bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probiotic based-diet effect on the immune response and induced stress in irradiated mass reared Ceratitis capitata males (Diptera: Tephritidae) destined for the release in the sterile insect technique programs
Authors: Msaad Guerfali Meriem , Charaabi Kamel , Hamden Haytham , Djobbi Wafa , Fadhl Salma , Mosbah Amor , Cherif Ameur
Published: September 2021

Ceratitis capitata (medfly) is one of the most devastating crop pests worldwide. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is a control method that is based on the mass rearing of males, their sterilization, and release in the field. However, the effectiveness of the technique depends on the quality of the released males and their fitness. We previously isolated and selected a probiotic bacteria (Enterobacter sp.), from wild-caught medflies, according to criteria that improved biological quality traits of reared medfly males.We firstly evaluated the impact of the irradiation on the expression of different immune and stress genes in the medfly sterile males. Expression was measured at differents time points ranging from 0 to 168 h after irradiation to capture the response of genes with distinct temporal expression patterns. Then, we supplemented the larval diet with previously isolated Enterobacter sp.strain, live and autoclaved at various concentrations to see whether the probiotic treatments affect, through their protective role, the gene expression level, and quality traits. The irradiation had significant effect on the genes attacin, cecropin, PGPR-LC, hsp23, and hsp70 level expression. The expression of attacin and PGPR-LC was up-regulated while that of cecropin was down-regulated. Hsp genes showed decreased levels between 0 and 18 h to peak at 72 h. However, the supplementation of the probiotic strain, either live or autoclaved, was statistically significant only for attacingene. However, significant interaction time x probiotic was noticed for attacin, cecropin, hsp23 and hsp70. The probiotic treatments also improved the quality control parameters like pupal weight. From this work we can conclude that a consortium of parabiotics (autoclaved probiotics) treatment will be recommended in insectaries considering both the beneficial effects on mass reared insects and its general safety for insectary workers and for environment.
Does real estate bubble affect corporate innovation? Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Chen , Ma Xiaowei , Lee Hyoungsuk , Chu Zhen
Published: September 2021

With the rapid increase of downward pressure on China’s economy, the stability of the property market, as an important part of the economic transformation process, also has a far-reaching impact on enterprises’ R&D investment. We select the data of Chinese large and medium-sized industrial enterprises from 1998 to 2015 as our research sample and propose a new combination measurement model based on closeness degree to measure the real estate bubble level in China accurately. The structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) theory is utilized to empirically test the dynamic relationship between the real estate bubble, corporate liquidity, and R&D investment. The results indicate that the real estate bubble level in China is increasing, and a certain risk of deviating from the safety interval in the future exists; The rapid expansion of the real estate bubble has a continuing negative impact on corporate R&D investment, that is, its "credit mitigation effect" is much smaller than the "capital relocation effect," and industrial enterprises will fall into the so-called "low-tech lock-in" state. In other words, to a certain extent, the development of this kind of real estate bubble will not be conducive to the transformation and upgradation of enterprises and long-term economic growth.
Antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal side effects: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Ali Tilahun , Sisay Mekonnen , Tariku Mandaras , Mekuria Abraham Nigussie , Desalew Assefa
Published: September 2021

Background

Antipsychotic agents are the basis for the pharmacological management of acute and chronic schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, mood disorders with psychotic feature, and other psychotic disorders. Antipsychotic medication use is frequently associated with unfavorable adverse effects such as extrapyramidal side effects (EPSEs). Hence, this systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to determine the magnitude of antipsychotic-induced EPSEs.

Method

A literature search was conducted using legitimate databases, indexing services, and directories including PubMed/MEDLINE (Ovid®), EMBASE (Ovid®), google scholar and WorldCat to retrieve studies. Following screening and eligibility, the relevant data were extracted from the included studies using an Excel sheet and exported to STATA 15.0 software for analyses. The Random effects pooling model was used to analyze outcome measures at a 95% confidence interval. Besides, publication bias analysis was conducted. The protocol has been registered on PROSPERO with ID: CRD42020175168.

Result

In total, 15 original articles were included for the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of antipsychotic-induced EPSEs among patient taking antipsychotic medications was 37% (95% CI: 18–55%, before sensitivity) and 31% (95% CI: 19–44%, after sensitivity). The prevalence of antipsychotic-induced parkinsonism, akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia was 20% (95% CI: 11–28%), 11% (95% CI: 6–17%), and 7% (95% CI: 4–9%), respectively. To confirm a small-study effect, Egger’s regression test accompanied by funnel plot asymmetry demonstrated that there was a sort of publication bias in studies reporting akathisia and tardive dyskinesia.

