bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An electrodiffusive neuron-extracellular-glia model for exploring the genesis of slow potentials in the brain
Authors: Sætra Marte J. , Einevoll Gaute T. , Halnes Geir
Published: July 2021

Within the computational neuroscience community, there has been a focus on simulating the electrical activity of neurons, while other components of brain tissue, such as glia cells and the extracellular space, are often neglected. Standard models of extracellular potentials are based on a combination of multicompartmental models describing neural electrodynamics and volume conductor theory. Such models cannot be used to simulate the slow components of extracellular potentials, which depend on ion concentration dynamics, and the effect that this has on extracellular diffusion potentials and glial buffering currents. We here present the electrodiffusive neuron-extracellular-glia (edNEG) model, which we believe is the first model to combine compartmental neuron modeling with an electrodiffusive framework for intra- and extracellular ion concentration dynamics in a local piece of neuro-glial brain tissue. The edNEG model (i) keeps track of all intraneuronal, intraglial, and extracellular ion concentrations and electrical potentials, (ii) accounts for action potentials and dendritic calcium spikes in neurons, (iii) contains a neuronal and glial homeostatic machinery that gives physiologically realistic ion concentration dynamics, (iv) accounts for electrodiffusive transmembrane, intracellular, and extracellular ionic movements, and (v) accounts for glial and neuronal swelling caused by osmotic transmembrane pressure gradients. The edNEG model accounts for the concentration-dependent effects on ECS potentials that the standard models neglect. Using the edNEG model, we analyze these effects by splitting the extracellular potential into three components: one due to neural sink/source configurations, one due to glial sink/source configurations, and one due to extracellular diffusive currents. Through a series of simulations, we analyze the roles played by the various components and how they interact in generating the total slow potential. We conclude that the three components are of comparable magnitude and that the stimulus conditions determine which of the components that dominate.
An association between prediction errors and risk-seeking: Theory and behavioral evidence
Authors: Moeller Moritz , Grohn Jan , Manohar Sanjay , Bogacz Rafal
Published: July 2021

Reward prediction errors (RPEs) and risk preferences have two things in common: both can shape decision making behavior, and both are commonly associated with dopamine. RPEs drive value learning and are thought to be represented in the phasic release of striatal dopamine. Risk preferences bias choices towards or away from uncertainty; they can be manipulated with drugs that target the dopaminergic system. Based on the common neural substrate, we hypothesize that RPEs and risk preferences are linked on the level of behavior as well. Here, we develop this hypothesis theoretically and test it empirically. First, we apply a recent theory of learning in the basal ganglia to predict how RPEs influence risk preferences. We find that positive RPEs should cause increased risk-seeking, while negative RPEs should cause risk-aversion. We then test our behavioral predictions using a novel bandit task in which value and risk vary independently across options. Critically, conditions are included where options vary in risk but are matched for value. We find that our prediction was correct: participants become more risk-seeking if choices are preceded by positive RPEs, and more risk-averse if choices are preceded by negative RPEs. These findings cannot be explained by other known effects, such as nonlinear utility curves or dynamic learning rates.
A spectral theory for Wright’s inbreeding coefficients and related quantities
Authors: François Olivier , Gain Clément
Published: July 2021

Wright’s inbreeding coefficient,FST, is a fundamental measure in population genetics. Assuming a predefined population subdivision, this statistic is classically used to evaluate population structure at a given genomic locus. With large numbers of loci, unsupervised approaches such as principal component analysis (PCA) have, however, become prominent in recent analyses of population structure. In this study, we describe the relationships between Wright’s inbreeding coefficients and PCA for a model ofKdiscrete populations. Our theory provides an equivalent definition ofFSTbased on the decomposition of the genotype matrix into between and within-population matrices. The average value of Wright’sFSTover all loci included in the genotype matrix can be obtained from the PCA of the between-population matrix. Assuming that a separation condition is fulfilled and for reasonably large data sets, this value ofFSTapproximates the proportion of genetic variation explained by the first (K− 1) principal components accurately. The new definition ofFSTis useful for computing inbreeding coefficients from surrogate genotypes, for example, obtained after correction of experimental artifacts or after removing adaptive genetic variation associated with environmental variables. The relationships between inbreeding coefficients and the spectrum of the genotype matrix not only allow interpretations of PCA results in terms of population genetic concepts but extend those concepts to population genetic analyses accounting for temporal, geographical and environmental contexts.
Biochemical characterization of protease activity of Nsp3 from SARS-CoV-2 and its inhibition by nanobodies
Authors: Armstrong Lee A. , Lange Sven M. , Dee Cesare Virginia , Matthews Stephen P. , Nirujogi Raja Sekhar , Cole Isobel , Hope Anthony , Cunningham Fraser , Toth Rachel , Mukherjee Rukmini , Bojkova Denisa , Gruber Franz , Gray David , Wyatt Paul G. , Cinatl Jindrich , Dikic Ivan , Davies Paul , Kulathu Yogesh
Published: July 2021

