bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternative strategies towards a sustainable municipal solid waste management system: A case study in Cairo
Authors: ElSaid Sarah , Aghezzaf El Houssaine
Published: May 2020

Major cities in transitional and developing countries are facing the ever-growing challenge of managing solid waste in a sustainable manner. While a variety of treatments exist for solid waste, cities are in need of a sustainable integrated municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system. Such a system is meant to assist them in selecting and investing in an appropriate combination of treatments for the waste they generate, depending on the composition and quantity of this waste. This study presents a systems analysis of the MSWM in Cairo. A constrained non-linear mathematical model is developed to represent an underlying model of a MSWM system, with six waste material flows (cardboard and paper, plastics, metals, glass, organic material, and others). The developed model depicts combinations of five treatment alternatives (composting, anaerobic digestion, mechanical biological treatment, incineration, and landfilling). The treatment methods and their capacity are determined by the model, indicating possible optimal design solutions and recommendations. Starting with an evaluation of the status quo of the MSWM system in Cairo, the paper proposes a staged strategy, involving investigating improvements to the current mixed-waste management system, then exploring the possibility of introducing at-source waste sorting. The environmental and economic implications of different scenarios are analyzed and compared. A material flow analysis, including input data uncertainties, is also conducted by applying substance flow analysis. This analysis shows the difference between the status quo and the proposed improved solutions for diverting waste from landfills and, thus, decreasing carbon dioxide emissions.
School Principals Putting Bullying Policy to Practice
Authors: Brown James , Keesler John , Karikari Isaac , Ashrifi Gifty , Kausch Meg
Published: May 2020

School principals must rely on state statutes and district policies to navigate reports of school bullying. Investigating reports to determine the outcomes may vary depending upon the districts definition of bullying, the investigation process, and follow through to reporting the findings of the investigation to the involved children and youth’s parents. However, investigating reports can be challenging due to the confusion of what constitutes bullying. This confusion can be especially troubling for parents who believe their child is being bullied. In order to understand principals' perspectives on bullying, two focus groups were conducted with nine urban school principals. Researchers examined principals’ perceptions of how state- and district-level policies were used within their bully investigation practices. These principals suggest that a clear, specific district wide definition of bullying and step by step procedures to investigate reports, along with the state anti-bullying statute, provide a valuable guide for follow-through and back up in determining cases of school bullying. In addition, they identified how policies and district mandates affected parents, particularly when reporting their investigation findings. Implications for bully prevention policies are discussed.
Generation V: Millennial Vegans in Israel
Authors: Gvion Liora
Published: May 2020

This study asks how and why veganism becomes a way of constructing generational identities and worldviews. Focusing on Israeli millennial vegans, I argue that veganism enables millennials to constitute a generational mode of thought that differentiates them from preceding generations through three interrelated practices: replacing evidence-based knowledge with other types of information, based on personal experience and consensual agreement among peers; constructing an Israeli identity that shifts commitment from national issues to global ones; and establishing spaces of consumption that operate according to marketing strategies meant to socialize practitioners into becoming critical consumers while participating in a young urban lifestyle. All of these position veganism as a means by which millennials exert control where they can, in an increasingly complex world, while refraining from challenging the political and economic systems.
CORM-2 Pretreatment Attenuates Inflammation-mediated Islet Dysfunction
Authors: Cai Xiang-Heng , Wang Guan-Qiao , Liang Rui , Wang Le , Liu Teng-Li , Zou Jia-Qi , Liu Na , Liu Yan , Wang Shu-Sen , Shen Zhong-Yang
Published: May 2020

During the process of human islet isolation a cascade of stressful events are triggered and negatively influence islet yield, viability, and function, including the production of proinflammatory cytokines and activation of apoptosis. Carbon monoxide-releasing molecule 2 (CORM-2) is a donor of carbon monoxide (CO) and can release CO spontaneously. Accumulating studies suggest that CORM-2 exerts cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of CORM-2 on islet isolation is still unclear. In this study, we found that CORM-2 pretreatment significantly decreased the expression of critical inflammatory genes, including tissue factor, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, chemokine ( C-C motif) ligand 2, C-X-C motif chemokine 10, Toll-like receptor 4, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α ( TNF-α). The isolated islets of the CORM-2 pretreatment group showed reduced apoptotic rate, improved viability, and higher glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and functional gene expression in comparison to control group. Importantly, CORM-2 pretreatment prevented the impairment caused by TNF-α, evidenced by the improved glucose-stimulated index and transplantation outcomes. The present study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory property of CORM-2 during human islet isolation, and we suggest that CORM-2 pretreatment is an appealing treatment to mitigate inflammation-mediated islet dysfunction during isolation and culture ex vivo and to preserve long-term islet survival and function.
Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells Recover Fertility of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Mice and the Effects on their Offspring
Authors: Liu Conghui , Yin Huiqun , Jiang Hong , Du Xin , Wang Cunli , Liu Yingchun , Li Yu , Yang Ziling
Published: May 2020

