bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient views of the good doctor in primary care: a qualitative study in six provinces in China
Authors: Wang Wenhua , Zhang Jinnan , Lu Jiao , Wei Xiaolin
Published: July 2023

Background

China has been striving to train primary care doctors capable of delivering high-quality service through general practitioner training programs and family doctor team reforms, but these initiatives have not adequately met patient needs and expectations. In order to guide further reform efforts to better meet patient expectations, this study generates a profile of the good doctor in primary care from the patient perspective.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted in six provinces (Shandong, Zhejiang, Henan, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Heilongjiang) in China. A total of 58 interviewees completed the recorded interviews. Tape-based analysis was used to produce narrative summaries. Trained research assistants listened to the recordings of the interviews and summarized them by 30-s segments. Thematic analysis was performed on narrative summaries to identify thematic families.

Results

Five domains and 18 attributes were generated from the analysis of the interview data. The domains of the good doctor in primary care from the patient perspective were: strong Clinical Competency (mentioned by 97% of participants) and Professionalism & Humanism (mentioned by 93% of participants) during service delivery, followed by Service Provision and Information Communication (mentioned by 74% and 62% of participants, respectively). Moreover, Chinese patients expect that primary care doctors have high educational attainment and a good personality (mentioned by 41% of participants).

Conclusions

This five-domain profile of the good doctor in primary care constitutes a foundation for further primary care workforce capacity building. Further primary care reform efforts should reflect the patient views and expectations, especially in the family physician competency framework and primary care performance assessment system development. Meanwhile, frontline primary care organizations also need to create supportive environments to assist competent doctors practice in primary care, especially through facilitating the learning of primary care doctors and improving their well-being.
Assessment of bio-formulations of indigenous strains of Bacillus thuringiensis, Metarhizium robertsii and Metarhizium majus for management of the rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros L., in field
Authors: Manjunatha C. , Velavan V. , Rangeshwaran R. , Mohan M. , Kandan A. , Sivakumar G. , Shylesha A. N. , Kumar M. K. Prasanna , Pramesh D. , Sujithra M. , Ranganath H. K. , Sushil S. N.
Published: July 2023

Background

Among all the coconut pests, rhinoceros beetle causes acute and serious damage to coconut palm. Management of this pest is very difficult due to its nocturnal activity, and also, it damages the emerging leaf inside the bud. Management of rhinoceros beetle using entomopathogens will be of great importance as it is economical and ecofriendly. Studies were carried out to decipher the biocontrol potential of indigenous entomopathogenic bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) and entomopathogenic fungi (Metarhizium robertsii and M. majus) against Oryctes rhinoceros in the field, individually as well as in combination, by soil drench as well as by topical spray method.

Results

The study showed that B. thuringiensis strain NBAIR-BTAN4 showed 24.8% mortality at 5th week in soil drench method and 24% mortality in topical spray method. M. robertsii showed 24% mortality at 5th week in soil drench method as well as topical spray method. Similarly, M. majus showed 24% mortality in soil drench method and 23.2% in topical spray method at 5th week. In combination, NBAIR-BTAN4 + M. robertsii showed 40.8 and 44% in soil drench and topical spray method at 5th week, respectively. Combination of NBAIR-BTAN4 + M. majus showed 44.8 and 40.8% in soil drench and topical spray method at 5th week, respectively. Combination of NBAIR-BTAN4 + M. robertsii + M. majus showed 52.8 and 57.6% mortality at 5th week in soil drench and topical spray method, respectively.

Conclusion

The present study showed application B. thuringiensis in combination with M. robertsii and M. majus is effective in management rhinoceros beetle in coconut orchard. Study also indicated that soil drench method is more promising strategy than topical spray method in managing larval population of the beetles and also confirmed that B. thuringiensis, M. robertsii and M. majus are compatible and they seemed to have a synergistic effect in controlling the pest in coconut orchard.
Finding out various potentials and possibilities of jackfruit seed and its usage in the industry: a review
Authors: Brahma Rangina , Ray Subhajit
Published: July 2023

Despite the fact that jackfruit seeds have been demonstrated to contain a variety of beneficial nutrients or bioactive components that add real value to meals, they remain underutilized due to limited commercial jackfruit production. They include a wide variety of nutrient-dense components, including as starch, fibre, phytonutrients, protein, minerals, lectins, as well as beneficial components like phenols and flavonoids. This review focuses on the significant findings regarding starch extraction techniques and different conventional and novel modification techniques and their influence on functional properties of jackfruit seed. Jackfruit seeds are primarily rich in seed starch (70–85%), which is used in food processing and other areas as thickeners, stabilizer, microencapsulating agent, coagulants, bioplastics etc. and provide significant health benefits. Applicability of jackfruit seed starch is also well established. There is a significant impact on jackfruit seed processing using different techniques in order to achieve versatile nutritional and functional components. The creation of composite films, starch, food items, bioethanol, pigments, and medical applications are the key areas of ongoing study. This paper was developed by analysing more than 150 scientific publications including recent studies of various researchers, with a primary focus on the features of jackfruit seeds.

