bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Retrospective Descriptive Analysis of Non-physician-performed Prehospital Endotracheal Intubation Practices and Performance in South Africa
Authors: Wylie Craig Alexander , Araie Farzana , Hendrikse Clint , Burke Jan , Joubert Ivan , Hardy Anneli , Stassen Willem
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Prehospital advanced airway management (PHAAM), including endotracheal intubation (ETI), is one of the most commonly performed advanced life support skills. In South Africa, prehospital ETI is performed by non-physician prehospital providers. This practice has recently come under immense international scrutiny due to lower first pass (FPS) and overall success rates, a high incidence of adverse events (AEs), and limited data regarding the impact of ETI on mortality. The aim of this study was to describe non-physician ETI in a South African national sample in terms of patient demographics, indications for intubation, means of intubation and success rates. A secondary aim was to determine what factors were predictive of first pass success. Methods: This study was a retrospective chart review of prehospital ETIs performed by non-physician prehospital providers, between the periods of 01 January 2017 to 31 December 2017. Two national private Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and one provincial public EMS were sampled. Data was analysed descriptively and summarised. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the effect of demographics, clinical factors, and risk and aggravating factors for difficult intubation on the likelihood of FPS. Results: A total of 926 cases were included. The majority of cases were adults (n=781, 84.3%) and male (n=553, 57.6%). The most common pathologies requiring emergency treatment were head injury, including traumatic brain injury (TBI, n=328, 35.4%), followed by cardiac arrest (n=204, 22.0%). The mean time on scene was 46 minutes (SD = 28.3). The most cited indication for intubation was decreased level of consciousness (n=515, 55.6%), followed by cardiac arrest (n=242, 26.9%) and ineffective ventilation (n=96, 10.4%). RSI (n=344, 37.2%) was the most common approach. The FPS rate was 75.3%, with an overall success rate of 95.7%. Intubation failed in 33 (3.6%) patients. The need for ventilation was inversely associated with FPS (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.20 - 0.88, p=0.02); while deep sedation (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.36 - 0.88, p=0.13) and no drugs (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.25 - 0.90, p=0.02) compared to RSI was less likely to result in FPS. Increased scene time (OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.985 - 0.997, p<0.01) was inversely associated FPS. Conclusion: In this sample of ground-based EMS non-physician ETI, we found success rates similar to those reported in the literature. More research is needed to determine AE rates and the impact of ETI on patient outcome. There is an urgent need to standardise PHAAM reporting in South Africa.
Materials demand for electricity in climate mitigation scenarios
Authors: Wang Seaver , Hausfather Zeke , Davis Steven , Lloyd Juzel , Olson Erik , Liebermann Lauren , McBride Jameson
Published: February 2022

Achieving global climate and energy goals will require prodigious increases in non-emitting electricity generation, raising concerns about the scale of materials needed and associated environmental impacts. Here, we estimate power sector demand for materials and related carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2eq) emissions from 2020-2050 across different climate-energy scenarios and compare these figures to material geological reserves and carbon budgets. We find that demand increases but cumulatively does not exceed current geological reserves. However, annual production of materials including neodymium (Nd), dysprosium (Dy), tellurium (Te), fiberglass, and solar-grade polysilicon may need to grow considerably. Cumulative CO2 emissions related to materials for electricity infrastructure may be substantial (4-29 Gt CO2eq in 1.5°C scenarios) but constitute a small share of global carbon budgets (1-9% of a 320 Gt CO2eq 1.5°C 66% avoidance budget). Our results highlight how power sector decarbonization will mobilize large quantities of materials, likely necessitating continued development of existing and new mineral resources.
Effect of Ventilation Quantity on Electron Transfer Capacity and Spectral Characteristics of Humic Substances During Sludge Composting
Authors: Tan Zhihan , Zhu Hongxiang , He Xiaosong , Xi Beidou , Tian Yuxin , Sun Xiaojie , Zhang Hongxia , Ouche Quanyi
Published: February 2022

Humic substances (HSs) plays an important role in the degradation of organic pollutants and the passivation of heavy metals in soil, and their environmental effects are closely related to their electron transfer capacity (ETC). However, the effect of ventilation quantity on ETC of compost-derived HA is unclear. In this study, HS was extracted from compost with different ventilation quantities (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 L kg−1 dry matter (DM) min−1, denoted as VQ1, VQ2, and VQ3, respectively) and divided into humic acids (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs). Their ETC and electron recycling rate (ERR) were measured by electrochemical method. The structure and composition of HS and its evolution in composting process were analyzed by excitation–emission matrix spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry. The influence of HS composition characteristics on ETC and ERR was investigated by correlation analysis. Results showed that the increase in the ventilation quantity did not change the composition structure of HS, but it affected the formation of HS. With the composting process, the electron donating capacity (EDC), electron accepting capacity (EAC), ETC, and ERR of the three piles VQ1, VQ2, and VQ3 showed an increasing trend. By contrast, the pile VQ2 with ventilation quantity of 0.2 L kg−1 DM min−1 enhanced EAC, ETC, and ERR of HA and FA mainly because of the accelerating consumption of lignin, protein-like, and aliphatic substances and the generation of aromatic and fulvic-like substances. Such transformation improved the humification degree. Correlation analysis showed that EDC, ETC, and ERR were correlated with the generation of FA, and EAC was correlated with the generation of HA.
Clinical Features and Treatment Outcome of Wrist Tuberculosis in Adult- A Retrospective Study of 84 Consecutive Cases with Minimum of 2 Years Follow Up
Authors: Yushan Maimaiaili , Yalikun Ainizier , Hamiti Yimurang , Lu Cheng , Yusufu Aihemaitijiang
Published: February 2022

