bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19’s Socioeconomic Impact on Low-Income Benefit Recipients: Early Evidence from Tracking Surveys
Authors: Enriquez Diana , Goldstein Adam
Published: November 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has introduced manifold dislocations in Americans’ lives. Using novel survey data samples of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients and U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey data, the authors examine the incidence of COVID-19-induced hardships among low-income/benefits-eligible households during the early months of the crisis. Five repeated online surveys of SNAP recipients measured perceived and realized housing insecurity, food scarcity, new debt accrual, and recent job loss. These data were supplemented by creating parallel measures among all low-income households from Household Pulse Survey. Food insecurity and debt accrual grew more prevalent between from April to June 2020, and job losses compounded. Although the magnitude of racial differences varies across indicators and data sources, black respondents fared consistently worse than non-Hispanic whites in both survey data sets, and Latinx respondents fared worse than whites in the Household Pulse Survey. These results provide early systematic evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on poor Americans and racial disparities therein.
Color Fundus Imaging Using a High-Magnification Lens for Detecting Subtle Macular Changes in Infants With Congenital Zika Syndrome
Authors: Ventura Camila V. , Aragão Itamara , Ventura Liana O.
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

We describe subtle macular changes that were detected by high-magnification color fundus imaging in infants with congenital Zika syndrome.

Methods:

This series included 4 infants (age: 1.4 ± 0.1 years [range, 1.3-1.5 years]) who were serologically confirmed with congenital Zika syndrome, examined under anesthesia, and underwent fundus examination and color fundus documentation. The fundus images were captured using 130° and 80° field lenses. Fluorescein angiography confirmed macular lesions.

Results:

Wide-angle color fundus images detected unilateral retinal findings in all 4 infants. Chorioretinal atrophy was identified in 2 eyes (25%) of 2 infants (50%) and pigment mottling in 3 eyes (37.5%) of 2 infants (50%). High-magnification imaging revealed subtle macular changes in the contralateral eyes of the 4 infants that were confirmed by fluorescein angiography imaging.

Conclusions:

High-magnification fundus imaging can be effective and reliable in revealing and documenting subtle structural changes in the macula of infants with congenital Zika syndrome.
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and the Reconstruction of Employee Psychology
Authors: Sharma Roy Kshemendra
Published: November 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are opening up important avenues of value creation inside organisations. Value creation will be strengthened if AI and ML are conceptualised using theoretical anchors rooted in a strong understanding of employee psychology. Organisations need to address anxieties of employees and assure them that AI and ML are aids in improving their productivity. They need to communicate to employees that AI and ML are not meant to displace employees from their jobs. Organisations face another dilemma regarding how to use AI and ML to draw upon the tacit knowledge and judgement of human actors to make more effective business decisions.
Re-imagining the Future of Happiness at the Workplace
Authors: Anuradha
Published: November 2020

The future of work is likely to usher in dramatic changes in the form and substance of the employment contract. Technology, artificial intelligence, automation, policy changes and evolving labour market are few factors playing a vital role in workplace transformation.

It is important that organisations emphasise civility in engaging with employees in the workplace to enable them to feel happy as happier people are more productive. In order to shape a happy workforce in the future, leaders, particularly, middle managers need to reinforce the spirit of well-being-oriented human resource management (HRM) practices. Organisations need to engage with employees outside the domain of work as well, as life satisfaction constitutes an important factor in determining job performance. Finally, in order to structure a happy workforce in the future, employers need to recognise that business and ethics have an intimate relationship with each other and cannot be seen as separable.
Trust in Gig Economy
Authors: Nath Pramath
Published: November 2020

As the shift towards the gig economy and more transient employment relationship happens, organizations continue to face the dilemma of building trust among gig economy workers. Gig economy workers cannot be treated like permanent workers within traditional employment contracts, as it would defeat the advantages of flexibilization that the gig economy provides. It is necessary that leaders of platform-based corporations stand by gig economy workers contracted by them when they face instances of prejudice from customers or other social actors. Formalization of the modes through which platform companies engage with gig economy workers can go a long way in building trust. Regulatory changes are required to ensure that gig economy workers are included within the ambit of labour laws to protect their basic interests.
Next-generation cell therapies: the emerging role of CAR-NK cells
Authors: Basar Rafet , Daher May , Rezvani Katayoun
Published: November 2020

T cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have revolutionized the field of cell therapy and changed the paradigm of treatment for many patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies. Despite this progress, there are limitations to CAR-T cell therapy in both the autologous and allogeneic settings, including practical, logistical, and toxicity issues. Given these concerns, there is a rapidly growing interest in natural killer cells as alternative vehicles for CAR engineering, given their unique biological features and their established safety profile in the allogeneic setting. Other immune effector cells, such as invariant natural killer T cells, γδ T cells, and macrophages, are attracting interest as well and eventually may be added to the repertoire of engineered cell therapies against cancer. The pace of these developments will undoubtedly benefit from multiple innovative technologies, such as the CRISPR-Cas gene editing system, which offers great potential to enhance the natural ability of immune effector cells to eliminate refractory cancers.
Tire Dynamics Modeling Method Based on Rapid Test Method
Authors: Lu Dang , Lu Lei , Wu Haidong , Wang Wei , Lv Manyi
Published: November 2020

