bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building alternative scholarly folklores: an intellectual-institutional history of Global Political Economy
Authors: Bruff Ian
Published: July 2022

This article reflects on how the journal Global Political Economy arrived at this point. It does not consider the more recent years, of engagement and subsequent contracting with Bristol University Press, focusing instead on my own experiences of working as part of the collective effort to launch such a journal from 2009 to 2016. The article utilises my recollections and documentary sources to offer an intellectual-institutional history of this endeavour. In particular, I argue that particular folklores about Critical Political Economy scholarship served to caricature such research and, consequently, to prevent publishers from contracting the journal – even when presented with arguments and evidence that countered such notions. As such, this article shows how the building of alternative scholarly folklores, as embodied in journals such as Global Political Economy, often entails the painstaking, regularly disrupted and long-term mobilisation of our energies.
Intravital longitudinal cellular visualization of oral mucosa in a murine model based on rotatory side-view confocal endomicroscopy
Authors: Hong Sujung , Lee Jingu , Moon Jieun , Kong Eunji , Jeon Jehwi , Kim Yeon soo , Kim Hyung-Ryong , Kim Pilhan
Published: July 2022

Oral mucosa is a soft tissue lining the inside of the mouth, protecting
the oral cavity from microbiological insults. The mucosal immune
system is composed of diverse types of cells that defend against a
wide range of pathogens. The pathophysiology of various oral mucosal
diseases has been studied mostly by ex vivo histological analysis of
harvested specimens. However, to analyze dynamic cellular processes in
the oral mucosa, longitudinal in vivo observation of the oral mucosa
in a single mouse during pathogenesis is a highly desirable and
efficient approach. Herein, by utilizing micro GRIN lens-based
rotatory side-view confocal endomicroscopy, we demonstrated
non-invasive longitudinal cellular-level in vivo imaging of the oral
mucosa, visualizing fluorescently labeled cells including various
immune cells, pericytes, nerve cells, and lymphatic and vascular
endothelial cells. With rotational and sliding movement of the
side-view endomicroscope on the oral mucosa, we successfully achieved
a multi-color wide-area cellular-level visualization in a noninvasive
manner. By using a transgenic mouse expressing photoconvertible
protein, Kaede, we achieved longitudinal repetitive imaging of the
same microscopic area in the buccal mucosa of a single mouse for up to
10 days. Finally, we performed longitudinal intravital visualization
of the oral mucosa in a DNFB-derived oral contact allergy mouse model,
which revealed highly dynamic spatiotemporal changes of CSF1R or LysM
expressing immune cells such as monocytes, macrophages, and
granulocytes in response to allergic challenge for one week. This
technique can be a useful tool to investigate the complex
pathophysiology of oral mucosal diseases.
Change in nutritional status of urban slum children before and after the first COVID-19 wave in Bangladesh: A repeated cross-sectional assessment
Authors: Win Hayman , Shafique Sohana , Probst-Hensch Nicole , Fink Günther
Published: July 2022

The onset of COVID-19 severely disrupted economies and increased acute household food insecurity in developing countries. Consequently, a global rise in childhood undernutrition was predicted, especially among vulnerable populations, but primary evidence on actual changes in nutritional status remained scarce. In this paper, we assessed shifts in nutritional status of urban slum children in Bangladesh pre- and post- the country’s first wave of COVID-19 and nationwide lockdown. We used two rounds of cross-sectional data collected before and after the pandemic’s first year in two large slum settlements (Korail and Tongi) of Dhaka and Gazipur, Bangladesh (n = 1119). Regression models estimated pre-post changes in: 1) predictors of childhood undernutrition (household income, jobs, food security, dietary diversity, healthcare utilization, and hand hygiene); and 2) under-five children’s nutritional status (average height-for-age z-score (HAZ) and weight-for-height z-score (WHZ), stunting, and wasting). Subgroup analysis was done by household migration status and slum area. Over the sample period, average monthly household income dropped 23% from BDT 20,740 to BDT 15,960 (β = -4.77; 95% CI:-6.40, -3.15), and currently employed fathers slightly declined from 99% to 95% (β = -0.04; 95% CI:-0.05, -0.02). Average HAZ among the slum children improved 0.13 SD (95% CI: 0.003, 0.26). Among non-migrant children in Tongi, the odds of stunting increased (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.16, 3.48) and average WHZ reduced -0.40 SD (95% CI: -0.74, -0.06). Despite great economic hardship, and differential patterns of representativeness by household geography and migration status, slum children in Bangladesh generally demonstrated resilience to nutritional decline over the first year of the pandemic. While underlying threats to nutritional deterioration persisted, considerable job and income recovery in the post-lockdown period appeared to have cushioned the overall decline. However, as the pandemic continues, monitoring and appropriate actions are needed to avert lasting setbacks to Bangladesh nutritional progress.
Optimising the adult HIV testing services screening tool to predict positivity yield in Zimbabwe, 2022
Authors: Mugauri Hamufare Dumisani , Chirenda Joconiah , Takarinda Kudakwashe , Mugurungi Owen , Ncube Getrude , Chikondowa Ishmael , Mantiziba Patrick , Mushangwe Blessing , Tshimanga Mufuta
Published: July 2022

