bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovation and Practice of Composite Engineering Teaching for New Engineering
Authors: Wang Bing , Ma Li , Wu Qianqian
Published: December 2020

At present, the material engineering industry is developing rapidly. As one of the most widely used materials in the market, composites are more and more widely used in the field of present production and construction applications. In the new engineering era, it is necessary to cultivate more innovative talents who can adapt to the composite engineering market, so as to promote the better development of composite engineering. Taking composite engineering teaching as an example, this paper introduces the necessity of innovation and reform of composite engineering teaching in the new engineering era, and analyzes the effective innovation and practical countermeasures of composite engineering teaching.
Research on Cross-Border Emergency Logistics Collaboration Mechanism under the Background of Belt One Road Initiative
Authors: Zhang Jiangze
Published: December 2020

Emergency logistics is a special part of the logistics system. When emergencies occur, emergency logistics is indispensable. Currently, the current situation of cross-border emergency logistics has many drawbacks. In order to further reduce the losses caused by emergencies, it is necessary to improve the cross-border emergency logistics system, in-depth analysis of the current problems in the four aspects of cross-border logistics management, systems, logistics information, and material distribution in countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, through the establishment of a cross-border emergency logistics coordination mechanism, relevant strategies are established to ensure the effective implementation of emergency logistics.
Research on the Improvement of Risk Control Index System of Securities Companies
Authors: Hu Chenbang
Published: December 2020

 With the deepening of the reform of the financial industry, regulatory agencies have not strictly controlled in accordance with the regulatory system. In the face of the ever-changing market environment and the continuous upgrading of the securities industry competition pattern, innovation and development ushered in new opportunities, but also brought some difficulties to the implementation of risk management measures in China. In addition, the development of new Internet economy features. Because the securities companies have not adapted to the new liquidity characteristics, they are insufficient to cope with the new liquidity risks. In addition, the financing channels of securities companies are single, without a good combination of financing channels, it is easy to bring greater risks. Secondly, the imperfection of internal control system and the lack of awareness of risk management and control of employees themselves also bring a lot of trouble to securities companies in risk management and control. To solve these problems, we should start from the root causes, improve the internal risk control, and at the same time, we need to work in the industry. The content of risk management is added in the threshold examination of personnel, and it is used as the assessment content in the subsequent assessment, which urges the staff to take risk control as their own responsibility.
O mobiliário das escolas cristãs no século XVII: um elemento humanizador
Authors: Trezzi Clóvis
Published: December 2020

A escola como um ambiente especializado para o ensino-aprendizagem se desenvolveu a partir do século XVII e, nesse ambiente, foi introduzido um mobiliário escolar desenvolvido de acordo com o método pedagógico utilizado. Este artigo parte dessa premissa para investigar, a partir da função social, o mobiliário escolar das Escolas Cristãs, rede de escolas criada por João Batista de La Salle (1651-1719) na França a partir de 1689. O objetivo é mostrar que a escolha desse mobiliário tinha, mais do que uma função prática, uma função social. Para tanto, o artigo faz uma leitura hermenêutica do Guia das Escolas Cristãs, obra pedagógica de La Salle, para concluir que o padrão científico dos móveis desenhados para a sala de aula seguia o mesmo princípio pedagógico das Escolas Cristãs e tinha a mesma função: dar dignidade para as crianças pobres.Palavras-chave: Mobiliário escolar. Escolas cristãs. La Salle.The Christian Schools Furniture in the 17th Century: a Humanizing ElementABSTRACTThe School as a specialized environment for teaching and learning was developed from the 17th century on. In that environment, school furniture was developed according to the pedagogical method. This article starts from this premise to investigate, from the social function, the school furniture of the Christian Schools, a network of schools created by John Baptist de La Salle (1651-1719) in France as from 1689. The objective is to show that the choice of this furniture had, more than a practical function, a social function. Therefore, the article makes a hermeneutic reading of the “The Conduct of the Christian Schools”, La Salle's pedagogical work, to conclude that the scientific standard of the furniture designed for the classroom followed the same pedagogical principle of the Christian Schools and had the same function: to provide dignity for poor children.Keywords: School furniture. Christian schools. La Salle.El Mobiliario Escolar de las Escuelas Cristianas del Siglo XVII: un Elemento HumanizadorRESUMENLa escuela como un lugar especializado para la enseñanza y el aprendizaje se desarrolló a partir del siglo XVII y, en ese lugar, el mobiliario escolar se desarrolló de acuerdo con el método pedagógico utilizado. Este artículo parte de esta premisa para investigar, a partir de la función social de la escuela, el mobiliario escolar de las Escuelas Cristianas, una red de escuelas creada por Juan Bautista de La Salle (1651-1719) en Francia desde 1689. El objetivo es mostrar que la elección de este mobiliario tenía, más que una función práctica, una función social. Por lo tanto, el artículo hace una lectura hermenéutica de la “Guía de las Escuelas Cristianas”, el trabajo pedagógico de La Salle, para concluir que el estándar científico de los muebles diseñados para el aula siguió el mismo principio pedagógico de las Escuelas Cristianas y tuvo la misma función: dar dignidad a los niños pobres.Palabras clave: Mobiliario escolar. Escuelas cristianas. La Salle.
PRINCESA DO XINGU-PA: educação, sociabilidade e impactos sociais em uma agrovila da Amazônia
Authors: Souza César Martins de , Santana Nelivaldo Cardoso , Amorim Edilane Bezerra
Published: December 2020

