bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unraveling the Lived Experiences of the English Language Teachers in the New Normal: A Phenomenology
Authors: Talampas Roxanne Mae , Martinez Vanneza Clare 
Published: April 2022

The implementation of distance learning has provided new opportunities and challenges to English language teachers. Commonly, the English language teachers aim to enhance the five language skills of each student: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Viewing. However, the pandemic has affected the usual teaching methods, strategies, and techniques applied by English language teachers. Hence, this qualitative study aims to explore English language teachers’ experiences on the transition of their English language pedagogy towards the new normal setup. A Hermeneutic Phenomenological design was utilized to describe and interpret the participants’ responses. 15 English language teachers from selected private and public schools participated in the study. The following themes emerged from the Focus Group Discussion: Overcoming new challenges in teaching job; Altruistic act of teachers towards the second language learners; Technology as the main tool for teaching; Teachers acting more as guides than facilitators; Eclectic approach as the common method to teaching English in this new normal. These findings imply that English language teachers have redesigned their teaching strategies following the capabilities and needs of the students. Also, some activities have been modified to make them compatible with distance learning. The researchers suggest investigating the other factors that may help the English language learners to learn the English language during distance learning.
Effect of Spinal Anesthesia on Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction
Authors: Kimiaei-Asadi Hosein , Sanamar Saghi , Moradveisi Latif , Moradi Ahmad , Manouchehrian Nahid 
Published: April 2022

Background: It seems that spinal anesthesia is an appropriate approach for elderly patients and those who are not suitable candidates for general anesthesia. This study aimed to determine the effect of spinal anesthesia on postoperative cognitive decline in elderly patients.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 81 patients older than 65 years of age with the ASA classes I and II. The cases were candidates for surgery and spinal anesthesia and referred to Besat Hospital, Hamadan, Iran. Moreover, they receive surgical treatment and underwent spinal anesthesia from 2019 to 2020. Wechsler Memory Scale-III (WMS-III) was utilized to compare the cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients before and after spinal anesthesia. Furthermore, the WMS-III scores were compared before and after anesthesia to assess the severity of cognitive dysfunction, short- and long-term memories, as well as concentration rate at discharge.
Results: According to the results, there was no significant difference before and after spinal anesthesia regarding the mean mental control, repetition, visual reproduction, and verbal paired associates (P>0.05). Moreover, the mean values of spatial addition (Z=-2.07; P=0.03) navigation (Z=-2.13; P=0.03), and logical memory (Z=-2.42; P=0.01) increased after spinal anesthesia. In addition, the mean values of the memory coefficient were estimated at 68.28±16.77 and 68.66±16.94, respectively. The comparison of memory coefficient among elderly patients undergoing spinal anesthesia showed no significant difference before and after spinal anesthesia (Z=-1.51; P=0.13). A reverse correlation was reported between age and memory coefficient before (r=-0.46; P<0.005) and after spinal anesthesia (r=-0.405; P<0.005).
Conclusion: Spinal anesthesia had no effects on memory coefficient. However, there was an increase in some memory function domains, including spatial addition, navigation, and logical memory after the operation. The memory scores may have been affected by the patients' conditions before the operation.
Correlation between Changes in End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide and Stroke Volume Variation Detected by Electrical Cardiometry as a Predictor of Fluid Volume Responsiveness in Hemodynamically Unstable Patients in the Intensive Care
Authors: Abo-Elkhier Ahmed Elbaiomy , Ghaffar Mohamed Samir Abd El , Alrahman Reda Sobhi Salamh Abd , Hawary Salama Ibrahim El 
Published: April 2022

