bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Roles of kisspeptin in IVF/ICSI-treated infertile women and in human granulosa cells
Authors: Qin Lixian , Sitticharoon Chantacha , Petyim Somsin , Keadkraichaiwat Issarawan , Sririwichitchai Rungnapa , Maikeaw Pailin , Churintaraphan Malika , Sripong Chanakarn
Published: December 2020

Kisspeptin, a crucial central regulator of reproduction, has been used as a trigger in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. This study aimed to investigate the roles of kisspeptin in IVF treatment in infertile females ( n = 30); and in steroidogenesis in human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN). In the human study, blood was collected at three time points including (1) the beginning of gonadotropin stimulation (Phase I), (2) around eight days after gonadotropin stimulation (Phase II), and (3) on the day of ovum pick-up (Phase III). Follicular fluid (FF) was collected at Phase III. Serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was measured 15 days after embryo transfer and fetal heart beats were determined around 42 days of menstrual cycle to classify the subjects into successful and unsuccessful groups. FF kisspeptin levels were higher in successful compared with unsuccessful subjects ( P < 0.01). Kisspeptin levels were significantly higher in FF than in serum in successful subjects ( P < 0.05) but were comparable in unsuccessful subjects. Serum kisspeptin was comparable among three phases in the successful group but its levels in Phase III were significantly lower compared with Phase I in the unsuccessful group ( P < 0.01). Serum kisspeptin in Phase II/III had positive correlations with serum E2 in Phases II and III and the outcomes of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment including serum hCG levels. For the cell experiment ( n = 3), kisspeptin treatment in the presence of FSH together with IGF-1 enhanced CYP19A1 (aromatase) mRNA expression compared with control. FSH alone increased aromatase concentrations in the supernatant compared with control and kisspeptin at the dose of 10-2 mmol/L with FSH enhanced aromatase concentrations in the supernatant compared with FSH alone ( P < 0.001 all). In conclusion, kisspeptin enhanced aromatase expression and secretion and was associated with positive outcomes of IVF/ICSI treatment. Further studies regarding supplementation of kisspeptin could reveal its beneficial effects on IVF/ICSI treatment.
Pre-placement examinations for newly recruited health care support staff
Authors: Wong Joyce Yuk Ping
Published: December 2020

Objective

While musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and physical strength have been extensively studied in health care professionals, little attention has been paid to health care support staff, such as patient care assistants and operation patient assistants, whose jobs are physically demanding. The purpose of this paper was to examine the musculoskeletal symptoms and physical strength of newly recruited health care support staff.

Method

Convenience sampling was conducted on 111 newly employed health care support staff in a public hospital. A custom-made pre-placement examination was performed. Data were analysed using descriptive, correlation, and regression analyses.

Results

Nearly one-third (32%) of the newly recruited health care support staff had experienced musculoskeletal symptoms in at least one body part during the preceding 12 months. Two-thirds (68%) of subjects were physically inactive, and sixty percent was overweight or obese. Handgrip strength was weaker than the local norm. The subjects’ dominant handgrip strength, bilateral lifting, pushing, and pulling force were significantly correlated. Only bilateral lifting was significantly associated with MSD among the newly recruited health care workers.

Conclusions

This study reports the baseline prevalence of MSD symptoms in the newly recruited health care support staff. Their sedentary lifestyle and suboptimal physical strength may render them susceptible to occupational injuries and disease. An effective occupational health programme that provides periodic health surveillance should be considered for high-risk health care workers to allow proper interventions in a timely manner.
Learning, making and flourishing in non-formal spaces: Participatory arts and social justice
Authors: Wright Peter , Down Barry , Davies Christina
Published: December 2020

This article considers Participatory Arts and sociocultural understandings of justice and praxis through the example of Big hART, an Australian multi-award winning provider where both artists and participants – often disenfranchised and marginalised young people – co-create the work (Matarasso, 2018). Enacting social justice principles, Big hART works alongside young people to improve their life outcomes through arts practice strengthening young people’s critical capabilities by inducting them as both makers and responders to their own lives and the world around them. Drawing on three years of ethnographic research across three sites in rural and regional Australia we highlight how multidimensional and multi-modal arts-based projects contribute to young people’s lives through theorising the attributes and dimensions of twenty productive conditions and practices identified as essential for social change. These possibilities are important as when these conditions are purposefully enacted, the power of the arts for sense-making and identity development is revealed in non-formal learning spaces. Theoretically unpacking these conditions and practices and linking them with research outcomes helps build understanding of the generative power of Participatory Arts through the ways Big hART builds bridges between young people and their communities and the developmental trajectories they may take through being ‘at-promise’ rather than ‘at-risk’.
Attention biases in the inverse base-rate effect persist into new learning
Authors: Don Hilary J , Livesey Evan J
Published: December 2020

