bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elicitation of stakeholder viewpoints about medical cannabis research for pain management in critically ill ventilated patients: A Q-methodology study
Authors: DiDiodato Giulio , Hassan Samah , Cooley Kieran
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To determine acceptability of medical cannabis research in critically ill patients.

Design

Q-methodology survey.

Setting

Convenience sample of healthcare providers and the general public were recruited at an acute care community hospital in Ontario, Canada.

Participants

In the first phase, 63 respondents provided 197 unique viewpoints in response to a topic statement about medical cannabis use in critically ill patients. Twenty-five viewpoints were selected for the q-sample. In the second phase, 99 respondents ranked these viewpoints according to an a priori quasi normal distribution ranging from +4 (most agree) to -4 (least agree). Factor analysis was combined with comments provided by survey respondents to label and describe the extracted factors.

Results

The factor labels were hoping and caring (factor 1), pragmatic progress (factor 2), and cautious/conservative and protectionist (factor 3). Factor 1 describes a viewpoint of unequivocal support for medical cannabis research in this population with few caveats. Factor 2 describes a viewpoint of cautious support with a need to monitor for unintended adverse effects. Factor 3 describes a viewpoint of ensuring that current analgosedation techniques are optimized before exposing patients to another potentially harmful drug.

Conclusions

Using a q-methodology design, we were able to sample and describe the viewpoints that exist about medical cannabis research in critically ill patients. Three factors emerged that seemed to adequately describe the relative ranking of q-statements by the majority of respondents. Combining the distinguishing statements along with respondent comments allowed us to determine that the majority support medical cannabis research in critically ill patients.
Effectiveness of electrophysical modalities in the sensorimotor rehabilitation of radial, ulnar, and median neuropathies: A meta-analysis
Authors: Bula-Oyola Ena , Belda-Lois Juan-Manuel , Porcar-Seder Rosa , Page Álvaro
Published: March 2021

Introduction

People with ulnar, radial or median nerve injuries can present significant impairment of their sensory and motor functions. The prescribed treatment for these conditions often includes electrophysical therapies, whose effectiveness in improving symptoms and function is a source of debate. Therefore, this systematic review aims to provide an integrative overview of the efficacy of these modalities in sensorimotor rehabilitation compared to placebo, manual therapy, or between them.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. We perform a literature review in the following databases: Biomed Central, Ebscohost, Lilacs, Ovid, PEDro, Sage, Scopus, Science Direct, Semantic Scholar, Taylor & Francis, and Web of Science, for the period 1980–2020. We include studies that discussed the sensorimotor rehabilitation of people with non-degenerative ulnar, radial, or median nerve injury. We assessed the quality of the included studies using the Risk of Bias Tool described in the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the risk of bias across studies with the GRADE approach described in the GRADE Handbook.

Results

Thirty-eight studies were included in the systematic review and 34 in the meta-analysis. The overall quality of evidence was rated as low or very low according to GRADE criteria.

Low-level laser therapy and ultrasound showed favourable results in improving symptom severity and functional status compared to manual therapy. In addition, the low level laser showed improvements in pinch strength compared to placebo and pain (VAS) compared to manual therapy. Splints showed superior results to electrophysical modalities. The clinical significance of the results was assessed by effect size estimation and comparison with the minimum clinically important difference (MCID).

Conclusions

We found favourable results in pain relief, improvement of symptoms, functional status, and neurophysiological parameters for some electrophysical modalities, mainly when applied with a splint. Our results coincide with those obtained in some meta-analyses. However, none of these can be considered clinically significant.

Trial registration

PROSPERO registration number CRD42020168792;https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=168792.
Decontamination of N95 and surgical masks using a treatment based on a continuous gas phase-Advanced Oxidation Process
Authors: Hasani Mahdiyeh , Campbell Tracey , Wu Fan , Warriner Keith
Published: March 2021

A gas-phase Advanced Oxidation Process (gAOP) was evaluated for decontaminating N95 and surgical masks. The continuous process was based on the generation of hydroxyl-radicals via the UV-C (254 nm) photo-degradation of hydrogen peroxide and ozone. The decontamination efficacy of the gAOP was dependent on the orientation of the N95 mask passing through the gAOP unit with those positioned horizontally enabling greater exposure to hydroxyl-radicals compared to when arranged vertically. The lethality of gAOP was independent of the applied hydrogen peroxide concentration (2–6% v/v) but was significantly (P<0.05) higher when H2O2 was introduced into the unit at 40 ml/min compared to 20 ml/min. A suitable treatment for N95 masks was identified as 3% v/v hydrogen peroxide delivered into the gAOP reactor at 40 ml/min with continuous introduction of ozone gas and a UV-C dose of 113 mJ/cm2 (30 s processing time). The treatment supported >6 log CFU decrease in Geobacillus stearothermophilus endospores, > 8 log reduction of human coronavirus 229E, and no detection of Escherichia coli K12 on the interior and exterior of masks. There was no negative effect on the N95 mask fitting or particulate efficacy after 20 passes through the gAOP system. No visual changes or hydrogen peroxide residues were detected (<1 ppm) in gAOP treated masks. The optimized gAOP treatment could also support >6 log CFU reduction of endospores inoculated on the interior or exterior of surgical masks. G. stearothermophilus Apex spore strips could be applied as a biological indicator to verify the performance of gAOP treatment. Also, a chemical indicator based on the oxidative polymerization of pyrrole was found suitable for reporting the generation of hydroxyl-radicals. In conclusion, gAOP is a verifiable treatment that can be applied to decontaminate N95 and surgical masks without any negative effects on functionality.
Effect of copaíba essential oil (Copaifera officinalis L.) as a natural preservative on the oxidation and shelf life of sheep burgers
Authors: Monteschio Jéssica de Oliveira , de Vargas Junior Fernando Miranda , Alves da Silva Adrielly Lais , das Chagas Renata Alves , Fernandes Tatiane , Leonardo Ariadne Patricia , Kaneko Isabelle Naemi , de Moraes Pinto Laura Adriane , Guerrero Ana , de Melo Filho Antônio Alves , Ferraz Vany Perpétua , Fagundes Gisele Maria , Muir James Pierre
Published: March 2021

