bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SARS-CoV-2 and EBV; the cost of a second mitochondrial “whammy”?
Authors: Nunn Alistair V.W. , Guy Geoffrey W. , Botchway Stanley W. , Bell Jimmy D.
Published: October 2021

We, and others, have suggested that as the SARS-CoV-2 virus may modulate mitochondrial function, good mitochondrial reserve and health could be key in determining disease severity when exposed to this virus, as the immune system itself is dependent on this organelle’s function. With the recent publication of a paper showing that long COVID could be associated with the reactivation of the Epstein Barr Virus, which is well known to manipulate mitochondria, we suggest that this could represent a second mitochondrial “whammy” that might support the mitochondrial hypothesis underlying COVID-19 severity and potentially, the occurrence of longer-term symptoms. As mitochondrial function declines with age, this could be an important factor in why older populations are more susceptible. Key factors which ensure optimal mitochondrial health are generally those that ensure healthy ageing, such as a good lifestyle with plenty of physical activity. The ability of viruses to manipulate mitochondrial function is well described, and it is now also thought that for evolutionary reasons, they also manipulate the ageing process. Given that slowing the ageing process could well be linked to better economic outcomes, the link between mitochondrial health, economics, COVID-19 and other viruses, as well as lifestyle, needs to be considered.
The association between dietary fats and the incidence risk of cardiovascular outcomes: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
Authors: Gaeini Zahra , Mirmiran Parvin , Bahadoran Zahra , Aghayan Maryam , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: October 2021

Background

The association between dietary fats and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is under debate. We aimed to determine the potential effects of dietary saturated fats (SFA), mono-unsaturated (MUFA) and poly-unsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids on the occurrence of CVD in an adult Asian population.

Methods

This study was conducted within the framework of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study on 2809 CVD-free adults, aged ≥ 19 years. Dietary intakes of fats were estimated using a validated 168-items semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, at baseline. Adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of CVD were calculated in tertile categories of dietary fats. The risk of CVD was estimated with multivariable Cox regression for the substitution of total fat or SFA with other macronutrients.

Results

During 10.6 years of follow up, the incidence rate of CVD events was 7.1%. Mean (± SD) age of the participants was 39 (± 14) years and 43.9% were men. Total fat, animal and plant sources of fats were not associated with risk of CVD events. No significant associations were found between total SFA, lauric acid, myristic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid as well as MUFA and PUFA and CVD incidence. Substitutions of total fats or SFA with other macronutrients were not associated with CVD risk.

Conclusions

In this study, no significant associations were found between dietary fats and CVD risk. Considering the emerging body of literature that suggests no association between fats and CVD risk, reconsideration of dietary recommendations regarding low fat diets to prevent CVD, seems to be essential.
The transmission ecology of Tahyna orthobunyavirus in Austria as revealed by longitudinal mosquito sampling and blood meal analysis in floodplain habitats
Authors: Camp Jeremy V. , Kniha Edwin , Obwaller Adelheid G. , Walochnik Julia , Nowotny Norbert
Published: October 2021

Background

Tahyna orthobunyavirus (TAHV) is a mosquito-borne virus that may cause mild flu-like symptoms or neurological symptoms in humans. It is historically associated with floodplain habitats in Central Europe, and the mammalophilic floodwater mosquito, Aedes vexans, is thought to be the principal vector. There are few contemporary reports of TAHV transmission ecology within mosquitoes or their vertebrate hosts, and virus infections are rarely reported (and probably seldom diagnosed). The objectives of this study were to survey the mosquito population for TAHV in three floodwater habitats and describe host usage by the predominant floodwater mosquito species to potentially define TAHV transmission at these foci.

Methods

We performed longitudinal mosquito sampling along three major rivers in eastern Austria to characterize the mosquito community in floodplain habitats, and tested for the presence of TAHV in pools of mosquitoes. We characterized TAHV rescued from mosquito pool homogenate by sequencing. We surveyed mosquito host selection by analyzing mosquito blood meals.

Results

We identified TAHV in two pools of Ae. vexans captured along the Leitha River. This mosquito, and other floodwater mosquitoes, used large mammals (red deer, roe deer, wild boar) as their hosts. The sequence of the rescued virus was remarkably similar to other TAHV isolates from the region, dating back to the first isolate of TAHV in 1958.

Conclusions

In general, we confirmed that TAHV is most likely being transmitted by Ae. vexans, although the precise contribution of vertebrate-amplifying hosts to the ecological maintenance of the virus is unclear. The pattern of host selection matches the estimated exposure of the same large mammal species in the region to TAHV based on a recent serosurvey, but hares were also hosts at the site where TAHV was detected. We also confirm humans as hosts of two floodwater mosquito species, providing a potential mechanism for spillover of TAHV or other mosquito-borne viruses.

