bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preventing microalbuminuria with benazepril, valsartan, and benazepril–valsartan combination therapy in diabetic patients with high-normal albuminuria: A prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) study
Authors: Ruggenenti Piero , Cortinovis Monica , Parvanova Aneliya , Trillini Matias , Iliev Ilian P. , Bossi Antonio C. , Belviso Antonio , Aparicio Maria C. , Trevisan Roberto , Rota Stefano , Perna Annalisa , Peracchi Tobia , Rubis Nadia , Martinetti Davide , Prandini Silvia , Gaspari Flavio , Carrara Fabiola , De Cosmo Salvatore , Tonolo Giancarlo , Mangili Ruggero , Remuzzi Giuseppe ,   on behalf of the VARIETY Study Organization
Published: July 2021

Background

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) prevent microalbuminuria in normoalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients. We assessed whether combined therapy with the 2 medications may prevent microalbuminuria better than ACE inhibitor or ARB monotherapy.

Methods and findings

VARIETY was a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) trial evaluating whether, at similar blood pressure (BP) control, combined therapy with benazepril (10 mg/day) and valsartan (160 mg/day) would prevent microalbuminuria more effectively than benazepril (20 mg/day) or valsartan (320 mg/day) monotherapy in 612 type 2 diabetic patients with high-normal albuminuria included between July 2007 and April 2013 by the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS and 8 diabetology or nephrology units in Italy. Time to progression to microalbuminuria was the primary outcome. Analyses were intention to treat. Baseline characteristics were similar among groups. During a median [interquartile range, IQR] follow-up of 66 [42 to 83] months, 53 patients (27.0%) on combination therapy, 57 (28.1%) on benazepril, and 64 (31.8%) on valsartan reached microalbuminuria. Using an accelerated failure time model, the estimated acceleration factors were 1.410 (95% CI: 0.806 to 2.467, P = 0.229) for benazepril compared to combination therapy, 0.799 (95% CI: 0.422 to 1.514, P = 0.492) for benazepril compared to valsartan, and 1.665 (95% CI: 1.007 to 2.746, P = 0.047) for valsartan compared to combination therapy. Between-group differences in estimated acceleration factors were nonsignificant after adjustment for predefined confounders. BP control was similar across groups. All treatments were safe and tolerated well, with a slight excess of hyperkalemia and hypotension in the combination therapy group. The main study limitation was the lower than expected albuminuria at inclusion.

Conclusions

Risk/benefit profile of study treatments was similar. Dual renin–angiotensin system (RAS) blockade is not recommended as compared to benazepril or valsartan monotherapy for prevention of microalbuminuria in normoalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients.

Trial registration

EudraCT 2006-005954-62; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00503152.
A new species of the Dendropsophus decipiens Group (Anura: Hylidae) from Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Rogério Ferreira de , Magalhães Felipe de Medeiros , Teixeira Bernardo Franco da Veiga , Moura Geraldo Jorge Barbosa de , Porto Clara Ribeiro , Guimarães Francisco Péricles Branco Bahiense , Giaretta Ariovaldo Antônio , Tinôco Moacir Santos
Published: July 2021

We describe a new species of theDendropsophus decipiensGroup, morphologically most resemblingD.haddadibut genetically more closely related toD.oliveiraiand likely endemic from the Atlantic Forest biome, northeastern Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from all species of theD.decipiensGroup based on the combination of morphological features, advertisement call and phylogenetic position based on mitochondrial DNA gene sequences. The new species emits simple calls in series of 3–9 notes, each with 9–29 pulses, and dominant frequency varying from 5578–6422 Hz, and exhibit a minimum of 8% genetic distance (16Smitochondrial gene) in comparison to its congeners. The new taxa represent the sixth species of theD.decipiensGroup, which likely harbors more undescribed taxa, corroborating the view that Neotropical species richness is fairly underestimated.
Feasibility and safety of targeted focal microwave ablation of the index tumor in patients with low to intermediate risk prostate cancer: Results of the FOSTINE trial
Authors: Barry Delongchamps Nicolas , Schull Alexandre , Anract Julien , Abecassis Jean-Paul , Zerbib Marc , Sibony Mathilde , Jilet Léa , Abdoul Hendy , Goffin Vincent , Peyromaure Michaël
Published: July 2021

Objective

To assess the feasibility, safety and precision of organ-based tracking (OBT)-fusion targeted focal microwave ablation (FMA), in patients with low to intermediate risk prostate cancer.

Patients and method

Ten patients with a visible index tumor of Gleason score ≤3+4, largest diameter <20mm were included. Transrectal OBT-fusion targeted FMA was performed using an 18G needle. Primary endpoint was the evidence of complete overlap of the index tumor by ablation zone necrosis on MRI 7 days after ablation. Urinary and sexual function were assessed with IPSS, IIEF5 and MSHQ-EjD-SF. Oncological outcomes were assessed with PSA at 2 and 6 months, and re-biopsy at 6 months.

Results

Median [IQR] age was 64.5 [61–72] years and baseline PSA was 5 [4.3–8.1] ng/mL. Seven (70%) and 3 (30%) patients had a low and intermediate risk cancer, respectively. Median largest tumor axis was of 11 [9.0–15.0] mm. Median duration of procedure was of 82 [44–170] min. No patient reported any pain or rectal bleeding, and all 10 patients were discharged the next day. Seven days after ablation, total necrosis of the index tumor on MRI was obtained in eight (80% [95%CI 55%-100%]) patients. One patient was treated with radical prostatectomy. Re-biopsy at 6 months in the other 9 did not show evidence of cancer in 4 patients. IPSS, IIEF-5 and MSHQ-EjD-SF were not statistically different between baseline and 6 months follow up.

