bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased levels of YKL-40 in patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Luo Wanwan , Zhang Lingmin , Sheng Lingling , Zhang Zhencheng , Yang Zaixing
Published: November 2020

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) could be classified as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and others according to etiology and pathology. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious complications of DM. YKL-40 is a marker of inflammation and some studies have indicated that DM was related with inflammation. The objective of our study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to confirm the relationship between YKL-40 and DM as well as DN.Methods: Pubmed, Embase, CNKI and Chinese wanfang databases were searched for eligible studies by two independent authors. Studies were included in this meta-analysis if they fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: (1) a study involving the role of YKL-40 in DM (or DN) designed as a case-control study or cohort study; (2) the data of serum YKL-40 levels were available; (3) studies were published in English or Chinese.Results: Twenty-five studies involving 2498 DM patients and 1424 healthy controls were included. Compared with healthy controls, DM patients had significantly higher levels of YKL-40 (DM: SMD=1.62, 95%CI, 1.08 to 2.25, P=0.000; GDM: SMD=2.85, 95%CI, 1.01 to 4.70, P=0.002). Additionally, DM patients with different degree of albuminuria had significantly higher levels of YKL-40 compared with healthy controls (normoalbuminuria: SMD=1.58, 95%CI, 0.59 to 2.56, P=0.002; microalbuminuria: SMD=2.57, 95%CI, 0.92 to 4.22, P=0.002; macroalbuminuria: SMD=2.69, 95%CI, 1.40 to 3.98, P=0.000) and serum YKL-40 levels increased with increasing severity of albuminuria among DM patients (microalbuminuria vs normoalbuminuria: SMD=1.49, 95%CI, 0.28 to 2.71, P=0.016; macroalbuminuria vs microalbuminuria: SMD=0.93, 95%CI, 0.34 to 1.52, P=0.002).Conclusions: DM patients have higher levels of YKL-40 compared with healthy controls. Additionally, levels of YKL-40 are significantly higher in DM patients with different degree of albuminuria than in the healthy controls and the levels of YKL-40 are positively related with the severe degree of albuminuria. Therefore, our current meta-analysis suggests that their sera should be detected for YKL-40, if DM, especially DN, is suspected in patients.
Foraging and Commuting Habitats of the Greater Horseshoe Bat, Revealed by High-Resolution GPS-Tracking
Authors: Fujioka Emyo , Yoshimura Koki , Ujino Tomohiro , Yoda Ken , Fukui Dai , Hiryu Shizuko
Published: November 2020

BackgroundEcholocating bats make a series of decisions to select their flight paths based on auditory information obtained by sonar as well as visual cues; accumulations of these flight routes are represented as daily movement patterns. However, there is still a lack of an understanding of continuous movements of echolocating bats in the wild (i.e., from meters to tens of kilometers). In this study, we investigated nightly flight paths of the Japanese greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum nippon, using high-resolution GPS data loggers. Our aim was to identify foraging and commuting behavior based on the observed movement patterns and to investigate the relationship between these movement types and specific habitats. ResultsWe found that the majority of tagged bats alternated between foraging and commuting behavior throughout the tracking period, and one individual moved 23.6 km from its roost. The bats usually left a foraging area in the opposite direction from which they entered it, indicating that almost all of the stay sites were on their way to another destination. The distance between two successive foraging sites was on average 332 ± 398 m (mean ± standard deviation), and half of all foraging periods lasted less than 3 min. An analysis of habitat use revealed that the bats used conifer plantation and natural forests as pathways and feeding habitats. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the structure of the forests have a great influence on the nocturnal behavior of the greater horseshoe bats. Although this study has a descriptive character due to a relatively small number of tagged individuals, it was possible to elucidate the small-scale interactions between wild Rhinolophus bats and their environment using the latest high-resolution GPS technology, which will allow us to give new insights into the foraging ecology of echolocating bats in the wild.
Highly sensitive quantification of carbon monoxide (CO) in vivo reveals a protective role of circulating hemoglobin in CO intoxication
Authors: Mao Qiyue , Kawaguchi Akira , Mizobata Shun , Motterlini Roberto , Foresti Roberta , Kitagishi Hiroaki
Published: November 2020

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gaseous molecule known as the silent killer. It is widely believed that an increase in blood carboxyhemoglobin (CO-Hb) is the best biomarker to define CO intoxication, neglecting the important fact that CO accumulation in tissues is the most likely direct cause of mortality. There is no reliable method other than gas chromatography to accurately determine CO content in tissues. Here we report the properties and usage of hemoCD1, a synthetic supramolecular compound composed of an iron(II)porphyrin and a cyclodextrin dimer, as an accessible reagent for a simple colorimetric assay to quantify CO in biological samples. The assay was validated in various organ tissues collected from rats under normal conditions and after exposure to CO by inhalation. The kinetic profile of CO in blood and tissues after CO treatment suggested that CO accumulation in tissues is prevented by circulating Hb, revealing a protective role of Hb in CO intoxication. Furthermore, hemoCD1 was used in vivo as a CO removal agent, showing that it acts as effective adjuvant to O2 ventilation to eliminate residual CO accumulated in organs, including the brain. These findings open new therapeutic perspectives to counteract the toxicity associated with CO poisoning.
Mathematical modeling of a field emitter with a hyperbolic shape
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Egorov Nickolay V. , Vinogradova Ekaterina M. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: November 2020

