bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preadmission COVID-19 testing is an unnecessary use of resources
Authors: Henderson Cassandra E , Jackman Janelle M , Rezai Shadi
Published: January 2021

Background: Preadmission testing has been recommended nationwide across specialties in hospitals as a screening tool for detecting asymptomatic COVID-19 positive patients prior to procedures. Healthcare workers (HCW) have been using these results to decide whether or not the patient can have the procedure done as well as to determine whether HCW should use PPE. However, the majorities of these recommendations are from expert opinion and not evidenced based investigations. In the absence of actual data on the benefits of universal screening in asymptomatic patients, clinicians should really consider the possible pros and cons of this. We set out to review previously published research on COVID-19 testing to determine if universal screening can be justified with science. Conclusion: At this time, there is no evidence-based data for a universal screening program of asymptomatic patients in the absence of contact tracing. Universal PPE use, hand hygiene and the practice of personal prevention measures should be the major component in decreasing the spread of COVID-19 in the hospital setting. Keywords: 2019-nCoV, acute respiratory distress syndrome, autoimmune, COVID-19, healthcare worker, novel coronavirus 2019, pandemic, personal protective equipment, polymerase chain reaction, preadmission testing, SARS coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, severe acute respiratory syndrome
Assessment of different methods for diagnosis of Group B streptococci during pregnancy
Authors: Rashwan Ahmed
Published: January 2021

Objectives: To compare the different diagnostic techniques used to detect GBS colonization in pregnant women in late third trimester after thirty five weeks and to detect the frequency of GBS colonization among a sample of pregnant Egyptian women. Patients and methods: Vaginal swabs from the lower third of vagina were collected from 100 pregnant women in the late third trimester. Isolation of the organism by culture on selective media and confirmation by latex agglutination test and detection of CAMP factor by conventional PCR were compared. GBS isolates were tested by double disk diffusion method and D-zone test simultaneously for susceptibility to erythromycin and clindamycin and inducible clindamycin resistance for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP). Results: 25 participants (25%) were positive for GBS by culture in Lim broth with subculture onto TSA supplemented with 5% defibrinated sheep blood, while 75 participants (75%) were negative. Of the 25 GBS isolates, 19 (76%) were sensitive to erythromycin, 3 (12%) were intermediate and 3 (12%) were resistant. Of the 25 GBS isolates, 15 (60%) were sensitive to clindamycin, 2 (8%) were intermediate and 8 (32%) were resistant. Fourteen isolates (56%) were sensitive to both erythromycin and clindamycin whereas 3 (12%) were resistant to both (cMLSB). Latex agglutination test for GBS detection from the 24 hours incubated Lim broth was positive in 25 cases (25%). GBS was detected in 9 cases (9%) by the conventional PCR assay done directly from vaginal swabs specimens. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for latex agglutination from the inoculated broth and PCR assay are 100%, 100%, 100%, 100% and 36%, 100%, 100%, 82.4% respectively. Latex agglutination test from the inoculated broth showed a statistically significant perfect agreement (100.0%) with culture with Kappa value 1.0 and 95% CI (1.0 – 1.0). PCR assay also showed a statistically significant but moderate agreement (84.0%) with culture with Kappa value 0.458 and 95% CI (0.253 – 0.662). Conclusion: Detection of GBS colonization by latex agglutination test from incubated selective broth directly is comparable to the gold standard (culture) as regards accuracy. PCR offers a rapid and highly specific method for detection of GBS colonization especially in intrapartum settings for administration of IAP in non-screened pregnant females; however, sensitivity is low resulting in a low NPV.
Особенности использования цикла президентских выборов для прогнозирования преобладающей тенденции на фондовом рынке США
Authors: Benenson Olga
Published: January 2021

Цель работы – установить особенности проявления социально-экономической циклической закономерности «Цикл президентских выборов» на фондовом рынке США в современных условиях и разработпть рекомендации по практическому применению этой закономерности при осуществлении инвестиционной деятельности.

Дизайн/Метод/План исследования. Статистическая обработка данных о значениях промышленного индекса Доу-Джонса за период с 1887 по 2020 гг.

Результаты исследования. Исследование показало, что закономерности по величине среднего прироста индекса Доу-Джонса в разные года цикла Президентских виборов в условиях современной экономики отличаются от закономерностей, существовавших до 1993 года. В настоящее время практический интерес может представлять только год, предшествующий выборам президента США, когда средний прирост индекса в 2-4 раза превышает прирост в другие годы цикла. Известный ранее тезис о том, что при правящей Демократической партии фондовый рынок США растет быстрее, подтверждается и в условиях современной экономики. Тем не менее, с каждым годом разница между приростами рынка при различных партиях сглаживается. В рамках «Цикла президентских выборов» существует стойкая закономерность, заключающаяся в том, что индекс Доу-Джонса вырастает от своего минимального значения в «промежуточный» год до максимального значения следующего, предвыборного года. При этом, в последние десятилетия величина процента прироста имеет тенденцию к уменьшению, и если раньше, с 1914 по 2011 гг. его среднее значение составляло 47-48,6 %, то в период с 1993 по 2020 гг. процент прироста уменьшился до 36,7 %.

