bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Učinak konzervativnog liječenja djece sa skoliozom
Authors: Lazić Miloš , Mačak Hadžiomerović Amra , Buljugić Edin , Alibegović Aldina , Meholjić Ajša
Published: December 2022

Uvod: Skolioza je trodimenzionalni deformitet kralježnice koji se definira uglavnom na temelju zakrivljenosti kralježnice. Dijeli se na funkcionalnu i strukturnu. Skolioza može dovesti do dugotrajnog nepravilnog držanja, bolova u leđima i problema s disanjem. Vježbe za ublažavanje skolioze uključuju jačanje mišića, mobilizaciju trupa, električnu stimulacija, vježbe disanja i posturalne korekcije te vježbe s malim utjecajem kao što su pilates, joga ili tai chi za poboljšanje fleksibilnosti i trupa.Metode: Istraživanje je obuhvatilo analizu podataka dobivenih iz medicinske dokumentacije prvog nalaza i kontrolnih nalaza specijalista fizikalne medicine i rehabilitacije. Za potrebe istraživanja prikupljeni su podaci o spolnoj i dobnoj strukturi ispitanika, vrsti skoliotičke zakrivljenosti (funkcionalna ili strukturna), kao i lokalizaciji skolioze po segmentima kralježnice. Svi su ispitanici podvrgnuti individualnom fizioterapijskom tretmanu od strane fizioterapeuta u trajanju od 15 radnih dana, jedan sat dnevno, nakon čega su provodili fizioterapijski program kod kuće u trajanju od šest mjeseci prije kontrolnog pregleda. Podaci istraživanja dobiveni su u razdoblju od siječnja 2009. do prosinca 2018. godine.Rezultati: Nakon konzervativne terapije kod 132 ispitanika (66 %) došlo je do poboljšanja, dok kod 68 (34 %) ispitanika nije došlo do smanjenja skolioze. Statistički značajno veći postotak muških ispitanika (73,1 %) imao je poboljšanje kliničke slike u odnosu na ispitanice (58,3 %). Kod ispitanika s funkcionalnom skoliozom utvrđeno je statistički značajno poboljšanje kliničke slike (74,4 %) u odnosu na ispitanike sa strukturnom skoliozom (14,3 %).Zaključak: Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su da individualni fizioterapijski program ima pozitivan učinak na korekciju skoliotičke zakrivljenosti. Djeca koja redovito vježbaju kod kuće, nakon završenog kineziterapijskog liječenja u zdravstvenoj ustanovi, u trajanju od najmanje šest mjeseci, imaju veći postotak poboljšanja skoliotične zakrivljenosti u odnosu na djecu koja ne vježbaju redovito.
Zdravi životni stilovi studenata sestrinstva i medicine
Authors: Spevan Marija , Muzur Amir , Štrucelj Helena
Published: December 2022

Studiranje podrazumijeva razne izazove koji mogu narušiti homeostazu, a neki su od tih izazova opterećenost učenjem, želja za akademskim postignućem i studiranje uz rad. S obzirom na navedeno, kod studentske je populacije općenito važno promicati osobne zdrave navike, a kod studenata sestrinstva i medicine uz to i navike promoviranja zdravog načina života. Cilj je ovog preglednog rada utvrditi kojim se mjerama procjenjuje i kojim se metodama istražuje životni stil studenata sestrinstva i medicine.Pregled opsega proveden je i dovršen 28. prosinca 2020. godine pretraživanjem baze podataka Medline/WoS. Uključeni su članci koji opisuju primarna opažajna istraživanja o zdravom životnom stilu studenata sestrinstva i medicine. Od 68 identificiranih članaka, 12 ih je prihvaćeno (17,7 %) za konačnu analizu. Izrađene su kvantitativna i kvalitativna analiza podataka.Za procjenu životnog stila koriste se upitnici i antropometrijski instrumenti, a fokus je na kriterijima zdravog načina života, kao što su učestalost tjelesne aktivnosti, indeks tjelesne mase, kvaliteta spavanja, balansiranost prehrane, mentalno zdravlje i drugi. Mjere tjelesnog zdravlja u većoj su mjeri zastupljene od mjera mentalnog zdravlja. Sva su istraživanja bila presječnog tipa.Istraživanja pokazuju da studenti sestrinstva i medicine nemaju optimalan životni stil. Potrebna su daljnja istraživanja povezanosti mentalnog zdravlja i životnog stila s ciljem osmišljavanja strategija za unapređenje zdravog načina života u ovoj populaciji, kao i ispitivanja učinkovitosti takvih strategija.
Utjecaj pandemije COVID-19 na psihofizički status mladih; strategija suočavanja i moć samokontrole
Authors: Ješić Valentina , Babić Sabina , Vratan Nikolina
Published: December 2022