Conclusion

The prevalence of antipsychotic-induced EPSEs was considerably high. One in five and more than one in ten patients experienced parkinsonism and akathisia, respectively. Appropriate prevention and early management of these effects can enhance the net benefits of antipsychotics.
Examining and investigating the impact of demographic characteristics and chronic diseases on mortality of COVID-19: Retrospective study
Authors: Al Mutair Abbas , Al Mutairi Alya , Alhumaid Saad , Maaz Abdullah Syed , Zia Zaidi Abdul Rehman , Rabaan Ali A. , Al-Omari Awad
Published: September 2021

Background

Epidemiological features characterization of COVID-19 is highly important for developing and implementing effective control measures. In Saudi Arabia mortality rate varies between 0.6% to 1.26%. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether demographic characteristics (age and gender) and non-communicable diseases (Hypertension and Diabetes mellitus) have a significant association with mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Methods

Prior to data collection, an expedite approval was obtained from Institutional Review Board (IRB Log No: RC. RC20.09.10) in Al Habib Research Center at Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This is a retrospective design where we used descriptive and inferential analysis to analyse the data. Binary logistic regression was done to study the association between comorbidities and mortality of COVID-19.

Results

43 (86%) of the male patients were non-survivors while 7 (14%) of the female patients were survivors. The odds of non-survivors among hypertensive patients are 3.56 times higher than those who are not having a history of Hypertension (HTN). The odds of non-survivors among diabetic patients are 5.17 times higher than those who are not having a history of Diabetes mellitus (DM). The odds of non-survivors are 2.77 times higher among those who have a history of HTN and DM as compared to those who did not have a history of HTN and DM.

Conclusions

Those patients that had a history of Hypertension and Diabetes had a higher probability of non-survival in contrast to those who did not have a history of Diabetes and hypertension. Further studies are required to study the association of comorbidities with COVID-19 and mortality.
Standardization of the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score in a French population
Authors: Coubard Olivier A. , Ober Kinga M. , Gaumet Marie , Urbanski Marika , Amato Jean-Noël , Chapron Vincent , Weiss Nicolas , Kinugawa Kiyoka , Weissenborn Karin , Thabut Dominique
Published: September 2021

The Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) has previously been standardized in thirteen countries on three continents, confirming its status of gold standard test to detect minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). In the meantime, performance has also been shown to vary with variables such as age, education, and barely sex. The present study aimed at standardizing the PHES in a French population. One hundred and ninety-six French healthy participants completed a French version of the paper-and-pencil PHES, involving five tests and six measures. Importantly, the balance was perfect between all levels of the three controlled factors, which were sex, age (seven decade-levels from 20–29 to 80–89 years), and education (two levels below or above 12 years of education). Raw measures were transformed to fit the normal distribution. ANOVAs on transformed variables showed no effect of sex, but an effect of age on all measures, and of education on five measures. Multiple or simple regressions were completed to build up normograms. Thorough analysis of variability within each test failed to find outliers that may bias the results. Comparison between French and seminal German data showed that they highly fitted though cultural and cognitive style specificities could be observed. This is the first study to standardize the PHES in a French population and to extensively explore the effects of sex, age and education using perfectly balanced samples. Subtle differences between countries of the same continent emphasize the need to build up normative data in each country to get accurate PHES in patients.
Saffron extract attenuates neuroinflammation in rmTBI mouse model by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation via SIRT1
Authors: Shaheen Mariam J. , Bekdash Amira M. , Itani Hana A. , Borjac Jamilah M.
Published: September 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a major cause of morbidity and disability worldwide and a healthcare burden. TBI is an important risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases hallmarked by exacerbated neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation in the cerebral cortex plays a critical role in secondary injury progression following TBI. The NOD-like receptors (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a key player in initiating the inflammatory response in various central nervous system disorders entailing TBI. This current study aims to investigate the role of NLRP3 in repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI) and identify the potential neuroprotective effect of saffron extract in regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome. 24 hours following the final injury, rmTBI causes an upregulation in mRNA levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, the apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-1Beta (IL-1β), interleukin 18 (IL-18), nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1). Protein levels of NLRP3, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1), and neuronal nuclei (Neu N) also increased after rmTBI. Administration of saffron alleviated the degree of TBI, as evidenced by reducing the neuronal damage, astrocyte, and microglial activation. Pretreatment with saffron inhibited the activation of NLRP3, caspase-1, and ASC concurrent to reduced production of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Additionally, saffron extract enhanced SIRT1 expression, NRF2, and HMOX1 upregulation. These results suggest that NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the subsequent inflammatory response in the mice cortex are involved in the process of rmTBI. Saffron blocked the inflammatory response and relieved TBI by activating detoxifying genes and inhibiting NLRP3 activation. The effect of saffron on the NLRP3 inflammasome may be SIRT1 and NF-κB dependent in the rmTBI model. Thus, brain injury biomarkers will help in identifying a potential therapeutic target in treating TBI-induced neurodegenerative diseases.
H2O2 gel bleaching induces cytotoxicity and pain conduction in dental pulp stem cells via intracellular reactive oxygen species on enamel/dentin disc
Authors: Chen Chang , Huang Xiansheng , Zhu Wenqiang , Ding Chen , Huang Piaopiao , Li Rong
Published: September 2021

Background

Bleaching is widely accepted for improving the appearance of discolored teeth; however, patient compliance is affected by bleaching-related complications, especially bleaching sensitivity. This study aimed to investigate the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cytotoxicity and pain conduction activated by experimental tooth bleaching.

