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Abstract Background Lyme neuroborreliosis is the disseminated stage of an infectious disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi (BB). The most prevalent clinical manifestations include meningoradiculitis and involvement of the cranial nerves with lymphocytic meningitis. Facial nerve is the most frequently affected cranial nerve. Neuroborreliosis presenting as encephalitis is only scarcely described in the literature. Methods Medical records of patients between 2014 and 2024 were screened and reviewed for neuroborreliosis. Patients were only included if they met the diagnostic criteria for definite neuroborreliosis. Results A total of seven patients with neuroborreliosis induced encephalitis were identified. The median age was 72 years, and except for one man, all patients were women. Clinical manifestations ranged from cognitive impairments resembling primary dementia to movement disorders mimicking Parkinson's disease, tremor, and epileptic seizures. In 5/7 patients (71%) they occurred between August to September. In addition to central nervous system involvement, all patients exhibited characteristic features of neuroborreliosis like painful meningoradiculitis or peripheral facial palsy. An elevated cell count in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), positive oligoclonal bands, and blood-CSF barrier dysfunction indicated by an elevated albumin quotient (QAlb) was found in all patients. Advanced age, in which immunosenescence can occur, might contribute in developing encephalitis caused by neuroborreliosis in the patients of this cohort. Conclusion Neuroborreliosis can present with symptoms that mimic various neurological disorders, such as dementia, movement disorders, and epilepsy. Radiculitis, peripheral facial palsy or meningitis are an additional hint for this infectious disease. Analysis of CSF, which includes testing for intrathecally produced BB antibodies, is crucial for the diagnosis.

A new species of Harmonicon F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1896, is described from the Cerrado biome in Central-West Brazil, representing the first non-Amazonian and the southernmost record for the genus. Furthermore, we present a new diagnosis of the genus, expanding its original diagnosis, and redescribe its type species, Harmonicon rufescens F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1896, based on an adult female specimen from the same biogeographical area of its type locality.

Aim: To assess lung function in patients with persistent dyspnea 1 year after mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and compare with those hospitalized with moderate or critical COVID-19. Methods: Adults with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection with mild COVID-19 and persistent dyspnea (n = 18) or with moderate (n = 34) or critical COVID-19 (n = 19) were followed up 11–13 months after initial infection. Inclusion criteria were age < 65 years, no smoking history, and no preexisting respiratory diseases. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, and patients underwent spirometry and measurement of diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Results: The non-hospitalized patients were significantly younger and more often female compared with those in the moderate and critical groups (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively). No significant differences in comorbidities or body mass index (BMI) were noted between severity groups. An obstructive spirometry pattern (ratio of forced expiratory volume during the first exhalation second to forced vital capacity under the lower limit of normal (LLN)) was found in 5.6, 5.9, and 5.3% of patients in the mild, moderate, and critical groups, respectively (P = 0.995). Abnormal DLCO (< LLN) rates were seen in 5.6, 16.7, and 47.4% in the mild, moderate, and critical groups, respectively (P = 0.018). DLCO, expressed as a z-score, was significantly lower in the critical group compared with the mild group after adjustment for age, sex, and BMI. Conclusion: Only a few subjects with mild COVID-19 and persistent dyspnea had abnormal lung function 1 year after initial infection, assessed based on spirometry and DLCO measurements. An obstructive spirometry pattern at 1-year follow-up was uncommon even in patients with moderate or critical COVID-19. Impaired DLCO was more common in patients with critical COVID-19.

Introduction Regional anesthesia aids in management of acute pain in the emergency department, but many emergency physicians remain inadequately trained. Further complicating medical education, our academic center continues to use remote learning as the primary setting for residency didactics. This project aims to create a remote conference session on ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane blocks (USG-SAPB). Methods We used the ADDIE (analyze, design, develop, implement, evaluate) model for curricular design, with emergency medicine residents as our intended learners. For the analyze element, we examined clinical need and resident program evaluation feedback. For design, we utilized best practices for remote learning, principles of mental rehearsal, and multimodal instructional theory. For develop, we completed recruitment of faculty leads, materials, and beta testing of each component. We implemented our 50-minute session on the videoconferencing platform Zoom. For evaluate, we created a program evaluation survey based on Kirkpatrick's evaluation model. Results Seventeen learners completed the evaluation. For Kirkpatrick level 1, 94% reported being very or extremely satisfied. For Kirkpatrick level 2, 91% ranked their presession confidence level in performing USG-SAPB as not at all or slightly confident, compared to the postsession, where 88% ranked themselves as moderately, very, or extremely confident. For Kirkpatrick level 3, 94% reported that they would incorporate at least a moderate amount of content into clinical practice. Discussion This remote learning session on USG-SAPB demonstrated high levels of learner satisfaction, improvement in learner confidence, and potential to impact learners’ clinical practice. Future studies can elucidate patient outcomes related to educational sessions.

Abstract Background BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) infection after kidney transplantation can lead to serious complications such as BKPyV-associated nephropathy (BKPyVAN) and graft loss. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of BKPyVAN after implementing a BKPyV screening program, to map the distribution of BKPyV genotypes and subtypes in the Uppsala-Örebro region and to identify host and viral risk factors for clinically significant events. Methods This single-center prospective cohort study included kidney transplant patients aged ≥ 18 years at the Uppsala University Hospital in Sweden between 2016 and 2018. BKPyV DNA was analyzed in plasma and urine every 3 months until 18 months after transplantation. Also genotype and subtype were determined. A logistic regression model was used to analyze selected risk factors including recipient sex and age, AB0 incompatibility and rejection treatment prior to BKPyVAN or high-level BKPyV DNAemia. Results In total, 205 patients were included. Of these, 151 (73.7%) followed the screening protocol with 6 plasma samples, while184 (89.8%) were sampled at least 5 times. Ten (4.9%) patients developed biopsy confirmed BKPyVAN and 33 (16.1%) patients met criteria for high-level BKPyV DNAemia. Male sex (OR 2.85, p = 0.025) and age (OR 1.03 per year, p = 0.020) were identified as significant risk factors for developing BKPyVAN or high-level BKPyV DNAemia. BKPyVAN was associated with increased viral load at 3 months post transplantation (82,000 vs.

