bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) to screen for atypical social behaviors in juvenile macaques
Authors: Kovacs Balint Z. , Raper J. , Michopoulos V. , Howell L. H. , Gunter C. , Bachevalier J. , Sanchez M. M.
Published: May 2021

Primates form strong social bonds and depend on social relationships and networks that provide shared resources and protection critical for survival. Social deficits such as those present in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other psychiatric disorders hinder the individual’s functioning in communities. Given that early diagnosis and intervention can improve outcomes and trajectories of ASD, there is a great need for tools to identify early markers for screening/diagnosis, and for translational animal models to uncover biological mechanisms and develop treatments. One of the most widely used screening tools for ASD in children is the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), a quantitative measure used to identify individuals with atypical social behaviors. The SRS has been adapted for use in adult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)–a species very close to humans in terms of social behavior, brain anatomy/connectivity and development–but has not yet been validated or adapted for a necessary downward extension to younger ages matching those for ASD diagnosis in children. The goal of the present study was to adapt and validate the adult macaque SRS (mSRS) in juvenile macaques with age equivalent to mid-childhood in humans. Expert primate coders modified the mSRS to adapt it to rate atypical social behaviors in juvenile macaques living in complex social groups at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. Construct and face validity of this juvenile mSRS (jmSRS) was determined based on well-established and operationalized measures of social and non-social behaviors in this species using traditional behavioral observations. We found that the jmSRS identifies variability in social responsiveness of juvenile rhesus monkeys and shows strong construct/predictive validity, as well as sensitivity to detect atypical social behaviors in young male and female macaques across social status. Thus, the jmSRS provides a promising tool for translational research on macaque models of children social disorders.
Improving child tuberculosis contact identification and screening in Lesotho: Results from a mixed-methods cluster-randomized implementation science study
Authors: Hirsch-Moverman Yael , Howard Andrea A. , Mantell Joanne E. , Lebelo Limakatso , Frederix Koen , Wills Aprielle , Hesseling Anneke C. , Nachman Sharon , Maama Llang B. , El-Sadr Wafaa M.
Published: May 2021

Background

Child tuberculosis (TB) contact management is recommended for preventing TB in children but its implementation is suboptimal in high TB/HIV-burden settings. The PREVENT Study was a mixed-methods, clustered-randomized implementation study that evaluated the effectiveness and acceptability of a community-based intervention (CBI) to improve child TB contact management in Lesotho, a high TB burden country.

Methods

Ten health facilities were randomized to CBI or standard of care (SOC). CBI holistically addressed the complex provider-, patient-, and caregiver-related barriers to prevention of childhood TB. Routine TB program data were abstracted from TB registers and cards for all adult TB patients aged >18 years registered during the study period, and their child contacts. Primary outcome was yield (number) of child contacts identified and screened per adult TB patient. Generalized linear mixed models tested for differences between study arms. CBI acceptability was assessed via semi-structured in-depth interviews with a purposively selected sample of 20 healthcare providers and 28 caregivers. Qualitative data were used to explain and confirm quantitative results. We used thematic analysis to analyze the data.

Results

From 01/2017-06/2018, 973 adult TB patients were recorded, 490 at CBI and 483 at SOC health facilities; 64% male, 68% HIV-positive. At CBI and SOC health facilities, 216 and 164 child contacts were identified, respectively (p = 0.16). Screening proportions (94% vs. 62%, p = 0.13) were similar; contact yield per TB case (0.40 vs. 0.20, p = 0.08) was higher at CBI than SOC health facilities, respectively. CBI was acceptable to caregivers and healthcare providers.

Conclusion

Identification and screening for TB child contacts were similar across study arms but yield was marginally higher at CBI compared with SOC health facilities. CBI scale-up may enhance the ability to reach and engage child TB contacts, contributing to efforts to improve TB prevention among children.
Molecular subtyping of Alzheimer’s disease with consensus non-negative matrix factorization
Authors: Zheng Chunlei , Xu Rong
Published: May 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a heterogeneous disease and exhibits diverse clinical presentations and disease progression. Some pathological and anatomical subtypes have been proposed. However, these subtypes provide a limited mechanistic understanding for AD. Leveraging gene expression data of 222 AD patients from The Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP) Study, we identified two AD molecular subtypes (synaptic type and inflammatory type) using consensus non-negative matrix factorization (NMF). Synaptic type is characterized by disrupted synaptic vesicle priming and recycling and synaptic plasticity. Inflammatory type is characterized by disrupted IL2, interferon alpha and gamma pathways. The two AD molecular subtypes were validated using independent data from Gene Expression Omnibus. We further demonstrated that the two molecular subtypes are associated with APOE genotypes, with synaptic type more prevalent in AD patients with E3E4 genotype and inflammatory type more prevalent in AD patients with E3E3 genotype (p = 0.031). In addition, two molecular subtypes are differentially represented in male and female AD, with synaptic type more prevalent in male and inflammatory type in female patients (p = 0.051). Identification of AD molecular subtypes has potential in facilitating disease mechanism understanding, clinical trial design, drug discovery, and precision medicine for AD.
The evolution of built-up areas in Ghana since 1975
Authors: Fafchamps Marcel , Shilpi Forhad
Published: May 2021

