bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a rapid Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) test for the laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections
Authors: Brandolini Martina , Grumiro Laura , Farabegoli Patrizia , Dirani Giorgio , Zannoli Silvia , Zaghi Irene , Guerra Massimiliano , Taddei Francesca , Gatti Giulia , Marzucco Anna , Montanari Maria Sofia , De Pascali Alessandra Mistral , Semprini Simona , Cricca Monica , Sambri Vittorio
Published: March 2024

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have seen a considerable increase in the last years and given the health burden they may represent from both a personal and community perspective, they require surveillance and prevention programmes based on a timely and decentralized diagnosis. In this context, user-friendly rapid molecular tests may represent a good trade-off between diagnostic accuracy, accessibility and affordability. In this study we evaluated the diagnostic performance of a new real-time LAMP (Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification) method for the rapid detection and differentiation of 7 major sexually transmissible pathogens by analysing real clinical samples (genital and extra-genital matrices) from individuals with suspected STIs. The assay showed good overall diagnostic performances in terms of sensitivity, specificity and concordance with a gold-standard PCR-based molecular method. This assay, not requiring specialised laboratory technicians or expensive instrumentation, but nonetheless capable of guaranteeing accurate results, is within the reach of outpatient settings, obstetrics, and gynaecology clinic, hence ensuring on-field access to early diagnosis.
Neonatal birth trauma and associated factors in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Woldegeorgis Beshada Zerfu , Gebrekidan Amanuel Yosef , Kassie Gizachew Ambaw , Azeze Gedion Asnake , Asgedom Yordanos Sisay , Alemu Henok Berhanu , Obsa Mohammed Suleiman
Published: March 2024

Neonatal birth trauma, although it has steadily decreased in industrialized nations, constitutes a significant health burden in low-resource settings. Keeping with this, we sought to determine the pooled cumulative incidence (incidence proportion) of birth trauma and identify potential contributing factors in low and middle-income countries. Besides, we aimed to describe the temporal trend, clinical pattern, and immediate adverse neonatal outcomes of birth trauma. We searched articles published in the English language in the Excerpta Medica database, PubMed, Web of Science, Google, African Journals Online, Google Scholar, Scopus, and in the reference list of retrieved articles. Literature search strategies were developed using medical subject headings and text words related to the outcomes of the study. The Joana Briggs Institute quality assessment tool was employed and articles with appraisal scores of seven or more were deemed suitable to be included in the meta-analysis. Data were analyzed using the random-effect Dersimonian-Laird model. The full search identified a total of 827 articles about neonatal birth trauma. Of these, 37 articles involving 365,547 participants met the inclusion criteria. The weighted pooled cumulative incidence of birth trauma was estimated at 34 per 1,000 live births (95% confidence interval (CI) 30.5 to 38.5) with the highest incidence observed in Africa at 52.9 per 1,000 live births (95% CI 46.5 to 59.4). Being born to a mother from rural areas (odds ratio (OR), 1.61; 95% CI1.18 to 2.21); prolonged labor (OR, 5.45; 95% CI 2.30, 9.91); fetal malpresentation at delivery (OR, 4.70; 95% CI1.75 to 12.26); shoulder dystocia (OR, 6.11; 95% CI3.84 to 9.74); operative vaginal delivery (assisted vacuum or forceps extraction) (OR, 3.19; 95% CI 1.92 to 5.31); and macrosomia (OR, 5.06; 95% CI 2.76 to 9.29) were factors associated with neonatal birth trauma. In conclusion, we found a considerably high incidence proportion of neonatal birth trauma in low and middle-income countries. Therefore, early identification of risk factors and prompt decisions on the mode of delivery can potentially contribute to the decreased magnitude and impacts of neonatal birth trauma and promote the newborn’s health.
A normalization model for repeated letters in social media hate speech text based on rules and spelling correction
Authors: Mansur Zainab , Omar Nazlia , Tiun Sabrina , Alshari Eissa M.
Published: March 2024

As social media booms, abusive online practices such as hate speech have unfortunately increased as well. As letters are often repeated in words used to construct social media messages, these types of words should be eliminated or reduced in number to enhance the efficacy of hate speech detection. Although multiple models have attempted to normalize out-of-vocabulary (OOV) words with repeated letters, they often fail to determine whether the in-vocabulary (IV) replacement words are correct or incorrect. Therefore, this study developed an improved model for normalizing OOV words with repeated letters by replacing them with correct in-vocabulary (IV) replacement words. The improved normalization model is an unsupervised method that does not require the use of a special dictionary or annotated data. It combines rule-based patterns of words with repeated letters and the SymSpell spelling correction algorithm to remove repeated letters within the words by multiple rules regarding the position of repeated letters in a word, be it at the beginning, middle, or end of the word and the repetition pattern. Two hate speech datasets were then used to assess performance. The proposed normalization model was able to decrease the percentage of OOV words to 8%. Its F1 score was also 9% and 13% higher than the models proposed by two extant studies. Therefore, the proposed normalization model performed better than the benchmark studies in replacing OOV words with the correct IV replacement and improved the performance of the detection model. As such, suitable rule-based patterns can be combined with spelling correction to develop a text normalization model to correctly replace words with repeated letters, which would, in turn, improve hate speech detection in texts.
Preparation of isolated guard cells, containing cell walls, from Vicia faba
Authors: Fleetwood Sara K. , Kleiman Maya , Foster E. Johan
Published: March 2024

