bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visions of Childhood, Notions of Rurality, and Anti-bias Education: Emerging Educators Strive for Praxis
Authors: Nemeth Emily , Hill Heather
Published: March 2022

The work of anti-bias educators is becoming increasingly important across educational landscapes in the United States. While this work is well-documented within K–12 schools, less known are the efforts of educators working on the front lines of the anti-bias educational agenda within out-of-school time (OST) programs. In an effort to explore how this work happens in OST programs, we partnered with Read, a summer literacy program serving children in grades K–8. Through an engaged research framework, we asked what factors mediated their delivery of an anti-bias education in the Read program. Two significant findings emerged. First, White parents and caregivers in rural settings were a significant force shaping curricular decisions. Second, conceptualizations of childhood influenced teaching and learning. We offer implications for practice and research and conclude by discussing future directions of anti-bias education in these sites of teaching and learning.
Research-Practice Partnerships as Community-Engaged Learning: Lessons Learned from a Collaborative Project with Youth Development Programs
Authors: Agans Jennifer , Rosenthal Emily , Lesnick Julia , Sloan Margaret , Connor Saige , Majano Rosario , Chicas Vanessa , Davis Timothy , Coyle Susan , Tifft Megan
Published: March 2022

To bridge the gap between community-engaged learning and research-practice partnerships, we describe our experiences in a project jointly conceptualized and implemented by undergraduate students and youth development practitioners over the course of two academic semesters. The project offered students the opportunity to apply the skills they learned through coursework in a way that also supported the needs of community practitioners, providing both groups with opportunities to learn from each other. In this paper we describe the collaborative project, our process, the challenges we faced, and the impact of the project on the student researchers and the youth development practitioners. Written by representatives of both the student researchers and the practitioner collaborators, we hope this paper will inspire others to incorporate students in research-practice partnerships and that our reflections on the strengths and challenges of this process will facilitate more effective implementation of community-engaged scholarship in the future.
The Paradox Of Authentic Relationships in Service-Learning Involving Prospective Teachers
Authors: McCarthy Mark
Published: March 2022

Developing authentic relationships as a part of service-learning projects is often considered one of the most meaningful outcomes for both student and community participants. In this project, students met with community members who were not native English speakers. The goal was for students to gain experience with linguistic diversity as they trained to become teachers, while also providing a program for community partners to practice English. I found that the competing goals of the program and its single semester timeframe limited the ability for students to invest in developing authentic relationships, despite any guidance I may have offered. Drawing from my critical examination of student reflective writing, I argue that teacher guidance and modeling do not necessarily lead to the successful development of authentic relationships. I conclude with thoughts on collaboration and suggest that students should have a choice about their participation.
Making Community-Based Research Work: Lessons Learned from a Liberal Arts College
Authors: Clark Carol
Published: March 2022

Trinity College launched the Community Learning Research Fellows Program in 2011 to support undergraduate community-based research (CBR). Our goal was to create an environment that supports high-quality undergraduate research consistent with the principles of community learning. Our strategy focused on building the right type of collaborative relationships among the different actors involved in CBR. We learned three important lessons in our efforts to support these relationships: (1) The community perspective must be integrated into the structure of the program to lend it authority; (2) Peer learning should be used to better prepare students to meet the challenges of CBR; and (3) Expanding the collaborative learning model to include a diverse group of participants empowers students to construct knowledge with and for their community partners. The broader implications of these lessons are discussed in the conclusion.
Acesso ao trabalho inclusivo para pessoas com deficiência: uma sistematização de boas práticas baseada em levantamento sistemático da literatura
Authors: Ferreira da Costa e Silva Tatiana , Oliveira de Araujo Fernando
Published: March 2022

A inclusão das pessoas com deficiência (PCD) nos espaços públicos e privados é um fator relevante a ser tratado nos dias atuais. Mas isso não deve ser entendido como um problema de assistencialismo, e, sim, como uma forma de pertencimento dessa classe, que passa a provar, constantemente, o quanto pode ser produtiva e contributiva para as organizações. Dessa forma, o presente artigo tem a finalidade de apontar um conjunto de boas práticas observadas em organizações públicas e privadas, com base em levantamento sistemático da literatura. Para apoiar esse objetivo, utilizou-se como metodologia o protocolo Cochrane, que suporta levantamentos sistemáticos na área da saúde. Para tanto, foram realizadas análises sistemáticas em três bases internacionais de periódicos, além de uma base nacional de teses e dissertações. Foi possível achar como resultados a prática da promoção da diversidade por meio da inclusão, via mercado de trabalho; o respeito às diferenças, a sensação de pertencimento das PCD, o aprendizado e a construção de competências entre os trabalhadores com deficiência. O artigo oferece uma contribuição para os diversos setores que empregam pessoas com deficiência, ajudando-os a gerenciarem e empregarem ações que incluam e empoderem, de forma efetiva, seus empregados com necessidades especiais.
Necessidades formativas: educação continuada nas escolas do campo
Authors: Degrande Deize , Albuquerque Gomes Alberto
Published: March 2022

