AIM: To clarify the effect of SEN virus (SENV) infection on a combination therapy including interferon alfa (IFN-α) or pegylated-IFN with ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis and the effect of a combination t...AIM: To clarify the effect of SEN virus (SENV) infection on a combination therapy including interferon alfa (IFN-α) or pegylated-IFN with ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis and the effect of a combination therapy on SENV.METHODS: SENV DNA was determined by polymerase chain reaction in serum samples from 95 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Quantitative analysis was done for SENV H DNA.RESULTS: Twenty-one (22%) of 95 patients were positive for SENV DNA. There was no difference in clinical and biochemical parameters between patients with HCV infection alone and coinfected patients. The sustained response rate for HCV clearance after combination therapy did not differ between patients with SENV (52%) and without SENV(50%, n.s.). SENV DNA was undetectable in 76% of the initially SENV positive patients at the end of follow-up. SENV H response to combination therapy was significantly correlated with SENV DNA level (P=-0.05).CONCLUSION: SENV infection had no influence on the HCV sustained response rate to the combination therapy.Response rate of SENV to the combination therapy depends on SENV DNA level.展开更多
Since the end of the Cold War, the power comparison between the United States and Russia in the Middle East has been"strong US, weak Russia". But since sending troops into Syria on September 30 of 2015,Russi...Since the end of the Cold War, the power comparison between the United States and Russia in the Middle East has been"strong US, weak Russia". But since sending troops into Syria on September 30 of 2015,Russia has taken a forceful position of involvement in the Middle East and achieved fruitful results, not only boosting its military presence in the Middle East, but also greatly increasing its political influence. Russia is now an important external force influencing political changes in the Middle East.Since taking office as US president, Donald Trump has changed the policy of strategic contraction pursued by his predecessor Barack Obama in the Middle East, taking a proactive rather than a stiff approach to further intensify contention with Russia in a bid to reshape and consolidate its position as a top dog in the Middle East. US-Russia contention has led to new geopolitical divisions and realignment as well as profound and complicated changes in geopolitical structure in the Middle East, thus perpetuating US-Russia contention, as the two countries will lock themselves in fierce contention over regional dominance on both military and political battlegrounds.展开更多
The goal of autonomous language learning is to create an atmosphere where learners take charge of their own learning. Creating this atmosphere encounters various challenges which are partially context-specific. Influe...The goal of autonomous language learning is to create an atmosphere where learners take charge of their own learning. Creating this atmosphere encounters various challenges which are partially context-specific. Influenced by the learning environment, learnners of different educational contexts vary in their degree of autonomy. The present study examines the impact of the learning environment on learner autonomy at higher education. The study focuses on the differences between Polish and Yemeni EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners with respect to their autonomy in language learning. A questionnaire was distributed to a total of 140 (59 Polish and 81 Yemeni) undergraduate learners. The questionnaire was coded into seven categories: beliefs and attitudes, planning, management, self-regulation, sources and materials, in-class responsibility, and out-of-class responsibility. Data were analysed quantitatively via SPSS (Statistical Product and Service Solutions). Independent Sample t-Test is used to investigate the differences between Polish and Yemein learners and Pearson Correlation is used to perform correlational analysis among the seven categories. The results show significant differences between Polish and Yemeni learners in some of the categories as well as a significant correlation among other categories展开更多
This article combines both a review of the literature and original data from our research. The comparative efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) traits Bollgard, Bollgard II, WideStrike, and non-Bt expressin...This article combines both a review of the literature and original data from our research. The comparative efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) traits Bollgard, Bollgard II, WideStrike, and non-Bt expressing cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., for control of the noctuid complex of bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie); fall armyworm, Spodopterafrugiperda (J.E. Smith); beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Htibner); and cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hiibner), were evaluated in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas during 2005-2009. Noctuid larval survival and damage to leaves on non-Bt cotton were 3.6-fold greater than on Bollgard II or WideStrike cotton and 1.5-fold greater than on cotton varieties with the Bollgard trait. Transgenic cotton has reduced the need for conventional insecticides with benefits to human health and the environment. The revenue differences between Bt and conventional cotton for last four years in LRGV of Texas was 214.35/ha and profit about 94.95/ha. We also analyzed cotton noctuid losses between Bt and conventionally grown cotton in the USA summary of all states and Texas summary of all regions.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of massage versus ear acupuncture on behavior and participation in occupational therapy of dementia patients. METHODS: We performed a controlled, randomized longitudinal trial approved ...OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of massage versus ear acupuncture on behavior and participation in occupational therapy of dementia patients. METHODS: We performed a controlled, randomized longitudinal trial approved by the Bioethics Commission of the University of Extremadura. One hundred twenty elderly subjects with dementia institutionalized in residential homes in Extremadura (Spain) received treatment based on massage and ear acupuncture over three months. Behavior alterations, sleep disturbance, and participation in rehabilitation and eating were assessed every month during the three months of intervention, and at one and two months of follow-up after the end of treatment. The assessment was performed through a structured questionnaire with closed format ques-tions done by an occupational therapist not involved in the study. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant positive effect of massage and ear acupuncture (P< 0.001) on measured variables in the third month of intervention, which were maintained at two months after completing the treatment (P<0.021), when compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Massage therapy and ear acupuncture can improve behavior and sleep disturbances, and increase the participation in eating and rehabilitation organized in residential homes, in dementia patients.展开更多
文摘AIM: To clarify the effect of SEN virus (SENV) infection on a combination therapy including interferon alfa (IFN-α) or pegylated-IFN with ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis and the effect of a combination therapy on SENV.METHODS: SENV DNA was determined by polymerase chain reaction in serum samples from 95 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Quantitative analysis was done for SENV H DNA.RESULTS: Twenty-one (22%) of 95 patients were positive for SENV DNA. There was no difference in clinical and biochemical parameters between patients with HCV infection alone and coinfected patients. The sustained response rate for HCV clearance after combination therapy did not differ between patients with SENV (52%) and without SENV(50%, n.s.). SENV DNA was undetectable in 76% of the initially SENV positive patients at the end of follow-up. SENV H response to combination therapy was significantly correlated with SENV DNA level (P=-0.05).CONCLUSION: SENV infection had no influence on the HCV sustained response rate to the combination therapy.Response rate of SENV to the combination therapy depends on SENV DNA level.
