bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Education and prevalence of overweight and obesity among reproductive age group women in Ethiopia: analysis of the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data
Authors: Mengesha Kassie Ayelign , Beletew Abate Biruk , Wudu Kassaw Mesfin
Published: July 2020

Background

Globally, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is escalating, particularly among women and wealthier people. In many developed countries, overweight and obesity are more prevalent in persons with lower socioeconomic status. In contrast, studies in developing countries have reported a higher prevalence rate of overweight and obesity among women with higher educational status. Hence, this study aimed to assess the association between education and the prevalence of overweight and obesity among reproductive age group women in Ethiopia.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was done based on the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey (EDHS) data. From the total 15,683 women participants of the 2016 EDHS, 2848 reproductive age group women aged 15–49 years old who had a complete response to all variables of interest were selected and retained for analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software program. Both descriptive and logistic regression models were used for analysis.

Results

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among the study participants was 11.5 and 3.4% respectively. The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 14.9%. From the total participants who are overweight and, or obese, majority, 83.3% were urban dwellers and the remaining 16.7% were rural dwellers. Education was positively associated with overweight and obesity among women. Besides, increased age, region, living in urban areas, being in rich quintile, increased frequency of watching television, and frequency of using internet were significantly associated with the odds of being overweight and obese among reproductive age group women in Ethiopia.

Conclusions

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among reproductive age group women in Ethiopia is increasing compared to previous studies. Education was found to be a risk factor for overweight and obesity among women. Hence, context based interventions on the prevention and control methods of overweight and obesity are required.
Trends in urban/rural inequalities in physical growth among Chinese children over three decades of urbanization in Guangzhou: 1985–2015
Authors: Hu Yan , Lin Weiqun , Tan Xuying , Liu Yu , Wen Yuqi , Xing Yanfei , Ma Ying , Liu Huiyan , Song Yanyan , Liang Jingjing , Lam Kin Bong Hubert , Lin Suifang
Published: July 2020

Background

Great growth inequalities between urban and rural areas have been reported in China over the past years. By examining urban/rural inequalities in physical growth among children < 7 years old over the past three decades from 1985 to 2015 in Guangzhou, we analyzed altering trends of anthropometric data in children and their association with economic development during the period of rapid urbanization in Guangzhou.

Methods

The height, body weight and nutrition status of children under 7 years old were obtained from two successive cross-sectional surveys and one health surveillance system. Student’s t-test, Spearman’s rank-order correlation and polynomial regression were used to assess the difference in physical growth between children in urban and rural areas and the association between socioeconomic index and secular growth changes.

Results

A height and weight difference was found between urban and rural children aged 0–6 years during the first two decades of our research (1985–2005), which gradually narrowed in both sex groups over time. By the end of 2015, elder boys (age group ≥5 year) and girls (age group ≥4 year) in rural areas were taller than their counterparts in urban areas (p < 0.05).The same trend could be witnessed in the weight of children aged 6 years, with a − 1.30 kg difference (P = 0.03) for boys, and a − 0.05 difference (P = 0.82) for girls. When GDP increased, the gap in boys’ weight-for-age z-score (WAZ from 0.25 to 0.01) and height-for-age z-score (HAZ from 0.55 to 0.03) between urban and rural areas diminished, and disappeared when the GDP per capita (USD) approached 25,000. In either urban or rural areas, the urbanization rate and GDP were positively associated with the prevalence of obesity (all R > 0.90 with P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with the prevalence of stunted growth (all R < -0.87 with P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Growth inequalities gradually decreased with economic development and urbanization, while new challenges such as obesity emerged. To eliminate health problems due to catch-up growth among rural children, comprehensive intervention programs for early child growth should be promoted in rural areas.
Lung-protective ventilation suppresses systemic and hepatic vein levels of cell-free DNA in porcine experimental post-operative sepsis
Authors: Nyberg Axel , Larsson Alexander , Jylhävä Juulia , Hurme Mikko , Sperber Jesper , Lipcsey Miklós , Castegren Markus
Published: July 2020

Background

Plasma levels of cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) are known to be elevated in sepsis and high levels are associated with a poor prognosis. Mechanical ventilation affects systemic inflammation in which lung-protective ventilation attenuates the inflammatory response. The aim was to study the effect of a lung protective ventilator regime on arterial and organ-specific venous blood as well as on trans-organ differences in cf-DNA levels in a porcine post-operative sepsis model.

Method

One group of anaesthetised, domestic-breed, 9–12 weeks old, pigs were ventilated with protective ventilation (VT 6 mL x kg− 1, PEEP 10 cmH2O) n = 20. Another group, ventilated with a medium high tidal volume and lower PEEP, served as a control group (VT 10 mL x kg− 1, PEEP 5 cm H2O) n = 10. Blood samples were taken from four sources: artery, hepatic vein, portal vein and, jugular bulb. A continuous endotoxin infusion at 0.25 μg x kg− 1 x h− 1 for 5 h was started following 2 h of laparotomy, which simulated a surgical procedure. Inflammatory cytokines and cf-DNA in plasma were analysed and trans-organ differences calculated.