We use high resolution satellite data on the proportion of buildings in a 250x250 meter cell to study the evolution of human settlement in Ghana over a 40 year period. We find a strong increase in built-up area over time, mostly concentrated in the vicinity of roads, and also directly on the coast. We find strong evidence of agglomeration effects both in the static sense—buildup in one cell predicts buildup in a nearby cell—and in a dynamic sense—buildup in a cell predicts buildup in that cell later on and an increase in buildup in nearby cells. These effects are strongest over a 3 to 15 Km radius, which corresponds to a natural hinterland for a population without mechanized transportation. We find no evidence that human settlements are spaced more or less equally either over the landscape or along roads. This suggests that arable land is not yet fully utilized, allowing rural settlements to be separated by areas of un-farmed land. By fitting a transition matrix to the data, we predict a sharp increase in the proportion of the country that is densely built-up by the middle and the end of the century, but no increase in the proportion of partially built-up locations.
Beyond the ivory tower: Measuring and explaining academic engagement with journalists, politicians and industry representatives among Swiss professors
Authors: Rauchfleisch Adrian , Schäfer Mike S. , Siegen Dario
Published: May 2021

Scholars from different theoretical schools have posited that in recent decades, science and society have moved closer together, and the concept of academic engagement has been proposed to capture one part of this approximation empirically. This study analyzes the academic engagement of individual scholars towards politicians, industry representatives and journalists. It uses comprehensive survey data on Swiss professors from all disciplines, all the country’s universities and from associated research institutes. It assesses, firstly, the degree to which these professors have professional contacts to journalists, politicians and industry representatives. Secondly, it explains the extent of these contacts, using multi-level modelling that incorporates individual factors as well as organizational and institutional contexts. Our study shows that academic engagement is quite common with strong differences between disciplines. Furthermore, professors with higher academic productivity, positive personal attitude towards communication activities as well as a leadership position have more outside contacts. The gender and nationality of the professors, however, only play a role for some of the contacts with non-scientific actors.
Testis structure, duration of spermatogenesis and daily sperm production in four wild cricetid rodent species (A. cursor, A. montensis, N. lasiurus, and O. nigripes)
Authors: Cordeiro Dirceu A. , Costa Guilherme M. J. , França Luiz R.
Published: May 2021

Although rodents represent approximately 40% of all living mammalian species, our knowledge regarding their reproductive biology is still scarce. Due to their high vulnerability to environmental changes, wild rodents have become beneficial models for ecological studies. Thus, we aimed to comparatively investigate key functional testis parameters in four sexually mature wild rodent species (A.cursor,A.montensis,N.lasiurus, andO.nigripes). These species belong to the Cricetidae family, which is the most diverse family of rodents in South America, with a total of ~120 species in Brazil. The results found for the gonadosomatic index and the sickled sperm head shape observed strongly suggest that the species here evaluated are promiscuous, prolific, and short-lived. The duration of spermatogenesis was relatively short and varied from ~35–40 days. Both the percentage of seminiferous tubules (ST) in the testis parenchyma (~95–97%) and the number of Sertoli cells (SC) (~48–70 million) per testis gram were very high, whereas a fairly good SC efficiency (~8–13 round spermatids per SC) was observed. In comparison to other mammalian species studied, particularly the rodents of the suborder Myomorpha (i.e. hamsters, rats and mice), the rodents herein investigated exhibited very high (~62–80 million) daily sperm production per testis gram. This impressive spermatogenic efficiency resulted mainly from the short duration of spermatogenesis and quite high values found for the ST percentage in the testis and the SC number per testis gram. We expect that the knowledge here obtained will help conservation programs and the proper management of wildlife.
Genome-wide association study of vitamin D concentrations and bone mineral density in the African American-Diabetes Heart Study
Authors: Palmer Nicholette D. , Lu Lingyi , Register Thomas C. , Lenchik Leon , Carr J. Jeffrey , Hicks Pamela J. , Smith S. Carrie , Xu Jianzhao , Dimitrov Latchezar , Keaton Jacob , Guan Meijian , Ng Maggie C. Y. , Chen Yii-der I. , Hanley Anthony J. , Engelman Corinne D. , Norris Jill M. , Langefeld Carl D. , Wagenknecht Lynne E. , Bowden Donald W. , Freedman Barry I. , Divers Jasmin
Published: May 2021