This article is devoted to modeling a field emission diode system. The emitter surface is a hyperboloid of rotation. The anode surface is a part of the hyperboloid of rotation, in a particular case, a circular diaphragm. A boundary value problem is formulated for the Laplace equation with non-axisymmetric boundary conditions of the first kind. A 3D solution was found by the variable separation method in the prolate spheroidal coordinates. The electrostatic potential distribution is presented in the form of the Legendre functions expansions. The calculation of the expansion coefficients is reduced to solving a system of linear equations with constant coefficients. All geometric dimensions of the system are the parameters of the problem.
Thermal processes in natural gas pipeline transport
Authors:   Russian Research Institute for natural gases and gas technologies “Gazprom”, Suleymanov Vladimir A. ,   Gubkins’ National University of oil and gas
Published: November 2020

A commonly used premise in pipeline hydraulics where the work of friction forces performed at the movement of real gas in the gas pipeline completely turns into thermal energy is verified in the article. By means of the integral definition of Clausius entropy, it is shown that the premise of the conversion of friction forces into thermal energy of gas flow is justified with an acceptable accuracy for engineering applications in relation to the one-dimensional formulation of the task regarding the determination of the longitudinal temperature field of gas.
The stability of differential-difference equations with proportional time delay. I. Linear controlled system
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Ekimov Alexander V. , Zhabko Aleksei P. ,   St. Petersburg State University, Yakovlev Pavel V. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: November 2020

The article considers a controlled system of linear differential-difference equations with a linearly increasing delay. Sufficient conditions for the asymptotic stability of such systems are known; however, general conditions for the stabilizability of controlled systems and constructive algorithms for constructing stabilizing controls have not yet been obtained. For a linear differential-difference equation of delayed type with linearly increasing delay, the canonical Zubov transformation is applied and conditions for the stabilization of such systems by static control are derived. An algorithm for checking the conditions for the existence of a stabilizing control and for its constructing is formulated. New theorems on stability analysis of systems of linear differential-difference equations with linearly increasing delay are proven. The results obtained can be applied to the case of systems with several proportional delays.
On the theory of constructive construction of a linear controller
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Kamachkin Alexander M. , Stepenko Nikolai A. ,   St. Petersburg State University, Chitrov Gennady M. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: November 2020

The classical problem of stationary stabilization with respect to the state of a linear stationary control system is investigated. Efficient, easily algorithmic methods for constructing controllers of controlled systems are considered: the method of V. I. Zubov and the method of P. Brunovsky. The most successful modifications are indicated to facilitate the construction of a linear controller. A new modification of the construction of a linear regulator is proposed using the transformation of the matrix of the original system into a block-diagonal form. This modification contains all the advantages of both V. I. Zubov’s method and P. Brunovsky’s method, and allows one to reduce the problem with multidimensional control to the problem of stabilizing a set of independent subsystems with scalar control for each subsystem.
Gender characteristics of autoimmune hypogonadism
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Safarian Galina ,   D.O.Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Niauri Darico ,   St. Petersburg State University,   D.O.Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Borodina Yelena ,   D.O.Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Dzhemlikhanova Lyailya ,   St. Petersburg State University,   D.O.Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Gzgzyan Alexandr ,   St. Petersburg State University,   D.O.Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology
Published: November 2020

Autoimmune gonadal lesions represent a highly heterogenous conditions affecting men and women of reproductive age and resulting in loss of endocrine function and, eventually, infertility. Well-known and well-documented risk factors exist, and the presence or suspicion of autoimmune disorder should be regarded as an important one. For the purpose of the present study, ELISA kits according to the proprietary technology for detection of antitesticular and antiovarian antibodies were developed. Among men with autoimmune orchitis an increased level of antibodies to steroid-producing testicular cells, decreased serum total and free testosterone and altered semen parameters were found. Combined autoimmune diseases were present (autoimmune thyroiditis, vitiligo, type 1 diabetes) in 13.5 % of cases. In women with autoimmune oophoritis the main finding was anovulation with preserved serum FSH and LH levels (91.6 %) and luteal insufficiency (8.4 %). In total, 19.4 % of patients had other autoimmune diseases (autoimmune thyroiditis, vitiligo, chronic autoimmune hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus).
Complicated decompression illness over-the-phone diagnosis, hyperbaric oxygen therapy delay at several days, favorable outcome (diving telemedicine clinical case study)
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Logunov Konstantin ,   Medicon LLC
Published: November 2020

