bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk of asthma in children treated with paracetamol versus ibuprofen: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Sherbash Mohamed , Furuya-Kanamori Luis , Nader Joanne Daghfal , Thalib Lukman
Published: January 2020

Background: Paracetamol and ibuprofen are the most commonly used medications for fever and pain management in children. While the efficacy appears similar with both drugs, there are contradictory findings related to adverse events. In particular, incidence of asthma among children taking paracetamol compared to ibuprofen, remain unsettled. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared asthma in children taking paracetamol versus ibuprofen. A comprehensive search was conducted in five databases. RCTs reporting on cases of asthma in infants or children after the administration of paracetamol or ibuprofen were included. The pooled effect size was estimated using the Peto’s odds ratio. Results: Five RCTs with 85095 children were included in the analysis. The pooled estimate (29OR 1.05; 95%CI 0.76-1.46) revealed no difference in the odds of developing asthma or presenting an exacerbation of asthma in children who received paracetamol compared to ibuprofen. When the analysis was restricted to RCTs that examined the incidence of asthma, the pooled estimate remained similar ( OR 1.01; 95%CI 0.63-1.64). Additional bias adjusted quality effect sensitivity model yielded similar results (RR 1.03; 95%CI 0.84-1.28). Conclusion: Although, Ibuprofen and paracetamol appear to have similar tolerance and safety profiles in terms of incidence of asthma in children, we suggest high quality trials with clear definition of asthma outcomes after receiving ibuprofen or paracetamol at varying doses with longer follow-up are warranted for any conclusive finding
Analysis of serum CircRNA in related to gastric cancer
Authors: Chen Gang , Su Yun , Gong HONG-XIA , Li Ling , Zhang Zhi-Yi , Wang Feng-Mei , Nie Peng , Ma Guo-Gang , Wang Xin-Hua , Li Chun-Bo , Xue Xuan , Li Ting-Ting , Liu Yong-Qi
Published: January 2020

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive tract and one of the leading causes of death in patients with malignant tumors worldwide. In recent years, with the deepening of circRNA research, more and more evidence indicates that circRNA plays an important role in the occurrence and development of human malignant tumors. This study firstly conducted a retrospective analysis of the case data of gastric cancer patients who were treated at the Wuwei Cancer Hospital between 2015 and 2017. Subsequently, 18 cases of primary gastric cancer patients and 9 healthy people in Wuwei, Gansu Province were used as controls. The high-throughput microarray technology was used to screen the circRNA expression profiles of healthy and gastric cancer patients, and the expression was expressed by bioinformatics methods. Differential circRNA was used for gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis, using its enrichment to predict the relevant biological functions of the differentially expressed circRNA and its involved pathways, and predicting miRNAs interacting with differentially expressed circRNAs, and constructing circRNA-miRNA interaction network. Q-PCR, gene organization microarray and bioinformatics techniques were used to validate candidate differential circRNAs and their linear parental genes and regulatable miRNAs. The results showed that there were 137 circRNAs with significant expression differences (including up-regulation of 67 and down-regulation of 70) in gastric cancer patients, and their differential expression may be related to the occurrence and development of gastric cancer; by GO, KEGG enrichment analysis and Regulating miRNA predictive analysis, the gastric cancer-related GO classification, KEGG Pathway and circRNA-miRNA network were preliminarily obtained, suggesting that differential circRNA may participate in gastric cancer-associated GO classification and KEGG pathway by regulating the expression of parental genes and miRNAs to influence the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. Finally, by using has verified the has_circ_0000437 and its parental genes and regulatable miRNAs, it was found that has_circ_0000437 is highly expressed in gastric cancer patients, and has a certain diagnostic value for the clinical diagnosis of gastric cancer. It may regulate its linear parental gene and The expression of miRNAs affects the development, metastasis and prognosis of clinical gastric cancer.
Necessity of prophylactic splenic hilum lymph node clearance for middle and upper third gastric cancer: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Zheng Gaozan , Liu Jinqiang , Guo Yinghao , Wang Fei , Liu Shushang , Xu Guanghui , Guo Man , Lian Xiao , Zhang Hongwei , Feng Fan
Published: January 2020

Background It remains controversial whether prophylactic No.10 lymph node clearance is necessary for gastric cancer. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the impact of prophylactic No.10 lymph node clearance on the perioperative complications and prognosis of upper and middle third gastric cancer. Methods A network meta-analysis to identify both direct and indirect evidence with respect to the comparison of gastrectomy alone (G-A), gastrectomy combination with splenectomy (G+S) and gastrectomy combination with spleen-preserving splenic hilar dissection (G+SPSHD) was conducted. We searched Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for studies published before September 2018. Perioperative complications and overall survival were analyzed. Hazard ratios (HR) were extracted from the publications on the basis of reported values or were extracted from survival curves by established methods. Results Ten retrospective studies involving 2565 patients were included. In the direct comparison analyses, G-A showed comparable 5-year overall survival rate (HR: 1.1, 95%CI: 0.97-1.3) but lower total complication rate (OR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.17-0.77) compared with G+S. Similarly, the 5-year overall survival rate between G+SPSHD and G+S was comparable (HR: 1.1, 95%CI: 0.92-1.4), while the total complication rate of G+SPSHD was lower than that of G+S (OR: 0.50, 95%CI: 0.28-0.88). In the indirect comparison analyses, both the 5-year overall survival rate (HR: 1.0, 95%CI: 0.78-1.3) and total complication rate (OR: 0.75, 95%CI: 0.29-1.9) were comparable between G-A and G+SPSHD. Conclusion Prophylactic No.10 lymph node clearance was not recommended for treatment of upper and middle third gastric cancer.
If you can’t make it, you're not tough enough to do medicine’: A qualitative study of Sydney-based medical students’ experiences of bullying and harassment in clinical settings
Authors: Colenbrander Laura , Causer Louise , Haire Bridget
Published: January 2020