PRINCESA DO XINGU-PA: educación, sociabilidad e impactos sociales en una comunidad rural de AmazoniaPRINCESA DO XINGU-PA: education, sociability and social impacts in an Amazon agro-villageRESUMODevido à invisibilidade social da Amazônia, suas agrovilas e seus caminhos no interior das matas se tornam invisíveis à sociedade brasileira. A partir de entrevistas e observação direta, em pesquisas de campo na agrovila Princesa do Xingu, localizada em Altamira-PA, realizadas antes e depois da construção da Hidrelétrica Belo Monte, o presente artigo busca analisar as transformações nas práticas de sociabilidade e educação escolar a partir deste empreendimento. A educação e o transporte possuem dificuldades e limitações que desafiam os mais velhos e muitas vezes funcionam como um elemento de expulsão dos mais jovens. Após décadas, a agrovila se tornou um lugar onde os moradores se sentem pertencentes, a despeito dos problemas sociais que enfrentam.Palavras-chave: Desenvolvimento Econômico na Amazônia; Educação Amazônica; Meio Rural; Planejamento Social.ABSTRACTDue to the social invisibility of the Amazon, their local neighborhood rural villages and their paths in the forests become invisible to the Brazilian society. From interviews and direct observation, through field research in the rural village Princesa do Xingu, located in Altamira-PA, carried before and after the construction of the Belo Monte’s Hydropower plant, this article seeks to analyze the changes in sociability and school education practices from this enterprise. Education and transport have difficulties and limitations that challenge old age people and often work as an element to repel the youngest ones. After decades, the agricultural village became a place where the live-in people feel they belong to, despite the social problems they face.Keywords: Economic Development in the Amazon; Amazon Education; Rural Environment; Social Planning.RESUMENPuesto que hay una invisibilidad social de la Amazonia, sus comunidades rurales y sus caminos en el interior de la selva se vuelven invisibles para la sociedad brasileña. A partir de entrevistas y de la observación directa en investigaciones de campo en la comunidad agrícola Princesa do Xingu, ubicada en Altamira-PA, llevadas a cabo antes y después de la construcción de la Hidroeléctrica Belo Monte, esto artículo busca analizar los cambios en las prácticas de sociabilidad y educación escolar desde el comienzo de la implantación de esto emprendimiento. La educación y el transporte presentan dificultades y limitaciones que desafían a los adultos mayores y funcionan como un elemento de expulsión de los más jóvenes. Después de décadas, la comunidad agrícola se transformó en un lugar donde sus residentes sienten que pertenecen a esa comunidad, a pesar de los problemas sociales que enfrentan.Palabras clave: Desarrollo Económico en la Amazonia; Educación Amazónica; Medio Rural; Planificación Social.
Inclusão educacional: estudo de caso de um aluno com dupla excepcionalidade
Authors: Soares Coutinho-Souto Waleska Karinne , De Souza Fleith Denise
Published: December 2020

Escolas com orientação inclusiva são consideradas um meio eficaz de combate às atitudes discriminatórias. No caso dos alunos superdotados, tem-se observado um interesse pela realização de estudos envolvendo aqueles que apresentam, simultaneamente às habilidades superiores, dificuldades comportamentais, emocionais e de aprendizagem, fenômeno denominado dupla excepcionalidade. O objetivo deste estudo de caso foi analisar a inclusão educacional de um aluno superdotado com transtorno de Asperger a partir da perspectiva de gestores, professores, mãe e do próprio aluno. A inclusão educacional do aluno participante da pesquisa foi considerada um processo de natureza complexa e multidimensional por depender da participação de toda a comunidade escolar e da família. Verificou-se que o atendimento educacional especializado favoreceu sua inclusão educacional.
Myōun and the Heike: Monastic Influence in Twelfth-Century Japan
Authors: Adolphson Mikael S.
Published: December 2020

In contrast to founders of new Buddhist schools, monastic leaders of established religious centers in pre-1600 Japan have often been ignored as subjects of serious scholarship. In part, this can be explained by their involvement in political and military matters, which has been seen as of little consequence to religious studies or detrimental to the imperial state since, according to later ideals, the religious and political spheres were assumed to be separate. However, recent studies have demonstrated the extent to which state and religions were interdependent, especially through rituals, allowing monks a considerable presence in politics, the economy, and even in warfare. To get a deeper understanding of this interdependence at the individual level, this article focuses on the relationship between Taira no Kiyomori and the Tendai monk Myōun, both of whom were significant figures in the late Heian state.
A cidadania nas pontas dos dedos: um panorama por meio dos aplicativos cívicos no Brasil
Authors: Januário Sandryne Bernardino Barreto , Correa Renato Fernandes
Published: December 2020

