bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coloquio 61
Authors:   Universidad del Azuay, Córdova-León José Fernando , Laso-Bayas Ramiro ,   Universidad del Azuay, Rodas-Reinbach Diana Lee ,   Universidad del Azuay, Rodas-Abad Efraín ,   Universidad del Azuay, Reyes-Fernández-de-Córdova Norma ,   Universidad del Azuay, Carrasco Sebastián ,   Universidad del Azuay, Rincón-del-Valle Natalia ,   Universidad del Azuay, López Andrés ,   Universidad del Azuay, Bucheli-García Franklin ,   Universidad del Azuay, Zibell Matías ,   Universidad del Azuay
Published: January 2023

También ofrecemos un informe detallado de las distintas labores realizadas por el decano y subdecana de la Facultad de Filosofía en donde se destaca un mensaje claro: el de reforzar y fortalecer nuestra “razón de ser” como Universidad, a través de una serie de actividades académicas con la finalidad de hacer crecer la actividad humana. A continuación, ofrecemos a nuestros profesores y estudiantes de la Facultad de Medicina y a los lectores en general, un aporte sobre el estudio de la apendicitis aguda y algunos consejos para los jóvenes médicos en formación, con el objetivo de establecer cuidadosamente el diagnóstico de la enfermedad y así evitar llegar de los falsos positivos y, peor aún, los peligrosos falsos negativos que pueden llevar a consecuencia lamentables. Por otro lado, una área fundamental a considerar en nuestra universidad es el de la interculturalidad educativa. En este apartado nuestra colega Norma Reyes, nos ofrece una reflexión sobre lo que implica concebir los distintos métodos de aprendizaje debido a que su riqueza está en atender la diversidad de culturas, tomando en consideración que los docentes deben buscar y dar respuestas a los problemas de nuestros estudiantes, fomentando la responsabilidad de la actividad educativa. 40 páginas
Ruta de intervención para articular la Gestión Ambiental en el GAD cantonal de Cuenca
Authors:   Universidad del Azuay, Cordero-Bustos Ana María
Published: January 2023

Esta Ruta de Intervención es una propuesta creada de manera conjunta con los líderes de los GAD Parroquiales participantes en el proyecto, los técnicos de la Comisión de Gestión Ambiental del GAD cantonal de Cuenca y docentes y estudiantes de la Escuela de Derecho de la Universidad del Azuay, con la finalidad de generar estrategias de administración y articulación de la competencia de gestión ambiental. Específicamente para manejar los principales problemas ambientales identificados que son: taponamiento de quebradas o cauces naturales, deforestación por avance de la frontera agrícola, incendios forestales y gestión de fauna urbana. 52 páginas ISBN: 978-9942-778-76-5 e-ISBN: 978-9942-778-78-9
Investigación participativa Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial de la Parroquia Susudel del Cantón Oña
Authors:   Universidad del Azuay, Eljuri-Jaramillo Gabriela , Arteaga-Matute Diego ,   Universidad del Azuay, Brazzero-Oña Mario ,   Universidad del Azuay, Moscoso-Lazo Diana ,   Universidad del Azuay, Muzha Rosendo ,   Universidad del Azuay
Published: January 2023

El libro “Investigación participativa del Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial de la Parroquia Susudel, del Cantón Oña” recoge los resultados de un proyecto de investigación que, bajo el mismo nombre, se llevó a cabo entre los años 2011 y 2015 con recursos provenientes del Fondo Económico del Decanato General de Investigaciones de la Universidad del Azuay, para el financiamiento de proyectos de investigación científica, desarrollo e innovación tecnológica. El proyecto contempló tres componentes: estudio histórico, registro etnográfico y registro etnobótanico, todos estos destinados a aportar, a través de la investigación y la promoción, a la salvaguardia del patrimonio cultural inmaterial, mediante la aplicación de metodologías participativas y un enfoque etnográfico. 314 páginas ISBN: 978-9942-778-83-3 e-ISBN: 978-9942-778-84-0
Current Aspects of Non-Neonatal Tetanus at the University Hospital of Brazzaville
Authors: Voumbo Matoumona Mavoungou Yvonne Valérie Yolande , Gloria Voumbo Yanichka Fernande , Mankoussou Levy , Bendett Lebaho Princesse Espérance , Kinga Fred , Ossibi Ibara Bienvenu Rolland
Published: January 2023