Background : Media exposés and academic literature reveal high rates of bullying and harassment of medical students, most commonly by consultant physicians and/or surgeons. Recent reports reveal the medical profession to be characterised by hierarchy, with verbal abuse a ‘rite of passage’, as well as sexist and racist behaviours.
Methods : Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with ten current or recently graduated medical students from Sydney-based medical schools. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed.

Results : Hierarchy, and a culture of self-sacrifice, resilience and deference, were identified as problematic elements of the medical profession. In the minds of participants, these factors created barriers to reporting mistreatment, as participants felt reporting led to being labelled a ‘troublemaker’, affecting career progression. Additionally, participants stated that avenues of recourse were unclear and did not guarantee confidentiality or desired outcomes.
Conclusions : Mistreatment is continuing in clinical teaching and has negative consequences on medical students’ mental health and learning. Structural change is needed to combat institutionalised mistreatment to ensure the wellbeing of future doctors and high quality patient care.
Investigating Psychometric Properties of the Thai Version of the Zarit Burden Interview using Rasch Model and Confirmatory Factor Analysis
Authors: Pinyopornpanish Kanokporn , Pinyopornpanish Manee , Wongpakaran Nahathai , Wongpakaran Tinakon , Soontornpun Atiwat , Kuntawong Pimolpun
Published: January 2020

Objective: The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) has been widely used to assess caregiver burden. Few research papers have investigated the Thai version of the ZBI. The study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Thai version of both the full length (ZBI-22) and short versions (ZBI-12) using Rasch analysis and confirmatory factor analysis among a sample of Alzheimer’s disease caregivers. Results: The ZBI-22 fitted the Rasch measurement model regarding unidimensionality but not for ZBI-12. Five items from ZBI-22, and 2 items from ZBI-12 were shown to be misfitting items. Half of ZBI items were shown to be disordered category or threshold, and were locally dependent. CFA revealed three-factor and four-factor fitted the data the best for ZBI-22 and ZBI-12, respectively. Reliability was good for both forms of the ZBI (a = 0.86 - 0.92). Significant correlations were found with caregiver’s perceived stress, anxiety/depression, pain and mobility but not with self-care and usual activity ( p >0.05), indicating convergent and discriminant validity. To conclude, the Thai version ZBI-22, but not ZBI-12, supported the reliability and unidimensional scale among Alzheimer’s disease caregivers. Some misfitting items of the ZBI undermined the unidimensionality of the scale, and need revision.
Vitamin D status among postmenopausal osteoporotic women: a hospital based cross-sectional study from Northern Sri Lanka.
Authors: Suganthan Navaneethakrishnan , Kumanan Thirunavukarasu , Kesavan Vithegi , Aravinthan Mahalingam , Rajeshkannan Nadarajah
Published: January 2020

Background Vitamin D deficiency is common among post-menopausal women and it is important to treat vitamin D deficiency to prevent falls and fractures in patients with osteoporosis. Few studies examined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in general population of Sri Lanka but no studies to date done among post-menopausal women with osteoporosis. This is the first study of such kind conducted to evaluate the serum vitamin D levels and factors related to Vitamin D deficiency among postmenopausal women.Methodology Hospital based Cross -sectional study was conducted at the Endocrine Unit, Teaching Hospital from January to December 2018.During the study period 105 postmenopausal women registered for DEXA scan with Endocrine Unit were recruited to the study. Data collection was done by investigators and blood sample was taken from each participant by registered nursing officers and sample was analysed by using immunohistochemistry assays. Serum Vitamin D levels were categorized and data analysis was done using SPSS 26.Results Mean age of 105 postmenopausal women was 67.7 with minimum 33 and maximum 84 years. Mean Vitamin D levels were 27.5(range11.7-52.5ng/ml). Vitamin D levels were adequate in only 36.2% (95%CI: 27.4-45.7) of women, 44% had insufficient levels and deficiency was present in 19% (95%CI: 12.4-27.4) of participants. Among the 105 women 20% were vegetarian and 53% of them consuming milk on average 3 days per week, 76.2% consuming fish on average 2 days per week, 64.8% consuming egg on average 1 day per week. Furthermore seventy five participants (71.4%) reported adequate level of sun exposure (>30minutes).Commonly reported vitamin deficiency symptoms includes paraesthesia (57.1%),bone pain (55.2%), easy fatigability (54.3%), malaise (51.4%), muscle cramps (43.8%) and proximal myopathy (40.0%).Among 71(66.7%) completed bone density assessment,38% (27.3-49.7) of them showed osteoporosis range. Vertebral Z score showed a significant correlation with vitamin D level(r-0.252, P-0.034).Conclusion Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is relatively high among the post-menopausal women with a provisional diagnosis of osteoporosis. It is essential to correct vitamin D deficiency with supplementation when initiating treatment for osteoporosis. So vitamin D testing is desirable in decision making to treat or not to treat.
Association between convenience stores near schools and obesity among school-aged children in Beijing, China
Authors: Zhou Shuang , Cheng Yu , Cheng Lan , Wang Di , Li Qin , Liu Zheng , Wang Haijun
Published: January 2020

