bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of subjective and objective indices after progressive resistance training compared with aerobic training in Patients with Haemophilia: a study protocol
Authors: Pereira Felicianus Anthony , Soomro Nabila Najam , Hasnain Dilshad Farheen
Published: September 2021

Background: Bleeding episodes in mild haemophilia may occur after major injuries or surgical procedures with some people not experiencing bleeding episodes. People suffering from moderate haemophilia bleed once a month, however they rarely experience spontaneous bleeding. Those suffering from severe haemophilia bleed quite often into muscles or joints, and episodes can occur once to twice a week. Bleeding usually occurs spontaneously.Objective: To investigate the effects of progressive resistance training on quality of life, muscular strength and joint score in patients with haemophilia. Methodology: Sixty patients will be enrolled in the study. Thirty patients will be allocated to control group, and thirty to intervention group. Controls will be administered active muscle stretching and aerobic exercises. Intervention group will be given active muscle stretching, and resistance training. Patients will be randomly allocated to each group. Anthropometric data will be measured pre-test to establish a baseline. Study variables include muscular strength, and quality of life. All tests will be measured pre-test and post-test to compare effects of treatment.Results: Participant recruitment commenced in June 2021. The post intervention phase will be completed by August 2020. Data analysis will commence after this. A write-up for publication is expected to be completed after the follow-up phase is finalized in August 2021.Conclusions: If resistance training is found to be effective in improving quality of life and muscular strength in participants, it could reduce the frequency of factor therapy given prophylactically, or even as acute treatment, thus directing it towards more severe cases. It will also provide financial relief to organizations supporting the treatment of the hemophilic population.The registration number for this trial is NCT04892628.
Effects of Virtual Reality-based Motor Control Training on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Neuroplasticity in Patients with Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Huang Chien-Yu , Chiang Wei-Chi , Yeh Ya-Chin , Fan Shih-Chen , Yang Wan-Hsien , Kuo Ho-Chang , Li Ping-Chia
Published: September 2021

Background: Virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation is the innovative approach in motor control training in individuals with stroke. Currently, most outcome assessments of motor performance in stroke were based on subjective functional scales and instruments. Detecting serum biomarkers related to inflammation, oxidative stress and neuroplasticity, might provide precise and subtle changes after motor control training in patients with stroke.Objectives: This study aims to identify the effects of immersive VR-based intervention of motor control training on motor function improvement, inflammation, oxidative stress and neuroplasticity in patients with stroke.Methods: This is an assessor-blinded, randomized controlled study. Patients with stroke will be randomly assigned to VR training (VRT) group or the conventional occupational therapy (COT) group. Clinical assessments will include motor performance and active range of motion (AROM) of the upper limb. Serum concentrations of inflammation, oxidative stress and neuroplasticity will be assessed, including interleukin 6 (IL-6), intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).Expected outcomes: After the intervention, both groups will show improvements in motor performance and the changes of inflammation, oxidative stress and neuroplasticity. As compared to the COT group, the VRT group will show greater improvements in motor performance and AROM of the upper limb, greater induction of HO-1 and BDNF levels, and greater reductions in 8-OHdG.The trial registration number for this study is ChiCTR2100047853.
Acute Ischemic Stroke Secondary to Ulcerative Colitis Successfully Managed with Direct Oral Anticoagulant
Authors: Handa Rahul , Nanda Satyan , Prasad Atul , Anand Rajiv , Mehndiratta Man Mohan , Zutshi Dhruv , Kumar Ajay , Sahney Amrish , Singh Jasbir , Dass Sujata K , Bedi Prabhjeet Kaur , Dadwal Vishav Dev Singh , Pahuja Aarti , Shah Pankaj Kumar , Sharma Bipan , Malhotra Nalin
Published: September 2021

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an inflammatory disorder of gastrointestinal tract characterised by chronic inflammation with episodes of relapses and remission. Neurological complications are not as rare as once thought, with occurrence of ischemic stroke in patients with UC ranging from 1.2–6.4%. Although, an association of ulcerative colitis and stroke has been reported in various studies, pathogenesis and factors underlying this association are still not clear. Further, no specific treatment guidelines are available for ischemic stroke occurring in subjects with ulcerative colitis. As majority of patients of ulcerative colitis are seen by gastroenterologist, it is very important for them to be aware of this extra-intestinal complication as early diagnosis and correct treatment can reduce the high morbidity associated with stroke. We herein report a case of Acute ischemic stroke secondary to ulcerative colitis successfully managed with Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC). This case signifies the importance to have high index of suspicion among neurologists, especially in patients of young ischemic stroke with history of bleeding in stools or evidence of iron deficiency anaemia with no apparent cause, as treatment of the primary disease can significantly reduce the chances of recurrent stroke. Successful management of ischemic stroke complicating ulcerative colitis with Dabigatran indicates the safety of DOACs in patients of UC although, a randomised controlled trial is required before the use of DOACs in patients of UC with acute ischemic stroke can be approved.
Stab Wound with a Missed Broken Blade near Thoracic Vertebrae
Authors: sadeghNejad Amin , Seif Ehsan , mousavi shaghayegh , ahmadinejad mojtaba
Published: September 2021

