Search

Since entering the era of bioeconomy, the biotechnology industry economy represented by the bio pharmaceutical industry is leading a new wave of technological revolution. China’s strategic deployment for the bio pharmaceutical industry economy has achieved remarkable results, but there is still a large competitive gap compared with the United States and other biomedical powers. The goal of this article is to study the American biomedical market and find out the gap, so as to provide inspiration for the development of the biomedical industry in China and other countries. The Porter Diamond Model is used to build the theoretical research method analysis framework of the international competitiveness of the bio pharmaceutical industry. Taking the United States as an example, the paper analyzes its competitive advantages in six aspects: the elements of the biomedical industry, the enterprise structure and competition, the demand conditions, the relevant and supporting industries, the government and development opportunities. Based on this, the paper puts forward policy recommendations conclusions for China’s development of the bio pharmaceutical industry, so as to provide reference value for the development of the pharmaceutical industry.

INTRODUCTION: There is an overwhelming need for worldwide applicable subjective grading systems for patients' anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. The scoring system should be validated for their use in advance related measurements. For the Indonesian language speaking population, only the Kujala Patellofemoral Score (KPS) questionnaire has been translated and validated into the Indonesian language for diseases related to knee pain, but none for ACL tears. The present study aims at cross-cultural adaption to measure the validity and reliability of the Kujala patellofemoral score Indonesian version (KPS-I) specifically for ACL tear patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The responses of 106 ACL tear patients on two questionnaires comprising the KPS-I and Short Form (SF)–36 were examined by determining the validity and reliability. We conducted the validity construct and content, so the reliability was evaluated by test-retest reliability, internal consistency and measurement error. In addition, the research utilised the Bland and Altman method to explore absolute agreement. RESULTS: The construct and content validity were good, where all hypotheses were confirmed, and the floor or ceiling effect did not occur. The reliability proved excellent between test and retest (ICC=0.99). An internal consistency showed a good Cronbach α of 0.86. The standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change at the individual (MDCind), and minimal detectable change at the group (MDCgrp) were determined to be 2.1, 5.8, and 0.7, respectively. The application of the Bland and Altman plot method revealed no bias in this study. CONCLUSION: The validation procedure shows that the KPS-I is a good evaluation instrument for Indonesian patients with ACL tear. However, it is suggested that this score be used for follow-up of patients after ACL reconstruction procedure, especially with anterior knee pain related to the original objective of the Kujala score.

In this paper, we review both practical and theoretical assessments for evaluating radon geohazards from permafrost landforms in northern environments (>60º N). Here, we show that polar amplification (i.e. climate change) leads to the development of thawing permafrost, ground subsidence, and thawed conduits (i.e. Taliks), which allow radon migration from the subsurface to near surface environment. Based on these survey results, we conjecture that abruptly thawing permafrost soils will allow radon migration to the near surface, and likely impacting human settlements located here. We analyze potential geohazards associated with elevated ground concentrations of natural radionuclides. From these results, we apply the main existing legislation governing the control of radon parameters in the design, construction and use of buildings, as well as existing technologies for assessing the radon hazard. We found that at present, these laws do not consider our findings, namely, that increasing supply of radon to the surface during thawing of permafrost will enhance radon exposure, thereby, changing prior assumptions from which the initial legislation was determined. Hence, the legislation will likely need to respond and reconsider risk assessments of public health in relation to radon exposure. We discuss the prospects for developing radon geohazard monitoring, methodical approaches, and share recommendations based on the current state of research in permafrost effected environments.

Juniperus L. is the second-largest genus of conifers, having the widest distribution of all conifer genera. Its phytogeographic history is, however, obscure due to its very poor fossil record. We described a wood of Juniperus sp. from the lower Maeotian sediments of the Popov Kamen section, Taman Peninsula, South Russia, in order to clarify its taxonomic position shedding light on the phytogeographic history of the genus. This fossil wood was well-preserved by mummification, which allowed for it to be studied by the same methods as used for the anatomical examination of modern woods. The wood from the Popov Kamen section shows the greatest similarity to the extant Mediterranean species J. excelsa, belonging to the section Sabina. This is the first reliable macrofossil evidence of the sect. Sabina from Eurasia convincingly dated to the Miocene. The age of the mummified wood from the Popov Kamen section is consistent with molecular dating of diversification of the lineage comprising juniper species of the sect. Sabina from Europe, Asia and eastern Africa. The wood of Juniperus sp. has not been buried in situ, as it was found in the relatively deep-water marine sediments. The available coeval pollen series and macrofossils of Cupressaceae from the surrounding regions suggest that this wood was likely transferred by sea current from the northwestern side of the Black Sea, which was a part of the Eastern Paratethys.

