bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deciphering the introduction and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the Colombian Amazon Basin
Authors: Ballesteros Nathalia , Muñoz Marina , Patiño Luz Helena , Hernández Carolina , González-Casabianca Felipe , Carroll Iván , Santos-Vega Mauricio , Cascante Jaime , Angel Andrés , Feged-Rivadeneira Alejandro , Palma-Cuero Mónica , Flórez Carolina , Gomez Sergio , van de Guchte Adriana , Khan Zenab , Dutta Jayeeta , Obla Ajay , Alshammary Hala Alejel , Gonzalez-Reiche Ana S. , Hernandez Matthew M. , Sordillo Emilia Mia , Simon Viviana , van Bakel Harm , Paniz-Mondolfi Alberto E. , Ramírez Juan David
Published: April 2021

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has forced health authorities across the world to take important decisions to curtail its spread. Genomic epidemiology has emerged as a valuable tool to understand introductions and spread of the virus in a specific geographic location.

Methodology/Principal findings

Here, we report the sequences of 59 SARS-CoV-2 samples from inhabitants of the Colombian Amazonas department. The viral genomes were distributed in two robust clusters within the distinct GISAID clades GH and G. Spatial-temporal analyses revealed two independent introductions of SARS-CoV-2 in the region, one around April 1, 2020 associated with a local transmission, and one around April 2, 2020 associated with other South American genomes (Uruguay and Brazil). We also identified ten lineages circulating in the Amazonas department including the P.1 variant of concern (VOC).

Conclusions/Significance

This study represents the first genomic epidemiology investigation of SARS-CoV-2 in one of the territories with the highest report of indigenous communities of the country. Such findings are essential to decipher viral transmission, inform on global spread and to direct implementation of infection prevention and control measures for these vulnerable populations, especially, due to the recent circulation of one of the variants of concern (P.1) associated with major transmissibility and possible reinfections.
Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) home range at Fowlers Gap Arid Zone Research Station, NSW
Authors: Badgery Georgia J. , Lawes Jasmin C. , Leggett Keith E. A.
Published: April 2021

Echidnas(Tachyglossus aculeatus)are found Australia-wide and appear to be remarkably well-adapted to the arid zone, yet nearly all echidna research has been conducted in temperate, tropical and alpine zones. This study investigated the home range and movement of echidnas in western New South Wales. Radio telemetry tracking was used to locate the echidnas daily during the study period (March-May 2018, November 2018, March-May 2019 and August 2019); the observed home range was 1.47± 1.21km2. This is over twice the reported home range of temperate environments (<0.65km2), suggesting that echidnas exhibit larger home ranges in arid zones. The home range of individual echidnas ranged from 0.02km2to 3.56km2. Echidnas exhibited a small degree of overlap (6.6%± 19.8%) but this varied considerably between individuals (between 0 to 84.2% overlap.) Four out of the thirteen echidnas died during this study, likely due to the severe drought that occurred during the study. This study provides insight into the movement and home range of echidnas in arid zones, revealing that desert echidnas have large home ranges, probably dependent on the availability of resources.
Assessment of microbiological correlates and immunostimulatory potential of electron beam inactivated metabolically active yet non culturable (MAyNC) Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: Praveen Chandni , Bhatia Sohini S. , Alaniz Robert C. , Droleskey Robert E. , Cohen Noah D. , Jesudhasan Palmy R. , Pillai Suresh D.
Published: April 2021

This study investigates the microbiological and immunological basis underlying the efficacy of electron beam-inactivated immune modulators. The underlying hypothesis is that exposure to eBeam-based ionization reactions inactivate microorganisms without modifying their antigenic properties and thereby creating immune modulators. The immunological correlates of protection induced by such eBeam based Salmonella Typhimurium (EBST) immune modulators in dendritic cell (DC) (in vitro) and mice (in vivo) models were assessed. The EBST stimulated innate pro inflammatory response (TNFα) and maturation (MHC-II, CD40, CD80 and CD86) of DC. Immuno-stimulatory potential of EBST was on par with both a commercial Salmonella vaccine, and live Salmonella cells. The EBST cells did not multiply under permissive in vitro and in vivo conditions. However, EBST cells remained metabolically active. EBST immunized mice developed Salmonella-specific CD4+ T-cells that produced the Th1 cytokine IFNγ at a level similar to that induced by the live attenuated vaccine (AroA- ST) formulation. The EBST retained stable immunogenic properties for several months at room temperature, 4°C, and -20°C as well as after lyophilization. Therefore, such eBeam-based immune modulators have potential as vaccine candidates since they offer the safety of a “killed” vaccine, while retaining the immunogenicity of an “attenuated” vaccine. The ability to store eBeam based immune modulators at room temperature without loss of potency is also noteworthy.
Relationships of irrigation water and soil physical and chemical characteristics with yield, chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Damask rose essential oil
Authors: Ghavam Mansureh
Published: April 2021