Methods

Dental pulp stem cells with or without N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, were cultured on the dentin side of the enamel/dentin disc. Subsequently, 15% (90 min) and 40% (30 min) bleaching gels were painted on the enamel surface. Cell viability, intracellular ROS, Ca2+, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and extracellular ATP levels were evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, 2’,7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, CellROX, fura-3AM fluorescence assay, and ATP measurement kit. The rat incisor model was used to evaluate in vivo effects after 0, 1, 3, 7, and 30 days of bleaching. Changes in gene and protein expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), and Pannexin1 (PANX1) in dental pulp stem cells and pulp tissue were detected through RT-PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence.

Results

The bleaching gel suppressed dental pulp stem cell viability and extracellular ATP levels and increased intracellular ROS, Ca2+, and intracellular ATP levels. The mRNA and protein expression of IL-6, TNFα, TRPA1, and PANX1 were up-regulated in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the 40% gel had a stronger effect than the 15% gel, and NAC ameliorated the gel effects.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that bleaching gels induce cytotoxicity and pain conduction in dental pulp stem cells via intracellular ROS, which may provide a potential therapeutic target for alleviating tooth bleaching nociception.
PIIKA 2.5: Enhanced quality control of peptide microarrays for kinome analysis
Authors: Denomy Connor , Lazarou Conor , Hogan Daniel , Facciuolo Antonio , Scruten Erin , Kusalik Anthony , Napper Scott
Published: September 2021

Peptide microarrays consisting of defined phosphorylation target sites are an effective approach for high throughput analysis of cellular kinase (kinome) activity. Kinome peptide arrays are highly customizable and do not require species-specific reagents to measure kinase activity, making them amenable for kinome analysis in any species. Our group developed software, Platform for Integrated, Intelligent Kinome Analysis (PIIKA), to enable more effective extraction of meaningful biological information from kinome peptide array data. A subsequent version, PIIKA2, unveiled new statistical tools and data visualization options. Here we introduce PIIKA 2.5 to provide two essential quality control metrics and a new background correction technique to increase the accuracy and consistency of kinome results. The first metric alerts users to improper spot size and informs them of the need to perform manual resizing to enhance the quality of the raw intensity data. The second metric uses inter-array comparisons to identify outlier arrays that sometimes emerge as a consequence of technical issues. In addition, a new background correction method, background scaling, can sharply reduce spatial biases within a single array in comparison to background subtraction alone. Collectively, the modifications of PIIKA 2.5 enable identification and correction of technical issues inherent to the technology and better facilitate the extraction of meaningful biological information. We show that these metrics demonstrably enhance kinome analysis by identifying low quality data and reducing batch effects, and ultimately improve clustering of treatment groups and enhance reproducibility. The web-based and stand-alone versions of PIIKA 2.5 are freely accessible at via http://saphire.usask.ca.
Tidal marsh restoration enhances sediment accretion and carbon accumulation in the Stillaguamish River estuary, Washington
Authors: Poppe Katrina L. , Rybczyk John M.
Published: September 2021

Tidal marshes have been recognized globally for their ability to sequester “blue carbon” but there is still a need for studies investigating the marsh response to restoration, particularly in the Pacific Northwest United States. Here we report carbon stocks and accumulation rates for restored and natural tidal marshes in the Stillaguamish River estuary in Puget Sound, Washington, where a 60-hectare marsh was reintroduced to the tidal regime from its previous use as diked and drained farmland. We found that the restoration not only maximized carbon accumulation but also enhanced resilience to rising sea levels. Four years after restoration, mean sediment carbon stocks in the upper 30 cm within the restored marsh (4.43 kg C m-2) were slightly lower than those measured in the adjacent natural marshes (5.95 kg C m-2). Mean carbon accumulation rates, however, were nearly twice as high in the restored marsh (230.49 g C m-2yr-1) compared to the natural marshes (123.00 g C m-2yr-1) due to high rates of accretion in the restored marsh (1.57 cm yr-1). Mean elevation change rates were nearly twice that of corresponding210Pb accretion rates, but all were greater than the current rate of sea level rise.
Enabling teleophthalmology during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Province of Trento, Italy: Design and implementation of a mHealth solution
Authors: Malfatti Giulia , Racano Elisabetta , Delle Site Roberta , Gios Lorenzo , Micocci Stefano , Dianti Marco , Molini Pietro Benedetto , Allegrini Francesca , Ravagni Mariangela , Moz Monica , Nicolini Andrea , Romanelli Federica
Published: September 2021

Background

Due to the many restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 emergency, the normal clinical activities have been stopped abruptly in view of limiting the circulation of the virus. The extraordinary containment measures have had a dramatic impact on the undertaking and follow-up of ophthalmic outpatients.

Objective

In order to guarantee proper monitoring and routine care, the Pediatric Ophthalmology equipe of Rovereto Hospital (North-East of Italy) supported by the Competence Center on Digital Health TrentinoSalute4.0, designed and implemented a digital platform, TreC Oculistica, enabling teleophthalmology. We report our innovative—albeit restricted—experience aiming at testing and maximizing the efficacy of remote ophthalmic and orthoptic visits.

