bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The off-line effect of affective touch on multisensory integration and tactile perceptual accuracy during the somatic signal detection task
Authors: Sacchetti Sofia , McGlone Francis , Cazzato Valentina , Mirams Laura
Published: December 2021

Affective touch refers to the emotional and motivational facets of tactile sensation and has been linked to the activation of a specialised system of mechanosensory afferents (the CT system), that respond optimally to slow caress-like touch. Affective touch has been shown to play an important role in the building of the bodily self: the multisensory integrated global awareness of one’s own body. Here we investigated the effects of affective touch on subsequent tactile awareness and multisensory integration using the Somatic Signal Detection Task (SSDT). During the SSDT, participants were required to detect near-threshold tactile stimulation on their cheek, in the presence/absence of a concomitant light. Participants repeated the SSDT twice, before and after receiving a touch manipulation. Participants were divided into two groups: one received affective touch (CT optimal; n = 32), and the second received non-affective touch (non-CT optimal; n = 34). Levels of arousal (skin conductance levels, SCLs) and mood changes after the touch manipulation were also measured. Affective touch led to an increase in tactile accuracy, as indicated by less false reports of touch and a trend towards higher tactile sensitivity during the subsequent SSDT. Conversely, non-affective touch was found to induce a partial decrease in the correct detection of touch possibly due to a desensitization of skin mechanoreceptors. Both affective and non-affective touch induced a more positive mood and higher SCLs in participants. The increase in SCLs was greater after affective touch. We conclude that receiving affective touch enhances the sense of bodily self therefore increasing perceptual accuracy and awareness. Higher SCLs are suggested to be a possible mediator linking affective touch to a greater tactile accuracy. Clinical implications are discussed.
The effect of hearing aids on cognitive function: A systematic review
Authors: Sanders Maxime E. , Kant Ellen , Smit Adriana L. , Stegeman Inge
Published: December 2021

Rationale

Dementia currently affects 50 million people globally with this expected to triple by 2050. Even though hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Considering hearing loss is the largest modifiable risk factor for developing dementia, it is essential to study the effect of hearing aids on cognitive function.

Objective

To systematically review the existing literature to examine the evidence for using hearing aids intervention as a treatment for deteriorating cognitive function.

Design

A search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and grey literature was conducted revealing 3060 unique records between 1990–2020. Two reviewers independently selected longitudinal studies observing the effects of hearing aids on cognitive function in persons without dementia at onset of the study. Due to the heterogeneity of the data, a meta-analysis could not be performed. Outcomes are described in a summary of findings table and portrayed diagrammatically.

Results

We identified 17 unique studies, spanning 30 years of research and 3526 participants. The included studies made use of 50 different cognitive function tests. These tests were grouped into separate cognitive domains according to the DSM-V classification for further analysis. The most beneficial impact of hearing aids seems to be in the cognitive domain of executive function, with six studies showing improvement, two studies being inconclusive and three studies not demonstrating a significant effect. Three of five studies demonstrated significant improvement when screening for brief mental status. The least beneficial impact is seen in domain of complex attention, with eight studies showing no significant effects, compared with one demonstrating improvement with intervention.

Conclusions

Based on this systematic review, we conclude that there is controversy about the effects of hearing aids on cognition. Additional research through randomized clinical trials with standardized cognitive assessment and longer follow-up is warranted to further elucidate this relationship.
Comparison of urine proteome among rat models by intraperitoneal injection with single bacteria and co-injection with two bacteria
Authors: Meng Wenshu , Zhao Chenyang , Gao Youhe
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To explore and compare urine proteome changes among rat models by intraperitoneal injection with single bacteria and co-injection with two bacteria.

Method

Escherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureusare two common human pathogens. Three rat models were established: (i) the intraperitoneal co-injection ofE.coliandS.aureusmodel (ES model), (ii) intraperitoneal injection ofE.colimodel (E model), and (iii) intraperitoneal injection ofS.aureusmodel (S model). Urinary proteomes on days 0, 1 and 2 of the three models were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Results

A total of 111, 34 and 94 differential proteins were identified in the ES model, E model and S model, respectively. Among them, some differential proteins were reported to be associated with bacterial infection. Approximately 47% differential proteins in the E model overlapped with ES model, and 37% differential proteins in the S model overlapped with ES model. Compared with the E model and S model, a total of 71 unique differential proteins were identified in the ES model.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that (1) the urine proteome could distinguish different bacterial intraperitoneal injections models and (2) the effects of co-injection with two bacteria on the urine proteome were not simple superposition of single injection.
Response to self-care practice messages among patients with diabetes mellitus visiting Jimma University medical center facility based cross sectional design application of extended parallel process model
Authors: Abawari Mohammed Jemal , Amdisa Demuma , Birhanu Zewdie , Kebede Yohannes
Published: December 2021

Objective

To determine response to self-care practice message among patients with diabetes in Jimma University Medical center based on the Extended Parallel Process Model.

Design

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted.

Setting

Jimma University Medical Center is found in Jimma town.

Participants

A total of 343 patients with diabetes participated in the study; making a response rate of 93.9%. All patients with diabetes who were 18 years and above and who were on follow up and registered were included in the study and those with Gestational DM were excluded.