Damask rose (Rosa damascenaMill.) is an aromatic medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds with high value in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Knowledge of the factors affecting the quantitative and qualitative properties of the compounds in its essential oil (EO) and the bioactivity of this EO is important in optimizing Damask rose cultivation and production. This research studied, for the first time, the effects of irrigation water and soil chemical and physical characteristics on the EO yield of this important commercial species and on it chemical composition and antimicrobial activity. The results showed the significant effect of crop cultivation site on yield, chemical composition and inhibition zone diameter (IZD) at the 1% significance level. The highest EO yield (~0.0266%), which belonged to the Noushabad site (EON), resulted from the increased soil electrical conductivity (EC) and the higher sand, gypsum and lime contents and irrigation water salinity. Analysis of the chemical composition of the EOs showed that their main compounds at all three crop sites were citronellol, nonadecane, heneicosane and geraniol. The EO obtained from the Yazdel site (EOY) had the highest contents of citronellol and geraniol (~29.05% and ~6.85%) that were directly correlated with soil potassium and phosphorus contents and inversely correlated with soil acidity and EC and its lime, nitrogen, and organic carbon contents. Antimicrobial assays indicated that the EO extracted from the Sefidshahr site (EOS), which had the largest inhibition zone diameter (~14.67 mm) forAspergillus brasiliensis(IZD~14.67 mm) and the lowest MIC (~31.25 μg/mL) forStaphylococcus aureusandPseudomonas aeruginosa, exhibited efficacy similar to that of rifampin, probably due to the dominance of the alkanes in it. The EOYand EOSalso exhibited the strongest inhibitory and lethal activity againstCandida albicans(MIC and MBC <15.63 μg/mL for EOYand MIC and MBC = 62.5 μg/mL for EOS), which were six and four times stronger than those of nystatin, respectively. Therefore, the selected EOs can act as a potentially promising strategy for fighting microbial strains.
Pathological complete response of adding targeted therapy to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for inflammatory breast cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Chainitikun Sudpreeda , Espinosa Fernandez Jose Rodrigo , Long James P. , Iwase Toshiaki , Kida Kumiko , Wang Xiaoping , Saleem Sadia , Lim Bora , Valero Vicente , Ueno Naoto T.
Published: April 2021

Background

The current use of targeted therapy plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy for inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is based on data extrapolated from studies in non-IBC. We conducted a systematic review to determine whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus targeted therapy results in a higher pathologic complete response (pCR) rate than neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone in patients with IBC.

Method and findings

This systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO register with registration number CRD42018089465. We searched MEDLINE & PubMed, EMBASE, and EBSCO from December 1998 through July 2020. All English-language clinical studies, both randomized and non-randomized, that evaluated neoadjuvant systemic treatment with or without targeted therapy before definitive surgery and reported the pCR results of IBC patients. First reviewer extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using the Risk of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tool. Second reviewer confirmed the accuracy. Studies were divided into 3 groups according to systemic treatment: chemotherapy with targeted therapy, chemotherapy alone, and high-dose chemotherapy with hematopoietic stem cell support (HSCS). Of 995 screened studies, 23 with 1,269 IBC patients met the inclusion criteria. For each of the 3 groups of studies, we computed a weighted average of the pCR rates across all studies with confidence interval (CI). The weighted averages (95% CIs) were as follows: chemotherapy with targeted therapy, 31.6% (26.4%-37.3%), chemotherapy alone, 13.0% (10.3%-16.2%), and high-dose chemotherapy with HSCS, 23.0% (18.7%-27.7%). The high pCR by targeted therapy group came from anti-HER2 therapy, 54.4% (44.3%-64.0%). Key limitations of this study included no randomized clinical studies that included only IBC patients.

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus targeted therapy is more effective than neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone for IBC patients. These findings support current IBC standard practice in particular the use of anti-HER2 targeted therapy.
Does the New Rural Pension Scheme improve residents’ livelihoods? Empirical evidence from Northwestern China
Authors: Chen Yan , Zhao Lisheng , Fan Yubing , Xie Bingxue
Published: April 2021

The sustainable development of pension systems has been investigated from a financial perspective worldwide. However, the pension adequacy and its effect on the sustainability of a national pension system are still understudied. Using actual replacement rate and modified living standards replacement rate, this study empirically evaluates whether China’s New Rural Pension Scheme (NRPS) grants enough livelihood protection for the rural residents in the Northwestern China. The results show that the NRPS fails to meet the basic needs of the elderly people (i.e., age of sixty years or older) or the middle-aged people (forty-five to fifty-nine years old), while it only provides limited protection for the young people (sixteen to forty-four years old). These findings suggest that the current NRPS benefits are very low in the Northwestern China and policy reforms should be further implemented to improve the sustainable development of the New Rural Pension Scheme.
Leveraging mobile phone surveys during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador and Sri Lanka: Methods, timeline and findings
Authors: Phadnis Rachael , Wickramasinghe Champika , Zevallos Juan Carlos , Davlin Stacy , Kumarapeli Vindya , Lea Veronica , Lee Juliette , Perera Udara , Solórzano Francisco Xavier , Vásconez Juan Francisco
Published: April 2021