Of the 16 non-structural proteins (Nsps) encoded by SARS CoV-2, Nsp3 is the largest and plays important roles in the viral life cycle. Being a large, multidomain, transmembrane protein, Nsp3 has been the most challenging Nsp to characterize. Encoded within Nsp3 is the papain-like protease domain (PLpro) that cleaves not only the viral polypeptide but also K48-linked polyubiquitin and the ubiquitin-like modifier, ISG15, from host cell proteins. We here compare the interactors of PLpro and Nsp3 and find a largely overlapping interactome. Intriguingly, we find that near full length Nsp3 is a more active protease compared to the minimal catalytic domain of PLpro. Using a MALDI-TOF based assay, we screen 1971 approved clinical compounds and identify five compounds that inhibit PLpro with IC50s in the low micromolar range but showed cross reactivity with other human deubiquitinases and had no significant antiviral activity in cellular SARS-CoV-2 infection assays. We therefore looked for alternative methods to block PLpro activity and engineered competitive nanobodies that bind to PLpro at the substrate binding site with nanomolar affinity thus inhibiting the enzyme. Our work highlights the importance of studying Nsp3 and provides tools and valuable insights to investigate Nsp3 biology during the viral infection cycle.
Wearing a mask—For yourself or for others? Behavioral correlates of mask wearing among COVID-19 frontline workers
Authors: Asri Ankush , Asri Viola , Renerte Baiba , Föllmi-Heusi Franziska , Leuppi Joerg D. , Muser Juergen , Nüesch Reto , Schuler Dominik , Fischbacher Urs
Published: July 2021

Human behavior can have effects on oneself and externalities on others. Mask wearing is such a behavior in the current pandemic. What motivates people to wear face masks in public when mask wearing is voluntary or not enforced? Which benefits should the policy makers rather emphasize in information campaigns—the reduced chances of getting the SARS-CoV-2 virus (benefits for oneself) or the reduced chances of transmitting the virus (benefits for others in the society)? In this paper, we link measured risk preferences and other-regarding preferences to mask wearing habits among 840 surveyed employees of two large Swiss hospitals. We find that the leading mask-wearing motivations change with age: While for older people, mask wearing habits are best explained by their self-regarding risk preferences, younger people are also motivated by other-regarding concerns. Our results are robust to different specifications including linear probability models, probit models and Lasso covariate selection models. Our findings thus allow drawing policy implications for effectively communicating public-health recommendations to frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lipid profiling suggests species specificity and minimal seasonal variation in Pacific Green and Hawksbill Turtle plasma
Authors: Clyde-Brockway Chelsea E. , Ferreira Christina R. , Flaherty Elizabeth A. , Paladino Frank V.
Published: July 2021

In this study, we applied multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-profiling to explore the relative ion intensity of lipid classes in plasma samples from sea turtles in order to profile lipids relevant to sea turtle physiology and investigate how dynamic ocean environments affect these profiles. We collected plasma samples from foraging green (Chelonia mydas, n = 28) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata, n = 16) turtles live captured in North Pacific Costa Rica in 2017. From these samples, we identified 623 MRMs belonging to 10 lipid classes (sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, free fatty acid, cholesteryl ester, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, ceramide, and triacylglyceride) and one metabolite group (acyl-carnitine) present in sea turtle plasma. The relative ion intensities of most lipids (80%) were consistent between species, across seasons, and were not correlated to body size or estimated sex. Of the differences we observed, the most pronounced was the differences in relative ion intensity between species. We identified 123 lipids that had species-specific relative ion intensities. While some of this variability is likely due to green and hawksbill turtles consuming different food items, we found indications of a phylogenetic component as well. Of these, we identified 47 lipids that varied by season, most belonging to the structural phospholipid classes. Overall, more lipids (n = 39) had higher relative ion intensity in the upwelling (colder) season compared to the non-upwelling season (n = 8). Further, we found more variability in hawksbill turtles than green turtles. Here, we provide the framework in which to apply future lipid profiling in the assessment of health, physiology, and behavior in endangered sea turtles.
Moringa leaf extract improves biochemical attributes, yield and grain quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under drought stress
Authors: Khan Shahbaz , Basit Abdul , Hafeez Muhammad Bilal , Irshad Sohail , Bashir Saqib , Bashir Safdar , Maqbool Muhammad Mudassar , Saddiq Muhammad Sohail , Hasnain Zuhair , Aljuaid Bandar S. , El-Shehawi Ahmed M. , Li Yunzhou
Published: July 2021

Changing climate, food shortage, water scarcity and rapidly increasing population are some of the emerging challenges globally. Drought stress is the most devastating threat for agricultural productivity. Natural plant growth substances are intensively used to improve the productivity of crop plants grown under stressed and benign environments. The current study evaluated whether leaf extract of different moringa (Moringa oleiferaL.) could play a role in improving drought-tolerance of rice (Oryza sativaL.). Rice plants were grown under three drought conditions, i.e., no, moderate and severe drought (100, 75 and 50% field capacity, respectively). Moringa leaf extract (MLE) obtained from four landraces (Multan, Faisalabad, D. G. Khan and exotic landrace from India) was applied during critical crop growth stages, i.e., tillering, panicle initiation and grain filling. Drought stress adversely affected the gas exchange attributes, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzymes’ activities, yield and quality parameters of rice. Application of MLE from all landraces significantly improved physiological, biochemical and yield parameters under stressed and normal environmental conditions. The highest improvement in gas exchange traits (photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and respiration rate), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylla,band carotenoids) and enzymatic activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase) and oxidative marker (H2O2) was recorded with MLE obtained from Faisalabad landrace. The application of MLE of Faisalabad landrace also improved yield and grain quality of rice grown under drought stress as well as drought-free environment. Thus, MLE of Faisalabad can be successfully used to improve growth, productivity and grain quality of rice under drought stress.
Geopolitical zones differentials in intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) and long lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) utilization in Nigeria
Authors: Chukwu Chinedu , Onuoha Herbert , Okorafor Kwala Adline Katty , Ojomo Oluwaseun , Mokuolu Olugbenga A. , Ekholuenetale Michael
Published: July 2021

Background

The coverage of long lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) and intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) uptake for the prevention of malaria commonly vary by geography. Many sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, including Nigeria are adopting the use of LLIN and IPTp to fight malaria. Albeit, the coverage of these interventions to prevent malaria across geographical divisions have been understudied in many countries. In this study, we aimed to explore the differentials in LLIN and IPTp uptake across Nigerian geopolitical zones.

