bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Village Fund Program in Developing Physical Infrastructure: Case on Construction Value Across Provinces in Indonesia
Authors: Akbar Mochamad Thoriq , Sihaloho Estro Dariatno
Published: January 2020

Indonesia is the largest archipelago country with over than 260 million population. Yet, its archipelagic state makes it hard for the Indonesian government to distribute its income equally, causing severe poverty in certain regions. To overcome this problem, the role of construction industry is very crucial. Many papers say construction industry plays an important role to achieve socio-economic development goals in providing shelter, physical infrastructure, employment, and higher economic growth. Knowing the importance of construction sector, especially in physical infrastructure, President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, focuses on accelerating infrastructure development. To equally distribute the development between rural and urban areas and shorten the level of inequality, in 2015 Indonesian government made a program in a form of fiscal transfers called Village Fund program. The objective of this paper is to measure the impact of Village Fund program in developing physical infrastructure across provinces in Indonesia. This paper used panel data with Random Effect Model to analyze the marginal effect of Village Fund in construction sector. The finished construction value is used as the dependent variable. As the independent variable, this paper uses the amount of Village Fund given and Gross Domestic Regional Product (GRDP) as the control variable in 33 provinces that participated in Village Fund program during 2015 and 2016. Setting with α = 0.01, the result shows that Village Fund program has a marginal positive effect to finished construction value. Every one percentage point change in Village Fund increases the amount of construction value finished by 0.033%. For the other variable, every 1% increase in GRDP also increase the construction value by 0.41%. We hope this paper could be useful to evaluate the implementation of Village Fund and as a base for making similar policies in the future. Keywords: Village Fund, Construction Value, Infrastructure, GRDP, Random Effect Model
Aktualne poglądy na temat leczenia złamań wyrostka kłykciowego żuchwy
Authors: Sikora Maciej , Olszowski Tomasz , Chlubek Dariusz
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTThe aim of this review was to present and discuss current views on the treatment of condylar fractures (CFs). The authors addressed the following issues: the etiology, epidemiology and mechanisms of CFs; strategies and methods for the treatment of CFs. Moreover, the choice of surgical approach for the open treatment of CFs as well as techniques and materials used for fixation of CF are discussed.The PubMed database was used to search for relevant articles published between 2000 and 2018. The analysis referred to both original and review papers (including meta-analyses) that concerned adult patients. There are still differences in opinions among researchers regarding the choice of appropriate treatment – closed or open. There is no consensus among open treatment supporters in choosing the right surgical approach. The important question is which material to choose for osteosynthesis of the condylar fracture.Recent studies show satisfactory results in terms of stability of condylar osteosynthesis with the use of 3D plates. Further discussion is required on the choice of material for fixation of the condylar fracture and, in particular, on the possibility of using resorbable materials.
Intussusception of the small intestine – a rare cause of gastrointestinal obstruction in adults – case report
Authors: Lenda-Petrykowska Marzena , Kosiłowicz Szymon
Published: January 2020

Intestinal intussusception is most common in children. In adults, it is a relatively rare disorder. It usually occurs with a noticeable triggering factor: a lead point (LP).

The following is the case of a 36-year-old man admitted to the Department of General Surgery SPWSZ in Szczecin-Zdunowo due to pain in the abdomen caused by intussusception of the small intestine.
Rescue of diabetic foot from amputation – a case report
Authors: Żyluk Andrzej , Jagielski Wojciech
Published: January 2020

This study presents the case of a 52-year-old man with a 15-year history of insulin-dependent diabetes, who developed phlegmon of his right foot following an attempt to remove a corn. On admission, the patient presented symptoms of incipient sepsis. The treatment – wide incisions on the foot, evacuation of collected pus and necrotic debris, as well as antibiotic therapy – allowed for stabilization of the patient’s general condition. However, the local infection of the foot did not withdraw and the patient required repeated surgeries, including amputation of the toes and meta-tarsal bones. The infection progressed, spreading to the lateral ankle and the distal part of the calf. During the next operation, following incision and drainage of pus, the substance Stimulan, which aids in the liberation of antibiotics, was introduced to the wounds; this appeared to be effective and resulted in control of the infection. Soft tissue defects were repaired by local flap-plasty and split skin grafting. At the follow-up examination 6 months later, the patient displayed completely healed wounds, wore normal shoe on the affected foot, and walked without any support.
Reduced flow in the left ventricle after anterior acute myocardial infarction: a case control study using 4D flow MRI
Authors: Corrado Philip A , Macdonald Jacob A. , Francois Christopher J. , Aggarwal Niti R. , Weinsaft Jonathan W. , Wieben Oliver
Published: January 2020