Results

The protective ventilation group had lower levels of cf-DNA in arterial (p = 0.02) and hepatic venous blood (p = 0.03) compared with the controls. Transhepatic differences in cf-DNA were lower in the protective group, compared with the controls (p = 0.03). No differences between the groups were noted as regards the transcerebral, transsplanchnic or the transpulmonary cf-DNA differences.

Conclusions

Protective ventilation suppresses arterial levels of cf-DNA. The liver seems to be a net contributor to the systemic cf-DNA levels, but this effect is attenuated by protective ventilation.
Online patient simulation training to improve clinical reasoning: a feasibility randomised controlled trial
Authors: Plackett Ruth , Kassianos Angelos P. , Kambouri Maria , Kay Natasha , Mylan Sophie , Hopwood Jenny , Schartau Patricia , Gray Shani , Timmis Jessica , Bennett Sarah , Valerio Chris , Rodrigues Veena , Player Emily , Hamilton Willie , Raine Rosalind , Duffy Stephen , Sheringham Jessica
Published: July 2020

Background

Online patient simulations (OPS) are a novel method for teaching clinical reasoning skills to students and could contribute to reducing diagnostic errors. However, little is known about how best to implement and evaluate OPS in medical curricula. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability and potential effects of eCREST — the electronic Clinical Reasoning Educational Simulation Tool.

Methods

A feasibility randomised controlled trial was conducted with final year undergraduate students from three UK medical schools in academic year 2016/2017 (cohort one) and 2017/2018 (cohort two). Student volunteers were recruited in cohort one via email and on teaching days, and in cohort two eCREST was also integrated into a relevant module in the curriculum. The intervention group received three patient cases and the control group received teaching as usual; allocation ratio was 1:1. Researchers were blind to allocation. Clinical reasoning skills were measured using a survey after 1 week and a patient case after 1 month.

Results

Across schools, 264 students participated (18.2% of all eligible). Cohort two had greater uptake (183/833, 22%) than cohort one (81/621, 13%). After 1 week, 99/137 (72%) of the intervention and 86/127 (68%) of the control group remained in the study. eCREST improved students’ ability to gather essential information from patients over controls (OR = 1.4; 95% CI 1.1–1.7, n = 148). Of the intervention group, most (80/98, 82%) agreed eCREST helped them to learn clinical reasoning skills.

Conclusions

eCREST was highly acceptable and improved data gathering skills that could reduce diagnostic errors. Uptake was low but improved when integrated into course delivery. A summative trial is needed to estimate effectiveness.
Public awareness of and attitudes towards research biobanks in Latvia
Authors: Mezinska S. , Kaleja J. , Mileiko I. , Santare D. , Rovite V. , Tzivian L.
Published: July 2020

Background

Public awareness and engagement are among the main prerequisites for protecting the rights of research participants and for successful and sustainable functioning of research biobanks. The aim of our study was to analyse public awareness and attitudes towards research biobanks in Latvia, and to compare these data with the results of the 2010 Eurobarometer study. We also analysed the influence of awareness and attitudes towards biobanks on willingness to participate in biobank studies and on preferred type of informed consent.

Methods

We developed a 12-question survey repeating seven questions about biobanks from the 2010 Eurobarometer questionnaire and adding five others. After describing the study variables, we performed a two-stage analysis of the results. In the first stage we analysed differences between the answers from 2010 and 2019 and conducted univariate analyses of relationships among particular variables, and between those variables and the socio-demographic characteristics of participants. In the second stage we investigated multivariable associations of willingness to participate and type of consent with awareness, trust and the socio-economic characteristics of participants.

Results

According to our study, the general public in Latvia is still not well informed about research biobanks. Fewer respondents have heard about research biobanks than in 2010. At the same time, the number of respondents who are willing to donate biological samples and personal data to a biobank has increased, e.g. the number of respondents who would definitely or probably be willing to provide information about themselves has increased from 25.8.% to 40.7 since 2010. Overall, concerns about the donation of different types of biological samples and data to a biobank have slightly decreased.

Conclusions

Public awareness about biobanks is important for their sustainability. It needs to be increased not only by traditional methods of informing the public, but also by more innovative and participatory approaches, e.g. by citizen science projects. There is a need to strengthen the public visibility and trustworthiness of ethics committees in Latvia in the field of biobanking.
Antibiotic fidaxomicin is an RdRp inhibitor as a potential new therapeutic agent against Zika virus
Authors: Yuan Jie , Yu Jianchen , Huang Yun , He Zhenjian , Luo Jia , Wu Yun , Zheng Yingchun , Wu Jueheng , Zhu Xun , Wang Haihe , Li Mengfeng
Published: July 2020

Background

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is a global health problem, and its complications, including congenital Zika syndrome and Guillain-Barré syndrome, constitute a continued threat to humans. Unfortunately, effective therapeutics against ZIKV infection are not available thus far.

