bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Gut Microbiotas Diversity During 32-39 Weeks of Gestation on Postpartum Depression
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Gan Qiangsheng , Yang Hongling , Ye Weitao , Zhao Xueqin , Long Yan , Mei Shanshan , Ma Jun , Rehemutula Rehemayi , Zeng Fangling , Geng Qingshan , Hu Yanwei , Zhu Chunyan
Published: October 2020

Background: Patients with major depression are accompanied by intestinal flora flocculation; however, the relationship between the composition of gut microbiota in pregnancy and postpartum depression (PPD) has not been established. In this study we determined the effect of the gut microbiota in pregnant women during 32-39 weeks of gestation on PPD.Methods: Participants (n = 74) were enrolled between 2016–2017 from the Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Centre (GWCMC). Stool samples were collected during 32-39 weeks of gestation, and the relative abundance of fecal microbiota was characterized by 16S rRNA sequencing. The parturients completed the mainland Chinese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) 42 days postpartum to detect PPD. The linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) method was used to identify bacterial population differences between the PPD and control groups.Results: The top three bacteria phyla in the PPD and control groups were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. Compared with healthy pregnant women, the alpha diversity index of the PPD group was lower. Beta diversity analysis was performed by PCoA showing that no significant differences in bacterial community structures between the two groups (R2 = 0.013, P = 0.549). The composition of gut microbiota during 32-39 weeks of gestation of the two groups was different. At the genera level, Acinetobacter, Plesiomonas, Enterococcus, Olsenella, Alloscardovia, and Anaerotruncus were increased in the PPD group, while Lactococcus, Adlercreutzia, Clostridium, Coprococcus, and unclassified-Clostridiales were decreased. At the species level, hypermegale, uli, casseliflavus, and hathewayi were increased in the PPD group, and celatum was increased in the control group.Conclusions: During 32-39 weeks of gestation, a reduction in diversity of gut microbiota and anti-inflammatory bacteria, and an increase in opportunistic pathogenic bacteria are more likely to cause PPD.
Microbially guided discovery and biosynthesis of biologically active natural products
Authors: Sarkar Ankur , Kim Edward , Jang Taehwan , Hongdusit Akarawin , Kim Hyungjun , Choi Jeong-Mo , Fox Jerome
Published: October 2020

The design of small molecules that inhibit disease-relevant proteins represents a longstanding challenge of medicinal chemistry. Here, we describe an approach for encoding this challenge—the inhibition of a human drug target—into a microbial host and using it to guide the discovery and biosynthesis of targeted, biologically active natural products. This approach identified two previously unknown terpenoid inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), an elusive therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetes and cancer. Both inhibitors target an allosteric site, which confers unusual selectivity, and can inhibit PTP1B in living cells. A screen of 24 uncharacterized terpene synthases from a pool of 4,464 genes uncovered additional hits, demonstrating a scalable discovery approach, and the incorporation of different PTPs into the microbial host yielded alternative PTP-specific detection systems. Findings illustrate the potential for using microbes to discover and build natural products that exhibit precisely defined biochemical activities yet possess unanticipated structures and/or binding sites.
The Relationship Between PaO2/FiO2 and Delirium in Intensive Care: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Gong Fang , Ai Yuhang , Zhang Lina , Peng Qianyi , Zhou Quan , Gui Chunmei
Published: October 2020

Background: Studies investigating the association of delirium with ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) have been limited. The main purpose of the our study was to explore the relationship between PaO2/FiO2 and the risk of delirium in intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that involved the collection of data from patients admitted to the Xiang Ya Hospital Cardiothoracic Surgical Care Unit and Comprehensive Intensive Care Unit from September 1st, 2016, to December 10th, 2016. Delirium was diagnosed by the simplified version of the Chinese Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU). The PaO2/FiO2 of each patient was recorded at the first 24 h after admission to the ICU. Results: There was a non-linear relationship between the PaO2/FiO2 and delirium, after adjusting for the following potential confounders: gender, age, hypertension, heart disease, history of a cerebral vascular accident, diabetes, smoking habits, drinking habits, chronic pulmonary dysfunction, blood pressure at admission, postoperative surgery, mechanical ventilation, mechanical ventilation time, PaCO2, sedation, APACHE II score, and SOFA score. We used a two-piecewise linear regression model to calculate the threshold of 247 mmHg. On the left side of the threshold, the odds ratio (OR) was 0.91 (95% CI [0.84, 0.98]), while the OR on the right side was 1.03 (95% CI [1.00, 1.06]).Conclusions: The relationship between PaO2/FiO2 and risk of delirium was non-linear. The PaO2/FiO2 was negatively associated with the risk of delirium when the PaO2/FiO2 was less than 247 mmHg. As a readily available laboratory indicator, PaO2/FiO2 has potential value in the clinical evaluation risk of delirium in ICU patients. Of course, our conclusions need further confirmation from other studies, especially large prospective studies.
Knowledge of COVID-19 and Health Literacy Among Patients Seeking Care in an Emergency Department
Authors: Barry Connor , Green Stephen , Payne Brian , Holmes Justin , Xu Ke Tom
Published: October 2020

