditions, and to alleviate myalgia. The proximate composition of M. chinensis is a mixture of protein, fat, fiber, ash, and minerals. The main biological compounds in M. chinensis extracts are polysaccharides, terpenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols, with wide-ranging pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antilipidemic, carcinoma-inhibitory, renal-protective, antihypertensive, DNA damage-protective, and anti-inflammatory effects. This review investigated the proximate composition, polysaccharide type, and pharmacological properties of M. chinensis extracts. Phytochemical properties enhance the actions of the gut microbiota and improve health benefits. This review assessed the functional and medicinal activities of M. chinensis extracts. Future studies should further elucidate the in vitro/in vivo mechanisms of this plant extract and its impact on gut health.
New Cretaceous Fossil Achilidae Taxa (Insecta, Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha) from Burmese Ambers with Description of Niryasaburniini Trib. Nov.
Authors: Deng Keyi , Bourgoin Thierry , Zhai Zhiyue , Wang Menglin 
Published: April 2024

A new species Niryasaburnia nigrutomia sp. nov. of the planthopper family Achilidae from Burmese amber collected from Hukawng Valley (Tanai) of northern Myanmar, is described, notably based on forewing pattern coloration and metatibiotarsal teeth conformation. A new fossil genus with its type species Sinuovenaxius kachinensis gen. et sp. nov. is also described. The tribe Niryasaburniini trib. nov. is established to include Niryasaburnia Szwedo, 2004, and Sinuovenaxius gen. nov., based on a unique combination of characters, of which the following states are particularly notable: head with compound eyes around half the length of pronotum, late forking of ScP+R and CuA after the fusion of Pcu+A1 on the forewing, apical teeth of metatarsomeres I and II both with subapical platellar sensilla, and a unique hindwing pattern with simple RP and biforked MP, CuA with two terminals only, and with A2 simple, reaching the posterior wing margin. The hindwing venation of this new tribe with RP with only one terminal and both MP and CuA with two terminals is unique in Achilidae.
Histone Methyltransferase SsDim5 Regulates Fungal Virulence through H3K9 Trimethylation in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Qin Lei , Gong Xin , Nong Jieying , Tang Xianyu , Cui Kan , Zhao Yan , Xia Shitou 
Published: April 2024

Histone post-translational modification is one of the main mechanisms of epigenetic regulation, which plays a crucial role in the control of gene expression and various biological processes. However, whether or not it affects fungal virulence in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is not clear. In this study, we identified and cloned the histone methyltransferase Defective in methylation 5 (Dim5) in S. sclerotiorum, which encodes a protein containing a typical SET domain. SsDim5 was found to be dynamically expressed during infection. Knockout experiment demonstrated that deletion of SsDim5 reduced the virulence in Ssdim5-1/Ssdim5-2 mutant strains, accompanied by a significant decrease in H3K9 trimethylation levels. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed the downregulation of genes associated with mycotoxins biosynthesis in SsDim5 deletion mutants. Additionally, the absence of SsDim5 affected the fungus’s response to oxidative and osmotic, as well as cellular integrity. Together, our results indicate that the H3K9 methyltransferase SsDim5 is essential for H3K9 trimethylation, regulating fungal virulence throug mycotoxins biosynthesis, and the response to environmental stresses in S. sclerotiorum.
Risk Factors Analysis of Vascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Faiz Belqees Yawar , Shah Sajida , Shah Inamullah , Malik Zainab , Arif Adnan 
Published: April 2024

