bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex and gender differences in technology needs and preferences among informal caregivers of persons with dementia
Authors: Xiong Chen , Ye Bing , Mihailidis Alex , Cameron Jill I. , Astell Arlene , Nalder Emily , Colantonio Angela
Published: May 2020

Background

Dementia is a major public health concern associated with significant caregiver demands and there are technologies available to assist with caregiving. However, there is a paucity of information on caregiver needs and preferences for these technologies, particularly from a sex and gender perspective. To address this gap in research, the objectives of this study are to examine (1) the knowledge of technology, (2) perceived usefulness of technology, (3) feature preferences when installing and using technology and (4) sex and gender influences on technology needs and preferences among family caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD) across North America.

Methods

A secondary analysis was conducted on an existing cross-sectional survey with family caregivers of PWDs. Respondents were recruited through the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Victorian Order of Nurses and Adult Day Programs and other Canadian health care provision institutes. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to describe the study sample, uncover differences between male and female caregivers and examine sex and gender influences on caregivers’ technology needs and preferences.

Results

A total of 381 eligible responses were received over a nine month data collection period. The majority of respondents did not know much about and never used any technologies to assist with caregiving. “Being easy to install”, “easy to learn how to use” and “cost” were identified as the most important features when purchasing and setting up technology, while “reliability” was identified as the most important feature when using technology. Most respondents were willing to pay up to $500 to acquire individual technologies. Controlling for other socio-demographic variables, female respondents were more likely to have some or more knowledge about technology for caregiving while male respondents were more willing to pay higher amounts for these technologies compared to their female counterparts.

Conclusions

As one of the first studies of its kind, our findings represent a step towards the incorporation of sex and gender considerations such as cost and reliability in technology design and promotion for caregivers. Future efforts are warranted to establish an in-depth understanding of sex and gender influences in relation to other social and environmental factors.
Enabling routine β-thalassemia Prevention and Patient Management by scalable, combined Thalassemia and Hemochromatosis Mutation Analysis
Authors: Hashmi Ghazala , Qidwai Asim , Fernandez Kristopher , Seul Michael
Published: May 2020

Background

Beta (β)-thalassemia is one of the most common inherited disorders worldwide, with high prevalence in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and South Asia. Over the past 40 years, awareness and prevention campaigns in many countries have greatly reduced the incidence of affected child births. In contrast, much remains to be done in South-Asia. Thus, for Pakistan, an estimated ~ 7000 children annually are born with thalassemia, with no sign of improvement. Although there is good agreement that intermarriage of carriers significantly contributes to the high prevalence of the disorder, effective tools for molecular screening and diagnosis on which to base prevention programs are not readily available.

Methods

Here, we present results for a novel LeanSequencing™ process to identify a combination of 18 β-thalassemia mutations (including the sickle cell anemia mutation, HbS, and structural variants HbC and HbE) and 2 hemochromatosis mutations in a multi-ethnic population of 274 pediatric and adolescent patients treated at Afzaal Memorial Thalassemia Foundation in Karachi, Pakistan.

Results

We found substantial differences in the predominance of disease-causing mutations among the principal ethnic groups in our cohort. We also found the hemochromatosis mutation H63D C > G in 61 (or 22.1%) of our patients including 6 (or 2.2%) homozygotes.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first screen combining a large set of β-thalassemia and hemochromatosis mutations, so as to facilitate the early identification of patients who may be at increased potential risk for complications from iron overload and thereby to improve the prospective management of thalassemia patients.
Quantitative phenotype scan statistic (QPSS) reveals rare variant associations with Alzheimer’s disease endophenotypes
Authors: Katsumata Yuriko , Fardo David W.
Published: May 2020

Background

Current sequencing technologies have provided for a more comprehensive genome-wide assessment and have increased genotyping accuracy of rare variants. Scan statistic approaches have previously been adapted to genetic sequencing data. Unlike currently-employed association tests, scan-statistic-based approaches can both localize clusters of disease-related variants and, subsequently, examine the phenotype association within the resulting cluster. In this study, we present a novel Quantitative Phenotype Scan Statistic (QPSS) that extends an approach for dichotomous phenotypes to continuous outcomes in order to identify genomic regions where rare quantitative-phenotype-associated variants cluster.

Results

We demonstrate the performance and practicality of QPSS with extensive simulations and an application to a whole-genome sequencing (WGS) study of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Using QPSS, we identify regions of rare variant enrichment associated with levels of AD-related proteins, CSF Aβ1–42 and p-tau181P.

Conclusions

QPSS is implemented under the assumption that causal variants within a window have the same direction of effect. Typical self-contained tests employ a null hypothesis of no association between the target variant set and the phenotype. Therefore, an advantage of the proposed competitive test is that it is possible to refine a known region of interest to localize disease-associated clusters. The definition of clusters can be easily adapted based on variant function or annotation.
Prevalence and correlates of job and insurance problems among young breast cancer survivors within 18 months of diagnosis
Authors: Naughton Michelle J. , Beverly Hery Chloe M. , Janse Sarah A. , Naftalis Elizabeth Z. , Paskett Electra D. , Van Zee Kimberly J.
Published: May 2020

Background

The prevalence and correlates of job and insurance problems were examined among a cohort of young U.S. breast cancer survivors during the first 18-months following diagnosis.