Data analysis

Multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Result

Responsive respondents scored high in self-care practice score as compared to other respondents. educational status, information sources, knowledge, and preferred message appeals were independent predictors of controlling the danger of diabetes.

Conclusion

There is a significant gap in controlling the danger of diabetes. Variables like the level of education, knowledge of diabetes mellitus, information sources, and message appeals were independent predictors of controlling the danger of diabetes. Designing message having higher efficacy while maintaining the level of threat is the best that fits the existing audience’s message processing to bring about desired diabetic self-care Practice.
Mild anemia and 11- to 15-year mortality risk in young-old and old-old: Results from two population-based cohort studies
Authors: Galbussera Alessia A. , Mandelli Sara , Rosso Stefano , Zanetti Roberto , Rossi Marianna , Giacomin Adriano , Detoma Paolo , Riva Emma , Tettamanti Mauro , Porta Matteo G. Della , Lucca Ugo
Published: December 2021

Background

Mild anemia is a frequent although often overlooked finding in old age. Nevertheless, in recent years anemia has been linked to several adverse outcomes in the elderly population. Objective of the study was to investigate the association of mild anemia (hemoglobin concentrations: 10.0–11.9/12.9 g/dL in women/men) with all-cause mortality over 11–15 years and the effect of change in anemia status on mortality in young-old (65–84 years) and old-old (80+ years).

Methods

The Health and Anemia and Monzino 80-plus are two door-to-door, prospective population-based studies that included residents aged 65-plus years in Biella municipality and 80-plus years in Varese province, Italy. No exclusion criteria were used.

Results

Among 4,494 young-old and 1,842 old-old, mortality risk over 15/11 years was significantly higher in individuals with mild anemia compared with those without (young-old: fully-adjusted HR: 1.35, 95%CI, 1.15–1.58; old-old: fully-adjusted HR: 1.28, 95%CI, 1.14–1.44). Results were similar in the disease-free subpopulation (age, sex, education, smoking history, and alcohol consumption adjusted HR: 1.54, 95%CI, 1.02–2.34). Both age groups showed a dose-response relationship between anemia severity and mortality (P for trend <0.0001). Mortality risk was significantly associated with chronic disease and chronic kidney disease mild anemia in both age groups, and with vitamin B12/folate deficiency and unexplained mild anemia in young-old. In participants with two hemoglobin determinations, seven-year mortality risk was significantly higher in incident and persistent anemic cases compared to constant non-anemic individuals in both age groups. In participants without anemia at baseline also hemoglobin decline was significantly associated with an increased mortality risk over seven years in both young-old and old-old. Limited to the Monzino 80-plus study, the association remained significant also when the risk was further adjusted also for time-varying covariates and time-varying anemia status over time.

Conclusions

Findings from these two large prospective population-based studies consistently suggest an independent, long-term impact of mild anemia on survival at older ages.
Toxicological safety of VOHO Hemp Oil; a supercritical fluid extract from the aerial parts of hemp
Authors: Dziwenka Margitta , Dolan Laurie , Mitchell Jason
Published: December 2021

VOHO Hemp Oil (Verdant Nature LLC (in collaboration with HempFusion)) is an extract of the aerial parts of hemp (Cannabis sativa L) manufactured using a supercritical CO2 extraction process. The results of four safety studies are reported here including a bacterial reverse mutation assay, an in vivo mammalian micronucleus study, a maximum tolerated dose study in rats and a 90-day repeat dose subchronic toxicity study in rats. VOHO Hemp oil can contain up to 30% phytocannabinoids and less than 0.2% is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). VOHO Hemp Oil was found to be non-mutagenic in the bacterial reverse mutation assay and was negative for inducing micronuclei in the rat bone marrow micronucleus assay. The maximum tolerated dose in male and female Wistar rats was 2250 mg/kg bw/day. A 90-day repeat dose study was conducted in male and female Wistar rats according to OECD Guideline 408 and included a 21-day recovery period. The doses used in the study were 0, 25, 90 and 324 mg/kg bw per day in the main study, and in the recovery phase a control and 324 mg/kg bw/day group were included. One mortality was reported during the study, a high dose female, and test substance-related adverse clinical signs were reported in the high dose group. Other test substance-related changes noted in the high dose group included changes in body weights, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) values, and in absolute and relative organ weights. Based on the results of the study, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for VOHO Hemp Oil was determined to be 90 mg/kg bw/day in both male and female Wistar rats.
How are trial outcomes prioritised by stakeholders from different regions? Analysis of an international Delphi survey to develop a core outcome set in gastric cancer surgery
Authors: Alkhaffaf Bilal , Metryka Aleksandra , Blazeby Jane M. , Glenny Anne-Marie , Williamson Paula R. , Bruce Iain A. ,   on behalf of the GASTROS International Working Group
Published: December 2021

Background

International stakeholder participation is important in the development of core outcome sets (COS). Stakeholders from varying regions may value health outcomes differently. Here, we explore how region, health income and participant characteristics influence prioritisation of outcomes during development of a COS for gastric cancer surgery trials (the GASTROS study).