The authors report a case of a 19-year-old man who was stabbed in the thoracic area and the blade of knife was broken deep inside near the spine. The blade was surgically removed without any serious damage to the spinal cord, main vessels, and organs and the patient had no problems after surgery.
The Intraseasonal Fluctuation of Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall and its Relation with Monsoon Intraseasonal Oscillation (MISO) and Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO)
Authors: Dey Avijit , Chattopadhyay R. , Joseph S. , Kaur M. , Mandal R. , Phani R. , Sahai A. K. , Pattanaik D. R.
Published: September 2021

The intra-seasonal fluctuations of Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) are mainly controlled by northward propagating Monsoon Intra-seasonal Oscillation (MISO) and eastward propagating Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO). In the current study, we examine the relationship between the intra-seasonal fluctuations (active and break spells) of ISMR with the phase propagation and amplitude of MISO and MJO. We notice that active spells generally occur during MISO phase 2–5 (MJO phase 3–6), and break spells mainly occur during MISO phase 6–8 (MJO phase 6–8 and 1). The association of active/break spells with MISO phases is more prominent than with MJO phases. We show the phase composite of unfiltered and regression based reconstructed rainfall for eight MISO and MJO phases, and the same is consistent with the earlier findings. We notice that the reconstructed field shows a systematic and well-organised northward propagation compared to the unfiltered field. Phase composite also indicates that there is a lead-lag relationship between MISO and MJO phases. MISO phase composite shows more robust northward propagation than the MJO phase composite. MISO reconstructed rainfall explained more percentage variance than MJO reconstructed rainfall with reference to 20–90 days filtered rainfall. It is found that long active (> 7 days) predominantly occurs when either MISO or MJO, or both of them are active, and the associated signal is somewhere in between phase 2–5. A long break occurs when either one or both of them are feeble, or even though associated signals are strong, they are primarily located in phases 1, 6, 7 and 8.
Spectral Estimation of Site Characteristics of an Earth Quake Prone Region
Authors: Seshunarayana T. , Sundararajan N.
Published: September 2021

The site amplification characteristic is an important part of evaluation of seismic hazard since much of the damage caused by earthquakes may be attributed directly to the ground shaking. Identifying ahead of time such areas which are prone to amplified ground shaking due to earthquake could greatly aid seismic hazard evaluation as well as improved hazard mitigation effects. It is also a well known fact that in most cases site amplification/ shaking is stronger in low shear wave velocity areas. The objective of the present study is to estimate site characteristics of as many as 116 sites in an area of approximately 35 sq.km comprising various geological units including soft alluvial deposits which not only tend to amplify certain frequencies of ground motion but also extend the duration of earth quake that may cause further damage. The basic idea of this study is to decipher the natural ground response during quite period as well as triggered response by spectral analysis. The methodology adopted for the study is modified micro tremor which is based on ambient noise as well as triggered response. Further, the spectral ratio of H/V of ambient noise and triggered data by Nakamura method with short duration data were also estimated. In addition, based on some empirical relations, the site response frequency and amplification were also computed using the shear wave velocity obtained up to a depth of 30 m (VS30) by the method of multichannel analysis of surface wave (MASW) and depth to bed rock estimated through refraction seismic studies. The results of the study has shown that a simple comparison of spectra of quiet time data and triggered time data revealed that in alluvial soils with thick overburden, the signal amplification is more at low frequency (< 10 Hz), whereas in thin overburden the amplification was found to be low at low frequencies. The salient features of the study with merits are presented herein.
The Cost of Community Outreach HIV Interventions in Thailand: A Cohort Study
Authors: Soe Kyaw Min , Hauck Katharina , Jiamton Sukhum , Kongsin Sukhontha
Published: September 2021

Background

Despite having an estimation of 440000 people living with HIV in 2018, the HIV epidemic in Thailand has become mature and new cases reported have been rapidly declining thanks to its successful prevention programs and scaling up of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Thailand aimed to achieve its commitment to end the HIV epidemic by 2030 and implemented a cascade of HIV interventions through Reach-Recruit-Test-Treat-Retain (RRTTR) program.
Methods

This study focused on community-based HIV interventions implemented by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) under RRTTR program in the provinces highly affected by HIV epidemic. We calculated unit cost per person reached for HIV interventions tailored for key-affected populations (KAPs) including men who have sex with men/ transgender (MSM/TG), male sex worker (MSW), female sex worker (FSW), people who inject drug (PWID) and migrant (MW). We studied program outputs, costs, and unit costs in variations across different HIV interventions and geographic locations in Thailand. We used these estimates to evaluate the economies of scale and scope of implementing community-based HIV interventions.
Results

We analysed a total of 38 community-based HIV interventions in 27 provinces. The average unit cost for a person to received HIV services was 29.7 USD for MSM/TG program, 33.1 USD for MW program, 31.9 USD for FSW program, 36.3 USD for MSW program and 179.1 USD for PWID program. The lowest unit cost per person reached was 21.6 USD for Migrant in Samut Sakhon province while the highest was 324.5 USD for PWID in Samut Prakan. The scattered plots of unit cost per person with polynomial and linear trend line shows the presence of economies of scales.
Conclusions

