bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parental phone use during mealtime with toddlers and the associations with feeding practices and shared family meals: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Vik Frøydis Nordgård , Grasaas Erik , Polspoel Maaike E. M. , Røed Margrehte , Hillesund Elisabet Rudjord , Øverby Nina Cecilie
Published: June 2020

Background Positive parental feeding practices and a higher frequency of family meals are related to healthier child dietary habits. Parents play an essential role when it comes to the development of their child’s eating habits. However, parents are increasingly distracted by their mobile phone during mealtime. The aim of this study was to describe the feeding practices and daily shared family meals among parents who use and do not use mobile phone during mealtime, and further to explore the associations between the use of mobile phone during mealtime and feeding practices and daily shared family meals, respectively. Methods Cross-sectional data from the Food4toddler study were used to explore the association between mobile use during meals and parental feeding practices including family meals. In 2017/2018 parents of toddlers were recruited through social media to participate in the study. In total 298 out of 404 who volunteered to participate, filled in a baseline questionnaire, including questions from the comprehensive feeding practices questionnaire (CFPQ), questions of frequency of family meals and use of mobile phone during meals. Results Herein, 4 out of 10 parents reported various levels of phone use (meal distraction) during mealtimes. Parental phone use was associated with lower use of positive parental feeding practices like modelling (B= -1.05 (95% CI -1.69; -0.41)) and family food environment (B= -0.77 (95% CI -1.51; -0.03)), and more use of negative parental feeding practices like emotional regulation (B= 0.73 (95% CI 0.32; 1.14)) and the use of pressure to eat (B= 1.22 (95% CI 0.41; 2.03)). Furthermore, parental phone use was associated with a lower frequency of daily family breakfast (OR= 0.50 (95% CI 0.31; 0.82)) and dinner (OR= 0.57 (95% CI 0.35; 0.93)). Conclusions Mobile phone use is common among parents during mealtimes, and findings indicate that parental phone use is associated with less healthy feeding practices and shared family meals. These findings highlight the importance of making parents aware of potential impacts of meal distractions.
Large-scale Long Time-series InSAR Land Subsidence Research in the Pearl River Estuary
Authors: luo xiaowen , Gao Hui , Wu Ziyin , Li Shoujun , Shang Jihong , Zhao Dineng
Published: June 2020

Due to the influence of human activity and changes in natural conditions, the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) has emerged as a large-scale area of land subsidence, which represents a serious threat to the quality of human life and sustainable socio-economic development. In response to the problems associated with the lack of man-made targets of traditional time-series Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) in estuaries and other coastal areas, a distributed scatterers (DS) InSAR method based on a spatially adaptive filter and an eigendecomposition algorithm to estimating the optimal phase of statistically homogeneous DS was applied to obtain subsidence data using 67 scenes Sentinel-1A SAR images covering the PRE. The temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of land subsidence were analyzed. The results suggest that land subsidence in the PRE was widespread and unevenly distributed with large differences between 2015 and 2018. The northwest and southeast are the main subsidence areas, with a maximum sedimentation rate greater than 25 mm/year.
Identification of a gene set correlated with immune status in ovarian cancer by transcriptome-wide data mining
Authors: Fan Lili , Lei Han , Lin Ying , Zhang Tianxiang , Zhou Zhengwei , Shu Guang , Yan Zhipeng , Chen Haotian , Yin Gang
Published: June 2020

Background: Checkpoint block-mediated tumor immunotherapy has obtained huge success in treating various malignancies. However, the efficacy of immunotherapies against ovarian cancer (OC) was low largely due to limited information on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of OC. This results in lacking reliable biomarkers to select the right patients for immunotherapy and prognosis prediction. Published studies have reported that high tumor mutation burden (TMB) can generate many neoantigens resulting in a higher degree of an anti-tumor immune response. However, the correlation between TMB and TIME of OC remains controversial let along a collection of TMB information is time and resource consuming. In this study, we considered the TMB and TIME of OC comprehensively to categorize patients based on their tumor local immune status and provide information that could guide further OC immunotherapy trials as well as the prognosis prediction.Method: OC RNAseq data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and divided into TMBhigh and TMBlow subgroups according to TMB scores for comparison. OC cases were also grouped into immunityhigh or immunitylow based on their profiles of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes (TILs) analyzed by ssGSEA (Single Sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis). Besides, the function of genes enriched in both TMBhigh and immunityhigh was analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The correlation of each gene with overall survival was also analyzed.Results: Positive association was observed between the OC grade and the TMB. Both TMBhigh and immunityhigh were significantly correlated with a better prognosis. However, different from the findings of other studies, TMB of OC didn’t correlated with preferable TIME in our analysis. By comparing the up-regulated signature genes in TMBhigh and immunityhigh cases, we found 14 overlapped genes that were mainly involved in immune response-related pathways. We further analyzed the prognostic value of these 14 genes and found the upregulation of 4 of them, CXCL13, FCRLA, PLA2G2D, and MS4A1 are significantly associated with better survival. With available data collected form a melanoma cohort, we also found that these four genes are positively associated with better response to immune checkpoint blockade-based immunotherapy.Conclusion: By comparing signature genes enriched in TMBhigh and immunityhigh subgroups, four genes, CXCL13, FCRLA, PLA2G2D, and MS4A1, were found positively correlated with both OC immune infiltration and better prognosis. Additionally, these four genes predicted the response to checkpoint blockade-based immunotherapy in a melanoma cohort indicating that they can also be used as biomarkers for further immunotherapy clinical trials of OC.
The Interaction of Osteochondropathy, Reduced Dietary Phosphorus Level and Mycoplasma Hyosynoviae in the Onset of Lameness in Fattening Pigs: A Case Report
Authors: Wegner Birte , Tenhündfeld Jörg , Vogels Johanna , Beumer Marius , Kamphues Josef , Hansmann Florian , Rieger Hanna , Beilage Elisabeth grosse , Hennig-Pauka Isabel
Published: June 2020

