bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Sexual Health History Taking; A Cross-Sectional Study Among Undergraduate Medical Students of College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Oman
Authors: C.K. Raj Priyanka , Moin Faisal , Senthilvel Senthilvel , Ali Althaf , Dhaval Dhaval
Published: July 2022

Background: Sexual health has been recognised as an essential dimension of health. Therefore, sexual health training of health care providers assumes a significant role. The present study was conducted to assess the attitudes and perceptions of final-year medical students regarding sexual health history taking at a medical college in Oman. Methods: The present cross-sectional survey was conducted among 81 final-year medical students. Demographic characteristics, attitudes and perceptions of the participants regarding sexual health history taking were collected using a self-administered questionnaire after obtaining informed consent. Prior approval was obtained from the institutional research and ethics committee. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 20.0 Results: The mean age of the participants was 24.19 ± 1.03 years. Most of the participants (97.6%) opined that it was important for doctors to know how to elicit a sexual health history. Most of the participants were aware of their limitations in eliciting sexual health history and recognizing gender and cultural differences (67.9%) as barriers while communicating sexual health problems with the patients. About 50%of the participants responded that they had satisfactory understanding of sexual health (50.7%); a similar number had an adequate understanding of sexual health problems (53.1%). Majority (65.4 %) of the participants were interested in learning about sexual health. Conclusion: The present study revealed that medical students recognised the importance of sexual health history taking and their strengths and limitations regarding the same. The study revealed the barriers to effective communication between students and patients in matters of sexual health, which pave the way to improve teaching-learning programs and ultimately contribute to providing effective holistic health care.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Among Pharmacists Working at Alkarak Governorate, Jordan
Authors: Alnawaiseh Nedal Awad , AL-Oroud Ruba Yousef
Published: July 2022

Background: Pharmacovigilance (PV) is the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug related problem. Since adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are considered worldwide as one of the most common public health problems that affect all groups of patients; the assessment of healthcare providers' knowledge, attitude, and practice of PV and ADRs reporting will provide an in-depth look at the reasons behind the lack of reports. Objectives: This study aims to assess the overall knowledge, attitude, and practice of PV and ADRs reporting among pharmacists working at Alkarak Governorate, Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the period from 20th February till 20th April 2021. All employed pharmacists working at Alkarak Governorate were eligible to participate using a structured-interview based-questionnaire. The Bivariate correlation test with the Pearson's (r) was used to assess the correlations between metric variables, independent samples t-test and the one-way ANOVA tests were also applied. The SPSS IBM program version 21 and the Stand-Alone FACTOR program were used for the statistical data analysis. The level of significance was set to be ≤ 0.050. Results: The majority of the pharmacists were females (74.4%), most of respondents (84.9%) had a Bachelor's degree in pharmacy. The pharmacists showed a moderately overall knowledge of PV (58.7%), positive attitudes toward their perceived ADRs reporting importance (78%), and toward selective ADRs reporting (62.8%), a moderate effort exerted by those pharmacists regarding the practice of ADRs reporting process (55.8%). The main barrier was that pharmacists did not know how to report (72.1%). Conclusion: Pharmacists had a moderate PV and ADRs reporting knowledge on average. Positive attitudes toward perceived ADRs reporting importance and moderate level of agreement on focusing on the well-known and serious ADRs. The result denotes a moderate effort exerted by those pharmacists on ADRs reporting practices. Pharmacists faced a moderately high perceived difficulties and extra burden (barriers).
Supplementary information for "Water Productivity of Irrigated Tomatoes in Eastern Canada Based on AquaCrop Simulations"
Authors: Arumugagounder Thangaraju Naresh Kumar , Ihuoma Samuel , Madramootoo Chandra
Published: July 2022

The table presents the AquaCrop input dataset classified based on the source of input and the figure displays the seasonal crop Kc values obtained from the AquaCrop simulation for the tomato. 
Reclamant els continguts polítics de les accions rituals de Jordi Benito: liminaritat, abjecció i transició democràtica
Authors: Tur Víctor Ramírez
Published: July 2022

Jordi Benito va realitzar del 13 de juny del 1979 a la Fundació Joan Miró de Barcelona un conjunt d’accions que va reagrupar sota el nom de Sessions de Treball Performance. TRASA V=BPLWP 78 79. L’intens contingut violent d’aquestes performances ha estat apuntat anteriorment en relació amb estratègies rituals. Tanmateix, el present article, després d’una consulta exhaustiva de l’arxiu de l’artista —dipositat al Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona per part del Museu de Granollers el 2015—, i de l’ús d’una metodologia interdisciplinària que fa dialogar les teories de l’abjecció amb les de la performance i certes aproximacions de l’Antropologia religiosa d’arrel sociològica, persegueix reclamar els continguts polítics d’aquesta obra. D’aquesta manera, es pretén demostrar com les Sessions de Treball s’alcen com un document excepcional per a la visibilització i corporització del record i de la persistència de la violència en el context de la transició democràtica espanyola. L’obra de Benito d’aquest període permetrà, per això, confrontar tots aquells discursos que van apostar per una transició molt més amnèsica o celebratòria.
Relationship between the kernel size of a convolutional layer and the optical point spread function in ghost imaging using deep learning for identifying defect locations
Authors: Kataoka Shoma , Mizutani Yasuhiro , Uenohara Tsutomu , Takaya Yasuhiro , Matoba Osamu
Published: July 2022