Background
Wrist tuberculosis (TB) is a rare disease which may result in residual deformity, pain or stiffness even after proper antitubercular chemotherapy (ATT) and surgical intervention. The aim of our study is to present clinical features and functional outcome of wrist TB in a consecutive series of 84 adult patients with a minimum of 2 years follow up.
Methods
Clinical feature and treatment outcomes of 84 consecutive adult patients with wrist TB from January 2003 to June 2018 includes 45 men and 39 women, with a mean age of 46.8 years (18–84) were retrospectively analyzed. Data were collected on participant’s demographic details. The primary outcome measures were QuickDASH score, grip strength, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and PRWHE. Secondary outcomes include health related quality of life was evaluated using the EuroQol five-dimension five-level (EQ-5D-5L) ,assessment and postoperative complications of patients underwent operation were also recorded.
Results
All 84 patients with an average follow up of 50.8 (24–105) months. The mean duration of symptoms before treatment was 10.5 months (2–21 ). There were 27 patients with bony and 57 with primarily soft-tissue involvement based on preoperative evaluation of plain radiographies and MRI. 33 patients were treated with ATT and 51 patients were treated with surgical treatment combined with ATT.Among them, 13 patients (15.5%) underwent incision and decompression, 14 patients (16.7%) underwent wrist synovectomy, 13 patients (15.5%) underwent wrist joint fusion by plate fixation, and 11 patients (13.1%) underwent wrist joint fusion by external fixation. At last clinical visit, the QuickDASH, PRWHE score of all patients decreased significantly, the VAS, EQ-5D-5L utility index, EQ-VAS score increased remarkably, and the grip strength improved significantly. All patients indicated good wrist recovery at last follow up, and the treatment described above achieved satisfactory clinical outcomes.
Conclusion
The onset of wrist TB is insidious; early diagnosis, good patient compliance, and surgery combined with ATT are crucial steps for treatment of wrist TB, and also essential for the patient's postoperative recovery. Wrist arthrodesis has achieved satisfactory results in the treatment of severe wrist TB.
Is increased dose of triamcinolone for lumbar medial branch block associated with superior efficacy?
Authors: Park Sukhee , Choi Su Il , Kim Young Uk
Published: February 2022

Background: Although the beneficial effects of steroids for lumbar medial branch block (LMBB) have been demonstrated, there are no guidelines for selecting an appropriate steroid dose for LMBB. The study objective is to retrospectively compare the analgesic effect of different doses of triamcinolone in combination with local anesthetics to determine the lowest possible dose of triamcinolone for lumbar medial branch block in lumbar facet joint pain.Methods: A total of 223 patients with clinical features of lumbar facet joint syndrome who underwent LMBB were retrospectively divided into 3 groups according to the triamcinolone doses, (1) 10-mg triamcinolone (T10 group, n = 121); (2) 20-mg triamcinolone (T20 group, n = 87); (3) 40-mg triamcinolone (T40 group, n = 15). The outcome measurements were the numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores, the 7-point Likert satisfaction scale, and the proportion of responder (reduction in NRS pain score > 50% or 7-point Likert scale of ≥ 6) at 2nd visit after lumbar medial branch block. Results: The change in NRS pain score at 2nd visit (25.6 ± 14.0 days) after LMBB showed no statistical difference between the three groups. The 7-point Likert scale at 2nd visit after the LMBB also did not show significant difference between the three groups. The proportion of responder was comparable among groups.Conclusions: The increased dose of triamcinolone for LMBB did not show superior analgesic efficacy.
Postpartum depression: relation with plasma vasopressin at 6-8 weeks postpartum: a longitudinal correlational study
Authors: Ziaei Saeideh , Kashkouli Masoumeh , Sadatmahalleh Shahideh Jahanian , Kazemnejad Anoshirvan , Saber Ashraf , Darvishnia Hamid , Azarbayjani Khadijeh
Published: February 2022

