bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of a person-centered abortion scale: the experiences of care in private facilities in Kenya
Authors: Sudhinaraset May , Landrian Amanda , Afulani Patience A. , Phillips Beth , Diamond-Smith Nadia , Cotter Sun
Published: September 2020

Background

There is a need for a standardized way to measure person-centered care for abortion. This study developed and validated a measure of person-centered abortion care.

Methods

Items for person-centered abortion care were developed from literature reviews, expert review, and cognitive interviews, and administered with 371 women who received a safe abortion service from private health clinics in Nairobi, Kenya. Exploratory factor analyses were performed and stratified by surgical abortion procedures and medication abortion. Bivariate linear regressions assessed for criterion validity.

Results

We developed a 24-item unifying scale for person-centered abortion care including two sub-scales. The two sub-scales identified were: 1) Respectful and Supportive Care (14 items for medication abortion, 15 items for surgical abortion); and 2) Communication and Autonomy (9 items for both medication and surgical abortion). The person-centered abortion care scale had high content, construct, criterion validity, and reliability.

Conclusions

This validated scale will facilitate measurement and further research to better understand women’s experiences during abortion care and to improve the quality of women’s overall reproductive health experiences to improve health outcomes.
Leading dietary determinants identified using machine learning techniques and a healthy diet score for changes in cardiometabolic risk factors in children: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Shang Xianwen , Li Yanping , Xu Haiquan , Zhang Qian , Liu Ailing , Du Songming , Guo Hongwei , Ma Guansheng
Published: September 2020

Background

Identifying leading dietary determinants for cardiometabolic risk (CMR) factors is urgent for prioritizing interventions in children. We aimed to identify leading dietary determinants for the change in CMR and create a healthy diet score (HDS) to predict CMR in children.

Methods

We included 5676 children aged 6–13 years in the final analysis with physical examinations, blood tests, and diets assessed at baseline and one year later. CMR score (CMRS) was computed by summing Z-scores of waist circumference, an average of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), fasting glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, multiplying by − 1), and triglycerides. Machine learning was used to identify leading dietary determinants for CMR and an HDS was then computed.

Results

The nine leading predictors for CMRS were refined grains, seafood, fried foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, wheat, red meat other than pork, rice, fungi and algae, and roots and tubers with the contribution ranging from 3.9 to 19.6% of the total variance. Diets high in seafood, rice, and red meat other than pork but low in other six food groups were associated with a favorable change in CMRS. The HDS was computed based on these nine dietary factors. Children with HDS ≥8 had a higher decrease in CMRS (β (95% CI): − 1.02 (− 1.31, − 0.73)), BMI (− 0.08 (− 0.16, − 0.00)), SBP (− 0.46 (− 0.58, − 0.34)), DBP (− 0.46 (− 0.58, − 0.34)), mean arterial pressure (− 0.50 (− 0.62, − 0.38)), fasting glucose (− 0.22 (− 0.32, − 0.11)), insulin (− 0.52 (− 0.71, − 0.32)), and HOMA-IR (− 0.55 (− 0.73, − 0.36)) compared to those with HDS ≦3. Improved HDS during follow-up was associated with favorable changes in CMRS, BMI, percent body fat, SBP, DBP, mean arterial pressure, HDL-C, fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR.

Conclusion

Diets high in seafood, rice, and red meat other than pork and low in refined grains, fried foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, and wheat are leading healthy dietary factors for metabolic health in children. HDS is strongly predictive of CMR factors.
Associations of foot and ankle characteristics with knee symptoms and function in individuals with patellofemoral osteoarthritis
Authors: Tan Jade M. , Crossley Kay M. , Munteanu Shannon E. , Collins Natalie J. , Hart Harvi F. , Donnar Joel W. , Cleary Gearoid , O'Sullivan Isobel C. , Maclachlan Liam R. , Derham Catherine L. , Menz Hylton B.
Published: September 2020

Background

Foot and ankle characteristics are associated with patellofemoral pain (PFP) and may also relate to patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA). A greater understanding of these characteristics and PFOA, could help to identify effective targeted treatments.

Objectives

To determine whether foot and ankle characteristics are associated with knee symptoms and function in individuals with PFOA.

Methods

For this cross‐sectional study we measured weightbearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, foot posture (via the Foot Posture Index [FPI]), and midfoot mobility (via the Foot Measurement Platform), and obtained patient‐reported outcomes for knee symptoms and function (100 mm visual analogue scales, Anterior Knee Pain Scale [AKPS], Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, repeated single step‐ups and double‐leg sit‐to‐stand to knee pain onset). Pearson's r with significance set at p < 0.05 was used to determine the association between foot and ankle charateristics, with knee symptoms and function, adjusting for age.