Este artigo é um extrato de uma Dissertação de Mestrado em Educação, que aborda reflexões sobre as necessidades de formação continuada dos docentes atuantes na escola pública do campo. Ao pesquisar esse tema, nos surgiram as seguintes indagações: Como tem ocorrido o processo de formação continuada dos professores das escolas públicas do campo? Quais são suas necessidades de formação continuada? O referencial teórico correspondeu a estudos sobre necessidades formativas, formação continuada e Educação do Campo. Como objetivo geral, buscamos analisar como os docentes da escola do campo entendem suas necessidades formativas. Está pesquisa teve abordagem qualitativa, portanto, optamos pela revisão bibliográfica e pela entrevista semiestruturada, a fim de investigar quais são as necessidades de formação dos professores do campo. Os sujeitos participantes de nossa pesquisa foram cinco professoras atuantes no Ensino Fundamental e no Ensino Médio da Escola Estadual “Luiza Maria da Cruz” da rede estadual de Andradina/SP. As coletas dos dados nos guiaram a resultados que mostram duas principais necessidades profissionais, além da necessidade de se preparar docentes com conhecimento teórico e prático para atuarem nas escolas do campo.
Memórias de formação e docência de uma professora do interior de Mato Grosso do Sul
Authors: Tavares de Souza Rodrigues Giseli , Da Silva Luciene Cléa
Published: March 2022

Este trabalho tem como finalidade analisar as memórias de formação e docência de uma professora que atuou na carreira docente por 38 anos, residente no estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, bem como entender as relações de interdependências estabelecidas durante sua trajetória, e como essas relações influenciaram ou não na constituição de sua profissão. O texto contou com as contribuições metodológicas da História Oral Temáti­ca, com a utilização de entrevista como técnica de abordagem. A discussão teórica dialoga com Norbert Elias, a partir dos conceitos de figurações e redes de interdependências, além de anco­rar-se em outros autores. Os dados elencados no estudo colaboram com a escrita da História da Educação, discussões sobre a profissão, memórias e trajetórias docentes no interior do Estado, considerando que pesquisas no município de Naviraí/MS são recentes, por isso a necessidade de ampliar as discussões sobre a temática. E nos permitiu perceber também que as relações estabelecidas nas redes de interdependências que os indivíduos passam ou pertencem ao longo da vida influenciam em suas escolhas pessoais e profissionais. Tais escolhas remodelam a maneira de ser, e fazer do professor levando-o a se constituir na profissão docente, por meio das experiências que, esse, vai construindo ao longo de seu percurso profissional.
Narrativa (auto) biográfica de experiência como gestora ingressante em escola pública do estado de São Paulo
Authors: Muraro Juliane de Sousa
Published: March 2022

O presente artigo visa relatar minha experiência como gestora ingressante na rede pública do Estado de São Paulo em uma escola de ensino Fundamental e Médio no município de Presidente Prudente, desde o ano de 2018 até o presente momento. Objetivou-se, a partir da narrativa autobiográfica, contribuir nas investigações sobre a transição do “ser professor” para o “ser gestor” no processo de construção da identidade profissional na nova carreira, os desafios e possibilidades na atuação dos diretores escolares ingressantes. Utilizou-se da pesquisa narrativa como metodologia de investigação, a partir da abordagem dos estudos autobiográficos e suas contribuições para pesquisas em Educação. A (in) conclusão nas considerações finais justifica-se devido a narrativa revelar um “eu em construção”, é um processo de reconstrução de identidade. No entanto, pelos estudos até aqui realizados, fica evidente a necessidade de maiores investimentos e atenção aos ingressantes na carreira de gestor escolar, especialmente nos aspectos formativos e receptivos.
“Querência da morte”: o cotidiano de assentados e pré-assentados em Querência do Norte, Paraná.
Authors: Da Silva Rodrigues Fábio , Gomes de Oliveira Zioli Eline , Luiz Gaffuri Evandro , Yoshie Ichikawa Elisa
Published: March 2022

Este trabalho tem por objetivo analisar as estratégias, táticas e conveniências presentes no cotidiano dos assentados e pré-assentados no município de Querência do Norte-PR. Partimos das contribuições teóricas sobre cotidiano como um local de invenções e resistências para De Certeau (2014) e De Certeau, Giard e Mayol (2013). Outro conceito que utilizamos é o de conveniência, que De Certeau, Giard e Mayol (2013) apontam como uma forma de educação implícita, um ordenamento dos comportamentos sociais, regras para convivência dos sujeitos no meio social. Nesse sentido, realizamos 9 entrevistas de história oral temática com moradores de assentamentos, pré-assentamento, moradores e ex-moradores de Querência do Norte-PR. Por meio dos relatos dos entrevistados pudemos identificar que, para manterem seu lugar de querer e poder, os “donos” das terras em Querência do Norte utilizavam da força para retirar os trabalhadores rurais (posseiros), isso antes mesmo da chegada do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST). Assim, esta região se constitui como um espaço de lutas, em que a morte decorrente dos conflitos pela terra era algo frequente. Os que morriam, eram os trabalhadores não detentores dos contatos políticos e capital financeiro. Essa realidade permanece durante os primeiros anos da chegada do MST, e por meio de astúcias esses trabalhadores vão construindo seu cotidiano e apesar da posse da terra, a luta diária para poder plantar e vender o produto do seu trabalho continua.
Atuação em classes multisseriadas em uma escola do campo e a parceria comunitária
Authors: Alves da Cruz Santin Andrieli , Ide Fujinaga Cristina , Oliveira Elaine Cristina
Published: March 2022

