bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review on ecological interactions of the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly and assessment of the possible impacts of its eradication in Uruguay
Authors: Etchevers Ismael , Iriarte María Victoria , Marques Laura , Ferenczi Alejandra , Dalla Rizza Marco , Marzaroli Jorge , Saravia Alejandro , Fresia Pablo
Published: November 2022

Controlling a pest species raises questions about the harmful effects its eradication could cause in ecosystems. Currently, in Uruguay are being analyzed strategies to eradicate the New World Screwworm (NWS), Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae), an obligatory ectoparasite that causes myiasis in warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans. The loss of a species implies a risk of secondary extinctions and cascading effects that depend on the ecological function of the species and the capacity of the rest of the species with which it interacts to compensate for its loss. To assess the ecological impact of the NWS eradication, we analyzed its ecological redundancy, its effect as an indirect regulatory agent for other species, and its participation in critical ecosystem functions. We conclude that the NWS presents high functional redundancy in most ecological interactions. It does not play an essential role as a regulatory agent of other species and does not play an important role in critical ecosystem functions. Without ignoring the information gaps that certainly exist about the ecological interactions network of the NWS in Uruguay, we estimate that its eradication is unlikely to cause secondary extinctions or cascading effects in the networks it integrates. In order to timely detect possible impacts during the course of the program, it is recommended to monitor the ecosystems using indicators related to direct and indirect partners in the ecological interactions of the NWS.
Nitrogen nutrition index at GS 3.3 is an effective tool to adjust nitrogen required to reach attainable wheat yield
Authors: Fassana César Nicolás , Hoffman Esteban Martín , Berger Andrés , Ernst Oswaldo
Published: November 2022

Current nitrogen (N) fertilization schedule for spring wheat was developed under a dominant crop-pasture rotation. After the year 2002, this cropping system was converted to continuous annual cropping systems under no-till, reducing soil N supply capacity progressively. Additionally, highest grain yield of new varieties increased N demand. The required additional N fertilizer can be adjusted by monitoring nutritional status of the crop. Our objectives were: i) to determine optimal N status at different phenological stages; ii) to quantify the wheat yield gap explained by N supply deficit, and iii) to assess the critical nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) value as a predictor of response to N fertilizer applied at GS 3.3. We adjusted the nitrogen dilution curve (Nc=4.17DM-0.31), deriving a critical NNI at GS 3.3 (NNI=1.24). Depending on soil N supply capacity and NNI at GS 3.3, wheat yield gap attributed to N supply deficit varied from 0 to 2.74 Mg ha-1, averaging 0.76 Mg ha-1. The critical NNI proposed at GS 3.3 was effective to diagnose the N crop demand to reach the attainable yield under different scenarios.
Knowledge dialogue
Authors: De la Fuente Garnica Pablo , Navarro Alonso Gutiérrez
Published: November 2022

The dialogue of knowledge is a horizon for agroecology in political, epistemic, ethical dimensions and gives the possibility of building alternatives to the production of hegemonic knowledge. In addition, it allows us to question the object of knowledge of ethnosciences. The article presented here reconfigures more than 20 years of work experience of the Center for Rural Development Studies (CESDER) with peasant and indigenous community groups in Zautla, Mexico. The methodology arises from the collection and taxonomic determination of plant collections in the area, which serve as a basis for the verification of uses and common names through semi-structured interviews, and in the end, can trigger exchanges and dialogues with community groups through the herbarium specimens with emphasis on medicinal use. The results indicate that the condensation of the material and the symbolic makes life stories, memories, anecdotes, uses, recipes, experiences, and valuations emerge, and achieves the sharing of what is essential for cultural appropriation. For us, the conclusions go beyond the convergence in taxonomic identification and common names since they lead to changes in practices in daily life, generate knowledge from dialogue, and reproduce moments in which coexistence, sharing, life stories related to their experience emerge. The approach to a dialogue of knowledge arises from the constancy of the space being always under construction and the consequent exchange.
Resistiendo a los agroextractivismos
Authors: López Arboleda Beatriz , Barrera-Bassols Narciso , Vélez-Torres Irene
Published: November 2022

Este artículo forma parte de los resultados de investigación doctoral sobre la movilización social contra transgénicos en México y Colombia. En este caso, nos centramos en los agroextractivismos y en su control territorial a través del uso de semillas transgénicas. La disputa en este sentido es dada entre pequeños productores campesinos despojados de sus patrimonios agroecológicos y productores empresariales adscritos al modelo hegemónico del sistema agroalimentario. En el caso de los pueblos mayas en México y emberá en Colombia, articulados con diversos actores, se movilizan para la defensa de sus territorios ante los transgénicos. En este contexto se plantea como objetivo analizar los mecanismos utilizados por mayas y emberá para resistir ante los transgénicos. La metodología se concentra en una perspectiva etnográfica, en entrevistas semiestructuradas y en la revisión de información secundaria. Los resultados de la investigación corresponden a los mecanismos de resistencia a través de declaratorias de Territorios Libres de Transgénicos y de demandas de amparo contra la siembra de transgénicos. El diálogo en estas dos experiencias ha resultado en logros para la resistencia ante los transgénicos, aunque con las dificultades de una lucha que no acaba en un contexto de libre mercado.
Presence of Actinomycetes in agarwood tissues of Aquilaria crassna: A preliminary study
Authors: Vidurangi A.N.G.C.K. , Manamgoda D.S. , Subasinghe S.M.C.U.P.
Published: November 2022