We explore the contribution of convolutional neural networks to correcting for the effect of the point spread function (PSF) of the optics when applying ghost imaging (GI) combined with deep learning to identify defect positions in materials. GI can be accelerated by combining GI and deep learning. However, no method has been established for determining the relevant model parameters. A simple model with different kernel sizes was built. Its accuracy was evaluated for data containing the effects of different PSFs. Numerical analysis and empirical experiments demonstrate that the accuracy of defect identification improved by matching the kernel size with the PSF of the optics.
High-performance subwavelength polarizer using “sandwich” structured substrates
Authors: Zhao Jiangting , Zhao Donghua , Liu Wancheng , Cao Huiliang , Wang Chenguang , Tang Jun , Shen Chong , Liu Jun
Published: July 2022

A subwavelength polarizer based on “sandwich” structured substrates is proposed in this study. The proposed subwavelength polarizer consists of three layers of subwavelength aluminum wires and dielectric substrate. The designed structure achieves an extinction ratio (ER) greater than 90 dB in a 400–800 nm visible wavelength region, achieving a maximum ER of 135 dB at 750 nm. Our results demonstrate significant improvements over the conventional single- and double-grid polarizers in terms of an ER and spectral range coverage. The proposed subwavelength polarizer in this paper has great potential in polarimetric imaging, liquid crystal display, and other optical fields.
Network resonance can be generated independently at distinct levels of neuronal organization
Authors: Stark Eran , Levi Amir , Rotstein Horacio G.
Published: July 2022

Resonance is defined as maximal response of a system to periodic inputs in a limited frequency band. Resonance may serve to optimize inter-neuronal communication, and has been observed at multiple levels of neuronal organization. However, it is unknown how neuronal resonance observed at the network level is generated and how network resonance depends on the properties of the network building blocks. Here, we first develop a metric for quantifying spike timing resonance in the presence of background noise, extending the notion of spiking resonance for in vivo experiments. Using conductance-based models, we find that network resonance can be inherited from resonances at other levels of organization, or be intrinsically generated by combining mechanisms across distinct levels. Resonance of membrane potential fluctuations, postsynaptic potentials, and single neuron spiking can each be generated independently of resonance at any other level and be propagated to the network level. At all levels of organization, interactions between processes that give rise to low- and high-pass filters generate the observed resonance. Intrinsic network resonance can be generated by the combination of filters belonging to different levels of organization. Inhibition-induced network resonance can emerge by inheritance from resonance of membrane potential fluctuations, and be sharpened by presynaptic high-pass filtering. Our results demonstrate a multiplicity of qualitatively different mechanisms that can generate resonance in neuronal systems, and provide analysis tools and a conceptual framework for the mechanistic investigation of network resonance in terms of circuit components, across levels of neuronal organization.
SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and COVID-19 among 5 years-old Amazonian children and their association with poverty and food insecurity
Authors: Ferreira Marcelo U. , Giacomini Isabel , Sato Priscila M. , Lourenço Barbara H. , Nicolete Vanessa C. , Buss Lewis F. , Matijasevich Alicia , Castro Marcia C. , Cardoso Marly A. ,   for the MINA-Brazil Working Group
Published: July 2022

Background

The epidemiology of childhood SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related illness remains little studied in high-transmission tropical settings, partly due to the less severe clinical manifestations typically developed by children and the limited availability of diagnostic tests. To address this knowledge gap, we investigate the prevalence and predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection (either symptomatic or not) and disease in 5 years-old Amazonian children.

Methodology/Principal findings

We retrospectively estimated SARS-CoV-2 attack rates and the proportion of infections leading to COVID-19-related illness among 660 participants in a population-based birth cohort study in the Juruá Valley, Amazonian Brazil. Children were physically examined, tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies, and had a comprehensive health questionnaire administered during a follow-up visit at the age of 5 years carried out in January or June-July 2021. We found serological evidence of past SARS-CoV-2 infection in 297 (45.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 41.2–48.9%) of 660 cohort participants, but only 15 (5.1%; 95% CI, 2.9–8.2%) seropositive children had a prior medical diagnosis of COVID-19 reported by their mothers or guardians. The period prevalence of clinically apparent COVID-19, defined as the presence of specific antibodies plus one or more clinical symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell) reported by their mothers or guardians since the pandemic onset, was estimated at 7.3% (95% CI, 5.4–9.5%). Importantly, children from the poorest households and those with less educated mothers were significantly more likely to be seropositive, after controlling for potential confounders by mixed-effects multiple Poisson regression analysis. Likewise, the period prevalence of COVID-19 was 1.8-fold (95%, CI 1.2–2.6-fold) higher among cohort participants exposed to food insecurity and 3.0-fold (95% CI, 2.8–3.5-fold) higher among those born to non-White mothers. Finally, children exposed to household and family contacts who had COVID-19 were at an increased risk of being SARS-CoV-2 seropositive and–even more markedly–of having had clinically apparent COVID-19 by the age of 5 years.

