bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low back pain in adults
Authors: Peake Christopher M
Published: September 2019

Low back pain (LBP) in the adult patient is a very common presentation in general practice. It can occasionally be a sign of serious underlying pathology. The non-specific nature of symptoms poses a diagnostic challenge for the clinician. LBP has a significant psychological and social impact on patients and is a strain on social and economic resources. Management in primary care can be a challenge for the clinician, as treatment is often non-curative and despite optimum management, LBP will often persist and recur. This article reviews the anatomy, causes and classification of LBP before considering the primary care assessment and latest management strategies for LBP in adults.
To Collaborate or Serve? Effects of Anthropomorphized Brand Roles and Implicit Theories on Consumer Responses
Authors: Han Bing , Wang Liangyan , Li Xiang (Robert)
Published: September 2019

This article extends on the literature regarding brand anthropomorphism and contributes to hospitality and tourism literature by demonstrating that positioning of different anthropomorphic brand roles (partner vs. servant) attracts diverse consumers. Drawing from the results of three experiments in various contexts, we theorize that brand role and consumer implicit theories can interactively influence consumer responses. Specifically, consumers who subscribe to entity theory (vs. incremental theory) express more favorable responses to a brand anthropomorphized as a servant (vs. a partner) than to that as a partner (vs. a servant). Moreover, this study confirms that consumers’ perceived self-efficacy mediates this interaction effect. Findings enrich the hospitality and tourism literature by introducing a matching effect between brand role and implicit theories and offering insightful implications for hospitality and tourism brand managers, especially advertisers, around modifying brand roles based on consumers’ mind-sets.
Prognostic implications of microcirculatory perfusion versus macrocirculatory perfusion in cardiogenic shock: a CULPRIT-SHOCK substudy
Authors: Wijntjens Gilbert WM , Fengler Karl , Fuernau Georg , Jung Christian , den Uil Corstiaan , Akin Sakir , van de Hoef Tim P , Šerpytis Rokas , Diletti Roberto , Henriques José PS , Šerpytis Pranas , Thiele Holger , Piek Jan J
Published: September 2019

Background:

After early revascularisation, restoration of macrocirculatory perfusion parameters is the primary objective in the management of cardiogenic shock complicated acute myocardial infarction. Nevertheless, vital organ perfusion may be compromised at the systemic microcirculatory level, even in patients with preserved macrohaemodynamics. Microvascular perfusion was shown to have independent prognostic value for early mortality. The present study aims to compare the prognostic value of microcirculatory versus macrocirculatory perfusion parameters.

Methods:

This substudy of the culprit lesion-only percutaneous coronary intervention versus multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention in cardiogenic shock (CULPRIT-SHOCK) trial examined the sublingual capillary network using videomicroscopy post-percutaneous coronary intervention to determine the proportion of perfused capillaries (<20 µm) and perfused capillary density. Thirty-day follow-up was performed to obtain the occurrence of a combined clinical endpoint of all-cause death and renal replacement therapy.

Results:

Videomicroscopy measurements were performed in 66 patients. There was a significant adjusted association between microcirculatory perfusion parameters and the combined clinical endpoint (proportion of perfused capillaries: P=0.020; perfused capillary density: P=0.035), whereas there was no significant adjusted association between macrocirculatory perfusion parameters and the combined clinical endpoint (systolic blood pressure: P=0.205). Normotensive patients with compromised microcirculatory perfusion parameters had a higher risk of the combined clinical endpoint than normotensive patients with preserved microcirculatory perfusion parameters (proportion of perfused capillaries: Breslow P=0.014; perfused capillary density: Breslow P=0.076).

Conclusions:

There is a significant and independent association between microcirculatory perfusion parameters perfused capillary density and proportion of perfused capillaries and the combined clinical endpoint of all-cause death and renal replacement therapy at 30 days follow-up. In patients with loss of haemodynamic coherence between microcirculatory and macrocirculatory perfusion parameters, microcirculatory perfusion parameters confer dominant prognostic value.
Psychosocial Burden Among Informal Caregivers of Adult Cancer Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Cancer Center in Coastal South India
Authors: Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran , Rathi Priya , Saxena P. U. Prakash , Aggarwal Apoorva , Shekhar Shashank , Bansal Sarthak , Naidu B. Venkat , Menon Sarath
Published: September 2019

Cancer is the most dreaded and chronic disease with its treatment lasting almost lifelong with an uncertainty of cure. This not only adversely affects the quality of life among patients but also poses a psychosocial burden among family members, especially caregivers of the patient. This study was conducted with the objectives to assess the psychosocial burden on caregivers of cancer patients and to find out the association of various sociodemographic characteristics with the level of burden among caregivers. Caregivers of 205 cancer patients were interviewed. Information on sociodemographic characteristics of caregivers, cancer details of patients, and psychosocial burden among caregivers was collected using Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) scale. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the baseline data. Chi-square test was done to find out the association of burden with various sociodemographic and disease variables. A p-value of <0.05 was taken as statistically significant. The median (interquartile range) ZBI was 20 (10, 34). Fifty percent of the caregivers had no or minimal burden and only 2% had severe burden. Age of the caregiver was a significant determinant of their psychosocial burden.
Ultrasonography of Injury to the Parathyroids During a Thyroidectomy
Authors: Zhang Jun-hua
Published: September 2019

