bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unusual increase in the incidence of unilateral Optic Neuritis: Case presentation
Authors: Odalys Cáceres-Toledo , María Cáceres-Toledo , Runse Zhao , Yeimi Carolina Laurencio , Yarlín La O-Lozano , Irinia Díaz-Ríos
Published: October 2021

Optic neuritis presents as an acute or subacute inflammatory episode. Objective: Describe the clinical-epidemiological characteristics in 7 cases with unilateral optic neuritis and evaluate the therapeutic results obtained. Material and method: A series of cases with a diagnosis of unilateral optic neuritis who attended the Neurophthalmology consultation at the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital in Havana, Cuba, from August 6 to November 16, 2018, from Havana and Matanzas, were studied. An unusual increase in the incidence of NO was recorded in the period analyzed. Results: An unusual increase in the incidence of unilateral optic neuritis was recorded. The average age was 33.5 years. All reported unilateral painless visual loss. Four patients reported general signs and symptoms suggestive of having suffered a respiratory disease of viral origin, between 7 and 15 days before optic neuritis. In the examination carried out, great impairment of visual acuity (≤0.05) and colors (0/21) was found. The centro-caecal scotoma was the most frequent campimetric defect. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in the affected eye showed increased neuroretinal thickness, decreased nerve fiber layer, and ganglion cell damage. Treatment was with intravenous methylprednisolone and B vitamins. Conclusions: An unusual increase in patients with unilateral optic neuritis was observed. The OCT revealed damage to the structures at the level of the retina and the optic nerve. The therapeutic effectiveness was conditioned by the time of evolution of the neuritis.
COVID-19 and end stage renal disease treatment modalities in the United States
Authors: John D Sullivan
Published: October 2021

From the establishment of nearly universal health coverage for end stage renal disease in 1972 to 2021, the primary treatment modality has been in-center hemodialysis despite significant advances in home therapies such as peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis. There are many theories as to why peritoneal and home hemodialysis lack so far behind in prescriptions with profitability and or a patient’s compliance or support leading the logical explanations. But 2020 was a different year with the surge in COVID-19 cases.
Making a cup of coffee v1
Authors: Robinson Erin
Published: October 2021

Instructions for how to make a lovely cup of standard Chemex Coffee with milk.
Op pad met gereformeerdheid
Authors: Landman Christina
Published: October 2021

An Afrikaans woman minister of the Word: en route with being reformedAuto-ethnography, as developed by Caroline Ellis, allows this author to tell her story as an ordained minister of the Word in the Reformed tradition in South Africa, working within a variety of cultures and ecumenical relationships. After “auto-ethnography” is explained as a methodological point of departure, the author, firstly, describes views on womanhood in the Reformed Afrikaans culture in which she was born as well as her reaction to it. Secondly, the culture of the academic reaction against apartheid is briefly described in which she was engaged as a white, Afrikaans speaking woman lecturer in Theology, of which there were very few during the 1980s and 1990s. Finally, the challenges of being the only white woman minister of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa are identified and discussed within the past, present and future of Afrikaans speaking Reformed women ministers in South Africa.
Public Opinion on the Appropriateness of Juvenile Sex Offender Registration and Notification Requirements
Authors:   , Janssen Jennica M. , Goldstein Naomi E
Published: October 2021

The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) was drafted with the intent to protect communities from dangerous perpetrators, but public perceptions of the appropriateness and value of juvenile sex offender registries may be more nuanced. This research explored public perceptions of juvenile sex offender registration and notification laws across the United States and the conditions under which the public (N = 1,384) believes youth who commit sex offenses should be registered as sex offenders, including the severity of the offense and the characteristics of the offending individual (i.e., age and sex). A between-subjects analysis of variance and parallel mediation analysis, conducted using SPSS and Hayes's PROCESS macro v3.5, uncovered no interactions but did reveal that the acceptability of registering the youth as a sex offender differed significantly by age of the offending youth, sex of the offending youth, and the severity of the crime. Results of the parallel mediation indicated that the perception that registering the offending youth as a sex offender keeps the community safer significantly mediated the relationship between age of the offending youth, sex of the offending youth, and offense severity, and the acceptability of registering the youth a sex offender. Additionally fear of the offending youth significantly mediated the relationship between sex of the offending youth and offense severity, and the acceptability of registering the youth a sex offender. Overall findings suggest the public may not generally agree with registering youth who commit sex offenses. Future directions and policy and practice considerations regarding the registration of youth who commit sex offenses are discussed.
Dissecting Cellular Mechanisms of Neurite Formation in the Developing Cortex
Authors:   , Blazejewski Sara M. , Baas Peter W , Toyo-oka Kazuhito
Published: October 2021

