bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of single-step genomic predictions using the linear regression method for milk yield and heat tolerance in a Thai-Holstein population
Authors: Sungkhapreecha Piriyaporn , Misztal Ignacy , Hidalgo Jorge , Lourenco Daniela , Buaban Sayan , Chankitisakul Vibuntita , Boonkum Wuttigrai
Published: December 2021

Background and Aim: Genomic selection improves accuracy and decreases the generation interval, increasing the selection response. This study was conducted to assess the benefits of using single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) for genomic evaluations of milk yield and heat tolerance in Thai-Holstein cows and to test the value of old phenotypic data to maintain the accuracy of predictions.

Materials and Methods: The dataset included 104,150 milk yield records collected from 1999 to 2018 from 15,380 cows. The pedigree contained 33,799 animals born between 1944 and 2016, of which 882 were genotyped. Analyses were performed with and without genomic information using ssGBLUP and BLUP, respectively. Statistics for bias, dispersion, the ratio of accuracies, and the accuracy of estimated breeding values were calculated using the linear regression (LR) method. A partial dataset excluded the phenotypes of the last generation, and 66 bulls were identified as validation individuals.

Results: Bias was considerable for BLUP (0.44) but negligible (–0.04) for ssGBLUP; dispersion was similar for both techniques (0.84 vs. 1.06 for BLUP and ssGBLUP, respectively). The ratio of accuracies was 0.33 for BLUP and 0.97 for ssGBLUP, indicating more stable predictions for ssGBLUP. The accuracy of predictions was 0.18 for BLUP and 0.36 for ssGBLUP. Excluding the first 10 years of phenotypic data (i.e., 1999-2008) decreased the accuracy to 0.09 for BLUP and 0.32 for ssGBLUP. Genomic information doubled the accuracy and increased the persistence of genomic estimated breeding values when old phenotypes were removed.

Conclusion: The LR method is useful for estimating accuracies and bias in complex models. When the population size is small, old data are useful, and even a small amount of genomic information can substantially improve the accuracy. The effect of heat stress on first parity milk yield is small.
Maíz, agaves y abejas comunes a mayas y teenek
Authors: Ruvalcaba Mercado Jesus
Published: December 2021

La población teenek de la Huasteca y la maya de la península de Yucatán, ambas de la familia lingüística protomaya, ocupan los extremos opuestos del Golfo de México y a pesar de tantos cambios y problemas mantienen la producción del sistema agrícola de roza con el fin primordial de cultivar maíz y otros alimentos básicos como frijol, yuca, calabaza, chile y camote para el consumo familiar. Con todas sus similitudes también hay cuestiones que los diferencian. El objetivo no es compararlos en todos sus aspectos, sino solamente enmarcar y tratar de explicar cómo es que comparten una raza específica de maíz, la utilización de dos parientes cercanos de la familia agavaceae y el aprovechamiento variado de la miel de la abeja americana (melipona). Las referencias a otros temas como la organización del trabajo, los instrumentos agrícolas (la tecnología), su eficiencia, rendimientos agrícolas, medidas y usos conforman el contexto del problema. Los datos referentes a la Huasteca los obtuve durante el trabajo de campo y de la literatura existente, los referentes a los mayas provienen exclusivamente de otros autores que han escrito sobre el tema.
Estimation of the autoclave and different surface treatments on microleakage between soft liner and heat-cured acrylic
Authors: Aziz Hawraa Khalid , Hasan Shurooq Falih
Published: December 2021

Objective: The present study was oriented to estimate the effect of different surface treatments on the microleakage between the soft liner and acrylic with and without the use of autoclave as disinfection method. Material and Methods: Sixty samples were split into two groups: the autoclaved groups and non-autoclaved groups. Each one subdivided into three groups: first one without any treatments as a control group; in the second group surface of the samples were treated with CO2 laser (10.6 nm wavelength for 15 seconds), and in the third group the surface was treated with sandblasting. All the samples exposed to thermocycling, then the microleakage test was evaluated by gauging dye penetration depth between the soft liner and acrylic disc using a digital microscope. Data analyzed statistically by One-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests. In addition, t-test was used for comparison between two groups . Results: The maximum mean values for the microleakage were observed in the untreated group (control) followed by the group treated by CO2 laser and the lowest mean value of microleakage was related to the third group for both non-autoclaved and autoclaved groups with significant differences among them. In addition, depending on the use of autoclave, there was non-significant in all studied groups. Conclusions: There was a decrease in the microleakage when the surface treated with CO2 laser and sandblast. The use of autoclave did not badly change the microleakage between the soft liner and denture base.
Keywords
Microleakage; Soft liner; Autoclave; CO2 laser; Sandblast.
Jara Fuente (2020). Las emociones en la Historia. Una propuesta de divulgación
Authors: Della Bianca Mariana
Published: December 2021

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Confidence Intervals for the Ratio of the Coefficients of Variation of Inverse-Gamma Distributions
Authors: Kaewprasert Theerapong , Niwitpong Sa-Aat , Niwitpong Suparat
Published: December 2021

