bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Acacia nilotica on selected soil properties, sorghum and teff yield in parkland agroforestry, Kewot district, Amhara, Ethiopia
Authors:   Debre Birhan Agricultural Research Center, Tedla Abeje , Asfaw Zebene ,   Hawassa University
Published: December 2023

The effects of Acacia nilotica on Sorghum bicolor and Eragrostis tef yield as well as selected soil properties were evaluated under traditional parkland agroforestry system in the lowlands of Kewot district, North Shewa Zone in order to contribute to understanding of this tree effects on selected soil properties, sorghum and teff yield. A total of ten Acacia nilotica trees were purposively selected based on similar canopy width, height and diameter at breast height. Treatments were laid down on sorghum and teff fields and replicated five times under Randomized Complete Block Design. Soil samples were collected at distances of 2.5m, 5m and 12m from the tree trunk with a depth of 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm for soil chemical and physical properties analysis. Soil texture and bulk density were not affected significantly (p>0.05) with distance from the tree trunk while bulk density significantly varied with soil depth (p<0.05). Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, organic matter and phosphorus concentration increased significantly with decreasing distance from the tree base (p<0.05) and significantly declined with increasing soil depth (p<0.05). The highest soil organic carbon, soil organic matter, total nitrogen and Available Phosphorus concentrations were found under the tree canopy and in surface soil. Soil pH and C/N ratio were least affected by the presence of Acacia nilotica and not significantly varied (P>0.05) with soil depth and distance. Sorghum grain yield reduction (61%) and (32%) was found in the mid canopy and canopy edge respectively. Similarly, Teff grain yield reduction (55.72%) and (33.76%) was found at mid canopy and edge of the tree canopy, respectively. This study revealed that Acacia nilotica negatively affected the grain yield and biomass production of sorghum and teff however, improves soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, organic matter and phosphorus concentration of the soil under its canopy.
Hospital Based Psychosocial Support for Children Receiving Cancer Treatment in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital: from Children and Parents perspective
Authors:   Debre Berhan University, Wubshet Isayas
Published: December 2023

Cancer is one of the chronic diseases, which has become the second most leading cause of death in developing countries; and its incidence has increased in Ethiopia alarmingly. Although it is hard to get evidently-based study regarding on childhood cancer in Ethiopia, the existing few recent studies show that the incidence has close to 6,000 new cases each year. The overall objective of this study, therefore, is to explore and describe the psychosocial supports given for children with cancer in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH). The study is exploratory and employed qualitative research method with case study design. The thirty-three participants (ten children, sixteen parents and seven health care providers) were purposively selected. The main data gathering instruments were interviews, focus group discussions and observation. Findings of the study revealed that psychological and social supports in the hospital are not given in a comprehensive way. Children and parents are hardly getting of the required information about the medical tests at the time of diagnosis and throughout treatments. They don’t also get counseling service in time of even hearing the test result for the first time. Besides, there is proper interaction between patient/parent and the health workers in the department. The group counseling program and the play room are the other important sources of supports which have benefited children and their parents. Based on the findings of the study and its discussion, finally, the study presents social work implication in the areas of intervention, policy, and research, as well as implications for health caregivers and the department.
Dilema ético: ¿Limitación del Esfuerzo Terapéutico, Eutanasia Pasiva o Ensañamiento Terapéutico en problemas neonatales?
Authors: Oliveros Miguel , Chirinos Jorge
Published: December 2023

Los avances en el terreno de la medicina y la tecnología permiten la supervivencia de neonatos que hace algunos años eran imposibles concebir. Estos avances, sin embargo, han traído consigo discusiones en las áreas de la moral, la ética y las leyes. Los mayores conflictos se han producido en neonatos con defectos congénitos mayores, los que nacen con extremo bajo peso y los que sufren asfixia perinatal severa. En estos recién nacidos de alto riesgo, ante los dilemas existentes, los expertos en el campo de la Ética apuntan sobre la conveniencia de tratar o no tratar: ¿debemos esperar hasta aseguramos del pronóstico?, ¿debemos utilizar un enfoque estadístico?, o ¿utilizar un enfoque individualizado teniendo en mente la posibilidad de limitar el esfuerzo terapéutico?. Por ello, se deben identificar los criterios que permitan diferenciar aquellas intervenciones médicas que son moralmente aceptadas de las que no lo son, lo que nos evitará incurrir en excesos ya sea por “ensañamiento terapéutico” o por defecto “eutanasia pasiva”. Consideramos que no hemos encontrado la respuesta definitiva, pero señalamos que una nueva corriente es la llamada “ética de reacción” que recomienda estar alertas y con capacidad de reaccionar a todas las señales normativas que vibren en cualquier contexto de toma de decisiones. La apertura moral, el apoyo mutuo, el respeto por el misterio de la vida, y cultivar el humanismo forman parte de la única línea axiológica susceptible de llevar al hombre por el camino correcto.
Características Clínicas y Epidemiológicas de la Candidiasis Nosocomial del Torrente sanguíneo en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño
Authors: Ormeño Julca Alexis , Candela Herrera Jorge
Published: December 2023

Introducción: Las infecciones nosocomiales (IN) por Candida sp. han incrementado la morbilidad y mortalidad hospitalaria en la última década. Representan las infecciones micóticas más frecuentes en pacientes hospitalizados y constituyen la cuarta causa más frecuente de IN hematógena en los Estados Unidos de América.