O presente estudo tem a intenção de discorrer sobre as práticas pedagógicas de uma escola do campo com organização multisseriada, a formação das professoras e como ocorre o desenvolvimento no ensino-aprendizagem. A pesquisa tem ênfase no foco qualitativo, pois envolve a representação de um determinado grupo social. A mesma ocorreu em uma escola do campo do interior paranaense, em que o município tem uma porcentagem elevada da população na área rural. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevistas junto as professoras e sistematizados pela análise de conteúdo. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que embora não se tenha políticas públicas voltadas para a Educação do Campo, assim como os professores não tem uma formação específica para atuar em classes multisseriadas, o processo de ensino aprendizagem acontece pela dinâmica e protagonismo dos professores juntamente com a comunidade escolar.
Educação do campo e saúde: análise de materiais didáticos produzidos pelo setor saúde do Movimento Sem Terra
Authors: Lima dos Santos Cibele , Aparecida Valente Polyana , Nacif Pimenta Denise
Published: March 2022

No ano de 1984, o Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST), inaugurou oficialmente uma nova etapa sobre a luta pela terra no Brasil, colocando a Reforma Agrária como parte da construção de uma sociedade mais justa e igualitária. Ao longo de sua existência, várias páginas contornaram sua história, tendo a educação e a saúde como pautas desde sua formação. O Setor de Saúde se confirma como segmento dentro do Movimento no ano de 1998, com o intento de organizar as lutas pela saúde a partir de ações educativas, informativas e formativas. Assim, este artigo tem por objetivo analisar os materiais de saúde produzidos pelo Setor Nacional de Saúde do MST e do Setor Regional de Minas Gerais, destacando a relevância da Educação do Campo no processo de amadurecimento das produções didáticas inseridas no contexto da vida camponesa. Foram analisados seis materiais didáticos, entre cadernos e cartilhas de saúde, a partir das categorias: estrutura e formatação, conteúdo, linguagem, ilustrações e gênero. Almejou-se  analisar como o MST aborda as questões de saúde em suas produções didáticas. Verificou-se que tais materiais constituem uma forma eficiente de diálogo que respeita a especificidades, tais como cultura, subjetividade e contexto social dos(as) assentados(as) e acampados(as). Observou-se, também, por meio de pesquisa exploratória, uma ausência de trabalhos que analisam tais produções, tornando-se este relevante para os movimentos sociais. Conclui-se que os materiais produzidos são instrumentos importantes para a produção de conhecimento, informação e formação dentro e fora dos espaços educacionais da população do campo, demonstrando o potencial do movimento ao construir e lutar por uma saúde ampla, inclusiva e não opressora.
Narrativas da luta: história do Assentamento Egídio Brunetto
Authors: Da Silva Lucas Jofre , Lopes Salgado Ribeiro Suzana
Published: March 2022

Este artigo aborda o processo histórico de formação do Assentamento Egídio Brunetto, do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra - MST, em Lagoinha-SP, por meio do estudo, reflexão sobre duas entrevistas, de história oral de vida, de pessoas comuns que constroem o movimento e protagonizam a luta pela reforma agrária. As narrativas provenientes das entrevistas orais são os documentos dos quais decorre a análise apresentada neste trabalho. O MST se apresenta no cenário nacional como articulador de lutas no combate às desigualdades sociais e econômicas. Para além disso, os assentamentos se apresentam como uma forma para construção de um novo modelo de sociedade e de relação com a natureza. A proposta das famílias para o Assentamento Agroecológico Egídio Brunetto tem sido desenvolvida com base em uma nova forma de produção e ocupação da terra, preocupada com a recomposição da mata ciliar, com a sustentabilidade de produção e de construção de habitações (bioconstruções).
Entraves e soluções da comercialização: resultados do Método Índice UFSCar para o PDS/Assentamento Santa Helena, São Carlos/SP/Brasil
Authors: Pinto de Arruda Terezinha , De Moraes Camargo Almeida Luiz Manoel , Roncato Cardozo Daiane , Silveira Botta Ferrante Vera Lucia
Published: March 2022

