The Primer Design of Domain-specific C-terminus of the Avian H5N1 NS Gene From Indonesia

Background: The avian influenza (AI) H5N1 viruses have caused nearly 600 fatal cases in the world since 2003. The H5N1 AI virus is still circulating in wild birds and domestic. One of the known of AI virus pathogenicity is the ability of the nonstructural protein (NS1 and NS2) to induce cytokine storm. Mutations of the NS1 and NS2 proteins may aggravate infections.Methods: Genetic sequences of NS gene that encodes the C - terminus domain of AI H5N1 virus were obtained by sequencing method using specific primer to amplify the NS gene. The primers design were done by using several bioinformatics software available then retested to determine the primer success in amplifying the target sequence. RT- PCR testing performed on four H5N1 AI virus isolates, followed by sequencing to determine the nucleotide sequences generated from the primer were prepared in this study. Results: Primers, which can be designed to amplify four chicken H5N1 isolates tested were two isolates from Bali (A/Ck/Bali-KH/2009 and A/Ck/Bali-T/2009), and two isolates from East Java (A/Ck/East Java-S/2009 and A/Ck/East Java-D/2009). Conclusion: The designated primer can be used in PCR amplification and sequencing of genes that express NS section C terminus of the protein NS1 and NS2 end portion. The primer design of H5N1 NS gene. (Health Science Indones 2014;2:83-8

Association between historical neighborhood redlining and cardiovascular outcomes among US veterans with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases

Importance: In the 1930s, the government-sponsored Home Owners\u27 Loan Corporation (HOLC) established maps of US neighborhoods that identified mortgage risk (grade A [green] characterizing lowest-risk neighborhoods in the US through mechanisms that transcend traditional risk factors to grade D [red] characterizing highest risk). This practice led to disinvestments and segregation in neighborhoods considered redlined. Very few studies have targeted whether there is an association between redlining and cardiovascular disease.Objective: To evaluate whether redlining is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in US veterans.Design, setting, and participants: In this longitudinal cohort study, US veterans were followed up (January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019) for a median of 4 years. Data, including self-reported race and ethnicity, were obtained from Veterans Affairs medical centers across the US on individuals receiving care for established atherosclerotic disease (coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, or stroke). Data analysis was performed in June 2022.Exposure: Home Owners\u27 Loan Corporation grade of the census tracts of residence.Main outcomes and measures: The first occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), comprising myocardial infarction, stroke, major adverse extremity events, and all-cause mortality. The adjusted association between HOLC grade and adverse outcomes was measured using Cox proportional hazards regression. Competing risks were used to model individual nonfatal components of MACE.Results: Of 79 997 patients (mean [SD] age, 74.46 [10.16] years, female, 2.9%; White, 55.7%; Black, 37.3%; and Hispanic, 5.4%), a total of 7% of the individuals resided in HOLC grade A neighborhoods, 20% in B neighborhoods, 42% in C neighborhoods, and 31% in D neighborhoods. Compared with grade A neighborhoods, patients residing in HOLC grade D (redlined) neighborhoods were more likely to be Black or Hispanic with a higher prevalence of diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. There were no associations between HOLC and MACE in unadjusted models. After adjustment for demographic factors, compared with grade A neighborhoods, those residing in redlined neighborhoods had an increased risk of MACE (hazard ratio [HR], 1.139; 95% CI, 1.083-1.198; P \u3c .001) and all-cause mortality (HR, 1.129; 95% CI, 1.072-1.190; P \u3c .001). Similarly, veterans residing in redlined neighborhoods had a higher risk of myocardial infarction (HR, 1.148; 95% CI, 1.011-1.303; P \u3c .001) but not stroke (HR, 0.889; 95% CI, 0.584-1.353; P = .58). Hazard ratios were smaller, but remained significant, after adjustment for risk factors and social vulnerability.Conclusions and relevance: In this cohort study of US veterans, the findings suggest that those with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who reside in historically redlined neighborhoods continue to have a higher prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and higher cardiovascular risk. Even close to a century after this practice was discontinued, redlining appears to still be adversely associated with adverse cardiovascular events

Upper Respiratory Tract Bacteria in Influenza-like Illness Cases in Indonesia Using Multiplex PCR Method

Background: ILI surveillance in Indonesia has been conducted since 2006, but no data on the bacteria can be detected and caused ILI has been obtained. Method: From March to December 2012, Center for Research on Biomedic and Basic Health Technology's laboratory was receiving throat and nose swab specimens from nine Public Health Centers appointed as the sentinels for ILI surveillance. These specimens were analyzed using multiplex PCR method, which detected six panels of bacteria. Results: 175 specimens taken from ILI patients contained three most frequently found species of bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=163), Haemophilus influenzae (n=146) andLegionella pneumophila (41). Conclusion: In ILI patients, there are several bacteria most frequently detected in upper respiratory tract such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Legionella pneumophila. (Health Science Indonesia 2013;2:83-6

Trends in prescriptions of cardioprotective diabetic agents after coronary artery bypass grafting among U.S. veterans