Objetivo: Determinar las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los pacientes con Infección del Torrente Sanguíneo (ITS) por Candida de adquisición nosocomial en los diferentes servicios del Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño (INSN).

Métodos: Se revisó las historias clínicas de todos los pacientes con hemocultivo positivo según registro del Servicio de Microbiología del INSN desde Enero a Diciembre del 2009 y que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión establecidos para ITS. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó el paquete estadístico SPSS 11.10 para Windows.

Resultados: Las especies de Candida no albicans se aislaron en el 71,7% de todas las muestras, siendo C. parapsilosis la especie más frecuente (30%). Los pacientes donde se realizaron la mayoría de aislamientos fueron los hospitalizados en los servicios de Cirugía, UCI y Gastroenterología. El grupo etáreo más frecuentemente afectado fueron los menores de un año. Los factores de riesgo intrínsecos más frecuentes fueron ser portador de una malformación congénita, desnutrición y la colonización por Candida y entre los extrínsecos el uso previo de antibióticos de amplio espectro, el uso de catéter venoso central, la cirugía previa abdominal, nutrición parenteral y la intubación con ventilación mecánica. La letalidad bruta de candidemia nosocomial en el INSN fue de 45%.

Conclusión: Las especies de Candida no albicans son cada vez más frecuentemente aisladas en ITS de adquisición nosocomial, siendo los factores de riesgo extrínsecos más frecuentes el uso previo de antibiótico de amplio espectro, catéter venoso central, cirugía previa abdominal, nutrición parenteral total y la intubación con ventilación mecánica. La población generalmente afectada es la de los lactantes menores de un año portadores de una malformación congénita.
Academic and On the Job Training Performance of Business Administration Students of STI West Negros University
Authors: Villanueva Mima M. , Arca Edna Maricon , Sigaya Jr. Salvador S.
Published: December 2023

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted to determine whether significant relationship exists between academic and on-the-job training (OJT) performances of seventy-five business administration marketing management major students of STI West Negros University for School Year 2018-2019. The academic performance was measured through the general weighted average (GWA) of students for all their subjects since their first year until the third year in the program.  The OJT performance, on the other hand, was sourced out from the appraisal made by the host- company supervisors in the aspects of technical competence, attitude, quality of work, quantity of work, inter-personal relationship, and punctuality and attendance during the first semester of their last year in the program. The study revealed a humble rating of satisfactory in the academic of performance (GWA= 85.36, SD= 2.944) of the students but a very good rating in OJT (M=94.467, SD=4.5182).  Subsequent results indicated that students performed very well during their OJT training, surpassing their own performance in school, and suggesting that the curriculum have prepared the students in terms of knowledge, skills and attitude for their meaningful immersion in the industry. The study also revealed no significant relationship between GWA in one hand and technical competence, quality of work and quantity of work on the other hand.  As a final point, significant relationship was found in the areas of attitude (p=.012), inter-personal relationship (p=.029), and punctuality and attendance (p=.034).
Solar-Powered Automatic Watering System
Authors: Getino-Desamparado Erlyn Mae
Published: December 2023

This developmental and descriptive study is directed towards developing a solar powered automatic watering system, focusing on its design and development, determining the quality dimensions of the project, and evaluating the level of acceptability in terms of durability, performance, and serviceability. The questionnaire used was adapted from a researcher made questionnaire to gather information on the quality of the product among electrical, electronic, mechanical engineers and practitioners and the level of acceptability among local farmers. The means were used to analyze the data gathered to determine the quality of the project's dimension regarding durability, performance, and serviceability. The project was rated very satisfactory. As to the level of acceptability of the system as assessed by farmers regarding performance and serviceability, the product was rated as very satisfactory. In contrast, a rating in terms of durability earned satisfactorily. Based on these findings, a solar-powered automatic watering system can be developed. It is feasible, operational, and functional. The materials used are available in local markets and nearby cities and municipalities. Furthermore, there is a need to further enhance the project's durability since it was evaluated by the experts as satisfactory only.
Sustainable Livelihood Program for Purok Arao, Barangay Vista Alegre, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Authors: Villanueva Mima M. , Sigaya Salvador S. , Arca Edna Maricon A. , Pedrosa Eugenio A.
Published: December 2023

This paper assessed the workability of a sustainable livelihood program for poor urban dwellers relocated to Purok Arao, Barangay Vista Alegre, in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines in line with the government’s poverty-alleviation initiatives. The program’s viability was analyzed in reference to respondents’ socio-economic profile, skills training needs, and a host of anticipated issues and concerns within the community. Data needed were collected using a self-made survey questionnaire, which was administered to randomly sampled respondents (N=817; n=269). Said data were later complemented by a focus-group discussion (FGD) with ten (10) selected participants fairly representing all segments of the community.  Initial data analysis characterized the respondents’ demographic profile with the older residents outnumbering the younger ones, the females surpassing the males, and the married outstripping the single, widowed, and separated ones combined. Additional data reveal that less than 50% of the residents are high school graduates, but 77% of them own a house. The majority recorded a meager family income of Php8,450, which was attributable to their low educational attainment and limited skills in cooking, personal services, and construction work. Subsequent analysis revealed the respondents’ preferred livelihood skills in food and beverage, baking/pastry making, dressmaking, tailoring, culinary arts, automotive servicing, food preservation, electrical servicing, welding, beauty care, cosmetology, massage therapy, and communication and information technology. These findings call for a methodical selection of target beneficiaries, continuous skills training development program, cultivation of entrepreneurial mindset, and strengthening partnership with LGUs and other NGOs to bankroll the proposed sustainable development livelihood program.
Les approches pédagogiques qui valorisent la diversité linguistique et culturelle pour repenser de façon inclusive la francophonie en contexte minoritaire
Authors: Lory Marie-Paule
Published: December 2023