This paper presents the application of a new fuzzy identification method to solve classification problems. The model or fuzzy classifier, obtained after training process, contains triangular sets with 0.5 overlapping to the antecedent and singleton sets for the consequent. In the evaluation of the rules is used an average operator instead of a T-norm. The consequent are adjusted using recursive least squares. The proposed method achieves higher accuracy than others methods, using a small number of rules and parameters, without sacrificing the interpretability of the fuzzy model. The proposed approach is applied in two classic classification problems: Pima Indian Diabetic and Dermatology Problem, to show the performance of the proposed method and compare the results with other researchers.

Lung inflammation, caused by acute exposure to ozone (O3), one of the six criteria air pollutants, is a significant source of morbidity in susceptible individuals. Alveolar macrophages (AMØs) are the most abundant immune cells in the normal lung, and their number increases after O3 exposure. However, the role of AMØs in promoting or limiting O3-induced lung inflammation has not been clearly defined. In this study, we used a mouse model of acute O3 exposure, lineage tracing, genetic knockouts, and data from O3-exposed human volunteers to define the role and ontogeny of AMØs during acute O3 exposure. Lineage-tracing experiments showed that 12, 24, and 72 hours after exposure to O3 (2 ppm) for 3 hours, all AMØs were of tissue-resident origin. Similarly, in humans exposed to filtered air and O3 (200 ppb) for 135 minutes, we did not observe at ∼21 hours postexposure an increase in monocyte-derived AMØs by flow cytometry. Highlighting a role for tissue-resident AMØs, we demonstrate that depletion of tissue-resident AMØs with clodronate-loaded liposomes led to persistence of neutrophils in the alveolar space after O3 exposure, suggesting that impaired neutrophil clearance (i.e., efferocytosis) leads to prolonged lung inflammation. Moreover, depletion of tissue-resident AMØs demonstrated reduced clearance of intratracheally instilled apoptotic Jurkat cells, consistent with reduced efferocytosis. Genetic ablation of MerTK (MER proto-oncogene, tyrosine kinase), a key receptor involved in efferocytosis, also resulted in impaired clearance of apoptotic neutrophils after O3 exposure. Overall, these findings underscore the pivotal role of tissue-resident AMØs in resolving O3-induced inflammation via MerTK-mediated efferocytosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to assess the efficacy of a Hospital Discharge Transition Plan in the care competence and in adherence to the therapy of dyads comprised by patients with non-communicable chronic diseases and their caregivers. Method: a controlled and randomized clinical trial; the sample was comprised by 80 dyads of patients with chronic conditions and their caregivers, randomly allocated as follows: 40 to the control group and another 40 to the intervention group. The instruments to characterize the patient-caregiver dyad, the patients’ and caregivers’ care competence and the patients’ adherence to the treatment scale were applied. The “ CUIDEMOS educational intervention” was applied to the intervention group; in turn, the control group was provided usual care with the aid of a booklet, with phone follow-up via at month 1. Results: 52.5% of the patients and 81.3% of the caregivers were women. The patients’ and caregivers’ mean ages were 69.5±12.6 and 47.5±13.1 years old, respectively. The Hospital Discharge Transition Plan increased the scores in the “knowledge”, “uniqueness”, “instrumental”, “enjoying”, “anticipation” and “social relations” dimensions, as well as the global care competence of the patients and family caregivers; in addition to the following factors: medications, diet, stimulants control, weight control, stress management, and global adherence to the therapy by the patient. There were no statistically significant differences between the control and intervention groups. Conclusion: the Hospital Discharge Transition Plan increased the patients’ and family caregivers’ care competence after the intervention, as well as the patients’ adherence to the treatment. However, there were no differences between the control and intervention groups, possibly due to the similarity of the activities.