Objective: Tetanus is present in Congo, the objective of this work is to study the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary aspects of non-neonatal tetanus cases and to formulate recommendations. Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted among patients admitted to the infectious diseases department of the University Hospital Center of Brazzaville, from January 1st 2018 to December 31st 2020. The data collected were : age, sex, portal of entry, clinical signs, duration of hospitalization, stage of tetanus as well as evolution. Results: A total of 44 cases of non-neonatal tetanus was found among the 2440 patients admited during the study period, with a frequency of 1.8%. A male predominance was observed, the sex ratio M/F was 4.5. The average age was 31.6 ± 2.9 years with extremes of 6 and 78 years. The age group 15-24 years (31.8%) was the most represented. More than half of the patients were single (81.8%) with a secondary level of education level (54.5%), most were students (38.6%). The main portal of entry for tetanus was integumentary in 77.3% of patients. About 70.5% of patients were not vaccinated. Most of them (59.1%) had a moderate form of tetanus, the Dakar score was between 2-3. The mortality rate was 36.4% and was associated with patient age and duration of hospitalization. Conclusion: It is important to promote vaccination against tetanus from adolescence. Systematic verification of their vaccination status and updating them by the administration of the tetanus vaccine and booster doses is necessary. The continuous training of health professionals on the effective management of risky situations or cases of tetanus must be integrated into the strategy for the fight against tetanus.
Phenotypic Detection of Rifampicin and Isoniazid Resistance Pattern of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Auramine Positive Isolates in Mtata, South Africa
Authors: Emmanuel Osuji C , Okamgba Okezie C
Published: January 2023

Background: The increase prevalence of Isoniazid (INH) and Rifampicin (RIF) resistant Tuberculosis (TB) has become a significant challenge for TB control for over 10 years. Aim: The study assessed the phenotypic detection of rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) resistant pattern of Mycobacteria tuberculosis among patients attending hospitals in Mtata, South Africa. Methodology: Three hundred and fifty (350) patients age between 10-80 years attending Nelson Mandela Hospital Mtata were recruited for the study. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Nelson Mandela Hospital Mtata. Sputum specimens were investigated employing Auramin fluorescence microscopy technique. Drug susceptibility testing (DST) was carried out using cultural technique and conventional drugs susceptibility testing method. Results: Result showed that 28.6% of the isolates were positive on culture. For INH testing, 27% were sensitive, 68% were resistant where as 5% had lost viability to INH. For RIF, 28% were sensitive, 69% were resistant and 3% had lost viability to RIF. The rural settlers has 55% INH resistance and 26% RIF resistance while in urban area 35% and 25% were resistance to RIF and INH respectively. Conclusion: Result from this study showed that INH and RIF resistance were very high among the patients attending Nelson Mandela Hospital and other treatment centers in Mtata, South Africa.
Correlates of Group B Streptococcal Colonization in Pregnancy at A Tertiary Hospital in South West Nigeria
Authors: Bamidele Afolabi Oluwasesan , Adebayo Adeniyi Augustine , Victoria Adebara Funmilayo , Timothy Oyekale Oluwalana , Emmanuel Adewara Olumide , Sunday Awoyinka Babatunde , Oluseyi Adebara Idowu , Adewumi Bakare , Olabisi Adeyemo Timothy , Olumide Ayankunle Mojisola
Published: January 2023

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a gram-positive bacterium and a major cause of bacterial infections in the newborns delivered by women whose rectum and vagina were colonized by GBS during pregnancy. Objectives: To study the association between maternal GBS recto-vaginal colonization and neonatal colonization and occurrence of early onset neonatal group B Streptococcal sepsis. Methodology: A prospective cohort study involving 28 mother-infant pairs of GBS positive and 28 negative controls. Results: Of the 196 pregnant women screened for GBS recto-vaginal colonization between 35-37weeks, 31 women were positive giving a prevalence rate of 15.8%. Three (3) cases were later excluded for different reasons, thus only 28 infants delivered to GBS-positive mothers and 28 infants delivered to GBS-negative mothers were followed up for signs and symptoms of sepsis. Of the 28 newborns delivered to GBS colonized mother, 12(43.0%) were colonized with GBS at birth compared to 2 (7.1%) colonized newborns delivered to GBS-negative pregnant women. An association was observed between maternal GBS recto-vaginal colonization and neonatal colonization (P=0.0003, RR: 2.25 CI:(1.45 – 3.49)) with a vertical transmission rate of 43% among the GBS colonized motherinfant pairs. A significant difference was also observed between the birth weights of infants delivered to GBSpositive mothers (3100.00 ± 392.8g) and GBS- negative mothers (3338.4 ± 338.4g) (P=0.018). Low social class was associated with higher GBS colonization rate (P = 0.029). A prevalence rate of 17.9/1000 births of GBS early sepsis was found in this study. Conclusion: Low social class increases the risk of maternal colonization by GBS, and maternal colonization in late third trimester is associated with newborn GBS colonization at birth.
Perspectives: Smoking Regulation in Indoor Communal Spaces and COVID-19 Outbreaks
Authors: Nakamoto Kembu
Published: January 2023

Biomass smoke, including that from tobacco and incense sticks, exhibits disinfective activity against airborne and droplet-borne biocontamination. Tobacco smoke has been a silent epidemiological protector of indoor communal spaces. Uniform restrictions on smoking in indoor communal spaces is suspected to have contributed to COVID-19 outbreaks. The elimination of tobacco smoke from indoor communal spaces is like not adding hypochlorite to a public swimming pool. The uniform imposition of smoking restrictions in communal spaces carries a high epidemiological risk.
Character education development model for children based on sintuvu local wisdom in Binangga Village, Marawola sub-district, Sigi regency
Authors: Septiwiharti Dwi , Mutawakkil Mutawakkil
Published: January 2023

