bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Preoperative Audiovisual Speech Perception on the Audiologic Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Patients with Postlingual Deafness
Authors: Lee Hyun Jin , Lee Jeon Mi , Choi Jae Young , Jung Jinsei
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Patients with postlingual deafness usually depend on visual information for communication, and their lipreading ability could influence cochlear implantation (CI) outcomes. However, it is unclear whether preoperative visual dependency in postlingual deafness positively or negatively affects auditory rehabilitation after CI. Herein, we investigated the influence of preoperative audiovisual per­ception on CI outcomes. Method: In this retrospective case-comparison study, 118 patients with postlingual deafness who underwent unilateral CI were enrolled. Evaluation of speech perception was performed under both audiovisual (AV) and audio-only (AO) conditions before and after CI. Before CI, the speech perception test was performed under hearing aid (HA)-assisted conditions. After CI, the speech perception test was performed under the CI-only condition. Only patients with a 10% or less preoperative AO speech perception score were included. Results: Multivariable regression analysis showed that age, gender, residual hearing, operation side, education level, and HA usage were not correlated with either postoperative AV (pAV) or AO (pAO) speech perception. However, duration of deafness showed a significant negative correlation with both pAO (p = 0.003) and pAV (p = 0.015) speech perceptions. Notably, the preoperative AV speech perception score was not correlated with pAO speech perception (R2 = 0.00134, p = 0.693) but was positively associated with pAV speech perception (R2 = 0.0731, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Preoperative dependency on audiovisual information may positively influence pAV speech perception in patients with postlingual deafness.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Spanish Cohort of CKD-5D Patients: Prevalence, Clinical Presentation, Outcomes, and De-Isolation Results
Authors: Broseta José Jesús , Rodríguez-Espinosa Diana , Cuadrado Elena , Guillén-Olmos Elena , Hermida Evelyn , Montagud-Marrahi Enrique , Rodas Lida , Vera Manel , Fontseré Néstor , Arias Marta , Cases Aleix , Maduell Francisco
Published: December 2020

Introduction: COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that has easily spread worldwide. Outpatient maintenance hemodialysis seems to entail an increased risk of contagion, and previous reports inform of increased mortality among this population. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical and laboratory parameters, outcomes, and management once discharged of CKD-5D patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 from our health area. Results: Out of the 429 CKD-5D population, 36 were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection (8%): 34 on in-center hemodialysis and 2 on peritoneal dialysis. Five were asymptomatic. The most common symptom was fever (70%), followed by dyspnea and cough. History of cardiovascular disease and elevation of LDH and C-reactive protein during admission were associated with higher mortality. Thirteen patients died (36%), 8 patients were admitted to an ICU, and survival was low (38%) among the latter. The mean time to death was 12 days. Most discharged patients got negative rRT-PCR in nasopharyngeal swabs within 26 days of diagnosis. However, there is a portion of cured patients that continue to have positive results even more than 2 months after the initial presentation. Conclusions: Patients on dialysis have an increased mortality risk if infected with SARS-CoV-2. Preventive measures have proven useful. Thus, proper ones, such as universal screening of the population and isolation when required, need to be generalized. Better de-isolation criteria are necessary to ensure an appropriate use of public health resources.
How Response Styles Moderate the Relationship between Daily Stress and Social Interactions in Depression, Social Phobia, and Controls
Authors: Gloster Andrew T. , Hoyer Jürgen , Karekla Maria , Meyer Andrea , Bader Klaus , Imboden Christian , Mikoteit Thorsten , Hatzinger Martin , Lieb Roselind
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Stress and social isolation are potent predictors of negative health outcomes and are impacted in mood and anxiety disorders. Difficulties in social interactions have been particularly noted in people diagnosed with major depression disorder (MDD) and social phobia (SP). It remains poorly understood, however, how these variables interact on a moment-to-moment basis and which variables moderate this relationship. Psychological flexibility, or the ability to be open to experiences while maintaining engagement in valued activities, may help moderate the relationship between stress and social interaction. Objective: This study examined these variables in participants diagnosed with MDD and SP and compared them to a control group. Methods: Participants were diagnosed with a mental disorder (n = 118 MDD; n = 47 SP) or were in the control group consisting of participants without MDD or SP (n = 119). Using the event sampling methodology (ESM), participants were queried six times per day for 7 days about stress, social interactions, and emotional response (rigid vs. flexible). Results: Higher current stress levels were related to more social interactions. This relationship was even stronger in situations when response flexibility was increased, especially in the clinical groups. Conclusions: Data suggest that a healthy psychological process (flexible emotional responding) buffers the relationship between stress and social interactions. We discuss how these variables interact and whether these patterns may paradoxically contribute to the maintenance of psychopathology.
Effects of Virtual Reality with Motor Imagery Techniques in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kashif Muhammad , Ahmad Ashfaq , Bandpei Muhammad Ali Mohseni , Gillani Syed Amir , Hanif Asif , Iram Humaira
Published: December 2020