Conclusions

OBT-fusion targeted FMA was feasible, precise, and safe in patients with low to intermediate risk localized prostate cancer.
Is a higher altitude associated with shorter survival among at-risk neonates?
Authors: Dueñas-Espín Iván , Armijos-Acurio Luciana , Espín Estefanía , Espinosa-Herrera Fernando , Jimbo Ruth , León-Cáceres Ángela , Nasre-Nasser Raif , Rivadeneira María F. , Rojas-Rueda David , Ruiz-Cedeño Laura , Tello Betzabé , Vásconez-Romero Daniela
Published: July 2021

Introduction

We hypothesize that high altitudes could have an adverse effect on neonatal health outcomes, especially among at-risk neonates. The current study aims to assess the association between higher altitudes on survival time among at-risk neonates.

Methods

Retrospective survival analysis. Setting: Ecuadorian neonates who died at ≤28 days of life. Patients: We analyzed the nationwide dataset of neonatal deaths from the Surveillance System of Neonatal Mortality of the Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador, registered from 126 public and private health care facilities, between January 2014 to September 2017. Main outcome measures: We retrospectively reviewed 3016 patients. We performed a survival analysis by setting the survival time in days as the primary outcome and fixed and mixed-effects Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for each altitude stratum of each one of the health care facilities in which those neonates were attended, adjusting by individual variables (i.e., birth weight, gestational age at birth, Apgar scale at 5 minutes, and comorbidities); and contextual variables (i.e., administrative planning areas, type of health care facility, and level of care).

Results

Altitudes of health care facilities ranging from 80 to <2500 m, 2500 to <2750m, and ≥2750 m were associated respectively with 20% (95% CI: 1% to 44%), 32% (95% CI:<1% to 79%) and 37% (95% CI: 8% to 75%) increased HR; compared with altitudes at <80 m.

Conclusion

Higher altitudes are independently associated with shorter survival time, as measured by days among at-risk neonates. Altitude should be considered when assessing the risk of having negative health outcomes during neonatal period.
A hitchhiker guide to manta rays: Patterns of association between Mobula alfredi, M. birostris, their symbionts, and other fishes in the Maldives
Authors: Nicholson-Jack Aimee E. , Harris Joanna L. , Ballard Kirsty , Turner Katy M. E. , Stevens Guy M. W.
Published: July 2021

Despite being among the largest and most charismatic species in the marine environment, considerable gaps remain in our understanding of the behavioural ecology of manta rays (Mobula alfredi,M.birostris). Manta rays are often sighted in association with an array of smaller hitchhiker fish species, which utilise their hosts as a sanctuary for shelter, protection, and the sustenance they provide. Species interactions, rather than the species at the individual level, determine the ecological processes that drive community dynamics, support biodiversity and ecosystem health. Thus, understanding the associations within marine communities is critical to implementing effective conservation and management. However, the underlying patterns between manta rays, their symbionts, and other hitchhiker species remain elusive. Here, we explore the spatial and temporal variation in hitchhiker presence withM.alfrediandM.birostristhroughout the Maldives and investigate the factors which may influence association using generalised linear mixed effects models (GLMM). For the first time, associations betweenM.alfrediandM.birostriswith hitchhiker species other than those belonging to the family Echeneidae are described. A variation in the species of hitchhiker associated withM.alfrediandM.birostriswas identified, with sharksucker remora (Echeneis naucrates) and giant remora (Remora remora)being the most common, respectively. Spatiotemporal variation in the presence of manta rays was identified as a driver for the occurrence of ephemeral hitchhiker associations. Near-term pregnant femaleM.alfredi, andM.alfrediat cleaning stations, had the highest likelihood of an association with adultE.naucrates. JuvenileE.naucrateswere more likely to be associated with juvenileM.alfredi, and a seasonal trend inE.naucrateshost association was identified.Remorawere most likely to be present with femaleM.birostris, and a mean number of 1.5 ± 0.5R.remorawere observed perM.birostris. It is hoped these initial findings will serve as the basis for future work into the complex relationships between manta rays and their hitchhikers.
Quantifying the effects of co-composting organic biomass mixtures with inorganic amendments to obtain value-added bio-products
Authors: Noor Rana Shahzad , Sun Yong , Qu Jingbo , Hussain Fiaz , Waqas Muhammad Mohsin , Shah Adnan Noor , Noor Rabeea
Published: July 2021

