bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of fractional excretion of sodium and urinary osmolality in Acute Kidney Injury in liver transplant
Authors: Lima Camila , Macedo Etienne
Published: December 2020

Objective

We analysed urinary osmolality and the fractional excretion of sodium (FeNa) in the perioperative period of liver transplant (LT) and their association with on renal impairment, dialysis and mortality.
Methods

We aimed to determine the pattern of elevation of urinary (U) osmolality and FeNa levels in the perioperative period of liver transplant and how these are associated with the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes- (KDIGO) criteria, AKI severity, differential diagnosis in acute tubular necrosis (ATN), need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) and mortality. We assessed the biomarkers in the perioperative period: pre-operative, after portal reperfusion (APR), and at 6, 18, 24 and 48 hours after LT.
Results

Of the 100 enrolled patients, 87 developed AKI in the first week after LT, with 59 considered KDIGO stages 2 and 3 as defined by severe AKI and 75 defined as ATN; 34 were dialyzed, and 21 died within 60 days after LT. The FeNa was also useful for differential diagnosis in ATN, but the values remained below 1%, with an increased median in poor outcomes: severe AKI, ATN, need-RRT and non-survival. For predicting need-RRT, FeNa achieved an AUC of 0,78 (CI 0,66–0,90). The APR U osmolality measurement showed differences in all outcomes (with p < 0,05), and high osmolality was revealed to be a renal protective factor and found to predict need for RRT and mortality with AUCs of 0,11 (CI 0,02–0,20) and 0,21 (CI 0,07–0,34), respectively.
Conclusion

The increase in FeNa reveals a loss of Na secretion capacity and even in liver disease patients it has been shown a tool that aided the differential diagnosis if the cutoff value was adjusted. Osmolarity demonstrated the maintenance of urine concentration capacity by nephrons. More large studies should confirm these results.
Atmospheric Ageing of Inorganic Sea Spray Aerosol: Implications for Hygroscopicity and Cloud Activation Potential
Authors: Rosati Bernadette , Christiansen Sigurd , Dinesen Anders , Roldin Pontus , Massling Andreas , Nilsson E. , Bilde Merete
Published: December 2020

Sea spray aerosol (SSA) contributes significantly to natural aerosol particle concentrations globally, in marine areas even dominantly. The potential changes of the omnipresent inorganic fraction of SSA due to atmospheric ageing is largely unexplored. We demonstrate that ageing of liquid NaCl and artificial sea salt aerosol by exposure to ozone and UV light leads to a substantial decrease in hygroscopicity and cloud activation potential. The results point towards surface reactions that are more crucial for small particles and the formation of salt structures with water bound within the aerosols, termed hydrates. Our findings suggest an increased formation of hydrate forming salts during ageing and the presence of hydrates in dried SSA. Field observations indicate a reduced hygroscopic growth of sub-micrometre SSA in the marine atmosphere compared to pure NaCl which is typically attributed to organic matter or sulphates. Aged inorganic sea salt offers an additional explanation for reduced hygroscopicity and cloud activation potential.
Prevalence & Natural History of Tricuspid Regurgitation in Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation Patients
Authors: Koren Ofir , Darawsha Henda , Rozner Ehud , Turgeman Yoav
Published: December 2020

BackgroundFunctional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) is most often secondary to left-sided heart pathology involving the mitral valve. We studied the incidence, clinical impact, risk factors, and natural history of patients who developed FTR due to an ischemic cause of mitral regurgitation (IMR). We conducted a retrospective cohort study based on data collected from January 2012 to December 2014. Patients diagnosed with IMR were eligible for the study. The mean follow-up was five years.RESULTSThe study group consisted of 134 patients with IMR divided into two groups based on FTR development (FTR vs non-FTR group). Forty patients were diagnosed with FTR (30.1%). FTR patients were older (63.0 ± 10.4 vs 57.1 ± 11.0, respectively, p<0.05) with a high incidence of previous coronary artery disease (p<.006). Severe IMR, high pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), and failed revascularization were significant predictors of FTR development (p<.001, p<.005, p<.003, respectively). Low systolic left ventricle function was a predictor for FTR progression.CONCLUSIONClinical observations showed that FTR development due to IMR is common. Elderly patients with ischemic heart disease are at particularly high risk. FTR incidence and severity are directly proportional to the severity of IMR. FTR tends to deteriorate in about one-fifth of IMR patients and is mainly affected by the left ventricular systolic function.
Production of Basil (Ocimum Basilicum L.) Under Different Soilless Cultures
Authors: Khater El-Sayed , Bahnasawy Adel , Abass Wael , Morsy Osama , El-Ghobashy Hossam , Shaban Yousry , Egela Mohsen
Published: December 2020