Background: Food environments have rapidly changed over the past years in China and children have more access to unhealthy food in convenience stores near schools. Since the studies on the association between convenience stores near schools and obesity had inconsistent results and no similar study in China, we conducted a study on the association in Beijing of China, which will provide scientific evidence for the intervention of childhood obesity. Methods: The study included 2201 students at grade 4 of 37 primary schools in Dongcheng or Miyun district of Beijing. The food environment data was acquired from AMAP, the free web-based geospatial service provider. The numbers of convenience stores were captured within the 800-meter network buffer near schools using Geographic Information System. The weight and height of each student were measured by trained health professionals. Students’ dietary and physical behaviors and other information associated with obesity were collected with questionnaires for students and their parents. The generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was used to analyze the data. Results: The average age of the students was 10.2 years (SD=0.33). The prevalence of obesity in students was 14.9%. The median number of convenience stores within the 800-meter network buffer near schools was 24 in two districts. The number of convenience stores near each school varied from 5 to 67 (median: 25) in Dongcheng district and from 1 to 57 (median: 22) in Miyun district. After adjusting for the confounding factors at the family and individual levels, the association between convenience stores and childhood obesity was statistically significant. Additional ten convenience stores near schools were associated with an increased risk of obesity (Odds Ratio (OR)=1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03,1.24, P=0.011). Compared with less than 24 convenience stores near schools, the students with more than or equal to 24 convenience stores near schools had an increased risk of obesity (OR=1.49, 95%CI: 1.09, 2.03, P=0.013). Conclusion: The students with more convenience stores near their schools had an increased risk of obesity. The findings provided evidence for developing public health policy to restrict the number of convenience stores near schools to prevent and control childhood obesity.
Effect of acupuncture and its influence on cerebral activity in patients with persist asthma: study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Yu Siyi , Dong Xiaohui , Sun Ruirui , He Zhaoxuan , Zhang Chuantao , Chen Mei , Hong Xiaojuan , Lan Lei , Zeng Fang
Published: January 2020

Background Previous studies suggested that acupuncture was a promising adjunct treatment for asthma. However, the underlying mechanism of acupuncture for asthma remains unclear. The present trail aimed to explore whether and how specific meridian acupuncture works in quality of life and symptomatic improvement by modulating brain function in asthma patients. Methods A randomized controlled functional brain imaging trial is currently being conducted in Sichuan, China. In total 48 patients with mild to moderate, persist asthma will be recruited randomly allocated to two acupuncture groups: acupuncturing at Lung Meridian and acupuncturing at Heart Meridian . The treatment period will last for 4 weeks. The Asthma quality of life questionnaire (AQLQ) is the primary outcome. Asthma control test (ACT), the rate of Peak expiratory flow (PEFR), Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) will also assess the clinical efficacy of different interventions. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans will be performed to detect cerebral activity changes in each group. The clinical data and fMRI data will be analyzed, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis will be used to assess the association between the changes of cerebral activity features and the improvement of clinical outcomes in each group. DiscussionThe present study has been established on the “meridians-viscera relationship” theory of traditional Chinese medicine and modern central mechanism of acupuncture. The results of this trial would be useful to identify efficiency of the specific meridian acupuncture for asthma. The investigation of its central mechanism would further expand our knowledge of the acupuncture for asthma.
Development of a Core Outcome Set for Fetal MyelomenIngoCele (COSMiC): study protocol
Authors: Altoukhi Samar , Whitehead Clare L , Ryan Greg , Deprest Jan , Joyeux Luc , Gallagher Katie , Drake James , Church Paige , Horn Daphne , Diambomba Yenge , Carvalho Jose , Mieghem Tim Van
Published: January 2020