We evaluated the effects of the inclusion of copaíba (Copaifera officinalisL.) essential oil at 0.05 and 0.1% as a possible replacement of synthetic additive butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in sheep burgers during 14 days of storage in a refrigerated display case (4°C). During the shelf life days, analyzes of antioxidant activity, lipid oxidation, pH, color, cooking loss, texture and consumer acceptability were carried out on refrigerated burgers. The addition of copaíba essential oil showed an antioxidant effect in sheep burgers (P> 0.05), reducing lipid oxidation. Copaiba essential oil added at 0.05% showed the highest antioxidant activity, decreased cooking losses and delaying discoloration (loss of redness) during storage; it further improved, the tenderness of sheep burgers (P< 0.05). The treatments had no effect (P> 0.05) on consumer acceptability. Copaiba essential oil is a promising natural antioxidant to increase the shelf life of meat products, as well as being a viable solution to replace synthetic antioxidant BHT, thereby promoting the fresh‐like quality appeal of sheep burgers.
A comprehensive SARS-CoV-2 genomic analysis identifies potential targets for drug repurposing
Authors: Anand Nithishwer Mouroug , Liya Devang Haresh , Pradhan Arpit Kumar , Tayal Nitish , Bansal Abhinav , Donakonda Sainitin , Jainarayanan Ashwin Kumar
Published: March 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which is a novel human coronavirus strain (HCoV) was initially reported in December 2019 in Wuhan City, China. This acute infection caused pneumonia-like symptoms and other respiratory tract illness. Its higher transmission and infection rate has successfully enabled it to have a global spread over a matter of small time. One of the major concerns involving the SARS-COV-2 is the mutation rate, which enhances the virus evolution and genome variability, thereby making the design of therapeutics difficult. In this study, we identified the most common haplotypes from the haplotype network. The conserved genes and population level variants were analysed. Non-Structural Protein 10 (NSP10), Nucleoprotein, Papain-like protease (Plpro or NSP3) and 3-Chymotrypsin like protease (3CLpro or NSP5), which were conserved at the highest threshold, were used as drug targets for molecular dynamics simulations. Darifenacin, Nebivolol, Bictegravir, Alvimopan and Irbesartan are among the potential drugs, which are suggested for further pre-clinical and clinical trials. This particular study provides a comprehensive targeting of the conserved genes. We also identified the mutation frequencies across the viral genome.
Factors associated with physical and sexual violence among school-going adolescents in Nepal: Findings from Global School-based Student Health Survey
Authors: Pandey Achyut Raj , Neupane Tamanna , Chalise Binaya , Shrestha Niraj , Chaudhary Sabina , Dhungana Raja Ram , Bista Bihungum
Published: March 2021

Background

Globally violence is a matter of public health concern with severe physical and mental health implications and social consequences. Evidence suggest that adolescents have an elevated risk of exposure to physical and sexual violence. However, there is a lack of nationally representative research on violence and its associated factors in Nepal to inform interventions. This paper attempts to find the factors associated with various forms of physical and sexual violence among school-going adolescents in Nepal.

Methods

We analysed the cross-sectional data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) 2015. The GSHS survey applied a two-stage cluster sampling process to select a representative sample of 7 to 11 grade students from 74 schools across the country. We applied logistic regression analysis to identify the factors associated with physical and sexual violence.

Results

Out of the total 6,529 participants, 45.24% of them faced a physical attack, 39.25% were involved in a physical fight, and 11.65% were victims of sexual violence in the survey administered between 7 August 2015 to 14 March 2016. In a multiple regression analysis, the age of participants, parental supervision, feeling unsafe at school, and the number of close friends were found to be associated with a physical attack. Participants who were bullied, had multiple sex partners, and had received corporal punishment in school had a higher engagement in a physical fight. Likewise, school grade, having parents who understand the problems, having multiple sex partners, and corporal punishment at school were associated with instances of sexual violence.