Soilless cultivation systems that provide plant management in soilless conditions in which the supply of water and of minerals is carried out by nutrient solution, with or without a growing medium. The main aim of this paper was to investigate the possibility of growing basil under three soilless systems (aeroponic, hydroponic and peatmoss slab systems). A model was developed to predict the nutrients consumption by basil plants. Shoot and root height, fresh and dry mass of whole plant, nutrients uptake, and oil content were studied during the growth period (after 4 and 7 weeks from transplanting). The results indicated that the shoot lengths of basil plants were 62.00 ± 2.65, 57.83 ± 7.42 and 48.77 ± 2.89 cm after 4 weeks and 71.67 ± 2.89, 65.67 ± 1.15 and 62.33 ± 2.31cm after 7 weeks from transplanting for aeroponic, hydroponic and peatmoss slabs, respectively. The highest value of root height of basil plants was 37.67 ± 6.66 cm for aeroponic system. The dry mass of shoot of basil plants ranged from 28.48 ± 0.91 to 44.77 ± 0.97 and 72.98 ± 0.83 to 117.93 ± 1.40 g plant-1 after 4 and 7weeks from transplanting, respectively. The highest values of the N, P, K, Ca and Mg uptakes were 262.50 ± 6.84, 74.34 ± 2.90, 195.13 ± 4.09, 132.41 ± 1.54 and 41.81 ± 0.83 mg plant-1 and 753.99 ± 5.65, 224.88 ± 3.05, 449.75 ± 4.59, 529.12 ± 6.63 and 112.44 ± 1.67 mg plant-1 after 4 and 7 weeks from transplanting, respectively. The basil oil content ranged from 1.129 ± 0.020 to 2.520 ± 0.021 and 2.664 ± 0.291 to 6.318 ± 0.375 g plant-1 after 4 and 7weeks from transplanting, respectively at the same pervious order. The production costs of basil plant were 2.93, 5.27 and 6.24 EGP kg-1 of plant. The model results were in a reasonable agreement with the experimental ones.
LncRNA HITT Overexpression in Gastric Cancer Promotes Cell Apoptosis by Suppressing the Maturation of miR-602
Authors: Chen Yun , Ouyang Canhui , Liao Lingyun , Zhou Yun , Meng Fan , Liu Yao , Ye Jing
Published: December 2020

Background: HITT inhibits colon cancer. This study explored its role in gastric cancer (GC).Methods: HITT, mature miR-602 and premature miR-602 expression in paired GC and normal tissues (62 patients) was studied by RT-qPCR. RNA pull-down assay was performed to analyze the direct interaction between HITT and mature miR-602. The subcellular location of HITT was analyzed by nuclear fractionation assay. The role of HITT in regulating miR-602 maturation was analyzed by overexpression assay. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.Result: Our assays illustrated that HITT was highly expressed in GC and mature miR-602 was lowly expressed in GC. No alteration in premature miR-602 in GC was observed. HITT was located to both nucleus and cytoplasm, and it can directly interact with miR-602. HITT overexpression in GC cells increased the expression of mature miR-602 but not premature miR-602. HITT overexpression increased GC cell apoptosis and suppressed the role of miR-602 in inhibiting GC cell apoptosis. Conclusion: Therefore, HITT may promote GC cell apoptosis by suppressing the maturation of miR-602.
Medical and Economics Benefits of Tele-expertise in Dermatology: Case study in eight Health Centers in Mali.
Authors: Bagayoko Cheick Oumar , Cissé Mahmoud , Aka Joseph , Dicko Adama , Anne Abdrahamane , Traoré Dramane , Cissé Lamissa , Niang Mahamoudane , Karabinta Yamoussa , Gassama Mamadou , Sidibé Modibo , Faye Ousmane
Published: December 2020

Background: Mali, like many Sub-Saharan African countries, is experiencing an acute crisis with respect to the shortage of qualified health professionals. This crisis is even more acute when it comes to specialized medical fields such as dermatology. To address this shortage, a tele-dermatology project has been launched in Mali since 2015 in order to provide access to specialized care to the most remote populations.Objective: The aim of our study is to assess the medico-economic benefits of the pilot phase of this project.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of all requests for expert advice sent to dermatology experts through the "Bogou" tele-expertise platform.The sample consisted of 52 patients at eight remote sites and ten health professionals, including 4 specialists.The economic study was done using a parameter of cost analysis and the professional evaluation of healthcare providers. It compared consultation and transportation fees (on-site and off-site), and used a questionnaire assessing items on a 5-level Lickert scale and open-ended questions to evaluate the satisfaction of health professionals. Data analysis was performed by SPSS v25.Results: During the period, 374 requests for tele-expertise were made for the benefit of 52 patients. 89.3% of requests were answered by specialists, with an average response time of 46 hours 59 minutes and extremes from 7 minutes to 415 hours 4 minutes. Eczema was the most common medical condition diagnosed. 98% of patients had never completed a dermatological consultation because of a lack of means to travel to the only specialized center in the country. Consequently, they were all very satisfied or satisfied with the tele-expertise service. The 52 participating patients in project have realized a great financial benefit. Together they saved an average of 5,824,500 XOF (9429 euros).All the health professionals surveyed also expressed satisfaction with the application. They confirmed that the project has enabled them to strengthen their skills in the management of dermatological pathologies.Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, we can say that tele-dermatology allows access to specialized care and a reduction in the costs of care for patients in remote areas.
Staffing and Patient-related Factors Affecting in-patient Fall-related Injury in a Psychiatric Hospital: A 5-year Retrospective Matched Case-control Study
Authors: Seeherunwong Acharaporn , Thunyadee Chanya , Vanichakit Wipa , thanabodeethumacharee Pavinee
Published: December 2020

