bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Analyses of Chemical Elements in Phragmites australis as Bioindication of Anthropization in Urban Lakes
Authors: Catana Rodica D. , Podosu Aurelia , Florescu Larisa I. , Mihai Raluca A. , Enache Mădălin , Cojoc Roxana , Moldoveanu Mirela
Published: December 2022

Urban areas face numerous provocations, such as air, water, and soil contamination. Additionally, urban lakes have numerous beneficial services that contribute to urban sustainability. In urban aquatic ecosystems, X-ray fluorescence can provide complex answers regarding the presence of elements associated with environmental risk. The study aimed to screen the elements with different potentials (critical raw materials—CRMs; toxic; potentially toxic) from Phragmites australis leaves along the Colentina urban river. The samples from the peri-urban and urban river courses highlighted the presence of elements with different potentials for ecosystems and human health. The investigated stations were influenced by regional anthropogenic pressures, where P. australis highlighted the absorption of the dominant elements found in the environment. From the total of 56 elements present in the samples, some have structural roles (K, Si, Ca, and Cl), some are from the CRM category, and some are airborne heavy metals and rare metals. Furthermore, among CRMs, cesium, lanthanum, magnesium, phosphorus, vanadium, sulfur, holmium, and titanium were recorded with higher values. Although the values of the elements in the anthropogenic source were in low concentrations, spatial differences were highlighted. The stations in agricultural areas were different from the peri-urban and urban ones.
Intelligent Assessment of Pavement Condition Indices Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Osman Sami Abdullah , Almoshaogeh Meshal , Jamal Arshad , Alharbi Fawaz , Al Mojil Abdulhamid , Dalhat Muhammad Abubakar
Published: December 2022

The traditional manual approach of pavement condition evaluation is being replaced by more sophisticated automated vehicle systems. Although these automated systems have eased and hastened pavement management processes, research is ongoing to further improve their performances. An average state road agency handles thousands of kilometers of the road network, most of which have multiple lanes. Yet, for practical reasons, these automated systems are designed to evaluate road networks one lane at a time. This requires time, energy, and possibly more equipment and manpower. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) analysis and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) were employed to examine the feasibility of modeling and predicting pavement distresses of multiple lanes as functions of pavement distresses of a single adjacent lane. The successful implementation of this technique has the potential to cut the energy and time requirement at the condition evaluation stage by at least half, for a uniform multi-lane highway. Results showed promising model performances that indicate the possibility of evaluating a multi-lane highway pavement condition (PC) by single lane inspection. Traffic direction parameters, location, and lane matching parameters contributed significantly to the performance of the ANN PC prediction models.
Asymmetric Effects of the Defense Burden on Environmental Degradation: Evidence from NATO Countries
Authors: Çolak Olcay , Özuyar Sevilay Ece Gümüş , Bölükbaşı Ömer Faruk
Published: December 2022

Rapid industrialization tends to occur at the expense of natural resources. Thus, countries are inclined to control natural resources for their development objectives, which may create conflicts when countries allocate scarce resources to national defense. As a major military block, NATO poses a potential threat to environmental degradation, as it comprises large industrialized arms manufacturers and military spenders. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the asymmetric effects of the defense burden on environmental degradation, which has rarely been studied in the empirical literature. Panel ARDL and NARDL methodologies were used to analyze the period 1965–2018 for the 15 oldest members of NATO. The findings of the panel ARDL analysis do not indicate any significant effect of the defense burden (ME) on carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) in the long term. On the other hand, panel NARDL analysis indicates that the effect of the defense burden on carbon emissions is asymmetric; a 1% negative change in ME leads to a 0.08% drop in CO2 emissions in the long term. In line with these findings, the results of panel causality tests verify the validity of the treadmill of destruction theory.
Modelling Research Competence in Social and Engineering Sciences at Master’s Level Programs: A Scoping Review
Authors: Stan Maria Magdalena , Dumitru Cristina , Dicu Maria Magdalena , Tudor Sofia Loredana , Langa Claudiu , Lazar Adriana Nicoleta
Published: December 2022

The research–teaching nexus in higher education has been strongly discussed and debated, especially when it comes to developing research competence and introducing evidence-based practice into the master’s degree curricula for Educational Sciences and Engineering Sciences. Previous systematic reviews have summarised the manner in which research is taught in higher education, and revealed that there is a lack of cross-disciplinary comparative analysis in research–pedagogy in various scientific disciplines, as well as in assessing and measuring the development of research competence (RC) at the level of higher education. To provide a comprehensive picture of the RC development and of the teaching RC, a scoping review (SCR) methodology was performed. For the purpose of the present study, a total of 33 research articles were analysed to investigate RC development in Engineering and in Social Sciences. RC is regarded as a core competence in Engineering Sciences, while in Educational Sciences, it is not yet a standardised concept. Despite differences in Social and Engineering studies, the review revealed some common aspects concerning RC modelling, based on specific key skills that students are supposed to acquire at the master’s degree level. This SCR draws our attention to the complex process of RC development as a long process requiring practice and activities implemented throughout the entire higher education process, regardless of scientific field.
Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Method Based on Complex t-Spherical Fuzzy Aczel–Alsina Aggregation Operators and Their Application
Authors: Ali Jawad , Naeem Muhammad
Published: December 2022