Methods

Participants were 708 women diagnosed at ≤45 years with stage I-III breast cancer. 90% were non-Hispanic white, 76% were married/partnered and 67% had ≥4-year college degree. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression examined the associations between demographic, lifestyle and clinical factors with job and insurance problems.

Results

18-months after diagnosis, 56% of participants worked full-time, 16% part-time, 18% were homemakers and/or students, 4.5% were unemployed, and 2.4% were disabled. The majority (86%) had private insurance. Job-related problems were reported by 40% of women, and included believing they could not change jobs for fear of losing health insurance (35.0%), being fired (2.3%), and being demoted, denied promotion or denied wage increases (7.8%). Greater job-related problems were associated with being overweight vs. under/normal weight (p = 0.006), income <$50,000/per year (p = 0.01), and working full-time vs. part-time (p = 0.003). Insurance problems were reported by 27% of women, and included being denied health insurance (2.6%), health insurance increases (4.3%), being denied health benefit payments (14.8%) or denied life insurance (11.4%). Insurance problems were associated with being under/normal weight vs. obese (p = 0.01), not being on hormone therapy (p < 0.001), and a tumor size > 5 cm vs. < 2 cm (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Young survivors experienced significant job- and insurance-related issues following diagnosis. To the extent possible, work and insurance concerns should be addressed prior to treatment to inform work expectations and avoid unnecessary insurance difficulties.
Effect of feeding mode on infant growth and cognitive function: study protocol of the Chilean infant Nutrition randomized controlled Trial (ChiNuT)
Authors: Toro-Campos Rosario , Algarín Cecilia , Peirano Patricio , Peña Marcela , Murguia-Peniche Teresa , Wu Steven S. , Uauy Ricardo
Published: May 2020

Background

A central aim for pediatric nutrition is to develop infant formula compositionally closer to human milk. Milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) have shown to have functional components that are found in human milk, suggesting that addition of bovine sources of MFGM (bMFGM) to infant formula may promote beneficial outcomes potentially helping to narrow the gap between infants who receive human breast milk or infant formula. The objective of the current study is to determine how the addition of bMFGM in infant formula and consumption in early infancy affects physical growth and brain development when compared to infants fed with a standard formula and a reference group of infants fed with mother’s own milk.

Methods

Single center, double-blind, and parallel randomized controlled trial. Planned participant enrollment includes: infants exclusively receiving breast milk (n = 200; human milk reference group; HM) and infants whose mothers chose to initiate exclusive infant formula feeding before 4 months of age (n = 340). The latter were randomized to receive one of two study formulas until 12 months of age: 1) cow’s milk based infant formula that had docosahexaenoic (DHA) (17 mg/100 kcal) and arachidonic acid (ARA) (25 mg/100 kcal); 1.9 g protein/100 kcal; 1.2 mg Fe/100 kcal (Standard formula; SF) or 2) a similar infant formula with an added source of bovine MFGM (whey protein-lipid concentrate (Experimental formula; EF). Primary outcomes will be: 1) Physical growth (Body weight, length, and head circumference) at 730 days of age; and 2) Cognitive development (Auditory Event-Related Potential) at 730 days of age. Data will be analyzed for all participants allocated to each study feeding group.

Discussion

The results of this study will complement the knowledge regarding addition of bMFGM in infant formula including support of healthy growth and improvement of neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Trial registration

NCT02626143, registered on December 10th 2015.
Effects of journal therapy counseling with anxious pregnant women on their infants’ sleep quality: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Montazeri Maryam , Mirghafourvand Mojgan , Esmaeilpour Khalil , Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi Sakineh , Amiri Paria
Published: May 2020

Background

Sleep is especially important for infants, since it stimulates the development of neural connections in their brains. Psychological stress such as anxiety could affect sleep quality. This study investigated the effects of journal therapy counseling sessions on the infants’ sleep quality based on mothers’ perception (primary outcome), maternal anxiety, infants’ anthropometric and developmental parameters, and the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding (secondary outcomes).

Methods

A total of 70 healthy women with gestational age of 28–31 weeks participated in this randomized controlled trial. The participants were randomly allocated into intervention and control groups using randomized block design. Three in-person journal therapy sessions and three telephone counseling sessions (2 between in-person sessions and 1 one month postpartum) were provided to those in the intervention group, while the control group only received routine care. The Infant Sleep Questionnaire (ISQ), Exclusive Breastfeeding Checklist, and Infant Anthropometric Parameters Checklist were completed at two and four months postpartum. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was completed during pregnancy, at the end of the intervention, and at two and four months postpartum, and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) was completed at 4 months postpartum. Data were analyzed using chi-square, independent t-test, ANCOVA and repeated measure ANOVA.