Практическое значение исследования. Практическое применение результатов исследования даст возможность повысить точность прогнозирования преобладающих тенденций на международных фондовых рынках и, соответственно, повысить эффективность инвестирования.

Оригинальность/Ценность/Научная новизна исследования. настоящее исследование расширяет знания об особенностях проявления и использования циклической закономерности «Цикл президентских выборов», предлагает обновленную модель его использования при прогнозировании преобладающей тенденции на фондовом рынке США. Результаты исследования могут быть интересны специалистам, работающим в сфере инвестирования на международных финансовых рынках.

Ограничение исследования/Перспективы дальнейших исследований. Результаты исследований, приведенные в настоящей статье, создают основу для проведения аналогичных исследований для европейских и азиатских финансовых рынков, а также выявления и исследования других циклических закономерностей на международных финансовых рынках с целью разработки прикладных механизмов инвестирования, способствующих повышению эффективности инвестирования.

Тип статьи – эмпирический.
Social isolation impact on the patients' treatment in Poland medical institutions
Authors: Kesy Marcin , Pawliszczy Dariusz
Published: January 2021

Purpose – to demonstrate the links between social exclusion and the higher costs of treating customers depending on this social sector, unlike other customers who are neither unemployed nor live in poverty.
Design/Method/Approach of the research. In the external study, a survey method was used, supplemented with a method of observation at the study site. The authors of the publication carried out research using the qualitative method, formalized interview with medical staff. This research was done in University Hospital in Wroclaw in 2018.
Findings. Any health organization must create good relations inside the organization and mostly from outside. One of them is a patient that the author calls a "customer" as every person spends money on health organization leading to the proper hospital functioning. Decision-makers within the system continuously must make choices and seek alternative ways to measure illness costs. One of the factors that harm the optimization of the health services' scale is the social exclusion phenomenon, which is significantly affecting society. Socially isolated people's problems are deprivation, as a lack of access to the necessary level of high-quality, safe, and effective medical services, and cultural competence to provide such medical services. The ex-post analysis conclusions show that relationships between the analyzed areas and the social exclusion phenomenon have a medium and even large dependency and demonstrate cause-effect relationships. Management of customers with the disfunction of medical personnel social requires using other means of communication and building relationships on facts. The communication model between medical personnel and the customer should be founded on a moderate paternalistic model, which is based on facts and documents. The result will be a reduction in service time, which will affect consultation time, financial savings, and an increase in medical personnel efficiency.
Originality/Value. In the research of socially isolated people's health problems, three aspects was distinguished: health problems caused by social isolation, health problems that cause social exclusion, and health conditions that are difficult to treat due to social isolation.
Paper type – empirical.
Age discrimination at work and some reflections from job ads: The case of Turkey
Authors: Man Fuat
Published: January 2021

Purpose – to analyze the situation of age discrimination at work and to give some reflections from job ads in the case of Turkey.

Design/Method/Approach of the research. This study presents a limited depiction of age discrimination occurring in Turkey by analyzing job ads.

Findings. One of the most critical demographic issues for the entire world, especially for the advanced world, is aging. It is essential as it necessitates some critical regulations that have economic and social consequences. During this aging trend, job seekers over a certain age in labor markets face age discrimination. Although many countries, both developed and developing, have some legal regulations against age discrimination, it remains a crucial form of discrimination. Where we can easily see this kind of discrimination is job ads. This study examined more than fifteen hundred job ads posted by İŞKUR, state-affiliated Employment Agency of Turkey, for the cities of Marmara Region of Turkey were examined. Nearly 20% of all job ads is indicating some statement for age limit.

Research limitations/Future Research. Although just the age value indicated by employers in the ads itself does not mean an absolute age discrimination rate, 20 % is a vital implication for that kind of discrimination, and also, this figure implies the need for detailed further studies.

Paper type – empirical.
The Effectiveness of Improving the Performance of Teachers of Islamic Religion Education Through Teacher Certification Programs in SMA / SMK in Bogor District
Authors: Romdon Romdon , Sauri U. Supyan , Sujiarto Heru
Published: January 2021