Abstract In healthy individuals, the intestinal epithelium forms a tight barrier to prevent gut bacteria from reaching blood circulation. To study the effect of probiotics, dietary compounds and drugs on gut barrier formation and disruption, human gut epithelial and bacterial cells can be cocultured in an in vitro model called the human microbial crosstalk (HuMiX) gut-on-a-chip system. Here, we present the design, fabrication and integration of thin-film electrodes into the HuMiX platform to measure transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) as a direct readout on barrier tightness in real-time. As various aspects of the HuMiX platform have already been set in their design, such as multiple compressible layers, uneven surfaces and nontransparent materials, a novel fabrication method was developed whereby thin-film metal electrodes were first deposited on flexible substrates and sequentially integrated with the HuMiX system via a transfer-tape approach. Moreover, to measure localized TEER along the cell culture chamber, we integrated multiple electrodes that were connected to an impedance analyzer via a multiplexer. We further developed a dynamic normalization method because the active measurement area depends on the measured TEER levels. The fabrication process and system setup can be applicable to other barrier-on-chip systems. As a proof-of-concept, we measured the barrier formation of a cancerous Caco-2 cell line in real-time, which was mapped at four spatially separated positions along the HuMiX culture area.

Abstract Vaccination, especially with multiple doses, provides substantial population-level protection against COVID-19, but emerging variants of concern (VOC) and waning immunity represent significant risks at the individual level. Here we identify correlates of protection (COP) in a multicenter prospective study following 607 healthy individuals who received three doses of the Pfizer-BNT162b2 vaccine approximately six months prior to enrollment. We compared 242 individuals who received a fourth dose to 365 who did not. Within 90 days of enrollment, 239 individuals contracted COVID-19, 45% of the 3-dose group and 30% of the four-dose group. The fourth dose elicited a significant rise in antibody binding and neutralizing titers against multiple VOCs reducing the risk of symptomatic infection by 37% [95%CI, 15%-54%]. However, a group of individuals, characterized by low baseline titers of binding antibodies, remained susceptible to infection despite significantly increased neutralizing antibody titers upon boosting. A combination of reduced IgG levels to RBD mutants and reduced VOC-recognizing IgA antibodies represented the strongest COP in both the 3-dose group (HR = 6.34, p = 0.008) and four-dose group (HR = 8.14, p = 0.018). We validated our findings in an independent second cohort. In summary combination IgA and IgG baseline binding antibody levels may identify individuals most at risk from future infections.

El conflicto social surge cuando uno o más grupos expresan reclamos hacia la autoridad y llevan a cabo diversas acciones coercitivas en tiempo y espacio para alcanzar sus objetivos. Nos preguntamos si los 10,000 conflictos registrados por la Fundación Unir Bolivia entre 2010 y 2020 revelan patrones de interacción y vínculos entre los grupos de protesta. Los datos basados en eventos tienen una naturaleza bidimensional que presentan desafíos analíticos, en este trabajo aplicamos la proyección de grafos bipartitos con el algoritmo "common neighbor", para obtener un grado unidimensional y aplicar el análisis de red. Como resultado, se obtuvo una red en la que 15 de cada 100 conflictos permiten al menos un vínculo entre dos de los más de 7,000 grupos de protesta, resultando en una estructura tipo núcleo-periferia que indica cierta segregación de los nodos con menor grado de vinculación. Adicionalmente, ponderamos la frecuencia de enlaces para eliminar grupos densos de conexión y confirmamos que la protesta individual y las alianzas momentáneas predominan en los conflictos. Los grupos con mayor grado de conexión están asociados con un menor costo de radicalidad y duración del conflicto y forman comunidades con roles específicos en la economía estatal.

Computerized cognitive tests have the potential to cost-effectively detect and monitor cognitive impairments and thereby facilitate treatment for these conditions. However, relatively few of these tests have been validated in a variety of populations. Brain on Track, a self-administered web-based test, has previously been shown to have a good ability to differentiate between healthy individuals and patients with cognitive impairment in Portuguese populations. The objective of this study was to validate the differential ability and evaluate the usability of Brain on Track in a Swedish memory clinic setting. Brain on Track was administered to 30 patients with mild cognitive impairment/mild dementia and 30 healthy controls, all scheduled to perform the test from home after one week and after three months. To evaluate the usability, the patient group was interviewed after completion of the testing phase. Patients scored lower than healthy controls at both the first (median score 42.4 vs 54.1, p

Human activities have precipitated a rise in the levels of introgressive gene flow among animals. The investigation of conspecific populations at different time points may shed light on the magnitude of human-mediated introgression. We used the red junglefowl Gallus gallus, the wild ancestral form of the chicken, as our study system. As wild junglefowl and domestic chickens readily admix, conservationists fear that domestic introgression into junglefowl may compromise their wild genotype. By contrasting the whole genomes of 51 chickens with 63 junglefowl from across their natural range, we found evidence of a loss of the wild genotype across the Anthropocene. When comparing against the genomes of junglefowl from approximately a century ago using rigorous ancient-DNA protocols, we discovered that levels of domestic introgression are not equal among and within modern wild populations, with the percentage of domestic ancestry around 20–50%. We identified a number of domestication markers in which chickens are deeply differentiated from historic junglefowl regardless of breed and/or geographic provenance, with eight genes under selection. The latter are involved in pathways dealing with development, reproduction and vision. The wild genotype is an allelic reservoir that holds most of the genetic diversity of G. gallus, a species which is immensely important to human society. Our study provides fundamental genomic infrastructure to assist in efforts to prevent a further loss of the wild genotype through introgression of domestic alleles. Author summary The red junglefowl Gallus gallus from tropical Asia is the ancestral form of the chicken, which is arguably the most important domestic animal on Earth. Here we discovered an increase in genetic exchange between red junglefowl and chickens in recent years, making wild populations increasingly domestic genomically. By using whole genome sequences of chickens and red junglefowl from two time points, we show that domestic introgression has increased across the wild range at varying levels over the course of a century. We also identified genes that might have played a role in the domestication of the species using the samples from a century ago, in which domestic contribution was lower than in modern day samples. We found eight genes under selection which are involved in development, reproduction and vision, and which might be fundamental to the nature of domestic chickens as distinct from their ancestral wild counterparts. Our study brings to light the current and ongoing loss of the wild junglefowl genotype, suggesting that efforts may be needed to safeguard its full genetic diversity.

