bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Support vector regression (SVR) model for forecasting number of passengers on domestic flights at Sultan Hasanudin airport Makassar
Authors: Purnama Drajat Indra , Setianingsih Siti
Published: May 2020

Sultan Hasanudin Airport is one of the largest airports in Indonesia, located in Makassar City. Its strategic location is the entrance of eastern Indonesia because it is a transit airport to other eastern regions of Indonesia. The number of airplane passengers at Sultan Hasanudin Airport has increased and decreased each time depending on certain moments. The increase in the number of passengers is closely related to the moments of religious holidays or year-end holidays. Whereas the decrease in the number of passengers was greatly influenced by the policy of rising plane ticket prices some time ago. Estimated number of passengers every month is needed in planning and making appropriate decisions from the government relating to fluctuations in the number of domestic flight passengers at Sultan Hasanudin Airport. Therefore, accurate forecasting techniques are needed to predict the number of passengers in the future. Because the data pattern of domestic flight passengers at Sultan Hasanudin Airport is not stationary, the ARIMA model can be used. However, the data on the number of passengers has a nonlinear data pattern, so we need a method that can overcome these problems. In this study the SVR model is used to overcome nonlinear patterns in the data. Compared to the ARIMA model, SVR has the advantage because it does not require stationary data assumptions as in ARIMA. The results of forecasting data on the number of domestic flight passengers at Sultan Hasanudin Airport using SVR show better accuracy or accuracy compared to the ARIMA model because it has a smaller MAPE value.
COVID-19 Pandemic in Pakistan
Authors: Ilyas Nasir , Azuine Romuladus E. , Tamiz Alina
Published: May 2020

Since February 26, 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emerged in Karachi City and rapidly spread throughout Pakistan. In the first seven weeks, the disease affected more than 6,200 people and more than 111 deaths were reported. If we compare the disasters of COVID-19 in Pakistan with other countries like China, Iran and European Union nations, so many questions arise. We have many challenges in controlling this pandemic, including the geopolitics of country, poverty, low literacy rate, environmental conditions, hygienic conditions, and food intake habits. In all these aspects there are poor conditions but the outbreak of COVID-19 in Pakistan was slower than other developing countries. Pakistan's humid condition hot weather, early response to COVID-19, population immune system, BCG vaccination, and the number of young people appear to attenuate the impact of COVID-19. In this paper, we discuss the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in China, Iran and Pakistan and share day-by-day developments of this pandemic. We present the structure of COVID-19 and its similarity with SARS-COV and SARS-COV2. We also discuss treatment procedures and their disadvantages, including use of Remdesivir (an adenosine analog) used against RNA viruses, Chloroquine (an extensively used anti-malarial drug), convalescent plasma, neutralizing antibody targeting the ACE-2 receptor, and an ACE-2-like molecule that might bind to the S protein of the coronavirus. The impact of COVID-19 on the economics of Pakistan and government reliefs are also discussed.
Strategi Komunikasi Politik Juru Bicara Wakil Presiden 2014-2019 sebagai Humas Pemerintah
Authors: Alvin Silvanus
Published: May 2020

Keberadaan Government Public Relations itu penting di tengah tuntutan keterbukaan informasi. Meski demikian, penelitian yang membahas topik ini di lingkup istana masih minim. Berangkat dari keresahan tersebut penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengungkap strategi yang diterapkan oleh Juru Bicara Wakil Presiden periode 2014-2019 sebagai humas pemerintah. Metode yang dipakai dalam penelitian kualitatif ini adalah wawancara mendalam serta observasi terhadap Husain Abdullah selaku Juru Bicara Wakil Presiden 2014-2019. Terdapat beberapa tahapan-tahapan strategi yang diterapkan, yakni penentuan citra pihak yang direpresentasikan, penentuan publik sasaran, menjalankan fungsi manajemen komunikasi dan fungsi proteksi, serta evaluasi. Selain itu, temuan menarik dari penelitian ini membuktikan Husain Abdullah sebagai Juru Bicara Wakil Presiden 2014-2019 diberikan keleluasaan dalam menentukan strategi komunikasi politik yang ia rasa penting dilakukan, tanpa perlu melapor ataupun mendapat persetujuan dari Jusuf Kalla sebagai pihak yang direpresentasikan. Beberapa bentuk keleluasaan itu antara lain adalah kebebasan dalam menginterpretasikan pesan wakil presiden kemudian menyebarluaskan kepada pers, berperan pula sebagai penasihat (advisor) yang bisa memberi masukan-masukan, serta menentukan konten-konten mana yang layak di media sosial tanpa perlu persetujuan Jusuf Kalla
Branding “Kampong Parjhuge” sebagai Destinasi Kampung Pendidikan Karakter Mahasiswa di Lingkungan Universitas Trunojoyo Madura
Authors: Rozi Fachrur
Published: May 2020