It has been reported that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) can promote the proliferative and secretive functions of granulosa cells. In vivo study further demonstrated that EVs derived from HUCMSCs can not only promote the angiogenesis of ovarian tissue but also restore the function of an ovary of chemically induced premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) mice. However, no study investigates the effects of HUCMSCs derived EVs on fertility recovery of POI mice and evaluating their offspring. This study investigates the effects of HUCMSCs derived EVs on fertility recovery and the cognitive function of their offspring. A POI model was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX) and busulfan (BUS), and randomly divided into EVs-transplantation group (a single injection of 150 µg EVs proteins which suspended in 0.1 ml phosphate buffer saline [PBS] via tail vein), POI group (a single injection of 0.1 ml PBS via tail vein), and normal control group (a single injection of 0.1 ml PBS via tail vein without intraperitoneal injection of CTX and BUS). After EVs treatment, not only the ovarian function of POI mice recovered but also the fertility increased with less time to get pregnant, evaluating by in vitro fertilization and mating test. Cognitive behaviors of the offspring were similar among the three groups through the Y-maze test and novel object recognition task. An anti-apoptotic effect was identified through immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot. These findings indicate that HUCMSCs derived EVs can improve the fertility of POI mice without adverse effects on the cognitive behavior of their offspring, highlighting the potential value of EVs to be a cell-free therapy for patients suffering from POI.
Practicing the Ideal Depressed Self: Young Professional Women’s Accounts of Managing Depression
Authors: Chowdhury Nilima
Published: May 2020

This article is based on a qualitative investigation of contemporary female subjectivities at the intersection of two particular identities: being a “young professional woman” and “depressed.” Thirteen women working in both private and public sector roles in two major cities in Aotearoa New Zealand participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Employing a practice-based approach to analysis, my aim was to explore whether participants’ accounts are inflected by what cultural scholars call the “top girl” or “can-do girl” ideal and the implications for “recovering” from depression. I identified five identity practices which constitute the subject position of the “ideal depressed self” who (a) delivers no matter what, (b) puts on a brave face (particularly at work), (c) treats her depression medically, (d) looks after herself, and (e) works toward becoming more positive. A discussion of the discursive underpinnings, in particular, neoliberal and postfeminist rhetoric, highlights the harmful effects of this individualizing perspective.
CIMAX: collective information maximization in robotic swarms using local communication
Authors: Hornischer Hannes , Varughese Joshua Cherian , Thenius Ronald , Wotawa Franz , Füllsack Manfred , Schmickl Thomas
Published: May 2020

Robotic swarms and mobile sensor networks are used for environmental monitoring in various domains and areas of operation. Especially in otherwise inaccessible environments, decentralized robotic swarms can be advantageous due to their high spatial resolution of measurements and resilience to failure of individuals in the swarm. However, such robotic swarms might need to be able to compensate misplacement during deployment or adapt to dynamical changes in the environment. Reaching a collective decision in a swarm with limited communication abilities without a central entity serving as decision-maker can be a challenging task. Here, we present the CIMAX algorithm for collective decision-making for maximizing the information gathered by the swarm as a whole. Agents negotiate based on their individual sensor readings and ultimately make a decision for collectively moving in a particular direction so that the swarm as a whole increases the amount of relevant measurements and thus accessible information. We use both simulation and real robotic experiments for presenting, testing, and validating our algorithm. CIMAX is designed to be used in underwater swarm robots for troubleshooting an oxygen depletion phenomenon known as “anoxia.”
Relationships Among Facets of Narcissism, Symptoms of Eating Disorders, and Symptoms of Muscle Dysmorphia
Authors: Littrell Chanceton K. , Grieve Frederick G. , Derryberry W. Pitt , Brausch Amy , Parker Olivia J. , Scott Jamie N.
Published: May 2020

Previous research exploring the relationship between muscle dysmorphia, drive for muscularity, and disordered eating behaviors in relation to personality characteristics, particularly narcissism, has yielded interesting, though often conflictual, results. This study explores these relationships through assessing muscle dysmorphia, drive for muscularity, and disordered eating in relation to grandiose and hypersensitive narcissism. Participants included 173 male college students who were recruited via departmental Study Board. Participants completed demographic information, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-40, the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale, the Muscle Dysmorphia Questionnaire, the Drive for Muscularity Scale, and the Eating Attitudes Test-26. Results indicated a positive relationship between muscle dysmorphia symptomatology and hypersensitive narcissism, and positive relationships between drive for muscularity and facets of grandiose narcissism. Results indicated that disordered eating was not related to narcissism. Results provide direction for the further study of the dimensional structure of the construct of narcissism and treatment implications for those suffering from muscle dysmorphia.
Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Breast With MAML2 Rearrangement: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Yan Mingfei , Gilmore Hannah , Harbhajanka Aparna
Published: May 2020