Results

There was no significant difference between the two groups in demographic characteristics and baseline anxiety scores. The mean sleep quality score in infants two months of age (MD: -4.2; 95%CI: − 1.1 to − 7.2; P = 0.007) and four months of age (MD: -5.5; 95%CI: − 8.4 to − 2.7; P < 0.001) was significantly lower in the intervention group than that of those in the control group. Based on the repeated measure ANOVA results, the mean postpartum anxiety score of mothers in the intervention group was significantly lower than that of those in the control group (AMD: -7.7; 95%CI: − 5.5 to − 10.1; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding other outcomes including the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding, and anthropometric and developmental parameters (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Journal therapy can decrease mothers’ anxiety and improve the infants’ sleep quality based on their perception. However, further studies are required before drawing any definitive conclusion.

Trial registration number

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20120718010324N45. Date of registration: August 11, 2018. URL: https://en.irct.ir/trial/33211.
Austerity policy and child health in European countries: a systematic literature review
Authors: Rajmil Luis , Hjern Anders , Spencer Nick , Taylor-Robinson David , Gunnlaugsson Geir , Raat Hein
Published: May 2020

Background

To analyse the impact of austerity measures taken by European governments as a response to the 2008 economic and financial crisis on social determinants on child health (SDCH), and child health outcomes (CHO).

Methods

A systematic literature review was carried out in Medline (Ovid), Embase, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and Sociological abstracts in the last 5 years from European countries. Studies aimed at analysing the Great Recession, governments’ responses to the crisis, and its impact on SDCH were included. A narrative synthesis of the results was carried out. The risk of bias was assessed using the STROBE and EPICURE tools.

Results

Fourteen studies were included, most of them with a low to intermediate risk of bias (average score 72.1%). Government responses to the crisis varied, although there was general agreement that Greece, Spain, Ireland and the United Kingdom applied higher levels of austerity. High austerity periods, compared to pre-austerity periods were associated with increased material deprivation, child poverty rates, and low birth weight. Increasing child poverty subsequent to austerity measures was associated with deterioration of child health. High austerity was also related to poorer access and quality of services provided to disabled children. An annual reduction of 1% on public health expenditure was associated to 0.5% reduction on Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccination coverage in Italy.

Conclusions

Countries that applied high level of austerity showed worse trends on SDCH and CHO, demonstrating the importance that economic policy may have for equity in child health and development. European governments must act urgently and reverse these austerity policy measures that are detrimental to family benefits and child protection.
Moderation effect of emotion regulation on the relationship between social anxiety, drinking motives and alcohol related problems among university students*
Authors: Kim Sojung , Kwon Jung-Hye
Published: May 2020

Background

Accumulated evidence suggests that individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) are at particular risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). Yet, little is known about the mechanisms under this high comorbidity. This study aimed to elucidate the process of the development of alcohol related problems among individuals with elevated social anxiety. We investigated the moderation effect of difficulties in emotion regulation on the relationship between symptoms of social anxiety, coping and conformity motives and alcohol related problems.

Methods

In a sample of university students (N = 647) in South Korea, we examined whether cognitive (fear of negative evaluation), behavioral (social avoidance), and physiological symptoms (concerns over physiological symptoms) of social anxiety affect alcohol related problems with the mediation of coping and conformity motives. Furthermore, difficulties in emotion regulation were hypothesized to moderate each mediational path.

Results

Results showed that the fear of negative evaluation and concerns over physiological symptoms were associated with alcohol related problems with the mediation of conformity and coping motives, respectively. As hypothesized, each path was moderated by difficulties in emotion regulation.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that coping and conformity motives to cope with cognitive and physiological symptoms of social anxiety were related to alcohol related problems. In addition, individuals with high levels of difficulties in emotion regulation were prone to exhibit more alcohol related problems.
Demographics and medical disorders associated with smoking: a population-based study
Authors: Chung Wei-Sheng , Kung Pei-Tseng , Chang Hui-Yun , Tsai Wen-Chen
Published: May 2020

Background

Few studies have investigated factors associated with smoking behaviors. In this population-based study, we investigated demographics and medical comorbid diseases to establish a prediction model for smoking behaviors by using the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

Methods

We enrolled individuals aged ≥40 years who had participated in the NHIS in 2001, 2005, and 2009. We identified the smoking behaviors of the study participants in the NHIS. Smoking behaviors were divided into ever smokers (current smokers and ex-smokers) and nonsmokers (never smokers).We defined medical comorbid disorders of the study participants by using medical claim data from the NHIRD. We used multivariable logistic regression models to calculate the adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for variables associated with smoking. The significant variables in the multivariable model were included in the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) to predict the sensitivity and specificity of the model.

Results

In total, 26,375 participants (12,779 men and 13,596 women) were included in the analysis. The prevalence of smoking was 39.29%. The mean ages of the 16,012 nonsmokers were higher than those of the 10,363 smokers (57.86 ± 12.92 years vs. 53.59 ± 10.82 years). Men outnumbered women among smokers (68.18% vs. 31.82%). Male sex, young age and middle age, being insured categories, residence in suburban areas, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were independent factors associated with smoking. The area under the ROC curve of these significant factors to predict smoking behaviors was 71.63%.