Uvod: U svrhu razvoja strategija suočavanja sa stresom i prevencije narušavanja mentalnog zdravlja mladih osoba, sve se više primjenjuju razni modeli i edukacije s ciljem adekvatne kontrole narušene psihofizičke ravnoteže organizma. Brojni stresori koji su se javili kao posljedica ekonomskih i pravnih regulativa uvjetovanih pandemijom COVID-19 imaju niz učinaka na zdravlje cijele zajednice. Suočavanje usmjereno na problem rezultira pravovremenom intervencijom u uklanjanju izvora akutnih stresora koji imaju tendenciju progresije u kronične stresore. Ovladavanje stresom potrebno je implementirati u svakodnevicu da bi se prevenirao razvoj tjelesnih i psihičkih posljedica. Strah za vlastito zdravlje, kao i zdravlje članova obitelji ili prijatelja, rezultira izolacijom i odvajanjem od svakodnevnog društvenog života i rutina.Cilj: Cilj istraživanja bio je odgovoriti na pitanje jesu li i u kojoj mjeri mladi osjetili fizičke ili psihičke posljedice izazvane mjerama izolacije i socijalnog distanciranja. Također, istaknut će se najčešće i najefikasnije metode koje mladi upotrebljavaju kao strategiju suočavanja u kriznom periodu pandemije COVID-19.Metode: Radi provođenja analize prisutnosti stresa te primjenjivanja strategija suočavanja sa stresom kod mladih uslijed pandemije COVID-19, interno je konstruiran upitnik pomoću online obrasca. Prije početka procesa ispunjavanja navedena je obavijest o anonimnosti i svrsi dobivanja podataka.Rezultati: Većina ispitanika potvrdila je prisutnost nekih od posljedica izolacije uoči pandemije COVID-19, a kao najčešće navode osjećaj stresa i tjeskobe koji usko prati pojava depresivnosti, poremećaj i poteškoće sa spavanjem te poteškoće s kontrolom emocija. Usprkos tomu, vrlo mali broj ispitanika zatražio je neki oblik podrške ili pomoći s ciljem smanjivanja ili uklanjanja stresa uzrokovanog mjerama izolacije.Zaključak: Studija zahtijeva provedbu daljnjih javnozdravstvenih istraživanja o najadekvatnijim strategijama suočavanja sa stresom kod mladih, kao i o važnosti pružanja psihološke podrške mladima.
The Effect of Lymphangiogenesis in Transplant Arteriosclerosis
Authors: Chen Kai , Mou Rong , Zhu Pengwei , Xu Xiaodong , Wang Han , Jiang Liujun , Hu Yanhua , Hu Xiaosheng , Ma Liang , Xiao Qingzhong , Xu Qingbo
Published: December 2022

Background:

Transplant arteriosclerosis is a major complication in long-term survivors of heart transplantation. Increased lymph flow from donor heart to host lymph nodes has been reported to play a role in transplant arteriosclerosis, but how lymphangiogenesis affects this process is unknown.

Methods:

Vascular allografts were transplanted among various combinations of mice, including wild-type,
Lyve1
-CreER
T2
;R26-tdTomato,
CAG
-Cre-tdTomato, severe combined immune deficiency,
Ccr2
KO
,
Foxn1
KO
, and
lghm
/
lghd
KO
mice. Whole-mount staining and 3-dimensional reconstruction identified lymphatic vessels within the grafted arteries. Lineage tracing strategies delineated the cellular origin of lymphatic endothelial cells. Adeno-associated viral vectors and a selective inhibitor were used to regulate lymphangiogenesis.

Results:

Lymphangiogenesis within allograft vessels began at the anastomotic sites and extended from preexisting lymphatic vessels in the host. Tertiary lymphatic organs were identified in transplanted arteries at the anastomotic site and lymphatic vessels expressing CCL21 (chemokine [C-C motif] ligand 21) were associated with these immune structures. Fibroblasts in the vascular allografts released VEGF-C (vascular endothelial growth factor C), which stimulated lymphangiogenesis into the grafts. Inhibition of VEGF-C signaling inhibited lymphangiogenesis, neointima formation, and adventitial fibrosis of vascular allografts. These studies identified VEGF-C released from fibroblasts as a signal stimulating lymphangiogenesis extending from the host into the vascular allografts.

Conclusions:

Formation of lymphatic vessels plays a key role in the immune response to vascular transplantation. The inhibition of lymphangiogenesis may be a novel approach to prevent transplant arteriosclerosis.
Scaling Peak Oxygen Consumption for Body Size and Composition in People With a Fontan Circulation
Authors: Wadey Curtis A. , Barker Alan R. , Stuart Graham , Tran Derek L. , Laohachai Karina , Ayer Julian , Cordina Rachael , Williams Craig A.
Published: December 2022

Background

Peak oxygen consumption (peak

V
̇

O
2

$$ \dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{O}}_2 $$

) is traditionally divided (“ratio‐scaled”) by body mass (BM) for clinical interpretation. Yet, it is unknown whether ratio‐scaling to BM can produce a valid size‐independent expression of peak

V
̇

O
2

$$ \dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{O}}_2 $$

in people with a Fontan circulation. Furthermore, people with a Fontan circulation have deficits in lean mass, and it is unexplored whether using different measures of body composition may improve scaling validity. The objective was to assess the validity of different scaling denominators (BM, stature, body surface area, fat‐free mass, lean mass, and appendicular lean mass using ratio and allometric scaling).

Methods and Results

Eighty‐nine participants (age: 23.3±6.7 years; 53% female) with a Fontan circulation had their cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing and dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry. Ratio and allometric (log‐linear regression) scaling was performed and Pearson correlations assessed scaling validity. Scaling denominators BM (
r
=−0.25,
P
=0.02), stature (
r
=0.46,
P
<0.001), and body surface area (0.23,
P
=0.03) were significantly correlated with their respective ratio‐scaled expressions of peak

V
̇

O
2

$$ \dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{O}}_2 $$

, but fat‐free mass, lean mass, or appendicular lean mass were not (
r
≤0.11;
R
2
=1%). Allometrically expressed peak

V
̇

O
2

$$ \dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{O}}_2 $$

resulted in no significant correlation with any scaling denominator (
r
=≤0.23;
R
2
=≤4%).

