bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atuação do fisioterapeuta no trabalho de parto: revisão da literatura e proposta de manual de orientação
Authors: Kuguelle Thais , Albertoni Luana , Abreu Larissa , Oliveira Cláudia , Batista Patrí­cia Andrade , Francisco Rossana Pulcineli Vieira , Tanaka Clarice
Published: November 2020

O presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma revisão crí­tica da literatura sobre a atuação do fisioterapeuta durante o trabalho de parto e elaborar um manual com informações mais relevantes baseadas nesta pesquisa. Foram procurados artigos nas bases Scielo, PubMed/Medline, e Lilacs de 2006 até 2018. Após serem analisados, foram selecionados 13 artigos para a revisão, sendo 5 na Scielo, 6 na PubMed/Medline e 2 na Lilacs. Com esse levantamento pôde-se concluir que as intervenções fisioterapêuticas foram benéficas para o alí­vio da dor, na redução do tempo de trabalho de parto e da ansiedade e no aumento dos ní­veis de saturação de oxigênio, porém os estudos não encontraram eficácia da eletroestimulação elétrica transcutânea para os desfechos de alí­vio de dor no trabalho de parto.Palavras-chave: fisioterapia, trabalho de parto, dor de parto, gestante.
Recursos fisioterapêuticos na cicatrização de feridas
Authors: Montagnani Isabela Rodrigues , Tanaka Vanessa Mieko , Ono Lucas Kenzo Ishikawa , Lourenço Daniel Reinke , Suetake Maria Luí­sa Akemi , Salerno Gisela Rosa Franco
Published: November 2020

Introdução: A pele é um órgão do corpo humano que fica bastante exposto ao meio externo, fazendo com que sofra lesões mais facilmente, estas podem tornar-se cicatrizes não estéticas e que levam tempo para se recuperar. Objetivo: Investigar as principais técnicas fisioterapêuticas que auxiliam na recuperação da lesão cutânea. Métodos: Revisão de literatura realizada através das plataformas Pubmed, Scielo e Google acadêmico, selecionando artigos publicados entre os anos de 2010 a 2020, considerando as palavras-chave: cicatrização, modalidades de fisioterapia e lesão cutânea. Resultados: Foram levantados 15 artigos, identificando as modalidades: ultrassom terapêutico, massagem, laserterapia, ledterapia, microcorrente e terapia compressiva. Conclusão: A laserterapia é o recurso mais indicado para o tratamento de feridas cutâneas.Palavras-chave: cicatrização, Fisioterapia, úlcera de pele.
DAMPAK DIMENSI INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL LITERACY TERHADAP FINANCIAL INCLUSION PADA MASYARAKAT PEDESAAN
Authors: Putri Ricka Ade , Afandy Chairil
Published: November 2020

This study aims to analyze the effect of individual dimensions of financial literacy on financial inclusion. This research design is a survey with an online questionnaire. The object of this research is the people in rural Bengkulu. The respondent in this study was 503 respondents. This study used convenience sampling with screening. This study reveals that knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors influence financial inclusion in rural Bengkulu. While skills do not affect financial inclusion in rural Bengkulu. This research also found that attitude is the variable that has the greatest influence on financial inclusion.
Evaluation of the Physical Activity, Sleep Quality, Depression, and Life Satisfaction of University Students During the COVID-19
Authors: Dinler Elif , Badat Tuğba , Kocamaz Deniz , Yakut Yavuz
Published: November 2020

Background/aim: In our study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between the physical activity, sleep quality, depression severity and life satisfaction of university students during the Covid-19 pandemics.
Materials and methods: 200 university students who agreed to participate in the study voluntarily were included. The students replied about the effects of pandemia process with Likert scale that 14 questions. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Short Form) (IPAQ-SF), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Depression Scale (BDI), Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (SLWS) were applied to students.
Results: According to the results of the study; During Covid-19, it was determined that students' sitting time were increased, physical activity and exercise habits were decreased. It has been found that a decrease in physical activity level. It was originated that depression, lowers life satisfaction and disrupts the circadian rhythm.
Conclusion: The personal telerehabilitation programs prepared by the physiotherapist are necessary for the protection of physical and mental health and it may help to regular the circadian rhythm on pandemic process.
Legal politics regulation of self assessment system principles for taxpayer property reporting in general provisions and taxation procedures
Authors: Arifiyanto Muhammad Naufal , Nurjaya I Nyoman , Negara Tunggul Anshari Setia , Sugiri Bambang
Published: November 2020

At the level of taxpayer obligations (tax consciousness), there must be an awareness of every taxpayer to calculate, pay, and report assets which are the obligation of every citizen and taxpayer compliance with tax laws and regulations. In addition, every taxpayer has a willingness for someone's desire and desire to pay taxes that can be interpreted as a value contributed through regulations by not obtaining direct (contra-achievement) services. This research is holistically the duty of the Directorate General of Taxes to carry out guidance and supervision in cutting or collecting taxes, due to inaccuracies that have resulted in administrative sanctions in the form of a 200% fine from the lack of tax deductions or collection The human resources possessed by the tax authorities are actually not ready to implement the self-assessment system and certain interests have emerged to do tax avoidance, tax evasion, and tax mindedness.
Análise estatística das precipitações de Serra Talhada e São Bento do Una – Pernambuco, Brasil
Authors: Medeiros Raimundo Mainar de , França Manoel Vieira de , Saboya Luciano Marcelo Fallé , Holanda Romildo Morant de , Rolim Neto Fernando Cartaxo , Araújo Wagner Rodolfo de
Published: November 2020