The growing presence of antisemitism on social media platforms has become more prominent in recent years. Yet, while most of the scholarly attention has been focused on leading platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, the extremist immigration to other platforms like TikTok went unnoticed. TikTok is the fastest-growing application today, attracting a huge audience of 1.2 billion active users, mostly children and teenagers. This report is based on two studies, conducted in 2020 and 2021, applying a systematic content analysis of TikTok videos, comments, and even usernames. Data were collected twice, in two four-month periods, February–May 2020 and February–May 2021, to allow for comparisons of changes and trends over time. Our findings highlighted the alarming presence of extreme antisemitic messages in video clips, songs, comments, texts, pictures, and symbols presented in TikTok’s content. TikTok’s algorithm is even more disconcerting since it leads to a spiral of hate: it pushes users who unintentionally view disturbing content to view more. Considering TikTok’s young demographic, these findings are more than alarming; TikTok even fails to apply its own Terms of Service, which do not allow content “deliberately designed to provoke or antagonize people, or are intended to harass, harm, hurt, scare, distress, embarrass or upset people or include threats of physical violence”.

In a multicenter, nationwide, retrospective study of patients hospitalized with spotted fever group rickettsiosis in Israel during 2010–2019, we identified 42 cases, of which 36 were autochthonous. The most prevalent species was the Rickettsia conorii Israeli tick typhus strain (n = 33, 79%); infection with this species necessitated intensive care for 52% of patients and was associated with a 30% fatality rate. A history of tick bite was rare, found for only 5% of patients; eschar was found in 12%; and leukocytosis was more common than leukopenia. Most (72%) patients resided along the Mediterranean shoreline. For 3 patients, a new Rickettsia variant was identified and had been acquired in eastern, mountainous parts of Israel. One patient had prolonged fever before admission and clinical signs resembling tickborne lymphadenopathy. Our findings suggest that a broad range of Rickettsia species cause spotted fever group rickettsiosis in Israel.

Abstract Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), clinically defined as Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), or IBD-unclassified, results in chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract in genetically susceptible hosts. Pediatric onset IBD represents ≥ 25% of all IBD diagnoses and often presents with intestinal stricturing, perianal disease, and failed response to conventional treatments. NOD2 was the first and is the most replicated locus associated with adult IBD, to date. However, its role in pediatric onset IBD is not well understood. We performed whole-exome sequencing on a cohort of 1,183 patients with pediatric onset IBD (ages 0–18.5 years). We identified 92 probands with biallelic rare and low frequency NOD2 variants accounting for approximately 8% of our cohort, suggesting a Mendelian inheritance pattern of disease. Additionally, we investigated the contribution of recessive inheritance of NOD2 alleles in adult IBD patients from a large clinical population cohort. We found that recessive inheritance of NOD2 variants explains ~ 7% of cases in this adult IBD cohort, including ~ 10% of CD cases, confirming the observations from our pediatric IBD cohort. Exploration of EHR data showed that several of these adult IBD patients obtained their initial IBD diagnosis before 18 years of age, consistent with early onset disease. While it has been previously reported that carriers of more than one NOD2 risk alleles have increased susceptibility to Crohn’s Disease (CD), our data formally demonstrate that recessive inheritance of NOD2 alleles is a mechanistic driver of early onset IBD, specifically CD, likely due to loss of NOD2 protein function. Collectively, our findings show that recessive inheritance of rare and low frequency deleterious NOD2 variants account for 7–10% of CD cases and implicate NOD2 as a Mendelian disease gene for early onset Crohn’s Disease.

Two different biostratigraphic approaches are used to identify Marine Isotope Stage 11 (MIS 11) in Arctic Ocean sediments. On the Lomonosov Ridge, globally calibrated nannofossil bioevents constrain the age of sediments back to MIS 13 (Core LOMROG12-3PC). In the Amerasian Basin the unique occurrence of the planktonic foraminifer Turborotalita egelida is increasingly used as a marker for MIS 11. However, the T. egelida horizon has only been dated using cyclostratigraphy. Here we bridge these approaches through investigation of a new core (AO16-8GC) from the Alpha Ridge, Amerasian Basin. AO16-8GC is easily correlated to LOMROG12-3PC and contains the T. egelida horizon, allowing the first comparison between the biostratigraphy of both regions. Based on the nannofossil biochronology of LOMROG12-3PC, the most convincing lithologic correlation between the Alpha and Lomonosov Ridge cores places the T. egelida horizon between MIS 15 and MIS 17. This potentially older age for the T. egelida biohorizon emphasizes the need for continued caution in interpreting paleoceanographic records predating MIS 6, until further work can reconcile the nanno- and microfossil biostratigraphies that are emerging for middle Pleistocene sediments of the central Arctic Ocean.

Abstract The red junglefowl Gallus gallus is the ancestor of the domestic chicken and arguably the most important bird species on Earth. Continual gene flow between domestic and wild populations has compromised its gene pool, especially since the last century when human encroachment and habitat loss would have led to increased contact opportunities. We present the first combined genomic and morphological admixture assessment of a native population of red junglefowl, sampled from recolonized parts of its former range in Singapore, partly using whole genomes resequenced from dozens of individuals. Crucially, this population was genomically anchored to museum samples from adjacent Peninsular Malaysia collected ~110–150 years ago to infer the magnitude of modern domestic introgression across individuals. We detected a strong feral–wild genomic continuum with varying levels of domestic introgression in different subpopulations across Singapore. Using a trait scoring scheme, we determined morphological thresholds that can be used by conservation managers to successfully identify individuals with low levels of domestic introgression, and selected traits that were particularly useful for predicting domesticity in genomic profiles. Our study underscores the utility of combined genomic and morphological approaches in population management and suggests a way forward to safeguard the allelic integrity of wild red junglefowl in perpetuity.

