bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nurses' preferred items for dysphagia screening in acute stroke patients: A qualitative study
Authors: Oliveira Isabel de Jesus , Couto Germano Rodrigues , Neves da Mota Liliana Andreia
Published: June 2020

Background & Aim: Formal dysphagia screening protocols are not yet implemented in some hospitals although there is growing evidence that early dysphagia screening reduces pneumonia rates in stroke patients. Trained professionals are not often available outside weekdays working hours in stroke units, meaning that early screening is usually performed by nurses that use informal detection to screen dysphagia in acute stroke patients. The purpose of this study was to identify which items stroke nurses prioritize in their clinical practice to screen dysphagia in acute stroke patients.
Methods & Materials: A qualitative study was developed using a focus group technique in five stroke units with a total of 20 stroke nurses selected by purposive sampling in march 2019. Qualitative Data Analysis Software Miner Lite 4.0 was used to assist in content analysis.
Results: Two categories emerged: clinical data and swallowing and non-swallowing signs, each with a set of dimensions. In the category clinical data, relevance was noted for the dimension Glasgow Coma Scale and sex, identified as the most and least relevant, respectively, for dysphagia screening. In the category swallowing and non-swallowing signs no relevance evolved for preferred items. However, in this category, data suggest that nurses find less relevant in clinical practice speech disorders for dysphagia screening.
Conclusions: Results reinforce the importance of a standardized approach through the use of valid and reliable dysphagia screening protocols, arguing the need for clear guidance in acute stroke clinical pathways on procedures for dysphagia screening.
COMBINATORIAL TECHNIQUE FOR OPTIMIZING THE COMBINATION
Authors: Annamalai Chinnaraji , Watada Junzo , Broumi Said , Mishra Vishnu Narayan
Published: June 2020

This paper presents an innovative computing method and models for optimizing the combination defined in combinatorics. The optimized combination has been derived from the iterative computation of multiple geometric series and summability by specialized approach. The optimized combinatorial technique has applications in science, engineering and management. In this paper, several properties and consequences on the innovative optimized combination has been introduced that are useful for scientific researchers who are solving scientific problems and meeting today’s challenges.
Percepção de professores de alunos com transtorno do espectro autista acerca da inclusão educacional
Authors: Favero-Nunes Maria Ângela , Silva Jussara Da Nóbrega , Carvalho Gabriela Machado , Anjos Nilson Nunes
Published: June 2020

Este estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a percepção de professores do Ensino Fundamental privado acerca da inclusão educacional de alunos com o Transtorno do Espectro Autista. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo com referencial psicanalítico, realizado a partir de entrevista com roteiro norteador, com nove professores da região de Ribeirão Preto-SP no primeiro semestre de 2018. Três categorias emergiram: Conhecer o diferente: o inquietante estranho; Preparar-se para o desafio: a formação e o apoio no âmbito escolar; e, Um olhar que amplia: a percepção do papel da família. Destacaram-se a busca de conhecimento dos docentes diante do transtorno, o preparo técnico e apoio da escola; e, a percepção do papel da família. Mas pondera-se a impotência vivida em muitas situações que envolvem a inclusão educacional. Mencionou-se a orientação aos familiares como fundamental para que os professores pudessem desempenhar sua função educativa, buscando apoiarem-se mutuamente no desafio da inclusão no contexto escolar. Quanto ao preparo técnico, avaliaram-se não preparados devido à falta de especialização, indicando a supervisão junto à equipe capacitada como recurso, como modo de enfrentamento para a melhor inserção destes alunos.
O desenvolvimento psíquico de adolescentes mães: uma visão winnicottiana
Authors: Benzoni Selma Aparecida Geraldo , Mesquita Amélia Simpliciana Delgado , Ostanello Fábio Zucherato , Santos Isabella Lopes dos , Lira Natália De Souza
Published: June 2020

Este é um estudo qualitativo realizado em 2017 e tem por objetivo compreender a relação dependência-independência e a maturidade-imaturidade para Winnicott com base no suporte afetivo recebido ou não por mulheres que tiveram gestação na adolescência. Foi realizada uma entrevista semiestruturada com 10 mulheres (que foram gestantes na adolescência). Utilizou-se análise de conteúdo e cinco categorias emergiram: sentimentos na gravidez, suporte afetivo da família à adolescente, do pai do bebê, dos amigos e mudanças provocadas pela gestação. O sentimento predominante foi o medo do não suporte do ambiente, especialmente familiar, associado a dependência regressiva e a imaturidade psicológica. A maioria das adolescentes receberam suporte familiar, o mesmo não ocorrendo sempre com companheiros e amigos supostamente pela dificuldade de se identificarem com a adolescente gestante. A mudança abrupta do desenvolvimento fez com que as adolescentes desenvolvessem falsa maturidade. Observa-se a necessidade de políticas públicas para as adolescentes, visto a vulnerabilidade para o desenvolvimento psíquico e social delas.
Afectación al principio de selección objetiva a través de la celebración de convenios o contratos interadministrativos
Authors: Quiceno Arenas Andrés Mauricio
Published: June 2020

