This study aims to assess the determinants of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination hesitancy and refusal (VHR) among teachers, from pre-school to higher education, through an online ...survey. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of the independent variables (perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes) per 1-point increase in the Likert scale, and VHR.
Concerns about the vaccines’ efficacy and safety increase the risk of VHR (OR = 6.97, 95 %CI: 4.82–10.09 and OR = 8.71, 95 %CI: 5.52–13.73, respectively). Higher risk perceptions of getting infected (1/OR = 3.94, 95 %CI: 2.93–5.29), trust in the effectiveness of vaccines in reducing this risk or protecting against suffering complications (OR = 3.52, 95 %CI: 2.72–4.55 and OR = 10.94, 95 %CI: 7.16–16.68, respectively), and higher trust levels on the information transmitted regarding COVID-19 vaccination, are associated to lower VHR.
As VHR appears to be highly influenced by perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes, it is crucial to promote and design interventions targeted to transforming these determinants.
Cell‐type‐specific metabolism in plants Daloso, Danilo de Menezes; Morais, Eva Gomes; Oliveira e Silva, Karen Fernanda ...
The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology,
June 2023, 2023-Jun, 2023-06-00, 20230601, Volume:
114, Issue:
5
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
SUMMARY
Every plant organ contains tens of different cell types, each with a specialized function. These functions are intrinsically associated with specific metabolic flux distributions that permit ...the synthesis of the ATP, reducing equivalents and biosynthetic precursors demanded by the cell. Investigating such cell‐type‐specific metabolism is complicated by the mosaic of different cells within each tissue combined with the relative scarcity of certain types. However, techniques for the isolation of specific cells, their analysis in situ by microscopy, or modeling of their function in silico have permitted insight into cell‐type‐specific metabolism. In this review we present some of the methods used in the analysis of cell‐type‐specific metabolism before describing what we know about metabolism in several cell types that have been studied in depth; (i) leaf source and sink cells; (ii) glandular trichomes that are capable of rapid synthesis of specialized metabolites; (iii) guard cells that must accumulate large quantities of the osmolytes needed for stomatal opening; (iv) cells of seeds involved in storage of reserves; and (v) the mesophyll and bundle sheath cells of C4 plants that participate in a CO2 concentrating cycle. Metabolism is discussed in terms of its principal features, connection to cell function and what factors affect the flux distribution. Demand for precursors and energy, availability of substrates and suppression of deleterious processes are identified as key factors in shaping cell‐type‐specific metabolism.
Significance Statement
Plants contain multiple cell types with different functions and consequently different metabolic flux phenotypes. In this review we describe the experimental techniques that can be used to investigate cell‐type‐specific metabolism and discuss the factors responsible for defining metabolism in a number of contrasting cell types.
Contrast rapid sequence angiography with fluorescein or indocyanine green (ICG) is a diagnostic procedure commonly used in ophthalmology. Adverse reactions to fluorescein and ICG are rare and may be ...classified as toxic, of hypersensitivity and non-specific. The evaluation and management of a patient with an adverse reaction is a challenge for the majority of ophthalmologists, as is the assessment of risk factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
We aim to review the concepts underlying adverse reactions to fluorescein and ICG, especially those of hypersensitivity, and present a proposal or the evaluation of the patients in need to perform retinal angiography and for the treatment of immediate reactions to fluorescein and ICG.
The available literature was examined using PubMed-Medline, and using the MeSH terms "fluorescein", "Indocyanine green", "ophthalmic dyes", "retinal angiography", "adverse reactions", and "allergic reaction".
This review may help ophthalmologists to identify patients with higher risk of a hypersensitivity reaction and give them tools to recognize patients with suspected hypersensitivity that may benefit from an allergy study.
Phytophotodermatitis, a condition that results from sequential skin exposure to phototoxic chemicals contained within plants, followed by exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation, has been described ...with several plants and plant-based foods, namely members of the
family, which include
L. This tree's branches, leaves, and fruit skin exude a milky sap or latex containing proteolytic enzymes and furocoumarins known to be photoirritants, easily absorbed upon skin contact. Oxygen-dependent and independent toxic reactions subsequent to sun exposure promote cell membrane damage and oedema, consequently leading to cell death. The diagnosis is confirmed with a detailed anamnesis, and photopatch testing is often useful to rule out a differential diagnosis. It is typically a self-limited condition, with few cases requiring treatment with topical or systemic corticosteroids. We report on a 55-year-old male patient who, following picking figs and pruning a fig tree while exposed to sunlight, developed erythematous and pruritic maculopapular lesions that progressed to blisters with residual hyperpigmentation. The diagnosis was further corroborated through photopatch testing, and the patient was recommended to avoid this recreational activity without symptoms' relapse. This case highlights the importance of considering phytophotodermatitis as a differential diagnosis when evaluating cases of dermatitis on exposed body surfaces and the importance of an exhaustive anamnesis. Identification of specific plant triggers and the performance of photopatch tests are essential to help confirm the diagnosis and guide avoidance recommendations.
