bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skin Rash Following Administration of Apalutamide in Japanese Patients with Advanced Prostate Cancer: An Integrated Analysis of the Phase 3 SPARTAN and TITAN Studies and a Phase 1 Open-Label Study
Authors: Uemura Hiroji , Koroki Yosuke , Iwaki Yuki , Imanaka Keiichiro , Kambara Takeshi , Lopez-Gitlitz Angela , Smith Andressa , Uemura Hirotsugu
Published: July 2020

Background: A higher incidence of apalutamide-related skin rash has been observed in Japanese patients with prostate cancer (PC). Methods: This integrated analysis of data of Japanese patients from 2 global Phase 3 studies, SPARTAN (NCT01946204; patients with non‑metastatic castration-resistant PC [nmCRPC]) and TITAN (NCT02489318; patients with metastatic castration-sensitive PC [mCSPC]), and the Phase 1 study 56021927PCR1008 (NCT02162836; patients with metastatic CRPC [mCRPC]), assessed clinical risk factors of apalutamide-related skin rash as well as the potential correlation with plasma exposure to apalutamide. Kaplan-Meier method was used for time-to-event analyses. Clinical risk factors for skin rash were assessed using odds ratio. Results: Data from 68 patients ( SPARTAN: n=34, TITAN: n=28, 56021927PCR1008: n=6) receiving apalutamide 240 mg orally once-daily were analyzed. Rash (13 [19.1%]) and maculo-papular rash (11 [16.2%]) were the most frequently reported skin rash. All Grade and Grade 3 skin rash occurred in 35 (51.5%) and 10 (14.7%) patients, respectively. Most (85.7%) skin rash occurred within 4 months of apalutamide initiation and resolved in a median time of 1 month following the use of antihistamines, topical or systemic corticosteroids, with/without apalutamide dose interruptions/reductions. Median time-to-remission of first incidence of rash and maximum grade incidence of rash were 1.0 month (IQR: 0.36-1.81) and 1.0 month (IQR: 0.30-2.43), respectively. No significant clinical risk factors for the incidence of skin rash were observed. Areas under the curve (0-24 hours) (AUC 0-24, ss ) at steady‑state of plasma apalutamide concentration were numerically slightly higher in patients with skin rash than those without. Conclusions: No clinical risk factors for rash could be detected. There is a potential correlation between incidence of skin rash and plasma exposure to apalutamide. In general, apalutamide‑related skin rash is easily managed, with appropriate treatment with or without dose adjustment.
Influence of chronic kidney disease on early clinical outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Li Xihui , Zhang Siyu , Xiao Feng
Published: July 2020

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a high incidence of coronary heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in these patients. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) significantly increases short-term mortality and decreases long-term mortality in patients with CKD compared with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The effect of CKD on the early outcomes of off-pump CABG is not well-studied. We aimed to investigate the effect of CKD on early postoperative mortality and complications following CABG. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed preoperative baseline and surgery data for 1173 patients undergoing off-pump CABG from January 2010 to December 2017 in the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Peking University First Hospital. Outpatient follow-up was performed until 30 days postoperatively. Patients with estimated glomerular filtration rates calculated according to the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation of ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were assigned to the normal renal function group (normal group, n=924), and those with a rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were assigned to the CKD group (CKD group, n=249). Results: Patients in the CKD group were seriously ill with multiple complications, and postoperative 30-day mortality and complication rates were significantly higher than those in the normal group. In the logistic regression analysis, after correcting for common confounding factors, namely sex, age, and left ventricular ejection fraction, preoperative CKD was a risk factor for postoperative acute kidney injury, perioperative myocardial infarction, gastrointestinal bleeding, secondary tracheal intubation, stroke, chest wound infection, prolonged mechanical ventilation (≥ 24 h), prolonged intensive care unit stay (≥ 72 h), prolonged length of stay (≥ 14 d), dialysis requirement, and postoperative death within 30 days.Conclusions: Patients with CKD had more preoperative complications, and their postoperative 30-day mortality and complication rates after off-pump CABG were significantly higher than those of patients with normal renal function. For CABG patients with CKD, the risk of surgery should be assessed carefully, and comprehensive measures should be taken to strengthen perioperative management, with an aim to reduce complications and mortality and improve surgical outcomes.
Clinical observation of short-term on primary pars plana vitrectomy without perfluorocarbon fluids under the wide-angle observation system in treatment rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with PVR ≦C2
Authors: Wang Qichang , Cheng Bei , Peng Xin , Zhang Shanshan , Su Yueyan , Zeng Jiaojiao
Published: July 2020