Methods

We screened the compounds collection consisting of 1789 FDA-approved drugs by a computational docking method to obtain anti-ZIKV candidate compounds targeting ZIKV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). SPR (BIAcore) assay was employed to demonstrate the candidate compounds’ direct binding to ZIKV RdRp, and polymerase activity assay was used to determine the inhibitory effect on ZIKV RdRp-catalyzed RNA synthesis. The antiviral effects on ZIKV in vitro and in vivo were detected in infected cultured cells and in Ifnar1−/− mice infected by ZIKV virus using plaque assay, western blotting, tissue immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Here, we report that a first-in-class macrocyclic antibiotic, which has been clinically used to treat Clostridium difficile infection, fidaxomicin, potently inhibits ZIKV replication in vitro and in vivo. Our data showed that fidaxomicin was effective against African and Asian lineage ZIKV in a wide variety of cell lines of various tissue origins, and prominently suppressed ZIKV infection and significantly improved survival of infected mice. In addition, fidaxomicin treatment reduced the virus load in the brains and testes, and alleviated ZIKV-associated pathological damages, such as paralysis, hunching, and neuronal necrosis in the cerebra. Furthermore, our mechanistic study showed that fidaxomicin directly bound ZIKV NS5 protein and inhibited the RNA synthesis-catalyzing activity of ZIKV RdRp.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that fidaxomicin may represent an effective anti-ZIKV agent. In the light that fidaxomicin is already a clinically used drug, there might be a promising prospect in the development of fidaxomicin to be an antiviral therapeutic.
A novel use for Levey-Jennings charts in prenatal molecular diagnosis
Authors: Weng Binghuan , Xu Ya-li , Ying Jun , Yang Hao-kun , Su Lan , Yang Yan-mei , Chen Min
Published: July 2020

Background

The goal of this study was to determine whether Levey-Jennings charts, which are widely used in clinical laboratories, can be used to create standardized internal quality controls (IQCs) for prenatal molecular diagnosis.

Methods

Aneuploid amniocyte lines with trisomy 13, 21, and 18, and 47,XXY were established by transfection with SV40LTag-pcDNA3.1(−)and combined at different ratios to generate aneuploidy chimeric quality-control cell mixtures A to H. These quality-control cells were then used to calculate the $$ \overline{\mathrm{X}} $$

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, $$ \overline{\mathrm{X}} $$

X
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±1 standard deviation (SD), $$ \overline{\mathrm{X}} $$

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±2 SD, and $$ \overline{\mathrm{X}} $$

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±3 SD values to develop standardized IQCs for methods used for the prenatal diagnosis of aneuploidies such as FISH.

Results

Methods for constructing aneuploid amniocyte lines were developed and a set of quality-control cells (A-H) were prepared. The $$ \overline{\mathrm{X}} $$

X
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±1 SD, $$ \overline{\mathrm{X}} $$

X
¯

±2 SD, and $$ \overline{\mathrm{X}} $$

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±3 SD values of these quality-control cells for trisomy 13 and 21 were 10.2 ± 1.7, 10.2 ± 3.4, and 10.2 ± 5.1, and 90.3 ± 2.3, 90.3 ± 4.6, and 90.3 ± 6.9, respectively. Based on the values and Levey-Jennings charts, a set of standardized IQCs for prenatal diagnosis such as FISH were established.

Conclusions

This method resolves the problems of a shortage of quality-control materials and a lack of quality-control charts in prenatal molecular diagnosis such as NIPT, NGS, aCGH/SNP, PCR, and FISH. Levey-Jennings chart-based IQCs for prenatal diagnosis such as FISH can be used to easily monitor whether IQC results are within acceptable limits, and then infer whether the diagnostic results for clinical samples are reliable. We expect that this standardized IQC will be useful for a wide range of molecular diagnostic laboratories.
Engineering marine fungi for conversion of d-galacturonic acid to mucic acid
Authors: Vidgren Virve , Halinen Satu , Tamminen Anu , Olenius Susanna , Wiebe Marilyn G.
Published: July 2020

Background

Two marine fungi, a Trichoderma sp. and a Coniochaeta sp., which can grow on d-galacturonic acid and pectin, were selected as hosts to engineer for mucic acid production, assessing the suitability of marine fungi for production of platform chemicals. The pathway for biotechnologcial production of mucic (galactaric) acid from d-galacturonic acid is simple and requires minimal modification of the genome, optimally one deletion and one insertion. d-Galacturonic acid, the main component of pectin, is a potential substrate for bioconversion, since pectin-rich waste is abundant.

Results

Trichoderma sp. LF328 and Coniochaeta sp. MF729 were engineered using CRISPR-Cas9 to oxidize d-galacturonic acid to mucic acid, disrupting the endogenous pathway for d-galacturonic acid catabolism when inserting a gene encoding bacterial uronate dehydrogenase. The uronate dehydrogenase was expressed under control of a synthetic expression system, which fucntioned in both marine strains. The marine Trichoderma transformants produced 25 g L−1 mucic acid from d-galacturonic acid in equimolar amounts: the yield was 1.0 to 1.1 g mucic acid [g d-galacturonic acid utilized]−1. d-Xylose and lactose were the preferred co-substrates. The engineered marine Trichoderma sp. was more productive than the best Trichoderma reesei strain (D-161646) described in the literature to date, that had been engineered to produce mucic acid. With marine Coniochaeta transformants, d-glucose was the preferred co-substrate, but the highest yield was 0.82 g g−1: a portion of d-galacturonic acid was still metabolized. Coniochaeta sp. transformants produced adequate pectinases to produce mucic acid from pectin, but Trichoderma sp. transformants did not.