This research is motivated by the phenomenon that the effort to improve the quality of education at the senior secondary level is the teacher's performance. With good teacher quality, the learning process can take place in a quality manner, which in turn leads to quality output. One of the efforts to improve the performance of Islamic Education teachers is the provision of certification allowances for Islamic Religious Education teachers to improve their performance, which has been low so far. On the other hand, the certification of teachers for Islamic Religious Education at the SMA / SMK level is also very important, given the limited limitations of the government in appointing teachers as Civil Servants, so that the existence of teacher certification can be an alternative in an effort to improve teacher welfare. This study generally aims to obtain an overview of the certification program, implementation, evaluation, constraints and future solutions in improving the performance of SMA / SMK Islamic Religious Education teachers in Bogor Regency. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the objectives and programs, implementation, evaluation, constraints and solutions in the future to improve the performance of Islamic Education teachers of SMA / SMK in Bogor Regency through optimization of the PAI teacher certification function. This research uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive analysis method. Data collection was carried out through observation, interviews and documentation study. The results showed that the improvement of the performance of PAI SMA / SMK teachers in Bogor Regency through the teacher certification program has been implemented, and has had an optimal impact. This is shown, among others, by the level of teacher discipline in implementing learning at least 24 hours a week, being active in participating in training activities, workshops and educational seminars and improving the welfare of Islamic Education teachers. However, improving teacher performance is still constrained by both internal and external constraints. Internal constraints include low understanding, skills and motivation to carry out their main tasks and functions as educators. Meanwhile, the external obstacle is that the supervision of principals, supervisors and related agencies is still not optimal in an effort to improve teacher performance. The recommendations of this study include: the government needs to finance the implementation of the Teacher Professional Improvement program, apply strict discipline by making regulations for certified teachers, and the existence of cooperation between various parties in encouraging the teacher certification program. This is done by implementing strategic management in planning, implementing, evaluating and supervising the effectiveness of the certification program.
Primary immunodeficiency and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis: pathophysiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches.
Authors: Egri Natalia , Esteve-Solé Ana , Deyà-Martínez Àngela , Ortiz de Landazuri Iñaki , Vlagea Alexandru , Garcia AP , Cardozo Celia , Garcia-Vidal Carolina , San Bartolomé Clara , Español-Rego Marta , Yiyi L , Bosch-Amate Xavier , Ferrando J , Yagüe Jordi , Juan Manel , Alsina Laia
Published: January 2021

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is characterized by a chronic or recurrent non invasive infection, mainly due to Candida albicans , in skin, nails, and mucous membranes, associated in some cases with autoimmune manifestations. The key immune defect is disruption of the action of cytokine IL-17, whose most common genetic etiology is STAT1 gene gain-of function (GOF) mutations. The initial appropriate treatment for fungal infections is with azoles. However, frequent occurrence of drug resistance is the main limitation. Therefore, identification of the underlying inborn error if immunity in CMC may allow widening therapeutic options aimed at restoring immunological function. Type I and II Janus Kinase -inhibitors have been shown to control CMC in cases associated with STAT1 GOF. In this review, we delve into the pathogenesis of CMC and the underlying immune mechanisms. We describe the reported genetic defects in which CMC is the main manifestation. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for these patients are also offered.
Prevalence of recurrent wheezing in infants and toddlers in Barbados: findings from a prospective study of a cohort of babies born during 2015–2017
Authors: Kumar Alok , Singh Prerna , Belgrave Nico
Published: January 2021

Objectives: The main objective was to determine the prevalence of recurrent wheezing (RW) among infants and toddlers as well as the prevalence of asthma predictive risk factors among those with RW.
Materials and methods: A prospective study of a cohort of babies recruited after their birth during July 2015–June 2017. Mothers were contacted using the WhatsApp messaging system for digital follow-up on their baby’s condition at 3-monthly intervals until they were 18 months old. Information on wheezing and its correlates were collected by digital follow-up and corroborated at an in-person interview and examination of their baby at 18 months of age. Recurrent wheezing was defined as more than three episodes of wheezing or its correlates during the follow-up period.
Results: There were 338 males (41.5%) and 476 (58.5%) females. Overall, 31.1% (95% CI = 27.9%, 34.4%) had RW by 18 months and the same number had RW during their first year of life. Of the infants with RW, 121 (47.8%; 95% CI = 41.6, 54.2) had at least one or both of the major criteria and/or at least two minor criteria of the stringent Asthma Predictive Index (API). Of those with RW, 32.0% received antihistamine and 20% had received antibiotics on their last visit to a physician for wheezing or symptoms of cough, cold, and/or breathing difficulty.
Conclusions: Nearly a third of infants and toddlers had RW and nearly half of the infants with RW had risk factors fulfilling the criteria of the stringent API.
Prevalence of allergic disorders and risk factors associated with food allergy in Turkish preschoolers
Authors: Aksoy Ayşen Genç , Boran Perran , Karakoc-Aydiner Elif , Gokcay Gulbin , Ulker Tamay Zeynep , Devecioglu Esra , Baris Safa , Ozen Ahmet
Published: January 2021