Conclusion

The study identified multiple factors associated with experiences of physical attacks, involvement in a physical fight, and sexual violence among school-going adolescents. This study results can have important implications for school administration, parents, and policymakers alike to plan appropriate anti-violence strategies and interventions. Since various forms of violence share some common risk factors, a comprehensive strategy could be worth considering to prevent such acts of violence.
Cerebral phosphoester signals measured by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3 and 7 Tesla
Authors: Li Shizhe , van der Veen Jan Willem , An Li , Stolinski JoEllyn , Johnson Christopher , Ferraris-Araneta Maria , Victorino Milalynn , Tomar Jyoti Singh , Shen Jun
Published: March 2021

Abnormal cell membrane metabolism is associated with many neuropsychiatric disorders. Free phosphomonoesters and phosphodiesters, which can be detected by in vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), are important cell membrane building blocks. However, the quantification of phosphoesters has been highly controversial even in healthy individuals due to overlapping signals from macromolecule membrane phospholipids (MP). In this study, high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) cerebral 31P MRS spectra were acquired from healthy volunteers at both 3 and 7 Tesla. Our results indicated that, with minimal spectral interference from MP, the [phosphocreatine (PCr)]/[phosphocholine (PC) + glycerophosphocholine (GPC)] ratio measured at 7 Tesla agreed with its value expected from biochemical constraints. In contrast, the 3 Tesla [PCr]/[PC+GPC] ratio obtained using standard spectral fitting procedures was markedly smaller than the 7 Tesla ratio and than the expected value. The analysis suggests that the commonly used spectral model for MP may fail to capture its complex spectral features at 3 Tesla, and that additional prior knowledge is necessary to reliably quantify the phosphoester signals at low magnetic field strengths when spectral overlapping is significant.
The association of COVID-19 occurrence and severity with the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-II receptor blockers in patients with hypertension
Authors: Li Mingfei , Wang Ying , Ndiwane Ndindam , Orner Michelle B. , Palacios Natalia , Mittler Brant , Berlowitz Dan , Kazis Lewis E. , Xia Weiming
Published: March 2021

Background

A number of studies have reported the association between the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB) medications and the occurrence or severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Published results are inconclusive, possibly due to differences in participant comorbidities and sociodemographic backgrounds. Since ACEI and ARB are frequently used anti-hypertension medications, we aim to determine whether the use of ACEI and ARB is associated with the occurrence and severity of COVID-19 in a large study of US Veterans with hypertension.

Methods

Data were collected from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Corporate Data Warehouse (VA-COVID-19 Shared Data Resource) between February 28, 2020 and August 18, 2020. Using data from 228,722 Veterans with a history of hypertension who received COVID-19 testing at the VA, we investigated whether the use of ACEI or ARB over the two years prior to the index date was associated with increased odds of (1) a positive COVID-19 test, and (2) a severe outcome (hospitalization, mortality, and use of intensive care unit (ICU) and/or mechanical ventilation) among COVID-19-positive patients. We used logistic regression with and without propensity score weighting (PSW) to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the association between ACEI/ARB use and a positive COVID-19 test result. The association between medication use and COVID-19 outcome severity was examined using multinomial logistic regression comparing participants who were not hospitalized to participants who were hospitalized, were admitted to the ICU, used a mechanical ventilator, or died. All models were adjusted for relevant covariates, including demographics (age, sex, race, ethnicity), selected comorbidities, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).

Results

The use of ACEI significantly decreased the odds of a positive COVID-19 test among Veterans with hypertension (OR = 0.917, (0.887, 0.948) and OR = 0.926, (0.894, 0.958) with PSW). The use of ACEI, but not of ARB, was also associated with significantly increased odds of using mechanical ventilators (OR = 1.265, (1.010, 1.584) and OR = 1.210, (1.053, 1.39) with PSW) among all COVID-19 inpatients compared to outpatients.

Conclusions

In this study of Veterans with hypertension, ACEI was significantly associated with decreased odds of testing positive for COVID-19. With the exception of the association of ACEI with a small non-clinically-important increase in the odds of using mechanical ventilators, neither ACEI nor ARB was found to be associated with clinical severity or mortality among COVID-19-positive Veterans. The results of this study need further corroboration and validation in other cohort samples outside the VA.
Adenosine A2A receptor agonist polydeoxyribonucleotide ameliorates short-term memory impairment by suppressing cerebral ischemia-induced inflammation via MAPK pathway
Authors: Ko Il-Gyu , Jin Jun-Jang , Hwang Lakkyong , Kim Sang-Hoon , Kim Chang-Ju , Jeon Jung Won , Chung Jun-Young , Han Jin Hee
Published: March 2021

Cerebral ischemia causes tissue death owing to occlusion of the cerebral blood vessels, and cerebral ischemia activates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and induces secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Adenosine A2Areceptor agonist, polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), suppresses the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and exhibits anti-inflammatory effect. In the current study, the therapeutic effect of PDRN on cerebral ischemia was evaluated using gerbils. For the induction of cerebral ischemia, the common carotid arteries were exposed, and then aneurysm clips were used to occlude the common carotid arteries bilaterally for 7 minutes. In the PDRN-treated groups, the gerbils were injected intraperitoneally with 0.3 mL of saline containing 8 mg/kg PDRN, per a day for 7 days following cerebral ischemia induction. In order to confirm the participation of the adenosine A2Areceptor in the effects mediated by PDRN, 8 mg/kg 7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX), adenosine A2Areceptor antagonist, was treated with PDRN. In the current study, induction of ischemia enhanced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased phosphorylation of MAPK signaling factors in the hippocampus and basolateral amygdala. However, treatment with PDRN ameliorated short-term memory impairment by suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inactivation of MAPK signaling factors in cerebral ischemia. Furthermore, PDRN treatment enhanced the concentration of cyclic adenosine-3,5’-monophosphate (cAMP) as well as phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB). Co-treatment of DMPX and PDRN attenuated the therapeutic effect of PDRN on cerebral ischemia. Based on these findings, PDRN may be developed as the primary treatment in cerebral ischemia.
Potential of organizing unmarried adolescent girls and young women into self-help groups for a better transition to adulthood: Findings from a cross-sectional study in India
Authors: Ahmad Jaleel , Hazra Avishek , Aruldas Kumudha , Singh Arima , Saggurti Niranjan
Published: March 2021