BackgroundVarious diagnostic procedures, their results and interpretation in a case with severe lameness in fattening pigs are described. It is shown, that selected diagnostic steps lead to identification of the key factors for disease development in the respective herd. One focus is the assessment of the impact of reduced dietary phosphorus level on disease development.Case presentationIn a farrow-to-finishing farm lameness occurred in pigs with 40-70 kg body weight. Necropsy of three diseased pigs revealed claw lesions and alterations at the knee and elbow joints. Histological findings were characteristic for osteochondropathia. All pigs were positively tested for Mycoplasma hyosynoviae in affected joints. In addition, analysis of diet composition revealed a low phosphorus content in two diets, which might had led to insufficient supply in individuals with high average daily gains with respect to development of bone mass and connective tissue. The impact of dietary factors for disease development could not be verified in the selected animals by blood analysis and bone ashings in this case. Finally, change in feed and antibiotic treatment of individual animals led to improvement of clinical symptoms.ConclusionsMycoplasma hyosynoviae was identified to be an important aetiological factor for disease. Other, non-infectious factors, as osteochondrosis and claw lesions might have triggered development of disease. A calculated marginal phosphor supply for pigs with high growth rates in a limited time period might further had weakened cartilage and connective tissue, and facilitated adherence of infectious agents in joints. Diagnostic of insufficient phosphorus supply by blood analysis and bone ashing might be not successful, when it occurs temporarily in time periods prior to sampling.
Cross-Sectional Survey Of Fertility Knowledge In Obstetrics And Gynecology Residents
Authors: Roberts Leah May , Kudesia Rashmi , Zhao Huaqing , Dolan Shaliz , Rose Marisa
Published: June 2020

PURPOSE: To evaluate fertility knowledge among current Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) residents using a recently published validated instrument, the Fertility and Infertility Treatment Knowledge Score (FIT-KS).METHODS: OB-GYN residents in the United States were recruited through an email to all residency coordinators nationwide. They were asked to voluntarily respond to a short questionnaire including demographic information and the FIT-KS instrument, through an online survey platform.RESULTS: The sample was 91% female, with 69% between the ages of 26 and 30. Participants evenly represented all four years of training. Mean FIT-KS score was 21.2 (73% correct). No statistically significant differences were noted across the level of training. Several knowledge gaps were noted. Residents could define the common assisted reproductive technologies; however overestimated their success rates per cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial gaps exist in fertility knowledge among OB-GYN residents, with understanding of male fertility and success rates of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) being particularly limited. Knowledge of fertility does not change throughout residency training, demonstrating consistent gaps in fertility knowledge. Knowledge during post graduate year (PGY)-1 year is consistent with mean scores found in prior research in Internal Medicine residents (65%), as well as a cohort of female medical students and obstetrics and gynecology residents and fellows (64.9%)(1, 2).
WITHDRAWN: Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting carbapenem-resistant organism infection and prognostic risk factors analysis in elderly hospitalized patients
Authors: Wang Yao , Li Huiling , Chen Ying , Fu Yanjun , Xi Jianfeng , Wang Yong
Published: June 2020

Background: With the extensive use of carbapenem-resistant organism (CRO), CRO infection is constantly detected clinically which has limited available drugs. There have many mechanisms of CRO resistance and rapid horizontal transmission, while the elderly with low resistance is more likely to acquire nosocomial infection. We aimed to screen elderly patients for nosocomial CRO infection and potential risk factors for prognosis. Methods: A total of 177 patients with CRO and carbapenem-sensitive organism (CSO) infection were included in this study. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis was used to select variables. The nomogram was constructed with multivariable logistic regression. The performance of the model was assessed by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve, calibration, decision curve , and clinical influence curve. Using X-tile to stratify the prognosis risk, Kaplan-Meier curve for risk assessment. Results: Respiratory diseases, mechanical ventilation, indwelling urinary catheters , and APACHE II over 20 were selected as predictors of the CRO infection model. The model showed good discrimination and consistency in the training set and the validation set. The area under the ROC was 0.840 (95% CI: 0.773-0.900)in the training set and 0.822 (95% CI: 0.678-0.936) in the validation set. Decision analysis and influence curve showed that the model was clinically useful. Hepatobiliary diseases, indwelling urinary catheters, and hospital stays longer than 20 days were used as prognostic predictors. After analysis, the prognostic model demonstrated good discrimination of 0.817 (95% CI: 0.729-0.893) and consistency. Risk stratification showed the high-risk group had a poorer prognosis. Conclusion: Predicting clinically relevant risk factors for CRO nosocomial infection and prognosis in elderly patients. This may help the treatment of clinical drug-resistant infections.
Equality and Income: Can Income Distribution Affect Country Income by Affects Competitiveness?
Authors: DAŞDEMİR Esat
Published: June 2020