Tem-se como objetivo estudar e analisar as flutuações pluviais mensais e interanual para São Bento do Una e Serra Talhada entre (1920 a 2017) acoplada as técnicas das análises frequenciais e da estatística. Em São Bento do Una as chuvas se concentram entre dezembro a julho, com variações expressivas, observadas em cada mês, com meses e ano com zero de chuvas ou próximo disso, para 70,41% dos casos (69 anos) registrou-se precipitações inferiores a setecentos mm. Em Serra Talhada as chuvas se concentraram em dezembro a maio, com oscilações significativas com 82,65% dos casos (81 anos) apresentaram chuvas abaixo dos oitocentos mm. As oscilações climáticas pluviais foram identificadas com irregularidade e com concentração em alguns dias do ano de extremos pluviais, causando contratempos à população. A disponibilidade hídrica repercute em todas as atividades econômicas, para a convivência das situações ocasionadas por eventos climáticos extremos, ocasionados pelas variabilidades nas áreas estudadas, é indispensável a informação do comportamento pluvial, incorporado aos recursos naturais.
Resources of Sustainable Economic Growth and Development
Authors: Ignjatovic Jelena
Published: November 2020

The Sustainable Development Strategy implies a targeted long-term process that affects economic, social, environmental and institutional aspects of life. The goal is to meet the social and economic interests of citizens, reduce poverty, reduce unemployment and gender inequalities and reduce negative impacts on natural resources and the environment, resulting in long-term economic growth with economic efficiency, technology and innovation. Accordingly, in 2015, the United Nations adopted Resolution A / RES / 70/1 - Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, based on three dimensions of sustainable development: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. At the end of the 20th century, parallel with the theory of development, which turned into the concept of sustainable development, there was globalization that integrated the entire world regions in order to gain as strong economic and financial positions as possible on the world stage. Today, Serbia is not in a position to choose whether to engage in modern globalization processes, but it must continue the initiated transitional reforms and accession to the European Union, regardless of the economic, political or environmental consequences. By implementing national policies, Serbia should aim at national and economic sovereignty, which will further influence sustainable development. Only by changing the current economic policy, by creating a national strategy based on the exploitation of domestic economic and industrial potentials, by reducing unemployment, social responsibility and individual freedom, economic growth and sustainable development can be achieved. This work, besides the introduction, consists of materials based on the presentation of the sustainable development strategy of the Republic of Serbia and also presents the results and discussion that draft the current situation with possible solutions to achieve sustainable development in the future. Finally, the final ratifications are provided.
‘Some master of design’: W.B. Yeats and the Free State Coinage
Authors: Quin Jack
Published: November 2020

This article examines W.B. Yeats's role in the design of the Irish Free State coinage that was introduced in 1928. From 1926–28, Yeats served as chairman of the committee charged with soliciting and selecting designs for the first Irish coins produced since 1822. The article documents unpublished correspondence from Yeats and archival material that elucidates the deliberations of the coinage committee as well as the poet's wider ideas about the visual and material culture of the new Irish state. The unsuccessful designs by international artists provide insights into the aesthetic debates and intentions behind the coins, connecting Yeats's A Vision (1925) to his account of the deliberations, printed in the government's Coinage of Saorstát Éireann (1928). The final section turns to Yeats's poems about coins where he conceives of the coin as a visual arts medium of portraiture or as a durable talisman, recording and transmitting ancient myths to modern times.
Insomnia in cardiac patients: option of treatment
Authors: Omelchenko M. Yu.
Published: November 2020

Data from an original study evaluating the efficacy and safety of doxylamine in the treatment of insomnia in cardiac patients are presented. Materials and methods. Ten patients with sleep disorders were under observation. Doxylamine-SZ was prescribed to 10 patients (seven women and three men aged 40 to 60 years) who consulted a cardiologist with sleep disturbances from 2 to 7 times a week in the last month. Patients received Doxylamine-SZ at a dose of 1/2 tablet 15 mg 30 minutes before bedtime. Six patients noted normalization of sleep after 2–3 days of taking the drug and discontinued the drug, four patients who had insufficient clinical effect, the dose of the drug was increased to a whole 15 mg tablet. After 5 days of therapy, an improvement in the quality of sleep was noted in 80 % of patients. Conclusions. Doxylamine-SZ at a dosage of 15 mg 30 minutes before bedtime can be assessed as a safe and effective hypnotic in a cardiac patient.
Therapeutic equivalence of fixed combination of indapamide with perindopril (Perindopril plus) in geriatric patients
Authors: Melnik M. G.
Published: November 2020