Los convenios y contratos interadministrativos son una de las causales para la selección directa del contratista en el régimen de contratación pública en Colombia. Se trata de verdaderos contratos de colaboración, en los que existe unión de esfuerzos entre entidad contratante y contratista, para la consecución de finalidades públicas. Por el uso indebido de la institución, así como la elusión de procedimientos de selección, la misma resulta cuestionada, al punto de pensarse en su eliminación del ordenamiento contractual colombiano. El presente trabajo aborda la conceptualización y los rasgos diferenciadores de ambas instituciones, así como la problemática específica presentada, y propone algunas soluciones comunicativas y legislativas que redunde en el beneficio de la tipología contractual.
Examination and clinical correlation of olfactory system disorders by an objective method Sniffin' Sticks odor test in Parkinson's disease
Authors: TURKMEN Nur , SÜCÜLLÜ KARADAĞ Yeşim , ÖZTEKİN Zeynep Neşe
Published: June 2020

Objectives: This study is aimed to investigate the frequency of olfactory dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and its relationship with motor/non-motor symptoms and treatment in comparison to isolated olfactory dysfunction patients and healthy controls.Methods: This study includes 40 PD patients, 37 anosmia patients and 42 healthy controls. PD patients are evaluated with PD evaluation form including; sociodemographic features, disease history, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) score, and Hoehn and Yahr (H-Y) score. All patients were evaluated with cranial CT and MRI. Olfactory function was evaluated with Sniffin' Sticks Test (SST). A p value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results::The mean age and median disease duration of PD patients were 62.2 ± 11.9 and 4.5 years, respectively. Fifteen of them had comorbid diseases. Median UPDRS score was 19.5 (4-60) and 67.5% of subjects were H-Y Stage-1. Most frequent non-motor symptom was constipation (67.5%). Olfactory dysfunction was found in 75% of PD patients by SST. No difference was observed between PD patients with or without olfactory dysfunction regarding non-motor symptoms and dementia (p > 0.05). Patients with isolated olfactory dysfunction were significntly younger than both patients with PD and the healthy controls (p <0.001). Non-motor symptoms were not significantly different between isolated olfactory dysfunction group and healthy subjects (p > 0.05). ﻿Conclusions: Most of the patients with PD had olfactory dysfunction, which was found not to be correlated with disease duration and stage based on the results of an objective test, namely Sniffin-Sticks odor test.This result might support the role of non-dopaminergic pathways in the etiopathogenesis of olfactory dysfunctions in PD. In clinical practice, data from further studies is required to comment on an ideal screening or diagnostic test in the olfactory system evaluation of early stage PD patients that would be repeatable and objective.
REKLAM GİDERLERİNİN MARKA DEĞERİNE ETKİSİNİN PANEL REGRESYON YÖNTEMİYLE İNCELENMESİ: TÜRKİYE’DEKİ FİRMALARA YÖNELİK BİR ARAŞTIRMA
Authors: POYRAZ Erkan , MİRGEN Çağatay
Published: June 2020

Bu araştırmanın amacı, reklam giderlerinin marka değeri üzerindeki etkisinin olup olmadığını tespit etmektir. Bu amaçla, Brand Finance Turkey-100 raporunda yer alan marka değeri açıklanan firmalar içinden reklam giderleri eksiksiz olarak tespit edilen 24 firma araştırma kapsamına dahil edilmiştir. Elde edilen veriler stata 14.1 paket programı yardımıyla panel regresyon analizi kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda reklam giderlerinin marka değeri üzerine anlamlı etkisinin olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
The etiological distribution and clinical and laboratory characteristics of pediatric patients presenting with goiter in the province of Adıyaman
Authors: BOLU Semih , İŞLEYEN Fatih , TURĞUT Mehmet
Published: June 2020

Aim: The most common cause of goiter in developed countries is autoimmune diseases, while the most common cause in developing countries is iodine deficiency. We aimed to evaluate the clinical and laboratory results and etiological and demographic characteristics of cases presenting with goiter.
Materials and Methods: Seventy-five patients aged between 5 and 17 years presenting with goiter between October 2016 and January 2019 were included in the study.
Results: 90.7% (68) of children with goiter were female and 9.3% (7) male, the rate of goiter being 9.7-fold higher among girls. In terms of etiology, 43 patients (57.3%) were diagnosed with iodine deficiency, 25 (33.3%) with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), five with Graves’ disease (6.7%), and two (2.7%) with thyroid hormone resistance (THR). Mean ages were 13.7±2.1 years in the iodine deficient cases, 13.7±2.7 in the HT group, 14.3±1.4 in the Graves’ disease patients, and 8.2±2.3 in the patients with THR. The highest mean urinary iodine level among iodine deficient patients was 45±27.1 (12.10-84.13) μg/L in Adıyaman center, while the lowest value was determined in Gerger district at 16.8±3.1 (14.27-20.25) μg/L, and 11 patients were diagnosed with mild iodine deficiency, 20 with moderate deficiency, and 12 with severe deficiency.
Conclusion: Iodine deficiency was the most common cause of goiter in children in the province of Adıyaman, followed by autoimmune thyroid gland diseases such as Graves’ disease and HT. This study shows that iodine deficiency remains still as a problem in our province.
Ocena i perspektywy rozwoju systemu terapeutycznego wykonywania kary pozbawienia wolności
Authors: Kwieciński Adam
Published: June 2020