Combined with the tire dynamics theoretical model, a rapid test method to obtain tire lateral and longitudinal both steady-state and transient characteristics only based on the tire quasi-steady-state test results is proposed. For steady state data extraction, the test time of the rapid test method is half that of the conventional test method. For transient tire characteristics the rapid test method omits the traditional tire test totally. At the mean time the accuracy of the two method is much closed. The rapid test method is explained theoretically and the test process is designed. The key parameters of tire are extracted and the comparison is made between rapid test and traditional test method. The result show that the identification accuracy based on the rapid test method is almost equal to the accuracy of the conventional one. Then, the heat generated during the rapid test method and that generated during the conventional test are calculated separately. The comparison shows that the heat generated during the rapid test is much smaller than the heat generated during the conventional test process. This benefits to the reduction of tire wear and the consistency of test results. Finally, it can be concluded that the fast test method can efficiently, accurately and energy-efficiently measure the steady-state and transient characteristics of the tire.
Synthesis and analysis of silver–copper alloy nanoparticles of different ratios manifest anticancer activity in breast cancer cells
Authors: Al Tamimi Sara , Ashraf Sarmadia , Abdulrehman Tahir , Parray Aijaz , Mansour Said A. , Haik Yousef , Qadri Shahnaz
Published: November 2020

Background

Breast cancer is therapeutically very challenging to treat as it has the main four known genetic alterations, which result in the existence of several phenotypes leading to the difference in the mode of therapy and with poor outcome. Metallic nanoparticles of silver or copper have been studied previously as anticancer agents in breast cancer and other types of cancers. However, the anticancer effect of silver–copper alloy nanoparticles (AgCu-NP) is not studied in breast cancer. In this study, we aim to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP), or copper nanoparticles (Cu-NP), and AgCu-NP and evaluate their toxicity in breast cancer and healthy breast cells.

Results

We synthesized sodium citrate and mercapto-propionic acid (MPA-3) capped water-soluble metallic nanoparticles of Ag-NP or Cu-NP and an alloy of three different combinations of AgCu-NP. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy characterization of nanoparticles revealed the spherical shape nanoparticles of varied sizes, furthermore dynamic light scattering characterization was performed, which investigated the hydrodynamic size and stability in phosphate buffer solution. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) measurements were obtained from the transmission electron microscope to study the composition of alloy nanoparticles and the distribution pattern of silver and copper in the alloy nanoparticles. We measured the toxicity of nanoparticles to breast cancer MCF-7 cell line by MTT assay and compared the toxic effect with non-cancerous breast epithelial cells MCF-10A. Our data showed that Ag-NP or Cu-NP have no effect on cancer cells or healthy cells, except Ag-NP at 20 µg/ml were toxic to cancer cells. However, AgCu-NP were significantly toxic to MCF-7 cells at 10 µg/ml concentration, while as AgCu-NP have no toxic effect on healthy cells. Furthermore, we observed the cell death pathway by the apoptosis marker Annexin-V which showed non-significant results, while the exposure of AgCu-NP in MCF-7 cells leads to toxicity and also caused significant increase in MMP-9 level, which suggests the cell death may be associated with other pathways such as autophagy and oxidative stress related.

Conclusion

The data suggest that the AgCu-NP alloy imposes preferential toxicity in breast cancer MCF-7 cells and thus could be exploited as a new candidate for further anticancer investigation
The PP1 regulator PPP1R2 coordinately regulates AURKA and PP1 to control centrosome phosphorylation and maintain central spindle architecture
Authors: Bresch Alan-Michael , Yerich Nadiya , Wang Rong , Sperry Ann O.
Published: November 2020

Background

Maintenance of centrosome number in cells is essential for accurate distribution of chromosomes at mitosis and is dependent on both proper centrosome duplication during interphase and their accurate distribution to daughter cells at cytokinesis. Two essential regulators of cell cycle progression are protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and Aurora A kinase (AURKA), and their activities are each regulated by the PP1 regulatory subunit, protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 2 (PPP1R2). We observed an increase in centrosome number after overexpression of these proteins in cells. Each of these proteins is found on the midbody in telophase and overexpression of PPP1R2 and its mutants increased cell ploidy and disrupted cytokinesis. This suggests that the increase in centrosome number we observed in PPP1R2 overexpressing cells was a consequence of errors in cell division. Furthermore, overexpression of PPP1R2 and its mutants increased midbody length and disrupted midbody architecture. Additionally, we show that overexpression of PPP1R2 alters activity of AURKA and PP1 and their phosphorylation state at the centrosome.