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies in salivary glands. In comparison, breast mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a very rare entity, with limited reports and understanding of its clinical behaviors to date. In this article, we report a case of low-grade breast mucoepidermoid carcinoma of a 60-year-old female patient. Histologic and immunohistochemical patterns were demonstrated. Fluorescence in situ hybridization test was also conducted to identify MAML2 rearrangement in this case, indicating a similar molecular abnormality as mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the salivary gland. Five-year follow-up of the patient showed no local recurrence or distant metastasis of the carcinoma, indicating the indolent behavior of low-grade breast mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Besides, a 40-year literature review from 1979 to 2019 was also performed to better characterize the prognosis and molecular abnormalities of the lesion.
Primary Renal Mesenchymal Neoplasms in Nephrectomy Specimens: A 16-Year Survey of Primary and Incidental Cases From a Single Institution
Authors: Alruwaii Fatimah I. , Idrees Muhammad , Saeed Omer , Chen Shaoxiong
Published: May 2020

Context. Primary renal mesenchymal neoplasms are rare but diverse. Several neoplasms of mesenchymal derivation can arise as a primary renal mass; however, incidental tumors are identified in nephrectomies performed for end-stage renal disease or other malignant epithelial renal neoplasms. In this article, we document their frequencies with demographic information in nephrectomy specimens. Design. We retrospectively searched our database for nephrectomy specimens from the year 2000 to 2016. Results. A total of 224 cases were identified with an incidence rate of 4.4% (224/5128). One hundred ninety (85%) neoplasms were benign, 27 (12%) were malignant, and 7 (3%) were of intermediate biologic behavior. The majority of cases occurred in adults (93%, 208/224), and 39% of cases represented an incidental finding. The most common neoplasms were angiomyolipoma (58%) and renomedullary interstitial cell tumor (17%). Malignant mesenchymal kidney tumors are rare (0.39% of nephrectomy specimens). The most common adults’ malignant tumors in our survey were synovial sarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma. Conclusion. Primary renal mesenchymal tumors are rare and are mostly benign in nature with many incidentally identified lesions. They arise in different age groups with malignant lesions usually presenting at a younger mean age.
Chondromyxoid Fibroma of the Sacral Spine
Authors: Dodson Vincent , Majmundar Neil , Sharer Leroy , Fitzhugh Valerie A. , Assina Rachid
Published: May 2020

Background and Importance. Chondromyxoid fibromas are rare tumors of cartilaginous origin typically found in long bones. They usually present during the second and third decades of life. In this case report, we describe the case of a 60-year-old male who presented with back pain and was later found to have a sacral mass. Further immunohistochemical analysis determined that the mass was a chondromyxoid fibroma. Clinical Presentation. A 60-year-old male presented with worsening lower back pain over the course of 2 years. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a destructive mass centered at S4 with heterogeneous enhancement. The patient underwent an S3-to-Co1 laminectomy for gross total resection of the tumor. Histology demonstrated a biphasic, lobulated appearance, characteristic of a chondromyxoid fibroma. The tissue stained faintly positive for multicytokeratin, and it was negative for markers S-100 protein and brachyury, indicating that it was not a chordoma. Conclusion. Only 8 cases have documented sacral chondromyxoid fibroma. As these are exceedingly rare tumors, especially within the sacral spine, the differential diagnosis includes other malignant tumors more likely to be found in the spine, particularly chordomas and chondrosarcomas. Immunohistochemistry and histology are essential in making a definitive diagnosis. This case provides a comprehensive illustration of the clinical presentation, radiographic findings, and immunohistochemistry of sacral chondromyxoid fibroma.
Study on the influence of structural nonlinearity on the performance of multiunit impact damper
Authors: Lu Zheng , Ma Naiyin , Zhang Hengrui
Published: May 2020

In this article, the vibration control effect of the multiunit impact damper under stationary random excitation and seismic excitation is studied, based on both the elastic and nonlinear benchmark structures. The benchmark structure is a nonlinear steel frame structure, which can calculate the nonlinear response by considering the material nonlinearity at the ends of the beam and column. To analyze the influence of various system parameters on the performance of the multiunit impact damper, such as the number of units, mass ratio, damping ratio, and gap clearance, a great number of parameter studies are carried out. In addition, the control effects of the multiunit impact damper on elastic and nonlinear structures are compared to analyze the influence of structural nonlinearity on the performance of the multiunit impact damper. The results show that a lightweight multiunit impact damper with reasonable parameters can significantly reduce the root mean square displacement response of the benchmark structure. Furthermore, the structural nonlinearity will lead to a decrease in the vibration control performance of the multiunit impact damper. The reasons for this phenomenon are that the effective momentum exchange and energy dissipation of the multiunit impact damper will decrease when the benchmark structure responds in a nonlinear state.
Women Convicted of Intimate Partner Homicide in Oromiya Regional State of Ethiopia: Profile and Associated Factors
Authors: Desta Meseret K. , Venema Rachel M.
Published: May 2020