Graphical Abstract
Adult stem cell transplantation combined with conventional therapy for the treatment of end-stage liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Chen-Hui , Zhang Dian-Han , Zhu Chen-Wei , Xu Jing , Guo Chuan-Long , Wu Xiang-Gen , Cao Qi-Long , Di Guo-Hu
Published: October 2021

End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is characterized by the deterioration of liver function and a subsequent high mortality rate. Studies have investigated the use of adult stem cells to treat ESLD. Here, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the efficacy of a combination therapy with adult stem cell transplantation and traditional medicine for treating ESLD. Four databases—including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library—were investigated for studies published before January 31, 2021. The main outcome indicators were liver function index, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores, and Child‒Turcotte‒Pugh (CTP) scores. Altogether, 1604 articles were retrieved, of which eight met the eligibility criteria; these studies included data for 579 patients with ESLD. Combination of adult stem cell transplantation with conventional medicine significantly improved its efficacy with respect to liver function index, CTP and MELD scores, but this effect gradually decreased over time. Moreover, a single injection of stem cells was more effective than two injections with respect to MELD and CTP scores and total bilirubin (TBIL) and albumin (ALB) levels, with no significant difference in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. With respect to the TBIL levels, patients receiving mononuclear cells (MNCs) experienced a significantly greater therapeutic effect—starting from twenty-four weeks after the treatment—whereas with respect to ALB levels, CD34+autologous peripheral blood stem cells (CD34+APBSCs) and MNCs had similar therapeutic effects. Severe complications associated with adult stem cell treatment were not observed. Although the benefits of combination therapy with respect to improving liver function were slightly better than those of the traditional treatment alone, they gradually decreased over time.

Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021238576.
Dose escalation biodistribution, positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging and dosimetry of a highly specific radionuclide-labeled non-blocking nanobody
Authors: Yang Yanling , Wang Chao , Wang Yan , Sun Yan , Huang Xing , Huang Minzhou , Xu Hui , Fan Huaying , Chen Daquan , Zhao Feng
Published: October 2021

Background

Immunotherapy is a valuable option for cancer treatment, and the curative effect of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy correlates closely with PD-L1 expression levels. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of PD-L1 expression is feasible using 68Ga-NOTA-Nb109 nanobody. 68Ga-NOTA-Nb109 was generated by radionuclide (68Ga) labeling of Nb109 using a NOTA chelator. To facilitate clinical trials, we explored the optimal dose range of 68Ga-NOTA-Nb109 in BALB/c A375-hPD-L1 tumor-burdened nude mice and C57-hPD-L1 transgenic MC38-hPD-L1 tumor-burdened mice by administration of a single intravenous dose of 68Ga-NOTA-Nb109 and confirmed the dose in cynomolgus monkeys. The biodistribution data of cynomolgus monkey PET images were extrapolated to estimate the radiation dose for the adult male and female using OLINDA2.1 software.

Results

68Ga-NOTA-Nb109 was stable in physiologic media and human serum. Ex vivo biodistribution studies showed rapid and specific uptake in A375-hPD-L1 or MC38-hPD-L1 tumors. The estimated ED50 was approximately 5.4 µg in humanized mice. The injected mass (0.3–100 µg in nude mice and approximately 1–100 µg in humanized mice) greatly influenced the general biodistribution, with a better tumor-to-background ratio acquired at lower doses of Nb109 (0.3–10 µg in nude mice and approximately 1 µg in humanized mice), indicating maximum uptake in tumors at administered mass doses below the estimated ED50. Therefore, a single 15-μg/kg dose was adopted for the PET/CT imaging in the cynomolgus monkey. The highest specific and persistent uptake of the tracer was detected in the spleen, except the levels in the kidney and urine bladder, which was related to metabolism and excretion. The spleen-to-muscle ratio of the tracer exceeded 10 from immediately to 4 h after administration, indicating that the dose was appropriate. The estimated effective dose was calculated to yield a radiation dose of 4.1 mSv to a patient after injecting 185 MBq of 68Ga-NOTA-Nb109.

Conclusion

68Ga-NOTA-Nb109 showed specific accumulation in hPD-L1 xenografts in ex vivo biodistribution studies and monkey PET/CT imaging. The dose escalation distribution data provided a recommended dose range for further use, and the safety of the tracer was confirmed in dosimetry studies.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of Vaborem in Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) -Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in Italy
Authors: Mennini Francesco Saverio , Gori Mario , Vlachaki Ioanna , Fiorentino Francesca , Malfa Paola La , Urbinati Duccio , Andreoni Massimo
Published: October 2021

Background

Vaborem is a fixed dose combination of vaborbactam and meropenem with potent activity against target Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) pathogens, optimally developed for Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC). The study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Vaborem versus best available therapy (BAT) for the treatment of patients with CRE-KPC associated infections in the Italian setting.

Methods

A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted based on a decision tree model that simulates the clinical pathway followed by physicians treating patients with a confirmed CRE-KPC infection in a 5-year time horizon. The Italian National Health System perspective was adopted with a 3% discount rate. The clinical inputs were mostly sourced from the phase 3, randomised, clinical trial (TANGO II). Unit costs were retrieved from the Italian official drug pricing list and legislation, while patient resource use was validated by a national expert. Model outcomes included life years (LYs) and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) gained, incremental costs, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR). Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were also performed.

