bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethnomedicinal Study of Plants Used against Human Ailments in Aseko District, South East Ethiopia
Authors: Jara Jewar Safeno , Girma Zerihun Girma , Selamo Melesse Maryo
Published: April 2020

Background

Over exploitation of MPs to treat human ailments in highly populated regions caused by deforestation and agricultural expansion disappearing (MP) species diversity in the areas, MPs Hence, this study was aimed to document and analyze the plant-based ethnomedicinal knowledge of the people in order to preserve the existing indigenous knowledge.
Methods

Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interview, key informants interview, guided field observations, group discussions & market survey. Quantitative approaches were used to determine Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), pair wise comparison, preference ranking and Fidelity level (FL) values.
Results

A total of 96 medicinal plant species belonging to 89 genera and 66 botanical families were reported to treat human diseases in the Aseko District. Plant Families with the highest number of species were Lamiaceae and Solanaceae, followed by Fabaceae. About 44% of Medicinal Plants (MPs) preparations were reported to be obtained from leaves. Highest ICF values were recorded for gastrointestinal (0.76) & parasitic and febrile illnesses (0.74) indicating best agreement among informants’ knowledge on MPs used to treat aliments in these categories. The highest fidelity level values (100% FL) were recorded for Ocimum gratissimum L against febrile diseases, Rubus steudneri Schw against Asthma and Podocarpus falcatus against Intestinal Parasite) for each, showing conformity of knowledge on species of the best healing potential. Cordia africana was ranked first in a direct matrix ranking exercise of multipurpose Medicinal Plants. The output of preference ranking exercise indicated that Urtica simensis Steudel was the most preferred species to treat gastritis.
Conclusion

The study revealed that Aseko district is rich in MP diversity and associated indigenous knowledge. However, anthropogenic factors (over exploitation) coupled with acculturation threaten the sustainability of MPs in the study area. Promoting a complementary in-situ and ex-situ conservation approach in the District is highly recommendable for MP sustainability.
Risk Factors of Large Artery Atherosclerotic Ischemic Stroke Based on Carotid Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography
Authors: Chen Shaoqi , Du Xiya , Yao Zhongkeng , Chen Qingzi , Tan Xuerui
Published: April 2020

Background

Ischemic stroke is a serious public health issue with a continuously increasing incidence worldwide. This study explores the risk factors of large artery atherosclerotic (LAA) ischemic stroke based on carotid contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS).
Methods

A total of 110 patients with LAA ischemic stroke and 34 patients without stroke were included. All participants underwent standard ultrasonography and CEUS, from which carotid artery plaque characteristics were obtained. The predicted performance of artery plaques was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve and sensitivity and specificity at the optimal cut-off point.
Results

Subjects with LAA ischemic stroke were more likely to have a history of hypertension than the control group (P = 0.009). The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) for plaque echogenicity was 0.609 (95% CI, 0.524–0.689). With a cut-off value of ≤ class II (echolucent or predominantly hypoechogenic plaque), the sensitivity and specificity were 84.55% and 32.35%, respectively. The AUROC for plaque thickness was 0.676 (95% CI, 0.593–0.751). With a cut-off value of > 2.4 mm, the sensitivity and specificity were 41.82% and 88.24%, respectively. The AUROC for intraplaque neovascularization was 0.807 (95% CI, 0.733–0.868). With a cut-off value of > grade 2 (extensive appearance of bubbles within plaque), the sensitivity and specificity were 70.91% and 82.35%, respectively.
Conclusions

Hypertension, echolucent (or predominantly hypoechogenic) plaque, plaque thickness, and degree of intraplaque neovascularization are significantly relevant to LAA ischemic stroke in adults. These results may be helpful for clinical prediction of ischemic stroke risk.
Maternal influences on oral and faecal microbiota maturation in neonatal calves in beef and dairy production systems
Authors: Barden Matthew , Richards-Rios Peter , Ganda Erika , Lenzi Luca , Eccles Richard , Neary Joseph , Oultram Joanne , Oikonomou Georgios
Published: April 2020

Background: The gastrointestinal microbiota of neonatal calves changes rapidly during the first weeks of life. The dam is considered an important source of microbes for the calf; consequently, the development of calf microbiota may vary with farming system due to differences between the contact the calf has with the dam. The objective of this study was to characterise the early maturation of oral and faecal microbiota in beef and dairy calves using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The microbiota of calves was compared to selected anatomical niches on their dams which were likely to contribute to the vertical transfer of microbes. Results: A total of 14,125 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were identified and taxonomically assigned. The oral microbiota of calves and their dams became more similar over the first four weeks of life. The faecal microbiota of four-week old calves was most similar to the oral microbiota of calves and adult cows but there was little similarity between the faecal microbiota of calves and cows. ASVs were identified in the oral microbiota of four-week old calves that were also at present cow niches at calving. Very few ASVs were present in the calf faecal microbiota at four-weeks of age that were present in any adult cow niche at calving. These results were observed in both beef and dairy calves. Conclusions: We did not observe any marked differences in the maturation of the oral and faecal microbiota between beef or dairy calves, despite dairy calves having very limited contact with their dam. This suggests the development of gastrointestinal microbiota in calves is not affected by continued vertical transmission of microbes from the dam. The oral microbiota of calves matured more quickly than the faecal microbiota and by four-weeks of age it was similar to the oral microbiota of adult cows. Although the calf faecal microbiota changed over the first four-weeks of life, it bore little resemblance to the faeces of adult cows. Any maternal influence on these changes presumably occurred immediately post-partum as there were few differences between the trends observed in beef and dairy calves.
Changes in Availability and Affordability of Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies After New Medical Reform in Hubei Province, China
Authors: Ding Yufeng , Zhang Jinwen , Xia Meijun , Wu Guangjie , Li Weijie , Feng Da , Gong Shiwei
Published: April 2020