Neurite formation is an early and critical step in neuronal polarization, upon which subsequent stages rely. We identified a role pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in regulating neuromorphogenesis. PEDF is a secreted glycoprotein that is encoded in the clinically relevant Miller-Dieker syndrome (MDS) critical region of chromosome 17p13.3, which is deleted or duplicated in a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders. We found that two of the four known PEDF receptors, ribosomal protein SA (Rpsa) and plexin domain-containing protein 1 (Plxdc1), have roles in neuromorphogenesis. Rpsa regulates neurite initiation and elongation, as well as arborization and spine formation via PEDF. Rpsa knockdown causes defective sub-threshold spontaneous calcium signaling. Additionally, we show that integrin [alpha]6 (Itga6), which is known to interact with Rpsa on the plasma membrane, stabilizes Rpsa on the membrane where it must be localized to bind PEDF. Rpsa and Plxdc1 signaling are distinct and regulate specific aspects of development. Plxdc1 overexpression has the unique ability to drive neurite formation. This distinctive phenotype allowed for the effect of a variety of kinase inhibitors to be assessed, leading to the identification of Akt as a kinase specifically involved in Plxdc1 overexpression-driven neurite formation. Furthermore, proteomic analysis of the cytoskeletal fraction revealed a 3.43 fold increase in activity-dependent neuroprotector homeobox (Adnp) following Plxdc1 overexpression, identifying Adnp as a putative component of the Plxdc1 signaling pathway that can directly bind microtubules, facilitating neurite formation. To identify additional kinase inhibitors that may be useful therapeutic targets, the control for the above mentioned kinase inhibitor screening was also used to identify kinases involved in neurite formation induced by FBS-depletion, which is a widely used method for inducing N-2a cell differentiation. We identified the Aurora and Nuak kinases as candidates for further investigation. Using primary cortical neurons, we found that Aurora A has a role in regulating neurite initiation, while Aurora B and C have roles in regulating neurite initiation and elongation and all Aurora kinases regulate arborization. Additionally, Nuak 1 and 2 regulate neurite initiation and elongation and arborization. Together, this work has identified several important molecules that function in regulating unique aspects of neurite formation. We have elucidated the role of PEDF signaling via its membrane receptors Rpsa and Plxdc1 during cortical neuronal development, presenting possible insights into the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders such as MDS. Additionally, we identify multiple kinases which may be useful therapeutics in treating conditions where aberrant axonal sprouting or failed regeneration of injured axons occur, such as traumatic injury, neurodegenerative disease, and seizures.
Natural Product Discovery of Thiopeptide Producers and Functional Characterization of Adenylation Domains in Thiostrepton and Siomycin Biosynthesis
Authors:   , Majer Haley Morgan , Beld Joris
Published: October 2021

The antibiotic resistance crisis has led to the need for new antimicrobials. Natural product producers, including bacteria, are an abundant source for new antibiotics. Streptomycetes are avid natural product producers. These bacteria have large genomes approximately 8-12 Mb that contain many secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (smBGCs). We completed de novo whole genome sequencing of Streptomyces actuosus ISP-5337, Streptomyces sioyaensis B-5408, and Actinospica acidiphila B-2296 using PacBio RSII technology. Bioinformatic mining of each genome identified 75 smBGCs and 9 "unknown" clusters predicted to encode for bacteriocin, lanthipeptide, and nutrient-scavenging bioactive compounds. Fractionation of the crude extracts and subsequent antibacterial challenge against Staphylococcus aureus showed potent antibiotic activity. In parallel, fractions were analyzed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and detailed MS/MS analysis of the fractions showed production of nosiheptide and siomycin. Next, we used our sequenced genomes to analyze the BGCs of nosiheptide, thiostrepton and siomycin. Recent identification of non-ribosomal machinery, including an adenylation domain and carrier protein domain, encoded in the ribosomally-encoded BGC of nosiheptide led us to functionally characterize these domains in the BGCs of thiostrepton and siomycin. We determined the substrate specificities of heterologously expressed and purified adenylation domains TsrJ and SioQ using a coupled pyrophosphate release assay. In vitro characterization demonstrated both adenylation domains have substrate specificities for quinaldic acid derivative 4,8-dihydroxyquinoline-2-carboxylic acid. Next, we used our genome sequences to clone a 36 kb thiopeptide BGC from Streptomyces azureus into Escherichia coli, for heterologous production and engineering purposes. These results will facilitate targeted bioengineering of thiopeptides to produce novel antibiotics with improved chemical properties and address the need for new antibiotics.
Novel Insights into TLR4:TLR3 Crosstalk in Response to TLR4 Specific Ultrapure Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Highly Pathogenic Escherichia coli 0111:B4 in Murine Microglia
Authors:   , LaBier Brett Arthur , Beld Joris , Navas-Martin Sonia
Published: October 2021