The complex t-spherical fuzzy set (Ct-SFS) is a potent tool for representing fuzziness and uncertainty compared to the picture fuzzy sets and spherical fuzzy sets. It plays a key role in modeling problems that require two-dimensional data. The present study purposes the aggregation technique of Ct-SFSs with the aid of Aczel–-Alsina (AA) operations. We first introduce certain novel AA operations of Ct-SFSs, such as the AA sum, AA product, AA scalar multiplication, and AA scalar power. Subsequently, we propound a series of complex t-spherical fuzzy averaging and geometric aggregation operators to efficiently aggregate complex t-spherical fuzzy data. In addition, we explore the different characteristics of these operators, discuss certain peculiar cases, and prove their fundamental results. Thereafter, we utilize these operators and propose entropy measures to frame a methodology for dealing with complex t-spherical fuzzy decision-making problems with unknown criteria weight data. Finally, we provide a case study about vehicle model selection to illustrate the presented method’s applicability followed by a parameter analysis and comparative study.
Genotoxic Effects of Exposure to Water-Soluble Fraction of Diesel Fuel in Sand Dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis Gametes
Authors: Chelomin Victor Pavlovich , Slobodskova Valentina Vladimirovna , Kukla Sergey Petrovich , Zhuravel Elena Vladimirovna , Chernyaev Andrey Pavlovich
Published: December 2022

Pollution of marine areas with oil and oil products is steadily growing. As part of this connection, the study of the impact of petroleum hydrocarbons on marine hydrobionts is an urgent issue of modern ecotoxicology. In our study, the genotoxic effect of the water-soluble fraction of diesel fuel at different concentrations on the gametes of the sand dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis was evaluated. It was shown that during the incubation of sperm and eggs of a sand dollar in WAF with an oil hydrocarbon content of 1.32; 2.64; 5.37; 7.92 mg/L caused the destruction of the DNA molecule to varying degrees in both types of gametes. In addition, it has been shown that with an increase in the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in WAF, a large number of cells with a high level of DNA damage appear. The success of fertilization after exposure of gametes to a water-soluble extract of petroleum hydrocarbons was also evaluated. The relationship between an increase in the concentration of hydrocarbons in the tested solutions and a decrease in the level of fertilization is shown.
Transmission Risk Predicting for Schistosomiasis in Mainland China by Exploring Ensemble Ecological Niche Modeling
Authors: Xue Jingbo , Hu Xiaokang , Hao Yuwan , Gong Yanfeng , Wang Xinyi , Huang Liangyu , Lv Shan , Xu Jing , Li Shizhu , Xia Shang
Published: December 2022

Schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma japonicum is one of the major neglected tropical diseases worldwide. The snail Oncomelania hupensis is the only intermediate host of S. japonicum, which is recognized as an indicator of the schistosomias occurrence. In order to evaluate the risk of schistosomiasis in China, this work investigate the potential geographical distribution of host snail habitus by developing an ensemble ecological niche model with reference to the suitable environmental factors. The historical records of snail habitus were collected form the national schistosomiasis surveillance program from the year of 2005 to 2014. A total of 25 environmental factors in terms of the climate, geographic, and socioeconomic determinants of snail habitats were collected and geographically coded with reference to the snail data. Based on the correlations among snail habitats and the geographically associated environmental factors, an ensemble ecological niche model was developed by integrating ten standard models, aiming for improving the predictive accuracy. Three indexes are used for model performance evaluation, including receiver operating characteristic curves, kappa statistics, and true skill statistics. The model was used for mapping the risk of schistosomiasis in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The results have shown that the predicted risk areas were classified into low risk (4.55%), medium risk (2.01%), and high risk areas (4.40%), accounting for 10.96% of the land area of China. This study demonstrated that the developed ensemble ecological niche models was an effective tool for evaluating the risk of schistosomiasis, particularly for the endemic regions, which were not covered by the national schistosomiasis control program.
Epidemiological Profile and Spatial Patterns of Enterobiasis in Children Aged 3–9 Years in China from 2016 to 2020
Authors: Huang Jilei , Zhu Huihui , Zhou Changhai , Zhu Tingjun , Zhang Mizhen , Chen Yingdan , Qian Menbao , Li Shizhu
Published: December 2022