The authors have withdrawn this preprint due to erroneous posting.
Replacing critical point drying with a low-cost chemical drying provides comparable surface image quality of glandular trichomes from leaves of Millingtonia hortensis L. f. in scanning electron micrograph
Authors: Bhattacharya Raktim , Saha Sulagna , Kostina Olga , Muravnik Lyudmila , Mitra Adinpunya
Published: April 2020

Sample preparation including the dehydration and drying of the samples is the most intricate part in the field of scanning electron microscopy. Till to date, most of the sample preparation protocols use critical point drying with the help of liquid carbon dioxide. Very few cases have been reported where samples were dried using some chemical reagents. In this work, we have explored the possibility of using hexamethyldisilazane, a chemical drying reagent, for the preparation of plant samples. As glandular trichomes are one of the most fragile and sensitive surface structures found on plants, we chose to use Millingtonia hortensis leaf samples as our study materials that contain abundantly glandular trichome. The results obtained by this new method are identical with the results obtained from the critical point drying method, in every aspect.
Differential diagnosis of COVID-19 from community acquired pneumonia by CT scan and follow-up
Authors: Liu Kai-Cai , Xu Ping , Lv Wei-Fu , Chen Lei , Qiu Xiao-hui , Yao Jin-Long , Gu Jin-Feng , Hu Bo , Wei Wei
Published: April 2020

ObjectiveCoronavirus disease-19(COVID-19) is the most serious infectious disease outbreak in the world at present. Accurate diagnosis of this disease in clinic is very important. this study aims to improve the differential ability of COVID-19 and other community acquired pneumonia(CAP) by CT, and to evaluate the short-term prognosis of patients.MethodsThe clinical and imaging data of 165 COVID-19 and 118 CAP patients diagnosed in seven hospitals in Anhui Province, China from January 21, 2020 to February 28, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsThe sensitivity and specificity of age, white blood cell count, and ground glass shadow in the diagnosis of COVID-19 were 92.7% and 66.1%, respectively. Pulmonary consolidation, fiber cord, and bronchial wall thickening were used as indicators to exclude COVID-19. The sensitivity and specificity were 78.0% and 63.6%, respectively. The follow-up results showed that 67.8% (112/165) of the cases of COVID-19 had abnormal changes in lung residual levels, and the pulmonary sequelae of patients over 60 years of age became more severe with age.ConclusionCT combined with clinical conditions, density of lung lesions, morphological features and other associated signs, has a high accuracy for the early diagnosis of COVID-19 and the differential diagnosis of CAP. patients with COVID-19 infection over 60 years have poor prognosis.
Identification of risk factors for the severity of coronavirus disease 2019: a retrospective study of 163 hospitalized patients
Authors: Tu Ye , Yang Ping , Wang Jingjing , Tian Xuebi , Wang Kai , Wang Chaolong , Luo Ailin , Gao Feng
Published: April 2020

Background: To compare clinical features between moderate and severe cases with COVID-19, and screen factors associated with disease severity.Methods: Demographic and clinical data were compared between moderate and severe cases. Logistic regression was performed for prognostic factors.Results: 163 patients (median age 65.0 (56.8-71.0) years, 78 (47.9%) females) were enrolled, including 87 (53.4%) severe and 76 (46.6%) moderate cases. 79 (90.8%) severe and 59 (77.6%) moderate cases had comorbidities, with hypertension and diabetes commonly presented. The most common symptoms were fever. Severe cases had higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), inflammatory cytokines and lymphopenia, eosinopenia on admission, and lower eosinophil and higher neutrophil counts from admission to day 13 and 19. Multivariable regression showed that neutrophilia, eosinopenia, high LDH and D-dimer were associated with severe COVID-19. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, LDH, eosinophil and neutrophil + eosinophil + LDH + D-dimer combination, with area under curve of 0.86, 0.76 and 0.93, predicted severe illness with high sensitivity (82.8%, 83.3%, 88.0%) and specificity (68.4%, 84.2%, 81.3%).Conclusions: Eosinopenia, higher LDH and neutrophil + eosinophil + LDH + D-dimer combination on admission were powerful indicators of severe COVID-19. Dynamic changes of neutrophils and eosinophils may be used to evaluate disease progression.
Deep learning vs. atlas-based models for fast auto-segmentation of the masticatory muscles on head and neck CT images
Authors: Chen Wen , Dyer Brandon A , Feng Xue , Li Yimin , Rao Shyam , Benedict Stanley H. , Chen Quan , Rong Yi
Published: April 2020