Co-digestion of organic biomass mixed with inorganic amendments could have an impact on composting dynamics. Various studies highlighted fertilizers’ role as an additive to lesser the nitrogen loss, while some studies focused on the addition of fertilizers to enhance the efficiency. The changes in carbon, nitrogen components, and humic substances during the organic-inorganic co-compost process were seldom studied. Clarifying these changes might help improve the production process and compost nutrients contents. Thus, this study’s purpose is to investigate the effects of inorganic amendments on compost characteristics, compost temperature, biochemical methane production (BMP), and nutritional contents. The inorganic phosphorous (P), sulfur (S), and sulfur solubilizing agent (SSA) were added to Farmyard manure (FYM) mixed with biodegradable waste (BW), including wheat straw, corn stalks, and green lawn waste. The P and S amended treatments were carried out into two sets, with and without SSA. The mixed feedstocks were added in the insulated RBC composting pit (15 x 15 x 10 feet). The compost material’s moisture content was maintained 50–65% during the entire composting process for optimum waste digestion i.e., the moisture content (MC) of FYM was 82.7% and for BW ranged 8.8–10.2%, while the C/N ratio was found 10.5 for FYM, 74.5 for wheat straw, 83.5 for corn stalks, and 84.8 for lawn waste. At the condition of compost maturity, the inorganic amendments have no significant effect on composted material’s moisture content. The maximum organic matter of 69.7% and C/N ratio of 44.6 was measured in T1. On the 6th day of composting, the temperature reached to thermophilic range (>45 oC) in all the treatments due to aeration of compost increased microbial activities and waste decomposition rate and decreased gradually to mesophilic range (35–45 oC) because the supply of high-energy compounds becomes exhausted. The highest temperature was reached in T4 (58 oC) and lowest in CT (47 oC). The significantly maximum methane of 8.95 m3 and biogas burning was 818 minutes in CT, followed by T1 and T4. The results of this study revealed that P enriched compost is a feasible and sustainable way to overcome P deficiency in the soil as well as in plants and best way to use low-grade P and organic waste material.
Vascular endothelial growth factor-A promoter polymorphisms, circulating VEGF-A and survival in acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Palmer Barry R. , Paterson Melinda A. , Frampton Chris. M. , Pilbrow Anna P. , Skelton Lorraine , Pemberton Chris J. , Doughty Robert N. , Ellis Chris J. , Troughton Richard W. , Richards A. Mark , Cameron Vicky A.
Published: July 2021

Background

Development of a competent collateral circulation in established coronary artery disease is cardio-protective. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system plays a key role in this process. We investigated the prognostic performance of circulating VEGF-A and three genetic variants in the VEGFA gene in a clinical coronary cohort.

Methods and results

The Coronary Disease Cohort Study (CDCS) recruited 2,140 patients, with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), after admission to Christchurch or Auckland City Hospitals between July 2002 and January 2009. We present data for 1927 patients from the cohort genotyped for three SNPs in the VEGF-A gene, rs699947 (C-2578A), rs2010963 (C405G) and rs3025039 (C936T). Plasma VEGF-A concentrations were assayed in a subgroup (n = 550) of CDCS patients (geometric mean 36.6 [34.7–38.5] pg/ml). VEGF-A levels correlated with patient heart rate at baseline (p = 0.034). None of rs699947, rs3025039, nor rs2010963 genotypes were significantly associated with VEGF-A levels, but rs3025039 genotype was positively associated with collateral vessels perfusion according to the Rentrop classification (p = 0.01) and baseline natriuretic peptide levels (p<0.05). Survival in the CDCS cohort was independently associated with baseline VEGF-A levels and (in males) with rs699947 genotype.

Conclusions

This study is strongly suggestive that VEGF-A levels have value as a prognostic biomarker in coronary heart disease patients and SNPs in VEGF-A deserve further investigation as prognostic markers and indicators of angiogenic potential influencing the formation of collateral circulation.
Pre-hospital causes for delayed arrival in acute ischemic stroke before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study at two stroke centers in Egypt
Authors: Aref Hany M. , Shokri Hossam , Roushdy Tamer M. , Fathalla Fatma , El Nahas Nevine M.
Published: July 2021

Background

In the current study we investigated the causes of pre-hospital delay as this can compromise the patient’s chance to receive thrombolytic therapy and thus impact stroke outcome.

Methods

We surveyed 254 patients regarding reasons for delayed and early arrival to hospital after acute ischemic stroke. The survey was performed over five months, spanning a period pre- and during COVID-19 (between December 7, 2019 and May 10, 2020).

Results

A total of 71.2% of patients arrived beyond four hours of onset of ischemic stroke. The commonest cause for delay pre-Covid-19 was receiving treatment in a non-stroke hospital, while that during COVID-19 was fear of infection and lock down issues. Not realizing the urgency of the condition and stroke during sleep were common in both periods. Early arrival because of the patient’s previous experience with stroke accounted for approximately 25% of cases in both periods. The effect of media was more evident during COVID-19, accounting for 47.7% of cases.

Conclusion

Pre-hospital delay secondary to misperception of the urgency of stroke and management in a non-stroke hospital reflect the lack of awareness among the public and medical staff. This concept is emphasized by early arrival secondary to previous experience with stroke and the pronounced effect of media in the time of COVID-19.
Predicting self-intercepted medication ordering errors using machine learning
Authors: King Christopher Ryan , Abraham Joanna , Fritz Bradley A. , Cui Zhicheng , Galanter William , Chen Yixin , Kannampallil Thomas
Published: July 2021

Current approaches to understanding medication ordering errors rely on relatively small manually captured error samples. These approaches are resource-intensive, do not scale for computerized provider order entry (CPOE) systems, and are likely to miss important risk factors associated with medication ordering errors. Previously, we described a dataset of CPOE-based medication voiding accompanied by univariable and multivariable regression analyses. However, these traditional techniques require expert guidance and may perform poorly compared to newer approaches. In this paper, we update that analysis using machine learning (ML) models to predict erroneous medication orders and identify its contributing factors. We retrieved patient demographics (race/ethnicity, sex, age), clinician characteristics, type of medication order (inpatient, prescription, home medication by history), and order content. We compared logistic regression, random forest, boosted decision trees, and artificial neural network models. Model performance was evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and the area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC). The dataset included 5,804,192 medication orders, of which 28,695 (0.5%) were voided. ML correctly classified voids at reasonable accuracy; with a positive predictive value of 10%, ~20% of errors were included. Gradient boosted decision trees achieved the highest AUROC (0.7968) and AUPRC (0.0647) among all models. Logistic regression had the poorest performance. Models identified predictive factors with high face validity (e.g., student orders), and a decision tree revealed interacting contexts with high rates of errors not identified by previous regression models. Prediction models using order-entry information offers promise for error surveillance, patient safety improvements, and targeted clinical review. The improved performance of models with complex interactions points to the importance of contextual medication ordering information for understanding contributors to medication errors.
Neuroprotective action of Cortexin, Cerebrolysin and Actovegin in acute or chronic brain ischemia in rats
Authors: Kurkin Denis V. , Bakulin Dmitry A. , Morkovin Evgeny I. , Kalatanova Anna V. , Makarenko Igor E. , Dorotenko Artem R. , Kovalev Nikolay S. , Dubrovina Marina A. , Verkholyak Dmitry V. , Abrosimova Elizaveta E. , Smirnov Alexey V. , Shmidt Maksim V. , Tyurenkov Ivan N.
Published: July 2021