The inverse base-rate effect is a tendency to predict the rarer of two outcomes when presented with cues that make conflicting predictions. Attention-based accounts of the effect appeal to prioritised attention to predictors of rare outcomes. Changes in the processing of these cues are predicted to increase the rate at which they are learned about in the future (i.e., their associability). Our previous work has shown that the development of the inverse base-rate effect is accompanied by greater overt attention to the rare predictor while participants made predictions, and during feedback, and these biases change in different ways depending on the stage of training and global base-rate differences. It is unknown whether these gaze patterns reflect the manner in which cues are prioritised for learning or are merely a consequence of learning what the cues predict. This study tested whether the associability of common and rare predictors differed, and if so, how this difference changed as a function of training length and the presence of base-rate differences in the outcomes. Experiment 1 tested cue associability using a second learning task presented after either short or long training. The results suggest an associability advantage for rare predictors that weakens with extended training and is not strongly affected by the presence of global base-rate differences. However, Experiment 2 showed a clear effect of base-rate differences on choice after very brief training, indicating that attention biases as measured by associability change are not sufficient to produce the inverse base-rate effect.
Short-term upper limb immobilisation impairs grasp representation
Authors: Toussaint Lucette , Meugnot Aurore , Bidet-Ildei Christel
Published: December 2020

The present experiment aimed to gain more information on the effect of limb nonuse on the cognitive level of actions and, more specifically, on the content of the motor programme used for grasping an object. For that purpose, we used a hand-grasping laterality task that is known to contain concrete information on manipulation activity. Two groups participated in the experiment: an immobilised group, including participants whose right hand and arm were fixed with a rigid splint and an immobilisation vest for 24 hr, and a control group, including participants who did not undergo the immobilisation procedure. The main results confirmed the slowdown of sensorimotor processes, which is highlighted in the literature, with slower response times when the participants identified the laterality of hand images that corresponded to the immobilised hand. Importantly, the grip-precision effect, highlighted by slower response times for hands grasping a small sphere versus a large sphere, is impaired by 24 hr of limb nonuse. Overall, this study provided additional evidence of the disengagement of sensorimotor processes due to a short period of limb immobilisation.
A comprehensive review of the treatment and management of Charcot spine
Authors: Urits Ivan , Amgalan Ariunzaya , Israel Jacob , Dugay Chase , Zhao Alex , Berger Amnon A. , Kassem Hisham , Paladini Antonella , Varrassi Giustino , Kaye Alan D. , Miriyala Sumitra , Viswanath Omar
Published: December 2020

Charcot spine arthropathy (CSA), a result of reduced afferent innervation, is an occurrence of Charcot joint, a progressive, degenerative disorder in vertebral joints, related mostly to spinal cord injury. The repeated microtrauma is a result of a lack of muscle protection and destroys cartilage, ligaments, and disc spaces, leading to vertebrae destruction, joint instability, subluxation, and dislocation. Joint destruction compresses nerve roots, resulting in pain, paresthesia, sensory loss, dysautonomia, and spasticity. CSA presents with back pain, spinal deformity and instability, and audible spine noises during movement. Autonomic dysfunction includes bowel and bladder dysfunction. It is slowly progressive and usually diagnosed at a late stage, usually, on average, 20 years after the first initial insult. Diagnosis is rarely clinical related to the nature of nonspecific symptoms and requires imaging with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Conservative management focuses on the prevention of fractures and the progression of deformities. This includes bed rest, orthoses, and braces. These could be useful in elderly or frail patients who are not candidates for surgical treatment, or in minimally symptomatic patients, such as patients with spontaneous fusion leading to a stable spine. Symptomatic treatment is offered for autonomic dysfunction, such as anticholinergics for bladder control. Most patients require surgical treatment. Spinal fusion is achieved with open, minimally-open (MOA) or minimally-invasive (MIS) approaches. The gold standard is open circumferential fusion; data is lacking to determine the superiority of open or MIS approaches. Patients usually improve after surgery; however, the rarity of the condition makes it difficult to estimate outcomes. This is a review of the latest and seminal literature about the treatment and chronic management of Charcot spine. The review includes the background of the syndrome, clinical presentation, and diagnosis, and compares the different treatment options that are currently available.
Exploring the Africa-Asia Trade Nexus for Endangered Wildlife Used in Traditional Asian Medicine: Interviews With Traders in South Africa and Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen T. , Roberts D. L.
Published: December 2020