Background: To observe the short-term efficacy of vitrectomy for wide-angle observation system without perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL )in the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD) with Proliferative vitreous retinopathy (PVR ) ≦C2.Methods: Retrospective analysis of the case data of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment who did not use or use perfluorocarbon liquid during vitrectomy, including age, sex, course of disease, PVR classification, preoperative and stepwise best corrected positive vision , Perfluorocarbon liquid in the perfluorocarbon liquid group, the reposition state of the retina, the difference in visual acuity recovery and retina reset rate within and between groups.Results: There was no statistically significant difference in baseline data (age, sex, course of disease, PVR grade) between the non-perfluorocarbon liquid group and the perfluorocarbon liquid group (P> 0.05). The rate of initial reset at the time of discharge from the non-perfluorocarbon liquid group was 92.9%. The retinal reposition rate at 6 months after surgery was 100%. The rate of initial reduction at discharge was 93.5% in the group using perfluorocarbon liquid, and the final retinal reduction rate at 6 months after surgery was 100%. There was no statistically significant difference in logMAR BCVA of postoperative follow-up time between the two groups (P> 0.05). Without the use of perfluorocarbon liquid, there was no postoperative perfluorocarbon liquid residue, and the residual rate of perfluorocarbon liquid in the perfluorocarbon liquid group was 14.5%.Conclusion: Vitrectomy without the use of perfluorocarbon fluids under the wide-angle observation system is the first choice to treat rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with PVR≤C2.
Identifying conflict of interest disclosure in systematic reviews of surgical interventions and devices: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Yu Jiajie , Su Guanyue , Hirst Allison , Yang Zengyue , Zhang You , Li Youping
Published: July 2020

Background
Conflict of interest (COI) is an important source of bias in research and disclosure is the most frequent strategy to manage COI. Considering the importance of systematic reviews (SRs) and the prevalence of COI is varying among different research fields and the, we conducted a survey to identify the range of conflict of interest in SRs assessing surgical intervention and devices, and explored the association between COI disclosure and conclusion.
Methods
We retrieved SRs of surgical interventions and devices published in 2017 via PubMed. Information regarding general characteristics, funding source and COI disclosure were extracted. We conducted a descriptive analyses of study characteristics of included systematic reviews. The difference between groups in the authors’ conclusions were compared using the Chi-square test. Results were expressed as odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval.
Results
155 SRs were finally identified in 2017, more than half of SRs (58.7%) reported their funding source and 94.2% reported authors’ COI disclosure. Among 146 SRs that stated COI disclosures, only 35 (22.6%) SRs declared at least one author had a COI. More than 40 terms were used to describe COI. Cochrane SRs were more likely to provide a detail description of COI comparing with those in non-CSR (48.0% versus 25.4%, P = 0,023). No association between positive conclusion and COI disclosure was found (P = 0.484, OR = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.08, 2.16). In the subgroup analyses, SRs stating no COI disclosure were more likely to report positive conclusion than those stating at least one type of COI, but the difference is not significantly different (P = 0.406, OR = 1.38, 95%CI: 0.64, 2.98)
Conclusion
A high rate of COI disclosure without any detailed information. Although little impact of COI disclosure on author’ conclusions in SRs was found for limited sample, clear description of all potential COI is the best way to enhance the credibility of published scholarship and unbiased evidence-informed decision.
ApoD and ApoA-IV, novel proteomic components in HDL of diabetic kidney disease without dialysis
Authors: Santana Monique FM , Lira Aécio LA , Pinto Raphael , Minanni Carlos A , Silva Amanda RM , Sawada Maria IBAC , Nakandakare Edna R , Correa-Giannella Maria LC , Queiroz Marcia S , Ronsein Graziella E , Passarelli Marisa
Published: July 2020

Background and aims: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is associated with lipid derangements worsening kidney function and enhancing cardiovascular (CVD) risk. The management of dyslipidemia, hypertension and other traditional risk factors does not completely prevent CVD complications bringing up the participation of untraditional risk factors such as advanced glycation end products (AGEs), carbamoylation and changes in HDL proteome and functionality. We analyzed HDL composition, proteome, chemical modification and functionality in non-dialytic DKD subjects categorized according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin excretion rate (AER). Methods: DKD individuals were divided in eGFR>60 mL/min/1.73 m2 plus AER stages A1 and A2 (n=10) and eGFR<60 plus A3 (n=25) and matched by age with control subjects (eGFR>60; n=8). Results: Targeted proteomic analyses quantified 28 proteins associated with HDL in all groups, although only 2 were more expressed in eGFR<60+A3 group in comparison to controls: apolipoprotein D (apoD) and apoA-IV. HDL from eGFR<60+A3 presented higher levels of total AGEs (20%), pentosidine (6.3%) and carbamoylation (4.2 x) and a reduced ability in removing 14C-cholesterol from macrophages (33%) in comparison to controls. The antioxidant role of HDL (lag time for LDL oxidation) was similar among groups but HDL from eGFR<60+A3 presented a higher ability in inhibiting the secretion of IL6 and TNF alpha (95%) in LPS-elicited macrophages in comparison to control group. Conclusion: The increment in ApoD and ApoA-IV seems to counteract the HDL chemical modification by AGE and carbamoylation that contributes for HDL loss of function in well-established DKD.
Worries and Concerns of Healthcare Workers About COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Care Setting With a Previous MERS-COV Outbreak Experience
Authors: Abolfotouh Mostafa A. , Almutairi Adel F. , BaniMustafa Ala'a A. , Hussein Mohamed A.
Published: July 2020