À l’ère où le monolinguisme est désormais plus une exception qu’une norme, le rôle traditionnel de l’école axé uniquement sur l’enseignement d’une langue et culture dominante est aujourd’hui remis en cause par une partie importante de la communauté éducative et scientifique. Toutefois, embrasser pleinement la diversité linguistique et culturelle est, pour le système scolaire, une démarche complexe qui bouscule certaines traditions et conceptions de l’enseignement. Cet article explore plusieurs enjeux relatifs à l’implantation des approches qui valorisent la diversité linguistique et culturelle en contexte francophone minoritaire au Canada. Il met ainsi de l’avant la dualité prégnante entre le français et l’anglais, mais aussi la nécessité de la mise en oeuvre de communautés de pratiques afin de soutenir un engagement du personnel enseignant dans la mise en place de pratiques qui valorisent la diversité linguistique et culturelle. Nous argumentons aussi que les approches pédagogiques qui valorisent la diversité linguistique et culturelle représentent, pour le milieu éducatif en contexte minoritaire, une façon de repenser la francophonie de façon plus inclusive.
Evidence-based color: an explorative study of the quantity and quality of knowledge about the color of Russian design students
Authors: Griber Yulia Alexandrovna , Ustimenko Yuliya Aleksandrovna
Published: December 2023

The relevance of the research presented in the article is due to new trends in modern education related to the need for competent implementation of the results of modern cross-disciplinary color studies in the process of professional training of design students. The purpose of the work is to use the methodology tested in Sweden and the UK to establish the quantity and quality of knowledge about the color of Russian design students and to compare these parameters with the corresponding indicators of foreign students. The object of the study is the color competence of Russian students, the subject is cross–cultural differences in the principles and mechanisms of using color in everyday design practice. The authors consider in detail the main areas of research that have formed the scientific basis of evidence-based color design. To assess the quantity and quality of students' knowledge about color, a modified method of Janssens & Mikellides was used. The answers were collected during an online survey in which 187 students of the Design program (147 women and 40 men) aged 17 to 48 years took part (average age 20.43, SD=3.5). The main conclusion of the study is that Russian students have a fairly high index of knowledge about color and even surpass students studying in the UK and Sweden by this indicator. The value of the index of general knowledge about color is almost the same for first- and last-year students. A lower index of knowledge about the color vision of elderly people among students starting their studies compared to graduates correlates with differences in the choice of sources of information about color. Undergraduates are experiencing an increase in interest in evidence-based design and a change in the target setting for the use of classical color theory in the development of design solutions in combination with proven empirical data, which reflects the anthropological turn of modern design and urbanism in general. The results of the analysis have both practical and theoretical significance and will contribute to further understanding of art education in the world.
Imaginar Ciudades posibles: Teatro Callejero, Urbanismo y Performance
Authors:   , Navarrete León Octavio
Published: December 2023

El trabajo “Ciudades Posibles: Teatro Callejero, Urbanismo y performance”, en el marco de un proyecto de práctica como investigación, propone una metodología de análisis y creación para espacios urbanos, en este caso específicamente en el sector La Moneda en Santiago de Chile. Con el objetivo de estudiar el espacio por medio de las artes escénicas callejeras, se plantea un marco teórico del teatro callejero, centrado principalmente en los estudios realizados por André Carreira. Además, se toman estudios de urbanismo marxista (Lefebvre, Soja) para comprender el fenómeno de la ciudad y sus problemáticas explícitas e implícitas. Al mismo tiempo, bajo la óptica de los estudios de performance, se busca hacer énfasis en las experiencias escénicas y performativas que se instalan en la ciudad. Estas tres aristas, teatro callejero, urbanismo y performance propugnan un acercamiento a las creaciones escénicas en la calle cuyo fin último es volver indivisible, en una experiencia única, la relación entre cuerpo, ciudad y práctica artísticas. La investigación y su metodología fue puesta a prueba en tres experimentaciones en el sector de La Moneda de la cual se recogieron provocaciones, insumos, recursos y procedimientos para crear la performance Ciudades Posibles. De las experimentaciones y acciones realizadas durante esta investigación se desprenden tres conceptos/procedimientos performativos: Habitar, Intervenir y Modificar, estos atraviesan todo el proceso de investigación práctica y creativa, y pretenden ser un aporte para la creación escénica en el espacio de la ciudad.
Efficacy and Safety of Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Sedation in Paediatric Dental Patients: A Comparison of Different Concentrations
Authors: Devi M Nandini , Jeevanandan Ganesh
Published: December 2023