Results

188 participants (126 [67%] women, mean [SD] age of 59.9 [7.1] years, BMI 29.3 [5.6] kg/m2) with symptomatic PFOA were included in this study. Lower weightbearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion had a small significant association with higher average knee pain (partial r = − 0.272, p < 0.001) and maximum knee pain during stair ambulation (partial r = − 0.164, p = 0.028), and lower scores on the AKPS (indicative of greater disability; partial r = 0.151, p = 0.042). Higher FPI scores (indicating a more pronated foot posture) and greater midfoot mobility (foot mobility magnitude) were significantly associated with fewer repeated single step‐ups (partial r = − 0.181, p = 0.023 and partial r = − 0.197, p = 0.009, respectively) and double‐leg sit‐to‐stands (partial r = − 0.202, p = 0.022 and partial r = − 0.169, p = 0.045, respectively) to knee pain onset, although the magnitude of these relationships was small. The amount of variance in knee pain and disability explained by the foot and ankle characteristics was small (R2‐squared 2 to 8%).

Conclusions

Lower weightbearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, a more pronated foot posture, and greater midfoot mobility demonstrated small associations with worse knee pain and greater disability in individuals with PFOA. Given the small magnitude of these relationships, it is unlikely that interventions aimed solely at addressing foot and ankle mobility will have substantial effects on knee symptoms and function in this population.

Trial registration

The RCT was prospectively registered on 15 March 2017 with the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTRN12617000385347).
Practical strategies to reduce nosocomial transmission to healthcare professionals providing respiratory care to patients with COVID-19
Authors: Kaur Ramandeep , Weiss Tyler T. , Perez Andrew , Fink James B. , Chen Rongchang , Luo Fengming , Liang Zongan , Mirza Sara , Li Jie
Published: September 2020

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an emerging viral infection that is rapidly spreading across the globe. SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the same coronavirus class that caused respiratory illnesses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). During the SARS and MERS outbreaks, many frontline healthcare workers were infected when performing high-risk aerosol-generating medical procedures as well as when providing basic patient care. Similarly, COVID-19 disease has been reported to infect healthcare workers at a rate of ~ 3% of cases treated in the USA. In this review, we conducted an extensive literature search to develop practical strategies that can be implemented when providing respiratory treatments to COVID-19 patients, with the aim to help prevent nosocomial transmission to the frontline workers.
A ureteral single-J stent in the right atrium: a case report
Authors: Arts Laure , Willems Sofie , Michielsen Dirk
Published: September 2020

Background

J stents are commonly used to support the continuity of the urinary tract. Although intravascular, and more specific intracardiac, migrations have been described, they remain infrequent and unrecognized.

Case report

We report the case of a 57-year-old Caucasian woman with an intracardial migration of a single-J stent after pelvic exenteration. The intracardiac presence of single-J stent was probably due to a perioperative misplacement of the stent in the left ovarian vein. Retrieval was done under fluoroscopic control without any adverse events.

Conclusions

Intravascular migration of urological stents is uncommon but can cause serious morbidities and even mortality. Perioperative precautions must be taken to avoid this problem. In case of migration, early diagnosis and management are primordial and involve a multidisciplinary approach.
Phylogenomic analysis of Mycoplasma bovis from Belgian veal, dairy and beef herds
Authors: Bokma Jade , Vereecke Nick , De Bleecker Koen , Callens Jozefien , Ribbens Stefaan , Nauwynck Hans , Haesebrouck Freddy , Theuns Sebastiaan , Boyen Filip , Pardon Bart
Published: September 2020

M. bovis is one of the leading causes of respiratory disease and antimicrobial use in cattle. The pathogen is widespread in different cattle industries worldwide, but highest prevalence is found in the veal industry. Knowledge on M. bovis strain distribution over the dairy, beef and veal industries is crucial for the design of effective control and prevention programs, but currently undocumented. Therefore, the present study evaluated the molecular epidemiology and genetic relatedness of M. bovis isolates obtained from Belgian beef, dairy and veal farms, and how these relate to M. bovis strains obtained worldwide. Full genomes of one hundred Belgian M. bovis isolates collected over a 5-year period (2014–2019), obtained from 27 dairy, 38 beef and 29 veal farms, were sequenced by long-read nanopore sequencing. Consensus sequences were used to generate a phylogenetic tree in order to associate genetic clusters with cattle sector, geographical area and year of isolation. The phylogenetic analysis of the Belgian M. bovis isolates resulted in 5 major clusters and 1 outlier. No sector-specific M. bovis clustering was identified. On a world scale, Belgian isolates clustered with Israeli, European and American strains. Different M. bovis clusters circulated for at least 1.5 consecutive years throughout the country, affecting all observed industries. Therefore, the high prevalence in the veal industry is more likely the consequence of frequent purchase from the dairy and beef industry, than that a reservoir of veal specific strains on farm would exist. These results emphasize the importance of biosecurity in M. bovis control and prevention.
Vascular NRP2 triggers PNET angiogenesis by activating the SSH1-cofilin axis
Authors: Luo Xi , He Jiang-yi , Xu Jie , Hu Shao-yi , Mo Bang-hui , Shu Qiu-xia , Chen Can , Gong Yu-zhu , Zhao Xiao-long , Xie Gan-feng , Yu Song-tao
Published: September 2020

Background

Angiogenesis is a critical step in the growth of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) and may be a selective target for PNET therapy. However, PNETs are robustly resistant to current anti-angiogenic therapies that primarily target the VEGFR pathway. Thus, the mechanism of PNET angiogenesis urgently needs to be clarified.