Analisa o exercício da cidadania digital no Brasil por meio dos aplicativos cívicos disponibilizados entre os anos de 2012 e 2018. A metodologia consiste em pesquisa exploratória e descritiva, baseada em pesquisa documental e análise de conteúdo. A coleta de dados se deu entre os meses de junho de 2017 e dezembro de 2018 e lançou mão de quatro fontes principais de informação. Foram identificados 27 aplicativos cívicos e analisados documentos digitais referentes aos mesmos (em sites, blogs, matérias jornalísticas e redes sociais), sendo levantadas nove categorias ou unidades de análise dos aplicativos. Os aplicativos foram categorizados e foi realizada uma análise de gráficos visando compreender o exercício da cidadania digital no país por meio dos aplicativos disponibilizados. Conclui-se que o exercício da cidadania digital no Brasil apresenta um cenário por um lado condensado em alguns valores de categorias, como os autores e temas dos aplicativos cívicos, por outro lado disperso quanto as ferramentas cívicas que possibilitam a cidadania digital no país.
A contribuição da genealogia acadêmica para a construção de indicadores bibliométricos
Authors: Moura Vanessa Paula Alves de , Faria Leandro Innocentini Lopes de
Published: December 2020

A medição da produção científica por meio da bibliometria, que permite avaliar o desempenho dos pesquisadores e os impactos de suas produções, é objeto de estudo muito explorado na Ciência da Informação. A genealogia acadêmica, por outro lado, permite estudar a herança intelectual que se resulta dos relacionamentos entre orientadores e seus alunos. Estudos recentes no Brasil sobre a genealogia acadêmica utilizam como base de dados a Plataforma Lattes, extraindo informações que podem ser utilizadas para diversas análises. Diante disso, este trabalho tem por objetivo investigar se a aplicação da genealogia acadêmica e da análise bibliométrica em conjunto pode trazer informações complementares sobre a atuação de um programa de pós-graduação na formação de pesquisadores e produção científica, realizando um estudo de caso baseado no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Materiais da Universidade Federal de São Carlos. A metodologia utilizada baseia-se no método de identificação de grafos de genealogia acadêmica em conjunto com as ferramentas SyncLattes, VantagePoint e Microsoft Excel. Como resultados são apresentados indicadores bibliométricos sobre o programa e seus descendentes, que podem contribuir na elaboração de estratégias para a autoavaliação e o desempenho dos programas de pós-graduação.
Os sítios paleoíndios na localidade arqueológica Touro Passo: uma síntese do Propa (1972-1978) e os estudos geoarqueológicos recentes
Authors: Vidal Viviane Pouey , Wagner Gustavo Peretti
Published: December 2020

O presente artigo sintetiza e discute a partir das informações disponíveis, o povoamento inicial (10.800-9.903 anos AP) da Localidade arqueológica Touro Passo, município de Uruguaiana, região Oeste do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Inicialmente apresenta-se os resultados obtidos durante o “Paleoindian Research Program” – PROPA (1972-1978) – Smithsonian Institution, coordenado por Miller (1972-1978) e suas extraordinárias contribuições para arqueologia brasileira. Na sequência é apresentada uma síntese dos estudos realizados por Milder (1994-2000) com ênfase para importante revisão da Fase Ibicuí. Na última década, Pouey Vidal (2011-2018), retomou os estudos nos sítios paleoindígenas estudados pelo PROPA, localizando novos sítios com amplo potencial científico. O enfoque geoarqueológico da pesquisa permitiu a compreensão da sequência estratigráfica, identificação de material “in situ” nos horizontes da Formação sedimentar Touro Passo e dos processos de formação e perturbação postdeposicional dos sítios arqueológicos em ambiente fluvial. Além de oferecer novas datações 14C para a área de estudo.
Aspectos do teatro de Plínio Marcos: a violência invade a cena
Authors: Valente Junior Valdemar
Published: December 2020

O presente artigo tem por objetivo desenvolver uma leitura crítica acerca do que representou o teatro de Plínio Marcos como espaço de resistência à censura imposta pelo regime militar. Nesse sentido, a impossibilidade de se estabelecer um confronto direto com o sistema opressor concorre para que o teatro que escreve mimetize situações envolvendo a violência e a escatologia como termos capazes de denunciar a desigualdade social como uma espécie de calcanhar de Aquiles da ditadura. Assim, expõe de forma visível situações que têm por objetivo desestabilizar o regime e apontar para seus desmandos. Para tanto, recorremos aos exemplos das peças “Navalha na carne”, “Dois perdidos numa noite suja” e “Abajur lilás”, que nos ajudam a aprofundar a discussão acerca da relação entre violência e literatura, concorrendo com termo que agrava essa proposta de análise.
Численное решение жестких систем обыкновенных дифференциальных уравнений с помощью приведения их к форме Шеннона
Authors: Чикуров Николай Георгиевич , Chikurov Nikolay Georgievich
Published: December 2020

Рассматривается новый численный метод решения систем обыкновенных дифференциальных уравнений (ОДУ) с помощью приведения их к уравнениям Шеннона.
Чтобы преобразовать дифференциальные уравнения, заданные в нормальной форме Коши, к уравнениям Шеннона, достаточно произвести простую замену переменных. Нелинейные системы ОДУ линеаризуются. Кусочно-линейная аппроксимация правых частей уравнений Шеннона не требует вычислений матрицы Якоби
и обеспечивает высокую точность решения дифференциальных уравнений, включая жесткие дифференциальные уравнения.
Gads Hill Center: Revisiting the Function and Cause of Social Settlements in a Time of COVID
Authors: Vidal de Haymes Maria Del Rosario , Garcia Maricela , Cornelius Llewelyn
Published: December 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic has extended across the globe and has made visible the hyper vulnerability of socially marginalized groups, the inadequacy of public health systems, and the fragility of national and global economic systems.  Inflection points, such as the pandemic,  often signal that the affected sectors, in this case nation states and their social institutions, regional bodies, and international organizations, must make a fundamental examine and consider the actions needed to strengthen their institutions and footing.  In this case study we present how this historical moment has lead a 122 year old American social settlement to reexamine their role and model of practice in an effort to continue to contribute to meaningful changes that diminish human suffering and vulnerability,  while advancing the rights and flourishing of the communities of color that they accompany.
Enhancement of Natural GABA Production in Yogurt by Simple Carbohydrates and Metabolomics Profiling During Fermentation of Novel, Self-Cloned Lactobacillus Plantarum Taj-Apis362
Authors: Hussin Farah , Chay Shyan , Ghani Mohd Syahmi Abdul , Hussin Anis Meor , Ibadullah Wan Wan , Muhialdin Belal , Saari Nazamid
Published: December 2020

