Isolation Research Articles

Causas y consecuencias de la Pandemia COVID-19. De la inmovilidad de la humanidad a la circulación desconcentrada de personas

La prevención de las transmisiones comunitarias de virus y las enfermedades que conllevan, requieren análisis diferenciados. El presente trabajo se propone abordar algunas de las medidas que se han implementado en el marco de la emergencia sanitaria provocada por la pandemia COVID-19, desde un abordaje socio-jurídico crítico de inclusión por el ejercicio de derechos. El texto comienza con un breve análisis de las causas que están en la génesis de las pandemias, centrando la atención en el rol de los Estados Modernos y sus políticas neoliberales, respecto de los derechos de los pueblos que los integran. Posteriormente se analizan las medidas socio-sanitarias destinadas a gestionar las consecuencias de la pandemia, en especial las que se adoptaron para evitar la transmisión comunitaria del virus SARS-Cov-19, enfatizando en el denominado aislamiento social preventivo y obligatorio. Seguidamente se pormenoriza en las situaciones de los grupos más vulnerabilizados de la sociedad, como las mujeres, las familias monomarentales, los pueblos originarios, la población migrante y las/os trabajadores/as precarizados. Finalmente, se propone un modelo de abordaje de los desastres, las catástrofes y otras situaciones críticas como la pandemia, basado en una restricción de derechos selectiva y la contención comunitaria de la salud mental de toda la población.

Edição #DesdeCasa do Festival Internacional Luz del Desierto: Exibição de Cinema na Argentina Durante a Pandemia

Texto descritivo e crítico sobre a edição on-line do Festival Internacional de Cinema "Luz del Desierto", da Argentina, além de apresentar outras ações de exibição de cinema realizados por entidades e organizaçãoes do país, durante o período de isolamento social, devido à pandemia.

The Lingering New Normal

The authors draw implications for country resilience – including admonition not to learn the wrong lesson from early ostensibly successful handling of a crisis (Zhou, 2020);advantage of ‘knowledgeable decentralization’ (Grandori, 2020);‘communal sense’ in Japan coupled with ‘dispersed authority, and unique way of absorbing change without losing itself’ (Redding, 2020);and the benefits of rethinking loose coupling and flexible interdependence of systems and platforms (Li, 2020) [ ]in this introduction resilience is explored at three stages – prior to a crisis, during the crisis, and beyond, in a context where a crisis may not have ended but rather constitutes a lingering new normal To treat the potential pandemic as a risk management issue, would mean either accepting the eventuality by strategic decision or by inertial default of ‘not preparing enough’ (Efforts to accelerate vaccine development are presently ongoing ) Having failed (or neglected) to manage the risk of an eventual pandemic, government efforts have focused on controlling and eliminating uncertainty by enforcing a physical isolation of people [ ]many questions related to the spreading of the disease were unknown, beginning with the genome of the virus (later sequenced), its deadliness and rate of spreading (much has been already learned), the human cost of developing an immunity in a society (still an open question)

Artificial Intelligence Prediction Algorithms for Future Evolution of COVID-19 Cases

Since the COVID-19 pandemic surges around the world and officially entered a dangerous new phase, one of the important concerns is when to take aggressive public health measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to know impact of the use of protection tools Many studies have dealt with the prediction of the evolution of cases affected by the C'OVID-19 virus Given the unreliability of the data collected about the number of new cases and the uncertainties in values, the results found cannot be accurate and present a bias In this paper, we will present a study using artificial intelligence algorithms more precisely machine and deep learning algorithms to predict the evolution of cases reached by COVID-19 in the future given the application of confinement and the use of protection tools To improve the accuracy of the results and to take into account the uncertain aspect of the data we will apply the theory of belief functions Among objectives of this theory is the fusion of different sources of information, given by artificial intelligence algorithms in our case, in order to obtain a global knowledge in the form of a more precise and reinforced belief function Results shows that applying the home isolation and the use of protection tools with the rate over of 80% can reduce considerably the number of cases © 2020 International Information and Engineering Technology Association All rights reserved