Background: Postpartum depression is the most important postpartum mood disorder due to its significant effects on infant and family health. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been suggested as a hormonal agent involved in depression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma concentrations of AVP and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score.Methods: This longitudinal correlational study was conducted in 2016-2017 in Darehshahr Township, Ilam Province, Iran. In the first phase, 303 pregnant women who were at 38 weeks, met the inclusion criteria, and were not depressed (according to their Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores) were included in the study. In the 6-8 weeks’ postpartum follow-up, using the Edinburgh questionnaire, 31 depressed individuals were diagnosed and referred to a psychiatrist for confirmation. The maternal venous blood samples of 24 depressed individuals who still met the inclusion criteria and 66 randomly selected non-depressed subjects was obtained by the researchers to measure AVP plasma concentrations with ELISA assay. Results: The mean plasma concentration of AVP was significantly higher in the depressed group (41.35±13.75 ng/ml) than in the non-depressed group (26.01±7.83 ng/ml) (P<0.001). In a multiple logistic regression model for various parameters, increased Vassopressin levels were associated with increased odds of postpartum depression (OR=1.15, 95% CI=1.07–1.24, P=0.000). Furthermore, multiparity (OR=5.45, 95% CI=1.21-24.43, P=0.027) and no exclusive breastfeeding (OR=13.06, 95% CI=1.36–125, P=0.026) associated with increased odds of postpartum depression. Gender preference (having a baby non-desired and desired sex) decreased odds of postpartum depression (OR=0.13, 95% CI=0.02-0.79, P=0.027 and OR=0.08, 95% CI=0.01-0.5, P=0.007).Conclusion: AVP may be a contributor to clinical postpartum depression by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Furthermore, primiparous women had significantly lower EPDS scores.
Different bimodal neuromodulation settings reduce tinnitus symptoms in a large randomized trial
Authors: Lim Hubert H. , Conlon Brendan , Hamilton Caroline , Meade Emma , Leong Sook Ling , O'Connor Ciara , Langguth Berthold , Vanneste Sven , Hall Deborah A. , Hughes Stephen
Published: February 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
“You can’t do that; they’ll throw the cooking pot at you!” A qualitative study of healthcare providers’ attitudes toward assisted partner notification for people with HIV in Indonesia
Authors: Levy Judith A. , Earnshaw Valerie A. , Milanti Ariesta , Waluyo Agung , Culbert Gabriel John
Published: February 2022

Assisted partner notification (APN) is recommended as a public health strategy to increase HIV testing in people exposed to HIV. Yet its adoption globally remains at an early stage. This qualitative study sought the opinions of HIV health service providers regarding the appropriateness and feasibility of implementing APN in Indonesia where such services are on the cusp of adoption. Focus group discussions were held with 40 health service providers to consider APN as an innovative concept and to share their reactions regarding its potential implementation in Indonesia. Voice-recorded discussions were conducted in Bahasa, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed. Participants recognized APN’s potential in contacting and informing the partners of HIV-positive clients of possible viral exposure. They also perceived APN’s value as a client-driven service permitting clients to select which of three partner notification methods would work best for them across differing partner relationships and settings. Nonetheless, participants also identified personal and health system challenges that could impede successful APN adoption including medical and human resource limitations, the need for specialized APN training, ethical and equity considerations, and lack of sufficient clarity concerning laws and government policies regulating 3rd party disclosures. They also pointed to the job-overload, stress, personal discomfort, and the ethical uncertainty that providers might experience in delivering APN. Overall, providers of HIV services embraced the concept of APN but forecast practical difficulties in key service areas where investments in resources and system change appeared necessary to ensure effective and equitable implementation.
Unsustainable Development: The Impact of Power Sector Reform on Policy Regimes in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Peterson Maxfield
Published: February 2022

Sub-Saharan Africa lags the rest of the world in access to electricity, and progress towards developing renewable energy resources has been underwhelming relative to potential and expectations. Existing explanations for this failure fall into two camps. The first focuses on technical solutions to policy frameworks designed to attract private capital investment to power sectors. Such explanations make an unjustified ex ante assumption that private investment is either necessary or sufficient to solve the region's energy problems, and the policy deficiencies they identify are symptomatic of political economic conditions this literature pays little attention to. The second camp focuses on a narrow definition of institutional quality that lacks theoretical depth. This work responds to this gap in the literature by focusing on how variation in the organization of policy regimes, or the sets of institutions responsible for power sector governance, contributes to electricity access and renewable energy development. Through a longitudinal comparative case study of Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, this work finds that coherent policy regimes (where institutional interests and incentives are aligned, and policy instruments produce synergistic benefits) with limited distributions of implementation responsibilities are most effective at delivering electricity access and renewable energy development to their publics. The conclusions of the case studies are tested through a set of panel regressions on a broad sample of Sub-Saharan African countries, combining new and existing data on regulatory interventions. The panel regression results support the conclusions of the case studies.
Neonatal rebound hyperkalemia associated with long-term administration of maternal betamimetic: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Suga Kenichi , Wakata Yoshifumi , Kubo Chihiro , Tanaka Manami , Takeuchi Shunsuke , Osumi Keita , Suzue Masashi , Urushihara Maki , Nakagawa Ryuji , Kagami Shoji
Published: February 2022