This study suggested that community-based HIV interventions led by NGOs in Thailand will only become less costly as they are scaled-up overtime.
Atropine and Ocular Hypotensives in The Control of Myopia.
Authors: Galvis Virgilio , Tello Alejandro , Larrea Jaime , Rodríguez Carlos J. , Serrano Sergio E. , Villamizar Sylvia J. , Rueda Nelson F. , Rey Juan José , Camacho Paul A.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To describe the results of topical atropine 1% weekly combined with a fixed combination of ocular hypotensives (dorzolamide + timolol), versus ocular hypotensives alone, in children and adolescents.
Methods

A retrospective review of medical records of myopic children and adolescents from September 2003 to June of 2019. The unit of analysis of the data was the change in the magnitude of myopia in a given eye between two consecutive visits (CMCV) and were divided in three groups: “non-adherent”, “hypotensive” and “atropine”, and classified according to the magnitude of myopia progression.
Results

There were statistically significant differences in the percentages of the CMVC analysis units included in the “completely controlled myopia” classification (higher for the “Atropine” group) and in the “moderate progression” and “severe progression” classifications (lower for the “Atropine” group). Mean progression rate of the CMCV analysis units included in the “atropine” group was significantly lower (-0.13 ± 0.41 Diopters/year) than in the “hypotensives” group (-0.41 ± 0.54 Diopters/year), and in the “non-adherent” group (-0.59 ± 0.57 Diopters/year).
Conclusions

In a group of myopic children and adolescents in Colombia during the periods of time in which they received 1% atropine, one drop weekly, in combination with dorzolamide + timolol, every 12 hours, showed better control of the progression of myopia, than in the time periods in which they received only ocular hypotensives or were not adherent to pharmacological treatment. Further research is warranted.
Extreme Weather Events and Its Impacts on Rice Production in Coastal Odisha Region of India
Authors: Vijayakumar S , Nayak A.K. , Manikandan N. , Pattanaik Suchismita , Tripathi Rahul , Swain C K
Published: September 2021

The study investigates trend in extreme daily precipitation and temperature over coastal Odisha, India. 18 weather indices (8 related to temperature and 10 related to rainfall) were calculated using RClimDex software package for the period 1980–2010 . Trend analysis was carried out using linear regression and non-parametric Mann-Kendall test to find out the statistical significance of various indices. Results indicated, a strong and significant trend in temperature indices while the weak and non-significant trend in precipitation indices. The positive trend in Tmax mean, Tmin mean, TN90p (warm nights), TX90p (warm days), diurnal temperature range (DTR), warm spell duration indicator (WSDI), consecutive dry days (CDD) indicates increasing the frequency of warming events in coastal Odisha. Similarly, positive trend in highest maximum 1-day precipitation (RX1), highest maximum 2 consecutive day precipitation (RX2), highest maximum 3 consecutive day precipitation (RX3), highest maximum 5 consecutive day precipitation (RX5), number of heavy precipitation days (≥64.5mm), number of very heavy precipitation days (≥124.5mm) and negative trend in the number of rainy days (R2.5mm), consecutive wet days (CWD) indicate changes toward the more intense and poor distribution of precipitation in coastal Odisha. The combined effect of precipitation and temperature extreme events showed negative effects on rice grain yield. With the increasing number of extreme events there was sharp decline in rice grain yield was observed in the same year in all the coastal districts. This study emphasizes the need for new technology/management practice to minimize the impacts of extreme weather events on rice yield.
Risk of Hospitalization Associated With Different Constellations of Home & Community Based Services
Authors: Cleve Ray Van , Cole Evan , Degenholtz Howard
Published: September 2021

Background:Identify the association between specific combinations of home and community-based services (HCBS) and risk of acute hospitalization. Methods:Data for this study came from Pennsylvania Medicaid claims, enrollment files, enrollee evaluations, and Medicare and Medicaid hospitalization records. This analysis compared risk of inpatient hospitalization across an entire state Medicaid population of community dwelling elderly individuals receiving HCBS. Twelve constellations of HCBS were identified, each composed of different services. Using logistic regression, we derived predicted probabilities of experiencing hospitalization for people in each constellation. This was secondary data analysis conducted outside of a hospital. This study used observational data. There was no randomization.Results:The highest risk of hospitalization, 15.1%, was associated with use of home delivered meals and low levels of PAS. The lowest risk of hospitalization, 7.5% was associated with use of adult day care and low levels of PAS. An 11.6% risk of hospitalization was associated with people who had applied to receive HCBS but were deemed ineligible. This risk was higher than all other constellations of HCBS except for the risk associated with using only low levels of PAS (13.9%) and using low levels of PAS and home delivered meals (15.1%). Conclusions: Using medium and high levels of PAS was associated with lower hospitalization risk compared to only low levels of PAS. Offering a higher initial level of PAS upon enrollment in Medicaid could potentially reduce hospitalization risk. People receiving home delivered meals had an elevated hospitalization risk.
Quantitative Research on Drought Loss Sensitivity of Summer Maize Based on AquaCrop Model
Authors: Li Fawen , Zhang Manjin , Liu Yaoze
Published: September 2021