Conclusion

Sex, age, insured categories, residence in suburban areas, and COPD were associated with smoking in people.
LithoVue™ for renal stone therapy – a perfect fit for high volume academic centers; a retrospective evaluation of 108 cases
Authors: Pallauf Maximilian , Sevcenco Sabina , Steiner Christopher , Drerup Martin , Mitterberger Michael , Colleselli Daniela , Lusuardi Lukas , Kunit Thomas
Published: May 2020

Background

Over the last few years the number of flexible ureterorenoscopies, used for renal stone treatment, has risen steadily. This was associated with an increase in costs for maintenance and repair of the fragile ureterorenoscopes used. To overcome this problem single-use devices have been introduced to the market. The aim of this study was to assess surgical outcome and workability for LithoVue™, a single-use flexible ureterorenoscope.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed all flexible ureterorenoscopies performed at our department between January and October 2017. We included a total of 108 interventions for renal stone therapy, all performed using the single-use device LithoVue™. We assessed patients’ characteristics including stone size, count and location. We evaluated the surgical outcome, analyzing stone-free rates, reintervention rates, complication rates, as well as surgery time. Learning curve for single-use ureterorenoscopes was evaluated by comparing the surgical outcome between residents and consultants.

Results

The average time needed per intervention was 52,31 min ± 28,11. In 77 out of 108 (71,30%) patients we were able to remove all stones by a single intervention. In 8 patients (7,41%) intra- or postoperative complications occurred, none of which was graded higher than Clavien-Dindo III B. We did not find any statistical differences comparing the surgical outcome between residents and consultants. No technical difficulties occurred during surgery.

Conclusion

Single-use flexible ureterorenoscopes provide decent working properties resulting in good surgical outcome. Furthermore, they are proven to be easy to handle even for unexperienced surgeons, making them a feasible choice for high volume academic centers.
Recombinant PAL/PilE/FlaA DNA vaccine provides protective immunity against Legionella pneumophila in BALB/c mice
Authors: Chen Yingying , Yang Zehui , Dong Ying , Chen Yu
Published: May 2020

Background

Legionella pneumophila(L.pneumophila), a Gram-negative small microorganism, causes hospital-acquired pneumonia especially in immunocompromised patients. Vaccination may be an effective method for preventingL.pneumophilainfection. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a better vaccine against this disease. In this study, we developed a recombinant peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL)/type IV pilin (PilE)/lagellin (FlaA) DNA vaccine and evaluated its immunogenicity and efficacy to protect againstL.pneumophilainfection.

Results

According to the results, the expression of PAL, PilE, FlaA proteins and PAL/PilE/FlaA fusion protein in 293 cells was confirmed. Immunization with PAL/PilE/FlaA DNA vaccine resulted in highest IgG titer and strongest cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response. Furthermore, the histopathological changes in lung tissues of mice challenged with a lethal dose ofL.pneumophilawere alleviated by PAL/PilE/FlaA DNA vaccine immunization. The production of T-helper-1 (Th1) cytokines (IFNγ, TGF-α, and IL-12), and Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) were promoted in PAL/PilE/FlaA DNA vaccine group. Finally, immunization with PAL/PilE/FlaA vaccine raised the survival rate of mice to 100% after challenging with a lethal dose ofL.pneumophilafor 10 consecutive days.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that the newly developed PAL/PilE/FlaA DNA vaccine stimulates strong humoral and cellular immune responses and may be a potential intervention onL.pneumophilainfection.
Preparing for an orthopedic consultation using an eHealth tool: a randomized controlled trial in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Claassen Aniek A. O. M. , Schers Henk J. , Busch Vincent J. J. F. , Heesterbeek Petra J. C. , van den Hoogen Frank H. J. , Vliet Vlieland Thea P. M. , van den Ende Cornelia H. M.
Published: May 2020

Background

To evaluate the effect of a stand-alone mobile and web-based educational intervention (eHealth tool) compared to usual preparation of a first orthopedic consultation of patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) on patients’ satisfaction.

Methods

A two-armed randomized controlled trial involving 286 patients with (suspicion of) hip or knee OA, randomly allocated to either receiving an educational eHealth tool to prepare their upcoming consultation (n = 144) or usual care (n = 142). Satisfaction with the consultation on three subscales (range 1–4) of the Consumer Quality Index (CQI - primary outcome) and knowledge (assessed using 22 statements on OA, range 0–22), treatment beliefs (assessed by the Treatment beliefs in OsteoArthritis questionnaire, range 1–5), assessment of patient’s involvement in consultation by the surgeon (assessed on a 5-point Likert scale) and patient satisfaction with the outcome of the consultation (numeric rating scale), were assessed.