Background: Trismus is caused by impaired function of masticatory muscles. Routine delineation of these muscles during planning may improve dose tracking and facilitate dose reduction resulting in decreased radiation-related trismus. This study aimed to compare a deep learning model vs. a commercial atlas-based model for fast auto-segmentation of the masticatory muscles on head and neck computed tomography (CT) images. Material and methods: Paired masseter (M), temporalis (T), medial and lateral pterygoid (MP, LP) muscles were manually segmented on 56 CT images. CT images were randomly divided into training (n=27) and validation (n=29) cohorts. Two methods were used for automatic delineation of masticatory muscles (MMs): Deep learning auto-segmentation (DLAS) and atlas-based auto-segmentation (ABAS). Quantitative assessment of automatic versus manually segmented contours were performed using Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), recall, precision, Hausdorff distance (HD), HD95, and mean surface distance (MSD). The interobserver variability in manual segmentation of MMs was also evaluated. Differences in dose (∆Dose) to MMs for DLAS and ABAS segmentations were assessed. A paired t-test was used to compare the geometric and dosimetric difference between DLAS and ABAS methods.Results: DLAS outperformed ABAS in delineating all MMs (p < 0.05). The DLAS mean DSC for M, T, MP, and LP ranged between 0.83±0.03 to 0.89±0.02, the ABAS mean DSC ranged between 0.79±0.05 to 0.85±0.04. The mean value for recall, precision, HD, HD95, MSD also improved with DLAS for auto-segmentation and were close to the mean interobserver variation. With few exceptions, ∆D99%, ∆D95%, ∆D50%, and ∆D1% for all structures were below 10% for DLAS and ABAS and had no detectable statistical difference (P >0.05). DLAS based contours have dose endpoints more closely matched with that of the manually segmented when compared with ABAS. Conclusions: DLAS auto-segmentation of masticatory muscles for the head and neck radiotherapy had improved segmentation accuracy compared with ABAS with no qualitative difference in dosimetric endpoints compared to manually segmented contours.
Screening of immunosuppressive cells from colorectal adenocarcinoma and identification of prognostic markers
Authors: Li Fazhan , Zhou Jun , Li Zedong , Zhang Leiyi
Published: April 2020

Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common type of gastrointestinal malignant tumor. Colorectal adenocarcinoma (COAD) is the most common type of colorectal cancer, and it is extremely harmful to human life and health. In recent years, the role of the immune system in the development of tumor-associated inflammation and cancer has received increasing attention.
Results
In this study, we compiled the expression profiles of 262 patients with complete follow-up data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database as an experimental group and selected 65 samples from the GEO dataset (of which M0 totaled 46 samples). Validated as a verification group. First, we screened the immune cell Th-17 cells related to the prognosis of COAD disease, and then identified the Th-17 cells-related hub genes by constructing co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and lasso regression analysis (LASSO), which determined that it may be related to Th-17 cells. Six genes associated with prognosis in patients with COAD:”KRT23 ULBP2 ASRGL1 SERPINA1 SCIN SLC28A2”. Finally, we constructed a clinical prediction model and analyzed the predictive power of the model. These hub genes have been shown to be involved in the development of many diseases and are closely linked to digestive diseases. Our results suggest that the hub gene may influence the prognosis of COAD by regulating the immune infiltration of Th-17cells.
Conclusions
These newly discovered hub genes help to understand the mechanisms of COAD development and metastasis, thereby promoting the development of COAD and providing new therapeutic targets and biomarkers for COAD.
Knowledge transmission patterns at the border: Ethnobotany of Hutsuls living in the Carpathian Mountains of Bukovina (SW Ukraine and NE Romania)
Authors: Mattalia Giulia , Stryamets Nataliya , Pieroni Andrea , Sõukand Renata
Published: April 2020

Background
Cross-border research is a novel and important tool for detecting variability of ecological knowledge. This is especially evident in regions recently divided and annexed to different political regimes. Therefore, we conducted a study among Hutsuls, a cultural and linguistic minority group living in Northern and Southern Bukovina (Ukraine and Romania, respectively). Indeed, in the 1940s a border was created: Northern Bukovina was annexed by the USSR while Southern Bukovina remained part of the Kingdom of Romania. In this research, we aim to document uses of plants for food and medicinal preparations, discussing the different dynamics of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) transmission among Hutsuls living in Ukraine and Romania.
Methods
Field research was conducted using convenience and snowball sampling techniques to recruit 31 Hutsuls in Ukraine and 30 in Romania for participation in semi-structured interviews regarding the use of plants for medicinal and food preparation purposes and the sources of such knowledge.
Results
The interviews revealed that, despite a common cultural and linguistic background, ethnobotanical knowledge transmission occurs in different ways on each side of the border. Family is a primary source of ethnobotanical knowledge transmission on both sides of the border; however, in Romania knowledge from other sources is very limited, whereas in Ukraine interviewees reported several other sources including books, magazines, newspapers, the Internet and television. Indeed, this is especially evident when analysing the wild plants used for medicinal purposes as we found 53 taxa that were common to both, 47 used only in Ukraine and 11 used only in Romania. Indeed, while Romanian Hutsuls used almost exclusively locally available plants, Ukrainian Hutsuls often reported novel plants such as Aloe vera, Aronia melanocarpa, and Elaeagnus rhamnoides. Knowledge related to these plants was transferred by sources of knowledge other than oral transmission among members of the same family. Therefore, this may imply hybridization of the local body of knowledge with foreign elements originating in the Soviet context which has enriched the corpus of ethnobotanical knowledge held by Ukrainian Hutsuls.
Conclusions
While ethnobotanical knowledge among Romanian Hutsuls is mainly traditional and vertically transmitted, among Ukrainian Hutsuls there is a considerable proportion of LEK that is transmitted from other (written and visual) sources of knowledge. This cross-border research reveals that despite a common cultural background, socio-political scenarios have impacted Hutsul ethnobotanical knowledge and its transmission patterns.
Prospective evaluation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound of breast BI-RADS 3-5 lesions
Authors: Eva Janu , Lucie Krikavova , Jirina Little , Karel Dvorak , Dagmar Brancikova , Eva Jandakova , Tomas Pavlik , Petra Kovalcikova , Kazda Tomas , Vlastimil Valek
Published: April 2020