This study argues that income distribution may cause country income. For the purpose of prove this argument a model established that suggests a positive relationship between income equality and the competitiveness of the country. Hypothesis tested to cover 42 countries and 2007-2018 with panel data analysis. Econometric analysis results support the study. According to these results, GCI value decreases as GINI value increases. In other words, as the income distribution becomes unequal, the competitiveness of the country decreases. In this context, the study is an important source in explaining the effect of income distribution on income.
Development and novel design of clustery Graphene Oxide formed Conductive Silk hydrogel cell vesicle to Repair Myocardial Infarction: Investigation of its biological activity for cell delivery applications
Authors: Li Rui , Duan Na , Guo Jingjing
Published: June 2020

Cell delivery therapy is a talented and hopeful strategic approach to repair the damaged cardiac tissues after myocardial infarction. The biocompatible injectable hydrogel with bioactive nanomaterials with effective self-healing capability has been highly required for the cell delivery and regeneration therapy. In the present study, we have developed the biopolymeric and biocompatible self-healing silk protein hydrogel matrix with graphene oxide nanoformulations as cell delivery vehicles for the treatment of myocardial infarction regeneration. The materials combinations, structural interactions, thermal stability and morphology of the designed hydrogel were investigated and elaborated. To improve therapeutic potential of the hydrogel matrix, growth factor was loaded and investigated its biological activity such as cell survival and cell proliferations properties by using endothelial progenitor cells. Collected, these developed materials are excellent vesicle for cell therapy in myocardial infarction.
SARS-Cov-2 trajectory predictions and scenario simulations from a global perspective: a modelling study
Authors: Yang Tianan , Liu Yexin , Deng Wenhao , Zhao Weigang , Deng Jianwei
Published: June 2020

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 emerging from Wuhan, China has developed into a global epidemic. Here, we combine both human mobility and non-pharmaceutical interventions (social-distancing and suspected-cases isolation) into SEIR transmission model to understand how coronavirus transmits in a global environment. Dynamic trends of region-specific time-variant reproduction number, social-distancing rate, work-resumption rate, and suspected-cases isolation rate have been estimated and plotted for each region by fitting random walk transmission processes to the real total confirmed cases of each region. We find after shutdown in Wuhan, the reproduction number in Wuhan greatly declined from 6·982 (95% CI, 2·558-14·668) on January 23, 2020 to 1·130 (95% CI, 0·289-3·279) on February 7, 2020, and there was a higher intervention level in terms of social distancing and suspected-case isolation in Wuhan than the Chinese average and Western average, for the period from the shutdown in Wuhan to mid-March. Future epidemic trajectories of Western countries up to October 10, 2020, have been predicted with 95% confidence intervals. Through the scenario simulation, we discover the benefits of earlier international travel ban and rigorous intervention strategies, and the significance of non-pharmaceutical interventions. From a global perspective, it is vital for each country to control the risks of imported cases, and execute rigorous non-pharmaceutical interventions before successful vaccination development.
Quality of Life, Function and Disability in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Symptoms: a Cross-sectional Online Survey
Authors: Mahrouqi Munira Al , MacDonald David , Vicenzino Bill , Smith Michelle
Published: June 2020

Background

Chronic ankle conditions affect approximately 20% of Australian adults. Although there is a plethora of research on chronic hip and knee conditions, there is limited understanding of the impact of ankle problems. Thus, the significance of chronic ankle conditions is not clear. The aim of this study was to compared self-reported function, disability, instability, physical activity and quality of life (QoL) between adults with and without ankle symptoms. A secondary aim was to explore factors associated with QoL.

Method

Individuals with symptoms of ankle pain and stiffness (symptomatic individuals) and asymptomatic controls with no ankle pain or stiffness (asymptomatic indivdiuals) completed a cross-sectional online survey. The survey included the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Assessment of QoL (AQoL-6D), and questions about ankle injury history.

Results

A total of 394 individuals (270 symptomatic and 124 asymptomatic) with mean age of 48.8 (standard deviation (SD): 12.1) years and body mass index of 28.7 (7.7) kgm -2 completed the survey. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were large to very large (1.45 to 3.20) for greater disability (AOS) and instability (CAIT), and poorer function (FAAM) in symptomatic compared to asymptomatic individuals. Individuals with ankle symptoms had higher body mass index and lower QoL (medium effect: SMD >1). There were no differences in self-report physical activity between groups. Lower activities of daily living (ADL) function (FAAM-ADL) best explained QoL in a multiple regression model (R 2 =0.66, p, 0.001).