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurological disorders, of insidious onset, with major motor symptomatology including bradykinesia, rest tremor, rigidity, and postural disturbances. Virtual reality (VR) and motor imagery (MI) are among the more innovative techniques for the rehabilitation of patients with PD which promote motor learning both through explicit and implicit processes. This study is unique in that it will examine the combined effects of VR and MI on motor function, balance and activities of daily living (ADLs) in patients with PD. Objective: The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of VR with MI techniques in addition to routine physical therapy on motor function, balance, and ADLs in patients with PD. Methods: This is a two-armed parallel design, single-blinded (assessor blinded), single-centered, randomized controlled trial, and the study protocol is based on SPIRIT guidelines. Thirty-four patients with PD (Modified Hoehn and Yahr stages I–III) will be randomly allocated with a 1:1 ratio into Group A (control group) and Group B (treatment group). Group A will be given routine physical therapy in 40-min sessions and 20 min of walking and cycling with a short period of rest, every alternate day (3 days per week) for 12 weeks, while for Group B routine physical therapy protocols along with VR and MI will be used in 60-min sessions, every alternate day (3 days per week) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measures are as follows: (i) the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS; part III), (ii) the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC). The secondary outcome measure is the UPDRS (part II). Assessments will be recorded at baseline, the sixth and twelfth weeks of therapy, and 1 month after the discontinuation of therapy. Clinical Study Registration: This randomized controlled prospective study was registered with the Iranian Registry of clinical trials (IRCT20200221046567N1) on April 1, 2020 (https://www.irct.ir/trial/46073).
Improved Survival beyond 28 Days up to 1 Year after CytoSorb Treatment for Refractory Septic Shock: A Propensity-Weighted Retrospective Survival Analysis
Authors: Brouwer Willem P. , Duran Servet , Ince Can
Published: December 2020

Background and Aims: It is currently unknown whether CytoSorb treatment for septic shock improves long-term survival beyond 28 days from intensive care unit (ICU) admission and which factors determine outcome. Methods: This was a long-term follow-up retrospective analysis of patients with septic shock who were treated with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) + CytoSorb (n = 67) or CRRT alone (n = 49). These patients were previously analyzed for 28-day mortality. The primary outcome was the time to long-term all-cause mortality. Factors associated with time to event were analyzed both weighted by stabilized inverse probability of treatment weights (sIPTW) as well as unweighted stratified by therapy received. Results: The median follow-up for the total cohort was 30 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 5–334, maximum 1,059 days) after ICU admission and 333 days (IQR: 170–583) for those who survived beyond 28 days (n = 59). Survival beyond 28 days was sustained up to 1 year after ICU admission for both treatment regimens: 80% (standard error [SE] 7%) vs. 87% (SE 7%), for CytoSorb vs. CRRT, respectively, p = 0.853. By sIPTW, CytoSorb was significantly associated with long-term outcome compared to CRRT (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37–0.93, p = 0.025). Independent factors associated with long-term outcome in CytoSorb-treated patients were baseline log10 lactate levels (aHR 5.1, p = 0.002), age in the presence of comorbidity (aHR 2.60, p = 0.013), and presence of abdominal sepsis (aHR 0.34, p = 0.004). A lactate level above 6.0 mmol/L at the start of CytoSorb therapy had a positive predictive value of 79% for mortality (p = 0.013). Conclusions: Survival is achieved with CytoSorb and CRRT for patients with septic shock beyond 28 days from ICU admission and may be improved for CytoSorb treatment. Lactate levels above 6.0 mmol/L at the start of CytoSorb therapy are predictive of worse outcome with high specificity and positive predictive value.
Long-Term Effects of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Body Composition and Bone Mass Density
Authors: Bühler Julian , Rast Silvan , Beglinger Christoph , Peterli Ralph , Peters Thomas , Gebhart Martina , Meyer-Gerspach Anne Christin , Wölnerhanssen Bettina Karin
Published: December 2020

Background: Currently, the two most common bariatric procedures are laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). Long-term data comparing the two interventions in terms of their effect on body composition and bone mass density (BMD) are scarce. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess body composition and BMD at least 5 years after LSG and LRYGB. Setting: Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, St. Claraspital Basel and St. Clara Research Ltd., Basel, Switzerland. Methods:Bariatric patients at least 5 years after surgery (LSG or LRYGB) were recruited, and body composition and BMD were measured by means of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Data from body composition before surgery were included in the analysis. Blood samples were taken for determination of plasma calcium, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D3, alkaline phosphatase, and C-terminal telopeptide, and the individual risk for osteoporotic fracture assessed by the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool score was calculated. After surgery, all patients received multivitamins, vitamin D3, and zinc. In addition, LRYGB patients were prescribed calcium. Results: A total of 142 patients were included, 72 LSG and 70 LRYGB, before surgery: median body mass index 43.1, median age 45.5 years, 62.7% females. Follow-up after a median of 6.7 years. For LRYGB, the percentage total weight loss at follow-up was 26.3% and for LSG 24.1% (p = 0.243). LRYGB led to a slightly lower fat percentage in body composition. At follow-up, 45% of both groups had a T score at the femoral neck below –1, indicating osteopenia. No clinically relevant difference in BMD was found between the groups. Conclusions:At 6.7 years after surgery, no difference in body composition and BMD between LRYGB and LSG was found. Deficiencies and bone loss remain an issue after both interventions and should be monitored.
γ-Secretase Genetics of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Wang Zhongshuai , Yan Yan , Wang Baoxi
Published: December 2020