Many species in Southeast Asia have been over-hunted to supply the demand for Traditional Asian Medicine (TAM) ingredients. As access to their parts become more difficult, consumer’s demand is shifting to novel substitutes. Accurate estimation of the level of illegal wildlife trade is therefore important to ensure long term sustainability. The primary aim of this study is to provide an understanding of the current illegal wildlife trade market for TAM purposes in South Africa. The secondary aim is to explore the possibility of applying different survey methods in detecting the trade in endangered wildlife parts. As the number of criminal’s wildlife of Vietnamese origin has increased in South Africa in recent decades, we surveyed 183 traditional medicine shops in both South Africa and Vietnam between April – August 2017, using direct observation and sensitive questioning techniques to estimate the magnitude of the wildlife trade for TAM purposes. Our results show that the Randomise Response Technique resulted in highest prevalence estimates for the trade in wild animal parts, while False Consensus Bias does not appear to be effective in this study. It is clear that wild animal parts are not only being trafficked from Africa to Asia for TAM use, but Asian originated products such as bear parts might also be smuggled into South Africa for domestic consumption. We recommend that improving wildlife law enforcement and providing protection for non-native species in domestic legislation in both South Africa and Vietnam is required to ensure the survival of these species.
Multidimensional Perspective of Firms’ IT Capability Between Digital Business Strategy and Firms’ Efficiency: A Case of Chinese SMEs
Authors: Wang Zhuquan , Rafait Mahmood Memon , Ullah Hafeez , Hanif Imran , Abbas Qaiser , Mohsin Muhammad
Published: December 2020

In the contemporary and perpetually changing environment, firms have transformed their business models by integrating advanced digital technologies in which their capabilities contribute crucially. This has evoked competition and challenges especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Therefore, the research aimed to analyze the mediating effect of information technology (IT) capability between digital business strategy and firms’ efficiency. The case of Chinese SMEs was considered specifically. The research was quantitative; therefore, the sample comprised 351 participants accumulated using a survey questionnaire. The mediating effect was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) where partial mediation of the IT capability was found only in terms of IT proactive stance. Therefore, the research has certain managerial implications specifically in terms of proactive stance as the managers need to initiate the transformation within for efficient performance.
The Model of Domestic Product Quality Syndrome
Authors: Bakti I Gede Mahatma Yuda , Sumaedi Sik , Rakhmawati Tri , Damayanti Sih , Yarmen Medi
Published: December 2020

This paper aims to develop and test a model that involves consumer ethnocentrism, world-mindedness, patriotism, and domestic product quality syndrome. This research used a quantitative approach. Data were collected through a survey of 222 respondents in Jakarta, Indonesia. The respondents are consumer electronic product users. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was used to test the conceptual model and hypotheses. The results of this research show that the conceptual model has a good fit. We found that consumer ethnocentrism has a positive and significant impact on domestic product quality syndrome. We also found that patriotism significantly influences consumer ethnocentrism, while world-mindedness does not significantly influence consumer ethnocentrism. Data were collected only in Jakarta. Furthermore, a convenience sampling technique was applied. Thus, the findings of this research may not be generalized to other contexts. Therefore, future studies involving larger respondents coming from diverse areas are required to improve the generalization of the results and examine the stability of this research’s findings. Company should align its strategy and quality objectives with the level of consumer ethnocentrism and patriotism to overcome domestic product quality syndrome. There is a lack of research that develops and tests a model that can be used to explain the phenomenon of domestic product quality syndrome. This research fulfills the literature gaps.
Sexual Harassment Among Medical Students: Prevalence, Prediction, and Correlated Outcomes
Authors: McClain T’Shana , Kammer-Kerwick Matt , Wood Leila , Temple Jeff R. , Busch-Armendariz Noël
Published: December 2020

Background:

Few studies are dedicated to understanding the extent and impact of sexual harassment among medical students. The aim of this study was to use behaviorally specific measures to examine prevalence of sexual harassment toward medical students. Associated mental health and academic impacts were also studied.

Methods:

A multisite survey was conducted at four medical schools. Sexual harassment was measured using the Sexual Experiences Questionnaire (SEQ), a valid and reliable instrument. Students were also surveyed about depressive and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and their level of academic engagement. We also assessed their perceptions of institutional response and whether they felt safe at their institution.

Findings:

The final sample included 524 medical students (response rate = 13%). Findings revealed that 36.6% reported sexual harassment by a faculty/staff member and 38.5% reported harassment by a fellow student. The odds of harassment by faculty/staff, as well as peers, were significantly higher for women with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 9.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [3.74, 25.80] and multiracial students with an AOR: 2.93, 95% CI: [1.16, 7.39]. Those who experienced sexual harassment were more likely to report academic disengagement and symptoms of depression and PTSD.

Conclusion/Application to Practice:

Sexual harassment in medical schools can potentially limit a student’s academic success and negatively impact their mental health. Supportive services and efforts to address peer and professional cultures that promote harassment are needed. Experiences of harassment require swift and competent responses by medical school leadership in collaboration with occupational and/or student health services to mitigate detrimental impacts and support medical students throughout their training.
Recovery of Long Standing Neurological Deficit in Pediatric Dorsal Spinal Tuberculosis: A Single Center Experience of 13 Cases
Authors: Srivastava Sudhir , Raj Aditya , Bhosale Sunil , Purohit Shaligram , Marathe Nandan , Desai Jigar
Published: December 2020

Study Design:

Retrospective analysis of case series.

Objective:

The aim is to study the recovery of neurological deficit in pediatric spinal tuberculosis cases presenting to us more than 6 months after onset of motor weakness in lower limbs.