Conclusion

Individuals with ankle symptoms reported ankle instability, greater disability, compromised function and worse QoL compared to asymptomatic individuals. There was a strong relationship between ankle function and QoL. Ankle-specific ability during ADL best explained the reduced QoL in individuals with ankle symptoms. Clinicians and researchers should consider ankle function as an antecedent to poorer QoL in patients who have ankle symtpoms.
Praziquantel treatment coverage among school age children against schistosomiasis associated factors and in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional survey, 2019
Authors: Chisha Yilma , Zerdo Zerihun , Asnakew Mekuria , Churko Chuchu , Yihune Manaye , Teshome Abinet , Nigussu Nebiyu , Seife Fikire , Getachew Birhanu , Sileshi Markos
Published: June 2020

Background: World Health Organization estimated that 779 million people are at risk of getting schistosomiasis and 240 million people were infected worldwide. Schistosomiasis due to S. mansoni is a wide public health problem in Ethiopia. The aim of the survey was to quantify national and district disaggregated treatment coverage status for schistosomiasis and compare validated coverage with the one reported. Methods: Community based cross-sectional survey was conducted in April 2019 among households with school age children (5-14 years) in seven purposively selected districts of the country. Segments (villages within the selected kebele) to be surveyed were randomly selected and households to be interviewed from each segment were determined using systematic sampling technique. A total of 3,378 households visited and 5,679 school age children (5-14 years)) were interviewed.Results: Overall reported treatment coverage of schistosomiasis was 4286 (75.5%). Male SAC were 27% more likely to consume the drug (AOR= 1.27; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.47) than females. SAC with 10-14 years swallowed the drug 45% better than 5-9 years (AOR =1.45; 95%CI: 1.25, 1.69). Statistically significant association was observed between Praziquantel swallowing with school enrollment and heard about mass drug administration. Swallowing status of Praziquantel against schistosomiasis significantly higher for SAC treated in districts applied integrated treatment approach (87.5%) compared with SAC treated in vertical approach (72.5%). Reasons for not taking the drug were asked and the main reported reason for not swallowing Praziquantel in the present study was none attending of the school.Conclusion and recommendation Over all treatment coverage of Praziquantel against schistosomiasis in the present study was 75.5%. Although it is in accordance with WHO recommendation for Ethiopia, national programmatic improvements are necessary to achieve higher coverage. To increase treatment coverage of Praziquantel in Ethiopia, school based training should target all schools and mobilization, sensitization and implementation of the community wide treatment need to be improved.
Experience of fatigue and related factors among HIV-infected adults attending ART clinic in Ethiopia; a cross-sectional study
Authors: Baye Moges , Fisseha Berihu , Chala Mulugeta Bayisa , Abebe Solomon Mekonnen , Janakiraman Balamurugan
Published: June 2020

Background: Fatigue is one of the most common bothersome HIV-related morbidity. The HIV prevalence in Ethiopia is heterogeneous by sex, geographic areas, and population groups. In Ethiopia, there is a need to estimate the burden of fatigue among HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) adults to gain regional insight into this disabling symptom.Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 392 HIV/AIDS patients attending an antiretroviral therapy clinic at the University of Gondar Hospital, Ethiopia using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, nine-item version Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and PHQ-9 (Patients Health Questionnaire 9). Logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with the reported presence of fatigue.Result: The mean age of the participants was 40.5 ± 8.5 years. The prevalence of HIV-related fatigue was 53.3% and about 66% of HIV-infected women experienced fatigue. The factors associated with fatigue experience were; female gender (AOR: 0.196, 95%CI; 0.05, 0.92), being married (AOR: 0.13, 95% CI 0.23, 0.7), low income (AOR: 12.3, 95% CI 2.5, 60.15), unemployed (AOR: 3.9, 95%CI (1.02, 14.739), parity (AOR: 7.99, 95% CI 1.66, 38.41), being anemia (AOR: 13.34, 95% CI 2.74, 65.01), mild weight loss (AOR: 4.9 95% CI 4.33, 19.5) and moderate weight loss (AOR: 5.5 95% CI 3.11, 21.3), respectively.Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that experiencing fatigue is quite high among adults living with HIV. It is important for health care professionals and people living with HIV to understand; the possible causes of fatigue, remedies, and ways to reclaim energy. The predisposing factors and complications that cause fatigue should be aggressively diagnosed and treated by the clinicians.
Intraoperative Coagulopathy During Cesarean Section as an Unsuspected Initial Presentation of COVID-19: A Case Report
Authors: Kinsey Kelly Elizabeth Trevino , Ganz Eric , Khalil Susan , Brustman Lois
Published: June 2020