(1) Background: Enterobius vermicularis infection causes a significant health burden in children. The infection occurs throughout the country and remains a serious public concern in China. Therefore, it is necessary to know the situation of E. vermicularis infection, to provide a scientific basis for the disease control and the optimum conditions for children’s growth. (2) Methods: Descriptive epidemiological analysis was implemented to demonstrate the status and changing trend of E. vermicularis infection from 2016 to 2020, while the spatial distribution characteristics and spatial-temporal clustering were illuminated by spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatio-temporal scanning analysis. (3) Results: The infection of E. vermicularis showed a fluctuating downward trend with a decline of 32.00% in 2020 compared to that in 2016 and was concentrated in central and southern China. There was no significant difference in infection rate between boys and girls, while the high infection rate was presented in 4-, 5- and 6- year-old children. The hotspots and spatial clustering areas were mainly concentrated in southern China. (4) Conclusions: From 2016 to 2020, the infection rate of E. vermicularis in children aged 3 to 9 years in China demonstrated a declining trend, and its distribution showed spatial clustering, mainly in southern China. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen surveillance and implement control measures in combination with health education and environmental improvement.
Susceptibilities of CNS Cells towards Rabies Virus Infection Is Linked to Cellular Innate Immune Responses
Authors: Feige Lena , Kozaki Tatsuya , Dias de Melo Guilherme , Guillemot Vincent , Larrous Florence , Ginhoux Florent , Bourhy Hervé
Published: December 2022

Rabies is caused by neurotropic rabies virus (RABV), contributing to 60,000 human deaths annually. Even though rabies leads to major public health concerns worldwide, we still do not fully understand factors determining RABV tropism and why glial cells are unable to clear RABV from the infected brain. Here, we compare susceptibilities and immune responses of CNS cell types to infection with two RABV strains, Tha and its attenuated variant Th2P-4M, mutated on phospho- (P-protein) and matrix protein (M-protein). We demonstrate that RABV replicates in human stem cell-derived neurons and astrocytes but fails to infect human iPSC-derived microglia. Additionally, we observed major differences in transcription profiles and quantification of intracellular protein levels between antiviral immune responses mediated by neurons, astrocytes (IFNB1, CCL5, CXCL10, IL1B, IL6, and LIF), and microglia (CCL5, CXCL10, ISG15, MX1, and IL6) upon Tha infection. We also show that P- and M-proteins of Tha mediate evasion of NF-κB- and JAK-STAT-controlled antiviral host responses in neuronal cell types in contrast to glial cells, potentially explaining the strong neuron-specific tropism of RABV. Further, Tha-infected astrocytes and microglia protect neurons from Tha infection via a filtrable and transferable agent. Overall, our study provides novel insights into RABV tropism, showing the interest in studying the interplay of CNS cell types during RABV infection.
Hepatitis B and C in Pregnancy and Children: A Canadian Perspective
Authors: Mendlowitz Andrew B. , Feld Jordan J. , Biondi Mia J.
Published: December 2022

In 2016, the World Health Organization released a plan to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. For Canada to achieve the recommended decreases in HBV- and HCV-related new diagnoses and deaths, an increase in services is urgently required. Identifying those at risk of, or who have acquired HBV and HCV, remains a challenge, especially with the emergence of new priority populations such as pregnant persons and children. Importantly, prenatal, and pediatric care are times when individuals are often already engaged with the healthcare system, leading to the potential for opportunistic or co-localized care and interventions. At present, Canada may not be maximizing all available virologic tools that could lead to increases in prevention, identification, improved management, or even cure. Here, we describe the continuum of care that includes preconception, prenatal, postpartum, and pediatric stages; and identify current global and Canadian recommendations, findings, and opportunities for improvement.
Vaccine or Garlic–Is It a Choice? Awareness of Medical Personnel on Prevention of Influenza Infections
Authors: Sobierajski Tomasz , Rykowska Dominika , Wanke-Rytt Monika , Kuchar Ernest
Published: December 2022

Background: Preventing the spread of the influenza virus is one of the primary health policy challenges of many countries worldwide. One of the more effective ways to prevent infection is influenza vaccination, and the people who enjoy the most public confidence in preventive health care are health workers (HWs). For this reason, it is crucial to study the attitudes of HWs toward influenza vaccination. Methods: The survey was conducted among 950 medical (physicians and nurses) and administrative staff in three academic hospitals. Respondents to the survey were selected on a random-target basis to represent hospital employees in the study best. The survey was conducted using the PAPI method between August and September 2020. Results: Respondents considered hand washing (52.8%) and avoiding contact with sick people (49.3%) the most effective ways to prevent influenza infection. Three in ten respondents considered wearing a protective mask (30.1%) and getting vaccinated against influenza (29.9%) is fully effective in preventing influenza. Influenza vaccination as effective in preventing influenza virus infection was chosen more often by those who worked in a pediatric hospital. Nurses were twice less likely than physicians to declare that influenza vaccination prevents infection (42.4% for nurses vs. 84.0% for physicians). At the same time, 20.4% of nurses believed that eating garlic effectively prevented influenza infection, and 28.1% declared daily vitamin C helpful. Conclusions: The study pointed to significant educational gaps regarding the role and effectiveness of influenza vaccination in the process of influenza virus infection and indicated a firm belief in medical myths, especially in the nursing community, related to protection against influenza virus infection.
Parents’ and Health Professionals’ Attitudes to Advancing Primary MMR Vaccine Administration from Fifteen to Six Months of Age—A Qualitative Thematic Analysis Embedded in a Randomized Trial
Authors: Kirkedal Ann-Britt Kiholm , Møller Julie Elkjær , Stensballe Lone Graff , Zoffmann Vibeke
Published: December 2022