Relative to European Americans, African Americans have lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) concentrations, higher 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3) concentrations and bone mineral density (BMD), and paradoxically reduced burdens of calcified atherosclerotic plaque (subclinical atherosclerosis). To identify genetic factors contributing to vitamin D and BMD measures, association analysis of >14M variants was conducted in a maximum of 697 African American-Diabetes Heart Study participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The most significant association signals were detected for VDBP on chromosome 4; variants rs7041 (β = 0.44, SE = 0.019, P = 9.4x10-86) and rs4588 (β = 0.17, SE = 0.021, P = 3.5x10-08) in the group-specific component (vitamin D binding protein) gene (GC). These variants were found to be independently associated. In addition, rs7041 was also associated with bioavailable vitamin D (BAVD; β = 0.16, SE = 0.02, P = 3.3x10-19). Six rare variants were significantly associated with 25OHD, including a non-synonymous variant in HSPG2 (rs116788687; β = -1.07, SE = 0.17, P = 2.2x10-10) and an intronic variant in TNIK (rs143555701; β = -1.01, SE = 0.18, P = 9.0x10-10), both biologically related to bone development. Variants associated with 25OHD failed to replicate in African Americans from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family Study (IRASFS). Evaluation of vitamin D metabolism and bone mineral density phenotypes in an African American population enriched for T2D could provide insight into ethnic specific differences in vitamin D metabolism and bone mineral density.
Dynamics of SAS-I mediated H4 K16 acetylation during DNA replication in yeast
Authors: Boltengagen Mark , Samel-Pommerencke Anke , Fechtig David , Ehrenhofer-Murray Ann E.
Published: May 2021

The acetylation of H4 lysine 16 (H4 K16Ac) inSaccharomyces cerevisiaecounteracts the binding of the heterochromatin complex SIR to chromatin and inhibits gene silencing. Contrary to other histone acetylation marks, the H4 K16Ac level is high on genes with low transcription, whereas highly transcribed genes show low H4 K16Ac. Approximately 60% of cellular H4 K16Ac inS.cerevisiaeis provided by the SAS-I complex, which consists of the MYST-family acetyltransferase Sas2, Sas4 and Sas5. The absence of SAS-I causes inappropriate spreading of the SIR complex and gene silencing in subtelomeric regions. Here, we investigated the genome-wide dynamics of SAS-I dependent H4 K16Ac during DNA replication. Replication is highly disruptive to chromatin and histone marks, since histones are removed to allow progression of the replication fork, and chromatin is reformed with old and new histones after fork passage. We found that H4 K16Ac appears in chromatin immediately upon replication. Importantly, this increase depends on the presence of functional SAS-I complex. Moreover, the appearance of H4 K16Ac is delayed in genes that are strongly transcribed. This indicates that transcription counteracts SAS-I-mediated H4 K16 acetylation, thus “sculpting” histone modification marks at the time of replication. We furthermore investigated which acetyltransferase acts redundantly with SAS-I to acetylate H4 K16Ac.esa1Δ sds3Δcells, which were alsosas2Δ sir3Δin order to maintain viability, contained no detectable H4 K16Ac, showing that Esa1 and Sas2 are redundant for cellular H4 K16 acetylation. Furthermore,esa1Δ sds3Δ sas2Δ sir3Δshowed a more pronounced growth defect compared to the already defectiveesa1Δ sds3Δ sir3Δ. This indicates that SAS-I has cellular functions beyond preventing the spreading of heterochromatin.
Self-medication practice and contributing factors among pregnant women
Authors: Niriayo Yirga Legesse , Mohammed Kadra , Asgedom Solomon Weldegebreal , Demoz Gebre Teklemariam , Wahdey Shishay , Gidey Kidu
Published: May 2021

Background

The practice of self-medication during pregnancy is a global challenge that necessitates high attention as it poses a potential threat to the pregnant mother and fetus. However, little is known regarding self-medication practice and its contributors among pregnant women in our setting.

Objective

The main aim of this study was to investigate the practice of self-medication and its contributing factors among pregnant women

Methodology

A cross sectional study was conducted among pregnant women at antenatal care follow-up of Ayder comprehensive specialized hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant before interview. Simple random sampling technique was employed to recruit participants in to the study. Data were collected by interviewing participants using the structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regressions analysis was performed to determine the contributing factors of self-medication practice during pregnancy. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant.

Results

A total of 250 pregnant women were included in the study. Of the total, 40.8% practiced self-medication during the current pregnancy. Morning sickness (39.2%), headache (34.3%), and upper respiratory tract infections (29.4%) were the leading indications for self-medication. According to participant report, ease of access to medicines (25.5%), feelings that the disease is minor (21.6%) and timesaving (19.6%) were the most commonly reported reasons for self-medication practice. Absence of health insurance (AOR: 2.75, 95%CI: 1.29–5.89) and being on first trimester of pregnancy (AOR: 2.44, 95%CI: 1.02–5.86) were significant contributors of self-medication practice among pregnant women.

Conclusion

In our study, high prevalence of self-medication was reported among pregnant women. Self-medication practice during pregnancy was higher among pregnant women on first trimester and those who were not having health insurance. Therefore, intervention programs should be designed to minimize the practice of self-medication during pregnancy.
Estimating willingness-to-pay for neonicotinoid-free plants: Incorporating pro-environmental behavior in hypothetical and non-hypothetical experiments
Authors: Wei Xuan , Khachatryan Hayk , Rihn Alicia
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the extent to which individuals’ perceptions and attitudes toward pesticides and pollinator related labeling influence their preferences for eco-labeled products. An incentive compatible second-price auction and a hypothetical discrete choice experiment were used to elicit individual preferences for ornamental plants grown with or without controversial (neonicotinoid) pesticides. Positive attitudes toward pollinators, neonicotinoid labeling regulations, and labeling of sustainable production methods were found to be significant predictors of individual choice behavior. Individuals with attitudes expressing concern for pollinators and agreement with mandatory labeling and disclosure of neonicotinoids, showed a stronger preference for neonicotinoid-free plants. Our results suggest that both hypothetical and non-hypothetical experiments are consistent in predicting the general direction of consumer preferences despite the elicitation mechanism. Implications for relevant stakeholders are discussed.
Evolving public behavior and attitudes towards COVID-19 and face masks in Taiwan: A social media study
Authors: Chin Chih-Yu , Liu Chang-Pan , Wang Cheng-Lung
Published: May 2021

Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan demonstrated resilience at the initial stage of epidemic prevention, and effectively slowed down its spread. This study aims to document public epidemic awareness of COVID-19 in Taiwan through collecting social media- and Internet-based data, and provide valuable experience of Taiwan’s response to COVID-19, involving citizens, news media, and the government, to aid the public in overcoming COVID-19, or infectious diseases that may emerge in the future. The volume of Google searches related to COVID-19 and face masks was regarded as an indicator of public epidemic awareness in the study. A time-series analysis was used to explore the relationships among public epidemic awareness and other COVID-19 relevant variables, which were collected based on big data analysis. Additionally, the content analysis was adopted to analyze the transmission of different types of fear information related to COVID-19 and their effects on the public. Our results indicate that public epidemic awareness was significantly correlated with the number of confirmed cases in Taiwan and the number of news reports on COVID-19 (correlation coefficient: .33–.56). Additionally, the findings from the content analysis suggested that the fear of the loss of control best explains why panic behavior occurs among the public. When confronting the highly infectious COVID-19, public epidemic awareness is vital. While fear is an inevitable result when an emerging infectious disease occurs, the government can convert resistance into assistance by understanding why fear arises and which fear factors cause excessive public panic. Moreover, in the digitalization era, online and social media activities could reflect public epidemic awareness that can e harnessed for epidemic control.
Registered nurses’ perceptions on the factors affecting nursing shortage in the Republic of Vanuatu Hospitals: A qualitative study
Authors: Tamata Adel Tutuo , Mohammadnezhad Masoud , Tamani Ledua
Published: May 2021

Background

Registered nurse has a vital role in delivering healthcare services to individual, family and community. One of the main challenges that health system facing globally is the shortage of nursing workforce. Vanuatu as a Pacific county is also facing the shortage issue and the impact on the registered nurses’ performance.

Methods

A qualitative study was used to collect data from 25 registered nurses in three randomly selected hospitals in Vanuatu between 4th to 14th September, 2020. A semi-structured open-ended questionnaire was used to collect data using face-to-face in-depth interviews. The data were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis process.

Results

Four themes were identified including; Difficult working conditions, Reinforcing factors and Perceived risks. Sub themes for difficult working condition were heavy workload, lack of workforce and unusual working hours. Sub themes for reinforcing factors were lack of support, lack of opportunities and advancement in nursing practice. Sub themes for perceived risks were stress, physical and mental risk, and social and family risks.

Conclusion

This study has identify factors affected shortage of current nursing workforce and the impact it has on registered nurses. Broad themes and sub-themes were identified which highlighted the impact of nursing shortage to registered nurses and the effects on their performance which includes stress or moral distress from work overload and lengthy hours shift which impact the nurses’ physical, psychological, social, and family relationship, and lack of leadership support. The findings can be helpful to policy makers at the decision-making level to resolve the nursing workforce shortage and its effects in the future by refining and developing relevant policies that will address and strengthen the nursing workforce to meet the demand and improve delivery of quality health services to all individual.
The combination of the NS5A and cyclophilin inhibitors results in an additive anti-HCV inhibition in humanized mice without development of resistance
Authors: Bobardt Michael , Ramirez Christina M. , Baum Marc M. , Ure Daren , Foster Robert , Gallay Philippe A.
Published: May 2021

We and others previously reported that the direct-acting agents (DAA) NS5A inhibitors (NS5Ai) and the host-targeting agents cyclophilin inhibitors (CypIs) inhibit HCV replication in vitro. In this study, we investigated whether the combination of NS5Ai and CypI offers a potent anti-HCV effect in vivo. A single administration of NS5Ai or CypI alone to HCV-infected humanized-mice inhibits HCV replication. The combination of NS5Ai with CypI suppresses HCV (GT1a, GT2a, GT3a and GT4a) replication in an additive manner. NS5Ai/CypI combinations provide a statistically more profound anti-HCV inhibition for GT2a and GT3a than GT1a and GT4a, leading to a fastest and deepest inhibition of GT2a and GT3a replications. Combining CypI with NS5Ai prevents the viral rebound normally observed in mice treated with NS5Ai alone. Results were confirmed in mice implanted with human hepatocytes from different donors. Therefore, the combination of NS5Ai with CypI may serve as a regimen for the treatment of HCV patients with specific genotypes and disorder conditions, which diminish sustain viral response levels to DAA, such as GT3a infection, cirrhosis, and DAA resistance associated with the selection of resistance-associated substitutions present at baseline or are acquired during treatment.
Temperament, character and decision-making characteristics of patients with major depressive disorder following a suicide attempt
Authors: Hegedűs Klára M. , Gál Bernadett I. , Szkaliczki Andrea , Andó Bálint , Janka Zoltán , Álmos Péter Z.
Published: May 2021

Background

Multiple psychological factors of suicidal behaviour have been identified so far; however, little is known about state-dependent alterations and the interplay of the most prominent components in a suicidal crisis. Thus, the combined effect of particular personality characteristics and decision-making performance was observed within individuals who recently attempted suicide during a major depressive episode.

