bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of gmo contents as a component in risk-oriented surveillance over food products safety
Authors:   Ufa Research Institute of Occupational Health and Human Ecology, 94 Stepana Kuvykina Str., Ufa, 450106, Russian Federation, Mukhammadieva G.F. , Bakirov A.B. ,   Ufa Research Institute of Occupational Health and Human Ecology, 94 Stepana Kuvykina Str., Ufa, 450106, Russian Federation, Karimov D.O. ,   Ufa Research Institute of Occupational Health and Human Ecology, 94 Stepana Kuvykina Str., Ufa, 450106, Russian Federation, Kudoyarov E.R. ,   Ufa Research Institute of Occupational Health and Human Ecology, 94 Stepana Kuvykina Str., Ufa, 450106, Russian Federation, Nazarova L.Sh. ,   Ufa Research Institute of Occupational Health and Human Ecology, 94 Stepana Kuvykina Str., Ufa, 450106, Russian Federation, Valova Ya.V. ,   Ufa Research Institute of Occupational Health and Human Ecology, 94 Stepana Kuvykina Str., Ufa, 450106, Russian Federation, Ziatdinova M.M. ,   Ufa Research Institute of Occupational Health and Human Ecology, 94 Stepana Kuvykina Str., Ufa, 450106, Russian Federation
Published: January 2021

Control over use of genetically modified products is a vital task within a risk-oriented model for surveillance over food safety products all over the world including the Russian Federation. Our research goal was to examine domestically manufactured food products in order to determine whether they contained certain regulatory sequences typical for genetically modified organisms. We applied polymerase chain reaction with hybridization-fluorescent detection in real time mode to examine 77 food products samples; the task was to determine whether they contained DNA enhancer (E-35S) and promoter (P-35S) of S35 sequence belonging to cauliflower mosaic virus, terminator of nopaline synthase gene from Agrobacterium tumefaciens (T-NOS), 35S enhancer (E-FMV) and promoter (P-FMV) of Figwort mosaic virus, as well as vegetable DNA inducing soya DNA. When analyzing the extracted DNA, we didn’t detect transgenic elements in any samples; however, there were vegetable components reveled in them including 68.8% samples with soya DNA. We established that some sausages were falsified as they contained vegetable elements. In 15.6% cases data on a product structure turned out to be false because soya DNA was not listed on consumer package. Our research on determining soya DNA and transgenic elements in food products indicates that soya ingredients have been added into food products in spite of their absence in relevant documents as recipe components. All the obtained results taken into account, we assume it is necessary to improve control procedures for detecting genetically modified and vegetable components used as ingredients in food products as their falsification can make for changes not only in their consumer properties but also damage consumers’ health.
Factors that cause contagion and spread of HIV among people from social risk groups
Authors:   E.A. Wagner’s Perm State Medical University, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation, Golodnova S.O. , Fel'dblyum I.V. ,   E.A. Wagner’s Perm State Medical University, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation, Yurkova L.V. ,   Perm Regional Ministry of Territorial Security, 14 Kuibysheva Str., Perm, 614006, Russian Federation, Sarmometov E.V. ,   Perm Regional Center for the Prevention and Control over AIDS and Infectious Diseases, 21 Arkhitektora Sviyazeva Str., Perm, 614088, Russian Federation, Nikolenko V.V. ,   E.A. Wagner’s Perm State Medical University, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation
Published: January 2021

Despite all significant efforts being made by the public healthcare, state authorities, and public organizations, HIV-infection has been a topical issue over the last 30 years. Commercial sex workers (CSW) are a basic risk group when it comes down to this infection. Our research goal was to determine HIV prevalence among commercial sex workers and risk factors that cause their contagion with it. We performed an epidemiologic analytical ecologic examination to study HIV prevalence risk factors that cause spread of this infection among CSW. 154 CSW were questioned with a sociological procedure applied to do it; they lived in three cities in Perm region, and morbidity with HIV was higher than on average in the region in two of them, B. and K. The city P. was taken as a reference territory due to a relatively favorable situation with HIV infection spread there. Risk factors that caused HIV infection were determined via an observational analytical case-control study; the «case» group was made up of 46 CSW who were infected with HIV and the control group included 108 CSW who didn’t have this infection. All the obtained data were statistically processed with SPSS Statistics 17.0 and Statistica 6.0 software packages. HIV prevalence among commercial sex workers was rather different on the examined territories. It amounted to 42.6% and 35.0% in cities B. and K. and it was 2.3 and 1.9 times higher accordingly than in city P. It was detected that there were several factors making for HIV infection spread among CSW; they were high morbidity with HIV on a given territory; an early start of sexual life; disregard of contraception; drug abuse; medical services and prevention programs being hardly available to CSW. A high probability that CSW would get infected with HIV was determined for people who didn’t use condoms, took drugs intravenously, and were not epidemiologically alerted to HIV infection.
Polymorphism of folate cycle genes as a risk factor of hyperhomocysteinemia
Authors:   Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov, 6 Akademika Lebedeva Str., Saint Petersburg, 194044, Russian Federation, Ivanov A.M. , Gil'manov A.Zh. ,   Bashkirian State Medical University, 3 Lenina Str., Ufa, 450000, Russian Federation, Malyutina N.N. ,   Perm State Medical University named after Academician E.A. Wagner, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation, Khovaeva Ya.B. ,   Perm State Medical University named after Academician E.A. Wagner, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation, Nenasheva O.Yu. ,   Perm State Medical University named after Academician E.A. Wagner, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation,   «MedLabEkspress» LLC, 14 A Gaidara Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation, El'kin G.I. ,   Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov, 6 Akademika Lebedeva Str., Saint Petersburg, 194044, Russian Federation, Sosnin D.Yu. ,   Perm State Medical University named after Academician E.A. Wagner, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation
Published: January 2021