Background: Open spina bifida (OSB) is one of the most common congenital central nervous system defects and leads to long-term physical and cognitive disabilities. Open fetal surgery for OSB improves neurological outcomes and reduces the need for ventriculoperitoneal shunting, compared to postnatal surgery, at the expense of increased prematurity. It however confers significant morbidity to the mother in the index pregnancy and potential risks to future pregnancies. Fetoscopic surgery may prevent maternal morbidity yet the question remains whether the procedure is neuroprotective and reduces prematurity. Comparison of outcomes between different treatment options is challenging due to inconsistent outcome reporting. We aim to develop and disseminate a core outcome set (COS) for fetal OSB, to ensure that outcomes relevant to all stakeholders are collected and reported in a standardised fashion in future studies. Methods: The COS will be developed using a validated Delphi methodology. A systematic literature review will be performed to identify previously reported outcomes focused on prenatally diagnosed OSB. Outcomes assessed will include maternal (primary and subsequent pregnancies), fetal, neonatal and childhood to adolescence. In a second phase, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders will be performed to ensure representation of additional relevant outcomes that may not have been reported in the literature. We will include patients and parents, as well as health professionals involved in the care of these pregnancies and children (fetal medicine specialists, fetal surgeons, neonatologists/paediatricians, and allied health). Subsequently, an international group of key stakeholders will rate the importance of the identified outcomes using three sequential, online, rounds of a modified Delphi Survey. Final agreement on outcomes to be included in the COS, their definition and measurement will be achieved through a final face-to-face consensus meeting with all stakeholder groups represented. Dissemination of the final COS will be ensured through different media and relevant societies. Discussion: Development and implementation of a COS for fetal OSB will ensure consistent outcome reporting in future clinical trials, systematic reviews, and clinical practice guidelines. This will lead to higher quality research, better evidence-based clinical practice and ultimately improved maternal, fetal and long term childhood outcomes. Trial registration: Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET): 1187. International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): CRD42018104880.
The prevalence of serious pathology in musculoskeletal physiotherapy patients – a nationwide register-based cohort study
Authors: Budtz Cecilie , Hansen Rikke Pilegaard , Thomsen Janus Nikolaj Laust , Christiansen David Høyrup
Published: January 2020

Background: Musculoskeletal conditions are the single largest contributor to years lived with disability worldwide. Most musculoskeletal conditions can be managed and treated in primary care, but for a small proportion of these patients the symptoms are caused by serious pathology. Although the general practitioner usually performs initial screening for serious pathology, evaluation and treatment by physiotherapists are often part of the treatment pathway. It is however unclear, how many patients in primary care physiotherapy have symptoms caused by a serious pathology. Historically the prevalence of serious pathology in primary care has been investigated in small populations with spine specific conditions, thus a more general prevalence in the group of patients with musculoskeletal conditions is yet to be estimated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of neoplasm, cauda equina syndrome, spinal fracture, infection and inflammatory pathology among patients referred for musculoskeletal physiotherapy evaluation and treatment.Methods: The study was a prospective nationwide register-based cohort study. We identified all referrals for primary care musculoskeletal physiotherapy in the Danish National Health Insurance Service Register between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2017. Records of hospital contacts were extracted from the Danish National Patient Register within 180 days from first physiotherapy contact, identifying all diagnoses of serious pathology. Period prevalence proportions with 95%CI of the serious pathology categories were estimated. Results: A total of 1,568,704 courses of treatment were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of serious pathology was 2.30%.The prevalence of neoplasm was 2.11%, of which 1.13% was malignant neoplasms. The prevalence of cauda equina syndrome was 0.01%, fractures 0.13%, infections 0.01% and inflammatory pathology of the spine 0.06%. Higher prevalence's were observed among patients with a previous history of serious pathology, aged above 50 and more comorbidity. Conclusions: Although serious pathology among musculoskeletal physiotherapy patients is rare, the present study found an overall prevalence of serious pathology which exceeded the guideline endorsed prevalence estimates of serious pathology of 1%.
Prediction of response to Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenoma using radiomic features
Authors: Jia Jian , Meng Lingwei , Song Guidong , Sun Shibin , Li Chuzhong , Tian Jie , Zhang Yazhuo
Published: January 2020

Background: For individually predicting preoperative response to Stereotactic radiotherapy for Nonfunctioning pituitary Adenoma with the use of a radiomics approach.Methods: 93 cases (training set: n = 62; test set: n = 31) were recruited with contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI (CE-T1) before stereotactic radiotherapy. All of these patients received another MRI scan to assess sensitivity of radiotherapy after 12 to 18 months. The shrinkage and no increase in tumor volume are regarded as sensitive to gamma knife radiotherapy. According to CE-T1 images, we extracted 1208 quantitative imaging features totally. Support vector machine (SVM) combined with recursive feature elimination (RFE) and grid-search trained a four-feature prediction mode verified with an assay of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) for an individual set of test. In addition, a ROC curves with individual feature and signature bar were constructed for prediction.Results: The cross-validation area under the curve (AUC) on the three-fold train set is 0.991,0.843 and 0.889. In terms of the test and training sets, T1-CE image features led to 0.897 and 0.914 AUC, separately. Conclusions: With the use of a radiomics method, the response to Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenoma was primarily predicted before the operation. The built mode performed well, suggesting that radiomics is promising to preoperatively predict sensitivity to radiotherapy in NFPA.
The impact of food fortification on stunting in Zimbabwe: Does gender of the household head matter?
Authors: Kairiza Terrence , Kembo George , Pallegedara Asankha , Macheka Lesley
Published: January 2020