This article is based on the findings of a study driven by worries about the current state of education, which emphasizes the importance of developing children's character in society. Character crises are ubiquitous, as seen by the increasingly popular attitude of the younger generation, which has lost touch with society's manners or cultural values, pushing them to depart from established norms. The study objective is to offer a model for promoting children's character education by enhancing the local wisdom of Sintuvu values in Binangga Village, Marawola Sub-district, Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. In this study, the FGD (Focus Group Discussion) and interviews are used in a field research paradigm or a field study to do qualitative research. The findings of this study show that sintuvu, as mutual-cooperation values for the Kaili community in Binangga Village, should be instilled in children through education, both official and informal schooling. As a result, parental involvement in education has a substantial impact on aspects of children's character development beginning at a young age.
Tratamento fisioterapêutico em idosas com incontinência urinária: uma revisão integrativa de literatura
Authors: Alves Vandréia Patrícia Rui Silva , Coutinho Emígdio Nogueira , Santos Kelly Pereira Rodrigues dos , Nogueira Valéria da Silva , Carvalho Daniela Farias de , Nascimento Jayonara Mariely de Sousa , Machado Anne Caroline Carvalho , Santos Jadeylson do Nascimento dos , Guimaraes Bárbara Victoria Oliveira Souza , Moura Guilherme de Sousa , Carvalho Hitallo de Lima , Brito Alicea Ferreira de , Silva Junior Jonatas Estevam da , Pacheco Karoline Maria Lopes
Published: January 2023

Introdução: Incontinência Urinária (IU) é a perda inesperada de urina. É um problema, que é equivocadamente subentendido como sendo algo normal do processo de envelhecimento. A fisioterapia como forma de tratamento na IU, irá proporcionar a melhora e/ou a cura através da educação da função miccional, orientação a respeito do uso correto da musculatura do assoalho pélvico, proporcionando o compreendimento de técnicas e exercícios para aquisição do fortalecimento muscular, sendo seu objetivo principal a reeducação da musculatura do assoalho pélvico, bem como o seu fortalecimento. Objetivo: Relatar a influência da fisioterapia como método de tratamento para idosas com incontinência urinária. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica do tipo revisão integrativa da literatura, feita por meio da busca nas bases de dados Google scholar, PEDro e PubMed. Resultados: Foram incluídos 7 artigos nesta revisão, que utilizaram o tratamento fisioterapêutico em idosas com incontinência urinária. Conclusão: Através dos resultados alcançados neste trabalho, a fisioterapia se mostra de fundamental importância na melhora ou cura dos sinais e sintomas das pacientes com incontinência urinária, em que, por meio de técnicas e exercícios dispostos pela fisioterapia, favorece também a melhora da qualidade de vida.
Avanços e desafios na saúde do homem: uma revisão de literatura
Authors: Barbosa Ana Patrícia Santos Silva , Andrade Thátila Larissa da Cruz , Silva Klécia de Sousa Marques da , Freitas Rodrigo Angelino , Silva Francisca Jéssica Pereira da , Batista Gardênia Monteiro
Published: January 2023

Introdução: A saúde se constitui um direito de todos e dever do estado, e para ser assegurado esse direito o SUS foi criado, onde a UBS se constitui uma porta de entrada aos serviços de saúde. Nesse contexto insere-se o homem, que por diversos motivos é negligente em relação a saúde, ação essa que aumenta os dados de mortalidade masculina. Assim o Ministério da Saúde lançou a Política Nacional de Atenção Integral a Saúde do Homem, que tem como objetivo promover ao sexo masculino melhores condições de saúde. Metodologia: O presente estudo é uma revisão de literatura, cujo objetivo foi analisar as publicações cientificas de 2011-2022 acerca dos avanços e os desafios enfrentados em relação a saúde do Homem na Atenção Básica. O levantamento dos dados se deu pela análise das bases de dados: BDNEF, LILACS, e SCIELO, aplicando os descritores: avanços, desafios, saúde do homem e enfermagem. Resultados e Discussões: Ressalta-se nos artigos a discrepância em relação aos avanços obtidos, que são poucos, e desafios enfrentados que aparecem de diversas formas, dessa maneira os enfermeiros desenvolvem diversas estratégias para resgate da população masculina, outra estratégia lançada pelo MS é a PNAISH, que tenta se desenvolver no precário sistema de saúde que está inserido. Conclusão: Conclui-se por meios dos artigos selecionados e analisados, que a saúde do homem necessita de maiores investimentos de políticas públicas e ações que sejam voltadas aos homens em sua totalidade, respeitando suas individualidades e particularidades, só assim poderemos ter mudanças nos quadros negativos e melhores qualidades de vida para o sexo masculino.
Análise técnica dos problemas de drenagem urbana na rua Rio Grande do Norte de Açailândia – Maranhão considerando a declividade da via e seu impacto na drenagem da água em períodos chuvosos
Authors: Souza Genilson Oliveira de , Vilarinho Briane de Souza , Magalhães Bárbara Caiani de Lima , Macedo Ronaldo de Morais , Carvalho Fabíola Helem da Silva , Silva Handelom Pereira , Leal Leonardo de Sousa , Gomes Randal Silva , Silva Rachel de Andrade Avelar da
Published: January 2023