Introducción: El cáncer de mama en hombres es una enfermedad poco frecuente que trae consecuencias directas relacionadas con la calidad de vida, la apariencia física y la función sexual. El objetivo de la investigación fue sintetizar la información sobre la función sexual en hombres con cáncer de mama.Materiales y métodos: Se realizó una revisión de alcance mediante la búsqueda de información disponible en las bases de datos PubMed, doaj, Scientific Research Publishing y National Library of Medicine. Se utilizaron conceptos relacionados con el cáncer de mama en hombres y la función sexual. Se identificaron 73 artículos y se seleccionaron 25. Resultados: El análisis identificó cuatro tipos de repercusiones del cáncer de mama con respecto a la sexualidad: a nivel de actividad sexual, a nivel corporal, a nivel hormonal y a nivel socioemocional. Se encontró que tanto el diagnóstico como su tratamiento, espe-cialmente el tamoxifeno, provocan disminución o ausencia de deseo sexual, disfunción eréctil, inflamación y dolor de la mama afectada, retracción y supuración del pezón, alteraciones del estado de ánimo, depresión y masculinidad afectada.Conclusiones: Los hombres con cáncer de mama presentan con-diciones adversas relacionadas con su patología y tratamiento que pueden reducir su función sexual y su calidad de vida.

The purpose of this systemic review article was to analyze the symptoms of stress and insomnia and burnout syndrome in secondary school teachers. The PICO methodology was adapted for the research question and the PRISMA methodology for the article review and selection process. As a result, it was obtained that professional stress occurs when there is dissatisfaction or restrictions in the environment where it is exercised, the preparation of the person has ceased before an elaboration of organizations, as well as the deterioration of the teacher's vitality because of the stress produced. Burnout syndrome, which is a response to chronic professional stress, the amplitudes that stand out in burnout syndrome are related to stress levels and insomnia. As a conclusion, it was obtained that Burnout syndrome tends to be more evident in teachers, since they have direct contact with people and also current economic and political factors directly influence the development of their daily activity, in this way, when all these factors come together, it is possible to suffer from Burnout

The emergence of resistance requires alternative methods to treat Candida albicans infections. We evaluated efficacy of the efflux pump inhibitor (EPI) verapamil (VER) with fluconazole (FLC) against FLC-resistant (CaR) and -susceptible C. albicans (CaS). The susceptibility of both strains to VER and FLC was determined, as well as the synergism of VER with FLC. Experiments were performed in vitro for planktonic cultures and biofilms and in vivo using Galleria mellonella. Larval survival and fungal recovery were evaluated after treatment with VER and FLC. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and Kaplan-Meier tests. The combination of VER with FLC at sub-lethal concentrations reduced fungal growth. VER inhibited the efflux of rhodamine 123 and showed synergism with FLC against CaR. For biofilms, FLC and VER alone reduced fungal viability. The combination of VER with FLC at sub-lethal concentrations also reduced biofilm viability. In the in vivo assays, VER and FLC used alone or in combination increased the survival of larvae infected with CaR. Reduction of fungal recovery was observed only for larvae infected with CaR and treated with VER with FLC. VER reverted the FLC-resistance of C. albicans. Based on the results obtained, VER reverted the FLC-resistance of C. albicans and showed synergism with FLC against CaR. VER also increased the survival of G. mellonella infected with CaR and reduced the fungal recovery.

Introduction In a pandemic, the risk of infection and mortality for nurses can increase substantially. This study analyzes the information reported on the mortality of nursing personnel from different countries due to COVID-19. Methods We performed a scoping review by searching information available in PubMed, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases using concepts related to nursing, mortality, COVID-19, etc. The studies were searched from September 1 to October 30, 2021. This review included 12 articles were selected among 73 identified for the scope search because they included nurses. Results Nursing personnel presented a high mortality rate after physicians and health personnel. The average age of the deceased nurses was 43 years, being higher in men than in women. Higher mortality rates were reported in services attending COVID-19, nursing homes, and psychiatric centers. Conclusion Contagion and deaths are attributed to lack of planning and inadequate personal protective equipment.