Herein, we present four methods for constructing confidence intervals for the ratio of the coefficients of variation of inverse-gamma distributions using the percentile bootstrap, fiducial quantities, and Bayesian methods based on the Jeffreys and uniform priors. We compared their performances using coverage probabilities and expected lengths via simulation studies. The results show that the confidence intervals constructed with the Bayesian method based on the uniform prior and fiducial quantities performed better than those constructed with the Bayesian method based on the Jeffreys prior and the percentile bootstrap. Rainfall data from Thailand was used to illustrate the efficacies of the proposed methods.
A Theological Assessment of the Covenant between Judas Maccabeus and Rome: an Intertextual Analysis of 1 Macc 8:17–20
Authors: Nawrot Janusz
Published: December 2021

What was the biblical interpretation of the Jews’ conduct in the final stage of the history of Israel in the context of the Law of Moses right before the times of the New Testament? The proposed exegesis of 1 Macc 8:17–20, which describes the covenant between Judas Maccabeus and the Roman republic, strives to discover the theological evaluation of the behavior of the revolt’s leader conducted by the author of the book. The intertextual method is particularly helpful in discovering the right understanding of the text. This method enables one to purposefully combine the expressions found in the consecutive verses with the same expressions found in the earlier biblical books. The theology that underlies these books will reveal the right sense of the studied passage of 1 Macc. It turns out that the theological evaluation is totally different than the political evaluation, the latter being solely taken into consideration in historical-literary analyses and commentaries. The biblical author has a restrained stance toward the political success of the Maccabees. He wants to reveal their conduct in the context of the Lord’s Law, which strongly proves that the First Book of Maccabees should belong to the canon of the inspired texts.
Il Libro del Deuteronomio come fonte teologica della dimensione anamnetica dell’anno liturgico
Authors: Kwiatkowski Dariusz
Published: December 2021

L’articolo presenta la dimensione anamnetica dell’anno liturgico e la sua fonte teologica veterotestamentaria che è il Libro del Deuteronomio. Il calendario liturgico non è un calendario in cui sono segnate le date di varie festività religiose. È il rendersi presente del mistero salvifico di Gesù Cristo, diffuso nel tempo. Per comprendere la dimensione anamnetica dell’anno liturgico, era necessario mostrare che cosa era la festa della tradizione religiosa di Israele. Sulla base del Libro del Deuteronomio, chiamato il “Libro della memoria”, è stato messo in evidenza che ogni festa biblica è un’anamnesi, cioè il rendersi presente di un evento specifico della storia della salvezza. Tale concezione di festa è anche presente nella liturgia della Chiesa. Il senso dell’anno liturgico risiede principalmente nella sua stretta relazione con il mistero di Cristo. Ogni festa è il rendersi presente “qui” e “ora” dell’opera salvifica di Gesù Cristo. Ciò avviene grazie alla presenza e all’azione dello Spirito Santo nella liturgia della Chiesa.
Agnieszka Łoza, Paweł Beyga, Zaraza w Kościele, wyd. Leksem Studio, Żmigród 2021, ss. 169
Authors: Ferdek Bogdan
Published: December 2021

In the opinion of Bogdan Ferdek, the new book of Agnieszka Łoza and Paweł Beyga is a special theological report on the state of the Church in Poland. During the pandemic time since 2021 the Catholic Church has had to search for solving problems in the Christian community. According to the authors of this new book, in the Polish Catholic Church two kinds of problems can be discovered. Firstly, there is a problem with morality among the clergy, the problems of sexual abuse and teaching the Catholic religion in Polish schools. Conversely, there is a problem related to the secularization of Polish people. Bogdan Ferdek in his review showed that the new book of two young Polish theologians is an answer to very important questions in the Polish Christendom in the time of the pandemic.
Benoît-Dominique de la Soujeole, Paternités et fraternités spirituelles, Éditions du Cerf, Paris 2021
Authors: Nawracała Tomasz
Published: December 2021

Fraternity and paternity are two concepts that have appeared frequently in recent documents of the Church’s Teaching Office. They are meant to bring closer the complex structure of the relationships that exist between the individual members of the Church. Their spiritual understanding is based not on abstraction, but on the biological experience known to man. Paternity and fraternity are concepts related to family and social life, and when applied to religious space, they do not retain their universal and fundamental understanding. Fr Benoît-Dominique de la Soujeole OP’s book is a theological reflection on the understanding of the concepts of paternity and fraternity and their implications for priests and spiritual directors.
Pozycja prawna wojewody w procesie przemian II Rzeczypospolitej
Authors: Wojtczak Krystyna
Published: December 2021