This study was the first to compare the neuroprotective activity of Cerebrolysin®, Actovegin® and Cortexin® in rodent models of acute and chronic brain ischemia. The neuroprotective action was evaluated in animals with acute (middle cerebral artery occlusion) or chronic (common carotid artery stenosis) brain ischemia models in male rats. Cortexin® (1 or 3 mg/kg/day), Cerebrolysin® (538 or 1614 mg/kg/day) and Actovegin® (200 mg/kg/day) were administered for 10 days. To assess the neurological and motor impairments, open field test, adhesive removal test, rotarod performance test and Morris water maze test were performed. Brain damage was assessed macro- and microscopically, and antioxidant system activity was measured in brain homogenates. In separate experiments in vitro binding of Cortexin® to a wide panel of receptors was assessed, and blood-brain barrier permeability of Cortexin® was assessed in mice in vivo. Cortexin® or Cerebrolysin® and, to a lesser extent, Actovegin® improved the recovery of neurological functions, reduced the severity of sensorimotor and cognitive impairments in rats. Cortexin® reduced the size of necrosis of brain tissue in acute ischemia, improved functioning of the antioxidant system and prevented the development of severe neurodegenerative changes in chronic ischemia model. Radioactively labeled Cortexin® crossed the blood-brain barrier in mice in vivo with concentrations equal to 6–8% of concentrations found in whole blood. During in vitro binding assay Cortexin® (10 μg/ml) demonstrated high or moderate binding to AMPA-receptors (80.1%), kainate receptors (73.5%), mGluR1 (49.0%), GABAA1 (44.0%) and mGluR5 (39.7%), which means that effects observed in vivo could be related on the glutamatergic and GABAergic actions of Cortexin®. Thus, Cortexin, 1 or 3 mg/kg, or Cerebrolysin®, 538 or 1614 mg/kg, were effective in models acute and chronic brain ischemia in rats. Cortexin® contains compounds acting on AMPA, kainate, mGluR1, GABAA1 and mGluR5 receptors in vitro, and readily crosses the blood-brain barrier in mice.
The thionin family of antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Höng Katharina , Austerlitz Tina , Bohlmann Timo , Bohlmann Holger
Published: July 2021

Thionins are antimicrobial peptides found only in plants. They are first produced as preproproteins and then processed to yield the usually 5 kDa, basic thionin peptide with three or four disulfide bridges. So far, thionins had only been found in some plant families of angiosperms. The One Thousand Plant Transcriptomes Initiative (1KP project) has sequenced the transcriptomes of more than 1000 plant species. We have used these data to search for new thionin sequences which gave 225 hits. After removing doublets these resulted in 133 new thionins. No sequences were found in algae and mosses. The phylogenetically earliest hits were from Selaginella species and from conifers. Many hits were from angiosperm plant families which were previously not known to contain thionins. A large gene family for thionins was found in Papaver. We isolated a genomic clone from Papaver somniferum which confirmed the general genomic structure with two small introns within the acidic domain. We also expressed the thionin encoded by the genomic clone and found that it had antimicrobial activity in vitro, especially against fungi. Previously, we had grouped thionins into four classes. The new data reported here led us to revise this classification. We now recognize only class 1 thionins with eight cysteine residues and class 2 thionins with six cysteine residues. The different variants that we found (and also previously known variants) can all be traced back to one of these two classes. Some of the variants had an uneven number of cysteine residues and it is not clear at the moment what that means for their threedimensional structure.
Evaluation of tractor driving vibration fatigue based on multiple physiological parameters
Authors: Gao Ruitao , Yan Huachao , Yang Zhou
Published: July 2021

The vibration generated by tractor field operations will seriously affect the comfort and health of the driver. The low frequency vibration generated by the engine and ground excitation is similar to the natural frequency of human organs. Long term operation in this environment will resonate with the organs and affect drivers’ health. To investigate this possibility, in this paper we carried out a collection experiment of human physiological indicators relevant to vibration fatigue. Four physiological signals of surface electromyography, skin electricity, skin temperature, and photoplethysmography signal were collected while the subjects experienced vibration. Several features of physiological signals as well as the law of signal features changing with fatigue are studied. The test results show that with the increase of human fatigue, the overall physiological parameters show the following trends: The median frequency of the human body surface electromyography and the slope of skin surface temperature decreases, the value of skin conductivity and the mean value of the photoplethysmography signal increases. Furthermore, this paper proposes a vibration comfort evaluation method based on multiple physiological parameters of the human body. An artificial neural network model is trained with test samples, and the prediction accuracy rate reaches 88.9%. Finally, the vibration conditions are changed by the shock-absorbing suspension of a tractor, verifying the effectiveness of the physiological signal changing with the vibration of the human body. The established prediction model can also be used to objectively reflect the discomfort of the human body under different working conditions and provide a basis for structural design optimization.
In-season training responses and perceived wellbeing and recovery status in professional soccer players
Authors: Mateus Nuno , Gonçalves Bruno , Felipe Jose Luis , Sánchez-Sánchez Javier , Garcia-Unanue Jorge , Weldon Anthony , Sampaio Jaime
Published: July 2021