Methods

Fifty-nine medication-free major depressed patients with a recent suicide attempt (within 72 h) and forty-five healthy control individuals were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Temperament and character factors, impulsivity and decision-making performance were assessed. Statistical analyses aimed to explore between-group differences and the most powerful contributors to suicidal behaviour during a depressive episode.

Results

Decision-making and personality differences (i.e. impulsivity, harm avoidance, self-directedness, cooperativeness and transcendence) were observed between the patient and the control group. Among these variables, decision-making, harm avoidance and self-directedness were shown to have the strongest impact on a recent suicide attempt of individuals with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder according to the results of the binary logistic regression analysis. The model was significant, adequately fitted the data and correctly classified 79.8% of the cases.

Conclusions

The relevance of deficient decision-making, high harm avoidance and low self-directedness was modelled in the case of major depressed participants with a recent suicide attempt; meaning that these individuals can be described with the myopia for future consequences, a pessimistic, anxious temperament; and a character component resulting in the experience of aimlessness and helplessness. Further studies that use a within-subject design should identify and confirm additional characteristics specific to the suicidal mind.
Statistical methods versus machine learning techniques for donor-recipient matching in liver transplantation
Authors: Guijo-Rubio David , Briceño Javier , Gutiérrez Pedro Antonio , Ayllón Maria Dolores , Ciria Rubén , Hervás-Martínez César
Published: May 2021

Donor-Recipient (D-R) matching is one of the main challenges to be fulfilled nowadays. Due to the increasing number of recipients and the small amount of donors in liver transplantation, the allocation method is crucial. In this paper, to establish a fair comparison, the United Network for Organ Sharing database was used with 4 different end-points (3 months, and 1, 2 and 5 years), with a total of 39, 189 D-R pairs and 28 donor and recipient variables. Modelling techniques were divided into two groups: 1) classical statistical methods, including Logistic Regression (LR) and Naïve Bayes (NB), and 2) standard machine learning techniques, including Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting (GB) or Support Vector Machines (SVM), among others. The methods were compared with standard scores, MELD, SOFT and BAR. For the 5-years end-point, LR (AUC = 0.654) outperformed several machine learning techniques, such as MLP (AUC = 0.599), GB (AUC = 0.600), SVM (AUC = 0.624) or RF (AUC = 0.644), among others. Moreover, LR also outperformed standard scores. The same pattern was reproduced for the others 3 end-points. Complex machine learning methods were not able to improve the performance of liver allocation, probably due to the implicit limitations associated to the collection process of the database.
The response of community musicians in the United Kingdom to the COVID-19 crisis: An evaluation
Authors: Crisp Matthew
Published: May 2021

Written in the early summer of 2020 and revised in early autumn, this article provides a contemporary account of how community musicians in the United Kingdom have responded to the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis. With reference to select examples of the work of community musicians, this article seeks to identify the most pressing questions for both practitioners and researchers to consider when developing and evaluating offers of community music in a society that has been changed by COVID-19 and that remains deeply unstable. As societies move into a new relationship with the virus, this article has implications for the response of community musicians to the ongoing challenges they will face as a result of this virus, and in the event of another new disease emerging in the future.
La inocencia en Réquiem por un campesino español, de Ramón J. Sender
Authors: Del Castillo Reyes Hugo Enrique
Published: May 2021

Este artículo analiza la novela Réquiem por un campesino español (1953), de Ramón J. Sender, a la luz del concepto de inocencia, proveniente de los postulados filosóficos de Sören Kierkegaard y Paul Ricoeur. El objetivo es revisar las diferentes connotaciones de este concepto en la novela para demostrar que se configura como un complejo entramado simbólico representativo del conflicto ideológico entre los personajes principales, y que, a su vez, dicho conflicto, implica al lector. La disertación presenta las nociones teóricas que definen la inocencia para analizar algunas síntesis premonitorias de la trama que la toman en cuenta. Después se analizan acciones y símbolos clave que implican a la inocencia en la vida de Paco el del Molino y el papel de Mosén Millán ante ello. Finalmente, se plantea la lucha simbólica entre el bien y el mal que refleja el estado de inocencia en el lector.
Voces de la calle: Los pregones callejeros en el Madrid del siglo XIX
Authors: García Castañeda Salvador
Published: May 2021

Este artículo analiza la presencia gráfica y literaria de los vendedores callejeros y artesanos ambulantes y sus pregones en el Madrid del siglo XIX. Para ello, se detiene en algunos textos costumbristas de Antonio Flores, Mesonero Romanos o Larra, entre otros; y en manifestaciones populares como las aleluyas.
La tragedia del saber: avatares dramáticos de la Esfinge entre Unamuno, Bergamín y Zambrano
Authors: Saba Mariano Nicolás
Published: May 2021