The article considers the legal status of the voivode during the interwar period, the time of the difficult restoration of the Polish identity and the creation of the Polish state in the post-Partition lands with three separate systems of territorial division and local administration. The legal situation of the office of the voivode is closely related to the establishment of the systemic foundations of the highest Polish authorities (legislative and executive) and local administration (initially, on the territory of the former Kingdom of Poland and then on the gradually annexed former Polish territories). The author refers to both spheres of legal activity of the Polish state at that time. She discusses the primary political acts, i.e. the March Constitution (1921), the April Constitution (1935) and the Constitutional Act (1926), as well as regulations concerning county administrative authorities of the first instance, situated in the then two-tier (ministries – county offices) administrative apparatus. Attention is primarily focused on the acts directly concerning the position of the voivode, i.e. the Act of 2 August 1919, the Regulation of the President of the Republic of 19 January 1928, and executive acts issued on the basis of these, and against whose background the importance of the legal institution of the voivode is presented: during the time of attempts to unify the administrative system (1918–1928), and in the period of changes leading to a uniform organisational structure of voivodship administrative authorities (1928–1939). The analysis makes it possible to state that successive legal conditions strengthened the political position of the voivode. In both periods covered by the analysis, the voivode was a representative of the government (with broader competences in 1928–1939), the executor of orders from individual ministers, the head of state and local government authorities and offices (1918–1928), the head of general administrative bodies subordinate to him, and the supervisory body over local government (1928–1939). The position of the voivode in the interwar period was unquestionably very strong.
Dialog między regionalnymi trybunałami praw człowieka
Authors: Dąbrowska Anna
Published: December 2021

The multiplicity of international judicial authorities makes their mutual interactions a challenge. In recent years, three regional human rights courts, with the competence to hear casus of violations of human rights protected by international law, have worked together to establish a robust dialogue. In spite of their normative, social or political differences, they have begun to intensify efforts to strengthen their bonds. The historic San José Declaration has provided formal conditions for the trilateral dialogue between the European Human Rights Court, Inter-American Human Rights Court, and African Court on Human and People’s Rights. The dialogue undertaken by the regional human rights courts contains not only a reference to its jurisprudence, but also a number of practices, incl. the exchange of experience. It is intended to establish consistency between human rights protection systems across the region. The initially informal cooperation has transformed into a trilateral dialogue that directly contributes to the improved understanding and implementation of human rights, which in turn constitutes a challenge to international human rights legislation. The aim of the article is to present the judicial dialogue in the field of human rights, to draw attention to its dynamics and to emphasize its role in changing some aspects of the understanding of law characterized by the principle of territoriality. This discussion is also intended to focus attention on the functions of dialogue, including penetration and mutual inspiration as well as strengthening the authority of courts.
First record for a partial Isabelline colouration in a European mole, Talpa europaea, from Central Italy
Authors: Brustenga Leonardo
Published: December 2021

The European mole Talpa europaea Linnaeus, 1758 is a quite common species in Central Italy. I report the first Isabelline individual of this species recorded in the scientific literature. Actually, this species is quite widespread throughout Europe, but coat-colouration anomalies have never been described in Central Italian mole populations. Further research is therefore needed to determine the percentage of occurrence of anomalous individuals and the evolutionary history of coat anomalies in moles.

[Correction added after online publication 16 December 2021: text in the abstract section “Actually, this species is quite widespread throughout Europe, but coat-colouration anomalies have never been described in Italian mole populations.” has been changed]
Metal nanoparticles and its application on phenolic and heavy metal pollutants
Authors: Pandiyaraj Vaanmathy , Murmu Ankita , Pandy Saravana Kumari , Sevanan Murugan , Arjunan Shanamitha
Published: December 2021

The perpetual exposure of several manmade materials and their activities such as urbanization, industrialization, transportation, mining, construction, petroleum refining, manufacturing, preservatives, disinfectants etc., release various pollutants like organic, inorganic, and heavy metals which pollute the air, water, and soil. This poses various environmental issues which are relevant to the ecosystem and human wellbeing that intensify the implementation of new expedient treatment technologies. Likewise, phenolic and heavy metal pollutants find their way into the environment. These phenolic and heavy metals are toxic to the liver, heart and carcinogenic. Therefore, the removal of these kinds of pollutants from the environment is a highly challenging issue. As conventional treatment technologies have consequent drawbacks, new interests have been developed to remediate and remove pollutants from the ecosystem using metal nanoparticles (MPNs). To date, many researchers all over the world have been investigating novel approaches to enhance various remediation application technologies. One such approach that the researchers are constantly showing interest in is the use of nanomaterials with potential applications towards the environment. In this regard, MPNs like Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Palladium (Pd), Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), Platinum (Pt), Titanium (Ti), and other nano metals are serving as a suitable agent to eliminate emerging contaminants in various fields, particularly in the removal of phenolic and heavy metal pollutants. This chapter discusses the mechanism and application of various MPNs in eliminating various phenolic and heavy metal pollutants from the environment.
The Sutton Hoo lyre and the music of the Silk Road: a new find of the fourth century AD reveals the Germanic lyre's missing eastern connections
Authors: Kolltveit Gjermund
Published: December 2021

A recent re-examination of finds from Soviet-era excavations in Dzhetyasar, Kazakhstan, has identified the remains of two wooden objects as stringed instruments. Dating to the fourth century AD, one bears a strikingly close resemblance to lyre finds from Western Europe, including the instrument from Mound 1 at Sutton Hoo: the Sutton Hoo lyre.
Assessing the Unidimensionality of Clayton’s Environmental Identity Scale Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Bifactor Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (bifactor-ESEM)
Authors: Moreira Paulo , Loureiro Ana , Inman Richard , Olivos-Jara Pablo
Published: December 2021