Background: The prevalence of allergic disorders is on the rise, affecting about 10% of the population. In this retrospective cohort, we investigated prevalence of allergic disorders, associated risk factors, and the outcome of food allergies. 
Material and methods: We analyzed data from birth cohorts of two university hospitals’ well-child outpatient clinics. Factors related to onset and type of allergic diseases were assessed from demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical data. 
Results: Analyses were performed on 949 (431F/518M) infants at a mean current age of 28±6 months. Any allergic disease was established among 177 cases (22%); atopic dermatitis in 123 (12.8%), respiratory allergies in 55 (5.7%), and food allergy in 41 (4.3%). The risk for allergic disorders was found to be significantly increased for male gender (OR: 2.31, 95% CI; 1.54–3.46), and positive parental atopy (OR: 1.94, 95% CI; 1.31–2.86). The risk of food allergies was significantly higher in the male gender (OR: 2.47, 95% CI; 1.21–5.02), who consumed egg-white between 6 and 12 months (OR: 2.34, 95% CI; 1.22–4.48), and who were formula-fed before 6 months (OR: 2.16, 95% CI; 1.14–4.10). We found no significant association between the rate of food allergy outgrowth or food induced-anaphylaxis with regards to the timing of introducing egg-white into the diet. 
Conclusions: Although the introduction of egg-white into infant diet at 6–12 months of life appeared as an independent risk for any food allergy, none of the patients developed anaphylaxis. Age at symptom onset and outgrowing food allergy were similar compared to those introduced egg-white after 12 months. We recommend promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life, and avoidance of prolonged restrictive diets for children with food allergy.
22q11.2 deletion syndrome: 20 years of experience from two pediatric immunology units and review of clues for diagnosis and disease management
Authors: Ozen Selime , Akcal Omer , Taskirdi Ilke , Haci Idil Akay , Edeer Karaca Neslihan , Gulez Nesrin , Aksu Guzide , Genel Ferah , Kutukculer Necil
Published: January 2021

Introduction and objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients diagnosed with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and determine the clues directing to diagnosis and evaluation of immunological findings for excellent management of the disease.
Material and methods: Thirty-three pediatric patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome diag-nosed between 1998 and 2019 at Pediatric Immunology Division of Ege University Faculty of Medicine and SBU Izmir Dr Behcet Uz Children’s Education and Research Hospital were evaluated.
Results: This study includes the largest case series reported from Turkey. Congenital car-diac anomalies were the most common pathology associated with the syndrome (90.9%). Hypocalcemic symptoms were observed in 13 patients (40%). Twenty-two of the 33 (66.6%) patients were diagnosed before two years of age. Autoimmune diseases, dysmorphic facial findings, recurrent infections, growth retardation, and speech impairment were other clues for diagnosis in older patients. Clinical spectrum and immunological abnormalities of this syn-drome are quite variable. All T-cell subset counts were less than 5th percentile below median by age in one patient (3%) and 10 patients had normal all T-cell subset counts (30.3%). Overall, 69.6% of the patients had normal IgG, IgA, and IgM levels and two patients had panhypogam-maglobulinemia. Recurrent infections were revealed in 75.7% of the patients during follow-up.
Conclusions: Presence of cardiac anomaly is more helpful in the diagnosis, especially under two years of age. Patients with immunologically high or standard risk did not show any differ-ence in terms of numbers and severity of infections and autoimmunity.
Abnormalities in subsets of B and T cells in Mexican patients with inborn errors of propionate metabolism: observations from a single-center case series
Authors: Medina-Torrez E.A. , Vela-Amieva M , Galindo-Campos L , Ibarra-González I , Espinosa-Padilla S , Guillén-López S , López-Mejía L , Fernández-Lainez C.
Published: January 2021

Background: Propionate inborn errors of metabolism (PIEM), including propionic (PA) and methylmalonic (MMA) acidemias, are inherited metabolic diseases characterized by toxic accumulation of propionic, 3-hydroxypropionic, methylcitric, and methylmalonic organic acids in biological fluids, causing recurrent acute metabolic acidosis events and encephalopathy, which can lead to fatal outcomes if managed inadequately. PIEM patients can develop hematological abnormalities and immunodeficiency, either as part of the initial clinical presentation or as chronic complications. The origin and characteristics of these abnormalities have been studied poorly. Thus, the aim of the present work was to evaluate and describe lymphoid, myeloid, and erythroid cell population profiles in a group of clinically stable PIEM patients.
Methods: This was a retrospective study of 11 nonrelated Mexican PIEM patients. Clinical, biochemical, nutritional, hematological, and lymphocyte subsets were analyzed.
Results: Despite being considered clinically stable, 91% of patients had hematological or immunological abnormalities. The absolute lymphocyte subset counts were low in all patients but one, with CD4+ T-cell lymphopenia, being the most common one. Furthermore, of the 11 studied subjects, nine presented with a low CD4/CD8 ratio. Among the observed hematological alterations, bicytopenia was the most common (82%) one, followed by anemia (27%).
Conclusion: Our results contribute to the landscape of immunological abnormalities observed previously in PIEM patients; these abnormalities can become a life-threatening chronic com-plications because of the increased risk of opportunistic diseases. These findings allow us to propose the inclusion of monitoring immune biomarkers, such as subsets of lymphocytes in the follow up of PIEM patients.
Revaccination following suspected vaccine triggered hypersensitivity reactions: experience of a tertiary care centre
Authors: Ertugrul Aysegul , Cavkaytar Ozlem , Bostanci Ilknur , Ozmen Serap
Published: January 2021

