bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abnormally abrupt transitions from sleep-to-wake in Huntington’s disease sheep (Ovis aries) are revealed by automated analysis of sleep/wake transition dynamics
Authors: Schneider William T. , Vas Szilvia , Nicol Alister U. , Morton A. Jennifer
Published: May 2021

Sleep disturbance is a common and disruptive symptom of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease (HD). In HD patients, sleep fragmentation appears at an early stage of disease, although features of the earliest sleep abnormalities in presymptomatic HD are not fully established. Here we used novel automated analysis of quantitative electroencephalography to study transitions between wake and non-rapid eye movement sleep in a sheep model of presymptomatic HD. We found that while the number of transitions between sleep and wake were similar in normal and HD sheep, the dynamics of transitions from sleep-to-wake differed markedly between genotypes. Rather than the gradual changes in EEG power that occurs during transitioning from sleep-to-wake in normal sheep, transition into wake was abrupt in HD sheep. Furthermore, transitions to wake in normal sheep were preceded by a significant reduction in slow wave power, whereas in HD sheep this prior reduction in slow wave power was far less pronounced. This suggests an impaired ability to prepare for waking in HD sheep. The abruptness of awakenings may also have potential to disrupt sleep-dependent processes if they are interrupted in an untimely and disjointed manner. We propose that not only could these abnormal dynamics of sleep transitions be useful as an early biomarker of HD, but also that our novel methodology would be useful for studying transition dynamics in other sleep disorders.
Emerging and divergent roles of pyrophosphorylated nucleotides in bacterial physiology and pathogenesis
Authors: Chau N. Y Elizabeth , Ahmad Shehryar , Whitney John C. , Coombes Brian K.
Published: May 2021

Bacteria inhabit diverse environmental niches and consequently must modulate their metabolism to adapt to stress. The nucleotide second messengers guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) and guanosine pentaphosphate (pppGpp) (collectively referred to as (p)ppGpp) are essential for survival during nutrient starvation. (p)ppGpp is synthesized by the RelA-SpoT homologue (RSH) protein family and coordinates the control of cellular metabolism through its combined effect on over 50 proteins. While the role of (p)ppGpp has largely been associated with nutrient limitation, recent studies have shown that (p)ppGpp and related nucleotides have a previously underappreciated effect on different aspects of bacterial physiology, such as maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating bacterial interactions with a host, other bacteria, or phages. (p)ppGpp produced by pathogenic bacteria facilitates the evasion of host defenses such as reactive nitrogen intermediates, acidic pH, and the complement system. Additionally, (p)ppGpp and pyrophosphorylated derivatives of canonical adenosine nucleotides called (p)ppApp are emerging as effectors of bacterial toxin proteins. Here, we review the RSH protein family with a focus on its unconventional roles during host infection and bacterial competition.
The peptidoglycan-associated protein NapA plays an important role in the envelope integrity and in the pathogenesis of the lyme disease spirochete
Authors: Davis Marisela M. , Brock Aaron M. , DeHart Tanner G. , Boribong Brittany P. , Lee Katherine , McClune Mecaila E. , Chang Yunjie , Cramer Nicholas , Liu Jun , Jones Caroline N. , Jutras Brandon L.
Published: May 2021

The bacterial pathogen responsible for causing Lyme disease,Borrelia burgdorferi, is an atypical Gram-negative spirochete that is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infectedIxodestick. In diderms, peptidoglycan (PG) is sandwiched between the inner and outer membrane of the cell envelope. In many other Gram-negative bacteria, PG is bound by protein(s), which provide both structural integrity and continuity between envelope layers. Here, we present evidence of a peptidoglycan-associated protein (PAP) inB.burgdorferi. Using an unbiased proteomics approach, we identified Neutrophil Attracting Protein A (NapA) as a PAP. Interestingly, NapA is a Dps homologue, which typically functions to bind and protect cellular DNA from damage during times of stress. WhileB.burgdorferiNapA is known to be involved in the oxidative stress response, it lacks the critical residues necessary for DNA binding. Biochemical and cellular studies demonstrate that NapA is localized to theB.burgdorferiperiplasm and is indeed a PAP. Cryo-electron microscopy indicates that mutant bacteria, unable to produce NapA, have structural abnormalities. Defects in cell-wall integrity impact growth rate and cause thenapAmutant to be more susceptible to osmotic and PG-specific stresses. NapA-linked PG is secreted in outer membrane vesicles and augments IL-17 production, relative to PG alone. Using microfluidics, we demonstrate that NapA acts as a molecular beacon—exacerbating the pathogenic properties ofB.burgdorferiPG. These studies further our understanding of theB.burgdorfericell envelope, provide critical information that underlies its pathogenesis, and highlight how a highly conserved bacterial protein can evolve mechanistically, while maintaining biological function.
The past, the present and The Mandalorian
Authors: Quinn John
Published: May 2021

Drawing on the notion that nostalgia enables a continuity of identity, this article explores how the aesthetics of the Disney+ lynchpin property, The Mandalorian (2019–present), facilitate a return to, and continuity of, masculine heteronormativity in the face of rapid and widespread change within the Star Wars cinematic franchise. Focusing on the excess of style, the reduction in scope and scale of the narrative aesthetics, the role of the star as an agent of the past, the conceptualization of hypermasculine fatherhood and the role of the feminine in the articulation of narrative, this article reveals how The Mandalorian constructs a narrative concerned with fatherhood. Moreover, this article demonstrates how, by appropriating nostalgia in the restorative mode to allow a continuity of idealized masculine identity, The Mandalorian is positioned as the would-be masculine heir to the legacy of the original trilogy.
Herramientas y recursos electrónicos para la traducción de la manipulación fraseológica: un estudio de caso centrado en el estudiante
Authors: Hidalgo Ternero Carlos Manuel , Corpas Pastor Gloria
Published: May 2021