Methods

We analyzed data from Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2016–17. The outcome variables were IPTp and LLIN uptake among women of childbearing age (15–49 years). A total sample of 24,344 women who had given birth were examined for IPTp use and 36,176 women for LLIN use. Percentages, Chi-square test and multivariable logit models plots were used to examine the geopolitical zones differentials in IPTp and LLIN utilization. Data was analyzed at 5% level of significance.

Results

The overall prevalence of IPTp was 76.0% in Nigeria. Moreover, there were differences across geopolitical zones: North Central (71.3%), North East (76.9%), North West (78.2%), South East (76.1%), South South (79.7%) and South West (72.4%) respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence of LLIN was 87.7%% in Nigeria. Also, there were differences across geopolitical zones: North Central (89.1%), North East (91.8%), North West (90.0%), South East (77.3%), South South (81.1%) and South West (69.8%) respectively. Women who have access to media use, married, educated and non-poor were more likely to uptake IPTp. On the other hand, rural dwellers and those with media use were more likely to use LLIN. Conversely, married, educated, non-poor and women aged 25–34 and 35+ were less likely to use LLIN.

Conclusion

Though the utilization of IPTp and LLIN was relatively high, full coverage are yet to be achieved. There was geopolitical zones differentials in the prevalence of IPTp and LLIN in Nigeria. Promoting the utilization of IPTp and LLINs across the six geopolitical zones through intensive health education and widespread mass media campaigns will help to achieve the full scale IPTp and LLIN utilization.
A pneumatic random-access memory for controlling soft robots
Authors: Hoang Shane , Karydis Konstantinos , Brisk Philip , Grover William H.
Published: July 2021

Pneumatically-actuated soft robots have advantages over traditional rigid robots in many applications. In particular, their flexible bodies and gentle air-powered movements make them more suitable for use around humans and other objects that could be injured or damaged by traditional robots. However, existing systems for controlling soft robots currently require dedicated electromechanical hardware (usually solenoid valves) to maintain the actuation state (expanded or contracted) of each independent actuator. When combined with power, computation, and sensing components, this control hardware adds considerable cost, size, and power demands to the robot, thereby limiting the feasibility of soft robots in many important application areas. In this work, we introduce a pneumatic memory that uses air (not electricity) to set and maintain the states of large numbers of soft robotic actuators without dedicated electromechanical hardware. These pneumatic logic circuits use normally-closed microfluidic valves as transistor-like elements; this enables our circuits to support more complex computational functions than those built from normally-open valves. We demonstrate an eight-bit nonvolatile random-access pneumatic memory (RAM) that can maintain the states of multiple actuators, control both individual actuators and multiple actuators simultaneously using a pneumatic version of time division multiplexing (TDM), and set actuators to any intermediate position using a pneumatic version of analog-to-digital conversion. We perform proof-of-concept experimental testing of our pneumatic RAM by using it to control soft robotic hands playing individual notes, chords, and songs on a piano keyboard. By dramatically reducing the amount of hardware required to control multiple independent actuators in pneumatic soft robots, our pneumatic RAM can accelerate the spread of soft robotic technologies to a wide range of important application areas.
Retrospective analysis of demographic factors in COVID-19 patients entering the Mount Sinai Health System
Authors: Eskandari Abrisham , Brojakowska Agnieszka , Bisserier Malik , Bander Jeffrey , Garikipati Venkata Naga Srikanth , Hadri Lahouaria , Goukassian David , Fish Kenneth
Published: July 2021

With the continued rise of the global incidence of COVID-19 infection and emergent second wave, the need to understand characteristics that impact susceptibility to infection, clinical severity, and outcomes remains vital. The objective of this study was to assess modifying effects of demographic factors on COVID-19 testing status and outcomes in a large, diverse single health system cohort. The Mount Sinai Health System de-identified COVID-19 database contained records of 39,539 patients entering the health system from 02/28/2020 to 06/08/2020 with 7,032 laboratory-confirmed cases. The prevalence of qRT-PCR nasopharyngeal swabs (χ2 = 665.7, p<0.0001) and case rates (χ2 = 445.3, p<0.0001) are highest in Hispanics and Black or African Americans. The likelihood of admission and/or presentation to an intensive care unit (ICU) versus non-ICU inpatient unit, emergency department, and outpatient services, which reflects the severity of the clinical course, was also modified by race and ethnicity. Females were less likely to be tested [Relative Risk(RR) = 1.121, p<0.0001], and males had a higher case prevalence (RR = 1.224, p<0.001). Compared to other major ethnic groups, Whites experienced a higher prevalence of mortality (p<0.05). Males experienced a higher risk of mortality (RR = 1.180, p = 0.0012) at relatively younger ages (70.58±11.75) compared to females (73.02±11.46) (p = 0.0004). There was an increased severity of disease in older patient populations of both sexes. Although Hispanic and Black or African American race was associated with higher testing prevalence and positive testing rates, the only disparity with respect to mortality was a higher prevalence in Whites.
Study of blood glucose and insulin infusion rate in real-time in diabetic rats using an artificial pancreas system
Authors: Kirilmaz Omer Batuhan , Salegaonkar Akshay Radhakrishna , Shiau Justin , Uzun Guney , Ko Hoo Sang , Lee H. Felix , Park Sarah , Kwon Guim
Published: July 2021