Purpose. To study the therapeutic equivalence of the generic fixed combination of indapamide with perindopril (Perindopril plus, Severnaya Zvezda, Russia) in relation to the original drug in geriatric patients with hypertension (GB) and chronic heart failure (CHF). Material and methods. A study was conducted in 105 patients with GB and CHF (68.6 % of men with average age 80.3 ± 0.7 years), which evaluated the antihypertensive effect, the ability to correct heart failure, the presence of organ protection, the safety of both drugs. Results and discussion. When using a generic fixed combination, the achievement of the target value of office blood pressure was observed after a month of observation in all cases with stable maintenance by 6 months of the study; significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the level of home monitoring of systolic blood pressure (SBP) / diastolic blood pressure (DBP), after a month of research, by 26.1 % / 28.0 %, 6 months – by 26.8 % / 30.1 %; a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the average daily SBP / DBP after a month of observation by 28.1 % / 28.6 % (after 6 months by 29.7 % / 29.5 %), the average daily – after a month of observation by 27.2 % / 28.2 % (after 6 months by 28.4 % / 31.7 %), average nightly – after a month of observation by 22.4 % / 24.1 % (after 6 months by 24.3 % / 27.1 %); a reliable (p < 0.05) decrease after a month of monitoring the average daily pulse pressure by 27.9 % (average daily pulse pressure by 25.8 %, average nightly pulse pressure by 20.1 %), after 6 months by 30.4 %, 23.5 %, 20.3 % respectively; a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the carotid femoral pulse wave propagation velocity after a month by 17.9 %, after 6 months – by 26.8 %; after 6 months of observation, a reliable (p < 0.05) decrease in the final systolic volume of the left ventricle (LV) by 10.6 %, the final diastolic volume of the LV – by 7.5 %, the LV myocardial mass index – by 11.5 %, significant (p < 0.05) increase in LV ejection fraction by 2.9 %; significant (p < 0.05) decrease in FC of CHF by 20.7 % by the end of the study. According to the degree of change in these indicators, a generic fixed combination was comparable to the original drug. No side effects were observed in the comparison groups requiring discontinuation of treatment. Conclusions. The generic fixed combination of indapamide with perindopril (Perindopril plus, Severnaya Zvezda, Russia) has therapeutic equivalence with respect to the original drug.
Improving performance analysis of flood risks communication program to fishermen in east-coast Malaysia
Authors: Muktar Bashir G. , Man Norsida , Hussaini Ahmadu , Muktar Umar
Published: November 2020

Climate information and early warnings are adjudged as key inputs for any adaptive action as such they are regularly disseminated through Information Communication Tools (ICTs) to fishing communities in Malaysia. However, such communication programs are adjudged to be top-down and expert centric, resulting in attendant unpreparedness and maladaptive attitude. As such the input of beneficiaries is clearly essential, the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) extends a simple and effective means of evaluating such services, therefore providing inputs on importance and performance of innovations. This work is guided by Protective Motivation Theory (PMT) to evaluate and highlight priorities and satisfaction ratings on flood risks communication, revealing specific clients’ needs for effective communication towards resilient livelihood in a participatory manner. Data was collected from 362 fishermen in east coast Malaysia and results of analysis revealed high perceived importance ratings on issues like severity and vulnerability to flooding events and low ranking in performance of advisory services to flood risks communication. Findings will, therefore, inform design and or improvement of programs by government agencies and NGOs.
PERCEPÇÃO DE ESTUDANTES ACERCA DE PRÉ-CÁLCULO NA LICENCIATURA EM MATEMÁTICA
Authors: Andrade Fabiana Chagas de , Esquincalha Agnaldo da Conceição da Conceição , Oliveira Ana Teresa de Carvalho Correa de
Published: November 2020

Neste artigo, apresentamos e discutimos as percepções de estudantes de Licenciatura em Matemática de três instituições de Ensino Superior públicas no estado do Rio de Janeiro sobre Pré-Cálculo (PC) e a atuação do professor na disciplina. Outro interesse foi investigar se ocorriam discussões com vistas ao desenvolvimento profissional, já que a disciplina é composta por muitosconteúdos escolares, foco da atuação dos futuros professores. A pesquisa é de natureza qualitativa e a produção de dados se deu por meio da realização de três grupos focais, com a participação de 22 estudantes. Nos inspiramos na Análise Temática de Conteúdo para analisar as falas, e construímoscategorias: Percepções sobre PC na Licenciatura em Matemática e Percepções sobre o professor e suas práticas. Os resultados indicam que os principais objetivos de PC são modificar a visão acerca da matemática e contribuir para a formação didático-pedagógica. Os estudantes relataram dificuldades em conteúdos e adaptação. Em relação às aulas, identificamos que os professores têm uma abordagem diferenciada e ocorrem discussões sobre Ensino. Também emergiram as dimensões moral e ética, além de aspectos afetivos. Assim, acreditamos que PC tem uma especificidade na licenciatura e pode ser um espaço de contribuição não somente à formação matemática, mas também à profissional.
DIMENSÕES DO ENSINO DE MATEMÁTICA: UM ESTUDO A PARTIR DE QUESTÕES DO ENADE PARA O CURSO DE ADMINISTRAÇÃO
Authors: Corsi Sonia Maria Martins , Allevato Norma Suely Gomes
Published: November 2020