Background: Incidence of fall-related injury of psychiatric in-patients was more frequent and the severity greater than in general units. Also, the risk factors were different and more complicated. The aim of this study was to investigate the staffing factors and patient-related factors that increase the likelihood of fall-related injury among psychiatric in-patients. Methods: A five-year retrospective matched case-control study was used to select cases of in-patient fall which were reported to the hospital risk management system. The total sample consisted of 240 patients. Conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Results: Of the eighty fall-related injuries, 86.3% resulted in temporary harm and required intervention. The multivariate model showed that the three strongest predictors were having an acute psychotic condition (adjusted matched odds ratio (aOR)=5.40; 95%CI 4.22-6.90; p< 0.001), proportion of nurse staffing equal to nurse assistants (aOR=5.52; 95%CI 2.64-11.55; p<0.001), and taking atypical antipsychotic drug (aOR=3.92; 95%CI 3.22-4.76; p<0.001). In addition, the following factors all increased the risk of fall-related injury significantly: using more than four drugs, having a medical illness, having comorbid psychiatric disorder, taking lithium, anti-Parkinson, benzodiazepine, and anti-convulsant drugs. Regarding staffing factors, patient numbers in the unit of 25-50, and ≥ 51, also significantly increased risk for fall than having patient numbers of 25 or fewer. Nurse to patient ratios of 1:16-30, and 1: 31-45 significantly increased the fall risk compared to ratios of 1: 1-15. Conclusions: The risk factors found are expected to be of use for assessing fall risk and managing staff workload in psychiatric units.
Supervised Binary Classification Methods for Strawberry Ripeness Discrimination from Bioimpedance Data
Authors: Ibba Pietro , Tronstad Christian , Moscetti Roberto , Mimmo Tanja , Cantarella Giuseppe , Petti Luisa , Martinsen Ørjan , Cesco Stefano , Lugli Paolo
Published: December 2020

Strawberry is one of the most popular fruits in the market. To meet the demanding consumer and market quality standards, there is a strong need for an on-site, accurate and reliable grading system during the whole harvesting process. In this work, a total of 923 strawberry fruit were measured directly on-plant at different ripening stages by means of bioimpedance data, collected at frequencies between 20Hz and 300kHz. The fruit batch was then splitted in 2 classes (i.e. ripe and unripe) based on surface color data. Starting from these data, six of the most commonly used supervised machine learning classification techniques, i.e. Logistic Regression (LR), Binary Decision Trees (DT), Naive Bayes Classifiers (NBC), K-NearestNeighbors (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Multi-Layer Perceptron Networks (MLP), were employed, optimized, tested and compared in view of their performance in predicting the strawberry fruit ripening stage. Such models were trained to develop a complete feature selection and optimization pipeline, not yet available for bioimpedance data analysis of fruit. The classification results highlighted that, among all the tested methods, MLP networks had the best performances on the test set, with 0.72, 0.82 and 0.73 for the F1, F0.5 and F2-score, respectively, and improved the training results, showing good generalization capability, adapting well to new, previously unseen data. Consequently, the MLP models, trained with bioimpedance data, are a promising alternative for real–time estimation of strawberry ripeness directly on–field, which could be a potential application technique for evaluating the harvesting time management for farmers and producers.
The Effect of Rapid Maxillary Expansion on the Upper Airway’s Aerodynamic Characteristics
Authors: Feng Xin , Chen Yicheng , Halme Kristina , Cai Weihua , Shi Xie-Qi
Published: December 2020

Background: The effect of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on the upper airway (UA) has been studied earlier but without a consistent conclusion. This study aims to evaluate the outcome of RME on the upper airway function in terms of airflow resistance by applying a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation.Methods: This retrospective cohort study consists of seventeen cases with two consecutive CBCT scans obtained before (T0) and after (T1) RME. Patients were divided into two groups with respect to patency of the nasopharyngeal airway as expressed in the adenoidal nasopharyngeal ratio (AN): group 1 was comprised of patients with an AN ratio < 0.6 and group 2 encompassing those with an AN ratio ≥ 0.6. CFD simulation at inspiration and expiration were performed based on the three - dimensional (3D) models of the UA segmented from the CBCT images. The aerodynamic characteristics in terms of pressure drop, midsagittal maximum velocity, and maximum wall shear stress were compared by independent samples t-test between the two groups at T0 and T1. Results: At T0, the pressure drop at expiration was significantly higher in group 2 compared to group 1, whereas the difference between the two groups was not significant at T1. The midsagittal maximum velocity of the two groups decreased to some extent at expiration, but without significant difference. The midsagittal maximum velocity of group 2 was at inspiration significantly higher than that of group 1 at T0 and T1. Conclusion: RME had a positive effect on UA airflow resistance in patients with an AN ratio ≥ 0.6. The findings provide positive evidence of RME in airway function and should thus be recommended to patients with both a narrow maxilla and enlarged adenoid.
Synergistic effects of D-arginine, D-methionine and D-histidine on the inhibition and eradication of Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilm
Authors: Zhang Zhenyang , Li Baosheng , Cai Qing , Qiao Shuwei , Wang Dan , Wang Heling , Zhang Huiyan , Yang Yalan , Meng Weiyan
Published: December 2020

Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) biofilm is involved in peri-implantitis and periodontitis. Whether a mixture of D-AAs has synergistic effects on P. gingivalis biofilm remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of multiple D-AAs on P. gingivalis biofilm. D-arginine (R), D-methionine (M) and D-histidine (H) were used. The bacterial growth activity and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined. The effects of D-AAs mixture on biofilm biomass, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), biofilm morphology, cytotoxicity, biofilm structure and bacterial membrane integrity were determined. D-AAs mixture delayed the proliferation of P. gingivalis below MICs. Mixtures of D-AAs displayed definite effects on the inhibition and disassembly of biofilm than single D-AAs. The EPS content increased with D-AAs concentrations. D-AAs mixture damaged the integrity of biofilm, while RMH showed the best effects. 8 mM RH and 4 mM RMH had no cytotoxicity. 4 mM RMH decreased biofilm thickness and altered bacteria membranes structure. Hence, the combined mixture of 4 mM RMH presents the best synergistic effects on the inhibition and eradication of P. gingivalis biofilm. Our study provides new insights of application of D-AAs for the treatment of peri-implantitis and periodontitis.
Anti-inflammatory diet consumption reduced fatty liver indices: Finding from a large cohort study in the Kurdish population
Authors: Darbandi Mitra , Hamzeh Behrooz , Ayenepour Azad , Rezaeian Shahab , Najafi Farid , Shakiba Ebrahim , Pasdar Yahya
Published: December 2020

Background

The aim of this study was the assess association between of dietary inflammatory index (DII) and non-invasive markers of liver status in adults.
Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed on 8,520 individuals aged 35–65 years, recruited in Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases (RaNCD) cohort study, the west of Iran. DII score was calculated based on participants’ dietary intakes obtained from Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Fatty Liver Index (FLI) score was calculated by anthropometric measurements and some non-invasive markers of liver status. Linear regression models were used to estimate the associations and adjust for possible confounding factors.
Results

The mean of age was 47.24 ± 8.31 years and 4275 (%50.18) were male. A greater DII score was significantly associated with higher energy intake, BMI (body mass index), BFM (body fat mass), blood pressure and FLI (P < 0.001). Participants with the highest DII score had a significantly higher consumption saturated fat, trans fat and red meat than those in the lowest quartile (P < 0.001). With one point increment in the physical activity, on average the risk of having FLI decreased by 5 (95% CI, -0.484 to -0.519). After adjustment for age and sex, participants in the highest quartile of DII score had a greater risk of FLI (β: 0.742, 95% CI: 0.254, 0.601).
Conclusion

The more pro-inflammatory diet in participants was associated with higher FLI; DII score was positively associated with non-invasive liver markers (ALT, AST and GGT). FLI had positive association with BMI, WC, BFM and energy intake. Thus having an anti-inflammatory diet can help balance liver enzymes, reduce obesity and fatty liver.
Il-1Β Primed Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Moderate Hemorrhagic Shock Induced Organ Injuries
Authors: Aussel Clotilde , Baudry Nathalie , Grosbot Marion , Caron Cécile , Vicaut Eric , Banzet Sébastien , Peltzer Juliette
Published: December 2020

BackgroundOrgan damages following hemorrhagic shock (HS) have been partly attributed to an immunological dysfunction. The current challenge in the management of HS patients is to prevent organ injury-induced morbidity and mortality which currently has not etiological treatment available. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are used in clinical cell therapy for immunomodulation and tissue repair. In vitro priming is often used to improve the immunomodulation efficiency of MSC before administration.ObjectiveAssess the effect of naive MSC (MSCn) or interleukin (IL)-1β primed (MSCp) treatment in a context of HS- induced organ injury.MethodsRats underwent fixed pressure HS and were treated with allogenic MSCn or MSCp. Liver and kidney injuries were evaluated 6h later by histological and biochemical analysis. Whole blood was collected to measure leukocytes phenotypes. Then, in vitro characterization of MSCn or MSCp was carried out.ResultsPlasma Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and Cystatin C were decrease by MSCp infusion as well as kidney injury molecule (KIM)-1 on histological kidney sections. Transaminases, GGT and liver histology were normalized by MSCp. Systemic cytokines (IL-6 and IL-10) as well as CD80, 86 and PD-1/PDL-1 axis were decreased by MSCp on monocytes and T lymphocytes. In vitro, MSCp showed higher level of secreted immunomodulatory molecules than MSCn.ConclusionAn early administration of MSCp moderates HS-induced kidney and liver injury. IL-1β priming improves MSC efficiency by promoting their immunomodulatory activity. These data provide proof of concept that MSCp could be a therapeutic tool to prevent the appearance of organs injury following HS.
CDK5RAP3 as a Novel Biomarker Signature Predicting Survival and Adjuvant Chemotherapeutic benefit in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Wang Jia-Bin , Gao You-Xin , Lian Ning-Zi , Ma Yu-Bin , Li Ping , Lin Jian-Xian , Lu Jun , Chen Qi-Yue , Cao Long-Long , Lin Mi , Liu Li-Chao , Tu Ru-Hong , Lin Ju-Li , Huang Ze-Ning , Zheng Hua-Long , Xie Jian-Wei , Zheng Chao-Hui , Huang Chang-ming
Published: December 2020

