bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Persistent Neuropathy in Lepromatous Leprosy Patients
Authors: Penna Patricia , Vital Robson , PITTA IZABELA , Hacker Mariana , Salles Ana , Pinheiro Roberta , Antunes Sérgio , Sarno Euzenir , Jardim Marcia
Published: October 2021

Lepromatous leprosy (LL) patients have evidence of extensive peripheral nerve damage as soon as a diagnosis is made, but most of them have few or no symptoms related to peripheral neuropathy. Usually, they do not have the cardinal signal of leprosy neuritis. However, disability caused by peripheral nerve injuries has consequences throughout the entire life of these patients and the pathophysiological mechanisms of nerve damage are still poorly understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of peripheral neuropathy in a group of LL patients in an attempt to understand the mechanisms of nerve damage. We evaluated medical records of 14 LL patients that had undergone a neurological evaluation at the beginning of Leprosy treatment then worsened at least 4 years after the end of treatment and underwent nerve biopsy. The symptoms at the beginning of treatment were compared with those at the time of the biopsy. Pain was a symptom in only one patient at the beginning and was a complaint in 9 patients by the time of biopsy. Neurological examination showed that the majority of patients already had alterations in medium and large caliber fibers at the beginning of the treatment, and pain increased by the time of biopsy, while neurological symptoms and signs deteriorated independently of the use of prednisone or thalidomide. Nerve Conduction Studies demonstrated that sensory nerves were the most affected. LL patients can develop a silent progressive degenerative peripheral neuropathy, which continues to develop despite high dose long term corticoid therapy.
A Novel Technique for Low Rectal Cancer: Pushing The Anus in Laparoscopic Radical Resection
Authors: Yang Rui , Yang Yuyi , Li Jianxin , Yang Qingqiang
Published: October 2021

Background
In sphincter-preserving surgery for low rectal cancer, it is significant to reduce the number of stapler cartilages and the incidence of anastomotic leakage. On this basis, we have developed a safer and more economical technique— pushing the anus in laparoscopic radical resection of low rectal cancer.
Method
From January 2015 to July 2020, 213 consecutive patients with rectal cancer received laparoscopic radical surgery. For 151 of these patients, the surgeon used the stapler cartilages (Ethicon Intraluminal Linear Staplers EC60A, Ethicon, USA) to transect the edge of tumor of the rectum (Conventional Surgery Group). And for another 62 patients, besides applying the stapler cartilages, the surgeon had the assistants push the anus forward from the perineum during the process of transecting the rectum (Pushing the Anus Group). The postoperative outcomes and complications were compared between the two groups.
Results
In terms of the number of the stapler cartilages, the Pushing the Anus Group was less than the Conventional Surgery Group (P<0.001). Moreover, the incidence of anastomotic leakage in the Pushing the Anus Group is lower than that in the Conventional Surgery Group (P=0.043).
Conclusions
With pushing the anus forward during the process of transecting the rectum, the sphincter-preserving surgery can be performed more safely and economically.
Social and Behaviour Change Communication Intervention Improves Coverage and Acceptance of Ivermectin Mass Drug Administration in Onchocerciasis Endemic Communities in Ghana: A Quasi Experimental Design
Authors: Osei Francis Adjei , Newton Sam , Nyanor Isaac , Osei-Yeboah Eugene , Amuzu Evans Xorse , Mensah Nicholas Karikari , Nyarko Obed Ofori , Amanor Ernest , Odoom Samuel Frimpong , Abubakar Suraj Yawnumah , Dongyele Mathias , Mohammed Aliyu , Asare Ofeibea , Boadi Stephanie , Furu Peter , Meyrowitsch Dan Wolf , Owusu-Dabo Ellis
Published: October 2021

BackgroundPoor community awareness and social mobilization serve as a major barrier by increasing absenteeism and downplaying the relevance of the ivermectin mass distribution by community members. Inadequate awareness also creates confusion among community members especially when one intervention is mistaken for the other. MethodsWe designed a targeted Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) intervention with clearly defined and tailored messages of ivermectin MDA program targeting onchocerciasis in endemic communities in Ghana. Quasi experiment was conducted with a total sample size of 2008 at baseline and 2113 at endline. ResultsAt baseline, 63.9% respondents did not receive Ivermectin during the previous year (2019) MDA programme and more than half of them (53.3%) were not aware of the drug distribution. The communities that received the intervention at endline revealed a significantly higher increase in coverage (SATT=0.123, 95% CI=0. 0.073, 0.173, p<0.001). At baseline, uptake rate of 91.0% was recorded. Post the intervention, there was an increase in the proportion of respondents who ingested the MDA drugs (ivermectin) from 91.0% to 95.45%. Previous uptake of MDA drugs (AOR=10.67; 95%CI: 5.59-20.38, p<0.001), Perceived benefit of MDA drug (AOR=4.13; 95%CI: 1.69-10.15, p<0.001) and being aware of the MDA programme (AOR=2.28; 95%CI: 1.00-5.02, p=0.049) was associated with improved receipt of Ivermectin. ConclusionThe findings of this study reveal that SBCC intervention improves ivermectin coverage and uptake rate in mass drug administration. Further research with technological innovations which can enhance SBCC is recommended taking hind sight of the limitations of the study due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unlike Periodontitis, Caries Does Not Associate With Intracranial Aneurysms or Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Hallikainen Joona , Pessi Tanja , Vehkalahti Miira , Suominen Anna Liisa , Frösen Juhana , Pyysalo Mikko
Published: October 2021