Methods

Dataset analysis was used to identify angiogenesis-related genes in PNETs. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the relationship among Neuropilin 2 (NRP2), VEGFR2 and CD31. Cell proliferation, wound-healing and tube formation assays were performed to clarify the function of NRP2 in angiogenesis. The mechanism involved in NRP2-induced angiogenesis was detected by constructing plasmids with mutant variants and performing Western blot, and immunofluorescence assays. A mouse model was used to evaluate the effect of the NRP2 antibody in vivo, and clinical data were collected from patient records to verify the association between NRP2 and patient prognosis.

Results

NRP2, a VEGFR2 co-receptor, was positively correlated with vascularity but not with VEGFR2 in PNET tissues. NRP2 promoted the migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured in the presence of conditioned medium PNET cells via a VEGF/VEGFR2-independent pathway. Moreover, NRP2 induced F-actin polymerization by activating the actin-binding protein cofilin. Cofilin phosphatase slingshot-1 (SSH1) was highly expressed in NRP2-activating cofilin, and silencing SSH1 ameliorated NRP2-activated HUVEC migration and F-actin polymerization. Furthermore, blocking NRP2 in vivo suppressed PNET angiogenesis and tumor growth. Finally, elevated NRP2 expression was associated with poor prognosis in PNET patients.

Conclusion

Vascular NRP2 promotes PNET angiogenesis by activating the SSH1/cofilin/actin axis. Our findings demonstrate that NRP2 is an important regulator of angiogenesis and a potential therapeutic target of anti-angiogenesis therapy for PNET.
Deep learning scheme for character prediction with position-free touch screen-based Braille input method
Authors: Shokat Sana , Riaz Rabia , Rizvi Sanam Shahla , Abbasi Abdul Majid , Abbasi Adeel Ahmed , Kwon Se Jin
Published: September 2020

Smart devices are effective in helping people with impairments, overcome their disabilities, and improve their living standards. Braille is a popular method used for communication by visually impaired people. Touch screen smart devices can be used to take Braille input and instantaneously convert it into a natural language. Most of these schemes require location-specific input that is difficult for visually impaired users. In this study, a position-free accessible touchscreen-based Braille input algorithm is designed and implemented for visually impaired people. It aims to place the least burden on the user, who is only required to tap those dots that are needed for a specific character. The user has input English Braille Grade 1 data (a–z) using a newly designed application. A total dataset comprised of 1258 images was collected. The classification was performed using deep learning techniques, out of which 70%–30% was used for training and validation purposes. The proposed method was thoroughly evaluated on a dataset collected from visually impaired people using Deep Learning (DL) techniques. The results obtained from deep learning techniques are compared with classical machine learning techniques like Naïve Bayes (NB), Decision Trees (DT), SVM, and KNN. We divided the multi-class into two categories, i.e., Category-A (a–m) and Category-B (n–z). The performance was evaluated using Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive Predicted Value (PPV), Negative Predicted Value (NPV), False Positive Rate (FPV), Total Accuracy (TA), and Area under the Curve (AUC). GoogLeNet Model, followed by the Sequential model, SVM, DT, KNN, and NB achieved the highest performance. The results prove that the proposed Braille input method for touch screen devices is more effective and that the deep learning method can predict the user's input with high accuracy.
Lightweight image classifier using dilated and depthwise separable convolutions
Authors: Sun Wei , Zhang Xiaorui , He Xiaozheng
Published: September 2020

The image classification based on cloud computing suffers from difficult deployment as the network depth and data volume increase. Due to the depth of the model and the convolution process of each layer will produce a great amount of calculation, the GPU and storage performance of the device are extremely demanding, and the GPU and storage devices equipped on the embedded and mobile terminals cannot support large models. So it is necessary to compress the model so that the model can be deployed on these devices. Meanwhile, traditional compression based methods often miss many global features during the compression process, resulting in low classification accuracy. To solve the problem, this paper proposes a lightweight neural network model based on dilated convolution and depthwise separable convolution with twenty-nine layers for image classification. The proposed model employs the dilated convolution to expand the receptive field during the convolution process while maintaining the number of convolution parameters, which can extract more high-level global semantic features to improve the classification accuracy. Also, the depthwise separable convolution is applied to reduce the network parameters and computational complexity in convolution operations, which reduces the size of the network. The proposed model introduces three hyperparameters: width multiplier, image resolution, and dilated rate, to compress the network on the premise of ensuring accuracy. The experimental results show that compared with GoogleNet, the network proposed in this paper improves the classification accuracy by nearly 1%, and the number of parameters is reduced by 3.7 million.
Impact of national policy on hand hygiene promotion activities in hospitals in Korea
Authors: Choe Pyoeng Gyun , Lim Jihee , Kim Eun Jin , Kim Jeong Hee , Shin Myoung Jin , Kim Sung Ran , Choi Jun Yong , Choi Young Hwa , Lee Kyung Won , Koo Hyunsook , Lee Hyungmin , Song Kyoung-Ho , Kim Eu Suk , Kim Nam Joong , Oh Myoung-don , Kim Hong Bin
Published: September 2020

Background

After the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus outbreak in Korea in 2015, the Government established a strategy for infection prevention to encourage infection control activities in hospitals. The new policy was announced in December 2015 and implemented in September 2016. The aim of this study is to evaluate how infection control activities improved within Korean hospitals after the change in government policy.