Methods

A multidisciplinary team created the TreC Oculistica platform and defined a teleophthalmology protocol. The system consists of a clinician web interface and a patient mobile application. Clinicians can prescribe outpatients with the App and some preliminary measurements to be self-collected before the televisit. The App conveys the clinician’s requests (i.e. measurements) and eases the share of the collected information in a secure digital environment, promoting a new health care workflow.

Results

Four clinicians took part in the testing phase (2 ophthalmologists and 2 orthoptists) and recruited 37 patients (mostly pediatric) in 3 months. Thanks to a continuous feedback between the testing and the technical implementation, it has been possible to identify pros and cons of the implemented functionalities, considering possible improvements. Digital solutions such as TreC Oculistica advance the digitalization of the Italian health care system, promoting a structured and effective reorganization of the workload supported by digital systems.

Conclusions

The study tested an innovative digital solution in the teleophthalmology context and represented the first experience within the Italian healthcare system. This solution opens up new possibilities and scenarios that can be effective not only during the pandemic, but also in the traditional management of public health services.
Association between intracytoplasmic sperm injection and neurodevelopmental outcomes among offspring
Authors: Wang Cheng-Wei , Chang Tzu-Hao , Chuang Nai-Chen , Au Heng-Kien , Chen Chi-Huang , Tseng Sung-Hui
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To compare the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children conceived via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and those conceived naturally.

Materials and methods

A population-based cohort study using data retrieved from the Taipei Medical University Research Database (TMURD) from January, 2004 to August, 2016. The data included maternal pregnancy history, perinatal history and developmental follow up of their babies up to 5 years of age. The study included 23885 children, of whom 23148 were naturally conceived and 737 were conceived via ICSI. Neurodevelopmental disorders defined by 21 ICD-9-CM codes.

Results

Of the 23885 children enrolled for analysis, 2778 children were included for further subgrouping analysis after propensity matching to reduce bias from maternal factors. The single-birth group included 1752 naturally conceived (NC) children and 438 ICSI children. The multiple-birth group included 294 NC and 294 ICSI children. The risk of neurodevelopmental disorders was not increased for ICSI children in both groups (single birth: adjusted hazard ratio aHR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.39–1.27,p= 0.243; multiple-birth group aHR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.43–1.35,p= 0.853). In the single-birth group, multivariate analyses showed that male sex (aHR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.29–2.54,p< 0.001), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission (aHR = 3.10, 95% CI = 1.64–5.86,p< 0.001) were risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders. In the multiple-birth group, multivariate analyses demonstrated that ICU admission (aHR = 3.58, 95% CI = 1.82–7.04,p< 0.001), was risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Conclusion

Our study indicated that the use of ICSI does not associated with higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring. But male sex, and ICU admission do have increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, long term follow up of this cohort on health outcomes in adolescence and adulthood will strengthen the conclusions that ICSI is safe regarding offspring long term outcome.
Changes in central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide tension induced by fluid bolus in critically ill patients
Authors: Pierrakos Charalampos , De Bels David , Nguyen Thomas , Velissaris Dimitrios , Attou Rachid , Devriendt Jacques , Honore Patrick M. , Taccone Fabio Silvio , De Backer Daniel
Published: September 2021

Background

In this prospective observational study, we evaluated the effects of fluid bolus (FB) on venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide tension (PvaCO2) in 42 adult critically ill patients with pre-infusion PvaCO2> 6 mmHg.

Results

FB caused a decrease in PvaCO2, from 8.7 [7.6−10.9] mmHg to 6.9 [5.8−8.6] mmHg (p < 0.01). PvaCO2decreased independently of pre-infusion cardiac index and PvaCO2changes during FB were not correlated with changes in central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) whatever pre-infusion CI. Pre-infusion levels of PvaCO2were inversely correlated with decreases in PvaCO2during FB and a pre-infusion PvaCO2value < 7.7 mmHg could exclude a decrease in PvaCO2during FB (AUC: 0.79, 95%CI 0.64–0.93; Sensitivity, 91%; Specificity, 55%; p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Fluid bolus decreased abnormal PvaCO2levels independently of pre-infusion CI. Low baseline PvaCO2values suggest that a positive response to FB is unlikely.
A systematic review of the menstrual experiences of university students and the impacts on their education: A global perspective
Authors: Munro Alana K. , Hunter Erin C. , Hossain Syeda Z. , Keep Melanie
Published: September 2021

Background

Higher education attainment is linked to improved health and employment outcomes but the impact of university students’ experiences of menstruation on their education is less clear. The objective of this review was to synthesise qualitative and quantitative research on university students’ menstrual experiences and educational impacts.

Methods

Eligible studies were identified through systematic searching across eight peer-reviewed databases, websites for menstrual health organisations, grey literature databases, and reference lists of included studies. Eligible studies must have reported on at least one of the antecedents or components of menstrual experience outlined in the integrated model of menstrual experience in relation to university students or reported on the impact of their menstrual experiences on their education. Study characteristics and findings were extracted, analysed and presented as a narrative synthesis. The quality of evidence was assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. This study is registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42020178470.