Background: Acne inversa/hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory disease of the skin that can significantly affect patients’ quality of life. The etiology and pathogenesis of HS are unclear and gene mutations might play a role. Summary: The primary focus of the review is on aggregating the gene mutations reported, summarizing the structure of γ-secretase and analyzing and speculating about the mechanism and the underlying relations between gene mutation and functional changes of protein. The systematic literature review was done by searching the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. γ-Secretase is an intramembrane protease complex responsible for the intramembranous cleavage of more than 30 type-1 transmembrane proteins including amyloid precursor protein and Notch receptors. The protein complex consists of four hydrophobic proteins: presenilin, presenilin enhancer-2 (PSENEN), nicastrin, and anterior pharynx defective 1 (APH1). To date, 57 mutations of γ-secretase genes have been reported in 70 patients or families worldwide, including 39 in NCSTN, 14 in PSENEN, and 4 in PSEN1, of which 17 are frameshifts, 15 result in nonsense mutations, 13 in missense mutations, and 12 are splice site mutations. Given the structure of γ-secretase and analysis of related mutation loci of NCSTN, PSENEN, and PSEN1, mutations in γ-secretase genes could affect activation of presenilin, prevent substrate binding, and hinder intramembrane cleavage of select proteins.
Early-Term Complications after Carotid Endarterectomy and Their Risk Factors: Eight-Year Employment of Local Treatment Protocol of a Russian High-Volume Center
Authors: Skrypnik Denis , Vinogradov Roman , Falco Coral , Baryshev Alexander , Porhanov Vladimir
Published: December 2020

Background: More than 20,000 carotid endarterectomies are performed annually in the Russian Federation. Until now, no studies based on the national carotid data set have been published. The objectives of this study were to evaluate early outcomes after carotid endarterectomy and to identify potential risk factors for major adverse cardiovascular events. Materials and Methods: The retrospective analysis was based on data recorded in a single-center registry, including all carotid endarterectomies performed between 2010 and 2017. A univariate analysis was used to identify the risk factors for perioperative mortality, and predictors of stroke were determined using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: Data from 1,832 patients with a mean age of 64.1 ± 7.6 years were analyzed. The combined in-hospital mortality was 0.65% (12/1,832). The rate of stroke was 0.7% (13/1,832), and the rate of myocardial infarction was 1.1% (20/1,832). The 30-day stroke-free survival was 99%. A history of stroke (p = 0.02) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; p = 0.0001) were found to be predictive of a lethal stroke. Previous myocardial infarction (p = 0.0001), an advanced stage of congestive heart failure (p = 0.0001), and angina pectoris (p = 0.01) were associated with cardiac-related mortality. Moreover, diabetes mellitus (p = 0.03), COPD (p = 0.0001), and carotid calcinosis (p = 0.006) increased the risk of poor survival due to myocardial infarction. The mean duration of clamping was found to be an independent predictor of any perioperative stroke (OR = 1.109; 95% CI 1.052–1.129; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The present retrospective analysis of the local carotid surgery register showed appropriate outcomes after CEA regarding the cumulative incidence of MACE, which is comparable to previously published international register data. A previous history of stroke, myocardial infarction, COPD, a prolonged clamping time during CEA, and diabetes mellitus were found to be factors of high-risk for cardiovascular mortality. A prolonged clamping was identified as an independent predictor of any stroke.
Estrous Cycle Modulation of Feeding and Relaxin-3/Rxfp3 mRNA Expression: Implications for Estradiol Action
Authors: de Ávila Camila , Chometton Sandrine , Calvez Juliane , Guèvremont Geneviève , Kania Alan , Torz Lola , Lenglos Christophe , Blasiak Anna , Rosenkilde Mette M. , Holst Birgitte , Conrad Cheryl D. , Fryer John D. , Timofeeva Elena , Gundlach Andrew L. , Cifani Carlo
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Food intake varies during the ovarian hormone/estrous cycle in humans and rodents, an effect mediated mainly by estradiol. A potential mediator of the central anorectic effects of estradiol is the neuropeptide relaxin-3 (RLN3) synthetized in the nucleus incertus (NI) and acting via the relaxin family peptide-3 receptor (RXFP3). Methods: We investigated the relationship between RLN3/RXFP3 signaling and feeding behavior across the female rat estrous cycle. We used in situ hybridization to investigate expression patterns of Rln3 mRNA in NI and Rxfp3 mRNA in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), medial preoptic area (MPA), and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), across the estrous cycle. We identified expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) in the NI using droplet digital PCR and assessed the electrophysiological responsiveness of NI neurons to estradiol in brain slices. Results: Rln3 mRNA reached the lowest levels in the NI pars compacta during proestrus. Rxfp3 mRNA levels varied across the estrous cycle in a region-specific manner, with changes observed in the perifornical LHA, magnocellular PVN, dorsal BNST, and MPA, but not in the parvocellular PVN or lateral LHA. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (Gper1) mRNA was the most abundant ER transcript in the NI. Estradiol inhibited 33% of type 1 NI neurons, including RLN3-positive cells. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the RLN3/RXFP3 system is modulated by the estrous cycle, and although further studies are required to better elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of estradiol signaling, current results implicate the involvement of the RLN3/RXFP3 system in food intake fluctuations observed across the estrous cycle in female rats.
Significados de paternidad para jóvenes universitarios: cotidianidad, relaciones y cambios en proyecto de vida
Authors: Hernández-Quirama Andrea , Rivero-Rubio Carolina , Linares-García Johana
Published: December 2020