Objective: HCC carries a high recurrence rate after resection and transplant. This depends on the extent of vascular invasion. Preoperative detection of vascular invasion affects the management of patient and determines the prognosis. Vascular invasion may have to be looked for in tumors that show certain risk factors. This study analyzes those risk factors.
Methodology: This retrospective observational study was carried out by retrieving data between 2017 to 2020. Tumors with more than 90% necrosis or those treated by chemoembolization were not included in this study. A total of 78 patients were included in the study. Multi-slice CT and 3 Tesla MRI were used as imaging tools. Vascular invasion was cross-tabulated against risk factors including size, location, morphology and encapsulation of tumor.
Results: Minimum age of patients was 22 and maximum 77 years with a mean age of 56.76 ± 10.857. Mean size of tumors was 7.29 ± 4.761 cms. Forty one patients (53%) showed vascular invasion in one or more branches of portal vein. Large tumors (p=0.002), multifocal tumors (p=0.040), unencapsulated tumors (p=0.001), infiltrative tumors (p=0.000) and those with raised serum AFP levels (p=0.016) were more likely to invade multiple vessels.
Conclusion: Larger size and multifocality of HCC are associated with more vascular invasion.
Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Vascular invasion; Imaging.
Assessment of nutritional status of soybean by the DRIS method in western of Bahia State
Authors: Ferreira Eduardo , Medeiros Fabiana Campos , Rozane Danilo Eduardo , Lindsey Laura , Amadori Caroline , Rocha Camila da Silva 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT
Increasing soybean yield in the MATOPIBA region can be attributed to fertility management, which is crucial to achieving maximum agronomic efficiency. Therefore, the proper management begins with the assessment of plant nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate soybean nutritional status in western Bahia using the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS). Database comprised 153 samples from commercial fields located in the research area. To carry out the evaluation using the DRIS method, the database contained information on nutritional levels and leaf productivity of the sampled areas. Database was divided into high-productivity populations (reference population) and low-productivity populations, based on the inflection point value of the cumulative cubic function of yield. The DRIS method allowed for evaluating the potential response to fertilization; however, this method was inefficient in recommending fertilizer doses in both subpopulations. For the sufficiency levels proposed by DRIS, the nutrients N, K, Ca, Mg and S had their maximum and minimum limits reduced, while Cu, Fe and Zn had their ranges of sufficiency expanded, when compared with ranges proposed by other authors. In addition, Zn and Mn were more limiting due to lack for the high-yield subpopulation, and P and Mn for the low-yield subpopulation. The most limiting nutrients due to excess were P and Zn for the high-yield, while K and S were limiting for the low yield subpopulation.
Tecnologia Assistiva como suporte à inclusão da Pessoa com Deficiência Visual no Ensino Superior: Revisão Sistemática
Authors: França Jordan de Souza , Paulino Vanessa Cristina , Sousa Batista do Nascimento Amanda 
Published: April 2024

O desenvolvimento do tema em questão se embasa na exposição de uma breve abordagem inerente à Tecnologia Assistiva, assim como na descrição da importância da inclusão da pessoa com deficiência visual no ensino superior , neste sentido, seu objetivo geral é apresentar uma revisão sistemática de literatura acerca da Tecnologia Assistiva como suporte à inclusão da pessoa com deficiência visual no ensino superior. A contextualização desses objetivos visa responder ao problema suscitado inerente à se a revisão sistemática da literatura corrobora a Tecnologia Assistiva ser um suporte efetivo à inclusão da pessoa com deficiência visual no ensino superior. A metodologia utilizada reproduz um caráter teórico, executado após análises e avaliações no método de revisão sistemática da literatura, a partir de uma demanda por bibliografias selecionadas por critérios de inclusão e exclusão com os achados. Tais produções serviram como embasamento para a produção do quadro sinótico em que se evidencia o ano, título, autor, periódico e o objetivo de cada um deles. A verificação dos resultados foi executada a partir das variáveis obtidas dos referenciais teóricos da área, intentando definir as melhores alternativas na apresentação de sugestões em relação ao problema levantado,via processos de análises aplicados à literatura científica pesquisada, os resultados e discussões evidenciaram uma alta relevância da Tecnologia Assistiva à inclusão da pessoa com deficiência visual no Ensino Superior.
Palavras-chave: Tecnologia Assistiva. Inclusão. Pessoa com Deficiência Visual. Ensino Superior. Revisão Sistemática.
Russia – Africa: history and perspectives of relations
Authors: Виджаядаса Сомар 
Published: April 2024

В двух частях аналитического исследования автор представляет свое видение отношений между Россией и Африкой, которые начались задолго до массовой деколонизации Африки в 1960-х годах. Второй российско-африканский саммит, завершившийся 28 июля в Санкт-Петербурге, требует изучения отношений России с Африкой в историческом и современном контексте.
In two parts of the research, the author presents his vision of the relationship between Russia and Africa, which began long before the massive decolonization of Africa in the 1960s. The second Russian-African summit, which ended on 28 July 2024, in Saint Petersburg, calls for studying Russia’s relations with Africa in a historical and contemporary context.
UNESCO Chair on International education and the integration of migrants took part in the international seminars “Decolonizing the Teaching and Learning of Africa’s History” and “Fostering Cultural Heritage”
Authors: Захаров В.Ф. , Кривенькая М.А. 
Published: April 2024