High prevalence of stunting in under 5 children poses a major threat to child development in developing countries. It is associated with micronutrient deficiency arising from poor diets fed to under 5 children. Food fortification is amongst the interventions focused at reducing the incidence of stunting in under 5 children. Using a large scale household data from Zimbabwe, we investigated the gender based importance of household adoption of food fortification on the proportion of stunted children in the household. We employed propensity score matching to mitigate self-selection bias associated with household adoption of food fortification. We offer three major findings. Firstly we find little evidence for gender differences in the adoption of fortified foods. Secondly, household adoption food fortification reduces the proportion of stunted children in the household. Finally, vis-à-vis non adopters, female headed households that adopt food fortification reduce a larger proportion of stunted children in their households than their male counterparts who adopt food fortification. These results highlight the need for policy makers to actively promote food fortification programmes to involve men in fortification programmes to improve their knowledge and appreciation of fortified foods and the associated benefits.
Molecular epidemiological surveillance of Africa and Asia imported malaria in Wuhan, Central China: comparison of diagnostic tools during 2011–2018
Authors: Xie Yiting , Wu Kai , Cheng Weijia , Jiang Tingting , Yao Yi , Xu Mingxing , Yang Yan , Tan Huabing , Li Jian
Published: January 2020

Background Malaria remains a serious public health problem globally. Along with indigenous malaria elimination in China, imported malaria gradually became a major hazard. Well-timed and accurate diagnosis could support immediate therapeutic schedule, reveal the prevalence of imported malaria and avoid the disease transmission. Method Blood samples were collected in Wuhan, China from August 2011 to December 2018. All patients first accepted microscopy and RDT examination. Subsequently, each of the positive or suspected positive cases was engaged in total four human Plasmodium species amplication by using 18S rRNA based nested PCR and Taqman probe based real-time PCR. Then performance of microscopy and two molecular diagnosis methods were analyzed. Importation origin was traced by country and prevalence of Plasmodium species was revealed by year. Results Total 296 blood samples containing 288 microscopy and RDT positive, 7 RDT P. falciparum positive and 1 suspected cases were collected and reanalyzed. After two molecular methods and sequencing detection, 291 cases including 245 P. falciparum , 15 P. vivax , 20 P. ovale , 6 P. malariae and 5 mixed infection (3 P. falciparum + P. ovale , 2 P. vivax + P. ovale ) were confirmed. These patients returned from Africa (95.53%) and Asia (4.47%). Although the prevalence displayed a small-scale fluctuation, the overall trend of the imported cases increased yearly. Conclusions Results emphasized the necessity of combined utilization of the four tools for malaria diagnosis in clinic and field survey around potential risk regions worldwide including Wuhan.
Mass radical treatment of a group of foreign workers to mitigate the risk of re-establishment of malaria in Sri Lanka
Authors: Marasinghe Manonath M , Karunasena Vissundara M , Senaratne Arundika S , Herath Hema D.B. , Fernando Deepika , Wickremasinghe Rajitha , Mendis Kamini , Ranaweera Dewanee
Published: January 2020

Background Following malaria elimination, Sri Lanka was free from indigenous transmission for six consecutive years, until the first introduced case was reported in December 2018. The source of transmission (index case) was a member of a group of 32 migrant workers from India and the location of transmission was their residence reporting a high prevalence of the primary vector for malaria. Despite extensive vector control the situation was highly susceptible to onward transmission if another of the group developed malaria. Therefore, Mass Radical Treatment (MRT) of the group of workers for Plasmodium vivax malaria was undertaken to mitigate this risk. Method The workers were screened for malaria by microscopy and RDT, their haemoglobin level assessed, and tested for Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) using the Care Start RDT and Brewers test prior to treatment with chloroquine (CQ) 25mg/kg body weight (over three days) and primaquine (PQ) (0.25mg/kg/day bodyweight for 14 days) following informed consent. All were monitored for adverse events. Results None of the foreign workers were parasitaemic at baseline screening and their haemaglobin levels ranged from 9.7 – 14.7 g/dl. All 31 individuals (excluding the index case treated previously) were treated with the recommended dose of CQ. The G6PD test results were inconclusive in 45% of the RDT results and were discrepant between the two tests in 31% of the remaining test events. Seven workers who tested G6PD deficient in either test were excluded from PQ and the rest 24 received PQ. No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions Mass treatment may be an option in prevention of reintroduction settings for groups of migrants who are likely to be carrying latent malaria infections, and resident in areas of high receptivity. However, in the case of P.vivax and P.ovale , a more reliable and affordable point-of-care test for G6PD activity would be required. Most countries which are eliminating malaria now are in the tropical zone and face considerable and similar risks of malaria re-introduction due to massive labour migration between them and neighbouring countries. Regional elimination of malaria should be the focus of global strategy if malaria elimination from countries is to be worthwhile and sustainable.
Other musculoskeletal pain is associated with new-onset low back pain: A longitudinal study among survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Yabe Yutaka , Hagiwara Yoshihiro , Sekiguchi Takuya , Sugawara Yumi , Tsuchiya Masahiro , Yoshida Shinichirou , Sogi Yasuhito , Yano Toshihisa , Onoki Takahiro , Takahashi Tadahisa , Iwatsu Jun , Tsuji Ichiro , Itoi Eiji
Published: January 2020