Background During the Covid-19 pandemic, the protection of healthcare workers has been in focus throughout the world, but the availability and quality of personal protective equipment has at times and in some settings been suboptimal. Materials and methods A total of 8679 healthcare workers and healthcare support staff in the county of Uppsala, north of Stockholm, were included in this cross-sectional study. All subjects were analysed for IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2, and predictors for positive serostatus were analysed in a logistic regression model including demographic parameters and self-reported employment characteristics. Results Overall, 577 (6.6%) were classified as seropositive, with no statistically significant differences between healthcare workers and support staff. Among healthcare workers, age (OR 0.987 per year, 95% CI 0.980–0.995), time to sampling (OR 1.019 per day, 95% CI 1.004–1.035), and employment at an outpatient care unit (OR 0.620, 95% CI 0.487–0.788) were statistically significantly associated with risk of infection. Covid-19 specific units were not at particular risk, compared to other units with comparable characteristics and staff demography. Conclusion Our findings indicate that SARS-CoV-2 transmission is related to inpatient healthcare work, and illustrate the need for a high standard of basic hygiene routines in all inpatient care settings.

Slope deformations, i.e., all types of landslides of rock masses (flow, creep, fall down, etc.), caused by gravitational forces, are the most widespread implementation of geological hazards and a negative geomorphological phenomenon that threatens the security of the population, destroy all utility values of the affected regions, negatively affects the environment, and cause considerable economic damage. Nowadays, the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) provide accurate data for precise observations around the world due to the growing number of satellites from multiple operators, as well as more powerful and advanced technologies and the implementation of mathematical and physical models more accurately describing systematic errors that degrade GNSS observations such as ionospheric, tropospheric, and relativistic effects or multipath. The correct combination of measurement methods provides even more precise, i.e., better measurement results or estimates of unknown parameters. The combination of measurement procedures and their significant evaluations represent the essential attribute of deformation monitoring of landslides concerning the protection of the environment and the population’s safety in the interest areas for the sustainable development of human society. This article presents the establishment and use of a local geodetic network in particular local space for various needs. Depending upon the specific conditions, it is possible to use GNSS technology to obtain accurate observations and achieve the results applicable to the deformation survey for subsequent processing of the adjustment procedure.

Abstract The geomagnetic field behavior in polar regions remains poorly understood and documented. Although a number of Late Holocene paleomagnetic secular variation (PSV) records exist from marginal settings of the Amerasian Basin in the Arctic Ocean, their age control often relies on a handful of radiocarbon dates to constrain ages over the past 4,200 years. Here we present well‐dated Late Holocene PSV records from two sediment cores recovered from the Chukchi Sea, Arctic Ocean. The records are dated using 26 14C measurements, with local marine reservoir corrections calibrated using tephra layers from the 3.6 cal ka BP Aniakchak eruption in Northern Alaska. These 14C‐based chronologies are extended into the post‐bomb era using caesium‐137 dating, and mercury isochrons. Paleomagnetic measurements and rock magnetic analyses reveal stable characteristic remanent magnetization directions, and a magnetic mineralogy dominated by low‐coercivity minerals. The PSV records conform well to global spherical harmonic field model outputs. Centennial to millennial scale directional features are synchronous between the cores and other Western Arctic records from the area. Due to the robust chronology, these new high‐resolution PSV records provide a valuable contribution to the characterization of geomagnetic field behavior in the Arctic over the past few thousand years, and can aid in developing age models for suitable sediments found in this region.

Product information (PI) is a vital part of any medicinal product approved for use within the European Union and consists of a summary of products characteristics (SmPC) for healthcare professionals and package leaflet (PL) for patients, together with the product packaging. In this study, based on the English corpus of the EMA product information documents for all centrally approved medicinal products within the EU, a BERT sentence embedding model was used together with clustering and dimensional reduction techniques to identify sentence similarity clusters that could be candidates for standardization. A total of 1258 medicinal products were included in the study. From these, a total of 783 K sentences were extracted from SmPC and PL documents which were aggregated into a total of 284 and 129 semantic similarity clusters, respectively. The spread distribution among clusters shows separation into different cluster types. Examples of clusters with low spread include those with identical word embeddings due to current standardization, such as section headings and standard phrases. Others show minor linguistic variations, while the group with the largest variability contains variable wording but with significant semantic overlap. The sentence clusters identified could serve as candidates for further standardization of the PI. Moving from free text human wording to auto-generated text elements based on multiple-choice input for appropriate parts of the package leaflet and summary of product characteristics, could reduce both time and complexity for applicants as well as regulators, and ultimately provide patients and prescribers with documents that are easier to understand and better adapted for search availabilities.

Microfluidic devices are widely used for biomedical applications but there is still a lack of affordable, reliable and user-friendly systems for transferring microfluidic chips from an incubator to a microscope while maintaining physiological conditions when performing microscopy. The presented carrier represents a cost-effective option for sustaining environmental conditions of microfluidic chips in combination with minimizing the device manipulation required for reagent injection, media exchange or sample collection. The carrier, which has the outer dimension of a standard well plate size, contains an integrated perfusion system that can recirculate the media using piezo pumps, operated in either continuous or intermittent modes (50–1000 µl/min). Furthermore, a film resistive heater made from 37 µm-thick copper wires, including temperature feedback control, was used to maintain the microfluidic chip temperature at 37 °C when outside the incubator. The heater characterisation showed a uniform temperature distribution along the chip channel for perfusion flow rates up to 10 µl/min. To demonstrate the feasibility of our platform for long term cell culture monitoring, mouse brain endothelial cells (bEnd.3) were repeatedly monitored for a period of 10 days, demonstrating a system with both the versatility and the potential for long imaging in microphysiological system cell cultures.