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHc) is a new factor being considered at the moment that can cause damage to vessel walls. Its occurrence depends on genetic peculiarities of a body. Our research goal was to estimate frequency of genetic polymorphisms (SNP) in folate cycle genes among people living in Perm region and its influence on homocysteine (Hc) concentration in blood serum. We examined 189 women (32.2±5.25). Hc concentration in blood serum was determined with immune chemiluminescent procedure. We examined frequency of SNP in folate cycle genes with pyrosequencing. Homozygote state as per minor alleles in methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene (rs 1801133 и rs 1801131) and MTR gene (rs 1805087) was registered 7.5, 5.4, and 13.75 times less frequently than homozygote state as per neutral alleles. Heterozygote state prevailed for genes of methionine synthase reductase and folate transport protein among examined SNP. Homozygotes as per minor allele SNP in MTHFR gene (Ala222Val; rs 1801133) had higher Hc concentration in blood serum that amounted to 8.476 ± 3.193 mmol/L and was 1.276 times higher than the same parameter in homozygotes as per neutral allele (р=0.0036). We didn’t establish any influence on Hc contents in blood serum for the remaining 4 SNP in folate cycle genes (р> 0.1). Examined SNP in MTHFR and MTR genes tended to have neutral alleles more frequently than minor ones. SNP in genes of other examined proteins belonging to folate cycle didn’t have any differences in frequency of examined alleles. We didn’t detect a combination of homozygote state as per two SNP in MTHFR gene or homozygote state as per one SNP and heterozygote state as per another one in a genome. Only SNP in MTHFR gene (Ala222Val, rs 1801133) authentically causes increase in homocysteine concentration out of all the examined SNP in genes of folate cycle enzymes and proteins.
Vanadium in the environment as a risk factor causing negative modification of cell death (scientific review) UDC: 616-097
Authors:   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation, Dolgikh O.V. , Dianova D.G. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation, Kazakova O.A. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation
Published: January 2021

The review dwells on results obtained via examinations that focused on effects produced by vanadium and its compounds contaminating the environment on health disorders related to cell death deregulation. Research works that have been performed over the last decades and focused on revealing the essence of apoptosis mechanism under exposure to technogenic chemicals are truly vital due to this phenomenon having great biological significance within a system of a body trying to adapt to influences exerted by environmental factors. The present work focuses on apoptosis peculiarities under exposure to excess technogenic concentrations of vanadium compounds. Published research works have been analyzed, analysis results are outlined, and a scientific hypothesis has been formulated within the subject matter. We have described an immune-modulating effect produced by vanadium compounds that is able to modify apoptosis events due to changes in cell death modes (apoptosis activation/inhibition) and it provides body adaptation to changing environmental conditions. A range in vanadium concentrations between essential and toxic ones predetermines multi-directional changes in apoptosis induction and completion. Thus, induced apoptosis activation makes for development of autoimmune and immune-proliferative processes; at the same time, cell death inhibition can result in immune deficiency, inflammatory reactions, and neurodegenerative diseases. It was shown that vanadium compounds produced modifying effects on mitochondrial functions regulation, changes in phosphorilation/dephosphorilation ratio in protein products, and imbalance in free radical processes; all this ultimately disrupts a balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic signals in a cell. Monitoring over apoptosis parameters that characterize cell death under exposure to vanadium and its compounds will allow timely detecting risks of pre-nosology state occurrence and prevent damage to health.
INVENTANDO COVAS
Authors: De Oliveira Ronald
Published: January 2021

Em 1819, proveniente da política de imigração imperial, se assentou na vila de São João Batista de Nova Friburgo (Sertões do Leste Fluminense) imigrantes suíços de origem majoritariamente católica com minoria evangélico-reformada acompanhados pelo padre Jacob Joyer. O objetivo deste texto é analisar o livro de óbitos da vila
EXPEDIENTE
Authors: Editores Revista Inter-Legere
Published: January 2021

EXPEDIENTE
A Review on Synthesis, Reactions and Biological Properties of Seven Membered Heterocyclic Compounds: Azepine, Azepane, Azepinone
Authors: Kaur Manvinder , Garg Sonali , Malhi Dharambeer S. , Sohal Harvinder S.
Published: January 2021

Seven membered heterocyclic Azepine and its derivatives have great pharmacological
and therapeutic implications. In this review, the literature of the last fifty years has
been exploited for the synthesis, reaction, and biological properties of these seven-member
heterocyclic compounds. Most of the mechanisms involved the ring expansion of either five
or six-membered compounds using various methods such as thermally, photo-chemically, and
microwave irradiation. The systematically designed schemes involve the synthesis of different
derivatives of azepine, azepinone, azepane, etc., using similar moieties by various researchers.
However, there is much work yet to be done in the biological section, as it is not
explored and reported in the literature; therefore, N-containing seven-membered heterocycles
still have much scope for the researchers.
Recombinant Expression of Cec-B Peptide in Escherichia coli with a Significant Anticancer Effect on Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Okasha Hend , Nasr Sami Mohamed , Samir Safia
Published: January 2021

Background:

Cecropin-B (Cec-B) is an Antimicrobial Peptide (AMP) found in insects.