Conclusions/Significance

Childhood SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-associated illness are substantially underdiagnosed and underreported in the Amazon. Children in the most socioeconomically vulnerable households are disproportionately affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease.
2-Deoxy-D-glucose and combined 2-Deoxy-D-glucose/albendazole exhibit therapeutic efficacy against Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces and experimental alveolar echinococcosis
Authors: Xin Qi , Lv Wei , Xu Yunxi , Luo Yumei , Zhao Caifang , Wang Bichen , Yuan Miaomiao , Li Huanping , Song Xiaoxia , Jing Tao
Published: July 2022

2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) is a glucose analog used as a promising anticancer agent. It exerts its effects by inhibiting the glycolytic energy metabolism to deplete cells of energy. The larval stage of Echinococcus relies on glycolysis for energy production. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of 2-DG against the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis. 2-DG exhibited significant time- and dose-dependent effects against in vitro cultured E. granulosus protoscoleces and E. multilocularis metacestodes. A daily oral administration of 500 mg/kg 2-DG in E. multilocularis-infected mice effectively reduced the weight of metacestodes. Notably, the combination treatment, either 2-DG (500 mg/kg/day) + albendazole (ABZ) (200 mg/kg/day) or 2-DG (500 mg/kg/day) + half-dose of ABZ (100 mg/kg/day), exhibited a potent therapeutic effect against E. multilocularis, significantly promoting the reduction of metacestodes weight compared with the administration of 2-DG or ABZ alone. Furthermore, the combination significantly promoted apoptosis of the cells of metacestodes and inhibited glycolysis in metacestodes, compared with the administration of 2-DG or ABZ alone. In conclusion, 2-DG exerts an effective activity against the larval stage of Echinococcus. Thus, it may be a promising anti-Echinococcus drug, and its combination with ABZ may provide a new strategy for the treatment of echinococcosis in humans.
Introducing riskCommunicator: An R package to obtain interpretable effect estimates for public health
Authors: Grembi Jessica A. , Rogawski McQuade Elizabeth T.
Published: July 2022

Common statistical modeling methods do not necessarily produce the most relevant or interpretable effect estimates to communicate risk. Overreliance on the odds ratio and relative effect measures limit the potential impact of epidemiologic and public health research. We created a straightforward R package, called riskCommunicator, to facilitate the presentation of a variety of effect measures, including risk differences and ratios, number needed to treat, incidence rate differences and ratios, and mean differences. The riskCommunicator package uses g-computation with parametric regression models and bootstrapping for confidence intervals to estimate effect measures in time-fixed data. We demonstrate the utility of the package using data from the Framingham Heart Study to estimate the effect of prevalent diabetes on the 24-year risk of cardiovascular disease or death. The package promotes the communication of public-health relevant effects and is accessible to a broad range of epidemiologists and health researchers with little to no expertise in causal inference methods or advanced coding.
Transitions and challenges for people with Parkinson’s and their family members: A qualitative study
Authors: Read Joy , Frost Rachael , Walters Kate , Tuijt Remco , Manthorpe Jill , Maydon Bev , Pigott Jennifer , Schrag Anette , Davies Nathan
Published: July 2022

Objective

To explore the experiences and challenges of people with Parkinson’s and their family members living in the community through the lens of their transitions to better understand the phases and changes in their lives.

Design

Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and analysed using codebook thematic analysis.

Setting/participants

Purposive sampling was used in primary and secondary healthcare services across Southern England in 2019 to recruit 21 people with Parkinson’s (aged between 45–89 years) and 17 family members (13 spouses and 4 adult children, aged between 26–79 years).

Results

Participants’ descriptions were classified in three main phases of transition from a place of health towards greater dependency on others: 1) ‘Being told you are a person with Parkinson’s’ (early), 2) ‘Living with Parkinson’s’ (mid), and 3) ‘Increasing dependency’ (decline). Seven sub-themes were identified to describe the transitions within these three phases: phase 1: receiving and accepting a diagnosis; navigating reactions; phase 2: changing social interactions and maintaining sense of self; information: wanting to know but not wanting to know; finding a place within the healthcare system; and 3: changes in roles and relationships; and increasingly dependent.

Conclusion

This study has identified points of change and means of supporting key transitions such as diagnosis, changes in social connections, and increased use of secondary healthcare services so that comprehensive, holistic, individualised and well-timed support can be put in place to maintain well-being.
Psychometric properties and cultural adaptation of “LifeConScale” -Life Conditions Scale for Adolescents
Authors: Sánchez-Hernando Beatriz , Gasch-Gallén Ángel , Antón-Solanas Isabel , Gea-Caballero Vicente , Gállego-Diéguez Javier , Sánchez-González Juan Luis , Santolalla-Arnedo Iván , Juárez-Vela Raúl , Durante Ángela
Published: July 2022