Objective:

Explore the characteristics of parathyroid injury during thyroid surgery and the potential for sonography to reduce the risk of parathyroid injury.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis was conducted on 39 patient cases, with parathyroid injury (including 29 cases of total thyroidectomy plus central lymph node dissection and 10 cases of total thyroidectomy). Sonography and related medical laboratory testing were performed pre- and postsurgery. Clinical symptoms and associated postsurgical gland changes were compared and analyzed according to the relevant laboratory values.

Results:

The patient case review demonstrated that the total number of glands decreased by 43 compared with preoperation, with 25 glands in the upper pair and 18 glands in the lower. There were 33 glands with uneven echo and blurred edges, with 20 in the upper pair and 13 in the lower pair. The damage rate of the upper gland (45/76) was higher than that of the lower gland (31/76) ( P < .05). A total of 69.7% (23/33) of gland blood flow signals were reduced compared with preoperation, of which 10 showed uneven enhancement when the contrast-enhanced ultrasound reached its peak.

Conclusion:

Thyroid surgery can easily damage parathyroid glands, especially during a total thyroidectomy, with lymph node dissection. Sonography of the parathyroid glands in patients with postoperative hypocalcemia can provide imaging surveillance and mitigate the damage of these glands postsurgically.
A classification model for lncRNA and mRNA based on k-mers and a convolutional neural network
Authors: Wen Jianghui , Liu Yeshu , Shi Yu , Huang Haoran , Deng Bing , Xiao Xinping
Published: September 2019

Background

Long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is closely related to many biological activities. Since its sequence structure is similar to that of messenger RNA (mRNA), it is difficult to distinguish between the two based only on sequence biometrics. Therefore, it is particularly important to construct a model that can effectively identify lncRNA and mRNA.

Results

First, the difference in the k-mer frequency distribution between lncRNA and mRNA sequences is considered in this paper, and they are transformed into the k-mer frequency matrix. Moreover, k-mers with more species are screened by relative entropy. The classification model of the lncRNA and mRNA sequences is then proposed by inputting the k-mer frequency matrix and training the convolutional neural network. Finally, the optimal k-mer combination of the classification model is determined and compared with other machine learning methods in humans, mice and chickens. The results indicate that the proposed model has the highest classification accuracy. Furthermore, the recognition ability of this model is verified to a single sequence.

Conclusion

We established a classification model for lncRNA and mRNA based on k-mers and the convolutional neural network. The classification accuracy of the model with 1-mers, 2-mers and 3-mers was the highest, with an accuracy of 0.9872 in humans, 0.8797 in mice and 0.9963 in chickens, which is better than those of the random forest, logistic regression, decision tree and support vector machine.
Fossil evidence reveals how plants responded to cooling during the Cretaceous-Paleogene transition
Authors: Cui Yi-Ming , Wang Wei , Ferguson David K. , Yang Jian , Wang Yu-Fei
Published: September 2019

Background

Around the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary, an obvious global cooling occurred, which resulted in dramatic changes in terrestrial ecosystems and the evolutionary trends of numerous organisms. However, how plant lineages responded to the cooling has remained unknown until now. Between ca. 70–60 Ma Mesocyparis McIver & Basinger (Cupressaceae), an extinct conifer genus, was distributed from eastern Asia to western North America and provides an excellent opportunity to solve this riddle.

Results

Here we report a new species, Mesocyparis sinica from the early Paleocene of Jiayin, Heilongjiang, northeastern China. By integrating lines of evidence from phylogeny and comparative morphology of Mesocyparis, we found that during ca.70–60 Ma, the size of seed cone of Mesocyparis more than doubled, probably driven by the cooling during the K-Pg transition, which might be an effective adaptation for seed dispersal by animals. More importantly, we discovered that the northern limit of this genus, as well as those of two other arboreal taxa Metasequoia Miki ex Hu et Cheng (gymnosperm) and Nordenskioldia Heer (angiosperm), migrated ca.4–5° southward in paleolatitude during this time interval.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the cooling during the K-Pg transition may have been responsible for the increase in size of the seed cone of Mesocyparis and have driven the migration of plants southwards.
Determinants of intentions to monitor antihypertensive medication adherence in Irish community pharmacy: a factorial survey
Authors: Dillon Paul , McDowell Ronald , Smith Susan M. , Gallagher Paul , Cousins Gráinne
Published: September 2019

Background

Community pharmacy represents an important setting to identify patients who may benefit from an adherence intervention, however it remains unclear whether it would be feasible to monitor antihypertensive adherence within the workflow of community pharmacy. The aim of this study was to identify facilitators and barriers to monitoring antihypertensive medication adherence of older adults at the point of repeat dispensing.