Background:Periodontal infections have been associated to the formation and rupture of intracranial aneurysms (IA). In this study we investigated whether also caries (tooth decay) associates to IA pathology.Methods:A total of 166 patients with either IA or aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) underwent oral examination in Kuopio University Hospital and Tampere University Hospital. Findings were compared to age, gender and geographically matched controls acquired from cross-sectional Health 2000 Survey. This study consisted three sequential steps. First step was a comparison of the caries prevalence and number of missing teeth in IA and aSAH patients with the control population, second step was a multivariate analysis with demographic factors and third step was a prospective 13-year follow-up of participants with any caries or missing teeth.Results:In logistic regression adjusted for known risk factors and demographic data, caries (OR: 0.412 95%Cl 0.2-0.9, p=0.028) was associated with lack of IAs, while age (OR:1.029 95%Cl 1.0-1.1 p=0.039), current smoking (OR:2.7 95%Cl 1.4-5.1, p=0.003) and severe periodontitis (OR:4.3 95%Cl 2.3-12.5, p<0.001) associated with IA formation. Severe periodontitis associated also to aSAH in logistic regression (OR: 5.4, 95%Cl 1.9-15.5, p=0.002). In the cox-regression, severe periodontitis at baseline increased the risk of aSAH (HR: 11.9, 95%Cl 1.2-114.7, p=0.032) during a 13-year follow-up.Conclusion:Unlike periodontitis, caries does not increase the risk of IAs and aSAHs. However, cariogenic bacteria may participate to IA pathology by disseminating to circulation via inflamed gingival tissue.
Deep Learning for Ultra-Widefield Imaging: A Scoping Review
Authors: Bhambra Nishaant , Antaki Fares , Malt Farida El , Xu AnQi , Duval Renaud
Published: October 2021

Purpose: This article is a scoping review of published and peer-reviewed articles using deep-learning (DL) applied to ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging. This study provides an overview of the published uses of DL and UWF imaging for the detection of ophthalmic and systemic diseases, generative image synthesis, quality assessment of images, and segmentation and localization of ophthalmic image features. Methods: A literature search was performed up to August 31st, 20201 using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) Deep Learning, (2) Ultra-Widefield Imaging. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) articles published in any language other than English, (2) articles not peer-reviewed (usually preprints) (3) no full-text availability (4) articles using machine learning algorithms other than deep learning. No study design was excluded from consideration.Results: A total of 36 studies were included. 23 studies discussed ophthalmic disease detection and classification, 5 discussed segmentation and localization of UWF images, 3 discussed generative image synthesis, 3 discussed ophthalmic image quality assessment, and 2 discussed detecting systemic diseases via UWFI.Conclusion: The application of DL to UWFI has demonstrated significant effectiveness in the diagnosis and detection of ophthalmic diseases including diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and glaucoma. DL has been used with UWFI to also diagnose systemic diseases like Alzheimer’s, and also applied in the generation of synthetic ophthalmic images. This scoping review highlights and discusses the current uses of DL with UWFI, and the future of DL applications in this field.
Effects of a new respiratory muscle training device in community-dwelling elderly men: an open-label, randomized, non-inferiority trial
Authors: Kim Sang Hun , Shin Myung-Jun , Lee Jang Mi , Huh Sungchul , Shin Yong Beom
Published: October 2021

Background: Respiratory muscle training (RMT) has various clinical benefits in older adults, but the low adherence to training remains a difficult issue to resolve. The present study aimed to confirm the efficacy of a new device compared to the Threshold IMT device (Philips Respironics Inc) and to determine whether home-based training was different from rehabilitation center training.Methods: This four-arm, multicenter, prospective, parallel, non-inferiority trial randomized 80 active community-dwelling elderly males (mean age = 72.9 years) to center-based groups (new IMT/PEP device or Threshold IMT device; 16 supervised sessions) or home-based groups (new IMT/PEPdevice or Threshold IMT device; 2 supervised sessions and individual sessions). Participants in all groups performed RMT twice a day for eight weeks. Assessments were performed at baseline and post-training. The primary outcomes were maximum inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure. The secondary outcomes included forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in the first second, peak cough flow, diaphragm thickness, VO2 peak, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire score, electromyographic activities of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and skeletal muscle mass and phase angle measured by bioimpedance analysis. In addition, adherence rates to each protocol were also compared.Results: The maximal inspiratory pressure improved among all groups post-training. Furthermore, the non-inferiority of the IMT/PEP device was validated. However, the maximal expiratory pressure showed improvement only in the IMT/PEP groups. A statistically significant improvement in diaphragm thickness was found. However, no consistent improvement was shown in other secondary outcomes. No significant difference in training adherence rate between protocols was observed (mean adherence rate of 91%–99%).Conclusion: Compared to the Threshold IMT, using the new IMT/PEP device showed no significant difference in maximal inspiratory pressure but improved maximal expiratory pressure in the elderly. The IMT/PEP devices reduced training time and improved usability, associated with exercise adherence, provided distinct advantages in this cohort. If preceded by proper education, home-based RMT alone is expected to provide sufficient effect in the elderly.Trial registration: This trial was registered in the database cris.nih.go.kr with the number KCT0003901 on 10/05/2019.
3D Isotope Density Measurements by Energy-Resolved Neutron Imaging
Authors: Losko Adrian Simon , Vogel Sven
Published: October 2021