Promoting the adoption of healthy habits represents a great challenge for health and education professionals. In this sense, childhood and adolescence are propitious times for the acquisition and consolidation of behaviors and skills, being that numerous and different determinants act in the genesis of behavior. The purpose of this study was to test the Psychometric properties and cultural adaptation of “LifeConScale” -Life Conditions Scale for Adolescents-. A cross-sectional and multicenter study was carried out in a representative sample of adolescents enrolled in 1st and 2nd year of Compulsory Secondary Education in 18 educational centers in Aragon, during the 2018–2019 school year. Sociodemographic characteristics, life skills, daily habits, and academic performance were analyzed using an adapted questionnaire from different scales and previous studies. For the adaptation of the questionnaire, the expert panel technique was used and for its validation, exploratory factor analysis was carried out and Cronbach’s Alpha was applied, assessing the global internal consistency and of each one of the factors. The instrument showed a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin sample size adequacy of 0.8122. A 6-dimensional model was chosen that explained 75.25% of the variance. The goodness of fit obtained a value of 0.802 in the Nomed Fix Index. The Comparative Fit Index was 0.891. The result of the analysis of variances and covariances carried out according to the Standardized Root Mean Square Residual yielded a value of 0.093 The analysis showed excellent application conditions in the study population and construct validity. This instrument will be useful for the evaluation of educational programs that work to promote health in educational centers, such as Health Promoting Schools.
Performance of a prestressed efficiently prefabricated beam-column connection
Authors: Cai Jie , Jiang Yunlin , Li Shuyang
Published: July 2022

Analyzing the seismic performance and flexural capacity of beam-column joints is crucial in structural design phase. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the seismic performance and flexural capacity of precast prestressed efficiently fabricated frame (PPEFF) joints. Reverse cyclic load tests and flexural capacity analysis are conducted. The damage modes, hysteresis curves, skeleton curves, stiffness degradation, ductility, and energy dissipation capacity of five PPEFF joint specimens with different reinforcement rates of the energy-dissipating bars and shear reinforcement are obtained. The results show that the damage pattern of the specimen is ideal, i.e., the plastic hinge region at the end of the beam is severely damaged, whereas the remainder of the beam is slightly damaged. Increasing the reinforcement rate of the energy-consuming steel bars enhances the load capacity, energy dissipation capacity, and initial stiffness of the joint but reduces the ductility performance. The maximum change in ductility was 5.31 for the reinforcement rate of energy-consuming steel bars ranging from 0.38% to 0.59%. In addition, the flexural capacity of the PPEFF joint is evaluated, considering the influence of the shear steel on the yielding and ultimate states. An equation of the flexural capacity is derived. A good agreement is observed between the experimental and calculation results, verifying the correctness of the proposed flexural capacity equation.
Factors influencing abandoned farmland in hilly and mountainous areas, and the governance paths: A case study of Xingning City
Authors: Wu Minghua , Liu Guangsheng , She Siyang , Zhao Lesong
Published: July 2022

The current global pandemic has laid bare the importance of national food security to human survival. Many cultivated lands in the hilly, mountainous, and other marginalized areas have been abandoned on a large scale, resulting in a tremendous waste of agricultural resources, thereby threatening national food security. Here, we studied abandoned farmland in Xingning City, a mountainous area in northern Guangdong province. According to the "seeding—growing—harvesting" life cycle of cultivated plots, spatial superposition method and remote sensing change detection method were applied to identify abandoned arable land. Logistic regression model was used to reveal the influencing factors and occurrence mechanism of abandoned cropland at plot scale, and cluster analysis was used to discuss the classification and management strategies. Result showed that 16.83% of the cultivated land in the study area was severely abandoned, attributed to poor location, poor basic conditions, and fragmentation of the land. Further, the abandoned farmland was divided into output-driving type, cultivation condition-driving type, and plot-condition driving type. Based on these types, we proposed some countermeasures, such as adjusting agricultural structures, tamping agricultural infrastructures, strengthening land circulation, popularizing appropriate scale operations. These measures provide a reference to effectively curb abandoned farmland and improving the utilization efficiency of cultivated land, especially in recent years.
Frequent detection of functional hyposplenism via assessment of pitted erythrocytes in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis
Authors: Wehmeyer Malte H. , Sekhri Harsha , Wroblewski Raluca , Galante Antonio , Meyer Thomas , Lohse Ansgar W. , Schulze zur Wiesch Julian
Published: July 2022

Background

Asplenia or functional hyposplenism are risk factors for severe infections, and vaccinations against encapsulated bacteria are advised. There are only limited data regarding the spleen function of cirrhotic patients.

Methods

We evaluated spleen function in patients with liver cirrhosis, who were prospectively enrolled in this study. Spleen function was evaluated by the measurement of pitted erythrocytes. Functional hyposplenism was defined as a percentage of PE of >15%.

Results

117 patients, mean age 58.4 years and 61.5% (n = 72) male with liver cirrhosis were included. Functional hyposplenism was diagnosed in 28/117 patients (23.9%). Pitted erythrocytes correlated with albumin (p = 0.024), bilirubin (p<0.001), international normalized ratio (INR; p = 0.004), model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (p<0.001) and liver stiffness (p = 0.011). Patients with functional hyposplenism had higher MELD scores (median 13 vs. 10; p = 0.021), liver stiffness (46.4 kPa vs. 26.3 kPa; p = 0.011), INR (1.3 vs. 1.2; p = 0.008) and a higher Child-Pugh stage (Child C in 32.1% vs. 11.2%; p = 0.019) as compared to patients without functional hyposplenism. Functional hyposplenism was not associated with the etiology of cirrhosis. Importantly, 9/19 patients with Child C cirrhosis had functional hyposplenism.