HIV positivity yield declined against increasing testing volumes in Zimbabwe, from 20% (1.65 million tests) in 2011 to 6% (3 million tests) in 2018. A screening tool was introduced to aid testers to identify clients likely to obtain a positive diagnosis of HIV. Consequently, testing volumes declined to 2.3 million in 2019 but positivity declined to 5% prompting the evaluation and validation of the tool to improve its precision in predicting positivity yield. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Sixty-four sites were randomly selected where all reporting clients (18+ years) were screened and tested for HIV. Participant responses and test outcomes were documented and uploaded to excel. Multivariable analysis was used to determine the performance of individual, combination questions and screening criteria to achieve >/ = 90% sensitivity for a new screening tool. We evaluated 13 questions among 7,825 participants and obtained 95.7% overall sensitivity, ranging from 3.9% [(95%CI:2.5,5.9) sharing sharp objects] to 86.8% [(95%CI:83.8,89.5) self-perception of risk] for individual questions. A 5-question tool was developed and validated among 2,116 participants. The best combination (self-perception of risk, partner tested positive, history of ill health, last tested >/ = 3months and symptoms of an STI) scored 94.1% (95%CI:89.4,97.1) sensitivity, 18% reduction in testing volumes and 11 Number Needed to Test (NNT). A screening in criteria that combine previously testing >/ = 3 months with a yes to any of the 4 remaining questions was analysed and sensitivity ranged from 89.9% (95%CI:84.4,94.0) for last tested >/ = 3months and sexual partner positive, to 93.5% (95%CI:88.7,96.7) for last tested >/ = 3months and self-perceived risk We successfully developed, evaluated and validated an HIV screening tool. High sensitivity and the fifth reduction in testing volume were acceptable attributes to enhance testing efficiency and effective limited resource utilisation. Screened out clients will be identified through frequent screening and self-testing options.
Detection of Fusarium infected seeds of cereal plants by the fluorescence method
Authors: Dorokhov Alexey , Moskovskiy Maksim , Belyakov Mikhail , Lavrov Alexander , Khamuev Victor
Published: July 2022

Infection of seeds of cereal plants with fusarium affects their optical luminescent properties. The spectral characteristics of excitation (absorption) in the range of 180–700 nm of healthy and infected seeds of wheat, barley and oats were measured. The greatest difference in the excitation spectra of healthy and infected seeds was observed in the short-wave range of 220–450 nm. At the same time, the excitation characteristics of infected seeds were higher than those of healthy ones, and the integral parameter Η in the entire range was 10–56% higher. A new maximum appeared at the wavelength of 232 nm and the maximum value increased by 362 nm. The spectral characteristics were measured when excited by radiation at wavelengths of 232, 362, 424, 485, 528 nm and the luminescence fluxes were calculated. It is established that the photoluminescence fluxes Φ in the short-wave ranges of 290–380 nm increase by 1.58–3.14 times and 390–550 nm-by 1.44–2.54 times. The fluxes in longer wavelength ranges do not change systematically and less significantly: for wheat, they decrease by 12% and increase by 19%, for barley, they decrease by 10% and increase by 33%. The flux decreases by 43–71% for oats. Based on the results obtained for cereal seeds, it is possible to further develop a method for detecting fusarium infection with absolute measurements of photoluminescence fluxes in the range of 290–380 nm, or when measuring photoluminescence ratios: for wheat seeds when excited with wavelengths of 424 nm and 232 nm (Φ424/Φ232); for barley seeds–when excited with wavelengths of 485 nm and 232 nm (Φ485/Φ232) and for oat seeds–when excited with wavelengths of 424 nm and 362 nm (Φ424/Φ362).
The prevalence and causes of pediatric uncorrected refractive error: Pooled data from population studies for Global Burden of Disease (GBD) sub-regions
Authors: Cao He , Cao Xiang , Cao Zhi , Zhang Lu , Han Yue , Guo Changchun
Published: July 2022

Background

There are limited systematic reviews on the prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors in children. We aimed to summarize the prevalence and causes of pediatric uncorrected refractive error (URE) from studies in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) sub-regions.

Methods

The pooled analysis used the individual participant data (ages less than 20 years old) from population-based studies around the world by regions. URE was defined as presenting VA < 6/18 and improving to ≥ 6/18 or ≥1 line on using a pinhole in either eye, with main causes of myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. Each study provided data on any URE, myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism by age, gender, and ethnicity. Prevalence rates were directly age and gender standardized to the 2020 world population with all age groups. Estimates were calculated by study and sub-regions after pooling. Summary estimates included studies in which URE was assessed from a pinhole-corrected refraction in the better eye.

Results

The combined pooled data contained 302,513,219 patients including 8 963 URE cases individuals from 57 studies. Prevalence varied by age and GBD sub-regions and differed by gender. The age- and region-standardized prevalence of URE was 3.41 per 1000 (CI, 1.53~7.62) in Western Pacific region (12 studies), 2.26 per 1000 (CI, 0.85~6.01) in South-East Asia region (14 studies), 5.85 per 1000 (CI, 3.75~9.13) in Americans (11 studies) and 4.40 per 1000 (CI, 3.0~6.45) in Eastern Mediterranean region (13 studies). On the basis of these data, myopia was the first-leading cause in female children with 12~17 age group, with the prevalence rate 18.2 per 1000 (CI, 11.52~23.61). Astigmatism was detected in 27.2 per 1000 male children with 6~11 age group (CI: 19.12–30.68).