Methods

We undertook a factorial survey of Irish community pharmacists, guided by a conceptual model adapted from the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Respondents completed four sections, 1) five factorial vignettes (clinical scenario of repeat dispensing), 2) a medication monitoring attitude measure, 3) subjective norms and self-efficacy questions, and 4) demographic and workplace questions. Barriers and facilitators to adherence monitoring behaviour were identified in factorial vignette analysis using multivariate multilevel linear modelling, testing the effect of both contextual factors embedded within the vignettes (section 1), and respondent-level factors (sections 2–4) on likelihood to perform three adherence monitoring behaviours in response to the vignettes.

Results

Survey invites (n = 1543) were sent via email and 258 completed online survey responses were received; two-thirds of respondents were women, and one-third were qualified pharmacists for at least 15 years. In factorial vignette analysis, pharmacists were more inclined to monitor antihypertensive medication adherence by examining refill-patterns from pharmacy records than asking patients questions about their adherence or medication beliefs. Pharmacists with more positive attitudes towards medication monitoring and normative beliefs that other pharmacists monitored adherence, were more likely to monitor adherence. Contextual factors also influenced pharmacists’ likelihood to perform the three adherence monitoring behaviours, including time-pressures and the number of days late the patient collected their repeat prescription. Pharmacists’ normative beliefs and the number of days late the patient collected their repeat prescription had the largest quantitative influence on responses.

Conclusions

This survey identified that positive pharmacist attitudes and normative beliefs can facilitate adherence monitoring within the current workflow; however contextual time-barriers may prevent adherence monitoring. Future research should consider these findings when designing a pharmacist-led adherence intervention to be integrated within current pharmacy workflow.
Prevalence of scabies and impetigo in the Solomon Islands: a school survey
Authors: Osti Millicent H. , Sokana Oliver , Phelan Sophie , Marks Michael , Whitfeld Margot J. , Gorae Christina , Kaldor John M. , Steer Andrew C. , Engelman Daniel
Published: September 2019

Background

Scabies, a parasitic disease of the skin, is a major public health problem, largely affecting children. Scabies is often complicated by impetigo which can result in serious complications including invasive infections and immune mediated diseases. Scabies and impetigo are reported to have high prevalence in tropical settings including the Solomon Islands.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional prevalence survey at Gizo Primary School in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands in August 2018. The diagnosis of scabies was based on criteria developed by the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies in 2018. Population attributable risk was calculated to determine the effect of scabies on the prevalence of impetigo, and both adjusted and unadjusted risk ratios were calculated to identify differences between sexes and age groups.

Results

A total of 324 students were assessed (47.5% of those enrolled at the school). The prevalence of scabies was 54.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 48.7–59.8) and most disease was mild (68.8%). The prevalence was higher in males (63.5%; adjusted risk ratio [ARR] 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.7), and in those aged 10–12 years (61.4%; ARR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–2.9 when compared to those aged 4–6 years). The prevalence of impetigo was 32.1%, with males more likely to be affected (41.7%, ARR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.4) but with no significant differences between age groups. 63.5% of those with impetigo had scabies, corresponding to a population attributable risk of 11.8%.

Conclusions

There is a very high burden of scabies and impetigo among primary school students in Gizo. There is a critical need for the development and implementation of control programs in areas where scabies is endemic.
Correction to: Effect of aerobic exercise prior to modified constraint-induced movement therapy outcomes in individuals with chronic hemiparesis: a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Authors: da Silva Erika Shirley Moreira , Santos Gabriela Lopes , Catai Aparecida Maria , Borstad Alexandra , Furtado Natália Pereira Duarte , Aniceto Isabela Arruda Verzola , Russo Thiago Luiz
Published: September 2019

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported an error in Table 2 wherein the item numbering in the first column is wrong.
Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus and associated factors among women attending antenatal care at Gondar town public health facilities, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Muche Achenef Asmamaw , Olayemi Oladapo O. , Gete Yigzaw Kebede
Published: September 2019

Background

Globally, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is rising, but it is a neglected health threat to mothers and their children in low resource countries. Although, GDM is known in Ethiopia, information regarding it remains scarce by recent diagnostic criteria. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of GDM and associated factors among women attending antenatal care at Gondar town public health facilities, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1027 pregnant women selected by the systematic random sampling technique. The universal one-step screening and diagnostic strategy was done using a two-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. GDM was diagnosed using updated diagnostic criteria (2017 American Diabetes Association (ADA) or 2013 World Health Organization (WHO) or modified International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups diagnostic criteria (IADPSG)). Binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with GDM.