Propofol improves intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats through NF-κB pathway.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of propofol on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats through the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and randomly divided into three groups, including sham operation group, ischemia group and propofol group. Rats in sham operation group were only treated with isolation of superior mesenteric artery, which was clipped for 1 h and reperfused for 2 h in ischemia group. Meanwhile, propofol (60 mg/kg) was injected into the femoral vein 1 h before ischemia in propofol group. TUNEL assay was performed to detect cell apoptosis of intestinal tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was conducted to measure the expression levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO), caspase-3 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in rats of each group. Western blotting was utilized to detect the protein expression levels of NF-κB pathway related molecules, such as myeloid differential protein-88 (MyD88), v-rel avian reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog A (RelA) and NF-κB. Furthermore, changes in plasma cytokine levels were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The number of apoptotic cells in ischemia group was remarkably higher than that in sham operation group (p<0.05). However, it decreased notably in propofol group compared with ischemia group (p<0.05). In comparison with sham operation group, significantly up-regulated expression of caspase-3 and down-regulated expression of Bcl-2 were observed in the intestinal tissues of rats in ischemia group (p<0.05). Caspase-3 was lowly expressed, while Bcl-2 was highly expressed in the intestinal tissues of rats in propofol group compared with ischemia group (p<0.05). In addition, no statistically significant differences were observed in the expression level of SOD among sham operation group, ischemia group and propofol group (p>0.05). The expression levels of MDA and MPO were overtly higher in the intestinal tissues of rats in ischemia group than those in sham operation group and propofol group (p<0.05). Besides, the protein expression levels of MyD88, RelA and NF-κB in the intestinal tissues of rats in ischemia group were remarkably higher than those in sham operation group and propofol group (p<0.05). The activity of the NF-κB pathway in the intestinal tissues of rats in propofol group significantly declined compared with ischemia group (p<0.05). Moreover, compared with sham operation group, plasma levels of TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6 and IL-4 increased significantly in rats of ischemia group (p<0.05). However, they were markedly lower in propofol group than those in ischemia group (p<0.05). Propofol protects rats from intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury through the NF-κB pathway.

Biovalorization of Lignin

Lignocellulosic biomass comprises three components – cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Biorefining is defined as the separation, isolation and conversion of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin from lignocellulosic biomass into fuels, chemicals, materials and energy. While a number of processes have been developed over the years to produce valuable products from cellulose and hemicellulose, processes utilizing lignin have been few and far between, largely owing to the severe recalcitrance of lignin. Our inability to utilize lignin is a lost opportunity for the green economy. Lignin is abundant and can provide a myriad of chemicals that could be used as building blocks for life-saving pharmaceuticals or even as flavours and food ingredients. The development of greener conversion platforms that can efficiently convert lignin into valuable products is highly desired. This paper summarizes recent progress made towards the development of a family of biocatalytic processes that convert lignin to pharmaceutical building blocks, flavouring agents and drug delivery platforms. Biocatalytic processes are greener, emit lesser carbon dioxide and are more energy efficient than other alternatives. The first family of biocatalysts selectively degrades lignin to its monoaromatic constituents and the second family of biocatalysts then modifies the monoaromatic constituents to desired target molecules. In particular, this paper describes the novel use of functional metagenomics and whole-cell biosensors for the discovery of 147 new biocatalysts that convert lignin into vanillin and syringaldehyde, and the identification of a novel transaminase that catalyzes the asymmetric synthesis of chiral amines from vanillin, syringaldehyde and 12 other monoaromatic aldehyde and ketone degradation products of lignin. Recent progress on the assembly of a metabolic pathway for the biosynthesis of the spice molecule capsaicin from vanillylamine, and the integration of the entire pathway that valorizes lignin to capsaicin into the metabolic network of E. coli has also been discussed. This work will eventually lead to the development of consolidated bioprocesses that convert lignin into value-added chemicals.

Социальное дистанцирование как альтруизм в условиях пандемии коронавируса: кросс-культурное исследование

11 March 2020 COVID-19 is declared a pandemic The era of “social distance” has come, characterized as minimizing contacts between people and maintaining the one-to-two meter distance between individuals Reduction of interpersonal contacts and increased social distance are part of behavioural adaptation to epidemics in the human evolution In this article we consider social distance as an act of altruism toward fellow citizens The society found itself facing a moral dilemma – COVID-19 poses little risk to healthy persons, while social distance and isolation impose limits on everyone The benefits of keeping precautionary measures in place are vital for the groups most at risk, and the community as a whole benefits greatly by reducing the likelihood of a large-scale outbreak This study was conducted among Russian-speaking respondents living or staying in various countries, as well as in Russia, at the time of the outbreak and spread of the coronavirus We used a set of methods: semi-structured in-depth interview, questionnaires, the “snowball” method, photographing elements of people’s behaviour during the pandemic, as well as content analysis of news stories in the media A total of 371 profiles (48 men and 323 women) from 33 countries were collected Our data show that individual behaviour in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is influenced by factors such as country of residence, sex, level of stress, trust in authorities, awareness of the prescribed rules of behaviour, cultural norms, and traditions Moreover, these factors affect both the perception of the situation and the implementation of the authorities’ recommendations © 2020 Tomsk State University All rights reserved

KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS COVID-19 AMONG STUDENTS OF KING ABDULAZIZ UNIVERSITY

Since its discovery in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, Coronavirus (COVID-19) diseaseis considered one of the fastest spreading viral infections The virus spreads between humans by droplets or by direct contact with an incubation period reaching up to 14 days, and isolation is the best way to prevent its spread The symptoms of COVID-19 infection include dry cough, fever, and shortness of breath No vaccine or treatment is available at the moment Precautionary measures have been taken by the government of Saudi Arabia to control the spread This study aimed to assess the knowledge of Male King Abdulaziz University students in Rabigh branch about the new emerging coronavirus COVID-19 by distributing a questionnaire among them This survey was conducted between March 1 till March 5, 2020, before the suspension of all the educational activities at King Abdulaziz University Three hundred seventy-five students filled the questionnaire 51 % believed that COVID-19 is the deadliest virus in the world Around 47% knew about hand washing and COVID-19 symptoms In conclusion, at the time of the study, our students had average knowledge of the virus with many misconceptions and moderate attitude

Biophysics in Isolation: Pushing Beyond the Niche

Biophysics in Isolation: Pushing Beyond the Niche

A Study of Covid -19 –Issues and Problems

This is a crucial time for all of us due to rapidly spreading coronavirus throughout the world from one person to another one through cough, sneezing and physical touch within one meter distance In this circumstances all of us have the most common emotions is fear It will makes anxious, emotional issues and mental health problems among the people Outbreaks of novel virus infections among people are always of public health concern The risk from these outbreaks depends on characteristics of the virus, including how well it spreads between people the severity of resulting illness and the medical or other measures available to control the impact of the virus This disease has become pandemic because it has caused illness also resulting in death in some cases As the novel coronavirus continues to spread some countries are patting their citizens on various forms lockdown, social distancing and also implementing the world's largest and most restrictive mass quarantines Lock down period that has made people live in fear of losing their business, jobs, earnings and savings or even basic resources Lockdown, social distancing, quarantines, isolation have had a massive impact on the life style of people They are staying indoors with limited resources so that they are now suffering from anxiety, panic attacks, and even alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Review] Isolation and Characterization of GH134 Family β-Mannanases

Review] Isolation and Characterization of GH134 Family β-Mannanases

All in this together? Isolation and housing in 'lockdown London'.

All in this together? Isolation and housing in 'lockdown London'.

Sharing Resources: The ABCs of Combating Isolation

Sharing Resources: The ABCs of Combating Isolation

Lost in isolation

Lost in isolation

Disease, Disaster Noir, and Cinematic Panic

In 2020, as the rapidly spreading coronavirus devastates communities worldwide and closes theaters, workplaces, schools, universities, shutters film and television production, cancels cinema conferences and film festivals—and even contributes to the Film Society of Lincoln Center indefinitely suspending the publication of Film Comment amid the serious outbreak in New York City—in an era of social distancing, cineastes in quarantined isolation have been increasingly streaming cinema and media digitally online in surging numbers [ ]streaming services such as Netflix have seen a huge spike in viewership, with a particularly high ‘viral’ demand for disease-oriented disaster films such as Outbreak (1995) and long-form documentary Pandemic (2020), both in the Top Ten most viewed Netflix titles in March 2020 Author Biography Dr Sheri Chinen Biesen is Professor of Film History at Rowan University and author of Blackout: World War II and the Origins of Film Noir (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005), Music in the Shadows: Noir Musical Films (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014), and Film Censorship: Regulating America’s Screen (Wallflower/Columbia University Press, 2018)

Isolation of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Stabilized Phosphorus and Arsenic Mononitride

Phosphorus mononitride (PN) and arsenic mononitride (AsN) species supported by two different N‐heterocyclic carbenes were prepared: The reaction of [(IDipp)NSiMe3] [IDipp = 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene] with PCl3 or AsCl3 afforded the dichlorides [(IDipp)NECl2] (E = P, As) and, after the addition of IMes [IMes = 1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene], the cationic chloro species [(IDipp)NE(Cl)(IMes)]Cl (E = P, As), which were reduced with potassium graphite (KC8) to yield the neutral compounds [(IMes)PN(IDipp)] and [(IMes)AsN(IDipp)], which exhibit the typical trans‐bent geometry of dicarbene‐dielement species in the solid state according to single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.