Agarwood is a valuable resin produced inside certain tree species of the family Thymalaeaceae distributed in the Asian region. Agarwood production occurs as a defense mechanism when the trees are under physical or biological stresses. However, the formation of agarwood resins in significant extractable quantities due to natural stress conditions is rare; therefore, the farmers use various methods to induce its formation artificially. Certain fungal species such as Fusarium and Aspergillus become more popular among them to produce high-quality agarwood. However, studies are rare on using other microbial organisms such as Actinomycetes, which exhibit properties of both bacteria and fungi. Among the agarwood-producing species, Aquilaria crassna is one of Asia's most commonly planted species for agarwood production. This species was introduced to Sri Lanka in 2012 for mid and lower elevations of the wet zone. Due to the lack of studies on agarwood resin formation by non-fungal microbial methods, the present study attempted to identify the presence of Actinomycetes species in agarwood resinous tissues of A. crassna. Agarwood resinous tissue samples were collected from four plantations in the wet zone of the country. Surface sterilized, small sized tissues were placed on starch casein agar medium and incubated at room temperature for ten days. Using the morphological and microscopic characteristics, it was possible to identify Nocardia, Psuedonocardia, and three Streptomyces species with varying abundance. The species level should be confirmed using molecular analysis, and their potential for agarwood resin formation inducement should be tested by re-inoculating to the healthy A. crassna trees.
Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Preterm Low Birth Weight Infants at 9 Months of Age
Authors: Akter Shahana , Sadik Mohammad Golam , Moni Sadeka Choudhury , Dey Sanjoy Kumer , Mannan M. A.
Published: November 2022

Introduction: The survival of preterm babies has increased worldwide, but the risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities remains high, which is of concern to both the public and professionals. The early identification of children at risk and the outcome of neurodevelopmental disabilities may increase access to intervention, potentially influencing. Objective/Aim: To determine the neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants at 9 months of age. Methodology: Preterm babies <37weeks, weight < 2500 of gestational age (GA) who were admitted in NICU, BSMMU were prospectively included in the study. The prenatal, perinatal and postnatal features of the babies were recorded. Bayley Scales of Infants and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III), was applied at 9 month of age. This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Neonatology, BSMMU, after approval by Institutional Review Board, over twelve month period. All Preterm low birth weight neonates satisfying the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. All patients are managed as per standard clinical guidelines of NICU, BSMMU. We included total 39 infants. The hospital outcomes were recorded as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25. P value < 0.05 is considered as statistically significant. Results: All data of 39 babies were obtained during the study, mean birth weight was 1542.82 ± 444.93g, and mean gestational age was 33.00 ± 2.01 weeks. According to Bayley III scores, 23.1% cognitive delay, 7.7% language delay, and 43.6% motor delay were detected. A Positive correlation was found between BW and cognition composite scores (p= 0.001). A negative correlation was found between hospital stay and cognition composite scores (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The neurodevelopmental domain cognition, motor and language scores at 9 months of age are found lower. A Positive correlation was found between birth weight and cognition composite scores. A Positive correlation was found between gestational age and language composite scores.
Advancing integrated social and behavior change programming
Authors:   Breakthrough RESEARCH
Published: November 2022

In recent years, social and behavior change (SBC) programming has experienced a notable shift away from a vertical approach focusing on one health or development topic to integrated approaches concerning multiple health or development issues or outcomes under the same program. To help address important evidence gaps in SBC programming, Breakthrough RESEARCH worked with a range of SBC experts to generate a research and learning agenda that includes a core set of consensus-driven, prioritized implementation science questions. Implementation science research is well-suited to the challenges of SBC because it assesses interventions taking place in real-world contexts and factors in various social, structural, economic, and political realities from multiple perspectives. Implementation science research also examines the process and results of implementation. It has an explicit focus on how to introduce potential solutions into a health system or promote large-scale use and sustainability. This research and learning agenda builds on longstanding investments to improve SBC. It is designed to generate knowledge that can help focus the global SBC community, development partners, and donors on the most important questions related to the effectiveness and efficiency of integrated SBC programs.
S’attaquer aux tabous de la communication pour le changement social et de comportement à Niamey et Abidjan: Évaluation de la campagne médiatique Merci Mon Héros
Authors:   Breakthrough RESEARCH
Published: November 2022

Merci Mon Héros (MMH) est une campagne médiatique qui catalyse les jeunes en tant que co-leaders pour améliorer la communication intergénérationnelle et les résultats des jeunes en matière de planification familiale et de santé reproductive. Le projet Breakthrough RESEARCH a été chargé d'évaluer la campagne MMH. Cette note met en évidence d'importantes conclusions d'évaluation et des recommandations pour le renforcement de la communication intergénérationnelle dans deux lieux prioritaires : Niamey, au Niger et Abidjan, en Côte d'Ivoire. --- Merci Mon Héros (MMH) is a mixed media campaign that catalyzes young people as co-leaders to improve intergenerational communication and young people’s family planning and reproductive health outcomes. The Breakthrough RESEARCH project―USAID’s flagship investment in social and behavior change research and evaluation―was tasked with evaluating the MMH campaign. This brief highlights important evaluation findings and recommendations for strengthening intergenerational communication in two priority locations—Niamey, Niger and Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Untuk Meningkatkan Kualitas SDM dalam Masa Pandemi Covid-19 dengan Keterampilan Pengelolaan Limbah Plastik
Authors: Hikayat Hikayat , Wijaya Anto , Sobari Dede , Agus Karnawan I made Leona , Syartawi Muhammad Issyam
Published: November 2022