Objectives:

Recombinant production of Cec-B peptide in Escherichia coli (Rosetta™ DE3), and studying its anticancer
effect on hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HCC).

Methods:

The Cec-B gene of Drosophila melanogaster was synthesized by PCR assembly using the simplified gene
synthesis (SGS) method. To express the recombinant peptide in E. coli (Rosetta™ DE3); the synthesized gene was cloned
into pET-15b expression vector. The recombinant peptide was expressed as insoluble aggregates called inclusion bodies
(IBs) using 2mM lactose inducer. IBs were solubilized in a denatured form using 8 M urea followed by in-vitro protein
refolding using rapid dilution method. The refolded Cec-B was purified using cation-exchange SP-FF column. Cytotoxicity
of recombinant Cec-B (rCec-B) was reported on normal human lung cell line (WI-38), and hepatocellular carcinoma cell
line (HepG2).

Results:

The Cec-B gene was expressed and purified at concentration 1.212±0.1 mg/ml which represents 48.49±4% of the
total proteins injected to the column (2.5±0.2 mg/ml). The safe dose of purified rCec-B on normal WI-38 cells was
calculated to be 1.57 mg/ml. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of rCec-B on HepG2 cell line was
calculated to be 25 µg/ml. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that untreated and treated HepG2 cells had cell
diameters from 11-12.92 μm and 14.18-21.58 μm, respectively.

Conclusion:

The results of this study revealed a successful expression of the rCec-B peptide using a pET-based expression
system with a simple purification step. The purified peptide could be considered as a hopeful anticancer drug against HCC.
Increased Level of Interleukin-8 in Female Genital Tract After HP Eradication Lines
Authors: Kravtsov Viacheslav , Surovtceva Tatiana , Taame Maria , Grukhin Yuriy , Kalinina Natalia
Published: January 2021

Background:

Antibiotics are known to be effective in treating bacterial infectious disease.
Changes in microflora and mucosal dysbiosis may take place after antibiotic treatment. We investigated
in this research the effect of anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment (AHT) on local immunity of the
female genital tract.

Methods:

The study identified the levels of cytokines IL-8 and TNF-α in vaginal secretion in a group
of female patients with Helicobacter-associated acid-related diseases who were or were not treated
with antibiotics against Helicobacter Pylori.

Results:

Research outcomes turned out that the secretory cytokine (chemokine) IL-8 is dramatically increased
in the vaginal mucosa in patients treated with antibiotics, specifically in post-menopause women.

Conclusion:

Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment affects the immune status of the female genital
tract.
Sodium Alginate Modified Hydroxyapatite Nanotubes as a Novel Ecofriendly Additive for Preparation of Polyethersulfone Hybrid Ultrafiltration Membranes
Authors: Mu Yongfeng , Liu Jun , Feng Han , Wang Guibin
Published: January 2021

Background::

Hydrophilic nanomaterials have been extensively exploited their applications
in the field of hybrid water treatment membranes. However, some of the modification process
to nanomaterials may be complicated, and the nonselective pores caused by the poor compatibility
between nanoparticles and the polymer matrix impair the rejection efficiency for ultrafiltration application.
Thus, it is highly desirable to develop a kind of effective nano dopant with favorable
compatibility by a facile way for the preparation of ultrafiltration membranes.

Objective::

The aim of this study was to fabricate a novel environmentally friendly and low-cost
nano additive with good compatibility for the preparation of ultrafiltration membranes.

Methods::

Hydroxyapatite nanotubes were prepared via a biomimetic process, and then SA was
coated on the surface of hydroxyapatite nanotubes. Subsequently, a series of hybrid ultrafiltration
membranes were fabricated with different amounts of modified HANTs and polyethersulfone
(PES).

Results::

Exhaustive characterizations were conducted for the membranes, including hydrophilicity,
porosity, mean pore size, morphologies and UF performance test. The highest water flux of the hybrid
membranes displayed 1.9 times that of the original PES membrane. Meanwhile, the hybrid
membrane with 0.2% hydroxyapatite nanotubes obtained elevated antifouling ability, achieving a
flux recovery ratio of 85.6%.

Conclusion::

The facile coating of SA endowed the nanotubes improved hydrophilicity and meanwhile
enhanced the compatibility between PES and HANTs. This work provides a facile way in the
construction of green nanofillers and promising results in the preparation of hybrid UF membranes.
Endorphinergic Enhancement Attenuation of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) via Activation of Neuro-immunological Function in the Face of a Viral Pandemic
Authors: Blum Kenneth , Modestino Edward J. , Baron David , Brewer Raymond , Thanos Panayotis , Elman Igor , Badgaiyan Rajendra D. , Downs B. William , Bagchi Debasis , McLaughlin Thomas , Bowirrat Abdalla , Roy A. Kenison , Gold Mark S.
Published: January 2021

Introduction:

Polymorphic gene variants, particularly the genetic determinants of low dopamine function (hypodopaminergia), are known to associate with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and a predisposition to PTSD. Addiction research and molecular genetic applied technologies supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have revealed the complex functions of brain reward circuitry and its crucial role in addiction and PTSD symptomatology.