Purpose: To determine the benefit of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the assessment of breast lesions. Materials and Methods: A standardized contrast-enhanced ultrasound was performed in 230 breast lesions classified as BI-RADS category 3 to 5. All lesions were subjected to qualitative and quantitative analysis. MVI (MicroVascular Imaging) technique was used to derive qualitative analysis parameters; blood perfusion of the lesions was assessed (perfusion homogeneity, type of vascularization, enhancement degree). Quantitative analysis was conducted to estimate perfusion changes in the lesions within drawn regions of interest (ROI); parameters TTP (time to peak), PI (peak intensity), WIS (wash in slope), AUC (area under curve) were obtained from time intensity (TI) curves. Acquired data were statistically analyzed to assess the ability of each parameter to differentiate between malignant and benign lesions. The combination of parameters was also evaluated for the possibility of increasing the overall diagnostic accuracy. Biological nature of the lesions was verified by a pathologist. Benign lesions without histopathological verification (BI-RADS 3) were followed up for at least 24 months. Results: Out of 230 lesions, 146 (64%) were benign, 67 (29%) were malignant, 17 (7%) lesions were eliminated. Malignant tumors showed statistically significantly lower TTP parameters (sensitivity 77.6%, specificity 52.7%) and higher WIS values (sensitivity 74.6%, specificity 66.4%) than benign tumors. Enhancement degree also proved to be statistically well discriminating as 55.2% of malignant lesions had a rich vascularity (sensitivity 89.6% and specificity 48.6%). The combination of quantitative analysis parameters (TTP, WIS) with enhancement degree did not result in higher accuracy in distinguishing between malignant and benign breast lesions. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that contrast-enhanced breast ultrasound has the potential to distinguish between malignant and benign lesions. In particular, this method could help to differentiate lesions BI-RADS category 3 and 4 and thus reduce the number of core-cut biopsies performed in benign lesions. Qualitative analysis, despite its subjective element, appeared to be more beneficial. A combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis did not increase the predictive capability of CEUS.
Randomization of subjects to study-arms of a parallel study in the presence of multiple covariates
Authors: Schoen Eric , Wopereis Suzan
Published: April 2020

Background: Parallel intervention studies involving healthy volunteers usually require a procedure to allocate the subjects to study-arms. Statistical models to evaluate the different outcomes of the study-arms will include study-arm as a factor along with any covariate that might affect the results. To ensure that the effects of the covariates are confounded to the least possible extent with the effects of the arms, strained randomization can be applied. However, there is at present no clear-cut procedure when there are multiple covariates. Methods: We propose a D-optimal blocking procedure to allocate subjects with known values of the covariates to the study arms. We prove that the procedure minimizes the variances of the baseline differences between the arms corrected for the covariates. The procedure uses standard statistical software. Results: We demonstrate the potential of the method by an application to a human parallel intervention trial with three arms and 162 healthy volunteers. The covariates were gender, age, body mass index, an initial composite health score, and a categorical indicator called _rst-visit group, defining groups of volunteers who visit the clinical center on the same day (17 groups). Volunteers were allocated equally to the study-arms by the D-optimal blocking procedure. The D-efficiency of the model connecting an outcome with the study-arms and correcting for the covariates equals 99.2%. We simulated 10,000 random allocations of subjects to arms either unstratified or stratified by first-visit group. Intervals covering the middle 95% of the D-efficiencies for these allocations were [82.0, 92.0] and [93.2, 98.4], respectively. Conclusions: Allocation of volunteers to study-arms with a D-optimal blocking procedure with the values of the covariates as inputs substantially improves the efficiency of the statistical model that connects the response with the study arms and corrects for the covariates.
Clinical Application of Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy Via Superior Notch of Inferior Vertebral Pedicle Approach for Very High-grade Inferiorly Migrated Disc Herniation
Authors: Chen Song , Wang Jinghuai , Suo Shiqi , Wang Yunxia , Li Chengli , Li Jiaqi , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2020