Results

Of the total 1027 pregnant women, 12.8% (95% CI: 10.8–14.8) were diagnosed with GDM. Overweight and/or obesity (MUAC ≥28 cm) (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.18–4.26), previous history of GDM (AOR = 5.82, 95% CI: 2.57–13.18), family history of diabetes (AOR = 4.03, 95% CI: 1.57–10.35), low physical activity (AOR = 3.36, 95% CI: 1.60–7.04), inadequate dietary diversity (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.02–3.53), and antenatal depression (AOR = 4.12, 95% CI: 1.85–9.20) were significantly associated with GDM.

Conclusions

The prevalence of GDM among women attending antenatal care at Gondar town public health facilities was high. Previous history of GDM, antenatal depression, family history of diabetes, low physical activity, overweight and/or obesity and inadequate dietary diversity were significantly associated with GDM. Routine screening of pregnant women and healthy lifestyle are strongly recommended.
Shaping the regulation of the p53 mRNA tumour suppressor: the co-evolution of genetic signatures
Authors: Karakostis Konstantinos , Fåhraeus Robin
Published: September 2019

Structured RNA regulatory motifs exist from the prebiotic stages of the RNA world to the more complex eukaryotic systems. In cases where a functional RNA structure is within the coding sequence a selective pressure drives a parallel co-evolution of the RNA structure and the encoded peptide domain. The p53-MDM2 axis, describing the interactions between the p53 tumor suppressor and the MDM2 E3 ubiquitin ligase, serves as particularly useful model revealing how secondary RNA structures have co-evolved along with corresponding interacting protein motifs, thus having an impact on protein – RNA and protein – protein interactions; and how such structures developed signal-dependent regulation in mammalian systems. The p53(BOX-I) RNA sequence binds the C-terminus of MDM2 and controls p53 synthesis while the encoded peptide domain binds MDM2 and controls p53 degradation. The BOX-I peptide domain is also located within p53 transcription activation domain. The folding of thep53mRNA structure has evolved from temperature-regulated in pre-vertebrates to an ATM kinase signal-dependent pathway in mammalian cells. The protein – protein interaction evolved in vertebrates and became regulated by the same signaling pathway. At the same time the protein - RNA and protein - protein interactions evolved, the p53 trans-activation domain progressed to become integrated into a range of cellular pathways. We discuss how a single synonymous mutation in the BOX-1, the p53(L22 L), observed in a chronic lymphocyte leukaemia patient, prevents the activation of p53 following DNA damage. The concepts analysed and discussed in this review may serve as a conceptual mechanistic paradigm of the co-evolution and function of molecules having roles in cellular regulation, or the aetiology of genetic diseases and how synonymous mutations can affect the encoded protein.
Reoperation following vitrectomy for diabetic vitreous hemorrhage with versus without preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab
Authors: Hu Xuting , Pan Qintuo , Zheng Jingwei , Song Zongming , Zhang Zongduan
Published: September 2019

Background

To compare the reoperation rate in patients with vitreous hemorrhage (VH) secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) with or without preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB).

Methods

In this retrospective study, 280 patients (362 eyes) with diabetic VH were divided into a group that received preoperative IVB and a group that did not receive preoperative IVB. According to B-scan or color Doppler ultrasonography, the eyes were grouped as a VH group and a tractional retinal detachment (TRD) group. The reoperation rate, visual and anatomical outcomes of treatment were evaluated after 6 months.

Results

There were 17.4% of eyes in the VH group that did not receive preoperative IVB later required additional vitrectomy, while only 7.7% of the eyes in the VH group that received preoperative IVB required additional vitrectomy (P = 0.025). There were 45.5% of eyes in the TRD group that did not receive preoperative IVB had no reoperation, while only 21.4% of the eyes in the TRD group that received preoperative IVB had no reoperation (P = 0.004). The patients with one operation achieved better vision than those required reoperations in the VH group (P = 0.038) and TRD group (P = 0.019).

Conclusions

Preoperative IVB significantly reduced the re-vitrectomy rate in patients with VH without TRD, but there was an increase in the reoperation rate in patients with VH combined with TRD.
Analysis of factors influencing the frequency of primary care visits among diabetic patients in two provinces in China
Authors: Wang Jinwen , Zuo Huijuan , Chen Xiaorong , Hou Lei , Ma Jixiang
Published: September 2019

Background

Community health services have played an important role in the prevention and control of diabetes in China. The aims of this study were to examine the frequency of visits to community clinics for diabetic care services, to assess factors correlated with infrequent primary care visits and to identify barriers to regular follow-up visits for urban and rural patients.