Stomatal movement, initiated by specialized epidermal cells known as guard cells (GCs), plays a pivotal role in plant gas exchange and water use efficiency. Despite protocols existing for isolating GCs through proplasting for carrying out biochemical, physiological, and molecular studies, protocals for isolating GCs with their cell walls still intact have been lacking in the literature. In this paper, we introduce a method for the isolation of complete GCs from Vicia faba and show their membrane to remain impermeable through propidium iodide staining. This methodology enables further in-depth analyses into the cell wall composition of GCs, facilitating our understanding of structure-function relationship governing reversible actuation within cells.
Cost-utility analysis of atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in Thailand
Authors: Sriphoosanaphan Supachaya , Pantumongkol Witthawat , Kulpeng Wantanee , Charonpongsuntorn Chanchai , Tanwandee Tawesak , Sukeepaisarnjaroen Wattana , Sobhonslidsuk Abhasnee , Tangkijvanich Pisit
Published: March 2024

Background

Clinical trials have proven the efficacy and safety of atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab (A+B) in treating unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). This study aimed to assess the cost-utility of A+B compared to best supportive care (BSC) among uHCC patients in Thailand.

Methods

We conducted a cost-utility analysis from a societal perspective. We used a three-state Markov model to estimate relevant costs and health outcomes over the lifetime horizon. Local cost and utility data from Thai patients were applied. All costs were adjusted to 2023 values using the consumer price index. We reported results as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) in United States dollars ($) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. We discounted future costs and outcomes at 3% per annum. We then performed one-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis to assess parameter uncertainty. The budget impact was conducted to estimate the financial burden from the governmental perspective over a five-year period.

Results

Compared to BSC, A+B provided a better health benefit with 0.8309 QALY gained at an incremental lifetime cost of $45,357. The ICER was $54,589 per QALY gained. The result was sensitive to the hazard ratios for the overall survival and progression-free survival of A+B. At the current Thai willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $4,678 per QALY gained, the ICER of A+B remained above the threshold. The projected budgetary requirements for implementing A+B in the respective first and fifth years would range from 8.2 to 27.9 million USD.

Conclusion

Although A+B yielded the highest clinical benefit compared with BSC for the treatment of uHCC patients, A+B is not cost-effective in Thailand at the current price and poses budgetary challenges.
Immune dysfunction mediated by the competitive endogenous RNA network in fetal side placental tissue of polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Xie Ningning , Wang Fangfang , Chen Danqing , Zhou Jue , Xu Jian , Qu Fan
Published: March 2024

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting women in their reproductive years. Emerging evidence suggests that the maternal-fetal immune system is crucial for proper pregnancy. However, whether immune function is altered at the end of pregnancy in PCOS women and the underlying molecular mechanisms is currently unexplored. Herein, the basic maternal immune system was investigated (n = 136 in the control group; n = 103 in the PCOS group), and whole-transcriptome sequencing was carried out to quantify the mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs expression levels in fetal side placental tissue of women with PCOS. GO, KEGG, and GSEA analysis were employed for functional enrichment analysis. The process of identifying hub genes was conducted utilizing the protein-protein interaction network. CIBERSORT and Connectivity Map were deployed to determine immune cell infiltration and predict potential drugs, respectively. A network of mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA was constructed and then validated by qRT-PCR. First, red blood cell count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin were significantly elevated, while placental growth factor was hindered in PCOS women. We identified 308 DEmRNAs, 77 DEmiRNAs, and 332 DElncRNAs in PCOS samples. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that there were significant changes observed in terms of the immune system, especially the chemokine pathway. Eight genes, including FOS, JUN, EGR1, CXCL10, CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCL11, and CXCL8, were considered as hub genes. Furthermore, the degree of infiltration of neutrophils was dramatically decreased in PCOS tissues. In total, 57 ceRNA events were finally obtained, and immune-related ceRNA networks were validated. Some potential drug candidates, such as enalapril and RS-100329, could have a function in PCOS therapy. This study represents the inaugural attempt to evaluate the immune system at the end of pregnancy and placental ceRNA networks in PCOS, indicating alterations in the chemokine pathway, which may impact fetal and placental growth, and provides new therapy targets.
Late shellmound occupation in southern Brazil: A multi-proxy study of the Galheta IV archaeological site
Authors: Mendes Cardoso Jessica , Merencio Fabiana , Villagran Ximena , Wesolowski Veronica , Estevam Renata , Fuller Benjamin T. , DeBlasis Paulo , Pierre-Gilson Simon , Guiserix Danaé , Méjean Pauline , Figuti Levy , Farias Deisi , Guimaraes Geovan , Strauss Andre , Jaouen Klervia
Published: March 2024