BackgroundCovid-19 was declared by the WHO as a worldwide pandemic on 11 March 2020. As of 11th June, 2020, Saudi Arabia had 112,288 infected cases, with 77,954 recoveries and 819 deaths. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at higher risk of acquiring and transmitting this virus, so the concerns of HCWs in Saudi Arabia regarding Covid-19 were evaluated in comparison with their concerns about the previous MERS-CoV outbreak.Methods.HCWs at three tertiary hospitals in Saudi Arabia were surveyed via email, by a concern scale about Covid-19 pandemic during 15–30 April, 2020. Concerns of disease severity, governmental efforts to contain it and disease outcomes were assessed using 32 concern statements in five distinct domains. Multiple regression analyses were used to identify predictors of high concern scores.Results.A total of 844 HCW responded to the survey. Their average age was 40.4 ± 9.5 years, 40.3% were nurses, 58.2% had direct patient contact, and 77.3% were living with family members and/or others. The majority of participants (72.1%) had an overall concern score of 55 or less out of a maximum score of 96 points. Three-fourth of respondents felt at risk of contracting Covid-19 infection at work, 69.1% felt threatened if a colleague contracted Covid-19, 69.9% felt obliged to care for patients infected with Covid-19 while 27.7% did not feel safe at work using the standard precautions. Nearly all HCWs believed that the government should isolate patients with Covid-19 in specialized hospitals (92.9%), agreed with travel restriction to/from areas affected by Covid-19 (94.7%) and felt safe government implemented curfew and movement restriction periods (93.6%). Predictors of high concern scores were; HCWs of Saudi nationality (p < 0.001), younger age (p = 0.003), undergraduate education (p = 0.044), living with others (p = 0.003) working in the western region (p = 0.003) and direct contact with patients (p = 0.018).Conclusions.The current study highlights the high concern among healthcare workers about Covid-19 and identifies the predictors of those with highest concern levels. To minimize the potential negative impact of those concerns on the performance of HCWs during pandemics, measures are necessary to enhance their protection and to minimize the psychological effect of the perceived risk of infection.
Young Women’s Preferences for Different Types of Sexual Relationships. Implications for Gender-Based Violence Prevention Programs and Policies.
Authors: Ruiz-Eugenio Laura , Racionero-Plaza Sandra , Duque-Sanchez Elena , Puigvert-Mallart Lidia
Published: July 2020

Background
Gender-based violence among young women is a growing problem worldwide. The consequences of this victimization have been well reported in the scientific literature, among which negative health outcomes stand out. The factors influencing this problem are many; one highlighted by research is socialization into a dominant coercive discourse that associates sexual-affective attraction to males with violent attitudes and behaviors, while in turn, such discourse empties males with egalitarian behaviors from sexual attractiveness. This coercive discourse may be shaping the sexual preferences of female youth. The current paper explores young women’s preferences for different types of sexual relationships and, more particularly, for what type of sexual affective relationships they coercively preferred men with violent attitudes and behavior.
Methods
A quantitative, mixed-design vignette study was conducted with 191 college females in Spain. We focused the analysis only on responses about vignettes including narratives of men with violent attitudes and behaviors. In addition, we examined whether participants would report higher coerced preferences for violent men when asked about the coerced preferences of their female friends than when asked about their own preferences.
Results
Only 28.95% of participants responded that their female friends would prefer a young man with violent behavior for a stable relationship, meanwhile 58.42% would do it for hooking up. When reporting about themselves, the difference was greater: 28.42% would prefer a young man with violent behavior for hooking up and just 5.78% for a stable relationship.
Conclusions
The dominant coercive discourse that links attractiveness to people with violent attitudes and behaviors may be explaining the results obtained in this study. The findings can help eliminate the stereotype largely adopted by some intervention and prevention programs which assume that gender-based violence occurs mainly in stable relationships, considering that falling in love is the reason that lead women to suffer from violence. Our results can also support health professionals and others serving young women to enhance their identification of gender violence victimization, as well as our findings point to the need to include the evidence of gender violence in sporadic relationships in prevention programs and campaigns addressed to young women.
Research on the Dynamic Compensation Method of the Shock Wave's Evaluation Pressure Sensor
Authors: Wang Wei
Published: July 2020