Introduction: In order to effectively treat children, managing terrified and nervous paediatric dental patients is crucial. The choice of a specific behaviour control strategy is at the operator’s discretion, but it may be influenced by parental approval. Clinically beneficial pharmacological therapies, such as Nitrous Oxide-oxygen Inhalation Sedation (NOIS), have been demonstrated. However, prolonged exposure to specific amounts of these therapies could pose health hazards for medical personnel. Aim: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of utilising N2 O inhalation sedation at a 70% concentration in a paediatric dental setting, compared to administering it at 50% and 60% concentrations. Materials and Methods: A non randomised clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry at Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, India. The duration of the study was three months, from June 2022 to August 2022. A total of 42 young patients between the ages of 4 and 10 who required mandibular pulpectomy and crown were selected. During the study, the researchers recorded each patient’s levels of sedation and cooperation at four specific time points while administering a fixed concentration of N2 O. The concentrations at these time points were 50% at the 10th minute, 60% at the 20th minute, 70% at the 30th minute, and 70% at the 40th minute. The study compared the primary outcomes of sedation and cooperation levels, along with the secondary outcome of adverse effects, between the different time intervals using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by post-hoc tests for pairwise comparison. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The mean age of the children included in the present study was 7.4±1.324 years. At the end of 40 minutes at a 70% concentration, a deep sedation score of six was achieved by 7 (16.7%) of the patients, while none of the patients achieved this sedation level at concentrations of 50%, 60%, or 70% at the end of 30 minutes. The mean sedation score of patients at the end of 40 minutes at a 70% concentration (4.86±0.683) was higher than the sedation score of patients at the end of 30 minutes at a 70% concentration (4.36±0.656). Cooperation at a 70% concentration was better at the end of 40 minutes (5.83±0.377) than at the end of 30 minutes (5.40±0.497). At 50% and 60% concentrations, no adverse effects were observed. Conclusion: Sedation at a 60% concentration was more effective than 50% in achieving satisfactory cooperation to complete dental treatment without any adverse effects. Additionally, at a 70% concentration, sedation and cooperation were higher, but adverse effects were noted, warranting caution when considering its use for extended periods.
Invasive Aspergillosis and Candidiasis in a Patient with Supraglottic Carcinoma undergoing Chemoradiotherapy: A Case Report
Authors: Babu Neethu , Saikumar Chitralekha , Chalissery Jomon Raphael
Published: December 2023

The incidence of Invasive Aspergillosis (IA) is increasing. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important to improve patient survival, especially in immunocompromised patients. The diagnosis of IA is challenging as clinical indicators are limited, and early microbiological confirmation of the infection is infrequent. Here, the authors present the case of a 43-year-old male who was undergoing radiotherapy along with concurrent chemotherapy for carcinoma supraglottis. He developed Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis (IPA) along with candidiasis within two weeks of therapy. Voriconazole remains the recommended therapy for patients with IA, which also acts against fluconazole-resistant Candida species.
Accuracy of Nasopharyngeal Temperature in Comparison to Oesophageal Temperature for Core Body Temperature Measurement: A Cross-sectional Observational Study
Authors: Pooja MN , Majigoudar Sagar S
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Temperature monitoring intraoperatively is standard of care for almost all surgical cases and is necessary due to the important role that temperature plays in maintaining body homeostasis, anaesthetic drug metabolism, and recovery. However, invasive and user-unfriendly methods like measuring temperature in the oesophagus, tympanic membrane, or rectum have limitations. An alternative site for measuring core body temperature could be the nasopharynx, as its mucosa is supplied by branches of the internal carotid artery. Aim: To determine the accuracy of the nasopharyngeal probe in comparison to oesophageal temperature probe and to identify appropriate insertion depths for measuring core body temperature. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients scheduled for elective non-cardiac surgery under general anaesthesia lasting 60 minutes or more. A nasopharyngeal probe was inserted past the nares to a depth of 20 cm, and an oesophageal temperature probe was inserted to a depth of 40 cm past the incisors. The nasopharyngeal probe was gradually pulled out after induction, and temperatures at various depths were recorded at regular intervals. The observed depths of the nasopharyngeal probe that correlated with the oesophageal temperature were considered as the endpoints. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Results: The study population consisted of 60 patients, with 31 males and 29 females, a mean age of 50 years, mean body mass index of 26 kg/m2 , American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) (physical status) of 1 (n=27) and 2 (n=33). The insertion depths of 10 to 20 cm for the nasopharyngeal probe showed a mean temperature difference of ±0.3°C compared to the reference oesophageal temperature. This difference fell within the clinically acceptable accuracy range of 0 to 0.3°C (temperature mean difference ±1.96 SD) for both probes. Conclusion: The nasopharyngeal probe offers a minimally invasive method for measuring body temperature and is easily accessible for probe placement. However, the optimal depth of insertion past the nares has not been well established. Based on the results, which showed that the mean temperature difference between the two probes fell within the specified accuracy range when the nasopharyngeal probe was inserted to a depth range of 10 to 20 cm from the nares, it is advisable to use this depth range for core body temperature measurement in non cardiac surgeries.
Assessing the Natural Regeneration Potential of Senegalia senegal by Rejection in Chad: Implications for Sustainable Management
Authors: Dany Oumar , Ngarmari Djekota Christophe
Published: December 2023