In this study, the growth periods of summer maize was divided into seedling, booting and flowering-grain stage. Based on the simulation results of AquaCrop model, the drought loss sensitivity of summer maize in different growth periods was analyzed. The sensitivity curves fitting using the soil moisture content of the effective root zone and the fixed soil layer both indicated that the booting stage was the most sensitive to water stress, which was the critical period for irrigation, followed by the seedling stage. Compared with the curve parameters fitted by the soil water content of the effective root zone, the maximum Biomass Loss Rate fitted by the fixed soil layer water content was higher and the Drought Hazard Index corresponding to the disaster-causing point and the turning point in the seedling stage moved backward. Accordingly, the best irrigation opportunity may be missed and resulting in a large reduction in production if an irrigation scheme is formulated at the seedling stage based on the sensitivity curve of summer maize fitted by the water content of a fixed soil layer. This study also adapted the Jensen model to calculate the normalized moisture sensitivity coefficient and studied the response of final crop yield to water deficit in different growth periods. The results showed that the normalized moisture sensitivity coefficients at the seedling stage, booting stage, and flowering-grain stage were 0.251, 0.524, 0.224 respectively, which verified the rationality and feasibility of using the cumulative loss of biomass to measure the final yield loss.
SH3GL1 Promotes Liver Tumorigenesis by Activating β-Catenin Signaling
Authors: Zhang Cong , Li Ning , Zhong chen
Published: September 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent subtype of primary liver cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in the world. Liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been well established to be responsible for liver tumorigenesis, metastasis, drug resistance and tumor relapse. Yet the underlying mechanisms of CSCs self-renewal and maintenance are poorly understood. Here, we first report that SH3GL1 was dramatically upregulated in liver cancer and higher SH3GL1 expression was significantly correlates with worse clinical outcomes of liver cancer patients. Loss of function experiments demonstrate that SH3GL1 functions as a novel oncogene to potentiate liver cancer cell proliferation and liver CSCs self-renewal maintenance in vitro as well as xenograft tumor grow in vivo. Mechanistically, our study reveals that SH3GL1 facilitates liver CSCs by physically interacting with and activating β-catenin signaling. Our study characterizes SH3GL1 as a new regulator of oncogenic β-catenin signaling and defines newly therapeutic target for liver cancer patients.
Context Specific Realities and Experiences of Nurses and Midwives in Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care Services in Two District Hospitals in Rwanda
Authors: Nishimwe Aurore , Conco Daphney Nozizwe , Nyssen Marc , Ibisomi Latifat
Published: September 2021

Background

In low and middle-income countries, nurses and midwives are the frontline healthcare workers in obstetric care. Insights into the experiences of these healthcare workers in managing obstetric care emergencies are critical for improving quality of care. This article presents such insights, from the nurses and midwives working in Rwandan district hospitals, who reflected on their experiences of managing the most common birth-related complications; postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and newborn asphyxia. This is a qualitative part of a broader research about implementation of an mLearning and mHealth decision support tool (Safe Delivery Application), in basic emergency obstetric and newborn care services in Rwanda.
Methods

In this exploratory qualitative aspect of the research, the first author facilitated four focus group discussions with 26 nurses and midwives from two district hospitals in Rwanda. Each focus group discussion was made up of two parts. The first part focused on the participants’ reflections on the research results, while the second part explored their experiences of delivering obstetric care services in their respective district hospitals. The research results included: survey results reflecting their knowledge and skills of PPH management and of neonatal resuscitation (NR); and findings from a six-month record review of PPH management and NR outcomes, from the district hospitals under study. Data were analyzed using hybrid thematic analysis.
Results

Nurses and midwives felt that the presented findings were a true reflection of the reality and offered diverse explanations for the results. The participants’ narratives of lived experiences of providing BEmONC services are presented under two broad themes: (1) self-reflections on their current practices and (2) contextual factors influencing the delivery of BEmONC services.
Conclusion

The insights of nurses and midwives regarding the management of birth related complications revealed multi-faceted factors that influence the quality of their obstetric care. Even though the study was focused on their management of PPH and NR, the resulting recommendations to improve quality of care could benefit the broader field of maternal and child health particularly in low and middle income countries.
A Decade of National Green Tribunal of India: Judgement Analysis and Observations
Authors: singh aprajita
Published: September 2021

Established in 2010, it has been more than a decade since the establishment of the National Green Tribunal in India and in this context, the effectiveness of the National Green Tribunal as an institution comes to the forefront specifically from the lens of access to justice. To fill in the gap that is existing in the environmental area in the social and economic dimension role of an effective institution created for environment protection is a matter of utmost relevance. The judicial mechanism as a means of access to justice in environmental matters as one of the pillars of environmental governance is seen as means for achieving environmental justice and bringing in environmental democracy. National Green Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body dealing specifically with environment-related civil litigations, which brings about the plurality of justice with its multidisciplinary approach. This paper through the analysis of judgments of the year 2019 of the specific months where the tribunal has done significant intervention, through analysis looks into the impact the judgments have concerning environmental protection and innovations brought and jurisprudence created through its judgments and impact on the access to environmental justice.
Duration of Prophylactic Antibiotic and Prosthetic Joint Infection in a Developing Country: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chareancholvanich Keerati , Pornrattanamaneewong Chaturong , Ruangsomboon Pakpoom , Sanguanwongwan Waiwit , Musikachart Piyanuch , Narkbunnam Rapeepat
Published: September 2021

BackgroundPerioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is one of the standard measures for preventing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). In developing countries, poor surgical environment and patient hygiene are often cited as reasons for prolonged antibiotic duration without any evidence to support its effectiveness. The aim of this study was to investigate the infection rate after TKA compared between standard course (≤24 hours) and extended course (>24 hours) of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in a developing country.MethodsThis retrospective study included patients who underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty during January 2013 to December 2018. A total of 3,316 patients were included. Of those, 1,284 and 2,032 patients received standard and extended course of antibiotic prophylaxis, respectively. The incidence of PJI was compared between groups, and we also analyzed for factors significantly associated with PJI.ResultsPJI developed in 0.5% (6/1,284) of the standard course group, and in 1.2% (24/2,032) of the extended course group. The difference and 95% confidence interval for the difference between groups was -0.714% (-1.338% to -0.043%), which confirms the noninferiority status of the standard course group compared to the extended course group. Longer hospital length of stay significantly associated with higher infection rate (p=0.000). Postoperative wound infection was not found to be associated with age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, blood transfusion, or surgery type.ConclusionTwenty-four hours of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis was found to be adequate for PJI prevention in a developing country setting.Trial registrationEthical approval and consent to participate: The study was approved by the Institutional review board of Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol university. [SIRB 847/2559(EC3)]
Prevalence and Management of Constipation and GI Diagnoses in Children With Solid Tumors
Authors: Belsky Jennifer , Stanek Joseph R. , Yeager Nicholas D. , Runco Daniel V.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Despite continued development of targeted therapies for children with cancer, patients continue to experience an array of unwanted side effects. Children with solid tumors may experience constipation as a result many treatment variables. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence and treatment of constipation in hospitalized children with solid tumors treated with chemotherapy.
Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 48 children’s hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System, extracting patients 0–21 years of age with a solid tumor diagnosis hospitalized from October 2015-December 2019. Primary study outcome investigated which solid tumor subgroups received the diagnosis of constipation or received the most constipation medications while receiving chemotherapy for a cancer diagnosis.
Results

We identified 13,375 unique patients with a solid tumor diagnosis receiving chemotherapy. Constipation was the most common gastrointestinal complaint with 8,658 (64.7%; 95% Cl: 63.9–65.5%) meeting our defined constipation diagnosis. Bone cancers had the highest percentage (69.9%) of patients with constipation, while Hodgkin’s lymphoma had the lowest, though 52.1% of patients were affected. A total of 44% (n = 35,301) of encounters received an opioid at some point during admission. Of patients receiving constipation medications, the most commonly prescribed was poly-ethyl glycol (n = 25,175, 31.7%), followed by docusate (n = 11,297, 14.2%), senna (n = 10,325, 13.0%), and lactulose (n = 5,501, 6.9%).
Conclusions

Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal issue that children with solid tumors experience while receiving chemotherapy. Increased attention should be given to constipation prophylaxis and treatment in children with solid tumors undergoing chemotherapy.
Risk Factors for Oral Mucositis During Chemotherapy Treatment for Solid Tumors: A Retrospective STROBE-Guided Study
Authors: Martins Joyce Ohana de Lima , Borges Marcela Maria Fontes , Nóbrega Malta Cássia , Carlos Anna Clara Aragão Matos , Crispim André Alves , de Moura Jose Fernando Bastos , Fernandes-Lima Isabelle Joyce Silva , Silva Paulo Goberlânio de Barros
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study retrospectively analyzed the risk factors for transchemotherapy oral mucositis (OM).
Methods

Before each chemotherapy cycle, patients were routinely evaluated for the presence/severity of OM based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0 scale for adverse effects and graded as follows: However, specific conditions such as mucositis are graded on a five-point scale: 0, absence of mucositis, grade 1 (Asymptomatic or mild), 2 (Presence of pain and moderate ulceration, without interference with food intake), 3 (severe pain with interference with food intake) or 4 (Life-threatening with the need for urgent intervention). Information from 2 years of evaluations was collected and patient medical records were reviewed to obtain data on chemotherapy cycle, sex, age, body mass index, body surface area, primary tumor, chemotherapy protocol, and history of head and neck radiotherapy. The X² test and multinomial logistic regression were used for statistical analysis (SPSS 20.0, p < 0.05).
Results

