Search

Samrawit Birhane Fiseha,1 Getamesay Mulatu Jara,2 Elshaday Azerefegn Woldetsadik,3 Fanuel Belayneh Bekele,4 Musa Mohammed Ali2 1Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Hawassa Health Science College, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 2School of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 3Department of Microbiology, Hawassa University, Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 4School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Musa Mohammed Ali Email ysnmss@yahoo.comIntroduction: Vaginal colonization with some species of bacteria during the last term of pregnancy can affect the health of fetuses and newborns resulting in high morbidity and mortality among newborns.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the colonization rate of potential neonatal disease-causing bacteria, factors associated with colonization rate, and the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacteria among pregnant women.Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on pregnant women from October 13 to December 28, 2020, at government hospitals located in Hawassa, Ethiopia. Background data were captured using a structured questionnaire. Vaginal swabs were collected to isolate bacteria using the standard method. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using the modified Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Factors that could predict vaginal colonization with potential neonatal disease-causing bacteria were determined using logistic regression.Results: Overall bacterial colonization rate among pregnant women was 271 (98.9%) 95 CI (97.4‒100.1). The prevalence of potential neonatal disease-causing bacteria was 95 (34.7%) 95 CI (28.8‒40.1). The proportion of potential neonatal disease-causing bacteria were as follows: Escherichia coli (n=82, 29.9%), Acinetobacter species (n=9, 3.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (n=7. 2.6%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=4, 1.5%). Pregnant women with a gestational age of 38‒40 weeks were 1.9 times (AOR= 1.9, 95% CI= 1.0– 3.4, p=0.04) were more likely to be colonized by potential neonatal disease-causing bacteria. All E. coli, Klebsiella species, and Acinetobacter species were susceptible to gentamicin and imipenem. All S. aureus were susceptible to penicillin, tetracycline, clindamycin, and erythromycin.Conclusion: High proportion of pregnant women in this study were colonized with potential neonatal disease-causing bacteria. E. coli was the predominant bacteria. Most bacteria isolated in this study were susceptible to antimicrobial agents tested. Gestational age was significantly associated with the colonization rate of potential neonatal disease-causing bacteria.Keywords: vaginal colonization, pregnant women, neonatal disease, antibiotic susceptibility, Hawassa, Ethiopia

The Ti-containing metal organic framework (MOF) MIL-125 has been used as sacrificial precursor to obtain TiO2 materials through the MOF-mediated synthesis route. In this study, Fe3+ was deposited on the surface of MIL-125 after its hydrothermal synthesis. Targeted Fe-doped titania photocatalysts were prepared through the direct calcination in air of Fe/MIL-125 crystals and/or by using a two-step method, including carbonization in inert atmosphere followed by calcination in air. The relationship between the synthesis conditions and the properties of the Fe-doped titania nanopowders, such as Fe content, porosity, phase composition and particle size was investigated. From elemental mapping, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence emission spectra, the presence of highly dispersed Fe3+ ions incorporated into the TiO2 crystal lattice was confirmed, which led to a significant red shift of photoresponse towards visible light and reduced the recombination rate of electron-hole pairs at low iron content. By varying the pre-carbonization temperature, both crystal size and phase composition in the final materials were modulated. The performance of Fe-doped titania materials in photocatalytic water-splitting was tested for hydrogen evolution. Optimal photocatalytic performance was found at 0.15 and 0.5 wt% iron concentration and exceeded those of non-doped titania and commercial anatase both under visible and UV light irradiation, respectively, and among the highest reported in literature for these systems.

Advanced atomically resolved characterization methods unveil the mechanism of a promising photocatalytic Co@MOF(Ti) system for H2 production. The combination of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments allows for the characterization of atomic and electronic rearrangements in the photoinduced species. This information provides the basis for the optimization of photocatalyst design.

Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) is still affecting the poultry industry through the appearance of pathogenic and antigenic variations of the virus. This is due to its permanent evolution as a consequence of the immunological pressure caused by the intensive use of vaccines. The antigenic characterization of field viruses is essential in order to use the most appropriate vaccines to control the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the antigenic interrelationship between cuban and chilean isolates obtained from flocks vaccinated with the IBD virus. Viral isolates were adapted to cell culture and mono-specific antisera were obtained for each isolate and for a reference strain. The interrelationship between the isolates were established by cross virus neutralization using nine cuban isolates (BD, BL, 35/95, 29/96, 118/96, BF2, BF8, BF9, y 70/98), three chilean isolates (G1, G2, y G4) and a reference strain from serotype 1 (Lukert). Both types of isolates adapted efficiently to chicken embryo fibroblast cultures. In addition, cuban isolates adapted to VERO cells and showed higher infective titers in chicken embryo fibroblasts than in this cell line. Cross virus neutralization results showed an interrelationship greater than 80% amongst cuban isolates and greater than 70% between the isolates and the reference strain. Chilean isolates G1 and G4 showed a similar result (higher than 77%). The G2 isolate had lower antigenic differences from cuban isolates BL 35/95 y 29/96 (­ 69%). None of the isolates showed antigenic interrelationships lower than 30% with the serotype 1 reference strain and consequently, they do not correspond to variant strains., La Enfermedad Infecciosa de la Bolsa (EIB) sigue afectando la industria avícola por la aparición de variantes patogénicas y antigénicas del virus, originadas en la permanente evolución del virus producto de la presión inmunológica por el uso intensivo de vacunas. La caracterización antigénica de los virus de campo resulta esencial para la aplicación de vacunas más adecuadas en el control de la enfermedad. En este trabajo se determinaron las relaciones antigénicas de aislados cubanos y chilenos, obtenidos de poblaciones de pollos vacunados con el virus de la EIB. Los aislados virales se adaptaron a cultivos celulares y se obtuvieron antisueros monoespecíficos de cada uno de ellos y de una cepade referencia. Las relaciones se establecieron por virusneu-tralización cruzada utilizando nueve aislados cubanos (BD, BL, 35/95, 29/96, 118/96, BF2, BF8, BF9 y 70/98), tres chilenos (G1, G2 y G4) y una cepa de referencia del serotipo 1 (Lukert). Los aislados cubanos y chilenos se adaptaron eficientemente a cultivos de fibroblastos de embrión de pollo (con excepción de BF3 y G3). Además, los aislados cubanos se adaptaron a células VERO, presentando mayores títulos infectivos en fibroblastos de embrión de pollo que en esta línea celular. Los resultados de la seroneutralización cruzada mostraron entre los aislados cubanos una relación mayor a un 80% y entre éstos y la cepa de referencia mayor de un 70%, de igual modo con los aislados chilenos G1 y G4 (mayor de 77%). El aislado G2 presentódiferencias antigénicas consideradas menores con los aislados cubanos BL, 35/95 y 29/96 (­ 69%). Ninguno de los aislados mostró relaciones antigénicas inferiores al 30% con la cepa de referencia del serotipo 1, por lo tanto no corresponden a cepas variantes.

The fascinating chemical and physical properties of MOFs have recently stimulated exploration of their application for photocatalysis. Despite the intense research effort, the efficiency of most photocatalytic MOFs for solar fuel generation is still very modest. In this highlight we analyse the current status of the field and stress the potential of advanced spectroscopic techniques to gain structural and mechanistic insight and hence support the future development of MOFs to harvest and store solar energy.

The inclusion of Ti(IV) in water-stable metal-organic frameworks has been proposed as a strategy for the generation of high surface area heterogeneous photocatalysts, with UiO-66 being a promising candidate. We find that the site of binding of Ti(IV) is at linker defect sites and not incorporated into the inorganic secondary building unit through metal exchange. We also demonstrate the choice of titanium source is critical in the generation of an active hydrogen evolution catalyst, and explain the observed activity using density functional theory calculations, which also enable rational design of future Ti(IV) coordination environments in MOF catalysts

The highly porous titanium based metal–organic framework NH2-MIL-125(Ti) has recently attracted significant attention in the field of photocatalysis as a promising material for H+ reduction. This work reveals charge transfer upon visible light illumination from this MOF to two different charge acceptors, as an alternative to sacrificial electron donors. Charge transfer is demonstrated through a combined spectroscopic study between this MOF and: (1) 2-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)phenol, a molecule that functionally mimics the tyrosine–histidine pair, responsible for shuttling the holes to the oxygen evolving centre in natural photosynthesis, and (2) TEMPO, a well known and stable radical. Charge transfer of the holes from the MOF to these occluded molecules takes place on the picosecond time scale. This work suggests that, by coupling a stable and recyclable charge acceptor to the photogenerated holes, the charges can be utilised for oxidation reactions and, thus, link the reduction to the oxidation reactions in water splitting.