Resumen (analítico)Las paternidades en universitarios conllevan vulnerabilidades, cambios y dicotomías. Comprender los significados atribuidos a su paternidad implicó basarse en principios del interaccionismo simbólico a partir de la descripción de cotidianidad, relaciones y cambios en su proyecto de vida. La metodología se basó en el enfoque de teoría fundamentada. Se aplicaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a profundidad a ocho estudiantes de pregrado de una universidad pública enColombia. Ser joven, padre y estudiante implica asumir múltiples actividades que llevan a reducir la paternidad a una responsabilidad predominantemente económica. Generando tensiones en los jóvenes quienes se ven ante la necesidad de intensificar o incursionar en mercados laborales precarizados que afectan la salud mental y física; por ende, repercuten en el rendimiento académico y perpetúan los roles tradicionales atribuidos a los géneros.
Palabras clave: Padres, joven, estudiante, universidad.
Perfil nutricional de alimentos ultraprocessados consumidos por crianças no Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Anastácio Carine de Oliveira Avelar , Oliveira Juliana Martins , Moraes Milena Miranda de , Damião Jorginete de Jesus , Castro Inês Rugani Ribeiro de
Published: December 2020

OBJETIVO: Analisar a composição nutricional dos alimentos ultraprocessados consumidos por crianças usuárias de unidades básicas de saúde. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo seccional com amostra probabilística representativa de 536 crianças de 6 a 59 meses de idade atendidas em uma unidade de saúde no município do Rio de Janeiro. Informações nutricionais foram extraídas dos rótulos dos alimentos ultraprocessados referidos em recordatório de 24 horas. Os 351 alimentos citados foram divididos em 22 grupos e 38 subgrupos de acordo com o tipo de produto e caracterizados segundo as médias dos valores encontrados para energia, gorduras totais, gorduras saturadas, gorduras trans e sódio em 100 gramas do produto, além de presença, número e tipo de “outros edulcorantes”. Para examinar a ocorrência de excesso de nutrientes críticos, o Modelo de Perfil Nutricional da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde foi aplicado para cada alimento e para a média dos teores de nutrientes obtida para cada grupo. RESULTADOS: Os alimentos ultraprocessados consumidos continham alto valor energético e elevados teores de gorduras totais, gorduras saturadas, gorduras trans e sódio. Do total de alimentos ultraprocessados, 66% apresentaram excesso de pelo menos um nutriente crítico, com destaque para requeijões e queijos ultraprocessados, macarrões instantâneos e carnes industrializadas e embutidos, que apresentaram 100% dos alimentos com excesso de gorduras totais, de gorduras saturadas e de sódio. Dos 21 grupos, extrapolaram o limite estabelecido pela Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde: para gorduras totais, 10 grupos; para gorduras saturadas, 11; para gorduras trans, 3; e para sódio, 13. Requeijões e queijos ultraprocessados; carnes industrializadas e embutidos; e biscoitos superaram esse limite em todos os parâmetros. Do conjunto de alimentos ultraprocessados analisados, 13,4% continham “outros edulcorantes” (oito diferentes tipos). CONCLUSÕES: Os AUP analisados apresentaram perfil nutricional desequilibrado e dois terços apresentaram excesso de pelo menos um nutriente crítico. Fazem-se necessárias ações educativas e medidas regulatórias para melhor informar a população e desencorajar o seu consumo.
DESCRITORES: Criança. Consumo de Alimentos. Alimentos Industrializados. Rotulagem de Alimentos. Valor Nutritivo.
Nascer no Brasil continuity of care during pregnancy and postpartum period for women and newborns
Authors: Bittencourt Sonia Duarte de Azevedo , Cunha Elenice Machado , Domingues Rosa Maria Soares Madeira , Dias Barbara Almeida Soares , Dias Marcos Augusto Bastos , Torres Jacqueline Alves , Leal Maria do Carmo
Published: December 2020