This study explored the factors associated with the engagement of women in intimate partner homicide (IPH) through 10 in-depth interviews with women incarcerated in three correction facilities in Oromiya Regional State of Ethiopia. In addition, key informant interviews and six focus groups involving traditional leaders, Kebele administrators, and community members help triangulate the findings. The study revealed insight into women’s social, psychological, and economic status prior to their crime. Low levels of education and economic opportunity, forced marriage, marital dispute due to polygamy, spousal violence, and low levels of community support were associated with IPH. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.
Analysis of Codon Usage and Nucleotide Bias in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Genes
Authors: Hussain Snawar , Shinu Pottathil , Islam Mohammed Monirul , Chohan Muhammad Shahzad , Rasool Sahibzada Tasleem
Published: May 2020

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is an emerging disease caused by a recently identified human coronavirus (CoV). Over 2494 laboratory-confirmed cases and 858 MERS-related deaths have been reported from 27 countries. MERS-CoV has been associated with a high case fatality rate, especially in patients with pre-existing conditions. Despite the fatal nature of MERS-CoV infection, a comprehensive study to explore its evolution and adaptation in different hosts is lacking. We performed codon usage analyses on 4751 MERS-CoV genes and determined underlying forces that affect the codon usage bias in the MERS-CoV genome. The current analyses revealed a low but highly conserved, gene-specific codon usage bias in the MERS-CoV genome. The codon usage bias is mainly shaped by natural selection, while mutational pressure emerged as a minor factor affecting codon usage in some genes. Other contributory factors included CpG dinucleotide bias, physical and chemical properties of encoded proteins and gene length. Results reported in this study provide considerable insights into the molecular evaluation of MERS-CoV and could serve as a theoretical basis for optimizing MERS-CoV gene expression to study the functional relevance of various MERS-CoV proteins. Alternatively, an attenuated vaccine strain containing hundreds of silent mutations could be engineered. Codon de-optimization will not affect the amino acid sequence or antigenicity of a vaccine strain, but the sheer number of mutations would make viral reversion to a virulent phenotype extremely unlikely.
Wear comparison of unstructured and structured tungsten carbide
Authors: Fatima Anis , Ahmed Aqeel , Yaqoob Saima , Fahad Muhammad
Published: May 2020

Surface structuring is a recognised technique to improve frictional properties of interfering surfaces. A sufficient number of studies have confirmed the successful application of structuring on mechanical seals, golf balls, engine cylinder, sliding bearings, hard disk drives, etc. Lately, structuring is applied to metal cutting tools. This study identifies the information regarding the manufacturing process with the vision to improve the machining performance. For this, a comparative analysis of friction and dry sliding wear behaviour of structured and unstructured tungsten cemented carbide was assessed. Tests were performed at different sliding speed at the constant normal load of 40 N. Results show that structuring carbide can improve friction and wear performance by 23%. Also, structuring can decreased the coefficient of friction by 7%. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis was conducted to quantify elements concentration. Microhardness tests were performed and results revealed the improvement in hardness of structured carbide. The case study confirms that structuring cutting tools can effectively elevate machining performance and improve environmental sustainability. This research is noteworthy for tool manufactures, engineering component/ machine designers and biomedical engineers, as it highlights the comprehensive understanding of structuring carbide.
Escape from Kantian Eurocentric bias in cross-cultural psychology
Authors: Hwang Kwang-Kuo
Published: May 2020

Taking Kant’s misjudgment on Confucian silver rule as the point for first cut, this article is designated to illustrate the fallacy of imposed Orientalism prevailing in mainstream cross-cultural psychology which tends to understand non-Western cultures by a mental set of dualism with a tendency of Westcentrism, particularly the popular research on individualism-collectivism. This type of Euro-centric or Westcentric misjudgments are very common in Western social sciences, for instance, Confucian ethics are frequently described as particularistic in consideration of the distinction between universalism and particularism made by Parsons . In order to help the international academic community to escape from the trap of Eurocentric bias, this article will argue for and illustrate its characteristic of contextualized universalism step by step on the basis of Hwang’s previous research. Finally, the meaning of constructing scientific microworld of Confucian ethics will be discussed to explain how Chinese people are facing the impact of Western cultured during the globalization age of multiculturalism.
Endless mode: Exploring the procedural rhetoric of a Black Lives Matter-themed newsgame
Authors: Richardson Allissa V
Published: May 2020