En el presente artículo se analiza un estudio de caso llevado a cabo con estudiantes de la asignatura Traducción General «BA-AB» (II) - Inglés-Español / Español-Inglés, impartida en el segundo semestre del segundo curso del Grado en Traducción e Interpretación de la Universidad de Málaga. En él, en una primera fase, se les enseñó a los estudiantes cómo sacar el máximo partido de diferentes recursos y herramientas documentales electrónicos (corpus lingüísticos, recursos lexicográficos o la web, entre otros) para la creación de equivalencias textuales en aquellos casos en los que, fruto del anisomorfismo fraseológico interlingüe, la modificación creativa de unidades fraseológicas (UF) en el texto origen y la ausencia de correspondencias biunívocas presentan serias dificultades para el proceso traslaticio. De esta manera, a una primera actividad formativa sobre la traducción de usos creativos de unidades fraseológicas le sucede una sesión práctica en la que los alumnos tuvieron que enfrentarse a distintos casos de manipulación en el texto origen. Con el análisis de dichos resultados se podrá vislumbrar en qué medida los distintos recursos documentales ayudan a los traductores en formación a superar el desafío de la manipulación fraseológica.
A Decade of Positive Education and Implications for Initial Teacher Education: A Narrative Review Teacher Education: A Narrative Review
Authors:   The University of Adelaide, White Mathew A.
Published: May 2021

This narrative review addresses a notable gap in initial teacher education research by exploring the impact of positive education—a growing international change initiative—in schools. Launched in 2009, positive education is defined as education for both traditional skills and happiness. This narrative review examines how positive education has contributed to a change in schools and related curriculum issues. It draws on various studies from the past decade to evaluate positive education definitions, examine two periods in positive education research from 2009–2014 and 2015–2020. The review argues that positive education concepts may enrich initial teacher education discourse and enhance teacher professional practice; but, the term may be too narrow. Finally, the review recommends adopting the more inclusive term wellbeing education. This term may guide future research of culturally diverse case studies, thereby supporting the greater integration of wellbeing science with teaching theory and practise in initial teacher education.
Centro de Ensino de Ciências do Nordeste (CECINE) e uma história da formação de professores de matemática no Brasil
Authors: Morais Marcelo Bezerra de
Published: May 2021

Neste artigo, temos a intenção de apresentar uma versão histórica sobre a formação de professores de matemática ofertada pelo CECINE, levando em consideração mais estritamente o cenário do Rio Grande do Norte por ter sido o foco de nossos estudos. Para isso, lançamos mão de documentos constituídos a partir de uma operação historiográfica que mobilizou a História Oral como metodologia de pesquisa. Esta pesquisa, inserida em uma proposta de amplo espectro do Grupo História Oral e Educação Matemática, apresenta como apontamentos cursos ofertados pelo CECINE no qual buscou-se disseminar pelo Norte e Nordeste a Matemática Moderna e ainda a oferta de cursos de Licenciatura de Curta Duração em Ciências, que formou professores para atuar nessas regiões e ainda no Centro Oeste.
Entre navegantes e navegações: diários de bordo sobre o curso Licenciatura em Matemática da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul
Authors: Pinto Thiago Pedro , Morais Ana Claudia Lemes de
Published: May 2021

Apresentam-se neste texto algumas compreensões sobre o início da Licenciatura em Matemática a distância da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Tais compreensões surgem de uma pesquisa de mestrado que teve como objetivo caracterizar os movimentos iniciais da constituição desse curso. As análises, pautadas em cinco entrevistas produzidas ao longo do mestrado, foram realizadas inspiradas nos delineamentos da História Oral, valendo-se de seus recursos de transcrição e textualização, juntamente com documentos oficiais obtidos na instituição. Esta metodologia vem sendo utilizada na Educação Matemática, em especial pelo Grupo História Oral de Educação Matemática (GHOEM) e História da Educação Matemática em Pesquisa (HEMEP). Neste trabalho, dois movimentos destacaram-se e foram discutidos como temas de dois diários de bordo: (i) o de uma história sobre o curso investigado e; (ii) a importância de ações prévias (Parceladas e Licenciaturas Curtas) à sua criação, entendidas como uma continuidade de ações.
La construcción de la idea de Europa a partir de la alteridad.
Authors: Moreno Barreneche Sebastián
Published: May 2021

Significantes como «Europa» y «lo europeo» son empleados frecuentemente como categorías para la identificación tanto personal como colectiva. Sin embargo, refieren a una unidad de sentido –Europa– cuya extensión y cuyos límites no son ni geográfica ni culturalmente claros. Desde una perspectiva semiótica, este artículo presenta una discusión sobre cómo la construcción de la idea a la que refieren estos significantes ha sido articulada en términos discursivos a partir de un «Otro». La discusión se ilustra mediante la comparación con la identidad asociada al «Río de la Plata» y «lo rioplatense», significantes que también refieren a una categoría de sentido articulada a partir de una región geográfica específica y cuyas características socioculturales presentan similitudes con aquellas de los países de la Europa del Sur. Como se argumenta, estas similitudes culturales suponen un desafío conceptual respecto a los procesos semióticos de exclusión, diferenciación y alteridad que caracterizan toda construcción identitaria.
Espacios que oxigenan.
Authors: Magi Valentín , Recanati Facundo
Published: May 2021