Background : Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) alters left ventricular (LV) hemodynamics, resulting in decreased global LV ejection fraction and global LV kinetic energy. We hypothesize that anterior AMI effects localized alterations in LV flow and developed a regional approach to analyze these local changes with 4D flow MRI.
Methods : 4D flow cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) data was compared between 12 anterior AMI patients (11 males; 66±12yo; prospectively acquired in 2016-2017) and 19 healthy volunteers (10 males; 40±16yo; retrospective from 2010-2011 study). The LV cavity was contoured on short axis cine steady-state free procession CMR and partitioned into three regions: base, mid-ventricle, and apex. 4D flow data was registered to the short axis segmentation. Peak systolic and diastolic through-plane flows were compared region-by-region between groups using linear models of flow with age, sex, and heart rate as covariates.
Results : Peak systolic flow was reduced in anterior AMI subjects compared to controls in the LV mid-ventricle (fitted reduction = 3.9 L/min; P=0.01) and apex (fitted reduction = 1.4 L/min; P=0.02). Peak diastolic flow was also lower in anterior AMI subjects compared to controls in the apex (fitted reduction = 2.4 L/min; P=0.01).
Conclusions : A regional method to analyze 4D LV flow data was applied in anterior AMI patients and controls. Anterior AMI patients had reduced regional flow relative to controls.
Molecular genetic diversity and differentiation of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, L. 1758) in East African natural and stocked populations
Authors: Tibihika Papius Dias , Curto Manuel , Alemayehu Esayas , Waidbacher Herwig , Masembe Charles , Akoll Peter , Meimberg Harald
Published: January 2020

Background The need for enhancing the productivity of fisheries in Africa triggered the introduction of non-native fish, causing dramatic changes to local species. In East Africa, the extensive translocation of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the major factors in this respect. Using 40 microsatellite loci with SSR-GBS techniques, we amplified a total of 664 individuals to investigate the genetic structure of O. niloticus from East Africa in comparison to Ethiopian and Burkina Faso populations. Results All three African regions were characterized by independent gene-pools, however, the Ethiopian population from lake Tana showed to be more divergent than expected suggesting that it might be a different species. In East Africa, the genetic structure was congruent with both geographical location and anthropogenic activities. O. niloticus from Lake Turkana (Kenya) was isolated, while in Uganda, despite populations being rather similar to each other, two main natural catchments were able to be defined. We show that these two groups contributed to the gene-pool of different non-native populations. Moreover, admixture and possible hybridization with other tilapiine species may have contributed to the genetic divergence found in some populations such as Lake Victoria. We detected other factors that might be affecting Nile tilapia genetic variation. For example, most of the populations have gone through a reduction of genetic diversity, which can be a consequence of bottleneck caused by overfishing, genetic erosion due to fragmentation or founder effect resulting from stoking activities. Conclusions The anthropogenic activities particularly in the East African O. niloticus translocations, promoted admixture and contact with the native congenerics which may contribute to outbreeding depression and hence compromising the sustainability of the species in the region.
Toxicity of Povidone-Iodine to the Ocular Surface of Rabbits
Authors: Kim Sun Young , Ahn Yong Sun , Lee Yeo Jin , Kim Hyun Seung
Published: January 2020

Background : We evaluated the toxicity of 5% (w/v) povidone-iodine (PI) applied to the ocular surface of rabbits.
Methods: Twenty-three white rabbits were divided into four groups; these were a control group and three study groups in which the ocular surface was exposed to PI for different times. In control group, one drop of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was applied once for 10 minutes. In study groups, one drop of 5% (w/v) PI was topically applied once for 1 minute, 3 minutes, and 10 minutes, and then the animals were observed for 7 days. The Schirmer test, Rose Bengal staining, corneal fluorescein staining and conjunctival impression cytology were performed on day 0, 3, and 7. After 7 days, the rabbits were sacrificed and conjunctiva and cornea were collected and evaluated by light and electron microscope. Immunofluorescence staining was also performed to detect mucin 5 subtype AC (MUC5AC).
Results: The decrease in goblet cell density, reductions in MUC5AC level and histopathological and ultrastructural changes of conjunctiva and cornea were more prominent in the 5% (w/v) PI groups than the control group ( p < 0.05). Moreover, these changes were more prominent when PI was applied for 3 and 10 minutes rather than 1 minute (both p values < 0.05).
Conclusions: 5% (w/v) povidone-iodine caused damages to the ocular surface in a time-dependent manner. Therefore, we should be aware of that excessive PI exposure during ophthalmic procedures could be a pathogenic factor of dry eye syndrome after surgery.
Autologous plasma versus fetal calf serum as a supplement for the culture of neutrophils
Authors: Alipour Razieh , Fatemi Alimohammad , Alsahebfosul Fereshteh , Andalib Alireza , Pourazar Abbasali
Published: January 2020