Background: We previously demonstrated that CDK5RAP3 acts as a tumour suppressor in gastric cancer through negative regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, but its function in chemotherapeutic responsiveness of gastric cancer has not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to examine the clinical significance of CDK5RAP3 to predict chemotherapeutic responsiveness in gastric cancer.Methods: A collection of 188 pairs of tumour tissue microarray specimens from Fujian Medical University were employed for the discovery set, and 310 tumour tissue samples of gastric cancer patients were employed for the internal validation set. Eight-five tumour tissue samples from Qinghai University Hospital were used as the external validation set 1. Transcriptomic and clinical data of 299 gastric cancer patients from TCGA were used as the external validation set 2. CDK5RAP3 expression, microsatellite instability (MSI) status, and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were examined with immunohistochemistry. Clinical outcomes of patients were compared with Kaplan-Meier curves and the Cox model.Results: In a multi-centre evaluation, increased CDK5RAP3 indication of better prognosis depends mainly on MSI-L/MSS status or TILhigh. High CDK5RAP3 expression predicts sensitive therapeutic responsiveness to postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer. In a stratification analysis based on CDK5RAP3 combined with TIL or MSI status, patients with CKD5RAP3low TILlow showed no significant difference in prognosis after receiving chemotherapy, whereas patients with CKD5RAP3low TILhigh, CKD5RAP3high TILlow, and CKD5RAP3high TILhigh had better responsiveness to chemotherapy. In addition, patients with CKD5RAP3high MSI-L/MSS status benefitted the most from adjuvant chemotherapy among all patients evaluated. Conclusions: CKD5RAP3 can be used as an effective marker to evaluate individualized chemotherapy regimens in gastric cancer patients dependent on their TIL and MSI status.
Predictors of modern contraceptive use among women in Meru and Arusha districts in Northern Tanzania
Authors: Msuya Sia Emmanuel , Amour Caroline , Mahande Michael J , Manongi Rachel N , Makuwani Ahmad , Farah Amina , Elewonibi Bilikisu , Shah Iqbal
Published: December 2020

Background: Contraceptive use reported to avert more than 1 million maternal deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa due to decline in fertility rate and thus help to achieve MDG 4 and 5. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence of modern contraceptive use, describe common methods used, source of methods and factors that predict contraceptive use among women of reproductive age (WRA) in Arusha City and Meru District Council (DC) in northern Tanzania. Methodology: The study is based on data from a cross-sectional survey conducted from January – May 2018. The study enrolled women aged 16-44 years from five selected wards in each district. Interviews were conducted at participant’s homes using electronic data collection system. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyze the data.Results: A total of 3,938 women were enrolled, of whom 3,658 were sexually active at the time of survey. The mean age of 3,658 women was 30.5 (SD 7.3) years. The prevalence of modern contraceptive use (mCPR) was 47%, with no significant difference between Arusha City (47%) and Meru DC (44%). Implants (26.9%), injectables (21.5%) and pills (13.0%) were three of the common contraceptives currently used among the users. Public health facilities were the main source (72.6%) of contraceptive methods. Married/cohabiting women were significantly using modern method of contraceptives compared to single women (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR = 2.1) as were women with two or more children than others (aPR=1.5). Cost, distance, and time due to busy schedules were key challenges to access family planning (FP) services as reported by the women. Conclusion: Nearly half of WRA in the two districts were using modern contraceptives. Implants have become the most common method of contraceptives than injectables and pills. Health management teams in the two districts will need to come with strategies for improving use of other modern FP methods and improving community-based availability of contraceptive services to contribute in improving mCPR to the 60% target.
The Impacts of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak on Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes: Scoping Review Protocol
Authors: Bolarinwa Obasanjo Afolabi , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Ameyaw Edward Kwabena
Published: December 2020

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly altered the pre-existing landscape for sexual and reproductive health. Adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes are therefore more likely to be affected due to reports of overwhelmed health systems. However, sexual and reproductive health wellbeing should be prioritized at all times to counteract adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes. As a result, the proposed review aims at synthesizing evidence on the implications of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health outcomes.Methods: An electronic search for literature will be executed to identify peer reviewed and grey literature on the subject. After screening for studies to include in the synthesis, the checklist of the Joanna Briggs Institute, the McMaster Critical Review form and the Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, and Significance (AACODS) will be used for assessment. The study will be conducted in line with the recommendations detailed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist and a narrative report will be developed.Discussion: Our proposed review aims at identifying the specific implications of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health. The review will highlight the systemic challenges and gaps that reinforce the intensity of the impact. It will also identify the aspects of sexual and reproductive health that are much affected among the wide array of components that constitute sexual and reproductive health such as family planning, antenatal care, childbirth, postnatal care among other factors. A better understanding of these issues will help global, regional and national stakeholders and policy makers to identify the specific sexual and reproductive health dimensions that need targeted interventions. Scoping review registration: https://osf.io/85fch
Clinical and Echocardiographic Trends in Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty
Authors: Koren Ofir , Israeli Asaf , Rozner Ehud , Darawshy Nassem , Turgeman Yoav
Published: December 2020