Conclusion

A quarter of patients with liver cirrhosis and almost 50% of patients with Child C cirrhosis have functional hyposplenism. Functional hyposplenism is associated with poor liver function and the degree of portal hypertension, which is characterized by higher liver stiffness measurements in transient elastography.
Corporate social responsibility and corporate financialization—Based on information effect and reputation insurance effect
Authors: Lei Lei , Zheng Di , Chen XuDong
Published: July 2022

China has witnessed the trend of corporate financialization (CF) with some potential risks as the economy slows down its pace in the past decade. In this paper, we explore whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) could work as an information channel to restrain CF or as reputation insurance to promote CF. We find a significant positive relation between CSR and CF, especially for non-SOEs and enterprises with low ownership concentration and high CSR scores. It verifies that the reputation insurance effect by CSR outweighs the information effect and denies the opposite. The results prove robust in tests including sensitivity and endogeneity test. By expanding the scale and adding new aspects to the discussion about how CSR affects CF, this paper provides valuable empirical support to both theorists and practitioners.
Ellagic acid and cilostazol ameliorate amikacin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats by downregulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis
Authors: Saeed Zeinab Mahmoud , Khattab Monira Ismail , Khorshid Nadia Esmat , Salem Amal Elsayed
Published: July 2022

Amikacin (AK) has the largest spectrum of aminoglycosides. However, its use is constrained because of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Ellagic acid (EA) is a polyphenol present in plants. It has antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and antimutagenic characteristics. Cilostazol (CTZ) is a phosphodiesterase Ш inhibitor, it is a potent vasodilator and antiplatelet drug. CTZ has an inhibitory effect on reactive oxygen species and superoxide generation in addition to hydroxyl radicals scavenging action. This study determines whether EA and cilostazol have a protective effect against AK-induced nephrotoxicity. Forty-nine rats were divided into seven equal groups: control normal; AK 400 mg/kg; EA 10 mg/kg; CTZ 10 mg/kg; AK 400 mg/kg plus EA 10 mg/kg; AK 400 mg/kg plus CTZ 10 mg/kg; AK 400 mg/kg plus EA 10 mg/kg and CTZ 10 mg/kg. For seven days, drugs were administered using gavage one hour before intramuscular injection of AK. Twenty-four hours after the last AK dosage, blood samples were collected to determine blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. Kidneys were removed for histopathological examination and measurement of: malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), decreased glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), and Bcl-2 associated x protein (BAX). AK caused kidney damage, inflammatory mediator elevation, and oxidative stress and apoptotic markers. Rats receiving EA or CTZ indicated significant improvement in kidney function, decrease in oxidative stress and inflammation through NF-kB down-regulation and BAX expression. The combination of EA and CTZ showed a synergistic effect. In conclusion, EA and CTZ might play a beneficial role in preventing nephrotoxicity induced by AK partially by inhibition of tissue inflammation and apoptosis.
Practices of herbal management of malaria among trading mothers in Shai Osudoku District, Accra
Authors: Appiah Evans Osei , Appiah Stella , Oti-Boadi Ezekiel , Oppong-Besse Albert , Awuah Dorothy Baffour , Asiedu Priscilla Ofosuhemaa , Oti-Boateng Lt Emmanuel
Published: July 2022

Background

Malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity in the world. It is a significant health concern in most developing countries, including Ghana. Even though there are several orthodox medications used for decades in treating malaria effectively, a substantial number of individuals in developing countries are resorting to the use of herbs in the treatment of malaria. The study aim at exploring the practices of herbal management of malaria among trading mothers in Shai Osudoku District, Accra.

Methods

A qualitative approach with an exploratory, descriptive design was adopted in analyzing the research problem. Purposive sampling technique was used to select twenty (20) participants to partake in a face-face interview, guided by a semi-structured interview guide. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed by adopting content analysis.

Results

Two significant themes and seven subthemes were generated following the analysis of this study. The main themes were; preferences for herbal malaria treatment and the practices and effectiveness of herbal medicine used for malaria treatment. It was worth noting that the women’s cultural beliefs did not influence their preference for herbal malaria treatment. The main challenge associated with the herbal malaria treatment was inappropriate dosage specification.

