Constructing Crime: Neighborhood Characteristics and Police Recording Behavior

It has long been acknowledged that police officers have substantial levels of discretion in their day-to-day activities. There is a well developed body of literature that considers how this discretion is exercised across a broad array of situations including the decision to arrest, use force, and grant citizen requests for official action. Using both social disorganization and conflict theories as conceptual models, the purpose of this study was to determine if neighborhood characteristics affect police reporting behavior across a wide cross-section of reported call types. The findings indicated that reporting behavior widely varies across crime types with a greater percentage of more serious crimes translated into official crime. Neighborhood characteristics did affect reporting practices, but surprisingly only for more serious forms of disorder where discretion was perceived to be less. The findings lent support for both social disorganization and conflict theories. Theoretical implications are discussed

Regulation of Neuronal Cell Death by c-Abl-Hippo/MST2 Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND: Mammalian Ste20-like kinases (MSTs) are the mammalian homologue of Drosophila hippo and play critical roles in regulation of cell death, organ size control, proliferation and tumorigenesis. MSTs exert pro-apoptotic function through cleavage, autophosphorylation and in turn phosphorylation of downstream targets, such as Histone H2B and FOXO (Forkhead box O). Previously we reported that protein kinase c-Abl mediates oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death through phosphorylating MST1 at Y433, which is not conserved among mammalian MST2, Drosophila Hippo and C.elegans cst-1/2. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using immunoblotting, in vitro kinase and cell death assay, we demonstrate that c-Abl kinase phosphorylates MST2 at an evolutionarily conserved site, Y81, within the kinase domain. We further show that the phosphorylation of MST2 by c-Abl leads to the disruption of the interaction with Raf-1 proteins and the enhancement of homodimerization of MST2 proteins. It thereby enhances the MST2 activation and induces neuronal cell death. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The identification of the c-Abl tyrosine kinase as a novel upstream activator of MST2 suggests that the conserved c-Abl-MST signaling cascade plays an important role in oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death

Drainage of the hepatic cyst by laparoscopy - clinical case

Liver cysts are formations of serous content surrounded by normal liver parenchyma, without communication with the bile duct. The cyst wall is generally lined with cuboidal epithelium surrounded by layers of connective tissue. They are rare entities in adult patients, generally, they are asymptomatic in 3%, and between 10-15% of all patients will generate symptoms that lead them to consult. A 38-year-old man with an external abdominal tomography study that reported a giant hepatic cyst. Laboratory blood tests: hemoglobin 7.9 g/dl; leukocytosis 11,000/ul; serum electrolytes, liver transaminases, and bilirubin were normal, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma glutamyl-transpeptidase 94 U/l and 241 U/l, respectively. Non-reactive anti-human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV 1) and two antibodies, venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL), cancer antigen (CA) 19-9 antigen, hepatitis B-C surface antigen, and carcinoembryonic antigen were negative. He underwent surgery by laparoscopic drainage of the liver cyst, through a median infraumbilical incision with the Hasson technique and placement of three 12 mm trocars, hepatomegaly was observed without finding an exit site for purulent material, it was punctured through liver segment V, and 2000 ml of citrine fluid was extracted. The hepatic wound is addressed with a 1-0 caliber chromic catgut thread, placing a Penrose-type drain. At 48 hours postoperatively, it evolves favorably, so it is decided to discharge. Hepatic cysts are fluid-filled cavities lined by a single-layered cuboidal or columnar biliary epithelium in the liver. A majority of hepatic cysts are found incidentally on liver imaging, such as abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging

Social Support and Substance Use as Moderators of the Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents

Indexación: Scopus.Literature reports that depressive symptoms may precede suicidal ideation. Several studies have identified social support and substance use as moderators of this relationship. However, no study has evaluated these variables together by testing how substance use can affect the moderating effect of social support in this relationship. The purpose of this article is to individually evaluate dimensions of social support (friends, family, significant others, and school) and substance use (alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drugs), as moderators of the relationship between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation, as well as analyze the moderating role of substance use in the moderation exerted by social support in this relationship. This study, quantitative and cross-sectional, considered 775 adolescents [Average age = 15.48 (SD = 0.96), 45.9% women], from 20 randomly selected schools in Santiago de Chile. Simple moderation models were used to analyze possible moderators separately, and double moderation models were used to analyze the moderating role of substance use in the moderating effect of social support. The results show that the four dimensions of social support moderate the relationship between depressive symptomatology and suicidal ideation, showing the strongest interaction in the case of family support, followed by support of a significant person, support at school, and support of friends, in that order. On the other hand, alcohol was the only drug that moderated the relationship in question. In addition, the results show that the use of alcohol limits the moderating effect of social support in the fields of family, significant person, and school support, but not in the case of support of friends. The use of marijuana and other illicit drugs did not affect the moderating effects of social support for any of the areas evaluated. The results are discussed according to the different roles that alcohol use can play in adolescence, and how these, together with perceived social support, are related to the emergence of suicidal ideation from depressive symptoms. © Copyright © 2020 Rubio, Oyanedel, Cancino, Benavente, Céspedes, Zisis and Páez.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.539165/ful

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Aedes aegypti Larval Midgut after Intoxication with Cry11Aa Toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis

Cry toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria are environmentally safe alternatives to control insect pests. They are pore-forming toxins that specifically affect cell permeability and cellular integrity of insect-midgut cells. In this work we analyzed the defensive response of Aedes aegypti larva to Cry11Aa toxin intoxication by proteomic and functional genomic analyses. Two dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) was utilized to analyze proteomic differences among A. aegypti larvae intoxicated with different doses of Cry11Aa toxin compared to a buffer treatment. Spots with significant differential expression (p<0.05) were then identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), revealing 18 up-regulated and seven down-regulated proteins. The most abundant subcategories of differentially expressed proteins were proteins involved in protein turnover and folding, energy production, and cytoskeleton maintenance. We selected three candidate proteins based on their differential expression as representatives of the different functional categories to perform gene silencing by RNA interference and analyze their functional role. The heat shock protein HSP90 was selected from the proteins involved in protein turnover and chaperones; actin, was selected as representative of the cytoskeleton protein group, and ATP synthase subunit beta was selected from the group of proteins involved in energy production. When we affected the expression of ATP synthase subunit beta and actin by silencing with RNAi the larvae became hypersensitive to toxin action. In addition, we found that mosquito larvae displayed a resistant phenotype when the heat shock protein was silenced. These results provide insight into the molecular components influencing the defense to Cry toxin intoxication and facilitate further studies on the roles of identified genes

Prevalencia de secuelas en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 sobrevivientes al COVID-19

Objective: To assess whether there is an association between the prevalence of sequelae due to COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Material and methods: Cross-sectional analytical design. A structured questionnaire, validated by experts, was applied by telephone to patients who had been discharged for at least three months, and clinical data was obtained from their medical records. An informed consent was applied. Results: 52% were male (p=0,5); the median age was 57 years (IQR: 21), and the time between discharge and interview was 9 months. The severity of COVID-19 was: moderate 51%, severe 38%, critical 9%; diabetics 23,75% (p&lt;0,05). An association was found between general sequelae and diabetes (OR=3,04, CI95%: 1,51-6,13, p: 0,001, RPa: 2,4), followed by cardiovascular sequelae (OR=2,91, CI95%: 1,57-5,38, p: 0,000, RPa: 2,1). Of the 57 diabetics, 85,9% had sequelae due to COVID-19; and of the 183 non-diabetics, 68,3% (p: 0,009, OR: 2,84, 95% CI: 1,26-6,38, PRc: 2,32). Conclusions: The prevalence of sequelae due to COVID-19 was higher in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients; the most frequent type of sequelae was fatigue.Objetivo: Evaluar si existe asociación entre la prevalencia de secuelas por COVID-19 y diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Material y métodos: Diseño analítico trasversal. Se aplicó por teléfono un cuestionario estructurado, validado por expertos, a pacientes con al menos tres meses de alta y se obtuvieron datos clínicos de sus historias clínicas. Se aplicó un consentimiento informado. Resultados: El 52% fueron varones (p=0,5); la mediana de edad 57 años(RIC:21), y el tiempo entre alta y entrevista fue 9 meses. La severidad de COVID-19 fue: moderado 51%, grave 38%, critico 9%; diabéticos 23,75% (p&lt;0,05). Se halló asociación entre secuelas generales y diabetes (OR=3,04, IC95%: 1,51-6,13, p:0,001, RPa:2,4), seguida por secuelas cardiovasculares (OR=2,91, IC95%: 1,57-5,38, p:0,000, RPa:2,1). De los 57 diabéticos, 85,9% hicieron secuelas por COVID-19; y de los 183 no diabéticos, el 68,3% (p: 0,009, OR:2,84, IC95%:1,26-6,38, RPc:2,32). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de secuelas por COVID-19 fue mayor en pacientes diabéticos que en los no diabéticos; el tipo de secuelas más frecuente fue fatiga

Recording Earthen Architecture at the Peruvian Andes: the Case of KUÑO Tambo CHURCH'S Historic Wall Paintings

According to UNESCO “Earthen architecture is one of the most original and powerful expressions of our ability to create a built environment with readily available resources. It includes a great variety of structures, ranging from mosques, palaces and granaries, to historic city centres, cultural landscapes and archaeological sites” (WHEAP, 2007). This contribution looks at developing effective methods for recording earthen his

Evolutionary and phenotypic characterization of two spike mutations in European lineage 20E of SARS-CoV-2.

We have detected two mutations in the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at amino acid positions 1163 and 1167 that appeared independently in multiple transmission clusters and different genetic backgrounds. Furthermore, both mutations appeared together in a cluster of 1,627 sequences belonging to clade 20E. This cluster is characterized by 12 additional single nucleotide polymorphisms but no deletions. The available structural information on the S protein in the pre- and postfusion conformations predicts that both mutations confer rigidity, which could potentially decrease viral fitness. Accordingly, we observed reduced infectivity of this spike genotype relative to the ancestral 20E sequence in vitro, and the levels of viral RNA in nasopharyngeal swabs were not significantly higher. Furthermore, the mutations did not impact thermal stability or antibody neutrali- zation by sera from vaccinated individuals but moderately reduce neutralization by convalescent-phase sera from the early stages of the pandemic. Despite multi- ple successful appearances of the two spike mutations during the first year of SARS-CoV-2 evolution, the genotype with both mutations was displaced upon the expansion of the 20I (Alpha) variant. The midterm fate of the genotype investi- gated was consistent with the lack of advantage observed in the clinical and ex- perimental data