O presente artigo tem como objetivo desvelar como as dimensões Formativa e Utilitária contribuem para o ensino de Matemática e se apresentam nas questões do Enade do Curso Superior de Administração. Trata-se de um recorte de uma pesquisa maior (CORSI, 2019) que analisou como aMatemática se mostra nos documentos oficiais, institucionais e nas questões do ENADE do ano 2018 do Curso de Administração. A metodologia de pesquisa adotada teve abordagem qualitativa e o procedimento metodológico utilizado foi a análise documental. Foi analisada a mais recente Prova Oficial do Enade, realizada em 2018, tendo como referência as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais do Curso de Administração, o Projeto Pedagógico e os Planos de Ensino das disciplinas matemáticas deuma IES. Os resultados deste trabalho demonstram que as dimensões Utilitária e Formativa e apresentam nas questões envolvendo conhecimento matemático, exigindo o desempenho dos estudantes em relacionar os conteúdos com outras áreas do conhecimento como a social, cultural,política e pessoal. A presença de tais dimensões no Enade emergiu nas questões da prova do Curso de Administração aqui apresentadas e analisadas, que evidenciaram um caráter interpretativo, contextualizado e humanístico; constatou-se que poucas foram as questões envolvendoaspectos/conteúdos matemáticos específicos. As dimensões Formativa e Utilitária assumem importante papel de contribuir para que o profissional possa não só desenvolver habilidades de raciocínio e de reflexão, bem como de análise de dados numéricos envolvendo fatos e situações reais eprofissionais do cotidiano do administrador.
Single Cell Mechanotype and Associated Molecular Changes in Urothelial Cell Transformation and Progression
Authors: Yu Weibo , Lu Qing-Yi , Sharma Shivani , Ly Chau , Di Carlo Dino , Rowat Amy C. , LeClaire Michael , Kim Donghyuk , Chow Christine , Gimzewski James K. , Rao Jianyu
Published: November 2020

Cancer cell mechanotype changes are newly recognized cancer phenotypic events, whereas metastatic cancer cells show decreased cell stiffness and increased deformability relative to normal cells. To further examine how cell mechanotype changes in early stages of cancer transformation and progression, anin vitromulti-step human urothelial cell carcinogenic model was used to measure cellular Young’s modulus, deformability, and transit time using single-cell atomic force microscopy, microfluidic-based deformability cytometry, and quantitative deformability cytometry, respectively. Measurable cell mechanotype changes of stiffness, deformability, and cell transit time occur early in the transformation process. As cells progress from normal, to preinvasive, to invasive cells, Young’s modulus of stiffness decreases and deformability increases gradually. These changes were confirmed in three-dimensional cultured microtumor masses and urine exfoliated cells directly from patients. Using gene screening and proteomics approaches, we found that the main molecular pathway implicated in cell mechanotype changes appears to be epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
Surface Engineering of Ceramic Nanomaterials for Separation of Oil/Water Mixtures
Authors: Zulfiqar Usama , Thomas Andrew G. , Matthews Allan , Lewis David J.
Published: November 2020

Oil/water mixtures are a potentially major source of environmental pollution if efficient separation technology is not employed during processing. A large volume of oil/water mixtures is produced via many manufacturing operations in food, petrochemical, mining, and metal industries and can be exposed to water sources on a regular basis. To date, several techniques are used in practice to deal with industrial oil/water mixtures and oil spills such as in situ burning of oil, bioremediation, and solidifiers, which change the physical shape of oil as a result of chemical interaction. Physical separation of oil/water mixtures is in industrial practice; however, the existing technologies to do so often require either dissipation of large amounts of energy (such as in cyclones and hydrocyclones) or large residence times or inventories of fluids (such as in decanters). Recently, materials with selective wettability have gained attention for application in separation of oil/water mixtures and surfactant stabilized emulsions. For example, a superhydrophobic material is selectively wettable toward oil while having a poor affinity for the aqueous phase; therefore, a superhydrophobic porous material can easily adsorb the oil while completely rejecting the water from an oil/water mixture, thus physically separating the two components. The ease of separation, low cost, and low-energy requirements are some of the other advantages offered by these materials over existing practices of oil/water separation. The present review aims to focus on the surface engineering aspects to achieve selectively wettability in materials and its their relationship with the separation of oil/water mixtures with particular focus on emulsions, on factors contributing to their stability, and on how wettability can be helpful in their separation. Finally, the challenges in application of superwettable materials will be highlighted, and potential solutions to improve the application of these materials will be put forward.
Knee Acoustic Emissions as a Digital Biomarker of Disease Status in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Whittingslow Daniel C. , Zia Jonathan , Gharehbaghi Sevda , Gergely Talia , Ponder Lori A. , Prahalad Sampath , Inan Omer T.
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we quantify the joint acoustic emissions (JAEs) from the knees of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and support their use as a novel biomarker of the disease. JIA is the most common rheumatic disease of childhood; it has a highly variable presentation, and few reliable biomarkers which makes diagnosis and personalization of care difficult. The knee is the most commonly affected joint with hallmark synovitis and inflammation that can extend to damage the underlying cartilage and bone. During movement of the knee, internal friction creates JAEs that can be non-invasively measured. We hypothesize that these JAEs contain clinically relevant information that could be used for the diagnosis and personalization of treatment of JIA. In this study, we record and compare the JAEs from 25 patients with JIA−10 of whom were recorded a second time 3–6 months later—and 18 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. We compute signal features from each of those record cycles of flexion/extension and train a logistic regression classification model. The model classified each cycle as having JIA or being healthy with 84.4% accuracy using leave-one-subject-out cross validation (LOSO-CV). When assessing the full JAE recording of a subject (which contained at least 8 cycles of flexion/extension), a majority vote of the cycle labels accurately classified the subjects as having JIA or being healthy 100% of the time. Using the output probabilities of a JIA class as a basis for a joint health score and test it on the follow-up patient recordings. In all 10 of our 6-week follow-up recordings, the score accurately tracked with successful treatment of the condition. Our proposed JAE-based classification model of JIA presents a compelling case for incorporating this novel joint health assessment technique into the clinical work-up and monitoring of JIA.
The Biosynthesis of Enzymatically Oxidized Lipids
Authors: Hajeyah Ali A. , Griffiths William J. , Wang Yuqin , Finch Andrew J. , O’Donnell Valerie B.
Published: November 2020