Background Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) is the current standard of care for selected patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. We examined trends in patient demographics, Wilkins score and additional echocardiographic characteristics, success rates, and complications over a 30-year period.Methods We conducted a retrospective observational descriptive study. The study population consists of patients hospitalized in intensive cardiac care (ICCU) due to significant symptomatic MS, from January 1990 to May 2019.Results 417 patients who underwent PBMV were eligible. Age did not change significantly over time. Male patients who were smoking and had multiple comorbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, ischemic heart disease, and chronic kidney disease became more prevalence (p=0.02, p=0.02, p=0.001, p=0.01, p=0.02, and p=0.001 respectively). Wilkins score and all its components increased over time, which was higher in females (p=0.01), and was not correlated with age (p=0.95). Severe leaflets immobility (Grade 4) predicted complications (p=0.03, respectively). Wilkins over 9 successfully predicted the occurrence of complications, conversely, no efficient cutoff was found in the following decades. Wilkins score managed to predict a technically successful procedure (p=0.02), but not complications (p=0.12). Lastly, complication rates did not significantly change over the years.Conclusion Our research covers three decades of experience in PBMV and shows several trends: We see more male patients, who have multiple comorbidities. The Wilkins score increased over the years and was predictive of successful operations as opposed to complications who were predicted mainly by the leaflet mobility index.
Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor is Associated with Short-Term Mortality and Enhanced Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
Authors: Wang Yunyun , Wu Fengtian , Chen Chao , Xu Lichen , Lin Wei , Huang Chunhong , Yang Ying , Wu Shanshan , Qi Jinjin , Cao Hanqin , Li Guojun , Hong Meng , Zhu Haihong
Published: December 2020

Background: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a comprehensive syndrome characterized by an acute deterioration of liver function and high short-term mortality rates in patients with chronic liver disease. Objectives: To investigate whether plasma soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), a molecule known as a chemokine, is a suitable biomarker for the prognosis of patients with ACLF and the underlying mechanism.Method: A prospective cohort of 282 patients with ACLF from three hospitals in China was included. 88.4% of the group was hepatitis B virus-related ACLF (HBV-related ACLF). Cox regression was used to assess the impact of plasma suPAR and other factors on 30- and 90-day mortality. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were detected to explore the role of suPAR in regulating neutrophil function in HBV-related ACLF.Result: There was no difference in plasma suPAR levels between HBV-related and non-HBV-related ACLF. Patients with clinical complications had higher suPAR levels than those without these complications. A significant correlation was also found between suPAR and prognostic scores, infection indicators and inflammatory cytokines. Cox’s regression multivariate analysis identified suPAR>=14.7ng/mL as a predictor for both day 30 and 90 mortality (Area under the ROC curve: 0.751 and 0.742 respectively), independe nt of the MELD and SOFA scores in patients with ACLF. Moreover, we firstly discovered suPAR enhanced neutrophil ROS production in patients with HBV-related ACLF. Conclusions: suPAR was a useful independent biomarker of short-term outcomes in patients with ACLF and might play a key role in the pathogenesis.Trial registration: CNT, NCT02965560. Registered 16 November 2016
The Comparison of Epidemiological Characteristics Between Confirmed and Clinically Diagnosed Cases With COVID-19 in Wuhan, China
Authors: Shi Fang , Wen Haoyu , Liu Rui , Bai Jianjun , Wang Fang , Mubarik Sumaira , Liu Xiaoxue , Yu Yong , Hong Qiumian , Cao Jinhong , Yu Chuanhua
Published: December 2020

Background: To put COVID-19 patients into hospital timely, the clinical diagnosis had been implemented in Wuhan in the early outbreak. Here we compared the epidemiological characteristics of laboratory-confirmed and clinically diagnosed cases with COVID-19 in Wuhan.Methods: Demographics, case severity and outcomes of 29886 confirmed cases and 21960 clinically diagnosed cases reported between December 2019 and February 24, 2020, were compared. The risk factors were estimated, and the effective reproduction number of SARS-CoV-2 (Rt) was also calculated.Results: The interval between symptom onset and diagnosis of confirmed and clinically diagnosed cases reduced gradually as time went by, and the proportion of severe and critical cases as well as case fatality rates of the two groups all decreased over time. The proportion of severe and critical cases (21.5% vs 14.0%, P<0.0001) and case fatality rates (5.2% vs 1.2%, P<0.0001) of confirmed cases were all higher than those of clinically diagnosed cases. Risk factors for death we observed in all two groups were older age, male, severe or critical cases. Rt showed a downward trend after the lockdown of Wuhan, it dropped below 1.0 on February 6 among confirmed cases, and February 8 among clinically diagnosed cases.Conclusion: Public health responses taken in Wuhan, including clinical diagnosis, have contributed to slow transmission. In cases where testing kits are insufficient, clinical diagnosis is effective, which is helpful to quarantine or treat infected cases as soon as possible, and prevent the epidemic from worsening. To decrease the case fatality rate of COVID-19, it is necessary to strengthen early warning and intervention of severe and critical elderly men.
Newcomb-Benford Law Analysis on COVID-19 Daily Infection Cases and Deaths in Indonesia and Malaysia
Authors: Wong Wei Kitt , Juwono Filbert , Loh Wan Ning , Ngu Ik Ying
Published: December 2020