Masalah keamanan akhir-akhir ini masih menjadi topik diskusi tanpa akhir di sekitar kampus Universitas Trunojoyo Madura. Problema ini jika tidak ada langkah nyata baik dari pihak berwenang, aparat desa, pemerintah kabupaten, bahkan kampus UTM sendiri akan menimbulkan masalah baru. Tentu saja, penduduk lokal dan mahasiswa UTM akan dirugikan. Mereka akan selalu merasa cemas, dan takut dengan masalah tersebut. Selain itu, perilaku asosial dengan banyak rumah kos dan mahasiswa sewaan menjadi kerumitan masalah baru yang mengarah pada munculnya ide tentang konsep pendidikan karakter di lingkungan UTM. Pengabdian masyarakat yang dikemas sebagai bentuk kegiatan, dan branding desa harapannya desa bisa memiliki ciri khas dan siappun yang berada di desa tersebut mampu mendapatkan perubahan karakter yang lebih baik.
A comparative study of patients’ satisfaction with different levels of hospitals in Beijing: Why do patients prefer high-level hospitals?
Authors: Cui Chengsen , Zuo Xu , Wang Yujia , Song Haiyan , Shi Jingyu , Meng Kai
Published: May 2020

Background: To promote the integration of medical resources, Beijing has built medical alliances since 2012, but this reform has not changed the state of disordered medical treatment. Patients are still willing to go to high-level hospitals for medical treatment. What causes patients to prefer high-level hospitals? To explore the reasons behind this preference for high-level medical treatment among patients and to guide patients to make visits in an orderly manner, we conducted this study and compared patients' satisfaction with hospitals of different levels in the context of medical resource integration.Methods: This study conducted a questionnaire survey among 1,250 patients who were selected in 18 medical alliances in Beijing from October to December 2016. The study type is a comparative study based on cross-sectional data. Patient satisfaction was the main outcome, and descriptive analysis, chi-square tests, nonparametric tests and binary logistic regression analysis were used. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05.Results: The overall satisfaction score of the medical alliances was 3.375, and the satisfaction scores of core hospitals and cooperative hospitals were 2.77 and 3.07, respectively. The overall patient satisfaction rate was 44.62%, and the satisfaction rates of core hospitals and cooperative hospitals were 34.34% and 50.43%, respectively. The type of hospital and understanding of medical alliance policy were the factors associated with patient satisfaction with the medical alliance.Conclusions: The patients’ satisfaction with cooperative hospitals was higher than their satisfaction with core hospitals. Although the patients were more satisfied with the service attitude of the cooperative hospitals, they still preferred core hospitals due to their higher expectations for their medical treatment and greater trust in their medical technology. It is necessary to explore the establishment of closed medical alliances under the unified management of human and financial resources to enable medical alliances to become a community of common interests and provide integrated medical services for patients.
Determining the prevalence of palliative needs and exploring screening accuracy of depression and anxiety items of the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale – a multi-centre study
Authors: Antunes Bárbara Costa Pereira , Rodrigues Pedro Pereira , Higginson Irene J. , Ferreira Pedro Lopes
Published: May 2020

Background: patients with palliative needs often experience high symptom burden which causes suffering to themselves and their families. Depression and psychological distress should not be considered a “normal event” in advanced disease patients and should be screened, diagnosed, acted on and followed-up. Psychological distress has been associated with greater physical symptom severity, suffering, and mortality in cancer patients. A holistic, but short measure should be used for physical and non-physical needs assessment. The Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale is one such measure. This work aims to determine palliative needs of patients and explore screening accuracy of two items pertaining to psychological needs.Methods: multi-centred observational study using convenience sampling. Data were collected in 9 Portuguese centres. Inclusion criteria: ≥18 years, mentally fit to give consent, diagnosed with an incurable, potentially life-threatening illness. Exclusion criteria: patient in distress ("unable to converse for a period of time"), cognitively impaired. Descriptive statistics used for demographics. Receiving Operator Characteristics curves and Area Under the Curve for anxiety and depression discriminant properties against the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: 1703 individuals were screened between July 1st, 2015 and February 2016. A total of 135 (7.9%) were included. Main reason for exclusion was being healthy (75.2%). The primary care centre screened most individuals, as they have the highest rates of daily patients and the majority are healthy. Mean age is 66.8 years (SD 12.7), 58 (43%) are female. Most patients had a cancer diagnosis 109 (80.7%). Items scoring highest (=4) were: family or friends anxious or worried (36.3%); feeling anxious or worried about illness (13.3%); feeling depressed (9.6%). Using a cut-off score of 2/3, Area Under the Curve for depression and anxiety items were above 70%.Conclusions: main palliative needs were psychological, family related and spiritual. This suggests that clinical teams may better manage physical issues and there is room for improvement regarding non-physical needs. Using the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale systematically could aid clinical teams screening patients for distressing needs and track their progress in assisting patients and families with those issues.Trial Registration: Not applicable. This was not an intervention study.
Association of rs610604 in TNFAIP3 and rs17728338 in TNIP1 gene polymorphisms with psoriasis susceptibility: A meta-analysis of case-control studies
Authors: Gong Hai-bo , Gao Shu-tao , Pu Xiong-ming , Kang Xiao-jing , Wu Xiu-juan
Published: May 2020