Recently, MIL-125(Ti) and NH2 -MIL-125(Ti), two titanium-based metal-organic frameworks, have attracted significant research attention in the field of photocatalysis for solar fuel generation. This work reveals that the differences between these structures are not only based on their light absorption range but also on the decay profile and topography of their excited states. In contrast to MIL-125(Ti), NH2 -MIL-125(Ti) shows markedly longer lifetimes of the charge-separated state, which improves photoconversion by the suppression of competing decay mechanisms. We used spectroelectrochemistry and ultrafast spectroscopy to demonstrate that upon photoexcitation in NH2 -MIL-125(Ti) the electron is located in the Ti-oxo clusters and the hole resides on the aminoterephthalate unit, specifically on the amino group. The results highlight the role of the amino group in NH2 -MIL-125(Ti), the electron donation of which extends the lifetime of the photoexcited state substantially.

The objective of this study is to know about the creativity and entrepreneurship attitude of the National Engineering University students, and their relationship with demographic and social variables taken from a sample of 202 students between the first and tenth semester. The analysis of the results shows that most of the students have a positive attitude towards the creativity and entrepreneurship. In that sense, the correlation between the creativity and their entrepreneurship components indicates a meaningful and positive association. There is a meaningful difference between the demographic and social variables and their relationship to the entrepreneurship levels (low, normal, and high) according to year of study. Among these variables are found the following: work experience, the idea to start a new business and the necessity of financial assistance, in other words, the presence of these variables let us to infer the perception differences in the creativity and entrepreneurship levels., El objetivo del estudio es conocer las actitudes de creatividad y emprendimiento de los estudiantes de la Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería y su relación con algunas variables demográficas y sociales en una muestra de 202 sujetos que realizan estudios universitarios de ingeniería en diversas especialidades, encontrándose todos ellos entre el primer y décimo ciclo de estudios. El análisis de los resultados muestra que la mayoría de los estudiantes universitarios tienen una actitud positiva hacia la creatividad y el empredimiento. Así mismo, la correlación entre la creatividad y los componentes del emprendimiento arroja una asociación significativa y positiva. Sobre las variables demográficas y sociales y su relación con los niveles del emprendimiento (bajo, normal y alto), existe diferencia significativa de acuerdo a los ciclos de estudio en los que se encuentran, la experiencia laboral, la intención de desarrollar un negocio y la necesidad de asistencia financiera; es decir, la intervención de dichas variables permiten inferir diferencias de percepción en los niveles de creatividad y el emprendimiento.

This study has as an objective to know the entrepreneurship attitude of Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos students and their relationship to some demographic variables, which have been taken from a sample of 182 students belonging to different engineering specialties and from third to the fifth year of studies. The results indicate that the majority of the students have a positive attitude towards the creativity and entrepreneurship, in the same way, there is a significative and positive correlation between their components. With respect the demographics and psychosocial variables, there is a difference significative according to the age groups, year of study, development of entrepreneurship, College and Academic Department, and kind of entrepreneurship activity, it could say, the presence of those variables allow to infer that there are differences respect some creativity and entrepreneurship factors., El estudio tiene como objetivo conocer la actitud emprendedora de los estudiantes de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos y su relación con algunas variables demográficas en una muestra de 182 sujetos que realizan estudios universitarios, en su mayoría de ingeniería en las diversas especialidades, encontrándose todos ellos entre el tercero y quinto año de estudios. Los resultados nos indican que la mayoría de los estudiantes universitarios tienen una actitud positiva hacia la creatividad y el empredimiento; igualmente, existe una correlación significativa y positiva entre sus componentes. Sobre las variables demográficas y psicosociales y su relación con los componentes, existe diferencia significativa de acuerdo a los grupos de edad, ciclos de estudio cursado, Facultad y Escuela Académico Profesional de pertenencia, desarrollo de emprendimiento y sector de actividad para el emprendimiento; es decir, la intervención de dichas variables permiten inferir diferencias de percepción respecto a algunos factores de la creatividad y el empredimiento.