This publication focuses on the problems of imprisonment relating to those sen-tenced with mental disorders, addicted to drugs or other means of intoxication, as well as the physically handicapped. The proposals in this work are based not only on the study of specialized literature and an analysis of legislative measures, but also on pilot studies in therapeutic wards all over Poland. In the conclusions the proposals de lege lata and de lege ferenda have been included, with reference to this important feature of prison services.
Kary sekwencyjne orzeczone na podstawie art. 37b k.k. — wybrane problemy związane z ich wykonaniem
Authors: Raglewska Joanna
Published: June 2020

The article concerns problems with the execution of the sequence of two punish-ments: imprisonment and restriction of liberty, imposed on the basis of Art. 37b of the Penal Code. This paper begins with a review of the literature on terminology or the term: “mixed penalty.” We cannot discuss this problem without considering also concrete ex-amples of aims and functions of the new institution. The author presents considerations regarding modifications of carrying out penalties, e.g. application of conditional release, serving a sentence in electronic supervision in the context of the author’s own research.
Fréquences alléliques des caséines chez les chèvres des Pyrénées
Authors: RICORDEAU G. , MAHÉ M.F. , PERSUY M.A. , LEROUX C. , FRANÇOIS V. , AMIGUES Y.
Published: June 2020

Après quatre années d’observations préliminaires (1992 à 1995), l’analyse du polymorphisme génétique des caséines du lait des chèvres des Pyrénées a été réalisée en 1996, grâce aux prélèvements de lait et de sang effectués dans 45 élevages, sur un effectif de 410 à 862 chèvres et 63 boucs. L’analyse concerne trois des quatre caséines : αS1, αS2 et β. En caséine αS1, l’allèle moyen E est majoritaire, devant les allèles forts (A, B3 et B4), l’allèle faible F et deux allèles nuls, dont l’allèle O2 bien représenté chez les chèvres et les boucs et dont le centre de diffusion peut être localisé. La caséine αS2 compte trois allèles. La caséine β présente deux allèles, dont un allèle nul observé dans 82 % des élevages à une fréquence de 0,11. Au total, 35 à 45 % des chèvres possèdent un mutant défectif, soit en caséine αS1, soit en caséine β, ce qui n’est pas sans conséquence sur la qualité fromagère des laits. Concernant l’allèle nul en caséine β, la population est en équilibre, mais il existe des différences de fréquence entre les secteurs. A terme, la décision à prendre vis-à-vis des mutants défectifs dépend de l’orientation des éleveurs : production de chevreaux de boucherie dans les troupeaux à viande de type conservatoire ou amélioration de la qualité fromagère des laits dans les élevages laitiers traditionnels.
Optimasi dan Validasi Metode Kromatografi Cair Kinerja Tinggi untuk Menetapkan Kadar Asam Klorogenat dalam Ekstrak Etanol Daun Yakon (Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Endl.) H. Robinson)
Authors: Aziz Zuhelmi , Nurhidayati Liliek , Abdillah Syamsudin , Yuliana Nancy Dewi , Simanjuntak Partomuan
Published: June 2020

Yakon merupakan tanaman yang dapat digunakan untuk pengobatan dan kebutuhan pangan. Salah satu kandungan zat berkhasiat dalam daun yakon adalah asam klorogenat. Asam klorogenat diketahui memiliki aktifitas sebagai antioksidan, antikanker dan antidiabetes.  Penentuan kadar asam klorogenat dalam matriks yang kompleks diperlukan metode yang selektif dengan ketelitian dan ketepatan yang baik. Pada penelitian ini dilakukan optimasi dan validasi metode kromatografi cair kinerja tinggi (KCKT) fase balik untuk penetapan kadar asam klorogenat. Ekstrak dibuat secara ultrasonikasi menggunakan pelarut etanol 95%. Kondisi optimum diperoleh menggunakan fase gerak asam format 0,1% dalam asetonitril–asam format 0,1% dalam air (gradien); fase diam oktadesilsilan (C18) pada suhu 30 ºC dan detektor UV pada panjang gelombang 328 nm. Metode KCKT ini memberikan hasil yang memiliki ketelitian yang tinggi dengan simpangan baku relatif 0,79% dan ketepatan yang baik dengan perolehan kembali 97,50%. Kadar asam klorogenat yang diperoleh dalam ekstrak etanol 95% daun yakon sebesar 1,02%.

 

Optimization and Validation of High Performance Liquid Chromatography Methods for Determination of Chlorogenic Acid Levels in Ethanol Extracts of Yakon Leaves (Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Endl.) H. Robinson). Yacon is a plant that can be used for medication and food needs. One of the bioactive compounds of yacon leaves is chlorogenic acid. Chlorogenic acid has various biological activities, such as antioxidant, anticancer and antidiabetic activities. To determine the chlorogenic acid in such complex matrix, such selective methods with good precision and acuracy are required. In this study, the optimization and validation of reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for chlorogenic acid determination were performed. The extract was prepared by ultrasonication in 95% ethanol.The optimized condition for HPLC obtained was by using mobile phase  0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile – 0.1% formic acid in water with gradient elution, stationary phase octadesylsilane  (C18)  at 30 oC and UV detector at of 328 nm. The result showed that HPLC method had high precicion with relative standard deviation of 0.79% and high accuracy with recovery of 97.50%. The chlorogenic acid in the ethanol 95% extract of Yacon leaves was 1,02%.
Factors associated with the perceived barriers of health care access among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia: a secondary data analysis of 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Tamirat Koku Sisay , Tessema Zemenu Tadesse , Kebede Fentahun Bikale
Published: June 2020