Telemedical support for diving operations, case study. Late diagnosis and HBO2 therapy delay at several days in DCI complicated with Inner Ear disorder. An unusual decompression sickness manifestation, previously the Inner Ear ICD has been believed to accompany severe forms of the disease, or follow deep dives. This time the Inner Ear ICD followed not deep dives and was not accompanied with general severe symptoms, it followed repetitive multiple dives to 20-30 m of water. The victim called the doctor only a few days after the onset of the disease, for a long time he refused an appropriate treatment. Treatment in the pressure chamber —Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO2 Therapy) — started on the 4th day of the disease. However, a very good result was obtained with favorable outcome. The case illustrates the modern features of medical care for occupational divers and for workers engaged in other activities under high pressure in Russia, it demonstrates implementation of HBO2 treatment for caisson disease (decompression sickness) in the specialized hospital monoplace HBO2 chamber with maximum pressure not exceeding 20 m of water (3 ATA). This is an example of successful “telephone treatment” — sometimes this option may be the only one possible in vast Russian territories.
Nikolay Ivanovich Pirogov: Forerunner, co-founder and Inspector-General of the Red Cross
Authors:   Leiden University Medical Centre, Hendriks Inge , Zhuravlev Dmitrii ,   Military Medical Museum, Bovill James ,   Leiden University Medical Centre, Houwaart Eddy ,   University of Maastricht, Boer Fredrik ,   Leiden University Medical Centre, Hogendoorn Pancras ,   Leiden University Medical Centre
Published: November 2020

Surgeon Nikolay I. Pirogov and Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna Romanova, née Württemberg, contributed substantially to the emergence of neutral organised care to soldiers during times of war and victims of epidemics. They closely cooperated in organising and training women as nurses to care for the wounded at the battlefront during the Crimean war. Russia became the first country to send trained nurses to the Crimea. They became a model for other women to train as nurses by the Red Cross. Their expertise was precious during the famine and cholera epidemics. During the Crimean war, Pirogov pleaded for the establishment of an international treaty to oversee the provision of medical help, including civilian volunteers, to both civilian and military victims of war, regardless of rank or nationality. Pirogov was a founder and Privy Councillor of the Russian Red Cross. Internationally he acted as Inspector-General for the Red Cross to report on the medical care in the Franco-German and Russian-Turkish War.
Problems of regulating the quality of medical care in recurrent depression
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Balokhina Svetlana , Mironenko Olga ,   North-Western State Medical University named after I. I. Mechnikov
Published: November 2020

Due to the increasing prevalence of depression, it is necessary to improve medical care to manage the disease. The problems of regulation of medical care quality are analyzed in the article. It is established that the problems are connected both with the general economic condition of Russia, and with the problems in regulation of activity. The second group of problems includes the absence of approved clinical recommendations, mixing of different nosologies in the Standards and Criteria of quality, incomplete set of examinations necessary for patients with depression. Further economic development and approval of the Clinical Guidelines should improve the quality and availability of care for depressed patients.
Using a Hybrid Radioenhancer to Discover Tumor Cell-targeted Treatment for Osteosarcoma: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Tung Fu-I , Chen Li-Chin , Wang Yu-Chi , Chen Ming-Hong , Shueng Pei-Wei , Liu Tse-Ying
Published: November 2020

Osteosarcoma is insensitive to radiation. High-dose radiation is often used as a
treatment but causes side effects in patients. Hence, it is important to develop tumor cell--
targeted radiotherapy that could improve radiotherapy efficiency on tumor cells and reduce
the toxic effect on normal cells during radiation treatment. In this study, we developed
an innovative method for treating osteosarcoma by using a novel radiation-enhancer
(i.e., carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan-coated self-assembled Au@Fe3O4 nanoparticles;
CSAF NPs). CSAF NPs were employed together with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-
ALA) to achieve tumor cell-targeted radiotherapy. In this study, osteosarcoma cells
(MG63) and normal cells (MC3T3-E1) were used for an in vitro investigation, in which
reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, cell viability assay, clonogenic assay, and western
blot were used to confirm the treatment efficiency. The ROS assay showed that the combination
of CSAF NPs and 5-ALA enhanced radiation-induced ROS production in tumor
cells (MG63); however, this was not observed in normal cells (MC3T3-E1). The cell viability
ratio of normal cells to tumor cells after treatment with CSAF NPs and 5-ALA
reached 2.79. Moreover, the clonogenic assay showed that the radiosensitivity of MG63
cells was increased by the combination use of CSAF NPs and 5-ALA. This was supported
by performing a western blot that confirmed the expression of cytochrome c (a marker
of cell mitochondria damage) and caspase-3 (a marker of cell apoptosis). The results provide
an essential basis for developing tumor-cell targeted radiotherapy by means of low--
dose radiation.
Antimicrobial Activities of Metal Containing Compounds and Hybrids
Authors: Kamal Tahseen , Khan Sher Bahadar , Asiri Abdullah M.
Published: November 2020