Aims: Each country has been racing to contain the spread of COVID-19. The published data of daily infection and death cases can be used to measure the effectiveness of the control interventions. We focus our study in two Southeast Asia countries: Indonesia and Malaysia during time period between March and November 2020.Methods: Newcomb-Benford law has been commonly used to analyze the probabilities of the first significant digits in natural occurrences since the late 19th century. It is a prominent statistical tool for its capability to detect frauds in data sets. A chi-squared test was recruited to quantify the closeness of the data and Newcomb-Benford law distributions.Results: The results revealed that the distributions of daily infection and death cases in Indonesia followed Newcomb-Benford law while the opposite results were obtained for Malaysia.Conclusion: We have done the analysis of verifying the daily COVID-19 infection and death cases in Indonesia and Malaysia using Newcomb-Benford law. It can be inferred that, between March and November 2020, the control interventions in Indonesia was less effective compared to Malaysia.
A Protein Chip Study on the Heart Failure With Recovered Ejection Fraction
Authors: luo yao , chai ke , du minghui , liu tong , cai jianping , wang hua , yang jiefu
Published: December 2020

Background: Characteristics of heart failure with recovered ejection fraction (HFrecEF) have not yet been fully understood. The objective of this study is to identify potential biomarkers for the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) recovery. Methods: Antibody microarrays were used to detect proteins in serum of healthy volunteers, patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF), and patients with HFrecEF, looking for specific proteins of HFrecEF patients.Results:1000 proteins were detected in the sera of healthy volunteers, HFrEF patients and HFrecEF patients using antibody microarrays (three in each group). There were dozens of different proteins between each group. Based on the signal strength, fold changes, clinical significance and Venn diagram analysis, 11 proteins were selected to be detected in the sera of 10 healthy volunteers ,47 HFrEF patients and 22 HFrecEF patients using antibody microarrays. Serum concentrations of cysteine dioxygenase type 1 (CDO1) and growth/differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8) were significantly downregulated in HFrecEF patients compared with HFrEF patients. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the CDO1 curve was 0.662(95%CI 0.517-0.808,P=0.031).The sensitivity of CDO1 was 77%, the specificity was 54%, and diagnostic cut‑off points was 10198.5.The GDF-8 has no diagnostic value. Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that the prognosis is better in HFrecEF patients than HFrEF patients about all cause death(P=0.011) and cardiovascular death(P=0.004).But we did not find that patients with low baseline CDO1 levels (<10198.5) had better outcomes than those with high CDO1 levels (≥10198.5).Conclusions: This pilot study indicates that CDO1 is a potential biomarker of LVEF recovery, which needs to be confirmed by further studies.
Approaches to the rationalization of surgical instrument trays: Scoping review and research agenda
Authors: Santos Bruno Miranda Dos , Fogliatto Flavio Sanson , Zani Carolina Melecardi , Peres Fernanda Araujo Pimentel
Published: December 2020

Background
Surgical Tray Rationalization (STR) consists of a systematic reduction in the quantity of surgical instruments to perform specific procedures without compromising patient safety, while reducing losses in the sterilization and assembly of trays. STR is one example of initiatives to improve process performance that have been widely reported in industrial settings, but only recently have gained popularity in healthcare organizations.
Methods
We conduct a scoping review of the literature aiming at identifying and mapping available evidence on the topic of surgical tray management. Five methodological stages are implemented and reported; they are: identifying research questions, identifying relevant studies, study selection, charting the data, and collating, summarizing and reporting the results.
Results
We reviewed forty-eight articles on STR, which were grouped according to their main proposed approaches: expert analysis, lean practices, and mathematical programming. We identify the most frequently used techniques within each approach and point to their potential contributions to operational and economic dimensions of STR. We also consolidate our findings proposing a roadmap to STR, with four generic steps (prepare, rationalize, implement, and consolidate) and recommended associated techniques.
Conclusions
To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first study that reviews and systematizes the existing literature on the subject of STR. Our study closes with the proposition of directions for future research, which are presented as nine research questions associated with the four generic steps proposed in the STR roadmap.
Ambulatory Care-Sensitive Hospital Admissions: Access to Care or Population Health?
Authors: Feinglass Joe , Reyes Ana
Published: December 2020

BackgroundAdmission rates for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs) are often used by health systems as a measure of access to effective primary and preventive care. However, there is debate about whether ACSC admissions primarily reflect social determinants of population health and are largely insensitive to ambulatory care quality. To provide evidence for this debate, this study analyzes adult ACSC admissions of Cook County, Illinois residents to 173 Illinois hospitals from 2016–2018.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsHospitalized patients were categorized by sex, by race and ethnicity (Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, Asian, other/unknown), and by primary insurance status (private, Medicaid, Medicare, uninsured, other/unknown) and by whether the admission was on the weekend. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Prevention Quality Indicators were calculated to compute ACSC hospitalization rates per 1000 residents across four census data-defined zip code poverty level areas (> 20%, 10-19.99%, 5-9.99% and < 5% poor households). ACSC hospitalization rates were compared to rates for all other medical and surgical conditions across areas. Patient age groups were categorized as 20–44, 45–64, and > 65.ResultsThere were 1,384,880 medical and surgical admissions of Cook County Residents age 20 and older from 2016–2018. There were 181,836 (13.3%) admissions classified as ACSC admissions by the overall composite PQI 90. Residents of the highest poverty level zip code area had ACSC rates up to 70% higher than the most affluent zip code area. However, all other medical admissions had a 102% higher rate in the poorest versus most affluent areas, with twice the admission rate for the most severely ill patients (Charlson Score > 3). By comparison, surgical DRG admission rates had only a 6% difference across areas.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that ACSC admission rates mirror other medical, but not surgical, causes of admissions as well as illness severity generally. While socioeconomic differences in access to care undoubtedly exist, use of the ACSC admission rate as a measure of access to primary care may obscure the far more consequential social determinants of chronic illness and hospital use that primarily drive hospital admissions for low income populations.
Synthesis, Antibiotic Structure-Activity-Relationships, and Cellulose Dissolution Studies of New Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids Derived from Lignin
Authors: Liu Shihong , Gonzalez Michael , Kong Celine , Weir Scott , Socha Aaron
Published: December 2020