Among 19,000 total evaluations of 3,529 patients during 5.32 ± 4.7 chemotherapy cycles (CT) the prevalence of OM was 6.3% (n = 1,195). Chemotherapy duration (p < 0.001), female sex (p = 0.001), adjuvant intention (p = 0.008) and the use of carboplatin (p = 0.001), cisplatin (p = 0.029), docetaxel (p < 0.001) and bevacizumab (p = 0.026) independently increased the risk of mucositis. In head and neck tumors, 2018 year (p = 0.017), chemotherapy duration (p = 0.018), BMI > 30 (p = 0.008), radiotherapy (p = 0.037) and use of carboplatin (p = 0.046) and cyclophosphamide (p = 0.010) increased this prevalence.
Conclusion

Cycles of chemotherapy, sex, cytotoxicity drugs, bevacizumab and head and neck radiotherapy increase the risk of OM in solid tumors.
Application of Multinomial Logistic Regression Model on Factors That Affects The Need for Children Among Ethiopian Women
Authors: Molla Habitu Liyew , Moges Turufat Seifu
Published: September 2021

Background: Need for children (desire for children), is one of the major factors influencing the population dynamics. Like other fertility preferences, it is not fixed but changes over the family life course in respect to actual fertility experiences and outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify socio-economic and demographic factors that affect the need for another child (desire for more children) among Ethiopian women of reproductive age (15-49).Methods: The study was based on Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS), 2016 data. A total of 15,683 women with complete information were considered in the study. A Multinomial Logistic Regression Model, a family of generalized non-linear models, were used to identify determinant factors for the need to children (desire for children) among women in Ethiopia using STATA 14 and SPSS 23.Results: Results showed that among the reproductive age women’s 65.51% were need to have childe, and their average age was 25.05, 27.18% were don’t like to have child and their average age was 35.73, the rest 7.31% of the women were not decide where they need children or not and their average age was 24.8. From multinomial logistic regression model, Region, contraception using (for yes 0.658293 (0.58889, 0.73586) for undecided 0.6310024 (0.50151, 0.79394)), marital status, age of women (for yes 0.896552 (0.88968, 0.90348) for undecided 0.9282431 (0.91632, 0.94033)), number of living children, religion, age at first marriage ( for yes1.057528 (1.04363, 1.07161) for undecided 1.041 (1.01434, 1.06836)), wealth index, women’s employment and women’s education were significant effect on the need for children among Ethiopian women.Conclusions: This study was based on a nationwide large sample demographic and survey conducted by the Ethiopian Statistical Agency. The study has empirically investigated and identified the determinants factors that affect the need for children among Ethiopian women. The multinomial logistic regression model analysis identified that variables such as marital status, contraception using, number of living children, age at first marriage and age of women play vital role in deciding on weather women need to have children or not. Region contraceptive using women’s employment, women’s education level and number of living children have negatively associated with outcome variable.
In Situ Green Synthesis of Mil-100(Fe) Modified Edta as an Enhanced Candidate Detoxifying Agent of Lead Heavy Metal (Pb) and Its Adsorption Characteristics
Authors: Lestari Witri Wahyu , Meilani Rika , Nurcahyo If , Larasati Larasati
Published: September 2021

EDTA-modified MIL-100(Fe) (MIL = Matériaux de l′Institut Lavoisier) was successfully prepared in situ using an electrochemical method. The porous nature of the material and its high stability under intestinal and stomach conditions present it as a great candidate agent for lead detoxification. Kinetic and isotherm investigations revealed that the adsorption of Pb2+ ions in MIL-100(Fe)-EDTA followed a pseudo-second order kinetic model with a rate constant of 0.0109 g/mg.min and a Langmuir isotherm model with an adsorption energy of 31.29 kJ/mol. The synthesized MIL-100-EDTA showed three times enhanced performance than MIL-100(Fe) in Pb2+ adsorption study. Optimum adsorption was achieved at pH 3 at an initial concentration of 5 ppm and a contact time of 12 h, yielding adsorption efficiency and capacity of up to 86.65% and 3.68 mg/g, respectively.
Research on Risk Assessment of Corporate Social Responsibility Based on Hesitant Fuzzy Language-Cloud Model
Authors: Yi Liqi , Li Tao , Guo Yunfen , Li Ang , Zhang Ting , Shen Jing
Published: September 2021

Risk of corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to the possibility and consequences of the potential lack of CSR, which will cause damage and loss to society and enterprises. Hence, scientific evaluation of CSR risk is conducive to enterprises to take timely risk response measures and reduce potential risk factors. In order to fully reflect the CSR risk, a comprehensive risk evaluation index system is established from four dimensions of corporate stakeholders, law, environment and charity. In addition, hesitant fuzzy language is used to describe the CSR risk information, so as to reflect the uncertainty in the process of risk judgment. Considering the complexity of the CSR concept and the possible discreteness of risk results, the hesitant fuzzy language-cloud model is established to evaluate CSR risk level. Finally, utilizing China Huaneng Group as a case to apply the CSR risk evaluation model, it is found that the overall CSR risk level of Huaneng is relatively low. Through further comparative and hierarchical analysis, it is found that the CSR risk of community stakeholders is relatively high, and the CSR risk of legal, environmental and charitable is relatively balanced.
Psychometric Evaluation of a Culturally Adapted Illness Perception Questionnaire for African Americans with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Shiyanbola Olayinka , Rao Deepika , Kuehl Sierra , Bolt Daniel , Ward Earlise , Brown Carolyn
Published: September 2021