Effective and rapid decision making during a pandemic requires data not only about infections, but also about human behavior. Mobile phone surveys (MPS) offer the opportunity to collect real-time data on behavior, exposure, knowledge, and perception, as well as care and treatment to inform decision making. The surveys aimed to collect coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related information in Ecuador and Sri Lanka using mobile phones. In Ecuador, a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) survey was conducted. In Sri Lanka, an evaluation of a novel medicine delivery system was conducted. Using the established mobile network operator channels and technical assistance provided through The Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health Initiative (D4H), Ministries of Health fielded a population-based COVID-19-specific MPS using Surveda, the open source data collection tool developed as part of the initiative. A total of 1,185 adults in Ecuador completed the MPS in 14 days. A total of 5,001 adults over the age of 35 in Sri Lanka completed the MPS in 44 days. Both samples were adjusted to the 2019 United Nations Population Estimates to produce population-based estimates by age and sex. The Ecuador COVID-19 MPS found that there was compliance with the mitigation strategies implemented in that country. Overall, 96.5% of Ecuadorians reported wearing a face mask or face covering when leaving home. Overall, 3.8% of Sri Lankans used the service to receive medicines from a government clinic. Among those who used the medicine delivery service in Sri Lanka, 95.8% of those who used a private pharmacy received their medications within one week, and 69.9% of those using a government clinic reported the same. These studies demonstrate that MPS can be conducted quickly and gather essential data. MPS can help monitor the impact of interventions and programs, and rapidly identify what works in mitigating the impact of COVID-19.
Physicians’ attitude towards webinars and online education amid COVID-19 pandemic: When less is more
Authors: Ismail Ismail Ibrahim , Abdelkarim Ahmed , Al-Hashel Jasem Y.
Published: April 2021

Background

Since the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic, all scientific medical activities were shifted to an online format, in the form of webinars, to maintain continuing medical education (CME). We aimed to assess physicians’ attitude among different medical specialties towards this sudden and unexpected shift of traditional face-to-face meetings into webinars, and to suggest future recommendations.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, internet-based survey study using a 25-item questionnaire, from November 1 and November 15, 2020. The survey was created and distributed to physicians from different medical and surgical specialties and from different countries via several social media platforms, using a snowball technique.

Results

A total of 326 physicians responded; 165 (50.6%) were females, mean age of responders was 38.7 ± 7.5 years. The majority of responses (93.2%) came from Arab countries. Of them, 195 (59.8%) reported attending more webinars compared to the same period last year, with average of 3 per month. As regard to the general impression; 244 (74.8%) were “strongly satisfied” or “satisfied”, with the most satisfaction for “training courses: by 268 (82.2%), and “International conferences” by 218 (66.9%). However, 246 respondents (75.5%) felt overwhelmed with the number and frequency of webinars during the pandemic, 171 (52.5%) reported attending less than 25% of webinars they are invited to, 205 (62.8%) disagreed that webinars can replace in-person meetings after the pandemic, and 239 (73.3%) agreed that online meetings need proper regulations.

Conclusions

Webinars comprised a major avenue for education during COVID-19 pandemic, with initial general satisfaction among physicians. However, this paradigm shift was sudden and lacked proper regulations. Despite initial satisfaction, the majority of physicians felt overwhelmed with the number and frequency of webinars. Physicians’ satisfaction is crucial in planning future educational activities, and considering that this current crisis will most likely have long lasting effects, webinars should be viewed as complementing traditional in-person methods, rather than replacement. In this study, we are suggesting recommendations to help future regulation of this change.
Development and validation of a self-report measure of epistemic trust
Authors: Campbell Chloe , Tanzer Michal , Saunders Rob , Booker Thomas , Allison Elizabeth , Li Elizabeth , O’Dowda Claire , Luyten Patrick , Fonagy Peter
Published: April 2021

Epistemic trust (ET) refers to trust in communicated knowledge. This paper describes the development and validation of a new self-report questionnaire, the Epistemic Trust, Mistrust and Credulity Questionnaire (ETMCQ). We report on two studies (Study 1, n = 500; Study 2, n = 705) examining the psychometric properties of the ETMCQ and the relationship between EMTCQ scores (i.e., an individual’s epistemic stance) and exposure to adverse childhood experiences, mental health symptoms, attachment, mentalizing and general self-efficacy. The factor structure of the ETMCQ was examined using Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses, and its reliability and test-retest reliability were tested. Both studies yielded three correlated yet distinct factors–Trust, Mistrust and Credulity–and confirmed the reliability and validity of the ETMCQ. Preregistered hypotheses were confirmed and replicated across both studies. Main findings suggest intriguing links between the ETMCQ and developmental psychopathology constructs and are consistent with thinking on the role of epistemic stance in undermining adaptation and increasing the developmental risk of mental health problems. Mistrust and Credulity scores were associated with childhood adversity and higher scores on the global psychopathology severity index and both factors partially mediated the link between early adversity and mental health symptoms. Mistrust and Credulity were positively associated with difficulties in understanding mental states and insecure attachment styles. Post-hoc analysis identified that different attachment styles were associated with differences in epistemic stance. In addition, Trust was not associated with reduced levels of mental health symptoms and did not moderate the impact of childhood adversity–findings are congruent with the suggestion that the reduction of mistrust and credulity may be crucial common factors in promoting resilience and the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions. This investigation and the ETMCQ provide an empirical measure of what until now has been largely a theoretical concept and open new avenues for future research.
Metagenomic insights into mixotrophic denitrification facilitated nitrogen removal in a full-scale A2/O wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Liu Shulei , Chen Yasong , Xiao Lin
Published: April 2021