Background: Health care access is the timely use of personal health services to achieve the best health outcomes. Problems in accessing health care among reproductive-age may lead to various adverse health outcomes like death and disabilities. Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors associated with the perceived barriers of health care access among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia. Method: This study was based on secondary data sources from the 2016 Ethiopia Demography and Health Survey. From the largest dataset, individual women record (IR) file was used to extract about 15, 683 women for the final analysis. A composite variable of health care access was created from four questions used to rate health care access problems among women of reproductive age. The Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model fitted to identify factors associated with perceived barriers of health care access. Crude and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) computed to assess the strength of association between independent and outcome variables.Result: This study revealed that the magnitude of perceived barriers of health care access among reproductive-age women found to be 69.9% with 95%CI (69.3 to 70.7) to at least one or more of the four reasons. Rural resident (AOR= 2.13, 95%CI: 1.79 to 2.53), age 35-49 years (AOR= 1.24, 95%CI: 1.09 to 1.40), divorced/separated (AOR= 1.34, 95%CI: 1.17 to 1.54), had no health insurance coverage (AOR=1.19, 95%CI: 1.01 to 1.45), poorer (AOR=2.09,95%CI: 1.86 to 2.35) and middle wealth (AOR=1.57,95%CI:1.38 to 1.79), no education (AOR=2.30, 95%CI:1.95 to 2.72), primary education (AOR= 1.84, 95%CI :1.58 to 2.15) and secondary education (AOR= 1.31, 95%CI: 1.13 to 1.51) were factors associated with the perceived barriers of health care access.Conclusion: A significant proportion of women of reproductive age faced barriers to health care access, of which money and distance were the most frequently perceived barriers. Divorced/separated marital status, old age, rural dwelling, no health insurance coverage, low economic situation, and level of education were factors associated with perceived barriers. These findings suggest further strengthening and improving health care access to those women with low socio-economic status for the realization of universal health coverage.
Motives of contributing personal data for health research: (Non-)participation in a Dutch biobank
Authors: Broekstra Reinder , Maeckelberghe Els , Aris-Meijer Judith , Stolk Ronald , Otten Sabine
Published: June 2020

Background: Large-scale, centralized data repositories are playing a critical and unprecedented role in fostering innovative health research, leading to new opportunities as well as dilemmas for the medical sciences. Uncovering the reasons as to why citizens do or do not contribute to such repositories, for example, to population-based biobanks, is therefore crucial. We investigated and compared the views of existing participants and non-participants on contributing to large-scale, centralized health research data repositories with those of ex-participants regarding the decision to end their participation. This comparison could yield new insights into motives of participation and non-participation, in particular the behavioural change of withdrawal. Methods: We conducted 36 in-depth interviews with ex-participants, participants, and non-participants of a three-generation, population-based biobank in the Netherlands. The interviews focused on the respondents’ decision-making processes relating to their participation in a large-scale, centralized repository for health research data. Results: The decision of participants and non-participants to contribute to the biobank was motivated by a desire to help others. Whereas participants perceived only benefits relating to their participation and were unconcerned about potential risks, non­-participants and ex-participants raised concerns about the threat of large-scale, centralized public data repositories and public institutes, such as social exclusion or commercialization. Our analysis of ex-participants’ perceptions suggests that intrapersonal characteristics, such as levels of trust in society and public goods, participation conceived as a social norm, and basic societal values account for differences between participants and non-participants.Conclusions: Our findings indicate the fluidity of motives centring on helping others in decisions to participate in large-scale, centralized health research data repositories. Efforts to improve participation should focus on enhancing the trustworthiness of such data repositories and developing layered strategies for communication with participants and with the public. Accordingly, personalized approaches for recruiting participants and transmitting information along with appropriate regulatory frameworks are required, which have important implications for current data management and informed consent procedures.
Inferring An Animal's Environment Through Biologging: Quantifying the Environmental Contribution to Animal Movement
Authors: Eikelboom Jasper A.J. , de Knegt Henrik J. , Klaver Maayke , Langevelde Frank van , Wal Tamme van der , Prins Herbert H.T.
Published: June 2020

Background: Animals respond to environmental variation by changing their movement in a multifaceted way. Recent advancements in biologging increasingly allow for detailed measurements of the multifaceted nature of movement, from descriptors of animal movement trajectories (e.g., using GPS) to descriptors of body part movements (e.g., using tri-axial accelerometers). Because this multivariate richness of movement data complicates inference on the environmental contribution to animal movement, studies generally use simplified movement descriptors in statistical analyses. However, doing so limits the inference on the environmental contribution to movement, as this requires that the multivariate richness of movement data can be fully considered in an analysis. Methods: We propose a data-driven analytic framework to quantify the environmental contribution to animal movement that can accommodate the multifaceted nature of animal movement. Instead of fitting the response of a simplified movement descriptor to a suite of environmental variables, our proposed framework centres on predicting an environmental variable from the full set of multivariate movement data, i.e., the reverse of the route of causal inference. The measure of fit of this prediction is taken to be the metric that quantifies how much of the environmental variation relates to the multivariate variation in animal movement. We demonstrate the usefulness of this framework through a case study about the contribution of grass availability and time since milking to cow movements using machine learning algorithms. Results: We show that on a one-hour timescale 37% of the variation in grass availability and 33% of time since milking contributed to cow movements. Grass availability contributed mostly to the cows’ neck movement during grazing, while time since milking contributed mostly to the movement through the landscape and the shared variation of accelerometer and GPS data (e.g., activity patterns). Furthermore, this framework proved to be insensitive to spurious correlations between environmental variables in quantifying the contribution to animal movement. Conclusions: Not only is our proposed framework well-suited to study the environmental contribution to animal movement; we argue that it can also be applied in any field that uses multivariate biologging data, e.g., animal physiology, to study the relationships between animals and their environment.
Factors contributing to diagnostic delay of Caroli syndrome: a single-center, retrospective study
Authors: Shi Wen , Huang Xiao-ming , Feng Yun-lu , Wang Feng-dan , Gao Xiao-xing , Jiao Yang
Published: June 2020