Background: The requirement for cardiac output (CO) measurements typically restricts the widely used passive leg raising (PLR) test for a set of patients because they need costly or intrusive hemodynamic surveillance equipment. This trial aimed to evaluate the role of end-tidal CO2 pressure (EtCO2) monitoring in the prediction of the fluid responsiveness in connection to stroke volume variation (SVV) observed in unstable hemodynamic patients in electrical cardiometry (EC).
Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out on 60 cases aged 18 years or above with hypotension and mechanically ventilated patients in critical care. Patients were classified into two groups according to the SVV:a) Responder group (SVV≥10%) and b) non-responder group. All patients were mechanically ventilated and received sedation and muscle relaxation with no spontaneous respiratory effort.
Results: EtCO2 was significantly increased in responder group than non-responder group at the end (P value = 0.002). SVV was significantly higher in responder group than non-responder group at the baseline (P <0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between SVV and EtCo2 (r = -0.456, P <0.001) and a significant positive correlation between cardiac index and EtCO2 (r = -0.456, P = 0.005). Ä EtCO2 can predict fluid responsiveness significantly (P <0.001) at cut-off > 3 mmHg with 81.4% sensitivity, 88.24% specificity.
Conclusion: EtCO2 existed as a simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive alternative for the CO in the evaluation of various shock conditions. Ä EtCO2 can also predict fluid responsiveness significantly (P <0.001) at cut-off > 3 mmHg with 81.4% sensitivity, 88.24% specificity.
Labetalol vs. methyldopa in the treatment of pregnancy‐induced hypertension
Authors: El‐Qarmalawi A.M. , Morsy A.H. , Al‐Fadly A. , Obeid A. , Hashem M. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractObjective: To assess the efficacy and safety of labetalol compared with methyldopa in the management of mild and moderate cases of pregnancy‐induced hypertension (PIH). Methods: One hundred four primigravidas with PIH were randomly allocated to receive either labetalol (group A) or methyldopa (group B). The dose of the drugs was doubled every 48 h to maintain a mean arterial blood pressure ≤103.6 mmHg. Clinico‐biochemical effects and frequency of side effects were studied. The statistical level of significance was taken at P < 0.05. Results: Ten patients in group B (18.5%) developed significant proteinuria (>30 mg/dl) whereas none developed proteinuria in group A. Labetalol was quicker and more efficient at controlling blood pressure, having a beneficial effect on renal functions and causing fewer side effects compared with methyldopa. The rate of induction of labor and rate of cesarean section for uncontrolled PIH was less in group A (48% and 1%, respectively) compared with group B (63.0% and 5.6%, respectively). Moreover a higher Bishop score at induction of labor was noticed in group A. Conclusions: Labetalol is better tolerated than methyldopa, gives more efficient control of blood pressure and may have a ripening effect on the uterine cervix.
Heat Flux Measurements for the Fast Monitoring of Dynamic Responses to Glucose Additions by Yeasts that were Subjected to Different Feeding Regimes in Continuous Culture
Authors: van Kleeff Bastiaan H. A. , Kuenen J. Gijs , Heijnen Joseph J. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractHeat measurements have been used successfully as an analytical tool for the study of the dynamics of energy metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida utilis grown in continuous culture under fluctuating substrate supply. A low average dilution rate (D = 0.05 h−1) was maintained either by adding the medium as continuously (dropwise) as possible or (blockwise) by adding the medium at high speed during a short period (D = 0.5 h−1 for 40 s) and not at all during the following period (D = 0.00 h−1 for 360 s). The resulting biological activity was monitored on‐line with conventional (O2 and CO2) off‐gas analyses, DOT measurements, and heat flux measurements. In C. utilis cultures, the biomass‐specific maximum oxygen consumption rate (qO 2,max), the biomass yield (Ys,x), and the dynamic responses to a glucose pulse and to a change in feeding regime were not significantly affected by different preceding feeding regimes. In contrast, S. cerevisiae grown in continuous culture with blockwise feed showed a 50% increase in qO 2,max and a 25% drop in Ys,x compared to the culture grown with dropwise feed. The dynamic response to a glucose pulse (0.6 g L−1) was slower for the continuous (dropwise) than for the blockwise grown S. cerevisiae. With a second testing method for the dynamic response of the yeasts, the feeding regime was changed. The blockwise fed S. cerevisiae proved to be better “trained” to cope with sudden changes in glucose supply and, therefore, was more “shockproof” toward a change in feeding regime. This clearly points to major differences in the intracellular metabolic flux control between the yeasts. These findings are of relevance for industrial baker's yeast production, where reactor mixing times of one to several minutes are not uncommon. The observed heat production, together with the dissolved oxygen concentration, appeared to give the fastest response to actual changes in the culture. It is suggested that heat measurements can be a very useful tool to monitor and control the growth of S. cerevisiae in laboratory and industrial fermenter operations.
Enhancing Enzymatic Saccharification of Waste Newsprint by Surfactant Addition
Authors: Wu Jian , Ju Lu‐Kwang 
Published: July 2002