Methods

952 participants from 55 countries participating in a Delphi survey during COS development were eligible for inclusion. Recruits were grouped according to region (East or West), country income classification (high and low-to-middle income) and other characteristics (e.g. patients; age, sex, time since surgery, mode of treatment, surgical approach and healthcare professionals; clinical experience). Groups were compared with respect to how they categorised 56 outcomes identified as potentially important to include in the final COS (‘consensus in’, ‘consensus out’, ‘no consensus’). Outcomes categorised as ‘consensus in’ or ‘consensus out’ by all 3 stakeholder groups would be automatically included in or excluded from the COS respectively.

Results

In total, 13 outcomes were categorised ‘consensus in’ (disease-free survival, disease-specific survival, surgery-related death, recurrence of cancer, completeness of tumour removal, overall quality of life, nutritional effects, all-cause complications, intraoperative complications, anaesthetic complications, anastomotic complications, multiple organ failure, and bleeding), 13 ‘consensus out’ and 31 ‘no consensus’. There was little variation in prioritisation of outcomes by stakeholders from Eastern or Western countries and high or low-to-middle income countries. There was little variation in outcome prioritisation within either health professional or patient groups.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that there is little variation in opinion within stakeholder groups when participant region and other characteristics are considered. This finding may help COS developers when designing their Delphi surveys and recruitment strategies. Further work across other clinical fields is needed before broad recommendations can be made.
Patient and retina specialists’ preferences in neovascular age-related macular degeneration treatment. A discrete choice experiment
Authors: Gallego-Pinazo Roberto , Pina-Marin Begoña , Comellas Marta , Aceituno Susana , Gómez-Baldó Laia , Blanch Carles ,   on behalf of the AMD-Manage investigators
Published: December 2021

Introduction and objective

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) leads to severe and permanent visual impairment, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life and functional independence. Although treatment with anti- vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) prevents and, in some cases, reverses visual damage, the need for frequent monitoring visits and intravitreal injections represents a significant burden on patients, caregivers and retina specialists.

Objective

To elicit preferences for nAMD treatment characteristics from the perspectives of patients and retina specialists.

Method

A discrete choice experiment was conducted. Participants (patients > 50 years with nAMD receiving anti-VEGF drugs for at least 2 years and without previous experience with anti-VEGF and retina specialists working in the Spanish National Healthcare System) were asked to select one of two hypothetical treatments resulting from the combination of five attributes (effects on visual function, effects on retinal fluid, treatment regimen, monitoring frequency, and cost); their levels were identified by reviewing the literature and two focus groups. The relative importance (RI) given to each attribute was estimated using a mixed logit model. The marginal rates of substitution (MRS) were calculated taking cost as the risk attribute.

Results

A total of 110 patients (P) [aged 79.0 (SD:7.4) years; 57.3% women; 2.3 (SD:0.7) years with nAMD; 2.1 years (SD:0.1) in treatment] and 66 retina specialists (RS) participated in the study. Participants gave greater RI to improvements in their visual function [60.0% (P); 52.7% (RS)], lower monitoring frequency [20.2% (P); 27.1% (RS)] and reduction in retinal fluid [9.8% (P); 13.0%(RS)]. Patients and retina specialists would agree to an increase in cost by 65.0% and 56.5%, respectively, in exchange for improvements of visual function; and 25.5% and 43.3% on delaying monitoring frequency by one month.

Conclusions

Efficacy of treatment, in terms of visual function improvements, is the main driver for treatment election for both patients and retina specialists. Treatment monitoring requirements are also considered, mainly from the retina specialist’s perspective. These results suggest that the use of more efficacious anti-VEGF agents with a longer duration of action may contribute to aligning treatment characteristics with patients/specialists’ preferences. A better alignment would facilitate better disease management, fulfilling the unmet needs of patients and retina specialists.
Great egret (Ardea alba) habitat selection and foraging behavior in a temperate estuary: Comparing natural wetlands to areas with shellfish aquaculture
Authors: Jennings Scott , Lumpkin David , Warnock Nils , Condeso T. Emiko , Kelly John P.
Published: December 2021

Movement by animals to obtain resources and avoid predation often depends on natural cycles, and human alteration of the landscape may disrupt or enhance the utility of different habitats or resources to animals through the phases of these cycles. We studied habitat selection by GPS/accelerometer-tagged great egrets (Ardea alba) foraging in areas with shellfish aquaculture infrastructure and adjacent natural wetlands, while accounting for tide-based changes in water depth. We used integrated step selection analysis to test the prediction that egrets would express stronger selection for natural wetlands (eelgrass, tidal marsh, and other tidal wetlands) than for shellfish aquaculture areas. We also evaluated differences in foraging behavior among shellfish aquaculture areas and natural wetlands by comparing speed travelled (estimated from distance between GPS locations) and energy expended (Overall Dynamic Body Acceleration) while foraging. We found evidence for stronger overall habitat selection for eelgrass than for shellfish aquaculture areas, with results conditional on water depth: egrets used shellfish aquaculture areas, but only within a much narrower range of water depths than they used eelgrass and other natural wetlands. We found only slight differences in our metrics of foraging behavior among shellfish aquaculture areas and natural wetlands. Our results suggest that although great egrets appear to perceive or experience shellfish aquaculture areas as suitable foraging habitat during some conditions, those areas provide less foraging opportunity throughout tidal cycles than natural wetlands. Thus, expanding the footprint of shellfish aquaculture into additional intertidal areas may reduce foraging opportunities for great egrets across the range of tidal cycles. Over longer time scales, the ways in which natural wetlands and shellfish aquaculture areas adapt to rising sea levels (either through passive processes or active management) may change the ratios of these wetland types and consequently change the overall value of Tomales Bay to foraging great egrets.
Medical data integration using HL7 standards for patient’s early identification
Authors: AlQudah Adi A. , Al-Emran Mostafa , Shaalan Khaled
Published: December 2021