Declining levels and duration of passively acquired maternal antibodies prompted a Danish trial to test the feasibility of advancing administration of the first measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR1) from 15 to 6 months of age. A trial-embedded qualitative study aimed to understand parents’ (N = 24) and health professionals’ (N = 11) attitudes about the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) in general and about advancing MMR1 administration. Overly positive parent attitudes were contrasted by members of a vaccine-skeptical organization including parents considering that their child was seriously vaccine-injured long ago. Parents’ attitudes to advancing MMR1 mirrored their attitudes about the MMR vaccine in general, with four positions along a continuum of trust in the healthcare system: unquestioning trust, acceptance after careful consideration, challenging indecisiveness, and defensive rejection. Low tolerance was identified between vaccine supporters and vaccine opponents. Parents of children with perceived serious vaccine-related injuries described lifelong unresolved feelings of guilt. Supporters of advanced MMR1 saw it as a timely and convenient administration of a well-known vaccine, whereas opponents feared it would disturb the children’s immature immune systems and emphasized difficulties in recognizing side effects so early in life. Health professionals were supportive of advancing the MMR1 vaccine and they carefully challenged the parents. Current MMR vaccine supporters show readiness to advance MMR1 administration.
The Characteristics of COVID-19 Vaccine-Associated Uveitis: A Summative Systematic Review
Authors: Cherif Yasmine Yousra Sadok , Djeffal Chakib , Abu Serhan Hashem , Elnahhas Ahmed , Yousef Hebatallah , Katamesh Basant E. , Abdelazeem Basel , Abdelaal Abdelaziz
Published: December 2022

Numerous complications following COVID-19 vaccination has been reported in the literature, with an increasing body of evidence reporting vaccination-associated uveitis (VAU). In this systematic review, we searched six electronic databases for articles reporting the occurrence of VAU following COVID-19 vaccination. Data were synthesized with emphasis on patients’ characteristics [age, gender], vaccination characteristics [type, dose], and outcome findings [type, nature, laterality, course, location, onset, underlying cause, and associated findings]. Data are presented as numbers (percentages) for categorical data and as mean (standard deviation) for continuous data. Sixty-five studies were finally included [43 case reports, 16 case series, four cohort, one cross-sectional, and one registry-based study]. VAU occurred in 1526 cases, most commonly in females (68.93%) and middle-aged individuals (41–50 years: 19.71%), following the first dose (49.35%) of vaccination, especially in those who received Pfizer (77.90%). VAU occurred acutely (71.77%) as an inflammatory reaction (88.29%) in unilateral eyes (77.69%), particularly in the anterior portion of the uvea (54.13%). Importantly, most cases had a new onset (69.92%) while only a limited portion of cases had a reactivation of previous uveitis condition. In conclusion, although rare, uveitis following COVID-19 vaccination should be considered in new-onset and recurrent cases presenting with either acute or chronic events.
Mortality and Associated Factors in Patients with COVID-19: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Carvalho Vergílio Pereira , Pontes João Paulo Jordão , Neto Demócrito Ribeiro de Brito , Borges Celso Eduardo Rezende , Campos Gisele Ribeiro Londe , Ribeiro Hugo Leonardo Shigenaga , Amaral Waldemar Naves do
Published: December 2022

The novel virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) is highly virulent and causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), resulting in high morbidity and mortality mainly associated with pulmonary complications. Because this virus is highly transmissible, it was quickly spread globally, resulting in COVID-19 being declared as a pandemic. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of mortality and the factors related to mortality due to COVID-19 in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) at a university hospital in the Central—West region of Brazil. This retrospective cross-sectional study was based on an analysis of the medical records of patients with SARS aged >18 years and admitted to an intensive care unit due to COVID-19 with the requirement of invasive mechanical ventilation. Hospital death was considered as an outcome variable in this study. Moreover, demographic and lifestyle-related variables as well as the therapeutic measures used during the hospital stay were recorded and correlated with the death outcome. After excluding 188 medical records, 397 were analyzed. Most of the participants were men (59.7%), and the mortality rate in patients with SARS due to COVID-19 was 46.1%. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the independent factors associated with mortality in patients with SARS due to COVID-19 were the age of >60 years (p < 0.001) and the use of azithromycin (p = 0.012). Protective factors for mortality were considered as not having the following diseases: hyperthyroidism, asthma, hepatic inheritance, and not being a smoker. The mortality rate in patients with SARS due to COVID-19 was associated with older age and the use of azithromycin.
Identification of a Potential Vaccine against Treponema pallidum Using Subtractive Proteomics and Reverse-Vaccinology Approaches
Authors: Khan Siyab , Rizwan Muhammad , Zeb Adnan , Eldeen Muhammad Alaa , Hassan Said , Ur Rehman Ashfaq , A. Eid Refaat , Samir A. Zaki Mohamed , M. Albadrani Ghadeer , E. Altyar Ahmed , Nouh Nehal Ahmed Talaat , Abdel-Daim Mohamed M. , Ullah Amin
Published: December 2022

Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection, is a deadly disease caused by Treponema pallidum. It is a Gram-negative spirochete that can infect nearly every organ of the human body. It can be transmitted both sexually and perinatally. Since syphilis is the second most fatal sexually transmitted disease after AIDS, an efficient vaccine candidate is needed to establish long-term protection against infections by T. pallidum. This study used reverse-vaccinology-based immunoinformatic pathway subtractive proteomics to find the best antigenic proteins for multi-epitope vaccine production. Six essential virulent and antigenic proteins were identified, including the membrane lipoprotein TpN32 (UniProt ID: O07950), DNA translocase FtsK (UniProt ID: O83964), Protein Soj homolog (UniProt ID: O83296), site-determining protein (UniProt ID: F7IVD2), ABC transporter, ATP-binding protein (UniProt ID: O83930), and Sugar ABC superfamily ATP-binding cassette transporter, ABC protein (UniProt ID: O83782). We found that the multiepitope subunit vaccine consisting of 4 CTL, 4 HTL, and 11 B-cell epitopes mixed with the adjuvant TLR-2 agonist ESAT6 has potent antigenic characteristics and does not induce an allergic response. Before being docked at Toll-like receptors 2 and 4, the developed vaccine was modeled, improved, and validated. Docking studies revealed significant binding interactions, whereas molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated its stability. Furthermore, the immune system simulation indicated significant and long-lasting immunological responses. The vaccine was then reverse-transcribed into a DNA sequence and cloned into the pET28a (+) vector to validate translational activity as well as the microbial production process. The vaccine developed in this study requires further scientific consensus before it can be used against T. pallidum to confirm its safety and efficacy.
Evaluation of Two Adjuvant Formulations for an Inactivated Yellow Fever 17DD Vaccine Candidate in Mice
Authors: Cajaraville Ana Carolina dos Reis Albuquerque , Gomes Mariana Pierre de Barros , Azamor Tamiris , Pereira Renata Carvalho , Neves Patrícia Cristina da Costa , De Luca Paula Mello , Lima Sheila Maria Barbosa de , Gaspar Luciane Pinto , Caride Elena , Freire Marcos da Silva , Medeiros Marco Alberto
Published: December 2022

The attenuated yellow fever (YF) vaccine is one of the most successful vaccines ever developed. After a single dose administration YF vaccine can induce balanced Th1/Th2 immune responses and long-lasting neutralizing antibodies. These attributes endorsed it as a model of how to properly stimulate the innate response to target protective immune responses. Despite their longstanding success, attenuated YF vaccines can cause rare fatal adverse events and are contraindicated for persons with immunosuppression, egg allergy and age < 6 months and >60 years. These drawbacks have encouraged the development of a non-live vaccine. The aim of the present study is to characterize and compare the immunological profile of two adjuvant formulations of an inactivated YF 17DD vaccine candidate. Inactivated YF vaccine formulations based on alum (Al(OH)3) or squalene (AddaVax®) were investigated by immunization of C57BL/6 mice in 3-dose or 2-dose schedules, respectively, and compared with a single dose of attenuated YF virus 17DD. Sera were analyzed by ELISA and Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) for detection of total IgG and neutralizing antibodies against YF virus. In addition, splenocytes were collected to evaluate cellular responses by ELISpot. Both inactivated formulations were able to induce high titers of IgG against YF, although neutralizing antibodies levels were borderline on pre-challenge samples. Analysis of IgG subtypes revealed a predominance of IgG2a associated with improved neutralizing capacity in animals immunized with the attenuated YF vaccine, and a predominance of IgG1 in groups immunized with experimental non-live formulations (alum and AddaVax®). After intracerebral (IC) challenge, attenuated and inactivated vaccine formulations showed an increase in neutralizing antibodies. The AddaVax®-based inactivated vaccine and the attenuated vaccine achieved 100% protection, and alum-based equivalent formulation achieved 70% protection.
Higher COVID-19 Vaccination Rates Are Associated with Lower COVID-19 Mortality: A Global Analysis
Authors: Hoxha Ilir , Agahi Riaz , Bimbashi Altina , Aliu Mrika , Raka Lul , Bajraktari Ilirjana , Beqiri Petrit , Adams Lisa V.
Published: December 2022

Mass vaccination initiatives are underway worldwide, and a considerable percentage of the world’s population is now vaccinated. This study examined the association of COVID-19 deaths per 1000 cases with a fully vaccinated population. The global median deaths per 1000 cases were 15.68 (IQR 9.84, 25.87) after 6 months of vaccinations and 11.96 (IQR 6.08, 20.63) after 12 months. Across 164 countries, we found significant variations in vaccination levels of populations, booster doses, and mortality, with higher vaccine coverage and lower mortality in high-income countries. Several regression models were performed to test the association between vaccination and COVID-19 mortality. Control variables were used to account for confounding variables. A 10-percentage-point increase in vaccination was associated with an 18.1% decrease in mortality after 6 months (95%CI, 7.4–28.8%) and a 16.8% decrease after 12 months (95%CI, 6.9–26.7%). A 10-percentage-point increase in booster vaccination rates was associated with a 33.1% decrease in COVID-19 mortality (95%CI, 16.0–50.2%). This relationship is present in most analyses by country income groups with variations in the effect size. Efforts are needed to reduce vaccine hesitancy while ensuring suitable infrastructure and supply to enable all countries to increase their vaccination rates.
A Monovalent Mt10-CVB3 Vaccine Prevents CVB4-Accelerated Type 1 Diabetes in NOD Mice
Authors: Rasquinha Mahima T. , Lasrado Ninaad , Sur Meghna , Mone Kiruthiga , Qiu Haowen , Riethoven Jean-Jack , Sobel Raymond A. , Reddy Jay
Published: December 2022