Background
We recently reported on a late preterm infant born at 36 gestational weeks with serious arrhythmia due to hyperkalemia associated with long term maternal ritodrine administration. In a previous nation-wide surveillance, maternal combined administration of ritodrine and magnesium sulphate administration increased the risk of neonatal hyperkalemia in intermediate and late preterm infants born at 32–36 gestational weeks. It is unknown whether ritodrine alone increases the risk of neonatal hyperkalemia in late preterm infants born at 34–36 gestational weeks.
Methods
This single center retrospective cohort study enrolled late preterm infants born at 34–36 gestational weeks between 2004 and 2018. The association between neonatal hyperkalemia (K+> 6.0 mEq/l) during 72 hours of life and maternal ritodrine use were investigated. Cases with maternal magnesium sulphate were excluded.
Results
In all, 213 late preterm infants with maternal ritodrine and 402 infants without tocolysis were included in the study. The risk of neonatal hyperkalemia was significantly increased by maternal ritodrine administration, with a crude odds ratio (OR) of 2.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20–7.61; p < 0.01) and an adjusted OR of 3.79 (95% CI 1.43–10.02; p < 0.01) on multivariable analysis. Long-term ritodrine administration (≥ 28 days) increased the risk of neonatal hyperkalemia.
Conclusion
This research suggests that late preterm infants born after long-term ritodrine administration are at risk of neonatal hyperkalemia and require special attention.
A review of the functionality of Technical Working Groups (TWGs) in enabling Evidence Informed Decision Making (EIDM) within Malawi's Ministry of Health and Population: A cross-sectional qualitative study
Authors: Sakala Melody , Chawani Marlen Stacey , Kazanga-Chiumia Isabel , Hara Hleziwe , Abdullahi Leila , Kambalame Dzinkambani , Banda Josephine , Mitambo Collins , Terlouw Anja , Oronje Rose
Published: February 2022

BackgroundThe roles and functionality of Technical Working Groups (TWGs) in the health sectors varies across countries, but they generally aim to support government and ministries in formulating evidence informed recommendations for policies and facilitate dialogue and alignment of activities among stakeholders within the health sector. Thus, TWG’s have a core role to enhance functionality and effectiveness of the health system structure. However, in Malawi the functionality of TWGs and how they utilise research evidence to contribute to decision making is not monitored. This study sought to understand the TWGs performance and functionality in enabling Evidence Informed Decision Making (EIDM) in Malawi's health sector.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive qualitative study employing qualitative methods. Data was collected through interviews; documents review and observation of three TWG meetings. Qualitative data was analysed using a framework analysis approach. ResultsTWG functionality varied in the Ministry of Health in Malawi. The reasons for those perceived to be functioning well included meeting frequently; diverse representation of members; and the membership consisted of highly technical people; and their recommendations to MoH were usually taken into consideration when decisions were made. For the TWGs that were perceived as not functioning well, the main reasons included lack of funding, irregular meetings and discussions that did not provide clear decisions on the actions to be taken. In addition, evidence was recognized as important in decision-making and research was valued by decision makers within the MoH. However, some of the TWGs lacked reliable mechanisms for generating, accessing, and synthesizing research. They also had limited capacity to review and use the research to inform the decisions they made. ConclusionsTWGs are a key decision-making structure within the MoH in Malawi. However, TWGs functionality will need reliable interventions for evidence informed decision making and sustainable funding to facilitate performance of TWGs.
Delay of switch from hypo- to hyperperfusion in migraine aura evidenced by arterial spin labeling (ASL): case series and pooled-data analysis
Authors: Benzakoun Joseph , Bouc Raphaël Le , Law-ye Bruno
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) is an MRI technique used to non-invasively assess cerebral blood flow in clinical practice. In migraine aura, previous studies have shown both cortical hypoperfusion and hyperperfusion patterns. Sequential perfusion changes with alternation of hypoperfusion and hyperperfusion has been scarcely reported, only in children. Our goal was to determine the delay of conversion between hypoperfusion and hyperperfusion at acute phase, using ASL technique, in adult patients presenting migrainous aura.Materials and methods: Six local patients with migrainous aura presenting as stroke mimics were explored with ASL sequence. Two had repeated ASL exploration. Literature search allowed to include 9 additional patients. Mann-Whitney-U test, logistic regression and ROC curve analysis were conducted on pooled data with a total of 15 patients.Results: Median age was 30 years (range 17-87). Hypoperfusion was present on 7 ASL acquisitions and hyperperfusion on 10. Median onset-to-MRI delay was higher in hyperperfused pattern group than in hypoperfused pattern group (17.6 vs 3.5 hours, p<0.001). Best cut-off for separating hypoperfused and hyperperfused patterns was 4.5 hrs (95% confidence interval: 3.75-8.5-hrs).Conclusion: Cerebral blood perfusion pattern in ASL switches from hypoperfusion to hyperperfusion 4.5 hours after symptom onset time in adult population. Repeated ASL exploration is an asset for the differential diagnosis between stroke and migraine.
The Use of Borderline Personality Disorder Severity Index-IV Feedback in Adjusting Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment: Therapists and Patients Perspectives
Authors: de Wilde Odette Brand - , Clarke Sharon , Arntz Arnoud
Published: February 2022