Methods

Between October 2014 and November 2014, data were collected from 17 communities in two cities and four townships located in Shandong and Jiangsu Provinces in China. A total of 1598 diabetic patients aged 18 years or older who were registered with a primary health station in local communities were selected by simple random sampling. Each participant was required to complete an interviewer-led questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify significant factors for infrequent visitor status using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

After being clearly informed of the study protocol, 1508/1598 (94.4%) patients agreed to participate in this survey. Among the 1508 subjects (mean age 64.4 ± 10.6), 683 (45.3%) were classified as infrequent visitors. The following were significant factors determining infrequent visitor status: urban residence, lack of health insurance, per-capita household income< 20,000 (yuan), lack of telephone follow-up and lack of household visit. From the patients’ perspectives, the reasons for infrequent visits among urban patients included drug scarcity and longer travel time to clinics. For rural patients, worries about medical expenses and drug scarcity were the most common barriers to clinic visits.

Conclusion

Determinants of infrequent community visits in diabetes patients include urban residence, lower household income, lack of health insurance, lack of telephone follow-up and lack of household visit services. Strategies aimed at enhancing the utilization of community health care should be implemented in China.
Fatalism in breast cancer and performing mammography on women with or without a family history of breast cancer
Authors: Molaei-Zardanjani Maryam , Savabi-Esfahani Mitra , Taleghani Fariba
Published: September 2019

Background

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women, and in those with a positive family history, it is important to perform mammography. One of the probable barriers in doing mammography is fatalism.

Methods

This is a descriptive/cross-sectional study conducted on 400 women residing in Isfahan, Iran, randomly selected in 2017. Sampling was done randomly among the enrolled women in Health Integrity System. The data collection tool was a questionnaire regarding the demographic-fertility information and fatalism. The data analysis was done by SPSS software. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The results showed that the mean rate of fatalism was 59.5 ± 23.2 in women with the experience of mammography, and 65.9±18.7 in women without the experience. Moreover, the mean rate of fatalism was 73.1±15.2 in subjects with a family history of breast cancer, and 59.3 ± 22.5 in those no family history related to this condition. Accordingly, fatalism was statistically significant associated (P < 0.001) with a family history of breast cancer and experience of mammography. There was no significant relationship between demographic information and fatalism (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The results indicated that fatalism in women with no experience of mammography was higher than in those with a positive history. Regarding the necessity of mammography in women with a family history of breast cancer, the required interventions seem to be essential to changing the viewpoints of women regarding the importance and effect of mammography as a screening method for breast cancer.
An audit of root canal filling quality performed by undergraduate pre-clinical dental students, Yemen
Authors: Al-Anesi Mokhtar Saleh , AlKhawlani Mohammed M. , Alkheraif Abdulaziz A. , Al-Basmi Abdulghani Ali , Alhajj Mohammed Nasser
Published: September 2019

Background

Dental students are future dentists. Continuous assessment and improving of the educational curricula will ensure excellent academic performance of dental students and thus providing the community with the best treatment modalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the root canal filling quality performed in extracted teeth by preclinical undergraduate Yemeni dental students.

Methods

Root canal treatment was performed by undergraduate preclinical dental students on 331 extracted human teeth including 741 roots. The teeth were then collected and evaluated radiographically based on three criteria of quality (length, density, and taper). Cohen’s Kappa test was used to assess the agreement between the examiners and Chi-squared test was used for the association between the study variables. The level of significant was set at α < 0.05.

Results

The results of the study revealed that the overall quality of roots canals fillings was poor. However, more than half of the study sample (53.4%) had adequate length, 13.1% had adequate density, and 14.2% had adequate taper. Anterior as well as single-rooted teeth had significantly better quality than posterior and multi-rooted teeth, respectively. The root canal fillings quality mandibular teeth was better than of maxillary teeth with no significant difference (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The findings of the study emphasize the need of improving the endodontic course in the preclinical level and more advanced techniques and instruments should be incorporated.
A systematic sequencing-based approach for microbial contaminant detection and functional inference
Authors: Park Sung-Joon , Onizuka Satoru , Seki Masahide , Suzuki Yutaka , Iwata Takanori , Nakai Kenta
Published: September 2019

Background

Microbial contamination poses a major difficulty for successful data analysis in biological and biomedical research. Computational approaches utilizing next-generation sequencing (NGS) data offer promising diagnostics to assess the presence of contaminants. However, as host cells are often contaminated by multiple microorganisms, these approaches require careful attention to intra- and interspecies sequence similarities, which have not yet been fully addressed.

Results

We present a computational approach that rigorously investigates the genomic origins of sequenced reads, including those mapped to multiple species that have been discarded in previous studies. Through the analysis of large-scale synthetic and public NGS samples, we estimate that 1000–100,000 contaminating microbial reads are detected per million host reads sequenced by RNA-seq. The microbe catalog we established included Cutibacterium as a prevalent contaminant, suggesting that contamination mostly originates from the laboratory environment. Importantly, by applying a systematic method to infer the functional impact of contamination, we revealed that host-contaminant interactions cause profound changes in the host molecular landscapes, as exemplified by changes in inflammatory and apoptotic pathways during Mycoplasma infection of lymphoma cells.