Background: To assess the efficacy of the superior notch of inferior vertebral pedicle approach of transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy for very high-grade inferiorly migrated disc herniation.Methods: Data on 32 consecutive patients operated with percutaneous endoscopic surgery via the superior notch of inferior vertebral pedicle approach were reviewed. Age, gender, clinical diagnoses, operation time, hospitalization time, a self-administered questionnaire composed of the leg pain visual analogue scale (VAS leg pain) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) had been recorded before operation and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation, respectively. The clinical results were assessed at the final follow-up by using modified Macnab criteria. Complications were recorded during follow-up, and postoperative X-ray, CT and MRI examinations were performed.Results: There were 21 males and 11 females. The mean age of patients was 51.8±10.6 years. MRI findings of patients with disc herniation were L2-3 level in 4 case, L3-4 level in 9 cases and L4-5 level in 19 cases, which were correlated with clinical symptoms. All patients completed a 12-month follow-up assessment after surgery. The mean operative duration was 68.2±12.8 min, and hospitalization time was 3.6±0.8 days. At 12 months follow up the VAS leg pain had improved by 6.3 (P< 0.05) and the ODI by 43.6 points (P< 0.05). Twenty-three cases (71.9%) were rated as excellent, 7 (21.9%) as good, 2 (6.2%) as fair at the final follow-up. On the basis of the modified MacNab criteria, the overall excellent and good rate was 93.8%. Two patients (6.2%) had transient dysesthesia after surgery. Postoperative radiological evaluations showed no signs of instability or recurrence of pathology.Conclusion: Transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy via the superior notch of inferior vertebral pedicle approach could be a safe and effective minimally invasive technique for very high-grade inferiorly migrated disc herniation. This technique warrants further study and clinical application.
Single-cell immune profiling of matched disease and recovery phase blood of COVID-19 patients reveals anti-LAG3 based immune checkpoint therapy as a promising option
Authors: Xiong Qing , Peng Cheng , Yan Xiaomin , Chen Lin , Yan Xueqi , Sun Beicheng , Jiao Shiping
Published: April 2020

We profiled the circulating immune cells in COVID-19 patients during the active disease and recovery phases via single cell RNA, TCR and BCR sequencing in order to elucidate the key anti-virus adaptive immune responses, and explore potential immunomodulatory therapeutic strategies. T cell competence plays a dominant role in anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity. Clonally expanded CD4 T effector cells averted CD8 T cell exhaustion, and expansion of multiple CD8 T effector/memory clones was correlated with rapid virus clearance. In contrast, the patients lacking CD4 TEFF cell clonal expansion harbored exhausted CD8 TEFF cells co-expressing multiple co-inhibitory molecules. In addition, more than 90% of the exhausted cells expressed at least 2 and more than half of exhausted cells expressed at least 4 inhibitory molecules. Furthermore, co-expression of LAG3, Galectin-9, and SLAMF6 is the inhibitory molecule expression signature of exhausted T cell population in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our findings indicate that LAG3-based immune checkpoint blockade is a promising strategy for treating COVID-19.
Invisible contaminants and food security in former coal mining areas of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil
Authors: Blanco Graziela Dias , Sühs Rafael Barbizan , Brizola Escarlet , Corrêa Patrícia Figueiredo , Campos Mari Lucia , Hanazaki Natalia
Published: April 2020

Background Mining activities have environmental impacts due to sediment movement and contamination of areas, and may also pose risks to people's food security. In Brazil, the majority of coal mining activities are in the south, in the Santa Catarina Carboniferous region. In this region, previously mined areas contaminated with heavy metals, frequently occur nearby inhabited zones. Heavy metals are contaminants that do not have odor, color, or taste, and are therefore difficult to detect. We aimed to verify whether people use plants from contaminated mine areas, and to understand which factors are related to plant use. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with residents from 14 areas nearby abandoned mines in the main municipalities of the Santa Catarina Carboniferous region. Results Out of the 196 interviewed residents, 127 (65%) reported collecting plants for medicinal and food use, directly from contaminated mine areas. Long-term residents, as well as those who noticed more environmental changes (positive and negative), cited more plants used, and had more detailed knowledge of plant use in their communities. When asked if they were aware of the possible contamination of mined areas, 85% said they knew about it. However, only 10% associated negative health effects with the use of plant species collected in contaminated mined areas. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that people living nearby contaminated areas use and consume locally sourced plants, it also reveals a lack of information about contamination, as well as a lack of actions that include local communities in contaminated area restoration strategies. This situation poses a risk to the food security of the people living nearby former coal mining areas.
Knowledge, Attitude and associated factors towards self-medication among health professionals at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: Institution-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Simegn Wudneh , Dagnew Baye , Dagne Henok
Published: April 2020

