bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunity in Space: Prokaryote Adaptations and Immune Response in Microgravity
Authors: Green Macauley J. , Aylott Jonathan W. , Williams Paul , Ghaemmaghami Amir M. , Williams Philip M.
Published: February 2021

Immune dysfunction has long been reported by medical professionals regarding astronauts suffering from opportunistic infections both during their time in space and a short period afterwards once back on Earth. Various species of prokaryotes onboard these space missions or cultured in a microgravity analogue exhibit increased virulence, enhanced formation of biofilms, and in some cases develop specific resistance for specific antibiotics. This poses a substantial health hazard to the astronauts confined in constant proximity to any present bacterial pathogens on long space missions with a finite number of resources including antibiotics. Furthermore, some bacteria cultured in microgravity develop phenotypes not seen in Earth gravity conditions, providing novel insights into bacterial evolution and avenues for research. Immune dysfunction caused by exposure to microgravity may increase the chance of bacterial infection. Immune cell stimulation, toll-like receptors and pathogen-associated molecular patterns can all be altered in microgravity and affect immunological crosstalk and response. Production of interleukins and other cytokines can also be altered leading to immune dysfunction when responding to bacterial infection. Stem cell differentiation and immune cell activation and proliferation can also be impaired and altered by the microgravity environment once more adding to immune dysfunction in microgravity. This review elaborates on and contextualises these findings relating to how bacteria can adapt to microgravity and how the immune system subsequently responds to infection.
Influence-Coefficient Method for Identifying Maximum-Load Configurations and Variable-Load Issues in Manipulators
Authors: Di Gregorio Raffaele , Yilmaz Erkan
Published: February 2021

The dimensioning of general-purpose machines such as manipulators involves the solution of a number of preliminary issues. The determination of reference external loads and the identification of machine configurations that give the maximum internal load for each component are two of these issues. These two problems are commonly addressed through trial-and-error procedures based on dynamic modelling, which are implemented with the support of simulation software, since static analyses are commonly considered inadequate to solve them. Despite this, here, a technique based on influence coefficients and static analyses is presented which solves them. Such technique is also able to foresee and justify dynamic issues (i.e., possible vibrations, etc.) that could heavily affect the machine behavior. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is proved by implementing it on a 3T1R parallel manipulator. The presented design method is general and applicable to any type of non-overconstrained manipulator or mechanism.
Solving the Coriolis Vibratory Gyroscope Motion Equations by Means of the Angular Rate B-Spline Approximation
Authors: Basarab Mikhail , Lunin Boris
Published: February 2021

The exact solution of the movement equation of the Coriolis vibratory gyroscope (CVG) with a linear law of variation of the angular rate of rotation of the base is given. The solution is expressed in terms of the Weber functions (the parabolic cylinder functions) and their asymptotic representations. On the basis of the obtained solution, an analytical solution to the equation of the ring dynamics in the case of piecewise linear approximation of an arbitrary angular velocity profile on a time grid is derived. The piecewise linear solution is compared with the more rough piecewise constant solution and the dependence of the error of such approximations on the sampling step in time is estimated numerically. The results obtained make it possible to significantly reduce the number of operations when it is necessary to study long-range dynamics of oscillations of the system, as well as quantitatively and qualitatively control the convergence of finite-difference schemes for solving the movement equations of the Coriolis vibratory gyroscope.
Dietary Treatment from Birth to Pregnancy in a Woman with Methylmalonic Aciduria
Authors: Kowalik Agnieszka , MacDonald Anita , Sykut-Cegielska Jolanta
Published: February 2021

Methylmalonic aciduria is treated with a natural protein-restricted diet with adequate energy intake to sustain metabolic balance. Natural protein is a source of methylmalonic acid precursors, and intake is individually modified according to the severity and clinical course of the disease. The experience and approach to MMA treatment in European centers is variable with different amounts of natural protein and precursor-free l-amino acids being prescribed, although the outcome appears independent of the use of precursor-free l-amino acids. Further long-term outcome data is necessary for early treated patients with MMA. This case study, a woman with MMA followed from birth to the age of 35 years, including pregnancy, illustrates the long-term course of the disease and lifetime changes in dietary treatment. A low natural protein diet (1.5 g–1.0 g/kg/day) was the foundation of treatment, but temporary supplementation with precursor-free l-amino acids, vitamin-mineral mixture, and energy supplements were necessary at different timepoints (in childhood, adolescence, adulthood and pregnancy). Childhood psychomotor development was slightly delayed but within the normal range in adulthood. There were few episodes of metabolic decompensation requiring IV glucose, but at age 27 years, she required intensive care following steroid treatment. In pregnancy, she remained stable but received intensive biochemical and medical follow-up. This successful long-term follow-up of a patient with MMA from childhood, throughout pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum confirms that careful clinical, biochemical, and dietetic monitoring is crucial to ensure a favourable outcomes in MMA. Personalized treatment is necessary according to the individual clinical course. Knowledge about long-term treatment and clinical outcome is important information to influence future MMA clinical guidelines.
Block Copolymer-Based Magnetic Mixed Matrix Membranes—Effect of Magnetic Field on Protein Permeation and Membrane Fouling
Authors: Upadhyaya Lakshmeesha , Semsarilar Mona , Quemener Damien , Fernández-Pacheco Rodrigo , Martinez Gema , Coelhoso Isabel M. , Nunes Suzana P. , Crespo João G. , Mallada Reyes , Portugal Carla A. M.
Published: February 2021