Background: To date, the fundamental pathophysiology underlying the occurrence and progression of psoriasis are still unanswered questions. Genome-wide association surveys have revealed that TNFAIP3 and TNIP1 were key biomarkers for psoriasis. Here, we intended to conduct a survey on the association between TNFAIP3 and TNIP1 gene polymorphisms and psoriasis risk.Methods: A comprehensive search of four online databases—China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library was undertaken up to August 25, 2019. We chose allele genetic model to deal with the original data. Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the risk bias of each study. The RevMan 5.3 software was used to calculate the combined odds ratio and 95% confidence interval.Results: In total, we included 13 case-control studies consist of 13,908 psoriasis patients and 20,051 controls in this work. Our results demonstrated that rs610604 in TNFAIP3 polymorphism was significantly associated with psoriasis risk using random-effect model (G vs. T, OR = 1.19, 95 % CI: 1.09–1.31, P = 0.0002), and a significant association between rs17728338 in TNIP1 polymorphism and psoriasis vulnerability using fixed-effect model (A vs. G, OR = 1.69, 95% CI:1.58–1.80, P < 0.00001).Conclusions: Our findings indicated that rs610604 in TNFAIP3 and rs17728338 in TNIP1 gene polymorphisms were associated with psoriasis susceptibility.
Could health information systems enhance the quality of Aboriginal health promotion? A retrospective audit of Aboriginal health programs in the Northern Territory of Australia
Authors: Percival Nikki Ann , Boucher Priscilla , Conte Kathleen , Robertson Kate , Cook Julie
Published: May 2020

Background. In Australia, health services are seeking innovative ways to utilize data stored in health information systems to report on, and improve, health care quality and health system performance for Aboriginal Australians. However, there is little research about the use of health information systems in the context of Aboriginal health promotion. In 2008, the Northern Territory’s publicly funded healthcare system introduced the Quality Improvement Program Planning System (QIPPS) as the centralized online system for recording information about health promotion programs. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential for utilizing data stored in QIPPS to report on quality of Aboriginal health promotion, using chronic disease prevention programs as exemplars. We identify the potential benefits and limitations of health information systems for enhancing Aboriginal health promotion. Methods: A retrospective audit was undertaken on a sample of chronic disease prevention activities delivered between 2013 and 2016. A validated, paper-based audit tool was used to extract information stored in the QIPPS online system and report on Aboriginal health promotion quality. Simple frequency counts were calculated for dichotomous and categorical items. Text was extracted and thematically analyzed to describe community participation processes and strategies used in Aboriginal health promotion. Results: 39 chronic disease prevention activities were included in the analysis. Most of the recorded information pertained to the health promotion planning phases, such as statements of project goals, ‘needs assessment’ findings, and processes for consulting Aboriginal people in the community. Evaluation findings were reported in approximately one third of projects and mostly limited to a recording of numbers of participants. For almost half of the projects analyzed, community participation strategies were not recorded. Conclusion: This is the first Australian study to shed light on the feasibility of utilizing data stored in a purposefully designed health information system for reporting on Aboriginal health promotion quality. Data availability and quality were limiting factors for reporting health promotion quality. Strategies to improve the quality and accuracy of data entry together with the use of quality improvement approaches are needed to reap the potential benefits of health promotion information systems.
Effects of Gastric Sleeve Surgery on the Serum Levels of GH, IGF-1 and IGF-binding Protein 2 in Healthy Obese Patients
Authors: Al-Regaiey Khalid , Alshubrami Suad , Al-Beeshi Ibrahim , Alnasser Torki , Alwabel Abdulnasser , Al-Beladi Hassan , Al-Tujjar Omar , Alnasser Abdulrahman , Alfadda Assim , Iqbal Muhammad
Published: May 2020

Background Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for severe obesity. It also ameliorates diabetes independently of weight loss through mechanisms that are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the levels of GH, IGF-1 and IGF-binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) after gastric sleeve surgery in healthy obese individuals. Method This study was conducted in 33 obese (BMI > 38.3) healthy male subjects aged 25 to 50 years undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 levels were evaluated by ELISA at baseline and 6-12 months after surgery. Other parameters, such as glucose, BMI, insulin, HOMA-IR and lipid profile, were also investigated. Results Systemic GH (12.32 vs. 50.97 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and IGFBP-2 levels (51.86 vs. 68.81 pg/mL, p < 0.001) were elevated after bariatric surgery. There was no change in IGF-1 level from before to after surgery. BMI (52.18 vs. 40.11, p = 0.001), insulin (19.35 vs. 8.80 mIU/L, p < 0.001) and HOMA-IR index (6.48 to 2.52, p < 0.001) were reduced after surgery. Lipid profile analysis revealed that total cholesterol (4.26 vs. 5.12 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (0.90 to 1.55 mmol/L, p < 0.001) were increased, while triglycerides were decreased, after surgery (1.62 vs. 1.05 mmol/L p < 0.001). GH, IGF-1, and IGFBP-2 were not correlated with insulin or lipid parameters. Conclusions Our study suggests that improved circulating GH and IGFBP-2 levels may mediate the beneficial effects of gastric sleeve surgery in improving insulin sensitivity and reducing insulin demand.
Characteristics of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in Qingcaosha Reservoir in Yangtze River Delta, China
Authors: Xu Ting , Zhao Wanting , Guo Xueping , Zhang Hongchang , Hu Shuangqing , Huang Zhifeng , Yin Daqiang
Published: May 2020