Delayed hypersensitivity to antiepileptic drugs in children Mori, Francesca; Blanca‐Lopez, Natalia; Caubet, Jean‐Christoph ...
Pediatric allergy and immunology,
April 2021, 2021-Apr, 2021-04-00, 20210401, 2021-04, Volume:
32, Issue:
3
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Background
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are widely used for the treatment of epilepsy, but they can be associated with the development of mainly delayed/non‐immediate hypersensitivity reactions (HRs). ...Although these reactions are usually cutaneous, self‐limited, and spontaneously resolve within days after drug discontinuation, sometime HR reactions to AEDs can be severe and life‐threatening.
Aim
This paper seeks to show examples on practical management of AED HRs in children starting from a review of what it is already known in literature.
Results
Risk factors include age, history of previous AEDs reactions, viral infections, concomitant medications, and genetic factors. The diagnostic workup consists of in vivo (intradermal testing and patch testing) and in vitro tests serological investigation to exclude the role of viral infection, lymphocyte transformation test (LTT), cytokine detection in ELISpot assays, and granulysin (Grl) in flow cytometry. Treatment is based on a prompt drug discontinuation and mainly on the use of glucocorticoids.
Conclusion
Dealing with AED HRs is challenging. The primary goal in the diagnosis and management of HRs to AEDs should be trying to accurately identify the causal trigger and simultaneously identify a safe and effective alternative anticonvulsant. There is therefore an ongoing need to improve our knowledge of HS reactions due to AED medications and in particular to improve our diagnostic capabilities.
Algorithm for diagnosis and management of AEDs induced HRs in children.
Beta‐lactam (BL) allergy suspicion is common in children and constitutes a major public health problem, with an impact on patient's health and on medical costs. However, it has been found that most ...of these reactions are not confirmed by a complete allergic workup. The diagnostic value of the currently available allergy tests has been investigated intensively recently by different groups throughout the world. This has led to major changes in the management of children with a suspected BL allergy. Particularly, it is now well accepted that skin tests can be skipped before the drug provocation test in children with a benign non‐immediate reaction to BL. However, there is still a debate on the optimal allergic workup to perform in children with a benign immediate reaction. In addition, management of children with severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions remains difficult. In this review, based on a selection of the most relevant studies found in the literature, we will review and discuss the diagnosis of different forms of BL allergy in children.
Abstract
Background
Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has become a public-health emergency of international concern. Most efforts to contain the spread and transmission of the virus rely on campaigns and ...interventions targeted to reduce Vaccine Hesitancy and Refusal (VHR).
Objective
this study aims to assess the major factors associated with VHR in the older population in Portugal.
Methods
a nation-wide cross-sectional study was conducted in the older Portuguese population (≥65 years old) through computer-assisted telephone interviewing. Logistic regression was used to determine the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of the independent variables (perceptions, knowledge and attitudes) and of the outcome (VHR).
Results
the response rate was 60.1% (602/1,001). Perceptions, knowledge and attitudes were strongly associated with VHR probability. A 1-point Likert scale increase in concerns about the vaccines’ efficacy and safety increased the risk of VHR by 1.96 (95% confidence interval CI: 1.40–6.28) and 3.13 (95%CI: 2.08–8.22), respectively. A reduction of VHR probability for ‘reliability of the information released by social media’ (OR = 0.34, 95%CI: 0.16–0.70) and for ‘trust in national and international competent authorities’ (OR = 0.34, 95%CI: 0.17–0.69) is also observed per 1-point increase.
Conclusions
as VHR seems to be strongly associated with perceptions, knowledge and attitudes, the design and promotion of vaccination campaigns/educational interventions specifically targeted at changing these potentially modifiable determinants may help to tackle COVID-19 VHR and achieve a wider vaccine coverage.
The Brazilian territory contains approximately 160 million hectares of pastures, and it is necessary to develop techniques to automate their management and increase their production. This technical ...note has two objectives: First, to estimate the canopy height using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry; second, to propose an equation for the estimation of biomass of Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) pastures based on UAV canopy height. Four experimental units of Panicum maximum cv. BRS Tamani were evaluated. Herbage mass sampling, height measurements, and UAV image collection were simultaneously performed. The UAVs were flown at a height of 50 m, and images were generated with a mean ground sample distance (GSD) of approximately 1.55 cm. The forage canopy height estimated by UAVs was calculated as the difference between the digital surface model (DSM) and the digital terrain model (DTM). The R2 between ruler height and UAV height was 0.80; between biomass (kg ha−1 GB—green biomass) and ruler height, 0.81; and between biomass (kg ha−1 GB) and UAV height, 0.74. UAV photogrammetry proved to be a potential technique to estimate height and biomass in Brazilian Panicum maximum cv. BRS Tamani pastures located in the endangered Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) biome.
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