Conclusions

We provide a computational method for profiling microbial contamination on NGS data and suggest that sources of contamination in laboratory reagents and the experimental environment alter the molecular landscape of host cells leading to phenotypic changes. These findings reinforce the concept that precise determination of the origins and functional impacts of contamination is imperative for quality research and illustrate the usefulness of the proposed approach to comprehensively characterize contamination landscapes.
The unpredictable journeys of spreading, sustaining and scaling healthcare innovations: a scoping review
Authors: Côté-Boileau Élizabeth , Denis Jean-Louis , Callery Bill , Sabean Meghan
Published: September 2019

Innovation has the potential to improve the quality of care and health service delivery, but maximising the reach and impact of innovation to achieve large-scale health system transformation remains understudied. Interest is growing in three processes of the innovation journey within health systems, namely the spread, sustainability and scale-up (3S) of innovation. Recent reviews examine what we know about these processes. However, there is little research on how to support and operationalise the 3S. This study aims to improve our understanding of the 3S of healthcare innovations. We focus specifically on the definitions of the 3S, the mechanisms that underpin them, and the conditions that either enable or limit their potential. We conducted a scoping review, systematically investigating six bibliographic databases to search, screen and select relevant literature on the 3S of healthcare innovations. We screened 641 papers, then completed a full-text review of 112 identified as relevant based on title and abstract. A total of 24 papers were retained for analysis. Data were extracted and synthesised through descriptive and inductive thematic analysis. From this, we develop a framework of actionable guidance for health system actors aiming to leverage the 3S of innovation across five key areas of focus, as follows: (1) focus on the why, (2) focus on perceived-value and feasibility, (3) focus on what people do, rather than what they should be doing, (4) focus on creating a dialogue between policy and delivery, and (5) focus on inclusivity and capacity building. While there is no standardised approach to foster the 3S of healthcare innovations, a variety of practical frameworks and tools exist to support stakeholders along this journey.
Association between coffee consumption and risk of bladder cancer in a meta-analysis of 16 prospective studies
Authors: Dai Zhi-Wei , Cai Ke-Dan , Li Fu-Rong , Wu Xian-Bo , Chen Guo-Chong
Published: September 2019

Background

Current evidence remains equivocal as to whether and how consumption of coffee may be associated with risk of bladder cancer, and potential influence of confounding by smoking on this association is yet to be elucidated. We conducted an updated meta-analysis of prospective studies to address these issues.

Methods

Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE databases from inception to April 2019. A random-effects model was used to estimate summary relative risk (RR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) of bladder cancer associated with coffee consumption.

Results

The final analysis included 16 prospective studies comprising 2,122,816 participants and 11,848 bladder cancer cases. Overall, coffee consumption was not associated with risk of bladder cancer (RR high-vs-low = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.96–1.20). The lack of association persisted in the strata defined by sex or participants’ smoking status. Meta-regression analyses identified the number cases (Pdifference = 0.06) and the degree of adjustment for smoking (Pdifference = 0.04) as potential sources of heterogeneity. There was an increased risk of bladder cancer related to higher coffee consumption among studies with fewer cases (RR high-vs-low = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.05–1.81) and among those with poorer adjustment for smoking (RR high-vs-low = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.14–1.93). Results were similar in the dose-response analyses (RR 1 cup/d = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.98–1.03).

Conclusion

Best evidence available to date does not support an independent association between coffee consumption and bladder cancer risk. Some direct associations observed in individual studies may be a result of residual confounding by smoking.
Sensory processing of women diagnosed with genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder: a research proposal
Authors: Labuschagne Elsie , van Niekerk Matty
Published: September 2019

Objectives

The study objectives are to describe the sensory processing patterns of women diagnosed with genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD), to explore the level of anxiety when both GPPPD and sensory processing disorder (SPD) are present and to investigate participants’ experience of participating in a sensory-based home programme.

Methods

A descriptive two-phased study design will be used. Phase one is a quantitative, cross sectional non-experimental descriptive study, using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory History (ASH) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADS) to obtain data from purposive sampling. Phase two is an exploratory qualitative study involving participants who were identified with SPD in phase one. They will participate in a sensory-based home programme and their experience thereof will be established during semi-structured interviews.