Pengabdian ini dilakukan di kecamatan Tapos kota Depok dengan tujuan untuk memberikan edukasi kepada masyarakat Tapos guna meningkatkan kualitas SDM dalam pengelolaan sampah terutama sampah plastik. Metode yang digunakan adalah survey, ceramah dan diskusi serta pelatihan. Berdasarkan survey pendahuluan olen Tim Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat (PKM) ke lokasi dengan melakukan observasi beberapa pelaku bisnis UKM sudah memulai usaha dengan pengelolaan limbah plastik, namun masih menemukan hambatan di masyarakat setempat yang belum memahami limbah plastik di lingkungan dan cara mengelolanya. Diharapkan setelah adanya penyuluhan sosialisai PKM ini maka UKM dapat semakin berkembang, dan masyarakat semakin berkualitas dan memiliki keterampilan Pengelolaan limbah plastik sehingga mampu ber UKM dan memajukan taraf perekonomian dan berdampak positif dengan terjaganya lingkungan baik untuk diri sendiri dan masyarakat.
Structural, electrical and thermoelectric characterizations of bismuth-doped ZnO ceramic material
Authors: Bui Thang Minh , Truong Dai Cao , Nguyen Phung Y , Pham Anh Tuan Thanh , Hoang Dung Van , Nguyen Truong Huu , Tran Vinh Cao , Phan Thang Bach
Published: November 2022

Introduction: ZnO is a potential semiconductor material for thermoelectric (TE) applications at high temperature. In this study, doping Bi atoms aims to improve the power factor of ZnO ceramic. Based on the analyses of structural and TE properties, the enhancement in Seebeck coefficient proves the benefit of Bi doping. Methods: The ZnO and Bi-doped ZnO (BZO) ceramics were fabricated by solid-state reaction at 1400oC in air. The Seebeck LSR-3 system measured both samples’ TE properties, with a combined Hall effect at room temperature. The crystalline structure was analyzed through the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Results: The XRD patterns show all samples having polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure. Although the crystallinity is enhanced, Bi doping reduces significantly carrier concentration from 3.4×1019 to 1.1×1019 cm-3 at room temperature. As a result at 500oC, the electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and power factor are 126 Scm-1, -99 µVK-1, and 124 µWm-1K-2 for pure ZnO; and 76 Scm-1, -142 µVK-1, and 165 µWm-1K-2 for BZO ceramic, respectively. Conclusion: The power factor of Bi-doped ZnO is improved by 32% as compared to pure ZnO at 500oC. The raise of Seebeck coefficient is the main reason for the growth of power factor.
Comparative Analysis of Ensemble Learning Methods for Enhancing Fetal Health Prediction Using Cardiotocography
Authors: Chidambaram Meena , Joy Jens
Published: November 2022

Nearly half of the world’s stillbirths occur during labour and delivery. Early detection of any fetal distress can prompt the doctors to take appropriate measures. Cardiotocography (CTG) is one such technique that continuously records the fetal heart rate and uterine contractions during childbirth. Along with indicating signs of fetal hypoxia, CTG can also be interpreted to detect fetal abnormalities. Using the cardiotocography dataset from the UCI Machine Learning Repository, our paper displays a comparative analysis of different classifiers and ensemble learning methods such as max voting, weighted average, blending, bagging and boosting to enhance the fetal state prediction. Of all the ensemble methods used in our analysis, it was found that the Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) gave the highest accuracy of 95.90%, which exceeded similar existing models. This increase in accuracy can prove to be potentially life saving, aid doctors in a more accurate detection of fetal abnormalities, reduce human error rates and increase infant mortality rates.
Gestão de processos: métodos para a melhoria contínua
Authors: Vieira Yan Sabino , Andrade Edivan Pereira de , Seixas Jhonnatan Kristian Ramalho , Roberto José Carlos Alves , Pinto Junior José Roberto Lira
Published: November 2022

A gestão de processos é o conjunto de práticas e técnicas aplicadas que visam a execução, controle e melhoria dos processos desempenhados pelas organizações. No aspecto gerencial, as boas práticas da gestão de processos e utilização de suas ferramentas tem se mostrado um fator crítico de sucesso nas organizações e no entendimento de como as melhorias precisam ocorrer para a maximização dos resultados esperados. Nesse contexto, o presente artigo tem como questão norteadora: quais métodos podem ser empregados para a melhoria contínua da organização? Sendo assim, objetiva-se conceituar gestão de processos e trazer alguns métodos, como: teoria das restrições, lean, kanban e kaizen, que auxiliam na melhoria contínua da organização. Para isso, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica, selecionando revistas, periódicos e livros pertinentes à temática estudada. Por fim, conclui-se que a gestão de processos e procedimentos é fundamental para a organização obter sucesso. Nesse contexto, existem métodos e filosofias que podem ser empregadas visando a melhoria contínua e o alcance dos objetivos organizacionais.
A contabilidade digital e suas ferramentas: vantagens e desvantagens
Authors: Batista Milena Freitas , Roberto José Carlos Alves
Published: November 2022