This study aimed to enhance natural GABA production in yogurt by adding glucose (2%, w/v) in the presence of low glutamate concentration (11.5mM vs. reported range of 32–507 mM) without the need of pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP) cofactor, producing GABA at 58.56 mg/100g, significantly surpassing that of PLP (48.01 mg/100g). Simulated gastrointestinal digestion showed a non-significant reduction in GABA content and probiotic viability, demonstrating resistance towards a high acidic environment (pH 1.2). Refrigerated storage up to 28 days revealed an improved GABA production of 83.65 mg/100g compared to fresh GABA-rich yogurt prepared at day 1 (59.00 mg/100g). Metabolomics profiling revealed different metabolite concentrations of amino acid, sugar and organic acid in GABA-rich and standard yogurt. The results successfully mitigate the over-use of glutamate substrate and omit the use of PLP cofactor during GABA enhancement in a fermented food system, offering an economical approach to produce a probiotic-rich dairy food with anti-hypertensive effect which is susceptible to manage stress and prevent cardiovascular disease.
Single-run separation and quantification of 14 cannabinoids using affinity non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Zaripov Emil , Lee Tiah , Dou Yuchu , Harris Cory , Egorov Artem , Berezovski Maxim
Published: December 2020

The legalization of cannabis has magnified the importance of determining the quantity and identification of cannabinoids. Both industry and consumers are highly interested in the content of cannabinoids available in their products, while health care professionals and regulators are concerned with the safety of cannabis. Quantification of major cannabinoids in products answers some of these concerns. Currently, popular methods of quantifying cannabinoids use high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Still, these HPLC methods are limited to quantifying a small number of cannabinoids unless more powerful but more costly instruments are employed to achieve better analysis, such as UHPLC and mass spectrometry. We propose a quick method that successfully separates and quantifies 14 cannabinoids in a single run using capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with a UV detector in 25 minutes. Our CE method demonstrated the limit of detection between 1.2–1.8 µg/mL, with the detection range reaching up to 50 µg/mL.
Postoperative around-the-clock administration of intravenous acetaminophen for pain control following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Inoue Shogo , Miyoshi Hirotsugu , Hieda Keisuke , Hayashi Tetsutaro , Tsutsumi Yasuo , Teishima Jun
Published: December 2020

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of around-the-clock (ATC) administration of intravenous (IV) acetaminophen following Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Intravenous infusion of acetaminophen was started on the day of the operation at 1000 mg/dose every 6 hours, and the infusion was continued on a fixed schedule until postoperative day 2 AM. We compared 127 patients who were administered IV acetaminophen on a fixed schedule (ATC group) with 485 patients who were administered analgesic drugs only as needed (PRN group). We investigated postoperative pain intensity and additional analgesic consumption on postoperative day 0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 between the two groups. Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the ATC group than in the PRN group at 1 and 2 days, and this period matched the duration of ATC administration of IV acetaminophen. Postoperative frequency of rescue analgesia was significantly lower in the ATC group than in the PRN group at postoperative 0, 1, and 2 days. ATC administration of IV acetaminophen has the potential to be a very versatile and valuable additional dose to achieve appropriate postoperative analgesia in patients with RARP.
Cisplatin Inhibits Bladder Cancer Proliferation Through cGAS-STING Pathway.
Authors: FU GUANGHOU , CHEN XIAOYI , XU ZHIJIE , SU JUNJIE , TIAN JUNJIE , SHI YUE , XU CONGCONG , PAN HAO , Baiye Jin
Published: December 2020

Background

Cisplatin is a commonly used adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced bladder cancer, but its immune related mechanism is still unclear. Exploration the immune effects of cisplatin in bladder cancer would complement the comprehensive mechanism of cisplatin and provide the basis for combination therapy of cisplatin and immunotherapy in bladder cancer.
Methods

We confirmed the immune effects of cisplatin on T24 and TCCSUP bladder cancer cell lines in vitro and exploration the important function of these immune effects in bladder cancer microenvironment in mice tumor model.
Results

We found cisplatin induced immune response in bladder cancer by RNA sequencing, and validated cGAS-STING signal was deeply involved in this response. Cisplatin induced cGAS-STING signal inhibited the proliferation of bladder cancer and increased the infiltration percentages of CD8 + T cells and dendritic cells in transplantation mice tumor model. Accumulation of dsDNA and the release of chromatin bound cGAS are important to activate downstream STING.
Conclusion