Artificial pancreas system (APS) is an emerging new treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to develop a rat APS as a research tool and demonstrate its application. We established a rat APS using Medtronic Minimed Pump 722, Medtronic Enlite sensor, and the open artificial pancreas system as a controller. We tested different dilutions of Humalog (100 units/ml) in saline ranged from 1:3 to 1:20 and determined that 1:7 dilution works well for rats with ~500g bodyweight. Blood glucose levels (BGL) of diabetic rats fed with chow diet (58% carbohydrate) whose BGL was managed by the closed-loop APS for the total duration of 207h were in euglycemic range (70–180 mg/dl) for 94.5% of the time with 2.1% and 3.4% for hyperglycemia (>180mg/dl) and hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dl), respectively. Diabetic rats fed with Sucrose pellets (94.8% carbohydrate) for the experimental duration of 175h were in euglycemic range for 61% of the time with 35% and 4% for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, respectively. Heathy rats fed with chow diet showed almost a straight line of BGL ~ 95 mg/dl (average 94.8 mg/dl) during the entire experimental period (281h), which was minimally altered by food intake. In the healthy rats, feeding sucrose pellets caused greater range of BGL in high and low levels but still within euglycemic range (99.9%). Next, to study how healthy and diabetic rats handle supra-physiological concentrations of glucose, we intraperitoneally injected various amounts of 50% dextrose (2, 3, 4g/kg) and monitored BGL. Duration of hyperglycemia after injection of 50% dextrose at all three different concentrations was significantly greater for healthy rats than diabetic rats, suggesting that insulin infusion by APS was superior in reducing BGL as compared to natural insulin released from pancreatic β-cells.Ex vivostudies showed that islets isolated from diabetic rats were almost completely devoid of pancreatic β-cells but with intact α-cells as expected. Lipid droplet deposition in the liver of diabetic rats was significantly lower with higher levels of triacylglyceride in the blood as compared to those of healthy rats, suggesting lipid metabolism was altered in diabetic rats. However, glycogen storage in the liver determined by Periodic acid-Schiff staining was not altered in diabetic rats as compared to healthy rats. A rat APS may be used as a powerful tool not only to study alterations of glucose and insulin homeostasis in real-time caused by diet, exercise, hormones, or antidiabetic agents, but also to test mathematical and engineering models of blood glucose prediction or new algorithms for closed-loop APS.
Beneficial osseointegration effect of hydroxyapatite coating on cranial implant – FEM investigation
Authors: Chamrad Jakub , Marcián Petr , Cizek Jan
Published: July 2021

A firm connection of the bone-implant-fixation system is of utmost importance for patients with cranial defects. In order to improve the connection reliability, the current research focuses on finding the optimal fixation method, as well as selection of the implant manufacturing methods and the used materials. For the latter, implementation of bioactive materials such as hydroxyapatite or other calcium phosphates has also been considered in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gradual osseointegration on the biomechanical performance of cranial Ti6Al4V implants with a deposited HA coating as the osseointegration agent. This effect was assessed by two different computational approaches using finite element method (FEM) modeling. The values of key input parameters necessary for FEM were obtained from experimental plasma spray deposition of HA layers onto Ti6Al4V samples. Immediately upon implantation, the HA layer at the bone-implant contact area brought only a slight decrease in the values of von Mises stress in the implant and the micro-screws when compared to a non-coated counterpart; importantly, this was without any negative trade-off in other important characteristics. The major benefit of the HA coatings was manifested upon the modeled osseointegration: the results of both approaches confirmed a significant reduction of investigated parameters such as the total implant displacements (reduced from 0.050 mm to 0.012 mm and 0.002 mm while usingApproach IandII, respectively) and stresses (reduced from 52 MPa to 10 MPa and 1 MPa) in the implanted components in comparison to non-coated variant. This is a very promising result for potential use of thermally sprayed HA coatings for cranial implants.
Viral mapping in COVID-19 deceased in the Augsburg autopsy series of the first wave: A multiorgan and multimethodological approach
Authors: Hirschbühl Klaus , Dintner Sebastian , Beer Martin , Wylezich Claudia , Schlegel Jürgen , Delbridge Claire , Borcherding Lukas , Lippert Jirina , Schiele Stefan , Müller Gernot , Moiraki Dimitra , Spring Oliver , Wittmann Michael , Kling Elisabeth , Braun Georg , Kröncke Thomas , Claus Rainer , Märkl Bruno , Schaller Tina
Published: July 2021

Background

COVID-19 is only partly understood, and the level of evidence available in terms of pathophysiology, epidemiology, therapy, and long-term outcome remains limited. During the early phase of the pandemic, it was necessary to effectively investigate all aspects of this new disease. Autopsy can be a valuable procedure to investigate the internal organs with special techniques to obtain information on the disease, especially the distribution and type of organ involvement.