This study aimed to describe professional soccer players’ training responses during a competitive season and to investigate the relationship between these responses with wellbeing and recovery indices. Thirteen professional soccer players from the same Spanish Second Division team were monitored during a sixteen-week in-season period. Players’ external loads were analyzed using global positioning measurement units (GPS). Additionally, subjective reporting of sleep quality, sleep duration, fatigue, muscle soreness, and stress were assessed with a customized wellness questionnaire at the beginning of each training session. A two-step cluster analysis identified profiles of different training responses generally described as lower-demand sessions, intermediate-demand sessions, running-based sessions, and sprint-based sessions; which were discriminated by different total distance covered and high-intensity actions. Interestingly, no probabilistic interactions were found between these training responses with wellbeing and recovery markers (i.e., Bayes factor < 1 suggesting no evidence, for all the variables). These findings may raise concerns about using self-reporting tools, as they show that players’ wellness data is probably not accounted for when coaching staff plan and optimize the training process. However, results should be interpreted with caution, due to representing a single team and coaching staff.
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Cincinnati Ohio USA from August to December 2020
Authors: Davis Greg , York Allen J. , Bacon Willis Clark , Lin Suh-Chin , McNeal Monica Malone , Yarawsky Alexander E. , Maciag Joseph J. , Miller Jeanette L. C. , Locker Kathryn C. S. , Bailey Michelle , Stone Rebecca , Hall Michael , Gonzalez Judith , Sproles Alyssa , Woodle E. Steve , Safier Kristen , Justus Kristine A. , Spearman Paul , Ware Russell E. , Cancelas Jose A. , Jordan Michael B. , Herr Andrew B. , Hildeman David A. , Molkentin Jeffery D.
Published: July 2021

The world is currently in a pandemic of COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease-2019) caused by a novel positive-sense, single-stranded RNA β-coronavirus referred to as SARS-CoV-2. Here we investigated rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio, USA metropolitan area from August 13 to December 8, 2020, just prior to initiation of the national vaccination program. Examination of 9,550 adult blood donor volunteers for serum IgG antibody positivity against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein showed an overall prevalence of 8.40%, measured as 7.56% in the first 58 days and 9.24% in the last 58 days, and 12.86% in December 2020, which we extrapolated to ~20% as of March, 2021. Males and females showed similar rates of past infection, and rates among Hispanic or Latinos, African Americans and Whites were also investigated. Donors under 30 years of age had the highest rates of past infection, while those over 60 had the lowest. Geographic analysis showed higher rates of infectivity on the West side of Cincinnati compared with the East side (split by I-75) and the lowest rates in the adjoining region of Kentucky (across the Ohio river). These results in regional seroprevalence will help inform efforts to best achieve herd immunity in conjunction with the national vaccination campaign.
COVID-19 virtual patient cohort suggests immune mechanisms driving disease outcomes
Authors: Jenner Adrianne L. , Aogo Rosemary A. , Alfonso Sofia , Crowe Vivienne , Deng Xiaoyan , Smith Amanda P. , Morel Penelope A. , Davis Courtney L. , Smith Amber M. , Craig Morgan
Published: July 2021

To understand the diversity of immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 and distinguish features that predispose individuals to severe COVID-19, we developed a mechanistic, within-host mathematical model and virtual patient cohort. Our results suggest that virtual patients with low production rates of infected cell derived IFN subsequently experienced highly inflammatory disease phenotypes, compared to those with early and robust IFN responses. In thesein silicopatients, the maximum concentration of IL-6 was also a major predictor of CD8+T cell depletion. Our analyses predicted that individuals with severe COVID-19 also have accelerated monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation mediated by increased IL-6 and reduced type I IFN signalling. Together, these findings suggest biomarkers driving the development of severe COVID-19 and support early interventions aimed at reducing inflammation.
‘The Lost Highway of Greek Cinema’, cinema screenings and events (2016–2020)
Authors: Papanikolaou Dimitris
Published: July 2021

Review of: I Chameni Leoforos tou Ellinikou Cinema (‘The lost highway of Greek cinema’), Afroditi Nikolaidou and Anna Poupou (2019)

Athens: Nefeli, 232 pp.,

ISBN 978-9-60504-238-7, p/bk, €13
‘We Are the Dead’: The War Poets, metal music and chaos control
Authors: Mora-Rioja Arturo
Published: July 2021

During the course of the First World War, the generation of British authors known collectively as the War Poets revolutionized the popular culture of their time. Due to their changing attitudes towards armed conflict, their portrayal of war chaos included realist descriptions of life in the trenches, unusual choices of subject matter and an eventual challenge to the political and religious establishment of their time. Metal music, a genre with an inherent lyrical and musical concern about chaos and control, has crafted several songs inspired on the First World War poetry. This specific relationship has not been studied before. Based on Weinstein’s and Walser’s insights on chaos and control in metal music, the aim of this article is to evaluate the ability of metal music to either transmit or refute the War Poets’ discourse on chaos, and to study the textual and musical resources metal bands use to relay and control said discourse. For this purpose, I perform a comparative analysis of nine metal music adaptations and appropriations of six different First World War poems they are based on. A chronological path of the evolution of the First World War poetry is followed. The study concludes that, besides effectively transmitting or contesting the War Poets’ discourse on chaos, metal music exerts chaos control through its use of musical resources, especially in the case of extreme metal subgenres.
Vancomycin resistant Streptococcus equi subsp. equi isolated from equines suffering from respiratory manifestation in Egypt
Authors: Arafa Amany A. , Hedia Riham H. , Ata Nagwa S. , Ibrahim Eman S.
Published: July 2021

Background and Aim: Upper respiratory tract infections are common in horses and can be caused by a variety of pathogens, mainly Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, which are a significant equine pathogen causing major health issues as well as financial losses to the equine industry. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Streptococcal bacteria in equines in Egypt, and characterize vancomycin-resistant S. equi subsp. equi phenotypically and genotypically.