Normally, antibiotics are used for the growth inhibition of a variety of pathogens. The ever- increasing
resistance of the various disease-causing pathogens to the antibiotics has drawn tremendous attention of researchers
to find efficient alternatives. The recent era of modern material science and nanotechnology has made
it possible to replace the existing antibiotics up to some extent. Currently, a vast library of materials has been
prepared, which shows excellent performance against pathogens. Such materials consist of certain metals.
Through this review, we present some notable studies concerning the antimicrobial activities of various metal
containing compounds and their mode of action.
Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) in 2020: A Perspective Study of a Global Pandemic
Authors: Bhat Mujtaba A. , Rahman Safikur , Rather Irfan A. , Banday Mohammad I. , Syed Shafia , Koser Hamira , Kamal Mohammad A. , Minakshi Rinki , Jan Arif T.
Published: November 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the coronavirus
disease- 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which was first reported from Wuhan, China, in late 2019. This infection
spread to thousands of people globally within a short span of time with a progressive trend to mortality of citizens.
Posing a potential public health threat, SARS-CoV-2 progressed from animal-to-human to human-tohuman
transmission with symptoms ranging from little or no illness to persons being severely ill and many
deaths, confirming two criteria for declaring COVID-19 a pandemic. The disease shows a progressive trend in
symptomology, ranging from mild to severe pneumoniae to respiratory and multi-visceral failure that often
leads to the death of patients with comorbidity within a short span of time. Intensive research efforts on different
aspects of this human pathogen are underway across the globe for elucidating viral transmission routes and
the mechanisms employed to overcome host defense responses. Due to the massive infective potential, studies
are being carried out to develop effective diagnostics and therapeutic interventions, including re-purposing antivirals
and other potential inhibitors. Herein, we describe the taxonomic classification of 'SARS-CoV-2', the
structural organization of its genome, its infectivity, transmission, and receptor interaction; and we summarize
risk assessment and approaches used for prevention of the infection. Finally, we discuss important aspects of
the development of diagnostic tools and therapeutic countermeasures that have the potential to help in controlling
the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Comprehensive Review on Fused Heterocyclic as DNA Intercalators: Promising Anticancer Agents
Authors: Sharma Vikas , Gupta Mohit , Kumar Pradeep , Sharma Atul
Published: November 2020

Since the discovery of DNA intercalating agents (by Lerman, 1961), a growing number of organic,
inorganic, and metallic compounds have been developed to treat life-threatening microbial infections and cancers.
Fused-heterocycles are amongst the most important group of compounds that have the ability to interact
with DNA. DNA intercalators possess a planar aromatic ring structure that inserts itself between the base pairs
of nucleic acids. Once inserted, the aromatic structure makes van der Waals interactions and hydrogen-bonding
interactions with the base pairs. The DNA intercalator may also contain an ionizable group that can form ionic
interactions with the negatively charged phosphate backbone. After the intercalation, other cellular processes
could take place, leading ultimately to cell death. The heterocyclic nucleus present in the DNA intercalators can
be considered as a pharmacophore that plays an instrumental role in dictating the affinity and selectivity exhibited
by these compounds. In this work, we have carried out a revision of small organic molecules that bind to
the DNA molecule via intercalation and cleaving and exert their antitumor activity. A general overview of the
most recent results in this area, paying particular attention to compounds that are currently under clinical trials,
is provided. Advancement in spectroscopic techniques studying DNA interaction can be examined in-depth,
yielding important information on structure-activity relationships. In this comprehensive review, we have focused
on the introduction to fused heterocyclic agents with DNA interacting features, from medicinal point of
view. The structure-activity relationships points, cytotoxicity data, and binding data and future perspectives of
medicinal compounds have been discussed in detail.
Target Genetic Abnormalities for the Treatment of Colon Cancer and Its Progression to Metastasis
Authors: Baviskar Tushar , Momin Munira , Liu Jingwen , Guo Bin , Bhatt Lokesh
Published: November 2020

Colorectal carcinogenesis involves various processes from the accumulation of genetic
alterations to genetic and epigenetic modulations and chromosomal abnormalities. It also involves
mutations in oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. Genomic instability plays a vital role in
CRC. Advances in modern biological techniques and molecular level studies have identified various
genes involved in colorectal cancer (CRC). KRAS, BRAF, PI3K, and p53 genes play a significant
role in different phases of CRC. Alteration of these genes leads to development or progression
and metastasis colon cancer. This review focuses on the role of KRAS, BRAF, PI3KCA, and TP53
genes in carcinogenesis and their significance in various stages of CRC. It also provides insights
on specific modulators acting on these genes. Further, this review discusses the mechanism of the
pathways involving these genes in carcinogenesis and current molecules and treatment options under
various stages of clinical evaluation.
Cholinesterase Inhibitory Potential of Quercetin towards Alzheimer’s Disease - A Promising Natural Molecule or Fashion of the Day? - A Narrowed Review
Authors: Orhan Ilkay Erdogan
Published: November 2020