BackgroundAs the US continues to experience a daily increase of COVID-19 cases, there is an urgent need to identify ways to improve individuals’ knowledge of COVID-19 to achieve effective prevention. To examine whether the knowledge of COVID-19 was associated with the general health literacy among patients in an emergency department, and to demonstrate whether patients’ primary source of COVID-19 information was associated with their COVID-19 knowledge.MethodsA sample of adults was collected in an urban ED. Patients’ knowledge of COVID-19 was measured by the agreement to 10 statements. Health literacy was measured by the Brief Health Literacy Screen (BHLS). Participants were also asked about their primary source of COVID-19 information, sociodemographics, comorbidities and familiarity with the healthcare system at baseline. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. ResultsThe average COVID-19 knowledge score was 7.09 (range 0-10) and BHLS score, 11.09 (range 3-15). About 43% obtained the information primarily from TVs, radios and newspapers, and 1/3 from social media and circles. The group with the primary source being internet searches and sites had the highest average COVID-19 knowledge score of 7.78. The BHLS and COVID-19 knowledge scores were positively correlated in both bivariate and multivariate analyses. Education and income levels were statistically significant in the multivariate regression.ConclusionsTo better prevent further increases in COVID-19 transmission, community-based interventions can be more cost-effective when targeting sociodemographic groups that have lower general health literacy. In particular, individuals of low educational and with low income levels should be prioritized.
Evaluation of the Prognostic Value of Lactate and Acid-base Status in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department
Authors: D'Abrantes Ramiro , DUNN Laura , MCMILLAN Tim , CORNWELL Ben , BLOOM Ben , HARRIS Tim
Published: October 2020

IntroductionPoint-of-care metabolic screens are frequently used in the assessment of critical illness. Lactate levels predict mortality in a wide range of patients presenting to the Emergency Department but the effect of co-existing acidosis is unknown. We investigated the effect that acidosis has on in-hospital mortality for patients with hyperlactataemia. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study. The inclusion criteria were patients over 17 years of age who received a metabolic panel on arrival to the resuscitation area of the Emergency Department. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The groups were normal lactate (0.0-2.0 mmol/L), intermediate lactate (2.1-4.0 mmol/L) and high lactate (>4.0 mmol/L), with and without acidosis. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated to assess the differences in mortality rates between groups stratified by lactate and acid-base status.Results 4107 metabolic panels were collected and 3238 were assessed. 510 (15.8%) & 784 (24.2%) patients had a normal lactate and acidosis or no acidosis respectively. 587 (18.1%) & 842 (26.0%) patients had intermediate lactate and acidosis or no acidosis respectively. 388 (12.0%) & 127 (3.9%) patients had high lactate and acidosis or no acidosis respectively. The overall mortality was 5%. In normal lactate group mortality was 4.3% and 0.6%, intermediate lactate mortality was 5.6% and 2.6%, and high lactate group mortality was 19.3% and 3.9%, with and without acidosis respectively. Combining base excess < -6 and lactate >4 mmol/L had a sensitivity of 39%, specificity of 96%, positive predictive value of 32% and a negative predictive value of 98% for in-hospital mortality, OR 14.0 (95% CI 9.77 – 20.11). Conclusion In an undifferentiated cohort of Emergency Department patients presenting to the resuscitation area lactaemia associated with acidosis is a more accurate predictor of in-hospital mortality than hyperlactataemia.
Potential Impact of Flood on Schistosomiasis in Poyang Lake Regions Based on Multi-Source Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Xue Jing-Bo , Wang Xin-Yi , Zhang Li-Juan , Hao Yu-Wan , Chen Zhe , Lin Dan-Dan , Xu Jing , Xia Shang , Li Shi-Zhu
Published: October 2020

BackgroundFlooding may be the most important factors contributing to the rebound of Oncomelania hupensis in endemic foci. This study aimed to assess the risk of schistosomiasis japonica transmission impacted by flooding around the Poyang Lake region using multi-source remote sensing images.MethodsNormalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data collected by the Landsat 8 satellite was used as an ecological and geographical suitability indicator of O. hupensis snail habitats in the Poyang Lake region. The flood-affected water body expansion was estimated using dual polarized threshold calculations based on the dual polarized synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The image data were captured from Sentinel-1B satellite in May 2020 before the flood and in July 2020 during the flood. The spatial database of snail habitats distribution was created by using the 2016 snail survey in Jiangxi Province. The potential spread of O. hupensis snails after the flood was predicted by an overlay analysis of the NDVI maps of flood-affected water body areas. In addition, the risk of schistosomiasis transmission was classified based on O. hupensis snail density data and the related NDVI. ResultsThe surface area of Poyang Lake was approximately 2,207 km2 in May 2020 before the flood and 4,403 km2 in July 2020 during the period of the flood peak, and the flood-caused expansion of water body was estimated as 99.5%. After the flood, the potential snail habitats were predicted to be concentrated in areas neighboring the existing habitats in marshlands of the Poyang Lake. The areas with high risk of schistosomiasis transmission were predicted to be mainly distributed in Yongxiu, Xinjian, Yugan and Poyang (District) along Poyang Lake. By comparing the predictive results and actual snail distribution, the predictive accuracy of the model was estimated as 87%, which meant the 87% of actual snail distribution were correctly identified as the snail habitats in the model predictions. ConclusionsFlood-affected water body expansion and environmental factors pertaining to snail breeding may be rapidly extracted from Landsat 8 and Sentinel-1B remote sensing images. The applications of multi-source remote sensing data are feasible for the timely and effective assessment of the potential schistosomiasis transmission risk caused by snail spread during the flood disaster, which is of great significance for precision control of schistosomiasis.
Malignancy in non-HIV infected patients with cryptococcal meningitis: a retrospective study
Authors: Xu Xiaofeng , Cao Liping , Wang Yijie , Liu Jia , Dong Qing , Liang Chunling , Jiang Ying , Peng Fuhua
Published: October 2020