Enzymatically oxidized lipids are a specific group of biomolecules that function as key signaling mediators and hormones, regulating various cellular and physiological processes from metabolism and cell death to inflammation and the immune response. They are broadly categorized as either polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) containing (free acid oxygenated PUFA “oxylipins”, endocannabinoids, oxidized phospholipids) or cholesterol derivatives (oxysterols, steroid hormones, and bile acids). Their biosynthesis is accomplished by families of enzymes that include lipoxygenases (LOX), cyclooxygenases (COX), cytochrome P450s (CYP), and aldo-keto reductases (AKR). In contrast, non-enzymatically oxidized lipids are produced by uncontrolled oxidation and are broadly considered to be harmful. Here, we provide an overview of the biochemistry and enzymology of LOXs, COXs, CYPs, and AKRs in humans. Next, we present biosynthetic pathways for oxylipins, oxidized phospholipids, oxysterols, bile acids and steroid hormones. Last, we address gaps in knowledge and suggest directions for future work.
Power System Event Classification and Localization Using a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Ren Huiying , Hou Z. Jason , Vyakaranam Bharat , Wang Heng , Etingov Pavel
Published: November 2020

Detection and timely identification of power system disturbances are essential for situation awareness and reliable electricity grid operation. Because records of actual events in the system are limited, ensemble simulation-based events are needed to provide adequate data for building event-detection models through deep learning; e.g., a convolutional neural network (CNN). An ensemble numerical simulation-based training data set have been generated through dynamic simulations performed on the Polish system with various types of faults in different locations. Such data augmentation is proven to be able to provide adequate data for deep learning. The synchronous generators’ frequency signals are used and encoded into images for developing and evaluating CNN models for classification of fault types and locations. With a time-domain stacked image set as the benchmark, two different time-series encoding approaches, i.e., wavelet decomposition-based frequency-domain stacking and polar coordinate system-based Gramian Angular Field (GAF) stacking, are also adopted to evaluate and compare the CNN model performance and applicability. The various encoding approaches are suitable for different fault types and spatial zonation. With optimized settings of the developed CNN models, the classification and localization accuracies can go beyond 84 and 91%, respectively.
Analysis of Peripheral Blood IL-6 and Leukocyte Characteristics in 364 COVID-19 Patients of Wuhan
Authors: Li Quan , Xie Yuyu , Cui Zhangbo , Tang Shi , Yuan Baodong , Huang Hai , Hu Yanjie , Wang Yaling , Zhou Ming , Shi Chunwei
Published: November 2020

SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen of COVID-19, is spreading around the world. Different individuals infected with COVID-19 have different manifestations. It is urgent to determine the risk factors of disease progress of COVID-19. 364 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, who were admitted to Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital from February 3, 2020 to March 16, 2020, were divided into mild, ordinary, severe, and critical groups, according to Chinese novel coronavirus pneumonia diagnosis and treatment plan. Peripheral blood IL-6 and leukocyte characteristics were analyzed, to evaluate the correlation with the severity of COVID-19. The levels of peripheral blood IL-6 were 2.35 ± 0.46 pg/ml (mild), 6.48 ± 1.13 pg/ml (ordinary), 20.30 ± 5.15 pg/ml (severe), and 123.48 ± 44.31 pg/ml (critical). The leukocytes were 5.70 ± 0.41×109/L (mild), 6.21 ± 0.14×109/L (ordinary), 6.37 ± 0.26×109/L (severe), and 10.03 ± 1.43×109/L (critical). The lymphocytes were 1.46 ± 0.19×109/L (mild), 1.89 ± 0.14×109/L (ordinary), 1.26 ± 0.07×109/L (severe), and 1.17 ± 0.23×109/L (critical). The neutrophils were 3.63 ± 0.36×109/L (mild), 3.78 ± 0.11×109/L (ordinary), 4.47 ± 0.25×109/L (severe), and 7.92 ± 1.19×109/L (critical). The monocytes were 0.42 ± 0.05×109/L (mild), 0.44 ± 0.01×109/L (ordinary), 0.46 ± 0.02×109/L (severe), and 0.78 ± 0.25×109/L (critical). Conclusively, increase of peripheral blood IL-6 and decrease of lymphocytes can be used as the indicators of severe COVID-19. The increase of neutrophils and monocytes was noticed in critical cases of COVID-19, suggesting that the increase of neutrophils and monocytes should be considered as risk factors of critical cases of COVID-19. Peripheral blood IL-6 and leukocyte characteristics were also analyzed in different age groups. The increase of serum IL-6, decrease of lymphocytes, and increase of neutrophils were noticed in patients over 60 years old.
Involvement of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Oral Mucosal Bacterial Immunotherapy
Authors: Vázquez Alberto , Fernández-Sevilla Lidia M. , Jiménez Eva , Pérez-Cabrera David , Yañez Rosa , Subiza Jose Luis , Varas Alberto , Valencia Jaris , Vicente Angeles
Published: November 2020