Results

Vaborem is expected to decrease the burden associated with treatment failure and reduce the need for chronic renal replacement therapy while costs related to drug acquisition and long-term care (due to higher survival) may increase. Treatment with Vaborem versus BAT leads to a gain of 0.475 LYs, 0.384 QALYs, and incremental costs of €3549, resulting in an ICER and ICUR of €7473/LY and €9246/QALY, respectively. Sensitivity analyses proved the robustness of the model and also revealed that the probability of Vaborem being cost-effective reaches 90% when willingness to pay is €15,850/QALY.

Conclusions

In the Italian setting, the introduction of Vaborem will lead to a substantial increase in the quality of life together with a minimal cost impact, therefore Vaborem is expected to be a cost-effective strategy compared to BAT.
The prognostic significance of the alterations of pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: a meta-regression analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Sung Shih-Hsien , Yeh Wan-Yu , Chiang Chern-En , Huang Chi-Jung , Huang Wei-Ming , Chen Chen-Huan , Cheng Hao-Min
Published: October 2021

Background

Hemodynamic assessment in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is essential for risk stratification and pharmacological management. However, the prognostic value of the hemodynamic changes after treatment is less well established.

Objectives

We investigated the prognostic impacts of the changes in hemodynamic indices, including mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), right atrial pressure (RAP), and cardiac output index (CI). We conducted this systematic review with meta-regression analysis on existing clinical trials.

Methods

We searched and identified all relevant randomized controlled trials from multiple databases. An analogous R2 index was used to quantify the proportion of variance explained by each predictor in the association with PAH patients’ prognosis. A total of 21 trials and 3306 individuals were enrolled.

Results

The changes in mPAP, PVR, RAP, and CI were all significantly associated with the change in 6MWD (∆6MWD). The change in mPAP was with the highest explanatory power for ∆6MWD (R2 analog = 0.740). Additionally, the changes in mPAP, PVR, and CI were independently predictive of adverse clinical events. The change in mPAP had the highest explanatory power for the clinical events (R2 analog = 0.911). Furthermore, the change in PVR was with the highest explanatory power for total mortality of PAH patients (R2 analog = 0.612).

Conclusion

Hemodynamic changes after treatment, including mPAP, PVR, CI, and RAP, were significantly associated with adverse clinical events or mortality in treated PAH patients. It is recommended that further studies be conducted to evaluate the changes in hemodynamic indices to guide drug titration.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42019125157
Image quality and quantification accuracy dependence on patient body mass in 89Zr PET/CT imaging
Authors: Tateishi Ukihide , Daisaki Hiromitsu , Tsuchiya Junichi , Kojima Yuji , Takino Keisuke , Shimada Naoki , Yokoyama Kota
Published: October 2021

Background

This study was conducted to clarify how patient body mass affects the image quality and quantification accuracy of images obtained using 89Zr PET/CT. 89Zr PET/CT images from time-of-flight (TOF) PET/CT and semiconductor (SC) PET/CT were obtained using three types (M, L, LL; corresponding to increasing patient body weight) of custom-made body phantoms designed similarly to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) IEC body phantom. The phantom data were analyzed visually and quantitatively to derive image quality metrics, namely detectability of the 10-mm-diameter hot sphere, percent contrast for the 10-mm-diameter hot sphere (QH,10 mm), percent background variability (N10mm), contrast-to-noise ratio (QH,10 mm/N10mm), and coefficient of variation of the background area (CVBG).

Results

Visual assessment revealed that all the 10-mm-diameter hot spheres of the three types of phantoms were identifiable on both SC and TOF PET/CT images. The N10mm and CVBG values were within the proposed reference levels, and decreased with acquisition duration for both PET/CT types. At 10-min acquisition, the QH,10 mm/N10mm of SC PET/CT was greater than the proposed reference level in all phantoms. However, the QH,10 mm/N10mm of TOF PET/CT was greater than the proposed reference level in M-type phantom alone. All the SUVBG values were within 1.00 ± 0.05 for both PET/CT types.

Conclusions

This study showed that the image quality and quantification accuracy depend on the patient’s body mass, suggesting that acquisition time on 89Zr PET/CT should be changed according to the patient’s body mass.
Epidemiology of musculoskeletal symptoms, rheumatologic disorders, and disability in the Zoroastrian population in Yazd, Iran: a WHO-ILAR COPCORD study (stage 1)
Authors: Dehghan Ali , Soleimani Salehabadi Hossein , Jamshidi Ahmadreza , Kamali Zohre , Mali Mojgan , Faezi Seyedeh Tahereh , Baghdadi Azarakhsh , Alesaeidi Sogol , Sahraei Fatemeh , Azizi Niloufar , Zand Sanaz , Yasini Sara Sadat , Namazi Maryam , Daya Atefe , Nazemian Ryan , Shamsi Farimah , Nejadhosseinian Mohammad , Davatchi Fereydoun
Published: November 2021

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints, rheumatologic diseases, and disability among the Zoroastrian population in Iran.

Methods

The city of Yazd, in central Iran was selected for this study, with the highest population of Zoroastrians in Iran. Subjects were selected by cluster sampling of 9 neighborhoods populated with Zoroastrians. Subjects ≥15 years old were interviewed by trained interviewers in their houses. The validated Farsi translation of Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Disease (COPCORD) Core Questionnaire (CCQ) was used for this study. Subjects with musculoskeletal complaints (pain, stiffness and/or swelling) were examined by a rheumatologist. Laboratory tests and radiographic exams were performed when deemed necessary.