Integration between information systems is critical, especially in the healthcare domain, since interoperability requirements are related to patients’ data confidentiality, safety, and satisfaction. The goal of this study is to propose a solution based on the integration between queue management solution (QMS) and the electronic medical records (EMR), using Health Level Seven (HL7) protocols and Extensible Markup Language (XML). The proposed solution facilitates the patient’s self-check-in within a healthcare organization in UAE. The solution aims to help in minimizing the waiting times within the outpatient department through early identification of patients who hold the Emirates national ID cards, i.e., whether an Emirati or expatriates. The integration components, solution design, and the custom-designed XML and HL7 messages were clarified in this paper. In addition, the study includes a simulation experiment through control and intervention weeks with 517 valid appointments. The experiment goal was to evaluate the patient’s total journey and each related clinical stage by comparing the “routine-based identification” with the “patient’s self-check-in” processes in case of booked appointments. As a key finding, the proposed solution is efficient and could reduce the “patient’s journey time” by more than 14 minutes and “time to identify” patients by 10 minutes. There was also a significant drop in the waiting time to triage and the time to finish the triage process. In conclusion, the proposed solution is considered innovative and can provide a positive added value for the patient’s whole journey.
An assessment of critical thinking in the Middle East: Evaluating the effectiveness of special courses interventions
Authors: Yousef Wael
Published: December 2021

Critical thinking is a requisite skill for college success, employability, and conducive active civic participation. Empirical studies have noted to the low achievement of Arab students on critical thinking assessments. Insufficient endeavors have attempted to propose effective interventions enhancing critical thinking abilities among Arab students. The current analysis provides a preliminary overview of a special course designed to improve critical thinking skills among Arab college students. Results indicated a great improvement in all areas of critical thinking including explanation of information, identification of strategies, implementing solutions, and formulating logical inferences. Students’ scores on a critical thinking assessment increased from sufficient to good as a result of participating in the program. The gains are consistent after controlling for gender, major, class seniority, and nationality. Notwithstanding these promising results, this paper is limited in several respects including the choice of critical thinking assessments represented by two questions, the highly contextualized setting making it difficult to be replicated, and the convenient sampling strategy used to recruit participants. This set of limitations, however, does not discourage proactive attempts like designing special courses to enhance students’ critical thinking acquisition in the Middle East.
E-cigarettes use among university students in Jordan: Perception and related knowledge
Authors: Al-Sawalha Nour A. , Almomani Basima A. , Mokhemer Enas , Al-Shatnawi Samah F. , Bdeir Roba
Published: December 2021

The use of e-cigarettes has been increasing in popularity among people, especially young adults. Assessing young individuals’ perceptions of e-cigarettes can help to identify factors that may influence their decision to use e-cigarettes. To examine prevalence, perceptions, and knowledge of e-cigarettes among university students in Jordan, an observational cross-sectional study using an online self-administered questionnaire was conducted among students from public and private universities between October 2020 and January 2021. A total of 1259 university students completed the questionnaire. Approximately, 11% of participants reported e-cigarettes use. Among users, 26.5% used it for the purpose of smoking cessation, while 22% of them used it out of curiosity, and 20.5% used it as they believed it is less harmful than other tobacco products. Multivariate analysis showed that conventional cigarette smokers were independently associated with a better knowledge about e-cigarettes (OR = 1.496, 95CI% = 1.018–2.197, p-value = 0.040). In addition, medical students showed a significantly better knowledge compared to non-medical students (OR = 1.710, 95CI% = 1.326–2.204, p-value = <0.001). In Jordan, e-cigarettes use is less popular compared to other countries. Nonetheless, educational interventions are needed to correct misconceptions about e-cigarettes among young adults.
Effects of age and sex on association between toe muscular strength and vertical jump performance in adolescent populations
Authors: Kurihara Toshiyuki , Terada Masafumi , Numasawa Shun , Kusagawa Yuki , Maeo Sumiaki , Kanehisa Hiroaki , Isaka Tadao
Published: December 2021