Results

Overexpression of PPP1R2 caused an increase in the frequency of supernumerary centrosomes in cells corresponding to aberrant cytokinesis reflected by increased nuclear content and cellular ploidy. Furthermore, AURKA, PP1, phospho PPP1R2, and PPP1R2 were all localized to the midbody at telophase, and PP1 localization there was dependent on binding of PPP1R2 with PP1 and AURKA as well as its phosphorylation state. Additionally, overexpression of both PPP1R2 and its C-terminal AURKA binding site altered enzymatic activity of AURKA and PP1 at the centrosome and disrupted central spindle structure.

Conclusions

Results from our study reveal the involvement of PPP1R2 in coordinating PP1 and AURKA activity during cytokinesis. Overexpression of PPP1R2 or its mutants disrupted the midbody at cytokinesis causing accumulation of centrosomes in cells. PPP1R2 recruited PP1 to the midbody and interference with its targeting resulted in elongated and severely disrupted central spindles supporting an important role for PPP1R2 in cytokinesis.
Higher urinary nitrate was associated with lower prevalence of congestive heart failure: results from NHANES
Authors: Wu Zhuo , Tian Ting , Ma Wang , Gao Wen , Song Ninghong
Published: November 2020

Background

Some studies have reported that nitrate intake from vegetables was inversely associated with many vascular diseases, but few studies have paid attention to the relationship between urinary nitrate and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the connections between urinary nitrate and prevalence of CVDs.

Methods

The data of this study was collected from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Finally, several years’ data of NHANES were merged into 14,894 observations. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between urinary nitrate and CVDs by using the “survey” package in R software (version 3.2.3).

Results

In the univariable logistic analysis, significant association was discovered between urinary nitrate and congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction (allP < 0.001). By adjusting related covariates, the multivariable logistic analysis showed that the significant association only existed between urinary nitrate and congestive heart failure (OR = 0.651, 95% CI 0.507–0.838,P < 0.001). Compared to Q1 urinary nitrate level as reference, the risk for prevalent heart failure diminished along with increasing levels of urinary nitrates, (OR of Q2 level = 0.633, 95% CI 0.403–0.994), (OR of Q3 level = 0.425, 95% CI 0.230–0.783), (OR of Q4 level = 0.375, 95% CI 0.210–0.661), respectively. Moreover, urinary nitrate levels were associated with congestive heart failure in a dose-dependent manner in both 20–60 years group, 60+ years group and male, female group (P < 0.001,P = 0.011 andP = 0.009,P = 0.004).

Conclusions

Independent of related covariates, higher urinary nitrate was associated with lower prevalent congestive heart failure.
The impact of disease-related immobilization on thigh muscle mass and strength in older hospitalized patients
Authors: Rommersbach Nikola , Wirth Rainer , Lueg Gero , Klimek Christiane , Schnatmann Mirja , Liermann Dieter , Janssen Gregor , Müller Manfred James , Pourhassan Maryam
Published: November 2020

Background

We assessed the quantitative changes in muscle mass and strength during 2 weeks of hospitalization in immobile and mobile acutely ill hospitalized older adults.

Methods

Forty-one patients (82.4 ± 6.6 years, 73.0% females) participated in this prospective longitudinal observational study. Mobility status was defined according to walking ability as described in the Barthel-Index. Functional status, including handgrip strength and isometric knee-extension strength, and mid-thigh magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of cross-sectional area (CSA) were conducted on admission and at discharge.

Results

Twenty-two participants (54%) were immobile and 19 (46%) mobile. In all, 54.0 and 12.0% were at risk of malnutrition and malnourished, respectively. The median time between baseline and follow-up for MRI scans were 13 days in mobile and immobile participants (P = 0.072). Mid-thigh muscle and subcutaneous fat CSA significantly decreased by 3.9cm2 (5.0%, P = 0.002) and 5.3cm2 (5.7%, P = 0.036) during hospitalization whereas intermuscular fat remained unchanged in immobile subjects. No significant changes were observed in mobile patients. In a regression analysis, mobility was the major independent risk factor for changes in mid-thigh muscle CSA as a percentage of initial muscle area (P = 0.022) whereas other variables such as age (P = 0.584), BMI (P = 0.879), nutritional status (P = 0.835) and inflammation (P = 0.291) were not associated with muscle mass changes. There was a significant decrease in isometric knee extension strength (P = 0.002) and no change in handgrip strength (P = 0.167) in immobile patients whereas both parameters increased significantly over time in mobile patients (P = 0.048 and P = 0.012, respectively).

Conclusions

Two weeks of disease-related immobilization result in a significant loss of thigh muscle mass and muscle strength in older patients with impaired mobility. Concomitantly, there was a significant reduction of subcutaneous adipose tissue in immobile older hospitalized patients whereas no changes were observed in intermuscular fat among these patients. These data highlight the importance of mobility support in maintaining muscle mass and function in older hospitalized patients.
The potential role of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme in coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Zhu Zhe , Cai Ting , Fan Lingyan , Lou Kehong , Hua Xin , Huang Zuoan , Gao Guosheng
Published: November 2020

Background

To explore the clinical significance of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods

In this retrospective study, a total of 136 consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19 were recruited. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. The serum ACE activity was measured at baseline and during the recovery phase, and its relationship with clinical condition was analyzed.