Background Low back pain (LBP) is a common health problem experienced after natural disasters. LBP is often concurrent with other musculoskeletal pain; however, the effects of preexisting musculoskeletal pain on LBP are not clear. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the influence of other musculoskeletal pain on new-onset LBP among survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE). Methods A longitudinal study was conducted with survivors at three and four years after the GEJE (n = 1,782). Musculoskeletal pain, such as low back, hand and/or foot, knee, shoulder, and neck pain, were assessed with self-reported questionnaires. New-onset LBP was defined as LBP absent at three years but present at four years after the disaster. Musculoskeletal pain except for LBP at three years after the GEJE were categorized according to the number of pain sites (0, 1, ≥ 2). Multiple regression analyses were performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for new-onset LBP due to the other musculoskeletal pain. Results The incidence of new-onset LBP was 14.1% (251/1,782). Other musculoskeletal pain were significantly associated with new-onset LBP. Using “0” as a reference, the adjusted OR and 95% CI for new-onset LBP were 1.69 (1.17-2.42) in ”1” and 2.85 (1.86-4.36) in “≥ 2” musculoskeletal pain (p < 0.001) Conclusions Preexisting other musculoskeletal pain was associated with new-onset LBP among survivors in the recovery period after the GEJE. Attention should be paid to other musculoskeletal pain sites to treat and prevent LBP after natural disasters.
An efficient virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system for functional genomics in Brassicas using a cabbage leaf curl virus (CaLCuV)-based vector
Authors: Xiao Zhiliang , Xing Miaomiao , Liu Xing , Fang Zhiyuan , Yang Limei , Zhang Yangyong , Wang Yong , Zhuang Mu , Lv Honghao
Published: January 2020

Background: Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), a posttranscriptional gene silencing method, represents an effective technology for the analysis gene functions in plants. However, no VIGS vectors are available for Brassica oleracea till now. The gene silencing vectors TRV, pTYs and CaLCuV were chose to improve the VIGS system in cabbage, using phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene as an efficient visual indicator for VIGS.Results: We successfully silenced the expression of PDS and observed the photobleaching phenomenon in cabbage by pTYs and CaLCuV, with the latter displaying higher efficiency and lower cost. Then, the factors potentially affecting the silencing efficiency of VIGS by CaLCuV in cabbage, including targeting fragment strategy, inoculation method and incubation temperature, were compared. The optimized CaLCuV-based VIGS system is as follows: approximately 500 bp insert sequence, Agrobacterium OD600=1.0, vacuum osmosis method at the bud stage, and the incubation temperature of 22 °C, through which we achieved a stable silencing efficiency of 65%. To further test the effectiveness of the system, we selected two other genes in cabbage including Mg-chelataseH subunit (ChlH) and lobed-leaf 1 (LL1) to knock down their expression, and we observed the expected yellow or lobed leaves. In addition, we successfully applied the CaLCuV-based VIGS system in two other representative Brassica crops including B. rapa and B. nigra and thus expanded its application scope.Conclusion: These results demonstrate that CaLCuV-based VIGS effectively work in cabbage and can be used for analyzing gene function. Our VIGS system described here will contribute to efficient functional genomics research in Brassica crops.
Clinicopathological and Prognostic Value of SNHG6 in Cancers: a Systematic Review and a Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Qiu Dandan , Xie Xiaohong , Shen Yong
Published: January 2020

Background: The long non-coding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (lncRNA SNHG6) is dysregulated in various malignant tumor. However, a definite conclusion on the clinical value of lncRNA SNHG6 expression in human cancers has not been determined. The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to comprehensively elucidate the association between SNHG6 expression and clinical outcomes in cancers.Methods: A systematic search was performed through the PubMed, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wangfang databases for relevant studies. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were collected to estimate the prognostic value, and the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were used to evaluate the relationship between lncRNA SNHG6 expression and clinicopathological features, including tumor invasion depth, lymph node metastasis (LNM), distance metastasis (DM), and TNM stage. Results: A total of 914 patients from 13 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results suggested that evaluated SNHG6 expression could predict an unfavorable overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.04, 95% CI:1.56~2.52) with no heterogeneity (I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.996). Subgroup analysis indicated a significant association between high SNHG6 expression and shorter OS in studies with digestive system cancers (HR = 2.05, 95%CI: 1.47-2.62), sample size < 70 (HR = 2.70, 95%CI: 1.29-4.11), and univariate and multivariate analysis (HR = 2.04, 95%CI: 1.44-2.64). Moreover, high SNHG6 expression was positively correlated with tumor invasion depth (OR = 1.76, 95%CI: 1.18-2.63), LNM (OR = 1.60, 95%CI: 1.18-2.17), DM (OR = 1.90, 95%CI: 1.37-2.64) and advanced TNM stage (OR = 1.88, 95%CI: 1.36-2.60) in patients with cancers.Conclusions: High lncRNA SNHG6 expression was correlated with tumor invasion depth, LNM, DM, and advanced TNM stage, suggesting that SNHG6 may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker of human cancers.
An effective frequency domain feature of atrial fibrillation based on time-frequency analysis
Authors: Hu Yusong , Zhao Yantao , Liu Jihong , Pang Jin , Zhang Chen , Li Peizhe
Published: January 2020