A week after the back-to-back police shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling in early July 2016, a game developer, who goes by the screen name Yvvy, sat in front of her console mulling over the headlines. She designed a newsgame that featured civilian–police interactions that were plucked from that reportage. She entitled it Easy Level Life. The newsgame is fashioned in what developers call ‘endless mode’, where players are challenged to last as long as possible against a continuing threat, with limited resources or player-character lives. This case study explores the procedural rhetoric of Easy Level Life to investigate how it condemns police brutality through play. Using Teun van Dijk’s concept of ‘news as discourse’ as the framework, I found that this newsgame followed the narrative structure of a traditional newspaper editorial very closely. I explain how the situation–evaluation–conclusion discursive model best describes how Easy Level Life conveys its political ideologies. I conclude by suggesting that this discursive model should perhaps become a benchmarking tool for future newsgame developers who aim to strengthen their arguments for social justice.
Rapid qualitative profiling of metabolites present in Fusarium solani, a rhizospheric fungus derived from Senna spectabilis, using GC/MS and UPLC-QTOF/MSE techniques assisted by UNIFI information system
Authors: Vieira Natália Carolina , Cortelo Patrícia Cardoso , Castro-Gamboa Ian
Published: May 2020

Fungi are an important source of natural products found in a variety of plant species. A wide range of methods for the detection of metabolites present in fungi have been reported in the literature. The search for methodologies that allow the rapid detection of compounds present in crude extracts is crucial to enable the metabolite annotation doing a qualitative analysis of the complex matrix. Mass spectrometry is an important ally when it comes to in silico detection of previously reported metabolites. In this work, the ethyl acetate extract of Fusarium solani was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) after derivatization process. The ethyl acetate extract was also investigated by liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry assisted by the UNIFI software system. A library containing previously reported metabolites from the Fusarium genus was added to the UNIFI platform. Simultaneously, the extract was analyzed through anticholinesterase and antifungal assays. The analysis of the derivatized extract by GC/MS led to the putative identification of five metabolites, and the investigation using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography - Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF) analysis in data-independent acquisition mode (mass spectrometry) led to the annotation of 15 compounds present in the built-in Fusarium library added to the UNIFI system. The Fusarium solani extract showed potential anticholinesterase and in vitro antifungal activity supported by the detection of bioactive metabolites.
Black girls navigate the physical and emotional landscape of the neighbourhood: Normalized violence and strategic agency
Authors: Bernard Claudia , Carlile Anna
Published: May 2020

This article considers how young Black women living in gang-affected neighbourhoods in an urban area in England, UK navigate their safety in public and private spaces, and how these spaces overlap and intersect. Drawing on a project with 18 participants aged 14–19, the research seeks to understand how the participants inhabit, navigate and strategize for their safety through their narratives of life and survival in an unsafe neighbourhood. Findings indicate that they experience sexual harassment in public spaces and gang-associated sexual and physical violence as common, accepted aspects of their everyday realities, from as young as 12. The narratives suggest that participants navigate complex friendship groups to protect each other and their families through tight codes of trust, secrecy, privacy and conflict-management strategies. This article seeks to bring attention to how young women utilize their agency to illuminate the coping strategies they draw on to navigate their physical environments. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications for interventions.
Is sharing the TARGET respiratory tract infection leaflet feasible in routine general practice to improve patient education and appropriate antibiotic use? A mixed methods study in England with patients and healthcare professionals
Authors: Eley Charlotte V , Lecky Donna M , Hayes Catherine V , McNulty Cliodna AM
Published: May 2020

Background:

Patient education on treatment choices for common respiratory tract infections (RTIs) is important to encourage appropriate antibiotic use. Evidence shows that use of leaflets about RTIs can help reduce antibiotic prescribing. TARGET leaflets facilitate patient–clinician communication in consultations.

Aim:

To explore patient, healthcare professional (HCP) and general practice (GP) staff views on the current Treating Your Infection (TYI)-RTI leaflet and proposed new ‘antibiotic effect’ column aimed at sharing information on the limited effect antibiotics have on the duration of RTIs.

Methods:

Service evaluation underpinned by Com-B behavioural framework, using patient and HCP questionnaires, and GP staff interviews/focus groups.

Results:

Patients completed 83 questionnaires in GP waiting rooms. A lack of patient understanding about usual illness duration influenced their use of antibiotics for some RTIs. Patients provided positive feedback about the leaflet, reporting it increased their capability to self-care, re-consult when necessary and increase understanding of illness duration. Patients indicated they would value information on the difference antibiotics can make to illness duration. In total, 43 HCP questionnaires were completed and 16 GP staff participated in interviews/focus groups. Emerging themes included: barriers and facilitators to leaflet use; modifications; and future dissemination of the leaflet. GP staff stated that the ‘antibiotic effect’ column should not be included in the leaflet.