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, a need for evaluation of already available drugs for treatment of the disease is crucial. Hereby, based on literature review from the current pandemic and previous outbreaks with corona viruses we analyze the impact of the virus infection on cell stress responses and redox balance. High levels of mortality are noticed in elderly individuals infected with SARS-CoV2 and during the previous SARS-CoV1 outbreak. Elderly individuals maintain a chronic low level of inflammation which is associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine production, a condition that increases the severity of viral infections in this population. Coronavirus infections can lead to alterations of redox balance in infected cells through modulation of NAD + biosynthesis, PARP function along with altering proteasome and mitochondrial function in the cell thereby leading to enhanced cell stress responses which further exacerbate inflammation. ROS production can increase IL-6 production and lipid peroxidation resulting in cell damage. Therefore, early treatment with anti-oxidants such as NAC during COVID-19 can be a way to bypass the excessive inflammation and cell damage that lead to severe infection, thus early NAC as intervention should be evaluated in a clinical trial setting.

Abstract Background Identification and knowledge of settings with high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is important when aiming for elimination of HCV. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of viremic HCV infection among Swedish prisoners. Secondary aims were to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the proportion who have received hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination. Methods A cross-sectional study of all incarcerated persons (n = 667) at all prisons (n = 9) in Stockholm County was conducted. All prisoners are routinely offered opt-in screening for HCV antibodies (anti-HCV), HCV RNA, HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc and HIV Ag/Ab at prison in Sweden. Data on the results of these tests and the number of received HBV vaccine doses were collected from the prison medical records. The parameters of HCV RNA, anti-HCV, and occurrence of testing for HCV were analysed in multiple logistic regression models in relation to age, sex and prison security class. Results The median age was 35 (IQR 26–44) years, and 93.4% were men. Seventy-one percent (n = 471) had been tested for anti-HCV, 70% (n = 465) for HBsAg and 71% (n = 471) for HIV. The prevalence of anti-HCV, HCV RNA, HBsAg and HIV Ag/Ab was 17.0, 11.5, 1.9, and 0.2%, respectively among tested persons. The proportion of prisoners who had received full HBV vaccination was 40.6% (n = 271) among all study subjects. Conclusions The prevalence of viremic HCV infection among Swedish prisoners in Stockholm County was 11.5%, which is high in comparison to the general population. Therefore, when aiming for the WHO goal of HCV elimination, prisons could suit as a platform for identification and treatment of HCV infection. There is a need to increase testing for blood-borne viruses and to improve vaccination coverage against HBV in Swedish prisons.

En el marco de las grandes transformaciones que se han desarrollado en el sector agropecuario en las últimas décadas, este trabajo analiza los impactos que a nivel estructura ha tenido la expansión del modelo de agronegocios sobre la agricultura familiar en Argentina y Uruguay. Se busca describir las particularidades y generalidades que ha tenido este fenómeno en la región baja análisis a partir de un estudio comparativo enfatizado las políticas públicas hacia el sector, tomando como unidades de análisis los casos de Argentina y Uruguay. Se utilizaron fuentes estadísticas de organismos nacionales oficiales, entidades intermedias y estudios sectoriales. Como variables de análisis se tomaron: la concentración económica, la composición de la estructura agraria, la intervención pública.

Objectives: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) usually has its onset in the community (CO-IPD), but it can commence following hospitalization (HO-IPD). This study compared HO-IPD and CO-IPD cases during the implementation of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) program for children in Israel. Methods: This was a nationwide retrospective cohort study of adult (age >18 years) IPD patients covering the period from the implementation of the PCV7/13 program in 2009/2010 through 2015. HO-IPD and CO-IPD were defined as IPD with onset ≥4 and ≤2 days from admission, respectively. Patient characteristics, outcome measures, serotypes, and antimicrobial susceptibility were compared for the entire cohort, followed by a matched case–control analysis. Results: The study included 114 patients with HO-IPD and 2180 with CO-IPD. After matching HO-IPD to CO-IPD patients by age, sex, and comorbidities, the mortality rate and discharge to long-term care facility rate were significantly higher for HO-IPD patients than for CO-IPD patients (44.6% vs. 26.3% and 26.5% vs. 8.2%, respectively). HO-IPD isolates were less often covered by PCV13 (39.6% vs. 49.0%) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine PPSV23 (56.6% vs. 71.3%) and more often resistant to penicillin (9.3% vs. 3.6%), ceftriaxone (3.8% vs. 0.75%), and levofloxacin (9.3% vs. 0.8%). Conclusions: HO-IPD was associated with higher morbidity and mortality than CO-IPD and was more often caused by non-vaccine serotypes (primarily non-PCV13 types) and antibiotic-resistant strains. Keywords: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Invasive pneumococcal disease, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Hospital onset, Nosocomial infection

Healthcare and residential care workers represent two occupational groups that have, in particular, been at risk of Covid-19, its long-term consequences, and related sick leave. In this study, we investigated the predictors of prolonged sick leave among healthcare and residential workers due to non-hospitalized Covid-19 in the early period of the pandemic. This study is based on a patient register (n = 3209) and included non-hospitalized healthcare or residential care service workers with a positive RT- PCR for SARS-CoV-2 (n = 433) between March and August 2020. Data such as socio-demographics, clinical characteristics, and the length of sick leave because of Covid-19 and prior to the pandemic were extracted from the patient's electronic health records. Prolonged sick leave was defined as sick leave ≥ 3 weeks, based on the Swedish pandemic policy. A generalized linear model was used with a binary distribution, adjusted for age, gender, and comorbidity in order to predict prolonged sick leave. Of 433 (77% women) healthcare and residential care workers included in this study, 14.8% needed longer sick leave (> 3 weeks) due to Covid-19. Only 1.4% of the subjects were on sick leave because of long Covid. The risk of sick leave was increased two-fold among residential care workers (adjusted RR 2.14 [95% CI 1.31-3.51]). Depression/anxiety (adjusted RR 2.09 [95% CI 1.31-3.34]), obesity (adjusted RR 1.96 [95% CI 1.01-3.81]) and dyspnea at symptom onset (adjusted RR 2.47 [95% CI 1.55-3.92]), sick leave prior to the pandemic (3-12 weeks) (adjusted RR 2.23 [95% CI 1.21-4.10]) were associated with longer sick leave. From a public health perspective, considering occupational category, comorbidity, symptoms at onset, and sick leave prior to the pandemic as potential predictors of sick leave in healthcare may help prevent staff shortage.