Introduction and objectives: Suspected hypersensitivity reactions (HRs) associated with vaccines are frequently reported, but confirmed cases of vaccine-triggered HRs are rare. Suspected HRs should be distinguished from actual HRs. The aims of this study are to identify the rate of actual vaccine-triggered hypersensitivity in patients who were referred to the paediatric allergy clinic due to a suspected HR and to explore the rate of revaccination in a real clinical setting.
Materials and methods: A retrospective study was performed with a group of preschool children who were evaluated by skin and/or provocation tests (PTs) for the suspected HRs following vaccination.
Results: A total of 26 paediatric patients (61.5% male; median age 9 months) with a previous history of suspected vaccine-triggered HR were included. In this group, 69.2% and 38.5% of the patients had a pre-existing atopic disease and an immediate reaction (emerging <1 hour after vaccine administration), respectively. Skin rash was the most frequent clinical presentation (96.1%). Vaccine-triggered anaphylaxis was reported in six patients (23.1%). Measles-mumps-rubella was the most frequently suspected vaccine causing HRs. The skin test positivity with the suspected vaccine was 4%, whereas PTs revealed no reaction after reimmunisation in 76.9% (20/26) of the study participants tested.
Conclusions: Most incidents of skin rashes after immunisation are not suggestive of actual HRs. The results in the current study showed that the majority of the patients presenting with suspected HRs tolerated revaccination, including those with a previous history of suspected anaphylaxis. Revaccination of these patients is safe with adequate precautions. It is absolutely essential to be equipped for the management of anaphylaxis.
Managing food allergy immunotherapy in children during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Barni Simona , Giovannini Mattia , Sarti Lucrezia , Liccioli Giulia , Biagioni Benedetta , Novembre Elio , Mori Francesca
Published: January 2021

Food allergy immunotherapy is a promising allergen-specific approach to manage food allergy in children, although it is not exempt from adverse events, even severe. The adverse events are not predictable and furthermore co-factors can play a role in triggering them. During the COVID- 19 pandemic, patients on food allergy immunotherapy should be provided with suggestions on how to proceed in the event of COVID-19 infection occurring or is suspected. These recommendations would be of support to clinical practitioners dealing with patients on food allergy immunotherapy since there is little data in the literature on the topic.
Hygiene hypothesis: association between hygiene and asthma among preschool children in Lebanon
Authors: Hallit Souheil , Sacre Hala , Kheir Nelly , Hobeika Eva , Hallit Rabih , Waked Mirna , Salameh Pascale
Published: January 2021

Objectives: To validate a scale to assess the hygiene hypothesis and the association between hygiene and asthma among Lebanese preschool children aged 3–5 years.
Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted between November 2018 and March 2019, enrolled 515 preschool children. Asthma and potential risk factors, including hygiene, were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. A specific hygiene hypothesis scale has been gen-erated and validated for this purpose.
Results: The hygiene hypothesis scale items converged over a solution of nine factors that had an Eigenvalue over 1, explaining a total of 65.86% of the variance. An acceptable Cronbach’s alpha value was recorded for the hygiene hypothesis scale (0.696). Variables correlated with higher odds of asthma were male gender (ORa = 0.41 for females), living near a prairie sprayed with pesticides (ORa = 3.09), having a heating system in the bedroom compared to the sitting room (ORa = 9.97), attending kindergarten (ORa = 2.80), having a mother who smokes water-pipe compared to not smoking (ORa = 3.34), having a mother with a history of asthma (ORa = 5.50), and having respiratory infections (ORa = 14.72). However, the hygiene hypothesis score was not associated with higher odds of asthma (p = 0.881).
Conclusions: The current results suggested that neither home cleaning nor personal cleanliness was correlated with asthma in preschool children. Larger prospective studies that measure the intensity and duration of exposure to each toxicant are suggested to better assess the hygiene hypothesis items and their association with asthma.
Household pollution and COVID-19: irrelevant association?
Authors: Urrutia-Pereira Marilyn , Mello-da-Silva Carlos Augusto , Solé Dirceu
Published: January 2021