Objective Currently the replacement of fetal calf serum (FCS) by a more suitable alternative is a sought aim in the field of tissue and cell culture research. Autologous plasma (AP) and especially autologous serum (AS) have been shown to be effective substitutes of FCS in culture media for some of cell types. Nevertheless, there is no comparative data on the most appropriate supplement for cell media in neutrophil studies, it is now unclear whether AP have relatively an equal, superior or inferior performance to FCS in neutrophil cell culture. In the present study, human blood neutrophils were isolated and cultured in FCS- or AP-supplemented medium. After 12, 36 and 60 hours of incubation, cell viability, oxidative burst and CD11b expression were determined by flow cytometry.Results Compared to the culture of neutrophils in FCS 10% medium, the culture of neutrophils in a medium with AP 10% could prolong their life span without affecting their function. The findings introduce AP as a better supplement for human neutrophil cell culture than FCS and propose a simple and economical procedure for neutrophil isolation and culture.
Use of SOPARC to assess physical activity in parks: do race/ethnicity, contextual conditions, and settings of the target area, affect reliability?
Authors: Marquet Oriol , Hipp J. Aaron , Alberico Claudia , Huang Jing-Huei , Fry Dustin , Mazak Elizabeth , Lovasi Gina S. , Floyd Myron F.
Published: January 2020

Background Since its introduction in 2006, SOPARC (Systematic Observation of Play and Recreation in Communities) has become a fundamental tool to quantify park visitor behaviors and characteristics. We tested SOPARC reliability when assessing race/ethnicity, physical activity, contextual conditions at the time of observation, and settings of target areas to understand its utility when trying to account for individual characteristics of users.Methods We used 4,725 SOPARC observations completed simultaneously by two independent observers to evaluate intraclass correlation and agreement rate between the two observers when trying to assess sex, age group, race/ethnicity, and level of physical activity of urban park users in different park settings. Observations were in 20 New York City parks during Spring and Summer 2017 within the PARC 3 project.Results Observers counted 25,765 park users with high interobserver reliability (ICC=.94; %Agreement.75). Reliability scores were negatively affected by the population being observed, the intensity of physical activity, and the contextual conditions and settings of the target area at the time of observation. Specific challenges emerged when assessing the combination of physical activity and race/ethnicity.Conclusions SOPARC training should aim to improve reliability when assessing concurrent measures such as physical activity, race/ethnicity, age, and sex. Similarly, observing crowded park areas with many active users areas may require more observation practice hours.
The transcriptomic signature of low aggression honey bees resembles a response to infection
Authors: Rittschof Clare C , Rubin Benjamin E.R. , Palmer Joseph H.
Published: January 2020

Background: Behavior reflects an organism's health status. Many organisms display a generalized suite of behaviors that indicate infection or predict infection susceptibility. We apply this concept to honey bee aggression, a behavior that has been associated with positive health outcomes in previous studies. We sequenced the transcriptomes of the brain, fat body, and midgut of adult sibling worker bees who developed as pre-adults in relatively high versus low aggression colonies. Previous studies showed that this pre-adult experience impacts both aggressive behavior and resilience to pesticides. We performed enrichment analyses on differentially expressed genes to determine whether variation in aggression resembles the molecular response to infection. We further assessed whether the transcriptomic signature of aggression in the brain is similar to the neuromolecular response to acute predator threat, exposure to a high-aggression environment as an adult, or adult behavioral maturation.
Results: Across all three tissues assessed, genes that are differentially expressed as a function of aggression significantly overlap with genes whose expression is modulated by a variety of pathogens and parasitic feeding. In the fat body, and to some degree the midgut, our data specifically support the hypothesis that low aggression resembles a diseased or parasitized state. However, we find little evidence of active infection in individuals from the low aggression group. We also find little evidence that the brain molecular signature of aggression is enriched for genes modulated by social cues that induce aggression in adults. However, we do find evidence that genes associated with adult behavioral maturation are enriched in our brain samples.
Conclusions: Results support the hypothesis that low aggression resembles a molecular state of infection. This pattern is most robust in the peripheral fat body, an immune responsive tissue in the honey bee. We find no evidence of acute infection in bees from the low aggression group, suggesting the physiological state characterizing low aggression may instead predispose bees to negative health outcomes when they are exposed to additional stressors. The similarity of molecular signatures associated with the seemingly disparate traits of aggression and disease suggests that these characteristics may, in fact, be intimately tied.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with postoperative inadequate analgesia after single-port VATS in Chinese population
Authors: Xing Xiufang , Bai Yongyu , Sun Kai , Yan Min
Published: January 2020