Outcomes

Descriptive studies are known to be useful in planning health services and to develop hypotheses for future testing. This study could improve practitioners’ understanding of GPPPD and SPD and make alternative, non-invasive, non-pharmacological treatment options available to better assist these patients. The study could further clarify the role of the occupational therapist in sexuality. Exploring participants’ anxiety has important implications for treatment protocols in occupational therapy and assisting in describing the signs and symptoms of GPPPD.
Legal and policy requirements of basic health insurance package to achieve universal health coverage in a developing country
Authors: Hayati Ramin , Kabir Mohammad Javad , Kavosi Zahra , Bastani Peivand , Sobhani Ghasem , Javadinasab Hamideh
Published: September 2019

Objectives

This study has analyzed the policy-making requirements related to basic health insurance package at the national level with a systematic view.

Results

All the documents presented since the enactment of universal health insurance in Iran from 1994 to 2017 were included applying Scott method for assuring meaningfulness, authenticity, credibility and representativeness. Then, content analysis was conducted applying MAXQDA10. The legal and policy requirements related to basic health insurance package were summarized into three main themes and 11 subthemes. The main themes include three kinds of requirements at three level of third party insurer, health care provider and citizen/population that contains 5 (financing insurance package, organizational structure, tariffing and purchasing the benefit packages and integration of policies and precedents), 4 (determining the necessities, provision of services, rules relating to implementation and covered services) and 2 (expanded coverage of population and insurance premiums) sub themes respectively. According to the results, Iranian policy makers should notice three axes of third party insurers, health providers and population of the country to prepare an appropriate basic benefit package based on local needs for all the people that can access with no financial barriers in order to be sure of achieving UHC.
The prevalence and the reasons of issuing permission for therapeutic abortion in department of forensic medicine, Kermanshah, Iran, during 2005 to 2010
Authors: Sharifi Azam , Janatolmakan Maryam , Khatony Alireza
Published: September 2019

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the reasons of issuing permission for therapeutic abortion in department of forensic medicine, Kermanshah-Iran.

Results

There were a total number of 428 applications for issuing permits. The most common reasons of issuing permit for therapeutic abortion were fetal and maternal problems, specifically cerebral abnormalities (70.8%), and anencephaly (30.3%). Furthermore, 354 (82/7%) out of 428 applications were able to get the legal permit and 17.3% of the applications did not receive permission, which was mainly due to “the lack of maternal indication”. Increased knowledge of physicians and clinical personnel on indications of therapeutic abortions and related regulations would lead to the implementation of strategies which prevent void referrals to the department of forensic medicine and a better execution of therapeutic abortion law. By improving the health condition of pregnant women who seek pregnancy termination, informing them about indications of therapeutic abortions, and developing proper strategies to make pregnant women more acquainted with legal cases of abortion, we can take a significant step towards helping pregnant women and promoting their health.
An innovative approach of incorporating a humanoid robot into teaching EFL learners with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Alemi Minoo , Bahramipour Shirin
Published: September 2019

The present case study investigated the probable effect of applying a humanoid robot as a teacher-assistant for learning and retention of English vocabulary among 10 Iranian foreign language learners with intellectual disabilities, more specifically Down syndrome. This method is a new trend in using technology to teach classes called Robot Assisted Language Learning (RALL). To this end, participants were divided into 2 groups of five, one with the help of the robot (RALL) and one without (non-RALL). Both groups received the same lessons to learn 40 English vocabulary in 8 sessions. To measure the results, three English tests were run at different times during the teaching sessions (a pre-test, post-test, and a delayed post-test). The independent sample t-test on gain scores from pre-test to post-test revealed that there was a significant difference between the gains of the RALL group (M = 12.40) and the non-RALL group (M = 8.40), which indicates that RALL instruction had a large effect on the participants’ English vocabulary improvement. Moreover, while both RALL and non-RALL groups retained the taught vocabulary, the RALL group showed a more satisfying result. The findings of this study demonstrate the positive effects of using a humanoid robot to facilitate vocabulary learning and retention among people with Down syndrome who have issues with both language learning and verbal short-term memory and need to learn through visual activities, gestures, and games. This study could be a starting point for a new line of research in second or foreign language instruction specific to people with Down syndrome.
Cost distribution and equity of climate policy in Switzerland
Authors: Landis Florian
Published: September 2019

Swiss targets for climate policy require significant reductions of emissions by 2050. While such reductions can be achieved in a cost-efficient manner by employing taxes on greenhouse gas emissions, such taxes tend to lead to a regressive distribution of policy cost among households. To counteract such a regressive outcome, tax revenue may be recycled in a progressive way. This paper uses a computable general equilibrium model coupled with a microsimulation of household income and expenditure to examine the policy cost of different carbon tax policies and their distribution across households. I find that in the absence of revenue recycling, emission taxation leads to a regressive distribution of policy cost. I analyze different revenue recycling schemes (per-capita lump-sum transfers, reductions in labor taxation, and reductions in VAT taxation of necessary commodities) and their ability to avoid regressive outcomes.
Multi-model comparison of Swiss decarbonization scenarios
Authors: Landis Florian , Marcucci Adriana , Rausch Sebastian , Kannan Ramachandran , Bretschger Lucas
Published: September 2019