Background: Diabetes is burdensome to African Americans, who are twice as likely to be diagnosed, more likely to develop complications and are at a greater risk for death and disability than non-Hispanic whites. Medication adherence interventions are sometimes ineffective for African Americans because their unique illness perceptions are not adequately addressed. The Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised (IPQ-R) that assesses illness perceptions has shown reliability and validity problems when used with African Americans. Thus, the study objective was to adapt the IPQ-R for African Americans and assess the validity and reliability of the culturally adapted questionnaire.Methods: Using an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, we explored African Americans’ illness perceptions qualitatively, used the results to adapt the IPQ-R, and tested the culturally adapted IPQ-R items quantitatively. The culturally adapted IPQ-R was administered to 170 African Americans with type 2 diabetes in a face-to-face survey. Content, construct, convergent, and predictive validity, including reliability was examined. Pearson and item-total correlations, item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, and test-retest were conducted. Results: A new 9-factor structure for the culturally-adapted IPQ-R was identified. The new factor structure was distinct from the old factor structure of the IPQ-R. The ‘consequences’ domain from the IPQ-R occurred as two factors (external and internal consequences) while the ‘emotional representations’ domain in the IPQ-R emerged as separate ‘present’ and ‘future’ emotional representation factors. Illness coherence’ was differently conceptualized as ‘illness interpretations’ to capture additional culturally-adapted items within this domain. Most items had factor loadings greater than 0.4, with moderate factor score correlations. Necessity and concern beliefs in medicines significantly correlated with domains of the culturally-adapted IPQ-R. Pearson’s correlation values were not greater than 0.7, indicating good convergent validity. The culturally-adapted IPQ-R significantly predicted medication adherence. None of the correlation values were higher than 0.7 for the test-retest, indicating moderate reliability. Most domains of the culturally-adapted IPQ-R had Cronbach’s alpha values higher than 0.7, indicating good internal consistency. Conclusions: The results provide preliminary support for the validity of the culturally-adapted IPQ-R in African Americans with diabetes, showing good construct, convergent and predictive validity, as well as reliability.
The Study of Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang Preventing and Treating Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Through PPAR Signaling Pathway Based on Network Pharmacology and RNA-Seq Transcriptomics
Authors: Zhu Yi-Wei , Li Du , Ye Ting-Jie , Qiu Feng-Jun , Wang Xiao-Ling , Yan Xiao-Feng , Lu Yan-Lin , Xu Wei , Li Hua , Hu Xu-Dong
Published: September 2021

Background: Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) is the first stage of the alcoholic liver disease course. Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang (YCHT) has a good clinical effect on the treatment of AFLD, but its molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, we tried to explore the molecular mechanism of YCHT in improving hepatocyte steatosis in AFLD mice through network pharmacology and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) transcriptomics. Methods: Network pharmacological methods were used to analyze the potential therapeutic signaling pathways and targets of YCHT on AFLD. Then, the AFLD mice model was induced and YCHT was administered concurrently. Liver injury was measured by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and liver tissue H&E staining, and liver steatosis was determined by serum triglyceride (TG) level and liver tissue Oil Red staining. The molecular mechanism of YCHT on prevention and treatment of mice AFLD was investigated according to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of the differential expression genes data obtained by liver tissue RNA-Seq. Finally, the key signaling pathway and targets of YCHT on AFLD were verified in the ethanol-induced AFLD hepatocyte model by pathway inhibition experiments.Results: The results of network pharmacology analysis showed that YCHT may exert its pharmacological effect on AFLD through 312 potential targets which are involved in many signaling pathways including the PPAR signaling pathway. AFLD mice experiments results showed that YCHT markedly decreased mice serum ALT activity and serum TG levels. YCHT also significantly improved alcohol-induced hepatic injury and steatosis in mice livers. Furthermore, both KEGG analysis of RNA-Seq and AFLD hepatocyte model experiments showed that the PPAR signaling pathway should be the most relevant pathway of YCHT in the prevention and treatment of AFLD. YCHT could remarkably reduce the expression of PPARγ which is related to the lipogenesis pathway. YCHT also could increase the expression of PPARα which is related to the lipolysis pathway. Conclusions: Our study discovered that PPARγ and PPARα are the key targets and the PPAR signaling pathway is the main signaling pathway for YCHT to prevent and treat AFLD.
Truss Decomposition using Triangle Graphs
Authors: Rezvani Mohsen , Rezvani Mojtaba
Published: September 2021