Conclusions

The traditional and accepted method of ratio‐scaling to BM is invalid because it fails to create a size‐independent expression of peak

V
̇

O
2

$$ \dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{O}}_2 $$

in people with a Fontan circulation. However, ratio‐scaling to measures of body composition (fat‐free mass, lean mass, and appendicular lean mass) and allometric techniques can produce size‐independent expressions of peak

V
̇

O
2

$$ \dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{O}}_2 $$

in people with a Fontan circulation.
Factors associated with positive cancer screening for the uterine cervix and breast in Jakarta Province, Indonesia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Sirait Lady Margaretha Febriany , Hamajima Nobuyuki , Suzuki Yunosuke , Wahyuningsih Endang Sri , Oktavia Dwi , Widyastuti  , Inthaphatha Souphalak , Nishino Kimihiro , Yamamoto Eiko
Published: December 2022

Background

In many middle-income countries, cancer incidence and mortality are rapidly increasing, but data for developing a strategy of cancer control are rarely collected or analyzed. This study aimed to identify factors associated with positive cancer screening for the uterine cervix and breast in Jakarta Province, Indonesia.

Methods

The data of 79,660 women who had visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and 83,043 women who had clinical breast examination (CBE) in the Jakarta Women Cancer Screening program in 2019 were included in this study. Socio-demographic factors, reproductive factors, lifestyle factors, family history, and the results of VIA and CBE were used for analyses. Binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with VIA positive or CBE positive.

Results

The positive rate was 0.9% for both VIA and CBE among the screening participants. Factors associated with VIA positive were age < 30 years old, age at menarche ≤ 11 years old, remarriage, lower educational level, having an occupation, partner’s occupation other than being an employee, alcohol consumption, smoker, inadequate physical activity, cancer family history, and no Pap smear history. Factors associated with CBE positive were age at menarche ≤ 11 years old, widowed, high education, having an occupation, no breastfeeding history, birth control history, alcohol consumption, smoker, inadequate physical activity, cancer family history, and breast tumor history.

Conclusion

Factors associated with VIA positive and CBE positive among Indonesian women were revealed. To promote female cancer prevention in Indonesia, the prevalence of screenings should be increased and education about the risk factors should be provided to medical professionals.
A novel inflammation-nutrition biomarker score for predicting prognosis of patients with cancer: results from a multicenter study
Authors: Xie Hailun , Ruan Guotian , Wei Lishuang , Zhang Heyang , Zhang Qi , Ge Yizhong , Lin Shiqi , Song Mengmeng , Zhang Xi , Liu Xiaoyue , Zhang Xiaowei , Li Xiangrui , Zhang Kangping , Yang Ming , Tang Meng , Deng Li , Shi Hanping
Published: December 2022

Background

This study aimed to develop an innovative inflammation-nutrition biomarker score (INS) system to stratify the prognoses of patients with cancer.

Methods

A total of 5,221 patients with cancer from multiple centers in China between June 2010 and December 2017 were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. We compared the commonly used inflammation and nutrition biomarkers and selected the most valuable to develop the novel INS system. Survival curves were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method and the log-rank test to evaluate the difference in survival rates between groups. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the association between biomarkers and all-cause mortality.

Results

As the risk stratification of INS increased (1 to 5), the rate of death for cancer patients gradually increased (25.43% vs. 37.09% vs. 44.59% vs. 56.21% vs. 61.65%,p < 0.001). The INS system was associated with all-cause mortality in patients with cancer. Patients with both high inflammation and nutrition risk (INS = 5) were estimated to have much worse prognosis than those with neither (HR, 2.606; 95%CI, 2.261–3.003,p < 0.001). Subsequently, the results of randomized internal validation also confirmed that INS system had an ideal effect in identifying adverse outcomes. In addition, the INS system could be used as a supplement to pathological stages in prognosis assessment, and had a higher predictive value in comparison with the constitute biomarkers. Patients with a high INS had less functional ability, reduced quality of life, and were at high risk of malnutrition, cachexia, and poor short-term outcomes.

Conclusion

The INS system based on inflammation and nutrition biomarkers is a simple and effective prognostic stratification tool for patients with cancer, which can provide a valuable reference for clinical prognosis assessment and treatment strategy formulation.
Time from symptom onset may influence C-reactive protein utility in the diagnosis of bacterial infections in the NICU
Authors: Borowski Shelley , Shchors Irina , Bar-Meir Maskit
Published: December 2022

Background

Taking into account the timing of C-reactive protein (CRP) testing may improve the performance of the test in diagnosing bacterial infections in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We aimed to examine the yield of CRP, relative to time from symptoms onset.

Methods

Enrolled were all NICU patients, for whom CRP was obtained as part of a sepsis workup. The time of symptoms onset and of blood draw was recorded. Patients were classified into bacterial and non-bacterial groups according to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) guidelines. The performance of CRP, CRP velocity, and CRP obtained before or after 6 hours from symptoms onset, was evaluated by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Test characteristics were calculated using formulas based on Bayes’ theorem.

Results

Of 129 infants enrolled in the study, 21(16%) had a bacterial infection. A single CRP test and CRP velocity performed similarly in diagnosing bacterial infection, with area under ROC curve of 0.75 (95%CI: 0.61–0.89) and 0.77 (95% CI:0.66–0.88), respectively. The optimal cut-off value for a CRP test obtained <= 6 hours from symptoms onset was 1 mg/dL, whereas the optimal cut-off > 6 hours was 1.5 mg/dL. Using the optimal cut-off values increased the pre-test probability of 16%, to a post-test probability of 35–38%. For infants whose birth weight was < 1000 g, CRP performed poorly.