Background: Atrial fibrillation(AF) is a kind of persistent arrhythmia that can lead to serious complications. Therefore, accurate and quick detection of atrial fibrillation by surface electrocardiogram (ECG) has great importance on further treatment. The practical ECG signals contain various interferences in different frequencies, such as myoelectricity interference, power interference and so on. Detection speed and accuracy largely depend on the AF signal features extracted by algorithm. But some of the discovered AF features are not well distinguishable, resulting in poor classification effect. Methods: This paper proposed a high distinguishable atrial fibrillation feature - the frequency corresponding to the maximum amplitude in the frequency spectrum (MAiFS). We used the R-R interval detection method optimized with mathematical morphology method and combined with the wavelet transform method for analysis. According to the two features - the MAiFS and R-R interval irregular, we can recognize AF in ECG signal by decision tree classification algorithm. Results: The data used in the experiment comes from the MIT-BIH database [16] , which is publicly accessible via the web and with ethics approval and consent. The dataset contains 23 annotated ECG records, each of which is approximately 10 hours with a sampling rate of 250Hz and a 12-bit resolution with a range of 10mv. Based on the input of time-domain and frequency-domain features, a supervised classifier is constructed by using decision tree algorithm, and the data obtained from the above experiments are brought in to carry out a 5-fold cross validation test, the accuracy of classification reaches 98.9%. Conclusions: The frequency corresponding to the maximum amplitude in frequency spectrum in the normal signal is concentrated and the fluctuation is weak. But the frequency corresponding to the maximum amplitude in frequency spectrum in the atrial fibrillation signal is divergent and irregular. The decision tree algorithm can detect the normal signal and AF signal with 98.9% accuracy.
Heparinized Chitosan Stabilizes the Bioactivity of BMP-2 and Potentiates the Osteogenic Efficacy of Demineralized Bone Matrix
Authors: Kim Soyon , Fan Jiabing , Lee Chung-Sung , Chen Chen , Bubukina Ksenia , Lee Min
Published: January 2020

Background: Demineralized bone matrix (DBM), an allograft bone processed to better expose osteoinductive factors such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), is increasingly used for clinical bone repair. However, more extensive use of DBM is limited by its unpredictable osteoinductivity and low bone formation capacity. Commercial DBM products often employ polymeric carriers to enhance handling properties but such carriers generally do not possess bioactive functions. Heparin is a highly sulfated polysaccharide and is shown to form a stable complex with growth factors to enhance their bioactivities. In this study, a new heparinized synthetic carrier for DBM is developed based on photocrosslinking of methacrylated glycol chitosan and heparin conjugation. Results: Heparinized chitosan exerts protective effects on BMP bioactivity against physiological stressors related to bone fracture healing. It also enhances the potency of BMPs by inhibiting the activity of BMP antagonist, noggin. Moreover, heparinized chitosan is effective to deliver bone marrow stromal cells and DBM for enhanced osteogenesis by sequestering and localizing the cell-produced or DBM-released BMPs. Conclusions: This research suggests an essential approach of developing a new hydrogel carrier to stabilize the bioactivity of BMPs and improve the clinical efficacy of current bone graft therapeutics for accelerated bone repair.
Effect of dexmedetomidine on prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in pediatric strabismus surgery: A randomized controlled study
Authors: li shuangshuang , Liu Tingjie , Xia Junming , Jia Jie , Li Wenxian
Published: January 2020

Background : Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are common side-effects following strabismus surgery. The present study aimed to compare the effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on PONV incidence in pediatric patients undergoing strabismus surgery.
Methods : In this prospective randomized double-blinded study, 126 pediatric patients undergoing strabismus surgery were randomized into one of three groups: Placebo group, normal saline; DEX1 group, 0.3 ug/kg dexmedetomidine, and DEX2 group, 0.5 ug/kg dexmedetomidine. Oculocardiac reflex (OCR) events were recorded during surgery. PONV or postoperative vomiting (POV) was recorded for 24 hours in the ward. Pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) scale and emergence agitation (EA) scale were recorded in the recovery room.
Results : Intraoperative OCR was significantly reduced in DEX2 group (42%) as compared to that of Placebo group (68%) (p=0.0146). During the first 24 hours post-op, the overall incidence of PONV was significantly lower in DEX2 group (10%) than that of Placebo group (32%) (p=0.0142). There was no significant difference in POV among the three groups. PAED or EA scores among the three groups were similar during recovery time.
Conclusion : Dexmedetomidine (0.5 ug/kg) reduced OCR and PONV without lengthening extubation time or recovery time in pediatric patients undergoing strabismus surgery.
OBUA KAMIŞININ TÜRKİYE’DEKİ YETİŞME ALANLARI
Authors: SEZER Ayşe
Published: January 2020

Obua çift kamışlı tahta üflemeli bir çalgıdır.
Obua ağızlığı olan kamışın, Türkiye’de halk dilinde sazlık ve kargı başta olmak
üzere değişik isimlerde kullanıldığı bilinmektedir. Almanlar “rohre”,
İngilizler “reed”, Fransızlar “anche” olarak kabul etse de, Avrupa’da yaygın
olarak “arundo donax” olarak tanınır. Obuada ses oluşumu iyi işlenmiş bir
kamışın üretilmesi ile sağlanmaktadır. Kamışın hammaddesi ise kargı bitkisidir.
Obua icracılarının performanslarındaki başarının anahtarı diyebileceğimiz
kamış, yetiştiği iklim alanları açısından da renk, çap genişliği, sert veya
yumuşak doku özelliği, düzgünlük, parlaklık, dayanıklılık özellikleri açısından
farklılık gösterir. Kargı (arundo donax) hafif tuzlu ve tatlı su kenarlarında
yetişen ince uzun bir bitki türüdür. Hindistan, Asya, Güney Avrupa, Orta Doğu
ve Kuzey Afrika’da yetişen bu bitki, 10 metreye kadar uzayabilir. İçi boştur.
Türkiye’de yetiştiği alanlar, Ege ve Akdeniz bölgelerinin sahil kesimleridir.
Sezen Aksu’nun Şiirlerinde Türk Edebiyatının İzleri
Authors: Kılıçkaya Derya
Published: January 2020