Results

Of the 136 patients with confirmed COVID-19, the 16 severe patients were older and had a higher body mass index (BMI) and proportion of hypertension than the 120 nonsevere patients. In comparison to those of normal controls, the baseline serum ACE activities of subjects in the severe group and nonsevere group were decreased, with the lowest level in the severe group. However, the serum ACE activity increased in the recovery phase, and there were no significant differences among the severe group, nonsevere group and normal control group.

Conclusion

Serum ACE activity could be used as a marker to reflect the clinical condition of COVID-19 since low activity was associated with the severity of COVID-19 at baseline, and the activity increased with the remission of the disease.
Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction with bowel rupture after caesarean section in HELLP syndrome: a case report
Authors: Peng Ying , Peng Cheng
Published: November 2020

Background

Ogilvie syndrome, also known as acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), can occur postpartum after caesarean section (C-section), often resulting in caecal dilatation. The incidence rate is approximately 100 cases in 100,000 patients per year (Ross et al., Am Surg 82:102-11, 2016). Without proper diagnosis and treatment, it may progress to intestinal perforation or other fatal complications.

Case presentation

A 39-year-old pregnant woman underwent emergency low-segment C-section due to complications of Haemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets syndrome (HELLP) syndrome. ACPO was suspected on the third day after C-section based on inability to pass flatus, evident abdominal distension, slight abdominal pain, and computed tomography (CT) scan revealing severe, diffuse colonic distention with caecal dilatation of approximately 9 cm. Based on these findings, conservative treatment was implemented. However, 6 days after C-section, her symptoms worsened, and CT showed possible intestinal perforation; thus, an emergency laparotomy was performed. Due to a 3-cm (diameter) laceration in the anterolateral wall of the ascending colon and a 5-cm tear in the ileocecal junction, in combination with mucosal eversion in the colon, resection of the ileocecum, distal closure of the ascending colon, and a terminal ileostomy were performed. The patient was discharged 2 weeks post-laparotomy and continued to undergo nursing care for the incision and stoma. Ileostomy was performed 4 months later.

Conclusion

Ogilvie syndrome after C-section is an extremely rare but severe condition, which warrants early recognition and treatment to prevent potentially fatal complications, especially in patients with poor health status.
Breastfeeding restored the gut microbiota in caesarean section infants and lowered the infection risk in early life
Authors: Guo Cheng , Zhou Qian , Li Muxia , Zhou Letian , Xu Lei , Zhang Ying , Li Dongfang , Wang Ye , Dai Wenkui , Li Shuaicheng , Zhang Lin
Published: November 2020

Background

The initialization of the neonatal gut microbiota (GM) is affected by diverse factors and is associated with infant development and health outcomes.

Methods

In this study, we collected 207 faecal samples from 41 infants at 6 time points (1, 3, and 7 days and 1, 3, and 6 months after birth). The infants were assigned to four groups according to delivery mode (caesarean section (CS) or vaginal delivery (VD)) and feeding pattern (breastfeeding or formula milk).

Results

The meconium bacterial diversity was slightly higher in CS than in VD. Three GM patterns were identified, including Escherichia/Shigella-Streptococcus-dominated, Bifidobacterium-Escherichia/Shigella-dominated and Bifidobacterium-dominated patterns, and they gradually changed over time. In CS infants, Bifidobacterium was less abundant, and the delay in GM establishment could be partially restored by breastfeeding. The frequency of respiratory tract infection and diarrhoea consequently decreased.

Conclusion

This study fills some gaps in the understanding of the restoration of the GM in CS towards that in VD.
COVID-19 related lockdown: a trigger from the pre-melancholic phase to catatonia and depression, a case report of a 59 year-old man
Authors: Sarli Giuseppe , Polidori Lorenzo , Lester David , Pompili Maurizio
Published: November 2020

Background

The pre-melancholic model described by Tellenbach may provide a common model for understanding the psychological implications of the lockdown. In this case report, we describe a rare catatonic status as a psychological implication linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, a really unique global situation.

Case presentation

B is a 59 year-old man with mute psychiatric anamnesis whose mother suffered from a major depressive disorder. As the lockdown began, he started to develop concerns about his family’s economic condition. According to his wife, he could see no end to the epidemic and no future at all. Moving from this, he started to show a severe and rapidly progressive depression and to develop mood congruent delusions. In addition, he had increasing anhedonia, apathy, starvation and insomnia. This turned in the end into a catatonic-like state, along with a deep desire to die.

Admitted to the psychiatry ward in a state of mutism, he was discharged after 15 days with a diagnosis of “Major depressive disorder, single severe episode with no psychotic behavior”. He was treated with Sertraline, Olanzapine and Lorazepam.