Evidence supports the link between air pollution and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, exposure to indoor pollution (IDP) is likely to be associated with the disease. The poor, refugees, and migrant workers who live in feeble conditions are the most vulnerable. The pandemic has caused many people to remain indoors, especially at-risk individuals (e.g., the elderly, diabetics, obese, cardiac, and chronic lung disease patients). Home isolation may be an underlying factor to other health problems among these populations if the place where they are socially isolating is not adequately ventilated. Therefore, understanding the consequences of the relationship between IDP and the COVID-19 pandemic is essential.
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 using real-time polymerase chain reaction in different clinical specimens: A critical review
Authors: Muhammad Anees , Ameer Hajira , Adnan Haider Syed , Ali Ihsan
Published: January 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus named as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Globally, since the outbreak, more than seven million confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported. The rapid spread and increase in the number of new cases is due to person-to-person transmission. To further control its transmission, early laboratory diagnosis of both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients is crucial. Presently, the COVID-19 diagnosis of infected individuals is dependent on computed tomography scanning and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The latter is considered more sensitive and efficient for early diagnosis. In this review, general comparisons are made (cases, fatality rate, incubation period, clinical features, and reservoirs) and diag-nostic laboratory procedures (specimens, extraction methods, and positive rates by real-time PCR) are compared between SARS, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, and SARS-2. In total, 8982 SARS-2 suspected patients specimen data were retrieved, in which 40.9% (n = 3678) were detected as positive by real-time PCR. The specimen-wise high detection rate was observed from bronchoalveolar lavage, followed by saliva, nasal swabs, and sputum. As the COVID-19 cases are persistently increasing, the selection of appropriate specimens and laboratory assay would help in rapid and timely diagnosis.
On the Decomposition of Abstract Dialectical Frameworks and the Complexity of Naive-based Semantics
Authors: Gaggl Sarah Alice , Rudolph Sebastian , Straß Hannes
Published: January 2021

Abstract dialectical frameworks (ADFs) are a recently introduced powerful generalization of Dung’s popular abstract argumentation frameworks (AFs). Inspired by similar work for AFs, we introduce a decomposition scheme for ADFs, which proceeds along the ADF’s strongly connected components. We find that, for several semantics, the decompositionbased version coincides with the original semantics, whereas for others, it gives rise to a new semantics. These new semantics allow us to deal with pertinent problems such as odd-length negative cycles in a more general setting, that for instance also encompasses logic programs. We perform an exhaustive analysis of the computational complexity of these new, so-called naive-based semantics. The results are quite interesting, for some of them involve little-known classes of the so-called Boolean hierarchy (another hierarchy in between classes of the polynomial hierarchy). Furthermore, in credulous and sceptical entailment, the complexity can be different depending on whether we check for truth or falsity of a specific statement.
The Efficacy and Safety of a Radial Approach versus a Distal Radial Approach for Diagnostic Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis v1
Authors: Izumida Toshihide , Watanabe Jun , Yoshida Ryo , Kotani Kazuhiko
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND The traditional radial approach (RA) is recommended as the standard method for coronary angiography (CAG), while a distal radial approach (DRA) has recently been used for CAG. AIM The aim of this study will be to assess the efficacy and safety of DRA versus RA during CAG. METHODS The following databases will be searched through December 2020: MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Platform Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov. Individual randomized-controlled trials for adult patients undergoing cardiac catheterization will be included. The primary outcomes will be the successful cannulation rate and the incidence of radial artery spasm (RAS) and radial artery occlusion (RAO). Study selection, data abstraction and quality assessment will be independently performed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.
A cross-sectional study on the correlation between postnatal foot length and various other anthropometric parameters along with the gestational age
Authors:   Junior resident, Department of Paediatrics, Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Puducherry, India, Arun Raj Dr. Abhinaya , Maheswari Dr. K. ,   Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Puducherry, India
Published: January 2021

Introduction: This study was done to assess the utility of foot length in determining theanthropometric parameters of a newborn in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Materials andMethods: This cross-sectional study among 270 newborns were done at Sri Venkateswaraa medicalcollege hospital and research centre, from Nov 2018 to May 2020. All the healthy live newbornswere taken into the study and newborns with congenital lower limb anomalies were excluded.Results: The mean birth weight of the neonate 2.948+0.344 kg which ranged from 2.050 kg to3.750kg. The mean foot length, head circumference and chest circumference of the foot length was8.113+0.468 cm, 48.989+1.093 cm, 34.437+0.659 cm and 32.372+0.734 cm respectively. The footlength had a maximum correlation with birth weight (r-value=0.905) followed by gestational age (r-value=0.809), length (r-value=0.786), head circumference (r-value=0.719) and chest circumference(r-value=0.603). Conclusion: Foot length had a significant correlation with birth weight andgestational age of the neonates. Foot length also correlated significantly with other anthropometricvariables like length, head circumference and chest circumference.
Screening for fecal occult blood loss in severely malnourished children
Authors:   Assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics, M. P. Shah medical college, Jamnagar, India, Malde Dr. Triya , Pabani Dr. Gaurang ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, GMERS Medical College and Civil Hospital, Sola, Ahmedabad, Gujrat, India, Mirza Dr. Mohmmad Shahid M ,   Kidzcare hospital, Sun pharma road, Vadodra, Gujrat, India, Shukla Dr. Om Prakash ,   Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Baroda medical college., SSG Hospital, Vadodra, Gujrat, India
Published: January 2021