Recent clinical observations indicate that bacterial vaccines induce cross-protection against infections produced by different microorganisms. MV130, a polyvalent bacterial sublingual preparation designed to prevent recurrent respiratory infectious diseases, reduces the infection rate in patients with recurrent respiratory tract infections. On the other hand, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are key cell components that contribute to the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and exert both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive functions. Herein, we study the effects of MV130 in human MSC functionality as a potential mechanism that contributes to its clinical benefits. We provide evidence that during MV130 sublingual immunization of mice, resident oral mucosa MSCs can take up MV130 components and their numbers remain unchanged after vaccination, in contrast to granulocytes that are recruited from extramucosal tissues. MSCs treated in vitro with MV130 show an increased viability without affecting their differentiation potential. In the short-term, MSC treatment with MV130 induces higher leukocyte recruitment and T cell expansion. In contrast, once T-cell activation is initiated, MV130 stimulation induces an up-regulated expression of immunosuppressor factors in MSCs. Accordingly, MV130-primed MSCs reduce T lymphocyte proliferation, induce the differentiation of dendritic cells with immunosuppressive features and favor M2-like macrophage polarization, thus counterbalancing the immune response. In addition, MSCs trained with MV130 undergo functional changes, enhancing their immunomodulatory response to a secondary stimulus. Finally, we show that MSCs are able to uptake, process and retain a reservoir of the TLR ligands derived from MV130 digestion which can be subsequently transferred to dendritic cells, an additional feature that also may be associated to trained immunity.
C-Reactive Protein and Cancer—Diagnostic and Therapeutic Insights
Authors: Hart Peter C. , Rajab Ibraheem M. , Alebraheem May , Potempa Lawrence A.
Published: November 2020

Cancer disease describes any pathology involving uncontrolled cell growth. As cells duplicate, they can remain localized in defined tissues, forming tumor masses and altering their microenvironmental niche, or they can disseminate throughout the body in a metastatic process affecting multiple tissues and organs. As tumors grow and metastasize, they affect normal tissue integrity and homeostasis which signals the body to trigger the acute phase inflammatory response. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a predominant protein of the acute phase response; its blood levels have long been used as a minimally invasive index of any ongoing inflammatory response, including that occurring in cancer. Its diagnostic significance in assessing disease progression or remission, however, remains undefined. By considering the recent understanding that CRP exists in multiple isoforms with distinct biological activities, a unified model is advanced that describes the relevance of CRP as a mediator of host defense responses in cancer. CRP in its monomeric, modified isoform (mCRP) modulates inflammatory responses by inserting into activated cell membranes and stimulating platelet and leukocyte responses associated with acute phase responses to tumor growth. It also binds components of the extracellular matrix in involved tissues. Conversely, CRP in its pentameric isoform (pCRP), which is the form quantified in diagnostic measurements of CRP, is notably less bioactive with weak anti-inflammatory bioactivity. Its accumulation in blood is associated with a continuous, low-level inflammatory response and is indicative of unresolved and advancing disease, as occurs in cancer. Herein, a novel interpretation of the diagnostic utility of CRP is presented accounting for the unique properties of the CRP isoforms in the context of the developing pro-metastatic tumor microenvironment.
Predators, Disease, and Environmental Change in the Nearshore Ecosystem: Mortality in Southern Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) From 1998–2012
Authors: Miller Melissa A. , Moriarty Megan E. , Henkel Laird , Tinker Martin Tim , Burgess Tristan L. , Batac Francesca I. , Dodd Erin , Young Colleen , Harris Michael D. , Jessup David A. , Ames Jack , Conrad Patricia A. , Packham Andrea E. , Johnson Christine K.
Published: November 2020

We compiled findings from 15 years (1998–2012) of southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) necropsies, incorporating data from 560 animals. Sensitive diagnostic tests were used to detect biotoxins, bacteria, parasites and fungi. Methods to classify primary and contributing causes of death (COD) and sequelae utilized an updated understanding of health risks affecting this population. Several interesting patterns emerged, including identification of coastal regions of high mortality risk for sea otter mortality due to shark bite, cardiomyopathy, toxoplasmosis, sarcocystosis, acanthocephalan peritonitis and coccidioidomycosis. We identified demographic attributes that enhanced the risk of disease in relation to age, sex, and reproductive stage. Death due to white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) bite increased dramatically during the study period and was the most common primary COD. However, when primary and contributing COD were combined, the most prevalent COD was infectious disease (affecting 63% of otters), especially fatal infections by acanthocephalans (Profilicollisspp.) and protozoa (e.g.,Sarcocystis neuronaandToxoplasma gondii). Fatal bacterial infections were also extremely common as a primary process or a sequela, affecting 68% of examined otters. Substantial advances were made in identifying sea otters that died following exposure to the pervasive marine neurotoxin domoic acid (DA), and DA intoxication was conservatively estimated as a primary or contributing COD for 20% of otters. Cardiomyopathy was also highly prevalent as a primary or contributing COD (41%) and exhibited significant associations with DA intoxication and protozoal infection. For adult and aged adult females in late pup care through post-weaning at the time of death, 83% had end lactation syndrome (ELS) as a primary or contributing COD. This comprehensive longitudinal dataset is unique in its depth and scope. The large sample size and extensive time period provided an opportunity to investigate mortality patterns in a changing environment and identify spatial and temporal disease “hot spots” and emerging threats. Our findings will help improve estimates of population-level impacts of specific threats and optimize conservation and environmental mitigation efforts for this threatened species.
Energy Sources of the Depth-Generalist Mixotrophic Coral Stylophora pistillata
Authors: Martinez Stephane , Kolodny Yuval , Shemesh Eli , Scucchia Federica , Nevo Reinat , Levin-Zaidman Smadar , Paltiel Yossi , Keren Nir , Tchernov Dan , Mass Tali
Published: November 2020