Natural substances are known to have strong protective effects against neurodegenerative
diseases. Among them, phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, come to the fore with their neuroprotective
effects. Since quercetin, which is found in many medicinal plants and foods, is also
taken through diet, its physiological effects on humans are imperative. Many studies have been published
up to date on the neuroprotective properties of quercetin, a flavanol derivative. However,
there is no review published so far summarizing the effect of quercetin on the cholinesterase (ChE)
enzymes related to the cholinergic hypothesis, which is one of the pathological mechanisms of Alzheimer's
Disease (AD). However, ChE inhibitors, regardless of natural or synthetic, play a vital role
in the treatment of AD. Although the number of studies on the ChE inhibitory effect of quercetin is
limited, it deserves to be discussed in a review article. With this sensitivity, the neuroprotective effect
of quercetin against AD through ChE inhibition was scrutinized in the current review study. In
addition, studies on the bioavailability of quercetin and its capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier
and how this capacity and bioavailability can be increased were given. Generally, studies containing
data published in recent years were obtained from search engines such as PubMed, Scopus, and
Medline and included herein. Consequently, quercetin should not be considered as a fashionable
natural compound and should be identified as a promising compound, especially with increased bioavailability,
for the treatment of AD.
Interactions of Dehydrogenase Enzymes with Nanoparticles Industrial and Medical Applications and Challenges: Mini-review
Authors: Porzani Samaneh Jafari , Lorenzi Adriana Sturion , Eghtedari Masoumeh , Nowruzi Bahareh
Published: November 2020

:

The general overview aimed to increase the current knowledge interactions between dehydrogenase enzymes
and nanoparticles, and introduce dehydrogenases for industrial and health purposes. Nanoparticles (NPs) are particles
constituting from 1 to 100 nm based on their size with a surrounding interfacial layer. Nanoparticle-Protein interactions
include covalent and non-covalent attachments. Several dehydrogenase enzymes (e.g., alcohol dehydrogenase, lactate
dehydrogenase, alanine dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, leucine dehydrogenase, phenylalanine dehydrogenase,
and malate dehydrogenase) are used for immobilization by nanoparticles. Such as magnetic nanoparticles and quantum
dots, represent attractive model systems for biological enzyme assemblies and design of bioanalytical sensors.
Further, bioconjugation of nanoparticles with dehydrogenase enzymes has broad applications in biocatalysis and
nanomedicine for drug discovery. However, studies on the characterization of nanoparticle-enzyme complexes accept
apparent that the anatomy and action of enzymes are afflicted by the chemistry of nanoparticle ligand, size, actual, and
labeling methods.
Moreover, the nanoparticle-protein conjugation revealed increased/decreased enzymatic activity due to nanoparticle
features. Thus, this work reviewed the findings of nanoparticle-enzyme interactions for nanotechnology applications and
conjugation techniques. We also highlight several challenges associated with the nanoparticle-enzyme interactions,
including stability and reusability of the enzymes in nanoparticle-enzyme formation.
Whole Genome Analysis of Extensively Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Isolates in Thailand
Authors: Chopjitt Peechanika , Kerdsin Anusak , Takeuchi Dan , Hatrongjit Rujirat , Boueroy Parichart , Akeda Yukihiro , Tomono Kazunori , Hamada Shigeyuki
Published: November 2020

Background::

Acinetobacter baumannii is recognized as a majority opportunistic nosocomial
pathogen causing hospital-acquired infection worldwide. The increasing prevalence of extensively
drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDRAB) has become a rising concern in healthcare
facilities and has impeded public health due to limitation of therapeutic options and are associated
with high morbidity and mortality as well as longer hospitalization. Whole-genome sequencing
of highly multidrug resistant A. baumannii will increase the understanding of resistant mechanisms,
the emergence of novel resistance, genetic relationships among the isolates, source tracking,
and treatment decisions in selected patients.

Objective::

This study revealed the genomic analysis to explore blaOXA-23 harboring XDRAB isolates
in Thailand.

Methods::

Whole-genome sequencing of the two XDRAB isolates was carried out on a HiSeq2000
Illumina platform and susceptibility on antimicrobials was conducted.

Results::

Both isolates revealed sequence types of international, clone II-carrying, multiple antimicrobial-
resistant genes—ST195 and ST451. They were resistant to antimicrobial agents in all drug
classes tested for Acinetobacter spp. They carried 18 antimicrobial-resistant genes comprising of 4
β-lactamase genes (blaOXA-23, blaOXA-66, blaTEM-1D, blaADC-25), 4 aminoglycoside-resistant genes (armA,
aph(3')-Ia, aph(3”)-Ib, aph(6)-Id), 3 macrolide-resistant genes (amvA, mphE, msrE), 1 sulfonamide-
resistant gene (sul-2), 2 tetracycline-resistant genes (tetB, tetR), 1 resistant-nodulation-cell
division (RND) antibiotic efflux pump gene cluster, 2 major facilitator superfamily (MFS) antibiotic
efflux pump genes (abaF, abaQ), and 1 small multidrug-resistant (SMR) antibiotic efflux pump
gene (abeS). Mutation of gyrA (S81L) occurred in both isolates.

Conclusions::

Whole-genome sequencing revealed both blaOXA-23 harboring XDRAB isolates were
clustered under international clone II with different STs and carrying multiple antimicrobial-resistant
genes conferred their resistance to antimicrobial agents. Inactivation of antimicrobials and target
modification by enzymes and pumping antibiotics by efflux pump are mainly resistance mechanism
of the XDRAB in this study.
Comparative Study between the Uses of High Dose Corticosteroid Therapy for Short Duration Versus Low Dose Corticosteroid for Long Duration in Severe Lung Contusion with ARDS
Authors: Gaber Ibrahim Mostafa Allam Mohamed
Published: November 2020

Introduction:

Corticosteroids are used in ARDS to prevent lung fibrosis. The best dose, duration and regimen are still the points of debate among physicians.