Conclusions

The optimal CRP cut-off used in the diagnosis of bacterial infections in NICU patients varies by the time from symptom onset. A “negative” CRP may support a clinical decision to stop empiric antimicrobial therapy, for infants whose blood cultures remain sterile.
A cross-sectional analysis of registry data of severe mental disorders in Fuzhou, China: current status and prospects
Authors: Zheng Fuhao , Lin Yawen , Wei Qinfei , Zeng Zhaonan , Xiong Duanhua , Wu Siying
Published: December 2022

Objective

To investigate the proportion of registered cases relative to size, distribution characteristics, medication status, and management status of patients diagnosed with severe mental disorders (SMD) in Fuzhou. The medication status and management status were compared between patients in urban and non-urban areas to provide scientific evidence for improving SMD care, control, and treatment in primary health care institutions.

Methods

Data (case types, demographic data, distribution data, medication status, and management status, etc.) of patients diagnosed with SMD in 12 districts, counties, and prefectures in the urban and non-urban areas of Fuzhou City were collected from October 2017 to September 2018. Three distributions (population, local, and districts/counties) were used to describe the proportion of registered cases relative to size and clinical characteristics of diagnosed SMD. Chi squared (χ2)test was used to compare the severity in urban and non-urban areas.

Results

A total of 30,362 registered SMD patients were identified in Fuzhou City of which schizophrenia accounted for the highest number of cases (26,204, 86.31%), and paranoid psychosis had the least number of cases (47, 0.15%). Moreover, approximately half of SMD patients were 18 to 44 years old (45.38%). Close to one third of patients were farmers (30.23%), had a primary school or lower education level (54.17%), were poor, with most below the poverty line (55.35%). The proportion of diagnosed SMD relative to size was highest in Minqing County (0.53%) and lowest in Mawei District (0.38%). A total of 22,989 (75.72%) of the patients were taking medications, and only 17,509 (57.67%) were taking medications regularly. Moreover, the percentage of cases taking medications and those taking medications regularly were higher in urban areas than in non-urban areas (P<0.05). A total of 3065 patients were registered for management (10.09%). The managed proportion of SMD cases was higher in the urban areas than in the non-urban areas (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Schizophrenia is a key disease for comprehensive care and control of severe mental disorders in Fuzhou. The management of severe mental disorders should focus on poor groups with low educational backgrounds. Drug usage and management are better in urban areas than in non-urban areas, and thus management should be enhanced in non-urban areas. The medication management and case management of patients with severe mental disorders in Fuzhou need further improvements.
Investigating the relationships between concentrated disadvantage, place connectivity, and COVID-19 fatality in the United States over time
Authors: Jing Fengrui , Li Zhenlong , Qiao Shan , Zhang Jiajia , Olatosi Bankole , Li Xiaoming
Published: December 2022

Background

Concentrated disadvantaged areas have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (US). Meanwhile, highly connected areas may contribute to higher human movement, leading to higher COVID-19 cases and deaths. This study examined the associations between concentrated disadvantage, place connectivity, and COVID-19 fatality in the US over time.

Methods

Concentrated disadvantage was assessed based on the spatial concentration of residents with low socioeconomic status. Place connectivity was defined as the normalized number of shared Twitter users between the county and all other counties in the contiguous US in a year (Y = 2019). COVID-19 fatality was measured as the cumulative COVID-19 deaths divided by the cumulative COVID-19 cases. Using county-level (N = 3,091) COVID-19 fatality over four time periods (up to October 31, 2021), we performed mixed-effect negative binomial regressions to examine the association between concentrated disadvantage, place connectivity, and COVID-19 fatality, considering potential state-level variations. The moderation effects of county-level place connectivity and concentrated disadvantage were analyzed. Spatially lagged variables of COVID-19 fatality were added to the models to control for the effect of spatial autocorrelations in COVID-19 fatality.

Results

Concentrated disadvantage was significantly associated with an increased COVID-19 fatality in four time periods (p < 0.01). More importantly, moderation analysis suggested that place connectivity significantly exacerbated the harmful effect of concentrated disadvantage on COVID-19 fatality in three periods (p < 0.01), and this significant moderation effect increased over time. The moderation effects were also significant when using place connectivity data from the previous year.

Conclusions

Populations living in counties with both high concentrated disadvantage and high place connectivity may be at risk of a higher COVID-19 fatality. Greater COVID-19 fatality that occurs in concentrated disadvantaged counties may be partially due to higher human movement through place connectivity. In response to COVID-19 and other future infectious disease outbreaks, policymakers are encouraged to take advantage of historical disadvantage and place connectivity data in epidemic monitoring and surveillance of the disadvantaged areas that are highly connected, as well as targeting vulnerable populations and communities for additional intervention.
Medial meniscus posterior root tear reconstructed with gracilis autograft improve healing rate and patient reported outcome measures
Authors: Li Hongbo , Nie Si , Lan Min
Published: December 2022

Background

Many surgeries have not reversed or prevented progressive symptomatic knee arthritis, and there is no consensus regarding the ideal repair or reconstruction technique for meniscal root treatment. Additionally, there is a lack of studies comparing the clinical efficacy evaluation of different repair techniques. The aim of the present study is to compare the clinical efficacy and healing rates of meniscus root in the treatment of medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) with the arthroscopically assisted meniscus root reconstruction with gracilis autograft and transtibial pull-out technique.

Methods

Patients with MMPRT (type II) who received treatment of posterior meniscus root attachment point through the tibial tunnel between January 2018 and April 2019 were included in this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups (arthroscopically assisted gracilis autograft reconstruction technique: 29 cases; transtibial pull-out technique group: 35 cases) according to the different treatment methods. The mean follow-up period was 26.9 ± 2.3 months. The demographics, functional recovery of the knee, and meniscus root healing rates (assessed using knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the final follow-up) were compared between the two groups.