Background Aquatic ecosystems are considered to be among the most important reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Drinking water sources were usually parts of lakes and rivers in Yangtze River Delta, among which Qingcaosha Reservoir is the largest river impoundment and benefit the population of more than 13 million for Shanghai city. In this study, we aimed at investigating the distribution of antibiotics and ARGs to characterize the pollution across various sites in Qingcaosha Reservoir in three seasons. Results Sulfamethoxazole, sulfamonomethoxine and penicillin G potassium salt were the dominant antibiotics and of high detection frequencies in this reservoir. Sulfonamide resistance genes ( sul1 and sul2 ) were the most prevalent and predominant genes. Higher total relative abundance of the ARGs were detected in the site closest to the inflow than those in other sites. Overall, the concentrations of antibiotics in May (spring) were relatively lower than November (autumn) and February (winter). Correlation analysis indicated sul1 , ermB and mphA had positive correlation with corresponding antibiotics in February and intI1 was also greatly positively correlated to sul1 , sul2 , ermB and mphA . Conclusion In conclusion, the antibiotics and ARGs were widespread in Qingcaosha Reservoir. Our result indicated that the drinking water reservoir might serve as gene reservoir for antibiotic resistance and mobile gene element intI1 can serve as a medium to contribute to the widespread of various ARGs. What is more, we considered that Reservoir could be served as a functional area contributing to the elimination of ARGs.
Higher Prevalence of Obesity among Children with Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders
Authors: Galai Tut , Moran-Lev Hadar , Cohen Shlomi , Ben-Tov Amir , Levy Dina , Weintraub Yael , Amir Achiya , Segev Or , Yerushalmy-Feler Anat
Published: May 2020

Background: Functional abdominal pain (FAP) disorders are one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in children. We aimed to define the association between obesity and functional abdominal pain (FAP) disorders and to assess differences between overweight/obese children and normal weight children with FAP disorders. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of children (2-18 years old) with a clinical diagnosis of FAP who were followed-up in our pediatric gastroenterology unit between 1/2016-10/2018. FAP disorders were defined according to the ROME IV criteria. Body mass index (BMI) percentiles were defined by CDC standards. Patients with BMIs ≥85th percentile were designated as being overweight/obese. A population control group was obtained from the 2015-2016 Israel national health survey. Results: Data from 173 children with FAP disorders (median age 11.5 years, 114 females) were included. Seventy-one children (41%) were classified as having functional abdominal pain-NOS, 67 (38.7%) as having irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and 35 (20.2%) has having functional dyspepsia. Fifty-three children (30.6%) were classified as being overweight/obese. Adolescents with FAP disorders had a significantly higher prevalence of overweight/obesity compared to controls (39.5% vs. 30%, respectively, p = 0.04). Children with FAP and overweight were older [12.4 (range 9.8-15.3) vs. 10.8 (7.4-14.1) years, p = 0.04] and had more hospitalizations due to FAP (20.8% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.01) compared to Children with FAP and normal weight. Conclusions: Adolescents with FAP had higher prevalence of overweight/obesity compared to controls. Future studies are warranted to raise awareness of weight issues in FAP and determine the effect of weight loss on FAP.
Influence of Segmental Supply of Cilioretinal Artery on Morphology of Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Khan Rehana , Shanmugam Mahesh , Ramanjulu Rajesh , Chablani Jay , Singh Niharika , Raman Rajiv
Published: May 2020

Background: The supply of Cilioretinal artery (CRA) to different layers of retina influences retinal pathologies like diabetic retinopathy. Since the supply of CRA is segmental, Our aim is to analyze the location of CRA) with non center-involving and center-involving diabetic macular edema (DME) and to evaluate the supply of CRA with segments of macular edema based on Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) scale using optical coherence tomography (OCT).Design: Retrospective studyMethods: A retrospective study in which forty-three patients at various stages of diabetic retinopathy with the presence of CRA were identified. Presence and location of CRA was recognized using fundus fluorescein angiography. Classification of DME was based on ETDRS subfields on OCT.Results: Evaluation of 26 men and 17 women of various groups of diabetic retinopathy revealed unilateral CRA in 40 subjects and bilateral CRA in 3 subjects. When CRA supplied the central area, maximum retinal thickness was noted at the temporal quadrant (271.67±164.02 mm) and had non center-involving DME (194.87±121.06 mm), when CRA supplied the lower area, maximum retinal thickness was noted at the superior quadrant (293.64±159.36 mm) and had center-involving DME (395±285.75 mm), and when it supplied the upper area, maximum retinal thickness was noted at the nasal quadrant (293.49±176.18mm) with center-involving DME (292±192.79 mm).Conclusion: The presence of CRA seems to alter the morphology and influences the segment involved in DME. However, further studies with larger sample size are warranted to prove this association.
Youth unemployment and mental health: Prevalence and associated factors of depression among unemployed young adults in Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Mokona Hirbaye , Yohannes Kalkidan , Ayano Getinet
Published: May 2020