Denture stomatitis (DS) is a common infection in denture wearers, especially women. This study evaluated the induction of DS using acrylic devices attached to the palate of rats combined with inoculation of Candida spp. Immunocompetent male and female rats received a carbohydrate-rich diet. Impressions were taken from the rats’ palate to individually fabricate acrylic devices. Mono- and multispecies biofilms of C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis were grown on the devices, which were then cemented on posterior teeth and kept in the rats’ palate for four weeks. Microbial samples from the palate and the device were quantified. Oral microbiome of rats inoculated with C. albicans was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Log10(CFU/mL) were analyzed by mixed or two-way MANOVA (α = 0.05). Candida spp. and acrylic device did not induce palatal inflammation macroscopically nor microscopically. Although there was an increase (p < 0.001) of the total microbiota and female rats demonstrated higher (p = 0.007) recovery of Candida spp. from the palate, the gender differences were not biologically relevant. The microbiome results indicate an increase in inflammatory microbiota and reduction in health-associated micro-organisms. Although Candida spp. and acrylic device did not induce DS in immunocompetent rats, the shift in microbiota may precede manifestation of inflammation.

The electrospinnability of FucoPol, a bacterial exopolysaccharide, is presented for the first time, evaluated alone and in combination with other polymers, such as polyethylene oxide (PEO) and pullulan. The obtained fibers were characterized in terms of their morphological, structural and thermal properties. Pure FucoPol fibers could not be obtained due to FucoPol’s low water solubility and a lack of molecular entanglements. Nanofibers were obtained via blending with PEO and pullulan. FucoPol:PEO (1:3 w/w) showed fibers with well-defined cylindrical structure, since the higher molecular weight of PEO helps the continuity of the erupted jet towards the collector, forming stable fibers. WAXS, DSC and TGA showed that FucoPol is an amorphous biopolymer, stable until 220 °C, whereas FucoPol-PEO fibers were stable until 140 °C, and FucoPol:pullulan fibers were stable until 130 °C. Interestingly, blended components influenced one another in intermolecular order, since new peaks associated to intermolecular hierarchical assemblies were seen by WAXS. These results make FucoPol-based systems viable candidates for production of nanofibers for packaging, agriculture, biomedicine, pharmacy and cosmetic applications.

The article sets out to establish criteria and variables of future counsellors’ readiness to formation of volunteer culture of the professional. It defines the notion of “volunteer culture” of the personality, analyses contents and peculiarities of gnoseological, constructive and projective, organizational, communicative, perceptional and reflexive components of professional capabilities of a volunteer. Key words: volunteer, volunteer culture of a professional, criteria and variables of future counsellors’ readiness t voluntarism.

Curcumin (CUR) is a natural substance extracted from turmeric that has antimicrobial properties. Due to its ability to absorb light in the blue spectrum, CUR is also used as a photosensitizer (PS) in antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT). However, CUR is hydrophobic, unstable in solutions, and has low bioavailability, which hinders its clinical use. To circumvent these drawbacks, drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been used. In this review, we summarize the DDSs used to carry CUR and their antimicrobial effect against viruses, bacteria, and fungi, including drug-resistant strains and emergent pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. The reviewed DDSs include colloidal (micelles, liposomes, nanoemulsions, cyclodextrins, chitosan, and other polymeric nanoparticles), metallic, and mesoporous particles, as well as graphene, quantum dots, and hybrid nanosystems such as films and hydrogels. Free (non-encapsulated) CUR and CUR loaded in DDSs have a broad-spectrum antimicrobial action when used alone or as a PS in aPDT. They also show low cytotoxicity, in vivo biocompatibility, and improved wound healing. Although there are several in vitro and some in vivo investigations describing the nanotechnological aspects and the potential antimicrobial application of CUR-loaded DDSs, clinical trials are not reported and further studies should translate this evidence to the clinical scenarios of infections.

Therapies targeted to fungal biofilms, mainly against the matrix, and therapies that do not induce microbial resistance are relevant. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a mucolytic agent, has shown antimicrobial action. This study evaluated the effect of NAC against fluconazole-susceptible (CaS) and -resistant (CaR) Candida albicans. The susceptibility of planktonic cultures to NAC, the effect of NAC on biofilms and their matrix, the interaction of NAC with antifungal agents, and confocal microscopy were evaluated. Data were analyzed descriptively and by the ANOVA/Welch and Tukey/Gomes–Howell tests. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of NAC was 25 mg/mL for both strains. NAC significantly reduced the viability of both fungal strains. Concentrations higher than the MIC (100 and 50 mg/mL) reduced the viability and the biomass. NAC at 12.5 mg/mL increased the fungal viability. NAC also reduced the soluble components of the biofilm matrix, and showed synergism with caspofungin against planktonic cultures of CaS, but not against biofilms. Confocal images demonstrated that NAC reduced the biofilm thickness and the fluorescence intensity of most fluorochromes used. High concentrations of NAC had similar fungistatic effects against both strains, while a low concentration showed the opposite result. The antibiofilm action of NAC was due to its fungistatic action.