The study of the potential of natural regeneration assisted by weaning of white gum was carried out in Mandalia, a locality located about 50 km from N'Djamena and its surrounding area. Inductions of shoots by weaning were carried out at two sites, one a Senegalia senegal Park and the other a grazing area. In the S. senegal parks, most of the shoots were underground. On the other hand, on the grazing land, most of the shoots were stump shoots. There was no significant difference between the number of shoots in the S. senegal park and in the grazing land. The survival rate of underground shoots at weaning showed a low value of less than 25%. In the Acacia Park, the correlation between survival and shoot size was 80.28%. However, in the grazing area, the survival rate was 50.69%. These results show that the site does not significantly influence the fate of the weaned underground discharge. It is clear from this study that a sustainable management plan for S. senegal is urgently required. To this end, studies on varietal selection and domestication of S. senegal should be undertaken as soon as possible. Raising farmers' awareness of the need to protect offshoots in agrosystems and promoting assisted natural regeneration in agrosystems would also enable them to be conserved by local populations and gradually domesticated in the short term.
Effect of Micronutrients and Biofertilizer Treatments on Yield and it`s Attributes of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) cv. RCR-41
Authors: Sharma Avinash , Gupta P. K. , Dongre Palak , Aakash  , Parihar Nikhil , Dangi Jagat Pratap Singh , Bhayal Divya
Published: December 2023

The current study, named "effect of micronutrients and biofertilizer on yield parameters of coriander Coriandrum sativum (L.) cv. RCR-41," is planned to be carried out in the Research Field, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Gwalior, M.P., during Rabi 2020-21 and 2021-22. The experiment was designed in a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with two factors concepts i.e., Micronutrients (ZnSO4 (0.5%), FeSo4 (0.5%), CuSo4 (0.5%), Biofertilizers (Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), Azotobacter, Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB) and replicated three times and included three replications. At the time of coriander seeding, treatments combinations including RDF doses of fertilisers and biofertilizers were used. The results showed that treatment M1 (ZnSO4 @ 0.5%) was the optimum micronutrient level treatment for coriander production. Treatment B2 (Azotobacter) was shown to be the optimal biofertilizer level for coriander production. The treatment combination M1B2 (ZnSO4 @ 0.5% x Azotobacter) was shown to be considerably better among all treatment combinations, yielding the highest coriander yield characteristics.
Análise histomorfométrica dos mastócitos em feridas cutâneas tratadas com jato de plasma
Authors: Cerqueira Carla Barreto Silva de , Lima Sarah Souza , Santos Laila Vitoria Borges dos , Medrado Alena Ribeiro Alves Peixoto
Published: December 2023

Introdução: os eventos biológicos que se desenvolvem durante o reparo tecidual são orquestrados por diferentes populações celulares, entre as quais se destaca o mastócito. Nesse contexto, diversas terapias biomoduladoras têm sido propostas para otimizar o reparo, e o jato de plasma tem despertado o interesse da comunidade científica devido a sua capacidade de estimular a proliferação celular, a síntese de colágeno e melhorar a oxigenação dos tecidos, bem como o aporte de nutrientes através da vasodilatação e neoangiogênese. Objetivo: avaliar o impacto da terapia com jato de plasma sobre a população de mastócitos em duas fases do reparo cutâneo de ratos, através de uma análise histomorfométrica. Metodologia: foram utilizados 20 ratos Wistar, alocados randomicamente em grupo controle (GC) e grupo jato de plasma (GJP). Foi realizada uma ferida cirúrgica cutânea, no dorso dos animais. Apenas o GJP foi submetido à terapia com jato de plasma, imediatamente após a cirurgia, e nos dois dias seguintes. Metade dos animais de cada grupo foi sacrificada no 5° dia, após o procedimento cirúrgico, e os demais no 10° dia. Foi removida uma amostra do tecido cutâneo para processamento histológico e análise histomorfométrica. Resultados: constatou-se que o número total de mastócitos foi significativamente maior no grupo tratado com jato de plasma em relação ao grupo de controle (p=0,04). Observou-se que houve maior desgranulação de mastócitos no grupo tratado com jato de plasma, quando comparado ao grupo de controle, tanto no período de cinco dias, quanto no de dez dias (p=0,002 e p=0,02, respectivamente). Conclusão: o estudo sugere que o jato de plasma pode ser uma ferramenta adjuvante promissora para ser utilizada com vistas à biomodulação de diferentes populações celulares no reparo tecidual, entre as quais se destaca o mastócito.
Associação entre os determinantes da saúde e nutrição e o status sociodemográfico de um grupo de profissionais da saúde brasileiros, durante a pandemia de COVID-19
Authors: Ramos Mariângela de Souza , Carvalho Fernando Luís de Queiroz
Published: December 2023