Graphical Abstract
Surgical Apgar Score can help predict postoperative cardiopulmonary complication and reoperation in lung cancer resection
Authors: Özgür Yücel , Doğru Mustafa Vedat
Published: July 2023

Background

Bleeding due to lung resection increases the risk of cardiopulmonary complications and hospital stay. Surgical massive bleeding is associated with a high rate of mortality. In this study, our aim is to determine the effectiveness of Surgical Apgar Score in predicting complications and reoperation in the short term. Peroperative data of 405 patients aged 18–82 who underwent lung resection (pneumonectomy, lobectomy, wedge) and were operated consecutively were recorded.

Results

Pulmonary complication developed in 38 (9.4%) of the patients, cardiac complication in 104 (25.7%), acute kidney failure in 8 (1.9%), and cerebrovascular accident in 1 (0.2%). Reoperation was performed in 24 (5.9%) patients due to bleeding. The Surgical Apgar Score was found to predict postoperative complications well for a value of < 6 (area under the curve = 0.745, 95%CI 0.710–0.7770, p < 0.001). When Surgical Apgar Score were evaluated together with receiver operating characteristic, the ability of Surgical Apgar Score to predict reoperation was found to be statistically significant (area under the curve = 0.777, 95%CI 0.671–0.883, p < 0.001. Accordingly, age, resection type, blood loss, heart rate, SAS score, intraoperative blood transfusion, and postoperative blood transfusion were independent risk factors affecting the development of complications. It was determined that the only independent risk factor affecting the development of mortality was postoperative blood transfusion. It was determined that the independent risk factors affecting ICU development were resection type, blood loss, SAS score, and postoperative blood transfusion.

Conclusion

In our study, the Surgical Apgar Scoring System was found to be sufficient in predicting cardiac and respiratory complications. Patients with a low postoperative Surgical Apgar Score should be followed carefully in terms of postoperative complications and reoperation. Surgical Apgar Score can be a useful scoring method in predicting the prognosis of patients who underwent lung cancer resection in the postoperative period.
Individual-level associations between implementation leadership, climate, and anticipated outcomes: a time-lagged mediation analysis
Authors: Egeland Karina Myhren , Borge Randi Hovden , Peters Nadina , Bækkelund Harald , Braathu Nora , Sklar Marisa , Aarons Gregory A. , Skar Ane-Marthe Solheim
Published: July 2023

Background

Leaders can improve implementation outcomes by developing an organizational climate conducive to the implementation of evidence-based practices (EBP). This study tested the lagged associations between individual-level perceptions of implementation leadership, implementation climate, and three anticipated implementation outcomes, that is EBP acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility.

Methods

Screening tools and treatment methods for posttraumatic stress disorder were implemented in 43 Norwegian mental health services. A sample of 494 child and adult mental health care professionals (M = 43 years, 78% female) completed surveys addressing perceptions of first-level leaders’ (n = 47) implementation leadership and their clinics’ implementation climate. Single-level structural equation models estimating both direct, indirect, and total effects were used to investigate whether perceived implementation climate mediated the association between perceived implementation leadership and perceived acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of screening tools and treatment methods.

Results

Regarding the treatment methods, implementation leadership was associated with therapists’ perceptions of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility. Implementation climate also mediated between implementation leadership and the outcomes. Regarding the screening tools, implementation leadership was not associated with the outcomes. However, implementation climate mediated between implementation leadership and therapists’ perceptions of acceptability and feasibility, but not appropriateness. Analyses with the implementation climate subscales showed stronger associations for therapists’ perceptions of the treatment methods than of screening tools.

Conclusions

Leaders may promote positive implementation outcomes, both directly and through implementation climate. With regard to the effect sizes and explained variance, results indicated that both implementation leadership and implementation climate were more strongly associated with the therapists’ perceptions of the treatment methods, implemented by one group of therapists, than the screening tools, implemented by all therapists. This may imply that implementation leadership and climate may have stronger effects for smaller implementation teams within a larger system than for system-wide implementations or when the clinical interventions being implemented are more complex rather than simple ones.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials NCT03719651, 25 October 2018.
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy as an acute treatment of a right posterior hepatic duct injury: a case report
Authors: Rodriguez Zamboni Jose Agustin , Ruiz Diaz Paloma , Peña Maria Elena , Iglesia Fernando , Pfaffen Guillermo
Published: July 2023

Background

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) remains as the gold standard of surgical treatment for gallstone disease. Biliary duct injury (BDI) is an infrequent but serious complication of LC. Strasberg's critical view is a useful strategy to minimize the risk of a BDI. However, BDIs could still happen. Variations of the right posterior hepatic duct (RPHD) are common. The surgical treatment of RPHD injury is challenging and literature on this matter is scarce.