Conclusions

Our aim is to draw attention to the effect of the lockdown upon a Tellenbach-like personality structure. Identifying this type of pre-morbid personality structure could help clinicians understand and treat some cases of patients with severe major depressive disorders elicited by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Serum heme oxygenase-1 measurement is useful for evaluating disease activity and outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease
Authors: Nagasawa Ryo , Hara Yu , Murohashi Kota , Aoki Ayako , Kobayashi Nobuaki , Takagi Shigeto , Hashimoto Satoru , Kawana Akihiko , Kaneko Takeshi
Published: November 2020

Background

Oxidative stress plays an important role in acute lung injury, which is associated with the development and progression of acute respiratory failure. Here, we investigated whether the degree of oxidative stress as indicated by serum heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is clinically useful for predicting prognosis among the patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease (AE-ILD).

Methods

Serum HO-1 levels of newly diagnosed or untreated ARDS and AE-ILD patients were measured at diagnosis. Relationships between serum HO-1 and other clinical parameters and 1 and 3-month mortality were evaluated.

Results

Fifty-five patients including 22 of ARDS and 33 of AE-ILD were assessed. Serum HO-1 level at diagnosis was significantly higher in ARDS patients than AE-ILD patients (87.8 ± 60.0 ng/mL vs. 52.5 ± 36.3 ng/mL, P <  0.001). Serum HO-1 correlated with serum total bilirubin (R = 0.454, P <  0.001) and serum LDH (R = 0.500, P <  0.001). In both patients with ARDS and AE-ILDs, serum HO-1 level tended to decrease from diagnosis to 2 weeks after diagnosis, however, did not normalized. Composite parameters including serum HO-1, age, sex, and partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood/fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F) ratio for prediction of 3-month mortality showed a higher AUC (ARDS: 0.925, AE-ILDs: 0.892) than did AUCs of a single predictor or combination of two or three predictors.

Conclusion

Oxidative stress assessed by serum HO-1 is persistently high among enrolled patients for 2 weeks after diagnosis. Also, serum HO-1 levels at the diagnosis combined with age, sex, and P/F ratio could be clinically useful for predicting 3-month mortality in both ARDS and AE-ILD patients.
Mechanism of action of Panax notoginoside against lung cancer in mice based on response to CTSB gene
Authors: Zhang Jizhou , Zhou Bin , Jin Song , Huang Zhiyou , Ma Bidong , Shao Qiqi , Zhu Wenzong
Published: November 2020

Background

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of Panax notoginoside (PNS) against lung cancer and inhibition of lung cancer cell proliferation by the drug at different concentrations in a mouse model, considering the cathepsin B (CTSB) gene as a target.

Methods

The mice were randomly assigned into the following five groups: normal control, tumor-bearing, low-dose Panax notoginoside (TSPN), medium-dose TSPN, and high-dose TSPN. All mice were treated with physiological saline or TSPN at different concentrations for 28 days consecutively by gavage. The tumor size was measured, the tumor growth was observed, and the survival curve was drawn. At different time points, the expression of the CTSB gene was detected using quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and indirect immunofluorescence. The serum indices, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and Soluble fragment of cytokeratin 19 (CYFRA21), were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

In vivo, PNS could directly inhibit the expression of the CTSB gene in tumors of mice, limit tumor growth, and alter tumor-related indices, such as CEA, NSE, and CYFRA21 levels, in the serum to different extents simultaneously.

Conclusion

CTSB gene was closely related to the pathogenesis of lung cancer. PNS could act on the CTSB gene, downregulate the expression of CTSB in lung cancer cells, inhibit the proliferation and invasion of tumors, and prolong the survival period.
Quality of nursing education programme in the Philippines: faculty members perspectives
Authors: Appiah Stella
Published: November 2020

Background

The subject of continuous improvement in the quality of nursing education programme is an extremely sensitive issue worldwide, particularly in the Philippines where a high number of trained registered nurses are exported to both developed and developing countries. The assessment of the quality of nursing education programme is usually measured using pass rates in licensure examinations by several government organizations. However, few studies have indicated that various categories of faculty members view the quality of nursing programmes differently, this study probed further and determined whether the quality of nursing education programme differs according to the profile of faculty members in Philippines colleges of higher education.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey study design was employed in this study. One hundred and eight-five (185) faculty members in fifteen (15) higher educational institutions were selected for the research using purposive-census sampling. The study was carried out from January 1 to June 30, 2017. Close-ended structured questionnaires based on study objectives were used to collect data. Frequency and percentages were used to analyse the profile of faculty members whereas weighted means from a four Likert’s scale was used to interpret the extent of perceived quality of nursing education programme.

Results

Majority, 39 and 46% of faculty members had 1–5 years’ clinical experience and 6–10 years of teaching experience respectively. Faculty members strongly agreed with a grand weighted mean of 3.84 out of 4.00 that nursing education programme is of good quality in the Philippines and is synonyms with other universities in the world. Teaching experience of faculty members showed significant relations in the quality of mission/vision/goals/objectives (p-value = 0.008), curriculum and instruction (p-value = 0.038), administration of nursing programme (p-value = 0.025), faculty development programme (p-value = 0.003), physical structure and equipment (p-value = 0.016), student services (p-value = 0.017), admission of students (p-value = 0.010) and quality assurance system (p-value = 0.009).