Results

Two-thousand subjects were interviewed during a 12-month period, of which 956 were male, and 1044 were female. The mean age was 41.1 ± 18.3 years (95%CI: 40.3–41.9). 36.9% of the subjects had university-level education. In the 7 days prior to the interview, 27.6% of the subjects had musculoskeletal complaints, with the knee, dorsolumbar spine, and shoulder being the most common sites of complaints. The most common rheumatologic diagnoses were osteoarthritis (21.5%) and low back pain (10.3%). Rheumatoid arthritis was diagnosed in 1.2% of the subjects.

Conclusions

The epidemiology of musculoskeletal complaints and rheumatologic disorders was inconsistent with previous COPCORD studies in Iran, with a lower prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in general, lower rates of Behçet and lupus, and a higher prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis. The findings of this study can be for development of better prevention, screening, and treatment programs for the vulnerable population of Zoroastrians in Iran.
Biological control strategy for postharvest diseases of citrus, apples, grapes and strawberries fruits and application in Indonesia
Authors: Dwiastuti Mutia Erti , Soesanto Loekas , Aji Titistyas Gusti , Devy Nirmala Friyanti , Hardiyanto
Published: November 2021

Background

In Indonesia, the postharvest fruit loss is 25%, so the economic loss from the export of various fruits is estimated at US$ 58,966,861. One of the causes for the loss is postharvest pathogens. Postharvest fruit rot is caused mainly by fungi, some of which produce mycotoxins harmful to human health. Therefore, in meeting the global food safety requirements, Indonesia should develop a biological control strategy for postharvest fruit diseases. This paper is a review based on observations, a literature review of postharvest biological control of citrus and other subtropical fruits, and an overview of strategies and prospects for their application in Indonesia.

Main body

The pathogens that cause diseases on citrus fruits, apples, grapes, and strawberries in Indonesia produce mycotoxins, namely Fusarium sp., Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., and Alternaria sp. The potential biological agents are from the yeast group, such as the Candida genera, the bacterial group, such as the Bacillus and Pseudomonas genera, and the fungal group, such as the Muscodor and Trichoderma genera.

Conclusion

Through mutually additive and synergistic multiple reduction methods in cooperation with the vanguards, postharvest disease control emphasizes disease prevention using several methods. Each method reduces the percentage of damage by a certain amount to produce highly effective controls.
Double-scale supervised inversion with a data-driven forward model for low-frequency impedance recovery
Authors: Yuan Sanyi , Jiao Xinqi , Luo Yaneng , Sang Wenjing , Wang Shangxu
Published: November 2021

Low-frequency information is important in reducing the nonuniqueness of absolute impedance inversion and for quantitative seismic interpretation. In traditional model-driven impedance inversion methods, the low-frequency impedance background is from an initial model and is almost unchanged during the inversion process. Moreover, the inversion results are limited by the quality of the modeled seismic data and the extracted wavelet. To alleviate these issues, we have investigated a double-scale supervised impedance inversion method based on the gated recurrent encoder-decoder network (GREDN). We first train the decoder network of GREDN called the forward operator, which can map impedance to seismic data. We then implement the well-trained decoder as a constraint to train the encoder network of GREDN called the inverse operator. Besides matching the output of the encoder with broadband pseudowell impedance labels, data generated by inputting the encoder output into the known decoder match the observed narrowband seismic data. The broadband impedance information and the already-trained decoder largely limit the solution space of the encoder. Finally, after training, only the derived optimal encoder is applied to unseen seismic traces to yield broadband impedance volumes. Our approach is fully data driven and does not involve the initial model, seismic wavelet, and model-driven operator. Tests on the Marmousi model illustrate that our double-scale supervised impedance inversion method can effectively recover low-frequency components of the impedance model, and we determine that low frequencies of the predicted impedance originate from well logs. Furthermore, we apply the strategy of combining the double-scale supervised impedance inversion method with a model-driven impedance inversion method to process field seismic data. Tests on a field data set indicate that the predicted impedance results not only reveal a classic tectonic sedimentation history but also match the corresponding results measured at the locations of two wells.
Identification of high-confidence human poly(A) RNA isoform scaffolds using nanopore sequencing
Authors: Mulroney Logan , Wulf Madalee G. , Schildkraut Ira , Tzertzinis George , Buswell John , Jain Miten , Olsen Hugh , Diekhans Mark , Corrêa Ivan R. , Akeson Mark , Ettwiller Laurence
Published: November 2021