La repetición metafórica de la Esfinge en una serie de obras dramáticas de Unamuno, Bergamín y Zambrano permite pensar una continuidad anti-erudita que existió frente a la tragedia del saber. En este sentido, algunos intelectuales españoles de primera mitad del siglo XX deben reconocerse por su inmersión en la lucha contra el racionalismo en declive, y por su propuesta de valoración de una filosofía experiencial. Tal situación vendría a exponer, de hecho, uno de los vectores más cohesivos que atravesaron al moderno campo intelectual hispánico en torno al cruce entre historia y saber.
López Fernández, Álvaro. El esperpento durante la Guerra Civil: propaganda y revolución
Authors: Guerra Gallardo Miguel
Published: May 2021

Reseña de: López Fernández, Álvaro. El esperpento durante la Guerra Civil: propaganda y revolución. Madrid: Guillermo Escolar Editor (Biblioteca crítica de la Guerra Civil), 2020, ISBN: 978-84-18093-39-5, 174 págs.
Ethanol extract from Moringa oleifera leaves modulates brown adipose tissue and bone morphogenetic protein 7 in high-fat diet mice
Authors: Syamsunarno Mas Rizky A. A. , Alia Fenty , Anggraeni Neni , Sumirat Vanessa Ayu , Praptama Suhendra , Atik Nur
Published: May 2021

Background and Aim: Brown adipose tissue's (BAT) ability to increase energy expenditure has become a new focus in obesity research. The amount and activity of BAT are inversely correlated with body-mass index and body fat percentage. Bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) plays a role in the differentiation and development of BAT, which can be increased by bioactive compounds from several medicinal plants. Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves are rich with vitamin, minerals, and bioactive compounds and have been used for treating obesity-related diseases in the past. The aim of this study was to explore the potency of MO leaf extract (MOLE) to modulate BAT differentiation in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

Materials and Methods: Twenty-four, 5-week-old male Deutsche Denken Yoken mice (Mus musculus) were randomly divided into four groups: The normal chow diet group was fed a normal diet, the HFD group was fed a HFD, the HFD+MOLE1, and the HFD+MOLE2 groups were fed HFD and MOLE in a dose of 280 and 560 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day, respectively. The experiment was performed for 7 weeks. At the end of the experiment, histological analysis was performed on the interscapular BAT, and blood was drawn for BMP7 protein levels.

Results: After 7 weeks, BAT weight in the HFD group was nearly twice in the weight of the HFD+MOLE1 group (125±13.78 mg vs. 75±13.78 mg; p<0.001). There was also a significant increase in BAT cell density in the HFD+MOLE1 group. BMP7 serum protein levels were significantly higher in the HFD+MOLE1 group compared to the HFD group.

Conclusion: The administration of MOLE in a dose of 280 mg/kg BW/day in HFD-mice induces BAT differentiation and proliferation by upregulating BMP7 protein levels.
Verificação bacteriológica da água de uma “cacimba” locali-zada no sítio Capim-de-cheiro, no município de Remígio-PB
Authors: Silva Aldeni Barbosa da , Brito Janaina Moreira de , Silva Filho Edmilson Dantas da
Published: May 2021

Esse trabalho teve o objetivo de realizar uma verificação bacteriológica da água de uma “cacimba” localizada no sítio Capim-de-cheiro, no município de Remígio-PB. As amostras de água foram coletadas diretamente do poço artesiano, em garrafas de vidro (500 ml) com boca larga, protegidas com papel laminado, previamente esterilizadas em autoclave a 121 oC, por 30 minutos, e foram encaminhadas para o Laboratório do Centro de Formação Profissional do Instituto Albano Franco de Tecnologia de Couro e de Calçado (CTCC) em Campina Grande. Os parâmetros analisados foram: coliformes totais, coliformes termotolerantes, Escherichia coli e Bactérias Heterotróficas. Observou-se que a água da cacimba apresentou coliformes totais, coliformes termotolerantes, E. coli e bactérias heterotróficas em quantidade bem superior ao recomendado pelas portarias vigentes. Conclui-se que todas as amostras estão em desacordo com as recomendações estipuladas pela Portaria GM/MS nº 888, de 4 de maio de 2021, do Ministério da Saúde e a Resolução nº 396, de 3 de abril de 2008, do Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente (CONAMA), pois apresentaram coliformes totais, coliformes termotolerantes, Bactérias heterotróficas e E. coli em números totalmente fora dos valores máximos permitidos, necessitando, portanto, de melhorias significativas no que se refere a proteção da fonte, da disposição dos esgotos domésticos, do isolamento de animais com livre acesso ao manancial e de tratamento prévio antes de serem fornecidas para consumo humano.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Prescribers towards Antimicrobial Stewardship at Hospitals in Khartoum State - Sudan
Authors: Alamin Alneima Salah Ali , Kheder Salah I.
Published: May 2021

Introduction
Antimicrobial stewardship (ASP) is of the utmost importance as a way to optimize the use of antimicrobials to prevent the development of resistance and improve patient outcomes. So, it is worthwhile to assess the knowledge, attitude and awareness regarding antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals.