Case summary

Aberrant drainage of the right posterior hepatic duct (RPHD) into the gallbladder neck was unexpectedly identified in a 43-year-old man during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Intraoperative consultation with a specialized Hepatobiliary surgeon was accomplished and a laparoscopic anastomosis between the RPHD and the jejunum with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction was carried out. The operation was uneventful with no long-term complication reported over a 12-month follow-up period.

Conclusion

Aberrant implantation of the RPHD into the gallbladder neck must be borne in mind despite its low incidence. Previous studies reporting the management of this injury are scarce. In our case, a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy with the RPHD by an experienced HPB surgeon was a successful strategy to solve this difficult case.
Assessment of respiratory health status of workers in flour mills of Assiut
Authors: Elghazally Shimaa A. , Zayet Hussein H. , Elkholy Maha M. , Alkarn Ayah A.
Published: July 2023

Background

Working environment should not present a risk of injury or disease but many thousands of workers worldwide remain exposed to hazardous substances particularly in developing countries. Flour dust is one of those hazardous substances to which the flour mills workers are exposed to, inhalation of flour dust may cause diverse lung diseases with different severity of symptoms ranging from simple irritation to allergic reaction and chronic respiratory disorders, including asthma. Therefore, the present study was done to detect the prevalence of respiratory problems among flour mills workers.

Methods

The study was carried out in the flour mills of Assiut, it was a cross-sectional study among 203 workers. The study instruments were a semi-structured questionnaire about respiratory symptoms, chest examination and pulmonary function tests (PFT).

Results

The age of the study workers ranged from 19 to 60 years old, 94.1% were males, 50.7% were from urban regions. Pulmonary function abnormalities were found in 36.4% of them and 20.7% were diagnosed with bronchial asthma. Significant relationships were detected between abnormal pulmonary function tests and workers ≥ 40 years old, low educational level and those who worked in the flour mills for ≥ 10 years.

Conclusions

Flour dust cause respiratory symptoms and impair the pulmonary function of the flour mills workers and they may develop bronchial asthma which affect their work efficiency.

Recommendations

Medical care must be provided regularly to the flour mills workers and safety measures are mandatory.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT03678519. Registered August 10, 2022.
Characterizing petroleum in source-rock core samples using HRGC data
Authors: Kornacki Alan S.
Published: July 2023

Solvent extracts obtained from center-cut horizontal core plugs selected in the Upper Wolfcamp (UW) and Eagle Ford source-rock (SR) beds contain unaltered volatile (i.e., gasoline range) hydrocarbon (HC) compounds because they are extracted in a closed vial. Therefore, a C7 source parameter, a C7 maturity parameter, and pristane/phytane ratios are used to compare the source and thermal maturity of these petroleum and oil samples produced from nearby wells landed in the same SR reservoirs. Five distinct pay zones previously identified in the UW SR reservoir using geologic criteria each contain slightly different kinds of petroleum generated at different levels of thermal maturity. A thick overlying carbonate reservoir contains the kind of petroleum generated by the kerogen present in one underlying SR pay zone. The same source and maturity parameters demonstrate that the oil-prone kerogen present in the Eagle Ford SR beds in core plugs selected from wells located ≈7.5 mi (12 km) apart on the San Marcos Arch in South Texas formed in different depositional environments. It is difficult to allocate commingled oil samples using only core-plug extracts because solvents extract the producible oil plus a component that does not readily flow from SR reservoirs because it is sorbed in kerogen and/or on clay minerals. However, because only saturate HC compounds are used to determine the C7 source and maturity parameters, they provide valuable insights about the nature of the free oil present in SR reservoirs and commingled oil samples.
Standardized Definitions for Efficacy End Points in Neoadjuvant Breast Cancer Clinical Trials: NeoSTEEP
Authors: Litton Jennifer K. , Regan Meredith M. , Pusztai Lajos , Rugo Hope S. , Tolaney Sara M. , Garrett-Mayer Elizabeth , Amiri-Kordestani Laleh , Basho Reva K. , Best Ana F. , Boileau Jean-Francois , Denkert Carsten , Foster Jared C. , Harbeck Nadia , Jacene Heather A. , King Tari A. , Mason Ginny , O'Sullivan Ciara C. , Prowell Tatiana M. , Richardson Andrea L. , Sepulveda Karla A. , Smith Mary Lou , Tjoe Judy A. , Turashvili Gulisa , Woodward Wendy A. , Butler Lynn Pearson , Schwartz Elena I. , Korde Larissa A.
Published: July 2023

PURPOSE

The Standardized Definitions for Efficacy End Points (STEEP) criteria, established in 2007 and updated in 2021 (STEEP 2.0), provide standardized definitions of adjuvant breast cancer (BC) end points. STEEP 2.0 identified a need to separately address end points for neoadjuvant clinical trials. The multidisciplinary NeoSTEEP working group of experts was convened to critically evaluate and align neoadjuvant BC trial end points.