Brazilian coastal archaeology is renowned for its numerous and large shellmounds(sambaquis), which had been continuously occupied from at least 8000 to 1000 years cal BP. However, changes in their structure and material culture in the late Holocene have led to different hypotheses concerning their ecological and cultural changes. The archaeological site Galheta IV (ca. 1300 to 500 years cal BP) offers new insights into the complexity of the late coastal occupation in southern Brazil. Our attempt was to determine whether Galheta IV can be classified as asambaquisite, or if it belongs to a Southernproto-Jêsettlement. Here, we reassessed Galheta’s collections and applied a multi-proxy approach using: new14C dates, zooarchaeology, δ13C and δ15N isotopes in bulk collagen and87Sr/86Srenamelisotopic ratios from eight human individuals, ceramics analysis, and FTIR. The results indicate an intense exploitation of marine resources, with an area designated for processing animals located at the opposite side of the funerary areas. Bone tools and specific species of animals were found as burial accompaniments. No evidence of human cremations was detected.87Sr/86Sr results indicate that the eight human individuals always lived on the coast, and did not come from the inland. The pottery analysis confirms the association with Itararé-Taquara, but contrary to what was assumed by previous studies, the pottery seems related to other coastal sites, and not to the highlands. In light of these findings, we propose that Galheta IV can be considered a funerary mound resulting from long and continuous interactions between shellmound and Southernproto-Jêpopulations. This study not only enhances our understanding of the late coastal occupation dynamics in southern Brazil but also underscores its importance in reshaping current interpretations of shellmound cultural changes over time.
Effect of the red uniform on the judgment of position or movement used in Wushu Routine, evaluated by practitioners of the modality
Authors: Li Jinkun , Zhang Jingmin , Tao Shuo , Zeng Xiaoying , Zou Rong , Hong Xiaobin
Published: March 2024

In the artistic sports program, the referee’ scores directly determine the final results of the athletes. Wushu is a artistic sport that has a Chinese characteristic and has the potential to become an official competition at the Summer Olympic. In this study we tested whether a red uniform color affects Wushu Routine practitioners’ ratings of athletes’ position or movement of Wushu Routine. We also tested whether the effect varied depending on the gender of the athlete and the practitioner, and depending on whether female practitioners were in the ovulation phase of their menstrual cycle. Male (Experiment 1: N = 72) and female (Experiment 1: N = 72; Experiment 2: N = 52) participants who major in Wushu Routine were recruited to take a referee’s perspective and rate the movement quality of male and female athletes wearing red or blue uniforms. The results of Experiment 1 showed that both male and female athletes wearing red uniform (compared to blue uniform) received higher ratings (p = .002, η2 = .066; p = .014, η2 = .043), and the red effect was especially strong when male practitioners rated female athletes (p = .002, η2 = .069). The results of Experiment 2, in an all-female sample, showed that in most cases there was no difference in ratings made by women in the ovulation and non-ovulation phases of their menstrual cycle, with the exception of their ratings of male athletes wearing red; in this condition, women gave higher ratings when they were in the ovulation phase of their cycle (p = .026). The results suggest that there is a red effect in an artistic sport like Wushu Routine, in which gender and the female menstrual cycle play an important role.
Prevalence and impact of sarcopenia in individuals with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (the SARC-HF study): A prospective observational study protocol
Authors: Nascimento Pablo Marino Corrêa , Rodrigues Junior Luiz Fernando , Felix Mediano Mauro Felippe , Gonçalves da Silva Valéria , Tura Bernardo Rangel , Nogueira Fabio César Sousa , Domont Gilberto , Carvalho Adriana Bastos , de Carvalho Antônio Carlos Campos , Kasai-Brunswick Taís Hanae , Mesquita Claudio Tinoco , Junior Humberto Villacorta , Rey Helena Cramer Veiga
Published: March 2024

Sarcopenia, a clinical syndrome primarily associated with reduced muscle mass in the elderly, has a negative impact on quality of life and survival. It can occur secondarily to other diseases such as heart failure (HF), a complex clinical syndrome with high morbidity and mortality. The simultaneous occurrence of these two conditions can worsen the prognosis of their carriers, especially in the most severe cases of HF, as in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, due to the heterogeneous diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia, estimates of its prevalence present a wide variation, leading to new criteria having been recently proposed for its diagnosis, emphasizing muscle strength and function rather than skeletal muscle mass. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia and/or dynapenia in individuals with HF with reduced LVEF according to the most recent criteria, and compare the gene and protein expression of those patients with and without sarcopenia. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the association of sarcopenia and/or dynapenia with the risk of clinical events and death, quality of life, cardiorespiratory capacity, ventilatory efficiency, and respiratory muscle strength. The participants will answer questionnaires to evaluate sarcopenia and quality of life, and will undergo the following tests: handgrip strength, gait speed, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, respiratory muscle strength, cardiopulmonary exercise, as well as genomic and proteomic analysis, and dosage of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and growth differentiation factor-15. An association between sarcopenia and/or dynapenia with unfavorable clinical evolution is expected to be found, in addition to reduced quality of life, cardiorespiratory capacity, ventilatory efficiency, and respiratory muscle strength.
A genome-wide CRISPR screening uncovers that TOB1 acts as a key host factor for FMDV infection via both IFN and EGFR mediated pathways
Authors: Peng Gaochuang , Liu Tianran , Qi Xiaolan , Wang Yuzhe , Ren Jingjing , Peng Jiangling , Du Xuguang , Hu Siyu , Wu Sen , Zhao Yaofeng , Li Dan , Zheng Haixue
Published: March 2024