Toe muscular strength plays an important role in enhancing athletic performance because the forefoot is the only part of the body touching the ground. In general, muscular strength increases with age throughout adolescence, and sex-related difference in muscular strength becomes evident during childhood and adolescence. However, toe muscular strength is known to be levelled off after late adolescence in both sexes. For adolescent populations, therefore, the association of toe muscular strength with physical performance might differ with age and/or sex. This study aimed to investigate differences in relationships between toe muscular strength and vertical jump performance across sex and age in adolescent populations. The maximum isometric strength of the toe muscles and vertical jump height (VJ) were assessed in 479 junior high school students (JH) aged 12–14 years (243 boys and 236 girls) and 465 high school students (HS) aged 15–18 years (265 boys and 200 girls). Two types of measurements were performed to evaluate the toe muscular strength: toe gripping strength (TGS) with the metatarsophalangeal joint in the plantar flexed position and toe push strength (TPS) with the metatarsophalangeal joint in the dorsiflexed position. TGS and TPS were normalized to body weight. Two-way ANOVA showed that TGS had significant main effects of sex (boys > girls) and age (HS > JH) while TPS only had a significant main effect of sex (boys > girls). When the effects of sex and age were separately analyzed, VJ was significantly correlated with TGS in JH girls, HS girls, and JH boys (r = 0.253–0.269, p < 0.05), but not in HS boys (r = 0.062, p = 0.3351). These results suggest that toe muscular strength is relatively weakly associated with vertical jump performance in adolescent boys and girls, but the association would not be established in high school boys.
COVID-positive ankle fracture patients are at increased odds of perioperative surgical complications following open reduction internal fixation surgery
Authors: Mercier Michael R. , Galivanche Anoop R. , Brand Jordan P. , Pathak Neil , Medvecky Michael J. , Varthi Arya G. , Rubin Lee E. , Grauer Jonathan N.
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Ankle fractures have continued to occur through the COVID pandemic and, regardless of patient COVID status, often need operative intervention for optimizing long-term outcomes. For healthcare optimization, patient counseling, and care planning, understanding if COVID-positive patients undergoing ankle fracture surgery are at increased risk for perioperative adverse outcomes is of interest.

Methods

The COVID-19 Research Database contains recent United States aggregated insurance claims. Patients who underwent ankle fracture surgery from April 1st, 2020 to June 15th, 2020 were identified. COVID status was identified by ICD coding. Demographics, comorbidities, and postoperative complications were extracted based on administrative data. COVID-positive versus negative patients were compared with univariate analyses. Propensity-score matching was done on the basis of age, sex, and comorbidities. Multivariate regression was then performed to identify risk factors independently associated with the occurrence of 30-day postoperative adverse events.

Results

In total, 9,835 patients undergoing ankle fracture surgery were identified, of which 57 (0.58%) were COVID-positive. COVID-positive ankle fracture patients demonstrated a higher prevalence of comorbidities, including: chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity (p<0.05 for each). After propensity matching and controlling for all preoperative variables, multivariate analysis found that COVID-positive patients were at increased risk of any adverse event (odds ratio [OR] = 3.89, p = 0.002), a serious adverse event (OR = 5.48, p = 0.002), and a minor adverse event (OR = 3.10, p = 0.021).

Discussion

COVID-positive patients will continue to present with ankle fractures requiring operative intervention. Even after propensity matching and controlling for patient factors, COVID-positive patients were found to be at increased risk of 30-day perioperative adverse events. Not only do treatment teams need to be protected from the transmission of COVID in such situations, but the increased incidence of perioperative adverse events needs to be considered.
MBGapp: A Shiny application for teaching model-based geostatistics to population health scientists
Authors: Johnson Olatunji , Fronterre Claudio , Diggle Peter J. , Amoah Benjamin , Giorgi Emanuele
Published: December 2021

User-friendly interfaces have been increasingly used to facilitate the learning of advanced statistical methodology, especially for students with only minimal statistical training. In this paper, we illustrate the use of MBGapp for teaching geostatistical analysis to population health scientists. Using a case-study on Loa loa infections, we show how MBGapp can be used to teach the different stages of a geostatistical analysis in a more interactive fashion. For wider accessibility and usability, MBGapp is available as an R package and as a Shiny web-application that can be freely accessed on any web browser. In addition to MBGapp, we also present an auxiliary Shiny app, called VariagramApp, that can be used to aid the teaching of Gaussian processes in one and two dimensions using simulations.
The TOR kinase pathway is relevant for nitrogen signaling and antagonism of the mycoparasite Trichoderma atroviride
Authors: Segreto Rossana , Bazafkan Hoda , Millinger Julia , Schenk Martina , Atanasova Lea , Doppler Maria , Büschl Christoph , Boeckstaens Mélanie , Soto Diaz Silvia , Schreiner Ulrike , Sillo Fabiano , Balestrini Raffaella , Schuhmacher Rainer , Zeilinger Susanne
Published: December 2021