Esta pesquisa tem o intuito de aclarar o tema de privatizações, partindo de seu contexto histórico e jurídico, até o caso da privatização do setor de telecomunicações no Brasil, considerando as medidas dos governos de Fernando Collor e FHC (Fernando Henrique Cardoso) para combater crises econômicas de acordo com as diretrizes do Consenso de Washington. Em seguida, reflete sobre os efeitos da transferência de Telecom da Telebrás para a iniciativa privada, a reordenação da atuação estatal, e suas consequências para a soberania nacional no setor. Por fim, analisa as privatizações em um setor de infraestrutura e a importância do investimento estatal em produção e desenvolvimento de tecnologias nacionais, a fim de preservar a supremacia dos interesses pátrios frente ao capital estrangeiro com a independência de tecnologias importadas.

O amplamente difundido e cada vez mais desenvolvido direito das mudanças climáticas, tem levado também a um incremento do número de litígios em esfera judicial, administrativa, arbitral, seja no plano do direito interno dos Estados, seja no âmbito do direito internacional público e privado. Nesse sentido, a análise de casos concretos, à luz de precedentes judiciais e não judiciais se revela fundamental, porquanto necessária ao desenvolvimento, tanto de uma teoria, quanto de uma prática eficaz da litigância ambiental. Dentre os países que mais se destacam historicamente em termos de legislação, literatura e jurisprudência relativamente à proteção do ambiente, inequivocamente a Alemanha ocupa posição cimeira. Diversos litígios climáticos e respectivas decisões judiciais têm merecido um olhar atento dos observadores externos com vistas à sua análise do ponto de vista comparativo. No presente texto, o que se pretende é apresentar e discutir é uma das demandas judiciais climáticas que mais ganhou notoriedade, designadamente, o caso Lliuya v. RWE, objeto precípuo do presente estudo e que aqui se procura apresentar e analisar, na perspectiva de sua relevância para uma boa litigância climática. Outrossim, tal análise será levada a efeito mediante a inserção do precedente referido no contexto mais alargado do direito ambiental e da litigância ambiental na Alemanha.

Percutaneous nephrostomy placement is a common treatment for obstructive uropathy of various causes. Although rare in the literature, tumor seeding along the nephrostomy tract is a potential risk of percutaneous nephrostomy in the treatment of obstructive symptoms secondary to urothelial carcinoma. In this case report, we present one such unusual outcome where urinary bladder urothelial cancer cells metastasized to the paravertebral soft tissues through apparent seeding along a nephroureterostomy tract.

Torque teno virus (TTV) is an unenveloped, circular, single stranded DNA virus with a genome size of approximately 3.8 kb. Previous studies have demonstrated varying grades of association between TTV DNA levels and immune deficiencies related to age, chronic infections and cancer. Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been related to persistent viral infections such as HSV-1 and CMV, but it is not known whether TTV viral load could serve as a functional biomarker of cellular immunity in this setting. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether TTV infection and viral load is related to AD status, CMV immunity, systemic inflammation or HLA types connected to anti-viral immunity. A total of 50 AD subjects and 51 non-demented controls were included in the study. AD subjects were diagnosed according to NINCDS-ADRDA and DSM-IV criteria and neuroradiologic findings were consistent with the diagnosis. TTV viral load was analyzed in plasma samples using a quantitative real-time PCR. Using a cut-off for TTV status at 200 copies/ml, 88% (89/101) of the study subjects were classified as TTV positive. TTV viral load significantly increased with age (beta 0.049 per year, p

Turborotalita quinqueloba is a species of planktic foraminifera commonly found in the sub-polar North Atlantic along the pathway of Atlantic waters in the Nordic seas and sometimes even in the Arctic Ocean, although its occurrence there remains poorly understood. Existing data show that T. quinqueloba is scarce in Holocene sediments from the central Arctic but abundance levels increase in sediments from the last interglacial period [Marine isotope stage (MIS) 5, 71–120 ka] in cores off the northern coast of Greenland and the southern Mendeleev Ridge. Turborotalita also occurs in earlier Pleistocene interglacials in these regions, with a unique and widespread occurrence of the less known Turborotalita egelida morphotype, proposed as a biostratigraphic marker for MIS 11 (474–374 ka). Here we present results from six new sediment cores, extending from the central to western Lomonosov Ridge, that show a consistent Pleistocene stratigraphy over 575 km. Preliminary semi-quantitative assessments of planktic foraminifer abundance and assemblage composition in two of these records (LOMROG12-7PC and AO16-5PC) reveal two distinct stratigraphic horizons containing Turborotalita in MIS 5. Earlier occurrences in Pleistocene interglacials are recognized, but contain significantly fewer specimens and do not appear to be stratigraphically coeval in the studied sequences. In all instances, the Turborotalita specimens resemble the typical T. quinqueloba morphotype but are smaller (63–125 μm), smooth-walled and lack the final thickened calcite layer common to adults of the species. These results extend the geographical range for T. quinqueloba in MIS 5 sediments of the Arctic Ocean and provide compelling evidence for recurrent invasions during Pleistocene interglacials.

“Somatografías en los Dubliners de James Joyce” trae a la delantera un recurso para leer algunas literaturas del cuerpo, un mundo narrativo que implica un medio para imaginar y visualizar los cuerpos de los personajes. Los Dubliners nos lleva por un recorrido que nos permite corroborar las representaciones de cambios físicos en cada uno de los individuos en el texto. Esta lectura corporal activa un vínculo íntimo entre lectores y personajes. Una cartografía de los protagonistas no sólo ubica a los personajes en el texto sino que los aproxima a nuestras percepciones.