The interaction between foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and the host is extremely important for virus infection, but there are few researches on it, which is not conducive to vaccine development and FMD control. In this study, we designed a porcine genome-scale CRISPR/Cas9 knockout library containing 93,859 single guide RNAs targeting 16,886 protein-coding genes, 25 long ncRNAs, and 463 microRNAs. Using this library, several previously unreported genes required for FMDV infection are highly enriched post-FMDV selection in IBRS-2 cells. Follow-up studies confirmed the dependency of FMDV on these genes, and we identified a functional role for one of the FMDV-related host genes: TOB1 (Transducer of ERBB2.1). TOB1-knockout significantly inhibits FMDV infection by positively regulating the expression of RIG-I and MDA5. We further found that TOB1-knockout led to more accumulation of mRNA transcripts of transcription factor CEBPA, and thus its protein, which further enhanced transcription of RIG-I and MDA5 genes. In addition, TOB1-knockout was shown to inhibit FMDV adsorption and internalization mediated by EGFR/ERBB2 pathway. Finally, the FMDV lethal challenge on TOB1-knockout mice confirmed that the deletion of TOB1 inhibited FMDV infection in vivo. These results identify TOB1 as a key host factor involved in FMDV infection in pigs.
Interview with Gary Nash
Authors: Prior Ross W.
Published: March 2024

This interview with art therapist Gary Nash explores his thoughts on the field, both successes and challenges, including his work with response art and as a portfolio art therapist. Additionally, Nash offers his observations about art-based research based on his many years of research experience. Nash provides some background on his interest in and approach to art therapy, response art and art-based research. Finally, Nash shares how Nature influences and inspires his more recent work in environmental arts therapy.
António Cândido: Como Académico da Universidade de Coimbra
Authors: Marcos Rui de Figueiredo
Published: March 2024

António Cândido (1850-1922)
Em boa hora o jovem António Cândido interrompeu o caminho que o levaria a uma vida eclesiástica para se inscrever na Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de Coimbra. Assim dava ele os primeiros passos em direção a uma exuberante carreira, académica e política, num período de enormes transformações em Portugal, as últimas décadas do Século XIX e as primeiras do Século XX.
Mujeres violentadas y deshonradas.El amancebamiento religioso ante el tribunal eclesiástico de la diócesis palentina a mediados del s. XVIII
Authors: Rodríguez Blanco Cynthia
Published: March 2024

Partiendo de la premisa de que los delitos que atentaban contra la moral sexual se configuraban como uno de los principales generadores de escándalo en la sociedad de Antiguo Régimen, en este trabajo nos proponemos analizar los pleitos por amancebamiento eclesiástico que vio el tribunal episcopal de Palencia a lo largo de la década de 1750-1760. Una muestra compuesta por 144 expedientes que nos permitirán desentrañar el contexto en el que se producían esas faltas, observando cómo afectaban, ya no solo a los implicados, sino al resto de integrantes de la comunidad. Sirviéndonos de los testimonios que aportaron los testigos acerca de «la grave nota y escándalo» que se estaba produciendo en la localidad, conoceremos la identidad y el estado civil de las implicadas, qué tan familiar era el trato que mantenían con los eclesiásticos, por qué se sospechaba de ellas, si habían estado inmersas en semejantes procesos con anterioridad o si habían experimentado síntomas de preñez. En lo que respecta a la otra parte implicada, los religiosos, nos interesa principalmente saber en qué medida no respetaron el voto de castidad y qué penas les fueron impuestas por ello.
El escándalo como «salvaguarda» de las mujeres en los pleitos por malos tratos de finales del Antiguo Régimen
Authors: Corada Alonso Alberto , Herranz Pinacho María
Published: March 2024

Tradicionalmente el escándalo se ha asociado con una situación negativa para las mujeres del Antiguo Régimen. Si no se ajustaban a la perfección y a los límites y modelos establecidos para ellas eran consideradas como escandalosas. Peor aún, perdían la honra, la suya y la de su familia. Sin embargo, se dieron situaciones excepcionales, como el caso de la violencia marital, en las que el escándalo actuó en beneficio de las mujeres. Los malos tratos fueron aceptados e, incluso, consentidos por las autoridades eclesiásticas y civiles, pero siempre dentro de unos límites. El principal de todos ellos fue la desproporción en lo que se entendía como corrección de los maridos hacia las mujeres, especialmente cuando esta incurría en una situación de publicidad o escándalo que alteraba la convivencia y la quietud del vecindario. Para analizar esta realidad se ha consultado la documentación de la Real Chancillería de Valladolid, de lo que ha resultado un conocimiento sobre la intervención de oficio de los tribunales de justicia, tanto en primera instancia como en apelación. Gracias a ello, se ha observado cómo actuaba la justicia, en qué lugar quedaba la honra femenina dentro del vecindario, si había apoyo por parte de los vecinos, etc. Pero, por encima de todo, si ese escándalo suponía un alejamiento del marido del hogar y, por lo tanto, la vuelta de la paz al entorno familiar.
Otra forma de alterar: cuando ‘Ana’ es ‘Antonio’ a fines del Antiguo Régimen
Authors: Navarro Soledad Gómez
Published: March 2024