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the adequacy of health care during pregnancy and the postpartum period in puerperal women and newborn users of the Unified Health System and verify the factors associated with greater adequacy. METHODS: We used data obtained in the hospital interview, the prenatal card and the first telephone interview of 12,646 women participating in the study Nascer no Brasil (Birth in Brazil), conducted in 2011 and 2012. In the first stage of the analysis, the sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics of women and the estimation of adequacy of prenatal and postpartum care indicators are described. In the second stage, the cascade of care for actions related to puerperal women and their newborns is presented. Finally, maternal factors associated with the adequacy of the line of care are verified by means of multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Only two of the four prenatal indicators were considered satisfactory: initiation up to the 16th week of pregnancy and adequate number of appointments. The guidance on which maternity to go for delivery, as well as the guidance to perform the puerperal appointment and the performance of the heel prick test have reached partial level of adequacy. The puerperal appointment, the first routine appointment of the newborn and the obtaining of the heel prick test results presented unsatisfactory adequacy. In the joint analysis of indicators regarding the effective use of services, only 1.5% of mothers and their babies received all recommended health care. Multiparous women living in the North, Northeast and Midwest, with lower schooling, presented the lowest chances of continuity of care. CONCLUSIONS: The indicators evaluated indicate that almost all women and their children presented partial and disjointed care, showing that the coordination of care is still a challenge in the health care of women and children in the puerperal pregnancy period.
Factors associated with diarrheal disease in the rural Caribbean region of Colombia
Authors: Galezzo Maria-Angelica , Günther Wanda Maria Risso , Diaz-Quijano Fredi Alexander , Susa Manuel Rodriguez
Published: December 2020

OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors associated with diarrheal disease in the rural Caribbean region of Colombia. METHOD: A cross-sectional study conducted in the rural area of the Cesar Department, Colombia, between November 2017 and June 2018. Self-reported cases of diarrheal disease were surveyed, and water samples from 42 households were collected and analyzed. Descriptive statistics were employed in the analysis of socioeconomic status, environmental and sanitary conditions, and we evaluated their association with the diarrheal disease using the Poisson regression models. Each model was adjusted with variables suggested by specific directed acyclic graphs. RESULTS: Poor water supply conditions, hygiene and basic sanitation were reported in the study area. All water samples were classified either as high risk for health problems or unfit for human consumption. The diarrheal disease had a prevalence of 7.5% across all ages and of 23.5% in children under five years old. The variables rainy season (PR = 0.24; 95%CI 0.07–0.85), children under five years old (PR = 4.05; 95%CI 1.70–9.68), water from deep wells (PR = 16.90; 95%CI 2.45–116.67), water from artificial ponds (PR = 11.47; 95%CI 1.27–103.29), toilets availability (PRA = 0.23; 95%CI 0.06–0.96), and swine presence (PR = 0.20; 95%CI 0.05–0.74) were significantly associated with the occurrence of diarrheal disease. CONCLUSION: Water supply, hygiene and basic sanitation conditions have been associated with the diarrheal disease, affecting almost a quarter of the population under five years old. There is an urge for the design of effective policies that improve environmental and sanitation conditions in rural areas.
Zika virus syndrome, lack of environmental policies and risks of worsening by cyanobacteria proliferation in a climate change scenario
Authors: Oliver Sofia Lizarralde , Ribeiro Helena
Published: December 2020

Almost half of the Brazilian population has no access to sewage collection and treatment. Untreated effluents discharged in waters of reservoirs for human supply favor the flowering of cyanobacteria – and these microorganisms produce toxins, such as saxitoxin, which is a very potent neurotoxin present in reservoirs in the Northeast region. A recent study confirmed that chronic ingestion of neurotoxin-infected water associated with Zika virus infection could lead to a microcephaly-like outcome in pregnant mice. Cyanobacteria benefit from hot weather and organic matter in water, a condition that has been intensified by climate change, according to our previous studies. Considering the new findings, we emphasize that zika arbovirus is widespread and worsened when associated with climate change, especially in middle- or low-income countries with low levels of sanitation coverage.
Covid-19 and its impact on immunization programs: reflections from Brazil
Authors: Matos Camila Carvalho de Souza Amorim , Barbieri Carolina Luísa Alves , Couto Marcia Thereza
Published: December 2020

Due to social distancing guidelines and the displacement of both human and material resources to fight the covid-19 pandemic, individuals seeking healthcare services face certain challenges. Immunization programs have already been a worrisome topic for health authorities due to declines in vaccine uptake rates and are now especially affected by the covid-19 pandemic. Disbelief in science, dissemination of fake news about vaccines, socioeconomic vulnerability and social inequality are some of the challenges faced. This commentary article discusses the impacts of the covid-19 pandemic on immunization programs in Brazil. In light of advances (and notability) of Brazil’s national immunization program, established in the 1970s, the programs face challenges, such as the recent drop in vaccine uptake rates. In addition to this health crisis, there is also Brazil’s current political crisis, which will undoubtedly require assistance from researchers, policymakers and society to be fixed.
Harnessing Single-Cell RNA Sequencing to Better Understand How Diseased Cells Behave the Way They Do in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Iqbal Farwah , Lupieri Adrien , Aikawa Masanori , Aikawa Elena
Published: December 2020