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are important for pollutant removal from wastewater, elimination of point discharges of nutrients into the environment and water resource protection. The anaerobic/anoxic/oxic (A2/O) process is widely used in WWTPs for nitrogen removal, but the requirement for additional organics to ensure a suitable nitrogen removal efficiency makes this process costly and energy consuming. In this study, we report mixotrophic denitrification at a low COD (chemical oxygen demand)/TN (total nitrogen) ratio in a full-scale A2/O WWTP with relatively high sulfate in the inlet. Nitrogen and sulfur species analysis in different units of this A2/O WWTP showed that the internal sulfur cycle of sulfate reduction and reoxidation occurred and that the reduced sulfur species might contribute to denitrification. Microbial community analysis revealed that Thiobacillus, an autotrophic sulfur-oxidizing denitrifier, dominated the activated sludge bacterial community. Metagenomics data also supported the potential of sulfur-based denitrification when high levels of denitrification occurred, and sulfur oxidation and sulfate reduction genes coexisted in the activated sludge. Although most of the denitrification genes were affiliated with heterotrophic denitrifiers with high abundance, the narG and napA genes were mainly associated with autotrophic sulfur-oxidizing denitrifiers. The functional genes related to nitrogen removal were actively expressed even in the unit containing relatively highly reduced sulfur species, indicating that the mixotrophic denitrification process in A2/O could overcome not only a shortage of carbon sources but also the inhibition by reduced sulfur of nitrification and denitrification. Our results indicate that a mixotrophic denitrification process could be developed in full-scale WWTPs and reduce the requirement for additional carbon sources, which could endow WWTPs with more flexible and adaptable nitrogen removal.
Effect of smoking status and programmed death-ligand 1 expression on the microenvironment and malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yagyuu Takahiro , Funayama Naoki , Imada Mitsuhiko , Kirita Tadaaki
Published: April 2021

Tobacco smoking is associated with an increased risk of oral leukoplakia and head and neck cancer. Although it has recently been reported that the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment in oral potentially malignant disorders may lead to malignant transformation, it is unclear whether the microenvironments of oral potentially malignant disorders differ according to smoking status. We examined differences in programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and subepithelial CD163+ TAM and CD8+ cell/lymphocyte counts in the microenvironment of oral leukoplakia of smoking and non-smoking patients and investigated their associations with malignant transformation. Pathology reports and original biopsy request forms from 1995–2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Lesions clinically characterized as white plaques/lesions of the oral mucosa and pathologically diagnosed as oral epithelial dysplasia were included. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate PD-L1 expression and subepithelial CD163+/CD8+ cell counts. The significance of prognostic factors in predicting malignant transformation was determined using Cox regression analysis. Statistical significance was defined as P<0.05. In total, 200 patients with oral leukoplakia were selected. The mean age at diagnosis was higher in non-smoking patients (n = 141; 66.9 years) than in smoking patients (n = 59; 60.5 years). The 5-year cumulative malignant transformation rate was higher in non-smoking patients than in smoking patients (9.3% vs. 3.0%, respectively). Oral leukoplakia was associated with significantly higher PD-L1 expression and increased numbers of subepithelial CD163+ cells in the non-smoking group compared with the smoking group. Non-smoking-related oral leukoplakia with positive PD-L1 expression was associated with a 6.97-fold (95% confidence interval: 2.14–22.7) increased risk of malignant transformation. The microenvironment of oral leukoplakia differed according to smoking status. A combination of smoking status and PD-L1 expression may predict malignant transformation in oral leukoplakia patients. This study highlights the importance of understanding the interaction between smoking and the microenvironment in oral leukoplakia.
eDNA as a tool for non-invasive monitoring of the fauna of a turbid, well-mixed system, the Elbe estuary in Germany
Authors: Schwentner Martin , Zahiri Reza , Yamamoto Satoshi , Husemann Martin , Kullmann Björn , Thiel Ralf
Published: April 2021

The Elbe is one of the longest European rivers and features a large, turbid and well-mixed estuary, which runs through the inner city of Hamburg. The Elbe has been closely monitored using classical catch techniques in the past. Here we tested a COI-based eDNA approach for assessing the biodiversity within the Elbe. We sampled three stations in the Elbe, included low and high tide events, as well as two adjoining lakes to compare the recovered faunas. To analyze the data, we employed two different pipelines: the automated mBRAVE pipeline utilizing the BOLD database and one including NCBI BLAST. The number of OTUs with species or higher-level identifications were similar between both approaches with 352 OTUs and 355 OTUs for BLAST and mBRAVE, respectively, however, BLAST searches recovered another 942 unidentified metazoan OTUs. Many taxa were well represented; however, fish species were poorly represented, especially in the Elbe estuary samples. This could be a result of the universal COI primers, which also yielded high read numbers for non-metazoan OTUs, and small-bodies taxa like Rotifera, which might have been sampled together with the eDNA. Our results show a strong tidal influence on the recovered taxa. During low tide, downstream stations resembled sites further upstream, but the former showed a very different OTU composition during high tide and early tide. Such differences might be due to varying impacts of upstream-originating eDNA during tide cycles. Such factors need to be considered when routinely employing eDNA for monitoring programs.
Highly efficient CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene knockout in primary human B cells for functional genetic studies of Epstein-Barr virus infection
Authors: Akidil Ezgi , Albanese Manuel , Buschle Alexander , Ruhle Adrian , Pich Dagmar , Keppler Oliver T. , Hammerschmidt Wolfgang
Published: April 2021