Trichoderma atroviride (Ascomycota, Sordariomycetes) is a well-known mycoparasite applied for protecting plants against fungal pathogens. Its mycoparasitic activity involves processes shared with plant and human pathogenic fungi such as the production of cell wall degrading enzymes and secondary metabolites and is tightly regulated by environmental cues. In eukaryotes, the conserved Target of Rapamycin (TOR) kinase serves as a central regulator of cellular growth in response to nutrient availability. Here we describe how alteration of the activity of TOR1, the single and essential TOR kinase of T. atroviride, by treatment with chemical TOR inhibitors or by genetic manipulation of selected TOR pathway components affected various cellular functions. Loss of TSC1 and TSC2, that are negative regulators of TOR complex 1 (TORC1) in mammalian cells, resulted in altered nitrogen source-dependent growth of T. atroviride, reduced mycoparasitic overgrowth and, in the case of Δtsc1, a diminished production of numerous secondary metabolites. Deletion of the gene encoding the GTPase RHE2, whose mammalian orthologue activates mTORC1, led to rapamycin hypersensitivity and altered secondary metabolism, but had an only minor effect on vegetative growth and mycoparasitic overgrowth. The latter also applied to mutants missing the npr1-1 gene that encodes a fungus-specific kinase known as TOR target in yeast. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis confirmed TOR1 as a regulatory hub that governs T. atroviride metabolism and processes associated to ribosome biogenesis, gene expression and translation. In addition, mycoparasitism-relevant genes encoding terpenoid and polyketide synthases, peptidases, glycoside hydrolases, small secreted cysteine-rich proteins, and G protein coupled receptors emerged as TOR1 targets. Our results provide the first in-depth insights into TOR signaling in a fungal mycoparasite and emphasize its importance in the regulation of processes that critically contribute to the antagonistic activity of T. atroviride.
Mythologizing the face mask: How protective covers became political during the fine-dust and COVID-19 crises in South Korea
Authors: Kim Tae-Sik
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to demonstrate how South Korean news media routinized and sensationalized the face mask amid two recent public health crises: the fine-dust crisis and the COVID-19 epidemic. News media appropriated the mythologized meaning of the face mask as a symbol of individual safety during the two crises. This study analyses news articles to answer three questions: (1) How was wearing the face mask mythologized as a routinized practice in days of uncertain risk? (2) How was the face mask politicized as a mythologized sign indicating China as an external threat? and (3) How was the face mask politicized as a symbolic code of the government’s responsibility for the crisis? Once signified as the primary means of individual protection in the context of Korean risk society, the face mask became politicized amid the shortage of the face mask. Placed in the context of the recent disastrous crises in Korea, China was identified as the culprit not only in the epidemic but also in the shortage of the face mask. The meaning of China as an external threat was continuously strengthened when the South Korean government opted out of the entry ban on Chinese citizens. The last analytic part presents how news media politicized the epidemic by associating the face mask crisis with the Korean government.
deudas, gracias y privilegios en la red de los Salvago-Doria
Authors: Cavagnaro Nahuel Enrique
Published: December 2021

Este artículo se interesa por mostrar las relaciones de las redes genovesas de los Salvago y los Doria con las noblezas itálicas e ibéricas a través del análisis de los procesos de endeudamiento presentes en protocolos notariales y en documentos sobre alegaciones de derecho. La deuda aparece aquí no solo como una categoría económica, sino que se integra en toda una serie de conductas y pautas políticas, sociales y culturales propias de los vínculos inter aristocráticos en los siglos XVI y XVII. En perspectiva, se intenta observar el nexo entre las elites mercantiles y financieras con las lógicas del privilegio, como la venalidad, la compra de oficios y los mayorazgos, así como los mecanismos de promoción social y económica
Joaquín Costa y su tipología familiar
Authors: Baldellou Monclús Daniel , Salas Ausens José Antonio
Published: December 2021

Entre los estudios sociológicos de Joaquín Costa, destacan sus observaciones sobre la organización familiar en el Alto Aragón. Estas familias estaban asentadas en un sistema de transmisión de propiedad basado en la legislación aragonesa y una serie de normas consuetudinarias que definen el modelo familiar pirenaico. El presente artículo realiza una comparación entre las observaciones de Joaquín Costa y el tipo de familias, matrimonios y métodos de transmisión de la propiedad observables en las fuentes de la Edad Moderna. Este estudio se basa en el análisis de capítulos matrimoniales, testamentos y pleitos derivados de compromisos de matrimonio incumplidos. El resultado observado demuestra que existió una notable fluctuación entre la realidad observada por Costa y los modelos familiares de montaña. El sistema de transmisión de propiedad se adaptó en numerosas ocasiones aprovechando la flexibilidad de la ley aragonesa. Por otra parte, las últimas investigaciones sobre conflictividad familiar da a entender que, pese al innegable poder de las familias, los matrimonios forzados recibían una fuerte contestación
caso Damiens y la desacralización de la monarquía francesa
Authors: Cases Martínez Víctor
Published: December 2021