A relevant intrapersonal characteristic for understanding intentions and behavior toward environmental sustainability is the degree to which nature is important for a person’s self-definition. Clayton’s Environmental Identity (EID) scale purports to measure this construct. However, a limited number of prior exploratory studies of this measure have supported different factor structures. Hence, our initial aim was to develop an understanding of the dimensionality of Clayton’s 24-item EID scale by testing competing latent structures using confirmatory factor analysis. We analyzed self-reported data from 458 adults (Mage = 26.7 years; 81% female). Four a priori models (a first-order model, a second-order model, a unidimensional model, and a bifactor model) did not show satisfactory fit to the data. An ancillary analysis using bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling (bifactor-ESEM) indicated a bifactor model with three specific factors had a good fit to the data. The factor loadings of this model and values for bifactor indices (Omega Hierarchical and Explained Common Variance [ECV]) indicated a single mean score across all EID scale items taps into an essentially unidimensional construct and is therefore appropriate to interpret. In sum, our study provides a critical insight into the dimensionality of Clayton’s EID scale that will be valuable when applying this measure for research and intervention purposes.
Characteristics of six layered Al/Si3N4 functionally graded materials prepared through two-step pressureless sintering process
Authors: A. Latiff M. I. , I. Ismail  , D.M. Nuruzzaman
Published: December 2021

The rapid advancement of the welding technology has simultaneously increased the demand for the online monitoring system in order to control the process. Among the methods that could be possibly used to assess the weld condition, an air-borne acoustic method grasps the attention from scholars due to its ability to provide a simple, non-contact, and low-cost measurement system. However, it is still lack of resources involving this subject in an attempt to deeply understand the emitted sound behaviour during welding especially when dealing with a complete deviation of a process parameter, welding types, workpiece material as well as the noise from the surrounding. This paper reviews the application of the acoustic method in monitoring the welding process. Specifically, this review emphasized the source of both structure-borne and air-borne acoustic during the welding process and the significance of applying the acoustic method in more detail. By focusing on the liquid state welding process, the scope of discussion converged on the arc and laser welding process. In the last part of this review, the potential future advancement of this method is pointed out before the overall conclusion is made.
Green strength properties of waterjet abrasive waste as potential composition in green mould by Taguchi and ANOVA approach
Authors: WAKHI ANUAR NUR FARAH BAZILAH BINTI , M.L. Mohd Khusairi  , R.M. Saad  , S.A. Hassan  , Z. Marjom  , A.H. Abdul Rasib
Published: December 2021

The sand casting process still continues today due to the cost-effectiveness of materials and processes. There is a wide variety of castings related to composition and size, but silica sand is widely available from coastal line mining and has a negative impact on the environment. Moreover, waste from waterjet cutting of non-ferrous and ferrous metals is practically unhazardous and may potentially be used in sand casting mould. The aim of this paper is to optimize the proportion of coal dust, water and bentonite added to the silica sand mixture and the waterjet cutting abrasive waste as a new way of handling waste with the potential to be used in sand casting manufacturing. The method used was L9 orthogonal array optimization and the composition was qualitatively measured using a green compression strength test and a green shear strength test. Factors were evaluated using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) to find the the critical factors while confirmation test was conducted for the optimal material proportion. The study concluded that the ideal ratio for silica sand mixture with waterjet abrasive waste is bentonite-12%, coal dust-5%, and water-7% for green compression strength while bentonite-12%, coal dust-6%, water-7% for green shear strength. With proper selection, the incorporation of waterjet abrasive waste into the green sand mixture is promising to potentially be used in green sand mould casting without undermine the quality of mould.
A Quasi-Brittle damage model in the framework of Bond-based Peridynamics with Adaptive Dynamic Relaxation method
Authors: H.N. Yakin  , Nik Mohamed Nik Abdullah , M.R.M. Rejab
Published: December 2021

Peridynamics (PD) is a new tool, based on the non-local theory for modelling fracture mechanics, where particles connected through physical interaction used to represent a domain. By using the PD theory, damage or crack in a material domain can be shown in much practical representation. This study compares between Prototype Microelastic Brittle (PMB) damage model and a new Quasi-Brittle (QBR) damage model in the framework of the Bond-based Peridynamics (BBPD) in terms of the damage plot. An in-house code using Matlab was developed for BBPD with inclusion of both damage models, and tested for a quasi-static problem with the implementation of Adaptive Dynamic Relaxation (ADR) method in the theory in order to get a faster steady state solutions. This paper is the first attempt to include ADR method in the framework of BBPD for QBR damage model. This paper analysed a numerical problem with the absence of failure and compared the displacement with literature result that used Finite Element Method (FEM). The obtained numerical results are in good agreement with the result from FEM. The same problem was used with the allowance of the failure to happen for both of the damage models; PMB and QBR, to observe the damage pattern between these two damage models. PMB damage model produced damage value of roughly twice compared to the damage value from QBR damage model. It is found that the QBR damage model with ADR under quasi-static loading significantly improves the prediction of the progressive failure process, and managed to model a more realistic damage model with respect to the PMB damage model.
Is the Prevalence of Coronary Artery Anomalies Different in Countries with Small Populations? – A Retrospective Study in Northern Cyprus
Authors: Muhtaroglu Musa , Lafci Fahrioglu Sevda , Beton Osman , İlgi Sezgin
Published: December 2021