Este artigo avaliou as condições de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN) ampla de agricultores familiares do Projeto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (PDS)/Assentamento Santa Helena, pelos métodos da Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar (EBIA) e do Índice da Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar). Utilizou-se de formulários semiestruturados e percepções anotadas em caderno de campo para ampliar a lente qualitativa.  Os resultados apontam a prevalência de segurança alimentar (57,14%) e de insegurança alimentar (42,86%) nas famílias obtidas pela EBIA, sendo que o PDS, como um todo, foi caracterizado pelo Índice UFSCar, com um índice moderado de SAN. Finalmente, requerem uma continuidade de políticas públicas voltadas as questões de produção sustentáveis de de canais de comercialização instituicionais e territoriais para melhoria da SAN da famílias assentadas.
Avaliação cognitiva dos acadêmicos matriculados na universidade da melhor idade
Authors: De Sá Cabral Mel Jaqueline , Dos Santos Serginaldo José , Alvares Felix Barros Lizandra
Published: March 2022

Conforme dados referentes a Projeção da População, divulgada em 2018 pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatísticas – IBGE (IBGE, 2018), o número de pessoas idosas no Brasil aumenta significativamente ao longo dos anos e, embora isso signifique uma melhora nos indicadores de saúde, envelhecer saudável tornou-se uma das preocupações para as políticas públicas, sobretudo sobre as funções cognitivas. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: reavaliar as funções cognitivas de 10 acadêmicos da Universidade da Melhor Idade (UMI)/Universidade Católica Dom Bosco (UCDB); analisar e comparar os resultados obtidos com seu ingresso em 2018. A coleta de dados para esta pesquisa aconteceu no primeiro semestre de 2019 e o estudo contou com a aprovação do Comitê de Ética e pesquisa da Universidade Católica Dom Bosco (CAAE 42639215.7.0000.5162). A avaliação das habilidades cognitivas aconteceu por meio do Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) e da versão brasileira do Exame Cognitivo Addenbrooke - Revisado (ACE-R), além da verificação dos níveis de depressão pela Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS). A versão do ACE-R, tal como os demais instrumentos utilizados na pesquisa, demonstrou sua eficiência na avaliação neuropsicológica, além de analisar a eficácia nos vários domínios cognitivos. Possibilitando assim, a construção de um projeto terapêutico singular em acordo com as disfunções encontradas. Os resultados demonstraram a importância da detecção precoce de disfunções cognitivas para que torne-se possível elaborar propostas de intervenção e de prevenção para a população.

 

Palavras-chave: Saúde. Cognição. Idosos. Qualidade de Vida. Senescência. Envelhecer.
Complicações relacionadas ao cateterismo intravenoso perifério em adultos em um hospital público
Authors: Schneider Santos Mariana Conceição , De Assis Sales Ana Paula , Rezende de Pádua Del Corona Arminda , Moita Garcia Kawakame Patricia , Pereira Frota Oleci
Published: March 2022

Investigar a ocorrência de incidentes na prática da prática das venopunções periféricas em participantes adultos em um hospital de ensino. Método: Estudo quantitativo, prospectivo, relativo às complicações de venopunções. Os participantes foram acompanhados desde o início da punção venosa periférica até o 4°dia. Resultados: Foram acompanhados 75 punções, destas as complicações identificadas são: infiltração grau I, 9 (12%); flebite grau II, 7 (9,3%); obstrução 6 (8%) e hematoma 2 (2,6%). A maior parte dos acessos permaneceu período inferior ou igual há 72 horas. Conclusão: A complicação mais citada em estudos é a flebite, no entanto, neste predominou os casos de infiltração. A segurança do paciente foi um problema identificado nas unidades onde se procederam a coleta de dados. O estudo é útil para incentivo aos profissionais sobre as boas práticas. Sugere-se aperfeiçoamento da prática de educação permanente dos funcionários.

 

Palavras-chave: Cateterismo periférico. Infusões intravenosas. Enfermagem. Enfermagem assistencial. Segurança do paciente
Expression of NKG2A inhibitory receptor on cytotoxic lymphocytes as an indicator of severity in Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients
Authors:   Medical Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt., Yasin Marwa , Shehata Iman ,   Medical Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt., Elsheikh Nesma ,   Geriatric & Gerontology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt., Elsayed Marwa ,   Medical Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Published: March 2022