Background: Caroli syndrome (CS) is a rare congenital disorder without pathognomonic clinical symptoms or laboratory findings; therefore, the diagnosis is often delayed. The objective of this study was to investigate the diagnostic delay and associated risk factors in CS patients. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 16 CS patients admitted to a single tertiary medical center on mainland China. The diagnostic timelines of CS patients were reviewed to demonstrate the initial findings of CS at diagnosis, the risk factors associated with diagnostic delay, and potential clues leading to early diagnosis. Results: The median diagnostic delay was 1.75 years (range: 1 month to 29 years, interquartile range: 6.2 years) in 16 enrolled CS patients. Sex, age, and initial symptoms were not associated with diagnostic delay. 87.5% of CS patients were diagnosed by imaging, and the accuracies of ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography were 25%, 69.2%, and 83.3%, respectively. The median diagnostic delays for patients with or without CT performed at the first hospital visited according to physician and radiologist suspicion of the diagnosis were 7.4 months and 6 years, respectively (p=0.021). Hepatic cysts with splenomegaly were detected by ultrasound in over half of CS patients. Conclusions: The majority of CS patients were not diagnosed until complications of portal hypertension had already developed. Recognition and early suspicion of the disease were important factors influencing diagnostic delay of CS. Hepatic cysts plus splenomegaly detected by US might raise the clinical suspicion to include CS in the differential diagnosis.
The relationship between sleep duration and all-cause mortality in the older people: an updated and dose-response meta-analysis
Authors: He Mengyang , Deng Xiangling , Zhu Yuqing , Huan Luyao , Niu Wenquan
Published: June 2020

Background: Short or long sleep duration is proposed as a potential risk factor for all-cause mortality in the older people, yet the results of published studies are not often reproducible. Objectives: We aimed to investigate whether short or long sleep duration was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in the older people via a comprehensive meta-analysis. Methods: Literature retrieval, study selection and data extraction were completed independently and in duplicate. Effect-size estimates are expressed as relative risk (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Summary data from 35 articles, involving a total of 106990 older people, were meta-analyzed. Overall analyses revealed a significant association between long sleep duration and all-cause mortality (RR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.19-1.35, P <.001), whereas marginal significance was observed for short sleep duration (RR=1.05; 95% CI: 1.00-1.09; P =.045). There was a low probability of publication bias as indicated by Egger’s test for the association between sleep duration and all-cause mortality. In subgroup analyses, the association between long sleep duration and all-cause mortality was relatively strong in women (RR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.18-1.85, P =.002) relative to men (RR=1.30, 95% CI: 1.10-1.50, P =.001) (Two-sample Z test P = .219). Further dose-response regression analyses showed that trend estimation was not obvious for short sleep duration ( P = .016) compared with long sleep duration ( P < .001), indicating a J-shaped relationship between sleep duration and all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Our findings indicate a J-shaped relationship between sleep duration and all-cause mortality in the older people, with long sleep duration significantly associating with all-cause mortality, especially in women.
Transcriptome-based Selection and Validation of Optimal House-keeping Genes for Skin Research in Goats (Capra hircus)
Authors: Zhang Jipan , Deng Chengchen , Li Jialu , Zhao Yong-Ju
Published: June 2020

Background: In Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) experiments, accurate and reliable target gene expression data is dependent on optimal amplification of house-keeping genes (HKGs). RNA-seq technology offers a novel approach to detect new HKGs with improved stability. Goat (Capra hircus) is an economically important livestock species and plays an indispensable role in the world animal fiber and meat industry. Unfortunately, uniform and reliable HKGs for use in goat skin research have not been identified. Therefore, this study seeks to identify a set of stable HKGs for the skin tissue of C. hircus using high-throughput sequencing technology.Results: Based on the transcriptome dataset of 39 goat skin tissue samples, 8 genes (SRP68, NCBP3, RRAGA, EIF4H, CTBP2, PTPRA, CNBP, and EEF2) with relatively stable expression levels were identified and selected as new candidate HKGs. Commonly used HKGs including SDHA and YWHAZ from a previous study, and 2 conventional genes (ACTB and GAPDH) were also examined. Four different experimental variables: (1) different development stages, (2) hair follicle cycle stages, (3) breeds and (4) sampling sites, were used for determination and validation. Four algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and ΔCt method) and a comprehensive algorithm (ComprFinder, developed in-house) were used to assess the stability of each HKG. It was shown that NCBP3+SDHA+PTPRA were more stably expressed than previously used genes in all conditions analyzed, and that this combination was effective at normalizing target gene expression. Moreover, a new algorithm for comprehensive analysis, ComprFinder, was developed and released.Conclusion: This study presents the first data of candidate HKGs for C. hircus skin tissues based on an RNA-seq dataset. We propose that the NCBP3+SDHA+PTPRA combination be used as a triplet set of HKGs in skin molecular biology experiments in C. hircus and other closely related species to standardize analyses across studies. In addition, we also encourage researchers who perform candidate HKG evaluations and who have the need for comprehensive analysis to adopt our new algorithm, ComprFinder.
Administration of Saccharomyces boulardii mafic-1701 improves feed conversion ratio, promotes antioxidant capacity, alleviates intestinal inflammation and modulates gut microbiota in weaned piglets
Authors: Zhang Wenxiu , Bao Chengling , Wang Jian , Zang Jianjun , Cao Yunhe
Published: June 2020