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major component of gram-negative bacterial plasma membranes, is a potent endotoxin that triggers Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) dependent downstream activation, leading to the production of proinflammatory cytokines and type I interferons (IFN). TLR4 is unique amongst the TLR superfamily in that it is capable of signaling via both Mal/MyD88 adaptors from the plasma membrane and TRIF adaptor from endosomes. Increased LPS serum levels have been implicated in a plethora of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as septic shock in extreme endotoxemia. TLR3 senses viral dsRNA and signals solely via the TRIF adaptor pathway, generating an antiviral state. LPS has been shown to upregulate TLR3 expression at mRNA and protein levels. However, the impact of LPS stimulation on TLR3 activation remains unexplored. Considering the roles of TLR4 and TLR3 in bacterial and viral infections, respectively, and their emerging implications in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, we sought to determine the effect of TLR4 specific ultrapure LPS-EB from highly pathogenic E. coli on TLR3 activation in murine microglia. We investigated TLR3 activation at residue Y759 and proinflammatory effectors in response to LPS-EB ultrapure in WT, TLR4, TRIF, and Mal/MyD88 functional knockout microglia. Our results demonstrate a previously unrecognized TLR4/Mal/MyD88-dependent TLR3 activation in response to LPS-EB ultrapure in murine microglia. This data highlights novel TLR4:TLR3 crosstalk in murine microglia with implications on i. Bacterial and viral co-infections, ii. Leaky gut mediated chronic inflammatory diseases, iii. Septic shock, iv. Cancer.
A Sample-based Criterion for Unsupervised Learning of Complex Models beyond Maximum Likelihood and Density Estimation
Authors: Manavalan Mani , Donepudi Praveen Kumar
Published: October 2021

Many unsupervised learning processes have the purpose of aligning two probability distributions. Recoding models like ICA and projection pursuit, as well as generative models like Gaussian mixtures and Boltzmann machines, can be seen in this perspective. For these types of models, we offer a new sample-based error measure that can be used even when maximum likelihood (ML) and probability density estimation-based formulations can't be used, such as when the posteriors are nonlinear or intractable. Furthermore, the challenges of approximating a density function are avoided by our sample-based error measure. We show that with an unconstrained model, (1) our technique converges on the correct solution as the number of samples increases to infinity, and (2) our approach's predicted answer in the generative framework is the ML solution. Finally, simulations of linear and nonlinear models on mixtures of Gaussians and ICA issues are used to evaluate our approach. Our method's applicability and generality are demonstrated by the experiments.
A case report of male breast cancer in a 14-year-old patient
Authors: Dewi Pande Ayu Kirana , Raditha I. Nengah
Published: October 2021

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies. This malignancy can originate from the epithelium of the ducts or lobules of the breast. Although rare, breast cancer can also be found in men. The incidence of breast cancer in men is <1% of the total breast cancer and it is estimated that 1 in 100.00 men worldwide is diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer in pediatric patients is rare. Incidence of breast cancer in pediatric is estimated to be 0.2-0.8/100.000 for females with less than 20 years old. In this case report is a 14-years-old male with ten years history of a mass in his right breast. At first the mass was said to be as small as a marble, then since last year the mass have grown bigger. Biopsy and histopathology examination were performed to confirm the diagnosis. The result of histopathology examination was ductal invasive carcinoma. The patient and family refused to undergo chemotherapy. The incidence of breast cancer in pediatric is rare, and it has high mortality rate in pediatric patient.
Comprehensive study on manifestation, management and outcome of post COVID rhino orbito cerebral mucormycosis in our institution
Authors: R. Shanthimalar , S. Muthuchitra , S. Mary Nirmala , P. Thamizharasan , G. Udhayachandrika , C. Balaji , S. P. Indu , P. Kousalya , A. Senthoorani , E. Yuvaraj
Published: October 2021

Rhino orbital mucor mycosis in covid infected patients presented a challenge in management. We tried analysing comprehensively the manifestations and management and prognosis of post COVID rhino orbito cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) patients in our institution. Patients with symptoms of ROCM were managed according to the guidelines issued by the directorate of medical education, Tamil Nadu, India. 30 possible ROCM patients were treated so far from May 2021. Patients underwent radiological, microbiological and pathological investigation. In stage 1, nasal cavity alone was involved in 11 patients. In stage 2, paranasal sinus extension was seen in 8 patients. In stage 3, orbital extension was seen in 10 patients. In stage 4, intra cranial extension was seen in 1 patient. 10 patients were probable ROCM without microbiological or pathological evidence. 20 patients had proven ROCM. They were treated with endoscopic debridement. Out of them 10 patients had to undergo orbital decompression and 5 of them had improvement in vision. All proven ROCM patients were treated with 3 weeks of injection liposomal amphotericin B along with oral posaconazole 300 mg for 3-6 weeks. Post-operative histopathology noted fungal invasion of blood vessels in 19 cases and thrombus in 10 cases of orbital involvement. No mortality was reported in the study group. COVID variant associated thrombosis may be the reason for increased incidence of mucor mycosis in post COVID patients. Team work, appropriate guidelines and adequate supply of medications helped in achieving desired outcome.
La guerra fría, la seguridad nacional y el Estado militar en Sudamérica (1959-1980)
Authors: Rivas Nieto Pedro , Rey-García Pablo , McGowan Nadia
Published: October 2021