Background Postoperative inadequate analgesia following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a common and significant clinical problem. While genetic polymorphisms may play role in the variability of postoperative analgesia effect, few studies have evaluated the associations between genetic mutations and inadequate analgesia after single-port VATS.Methods Twenty-eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among 18 selected genes involved in pain perception and modulation were genotyped in 198 Chinese patients undergoing single-port VATS. The primary outcome was the occurrence of inadequate analgesia in the first night and morning after surgery which was defined by a comprehensive postoperative evaluation. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the association between genetic variations and postoperative inadequate analgesia.Results The prevalence of postoperative inadequate analgesia was 45.5% in the present study. After controlling for age and education level, association with inadequate analgesia was observed in four SNPs among three genes encoding voltage-gated sodium channels. Patients with the minor allele of rs33985936 ( SCN11A ), rs6795970 ( SCN10A ), and 3312G>T ( SCN9A ) have an increased risk of suffering from inadequate analgesia. While the patients carrying the minor allele of rs11709492 ( SCN11A ) have lower risk experiencing inadequate analgesia.Conclusions We identified that SNPs in SCN9A , SCN10A , and SCN11A play a role in the postoperative inadequate analgesia after single-port VATS. Although future larger and long-term follow up studies are warranted to confirm our findings, the results of the current study may be utilized as predictors for forecasting postoperative analgesic effect for patients receiving this type of surgery.
Single-Stage Repair of Contaminated Hernias Using a Novel Antibiotic-Impregnated Biologic Porcine Submucosa Tissue Matrix
Authors: minor samuel fulton , Brown Carl J , Rooney Paul S , hodde jason p , julien lisa , Scott Tracy M , Karimuddin Ahmer A , Raval Manoj J , Phang Terry P
Published: January 2020

Background
Single-stage repair of incisional hernias in contaminated fields has a high rate of surgical site infection (30-42%) when biologic grafts are used for repair. In an attempt to decrease this risk, a novel graft incorporating gentamicin into a biologic extracellular matrix derived from porcine small intestine submucosa was developed.

Methods
This prospective, multicenter, single-arm study was designed to determine the incidence of surgical site infection following implantation of the device into surgical fields characterized as CDC Class II, III, or IV.

Results
Twenty-four patients were enrolled, with 42% contaminated and 25% dirty surgical fields. After 12 months, 5 patients experienced 6 surgical site infections (21%) with infection involving the graft in 2 patients (8%). No grafts were explanted.

Conclusions
The incorporation of gentamicin into a porcine-derived biologic graft is feasible and safe with a low rate of device infection for patients undergoing single-stage repair of ventral hernia in contaminated settings.

Trial Registration
The study was registered March 27, 2015 at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02401334.

Keywords

Hernia repair; graft; abdominal wall reconstruction; contamination
Breast self-examination and associated factors among women in Wolaita sodo city, Ethiopia: Community based cross sectional study
Authors: Lera Temesgen Abiso , Beyene Aman , Bekele Befekadu , Abreha Solomon
Published: January 2020

Background: Early detection of breast cancer plays an important role in decreasing morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer. Breast self-examination (BSE) is one of the screening methods for early detection of breast cancer. BSE involves the woman herself looking at and feeling each breast for possible lumps, distortions or swelling. BSE is a simple exercise which can potentially save the life of a woman but it is not well focused yet. So, this study was aimed to assess breast Self-Examination and associated factors among women in Wolaita Sodo city, Ethiopia. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study design was employed. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 626 women aged 20-65 years old. The data were collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaire. The data was entered using Epi data version 3.5.1 and exported to SPSS version 21 software for statistical analysis. Bivariable and multiple logistic regression analysis were done.Variables with P-value less than 0.05 were considered as statically significant. Results: A total of 629 women were included in the study. More than half (60.9%) of the participants were in the age range of 20-29 years. Women who had mentioned BSE as method for early detection of breast problem were 6.36 times (AOR: 6.36, 95% CI :( 3.72, 10.71) more likely to perform BSE than those who say that they don’t know any method. Women breast feed 13-24 months were 2.43 times AOR: 2.43, 95% CI :( 1.28, 4.59) more likely to examine their breast than those who breast feed different duration. Employed women were 3.13 times more likely AOR: 3.13 95% CI :( 1.14, 8.58) to practice BSE than women not employed. Likewise being student was 3.73 times AOR: 3.73, 95% CI (1.19, 11.73) more likely to perform BSE than others. Conclusion: The finding of this study showed that women’s practice of breast self-examination is relatively low. Knowledge of BSE, breast feeding 13-24 months, being employed and being student were factors affecting performing breast self-examination. Therefore, educating girls and increasing awareness on electronics media is important.
Genetic segregation for male body coloration and female mate preference in the guppy
Authors: Sato Aya , Kawata Masakado
Published: January 2020

Objective The purpose of this study was to segregate the genetic lines responsible for the orange area of coloration in males and the response to orange coloration exhibited by females in the guppy ( Poecilia reticulata ) through artificial selection. This study is part of a project that uses QTL-seq to search for candidate genes involved in male orange coloration and female response to male coloration. We created two lines: high-selected lines of males having large areas of orange spots and of females with high response to male orange coloration; and low-selected lines of males having small areas of orange spots and of females with low response to male orange coloration.Results The male orange area and the female response became significantly different between high- and low-selected lines after three generations of artificial selection. This indicates that the differences in the frequencies of alleles at loci affecting the orange area and the female response between the lines increased over the generations through selection.
The Importance of Stroke as a Risk Factor of Cognitive Decline in Community Dwelling Older and Oldest peoples : The SONIC Study
Authors: Srithum Werayuth , Kabayama Mai , Gondo Yasuyuki , Masui Yukie , Akagi Yuya , Klinpudtan Nonglak , Kiyoshige Eri , Godai Kayo , Sugimoto Ken , Akasaka Hiroshi , Takami Yoichi , Takeya Yasushi , Yamamoto Koichi , Ikebe Kazunori , Ogawa Madoka , Inagaki Hiroki , Ishizaki Tatsuro , Arai Yasumichi , Rakugi Hiromi , Kamide Kei
Published: January 2020