Methods

Three cross-sectional surveys using the WHO Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework (HHSAF) were conducted in 2013, 2015, and 2017. Using a multivariable linear regression model, we analyzed the change in total HHSAF score according to survey year.

Results

A total of 32 hospitals participated in the survey in 2013, 52 in 2015, and 101 in 2017. The number of inpatient beds per infection control professionals decreased from 324 in 2013 to 303 in 2015 and 179 in 2017. Most hospitals were at intermediate or advanced levels of progress (90.6% in 2013, 86.6% in 2015, and 94.1% in 2017). In the multivariable linear regression model, total HHSAF score was significantly associated with hospital teaching status (β coefficient of major teaching hospital, 52.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.9 to 96.4; P = 0.018), beds size (β coefficient of 100 beds increase, 5.1; 95% CI, 0.3 to 9.8; P = 0.038), and survey time (β coefficient of 2017 survey, 45.1; 95% CI, 19.3 to 70.9; P = 0.001).

Conclusions

After the new national policy was implemented, the number of infection control professionals increased, and hand hygiene promotion activities were strengthened across Korean hospitals.
Increasing use of linezolid in a tertiary NICU during a 10-year period: reasons and concerns for the future
Authors: Matrat Lucie , Plaisant Frank , Barreto Christine , Claris Olivier , Butin Marine
Published: September 2020

Background

Linezolid has been increasingly used in tertiary NICUs. The objectives of this study were to explore the indications of these linezolid prescriptions, to analyze a possible misuse and to provide solutions to avoid such misuse.

Methods

A monocentric retrospective cohort study included all neonates hospitalized in one tertiary NICU between January 1st, 2010 and December 31st, 2019 and who received at least one administration of linezolid. These data were confronted to epidemiological and antibiotic use data from the same NICU. Two independent pediatricians secondarily classified linezolid uses as adequate or not.

Results

During the study period, 66 infections in 57 patients led to linezolid use. Most patients were pre-term and 21 patients (37%) died. Infections were mainly related to methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci and were frequently either pneumoniae (35%) or isolated bacteremia (48%), including 25 persistent bacteremia (64% of the 39 bacteremia). Need for a better tissue distribution or first-line treatment failure were the main reasons to initiate linezolid. Linezolid was administered for a median duration of 7 [3;10] days. No side effects were reported. Twenty-two (33%) of the 66 linezolid prescriptions were retrospectively classified as inadequate.

Conclusions

A rapid increase in linezolid prescriptions has been observed in our tertiary NICU, from 2014 to 2019, with 33% inadequate uses. This worrisome trend should lead to search for therapeutic alternatives and to work on antibiotic stewardship to prevent the emergence of new antimicrobial bacterial resistance.
6-shogaol suppresses oxidative damage in L6 muscle cells
Authors: Hur Jinyoung , Lee Yeonmi , Lee Chang Jun , Park Ho-Young , Choi Sang Yoon
Published: September 2020

Ginger (Zingiber Officinale Roscoe) has been known reduce muscle pain after exercise, and 6-shogaol {(E)-1-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)dec-4-en-3-one)} is the major essential oil contained in ginger. In this study, the protective effect of 6-shogaol on L6 muscle cells against oxidative damage was measured. 6-shagol inhibited the damage of L6 cell induced by H2O2, and allowed the increase in mRNA and protein expression levels of intracellular HO-1 and NRF2. 6-shogaol also reduced the production of intracellular ROS. These results suggested that 6-shagol effectively inhibits oxidative damage of skeletal muscle cell.
Successful recovery of COVID-19-associated recurrent diarrhea and gastrointestinal hemorrhage using convalescent plasma
Authors: Zhang Li-Bo , Pang Rong-Rong , Qiao Qing-Hua , Wang Zhi-Hua , Xia Xin-Yi , Wang Chang-Jun , Xu Xiao-Li
Published: September 2020

Background

Gastrointestinal symptoms are not rare among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, but there have been no reports regarding convalescent plasma therapy for the recovery of gastrointestinal problems in COVID-19 patients.

Case presentation

We present two cases of patients with COVID-19-associated recurrent diarrhea and positive fecal occult blood who successfully recovered after a one-time convalescent plasma administration.

Conclusion

When COVID-19 patients develop recurrent or refractory gastrointestinal symptoms and fail to respond to the available treatment, alternative therapy with convalescent plasma administration may be considered.
Animal navigation: a noisy magnetic sense?
Authors: Johnsen Sönke , Lohmann Kenneth J. , Warrant Eric. J.
Published: September 2020