It is essential to equip adolescents with the right information and appropriate skills for a quality transition to their adulthood. This study examines the individual agency of unmarried adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) who were organized into self-help groups (SHG) as compared to those who were not in groups. The paper uses data from a cross-sectional survey conducted with 872 unmarried AGYW aged 15–21 years from 80 villages across two districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. The dependent variables were AGYW’s financial independence, collective action, decisionmaking, mobility, self-expression, generalized perceived self-efficacy, gender norms attitudes, and attitudes toward violence. The primary independent variables were group membership and the duration of the membership. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between group membership and various components of individual agency. More than half of the respondents, with an average age of 18 years were enrolled in school or college and one-third had 12 or more years of education. The group members, compared to non-members, were significantly more likely to be financially independent (odds ratio [OR] = 2.29, p<0.01), to take collective action for entitlements (OR = 3.80, p<0.01), and to have progressive attitudes toward gender roles and norms (OR = 1.43, p<0.05). A longer duration of group membership increases the likelihood of financial independence, collective action, and decisionmaking ability. The study highlights the need for further investment in adolescent girls’ programming and highlights the potential of organizing AGYW into SHG and using the ‘platform’ to bring change in their lives and consequential individual agency.
Veteran trees have divergent effects on beetle diversity and wood decomposition
Authors: Wetherbee Ross , Birkemoe Tone , Burner Ryan C. , Sverdrup-Thygeson Anne
Published: March 2021

Veteran hollow trees are keystone structures in ecosystems and provide important habitat for a diverse set of organisms, many of which are involved in the process of decomposition. Since veteran trees are ‘islands’ of high biodiversity, they provide a unique system in which to study the relationship between biodiversity and decomposition of wood. We tested this relationship with a balanced experiential design, where we quantified the taxonomic and functional diversity of beetles directly involved in the process of decomposing wood, and measured the decomposition of experimentally added bundles of small diameter wood around 20 veteran trees and 20 nearby young trees in southern Norway. We found that the diversity (both taxonomic and functional) of wood-decomposing beetles was significantly higher around the veteran trees, and beetle communities around veteran trees consisted of species with a greater preference for larger diameter wood. We extracted few beetles from the experimentally added wood bundles, regardless of the tree type that they were placed near, but decomposition rates were significantly lower around veteran trees. We speculate that slower decomposition rates around veteran trees could have been a result of a greater diversity of competing fungi, which has been found to decrease decay rates. Veteran trees provide an ecological legacy within anthropogenic landscapes, enhance biodiversity and influence wood decomposition. Actions to protect veteran trees are urgently needed in order to save these valuable organisms and their associated biodiversity.
Habitat selection by Dall’s sheep is influenced by multiple factors including direct and indirect climate effects
Authors: Aycrigg Jocelyn L. , Wells Adam G. , Garton Edward. O. , Magipane Buck , Liston Glen E. , Prugh Laura R. , Rachlow Janet L.
Published: March 2021

Arctic and boreal environments are changing rapidly, which could decouple behavioral and demographic traits of animals from the resource pulses that have shaped their evolution. Dall’s sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) in northwestern regions of the USA and Canada, survive long, severe winters and reproduce during summers with short growing seasons. We sought to understand the vulnerability of Dall’s sheep to a changing climate in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA. We developed ecological hypotheses about nutritional needs, security from predators, energetic costs of movement, and thermal shelter to describe habitat selection during winter, spring, and summer and evaluated habitat and climate variables that reflected these hypotheses. We used the synoptic model of animal space use to estimate parameters of habitat selection by individual females and calculated likelihoods for ecological hypotheses within seasonal models. Our results showed that seasonal habitat selection was influenced by multiple ecological requirements simultaneously. Across all seasons, sheep selected steep rugged areas near escape terrain for security from predators. During winter and spring, sheep selected habitats with increased forage and security, moderated thermal conditions, and lowered energetic costs of movement. During summer, nutritional needs and security influenced habitat selection. Climate directly influenced habitat selection during the spring lambing period when sheep selected areas with lower snow depths, less snow cover, and higher air temperatures. Indirectly, climate is linked to the expansion of shrub/scrub vegetation, which was significantly avoided in all seasons. Dall’s sheep balance resource selection to meet multiple needs across seasons and such behaviors are finely tuned to patterns of phenology and climate. Direct and indirect effects of a changing climate may reduce their ability to balance their needs and lead to continued population declines. However, several management approaches could promote resiliency of alpine habitats that support Dall’s sheep populations.
Local audit of empiric antibiotic therapy in bacteremia: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bai Anthony D. , Irfan Neal , Main Cheryl , El-Helou Philippe , Mertz Dominik
Published: March 2021

Background

It is unclear if a local audit would be useful in providing guidance on how to improve local practice of empiric antibiotic therapy. We performed an audit of antibiotic therapy in bacteremia to evaluate the proportion and risk factors for inadequate empiric antibiotic coverage.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients with positive blood cultures across 3 hospitals in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada during October of 2019. Antibiotic therapy was considered empiric if it was administered within 24 hours after blood culture collection. Adequate coverage was defined as when the isolate from blood culture was tested to be susceptible to the empiric antibiotic. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to predict inadequate empiric coverage. Diagnostic accuracy of a clinical pathway based on patient risk factors was compared to clinician’s decision in predicting which bacteria to empirically cover.