Conclusion

Faculty members strongly perceived nursing education programme to be of good quality in this study. Teaching experience of instructors showed a significant relationship with the quality of nursing education programme in all the quality assessment indicators. However, clinical experience and job category of faculty members rather showed that the quality of nursing education programme is the same throughout all the higher educational institutions. The study implies that the teaching experience of faculty members is a strong predictor of quality of nursing education programme and employing faculty experienced in teaching is substantial for the continuous improvement of nursing education programme.
Comparisons of exacerbations and mortality among LAMA/LABA combinations in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Hyun Woo , Park Jimyung , Jang Eun Jin , Lee Chang-Hoon
Published: November 2020

Background

Only few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for head-to-head comparison have been conducted between various combinations of long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) and long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs). Our study was conducted to compare acute exacerbation and all-cause mortality among different LAMA/LABA regimens using Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA).

Methods

We searched Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library (search date: July 1, 2019). We included parallel-group RCTs comparing LAMA/LABA combinations with other inhaled drugs in the stable COPD for ≥ 48 weeks. Two different network geometries were used. The geometry of network (A) had nodes of individual drugs or their combination, while that of network (B) combined all other treatments except LAMA/LABA into each drug class. This study was prospectively registered in PROSPERO; CRD42019126753.

Results

We included 16 RCTs involving a total of 39,065 patients with stable COPD. Six combinations of LAMA/LABA were identified: tiotropium/salmeterol, glycopyrrolate/indacaterol, umeclidinium/vilanterol, tiotropium/olodaterol, aclidinium/formoterol, and glycopyrrolate/formoterol. We found that umeclidinium/vilanterol was associated with a lower risk of total exacerbations than other LAMA/LABAs in the NMA using network (A) (level of evidence: low or moderate). However, the significant differences were not present in the NMA of network (B). There were no significant differences among the LAMA/LABA combinations in terms of the number of moderate to severe exacerbations, all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, or pneumonia.

Conclusions

The present NMA including all available RCTs provided that there is no strong evidence suggesting different benefits among LAMA/LABAs in patients with stable COPD who have been followed up for 48 weeks or more.

Trial registration: This study was prospectively registered in PROSPERO; CRD42019126753.
COPD burden on sexual well-being
Authors: Zysman M. , Rubenstein J. , Le Guillou F. , Colson R. M. H. , Pochulu C. , Grassion L. , Escamilla R. , Piperno D. , Pon J. , Khan S. , Raherison-Semjen C.
Published: November 2020

Background

Sexual function is often affected in patients suffering from chronic diseases especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the effect of COPD on sexual satisfaction is underappreciated in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of COPD on patient’s sexuality and the explanatory variables of sexual dissatisfaction.

Methods

Questionnaires were emailed to participants and they submitted their responses on the Santé Respiratoire France website. Data about sexual well-being (Arizona Sexual Experience Scale, ASEX), Quality of life (VQ11), anxiety, depression (Hospitalized anxiety and depression, HAD) and self-declared COPD grade were collected.

Results

Seven hundred and fifty one subjects were included and were characterized as follows: women—51%, mean age—61 years, in a couple—62% and 70%—retired. Every grade of COPD was represented. Out of 751 participants, 301 participants (40%) had no sexual activity and 450 (60%) had sexual activity. From the 450 participants, 60% needed to change their sexual life because of their disease (rhythm, frequency and position). Subjects often used medications to improve sexual performance (43% used short-acting bronchodilator and 13% -specific erectile dysfunction drugs). ASEX questionnaire confirmed patients’ dissatisfaction (diminution of sexual appetite for 68% and sexual desire for 60%) because of breathlessness and fatigue. Eighty one percent of the responders had an altered quality of life (VQ11 mean score 35) and frequent suspected anxiety or depression (HAD mean score 10.8). Ninety percent declared that sexual dysfunction had never been discussed by their doctors, while 36% of patients would have preferred to undergo a specialized consultation.

Conclusion

Sexual dysfunction is frequent among COPD patients and leads to an altered well-being, however being a cultural taboo, it remains frequently neglected. Sexual guidance should be a part of patient’s consultations improve quality of sexual life.
The relevance of educational attainments of parents of medical students for health workforce planning: data from Guiné-Bissau
Authors: Ferrinho Paulo , Fronteira Inês , Correia Tiago , Neves Clotilde
Published: November 2020

Background

In this article, we analyze data collected in the context of health workforce planning (HWFP) for Guiné-Bissau as part of the development of the third National Health Strategy, to study the relationship between educational achievement of parents and medical student characteristics and professional expectations.

Methods

Cross-sectional analytical study of all first-year medical students in Guiné-Bissau during December 2016.

Results

Our results confirm that the isolated effect of each parent is different as it is the combined education of both parents. Parental influence also seems to vary according to the sex of the offspring. The higher the education of the father, the stronger the urban background of the offspring. Level of education of parents is also important in relation to the decision to study medicine and the age of starting those studies. It is also an important influence as to expectation regarding place of future practice: the highest the educational level, particularly of the father, the highest the expectation for a future urban practice.