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) was found to be coexist with malignancy in non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes of CM in non-HIV infected patients with malignancy.Methods: A total of 320 CM patients were enrolled for analysis from January 2013-May 2019. One hundred and four patients underwent positron emission computed tomography (PET-CT) examination. The demographics, clinical characteristics, microbiological, radiological, therapeutic outcomes were analyzed in CM patients with and without malignancy.Results: Twelve patients with malignancy were found, of which 7 malignancy before CM (MBC), 5 malignancy after CM (MAC). CM patients with malignancy were older than non-malignancy ones. The prognosis of MBC patients was comparable to that of non-malignancy patients, but was extremely poor in MAC patients. Four out of 5 CM patients, who was suggested diagnosis as malignancy by PET-CT, were finally confirmed.Conclusions: This study found an increase rate of solid malignancies in CM patients. Screening malignancy in older CM patients was very important because it is closely related to prognosis and might affect treatment strategy. PET-CT might be a useful tool for early malignancy screening in CM.
Monitoring HIV Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Information Seeking By Combining Digital and Traditional Data
Authors: Johnson Derek , Nobles Alicia L. , Caputi Theodore L. , Liu Michael , Leas Eric C. , Strathdee Steffanie A. , Smith Davey M. , Ayers John W.
Published: October 2020

Background. Public health is increasingly turning to non-traditional digital data to inform HIV prevention and control strategies. We demonstrate a parsimonious method using both traditional survey and internet search histories to provide new insights into HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) information seeking that can be easily extended to other settings. Method. We modeled how US internet search volumes from 2019 for HIV testing and PrEP compared against expected search volumes for HIV testing and PrEP using state HIV prevalence and socioeconomic characteristics as predictors. States with search volumes outside the upper and lower bound confidence interval were labeled as either over or under performing. State performance was evaluated by (a) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designation as a hotspot for new HIV diagnoses (b) expanding Medicaid coverage. Results. Ten states over-performed in models assessing information seeking for HIV testing, while thirteen states under-performed. Fourteen states over-performed in models assessing internet searches for PrEP information, while 15 states under-performed. States that expanded Medicaid coverage were more likely to over perform in PrEP models than states that did not expand Medicaid coverage.Conclusion. Our study derived a method of measuring HIV and PrEP information seeking that is comparable across states. Several states exhibited information seeking for PrEP and HIV testing that deviated from model assessments. Statewide search volume for PrEP information was affected by a state’s decision to expand Medicaid coverage. Our research provides health officials with an innovative way to monitor statewide interest in PrEP and HIV testing using a metric for information-seeking that is comparable across states.
Clinical and endoscopic features of aorto-duodenal fistula resulting in definitive diagnosis: an observational study
Authors: Ichita Chikamasa , Sasaki Akiko , Sumida Chihiro , Kimura Karen , Nishino Takashi , Tasaki Junichi , Masuda Sakue , Koizumi Kazuya , Kawachi Jun , Kako Makoto
Published: October 2020

Background: An aorto-duodenal fistula presents with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and hematemesis. Early diagnosis is difficult, and the disease is associated with high mortality. Sometimes, a small amount of bleeding, known as herald bleed, occurs repeatedly and may be judged as upper gastrointestinal bleeding, prompting emergency upper endoscopy. Diagnostic methods and surgical treatment during herald bleeding are important for saving lives. However, most fistulas form in the horizontal duodenum, and active bleeding is rarely found in patients with herald bleeding. Moreover, an aorto-duodenal fistula is rarely diagnosed based on upper endoscopy alone. Methods: The present study examined the clinical and endoscopic characteristics of aorto-duodenal fistula in eight patients who underwent upper endoscopy before diagnosis at our hospital. It also sought to clarify how aorto-duodenal fistula can be appropriately diagnosed. Results: All patients had a history of aortic treatment, and many could not be diagnosed by computed tomography scan or upper endoscopy alone. Regarding the endoscopic findings, patients were seen to have stent/vascular prosthesis exposure, which is diagnostic of aorto-duodenal fistula as well as pulsatile lesions and massive fresh bleeding of obscure origin in the duodenum. Conclusions: If the diagnosis is unclear, clinicians may need to observe the horizontal duodenum using a fitted tip attachment or long scope. Since vital signs may fluctuate during endoscopy, a series of tests should be performed immediately. Proactive placement of marking clips in likely areas of the fistula may facilitate diagnosis via computed tomography. The present results demonstrate that proper diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment save lives in patients with aorto-duodenal fistula.
Association Between Serum Oestradiol Level on the Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin Administration Day and Neonatal Birthweight After in Vitro Fertilization-embryo Transfer: A Retrospective Study of 3659 Singleton Live Births
Authors: Liu Yu , Li Jing , Guo Yihong
Published: October 2020