Results

Eighty-three studies were eligible for inclusion. Most studies (n = 74; 89%) were quantitative and the highest proportion of studies were conducted in lower-middle-income countries (n = 31; 37%). Self-reported dysmenorrhea, other physical and emotional menstrual-related symptoms, and menstrual stigma contributed to negative menstrual experiences among female students. Very few studies considered the menstrual experiences of non-binary and transgender menstruating students, and culturally diverse students. Dysmenorrhea contributed to university absenteeism, impaired participation and concentration, and declining academic performance. Inadequate sanitation facilities for menstrual management and challenges containing menstruation also negatively impacted education.

Conclusions

Female university students’ experiences of menstruation can negatively impact their education, highlighting the need for program and policy responses at university to improve students’ wellbeing and educational engagement. Further research on the menstrual experiences of gender diverse, migrant and international students is needed as there is insufficient evidence to date.
Community development, implementation, and assessment of a NIBLSE bioinformatics sequence similarity learning resource
Authors: Kleinschmit Adam J. , Ryder Elizabeth F. , Kerby Jacob L. , Murdoch Barbara , Donovan Sam , Grandgenett Nealy F. , Cook Rachel E. , Siriwardana Chamindika , Morgan William , Pauley Mark , Rosenwald Anne , Triplett Eric , Tapprich William
Published: September 2021

As powerful computational tools and ‘big data’ transform the biological sciences, bioinformatics training is becoming necessary to prepare the next generation of life scientists. Furthermore, because the tools and resources employed in bioinformatics are constantly evolving, bioinformatics learning materials must be continuously improved. In addition, these learning materials need to move beyond today’s typical step-by-step guides to promote deeper conceptual understanding by students. One of the goals of the Network for Integrating Bioinformatics into Life Sciences Education (NIBSLE) is to create, curate, disseminate, and assess appropriate open-access bioinformatics learning resources. Here we describe the evolution, integration, and assessment of a learning resource that explores essential concepts of biological sequence similarity. Pre/post student assessment data from diverse life science courses show significant learning gains. These results indicate that the learning resource is a beneficial educational product for the integration of bioinformatics across curricula.
Prevalence and molecular characterization of antibiotic resistance and associated genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates: A clinical observational study in different hospitals in Chattogram, Bangladesh
Authors: Tanni Afroza Akter , Hasan Md. Mahbub , Sultana Nahid , Ahmed Wazir , Mannan Adnan
Published: September 2021

Objective

This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of multidrug resistance and molecular characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPN) from clinical isolates in the southern region of Bangladesh. Additional analysis of the prevalence of blaNDM-1, blaSHV-11, uge genes of KPN was also carried out among these clinical isolates.

Method

The study was carried out using 1000 clinical isolates collected from two different hospitals of Chattogram. A drug susceptibility test was performed by the disk diffusion method to detect KPN’s response to 16 antibiotics. The presence of antibiotic-resistant and (or) virulent genes blaNDM-1, blaSHV-11, uge were investigated using the PCR technique. Isolates having blaNDM-1, blaSHV-11, uge gene were further validated by sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic relationships among these isolates were determined by Clustal omega and MEGA7.

Result

A total of 79%, 77%, 74.9%, 71%, 66% and 65% isolates exhibited resistance against cefuroxime, cefixime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefepime and ceftriaxone respectively. The frequency of resistance to other antibiotics varied from 26.5% to 61.8%. PCR analysis showed that 64% of strains harbored blaNDM-1 gene, and 38% strains harbored blaSHV-11 gene. Moreover, 47% of samples were carrying uge gene, and 19% of samples carried blaNDM-1, blaSHV-11, uge genes together.

Conclusion

In this study, we’ve analysed the pattern of expression as well as prevalence of blaNDM-1, blaSHV-11, and uge genes in Klebsiella isolates. Upon molecular and statistical analysis, we found a high prevalence of multi-drug resistance KPN strains in the isolates. The Klebsiella isolates were confirmed to harbor multiple ESBL genes and 64% of the isolates were found to be producing NDM-1. As multidrug resistance is an alarming issue, continuous surveillance and routine clinical detection of resistant bacteria and plasmids are necessary to prevent catastrophic public health incidents.
Myeloid neddylation targets IRF7 and promotes host innate immunity against RNA viruses
Authors: Zhao Min , Zhang Yaolin , Yang Xiqin , Jin Jiayang , Shen Zhuo , Feng Xiaoyao , Zou Tao , Deng Lijiao , Cheng Daohai , Zhang Xueting , Qin Cheng , Niu Chunxiao , Ye Zhenjie , Zhang Xueying , He Jia , Hou Chunmei , Li Ge , Han Gencheng , Cheng Qianqian , Wang Qingyang , Wei Lin , Dong Jie , Zhang Jiyan
Published: September 2021