Conclusion:

Patient education around usual illness duration, side effects of antibiotics and back-up prescriptions gives patients a greater control of their infection management. As GP staff opposed the extra information about benefits of antibiotics on illness duration, this will not be added.
End-of-season outbreaks of nosocomial influenza caused by waning vaccine immunity
Authors: Matsushita Masahide , Arise Kazumi , Morimoto Norihito , Takeuchi Seisho
Published: May 2020

The waning of vaccine protection may be responsible for outbreaks toward the end of the influenza season. Three of five outbreaks occurred at the beginning of April following an interval of >100 days from the date of vaccination; the reported index case was a nurse or office worker, and >50% of those affected were healthcare workers. The results are consistent with intra-seasonal waning of vaccine immunity that resulted in outbreaks at the end of season.
Florence Nightingale: The Making of a Hospital Reformer
Authors: McDonald Lynn
Published: May 2020

Objectives:

The first of two articles is to show how Florence Nightingale became a leading, effective hospital reformer.

Aim:

The aim of the first paper is to relate how Nightingale was influenced by the great defects in the war hospitals of the Crimean War (1854–1856) and how she learned the lessons from those defects to set a different course. The article shows how her famous Notes on Nursing is a positive treatment of the lessons learned, turning the sanitary defects, notably in ventilation, into chapters of the book. The importance of the pavilion model of hospital design is highlighted. There is coverage of the advances made by Semmelweis at the Vienna General Hospital.

Methods:

This is a purely historical study drawing on the extensive publications by Nightingale, augmented by her (massive) surviving correspondence and notes. The search for archival materials was done for the publication of the 16-volume Collected Works of Florence Nightingale, written by the author of this article. The collected works was peer reviewed, and the research process succeeded in locating material in more than 200 archives worldwide.
Medical treatment options for COVID-19
Authors: Delang Leen , Neyts Johan
Published: May 2020

Therapeutic options for coronavirus disease 2019 are desperately needed to respond to the ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic. Both antiviral drugs and immunomodulators might have their place in the management of coronavirus disease 2019. Unfortunately, no drugs have been approved yet to treat infections with human coronaviruses. As it will take years to develop new therapies for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the current focus is on the repurposing of drugs that have been approved or are in development for other conditions. Several clinical trials have already been conducted or are currently ongoing to evaluate the efficacy of such drugs. Here, we discuss the potential of these therapies for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019.
Co-Developed Indigenous Educational Materials for Chronic Kidney Disease: A Scoping Review
Authors: Jansen Lynn , Maina Geoffrey , Horsburgh Beth , Kumaran Maha , Mcharo Kasha , Laliberte George , Kappel Joanne , Bullin Carol Ann
Published: May 2020

Background:

Canadian Indigenous populations experience significantly more chronic kidney disease (CKD) than the general population. Indigenous people who live in rural and remote areas may also have difficulty accessing both information and care for their CKD. Informed decision making about treatment options for advancing kidney disease may be delayed, which can result in poor health outcomes and decreased quality of life. Moreover, Indigenous people may experience marginalization within Western health care systems.

Objective:

The objective of this scoping review is to identify culturally appropriate and co-developed Indigenous educational tools that will ultimately support CKD learning and end-stage kidney treatment decision making.

Design:

Scoping Review

Setting:

Databases included Embase, CINAHL, Medline (OVID), ERIC, and the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technology Gray Matters.

Study Participants:

Community-based Indigenous patients, families, health care workers, and community members.

Methods:

We systematically reviewed the literature to explore the availability of co-developed Indigenous educational tools and material for CKD treatment options. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were reviewed independently by 2 reviewers with disagreements resolved through a third. All aspects of this project, including searching the databases were done in consultation with an Indigenous Elder.

Results:

Only one retrieved article identified a comprehensive CKD tool co-developed by researchers, health care providers, and an Indigenous community. Three themes emerged from the scoping review that may inform characteristics of co-developed tools: cultural appropriateness; appraisal of utility and effectiveness and; content informed by co-development of traditional and Western chronic disease knowledge.

Limitations:

Consistent with scoping review methodology, the methodological quality of included studies was not assessed. In addition, it was difficult to synthesize the findings from the research and gray literature.