El artículo ofrece una aproximación al estudio de la constitución, funcionamiento y declive del Taller de Historia de las Mentalidades que funcionara entre 1990 y 1999 en la Facultad de Humanidades y Artes de la Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Diagnosticando su ausencia en los annales de la historia cultural argentina y rosarina, se recuperan testimonios y reseña la producción escrituraria del taller, para sostener como hipótesis principal que funcionó al estilo de una microsociedad o formación intelectual por los rasgos subversivos que desconocieron el habitus del campo académico, aunque sin desafiar la supervivencia del dogmatismo vigente.
La llegada de Radio Moscú a España: cultura y comunismo en la crisis social española (1932-1936)
Authors: Pecheny Laila Natalí
Published: May 2021

El objetivo de este artículo es describir y problematizar las formas de intervención y los sentidos promovidos por Radio Moscú en castellano durante su emergencia en España (1932-1936). La hipótesis sostiene que aunque la emisora de la Unión Soviética (URSS) fue creada para intervenir políticamente en otros países, logró introducirse en la particular coyuntura de la Segunda República, principalmente a partir de una programación cultural. La profundización de la politización de las emisiones únicamente pudo darse de forma interrumpida con el aumento generalizado de la conflictividad social en diciembre de 1933, octubre de 1934 y enero-febrero de 1936. A partir de esto, se concluyó que la llegada de Radio Moscú a España fue la resultante de la articulación de un proceso social donde intervinieron el sistema de medios ya presente con formas de recepción y funciones sociales definidas, las crisis sociales de la transición republicana, la situación interna del Partido Comunista Español (PCE), las políticas del Estado Soviético destinadas a romper el aislamiento, y la nueva política frente populista de la Internacional Comunista (IC). Se trabajó desde un abordaje cualitativo de artículos de publicaciones como Heraldo de Madrid, La Voz, Luz, La Libertad, Pensamiento Alavés, El Siglo Futuro, Catalunya Social, La Veu de Catalunya, El Diluvio, abc, El Socialista, Mundo Obrero, La Nación, Gracia y Justicia, Ondas, Letras, Blanco y Negro, Crónica y Orbe, relevados de la Hemeroteca digital de la Biblioteca Nacional de España y de la Biblioteca Virtual de Prensa Histórica.
Estudio Descriptivo: Conocimiento de Normativa de Atención Inicial de Víctimas de Violencia en la Unidad de Emergencia del Hospital de Especialidades José Carrasco Arteaga, 2017
Authors: Barros  Angulo Viviana Ivanova , Rojas Torres Edgar Franklin , Polo Merchán Jorge Daniel , Segarra Cevallos Hernán Santiago , Guallpa  Erraez Patricia Nataly
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND: Every year five million people die in the world due to gender, intrafamily and sexual violence. In Ecuador, one in three women and one in two children and adolescents reported having suffered some type of violence. The objective of the study is to determine and describe the knowledge level regarding the procedure and management of violence victims by physicians working in the emergency area. METHODS: This is a descriptive study that includes 58 doctors who work at the emergency service of the José Carrasco Arteaga Specialties Hospital in the period January - December 2017, excluding those who do not wish to participate, performing a survey without validation focused on the care of violence. After training by the Attorney General, a second test was carried out. It was using the statistical analysis software IBM SPSS version 21, for obtaining results. RESULTS: Initially the attention knowledge to victims of gender, intrafamily and sexual violence was of 55 % among the professionals, however after the training it was observed an 11 % increase respect to the knowledge about the Norm of Attention to Victims. CONCLUSIONS: It is important the management with multidisciplinary participation, and the permanent training of medical specialists and care residents who work at Health Unit Emergency Area by the State Attorney General's Office. Additionally.
Caso Clínico: Tumor Neuroendocrino Gástrico
Authors: Vintimilla Pogo Yolanda Elisabeth , Bermejo Alvarez Angélica María , Urgilés Rivas Marco Vinicio , Uyaguari Díaz Lorena Michell
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND: Gastric neuroendocrine are very low tumors prevalence, constituting approximately 1.8 % of gastric tumors. They are usually solitary, with a size between 4 and 8 cm, most often in the male with average age of presentation between 60 - 70 years. It is diagnosis is increasing, thanks to the widespread use of upper digestive endoscopy, this being the gold standar. Regarding it is treatment; surgical resection of gastric neruroendocrine tumors is one of the choices when endoscopic resection is not possible. CASE REPORT: 45-year-old patient refers epigastralgia, nauseas and diarrhea, since two months ago. Upper digestive endoscopy is performed with report of Forrest III antrum ulcer. Biopsy: grade II neuroendocrine tumor. Abdominal tomography: no activity data in another place outside the stomach. EVOLUTION: Subtotal gastrectomy was performed, with a negative report in the transoperative study of peritoneal lavage fluid. The pathology report confirmed the diagnosis of unifocal neuroendocrine GII 3.5 cm tumor; in stage III B according to clinical guidelines, with surveillance for a period of one year without tumor activity. CONCLUSION: The gastric neuroendocrine is a rare type of cancer; upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was a fundamental in the diagnosis of this case that led the patient to seek medical evaluation. However, to reduce it is incidence is recommended to eat a diet rich in fruits, and fresh vegetables accompanied by adequate physical activity.
Caso Clínico: Cirugía Reconstructiva de Tobillo
Authors: Zuñiga Cabrera Fulvio Enrique , Clavijo Jaramillo Jaime Santiago , Guzmán Villa Adriana Abigail