Sabe-se que nem sempre há um dimensionamento adequado de bueiros, sarjetas e galerias no sistema de drenagem das cidades, também é possível encontrar a ausência do estudo do levantamento do solo, da inclinação da via ou do estudo de as bacias hidrográficas presentes nas localidades onde é criada uma nova rede viária e de drenagem, além disso, devido ao sistema de urbanização ocorrer de forma descontrolada em diversas situações, surgem também problemas de alagamentos em diversos pontos da cidade pela ausência de planejamento urbano adequado. Assim, foi realizado um diagnóstico para identificar o real problema na drenagem da Rua Rio Grande do Norte em Açailândia-MA, além de analisar o desnível da via e propor medidas adequadas para sanar as dificuldades de escoamento de água no percurso estudado. Este artigo apresenta os resultados que permitem à tomada de decisão escolher ações que visem reduzir ou eliminar os problemas identificados, gerando um olhar crítico e podendo focar na solução proposta para problemas de enchentes, por exemplo.
Advising and Identity Development: Insights for Political Science
Authors: Gentry Bobbi
Published: January 2023

Part of the college experience is to develop our sense of who we are, both as a person and as a professional. How we develop these identities can vary across groups and experiences. Advising can be a crucial part of helping students come to understand who they are as a professional. As students begin to think about their future careers, aspirations, and goals, faculty can help that process by providing feedback about their strengths, achievements, and help students find their interests in our field. This paper examines identity development in the context of advising and gives concrete examples of how to support students in political science, including differences that our discipline faces in comparison to others.
Grand Theft Student: Strategies and Tactics for Political Science Recruitment and Retention
Authors: Gentry Bobbi , Lawrence Christopher N.
Published: January 2023

As students have become more career-oriented, it has become increasingly challenging to recruit them into political science, since connections between the major and many potential job opportunities are not immediately apparent. Consequently, departments are seeing declining numbers in majors. To counter this trend, departments need to identify new strategies to recruit and retain students in our major. This work examines strategies and opportunities for recruitment of both prospective college students and current students from other majors. We also address potential retention strategies for current students, including introducing a cohort model, creating a departmental community, and making the work that we do more visible.
Inclusion of videos in seminar design
Authors: Morgenstern Sandra
Published: January 2023

In my seminar sessions, I aim to stimulate discussions, whether about methodological approaches, theory building or ethical considerations. However, the different university backgrounds in one seminar lead to different levels of knowledge in, and thus a strong self-imposed imbalance in, seminar discussions. To counter this problem, I am applying one of the lessons of the post-pandemic period in my face-to-face seminar sessions - the ability to exclude parts from seminar sessions by using technological tools that allow students to learn at their own pace. I have produced short videos on different topics of 'advanced academic practice' that students watch and align in preparation for the seminar sessions so that we can start the discussion at the same level in the seminar session. In the name of Open Science, all videos are on the university website and an OER repository for free availability to teachers and students.
Restructuring the Curriculum – Pedagogy and Practical Implications
Authors: Honeyman Victoria
Published: January 2023

The University of Leeds has been engaging in a comprehensive strategy of curriculum redesign since August 2021. This paper is a discussion of the curriculum redesign within the School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS). Within POLIS we began by examining our curriculum structures. We then needed to bring practical considerations into that discussions to ensure that our plans were achievable and reasonable within a large campus-based university. Within those discussions we needed to balance what students want and need with the needs and wants of a tired staff body, campus limitations and changes within higher education more generally. Can we use new and improving technology to help us with these aims? Is that beneficial or counter-productive? This paper will outline the “Curriculum Redefined’ project and how we are implementing this within POLIS as well as providing some recommendations for the future of strategic implementation.
Making the European Court Work: Nicola Catalano and the Origins of European Legal Integration
Authors: Pavone Tommaso
Published: January 2023

Nicola Catalano is seldom included among the pantheon of Europe’s founders. To the extent that he is remembered, it is for stint as one of the first judges at the European Court of Justice (ECJ). In this chapter, I challenge this consensus to retrace the agents and struggles underlying the early development of the EU’s judicial order. I argue that Catalano made fundamental contributions to shaping European law, but these contributions occurred before and after his ECJ tenure. Leveraging archival, interview, and secondary evidence to retrace Catalano’s variegated professional life, I demonstrate that the development of the EU’s judicial order rested less on the supranational willpower of ECJ judges and more on the tireless entrepreneurship of “Euro-lawyers” eroding resistances to Europeanization within member states. These findings highlight how processes of institutional change hinge on agents who integrate insider expertise with outside mobilization and balance their ideational commitments with tactical pragmatism.
Modeling and Stress Analysis of Rounded Rectangular Inclusion Enclosed by FGM Layer
Authors: Rani Pushpa , Verma Dinesh , Ghangas Gyander
Published: January 2023