Results

No differences between groups were observed on the 3 subscales of the CQI (group difference (95% CI): communication 0.009 (− 0.10, 0.12), conduct − 0.02 (− 0.12, 0.07) and information provision 0.02 (− 0.18, 0.21)). Between group differences (95% CI) were in favor of the intervention group for knowledge (1.4 (0.6, 2.2)), negative beliefs regarding physical activities (− 0.19 (− 0.37, − 0.002) and pain medication (− 0.30 (− 0.49, − 0.01)). We found no differences on other secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

An educational eHealth tool to prepare a first orthopedic consultation for hip or knee OA does not result in higher patient satisfaction with the consultation, but it does influence cognitions about osteoarthritis.

Trial registration

Dutch Trial Register (trial number NTR6262). Registered 30 January 2017.
Fatal metaldehyde poisoning in a dog confirmed by gas chromatography
Authors: Botelho Ana Flávia Machado , Machado Amanda Milhomem Donato , da Silva Rayanne Henrique Santana , Faria Amanda Carvalho , Machado Lucas Santos , Santos Heloa , Braga Sandro de Melo , Torres Bruno Benetti Junta , Miguel Marina Pacheco , Chaves Andrea Rodrigues , Melo Marília Martins
Published: May 2020

Background

Metaldehyde is a toxic pesticide used mainly as a molluscicide, responsible for intoxication and deaths in both humans and animals. Accidental exposure to metaldehyde in dogs is considered rare, but severe. Data concerning clinical and veterinary forensic toxicology are largely incomplete, especially regarding case reports in dogs. The present work reports a complete and detailed description of a case from the history, clinical evolution, pathological exams and toxicological diagnosis in an accidental case of metaldehyde poisoning in dog.

Case presentation

An eleven-month-old, 3.0 kg, male German Spitz was presented for emergency care with acute vomiting and seizures 3 hours after suspected accidental ingestion of commercial molluscicide containing 3% metaldehyde (Lesmax®). The animal was in lateral recumbency and showed stuporous mentation, salivation, tonic-clonic status epilepticus, systemic tremors, bilateral miosis, absent palpebral, corneal, oculovestibular and gag reflexes, severely depressed spinal reflexes, dyspnea and tachycardia. Despite treatment, the patient progressed to comatose mentation and died. Necropsy examination revealed discrete lesions in the liver and central nervous system, while stomach examination revealed content of feed, activated charcoal and blue-green granules, compatible to the commercial formula of metaldehyde. Histology examination revealed extensive hemorrhage and severe centrolobular necrosis of the liver and tumefaction of Kupfer cells. Brain samples showed discrete hemorrhage and hyperemia. In order to confirm the diagnosis, samples from feces, stomach content, spleen, liver, heart, kidneys and brain were submitted gas chromatography analysis. Results confirmed the presence of metaldehyde in all samples. We describe clinicopathological abnormalities of a fatal case of metaldehyde poisoning in a dog, as well as postmortem diagnosis using gas chromatography.

Conclusion

Metaldehyde poisoning is rarely reported, since the diagnosis is often difficult and the notifications scarce. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing clinical signs, pathological findings and chromatographic diagnosis. This report aims to contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of metaldehyde intoxication, to further explore veterinary forensic toxicology diagnosis.
The potential of anti-malarial compounds derived from African medicinal plants: a review of pharmacological evaluations from 2013 to 2019
Authors: Bekono Boris D. , Ntie-Kang Fidele , Onguéné Pascal Amoa , Lifongo Lydia L. , Sippl Wolfgang , Fester Karin , Owono Luc C. O.
Published: May 2020

Background

African Traditional Medicine (ATM) is used for the healthcare of about 80% of the rural populations of the continent of Africa. The practices of ATM make use of plant-products, which are known to contain plant-based secondary metabolites or natural products (NPs), likely to play key roles in drug discovery, particularly as lead compounds. For various reasons, including resistance of strains of Plasmodium to known anti-malarial drugs, local African populations often resort to plant-based treatments and/or a combination of this and standard anti-malarial regimens. Emphasis has been laid in this review to present the anti-malarial virtue of the most recently published phytochemicals or natural products, which have been tested by in vitro and in vivo assays.

Methods

The data was based on the current version of the African Compound Libraries, which are constantly being updated based on inputs from journal articles and student theses (M.Sc/Ph.D) from African University libraries. Emphasis was laid on data published after 2012. In order to carry out the original data collection, currently being included in the African Compounds Database, individual journal websites were queried using the country names in Africa as search terms. Over 40,000 articles “hits” were originally retrieved, then reduced to about 9000 articles. The retained articles/theses was further queried with the search terms “malaria”, “malarial”, “plasmodium”, “plasmodial” and a combination of them, resulting in over 500 articles. Those including compounds with anti-malarial activities for which the measured activities fell within the established cut off values numbered 55, which were all cited in the review as relevant references.