Discussion:

It is noteworthy that Israeli researchers compared mice with a normal immune system with mice lacking adaptive immunity and found that the incidence of PTSD increased several-fold. It is well established that raising endorphinergic function increases immune response significantly. Along these lines, Blum’s work has shown that D-Phenylalanine (DPA), an enkephalinase inhibitor, increases brain endorphins in animal models and reduces stress in humans. Enkephalinase inhibition with DPA treats Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by restoring endorphin function. The Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) can characterize relevant phenotypes, genetic risk for stress vulnerability vs. resilience. GARS could be used to pre-test military enlistees for adaptive immunity or as part of PTSD management with customized neuronutrient supplementation upon return from deployment.

Conclusion:

Based on GARS values, with particular emphasis on enhancing immunological function, pro-dopamine regulation may restore dopamine homeostasis. Recognition of the immune system as a “sixth sense” and assisting adaptive immunity with Precision Behavioral Management (PBM), accompanied by other supportive interventions and therapies, may shift the paradigm in treating stress disorders.
Improved Control Volume Method for Thermoelastic Analysis of Functionally Graded Solids
Authors: Xu Bing-Bing , Liang Yu , Cui Miao
Published: January 2021

Aims:

In this work, an improved control Volume finite element method (ICVFEM) is
proposed and implemented for thermoelastic analysis in functionally graded materials (FGMs) at a
steady state.

Methods and Results:

Different from the conventional CVFEM, the sub-control Volume used in
the proposed method is circular in the intrinsic coordinate. The advantages of the new integral
domain are: (i) the complex integration path can be avoided: (ii) the method is very suitable for many
types of elements. High-order shape functions of eight quadrilateral (Q8) elements are used to obtain
the unknown variables and their derivatives. Besides, material properties in a functionally graded
structure are calculated by the high-order shape functions based on the properties defined at the node.

Conclusion:

To verify the convergence and accuracy of the proposed method, three numerical
examples with analytical solutions are illustrated by using the conventional CVFEM and FEM at
the same time.
The cyclone separator application on physicochemical characterization of coconut shell-liquid smoke grade C
Authors: Putranto Angky Wahyu , Puspaningarum Firda , Sukardi Sukardi
Published: January 2021

The further processing of coconut shell pyrolysis into liquid smoke has been developed in recent years. However, the common technology by directly condensing the smoke has many impurity compounds which decreases the yield of liquid smoke produced. Hence, in this study the cyclone separator was applied to increase the quality of physicochemical content in coconut shell-liquid smoke (CS-LS) grade C. The physical parameters analyzed were yield, pH, density and color. The chemical parameters was analyzed by GC-MS. The result showed that CS-LS processing with cyclone separator was able to increase the total yield into 3.33%, with better color, pH and density compared to the CS-LS produced using common method (direct condensation). The application of cyclone separator was also able to increase the phenolic compounds (97%), alcoholic compounds (92%), cycloalkene compounds (91%) and also decreased the benzoic acid, carbonyl and ester up to 100% compared with common method for CS-LS grade C production.
Acknowlegement to Reviewers of OBM Hepatology and Gastroenterology in 2020
Authors:   LIDSEN Publishing Inc., 2000 Auburn Drive, One Chagrin Highlands, Suite 200, Beachwood, OH, USA, LIDSEN Publishing Inc. OBM Hepatology and Gastroenterology Editorial Office
Published: January 2021

The editors of OBM Hepatology and Gastroenterology would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2020. We greatly appreciate the contribution of expert reviewers, which is crucial to the journal's editorial process. We aim to recognize reviewer contributions through several mechanisms, of which the annual publication of reviewer names is one. Reviewers receive a voucher entitling them to a discount on their next LIDSEN publication and can download a certificate of recognition directly from our submission system. Additionally, reviewers can sign up to the service Publons (https://publons.com) to receive recognition. Of course, in these initiatives we are careful not to compromise reviewer confidentiality. Many reviewers see their work as a voluntary and often unseen part of their role as researchers. We are grateful to the time reviewers donate to our journals and the contribution they make.
COVID-19–Induced Fear in Infoveillance Studies: Pilot Meta-analysis Study of Preliminary Results
Authors: Geronikolou Styliani , Chrousos George
Published: January 2021

Background

The World Health Organization named the phenomenon of misinformation spread through social media as an “infodemic” and recognized the need to curb it. Misinformation infodemics undermine not only population safety but also compliance to the suggestions and prophylactic measures recommended during pandemics.

Objective

The aim of this pilot study is to review the impact of social media on general population fear in “infoveillance” studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol was followed, and 6 out of 20 studies were retrieved, meta-analyzed, and had their findings presented in the form of a forest plot.

Results

The summary random and significant event rate was 0.298 (95% CI 0.213-0.400), suggesting that social media–circulated misinformation related to COVID-19 triggered public fear and other psychological manifestations. These findings merit special attention by public health authorities.