Our findings indicated a cisplatin related immune effects in bladder cancer, cisplatin combined with immunotherapy might have a synergistic effect for bladder cancer therapy.
Sociodemographic and Economic Traits That Affect Malaria Prevalence in Sussundenga Village, Mozambique.
Authors: Ferrao Joao Luis , Earland Dominique , Novela Anisio , Mendes Roberto , Ballat Marcos F. , Tungaza Alberto , Bibe Albino , Muhiro Valy , Searle Kelly
Published: December 2020

Malaria is still one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Mozambique with the 5 th highest prevalence in the world, with little progress in malaria control over the past 20 years. Sussundenga village is one of most affected areas, and lies along the Zimbabwe border, making evaluation of malaria transmission and control policies integral for regional efforts. The objective of this study was to map and quantify malaria parasite prevalence and model its relationship with sociodemographic and economic traits in Sussundenga Village. Houses in the study area were digitalized and enumerated using GoogleEarth Pro TM . A sample of 125 houses was drawn to conduct a community survey of P. falciparum parasite prevalence using rapid diagnostic test (RDT). During the survey, a questionnaire was conducted to assess the socio-demographic and economic traits of the participants. Descriptive statistics were analyzed and logistic regression was performed to establish the relationship between positive cases and the traits. Using GIS a map the prevalence of malaria was produced. The analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20 package and ArcGis 10.7.1. 358 participants were enrolled, completed the survey, and were tested for malaria. The overall P. falciparum prevalence was 31.6 % and spatiality identified. Half of the malaria positive cases occurred in age group 5 to 14, 40 % more than expected and age group over 24 accounted for 17.6 % the cases, around 50 % less than expected. The model explained 15 % of the variance in malaria positive cases and sensitivity of the final model was 91.8 %. The increase in malaria treated cases, having paid employment, education level and age category, will decrease the probability of malaria positive cases in Sussundenga Village. Conclusion In this area the highest burden of P. falciparum infection was among those 5-14 years old. Malaria infection was related to socio-demographic and economic traits. Targeting malaria control at community level can contributed better than waiting for cases at health centers. These finding can be used to guide more effective interventions in this region.
Egr2 upregulation induced mitochondrial iron overload implicating in sevoflurane-induced cognitive deficits in developing mice
Authors: Zhang Piao , Chen Yeru , Zhang Shuxia , Fang Man , Lin Xianyi , Liu Tieshuai , Zhou Youfa , Yu Xin , Chen Gang
Published: December 2020

Background Sevoflurane inhalation initiated cognitive deficits implicated in mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptogenesis impairment. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that Egr2 may play a crucial role in maintaining cognitive function. Therefore, we attempted to clarify the potential mechanism regarding Egr2 expression and cognitive deficits induced by sevoflurane administration.Methods Animals received sevoflurane anesthesia, and the behavioral tests including Morris water maze, novel object recognition test and trace fear conditioning were performed. Then, the immunofluorescent staining was employed to detect the effect of sevoflurane inhalation in hippocampal neurons. Meanwhile, bioinformatics analysis was implemented, and the level of lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial membrane potential, morphology and membrane permeability, and cytoplasm calcium levels were investigated after Egr2 interference by using JC-1 probe, MitoTracker staining, Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) assay, and Fluo calcium indicators, respectively. Additionally, Prussian blue staining was used to evaluate the iron content.Results The behavioral tests indicated that the cognitive function was significantly attenuated after sevoflurane administration. The Golgi-Cox staining displayed that the dendritic length, density and nodes were significantly reduced following sevoflurane inhalation. The bioinformatics analysis showed that sevoflurane administration results in the Egr2 expression upregulation. Additionally, the results suggested that sevoflurane administration elevated the cytoplasm calcium levels, reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential and triggered the opening of mPTP. Prussian blue staining showed that the iron deposition was apparently increased. However, Egr2 level downregulation partly reversed these above changes. Moreover, the behavioral performance was effectively improved after deferiprone (DFP) administration.Conclusion These findings demonstrated that sevoflurane administration elicited mitochondrial dysfunction and iron dyshomeostasis, and eventually resulted in cognitive impairments, whereas suppressing Egr2 expression partly improved this pathological process.
Development of a Recombinase-Aided Amplification Assay for Rapid Detection of Human Norovirus GII.4
Authors: Qin Zhiwei , Xue Liang , Cai Weicheng , Gao Junshan , Jiang Yueting , Yang Jiale , Liang Yanhui , Wang Linping , Zhang Jumei , Hu Yongdan , Wu Qingping
Published: December 2020

Background: Human noroviruses are one of the main causes of foodborne illnesses and represent a serious public health concern. Rapid and sensitive assays for human norovirus detection are undoubtedly necessary for clinical diagnosis, especially in regions without more sophisticated equipment.Method: The recombinase-aided amplification (RT-RAA) is a fast, robust and isothermal nucleic acid detection method based on enzyme reaction. This method can complete the sample detection at 39°C in 30 minutes. In this study, we successfully established a rapid reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification (RT-RAA) assay for the detection of human norovirus GII.4 and applied this assay to clinical samples, as well as comparison with commercial RT-qPCR.Results: An analytical sensitivity detection of the RT-RAA at a 95% probability of 3.425 log10 genomic copies (LGC)/reaction. Moreover, no cross-reaction was observed with other norovirus genogroups and other common foodborne viruses. Stool samples were examined by RT-RAA and reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Compared with RT-qPCR, kappa values for human norovirus detection with RT-RAA were 0.894 (p < 0.001), indicating that both assays were in agreement.Conclusion: This RT-RAA assay provides a rapid, specific, and sensitive assay for human norovirus detection and is suitable for clinical testing.
Antimicrobial resistance of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Pathogens in 2019 of Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province: A Multi-Centre, Retrospective Study
Authors: Liang Meichun , Mao Guofeng , Zhang Xiaojiao , He Qiuli , Ying Qunhua , Wang Sheliang , Jin Faxiang , Dong Su , Lin Xiuqin , Ruan Yongchun , Li Minghui , Lv Li , Zhou Yiqing
Published: December 2020