Conclusions

Both marine species were successfully engineered using CRISPR-Cas9 and the synthetic expression system was functional in both species. Although Coniochaeta sp. transformants produced mucic acid directly from pectin, the metabolism of d-galacturonic acid was not completely disrupted and mucic acid amounts were low. The d-galacturonic pathway was completely disrupted in the transformants of the marine Trichoderma sp., which produced more mucic acid than a previously constructed T. reesei mucic acid producing strain, when grown under similar conditions. This demonstrated that marine fungi may be useful as production organisms, not only for native enzymes or bioactive compounds, but also for other compounds.
Assessment of nonnegative matrix factorization algorithms for electroencephalography spectral analysis
Authors: Hu Guoqiang , Zhou Tianyi , Luo Siwen , Mahini Reza , Xu Jing , Chang Yi , Cong Fengyu
Published: July 2020

Background

Nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) has been successfully used for electroencephalography (EEG) spectral analysis. Since NMF was proposed in the 1990s, many adaptive algorithms have been developed. However, the performance of their use in EEG data analysis has not been fully compared. Here, we provide a comparison of four NMF algorithms in terms of accuracy of estimation, stability (repeatability of the results) and time complexity of algorithms with simulated data. In the practical application of NMF algorithms, stability plays an important role, which was an emphasis in the comparison. A Hierarchical clustering algorithm was implemented to evaluate the stability of NMF algorithms.

Results

In simulation-based comprehensive analysis of fit, stability, accuracy of estimation and time complexity, hierarchical alternating least squares (HALS) low-rank NMF algorithm (lraNMF_HALS) outperformed the other three NMF algorithms. In the application of lraNMF_HALS for real resting-state EEG data analysis, stable and interpretable features were extracted.

Conclusion

Based on the results of assessment, our recommendation is to use lraNMF_HALS, providing the most accurate and robust estimation.
Recent advances in Surface Guided Radiation Therapy
Authors: Freislederer P. , Kügele M. , Öllers M. , Swinnen A. , Sauer T.-O. , Bert C. , Giantsoudi D. , Corradini S. , Batista V.
Published: July 2020

The growing acceptance and recognition of Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) as a promising imaging technique has supported its recent spread in a large number of radiation oncology facilities. Although this technology is not new, many aspects of it have only recently been exploited. This review focuses on the latest SGRT developments, both in the field of general clinical applications and special techniques.

SGRT has a wide range of applications, including patient positioning with real-time feedback, patient monitoring throughout the treatment fraction, and motion management (as beam-gating in free-breathing or deep-inspiration breath-hold). Special radiotherapy modalities such as accelerated partial breast irradiation, particle radiotherapy, and pediatrics are the most recent SGRT developments.

The fact that SGRT is nowadays used at various body sites has resulted in the need to adapt SGRT workflows to each body site. Current SGRT applications range from traditional breast irradiation, to thoracic, abdominal, or pelvic tumor sites, and include intracranial localizations.

Following the latest SGRT applications and their specifications/requirements, a stricter quality assurance program needs to be ensured. Recent publications highlight the need to adapt quality assurance to the radiotherapy equipment type, SGRT technology, anatomic treatment sites, and clinical workflows, which results in a complex and extensive set of tests.

Moreover, this review gives an outlook on the leading research trends. In particular, the potential to use deformable surfaces as motion surrogates, to use SGRT to detect anatomical variations along the treatment course, and to help in the establishment of personalized patient treatment (optimized margins and motion management strategies) are increasingly important research topics. SGRT is also emerging in the field of patient safety and integrates measures to reduce common radiotherapeutic risk events (e.g. facial and treatment accessories recognition).

This review covers the latest clinical practices of SGRT and provides an outlook on potential applications of this imaging technique. It is intended to provide guidance for new users during the implementation, while triggering experienced users to further explore SGRT applications.
Comparisons of the surface micromotions of cementless femoral prosthesis in the horizontal and vertical levels: a network analysis of biomechanical studies
Authors: Wang Bomin , Li Qinghu , Dong Jinlei , Zhou Dongsheng , Liu Fanxiao
Published: July 2020

Background

Numerous quantitatively biomechanical studies measuring the fixation stability of femoral stem using micromotions at the bone-implant interfaces in different directions and levels remain inconclusive. This network meta-analysis performed systematically aims to explore the rank probability of micromotions at the bone-implant interfaces based on biomechanical data from studies published.

Methods

Two electronic databases, PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase, were utilized to retrieve biomechanical studies providing the data of micromotions at the bone-stem interfaces. After screening and diluting out, the studies that met inclusion criteria will be utilized for statistical analysis. In order to contrast the stability of commonness and differences of the different parts of the femoral stem, the horizontal and vertical comparison of micromotions at the bone-implant interfaces were conducted using the pooled evaluation indexes including the mean difference (MD) and the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curve, while inconsistency analysis, sensitivity analysis, subgroup analyses, and publication bias were performed for the stability evaluation of outcomes.