Este artículo tiene como objetivo principal comprender el concepto y la experiencia de la guerra fría en Sudamérica en los años sesenta y setenta del siglo XX –dado que fue en el Cono Sur en donde se desarrollaron con más eficacia los regímenes llamados de Seguridad Nacional– y, al mismo tiempo, penetrar en el modo en que esos regímenes crearon un tipo de Estado de carácter netamente militar. Para este trabajo se ha inspeccionado documentación y fuentes orales en distintos lugares –Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Israel–, durante varios años, con fines diversos, ligados todos ellos al estudio del fenómeno militar y, tras el análisis de parte de esa información para este artículo, se concluye que, en la guerra total y permanente contra el comunismo, la autoridad del Estado militar, fundado en origen para proteger del autoritarismo a la sociedad civil, se volvió despótica y el Estado deificado, tiránico.
Waarom is het Nederlands passief een struikelblok voor Poolse studenten?
Authors: Flor-Górecka Agnieszka
Published: October 2021

This contribution explains why the Dutch passive voice is a problem for Polish students and how passive constructions and their equivalents in their native language interfere in their use. The contribution first briefly introduces the passive voice constructions in Dutch and Polish. Then is shown, on the basis of translated sentences, where and in which elements the problem lies. The first reason is that both the worden-passief (action-passive) and the zijn-passief (state-passive) can be translated in Polish with the verb to be. Polish second language speakers of Dutch speak of a state while meaning an event (or vice versa). Moreover, the impersonal passive (except for very rare cases), which is often used in Dutch, is absent in Polish. In case of active use of Dutch by Polish students, they will tend to avoid passive constructions rather and replace them by constructions similar to equivalents of the impersonal passive as expressed in their Polish mother tongue.
Het beeld van het gezin in Boerenpsalm van Felix Timmermans en Placówka (De voorpost) van Bolesław Prus
Authors: Włodarczyk-Kaziród Joanna
Published: October 2021

This article is an attempt to present the image of the family that is contained in two novels, Boerenpsalm (A Peasant’s Psalm) by Felix Timmermans and Placówka (The Outpost) by Bolesław Prus. The article begins with an introduction, explaining the phenomenon of regional prose which was present at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries in both Dutch and Polish literature. Following this, aspects such as time, space and the subject of the novel, as well as the way of presenting the family theme, are discussed. The article ends with a summary and discussion of the conclusions drawn. The family community is the eternal and basic structure of interpersonal relationships. The family presented in the novels analysed is a large, multi-generational community, based on relationships. However, it can be unequivocally stated that the manner of presenting this community is different in the two novels discussed.
Van conferentie naar de publieke sector... Pleidooi voor het verleggen van de focus van de tolktraining in combinaties van kleinere talen
Authors: Štefková Marketa , Homola Michal
Published: October 2021

This article illustrates the increasing interest in interpreting since the first Critical Link conference in 1995 which focused on the discipline of Public Service Interpreting and Translation (PSIT), which is defined in Belgium as social interpreting. The shift in focus from conference interpreting to PSIT was a response to the need to integrate migrants and to support their participation in society. This article is a plea for the implementation of PSIT in the interpreting training of students of languages of lesser diffusion, including students of Dutch. After delineating the basic concepts of PSIT and describing the situation of PSIT in Central Europe, the PACI project, which provides inspiration for revising or supplementing the classical curricula of extramural Dutch Studies, with an additional training path for PSIT, is then presented.
Vertalen in het vreemdetalenonderwijs: Wikipedia als didactisch hulpmiddel?
Authors: Waterlot Muriel
Published: October 2021

This article relates to the field of the didactics of foreign language teaching, and presents the results of a preliminary study carried out in order to determine the extent to which Wikipedia can be used as a didactic aid and learning tool in the translation lectures of foreign language teaching in the Master’s degree in Dutch at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (Poland). In view of the free access to this online encyclopedia, on the one hand, and the richness of texts (in Polish and Dutch) with a cultural content on the other, we investigated to what extent Wikipedia translation can be successfully used as a tool in L2 translation classes. The increasing importance of technological tools (such as electronic dictionaries, terminological databases, and machine translation software) for translation and its use in language teaching, on the one hand, and, on the other, the fact that Polish graduates in Dutch philology often work as translators, were the starting point for this research, which was conducted as a preliminary phase (case study) of a more extensive study into the practical application of Wikipedia translation activities in language acquisition classes.
Het idee van verzoening tussen blank en zwart in Koen Peeters’ De Mensengenezer
Authors: Nesić Jeĺena
Published: October 2021

The “Congo-novel” is an important subgenre in Flemish literature. Dutch texts from as early as the sixteenth century contain passages about Africa. Interest in this continent continued to grow over the following centuries. This article discusses one of the themes present in De Mensengenezer (“The People Healer”, 2017), a recently published Congo-novel by the contemporary Flemish author Koen Peeters (born 1959). The focus in this article is on the relationship between whites and blacks in the context of the Congo-novel. Most of the Flemish prose on the Congo from the twentieth century and earlier depicted the blacks as inferior to the whites. Instead, De Mensengenezer offers the idea of reconciliation between these two groups.
Rozproszone dziedzictwo. Kwestia rewindykacji polskich zasobów archiwalnych
Authors: Krochmal Anna
Published: October 2021

Polska jest krajem posiadającym jeden z najbardziej rozproszonych zasobów archiwalnych. Wyraźny wpływ na taką sytuację wywarły ważne wydarzenia dziejowe, w tym przede wszystkim katastrofa rozbiorów w końcu XVIII stulecia oraz dwie późniejsze wojny światowe. Począwszy od XVII wieku aż do okresu II wojny światowej trwały grabieże lub przemieszczenia polskich dóbr kultury do państw sąsiadujących z Polską (głównie Rosji i Niemiec).