Conclusion

This study discovered that several factors influenced participants’ preferences for malaria treatment. Participants further listed some traditional ways of treating malaria which implies that there is herbal malaria practice. However, literature in this area is inadequate, and most herbs lack specifications for use. It is therefore recommended that future research focus on scientific herbal malaria treatment. Also, regulating bodies should ensure that quality herbal drugs are sold for consumption.
Generation of a ceramide synthase 6 mouse lacking the DDRSDIE C-terminal motif
Authors: Kim Jiyoon , Pewzner-Jung Yael , Joseph Tammar , Ben-Dor Shifra , Futerman Anthony H.
Published: July 2022

The important membrane lipid, ceramide, is generated by a family of homologous enzymes, the ceramide synthases (CerSs), multi-spanning membrane proteins located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Six CerS isoforms exist in mammals with each using a subset of acyl-CoAs for (dihydro)ceramide synthesis. A number of mice have been generated in which one or other CerS has been genetically manipulated, including complete knock-outs, with each displaying phenotypes concomitant with the expression levels of the CerS in question and the presumed biological function of the ceramide species that it generates. We recently described a short C-terminal motif in the CerS which is involved in CerS dimer formation; deleting this motif had no effect on the ability of the CerS to synthesize ceramidein vitro. In the current study, we generated a CerS6 mouse using CRISPR-Cas9, in which the DDRSDIE motif was replaced by ADAAAIA. While levels of CerS6ADAAAIAexpression were unaffected in the CerS6ADAAAIAmouse, and CerS6ADAAAIAwas able to generate C16-ceramidein vitro, ceramide levels were significantly reduced in the CerS6ADAAAIAmouse, suggesting that replacing this motif affects an as-yet unknown mechanism of regulation of ceramide synthesis via the DDRSDIE motifin vivo. Crossing CerS6ADAAAIAmice with CerS5 null mice led to generation of viable mice in which C16-ceramide levels were reduced by up to 90%, suggesting that depletion of C16-ceramide levels is compensated for by other ceramide species with different acyl chain lengths.
Selección de beneficiarios para subsidio agrícola en El Salvador: modelo logit a la producción del maíz
Authors: Ayala Durán Carlos
Published: July 2022

La asignación eficiente de subsidios públicos en la agricultura se muestra como una meta fundamental a nivel internacional, teniendo incluso relación con los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible de las Naciones Unidas. Las ayudas públicas a este sector se tornan particularmente importantes en países latinoamericanos, en los que la actividad agraria continúa teniendo un peso significativo. Ante la importancia del programa público de subsidios para la producción de maíz en El Salvador, el presente texto evalúa si los criterios legales de acceso a esta iniciativa efectivamente se muestran determinantes para la selección de beneficiarios. De tal forma, se utilizó una regresión logística multi-variable para evaluar los determinantes estadísticos asociados a la recepción del beneficio público. Como variables explicativas, se utilizaron por una parte los requisitos legales establecidos por el Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, y por otro, variables demográficas ampliamente utilizadas internacionalmente en estudios similares. Los resultados muestran que, entre los requisitos formales, tan sólo el umbral de ingresos inferior al salario mínimo rural ($200 dólares estadounidenses) mostró un efecto significativo e inversamente relacionado a la recepción del subsidio (p. valor 0.024, OR= 0.287). Variables demográficas como edad o género resultaron determinantes, pese a no ser requisitos explícitos del programa. Ante las denuncias de actos de corrupción, se resalta la necesidad de contar con criterios objetivos, observables y evaluables para la asignación de este subsidio a nivel nacional. Adicionalmente, se torna cada vez más apremiante la investigación de ayudas públicas al sector agrícola utilizando muestras nacionales de amplio alcance.
Arte, botánica y género: sobre el manuscrito extraviado de Nancy Anne Kingsbury Wollstonecraft
Authors: Garrido Elisa
Published: July 2022

Nancy Anne Kingsbury Wollstonecraft (c.1791-1828) fue la autora de un extenso tratado botánico, realizado durante el siglo XIX, sobre las plantas y frutos de la isla de Cuba que nunca fue publicado. Aunque existían referencias sobre el mismo, nunca se había hallado, por lo que se consideraba perdido hasta que, en 2018, el departamento Rare and Manuscript Collections de la Biblioteca de la Universidad de Cornell digitalizó el documento, haciéndolo público y abriendo nuevas vías de investigación sobre las mujeres naturalistas e ilustradoras. Kingsbury Wollstonecraft residió en la provincia cubana de Matanzas durante la década de 1820. Comenzó a estudiar la vida vegetal de la isla de Cuba, por entonces bajo dominación española, llevando a cabo una extensa investigación sobre la naturaleza de la región. Su trabajo fue recopilado en un manuscrito, ilustrado por ella misma, con más de un centenar de láminas botánicas. Aunque realizó las gestiones para publicarlo, se encontró con una serie de dificultades que lo impidieron, pasando desapercibido durante casi dos siglos después de su muerte. La invisibilización de su obra se nos presenta como un paradigma de las dificultades que encontraron las mujeres que trataron de producir conocimiento científico, más allá de los espacios que les eran afines, y nos permite explorar distintas perspectivas sobre las relaciones intrínsecas entre la botánica, lo femenino, la naturaleza y el contexto colonial. En el artículo se analiza, en primer lugar, el papel esencial que tuvo el arte y la ilustración para que las mujeres consiguieran derribar algunas de las barreras de género que les impedían entrar a formar parte de las comunidades científicas, destacando sus aportaciones a la botánica. A continuación, nos centramos en Kingsbury Wollstonecraft como caso de estudio y planteamos algunos de los argumentos que justificaron la invisibilización de su trabajo, aportando una serie de reflexiones sobre la normatividad del relato científico que, bajo una supuesta objetividad, excluía del mismo las diversas formas –íntimas, poéticas o artísticas– que la narrativa femenina tenía de aproximarse al estudio de la naturaleza.
Cuando los estereotipos de género limitan derechos fundamentales: el acceso a la justicia de la infancia
Authors: Soriano Moreno Silvia
Published: July 2022