Background: Previous research has emphasized the importance of therapists giving Routine Outcome Monitoring (ROM) feedback to their patients. It has been shown that several factors influence therapists’ tendency to provide ROM feedback to their patients.Methods: In this qualitative study, using a semi-structured interview followed by thematic analysis, we focused on experiences of therapists and patients with a disorder specific ROM instrument: the Borderline Personality Disorder Index-IV (BPDSI-IV). Ten patients with a borderline personality disorder who had been in Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) and ten MBT-therapists treating patients with a borderline personality disorder were interviewed. Qualitative analysis in Atlas.ti revealed that patients experienced benefits of ROM using the BPDSI-IV.Results: Patients gained more insight in and recognition of their borderline personality disorder symptoms. They also felt more understood by the therapist because they got an opportunity to explain their symptoms in a different way than in a regular therapy session. Therapists shared they didn’t always use all the ROM outcomes as serious feedback for adjusting treatment. They preferred to use the BPDSI-IV over the other ROM instruments, because the BPDSI-IV is disorder specific, which gives insight into the treatment course of the patient. Conclusions: Experiences of both patients and therapists with the BPDSI-IV were positive. It seems to be valuable and promising for healthcare institutions to evaluate treatment with a disorder specific ROM instrument. Trial registration: The study was approved by the ethical committee of the University of Amsterdam (number 2017-CP-8000).
Study on the vertical release characteristics of alkali and fluoride in red mud with different compaction degrees
Authors: Ou Xiaoduo , chen shengjin , Jiang Jie , Qin Jinxi , Tan Zhijie , Su Wei
Published: February 2022

In this study, the vertical migration and release characteristics of alkali and fluoride in Bayer red mud with different compaction degrees were investigated by conducting constant head vertical leaching tests. The experimental results showed that the breakthrough time of leaching liquid across the red mud column increased with the increase of compaction degree, the alkali and fluoride concentrations of the leaching outflow decreased fast as the compaction degree of red mud column increased, as well as the time required to reach the leaching equilibrium. Moreover, for all the leaching red mud columns, the cumulative release of alkali and fluorine from the increased with the increase of leaching durations. However, the total release of major pollutants decreased with the increase of red mud compactness. After leaching, the soluble alkali and water-soluble fluorine (Ws-F) residual in the red mud gradually increased from top to bottom along the leaching column, and at the identical depth, the higher the compactness of the leaching column, the greater the soluble alkali and water-soluble fluorine (Ws-F) remaining in the column after leaching. These phenomena indicated that improving the compactness can effectively slow down the release of main pollutants in the red mud. The results were expected to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of alkali and fluoride pollutants in red mud yard.
Psychometric Properties Of Medical Professionals Resilience Scale (Mers) For Medical Doctors In Pakistan
Authors: Sohail Marium , Yusoff Muhamad Saiful Bahri Bin , Hadie Siti Nurma Hanim Bt , Othman Azizah Binti , Rauf Haris
Published: February 2022

Background: Medical Professionals Resilience Scale (MeRS) is a four-point Likert scale for measuring resilience in the domains of control, resourcefulness, involvement, and growth. This 37-item inventory was previously validated among Malaysian health professionals. To increase the evidence of validity of MeRS, this study attempted to cross validate and perform psychometric analysis of MeRS among medical doctors of Pakistan. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in two different hospitals of Pakistan. Prior to the study, ethical approval was obtained from the ERC/IRB committee of SKBZAN/AK CMH Rawalakot. The MeRS was distributed to 201 medical doctors, comprising of 102 house officers and 99 medical officers. Data was analyzed for descriptive statistics, reliability analysis and confirmatory factor analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 26, and the Analysis of a Moment Structures software version 26 respectively. Results: The four-domain, 37-item MeRS has a good internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.90. The reliability of growth, control, involvement and resourceful domains are 0.76, 0.86, 0.79 and 0.79 having 15, 6, 12 and 4 items respectively. The confirmatory factor analysis yields the same four-domain with 14-items (3 each for growth and resourceful and 4 each for control and involvement) version as the best fit model for MeRS, with X2= 99.556, P-value=0.008, GFI=0.934, RMSEA=0.048, TLI=0953, CFI=0.965, NFI=0.899 and X2/df=1.464. Cross validation across two different hospitals for Pakistani doctors yields stable constructs of MeRS to measure resilience among medical doctors. Conclusion: This study concludes that MeRS is a valid and reliable tool for measurement of resilience in health professionals. The confirmatory factor analysis A performed on the original 37-item MeRS exhibited stable constructs. The new Modified MeRS Model with 14 items and same four domains showed high goodness of fit indices.
The relationship of fetal adrenal gland size with fetal liver length and fetal abdominal wall fat thickness in mothers with and without gestational diabetes
Authors: pouya Ensi khalili , Keshavarz Elham , moradpour moein , ghomi Zahra , Eshaghzadeh Mehdi , khazaei mehdi , mohammadi shahnaz , abolghasemzadeh farshid , zeidabadi hamideh
Published: February 2022