The aim of the present work is to model and analyze stresses around rounded rectangular inclusion enclosed with functionally graded material (FGM) layer. The inclusion has been considered in an infinite plate which is subjected to far-field tensile stress. The extended finite element method (XFEM) has been used to model the inclusion with non-conformal mesh. The level set functions of circular and rectangular shapes have been used to trace the inclusion boundary with mesh. The FGM has been considered as continuous varying mixture of inclusion and plate materials with power law function along normal direction to the inclusion interface. Young's modulus has been assumed to vary within FGM layer, whereas Poisson's ratio is kept constant. The stress distribution and stress concentration factor (SCF) have been analyzed for different geometrical and FGM parameters. It has been observed that XFEM with level set method efficiently model the difficult shape inclusions such as rounded rectangle. Applying the FGM layer smoothens the stress distribution around rounded rectangular inclusion and significantly reduces SCF. The position of maximum stress shifted from the inclusion interface toward the FGM layer interface. The least SCF has been noted with power law index n = 0.5 and FGM layer thickness t = r.
Conceptual data systems architecture principles for information systems
Authors: Jonsson Tomas
Published: January 2023

Information systems alignment with enterprise evolution affects the performance of enterprises. The systems conceptual and data quality, development time and sustainable life cycle management, are issues for enterprise competitiveness. The ability to directly generate enterprise information systems from models has been thought of as a solution to improve on these issues. Model-driven systems have been a research topic for decades. Fundamental principles for a proven model-driven information systems architecture are outlined in this article. Architectural foundation is a separation of user communities conceptual domain from the information technical domain. The users domain is modeled as an information system model in three layers, conceptual data logic model, interface model and user community model. The technical domain is a platform, allowing the modeling and execution of such a model. These principles have been applied in practice and proven viable. Two platforms and applications, which adhere to these principles, are briefly described.
The effects of Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on adipose tissue in patients with type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Liu Xindong , Chen Ying , Liu Tao , Cai Ling , Yang Xiaofeng , Mou Chuan
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To systematically evaluate the effect of Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on adipose tissue in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of science databases for literature pertaining to Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of SGLT2 inhibitors in treating type 2 diabetes patients. The retrieval time was from the date of establishment of the databases to September 1, 2022. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4 software.

Results

Totally 551 patients were included in 10 articles. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with the control group, the visceral adipose tissue (WMD = -16.29 cm2, 95% CI: -25.07 ~ -7.50, P<0.00001), subcutaneous adipose tissue (WMD = -19.34 cm2, 95% CI: -36.27 ~ -2.41, P<0.00001), body weight (WMD = -2.36 kg, 95% CI: -2.89 ~ -1.83, P<0.00001) and triglyceride (WMD = -24.41 mg/dl, 95% CI: -45.79 ~ -3.03, P = 0.03) of the trial group significantly reduced.

Conclusion

SGLT2 inhibitors cause significant reductions in visceral adipose tissue, subcutaneous adipose tissue, body weight and triglycerides in type 2 diabetes patients, which may be attributed to the protective effect of the inhibitors on cardiovascular system.
Next-generation development and application of codon model in evolution
Authors: Gupta Manoj Kumar , Vadde Ramakrishna
Published: January 2023

To date, numerous nucleotide, amino acid, and codon substitution models have been developed to estimate the evolutionary history of any sequence/organism in a more comprehensive way. Out of these three, the codon substitution model is the most powerful. These models have been utilized extensively to detect selective pressure on a protein, codon usage bias, ancestral reconstruction and phylogenetic reconstruction. However, due to more computational demanding, in comparison to nucleotide and amino acid substitution models, only a few studies have employed the codon substitution model to understand the heterogeneity of the evolutionary process in a genome-scale analysis. Hence, there is always a question of how to develop more robust but less computationally demanding codon substitution models to get more accurate results. In this review article, the authors attempted to understand the basis of the development of different types of codon-substitution models and how this information can be utilized to develop more robust but less computationally demanding codon substitution models. The codon substitution model enables to detect selection regime under which any gene or gene region is evolving, codon usage bias in any organism or tissue-specific region and phylogenetic relationship between different lineages more accurately than nucleotide and amino acid substitution models. Thus, in the near future, these codon models can be utilized in the field of conservation, breeding and medicine.
Immunomodulatory effects of complex probiotics on the immuno-suppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide
Authors: Ma Weiwei , Li Wenwen , Yu Shuang , Bian Hongsheng , Wang Yanyan , Jin Yang , Zhang Zhenhua , Ma Qing , Huang Lili
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Previous studies have reported the beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis XLTG11, Lacticaseibacillus casei Zhang, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P8, respectively. However, studies on the immunomodulatory enhancing effects of three complex probiotics have not been conducted. The aim of our study is to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of complex probiotics effect on the immunosuppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX).

Methods

An immunocompromised mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide, which was gavage of different doses of complex probiotics and levamisole hydrochloride. The splenic and thymic indices, intestinal barrier, leukocyte and lymphocyte counts, percentage of splenic lymphocyte subpopulations, cytokine levels, and gut microbiota were determined.