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem, according to the World Health Organization, 422 million adults worldwide in 2014. In 2012, it caused 1.5 million deaths worldwide. Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic amputation in lower limbs and foot infections occur with high frequency in poorly controlled patients. This case shows the reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the lower third leg, heel, malleoli and foot through the description of the reverse sural flap. In this study the advantages and disadvantages of the use of this technique are discussed. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old female patient with a poorly controlled history of Diabetes Mellitus type 2, who suffered a fracture of the left ankle treated with osteosynthesis, and who during the postoperative period attended emergency orthopedics and traumatology, due to severe pain in the left ankle, fever, dehiscence of surgical wound, accompanied by serous secretion. EVOLUTION: The patient, after several surgical cleanings and changes in closure therapy assisted by negative pressure, manages to control the infection, with persistence of the bone coverage defect and the osteosynthesis material. There were additional complications such as joint stiffness, muscle atrophy; it was decided to reconstruct the distal third of the foot using a reverse flow sural fasciocutaneous flap, which evolved satisfactorily, managing to cover the defect with biological tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The sural flap of reverse flow is a reproducible technique that allows to cover coverage defects in the distal third of the leg and ankle; shorten hospitalization times, especially when there is bone exposure or osteosynthesis material.
Experiencia Quirúrgica en el Manejo del Cáncer de Recto. Hospital de SOLCA, Guayaquil – Ecuador
Authors: Malatay González Carlos Humberto , Pazmiño Palacios Juan Bernardo , Idrovo  Murillo Luis Andrés , Siguencia Muñoz Jhónatan Miguel , Bravo Andrade Adriana Ximena
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the third most common among malignant neoplasms worldwide. Treatment choice depends on the location of the tumor, among other factors, and varies from local excision to abdominoperineal resection, adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy can be needed, depending on clinical stage. The purpose of this study was to determine the most common histological type of rectal cancer, establish the most frequent clinical stage at diagnosis, the most common surgical technique and complications. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was carried out, with 160 patients treated in the digestive surgery service of Hospital SOLCA, Guayaquil – Ecuador, between January 2011 and December 2016, with colorectal cancer histologically diagnosed and treated surgically. RESULTS: Female sex was the most affected, with 65.7%, 63.1% of the patients were diagnosed at stage III, adenocarcinoma was the most common histological type (73.7%), the tumor was more frequently located at a low level, in 67.5% of the patients. Surgery was scheduled for 83.7% of the patients, derivative colostomy was the most common surgical procedure for treatment (48.8%), and the most common complications were those related to the ostomy, in 9.4% of the patients. Immediate mortality was 1.2% and late mortality was 8.1%. CONCLUSION: This study evidenced that colorectal cancer affected with more frequency to women, mainly to people over 60 years old. Most of the patients were diagnosed with advanced clinical stage (III) carcinoma, most frequently adenocarcinoma. Derivative colostomy was the procedure of choice for most of the patients, most of them needed neoadjuvant therapy too. The most common postsurgical complications were those related to ostomies.
Caracterización de las Crisis Hipertensivas en adultos de la Emergencia del Hospital José Félix Valdivieso, Enero 2016 a Diciembre 2018
Authors: Saavedra Flores Braulio , Ochoa  Bravo Andrea Catalina , Hugo Merino Gabriel Aníbal , Iñiguez Chacha Cristina Fernanda , Gálvez Vallejo Juan Fernando , Mogollón Guzmán Edisson Andrés , Palacios Moncayo Alcira Cecilia
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive crisis is considered an acute complication of Hypertension, causing 9.4 million deaths annually. Another important problem is the resulting morbidity. Locally, data is limited, that is the importance of presenting the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hypertensive crisis. The aim of this study was characterizing hypertensive crisis in adults, in Hospital José Félix Valdivieso, Santa Isabel, from January 2016 to December 2018. METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study, the study universe were 151 patients diagnosed with hypertensive crisis in Hospital José Félix Valdivieso from January 2016 to December 2018, by simple random sampling we picked 122 patients. The information was obtained from the patient’s medical chart. The data was processed using Excel 2016, and later interpreted using tables and charts. RESULTS: 57% of the sample were female, 49% had between 40 to 65 years of age, 67% had primary education, 65% came from rural areas. About risk factors; 50% of the population was overweight, 70% had previous diagnosis of hypertension. About the type of hypertensive crisis; 93% were hypertensive urgencies, the most commonly affected organ in hypertensive emergencies was the brain, in 89% of the cases. Headache, was the most frequent symptom(59%), followed by neurological symptoms. Captopril was used as initial treatment in 61% of the cases. CONCLUSION: The majority of affected patients were female, middle aged adults. Most of the sample had overweight or obesity. 70% of the population had previous diagnosis of hypertension, of this patients only 80% had hypertensive treatment. Most of the crisis were hypertensive urgencies, in hypertensive emergencies the most commonly affect organ was the brain. Captopril was used in most of the cases for initial treatment. This study didn’t registered any deaths.
Marcadores químicos em espécies de Echinodorus (Alismataceae) utilizadas como chapéu-de-couro
Authors: Rodrigues Santos Rizia , Souza Alves da Fonseca Francine , Místico Azevedo Alcinei , Ronie Martins Ernane
Published: May 2021