A contabilidade digital surgiu como uma alternativa para auxiliar na resolução de problemas, automatizando, agilizando, desburocratizando e credibilizando as atividades contábeis. Por essa razão, este artigo se propôs a investigar: quais são as vantagens e desvantagens da contabilidade digital e suas ferramentas nos dias de hoje? Tendo, dessa forma, como objetivo geral, analisar as contribuições e os desafios dessa nova forma de contabilidade. Com esse intuito, realizou-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica, por meio da qual chegou-se à conclusão de que a contabilidade digital tem muitas vantagens, não apenas na agilidade de processos ou desburocratização, mas na eficiência e qualidade dos serviços oferecidos. Entretanto, implementar esse modelo de contabilidade não é uma tarefa fácil, pois existem requisitos básicos para que ela venha a funcionar corretamente, ou seja, é preciso investir em infraestrutura e qualificação.
A auditoria interna como instrumento na gestão de risco e fraude empresarial
Authors: Pinheiro José Eduardo da Silva , Borges Bruno Guimarães , Roberto José Carlos Alves , Cavalcante Zuila Paulino
Published: November 2022

Tendo em vista que as fraudes empresariais consistem em atividades ilegais que podem prejudicar as empresas e até mesmo causar falências, este artigo se propôs a investigar: como a auditoria interna contribui para a prevenção de riscos e fraudes dentro de uma empresa? Nesse aspecto, adotou-se como objetivo geral identificar o papel da auditoria interna na gestão de riscos e fraudes no âmbito empresarial. Para tanto, realizou-se uma revisão de literatura, com natureza qualitativa e com fins exploratórios, alcançando, como resultados, a constatação de que a auditoria tem o objetivo de analisar as demonstrações contábeis com o intuito de avaliar a legalidade das movimentações financeiras da empresa, contribuindo na identificação de irregularidades para a criação de medidas preventivas contra riscos e fraudes empresariais.
A contribuição da contabilidade na gestão da pesca do pirarucu manejado
Authors: Martins André , Campelo Danielle Torres , Gomes Emily Jane Santana , Roberto José Carlos Alves , Cavalcante Zuila Paulino
Published: November 2022

Com o crescimento da pesca e do comércio desenfreado do pirarucu, em razão da sua diversidade, do seu saboroso sabor, do seu alto teor de proteínas e minerais e, por conseguinte, da sua rentabilidade, houve-se a necessidade de regulamentar essa prática, tornando-a manejada. Desta forma, o presente artigo visou investigar: qual é a contribuição da contabilidade para a economia e a gestão do pirarucu manejado? Com isso, teve-se como objetivo geral demonstrar como a contabilidade está cooperando com a adequada e crescente gestão da pesca do pirarucu manejado. Para tanto, realizou-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica, de caráter exploratório e de natureza quantitativa, por meio da qual foi possível constatar que a contabilidade é capaz de estabilizar o manuseio e o investimento inadequado nesta prática, fazendo com que os comerciantes analisem questões que irão contribuir com os seus negócios e com a comunidade.
A relevância dos sistemas de informatização na organização de dados nos processos contábeis
Authors: Queiroz Luana da Silva , Belém André Ribeiro , Vinnicius Abecassis de Lima Guimarães , Roberto José Carlos Alves , Cavalcante Zuila Paulino
Published: November 2022

Este artigo visa apresentar o processo de informatização na organização de dados nos processos contábeis, demonstrando, também, como a informatização e o desenvolvimento de hardwares e softwares contribui com o aperfeiçoamento do trabalho fiscal. Diante disso, o presente artigo, visa investigar: qual a relevância dos sistemas de informação para a organização de dados nos processos contábeis? Sendo assim, tem-se como objetivo demonstrar a importância dos sistemas de informação na manipulação de dados nos processos contábeis. Para isso, adotou-se, como metodologia, a pesquisa bibliográfica. Como resultados, verificou-se que as transformações impostas pelas Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação, impactaram diversos setores, principalmente o setor contábil. Por fim, concluiu-se que os sistemas de informação possuem relevância na organização de dados nos processos contábeis, pois garantem maior segurança e agilidade na realização da avaliação dos balanços e ativos patrimoniais.
A relevância da gestão de estoque nas empresas
Authors: Magalhães Milena de Almeida , Assis Adriane Costa , Souza Rebeca Pinto de , Roberto José Carlos Alves , Cavalcante Zuila Paulino , Magalhães Sandro Sérgio de Andrade
Published: November 2022

Este artigo se propôs a abordar sobre a relevância da gestão de estoques nas empresas, tendo em vista a necessidade do controle de custos para o andamento saudável de qualquer organização. Por essa razão, definiu-se como questão norteadora: qual é a relevância da aplicação da gestão de estoque nas empresas? Tendo como objetivo geral descrever conceitos e noções relacionadas à temática do estoque, a fim de identificar a relevância da sua gestão nas empresas. Logo, no que diz respeito à metodologia, este artigo baseou-se em uma pesquisa qualitativa, quanto à sua natureza; descritiva, quanto aos seus fins; e bibliográfica, quanto aos seus meios. Dessa forma, chegou-se à conclusão de que sua relevância evidencia-se pelo seu papel em controlar todas as movimentações, seja de entrada ou de saída, assim como os gastos, antecipando-se a uma programação para suprir a quantidade de estoque necessária para cada demanda.
Unstructured Business Processes Improvement using Process Mining Techniques
Authors: Lamghari Zineb
Published: November 2022