Introduction Inappropriate self-medication results in wastage of resources, drug resistance and hence serious health risk. Knowledge acquisition and attitudinal change is required for avoiding self-medication practice. There is paucity of published articles regarding this topic. Therefore, this study aimed to study knowledge, Attitude and associated factors towards self-medication among health professionals at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, northwest Ethiopia.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among health professionals of University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital using simple random sampling technique and self-administered questionnaire. We used Epi Info 7 and SPSS 20 for data entry and statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics were computed logistic regression had been performed to identify associated factors for knowledge and attitude separately. We executed crude and adjusted Odds ratio with 95% uncertainty interval. Variables with a p<0.05 were treated as significant. Results Four hundred and twelve health professionals participated in the study with 97.4% response rate. The mean age of study participants’ was 29.9 (±5.43, range; 20-60) years and 220 (53.4%) participants were males. From the participants 233(56.6%) (95% UI: 51.8-61.4%) had good knowledge about self-medication and 263 (63.8%) (95% UI: 59.2-68.4%) had good attitude towards self-medication. Knowledge of self-medication was associated with age of 32-60 years (AOR=2.19, UI: 1.14-4.22), Bachelor degree (AOR=6.49, UI: 1.86-22.69), Years after last graduation (AOR=2.49, UI: 1.41-4.41), working hours of 56-110 per week (AOR=2.35, UI: 1.18-4.67), and good attitude (AOR=2.95, UI: 1.77-4.91). Besides this, good attitude was associated with low workload out of workplace (AOR=2.78, UI: 1.03-7.50), ever taking antibiotics (AOR=2.45, UI: 1.31-4.50), and good knowledge (AOR= 2.64, UI: 1.65-4.20).Conclusion The study demonstrated that the knowledge and attitude of health professionals towards self-medication are relatively high. However still there is a need for health education on the implication and danger of self-medication. There is also need for government to increase awareness by creating training opportunity and incorporating in curricula.
Patient self-reported functioning by pain severity and usual analgesic treatment among older adults with osteoarthritis: Analysis of the 2017 Spanish National Health Survey
Authors: García-López Sofía , Llopart-Carles Natalia , Castro-Domínguez Francisco , Rejas-Gutiérrez Javier
Published: April 2020

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) pain is among the leading causes of disability and social isolation worldwide. Since prevalence is high, particularly in adults aged 65 or older, it represents a significant burden for society and national health systems. The objective of this study was to determine whether patient self-reported functioning in key domains of daily living differs by pain severity and analgesic treatment among older OA patients in Spain.
Methods

The Spanish National Health Survey (ENSE), a large, nationally representative, cross-sectional general health survey administered by trained interviewers to 23,089 adults, was the data source. Subjects of both sexes aged 65 or older with a self-reported physician diagnosis of OA who completed the survey were analyzed. Patients were cross classified by pain severity (no/mild, moderate or severe) and analgesia (treated or untreated). Assessment of daily living included basic and instrumental activities of daily living and mental, social, and cognitive domains. Scores were re-scaled to a 0%-100% standardized metric (0%: no limitation [independence]; 100%: complete limitation [full dependence]).
Results

A total of 3,526 (3,389 surveys completed [96.1%]) older adults with OA were analyzed (women 73.3%; age 77.4 [standard deviation {SD}: 7.5]). Adjusted means (95% confidence interval [CI]) scores in domains of functioning showed significant association with pain severity (p < 0.001) but not treatment status, except basic and instrumental activities and social functioning, with higher scores in treated patients. Limitations in patients with untreated no/mild pain versus severe treated pain were as follows: in basic activities, 6.5% (5.0–8.0) versus 31.5% (30.1–32.9); in instrumental activities, 9.0% (7.2–10.8) versus 34.1% (32.3–35.8); in mental, 29.1% (27.9–30.3) versus 45.0% (43.9–46.2); in social, 3.0% (0.6–5.4) versus 42.2% (39.9–44.5); and, in cognitive, 10.9% (9.2–12.6) versus 23.4% (21.8–25.1).
Conclusions

Pain severity was a major driver of functional impairment in all the main domains of functioning analyzed in older OA patients. Regardless of pain severity, treated patients showed poorer functioning in basic, instrumental and social activities versus untreated subjects. Treated patients might have been in later disease stages, which would have affected the results. Existing analgesic treatment strategies do not meet patient needs for adequate pain management.
Isolation, molecular and phylogenetic analysis of porcine encephalomyocarditis virus strain HLJ in China
Authors: Yin Xueting , Liu Peng , Liu Haixin , Zhang Yue , Abbas Ghulam , Muhammad Ishfaq , Ren Yudong , Huang Xiaodan , Zhang Ruili , Li Guangxing
Published: April 2020

Background

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is a positive single-stranded small RNA virus without envelope, which can infect a variety of mammals. Swine are the most susceptible animals, which can cause acute myocarditis and respiratory failure in piglets and reproductive failure in pregnant sows. Diseases caused by EMCV have a wide range of effects on the global swine industry.
Methods

The tissue grinding fluid of aborted fetus was inoculated on baby hamster kidney 21 (BHK-21) cells to obtain HLJ isolate by cell passage. The virus was identified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), electron microscopic observation and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). HLJ strain was inoculated into mice for animal regression experiment. The whole genome of HLJ strain was amplified and sequenced. The molecular and phylogenetic analysis of its sequence was generated.
Results

HLJ strain caused the specific cytopathic effect (CPE) on BHK-21 cells and severe pathological changes in mice. Complete genome sequencing and multiple sequence alignment showed that the homology between HLJ strain and other isolates worldwide was 71.5–99.7%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that EMCV isolates fell into five clusters: lineage I, II, III, IV, and V based on the nucleotide sequences of the entire open reading frame (ORF) and VP1 gene. HLJ isolate was grouped into lineage I.
Conclusions