Tools for three-dimensional elemental characterization are available on length scales ranging from individual atoms, using electrons as a probe, to micrometers with X-rays. However, for larger volumes up to millimeters or centimeters, quantitative measurements of elemental or isotope densities were hitherto only possible on the surface. Here, a novel quantitative elemental characterization method based on energy-resolved neutron imaging, utilizing the known neutron absorption cross sections with their ‘finger-print’ absorption resonance signatures, is demonstrated. Enabled by a pixilated time-of-flight neutron transmission detector installed at an intense short-pulsed spallation neutron source, for this demonstration 3.25 million state-of-the-art nuclear physics neutron transmission analyses were conducted to derive isotopic densities for five isotopes in 3D in a volume of 0.25 cm3. The tomographic reconstruction of the isotope densities provides elemental maps similar to X-ray microprobe maps for any cross-section in the probed volume. The bulk isotopic density of a U-20Pu-10Zr-3Np-2Am nuclear transmutation fuel sample was measured, agrees well with mass-spectrometry and is evidence of the accuracy of the method.
Impact of single-port laparoscopic approach on postoperative pain and cosmesis for acute appendicitis: a comparison with multi-port laparoscopic approach
Authors: Kim Kyeong Eui , Cho In Soo , Bae Sung Uk , Jeong Woon Kyung , Kim Hyung Jin , Baek Seong Kyu
Published: October 2021

Background: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical abdominal emergency. Single-port laparoscopic appendectomy (SPLA) has been suggested potential advantages including less postoperative pain and better cosmesis. The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative pain and cosmetic outcomes between SPLA and multi-port laparoscopic appendectomy (MPLA) for acute appendicitis.Materials and methods: The study included 47 patients who underwent SPLA and 51 patients who underwent MPLA for acute appendicitis between August 2014 and November 2017. The patient scar assessment questionnaire (PSAQ) was used to assess cosmetic outcomes. Results: MPLA involved a longer median operative time than MPLA (60 vs. 47.5 minutes, p=0.02). There were no apparent differences in the time before diet tolerance, length of hospital stay, inflammatory laboratory findings including C-reactive protein and white blood cell count, and postoperative complication rate. SPLA patients had a smaller total incision length (2.0 vs. 2.5 cm, p<0.001) and the total number of analgesics used on postoperative day 0 in the SPLA group was significantly lower than that of the MPLA group (1 vs. 1, p=0.011). The PSAQ scores showed that the SPLA group had a better overall outcome than the MPLA group with respect to total score (48 vs. 55; p = 0.026), appearance (15 vs. 18; p = 0.002) and consciousness (8 vs. 10; p = 0.005), but not in the satisfaction with appearance and symptoms subscales.Conclusion: SPLA is safe and feasible and provides better cosmetic outcomes and less analgesic requirements on the day of surgery compared to MPLA.
On the Frontlines: an Exploratory Analysis of Unequal Exposure to Air Pollution and COVID-19 in the United States
Authors: Vila Daniel Enrique , McDermott Thomas K.J.
Published: October 2021

Recent literature has suggested a link between poor air quality and worse COVID-19 outcomes. In the United States, this link is particularly noteworthy because of residential sorting along ethnic lines within the US population; minorities are disproportionately exposed to health hazards, including air pollution. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have also been disproportionately concentrated amongst minorities. We explore the association between air quality and COVID-19 outcomes, using county level data for the United States from the first wave of the pandemic in 2020, and test whether exposure to more polluted air can account for some of the observed disparities in COVID-19 outcomes among minorities.
(Re-)Opening an encounter in the virtual world of Second Life
Authors: Kohonen-Aho Laura , Vatanen Anna
Published: October 2021

This study explores how ‘gatherings’ turn into ‘encounters’ in a virtu­al world (VW) context. Most communication technologies enable only focused encounters between distributed participants, but in VWs both gatherings and encounters can occur. We present close sequential analysis of moments when after a silent gathering, inter­action among participants in a VW is gradually resumed, and also investigate the social actions in the verbal (re-)opening turns. Our findings show that like in face-to-face situations, also in VWs partici­pants often use different types of embodied resources to achieve the transition, rather than rely on verbal means only. However, the tran­sition process in VWs has distinctive characteristics compared to the one in face-to-face situations. We discuss how participants in a VW use virtually embodied pre-beginnings to display what we call encounter-readiness, instead of displaying lack of presence by avatar stillness. The data comprise 40 episodes of video-recorded team in­teractions in a VW.
Uma Proposta para Calibração do Sistema Online de Seleção de Eventos no Detector ATLAS utilizando Gradient Boosted Decision Trees
Authors: Simas Filho Eduardo , Farias Paulo , Souza Edmar , Marin Juan , Freund Werner , Seixas José Manoel , Fonseca João , Laforge Bertrand
Published: October 2021