Conclusions

Infodemiology and infoveillance are valid tools in the hands of epidemiologists to help prevent dissemination of false information, which has potentially damaging effects.
Quality of Physical Activity Apps: Systematic Search in App Stores and Content Analysis
Authors: Paganini Sarah , Terhorst Yannik , Sander Lasse Bosse , Catic Selma , Balci Sümeyye , Küchler Ann-Marie , Schultchen Dana , Plaumann Katrin , Sturmbauer Sarah , Krämer Lena Violetta , Lin Jiaxi , Wurst Ramona , Pryss Rüdiger , Baumeister Harald , Messner Eva-Maria
Published: January 2021

Background

Physical inactivity is a major contributor to the development and persistence of chronic diseases. Mobile health apps that foster physical activity have the potential to assist in behavior change. However, the quality of the mobile health apps available in app stores is hard to assess for making informed decisions by end users and health care providers.

Objective

This study aimed at systematically reviewing and analyzing the content and quality of physical activity apps available in the 2 major app stores (Google Play and App Store) by using the German version of the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS-G). Moreover, the privacy and security measures were assessed.

Methods

A web crawler was used to systematically search for apps promoting physical activity in the Google Play store and App Store. Two independent raters used the MARS-G to assess app quality. Further, app characteristics, content and functions, and privacy and security measures were assessed. The correlation between user star ratings and MARS was calculated. Exploratory regression analysis was conducted to determine relevant predictors for the overall quality of physical activity apps.

Results

Of the 2231 identified apps, 312 met the inclusion criteria. The results indicated that the overall quality was moderate (mean 3.60 [SD 0.59], range 1-4.75). The scores of the subscales, that is, information (mean 3.24 [SD 0.56], range 1.17-4.4), engagement (mean 3.19 [SD 0.82], range 1.2-5), aesthetics (mean 3.65 [SD 0.79], range 1-5), and functionality (mean 4.35 [SD 0.58], range 1.88-5) were obtained. An efficacy study could not be identified for any of the included apps. The features of data security and privacy were mainly not applied. Average user ratings showed significant small correlations with the MARS ratings (r=0.22, 95% CI 0.08-0.35; P<.001). The amount of content and number of functions were predictive of the overall quality of these physical activity apps, whereas app store and price were not.

Conclusions

Apps for physical activity showed a broad range of quality ratings, with moderate overall quality ratings. Given the present privacy, security, and evidence concerns inherent to most rated apps, their medical use is questionable. There is a need for open-source databases of expert quality ratings to foster informed health care decisions by users and health care providers.
Social Media Use, Unhealthy Lifestyles, and the Risk of Miscarriage Among Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prospective Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Zhang Xiaotong , Liu Jue , Han Na , Yin Jing
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in changes to normal life and disrupted social and economic function worldwide. However, little is known about the impact of social media use, unhealthy lifestyles, and the risk of miscarriage among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the association between social media use, unhealthy lifestyles, and the risk of miscarriage among pregnant women in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, 456 singleton pregnant women in mainland China were recruited during January and February 2020. Sociodemographic characteristics, history of previous health, social media use, and current lifestyles were collected at baseline, and we followed up about the occurrence of miscarriage. Log-binomial regression models were used to estimate the risk ratios (RRs) of miscarriage for women with different exposures to COVID-19–specific information.

RESULTS

Among all the 456 pregnant women, there were 82 (18.0%) who did no physical activities, 82 (18.0%) with inadequate dietary diversity, 174 (38.2%) with poor sleep quality, and 54 (11.8%) spending >3 hours on reading COVID-19 news per day. Women with excessive media use (>3 hours) were more likely to be previously pregnant (P=.03), have no physical activity (P=.003), have inadequate dietary diversity (P=.03), and have poor sleep quality (P<.001). The prevalence of miscarriage was 16.0% (n=73; 95% CI 12.6%-19.4%). Compared with women who spent 0.5-2 hours (25/247, 10.1%) on reading COVID-19 news per day, miscarriage prevalence in women who spent <0.5 hours (5/23, 21.7%), 2-3 hours (26/132, 19.7%), and >3 hours (17/54, 31.5%) was higher (P<.001). Miscarriage prevalence was also higher in pregnant women with poor sleep quality (39/174, 22.4% vs 34/282, 12.1%; P=.003) and a high education level (66/368, 17.9% vs 7/88, 8.0%; P=.02). In the multivariable model, poor sleep quality (adjusted RR 2.06, 95% CI 1.24-3.44; P=.006), 2-3 hours of media use daily (adjusted RR 1.74, 95% CI 1.02-2.97; P=.04), and >3 hours of media use daily (adjusted RR 2.56, 95% CI 1.43-4.59; P=.002) were associated with miscarriage. In the sensitivity analysis, results were still stable.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnant women with excessive media use were more likely to have no physical activity, inadequate dietary diversity, and poor sleep quality. Excessive media use and poor sleep quality were associated with a higher risk of miscarriage. Our findings highlight the importance of healthy lifestyles during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rapid Detection of Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Clinical Samples Using a Novel Tabletop Platform: Protocol for a Prospective Clinical Study (Preprint)
Authors: Hillery Naomi , Seifert Marva , Catanzaro Donald G , McKinnon Symone , Colman Rebecca E , Chiles Peter G , Chesov Dumitru , Ciobanu Nelly , Hagan Christopher , Crudu Valeriu , Catanzaro Antonino , Rodwell Timothy C
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

The lack of accurate and efficient diagnostic devices for extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) makes it a severe threat to global public health. A prospective clinical study in an intended-use cohort was designed to evaluate the Akonni Biosystems XDR-TB TruArray and lateral flow cell (XDR-LFC) to address this gap in tuberculosis diagnostics.

