The different uses of the pronoun ‘we’ by EFL teachers in classroom interaction

The pronoun ‘we’ is understood only to refer to the first-person plural. In fact, the pronoun ‘we’ can also refer to other references. The primary purpose of this study is to examine the different uses of the pronoun ‘we’ by EFL teachers in classroom interaction. This study employed a qualitative approach by using three instruments: observation, audio-recorder, and interview in collecting the data. The subjects of this research are two English teachers and the second-grade students at a vocational high school in Makassar. The data were analyzed by formulating Miles et al.’s method of analysis. The result of this study shows that, in classroom interaction, the pronoun ‘we’ can refer to six distinct references: (1) ‘we’ that refers to speaker and more than one addressee, (2) ‘we’ that refers to speaker and more than one-third party, (3) ‘we’ that refers to speaker and indefinite group, (4) ‘we’ that indicates ‘you’, (5) ‘we’ that indicates ‘I’, and (6) ‘we’ that indicates “they”. From the interviews, the researchers found that both teachers have different reasons for using the pronoun ‘we’ in classroom interaction. The first teacher intends to use the pronoun to help him create an enjoyable learning environment and establish better relationships with the students. In contrast, the other teacher uses the pronoun ‘we’ to show politeness to the students. Despite the differences, they both seem to have the same intention of creating a positive learning environment.

Light Treatment for Healing Burns

This research aims to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the healing of the burn for the mouse. Four mouses are divided into 4 groups. Group 1, 2, 3 are irradiated by a wavelength of 532nm, 850nm, and 940nm. Group 4 is a control group that has a natural recovery. Low-level laser therapy makes the regenerative process, healing occurs faster, and rehabilitation of mouse activity during treatment.

The Clinical Impact of Combining Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio with Sarcopenia for Improved Discrimination of Progression-Free Survival in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of combined sarcopenia and inflammation classification (CSIC) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The skeletal muscle index (SMI) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were measured in 1270 patients who underwent surgery between January 2005 and April 2014. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the correlation of sarcopenia, NLR, and CSIC, with progression-free survival (PFS). The integrated area under the curve (iAUC) was used to compare the discriminatory performance of each model. Using the cut-off values for SMI suggested by Martin et al. and for an NLR of 2.26, the CSIC was defined as follows: nonsarcopenia with low NLR (group 1), nonsarcopenia with high NLR (group 2), sarcopenia with low NLR (group 3), and sarcopenia with high NLR (group 4). Sarcopenia alone was not statistically significant. Multivariate analysis identified that CSIC (group 4 vs. group 1; hazard ratio (HR), 1.726; 95% CI, 1.130–2.634; p = 0.011) and NLR (HR, 1.600; 95% CI, 1.203–2.128; p = 0.001) were independently associated with PFS. The CSIC improved the prediction accuracy of PFS compared with NLR (iAUC mean difference = 0.011; 95% CI, 0.0018–0.028). In conclusion, the combination of sarcopenia and NLR could improve prognostic accuracy, and thus compensate for the limitation of sarcopenia.

Co-Administration of Clomiphene Citrate and Letrozole in Mild Ovarian Stimulation Versus Conventional Controlled Ovarian Stimulation Among POSEIDON Group 4 Patients

This retrospective study assessed the effect of the co-administration of clomiphene citrate (CC) and letrozole in mild ovarian stimulation, compared to conventional regimens, among Patient-Oriented Strategies Encompassing Individualized Oocyte Number (POSEIDON) Group 4 patients. There were 114 POSEIDON Group 4 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments with 216 stimulation cycles recruited from a Taiwan’s reproductive center during 2016-2020. Main outcomes were the numbers, quality of retrieved oocytes and embryo development. Pregnancy outcomes were assessed after embryo transfers. Per stimulation cycle, patients receiving mild stimulation with a combination of CC and letrozole (study group) versus those with COS (control group) had lower numbers of pre-ovulatory follicles (2.00 ± 1.23 vs. 2.37 ± 1.23, p=0.0066) and oocytes retrieved (1.83 ± 1.17 vs. 2.37 ± 1.23, p=0.0017), and lower follicular output rate (58.6% vs. 68.38%, p=0.0093) and mature oocyte output rate (44.29% vs. 52.88%, p=0.0386) but a higher top-quality metaphase II oocyte ratio (66.7% vs. 54.59%, p=0.0444) and a similar fertilization rate (91.67% vs. 89.04%, p=0.4660). With adjustment for significant between-group baseline differences using multivariable logistic generalized estimating equation model analyses, there was no statistical difference in oocytes retrieved and embryo development between the study and control groups, and insignificant increases in successful pregnancies in the study group were found compared to the control group (i.e., odds ratios [95% CIs]: 1.13 [0.55, 232] and 1.50 [0.65, 3.49] for ongoing pregnancy and live birth, respectively). For POSEIDON Group 4 patients, cotreatment of CC and letrozole in mild stimulation may increase the high-quality oocyte ratio and yield comparable fertilization rate and pregnancy outcomes.