Early Life Stress Induces Anxiety‐like Hyperactivity but Not Altered Ethanol Drinking in Outbred Heterogeneous Stock Rats

Early life stress (ELS) during adolescence is known to have lasting effects impacting vulnerability to psychopathological disorders in adulthood, including post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). The mechanisms by which ELS affects an individual’s susceptibility to these psychopathological outcomes are not fully understood. There is evidence suggesting that genetics may play a role in susceptibility and resistance to ELS‐induced disorders, though few specific genes have been identified. Therefore, we investigated the outbred Heterogeneous Stock (HS) rat as a model to study the genetics contributing to ELS‐induced PTSD and AUD‐like behavior. The HS population has high genetic diversity and more closely resembles the range of phenotypes expected within a human population than inbred rodent strains. We hypothesized that adolescent social isolation (ASI) of HS rats would increase anxiety‐like behavior, induce hyperactivity in response to a novel environment, and increase ethanol self‐administration.In this study, we isolated (n=32) or group‐housed (n=32) male HS rats at 4 weeks of age. After 5 weeks of isolation (ISO) or group‐housing (GH), behavioral outcomes were measured via elevated plus maze (EPM), open field test (OFT), and forced swim test (FST). Following behavioral testing, all rats were individually housed and assessed for voluntary ethanol self‐administration.We found no differences between ISO and GH rats in EPM anxiety‐like behavior as measured via open arm time or closed arm time. However, we did find ISO increased hyperactivity in response to a novel environment compared to GH in the OFT, including increased movement time and distance, increased beam breaks, and increased rearing. Interestingly, we found that ISO rats demonstrated decreased despair‐like behavior in the FST, including decreased immobility and increased wall climbing. When presented with 20% ethanol, we found no difference in self‐administration between ISO and GH animals. At increasing concentrations of ethanol, GH rats appeared to consume more ethanol than ISO, though results did not reach significance. We observed high variability in individual propensity to self‐administer ethanol in both ISO and GH groups which may be playing a larger role than ELS in this population.We have shown that HS rats acquire hyperactivity in response to a novel environment following ELS but are resistant to ELS‐induced despair‐like behavior and alcohol consumption. There is literature to support ELS as a protective event in certain environmental situations. These results support the use of the HS rat as a model to investigate the genetics involved in resistance to ELS‐induced AUD.Support or Funding InformationFunding for this study was provided by the Wake Forest Center for Research on Substance Use and Addiction Pilot Grant with support from the Wake Forest Alcohol Center NIH/NIAAA award P50 AA26117.

A Novel 5-GHz SPDT Switch Using Semiconductor Distributed Doped Areas

This letter presents a novel 5-GHz transmitter/ receiver (TX/RX) single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch designed on a silicon substrate. The novelty of this SPDT switch is the possibility it offers to simultaneously design the transmission lines and the active elements, without packaging and consequently its parasitic effects and frequency limitations. The device is intended to be easily integrated into a system with a more complex function, e.g., with amplifiers and antennas. The codesign method offers great flexibility in the positioning and sizing of the active elements, i.e., semiconductor distributed doped areas (ScDDAs), which are integrated n+pp+ junctions, in order to obtain the best possible performances in both aspects. A demonstrator provides proof of the concept. In RX-mode, the insertion loss (IL) is 0.9 dB with isolation (ISO) higher than 30 dB. In TX-mode, IL is 2.38 dB and ISO is higher than 43 dB.

Perfil fenólico y actividad antioxidante, acetilcolinesterasa e inhibidora de tirosinasa de Jurinea tzar-ferdinandii Davidov, planta endémica de los Balcanes

The methanol extract of the Balkan endemic species Jurinea tzar-ferdinandii Davidov demonstrated weak antioxidant activity against DPPH• and ABTS+• and low inhibitory potential against acetylcholinesterase (8.3% Inh.) and tyrosinase (IC50 = 208 ± 8 μg/mL) enzymes. Phytochemical investigation of the extract led to isolation and identification of apigenin, luteolin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, apigenin-4’-O-glucoside, apigenin-7-O-gentiobioside, luteolin-4’-O-glucoside, rutin, narcissin, chlorogenic and 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid. With exception of apigenin and rutin, all isolated compounds are reported for the first time in the representatives of genus Jurinea. The distribution of flavonoids was discussed from chemotaxonomic point of view.

The dyslexic surgeon

Do our neurodiverse colleagues still face a world of isolation, stonewalling and discrimination?