Results

Of 201 bacteremia cases, empiric coverage was inadequate in 56 (27.9%) cases. Risk factors for inadequate empiric coverage included unknown source at initiation of antibiotic therapy (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 2.76 95% CI 1.27–6.01, P = 0.010) and prior antibiotic therapy within 90 days (aOR of 2.46 95% CI 1.30–4.74, P = 0.006). A clinical pathway that considered community-associated infection as low risk for Pseudomonas was better at ruling out Pseudomonas bacteremia with a negative likelihood ratio of 0.17 (95% CI 0.03–1.10) compared to clinician’s decision with negative likelihood ratio of 0.34 (95% CI 0.10–1.22).

Conclusions

An audit of antibiotic therapy in bacteremia is feasible and may provide useful feedback on how to locally improve empiric antibiotic therapy.
A Salmonella type III effector, PipA, works in a different manner than the PipA family effectors GogA and GtgA
Authors: Takemura Momo , Haneda Takeshi , Idei Hikari , Miki Tsuyoshi , Okada Nobuhiko
Published: March 2021

Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) plays a critical role in the host defense against microbial pathogens. Many pathogens modulate NF-κB signaling to establish infection in their host. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) possesses two type III secretion systems (T3SS-1 and T3SS-2) and directly injects many effector proteins into host cells. It has been reported that some effectors block NF-κB signaling, but the molecular mechanism of the inactivation of NF-κB signaling in S. Typhimurium is poorly understood. Here, we identified seven type III effectors—GogA, GtgA, PipA, SseK1, SseK2, SseK3, and SteE—that inhibited NF-κB activation in HeLa cells stimulated with TNF-α. We also determined that only GogA and GtgA are involved in regulation of the activation of NF-κB in HeLa cells infected with S. Typhimurium. GogA, GtgA, and PipA are highly homologous to one another and have the consensus zinc metalloprotease HEXXH motif. Our experiments demonstrated that GogA, GtgA, and PipA each directly cleaved NF-κB p65, whereas GogA and GtgA, but not PipA, inhibited the NF-κB activation in HeLa cells infected with S. Typhimurium. Further, expressions of the gogA or gtgA gene were induced under the SPI-1-and SPI-2-inducing conditions, but expression of the pipA gene was induced only under the SPI-2-inducing condition. We also showed that PipA was secreted into RAW264.7 cells through T3SS-2. Finally, we indicated that PipA elicits bacterial dissemination in the systemic stage of infection of S. Typhimurium via a T3SS-1-independent mechanism. Collectively, our results suggest that PipA, GogA and GtgA contribute to S. Typhimurium pathogenesis in different ways.
Phosphatidic acid-mediated binding and mammalian cell internalization of the Vibrio cholerae cytotoxin MakA
Authors: Nadeem Aftab , Alam Athar , Toh Eric , Myint Si Lhyam , ur Rehman Zia , Liu Tao , Bally Marta , Arnqvist Anna , Wang Hui , Zhu Jun , Persson Karina , Uhlin Bernt Eric , Wai Sun Nyunt
Published: March 2021

Vibrio cholerae is a noninvasive intestinal pathogen extensively studied as the causative agent of the human disease cholera. Our recent work identified MakA as a potent virulence factor of V. cholerae in both Caenorhabditis elegans and zebrafish, prompting us to investigate the potential contribution of MakA to pathogenesis also in mammalian hosts. In this study, we demonstrate that the MakA protein could induce autophagy and cytotoxicity of target cells. In addition, we observed that phosphatidic acid (PA)-mediated MakA-binding to the host cell plasma membranes promoted macropinocytosis resulting in the formation of an endomembrane-rich aggregate and vacuolation in intoxicated cells that lead to induction of autophagy and dysfunction of intracellular organelles. Moreover, we functionally characterized the molecular basis of the MakA interaction with PA and identified that the N-terminal domain of MakA is required for its binding to PA and thereby for cell toxicity. Furthermore, we observed that the ΔmakA mutant outcompeted the wild-type V. cholerae strain A1552 in the adult mouse infection model. Based on the findings revealing mechanistic insights into the dynamic process of MakA-induced autophagy and cytotoxicity we discuss the potential role played by the MakA protein during late stages of cholera infection as an anti-colonization factor.
Neuropsicología de la Esclerosis Múltiple
Authors: Mula María
Published: March 2021

La Esclerosis Múltiple es una enfermedad del Sistema Nervioso Central que produce una gran variedad de síntomas tanto a nivel físico como a nivel emocional y cognitivo. Durante muchos años se ha tendido a infravalorar el deterioro cognitivo como consecuencia del gran impacto físico que conlleva la enfermedad. Sin embargo, la prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo entre estos pacientes oscila entre un 40-65%. Objetivo. Este estudio es una revisión amplia sobre los diferentes campos que integra la Esclerosis Múltiple con el fin de recopilar datos sobre el funcionamiento neuropsicológico de la enfermedad. Desarrollo. Las funciones neuropsicológicas más frecuentemente afectadas son la atención, la velocidad de procesamiento, la memoria de trabajo, la memoria verbal y visuoespacial, así como las funciones ejecutivas. A lo largo del tiempo se han ido creando varias baterías desarrolladas para valorar este deterioro. En cuanto a la rehabilitación de dichos procesos cognitivos tras la revisión de artículos se ha observado que la de los procesos atencionales así como la del procesamiento de la información y de las funciones ejecutivas puede efectuarse mediante una mayor actividad de las redes cerebrales que inervan las funciones capacitadas. Conclusiones. En algunas ocasiones, el deterioro cognitivo es más incapacitante que el deterioro físico. Por este motivo es imprescindible que continúe el estudio detallado de la naturaleza de estas alteraciones para así diseñar programas de rehabilitación neuropsicológica adaptados a las necesidades específicas de esta población.
Eficacia de un Programa de Estimulación Cognitiva en un grupo de personas con probable Enfermedad de Alzheimer en fase leve. Estudio Piloto
Authors: García Herranz Sara
Published: March 2021