Introdução: a pandemia de COVID-19 desencadeou problemas sociais que, somados à natureza do trabalho dos profissionais de saúde, os tornaram mais vulneráveis a alterações da saúde física e mental, condições que podem determinar escolhas e comportamentos alimentares. Objetivo: realizar um levantamento dos determinantes da saúde e nutrição de um grupo de profissionais da saúde brasileiros e associá-los com as características sociodemográficas da amostra. Metodologia: trata-se de uma pesquisa de base populacional, observacional, quantitativa, apoiada na aplicação de um questionário estruturado, validado internamente, para execução de um inquérito virtual. Resultados: considerando a frequência absoluta das respostas, as variáveis condição de trabalho e privação de lazer, além de custo e tempo para preparo das refeições foram as mais citadas quanto ao impacto na condição de saúde e na alimentação, respectivamente. Após a aplicação dos testes Exato de Fisher ou do Qui-Quadrado, para um nível de significância de 5%, os fatores falta de tempo e informação, acessibilidade física e preparo das refeições centradas em um integrante da família foram mencionados como possíveis intervenientes na alimentação, bem como condição ambiental e violência, intervenientes na saúde, para diferentes categorias profissionais estudadas. Piores desfechos quanto à variável tempo foram identificados para profissionais com maior titulação e maior renda; e falta de informação para aqueles sem exigência de formação de nível superior na área de saúde. Distinções quanto ao gênero também foram identificadas para os determinantes sociais da saúde citados. Conclusão: a condição socioeconômica, e, em particular, as variáveis citadas, estiveram associadas com escolhas alimentares e de saúde dos profissionais de saúde participantes do estudo, durante o contexto pandêmico.
Perfil cirúrgico e taxa de extubação precoce em pacientes no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca
Authors: Santos Júnior Roberval Prado dos , Sena Eduardo Pondé de
Published: December 2023

Introdução: as doenças cardiovasculares apresentam grande prevalência em todo mundo. A indicação cirúrgica varia de acordo com as comorbidades associadas, idade e gravidade das manifestações clínicas. O conceito de manejo acelerado em cirurgia cardíaca está associado ao uso de drogas anestésicas, que permitem a rápida interrupção da ventilação mecânica invasiva (VMI) no pós-operatório, em até seis horas após o término do procedimento operatório. Objetivo: Conhecer o perfil dos pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca (CC) e a taxa de extubação precoce pode viabilizar o planejamento de estratégias para otimização assistencial. Metodologia: Estudo observacional, exploratório e retrospectivo, realizado nas unidades cardiovasculares de um hospital público de referência em cardiologia em Salvador, Bahia, Brasil. Foram utilizados dados dos prontuários relativos à internação dos pacientes submetidos a CC, durante o período de fevereiro de 2021 a fevereiro de 2022. Foram incluídos pacientes maiores de 18 anos, de ambos os sexos, submetidos à intervenção cirúrgica cardíaca e que tiveram sua recuperação pós-operatória na unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). A variável dependente foi interrupção da VMI em até seis horas da chegada do paciente na UTI. As variáveis independentes foram: idade, sexo, data de internação, admissão na UTI, tipo de cirurgia, tempo de circulação extracorpórea (CEC), tempo de clampeamento, tempo de VMI, tempo de UTI e tempo de internamento hospitalar. Resultados: a amostra foi composta por 886 pacientes, com média de idade de 55,6 ± 14,3 anos. Foram realizados um total de 1097 procedimentos cirúrgicos. A mediana do tempo de CEC foi 70 minutos, tempo de clampeamento 55 minutos e tempo UTI de 3 dias. Conclusão: os procedimentos cirúrgicos mais prevalentes foram troca valvar e revascularização do miocárdio. Cerca de 80% dos pacientes foram extubados em até 6 horas após a admissão na UTI. Foram observadas menores medianas do tempo de CEC e internação em UTI quando comparadas com estudos semelhantes na literatura.
Variantes no gene ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia, mutado) em Pacientes portadoras de câncer de mama no estado da Bahia
Authors: Ferreira Thâmara Cláudia de Melo , Toralles Maria Betânia Pereira
Published: December 2023

Introdução:  o câncer de mama é o mais comum em mulheres em todo o mundo, com altas taxas de mortalidade. Aproximadamente 10% dos novos casos de câncer de mama são hereditários. A principal síndrome de predisposição hereditária ao câncer de mama é provocada por mutações nos genes BRCA1 e BRCA2, (HBOC, para hereditary breast and ovary cancer). Entretanto, apenas 10% dos pacientes confirmam a presença de mutações germinativas em BRCA1 ou BRCA2. Variantes patogênicas em outros genes, conhecidos como de moderada penetrância, como PALB2, CHEK2 e ATM, também contribuem para aumento do risco de ocorrência do câncer de mama. Cerca de 3 a 5% das mulheres que se apresentam para avaliação de risco hereditário de câncer de mama ou ovário têm variantes patogênicas em um gene de moderada penetrância. Objetivo: descrever os aspectos clínicos e moleculares de pacientes que apresentaram mutações no gene ATM e foram submetidos a aconselhamento genético e teste genético com painel multigenes para genes de alto e moderado risco para câncer. avaliados no período de 2007 a 2023. Metodologia: estudo estatístico descritivo, com análise quantitativa em amostra retrospectiva e prospectiva de pacientes submetidas a sequenciamento por Sanger, admitidas no serviço de oncogenética da UFBA, no ICS da UFBA, bem como de pacientes submetidas a sequenciamento de nova geração, que preencheram critérios clínicos para síndrome de susceptibilidade ao câncer hereditário, com base em critérios dos guidelines do NCCN e conforme diretrizes da Agência Nacional de Saúde, constantes no rol de procedimentos em saúde, admitidas para aconselhamento genético no período de 07/2007 a 05/2023. Resultados: os achados podem elucidar diferenças entre pacientes caucasianos e pacientes miscigenados, esses últimos pouco estudados até o presente momento, mas que podem representam a população brasileira em sua maioria. Conclusão: os resultados encontrados possibilitam o delineamento do perfil dos pacientes com mutação em ATM: epidemiológico, de variabilidade genética ou alélica, perfil clínico, tumoral e de apresentação de tumores na história familiar.
Plasma Biomarker Strategy for Selecting Patients With Alzheimer Disease for Antiamyloid Immunotherapies
Authors: Mattsson-Carlgren Niklas , Collij Lyduine E. , Stomrud Erik , Pichet Binette Alexa , Ossenkoppele Rik , Smith Ruben , Karlsson Linda , Lantero-Rodriguez Juan , Snellman Anniina , Strandberg Olof , Palmqvist Sebastian , Ashton Nicholas J. , Blennow Kaj , Janelidze Shorena , Hansson Oskar
Published: December 2023