Background: Given the possible association between maternal diabetes status and metabolic disorders in the fetus, such as hepatic dysfunction or subcutaneous fat mass, it is expected that there is a close relationship between fetal adrenal gland volume and these two indicators. Aim: We decided to examine the relationship of fetal adrenal gland size with fetal liver length and fetal abdominal wall fat thickness in mothers with gestational diabetes and also to compare it with non-diabetic mothers.Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 40 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy suffering gestational diabetes under insulin therapy as the cases and 40 age and gestational age-matched pregnant women without diabetes as the controls. An ultrasound was performed for all participants in the third trimester of pregnancy to assess adrenal gland size, liver dimensions and fetal abdominal wall fat thickness.Results: The fetuses in diabetic group was found to have adrenal glands with significantly higher mean width, but with lower height leading similarity in mean adrenal volume as compared to non-diabetic group. The mean fetal abdominal wall fat thickness was significantly higher in diabetic than in non-diabetic groups. In diabetic groups, we found a direct association between height of adrenal gland and fetal abdominal wall fat thickness (p = 0.001). The length of adrenal gland was also positively associated with abdominal wall fat thickness (p = 0.001). However in non-diabetic group, we found no association between adrenal height and fetal abdominal wall fat thickness. Measuring liver length in the two groups showed significantly higher mean value in diabetic than in non-diabetic groups. No association was revealed between adrenal volume and liver length in diabetic group. In non-diabetic group, there was a significant direct association between adrenal volume and liver length (p = 0.008). Conclusion: Gestational diabetes is directly associated with increasing fetal abdominal wall fat thickness and liver length in fetus. The dimensions of adrenal gland in fetus are also associated with fetus abdominal wall fat thickness and liver length probably independent to maternal diabetic status.
The influence of Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 expression on angiogenic factors: VEGF-A and FGF-2 in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Damavandi Zahra , Riahi Pardis , Majidizadeh Tayebeh , houshmand massoud
Published: February 2022

Purpose: Lung cancer is responsible for more cancer-related death worldwide Most lung cancer patients have non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), with low survival rate. Therefore, it is necessary to study new and effective targeted therapies. Discoidin domain receptor1 (DDR1) is a tyrosine kinase receptor that reacts to various collagens. Expression of DDR1 can be promoted by collagen type I, and dysregulation of DDR1 signaling are involved in several phases of tumorigenesis. Tumor growth and metastasis depend on angiogenesis caused by angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) secreted by tumor cells. Thus, Angiogenesis plays a critical role in cancer progression and inhibition of angiogenesis is essential for cancer treatment. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the alteration of DDR1 expression and its effects on VEGF-A, FGF-1, and FGF2 in NSCLC.Methods: A549 and Calu-3 cell lines, were treated with collagen type I and transfected with DDR1 small interfering RNA (siRNA). Then, the relative expression of DDR1, VEGF-A, FGF-1, and FGF-2 was evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The concentration of angiogenic factors was calculated by Human Angiogenesis 17-plex discovery assay. Results: According to our data, the collagen type I could stimulate DDR1 expression and DDR1 upregulation resulted in a significant increase of VEGF-A and FGF-2 expression, but did not induce FGF-1 expression. Moreover, DDR1 downregulation significantly decreased VEGF-A and FGF-2 expression. Conclusion: our findings suggest that alteration of DDR1 expression may affect VEGF-A and FGF-2 expression in NSCLC associated with tumor angiogenesis and represent a new treatment approach.
Diversity Among Synthetic Back-Derived Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Lines for Drought Tolerance
Authors: Sohail Muhammad , Qamar Maqsood , Hussain Imtiaz
Published: February 2022

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is predominantly growing in areas where terminal drought stress is the foremost yield limiting factor. Since genetic variability for climate resilience is weakened in modern wheat cultivars, exploring drought tolerance potential of the synthetic back-derived wheat lines (SBL) might help to widen genetic diversity for wheat breeders. The variation among 45 selected SBLs in response to drought stress was assessed by measuring physio-agronomic traits. The results showed a significant variation among genotypes under induced drought stress at reproductive stage in comparison to commercial wheat varieties as check. The variability among genotypes was verified by correlations, principal component analysis, heat map and clustering methods using Ward`s method. The study selected 12 synthetic back-derived wheat lines with significantly higher grain yields than 5 local checks under drought stress. The drought tolerance ability of these selected genotypes was strongly associated with proline, leaf water contents, membrane stability and better leaf chlorophyll contents under drought stress. The identified tolerant synthetic back-derived wheat lines may prove useful for wheat breeders to evolve climate resilient wheat varieties.
Development Of A Novel Light-Up Probe For Detection Of G-Quadruplexes In Stress Granules
Authors: Iida Keisuke , Sasaki Ayano , Ishida Shunsuke , Arai Takayoshi
Published: February 2022

G-quadruplexes (G4s) regulate various biological processes in cells. However, cellular imaging of dynamically forming G4s in biomolecular condensates using small molecules has been poorly investigated. Herein, we present a fluorescent light-up probe with the ability to selectively stabilize G4s and enhance fluorescence upon G4 binding. The foci of the probe were mainly observed in the nucleoli. These were co-localized with anti-fibrillarin antibodies and anti-G4 antibodies (BG4). Moreover, we tested detection of G4 in stress granules using the developed probe. Stress granules were induced through treatment with not only thapsigargin, but also known G4 ligands (pyridostatin, RHPS4, and BRACO-19). In the stress granules, co-localization between the probe, BG4, and stress granule markers (TIA1 and G3BP1) was detected. We present a practical light-up probe for G4s in stress granules, providing potential targets for G4 ligands.
Aucubin promoted neuron functional recovery by suppressing inflammation and neuronal apoptosis in a spinal cord injury model
Authors: Xiao Shining , Zhong Nanshan , Yang Quanming , Li Anan , Tong Weilai , Zhang Yu , Yao Geliang , Wang Shijiang , Liu Jiaming , Liu Zhili
Published: February 2022