Due to the steep and changing fast rising edge of explosion shock wave signal, it asks for good dynamic characteristic of sensor and test system. As far as the development of the sensor level, they are difficult to achieve dynamic characteristic requirement of approximate distortionless transmission, so cause a large dynamic error in the actual test. This paper, aiming at providing theoretical support for technology guarantee and service of the shock wave testing system of national shooting range, conducts a research on the method of dynamic characteristic compensation of pressure sensor facing the power evaluation of the blast shock wave. The research proposes and studies the filter design method of dynamic compensation of pressure sensor based on PFQPSO (the progressive function quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization) algorithm, which belongs to inverse modeling. The dynamic compensation can be realized without knowing the model of sensor, so the extra error caused by dynamic modeling of sensors can be avoided. using 8510 series sensor can be used with lower natural frequency and lower measurement range from Endevco Company, this research has had experiment and modeling on the dynamic characteristics of shock tubes as well as design of dynamic compensation filter. Based on the analysis and confirmation, this study illustrates the possibility and effectiveness of this method.
Allografts with titanium cage in the treatment of tuberculous spondylitis: at least 3-year follow-up study
Authors: Wang Yanjun , Zhang Hong
Published: July 2020

Background Anterior radical debridement and spinal fusion with instrumentation have been advocated in treating the spinal tuberculosis patients. But there are few long-term studies on the efficacy of fresh-frozen allografts with titanium cage in reconstruction of the anterior spinal column after debridement and decompression for tuberculosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of anterior allografts with titanium cage which were stabilized with anterior or posterior instrumentation at least 3-year follow-up study.Methods A retrospective analysis of 133 patients were treated between January 2002 and December 2012. There were 71 men and 62 women. Those patients were evaluated according to clinical and radiographical record for a minimum of 3 year, including deformity correction, pain and neurologic status. The kyphosis deformity was measured on lateral radiographs according the angle between the superior endplate of the first upper uninvolved vertebra and the first lower uninvolved vertebra. In the lumbosacral region, the kyphosis angle was measured by two lines along the posterior border of the first normal vertebra above the level of the lesion and posterior margin of sacrum on lateral radiographs. Clinical evaluation of back pain was evaluated and documented according to VAS pain score. Patients with neural deficits were graded according to the ASIA scale.Results The preoperative kyphosis deformity improved in all patients postoperatively from a mean of 20.8° (range, 12°-35°) to 3.9° (range, 2°-7°), with the average deformity correction of 16.1° (t = 38.59, p < 0.0001). The earliest radiologic evidence of allograft incorporation was identified between 18 and 24 months after surgery, and bony fusion was seen in all patients at final follow-up. We put forward our criteria to classify allograft incorporation at the last follow-up. Grade 1 49 patients; Grade 2 73 patients; Grade 3 11 patients; Grade 4 no patient. The average VAS pain score was 7.7 (range, 6–9) preoperatively, and decreased to 1.4 (range, 1–3) 3 months after surgery (t = 97.88, p < 0.0001 vs. initial). Of the 44 patients who developed neural deficits before their operations, 41 patients improved according to the ASIA AIS. 3 patients did not have substantial improvement and remained Grade AIS B.Conclusions Radical debridement followed by allograft with titanium cage in reconstruction of the anterior spinal column offers very satisfactory results in patients with tuberculous spondylitis. It provides immediate stability, offers lasting kyphosis correction, bypasses the donor site morbidity and difficulties involved in obtaining structural autograft.
Comparison of the effect of Chamomile and Mefenamic Acid on primary dysmenorrhea, associated symptoms and menstrual bleeding – A randomized clinical trial study
Authors: Shabani Fatemeh , Vakilian Katayon , Narenji Fereshteh , Bozorgi Mahbubeh , Bioos Soodabeh , Nejatbakhsh Fatemeh
Published: July 2020

Background

Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common pelvic pains in women, impairing their quality of life.This study investigated the effects of chamomile sachet and mefenamic acid on primary dysmenorrhea, associated symptoms and bleeding.
Methods

In this randomized clinical trial, 200 female students with primary dysmenorrhea from Arak universities were randomly assigned to two groups. The group (A) received mefenamic acid (250 mg) and group (B) received chamomile (5000 mg) plus one teaspoonful of honey )as a flavoring( for two days before up to the first three days of menstruation, three times a day in two consecutive cycles. Pain severity, associated symptoms and bleeding were assessed using visual analog scale, Andersch-Milsom Verbal Scale and Higham chart, respectively. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical tests by SPSS 21.
Results

Severe pain during two months after intervention was in 6 (6.3%) of group (B) and 6 (6.3%) in group (A) (p = 0.351, p = 0.332). Mean severity of associated symptoms two months after the treatment was( 4.93 ± 3.54) in group (B) and (5.62 ± 3.54 ) in group (A), indicating further reduction in group (B) but not significant (p = 0.278). Mean of bleeding was (88.71 ± 66.4 vs. 70.54 ± 53. 34) in group (B) and (A) respectively, in two months later. therefore decrease in the two groups but was not significant between groups(p = 0.567).
Conclusions

It seems chamomile sachet can reduce the severity of pain and bleeding similar to mefenamic acid and even further mitigate the symptoms associated with dysmenorrhea.
Trial registration:

This study was performed with the proposal approval code of 2611, ethics code of (ARAKMU.REC.1395.164) at Arak University of medical sciences and code of IRCT 2016100825031N5 on 2016.11.08.
Metabonomics Study on the Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicines Feed Addition on Growth Performance and Serum Metabolic Profile of Juvenile Chinese Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus Sinensis Wiegmann) using UPLC–Triple /TOF–MS Analysis
Authors: Xiao Mingsong , Bao Fangyin , Wang Yuliang , Liu Huabin , He Jixiang
Published: July 2020

The authors have withdrawn this preprint due to author disagreement.
Female Developmental Environment Delays Development of Male Honeybee (Apis Mellifera)
Authors: Liu Yi Bo , Yi Yao , Abdelmawla Amal , Zeng Zhi Jiang , He Xu Jiang
Published: July 2020

Background
Nutrition and cell size play an important role in the determination of caste differentiation in queen-worker of honeybee (Apis mellifera), whereas the haploid genome dominates the differentiation of drones. However, the effects of female developmental environment on the development of males remain unclear. In this study, young drone larvae were transferred into worker cells (WCs) or remained in drone cells (DCs) to rear drones. The parts of drone larvae were also grafted into queen cells (QCs) for 48 h and then transplanted into drone cells until emerging. Morphological indexes and reproductive organs of these three types of newly emerged drones were measured. Newly emerged drones and 3 d drone larvae from WCs, DCs and QCs were sequenced by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq).
Results
Morphological results showed that newly emerged DC drones had bigger body sizes and more well-developed reproductive tissues than WC and QC drones, whereas the reproductive tissues of QC drones were relatively better than those of WC drones. Gene expression results showed a more clear difference among three groups. At the larval stage, there were 889, 1761 and 1927 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in WC/DC, QC/DC and WC/QC comparisons, respectively. The number of DEGs decreased in adult drones of these three comparisons [678 (WC/DC), 338 (QC/DC) and 518 (WC/QC)]. A high number of DEGs were involved in sex regulation, growth, olfaction, vision, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Wnt signaling pathways, etc. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WCGNA) showed that WC and DC larvae were closer than QC larvae, whereas QC and WC drones were closer than DC drones. These results revealed that DC drones had better development in the body and reproductive system than QC and WC drones.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that the developmental environment of honeybee females including the larval diet and cell size delayed male development. Naturally, honeybee colony ovigerous workers in queen-less colonies or non-mated queens produce a large number of dysplasia drones which are not well-developed. Therefore, this study serves as a model for understanding the regulation of sexual differentiation in social insects by environmental factors.
Performance Management Function and Retention of Health Workers: A Mixed-Methods Study from Public District Hospitals in Rwanda
Authors: Ndikumana Celestin , Kwonyike Joshua , Tubey Ruth , Niragire François , Kambanda Safari
Published: July 2020

Background: Human resources for health are the major component of the health system. Hence health workers are key to better health care service delivery. However, retention of the health workers is one of the major challenges facing the health system in Rwanda, especially in public district hospitals that serve as a major unit of health care service delivery in the country. The study investigated the effect of implementation of performance management function on the retention of professional health workers in public hospitals in Rwanda.Methods: The study used convergent parallel mixed-methods design. A sample of 252 health workers was selected from a population of 402 doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and dentists. Data collection was conducted by use of questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data analysis used descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. Qualitative data were analysed by doing thematic analysis, by identifying themes in textual data. Triangulation used qualitative data to expound quantitative data. Data analysis was supported by Stata 13.1 and NVivo 10 softwares.Results: The findings from both quantitative and qualitative data show that health workers generally feel that there exists performance management function in hospitals with slight differences across its major indicators. The study also shows that while performance management planning and evaluation were found to be associated with health workers’ intentions to stay, there was no significant association between performance rewarding and intentions to stay. In fact, health workers who felt that performance management planning was at average and high level were 14.2 and 60 times more likely to stay (OR=14.2; P=0.000 and OR=60.13; P=0.000, respectively). Similarly, while health workers who rated performance evaluation exercise as average were more likely to stay (OR=1.472; P=0.029), perceiving a high level of implementation of performance evaluation in the hospital was associated with 2.215 odds of staying (OR=2.215; P=0.048). Conclusion: Generally, there are divergent levels perceptions on performance management indicators across respondents, and high levels of intentions to leave are noticed among health workers. Although performance planning and rewarding are associated with health workers’ intentions to stay, the existing level of implementation performance management function may have adversely affect retention of health workers.
The Effect of Health Literacy, Self-management Behavior, Self-efficacy and Social Support on the Health-related Quality of Life of Kazakh Hypertension Patients in a Low-income Rural Area of China: a structural Equation Model
Authors: Zhang Qinghua , Huang Feifei , Zhang Lei , Li Shasha , Zhang Jingping
Published: July 2020

Background

Considering the High Blood Pressure-Health Literacy (HBP-HL) has not been included in the study of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). The synergistic effects and the potential mechanism HBP-HL, self-management behavior, medication adherence, self-efficacy, social support on HRQoL remain unclear. This study aimed to introduce the conception of HBP-HL, and develop a structural equation model to identify the factors influencing of the HRQoL among Kazakh hypertensive patients.
Methods