Este texto plantea otra expresión del escándalo como es el fingimiento, la impostura, el travestismo, a través del caso de Ana María Antonia de Soto —o Sotomayor, o Soto y Alhama, porque usó varios apellidos—, infante de marina durante un quinquenio con Carlos IV. Y ello, porque también escándalo y repercusión se producían cuando la impostura se descubría, por ser asimismo una suerte de transgresión, pese a que el contenido de la impostura que nos ocupará fuera más frecuente de lo que podría suponerse. Últimamente algo más conocido y difundido por la indagación, científica o novelada, de quien a ella se ha acercado, hay, empero, dos cuestiones prácticamente ignotas que son las que aquí interesan, por novedosas, y porque son las que aportan conocimiento al tema. Por un lado, a qué obedece su experiencia, esto es, cuál es su contexto conceptual, histórico y sociocultural, algo importante para situar debidamente el fenómeno; y, por otro, por qué pudo actuar como lo hizo y qué revela su vida tras ser descubierta como mujer, preguntas ambas especialmente relevantes para entender el proceso, su proceso. Estos son los dos objetivos de esta elaboración, junto con la inevitable semblanza personal de la protagonista. Fuentes eclesiásticas, judiciales, notariales, municipales, primarias y secundarias, y una metodología cualitativa y comparativa, tratarán de mostrar que su comportamiento participa de un modelo europeo bastante bien definido; y, sobre todo, que su posible situación familiar, su formación, y la vivencia de su identidad sexual, pueden justificar o explicar su camuflaje como varón durante varios años.
A diario: escándalo y mujeres en la España de la Restauración (1881-1923)
Authors: Ortega Muñoz Víctor José
Published: March 2024

Durante la Restauración borbónica en España, el desarrollo de la prensa moderna facilitó a las mujeres traspasar desde el ámbito privado al público mediante la inclusión de informaciones de sucesos, que permiten poner el foco sobre una parte de la humanidad tradicionalmente subordinada y silenciada. Entre las noticias que hicieron esto posible se encuentran los escándalos, la alteración del orden público y la ruptura de la tranquilidad habitual. Su estudio nos acerca a un mejor conocimiento de la sociedad, las mujeres y la construcción del discurso social sobre los roles femeninos y su transgresión, ya sea desde el punto de vista comportamental, económico o sexual. Aunque la aproximación se realice mediante narraciones con un marcado carácter negativo y rayando la delincuencia, revela una realidad de mujeres, principalmente de clase popular, que no encajaban en el modelo impuesto por el sistema patriarcal.
«La mujer lleva en su ignorancia el germen de su perdición». Prostitución pública e higienismo en Logroño durante el siglo XIX
Authors: Segovia Vara Marina , Zuñiga Crespo Javier
Published: March 2024

Este artículo, centrado en las estrategias de control de la prostitución y los conflictos que generó la política reglamentista entre vecinos, autoridades y prostitutas, aspira a contribuir al campo de investigación de la sexualidad y la Historia urbana en Logroño, una ciudad en la que aspectos como la reglamentación de la prostitución y la expulsión de mancebías del centro de la ciudad no han sido apenas tratados. A partir del estudio de la normativa municipal —entre otras fuentes primarias de carácter municipal— y de fuentes hemerográficas se ha analizado el verdadero alcance del sistema reglamentista, así como las tensiones que esta actividad generó entre los vecinos. Las fuentes muestran dos modelos de ciudad, por un lado, el espacio moderno ambicionado por la burguesía, en el que los grupos marginales no tenían cabida y por otro, los barrios degradados en los que, a pesar de las quejas de los vecinos, se situó el comercio sexual, aspecto trabajado mediante cartografía digital a partir de los planos de Luis Barrón y Gabriel Vizmanos.
Analysis of environmental factors influencing lumpy skin disease outbreak seasonality and assessment of its spread risk in the Saratovskaya oblast of Russia
Authors: Podshibyakin Dmitry , Padilo Larisa , Agoltsov Valery , Chernykh Oleg , Popova Olga , Mutalif Kalabekov , Solotova Nataliya
Published: March 2024

Background and Aim: Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a transboundary viral disease of cattle that causes serious economic losses due to a significant decrease in meat and milk productivity. This study analyzed the influence of natural and anthropogenic environmental factors on LSD spread seasonality and assessed the risk of LSD outbreaks in the Saratovskaya oblast of the Russian Federation.

Materials and Methods: Data on LSD outbreaks and environmental factors during different seasons were collected for the period 2011-2020 in the Balkan Peninsula, Middle East, and Russia. Risk assessment was performed using mathematical modeling with generalized linear regression and maximum entropy.

Results: Fourteen statistically significant environmental factors influencing LSD spread were identified. The analysis of MaxEnt models built using the selected factors showed that the presence of the pathogen is mostly exerted by: the density of susceptible cattle (an increased risk is observed at a density above 10 and 20 heads/10 km2 in winter and autumn, with a permanent risk in spring and summer), the density of water bodies (the risk is increased at any density in winter and autumn, in the range of 13-23.5 m2/km2 in spring, in the ranges of 0-8 and over 14.5 m2/km2 in summer), and average monthly precipitation rate (the most risky are 105-185 mm/month in winter, 35 mm in spring, 15-105 mm in summer, and above 50 mm in autumn).

Conclusion: LSD tends to spread during the warm season. Compared with other test zones, the Saratovskaya oblast has a negligible risk of disease spread (in winter), low risk (in spring), or medium risk (in summer and autumn). The annual risk is low to medium.