Tesis (Tecnólogo Médico con especialidad en Bioanálisis Clínico, Inmunohematología y Banco de Sangre) El análisis de los parámetros hematológicos de la sangre de cordón umbilical de recién nacidos de término es de gran relevancia para este estudio, ya que permite inferir el estado en que se encontraba el feto momentos antes de nacer, en qué condiciones podría haberse encontrado la madre; y eso se traduce en manifestaciones, en este caso hematológicas, por parte del feto que se pueden observar al realizar el análisis del hemograma de la sangre de cordón. El objetivo del presente trabajo investigativo es el análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo de los parámetros hematológicos del hemograma de la sangre venosa de cordón umbilical de recién nacidos de término para conocer los valores hematológicos, la distribución porcentual y la morfología de las células sanguíneas que ahí se encuentran y además comparar estos valores con los descritos en la literatura existente. Para dicho objetivo se obtuvieron muestras de la maternidad del Hospital San Juan de Dios, las cuales fueron analizadas en el Laboratorio de Tecnología Médica de la Universidad Andrés Bello. Entre las técnicas empleadas en esta investigación estuvieron contempladas para la serie roja: el frotis sanguíneo, donde el método de tinción escogido fue "Tinción de May Grünwald-Giemsa", recuento de reticulocitos con solución colorante de Azul de Cresil Brillante, determinación de hemoglobina por método de la Cianmetahemoglobina, determinación del hematocrito según técnica de Microhematócrito, además de la obtención de valores absolutos de cada muestra (VCM y CHCM). En cuanto a la serie blanca, se efectuaron recuento de leucocitos en cámara de Neubauer y recuentos diferenciales de leucocitos en extensiones de sangre practicadas sobre portaobjeto, obteniendo valores relativos y absolutos de estos según fórmula diferencial de Schilling. Por último se realizaron recuentos de plaquetas utilizando la técnica de Phonio. En conclusión se determinó que 3 (reticulocitos, leucocitos y eosinófilos relativos) de los 28 parámetros analizados son iguales o similares a los valores de la literatura, presentando un valor P o a, mayor a 0,05 en la prueba T de Student. El resto de los parámetros presentaron un valor P menor a 0,05, lo que demuestra que existe una diferencia significativa de estos valores en relación a los valores de la literatura.

La familia Cactaceae es de origen americano y posee una distribución desde Canadá a Tierra del Fuego, con mayor diversidad en México. Se estima que existen unos 86 géneros y alrededor de 2000 especies. En Chile, la flora cactológica está representada por unas 160 especies de las cuáles 145 son endémicas, la mayoría amenazadas (Hoffmann, 1989). Actualmente, a nivel mundial existe una demanda creciente por especies de cactáceas tanto con interés científico como para cultivo ornamental, lo cual, de no establecerse sistemas de propagación intensiva, hará disminuir enormemente las poblaciones naturales existentes debido a la acción antrópica con fines comerciales. En general, las cactáceas pueden ser multiplicadas por propagación sexual, mediante semillas, o bien por medios vegetativos empleando esquejes, rebrotes o hijuelos, trozos de frutos, injertos y aplicando técnicas de cultivo de tejidos in vitro. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue establecer cultivos in vitro de once especies de cactáceas nativas e introducidas, con fines de conservación ex situ.

Las especies pertenecientes al género Rhodophiala son plantas bulbosas nativas de Chile, Bolivia, Argentina y Uruguay. En nuestro país se distribuyen desde la III Región a la X Región. Son plantas que producen hermosas flores, de colores que van desde el blanco puro al rojo intenso, y poseen un órgano de almacenamiento subterráneo (bulbo), que les permite permanecer en estado de dormancia o reposo cuando las condiciones de humedad o temperatura no son adecuadas. &nbsp