A cross-sectional investigation study was conducted to collect data. Patients with hypertension were recruited through random cluster sampling in Kazakh settlements in Urumqi County, Xinjiang. The one-on-one household interviews were conducted by Kazakh investigators. The questionnaires regarding HBP-HL, HRQoL, self-management behavior, medication adherence, self-efficacy, and social support were collected. In addition, the results of physical examination were also included. A structural equation model was used to assess the association between the measured factors and HRQoL.
Results

516 Kazakh patients were recruited, and 94.4% of them had a relatively low HBP-HL score. The mean standardized scores of HRQoL, self-management, medication adherence were poor; they were 63.5, 66.2, and 64.4, respectively. But 96.1% and 98.3% of the participants had high levels of self-efficacy and social support. The structural equation model of the HRQoL had a good overall fit (χ2/df = 2.078, AGFI = 0.944, GFI = 0.968, CFI = 0.947, IFI = 0.949, RMSEA = 0.046). The model indicated that the HBP-HL has the highest correlation with HRQoL, following with self-management behavior, social support, and self-efficacy.
Conclusions

Evidence from this study demonstrates that low HBP-HL is a major influenced factor of HRQoL among Kazakh hypertensive patients. Future programs should consider HBP-HL as the breakthrough point when designing targeting intervention strategies for Kazakh hypertension patients. Firstly, researchers should give a priority to evaluate patient’s HBP-HL before intervention. Next, tailored interventions are implemented for patients, and and ultimately it will contribute to control blood pressure and improve patients’ HRQoL.
Development and Psychometric Testing of the Hemodialysis Symptom Distress Scale (HSD-22) to Identify the Symptom Cluster by Using Exploratory Factor Analysis
Authors: Chen Mei-Chu , Lin Chiu-Chu , Ho Ya-Fang , Wu Chia-Chen , Kuo Li-Chueh
Published: July 2020

Aims: To develop a theoretical and psychometrical reliable measurement tool to identify the symptom clusters of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD).Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study.Methods: To examine the psychometric properties of the HD symptom distress (HSD) scale, 216 subjects were recruited from a HD center of medical university hospital in Southern Taiwan from February, 2019 to April, 2019. Construct validity was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and the internal consistency and test–retest reliability were estimated by Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).Results: The HSD scale was composed of five factors with 22 items, including insufficient energy/vitality, cardiac–pulmonary distress, sleep disturbance, musculoskeletal distress, and gastrointestinal distress, with factor loading ranging from 0.62 to 0.87, explaining 65.5% of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the HSD total scale was 0.93, and five subscales ranged from 0.73 to 0.87. The test-retest reliability was 0.92 (p < 0.001) by using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for HSD-22 scale.Conclusion: Results indicated that the HSD-22 scale had initial satisfactory validity and reliability. Therefore, this tool can be used to identify the symptom clusters of patients receiving HD.Impact: Patients receiving HD often experienced multiple symptoms concurrently and may impact their quality of life. A valid and reliable tool is needed to assess the symptom distress of patients receiving HD in terms of the perspective of symptom clusters. Although many studies had explored symptom clusters related to patients receiving HD, the clusters form had problems with overlapping, vagueness, lack of cluster-specific, and difficulty in discerning their common mechanism under the cluster.　Psychometric testing from our study indicated that the HSD-22 scale can be employed to identify the symptom clusters of patients receiving HD in the clinical setting. Such identification enables healthcare professionals provide interventions to release patients’ symptom distress efficiently.
Validity and reliability of the Self-Care Activities Screening Scale (SASS-14) during COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Martinez Martín , Luis Elkin , Oliveros Edwin Yair , Fernández-Berrocal Pablo , Peña Ainize Sarrionandia , Fernández Marta Vidaurreta , Bermejo-Martins Elena
Published: July 2020

Background.
In a context where there is no treatment for the current COVID-19 virus, the combination of self-care behaviours together with confinement, are strategies to decrease the risk of contagion and remain healthy. However, there are no self-care measures to screen self-care activities in general population and which, could be briefly in a lockdown situation. This research covers two studies aimed to build and validate a psychometric tool to screen self-care activities in general population.
Methods.
In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis was performed in a sample of 226 participants to discover the underlying factorial structure and to reduce the number of items in the original tool into a significant pool of items related to self-care. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analyses were performed in a new sample of 261 participants to test for the fit and goodness of factor solutions. Internal validity, reliability, criterion validity, and convergent validity between its score with perceived stress and psychological well-being measures were examined on this sample.
Results.
In Study 1, exploratory analyses suggested a four-factor solution, corresponding to health consciousness, nutrition and physical activity, sleep, and intra-personal and inter-personal coping skills (14 items). In Study 2, the four-factor structure was confirmed as the best model fit for self-care activities. The tool demonstrated good reliability, predictive validity of individuals’ perception of coping with COVID-19 lockdown, and convergent validity with well-being and perceived stress measures.
Conclusions.
This screening tool could be helpful to address future evaluations and interventions to promote healthy behaviours. Likewise, this tool can be targeted to specific population self-care’s needs during a scalable situation.
Regeneration of Species of Natural Flora of the French Antilles Under Plantation Forests of Mahoganis (Swietenia Macrophylla and Aubrevilleana): First Data, the Case of Martinique
Authors: JOSEPH Philippe Léopold , BAILLARD Kévine , CLAUDE Jean-Philippe , ABATI Yelji , ELY-MARIUS Séverine , SOPHIE Stéphane , JEAN-FRANCOIS Yanis , SIMPHOR Jean-Emile , MAJOR Péguy , MARC Jean-Valéry
Published: July 2020