NK group 2 member A (NKG2A) receptor transduces inhibitory signaling; suppressing NK and T-cell cytokine secretion and cytotoxic function. This study aimed to assess the expression of NKG2A inhibitory receptor on natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes in COVID-19 patients and correlate the results with disease severity defined according to the criteria established by the world health organization, in a trial to understand the immunological response towards COVID-19 infection. The study enrolled 30 COVID-19 patients classified into 2 groups that comprised 15 subjects each; moderate and severe based on clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings. Ten age and sex matched apparently healthy individuals were included in this study as a control group. About 1 ml EDTA anti-coagulated blood samples were collected for measuring expression of NKG2A/CD159a on CD56+ CD3- NK and CD3+CD8+ T cells by flow cytometry. Results revealed that COVID-19 patients had significantly lower NK and CD8+ T cell counts compared to healthy subjects. Severe cases had significantly lower CD8+ T counts compared to moderate ones. Percentages of NK and CD8+T cells expressing NKG2A receptor were significantly higher in cases compared to controls. Comparison between severe and moderate cases revealed that although the percentages of NK cells expressing NKG2A receptor were not significantly higher in severe cases, the mean fluorescence intensity was significantly higher. The percentages of CD8 +T cells expressing NKG2A receptor were significantly higher in severe cases with higher mean fluorescence intensity. In conclusion, our results indicate that elevated NKG2A expression on cytotoxic lymphocytes correlates with disease severity in COVID-19 patients, and may serve as a potential marker for prognosis. Additionally, the blockade of NKG2A should be investigated as means of enhancing NK cell and cytotoxic T cells antiviral immunity in patients with severe COVID-19 infection.
Low frequency of CD4+CD25highFOXP3+ T regulatory cells in Egyptian patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria
Authors:   Department of Internal Medicine, Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Elshayeb Mohamed , Farres Mohamed , Melek Nermine ,   Department of Internal Medicine, Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Mostafa Asmaa ,   Department of Internal Medicine, Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Galal Salah ,   Department of Internal Medicine, Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Mohamed Nesrine ,   Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Ahmed Eman ,   Department of Internal Medicine, Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Published: March 2022

hronic urticaria is a prevalent disabling dermatological disease. About 90%, are considered idiopathic and referred to as chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), and nearly half of them are likely to have autoimmune mechanisms. Regulatory T cells play a substantial role to prevent autoimmune diseases. Subsets of Tregs expressing the CD4+CD25high and forkhead-box-P3 (FOXP3) transcription factor, crucial for their development and function, are best characterized in maintenance of self-tolerance. The objective of this study was the analysis of peripheral CD4+CD25highFOXP3+(T regs) frequency in chronic spontaneous urticaria; and its possible association with autologous serum skin test (ASST). Fifty chronic spontaneous urticaria patients (25 with positive ASST and 25 with negative ASST) and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The frequency of CD4+CD25highFOXP3+ (T regs) was analyzed by flow cytometry. A Significant decrease in peripheral blood CD4+CD25highFOXP3+ T regs% was detected in CSU patients in comparison to healthy individuals (median [IQR], 1.47% [0.71–3.12] vs 1.79% [1.15–4.00]; P = 0.05). When ASST positive patients were compared with ASST negative patients, no significant difference was found in percentage of T regs, (P=0.112). In conclusion our data provided further insights into CSU pathogenesis. Reduced frequency of CD4+CD25highFOXP3+(Tregs) in patients with urticaria, support the notion that CSU is an immune mediated disease and may help researchers to develop a novel immunotherapy strategy.
Role of procalcitonine, hsCRP and 16SrRNA in diagnosis of culture negative endocarditis
Authors:   Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt., Ahmed Asmaa , Ahmed Sohair ,   Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt., Hassa Ayman ,   Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt., Ali Mohammed ,   Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt., Samir Safaa ,   Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
Published: March 2022

Infective endocarditis infects the heart's inner surface, mostly the valves. It is a lethal disease with a high rate of morbidity and fatality. It mostly caused by bacteria, but fungi can also cause it. Microbiological diagnosis relies on blood culture. Molecular and biochemical indicators add to diagnosis, particularly in culture-negative patients. This study aimed to decide the role of 16s rRNA, procalcitonin, and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) in the diagnosis of culture negative infective endocarditis (CNIE) in Assiut university hospitals. This cross-sectional study included 60 patients who were admitted to cardiac hospitals with suspected infective endocarditis according to modified DUKE criteria. A group of 20 apparently healthy subjects served as a control group for investigation of inflammatory biomarkers. We performed blood culture, biochemical markers and molecular investigations. Of the 60 patients, there were 46 (76.7%) culture positives and 14 (23.3%) culture negatives. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent pathogen in culture positive patients, followed by enterococcus and klebsiella. Linezolid and imipenem were the most sensitive antibiotics for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Amplification of bacterial 16S rRNA gene, after DNA extraction from whole blood samples, was positive in 11/14 cases (78.5%) of culture negative patients and in 42/46 cases (91.3%) of culture positive patients. The range of procalcitonin in culture positive patients was (0.32- 89) ng/ml, significantly higher than in culture negative patients (0.02- 8.8) ng/ml, and in the control group (0.01-0.08) ng/ml. hsCRP showed the same pattern. In conclusion, our data suggest that PCR was the most accurate diagnostic tool for diagnosing CNIE, followed by procalcitonin, and hsCRP, respectively.
Clinical and immunological assessment of children with ataxia telangiectasia attending Sohag university hospital in Upper Egypt
Authors:   Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt., Fahmy Eman , Salama Eman ,   Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt., El-Mokhtar Mohamed ,   Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt., Sadek Abdelrahim ,   Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt.
Published: March 2022

Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT) is a very rare autosomal recessive primary immune deficiency (PID) disease that affects 1 in 10,000-40,000 new births per year in the world. It is caused by biallelic mutations in ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene and characterized by a progressive cerebellar ataxia. The clinical profile of AT children in Upper Egypt in missing. Herein, we evaluated the clinical characteristics and immunological profiles of patients with AT attending Sohag University Hospital. This was a cross-sectional study, included 21 AT patients attending the Neurological and Immunological Units, Pediatric Department, Sohag University Hospital, starting April 2018 to the end of March 2019. AT represented 20.5% of all PID patients attending the hospital. The most common type of humoral immune deficiency in patients with AT was specific IgA deficiency (52.3%) followed by hypogammaglobulinemia (23.8%). Recurrent sinopulmonary infection with different degrees of severity was the common immunological problem. The most common neurological manifestations in our studied patients, other than the ataxia, were language delay and eye movement abnormalities followed by developmental delay and head nodding. None of our patients had developed malignancy till the end of the study.
Interleukin 16 polymorphism and susceptibility of rheumatoid arthritis disease in Egyptian population
Authors:   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt., Mostafa Shereen , Nasef Samah ,   Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology & Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt., Hassan Amany ,   Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt., Abdalla Azaa ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt., Omar Hanan ,   Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.
Published: March 2022

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic and multiple-stage disorder characterized by chronic inflammation with extensive synovitis. The genetic and environmental factors are associated with the risk for RA development. In RA, the induced IL-16 may play a role in initiating, sustaining and increasing the inflammatory response and development of synovitis, nevertheless IL-16’s actual role in RA pathogenesis must be studied further. This study intended to investigate the association of IL-16 gene polymorphism and RA disease, to determine the genetic role of IL-16 polymorphism and predict the risk of RA development and clinical disease activity. One hundred and Fifty RA patients and 150 apparently healthy control subjects were included in this case-control study. RA disease activity and functional status were evaluated for all RA patients. IL-16 gene polymorphism (SNP rs11556218 T/G) was genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The difference in IL-16 (rs11556218 T/G) genotype frequencies between RA patients and controls was not statistically significant. However, the G allele was frequently presented in RA patients as compared to controls (p=0.047). Moreover, G allele carriers had two times more risk to develop RA disease than T allele carriers (OR=2.598; 95%CI=1.078-6.825) with dominant genetic association. Alternatively, the G/G genotype was associated with high CDAI, RADAS-5 and HAQ disability index in comparing to other genotypes (T/T-T/G). In conclusion, there was an association between allele G of IL-16 polymorphism (rs11556218 T/G) and risk of RA disease development. In addition, there was an association between genotype G/G and increased clinical disease activity and health disability.
Chlamydia trachomatis Infection: its relation to semen parameters and sperm DNA integrity
Authors:   Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt., EzzEl-Din Azza , Gaber Hisham ,   Department of Dermatology & Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt., Kamal Dalia ,   Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
Published: March 2022

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection on semen quality and sperm DNA integrity. The study included 60 infertile male patients with CT infection and 25 age matched controls. Diagnosis of patients was based on detection of CT IgA by ELISA in seminal plasma and CT plasmid DNA in the semen sediment. All patients and controls were subjected to the following investigations: history taking, conventional semen analysis, detection of CT IgA, Plasmid DNA in semen samples, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and percentage of DNA fragmentation. There was significant increase in semen ROS levels and the percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation in the CT patient group when compared to the control group (P<0.05) and in those with leukocytospermia when compared to those without leukocytospermia (P<0.05). In the patient group with CT infection there was a positive correlation between the percentage of DNA fragmentation, ROS (r = 0.82 with P<0.0001) and pus cell count. (r = 0.7 with P<0.0001). In patients with leukocytospermia, there was a positive correlation between the percentage of DNA fragmentation, ROS (r = 0.9 with P<0.0001) and pus cell count (r = 0.83 with P<0.0001). In conclusion, sperm concentration, mobility, and viability, are significantly decreased in patients with CT compared to controls. ROS levels and the percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation significantly increased in CT patients especially patients with leukocytospermia.
Toll-Like Receptor-4 Gene (Asp299Gly) polymorphism in allergic conjunctivitis
Authors:   Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt., Baioumy Shereen , Taha Sara ,   Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt., Sallam Dina ,   Department of Pediatrics & Pediatric Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt., Alashry Ahmed ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Military Medical Academy, Cairo, Egypt., Fouad Shaimaa ,   Department of Internal Medicine, Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Hegab Mohammed ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Published: March 2022

Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is an allergic reaction that causes inflammation of the conjunctiva. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are essential innate immune receptors that contribute to developing various allergic diseases. This case-control study aims to determine the correlation between TLR-4 gene (Asp299Gly) polymorphism and AC incidence and severity. The study included 70 AC patients and 70 non-allergic controls. All included subjects were subjected to a skin prick test, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) measurement, and TLR-4 gene (Asp299Gly) polymorphism detection by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. AC patients had significantly higher total IgE levels than controls (P ≤ 0.001). The frequency of the wild-type AA and heterozygous AG genotype were significantly lower in AC patients compared to controls (60 % vs. 80 % and 8.6% vs. 12.9 %, respectively). In contrast, the homozygous mutant GG genotype was significantly more prevalent among AC patients than controls (31.4 % vs. 7.1 %). Furthermore, the wild AA genotype was strongly associated with mild disease (68.2%); nonetheless, the homozygous mutant GG genotype was linked to severe disease (53.8%). The heterozygous AG genotype was only found in moderate AC patients (17.1%). AC patients with the mutant G allele may be more likely to have a severe course of AC.
The role of cytokine gene single nucleotide polymorphism in the development of recurrent acute otitis media
Authors:   Medical Microbiology & Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt., Fouad Mohammed ,   Public Health Department, Health Sciences College at Al-Leith, Umm Al-Qura University, KSA., Assar Effat ,   Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt., Fouad Yasser ,   Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.
Published: March 2022

The study aimed at examining the role of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of cytokine genes in the development of recurrent acute otitis media (AOM) among children. Single nucleotide polymorphism of IFN-g, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and TGF-β1, were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) in 82 children with recurrent AOM and compared with a similar control group. There was a significant higher incidence of IL-10 polymorphisms (loci -592, -819 and -1082) in children with recurrent AOM (P=0.0137, 0.0137 and 0.0072, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in the distribution of other cytokine genotypes between the two study groups. Among the 5 studied cytokine genes, only IL-10 loci showed significant correlation to the development of recurrent AOM.
Study of transforming growth factor beta 1 gene +869T/C polymorphism in Egyptian rheumatoid arthritis patients and its relation to disease activity
Authors:   Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt., Hassan Asmaa , Abdul-Mohymen Abeer ,   Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt., Ahmed Laila ,   Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt., Seliem Nora ,   Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt., Hassan Marwa ,   Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt., Ibrahim Hanan ,   Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt., Al Anan Mona ,   Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Published: March 2022

This study intended to explore the relationship between the +869T/C polymorphism of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) gene and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) predisposition and activity in Egyptian patients. The study involved 30 patients suffering from RA and 30 apparently healthy participants as the control group. The +869T/C polymorphism of the TGF-β1 gene was determined by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) process. The TGF-β1 + 869 CT genotype and CT+TT genotypes in RA patients showed a significant increase than the control group (OR=3.782 and 3.824, CI=1.046-13.680 and 1.150-12.713, P=0.043 and 0.029, respectively). T allele showed a significant increase in patients than in controls (OR= 2.104, CI 1.015- 4.361, P = 0.046). The TGF-β1 +869 CT+TT genotypes were accompanied by higher DAS-28 scores which express higher disease activity, and increased levels of RF, Anti-CCP, ESR, and CRP. In conclusion, the TGF-β1 +869T/C gene polymorphism may be accompanied by an increased predisposition to RA and with its severity in Egyptian RA patients.
DISCOVERY OF COLD-ACTIVE PROTEASE FROM PSYCHROPHILIC BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM ANTARCTIC REGION FOR BIO-PROSPECTING
Authors: ABD LATIP MUHAMMAD ASYRAF , ALIAS SITI AISYAH , JERZY SMYKLA , YUSOF FARIDAH , MOHAMAD MOHD AZRUL NAIM , NORDIN NOOR FAIZUL HADRY
Published: March 2022

The Antarctic region is a new frontier as natural sources for bio-prospecting purposes. Its extreme cold temperature may provide unique enzyme characteristics that have valuable potential for industrial and biotechnological applications. This study was designed to discover proteases that are activate and can work at very low temperatures. Soil samples from the Antarctic region were screened for protease activity on skim milk agar at 4°C. Bacteria that showed clear halo zone around the colonies were selected and identified through 16S rDNA sequencing. Out of 35 bacteria, 10 bacteria that showed rapid halo zone formation were selected and further analyzed by enzymatic assay. By using azocasein as a substrate, the reaction was measured using spectrophotometer at OD340 nm. Based on the 16S rDNA sequence, phylogenetic analysis showed that 88% of the bacteria producing protease were from Pseudomonas sp., 9% from Arthrobacter sp. and 3% from Paenibacillus sp. For enzymatic assay analysis, sample SC8 showed the highest protease activity compared to other 10 samples. This preliminary study successfully demonstrated cold active protease producers that can be further investigated for bioprospecting. In future, purification and characterization of this enzyme is required in order to optimize the enzyme activity.
TRANSPIRATION CAPABILITY OF SEVERAL LOWLAND FOREST TREE SPECIES
Authors: IRSAN M. F. , SULISTYAWATI E. , HADIYANE A. , HIDAYATI N.
Published: March 2022