The transition of healthy arteries and cardiac valves into dense, cell-rich, calcified, and fibrotic tissues is driven by a complex interplay of both cellular and molecular mechanisms. Specific cell types in these cardiovascular tissues become activated following the exposure to systemic stimuli including circulating lipoproteins or inflammatory mediators. This activation induces multiple cascades of events where changes in cell phenotypes and activation of certain receptors may trigger multiple pathways and specific alterations to the transcriptome. Modifications to the transcriptome and proteome can give rise to pathological cell phenotypes and trigger mechanisms that exacerbate inflammation, proliferation, calcification, and recruitment of resident or distant cells. Accumulating evidence suggests that each cell type involved in vascular and valvular diseases is heterogeneous. Single-cell RNA sequencing is a transforming medical research tool that enables the profiling of the unique fingerprints at single-cell levels. Its applications have allowed the construction of cell atlases including the mammalian heart and tissue vasculature and the discovery of new cell types implicated in cardiovascular disease. Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing have facilitated the identification of novel resident cell populations that become activated during disease and has allowed tracing the transition of healthy cells into pathological phenotypes. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing has permitted the characterization of heterogeneous cell subpopulations with unique genetic profiles in healthy and pathological cardiovascular tissues. In this review, we highlight the latest groundbreaking research that has improved our understanding of the pathological mechanisms of atherosclerosis and future directions for calcific aortic valve disease.
The Prohibition of Discrimination and Unequal Treatment of Women and Homosexuals in the Spheres of Work and in Public Life
Authors: Ziebertz Hans-Georg , Unser Alexander
Published: December 2020

Differences in race, ethnic origin, gender, belief and worldview, disability and chronic disease, age, and sexual orientation must not be a reason for discriminating against people. Non-discrimination is enshrined as a fundamental right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in numerous subsequent documents and in the constitutions of democratic states. Also the major religions are hostile to discriminatory distinctions. Among the groups that repeatedly experience discrimination are, on the one hand, women, who have to put up with disadvantages even in countries that advocate equality. Secondly, they include people with a homosexual orientation, who sometimes have to endure open rejection. This research uses a sample of N=5363 from 10 countries to examine the attitudes of young people about non-discrimination. Specifically, it asks whether religious belonging and the country of origin show any impact on this attitude, and whether the religiosity of respondents moderates the influence of religion and country. The empirical findings show that discrimination against women is rejected, but with differences between religious groups and countries. Homosexuality is seen more controversially and there is no uniform rejection of discrimination against homosexuals. However, depending on religious affiliation and national context, individual religiosity can have positive and negative effects on the rejection of discrimination.
Halal Markets in non-Muslim Secular Societies
Authors: Turaeva Rano , Brose Michael
Published: December 2020

The introduction to the special issue discusses the important aspects of the studies of Halal markets in non-Muslim countries and outlines the contributions of the special issue. It also provides a general theoretical outline to bring the articles of the issue together which also offers a starting point for further discussions about sociological and anthropological studies of Halal economies. The major focus within our discussion of halal practices and definitions of halal is on the moral and rational reasoning behind halal marketing and consumption. These questions open more space for further interpretation of halal in secular contexts.
Religion and the Chinese Diaspora in Southeast Asia
Authors: Dean Kenneth
Published: December 2020

This paper uses three case studies—(1) community building by Methodist Chinese in Sibu, Sarawak; (2) the construction of transnational temple networks originating in Chinese temples in Sibu; and (3) hybrid spirit medium processions in Kalimantan—to explore aspects of the role of religion within the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia. Analytic approaches to Chinese religion proposed by Weber and Mauss are discussed, and an argument is made in favor of following the spread of civilizational techniques into hybrid social and ritual formations.
Migration and the Question of New Political Possibilities: Nicholas De Genova and Sandro Mezzadra—In Dialogue
Authors: De Genova Nicholas , Mezzadra Sandro
Published: December 2020

This is a dialogue between Nicholas De Genova and Sandro Mezzadra, two scholars working at the edges of disciplinarity on matters of migration, capitalism, and politics. It includes questions and comments from the audience in attendance for the original public event held in London in 2015, and new questions proposed by the editors of pariss in 2020. Reflecting upon the points of departure, challenges, and turns that have marked their respective iteneraries as thinkers and activists, in and beyond academe, this article makes a timely and much needed intervention on the permutations and politics of labor, mobility, and subjectivity.
Catalogue of rhysodine beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from East Asia
Authors: WANG CHENG-BIN
Published: December 2020