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause severe motor impairment. Post-SCI treatment has focused primarily on secondary injury, with neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis as the primary therapeutic targets. Aucubin (Au), a Chinese herbal medicine, exerts anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. The therapeutic effects of Au in SCI have not been reported. We showed that Au can promote functional recovery after SCI. Recovery may occur through the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway to promote M2/M1 polarization in microglia and inhibit mitochondrial dysfunction to reduce neuronal apoptosis. These biochemical changes result in reduced secondary injury and facilitate axon regeneration. Therefore, Au may be a promising post-SCI therapeutic medication.
The Primary Cilium is a Microtubule-Driven Electrical Antenna. The Case of Renal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Cantiello Horacio F , Scarinci Noelia , Gutierrez Brenda C , Cantero Maria del Rocio
Published: February 2022

The primary cilium is a non-motile sensory organelle that acts as a transducer of environmental cues into cellular responses. It comprises an axoneme, which is a core of microtubules (MTs), coated by a specialized membrane populated by receptors and a high density of ion channels. Dysfunctional primary cilia generate several diseases known as ciliopathies. However, the nature of ciliary signaling remains largely unknown. Herein, we determined by the patch-clamp technique, the electrical activity of cytoplasmic and axonemal MTs from LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells. We observed electrical oscillations with fundamental frequencies at ~39 Hz and ~93 Hz in sheets of cytoplasmic MTs. We also studied isolated and in situ intact and Triton X-permeabilized primary cilia, observing electrical oscillations with peak frequencies at either 29-49 (non-permeabilized) or ~40-49 Hz (permeabilized) and ~93 Hz (both). The axonemal electrical oscillations changed with maneuvers that modify ciliary length, including addition of external Ca2+ and Li+. We also applied Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) and cross-correlation analyses in the Time-Frequency domain to assess the coherence between cytoplasmic and axonemal MT electrical oscillations. The evidence indicates that the primary cilium is an electrical antenna that produces MT-based electrical oscillations regulated by ciliary channels and receptors.
Feature Selection with Missing Values in DNA Microarray Gene Expression Data
Authors: Rabiei Niloofar , Soltanian Ali Reza , Farhadian Maryam , Bahreini Fatemeh
Published: February 2022

BackgroundImputation is one of the strategies for dealing with Missing values (MVs) in microarray data. Employing the best subset of genes for imputation is very important. In this study, we used mutual information gene selection before imputation to select the best subset of genes for imputation MVs and then classified imputed data. Two datasets were used, and we generate MVs with missing rates from 1 to 7 percent. K nearest neighbor, row mean imputation, and the method contains Feature Selection with Missing data by Mutual Information (FSM-MI) were employed. We used Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) for evaluating the performance of the methods. We classified complete and imputed data by random forest classifier and compare them by accuracy.ResultsFSM-MI imputation method with 0.0364 and 0.0083 mean RMSE value in GSE510 and GSE1063 datasets had the best performance, respectively. The classification accuracy of complete and imputed data in GSE510 and GSE1063 datasets were 100 and 80, and 100, 100, 83.3, and 66.7, and 80, 80, 70, and 70 percent in missing rates 1, 3, 5, and 7, respectively.ConclusionFeature selection before imputation MVs is as important as the selection of the best imputation method in improving the result of subsequent analyzes.
Geographic variation in top-10 prescribed medication and potentially inappropriate prescription in Portugal: An ecological study of 2.2 million older adults
Authors: Roque Fátima , Rocha Vânia , Plácido Ana , Rodrigues Daniela , Tavares Ana Barbara , Figueiras Adolfo , Herdeiro Maria Teresa
Published: February 2022

Background: The use of multiple medications by older adults is considered a Public Health concern since it is associated to a higher risk of adverse drug reactions and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM). This study aimed to describe the top-10 prescribed active substances in older adults considering geographical distribution and PIM prescription.Methods: A retrospective ecological study was conducted using data on the prescribed active substances during 2020 to people with 65 years or older. Information on active substances and defined daily doses (DDD) by age group, sex and region were retrieved from a Portuguese health administrative database. The average number of prescribed packages and DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day of top-10 active substances were calculated. Results: A total of 2228090 older adults (58% females) were included. The active substances with higher prescription rates (mean DDD/1000 inhabitants/day) in all ARS were furosemide and atorvastatin in both males and females, compared to the other active substances of the top-10. Geographic differences in prescription were observed (higher prescription in ARS North and Centre and lower in ARS Algarve). In females, 2/10 most prescribed active substances were PIM (benzodiazepines and opioids) with geographic disparities across regions. Conclusions: Most prescribed active substances to older adults belong to the cardiovascular system. The prescription of benzodiazepines and opioids in females, classified as PIM, alert for the need of public health policies to reduce inappropriate prescribing. Geographic differences in the top-10 most prescribed active substances and in PIM highlighted the importance of medication optimisation across regions.
Infectiousness of Places: Impact of Multiscale Human Activity Places in the Transmission of COVID-19
Authors: Liu Lun , Wang Hui , Zhang Zhu , Zhang Weiyi , Zhuang Shengsheng , Wang Shenhao , Silva Elisabete A , Lv Tingmiao , Chio Chi On , Wang Yifan , Dao Rina , Tang Chuchang , Ao-Ieong On Ieng
Published: February 2022