Results

There was a statistically significant improvement in the Lysholm score, international knee documentation committee (IKDC) score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score (P < 0.001 in both groups). Additionally, compared with the transtibial pull-out repair group, the arthroscopically assisted reconstruction with gracilis autograft showed significant improvement in the meniscus root healing rates, Lysholm score, and IKDC score at the end of follow-up (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Compared with the transtibial pull-out technique, the arthroscopically assisted meniscus root reconstruction with gracilis autograft was advantageous for treating these patients with superior clinical outcome and higher meniscus root healing rates.

Level of evidence

Level III.
Hyperglycemia screening based on survey data: an international instrument based on WHO STEPs dataset
Authors: Moradifar Pooyan , Amini Hossein , Amiri Mohammad Meskarpour
Published: December 2022

Background

Hyperglycemia is rising globally and its associated complications impose heavy health and economic burden on the countries. Developing effective survey-based screening tools for hyperglycemia using reliable surveillance data, such as the WHO STEPs surveys, would be of great importance in early detection and/or prevention of hyperglycemia, especially in low or middle-income regions.

Methods

In this study, data from the nationwide 2016 STEPs study in Iran were used to identify socioeconomic, lifestyle, and metabolic factors associated with hyperglycemia. Furthermore, the ability of five commonly used machine learning algorithms (random forest; gradient boosting; support vector machine; logistic regression; artificial neural network) in the prediction of hyperglycemia on STEPs dataset were compared via tenfold cross validation in terms of specificity, sensitivity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

A total of 17,705 individuals were included in this study, of those 29.624% (n = 5245) had (undiagnosed) hyperglycemia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older age (for the elderly group: OR = 5.096; for the middle-aged group: OR = 2.784), high BMI status (morbidly obese: OR = 3.465; obese: OR = 1.992), having hypertension (OR = 1.647), consuming fish more than twice per week (OR = 1.496), and abdominal obesity (OR = 1.464) were the five most important risk factors for hyperglycemia. Furthermore, all the five hyperglycemia prediction models achieved AUC around 0.70, and logistic regression (specificity = 70.22%; sensitivity = 70.2%) and random forest (specificity = 70.75%; sensitivity = 69.78%) had the optimal performance.

Conclusions

This study shows that it is possible to develop survey-based screening tools for early detection of hyperglycemia using data from nationwide surveys, such as WHO STEPs surveys, and machine learning techniques, such as random forest and logistic regression, without using blood tests. Such screening tools can potentially improve hyperglycemia control, especially in low or middle-income countries.
Association between oral health and oral health-related quality of life in patients before hip and knee endoprosthesis surgery: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Schmalz Gerhard , Fenske Fabian , Reuschel Florentine , Bartl Markus , Schmidt Laura , Goralski Szymon , Roth Andreas , Ziebolz Dirk
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Aim of this cross-sectional study was the assessment of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) health-related quality of life (HRQoL), oral health behaviour and oral health status in patients before hip and knee endoprosthesis (EP) surgery. Moreover, associations between OHRQoL, HRQoL and oral health should be examined.

Methods

Consecutive patients before hip and/or knee EP implantation were recruited and referred to the dental clinic for oral examination including: number of remaining teeth, dental findings (DMF-T-Index), periodontal condition (periodontal treatment need, Staging/Grading) and temporomandibular joint screening. OHRQoL was assessed by the German short form of oral health impact profile (OHIP G14), HRQoL by short-form 36 survey.

Results

Hundred and sixty two patients with a mean age of 66.80 ± 11.10 years were included, which had on average 18.22 ± 8.57 remaining teeth and a periodontal treatment need of 84.5%. The OHIP G14 sum score revealed a median of 1 (mean: 2.7 ± 4.4, 25–75th percentile: 0–4) and its dimension oral function of 0 (mean: 0.8 ± 1.8, 25–75th percentile: 0–1), what was also found for psychosocial impact (median: 0, mean: 1.4 ± 2.6, 25–75th percentile: 0–2). The OHIP G14 sum score and both dimensions were significantly associated with mental component summary (p < 0.01). A higher number of remaining teeth as well as remaining molars/premolars were associated with lower OHIP G14 sum score (p = 0.02). This was also found for the dimension oral function (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Patients prior to hip and knee EP had an unaffected OHRQoL, although they had an insufficient oral health. Individuals before EP implantation need increased attention in dental care, fostering information, sensibilization and motivation of the patients.
Paediatric on-call consultants’ learning within and beyond the objectives of a coherent CPD program
Authors: Holmgren Daniel , Nilsson Maria Skyvell , Wekell Per
Published: December 2022

Background

Evaluations, using questionnaires, of a two-year long CPD program for on-call consultant paediatricians, showed that the overall objective of the program was largely met. We stipulate that the coherency of the CPD program contributed to the learning. To gains a deeper understanding of the participants learning within and beyond the overall objectives of the program, we decided to conduct an interview study enrolling participants from the first two CPD courses.

Methods

Nine experienced paediatric consultants were interviewed 1-4 years after completing a coherent two-year long CPD program, focusing on what and how they learned. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed as text, analysed, and categorised using qualitative content analysis.

Results

What the participants learned: improved medical competences, greater confidence in the role of an on-call consultant, better understanding of the role of an on-call consultant and importance of professional networks. Several categories were outside the overall objective, at personal level: an understanding of one’s own and other’s competences, taking responsibility for one’s own CPD and managing things one does not know. At professional level: more secure as an individual and with colleagues.