Methods:

This is a retrospective analysis of 13 consecutive patients of pediatric spinal tuberculosis presenting to us at least 6 months after the onset of neurologic deficit. All these patients underwent surgical intervention at our center and their neurological recovery was noted in terms of improvement in Frankel grading and spasticity improvement by modified Ashworth scale. All the patients were followed up to at least 18 months post op and final neurologic status was assessed at that time.

Results:

The mean age of the patients at presentation was 8.5 years. The mean duration of neurologic deficit at the time of presentation was 10.23 months (6-24 months). Seven patients had a Frankel grade B at presentation out of which 6 improved to Frankel grade D and one improved to Frankel C at final follow up. Out of the other 3 patients with Frankel A at presentation, 2 improved to Frankel grade D and 1 to Frankel grade C. The remaining 3 patients presented with Frankel grade C at presentation, 2 improved to Frankel D and one improved to Frankel E at the time of final follow up.

Conclusion:

Neurologic recovery in patients with neurological deficit is possible even in cases of long standing deficit more than 6 months and in some cases upto 24 months as shown in our study.
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis as the Initial Presentation of Subcutaneous Panniculitis-Like T-Cell Lymphoma: A Rare Case Responding to Cyclosporine A and Steroids
Authors: Sullivan Caitlin , Loghmani Arya , Thomas Katharine , Jetly-Shridhar Rachna , Chowdry Rajasree Pia
Published: December 2020

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) is a rare peripheral cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma, clinically resembling panniculitis. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening syndrome of immune overactivation, triggered by underlying conditions. SPTCL presenting with HLH may represent a severe and rapidly progressive disease course. Currently, there is no standardized approach to treatment of HLH secondary to underlying SPTCL. A 34-year-old Asian male presented with a several months history of high fevers, weight loss, and nonpruritic purple discoloration of the skin. He had a skin biopsy showing atypical lymphohistiocytic panniculitis with dermal mucinosis and erythrophagocytosis consistent with SPTCL. The patient was initiated on treatment with dexamethasone and cyclosporine A. Almost immediate improvement of his skin lesions was noted and laboratory abnormalities trended toward baseline within 2 weeks. He noted complete symptom resolution after 3 months on therapy. SPTCL may be treated effectively with cyclosporine A and steroids to achieve rapid clinical and symptom management of this rare malignancy.
Binaural Recordings in Natural Acoustic Environments: Estimates of Speech-Likeness and Interaural Parameters
Authors: Goverts S. Theo , Colburn H. Steven
Published: December 2020

Binaural acoustic recordings were made in multiple natural environments, which were chosen to be similar to those reported to be difficult for listeners with impaired hearing. These environments include natural conversations that take place in the presence of other sound sources as found in restaurants, walking or biking in the city, and so on. Sounds from these environments were recorded binaurally with in-the-ear microphones and were analyzed with respect to speech-likeness measures and interaural difference measures. The speech-likeness measures were based on amplitude–modulation patterns within frequency bands and were estimated for 1-s time-slices. The interaural difference measures included interaural coherence, interaural time difference, and interaural level difference, which were estimated for time-slices of 20-ms duration. These binaural measures were documented for one-fourth-octave frequency bands centered at 500 Hz and for the envelopes of one-fourth-octave bands centered at 2000 Hz. For comparison purposes, the same speech-likeness and interaural difference measures were computed for a set of virtual recordings that mimic typical clinical test configurations. These virtual recordings were created by filtering anechoic waveforms with available head-related transfer functions and combining them to create multiple source combinations. Overall, the speech-likeness results show large variability within and between environments, and they demonstrate the importance of having information from both ears available. Furthermore, the interaural parameter results show that the natural recordings contain a relatively small proportion of time-slices with high coherence compared with the virtual recordings; however, when present, binaural cues might be used for selecting intervals with good speech intelligibility for individual sources.
C-reactive protein in traditional melanesians on Kitava
Authors: Carrera-Bastos Pedro , Fontes-Villalba Maelán , Gurven Michael , Muskiet Frits A. J. , Åkerfeldt Torbjörn , Lindblad Ulf , Råstam Lennart , Frostegård Johan , Shapira Yinon , Shoenfeld Yehuda , Granfeldt Yvonne , Sundquist Kristina , Jönsson Tommy
Published: December 2020

Background

Population-based levels of the chronic low-grade systemic inflammation biomarker, C-reactive protein (CRP), vary widely among traditional populations, despite their apparent absence of chronic conditions associated with chronic low-grade systemic inflammation, such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. We have previously reported an apparent absence of aforementioned conditions amongst the traditional Melanesian horticulturalists of Kitava, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Our objective in this study was to clarify associations between chronic low-grade systemic inflammation and chronic cardiometabolic conditions by measuring CRP in a Kitava population sample. For comparison purposes, CRP was also measured in Swedish controls matched for age and gender.

Methods

Fasting levels of serum CRP were measured cross-sectionally in ≥ 40-year-old Kitavans (N = 79) and Swedish controls (N = 83).