BackgroundOestradiol, an important hormone in follicular development and endometrial receptivity, is closely related to clinical outcomes of fresh in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. A supraphysiologic E2 level is inevitable during controlled ovarian hyper-stimulation (COH), and its effect on the outcome of IVF-ET is controversial. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the association between elevated serum oestradiol (E2) levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration and neonatal birthweight after IVF-ET cycles.MethodsThe data of 3659 infertile patients with fresh IVF-ET cycles were analysed retrospectively between August 2009 and February 2017 in First Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Patients were categorized by serum E2 levels on the day of hCG administration into six groups: group 1 (serum E2 levels≤1000 pg/mL, n=230), group 2 (serum E2 levels between 1001 and 2000 pg/mL, n=524), group 3 (serum E2 levels between 2001 and 3000 pg/mL, n=783), group 4 (serum E2 levels between 3001 and 4000 pg/mL, n = 721), group 5 (serum E2 levels between 4001 and 5000 pg/mL, n=548 ), and group 6 (serum E2 levels > 5000 pg/mL, n=852). Univariate linear regression was used to evaluate the independent correlation between each factor and outcome index. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding factors.ResultsThe LBW rates were as follows: 3.0% (group 1), 2.9% (group 2), 1.9% (group 3), 2.9% (group 4), and 2.0% (group 6) (P =0.629), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidences of neonatal LBW among the six groups. We did not detect an association between peak serum E2 level during ovarian stimulation and neonatal birthweight after IVF-ET.ConclusionThe results of this retrospective cohort study showed that serum E2 peak levels during ovarian stimulation were not associated with birth weight during IVF cycles. In addition, no association was found between higher E2 levels and increased LBW risk. Our observations suggest that the hyper-oestrogenic milieu during COS does not seem to have adverse effects on the birthweight of offspring after IVF.
Cumulative Live Birth Rates in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Comparing Progestin Primed Ovarian Stimulation Protocol and GnRH-Antagonist Protocol
Authors: Ji Jingjuan , Luo Lihua , Huang Lingli
Published: October 2020

Background: Cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) becomes a comprehensive and meaningful indictor of the success of IVF nowadays. Frozen-embryo transfer (FET) was associated with a higher rate of live birth and a lower risk of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. Progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) is a new ovarian stimulation protocol in which oral progestin been used to prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges during ovarian stimulation. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the CLBR of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle in women with PCOS following PPOS protocol compared with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol.Methods: It is a retrospective study. The first IVF cycle of 666 PCOS women were included. Ovarian stimulations were performed with PPOS or GnRH antagonist protocol. All patients included in the analysis had either delivered a baby or had used all their embryos of their first stimulated cycle. The patients were followed for 2–7 years until February 2020.Result(s): The CLBR were similar in the PPOS and GnRH antagonist group (64% vs 60.1%, P = 0.748). Logistic regression analyses showed treatment protocol (PPOS vs GnRH antagonist) did not show any significant correlation with the CLBR (adjusted OR: 0.898; 95% CI: 0.583-1.384, P=0.627). No statistically significant differences were found in the live birth rates per embryo transfer (41.3% vs. 38.4%) in the study group and controls.Conclusion(s): The results of this study showed that both the live birth rate per embryo transfer and the cumulative live birth rate were similar between PPOS and GnRH antagonist group. PPOS protocol is efficient in the controlled ovarian stimulation of patients with PCOS.
Assessing the Clinical Utility of Genetic Risk Scores for Targeted Cancer Screening
Authors: Conran Carly Ann , Shi Zhuqing , Resurreccion William Kyle , Na Rong , Helfand Brian T. , Genova Elena , Zheng Siqun Lilly , Brendler Charles B. , Xu Jianfeng
Published: October 2020