W artykule ukazano główne etapy postępowań rewindykacyjnych w odniesieniu do materiałów archiwalnych, podejmowanych przez państwo polskie wobec sąsiadów z Europy Wschodniej i Zachodniej. Pierwsze próby restytucji zagrabionych zbiorów miały miejsce już w XVII wieku na podstawie zapisów w traktatach pokojowych w Oliwie (ze Szwecją zawarty w 1660 r.) czy w Andruszowie (rozejm z Rosją w 1667 r.). Pierwszą większą akcją rewindykacyjną, która przyniosła konkretne rezultaty i dotyczyła utraconych dóbr kultury, była realizacja postanowień traktatu ryskiego z 18 marca 1921 r. Podstawowe znaczenie dla spraw archiwalnych miał artykuł XI Traktatu. Przewidywał on zwrot z Rosji radzieckiej wszystkich materiałów wywiezionych z Polski po 1 stycznia 1772 r. Do wykonania tych postanowień powołano Mieszaną Polsko-Sowiecką Komisję Specjalną, z udziałem wybitnych specjalistów (historyków, archiwistów, bibliotekarzy). Efektem ich działań był powrót do 1924 r. 31 wagonów materiałów archiwalnych, w tym archiwów z okresu I Rzeczypospolitej oraz akt wywiezionych przez Rosjan w 1915 r. Na znacznie mniejszą skalę rewindykowano w okresie II Rzeczypospolitej akta z Austrii oraz Niemiec.

Druga fala rewindykacji nastąpiła po 1945 r. Główne materiały odzyskane z Niemiec były efektem tzw. misji Adama Stebelskiego w latach 1946-1949. Archiwalia z ZSRR powracały do Polski dwukrotnie, w latach 1945-1952 oraz 1957-1964. Do dnia dzisiejszego nie odzyskano wielu materiałów źródłowych wywiezionych z Polski do ZSRR lub Niemiec, dlatego rewindykacja pozostaje aktualną i otwartą kwestią w relacjach z tymi państwami.
Destruction of the active substance of tetracycline under the action of UV irradiation
Authors:   Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education, Ustinova Maria N. , Zhunusov Nikita S. ,   Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education
Published: October 2021

The growth of the pharmaceutical industry inevitably leads to an increase in the concentration of organic pollutants in environmental objects. The problem of inactivation of such pollutants and water treatment is extremely urgent. The aim of this work was to use combined chemical methods of destruction of tetracycline, as one of the most commonly used antibiotics. The destruction of the active substance of tetracycline under UV irradiation, UV irradiation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, and UV irradiation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and ferrous iron ions was studied. It has been found that the active substance of tetracycline undergoes photodestruction at a fairly high rate, the degree of destruction reaches 75% within an hour. The kinetic characteristics of all three methods have been compared. It has been shown that the most intense oxidation of the active substance of tetracycline can be achieved by combined exposure to UV radiation and an oxidizer-hydrogen peroxide, after an hour the degree of destruction reaches 85.5%. However, the destruction of the active substance of the drug under UV irradiation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and iron ions increases the initial speed of the process by 2–4 times, but reduces the efficiency to 66.7%. Photodestruction is quite effective, but not a universal method of inactivation of pollutants of pharmaceutical origin. In combination with oxidative degradation, it can be considered as a promising method for inactivating unusable drugs, as well as a method for local wastewater treatment in clinics and pharmaceutical industries.
Evaluation of the secondary structure of poly-γ-glutamic acid produced by Bacillus subtilis EGP5QL12 by circular dichroism spectroscopy method
Authors:   Saratov State University, Chernykh Marina V. , Ibrahim Ibrahim M. I. ,   Fayoum University, Grinev Vyacheslav S. ,   Saratov State University, Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Sigida Elena N. ,   Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Fedonenko Yulia P. ,   Saratov State University, Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Konnova Svetlana A. ,   Saratov State University, Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms
Published: October 2021