OBJECTIVE

This paper presents the protocol for a study that aims to document the conceptualization and design of this evaluation method for early dissemination while data collection and analysis are ongoing.

METHODS

The clinical study was conducted in three phases. The first phase was to observe changes in bacterial load and culture positivity in patient sputa over time and better understand the diversity of prospective clinical samples. The second phase was to prospectively collect clinical samples for sensitivity and specificity testing of the Akonni Biosystems XDR-LFC device. Lastly, the third phase was to explore the anti-TB drug concentrations in serum throughout the drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment.

RESULTS

The methodology described includes the study design, laboratory sample handling, data collection, and the protection elements of human subjects of this clinical study to evaluate a potential new XDR-TB diagnostic device. A total of 664 participants were enrolled across the three phases. The implemented complex systems facilitated a thorough clinical data collection for an objective evaluation of the device. The study is closed to recruitment. The follow-up data collection and analysis are in progress.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper outlined a prospective cohort study protocol to evaluate a rapid XDR-TB detection device, which may be informative for other researchers with similar goals.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/26748
Simulation of Nitrogen Release from Chitosan/Local Organic Fertilizer Composite as Slow-Release Fertilizer
Authors: Istiani Alit , Kusumastuti Yuni , Rochmadi Rochmadi
Published: January 2021

The application of conventional fertilizer, especially for inorganic fertilizer, has low efficiency due to the fast release of its nutrients into the environment. Also, it has a high operating cost caused by multiple fertilization processes in one of the planting periods. One of the possibilities to overcome this limitation is applying organic fertilizer as a slow-release fertilizer (SRF). The objective of this research is to prepare SRF by modifying the formulation of local organic fertilizer with chitosan as a binder. The rate of the nitrogen release was studied and simulated with MATLAB. The result shows that the nitrogen loss by water leaching decreased up to 85% in chitosan/organic fertilizer rather than the fertilizer without chitosan. By MATLAB simulation, the release of nitrogen has followed the proposed mathematical model in which the mass transfer occurred dominated by diffusion mechanism with the diffusivity coefficient of 1.61x10-5 cm2/s.Keywords: chitosan; organic fertilizer; slow-release fertilizer A B S T R A KPenggunaan pupuk anorganik masih memiliki efisiensi rendah yang disebabkan oleh cepatnya pelepasan nutrisi pupuk ke lingkungan sehingga nutrisi tersebut tidak dapat terserap baik oleh tanaman. Selain itu, aplikasi pupuk anorganik yang berulang dalam satu periode tanam berdampak pada peningkatan biaya operasional. Salah satu metode untuk mengatasi permasalahan tersebut adalah dengan menggunakan pupuk lepas lambat (slow-release fertilizer) atau dengan menggunakan pupuk organik. Tujuan pada penelitian ini adalah dengan mengombinasikan dua metode tersebut yaitu dengan memodifikasi formulasi dari pupuk organik lokal dengan penambahan kitosan sehingga dapat diperoleh pupuk organik yang memiliki sifat lepas lambat. Laju pelepasan nitrogen dari pupuk yang dihasilkan kemudian dianalisis dan disimulasikan dengan software MATLAB. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa nitrogen yang hilang pada komposit pupuk organik-kitosan melalui water leaching menurun hingga 85% jika dibandingkan dengan komposit pupuk organik tanpa kitosan. Hasil simulasi MATLAB juga menunjukkan bahwa laju pelepasan nitrogen pada pupuk mengikuti model matematika yang diusulkan yaitu dengan mekanisme difusi, nilai koefisien difusivitas yang diperoleh adalah sebesar 1,61×10-5 cm2/s.Kata kunci: kitosan; pupuk lepas lambat; pupuk organik
Aplikasi Mordan Tanin pada Pewarnaan Kain Batik Katun Menggunakan Warna Alam Tingi (Ceriops tagal)
Authors: Lestari Dwi Wiji , Atika Vivin , Satria Yudi , Fitriani Aprilia , Susanto Tri
Published: January 2021