OBJECTIVE: Patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are at risk for cardiovascular events. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 receptor inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are effective cardioprotective agents; however, their prescription among CABG patients is uncertain. The aims of this study were 1) to evaluate the overall use of SGLT2i/GLP-1RA after CABG and explore longitudinal trends and 2) to examine patient-related factors associated with the use of SGLT2i or GLP-1RA. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed the nationwide Veterans Affairs (VA) database (2016–2019) to report trends and factors associated with SGLT2i or GLP-1RA prescription after CABG. RESULTS: Among 5,109 patients operated on at 40 different VA medical centers, 525 of 5,109 (10.4%), 352 of 5,109 (6.8%), and 91 of 5,109 (1.8%) were prescribed SGLT2i, GLP-1RA, and both, respectively. A substantial increase in the quarterly SGLT2i prescription rates (1.6% [first quarter of 2016 (2016Q1)], 33% [2019Q4]) was present but was lower for GLP-1RA (0.8% [2016Q1], 11.2% [2019Q4]). SGLT2i use was less likely with preexisting vascular disease (odd ratio [OR] 0.75, 95% CI 0.75, 0.94) or kidney disease (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.58, 0.88), while GLP-1RA use was associated with obesity (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.50, 2.46). CONCLUSIONS: The overall utilization of SGLT2i or GLP-1RA drugs in U.S. veterans with type 2 diabetes undergoing CABG is low, with SGLT2i preferred over GLP-1RA

Para que servem os inventários de fauna?

Inventários de fauna acessam diretamente a diversidade de uma localidade, em um determinado espaço e tempo. Os dados primários gerados pelos inventários compõem uma das ferramentas mais importantes na tomada de decisões a respeito do manejo de áreas naturais. Entretanto, vários problemas têm sido observados em diversos níveis relacionados aos inventários de fauna no Brasil e vão desde a formação de recursos humanos até a ausência de padronização, de desenho experimental e de seleção de métodos inadequados. São apresentados estudos de caso com mamíferos, répteis, anfíbios e peixes, nos quais são discutidos problemas como variabilidade temporal e métodos para detecção de fauna terrestre, sugerindo que tanto os inventários quanto os programas de monitoramento devam se estender por prazos maiores e que os inventários devem incluir diferentes metodologias para que os seus objetivos sejam plenamente alcançados.Inventories of fauna directly access the diversity of a locality in a certain period of time. The primary data generated by these inventories comprise one of the most important steps in decisions making regarding the management of natural areas. However, several problems have been observed at different levels related to inventories of fauna in Brazil, and range from the training of humans to the lack of standardization of experimental design and selection of inappropriate methods. We present case studies of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fishes, where they discussed issues such temporal variability and methods for detection of terrestrial fauna, suggesting that both inventories and monitoring programs should be extended for longer terms and that inventories should include different methodologies to ensure that their goals are fully achieved

Reconsidering the Carnap-Kuhn Connection

Recently, some philosophers of science (e.g., Gürol Irzik, Michael Friedman) have challenged the ‘received view’ on the relationship between Rudolf Carnap and Thomas Kuhn, suggesting that there is a close affinity (rather than opposition) between their philosophical views. In support of this argument, these authors cite Carnap and Kuhn’s similar views on incommensurability, theory-choice, and scientific revolutions. Against this revisionist view, I argue that the philosophical relationship between Carnap and Kuhn should be regarded as opposed rather than complementary. In particular, I argue that a consideration of the fundamentally disparate nature of the broader philosophical projects of Carnap (logic of science) and Kuhn (providing a theory of scientific revolutions)renders the alleged similarities between their views superficial in comparison to their fundamental differences. In defense of the received view, I suggest that Carnap and Kuhn are model representatives of two contrasting styles of doing philosophy of science, viz., logical analysis and historical analysis respectively. This analysis clarifies the role played by Kuhn’s Structure of Scientific Revolutions in the demise of logical empiricism in the second half of the twentieth-century

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Should science teaching involve the history of science? An assessment of Kuhn&apos;s view

Thomas Kuhn draws the distinction between textbook history of science and history of science proper. The question addressed in the paper is whether Kuhn recommends the inclusion of distortive textbook history in science education. It is argued, pace Fuller, that Kuhn does not make normative suggestions. He does not urge the teaching of bad history and he does not aim to deceive the scientists. He highlights the significance of the retrospective history of the textbooks as a condition for the practice of science. If science is to be seen as a practice and not as a set of propositions, then textbook history is instrumental in establishing and expanding the new paradigm. The other kind of history, the history of science proper, can only be taught as part of the students&apos; general education and not as part of science education. © Springer 2005

A Reconsideration of the Relation Between Kuhnian Incommensurability and Translation

Up to the introduction of the term and concept of incommensurability by T. S. Kuhn and P. K. Feyerabend in the early 1960s, scientific texts were supposed to pose no problem as regards their translation, unlike literature, which was thought very difficult to translate. After the introduction of the term, translation of scientific language became equally problematic because, due to conceptual and perceptual incommensurability, there was no common observation basis to ground linguistic equivalences between languages of incommensurable paradigms. This article highlights the presuppositions that link incommensurability to dramatic consequences (impossibility of communication, translation, and comparative evaluation of paradigms) and tries to sketch an alternative way of understanding incommensurability and translation drawing on Kuhn’s work. From this perspective, translation is not an all-or-nothing affair for either science or literature and becomes a problem to be solved for each particular set of circumstances. © 2019, © 2019 Open Society Foundation