Methods

During the first wave of COVID-19 in Germany, autopsies of 19 deceased patients were performed. Besides gross examination, the organs were analyzed with standard histology and polymerase-chain-reaction for SARS-CoV-2. Polymerase chain reaction positive localizations were further analyzed with immunohistochemistry and RNA-in situ hybridization for SARS-CoV-2.

Results

Eighteen of 19 patients were found to have died due to COVID-19. Clinically relevant histological changes were only observed in the lungs. Diffuse alveolar damage in considerably different degrees was noted in 18 cases. Other organs, including the central nervous system, did not show specific micromorphological alterations. In terms of SARS-CoV-2 detection, the focus remains on the upper airways and lungs. This is true for both the number of positive samples and the viral load. A highly significant inverse correlation between the stage of diffuse alveolar damage and viral load was found on a case and a sample basis. Mediastinal lymph nodes and fat were also affected by the virus at high frequencies. By contrast, other organs rarely exhibited a viral infection. Moderate to strong correlations between the methods for detecting SARS-CoV-2 were observed for the lungs and for other organs.

Conclusions

The lung is the most affected organ in gross examination, histology and polymerase chain reaction. SARS-CoV-2 detection in other organs did not reveal relevant or specific histological changes. Moreover, we did not find CNS involvement.
Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation increases corticospinal excitability, while performance is unchanged
Authors: Kristiansen Mathias , Thomsen Mikkel Jacobi , Nørgaard Jens , Aaes Jon , Knudsen Dennis , Voigt Michael
Published: July 2021

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) has been shown to improve bicycle time to fatigue (TTF) tasks at 70–80% of VO2max and downregulate rate of perceived exertion (RPE). This study aimed to investigate the effect of a-tDCS on a RPE-clamp test, a 250-kJ time trial (TT) and motor evoked potentials (MEP). Twenty participants volunteered for three trials; control, sham stimulation and a-tDCS. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to determine the corticospinal excitability for 12 participants pre and post sham stimulation and a-tDCS. The a-tDCS protocol consisted of 13 minutes of stimulation (2 mA) with the anode placed above the Cz. The RPE-clamp test consisted of 5 minutes ergometer bicycling at an RPE of 13 on the Borg scale, and the TT consisted of a 250 kJ (∼10 km) long bicycle ergometer test. During each test, power output, heart rate and oxygen consumption was measured, while RPE was evaluated. MEPs increased significantly by 36% (±36%) post a-tDCS, with 8.8% (±31%) post sham stimulation (p = 0.037). No significant changes were found for any parameter at the RPE-clamp or TT. The lack of improvement may be due to RPE being more controlled by afferent feedback during TT tests than during TTF tests. Based on the results of the present study, it is concluded that a-tDCS applied over Cz, does not enhance self-paced cycling performance.
The impact of medical teleconsultations on general practitioner-patient communication during COVID- 19: A case study from Poland
Authors: Kludacz-Alessandri Magdalena , Hawrysz Liliana , Korneta Piotr , Gierszewska Grażyna , Pomaranik Wioletta , Walczak Renata
Published: July 2021

According to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, medical teleconsultations using various technologies have become an important tool to mediate communication between general practitioners (GP) and the patients in primary health care in many countries. The quality of the GP-patient communication is an essential factor, which improves the results of treatment and patient satisfaction. The objective of this paper is to study patients’ satisfaction from teleconsultation in primary care and the impact of teleconsultations on GP-patient communication through the Covid-19 pandemic in Poland. We analyse whether the teleconsultations performed without physical examinations have a positive impact on GP-patient communication. The quality of teleconsultation and GP-patient communication have been measured using a questionnaire regarding the quality of medical care in a remote care conditions. Among 36 items, nine questions have been related to the dimension of GP-patient communication and ten to system experience. Our results suggest that the quality of teleconsultations is not inferior to the quality of consultation during a face-to-face visit. The patients indicated a high level of satisfaction regarding communication with their GP during teleconsultation. We have also identified that the technical quality and the sense of comfort during teleconsultation positively impact the communication quality.
Interpregnancy intervals and adverse birth outcomes in high-income countries: An international cohort study
Authors: Tessema Gizachew A. , Marinovich M. Luke , Håberg Siri E. , Gissler Mika , Mayo Jonathan A. , Nassar Natasha , Ball Stephen , Betrán Ana Pilar , Gebremedhin Amanuel T. , de Klerk Nick , Magnus Maria C. , Marston Cicely , Regan Annette K. , Shaw Gary M. , Padula Amy M. , Pereira Gavin
Published: July 2021

Background

Most evidence for interpregnancy interval (IPI) and adverse birth outcomes come from studies that are prone to incomplete control for confounders that vary between women. Comparing pregnancies to the same women can address this issue.

Methods

We conducted an international longitudinal cohort study of 5,521,211 births to 3,849,193 women from Australia (1980–2016), Finland (1987–2017), Norway (1980–2016) and the United States (California) (1991–2012). IPI was calculated based on the time difference between two dates—the date of birth of the first pregnancy and the date of conception of the next (index) pregnancy. We estimated associations between IPI and preterm birth (PTB), spontaneous PTB, and small-for-gestational age births (SGA) using logistic regression (between-women analyses). We also used conditional logistic regression comparing IPIs and birth outcomes in the same women (within-women analyses). Random effects meta-analysis was used to calculate pooled adjusted odds ratios (aOR).