Particle physics experiments deal with a huge volume of information and a complex sequential processing chain for online selection (trigger) of events. In the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the trigger system is responsible for choosing the events that will be recorded on permanent media for future analysis and operates sequentially in two levels of selection. The estimated value of energy deposited by particles in the detector is an important parameter for the online selection process. In this work, a calibration method based on gradient boosted decision trees ensemble is proposed to improve the quality of the energy estimated in the second trigger stage of the ATLAS detector. With the proposed method it is possible, at the same time, to reduce computational requirements and increase the selection efficiency of electromagnetic particles (electrons).
Uma ANTi-história sobre o processo da primeira cirurgia de redesignação sexual no Brasil: atores e suas relações sócio-políticas na ditadura civil-militar
Authors: Luna Camilla Pinto , Barros Denise Franca
Published: October 2021

O presente artigo utiliza o arcabouço epistemo-metodológico da ANTi-History (Durepos, 2009; Durepos & Mills, 2012; Quelha-de-Sá & Costa, 2018a) para (re)montar a rede de atores envolvida na realização da primeira cirurgia de redesignação sexual no Brasil, em plena ditadura civil-militar (1964-1985). Durante tal período ocorreram graves violações aos direitos humanos, incluindo perseguição às pessoas LGBTQ+, consideradas ameaças à segurança nacional, à família e à moral. Aproximadamente três décadas após o final desse período, foi instituída uma Comissão Nacional da Verdade, cujos relatórios foram fundamentais para desvelar os crimes e abusos cometidos. No entanto, muitas das agressões contra LGBTQ+ permaneceram turvas, sendo um exemplo o caso de uma cirurgia que passa de uma questão de saúde pública a uma questão de justiça pública. Nesta pesquisa, seguimos vestígios deixados por rede de atores associadas a diferentes instituições da administração pública e que lidam, à época, com um mesmo fenômeno de formas distintas. Assim, este trabalho contribui para estudos históricos em Administração desvelando os momentos de virada (turning points) que definem aspectos inerentes a uma rede de atores em um passado, ao identificar alguns aspectos que ainda se encontram refletidos no momento presente de instituições pertencentes à Administração Pública.
As mulheres conforme a administração: uma ciência para a manutenção da opressão e da exploração?
Authors: Souza Marília Duarte , Ferraz Deise Luiza Da Silva , Ferraz Janaynna De Moura
Published: October 2021

Objetivou-se analisar as potencialidades do conhecimento produzido nas ciências administrativas para alterações qualitativas nas relações entre homens e mulheres, relações sociais que atualmente são de opressão. Para tanto, realizamos uma exposição teórica acerca da cientificidade moderna como também expomos os principais aspectos que permeiam a questão da opressão à mulher. A partir de um levantamento bibliométrico sobre a temática “mulher” no campo da Administração, encontramos um corpus analítico distribuído por subárea e abordagem, o que possibilitou a discussão das categorias analíticas “maternidade e cuidado do lar” e “feminilidade versus masculinidade”. Concluímos que estudos acerca da temática são recentes e escassos, porém representam uma potencialidade para a luta das mulheres, visto que a pauta se legitima enquanto científica. Contudo, também representam limitação, pois a racionalidade científica impõe-se sobre o real e, até mesmo os estudos que se propõem críticos acabam, em parte, contribuindo para naturalização da opressão.
Depresión mayor en población general de Envigado (Colombia): prevalencia y factores asociados
Authors: Salas Zapata Carolina , Aguilar Gómez Mariana , Giraldo Sanchez Tomas Eduardo , Muñoz Rua María Camila , Torres Blandón Alejandra , Uribe Castaño Alejandro , Uribe Quintero Alejandra
Published: October 2021

Introducción: La depresión afecta a más de 300 millones de personas en el mundo, es la principal causa de discapacidad y contribuye de forma importante a la carga mundial de morbilidad. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia y algunos factores personales, sociales y familiares asociados al trastorno de depresión mayor en población de 15 a 65 años del municipio de Envigado (Colombia) en el año 2017. Método: Estudio transversal con intención analítica, a partir de la información de 905 participantes del “Estudio Poblacional de Salud Mental, Envigado 2017”, recopilada a través de entrevistas realizadas con la World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview -CIDI-OMS. El procesamiento se realizó mediante el programa SPSS versión 23. Re­sultados: Cuatro factores explican la probabilidad de depresión mayor en el último año, en la población de estudio: el abuso de drogas diferentes al alcohol (ORaj=4,43 [1,164-16,833]), la muerte o enfermedad de un familiar cercano (ORaj=4,15 [1,583-10,880]), presentar altos niveles de resiliencia (ORaj=0,22 [0,112-0,425]) y una percepción excelente o buena de su salud mental (ORaj=0,19 [0,098-0,378]). Conclusiones: Los factores que aumentan la probabilidad de depresión mayor en la población de estudio son: abuso de drogas diferentes al alcohol y la muerte o enfermedad de un familiar de primer grado de consanguinidad; y los factores protectores son altos niveles de resiliencia y una percepción excelente o buena de la propia salud mental. Esta evidencia refuerza la necesidad de implementar programas de promoción centrados en el mejoramiento de habilidades para la vida, que propicien estrategias adecuadas frente a los desafíos.
Engineered hyporheic zones: design and applications in stream health restoration – a review
Authors: Tewari Ankit , Singh Prabhat Kumar , Gaur Shishir
Published: October 2021