In this study, we report the impact of the magnetic field on protein permeability through magnetic-responsive, block copolymer, nanocomposite membranes with hydrophilic and hydrophobic characters. The hydrophilic nanocomposite membranes were composed of spherical polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized through polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) with iron oxide NPs coated with quaternized poly(2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate. The hydrophobic nanocomposite membranes were prepared via nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) containing poly (methacrylic acid) and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid-coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPNPs). The permeation experiments were carried out using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the model solute, in the absence of the magnetic field and under permanent and cyclic magnetic field conditions OFF/ON (strategy 1) and ON/OFF (strategy 2). It was observed that the magnetic field led to a lower reduction in the permeate fluxes of magnetic-responsive membranes during BSA permeation, regardless of the magnetic field strategy used, than that obtained in the absence of the magnetic field. Nevertheless, a comparative analysis of the effect caused by the two cyclic magnetic field strategies showed that strategy 2 allowed for a lower reduction of the original permeate fluxes during BSA permeation and higher protein sieving coefficients. Overall, these novel magneto-responsive block copolymer nanocomposite membranes proved to be competent in mitigating biofouling phenomena in bioseparation processes.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of V-Alloyed Rebars Subjected to Tempcore Process
Authors: Ahmed Essam , Ibrahim Samir , Galal Mohamed , Elnekhaily Sarah A. , Allam Tarek
Published: February 2021

Two B400B-R and B500B grade rebars were industrially produced through a Tempcore process. The standard chemical composition of B500B grade was additionally alloyed with 0.067 wt.% V to enhance its mechanical properties. A set of optimized processing parameters were applied to manufacture two different diameters D20 (Ø 20 mm) and D32 (Ø 32 mm). The microstructure -mechanical properties relationships were evaluated using optical and scanning electron microscopes, hardness, and tensile testing. In addition, a thermal model was developed to define the thermal cycle evolution during cooling in the quenching & tempering box (QTB) to simulate the kinetics of V(C,N) precipitation. The microstructure observations showed a typical graded microstructure consisting of ferrite-pearlite core and outer tempered martensite ring for both grades of both diameters. The optimized processing parameters for B400B-R of D32 (compared with D20) resulted in softening of the core (from 160 to 135 HV10) and tempered martensite surface (from 220 to 200 HV10) as well as in decreasing the yield strength (from 455 to 413 MPa) and tensile strength (from 580 to 559 MPa). On the contrary, an increase in hardness of the core (from 165 to 175 HV10) and the outer tempered martensite (from 240 to 270 HV10), in addition to an increase in yield strength (from 510 to 537 MPa) at almost the same level of tensile strength of 624–626 MPa are observed for B500B grade D32 compared with D20. The modeling and simulation calculations suggest that the manufacturing D32 rebars of B500B grade involves longer quenching time in the QTB which allow deeper tempered martensite surface along with a relatively higher core temperature that renders faster kinetics and larger volume fraction of V(C,N) precipitates. The current study demonstrates that the full potential of V-alloying can be exploited when a sufficient quenching time at the equalization temperature is achieved, which is valid for D32 rebars.
Normalized Parameter Creep Model of DD6 Nickel-Based Single Crystal Superalloy
Authors: Wei Dasheng , Liu Yihui , Wang Yanrong , Wang Jialiang , Jiang Xianghua
Published: February 2021

For nickel-based single crystal superalloy DD6 (AECC Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials, Beijing, China) material, a method for predicting creep rupture time was proposed based on a newly defined equivalent stress method. An anisotropic creep model for describing the orientation-dependent creep behavior and lifetime of a nickel-based single crystal superalloy was proposed. The creep subroutine was written based on the proposed nickel-based single crystal creep model. The stability of the model was improved by adjusting the iterative algorithm. The creep calculation results in [001], [011], and [111] loading directions were compared with the experimental results. The accuracy of the calculation results by the nickel-based single crystal creep subroutine was verified. The initial time step and maximum time step of the creep subroutine were studied.
Cutibacterium acnes as an Opportunistic Pathogen: An Update of Its Virulence-Associated Factors
Authors: Mayslich Constance , Grange Philippe Alain , Dupin Nicolas
Published: February 2021

Cutibacterium acnes is a member of the skin microbiota found predominantly in regions rich in sebaceous glands. It is involved in maintaining healthy skin and has long been considered a commensal bacterium. Its involvement in various infections has led to its emergence as an opportunist pathogen. Interactions between C. acnes and the human host, including the human skin microbiota, promote the selection of C. acnes strains capable of producing several virulence factors that increase inflammatory capability. This pathogenic property may be related to many infectious mechanisms, such as an ability to form biofilms and the expression of putative virulence factors capable of triggering host immune responses or enabling C. acnes to adapt to its environment. During the past decade, many studies have identified and characterized several putative virulence factors potentially involved in the pathogenicity of this bacterium. These virulence factors are involved in bacterial attachment to target cells, polysaccharide-based biofilm synthesis, molecular structures mediating inflammation, and the enzymatic degradation of host tissues. C. acnes, like other skin-associated bacteria, can colonize various ecological niches other than skin. It produces several proteins or glycoproteins that could be considered to be active virulence factors, enabling the bacterium to adapt to the lipophilic environment of the pilosebaceous unit of the skin, but also to the various organs it colonizes. In this review, we summarize current knowledge concerning characterized C. acnes virulence factors and their possible implication in the pathogenicity of C. acnes.
Implication of the Whitefly Protein Vps Twenty Associated 1 (Vta1) in the Transmission of Cotton Leaf Curl Multan Virus
Authors: Chi Yao , Pan Li-Long , Liu Shu-Sheng , Mansoor Shahid , Wang Xiao-Wei
Published: February 2021

Cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMuV) is one of the major casual agents of cotton leaf curl disease. Previous studies show that two indigenous whitefly species of the Bemisia tabaci complex, Asia II 1 and Asia II 7, are able to transmit CLCuMuV, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the transmission are poorly known. In this study, we attempted to identify the whitefly proteins involved in CLCuMuV transmission. First, using a yeast two-hybrid system, we identified 54 candidate proteins of Asia II 1 that putatively can interact with the coat protein of CLCuMuV. Second, we examined interactions between the CLCuMuV coat protein and several whitefly proteins, including vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein (Vps) twenty associated 1 (Vta1). Third, using RNA interference, we found that Vta1 positively regulated CLCuMuV acquisition and transmission by the Asia II 1 whitefly. In addition, we showed that the interaction between the CLCuMuV coat protein and Vta1 from the whitefly Middle East-Asia Minor (MEAM1), a poor vector of CLCuMuV, was much weaker than that between Asia II 1 Vta1 and the CLCuMuV coat protein. Silencing of Vta1 in MEAM1 did not affect the quantity of CLCuMuV acquired by the whitefly. Taken together, our results suggest that Vta1 may play an important role in the transmission of CLCuMuV by the whitefly.
Combination Regimens of Favipiravir Plus Interferon Alpha Inhibit Chikungunya Virus Replication in Clinically Relevant Human Cell Lines
Authors: Franco Evelyn J. , Tao Xun , Hanrahan Kaley C. , Zhou Jieqiang , Bulitta Jürgen B. , Brown Ashley N.
Published: February 2021

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alphavirus associated with a broad tissue tropism for which no antivirals or vaccines are approved. This study evaluated the antiviral potential of favipiravir (FAV), interferon-alpha (IFN), and ribavirin (RBV) against CHIKV as mono- and combination-therapy in cell lines that are clinically relevant to human infection. Cells derived from human connective tissue (HT-1080), neurons (SK-N-MC), and skin (HFF-1) were infected with CHIKV and treated with different concentrations of FAV, IFN, or RBV. Viral supernatant was sampled daily and the burden was quantified by plaque assay on Vero cells. FAV and IFN were the most effective against CHIKV on various cell lines, suppressing the viral burden at clinically achievable concentrations; although the degree of antiviral activity was heavily influenced by cell type. RBV was not effective and demonstrated substantial toxicity, indicating that it is not a feasible candidate for CHIKV. The combination of FAV and IFN was then assessed on all cell lines. Combination therapy enhanced antiviral activity in HT-1080 and SK-N-MC cells, but not in HFF-1 cells. We developed a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model that described the viral burden and inhibitory antiviral effect. Simulations from this model predicted clinically relevant concentrations of FAV plus IFN completely suppressed CHIKV replication in HT-1080 cells, and considerably slowed down the rate of viral replication in SK-N-MC cells. The model predicted substantial inhibition of viral replication by clinical IFN regimens in HFF-1 cells. Our results highlight the antiviral potential of FAV and IFN combination regimens against CHIKV in clinically relevant cell types.
Label-Free Homogeneous microRNA Detection in Cell Culture Medium Based on Graphene Oxide and Specific Fluorescence Quenching
Authors: Nitu Florentin R. , Savu Lorand , Muraru Sorin , Stoian Ioan , Ionită Mariana
Published: February 2021

Label-free homogeneous optical detection of low concentration of oligonucleotides using graphene oxide in complex solutions containing proteins remains difficult. We used a colloidal graphene oxide (GO) as a fluorescent probe quencher to detect microRNA-21 spiked-in cell culture medium, overcoming previously reported problematic aspects of protein interference with graphene oxide. We used a “turn off” assay for specific quenching-based detection of oligo DNA-microRNA hybridization in solution. A fluorescein conjugated 30-mer single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probe was combined with a complementary synthetic microRNA (18 nucleotides) target. The probe-target hybridization was detected by specific quenching due to photoinduced electron transfer (PET). On the next step, GO captures and quenches the unhybridized probe by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) in the presence of cell culture medium supplemented with platelet lysate, 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.1% Triton X-100 and 50% formamide. This resulted in sensitive measurement of the specific probe-target complexes remaining in solution. The detection is linear in the range of 1 nM and 8 nM in a single 100 μL total volume assay sample containing 25% cell culture medium supplemented with platelet lysate. We highlight a general approach that may be adopted for microRNA target detection within complex physiological media.
miR-24 Targets the Transmembrane Glycoprotein Neuropilin-1 in Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Mone Pasquale , Gambardella Jessica , Wang Xujun , Jankauskas Stanislovas S. , Matarese Alessandro , Santulli Gaetano
Published: February 2021