Introduction: PEM is the most important and basic hurdle in the triple-M complex of malnutrition,morbidity, and mortality. Very high mortality has been reported in severe PEM. PEM is found toaccount for about 4 million deaths in children. The study aimed to perform a fecal occult blood testin patients in the age group of six months to five years and also to identify the conditions associatedwith fecal occult blood loss in pem patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 indoor patientsof PEM admitted in our pediatric ward were taken as subjects in this study. According to WHO andIAP classification of PEM, severe malnutrition (marasmus, kwashiorkor, and marasmic kwashiorkor)were taken as study group; and mild grades of PEM (grade I and grade II) were taken as a controlgroup. Results: In severe PEM, marasmus (83%) was more common followed by kwashiorkor(14%) and marasmic kwashiorkor (3%); however in mild grades of PEM, grade I PEM was found in58% and grade II PEM was found in 42%. In severe PEM, pallor (64%), hair changes (38%), andtachypnoea(31%) were major clinical signs; while tachypnoea(36%), dehydration (26%), and pallor(20%} were major clinical signs in patients with mild grades of PEM. Conclusion: A positive fecaloccult blood test (FOBT) is strongly associated with moderate to severe anemia in severe PEMpatients. So all patients having a positive FOBT should have a hemogram profile done and thenappropriately treated for anemia.
Gender Label-Based Analysis on the Causes of Diabetes in Internet Population
Authors: Yuxiang Zhang, Dachuan Zheng, Weixia Liu, Zhongyan Lin
Published: January 2021

This paper analyzes and investigates lifestyle, life quality, etc. of male and female Internet populations to find the factors that affect prevalence of diabetes among populations. Through factor analysis, it is concluded that male and female groups differ greatly inlifestyle, among which smoking frequency is a more prominent factor. By constructing a Logistic model of different genders according to the factor scores, importance of each influencing factor is analyzed, concluding that medical history factor is a significant factor among male group, while age, lifestyle factors, and BMI index are prominent factors among the female group. The factors influencing prevalence of the male and female groups include age, lifestyle and education level. It suggests that to alleviate the disease among the population, we should first focus on health of the middle-aged and elderly people. At the same time, we need raise people’s health awareness, popularize health knowledge, advocate concept of moderate exercise and diet control.
Research on the Relationship between Economic Growth, Environmental Governance Investment and Carbon Emission--Based on the Time Series Data from 2000 to 2019
Authors: Xiaohui Wang, Xin Zhang
Published: January 2021

The study on the relationship between investment in environmental governance, carbon emission and economic growth is helpful for the relevant government departments to coordinate the influence among them when formulating the policies of reducing emission and conserving energy, so as to take the comparative advantages of various factors and promote the benign interaction between economic development and environmental governance. In this paper, the data of Per capita GDP, per capita investment in environmental governance and per capita CARBON dioxide emissions in China from 2000 to 2019 are selected as the research basis, and variables are studied by means of Granger causality and impulse response function. As shown in the results, there is a single Granger relationship between investment in environmental governance and carbon emissions, that is, the increase of investment in environmental governance leads to the reduction of carbon emissions. The influence of economic growth on environmental governance investment is small, but in the long term, it can restrain the growth of carbon emissions. Investment in environmental governance can promote economic growth and stimulate a reduction in the emissions in the short term; Economic growth was hindered by the emissions in the long term and fail to stimulate increased investment in environmental governance. Based on these findings, this paper proposes policy Suggestions for optimizing the structure of environmental governance investment, improving the carbon emission monitoring and response mechanism, and strengthening the technological level of energy conservation and emission reduction.
Research on the Prosperity of Private Economy Based on Fuzzy Theory
Authors: Chun Yang, Kaiman Ou, Shaoyong Hong
Published: January 2021

The private economy is the driving force and energy to promote the sustainable and healthy development of the economy and society. To ensure the sustainability and stability of the private economy, it is of great significance to try to analyze and investigate the detection and early warning of the private economy for the economic management departments to formulate corresponding macro-control policies in a timely and accurate manner. Taking Guangzhou for an example, this paper constructs a monitoring index system based on the data obtained from a questionnaire survey of 88 private enterprises in the 11 districts of Guangzhou, combined with the current situation of the private economy. In this monitoring index system, the analytic hierarchy process is used to obtain the weight of each monitoring index, and the fuzzy mathematics theory is used to establish a monitoring model of the economic prosperity of the private enterprises. It turns out that the private economy in Guangzhou is increasingly developing currently. The Economic management departments can adjust economic policies in accordance with the current index.
The main prognostic factors influencing the results of the superior tarsal muscle resection in patients with blepharoptosis
Authors: Goltsman Elena V. , Potemkin Vitaly V. , Davydov Dmitriy V.
Published: January 2021

Transconjunctival methods of ptosis correction gain popularity nowadays. The wide use of the technique is limited because of the lack of clear recommendations regarding the volume of the resection, especially in patients with negative phenylephrine test.

Purpose. To assess the influence of main predictive factors on superior tarsal muscle (STM) resection result.

Materials and methods. Patients were divided into two groups according to the result of phenylephrine test (PE). Patients with positive results were included in the first group, with negative and weak results in the second group. All patients underwent STM resection according our new algorithm.

Results. The result of STM resection was influenced by PE test and intraoperative white line motility test (WLM), but not by levator function and the amount of superior tarsal muscle resection.