COVID-19 raises attention to epistemological risks related to everyday human activities. Our work quantifies infection transmission risks at different human activity places, including different types of settlements at macro-scale and establishments (restaurants, bars, etc.) at micro-scale, using evidences from COVID-19 in 906 urban areas across four continents. Relatively stable rules of how infection risks are distributed across human settlements and establishments are found. At micro-scale, the infection transmission risks at various establishments differ across countries, but generally, physical activity, entertainment and catering establishments lead to more infections than other activity places. At macro-scale, contrary to common beliefs, we find consistent pattern that transmission does not increase with settlement size and density. When considering interaction between the two scales, there is also consistent pattern that a smaller proportion of infections take place at specific establishments in larger settlements, suggesting that general public spaces such as streets play a greater role in transmission due to longer trips. Though with limitations, our work provides the first steps towards a system of knowledge on the linkage between places, human activities and disease transmission.
Prevalence Of Malaria; A Retrospective Study On The Trend Of Malaria From 2015 To 2021 In A Tertiary Care Centre, Puducherry
Authors: Kannambath Rachana , Rajkumari Nonika , Sivaradjy Monika
Published: February 2022

Battle against malaria has been going on since time immemorial. Understanding the true burden of disease and the determinants of its transmission are important for implementing adequate control measures. This study intends to explore the local epidemiology and burden of malaria in Puducherry, a coastal Union territory located in Southern part of India over a period of 7 years.A retrospective record-based study was conducted from 2015 to 2021, where details from all samples tested positive for malaria by peripheral blood examination or rapid card test, from suspected cases were collected and analyzed. The overall prevalence of malaria over the 7 years was 1.7% (257/14888). Majority of the patients were males (75.88%) and the major age group affected was from 21 to 40 years (56.03%). Disease was maximum seen during the monsoon season followed by the post monsoon season. Vivax malaria predominated irrespective of the gender, seasonal change and different age groups except in children <10 years were both falciparum and vivax malaria were seen in equivalence. Major species to cause infection among infants were Plasmodium falciparum (3/4).This study shows a declining trend of malaria transmission over the years. There is no change in the predominant species affected or seasonal trends over the years. The possibility of underestimation of cases due to various factors cannot be ignored.
Kinetics of humoral immune response over 17 months of COVID-19 pandemic in a large cohort of healthcare workers in Spain: The ProHEpiC-19 study
Authors: Violán Concepción , Torán Pere , Quirant Bibiana , Lamonja-Vicente Noemi , Carrasco-Ribelles Lucía A , Chacón Carla , Manresa-Dominguez Josep Mª , Ramos-Roure Francesc , Dacosta-Aguayo Rosalia , Palacios Cristina , Roso-Llorach Albert , Pujol Aleix , Ouchi Dan , Monteagudo Mónica , Montero Pilar , Garcia-Sierra Rosa , Arméstar Fernándo , Doladé Maria , Prat Nuria , Bonet Josep Ma , Clotet Bonaventura , Blanco Ignacio , Prado Julia G , Martínez-Cáceres Eva Marái
Published: February 2022

BackgroundUnderstanding the immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus is critical for efficient monitoring and defence strategies. The ProHEpic-19 cohort provides a fine-grained description of the kinetics of antibodies after SARS-CoV-2 infection with an exceptional resolution over 17 months.MethodsWe established a cohort of 769 health professionals including healthy and infected with SARS-CoV-2 in northern Barcelona to determine the kinetics of the IgM against the nucleocapsid (N) and the IgG against the N and spike (S) of SARS-CoV-2. We used non-linear mixed models to investigate the kinetics of IgG and IgM measured at nine time points over 17 months from the diagnosis. The model included factors of time, gender, and disease severity (asymptomatic, mild-moderate, severe-critical) to assess their effects and their interactions.Findings: 474 of the 769 participants (61.6%) became infected with SARS-CoV-2. Significant effects of gender and disease severity were found for the levels of all three antibodies. Median IgM(N) levels were already below the positivity threshold in patients with asymptomatic and mild-moderate disease at day 270 after the diagnosis, while IgG(N and S) levels remained positive at least until days 450 and 270, respectively. Kinetic modelling showed a general rise in both IgM(N) and IgG(N) levels up to day 30, followed by a decay with a rate depending on disease severity. IgG(S) levels remained relatively constant from day 15 over time.Interpretation: IgM(N) and IgG(N, S) SARS-CoV-2 antibodies showed a heterogeneous kinetics over the 13 months. Only the IgG(S) showed a stable increase, and the levels and the kinetics of antibodies varied according to disease severity. The kinetics of IgM and IgG observed over a year also varied by clinical spectrum can be very useful for public health policies around vaccination criteria in adult population.Funding: Regional Ministry of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya (Call COVID19-PoC SLT16_04; NCT04885478)