Background: Although the prevalence of coronary artery anomalies (CAA) is due to accidental and rare discoveries, it varies between different countries or geographies. CAA are rare congenital disorders having various clinical definitions. Its prevalence varies in angiographic and autopsy series in adult populations and is approximately 1% in average. While the incidence ranges from 0.2% to 5.64% in coronary angiographic (CAG) studies, it is around 0.3% in autopsy series. We aimed to estimate the frequency of CAA in our patient population.
Methods: The coronary angiographic data of 4099 consecutive adult patients, who underwent CAG between January 2019 and December 2020, were analyzed and retrospectively studied.
Results: The mean age of the total patients who underwent CAG was 61.59 ± 13.67 years (range, 18-98 years). CAA were found in 76 patients (1.85% incidence), origin and course anomaly in 62 patients (81.6%), and coronary artery termination anomaly in 14 patients (18.4%). Separate exits of the left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex (LCX) coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva (LSV) were the most common anomalies (36.84%). Coronary artery fistulas were seen in 14 (18.42%) patients. Abnormal origin of left circumflex artery (LCX) from the right coronary artery (RCA) or right sinus valsalva (RSV) was seen in 13 (17.11%) patients. Outflow anomalies from the contralateral coronary sinus were detected in 10 (13.16%) patients.
Conclusion: The incidence and pattern of CAA in our patient population showed similarity with previous studies. Physicians should be aware of CAA that may be associated with potentially serious cardiac incidents, because recognition of these CAA is important for the decision of treatment procedures.
Comparison of Clinical Outcomes of Different Connection Modes of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Combine with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Authors: Liu Miaomiao , Yan Yang , Li Gang , Zhang Ying , Guo Fengwei
Published: December 2021

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different connection modes of ECMO and CRRT on patients with acute kidney injury (AKI).
Methods: Twenty-one patients received ECMO with AKI. These patients were admitted to our center from December 2018 to February 2021, selected, and treated with both ECMO and CRRT. They were divided into A connection mode (pre-membrane–pre-pump connection) and B connection mode (post-membrane–post-pump connection). We compared clinical indicators and outcomes between two connection modes.
Results: There were eight cases (38.91%) in A connection mode and 13 cases (61.09%) in B connection mode, with median durations of ECMO assistance of 5 days and 7 days, respectively. Median flow rates of ECMO of 3.0 L/min and 2.5 L/min, respectively; CRRT flow rates of 200 mL/min and 180 mL/min, respectively. CRRT filter lifetime was over 48h in both connection modes. Except for NT-pro BNP, no significant differences in clinical indicators were observed between the two groups before or after the treatment (P > .05).
Conclusion: Both connection modes could achieve the therapeutic purpose and need no higher level of anticoagulation for patients simultaneously treated with ECMO and CRRT. Two modes had no impact on treatment effect and clinical indicators in patients. It had no effect on length of ICU stay and prognostic.
Cyclic behavior of self-tapping screwed laminated bamboo lumber connections subjected to cycle loadings
Authors: Chen Chen , Ye Zhangning , Yu Xiaohong , Tor Onder , Zhang Jilei
Published: December 2021

Self-tapping screws are commonly used to connect critical structural components, such as legs to rails in chair construction, using laminated bamboo lumber (LBL) materials. The loosening of a connection is commonly seen in self-tapping screwed LBL connections before actual breakage of connections happens. The loosening of connections, especially those associated with chair legs, can significantly affect chair stability. Current furniture performance test standards have not address this issue, i.e., the minor loosening of a connection is not treated as a failure in the current standard because of the lack of better understanding the load-rotation-time behavior of various connections subjected to the cyclical loads. The effects of cyclic loading magnitude and orientation on the load-rotation-time behavior of L-shaped, end-to-side, single self-tapping screwed LBL connections were investigated. Results indicated that the Burger and Kelvin models could be used to describe the cyclic and recovery behavior of studied connections. Increasing the cyclic loading magnitude resulted in a decreasing trend for all viscoelastic constants. The most significant decrease in all viscoelastic constants occurred when the cyclic loading magnitude applied to connections increased from 50 to 60% of its corresponding ultimate static resistance loads.
Asmeninių savybių, dėkingumo ir pasitenkinimo įtaka vartotojų ketinimui skleisti teigiamus atsiliepimus socialinėse medijose
Authors:   , Kiršė Sigita
Published: December 2021

The influence of personal characteristics, gratitude and satisfaction on consumers’ intention to spread positive feedback on social media
Viengrandines mažąsias RNR modifikuojančių gyvūnų Hen1 metiltransferazių taikymas RNR žymėjimui ir sekoskaitai
Authors:   , Mickutė Milda
Published: December 2021

The application of animal Hen1 methyltransferases for labelling and sequencing of single-stranded RNA
Frequência de alterações espirométricas, aprisionamento aéreo e hiperinsuflação pulmonar em crianças e adolescentes com asma grave resistente à terapia
Authors: Adamatti Claudia , Heinzmann-Filho João Paulo , Santos Giovana dos , Wiemann Anasthácia Ferreira , Magalhães Gabriel Azeredo de , Pitrez Paulo Márcio
Published: December 2021