Aim of the Work:

The aim of this study is to make a comparison between two corticosteroid regimens, i.e. short-duration high dose versus long- duration low dose corticosteroid use in ARDS due to lung contusion with VAP for lowering both morbidity and mortality rates and early weaning from ventilator.

Patients and Methods:

Patients who had >3 on Murray score and >6 on CPIS were allocated randomly in two groups of 120 patients each. Group A received 30 mg/kg methyl-prednisolone slowly intravenously in 250 ml normal saline every 8 hours for only 48 hours, while group B received 1 mg/kg/day methyl-prednisolone divided into three doses given every 8 hours for two weeks. The study lasted for 16 days; morbidity was considered if no improvement was observed in any or all clinical parameters of both Murray and CPIS scores and if there was failure in removing patients from the ventilator within the studied period.

Results:

Significant improvement was observed in patients of group B compared to group A with regard to APACH II <10 score, arterial oxygen saturation>95, hypoxic index >300, lung infiltrate in chest X-ray, lung compliance, response of the lung to recruitment maneuver, the return of core temperature to normal, normal tracheal secretion, the return of leucocytic count to normal, negative qualitative sputum culture and a significantly higher number of patients were removed from the ventilator of group B compared to group A. However, mortality rate was not significant between the two groups.

Conclusion:

Low dose corticosteroid if used for a long duration significantly lowers morbidity and accelerates recovery, and in turn, accelerates weaning from ventilator compared to high dose corticosteroid used for a short duration. While the difference between the two regimens was not significant with regard to the mortality rate, still further studies are needed to emphasize a fixed corticosteroid dose and regimen in ARDS due to lung contusion.
Pulse-oximetry Derived Perfusion Index as a Predictor of the Efficacy of Rescue Analgesia After Major Abdominal Surgeries
Authors: Saleh Ashraf Nabil , Mostafa Raham Hasan , Hamdy Ahmad Nabil , Hafez Amr Fouad
Published: November 2020

Study Objective:

The use of an easy to apply reliable tool is essential to assess pain in patients in intensive care units. This study aimed primarily to evaluate perfusion index usefulness as an objective indicator of pain.

Methods and Measurements:

Data were collected from 40 non-intubated adult patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit postoperatively. The Masimo pulse co-oximetry perfusion index (PI) probe was attached to the patient. At the time of the first request for analgesia (T1), the Behavioural pain scale non-intubated scoring system (BPS-NI) was recorded with the PI and patients' haemodynamics following which rescue analgesia was given. Thirty minutes thereafter (T2), second measurements for the mentioned parameters were taken.

Main Results:

There was a statistically significant reduction in the BPS-NI score, blood pressure and heart rate after analgesic administration (P-values, <0.001, 0.039 and 0.001, respectively), together with a significant increase in the PI (P-value, 0.004). This means that the PI increases with adequate relief from pain, as indicated by a decrease in BPS-NI score and haemodynamics, but the correlation was not statistically significant between their changes.

Conclusion:

There was no statistically significant correlation between the PI and the pain score or other clinical indicators of pain either before or after the administration of analgesic.
A Universidade do Minho em tempos de pandemia: Tomo I: Reflexões
Authors: Martins Manuela , Rodrigues Eloy
Published: November 2020

Nesta obra reúnem-se cerca de meia centena de textos que retratam, a partir de diferente experiências, perspetivas e olhares disciplinares, a forma como a pandemia provocada pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2 foi sentida na Universidade do Minho, a primeira universidade portuguesa a ser atingida pelos seus efeitos, a partir de 7 de março de 2020. Os contributos aqui reunidos exprimem o modo como a comunidade académica se organizou para garantir o funcionamento da instituição e o cumprimento da sua missão, quer no âmbito do ensino, quer da investigação e da inovação, não dispensando uma necessária reflexão crítica sobre a nova realidade que se afirmou com a pandemia, o seu significado e os impactos da mesma na sociedade. Dado o elevado número e a diversidade dos contributos, a obra organiza-se em três volumes, que tentam dar resposta a três possíveis interrogações. Assim, o 1º volume, com o subtítulo de ‘Reflexões’, procura equacionar diferentes perspetivas em torno da questão: Mas o que é isto? Já o 2º volume, que recebe o subtítulo de ‘(Re)Ações’, corporiza um conjunto de textos que reflete as atuações em diferentes áreas da dimensão académica, elucidando quanto ao modo: Como reagimos? Finalmente, o 3º volume, que acusa o subtítulo de ‘Projeções’, dá expressão a uma inevitável pergunta: E agora? Pois, afinal, todos sabemos que isto não vai, nem pode, ficar tudo bem.
Research on creation and practical application of high-value-added recycling technology for waste plastic
Authors: Yao Shigeru , Phanthong Patchiya
Published: November 2020

