Clinical Evaluation of the Modified Faine Criteria in Patients Admitted with Suspected Leptospirosis to the Territorial Hospital, New Caledonia, 2018 to 2019

Leptospirosis is endemic in New Caledonia. Clinical diagnosis is often difficult and its evolution can be fatal. Leptospirosis requires specific management before biological confirmation. Modified Faine criteria (Faine Score) have been suggested to diagnose leptospirosis on epidemiological (parts A and B) and biological (part C) criteria. The main objective of our study was to assess the relevance of the epidemiological–clinical modified Faine score, parts A and B (MF A + B), in patients with suspected leptospirosis in New Caledonia. A monocentric case–control study was conducted in suspect patients for whom a Leptospira polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was done within the first 7 days of signs onset at the tertiary hospital from January 1, 2018 to January 4, 2019. Cases and control subjects were matched 1:2 in the gender and age categories. Bivariate, and then multivariable, analyses studied the association between the MF A + B score and a positive Leptospira PCR test, adjusted on the variables retained. In all, 35 cases and 70 control subjects matched for age and gender were analyzed. Multivariable analysis by logistic regression found a significant association between an MF A + B score taken from the categories “possible leptospirosis” (score, 20–25) and “presumed leptospirosis” (score, > 26), and the case or control subject status (P < 0.0001). Model performance was high, with an area under the curve value of 99.27%, 93.55% sensitivity, and 96.36% specificity, which classified subjects correctly in 95.35% of cases. Our study suggests using the MF A + B score to identify possible cases of leptospirosis and initiate antibiotic therapy before biological confirmation in New Caledonia. This score should be evaluated in areas where more differential diagnoses exist and where PCR is not widely available.

Epithelial Cell Transformation and Senescence as Indicators of Genome Aging: Current Advances and Unanswered Questions

The recent advances in deciphering the human genome allow us to understand and evaluate the mechanisms of human genome age-associated transformations, which are largely unclear. Genome sequencing techniques assure comprehensive mapping of human genetics; however, understanding of gene functional interactions, specifically of time/age-dependent modifications, remain challenging. The age of the genome is defined by the sum of individual (inherited) and acquired genomic traits, based on internal and external factors that impact ontogenesis from the moment of egg fertilization and embryonic development. The biological part of genomic age opens a new perspective for intervention. The discovery of single cell-based mechanisms for genetic change indicates the possibility of influencing aging and associated disease burden, as well as metabolism. Cell populations with transformed genetic background were shown to serve as the origin of common diseases during extended life expectancy (superaging). Consequently, age-related cell transformation leads to cancer and cell degeneration (senescence). This article aims to describe current advances in the genomic mechanisms of senescence and its role in the spatiotemporal spread of epithelial clones and cell evolution.

The way of work and construction of a modern water quality sensor

Real-time monitoring and development of IoT-based real-time water quality monitoring solution for smart cities will be established through telecommunication microwave networks through real-time communication. We will also detail the opportunities and positive impacts, as well as the challenges and the need to fully integrate such solutions in cities. This solution enables thorough analysis of data in real time. Water related data such as quality, pressure and temperature can be manipulated in detail and visually to empower water utilities. Sensors are structure of fully automated systems that process data at low cost, high accuracy, and at the output we receive information that is easy to structure. These sensors are absolutely accurate and easy to use, which is what we need in a smart automated city. Biosensory represents autonomous integral analytical attachments, so that they will forget a little or a reminder of an analysis from the background of a biological developmental element, which is known in direct contact from the form. Biosensors are perceived from chemical sensors in a deprivation of time, so that the concentration of singing speech appears in them for the additional material of biological nature. The development of biosensors in one of the most promising directions of research in the field of analytical biotechnology. For the IUPAC classification, simply the biosensor can be used as an analytical sensor (attachment), which can be stored from biological material, immobilized or conjugated with a re-converting (transducer). The sensor-converts the detection that allows to carry out a complete assessment of the signals, which are detected at the biological part (bioreceptors). Prior to biosensors, there are various analytical sensors: enzyme electrodes, DNA probes, immunosensors, enzyme thermistories, microbial sensors.

Placenta accreta spectrum disorders in pregnancies following in vitrofertilization

Placenta previa and related pregnancy complications are more common in In vitro fertilization pregnancies compared with spontaneous ones. There is evidence that PAS disorders are more common in pregnancies after IVF. Factors leading to a higher incidence of this pathology in IVF pregnancies have not been fully studied. Possible causes are the advanced age of women undergoing IVF, factors related to infertility itself, causes from the biological part of the In vitro procedure or controlled ovarian stimulation. The study of these factors is crucial for clinical practice as it would improve the outcome of IVF pregnancies.