Objetivos: avaliar a frequência de alterações espirométricas e pletismográficas em crianças e adolescentes com asma grave resistente à terapia (AGRT). Além disso, testaram-se possíveis associações entre esses desfechos.Métodos: trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo, no qual foram incluídas crianças e adolescentes (6-18 anos), com diagnóstico de AGRT, e que se encontravam em acompanhamento ambulatorial regular. Todos deveriam possuir informações antropométricas (peso, altura, índice de massa corporal), demográficas (idade, etnia e sexo), clínicas (teste cutâneo, teste de controle da asma, tabagismo familiar e medicações em uso) e de função pulmonar (espirometria e pletismografia corporal) registradas no banco de dados do serviço. Os testes de função pulmonar seguiram as recomendações das diretrizes nacionais e internacionais. Para fins estatísticos, utilizou-se análise descritiva e o teste de qui-quadrado de Pearson.Resultados: de um total de 15 pacientes com AGRT, 12 deles foram incluídos na amostra. A média de idade foi de 12,2 anos, com predomínio do sexo feminino (66,7%). Destes, 50,0% apresentaram a doença controlada, 83,3% foram considerados atópicos e 50,0% tinham histórico de tabagismo familiar. Em relação aos testes de função pulmonar (% do previsto), as médias dos parâmetros espirométricos e de plestismografia corporal encontraram-se dentro dos limites inferiores da normalidade. Apenas 16,7% da amostra apresentou espirometria alterada (130,0%) e 16,7% hiperinsuflação pulmonar (capacidade pulmonar total>120,0%). Houve frequência estatisticamente maior (p=0,045) de aprisionamento aéreo nos participantes com espirometria alterada, em comparação à espirometria normal. Contudo, não se observou diferença (p=0,341) em relação à hiperinsuflação pulmonar.Conclusões: os achados demonstraram pouco comprometimento espirométrico e dos volumes e das capacidades pulmonares em crianças e adolescentes com AGRT. Além disso, aqueles participantes com espirometria alterada obtiveram frequência maior de aprisionamento aéreo no exame de pletismografia corporal.
Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB): A virtual treasure for research in biotechnology
Authors: Behzadi Payam , Gajdács Márió
Published: December 2021

The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RSCB PDB) provides a wide range of digital data regarding biology and biomedicine. This huge internet resource involves a wide range of important biological data, obtained from experiments around the globe by different scientists. The Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB) represents a brilliant collection of 3D structure data associated with important and vital biomolecules including nucleic acids (RNAs and DNAs) and proteins. Moreover, this database accumulates knowledge regarding function and evolution of biomacromolecules which supports different disciplines such as biotechnology. 3D structure, functional characteristics and phylogenetic properties of biomacromolecules give a deep understanding of the biomolecules’ characteristics. An important advantage of the wwPDB database is the data updating time, which is done every week. This updating process helps users to have the newest data and information for their projects. The data and information in wwPDB can be a great support to have an accurate imagination and illustrations of the biomacromolecules in biotechnology. As demonstrated by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, rapidly reliable and accessible biological data for microbiology, immunology, vaccinology, and drug development are critical to address many healthcare-related challenges that are facing humanity. The aim of this paper is to introduce the readers to wwPDB, and to highlight the importance of this database in biotechnology, with the expectation that the number of scientists interested in the utilization of Protein Data Bank’s resources will increase substantially in the coming years.
An experience with Holotropic Breathwork is associated with improvement in non-judgement and satisfaction with life while reducing symptoms of stress in a Czech-speaking population
Authors: Uthaug Malin Vedøy , Mason Natasha L , Havenith Martha N , Vancura Michael , Ramaekers Johannes G
Published: December 2021

Background

Holotropic breathwork (Grof ® Breathwork), was developed by Stanislav Grof and Christina Grof as a ‘non-drug’ alternative technique to evoke altered states of consciousness (ASC). Interestingly, although HBW has been anecdotally reported to evoke experiences and mental health effects corresponding to those of psychedelic substances, the scientific literature on the matter is scarce.

Aims

The objective of this study was to assess the (sub)acute and long-term effects of HBW on satisfaction with life, and whether these depend on the depth of the experience evoked by the HBW session.

Methods

A naturalistic observational design was employed in the present study. Between January 2019 and July 2020, 58 Czech-speaking participants who had an experience with HBW were assessed using three separate anonymous online-surveys created and hosted on Qualtrics. Assessments of mindfulness, satisfaction with life, depression, anxiety, and stress were made once prior to (baseline), and two times following (sub-acutely and 4-weeks) the participants’ experience with HBW. The ego dissolution inventory and the 5-dimensional altered states of consciousness scale was used to quantify the HBW experience.

Results

Despite low ratings of the psychedelic experience (mean range of 0–34% out of 100%), ratings of non-judgement significantly increased sub-acutely following the HBW session and persisted for 4-weeks. Stress-related symptoms significantly decreased while satisfaction with life significantly increased at 4-weeks after HBW.