Diverse organisms use Earth's magnetic field as a cue in orientation and navigation. Nevertheless, eliciting magnetic orientation responses reliably, either in laboratory or natural settings, is often difficult. Many species appear to preferentially exploit non-magnetic cues if they are available, suggesting that the magnetic sense often serves as a redundant or ‘backup’ source of information. This raises an interesting paradox: Earth's magnetic field appears to be more pervasive and reliable than almost any other navigational cue. Why then do animals not rely almost exclusively on the geomagnetic field, while ignoring or downplaying other cues? Here, we explore a possible explanation: that the magnetic sense of animals is ‘noisy’, in that the magnetic signal is small relative to thermal and receptor noise. Magnetic receptors are thus unable to instantaneously acquire magnetic information that is highly precise or accurate. We speculate that extensive time-averaging and/or other higher-order neural processing of magnetic information is required, rendering the magnetic sense inefficient relative to alternative cues that can be detected faster and with less effort. This interpretation is consistent with experimental results suggesting a long time course for magnetic compass and map responses in some animals. Despite possible limitations, magnetoreception may be maintained by natural selection because the geomagnetic field is sometimes the only source of directional and/or positional information available.
Exercício físico como medida terapêutica na Síndrome de POEMS: relato de caso
Authors: Ribeiro Vilma Maria , Almeida Lícia Maria Belchior , Belchior Luciana Dias
Published: September 2020

Introdução: Síndrome de POEMS consiste na desordem paraneoplásica rara, por displasia celular plasmática, caracterizada, principalmente, por neuropatia. Relato de Caso: Paciente com síndrome de POEMS, sexo masculino, 56 anos, deambulando com o auxílio de andador, com incapacidade de caminhar por longas distâncias. Foi submetido à avaliação de espirometria, baropodometria e Teste do Índice do Andar Dinâmico (DGI) e SF-36, e, posteriormente, ao protocolo de intervenção para alongamento, força e equilíbrio. A avaliação pós-intervenção demonstrou aumento de força muscular e velocidade de marcha. Conclusão: As intervenções com exercícios físicos têm-se mostrado eficazes na melhora do equilíbrio e da qualidade de vida.
Case Report: A case of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in a patient with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Vaddepally Raju , Sodavarapu Soujanya , Kutadi Anupama , Taylor Wesley , Kumar Navneeth
Published: September 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have rapidly shifted the landscape of treatments in malignancy with significant improvements in survival paradigm. They have been an attractive armamentarium to the oncologists given the limited immune adverse effects with potential for deeper and durable benefits that haven't been previously noticed with chemotherapy. However, they result in unique toxicities by limiting immune self-tolerance and cause immune-mediated endocrinopathies, such as hypothyroidism, pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, myocarditis, meningitis, hypophysitis, etc. As such, they are contraindicated in patients with autoimmune disorders or recipients of organ transplants given the risk for reactivation or flare of the underlying autoimmune disease and rejection of the donor organ in transplants, although sporadic cases have been reported with the use of immunotherapy in such patients. Malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer, with only 15-20% five-year survival rate once it has spread to the lymph nodes or has distant metastasis. ICIs have changed the landscape of advanced melanoma with exponential improvements in survival, the 5-year survival rates are about 50%. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is recognized as T cell-mediated immune response causing inflammation, which causes local inflammatory plaques and demyelination. ICIs are likely to generate an immune response that causes molecular mimicry and cross-react with CNS autoantigens, in turn exacerbating pre-existing immune response and subsequent flare-ups in MS. There is little knowledge about treating such patients with immunotherapy, short of a few case reports and series; in this report, we describe another such case. We present a case of checkpoint inhibitor therapy in a patient with multiple sclerosis who underwent immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy with pembrolizumab for metastatic malignant melanoma who had a complete response to treatment at the cost of MS relapse, which was managed with high-dose steroids.
Quantifying long-term health and economic outcomes for survivors of group B Streptococcus invasive disease in infancy: protocol of a multi-country study in Argentina, India, Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa
Authors: Paul Proma , Procter Simon R. , Dangor Ziyaad , Bassat Quique , Abubakar Amina , Santhanam Sridhar , Libster Romina , Gonçalves Bronner P. , Madhi Shabir A. , Bardají Azucena , Mwangome Eva , Mabrouk Adam , John Hima B. , Sánchez Yanotti Clara , Chandna Jaya , Sithole Pamela , Mucasse Humberto , Katana Patrick V. , Koukounari Artemis , Harden Lois M. , Aerts Celine , Ghoor Azra , Leahy Shannon , Mbatha Sibongile , Lowick Sarah , Lala Sanjay G. , Bramugy Justina , Newton Charles , Hossain A. K. M. Tanvir , Sadeq-ur Rahman Qazi , Lambach Philipp , Jit Mark , Lawn Joy E.
Published: September 2020

Sepsis and meningitis due to invasive group B Streptococcus (iGBS) disease during early infancy is a leading cause of child mortality. Recent systematic estimates of the worldwide burden of GBS suggested that there are 319,000 cases of infant iGBS disease each year, and an estimated 147,000 stillbirths and young-infant deaths, with the highest burden occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa.  The following priority data gaps were highlighted: (1) long-term outcome data after infant iGBS, including mild disability, to calculate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) or disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and (2) economic burden for iGBS survivors and their families. Geographic data gaps were also noted with few studies from low- and middle- income countries (LMIC), where the GBS burden is estimated to be the highest. In this paper we present the protocol for a multi-country matched cohort study designed to estimate the risk of long-term neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI), socioemotional behaviors, and economic outcomes for children who survive invasive GBS disease in Argentina, India, Kenya, Mozambique, and South Africa. Children will be identified from health demographic surveillance systems, hospital records, and among participants of previous epidemiological studies. The children will be aged between 18 months to 17 years. A tablet-based custom-designed application will be used to capture data from direct assessment of the child and interviews with the main caregiver. In addition, a parallel sub-study will prospectively measure the acute costs of hospitalization due to neonatal sepsis or meningitis, irrespective of underlying etiology. In summary, these data are necessary to characterize the consequences of iGBS disease and enable the advancement of effective strategies for survivors to reach their developmental and economic potential. In particular, our study will inform the development of a full public health value proposition on maternal GBS immunization that is being coordinated by the World Health Organization.
Complexities of self-dual normal bases
Authors: Blondeau Da Silva Stéphane
Published: September 2020