Background: Increasing older people make a cognitive impairment is a major health concerns among older and oldest people. Moreover, the stroke is a relevant contribution for cognitive decline and development of dementia.The study of cognitive decline focused on stroke as the important risk factor by recruiting older and oldest still lagging behind. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the importance of stroke as a risk factor of cognitive decline during three years in community dwelling older and oldest people.
Methods: This study was longitudinal study with a 3-year follow-up in Japan.The participants were1,333community dwelling older and oldest people (70 years old = 675, 80 years old = 589, and 90 years old = 69). Data collected included basic data (age, sex, and history of stroke), vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, atrial fibrillation, and current smoking), and social factors (educational level, frequency of going outdoors, long-term care (LTC) service used, and residential area). The Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J) was decline of ≥ 2 points was defined as cognitive decline. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between stroke and other risk factors with cognitive decline during a 3-year follow-up.
Results: The fit of the hypothesized model by multiple logistic regression showed that a history of stroke, advanced age, and greater MoCA-J score at the baseline were important risk factors, while the presence of dyslipidemia and a higher educational level were protective factors that were significantly correlated with cognitive decline during the 3-year follow-up.
Conclusions: The cognitive decline after the 3-year follow-up was influenced by the history of stroke and advanced age, while greater MoCA-J score at the baseline was associated with decline of the score after 3-year, but it was not supposed to be risk.The protective factors were the presence of dyslipidemia and a higher educational level. Therefore, these factors are considered important and should be taken into consideration when searching for creative solutions to prevent cognitive decline after stroke in community dwelling older and oldest people.
Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and risk of frailty among Chinese community-based oldest-old: evidence from CLHLS study
Authors: Xiao Qi , Wu Meiliyang , Cui Jinrui , Yuan Mengmei , Chen Ye , Zeng Tieying
Published: January 2020

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to risk of frailty. However, there are limited data for evaluating the potential association of Vitamin D with frailty in a longevous (80+) population. The aim of this study was to examine the association between plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level and risk of frailty among Chinese oldest-old in the communities.
Methods: Secondary analysis of data compiled by the 2011 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (n=1324) was extracted. Frailty was assessed by the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF) index. Multivariate logistic regression and spine smoothing with threshold effect analysis were performed to investigate the association between 25(OH)D level and risk of frailty after adjusting for socio-demographic variables, health characteristics and confounding biomarkers.
Results: The mean age was 92.89 ± 7.92 years, and 844(63.7%) of participants were women. In all, 426 (33.2%, 95% confidence interval, CI: 29.66-34.69) frail participants were recorded . After adjustment for confounding covariates, the level of 25(OH)D was significantly related to frailty. By the spline smoothing with threshold effect analysis, a monotonically negative association between 25(OH)D and frailty was identified. Subgroup analyses revealed that the association did not differ by gender and age.
Conclusions : 25(OH)D level was inversely associated with the risk of frailty among the Chinese community-based oldest-old.
Objective evaluation of postoperative changes in real-life activity levels in the postoperative course of lumbar spinal surgery using wearable trackers
Authors: Inoue Masahiro , Orita Sumihis , Inage Kazuhide , Suzuki Miyako , Fujimoto Kazuki , Shiga Yasuhiro , Kanamoto Hirohito , Abe Koki , Kinoshita Hideyuki , Norimoto Masaki , Umimura Tomotaka , Sato Takashi , Sato Masashi , Suzuki Masahiro , Enomoto Keigo , Eguchi Yawara , Akazawa Tsutomu , Aoki Yasuchika , Kawasaki Yohei , Ohtori Seiji
Published: January 2020

Background: Lumbar spinal disease causes disabilities in performing daily activities. Operative treatments are aimed at pain relief and rapid return to routine activity. Patient-based outcome measures are used to evaluate pathologies and therapeutic effects associated with lumbar spinal disease. However, it remains unknown how much such treatment improves the activity levels. The purpose of current study was to evaluate the changes in activity levels before and after lumbar spinal surgery using a wearable activity tracker and to compare the relationship between the results and the patient-based outcomes. Methods: Sixty patients who underwent lumbar surgery were studied. The physical activity of participants was objectively evaluated using a wearable Micro-Motion logger system (Actigraph). We measured the amount of activity before and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the surgery to evaluate postoperative changes. Additionally, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and Visual analog scale were used to assess patient-based outcomes of pain and ADL-related scores and the corresponding relationships with the actual activity levels were evaluated. Results: The amount of actual activity decreased significantly 1 month after the surgery compared to that during the preoperative period, which then improved after 3 months postoperatively (p < 0.01). Furthermore, there was a significant improvement 6 months after the surgery compared to that during the preoperative period (p < 0.05). Moreover, the change in activity amount for each period was strongly correlated, regardless of the period. In contrast, a significant improvement was observed at 1 month after the surgery in almost all items of the patient-based questionnaires (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The objective activity tracker demonstrated that lumbar surgery results in the amount of activity decreasing 1 month just after surgery followed by gradual postoperative recovery within 3 months. In contrast, patient-based outcomes showed improvement in 1 month, which was significantly different from the change in actual activity, indicating the gap between the patient-oriented clinical score and their actual activities.
Prevalence of Myopia and Vision Impairment in School Students in Eastern China
Authors: wang jianyong , Ying Gui-shuang , Fu Xiaojin , Zhang Ronghua , Meng Jia , Gu Fang , Li Juanjuan
Published: January 2020