Anthropogenic deterioration of streams and rivers has affected their surface-subsurface linkages. This has led to the degradation of hyporheic zones, a sensitive interface between a stream channel and its surrounding sediments, responsible for transforming pollutants, natural solutes and supporting benthic communities. Several authors have reported the influence of stream restoration measures on hyporheic exchanges and have called for the inclusion of hyporheic zone restorations in stream management. Engineered Hyporheic Zones (EHZ) are the creation of artificial transition areas due to induced hyporheic flows, brought about by some feature modifications done to the stream channel or its subsurface. These feature modifications and their implications have been investigated through lab experiments, outdoor flumes, modelling and field studies for several years. This paper attempts to summarize the endeavours made in the study of EHZ and its applications in water quality improvement and habitat restoration. A comprehensive review of up-to-date literature with specific focus on the influence of engineered structures on hyporheic exchanges is presented, followed by the comparison of preferences opted for different studies and their limitations. The paper ends with suggestive future scope in EHZ studies and its potential as a low cost alternative treatment technology for river restoration.
Removal performance and mechanism of typical amino acids in water by the peroxymonosulfate/Fe3O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Luo Yuye , Liu Cheng , Zhao Meiqi , Mehmood Tariq
Published: October 2021

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) as precursors of nitrogenous disinfection byproducts (N-DBPs) has become a serious issue for drinking water treatment. Here, Fe3O4/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) system was used to examine the amino acid removal and formation of N-DBPs in the system and the corresponding mechanisms. Results showed a remarked variation in removal efficiency of three typical amino acids, i.e., glutamate (78%), histidine (53%) and phenylalanine (27%) in Fe3O4/PMS system at optimum conditions (0.1 g/L Fe3O4, 1.5 mM PMS, 1 h). Notably, Fe3O4/PMS treatment led to dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN) formation caused by the chlorination of glutamate, phenylalanine and histidine being reduced by 53.3%, 9.7% and 41.9%, respectively. The degradation and subsequent N-DBPs formation in the Fe3O4/PMS system mainly depended on the types and properties of the amino acids. The formation of dichloroacetamide (DCAcAm) exhibited different trends, which may be due to the different R group structure of the three amino acids and the special aromaticity of the imidazole ring in the histidine side chain that facilitates its quick electrophilic substitution and ring-opening reaction. This study highlights that the Fe3O4/PMS system is a promising strategy to remove DON and efficiently eliminate N-DBPs formation in the drinking water treatment process depending on the amino acid type.
Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in extensive monitoring of municipal wastewater: key issues to yield reliable results
Authors: Cutrupi F. , Cadonna M. , Manara S. , Foladori P.
Published: October 2021

Several studies have detected SARS-CoV-2 in the stool of infected people as in urban wastewater. The quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater appears today as a powerful tool that can help in wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). The goal is to improve the prediction of new waves of COVID-19 outbreaks and provide an early warning of the evolution of the infection. In this research, we highlighted some practical and scientific aspects that emerged during an extensive ongoing monitoring campaign carried out on a large number of wastewater treatment plants located in the province of Trento (North Italy) and aimed at the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in raw municipal wastewater. The open issues underline are related to the collection and storage (sampling protocol, storage and heat treatment), to the molecular analysis (enrichment phase), and to the mathematical calculation of SARS-CoV-2 load in wastewater, suitable for WBE (standard curve to obtain the concentration of genomic units and flow rate measurements). This study provides some insights that can help in the implementation of surveillance plans in other regions.
Molecular Docking of the Cardenolides of Asclepias subulata in the Human p53 Protein Reveals an Interaction in the Cleft of the Y220C Mutant
Authors: Valenzuela-Chavira Ignacio , Meneses-Sagrero Salvador , Arvizu-Flores Aldo A. , Hernández-Paredes Javier , Rascón-Valenzuela Luisa , Velázquez-Contreras Carlos A. , Robles-Zepeda Ramón E.
Published: October 2021

Background and Objective:

The objective of the present study is to use docking and
ADME analysis to determine if the cardenolides of Asclepias subulata are potential stabilizing
drugs of the p53-Y220C mutant.

Materials and Methods:

Two different receptors, wild-type p53, and the mutant p53-Y220C, were
used for docking. Three independent stochastic series were performed, with 60,000 poses considered,
and the 30 best poses were selected. ADME analysis was performed using SwissADME.

Results:

Docking experiments revealed that corotoxigenin 3-O-glucopyranoside and calotropin interact
with the cleft, so they were considered potential stabilizers of the p53-Y220C mutant comparable
to the control drug 9H5, which was able to predict a position very similar to that already reported
in the crystallographic structure. The ADME predicted that calotropin and desglucouzarin
have more favorable pharmacokinetic parameters. Both molecules are predicted to be absorbed
from the GIT.