Results

Screening determined that 20 studies involving a total of 249 samples were deemed viable for inclusion in the network meta-analysis. Tip point registered the highest micromotions of 13 measurement points. In the horizontal level, the arrangements of 4 measurement points at the proximal (P1–P4), middle (P5–P8) and distal part of the stem (P9–P12) were P1 = P2 = P3 = P4, P7 > P8 > P6 = P5 and P10 ≥ P12 = P9 = P11, respectively. In the vertical level, the arrangements of 3 measurement points at the anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral directions was P9 > P5 = P1, P10 > P6 > P2, P11 > P7 > P3, and P12 > P8 > P4, respectively.

Conclusion

The network meta-analysis seems to reveal that the distal part of the femoral stem is easier to register higher micromotion, and tip point of femoral stem registers the highest micromotions.
Zymosan promotes proliferation, Candida albicans adhesion and IL-1β production of oral squamous cell carcinoma in vitro
Authors: Chen Xu , Luo Qingqiong , Ding Jieying , Yang Meng , Zhang Ruiyang , Chen Fuxiang
Published: July 2020

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and the effect of zymosan (ZYM), a component of the yeast cell wall, on oral cancer remains unclear. The CCK-8 proliferation assay was performed to evaluate the effect of ZYM on the proliferation of the OSCC cell lines WSU-HN4, WSU-HN6 and CAL27, and the potential mechanism was explored by quantitative real-time PCR, immunofluorescence assay and western blot. A cell adhesion assay was conducted to determine the adhesion of Candida albicans to OSCC cells, and the expression of related genes, including TLR2, MyD88, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and IL-1β, and proteins, including TLR2, MyD88, NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65 and E-cadherin was determined. Additionally, the pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and IL-1β produced by OSCC cells were detected using a chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). In the current study, the CCK-8 assay showed that ZYM promoted the proliferation of WSU-HN4, WSU-HN6 and CAL27 cells via the TLR2/MyD88 pathway. The cell adhesion assay showed that the number of C. albicans cells per field significantly increased in ZYM-treated OSCC cells compared to controls. When treated with ZYM, OSCC cells secreted significantly more pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, which could enhance inflammation in oral cancer microenvironment. In conclusion, ZYM from the fungal cell wall promotes the proliferation, C. albicans adhesion and IL-1β production in OSCC, as demonstrated by in vitro experiments.
Alleviating toxic α-Synuclein accumulation by membrane depolarization: evidence from an in vitro model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Ross Alysia , Xing Viktoria , Wang Ting Ting , Bureau Samantha C. , Link Giovana A. , Fortin Teresa , Zhang Hui , Hayley Shawn , Sun Hongyu
Published: July 2020

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the formation of toxic, fibrillar form alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) protein aggregates in dopaminergic neurons. Accumulating evidence has shown a multifactorial interplay between the intracellular calcium elevation and α-Syn dynamics. However, whether membrane depolarization regulates toxic α-Syn aggregates remains unclear. To understand this better, we used an in vitro α-Syn preformed fibrils (PFF) model of PD in human neural cells. We demonstrated functional membrane depolarization in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells induced by two independent treatments: high extracellular K+ and the GABAA receptor blocker picrotoxin. We then observed that these treatments significantly alleviated toxic α-Syn aggregation in PFF-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, clinically relevant direct current stimulation (DCS) also remarkably decreased toxic α-Syn aggregation in PFF-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that membrane depolarization plays an important role in alleviating PFF-induced toxic α-Syn aggregates, and that it may represent a novel therapeutic mechanism for PD.
Myositis ossificans mimicking sarcoma: a not so rare bioptic diagnostic pitfall
Authors: Cortellazzo Wiel Luisa , Trevisan Matteo , Murru Flora Maria , Rabusin Marco , Barbi Egidio
Published: July 2020

Background

Myositis ossificans (MO) is a heterotopic bone formation in soft tissues, usually caused by traumas or neuropathies. Although the aetiology remains unclear, MO is supposed to be an osteoblast metaplasia with a benign and self-limiting course. Remarkably, at onset MO can be clinically, radiologically and histologically indistinguishable to soft tissue malignancies, especially in cases lacking a history of trauma, leading to misdiagnoses and improper treatments.

Case presentation

A 13-year-old male was referred to the Oncology Department because of a previous diagnosis of osteogenic sarcoma of his left thigh. The diagnosis was made upon a history of isolated thigh pain in the absence of traumas, the evidence of a contrast-enhanced soft tissue mass on magnetic resonance imaging and the histological findings of atypical nuclei and mitotic figures. The lesion was eventually radiologically unchanged after five cycles of chemotherapy; thus, the child was referred for radical surgery. At admission, endorsing the child well-appearance, together with the evidence of a reduced calcified lesion on a further magnetic resonance, a clinical suspicion of myositis ossificans was raised. Hence, the excisional biopsy confirmed the pathognomonic zonal pattern of myositis ossificans.