Background: The detection rate and drug resistance rate of K. pneumoniae increased year by year in China. Understanding the drug resistance situation will help guide prevention and control of K. pneumoniae infection. Methods: This study collected the results of drug susceptibility of K. pneumoniae from six tertiary hospitals in Shaoxing city in 2019 and analyzed the differences in drug resistance among different hospitals, genders, ages, and specimens. Results: A total of 1954 strains were collected, all of which were most sensitive to amikacin, with a resistance rate of 4.42%. The resistance rate to carbapenems and tigecycline was less than 10%. Nitrofurantoin had the highest resistance rate (36.18%). The drug resistance rate of Shaoxing traditional Chinese medicine hospital and Shaoxing maternity and child health care hospital was lower, and the drug resistance rate of the affiliated hospital of Shaoxing University was the highest. In addition to the Shaoxing maternity and child health care hospital, specimens were mainly from elderly and male patients, the drug resistance rate increased with age, and no carbapenem-resistant strains were found in patients under 17 years old. The specimens were mostly from the respiratory tract and urinary tract, but the CRKP rate was the highest in blood, the ESBL rate was the highest in other sterile body fluids except for blood, and the high ESBL and CR rates in urine were also detected. Conclusions: The above results indicated that there were significant differences in drug resistance rates of strains among different hospitals, genders, ages, and specimen sources, and clinical empirical medication should be incorporated into the reference.
The Effect of Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminths on Expressive Language Skills Among isiZulu Speaking Preschool Children
Authors: Mazibuko Xolisile Innocentia , Chimbari Moses
Published: December 2020

Background: Schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths (STH) have been associated with compromised child development. We determined the effect of schistosomiasis and STH on expressive language skills among isiZulu speaking preschool children focusing on the variables: age, gender, school and stunting. Methods: We compared, qualitatively and quantitatively the performance of a cohort of infected and non-infected children using a 2 phased approach. In phase 1 infected children were treated with praziquantel and matched with non-infected children and both groups were tested for expressive language performance. In phase 2 both groups of children were re-tested for expressive language skills using a similar but modified test. The participants were 106 preschool children between the age of 4 and 6 years,11months. The Developmental Language Test was adapted as a linguistically and culturally appropriate tool for assessing isiZulu expressive language skills. Results: The overall performance of the children in phases 1 and 2 were statistically similar. There was significant Pearson’s correlation of expressive language skills to age (0.002, P<0.01), schistosomiasis i.e. vocabulary 1 (0.024, P<0.05) and narrative skills (0.001, P<0.01) and soil-transmitted helminths i.e. vocabulary 1 (0.006, P<0.05), colours (0.029, P<0.05) and narrative skills (0.001, P<0.01) in phase 2 with small to high Cohen’s d effect size for various language subtests. Conclusion: We concluded that even mild schistosomiasis and STH may compromise the performance of preschool children on expressive language. However poor ability in following instructions may have contributed to general poor performance across the two groups tested. Diet, school effect and stunting did not influence the performance of the children on expressive language.
Comparison of Saliva with Healthcare Workers- and Patient-Collected Swabs in the Diagnosis of COVID-19 in a Large Cohort
Authors: Sasikala Mitnala , Sadhana Yelamanchili , Vijayasarathy Ketavarapu , Gupta Anand , Daram Sarala kumari , Reddy Podduturi Naveen chander , Reddy Duvvur Nageshawar
Published: December 2020

Background: A considerable amount of evidence demonstrates the potential of saliva in the diagnosis of COVID-19. Our aim was to determine the sensitivity of saliva versus swabs collected by healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients themselves to assess whether saliva detection can be offered as a cost-effective, risk-free method of SARS-CoV-2 detection.Methods: This study was conducted in a hospital involving outpatients and hospitalized patients. A total of 3018 outpatients (asymptomatic: 2683, symptomatic: 335) were screened. Of these, 200 qRT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2-positive patients were recruited (81 asymptomatic, 119 symptomatic). In addition, 101 SARS-CoV-2-positive hospitalized patients with symptoms were also enrolled in the study. From outpatients, HCWs collected nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS), saliva were obtained. From inpatients, HCWs collected swabs, patient-collected swabs, and saliva were obtained. qRT-PCR was performed to detect SARS-CoV-2 by TAQPATH assay to determine the sensitivity of saliva detection. Sensitivity, specificity and positive/negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) of detecting SARS-CoV-2 were calculated using MedCalc.Results: Of 3018 outpatient swabs tested by qRT-PCR, 200 were positive (males: 140, females: 60; aged 37.85±12.76 years). Of these, saliva was positive in 128 (64%); 39 of 81 asymptomatic (47%),89 of 119 symptomatic patients (74.78%). Sensitivity of detection was 60.9% (55.4-66.3%, CI 95%), with a negative predictive value of 36%(32.9-39.2%, CI 95%).Among 101 hospitalized patients (males:65, females: 36; aged 53.43±15.58 years), with HCW collected NPS as comparator, sensitivity of saliva was 56.1% (47.5-64.5, CI 95%), specificity 63.5%(50.4-75.3, CI95%) with PPV of 77.2% and NPV of 39.6% and that of self-swab was 52.3%(44-60.5%, CI95%), specificity 56.6% (42.3-70.2%, CI95%) with PPV 77.2% and NPV29.7%. Comparison of positivity with the onset of symptoms revealed highest detection in saliva on day 3 after onset of symptoms. Additionally, only saliva was positive in 13 (12.8%) hospitalized patients.Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the use of saliva to detect SARS-COV-2 in symptomatic patients early after the onset of symptoms. Additionally, these results suggest that saliva may not be recommended as a screening tool at the community level due to the lower detection rate than that for swabs. Saliva testing in symptomatic patients whose nasopharyngeal swab does not detect SARS-CoV-2 reduces false negativity.
Idiopathic Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system
Authors: Meshkat Shakila , Ebrahimi Parnia , Tafakhori Abbas , Taghiloo Aidin , Shafiee Sajad , Salimi Amir , Aghamollaii Vajiheh
Published: December 2020