An annotated catalogue for 22 extant species of the subfamily Rhysodinae (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from East Asia is presented, with 7 genera classified into 3 tribes: I. Clinidiini Bell & Bell, 1978: Clinidium Kirby, 1830 (1 sp.) and Rhyzodiastes Fairmaire, 1895 (4 spp.); II. Omoglymmiini Bell & Bell, 1978: Arrowina Bell & Bell, 1978 (1 sp.), Yamatosa Bell & Bell, 1979 (6 spp.), Shyrodes Grouvelle, 1903 (1 sp.), and Omoglymmius Ganglbauer, 1891 (8 spp.); III. Rhysodini Laporte, 1840: Rhysodes Germar, 1822 (1 sp.). For each genus- and species-group name, synonymy, type locality, type depository, distribution, and bibliography are provided where appropriate. A modified key to genera of rhysodine beetles from East Asia is compiled.
The Relationship between Precipitation and Precipitable Water in CMIP6 Simulations and Implications for Tropical Climatology and Change
Authors: Hagos Samson M. , Leung L. Ruby , Garuba Oluwayemi A. , Demott Charlotte , Harrop Bryce , Lu Jian , Ahn Min-Seop
Published: December 2020

It is well documented that over the tropical oceans, column-integrated precipitable water (pw) and precipitation (P) have a nonlinear relationship. In this study moisture budget analysis is used to examine this P–pw relationship in a normalized precipitable water framework. It is shown that the parameters of the nonlinear relationship depend on the vertical structure of moisture convergence. Specifically, the precipitable water values at which precipitation is balanced independently by evaporation versus by moisture convergence define a critical normalized precipitable water, pwnc. This is a measure of convective inhibition that separates tropical precipitation into two regimes: a local evaporation-controlled regime with widespread drizzle and a precipitable water–controlled regime. Most of the 17 CMIP6 historical simulations examined here have higher pwnc compared to ERA5, and more frequently they operate in the drizzle regime. When compared to observations, they overestimate precipitation over the high-evaporation oceanic regions off the equator, thereby producing a “double ITCZ” feature, while underestimating precipitation over the large tropical landmasses and over the climatologically moist oceanic regions near the equator. The responses to warming under the SSP585 scenario are also examined using the normalized precipitable water framework. It is shown that the critical normalized precipitable water value at which evaporation versus moisture convergence balance precipitation decreases as a result of the competing dynamic and thermodynamic responses to warming, resulting in an increase in drizzle and total precipitation. Statistically significant historical trends corresponding to the thermodynamic and dynamic changes are detected in ERA5 and in low-intensity drizzle precipitation in the PERSIANN precipitation dataset.
Modeled Response of South American Climate to Three Decades of Deforestation
Authors: Jiang Yelin , Wang Guiling , Liu Weiguang , Erfanian Amir , Peng Qing , Fu Rong
Published: December 2020

This study investigates the potential effects of historical deforestation in South America using a regional climate model driven with reanalysis data. Two different sources of data were used to quantify deforestation during the 1980s to 2010s, leading to two scenarios of forest loss: smaller but spatially continuous in scenario 1 and larger but spatially scattered in scenario 2. The model simulates a generally warmer and drier local climate following deforestation. Vegetation canopy becomes warmer due to reduced canopy evapotranspiration, and ground becomes warmer due to more radiation reaching the ground. The warming signal for surface air is weaker than for ground and vegetation, likely due to reduced surface roughness suppressing the sensible heat flux. For surface air over deforested areas, the warming signal is stronger for the nighttime minimum temperature and weaker or even becomes a cooling signal for the daytime maximum temperature, due to the strong radiative effects of albedo at midday, which reduces the diurnal amplitude of temperature. The drying signals over deforested areas include lower atmospheric humidity, less precipitation, and drier soil. The model identifies the La Plata basin as a region remotely influenced by deforestation, where a simulated increase of precipitation leads to wetter soil, higher ET, and a strong surface cooling. Over both deforested and remote areas, the deforestation-induced surface climate changes are much stronger in scenario 2 than scenario 1; coarse-resolution data and models (such as in scenario 1) cannot represent the detailed spatial structure of deforestation and underestimate its impact on local and regional climates.
Political Disaffection, Sociodemographic, and Psychographic Variables as State Legitimacy Determinants in the European Union
Authors: Del-Castillo-Feito Cristina , Cachón-Rodríguez Gabriel , Paz-Gil Iria
Published: December 2020