Background: The world’s understanding of COVID-19 continues to evolve as the scientific community discovers unique presentations of this disease. This case report depicts an unexpected intraoperative coagulopathy during cesarean section in an otherwise asymptomatic patient who was later found to have COVID-19. This case suggests that there may be a higher risk for intrapartum bleeding in the pregnant, largely asymptomatic COVID-positive patient with more abnormal COVID laboratory values.Case: The case patient displayed D-Dimer elevations beyond what is typically observed among this hospital’s COVID-positive peripartum population and displayed significantly more oozing than expected intraoperatively, despite normal prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, fibrinogen, and platelets.Conclusion: There is little published evidence on the association between D-Dimer and coagulopathy among the pregnant population infected with SARS-CoV-2. This case report contributes to the growing body of evidence on the effects of COVID-19 in pregnancy. A clinical picture concerning for intraoperative coagulopathy may be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during cesarean sections, and abnormal COVID laboratory tests, particularly D-Dimer, may help identify the patients in which this presentation occurs.
The Quiet Crisis of PhDs and COVID-19: Reaching the financial tipping point.
Authors: Johnson Rebecca L. , Coleman Ross A. , Batten Nicole H. , Hallsworth Djuna , Spencer Emma E.
Published: June 2020

Before the COVID-19 crisis, existing high levels of financial concerns amongst PhD students increased their vulnerability to disruptive events. Impacts from the pandemic have increased their financial stress to the point that may result in many being forced to exit research studies. An exodus of doctoral students now would impact our future research capacity. The effects of the unfolding crisis on research students at a research-intensive Australian university was documented by a group of doctoral candidates who received 1,020 survey responses from their cohort. Here we show that the pandemic has severely affected research candidates and argue that these results have notable implications for a future research workforce. We found that 75% of students expect to experience financial hardship as a result of the pandemic. Consequently, 45% report being pushed beyond their financial capacities and expect to be forced to disengage from their research within six months. Comparative pre-COVID data from an Australian national survey, reports research student disengagement of 20% over four years. The 25% increase of expected disengagement, in a much-reduced period, signals a deeper PhD crisis. Swift intervention is required to avert substantial impacts to the pipeline of research talent.
Urinary Tract Infection in Nephrotic Syndrome in Pediatric Age Group: A Hospital Based Cross-sectional Study.
Authors: Samanta Subhendu
Published: June 2020

Background::Nephrotic syndrome, characterized by the presence of heavy proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, edema and hyperlipidemia, is a common renal disorder in pediatric population. Aim of this study were to find out the prevalence of UTI in nephrotic syndrome, bacterial etiologies and antibiotic sensitivity pattern.Methods:After matching the criteria, 82 cases, were taken for this prospective, single center, observational study.The diagnosis was confirmed by bacterial culture.This is an institution based cross-sectional descriptive observational study. All newly diagnosed and relapse cases of nephrotic syndrome based on inclusion exclusion criteria was included in this study. Respondent was either of the parents or caregiver of the study subjects. Analysis of all data was done by appropriate statistical software(SPSS-23).Results:Among 82 participants evaluated with nephrotic syndrome 29.3% participants had Urinary Tract Infection ,majority66.7%were asymptomatic and 33.3% were symptomatic. Significant microscopic hematuria were found in 20.7% study subjects and significant pyuria were found in 58.54% study subjects. Majority of UTI caused by E.coli 33.3% followed by Klebsiella 25%,Proteus16.7%,Staphylococcus aureus 12.5% ,Citrobacter,Acenetobacter and mixed growth werefound in 4.2%each.Mean serum cholesterol of group with UTI was 422.13±34.65 and group without Urinary Tract Infection was307.43±26.13.The variation amongst the two groups were found to be significant (P=0.0001).Conclusions:The children with nephrotic syndrome are frequently predisposed to Urinary Tract Infection and in most cases it is asymptomatic, often undiagnosed. Higher serum cholesterol level may predispose the nephrotic child for Urinary Tract Infection.
Molecular dynamics simulation and experimental study of the surface-display of SPA protein via Lpp-OmpA system for screening of IgG
Authors: Vahed M , Ramezani F , Tafakori V. , Mirbagheri V.S. , Najafi A. , Ahmadian Gholamreza
Published: June 2020

Staphylococcal protein A (SpA) is a major bacterial virulence factor of Staphylococcus aureus. S. aureus is capable of escaping from immune system recognition by the surface display of protein A. The SpA protein is broadly used to purify immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. This study investigates the ability of the fusion of Lpp’-OmpA (46−159) to anchor and display five repeat domains of protein A with 295 residues length (SpA295) of S. aureus on the Escherichia coli cell surface to develop a novel bioadsorbent.First, the binding between Lpp’-OmpA-SPA295 and IgGFc and anticipation of this structure was investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. Then high IgG recovery from human serum by the surface-displayed system of Lpp’-OmpA-SPA295 performed experimentally. In silico analysis showed the binding potential of SPA295 to IgG after surface expression on LPP-OmpA. Surface-engineered E. coli displaying SpA protein and IgG-binding assay with SDS-PAGE analysis exhibited the high potential of the expressed complex on the surface of E. coli for IgG recapture from human serum which is applicable to conventional immune precipitation.
Survival Benefit of Cytoreductive Surgery prior to Bevacizumab for Patients with Recurrent Glioblastoma: A Single-center Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Yamaguchi Shigeru , Motegi Hiroaki , Ishi Yukitomo , Okamoto Michinari , Sawaya Ryosuke , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Terasaka Shunsuke , Houkin Kiyohiro
Published: June 2020