BackgroundIn many geographic areas influenced by tropical and temperate climates, natural forest ecosystems have been destroyed in favour of plantations of allochthonous trees which are economically profitable for different aspects of the timber industry. Some of these mature plantations degrade the soils and inhibit the regenerations of local flora species; others, due to the physical constraints which they impose, can contribute to the installation and the morphogenetic development of autochthonous taxa. The plantations of Swietenia macrophylla and Swietenia aubrevilleana (Mahoganys) in the Lesser Antilles are part of these processes. MethodsTo study the regeneration methods of forest plant species native to Martinique under plantations of Mahoganys, we carried out surveys in thirteen transects (stations) influenced by humid and subhumid bioclimates. ResultsThe results showed that affine natural flora species from various stages of the plant succession colonise the plots of mature Mahoganys. ConclusionsThis study shows that mature plantations of not very competitive introduced forest species can greatly accelerate phytocenotic succession and increase specific richness. It is therefore possible to use these introduced species (Swietenia macrophylla and Swietenia aubrevilleana) in reforestation processes of Lesser Antilles biotopes of sylvan potentiality degraded by anthropisation.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Dental Hygienists in Italy: A Questionnaire Survey.
Authors: Bontà Giuliana , Campus Guglielmo Giuseppe , Cagetti Maria Grazia
Published: July 2020

Backgroud: This survey assesses the signs/symptoms, the protective measures taken and the awareness and risk perception regarding COVID-19 among Italian dental hygienists. All Italian dental hygienists were invited to participate. The online ad hoc questionnaire was divided into four domains: personal data, protective measures (-before patient arrival; -in the waiting room; -in the operating room) and PPE, awareness and risk perception. Results: Two-thousand-seven-hundred-ninety-eight subjects participated. Only 0.25% of the sample was positive to the virus. Sense of fatigue (8.19%), headache (7.81%) and sore throat (7.32%) were the most common symptoms. A statistically significant trend across the areas with a different prevalence of COVID-19 was observed related to the number of signs/symptoms (areas z=6.38 p<0.01). Overall, 90.55% of the sample used protective glasses or visor, 90.10% disposable gloves and 82.80% surgical mask. Regarding the confidence to avoid the infection, a statistically significant difference was found among dental hygienists belong to the three years-professional-experiences groups who worked in the high COVID-19 prevalence area. The findings of this survey show that Italian dental hygienists have modified their working habits according to the professional risk related to the current pandemic and they seem correctly prepared to face the SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Breastfeeding and Child Oral Health Promotion: Perspectives of Nursing Mothers and Dentists
Authors: Cardozo Pedro Igor , Forte Franklin Delano Soares , Batiston Adriane Pires
Published: July 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the knowledge and practices of dentists regarding breastfeeding as a strategy for promoting children's oral health. It also aimed to investigate how nursing mothers perceive the participation of dentists in actions to promote and support breastfeeding. Methods: this study employed a mixed methodological approach. During the quantitative phase, 91 dentists of the Family Health Strategy answered an electronic questionnaire, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. For the qualitative investigation, were interviewed 21 nursing mothers. These interviews were examined through content analysis, and the results were interpreted from the perspective of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Results: Among dentists, 81.3% agreed that they are aware of the implications of breastfeeding for the child's oral health and reported 72.8% advising mothers and pregnant women about its benefits. Ambivalent social norms and weaknesses related to actions promoting and supporting breastfeeding emerged in the speeches of nursing mothers, and unfamiliarity about the benefits of this practice for children's oral health. Conclusions: Dentists recognize the benefits of breastfeeding for children's oral health. On the other hand, the nursing mothers pointed out barriers, exposed weaknesses, and signaled necessary conjunction of efforts to improve maternal and child care quality.
Predicting the Incidence of Brucellosis in Western Iran using Markov switching model
Authors: Mohammadian-Khoshnoud Maryam , Sadeghifar Majid , Cheraghi Zahra , Hosseinkhani Zahra
Published: July 2020