Conclusions

Prevalence of URE available data within these sub-regions are widely disparate. Myopia and astigmatism in young age children continue as the leading cause of URE worldwide. Providing appropriate refractive correction to those individuals whose vision can be improved is an important public health endeavor with implications for safety and quality of life.
When might we break the rules? A statistical analysis of aesthetics in photographs
Authors: Wang Justin , Lee Marie A. , Lee Thomas C. M.
Published: July 2022

High-quality photographs often follow certain high-level rules well known to photographers, but some photographs intentionally break these rules. Doing so is usually a matter of artistry and intuition, and the conditions and patterns that allow for rule-breaks are often not well articulated by photographers. This article first applies statistical techniques to help find and evaluate rule-breaking photographs, and then from these photographs discover those patterns that justify their rule-breaking. With this approach, this article discovered some significant patterns that explain why some high-quality photographs successfully break the common photographic rules by positioning the subject in the center or the horizon in the vertical center. These patterns included reflections, leading lines, crossing objects, ambiguous lines, implied lines, thirds line subjects, and busy foregrounds for center horizon photographs, and symmetry, circular-shaped objects, thirds line elements, gestalt, framing, leading lines, and perspective lines for center subject photographs.
Research on performance and dynamic competency evaluation of bid evaluation experts based on weight interval number
Authors: Li Tie , Li Guoliang , Zhang Mi , Qin Yuan , Wei Guolong
Published: July 2022

Purpose/Significance

In the past many years, some scholars have studied bid evaluation experts, such as the behavior of bid evaluation experts. However, previous research ignores the performance and competency of bid evaluation experts, so this paper aims to provide a theoretical basis for incentive and constraint mechanism and hierarchical or dynamic management of bid evaluation experts by implementing performance and dynamic competency evaluation of bid evaluation experts.

Method/Process

Firstly, the evaluation index system of performance and dynamic competency of bid evaluation experts is preliminarily constructed by referring to relevant literature, and then the constructed evaluation index was modified and improved by consulting relevant stakeholders’ experts. Secondly, considering the hesitation and consistency of expert weighting, the calculation method of expert weight coefficient and index score interval number is improved. Based on the theory of weight interval number, the corresponding mathematical optimization model is constructed to calculate the index weight according to the purpose of performance judgment and dynamic competency clustering of bid evaluation experts. Finally, the data of performance and dynamic competency of bid evaluation experts is obtained by questionnaire survey, and the empirical analysis was carried out by simulating the bid evaluation experts consistent with the actual situation.

Results/Conclusion

After improving the calculation method of index score interval number, and then calculating index weight interval number through index score interval number, the length of index weight interval number can be decreased and the calculation accuracy of index weight interval number can be increased. In addition, the index weight calculated by the constructed mathematical optimization model can make the intra-class discrimination smaller and the inter-class discrimination larger. Finally, some suggestions are also provided for the management of bid evaluation experts.
Pharmacotherapy alleviates pathological changes in human direct reprogrammed neuronal cell model of myotonic dystrophy type 1
Authors: Eltahir Mougina K. , Nakamori Masayuki , Hattori Satoshi , Kimura Takashi , Mochizuki Hideki , Nagano Seiichi
Published: July 2022

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a trinucleotide repeat disorder affecting multiple organs. However, most of the research is focused on studying and treating its muscular symptoms. On the other hand, despite the significant impact of the neurological symptoms on patients’ quality of life, no drug therapy was studied due to insufficient reproducibility in DM1 brain-specific animal models. To establish DM1 neuronal model, human skin fibroblasts were directly converted into neurons by using lentivirus expressing small hairpin RNA (shRNA) against poly-pyrimidine tract binding protein (PTBP). We found faster degeneration in DM1 human induced neurons (DM1 hiNeurons) compared to control human induced neurons (ctrl hiNeurons), represented by lower viability from 10 days post viral-infection (DPI) and abnormal axonal growth at 15 DPI. Nuclear RNA foci were present in most of DM1 hiNeurons at 10 DPI. Furthermore, DM1 hiNeurons modelled aberrant splicing of MBNL1 and 2, MAPT, CSNK1D and MPRIP at 10 DPI. We tested two drugs that were shown to be effective for DM1 in non-neuronal model and found that treatment of DM1 hiNeurons with 100 nM or 200 nM actinomycin D (ACT) for 24 h resulted in more than 50% reduction in the number of RNA foci per nucleus in a dose dependent manner, with 16.5% reduction in the number of nuclei containing RNA foci at 200 nM and treatment with erythromycin at 35 μM or 65 μM for 48 h rescued mis-splicing of MBNL1 exon 5 and MBNL 2 exons 5 and 8 up to 17.5%, 10% and 8.5%, respectively. Moreover, erythromycin rescued the aberrant splicing of MAPT exon 2, CSNK1D exon 9 and MPRIP exon 9 to a maximum of 46.4%, 30.7% and 19.9%, respectively. These results prove that our model is a promising tool for detailed pathogenetic examination and novel drug screening for the nervous system.
Implications of COVID-19 labour market shock for child and household hungers in South Africa: Do social protection programs protect?’
Authors: Gelo Dambala , Dikgang Johane
Published: July 2022

Background

Recent studies have confirmed that the COVID-19 lockdown has caused massive job losses. However, the impact of this loss on food security is not well-understood. Moreover, a paucity of evidence exists regarding social protection grants’ countervailing effects against such shocks. This study examined the effects of job loss (labour income loss) on child and household hungers (our two measures food insecurity) during COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. It also ascertained whether these effect were offset by alternative social grant programs to document the protective role of the latter.