According to political science, modern societies can separate the state function and the politicians’ mission. However, the existing relationship between political disaffection and state legitimacy indicates the contrary. The interest held by the European Union inhabitants in their politicians has been decreasing, and the closeness to a specific political party or political leader has been weakening. Many European countries have a great degree of polarity in their political parties’ system, which augments the complexity of forming governments or even makes it impossible. Citizens have been affected by corruption, the economic situation, migratory crisis, or the European project weakness. They feel that politicians have forgotten their role as the people’s representatives and their responsibility to behave according to society’s general interest. Through its institutions, the state must ensure the country’s performance and maintain it despite the change in the political leaders. Moreover, its legitimacy will depend on the level of social support received by these institutions. This research aims to quantify if the current political disaffection influences the European Union states’ social support level or state legitimacy. It also expects to demonstrate which sociodemographic and psychographic variables influence on governments’ fragility and the dilution of state legitimacy, which is critical for countries’ stability. For this purpose, we used the available data from the European Social Survey for 2016, and we developed a statistical analysis through variation and regression analysis. The results highlight the strong effect that political disaffection, as well as variables such as religion, immigration perception, citizenship, or emotional state have on state legitimacy and reveal the need for changes in the political parties’ performance and behavior to maintain the countries’ stability.
General Principles of Self Psychology: A Position Statement
Authors: Lichtenberg Joseph D. , Wolf Ernest
Published: December 2020

In the more than twenty-five years since Kohut formulated a psychology of the self, the basic theory has undergone many revisions and additions. In the course of broadening from a focus on narcissism and empathy into a general theory of normal and pathological development, self psychology has taken so many different directions that the question can be asked, Does self psychology remain essentially a single theory with different descriptors–-a theory of a self-selfobject matrix, a theory of intersubjectivity, a theory of motivational systems, and so on? A concise statement of general principles is intended to contribute to a dialogue between advocates of the views presented here and those who hold different views of theory and practice, within and withoutself psychology.
A novel particle-filled carbon-fibre reinforced polymer model composite tailored for the application of digital volume correlation and computed tomography
Authors: Schöberl E , Breite C , Rosini S , Swolfs Y , Mavrogordato MN , Sinclair I , Spearing SM
Published: December 2020

This paper presents the development of novel Carbon-Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) laminates, tailored for the application of Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) and Computed Tomography (CT) to experimental mechanics analyses of these materials. Analogous to surface-based Digital Image Correlation (DIC), DVC is a relatively novel volumetric method that utilizes CT data to quantify internal three-dimensional (3D) displacements and implicit strain fields. The highly anisotropic and somewhat regular/self-similar microstructures found in well-aligned unidirectional (UD) materials at high fibre volume fractions are intrinsically challenging for DVC, especially along the fibre direction at microstructural length-scales on the order of a few fibre diameters. To permit the application of DVC to displacement and/or strain measurements parallel to the fibre orientation, the matrix was doped with a sparse population of sub-micrometre particles to act as displacement trackers ( i.e. fiducial markers). Barium titanate particles (400 nm, ∼1.44 vol. %) were found to offer the most favourable compromise between contrast in CT images and the ability to obtain a homogeneous distribution in 3D space with sufficient particle compactness for local DVC analyses. This property combination was selected following an extensive Micro-focus Computed Tomography (µCT)-based qualitative assessment on a wide test matrix, that included 38 materials manufactured with a range of possible particle compositions, mean sizes and concentrations. By comparing the tensile behaviour of the particle-adapted material alongside its particle-free counterpart, we demonstrate through the application of in situ Synchrotron Radiation Computed Tomography (SRCT) that the macro- and micromechanical responses of the newly developed CFRP are consistent with standard production materials indicating its suitability as a model system for mechanistic investigations.
Predictive Influence of Career Growth on Work Stress of Electrical/Electronic Trade Teachers
Authors: Ogbuanya Theresa Chinyere , Yekinni Sunkanmi Afeez
Published: December 2020

This study investigated the predictive influence of career growth on work stress of electrical/electronic trade teachers. The study adopted correlation research design and the structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondent. The entire one hundred and eighty five (185) electrical/electronic trade teachers of technical colleges in three states of Nigeria were employed for the study. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Meanwhile, hierarchical and standard multiple linear regression analysis was used to establish predictive influence of career growth of electrical/electronic trade teachers on their job stress. Meanwhile, two-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to establish the status of interaction effect of age and gender, experience and gender, type of teacher and age and type of teacher and experience on career growth, and job stress of electrical/electronic trade teachers. The study found that career growth and its sub-factors—career goal progress, professional ability development, promotion speed, and remuneration growth—positively predicted job stress of electrical/electronic trade teachers. The study claimed that there were interaction effects of age and gender, experience and gender, type of teacher and age and type of teacher and experience on career growth, and job stress but not statistically significant among electrical/electronic trade teachers.
Formation of an Academic Research and Writing Group
Authors: Kamali Arslantas Tugba , Turkmen Gamze , Arslan Okan , Uzunosmanoglu Selin Deniz
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study was to establish a community of practice (CoP) called an academic research and writing group (ARWG), to improve the research and writing skills of graduate students, and to increase their levels of interaction while conducting their academic research. In the current study, formative research was implemented to improve the quality of academic output from the ARWG group. The study’s findings showed that specific features added through the ARWG provided both a positive impression toward the ARWG and encouraged novice researchers to work collaboratively.