METHODS

The NeoSTEEP working group concentrated on neoadjuvant systemic therapy end points in clinical trials with efficacy outcomes—both pathologic and time-to-event survival end points—particularly for registrational intent. Special considerations for subtypes and therapeutic approaches, imaging, nodal staging at surgery, bilateral and multifocal diseases, correlative tissue collection, and US Food and Drug Administration regulatory considerations were contemplated.

RESULTS

The working group recommends a preferred definition of pathologic complete response (pCR) as the absence of residual invasive cancer in the complete resected breast specimen and all sampled regional lymph nodes (ypT0/Tis ypN0 per AJCC staging). Residual cancer burden should be a secondary end point to facilitate future assessment of its utility. Alternative end points are needed for hormone receptor–positive disease. Time-to-event survival end point definitions should pay particular attention to the measurement starting point. Trials should include end points originating at random assignment (event-free survival and overall survival) to capture presurgery progression and deaths as events. Secondary end points adapted from STEEP 2.0, which are defined from starting at curative-intent surgery, may also be appropriate. Specification and standardization of biopsy protocols, imaging, and pathologic nodal evaluation are also crucial.

CONCLUSION

End points in addition to pCR should be selected on the basis of clinical and biologic aspects of the tumor and the therapeutic agent investigated. Consistent prespecified definitions and interventions are paramount for clinically meaningful trial results and cross-trial comparison.
The Tritube: Facilitating Upper Airway Surgery With an Ultrathin Cuffed Airway Device
Authors: Morrison Stuart , Van Oostende Claire , Aerts Sophie , Saldien Vera
Published: July 2023

The Tritube is a narrow-bore cuffed tracheal tube (outer diameter 4.4 mm and inner diameter ~2.4 mm) that permits effective alveolar gas exchange using flow-controlled ventilation. Constant gas flow delivers physiological minute volumes, within preset pressure limits, and applies suction to the airway during expiration. The technique has attracted interest for laryngotracheal microsurgery as it provides superior surgical exposure and avoids many of the complications associated with high-frequency jet ventilation. Cuff inflation protects the lower airway and produces a motionless operating field. We describe the structure of the device, discuss its benefits, and suggest how it should be used clinically.
A Case Series of Stereotactic Radiosurgery First for Trigeminal Neuralgia: A History of Stereotactic Radiosurgery Does Not Complicate Microvascular Decompression
Authors: Nair Sumil K. , Xie Michael E. , Ran Kathleen , Kalluri Anita , Kilgore Collin , Halbert-Elliott Kyra , Huang Judy , Lim Michael , Bettegowda Chetan , Xu Risheng
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The influence of prior stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) on outcomes of subsequent microvascular decompression (MVD) for patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is not well understood. To directly compare pain outcomes in patients undergoing primary MVD vs those undergoing MVD with a history of 1 prior SRS procedure.

METHODS:

We retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing MVD at our institution from 2007 to 2020. Patients were included if they underwent primary MVD or had a history of SRS alone before MVD. Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain scores were assigned at preoperative and immediate postoperative time points and at every follow-up appointment. Evidence of pain recurrence was recorded and compared via Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify factors associated with worse pain outcomes.

RESULTS:

Of patients reviewed, 833 met our inclusion criteria. Thirty-seven patients were in the SRS alone before MVD group, and 796 patients were in the primary MVD group. Both groups demonstrated similar preoperative and immediate postoperative BNI pain scores. There were no significant differences between average BNI at final follow-up between the groups. Multiple sclerosis (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.95), age (HR = 0.99), and female sex (HR = 1.43) independently predicted increased likelihood of pain recurrence on Cox proportional hazards analysis. SRS alone before MVD did not predict increased likelihood of pain recurrence. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated no relationship between a history of SRS alone and pain recurrence after MVD (P = .58).

CONCLUSION:

SRS is an effective intervention for TN that may not worsen outcomes for subsequent MVD in patients with TN.
Posterior Reduction and Intra-Articular Cage Fusion With a C2 Nerve Root Preservation Technique for Treating Posterior Atlantoaxial Dislocation Secondary to Os Odontoideum
Authors: Guo Qunfeng , Chen Fei , Zhang Mei , Wang Haibin , Guo Xiang , Lu Xuhua , Ni Bin
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Posterior C1-C2 interlaminae compression fusion with iliac bone graft may lead to donor site complications and recurrent C1 posterior dislocation for posterior atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) secondary to os odontoideum. C1-C2 intra-articular fusion often needs C2 nerve ganglion transection to facilitate exposing and manipulating the facet joint, leading to bleeding from the venous plexus and suboccipital numbness or pain. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of posterior C1-C2 intra-articular fusion with a C2 nerve root preservation technique in the treatment of posterior AAD secondary to os odontoideum.

METHODS:

Data of the 11 patients who underwent C1-C2 posterior intra-articular fusion because of posterior AAD secondary to os odontoideum were retrospectively reviewed. Posterior reduction was performed using C1 transarch lateral mass screws and C2 pedicle screws. Intra-articular fusion was performed using a polyetheretherketone cage filled with autologous bone from the caudal edge of the C1 posterior arch and cranial edge of the C2 laminar. Outcomes were evaluated by using the Japanese Orthopaedics Association score, Neck Disability Index, and visual analog scale for neck pain. Bone fusion was evaluated by using computed tomography and 3-dimensional reconstruction.