Data and methods

We used South Africa’s National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) and the Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (CRAM) data. These data cover a nationally representative sample of 7073 individuals. We employed a probit model to estimate the effect of job loss and receipts of various social grants on child and households’ hungers. We also estimated the double-selection logit model to account for the model’s uncertainty surrounding the variable selection and treatment-effects estimation using lasso (Telasso) for causal inference of our analysis.

Results

Our analyses showed that households exposed to a labour market shock during the pandemic experienced a significant increase in our measures of food insecurity (child and household hungers). Specifically, we found that compared with households containing employed respondents, households with respondents who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 lockdown were 5.4% more likely to report child hunger and 2.6% more likely to report household hunger in the past seven days A receipt of child support grant reduces the likelihood of reporting child hunger and household hunger by 21.7%and 16.9% respectively among these households. A receipt of old age pension grant reduces the likelihood of reporting household hunger by 24% with no significant effect on child hunger.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 lockdown resulted in unprecedent job losses with significant implications for food insecurity. Job loss due to COVID-19 lockdown significantly increased food insecurity in South Africa. Receipts of social grants effectively offset this adverse effect. The protective effect of the social grant is heterogenous across its alternative programs (child support grant and old age pension grant) and food insecurity, suggesting the differences in the size of transfers and motivations for sending these transfers.
Lobaric acid prevents the adverse effects of tetramethrin on the estrous cycle of female albino Wistar rats
Authors: Nguyen Ha Thi , Polimati Haritha , Annam Satya Sowbhagya Priya , Okello Emmanuel , Thai Quynh-Mai , Vu Thien-Y. , Tatipamula Vinay Bharadwaj
Published: July 2022

Tetramethrin (Tm) is a commonly used pesticide that has been reported to exert estrogen-antagonistic effects selectively on female rats. The present study was undertaken to assess the protective role of lobaric acid (La) on estrous cycle in Tm-treated female Wistar rats. Female rats were exposed to Tm (50 mg/kg b.w/day) only or in combination with La at low (50 mg/kg b.w/day) or high (100 mg/kg b.w/day) dose for 30 days. The results showed that Tm altered the estrous cycle of female rats by decreasing the levels of luteinizing hormone, follicular-stimulating hormone, progesterone, estrone, and estradiol while increasing testosterone level. The morphology of vaginal smears of Tm-treated female rats showed the presence of abnormal cells and/or structures at different phases of estrus cycle. Strikingly, in (Tm + La)-treated rats, all the observed adverse effects of Tm on the hormonal parameters, cell morphology, and the length of each phase of estrous cycle were significantly diminished in a dose-dependent manner. The docking results showed that La competes with Tm for Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) receptor, thereby reducing the toxicity of Tm but did not cancel the response of GnRH receptor completely. In conclusion, our results designated that La could be used as a potential candidate in the management of insecticide-induced alterations of the reproductive cycle of rodents.
Factors that affect migratory Western Atlantic red knots (Calidris canutus rufa) and their prey during spring staging on Virginia’s barrier islands
Authors: Heller Erin L. , Karpanty Sarah M. , Cohen Jonathan B. , Catlin Daniel H. , Ritter Shannon J. , Truitt Barry R. , Fraser James D.
Published: July 2022

Understanding factors that influence a species’ distribution and abundance across the annual cycle is required for range-wide conservation. Thousands of imperiled red knots (Calidris cantus rufa) stop on Virginia’s barrier islands each year to replenish fat during spring migration. We investigated the variation in red knot presence and flock size, the effects of prey on this variation, and factors influencing prey abundance on Virginia’s barrier islands. We counted red knots and collected potential prey samples at randomly selected sites from 2007–2018 during a two-week period during early and peak migration. Core samples contained crustaceans (Orders Amphipoda and Calanoida), blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), coquina clams (Donax variabilis), and miscellaneous prey (horseshoe crab eggs (Limulus polyphemus), angel wing clams (Cyrtopleura costata), and other organisms (e.g., insect larvae, snails, worms)). Estimated red knot peak counts in Virginia during 21–27 May were highest in 2012 (11,959) and lowest in 2014 (2,857; 12-year peak migrationx¯= 7,175, SD = 2,869). Red knot and prey numbers varied across sampling periods and substrates (i.e., peat and sand). Red knots generally used sites with more prey. Miscellaneous prey (x¯= 2401.00/m2, SE = 169.16) influenced red knot presence at a site early in migration, when we only sampled on peat banks. Coquina clams (x¯= 1383.54/m2, SE = 125.32) and blue mussels (x¯= 777.91/m2, SE = 259.31) affected red knot presence at a site during peak migration, when we sampled both substrates. Few relationships between prey and red knot flock size existed, suggesting that other unmeasured factors determined red knot numbers at occupied sites. Tide and mean daily water temperature affected prey abundance. Maximizing the diversity, availability, and abundance of prey for red knots on barrier islands requires management that encourages the presence of both sand and peat bank intertidal habitats.
Diagnostic of FibroTouch and six serological models in assessing the degree of liver fibrosis among patients with chronic hepatic disease: A single-center retrospective study
Authors: Zuo Zhongbao , Cui Huaizhong , Wang Miaochan , Huang Congxiang , Wu Jing , Tao Chengjing , Li Zhaoyi , Yang Chunli , Pan Kenv , Bao Jianfeng , Liu Shourong , Xu Aifang
Published: July 2022

Background and aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of FibroTouch and serological models on staging hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver diseases.