The present paper covers the issue of missing measurement data betweentwo or more actually located epochs within a deformationnetwork. Real measurements were attainedfrom experimental locating of the 3D geodetic deformation network applying the globalnavigation satellite system (GNSS) to the points around the upper reservoir of water transfer power stationČierny Váh. Contraryto the other terrestrial technologies, theadvantage of using GNSS is seen in the fact that the technology is not influenced byuncertaintiesof low-level layers of atmosphere and individual visibilities between points falling within the screened area are unnecessary.In the process of resolving, simulatedand subsequently generated were missing observation data between two epochs. Simulationintermediate results were subsequently analysed, graphicallyillustrated and verified was at what time point the shift of an unstable pointoccurred.

The given article addresses 2D processing of a deformation network measured using Global Navigation Satellite Systems in partof the Dargovských Hrdinov housing estate. In order to performdeformation analyses and their comparison, two stages of measurementwere performed using single-frequency as well as double-frequency measurement receivers.Experimental measurements were taken using the static method by permanent observation at selected observed and reference points of the deformation network. The geodetic network in both stages was processed using the Gauss-Markov model with full rank and using the least square method whilst observations were tested and the results of performed deformation analyses were graphically visualised using relative confidence ellipses on the basis of a positional and altitudinal plan.

At present, manufacturers characterize the accuracy of vectors measured by the static method of GNSS technology usingrelationship 5 mm + 1⋅ D ppm . The advantage of the GNSS system over other terrestrial technologies is that it is not affectedby uncertainties in the ground layers of the atmosphere. The paper presents experimental measurement of the 3D geodetic network usingthe technology of global navigation satellite systems, processing and analysis of measurements taken at the Čierny Váh pumping hydropowerstation. Observations were carried out in July 2008. The aim of the paper is to assess parameters used in the model to estimateparameters of the first and second order of the network structures.

In this paper, the deformation analysis of the Dargovských hrdinov housing estate using global navigation satellite systemsis described. Theoretically, it deals with the reasons of formation of slope deformations, the ways of their measurement, and withthe recent development and availability of GNSS. Particular attention is paid to the description of the deformation analysis technique,beginning with working out the project, locating by the GNSS, up to processing and testing of the deformation network. The practicalpart is based on the theoretical knowledge and describes the measurement procedure, the equipment used, working methodologyand testing of the bonding network. Based on the results obtained by the deformation analysis, the paper offers information aboutthe recent condition of the investigated area.

This article addresses the adjustment of a 3D geodetic network in the Dargovských Hrdinov suburbs using Global Navigation SatelliteSystems (GNSS) for the purposes of deformation analysis. The advantage of using the GNSS compared to other terrestrial technology is thatit is not influenced by unpredictability in the ground level atmosphere and individual visibilities between points in the observed network arenot necessary. This article also includes the planning of GNSS observations using Planning Open Source software from Trimble as well assubsequent observations at individual network points. The geodetic network is processing on the basis of the Gauss-Markov model usingthe least square method and robust adjustment. From robust methods, Huber’s Robust M-estimation and Hampel’s Robust M-estimationwere used. Individual adjustments were tested and subsequently the results of analysis were graphically visualised using absolute confidenceellipsoids.

For processing the results of local geodetic network (LGN) measurement with possible erroneous values and coordinates:d (slope distances between the points), ω (horizontal angles), z (zenith distances). CDB = [X ,Y]DB (coordinates of the datumpoints), CU0B = [X 0 ,Y 0 ]UB (coordinates of approximately determined points) and detecting the errors it is appropriate to usea technique that will be further demonstrated in a real situation of the trilateration LGN (fig. 1) with a massive contaminationof the simulated errors in the measured elements and numerically determined values.

Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAF) are considered to contribute to tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. However, the cell type of origin remains unknown. Since human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hASCs) are locally adjacent to breast cancer cells and might directly interact with tumor cells, we investigated whether CAFs may originate from hASCs. We demonstrated that a significant percentage of hASCs differentiated into a CAF-like myofibroblastic phenotype (e.g., expression of alpha smooth muscle actin and tenascin-C) when exposed to conditioned medium from the human breast cancer lines MDAMB231 and MCF7. The conditioned medium from MDAMB231 and MCF7 contains significant amounts of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFβ1) and the differentiation of hASCs towards CAFs is dependent on TGFβ1 signaling via Smad3 in hASCs. The induction of CAFs can be abolished using a neutralizing antibody to TGFβ1 as well as by pretreatment of the hASCs with SB431542, a TGFβ1 receptor kinase inhibitor. Additionally, we found that these hASC-derived CAF-like cells exhibit functional properties of CAFs, including the ability to promote tumor cell invasion in an in vitro invasion assay, as well as increased expression of stromal-cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and CCL5. Taken together, these data suggest that hASCs are a source of CAFs which play an important role in the tumor invasion.

In the process of the foundation, expansion, modification LGN (free or fixed), based on its convenient measuring it defines coordinatepoints and others parameters of networks. The check of measurings and calculations solves by using convenient matrix relations in thenegation form. Their failure points out the incorrect measurement and calculations in the LGN.

Establishment of Local Geodetic Nets (LGN) is closely related to the compatibility of geodetic points and to their importance. It alsoinvolved with the processes of setting up 2D LGNs and methods of verifying the datum points´ compatibility in the net. The assessmentof points´ compatibility is performed using: a) distances among the coordinate points´ positions, b) distances among the physical points´positions, c) differences among the „coordinate” and „measured” distances as well as incompatible datum points identification.