An extracellular polymer was isolated from the culture liquid of Bacillus subtilis EGP5QL12 with the yield of 5,6 g/L. On the basis of the data of thin layer chromatography, colorimetric analyses and FTIR spectroscopy, it was established that the polymer is poly-γ- glutamic acid (PGA). PGA is widely used in medicine, cosmetology and the food industry due to its ability to bind water and metal ions. To assess the biotechnological potential of the isolated polymer and predict the possibilities of its application in various fields of the national economy, it is necessary to analyze the characteristic spectral features that make it possible to establish its secondary structure. The isolated PGA preparation was analyzed by circular dichroism spectroscopy at various pH values. According to the results of this study, it was found that the polymer forms predominantly β-structures with a low proportion of irregular structures and α-helices, which gives it a high potential for creating hydrogels and composite materials.
Faunistic complex of mycetophilous beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) of the xylotrophic fungus Fomes fomentarius (Basidiomyceta) in the territory of the Saratov region
Authors:   Saratov State University, Mironova Anastasia A. , Sazhnev Alexey S. ,   Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, Anikin Visilii V. ,   Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: October 2021

This article describes the characteristics of the beetle fauna – inhabitants of fruiting bodies and the mycelial layer of the true tinder fungus Fomes fomentarius L.: Fr. and are considers some important aspects of the ecology of mycetophilous beetles. Coleopteran population of fruiting bodies of the fungus in five districts of the Saratov region is 63%. Two species from the family Staphylinidae (Gyrophaena joyi Wendeler, 1924 and Scaphisoma boreale Lundblad, 1952) have been recorded on growing and / or spore bearing fruiting bodies. The complex of the main distructors is confined to dying fruiting bodies (20 species). The predominant group (61%) is Diaperis boleti (Linnaeus, 1758) (Tenebrionidae) and Erotylidae. At the trophic level, obligate mycetophages and mycetosaprophages prevail among coleopterans (95%). The most similar are the mycetophilous communities of the residential areas of Saratov and Engels (Kf = 0.7), extremely low similarity was noted for Saratov and Bazarno-Karabulak district (Kf = 0.1).
Obtaining a fluorescently labeled endophytic strain of bacteria Herbaspirillum lusitanum P6-12 for their detection in vivo and in vitro
Authors:   Saratov State University, Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Bagavova Arapat Rustamovna , Velichko Natal’ya S. ,   Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pylayev Timofey E. ,   Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saratov State Medical University named after V. I. Razumovsky, Federal Agricultural Scientific Center of the South-East, Fedonenko Yuliya P. ,   Saratov State University, Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: October 2021

The Herbaspirillum lusitanum P6-12 strain containing the vector plasmid pJN105TurboGFP, which encodes the synthesis of the green fluorescent protein GFP, and which has resistance to the antibiotic gentamicin, was obtained by electroporation. The constructed strain of H. lusitanum P6-12 in cultural, morphological and biochemical properties did not differ from the original typical natural strain of H. lusitanum P6-12. On solid growth media, the recombinant strain formed yellow-green colonies, fluorescent under UV irradiation. Upon inoculation with the resulting culture of plant objects, a green glow of the marked H. lusitanum P6-12 cells, actively colonizing the internal tissues of the host plant, was observed. The created strain can be used as a model strain for studying the patterns and characteristics of the behaviour of organisms in integrated systems, including for tracking bacterial cells during interaction with plants, assessing their survival, competitiveness, etc.
Obtaining viable Azospirillum brasilense SR80 cells encapsulated in alginate hydrogel
Authors:   Saratov State University, Kovrizhnikov Aleksandr V. , Pylaev Timofey E. ,   Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Zaharevich Andrey M. ,   Saratov State University, Konnova Svetlana A. ,   Saratov State University, Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kupryashina Maria A. ,   Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: October 2021

Significant researches aimed at the greening of agro-industrial production are focused on obtaining immobilized bacterial preparations with preserved proliferative function and metabolic activity. Herein, we investigated the possibility of bacteria of the genus Azospirillum to be immobilized in Ca-alginate beads. A. brasilense SR80 cells, encapsulated in an alginate hydrogel, were obtained using the “soft” immobilization method based on physical binding. We demonstrated the retained respiratory activity and growth ability of the bacteria during immobilization, thus confirming the advantageous prospects of alginate templates for azospirilla encapsulation.
Ecological and cenotic characteristics of Colchicum laetum (Colchicaceae) habitats in the Volgograd region
Authors:   Saratov State University, Shushunov Vyacheslav A. , Shilova Irina V. ,   Saratov State University, Parhomenko Alena S. ,   Saratov State University, Kashin Alexandr S. ,   Saratov State University
Published: October 2021

During the flowering period of Colchicum laetum Stephen (September 16–19, 2020), seven habitats were studied in the Volgograd region. C. laetum occurs on small (0.006–4 ha) unploughed areas of the steppes adjacent to gullies. In the community, 28 species of vascular plants were recorded, including C. laetum, only 10 species vegetated (from 2 to 7 in the community): Artemisia austriaca Jacq., A. santonicum L., Bassia prostrata (L.) Beck, Cynanchum acutum L., Dianthus polymorphus M. Bieb., Euphorbia seguieriana Neck., E. virgata Waldst., Grubovia sedoides (Pall.) GL Chu, Limonium bungei (Claus) Gamajun., Medicago falcata L. The participation of C. laetum is from single individuals to quite abundant, with a projective cover not exceeding 5%. A preliminary assessment of habitat by vegetation according to the Ramenskoye scales showed that one community is quite rich, one is rich and one is not rich. The humidification is from dry steppe to desert. Only one community does not experience anthropogenic impact. In the second the arrival of vehicles was marked. In the third grazing is carried out, accompanied by a failure.
Comparison of Telehomecare Interventions in Controlling Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Shoyukhi Zohreh , Dehghani Mahmoodabadi Arezoo , Dehghan Hamid Reza
Published: October 2021