Neuropilin-1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that has been implicated in several processes including angiogenesis and immunity. Recent evidence has also shown that it is implied in the cellular internalization of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We hypothesized that specific microRNAs can target Neuropilin-1. By combining bioinformatic and functional approaches, we identified miR-24 as a regulator of Neuropilin-1 transcription. Since Neuropilin-1 has been shown to play a key role in the endothelium-mediated regulation of the blood-brain barrier, we validated miR-24 as a functional modulator of Neuropilin-1 in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs), which are the most suitable cell line for an in vitro blood–brain barrier model.
Greenhouse Evaluation of Clubroot Resistant-Brassica napus cv. Mendel and Its Efficacy Concerning Virulence and Soil Inoculum Levels of Plasmodiophora brassicae
Authors: Zamani-Noor Nazanin , Krohne Imke , Koopmann Birger
Published: February 2021

Clubroot resistance of oilseed rape (OSR) cultivars frequently relies on a major resistance gene originating from cv. Mendel. The efficacy of this resistance was studied in greenhouse experiments using two Plasmodiophora brassicae isolates, which were either virulent (P1(+)) or avirulent (P1) on Mendel. Seeds of clubroot-susceptible cultivar Visby and clubroot-resistant cultivar Mendel were sown in soil mixtures inoculated with different concentrations of resting spores (101, 103, 105, and 107 resting spores/g soil). Clubroot severity, plant height, shoot and root weight as well as resting spore propagation were assessed for each isolate and cultivar separately at four dates after sowing. The OSR cultivars behaved significantly different in the measured parameters. The threshold of inoculum density to cause disease depended strongly on the virulence of the pathogen and susceptibility of the host plant. In Visby grown in soil infested with P1, clubroot symptoms and increases in root weight and the number of propagated resting spores occurred at inoculum levels of 101 resting spores and higher, whereas Mendel was not affected in soils under the three lowest inoculum densities. In contrast, the P1(+) isolate led to earlier and more severe symptoms, heavier galls, and a significantly higher number of new resting spores in both cultivars.
Transformation of Salicylic Acid and Its Distribution in Tea Plants (Camellia sinensis) at the Tissue and Subcellular Levels
Authors: Li Jianlong , Xiao Yangyang , Fan Qian , Liao Yinyin , Wang Xuewen , Fu Xiumin , Gu Dachuan , Chen Yiyong , Zhou Bo , Tang Jinchi , Zeng Lanting
Published: February 2021

Salicylic acid (SA) is a well-known immune-related hormone that has been well studied in model plants. However, less attention has been paid to the presence of SA and its derivatives in economic plants, such as tea plants (Camellia sinensis). This study showed that tea plants were rich in SA and responded differently to different pathogens. Feeding experiments in tea tissues further confirmed the transformation of SA into salicylic acid 2-O-β-glucoside (SAG) and methyl salicylate. Nonaqueous fractionation techniques confirmed that SA and SAG were mostly distributed in the cytosol of tea leaves, consistent with distributions in other plant species. Furthermore, the stem epidermis contained more SA than the stem core both in C. sinensis cv. “Jinxuan” (small-leaf species) and “Yinghong No. 9” (large-leaf species). Compared with cv. “Yinghong No. 9”, cv. “Jinxuan” contained more SAG in the stem epidermis, which might explain its lower incidence rate of wilt disease. This information will improve understanding of SA occurrence in tea plants and provide a basis for investigating the relationship between SA and disease resistance in tea plants.
Optimization and Validation of an Extraction Method for Endosulfan Lactone on a Solid Substrate
Authors: Vázquez-Villegas Paola T. , Meza-Gordillo Rocío , Luján-Hidalgo María C. , Cruz-Salomón Abumalé , Ruíz-Valdiviezo Víctor M. , Gutiérrez-Miceli Federico A. , Villalobos-Maldonado Juan J. , Montes-Molina Joaquín A.
Published: February 2021

Endosulfan lactone is a metabolite obtained from the biological oxidation of the insecticide endosulfan by action of the microorganisms present in the soil. This metabolite is more toxic and persistent than the parent compound. Therefore, it is extremely important to be able to determine the presence of this metabolite in the soil. However, accessible methods for extraction of endosulfan lactone in soil were not found in published literature. For this reason, the aim of this study was to evaluate two conventional methods of liquid–solid extraction for the determination of endosulfan lactone in solid substrate using two solvents (ethyl acetate and acetonitrile) and HPLC UV-VIS. The acetonitrile and rotary agitation extraction method was the one with the highest efficiency (97%), optimized using a factorial 32 response surface design, and validated in terms of linearity and precision. The linearity shown was r > 0.999 in a wide spike level (0.15–100 mg kg−1), with the detection limit (DL) of 0.045 mg kg−1 and quantification limit (QL) of 0.15 mg kg−1. The extraction of endosulfan lactone in solid substrate using acetonitrile was more efficient than that used with ethyl acetate, so this method could be used to extract and quantify endosulfan lactone in agricultural soil.
Essential Workers, Essential Services? Leitourgia in Light of Lockdown
Authors: Cones Bryan
Published: February 2021