Background

Bevacizumab (BEV) is a key anti-angiogenic agent in the treatment for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The aim of this study was to investigate whether cytoreductive surgery prior to treatment with BEV contributes to prolongation of survival for patients with recurrent GBM.
Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the treatment outcomes of 124 patients with recurrent GBM who were initially treated with the Stupp protocol in our institution between 2006 and 2019. Given that BEV has only been available in Japan since 2013, we grouped the patients into 2 groups according to the time of first recurrence: the pre-BEV group (N = 51) included patients who had a recurrence before BEV approval, and the BEV group (N = 73) included patients with recurrence after BEV approval. The overall survival after first recurrence (OS-R) according to treatment strategy was analyzed. In addition, multivariate analysis using Cox’s proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the impact of clinical factors on OS-R after cytoreductive surgery in the patients with recurrent GBM.
Results

Among 124 patients, 27 patients (19.4%) received cytoreductive surgery: 9 cases in the pre-BEV group and 18 cases in the BEV group. Although the mean extent of resection of both groups was almost equal (92.2% pre-BEV group and 93.3% BEV group), OS-R was significantly different: median OS-R was 8.1 m in the pre-BEV group and 16.3 m in the BEV group, respectively (P = 0.007). Multivariate analysis revealed that the unavailability of BEV postoperatively (P = 0.03) and decreasing performance status caused by surgery (P = 0.01) were significant poor prognostic factors for survival after cytoreductive surgery in the patients with recurrent GBM.
Conclusions

With the advent of BEV, cytoreductive surgery might provide superior survival benefit at the time of GBM recurrence, especially in cases where surgery can be performed without deteriorating the patient’s condition.
Type Graphics in Commercial Advertising Design: Graphic and Stylistic Interpretations
Authors: Novikova Marina Mikhailovna
Published: June 2020

Abstract: the article is devoted to font graphics as a complex, historically developed system that is a tool for verbal communication; its role and place in advertising design.
Incorporating Breast Cancer Recurrence Events Into Population-Based Cancer Registries Using Medical Claims: Cohort Study
Authors: A'mar Teresa , Beatty J David , Fedorenko Catherine , Markowitz Daniel , Corey Thomas , Lange Jane , Schwartz Stephen M , Huang Bin , Chubak Jessica , Etzioni Ruth
Published: June 2020

Background

There is a need for automated approaches to incorporate information on cancer recurrence events into population-based cancer registries.

Objective

The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy of a novel data mining algorithm to extract information from linked registry and medical claims data on the occurrence and timing of second breast cancer events (SBCE).

Methods

We used supervised data from 3092 stage I and II breast cancer cases (with 394 recurrences), diagnosed between 1993 and 2006 inclusive, of patients at Kaiser Permanente Washington and cases in the Puget Sound Cancer Surveillance System. Our goal was to classify each month after primary treatment as pre- versus post-SBCE. The prediction feature set for a given month consisted of registry variables on disease and patient characteristics related to the primary breast cancer event, as well as features based on monthly counts of diagnosis and procedure codes for the current, prior, and future months. A month was classified as post-SBCE if the predicted probability exceeded a probability threshold (PT); the predicted time of the SBCE was taken to be the month of maximum increase in the predicted probability between adjacent months.

Results

The Kaplan-Meier net probability of SBCE was 0.25 at 14 years. The month-level receiver operating characteristic curve on test data (20% of the data set) had an area under the curve of 0.986. The person-level predictions (at a monthly PT of 0.5) had a sensitivity of 0.89, a specificity of 0.98, a positive predictive value of 0.85, and a negative predictive value of 0.98. The corresponding median difference between the observed and predicted months of recurrence was 0 and the mean difference was 0.04 months.

Conclusions

Data mining of medical claims holds promise for the streamlining of cancer registry operations to feasibly collect information about second breast cancer events.
Patient Perspectives on Health Data Privacy and Implications for Adverse Drug Event Documentation and Communication: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Small Serena S , Hohl Corinne M , Balka Ellen
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Adverse drug events are unintended and harmful effects of medication use. Using existing information and communication technologies (ICTs) to increase information sharing about adverse drug events may improve patient care but can introduce concerns about data privacy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the views of patients and their caregivers about data protection when using ICTs to communicate adverse drug event information to improve patient safety.

METHODS

We conducted an exploratory qualitative study. A total of 4 focus groups were held among patients who had experienced or were at risk of experiencing an adverse drug event, their family members, and their caregivers. We recruited participants through multiple avenues and iteratively analyzed the data using situational analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 47 participants recruited, 28 attended our focus groups. We identified 3 primary themes. First, participants felt that improved information sharing about adverse drug events within their circle of care would likely improve care. Second, participants were concerned about data handling and inappropriate access but believed that the benefits of information sharing outweighed the risks of privacy breaches. Finally, participants were more concerned about data privacy in the context of stigmatized health conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Current conditions for maintaining health data privacy are consistent with participants’ preferences, despite the fact that health data are susceptible to breaches and mismanagement. Information sharing that increases patient safety may justify potential privacy risks. Greater attention to patient concerns and the effect of social and contextual concerns in the design and implementation of health information technologies may increase patient confidence in the privacy of their information.
A Clinical Decision Support System for the Treatment of COVID-19 with Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques (Preprint)
Authors: Ozsahin Ilker
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported in December 2019. Until now, many drugs and methods have been used in the treatment of the disease. However, no effective treatment option has been found and only case-based successes have been achieved so far.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the COVID-19 treatment options using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques.