The abstract is available in pdf.
Qualitative Characteristics of Financial Information: Are Changes Possible?
Authors: Mislavskaya N.
Published: September 2020

Th e article discusses the development trends of modern society, their interdependence on the quality of information flows provided by the accounting system at the international level. An analysis of the transformation of the socio-economic formation of capitalism leads to a new understanding of the qualitative characteristics of financial statements in accordance with the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards. Th e author comes to the conclusion that it is necessary to provide users with reporting data not only predicted, but also real information that corresponds to economic reality.
Trends in Use of Postdischarge Intravenous Antibiotic Therapy for Children
Authors: Fenster Michael E , Hersh Adam L , Srivastava Rajendu , Keren Ron , Wilkes Jacob , Coon Eric R
Published: September 2020

Children with complicated appendicitis, osteomyelitis, and complicated pneumonia have historically been treated with postdischarge intravenous antibiotics (PD‐IV) using peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). Recent studies have shown no advantage and increased complications of PD‐IV, compared with oral therapy, and the extent to which use of PD‐IV has since changed for these conditions is not known. We used a national children's hospital database to evaluate trends in PD‐IV during 2000‐2018 for each of these three conditions. PD‐IV decreased from 13% to 2% (risk ratio [RR], 0.15; 95% CI, 0.14‐0.16) for complicated appendicitis, 61% to 22% (RR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.39‐0.43) for osteomyelitis, and 29% to 19% (RR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.58‐0.69) for complicated pneumonia. Despite these overall reductions, substantial variation in PD‐IV use by hospital remains in 2018.
COVID-19: unmasking the facial protection paradigms
Authors: Samaranayake Lakshman , Shun Li Dion Tik
Published: September 2020

A number of facial protection measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is available to clinicians. Here, we comprehensively explore the pros and cons of different types of face masks including N95 respirators, face shields, and powered, filtering-facepiece respirators (FFRs) currently used to reduce airborne infection transmission in the dental clinic. The controversial issue of the `fit test` prior to the use of N95 masks, and the related, current, UK and US recommendations are additionally discussed. The article concludes with a section on facial skin health, and practical measures for circumventing the adverse skin effects due to prolonged mask wearing.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Post-COVID-19, ‘new normal’ entails significant re-adaptations of infection control in dentistry, including facial protection measures that are required for mitigating airborne infection transmission in the dental operatory. A strategic understanding of the theory and practice of facial protective measures, and the underlying technology of the various face masks and respirators available for dentistry, will be valuable for safeguarding the health of patients as well as the whole dental team.
Preventing prescribing of antibiotics for peristomal moisture-associated skin damage (P-MASD)
Authors: Colman Sharon
Published: September 2020

People living with a stoma may, at some point in their stoma journey, experience peristomal skin complications (PSCs). The majority of PSCs occur as a result of leakage of stomal output onto the peristomal skin, which often results from poor templating or selection of stoma appliance. PSCs typically manifest as hot, red, sore and weepy skin. The symptoms can be misinterpreted as signs of infection, and, as a consequence, professionals may incorrectly prescribe a systemic or topical antibiotic. This is especially problematic, as overuse of antibiotics has been leading to greater bacterial resistance to these treatments, and it is increasingly emphasised that they should not be prescribed unless absolutely necessary. However, an experienced clinical nurse specialist in stoma care should be able to correctly diagnose a PSC, prescribe the appropriate treatment and resolved the problem quickly, without the use of antibiotics.
Impact of remission on worries experienced by patients receiving biologic therapy for inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Edelbo Rikke , Hjerrild Malte , Bager Palle
Published: September 2020

Background:

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are more and more often treated with biological therapy, primarily to induce remission and secondarily to maintain remission in IBD. Studies have shown how the patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) improves during treatment. However, worry and concern have not improved as rapidly as other HRQoL parameters.

Aim:

This study aimed to explore the aspects of worry in a population of patients treated with biological therapy.

Methods:

Patients were asked to score HRQoL on two scales and subsequently asked to elaborate on their worry issues.