Background: The high rate of unemployment among young adults in Ethiopia (25.3%) is a public health concern. The risk of mental health problems like depression is higher among the unemployed than among the employed. However, there is no study conducted on the prevalence and associated factors of depression among unemployed young adults in Ethiopia. Hence, this study is aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression among unemployed young adults in Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia.Methods: Community based cross sectional study design was employed among 1452 unemployed young adults in Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia from May to July, 2019. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. The presence of depression was assessed by using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and data on socio-demographic characteristics of study participants was collected by using structured questionnaire. Data was coded and entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 20. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with depression, and variables with p-values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. The strength of the association was presented by adjusted odds ratio with their 95% confidence interval. Result: The overall prevalence of depression among unemployed young adults in the present study was 30.9% (95% CI: 28.4%, 33.1%). Of the total study participants with depression, 56.7% had mild depression, 36% had moderate depression, and 7.3% had severe depression. Being male (AOR=1.40, 95%CI: 1.10, 1.80), long duration of unemployment (≥1years) (AOR=1.56, 95%CI: 1.21, 1.99), low self-esteem (AOR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.68), poor social support (AOR=1.98, 95%CI: 1.34, 2.93), and current alcohol use (AOR=1.86, 95%CI: 1.33, 2.59) were significantly associated with depression. Conclusion: The results of our study indicated that depression is an important public health problem among unemployed young adults in Ethiopia. The results of our study suggest that policy makers and program planners should establish appropriate strategy for prevention, early detection and management of depression among this population. Moreover, this study also indicates that addressing the need of unemployed young people, improving access to care for depression is an important next step. Furthermore, we recommend further studies to understand the nature of depression among unemployed young people and to strengthen the current results.
Genomic diversity in pearl millet inbred lines derived from landraces and improved varieties
Authors: Serba Desalegn D. , Kanfany Ghislain , Rhodes Davina , Amand Paul St. , Bernardo Amy , Gangashetty Prakash , Kane Ndjido Ardo , Bai Guihua
Published: May 2020

Background: Genetic improvement of pearl millet is lagging behind most of the major crops. Development of genomic resources is expected to expedite breeding for improved agronomic traits, stress tolerance, yield, and nutritional quality. Genotyping a breeding population with high throughput markers enables exploration of genetic diversity, population structure, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) which are important preludes for marker-trait association studies and application of genomic-assisted breeding. Results: Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) libraries of 309 inbred lines derived from landraces and improved varieties from Africa and India generated 54,770 high quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. On average one SNP per 29 Kb was mapped in the reference genome, with the telomeric regions more densely mapped than the pericentromeric regions of the chromosomes. Population structure analysis using 30,208 SNPs evenly distributed in the genome divided 309 accessions into five subpopulations with different levels of admixture. Pairwise genetic distance (GD) between accessions varied from 0.09 to 0.33 with the average distance of 0.28. Rapid LD decay implied low tendency of markers inherited together. Genetic differentiation estimates were the highest between subgroups 4 and 5, and the lowest between subgroups 1 and 2. Conclusions: Population genomic analysis of pearl millet inbred lines derived from diverse geographic and agroecological features identified five subgroups mostly following pedigree differences with different levels of admixture. It also revealed the prevalence of high genetic diversity in pearl millet, which is very useful in defining heterotic groups for hybrid breeding, trait mapping, and holds promise for improving pearl millet for yield and nutritional quality. The short LD decay observed suggests an absence of persistent haplotype blocks in pearl millet. The diverse genetic background of these lines and their low LD make this set of germplasm useful for traits mapping.
Serum Fetuin-A levels are increased and associated with insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Liu Sha , Hu Wenjing , He Yirui , Li Ling , Liu Hua , Gao Lin , Yang Gangyi , Liao Xin
Published: May 2020

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a common characteristic of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It has been reported that circulating Fetuin-A levels were associated with IR and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, previous reports were inconsistent.Methods: 207 subjects were screened for PCOS according to the diagnostic guideline of the Rotterdam consensus criterion. Serum Fetuin-A levels were measured using an ELISA kit. An independent t-test or Nonparametric test was used to detect differences between PCOS and control groups. Spearman’s correlation analysis was used to examine the association of the serum Fetuin-A with other parameters.Results: Our findings showed that circulating Fetuin-A concentration ranged from 196.6 to 418.2 µg/L for most women without PCOS (95 %). Women with PCOS had higher circulating Fetuin-A levels than healthy women (437.9 ± 119.3 vs. 313.8 ± 60.5 μg/L; p < 0.01). Serum Fetuin-A was positively correlated with BMI, WHR, TG, TC, LDL-C, HOMA-IR, LH, T, and DHEA-S. Multivariate regression analysis showed that WHR, TG, HOMA-IR, and DHEA-S were independent predictors of the levels of circulating Fetuin-A. Binary logistic regression revealed that serum Fetuin-A was associated with the occurrence of PCOS. In addition, our ROC curve analysis found that the cutoff values for Fetuin-A to predict PCOS and IR were 366.3 and 412.6 µg/L.Conclusion: Blood Fetuin-A may be a useful biomarker for screening women for PCOS and IR.
Medical cannabis use in the Australian community following introduction of legal access: The 2018-2019 Online Cross-Sectional Cannabis as Medicine Survey (CAMS-18)
Authors: Lintzeris Nicholas , Mills Llewellyn , Suraev Anastasia , Bravo Maria , Arkell Thomas , Arnold Jonathon C , Benson Melissa J , McGregor Iain S
Published: May 2020