When a new Local Geodetic Network (LGN) should be established, some “old” geodetic points with coordinates [XY] fromthe present point field are used and contemporaneously some necessary “new” points are established in the area of LGN. Theirapproximate coordinates [X°Y°] are determined using competent measurements and computations.If the coordinate determinations of new points are correct and the coordinates of old points are without points decompabilities,the new LGN with all properties can be correctly determined using a convenient adjustment.If new network–points are not correctly determined (some distances and angles badly measured, other injurious influences),the adjustment results are not acceptable. (large residuals V, large coordinate standard deviations ˆ, ˆ, X Y s s etc.). In such falls thereis necessary to search for causes of the bad results in the network-adjustment. Occurrence of such a situation can be found in big valuesof some quantities oi i i dL = L − L of the vector dL ( i L - measured quantities as distances, angles, …; oiL - their approximative values.The wrong (large) i dL will ambiguously identify in the adjustment the distances, angles and the corresponding approximativecoordinates, which are unacceptable.Such situations are characteristic for:• Least Squares Adjustment (LSA),• Iteratively Reweighted Robust LSA (IRRLSA),as they are applicable for identification of wrong results in the adjustments

The quality of Local Geodetic Network (LGN) for technical and scientific purposes is very important from many points of view. These netsrequire compatible points (given and new ones), measurements among points without blunders and reliable determination of approximatecoordinates for the new (to be established) points. If some from the 3 mentioned requirements is not fulfilled for the network computation,the various results from the net adjustments are defective and unusable. In the present treatise, all requirements for faultless measurements areintroduced and demonstrated in adjustments of a trilateral net using the standard, constrained adjustment (GMM of full rank with minimumconstraints) and the interactively reweighed Least-Square Robust Adjustment. From analyses of their solutions can be by convenient introducedmethods determined and identificy all errors in the net measurements.

Approaches of congruency checks of 3D point field realisations applying repeated measurements. Investigation of 3D point displacement in various space direction using test procedures. Determination possibilities of 3D point movements and their significance by the confidence ellipsoids and their applications in practice.

The deformation analysis from the point of view of its subject and methodology is an extensive part of geodetic and other methods for watching objects´ stabilities and for the determination of their changes using suitable quantities from deformation measurements performed in more epochs. In the monitoring of the object deformations, their characteristic points – object points (OB) are measured and their stabilities or movements are registered relating to a convenient number of robust reference points (RB) in the surroundings. It often happens in the monitoring that some RBs are lost (damage, destruction, etc.), resulting in datum changes of the deformation net and making a reliable stability evaluation of the OBs impossible.In this contribution to the problems of right datum determination for the whole net, three methods are introduced to reduce various datums to one of them for the whole deformation net, when the original (1st) datum can not be used in all epochs.

The compatibility of 2D geodetic points established in the past can be efficiently verified. It means that the suitable and also the unapplicable points can be determined by using the satellite measuring technology (GPS or GLONASS). The relative high precision of these technologies for the point coordinates determination enables a trustworthy identification of points with little defects as well. The investigation procedure of the 2D points' compatibility state is shown in fig. 1. The GPS surveying should be made with respect o the receiver calibration, horizontal datum, suitable observation plan, software to be applied, models for the positioning, etc. For the GPS network processing should be used the Gauss-Markov model of full rank with constraints. After the transformation of the given quantities [XY] and h to thecoordinates [XYZ]E and also [XYZ]W to [XYZ]Et, one can obtain the 3D coordinate discrepancies (residuals) VE=[XYZ]Et– [XYZ]E as indicators of the point compatibility or uncompatibility. The significance of VE should be verified by a convenient test (from the group for testing linear hypotheses of parameters in estimations). A continuous transformation [XYZ]Et to [XY]t can also be made, from which the 2D discrepancies V=[XY]t–[XY] of point coordinates in the 2D country system will be apparent. When, in the control more points are suspicious of uncompatibility, their convincing identification can be evaluated by applying a suitable robust estimation. From the evaluation of 2D point compatibilities by using the GPS surveying it the summary results are obtained: the points can be determined by the external accuracy < (4–6) mm and a reliable identification of uncompatible points can be performed with discrepancies > (8–10) mm.

En este trabajo se propone un índice climático para estimar el riesgo de ocurrencia de erosión eólica basado en las leyes físicas que cuantifican el efecto de la agresión del medio (turbulencia atmosférica) sobre la resistencia del sistema (textura del suelo). Este indicador es obtenido en función de observaciones meteorológicas estándar a partir de un modelo que incluye la alteración del perfil vertical del viento ocasionada por la presencia de partículas de suelo en el aire y es expresado en términos de la probabilidad de que la potencia del viento supere las condiciones umbrales para el comienzo del proceso. Si bien el índice fue obtenido para suelo seco y desnudo, la metodología permite avanzar hacia un modelo de evaluación de riesgo más general, si se determinan previamente los valores de velocidad de fricción umbral que corresponden a distintas condiciones que afectan la resistencia del suelo tales como la humedad del suelo, el contenido de materia orgánica, cobertura y uso de la tierra. Este modelo ha sido utilizado para evaluar la distribución espacial del riesgo de erosión eólica en la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.This paper proposes a climatic index to estimate the wind erosion risk based upon physical laws that quantify the effect of environment's aggression (atmospheric turbulence) on system resistance (soil texture). This index is obtained as a function of standard meteorological observations including the alteration of the wind profile produced by the presence of soil particles in the air and it is expressed in terms of the probability for the wind power to exceed the threshold conditions. Although this index was obtained for dry and bare soil, it may mean an advance towards a more general model for risk evaluation if other factors intervening in soil resistance, such as soil humidity, organic material content, land cover and use are included. This model has been used to evaluate the spatial distribution of the wind erosion risk in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been associated with increased local inflammation in the affected brain regions, and in some studies also with elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is known to promote a more effector-oriented phenotype in the T-cell compartment, increasing with age. The aim of this study was to investigate the inflammatory response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from AD patients and non-demented (ND) controls. Using a multiplex Luminex xMAP assay targeting GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IP-10 and TNF-α, cytokine profiles from PBMCs were analysed after stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 beads, CMV pp65 peptide mix or amyloid β (Aβ) protofibrils, respectively. CMV seropositive AD subjects presented with higher IFN-γ levels after anti-CD3/CD28 and CMV pp65 but not after Aβ stimulation, compared to CMV seropositive ND controls. When analysing IFN-γ response to anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation on a subgroup level, CMV seropositive AD subjects presented with higher levels compared to both CMV seronegative AD and CMV seropositive ND subjects. Taken together, our data from patients with clinically manifest AD suggest a possible role of CMV as an inflammatory promoter in AD immunology. Further studies of AD patients at earlier stages of disease, could provide better insight into the pathophysiology.