O nome chapéu-de-couro é dado às plantas pertencentes ao gênero Echinodorus (Alismataceae). São espécies nativas e popularmente utilizadas como diuréticas e anti-inflamatórias. As espécies Echinodorus macrophyllus e Echinodorus grandiflorus têm o uso recomendado pela Farmacopeia Brasileira. Entretanto, devido à plasticidade fenotípica do gênero, a identificação precisa é dificultada, consequentemente, Echinodorus floribundus e Echinodorus subalatus têm sido utilizadas pela população para os mesmos fins. O objetivo foi avaliar marcadores químicos para as espécies Echinodorus floribundus e Echinodorus subalatus e a similaridade química dessas com as espécies descritas na Farmacopeia Brasileira. A triagem fitoquímica revelou presença de fenóis, flavonoides, flavonas, flavonóis, xantonas, esteroides e triterpenoides nos extratos. Porém ambas as espécies apresentaram valores inferiores de flavonoides totais quando comparadas com Echinodorus scaber, descrita na literatura. A caracterização do extrato aquoso foliar em cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE-DAD) detectou 118 e 121 compostos em E. floribundus e E. subalatus, respectivamente. Destes, 25 apresentaram espectros UV-Vis característicos de compostos fenólicos. Não foram detectados o ácido chicórico e a isoorientina, marcadores comuns em Echinodorus. Os teores de derivados do ácido o-hidroxicinâmico para E. floribundus e E. subalatus (5,52% e 3,07%, respectivamente) foram superiores ao que é exigido pela Farmacopeia Brasileira. Dessa forma, há diferenças químicas entre Echinodorus floribundus e Echinodorus subalatus e as descritas pela Farmacopeia Brasileira, entretanto, há indícios de potencial farmacológico das espécies estudadas.
Failure Analysis of a Diesel Engine Crankshaft
Authors: Zhang H. Y. , Qu S. , Dong C. , Fu C. M. , Zang Q. S. , Zhang Z. F.
Published: May 2021

A six-cylinder crankshaft in a 12L diesel engine was locked after testing for about 840 hours in the bench test. The fractography investigation indicates that fatigue is the dominant failure mechanism of the crankshaft. It is found that the fatigue crack mainly initiated at the fillet of the crankweb between the 6th main journal and 6th crankpin. The fatigue crack initiation area lies outside the induction surface hardened zone. From detailed metallographic inspection, abnormal microstructure containing Widmannstatten was found in the fatigue crack initiation area and the 5th main journal, while that was not found at the severely deformed crankweb. Since the region containing Widmannstatten has lower hardness, the root cause of the failure may be that the abnormal microstructure lowered the fatigue strength at the stress concentrated fillet. The crankshaft prematurely fractured under the complex stress condition in the bench test.
Analytical treatment of the critical properties of a generalized van der Waals equation
Authors: Amin Magdy E
Published: May 2021

The two-parameter van der Waals (vdW) equation of state is generalized, by adding another two parameters to the attractive term. General relations between thermodynamic functions of the generalized vdW equation and the hard sphere gas are derived. The cubic equation of the generalized vdW is solved and the critical points (P

c
, V

c
, T

c
) are obtained for general k. The critical properties of the vdW real gas such as the isothermal compressibility K

T
, the isobaric expansion coefficient α and the isobaric heat capacity C

P
are calculated exactly. The temperature dependence of K

T
, α and C

P
is investigated close to the critical point on the critical isobar path P

r
= 1(P = P

c
). Numerical calculations for K

T
and C

P
are presented above and below P

r
.
Чешско-российский дипломатический кризис: внутриполитический аспект
Authors: Vedernikov Mikhail
Published: May 2021

В записке рассмотрен чешско-российский дипломатический кризис через призму внутриполитического развития Чешской Республики. Автор отмечает однобокость распространенного среди российских экспертов подхода, согласно которому случившееся анализируется исключительно в парадигме Россия-Чехия-НАТО. На самом деле решение о сокращении российского дипредставительства в Чехии возникло не на пустом месте, ему предшествовала многолетняя дискуссия по этому вопросу. Ухудшение чешско-российских отношений, по мнению действующих чешских властей, должно было способствовать прекращению падения рейтинга движения АНО и Чешской социал-демократической партии.
Франция: тени прошлого или призраки будущего?
Authors: Rubinskiy Yuriy
Published: May 2021

Открытое письмо более тысячи бывших военнослужащих французской армии, в том числе 20 отставных генералов, с призывом к властям ужесточить борьбу против исламского фундаментализма под угрозой вмешательства вооруженных сил напомнило о старой бонапартистской традиции в истории Франции, в частности о неудачной попытке путча генералов времён колониальной войны в Алжире (1961 г.). Хотя повторение такого сценария ныне крайне маловероятно, демарш авторов письма способен оказать влияние на ход борьбы перед президентскими выборами мая 2022 г., где главным соперником действующего главы государства Э. Макрона снова выступает лидер крайне правого «Национального объединения» М. Ле Пен.
In the Name of Spanish Colonization
Authors: Macias John
Published: May 2021