How it was learned: relevant objectives, preparatory material and case discussions were important. Participants learned by preparing, repeating, reflecting, and participating actively, and by applying what they learned in clinical practice. The participants learned from one other over a period of two years, when they also got to know one another and created networks. A safe learning environment imposed demands and enabled participants to define their competence and learn accordingly.

Conclusions

This study describes what and how on-call consultant paediatricians learned during a coherent two-year long CPD program. The learning took place within and beyond the framework of the overall objectives. The study suggests that evaluation methods based on objectives may be blind to important areas of learning and need to be combined with qualitative methods that examine a broad impact of learning. Taken together, the analysis of what and how the participants learned shows that they were better equipped to work as consultant on call and deal with the things they did not know.
Development of a model for predicting hospital beds shortage and optimal policies using system dynamics approach
Authors: Najibi Seyede Maryam , Seyedi Seyed Hosein , Farhadi Payam , Kharazmi Erfan , Shojaei Payam , Delavari Sajad , Lotfi Farhad , kavosi Zahra
Published: December 2022

Background

Policymakers use simulation-based models to improve system feedback and model the reality of the problems in the system. This study uses the system dynamics approach to provide a model for predicting hospital bed shortages and determine the optimal policy in Shiraz, Southern Iran.

Methods

This study was designed based on Sterman's system dynamic modeling (SDM) process. Firstly, we determined the main variables affecting bed distribution using a mixed qualitative and quantitative study which includes scoping review, expert panel, Delphi, and DANP. Then, dynamic hypotheses were designed. Subsequently, we held several expert panels for designing the causal and stock-flow models, formulating and testing a simulation model, as well as developing various scenarios and policies.

Results

Dynamic modeling process resulted in four scenarios. All of the scenarios predicted a shortage of national hospital beds over a 20-year time horizon. Then, four policies were developed based on the changes in the number of beds and capacity of home care services; finally, the optimal policy was determined.

Conclusions

Due to the high cost of setting up hospital beds, developing and supporting cost-effective home care services, strengthening the insurance coverage of these services, and improving the quantity and quality of community care, considering the real needs of the community could be considered as an optimal option for the future of the city.
Molecular and serological survey of paratuberculosis in cattle in selected districts of Western Uganda
Authors: Ssekitoleko Judah , Ojok Lonzy , Omala Saint Kizito , Mukhtar Mohammed Elwasila , Eltom Kamal H. , Eltayeb El Sagad , Kankya Clovice , Kisekka Magid , Truyen Uwe , Czerny Claus-Peter , El Wahed Ahmed Abd , Okuni Julius Boniface
Published: December 2022

Knowledge of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) herd infection status is important to plan appropriate control and prevention strategies for Paratuberculosis (PTB); however, in Uganda MAP infection status of most herds is unknown. This study aimed at determining the MAP infection status of cattle herds and the associated risk factors for MAP infection in six western districts of Uganda. The survey covered a total of 93 herds where faecal and blood samples were collected from 1814 cattle. A Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) and an antibody-based (ELISA) assays were used to test for the presence of MAP DNA in faeces and MAP antibodies in serum, respectively. The apparent cow-level prevalence of MAP infection was 3.2 and 2.7% using ELISA and RPA respectively and the true cow-level prevalence using ELISA and RPA was 4.9 and 3% respectively. A herd-level prevalence of 43% (ELISA) and 40.8% (RPA) and a within-herd prevalence of 3.8 ± 2.1% based on ELISA were obtained. Among the risk factors investigated, long dry spells were significantly associated with high MAP infection (p < 0.05). These results indicate that MAP is actively present in most areas where surveillance was carried out. This poses a serious threat to the livestock industry and potentially to public health as MAP is highly suspected to play a role in the pathogenesis of several diseases in humans. Other areas of the country are to be surveyed as well in order to establish full data on MAP infection status to enable interventions for the control and prevention of the disease.
Fractional evolution equation with Cauchy data in $L^{p}$ spaces
Authors: Phuong Nguyen Duc , Baleanu Dumitru , Agarwal Ravi P. , Long Le Dinh
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we consider the Cauchy problem for fractional evolution equations with the Caputo derivative. This problem is not well posed in the sense of Hadamard. There have been many results on this problem when data is noisy in$L^{2}$L2and$H^{s}$Hs. However, there have not been any papers dealing with this problem with observed data in$L^{p}$Lpwith$p \neq 2$p≠2. We study three cases of source functions: homogeneous case, inhomogeneous case, and nonlinear case. For all of them, we use a truncation method to give an approximate solution to the problem. Under different assumptions on the smoothness of the exact solution, we get error estimates between the regularized solution and the exact solution in$L^{p}$Lp. To our knowledge,$L^{p}$Lpevaluations for the inverse problem are very limited. This work generalizes some recent results on this problem.
Current endoscopic diagnosis treatment strategy for superficial nonampullary duodenal tumours
Authors: Li Aichun , Shen Jianwei
Published: December 2022

Background

Preoperative endoscopic diagnosis and timely treatment are important for the clinical management of sporadically superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumours (SNADETs), including adenoma and adenocarcinoma limited to the submucosal layer.

Methods

This review explores current endoscopic diagnosis and endoscopic resection technology for SNADETs. We compare endoscopic diagnosis accuracy using white light imaging, narrow band imaging, and magnification endoscopy alone or in combination. In addition, we review the current endoscopic resection methods for SNADETs and discuss the limitations and applicable future directions of each technology.