Results and discussion

Pure compounds derived from African medicinal plants with demonstrated anti-malarial/antiplasmodial properties with activities ranging from “very active” to “weakly active” have been discussed. The majority of the 187 natural products were terpenoids (30%), followed by flavonoids (22%), alkaloids (19%) and quinones (15%), with each of the other compound classes being less than 5% of the entire compound collection. It was also observed that most of the plant species from which the compounds were identified were of the families Rubiaceae, Meliaceae and Asphodelaceae. The review is intended to continue laying the groundwork for an African-based anti-malarial drug discovery project.
Assessment of normal hemodynamic profile of mechanical pulmonary prosthesis by doppler echocardiography: a prospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Shojaeifard Maryam , Daryanavard Ali , Karimi Behnagh Arman , Moradian Maryam , Erami Sajjad , Dehghani Mohammad Abadi Hossein
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Very few reports have described the Doppler-derived echocardiographic parameters for mechanical pulmonary valve prosthesis (MPVP). This study aims to describe the normal Doppler hemodynamic profile of MPVP using Doppler echocardiography.

Methods

The current prospective, single center observational study enrolled 108 patients who underwent pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) surgery for the first time and had a normally functioning prosthesis post-operation. The hemodynamic performance of MPVPs, considering flow dependent and flow independent parameters, was evaluated at two follow-up points, at week one and week four post-operation. All assessments were conducted by an experienced echocardiographer.

Results

The mean age (±SD) of the participants was 26.4 (±8.98). Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) was the most common underlying disease leading to PVR, with a prevalence of 88%. At first week post-operation, measurement of indices reported the following values (±SD): peak pressure gradient (PPG): 18.51(±7.64) mm Hg; mean pressure gradient (MPG): 10.88(±5.62) mm Hg; peak velocity (PV): 1.97(±0.43)m/s; doppler velocity index (DVI): 0.61(±18); pulmonary velocity acceleration time (PVAT): 87.35(±15.16) ms; effective orifice area (EOA): 2.98(±1.02) cm2;and effective orifice area to body surface area ratio (EOA/ BSA): 1.81(±0.62) cm2/m2. Comparing these measurements with those obtained from the second follow-up (at week four post-op) failed to hold significant difference in all values except for PVAT, which had increased from its primary value (p = 0.038). Also, right ventricular (RV) function showed significant improvement throughout the follow up period.

Conclusion

The findings of this study help strengthen the previously scarce data pool and better establish the normal values for Doppler hemodynamics in mechanical pulmonary prosthesis.
Using natural experiments to improve public health evidence: a review of context and utility for obesity prevention
Authors: Crane Melanie , Bohn-Goldbaum Erika , Grunseit Anne , Bauman Adrian
Published: May 2020

Background

Natural experiments are increasingly valued as a way to assess the health impact of health and non-health interventions when planned controlled experimental research designs may be infeasible or inappropriate to implement. This study sought to investigate the value of natural experiments by exploring how they have been used in practice. The study focused on obesity prevention research as one complex programme area for applying natural experiment studies.

Methods

A literature search sought obesity prevention research from January 1997 to December 2017 and identified 46 population health studies that self-described as a natural experiment.

Results

The majority of studies identified were published in the last 5 years, illustrating a more recent adoption of such opportunities. The majority of studies were evaluations of the impact of policies (n = 19), such as assessing changes to food labelling, food advertising or taxation on diet and obesity outcomes, or were built environment interventions (n = 17), such as the impact of built infrastructure on physical activity or access to healthy food. Research designs included quasi-experimental, pre-experimental and non-experimental methods. Few studies applied rigorous research designs to establish stronger causal inference, such as multiple pre/post measures, time series designs or comparison of change against an unexposed group. In general, researchers employed techniques to enhance the study utility but often were limited in the use of more rigorous study designs by ethical considerations and/or the particular context of the intervention.

Conclusion

Greater recognition of the utility and versatility of natural experiments in generating evidence for complex health issues like obesity prevention is needed. This review suggests that natural experiments may be underutilised as an approach for providing evidence of the effects of interventions, particularly for evaluating health outcomes of interventions when unexpected opportunities to gather evidence arise.
Neck-specific strengthening exercise compared with sham ultrasound when added to home-stretching exercise in patients with migraine: study protocol of a two-armed, parallel-groups randomized controlled trial
Authors: Benatto Mariana Tedeschi , Florencio Lidiane Lima , Bragatto Marcela Mendes , Dach Fabíola , Fernández-de-las-Peñas César , Bevilaqua-Grossi Débora
Published: May 2020

Background

Migraine is a highly disabling condition and pharmacological treatment is the gold standard. However, several patients have also positive responses to the application of different manual techniques and therapeutic exercises in terms of reducing the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks. Nevertheless, the effects of a neck-specific exercise program have not yet been evaluated in these patients.

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of a neck-specific exercise program in reducing the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks as compared to a sham ultrasound group.

Methods

A two-armed, parallel-groups randomized controlled trial with 3 months of follow-up will be conducted. 42 individuals, both genders, aged between 18 and 55 years old with a medical diagnosis of migraine will be included. The intervention group will perform a protocol consisting of exercises for strengthening the muscles of the cervical spine. Participants within the sham ultrasound group will receive detuned ultrasound therapy in the upper trapezius muscle. Both groups will receive a weekly session for 8 weeks. The efficacy of each intervention will be measured by the frequency and intensity of migraine at a 3-months follow-up.