25 октября и 2 ноября 2023 г. представители кафедры ЮНЕСКО «Международное (поликультурное) образование и интеграция мигрантов» Московского педагогического государственного университета приняли участие в онлайн-семинарах, посвященных африканскому культурному наследию и деколонизации преподавания африканской истории. Международные семинары проводились в рамках сетевого сотрудничества УНИТВИН для кафедр ЮНЕСКО. На протяжении длительного времени в знаниях об истории Африки доминировали евроцентристские взгляды, что привело к искаженному представлению истории континента и закрепило на столетия в сознании людей предубеждения, предрассудки и расовую дискриминацию. Колонизация, трансатлантическая работорговля и рабство оказывали длительное влияние на преподавание истории Африки как на самом континенте, так и за его пределами. Цель семинара из цикла «Трансформация знаний для будущего Африки» на тему «Сохранение культурного наследия» – создать платформу для укрепления глобального обмена информацией в области сохранения и укрепления культурного наследия Африки, поощрения сотрудничества между кафедрами ЮНЕСКО в его продвижении. На нем обсуждались проблемы и возможности, связанные с сохранением и популяризацией культурного наследия в Африке в рамках программы ЮНЕСКО «Оперативная стратегия по приоритету «Африка» (2022–2029 годы)».
On 25 October and 2 November 2023, representatives of the UNESCO Chair of the Moscow State Pedagogical University participated in online seminars on African cultural heritage and decolonization of teaching African history. The international seminars were organized within the framework of UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs programme network cooperation. Knowledge of Africa’s history has long been dominated by Eurocentric perspectives, which has rendered a skewed representation of the continent’s history and perpetuated preconceptions, prejudice and racial discrimination. Colonization, the transatlantic slave trade and slavery have had a lasting impact on the way that Africa’s history is taught and learnt within and beyond the continent. The Seminar of the “Transforming Knowledge for Africa’s Future” series on “Fostering Cultural Heritage” aimed at creating a platform to reinforce global information exchange on the preservation and enhancement of Africa’s cultural heritage, and encouraging collaboration of the UNESCO Chairs in its promotion. It discussed the challenges and opportunities related to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in Africa within the framework of UNESCO’s Operational Strategy for Priority Africa (2022–2029).
Helium in the Extended Atmosphere of the Warm Superpuff TOI-1420b
Authors: Vissapragada Shreyas , Greklek-McKeon Michael , Linssen Dion , MacLeod Morgan , Thorngren Daniel P. , Gao Peter , Knutson Heather A. , Latham David W. , López-Morales Mercedes , Oklopčić Antonija , González Jorge Pérez , Saidel Morgan , Tumborang Abigail , Yoshida Stephanie 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Superpuffs are planets with exceptionally low densities (ρ ≲ 0.1 g cm−3) and core masses (M

c
≲ 5M
⊕). Many lower-mass (M

p
≲ 10M
⊕) superpuffs are expected to be unstable to catastrophic mass loss via photoevaporation and/or boil-off, whereas the larger gravitational potentials of higher-mass (M

p
≳ 10M
⊕) superpuffs should make them more stable to these processes. We test this expectation by studying atmospheric loss in the warm, higher-mass superpuff TOI-1420b (M = 25.1M
⊕, R = 11.9R
⊕, ρ = 0.08 g cm−3, T
eq = 960 K). We observed one full transit and one partial transit of this planet using the metastable helium filter on Palomar/WIRC and found that the helium transits were 0.671% ± 0.079% (8.5σ) deeper than the TESS transits, indicating an outflowing atmosphere. We modeled the excess helium absorption using a self-consistent 1D hydrodynamics code to constrain the thermal structure of the outflow given different assumptions for the stellar XUV spectrum. These calculations then informed a 3D simulation, which provided a good match to the observations with a modest planetary mass-loss rate of 1010.82 g s−1 (