Neddylation, an important type of post-translational modification, has been implicated in innate and adapted immunity. But the role of neddylation in innate immune response against RNA viruses remains elusive. Here we report that neddylation promotes RNA virus-induced type I IFN production, especially IFN-α. More importantly, myeloid deficiency of UBA3 or NEDD8 renders mice less resistant to RNA virus infection. Neddylation is essential for RNA virus-triggered activation ofIfnagene promoters. Further exploration has revealed that mammalian IRF7undergoes neddylation, which is enhanced after RNA virus infection. Even though neddylation blockade does not hinder RNA virus-triggered IRF7 expression, IRF7 mutant defective in neddylation exhibits reduced ability to activateIfnagene promoters. Neddylation blockade impedes RNA virus-induced IRF7 nuclear translocation without hindering its phosphorylation and dimerization with IRF3. By contrast, IRF7 mutant defective in neddylation shows enhanced dimerization with IRF5, anIfnarepressor when interacting with IRF7. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that myeloid neddylation contributes to host anti-viral innate immunity through targeting IRF7 and promoting its transcriptional activity.
Las narrativas de los planes gubernamentales como una estrategia para la imposición de un nuevo ciclo de explotación en la región amazónica: el caso de las hidroeléctricas en Brasil
Authors: Abib Hecktheuer Pedro , Da Silva Antunes de Souza Maria Cláudia
Published: September 2021

Esta investigación tiene como objetivo evaluar si las narrativas de que la implementación de Centrales Hidroeléctricas son el mejor camino para el desarrollo y una fuente de energía limpia y sostenible representa una estrategia para la imposición de un nuevo ciclo de explotación de la región amazónica, caracterizado por imponer altos costos socioambientales para la región. Con este fin, se discute la resignificación otorgada a los ríos y a la región amazónica en los planes del gobierno brasileño, especialmente a partir de la Operación Amazonia, desde la década de 1960. La Amazonia recibió especial atención del gobierno brasileño en la expansión de las fuentes hidroeléctricas en el sector energético brasileño, sin que hubiera ninguna preocupación con relación a los impactos socioambientales de tales proyectos. Las narrativas y documentos oficiales, sin demostrar veracidad, impusieron la expansión hidroeléctrica como la única forma para el desarrollo del país, lo que hizo posible la construcción de varias centrales hidroeléctricas en la Amazonia, con resultados trágicos para los pueblos y comunidades tradicionales. Para obtener tales consideraciones, se realizó una investigación bibliográfica y documental.
Relative Adrenal Insufficiency in Decompensated Cirrhotic Children: Does It Affect Outcome?
Authors: Tripathi Parijat Ram , Sen Sarma Moinak , Yachha Surender Kumar , Aggarwal Amita , Bhatia Vijayalakshmi , Kumar Anup , Srivastava Anshu , Poddar Ujjal
Published: September 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) is associated with poor outcome in adult cirrhotics. So far, pediatric studies are not available on the same. We aimed to prospectively study the presence and outcome of RAI in children with decompensated cirrhosis over 180 days.

METHODS:

Hemodynamically stable children with decompensated cirrhosis were sampled for serum basal cortisol and peak cortisol (after 30 minutes of 1-μg intravenous Synacthen) at day 1 and day 21. RAI was diagnosed as peak cortisol <500 nmol/L. Serum cytokines (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α) and lipid profile were correlated with RAI. Cohort was followed up for outcomes over 180 days for complications and survival. With the identified risk factors, prognostic models were derived and compared with pediatric end-stage liver disease (PELD) and Child-Turcotte-Pugh scores.

RESULTS:

Prevalence of RAI was 54% at baseline and 61% at day 21 in the enrolled patients (n = 63, aged 128 ± 48 months, male 78%). No significant differences in cytokines and serum lipid levels were seen between RAI and normal adrenal function groups. Patients with RAI at baseline (D1-RAI) developed higher complications at follow-up as compared to the normal adrenal function group (53% vs 24%, P = 0.02). The PELD score (odds ratio 1.08, confidence interval 1.05–1.12, P < 0.01) and D1-RAI (odds ratio 3.19, confidence interval 1.32–7.73, P = 0.01) were independent predictors of follow-up complications. The PELD-delta cortisol model (area under the receiver operating curve 0.84, P < 0.001, 92% sensitivity; 60% specificity) predicted morbidity better than isolated PELD or Child-Turcotte-Pugh scores.

DISCUSSION:

RAI is a risk factor for development of complications in pediatric cirrhosis over short-term follow-up. The PELD-delta cortisol score is a promising prognostic model for predicting follow-up complications.
Spielend hören, hörend spielen
Authors: Dietrich Karin , Quack Sebastian , Finnendahl Orm
Published: September 2021