Los datos relativos a casos de abuso sexual y malos tratos a menores evidencian varios problemas de inaplazable atención por parte de los sistemas jurídicos de aquellos ordenamientos donde se pretendan garantizar los derechos fundamentales. Uno de estos problemas se observa con los datos relativos a aquellos casos denunciados que llegan a ser investigados o en los que los y las menores encuentran la protección necesaria. A modo introductorio se recogerán estos datos para evidenciar la magnitud del problema. Este hecho pone de manifiesto que los derechos humanos relativos al acceso a la justicia no se están garantizando en el caso de menores. Por ello, se realizará un repaso a la configuración del derecho de acceso a la justicia –o derecho a la tutela judicial efectiva en el sistema constitucional español– y se recogerán posicionamientos de organismos internacionales en torno a esta falta de garantía. En el abordaje de la cuestión es necesario tener presente la instalación de estereotipos de género existentes en los sistemas judiciales, los cuales se manifiestan de forma exponencial a través del denominado Síndrome de Alienación Parental. En este trabajo se recogerán los elementos clave de este supuesto Síndrome, así como su desarrollo original. A través de estos elementos podrán observarse lo estereotipos de género presentes tanto en su configuración como en su aplicación y cómo estos estereotipos limitan los derechos fundamentales de los y las menores. Por otra parte, se recogerán las recomendaciones y posicionamientos de organismos internacionales y españoles en torno a evitar su aplicación. Finalmente, se hará referencia a la reciente legislación en la que se prohíbe expresamente su utilización así como sus limitaciones y las observaciones que sobre este problema se han hecho a España desde organismos internacionales.
Engaging First Year Students in Assessment Rubrics: Three Personal Experiences
Authors:   La Trobe University, Ashman Katherine , Turner Kristina ,   Swinburne University of Technology, Martin Dona ,   La Trobe University
Published: July 2022

In a direct effort to build a greater understanding of higher education teaching and learning opportunities, this study shares the journey of three university lecturers working to ensure best practice outcomes from criterion-referenced assessment [CRA]. The work was built on a belief that our respective higher education undergraduate students did not fully value the design structure or feedback outcomes inherent in CRA. Using a collaborative autoethnographic lens we pooled experiences, outcomes, challenges, assumptions, and accounts of unconscious biases from across our different tertiary education schools and subjects. Our examination enriched our understanding, our teaching, and our student outcomes. In sharing our journey we offer three unique, yet jointly considered perspectives on using CRA to extend and enhance learning.
Design and Synthesis of Some 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Amines: Molecular Docking, in silico ADMET, in vitro Antimicrobials and Antioxidant Studies
Authors: Prasad Sakshith Raghavendra , Satyanarayan Nayak Devappa , Shetty Avarse Satish Kumar , Shivanna Harishkumar , Thippeswamy Basaiah
Published: July 2022

An increase in free radical concentration in the human body due to medications leads to oxidative stress can be counteracted by novel antioxidative agents that lower the concentration of free radical and free radical damages in human body. In present study, 2-thiophene 4-thiadiazole quinoline derivatives (5a-e) were designed and synthesized using 2-thiophene quinoline 4-carboxylic acids and thiosemicarbazide. The designed compounds 5a-e were docked against the protein PDB-ID: 1OC3 and evaluated the antioxidant activity using DPPH assay and also screened for antibacterial and antifungal potential by Agar well diffusion assay followed by in vitro antitubercular assay by MABA method. The IC50 values for compounds 5a and 5b were 415 μg/mL and 396 μg/mL. The binding affinity of docked ligands against the protein 1OC3 ranges from -6.2 to -5.7 kcal/mol. In an antimicrobial investigation, the compounds were found to be active against both bacteria and fungi, as well as sensitive to M. tuberculosis.
LC-MS/MS Analysis of Glyphosate, Aminomethylphosphonic acid and Glufosinate in Honey
Authors: Sorokin A.V. , Ovcharenko V.V.
Published: July 2022

A confirmatory method was developed and validated for determination of glyphosate (Gly), glufosinate
(Glu) and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in honey using reversed-phase high performance
liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled with tandem mass-spectrometry (MS/MS). The sample
preparation approach consists of extraction by acidified solutions followed by SPE on Oasis HLB,
derivatization by FMOC-Cl, concentration and another SPE stage on Oasis WCX. The limit of
quantification (LOQ) of 0.05 ppm was reached for Gly, AMPA and Glu. All accuracy values ranged
from 85% to 110% for all analytes using both primary and secondary quantitative ion transitions
(RSD ≤ 10%). Correlation coefficients were higher than 0.99. The method was applied in 2018-19 for
monitoring of honey samples, which revealed agricultural territories with intensive use of glyphosate.
Risk factors of necrotizing enterocolitis-related mortality in preterm neonates: a preliminary prospective study
Authors: Kaban Risma Karina , Rohsiswatmo Rinawati , Kautsar Ahmad , Sutrisno Audesia Alvianita , Hikmahrachim Hardya Gustada , Hardiyanti Nieta
Published: July 2022

Background Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a prematurity-related complication of the gastrointestinal tract that affects 3-15% of preterm infants. Due to its atypical signs and symptoms, NEC is often diagnosed late, leading to mortality and morbidity.