Nanopore sequencing devices read individual RNA strands directly. This facilitates identification of exon linkages and nucleotide modifications; however, using conventional direct RNA nanopore sequencing, the 5′ and 3′ ends of poly(A) RNA cannot be identified unambiguously. This is due in part to RNA degradation in vivo and in vitro that can obscure transcription start and end sites. In this study, we aimed to identify individual full-length human RNA isoforms among ∼4 million nanopore poly(A)-selected RNA reads. First, to identify RNA strands bearing 5′ m7G caps, we exchanged the biological cap for a modified cap attached to a 45-nt oligomer. This oligomer adaptation method improved 5′ end sequencing and ensured correct identification of the 5′ m7G capped ends. Second, among these 5′-capped nanopore reads, we screened for features consistent with a 3′ polyadenylation site. Combining these two steps, we identified 294,107 individual high-confidence full-length RNA scaffolds from human GM12878 cells, most of which (257,721) aligned to protein-coding genes. Of these, 4876 scaffolds indicated unannotated isoforms that were often internal to longer, previously identified RNA isoforms. Orthogonal data for m7G caps and open chromatin, such as CAGE and DNase-HS seq, confirmed the validity of these high-confidence RNA scaffolds.
Neuroacting drugs and its pharmacological response in relation to different stress status: A review
Authors: MOUSA YJ
Published: November 2021

This article intended to review many methods and types of stressors in the previous works of literaturethat describe the role of these stressors to induce modifications and alterations in the pharmacological response of the drugs acting on the nervous system (neuroacting drugs) in human and animal models. The current review focus on the different methods for inducing stress status which categorized as chemical, physical and miscellaneous stressors that affect on the well-known pharmacological response of the neuroacting drugs and by which mechanism can the stressor induce a modification in the drug target response with mentioning the findings related to changes in the pharmcologiacal response of the neuroacting drugs in previous literature. In conclusion, most studies suggest an alteration of the pharmacological response of neuroacting drugs, commonly by potentiating their efficacy and subsequent toxicity, due to different stressful methods, which may be obligated to the direct and indirect receptor modification (pharmacodynamic interaction) in addition to the direct pharmacokinetic influence on the essential parameters of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of the neuroacting drugs.
Sodium Deoxyribonucleate Prevents Radiation Cystitis in Uterine or Cervical Cancer Patients
Authors: Skopin P. , Ivashin A. , Skopina Yu. , Kozina Yu. , Zukov R. , Siprov A. , Slepov E.
Published: November 2021

Results: To develop a method for reducing the frequency and severity of early radiation reactions in patients with cancer of the uterus or cervix.

Material and methods: We analyzed the results of treatment of 60 patients with cancer of the uterus and cervix, patients received a postoperative course of external beam radiotherapy combined with the intramuscular administration of the Derinat® radioprotector (sodium deoxyribonucleate); in the second arm, they received a postoperative course of external beam radiotherapy and standard therapy in case of radiation cystitis. The assessment of radiation reactions severity was performed with the EORTC QLQ-C30 criteria, WBC count, IPSS scale, urine analysis and cystoscopic examination evaluated with the developed by us scale.

Results: Evaluation of the quality of life in patients with cervical or uterine cancer at the final stage of treatment using the IPSS scale showed that in the arm of patients with sodium deoxyribonucleate, there was a 30.4 % (p> 0.05) decrease in the symptoms of urinary disorders. The use of the radioprotector sodium deoxyribonucleate also statistically significantly reduced the incidence of radiation cystitis by 73 %. According to cystoscopy, the total bladder injury score at the end of treatment was 147 % lower. The number of leukocytes in the urine analysis at the end of treatment was 116.3 % lower (p≤0.01) in those who received sodium deoxyribonucleate

Conclusion: The data obtained indicate the radioprotective efficacy of sodium deoxyribonucleate and make it possible to recommend its intramuscular administration to patients with cancer of the uterus and cervix against the background of external beam radiation therapy to reduce the frequency and severity of acute radiation cystitis in patients with cancer of the uterus or cervical cancer receiving external beam radiation therapy.
Rompiendo esquemas lgtbq+: el caso de Netflix. Análisis de los discursos lgtbq+ de Élite, La maldición de Hill House y Las escalofriantes aventuras de Sabrina
Authors: Florit Sara Luna
Published: October 2021

El objetivo de este trabajo reside en analizar los discursos lgtbq+ ofrecidos por Netflix en las series de Élite, La maldición de Hill House y Las escalofriantes aventuras de Sabrina. Primero se analizan las facilidades de la plataforma para apostar por contenido original con narrativas y personajes lgtbq+, como es el caso de las tres series protagonistas. En segundo plano, se ponen sobre la mesa todos los personajes lgtbq+ de dichas series. A través de un análisis discursivo y las herramientas del enfoque interseccional, se examina la idiosincrasia de los seis protagonistas a partir de las siguientes cuestiones: la relevancia lgtbq+ de su trama, un análisis interseccional, un estudio del uso del lenguaje alrededor de dicho sujeto y una evaluación de su evolución. En conclusión, puede afirmarse que las tres series son representaciones lgtbq+ positivas y comprometidas con el colectivo; pues se escapan de las miradas hegemónicas que caracterizan el paradigma televisivo actual.
El mito y lo digital en la ciencia de la comunicación: una revisión de alcance
Authors: Dravet Florence Marie
Published: October 2021