Karin Dietrich, Orm Finnendahl und Sebastian Quack stellen das Playsonic-Festival vor, das 2018 in Kooperation zwischen der Alten Oper Frankfurt, der Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt und dem Ensemble Modern stattgefunden hat. Das Festival verstand sich als Spielwiese für interdisziplinär besetzte künstlerische Teams, die Verbindungen aller Art erkundeten. Zur Sprache kommen Erfahrungswerte, Anreize und Herausforderungen, die spielbasierte transdisziplinäre Arbeits- und Kreativprozesse mit sich bringen. Thema sind sowohl die künstlerisch-methodischen Ansätze als auch das Experimentieren mit noch unbeschriebene Formen aus Spiel und Musik, das eigenständige Erfahrungsräume ermöglicht und diese nicht in einen Musikkontext mit entsprechender Erwartungs- und Rezeptionshaltung verschiebt.
Die Geste der Kunst
Authors: Viglialoro Luca
Published: September 2021

Die Geste wurde von der römischen Rhetorik über die Physiognomik bis hin zu den Gesture Studies vordergründig als eine funktionale körperliche Stütze für sprachliche Kommunikation oder als sinnliche Spur geistiger Zustände aufgefasst. Gesten begleiten unsere Diskurse und Gemütslagen und machen diese wahrnehmbar. Über diesen traditionell gültigen Standpunkt hinaus verlagert Luca Viglialoro den Fokus auf den somatisch-medialen Kunstcharakter der Geste, um diese als prozesshafte Technik (ars) für die Modellierung der aísthesis zu konturieren. Dafür werden die komplexen Relationen zwischen Gesten und Kunstreflexionen am Beispiel von medial unterschiedlichen Konfigurationen (von der Schrift und der Zeichnung bis zur Fotografie und Installationskunst) analysiert.
»…eine wirkliche Begebenheit aus dem Leben des jungen Mozart«
Authors: Samaga Daniel
Published: September 2021

Über die Kindheit Wolfgang Amadeus Mozarts sind viele Anekdoten überliefert, welche in der Mozart-Biographik des 19. Jahrhunderts breit rezipiert wurden und teilweise noch bis heute wirkmächtigt sind. Am Beispiel des Theaterstücks "Wolfgang und der Selchermeister" von Hans Seebach [d.i. Hans Demel] aus dem Jahr 1925 wird gezeigt, wie diese Anekdoten auch in Bühnenwerken über das Leben Mozarts Verwendung finden und dazu dienen die Authentizität des Dargestellten zu suggerieren.
Stillstand in Bewegung?
Authors: Hoeft Christoph
Published: September 2021

Wie lernen soziale Bewegungen? Im Unterschied zu anderen Organisationen wie Parteien oder Gewerkschaften gibt es bei ihnen in der Regel keine feste Mitgliedschaft, keine klare Aufgabenteilung und keine verlässlichen Regeln der Entscheidungsfindung. Wie kann es ihnen dennoch gelingen, ein gemeinsames Wissen auszubilden, aus vergangenen Erfahrungen zu lernen und nachfolgende (Protest-)Generationen von diesen Erkenntnissen profitieren zu lassen?
Song Recommendation Application Using Speech Emotion Recognition
Authors: Setiawan Eko Budi , Iqbal Dzulfiqar Al Ghani
Published: September 2021

This research was conducted to facilitate the interaction between radio broadcasters and radio listeners during the song request process.  This research was triggered by the difficulty of the broadcasters in monitoring song requests from listeners. The system is made to accommodate all song requests by listeners. The application produced in this study uses speech emotion recognition technology based on a person's mood obtained from the spoken words.  This technology can change the voice into one of the mood categories: neutral, angry, sad, and afraid.  The k-Nearest Neighbor method is used to get recommendations for recommended song titles by looking for the closeness of the value between the listener's mood and the availability of song playlists. kNN is used because this method is suitable for user-based collaborative problems. kNN will recommend three songs which then be offered to listeners by broadcasters. Based on tests conducted to the broadcasters and radio listeners, this study has produced a song request application by recommending song titles according to the listener's mood,  the text message, the searching songs, and the song requests and the song details that have been requested. Functional test that has been carried out has received 100 because all test components have succeeded as expected.
Proxemics, COVID-19, and the Ethics of Care in South Africa
Authors: Levine Susan , Manderson Lenore
Published: September 2021

In South Africa, lockdown and its excesses have opened up questions on the limits of an ethics of care, whose ethics are privileged, how care is delivered, and what care means. We show how an ethics of proxemics and its operationalization as distance highlight everyday inequalities and limit the provision of care. Constraints on physical distancing in line with public health measures intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus echo the controls enforced under apartheid, showing how inequality is both embodied and legally entrenched.
Capturing the complexity: Towards a better understanding of collaborative higher education provision in the UK
Authors: Mariampillai John
Published: September 2021

This article investigates collaborative Higher Education (HE) landscape in the United Kingdom (UK). Collaborative arrangements between publicly funded (i.e. with recurrent funding from the Funding Councils or other public bodies) Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and other private providers have witnessed a significant expansion since 2010, in terms of student numbers and public-backed student loan support. The focus of this article is on understanding the rationale and complexities around collaborative HE provision involving HEIs and other private providers. This article uses data collected through interviews, involving 19 stakeholders representing collaborative HE provision in the UK.
Familial Factors Influencing Creativity Among Married Employees of Financial Technology Organisations in Lagos
Authors: Balogun Shyngle K. , Attah Thomas , Famakinde Oluwafemi P.
Published: September 2021

Creativity in the workplace is absolutely essential, especially in a financial technology organization in today’s global society. A detailed literature review reveals unclear connection of creativity with some family-related variables among married employees. This study is a further exploration to establish the role of familial factors such as commitment to marriage, marital satisfaction, religiosity and familism in the creativity of FINTECH employees in Lagos, Nigeria.