AbstractSeveral nonionic surfactants, Pluronic F68 and F88 (BASF) as well as Tween 20 and 80, were found in this study to enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated newsprint. Pluronic F68 was the most effective among the surfactants studied. With 2% (w/v) F68 the cellulose (10 g/L) conversion achieved with 2 g/L cellulase reached 52%, about the same as the 48% conversion achieved with 10 g/L cellulase in a surfactant‐free system. An empirical model, x = Kt0.5‐(t/τ)1/2, has been developed to describe the extended hydrolysis, where x is conversion, t is reaction time, and K and τ correspond to the initial saccharification rate and the characteristic time for its tendency to deviate from the initial power‐law (exponent = 0.5) behavior. The best‐fit K and τ in the extended hydrolysis experiments confirmed that F68 significantly enhanced both the initial rate and long‐term hydrolysis. A study was also made to evaluate the compatibility of these surfactants, at concentrations up to 2% (w/v), with cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Dekkera clausenii. While Tween 20 was found strongly inhibitory to D. clausenii, the culture growth in all other surfactant‐added systems was comparable to that in the surfactant‐free controls.
Microbial genome sequencing
Authors: Fraser Claire M. , Eisen Jonathan A. , Salzberg Steven L. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractComplete genome sequences of 30 microbial species have been determined during the past five years, and work in progress indicates that the complete sequences of more than 100 further microbial species will be available in the next two to four years. These results have revealed a tremendous amount of information on the physiology and evolution of microbial species, and should provide novel approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease.
Seasonal atopic dermatitis in dogs sensitive to a major allergen of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen
Authors: Masuda Kenichi , Sakaguchi Masahiro , Saito Saburo , Deboer Douglas J. , Yamashita Kohei , Hasegawa Atsuhiko , Ohno Koichi , Tsujimoto Hajime 
Published: July 2002

Abstract Three dogs were examined because of episodes of recurrent pruritic dermatitis in the spring, the season of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, CJ) pollination in Japan. The dogs were shown to be sensitive to CJ pollen allergen using intradermal testing and antigen‐specific IgE measurement. Fluorometric enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) showed increased concentrations of IgE specific to Cry j 1 and a negative result for Cry j 2 in the three dogs. The concentrations of IgE specific to Cry j 1 during the season of CJ pollination were higher than the concentrations found during the off‐season in all the dogs, and the variation in the concentrations correlated with the variation in clinical signs. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed apparent proliferative responses to crude CJ pollen antigen and Cry j 1 during CJ pollination season. These findings indicated that Cry j 1 was the major allergen recognized by IgE and lymphocytes and resulted in the development of type I hypersensitivity to CJ pollen allergen in these atopic dogs.
Increased resistance to oxidative stress in transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing bacterial serine acetyltransferase
Authors: Blaszczyk Anna , Brodzik Robert , Sirko Agnieszka 
Published: July 2002

SummaryPlant expression cassettes containing theEscherichia coli cysEgene alleles (encoding SAT) were constructed. After theAgrobacterium‐mediated transformation of tobacco, we identified stable transformed plants containing several‐fold higher SAT activity in comparison to the control plant. Determination of non‐protein thiol contents indicated two‐ to threefold higher cysteine and glutathione levels in some of these transgenic plants. The maximal elevation of the cysteine level was about fourfold while that of GSH was about twofold higher than in the controls. The most striking physiological consequence of the modification of sulfur metabolite levels in the transgenic plants, however, was their several‐fold increased resistance to oxidative stress generated by exogenous hydrogen peroxide.
EVALUATION OF ASYMPTOMATIC HAEMATURIA OR PROTEINURIA IN A HIGH RISK POPULATION: IS ULTRASOUND USEFUL?
Authors: G Singh , A White , J Spencer , W. Hoy 
Published: July 2002