The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of tannin mordant from Psidium guajava leaves, Peltophorum pterocarpum bark, and Coffea arabica leaves in cotton batik dyeing using tingi bark (Ceriops tagal). This research was conducted by initial quantitative analysis of each extract to measure the quantity of tannin using UV-Vis spectrophotometry with tannic acid as a standard solution. The next process was a fabric pre-mordanting using each mordant extract, batik process, coloring with tingi bark extract, and post-mordanting using each alum solution and guava leaves extract. The dyed batik fabric was tested toward its color intensity and durability/fastness properties. From the quantitative analysis, guava leaves extract contains the biggest tannin content compared with jambal bark and coffee leaves extract, which is 1151.5 μg/mL. The dyed sample from combination of Guava leaves extract pre-mordanting with alum post-mordanting provided the best color intensity of 15.52. While all variables had an equal good value for washing fastness. It can be concluded that all material had potential as natural mordant for cotton batik dyeing with natural dye, but with consideration of using metal mordant for combination to get better results in terms of both color intensity and fastness properties.Keywords: batik; biomordant; natural dye; tannin mordant A B S T R A KTujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui kinerja mordan tanin dari daun jambu biji (Psidium guajava), kulit kayu jambal (Peltophorum pterocarpum) dan daun kopi (Coffea arabica) dalam pewarnaan kain batik katun dengan pewarna alami tingi (Ceriops tagal). Penelitian dilakukan dengan terlebih dahulu mengukur kadar tanin total dari masing-masing ekstrak secara kuantitatif menggunakan spektrofotometri UV-Vis dengan larutan standar asam tanat. Proses selanjutnya adalah mordan awal kain menggunakan masing-masing ekstrak mordan, pembatikan, pewarnaan menggunakan ekstrak kulit kayu tingi, dan mordan akhir menggunakan masing-masing larutan tawas dan ekstrak daun jambu biji. Kain batik berwarna diuji ketuaan warna dan ketahanan luntur warnanya. Dari hasil analisis kuantitatif, didapatkan kandungan tanin terbesar dari ekstrak daun jambu biji yaitu 1.151,5 μg/mL. Hasil uji ketuaan warna paling besar didapatkan dari perlakuan mordan awal daun jambu biji dan mordan akhir tawas dengan nilai 15,52, sedangkan ketahanan luntur warna terhadap pencucian secara rata-rata memberikan nilai 4 (baik) untuk semua variabel. Kesimpulan yang dapat diambil yaitu ekstrak daun jambu biji, kulit kayu jambal, dan daun kopi memiliki potensi untuk digunakan sebagai bahan mordan pada pewarnaan batik. Penggunaan ketiga bahan mordan alami memerlukan kehadiran mordan logam untuk memperkuat intensitas warna dan ketahanan luntur warna kain.Kata kunci: batik; biomordan; mordan tannin; pewarna alam
Characterization and Analysis of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) Waste of PT Kharisma Alam Persada South Borneo
Authors: Hidayah Nur , Wusko Ikna Urwatul
Published: January 2021

Empty oil palm bunches are the largest solid waste produced from the palm oil industry processing. In processing 1 ton of fresh palm oil bunches, 230 Kg of empty palm oil bunches will be produced. Based on previous research, it is known that oil palm empty fruit bunches waste is proven to have a large amount of organic mass such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin. Organic content as mentioned is rich in benefits so that it can be used as raw material for making daily needs products ranging from food to complementary products such as household appliances, clothing and so on. For this reason, a study was conducted on the content of oil palm empty bunches originating from waste at PT. Kharisma Alam Persada. The characterization process was carried out using the SNI method 0128911992. From the research carried out it was found that the cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin content were 55.75%; 28.93% and 15.32% respectively. So that it is possible to be used as raw material for processing other products.
Financial narratives in crisis
Authors: Rosamond Emily
Published: January 2021

As I write this now, it seems difficult to imagine how this moment might one day be seen as historical. To arrive at its historicity, a moment such as this must come to be viewed as a juncture at which various potentials, possible courses of action, and fields of possibility will have been opened or closed, from the vantage point of another, as-yet-unknown present. Equally, becoming historical demands that a moment comes to be inscribed in a particular narrative of historical change - forming, and falling into step with, some more-or-less cohesive trajectory. Considering how this moment might one day be historical inevitably draws comparisons with the inverse consideration: how this moment conceives of its own futurity. There are, of course, copious accounts of the paucity of the future in the twenty-first century; concern for the “slow cancellation of the future” (Berardi, 2011: 18; Fisher, 2014) echoes through books, conversations, and forums, speaking to the collapse of various “mythological temporalization[s]” (Berardi, 2011: 19): cultural imaginaries of progress in science and technology, social welfare and democracy. This evacuation of ‘futurability’ (Berardi, 2019) is ironic, perhaps, given the broadly future-oriented disposition of financialized capitalism and contemporary ‘risk societies’ (Beck, 1992; Giddens, 1990; see also Ramey, 2016; Amoore, 2013; Harcourt, 2007). Yet it is also inextricably linked with financialized capitalism's many crises of extractivist valuation. Given spiralling debt and the burgeoning climate crisis, pronouncements of both an end to capitalism (Streeck, 2017) and a never-ending need to capitalize on disaster (Klein, 2014), it proves difficult to remain either confident in the viability of financialized forms of valuation, or optimistic about the prospects of the coming century. Equally, it is difficult to see how narratives of past market patterns offer any explanatory power when facing the political impasses of this moment. Narratives of continuity between past and present crises fail to explain the disruptions of the present. In a moment sometimes characterized as ‘post-truth’ or ‘post-fact’ (Pomerantsev, 2019; Rose, 2017; Sismondo, 2017), the sense of a profound inability to narrate the historicity of the present prevails.
Crisis in history or crisis historiography
Authors: Roitman Janet
Published: January 2021

It seems so clear, so clearly obvious: we are living in times of crisis: global health crisis (Covid- 19), environmental crisis (the fires), socio-economic crisis (intensifying inequalities), political crisis (the autocrats). These layers of crisis, protracted crisis - this is what we name ‘times of crisis’. Amin Samman takes up this condition of our times. His focus is on what he calls “financial times” and his main concern is to illustrate how “we imagine and produce history in financial times” (Samman, 2019: ix).
“Porque no pertenecemos”: experiencias de violencia y racismo de chinos-mexicanos
Authors: Manzano-Munguía María Cristina , Juárez Palomino Liliana
Published: January 2021

