31 research outputs found

    Torsion free groups with indecomposable holonomy group I

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    We study the torsion free generalized crystallographic groups with the indecomposable holonomy group which is isomorphic to either a cyclic group of order ps{p^s} or a direct product of two cyclic groups of order p{p}.Comment: 22 pages, AMS-Te

    Preparing veterinary students for extramural clinical placement training: issues identified and a possible solution

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    Catriona Bell – ORCID: 0000-0001-8501-1697 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8501-1697Item not available in this repository.Item previously deposited in the University of Edinburgh repository at: https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/fa503683-7a33-4bb5-bcd9-8850b1949d9dExtramural clinical placement training is an important part of many veterinary degree programs and provides students with valuable learning experiences in private practice, often focusing on the management of typical first-opinion cases. In the United Kingdom, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has a mandatory requirement that students take 26 weeks of clinical placement or extramural studies (EMS) before graduation. However, if students are to maximize their learning opportunities during these placements, it is important that they be adequately prepared. In response to recent topical issues surrounding EMS in the United Kingdom, the current project undertook an iterative consultation process with key stakeholders, including students and placement providers, to identify key issues associated with students attending placements. These findings then informed the development and content of a computer-aided learning (CAL) package titled “The EMS Driving Licence” that aimed to improve the preparation of students for placements. The CAL package included sections covering the main identified areas of concern: Preparation (including what to take), Working With People (staff and clients), Professionalism (including confidentiality), Frequently Asked Questions (from students), and Top Tips (from practitioners). The CAL package was evaluated by students, and feedback was gathered by means of a questionnaire. Students recognized that the content addressed many of their concerns, and all reported that they would recommend the package to others. The CAL package has been made available to all UK veterinary schools and has received backing from the RCVS as part of their current recommendations on EMS to the UK veterinary profession.The development of the EMS Driving Licence was supported by a mini-project grant from the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. The evaluation was supported by an Innovation Fund award from the Centre for Excellence in Professional Placement Learning, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme.37.2.19037pubpub

    Vaccine breakthrough hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia in patients with auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs

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    Life-threatening `breakthrough' cases of critical COVID-19 are attributed to poor or waning antibody response to the SARS- CoV-2 vaccine in individuals already at risk. Pre-existing autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I IFNs underlie at least 15% of critical COVID-19 pneumonia cases in unvaccinated individuals; however, their contribution to hypoxemic breakthrough cases in vaccinated people remains unknown. Here, we studied a cohort of 48 individuals ( age 20-86 years) who received 2 doses of an mRNA vaccine and developed a breakthrough infection with hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia 2 weeks to 4 months later. Antibody levels to the vaccine, neutralization of the virus, and auto- Abs to type I IFNs were measured in the plasma. Forty-two individuals had no known deficiency of B cell immunity and a normal antibody response to the vaccine. Among them, ten (24%) had auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs (aged 43-86 years). Eight of these ten patients had auto-Abs neutralizing both IFN-a2 and IFN-., while two neutralized IFN-omega only. No patient neutralized IFN-ss. Seven neutralized 10 ng/mL of type I IFNs, and three 100 pg/mL only. Seven patients neutralized SARS-CoV-2 D614G and the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) efficiently, while one patient neutralized Delta slightly less efficiently. Two of the three patients neutralizing only 100 pg/mL of type I IFNs neutralized both D61G and Delta less efficiently. Despite two mRNA vaccine inoculations and the presence of circulating antibodies capable of neutralizing SARS-CoV-2, auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs may underlie a significant proportion of hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia cases, highlighting the importance of this particularly vulnerable population

    The emergent and re -emergent viral infections : global challenge of 21 st century

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    Натепер розглядається три основних чининники виникнення і розповсюдження емерджентних інфекцій: біологічні, зоогеографічні та соціально-економічні. Наведені короткі дані про найбільш важливі емерджентні і ре-емерджентні інфекції вірусної природи, що створили надзвичайні епідемічні ситуації у світі з високою захворюваністю і смертністю. Для успішної боротьби з ними необхідне створення ефективної системи моніторингу, спрямованої на виявлення нових збудників і тих, що знову повертаються в людську популяцію. Проблема емерджентних і ре-емерджентних інфекцій має глобальне значення, у зв’язку з чим для її оперативного і результативного вирішення необхідна також міжнародна співпраця; На сегодняшний день рассматривается три основные причины возникновения и распространения эмерджентных инфекций: биологические, зоогеографические и соціально-экономические. Приведены краткие сведения о наиболее важних эмерджентных и ре-эмерджентных инфекций вирусной природы, создавшие чрезвычайные эпидемические ситуации в мире с высокой заболеваемостью и смертностью. Для успешной борьбы с ними необходмо создание эффективной системы мониторинга, направленной на выявление нових возбудителей и тех., которые снова возвращаются в человеческую популяцію. Проблема эмерджентных и ре-эмерджентных инфекций имеет глобальное значение, в связи с чем для ее оперативного и результативного решения необходимо также международное сотрудничество; Currently, three main factors of occurrence and spreading of emergent infections are considered:1. Factors of biological nature – genetic variability of viruses (mutation), which is fundamental property of viral pathogens. As is generally known, it helps agent to avoid pathogen responses of the host immune system, increasing its virulence and induce resistance to antiviral medicines. 2. Zoogeographical factors – increasing quantity of human contacts with birds and animals create optimal conditions for virus evolution, unpredictable passaging in their organism with possibility of intensification their virulence and also genetic recombination both between genes of viruses and between the genes of viruses and host cells.3. Socio-economic factors are essentially important reason for occurrence and spread of emergent and re-emergent diseases. It is noted that the epidemiological risk in many respectsis connected to the level of socio-economic situation in the country. The most dangerous and severe infectious diseases usually occur in countries with a high concentration and low living standards.The article presents the summary of the most important emergent and re-emergent infection of viral nature, created exceptional epidemiological situation in the world with a high morbidity and mortality. To fight them, you need to create effective monitoring system identifying pathogens that are new or returning again into the human population. The problem of emergent and re-emergent infection is of global importance, and therefore for its prompt and effective solving we also need international cooperation

    Stabilization of hot-melt extrusion formulations containing solid solutions using polymer blends

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    This study was aimed at enhancing the physical stability of the drug clotrimazole (CT) and the polymer contained within hot-melt extrusion (HME) films using polymer blends of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The HME films were investigated for solid-state characteristics, moisture sorption, bioadhesivity, mechanical properties, glass transition temperature, release characteristics, and physical and chemical stability of the drug and the polymer within the HME films. The solid-state characterization of the drug and the polymer was performed using differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffractometry, and dynamic mechanical analysis. A texture analyzer was used to study the bioadhesive and mechanical properties of the HME films. The physical and chemical stability of the films, stored at 25°C/60% relative humidity or in a desiccator, was studied for up to 12 months. CT was found to be in solid solution within all of the formulations extruded. The physical stability of the drug and PEO in the HME films increased with increasing HPC concentration, but the bioadhesivity and flexibility of the PEO films decreased with increasing HPC concentration. Films containing HPC: PEO∶CT in the ratio of 55∶35∶10 demonstrated optimum physical-mechanical, bioadhesive, and release properties. In conclusion, polymer blends of HPC and PEO were used successfully to tailor the drug release, mechanical and bio-adhesive properties, and stability of the HME films
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