Recent studies have shown that social networks exhibit interesting characteristics such as community structures, i.e., vertexes can be clustered into communities that are densely connected together and loosely connected to other vertices. In order to identify communities, several definitions have been proposed that can characterize the density of connections among vertices in the networks. Dense triangle cores, also known as $k$-trusses, are subgraphs in which every edge participates at least $k-2$ triangles (a clique of size 3), exhibiting a high degree of cohesiveness among vertices. There are a number of research works that propose $k$-truss decomposition algorithms. However, existing in-memory algorithms for computing $k$-truss are inefficient for handling today’s massive networks. In this paper, we propose an efficient, yet scalable algorithm for finding $k$-trusses in a large-scale network. To this end, we propose a new structure, called triangle graph to speed up the process of finding the $k$-trusses and prove the correctness and efficiency of our method. We also evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms through extensive experiments using real-world networks. The results of comprehensive experiments show that the proposed algorithms outperform the state-of-the-art methods by several orders of magnitudes in running time.
Mindfulness, Empathy and Moral Sensitivity in Nurses: a Structural Equation Modeling Analysis
Authors: Rezapour-Mirsaleh Yasser , Aghabagheri Mahdi , Choobforoushzadeh Azadeh , Mohammadpanah Azra
Published: September 2021

Background: Nurses in work situations face with various moral issues and they can be such a challenge regarding interaction with patients; moral sensitivity of a nurse can help him/her to overcome these challenges. Regarding, the consideration of variables associated with moral sensitivity can be a real facilitator in overcoming such challenges. This study aimed to investigate the relationship among mindfulness, empathy, and moral sensitivity in a sample of nurses. Methods: In the present study, a cross-sectional design utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was conducted. The nurses in a private hospital in Yazd, Iran, were invited to participate in the study (n=162). In order to gather the data, the Freiburg’s mindfulness inventory, moral sensitivity questionnaire, and revised Jefferson’s empathy scale were used. The hypothesized model was analyzed by SEM.Results: The results show that Mindfulness and empathy had a significant direct effect on moral sensitivity. However, mindfulness had an indirect effect on nurses’ moral sensitivity via empathy improvement (p<.01).Conclusion: Regarding the results, it can be concluded that via mindfulness improvement in nurses, it is possible to raise their moral sensitivity; considering the empathy role as a mediator, it is recommended mindfulness improvement is coincided with empathy.
Suppression of MIR31HG Affects the Functional Properties of Thyroid Cancer Cells Depending on miR-761/MAPK1 Axis
Authors: Peng Shuwang , Chen Luyang , Yuan Zhengtai , Duan Shanshan
Published: September 2021

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) possess pivotal roles in human cancers, including thyroid cancer. In this study, we sought to elucidate the precise action of MIR31HG in the functional behaviors of thyroid cancer cells.Methods: MIR31HG, microRNA (miR)-761 and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) or immunoblotting analysis. Cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration abilities were evaluated by MTS, 5-Ethynyl-2’-Deoxyuridine (EdU), flow cytometry, transwell and wound-healing assays, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed to validate the relationship between miR-761 and MIR31HG or MAPK1. Mouse xenografts were formed to assess the effect of MIR31HG on tumor growth.Results: MIR31HG expression was at high levels in thyroid cancer. Suppression of MIR31HG impeded cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, as well as promoted cell apoptosis in vitro, and diminished the growth of xenograft tumors in vivo. Mechanistically, MIR31HG targeted and regulated miR-761. Moreover, the effects of MIR31HG suppression was partly dependent on increased abundance of miR-761. MAPK1 was established as a direct and functional target of miR-761. Furthermore, MIR31HG involved the modulation of MAPK1 expression through competitively binding to miR-761 by the shared binding sequence.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the workings of an undescribed regulatory network, in which MIR31HG targets miR-761 to regulate MAPK1 expression, leading to the alteration of the functional behaviors of thyroid cancer cells.
Expression of Glycogenic Genes in the Oviduct of Chinese Brown Frog (Rana Dybowskii) During Pre-Hibernation
Authors: Fan Chang , Liu Yuning , Zhang Ao , Xie Wenqian , Zhang Haolin , Weng Qiang , Xu Meiyu
Published: September 2021

Background: The oviduct of Chinese brown frog (Rana dybowskii) expands specifically during pre-hibernation. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Results: This study investigated the mRNA and protein expression levels of glycogenic genes in the oviduct of Rana dybowskii during the breeding season and pre-hibernation. Morphological studies revealed increased weight and enlarged diameter of the oviduct in pre-hibernation. Furthermore, significantly increased glycogen level was detected in the oviduct during pre-hibernation when compared to the breeding season. Transcriptome analysis further identified that the differentially expressed genes in the synthesis and metabolism pathways of carbohydrates in the oviduct during pre-hibernation. The relative mRNA levels of glycolysis and glycogenesis-related genes were up-regulated, while gluconeogenesis-related genes were down-regulated during pre-hibernation. Also, Western blot showed that glucose transporter and glycogen synthesis-related proteins, such as total-GYS, and p-GSK-3β were highly expressed in the oviduct during pre-hibernation. In addition, immunohistochemical data showed that glucose transporter and total-GYS, p-GYS, total-GSK-3β and p-GSK-3β related to glycogen synthesis were both expressed regionally in the oviduct of Rana dybowskii during the breeding season and pre-hibernation. Conclusions: The data suggests that carbohydrate metabolism plays an important role in the hibernation process of Rana dybowskii, and provides a new insight into the mechanism underlying the expansion of the oviduct of Rana dybowskii during pre-hibernation.