Conclusion:

Calotropin of A. subulata is predicted to be a potential drug for p53-Y220C, because
it binds to the cleft of the mutant and has favorable pharmacokinetic parameters. Corotoxigenin 3-
O-glucopyranoside also binds to the Y220C cleft, but had less favorable pharmacokinetic parameters.
These results have a future impact since calotropin could be used for the treatment of some
types of cancer.
Improving Justice and Security in Indonesia: The Role of Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Justice (AIPJ2)
Authors: Rahmadhani Rizki , Sholeh Badrus
Published: October 2021

Located in a strategic area consisting of various ethnicities and religions, Indonesia is vulnerable to transnational crimes and violent extremism. Furthermore, this also creates social injustice, where groups are marginalized. Therefore, Indonesia continues to strive to improve justice and security for its citizens by increasing cooperation with other countries or international organizations. This article explains how Indonesia-Australia cooperation's role in maintaining justice and security in Indonesia through the second period of the Australia- Indonesia Partnership for Justice (AIPJ2). The author will use qualitative methods and use secondary data, where data will be collected from previous studies and related literature. This research shows that AIPJ2, through its support and programs to several Civil Society Organizations and government institutions, has contributed to positive changes in Indonesia's justice and security sectors, even though these changes were done gradually and faced challenges.
The Path to Democracy? Foreign Aid Post-Military Coup in Myanmar
Authors: Rizky Bima Nur Muhammad
Published: October 2021

Aid has transformed into a promising tool of policy to spread, gain, or maintain power and influence internationally. One of the common aid institutions keeps actively promoting and pushing norms and values of democracy internationally in the United States through USAID. Upon that, one of the recipient countries to receive USAID programs in Myanmar. USAID has been focusing on and pushing democratization to occur in Myanmar and creating supporting programs to respond to the 2015 election, increasing the number of aids after the majority win of the NLD Party in the 2015 election. However, after the military coup successfully seized the government on February 1, 2021, USAID decided to shift its programs to support the civil society movement and strengthen democracy in Myanmar. Within this paper, there will be explanations of how USAID's programs after the military coup occurred in Myanmar, and why it matters to the United States not fully to halt their programs and aids of USAID. This paper will also show how USAID programs and aid to Myanmar before the coup.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Infodemic on Depression and Sleep Disorders: Focusing on Uncertainty Reduction Strategies and Level of Interpretation Theory
Authors: Jung Soyoung , Jung Sooin
Published: October 2021

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, information diffusion about the COVID-19 has attracted public attention through social media. The World Health Organization declared an infodemic of COVID-19 on February 15, 2020. Misinformation and disinformation, including overwhelming amounts of information about COVID-19 on social media, could promote adverse psychological effects.

Objective

This study used the Psychological Distance and Level of Construal theory (CLT) to predict peoples’ negative psychological symptoms from social media usage. In this study, the CLT intended to show peoples’ psychological proximity to objects and events with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, this study links the uncertainty reduction strategy (URS) and CLT for COVID-19–related preventive behaviors and affective reactions to assess their effects on mental health problems.

Methods

A path model was tested (N=297) with data from a web-based survey to examine how social media usage behaviors are associated with URS and psychological distance with COVID-19 (based on the CLT), leading to preventive behaviors and affective reactions. Finally, the path model was used to examine how preventive behaviors and affective reactions are associated with mental health problems including anxiety and sleep disorder.

Results

After measuring participants’ social media usage behavior, we found that an increase in general social media usage led to higher use of the URS and lower construal level on COVID-19. The URS is associated with preventive behaviors, but the CLT did not show any association with preventive behaviors; however, it increases affective reactions. Moreover, increased preventive behavior showed negative associations with symptoms of mental health problems; that is, depression and sleep disorder. However, the affective reaction tends to be positively associated with depression and sleep disorder. Owing to the infodemic of COVID-19, the psychological perception of the pandemic negatively influenced users’ mental health problems.

Conclusions

Our results imply that the information from social media usage heightened concerns and had a lower construal level; this does not facilitate taking preventive actions but rather reinforces the negative emotional reaction and mental health problems. Thus, higher URS usage is desirable.
LIDAR Self Driving Car
Authors: Phansekar Soham
Published: October 2021

Abstract: Increasing population is the major issue of transportation nowadays. People who live and work in the major cities of the world are faced with increasing levels of congestion, delays, total travel time, costs, frustration, accidents and loss of life. The objective of this project is to help prevent traffic accidents and save people’s time by fundamentally changing car use. The system would have sensors to detect the obstacles and to be able to react according to their position. In this project we have developed an automated driving system which drives the car automatically. We have developed a technology for cars that drives it automatically using LIDAR. This car is capable of sensing the surroundings, navigating and fulfilling the human transportation capabilities without any human input. It continuously tracks the surrounding and if any obstacle is detected vehicle senses and moves around and avoids the obstacle. An autonomous car navigation system based on Global Positioning System (GPS) is a new and promising technology, which uses real time geographical data received from several GPS satellites to calculate longitude, latitude, speed and course to help navigate a car. As we know the development of gps is more improved now the accuracy of gps we can see centimetre also so Like for our car to go at specific inputted location we use this gps technology.Lidar is used for sensing the surroundings. Like radar, lidar is an active remote sensing technology but instead of using radio or microwaves it uses electromagnetic waves. Keywords: Congestion, Traffic Accident, LIDAR sensor, Global Positioning System, Electromagnetic waves
A Study on Ecommerce Agriculture
Authors: Gomathy Dr. C. K.
Published: October 2021