In this study, a strain of EMCV was isolated from an aborted fetus in Northeast China. The isolation of HLJ strain enriches the epidemiological database of EMCV.
Comparative Analysis of the Biomechanical Behavior of two different design metaphyseal-fitting short stems using digital image correlation; Finite Element Modelling and Analysis Validation
Authors: Tatani Irini , Megas Panagiotis , Panagopoulos Andreas , Diamantakos Ioannis , Nanopoulos Photis , Pantelakis Spiros
Published: April 2020

Background
The progressive evolution in hip replacement research is directed to follow the principles of bone and soft tissue sparing surgery. Regarding hip implants, a renewed interest has been raised towards short uncemented femoral implants. A heterogeneous group of short stems have been designed with the aim to approximate initial, post-implantation bone strain to the preoperative levels in order to reduce the risk of stress shielding. This study aims to investigate the biomechanical properties of two distinctly designed femoral implants based on experiments and numerical simulations. Nevertheless, finite element models of implant–bone constructs should be evaluated for their validity against mechanical tests wherever it is possible. In this work, the validation was performed via a direct comparison of the FE calculated strain fields with their experimental equivalents obtained using the digital image correlation technique.
Results
Design differences between Trilock BPS and Minima S femoral stems conditioned different strain pattern distributions. A distally shifting load distribution pattern as a result of implant insertion and also an obvious decrease of strain in the medial proximal aspect of the femur was noted for both stems. Strain changes induced after the implantation of the Trilock BPS stem at the lateral surface were greater compared to the non-implanted femur response, as opposed to those exhibited by the Minima S stem. Linear correlation analyses of the FE model-predicted strains against corresponding experimentally-measured strains revealed a strong correlation indicating that the developed FE models can be used for the calculation of stresses and strains at the implanted femurs.
Conclusion
The study findings support the use of DIC technique as a preclinical evaluation tool of the biomechanical behavior induced by different implants and also identify its potential for experimental FE model validation. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that stress shielding effect cannot be avoided as proximal unloading of the femur was noted after the implantation of both short stem designs. Design specific variations in short stems were sufficient to produce dissimilar biomechanical behaviors, although their clinical implication must be investigated through comparative clinical studies.
Far-UVC light efficiently and safely inactivates airborne human coronaviruses
Authors: Buonanno Manuela , Welch David , Shuryak Igor , Brenner David J.
Published: April 2020

A direct approach to limit airborne transmission of pathogens is to inactivate them within a short time of their production. Germicidal ultraviolet light (UV), typically at 254 nm, is effective in this context, but it is a health hazard to the skin and eyes. By contrast, far-UVC light (207-222 nm) efficiently kills pathogens without harm to exposed human cells or tissues. We previously demonstrated that 222-nm UV light efficiently kills airborne influenza virus (H1N1); here we extend the far-UVC studies to explore efficacy against human coronaviruses from subgroups alpha (HCoV-229E) and beta (HCoV-OC43). We found that low doses of, respectively 1.7 and 1.2 mJ/cm2 inactivated 99.9% of aerosolized alpha coronavirus 229E and beta coronavirus OC43. Based on these results for the beta HCoV-OC43 coronavirus, continuous far-UVC exposure in public locations at the currently recommended exposure limit (3 mJ/cm2/hour) would result in 99.9% viral inactivation in ~ 25 minutes. Increasing the far- UVC intensity by, say, a factor of 2 would halve these disinfection times, while still maintaining safety. As all human coronaviruses have similar genomic size, a key determinant of radiation sensitivity, it is realistic to expect that far-UVC light will show comparable inactivation efficiency against other human coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2.
A ILEGALIDADE COMO FATOR PRECURSOR DA VIOLÊNCIA NA POLÍTICA DE DROGAS
Authors: GARCIA Leonardo Cesar Gomes
Published: April 2020

: inserida na legislação especial ou extravagante, a lei federal nº 11.343/2006, que dispõe e institui o Sistema Nacional de Políticas Públicas sobre Drogas (SISNAD) restou-se infrutífera frente ao propósito inicial a que se destinava.  Se a vigente Lei de Drogas, editada no ano de 2006, almejava atenuar ou amenizar o excesso do punitivismo estatal, seu efeito prático acabou por vir em sentido oposto. O inchaço da população carcerária propiciou o surgimento das organizações criminosas, que comportam estatísticas alarmantes, sem olvidar os recentes massacres ocorridos em estabelecimentos prisionais, palcos de pavorosas violações contra os direitos humanos e constitucionais. Nesse diapasão, os resultados obtidos frente às reflexões objetivadas durante a presente reflexão evidenciaram o senso coletivo unânime e inexpugnável de que a Guerra às Drogas traduzida pelo modelo proibicionista-belicista, também conhecido como war on drugs, asseverou diversas precarizações sociais, dentre estas, a imensa intensificação do encarceramento brasileiro bem como o fomento da violência e injustiça social. Nada disso por si só, tem o condão de solucionar os efeitos da violência em torno das drogas, contudo, mostra-se indispensável o reconhecimento da concepção de que a existência de incoerências gravíssimas no ordenamento jurídico proporcionaram o surgimento de pessoas que, embora usam drogas, não praticam crime algum, enquantoa outras se valem das primeiras para cometer atos atrozes. Em meio à evidente dificuldade que enfrenta o intérprete da norma, tem-se inúmeros erros originados pela vã tentativa de manter uma imposição legal insustentável, que mesmo diante de seus reflexos negativos e destrutivos, ainda procura resistir.
Clients’ outcomes from providers’ networks: the role of relational exclusivity and complementary capabilities
Authors: Trapido Denis , Pallotti Francesca , Lomi Alessandro
Published: April 2020