Conclusion

An experience with HBW may be associated with improvement in non-judgement, satisfaction with life, and reductions of stress-related symptoms.
Justice according to Michael J. Sandel
Authors: Borek Michael
Published: December 2021

The concept of justice has been constantly discussed from ancient times to the present day, which shows its importance and complexity. It reveals its diversity in the context of cultural differences, philosophical concepts, ideas and schools of thought. The extremely popular Harvard University professor Michael Sandel also undertook his analysis of the issue of justice. In his articles, books and lectures, he repeatedly addresses the issue of justice, analyzing its development, application and the resulting consequences of its application. At the same time, he does not avoid unambiguous assessments and expressing his opinions. This attitude allows us to discover and analyze his own concept of justice, seen in the perspective of a virtue fulfilling an important role in public life. His reflections on the question of justice reveal the assumptions of a broader philosophical perspective, referred to as communitarianism.
Диагностика синдрома активации макрофагов в зависимости от исходного уровня IL-6 у пациентов с новой коронавирусной инфекцией, вызванной вирусом SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Popov Alexander F. , Markelova E. V. , Komarova I. A. , Kostiushko A. V. , Shchelkanov M. Yu.
Published: December 2021

An effect of the antiviral drug Kagocel on the levels of metalloproteinases MMP-8 and MMP-9 and their tissue inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in induced sputum during treatment of community-acquired viral-bacterial pneumonia was analyzed. 60 adult patients with verified community-acquired pneumonia of viral-bacterial etiology were included in the follow-up monitoring.
Materials and methods. All patients were randomly stratified into 2 groups: group 1 (comparison group) consisted of 30 patients receiving Ceftriaxone monotherapy; group 2 (main group) 30 subjects who were prescribed Ceftriaxone and the antiviral drug Kagocel as etiotropic treatment. Both groups were comparable in gender, age and time of admission to the hospital.
Results. During hospitalization, patients in both groups had elevated levels of MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in induced sputum compared to the reference values. By 7 days of inpatient treatment, the level of MMP-8 was still significantly higher than the reference values in both groups, being in patients from group 2 it decreased compared to baseline values, whereas in patients from group 1, on the contrary, it was markedly elevated. The activity of MMP-9 during hospitalization was also high in patients from both groups compared with its level in healthy subjects. By day 7 of therapy, changes in various parameters were recorded. The level of MMP-9 in patients from group 1 increased, whereas in group 2 on the contrary decreased. The level of TIMP-1 decreased in patients of the 1st group below the control value, and in patients of the 2nd group reached the reference values. The level of TIMP-2 decreased in both groups and reached that of in control group.
Conclusion. Antiviral drug Kagocel being included in the standard antibacterial regimen of community-acquired viral-bacterial pneumonia reduces the level of MMR-9 and intensity in imbalance between MMP and TIMP parameters by 7 days of therapy, which leads to accelerated clinical recovery.
Clinical and laboratory characteristics of tick-borne rickettsiosis related to Rickettsia sibirica and Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae
Authors: Rudakov N. V. , Samoylenko I. E. , Shtrek S. V. , Rudakova S. A. , Kumpan L. V. , Igolkina Ya. P. , Rar V. A. , Zhirakovskaya E. V. , Tkachev S. E. , Tikunova N. V. , Kostrykina T. V. , Blokhina I. A. , Lents P. A.
Published: December 2021

The Siberian tick-borne typhus (STT) is the most common tick-borne rickettsiosis (TBR) in Russia, registered in 17 administrative territories of the Southern Siberia and the Far East. The aim of this study was to describe clinical picture, pathological data and results of laboratory diagnostics during fatal mixed infection caused by two Rickettsia species most common in Russia — pathogenic Rickettsia sibirica and poorly examined Candidatus R. tarasevichiae, including identification of its etiological agents. A four-year-old girl in Krasnoyarsk Krai in a hyperendemic focus of the Siberian tick-borne typhus after tick sucking revealed typical TBR symptoms (scab at the site of tick suction, fever, spotted rash, myalgia) and meningeal syndrome, which is not typical for the Siberian tick-borne typhus. The child died on the seventh day of illness. Autopsy data (hepatosplenomegaly; cerebral edema, which was the immediate cause of death) and the results of histological examination (productive vasculitis of the brain, spinal cord and skin, polymorphic cell perivascular infiltrates in the liver and lungs, serous meningitis, myeloid hyperplasia of the spleen and lymph nodes, interstitial lymphoid infiltration in the myocardium) confirmed the clinical diagnosis of tick-borne rickettsiosis. The patient’s blood and brain samples were tested for a wide range of tick-borne pathogens and enteric viruses that cause brain damage using PCR followed by sequencing of the positive samples. The DNA of Rickettsia sibirica and Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae was found in both blood and brain samples. R. sibirica was identified by the nucleotide sequences of gene fragments gltA, ompA and ompB, and Candidatus R. tarasevichiae — by the gltA and ompB genes using nested PCR and sequencing. All amplified fragments were sequenced in both directions; the obtained sequences were deposited in the GenBank database under the inventory numbers MK048467–MK048475. We have not identified other tick-borne pathogens or intestinal viruses in the patient samples able to result in meningeal syndrome. The area where the child was sucked by the tick belongs to the regions with a high incidence of STT. Several species of mites coexist in this area; of these, Haemaphisalis concinna, the carrier of R. sibirica, dominates the populations of Ixodes mites, while Ixodes persulcatus, the main reservoir of Candidatus R. tarasevichiae, is less common. As a result of the conducted studies, for the first time in the Russian Federation, a verified case of a lethal infection associated with two species of Rickettsia — Rickettsia sibirica and Candidatus R. tarasevichiae — was identified and described.
Methodological basics for differential detection of EBV1/EBV2 and HHV6A/HHV6B
Authors: Popkova M. I. , Utkin O. V. , Soboleva E. A. , Sakharnov N. A. , Bryzgalova D. A. , Senatskaia A. O. , Kulova E. A.
Published: December 2021