Abstract: Every day new technology is arriving and billions of people were connected to the Internet. Purchasing goods, groceries, clothes everything is online. He or She can able to place the order from their smartphone within a minute. But, Farmers are still lack of benefitting from the internet. As we all knew that Farmers are the backbone of our country and without them, we can’t complete a day. Well, this idea is completely dedicated to farmers and helps them in generating good profitable revenue by using our platform. This is an online eCommerce platform that enables a farmer to buy or sell anything related to the agriculture and farming category by simply creating an account. Strictly all vendors are farmers since it is dedicated to them. The ultimate objective of the idea is to help a farmer with good revenue for their goods. Nowadays smartphone is like a coin in a pocket. So, it’s not a big question of thinking about smartphones with a farmer. Also, most of them are already familiar with social media accounts and it is quite easy to play with our online e-platform. But, there will be demo videos for each like registration, adding products, payment, etc. Safe payment gateway with a good logistic delivery partner, A farmer can do profitable business from his/her home itself. Both time and energy are also saved. Keywords: Agriculture, Cultivator, E-Platform, Multiple Vendor, Store, Payment Gateway Integration, Irrigation
Estudio etnomicológico de Melanogaster variegatus (Vittad.) Tul. & C. Tul. en la Región de Murcia (España)
Authors: Cano Trigueros Francisco Fernando
Published: October 2021

En este trabajo se muestra el conocimiento etnomicológico del hongo Melanogaster variegatus (Vittad.) Tul. & C. Tul. recopilado en el ámbito territorial de la Región de Murcia (España) mediante entrevistas presenciales a la población local realizadas con una metodología etnobotánica, incluyendo su relación simbiótica con las plantas del género Cistus. También contiene alguna reflexión sobre el uso de estos conocimientos para la investigación científica y el manejo del medio natural, sobre la regulación moderna del recurso micológico en nuestro territorio, así como del necesario mantenimiento de los aprovechamientos tradicionales practicados racionalmente.
Hongos anamorfos biodegradan los libros del Área Histórica de la Universidad Central del Ecuador (UCE)
Authors: Rodríguez-Segovia M. A. , Arguello-Hidalgo S. J. , Carrera-Castro M. C.
Published: October 2021

Determinamos los géneros de hongos anamorfos que contaminan los libros del área de cuarentena y limpieza, dentro del Área Histórica de la Universidad Central del Ecuador (UCE). Realizamos un hisopado aleatorio a una muestra representativa de 50 de estos libros de acuerdo a una Tabla militarizada estándar. También hisopamos como muestra preferencial a 21 libros gravemente contaminados con hongos. Los hisopados tuvieron una superficie de 5x5 cm, friccionando en la pasta, el borde y el interior de estos libros. Las 213 muestras tomadas fueron inoculadas en medio de cultivo Agar Malta. Los medios fueron incubados a una temperatura de 28°C durante 7 días. Realizamos observaciones por microscopía a 40 y 100x además de usar literatura especializada para la identificación hasta el nivel de género de hongos anamorfos. Los géneros más abundantes en este estudio fueron Penicillium (80,2%) y Mucor (8,1%).
Ectima gangrenoso, manifestación cutánea infrecuente de una infección por diversos agentes
Authors: Ñanco-Meléndez C. , López-Mora Dr. Eduardo , Cruz Dr. Rodrigo
Published: October 2021

El ectima gangrenoso es un trastorno infeccioso infrecuente clásicamente relacionado a bacteriemia, descrito principalmente en poblaciones inmunodeprimidas. El agente más comúnmente relacionado es Pseudomonas aeruginosa, sin embargo, se han descrito otras etiologías bacterianas, hongos filamentosos y levaduras. Su patogénesis está dada por la invasión de la pared de los vasos sanguíneos, causando trombosis arterial y venosa, desencadenando necrosis de epidermis y tejidos subdérmicos. Clínicamente, se manifiesta como máculas, vesículas o pústulas hemorrágicas que evolucionan a úlceras de superficie necrótica rodeadas por un halo eritematoso característico, habitualmente en un contexto clínico de sepsis. El diagnóstico de este cuadro es clínico, sin embargo, el estudio microbiológico es clave en la identificación del agente etiológico y un posterior tratamiento dirigido. En su manejo es esencial una alta sospecha clínica y el inicio de tratamiento antibiótico en forma precoz. La duración del tratamiento es variable y en algunos casos debe asociarse a debridación quirúrgica. El pronóstico es variable dependiendo de múltiples factores: estado inmunológico, agente etiológico, presencia de sepsis y el tiempo de inicio de tratamiento.
Perfil das infecções fúngicas em pacientes transplantados renais
Authors: Fontenele Andréa M. , Rodrigues H. G. , Froes S. M. , Carvahal R. S. , Zaror Luis
Published: October 2021