Objective: Brucellosis is a zoonosis almost chronic disease. Brucellosis bacteria can remain in the environment for a long time. Thus, climate irregularities could pave the way for the survival of the bacterium Brucellosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of climatic factors as well as predicting the incidence of Brucellosis in Qazvin province using the Markov switching model. This study is a secondary study of data collected from 2010 to 2019 in Qazvin province. The data include Brucellosis cases and climatic parameters. Two state Markov switching model with time lags of zero, one and two was fitted to the data. The Bayesian information criterion was used to evaluate the models. Results: According to the Bayesian information criterion, the two-state Markov switching model with a one-month lag is a suitable model. The month, the average wind speed, the minimum temperature have a positive effect on the number of Brucellosis, the age and rainfall have a negative effect. The results show that the probability of an outbreak for the third month of 2019 is 0.30%.
The properties of MOF-Zn2(EBNB)2(BPY)2·2H2O and its basic study of loading Methadone
Authors: Linxin Deng , Song Li , Sun Xuehua
Published: July 2020

The ligands of (E)-bis(p-3-nitrobenzoic acid) vinyl (C16H10N2O8) were synthesized in three steps, and then the MOF-Zn2(EBNB)2(BPY)2·2H2O was synthesized by solvothermal method. This structure was characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, SEM and TG. The drug loading and in vitro release of Zn2(EBNB)2(BPY)2·2H2O were also studied with Methadone as model drug. The result shows that the highest loading amount of Zn2(EBNB)2(BPY)2·2H2O to Methadone was 0.256 g/g, and the drug delivery system was a two-phase mode. The results of in vitro cytotoxicity test shows that Zn2(EBNB)2(BPY)2·2H2O has good biocompatibility.
Proportion optimization of grouting materials for roadways with soft surrounding mass
Authors: Feng Guorui , Hao Chenliang , Wang Pengfei
Published: July 2020

Severe deformation and failure frequently occur in roadways with soft or weak surrounding rock and have greatly influenced safe and efficient mining of coal in many coal mines. Using portland cement, emery and fly ash as main raw materials, through laboratory tests, effect of water/binder ratio, cement/sand ratio, water/sodium silicate ratio, water reducing agent, fly ash/cement ratio and various performance indexes of grout of fluidity, viscosity, setting time, bleeding rate, compressive strength, concretion rate and various performance indexes were systematically analyzed. An optimized mixture ratio of the main raw materials added in the grouting material proportion was determined through uniform design method, an optimal mixture ratio was determined by regression analysis. The results show that: 1) The flow performance is significantly affected by change of sodium silicate and water reducer, the compressive strength of grouting material increases significantly with increase in emery content, and decreases significantly with increase in water reducer. 2) An optimized mixture ratio among water cement ratio, cement sand ratio, water/sodium silicate ratio, water reducing agent, fly ash/cement ratio in the grouting material is 0.75, 1.2, 8%, 3% and 0.18, respectively. Field test demonstrated that the material has better performance in reinforcing weak and broken rock mass.
Monitoring Advances Including Consent; Learning from COVID-19 Trials and Other Trials Running in UKCRC Registered Clinical Trials Units During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Love Sharon , Armstrong Emma , Bayliss Carrie , Boulter Melanie , Fox Lisa , Grumett Joanne , Rafferty Patricia , Temesi Barbara , Wills Krista , Corkhill Andrea
Published: July 2020

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has affected how clinical trials are managed, both within existing portfolios and for the rapidly developed COVID-19 trials. Sponsors or delegated organisations responsible for monitoring trials have needed to consider and implement alternative ways of working due to the national infection risk necessitating restricted movement of staff and public, reduced clinical staff resource as research staff moved to clinical areas, and amended working arrangements for sponsor and sponsor delegates as staff moved to working from home. Organisations have often worked in isolation to fast track mitigations required for the conduct of clinical trials during the pandemic; this paper describes many of the learnings from a group of monitoring leads based in UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit (CTUs) within the UK.MethodsThe UKCRC Monitoring Task and Finish Group comprising monitoring leads from 9 CTUs, met repeatedly to identify how COVID-19 had affected clinical trial monitoring. Informed consent is included as a specific issue within this paper, as review of completed consent documentation is often required within trial monitoring plans (TMPs). Monitoring is defined as involving on-site monitoring, central monitoring or/and remote monitoring. ResultsMonitoring, required to protect the safety of the patients, the integrity of the trial and ensure the protocol is followed, is often best done by a combination of central, remote and on-site monitoring. However, if on-site monitoring is not possible, workable solutions can be found using only central or central and remote monitoring. eConsent, consent by a third person, or via remote means is plausible. Minimising datasets to the critical data reduces workload for sites and CTU staff. Home working caused by COVID-19 has made electronic trial master files (TMF’s) more inviting. Allowing sites to book and attend protocol training at a time convenient to them has been successful and worth pursuing for trials with many sites in the future.ConclusionsThe arrival of COVID-19 in the UK has forced consideration of and changes to how clinical trials are conducted in relation to monitoring. Some developed practices will be useful in other pandemics and others should be incorporated into regular use.