Methods

We recruited 850 patients undergoing liver biopsy and received FibroTouch test before or after liver biopsy within one week, blood was taken for the routine inspection before the operation within one week. The serological models were calculated by the blood results and routine clinical information. The diagnostic value of FibroTouch and six serological models was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).

Results

Patients with severe liver fibrosis had significantly higher AST, ALT, GGT, RDW, ALP, and FT-LSM. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of FT-LSM for the liver diagnosis of S≥2, S≥3 and S = 4 was 0.75(95% confidence interval [CI]:0.72–0.78), 0.83(95% CI: 0.80–0.86), and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.81–0.89), respectively. The optimal cut-off of FT-LSM for diagnosing S≥2, S≥3 and S = 4 was 8.7, 10.7, and 12.3, respectively.

Conclusions

Our study showed the FibroTouch has a higher diagnostic value compared with the non-invasive serological models in staging the fibrosis stage. The cut-off of FibroTouch and five serological models (APRI, FIB-4, S-index, Forns, and PRP) increased with the severe of fibrosis stage.
Predicting the HIV/AIDS epidemic and measuring the effect of AIDS Conquering Project in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Authors: Ma Shizhao , Chen Yi , Lai Xiulan , Lan Guanghua , Ruan Yuhua , Shen Zhiyong , Zhu Qiuying , Tang Shuai
Published: July 2022

To control the HIV/AIDS epidemics in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China, Guangxi government launched the 5-year Guangxi AIDS Conquering Project (GACP, Phase I: 2010-2014, Phase II: 2015-2020). In the project, three measures are implemented, such as great improvements of the coverage of HIV/AIDS education, promotion of HIV voluntary counseling and testing, and enhancement of antiretroviral treatment. In this paper, we explore the effects of the three measures of GACP by construction of a Susceptible-Infected-Diagnosed-Treated population compartments model and via evaluation of the basic reproduction number derived from the model. A computational framework is developed for estimating the model parameters based on the HIV surveillance data, with application of the Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo method and Nonlinear Least Squares method. By estimating the new infections and evaluating the basic reproduction number, we find that the implementation of the three measures of GACP has a significant effect on controlling the rise of HIV/AIDS cases and the epidemic trend. Compared with HIV voluntary counseling and testing, strengthening HIV/AIDS education and expanding the coverage of antiretroviral treatment show a greater impact on HIV/AIDS epidemic control, which provides a reference project for other provinces with a similar epidemic situation in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. At the same time, our research fills the current research gap for the evaluation of large-scale AIDS prevention and control projects in developing areas.
A pilot phase Ib/II study of whole-lung low dose radiation therapy (LDRT) for the treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia: First experience from Africa
Authors: Saleh Mansoor , Sharma Karishma , Shah Jasmit , Karsan Farrok , Waweru Angela , Musumbi Martin , Shah Reena , Sayed Shahin , Abayo Innocent , Karimi Noureen , Gondi Stacey , Rupani Sehrish , Kirathe Grace , Amariati Heldah
Published: July 2022

Background

Low dose radiation therapy (LDRT) has been used for non-malignant conditions since early 1900s based on the ability of single fractions between 50–150 cGy to inhibit cellular proliferation. Given scarcity of resources, poor access to vaccines and medical therapies within low and middle income countries, there is an urgent need to identify other cost-effective alternatives in management of COVID-19 pneumonia. We conducted a pilot phase Ib/II investigator-initiated clinical trial to assess the safety, feasibility, and toxicity of LDRT in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Additionally, we also assessed clinical benefit in terms of improvement in oxygenation at day 3 following LDRT and the ability to avoid mechanical ventilation at day 7 post LDRT.

Methods

Patients with both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and high-resolution computer tomogram (HRCT) confirmed severe COVID-19 pneumonia, not improving on conventional therapy including Dexamethasone and with increasing oxygen requirement were enrolled in the study. Patients on mechanical ventilation were excluded. Eligible patients received a single 100cGy fraction to the whole lung. In the absence of any dose limiting toxicity the study proposed to treat a total of 10 patients. The primary endpoints were to assess the safety/feasibility, and toxicity within the first 24 hours post LDRT. The secondary endpoints were to assess efficacy of LDRT at Day 3, 7, 14 and 28 post LDRT.

Results

Ten patients were treated with LDRT. All (100%) of patients were able to complete LDRT without treatment related SAE within the first 24 hours post treatment. None of the patients treated with LDRT experienced any acute toxicity as defined by change in clinical and respiratory status at 24hr following LDRT. Majority (90%) of patients avoided mechanical ventilation within 7 days of LDRT. Four patients (40%) demonstrated at least 25% improvement in oxygen requirements within 3 days. Six patients (60%) were discharged and remained off oxygen, whereas four progressed and died (1 due to sepsis and 3 in cytokine storm). Median time to discharge (n = 6) was 16.5 days and median time to death (n = 4) was 11.0 days. Patients who ultimately died showed elevated inflammatory markers including Ferritin, CRP and D-dimers as compared to those who were discharged alive.