Within days of the outbreak of COVID-19, the language of “essential work” and “essential workers” became commonplace in public discourse. “Church workers” and their in-person liturgical services were largely deemed “non-essential”, and most assemblies shifted worship to online platforms. While some reflection on this virtual “church work” has appeared in the intervening months, there has been less evaluation of the gathered assembly’s absence from the public square, along with the contribution its liturgical work might offer in interpreting the pandemic and its effects. This essay imagines a post-COVID-19 agenda for liturgical studies that focuses on a recovery of Christian liturgy as public, in-person, and “essential” service done for the sake of the polis—a public example of “church doing world”—that proposes a countersign to the inequalities of contemporary consumer culture laid bare in these last months. It begins by engaging in dialogue with the leitourgia of groups who insisted on the essential nature of their public service, in particular the public protests against police violence that marked the summer of 2020. In doing so, it seeks ways liturgical assemblies might better propose a “public theology” of God’s work in the world understood as the concursus Dei, the divine accompanying of creation and humanity within it.
Autonomous Elbow Controller for Differential Drive In-Pipe Robots
Authors: Brown Liam , Carrasco Joaquin , Watson Simon
Published: February 2021

The inspection of legacy nuclear facilities to aid in decommissioning is a world wide issue. One of the challenges is the characterisation of pipe networks within them. This paper presents an autonomous control system for the navigation of these unknown pipe networks, specifically focusing on elbows. The controller utilises three low-cost feeler sensors to navigate the FURO II robot around 150 mm short elbows. The controller is shown to allow the robot to safely navigate around an elbow on all 39 attempts comparing that with the brute force method which only completed five of the nine attempts and damaging the robot. This shows the advantages of the proposed controller. A new metric (Impulse) is also proposed to compare the extra force applied to the robot over the time it is slipping in the elbow due to the errors in the drive unit speeds. Using this metric, the controller is shown to decrease the Impulse applied to the robot by 213.97 Ns when compared to the brute force method.
Synthesis and Characterization of Transparent Biodegradable Chitosan: Exopolysaccharide Composite Films Plasticized by Bio-Derived 1,3-Propanediol
Authors: Vivek Narisetty , Gopalan Nishant , Das Satyajit , Sasikumar Keerthi , Sindhu Raveendran , Nampoothiri Kesavan Madhavan , Pandey Ashok , Binod Parameswaran
Published: February 2021

In this study, chitosan-based composite films blended with a dextran like exopolysaccharide derived from lactic acid bacteria were prepared using the solvent casting method. Later, these composite films were plasticized with 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) produced biologically using biodiesel derived crude glycerol. Further, their physical properties, such as tensile strength, water vapor barrier, thermal behavior, and antioxidant properties, were tested. In comparison to the control chitosan-exopolysaccharide films, 1,3-PDO plasticized films increased tensile strengths (20.08 vs. 43.33 MPa) with an elongation percentage (%E) of 20.73, which was two times more than the control films. As a polymer composite, the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum displayed the characteristic peaks at 1000 cm−1, 1500 cm−1, and 3000–3500 cm−1 to describe the functional groups related to chitosan, exopolysaccharide, and 1,3-PDOThe thermogravimetric analysis displayed a significant three-step degradation at 100–105 °C, 250–400 °C, and 600 °C, where 100% of the films were degraded. The plasticized films were observed to have enhanced water solubility (51%) and rate of moisture absorption (193%). The plasticized films displayed enhanced physico-chemical properties, anti-oxidant properties, and were100% biodegradable.
The Model of “Informed Refusal” for Vaccination: How to Fight against Anti-Vaccinationist Misinformation without Disregarding the Principle of Self-Determination
Authors: D’Errico Stefano , Turillazzi Emanuela , Zanon Martina , Viola Rocco Valerio , Frati Paola , Fineschi Vittorio
Published: February 2021

Vaccines are arguably a public health success story as well as an incredibly cost-effective medical resource. Despite this, worldwide concerns about their safety are growing, with the risk of increased morbidity and mortality in vaccine-preventable diseases because of vaccine refusal. The global political trend in developed countries is to increasingly reduce mandates and the compulsory nature of vaccination programs. This is due to strong opposition from anti-vaccination movements and groups. While these have existed since the beginnings of vaccinology, they have recently gained a strong foothold through massive exploitation of the media and especially the internet. This has led to widespread misinformation and greater difficulty for governments and health institutions in dealing with parents’ concerns and misconceptions. Common strategies in order to maintain a high degree of public acceptance of vaccines include the enhancement of adverse effect reporting systems, the enrichment of scientific literature, and the dissemination of targeted information to parents and health care providers. Vaccine risk perception, in fact, largely exceeds the evidence and is linked to well-known general population cognitive bias, which must be recognized and corrected. Although there is no doubt about the convenience of universal vaccination, a lively international debate is underway with regard to the legitimacy of mandatory vaccination programs. Most scientists agree that the individual’s right to self-determination should be preserved. The only way to simultaneously protect the right to health is to introduce an informed refusal model, which aims to guarantee the highest coverage rates for vaccination.
Ethics of Vaccination in Childhood—A Framework Based on the Four Principles of Biomedical Ethics
Authors: Rus Meta , Groselj Urh
Published: February 2021