Materials and Methods: S. equi subsp. equi was isolated from internal nares of horses. All strains were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction-based detection of Streptococcus genus-specific 16S rRNA, sodA and seeI genes. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined phenotypically using the disk diffusion method. Genotypic detection of antibiotic resistance genes was performed by analyzing as β-lactamase resistance (blaZ), tetracycline resistance (tetK), vancomycin resistance (vanA), and chloramphenicol resistance (fexA).

Results: Eight streptococcal isolates were confirmed as S. equi subsp. equi. The genotypic characterization of antibiotic resistance showed resistance to vanA and tetK, with a frequency of 87.5% and 12.5%, respectively, while the frequency of sensitivity was 100% for blaz gene and fexA gene.

Conclusion: In this study, we assessed vancomycin-resistant S. equi subsp. equi from equines suffering from respiratory manifestation in Egypt.
Detection of aspen in conifer-dominated boreal forests with seasonal multispectral drone image point clouds
Authors: Hardenbol Alwin , Kuzmin Anton , Korhonen Lauri , Korpelainen Pasi , Kumpula Timo , Maltamo Matti , Kouki Jari
Published: July 2021

Current remote sensing methods can provide detailed tree species classification in boreal forests. However, classification studies have so far focused on the dominant tree species, with few studies on less frequent but ecologically important species. We aimed to separate European aspen ( tremula L.), a biodiversity-supporting tree species, from the more common species in European boreal forests ( L., [L.] Karst., spp.). Using multispectral drone images collected on five dates throughout one thermal growing season (MayâSeptember), we tested the optimal season for the acquisition of mono-temporal data. These images were collected from a mature, unmanaged forest. After conversion into photogrammetric point clouds, we segmented crowns manually and automatically and classified the species by linear discriminant analysis. The highest overall classification accuracy (95%) for the four species as well as the highest classification accuracy for aspen specifically (userâs accuracy of 97% and a producerâs accuracy of 96%) were obtained at the beginning of the thermal growing season (13 May) by manual segmentation. On 13 May, aspen had no leaves yet, unlike birches. In contrast, the lowest classification accuracy was achieved on 27 September during the autumn senescence period. This is potentially caused by high intraspecific variation in aspen autumn coloration but may also be related to our date of acquisition. Our findings indicate that multispectral drone images collected in spring can be used to locate and classify less frequent tree species highly accurately. The temporal variation in leaf and canopy appearance can alter the detection accuracy considerably.PopulusPinus sylvestrisPicea abiesBetula
LOCKDOWN 2 (e o esgotamento do Zoom)
Authors: Hirata Ronaldo
Published: July 2021

Um ano após o início da pandemia, aqui estamos nós, ainda andando em círculos na resolução do problema. O que será após tudo isso saberemos somente “após tudo isso”. Quando dentro do furacão, somente pensamos em sair, e fica impossível fazer predições. Neste editorial, analisarei dois aspectos: a falta que todos sentem dos eventos presenciais e o cansaço que todos têm apresentado em relação aos eventos on-line.
É REPARAÇÃO OU REGENERAÇÃO? QUAL USAR?
Authors: Consolaro Alberto
Published: July 2021

Resumo: As palavras regeneração, reparação, cicatrização e fibrose cicatricial têm significados específicos, mas muitas vezes são utilizadas como sinônimos ou de forma invertida, gerando muita confusão conceitual no dia a dia clínico. Reparação e regeneração são processos biológicos que reconstroem diferentes tecidos, sem uma comparação competitiva de qual seria o melhor ou mais conveniente. Cicatrização não é sinônimo perfeito de reparação, pois representa o processo pelo qual se forma uma cicatriz, marca ou sinal. Por sua vez, fibrose cicatricial representa a formação de tecido conjuntivo fibroso normal em locais onde habitualmente não é encontrado. O entendimento preciso desses termos facilita a compreensão e solidifi- ca os conceitos tanto na comunicação falada e escrita quanto na leitura mais crítica de trabalhos, especialmente envolvendo novos materiais, técnicas e planejamento terapêutico.
Systemökologie resilienter Ernährung von Ballungsgebieten: Bedarf und Potenzial einer nachhaltigen Landwirtschaft
Authors: Tretter Felix , Gaugler Tobias , Reichel Christian , Underberg Emil , Harrer-Puchner Gabriele , Franz-Balsen Angela
Published: July 2021

Für die Transformation zu einem resilienten Ernährungssystem ist eine Synthese von System theorie und Humanökologie hilfreich, damit unerwünschte Nebenwirkungen erkannt und vermieden werden können. Bei ihrer Jahrestagung diskutierte die DGH über das weitere
Vorgehen mit Blick auf die Differenz und Komplementarität von Stadt und Land.
Effect Magneto – Optic on Ferromagnetic Nanoparticle Polymer Composite Films
Authors: Hasan Zaid A.
Published: July 2021