Background: Probiotics for are used as a means to improve animal health and intestinal development. Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) is a well-known probiotic, however, few studies have examined the effects of S. boulardii on weaned piglet performance. Therefore, this 28-day study compared the effects of S. boulardii mafic-1701 and aureomycin in weaned piglet diets on growth performance, antioxidant parameters, inflammation and intestinal microbiota. One hundred and eight weaned piglets were randomly divided into three dietary treatment groups: (1) basal diet (CON); (2) basal diet supplemented with 75 mg/kg aureomycin (ANT); (3) basal diet supplemented with 1 × 108 CFU/kg S. boulardii mafic-1701 (SB). Results: Compared to CON group, SB group improved feed efficiency over the entire 28 days (P < 0.01) and decreased the rate of diarrhea during the first two weeks (P < 0.05). Total superoxide dismutase concentration was markedly increased in SB group (P < 0.05). Moreover, compared with CON group, SB group decreased the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (P < 0.01) and tumor necrosis factor (P < 0.05) in jejunum. Supplementation with S boulardii mafic-1701 increased abundance of Bacillus and Ruminococcaceae (P < 0.05), whereas abundance of Clostridiaceae was decreased (P < 0.05). Furthermore, S boulardii mafic-1701 administration increased cecal concentration of microbial metabolites, isobutyrate and valerate (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The improvement in feed conversion ratio, reduction in diarrhea rate during the first two weeks in weaned piglets provided diets supplemented with S. boulardii mafic-1701 may be associated with enhanced antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory responses and intestinal microbial ecology.
Mechanical wear analysis helps understand a mechanism of failure in retrieved magnetically controlled growing rods: a retrieval study
Authors: Wei Jack Z. , Hothi Harry S. , Morganti Holly , Bergiers Sean , Gal Elisabetta Dal , Likcani Doris , Henckel Johann , Hart Alister J.
Published: June 2020

Background To assess the relationship between mechanical wear and the failure of the internal lengthening mechanism in retrieved MAGnetic Expansion Control (MAGEC) growing rods. Methods This study included 34 MAGEC rods retrieved from 20 patients. The state of the internal mechanism and mechanical wear were assessed in all the rods using plain radiographs and visual inspection. Metrology was then performed to assess the topography and mechanical wear of the telescopic bars, using a Talyrond 365 (Taylor Hobson, Leicester, UK) roundness measuring machine. Results Plain radiographs showed evidence of a broken internal mechanism in 29% of retrieved rods. Single-side wear marks were found in 97% of retrieved rods. Material loss was found to significantly increase in rods with a damaged internal mechanism (p<0.05) and rods with longer time in situ (r=0.692, p<0.05). Conclusion We found an association between damage to the internal mechanism of the rods and (1) patterns of single-side longitudinal wear marks and (2) increased material loss. As the material loss was also found to increase over time of rod in situ, we emphasise the importance of early detection and revision of failed MAGEC rods in clinical practice.
Risk perception and Emotion evaluation of Health care workers varied during different periods of COVID-19: a repeated cross-sectional research
Authors: Yin Qianlan , Hou Tianya , Liu Ying , Chen Aibin , Song Xiangrui , Cai Wenpeng , Deng Guanghui , Dong Wei
Published: June 2020

Background Health care workers (HCWs) on the front line of the COVID-19 were facing greater risks than usual, and their perception of these risks could also be an important part of their anti-epidemic work. This study aimed to examine risk perception and negative emotions of during two periods of the COVID-19 and emphasized emotional intervention management of HCWs impacting the risk perceptions and self-protection and would provide plausible intervention points for the psychological aid under a stressful condition.Methods The current study was adapted a repeated cross-sectional research participated by 504 Chinese HCWs who were assigned to work at the current disease resistance line. The demographic information about gender, profession, and location were collected in the demographic questionnaire. Risk perception questionnaire was adapted for COVID-19 to assess risk perception and the Chinese version of emotional self-rating scale (PANAS) was used to evaluate HCWs’ negative emotions.Results Findings revealed the risk perception and negative emotions of HCWs varied in different gender, profession and the location, as well as in different periods of COVID-19. Besides, the levels of tension, fear, worry and risk perception were higher during Period 1 than they were during Periods 2 of COVID-19. Over the different periods, the predominated negative emotions of HCWs presented varied, but the positive relations to risk perception were consisted and could be a significant predictor of risk perception. Worry was found to be closely related to and a significant predictor of high-level risk perception in the period 1; whereas in the period 2 the predictive type of negative emotion was tension.Conclusion The significance of this research lies in its examination of risk perception and negative emotions of HCWs combating the COVID-19 during two periods of the pandemic. The findings showed both risk perception and negative emotions of HCWs were affected by the COVID-19 and underscored the importance of negative emotions as a significant factor for risk perception of Chinese HCWs enduring the great challenge of pandemic. To ensure safety and prevent the return of the pandemics, it would be better to monitor the risk perception and negative emotions of HCWs and emphasize the risk protection behaviors.
Analysis of Sagittal Profile and Radiographic Parameters in Symptomatic Thoracolumbar Disc Herniation Patients
Authors: Gao Ang , Wang Yongqiang , Yu Miao , Liu Xiaoguang
Published: June 2020