Background: In 2016 the Australian federal government passed legislation enabling a range of cannabis-based products to be prescribed to patients by registered healthcare professionals. An online survey conducted immediately prior to these legislative changes found that the vast majority of respondents at the time were illicitly sourcing cannabis plant matter, smoking was the preferred route of administration, and mental health, chronic pain, and sleep conditions were the most frequently cited reasons for medical cannabis use. This manuscript reports the results of a follow-up survey conducted in 2018-2019, the Cannabis As Medicine Survey (CAMS-18). The goal of this second questionnaire was to examine patterns of use and consumer perspectives regarding medical cannabis use in Australia, two years after the introduction of legal access pathways. Methods: Anonymous online cross-sectional survey with convenience sample, recruited mainly through online media between September 2018 and March 2019. Participants were adults (18 years or over) residing in Australia who reported using a cannabis product for self-identified therapeutic reasons during the preceding 12 months. The survey measured consumer characteristics; indications and patterns of medical cannabis use; routes and frequency of administration; perceived benefits and harms; experiences and preferred models of access to medical cannabis. Results: Data were available for 1388 respondents. The main categories of condition being treated with medical cannabis were pain (36.4%), mental health (32.8%), sleep (9.2%), neurological (5.2%) and cancer (3.8%). Respondents reported using medical cannabis on 15.8 (11.2) days in the past 28, by inhaled (71.4%) or oral (26.5%) routes and spending AUD$82.27 ($101.27) per week. There were high levels of self-reported effectiveness, but also high rates of side effects. There was uncertainty regarding the composition of illicit cannabinoid products and concerns regarding their possible contamination. Few respondents (2.7%) had accessed legally prescribed medical cannabis, with the main perceived barriers being cost, disinterest from the medical profession, and stigma regarding cannabis use. Conclusions: Chronic pain, mental health and sleep remain the main clinical conditions for which consumers report using medical cannabis. Despite two years of legal availability, most consumers in Australia reported accessing illicit cannabis products, with uncertainty regarding the quality or composition of cannabis products.
Role of Tryptophan-Metabolizing Microbiota On Diarrhea Mice Caused by Folium sennae Extracts
Authors: Zhang Chenyang , Shao Haoqing , Li Dandan , Xiao Nenqun , Tan Zhoujin
Published: May 2020

Background: Although reports have provided evidence that diarrhea caused by Folium sennae can result in intestinal microbiota diversity disorder, the intestinal bacterial characteristic and specific mechanism are still unknown. The objective of our study was to investigate the mechanism of diarrhea caused by Folium sennae, which was associated with intestinal bacterial characteristic reshaping and metabolic abnormality. Results: For the intervention of Folium sennae extracts, Chao1 index and Shannon index were statistical decreased. The Beta diversity clusters of mice interfered by Folium sennae extracts were distinctly separated from control group. Combining PPI network analysis, cytochrome P450 enzymes metabolism was the main signaling pathway of diarrhea caused by Folium sennae. Moreover, 10 bacterial flora communities had statistical significant difference with Folium sennae intervention: the abundance of Paraprevotella, Streptococcus, Epulopiscium, Sutterella and Mycoplasma increased significantly; and the abundance of Adlercreutzia, Lactobacillus, Dehalobacterium, Dorea and Oscillospira reduced significantly. 7 of the 10 intestinal microbiota communities were related to the synthesis of tryptophan derivatives, which affected the transformation of aminotryptophan into L-tryptophan, leading to abnormal tryptophan metabolism in the host. Conclusions: Folium sennae targeted cytochrome P450 3A4 to alter intestinal bacterial characteristic and intervene the tryptophan metabolism of intestinal microbiota, such as Streptococcus, Sutterella and Dorea, which could be the intestinal microecological mechanism of diarrhea caused by Folium sennae extracts.
Health Literacy and its Effect on Chronic Disease Prevention: Evidences from China’s Data
Authors: Liu Lefan , Qian Xujun , Chen Zhuo , He Tianfeng
Published: May 2020

Background Improving health literacy is an important public health goal in many countries. Although many studies have suggested that low health literacy has adverse effects on an individual’s health outcomes, confounding factors are often not accounted. This paper examines the interplay between health literacy and chronic disease prevention. Methods A population-based sample of 8194 participants aged 15-69 years old in Ningbo were used from China’s 2017 National Health Literacy Surveillance Data. We use multivariate regression analysis to disentangle the relationship between health literacy and chronic disease prevention. Results We find the association between health literacy and the occurrence of the first chronic condition is attenuated after we adjust the results for age and education. This might arise because having one or more chronic conditions is associated with better knowledge about chronic diseases, thus improve their health literacy. More importantly, we find health literacy is associated with a reduction in the likelihood of having a comorbid condition. However, this protective effect is only found among urban residents, suggesting health literacy might be a key factor explaining the rural-urban disparity in health outcomes. Conclusion Our findings highlight the important role of health literacy in preventing comorbidities instead of preventing the first chronic condition. Moreover, family support could help improve health literacy and result in beneficial effects on health.
Yield Prediction by Machine Learning From UAS-Based Multi-Sensor Data Fusion in Soybean
Authors: Herrero-Huerta Monica , Rodriguez-Gonzalvez Pablo , Rainey Katy M.
Published: May 2020