Executing loosely structured processes generate unstructured behaviours. Thus, an Unstructured Business Process (UBP) still has more issues that are difficult to be analysed and to be understood due to its complexity and variability. Moreover, the need of an instantiate response is clearly appeared in operational systems. Therefore, it is required to study related challenges that can be acquired during the transition from the structured BP to the unstructured one. In this context, process mining plays a dominant role to understand business process complexity using event data resulted from business process execution. Mainly, this paper treats three challenges related to unstructured BPs. The first challenge is how to support UBPs at runtime using process mining techniques. The second challenge is how to manage UBP variability taking into consideration variant conditions. The third challenge is how to adapt dynamically UBPs according to the company business rules and conditions.
Implications of microbial community assembly for ecosystem restoration: patterns, process, and potential
Authors: Graham Emily , Knelman Joseph
Published: November 2022

While it is now widely accepted that microorganisms provide essential functions in restoration ecology, the nature of relationships between microbial community assembly and ecosystem recovery remain unclear. There has been a longstanding challenge to decipher whether microorganisms facilitate or simply follow ecosystem recovery, and evidence for each is mixed at best. We propose that understanding microbial community assembly processes during ecosystem restoration is critical to optimizing management strategies. We examine how the connection between environment, community structure, and function is fundamentally underpinned by the processes governing community assembly of these microbial communities. We review important factors to consider in evaluating microbial community structure in the context of ecosystem recovery as revealed in studies of microbial succession: 1) variation in community assembly processes, 2) measurable microbial community attributes, and 3) linkages to ecosystem function. We seek to empower restoration ecology with microbial assembly and successional understandings that can generate actionable insights and vital contexts for ecosystem restoration efforts.
Circannual Behavioral Study in Indian Hill Trout Fish Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton)
Authors: Jyoti Chand , A. Kalkundiya , V Semwal , N.S. Dhariyal , Bipin Chandra Pathak
Published: November 2022

In the present study, we collected the fishes from the lake throughout the year for their behavioral study with the help of Ethovision XT 13 (Noldus, Infotech, Wageningen, the Netherlands). Different behavioral parameters such as mobility, turn angle, meander, and area of exploration were recorded by using the Basler camera and software. The behavioral profile of each fish was scored for 300 sec at the rate of 25 frame/sec. The digitized scored data was analyzed by using the Graph pad prism. All the parameters showed a highly significant difference at P<0.05.
Molecular Docking Studies of Natural Polyphenolic Compounds with COVID19 Viral Proteins Responsible for Antibiotic Resistance in Viral Pathogens to Prevent Virus Assembly: In Silico Computational Study
Authors: T. Vimala
Published: November 2022

In order to distinguish possible hits that can inhibit the COVID-19 effects, virtual screening of natural polyphenols (PPs) was carried out by molecular docking (MD) and simulations in silico ADMET and drug like forecasts. Considering the medical relevance literature released, 4 phytochemicals (PC’s) have been chosen with analogous PPs to scan the possible inhibitors for the replicase polyprotein 1ab therapeutic protein targets. The experiments in silico computing showed the efficacy of PPs such as ellagitana against the COVID-19 target proteins.The protein-ligand interaction analysis found that the proteins in the target proteins associate these PC’s with the amino acid residues. The central structure of these possible hits can then be used to further optimise COVID-19 drug design. Also, medicinal plants that contain these PCs can be used to produce appropriate therapeutic approaches for conventional therapies like Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa), Kiwi fruit (Actinidia chinensis), Litchi (Litchi chinensis) and Durian fruit (Durio zibethinus).
Biomedical Waste Management (BMWM) Rules, 2016 - A Short Overview
Authors: Namdev B. Pawar
Published: November 2022

Biomedical Waste Management (BMWM) Rules, 2016 have increased the coverage, simplified the categorization and authorization while improving the segregation, transportation and disposal methods to decrease environmental pollution. Effective implementation of BMWM 2016 Rules will decrease the environmental pollution and ensure the safety of the hospital staff, patients and general public. This review focuses on BMWM Rules, 2016 with respect to: (1) salient features; (2) schedules; (3) schedule II: Colour Coding and Type of Container for disposal of BMW; (4) schedule III: Label for BMW Containers/Bags; (5) schedule IV: Label for Transport of BMW Containers/Bags; and (6) schedule V: Standards for Treatment and Disposal of BMW
Fermented Foods: The Pharmacological and Anticancer Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Nandini Pathak , Anju Rani , Chhaya Singh , Neha Chauhan , Raj Singh
Published: November 2022