Este estudio evaluó la eficacia de un programa de estimulación cognitiva en una muestra de personas con probable Enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA). Participaron un total de 5 usuarios con probable EA en fase leve, procedentes de un municipio del Noroeste de la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (CAM), que recibieron estimulación cognitiva a nivel grupal durante 9 meses. La eficacia de la estimulación se evaluó mediante un diseño pre-post, a través de pruebas neuropsicológicas, emocionales y funcionales estandarizadas. En general, los resultados obtenidos demuestran la existencia de una mejoría significativa tras el entrenamiento cognitivo en algunos dominios cognitivos, como el lenguaje y las habilidades visuoespaciales. Asimismo, se observó una mejora significativa del estado de ánimo. Por tanto, parece que la estimulación cognitiva reporta beneficios no solo a nivel cognitivo sino también a nivel emocional.
Eficacia de la rehabilitación de la voz en etapas tempranas de la Enfermedad de Parkinson
Authors: Delgado Hernández Jonathan , Izquierdo Arteaga Laura M.
Published: March 2021

El Parkinson es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa que presenta manifestaciones clínicas motoras y no motoras. Las alteraciones de la voz aparecen con frecuencia en etapas tempranas, antes que las complicaciones motoras propias de la enfermedad. Este trabajo estudia la eficacia de la rehabilitación logopédica en las alteraciones de la voz de un paciente con Parkinson sin sintomatología motora a través de análisis acústico-perceptivos. También evalúa la eficacia del tratamiento a largo plazo, cinco años después de acabar la intervención, cuando el paciente presenta una sintomatología motora de severidad moderada. Los resultados de este trabajo apuntan a que una intervención de las alteraciones de la voz en una etapa temprana de la enfermedad de Parkinson tiene efectos positivos, duraderos y resistentes a la progresión de la enfermedad.
Perfil neuropsicológico de pacientes con diagnóstico de trastorno del espectro de la esquizofrenia
Authors: Piñón Adolfo , Álvarez María del Carmen , Torres Tania , Vázquez Patricia , Otero Francisco
Published: March 2021

Los trastornos del espectro de la esquizofrenia y otros trastornos psicóticos presentan alteraciones cognitivas que se relacionan con deterioro en el funcionamiento diario, justificando la aplicación de programas de rehabilitación cognitiva en su tratamiento. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el perfil neuropsicológico y la sintomatología psicológica de una muestra de pacientes con trastornos del espectro de la esquizofrenia y otros trastornos psicóticos a tratamiento en un centro de rehabilitación psicosocial. Se aplicó una batería de evaluación neuropsicológica a 14 pacientes que siguen tratamiento en un centro de rehabilitación psicosocial. Los resultados muestran la existencia de deterioro cognitivo moderado, déficits en velocidad de procesamiento lector y viso-espacial, afectación de subprocesos de atención sostenida, selectiva y alternante, y del componente ejecutivo de flexibilidad cognitiva, así como dificultades en la actividad social, laboral o escolar y un perfil sintomatológico caracterizado por manifestaciones clínicas de obsesión /compulsión y psicoticismo. La determinación del perfil neuropsicológico en estos pacientes facilita la detección de alteraciones en los procesos cognitivos/ejecutivos, ayuda a trabajar la conciencia del déficit, y es útil para mejorar la individualización de los programas de tratamiento, contribuyendo al diseño de intervenciones terapéuticas específicas para mejorar la funcionalidad.
El entrenamiento en memoria de trabajo mejora la eficiencia cognitiva en pacientes de Esclerosis Múltiple
Authors: Aguirre N. , Cruz-Gómez Á.J. , Miró-Padilla A. , Bueichekú E. , Solozano N. , Broseta-Torres R. , Ávila C. , Sanchis-Segura C. , Forn C.
Published: March 2021

La Esclerosis Múltiple (EM) es una enfermedad en la que la memoria de trabajo (MT) se encuentra comúnmente afectada. Estudiar la eficacia de un programa de entrenamiento en MT en pacientes de EM. 29 pacientes de EM Remitente-Recurrente fueron seleccionados para el estudio: 15 realizaron el entrenamiento en MT y 14 fueron seleccionados como grupo control. Todos los participantes fueron valorados a nivel neuropsicológico y se adquirieron imágenes de Resonancia Magnética funcional (RMf) durante la realización de la tarea 2 y 3-back (basal y post tratamiento-7 días). Los pacientes entrenados mejoraron su ejecución en 2 y 3-back (p
Influencia de la lateralidad en el rendimiento lector: Datos preliminares
Authors: Alarcón-Piqueras Ana Isabel
Published: March 2021