Background: Genome-wide association studies have identified thousands of disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A subset of these SNPs may be additively combined to generate genetic risk scores (GRSs) that confer risk for a specific disease. Although the clinical validity of GRSs to predict risk of specific diseases has been well established, there is still a great need to determine their clinical utility by applying GRSs in primary care for cancer risk assessment and targeted intervention.Methods: This clinical study involved 281 primary care patients without a personal history of breast, prostate or colorectal cancer who were 40-70 years old. DNA was obtained from a pre-existing biobank at NorthShore University HealthSystem. GRSs for colorectal cancer and breast or prostate cancer were calculated and shared with participants through their primary care provider. Additional data was gathered using questionnaires as well as electronic medical record information. A t-test or Chi-square test was applied for comparison of demographic and key clinical variables among different groups.Results: The median age of the 281 participants was 58 years and the majority were female (66.6%). One hundred one (36.9%) participants received 2 low risk scores, 99 (35.2%) received 1 low risk and 1 average risk score, 37 (13.2%) received 1 low risk and 1 high risk score, 23 (8.2%) received 2 average risk scores, 21 (7.5%) received 1 average risk and 1 high risk score, and no one received 2 high risk scores. Before receiving GRSs, younger patients and women reported significantly more worry about risk of developing cancer. After receiving GRSs, those who received at least one high GRS reported significantly more worry about developing cancer. There were no significant differences found between gender, age, or GRS with regards to participants’ reported optimism about their future health neither before nor after receiving GRS results.Conclusions: Genetic risk scores that quantify an individual’s risk of developing breast, prostate and colorectal cancers as compared with a race-defined population average risk have potential clinical utility as a tool for risk stratification and to guide cancer screening in a primary care setting.
Building a Rapid Autopsy Program – A Step-by-Step Logistics Guide
Authors: Bacon Eliza R , Ihle Kena , Lee Peter P , Waisman James R
Published: October 2020

Background: Rapid Autopsy Programs offer an opportunity to collect tissue from patients immediately after death, providing critical biological material necessary to develop more effective therapies and improve patient outcomes. Here, we present a step-by-step guide to build a cancer-focused Rapid Autopsy Program, based on our own experiences building “The Legacy Project” at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center. Methods: The linear timeline of events is separated into four phases: 1) Building the Infrastructure, 2) Recruiting and Consenting, 3) Preparing for Death, and 4) Tissue Collection and Follow up. Important considerations and methods for adaptation are discussed throughout the protocol. Discussion: Using these methods, we successfully collected a total of 533 specimens from 9 subjects. The average time from death to last specimen acquisition was 6.1 hours (range: 4.03 – 7.66 hours; median: 5.71 hours). A diverse team with various areas of expertise is critical for successful program implementation. Our goal herein this protocol is to provide a comprehensive framework and foundation for other institutions to use as a model.
Prevalence of Goiter and Associated Factors among Women of Reproductive Age Group in Demba Goffa Woreda, Gamo Goffa Zone, Southwest Ethiopia: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Zekarias Befikaduwa , Mesfin Frehiwot , Mengiste Bezatu , Tesfaye Adane , Getacher Lemma
Published: October 2020

Background: Iodine deficiency disorder is a major public health problem in Ethiopia that is more common in women of reproductive age. However, it is not well addressed and there is a lack of information on its prevalence and associated factors in women of reproductive age group. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess goiter prevalence and associated factors among women of reproductive age in the Demba Goffa Woreda, Gamo Goffa Zone, and Southwest Ethiopia.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was used among 584 randomly selected women in the reproductive age group from February 05 to April 20, 2016. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study Kebeles, and a systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study samples. Data were collected through a pretested questionnaire, and the goiter examination was done clinically for each participant. The collected data were coded and entered into a computer for statistical analysis using Epi-data version 3.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Variables with a P-value ≤ 0.25 in bivariate logistic regression analysis were entered into multivariate logistic regression analysis, and finally, variables with a P-value < 0.05 in multivariate logistic regression were considered significantly associated with the dependent variable.Results: The total goiter rate was 43%, 95% CI = (39.2-46.9). Cassava consumption (AOR: 2.02, 95% CI: (1.03-4)), salt wash before use (AOR: 3.14, 95% CI: (1.1-11.3)), salt use after > 2 months of purchase (AOR: 11, 95% CI; (5-26)), family history of goiter (AOR: 4.6, 95% CI: (1.4-15.8)), and poor knowledge of iodized salt (AOR: 2.7, 95% CI (1.4-5.5)) were significant factors associated with goiter.Conclusion: Iodine deficiency was found to be severe in women of reproductive age in the study area. This showed that women of reproductive age, especially during pregnancy, are exposed to iodine deficiency and its adverse effects at delivery. Thus, they need urgent supplementation with iodine, improved access to foods rich in iodine and intake of iodized salt. Additionally, health education should focus on the importance of iodized salt, the proper method of use and the prevention of iodine deficiency, which are highly recommended to minimize the problem.
Bowel Necrosis in Patient with Severe Case of COVID-19: A Case Report
Authors: Soeselo Daniel Ardian , Theresia Sandy , Hambali Wirawan
Published: October 2020