Findings:

The study revealed that worries were independent of disease activity. The main worry issues were lack of energy, emotional impact, sleep, pain, work and body image. Emotional impact and body image were more burdensome for women than men. When elaborating on emotional impact, it was revealed that worries about the future and the burden of IBD were common.
Minors of a skew symmetric matrix: a combinatorial approach
Authors: Christensen Lars , Veliche Oana , Weyman Jerzy
Published: September 2020

Knuth's combinatorial approach to Pfaffians is used to reprove and clarify a century-old formula, due to Brill. It expresses arbitrary minors of a skew symmetric matrix in terms of Pfaffians.
The local knowledge of the rural people on species, role and hunting of birds: Case study in Karangwangi Village, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: ISKANDAR JOHAN , ISKANDAR BUDIAWATI SUPANGKAT , PARTASASMITA RUHYAT
Published: September 2020

Iskandar J, Iskandar BS, Partasasmita R. 2016.The Local knowledge of the rural people on species, role, and hunting of birds: case study in Karangwangi village, Cidaun, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 17: 435-446. Based on the ecological history, in the past many villages of in Indonesia including in West Java had a high diversity of birds. Nowadays, however, the diversity of birds in some villages of West Java has tended to decrease due to many factors, namely habitat loss, the use of pesticides, and intensive illegal bird hunting. The objective of this paper is to elucidate the local knowledge of Karangwangi village, West Java on species, role, and hunting of birds. Method used in this study is the qualitative and ethnoornithological approach with descriptive analysis. Results of study show that the Karangwangi people have a very good knowledge on bird species, particularly on level species/specific. Various bird species are traditionally classified into nine local categories (folk classification), namely based on distinctive voice/vocalization, morphological characteristic, special color, distinctive behavior, time activity, special common habitat, migrant, nest characteristics, and role in the ecosystem. Based on the rural people perception, the role of birds can be divided into two categories, namely notorious and beneficial birds. The diversity of rural birds has tended decrease over time due to various factors, including illegal bird hunting for various purposes of the village people, such as keep a bird in cages and bird trading. The study suggests the perception of rural people on birds have changed caused of socio-economic and cultural changes. Nowadays the bird hunting in the rural area has tended to shift from a purely subsistence form towards a more commercial form and, thus, to conserve bird species the study on ethnoornithology considered as a very important, and socio-economic and cultural rural people aspects might be integrated to national as well as international bird conservation programs.
Gene flow and selection evidence of sandalwood (Santalum album) under various population structures in Gunung Sewu (Java, Indonesia), and its effects on genetic differentiation
Authors: RATNANINGRUM YENI W.N. , INDRIOKO SAPTO , FARIDAH ENY , SYAHBUDIN ATUS
Published: September 2020

Ratnaningrum YWN, Indrioko S, Faridah E, Syahbudin A. 2017. Gene flow and selection evidence of sandalwood (Santalum album) under various population structures in Gunung Sewu (Java, Indonesia), and its effects on genetic differentiation. Biodiversitas 18: 1493-1505. Field observations on population structures and isoenzyme analysis were conducted to determine gene flow and selection evidence of sandalwood under various population structures in Gunung Sewu, and its effects on genetic differentiation. Sandalwood (Santalum album Linn., Santalaceae) is origin to the south-eastern islands but recently emerged as new landraces in Java Island, Indonesia. Results suggested that (i) natural barriers contributed to habitat fragmentation and disrupted gene flow among populations; (ii) gene flow affected selection processes regarding bottleneck effects and genetic drifts, which determined allelic richness and population diversity; and (iii) variation on gene flow and selection processes affected genetic differentiation among populations. Gene flow restriction and genetic drift occurred when population had lower genetic base, highly clonalized, fragmented, and/or more inbreeding in mating. Genetic differentiation was highest between populations within Timor island, and between Gunung Sewu (Java Island) and Sumba-Timor islands. Populations were not clustered based on geographical sites, but more by the similarity of genetic structures. Genetic differentiations were the combined effect of the differences on genetical processes regarding gene flow and selection events. Both differences existed due to differences on (i) population structures including landscape, clonality and parental genetic composition, and (ii) the disturbance histories of population, which affected the equilibrium between gene flow and drift. These findings emphasized the importance of larger gene flow and genetic base to naturally maintain genetical processes of sandalwood population under various landscapes structures.
Land cover changes in the Air Telang Protected Forest, South Sumatra, Indonesia (1989-2013)
Authors: EDDY SYAIFUL , ISKANDAR ISKHAQ , RIDHO MOH. RASYID , MULYANA ANDY
Published: September 2020

Eddy S, Iskandar I, Ridho MR, Mulyana A. 2017. Land cover changes in the Air Telang Protected Forest, South Sumatra, Indonesia (1989-2013). Biodiversitas 18: 1538-1545. The Air Telang Protected Forest (ATPF) is a mangrove forest in the Banyuasin District, South Sumatra, Indonesia. It has an area of about 12,660.87 ha. In fact, that the ATPF area has been converted into aquacultures, plantations, agricultural lands, settlements and ports during recent decades. The objective of this study is to identify the land cover changes in the ATPF from 1989 through 2013 using satellite remote sensing data. Three Landsat satellite imageries for 1989, 2001 and 2013 have been used to build maps and to predict the land cover changes in the study area. A ground-truthing verification was done to increase the accuracy of image classification in each region. The results showed that the anthropogenic forcing had caused significant degradation of primary mangrove forest in the ATPF from 1989 to 2013. This forcing was categorized as mangrove conversion into coconut plantations, oil palm plantations, aquacultures, farms, ports, and settlements. Of these six conversions, the coconut plantations, oil palm plantations and aquacultures have potential tendencies to increase construction that could threaten the existence of mangrove forest in ATPF. It was found that during 2013, the coconut plantations, oil palm plantations, and aquacultures accounted for about 18.0% (2,278.62 ha), 4.7% (591.87 ha) and 3.1% (386.18 ha) of mangrove forest changes, respectively.
Anti-inflammatory activities of ethnomedicinal plants from Dayak Abai in North Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: PARAMITA SWANDARI , KOSALA KHEMASILI , DZULKIFLI DZULKIFLI , SAPUTRI DEBY INDAH , WIJAYANTI ENGGAR
Published: September 2020