En 1757 Robert-François Damiens hirió de un navajazo a Luis XV. Las autoridades y la prensa presentaron el atentado como un suceso extraordinario perpetrado por un fanático, que nada tenía que ver con las tensiones que sacudían el país. Sin embargo, la lectura oficial del acontecimiento no silenció los numerosos malos discursos que aplaudían la osadía del frustrado regicida.
El fallido magnicidio puede ser inscrito en una historia de larga duración que muestra cómo algunas de las opciones estratégicas de las autoridades del Antiguo Régimen fueron minando paulatinamente su poderío, como el traslado de Luis XIV a Versalles o la política antijansenista de la Corona.
La desacralización de la monarquía posibilitó la aparición de una nueva elite intelectual, los philosophes, quienes se postularon como los abande- rados de la emergente opinión pública, que a su juicio convenía distinguir de la «estúpida y miserable» opinión popular, a la que pertenecía Damiens
Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Salmonella isolated from poultry and its environment in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Thuan K. , Nguyen Lam T. , Chau Trang T. H. , Nguyen Tam T. , Tran Bich N. , Taniguchi Takahide , Hayashidani Hideki , Ly Khai T. L.
Published: December 2021

Background and Aim: Salmonella is one of the leading causes of zoonotic and foodborne infectious outbreaks in humans and poultry and its associated environment is a potential reservoir of Salmonella. In recent years, the antibiotic resistance of bacteria, including Salmonella, has been increasing. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Salmonella isolated from poultry, its environment, and the pest animals found at poultry farms and households of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

Materials and Methods: A total of 3,055 samples were collected from the broiler farms and households of the Mekong Delta from 2017 to 2020. Salmonella was isolated using conventional methods (culturing on selective agar – BPLS and biochemical test) and the isolates were examined for antibiotic resistance against 14 antibiotics using the disk diffusion method.

Results: Salmonella was isolated from 181 samples (5.92%), which included chicken feces (7.67%), pest animals (5.98%), and environmental samples (4.33%). The environmental samples comprised bedding (5.88%), feed (5.48%), and drinking water (0.70%). The prevalence of Salmonella was the highest in rats (15.63%) and geckos (12.25%) followed by ants (2.83%) and cockroaches (2.44%); however, Salmonella was not isolated from any fly species. Most of the isolates exhibited resistance to 1-9 antibiotics. The isolates were relatively resistant to chloramphenicol (62.98%), tetracycline (55.80%), ampicillin (54.14%), and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (53.04%). Sixty-two multiple resistance patterns were found in the isolates, with ampicillin-cefuroxime-chloramphenicol-tetracycline- sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim being the most frequent (7.18%).

Conclusion: The chickens, husbandry environment, and pest animals at poultry farms and households were found to be important Salmonella sources in the Mekong Delta. Salmonella isolates from these sources also exhibited a wide-ranging resistance to antibiotics as well as several resistance patterns. Hence, biosecurity should be addressed in poultry farms and households to prevent cross-contamination and reduce the spread of Salmonella infections.
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION UPDATE OF MANSONIA BLANCHARD, 1901 MOSQUITOES (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) IN INDONESIA WITH THE ILLUSTRATED KEY FOR FEMALE MOSQUITO
Authors: Nugroho Sidiq Setyo , Mujiyono Mujiyono , Ayuningrum Fahmay Dwi
Published: December 2021

Mansonia is a genus of mosquitoes of which several species are confirmed vectors of lymphatic filariasis. Many countries including Indonesia are still struggling to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Report of the Mansonia mosquito diversity and its distribution is essential to develop the control strategies. Six of eight Mansonia species have been confirmed as lymphatic filariasis vectors in Indonesia. This paper aims to update the distribution of the Mansonia mosquito in Indonesia. Species distribution data were summarized from various literature regarding the Mansonia mosquito. The data is complemented by the results of the National Research on Disease Vector and Reservoir (Rikhus Vektora) results conducted by the National Institute of Health Research and Development (NIHRD) in 2015-2018. There were new distribution records for four species of Mansonia mosquitoes in Indonesia. Mansonia annulata Leicester, Ma. annulifera (Theobald), and Ma. indiana Edwards are now recorded distributed throughout the archipelago. Meanwhile, Ma. bonneae Edwards has a new distribution record in the Moluccas. The illustrated identification key for female Mansonia mosquitoes in Indonesia is provided in this paper.
Entrepreneurship and innovation in informal productive enterprises: Development of process innovation in a floral arrangement company
Authors: Martarello Rafael de Almeida , Ferro Débora
Published: December 2021

Purpose: reporting a process innovation in an informal productive enterprise, inserted in the field of parties, ceremonies and events décor, involving floral arrangements.
Methodology: qualitative-descriptive study, with information being obtained through documentary research and case study.
Originality/Relevance: this study analyzes an informal productive business, whose practice improvement was conducted based on technological resources. It is relevant because there are only few studies dedicated to technological development, and that thematize the most frequent type of productive enterprise in Brazil.
Findings: the process innovation that was conducted has enabled a greater productive efficiency, as well as health, safety and hygiene in the workplace, since it has reduced costs and manufacturing time; and it has eliminated unnecessary procedures that result from the manual method.
Theoretical/Methodological Implications: the innovation, developed and described heading from the theories and methodological approach used, in addition to promoting improvement in the ability of adapting to different customer demands, has added an element to the process innovation effects foreseen by Oslo Manual.
Social Implications: in parallel to the operational results pointed out, the academic activity has enabled the improvement of economic enterprise that belong to settings and groups in social disadvantage.
Eco-friendly Synthesis of Some New Benzylidene-iminothiazolyl-pyrazol-3-ol Derivatives via
One-Pot Multicomponent Reaction and Evaluation of Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Ambhore Ajay N.
Published: December 2021