Although vaccination is recognised as the top public health achievement of the twentieth century, unequivocal consensus about its beneficence does not exist among the general population. In countries with well-established immunisation programmes, vaccines are “victims of their own success”, because low incidences of diseases now prevented with vaccines diminished the experience of their historical burdens. Increasing number of vaccine-hesitant people in recent years threatens, or even effectively disables, herd immunity levels of the population and results in outbreaks of previously already controlled diseases. We aimed to apply a framework for ethical analysis of vaccination in childhood based on the four principles of biomedical ethics (respect for autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence and justice) to provide a comprehensive and applicable model on how to address the ethical aspects of vaccination at both individual and societal levels. We suggest finding an “ethical equilibrium”, which means that the degree of respect for parents’ autonomy is not constant, but variable; it shall depend on the level of established herd immunity and it is specific for every society. When the moral obligation of individuals to contribute to herd immunity is not fulfilled, mandatory vaccination policies are ethically justified, because states bear responsibility to protect herd immunity as a common good.
Implementing advance care planning in heart failure: a qualitative study of primary healthcare professionals
Authors: Schichtel Markus , MacArtney John I , Wee Bee , Boylan Anne-Marie
Published: February 2021

Background

Advance care planning (ACP) can improve the quality of life of patients suffering from heart failure (HF). However, primary care healthcare professionals (HCPs) find ACP difficult to engage with and patient care remains suboptimal.

Aim

To explore the views of primary care HCPs on how to improve their engagement with ACP in HF.

Design and setting

A qualitative interview study with GPs and primary care nurses in England.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 24 primary care HCPs. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Three main themes were constructed from the data: ACP as integral to holistic care in HF; potentially limiting factors to the doctor–patient relationship; and approaches to improve professional performance. Many HCPs saw the benefits of ACP as synonymous with providing holistic care and improving patients’ quality of life. However, some feared that initiating ACP could irrevocably damage their doctor–patient relationship. Their own fear of death and dying, a lack of disease-specific communication skills, and uncertainty about the right timing were significant barriers to ACP. To optimise their engagement with ACP in HF, HCPs recommended better clinician–patient dialogue through question prompts, enhanced shared decision-making approaches, synchronising ACP across medical specialties, and disease-specific training.

Conclusion

GPs and primary care nurses are vital to deliver ACP for patients suffering from HF. HCPs highlighted important areas to improve their practice and the urgent need for investigations into better clinician–patient engagement with ACP.
Factors associated with potentially missed acute deterioration in primary care: cohort study of UK general practices
Authors: Cecil Elizabeth , Bottle Alex , Majeed Azeem , Aylin Paul
Published: February 2021

Background

In the UK, while most primary care contacts are uncomplicated, safety incidents do occur and result in patient harm, for example, failure to recognise a patient’s deterioration in health.

Aim

To determine the patient and healthcare factors associated with potentially missed acute deterioration in health.

Design and setting

Cohort of patients registered with English Clinical Practice Research Datalink general practices between 1 April 2014 and 31 December 2017 with linked hospital data.

Method

A potentially missed acute deterioration was defined as a patient having a self-referred admission to hospital having been seen in primary care by a GP in the 3 days beforehand. All diagnoses and subsets of commonly-reported missed conditions were analysed..

Results

A total of 116 097 patients contacted a GP 3 days before an emergency admission. Patients with sepsis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01 to 1.18) or urinary tract infections (aOR 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.14) were more likely to self-refer. The duration of GP appointments was associated with self-referral. On average, a 5-minute increase in appointment time resulted in a 10% decrease in the odds of self-referred admissions (aOR 0.90, 95% CI = 0.89 to 0.91). Patients having a telephone consultation (compared with face-to-face consultation) (aOR 1.14, 95% CI = 1.11 to 1.18) previous health service use, and presence of comorbidities were also associated with self-referred admission.

Conclusion

Differentiating acute deterioration from self-limiting conditions can be difficult for clinicians, particularly in patients with sepsis, urinary tract infections, or long-term conditions. The findings of this study support the call for longer GP consultations and caution against reliance on telephone consultations in primary care; however, more research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.
Criterios de formato y contenido en la revisión por pares de textos académicos con universitarios
Authors: Hernández Corona Alfredo , Peña Pérez Benjamín , Pintle Díaz Brenda Abigail , Morales Chávez Germán
Published: February 2021

Se conceptualiza las habilidades como logros que derivan a partir del cumplimiento de criterios o demandas académicas, entre los que puede hacerse una diferenciación como los referidos al formato del texto (ortografía, normas de citación, etc.) y los relacionados con el contenido del texto (realizar síntesis, ejemplificar o ilustrar eventos y argumentar). Se evaluaron los efectos de utilizar una rúbrica en la revisión por pares sobre el cumplimiento de criterios de formato y contenido en tareas de escritura. Participaron 20 estudiantes de psicología, que intercambiaron textos con pares revisores del mismo grupo durante 20 sesiones. Los resultados indican diferencias en el cumplimiento de ambos tipos de criterio, siendo más evidentes los cambios en los criterios de contenido. Los hallazgos de este estudio se discuten en términos de la utilidad de la revisión por pares y de los “trabajos finales” que son solicitados en los cursos de psicología.
Ansiedad ante exámenes y hábitos de estudio en educación superior
Authors: Ruiz-Segarra María Isabel
Published: February 2021