Plant transpiration is the key to restore the water balance of mining site. Plant transpiration will relate to water loss rate from the land, therefore the transpiration ability of plants can be used as one criterion on the selection of tree species for post- mining land reclamation program. This research aimed to compare transpiration capability among selected tree species and to compare potential loss of water through transpiration and the rate of water input through rainfall. Seven native lowland rainforest species commonly found in the Bangka Belitung Islands were used in this research. We measured parameters affecting transpiration rates, i.e. stomatal conductance, leaf area index (LAI), and subsequently calculated canopy conductance and transpiration rates. The calculated transpiration rate of each species was Shorea leprosula (4.47 mm/day), Hopea odorata (3.93 mm/day), Aquilaria malaccensis (3.34 mm/day), Shorea javanica (2.59 mm/day), Terminalia catappa (2.01 mm/day), Flacourtia rukam (1.96 mm/day), and Eusideroxylon zwageri (1.35 mm/day). During the driest month, Shorea leprosula would have the highest potential of water loss through transpiration than that in other studied species.
COMPARING THE EFFECT OF TWO COATING METHODS OF Tetragonula laeviceps PROPOLIS WATER EXTRACTION ON PHYSICAL QUALITY AND SHELF LIFE OF EGGS KEPT IN ROOM TEMPERATURE
Authors: KINASIH I. , JULITA U. , SURYANI Y. , CAHYANTO T. , KHOIRUNNISA E. M. , PUTRA R. E.
Published: March 2022

Studies show that in the tropical region, like Indonesia, eggs have a low shelf life, ranging from 10 to 14 days when kept at room temperature. The application of natural coating material, such as propolis, could improve the shelf life of eggs. However, due to the high cost of the material, it is necessary to find more efficient application methods. In this study, propolis extraction using aquadest as solvent was applied, by brushing and spraying, to 180 fresh eggs of local chicken (Gallus sp.) aged 24 hours with another 180 eggs, without propolis coating, designed as control. All eggs were kept in room temperature for 35 days and changes on the albumen index, yolk index, and height of air sacs were measured every 7 days. This study showed that the different application methods did not significantly affect the value of the albumen index and yolk index for each observation time, but haugh unit and height of the air cell. However, the result indicated that the application of propolis by spraying maintained egg quality for a longer time than brushing and the average shelf life of eggs sold at the local market.
THE EFFECT OF PARANET SHADE ON THE GROWTH AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN SIX SPECIES OF MANGROVE SEEDLING
Authors: BASYUNI MOHAMMAD , MIHARZA TRY , SINULINGGA EVAN KHAROGI , GULTOM EPIFANI NATALIA , DJAYUS YUNASFI
Published: March 2022

In mangrove rehabilitation, nursery operation was required to enhance survival of seedlings prior to field planting. Healthy and mature seed and propagules of six mangroves namely Ceriops tagal, Sonneratia alba, Rhizophora apiculata, S. caseolaris, R. mucronata, and Xylocarpus granatum were planted in paranet shade (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) for three months. The research purpose was to study the impact of paranet shade on the growth, and morphologic characteristic in all six mangrove seedlings. Results indicated that 50% paranet shade intensity supported C. tagal, R. mucronata, and S. caseolaris seedlings for the best growth (height and diameter). By contrast, 75% intensity of the shade displayed in the optimal growth, number of leaves, and the leaves area of R. apiculata seedlings. We determined that the best growth of seedlings of X. granatum was acquired in the intensity of shade 100%, contrary with S. alba seedling, showing 0% shade intensity as the best for growth. The tolerance to paranet of mangrove shade plants preceded the sequence of X. granatum (landward species) > R. apiculata > R. mucronata; C. tagal, and S. caseolaris > S. alba (seaward species). The present works generates useful information for restoration efforts in North Sumatra and indicates the value for representative mangrove species of intensely shaded nurseries based on optimum growth and morphological characteristics.
THE EFFECTS OF DIMMER CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE PLASMA JET TO THE BIOPHYSICAL STRUCTURES OF HeLa CELLS
Authors: SOON CHIN FHONG , NAYAN NAFARIZAL , SULTANA NAZNIN , MORSIN MARLIA , LIM GIM PAO , MA NYUK LING , RIZON ELFA RIZAN , TEE KIAN SEK
Published: March 2022

Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma jet (NTAPPJ) was shown as a promising tool for sterilization, treatment of chronic wounds & tumors. A portable and facile NTAPPJ system will broaden the application of plasma for many other biomedical applications. This paper demonstrates the feasibility of a customized dimmer controllable atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) in treating HeLa cells. A plasma torch was energized at 8 kVpp and 35 kHz from a neon transformer and discharged with argon gas-producing plasma plume of various gas species. The output intensity of the plasma discharge was adjusted by the voltage input from the dimmer controller circuit. Between 60 – 220 V, a different power output of the dimmer can be varied between 8.4 to 83.6 W, to generate different intensities of non-thermal APPJ (NTAPPJ). The NTAPPJ was then applied to HeLa cells for 20 sec & it was found that cells reduced their adhesion at a dimmer power < 20 W but stayed viable. This progressed to observations of damaged cell body when the power was increased beyond 20 W & the cell membranes shattered when the power was up to 83.6 W. This was due to the ultraviolet rays and reactive oxygen species (ROS), that induced detrimental effects to the cells. The controllable NTAPPJ system, based on dimmer control, induced different levels of effects on the biophysical structures of cells, ranging from reduced cell spread to apoptosis and eventually cell membrane disintegration.