Enteroviruses, which include Coxsackieviruses, are a common cause of virus infections in humans, and multiple serotypes of the group B Coxsackievirus (CVB) can induce similar diseases. No vaccines are currently available to prevent CVB infections because developing serotype-specific vaccines is not practical. Thus, developing a vaccine that induces protective immune responses for multiple serotypes is desired. In that direction, we created a live-attenuated CVB3 vaccine virus, designated mutant (Mt)10, that offers protection against myocarditis and pancreatitis induced by CVB3 and CVB4 in disease-susceptible A/J mice. Here, we report that the Mt10 vaccine protected against CVB4-triggered type 1 diabetes (T1D) in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice but the expected subsequent development of spontaneous T1D in these genetically predisposed NOD mice was not altered. We noted that Mt10 vaccine induced significant amounts of neutralizing antibodies, predominantly of the IgG2c isotype, and the virus was not detected in vaccine-challenged animals. Furthermore, monitoring blood glucose levels—and to a lesser extent, insulin antibodies—was found to be helpful in predicting vaccine responses. Taken together, our data suggest that the monovalent Mt10 vaccine has the potential to prevent infections caused by multiple CVB serotypes, as we have demonstrated in various pre-clinical models.
Maternal Tetanus Toxoid Vaccination in Benin: Evidence from the Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Amoak Daniel , Kye Nancy Osei , Anfaara Florence Wullo , Sano Yujiro , Antabe Roger
Published: December 2022

Tetanus toxoid vaccination is critical for improving maternal and child health. Yet, the prevalence and correlates of maternal tetanus toxoid vaccination coverage remain largely underexplored in Benin where infant and child mortality rates are high. Using the 2017–18 Benin Demographic and Health Survey, we apply logistic regression analysis to address this void in the literature. We find that overall maternal vaccination coverage is 69%. A range of demographic, health care, and socioeconomic factors are associated with maternal tetanus toxoid vaccination coverage. Women aged 20–34 (OR = 0.84, p < 0.05) and 35–49 (OR = 0.63, p < 0.01) are less likely to receive tetanus toxoid vaccination in comparison to those aged 15–19. Health care factors are also significantly associated with maternal tetanus toxoid vaccination, indicating that women who deliver at home (OR = 0.20, p < 0.001) and visit antenatal care fewer than eight times (OR = 0.62, p < 0.001) are less likely to receive tetanus toxoid vaccination than their counterparts who deliver in a health facility and visit antenatal care eight times or more. We also find that women with secondary (OR = 0.54, p < 0.05), primary (OR = 0.47, p < 0.01), and no education (OR = 0.47, p < 0.01) are less likely to receive tetanus toxoid vaccination compared to their counterparts with higher education. Based on these findings, we discuss several implications for policymakers.
An Overview of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition in Canine Tumors: How Far Have We Come?
Authors: Armando Federico , Mazzola Federico , Ferrari Luca , Corradi Attilio
Published: December 2022

Historically, pre-clinical and clinical studies in human medicine have provided new insights, pushing forward the contemporary knowledge. The new results represented a motivation for investigators in specific fields of veterinary medicine, who addressed the same research topics from different perspectives in studies based on experimental and spontaneous animal disease models. The study of different pheno-genotypic contexts contributes to the confirmation of translational models of pathologic mechanisms. This review provides an overview of EMT and MET processes in both human and canine species. While human medicine rapidly advances, having a large amount of information available, veterinary medicine is not at the same level. This situation should provide motivation for the veterinary medicine research field, to apply the knowledge on humans to research in pets. By merging the knowledge of these two disciplines, better and faster results can be achieved, thus improving human and canine health.
Bioelectricity Generation and Decolorization of Reactive Blue 221 Using a Modified Cathode Dual-Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell
Authors: Mousavian Mohammad Amin , Hosseini Sepideh , Ayati Bita
Published: December 2022

In this study, the simultaneous enzymatic decolorization of reactive blue 221 (RB221) and the performance of different electrode carbon nanotube (CNT)-modified/unmodified carbon graphite cathodes were investigated in a dual-chamber Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) at a permanent temperature of 25 °C. The maximum power density and maximum voltage increased by approximately 13.6% and 50%, respectively, when using the CNT-modified carbon graphite electrode as the cathode. A suspended laccase enzyme was utilized in the cathode compartment for dye decolorization. In the absence of the dye, laccase caused an increase in power density to about 28%. In addition, this research revealed that an initial dye concentration of 80 mg/L simultaneously resulted in an enzymatic decolorization efficiency of 73.4% in the cathode chamber and 82.3% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of sucrose in the anode chamber. Finally, this study substantiates the fact that an MFC equipped with a CNT-modified carbon graphite electrode can be used for bioelectricity generation and effective dye removal.
Coffee Industry and Ways of Using By-Products as Bioadsorbents for Removal of Pollutants
Authors: Skorupa Angelika , Worwąg Małgorzata , Kowalczyk Mariusz
Published: December 2022