RESULTS:

The average follow-up duration was 43.9 ± 9.5 months. All patients achieved good reduction and bone fusion, without transection of the C2 nerve roots. The mean bone fusion time was 4.3 ± 1.1 months. There was no complication related to the surgical approach and instrumentation. Function of the spinal cord manifested by the Japanese Orthopaedics Association score significantly improved (P < .05). The Neck Disability Index score and visual analog scale for neck pain markedly decreased (all P < .05).

CONCLUSION:

Posterior reduction and intra-articular cage fusion with a C2 nerve root preservation technique was a promising treatment of posterior AAD secondary to os odontoideum.
Preparation of Highly Conductive Phthalocyaninato-Cobalt Iodide at the Interface between Aqueous KI Solution and Organic Solvent and Catalytic Properties for Electrochemical Reduction of CO2
Authors: Takase Satoko , Aritsu Taku , Sakamoto Yoichiro , Sakuno Yoshihiro , Shimizu Youichi
Published: July 2023

For the industrial practical use of cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) as a catalyst for CO2 reduction, the effect of improving conductivity of CoPc crystal on the catalytic activity was investigated. Focusing on (phthalocyaninato) cobalt iodide (CoPcI), which is a highly conductive charge-transfer complex, a simple method for synthesizing CoPcI by simply mixing at an interface between aqueous KI solution and CH2Cl2 solution containing CF3COOH and CoPc was developed by applying the CoPc crystal phase transformation method. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the obtained powder at the interface of CoPc organic and potassium iodide aqueous solutions revealed that the powder is composed of one-dimensional columns of CoPc and a linear array of triiodide ions (I3−). UV-vis absorption spectra showed that iodide ions (I−) change to triiodide ions (I3−) at the interface between aqueous KI solution and organic solvent under acidic conditions. The catalytic property of CoPcI was investigated by polarization measurement and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using a gas diffusion carbon electrode. CoPcI showed high catalytic activity for CO2 reduction with high CO production selectivity.
Co-Catalyzed Double [4+2] Cycloaddition Reaction of Tetrakis(methylene)benzobicyclo[2.2.2]octane toward Diaryltriptycenes
Authors: Inoue Ryo , Namba Sora , Morisaki Yasuhiro
Published: July 2023

Tetrakis(methylene)benzobicyclo[2.2.2]octane (TMBO) was used as a novel synthon for triptycene derivatives. Co-catalyzed double [4+2] cycloaddition of arylacetylene and TMBO resulted in diaryl-substituted meso and chiral triptycenes. The obtained chiral molecules exhibited circularly polarized luminescence (CPL), which was elucidated using theoretical calculations.
Long-term effect of non-severe COVID-19 on pulmonary function, functional capacities and physical activities: a cross-section study in Sakaka Aljouf
Authors: Alshammari Maha , SHANB ALSAYED , Alsubaiei Mohammed , youssef Enas
Published: July 2023

Background: COVID-19 has serious consequences on different body systems particularly the respiratory system with its impact on pulmonary function, functional capacities, physical activities, and personal performance. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effect of COVID-19 on pulmonary function, functional capacities, and physical activities in patients with non-severe COVID-19.

Methods: 160 individuals were selected to participate in a cross-section study. Group-I: 80 male and female patients with non-severe COVID-19 at least 3 months after the recovery time. Group-II:80 male and female matched participants. The spirometer, six-minute walk test (6MWT), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used to assess pulmonary function, functional capacities, and physical activities respectively. Shapiro–Wilk’s test was used to test normality of data. The Mann–Whitney and independent t-tests were used to compare the significant differences between both groups.

Results: The results show significant differences in pulmonary function, functional capacities, and physical activities, between both COVID-19 and matched groups.

Conclusion: Pulmonary function, functional capacities, and physical activities are negatively influenced by COVID-19 as long-term consequences indicating the need for extended health care, and prescription of proper rehabilitative training programs for such patients whatever their severity degree of infection or history of hospitalization. Outcome reflections of the current results raise awareness for physical therapists to tailor the proper rehabilitative training programs for such patients.
Clinical characteristics, risk factors and complications of COVID-19 among critically ill older adults - A case control study
Authors: Ahmed Arfath , Raj Moolambally Sheetal , Boloor Archith , Jain Animesh , Kumar S Nandish , Babu S Sharath
Published: July 2023

Background: The older population is often disproportionately and adversely affected during humanitarian emergencies, as has also been seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data regarding COVID-19 in older adults is usually over-generalized and does not delve into details of the clinical characteristics in them. This study was conducted to analyze clinical and laboratory characteristics, risk factors, and complications of COVID-19 between older adults who survived and those who did not.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study among older adults(age> 60 years) admitted to the Intensive Care Unit(ICU) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The non-survivors(cases) were matched with age and sex-matched survivors (control) in a ratio of 1: 3. The data regarding socio-demographics, clinical characteristics, complications, treatment, laboratory data, and outcomes were analyzed.