Professor Shigeru Yao and Dr Patchiya Phanthong are conducting highly collaborative research that is focused on improving mechanical technology for recycling plastics, as well as extending the shelf life of plastics, thus reducing plastic waste. The researchers are based at the Yao
Laboratory, in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Fukuoka University, Japan. Phanthong is a Project Research Assistant Professor from the Research Institute for the Creation of Functional and Structural Materials working under the supervision of Yao. In addition to heading up the lab,
Yao is also the lead for the NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) Advanced Research Program for Energy and Environmental Technologies. In their work, the researchers are collaborating with both industry and academia which is essential to its progression.
A project management method for public housing rehabilitation focusing on the type of rights and the division of roles of the entities
Authors: Murakami Shin , Kawano Norie
Published: November 2020

Affordable public housing is an issue all nations grapple with, it is made more difficult as a one-size-fits-all solution rarely works. Each local community has different needs, different people and different levels of income. Ideally, having a solution that local governments can adapt
to their particular situation and constituents is the best approach. Professor Shin Murakami and Professor Norie Kawano have spent 20 years studying the renovation of apartments and housing complexes around the world, with the intention that the data gathered can lead to shared knowledge to
help solve common problems associated with multi-family houses and housing complexes.
A criatividade do advogado comercial
Authors: Filho Alberto Venâncio
Published: November 2020

O advogado que deseja especializar-se no campo do comércio internacional deve, realmente, adquirir conhecimentos econômicos e financeiros Não é saber apenas como aplicar um artigo de código, um artigo de lei, uma norma contratual, mas precisa saber bolar esquemas novos, precisa saber conceber esquemas jurídicos que possam atender às necessidades do comércio exterior. No trecho da conferência que o Dr. Lobo não pôde ler há uma frase que eu gostaria de citar aqui, porque acho realmente muito instrutiva e muito útil para o advogado em geral, o advogado de empresa, o advogado de comércio exterior.
Riscos comerciais. Seguro de crédito à exportação. A Companhia Brasileira de Seguros de Crédito à Exportação - Brascex.
Authors: Passos Ivan Gonçalves
Published: November 2020

Para competir nos mercados internacionais é necessário fornecer condições de financiamento competitivas, além de garantias de prazo e qualidade. Concorrendo com financiamentos atrativos, o exportador automaticamente aumenta os riscos, principalmente em um cenário caracterizado por condições de instabilidade e incertezas nos campos político e comercial, que provavelmente se estenderão por alguns anos, o que torna indispensável a existência de um sistema desenvolvido de seguros de crédito à exportação.
Recursos florestais no Brasil
Authors: Reis Mauro Silva
Published: November 2020

Em todas as civilizações que conduziram à civilização européia da era moderna da qual o Brasil é extensão, são fartos os testemunhos de plena consciência que se possuía da vinculação do homem à natureza e, mesmo, da profunda comunhão existente entre ambos. Mesmo nas mais antigas, são inúmeros os testemunhos legados pela forma de consciência social então predominante — a religião - , sendo extremamente difundido em cada uma delas, por exemplo, o cultivo à natureza como fonte de vida e, comumente, o deus nacional e o soberano são descendentes em linha direta, mostrando assim que a fonte do poder político radicava na própria natureza, sendo a legitimidade desse poder cotidianamente reforçada pela função, os soberanos e sacerdotes como intermediários entre a população e as forças naturais.
Os cerrados, um grupo de formas de vegetação semelhantes às savanas
Authors: Ferri Mário Guimarães
Published: November 2020

Em sentido genérico, o cerrado é um grupo de formas de vegetação que se apresenta segundo um gradiente de biomassa. A forma de menor biomassa é o campo-sujo-de-cerrado seguindo-se, em ordem crescente, o campo cerrado, o cerrado e o cerradão. Os três primeiros tipos se enquadram entre as formações campestres e o último é um tipo florestal de vegetação, do ponto de vista fisionômico. Quando se considera a composição florística, todavia, o cerradão cai dentro do grande domínio dos cerrados, pois as espécies que o compõem estão também presentes nas outras formas de cerrado (Relatório à Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Embrapa, 1975, p. 3. Grupo de trabalho instituído pela Resolução n? R. D. 040/74 de 19 de novembro de 1974).
Transferência de tecnologia e meio ambiente
Authors: Herrera Amilcar O.
Published: November 2020

Não é novo o papel determinante da tecnologia e da sua transferência: é fenômeno que sempre ocorreu ao longo da história. No entanto, nunca no passado os seus efeitos foram tão generalizados nem tão penetrantes em todas as atividades da sociedade receptora. A razão disso não se baseia apenas no fato de que a tecnologia moderna é bem mais eficiente do que as anteriores, como se pode constatar numa breve revisão histórica. Em qualquer cultura há que se identificar, concomitantemente com a tecnologia, um conjunto de idéias e conhecimentos essencialmente explicativos e que incluem a religião, as superstições, a filosofia e a ciência. 0 conhecimento científico sempre existiu, ainda que em forma rudimentar, mesmo nas primeiras etapas da civilização. Nas culturas antigas, a tecnologia possuía duas características principais: era muito simples e o conhecimento em que se baseava era compartilhado praticamente por toda a comunidade. Neste sentido, era parte integrante da cultura social e individual. Por outro lado, não era científica; sua base era empírica e pouca ou nenhuma conexão tinha com o corpo de conhecimentos explicativos.
O controle dos gastos públicos: problemas e sugestões
Authors: Silva Fernando Antônio Rezende da
Published: November 2020