Keywords: cattle, environmental factors, generalized linear regression, lumpy skin disease, maximum entropy, species distribution.
A pilot study on the pulmonary anthracosis in stray dogs of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: A potential public health threat for future
Authors: Thapa Sunil , Bhatta Rajesh , Puri Bikash , Bashyal Rajendra , Kunwar Romi , Shrestha Swochhal Prakash , Regmi Girija , Pal Pushkar
Published: March 2024

Background and Aim: Kathmandu is a densely populated metropolitan city in Nepal. In recent years, however, the metropolis has been ranked as one of the most polluted cities worldwide. Both humans and animals are susceptible to various respiratory diseases due to chronic exposure to polluted air. Due to the relative similarities in the anatomical structure and physiological functions of the respiratory system between humans and dogs, polluted environments may lead to respiratory illness in similar ways in both species living in the valley. On the basis of information on the air quality in the valley, this study was conceived to assess pulmonary illness in street dogs to discern the health hazards caused by polluted air.

Materials and Methods: A total of 76 dogs with clinical signs of tachypnea, dyspnea, sneezing, coughing, mucopurulent discharge, moderate hyperthermia, and anorexia admitted from July 2020 to November 2020 in Animal Nepal for treatment were included in this study. Among them, 24 animals responded to treatment, and 52 dogs died during their stay in the hospital. The 52 dead animals were necropsied, and the lesions that resembled pulmonary anthracosis were further studied grossly and histologically in a blinded fashion by trained veterinary pathologists.

Results: Significant morphological alterations were observed in the lungs and associated lymph nodes of 25 animals, indicating pulmonary anthracosis. Gross morphological changes included multiple black foci with hemorrhage, congestion, nodular, and emphysema on the parietal and visceral surfaces of the lungs. The alveolar septa and visceral pleura exhibited deposition of black particles. Congestion, emphysema, and inflammatory exudates were also detected in the lung tissues and lymph nodes.

Conclusion: The clinical, gross, and microscopic findings accurately resembled those of pulmonary anthracosis. This life-threatening condition in stray canines may be caused by a critical level of air pollution from different sources and carbon emissions from vehicles. To protect animals and humans living in the Kathmandu Valley, concerned government and non-government agencies should work toward reducing air pollution levels as soon as possible.

Keywords: air pollution, histopathology, Kathmandu, pulmonary anthracosis, respiratory disease, stray dogs.
Current trends and spatial-temporal dynamics of veterinary dentistry research: A scientometric study
Authors: Alvitez-Temoche Daniel , Aguila Elca del , larza-Valencia Diego Ga, , Calderon Ivan , Espinoza-Carhuancho Fran , Pacheco-Mendoza Josmel , Mayta-Tovalino Frank
Published: March 2024

Background and Aim: Understanding dental care in dogs has made remarkable progress in veterinary medicine. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the academic literature published in veterinary dentistry from 1990 to 2023.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted using a scientometric approach and metadata from the Web of Science database. A search strategy adapted for this database was developed using MeSH and Emtree terms and the Boolean operators AND and OR. Using Bibliometrix, different metrics were evaluated to assess the scientific production of researchers and institutions and the impact of authors based on their publications. CiteSpace was also used for co-citation analysis and visualization of citation networks, trends, and patterns in this field of study over time.

Results: The bibliometric study analyzed 211 documents from 50 different sources from 1990 to 2023, with an annual growth rate of 6.5%, covering the period 1990â€“2023. A total of 474 authors were identified, with an average of 2.82 coauthors per paper and 11.85% international coauthorships. The average age of the papers was 12.4 years and 4.55 citations per paper. The most common types of documents were articles (154 documents).

Conclusion: Research in veterinary dentistry has shown steady growth from 1990 to 2023. Although there have been fluctuations in article production over the years, there has been a steady growth in article production in veterinary dentistry in general. The annual average number of citations per article has varied over the years, reaching 45 in 2015. However, the average number of citations per article has decreased significantly from 2021 to 2023.

Keywords: bibliometrix, scientometrics, veterinary dentistry.
Mechanical-chemical induction of balsam from Liquidambar excelsa trees
Authors:   Department of Forest Products, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, IPB University, Jl. Lingkar Kampus IPB Dramaga, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia, Carolina Anne , Sari Rita K. , Nawawi Deded S. , Bahtiar Effendi T. , Kusumoto Dai
Published: March 2024

Rasamala (Liquidambar excelsa (Noronha) Oken) is an endemic plant in Indonesia. Apart from its use as wood, Rasamala also produces an exudate, known as balsam. Rasamala balsam has the potential to be a substitute for other true balsams derived from Altingiaceae, namely Storax. However, local communities have not used Rasamala balsam to its full potential owing to a lack of knowledge about the tapping method and processing. Therefore, an easy and efficient induction method for plant exudates is required to boost productivity. The use of exogenous hormones as stimulants and less damaging tapping techniques for plant stems requires further investigation. In this study, mechanical and chemical inductions were conducted using 0.1%, 1%, 2%, 5%, and 10% (w/w) methyl jasmonate and ethephon as stimuli. These chemical compounds were applied to young twigs without incision (TW), by incision (TI), to branches perforated with an electric bore (BB), and by incision (BI). After exogenous application for 21 days, Rasamala balsam exuded in all induction techniques, except for the TW treatment. BI treatment showed the highest effective induction, as indicated by the highest balsam exudation. Furthermore, methyl jasmonate was a better chemical stimulant than ethephon. In addition, the induced balsam Rasamala exudate showed a physical characteristic of a clear, thick, sticky colorless to white liquid with a distinctive balsamic odor.
Report on the Second ISSP User Conference on Environmental Attitudes
Authors: Kalotai Bálint Dániel
Published: March 2024