In present work, one-pot multicomponent reaction (MCR) route for the synthesis of benzylideneiminothiazolyl-
pyrazol-3-ol derivatives (5a-p) by reacting ethyl cyanoacetate (1), substituted
benzaldehyde (2a-c), thiosemicarbazide (3) and substituted phenacyl bromide (4a-g). This reaction
proceeds by using bleaching earth clay (BEC) (pH 12.5) in PEG-400 as a green reaction media. All
the synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral data. The
pharmacological investigation of the synthesized compounds suggest that most of them showed good
antioxidant activity.
Molecular Docking Studies of Dihydropyridazin-3(2H)-one
Derivatives as Anticonvulsant Agents
Authors: Prasad Sushil , Khokra Sukhbir Lal , Devgun Manish
Published: December 2021

Molecular docking is the identification of ligand’s correct binding geometry i.e. pose in the binding
site and estimation of its binding affinity for rational design of drug molecule. The current study
endeavored the high throughput in silico screening of 56 derivatives of dihydropyridazin-3(2H)-one
docked with human cytosolic branched chain amino transferase using PyRx-virtual screening tool. Out
of 56 compounds, almost all the test compounds showed very good binding affinity score. Gabapentin
was used as standard drug which shows binding affinity of -6.2. On the basis of H-bond interactions,
compounds 3, 9, 11, 25, 26, 31, 34, 39, 47, 48, 51, 54, 56 were found to be potent outcome for
anticonvulsant activity. Compounds 11, 25, 39, 56 showed excellent H-bond interactions with protein
active site, Among which compound 11 showed the outstanding interactions with acceptable bond
length 2.34, 2.57, 2.62, 3.03 Å.
Synthesis, DFT Calculations, DNA Binding and Molecular Docking Studies on Biologically
Active N-((3-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)naphthyl Derivatives
Authors: Sandhya P.V. , Femina K.S. , Pradeep A.V.
Published: December 2021

The biologically active pyrazole clubbed imino naphthyl derivatives have been designed and synthesized
from 1-phenyl-3-methoxy phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxaldehyde and substituted naphthyl amines via
acid catalyzed condensation reaction. All the synthesized compounds were well characterized by
different spectroscopic and mass spectral techniques. The in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and
antituberculosis studies were carried out. The molecular docking study was also done with the software
Arguslab 4.0.1. The studied compounds showed moderate to good biological activities both
experimentally and theoretically. Geometry optimization, DNA binding interaction and FMO analysis
were also investigated with the help of Gaussian 16 package at B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level.
Synthesis of polymer-grafted gold nanoparticles via gamma radiation
Authors: Mokhtar Abdul Khaliq , Mohd Hidzir Norsyahidah , Rahman Irman Abdul , Mohamed Faizal , Radzali Nur Ain Mohd
Published: December 2021

The research focused on the synthesis of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) grafted with gold nanoparticles (AuNP). The Turkevich method, one of the common techniques of AuNP synthesis, was used to obtain an AuNP solution with a nanoparticle size of 20 nm. The PTFE-AuNP samples were subsequently irradiated and the absorbed doses were 0.5, 2, 5, 10 and 20 kGy. It was noticed that samples irradiated with 0.5 and 2 kGy were less stable and less concentrated than samples irradiated with higher doses due to aggregation and formation of precipitation after 30 days.
Determination of moxifloxacin hydrochloride in AVELOX pharmacological formulations using modified potentiometer sensors
Authors: Kumar Sachin , K. Sindhu Sushil , Kumar Praveen , Sharma Amit , Sagadevan Suresh
Published: December 2021

Three different carbon paste (CP), silk-screen (SP) and poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) modified electrodes were obtained to verify the reliability of AVELOX, the generic name of which is Moxifloxacin HCl (AV-MOXH). The sensing membranes were containing AVELOX ion associated complexes with sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB), phosphomolybdic acid (PMA), phosphotungstic acid (PTA), and ammonium reineckate (RN) as electroactive materials. All three electrodes gave fast, viable, and near-Nernstian linear responses over a relative wide concentration range that ranged from 1.010-6 to 1.010-2 mol / L AV-MOXH at 25° C with a monovalent cationic decrease. The sensors demonstrated a good discernment of AV-MOXH from numerous inorganic and organic compounds such as glucose, sucrose, Na+, Ca+, etc. Additionally, the isothermal coefficients along with selectivity coefficients were calculated. The modified Screen Printed Electrode sensor appeared to be highly sensitive for the determination of AV-MOXH. The electrode response was observed in pH range 2--6 for ISPE electrodes and IPVC electrodes and 3--7 for ICPE electrodes under various temperature conditions. The short response time, lifetime validity, recovery, and all the methods of validation such as limit of detection and limit of quantification were estimated. The potentiometric method turned out to be suitable for determining AV-MOXH in pharmacological formulations, and the findings obtained are comparable to the “HPLC official method” in terms of the agreement. As a result, the postulated potentiometric approach was verified in accordance with IUPAC guidelines.