Conclusions

Our main interest in medical education is to study it as a health system intervention in order to contribute to health system’s strengthening in fragile states. This is discussed in the context of two frameworks: the labor market framework and WHO’s health system strengthening framework. Our data and that of others, recognize that household characteristics are important regarding future training and a future career in the health sector. This recognition should be integrated into HWFP frameworks.
ISLAND: in-silico proteins binding affinity prediction using sequence information
Authors: Abbasi Wajid Arshad , Yaseen Adiba , Hassan Fahad Ul , Andleeb Saiqa , Minhas Fayyaz Ul Amir Afsar
Published: November 2020

Background

Determining binding affinity in protein-protein interactions is important in the discovery and design of novel therapeutics and mutagenesis studies. Determination of binding affinity of proteins in the formation of protein complexes requires sophisticated, expensive and time-consuming experimentation which can be replaced with computational methods. Most computational prediction techniques require protein structures that limit their applicability to protein complexes with known structures. In this work, we explore sequence-based protein binding affinity prediction using machine learning.

Method

We have used protein sequence information instead of protein structures along with machine learning techniques to accurately predict the protein binding affinity.

Results

We present our findings that the true generalization performance of even the state-of-the-art sequence-only predictor is far from satisfactory and that the development of machine learning methods for binding affinity prediction with improved generalization performance is still an open problem. We have also proposed a sequence-based novel protein binding affinity predictor called ISLAND which gives better accuracy than existing methods over the same validation set as well as on external independent test dataset. A cloud-based webserver implementation of ISLAND and its python code are available athttps://sites.google.com/view/wajidarshad/software.

Conclusion

This paper highlights the fact that the true generalization performance of even the state-of-the-art sequence-only predictor of binding affinity is far from satisfactory and that the development of effective and practical methods in this domain is still an open problem.
MDR M. tuberculosis outbreak clone in Eswatini missed by Xpert has elevated bedaquiline resistance dated to the pre-treatment era
Authors: Beckert Patrick , Sanchez-Padilla Elisabeth , Merker Matthias , Dreyer Viola , Kohl Thomas A. , Utpatel Christian , Köser Claudio U. , Barilar Ivan , Ismail Nazir , Omar Shaheed Vally , Klopper Marisa , Warren Robin M. , Hoffmann Harald , Maphalala Gugu , Ardizzoni Elisa , de Jong Bouke C. , Kerschberger Bernhard , Schramm Birgit , Andres Sönke , Kranzer Katharina , Maurer Florian P. , Bonnet Maryline , Niemann Stefan
Published: November 2020

Background

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains not detected by commercial molecular drug susceptibility testing (mDST) assays due to the RpoB I491F resistance mutation are threatening the control of MDR tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Eswatini.

Methods

We investigate the evolution and spread of MDR strains in Eswatini with a focus on bedaquiline (BDQ) and clofazimine (CFZ) resistance using whole-genome sequencing in two collections ((1) national drug resistance survey, 2009–2010; (2) MDR strains from the Nhlangano region, 2014–2017).

Results

MDR strains in collection 1 had a high cluster rate (95%, 117/123 MDR strains) with 55% grouped into the two largest clusters (gCL3, n = 28; gCL10, n = 40). All gCL10 isolates, which likely emerged around 1993 (95% highest posterior density 1987–1998), carried the mutation RpoB I491F that is missed by commercial mDST assays. In addition, 21 (53%) gCL10 isolates shared a Rv0678 M146T mutation that correlated with elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to BDQ and CFZ compared to wild type isolates. gCL10 isolates with the Rv0678 M146T mutation were also detected in collection 2.

Conclusion

The high clustering rate suggests that transmission has been driving the MDR-TB epidemic in Eswatini for three decades. The presence of MDR strains in Eswatini that are not detected by commercial mDST assays and have elevated MICs to BDQ and CFZ potentially jeopardizes the successful implementation of new MDR-TB treatment guidelines. Measures to limit the spread of these outbreak isolates need to be implemented urgently.
Intraperitoneal, but not retroperitoneal, visceral adipose tissue is associated with diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional, retrospective pilot analysis
Authors: Tanaka Muhei , Okada Hiroshi , Hashimoto Yoshitaka , Kumagai Muneaki , Nishimura Hiromi , Fukui Michiaki
Published: November 2020

Aim

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with adverse outcomes, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), classified into intraperitoneal VAT (IVAT) and retroperitoneal VAT (RVAT), is associated with insulin resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the association of IVAT and RVAT with the prevalence or incidence of DM.

Methods

In this cross-sectional, retrospective, cohort study, the prevalence and incidence of DM was analyzed in 803 and 624 middle-aged Japanese participants, respectively. The cross-sectional area of the abdominal adipose tissue was evaluated from an unenhanced computed tomography scan at the third lumbar vertebrae, and the IVAT or RVAT was analyzed using specialized software. The areas were normalized for the square value of the participants’ height in meters and described as the IVAT or RVAT area index.