It is generally easier to predict defaults accurately if a large data set (including defaults) is available for estimating the prediction model. This puts not only small banks, which tend to have smaller data sets, at disadvantage. It can also pose a problem for large banks that began to collect their own historical data only recently, or banks that recently introduced a new rating system. We used a Bayesian methodology that enables banks with small data sets to improve their default probability. Another advantage of the Bayesian method is that it provides a natural way for dealing with structural differences between a bank’s internal data and additional, external data. In practice, the true scoring function may differ across the data sets, the small internal data set may contain information that is missing in the larger external data set, or the variables in the two data sets are not exactly the same but related. Bayesian method can handle such kind of problem.

La seguridad de las mujeres es uno de los principales componentes que, en materia de políticas públicas de seguridad y convivencia, se ha incorporado en la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia. Debido a esto ha surgido el debate por la utilización del concepto de feminicidio, para evidenciar aquellos homicidios de mujeres que se presentan por su condición de género, en aras de recordar que las violencias sufridas por las mujeres tienen realidades particulares y desproporcionadas, que las diferencian de las violencias que sufren los hombres. En materia de cubrimiento de los casos que afectan la seguridad pública de las mujeres en Medellín, es necesario que las autoridades reconozcan, comprendan e instituyan el concepto de feminicidio para dar cuenta de una realidad innegable.

Con el objetivo de determinar la prevalencia de automedicación en gestantes y sus características, se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal. Se entrevistó a 400 gestantes que acudían a control prenatal en el Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal de Lima. El 10,5% (42 pacientes) se automedicó durante la gestación, el 64,6% opinó que la automedicación puede producir malformaciones congénitas a sus bebes. Los medicamentos consumidos por las gestantes estuvieron en categoría A y B de la clasificación de la Administración de Alimentos y Drogas de EUA (FDA); principalmente, consumieron paracetamol (47,6%) y amoxicilina (16,7%). Todas las mujeres que se automedicaron durante la gestación lo habían hecho antes de estar embarazadas. De acuerdo con estos resultados concluimos que la prevalencia de automedicación en gestantes del estudio es baja, comparado con la literatura internacional.We aim to determine the prevalence of self prescribing behaviour during pregnancy and its characteristics. For this purpose, we designed a cross sectional study and interviewed 400 pregnant women who had their prenatal care at Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal, Lima. We found that 10.5% of the patients (42 patients) had a self prescribing behavior during pregnancy, 64.5% think that self prescribing behavior can produce congenital malformations. The medications used were classified as type A and B according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Paracetamol was used more frequently (47.6%) followed by amoxicillin (16.7%). All the women who self-prescribed have had this behavior before pregnancy. According to these results, we conclude there is a low prevalence of self-prescribing behavior during pregnancy compared to the international literature.

Aim: to study an association of the serum level of apolipoprotein E (apo-E) with risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), blood lipids and that with CHD and carotid artery (CA) atherosclerotic lesion in Kyrgyz men with dyslipidemia. Subjects and methods. One hundred and three Kyrgyz men, including 48 with CHD and 55 without this disease, were examined. A clinical examination was performed and blood lipid composition and serum glucose and apo-E levels were determined. The diagnosis of CHD was established in accordance with the conventional criteria. Whether atherosclerosis was present was determined by ultrasound duplex scanning. Results. Low serum apo-E concentrations were associated with the presence of obesity, the higher blood levels of glucose and triglycerides. There was no correlation with other lipid metabolic parameters and the presence of CHD. A nonlinear relationship was noted between serum apo-E levels and CA atherosclerotic lesion, which was more frequently observed in patients with the apo-E level in the lower and upper quartiles. Conclusion. Low serum apo-E content is a poor factor and associated with obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated serum glucose levels, and the development of CA atherosclerosis.