Las reflexiones sobre el mito, la mitología y el pensamiento mítico en la cultura se ubican en la encrucijada de diversas disciplinas como la antropología, la historia, la filosofía y la literatura. Las ciencias de la comunicación pueden utilizar este conocimiento para pensar en las narrativas mediáticas, las transformaciones de la comunicación digital, el desarrollo de las tecnologías de la comunicación y nuevos formatos en la producción, circulación y consumo de narrativas. El objetivo de esta investigación es identificar cómo se trata el mito en la producción científica, más reciente en comunicación, y qué relaciones se establecen entre el conocimiento del mito y las características de la comunicación digital. Se realiza una revisión de alcance, basada en Scopus y Web of Science. Se establece un mapa de la distribución geográfica de las publicaciones, se identifican las palabras clave recurrentes y luego se identifica una mirada analítica al contenido de los artículos. Se advierte que el mito a veces se trata como una oposición a la realidad y a veces como una representación simbólica. Finalmente, se analizan en profundidad siete artículos para adoptar un enfoque teóricamente coherente de la noción de mito. Los resultados apuntan a un vacío por llenar sobre el mito y la cultura digital. Los estudios imaginarios se pueden aplicar mejor en enfoques científicos para estudiar el fenómeno de los medios y sus transformaciones en la era digital.
Artefacts in gravity field modelling
Authors: Klokocnik Jaroslav
Published: October 2021

Artefacts in applications of the global gravity field and topographic models based on satellite and terrestrial data of diverse kinds are studied. Various types of artefacts are presented and analysed with the aim to understand how the artefacts originated, how to reduce them (if feasible) and to avoid misinterpretations in geoscience. We work with the gravity aspects (gravity anomalies, the Marussi tensor of the second derivatives of disturbing potential, gravity invariants and their specific ratio, strike angles, and virtual deformations), and with surface or bedrock topography. Examples for the Earth, the Moon, and Mars are presented.
‘The petri dish and Russian roulette’: working in UK contact centres during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Taylor Phil
Published: November 2021

This article analyses the dynamic interaction of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease COVID-19, and its epidemiological characteristics, with an expansive conception of the contact centre labour process, integrating the contact centres’ socially-constructed built environment with distinctive qualities of the social organisation of work. Based on an online survey conducted in April–May 2020 of 2,226 call handlers in, largely, the telecoms and financial services sectors, it provides compelling evidence of the risks facing workers from inter alia dense building occupancy, compromised social distancing, inadequate cleansing and sanitisation, heating ventilation and air conditioning systems and from the outcomes of management control systems. A crucial element in explaining widespread virus transmissibility lies in understanding how the broader political economy that produced the dominant mass production contact centre paradigm is intertwined with its ‘inner workings’, leading to a ‘business-as-usual’ default that prioritised value-generating service continuity at the expense of any precautionary principle. The article contributes additionally by re-affirming the utility of labour process theory.
Linear diattenuation imaging of biological samples with digital
lensless holographic microscopy
Authors: Lopera Maria J. , Trujillo Carlos
Published: November 2021

A digital lensless holographic microscope (DLHM) sensitive to the linear diattenuation produced by biological samples is reported. The insertion of a linear polarization-states generator and a linear polarization-states analyzer in a typical DLHM setup allows the proper linear diattenuation imaging of microscopic samples. The proposal has been validated for simulated and experimental biological samples containing calcium oxalate crystals extracted from agave leaves and potato starch grains. The performance of the proposed method is similar to that of a traditional polarimetric microscope to obtain linear diattenuation images of microscopic samples but with the advantages of DLHM, such as numerical refocusing, cost effectiveness, and the possibility of field-portable implementation.
Fabrication of three-layer silicon antireflection structures in
200–450  GHz using deep reactive ion etching
Authors: Hasebe Takashi , Hayashi Tasuku , Shohmitsu Yoshinori , Nitta Tom , Matsuo Hiroshi , Sekimoto Yutato
Published: November 2021

We
developed broadband
antireflection structures for millimeter-wave and submillimeter-wave
applications, particularly cryogenic applications. The structures were
fabricated on silicon using deep reactive ion etching.
Three-layer subwavelength structures were fabricated on both sides of
a silicon plate with an area of

20

m
m

2

. The transmittances of the structures
were measured at 28 K. The average transmittance was 97.6% in the
frequency range of 200–450 GHz.
Assessing the potential of exogenous caffeic acid application in boosting wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop productivity under salt stress
Authors: Mehmood Hassan , Abbasi Ghulam Hassan , Jamil Moazzam , Malik Zaffar , Ali Muhammad , Iqbal Rashid
Published: November 2021

Caffeic acid (CA) is known as an antioxidant to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), but the underlying mechanism of mediation of plant salt tolerance against various abiotic stresses by caffeic acid is only partially understood. A field experiment (120 days duration) was conducted to investigate the protective role of caffeic acid under a high saline medium (EC 8.7 dS m-1 and textural class: sandy loam) in two wheat genotypes (FSD -08 and Zincol-16). Two levels of caffeic acid (50 μM and 100 μM) were applied exogenously in combination with the salinity stress and results revealed that salt alleviation is more prominent when caffeic acid was applied at the rate of 100 μM. Under saline conditions, wheat genotypes show poor fresh and dry matter accumulation, chlorophyll contents, relative water contents (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI) and activities of antioxidant enzymes and increased uptake of Na+ ions. However, wheat genotype FSD-08 eminently responded to caffeic acid application as compared to wheat genotype Zincol-16 as demonstrated by higher growth indicators, RWC, MSI, activities of antioxidant enzymes, accumulation of mineral ions in grain along with yield attributes. In addition, caffeic acid also mitigated salt-induced oxidative stress malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents as well as significantly reduced Na+ uptake. It can be concluded that caffeic acid-induced salinity tolerance in wheat is attributed to improved plant water relations, K+ uptake, yield contents and activities of antioxidant stress enzymes.
Estudio de evolución de consumo de antibióticos y patrón de resistencias en una unidad de cuidados intensivos desde el año 2013-2018
Authors: Sancho Romo Lara , Ortiz De Urbina González Juan José , Valdueza Beneítez Julio Antonio
Published: November 2021