Among a whole variety of EBV- and HHV6-linked diseases only infectious mononucleosis is subject to official statistical reporting in Russia that substantially complicates objective assessment of etiological structure, incidence rate, characteristics of developing epidemic process. Currently, the data on the genetic EBV heterogeneity, even at the level of the main types (EBV1 and EBV2), as well as HHV6A and HHV6B, prevalence and clinical importance are mainly limited to foreign research publications. Few publications assessing this issue are available in Russian scientific papers. At the same time, examining circulation of virus genetic types (variants) and use of such data in implementing epidemiological surveillance after some other infections have been commonly practiced. One of the key issues is the level of developed laboratory support for molecular genetic monitoring. The goal of the study was to improve methodological basics for differential detection of HHV6A/B and the major EBV types. There were used samples of peripheral blood leukocytes collected from children aged 1–15 years with acute (n = 50) and asymptomatic infectious mononucleosis (n = 29). The detection and quantification of EBV and HHV6 DNA was performed by using real-time PCR. For differential determination of EBV1/EBV2 and HHV6A/HHV6B, an optimized one-round PCR with electrophoretic agarose gel detection amplification products was used. The data from our own study showed that frequency of detected EBV and HHV6 DNA in acute infectious mononucleosis patients comprised 74 and 72% compared to control group reaching 35 and 74%, respectively. It was found that among the examined children of Nizhny Novgorod Region, EBV1 and HHV6B prevailed in the viral population that agrees with existing insights about their geographical distribution in the adjacent territories. EBV2 was found in a single sample only in the control group. HHV6A was not detected in any of the groups. The methodological approach optimized in this study allows to separately detect HHV6A/HHV6B and the main EBV types according to a unified laboratory protocol, whereas combining it with additional stage of DNA enrichment increases the diagnostic sensitivity of PCR analysis, minimizes proportion of discordant and false negative results. Such an integrated approach can be applied for diagnostic, epidemiological and research purposes.
OPTIMIZED EXTERNAL THERAPY FOR SEVERE ZOOANTHROPONIC TRICHOPHYTOSIS
Authors: Imamov O. , Abduvahitova I. , Toxtayev G.
Published: December 2021

Zooanthroponic trichophytosis caused by Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton mentagrofites, var.gypseum belongs to widespread dermatomycosis in the rural areas of the Uzbekistan. Suppurative mycosis forms (Celsus kerion) are often accompanied by suppurative manifestations, intoxication as well as secondary infection with bacterial microflora. Use of a combination drug mupiroban along with systemic and topical therapy promotes accelerated regression of inflammatory process that elevates therapeutic efficacy.Trichophytosis dominates in the pattern of scalp and smooth dermal layer mycosis in the Uzbekistan and poses a pressing medical and social problem. It was noted that morbidity rate was unevenly distributed in diverse regions of the Uzbekistan that depends on local environmental conditions, climate in arid zone being additionally aggravated by action of technogenic factors. In the Uzbekistan, more common is trichophytosis caused by zoophilous fungi, which role increases during mycosis epidemiologic outbreaks. Fungus culturing method detects Tr. Ectothrix megaspores (Tr. faviforme) in around 90% cases that causes acute purulent lesions on the smooth skin, scalp and face as well as sycosis; fungal spores in pathological samples preserve viability for many years in dry premises.  Tr. ectothrixmicroides (Tr. mentagrophytesvar. gypseum) hold the second place among fungi seeded from patient samples. Trichophyton gypsum culture is presented as a loose sheath at the base of hair, prone to polymorphic shape causing spontaneous mycosis in various animal species, whereas in human resulting in acute purulent skin and scalp lesions.  Tr. mentagrophytes most prominently exerts proteolytic and keratolytic activity. Infiltrative-suppurative form of zooanthroponic trichophytosis may be often complicated by intoxication, lymphadenitis, disturbed patient general condition and display a progredient course after applying standard therapy wioth systemic and topical antimycotic drugs. In most cases, patients are noted to have secondary infection of mycotic foci due to activated skin microflora as well as increased colonization by staphylococci and opportunistic microorganisms of the intestinal group.Over the last years, infiltrative-suppurative form of zooanthroponic trichophytosis (Celsus kerion) with atypical course and suppurative events have been recorded at higher rate. In such cases, dermal lesions are often associated with lymphadenitis, abscess formation, eczematization, potential development of allergic reactions, erythema nodosum, dermatophytic granulomas, finally resulting in cicatricial alopecia.