Results

Compared to an IPI of 18–23 months, there was insufficient evidence for an association between IPI <6 months and overall PTB (aOR 1.08, 95% CI 0.99–1.18) and SGA (aOR 0.99, 95% CI 0.81–1.19), but increased odds of spontaneous PTB (aOR 1.38, 95% CI 1.21–1.57) in the within-women analysis. We observed elevated odds of all birth outcomes associated with IPI ≥60 months. In comparison, between-women analyses showed elevated odds of adverse birth outcomes for <12 month and >24 month IPIs.

Conclusions

We found consistently elevated odds of adverse birth outcomes following long IPIs. IPI shorter than 6 months were associated with elevated risk of spontaneous PTB, but there was insufficient evidence for increased risk of other adverse birth outcomes. Current recommendations of waiting at least 24 months to conceive after a previous pregnancy, may be unnecessarily long in high-income countries.
(Trans)fusions of Conrad’s darkness: Selected adaptations of Heart of Darkness
Authors: Kujawska-Lis Ewa
Published: July 2021

Heart of Darkness, due to its semantic complexity, interpretative openness and universal thematic interests, has been frequently intersemiotically adapted in a variety of media, encompassing radio broadcast, films, opera, graphic narratives and video games, as well as rewritten in the form of interlingual translations and refracted, with refractions including reviews and critical assessments, but also textual versions radically different from the source text. This article considers selected reinterpretations of Conrad’s text and comments briefly on how in each case the adaptation illustrates a fusion of Conrad’s vision with that of the adapter, hence (trans)fusion, and how this may give a new life to the source text via interpretative shifts. The article presents case studies: the film adaptation – Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now (1979), Tarik O’Regan’s one-act chamber opera (both the United Kingdom in 2011 and the US staging in 2015), the graphic narrative by Catherine Anyango and David Zane Mairowitz (2010) and Jacek Dukaj’s Polish language version Serce ciemności (2017). This selection is governed by the variety of media and by the dissimilar approaches of the adapters to their source text. What is evident based on these variants is the role of the adapter as a creative participant in the process of transmitting the ideas of the original text, often updating them to make them relevant to new recipients of various cultural backgrounds. Additionally, reinterpretations and recontextualizations of the novella result directly from adaptive strategies specific to a given medium.
Hybrid Measuring the Similarity Value Based on Genetic Algorithm for Improving Prediction in A Collaborative Filtering Recommendation System.
Authors: AL sabri Muaadh Abdo Mohammed Ahmed
Published: July 2021

In recent years, the Recommendation System (RS) has a wide range of applications in several fields, like Education, Economics, Scientific Researches and other related fields. The Personalized Recommendation is effective in increasing RS's accuracy, based on the user interface, preferences and constraints seek to predict the most suitable product or services. Collaborative Filtering (CF) is one of the primary applications that researchers use for the prediction of the accuracy rating and recommendation of objects. Various experts in the field are using methods like Nearest Neighbors (NN) based on the measures of similarity.  However, similarity measures use only the co-rated item ratings while calculating the similarity between a pair of users or items. The two standard methods used to measure similarities are Cosine Similarity (CS) and Person Correlation Similarity (PCS). However, both are having drawbacks, and the present piece of the investigation will approach through the optimized Genetic Algorithms (GA) to improve the forecast accuracy of RS using the merge output of CS with PCS based on GA methods. The results show GA's superiority and its ability to achieve more correct predictions than CS and PCS.
Utopías reales en educación de personas adultas
Authors: Crowther Jim
Published: July 2021

La yuxtaposición de la realidad y de las utopías en el título del artículo llamala atención, por un lado, a las limitaciones y constreñimientos contra los que tienen queenfrentarse las iniciativas educativas, y, por el otro, los intentos sistemáticos para desarrollaraprendizaje que vaya más allá de las limitaciones del contexto actual, hacia uncambio social progresivo. Para ilustrar este argumento se muestran tres ejemplos, deEspaña, Estados Unidos y Escocia, porque ilustran la necesidad de reafirmar una pedagogíacrítica que es una condición necesaria para crear una comunidad educada y democrática.
Teoría crítica del radical love
Authors: De Botton Lena , Oliver Esther
Published: July 2021

Históricamente la comprensión de las relaciones sexual-afectivas no ha sidoabordada desde la ciencia, sino que ha sido situada en el marco de los instintos y de lairracionalidad. En este sentido, la teoría crítica del Radical Love realiza una contribuciónpara la pedagogía crítica al permitir a las personas comprender los mecanismos querigen en las emociones y en el proceso de elección de las relaciones sexual-afectivas. Setrata de comprender de quiénes nos enamoramos, por qué y a qué valores se entrelazaeste deseo, puesto que todo ello puede tener una gran repercusión en nuestras vidas.Avanzar hacia esta comprensión nos da las herramientas para poder desarrollar unasrelaciones afectivo-sexuales satisfactorias. También nos ofrece orientaciones para unaeducación preventiva de la violencia de género al permitirnos comprender los modelosde atracción en los que nos hemos socializado y que influyen en nuestro deseo y elección.
La pedagogía crítica y el éxito académico de todos y todas
Authors: Aubert Adriana , García Carme
Published: July 2021