Results: The most common signs and symptoms observed were fever (cases vs controls)(68.92 vs. 68.8%), followed by shortness of breath (62.2% Vs. 52.2%), and cough(47.3% Vs. 60.2%). Our analysis found no association between the presence of any of the comorbidities and mortality. At admission, laboratory markers such as LDH(Lactate Dehydrogenase), WBC(White Blood Count), creatinine, CRP(C-Reactive Protein), D-dimer, ferritin, and IL-6 were found to be significantly higher among the cases than among the controls. Complications such as the development of seizure, bacteremia, acute renal injury, respiratory failure, and septic shock were seen to have a significant association with non-survivors.

Conclusions: Hypoxia, tachycardia, and tachypnoea at presentation were associated with higher mortality. The older adults in this study mostly presented with the typical clinical features of COVID-19 pneumonia. The presence of comorbid-illnesses among them did not affect mortality. Higher death was seen among those with higher levels of CRP, LDH, D-dimer, and ferritin; and with lower lymphocyte counts.
The genome sequence of the corkwing wrasse, Symphodus melops (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Adkins Patrick , Harley Joanna , Scott-Somme Kesella ,   Marine Biological Association Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: July 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual Symphodus melops (the corkwing wrasse; Chordata; Actinopteri; Labriformes; Labridae). The genome sequence is 636.4 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 23 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.5 kilobases in length.
Five-alpha reductase inhibitors and risk of prostate cancer among men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A historical cohort study using primary care data
Authors: Thakrar Dixa B , Douglas Ian J , Smeeth Liam , Bhaskaran Krishnan
Published: July 2023

Background: Five-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) are used in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). 5ARIs prevent the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which is important in prostate development. It has been suggested that 5ARIs can be used a chemopreventative agent for prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of prostate cancer associated with 5ARI use among men with BPH.

Methods: Using Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) from 1992 to 2011 in UK, prostate cancer risk was retrospectively compared in men with a new diagnosis of BPH, with no history of prostate cancer who were treated with 5ARIs, to men treated with alpha blockers (ABs) and those given no pharmacological treatment. Incidence rate of prostate cancer was calculated by treatment group; the association between BPH treatment group and prostate cancer was estimated by a multivariate Cox model.

Results: 77,494 men with newly diagnosed BPH were included. The crude incidence rate of prostate cancer was 892.4 cases per 100,000 person-years amongst those treated with 5ARIs, compared with 1209.0 and 1542.9 in those treated with ABs and untreated individuals, respectively. The HR adjusted for potential confounders was 0.79 (0.72-0.86) for 5ARI vs ABs and 0.72 (0.66-0.79) for 5ARI vs untreated. After excluding the first year after BPH diagnosis, adjusted HRs attenuated to 0.87 (0.79-0.97) for 5ARI vs ABs and 0.97 (0.87-1.08) for 5ARI vs untreated.

Conclusion:  Among men diagnosed with BPH, we found evidence of lower risks of subsequent prostate cancer in those treated with 5ARIs, but this appeared to be driven by cases diagnosed within a year of BPH, possibly reflecting prevalent prostate cancers that were initially misdiagnosed. After excluding the first year after BPH diagnosis, there was little evidence of a reduced prostate cancer risk in those taking 5ARIs.
The genome sequence of the Currant Clearwing, Synanthedon tipuliformis (Clerck, 1759)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Holland Peter W. H. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: July 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Synanthedon tipuliformis (the Currant Clearwing; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Sesiidae). The genome sequence is 295.8 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 27.05 kilobases in length.
The genome sequence of the Light Brocade, Lacanobia w-latinum (Hufnagel, 1766)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Holland Peter W.H. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: July 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Lacanobia w-latinum (the Light Brocade; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). The genome sequence is 903.9 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.38 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 21,592 protein coding genes.
Towards Making Shared Metadata Interoperable across the Open Language Archives Community
Authors: Paterson Hugh
Published: July 2023

This paper presents two methods for connecting aggregated records to their source institutional metadata profiles. The use case of the Open Language Archives Community (OLAC) application profile is considered and evaluated. The design purpose of OLAC is to share knowledge about language resources. To that end, the OLAC metadata application profile supports the exchange of metadata so that it can be aggregated and serve the needs of end-users. Uniformity in the semantic use of elements within the application profile provides the greatest utility for end-users. Discovering the source of semantic diversity remains a challenge. A first step in providing scholars access to the semantics of aggregated metadata is to publish the local metadata profiles used by institutions.
Ukrainian Archival Metadata in WorldCat: Exploratory Analysis
Authors: Zavalin Vyacheslav
Published: July 2023