Background Nowadays, automated phenotyping of plants is essential for precise and cost-effective improvement in the efficiency of crop genetics. In recent years, machine learning (ML) techniques have shown great success in the classification and modelling of crop parameters. In this research, we consider the capability of ML to perform grain yield prediction in soybeans by combining data from different optical sensors via RF (Random Forest) and XGBoost (eXtreme Gradient Boosting). During the 2018 growing season, a panel of 382 soybean recombinant inbred lines were evaluated in a yield trial at the Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE) in West Lafayette (Indiana, USA). Images were acquired by the Parrot Sequoia Multispectral Sensor and the S.O.D.A. compact digital camera on board a senseFly eBee UAS (Unnamed Aircraft System) solution at R4 and early R5 growth stages. Next, a standard photogrammetric pipeline was carried out by SfM (Structure from Motion). Multispectral imagery serves to analyse the spectral response of the soybean end-member in 2D. In addition, RGB images were used to reconstruct the study area in 3D, evaluating the physiological growth dynamics per plot via height variations and crop volume estimations. As ground truth, destructive grain yield measurements were taken at the end of the growing season. Results Algorithms and feature extraction techniques were combined to develop a regression model to predict final yield from imagery, achieving an accuracy of over 90.72% by RF and 91.36% by XGBoost. Conclusions Results provide practical information for the selection of phenotypes for breeding coming from UAS data as a decision support tool, affording constant operational improvement and proactive management for high spatial precision.
Persistence of Pregabalin Treatment in Taiwan: a Nation-Wide Population-Based Study
Authors: Wang Yen-Feng , Chen Yung-Tai , Tsai Ching-Wen , Yen Yu-Chun , Chen Yi-Chun , Hsia Ben-Chang , Wang Shuu-Jiun
Published: May 2020

Background Pregabalin is approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and seizure disorders, although the pivotal trials were mostly carried out in Europe or North America. The prescribing patterns among different indications in Asia have rarely been explored.Methods This was a population-based retrospective cohort study based on the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Prescriptions of pregabalin were identified, and data regarding demographics, indications, co-existing diagnoses, and concomitant medications were extracted. Pregabalin users were followed for at least one year, and factors associated with persistence at one year were determined by using multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results Between June 2012 and December 2016, 114,437 pregabalin users (mean age 60.7±15.4 years, 57.8% female) were identified. The indications included post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) (30.5%), musculoskeletal diseases other than fibromyalgia (21.2%), fibromyalgia (18.4%), diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) (11.7%) and epilepsy (2.9%). Overall, 62.5% and 6.4% of patients achieved a maximum dose of ≥150 and ≥300 mg/day, respectively. The median duration of persistent pregabalin use was 28 days (interquartile range 14-118 days). The one-year persistence rate was 12.1%, and the indications associated with the highest and lowest persistence rates were epilepsy (42.4%) and PHN (6.1%), respectively. Male gender (odds ratio [OR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.18), older age (OR 1.01 per year, 95% CI 1.01-1.01), indications other than PHN, especially epilepsy (OR 8.04, 95% CI 7.33-8.81, PHN as reference), and a higher initial dose (OR 1.12 per 75 mg, 95% CI=1.10-1.15) were associated with persistence at one year, whereas the initial concomitant use of antiviral agents decreased the likelihood (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.35-0.47).Conclusions Pregabalin prescriptions for pain disorders were limited to short-term use, which is consistent around the world. However, the average prescribed dose in Taiwan was lower than those in Western countries, and was typically frequently below the recommended ranges. Potential causes included the duration of natural history of PHN, and off-label prescriptions for pain in acute herpes zoster, rather than PHN, as well as intolerance to the side effects.
The effectiveness of a web-based decision aid for patients with hip osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Perestelo-Perez Lilisbeth , Alvarez-Perez Yolanda , Rivero-Santana Amado , Ramos-García Vanesa , Duarte-Díaz Andrea , Torres-Castaño Alezandra , Toledo-Chávarri Ana , Herrera Mario , País-Brito Jose Luis , Castillo José Carlos del , Vázquez José Ramón , Orrego Carola , Serrano-Aguilar Pedro
Published: May 2020