Background Few studies describe thoracolumbar disc herniation (TLDH) as an isolated category, it is frequently classified as the lower thoracic spine or upper lumbar spine. Thus, less is known about the morphology and aetiology of TLDH compared to lumbar disc herniation (LDH)The aim of study is to investigate sagittal alignment in TLDH, and analyze sagittal profile with radiographic parameters.Methods Data from 70 patients diagnosed with TLDH were retrospectively reviewed. The thoracic-lumbar alignment was depicted by description of curvatures (the apex of lumbar curvature, the apex of thoracic curvature, and inflexion point of the two curvatures) and radiographic parameters from complete standing long-cassette spine radiographs. The rank sum test was utilised to compare radiographic parameters values in each subtype. Results We found two subtypes differentiated by the apex of thoracic kyphotic curves. The apex of the thoracic kyphotic curve located in the middle thoracic spine in type I, and the apex of the thoracic kyphotic curve located in the thoracolumbar region in type II patients. Thirty-six patients were classified as type I, and 34 patients were classified as type II. The mean sagittal vertical axis, T1 pelvic angle and L1 pelvic angle were 27.9±24.8°, 8.2±7.3° and 6.2±4.9°, respectively. There was significant difference (p<0.001) of thoracolumbar angle between type I patients (14.9±7.9°) and type II patients (29.1±13.7°).Conclusions We presented two distinctive sagittal profiles in TLDH patients, and a regional kyphotic deformity with a balanced spine was validated in both subtypes. In view of the different curvatures, different aetiologies were discovered in each subtype. Mismatch between shape and SS value was observed, and better agreement was found in Type II patients.
Contact Pressure Distribution of the Hip Joint During Closed Reduction of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip
Authors: Zhang Zhiqiang , Li Hai , Sui Dashan , Qin Haiyi , Zhang Ziming
Published: June 2020

Background: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is the most common deformity of the lower extremity in children, and the etiology remains unclear. The biomechanical change during closed reduction (CR) focused on cartilage contact pressure (CCP) has not been studied. Thereby, we try to provide insight into biomechanical factors potentially responsible for CR treatment success and complications by using finite element analysis (FEA) for the first time.Methods: Finite element models of one patient with DDH were established based on the data of MRI scan on which cartilage contact pressure was measured. During CR, CCP between the femoral head and acetabulum in different abduction and flexion angles were tested to estimate the efficacy and potential risk factors of avascular necrosis (AVN) following CR.Results: A 3D reconstruction by the FEA method was performed on a sixteen-month-old girl with DDH on the right side. The acetabulum of the involved side showed a long, narrow, and "plate-shaped" deformity, whereas the femoral head was smaller and irregular compared with the contralateral side. With increased abduction angle, the stress of the posterior acetabulum increased significantly, and the stress on the lateral part of the femoral head increased as well. The changes of CCP in the superior acetabulum were not apparent during CR. There were no detectable differences in terms of pressure on the femoral head.Conclusions: Severe dislocation (IHDI grade III and IV) in children showed a high mismatch between the femoral head and acetabulum. Increased abduction angle corresponded with high contact pressure, which might relate to avascular necrosis, whereas increased flexion angle was not. Enhanced pressure on the lateral part of the femoral head might increase the risk of AVN.
In vitro seed production of three mosaic disease resistant cassava cultivars from Benin and the assessment of the resistance of the regenerated plantlets
Authors: SESSOU Amitchihoué Franck , Kahia Jane W. , Houngue Jerome Anani , Ateka Elijah Miinda , Dadjo Colombe , Ahanhanzo Corneille
Published: June 2020