Background: Rates of renal failure in some Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory are among the highest in the world. Haematuria and proteinuria is also very common but the frequency of structural and parenchymal abnormalities associated with these findings is unclear. Ultrasound examination is common practice for investigation of haematuria/proteinuria. This involves considerable logistic problems and costs for people from remote communities. We conducted a population survey using renal ultrasound in a remote coastal community with high rates of renal disease, to delineate the frequency of abnormal findings.Methods: Urine dipstick analysis and albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) were measured in people over 5 years old and a detailed renal ultrasound examination performed.Results: Forty percent of the population (n = 664) were included, 286 children aged 5‐18 yr (males 152, females 134) and 377 adults aged 19‐70 yr (males 195 females 182) with a representative sample from all age groups. 11% of children and 10.9% of adults had haematuria ( ≥ 1 + ) and 9.8% of children and 43.8% of adults had proteinuria ( ≥ 1 + ) on urinalysis. Macroalbuminuria (ACR ≥ 34) was present in 21% of adults and 1.4% of children. Microalbuminuria (ACR ≥ 3.4) was present in 49% of adults and in 6.9% of children On ultrasound exam, no abnormal echotexture, medullary abnormalities, poor cortico‐medullary differentiation, marked L/R differ‐ences in size, or dilatation of the collecting system were found. Seven structural abnormalities were identified (2 simple cysts, 1 scar on an upper pole, 1 right dysplastic kidney and 3 people with polycystic kidneys, already recognised). None of these abnormal findings led to a change in management.Conclusion: In view of the low yield of abnormal findings the use of routine ultrasounds for asymptomatic urinary abnormalities in such population might be re‐evaluated. Ultrasound might be reserved for people with special features, such as gross haematuria, rapid change in renal function, severe hypertension, elevated creatinine, clinical symptoms etc or in anticipation of a renal biopsy.
Randomized controlled trial of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in Guillain–Barré syndrome: a pilot study
Authors: Bensa S. , Hadden R. D. M. , Hahn A. , Hughes R. A. C. , Willison H. J. 
Published: July 2002

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has the theoretical potential to protect neurones from axonal degeneration. The objective of this study was to discover whether brain‐derived neurotrophic factor is safe in Guillain–Barré syndrome, and to make preliminary observations of its efficacy. This was a parallel group randomized controlled trial of subcutaneous brain‐derived neurotrophic factor 25 µg/kg daily compared with placebo for up to 24 weeks or until patients could walk without aid.Six patients received brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, of whom three had serious adverse events including one death. Four patients received placebo, of whom two had serious adverse events including one death. The rate and extent of recovery were similar in the two groups.This pilot study did not detect any serious adverse events attributed to brain‐derived neurotrophic factor treatment.
PERIPHERAL AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM LYMPHOMA PRESENTING AS MULTIPLE CRANIAL AND PERIPHERAL RADICULONEUROPATHY
Authors: Di Troia A. , Carpo M. , Ghidoni P. , Scarlato G. , Nobile‐Orazio E. 
Published: July 2002

A 58 y.o. man was admitted to our hospital because of severe progressive untreatable radicular pain, limb weakness, and cranial nerve palsies. The patient was well until 2 years before, when he developed progressive perineal sensory loss with impotence. Two months later, he complained of pain in the right foot only partially responding to NSAIDs. A lumbosacral MRI showed a spinal stenosis and multiple lumbar discopathy. During the following year he developed right foot and left arm burning paresthesia only responsive to oral opiates, left facial nerve palsy, right foot drop, arm weakness partially responding to oral steroids, and cyclophosphamide. CSF and electrophysiological studies were consistent with an inflammatory multiple radiculoneuropathy while blood tests, bone scintigraphy, and abdominal echography were normal. Four months before admission, he developed right wrist drop, painful dysesthesia in the left hemithorax, and diplopia. On admission, neurologic examination revealed left oculomotor and facial nerve palsies, distal>proximal weakness in the extensor muscles of the right arm, right foot drop, superficial and deep sensory loss on the right leg, and ubiquitary absent deep tendon reflexes. Four additional spinal taps revealed markedly increased proteins with slightly increased cells (always below 10/mm3) but no tumor cell. Nerve conduction studies were consistent with multiple radiculoneuropathy, while sural nerve biopsy showed an axonal neuropathy. Bone marrow biopsy, chest and abdominal CT, and endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract were negative for neoplastic lesions. A brain and cervical MRI revealed multiple gadolinium enhancing hyperlucencies in the thalamus, caudate nucleus, and spinal cord. The patient was treated with intravenous steroids and IVIg with no response and with opiates for severe pain. One month later, the patient developed deep vein thrombosis treated with anticoagulants followed four days later by a fatal massive intracranial hemorrhage. Autoptic studies revealed a widespread non‐Hodgkin's type B lymphoblastic centrocitic lymphoma involving the stomach, liver, lung, thyroid, spleen, cauda equina, brain, and the spinal cord.This report draws attention to the unusual presentation of a lymphoproliferative disease that escaped an extensive diagnostic evaluation during life.
SENSORY MANIFESTATIONS IN CHARCOT‐MARIE‐TOOTH DISEASE
Authors: Gemignani F. , Ferraris A. , Alfieri S. , Bellanova M.F. , Marbini A. 
Published: July 2002