The Impact of Technological Processes on Odorant Emissions at Municipal Waste Biogas Plants

Municipal waste treatment is inherently associated with odour emissions. The compounds characteristic of the processes used for this purpose, and at the same time causing a negative olfactory sensation, are organic and inorganic sulphur and nitrogen compounds. The tests were carried out at the waste management plant, which in the biological part, uses the methane fermentation process and is also equipped with an installation for the collection, treatment, and energetic use of biogas. The tests include measurements of the four odorant concentrations and emissions, i.e., volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sulphide (H2S), and methanethiol (CH3SH). Measurements were made using a MultiRae Pro portable gas detector sensor. The tests were carried out in ten series for twenty measurement points in each series. The results show a significant impact of technological processes on odorant emissions. The types of waste going to the plant are also important in shaping this emission. On the one hand, it relates to the waste collection system and, on the other hand, the season of year. In addition, it has been proved that the detector used during the research is a valuable tool enabling the control of technological processes in municipal waste processing plants.

Accurate prediction of genetic circuit behavior requires multidimensional characterization of parts

Mathematical models can aid the design of genetic circuits, but may yield inaccurate results if individual parts are not modeled at the appropriate resolution. To illustrate the importance of this concept, we study transcriptional cascades consisting of two inducible synthetic transcription factors connected in series. Despite the simplicity of this design, we find that accurate prediction of circuit behavior requires mapping the dose responses of each circuit component along the dimensions of both its expression level and its inducer concentration. With such multidimensional characterizations, we were able to computationally explore the behavior of 16 different circuit designs. We experimentally verified a subset of these predictions and found substantial agreement. This method of biological part characterization enables the use of models to identify (un)desired circuit behaviors prior to experimental implementation, thus shortening the design-build-test cycle for more complex circuits.

A Comparative Analysis of the Biological Parts of the National Curricula in Lower Secondary Education in the Czech Republic and Selected Post-Communist Countries

In the Czech Republic, a revision of the national curricular documents for primary and secondary education is being prepared and intensively discussed. The aim of this paper is therefore to contribute to the ongoing professional discussion and to select the key aspects of foreign curricular documents that may be inspiring for the Czech curricular reform.In our study, we compare the concept of the biological part of the valid national curricular documents for lower secondary education (from the 6th to the 9th grades), the second stage of basic school in the Czech Republic, with five selected post-communist European countries, namely Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. We focused on the following key aspects: a) the major characteristics of biology as a school subject (or the biological part of the subject “science”); b) specification and arrangement of subject matter; c) biology as a scientific discipline; d) didactic recommendations and requirements; e) the way of treating crucial biological disciplines; f) other criteria, such as emphasis on local regions or public engagement.We consider the Estonian and Slovenian educational programmes to be the most inspiring ones, since they elaborate general educational objectives to the level of particular learning content and standards of knowledge. We also find the links to practical work and ICT and connections between biology and general competences very useful when using the documents in classroom practice. The Slovenian document offers an inspiring holistic approach to teaching of biological issues. The Estonian curriculum is a good example of incorporating local aspects, such as typical local ecosystems. The national curricula of both countries recognise biological knowledge and scientific literacy as being very important for the lives of the individual as well as for society.

The Role and Effectiveness of the MBT Installation in Poland Based on Selected Examples

The paper presents examples of installations for the mechanical and biological treatment of municipal waste in Poland. Each of the presented installations is defined as a regional municipal waste treatment installation (RIPOK). Their technological solutions and work efficiency have been compared in this study. In addition, the loss of waste mass as a result of processes occurring in the biological part of individual installations was calculated in the research. The paper refers to the National Waste Management Plan (KPGO 2022) regarding the circular economy. As intended by the circular economy, MBP installations will be transformed into installations that will treat selectively collected municipal waste and become Regional Recycling Centers (RCR).

ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LABORATORY LESSONS IN THE COURSE “CONCEPTS OF MODERN NATURAL SCIENCE”

Methods of teaching the course “Concepts of modern natural science” are discussed. It is shown that real (not virtual) laboratory practical work is an important and necessary part of this discipline. The example of realization of such laboratory workshop is given in the article. This laboratory workshop consists of two parts, which can be called “physical” and “biological”. The laboratory works of the “physical” part of the workshop are selected in such a way as to demonstrate deep and universal physical concepts on simple examples. For example, the study of polarized light allows students to get acquainted with the concept of spin of a particle on a simple and understandable example. A simple experience with the Magdeburg hemispheres allows us to discuss the relationship between the continual and discrete approach to the theory of the structure of matter. The “biological” part of the workshop includes not only the fundamental problems of biology itself (for example, the problems of reproduction), but also the problems of mineralogy and paleontology. The study of mineralogical samples allows students to better understand the ideas of the evolution of the earth's surface, and the study of paleontology allows a better understanding of the ideas of the theory of biological evolution.

Individuating Part–Whole Relations in the Biological World

What are the conditions under which one biological object is a part of another biological object? This chapter answers this question by developing a general, systematic account of biological parthood, specifying two criteria for biological parthood: substantial spatial inclusion requires biological parts to be spatially located inside or in the region that the natural boundary of the biological whole occupies; compositional relevance captures the fact that a biological part engages in a biological process that must make a necessary contribution to a condition that is minimally sufficient to one or more of the characteristic behaviors of the biological whole. Instead of emphasizing their diversity, this chapter asks what biological part–whole relations have in common and what constrains their existence. After presenting her account, the author discusses how far it can cope with hard cases (e.g., redundant parts) and reveals the merits and limits of monism.