Optical properties of a composite material made of ferromagnetic matel nanoparticles embedded in dielectric host are studied. A nonlinear dependence of the optical rotation on magnetic field resulting from the reorientation of nanoparticles is demonstrated. The data of optical properties finding were applied to the magneto – optic experimental data of nickel ferrite (NiFe2 O4) ferromagnetic nanoparticles embedded in polymer (PMMA) host. The magneto – optic is applied at wavelength (540 nm) and magnetic field intensity (450 m T), from result we found the affect magneto – optical on samples.
Further Analysis on Characteristic of Diabetic Reinopathy - A Case in Thai Binh Province in Vietnam
Authors: Binh Vu Thanh , Huy Dinh Tran Ngoc , Tuan Le Dinh
Published: July 2021

Objective: to study the characteristics of the diabetic retinopathy and some related factors in patients with type 2 diabetes. Subject and research methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study on 80 patients with type 2 diabetes to be examined and treated at the Internal Medicine Department of Thai Binh Medical University Hospital from January to December 2019. Result: • The percentage of patients with damage to the retina accounts for 42.5%; of which, 38.8% were nonproliferative retinopathy, 17.5% were macular disease, 2.5% were pre-proliferative retinopathy and 1.2% were proliferative retinopathy. • The risk of retinal damage increased higher in women than in men; the OR coeffecient of subgroups, namely age ≥ 70 years; diabetic duration ≥ 10 years; BMI ≥ 23 (kg/m2), hypertension, was 1.4; 2.5; 4.0; 4.5; 2.5, respectively. Patients with blood glucose ≥ 7 mmol/L, HbA1c ≥ 7%; total cholesterol > 5.2 mmol/L, triglyceride > 1.88 mmol/L had higher risk of retinopathy with OR coefficient of 2.3; 2.5; 3.2; 2.0, respectively. Patients who were non-compliance with treatment had 3.8 times higher risk of retinopathy than those who complied with treatment. Conclusion: the percentage of patients with retinopathy was 42.5%, the risk of retinopathy increased in patients with one of the following characteristics: female, age ≥ 70 years, duration of diabetes ≥ 10 years, BMI ≥ 23 (kg / m2), hypertension, blood glucose concentration ≥ 7 mmol/L, HbA1c ≥ 7%; cholesterol> 5.2 mmol/L, triglyceride> 1.88 mmol/L.
Perubahan Lahan Mangrove di Pesisir Muara Gembong, Bekasi, Jawa Barat
Authors: Maulani Alin , Taufiq-SPJ Nur , Pratikto Ibnu
Published: July 2021

Kecamatan Muara Gembong adalah wilayah dengan ekosistem mangrove yang cukup luas dan tersebar. Mangrove adalah kelompok jenis tumbuhan yang tumbuh di sepanjang garis pantai tropis sampai subtropis di suatu lingkungan yang mengandung garam dan bentuk lahan berupa pantai dengan reaksi tanah anaerob. Kondisi ekosistem mangrove sangat peka terhadap gangguan dari luar terutama dari kegiatan pencemaran, konversi hutan mangrove menjadi kawasan non-hutan, ekploitasi hasil mangrove yang berlebihan sehingga terjadi dinamika pada luasan lahannya. Perubahan yang terjadi pada ekosistem mangrove ini dapat berupa penambahan, pengurangan, dan lahan yang tetap. Metode yang dilakukan pada penelitian ini berupa pengolahan data satelit citra Sentinel 2A, Landsat 8, dan Landsat 5 untuk menganalisa sebaran mangrove pada tahun 2009, 2014, dan 2019, serta perubahan yang terjadi. Validasi data dilakukan dengan pengamatan kawasan langsung di lokasi penelitian berdasarkan pengolahan data yang telah dilakukan. Hasil pengolahan data menunjukan di Kecamatan Muara Gembong pada tahun 2009-2019 diketahui terjadi penambahan luasan lahan mangrove sebesar 1017,746 ha dan pengurangan luasan mangrove sebesar 275,37 ha. Selain itu, terdapat pula lahan mangrove yang tetap bertahan pada kurun waktu 2009-2019 seluas 255,057 ha. Sehingga perubahan lahan mangrove yang terjadi di Kecamatan Muara Gembong cenderung mengalami pertambahan luasan lahan mangrove, yaitu sebesar 66% lahan mangrove yang bertambah. Muara Gembong Subdistrict is an area with a wide and scattered mangrove ecosystem. Mangroves are a group of plant species that grow along tropical to subtropical coastlines in an environment that contains salt and landforms in the form of beaches with anaerobic soil reactions. The condition of mangrove ecosystems is very sensitive to outside disturbances, especially from pollution activities, conversion of mangrove forests to non-forest areas, excessive exploitation of mangrove products resulting in dynamics in the area of land. Changes that occur in this mangrove ecosystem can be in the form of addition, subtraction, and permanent land. The method used in this research is the processing of Sentinel 2A, Landsat 8, and Landsat 5 satellite image data to analyze the distribution of mangroves in 2009, 2014 and 2019, and the changes that occur. Data validation is done by direct observation of the area at the research location based on data processing that has been done. The results of data processing showed that in Muara Gembong Subdistrict in 2009-2019 it was known that there was an increase in the area of mangrove land by 1017, 746 ha and reduction in mangrove area by 275.37 ha. In addition, there are also mangrove lands that have survived in the period 2009-2019 covering 255,057 ha. So that changes in mangrove land that occur in Muara Gembong District tend to experience an increase in the area of mangrove land, which is equal to 66% of the mangrove land that is increasing.
Perbedaan NaOH Terhadap Kualitas Gracilaria verrucosa, Greville, 1830 (Florideophyceae : Gracilariaceae)
Authors: Nasrulloh Akmal , Pramesti Rini , Santosa Gunawan Widi
Published: July 2021