Paramita S, Kosala K, Dzulkifli D, Saputri DI, Wijayanti E. 2017. Anti-inflammatory activities of ethnomedicinal plants from Dayak Abai in North Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 18: 1556-1561. Inflammation is a normal process in the human body as a response to injury from the healing process. Meanwhile, chronic inflammation will cause new health problems to patients. Antiinflammatory drugs generally used for those conditions, have several side effects to patients. The objective of this research was to find alternative anti-inflammatory drugs, especially from natural sources. Three medicinal plants recorded from Dayak Abai in North Kalimantan, Indonesia for health problems caused by the inflammation process i.e. Amomum xanthophlebium Baker, Clerodendrum buchananii (Roxb.) Walp., and Donax canniformis (G.Forst.) K.Schum. were used as material in this research. The experimental method using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema was used followed by the resulting measurement using plethysmometer. The results showed that significant differences of AUC (area under the curve) with p = 0.001 (p < 0.05) were achieved between negative control, positive control, and treatment group with plant medicinal extracts. AUC of leaves ethanol extract of C. buchananii showed the strongest antiinflammatory activities. It could be concluded that the medicinal plants recorded from ethnomedicinal data from Dayak Abai in North Kalimantan, have anti-inflammatory activities, with C. buchananii as the most potential ones which could be further developed as a new source of the anti-inflammatory drug.
Collaborative planning for development of the Pelawan Biodiversity Park in Bangka, Indonesia
Authors: AKBARINI DIAN , ISKANDAR JOHAN , PARTASASMITA RUHYAT
Published: September 2020

Akbarini D, Iskandar J, Partasasmita R. 2017. Collaborative planning for development of the Pelawan Biodiversity Park in Bangka, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 18: 1602-1610. Pelawan Biodiversity Park is located in the village of Namang, Sub-district of Namang, District of Central Bangka. The Pelawan Biodiversity Park with a size of approximately 47 hectares is intended as a conservation area in Bangka to protect various distinctive plants and animals, especially the plant species Tristaniopsis merguensis (Griff.) Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh. A preliminary review of Pelawan Biodiversity Park management planning was undertaken between January and March 2017. The purpose of this preliminary review was to obtain information for planning and managing the Pelawan Biodiversity Park which has an important function for conservation, ecotourism and research in the Central Bangka District. The method used for the study was qualitative with field data collection; namely observation, intensive interviews with informants and analysis of documentation. The results of the study show that the management planning for Pelawan Biodiversity Park has not been implemented collaboratively with stakeholders. Furthermore, the potential for biodiversity in the Palawan Biodiversity Parks has not been properly analyzed and used to develop strategies for conversation, ecotourism and research. The proposed solution to this deficiency in the planning of the Pelawan Biodiversity Park is to invite relevent stakeholders comprising village government, community leaders, universities, researchers, non-governmental organisations and private organizations to actively collaborate in the process.
Flower morphology, floral development and insect visitors to flowers of Nepenthes mirabilis
Authors: HANDAYANI TRI
Published: September 2020

Handayani T. 2017. Flower morphology, floral development and insect visitors to flowers of Nepenthes mirabilis. Biodiversitas 18: 1624-1631. Nepenthes mirabilis Druce is a commercial ornamental pitcher plant belonging to the Nepenthaceae. This species is often used as a parent plant in artificial crossbreeding. The plant is also used in traditional medicine, rope-making, handicraft, and bouquets. Flower development and pollen maturity are important factors in pitcher plant crossbreeding. However, information about its flowering is still lacking. This study aimed to record the flower morphology, flower development, and faunal visitors to male inflorescences of N. mirabilis planted in Bogor Botanic Gardens, West Java, Indonesia. Twelve racemes of flowers were taken as a sample for observing the process of inflorescence development, while ten flowers on each raceme were observed for investigating the flowering pattern of individual flowers. The morphology of flowers, the process of inflorescence development, the flowering pattern for individual flowers, the number of open flowers, the longevity of anthesis, and the appearance of insect (and/or other faunal) visitors to flowers were observed and recorded, using naked eyes, a hand lens, and a camera. Six phases of inflorescence development were identified: inflorescence bud phase, raceme phase, the opening of the raceme-protecting sheath phase, inflorescence-stalk and flowerstalk growth phase, open flower phase and pollen maturity phase. Four phases of flower development were observed: growth of flower bud, the opening of tepals, pollen maturation, and flower senescence. The pattern of anthesis within an inflorescence was acropetal. The number of flowers per raceme was 56 to 163. The peak duration of anthesis of a flower was 11 days (30.7% of flowers). The length of the raceme-stalks was 17-31 cm. The length of the racemes was 23-38 cm. The most common visitors to the flowers were stingless bees, Trigona apicalis.