Importance

Antiamyloid immunotherapies against Alzheimer disease (AD) are emerging. Scalable, cost-effective tools will be needed to identify amyloid β (Aβ)–positive patients without an advanced stage of tau pathology who are most likely to benefit from these therapies. Blood-based biomarkers might reduce the need to use cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or positron emission tomography (PET) for this.

Objective

To evaluate plasma biomarkers for identifying Aβ positivity and stage of tau accumulation.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The cohort study (BioFINDER-2) was a prospective memory-clinic and population-based study. Participants with cognitive concerns were recruited from 2017 to 2022 and divided into a training set (80% of the data) and test set (20%).

Exposure

Baseline values for plasma phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau181), p-tau217, p-tau231, N-terminal tau, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and neurofilament light chain.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Performance to classify participants by Aβ status (defined by Aβ-PET or CSF Aβ42/40) and tau status (tau PET). Number of hypothetically saved PET scans in a plasma biomarker–guided workflow.

Results

Of a total 912 participants, there were 499 males (54.7%) and 413 females (45.3%), and the mean (SD) age was 71.1 (8.49) years. Among the biomarkers, plasma p-tau217 was most strongly associated with Aβ positivity (test-set area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.94; 95% CI, 0.90-0.97). A 2–cut-point procedure was evaluated, where only participants with ambiguous plasma p-tau217 values (17.1% of the participants in the test set) underwent CSF or PET to assign definitive Aβ status. This procedure had an overall sensitivity of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.90-0.98) and a specificity of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.77-0.95). Next, plasma biomarkers were used to differentiate low-intermediate vs high tau-PET load among Aβ-positive participants. Plasma p-tau217 again performed best, with the test AUC = 0.92 (95% CI, 0.86-0.97), without significant improvement when adding any of the other plasma biomarkers. At a false-negative rate less than 10%, the use of plasma p-tau217 could avoid 56.9% of tau-PET scans needed to identify high tau PET among Aβ-positive participants. The results were validated in an independent cohort (n = 118).

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that algorithms using plasma p-tau217 can accurately identify most Aβ-positive individuals, including those likely to have a high tau load who would require confirmatory tau-PET imaging. Plasma p-tau217 measurements may substantially reduce the number of invasive and costly confirmatory tests required to identify individuals who would likely benefit from antiamyloid therapies.
Blood Pressure at Different Life Stages Over the Early Life Course and Intima-Media Thickness
Authors: Meng Yaxing , Sharman James E. , Koskinen Juhani S. , Juonala Markus , Viikari Jorma S. A. , Buscot Marie-Jeanne , Wu Feitong , Fraser Brooklyn J. , Rovio Suvi P. , Kähönen Mika , Rönnemaa Tapani , Jula Antti , Niinikoski Harri , Raitakari Olli T. , Pahkala Katja , Magnussen Costan G.
Published: December 2023

Importance

Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) begins in early life, the extent to which blood pressure (BP) at different life stages contributes to CVD is unclear.

Objective

To determine the relative contribution of BP at different life stages across the early-life course from infancy to young adulthood with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT).

Design, setting, and participants

The analyses were performed in 2022 using data gathered from July 1989 through January 2018 within the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project, a randomized, infancy-onset cohort of 534 participants coupled with annual BP (from age 7 months to 20 years), biennial IMT measurements (from ages 13 to 19 years), who were followed up with again at age 26 years.

Exposures

BP measured from infancy (aged 7 to 13 months), preschool (2 to 5 years), childhood (6 to 12 years), adolescence (13 to 17 years), and young adulthood (18 to 26 years).

Main outcomes and measures

Primary outcomes were carotid IMT measured in young adulthood at age 26 years. Bayesian relevant life-course exposure models assessed the relative contribution of BP at each life stage.