M

p

/

M

̇

≈
70

Gyr). Superpuffs with M

p
≳ 10M
⊕, like TOI-1420b and WASP-107b, appear perfectly capable of retaining atmospheres over long timescales; therefore, these planets may have formed with the unusually large envelope mass fractions they appear to possess today. Alternatively, tidal circularization could have plausibly heated and inflated these planets, which would bring their envelope mass fractions into better agreement with expectations from core-nucleated accretion.
The High-mass X-Ray Binary Luminosity Functions of Dwarf Galaxies
Authors: Geda Robel , Goulding Andy D. , Lehmer Bret D. , Greene Jenny E. , Kulkarni Anish 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Drawing from the Chandra archive and using a carefully selected set of nearby dwarf galaxies, we present a calibrated high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) luminosity function in the low-mass galaxy regime and search for an already hinted at dependence on metallicity. Our study introduces a new sample of local dwarf galaxies (D < 12.5 Mpc and M
* < 5 × 109
M
⊙), expanding the specific star formation rates (sSFR) and gas-phase metallicities probed in previous investigations. Our analysis of the observed X-ray luminosity function indicates a shallower power-law slope for the dwarf galaxy HMXB population. In our study, we focus on dwarf galaxies that are more representative in terms of sSFR compared to prior work. In this regime, the HMXB luminosity function exhibits significant stochastic sampling at high luminosities. This likely accounts for the pronounced scatter observed in the galaxy-integrated HMXB population’s L
X/SFR versus metallicity for our galaxy sample. Our calibration is necessary to understand the active galactic nuclei content of low-mass galaxies identified in current and future X-ray survey fields and has implications for binary population synthesis models, as well as X-ray-driven cosmic heating in the early Universe.
First record of Arion vulgaris Moquin-Tandon, 1855 (Arionidae) from Armenia
Authors: Arzumanyan Meri , Zhamakochyan Gohar , Torosyan Hasmik , Ghrmajyan Arevik , Arakelyan Marine , Nanagulyan Siranush , Margaryan Lusine , Aghayan Sargis , Davis Robert , Turóci Ágnes 
Published: April 2024

Arion vulgaris Moquin-Tandon, 1855 is amongst the fastest-spreading terrestrial slugs Europe-wide. In recent years, it has been recorded in Canada, Mexico and continues to expand eastwards into Eurasia. Renowned for its high invasiveness, combatting its swift spread creates significant challenges in organising effective preventative measures.
This study presents the first record of Arion vulgaris from Armenia, which is the second record of this species' invasion of the Caucasus. In 2022, a substantial population of A. vulgaris was observed close to the City of Stepanavan, which is also the first record in Armenia of the family Arionidae. How the species was introduced to Armenia remains unknown. Identification of Arion vulgaris was conducted, based on external and genital morphology and mitochondrial CO1 (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) gene sequencing, revealing notable similarities with Central European clades. Our results confirm the introduction and distribution of A. vulgaris to Armenia. Invasion of such species into Armenia will require additional monitoring and would be aided by further research on Armenia’s mollusc fauna in the future.
De la doctrine à la conception : comment les gares du Grand Paris Express renouvellent (ou pas) la fabrique urbaine ?
Authors: Roudier Émilie , Avide Élise 
Published: April 2024

Cet article propose d’entrer dans la fabrique des gares du Grand Paris Express (GPE). À partir d’une analyse de la genèse, de la conception et de la communication sur ces gares, il s’intéresse à la stratégie mise en place par la Société du Grand Paris (SGP), qui en assure la maîtrise d’ouvrage, et à son mode d’action. Il rend compte de la formalisation d’une doctrine : plus que de simples objets techniques pour accéder au réseau, les gares constituent surtout des outils politiques et ce dès les débats publics de 2010. L’enquête montre que les gares, largement mises en valeur par la SGP, servent surtout à asseoir sa légitimité, à justifier les effets d’une nouvelle infrastructure sur les territoires, et par conséquent, à faciliter l’acceptabilité du projet et des chantiers au niveau local. Cette valorisation des gares s’inscrit dans la continuité d’un mouvement observé depuis plus de 20 ans et initié par les réaménagements des gares TGV, où les gares cristallisent les ambitions de développement des acteurs locaux et des opérateurs de transport.