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered the fourth main cause of mortality worldwide, affecting 10% of adults aged up to 40 years. Due to the growing elderly population and smoking, the global burden of COPD is expected to increase in the general population. Telemedicine may help patients with COPD to decrease exacerbation episodes and the associated costs. Moreover, Telehomecare (THC) may be considered as an alternative to cut down hospitalization costs and increase the patients’ comfort.
Objectives: This study explains the methodology of a systematic review and meta-analysis designed to evaluate the impact of THC interventions on the control and management of COPD and its complications.
Methods: To review all published studies comparing THC interventions in controlling COPD and its complications, all studies published in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane databases, HTA EED, DARE, Embase, SID, Magiran will be searched until the end of 2021.  Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cluster RCTs, controlled clinical trials comparing telehealth with standard monitoring of COPD patients were included. Independent reviewers will review the abstracts and full-texts of all relevant studies for eligibility, risk of bias, and data extraction using structured forms. The meta-analysis will be performed for adequately homogenous studies regarding their populations, interventions, and objectives.
Conclusion: The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis will provide useful information on the impacts of THC on COPD control. The evidence provided by this systematic review can be helpful for clinical specialists, public health policymakers, and the general population.
Using Face Masks as a Cheap and Critical Tool in Reducing COVID-19 Spread
Authors: Bahariniya Sajjad , Madadizadeh Farzan , Ezati Asar Mohammad
Published: October 2021

The article's abstract is not available.
The Importance-Performance Analysis of the Quality of Services Provided for Patients in Hospitals Affiliated to Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Science
Authors: Ghorbani Zahra , Faraji-Khiavi Farzad , Jahanbani Effat , Dindamal Behnaz
Published: October 2021

Background: Quality is a key factor in the distinction of services, and it is a potential source of sustainable competitive advantage to increase productiveness and patient satisfaction. The identification of strengths and weaknesses in quality of provided services can help to recognize priorities and develop improvement strategies.
Objectives: Using importance-performance analysis (IPA) method, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of services provided in hospitals affiliated to Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Methods: Using stratified random sampling, this descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study included 307 patients admitted to five Educational Hospitals affiliated to Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in 2016. Data collection tool was a standard questionnaire proposed by Tomes & Chee Peng Ng (1995), which included demographic information and questions regarding the quality of services provided in seven factors. In addition to IPA, data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s correlation, and chi squared test in SPSS software version 21.
Results: Total scores of quality factors were estimated as “important” in our research. In quality performance, “food”, “physical environment” and “dignity” factors were estimated as “relatively inappropriate” by mean scores of 2.50 ± 0.95, 2.90 ± 0.97 and 2.94 ± 1.05, respectively. These three factors were located in the second region of the IPA matrix. While the other four factors, including “empathy”, “relationship of mutual respect”, “understanding of illness” and “religious needs,” with mean scores higher than 3 were estimated as “appropriate” and located in the first region of this matrix. In all quality factors, scores of performance were lower than importance, and the gap between importance and performance in these seven factors ranged from 0.82 to 1.52. There was a significant relationship between age and education of respondents with the quality of services.
Conclusions: Given that the largest gap was related to the tangible dimensions of quality (including food and physical environment) and in order to improve the quality of services and competitive position, hospital managers must consider tangible dimension as a priority. Keywords: Quality of Services; Importance-Performance Analysis; Hospital; Hospital Services.
Testis with no tunica vaginalis: A case report and literature review
Authors: Ali Mohamad Mirjalili Seyed , Maleki Hadi , Gholami Javid
Published: October 2021

This is a Letter to the Editor. Please download the PDF or view the article HTML.
Efficacy and Safety of Interferon Beta-1b in the Management of Patients with COVID-19: A Prospective, Open-Label, Non-Randomized Trial
Authors: Rouhani Nima , Karimpour-razkenari Elahe , Alizadeh Forutan Mostafa , Ghazaeian Monireh , Salehifar Ebrahim , Rezai Mohammad Sadegh , Fallah Sahar
Published: October 2021