Conclusions

This case highlights some frequent diagnostic pitfalls facing myositis ossificans. A lacking history of traumas, along with a too early radiological and histological evaluation can lead to a misdiagnosis of soft tissue malignancies. Even in the absence of a clear history of trauma, a painful soft tissue swelling with a benign clinical course should raise the suspicion of myositis ossificans.
Fluorescent bead-based serological detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in chickens
Authors: Fabian Benedikt T. , Hedar Fatima , Koethe Martin , Bangoura Berit , Maksimov Pavlo , Conraths Franz J. , Villena Isabelle , Aubert Dominique , Seeber Frank , Schares Gereon
Published: July 2020

Background

Free-ranging chickens are often infected withToxoplasma gondiiand seroconvert upon infection. This indicates environmental contamination withT. gondii.

Methods

Here, we established a bead-based multiplex assay (BBMA) using the Luminex technology for the detection ofT. gondiiinfections in chickens. Recombinant biotinylatedT. gondiisurface antigen 1 (TgSAG1bio) bound to streptavidin-conjugated magnetic Luminex beads served as antigen. Serum antibodies were detected by a fluorophore-coupled secondary antibody. Beads of differing color codes were conjugated with anti-chicken IgY or chicken serum albumin and served for each sample as an internal positive or negative control, respectively. The assay was validated with sera from experimentally and naturally infected chickens. The results were compared to those from reference methods, including other serological tests, PCRs and bioassay in mice.

Results

In experimentally infected chickens, the vast majority (98.5%,n = 65/66) of birds tested seropositive in the BBMA. This included all chickens positive by magnetic-capture PCR (100%,n = 45/45). Most, but not all inoculated and TgSAG1bio-BBMA-positive chickens were also positive in two previously established TgSAG1-ELISAs (TgSAG1-ELISASL,n = 61/65; or TgSAG1-ELISASH,n = 60/65), or positive in an immunofluorescence assay (IFAT,n = 64/65) and in a modified agglutination test (MAT,n = 61/65). All non-inoculated control animals (n = 28/28, 100%) tested negative. In naturally exposed chickens, the TgSAG1bio-BBMA showed a high sensitivity (98.5%; 95% confidence interval, CI: 90.7–99.9%) and specificity (100%; 95% CI: 85.0–100%) relative to a reference standard established using ELISA, IFAT and MAT. Almost all naturally exposed chickens that were positive in bioassay or by PCR tested positive in the TgSAG1bio-BBMA (93.5%; 95% CI: 77.1–98.9%), while all bioassay- or PCR-negative chickens remained negative (100%; 95% CI: 85.0–100%).

Conclusions

The TgSAG1bio-BBMA represents a suitable method for the detection ofT. gondiiinfections in chickens with high sensitivity and specificity, which is comparable or even superior to other tests. Since assays based on this methodology allow for the simultaneous analysis of a single biological sample with respect to multiple analytes, the described assay may represent a component in future multiplex assays for broad serological monitoring of poultry and other farm animals for various pathogens.
Semi-field evaluation of freestanding transfluthrin passive emanators and the BG sentinel trap as a “push-pull control strategy” against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
Authors: Tambwe Mgeni M. , Moore Sarah J. , Chilumba Hassan , Swai Johnson K. , Moore Jason D. , Stica Caleb , Saddler Adam
Published: July 2020

Background

Spatial repellents that drive mosquitoes away from treated areas, and odour-baited traps, that attract and kill mosquitoes, can be combined and work synergistically in a push-pull system. Push-pull systems have been shown to reduce house entry and outdoor biting rates of malaria vectors and so have the potential to control other outdoor biting mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti that transmit arboviral diseases. In this study, semi-field experiments were conducted to evaluate whether a push-pull system could be used to reduce bites from Aedes mosquitoes.

Methods

The push and pull under investigation consisted of two freestanding transfluthrin passive emanators (FTPE) and a BG sentinel trap (BGS) respectively. The FTPE contained hessian strips treated with 5.25 g of transfluthrin active ingredient. The efficacies of FTPE and BGS alone and in combination were evaluated by human landing catch in a large semi-field system in Tanzania. We also investigated the protection of FTPE over six months. The data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models with binomial distribution.

Results

Two FTPE had a protective efficacy (PE) of 61.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 52.2–69.9%) against the human landing of Ae. aegypti. The BGS did not significantly reduce mosquito landings; the PE was 2.1% (95% CI: −2.9–7.2%). The push-pull provided a PE of 64.5% (95% CI: 59.1–69.9%). However, there was no significant difference in the PE between the push-pull and the two FTPE against Ae. aegypti (P = 0.30). The FTPE offered significant protection against Ae. aegypti at month three, with a PE of 46.4% (95% CI: 41.1–51.8%), but not at six months with a PE of 2.2% (95% CI: −9.0–14.0%).