As a result of anthropological activities, various pollutants, for example heavy metals, enter the environment in significant quantities. They have the potential to accumulate in living organisms and are not biodegradable in the environment. This poses a major threat to the health and life of living organisms and the environment. Therefore, the search for effective technologies to reduce anthropic pollutants in the environment is so important. Currently, membrane techniques, chemical precipitation, electrolysis, coagulation, ion exchange and adsorption, among others, are used to remove heavy metal ions. The most versatile method is adsorption on adsorbents. It is a relatively simple method, but very expensive. This prompts a constant search for new, effective and inexpensive adsorbents. Coffee is one of the most important foodstuffs and agricultural commodities in the world. From the point of view of the circular economy, by-products from the processing of coffee beans have become a valuable raw material in other areas of life. An important way to manage waste from the coffee bean processing industry is to produce adsorbents using it. There are data from laboratory studies indicating that it is possible to produce effective and low-cost adsorbents using by-products from the agro-food industry to remove pollutants from the aquatic environment and wastewater. Laboratory studies prove the high efficiency of heavy metal removal when using coffee-processing waste as adsorbents. However, data from real-world studies are still lacking. In addition, there is a lack of data from analyses on the impact of alternative adsorbents on economic, environmental and social aspects.
Ecological Risk Assessment and Source Analysis of Heavy Metals in the Soils of a Lead-Zinc Mining Watershed Area
Authors: Pan Yongxing , Chen Meng , Wang Xiaotong , Chen Yudao , Dong Kun
Published: December 2022

In this study, concentrations of Cr, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sb, and Fe were determined in soils of a Pb-Zn mine watershed in northern Guangxi, China, for ecological risk assessment and source analysis. The atomic fluorescence spectrometry and ICP-OES were used to determine concentrations of heavy metals (HMs), and the total amount of Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb exceeded the limit. Among them, the weak acid extractable fraction (F1) state masses of Pb, Mn, and Zn accounted for a higher ecological risk. The study area was divided into three distinct areas: highest concentrations of HMs were distributed in front of the Sidi River mountain (1# and 2#) and at the subterranean river entrance (5# and 6#), followed by the area along the river and the irrigated area of the river (3# and 4#), and the central highlands and southwestern parts had low concentrations (7# and 8#). The ecological risk assessment results indicate Cd is of extremely high ecological risk, Pb and Mn are of medium minor ecological risk, Zn is of minor ecological risk, and the rest have almost no impact on the eco-environment. The source apportionment results showed that Cu, Zn, Cd, Sb, and Pb were mainly controlled by anthropogenic activities, such as mining; Cr, Fe, and As were mainly influenced by natural processes, such as soil-forming parent rocks; and Mn is jointly controlled by mining and soil-forming parent rocks. This study can provide scientific guidance and technical support for soil risk control or remediation in mining areas.
The matter of features of audit in construction
Authors:   North Caucasian state academy, Psheunova L. I.
Published: December 2022

The article discusses the legislative framework of the Russian audit, the features of all three types of construction audit, the main objectives of the audit in construction organizations, the need for an audit in construction organizations. The final result of the audit in construction is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of construction, recommendations directly related to the pricing strategy.
Transformation of marketing interaction tools in the context of digitalization of the economy
Authors:   Department of Management and Innovation, Faculty of Higher School of Management, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Belous I. E. , Cherepovskaya N. A. ,   Department of Management and Innovation, Faculty of Higher School of Management, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation
Published: December 2022

In modern conditions, the success of marketing communications plays a key role in business development and its long-term functioning. Therefore, the question of the effectiveness of the use of marketing tools and their changes is becoming increasingly relevant. Digitalization has significantly affected the communicative functions of marketing, transforming traditional marketing tools and creating new ones. The aim of the work is to consider the evolution of marketing interaction tools and to identify modern trends in their development. The study made it possible to study the impact of digitalization on various marketing interaction tools.
Modernization of the sludge processing process in the city of Kazan
Authors:   National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (NRU MGSU), Moscow, Alekseeva A. V. , Mottaeva A. B. ,   Department of Management and Innovation, Faculty of Higher School of Management, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow
Published: December 2022

The volume of accumulated sludge from sewage treatment plants in large cities can be millions of cubic meters, and the area of the silt fields themselves is hundreds of hectares. One of the possible options for the disposal of treated sediment is its use as a soil for technical or biological reclamation of disturbed areas, including silt sites. During sludge treatment, the waste becomes a product, it is stabilized and decontaminated, and the territory reclaimed with the use of the resulting compost is returned to circulation.
Collection and disposal of plastic waste on the example of the city of Kaliningrad
Authors:   National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (NRU MGSU), Moscow, Andreev I. O. , Mottaeva A. B. ,   Department of Management and Innovation, Faculty of Higher School of Management, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation
Published: December 2022