La aparición y la diseminación de las resistencias a antibióticos son el resultado de un proceso de selección adaptativa en respuesta al uso de antibióticos denominada presión antibiótica. La presión antibiótica no solo facilita la expansión de los mutantes resistentes, sino que la exposición a dosis subletales de antibiótico puede favorecer la mutación de especies resistentes a distintas familias de antibióticos. Esto adquiere una gran importancia en el medio hospitalario y especialmente en las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI), por lo que es crucial controlar las distintas cepas endémicas del hospital y ajustar la dosis de antibioticoterapia empleada en cada paciente. Por ello se iniciaron a nivel nacional los Programas de Optimización de uso de Antimicrobianos (PROA). En este trabajo se realiza un análisis de la situación de partida de la UCI del Hospital de El Bierzo, evaluando consumo de antibióticos por familias y principios activos, cepas aisladas y resistencias de las cepas aisladas, para evaluar la necesidad de implantación de un equipo PROA.
Molecular characterization of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli isolated from diarrhea samples from human, livestock, and ground beef in North Jordan
Authors: Tarazi Yaser H. , El-Sukhon Saeb N. , Ismail Zuhair Bani , Almestarehieh Amani A.
Published: October 2021

Background and Aim: Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is an important foodborne pathogen with worldwide distribution. Data regarding its presence, distribution, virulence, and antimicrobial susceptibility among various animal species and humans in Jordan are lacking. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to isolate and characterize EHEC from human and animal diarrhea fecal samples and ground beef samples.

Materials and Methods: A total of 100 and 270 diarrhea fecal samples from humans and animals, respectively, were collected. In addition, 40 ground beef meat samples were collected from retail markets. EHEC was positively identified by detecting Shiga toxins (stx1 and stx2) genes using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined using the disk diffusion test. Beta-lactamase production was detected using the double disk diffusion test and the extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) were identified by detection of blaTEM, blaSHV, and OXA-1 genes using multiplex PCR. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to investigate the relatedness of EHEC isolates from different sources.

Results: Out of 410 samples, 194 E. coli isolates were positively identified, of which 57 isolates (29%) were classified as EHEC. Thirty-five (61%) of EHEC isolates were serotyped as O157 (19: O157:H7 and 16: O157:NM). The stx1 gene was detected only among the sheep and goats isolates at a rate of 7.6% and 5.2%, respectively, while the stx2 gene was detected in only one ground beef meat sample. EHEC isolates showed high resistance patterns against amoxicillin, gentamycin, cephalexin, and doxycycline. Twenty-four out of 32 EHEC isolates were determined as ESBL producers, among which 14 isolates expressed the blaSHV gene and 19 isolates expressed the blaTEM while four expressed both genes. PFGE analysis revealed two clusters with high similarity (92%) originated from ground beef meat and cattle fecal samples. No similarities were found between human and animal E. coli isolates.

Conclusion: Results of this study indicate widespread ESBL EHEC among humans, animals, and ground beef meat samples. These results represent an important alarm that requires the implementation of appropriate preventative measures by both human and animal health sectors to prevent the transmission of this important foodborne pathogen.
A Comparison of Top Distributed Bragg Reflector for 1300 nm Vertical Cavity Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers Based on III–V Compound
Authors: Abubaker Shawbo A.
Published: October 2021

In this work, the design of GaAs/AlGaAs distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) has been implemented for 1300 nm vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers (VCSOAs) for optical fiber communication applications. The top DBR period and Al concentration are varied, the peak reflectivity of the DBR is increasing from 50% to 97.5% for 13 periods with increasing Al concentration, whereas the reflectivity bandwidth is increased to almost 190 nm. The relation between wavelength and incidence angle variation on DBR reflectivity is increasing with the incident angle (0°, 20°, 30°, and 50°), the resonant wavelength and bandwidth of the measured reflectance spectra shifts to shorter wavelength and wider bandwidth, respectively. In addition, a comparison between the linear, the graded, and the parabolic DBRs has been achieved with transfer matrix method using MATLAB software to show the influence of layer in DBRs and its effect on lasing wavelength. It is shown that using grading DBR mirror is much more beneficial compared to abrupt DBR, whereas it has lower reflectivity of almost 10% due to VCSOAs device which needs less number of top layers until prevent reaching lasing threshold.
Online Recruitment Website is Significantly Influence the Job-Seekers to Apply Job Online
Authors: Malik Ikmal Bin Abd , Ling Ng Feng , Mahmood Nor Asiah , Saad Dr. Abidah Binti
Published: November 2021