La lectura constituye un elemento fundamental que posibilita a los seres humanos la capacidad de aprender. Los problemas en el rendimiento lector son muy comunes en niños. Uno de los factores asociados con estas dificultades son los problemas de lateralidad. En consecuencia, el objetivo de esta investigación es valorar la influencia que puede tener la lateralidad, como componente neuropsicológico, en el rendimiento lector. Para comprobar si se da esta relación se evaluó la lateralidad y el rendimiento lector de 30 alumnos entre los 6 y los 9 años a través de pruebas como el Test de Lateralidad de la Prueba Neuropsicológica y pruebas de comprensión y velocidad lectora, así como se han comparado estos resultados con el rendimiento de los alumnos en la materia de Lengua. Los resultados muestran una correlación significativa entre las variables velocidad y comprensión lectora y el rendimiento en lengua. Sin embargo, esta relación no fue significativa comparando estas variables con la lateralidad. Estos resultados sugieren la necesidad de continuar investigando en esta área, así como la necesidad de incluir en los centros programas de intervención global y general que tengan como finalidad, no sólo intervenir en los casos con dificultades, sino intentar prevenirlas desde edades tempranas.
El uso del ipad con el programa AUGIE: ¿Mejora la comunicación de las personas con autismo?
Authors: Heredia Oliva Esther , Navas Martínez Leandro
Published: March 2021

Este trabajo parte de la importancia del desarrollo comunicativo para favorecer la autodeterminación e implementar aprendizajes en las personas con Trastorno del Espectro del Autismo (TEA), así como dotarles de la capacidad de comunicarse de forma autónoma haciendo uso de un sistema aumentativo y alternativo de comunicación a través del programa AUGIE en el iPad. Se seleccionan seis personas con TEA; 3 utilizarán el AUGIE y otros 3 el PECS. Se registran los datos por medio de la observación participante y a continuación se analizan los resultados. Se comparan también los avances comunicativos antes y después (pre-test y postest) de utilizar el AUGIE y el PECS. En la primera sesión las personas con TEA que utilizaron el AUGIE consolidaron el aprendizaje de una media de 13 habilidades. Las personas con TEA que han utilizado el iPad han conseguido alcanzar todos los logros planteados independientemente del ritmo de aprendizaje y la comunicación mejora usando ambos instrumentos (AUGIE y PECS). El AUGIE constituye un medio motivador y estimulador para favorecer el aprendizaje de las capacidades de comunicación y permite individualizar la enseñanza al favorecer la autonomía de las personas con TEA.
El uso de Emoticonos como elemento de Comunicación. (EMO-TIC)
Authors: Andreu Ato Nuria , Díez González María Carmen
Published: March 2021

En los últimos años, la comunicación digital o vía ordenador (CVO) ha modificado en gran medida los mecanismos comunicativos, pues la comunicación interpersonal está cada vez más mediatizada por elementos tecnológicos. Esto permite que los entornos comunicativos de las personas cada vez estén menos ligados a los entornos geográficos, y más a los entornos digitales. Es por este motivo que dicha comunicación vía ordenador necesita de elementos emocionales, que doten de significado completo las conversaciones digitales. Los emoticonos surgen por la necesidad de simplificar los mensajes para dar celeridad a las conversaciones digitales, además de dotar de significado emocional. En este trabajo, se pretende analizar, a través del uso de emoticonos, cómo las personas ante situaciones parecidas con y sin tecnología suelen utilizar los mismos emoticonos para describir situaciones y estados emocionales.
Análisis de correlación entre medidas volumétricas y funciones ejecutivas en esclerosis múltiple
Authors: De Torres Laura , Casanova Ignacio , López de Silanes Carlos
Published: March 2021

La esclerosis múltiple (EM) es una enfermedad crónica y neurodegenerativa del Sistema Nervioso Central con clara prevalencia de alteraciones cognitivas, especialmente atención, memoria y funciones ejecutivas. Los estudios de volumetría han mostrado la estrecha relación entre el volumen cerebral y el rendimiento cognitivo, sin embargo, son pocos los trabajos que han analizado las funciones ejecutivas en profundidad. Por ello, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue esclarecer la relación entre estas variables, a través de medidas de volumen global y regional (volumen bitalámico), con un amplio protocolo de funciones ejecutivas. Para ello 40 personas con EM participaron en este estudio transversal. Los resultados obtenidos mediante correlaciones bivariadas muestran relación moderada y positiva entre el volumen global y el rendimiento cognitivo en la memoria de trabajo. Igualmente se halla relación fuerte y moderada entre el volumen bitálamico y la ejecución en dominios cognitivos como la velocidad de procesamiento, la memoria de trabajo y la fluidez verbal semántica. Los resultados obtenidos muestran mayor sensibilidad de la memoria de trabajo en este tipo de estudios, y abren la posibilidad a la implantación de nuevos instrumentos de valoración cognitiva en la práctica clínica.
A karcsú (lean) menedzsment és a versenyképesség (The lean management and competitiveness)
Authors: Losonci Dávid , Demeter Krisztina , Jenei István
Published: March 2021