Gene editing is now routine in all prokaryotic and metazoan cells but has not received much attention in immune cells when the CRISPR-Cas9 technology was introduced in the field of mammalian cell biology less than ten years ago. This versatile technology has been successfully adapted for gene modifications in human myeloid cells and T cells, among others, but applications to human primary B cells have been scarce and limited to activated B cells. This limitation has precluded conclusive studies into cell activation, differentiation or cell cycle control in this cell type. We report on highly efficient, simple and rapid genome engineering in primary resting human B cells using nucleofection of Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes, followed by EBV infection or culture on CD40 ligand feeder cells to drive in vitro B cell survival. We provide proof-of-principle of gene editing in quiescent human B cells using two model genes: CD46 and CDKN2A. The latter encodes the cell cycle regulator p16INK4a which is an important target of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Infection of B cells carrying a knockout of CDKN2A with wildtype and EBNA3 oncoprotein mutant strains of EBV allowed us to conclude that EBNA3C controls CDKN2A, the only barrier to B cell proliferation in EBV infected cells. Together, this approach enables efficient targeting of specific gene loci in quiescent human B cells supporting basic research as well as immunotherapeutic strategies.
Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells at the crossroad of type I interferon-regulated B cell differentiation and antiviral response to tick-borne encephalitis virus
Authors: Etna Marilena P. , Signorazzi Aurora , Ricci Daniela , Severa Martina , Rizzo Fabiana , Giacomini Elena , Gaggioli Andrea , Bekeredjian-Ding Isabelle , Huckriede Anke , Coccia Eliana M.
Published: April 2021

The Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) causes different disease symptoms varying from asymptomatic infection to severe encephalitis and meningitis suggesting a crucial role of the human host immune system in determining the fate of the infection. There is a need to understand the mechanisms underpinning TBEV-host interactions leading to protective immunity. To this aim, we studied the response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to the whole formaldehyde inactivated TBEV (I-TBEV), the drug substance of Encepur, one of the five commercially available vaccine. Immunophenotyping, transcriptome and cytokine profiling of PBMC revealed that I-TBEV generates differentiation of a sub-population of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) that is specialized in type I interferon (IFN) production. In contrast, likely due to the presence of aluminum hydroxide, Encepur vaccine was a poor pDC stimulus. We demonstrated I-TBEV-induced type I IFN together with Interleukin 6 and BAFF to be critical for B cell differentiation to plasmablasts as measured by immunophenotyping and immunoglobulin production. Robust type I IFN secretion was induced by pDC with the concerted action of both viral E glycoprotein and RNA mirroring previous data on dual stimulation of pDC by both S. aureus and influenza virus protein and nucleic acid that leads to a type I IFN-mediated sustained immune response. E glycoprotein neutralization or high temperature denaturation and inhibition of Toll-like receptor 7 signalling confirmed the importance of preserving the functional integrity of these key viral molecules during the inactivation procedure and manufacturing process to produce a vaccine able to stimulate strong immune responses.
El cuidado espiritual y físico: primeras atenciones a la infancia en la España del siglo XVIII
Authors: Martínez Alcázar Elena
Published: April 2021

Se pretende abordar cuáles eran los cuidados que recibían los niños durante sus primeros años de vida en la España del setecientos. Para ello se han analizado diversas obras literarias, tratados, sermones, artículos de la prensa periódica y una serie de testamentos e inventarios de bienes expedidos en el entorno murciano y madrileño. A lo largo del siglo XVIII, el tema de la infancia adquirió más relevancia que en épocas anteriores. La ideología ilustrada proclamaba que había de mejorarse el tratamiento hacia este estado de la vida como premisa para la obtención de individuos sanos, vigorosos y activos. Cuestión que hubo de convivir con una serie de costumbres, notablemente marcadas por la religión y la superstición, en un país que se debatía entre lo tradicional y lo moderno.
Infancias vulneradas en las guerras civiles de España y Guatemala. Una revisión desde el cine
Authors: Yela Fernández Otto Roberto
Published: April 2021

Todo conflicto armado vulnera las vidas de seres inocentes que, sin culpa alguna sufren las consecuencias físicas y psicológicas de los mismos. En las guerras civiles de España y Guatemala, los niños que murieron o resultaron heridos se contaron por miles, y toda una generación que vivió su infancia en ese contexto estuvo marcada por sus secuelas. En las últimas décadas, el cine ha recuperado muchas vivencias de esas realidades, que pueden ser motivo de reflexión histórica y educativa para las nuevas generaciones. El presente estudio responde a los siguientes interrogantes: ¿Puede el cine contribuir a recuperar la memoria histórica? ¿Cuáles son los imaginarios que recrea en torno a la infancia en tiempos de guerra civil? ¿Cómo se consigue que determinados hechos adquieran sentido para los espectadores, sobre todo en aquellos que no han vivido tales experiencias de manera directa? ¿Puede todo esto contribuir a los aprendizajes de las nuevas generaciones, especialmente de índole histórica? En este estudio se analizan las películas que se refieren a las guerras civiles de España y Guatemala, por ser parte de una tesis doctoral que el autor desarrolla en la Universidad de Alcalá, en la que se hace un estudio comparado al respecto.
¡Cómo está el servicio! El servicio doméstico a través del cine de los años 60 en España
Authors: Del Castillo Velasco Aritza Saenz
Published: April 2021

El cine, como interpretación-representación de la realidad de un momento histórico determinado, refleja la mentalidad o corriente de opinión en torno a un periodo o respecto a un tema concreto dentro de él. Este artículo analizará la representación de las trabajadoras del servicio doméstico a través de la producción cinematográfica de los años 60 en España. Dos películas, un drama y una comedia, nos servirán de vehículo para internarlos en la visión que del servicio doméstico poseían distintos sectores sociales, y su contraste con la realidad de las trabajadoras de este sector descrita por otras fuentes históricas.
La transición rusa a través de sus élites. Una aproximación historiográfica
Authors: Alonso Ibarra Miguel
Published: April 2021