O transplante renal é uma alternativa eficaz como tratamento da Doença Renal Crônica, dado seu custo efetividade e o aumento na sobrevida dos pacientes. Os imunossupressores também garantem maior sobrevida do enxerto, porém tornam o receptor susceptível a infecções, como as fúngicas. O objetivo do estudo foi conhecer as infecções fúngicas de pacientes da enfermaria de transplante renal do Hospital de Referência do Maranhão, através de pesquisa dos prontuários destes com diagnóstico de micose entre 2014 a 2018. Foram encontrados 9 casos, 5 de criptococose, 2 de aspergilose e 2 de candidíase, sendo 6 pacientes homems e 3 mulheres; 5 receptores de doadores vivos e 4, doadores falecidos. Em 7 casos, a terapia de imunossupressão prescrita foi metilprednisolona e basiliximab, e em 2 casos, timoglobulina. O exame diagnóstico foi o micológico direto em 6 casos e endoscopia digestiva alta, biópsia de pele e exame clínico em 1 caso cada. As espécies isoladas foram Cryptococcus sp. (3), C. neoformans (2), Aspergillus sp. (2), Candida tropicalis, C. krusei (1) e C. albicans (1). Excetuando-se um caso de candidíase tratado com fluconazol e um caso com a forma desoxicolato, todos os outros foram tratados com anfotericina B lipídica e fluconazol como manutenção. Sete casos tiveram a cura como desfecho, e 2 o óbito. Percebe-se a importância do estudo dessas infecções, o olhar cuidadoso em relação as mesmas e a atuação do farmacêutico para monitorização da farmacoterapia, para maior segurança do paciente.
Feasibility of Online Classes for Microbiology Courses: Lessons learned amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Khalid  Aljarallah
Published: October 2021

Universities and  colleges worldwide have been  closed following the  novel  coronavirus (COVID-19), and online learning has become  an educational practice at once. Previous research  showed  many problems, including time management difficulties, technological devices, communication, engagement and assessment  of students  for both  educators  and students  in online  education.  This  research  was  formulated  to  understand  whether  online  microbiology  courses  from  different  Saudi Universities are appropriate. It was a nationwide cross-sectional study among educators  from multiple Saudi Arabian Universities during the whole month of June 2020. We distributed the survey link electronically through messages on the phone. A total of 134 Saudis participated in the study, and the majority of the respondents,  i.e., 106 (79.10%) are between  36 to 55 years old, 17 (12.69%) are 56 years and above. A total of 65 (48.51%) respondents  responded  that shifting from in-classroom to online setup has impacted the teaching-learning process  negatively, while 43 (32.09%) responded  with a positive impact. The majority of the respondents  (82%) disagreed that practical learning outcomes  such as laboratory-based microbiology courses  can be achieved online at the same level as regular-campus classes.Furthermore, more than half of the participants think that students' dishonesty or violation of academic integrity threatens  institutions from offering online courses. Technology tools have brought a positive impact on the effectiveness of online microbiology education. This study illustrated that the shift to online microbiology classes has a positive  impact  on attention  to  academic  integrity.  However,  in-person  labs  are  still  considered  the  optimal  lab design. While pandemics  have historically  generated  difficulties,  recognizing  these  difficulties  is  the  first  step  in  turning them  into possibilities.
Plantarhyperhidrosis: The Efficacy Of Iontophoresis With Tap Water, Glycopyrronium Bromide And Indomethacin
Authors: Dr.C.V.Senthilnathan1  , G.Vaishnavi  , G.Keerthana  , S.NandhaKumar  , Dr.Kotteeswaran
Published: October 2021

Hyperhidrosis is  an excessive production of sweat  more  than  the  physiological  amount  necessary  to  maintain thermal homeostasis. Primary focal  hyperhidrosis  is a disorder of  unknown etiology,  causing excessive,  bilateral,  symmetrical  sweating  on the soles  of  the foot is called plantar hyperhidrosis. The condition results not only in physical impairment, but also interferes with professional and social life. Although not life- threatening, it is  very uncomfortable and cause embarrassment  and psychological trauma. Iontophoresis is a helpful method,  which includes the presentation of particles into the body tissue through the skin. The essential principle is to place the ion particles under an electrode with the same charge, i.e. negative  ion  placed  under  cathode  and positive  ion  placed under  anode.  This  complete  process  is  also  known as “technique  of  ion transfer” into the body tissues by using electrical current  as a driving force.  It is a comparative study with pre and post intervention. 30 subjects with plantar hyperhidrosis were selected based on the inclusion criteria. The study duration was for about 4 weeks30 subjects of age group between 15 –25 years with idiopathic plantar hyperhidrosis of both  male and female subjects were  included in this study. Subjects with cardiac and respiratory disorders, pregnant or lactating, any cuts, abrasions, eczema or infections on plantar aspect, metal implants like pacemakers, Hypersensitivity to the active substance were excluded. The subjects were divided into 3 group Group A treated  with iontophoresis using tap water alone. Group B were treated  with iontophoresis using tap water along with 3%-5% of anticholinergic drug, glycopyrronium bromide solution. Group C were treated  with iontophoresis using tap water along with 1% of indomethacin (NSAID). The result of this study shows that there  were significant changes in outcome measures. On comparing Mean values of Group A, Group B & Group C on Minor test (Starch - Iodine Test) tap Water  along with Glycopyrronium Bromide (Group B) shows 1.60 which has the Lower Mean value is effective than Group A and Group C .On comparing Mean values of Group A, Group B & Group C on Visual Analog Scale score tap Water  along with Glycopyrronium Bromide (Group B) shows 3.80 which has the Lower Mean value is effective than Group A and Group C. On comparing Mean values of Group A, Group B & Group C on Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale tap Water  along with Glycopyrronium Bromide (Group B) shows 1.40 which has the Lower Mean value is effective than Group A and Group C.  On comparing all the three groups, Group B shows better  result than Group C and Group A in outcome measure. This study concluded that Tap water along with glycopyrronium bromide reduces the excessive sweating and decrease the sweating symptoms in subjects with plantar hyperhidrosis.