文摘Since the end of the Cold War, the power comparison between the United States and Russia in the Middle East has been"strong US, weak Russia". But since sending troops into Syria on September 30 of 2015,Russia has taken a forceful position of involvement in the Middle East and achieved fruitful results, not only boosting its military presence in the Middle East, but also greatly increasing its political influence. Russia is now an important external force influencing political changes in the Middle East.Since taking office as US president, Donald Trump has changed the policy of strategic contraction pursued by his predecessor Barack Obama in the Middle East, taking a proactive rather than a stiff approach to further intensify contention with Russia in a bid to reshape and consolidate its position as a top dog in the Middle East. US-Russia contention has led to new geopolitical divisions and realignment as well as profound and complicated changes in geopolitical structure in the Middle East, thus perpetuating US-Russia contention, as the two countries will lock themselves in fierce contention over regional dominance on both military and political battlegrounds.
文摘The goal of autonomous language learning is to create an atmosphere where learners take charge of their own learning. Creating this atmosphere encounters various challenges which are partially context-specific. Influenced by the learning environment, learnners of different educational contexts vary in their degree of autonomy. The present study examines the impact of the learning environment on learner autonomy at higher education. The study focuses on the differences between Polish and Yemeni EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners with respect to their autonomy in language learning. A questionnaire was distributed to a total of 140 (59 Polish and 81 Yemeni) undergraduate learners. The questionnaire was coded into seven categories: beliefs and attitudes, planning, management, self-regulation, sources and materials, in-class responsibility, and out-of-class responsibility. Data were analysed quantitatively via SPSS (Statistical Product and Service Solutions). Independent Sample t-Test is used to investigate the differences between Polish and Yemein learners and Pearson Correlation is used to perform correlational analysis among the seven categories. The results show significant differences between Polish and Yemeni learners in some of the categories as well as a significant correlation among other categories
文摘This article combines both a review of the literature and original data from our research. The comparative efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) traits Bollgard, Bollgard II, WideStrike, and non-Bt expressing cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., for control of the noctuid complex of bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie); fall armyworm, Spodopterafrugiperda (J.E. Smith); beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Htibner); and cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hiibner), were evaluated in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas during 2005-2009. Noctuid larval survival and damage to leaves on non-Bt cotton were 3.6-fold greater than on Bollgard II or WideStrike cotton and 1.5-fold greater than on cotton varieties with the Bollgard trait. Transgenic cotton has reduced the need for conventional insecticides with benefits to human health and the environment. The revenue differences between Bt and conventional cotton for last four years in LRGV of Texas was 214.35/ha and profit about 94.95/ha. We also analyzed cotton noctuid losses between Bt and conventionally grown cotton in the USA summary of all states and Texas summary of all regions.
文摘OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of massage versus ear acupuncture on behavior and participation in occupational therapy of dementia patients. METHODS: We performed a controlled, randomized longitudinal trial approved by the Bioethics Commission of the University of Extremadura. One hundred twenty elderly subjects with dementia institutionalized in residential homes in Extremadura (Spain) received treatment based on massage and ear acupuncture over three months. Behavior alterations, sleep disturbance, and participation in rehabilitation and eating were assessed every month during the three months of intervention, and at one and two months of follow-up after the end of treatment. The assessment was performed through a structured questionnaire with closed format ques-tions done by an occupational therapist not involved in the study. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant positive effect of massage and ear acupuncture (P< 0.001) on measured variables in the third month of intervention, which were maintained at two months after completing the treatment (P<0.021), when compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Massage therapy and ear acupuncture can improve behavior and sleep disturbances, and increase the participation in eating and rehabilitation organized in residential homes, in dementia patients.