Objective
The aim of this study is to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of prescribers towards antimicrobial stewardship at hospitals in Khartoum state and to identify the associations between prescriber’s demographic information and their knowledge. Methodology This descriptive cross-sectional study multi-centered study conducted in 10 hospitals at Khartoum state -Sudan, during period from November to December 2018. Study population included all prescribers who is available at study’s hospitals during study period and willing to participate in the study. A self-administered questionnaire addressing participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) regarding antibiotic resistance and ASP distributed in the selected hospitals among attending house-officers, registrars and consultants completed then analyzed.

Results
Of the 294 medical staff targeted, 287 responded to the survey (response rate 97.6%). Only (26.4%) were familiar with the term ASP and (31.5%) claimed that it is effective in reducing resistance. (43.0%) of respondents believe that ASP play vital role on antibiotic prescribing. Only (9.5%) had ASP in their hospital and (13.5%) having policy and team. (45.3%) of participants had good level of knowledge about antimicrobial stewardship, but majority show negative attitude (63.1%), and poor practices (92.0%) regarding ASP. There was no observed correlation between knowledge and attitude, knowledge with practice (p-value ≥ 0.05). Only attitude with practice shows significance correlation (P=0.0001), which means that prescribers with positive attitude had the better practices towards antimicrobial stewardship. Age, occupation and experience are the only significant predictors of prescriber's knowledge and attitude towards antibiotic stewardship, while no association between these factors and practice.

Conclusion
The present study concludes that the knowledge of prescribers regarding ASP is moderate and their attitude is negative. Unfortunately, practices regarding ASP were poor, despite, the good knowledge regarding the effects of ASP on antimicrobial resistance.
Rare Variant Hirschsprung Disease Presenting as Large Bowel Obstruction in Adulthood: Hypoganglionosis in the Anorectal Canal
Authors: Lee Roland Y. , Li Huili , White Rachel V. , Shin Benjamin J. , Birkholz James H.
Published: May 2021

Hirschsprung disease (HD) is a congenital bowel innervation disorder characterized by the absence of ganglion cells in the neural plexus of the colorectal wall. Variant HD describes a heterogeneous group of intestinal innervation disorders in which clinical presentation resembles HD despite the presence of ganglion cells seen in rectal biopsies. We present the first reported case of a rare variant HD, hypoganglionosis isolated in the anorectal canal, diagnosed in an adult who presented with a long history of constipation and treated with proctosigmoidectomy with coloanal anastomosis. Histopathology showed rare ganglion cells isolated in the anorectal canal.
Calculating the equivalent temperature for mechanistic pavement design according to the French method for Hungarian climatic conditions
Authors: Tóth Csaba , Pethő László
Published: May 2021

The French pavement design method provides a very comprehensive, probability-based design approach. It also provides a fairly sophisticated method for establishing the equivalent pavement temperature, which has been used worldwide for different applications. The objective was to analyse the applicability of the French method for calculating the equivalent pavement temperature for Hungarian climatic conditions. It considers the thickness of the pavement structure and facilitate pavement temperature distribution. It was found that the French method provides a comprehensive approach and can facilitate variable climatic conditions and pavement temperature distribution while considering the thickness of the pavement structure. This provides fit for purpose solutions and eliminates the overly simplified approach to use a single equivalent pavement temperature for variable climatic and pavement conditions. Real pavement temperature data provided crucial input into the accuracy of the methodology. Asphalt modulus values and asphalt fatigue properties at different temperatures were estimated using an internationally well accepted method. The next focus item of this research work will be to refine the calculations based on asphalt modulus master-curves and fatigue data collected from laboratory testing at different temperatures.
Bilirrubina: Medición y utilidad clínica en la enfermedad hepática
Authors: Guerra-Ruiz Armando Raúl , Crespo Javier , López Martínez Rosa Maria , Iruzubieta Paula , Casals Mercadal Gregori , Lalana Garcés Marta , Lavin Gomez Bernardo A. , Morales Ruiz Manuel
Published: May 2021

Un aumento en los niveles plasmáticos de bilirrubina es una alteración frecuente. Puede deberse a cualquier causa que altere alguna de las fases de su metabolismo: a) producción excesiva de bilirrubina (ej. hemólisis patológica); b) defecto en la captación hepática, con aumento de bilirrubina indirecta); c) defecto de conjugación, por alteración del enzima encargada (UDP-glucuronosiltransferasa); y d) defecto de excreción biliar, con aumento de bilirrubina directa, por defectos en las proteínas encargadas de la excreción, o bien por la imposibilidad del paso de la bilis a través de los conductos biliares hasta el intestino. Una lesión hepática de cualquier causa, al disminuir el número de hepatocitos, puede producir una disminución de la captación de bilirrubina indirecta desde el plasma y una disminución del transporte y excreción de la bilirrubina directa hacia los conductillos biliares. Se pueden usar diferentes técnicas analíticas para medir la bilirrubina y sus metabolitos en el suero, la orina y las heces. La bilirrubina sérica se mide mediante (1) la "reacción diazo", actualmente el método de referencia; (2) cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC); (3) métodos oxidativos, enzimáticos y químicos; (4) espectrofotometría directa; y (5) métodos transcutáneos. Aunque la bilirrubina es un marcador clásico de disfunción hepática, no siempre indica una lesión de este órgano. Por tanto, para obtener un diagnóstico preciso, el significado de las alteraciones de este parámetro biológico ha de valorarse en conjunción con la anamnesis del paciente, la magnitud de la alteración, y el patrón de las alteraciones bioquímicas. acompañantes.
Simultaneous measurement of 13 circulating vitamin D3 and D2 mono and dihydroxy metabolites using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry
Authors: Jenkinson Carl , Desai Reena , Slominski Andrzej T. , Tuckey Robert C. , Hewison Martin , Handelsman David J.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Clinical evaluation of vitamin D status is conventionally performed by measuring serum levels of a single vitamin D metabolite, 25-hydroxyvitamin D predominantly by immunoassay methodology. However, this neglects the complex metabolic pathways involved in vitamin D bioactivity, including two canonical forms D3 and D2, bioactive 1,25-dihydroxy metabolites and inactive 24-hydroxy and other metabolites.