Energy sources of corals, ultimately sunlight and plankton availability, change dramatically from shallow to mesophotic (30–150 m) reefs. Depth-generalist corals, those that occupy both of these two distinct ecosystems, are adapted to cope with such extremely diverse conditions. In this study, we investigated the trophic strategy of the depth-generalist hermatypic coral Stylophora pistillata and the ability of mesophotic colonies to adapt to shallow reefs. We compared symbiont genera composition, photosynthetic traits and the holobiont trophic position and carbon sources, calculated from amino acids compound-specific stable isotope analysis (AA-CSIA), of shallow, mesophotic and translocated corals. This species harbors different Symbiodiniaceae genera at the two depths: Cladocopium goreaui (dominant in mesophotic colonies) and Symbiodinium microadriaticum (dominant in shallow colonies) with a limited change after transplantation. This allowed us to determine which traits stem from hosting different symbiont species compositions across the depth gradient. Calculation of holobiont trophic position based on amino acid δ15N revealed that heterotrophy represents the same portion of the total energy budget in both depths, in contrast to the dogma that predation is higher in corals growing in low light conditions. Photosynthesis is the major carbon source to corals growing at both depths, but the photosynthetic rate is higher in the shallow reef corals, implicating both higher energy consumption and higher predation rate in the shallow habitat. In the corals transplanted from deep to shallow reef, we observed extensive photo-acclimation by the Symbiodiniaceae cells, including substantial cellular morphological modifications, increased cellular chlorophyll a, lower antennae to photosystems ratios and carbon signature similar to the local shallow colonies. In contrast, non-photochemical quenching remains low and does not increase to cope with the high light regime of the shallow reef. Furthermore, host acclimation is much slower in these deep-to-shallow transplanted corals as evident from the lower trophic position and tissue density compared to the shallow-water corals, even after long-term transplantation (18 months). Our results suggest that while mesophotic reefs could serve as a potential refuge for shallow corals, the transition is complex, as even after a year and a half the acclimation is only partial.
Polypharmacy in Middle-European Rheumatoid Arthritis-Patients: A Retrospective Longitudinal Cohort Analysis With Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Jack Jacqueline Désirée , McCutchan Rick , Maier Sarah , Schirmer Michael
Published: November 2020

Objective: To assess polypharmacy and related medication aspects in Middle-European rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and to discuss the results in view of a systematic literature review.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, charts were reviewed from RA-patients consecutively recruited between September 27, 2017 and April 29, 2019. Drugs were assigned to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) groups as proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Results were compared to those of a systematic literature review.

Results: One hundred seventy-five consecutive RA-patients were included. The mean number of drugs was 6.6 ± 3.5, with 2.4 ± 1.2 drugs taken specifically for RA—compared to 2.6 in the literature. 33.7% of patients experienced polypharmacy defined by ≥5 drugs, compared to 61.6% in the literature–with women affected more frequently than men. After 7 years of follow-up, the number of drugs increased in all ATC-groups by an average of 12.7 %, correlating with age (Corrcoeff = 0.46) and comorbidities (Corrcoeff = 0.599). In the literature, polypharmacy is not always defined precisely, and has not been considered in management guidelines so far.

Conclusion: Polypharmacy is a frequent issue in RA-management. With an increasing number of comorbidities during the course of the disease, polypharmacy becomes even more relevant.
Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Male Reproductive Health: A Review of the Literature on Male Reproductive Involvement in COVID-19
Authors: He Weihang , Liu Xiaoqiang , Feng Liang , Xiong Situ , Li Yulei , Chen Luyao , Li Yu , Wang Gongxian , Li Dongshui , Fu Bin
Published: November 2020

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a global pandemic. Global epidemiological results show that elderly men are susceptible to infection of COVID-19. The difference in the number of cases reported by gender increases progressively in favor of male subjects up to the age group ≥60–69 (66.6%) and ≥70–79 (66.1%). Through literature search and analysis, we also found that men are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection than women. In addition, men with COVID-19 have a higher mortality rate than women. Male represents 73% of deaths in China, 59% in South Korea, and 61.8% in the United States. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogen of COVID-19, which is transmitted through respiratory droplets, direct and indirect contact. Genomic analysis has shown that SARS-CoV-2 is 79% identical to SARS-CoV, and both use angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as the receptor for invading cells. In addition, Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) can enhance ACE2-mediated virus entry. However, SARS-CoV-2 has a high affinity with human ACE2, and its consequences are more serious than other coronaviruses. ACE2 acts as a “gate” for viruses to invade cells and is closely related to the clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Studies have found that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are expressed in the testis and male reproductive tract and are regulated by testosterone. Mature spermatozoon even has all the machinery required to bind SARS-CoV-2, and these considerations raise the possibility that spermatozoa could act as potential vectors of this highly infectious disease. This review summarizes the gender differences in the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of COVID-19 and proposes the possible mechanism of orchitis caused by SARS-CoV-2 and the potential transmission route of the virus. In the context of the pandemic, these data will improve the understanding of the poor clinical outcomes in male patients with COVID-19 and the design of new strategies to prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Patterns and Drivers of Extracellular Enzyme Activity in New Zealand Glacier-Fed Streams
Authors: Kohler Tyler J. , Peter Hannes , Fodelianakis Stilianos , Pramateftaki Paraskevi , Styllas Michail , Tolosano Matteo , de Staercke Vincent , Schön Martina , Busi Susheel Bhanu , Wilmes Paul , Washburne Alex , Battin Tom J.
Published: November 2020