Background: Regardless of the cause of the superficial sidrosis (SS) disease, which is bleeding, the source of bleeding cannot be found in some cases. Case presentation: In this article, we report two cases with idiopathic SS. Case 1 presented with bilateral hearing loss, cognitive impairment, sleep disturbances and tremors. Case 2 presented with sensory neural hearing loss, ataxia, and spastic paraparesis. Brain MRI indicated evidence of SS. CT myelogram and SPECT/CT with labeled RBC couldn't help finding the source of occult bleeding. Conclusion: Superficial sisdorsis (SS) is a rare central nervous system disease caused by deposition of hemosiderin in brain and spinal cord which results in progression of neurological deficits. The cause of this hemorrhage is often subarachnoid haemorrhage, intradural surgery, carcinoma, arteriovenous malformation, nerve root avulsion, and dural abnormality. The condition progresses slowly and, by the time diagnosis is confirmed, the damage is often irreversible. In our cases, brain MRI clarified the definitive diagnosis but we could not find the source of bleeding. SS should be considered in cases with ataxia and hearing loss even if no source of bleeding is found.
Risk of opportunistic infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis initiating abatacept: cumulative clinical trial data
Authors: Simon Teresa A , Dong Lixian , Winthrop Kevin L.
Published: December 2020

Background: To evaluate incidence of opportunistic infections (OIs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with abatacept in clinical trials.Methods: This pooled analysis of 16 randomized, double-blind/open-label trials, with ≥1 abatacept (intravenous or subcutaneous) arm, and with/without placebo control covered cumulative (controlled short-term and open-label long-term) abatacept exposure periods. OIs were analyzed separately in controlled (abatacept and placebo individually) and cumulative periods. OIs were identified using a prespecified list; events were independently adjudicated. Unadjusted incidence rates (IRs; per 100 patient-years) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: In cumulative periods, 7044 patients received abatacept, with a mean (standard deviation) duration of exposure of 36.9 (26.2) months (21,274 patient-years of exposure). IRs (95% CIs) of OIs were 0.17 (0.05–0.43) for abatacept and 0.56 (0.22–1.15) for placebo during the controlled periods and 0.21 (0.15–0.28) for abatacept during the cumulative periods. There was 1 case of tuberculosis in both the abatacept (IR [95% CI]: 0.04 [0.00–0.24]) and placebo (IR [95% CI]: 0.08 [0.00–0.44]) groups during the controlled periods; 13 verified tuberculosis cases (IR [95% CI]: 0.06 [0.03–0.10]) were reported in the cumulative period. Herpes zoster was reported numerically more often with abatacept (IR 1.9 [1.4–2.5]), versus placebo (1.7 [1.1–2.6]) in the controlled periods; within the cumulative period, herpes zoster IR (95% CI) was 1.53 (1.36–1.71) for abatacept-treated patients.Conclusion: In controlled periods of the clinical trials, abatacept-treated patients had similarly low rates of OIs compared with placebo-treated patients. Overall, OI rates were similar among abatacept-treated patients in the controlled and cumulative periods and consistent with the ranges reported in the literature.
Comparative Proteomic Analysis Reveals That the Heterosis of Two Maize Hybrids is Related to Enhancement of Stress Response and Photosynthesis Respectively
Authors: Wang Daoping , Mu Yongying , Hu Xiaojiao , Ma Bo , Wang Zhibo , Zhu Li , Xu Jiang , Huang Changling , Pan Yinghong
Published: December 2020