The ISSP organized its second user conference in December 2023 on the 2020 Environmental module. The ISSP environmental module deals with generic environmental attitudes and preferences for environmental protection. The Environment module of ISSP has been fielded in 2020 for the fourth time; earlier surveys were carried out in 1993, 2000, and 2010. The number of nations has expanded considerably over time, from 19 countries in 1993 to 39 in 2010. The Environment module of ISSP covers all three elements of environmental attitudes: evaluative, cognitive, and behavioral aspects.
An Empirical Analysis of Violent Crimes Committed by Foreign Nationals in South Korea
Authors: Soojung Kim , Woosik Yu
Published: March 2024

As the number of foreigners residing in South Korea has increased, the overall scale of crimes committed by non-Korean nationals and the associated public anxiety have both risen. This paper seeks to explore the trends in violent crimes committed by foreigners in Korea by examining crime statistics from the Korean National Police Agency and immigration data from the Korean Ministry of Justice. Additionally, this paper empirically examines the attributes of the home countries of foreign criminals who are arrested in Korea. The results of our analysis, based on the violent crime statistics for foreign nationals of twelve types from 2003 to 2019, reveal that foreigners from higher-income countries with better educational environments are more likely to be involved in violent criminal activities. Individuals from countries with relatively strong law enforcement are less likely to engage in violent crime while residing in South Korea.
The Long-Term Care System in Spain: Characterization and Responses to COVID-19
Authors: López-Lago Ortiz Luis , Muñoz González Beatriz , Rivero Jiménez Borja , Conde Caballero David , Mariano Juárez Lorenzo
Published: March 2024

The present paper aims to reveal the main problems that the long-term care system in Spain faced during COVID-19, outline its main challenges, and reflect on how the response to the pandemic has been tackled to provide a basis, in terms of prevention, for future similar scenarios. For this purpose, two scoping reviews were conducted. The first identified the main socio cultural characteristics of the care system in Spain, described the multi-level model regarding the institutional architectures, and exposed the consequences of the development of the Dependence Act and the impact of the 2008 crisis. The second established the main emergent topics in scientific production regarding long-term care and older people that have emerged due to COVID-19. The contrast in the results shows the structural deficiencies of the long-term care system and the need for profound changes, such as the restructuring of the retirement home system to adapt it to pandemic scenarios and the prioritization of the path of deinstitutionalization, as long as this is carried out with the reinforcement of social assistance mechanisms and appropriate community assistance resources.
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Turkey: Conspiracy Beliefs, Fear and Stress
Authors: Aydemir-Dev Mine , Barca Onur , Bayram-Arlı Nuran , Bozkurt Veysel
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study is to examine factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. An online survey was conducted to collect the data to be evaluated. The survey included demographic questions and four scales: vaccine hesitancy, fear of COVID-19, stress, and vaccine conspiracy beliefs. Four hundred and ninety-six people answered the survey in Turkey. A conceptual model was established and estimated with a structural equation model to explore the relationships. The findings identified a statistically significant direct effect on vaccine hesitancy of conspiracy beliefs, fear, and stress. Accordingly, it was concluded that individuals with a firm belief in vaccine conspiracies, high stress levels, and low fear of COVID-19 had high levels of vaccine hesitancy. This article suggests the importance of public access to accurate information and low stress levels.
Spray drying of cellulases produced by Bacillus sp. SMIA-2
Authors: Cruz Erica , Talma Simone Vilela , Barbosa João Batista , Pires Bolzan Raphael , Ladeira Silvania Alves , Vieira de Carvalho Raquel , Lelis Leal Martins Meire
Published: March 2024

Microbial cellulases present biotechnological potential to be used in several industries, including food, brewery and wine, industrial waste for chemical feedstock, animal feed, pulp and paper, agriculture, textile and detergent production. In this work, cellulases produced by the thermophilic Bacillus sp. SMIA-2 in submerged cultures containing sugarcane bagasse, corn steep liquor and passion fruit rind flour were spray-dried, in an attempt to improve their stability for industrial purposes. The cellulases were spray dried and analyzed before and after the drying process and subsequent storage. A Central Composite Design (CCD) 23 was used to investigate the effect of different concentrations of arabic gum and microcrystalline cellulose, as well as the spray dryer inlet temperature on the cellulase spray drying process. The results evidenced that the combination of 1.0 % (w/v) arabic gum and 1.0% (w/v) microcrystalline cellulose, at inlet temperature of 70 °C, was effective in maintaining the activities of both avicelases (avicel-hydrolyzing enzymes) and carboxymethylcellulases (carboxymethylcellulose-hydrolyzing enzymes - CMCase). The dried avicelase was completely preserved when stored at 5oC, while the CMCase retained 89% of its activity, which indicates promising potential for industrial uses, especially in detergent formulations.
Kaempferol promotes wound-healing in diabetic rats through antibacterial and antioxidant effects, devoid of proliferative action
Authors: Al-Ghanayem Abdullah A. , Alhussaini Mohammed Sanad , Asad Mohammed , Joseph Babu
Published: March 2024