Backgrounds: There is no proven therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) so far. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of interferon beta-1b combined with lopinavir/ritonavir and hydroxychloroquine in managing COVID-19.
Methods: This is a non-randomized, open-label study on adult patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. The patients (≥ 18 years) received hydroxychloroquine 400 mg single dose, and lopinavir 400 mg/ritonavir 100 mg every 12 h (for 7-10 days) with or without subcutaneous interferon (IFN) beta-1b 250 mcg every other day for e primary outcome was clinical improvement in NEWS2 changes. Duration of hospital stay, mortality rate, and safety profile of therapeutic regimens were secondary outcomes.
Results: Between March 20 and April 3, 2020, a total of 114 patients were recruited and 59 patients completed the study. The IFN group had a significant improvement in clinical symptoms due to a significant reduction in NEWS2 (83.3% (25) vs 48.3% (14), P= 0.004). The time to clinical response in the IFN group was shorter than the control group (7 (5-12) days vs 9.5 (7-18), P=0.037). The IFN group also showed a significantly lower rate of 28-day mortality (6.8% (2) vs 34.5% (10), P= 0.01) and a lower need for invasive ventilation (6.8% (2) vs 34.5 (10), P= 0.008). Although the duration of ICU stay was marginally shorter in the IFN group, the results were not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.06).
Conclusion: IFN beta-1b could be a potential therapeutic option for patients with moderate to severe COVID-19.
Impact of Intervention by an Antimicrobial Stewardship Team on Rational Use of Antibiotics
Authors: Alikhani Ahmad , Babamahmoudi Farhang , Khabbaz Alieh , Abbaspour Kasgari Hamideh , Mohabbati Sabzan
Published: October 2021

Background: An antimicrobial stewardship program can be defined as the set of actions performed in hospitals for the rational use of antibiotics. Early conversion from intravenous to oral antibiotics plays an important role in reducing the cost of treatment, shortening the length of hospital stay, and decreasing the workload of nurses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship program on duration of hospitalization and medication costs.
Methods: We performed an interventional study in Razi teaching hospital. All hospitalized patients aged 18 and older who met the inclusion criteria were included. This study comprised two groups. The interventional prospective group to assess the impact of intravenous to oral antibiotic conversion, and a retrospective group in which the intervention had not been applied, used as the comparator.
Results: A total of 260 cases were enrolled; 47 in the interventional group and 213 in the retrospective one. The length of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the intervention group compared to the retrospective one (5.2 vs7.9 days, p<0.001). The cost of intravenous antibiotics and total medication costs significantly decreased in the intervention group.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that conversion from intravenous to oral antibiotics is effective for reducing the length of hospital stay, antibiotic cost, and excess use of intravenous antibiotics.
Structural equation modelling in sustainable development research
Authors: Krastevich Todor , Reshetkova Atanaska
Published: October 2021

This chapter is dedicated to the structural equation modelling methods applied to solve sustainable development research problems. A structural equation model is an abstraction of reality, and the researcher’s job is to build a model that approximates that reality as closely as possible. This task can be difficult if we do not have a clear understanding of what the reality of the studied phenomena is. Sometimes there is a sound theory behind the studied phenomena, and we can use variables that other researchers have already pointed out as valid indicators. In other situations, we have to start with a set of variables and test many hypothetical relationships based only on theoretical work. In this chapter, we focus on providing researchers with the knowledge needed to specify, evaluate, and interpret structural equation models (SEMs) in any field of social sciences, but most and foremost—in research related to the concept of sustainable development.
The Role of Irrigation on Improvement of Young Children in Central Kenya
Authors:   Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya, Kirogo Veronicah , K.M Wambui ,   University of Nairobi, M.M Nelson
Published: October 2021

A comparative, retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the role of irrigation on improvement of nutritional status of children aged 6 – 59 months in a semi-arid setting. Two equal samples of fifty-nine children (aged 6 – 59 months) hereafter, referred to as the Project and the Non-project groups, respectively were randomly selected from households with a nd without access to irrigation water in Kieni East Division of Nyeri District, Kenya. The study area is situated in the drier western leeward side of Mt. Kenya and is characteristic by unreliable rainfall of between 500 to 1200 mm per annum. Weight, height and age of index children were determined and the corresponding standard deviations of weight-for-age, we ight-for-height and height-for-age calculated and compared to the reference standards developed by the US National Centre for Health Statistics. Energy and nutrient intake was determined using 24-hour dietary recall method. The findings on socio-demographic characteristics showed that the Project and Non-project households were similar in terms of household size, land size, marital status of the respondent, maternal and paternal education and occupation. The calorie intake of over two-fifth (42%) of the children from the Non-project households compared to 39% from the Project households was below the Recommended Daily Allowance. The children from commercial farming Project households had significantly higher weight-for-age Z-score than those from commercial farming Non-project households. Similarly, children from high-income Project households had significantly higher height-for-age Z-score than those from high-income Non-project households. The prevalence of stunting was also significantly lower in the high-income Project households compared to high-income N on-project households. Among the male children, the prevalence of underweight was significantly higher in Non-project households than in Project households. Overall, the prevalence of stunting and underweight which are indicators of long-term nutritional deprivation were higher in Non-project households than Project households. The findings of the study led to the conclusion that irrigation contributes to increased per capita food availability resulting in higher energy intakes and subsequently enables households to safeguard young children against chronic malnutrition. Also, poverty as characterised by low household income remains a main determinant of nutritional status.