Background: Prevention of myopia has become a public health priority in China. This study is to investigate the prevalence of myopia and vision impairment, and their associated factors in school students in eastern China.

Method: In this cross-sectional school-based study of 4801 students from 16 schools ranging from kindergarten to high school, students underwent refraction using non-cycloplegic autorefractor and visual acuity testing using logMAR chart with tumbling E. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent (SPHE) ≤ -0.5 diopter (D) and uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) 20/25 or worse. High myopia was defined as SPHE ≤ -6.0 D and UCVA 20/25 or worse. Vision impairment was defined as UCVA 20/40 or worse. Logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with myopia and vision impairment.

Results: Among 4801 children (55% male) with mean age (standard deviation) 12.3 (3.8) years, 3030 (63.1%, 95% CI: 61.7-64.5%) had myopia, 452 (9.4%, 95% CI: 8.6-10.3%) had high myopia, and 2644 (55.1%, 95% CI: 53.7-56.5%) had vision impairment. The prevalence rate of myopia increased with grade in a non-linear manner, 12% in kindergarten, 32% in grade 2, 69% in grade 5, and approximately 90% by grade 10 or above. The prevalence rate of high myopia was relatively low in grade 4 or below (<1.5%), 4-7% in grade 5 to 7, 13-15% in grade 8-9, and >20% in grade 10 to 12. The prevalence rate of vision impairment was 4% in kindergarten, 37% in elementary school, 77% in middle school and 87% in high school students. Higher grade (p<0.0001), female (p<0.0001) and higher school workload (p=0.007) were independently associated with higher prevalence rates of myopia and vision impairment, while higher grade (p<0.0001) and higher school workload (p<0.0001) were independently associated with higher prevalence of high myopia.

Conclusion: Prevalence of myopia and vision impairment was high among Chinese school students and increased with grade in a non-linear manner, reaching alarming high in high school students accompanied by high prevalence of high myopia. Increasing study burden on school students at younger age plays an important role on the higher prevalence rate of myopia and vision impairment.
Does urethral length affect continence outcomes following robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP)?
Authors: Lin Diwei , O'Callaghan Michael E , David Rowan , Fuller Andrew , Wells Richard , Sutherland Peter , Foreman Darren
Published: January 2020

Background: Post-operative urinary incontinence is a significant concern for patients choosing to undergo a radical prostatectomy (RP) for treatment of prostate cancer. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of pre-operative MUL on 12 month continence outcomes in men having robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP).
Methods: We use the South Australian Prostate Cancer Clinical Outcomes Collaborative (SA-PCCOC) database, to identify 602 patients who had undergone RALP by a high volume surgeon. Only patients who received an assessment and education by a specialist pelvic floor physiotherapist, had completed EPIC questionnaires before treatment and did not have radiotherapy treatment within 12 months of surgery were included. MUL measurements were taken from pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The short-form version of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-26) was used to measure continence outcomes. Continence was defined as 100/100 in the EPIC-26 Urinary Continence domain score.
Results: The observed median MUL in this study was 14.6mm. There was no association between MUL and baseline continence. MUL was associated with continence at 12 months post RALP (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.03-1.21, p=0.0098). In men who were continent before surgery, MUL was associated with return to continence at 12 months after RALP (OR 1.15, 1.05-1.28, p=0.006). MUL was also associated with change in continence after surgery (β=1.22, p=0.002).
Conclusions: MUL had no effect on baseline continence but had a positive and significant association with continence outcomes over 12 months post RALP.
Antibiotics stewardship in Ghana: a cross-sectional study of public knowledge, attitudes, and practices
Authors: Jimah Tamara , Fenny Ama P. , Ogunseitan Oladele
Published: January 2020