A szerzők kutatásukban a karcsú menedzsment vállalati szintű versenyképességre gyakorolt hatását tanulmányozták. Ehhez olyan gondolkodási keretet alakítottak ki, amely összekapcsolja a szervezeti képességeket létrehozó gyakorlatokat és rutinokat az ezek eredményeként adódó teljesítménnyel és versenyképességgel. Vállalati esettanulmányokon keresztül mutatják be, hogy a) a karcsú termelés bevezetésének hatására hogyan változnak a szervezet képességei és b) milyen tényezők állnak a karcsú vállalatok javuló versenyképessége mögött. Eredményeik arra mutatnak rá, hogy a karcsú menedzsment elsősorban a vállalatok működőképességére és változóképességére gyakorol pozitív hatást, az üzleti teljesítményre nem feltétlenül. ______ In their research the authors studied the lean management’s effect has on competitiveness with a corporate level. To do this, a framework has been developing, which combines the organizational abilities establishing routines and practices resulting from their performance and competitiveness. Corporate case studies to show that a) the impact of the introduction of lean production, how to change the organization’s capabilities, and b) what factors are improving the competitiveness of the companies behind the slim. Their results point out that the lean management companies primarily in the functionality and variable ability positive effects on business performance is not necessarily.
Az iskolateremtő Kindler József
Authors: Barakonyi Károly
Published: March 2021

Az MTA Vezetés- és Szervezéstudományi Bizottsága hagyományt kívánt teremteni, amikor elindította megemlékezéssorozatát tudományterületünk elhunyt nagyjairól (l. Vezetéstudomány, 2008. 2. és 3. szám). Ezt a hagyományt szeretnénk bővíteni, amikor a köztünk élő, 80. életévét betöltő, kiemelkedő hatású személyiség, Kindler József életútjának méltatásához a Bizottság szerény eszközeivel is hozzá szeretnénk járulni.
Régi és új elemek a stratégiai gondolkodásban
Authors: Mészáros Tamás
Published: March 2021

A mögöttünk álló mintegy két évtized jelentős mértékben változtatta meg a vállalatok működési feltételrendszerét. A globalizáció kiterjedésének az információtechnológia, az internet egykoron elképzelhetetlen térnyerésének egymással is összefüggő jelenségei új versenyhelyzetet, új értékeket, minden korábbinál gyorsabb változásokat produkáltak. Vajon átalakul-e a stratégiai gondolkodás is? Azoknak lett-e igaza, akik – éppen az ezredforduló eufórikus hangulatában – a már semmi sem igaz a stratégiai menedzsment eddigi elméletéből és gyakorlatából álláspontot képviselték, vagy kijelenthetjük, nem történt nagy ugrás, a vállalati jövőről való gondolkodás paradigmatikus elemei továbbra is használhatók, mi több, tetten érhetők úgy az elméleti munkákban, empirikus kutatásokban, mint a gyakorlati életben. E tanulmány döntően az ezredforduló utáni mintegy 5–7 év stratégiai szakirodalmában tallózva keres választ a feltett kérdésekre.
Kortárs személyes vezetési elméletek – A transzformatív felfogás szerepe és jellemzői (II. rész)
Authors: Fehér János
Published: March 2021

A tanulmány második része kibontja az átalakító vezetés és a megelőző elméleteknek több, az első részben még nem érintett összefüggését. Ezt követően meghatározott dimenziók mentén átfogó értékelést nyújt a transzformatív vezetésről. Kitér az átalakulás hangsúlyára („emberek” és/vagy „szervezet”?), az „átalakító” jelző értelmezésére, a tanok időbeli relevanciájára, a transzformáció céljára, értelmére, a vezetői önfejlesztés szerepére, valamint az alkalmazás lehetséges szervezeti szintjeire. Foglalkozik a témakörhöz kapcsolódó túlzottan leszűkítő vagy általánosító, egyoldalú, elitista stb. értelmezések csapdáival. Megvilágítja, hogy a „transzformációs” paradigma (mint a „tranzakciófelfogás” ellentétpárja) nem zárja ki a reciprocitás tételezését a vezetési viszonylatban. Gyakorlati szempontból felveti az alkalmazás determináltságát, érdekkonstellációinak meghatározottságát. Figyelmeztet a rosszindulatú alkalmazás, a kiragadott vezetési eszköz- és hatáselemekkel való visszaélés súlyos veszélyeire, valamint a téves/hiányos felhasználás problémáira, majd érvekkel szolgál az autentikus vezetői alkalmazás szükségszerűsége és lehetőségei mellett.
Netnográfia avagy on-line karosszék-etnográfia a marketingkutatásban (Netnography or Online armchair etnography in the marketing research)
Authors: Dörnyei Krisztina , Mitev Ariel Zoltán
Published: March 2021

A netnográfia olyan kvalitatív kutatási módszer, amely adaptálja az etnográfiai kutatási technikákat az on-line közösségek kultúrájának vizsgálatához (Kozinets, 2002). Információforrásként nyilvánosan elérhető on-line kommunikációs csatornákat használ, hogy azonosítsa és megértse az on-line fogyasztói csoportok gondolkodásmódját és döntési mechanizmusait, egyszersmind egyszerűen és hatékonyan használható eszköz. A netnográfia bizonyos szempontból az úgynevezett karosszék-antropológiára vezethető vissza. A szerzők cikkükben bemutatják a módszer eredetét és használatát. / _____ / Netnography is a qualitative research methodology that adopts ethnographic research techniques to study the culture of online communities (Kozinets, 2002). Netnography uses publicly available online forums to identify and understand way of thinking and decisions of online consumer groups. It is a simple and effective method. Netnography originates in so called „armchair anthropology”. In this paper we present the roots and usage of the method.