Although positive sensory symptoms are classically considered a hallmark of acquired neuropathies, sensory manifestations, in particular, pain, are not uncommon in Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT).We investigated the occurrence of sensory manifestations in 35 CMT patients (15 with CMT1, 20 with CMT2).Positive sensory manifestations were reported by 18 patients (51%), and were prominent in 7 patients (20%), representing an onset symptom and/or a main feature. Non‐neuropathic (musculo‐skeletal) pain was also frequent, occurring in 48% of patients. Comparison between CMT1 and CMT2 showed that positive sensory symptoms were significantly more frequent in CMT2 (70% versus 27%; p = 0.018), representing a prominent clinical feature in 25% of CMT2 patients. Non‐neuropathic pain was more frequent in CMT1 (60%) than in CMT2 patients (40%), and represented an onset symptom and/or a main feature in 33% and 25% of patients, respectively.Sensory manifestations in CMT seem more frequent than previously thought, however their frequency may be different in the genetic subtypes of the disease. The occurrence of positive symptoms in CMT2 raises diagnostic problems with regard to acquired axonal neuropathies, and, in particular, chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP). Sensory symptoms, in particular, pain, may represent an important issue in the management of CMT patients, especially in a physical medicine approach.
TAXOL NEUROTOXICITY: CELLULAR MECHANISMS INVOLVED IN APOPTOSIS
Authors: Nicolini G. , Saccomanno D. , Scuteri A. , Rigamonti L. , Galbiati S. , Miloso M. , Cavaletti G. , Tredici G. 
Published: July 2002

The antineoplastic drug paclitaxel (Taxol™) is neurotoxic on the peripheral nervous system. Both activity and neurotoxicity of paclitaxel are due to enhancement in tubulin polymerization. In addition, it has been demonstrated that paclitaxel induces gene expression. To elucidate the signal transduction pathways involved in paclitaxel neurotoxicity we studied in vitro the effect(s) of paclitaxel on the human neuroblastoma (HN) SH‐SY5Y cells, which express genes associated with neuronal differentiation and may be considered neuroblasts at various stages of maturation.The exposure of SH‐SY5Y cells to paclitaxel produces apoptosis, as demonstrated with Annexin V assay and orange acridin staining. Electron microscopy showed typical condensation of nuclear chromatin with normal nuclear membrane. DNA electrophoresis confirmed the occurrence of apoptosis by demonstrating the typical laddering.We studied regulator proteins as Bcl‐2 and c‐raf, and investigated the classes of caspases activated in this process by immunoblotting. We observed that 1μM paclitaxel induces a simultaneous phosphorylation of c‐raf and Bcl‐2, thus causing Bcl‐2 inactivation. Caspase 3, which is commonly present and activated in the nervous cells, was not activated, while paclitaxel‐induced apoptotic process in SH‐SY5Y cells is induced by activation of caspase 7. The involvement of caspase 7 is also confirmed by the same pattern of cleavage of PARP. Finally, we also studied MAPKs, a family of serine/threonine kinases that represent key signaling proteins known to be involved in many cellular events, including apoptosis.Our results indicate that paclitaxel does not activate ERK cascade, whereas it induces JNK/SAPK and p38 phosphorylation, suggesting that these specific pathways are involved in the cell‐death induced by paclitaxel.