This article analyzes the early records of Mission San Gabriel to conclude that the missionaries replaced native identities with new categories of gentile and neophyte, based on religious criteria, and blurred the racial-social distinctions brought by the colonizers from Mexico into one California frontier class, the gente de razón, based on their roles in colonization and their adherence to Catholicism. The consequences can be measured in the 1769 explorers’ depictions of Indigenous, in native resistance, and most clearly in the mission register of baptisms, confirmations, and marriages. Christian Indians from Baja California who participated in the colonial enterprise complicated the frontier class distinctions. The early practice at Mission San Gabriel became the model for later mission practice.
Late diagnosis of classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia: long-term consequences during adulthood
Authors: Aveiro-Lavrador Mariana , De Sousa Lages Adriana , Barros Luísa , Paiva Isabel
Published: May 2021

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders related to enzyme deficiencies in the adrenal steroidogenesis pathway leading to impaired corticosteroid biosynthesis. Depending on the extension of enzyme defect, there may be variable severities of CAH – classic and non-classic. We report the case of a 37-year-old male patient with a previously unknown diagnosis of classic CAH referred to Endocrinology evaluation due to class III obesity and insulin resistance. A high diagnostic suspicion was raised at the first Endocrinology consultation after careful past medical history analysis especially related to the presence of bilateral adrenal myelolipomas and primary infertility. A genetic test confirmed the presence of a variant of the CYP21A2 in homozygous with an enzymatic activity of 0–1%, corresponding to a classic and severe CAH form. Our case represents an unusually late definitive diagnose of classic CAH since the definition was established only during adulthood in the fourth decade of life. The missing diagnosis of classic 21 hydroxylase deficiency during infancy led to important morbidity, with a high impact on patients’ quality of life.

Learning points

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) refers to a group of autosomal recessive enzyme disorders responsible for an impaired cortical adrenal hormonal synthesis.

CAH may be divided into two major forms: classic and non-classic CAH.

If untreated, CAH may be fatal or may be responsible for important multi-organ long-term consequences that can be undervalued during adulthood.

Adrenal myelolipomas are associated with chronic exposure to high ACTH levels and continuous androgen hyperstimulation typically found in undertreated CAH patients.

Testicular adrenal rest tumours (TART) and primary infertility can be the first manifestation of the disease during adulthood.
Mass spectrometry imaging identifies metabolic patterns associated with malignant potential in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma
Authors: Murakami Masanori , Sun Na , Greunke Christian , Feuchtinger Annette , Kircher Stefan , Deutschbein Timo , Papathomas Thomas , Bechmann Nicole , William Wallace Paal , Peitzsch Mirko , Korpershoek Esther , Friemel Juliane , Gimenez-Roqueplo Anne-Paule , Robledo Mercedes , J L M Timmers Henri , Canu Letizia , Weber Achim , R de Krijger Ronald , Fassnacht Martin , Knösel Thomas , Kirchner Thomas , Reincke Martin , Karl Walch Axel , Kroiss Matthias , Beuschlein Felix
Published: May 2021

Objective

Within the past decade, important genetic drivers of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGLs) development have been identified. The pathophysiological mechanism that translates these alterations into functional autonomy and potentially malignant behavior has not been elucidated in detail. Here we used MALDI-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens to comprehensively characterize the metabolic profiles of PPGLs.

Design and methods

MALDI-MSI was conducted in 344 PPGLs and results correlated with genetic and phenotypic information. We experimentally silenced genetic drivers by siRNA in PC12 cells to confirm their metabolic impact in vitro.

Results

Tissue abundance of kynurenine pathway metabolites such as xanthurenic acid was significantly lower (P = 2.35E−09) in the pseudohypoxia pathway cluster 1 compared to PPGLs of the kinase-driven PPGLs cluster 2. Lower abundance of xanthurenic acid was associated with shorter metastasis-free survival (log-rank tests P = 7.96E−06) and identified as a risk factor for metastasis independent of the genetic status (hazard ratio, 32.6, P = 0.002). Knockdown of Sdhb and Vhl in an in vitro model demonstrated that inositol metabolism and sialic acids were similarly modulated as in tumors of the respective cluster.

Conclusions

The present study has identified distinct tissue metabolomic profiles of PPGLs in relation to tumor genotypes. In addition, we revealed significantly altered metabolites in the kynurenine pathway in metastatic PPGLs, which can aid in the prediction of its malignant potential. However, further validation studies will be required to confirm our findings.
Atypical Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy With Persistent Left Ventricular Aneurysm After Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Zhang Xiaojie
Published: May 2021