Results

The IVAT area index (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.02–1.07, per 1.0 cm2/m2) or IVAT/RVAT area ratio (1.89; 1.23–2.85, per 1.0) was independently associated with the prevalence of DM, whereas the RVAT area index was not. During a follow-up (mean) of 3.7 years, 30 participants were diagnosed with DM. The IVAT area index (adjusted hazards ratio [HR], 1.02; 95% CI 1.003–1.04, per 1.0 cm2/m2) or IVAT/RVAT area ratio (2.25; 1.40–3.43, per 1.0) was independently associated with the incidence of DM, whereas the RVAT area index was not.

Conclusions

IVAT, but not RVAT, is associated with the prevalence or incidence of DM.
From strict moral standards to ethical neutrality: a policy-guided shift in the patentability of human embryonic stem cells in China
Authors: Xie Xuekai , Chen Jiajv , Shu Zhengyang
Published: November 2020

Attitudes towards human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in China have witnessed a significant shift in 2020 that can be attributed to China’s policy guidance. For ethical reasons, stricter standards are adopted to curb related regulations and patent licensing. Through the introduction of policies, some research on hESCs has been recognized as legitimate and feasible to a certain standard and scope. In the subsequent practice of patent examination, the dual influence of policy support and public interest has led to a shift in the examination standards of China’s intellectual property authority from “strict morality” to “ethical neutrality”, implying limited recognition of hESCs’ patentability. In view of the promotion of policy incentives for the transformation and application of corresponding research, there is considerable social demand to provide patent protection for research results. In this context, an adjustment of related regulations is illustrated in this revision, manifesting a partial shift in regulations towards a supportive stance consistent with policy.
A ligand-based computational drug repurposing pipeline using KNIME and Programmatic Data Access: case studies for rare diseases and COVID-19
Authors: Tuerkova Alzbeta , Zdrazil Barbara
Published: November 2020

Biomedical information mining is increasingly recognized as a promising technique to accelerate drug discovery and development. Especially, integrative approaches which mine data from several (open) data sources have become more attractive with the increasing possibilities to programmatically access data through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). The use of open data in conjunction with free, platform-independent analytic tools provides the additional advantage of flexibility, re-usability, and transparency. Here, we present a strategy for performing ligand-based in silico drug repurposing with the analytics platform KNIME. We demonstrate the usefulness of the developed workflow on the basis of two different use cases: a rare disease (here: Glucose Transporter Type 1 (GLUT-1) deficiency), and a new disease (here: COVID 19). The workflow includes a targeted download of data through web services, data curation, detection of enriched structural patterns, as well as substructure searches in DrugBank and a recently deposited data set of antiviral drugs provided by Chemical Abstracts Service. Developed workflows, tutorials with detailed step-by-step instructions, and the information gained by the analysis of data for GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome and COVID-19 are made freely available to the scientific community. The provided framework can be reused by researchers for other in silico drug repurposing projects, and it should serve as a valuable teaching resource for conveying integrative data mining strategies.
Modeling the effect of delay strategy on transmission dynamics of HIV/AIDS disease
Authors: Raza Ali , Ahmadian Ali , Rafiq Muhammad , Salahshour Soheil , Naveed Muhammad , Ferrara Massimiliano , Soori Atif Hassan
Published: November 2020

In this manuscript, we investigate a nonlinear delayed model to study the dynamics of human-immunodeficiency-virus in the population. For analysis, we find the equilibria of a susceptible–infectious–immune system with a delay term. The well-established tools such as the Routh–Hurwitz criterion, Volterra–Lyapunov function, and Lasalle invariance principle are presented to investigate the stability of the model. The reproduction number and sensitivity of parameters are investigated. If the delay tactics are decreased, then the disease is endemic. On the other hand, if the delay tactics are increased then the disease is controlled in the population. The effect of the delay tactics with subpopulations is investigated. More precisely, all parameters are dependent on delay terms. In the end, to give the strength to a theoretical analysis of the model, a computer simulation is presented.
A co-infection model of dengue and leptospirosis diseases
Authors: Alemneh Haileyesus Tessema
Published: November 2020

In this paper an SIR deterministic mathematical model for co-infection of dengue and leptospirosis is proposed. We use a compartment model by using ordinary differential equations. The positivity of future solution of the model, the invariant region, and the stability of disease-free equilibrium point as well as endemic equilibrium point are studied. To study the stability of the equilibria, a basic reproduction number is obtained by using the next generation matrix. The robustness of the model is also investigated. To identify the effect of each parameter on the expansion or control of the diseases, sensitivity analysis is performed. The effects of treating dengue infected only, leptospirosis infected only, and co-infected individuals have been identified by using the numerical simulation. Therefore, increasing the rate of recovery and decreasing the contact rate of dengue, leptospirosis, and their co-infection have a great influence in fighting dengue, leptospirosis, and their co-infection in the community.