El objetivo del presente artículo es analizar las diferentes perspectivas historiográficas que se han elaborado en torno al proceso de transición en Rusia. En esta línea, intentaremos abordar, desde una perspectiva global, el debate en torno a quiénes fueron los motores del proceso de cambio político. Así, atenderemos tanto a aquellos planteamientos que defienden que estos fueron la clase política y las élites, es decir, que el proceso fue pilotado «desde arriba», como a aquellos que ponen el acento en los movimientos sociales exógenos al sistema adoptando un enfoque «desde abajo». Del mismo modo, analizaremos los enfoques acerca de las estrategias que adoptaron las élites en su intento por mantener sus cuotas de poder en la construcción de los nuevos estados democráticos, y como estas influyeron en el modo en que el proceso tuvo lugar, así como en la configuración del nuevo escenario político en Rusia y Europa del Este.
Green Synthesis, Texture, Electron Diffraction, Thermal and
Optical Properties of Cobalt Doped Arginine Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Shailesh Sarvesh Kumar , Tiwari B. , Yadav K.
Published: April 2021

In this work, a simple and viable method of green synthesis of multi-walled cobalt doped arginine
carbon nanotubes (CNT’s) by chemical precipitation method using arginine amino acid is reported.
The atomic force microscopy confirmed that metal ions present in a branched fashion on the surface
of Co-doped arginine CNT’s and the obtained particle with diameter 20 nm well dispersed on the
carbon nanotubes. The TEM analysis indicates the interlayer separation between the two adjacent carbon
walls is estimated to be about 0.34 nm. The electron diffraction patterns indicate that the tube has nearly
identical chirality for all of the concentric graphitic layers, as a zigzag-type MWCNT. The SEM
analysis predicted tube like morphology and strain is existed on the surface of the CNTs. The Raman
spectra confirmed the armchair (n = 8 to 11) multi-walled nanotubes with this chirality are assigned as
a semiconducting type of nanotubes. The thermal property was studied by thermogravimetric analysis,
differential thermal analysis and predicted the 27.81 % purity in CNTs.
Variation in Anti-Glycation and Cross-Link Breaking Effects of
Crude Extracts of Moringa oleifera Leaf, Seed and Root
Authors: Adeniran O.I. , Msomi D.B. , Olivier M.T. , Mogale M.A.
Published: April 2021

Study and comparing the anti-glycation and cross-link breaking effects of Moringa oleifera leaf, seed
and root extracts with aminoguanidine, a known inhibitor of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs).
Their phytochemical composition and extraction yields were also assessed. All seed and root extracts
demonstrated significantly higher anti-glycation effect than aminoguanidine against total immunogenic
AGEs (p < 0.05). Both seed and root polar (methanol and water) extracts exhibited significantly higher
anti-glycation effect against N′-(carboxymethyl)lysine than aminoguanidine (p < 0.05). Polar extracts
of all M. oleifera tested parts demonstrated higher anti-glycation activity against fluorescent AGEs
than aminoguanidine (p < 0.05). With exception to the aqueous root extracts, all leaf, seed and root
extracts of M. oleifera demonstrated an ability to break AGE-protein cross-links. The highest cross-link
breaking effect was exhibited by ethyl acetate extract of leaves.The methanol extract of seeds of M.
oleifera showed the presence of all tested secondary metabolites.
Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(acrylamide) Hydrogels as pH and Salt Sensitive Material
Authors: Thippeswamy Madhusudana , Puttagiddappa Mamatha Ganjeenahalli , Thippaiah Demappa , Satyanarayan Nayak Devappa
Published: April 2021

This work reports the synthesis of poly(acrylamide) hydrogel and its characterization. Hydrogel will
be synthesized by a chemical cross-linking method using sodium metabisulfite and potassium
persulphate as initiators with crosslinker methylenebisacrylamide. The synthesized hydrogels were
examined by FT-IR, SEM and TGA to determine chemical interactions in the polymer network.
Moreover, the swelling study explains that hydrogels swelling capacity and it depends on the
concentration of the crosslinking agent. The pH, temperature and salt solutions will impact on swelling
properties. In acid and base solutions, the swelling ratio order is as follows HCl < CH3COOH <
HClO4 < NaOH and the swelling ratio order in salt solutions is as follows: NaCl > CaCl2 > AlCl3.
Synthesis, Characterization and Antimycobacterial Activity of Phenanthrenequinone
Thiosemicarbazones and their Ruthenium and Zinc Complexes
Authors: Singh Ashok K. , Singh Shailendra K. , Dhariyal Kavita , Kumar Ram , Kumar Amarendra , Singh Sudheer K.
Published: April 2021

The substituted phenanthrenequinone thiosemicarbazones (HL1, HL2 and HL3), and their metal
complexes (M = Ru(II) or Zn(II); SM1, SM2, SM3 and SM4) were synthesized and characterized by
FT-IR, 1H & 13C NMR and ESI-MS. The spectral data IR, 1H & 13C NMR and ESI-MS indicates two
tridentate ligands coordinating in the form of an octahedral geometry. The gas phase geometry of all
the zinc(II) and ruthenium(II) complexes was carried by using density functional theory (DFT). The
antimycobacterial susceptibility testing at 100 μM of the complexes using resazurin microtiter plate
assay resulted in growth inhibition. Complexes SM2, SM3 and SM4 showed good antimycobacterial
activity at 100 μM concentration by using rifampicin as inhibition control.
Brønsted Acid Catalysis in the Oxidation of Purine Based Alkaloids by Mn(VII) in
Aqueous Acetonitrile and Sodium Fluoride Medium: A Kinetic Approach
Authors: Reddy A. Ramakrishna , Muddam Bhooshan , Rao A. Sambashiva , Rajanna K.C. , Reddy A. Panasa , Chary M. Thirumala
Published: April 2021