Trial registration

This study was registered under access code RBT-8gfv5j in the Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC) in November 28, 2016.

Conclusion

This study will aim to determine the efficacy of a neck-specific exercise program in reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. If the results show that a neck-specific exercise program is effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks, therapists will have a low cost and easily applicable tool to treat migraine.
Relevance of immune cell and tumor microenvironment imaging in the new era of immunotherapy
Authors: Galli Filippo , Aguilera Jesus Vera , Palermo Belinda , Markovic Svetomir N. , Nisticò Paola , Signore Alberto
Published: May 2020

Tumor-infiltrating immune cells play a key role against cancer. However, malignant cells are able to evade the immune response and establish a very complex balance in which different immune subtypes may drive tumor progression, metastatization and resistance to therapy. New immunotherapeutic approaches aim at restoring the natural balance and increase immune response against cancer by different mechanisms. The complexity of these interactions and the heterogeneity of immune cell subpopulations are a real challenge when trying to develop new immunotherapeutics and evaluate or predict their efficacy in vivo. To this purpose, molecular imaging can offer non-invasive diagnostic tools like radiopharmaceuticals, contrast agents or fluorescent dyes. These agents can be useful for preclinical and clinical purposes and can overcome [18F]FDG limitations in discriminating between true-progression and pseudo-progression. This review provides a comprehensive overview of immune cells involved in microenvironment, available immunotherapies and imaging agents to highlight the importance of new therapeutic biomarkers and their in vivo evaluation to improve the management of cancer patients.
BpForms and BcForms: a toolkit for concretely describing non-canonical polymers and complexes to facilitate global biochemical networks
Authors: Lang Paul F. , Chebaro Yassmine , Zheng Xiaoyue , P. Sekar John A. , Shaikh Bilal , Natale Darren A. , Karr Jonathan R.
Published: May 2020

Non-canonical residues, caps, crosslinks, and nicks are important to many functions of DNAs, RNAs, proteins, and complexes. However, we do not fully understand how networks of such non-canonical macromolecules generate behavior. One barrier is our limited formats for describing macromolecules. To overcome this barrier, we develop BpForms and BcForms, a toolkit for representing the primary structure of macromolecules as combinations of residues, caps, crosslinks, and nicks. The toolkit can help omics researchers perform quality control and exchange information about macromolecules, help systems biologists assemble global models of cells that encompass processes such as post-translational modification, and help bioengineers design cells.
Efficacy of extended infusion of β-lactam antibiotics for the treatment of febrile neutropenia in haematologic patients: protocol for a randomised, multicentre, open-label, superiority clinical trial (BEATLE)
Authors: Laporte-Amargos J. , Gudiol C. , Arnan M. , Puerta-Alcalde P. , Carmona-Torre F. , Huguet M. , Albasanz-Puig A. , Parody R. , Garcia-Vidal C. , del Pozo J. L. , Batlle M. , Tebé C. , Rigo-Bonnin R. , Muñoz C. , Padullés A. , Tubau F. , Videla S. , Sureda A. , Carratalà J.
Published: May 2020

Background

Febrile neutropaenia (FN) is a very common complication in patients with haematological malignancies and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Broad-spectrum antipseudomonal β-lactam antibiotics (BLA) are routinely used for the treatment of cancer patients with FN. However, the clinical efficacy of BLA may be diminished in these patients because they present with pathophysiological variations that compromise the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of these antibiotics. Optimised administration of BLA in prolonged infusions has demonstrated better clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. However, there is a paucity of data on the usefulness of this strategy in patients with FN.

The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that the administration of BLA would be clinically more effective by extended infusion (EI) than by intermittent infusion (II) in haematological patients with FN.

Methods

A randomised, multicentre, open-label, superiority clinical trial will be performed. Patients with haematological malignancies undergoing chemotherapy or haematopoietic stem-cell transplant and who have FN and receive empirical antibiotic therapy with cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam or meropenem will be randomised (1:1) to receive the antibiotic by EI (during half the time of the dosing interval) in the study group, or by II (30 min) in the control group.

The primary endpoint will be clinical efficacy, defined as defervescence without modifying the antibiotic treatment administered within the first 5 days of therapy. The primary endpoint will be analysed in the intention-to-treat population. The secondary endpoints will be pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) target achievement, bacteraemia clearance, decrease in C-reactive protein, overall (30-day) case-fatality rate, adverse events and development of a population PK model of the BLA studied.

Discussion

Data on the usefulness of BLA administration in patients with FN are scant. Only three clinical studies addressing this issue have been published thus far, with contradictory results. Moreover, these studies had some methodological flaws that limit the interpretation of their findings. If this randomised, multicentre, phase IV, open-label, superiority clinical trial validates the hypothesis that the administration of BLA is clinically more effective by EI than by II in haematological patients with FN, then the daily routine management of these high-risk patients could be changed to improve their outcomes.

