Currently, the use of virtual reality (VR) is being widely applied in different fields, especially in computer science, engineering, and medicine. Concretely, the engineering applications based on VR ...cover approximately one half of the total number of VR resources (considering the research works published up to last year, 2016). In this paper, the capabilities of different computational software for designing VR applications in engineering education are discussed. As a result, a general flowchart is proposed as a guide for designing VR resources in any application. It is worth highlighting that, rather than this study being based on the applications used in the engineering field, the obtained results can be easily extrapolated to other knowledge areas without any loss of generality. This way, this paper can serve as a guide for creating a VR application.
Functional Genomics for Plant Breeding 3.0 Maghuly, Fatemeh; Cruz-Rubio, José Manuel
International journal of molecular sciences,
02/2024, Volume:
25, Issue:
4
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Functional genomics, as a scientific discipline, has significantly transformed the landscape of plant breeding in recent years ....
Abstract Objective To determine the mortality, survival, and causes of death in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) through a meta-analysis of the observational studies published up to 2013. ...Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the observational studies in patients with SSc and mortality data from entire cohorts published in MEDLINE and SCOPUS up to July 2013. Results A total of 17 studies were included in the mortality meta-analysis from 1964 to 2005 (mid-cohort years), with data from 9239 patients. The overall SMR was 2.72 (95% CI: 1.93–3.83). A total of 43 studies have been included in the survival meta-analysis, reporting data from 13,529 patients. Cumulative survival from onset (first Raynaud׳s symptom) has been estimated at 87.6% at 5 years and 74.2% at 10 years, from onset (non-Raynaud׳s first symptom) 84.1% at 5 years and 75.5% at 10 years, and from diagnosis 74.9% at 5 years and 62.5% at 10 years. Pulmonary involvement represented the main cause of death. Conclusions SSc presents a larger mortality than general population (SMR = 2.72). Cumulative survival from diagnosis has been estimated at 74.9% at 5 years and 62.5% at 10 years. Pulmonary involvement represented the main cause of death.
Hepatoprotective effect of silymarin Nancy Vargas-Mendoza Eduardo Madrigal-Santillán ngel Morales-González Jaime Esquivel-Soto Cesar Esquivel-Chirino Manuel García-Luna y González-Rubio Juan A Gayosso-de-Lucio José A Morales-González
World journal of hepatology,
03/2014, Volume:
6, Issue:
3
Journal Article
Open access
The use of medicinal plants in treating illnesses has been reported since ancestral times.In the case of hepatic diseases,several species such as Silybum marianum,Phyllanthus niruri,and Panus ...giganteus(Berk.)have been shown to ameliorate hepatic lesions.Silymarin is a natural compound derived from the species Silybum marianum,which is commonly known as Milk thistle.This plant contains at least seven flavoligands and the flavonoid taxifolin.The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of silymarin is caused by its ability to inhibit the free radicals that are produced from the metabolism of toxic substances such as ethanol,acetaminophen,and carbon tetrachloride.The generation of free radicals is known to damage cellular membranes and cause lipoperoxidation.Silymarin enhances hepatic glutathione and may contribute to the antioxidant defense of the liver.It has also been shown that silymarin increases protein synthesis in hepatocytes by stimulating RNA polymerase I activity.A previous study on humans reported that silymarin treatment caused a slight increase in the survival of patients with cirrhotic alcoholism compared with untreated controls.
Background
Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) may be achieved in various anatomical sites within the interventricular septum (IVS), thus influencing paced QRS duration (QRSd).The purpose of this study ...was to determine whether paced QRS axis (QRSâ) and predominant polarity in inferior leads could be associated with a shorter paced QRSd.
Methods
We analyzed paced QRSd, QRSâ, polarity in inferior leads, and IVS thickness in patients referred for LBBP. Three paced morphology patterns in the inferior leads were considered: All positive (P), all negative (N) and intermediate (combination of isoelectric, positive, and negative complexes, (I). Patients were divided into two groups according to a paced QRSd < 120 or ≥ 120 ms.
Results
A total of 125 patients were included (age 76 ± 10 years, 46% female). Mean baseline QRSâ was 8 ± 37°. Paced QRSd was significantly shorter as compared to baseline (120 ± 10 vs. 127 ± 33 ms; p = .017) and significantly different according to paced QRS morphology pattern in the inferior leads (P 49%, 119 ± 9; N 30%, 126 ± 12; I 21%; 113 ± 10 ms; p < .001) or paced QRSâ (Normal 59%, 116 ± 1; Right 6%, 129 ± 1; Left 35%, 124 ± 11 ms; p < .001). On multivariate analysis, a QRSâ > −30°(OR 5.79 2.40–13.93; 95% CI p = .001), an Intermediate pattern in inferior leads (OR 3.00 1.67–8.43; 95% CI p = .037), and an IVS thickness ≤ 10 mm (OR 2.59 1.10–6.10; 95% CI; p = .029) were significantly associated with a paced QRSd < 120 ms.
Conclusions
During LBBP, a QRSâ > −30° and intermediate final polarity in inferior leads are associated with a shorter paced QRSd.