Results

Systolic BP at each life stage contributed to the association with young adulthood carotid IMT (infancy: relative weight, 25.3%; 95% credible interval [CrI], 3.6-45.8; preschool childhood: relative weight, 27.0%; 95% CrI, 3.3-57.1; childhood: relative weight, 18.0%; 95% CrI, 0.5-40.0; adolescence: relative weight, 13.5%; 95% CrI, 0.4-37.1; and young adulthood: relative weight, 16.2%; 95% CrI, 1.6-46.1). A 1-SD (at single life-stage) higher systolic BP accumulated across the life course was associated with a higher carotid IMT (0.02 mm; 95% CrI, 0.01-0.03). The findings for carotid IMT were replicated in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study that assessed systolic BP from childhood and carotid IMT in adulthood (33 to 45 years).

Conclusion and relevance

In this cohort study, a life-course approach indicated that accumulation of risk exposure to BP levels at all life stages contributed to adulthood carotid IMT. Of those, the contribution attributed to each observed life stage was approximately equal. These results support prevention efforts that achieve and maintain normal BP levels across the life course, starting in infancy.
Sympathetic Neurotransmitter, VIP, Delays Intervertebral Disc Degeneration via FGF18/FGFR2‐Mediated Activation of Akt Signaling Pathway
Authors: Sun Kaiqiang , Sun Jiuyi , Yan Chen , Sun Jingchuan , Xu Ximing , Shi Jiangang
Published: December 2023

Neuromodulation‐related intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a novel IVDD pattern and are proposed recently. However, the mechanistic basis of neuromodulation and intervertebral disc (IVD) homeostasis remains unclear. Here, this study aimed to investigate the expression of postganglionic sympathetic nerve fiber‐derived vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) system in human IVD tissue, and to assess the role of VIP‐related neuromodulation in IVDD. Patient samples and in vitro cell experiments showed that the expression of receptors for VIP is negatively correlated with the severity of IVDD, and the administration of exogenous VIP can ameliorate interleukin 1β‐induced nucleus pulposus (NP) cell apoptosis and inflammation. Further mRNA‐seq analysis revealed that fibroblast growth factor 18‐ (FGF18)‐mediated activation of V‐akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog signaling pathway is involved in the protective effects of VIP on inflammation‐induced NP cell degeneration. Further analysis identified VIP via its receptor vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 2 can directly result in decreased expression of miR‐15a‐5p, which targeted FGF18. Finally, in vivo mice lumbar IVDD model confirmed that focally exogenous administration of VIP can effectively ameliorated the progression of IVDD, as shown by the radiological and histological analysis. In conclusion, these results indicated that sympathetic neurotransmitter, VIP, delayed IVDD via FGF18/FGFR2‐mediated activation of V‐akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog signaling pathway, which will broaden the horizon concerning how the neuromodulation correlates with IVDD and shed new light on novel therapeutical alternatives to IVDD.
Bioprinted Organoids Platform with Tumor Vasculature for Implementing Precision Personalized Medicine Targeted Towards Gastric Cancer
Authors: Kim Jisoo , Kim Jungmin , Gao Ge , Choi Yoo‐mi , Kim Jaewook , Cho Dong‐Woo , Cheong Jae‐Ho , Jang Jinah
Published: December 2023

Accurate prediction of treatment response for cancer patients is essential for overcoming intrinsic therapy resistance that results from genetic heterogeneity, varying tumor growth kinetics, and the complex tumor microenvironment. To achieve this goal, there is an urgent need for effective preclinical in vitro models that recapitulate the molecular–pathologic features and intricate ecology of native tumors for precision medicine. In this study, a vascularized organoid model (VOM) composed of patient‐derived gastric cancer organoids (PDOs), perfusable endothelium, and stomach decellularized extracellular matrix is presented that enables the prediction of clinical response to VEGFR2‐targeted therapy in gastric cancer patients. The results indicate that VOMs are dependent on the PDO molecular subtype. Moreover, VOMs accurately reproduce the clinically observed responses of patients treated with VEGFR2 inhibitor. Therefore, VOMs represent a valuable platform for providing clinical predictions for personalized testing and potential discovery of therapeutic drugs in various cancers that lack standardized regimens.
Designing Bimetallic Metal‐Organic Framework‐Based Heterojunction Radiosensitizer for Enhanced Radiodynamic Therapy and Immunotherapy
Authors: Xiong Zushuang , Yang Mingqi , Liu Peixin , Tang Zhiying , Yang Yu , Zhan Meixiao , Chen Tianfeng , Li Xiaoling , Lu Ligong
Published: December 2023

Radiotherapy, as one of the most common strategies for clinical cancer treatment, suffers from failure due to the hypoxia, inflammation, and radiosensitivity difference of malignant tumors, side effects, and radioresistance. Heterojunction‐based radiosensitizers attract great attention to the lower excitation energy and remarkable catalytic activity as compared to typical transition metal radiosensitizers. However, the bio‐application of heterojunction radiosensitizers is in its infancy due to the challenges in structure engineering, rational energy band alignment, and ideal photogenerated carrier migration. Herein, a bimetallic metal‐organic framework (MOF)‐based heterojunction radiosensitizer is reasonably designed to enhance the radiodynamic therapeutic efficiency of Ru complex, and to activate natural killer (NK) cell‐mediated innate immune responses for promoted tumor immunotherapy. This study not only designs a novel bimetallic MOF‐based heterojunction structure but also elucidates the underlying action mechanisms in inhibiting cancer proliferation, which sheds light on the practicable design of radiosensitizers and the tumor combination treatment.