Conclusions. PE and WLM tests play main role in choosing a method for blepharoptosis correcting.
Autotranslocation of the pigment epithelium-choroid complex in treatment of age-related macular degeneration scarring stage
Authors: Sosnovskii Sergei V. , Boiko Ernest V. , Oskanov Dzhambulat Kh.
Published: January 2021

The gold standard of the neovascular age-related macular degeneration treatment is the intravitreal administration of angiogenesis inhibitors. In subretinal macular fibrosis, antiangiogenic therapy is not effective. In such cases, subretinal surgery is used, in particular, autotranslocation of pigment epithelium-choroid complex. This paper presents a case of successful use of this method in a 77 y.o. female patient with subretinal fibrosis in the macular area as an outcome of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. An original method of translocation of pedicled pigment epithelium-choroid complex from the paramacular area to the macula was used. In 24 months, the visual acuity increased from 0.01 to 0.07; the central fixation was restored; the absolute positive central scotoma disappeared. During all the post-operative follow-up period, the full-rate pigment epithelium-choroid perfusion in the choroid of the translocated flap, the loss of choroidal neovascularization activity signs and of indications for intravitreal administration of angiogenesis inhibitors were proved.
Corneal collagen cross-linking in mixed etiology keratitis treatment: a case of successful use
Authors: Khripun Kirill V. , Kobinets Yulia V. , Danilov Pavel A. , Rozhdestvenskaya Elizaveta S. , Nizametdinova Yulduz Sh.
Published: January 2021

Acanthamoeba keratitis with bacterial, fungal superinfection or without it leads to development of an aggressive and long-standing corneal inflammation; up to now, the efficacy of its treatment stays doubtful and demands further investigation. For a long time, there were discussions on the possibility and expediency of corneal collagen cross-linking (PACK-CXL photo activated chromophore for keratitis) in patients with bacterial, fungal and Acanthamoeba keratitis. This article presents a clinical case of effective treatment of mixed etiology keratitis by multiple high fluence accelerated PACK-CXL in a patient with severe local toxico-allergic reaction.
Optical reconstructive surgery of the anterior segment of the eye in the far eastern federal district – achievements and unsolved problems
Authors: Kolenko Oleg V. , Dyachenko Yurii N. , Sorokin Evgenii L. , Pshenichnov Maxim V.
Published: January 2021

The aim was to analyze organizational and technical difficulties in introducing modern technologies of optical reconstructive surgery, and to find the options of their elimination.
Materials and methods. Organizational arrangements to develop and to introduce into clinical practice modern technologies of optical reconstructive surgery in treatment of corneal opacities of different origin in the Khabarovsk branch of the S. Fedorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation has been analyzed.
Results and conclusions. An unified register of patients of the Far Eastern Federal district who need optical keratoplasty (bullous keratopathies, keratoconus stages 34, post-traumatic leukomas, hereditary corneal dystrophies) a waiting list has been created. The necessary equipment and instruments were acquired, 4 surgeons were trained who mastered the technologies of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and Descemet membrane transplantation along with penetrating keratoplasty. From 2014 to 2018, 160 optical keratoplasty were performed using donor material; by 2019, the need for this type of high-tech treatment has been reduced by 2 times. To date, more than 30% of optical keratoplasties are performed using lamellar technology. The organizational sequence of ordering biological material, performing surgeries; the postoperative care system is got up and running; the outpatient departmentsophthalmologists of the region are trained to use clear objective criteria for dynamic follow-up of these patients.
Optical coherence tomography of pseudophakic eyes after primary posterior capsulorhexis in pseudoexfoliation syndrome
Authors: Egorova Elena V. , Dulidova Veronika V. , Chernykh Valery V.
Published: January 2021

Purpose to study vitreolenticular interface (VLI) and central retinal thickness after primary posterior capsulorhexis (PPC) in pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX).
Material and methods. We conducted a dynamic OCT-evaluation of the macular morphology (47 cases) and of the VLI (39 cases) in patients with PEX in early and long term period after uncomplicated cataract surgery with PPC. In the long term period a comparative OCT-evaluation of the macula was performed in 129 patients with PEX (159 eyes) in different groups: after phacoemulsification with and without PPC, after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy for secondary cataract, and in the control group of non-operated eyes.
Results. The OCT-evaluation made it possible to visualize two significant features of VLI after PPC intact anterior hyaloid and restoration of the capsule barrier. It took 38 days for full adhesion. Secondary cataract in the PPC area was detected in one case in the long-term period. Dynamic OCT-evaluation of the macula in the main group revealed a statistically unreliable increase in the macular thickness (3.4%) in post-op period at 13 months with subsequent regression. Such changes were within the limits of physiological norm. In the remote period, comparative OCT-evaluation of the macula in different groups did not reveal statistically significant differences with the control group.
Conclusion. OCT-evaluation at different post-op terms revealed the formation of stable vitreolenticular relationships and absence of clinically significant macular edema. Secondary cataract in the PPC area was detected only in one case.