The Malaysian Employer Federation or MEF (2015) are expected to have around 350,000 jobs offered in the various sector that relevant in the area of trade, restaurant and accommodation. The previous record showing some growth on the hire in the industrial segment by 58,000 jobs. These are the two key areas that contribute to the employment activities in the market. According to Jackson and Shuler (2003), recruitment involves looking and finding competent candidates that best fit for an organization with regards to huge demand from the market imperatively for Human Resource Management (HRM). Therefore, this research is to evaluate the factors influencing job-seekers’ intention to use online recruitment websites, with the hope that the recruitment portals and organizations that want to use online recruitment websites for their recruiting purposes will be able to make use of the information gathered from the study to enhance user experience when using online recruitment websites for job-seeking activities. For the purpose of this study, information pertaining to users’ attitude intended action to use, continue using, and recommending others to use online recruitment websites is gathered. A total of 208 respondents are required to specify the degree to which they strongly agree or strongly disagree. Three statements involving to Intention to Use online recruitment websites using a 5-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree, 5=strongly agree). Analysis of data using SPSS. The outcome showed there is a significant relation between DV and IVs.
The Influence and Significance of Financial Ratios on Firm Profitability: Evidence from the Listed Banks on Iraqi Stock Exchange
Authors: Thabet Ali Naser , Hussein Maysoon Dawood , Kendory Emad
Published: November 2021

This study aims to assess the impact of the ratios on companies profitability through examination examination of the data from an Iraqi exchange (ISE) sample of banks for the 2007-2015 period. Sample data was analyzed following the multiple regression model and factor analysis, to explore the statistical significance of relationships between firm profitability and the components of financial ratio analysis. Empirical findings of the study indicate that financial ratio analysis variables of Earnings per share (ID), Interest Repetition (IR) and Current Ratio (TR), which are directly related to return on Assets (ROA), have a significantly positive impact on firm profitability of listed banks in ISE. The study also reveals that the Book Value per share (BV), another component of the independent variable, has a significant but negative impact on firm profitability. In addition, the factor analysis further reveals that, relative to the other variables, ID, BV and ROA represents the most important variables applied in this study.
Visualization Practices in Training Pedagogy Students
Authors: Sosnovskaya Irina Vitalevna , Nikonova Nadezhda Ilinichna , Zalutskaya Svetlana Yrievna , Terentyeva Nina Pavlovna , Galitskyh Elena Olegovna
Published: November 2021

The world practice of distance learning has updated the educational technologies that are adequate to the challenges of today and can effectively solve the problems of training competitive specialists in the new information society. Among them, visualization is singled out, which improves the quality of perception, understanding and assimilation of educational material and serves as a powerful motivator of the students’ cognitive activity. The study is aimed at characterizing the potential of visualization as a technology for teaching Pedagogy students, which allows using the tools of the digital environment effectively to achieve educational goals. The main research method is the survey of 96 second-year bachelor-degree students of the subject area “Pedagogical Education” of the Faculty of Philology of the North-Eastern Federal University. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the results of the research on visualization as educational technology has revealed the interest of future teachers in using visual teaching methods and understanding the role of visualization in enhancing the cognitive activity of students. The respondents have demonstrated, on the one hand, knowledge of the basic means of information visualization (88%). Yet, on the other hand, not all of the respondents (55%) can clearly and consciously differentiate the concepts of “online platform”, “social network” and “visual means of transmitting information” (“visual communication”).
The Scientific Abstract as a Discursive Genre in Peruvian Scientific Journals of Education
Authors: Ocaña-Fernandez Yolvi , Hernández Ronald M. , Fuster-Guillén Doris , Garay Jessica Paola Palacios
Published: November 2021

The aim of the present study is to analyze the structure of 117 abstracts extracted from four Peruvian scientific journals of education. The analysis of the study units was carried out following the "rhetorical moves" model proposed by Swales and Feak. A documentary study was carried out. The results show a greater presence of movements 2, 3 and 4 and a lesser presence of movements 1 and 5, which evidences a greater interest in highlighting the purpose, method and results in the summaries on education. Regarding the order followed, the presence of structures of 4 and 3 movements is greater, although the established order is not always followed (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5). It is concluded that the results show certain regularities compared to similar studies.
On a general class of gamma based copulas
Authors: Arnold Barry C. , Arvanitis Matthew
Published: October 2021

A large family of copulas with gamma components is examined, and interesting submodels are defined and analyzed. Parameter estimation is demonstrated for some of these submodels. A brief discussion of higher-dimensional versions is included.
The Social Construction of Perceptual Categories
Authors: Consiglio Francesco
Published: November 2021

In this article I shall argue that the categories a subject employs to codify her perceptions are emergent elements of the social niche her community inhabits. Hence, I defend the claim that categories are primarily elements of the social ontology a certain subject experiences. I then claim that public representations (e.g. icons) shared in a social niche play a crucial regulative role for the members of that community: in fact, they offer a rule (a canon) to conceive a certain type or a certain category, e.g. ‘movement’, ‘time’ or ‘space’. In this sense, categories function as normative elements.