Conclusion:

Little is known about the co-development of Indigenous educational tools for CKD. Further in-depth understanding is required about how to best engage with Indigenous communities, specifically to co-develop contextualized CKD tools that are acceptable to Indigenous people. Trial registration: Not applicable as this review described secondary data.
Updated Tuberculosis Screening Guidelines for Health Care Personnel
Authors: Foster-Chang Sarah , Balmer Jennylynn
Published: May 2020

Updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for tuberculosis (TB) screening of U.S. health care personnel may change practice.
The Application of Network Analysis to Dynamic Risk Factors in Adult Male Sex Offenders
Authors: van den Berg Jan Willem , Smid Wineke , Kossakowski Jolanda J. , van Beek Daan , Borsboom Denny , Janssen Erick , Gijs Luk
Published: May 2020

Although dynamic risk factors are considered important in the assessment and treatment of adult male sex offenders, little is known about their interrelationships. We apply network analysis to assess their associations and to provide an analysis of their shortest pathways to sexual and violent (including sexual contact) recidivism. Analyses revealed a central position for general rejection/loneliness (in all networks), poor cognitive problem solving (in networks containing sexual or violent—including sexual contact—recidivism), and impulsive acts (only in the network including sexual recidivism). These variables represented links between clusters of dynamic risk factors composed of factors relating to sexual self-regulation, emotionally intimate relationships, antisocial traits, and self-management. Impulsive acts showed the strongest independent association with sexual and violent (including sexual contact) recidivism.
Prognostic impact of pre-existing interstitial lung disease in non-HIV patients withPneumocystispneumonia
Authors: Hamada Shohei , Ichiyasu Hidenori , Inaba Megumi , Takahashi Hiroshi , Sadamatsu Tomoki , Akaike Kimitaka , Masunaga Aiko , Tashiro Yasumasa , Hirata Naomi , Yoshinaga Takeshi , Sakagami Takuro
Published: May 2020

Background

The increasing incidence of life-threateningPneumocystispneumonia (PCP) in non-HIV immunocompromised patients is a global concern. Yet, no reports have examined the prognostic significance of pre-existing interstitial lung disease (ILD) in non-HIV PCP.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of non-HIV PCP patients with (ILD group) or without (non-ILD group) pre-existing ILD. The clinical features and outcomes of the ILD group were compared with those of the non-ILD group. Cox regression models were constructed to identify prognostic factors.

Results

74 patients were enrolled in this study. The 90-day mortality was significantly higher in the ILD group than in the non-ILD group (62.5%versus19.0%, p<0.001). In the ILD group, patients with a higher percentage of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid neutrophils had worse outcomes compared to those having a lower percentage (p=0.026). Multivariate analyses revealed that pre-existing ILD (p=0.002) and low levels of serum albumin (p=0.009) were independent risk factors for 90-day mortality. Serum levels of β-d-glucan were significantly reduced after treatment of PCP in both groups, whereas levels of Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) significantly increased in the ILD group. In the ILD group, the 90-day mortality of patients with increasing KL-6 levels after treatment was significantly higher than those with decreasing levels (78.9%versus0%, p=0.019).

Conclusion

In non-HIV PCP patients, pre-existing ILD is associated with a poorer prognosis. Prophylaxis for PCP is needed in patients with pre-existing ILD under immunosuppression.
An assessment of hypercapnia-induced elevations in regional cerebral perfusion during combined orthostatic and heat stresses
Authors: Shibasaki Manabu , Sato Kohei , Hirasawa Ai , Sadamoto Tomoko , Crandall Craig G. , Ogoh Shigehiko
Published: May 2020

We investigated that the effects of hypercapnia-induced elevations in cerebral perfusion during a heat stress on global cerebrovascular responses to an orthostatic challenge. Seven volunteers completed a progressive lower-body negative pressure (LBNP) challenge to presyncope during heat stress, with or without breathing a hypercapnic gas mixture. Administration of the hypercapnic gas mixture increased the partial pressure of end-tidal CO2 greater than pre-heat stress alone, and increased both internal carotid artery (ICA) and vertebral artery (VA) blood flows (P < 0.05). During LBNP, both ICA and VA blood flows with the hypercapnic gas mixture remained elevated relative to the control trial (P < 0.05). However, at the end of LBNP due to pre-syncopal symptoms, both ICA and VA blood flows decreased to similar levels between trials. These findings suggest that hypercapnia-induced cerebral vasodilation is insufficient to maintain cerebral perfusion at the end of LBNP due to pre-syncope in either the anterior or posterior vascular beds.
Detecting PCOS susceptibility loci from genome-wide association studies via iterative trend correlation based feature screening
Authors: Dai Xiaotian , Fu Guifang , Reese Randall
Published: May 2020

Background

Feature screening plays a critical role in handling ultrahigh dimensional data analyses when the number of features exponentially exceeds the number of observations. It is increasingly common in biomedical research to have case-control (binary) response and an extremely large-scale categorical features. However, the approach considering such data types is limited in extant literature. In this article, we propose a new feature screening approach based on the iterative trend correlation (ITC-SIS, for short) to detect important susceptibility loci that are associated with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affection status by screening 731,442 SNP features that were collected from the genome-wide association studies.

Results

We prove that the trend correlation based screening approach satisfies the theoretical strong screening consistency property under a set of reasonable conditions, which provides an appealing theoretical support for its outperformance. We demonstrate that the finite sample performance of ITC-SIS is accurate and fast through various simulation designs.