Background Heterosis refers to superior traits exhibiting in a hybrid when compared with both parents. Generally, the hybridization between parents can change the expression pattern of some proteins such as non-additive proteins (NAPs) which might lead to heterosis. ‘Zhongdan808’ (ZD808) and ‘Zhongdan909’ (ZD909) are excellent maize hybrids in China, however, the heterosis mechanism of them are not clear. Proteomics has been wildly used in many filed, and comparative proteomic analysis of hybrid and its parents is helpful for understanding the mechanism of heterosis in the two maize hybrids.Results Over 2,000 protein groups were quantitatively identified from second seedling leaves of two hybrids and their parents by label-free quantification. Statistical analysis of total identified proteins, differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) and NAPs of the two hybrids revealed that both of them were more similar to their female parents. In addition, most of DAPs were up-regulated and most of NAPs were high parent abundance or above-high parent abundance in ZD808, while in ZD909, most of DAPs were down-regulated and most of NAPs were low parent abundance or below-low parent abundance. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that more of stress response-related NAPs in ZD808 were high parent abundance or above-high parent abundance, and most of PS related NAPs in ZD909 were high parent abundance or above-high parent abundance. Finally, four stress response-related proteins and eight proteins related to PS were verified by PRM, ten of them had significant differences between hybrid and midparent value. Conclusions Even though every one of the two hybrids were more similar to its female parent at proteome level, the biological basis of heterosis is different in the two maize hybrids. In comparison with their parents, the excellent agronomic traits of hybrid ZD808 is mainly correlated with the high expression levels of some proteins related to stress responses and metabolic functions, while traits of ZD909 is mainly correlated with high expressed proteins related to photosynthesis. Our proteomics results support previous physiological and morphological research and have provided useful information in understanding the reason of valuable agronomic traits.
Characteristics and prognostic factors of COVID-19 among infected cases: A nationwide Tunisian analysis
Authors: Harizi Chahida , Cherif Ines , Najar Nourhene , Osman Molka , Mallekh Rym , Ayed Oumaima Ben , Ayedi Yosr , Dhaouadi Sonia , Hchaichi Aicha , Safer Mouna , Letaief Hejer , Bouaziz Ilhem , Derouiche Sondes , Bouabid Leila , Bougatef Souha , Gharbi Donia , Salah Hamida Ben , Fakhfakh Radhouane , Abid Salma , Boubaker Ilhem Boutiba Ben , Chahed Mohamed Kouni , Ben-Alaya Nissaf Bouafif
Published: December 2020

Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to constitute an international public health concern. Few data are available on the duration and prognostic factors of the disease. We aimed to study the recovery time among a Tunisian cohort of COVID-19 confirmed patients and identify the prognostic factors.Methods: A retrospective, nationwide study was conducted from March 2 to May 8, 2020, recruiting all patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19, by RT-PCR methods, in Tunisia. Data were collected via phone call interview. Kaplan-Meir Methods and Cox proportional hazards regression models were, respectively, used to study the recovery time and estimate its prognostic factors.Results: One thousand and thirty patients with COVID-19 (aged 43.2 ± 18.2 years, 526 female (51.1%)) were enrolled. Among them 141 (14.8%) were healthcare professionals. Out of 173 patients (17.8%) admitted to the hospital, 47 were admitted in an intensive care unit. Among 827 patients who didn’t require specialized care, 55.5% were self-isolated at home, while the rest were in specialized centers. Six hundred and two patients were symptomatic. A total of 634 (61.6 %) patients have recovered and 45 (4.4 %) patients died. The median duration of illness was estimated to be 31 days (95% CI: [29 - 32]). Older age (HR=0.66, CI:[ 0.46-0.96], P=0.031) and symptoms (HR=0.61, CI:[ 0.43-0.81], P=0.021) were independently associated with a delay in recovery time. Being a healthcare professional (HR=1.52, CI :[1.10-2.08], P=0.011) and patients in home isolation compared to isolation centers (HR=2.99, CI :[1.85-4.83], P<10¯³) were independently associated with faster recovery time.Conclusion: The duration of illness was estimated to be one month. However, this long estimated duration of illness may not equate to infectiousness. A particular attention must to be paid to elderly and symptomatic patients with closer monitoring.
Retrospective and Prospective Measures of Post-Traumatic Growth Reflect Different Processes: Longitudinal Evidence of Greater Decline than Growth Following a Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation
Authors: Corman M. , Rubio M.-T. , Cabrespine A. , Brindel I. , Bay J.-O. , Tour Peffault De La , Dambrun Michael
Published: December 2020

Background. This prospective longitudinal study examined and compared two measures (prospective and retrospective ones) of post-traumatic growth (PTG) following Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation (HSCT) and their respective relationships with mental health and psychological disposition. We also tested the hypothesis that unwillingness to be in contact with distressing thoughts and feelings—i.e. experiential avoidance—would moderate the relationship between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and growth.Methods. This study was carried out with 187 patients. Patients completed the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) five months after HSCT and scales tapping into the five domains of PTGI during hospitalisation and five months after HSCT. Mental health and psychological disposition were also assessed prior to hospitalisation. A PTSD scale was administered at the five-month follow-up.Results. Prospective and retrospective measures of PTG were weakly correlated. Bayesian pre/post-HSCT comparisons in the prospective measure of PTG revealed substantial to very strong decline in four of the five dimensions assessed. Overall, RCI indicated a reliable increase for 5.6% of patients and a reliable decrease for 40.8% of patients. Confirming that retrospective and prospective measures of PTG reflect different processes, they were not related to the same mental health and psychological disposition variables. Moreover, the hypothesis that acquiring positive outcomes from a potentially traumatic experience, such as HSCT, requires direct confrontation with the source of distress was supported in the case of the retrospective measure of growth but not in the case of the prospective measure growth.Conclusions. Retrospective measures such as the PTGI do not appear to assess actual pre- to post-HSCT change. HSCT seems more linked to psychological decline than to growth.