Conclusion

LDRT was feasible, safe and shows promise in the management of severe COVID-19 pneumonia including in patients progressing on conventional systemic treatment. Additional phase II trials are warranted to identify patients most likely to benefit from LDRT.
Deep learning based lithology classification of drill core images
Authors: Fu Dong , Su Chao , Wang Wenjun , Yuan Rongyao
Published: July 2022

Drill core lithology is an important indicator reflecting the geological conditions of the drilling area. Traditional lithology identification usually relies on manual visual inspection, which is time-consuming and professionally demanding. In recent years, the rapid development of convolutional neural networks has provided an innovative way for the automatic prediction of drill core images. In this work, a core dataset containing a total of 10 common lithology categories in underground engineering was constructed. ResNeSt-50 we adopted uses a strategy of combining channel-wise attention and multi-path network to achieve cross-channel feature correlations, which significantly improves the model accuracy without high model complexity. Transfer learning was used to initialize the model parameters, to extract the feature of core images more efficiently. The model achieved superior performance on testing images compared with other discussed CNN models, the average value of its Precision, Recall, F1−score for each category of lithology is 99.62%, 99.62%, and 99.59%, respectively, and the prediction accuracy is 99.60%. The test results show that the proposed method is optimal and effective for automatic lithology classification of borehole cores.
Azithromycin possesses biofilm–inhibitory activity and potentiates non-bactericidal colistin methanesulfonate (CMS) and polymyxin B against Klebsiella pneumonia
Authors: Moshynets Olena V. , Baranovskyi Taras P. , Cameron Scott , Iungin Olga S. , Pokholenko Ianina , Jerdan Robyn , Kamyshnyi Aleksandr , Krikunov Alexey A. , Potochilova Viktoria V. , Rudnieva Kateryna L. , Spiers Andrew J.
Published: July 2022

Novel antibiotic combinations may act synergistically to inhibit the growth of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens but predicting which combination will be successful is difficult, and standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing may not identify important physiological differences between planktonic free-swimming and biofilm-protected surface-attached sessile cells. Using a nominally macrolide-resistant model Klebsiella pneumoniae strain (ATCC 10031) we demonstrate the effectiveness of several macrolides in inhibiting biofilm growth in multi-well plates, and the ability of azithromycin (AZM) to improve the effectiveness of the antibacterial last-agent-of-choice for K. pneumoniae infections, colistin methanesulfonate (CMS), against biofilms. This synergistic action was also seen in biofilm tests of several K. pneumoniae hospital isolates and could also be identified in polymyxin B disc-diffusion assays on azithromycin plates. Our work highlights the complexity of antimicrobial-resistance in bacterial pathogens and the need to test antibiotics with biofilm models where potential synergies might provide new therapeutic opportunities not seen in liquid culture or colony-based assays.
STAT and Janus kinase targeting by human herpesvirus 8 interferon regulatory factor in the suppression of type-I interferon signaling
Authors: Xiang Qiwang , Yang Zunlin , Nicholas John
Published: July 2022

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus, is involved etiologically in AIDS-associated KS, primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), and multicentric Castleman’s disease, in which both viral latent and lytic functions are important. HHV-8 encodes four viral interferon regulatory factors (vIRFs) that are believed to contribute to viral latency (in PEL cells, at least) and/or to productive replication via suppression of cellular antiviral and stress signaling. Here, we identify vIRF-1 interactions with signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) factors 1 and 2, interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) cofactor IRF9, and associated signal transducing Janus kinases JAK1 and TYK2. In naturally infected PEL cells and in iSLK epithelial cells infected experimentally with genetically engineered HHV-8, vIRF-1 depletion or ablation, respectively, led to increased levels of active (phosphorylated) STAT1 and STAT2 in IFNβ-treated, and untreated, cells during lytic replication and to associated cellular-gene induction. In transfected 293T cells, used for mechanistic studies, suppression by vIRF-1 of IFNβ-induced phospho-STAT1 (pSTAT1) was found to be highly dependent on STAT2, indicating vIRF-1-mediated inhibition and/or dissociation of ISGF3-complexing, resulting in susceptibility of pSTAT1 to inactivating dephosphorylation. Indeed, coprecipitation experiments involving targeted precipitation of ISGF3 components identified suppression of mutual interactions by vIRF-1. In contrast, suppression of IFNβ-induced pSTAT2 was effected by regulation of STAT2 activation, likely via detected inhibition of TYK2 and its interactions with STAT2 and IFN type-I receptor (IFNAR). Our identified vIRF-1 interactions with IFN-signaling mediators STATs 1 and 2, co-interacting ISGF3 component IRF9, and STAT-activating TYK2 and the suppression of IFN signaling via ISGF3, TYK2-STAT2 and TYK2-IFNAR disruption and TYK2 inhibition represent novel mechanisms of vIRF function and HHV-8 evasion from host-cell defenses.
Desenvolvimento e caracterização microbiológica e físico-química de bebida láctea probiótica, fonte de proteína
Authors: Coutinho Gabryelle Araújo , Pereira Pollyanna Cardoso , Fernandes Ana Luísa Pacheco Solar , Zambaldi Juliana Nogueira Santos , Fonseca Fernanda De Fátima
Published: July 2022