Methods

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) can measure multiple analytes in a sample during a single run with high sensitivity and reference level specificity. We therefore aimed to develop and validate a LC-MS/MS method to measure simultaneously 13 circulating vitamin D metabolites and apply it to 103 human serum samples.

Results

The LC-MS/MS method using a Cookson-type derivatization reagent phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (PTAD) quantifies 13 vitamin D metabolites, including mono and dihydroxy-metabolites, as well as CYP11A1-derived D3 and D2 metabolites in a single run. The lower limit of quantitation was 12.5 pg/mL for 1,25(OH)2D3 with accuracy verified by analysis of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 972a standards. Quantification of seven metabolites (25(OH)D3, 25(OH)D2, 3-epi-25(OH)D3, 20(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, 1,25(OH)2D3 and 1,20S(OH)2D3) was consistently achieved in human serum samples.

Conclusions

This profiling method can provide new insight into circulating vitamin D metabolite pathways forming the basis for improved understanding of the role of vitamin D in health and disease.
Compulsory Vaccination in a Fundamental Rights Perspective: Lessons from the ECtHR
Authors: Krasser Anja
Published: May 2021

The multiple COVID-19 vaccines developed over the past months are typically thought of as the only means to meet the challenges posed by the current pandemic. Still, public opinion on vaccines is heavily divided. And, of course, discussions about compulsory vaccination, oftentimes based on fundamental rights arguments, tend to become heated. This note

This note builds on the arguments developed in the author’s master thesis Anja Krasser, ‘Die grundrechtliche Zulässigkeit einer Impfpflicht in Österreich’ (Universität Graz 2019) which have previously been summarized in Anja Krasser, ‘Zur grundrechtlichen Zulässigkeit einer Impfpflicht’ (2020) 2020/206 RdM 136.

analyses the issues at hand based on the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
Identifying Key Factors in Library–School Partnerships to Deliver a Family Literacy Programme in Western Australia
Authors: Barratt-Pugh Caroline , Sparrow Heather , Allen Nola
Published: May 2021

Research indicates that partnerships between libraries and schools have potential to enhance early literacy. However, few studies have investigated the nature and outcomes of such collaborations. This paper reports on the findings from a qualitative study of a partnership between librarians and kindergarten teachers to implement a family literacy programme, developed by the State Library of Western Australia. The programme aims to facilitate connections between libraries, families and schools, to support early literacy. Using an interpretive paradigm, interviews were undertaken with 38 participants including State, branch, local and school librarians, kindergarten teachers and school principals in seven schools, to explore the effectiveness of the partnership model. The partnerships were highly valued, and participants reported confidence in the success of the co-operative model of programme delivery. However, there was little evidence of deep engagement across service sectors or sharing of expertise and resources. Four key factors that influenced the development and sustainability of partnerships are identified and discussed. Implications of the research are identified, which include the development of a library–school partnership framework and a literacy-text messaging programme. We conclude by suggesting that the partnership model could be replicated across other countries, maximising opportunities for cost efficiency while supporting better outcomes for families and children.
In silicoandin vivostudy of radio-iodinated nefiracetam as a radiotracer for brain imaging in mice
Authors: Sanad M. H. , Farag A. B. , Rizvi S. F. A.
Published: May 2021

This study presents development and characterization of a radiotracer, [125I]iodonefiracetam ([125I]iodoNEF). Labeling with high yield and radiochemical purity was achieved through the formation of a [125I]iodoNEF radiotracer after investigating many factors like oxidizing agent content (chloramines-T (Ch-T)), substrate amount (Nefiracetam (NEF)), pH of reaction mixture, reaction time and temperature. Nefiracetam (NEF) is known as nootropic agent, acting asN-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor ligand (NMDA). The radiolabeled compound was stable, and exhibited the logarithm of the partition coefficient (logp) value of [125I]iodonefiracetam as 1.85 (lipophilic). Biodistribution studies in normal mice confirmed the suitability of the [125I]iodoNEF radiotracer as a novel tracer for brain imaging. High uptake of 8.61 ± 0.14 percent injected dose/g organ was observed in mice