The investigation of novel phytochemicals for the prevention and treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens is gaining attention. The current study evaluated the in-vitro antimicrobial activity of kaempferol against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Its in-vivo efficacy in inhibiting these pathogens was determined using an excision wound model in nicotinamide-streptozocin- -induced diabetic rats. Kaempferol displayed an inhibitory effect against the tested bacteria both in vitro and in vivo. It also healed excision wounds at a 1% (w/w) concentration. An increase in antioxidant enzymes in wounded tissue was observed on kaempferol treatment. A reduction in the MRSA and P. aeruginosa counts in wounded tissue together with a reduced epithelization period was observed when compared to the infected control. A thicker epithelium, new capillaries, and a decrease in inflammatory cells were detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Furthermore, an increase in collagen fibers and their deposition was observed by Masson’s trichrome staining. Kaempferol at 40 µM did not display any toxicity for human keratinocytes grown in media containing high glucose and it did not affect the expression of the pro-healing cytokines genes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-b-1 (TGFβ1). Kaempferol displayed antibacterial and antioxidant actions but did not increase the expression of proliferative genes.
DESAFIOS NO CUIDADO EM SAÚDE VIVIDOS POR MULHERES LÉSBICAS E BISSEXUAIS NO BRASIL: UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA
Authors: Reis Dominique da Silva , Rocon Pablo Cardozo , Wandekoken Kallen Dettmann
Published: March 2024

Neste artigo, analisamos os desafios no cuidado em saúde vividos por mulheres lésbicas e bissexuais ao acessarem os serviços de saúde brasileiros. A partir de uma revisão integrativa, foram selecionados artigos publicados no período de 2011 a 2021 nas bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO e BDENF. Empregando-se os descritores “minorias sexuais e de gênero”, “lésbicas” e “bissexuais”, um total de 10 artigos atenderam aos critérios de seleção. Foram evidenciadas as concepções errôneas de práticas afetivas e sexuais e a ausência de qualificação profissional como principais desafios. Tais problemas repercutem em patologização da homossexualidade e da bissexualidade, além de discriminação lesbo-bifóbica nos serviços de saúde que se traduzem em práticas corretivas e na ausência de acolhimento. Questões estas que favorecem a vulnerabilidade nas práticas de prevenção de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis e do câncer cérvico uterino, além da não procura pelos serviços de saúde quando necessário. Evidencia-se, assim, que, mesmo após uma década de existência da Política Nacional de Saúde Integral LGBT no Brasil, esta ainda não foi completamente incorporada nos processos de trabalho em saúde, não promovendo a garantia do acesso universal, integral e equânime ao Sistema Único de Saúde pela população brasileira LGBT.
SABERES DE ESTUDANTES DE ENFERMAGEM DA CATALUNHA (NORDESTE DA ESPANHA) SOBRE PLANTAS MEDICINAIS
Authors: Badke Marcio Rossato , Almeida Alcionir Pazatto de , Martínez-Hernáez Ángel , Heisler Elisa Vanessa , Cavalheiro Andriele dos Santos , Cogo Silvana Bastos , Corcini Laís Mara Caetano da Silva , Sehnem Graciela Dutra , Costa Sandra Regina Trindade da , Lemões Marcos Aurélio Matos , Sigaran Luana Antunes
Published: March 2024

Objetivo: conhecer os saberes de estudantes de enfermagem da Catalunha sobre o uso de plantas medicinais como terapia complementar no cuidado à saúde. Metodologia: pesquisa qualitativa, exploratória e descritiva, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, realizada em março de 2016, com cinco estudantes de Enfermagem de uma Universidade da Catalunha (Espanha). Aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética n. 981.660/2015. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: para os estudantes, o uso das plantas medicinais como terapia complementar é uma opção de fácil acesso, pois há possibilidade de cultivá-las em domicílio e podem ser encontradas no comércio. O conhecimento sobre sua utilização é difundido culturalmente e repassado, especialmente, pelas gerações familiares. A escassez do ensino na academia sobre o uso de plantas medicinais mostrou-se uma preocupação dos estudantes, já que é preciso aprender para que possam ensinar aos usuários durante o exercício profissional. O uso de plantas no tratamento de doenças é um tema que deve ser explorado pela ciência, devido a sua eficácia terapêutica, fácil acessibilidade e contemplação integrativa das crenças e culturas dos indivíduos. Conclusão: os saberes populares são evidenciados a nível familiar, e a inserção destes na grade curricular dos cursos de enfermagem é salutar à formação integral do profissional.
Temperature-dependent short channel effects in nanoscale double gate FinFETs: A comparative study
Authors: Nura Muhammad Shehu  , Garba Babaji  , Mutari Hajara Ali
Published: March 2024

This work investigates the impact of temperature variation on Short Channel Effects (SCEs).  Gallium Arsenide (GaAs), Gallium Antimonide (GaSb), Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Silicon (Si) are the channel materials that are investigated. The study examines phenomenal metrics such as Drain Induced Barrier Lowering (DIBL), Subthreshold Swing (SS), Threshold Voltage Roll-off, On-current and Transconductance using PADRE Simulator. The results revealed that GaAs-FinFET excels in terms of DIBL, threshold voltage, transconductance and on-current at higher temperatures. On the other hand, GaN-FinFET excels in terms of SS at lower temperatures. These findings contribute to the understanding of temperature effects on nanoscale double gate FinFETs, aiding their optimization for diverse electronic devices.