Brønsted acid (HClO4, H2SO4) catalyzed Mn(VII) oxidation of purine alkaloids such as caffeine,
theophylline and theobromine in aqueous acetonitrile and sodium fluoride medium revealed first order
kinetics in both [(Mn(VII)] and [Alkaloid] at constant acidity and temperature. Sodium fluoride was
added to the reaction mixture in order to avoid/suppress auto catalytic reaction due to the generation
of Mn(III) and Mn(IV) species during the course of Mn(VII) oxidations in acidic solutions. An increase
in the Brønsted acids (HClO4, H2SO4) concentration accelerated the rate of oxidation. Rate enhancements
observed here in are analyzed by Zucker-Hammett, Bunnett and Bunnett-Olsen criteria of acidity
functions. On the basis of observed Bunnett-Olsen criteria of acidity functions, the most plausible
mechanism has been proposed with the involvement of water molecule in the slow step (as proton
transferring agent).
Bacteriological Profile of Organisms Isolated from Patients with Conjunctivitis in Katihar, Bihar
Authors: Sinha Priya , Dey Sangeeta , Sen Aninda , Akhter Kahkashan , Kumar Alok , Singh Shreshy
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND Conjunctivitis is one of the most common nontraumatic eye complaints and is one of the most frequently reported diseases in the outpatient and emergency departments. Bacterial conjunctivitis has been reported as one of the most common type of infectious conjunctivitis after viral infections. It is also considered as the primary cause of acute conjunctivitis in children. This study was conducted to isolate and identify organisms causing bacterial conjunctivitis and to determine their in vitro susceptibility or resistance. METHODS This descriptive study was conducted in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Microbiology at Katihar Medical College from December 2018 to May 2020. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from 175 patients using structured questionnaire. External ocular specimens were collected using sterile swabs and inoculated on blood agar, MacConkey’s agar and chocolate agar. Presumptive isolates were further identified by a series of biochemical tests. All isolated organisms were tested for their in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility against various antibiotics using the Kirby-Baur disk diffusion method. RESULTS A total of 175 samples were collected, out of which, 62.8 % (110 / 175) showed growth of bacteria. Maximum cases of bacterial conjunctivitis were seen in the age group 11 - 20 years. The male to female ratio was 2.7:1. Maximum frequency of bacterial conjunctivitis was observed from May to September. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common bacteria isolate 65.5 % (72 / 110) followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis 19.1 % (21 / 110). Most of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates were found to be sensitive to moxifloxacin 98.6 % (71 / 72) and gentamicin 95.8 % (69 / 72). 25 % (18 / 72) of Staphylococcus aureus strains were found to be resistant to cefoxitin and were considered as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. Maximum numbers of gram-negative strains were sensitive to moxifloxacin 100.0 % (9 / 9) followed by tobramycin 88.9 % (8 / 9). Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains showed maximum sensitivity to moxifloxacin 100.0 (8 / 8) followed by ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin 62.5 % (5 / 8). CONCLUSIONS This study provides an insight into the organisms isolated from cases of bacterial conjunctivitis in Katihar District of Bihar. Determining the susceptibility pattern of these pathogens to available antibiotics is crucial for effective management of bacterial conjunctivitis especially when treatment has to be given empirically. KEY WORDS Bacterial Conjunctivitis, Antibiogram
Vállalati versenyképesség – a vevői érték és a képességalapú megközelítés összekapcsolása (Competitiveness of firms – combining the customer value and the capability based approach)
Authors: Chikán Attila , Gelei Andrea
Published: April 2021

A cikk központi kérdése a vállalati versenyképesség. Két meghatározó menedzsmentmegközelítés – a vevői érték és az erőforrás-, képességalapú stratégiai menedzsment – fogalmi rendszerére, illetve koncepcióira alapozva a szerzők kialakítottak és a "Versenyben a világgal 2004–2006 – gazdasági versenyképességünk vállalati nézőpontból" című kutatás adatbázisát használva teszteltek egy a vállalati versenyképesség belső struktúrájára rávilágító elméleti modellt. A modell empirikus tesztelésének eredménye szerint a kialakított koncepció a vállalati versenyképesség elemzésének hasznos eszköze, mely alkalmas arra, hogy a vizsgált vállalatok esetében igazolja, vagy éppen megcáfolja a meghatározott, ún. összehangolt kompetenciák meglétét. ________The main issue of this article is the competitiveness of firms. Based on conceptual system and concepts of two determinant management approaches – the customer value and the resource and capability based strategic management – the authors have developed and tested a theoretical model of the inside structure of the competitiveness of firms using the database of Competing with the World 2004-2006 – the competitiveness of the Hungarian economy from enterprise point of view. According to the result of the empiric test of the model the developed concept has been a profitable tool of the analysis of the enterprise competitiveness and it has been suited for confirming or confuting determinated so called aligned competencies being in the case of examined firms.
Hidrocolpos neonatal
Authors: Coca Pasapera Rubén , Elera Romero Liz Arlet , Ramírez Jesus , Peralta Chávez Víctor , Cisneros Infantas Luz
Published: April 2021