Background: In patients who are critically ill with COVID-19, multiple extrapulmonary manifestations of the disease have been observed, including gastrointestinal manifestations. Case Presentation: We present a case of a 65 year old man with severe COVID-19 pneumonia that developed hypercoagulation and peritonitis. Emergent laparotomy was performed and we found bowel necrosis in two sites. Conclusions: Although rare, the presentation of COVID-19 with bowel necrosis requires emergency treatments, and it has high mortality rate.
Computational analysis by molecular docking of thirty alkaloid compounds from medicinal plants as potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease
Authors: A. Tunga Kuhana , Kilembe Jason T. , Matondo Aristote , Yussuf Khamis M. , Nininahazwe Lauraine , Nkatu Fils K. , Tshingamb Milka N. , Vangu Emmanuel K. , Kindala Junior T. , Mihigo Shetonde O. , Kayembe Sungula J. , Kafuti Yves S. , Clement Agboyibor , Taba Kalulu M.
Published: October 2020

2020 has been highly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The urgent needs for a potent and effective drug for treatment of this malignance put pressure on researchers and scientists worldwide to develop potential drug or a vaccine to resist SARS-CoV-2. We report in this paper the assessment of the efficiency of thirty alkaloid compounds derived from African medicinal plants against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease through molecular docking and bioinformatics approaches. The results reveal four potential inhibitors (ligands 18, 21, 23 and 24) with the highest binding energies up to 12.26 kcal/mol with good profile of ADMET, as well as fully obey the Lipinski’s rule of five.
Female Labor Force Participation under COVID-19 Pandemic:Evidence from the first round of the Uganda High-frequency Phone Survey on COVID-19
Authors: James Mukoki , Douglas Candia Andabati , Kurayish Ssebulime , Edward Musoke
Published: October 2020

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 disease has taken the world by storm, given the containment measures better known as the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including strict or mild lockdowns and social distancing measures. The impact of these aggregated measures have caused not only loss of lives but also financial, economic, social and even political unrest around the world and Uganda has not been spared either, given its weak economic and health care system (UBOS 2020). This study thus was designed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures and its associated self-reported threat on the female labor force participation (FLFP) in Uganda following the March 20th 2020 shutdown of the economy by the government. The interest in women in this study stems from the fact that despite economic activity shutdown, women’s work and roles extend beyond their office space to their home. Therefore using the first round of the Uganda High-Frequency Phone Survey on COVID-19 (UHFS) dataset conducted by Uganda Bureau of Statistic (UBOS) following the lockdown measure, our results indicates a 17% reduction in FLFP in the early days of the economic shutdown. We further find larger impacts of lockdown on female labor force participation in extreme cases where both partners are under locked down. These impacts are more pronounced among women with children as opposed to those without children. Conversely our results indicates larger impacts of lockdown among those with initial conditions of unemployment prior to the outbreak than those who were employed in time following the pandemic outbreak. We see our results as being consistent with the famous household labor theories. Our results point to the need for preferential treatment for women to encourage and enhance their labor market participation in times of pandemic. Lastly social programs targeting particularly women should be designed and implemented under the ministry of Gender Labor and Social Development.
Pulmonary Imaging Findings in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Series of 140 Latin American Children
Authors: Ugas-Charcape Carlos , Ucar María Elena , Almanza-Aranda Judith , Rizo-Patrón Emiliana , Rantes Claudia Lazarte , Caro-Domínguez Pablo , Cadavid Lina , Pérez-Marrero Lizbet , Fazecas Tatiana , Gómez Lucía , Curiel Mariana Sánchez , Pacheco Walter , Rizzi Ana , García-Bayce Andrés , Bendeck Efigenia , Montaño Walter , Daltro Pedro , V José D. Arce
Published: October 2020

Background:The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 virus), which resulted in the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, has particularly affected Latin America. Objective:The purpose of the study was to analyze the imaging findings of pulmonary COVID-19 in a large pediatric series.Materials and methods:Children with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by either quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from nasopharyngeal swabs or presence of circulating IgM and/or IgG antibodies and who underwent chest radiograph (CXR) and/or computed tomography (CT) were included in this retrospective multicenter study. Three pediatric radiologists independently reviewed CXRs and CTs to identify the presence, localization, distribution and extension of pulmonary lesions. Results:One hundred and forty children (71 female; median age 6.2 years; interquartile range 1.6-12.1 years) were included in the study. Peribronchial thickening (93%), ground glass opacities (79%) and vascular engorgement (63%) were the most frequent findings on 131 CXRs. Ground glass opacities (91%), vascular engorgement (84%) and peribronchial thickening (72%) were the most frequent findings on 32 CTs. Peribronchial thickening (100%), ground-glass opacities (90%) and pulmonary vascular engorgement (74%) were common CXR findings in asymptomatic patients (n=20). Consolidation and ground-glass opacity were significantly higher in patients who needed ICU admission or expired, in contrast with patients with a good outcome (48% and 91%, vs 24% and 70% p<0.05, respectively).Conclusion:Asymptomatic children and those with mild symptoms of COVID-19 showed mainly peribronchial thickening, ground-glass opacities and pulmonary vascular engorgement on CXRs. Ground glass opacity and consolidation, were more common in patients who required ICU admission or died.
Surface Modification of Orthopedic Implants Based on Titanium Alloys
Authors: Nasakina E.O. , Sevostyanov M.A. , Kolmakov A.G.
Published: October 2020