Organizations have leeway in how much they employ their network relations to the benefit of their clients. When do they do so more rather than less? Relying on research on trust and knowledge absorption, the authors suggest that providers’ network relations generate better outcomes for their clients when these relations are concentrated in a limited, exclusive set of partners. The authors argue that providers’ relational exclusivity benefits clients because it facilitates the awareness and use of partners’ complementary client service capabilities. An analysis of a regional network of patient referrals among 110 hospitals supported this argument. The study highlights the role of interorganizational partnership networks in activating client service capabilities and stimulates further inquiry into providers’ network features that benefit the users of their services.
Some Quality Criteria of Valerian (Valeriana dioscoridis Sm.) Growing in Different Environments
Authors: UÇAR SÖZMEN Esra , ATAŞ Mehmet , ÇİLESİZ Yeter , ÇİNBİLGEL İlker , ERUYGUR Nuraniye , ORAL İrem Zeynep , KARAKÖY Tolga
Published: April 2020

Valerian (Valeriana dioscoridis Sm.) is a perennial herb of the Caprifoliaceae family. The genus Valeriana L. is represented by 14 species (15 taxa) in Turkey. This plant contains flavone glycosides, iridoids and lignans. Among these components, the medically important active ingredient is valerianic acid. Essential oils from valerian roots and rhizomes are used for the treatment of various diseases, including insomnia, mental illness, anxiety, menstrual cramps and physical stress conditions. In this study, evaluations were made of the root and rhizome of valerian plants grown in a natural environment and in greenhouse condition. The macro and micro nutrient contents of the powdered plant samples, and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity values of the extracts were reported. Except for some macro and micro elements, it was determined that antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of plants cultivated and grown in nature were not different. The major components of both the natural and cultivated forms were determined to be 9-Borabicyclo [3.3.1] nonane, 9-[3-(dimethylamino) propyl]- (17.55% and 22.65%, respectively). The heavy metales such as Fe (415.21±47.8 mg/kg), Cu (50.9±0.2 mg/kg) and Mn (274.6±9.5 mg/kg), were obtained above limit values in grown plants of natural environment conditions.
Modelling potential impact of climate change and uncertainty on streamflow projections: a case study
Authors: Gaur Srishti , Bandyopadhyay Arnab , Singh Rajendra
Published: April 2020

This study presents climate change impacts on streamflow for the Subarnarekha basin at two gauging locations, Jamshedpur and Ghatshila, using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model driven by an ensemble of four regional climate models (RCMs). The basin's hydrological responses to climate forcing in the projected period are analysed under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs). Trends in the projected period relative to the reference period are determined for medium, high and low flows. Flood characteristics are estimated using the threshold level approach. The analysis of variance technique (ANOVA) is used to segregate the contribution from RCMs, RCPs, and internal variability (IV) to the total uncertainty in streamflow projections. Results show a robust positive trend for streamflows. Flood volumes may increase by 11.7% in RCP4.5 (2006–2030), 76.4% in RCP4.5 (2025–2049), 20.3% in RCP8.5 (2006–2030), and 342.4% in RCP8.5 (2025–2049), respectively, for Jamshedpur. For Ghatshila, increment in flow volume is estimated as 15.7% in RCP4.5 (2006–2025), 24.2% in RCP4.5 (2025–2049), 35.9% in RCP8.5 (2006–2030), and 224.6% in RCP8.5 (2025–2049), respectively. Segregation results suggests that the uncertainty in climate prediction is dominated by RCMs followed by IV. These findings will serve as an early warning for the alarming extreme weather events India is currently facing.
Response surface methodology approach for adsorptive removal of Reactive Blue 19 onto green pea pod
Authors: Demirhan Elçin
Published: April 2020

In the present study, removal of Reactive Blue 19 dye by using green pea pod as a low-cost adsorbent was investigated. Box–Behnken design was used to determine the independent and interaction influences of process variables of pH, temperature and adsorbent amount. The variance analysis (ANOVA) results showed that the second order model with high coefficient of determination value (R2 = 0.9997) was statistically significant. The experimental results stated that the removal efficiency increased when the pH value decreased and the adsorbent amount increased. The maximum removal (99.42%) was obtained at pH 2, temperature of 35 °C and adsorbent amount of 1.5 g/100 mL. The equilibrium data investigation showed that the Freundlich isotherm model fitted better for removal of dye than did the Langmuir isotherm model. Furthermore, the adsorption kinetic was also evaluated and it was found that the adsorption followed the pseudo second order model for the Reactive Blue 19 removal onto green pea pod.