Antecedentes: El hidrocolpos neonatal es una patología infrecuente caracterizada por dilatación y acumulación de líquido en el canal vaginal como resultado de obstrucciones vaginales congénitas. La utilización de ecografía es un medio de diagnóstico importante para brindar un tratamiento oportuno y disminuir las complicaciones que conlleva. Reporte de caso: Recién nacida de 39 semanas presentó ano imperforado y abdomen distendido. Se realizó ecografía abdominal evidenciándose hidrocolpos e hidroureteronefrosis bilateral moderada. Dentro de los hallazgos de laboratorio se evidenciaron: falla renal, hiponatremia, y trastorno de coagulación que fue corregido oportunamente. Fue intervenida quirúrgicamente realizándose colpotomía y drenaje de hidrocolpos, evidenciando posteriormente en ecografía control desaparición de este. Se dio el alta a la paciente con 28 días de vida por presentar una evolución satisfactoria. Conclusión: Se debe tener alta sospecha de hidrocolpos ante una masa a nivel de pelvis en una recién nacida. El diagnóstico precoz mediante la ecografía es importante para la prevención de complicaciones obstructivas y renales que aumentan la morbimortalidad de las pacientes.
Validez diagnóstica de las pruebas clínicas para el diagnóstico diferencial de Dengue en población pediátrica.
Authors: Rubiano Godoy Mayra Mercedes , Jiménez Cendales Beatriz Stella
Published: April 2021

Antecedentes: El dengue es un problema creciente de salud pública, por lo que ha surgido como reto, la implementación de un diagnóstico diferencial basado en síntomas y signos clínicos y paraclínicos, especialmente en la población pediátrica más afectada según la evidencia epidemiológica. Objetivo: Determinar la validez diagnóstica de las pruebas clínicas para el diagnóstico diferencial del dengue en población pediátrica. Metodología: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de literatura incluyendo estudios primarios de pruebas diagnósticas de dengue, en población pediátrica. Se efectuó la búsqueda en las bases de datos MEDLINE- PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE y LILACS. La calidad se evaluó con la herramienta QUADAS-2. Registro protocolo PROSPERO: CRD42019125201. Resultados: Se incluyeron 3 estudios de Taiwan, Puerto Rico y Cambodia, que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, aunque con gran heterogeneidad metodológica. La prueba índice incluyó una variedad de combinaciones de síntomas y signos asociados a la fiebre para diagnosticar dengue. El rash presentó sensibilidad entre 27.8 % y 76.1 % y especificidad entre 55.4 % y 95.5 % con VPP entre 76.7 % y 86.1 % que aumentó al 100 % en combinaciones de síntomas y signos. La combinación leucopenia, trombocitopenia y elevación de transaminasas alcanzó VPP del 100 %. Conclusión: La combinación de pruebas confirmatorias afecta las características operativas de cada patrón de oro configurado, impidiendo su comparación. La combinación de [eritema + prurito + petequias] indica la posibilidad de construir un algoritmo diagnostico. La evidencia insuficiente encontrada sugiere la necesidad de desarrollar estudios prospectivos estandarizados de evaluación clínica basada en validez diagnóstica de los síntomas y signos para el diagnóstico diferencial del dengue.
Multispezies-Ethnographie
Authors: Ameli Katharina
Published: April 2021

Wie werden Natur und Tiere durch die Multispezies-Ethnographie inklusiv in Forschungsprojekte integriert? Katharina Ameli fokussiert die inter- und multidisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit. Aus einer Untersuchung der Schnittstellen zwischen gesellschafts- und naturwissenschaftlich orientierten Fachdisziplinen ergibt sich eine komplexe Betrachtung von Natur, Mensch und Tier. Die Einblicke in Interdependenzen unterschiedlicher Fachdisziplinen verdeutlichen den Bedarf an einer Multispezies-Ethnographie zur Analyse von MenschenTiereNaturenKulturen.
De « l’expérience métaphysique d’autrui » à « l’intersubjectivité en première personne »
Authors: Jean Gégori
Published: April 2021

Cet article, introductif à la publication de textes inédits de Michel Henry sur l’expérience d’autrui, souhaite présenter le « modèle » d’intersubjectivité proposé par ce dernier. L’objectif est d’en indiquer les grandes lignes, non seulement pour montrer que la philosophie henryenne du christianisme répond à certaines difficultés encore prégnantes dans ses écrits de jeunesse, mais aussi et surtout pour souligner combien, à cinquante années de distance, elle résonne avec eux, tant dans la manière dont s’y trouvait posé le problème d’autrui que dans les solutions qui y étaient déjà préesquissées. Aussi leur publication permet-elle d’attester au moins une chose : la continuité, la profonde unité de l’œuvre de Michel Henry.
Notes sur l’expérience d’autrui
Authors: Henry Michel
Published: April 2021

Rédigées entre 1943 et 1953, ces notes inédites révèlent combien Michel Henry fut préoccupé par le problème de « l’expérience d’autrui » dès ses années de formation philosophique. Elles révèlent également l’utilisation précoce d’une jeune Henry des Ecritures comme source d’inspiration pour un certain nombre d’intuitions spécifiquement philosophiques qu’il développera dans sa trilogie de fin de vie sur la philosophie du christianisme.