Globally, dietary and environmental changes have been recognized as major causes of noncommunicable diseases such as malignancies, with ongoing research on modifiable risk factors, including eating habits, estimating that 30–40% of cancer formation can be avoided with behavioral adjustments. According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with 9.6 million fatalities projected in 2018. Cancer accounts for nearly 1 in every 6 deaths especially in females. In a survey of year 2019 within Indian subcontinent about 20% (one in five) female suffers from one of the symptoms of ovarian disorders which further turns into tumors such as ovarian epithelial cells, endometriosis. More effective cancer treatments with lower toxicity are required. Natural foods have become increasingly popular in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Some nutrient components in fermented foods are referred to be "naturally fortified functional nutrients" because they assist to maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which protects against disease and physiology and could prove to be boon for those females by boosting metabolism because such women have lower healthy gut microflora as compared to other females as fermented foods have higher probiotic value which enhance the gut flora. The epidemiological studies suggest the evidences that lactic acid bacteria present in fermented foods plays an important role in preventing breast cancer. This review article summarizes the health benefits of fermented food to certain cancer which has been scientifically proven.
Fabrication of a controlled-release delivery system for relieving sciatica nerve pain using an ultrasound-responsive microcapsule
Authors: Xu Xiong , Chang Shuai , Zhang Xiaoyi , Hou Taotao , Yao Hui , Zhang Shusheng , Zhu Yuqi , Cui Xu , Wang Xing
Published: November 2022

Lidocaine, a potent local anesthetic, is clinically used in nerve block and pain management. However, due to its short half-life, repeated administration is required. For this reason, here we designed and prepared a lidocaine-encapsulated polylactic acid-glycolic acid (Lidocaine@PLGA) microcapsule with ultrasound responsiveness to relieve the sciatica nerve pain. With a premixed membrane emulsification strategy, the fabricated lidocaine-embedded microcapsules possessed uniform particle size, good stability, injectability, and long-term sustained release both in vitro and in vivo. More importantly, Lidocaine@PLGA microcapsules had the function of ultrasonic responsive release, which made the drug release controllable with the effect of on-off administration. Our research showed that using ultrasound as a trigger switch could promote the rapid release of lidocaine from the microcapsules, achieving the dual effects of long-term sustained release and short-term ultrasound-triggered rapid release, which can enable the application of ultrasound-responsive Lidocaine@PLGA microcapsules to nerve root block and postoperative pain relief.
Icariin-loaded hydrogel with concurrent chondrogenesis and anti-inflammatory properties for promoting cartilage regeneration in a large animal model
Authors: Xu Songshan , Zhao Shaohua , Jian Yanpeng , Shao Xinwei , Han Dandan , Zhang Fan , Liang Chen , Liu Weijie , Fan Jun , Yang Zhikui , Zhou Jinge , Zhang Wenqiang , Wang Yigong
Published: November 2022

Currently, an effective repair method that can promote satisfactory cartilage regeneration is unavailable for cartilage damages owing to inevitable inflammatory erosion. Cartilage tissue engineering has revealed considerable treatment options for cartilage damages. Icariin (ICA) is a flavonoid component of Epimedii folium with both chondrogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we prepared an ICA/CTS hydrogel by loading ICA into chitosan (CTS) hydrogel to impart chondrogenesis and anti-inflammatory properties to the ICA/CTS hydrogel. In vitro results revealed that ICA showed sustained release kinetics from the ICA/CTS hydrogel. In addition, compared to the CTS hydrogel, the ICA/CTS hydrogel exhibited a favorable in vitro anti-inflammatory effect upon incubation with lipopolysaccharide pre-induced RAW264.7 macrophages, as indicated by the suppression of inflammatory-related cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α). Additionally, when co-cultured with chondrocytes in vitro, the ICA/CTS hydrogel showed good cytocompatibility, accelerated chondrocyte proliferation, and enhanced chondrogenesis compared to the CTS hydrogel. Moreover, the in vitro engineered cartilage from the chondrocyte-loaded ICA/CTS hydrogel achieved stable cartilage regeneration when subcutaneously implanted in a goat model. Finally, the addition of ICA endowed the ICA/CTS hydrogel with a potent anti-inflammatory effect compared to what was observed in the CTS hydrogel, as confirmed by the attenuated IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and TUNEL expression. The prepared ICA/CTS hydrogel offered an effective method of delivery for chondrogenic and anti-inflammatory agents and served as a useful platform for cartilage regeneration in an immunocompetent large animal model.
Toward extreme face super-resolution in the wild: A self-supervised learning approach
Authors: Cheikh Sidiya Ahmed , Li Xin
Published: November 2022

Extreme face super-resolution (FSR), that is, improving the resolution of face images by an extreme scaling factor (often greater than ×8) has remained underexplored in the literature of low-level vision. Extreme FSR in the wild must address the challenges of both unpaired training data and unknown degradation factors. Inspired by the latest advances in image super-resolution (SR) and self-supervised learning (SSL), we propose a novel two-step approach to FSR by introducing a mid-resolution (MR) image as the stepping stone. In the first step, we leverage ideas from SSL-based SR reconstruction of medical images (e.g., MRI and ultrasound) to modeling the realistic degradation process of face images in the real world; in the second step, we extract the latent codes from MR images and interpolate them in a self-supervised manner to facilitate artifact-suppressed image reconstruction. Our two-step extreme FSR can be interpreted as the combination of existing self-supervised CycleGAN (step 1) and StyleGAN (step 2) that overcomes the barrier of critical resolution in face recognition. Extensive experimental results have shown that our two-step approach can significantly outperform existing state-of-the-art FSR techniques, including FSRGAN, Bulat's method, and PULSE, especially for large scaling factors such as 64.
The ethanol extract of Edgeworthia gardneri (Wall.) Meisn attenuates macrophage foam cell formation and atherogenesis in ApoE−/− mice
Authors: Tang Le , Kuang Cuifang , Shan Dan , Shi Min , Li Jiangsheng , Qiu Liang , Yu Jun
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. The Edgeworthia gardneri (Wall.) Meisn is a Tibetan medicine commonly used to prepare herbal tea to alleviate the local people's metabolic diseases. However, the anti-atherosclerotic effect of ethanol extract of the flower of E. gardneri (Wall.) Meisn (EEEG) and its underlying mechanism remain unknown.