A veces, desde algunos sectores de la pedagogía crítica se ha opuesto la educacióndirigida a la transformación social con los resultados evaluables medibles. Sinembargo, en Europa hay una creciente construcción de proyectos educativos que superanese dualismo; la colaboración entre ambos discursos no supone disminuir la fuerzade cada uno de ellos para dar cabida también al otro, sino que ambos ganan en intensidad.Por un lado, son proyectos de pedagogía crítica que se basan con rigurosidad en lasteorías sociales y educativas transformadoras. Por otro lado, estos proyectos logran mejorarlos resultados de todas las niñas y niños, los medibles con todo tipo de evaluacionesy los no medibles, pero sí evaluables con el debate y el diálogo entre todas y todoslos implicados; los resultados medibles y no medibles son mejorados por la transformaciónsocial del entorno que genera su orientación de pedagogía crítica.
Detection of African swine fever virus in pigs in Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Awosanya Emmanuel Jolaoluwa , Olugasa Babasola Oluseyi , Gimba Fufa Ido , Sabri Mohd Yusoff , Ogundipe Gabriel Adetunji
Published: July 2021

Background and Aim: Nigeria experienced repeated outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in pig herds between 1997 and 2005 in the southwest region of the country. ASF is believed to currently be enzootic in this region. The status of enzootic transmission of ASF virus strain to pigs is; however, unknown. Twenty-three genotypes of the ASF virus based on the p72 gene are found across Africa. This study aimed to identify the current circulating field strain(s) of the ASF virus in Southwest Nigeria and characterized evolutionary trends.

Materials and Methods: DNA samples were extracted from 144 pooled blood samples obtained from 2012 to 2013 following the manufacturer's instructions. DNA was used for conventional polymerase chain reaction using primers targeting the p72 gene and amplified products sequenced with Sanger's sequencing. Sequences were analyzed for homology and phylogenetic relationships.

Results: Eleven of 144 samples (7.6%) showed bands at 950 bp. A new field strain of ASF virus of genotype I that shared ancestry with ASF virus strains or isolates from Spain and Brazil was identified among pig herds. The new strain differs phylogenetically in amino acid composition compared with previously identified ASF virus field strains.

Conclusion: The currently circulating field strain of ASF virus suggests a mutation responsible for decreased morbidity and mortality recorded in sporadic cases.
Effectiveness of tonsillectomy in periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis syndrome: a case series
Authors: Taniguchi Kazuto , Kii Sakumo , Uemichi Kazuyasu
Published: July 2021

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is characterized by periodic high fever (febrile attacks) lasting for 3–6 days and recurring regularly. In this syndrome, fever is associated with aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis.1–4 Almost all patients with PFAPA syndrome spontaneously resolve approximately 8 years after the onset of symptoms. However, the cause and etiology of PFAPA syndrome remain unclear.4 Oral prednisolone reduces fever during febrile attacks.5–7 Tonsillectomy has also been reported to induce remission of PFAPA syndrome.8–12 However, tonsillectomy is not a popular treatment for PFAPA syndrome because its effectiveness is still unclear. Furthermore, tonsillectomy is generally recommended for patients aged 3 years and older to avoid post-operative complications.13

We report here on four patients aged 3 years and older with PFAPA syndrome. Tonsillectomy completely eliminated febrile attacks and was safely performed without post-operative complications in all of our patients.
Korelasi Positif antara Neutrophil Lymphocyte Count Ratio dan C-Reactive Protein pada Pasien Sepsis Anak
Authors: Anwary Adri Zamany , Lukmanul Hakim Dzulfikar Djalil , Setiabudi Djatnika
Published: July 2021

Latar belakang. Sepsis merupakan penyebab utama morbiditas dan mortalitas utama pada anak di seluruh dunia. C-reactive protein (CRP) merupakan penanda infeksi yang paling banyak digunakan, tetapi parameter tersebut terkendala tingkat sensitivitas, spesifisitas, ketersediaan alat, dan biaya. Neutrophil-lymphocyte Count Ratio (NLCR) merupakan pemeriksaan yang mudah dan murah, serta banyak digunakan sebagai penanda diagnostik pada berbagai proses inflamasi.Tujuan. Menganalisis korelasi antara NLCR dan CRP pada pasien sepsis anak.Metode. Studi analitik observasional menggunakan data sekunder dari register sepsis anak di RSUP Dr. Hasan Sadikin Bandung periode Januari 2019–Desember 2019. Pengambilan data berupa karakteristik pasien, nilai NLCR, dan CRP, didapatkan data tidak berdistribusi normal( uji Kolmogorov-Smirnov) maka analisis korelasi dilakukan menggunakan uji Rank Spearman dengan nilai kemaknaan p<0,05.Hasil. Sebanyak 80 subjek memenuhi kriteria inklusi. Median nilai NLCR subjek 2,98 (rentang 0,12-19,38) dan nilai median CRP subjek 2,44 (rentang 0,01-34,04) Nilai NLCR memiliki korelasi bermakna dengan CRP (r=0,310; p=0,005). Kesimpulan. Terdapat korelasi positif yang bermakna antara neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio dengan CRP pada pasien sepsis anak.
Faktor-Faktor yang Memengaruhi Kejadian Defisiensi dan Insufisiensi Vitamin D pada Pasien Anak dengan Penyakit Ginjal Kronis
Authors: Mediressia Anies , Fitriana Eka Intan , Bakri Achirul , Lestari Hertanti Indah
Published: July 2021