Results

CRP was lower for Kitavans compared to Swedish controls (Mdn 0.5 mg/L range 0.1—48 mg/L and Mdn 1.1 mg/L range 0.1—33 mg/L, respectively, r = .18 p = .02). Among Kitavans, there were small negative associations between lnCRP for CRP values < 10 and total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol. Among Swedish controls, associations of lnCRP for CRP values < 10 were medium positive with weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist-hip ratio and low positive with triglyceride, total cholesterol-HDL cholesterol ratio, triglyceride-HDL cholesterol ratio and serum insulin.

Conclusions

Chronic low-grade systemic inflammation, measured as CRP, was lower among Kitavans compared to Swedish controls, indicating a lower and average cardiovascular risk, respectively, for these populations.
Derivation and validation of a prognostic model for predicting in-hospital mortality in patients admitted with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: the PLANS (platelet lymphocyte age neutrophil sex) model
Authors: Li Jiong , Chen Yuntao , Chen Shujing , Wang Sihua , Zhang Dingyu , Wang Junfeng , Postmus Douwe , Zeng Hesong , Qin Guoyou , Shen Yin , Jiang Jinjun , Yu Yongfu
Published: December 2020

Background

Previous published prognostic models for COVID-19 patients have been suggested to be prone to bias due to unrepresentativeness of patient population, lack of external validation, inappropriate statistical analyses, or poor reporting. A high-quality and easy-to-use prognostic model to predict in-hospital mortality for COVID-19 patients could support physicians to make better clinical decisions.

Methods

Fine-Gray models were used to derive a prognostic model to predict in-hospital mortality (treating discharged alive from hospital as the competing event) in COVID-19 patients using two retrospective cohorts (n = 1008) in Wuhan, China from January 1 to February 10, 2020. The proposed model was internally evaluated by bootstrap approach and externally evaluated in an external cohort (n = 1031).

Results

The derivation cohort was a case-mix of mild-to-severe hospitalized COVID-19 patients (43.6% females, median age 55). The final model (PLANS), including five predictor variables of platelet count, lymphocyte count, age, neutrophil count, and sex, had an excellent predictive performance (optimism-adjusted C-index: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.83 to 0.87; averaged calibration slope: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.82 to 1.08). Internal validation showed little overfitting. External validation using an independent cohort (47.8% female, median age 63) demonstrated excellent predictive performance (C-index: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.85 to 0.89; calibration slope: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.12). The averaged predicted cumulative incidence curves were close to the observed cumulative incidence curves in patients with different risk profiles.

Conclusions

The PLANS model based on five routinely collected predictors would assist clinicians in better triaging patients and allocating healthcare resources to reduce COVID-19 fatality.
Contraceptive nonuse among women in Uganda: a comparative assessment of predictors across regions
Authors: Otim Jude
Published: December 2020

Background

Contraceptive nonuse has diverse effects on women, such as unintended pregnancies and births that result in high fertility and poor maternal health outcomes. In Uganda, knowledge on contraceptive use is high, amidst undesirably high contraceptive nonuse and scarce literature on predictors of contraceptive nonuse across regions. This study assessed factors associated with contraceptive nonuse among women of reproductive age across regions in Uganda.

Method

This study used data from a cross-sectional 2016 Uganda demographic and health survey that had 18,506 women of reproductive age. The relationship between contraceptive nonuse and socio-economic and demographic factors across regions were assessed using a binary multivariable logistic regression model.

Results

In Uganda, contraceptive nonuse is estimated at 40%. Northern region (55%) had the highest prevalence of contraceptive nonuse compared to Central region (35%) with the lowest. Across regions, wealth index, number of living children, educational level, and children born in the last 5 years prior to the demographic survey differently predicted contraceptive nonuse. Conversely, age, religion, age at first marriage, sexual autonomy, age at first birth, desire for children, listening to radio, and employment status were only predictors of contraceptive nonuse in particular regions amidst variations. Residence, perception of distance to health facility, watching television, and reading newspapers or magazines did not predict contraceptive nonuse.

Conclusions

The study findings propose the need to appreciate regional-variations in effect of contraceptive nonuse predictors and therefore, efforts should be directed towards addressing regional-variations so as to attain high contraceptive usage across regions, and thus reduce on unwanted pregnancies and births.
Evaluation of helping babies breathe and essential care for every baby training in southern nations nationalities and people’s region, Ethiopia: applying a Kirkpatrick training evaluation model
Authors: Gamtessa Lalisa Chewaka , Tiyare Firew Tiruneh , Kebede Kindie Mitiku
Published: December 2020

Objective

The aim of this evaluation was to assess the effectiveness of helping baby breathe (HBB) and essential care for every baby (ECEB) training program that has been implemented in southern nations nationalities and people’s region (SNNPR), Ethiopia.