Collaborating under the Swiss Energy Modeling Platform (SEMP), five modeling teams (employing an energy systems model and four macroeconomic models with a focus on energy) have carried out a multi-model comparison to assess the economic and technological consequences of reaching emission reduction targets for 2050 in the context of Switzerland. We consider different designs of carbon taxes to compare their economic cost: economy-wide or sector-specific carbon taxes with or without an emission trading system (ETS) in place. All models find that the climate targets can be reached at modest welfare reductions of 0.15–0.37% (if targeting 1.5 tonnes of CO 2 per capita) or 0.24–0.48% (if targeting 1.0 tonnes per capita) compared to a business-as-usual scenario in which the emission level of 1.5 tonnes per capita is exceeded by 83–137%. In contradiction to the additional target of reducing Swiss electricity use, most models find it cost-effective to replace some of the energy supplied by fossil fuels by electricity and thus do not recommend a decrease in electricity use.Most models find that a uniform carbon tax is the most efficient instrument to achieve the emission reduction targets. Those models with a detailed representation of pre-existing mineral oil taxes find that in early periods of climate policy, taxing emission from transport fuels at lower rates than other emissions may be cost-efficient. This effect vanishes as the stringency of targets and thus CO 2 taxes increase over time.
Growth impacts of Swiss steering-based climate policies
Authors: Marcucci Adriana , Zhang Lin
Published: September 2019

This paper studies the growth impacts of realizing two long-term carbon targets in Switzerland (reducing CO2 emissions in 2050 by 72% and 80% relative to 1990 levels) with alternative steering-based climate policies that include a uniform tax on the whole economy and differentiated tax schemes. For this analysis, we use the Computable Induced Technical change and Energy (CITE) model, a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model with endogenous growth. We find that achieving the climate targets could lead to a slight decrease in utility and an increase in investments through the shift of labor from manufacturing to research. Higher investments coming from higher innovation could compensate the reduction in output due to the carbon policies, leading to relatively unaffected economic output. The economic structure adjusts following three drivers: energy intensity, substitutability from energy in the production of the intermediate varieties, and the relative attractiveness of research. Moreover, the results from the CITE model show that the economy-wide carbon tax is the most effective option when we consider the effects on utility. Differentiating the sectors regulated by the emission trading system (ETS) has relatively low impact while applying lower taxes on transport fuels results in lower utility driven by inefficiencies in the sectoral mitigation efforts. Finally, we find that the effects of increasing the stringency of the target (in terms of foregone utility) are independent from the policy instrument.
Prestack time migration from 3D irregular surfaces with near-surface-related deabsorption
Authors: Xu Jincheng , Zhang Jianfeng , Liu Linong , Zhang Wei , Yang Hui
Published: September 2019

We have developed a 3D prestack time migration (PSTM) approach that can directly migrate nonplanar data with near-surface-related deabsorption using three effective parameters. The proposed scheme improves the so-called topography PSTM approach by adding a near-surface effective [Formula: see text] parameter that compensates for the absorption and dispersion of waves propagating through near-surface media. The two effective velocity parameters above and below the datum can be estimated by flattening events in imaging gathers, and the additional near-surface effective [Formula: see text] parameter can be obtained using scanning technology. Hence, no knowledge with respect to near-surface media is needed in advance for implementing the proposed scheme. The proposed topography-deabsorption PSTM method can be applied to seismic data recorded on a 3D irregular surface without statics corrections. Consequently, traveltimes are obtained with improved accuracy because the raypath bends away from the vertical in the presence of high near-surface velocities, and the absorption and dispersion caused by strong intrinsic attenuation in near-surface media are correctly compensated. Moreover, we attenuated the migrated noise by smearing each time sample only along the Fresnel zone rather than along the entire migration aperture. As a result, an image with a higher resolution and superior signal-to-noise ratio is achieved. The performance of the proposed topography-deabsorption PSTM scheme has been verified using synthetic and field data sets.
Beyond Anesthesia Toxicity: Anesthetic Considerations to Lessen the Risk of Neonatal Neurological Injury
Authors: McCann Mary Ellen , Lee Jennifer K. , Inder Terrie
Published: September 2019

Infants who undergo surgical procedures in the first few months of life are at a higher risk of death or subsequent neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Although the pathogenesis of these outcomes is multifactorial, an understanding of the nature and pathogenesis of brain injury in these infants may assist the anesthesiologist in consideration of their day-to-day practice to minimize such risks. This review will summarize the main types of brain injury in preterm and term infants and their key pathways. In addition, the review will address key potential pathogenic pathways that may be modifiable including intraoperative hypotension, hypocapnia, hyperoxia or hypoxia, hypoglycemia, and hyperthermia. Each of these conditions may increase the risk of perioperative neurological injury, but their long-term ramifications are unclear.