Results

A simple scoring system based on the endoscopic findings of white light imaging or magnified endoscopy combined with image-enhanced techniques was applied for the prediction of the histological grade of SNADETs. Benign or low-grade adenoma can be followed up without biopsy, and high-grade adenoma and adenocarcinoma should be resected by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), or surgery. EMR frequently leads to a piecemeal resection, while ESD ensures a high en bloc resection rate with a high risk of complications. Covering or closing post-ESD ulcers is an effective strategy to reduce the risk of delayed perforation and bleeding. Laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery is a promising treatment for SNADETs with excellent rates of en bloc resection and a low risk of complications, although it is expensive and requires many specialists.

Conclusions

Early endoscopic diagnosis and optimal treatment selection for SNADETs may improve the poor prognosis of duodenal cancer.
Rheological, textural and structural properties of dairy cream as affected by some natural stabilizers
Authors: Biglarian Niloofar , Rafe Ali , Shahidi Seyed-Ahmad , Lorenzo Jose M.
Published: December 2022

The effects of whey protein, basil seed gum (BSG), and κ-carrageenan (CGN) on the structure–rheology interactions of low- and high-fat cream were investigated. Pseudoplastic and thixotropic behavior of cream was found for all the samples and the pseudoplasticity was increased with an increased level of stabilizers. The apparent viscosity (ηa) of the forward curves is greater than that of the backward ones, which may be the result of the breakdown of the fat globule structure under shear stress. The viscosity of cream was reduced, while using a stabilizer (BSG/CGN) can be related to the water binding of hydrocolloid molecules contributing to resistance in flow. For all samples, elastic modulus was greater than viscous modulus, indicating a greater contribution from elastic characteristics. With the increase of BSG/CGN levels, the molecules may be competitively adsorbed onto the surface of fat droplets, thereby changing its surface tension and decreasing its particle size. Increases in whey proteins, fat, and BSG also significantly increased hardness, whereas increases in CGN significantly decreased it. The globular aggregates in the microstructure of high-fat dairy cream were smaller than those in low-fat dairy cream, allowing more water to be retained in the high-fat samples. Therefore, synergistic interactions between polysaccharides and proteins may encourage the formation of a cross-linked network.
A falcotentorial dural arteriovenous fistula presented as carotid cavernous fistula clinically treated by transarterial embolization: case report
Authors: Shi Yuan , Liu Peixi , Liu Yingtao , Quan Kai , Tian Yanlong , Zhu Wei
Published: December 2022

Background

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) represent almost 10–15% of intracranial malformations that cause intracranial hemorrhage and focal neurological deficits. Seldom tentorial DAVF cases present with ocular manifestations initially, which occur frequently in carotid–cavernous fistula (CCF) and cavernous sinus DAVF (CS DAVF).

Case presentation

We report an unusual falcotentorial DAVF case draining via the superior and inferior ophthalmic veins that caused left-side increased intraocular pressure. The patient’s chief complaint was swelling on the left side, pain and conjunctival congestion. He received endovascular embolization via a transarterial approach, and postoperative angiography demonstrated that the falcotentorial DAVF was occluded completely.

Conclusion

Except for CCF and CS DAVF, some specific subtypes of DAVF should be considered if the patient initially presents with ocular symptoms. Differential diagnosis and definitive treatment are mandatory to avoid a delayed diagnosis and irreversible symptoms.
The manner of death in a case with two stab wounds caused by two weapons: case report
Authors: Kasim Abdurrab A. A. , Alzubaidi Faisal M. , Zakari Yahya H. , Shatwan Almaha A. A. , Mulla Sahar Saleh , Alasmari Abdulaziz , Ibrahim Samah F.
Published: December 2022

Background

Stabbing is a relatively uncommon method of suicide. Typical suicide is usually associated with tentative wounds. Self-stabbing using two sharp weapons to produce two stab wounds without tentative marks is an uncommon incidence.

Case presentation

A 42-year-old Austronesian descent male with a history of family troubles was found dead by his friend inside a clothing store; two kitchen knives were present on both sides of the body. There were two stab wounds in the chest and the abdomen without any superficial hesitation cuts. At the crime scene, there were two blood pools.

Conclusion

The number of injuries with the absence of hesitation injuries raised suspicions of an atypical case of suicide that necessitated further forensic investigations. However, the circumstantial evidence and autopsy findings demonstrated that suicide was the cause of death.
The Commencement of Jean-Luc Nancy
Authors: Dwivedi Divya
Published: December 2022

Jean-Luc Nancy was concerned with commencement at several levels, of several kinds, in several senses, because he could speak of commencement with affirmation, which means with audacity. From the hospital in July 2021 he completed his last essay, which was intended to commence the project of “the other beginning of philosophy” envisaged by him, Shaj Mohan, and Divya Dwivedi, and he titled it “The End of Philosophy and the Task of Thinking.” In and through it are gathered all of Nancy’s critical reflections on destiny, on the antisemitic components of the Heideggerian history of being, on the ends of philosophy that we must reckon with, on origins and archaeophilia, on the an-archique essence of philosophy and democracy—and this means for us, on another sense of commencement than arche, which could allow us to prepare another beginning of philosophy than the Heideggerian one, and to respond to Nancy’s wager “Pourquoi pas en finir?” Nancy has not left us; rather, we are only now commencing with Nancy.
Specific mechanisms of translation initiation in higher eukaryotes: the eIF4G2 story
Authors: Shestakova Ekaterina D. , Smirnova Victoria V. , Shatsky Ivan N. , Terenin Ilya M.
Published: December 2022