This review is devoted to modern technologies for various modifications of a surface of orthopedic implants made from titanium alloys. This approach will allow improving such characteristics of the implants as a corrosion resistance, biocompatibility and osteointegration. Modifications of titanium alloys with hydroxyapatite and calcium phosphate, multifunctional polymer or antibacterial coatings are considered. Analysis of the studies shows that the implant material can only provide a certain degree of biocompatibility and corrosion resistance, and that the nature and design of its surface have a strong influence on the body's response. Surface modification of implants is a good approach to overcome and solve various problems associated with the disadvantages of titanium alloys for orthopedic implants.

titanium alloys, orthopedic implant, functional coating, ceramic coating, polymer coating, antibacterial coating

The reported study was funded by RFBR, project No 19-18-50015.
Effective Transduction of Brain Neurons with Lentiviral Vectors Purified by Ion-Exchange Chromatography
Authors: Lanshakov D.A.
Published: October 2020

The development of methods for purification viral vectors for gene therapy is one of the most important and urgent problems of modern biology and medicine. Recently, drugs that carry cerebral neurotrophic factors, such as BDNF, have become increasingly popular. However, viral drugs for gene therapy should meet certain requirements, including high titer and applicability for in vivo studies. At the same time, the creation of such vectors requires cost-effective, inexpensive and affordable methods for standard laboratories. This study compares various methods for purification of lentiviral vectors encoding the brain neurotrophic factor, BDNF. The highest titer (1.12 ∙ 109/mL) was obtained via PEG 6 000 precipitation followed by anion-exchange chromatography on two columns of sorbents containing quaternary ammonium groups. Abnormal aggregates of transduced neurons were detected after lentiviruses purified only by PEG precipitation were injected into the brain of a newborn rat. This fact confirms the necessity of the proposed additional chromatographic purification stage.

lentivirus, BDNF, ion exchange chromatography, gene therapy, PEG

This work was financially supported by budgetary funding project no. 0259-2019-0003-C-01.
Fractal Analysis of Lyophilized Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
Authors: Selivanova I.A.
Published: October 2020

The development of effective drug quality control methods based on intelligent technologies is an urgent task for pharmaceutical analysis in the context of production robotization. This is particularly topical for biotechnology-derived pharmaceutical ingredients due to the peculiarities of the analysis of these compounds and limited number of quality control methods for drugs. Fractal geometry can be a mathematical background for the creation of such method. In this work we studied the possibility of fractal geometry using for the development of rapid tests for bifidumbacterin lyophilisates. A correlation was established between the fractal dimension of the structure of the Bifidobacterium bifidum dry mixture solids with sucrose-gelatin-milk medium and the specified pharmaceutical ingredient parameters, such as drug reconstitution time (R2=0,97) and pH (R2=0,95). This work demonstrated that fractal analysis is a promising tool for automated rapid tests of lyophilized biotechnology-derived active pharmaceutical ingredients without losing the analyzed sample.

fractal analysis, pharmaceutical analysis, quality control, lyophilisates, bifidumbacterin.

This work was supported by the Russian Academic Excellence Project 5-100
The Immortal Host of Prince Igor
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Rostovtsev Evgeny A.
Published: October 2020

The attention of the author of this paper is focused on “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” (Slovo o polku Igoreve), a famous work of Russian literature. Before the revolution the text was included in the school curriculum, and within the period of 1850–1917 its separate editions exceeded 150. The early Soviet period was marked by a brief decline of the popularity of the “Tale”, but since mid-1930s, the number of its separate editions started to grow, and the negative or indifferent comments on Prince Igor Sviatoslavich in Soviet encyclopedias were replaced by the favorable ones. The heroization of its characters during the Great Patriotic War also contributed to the popularity of the “Tale”. After the war, “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” was effectively used again as a symbol of the unity of three brotherly nations — Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian. The celebrations of different anniversaries, such as the 750th anniversary of the “Tale” and 150th anniversary of its first publication were also typical of the Soviet era. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the “Tale” has become an object of rivalry between Russia and Ukraine. Each country claims to be the only true heir of the “Tale”, actively contributing to its popularization via publications, the organization of commemorative events and the introduction of its text into school curriculums. However, further prospects of the “Tale” commemoration-wise are quite obscure — the article argues that the “Tale” (as well as many other literary works) does not constitute an effective tool for building of national past.
Scientific and Technical Associations of Tomsk Province
Authors:   National Research Tomsk State University, Zinovyev Vasiliy P. , Sulyak Sergey G. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: October 2020