Objective To describe the incidence, characteristics, and survival rate of preterm infants with NEC in the Neonatal Unit of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital.

Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted on preterm infants born in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in 2019 who had NEC Bell stage 2 or higher. Subjects were recruited consecutively. NEC was classified into either early-onset (<14 days of life) or late-onset (?14 days of life). We identified the risk factors of mortality and survival using multiple Cox regression.

Results Within the study period, 55/639 preterm infants born in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital were diagnosed with NEC. Mean gestational age was 31.16 (SD 2.63) weeks and mean birth weight was 1,378.12 (SD 438.26) grams. The median age at NEC diagnosis was 6 (range 0-24) days. The most common symptoms were gastrointestinal bleeding (29.09%) and abdominal distension (29.09%). Plain abdominal radiographs showed dilated bowels in 92.72%, thickened intestinal walls in 83.63%, and pneumatosis intestinalis in 61.81% of subjects. Positive blood cultures were found in 63.63% of subjects, with Staphylococcus epidermidis and Klebsiella pneumoniae being the predominant organisms. Median survival was 27 days and 31 days for infants born at <32 weeks and ?32 weeks gestational age, respectively (P=0.37). Median survival was 27 and 28 days in infants with early-onset and late-onset NEC, respectively (P=0.07), and 23 and 28 days in infants with birth weight of <1,000 grams and ?1,000 grams, respectively (P=0.14).

Conclusion The incidence of NEC among preterm infants born in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in 2019 was 8.6%. The survival rate of infants with NEC was 27.27%. Early-onset and late-onset NEC had similar mortality rates.
High Accuracy in Classifying Endoscopic Severity in Ulcerative Colitis Using Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Lo Bobby , Liu ZhuoYuan , Bendtsen Flemming , Igel Christian , Vind Ida , Burisch Johan
Published: July 2022

Introduction:

The evaluation of endoscopic disease severity is a crucial component in managing patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, endoscopic assessment suffers from substantial intraobserver and interobserver variations, limiting the reliability of individual assessments. Therefore, we aimed to develop a deep learning model capable of distinguishing active from healed mucosa and differentiating between different endoscopic disease severity degrees.

Methods:

One thousand four hundred eighty-four unique endoscopic images from 467 patients were extracted for classification. Two experts classified all images independently of one another according to the Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES). In cases of disagreement, a third expert classified the images. Different convolutional neural networks were considered for automatically classifying UC severity. Five-fold cross-validation was used to develop and select the final model. Afterward, unseen test data sets were used for model evaluation.

Results:

In the most challenging task—distinguishing between all categories of MES—our final model achieved a test accuracy of 0.84. When evaluating this model on the binary tasks of distinguishing MES 0 vs 1–3 and 0–1 vs 2–3, it achieved accuracies of 0.94 and 0.93 and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.997 and 0.998, respectively.

Discussion:

We have developed a highly accurate, new, automated way of evaluating endoscopic images from patients with UC. We have demonstrated how our deep learning model is capable of distinguishing between all 4 MES levels of activity. This new automated approach may optimize and standardize the evaluation of disease severity measured by the MES across centers no matter the level of medical expertise.
A three timepoint network analysis of COVID-19's impact on schizotypal traits, paranoia and mental health through loneliness
Authors: Wong Keri Ka-Yee , Wang Yi , Esposito Gianluca , Raine Adrian
Published: July 2022

Background The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted people’s mental wellbeing. Studies to date have examined the prevalence of mental health symptoms (anxiety and depression), yet fewer longitudinal studies have compared across background factors and other psychological variables to identify vulnerable sub-groups in the general population. This study tests to what extent higher levels of schizotypal traits and paranoia are associated with mental health variables 6- and 12-months since April 2020.

Methods Over 2,300 adult volunteers (18-89 years, female=74.9%) with access to the study link online were recruited from the UK, USA, Greece, and Italy. Self-reported levels of schizotypy, paranoia, anxiety, depression, aggression, loneliness, and stress from three timepoints (17 April to 13 July 2020,
N
1 =1,599; 17 October to 31 January 2021,
N
2 =774; and 17 April to 31 July 2021,
N
3 =586) were mapped using network analysis and compared across time and background variables (sex, age, income, country).

Results Schizotypal traits and paranoia were positively associated with poorer mental health through loneliness, with no effect of age, sex, income levels, countries, and timepoints. Loneliness was the most influential variable across all networks, despite overall reductions in levels of loneliness, schizotypy, paranoia, and aggression during the easing of lockdown (time 3). Individuals with higher levels of schizotypal traits/paranoia reported poorer mental health outcomes than individuals in the low-trait groups.

Conclusion Schizotypal traits and paranoia are associated with poor mental health outcomes through self-perceived feelings of loneliness, suggesting that increasing social/community cohesion may improve individuals’ mental wellbeing in the long run.