The eukaryotic initiation factor 4G2 (eIF4G2, DAP5, Nat1, p97) was discovered in 1997. Over the past two decades, dozens of papers have presented contradictory data on eIF4G2 function. Since its identification, eIF4G2 has been assumed to participate in noncanonical translation initiation mechanisms, but recent results indicate that it can be involved in scanning as well. In particular, eIF4G2 provides leaky scanning through some upstream open reading frames (uORFs), which are typical for long 5′ UTRs of mRNAs from higher eukaryotes. It is likely the protein can also help the ribosome overcome other impediments during scanning of the 5′ UTRs of animal mRNAs. This may explain the need for eIF4G2 in higher eukaryotes, as many mRNAs that encode regulatory proteins have rather long and highly structured 5′ UTRs. Additionally, they often bind to various proteins, which also hamper the movement of scanning ribosomes. This review discusses the suggested mechanisms of eIF4G2 action, denotes obscure or inconsistent results, and proposes ways to uncover other fundamental mechanisms in which this important protein factor may be involved in higher eukaryotes.
Διά βίου μάθηση, χρήση ουσιών και σχολική διαρροή: Ανάλυση βιογραφιών ατόμων που έκαναν κατάχρηση ουσιών και διερεύνηση στάσεων εκπαιδευτικών
Authors: Παπαδοπούλου Ελένη , Τσιμπουκλή Άννα
Published: December 2022

Στόχος της παρούσας εργασίας είναι, μέσω της ανάλυσης βιογραφιών ζωής εξαρτημένων ατόμων, να διερευνηθεί η σχέση ανάμεσα στα τραυματικά γεγονότα ζωής και τα συναισθήματα που τα συνοδεύουν με την έναρξη της χρήσης ουσιών και την πρόωρη εγκατάλειψη του σχολείου. Η ανάλυση βιογραφιών ζωής ατόμων που εισάγονται σε προγράμματα απεξάρτησης του ΚΕΘΕΑ αξιοποιείται προκειμένου να διερευνηθούν οι ερμηνείες και το νόημα που τα ίδια αποδίδουν στις εμπειρίες τους αλλά και να γίνει κατανοητός ο τρόπος κατασκευής ιστοριών ζωής από τη σκοπιά του παρόντος. Μέσα από την ανάλυση δέκα βιογραφιών ζωής τις οποίες καλούνται να συγγράψουν όλα τα άτομα που συμμετέχουν σε θεραπευτική κοινότητα απεξάρτησης, αναζητά την ερμηνεία που τα ίδια τα άτομα δίνουν για τη σχέση ανάμεσα στα τραυματικά γεγονότα ζωής και στην έναρξη της χρήσης ουσιών, τη σχολική αποτυχία και την πρόωρη διακοπή του σχολείου. Με τη μέθοδο της ανάλυσης περιεχομένου προκύπτει ότι σε κάθε αναπτυξιακή φάση αναδύονται συγκεκριμένοι παράγοντες που συνδυάζονται με την πρόωρη εγκατάλειψη του σχολείου και την έναρξη της χρήσης ουσιών και που αφορούν κυρίως δυσμενείς εμπειρίες ζωής κατά την παιδική ηλικία. Η εργασία προτείνει την εφαρμογή προγραμμάτων διά βίου μάθησης και μη τυπικής εκπαίδευσης στο σύνολο της σχολικής κοινότητας για την πρόληψη της σχολικής διαρροής και της χρήσης ουσιών.
Επίδραση του Σχολικού Συστήματος Προώθησης Θετικών Συμπεριφορών στη συλλογική αποτελεσματικότητα των εκπαιδευτικών
Authors: Γούτας Θεόδωρος
Published: December 2022

Η αποτελεσματική εφαρμογή του ΣΣΠΘΣ απαιτεί τη συνεργασία των εκπαιδευτικών για τη διδασκαλία κανόνων κοινωνικής συμπεριφοράς των μαθητών. Η έννοια της συλλογικής αποτελεσματικότητας των εκπαιδευτικών σχετίζεται με το επίπεδο συνεργασίας τους, τις στρατηγικές διδασκαλίας που εφαρμόζουν και την πειθαρχία των μαθητών στο σχολείο. Σκοπός της εργασίας ήταν η διερεύνηση της επίδρασης του ΣΣΠΘΣ στη συλλογική αποτελεσματικότητα των εκπαιδευτικών. Στην έρευνα συμμετείχαν 265 εκπαιδευτικοί (131 πειραματικής ομάδας και 134 ομάδας ελέγχου) από 30 δημόσια σχολεία πρωτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης (15 πειραματικής ομάδας και 15 ομάδας ελέγχου. Οι εκπαιδευτικοί συμπλήρωσαν την Κλίμακα Συλλογικής Αποτελεσματικότητας Εκπαιδευτικών (Collective Teacher Belief Scale). Πραγματοποιήθηκαν έλεγχοι ανεξάρτητων και συσχετισμένων δειγμάτων και ανάλυση διακύμανσης ενδοομαδικών και διομαδικών διαφορών σε δύο μετρήσεις: πριν και μετά την εφαρμογή της παρέμβασης. Δεν προέκυψαν σημαντικές διαφορές μεταξύ των ομάδων πριν την παρέμβαση, ενώ αμφότερες οι ομάδες βελτίωσαν τις επιδόσεις τους με την πάροδο του χρόνου. Ωστόσο, συγκριτικά με την ομάδα ελέγχου, η πειραματική ομάδα βελτίωσε σε μεγαλύτερο βαθμό τη συλλογική αποτελεσματικότητα, ως συνέπεια της θετικής επίδρασης της παρέμβασης. Τέλος, παρατηρήθηκαν σημαντικές, μικρής έως μέσης ισχύος, κύριες επιδράσεις της παρέμβασης και της ομάδας στη συλλογική αποτελεσματικότητα των εκπαιδευτικών της πειραματικής ομάδας.