Results

Results showed that the complex probiotics significantly elevated the spleen and thymus indices, increased the villi and crypt depth and the goblet cells. The leukocyte and lymphocyte counts and the percentage of splenic lymphocyte subpopulations in the CTX-treated mice were significantly elevated by the complex probiotics. In addition, the cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and IFN-γ) were significantly increased after complex probiotic treatment. The complex probiotics restored the gut microbiota structure to the pattern of the control group by reducing the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and enhancing the relative abundances of specific microbiota that produced short-chain fatty acids.

Discussion

This study provides theoretical support for the immunity-enhancing function of the complex probiotics as well as a pharmacological basis for its further development and utilization.
Necroptosis in CNS diseases: Focus on astrocytes
Authors: Mitroshina Elena V. , Saviuk Mariia , Vedunova Maria V.
Published: January 2023

In the last few years, necroptosis, a recently described type of cell death, has been reported to play an important role in the development of various brain pathologies. Necroptosis is a cell death mechanism that has morphological characteristics similar to necrosis but is mediated by fundamentally different molecular pathways. Necroptosis is initiated by signaling through the interaction of RIP1/RIP3/MLKL proteins (receptor-interacting protein kinase 1/receptor-interacting protein kinase 3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein). RIPK1 kinase is usually inactive under physiological conditions. It is activated by stimulation of death receptors (TNFR1, TNFR2, TLR3, and 4, Fas-ligand) by external signals. Phosphorylation of RIPK1 results in the formation of its complex with death receptors. Further, complexes with the second member of the RIP3 and MLKL cascade appear, and the necroptosome is formed. There is enough evidence that necroptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of brain ischemia and neurodegenerative diseases. In recent years, a point of view that both neurons and glial cells can play a key role in the development of the central nervous system (CNS) pathologies finds more and more confirmation. Astrocytes play complex roles during neurodegeneration and ischemic brain damage initiating both impair and protective processes. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that induce pathogenic activity of astrocytes remain veiled. In this review, we consider these processes in terms of the initiation of necroptosis. On the other hand, it is important to remember that like other types of programmed cell death, necroptosis plays an important role for the organism, as it induces a strong immune response and is involved in the control of cancerogenesis. In this review, we provide an overview of the complex role of necroptosis as an important pathogenetic component of neuronal and astrocyte death in neurodegenerative diseases, epileptogenesis, and ischemic brain damage.
Factors associated with COVID-19 preventive behaviors among taxi drivers in Bangkok
Authors: Deesua Amornrat , Kaewpan Wonpen , Kalampakorn Surintorn , Sillabutra Jutatip
Published: January 2023

Objectives

This paper aimed to identify factors associated with COVID-19 preventive behaviors among taxi drivers in Bangkok.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 401 taxi drivers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The association between predisposing factors, enabling factors, and reinforcing factors with COVID-19 preventive behaviors was analyzed by using analysis of variance and Pearson's Product Moment Correlation. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors in predicting COVID-19 preventive behaviors of taxi drivers.

Results

The present findings revealed that income adequacy, support from family, co-workers, and healthcare professionals, perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and health motivation, accessibility to personal protective equipment for COVID-19 and preventative measures against COVID-19 from other agencies were associated with good COVID-19 preventive behaviors among taxi-driver in Bangkok during COVID-19 pandemic (R2 = 0.349, p = 0.008). The model could predict 34.9% of variance in COVID-19 preventative behavior among taxi drivers.

Conclusion

Taxi drivers should be encouraged to engage in appropriate preventive behaviors against COVID-19, emphasizing the individual and organizational levels. There should be a policy by organizations to promote the implementation of COVID-19 safety control standards to ensure safe working conditions. In addition, appropriate welfare benefits should be provided for taxi drivers, such as loans, personal protective equipment, and access to health services to improve COVID-19 preventive behaviors.
Study on the accessibility and affordability of 50 drugs in Wuhan based on the WHO/HAI standardization method
Authors: Dong Zuojun , Zhang Shaoya , Wu Shuaijun , Xie Xintong , Sun Guojun , Yu Xuanyao
Published: January 2023

Objective

To understand the availability and affordability of essential drugs in Wuhan since the implementation of the national essential medicine system, and to provide a basis for the subsequent formulation and improvement of related policies.

Methods

Using the standard survey method jointly developed by the WHO and Health Action International (HAI), a sample of 50 essential drugs was selected to investigate and evaluate their availability and affordability in public medical and health institutions and social retail pharmacies in Wuhan, using six diseases with high clinical morbidity as the targets.

Results

The availability of the original drug and the lowest-priced generic drug in public hospitals is 26.4 and 42.47% respectively, and that in retail pharmacies is 26.8 and 54.4% respectively. The median price ratio of the original drug and the lowest-priced generic drug is 28.71 and 2.23 respectively in public hospitals, and 29.24 and 3.59 respectively in retail pharmacies; In addition to individual drugs, such as omeprazole, others are affordable. The availability of essential drugs in public hospitals in Wuhan is lower than that in social retail pharmacies, and the availability of the lowest-priced generic drugs is much higher than that of original drugs.