METHODS

In this study, we evaluated the available COVID-19 treatment options by MCDM techniques, namely fuzzy PROMETHEE and VIKOR. This technique is based on the evaluation and comparison of complex and multiple criteria to evaluate the most appropriate alternative. We evaluated current treatment options including favipiravir (FPV), lopinavir/ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine, interleukin-1 blocker, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and plasma exchange. The criteria used for the analysis include side effects, method of administration of the drug, cost, turnover of plasma, level of fever, age, pregnancy, and kidney function.

RESULTS

The results showed that plasma exchange was the most preferred alternative, followed by FPV and IVIG, while hydroxychloroquine was the least favorable one. New alternatives could be considered once they are available, and weights could be assigned based on the opinions of the decision makers (physicians/clinicians).

CONCLUSIONS

We showed the applicability of the MCDM techniques in informing decision makers in choosing the right treatment technique for the management of COVID-19.
Social-Child-Case Document Clustering based on Topic Modeling using Latent Dirichlet Allocation
Authors: Tresnasari Nur Annisa , Adji Teguh Bharata , Permanasari Adhistya Erna
Published: June 2020

Children are the future of the nation. All treatment and learning they get would affect their future. Nowadays, there are various kinds of social problems related to children.  To ensure the right solution to their problem, social workers usually refer to the social-child-case (SCC) documents to find similar cases in the past and adapting the solution of the cases. Nevertheless, to read a bunch of documents to find similar cases is a tedious task and needs much time. Hence, this work aims to categorize those documents into several groups according to the case type. We use topic modeling with Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) approach to extract topics from the documents and classify them based on their similarities. The Coherence Score and Perplexity graph are used in determining the best model. The result obtains a model with 5 topics that match the targeted case types. The result supports the process of reusing knowledge about SCC handling that ease the finding of documents with similar cases
АППАРАТНАЯ ПОДДЕРЖКА ВИРТУАЛИЗАЦИИ АРХИТЕКТУРЫ «ЭЛЬБРУС»
Authors: Знаменский Д. , Блинников А.
Published: June 2020

Виртуализация вычислительных ресурсов позволяет значительно повысить степень утилизации оборудования и уровень безопасности, в частности, при организации облачных вычислений. В статье описаны основные средства аппаратной поддержки виртуализации, реализованные в версии 6 системы команд «Эльбрус».
ОПЫТ ВНЕДРЕНИЯ НОВОГО АВТОМАТИЗИРОВАННОГО ТЕСТОВОГО ОБОРУДОВАНИЯ НА ПРОИЗВОДСТВЕ АО «ГРУППА КРЕМНИЙ ЭЛ»
Authors: Громов В. , Дракин А. , Школин А. , Зотин В.
Published: June 2020

В АО «ГРУППА КРЕМНИЙ ЭЛ» разработано и внедрено в производство новое автоматизированное тестовое оборудование на базе крейтовых измерительных систем для обеспечения испытаний разработанных микросхем стабилизаторов напряжения.
УНИВЕРСАЛЬНАЯ СЕТЕВАЯ ПЛАТФОРМА ДЛЯ СБОРА ИНФОРМАЦИИ С ДАТЧИКОВ И УПРАВЛЕНИЯ ПРИБОРАМИ УЧЕТА
Authors: Гусаров А.
Published: June 2020

В статье представлена разработанная компанией «Миландр» эффективная платформа для систем АСКУЭ – гибкое сетевое решение, позволяющее не только производить учет электрической и тепловой энергии, воды, газа, но и осуществлять мониторинг, обеспечивать безопасность помещений.
ЖИДКОКРИСТАЛЛИЧЕСКИЕ УСТРОЙСТВА ДЛЯ МОДУЛЯЦИИ ТЕРАГЕРЦОВОГО ИЗЛУЧЕНИЯ
Authors: Беляев В.
Published: June 2020

Обсуждаются проблемы, связанные с использованием терагерцового диапазона спектра для устройств обработки информации, оптоэлектроники, СВЧ электроники, медицины.
Simulation Modeling of the Process of Functioning of a Technical Cell with Non-Depreciating Failures
Authors: Kopp V. Ya. , Zamorenov M. V. , Chalenkov N. I.
Published: June 2020