Esta investigación analiza la ansiedad ante exámenes y los hábitos de estudio en jóvenes (N=179) que cursan estudios tecnológicos universitarios en una institución particular de la ciudad de Quito- Ecuador. El modelo de instigación utilizado fue cuantitativo y con un diseño descriptivo y correlacional. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el “Cuestionario de Hábitos de Estudio y Motivación para el Aprendizaje” y el “Cuestionario de Ansiedad ante Exámenes”. Los resultados evidencian que los hábitos de estudio son deficientes, particularmente la búsqueda de información, la ansiedad ante exámenes está en niveles bajos y existe una correlación negativa entre los hábitos de estudio y la ansiedad ante exámenes. Se concluye que es necesario incorporar programas de intervención para mejorar los hábitos de estudio y que quienes mantienen una rutina adecuada de estudios reportan niveles más bajos de ansiedad a la hora de rendir una evaluación.
Caracterización general y evolución de la personalidad en la primera infancia
Authors: Valarezo Encalada Charly Marlene , Rodríguez Guerrero Diana Belén , Celi Rojas Sonia Zhadira , Sánchez Gahona Viviana Catherine
Published: February 2021

Este artículo destaca el análisis de las diferentes posiciones teóricas relacionadas al desarrollo de la personalidad, las principales características evolutivas entorno a la misma y su influencia en la vida socio afectivo, sin dejar de lado la influencia que tiene el contexto familiar. El objetivo que demanda interés es caracterizar la evolución socioafectiva del niño de 0 a 6 años como un componente básico de la personalidad. Se utilizó el método descriptivo, y el analítico sintético para el análisis de las unidades de estudio. Se concluyó que la personalidad será el resultado del temperamento y las acciones socio educativas que reciba de los adultos más cercanos que lo rodean, su influencia favorece o no su desarrollo sano. De tal manera que, las conductas se irán consolidando en función de las reacciones o estímulos que la familia manifieste ante su comportamiento y de las diferentes experiencias que vaya acumulando.
Diseño de textos digitales accesibles para estudiantes con discapacidad visual
Authors: Castillo Pinos Karina Maribel , Vega Sánchez Alcívar Alejandro , Vásconez Campos Miguel Eduardo , Ochoa Guerrero María Eugenia
Published: February 2021

El presente artículo muestra una propuesta de un diseño de textos digitales accesibles para estudiantes con discapacidad visual de la Unidad de Educación Especial Claudio Neira Garzón en Ecuador. Así mismo, se realiza una revisión teórica en torno a la educación inclusiva, acerca de la discapacidad visual y textos digitales accesibles, considerando las necesidades educativas de los estudiantes con discapacidad visual. Se trabajó con un enfoque cualitativo, bajo un proceso de análisis de desarrollo sistémico, aplicando la metodología de la investigación acción participativa, donde se muestra una propuesta que tiene como finalidad transformar la realidad en el ámbito educativo del colectivo con esta condición. Los resultados obtenidos en la aplicación de la encuesta a los docentes la institución educativa, permitieron concluir que los mismos, carecen de los conocimientos básicos para elaborar textos digitales accesibles para estudiantes con discapacidad visual, por lo cual se elaboró una propuesta para mejorar este aspecto.
El escepticismo profesional del contador público
Authors: Hidalgo Achig Myrian , Hidalgo Achig Milton , Vizuete Achig Marcela , Espín Lorena
Published: February 2021

Los escándalos financieros de los años 80 y 90 en Ecuador, conjuntamente con la crisis financiera actual ha provocado un llamado de atención a los informes recientes de auditorías por parte de las entidades de supervisión, ya que consideran que los auditores independientes deben hacer evidente su escepticismo profesional, pues se constituye en un rasgo esencial que contribuye a la independencia del auditor en la emisión de opiniones de la razonabilidad de la información financiera. La investigación plantea analizar el escepticismo profesional y los elementos que se involucran (atributos, mentalidad, acción) para mejorar la calidad de la auditoria e incrementar la confianza de los usuarios en la información proporcionada por el auditor. La metodología expone un análisis documental, descriptivo – teórico desde la revisión pormenorizada de libros y revistas nacionales e internacionales. Partiendo de los conceptos de auditoría para finalmente describir el escepticismo profesional y su incidencia en la opinión del auditor.
Inseminasi Buatan Berbasis Semen Beku Sexing-Sperm Guna Memperbaiki Kinerja Reproduksi Sapi dan Biogas Sebagai Sumber Energi Alternatif di Desa Kuripan Karangawen Demak
Authors:   Universitas PGRI Semarang, Buchori Achmad , Novita Mega , Azhari Dian Ayu
Published: February 2021

Kuripan is a village in Karangawen District, Demak Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. Based on the source of statistical data for Kuripan Village, Karangawen District, Demak Regency in 2019, people who are in the lower economy are quite high, at about 40%. Basically Kuripan Village has good potential in the livestock sector. The majority of Kuripan Village residents raise beef cattle which fill the Central Java market, around 214,830 Kg per year. Even so, they have not been able to optimize their potential to improve the welfare of their citizens. Through a program of dissemination of appropriate technology products, artificial insemination based on sexing-sperm frozen semen and a digester that produces biogas and organic fertilizers were applied in Kuripan Village. The community development method used in this work makes the community both as the subject and as the object. The result of this activity is an increase in the knowledge and motivation of the residents which ultimately increases their income
La pilule perpétuelle l’est-elle vraiment ?
Authors: Lafont Olivier
Published: February 2021