Effect of cogon grass root ethanol extract on fatty acid binding protein 4 and oxidative stress markers in a sepsis mouse model

Background: Sepsis causes several immunological and metabolic alterations that induce oxidative stress. The modulation of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) has been shown to worsen this condition. Extract of cogon grass root (ECGR) contains flavonoids and isoeugenol compounds that exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to assess the effects of ECGR on FABP4 and oxidative stress–related factors in a sepsis mouse model. Methods: Twenty-nine male mice (Mus musculus) of the Deutsche Denken Yoken strain were divided into four groups: group 1, control; group 2, mice treated with 10 μL/kg body weight (BW) lipopolysaccharide (LPS); and groups 3 and 4, mice pre-treated with 90 and 115 mg/kg BW, respectively, and then treated with 10 μL/kg BW LPS for 14 d. Blood, liver, lymph, and cardiac tissue samples were collected and subjected to histological and complete blood examinations. Antioxidant (Glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) and superoxide dismutase), FABP4 levels, and immune system-associated biomarker levels (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β ) were measured. Results: Significant increases in platelet levels (p = 0.03), cardiomyocyte counts (p =0.004), and hepatocyte counts (p = 0.0004) were observed in group 4 compared with those in group 2. Conversely, compared with those in group 2, there were significant decreases in TNF-α expression in group 3 (p = 0.004), white pulp length and width in group 4 (p = 0.001), FABP4 levels in groups 3 and 4 (p = 0.015 and p = 0.012, respectively), lymphocyte counts in group 4 (p = 0.009), and monocyte counts (p = 0.000) and polymorphonuclear cell counts in the livers (p = 0.000) and hearts (p = 0.000) of groups 3 and 4. GPx3 activity was significantly higher in group 3 than in group 1 (p = 0.04). Conclusions: ECGR reduces FABP4 level and modulating oxidative stress markers in sepsis mouse model.

The Effect of Anabasis articulata Stems Extract on Lowering Intraocular Pressure in the Glaucoma Rat Model(Conference Paper )#

High intraocular pressure (IOP) is a recognized risk factor for glaucoma and optic nerve injury, and it is one of the primary causes of vision loss globally. Anabasis articulata (AA) is a desert plant found in Iraq. The extract of AA is used to cure diabetes, fever, eczema, and kidney infections. The aim of the study is to evaluate the antioxidant effect of methanol extract of AA on intraocular pressure in the glaucoma rat model. Forty-two rats were allocated into seven groups, each with six animals:: group 1 (normal), group 2 (control), in which animals were induced to have elevated IOP by betamethasone suspension injection, groups 3,4 and 5 for evaluating the effect of 50,100 and 150 mg/kg/day of the tested extract, respectively, and the remaining two groups (group 6 and 7) for evaluating oral acetazolamide and topical timolol 0.5% respectively. Betamethasone was used for the induction. Measure the IOP every 2 days for 2 weeks. The daily dose of AA extract (50 mg/kg/day) for 6 days significantly reduces intraocular pressure (p ? 0.05), from (34.23± 0.58) to (32.83± 1.38) mmHg when compared with the control group. In group 4, IOP decreased significantly from (35.5±1.37) to (31.35±0.40) mmHg (p ? 0.05) after 1 week of treatment. In group 5, the significant (p? 0.001) IOP reduction from (35.66±0.39) to (31.88±0.74) mmHg started on day 6 and continued until the end of the experiment, reaching (24.53±0.53) mmHg (p? 0.001). The antioxidant and anti-angiogenic properties of AA make it a promising adjuvant treatment for glaucoma.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Salvages Critical Limb Ischemia in B6 Mice through Upregulating Cell Proliferation Signaling and Angiogenesis