Background
Cassava is a staple food for over 800 million people globally providing a cheap source of carbohydrate. However, the cultivation of cassava in the country is facing to viral diseases, particularly cassava mosaic disease (CMD) which can cause up to 95% yield losses. With aim to supply farmers demand for clean planting materials, there is need to accelerate the production of the elite cultivars by use of tissue culture in order to cope with the demand.
Methods
Nodal explants harvested from the greenhouse grown plants were sterilised using different concentrations of a commercial bleach JIK (3.85% NaOCl) and varying time intervals. Microshoots induction was evaluated using thidiazuron (TDZ), benzyl amino purine (BAP), and kinetin. Rooting was evaluated using different auxins (Naphthalene acetic acid NAA and Indole-3-butyricacid IBA). PCR-based SSR and SCAR markers were used to assess the presence of CMD2 gene in the regenerated plantlets.
Results
The highest (90%) clean explants were obtained when 20% Jik was used for 20 minutes. The best cytokinin for microshoots regeneration was found to be kinetin with optimum concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 µM for Agric-rouge, Atinwewe, and Agblehoundo respectively. Medium without growth regulators was the best for rooting the three cultivars. A survival rate of 100%, 98%, and 98% was recorded in the greenhouse for Agric-rouge, Atinwewe, and Agblehoundo respectively and the plantlets appeared to be morphologically normal. The SSR and SCAR analysis of micropropagated plants showed a profile similar to that of the mother plants indicating that the regenerated plantlets retained the CMD2 gene after passing through in vitro culture.
Conclusion
The nodal explants was established to be 20% of Jik (3.85% NaOCl) with an exposure time of 15 minutes. Kinetin was proved to be the best cytokinins for microshoot formation with the optimum concentration of 5, 10 and 20 µM for Agric-rouge, Atinwewe, and Agblehoundo respectively. The protocol developed during this study will be useful for mass propagation of the elite cassava cultivars.
Tribocorrosion on Mars
Authors: Martin-Torres Javier ,  Zorzano Maria-Paz , Nyberg Erik , Ramachandran Abhilash Vakkada , Bhardwaj Anshuman
Published: June 2020

Tribocorrosion is a degradation phenomenon of material surfaces subjected to the combined action of mechanical loading and corrosion attack caused by the environment. Although corrosive chemical species such as materials like chloride atoms, chlorides and perchlorates have been detected on the Martian surface, there is a lack of studies of its impact on materials for landed spacecraft and structures that will support surface operations on Mars. Here we present a series of experiments on the stainless-steel material of the ExoMars 2020 Rosalind Franklin rover wheels. We show how tribocorrosion induced by brines accelerate wear on the materials of the wheels. Our results do not compromise the nominal ExoMars mission but have implications for future long-term surface operations in support of future human exploration or extended robotic missions on Mars.
Biodiverse Responses of O-methyltransferase Genes to Salt Stress and Fiber Development of Gossypium Species
Authors: Hafeez Abdul , Gě Qún , Zhāng Qí , Lǐ Jùnwén , Gōng Jǔwǔ , Liú Ruìxián , Shí Yùzhēn , Shāng Hǎihóng , Liú Àiyīng , Iqbal Muhammad S. , Dèng Xiǎoyīng , Razzaq Abdul , Ali Muharam , Yuán Yǒulù , Wankui Gong
Published: June 2020

O-methyltransferases (OMTs) are an important group of enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to their acceptor substrates. OMTs are divided into several groups according to their structural features. In Gossypium species, they are involved in phenolics and flavonoid pathways. Phenolics defend the cellulose fiber from dreadful external conditions of biotic and abiotic stresses, promoting strength and growth of plant cell wall. In this study, an OMT gene family, containing a total of 192 members, has been identified and characterized in three main Gossypium species, G. hirsutum, G. arboreum and G. raimondii. Cis-regulatory elements analysis suggested important roles of OMT genes in growth, development, and defense against stresses. Transcriptome data of different fiber developmental stages in Chromosome Substitution Segment Lines (CSSLs), Recombination Inbred Lines (RILs) with excellent fiber quality, and standard genetic cotton cultivar TM-1 demonstrate that up-regulation of OMT genes at different fiber developmental stages, and abiotic stress treatments have some significant correlations with fiber quality formation, and with salt stress response. Quantitative RT-PCR results revealed that GhOMT43 and GhOMT27 genes had a specific expression in response to salt stress while GhOMT16, GhOMT55, and GhOMT33 in fiber elongation and secondary cell wall stages. Our results indicated that these genes might contribute to salt tolerance or fiber quality traits respectively in Gossypium.
Assessment of left ventricular systolic function by non-invasive pressure-strain loop area in young male strength athletes
Authors: Hua Shaohua , Li Pengge , Li Lijin , Chen Yingchun , Li Zhen , Liu Songyan
Published: June 2020

Background
The health of athletes has been recognized as a worldwide public concern with more reported sudden cardiac deaths (SCD). Therefore, early detection of abnormal heart function in athletes can help reduce the risk of exercise. A novel valid non-invasive method to evaluate left ventricular (LV) myocardial work (MW) using LV pressure-strain loop (PSL), was used in this paper to explore LV systolic function in young male strength athletes.
Methods
36 professional young male strength athletes (the athlete group) and 32 healthy, age-matched young men (the control group) were involved in the study. The LVMW parameters were calculated as the area of PSL by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and peak systolic LV pressure. The differences between two groups of data and the predictive efficacy of MW parameters for LV systolic function were analyzed.
Results
The athlete group had significantly higher values of global wasted myocardial work (GWW) and peak strain dispersion (PSD) than did the control group (P༜0.05).Global myocardial work index (GWI), global constructive myocardial work (GCW) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were lower in the athlete group than that in the control group, although statistical significance was not reached (P༞0.05). Due to the proportion of GWW and GCW, statistically significant reduction was found in global myocardial work efficiency (GWE) in the athlete group. The best predictor of LV myocardial contractile performance in the athletes using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was GWE, with the area under ROC (AUC) of 0.733, sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 59.4%.
Conclusions
Subclinical changes have appeared in the hearts of young male strength athletes after long-term intensive exercise and LVMW parameters by PSL play an important role in the evaluation of athlete’s LV contractile performance.