Glacier-fed streams (GFSs) exhibit near-freezing temperatures, variable flows, and often high turbidities. Currently, the rapid shrinkage of mountain glaciers is altering the delivery of meltwater, solutes, and particulate matter to GFSs, with unknown consequences for their ecology. Benthic biofilms dominate microbial life in GFSs, and play a major role in their biogeochemical cycling. Mineralization is likely an important process for microbes to meet elemental budgets in these systems due to commonly oligotrophic conditions, and extracellular enzymes retained within the biofilm enable the degradation of organic matter and acquisition of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). The measurement and comparison of these extracellular enzyme activities (EEA) can in turn provide insight into microbial elemental acquisition effort relative to environmental availability. To better understand how benthic biofilm communities meet resource demands, and how this might shift as glaciers vanish under climate change, we investigated biofilm EEA in 20 GFSs varying in glacier influence from New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Using turbidity and distance to the glacier snout normalized for glacier size as proxies for glacier influence, we found that bacterial abundance (BA), chlorophyll a (Chl a), extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and total EEA per gram of sediment increased with decreasing glacier influence. Yet, when normalized by BA, EPS decreased with decreasing glacier influence, Chl a still increased, and there was no relationship with total EEA. Based on EEA ratios, we found that the majority of GFS microbial communities were N-limited, with a few streams of different underlying bedrock geology exhibiting P-limitation. Cell-specific C-acquiring EEA was positively related to the ratio of Chl a to BA, presumably reflecting the utilization of algal exudates. Meanwhile, cell-specific N-acquiring EEA were positively correlated with the concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), and both N- and P-acquiring EEA increased with greater cell-specific EPS. Overall, our results reveal greater glacier influence to be negatively related to GFS biofilm biomass parameters, and generally associated with greater microbial N demand. These results help to illuminate the ecology of GFS biofilms, along with their biogeochemical response to a shifting habitat template with ongoing climate change.
Synthesis, Antimicrobial Activity, and Photocatalytic Performance of Ce Doped SnO2 Nanoparticles
Authors: Bhawna  , Choudhary Ashish Kumar , Gupta Akanksha , Kumar Sanjeev , Kumar Pramod , Singh R. P. , Singh Prashant , Kumar Vinod
Published: November 2020

This work represented the synthesis of Ce doped SnO2 nanoparticles by a wet chemical method and was characterized by various characterization techniques. PXRD confirmed the presence of the rutile phase for Ce doped SnO2 nanoparticles. SEM image and elemental mapping showed agglomerated irregular shaped particles and uniform distribution of 5% Ce ions within the SnO2 lattice, respectively. Ce doped SnO2 nanoparticles showed antimicrobial activity against E. coli and prevented the growth of bacteria. The nanoparticles were found photocatalytic active and photocatalytic behavior was elucidated by the degradation of Malachite Green dye under UV light irradiation.
Hematoma Ventricle Distance on Computed Tomography Predicts Poor Outcome in Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Deng Lan , Zhang Yun-Dong , Ji Jian-Wen , Yang Wen-Song , Wei Xiao , Shen Yi-Qing , Li Rui , Zhang Shu-Qiang , Lv Xin-Ni , Li Xin-Hui , Tang Zhou-Ping , Wu Guo-Feng , Zhao Li-Bo , Xie Peng , Li Qi
Published: November 2020

Objective

To investigate the relationship between hematoma ventricle distance (HVD) and clinical outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods

We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with ICH in a tertiary academic hospital between July 2011 and April 2018. We retrospectively reviewed images for all patients receiving a computed tomography (CT) within 6 h after onset of symptoms and at least one follow-up CT scan within 36 h. The minimum distance of hematoma border to nearest ventricle was measured as HVD. Youden index was used to evaluate the cutoff of HVD predicting functional outcome. Logistic regression model was used to assess the HVD data and clinical poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale 4–6) at 90 days.

Results

A total of 325 patients were included in our final analysis. The median HVD was 2.4 mm (interquartile range, 0–5.7 mm), and 119 (36.6%) patients had poor functional outcome at 3 months. After adjusting for age, admission Glasgow coma scale, intraventricular hemorrhage, baseline ICH volume, admission systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, hematoma expansion, withdrawal of care, and hypertension, HVD ≤ 2.5 mm was associated with increased odds of clinical poor outcome [odd ratio, 3.59, (95%CI = 1.72–7.50);p= 0.001] in multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion

Hematoma ventricle distance allows physicians to quickly select and stratify patients in clinical trials and thereby serve as a novel and useful addition to predict ICH prognosis.