Background Antibiotic resistance is a major contributing factor to global morbidity and mortality and is associated with inappropriate medication use. However, the level of antibiotic consumption and knowledge about antibiotic resistance in Ghana is inadequately quantified. Our study identifies strategies for improved stewardship of antibiotics to prevent the proliferation of resistant pathogens by assessing the level of antibiotic knowledge, attitudes, and consumption behaviors by region, gender, age, and education in rural and urban Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 communities in the urban Greater Accra and rural Upper West regions of Ghana. A questionnaire survey was administered to 400 individuals aged 18 years and older in selected locations during September-October 2018 to gather data on individual knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. Multivariate analysis was used to investigate the association between demographic characteristics and knowledge, attitudes, and related behaviors. Results Over 30% (125/400) had not received a doctor’s prescription during their last illness. Seventy percent (278/400) had taken at least one antibiotic in the year prior to the survey. The top five frequently used antibiotics were Amoxicillin , Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid , Ampicillin , Ciprofloxacin , and Metronidazole . Women and older adults had higher knowledge compared to their respective counterparts (p<0.01). Furthermore, prudent antibiotic use was significantly more prevalent in women than men (p<0.05). Although no regional differences were found in overall knowledge, compared to urban residents, individuals residing in rural settings exhibited higher knowledge about the ineffectiveness of antibiotics for viruses like the cold and HIV/AIDS (p<0.001). Two hundred and fifty-two (63%) respondents were unaware of antibiotic resistance. There was generally a low level of self-efficacy among participants regarding their role in preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics. Conclusion Antibiotic knowledge, attitudes, and use varied significantly across demographics, suggesting a context-specific approach to developing effective community interventions.
Mild Encephalitis/Encephalopathy with Reversible Splenial Lesion (MERS) due to Acute Intermittent Porphyria with a novel mutation in the porphobinoglien deaminase gene
Authors: li xiaoqing , han fei , chen qianlong , zhu tienan , zhao yongqiang , yu xuezhong , zhu huadong , cao jian , yang jing
Published: January 2020

Background: Mild encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) is a clinico-radiological syndrome characterized by a reversible isolated lesion with transiently reduced diffusion in the central portion of the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC). The reason for MERS is unknown. however, infectious-related MERS (in particular virus) remains the most common cause of reversible splenial lesions. Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a partial deficiency of porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD), the third enzyme in the of hemebiosynthetic pathway. It can affect the autonomic, peripheral, and central nervous system. Result: In this study, we report a 20-year-old woman with AIP who presented with MR manifestations suggestive of MERS, she had a novel PBGD splicing mutation, a G to A mutation in base 594 resulting in tryptophan to a stop codon (W198*). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is only one published case of MERS associated with AIP.
Transcriptome profiling provides new insights into florets number difference of inflorescence in lavandula angustifolia﻿
Authors: hao haiping , zhu xiao pei , Li Hui , Gong Jian , Farooq Amjad , Shi Lei
Published: January 2020

Background Lavender flowers essential oil had been for a variety of therapeutic and cosmetic purposes, and had been popular for centuries. The previous studies of lavender mainly focused on essential oil composition and extraction methods, ignoring the factors which affected the production of essential oils, such as the floret number. This study aims to get a deeper insight into florets number difference mechanism. Results Hormone profile showed positive correlation between ABA content and the number of florets while IAA was negatively correlated. RNA-Seq results showed that 2848 differentially expressed genes screened by comparing different florets samples in one plant. By analyzing dynamic changes of differentially expressed genes, many potentially interesting genes were identified that encoded putative regulators or key components of ABA metabolism and signaling transduction, such as NCED, PYL, PP2C, SnRK2. These genes were highlighted to reveal their importance in regulation of florets numbers. Conclusions 1. The different ABA concentrations lead to florets difference in the Lavandula angustifolia “JX-2” clusters; 2. ABA may affect the florets number by regulating IAA transport and accumulation. The results will be useful for a better understanding of the molecular mechanism on florets number difference that could be laid the foundation for molecular breeding of muti-flortes varieties.
Comparison of transversus abdominis plan block and quadratus lumborum block for postoerative pain control following laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Kacan Merve , Gulec Handan , kosar berrin , ilhan seda , Horasanli Eyup
Published: January 2020

BackgroundTo compare Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB) and Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) blocks for postoperative pain control following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Study and Design Prospective randomized head-to-head clinical trial. Methods A total of 60 patients who were set to undergo elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly separated into two groups. QLB was preoperatively applied to 30 patients and TAP block was also applied to 30 patients. A record was made of the intraoperative additional fentanyl dose, and at postoperative 0-1-2-4-6-12-24 hours, records were made of cumulative morphine consumption, number of morphine requests, VAS values, shoulder pain, heartrate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, SpO2, sedation score (Ramsey scale), itching, nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression, and other complications.Results In the examination of intraoperative additional fentanyl use, there was no requirement for additional fentanyl in 86.7% of the QLB group, while in 60% of the TAP group, there was seen to be at least one dose of additional fentanyl required. At all timepoints between 0 and 24 hours postoperatively, the cumulative morphine requests and morphine consumption values were significantly lower in the QLB group than in the TAP group. No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups with respect to nausea, vomiting, sedation, and itching as morphine-related side effects.Conclusion Morphine consumption was significantly lower in patients who underwent QLB procedure at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours compared to the TAP group. In general, effective analgesia was provided by both methods, but more effective analgesia was determined to have been provided in the QLB group compared to the TAP group, and thus QLB can be preferable to TAP.
Cell-division pattern and phylogenetic position of a new ciliate genus Parasincirra n. g. (Protista, Ciliophora, Hypotrichia), with report of a new soil species, P. sinica n. sp. found from northwest China
Authors: Shao Chen , Ma Jiyang , Zhao Yan , Zhang Tengyue , Al-Rasheid Khaled A.S. , Song Weibo
Published: January 2020