A 57-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of severe mitral regurgitation. Minimally invasive mitral valvuloplasty was performed. Six months after surgery, he presented with discomfort. Urgent coronary angiography showed a normal coronary artery and large left ventricular aneurysm. After atypical Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was diagnosed, his clinical symptoms and heart function were improved with medication for his persistent left ventricular aneurysm. After 24 hours, Hotler showed a lethal ventricular arrhythmia. Surgical treatment was recommended and refused. After four years of observation, he died of asystole. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is considered a severe complication after surgery. The prognosis is very poor if it has catastrophic complications.
Oral anticoagulation with rivaroxaban as thromboprophylaxis in patients recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia in Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: Orantes Luis Del Carpio , Díaz Jesús Salvador Sánchez- , Moguel Karla Gabriela Peniche- , Sánchez Elisa Estefanía Aparicio- , Rodríguez Orlando Israel Segura- , Rodríguez Orlando Israel Segura- , Hernández Omar García- , Huerta Alejandro Escobar- , Zamudio Azael Ahumada- , Caicero Andrés Realino Velasco- , Segovia Olga González- , PachecoPérez Ernesto Javier , Sereno Álvaro Efrén Munguia- , Sánchez Edna Rosario Contreras , Hernández Sara Nohemí Hernández , Medrano-Rios Luis Jaime , Rosas-Lozano Ada Lili
Published: May 2021

Background: Patients affected by COVID-19 are at risk of various venous and arterial thrombotic events, as well as embolic risks, the risk can vary from 17% to 78% according to the different published series. Therefore, thromboprophylaxis must be imperative. Methods: Descriptive and analytical study in patients who presented pneumonia due to COVID-19 in April and May 2020, who received LMWH during their hospital stay and at discharge with rivaroxaban 10 mg / day for 2 months. D-dimer was measured at the beginning of the study and 1 month after discharge. Thrombotic or hemorrhagic episodes are controlled after 1 and 2 months of treatment (June – July 2020). Results: 50 patients are included, twenty women (40%) and thirty (60%) men, with a median age of 42.9 years. 32 (64%) patients had mild pneumonia and 18 (36%) patients had severe pneumonia, mean initial d-dimer 556.5 (375.2 - 1233.7) ng / ml, 56% of patients had d-dimer ≥ 500 ng / ml at the time of hospital admission. Baseline D-dimer values were significantly higher among patients with severe pneumonia. In the follow-up at one and two months after hospital discharge, we found that D-dimer values were significantly higher among patients with severe pneumonia and also, in this group of patients, the percentage of patients with D-dimer levels ≥ 500 ng / mL in the first month of follow-up, was significantly higher in the group of patients who were hospitalized for severe pneumonia. During the first month of follow-up, there was a thrombotic event and a hemorrhagic event in the group of patients with a history of severe pneumonia; by the second month of follow-up, there was a hemorrhagic event in the group of patients with mild pneumonia, but this difference in frequencies was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In this group of patients, the incidence of thrombotic and hemorrhagic events was low, so the thromboprophylaxis scheme used in patients with recovered pneumonia due to COVID-19 is recommended. Rivaroxaban is safe to use like thromboprophylaxis.
Protective ventilation measures improve outcomes during major vascular surgery
Authors: Saha MD Sujata , Bazzell MD Mark , Dull MD Randall , Matika MD Ryan , Bhattacharjee MD Sandipan , Hsu PhD Chiu-Hsieh , Weinkauf MD PhD Craig
Published: May 2021

Background: In major endovascular and open vascular surgery cases, pulmonary complications remain persistently high and the most prevalent. Despite strong evidence from intensive care unit (ICU) practices demonstrating benefits of ventilation management with low tidal volume and high positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), no consensus exists regarding protective ventilation use intraoperatively. Methods: A single institute, patient and surgeon blinded, prospective, randomized study design was used. Patients undergoing major vascular surgery (vascular surgery scheduled for >120 minutes and requiring general anesthesia) from 2015-2016 were randomized to pre-defined control (n = 14) or intervention (n =19) intraoperative ventilation arms. As described later, intervention consisted of a combination of low tidal volume, optimized positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) and low intraoperative FiO2. Primary outcomes included all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI) and reintubation within 7 post-operative days (POD). Secondary outcomes included atelectasis, pulmonary function measures, hospital length of stay and post-operative complications of re-intubation, pneumonia, sespsis, unplanned readmission or return to operating room, and/or mortality. Results: The intervention arm had significantly reduced post-operative atelectasis ((p <0.02) and increased post-operative SpO2 (p< 0.02). The intervention arm also had a significantly lower length of hospital stay (6.9±5.5 vs 3.3±1.8, p < 0.016). This was corroborated by a multivariate regression analysis that showed therapy was independently correlated with decreased length of stay (p<0.007). Conclusion: Our data indicate a combination of low tidal volumes, optimized PEEP and low FiO2 improves outcomes of patients undergoing major vascular surgery. Importantly, our study demonstrates that these study parameters for evaluation of intraoperative ventilation management are feasible in a busy academic center and a larger clinical trial is worthy. Protective intraoperative ventilation measures could have significant effects on vascular surgery outcomes.
Effect of storage temperature and maturity stage on the postharvest period of ‘Horvin’ plums (Prunus domestica L.)
Authors: Alvarez Herrera Javier Giovanni , Deaquiz Yuli Alexandra , Rozo-Romero Ximena
Published: May 2021