Trial registration

European Clinical Trials Database: EudraCT 2018–001476-37.

ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT04233996.
The design and statistical aspects of VIETNARMS: a strategic post-licensing trial of multiple oral direct-acting antiviral hepatitis C treatment strategies in Vietnam
Authors:   on behalf of SEARCH investigators, McCabe Leanne , White Ian R. , Chau Nguyen Van Vinh , Barnes Eleanor , Pett Sarah L. , Cooke Graham S. , Walker A. Sarah
Published: May 2020

Background

Eliminating hepatitis C is hampered by the costs of direct-acting antiviral treatment and the need to treat hard-to-reach populations. Access could be widened by shortening or simplifying treatment, but limited research means it is unclear which approaches could achieve sufficiently high cure rates to be acceptable. We present the statistical aspects of a multi-arm trial designed to test multiple strategies simultaneously and a monitoring mechanism to detect and stop individual randomly assigned groups with unacceptably low cure rates quickly.

Methods

The VIETNARMS trial will factorially randomly assign patients to two drug regimens, three treatment-shortening strategies or control, and adjunctive ribavirin or no adjunctive ribavirin with shortening strategies (14 randomly assigned groups). We will use Bayesian monitoring at interim analyses to detect and stop recruitment into unsuccessful strategies, defined by more than 0.95 posterior probability that the true cure rate is less than 90% for the individual randomly assigned group (non-comparative). Final comparisons will be non-inferiority for regimens (margin 5%) and strategies (margin 10%) and superiority for adjunctive ribavirin. Here, we tested the operating characteristics of the stopping guideline for individual randomly assigned groups, planned interim analysis timings and explored power at the final analysis.

Results

A beta (4.5, 0.5) prior for the true cure rate produces less than 0.05 probability of incorrectly stopping an individual randomly assigned group with a true cure rate of more than 90%. Groups with very low cure rates (<60%) are very likely (>0.9 probability) to stop after about 25% of patients are recruited. Groups with moderately low cure rates (80%) are likely to stop (0.7 probability) before overall recruitment finishes. Interim analyses 7, 10, 13 and 18 months after recruitment commences provide good probabilities of stopping inferior individual randomly assigned groups. For an overall true cure rate of 95%, power is more than 90% to confirm non-inferiority in the regimen and strategy comparisons, regardless of the control cure rate, and to detect a 5% absolute difference in the ribavirin comparison.

Conclusions

The operating characteristics of the stopping guideline are appropriate, and interim analyses can be timed to detect individual randomly assigned groups that are highly likely to have suboptimal performance at various stages. Therefore, our design is suitable for evaluating treatment-shortening or -simplifying strategies.

Trial registration

ISRCTN registry: ISRCTN61522291. Registered on 4 October 2019.
Effects of various inhibitory substances and immobilization on ethanol production efficiency of a thermotolerant Pichia kudriavzevii
Authors: Ndubuisi Ifeanyi A. , Qin Qijian , Liao Guiyan , Wang Bin , Moneke Anene N. , Ogbonna James C. , Jin Cheng , Fang Wenxia
Published: May 2020

Background

Although bioethanol production has been gaining worldwide attention as an alternative to fossil fuel, ethanol productivities and yields are still limited due to the susceptibility of fermentation microorganisms to various stress and inhibitory substances. There is therefore an unmet need to search for multi-stress-tolerant organisms to improve ethanol productivity and reduce production cost, particularly when lignocellulosic hydrolysates are used as the feedstock.

Results

Here, we have characterized a previously isolated Pichia kudriavzevii LC375240 strain which is thermotolerant to high temperatures of 37 °C and 42 °C. More excitingly, growth and ethanol productivity of this strain exhibit strong tolerance to multiple stresses such as acetic acid, furfural, formic acid, H2O2 and high concentration of ethanol at 42 °C. In addition, simple immobilization of LC375240 on corncobs resulted to a more stable and higher efficient ethanol production for successive four cycles of repeated batch fermentation at 42 °C.

Conclusion

The feature of being thermotolerant and multi-stress-tolerant is unique to P. kudriavzevii LC375240 and makes it a good candidate for second-generation bioethanol fermentation as well as for investigating the molecular basis underlying the robust stress tolerance. Immobilization of P. kudriavzevii LC375240 on corncobs is another option for cheap and high ethanol productivity.
Nonlinear fractional differential equation involving two mixed fractional orders with nonlocal boundary conditions and Ulam–Hyers stability
Authors: Li Fang , Yang Wenjing , Wang Huiwen
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we study a nonlinear fractional differential equation involving two mixed fractional orders with nonlocal boundary conditions. By using some new techniques, we introduce a formula of solutions for above problem, which can be regarded as a novelty item. Moreover, under the weak assumptions and using Leray–Schauder degree theory, we obtain the existence result of solutions for above problem. Furthermore, we discuss the Ulam–Hyers stability of the above fractional differential equation. Three examples illustrate our results.