The housing and communal fund is a complex and dynamic structure, the development of which affects the quality of life of the population, and therefore, this topic has been relevant for more than a dozen years. The main purpose of the article is to demonstrate the existing problems of garbage collection and disposal, and to offer its solution. With the attraction of investment funds, it is possible to create new solid waste processing plants, which will directly affect the environmental situation and, accordingly, the quality of life of the population of the city of Kaliningrad.
Vicious circles in chronic generalized periodontitis pathogenesis
Authors: Ivanov A. N. , Savkina A. A. , Lengert E. V. , Ermakov A. V. , Stepanova T. V. , Loiko D. D.
Published: December 2022

Relevance. The high prevalence of periodontal diseases, late presentation of patients, especially at the early stages, the ineffectiveness of the provided treatment, and complex still-not-fully-understood mechanisms of the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases render chronic generalized periodontitis (CGP) a socio-medical problem.The study aims to consider the pathogenic mechanisms which characterize the development of CGP.Materials and methods. The study conducted a systematic literature search, which included publications from 2005 to 2022. The studies were found by searching electronic databases PubMed and Google Search.Results. The dental plaque microbiota is a common cause contributing to the initiation of the inflammatory process in the periodontal tissues. But its presence alone is not enough for the manifestation of all periodontal pathological reactions. The principal role in regulating the phases of the inflammation belongs to cytokines and other mediators, the imbalance of which causes the chronification of the process. Microvascular blood flow disorders, which determine the clinical manifestations, are an important part of the pathogenesis at all stages of CGP. Cellular reactions that occur during CGP as a response to the periodontal pathogen invasion protect periodontal tissues and simultaneously induce their destruction, thereby increasing bacterial contamination.Conclusion. The formation of intricately related several key vicious circles, including cytokine, vascular, leukocyte and reparative, is one of the most important particularities of CGP pathogenesis.
Interactive digital platform and cyber-physical systems in medical education
Authors: Arutyunov S. D. , Yuzhakov A. A. , Kharakh Y. N. , Bezukladnikov I. I. , Astashina N. B. , Baidarov A. A.
Published: December 2022

Relevance. The success and progress of medical education are inherently linked to the achievements of fundamental and applied sciences and depend on the degree of curriculum fulfilment with advanced digital technology effectiveness. The article considers new forms of learning organization based on digital platforms. Information and communication technologies (platforms) allow effective distant coordination of the academic paths for large numbers of students and strict unbiased control over the implementation of assigned tasks. The article considers the specific features of medical digital platforms, algorithmic management forms, necessity and importance of cyber-physical systems, and gives examples of single robotic element implementation used in learning platf orms.Materials and Methods. The publication selection criteria were: papers published after 2000; relevance to the keywords "Education", "Medical Education", and "Patient Simulation"; publications included in the databases "ScienceDirect" (Scopus), "IEEE", or "NCBI".Results. Twenty-seven scientific publications were selected by the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Conclusion. The online learning platform formed by a set of transformed traditional curricula allows for a full access of students to learning resources and can stimulate the teaching staff competencies, which is, in general, a relevant and promising direction for improving the effectiveness of the learning process.
Comparative analysis of method effectiveness for relieving masticatory muscle hypertonicity in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Makedonova Yu. A. , Vorobyev A. A. , Osyko A. N. , Alexandrov A. V. , Pavlova-Adamovich A. G. , Gatsenko S. M.
Published: December 2022

Relevance. Relevance. Cerebral palsy is a persistent lesion of the nervous system. Though it is stable, the consequences of the lesion are progressing. Muscle hypertonicity is one of the principal complications which may progress. The spasticity of chewing muscles limits mouth opening, which prevents the children from practising good oral hygiene and results in multiple dental diseases. Such patients need dental care with a specific approach. The relief of masticatory muscle hypertonicity should be a priority. Nowadays, there is a large variety of methods for treating spasticity.The study aimed to comparatively analyse the effectiveness of methods for relieving masticatory muscle hypertonicity in children with cerebral palsy.Materials and methods. The patients formed two groups: the first group used kinesio taping to reduce spasticity, and the second group was prescribed adaptive chewing muscles exercises combined with the gnathic device. The study evaluated the clinical results using the developed screening diagnosis and functional results by electromyographic examination after 14 days and three months.Results. Both groups showed positive treatment routcomes. Children demonstrated significant improvement clinically and electromyographically. However, the short-term observation discovered a faster effect of kinesio taping, though the differences were not statistically significant. Adaptive chewing muscles exercises combined with the gnathic device are more effective in the long run, which statistical analysis of data reliably ref lects.Conclusion. The study reliably proved the need to include both kinesio taping and adaptive myofunctional exercises in the treatment to relieve muscle hypertonicity. There were no side effects or complications. Treatment planning requires an individual approach based on the clinical situation .