Plums are classified as a climacteric fruit with a high respiration rate between the end of their development and the start of the ripening process, thus making it necessary to apply techniques to preserve the organoleptic characteristics required for the product to have good market acceptance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of harvest maturity (states 2, 3, 4, and 5) and storage temperature (2, 4, and 18 °C) on the organoleptic and physicochemical quality and postharvest storage duration of ‘Horvin’ plums. The experimental design was completely randomized with a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement. The first factor corresponded to the stage of maturity, and the second one to refrigeration temperatures, for a total of 12 treatments. Every three or four days, fruit peel color, accumulated mass loss, respiratory intensity, firmness, pH, total titratable acidity, and total soluble solids were measured every during storage. Measurements were taken until the fruits lost their organoleptic quality. For most of the measured variables, the fruits stored at 2 °C and harvested in maturity stage 5 maintained the best postharvest quality during storage. The fruits without refrigeration only reached 10 days, while the fruits stored at 4 °C and 2 °C maintained quality of consumption for 24 and 31 days, respectively. Maturity stage 5 presented the highest values of accumulated mass loss, pH, total soluble solids, color index, maturity index, and respiratory intensity.
Selection Criteria for Sustainable Suppliers in the Supply Chain of Copper Mining in Chile
Authors: Gahona Flores Orlando Francisco
Published: May 2021

The objective of this research was to identify the criteria for the selection of sustainable suppliers in the supply chain of copper mining located in the Antofagasta region in Chile, through the information obtained in the application of a survey managers  mining companies in 2018. The research results show that mining companies use economic, environmental and social criteria in the selection of sustainable suppliers, which are consistent with the research carried out by Dickson (1966) and Zimmer, Frohling and Schultmann ( 2016). However, the differentiation that mining companies make in the evaluation of criteria when it comes to suppliers of goods or service providers stands out as an important finding. In the case of suppliers of goods, economic criteria are valued more preferably, such as: quality, delivery on time, price, historical performance and previous sales. On the other hand, when it comes to service providers, environmental and social criteria, such as: occupational health and safety management and  environmental management, are valued with greater importance.
Relationship between color and physico-chemical properties of cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.) at different days of storage
Authors: Luengo Fereira Alberto José , Hernández-Varela Josué David
Published: May 2021

Cashew is a fruiting specimen exported from different countries, including Venezuela, due to its high nutritional value and unique taste. However, only the fruit (cashew nut) is considered the most used part for consumption while the pseudo-fruit (cashew apple) is discarded due to its strong taste and smell. This study is based on the changes that occur in the physical and chemical composition of the pseudo-fruit of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) in different days of storage (0, 3, 6, 9, 12) related to the color analysis of the pseudo-fruit. Image analysis was performed using the CIELab color space, which revealed different maturity stages for samples from day 0 to day 12. Nevertheless, antioxidant activity refers to ascorbic acid, and polyphenols content showed a degradation before day 6 of storage. These results prove that cashew apples can be stored for long-term at room temperature (25 °C), but the color and physico-chemical properties suffer some changes decreasing their nutritional value after day 6 of storage. A correlation between image analysis and chemical parameters can be used to evaluate the optimal maturity stage in samples.
Review on the ecophysiology of important Andean fruits: Passiflora L.
Authors: Fischer Gerhard , Miranda Diego
Published: May 2021

The development of Andean fruit crops is viewed as an important and healthy contribution to global food consumption but ecophysiological studies on these fruit trees are scarce. 96% of approximately 520 Passiflora L. species are distributed in the Americas, especially in Colombia and Brazil. Many of these species originated on the edges of humid forests in tropical valleys. The four species: yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Degener), sweet granadilla (Passiflora ligularis Juss.), purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. edulis Sims) and banana passion fruit (Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (Kunth) Holm-Niels & P.M. Jørg) are widely cultivated in Colombia, and their ecophysiological findings are described in this review. The demands, in terms of temperature (°C) and altitude (masl) are, for yellow passion fruits: 15-28 °C and 0-1,300 masl; sweet granadillas: 15-23 °C and 1,800-2,600 masl; purple passion fruits: 15-22/12-14 °C (day/night) and 1,600-2,300 masl; and banana passion fruit: 13-16 °C and 1.800-3.200 masl; all of them have high requirements for solar radiation, a minimum of 7 h of sunshine per day, to encourage flowering and fruit quality. Cloudy days decrease growth, flower bud induction and flower opening. Temperature and photosynthetic active radiation are the climatic factors that have the greatest effect on plant development. Relative humidity between 60 and 80% supports effective pollination and fecundation. Passiflora L. crops do not support long periods of waterlogging, with a maximum of 4 days for yellow passion fruit. Climatic events such as prolonged rain, intense droughts, strong winds and hail are harmful for these plants.
Kinetic study and modeling of xylitol production using Candida tropicalis in different culture media using unstructured models
Authors: Manjarres-Pinzón Katherine , Barrios Ziolo Leonardo , Arias Zabala Mario E. , Correa Londoño Guillermo , Rodriguez Sandoval Eduardo
Published: May 2021

Unstructured models for cell growth, xylose consumption and xylitol production were applied for to describe the fermentation kinetics of xylitol production using Candida tropicalis in synthetic medium,and in non-detoxified oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) hydrolysate at 100 mL flask scale. In synthetic medium, the experimental maximum specific growth rate (μmax) and the cell mass yield factor(YX/S) were closer to the results of the Tessier model than those of the Contois and Monod models. Whereas, in non-detoxified OPEFB hydrolyzate, these parameters were closer to the results of the Contois model than those of the Tessier and Monod models. According to the models’ results, xylitol is mainly produced during the cell growth phase. The Tessier model in synthetic medium and Contois model in non-detoxified OPEFB hydrolysate had a coefficient of variation in growth kinetics of 32 and 33%, respectively. The significance of this study lies in simplifying the fermentation process through an unstructured and non-segregated model using three events at the same time, cell growth, substrate consumption and metabolite production.