The purpose of metadata is to enable information users to find, identify, select, obtain, and explore information resources. The largest global database of machine-readable bibliographic metadata, WorldCat includes over 500 million records that represent information resources in 483 languages. While most of these records describe individual officially published or released materials (print and electronic books and journals, VHS, CD, and DVD releases of documentary and feature films, officially distributed audio albums of songs and instrumental music), over 2.3 million of metadata records included in WorldCat represent archival materials of various kinds. Our study examined a sample of WorldCat records representing Ukrainian-language archival materials (including digital resources) that were not officially published or released with the goal to examine the extent to which these metadata records support the user tasks of find, identify, select, obtain, and explore.
Language Archiving Training: A Case Study of a Metadata Course in Library and Information Science Graduate Program, 2020 - 2023
Authors: Zavalina Oksana
Published: July 2023

Since the early 21st century, funding agencies have been continuously supporting efforts aimed at language preservation and revitalization. This includes providing online access to unique and valuable collections of language data, which often originates from Indigenous and endangered language communities. Language materials are organized and represented in digital archives mostly by information professionals in the library, museum, and archival fields. However, a gap exists between the way these materials are organized and represented and the understanding of that data – and expectations towards the more functional ways of its organization and representation – by language preservation and revitalization researchers, and by members of language communities. Information resources collected by language archives have unique attributes of importance to their target user groups, and these attributes and their representation are not currently widely addressed by the formal training provided to information professionals. Similarly, specifics of these collections end-users’ information needs are not currently examined in this training. In this case study, we present the project that seeks to address this training gap and evaluate its preliminary results.
Mentalización, estilo de apego y afrontamiento al estrés en una muestra poblacional de la Costa Atlántica colombiana durante la cuarentena por el COVID-19
Authors: Rueda Mora Ricardo Camilo , Vinaccia Alpi Stefano , Jimenez Chaux Yuli , Vinasco Causil Brayan , Martínez Salazar Jose Luis
Published: July 2023

El objetivo de este artículo es describir la relación de la mentalización y el estilo de apego sobre el afrontamiento del estrés durante la cuarentena por covid-19 en Colombia. En el estudio participaron 253 personas, de las cuales 68 fueron hombres, 184 mujeres y 1 se identificó como otro. Los participantes se eligieron mediante un muestreo no probabilístico de tipo bola de nieve y el cuestionario de datos se distribuyó por redes sociales. Como instrumentos de investigación se utilizó el Cuestionario de Afrontamiento frente al Estrés(cae) —la forma revisada de la eec-r—, medida de autoinforme diseñada para evaluar siete estilos básicos de afrontamiento; el Cuestionario de Experiencias en Relaciones Cercanas-revisado (ecr) y el Cuestionario de Función Reflexiva (rfq-8). En los resultados se encontraron correlaciones entre el estilo de apego y la mentalización con el estilo de afrontamiento frente al estrés durante el aislamiento por la pandemia covid-19. Se evidenció que un estilo de apego seguro facilita estilos de afrontamiento más adaptativos, a diferencia de los estilos de apego ansioso y evitativo que están más relacionados con estilos de afrontamiento como la auto focalización negativa y la evitación.
The Traveling Salesman Problem with Drones: The Benefits of Retraversing the Arcs
Authors: Morandi Nicola , Leus Roel , Matuschke Jannik , Yaman Hande
Published: July 2023

In the traveling salesman problem with drones (TSP-mD), a truck and multiple drones cooperate to serve customers in the minimum amount of time. The drones are launched and retrieved by the truck at customer locations, and each of their flights must not consume more energy than allowed by their batteries. Most problem settings in the literature restrict the feasible truck routes to cycles (i.e., closed paths), which never visit a node more than once. Revisiting a node, however, may lower the time required to serve all the customers. Additionally, we observe that optimal solutions for the TSP-mD may retraverse arcs (i.e., optimal truck routes may contain the same arcs multiple times). We refer to such solutions as arc retraversing and include them in our solution space by modeling the truck route as a closed walk. We describe Euclidean instances where all the optimal solutions are arc retraversing. The necessity of arc retraversals does not seem to have been investigated in previous studies, and those that allow node revisits seem to assume that there always exists an optimal solution without arc retraversals. We prove that under certain conditions, which are commonly met in the literature, this assumption is correct. When these conditions are not met, however, excluding arc-retraversing solutions might result in an increase of the optimal value; we identify cases where a priori and a posteriori upper bounds hold on such increase. Finally, we prove that there is no polynomial-time heuristic that can approximate the metric TSP-mD within a constant factor, unless P = NP. We identify a (nonconstant) approximation factor explicitly when the truck can visit all the nodes.
Pesquisas sobre a Móveis Cimo: principais temas abordados com base em uma revisão bibliográfica
Authors: MEURER AUGUSTO , Zamoner Michele Tais Dalle Carbonare
Published: July 2023