Conclusion

ITC-SIS serves as a good alternative method to detect disease susceptibility loci for clinic genomic data.
Effects of transversus abdominis plane block versus quadratus lumborum block on postoperative analgesia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Wang Yanqing , Wang Xiaojia , Zhang Kexian
Published: May 2020

Background

Trunk block technique has been used in postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing surgery, specifically, transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) and quadratus lumborum block (QLB) have been proved effective. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the effects of TAPB and QLB in postoperative analgesia.

Methods

Online databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library (&Trail), Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang and QVIP were applied to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to Dec. 9th, 2019. Twenty-two studies were finally included containing 777 patients in the TAPB group and 783 cases in QLB group. RCTs comparing TAPB and QLB in postoperative analgesia were included in this meta-analysis. The indicators including total analgesia consumption postoperatively, operative time, duration of anesthesia, visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 24 h postoperatively, duration of postoperative analgesia, the number of patients requiring analgesia postoperatively and adverse reactions were analyzed.

Results

our findings showed that morphine consumption (mg) (WMD = 3.893, 95%CI: 2.053 to 5.733,P < 0.001), fentanyl consumption (μg) (WMD = 23.815, 95%CI: 15.521 to 32.109,P < 0.001), VAS score at 24 h postoperatively (WMD = 0.459, 95%CI: 0.118 to 0.801,P = 0.008), the number of patients requiring analgesia postoperatively (WMD = 3.893, 95%CI: 2.053 to 5.733,P < 0.001), and the incidence of dizziness (WMD = 2.691, 95%CI: 1.653 to 4.382,P < 0.001) in TAPB group were higher than in QLB group.

Conclusions

QLB is superior to TAPB in reducing morphine consumption, fentanyl consumption, VAS score at 24 h postoperatively, the number of patients requiring analgesia postoperatively, and the incidence of dizziness.
Demographic, socio-economic and other associated risk factors for self-medication behaviour among university students of Sri Lanka: a cross sectional study
Authors: Subashini Nirma , Udayanga Lahiru
Published: May 2020

Background

Self-prescribing practices are considered as a significant issue in the health sector due to mal-practices. This has become a more worsen issue in developing countries with easy access to medication. Current study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of self-medication and to evaluate the driving factors behind this behavior, among university students of Sri Lanka.

Method

A total of 700 randomly selected undergraduates of three state universities in Sri Lanka, were recruited as the study population for the cross-sectional study. Information on socio-demographic, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices relevant to Self-Medication (SM) were gathered using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to calculate the Odds Ratios (OR) and the 95% confidence intervals of the OR for socio-demographic risk factors on SM.

Results

Around 78% of the studied population denoted a SM behaviour. Only, 37.7% of respondents were familiar with the classification of “Over the Counter” (OTC) drugs, while majority were well aware of the risks of SM (> 50%). Fever (61.3%) and cough (56.7%) were the major health issues for SM, while antipyretics and drugs for cough and runny nose (73.6%) were the mostly used medication. Previous experience (76%) and trivial nature of health issues (73%) were recognized as the major reasons for SM. Majority of respondents declared that community pharmacies (86.9%) and left over medication from previous prescriptions (51%) were the sources for SM. Based on the binary logistic regression, age, residence locality, field of study and academic year were recognized as significant risk factors (P < 0.05) for SM within the studied undergraduate population.

Conclusion

Based on the high prevalence rate of SM, the health authorities of Sri Lanka should pay more attention towards the wellbeing and responsible medication usage of undergraduates. Designing of effective tools and regulations to monitor the selling of medication and improving the health education are recommended to ensure responsible SM within the country.
How people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease perceive their illness: a qualitative study between mind and body
Authors: Pozzar Marta , Volpato Eleonora , Valota Chiara , Pagnini Francesco , Banfi Paolo Innocente
Published: May 2020

Background

Although many studies on people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have examined the mutual impact of physical status and emotional experience, there is limited knowledge about the way COPD people first-hand perceive their condition. This study was designed to investigate the illness perceptions of the patients and, secondarily, to explore their beliefs about the mind-body relationship.

Methods

This qualitative study has exploited an ad-hoc semi-structured interview to collect personal perspectives of participants on their illness. Twenty-seven patients (15 males and 12 females), with a mild to severe COPD, were recruited within the Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit of Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, in Milan. The thematic analysis of the interviews’ content was facilitated by NVivo (12th version, QSR International®).

Results

The thematic analysis of the corpus resulted in four master themes.Illness experiencehas been considered the primary one. Indeed, dealing with COPD every day allows these people to portray a specific representation of themind-body relationship,to gain a certain degree ofexpertiseand to develop a perspective on thefuture.

Conclusions

Individual perceptions of the illness vary among people with COPD, but some common experiences characterize them. Many patients share a profound belief that their mental state and their physical symptoms are highly interrelated.