Bebida láctea fermentada consiste em uma inovação e alternativa de produto lácteo refrigerado, com alto valor agregado. O soro de leite fermentado por bactérias probióticas, em quantidades apropriadas, proporciona benefícios à saúde, tendo as proteínas como os componentes de maior valor nutricional. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver e caracterizar duas formulações (F1 e F2) de bebidas lácteas probióticas, fonte de proteínas, com as culturas de Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus e Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (F1); e Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus e Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (F2). Após o desenvolvimento realizou-se análise microbiológica, físico-química e composição centesimal das duas formulações e constatou-se que as bebidas lácteas atenderam à legislação quanto à viabilidade das bactérias probióticas, no consumo de uma porção (100 g), durante o armazenamento refrigerado a 7 °C por 21 dias, com contagens médias de 107 e 108 UFC/g. As formulações apresentaram acidez elevada e pH baixo: 0,846%; pH 4,53 (F1) e 1,017%; pH 4,30 (F2). O teor médio de proteínas foi de 11,33% e 11,53% na F1 e F2 respectivamente, sendo consideradas fontes de proteínas, segundo a Resolução nº 54/2012 da ANVISA.
Influence of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species on udder health and milk quality
Authors: Vargas Renison Teles , Andrade Patrícia Vilhena Dias , Cerqueira Mônica Maria Oliveira Pinho , Souza Fernando Nogueira , Guimarães Juliana Ribeiro , Guimarães Ladeira Cristiane Viana , Melo Marília Martins , Facury Filho Elias Jorge , Brandão Humberto Mello , Guimarães Alessandro De Sá
Published: July 2022

A mastite é considerada a doença de maior importância nos rebanhos leiteiros. Ocasiona grandes perdas econômicas aos produtores e diminuição da qualidade e do rendimento do leite para a indústria. Pouco se fala a respeito da formação das espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio na glândula mamária e os efeitos negativos destes compostos na qualidade do leite. Porém, estudos demonstram que no processo inflamatório durante a mastite, ocorrem uma série de reações químicas que levam a alterações de enzimas e formação de compostos tóxicos, que quando consumidos frequentemente no leite e a longo prazo, podem trazer consequências negativas à saúde do consumidor. Assim, a presente revisão destaca o efeito deletério dos compostos oxidativos na qualidade do leite e suas possíveis implicações para a saúde do úbere.
ICESAT-2 Lidar retrievals for a smoke and clouds case: estimates in the south america region
Authors: Silva Renato Ramos da , Sakagami Yoshiaki , Haas Reinaldo
Published: July 2022

The present study aims to estimate the height of smoke aerosols and clouds from the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) instrument sensor onboard the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2). The study was conducted during the dry season on September 14th of 2020, when there was a large number spot of biomass burning fires and smoke aerosol layers over the Amazon and the South American region. Most often, the smoke plumes move with southward winds, along the east of the Andes. During this period occasionally polar cold fronts move from the south, meeting the smoke aerosol layers. Initially, daily images from the polar orbit satellites such as Terra, Aqua, NOAA and Suomi were used to identify the spatial location of smoke plumes and clouds over the region. Then, ICESat-2 tracks were analyzed to evaluate their presence in the study area. The results show that ICESat-2 data retrieval is able to estimate the height of the aerosol layer and the top of the cloud. Some tracks show clearly higher clouds, with tops reaching about 12-13 km, when there is the presence of a cold front or deep convective cumulonimbus. Over clear sky regions where smoke is observed, estimated heights from the lidar are on the order of 3-4 km. Local profiles of temperature obtained from radiosondes show inversion layers at similar heights as detected by the lidar sensor. These inversion layers seem to be associated with the warming effect of the absorbing biomass burning aerosols.
Von der Biopolitik zur Nekro-Ökonomie
Authors: Cziesla Florian
Published: July 2022

Jean Baudrillards Beitrag zum Diskurs der Biopolitik ist bisher unberücksichtigt geblieben. Florian Cziesla rekonstruiert diesen im Anschluss an Martin Saars Überlegungen zur genealogischen Kritik sowie in kritischer Auseinandersetzung mit maßgeblichen Texten zur Biopolitik von Michel Foucault und Giorgio Agamben als Genealogie der politischen Ökonomie des Todes. Verbunden wird die als genealogische Intervention präsentierte Kritik Baudrillards schließlich mit Mike Hills und Warren Montags Reflexionen zur tödlichen Logik im Herzen liberaler und neoliberaler Theorie.
Derivas de un encuentro necesario: la extensión entre cuerpos y producción de sentidos
Authors: Contino Paula , Di Santo Antonella , Rosso Estefanía
Published: July 2022

En una multiplicidad de recorridos que se sitúan en la Universidad Nacional de Rosario, partimos de comprender a la extensión como lazo social y comunicacional que se construye y se convierte en mirada integral sobre los procesos de enseñanza–aprendizaje cuando acontece el encuentro que deviene en ecología de saberes. Así, el aula desborda sus límites materiales y simbólicos en la aparición de la alteridad que reconoce sujetos de derecho entramados en cuerpos individuales y sociales entre territorios dialogantes.
Apuntes para una cultura martirial
Authors: Rosado Calderón Juan
Published: July 2022

La edificación de una nueva cultura es un desafío ineludible para los cristianos en el momento histórico actual. Pero en fidelidad a la tradición espiritual, una tarea así tendrá que empezar en las fuentes mismas del ser cristiano, como una acción derivada del culto que haga crecer a la persona. Como una exigencia para la juventud cristiana, en este escrito sondearemos los rasgos de esa cultura concebida como una presencia comunitaria novedosa, como una iniciación al misterio, como un modo singular de estar y de pensar, y, por tanto, de comunicar martirialmente la verdad cristiana.
Consumo de energía y ecología
Authors: Udías Vallina Agustín
Published: July 2022