Gracilaria verrucosa merupakan salah satu jenis rumput laut yang berpotensi sebagai penghasil agar bernilai tinggi. Senyawa ini banyak digunakan sebagai pengental atau penstabil makanan dalam industri makanan. Jenis ini umumnya ditemukan di alam maupun dibudidayakan di tambak. Faktor fisik lingkungan dan parameter perairan dapat mempengaruhi kualitas agar yang dihasilkan. Informasi tentang kualitas agar dari rumput laut yang tumbuh di laut masih sedikit ditemukan, sehingga diperlukan penelitian. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh variasi konsentrasi NaOH terhadap kualitas agar G. verrucosa. Metode ekstraksi dilakukan dengan merendam sampel dalam larutan alkali (NaOH) hingga didapatkan agar, kemudian dikeringkan dan ditepung. Semua data dianalisis secara statistik yaitu normalitas, homogenitas dan two way ANOVA. Hasil ekstraksi agar didapatkan rendemen sebesar 18,44-20,35%, kadar air 13,22-15,06%, kadar abu 2,65-6,78% serta kekuatan gel 55,18-210,26 g/cm2. Hasil FTIR menunjukkan gugus galaktosa yaitu 3,6-anhidro-L-galaktosa yang menandakan sampel mengandung komposisi agar. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa konsentrasi NaOH berpengaruh nyata terhadap rendemen, kadar abu dan kekuatan gel (p<0,05) kecuali kadar air. Semakin tinggi konsentrasi NaOH maka rendemen, kadar air, kadar abu dan kekuatan gel akan semakin tinggi. Gracilaria verrucosa is one type of seaweed that has the potential to produce of high-value agar. This compound is much used as a food thickener or stabilizer in the food industry. This species is generally found in nature and cultivated in ponds. Factor of physical environmental and water parameter can affect the quality of produced agar. Information about quality of agar from seaweed that grows in the sea still rarely found, so research is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different NaOH concentrations on the quality of agar G. verrucosa. The extraction method is done by soaking seaweed in an alkaline solution (NaOH) to obtain agar, then dried and turned into flour. All data were analyzed statistically with normality, homogenity and two way ANOVA. The results extraction of agar obtained yields 18,44-20,35%, water content 13,22-15,06%, ash content 2,65-6,78% and gel strength 55,18-210,26 g/cm2. FTIR results showed a galactose group of 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose which indicated the sample contained agar composition. The results showed that NaOH concentration significantly affected yield, ash content and gel strength (p<0,05) except water content. The higher concentration of NaOH therefore the yield, water content, ash content and gel strength would be higher.
Analisis Distribusi dan Margin Pemasaran Hasil Tangkapan Ikan Tenggiri (Scomberomorus commerson) di PPN Pekalongan
Authors: Wibowo Bambang Argo , Setyawan Hendrik Anggi , Ardian Aufa Linda
Published: July 2021

Jumlah pelaku pemasaran yang banyak terlibat menyebabkan tidak efisennya pemasaran ikan Tenggiri di PPN Pekalongan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menganalisis bentuk saluran pemasaran, nilai marjin pemasaran, dan efisiensi pemasaran ikan Tenggiri di PPN Pekalongan. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode deskriptif. Teknik pengambilan sampel yang digunakan adalah purposive sampling. Analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis saluran pemasaran, margin pemasaran, farmer’s share dan efisiensi pemasaran. Dalam penelitian ini, wawancara dilakukan terhadap 66 responden yang terdiri dari nelayan, pedagang besar, pedang sedang, dan pedagang kecil. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat 4 bentuk saluran pemasaran ikan Tenggiri. Total nilai margin ikan Tenggiri dari saluran pemasaran 1 sampai saluran pemasaran 4 adalah sebesar Rp. 28.079,00- Rp. 38.754,00 dan margin pemasaran tertinggi pada saluran IV. Persentase farmer’s share adalah sebesar 12-34%. Nilai farmer’s share berbanding terbalik dengan nilai margin pemasaran. Nilai efisiensi pemasaran dari saluran pemasaran 1-4 adalah sebesar 1–7 %. Berdasarkan hasil tersebut dapat diketahui bahwa hanya saluran pemasaran II yang tergolong efisien, karena nilai efisiensi pemasaran <5%. The number of marketing chains leads to inefficient marketing of Mackerel in PPN Pekalongan. The purpose of this research were to analyze the distribution of marketing, marketing margins, and marketing efficiency of Mackerel in PPN Pekalongan. The research method was descriptive. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling. Data analysis used in this research were marketing channel analysis, marketing margin, farmer's share and marketing efficiency. In this research interviews were conducted with 66 respondents consisting of fishermen, large traders, medium traders, and small traders. The analysis used is the analysis of marketing channels, marketing margins, fisherman’s share and marketing efficiency. The result of this research were found 4 forms Mackerel marketing channels. The total value of Tenggiri margins from marketing channel 1 to 4 is Rp. 28.079,00 - Rp. 38.754,00 and the highest marketing margin on channel IV. Fisherman’s share percentage is 12-34%. The marketing efficiency value of marketing channels 1-4 is 1–7 %. Based on these results, it can be known that only marketing channels II are classified as efficient, because the value of marketing efficiency <5%.