La pilule d’antimoine était appelée pilule perpétuelle, parce qu’elle pouvait être récupérée et réutilisée après usage. Cet adjectif était-il justifié ? De nombreux

auteurs ont tenté de répondre à cette question. Thibaut dit Le Lorrain a décrit en détail la façon de préparer la pilule d’antimoine et son usage. Il pensait qu’elle ne subissait aucune dégradation. Glaser partageait cette opinion, mais Nicolas Lémery avait remarqué que le poids de la pilule décroissait légèrement au cours de son utilisation et qu’après maints usages, il était nécessaire de limer sa surface pour restaurer son activité. Au cours du XVIIIe siècle, la pilule d’antimoine commença à être considérée comme dangereuse à utiliser. Au XIXe siècle, elle était uniquement considérée comme un médicament historique. La pilule d’antimoine n’était donc pas véritablement perpétuelle, puisqu’elle subissait une dégradation et que son emploi a été limité à une période relativement courte.
Noirot de Nancy, ses liens avec la pharmacie et le monde médical
Authors: Raynal Cécile , Labrude Pierre
Published: February 2021

Les Extraits concentrés T. Noirot destinés à reconstituer des liqueurs, sirops et autres boissons hygiéniques, furent vendus en pharmacie au XXe siècle. Leur créateur, le distillateur nancéien Victor Eugène Théodule Noirot (1863-1948), entretint dès le début de son activité des liens avec le monde pharmaceutique et médical : avec un pharmacien exerçant à proximité de Metz, puis avec les frères Ernest et Louis Monal, pharmaciens installés à Nancy ; enfin avec son gendre le Dr Antonin Bergeret. L’histoire de cette distillerie et ses liens avec la pharmacie sont évoqués à l’aide du témoignage de l’ancien pharmacien Hubert Bergeret, petit-fils du fondateur.
Un pharmacien malacologiste
Authors: Devaux Guy
Published: February 2021

Originaire d’Agde (Hérault) où il naquit en 1799, ce pharmacien du XIXe siècle installé à Vaugirard, localité de la Seine non encore rattachée à Paris, est surtout connu pour ses études sur la taxinomie des Mollusques, particulièrement de certaines coquilles bivalves dont il a précisé genres, espèces, et habitat. Il avait aussi réuni une importante collection de coquilles, dont la majeure partie a été cédée à Benjamin Delessert et se trouve maintenant au Muséum d’histoire naturelle de la ville de Genève. Ce pharmacien naturaliste est décédé à Paris en 1873.
La Pharmacopoea generalis (Strasbourg, 1783) de Jacob Reinbold Spielmann
Authors: Lehmann Hélène
Published: February 2021

Jacob Reinbold Spielmann’s Pharmacopoea generalis – Apothecary, physician and professor (of medicine, of Greek and Latin poetry, of eloquence, but also of chemistry, of botany and of pharmacognosy) at the University of Strasbourg, Jacob Reinbold Spielmann (1722-1783) – especially known for his treatise of chemistry entitled Institutiones chemicae praelectionibus academicis accomodatae (published in 1763) – composed later the Pharmacopoea generalis (published in 1783). This pharmacopoea, the import of which was local – because of its appearance prior to the first edition in France of Codex pharmaceuticus Gallicus (1818) –, and commonly called «Pharmacopoea from Strasbourg», is completely written in Latin. This work is divided in two main parts : the first one is relating to natural substances for pharmaceutical use – from animal, mineral and herbal origin –, while the second one constitutes a kind of materia medica and compiles a list of numerous formulae of pharmaceutical compositions, classified by galenic forms and in alphabetic order. In the bibliography of his Pharmacopoea generalis, Spielmann quotes different authors of pharmacopoeas or of other scientific books as well ancient (Andromachos, Celsius, Dioscorides, Galen, Hippocrates, but also Avicenna, Mesue the Elder and Al-Razi) as more recent or even contemporary (Buffon, Charas, Lemery, Pomet and Sydenham).
L’éducation thérapeutique du patient à l’officine : retour sur un siècle de pédagogie
Authors: Raynal Cécile
Published: February 2021

The therapeutic education of the patient in the pharmacy : return on one century of pedagogy – The chemist is a health educator. Its mission of therapeutic education of the patient (inscribed in the French Code of the public health since 2009) helps the patients to become actors of their medical care. The understanding of pathologies, their prevention and their treatments, leads to the improvement of the entire healthcare system. This article traces the history of the progressive construction of the concept of therapeutic education of the patient at the pharmacy, in France, during the twentieth century. This study is based on a corpus of brochures for patients (almanachs, booklets) distributed initially by some pharmacies concerned with their advertising ; but also over twenty years of the newsletter Info Santé (1977-1997) produced by the CESSPF. This article presents also

three iconic pharmaceutical figures in health education : Dr Pierre Rolland, Pr André Quevauviller

et the chemist Janine Dufouil.
Une histoire de timbres
Authors: Lefebvre Thierry
Published: February 2021

Aux XIXe et XXe siècles, plusieurs entreprises perforaient leur timbresposte pour se prémunir des vols en interne. L’utilisation de timbres perforés de la Pharmacie Centrale de France fut à l’origine d’un accrochage épistolaire entre Eugène-Humbert Guitard et Léon-Gabriel Toraude, respectivement secrétaire et trésorier de la Société d’histoire de la pharmacie.