Result

The mean trainees’ satisfaction score was 32.88 (SD ± 2.68). The majority (93.88%) of the trainees scored ≥ mean. All trainees expressed that all parts of the training were important but the updated parts of the training were most useful to them. The mean knowledge score of trainees for HBB training increased from 64.42 (SD ± 17.43) before the training to 80.71 (SD ± 14.36) after the training. The increment was statistically significant at p < 0.001. For ECEB training, the mean knowledge score of the trainees was increased from 59.10 (SD ± 13.18) before the training to 73.73 (SD ± 14.17) after the training. The improvement was statistically significant at p < 0.001.
Lesion-to-background ratio threshold value of SUVmax of simultaneous [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI imaging in patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Zhao Jing , Hamm Bernd , Brenner Winfried , Makowski Marcus R.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to calculate an applicable relative ratio threshold value instead of the absolute threshold value for simultaneous 68Ga prostate-specific membrane antigen/positron emission tomography ([68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa).

Materials and methods

Our study evaluated thirty-two patients and 170 focal prostate lesions. Lesions are classified into groups according to Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS). Standardized uptake values maximum (SUVmax), corresponding lesion-to-background ratios (LBRs) of SUVmax, and LBR distributions of each group were measured based on regions of interest (ROI). We examined LBR with receiver operating characteristic analysis to determine threshold values for differentiation between multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)-positive and mpMRI-negative lesions.

Results

We analyzed a total of 170 focal prostate lesions. Lesions number of PI-RADS 2 to 5 was 70, 16, 46, and 38. LBR of SUVmax of each PI-RADS scores was 1.5 (0.9, 2.4), 2.5 (1.6, 3.4), 3.7 (2.6, 4.8), and 6.7 (3.5, 12.7). Based on an optimal threshold ratio of 2.5 to be exceeded, lesions could be classified into MRI-positive lesion on [68Ga]Ga-PSMA PET with a sensitivity of 85.2%, a specificity of 72.0%, with the corresponding area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.83, p < 0.001. This value matches the imaging findings better.

Conclusion

The ratio threshold value of SUVmax, LBR, has improved clinical and research applicability compared with the absolute value of SUVmax. A higher threshold value than the background’s uptake can dovetail the imaging findings on MRI better. It reduces the bias from using absolute background uptake value as the threshold value.
Pretreatment with probiotics ameliorate gut health and necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens, a substitute to antibiotics
Authors: Rajput Danish Sharafat , Zeng Dong , Khalique Abdul , Rajput Samia Sharafat , Wang Hesong , Zhao Ying , Sun Ning , Ni Xueqin
Published: December 2020

Necrotic enteritis (NE) is being considered as one of the most important intestinal diseases in the recent poultry production systems, which causes huge economic losses globally. NE is caused by Clostridium perfringens, a pathogenic bacterium, and normal resident of the intestinal microflora of healthy broiler chickens. Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of broiler chicken is considered as the most integral part of pathogen’s entrance, their production and disease prevention. Interaction between C. perfringens and other pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella present in the small intestine may contribute to the development of NE in broiler chickens. The antibiotic therapy was used to treat the NE; however European Union has imposed a strict ban due to the negative implications of drug resistance. Moreover, antibiotic growth promoters cause adverse effects on human health as results of withdrawal of antibiotic residues in the chicken meat. After restriction on use of antibiotics, numerous studies have been carried out to investigate the alternatives to antibiotics for controlling NE. Thus, possible alternatives to prevent NE are bio-therapeutic agents (Probiotics), prebiotics, organic acids and essential oils which help in nutrients digestion, immunity enhancement and overall broiler performance. Recently, probiotics are extensively used alternatives to antibiotics for improving host health status and making them efficient in production. The aim of review is to describe a replacement to antibiotics by using different microbial strains as probiotics such as bacteria and yeasts etc. having bacteriostatic properties which inhibit growth of pathogens and neutralize the toxins by different modes of action.
What evidence exists on conservation actions to conserve insects? A protocol for a systematic map of literature reviews
Authors: Haddaway Neal R. , Grames Eliza M. , Boyes Douglas H. , Saunders Manu E. , Taylor Nigel G.
Published: December 2020

Background

Insects play a central role in the functioning of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems and contribute to a multitude of ecosystem services in managed and unmanaged systems Even local declines of insect abundance and richness can have enormous ecological and economic consequences. Evidence-informed conservation actions are essential to prevent potential cascading consequences of insect declines, and to help declining populations recover. Policy-makers rely on syntheses of primary research, such as reviews and meta-analyses, when making decisions about which conservation actions to implement. These evidence reviews vary in their quality, and do not necessarily synthesise the full range of scientific evidence found in the primary literature, which hampers decision-making. This evidence review map will identify, catalogue, and describe evidence reviews that investigate actions and policies to conserve insect biodiversity. This will help policy makers identify relevant reviews and researchers to identify synthesis gaps. It will also generate a list of conservation actions which can feed into future synthesis projects. We will produce an interactive database of evidence reviews, acting as a bibliography for policy-makers, curate a list of insect conservation actions that have been reviewed, and identify synthesis gaps for conservation actions that have not been reviewed.