Latar belakang. Peranan vitamin D penting untuk optimalisasi tata laksana penyakit ginjal kronis (PGK). Defisiensi vitamin D sering terjadi pada pasien PGK. Beberapa cara untuk mencegahnya adalah dengan mengendalikan faktor-faktor yang menyebabkan defisiensi vitamin D dan memberikan suplementasi vitamin D pada pasien PGK.Tujuan. Untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi kejadian defisiensi dan insufisiensi 25(OH)D.Metode. Studi potong lintang dengan analisis regresi logistik terhadap pasien PGK derajat 1-5 berusia 1-17 tahun di RS Muhammad Hoesin Palembang pada Agustus 2019 hingga April 2020. Kadar 25(OH)D diperiksa menggunakan metode enzyme immunoassay dan dikategorikan menjadi defisiensi, insufisiensi dan normal sesuai rekomendasi American Academy of Pediatric. Hasil. Didapatkan 70 pasien PGK dalam penelitian ini. Defisiensi 25(OH)D terjadi pada 64,3% subjek, insufisiensi pada 7,1% dan normal pada 28,6% subjek. Sebagian besar subjek dengan PGK derajat 1 dan 5. Analisis multivariat menunjukkan usia <14 tahun, lama diagnosis ≥2 tahun dan hipoalbuminemia memberikan risiko lebih tinggi pada pasien PGK untuk mengalami defisiensi 25(OH)D dengan OR berturut-turut 5,6; 5,1; 21,2 (p<0,05). Kesimpulan. Angka kejadian defisiensi vitamin D anak PGK 64,3%. Faktor risiko bermakna terhadap kejadian defisiensi vitamin D, yaitu hipoalbuminemia, usia <14 tahun dan lama terdiagnosis ≥2 tahun.
Peningkatan Pertumbuhan Bayi Kurang Bulan dengan Pemberian Human Milk Fortifier
Authors: Tunggadewi Dian Emiria , Radityo Adhie Nur , Sarosa Gatot Irawan
Published: July 2021

Latar belakang. Bayi kurang bulan (BKB) mempunyai beberapa permasalahan yang berkaitan dengan proses metabolisme dan perkembangan fungsi oromotor yang belum matang sehingga berisiko terjadi kekurangan gizi. Pemberian human milk fortifier (HMF) menyediakan tambahan protein, mineral, dan vitamin untuk mengejar pertumbuhan.Tujuan. Menganalisis peningkatan pertumbuhan BKB sesuai masa kehamilan (SMK) dan kecil masa kehamilan (KMK) dengan pemberian HMF.Metode. Penelitian observasional dengan 30 BKB SMK dan 23 BKB KMK di RSDK pada Januari 2019-2020. Kriteria inklusi adalah bayi dengan berat lahir <1500 gram yang pemberian enteral telah mencapai 100 ml/kg/hari, SMK atau KMK. Data yang diambil berat badan (BB) setelah 7, 14, 21, dan 28 hari diberi HMF; panjang badan (PB) dan lingkar kepala (LK) setelah 28 hari diberi HMF, dianalisis dengan nilai p<0,05 adalah bermakna.Hasil. Setelah pemberian HMF yang sesuai dengan target pencapaian peningkatan pada PB dan LK, BKB lebih banyak pada kelompok SMK, pada BB lebih banyak pada kelompok KMK. Pencapaian peningkatan pertumbuhan BKB SMK dibandingkan KMK setelah diberi HMF tidak terdapat perbedaan yang bermakna.Kesimpulan. Bayi kurang bulan SMK dan KMK yang diberi HMF telah sesuai dengan target pencapaian peningkatan BB, PB, dan LK.
Bullying: Fenomena Gunung Es di Dunia Pendidikan
Authors: Dhamayanti Meita
Published: July 2021

Bullying merupakan masalah universal yang dapat menjadi ancaman serius bagi kesehatan fisik dan emosional pada anak-anak dan remaja. Masalah bullying saat ini menjadi sorotan karena dapat memengaruhi kualitas hidup anak dan remaja secara signifikan, serta memiliki implikasi jangka panjang terhadap proses adaptasi saat mereka dewasa. Bullying di Indonesia sudah memasuki tahap memprihatinkan karena cukup banyak orang yang menganggap bahwa bullying yang dialami atau yang dilakukan sebagi tindakan yang wajar. Untuk itu tenaga kesehatan khususnya dokter spesialis anak harus memahami jenis, dampak bullying pada kesehatan fisik dan mental, deteksi dini, tata laksana, dan pencegahan bullying, serta peran dokter anak pada perilaku bullying.Bullying merupakan masalah universal yang dapat menjadi ancaman serius bagi kesehatan fisik dan emosional pada anak dan remaja. Masalah bullying saat ini menjadi sorotan karena dapat memengaruhi kualitas hidup anak dan remaja secara signifikan, serta memiliki implikasi jangka panjang terhadap proses adaptasi saat mereka dewasa. Bullying di Indonesia sudah memasuki tahap memprihatinkan karena cukup banyak orang menganggap bahwa bullying yang dialami atau dilakukan sebagi tindakan yang wajar. Untuk itu tenaga kesehatan khususnya dokter spesialis anak harus memahami jenis, dampak bullying pada kesehatan fisik dan mental, deteksi dini, tata laksana, dan pencegahan bullying, serta peran dokter anak pada perilaku bullying.