Sezen Aksu, 1970’lerden günümüze değin, sesi ve yorumuyla Türk pop müziğindeki yerini korumaya başarmıştır. Başka kişilerin sözlerini yazdığı şarkıları da seslendirmekle birlikte, kendisinin yazdığı şarkıları da söylemiştir. Bu şarkılardaki sözler incelendiğinde onların boş birer laftan ibaret olmadığı, yaşanmışlıkların üzerine kaleme alındığı söylenebilir. Dolayısıyla bu sözler, başarılı bestelerle de bir araya gelince insanları etkilemiş ve yıllar yılı dillerde dolaşmıştır. Böylelikle sanatçı, içten sözleriyle Türk halkının sevgisini kazanmayı da başarır. Aslında Sezen Aksu’nun yazdığı bu sözler basit bir şarkı sözünden daha da ötedir. Bunları birer şiir olarak değerlendirmek çok daha doğru olacaktır. Kendisi de bunun farkında olmalı ki bütün şarkı sözlerini Eksik Şiir ve Eksik Şiir İkinci Kitap adıyla bir araya getirmiştir. Kitaplardaki şiirleri bir edebiyat araştırmacısı gözüyle okuduğunuzda aslında sanatçının Türk edebiyatından ne kadar çok beslendiğini anlarız. Pek çok şiirinde divan ve halk şiirinin etkilerini bulmak mümkündür. Sadece bunlar değil, aynı zamanda Cumhuriyet Dönemi ve sonrasındaki Türk edebiyatından da izler bulunabilir. İşte bu çalışmada, Sezen Aksu’nun şiirlerindeki Türk edebiyatı izleri araştırılacak ve örneklerle ortaya konacaktır.
Biomedicina, vulnerabilidad, género y cuerpo en vínculos erótico-afectivos serodiscordantes en la Ciudad de México
Authors: Torres Cruz César
Published: January 2020

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar, mediante herramientas conceptuales de los feminismos queer, de los STS (Science and Technology Studies, por sus siglas en inglés) y de la sociología de la afectividad, cómo se experimenta la vulnerabilidad en la serodiscordancia (o diferencia de estado serológico) en vínculos homo y hetero erótico-afectivos en la Ciudad de México, a partir del género y la clase social. En este texto rescato estas complejidades socioculturales de la relación de los sujetos con la biomedicalización del VIH/sida y de la sexualidad, mediante su impacto corpóreo-afectivo.
Desafíos epistemológicos en la investigación feminista: hacia una teoría encarnada del afecto
Authors: Pons Rabasa Alba
Published: January 2020

El presente artículo propone una reflexión en torno al desafío epistemológico feminista de desbinarizar el pensamiento occidental, cuestionando el dualismo cartesiano en que se sustenta. Relaciono diferentes abordajes del sujeto y del poder desde la teoría feminista y la teoría social contemporáneas para repensar los procesos de materialización de los sujetos en el marco de las relaciones de poder que configuran el mundo y, por ende, nuestros modos de existencia. Recupero algunas propuestas de autoras clave en el pensamiento feminista que aportan elementos para explorar procesos materiales, subjetivos y afectivos situados, con la finalidad de construir una teoría encarnada del sujeto y del afecto que aborde la cuestión de la materia y del cuerpo, del lenguaje y del afecto, del discurso y de la significación en el marco de la desestabilización de los dualismos cuerpo/mente y naturaleza/ cultura, inevitablemente articulados con las oposiciones constitutivas entre sexo/género y materialidad/significación.
Contribuciones de la perspectiva pragmadialéctica de la argumentación en la orientación del actuar razonable del legislador
Authors: Tovar Silva Yvonne Georgina
Published: January 2020

El presente artículo explora la manera en que la perspectiva pragmadialéctica de la argumentación, a través de su código de conducta para discutidores razonables, coadyuva a orientar el actuar razonable del legislador, al exhortarlo a considerar la relevancia la libertad discursiva, así como la debida argumentación en la labor legislativa.

Se estima que la razonabilidad del legislador es significativa para favorecer la confianza de la población en los integrantes del órgano legislativo, así como contar con leyes debidamente sustentadas por un aparato argumentativo, acorde a las exigencias del Estado de Derecho.
Hacia una tipología del diálogo judicial transnacional
Authors: Brito Melgarejo Rodrigo
Published: January 2020

Este artículo ofrece una tipología sobre la forma en que los jueces constitucionales usan precedentes extranjeros al resolver casos, a fin de determinar si al recurrir a resoluciones de tribunales de otros países los órganos jurisdiccionales actúan de manera apropiada en su labor de interpretación constitucional, así como para determinar cuándo recurren a esta herramienta interpretativa y cuáles son las implicaciones y parámetros en cada caso.