Conclusion

The availability of essential drugs in public hospitals in Wuhan is lower than that in social retail pharmacies, and the availability of the lowest-priced generic drugs is much higher than that of original drugs. The price of the original drug is much higher than the international reference price; The price of medicines in public hospitals is lower than that in retail pharmacies;the overall condition of affordability is good, but there is a big gap between the affordability levels of original drugs and generic drugs, and the affordability of original drugs is relatively poor. It is recommended to adjust the relevant policies according to the actual situation of Wuhan city itself, moderately ensure the supply of original drugs, improve the price transparency of retail pharmacies, and ensure that the basic drug needs of the public are met.
Simultaneous Treatment of Complex Incisional Hernia and Stoma Reversal
Authors: Olona Carles , Sales Ricard , Caro-Tarragó Aleidis , Espina Beatriz , Casanova Raquel , Jorba Rosa
Published: January 2023

Purpose: The simultaneous repair of incisional hernias (IH) and the reconstruction of the intestinal transit may pose a challenge for many surgeons. Collaboration between units specialized in abdominal wall and colorectal surgery can favor simultaneous treatment.

Methods: Descriptive study of patients undergoing simultaneous surgery of complex IH repair and intestinal transit reconstruction from the start of treatment in a joint team. All interventions were performed electively and with the collaboration of surgeons experts in abdominal wall and colorectal surgery.

Results: 23 patients are included. 11 end colostomies, 1 loop colostomy, 6 end ileostomies and 5 loop ileostomies. Seven (30%) patients presented with a medial laparotomy incisional hernia, 3 (13%) with a parastomal incisional hernia, and 13 (56%) with a medial and parastomal incisional hernia. Closure of the hernial defect was achieved in 100% of cases, and reconstruction of the intestinal tract was achieved in 22 (95%). Component separation was required in 17 patients (74%), which were 11 (48%) posterior and 6 (26%) anterior. In-hospital morbidity was 9%, and only two patients presented Clavien-Dindo morbidity > III when requiring reoperation, one due to hemorrhage of the surgical bed and another due to dehiscence of the coloproctostomy. The mean follow-up was 11 months, with 20 (87%) patients having no complications. Mesh had to be removed in one patient with anastomotic dehiscence, no mesh had to be removed due to surgical site infection.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of the General Population in Yemen Regarding COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Anaam Mohammed Saif
Published: January 2023

Background: Following the World Health Organization declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic, Yemen has taken preventive and precautionary measures against COVID-19 to control its spread. This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the Yemeni public regarding COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted during the period from September 2021 to October 2021. Results: The mean total knowledge score was 9.50 ± 2.12. The majority of the participants (93.4%) were aware that to prevent infection by the COVID-19 virus, going to crowded places and gatherings should be avoided. Approximately two thirds of the participants (69.4%) believed COVID-19 is a health threat to their community. However, in terms of actual behavior, only 23.1% of the participants reported that they did not go to any crowded places during the pandemic, and only 23.8% had worn a mask in recent days. Moreover, only about half (49.9%) reported that they were following the strategies recommended by the authorities to prevent the spread of the virus. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the general public has good knowledge and positive attitudes regarding COVID-19, but that their practices are poor.
Bioactive Natural Pigments’ Extraction, Isolation, and Stability in Food Applications
Authors: Molina Adriana K. , Corrêa Rúbia C. G. , Prieto Miguel A. , Pereira Carla , Barros Lillian
Published: January 2023

Color in food has multiple effects on consumers, since this parameter is related to the quality of a product, its freshness, and even its nutrient content. Each food has a characteristic color; however, this can be affected by the technological treatments that are applied during its manufacturing process, as well as its storage. Therefore, the development of new food products should take into account consumer preferences, the physical properties of a product, food safety standards, the economy, and applications of technology. With all of this, the use of food additives, such as dyes, is increasingly important due to the interest in the natural coloring of foods, strict regulatory pressure, problems with the toxicity of synthetic food colors, and the need for globally approved colors, in addition to current food market trends that focus on the consumption of healthy, organic, and natural products. It is for this reason that there is a growing demand for natural pigments that drives the food industry to seek or improve extraction techniques, as well as to study different stability processes, considering their interactions with the food matrix, in order to meet the needs and expectations of consumers.
In Silico Tools to Extract the Drug Design Information Content of Degradation Data: The Case of PROTACs Targeting the Androgen Receptor
Authors: Apprato Giulia , D’Agostini Giulia , Rossetti Paolo , Ermondi Giuseppe , Caron Giulia
Published: January 2023

Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) have recently emerged as a promising technology in the drug discovery landscape. Large interest in the degradation of the androgen receptor (AR) as a new anti-prostatic cancer strategy has resulted in several papers focusing on PROTACs against AR. This study explores the potential of a few in silico tools to extract drug design information from AR degradation data in the format often reported in the literature. After setting up a dataset of 92 PROTACs with consistent AR degradation values, we employed the Bemis–Murcko method for their classification. The resulting clusters were not informative in terms of structure–degradation relationship. Subsequently, we performed Degradation Cliff analysis and identified some key aspects conferring a positive contribution to activity, as well as some methodological limits when applying this approach to PROTACs. Linker structure degradation relationships were also investigated. Then, we built and characterized ternary complexes to validate previous results. Finally, we implemented machine learning classification models and showed that AR degradation for VHL-based but not CRBN-based PROTACs can be predicted from simple permeability-related 2D molecular descriptors.
Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances in Portuguese Rivers: Spatial-Temporal Monitoring
Authors: Barbosa Marta O. , Ratola Nuno , Homem Vera , Pereira M. Fernando R. , Silva Adrián M. T. , Ribeiro Ana R. L. , Llorca Marta , Farré Marinella
Published: January 2023