Background: Ionic liquids (ILs) are promising pretreatment solvents for lignocellulosic biomass, but are largely prepared from petroleum precursors. Benzaldehydes from depolymerized lignin, such as vanillin, syringaldehyde and 4-methoxy benzaldehyde, represent renewable feedstocks for the synthesis of ionic liquids. We herein report syntheses of novel lignin-derived ionic liquids, with extended N-alkyl chains, and examine their melting points, cellulose dissolution capacities, and toxicity profiles against Daphnia magna and E. coli strain 1A1. The latter organism has been engineered to produce isoprenol, a drop-in biofuel and precursor for commodity chemicals. Results: The new N,N-diethyl and N,N-dipropyl methyl benzylammonium ILs were liquids at room temperature, showing 75-100oC decreased melting points as compared to their N,N,N-trimethyl benzyl ammonium analog. Extension of N-alkyl chains also increased antibacterial activity 3-fold, while ionic liquids prepared from vanillin showed 2- to 4-fold lower toxicity as compared to those prepared from syringaldehyde and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde. The trend of antibacterial activity for anions of lignin-derived ILs was found to be methanesulfonate < acetate < hydroxide. Microcrystalline cellulose dissolution, from 2-4 wt% after 20 min at 100oC, was observed in all new ILs using light microscopy and IR spectroscopy.Conclusions: Ionic liquids prepared from S, G and H-lignin oxidation products provided differential cytotoxic activity against E.coli and D. magna, suggesting these compounds could be tailored for application specificity within a biorefinery.
Solar Neutron Decay Protons observed in November 7, 2004
Authors: Muraki Yasushi , Galicia Jose F Valdes , Ortiz Ernesto Fragoso , Matsubara Yutaka , Shibata Shoichi , Sako Takashi , Masuda Satoshi , Tokumaru Munetoshi , Koi Tatsumi , Oshima Akitosi , Sakai Takasuke , Naito Tsuguya , Miranda Pedro
Published: December 2020

We have found an interesting event registered by the solar neutron telescopes installed at high mountains in Bolivia (5250m a.s.l.) and Mexico (4600m a.s.l.). The event was observed November 7th of 2004 in association with a large solar flare of magnitude X2.0. Some features in our registers and in two satellites (GOES11 and SOHO) reveal the presence of electrons and protons as possible products of neutron decay. Solar neutron decay protons (sndp) were recorded on board ISEE3 satellite in June 3rd, 1982. On October 19th, 1989, the ground level detectors installed in Goose Bay and Deep River revealed the registration of solar neutron decay protons (sndp). Therefore this is the second example that such an evidence is registered on the Earth´s surface.Key words: Solar neutron decay protons, Solar flare, Solar Energetic particles,Particle acceleration
Characteristics of Dental Note taking: A material based Themed analysis of Swedish Dental Students
Authors: Lindberg Viveca , Jounger Sofia Louca , Christidis Maria , Christidis Nikolaos
Published: December 2020

Background: The transition from upper secondary to higher education and from higher education to professional practice requires that students adapt to new literacy practices, academic and professional. However, there is a gap of knowledge regarding literacy practices in dental education. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify what characterizes dental students’ notetaking and secondarily to determine what dental students express regarding their notetaking.Methods: To analyze students' perspectives about the purposes of notetaking and to examine their written notes in depth, three volunteer students, out of the 24 students that voluntarily and anonymously handed in their notes, were interviewed. The three undergraduate dental students that participated in this material-based, semi-structured interview study, framed within a New Literacy Studies approach, were on their third year (6th semester). The focus of these material-based interviews was on each student’s notes. Questions prepared for semi-structured interviews were open-ended and allowed for individual follow-up questions related to the interviewee’s answer. To analyze the outcome of the interviews a thematic analysis was used.Results: From the material-based interviews eight themes that relate to what, how and for what purpose students write were discerned. These eight themes include professional vocabulary, core content as well as clinical examples that belong to what students read and write; multimodal accentuation as well as synthesis that belong to how students read and write; and mnemonic strategies, academic purposes, and professional purposes that belong to for what purpose students read and write.Conclusions: Findings from the interviews indicate that the digital development, offering a variety of available tools, has expanded the notion of notetaking. This study identified that dental students’ notetaking has changed during their education from initially being synchronous, to also include multimodal and asynchronous writing, making notetaking more of a writing practice. Further, students’ writing practices seem to be motivated by their knowledge formation in relation to a subject matter, but also in relation to their experiences during clinical training. Although, our hypothesis was that the main purpose of notetaking and writing was to pass their course examinations, this study showed that students that were half-way through their dental education, are aware that literacy practices are for learning for their future profession, and not only for passing their exams.