Review of natural products with hepatoprotective effects Eduardo Madrigal-Santillán Eduardo Madrigal-Bujaidar Isela álvarez-González María Teresa Sumaya-Martínez José Gutiérrez-Salinas Mirandeli Bautista ángel Morales-González Manuel García-Luna y González-Rubio J Leopoldo Aguilar-Faisal José A Morales-González
World journal of gastroenterology : WJG,
10/2014, Volume:
20, Issue:
40
Journal Article
Open access
The liver is one of the most important organs in the body,performing a fundamental role in the regulationof diverse processes,among which the metabolism,secretion,storage,and detoxification of ...endogenous and exogenous substances are prominent.Due to these functions,hepatic diseases continue to be among the main threats to public health,and they remain problems throughout the world.Despite enormous advances in modern medicine,there are no completely effective drugs that stimulate hepatic function,that offer complete protection of the organ,or that help to regenerate hepatic cells.Thus,it is necessary to identify pharmaceutical alternatives for the treatment of liver diseases,with the aim of these alternatives being more effective and less toxic.The use of some plants and the consumption of different fruits have played basic roles in human health care,and diverse scientific investigations have indicated that,in those plants and fruits so identified,their beneficial effects can be attributed to the presence of chemical compounds that are called phytochemicals.The present review had as its objective the collecting of data based on research conducted into some fruits(grapefruit,cranberries,and grapes)and plantscactus pear(nopal)and cactus pear fruit,chamomile,silymarin,and spirulina,which are consumed frequently by humans and which have demonstrated hepatoprotective capacity,as well as an analysis of a resin(propolis)and some phytochemicals extracted from fruits,plants,yeasts,and algae,which have been evaluated in different models of hepatotoxicity.
Background Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease in which IL-17 and IL-22 levels are markedly increased in the skin and blood. The prevalent concept, using skin cells that are isolated from ...psoriatic plaques and examined after cell expansion and in vitro stimulation, is that IL-17 and IL-22 production essentially results from T cells and the rare type 3 innate lymphoid cells. Objective We sought to examine the cellular source of IL-17A and IL-22 at the protein and transcriptional single-cell level immediately after ex vivo skin cell isolation from psoriatic plaques. Methods Skin biopsy specimens were collected from patients with psoriasis, as well as from patients with atopic dermatitis. Cell suspensions were prepared by combining mild enzymatic digestion and mechanical dissociation and analyzed for cytokine expression without prior in vitro culture and stimulation. Expression of IL-17 and IL-22 was quantified at the protein and mRNA single-cell level by using flow cytometry. Results IL-22 is predominantly expressed by CD3− c-Kit+ cells relative to CD3+ T cells in lesional skin of patients with psoriasis and patients with atopic dermatitis. Strikingly, we identified c-Kit+ FcεRI+ mast cells as major IL-22 producers. The proportion of mast cells that produce IL-22 ranges from 20% to 80% in patients with psoriasis or those with atopic dermatitis. Skin mast cells express IL-22 and IL-17 mRNA. Conversely, IL-17–producing T cells outnumber IL-17–producing mast cells, which also express IL-17 receptor. Conclusion Human skin mast cells are previously unrecognized IL-22 producers. We further established that skin mast cells express IL-17. Thus mast cells might play an important role in the physiopathology of chronic inflammatory skin disorders.
The rapid advance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in recent times and the current pandemic caused by COVID-19 have profoundly transformed society and the economy in most of the ...world. The education sector has benefited from this ICT-driven revolution, which has provided and expanded multiple new tools and teaching methods that did not exist just a few decades ago. In light of this technological change, virtual laboratories (VLs) based on the use of virtual reality (VR) have emerged, which are increasingly used to facilitate the teaching–learning process in a wide range of training activities, both academic and professional types. The set of advantages offered by this type of VL, the main of which are listed in this article, has made its use increasingly common as support for engineering classes at universities. This paper presents a study involving 420 engineering students from Spanish and Portuguese universities and associated analyses on the assessment of different parameters in various VLs designed by the authors. The results obtained indicate that, in general, VR-based VLs are widely accepted and demanded by students, who likewise consider real laboratories (RLs) necessary in face-to-face teaching. In the current post-COVID-19 educational scenario, VLs and RLs will coexist within the new hybrid models that combine face-to-face and online teaching and learning.
AIM: To compare the need for infliximab dose intensification in two cohorts of patients with Crohn’s disease(CD) or ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS: Single centre, uncontrolled, observational study. ...Consecutive patients with CD and UC who responded to infliximab induction doses were included. Data collected in a prospectively maintained database were retrospectively analysed. Differences in the rates of dose intensification per patient-month and the intensification-free survival time were compared. We also evaluated the interval between the first infliximab induction dose and the first infliximab escalated dose. The weight-adjusted infliximab administration costs were also calculated.RESULTS: Fifty nine patients with CD and 38 patients with UC were enrolled. The rate of intensification per patient-month was 3.9% for UC and 1.4% for CD(P = 0.005). The median time from baseline to intensification was significantly shorter in UC compared to CD 6.6 mo(IQR: 4.2-9.5 mo) vs 10.7 mo(IQR: 8.9-11.7 mo), P = 0.005. In the survival analysis, the cumulative probability of avoiding infliximab dose intensification was significantly higher in CD(P = 0.002). In the multivariate analysis, disease(UC vs CD) was the only factor significantly associated with dose intensification. The infiximab administration costs during the first year were significantly higher for UC compared to CD(mean ± SD 234.9 ± 53.3 Euros/kg vs 212.3 ± 15.1 Euros/kg, P = 0.03).CONCLUSION: The rate of infliximab dose intensification per patient-month is significantly higher in UC patients. The infliximab administration costs are also significantly higher in patients with UC.
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