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a health condition sensitive to patient’s preferences and values regarding the benefits and risks of the different treatment options. In this sense, patient decision aids (PtDA) can play an important role in helping patients to incorporate their values, needs and preferences into the decision-making process, thus improving Person-Centred Care. Previous research has focused almost exclusively on knee OA, and therefore the aim of this study is to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a PtDA for patients with hip OA.Methods: The general design consists of two phases: 1) design a web-based PtDA for patients with hip OA, following the recommended procedures: systematic review of safety/effectiveness of treatments, and an iterative process of development with the help of an Advisory Committee composed of health professionals and patients; 2) To evaluate the impact of the PtDA on hip OA patients’ decision-making process related with their treatment. For that aim, a multicenter randomized controlled trial will be carried out with 124 patients with hip OA in Tenerife (Spain) comparing intervention or usual care.Discussion: PtDAs have been recommended as a useful and effective resource for improving PCC in many health conditions. The intervention is intended to empower patients by fostering their active participation during the decision-making process about their treatment, and by ensuring they make informed decisions congruent with their values and preferences. This study will contribute to the scientific knowledge about effectiveness of PtDAs in hip OA, in order to improve the quality of health care offered to these patients.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gob (NCT04241978). Registered on 24 January 2020.
Comparison of peri-implant submucosal microbiota in arches with zirconia or titanium implant-supported fixed complete dental prostheses (IFCDP): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jia Pingyi , Yang Jingwen , Liu Jianzhang , Yue Zhaoguo , Liu Qi , Liu Zhongning , Tang Lin , Hou Jianxia
Published: May 2020

• Background: Implant-supported prostheses are applied in edentulous patients with high success rate. However, the incidence rate of biological complications namely peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis increases year by year after the placement of prostheses. Pathogenic bacteria accumulated adjacent to prostheses is proved to be the main reason of biological complication. Titanium, one of the classical materials for implant-supported prostheses, performs well in the aspect of biocompatibility and ease maintenance, but is still susceptible for biofilm formation. Zirconia, emerging as an appealing substitute, not only has comparable properties, but presents different surface properties influencing oral bacteria adhesion. However, scarce scientific research proves its direct effect on oral bacteria flora. Study exploring the different effects of material properties on biofilm formation and composition might provide a clue on this topic.• Methods: The proposed study is designed as a 5-year randomized controlled trial. We plan to enroll 36 edentulous (maxilla and/or mandible) patients seeking of full-arch fixed implant-supported prostheses. The participants will be randomly divided into two groups. Group 1: participants will be restored with zirconia frameworks with ceramic veneering; Group 2: participants will be restored with titanium frameworks with acrylic resin veneering. Ten reexaminations will be completed at the end of this 5-year trial. Mucosal conditions around the implants will be recorded every six months after restoration. Peri-implant submucosal plaque will be collected at each reexamination, and bacteria flora analysis will be performed with 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology, to compare the differences in microbial diversity between two groups. X-ray examination will be applied every 12 months as a key index to evaluate the marginal bone level around implants.• Discussion: The current study aims to explore the oral microbiology of patients restored with zirconia ceramic frameworks and those restored with titanium frameworks. By evaluating and comparing the features of the microbiota and the mucosal condition around two different materials, whether zirconia to be a recommendable material for fixed implant-supported prostheses could be figured out. This study aims to provide a tangible decision-making suggestion for full arch implant-supported prosthesis in edentulous patients. • Trial registration: International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), ID: ChiCTR2000029470. Registered on 2 February 2020.
The effect of omega-3 and vitamin D co-supplementation on glycemic control and lipid profiles in reproductive-aged women with pre-diabetes and hypovitaminosis D: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Naeeni Masoumeh Rajabi- , Dolatian Mahrokh , Qorbani Mostafa , Vaezi Amir Abbas
Published: May 2020

Background: Prediabetes can predispose the individual to type 2 diabetes in the long-term. The present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of vitamin D and omega-3 co-supplementation on glycemic control and serum lipid profiles in women of reproductive age with prediabetes and hypovitaminosis D. Methods: The present factorial, triple-blind, clinical trial was conducted on 168 women of reproductive age with prediabetes and hypovitaminosis D. The participants were assigned to four groups based on block randomization method: the placebo group received omega-3 and vitamin D placebos; the omega-3 group took omega-3 supplements and vitamin D placebos; the vitamin D group received omega-3 placebos and vitamin D supplements and the co-supplementation group. The groups received every two weeks 50,000 IU pearls of vitamin D and twice-daily doses of 1000-mg omega-3 tablets or placebos for eight weeks. Dietary intake, physical activity, anthropometric indices and blood biochemical tests were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Analysis was performed using two-way mixed ANOVA. Results: A significant reduction was observed in fasting glucose, insulin , homeostasis model assessment-beta cell function, weight and waist circumference in the co-supplementation group compared to the other three groups (P<0.05). Moreover, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels increased significantly in the co-supplementation group compared to the other three groups (P<0.05). Despite the fact that homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels decreased after intervention in the co-supplementation group, there was no significant difference between the groups in these outcomes. Conclusion: Vitamin D and omega-3 co-supplementation improved fasting serum glucose, insulin, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level, homeostasis model assessment-beta cell function, weight and waist circumference in women of reproductive age with prediabetes and hypovitaminosis D. This co-supplementation can therefore be recommended for glycemic control in these women.Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Code: IRCT20100130003226N17. Registered on 9 Feb. 2019.