Eighteen per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were investigated in surface waters of four river basins in Portugal (Ave, Leça, Antuã, and Cértima) during the dry and wet seasons. All sampling sites showed contamination in at least one of the seasons. In the dry season, perfluorooctanoate acid (PFOA) and perfluoro-octane sulfonate (PFOS), were the most frequent PFASs, while during the wet season these were PFOA and perfluobutane-sulfonic acid (PFBS). Compounds detected at higher concentrations were PFOS (22.6 ng L−1) and perfluoro-butanoic acid (PFBA) (22.6 ng L−1) in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Moreover, the prospective environmental risks of PFASs, detected at higher concentrations, were evaluated based on the Risk Quotient (RQ) classification, which comprises acute and chronic toxicity. The results show that the RQ values of eight out of the nine PFASs were below 0.01, indicating low risk to organisms at different trophic levels in the four rivers in both seasons, wet and dry. Nevertheless, in the specific case of perfluoro-tetradecanoic acid (PFTeA), the RQ values calculated exceeded 1 for fish (96 h) and daphnids (48 h), indicating a high risk for these organisms. Furthermore, the RQ values were higher than 0.1, indicating a medium risk for fish, daphnids and green algae (96 h).
Alvespimycin Inhibits Heat Shock Protein 90 and Overcomes Imatinib Resistance in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cell Lines
Authors: Alves Raquel , Santos Diogo , Jorge Joana , Gonçalves Ana Cristina , Catarino Steve , Girão Henrique , Melo Joana Barbosa , Sarmento-Ribeiro Ana Bela
Published: January 2023

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) facilitates folding and stability and prevents the degradation of multiple client proteins. One of these HSP90 clients is BCR-ABL, the oncoprotein characteristic of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and the target of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib. Alvespimycin is an HSP90 inhibitor with better pharmacokinetic properties and fewer side effects than other similar drugs, but its role in overcoming imatinib resistance is not yet clarified. This work studied the therapeutic potential of alvespimycin in imatinib-sensitive (K562) and imatinib-resistant (K562-RC and K562-RD) CML cell lines. Metabolic activity was determined by the resazurin assay. Cell death, caspase activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cell cycle were evaluated by means of flow cytometry. Cell death was also analyzed by optical microscopy. HSPs expression levels were assessed by western blotting. Alvespimycin reduced metabolic activity in a time-, dose-, and cell line-dependent manner. Resistant cells were more sensitive to alvespimycin with an IC50 of 31 nM for K562-RC and 44 nM for K562-RD, compared to 50 nM for K562. This drug induced apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. In K562 cells, alvespimycin induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1. As a marker of HSP90 inhibition, a significant increase in HSP70 expression was observed. Our results suggest that alvespimycin might be a new therapeutic approach to CML treatment, even in cases of resistance to imatinib.
Suspect Screening of Chemicals in Hospital Wastewaters Using Effect-Directed Analysis Approach as Prioritization Strategy
Authors: Lopez-Herguedas Naroa , Mijangos Leire , Alvarez-Mora Iker , González-Gaya Belén , Uribe-Echeverria Teresa , Etxebarria Nestor , Zuloaga Olatz , Olivares Maitane , Prieto Ailette
Published: January 2023

The increasing number of contaminants in the environment has pushed water monitoring programs to find out the most hazardous known and unknown chemicals in the environment. Sample treatment-simplification methods and non-target screening approaches can help researchers to not overlook potential chemicals present in complex aqueous samples. In this work, an effect-directed analysis (EDA) protocol using the sea urchin embryo test (SET) as a toxicological in vivo bioassay was used as simplified strategy to identify potential unknown chemicals present in a very complex aqueous matrix such as hospital effluent. The SET bioassay was used for the first time here to evaluate potential toxic fractions in hospital effluent, which were obtained after a two-step fractionation using C18 and aminopropyl chromatographic semi-preparative columns. The unknown compounds present in the toxic fractions were identified by means of liquid chromatography coupled to a Q Exactive Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometer (LC-HRMS) and using a suspect analysis approach. The results were complemented by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS) in order to identify the widest range of chemical compounds present in the sample and the toxic fractions. Using EDA as sample treatment simplification method, the number of unknown chemicals (>446 features) detected in the raw sample was narrowed down to 94 potential toxic candidates identified in the significantly toxic fractions. Among them, the presence of 25 compounds was confirmed with available chemical standards including 14 pharmaceuticals, a personal care product, six pesticides and four industrial products. The observations found in this work emphasize the difficulties in identifying potential toxicity drivers in complex water samples, as in the case of hospital wastewater.