This article analyzes the corporate movement in the scientific and technical spheres of Russia’s largest Tomsk province in the late 19th — early 20th centuries. The authors have collected the most comprehensive information available in historiography about the scientific and technical associations of the province. In total, 35 associations have been identified. Tomsk, being a university city, had more scientific and technical associations than other cities — 20. It is determined that the most important factor in the emergence of scientific communities and their activity in the Tomsk province were higher educational institutions: the Imperial University (which opened in 1888); the Institute of Technology (1896), and Siberian Higher courses for women (1910), whose teachers initiated the majority of agricultural, medical, technical, local history, and humanitarian public associations. The second most important factor was the activity of officials of the regional administration concentrated in Tomsk — civil servants, engineers by education, in such spheres as transport, mining, telegraph, excise and others. The third factor in uniting fans of scientific activity was the Siberian group of the State Duma, which initiated the work of the society for the study of Siberia and improvement of its life. The fourth, the most numerous, but weak in scientific terms, group of associations was formed by agricultural specialists: agronomists, animal technicians, beekeepers, gardeners, botanists. The departments of the Imperial Russian geographical society in the Tomsk province were represented by one — the Altai sub-department in Barnaul. The authors conclude that scientific associations were non-political associations whose social significance was small in contrast to the scientific one.
Scandinavian Component in Anglo-Saxon and Norman Identities
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Palamarchuk Anastasia A.
Published: October 2020

The article provides an analytical review of contemporary British historiography in the field of Anglo-Saxon and Norman ethnicity. On the one hand, modern scholars shift the focus on periphery and frontier regions of the kingdoms of Scotland and England and the Duchy of Normandy; on the other hand, the concept of “Atlantic archipelago” emphasizes the specificity of insular variant of ethno-political development. The phenomenon of “the Norman world”, encompassing whole communities and territories inhabited by the Normans, is a fertile ground for realization of such “regional” approach. Both its strengths and limitations can be seen in the fundamental study “Heirs of the Vikings: History and Identity in Normandy and England, c. 950 — c. 1015” by Katherine Cross. She demonstrates that the denotation of the term “Norman” was not stable, and its interpretation was determined by the historical memory of a concrete region or community. Comparing two regions where, on the one hand, a complex ethnic landscape had been preserved by the 10th–11th centuries, and where, on the other hand, centralizing tendencies of the ambitious ruling dynasties had been developing, K.Cross seeks answers to the question “Why and how did Viking identity come to mean different things in England and Normandy?” The comparative approach to exploring Norman and English identities chosen by the author is realized exclusively on the basis of textual evidence: genealogies, ethnogenetic narratives, hagiography and charters. The analysis of “ethnic” discourse of the sources carried out by K.Cross is a vital, yet intermediate step towards a more fundamental debate.
Policy analysis in uncertain and ambiguous context: Agenda for methodological pluralism
Authors:   Tallinn University, Sootla Georg , Gutorov Vladimir A. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: October 2020

In this article we demonstrate why and how in the Western science of policymaking a challenge posited by empirical behaviouralism aimed at reforming the over-politicised plicy process along the analytical-rational lines in 1950s did not succeeded. However, it produced a meaningful shift in understanding the policy process and it formed by the 1970s a completely new conceptual context and discourse on the policy process. As a result, by the new millennium the positivist and constructivists perspectives, that are located at the opposite ends of the continuum of methodological presumptions, started to complement each other and even to intermingle at the level of providing practical policy solutions. In the first part we analyse how the cognitive limits and uncertainty of the context forces to re-focus policy analysis from substantive issues to the policy arena design, and to work out conceptions of interactive policymaking. Simultaneously several concepts of constructivist social science (frames, learning, narratives) were applied and adapted in the positivist perspective. We demonstrate why constructivist-interpretivist policy analysis could not for a long time get to the forefront of practical policy analysis. We demonstrate how the application of the pragmatist approach made it possible to develop the conception of design rationality. Overall, we explore the framework in which different methodologies would complement each other in providing policy advice and analysis from different practical angles.
Terrorism in the Middle East: Main stages of evolution
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Lantsov Sergey A.
Published: October 2020

The article discusses the main stages of the evolution of terrorism in the Middle East from the 40s of the 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century. It is noted that terrorism as a political technology of using violence to achieve its goals was introduced to the Middle East from Europe after World War II. Ideological origins of terrorism in the 60–70s of the 20th century are analyzed. It is emphasized that during this period left-wing ideas had great popularity all over the world and in the Middle East. On the basis of ideological proximity, there was cooperation between some Palestinian organizations and left-wing extremist groups operating in other regions of the world. It is stated that at the end of the 20th century, in connection with the decline of the influence of radical leftist ideas, Islamic terrorism became the main type of terrorism in the Middle East. A comparative analysis of the characteristics of the activities of such terrorist organizations as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State is given. It is noted that with a common ideological platform, there were structural and organizational differences between them. It is pointed out that Al-Qaeda is characterized by an internal contradiction between the ultimate goal — the creation of a world caliphate and the network principle of activity. The “Islamic State” overcame this contradiction by “territorialization” in Iraq and Syria. As a “quasi-state” entity, ISIS has become vulnerable to counter-terrorism. The final part of the article discusses the main ways of countering terrorism in the Middle East in modern conditions.