Conclusions

The PE of the FTPE and the full push-pull are similar, indicative that bite prevention is primarily due to the activity of the FTPE. While these results are encouraging for the FTPE, further work is needed for a push-pull system to be recommended for Ae. aegypti control. The three-month protection against Ae. aegypti bites suggests that FTPE would be a useful additional control tool during dengue outbreaks, that does not require regular user compliance.
Enhancing healthcare efficiency to achieve the Quadruple Aim: an exploratory study
Authors: Arnetz Bengt B. , Goetz Courtney M. , Arnetz Judith E. , Sudan Sukhesh , vanSchagen John , Piersma Kyle , Reyelts Fredric
Published: July 2020

Objective

Healthcare is battling a conflict between the Quadruple Aims—reducing costs; improving population health, patient experience, and team well-being—and productivity. This quasi-experimental pilot study tested a 2 week intervention aimed to address the Quadruple Aims while improving productivity. Participants were 25 employees and their patients in a primary care clinic. One provider and their team implemented an efficiency-focused intervention that modified work roles and processes focused on utilizing all team members’ skills as allowable by applicable licensure restrictions. The five remaining providers and their teams comprised the reference group, who continued patient care as usual. Study outcomes were measured via provider/staff and patient surveys and administrative data.

Results

In total, 46 team surveys and 156 patient surveys were collected. Clinic output data were retrieved for 467 visits. Compared to the reference team, the intervention team performed better in all Quadruple Aims and productivity measures. The intervention group offered 48% more patient slots than the average reference team. These preliminary results support the feasibility of introducing substantial process changes that show promising improvement in both the Quadruple Aims and productivity. A larger-scale study over a longer time period is needed to confirm findings and examine feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
Analysis of maternal and perinatal determinants of allergic sensitization in childhood
Authors: Schäfer Samuel , Liu Anthony , Campbell Dianne , Nanan Ralph
Published: July 2020

Background

Non-communicable diseases, such as allergies, are influenced by both genetic and epigenetic factors. Perinatal determinants conceivably modify the epigenetic makeup of the developing fetal immune system preventing or predisposing the development of allergies. The aim of this study therefore was to identify independent perinatal factors associated with allergic sensitization in childhood.

Methods

In a single center retrospective case-cohort study electronic obstetric medical records and available skin prick testing results of children were analyzed. For the analysis 286 skin prick test positive (sensitized) children [median (IQR): 3.47 (1.70–7.34) years] were compared with data from all remaining live births in the obstetric cohort (n = 66,583).

Results

Sensitized children more frequently had a mother born in Asia (19.1% vs. 10.2%; P < 10–6). Applying backward elimination logistic regression, seven out of 23 initially entered perinatal factors remained in the model. High maternal age (> 35 years; OR: 1.912; P < 0.001), male offspring sex (OR: 1.423; P < 0.01) and assisted conception (OR: 1.771; P < 0.05) increased the risk for allergic sensitization. In contrast, maternal smoking (OR: 0.469; P < 0.005), increasing parity (OR: 0.881; P < 0.05), maternal pre-pregnancy overweight (OR: 0.742; P < 0.005) and preterm birth (OR: 0.484; P < 0.05) decreased the risk for allergic sensitization.

Conclusions

In addition to supporting previous findings, this study is first to report an increased risk of allergic sensitization after assisted conception. Beyond this finding’s potential implementation in preventative strategies, exploration of this association could further pathophysiological understanding of allergic disease.
Oscillatory behavior of second-order nonlinear neutral differential equations
Authors: Liu Jun , Liu Xi , Yu Yuanhong
Published: July 2020

We shall consider a class of second-order nonlinear neutral differential equations. Some new oscillation criteria are established by using the Riccati transformation technique. One example is given to show the applicability of the main results.
HIV survey in Mozambique: analysis with simultaneous model in contrast to separate hierarchical models
Authors: Fang Di , Lang Anqi , Wilson Jeffrey R.
Published: July 2020

Background

The analysis of correlated responses obtained one at a time in survey data is not as informative or as useful as modeling them simultaneously. Simultaneous modeling allows for the opportunity to evaluate the system in a more pragmatic form rather than to allow for responses that assumedly originated in isolation.

Methods

This research uses the Mozambique National Survey data to demonstrate the benefits of simultaneous modeling on blood test results, knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and awareness of an HIV/AIDS campaign. This simultaneous modeling also addresses the correlation inherent due to the hierarchical structure in the data collection.

Results

Employment and self-perceived risk of HIV/AIDS have different impact on blood test, awareness of an HIV/AIDS campaign, and knowledge of HIV/AIDS when examined simultaneously as opposed to separate modeling.