Background: Ciliated species, unicellular eukaryotes, are extremely diverse and occupy a very broad spectrum of ecological niches. Even though there is a growing recognition that enormous ciliates associates with key ecosystem processes in different niches, their diversity is not well understood. One reason is that ciliates are very tiny and may often be overlooked in routine biodiversity survey. Furthermore, the morphological and genetic diversity of ciliates per se is vast and dwarfs that among other multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present the study of a new stichotrichid ciliate, Parasincirra sinica n. g., n. sp. based on classical living morphology, infraciliature, ontogenesis analyses and a comprehensive phylogenetic study, and enhance understanding of ciliates diversity in sludge soil.Results: This new, monotypic genus is defined by having a bipartite adoral zone of membranelles, three frontal cirri, an amphisiellid median cirral row about as long as, or slightly longer than, the adoral zone, one short frontoventral cirral row, cirrus III/2 and transverse cirri present, buccal cirrus and caudal cirri absent, one right and one left marginal row and three dorsal kineties. The main morphogenetic features of the new taxon are: (1) five frontoventral-transverse cirral anlagen (excluding undulating membranes anlage) are formed in primary mode; (2) the amphisiellid median cirral row is formed by anlagen V and VI, while the frontoventral row is generated from anlage IV; (3) cirral streaks IV to VI generate one transverse cirrus each; (4) frontoventral-transverse cirral anlage II generates one or two cirri, while the posterior one will be absorbed in late stages, that is, no buccal cirrus is formed; (5) the posterior part of the parental adoral zone of membranelles is renewed; (6) dorsal morphogenesis follows a typical Gonostomum-pattern; and (7) the macronuclear nodules fuse to form a single mass. Based on the SSU rDNA information, analyses of the phylogenetic relationship inferred from Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses were unable to outline the exact position of this new form among some other species of related genera which are generally assigned in the family Amphisiellida. The morphological/ morphogenetical differences between the new genus/species and Uroleptoides/ Parabistichella, as well as other amphisiellids, clearly support the validity of the establishment of this new genus Parasincirra.
Effect of a novel alpha/beta hydrolase domain protein on tolerance of K. marxianus to lignocellulosic biomass derived inhibitors
Authors: Wu Dan , Wang Dongmei , Hong Jiong
Published: January 2020

Background: Lignocellulosic biomass is a promising renewable and sustainable resource for biofuels and chemicals. However, the inhibitors generated during lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment hinder microbial growth and interfere with fermentation. Studies on the tolerance to inhibitors, especially multiple inhibitors, are important in the construction of robust strains that can utilize lignocellulosic biomass. Results: The expression of an uncharted α/β hydrolase (ABHD) from Kluyveromyces marxianus was found to be up-regulated in the presence of single or multiple inhibitors; this enzyme was termed KmYME in this study. Disruption of KmYME made the yeast more susceptible to inhibitors, particularly to acetic acid, furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. KmYME was located in the mitoplast of mitochondria with targeting signals in the N-terminal 1-40 amino acid residues. Under inhibitor stress, the intracellular concentration of ATP, NAD(P) in the KmYME disrupted strain decreased. In addition, the KmYME disrupted strain lost more mitochondrial membrane potential, showed increased plasma membrane permeability, a more severe redox imbalance, and increased ROS accumulation, compared with those of the non-disrupted strain in the presence of the same inhibitors. The recombinant KmYME possessed esterase/thioesterase activity and preferred short-chain pNP aliphatic esters, long-chain acyl-CoA, and succinyl-CoA as substrates. The retro-complementation results indicated that the enzymatic activity of KmYME was necessary for the resistance to inhibitors. In addition, KmYME was also required for the resistance to other stresses including ethanol, temperature, and osmotic pressure. Disruption of two possible homologous genes in S. cerevisiae also reduced its tolerance to inhibitors. Conclusion: As an uncharted α/β hydrolase, KmYME which had esterase/thioesterase activity and located in mitochondrial matrix was identified for the first time. The esterase/thioesterase activity was necessary for the tolerance to lignocellulosic biomass derived inhibitors in K. marxianus. Disruption of KmYME reduced the tolerance to inhibitors by interfering with ATP, NAD and NADP synthesis. KmYME also correlated with tolerance to other stresses such as osmotic, ethanol, and temperature. This study may provide useful information for better understanding the resistance mechanism of multiple inhibitors, which is important in the creation of a robust strain for industrial fermentation that can use cellulosic biomass as substrate.