Methods

We will search for evidence reviews across seven large, generic bibliographic databases, a database of environmental reviews, and five grey literature resources using a search string consisting of an insect substring, a biodiversity or population response substring, an evidence synthesis substring, and a conservation substring. The results will be deduplicated and then screened at title and abstract (concurrently) and full text levels against predefined inclusion criteria. We will initially perform consistency checking on a subset of records at each level to ensure the inclusion criteria are sufficiently clear and understood by multiple reviewers. We will extract a suite of descriptive meta-data from relevant reviews, including a description of the action and information on each review’s focal taxa, biomes, and locations. If resources allow, we will apply the CEESAT critical appraisal tool for evidence reviews to assess validity of individual records and the evidence base as a whole. We will summarise our findings in an interactive database of reviews and other visualisations, including evidence atlases and heat maps (cross tabulations of the volume of evidence across two categorical variables). The findings of the evidence review map will support the identification of synthesis gaps and clusters that may warrant further attention through secondary research.
Poly-herbal tablet formulation by design expert tool and in vitro anti-lipase activity
Authors: Balekundri Amruta , Shahapuri Amit , Patil Mrityunjaya
Published: December 2020

Background

Traditional medicine being ethnic is preferred worldwide even in these modern days. Obesity is a lifestyle disorder. Many chemically synthesized medicines are available. Poly-herbal medicines can be one of the safest alternatives with less side effects in treating obese patients.

Results

The in vitro anti-lipase activity was carried out for a different concentration. The formulation of the poly-herbal tablets was designed using the Design Expert software. The pre-compression and post-compression studies show that the formulation F6 showed better results of all the formulations designed. Stability study results showed that the poly-herbal tablets were stable throughout the studies.

Conclusion

The results show that F6 is the better formulation based on the tablet evaluation, and all the extracts showed inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase indicating its active role in the treatment of obesity.
Ancient microRNA profiles of 14,300-yr-old canid samples confirm taxonomic origin and provide glimpses into tissue-specific gene regulation from the Pleistocene
Authors: Fromm Bastian , Tarbier Marcel , Smith Oliver , Mármol-Sánchez Emilio , Dalén Love , Gilbert M. Tom P. , Friedländer Marc R.
Published: December 2020

DNA sequencing is the current key technology for historic or ancient biological samples and has led to many exciting discoveries in the field of paleogenomics. However, functional insights into tissue identity, cellular composition, or gene regulation cannot be gained from DNA. Recent analyses have shown that, under favorable conditions, RNA can also be sequenced from ancient samples, enabling studies at the transcriptomic and regulatory level. Analyzing ancient RNA data from a Pleistocene canid, we find hundreds of intact microRNAs that are taxonomically informative, show tissue specificity and have functionally predictive characteristics. With an extraordinary age of 14,300 yr, these microRNA sequences are by far the oldest ever reported. The authenticity of the sequences is further supported by (i) the presence of canid/Caniformia-specific sequences that never evolved outside of this clade, (ii) tissue-specific expression patterns (cartilage, liver, and muscle) that resemble those of modern dogs, and (iii) RNA damage patterns that are clearly distinct from those of fresh samples. By performing computational microRNA-target enrichment analyses on the ancient sequences, we predict microRNA functions consistent with their tissue pattern of expression. For instance, we find a liver-specific microRNA that regulates carbohydrate metabolism and starvation responses in canids. In summary, we show that straightforward paleotranscriptomic microRNA analyses can give functional glimpses into tissue identity, cellular composition, and gene regulatory activity of ancient samples and biological processes that took place in the Pleistocene, thus holding great promise for deeper insights into gene regulation in extinct animals based on ancient RNA sequencing.
Inter-site and interpersonal diversity of salivary and tongue microbiomes, and the effect of oral care tablets
Authors: Maruyama Hugo , Masago Ayako , Nambu Takayuki , Mashimo Chiho , Takahashi Kazuya , Okinaga Toshinori
Published: December 2020

Background: Oral microbiota has been linked to both health and disease. Specifically, tongue-coating microbiota has been implicated in aspiration pneumonia and halitosis. Approaches altering one's oral microbiota have the potential to improve oral health and prevent diseases.

Methods: Here, we designed a study that allows simultaneous monitoring of the salivary and tongue microbiomes during an intervention on the oral microbiota. We applied this study design to evaluate the effect of single-day use of oral care tablets on the oral microbiome of 10 healthy individuals. Tablets with or without actinidin, a protease that reduces biofilm formation in vitro, were tested.

Results: Alpha diversity in the saliva was higher than that on the tongue without the intervention. The core operational taxonomic units (OTUs) common to both sites were identified. The salivary and tongue microbiomes of one individual tended to be more similar to one another than to those of other individuals. The tablets did not affect the alpha or beta diversity of the oral microbiome, nor the abundance of specific bacterial species.