Methods

EEEG was used to treat low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced macrophages to detect macrophage foaminess, cholesterol binding and uptake, and lipid transport-related gene expression. eEEG treated ApoE−/− mice fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to detect atherosclerotic plaque area, macrophage infiltration, and liver and small intestine lipid transport-related gene expression.

Results

EEEG inhibited macrophage-derived foam cell formation induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) by reducing CD36-mediated lipoprotein uptake. EEEG significantly alleviated atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. EEEG treatment significantly decreased atherosclerotic plaque area, macrophage infiltration, and increased collagen content. Moreover, EEEG treatment significantly downregulated mRNA expression of hepatic Srb1 and intestinal Npc1l1 and increased expression of hepatic Cyp7a1.

Conclusion

Our study highlighted that EEEG played a role in attenuating atherosclerotic plaque formation by reducing macrophage foam cell formation.
Association of chronic kidney disease with all-cause mortality in patients hospitalized for atrial fibrillation and impact of clinical and socioeconomic factors on this association
Authors: Bao Min-qiang , Shu Gui-jun , Chen Chuan-jin , Chen Yi-nong , Wang Jie , Wang Yu
Published: November 2022

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) often co-occur, and many of the same clinical factors and indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) are associated with both diseases. The effect of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on all-cause mortality in AF patients and the impact of SES on this relationship are uncertain.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study examined 968 patients who were admitted for AF. Patients were divided into four groups based on eGFR at admission: eGFR-0 (normal eGFR) to eGFR-3 (severely decreased eGFR). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Cox regression analysis was used to identify the effect of eGFR on mortality, and subgroup analyses to determine the impact of confounding factors.

Results

A total of 337/968 patients (34.8%) died during follow-up. The average age was 73.70 ± 10.27 years and there were 522 males (53.9%). More than 39% of these patients had CKD (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2), 319 patients with moderately decreased eGFR and 67 with severely decreased eGFR. After multivariate adjustment and relative to the eGFR-0 group, the risk for all-cause death was greater in the eGFR-2 group (HR = 2.416, 95% CI = 1.366–4.272, p = 0.002) and the eGFR-3 group (HR = 4.752, 95% CI = 2.443–9.242, p < 0.00001), but not in the eGFR-1 group (p > 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that moderately to severely decreased eGFR only had a significant effect on all-cause death in patients with low SES.

Conclusion

Moderately to severely decreased eGFR in AF patients was independently associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, especially in those with lower SES.
Multivessel vs. culprit vessel-only percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with and without cardiogenic shock
Authors: Wu Jing , Wang Yonggang , Li Chenguang , Ji Honglei , Zhao Wenyi , Tong Qian , Zhang Mingyou
Published: November 2022

Background

Early revascularization of the culprit vessel is the most effective treatment for reducing the risk of mortality from acute STEMI with and without cardiogenic shock. However, the most recent trends and impact of multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during the index hospitalization on in-hospital outcomes are unknown.

Methods

The National Inpatient Sample was queried from October 2015 to 2019 for hospitalizations with STEMI. The impact of multivessel PCI on in-hospital outcomes of patients with and without cardiogenic shock was evaluated.

Results

Of 624,605 STEMI hospitalizations treated with PCI, 12.5% were complicated by cardiogenic shock. Among hospitalizations without cardiogenic shock, 15.7% were treated by multivessel PCI, which declined from 20.8% in 2015 to 13.9% in 2019 (Ptrend < 0.001). Multivessel and culprit-only PCI had similar rates of In-hospital mortality (2.4 vs. 2.3%, p = 0.027) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE; 7.4 vs. 7.2%, p = 0.072). Among hospitalizations with cardiogenic shock, 22.1% were treated by multivessel PCI, which declined from 29.2% in 2015 to 19.4% in 2019 (Ptrend < 0.001). Multivessel PCI was associated with higher rates of in-hospital mortality (30.9 vs. 28.4%, p < 0.001) and MACCE (39.9 vs. 36.5%, p < 0.001) than culprit-only PCI.