(1) This study tests hypothesis whether extracorporeal shock wave (ECSW) therapy effectively salvages mouse critical limb ischemia (CLI). In vitro result demonstrated that the angiogenesis parameters (i.e., tubular length/cluster/network formation) and protein expressions of EGFR/VEGFR2/RAS/c-Raf/MEK/ERK/VEGF/p-PI3K/p-Akt/p-m-TOR were significantly and progressively increased with stepwise augmentation of ECSW energy (0.1/0.14/0.20 mJ/mm2/140 impulses). On the other hand, they were suppressed by administration of Avastin (20 μM). Adult male B6 mice (n = 24) were equally categorized into group 1 (sham-operated control), group 2 (CLI), group 3 [CLI + ECSW (0.12 mJ/mm2/120 impulses/at days 1/3/7 after CLI induction)] and group 4 [CLI + ECSW (0.12 mJ/mm2/120 impulses) + Avastin (1 mg/intramuscular-injection)] at days 1/3/7 after CLI induction] and quadriceps were harvested by day 14. The laser Doppler result showed that the ratio of left (ischemia) to right (normal) limb blood flow was highest in group 1, lowest in group 2, and significantly higher in group 3 than in group 4 by days 7/14 after the CLI procedure (p < 0.0001). The protein expressions of cell proliferation/migration/angiogenesis receptors (EGFR/VEGFR2), angiogenesis biomarkers (VEGF/CXCR4/SDF-1) and cell proliferation/growth/survival (Ras/c-Raf/MEK/ERK)/(PI3K/Akt/m-TOR) and cell motility/proliferation (p-FAK/p-Scr) signaling biomarkers were significantly higher in group 3 than in groups 1/2/4, and significantly lower in group 1 than in groups 2/4, but they did not show a difference between groups 2 and 4 (all p < 0.001). The small vessel density and cellular levels of endothelial cell surface marker (CD31+) exhibited an identical pattern of blood flow, whereas the angiogenesis (CXCR4+/VEGF+) displayed an identical pattern of VEGFR2 among the groups (all p < 0.0001). The in vitro and in vivo studies found ECSW salvaged the CLI mainly through upregulating Ras-Raf-MEK/ERK/cell motility, cell proliferation/growth pathways and angiogenesis.

Ex Vivo Chemosensitivity Profiling of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Its Correlation With Clinical Response and Outcome to Chemotherapy

We evaluated the predictive value of the ex-vivo PharmaFlow PM platform in measuring the pharmacological activity of drug combinations consisting of 20 different chemotherapy regimens (20 Tx) administered in 104 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. The predicted sensitivities of alternative treatments for each patient were ranked in five 20% categories, from resistant to sensitive (Groups 1–5). The complete remission (CR) rates of the five groups were 0%, 12.5%, 38.5%, 50.0%, and 81.3%, respectively. The heat map showed a good relationship between drug sensitivity with CR (Group 4 + 5 vs. Group 1 + 2+3: 77.5% vs. 27.3%, p = 0.002) and the European Leukemia Net risk group (22.6% vs. 63.6%, p = 0.015). The predicted coincidence rate was 90.9% in Group 1 + 2 and 81.3% in Group 5. According to the recommendations of the PharmaFlow PM platform, the CR rate would have increased by about 16.3% in one cycle. The overall survival (OS) was shorter in patients predicted to be resistant (Group 1 + 2 vs. Group 3 + 4+5, p = 0.086). In multivariable analysis, CR after one cycle was an independent prognostic factor for OS [p = 0.001; 95% CI 0.202 (0.080–0.511)], and ex-vivo chemosensitivity was a potential predictive factor for OS [p = 0.078; 95% CI 0.696 (0.465–1.041)]. To conclude, the PharmaFlow PM platform is a rapid and valuable tool for predicting clinical response and outcomes in AML patients.

Effect of a Combination of Rosa canina Fruits and Apple Cider Vinegar against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Toxicity in Experimental Animal Models

Oxidative stress is the trigger of several diseases. It is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and antioxidants. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and the protective property of Rosa canina fruits and apple cider vinegar combined or not against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced toxicity in Wistar rats. The experiment included five groups: group 1 received distilled water (10 mL/kg b.wt), group 2 received H2O2 10% (10 mL/kg b.wt), group 3 received H2O2 10% (10 mL/kg b.wt) and apple vinegar (2 mL/kg b.wt); group 4 received H2O2 10% (10 mL/kg b.wt) and apple vinegar supplemented with Rosa canina fruits extract (300 mg/kg b.wt); group 5 received H2O2 10% (10 mL/kg b.wt) and extract of Rosa canina fruits (300 mg/kg b.wt). The doses were given once daily via a gavage. The antioxidant capacity of apple vinegar and Rosa canina extract was analyzed, and AST, ALT, PAL, urea, and creatinine were determined on day 22 of the experiment. In addition, the kidney and the liver tissues were analyzed. The results showed that H2O2 caused a significant elevation of blood urea, blood creatinine, and transaminases. The histopathology examination revealed that H2O2 caused congestion, hemorrhage, and Bowman’s space enlarged. On the other hand, the results clearly showed that apple vinegar and Rosa canina fruits counterbalance the biochemical and histological changes induced by H2O2. In conclusion, the two natural products studied in this work are effective against the harmful effect of oxidative stress, which explains their use in traditional medicine.