Conclusions: While the salivary and tongue microbiomes differ significantly in terms of bacterial composition, they show inter- rather than intra-individual diversity. A one-day usage of oral care tablets did not alter the salivary or tongue microbiomes of healthy adults. Whether the use of oral tablets for a longer period on healthy people or people with greater tongue coating accumulation shifts their oral microbiome needs to be investigated.
A “revanche” e “os perversos”: como Eliane Brum aborda Jair Bolsonaro em sua eleição e nos seus 100 primeiros dias de governo
Authors: Fernandes Carla Montuori , Oliveira Luiz Ademir de , Quadros Ana Resende
Published: December 2020

Este artigo analisa de que forma a jornalista e escritora Eliane Brum abordou a eleição de Jair Bolsonaro, em 2018, e os primeiros 100 dias de seu governo, a partir dos artigos a “A revanche dos ressentidos” e “Cem dias sob o domínio dos perversos”. O percurso do trabalho se constituiu em avaliar de que forma Brum empregou suas estratégias de destaque ao desacontecimento, ou seja, de acontecimentos cotidianos e buscou responder como a narrativa foi construída, tendo em vista que se tratava de um tema tipicamente noticioso, fortemente vinculado aos padrões hegemônicos de noticiabilidade. Para tanto, foi feita uma análise de conteúdo seguindo os princípios de Bardin (2011) delimitando a análise nas seguintes categorias: uso do acontecimento e do desacontecimento em seus textos, o enquadramento empregado e a construção da imagem de seus personagens. O que se viu nas temáticas abordadas pela jornalista foi uma aproximação ao recurso do acontecimento, ainda que os textos remetessem à aspectos do jornalismo literário.
a captura será aquática, em cinco movimentos
Authors: Germano Mariane
Published: December 2020

Série fotográfica de um movimento fragmentado. A decupagem da captura do pescador em metalinguagem com a captura fotográfica. Formam um par complementar a complexidade de aprisionar na água e a de capturar um fragmento de tempo através da fotografia. O movimento como dança, dividido em cinco movimentos, como uma composição musical clássica.
Renal patients: IRIS scores, nursing care plans and care bundles
Authors: Ackerman Nicola
Published: December 2020

The role of a consulting nurse in chronic medical cases is very important in helping with compliance, client education and ultimately welfare and quality of life. In patients with chronic renal failure the use of the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) score enables all veterinary professionals to be able to implement any guidelines or protocols (care bundles) in order to benefit the health of the animal and to have these incorporated into long-term care plans.
249. Paisagens no núcleo de desertificação dos Inhamuns e seu entorno, Ceará, Brasil
Authors: Carvalho Aderaldo Pedro Ítalo
Published: December 2020

A área de estudo localizada no estado do Ceará, Brasil, configura-se por paisagens que abrangem rica biodiversidade e o bioma Caatinga, o único no mundo. Nestas paisagens, também se evidenciam, marcas significativas de um passado com práticas predatórias e não sustentáveis, formando áreas com altos níveis de degradação ou desertificadas. Este artigo busca aprofundar o entendimento sobre as características físicas da área desertificada dos Inhumuns e o seu entorno, a partir de uma análise de cada compartimento do relevo identificado e representado em um mapa com escala de 1:250.000, elaborado com bases em atividades de campo e em imagens Shuttle Radar Topografy Mission (SRTM), com resolução espacial de 30 metros (Earth Explorer – U.S Geological Survey), através da utilização do software Arcgis. Nesse contexto, visa-se contribuir, com o embasamento para futuras pesquisas que envolvam planejamento do território e práticas sustentáveis.
miRNA expression profiling and zeatin dynamic changes in a new model system of in vivo indirect regeneration of tomato
Authors: Cao Huiying , Zhang Xinyue , Ruan Yanye , Zhang Lijun , Cui Zhenhai , Li Xuxiao , Jia Bing
Published: December 2020

Callus formation and adventitious shoot differentiation could be observed on the cut surface of completely decapitated tomato plants. We propose that this process can be used as a model system to investigate the mechanisms that regulate indirect regeneration of higher plants without the addition of exogenous hormones. This study analyzed the patterns of trans-zeatin and miRNA expression during in vivo regeneration of tomato. Analysis of trans-zeatin revealed that the hormone cytokinin played an important role in in vivo regeneration of tomato. Among 183 miRNAs and 1168 predicted target genes sequences identified, 93 miRNAs and 505 potential targets were selected based on differential expression levels for further characterization. Expression patterns of six miRNAs, including sly-miR166, sly-miR167, sly-miR396, sly-miR397, novel 156, and novel 128, were further validated by qRT-PCR. We speculate that sly-miR156, sly-miR160, sly-miR166, and sly-miR397 play major roles in callus formation of tomato during in vivo regeneration by regulating cytokinin, IAA, and laccase levels. Overall, our microRNA sequence and target analyses of callus formation during in vivo regeneration of tomato provide novel insights into the regulation of regeneration in higher plants.