Conclusion

The frequency of multivessel PCI for STEMI with and without cardiogenic shock is declining. Multivessel PCI is associated with worse in-hospital outcomes for STEMI with cardiogenic shock but not for STEMI without cardiogenic shock.
An unusually productive microearthquake sequence brings new insights to the buried active thrust system of Montello (Southeastern Alps, Northern Italy)
Authors: Peruzza Laura , Romano Maria Adelaide , Guidarelli Mariangela , Moratto Luca , Garbin Marco , Priolo Enrico
Published: November 2022

In August 2021, an extremely productive seismic sequence took place in northeastern Italy. Within 1 month, we identified and localized 407 microearthquakes in the area monitored by the local Collalto Seismic Network. This is about 20 times the average monthly rate of events detected in the last decade; 92% of them are clustered near the village of Refrontolo at about 9 km depth (main event a ML2.5, MW2.4). None of the Refrontolo sequence earthquakes were felt by the population. The earthquakes, mostly identified by automatic procedures, were post-processed by manual picking of P, S-phases and polarities; they were localized by different techniques and define a small SE dipping volume that departs from the brittle surface previously enlightened by microseisms and assigned to the NNW dipping Montello Thrust. We interpret the sequence ruptured pre-stressed patches near to failure of sub-vertical, antithetically oriented faults. The unusual productivity rate and precursory foreshock activity support the hypothesis that the Montello system has a relevant aseismic component. We believe that this episode, of no importance from an energetic point of view, is of greatest interest for deciphering the seismic potential of this area and for strengthening automatic microearthquake detection and location procedures.
Clinical implication of low estrogen receptor (ER-low) expression in breast cancer
Authors: Reinert Tomás , Cascelli Fanny , Resende Cristiano Augusto Andrade de , Gonçalves Aline Coelho , Godo Vania Sanchez Prette , Barrios Carlos Henrique
Published: November 2022

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and the estrogen receptor (ER) remains the most important biomarker in breast oncology. Most guidelines set a positive expression threshold of 1% staining in immunohistochemistry (IHC) to define ER positivity. However, different expression levels may be associated with diverse degrees of sensitivity to endocrine therapy as ER expression may impact breast cancer molecular biology as a continuous variable. ER-lo tumors, defined as those with 1-10% ER expression, represent a relatively small subgroup of breast cancer patients, with an estimated prevalence of 2-7%. These tumors are similar to ERneg disease in their molecular landscape, clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, and response to therapy. Nevertheless, a proportion may retain some degree of ER signaling dependency, and the possibility of responding to some degree to endocrine therapy cannot be completely ruled out. This review article discusses the most important considerations regarding the definition of ER positivity, pathology assessment, prognosis, and therapeutic implication of ERlo breast cancer from the medical oncology perspective.
Sleep patterns in patients treated for non-secreting intra- and parasellar tumors: A self-report case-control study
Authors: Wild Carl Mathis , Stieg Mareike , Stalla Günter K. , Jung-Sievers Caroline , Auer Matthias K. , Athanasoulia-Kaspar Anastasia P.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

In this study we evaluate sleep patterns of patients treated for non-secreting intra- and parasellar tumors and age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Methods

We conducted a self-report cross-sectional case-control study with 104 patients treated for non-secreting intra- and parasellar tumors and 1800 healthy controls in an 1:8 matching. All subjects answered the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire, whereas patients were provided the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Short-Form 36 Health survey, the Beck Depression Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory additionally.

Results

Patients treated for non-secreting intra- and parasellar tumors go to bed earlier, fall asleep earlier, need less time to prepare to sleep but also to get up. Additionally, they lie and sleep longer. The subgroup analysis showed that patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency compared to controls experienced shorter daily light exposure and longer sleep latency. Higher hydrocortisone dose (>20mg) was associated with worse score in global, physical and mental health, shorter time to prepare to sleep, earlier sleep onset and longer sleep duration.

Conclusion

Our study shows that patients treated for non-secreting intra- and parasellar tumors, even if successfully treated, experience altered sleep patterns compared to controls. We suggest that managing clinicians should enlighten these possible sleep alterations to their patients and use specific questionnaires to document sleep disturbances. Additionally, when treating patients surgically, especially by transcranial approach, damaging the suprachiasmatic nucleus should be avoided. Furthermore, circadian hydrocortisone replacement therapy ideally with dual-release hydrocortisone - if possible, in a dose not more than 20mg daily - that resembles physiological cortisol levels more closely may be beneficial and could improve sleep patterns and sleep-related quality of life.
The polymorphisms of MIR31HG gene is correlated with alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in Chinese Han male population
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Xin , Chen JianFei , Zeng Fan , Xiong Jun
Published: November 2022

Background

Alcoholic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a multifaceted illness that seriously disturbs the patients’ quality of life. The role of lncRNAs in alcoholic ONFH has attracted widespread attention in recent years. This study mainly explored whether MIR31HG polymorphism affects the risk of ONFH.

Methods

There were 733 males (308 alcohol-induced ONFH patients and 425 healthy controls). Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms from MIR31HG were genotyped using the Agena MassARRAY platform. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) via logistic regression was applied to assess the contribution of MIR31HG variants to alcoholic ONFH susceptibility.

Results

We found that rs10965059 was related to a lower risk of alcoholic ONFH in the overall, age, and necrotic sites analysis. Rs10965064 also showed a risk-reducing effect in the occurrence of alcoholic ONFH patients older than 40 years old.

Conclusions

We confirmed that MIR31HG variants have a significant correlation with the occurrence of alcoholic ONFH among the Chinese Han male population. our findings may provide new ideas for understanding the effect of MIR31HG on the prevention and diagnosis of alcoholic ONFH.