A Móveis Cimo foi uma indústria brasileira que fabricou mobiliário durante 61 anos e chegou a contar com o trabalho de milhares de pessoas. A madeira foi a principal matéria prima utilizada no desenvolvimento das peças que visavam atender tanto às necessidades residenciais quanto institucionais da população. Sobretudo na última década, tem sido objeto de estudo de pesquisas acadêmicas. Este artigo teve como objetivo mapear publicações com foco de estudo na fabricante, e identificar os principais temas abordados. Para tanto, foi elaborada uma revisão bibliográfica narrativa, cujo critério de busca abrangeu todo o período de publicações disponíveis. Dentre as dez pesquisas identificadas, percebe-se que os conteúdos abordados podem ser divididos nos seguintes temas principais: trajetória da empresa, sustentabilidade, cultura material e trabalho. Observou-se que, ao contrário das primeiras publicações sobre a fabricante, as diferentes temáticas abordadas após o livro de Santi (2013) tornaram o estudo sobre a empresa mais específico e aprofundado.
DEPÓSITOS DE CANAL E FORMAS DE LEITO NO AMBIENTE DE CONFLUÊNCIA DOS RIOS SEPOTUBA-PARAGUAI, PANTANAL SUPERIOR, NO ESTADO DE MATO GROSSO – BRASIL
Authors: Dos Santos Leandro Gustavo Roberto , Rocha Paulo Cesar , Santos Hurtado Manoel Diego
Published: July 2023

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo analisar a evolução morfológica no baixo curso do rio Sepotuba, confluência com o rio Paraguai, Pantanal Superior – no estado de Mato Grosso – Brasil, sobretudo os estágios dos processos e formas deposicionais a partir de diferentes escalas espaço-temporais. Desse modo, a pesquisa foi conduzida considerando: a) etapas de gabinete com revisão preliminar e continuada, sistematização, análise estatística e representação dos dados, e a partir de bases cartográficas, confecção de mapeamentos temáticos; b) etapas de campo e laboratório para monitoramento e determinação das características granulométricas dos sedimentos depositados nos ambientes fluviais. Os principais resultados indicam que o fluxo de água no sistema do rio Sepotuba reocupa e abandona trechos da planície de inundação a partir de avulsões, cortes de pêndulos e migração lateral. Nesse contexto, atualmente possui dois canais fluviais - principal e secundário que se conectam ao rio Paraguai. Ao considerarmos as mudanças sazonais destaca-se a intensificação no aporte de sedimentos, e sua composição predominantemente arenosa, pois contribuem para os aspectos morfológicos atuais com a formação e estabilização de barra lateral e submersa (forma de leito) no canal secundário. No canal principal, dique marginal e depósitos de desembocadura na confluência com o rio Paraguai, concomitante a sucessão ecológica de espécies herbáceas e arbustivas, e ao comportamento hidrodinâmico no período de seca. Assim, considera-se que a caracterização dos sedimentos presentes nos depósitos de canal e, nas formas de leito, corroboraram para o entendimento dos ajustes em sua planície de inundação enquanto processos-resposta do aporte de sedimentos no sistema fluvial.
Considerações sobre a dinâmica paleoambiental a partir da análise de depósitos de tanque no Sítio Paleontológico Jirau, município de Itapipoca (CE)
Authors: Waldherr Felipe Rodrigues , Silva Telma Mendes da , Ximenes Celso Lira , Castro Henrique Sampaio de , Machado Ricardo Matos
Published: July 2023

Os depósitos de tanque constituem pequenos corpos sedimentares de idade quaternária que preenchem os tanques naturais em afloramentos rochosos, em especial, lajedos e domos, na região semiárida do Nordeste do Brasil. Esses depósitos são, na maior parte das vezes, sedimentos siliciclásticos estratificados e, eventualmente, fossilíferos, preservando restos de uma diversificada megafauna pré-histórica que habitou a área durante o Pleistoceno Final - Holoceno Inicial. No presente trabalho, o depósito que preenche o interior do tanque natural fossilífero Jirau 01, no Sítio Paleontológico Jirau - município de Itapipoca (CE), corresponde ao principal alvo de investigação. A análise de amostras coletadas em campo indica que a dinâmica deposicional relaciona-se a atuação de diversos fatores que influenciaram os processos superficiais e o transporte de sedimentos em distintas escalas espaço-temporais. Há evidências de pulsos erosivo- deposicionais, sobretudo, de eventos referentes a remobilização de mantos de alteração - decorrentes do intemperismo físico-químico no entorno do sítio paleontológico - e de lascas de descamação em estado saprolítico na parede lateral do tanque que proveram parte do material sedimentar do depósito de tanque. Esta discussão subsidia, mesmo ao nível de escala local, na compreensão da reconstituição geológica-geomorfológica e paleontológica do semiárido nordestino. Assim, a temática associada ao preenchimento dos tanques naturais constitui um capítulo importante sobre a Geomorfologia do Quaternário, em especial do semiárido brasileiro, uma vez que tais feições de relevo, quando completamente colmatadas, tendem a preservar informações sobre a dinâmica da paisagem e de seu entorno, auxiliando na reconstituição de parte do cenário paleoambiental.