El hombre, a diferencia de otros seres vivos, consume una gran cantidad de energía para sus múltiples necesidades que va aumentando con el incremento de la población y de su desarrollo material. Este aumento se ha acelerado desde la revolución industrial. Actualmente, el consumo de energía mundial anual se estima en 556 exajulios, o 160.000 teravatios. Desde 1800 el consumo ha aumentado de forma exponencial desde 5.600 a 160.000 teravatios, al aumentar tanto la población de 1.000 millones a 7.900 millones como el desarrollo de los países. Además, el consumo es muy diferente de unos países a otros. En kilovatios-hora por persona y año varía entre 26.500 de Noruega y 180 de Nigeria. Existe, por lo tanto, una relación directa entre el consumo de energía y el PIB de los países. Por otro lado, el porcentaje actual de las fuentes de energía es de 85% de combustible fósiles de lo que siguen dos efectos negativos: el agotamiento de los recursos y el aumento de la contaminación. Sin embargo, se da una relación directa entre consumo de energía y calidad de vida. Además, el consumo de energía incide fuertemente en los problemas ecológicos. Una visión cristiana del problema, de acuerdo con la Laudato si’ del papa Francisco, implica la necesidad de introducir una ecología integral.
Ciudad educadora, lenguaje, sociedad y escuela
Authors: Quitián Bernal Sandra Patricia , Montoya Castillo Mario
Published: July 2022

Esta edición 26(1) de la revista Enunciación aborda, principalmente, la temática de lenguaje, sociedad y escuela. El proceso editorial se tejió en medio de dos acontecimientos tempestuosos y difíciles: uno para la humanidad entera y otro para nuestro país. Nos referimos a la pandemia generada por el covid-19 y a la movilización de ciudadanos que manifiestan su descontento en el espacio público a través de acciones colectivas de protesta, en las que emergen formas de ser, pensar y sentir. En los dos casos, y desde cierto plano, el telón de fondo es muy próximo: la necesidad de una nueva forma de habitar la sociedad y su transformación política. Dicha transformación quizá encuentren una potencia enorme en la convergencia crítica de lenguaje, sociedad y escuela, en el que se reconozca que la imaginación, la ficción, el lenguaje, la educación (cualquiera que sea el escalón de la pirámide escolar) y la crítica son vías que contribuyen, auténticamente, a este propósito, a las trasformaciones que tanto se requieren para reafirmar la vida, para abrir senderos enamorados de futuro, en el que el mobiliario del mundo fije en la palabra una posibilidad potente para darle sentido a la existencia. Las crisis, ya se sabe, requieren siempre de una actitud crítica y del des-borde de la imaginación para abrir ventanas a nuevos paisajes y posibilidades para, insistimos, defender y reafirmar la vida.
Costos de aprovechamiento del manejo forestal comunitario en Colombia: impactos, lecciones aprendidas y desafíos
Authors: Yepes Quintero Adriana Patricia , Agudelo-López Mónica , González-Vargas Carlos , Mora-Rodríguez Edgar , Chaux-Echeverri Chaux-Echeverri , Santos-Acuña Lucio , Fernández-Ugalde José Carlos
Published: July 2022

Desde el año 2018, el Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, la FAO y la Unión Europea vienen apoyando la implementación de ocho pilotos sobre el manejo forestal comunitario de bosques naturales. En este contexto, se realizó la caracterización de la cadena de la madera de cada núcleo forestal, junto con la compilación de los costos de aprovechamiento, con el fin de identificar los cuellos de botella y áreas de mejora, así como para avanzar hacia la formalización de las iniciativas y su sostenibilidad. Este artículo analiza los costos, las condiciones del aprovechamiento y las del mercado en cuatro núcleos forestales, e identifica las principales barreras que influyen en la sostenibilidad del modelo. Los resultados indican que estas barreras son particulares a cada zona y, si bien hay puntos en común entre algunos territorios, no deben ser generalizadas para un modelo nacional. Estos hallazgos sugieren la necesidad de acciones puntuales en cada núcleo, las cuales se presentan como recomendaciones.
Conflictos ambientales en Colombia: reflexiones sobre sus cambios positivos a partir de una revisión de literatura
Authors: Morales Diana , Ungar Ronderos Paola María
Published: July 2022

Los conflictos ambientales han venido aumentando en Colombia y América Latina, y han emergido diferentes políticas públicas que le apuestan a resolverlos. Con base en una revisión de literatura, indagamos por las formas en que se han entendido los cambios positivos en los conflictos ambientales en el país, así como por las condiciones que se han identificado como favorables para estos cambios. Las nociones de resolución y transformación, aunque tienen diferentes genealogías conceptuales e implicaciones políticas, podrían ser consideradas complementarias en la práctica. Dentro de los factores favorables a los cambios positivos encontramos el fortalecimiento de la organización comunitaria, el establecimiento de procesos de diálogo sostenidos en el tiempo que permitan construir confianza, las herramientas legales que garanticen la participación social en las decisiones ambientales y la apropiación de diferentes formas de conocimiento. Concluimos con recomendaciones para la operación de los Centros Regionales de Diálogo Ambiental propuestos por el Estado colombiano en 2018.
Redescubrimiento, redescripción y neotipificación de Agave cundinamarcensis y Agave wallisii (Agavaceae) para la flora de Colombia
Authors: Giraldo-Cañas Diego
Published: July 2022

As result of recent studies of South American Agavaceae, the Colombian species Agave cundinamarcensis A. Berger and Agave wallisii Jacobi, are rediscovered and neotypified and their redescriptions are presented. Based on UICN criteria, A. cundinamarcensis is categorized as “endangered species” (EN), while A. wallisii as “critically endangered” (CR).