В статье описывается метод фазового укрупнения полумарковских систем, не требующий определения стационарного распределения вложенной цепи Маркова. Фазовое укрупнение – эквивалентная замена полумарковской системы с общим фазовым пространством состояний, системой с дискретным пространством состояний, имеющей те же характеристики, что и исходная система. Приводится лемма о функции распределения разности случайных величин. На основе леммы описывается применение формулы для разности случайной величины и непростого процесса восстановления. Предлагается метод фазового укрупнения регенерирующих и нерегенерирующих полумарковских систем, не включающий в себя этап определения стационарного распределения вложенной цепи Маркова для систем с общим фазовым пространством. На основе приведенного метода фазового укрупнения полумарковских систем, предложенного авторами, рассматривается функционирование технологической ячейки с необесценивающими отказами. Приводятся математическое описание системы и результаты моделирования предложенным методом и с помощью имитационного моделирования. При имитационном моделировании учитываются времена наработки на отказ и восстановления технологической ячейки, а также время обслуживания изделия. В среде AnyLogic cтроятся имитационные модели двумя способами: на основе временной диаграммы функционирования технологической ячейки, а также на основе временной диаграммы с графом состояний ячейки. Приводится сравнение результатов имитационного моделирования с разработанным авторами методом моделирования полумарковских систем, не требующим определения стационарного распределения вложенной цепи Маркова для систем с общим фазовым пространством состояний. Проведенное сравнение результатов моделирования подтвердило правильность построения полумарковской модели.Работа выполнена при финансовой поддержке РФФИ (проект № 19-01-00704-а)
Pharmacognostic Screening of Elaeis guineensis ( Aracaceae) Jacq. Oil and its Effect as an Antidote on Cyanide Poisoning
Authors: Osuala Felix N. , Odoh Uchenna E. , Muoneme Grace O. , Ohadoma Sylvester C.
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Elaeis guinenesis is a perennial monocot belonging to the family Arecaceae. It is the source of the oil commonly called African palm oil or macaw fat which in traditional medicine has many uses

Aim: This study is focused on the pharmacognostic screening of oil of Elaeis guineensis, and its antidotal effect on cyanide poisoning.

Method: The extracted oil was subjected to various screening technique in order to determine its quality, purity and chemical constituents. The oil was macroscopically examined; acute toxicity test of Elaeis guineensis oil was carried out on rats. The oil was subjected to heating to determine the moisture content. Phytochemical analysis was also carried out on the palm oil extract. The physicochemical analysis was carried to determine the acid value, saponification value, ester value, hydroxyl value and iodine value. The Ld50 for the pure cyanide was carried out on the rats using “Up and Down” method. The antidotal study of Elaeis guineensis oil was carried out on the rats.

Result: Macroscopic evaluation showed, the oil was in fresh condition, smooth texture, bright red colour, characteristic taste, oily appearance and a characterictic smell. The Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponnins, alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids. The physicochemical analysis showed that the oil has an acid value of 31.2, Saponification value of 194.8, Ester value 163.54, Peroxide value of 18.0, Hydroxyl Percentage of 2.07% and Free Fatty Acid of 3.65. The moisture content was calculated to be 0.2%. For the acute toxicity test on the oil using Lorkes method no death was recorded. The LD50 of the cyanide carried out on the rats showed that the lethal dose of cyanide is 5 mg/kg. The antidotal effect of Elaeis guineensis oil showed the absence of death on the group given oil extract alone and the groups that were poisoned and given the oil (antidote) within 4 minutes. Deaths were recorded for the groups that were administered antidotes after 8 minutes.

Conclusion: Elaeis guineensis oil has counteracting effect on cyanide poisoning if administered within four minutes of cyanide ingestion.
Comparative Biological Activity Profile of Nava (Freshly Collected) and Purana (Old) Dhanyaka (Coriandrum sativum Linn.) through Gas Chromatography and In-Vitro Anti-Microbial Study
Authors: Chaithra , , Mallya Suma V , Prabhu Suchitra
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Dhanyaka(Coriandrum sativum Linn.) belonging to family Apiaceae is one such common aromatic edible herb, the fruits of which are used as carminative, antimicrobial and cooling. Classical texts of Ayurveda advocate these fruits to be used in old condition. With this background, a study was done to compare biological activity profile of Nava and Purana Dhanyaka(Coriandrum sativum Linn.) through, Gas chromatography and   in-vitro anti-microbial activity. Materials and methods: Fresh fruits of Dhanyaka(Coriandrum sativum Linn.) were collected from Rona, Gadag district and authenticated. The fresh fruits named as S1 with which essential oil extracted using clevengers apparatus. Few fruits were kept in an air tight container and stored for one year, and at the end of a year named as sample(S2), essential oil extracted and stored. Both samples were subjected for GC and in-vitro antimicrobial activity. Results and Discussion: The Essential oil of Nava Dhanyaka(S1) included 17 identified compounds which was dominated by monoterpenes and sesquiterpene; whereas S2 showed 6 identified compounds in which 3 constituents isoborneol, citronellyl acetate and geraniol were new findings.  In-vitro anti-microbial study of essential oil extract showed that Purana Dhanyaka(S2) had better efficacy with respect to the standard against the strain Escherichia coli and Candida albicans; whereas that of  Nava Dhanyaka(S1) against only one bacterial strain ie., Streptococcus pyogens. Conclusion: Preservation of Dhanyaka(Coriandrum sativum Linn.) showed biological changes in terms of  antimicrobial activity compared to fresh sample.

Key words: Dhanyaka, Coriandrum sativum Linn., Gas chromatography, In-vitro antimicrobial study)