Conclusion

Simultaneous modeling of correlated responses improves the reliability of the estimates. More importantly, it provides an opportunity to engage in cost-saving decisions when designing future surveys and make better health policies.
Including adolescent migrants in school through VET approach: evidence from a pilot action in Italy
Authors: Lamonica Valentina , Ragazzi Elena , Sella Lisa
Published: July 2020

This paper investigates the effectiveness of a small experimental pilot addressed to foreign adolescents with low language skills and high dropout risk in lower secondary school in Turin, North-West Italy. The intervention aims at reducing Early School Leaving while supporting standard school curricula. In order to facilitate students’ re-motivation and their attachment to the school environment, the pilot proposes an original VET approach that alternates standard school activities to innovative vocational training. In particular, treated students substitute 290 h VET courses for 10 standard school weeks along a scholastic year. First of all, the analysis aims at evaluating effects on Early School Leaving. Then, since the pilot requires a long period in VET away from school, the study evaluates effects on educational outcomes. Oltre I Muri is a very small pilot experiment, involving seven schools and offering 11 VET positions to migrant students. We investigated the effectiveness of the program by an experimental counterfactual approach: participants have been randomly assigned to a treated and a control group with similar characteristics. They are adolescent migrants attending the 2nd year of lower secondary school and manifesting very high drop-out risk. Treated students attend the alternating VET/school pilot, while control students attend standard school classes. Randomization inference allows assessing average treatment effects, but the very small sample size does not guarantee statistical significance at standard levels. Results anyhow suggests some effectiveness of the project in contrasting Early School Leaving. In particular, while some non-treated students dropped out from school during the pilot, all treated students regularly completed their scholastic year. This can be interpreted as a 20% increase in school attendance, with an 80% confidence level assessed by Montecarlo randomization. Finally, extreme value bound techniques applied to test scores suggest that treated students do not prejudice their learning by attending VET instead of standard school classes during the pilot. On the contrary, their school attachment is reinforced.
Stochastic spatial random forest (SS-RF) for interpolating probabilities of missing land cover data
Authors: Holloway-Brown Jacinta , Helmstedt Kate J , Mengersen Kerrie L
Published: July 2020

Forests are a global environmental priority that need to be monitored frequently and at large scales. Satellite images are a proven useful, free data source for regular global forest monitoring but these images often have missing data in tropical regions due to climate driven persistent cloud cover. Remote sensing and statistical approaches to filling these missing data gaps exist and these can be highly accurate, but any interpolation method results are uncertain and these methods do not provide measures of this uncertainty. We present a new two-step spatial stochastic random forest (SS-RF) method that uses random forest algorithms to construct Beta distributions for interpolating missing data. This method has comparable performance with the traditional remote sensing compositing method, and additionally provides a probability for each interpolated data point. Our results show that the SS-RF method can accurately interpolate missing data and quantify uncertainty and its applicability to the challenge of monitoring forest using free and incomplete satellite imagery data. We propose that there is scope for our SS-RF method to be applied to other big data problems where a measurement of uncertainty is needed in addition to estimates.
Design, assessment and evaluation of structural stabilization system for weather buoys using a moving foil
Authors: Malek Azari Mina , Salazar Luces Jose Victorio , Hirata Yasuhisa
Published: July 2020

This paper proposes a novel, simple and high-efficient submerged structural stabilization system for a self-stabilizing buoy that provides a stable platform for oceanographic and meteorological sensors. The proposed stabilization system is a Seesaw-like Tuned Mass Damper (STMD) combined with a foil and is designed in a way to harvest the activation energy from incoming waves. A fixed rudder in the rear underside of the buoy, as well as physical properties of the buoy, help to keep its balance in yaw and roll directions while encountering lateral waves. Therefore, the orientational stabilization of the whole structure is achieved by controlling only the pitch deviation. The proposed model is then simulated in a marine dynamic analysis software. Two different shapes of a thin rod and a foil were proposed for the sliding mass (slider) of the STMD and their performances are investigated and compared to each other in two different modes of passive and active control. In the passive mode, different mass ratios were conducted for the thin rod-shaped slider (i.e., a ratio of the effective mass of the stabilizing system to that of the whole structure) and a mass ratio of 8% could suppress the pitch deviation up to 81.3% in the resonance condition. The same STMD system with a mass ratio of 2% suppresses the pitch deviation by only 7%. In the active mode, the STMD with a thin rod-shaped slider and a mass ratio of 8% exhibits only 49.1% suppression effect in a multiwave condition. However, by changing the shape of the slider to a foil while controlling its angle of attack (AOA) mechanically, the system with the mass ratios of 2% and 8% could suppress the pitch deviation of the buoy up to 69.4% and 79.1%, respectively.
Thoracoscopic radical surgery for a morbidly obese patient with early lung cancer after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a case report
Authors: Iwata Shingo , Hagiwara Akeo , Harima Yutaka
Published: July 2020

Background

We experienced a case of early stage lung cancer involving a morbidly obese patient. Obesity is associated with a higher incidence of surgical complications. We examined the effectiveness of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a primary weight loss procedure in a morbidly obese patient who required oncological surgery.

Case presentation

A 64-year-old morbidly obese female with a body mass index of 43.5 kg/m2 was referred to our hospital to undergo weight loss. A right-sided lung mass was found incidentally on computed tomography conducted in preparation for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, which was performed prior to tumor surgery. As a result, weight loss was achieved within 2.5 months after the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and the patient’s type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, which are linked to obesity, were markedly ameliorated. After a quick intraoperative pathological inspection revealed that the tumor was malignant, thoracoscopic right lung superior lobe resection was performed safely.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy proved to be a powerful approach in a case in which a morbidly obese patient with early stage cancer needed to lose weight rapidly.