Este trabajo presenta avances de una investigación en curso sobre la movilidad y las relaciones transnacionales de inmigrantes chinos y sus descendientes residiendo en la ciudad de Puebla y Mazatán, Chiapas, México. Un tema recurrente en las entrevistas etnográficas de chinos–mexicanos (primera, segunda, tercera y cuarta generación) es el racismo, discriminación y violencia que prevalece en México. El documento tiene como objetivo construir estas experiencias de violencia simbólica subjetiva y sistémica (Žižek 2008) contemporáneas vis à vis las vivencias de carácter histórico de los chinos–mexicanos. De tal manera que no existe un rompimiento o cambio entre lo histórico y lo contemporáneo, más bien se vislumbra un continuum en donde coexisten violencia, discriminación y racismo hacia esta población de chinos descendientes. Aquí no se intenta darle cierre a una discusión añeja, más bien este es un ejercicio intelectual en donde las autoras tratan de darle diferentes lecturas a los datos recabados en campo (2014-2017).
Teoría de los marcos del discurso en los spots de López Obrador en 2018
Authors: Chihu Amparan Aquiles
Published: January 2021

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar los spots electorales del candidato ganador Andrés Manuel López Obrador en la campaña presidencial de México 2018. Con dicha finalidad se propone la teoría de los marcos del discurso como modelo teórico-metodológico aplicable en el análisis del discurso de diferentes actores (movimientos sociales, prensa, partidos políticos, candidatos) y sus distintos mensajes (acción colectiva, noticia periodística, discursos de campaña, debates presidenciales, anuncios políticos televisados). En el análisis se identifican seis marcos: de presentación, del problema, de solución del problema, de ataque, de defensa y de cierre de campaña.
Convivencia vecinal y satisfacción con la colonia en los conjuntos habitacionales de México
Authors: Ibarra Salazar Jorge , Martínez Ibarra Alejandra
Published: January 2021

La política urbana y de vivienda de México enfatiza la importancia del medio ambiente social, a través de la promoción de la cohesión social. La convivencia con los vecinos es un componente de dicha cohesión. En este artículo, analizamos la influencia de la convivencia vecinal en el grado de satisfacción con la colonia, un determinante de la calidad de vida de las personas, de los residentes en conjuntos habitacionales mexicanos. Usamos los resultados de la Encuesta de Satisfacción Residencial 2013, agregados en los 512 conjuntos habitacionales que incluye. Estimamos diferentes especificaciones por mínimos cuadrados generalizados, probit y logit. Encontramos que las variables relacionadas con la convivencia vecinal ayudan a explicar las variaciones en la satisfacción con la colonia entre conjuntos habitacionales. Este resultado es consistente entre métodos de estimación y variables de control.
La crítica de la vida cotidiana de Henri Lefebvre: importancia y vigencia para la sociología contemporánea
Authors: Márquez Pulido Ulises Bernardino
Published: January 2021

Este artículo reflexiona sobre el estudio de la vida cotidiana en la obra de Henri Lefebvre; analiza la importancia que este autor da a la cotidianidad para comprender los procesos sociales e históricos que dieron forma a la modernidad y destaca la relevancia que da a la literatura para el análisis sociológico y la relación entre ciudad, revolución y vida cotidiana, así como la vigencia de sus propuestas. Se subrayan los principales rasgos que Lefebvre otorga a la cotidianidad y se hace una crítica sobre sus reflexiones. Se concluye que la vida cotidiana es un centro neurálgico de las principales tesis de Henri Lefebvre.
¿Qué sabemos del robo de combustible en México? Claroscuros de un delito que no cede
Authors: Peschard Mariscal Jacqueline , Salazar Rebolledo María Grisel , Olea Gómez Octavio
Published: January 2021

El objetivo de este artículo es presentar un diagnóstico de la calidad de la información sobre robo de combustible en México en dos vertientes: la información relativa a la evolución y distribución del fenómeno, y la información relativa a las acciones estatales para combatirlo. Para ello, acudimos a tres distintas fuentes de información: 1) portales de transparencia proactiva de las diversas instituciones involu- cradas en este problema público, 2) respuestas otorgadas a solicitudes de información sobre el tema realizadas entre 2006-2018, y finalmente, 3) respuestas a solicitudes propias. Encontramos que, a pesar de la relevancia pública del problema y de que el nuevo gobierno lo incorporó en su agenda desde el primer momento, la información continúa dispersa y fragmentada. Los esfuerzos de transparencia sobre este tema son aún insuficientes para generar un debate informado o una evaluación ciudadana de las acciones llevadas a cabo para combatir el robo de combustible.
Constitución y exclusión. Performatividad y espacio público en Hannah Arendt y Frantz Fanon
Authors: Jerade Miriam
Published: January 2021

El objetivo de este artículo es mostrar, a partir de una cierta noción de performatividad, que el lenguaje es constitutivo del espacio público, inclusive en su materialidad, pero no como un espacio homogéneo sino como uno que se modela a partir de exclusiones y resistencias que también son efectos del propio lenguaje. Me centraré, para ello, en cómo Hannah Arendt plantea la constitución del espacio público a partir del discurso en La condición humana, para después confrontarla con algunos textos de Frantz Fanon en los cuales plantea que el espacio público no es homogéneo sino uno compartimentado que genera performativamente exclusiones.
Con la mirada “a ras de suelo”: las ciencias sociales ante las múltiples dimensiones de lo local
Authors: Bokser Misses-Liwerant Judit
Published: January 2021

Editorial del número 241 de la RMCPS.