The research was a cross-sectional survey of married employees within FINTECH organizations in Lagos. 224 married employees (135 are males) were conveniently sampled to respond to a structured questionnaire of six sections made up of validated scales that measured constructs of marital commitment, marital satisfaction, religiosity, familism and creativity. Three hypotheses were tested using Pearson product moment correlation, multiple regression analysis and t-test for independent samples at pα.05.

Creativity for FINTECH employees has a significant positive relationship with marital commitment (r=.468, p<.01), marital satisfaction (r=.224, p<.01), religiosity (r=.328, p<.01) and familism (r=.452, p<.01). Psychological factors (commitment to marriage, familism, marital satisfaction and religiosity) have a significant joint influence on employee creativity (F (4, 223) = 24.766, p <.01; R2 = .295) and a significant independent contribution of commitment to marriage and familism to employee creativity [(β = .358, p <.01); (β = .287, p <.01) respectively]. There are no significant gender differences in employee creativity (t (217) = 1.656, p > .05).

This confirms the hypothesized heightened relationship of familial factors with creativity of employees, especially FINTECH employees. This study rather brings a new suggestion that organizations should not just focus on the conditions of work at the office, or the pay of their employees only, but also give attention to the state of the family of their employees as this influences their abilities to deliver innovative ideas and lofty solutions to nutty problems within the work environment.
Curriculum of Children's Education in the Hadith of Muḥammad the Prophet
Authors: Anshar Muhammad Fakhrurrazi , Lubis Tonang
Published: September 2021

The family is the first and basic institution among the various responsible social institutions for preparing the child to enter social life, to be a good and effective element in its maintenance on the basis of righteousness, goodness and effective construction. It is the starting point that affects all stages of life, positively and negatively. The first is the marital relationship through birth, nursery, pre-puberty and ending with complete independence after the self-reliance. Childhood took a large part in the Hadiths of the Messenger of God, and the scholars of Hadith who unanimously agreed on the honorable Sunnah of the Prophet took care of this aspect, and they did not neglect the provisions and manners related to the child in all of their books in the field of Hadith. We will follow in this study, the method of children's education, which was mentioned by the hadiths of the Noble Prophet. The Messenger of God, gave the birth of a child a dignified care, for he birth of a child is not an ordinary matter that passes without attention. It is the right of the newborn baby to be called and choose a good name for him, to remove the harm from him, to be tender, to be called upon, to bless him, to teach him and to watch him, and to treat him.
Effect of Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture on Rural Households Food Security: A Case Study of Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Ayodeji Abiola Oyeboade , Lobley Matt , Rauf Ayodeji Jamiu
Published: September 2021

Empowering women in agriculture is considered a prerequisite to achieving global food security. However, there exists a research gap due to limited empirical studies to ascertain this, especially in nations like Nigeria where high level of food insecurity and gender inequality is perceived. Therefore, this study examines the effect women’s empowerment in agriculture has on household food security. The study was carried out in Oyo State, Nigeria and a sample size of 100 rural women was drawn using the multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire through an interview schedule. Data analysed was done using descriptive statistics, abbreviated women’s empowerment index, food security index and logistic regression model. Findings from this study revealed that more than half (58%) of the women were disempowered and about 59% of the households were food insecure. By disintegrating women’s empowerment into its various domains, this study identified that the major contributors to disempowerment are time(workload), production and resource domain. The logistic regression result shows that women’s empowerment in agriculture positively influences household food security. The study recommends that women must be adequately empowered in order mitigate food insecurity. Finally, the study suggests further research should be carried out to determine the gender parity in agriculture to understand the women’s empowerment in comparison with men’s empowerment in individual households.
The Relation of Personality Traits to Internet Addiction and Internet Social Behaviour in Chinese Secondary School Students
Authors: Chen Eve Siu Ling
Published: September 2021

The present study attempts to study the relationship between internet addiction and internet social behaviour with personality. The sample consisted of 365 Grade 10 students from two secondary schools in Mainland China. Four instruments were used: Young’s Internet Addiction Test, Chen Internet Addiction Scale, Ma, Li & Pow’s Adolescent Internet Use Questionnaire, and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Boys scored significantly higher than girls in the two Internet addiction questionnaires. Results also supported the following hypotheses: (1) Internet addiction is positively associated with psychoticism, neuroticism, and frequency of Internet use; and it is also negatively associated with social desirability and self-concept. (2) Holistic Internet social behavior is positively associated with extroversion, social desirability, self-concept, and frequency of Internet use; and it is also negatively associated with psychoticism and neuroticism. A high (low) rating of Holistic Internet Social Behavior refers to a high (low) rating of Prosocial Internet Behaviour and a low (high) rating of Antisocial Internet Behaviour.