O debate recente sobre a crise econômica brasileira tem ressaltado a necessidade de uma reforma institucional que contribua para uma clara definição de responsabilidades e um maior controle social sobre o Estado. Os componentes principais dessa reforma seriam a revisão das práticas orçamentárias e a melhor identidade organizacional. Do ponto de vista orçamentário, o primeiro aspecto a ressaltar é a perda de substância do Orçamento da União. Este deveria incluir a totalidade das contas fiscais, isto é, aquelas relacionadas à administração dos recursos extraídos compulsoriamente da sociedade através da tributação. A transferência de parte dessas contas para outros orçamentos - o monetário e o das "estatais" – reduziu a transparência da administração pública e tornou inoperante os mecanismos tradicionais de controle dos gastos do governo.
A experiência do Conselho de Estado francês
Authors: Gazier François
Published: November 2020

O Conselho de Estado é na França uma instituição que surgiu em fins da Idade Média sob a denominação de Conselho do Rei e que, após breve eclipse ao tem p o da Revolução Francesa, foi restabelecido em 1800 por Napoleão em sua forma moderna com o nome de Conselho de Estado para, a seguir, varar todos os regimes: monarquias constitucionais, impérios e repúblicas, até os nossos dias.
A burocracia não resiste a uma sociedade bem organizada
Authors: Demo Pedro
Published: November 2020

Antes, desburocratizar significava principalmente o esforço do Estado voltado para si mesmo. Era o compromisso em recuperar sua própria dignidade, diante do cidadão impotente. Significava simplificar a vida das pessoas, reduzir papéis inúteis, abrir o caminho ao serviço público. Não se pode negar que tudo isto ocupou espaço importante na vida do país, até porque se teve a feliz ideia de colocar a tarefa num Ministério Extraordinário — porquanto um a burocracia ordinária não teria condições de demover a ordinariedade da burocracia.
Sistema de carreiras será o maior desafio
Authors: Alves Aluizio
Published: November 2020

Há uma decisão política de promover profunda reforma na Administração Federal. Desde seus primeiros dias de governo, o Presidente José Sarney proclamou essa preocupação. Mas, também, disse claramente - e todas as autoridades envolvidas o têm reiterado - que não se pretende fazer apenas uma coleção de leis e decretos, mas implantar uma nova concepção de administração pública, moderna, ágil, produtiva, que resgate a máquina do emaranhado legislativo adotado no último meio século, dos erros e distorções acumulados sem nenhum critério, do descrédito a que se submetem os órgãos públicos, pela inoperância, pela lentidão de sua operação, pelo arbítrio e vários tipos de favoritismo que dominaram os regimes de pessoal.
Faltam partidos para nosso parlamentarismo
Authors: Passarinho Jarbas
Published: November 2020

“Do Prof. J a mês Young, nós tiramos a conclusão da a p r e s e n ta ç ã o de um regime presidencialista com forte Legislativo. Thlvez um dos raros exemplos de um forte Legislativo hoje no mundo, diante de um regime presidencialista. E, especialmente, uma vocação admirável de fidelidade aos postulados constitucionais. É um caso, portanto, em que eu diria, em termos muito usados, hoje, no Brasil, é um caso atípico a ser considerado. E, especialmente, uma vocação admirável de fidelidade aos postulados constitucionais. É um caso, portanto, em que eu diria, em termos muito usados, hoje, no Brasil, é um caso atípico a ser considerado.
Ponto nuclear: poder e papel do Estado.
Authors: Domingos Guilherme Afif
Published: November 2020

“Em primeiro lugar, quero agradecer a todos por esta oportunidade  de participar de um seminário de tanta importância para o momento que nós estamos vivendo, onde fomos aqui brindados, nesses dias, e especialmente no dia de hoje, por duas presenças internacionais do melhor gabarito, que vêm exatamente para trazer a sua contribuição através da sua inteligência e da sua experiência em seus países, e pela presença de companheiros dos meios de comunicação e da Câmara e do Senado, que conosco somam neste grande momento da vida nacional. Em primeiro lugar,
A crise do planejamento brasileiro
Authors: Maciel Everardo
Published: November 2020

O planejamento governamental em inúmeros países está sendo objeto de reestruturação, em menor ou maior escala, por força sobretudo da ampla discussão que ora se faz, quanto ao papel do Estado nas sociedades modernas. Não é desarrazoado, portanto, dizer-se que a crise do Estado repercute diretamente no planejamento governamental, que terá, por isso mesmo, que adaptar-se às novas circunstâncias e buscar novos arranjos operacionais.