bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bibliometric analysis of trends and issues in traditional medicine for stroke research: 2004–2018
Authors: Huang Lieyu , Shi Xuefeng , Zhang Nan , Gao Ya , Bai Qian , Liu Liming , Zuo Ling , Hong Baolin
Published: February 2020

Background

Stroke is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Over the years, traditional medicines for stroke treatment have undergone tremendous progress, but few bibliometric studies have been performed. This study explored the trends and issues relating to the application of traditional medicine in stroke research.

Methods

A bibliometric search was performed in the Web of Science Core Collection database to identify studies that investigated the application of traditional medicine in stroke management. CiteSpace VI and Excel 2016 were used to analyze information from the retrieved studies. Activity index and attractive index were used to explore the worldwide development modes.

Results

A total of 1083 English articles published between 2004 and 2018 were identified. Over the last 15 years, the developments in research occurred in three geographic clusters. The development modes were investigated and classified into 4 categories. In mainland China, the number and impact of research showed an increasing trend over the study period. The United States played a leading role in this topic. Three clusters of institutes and the majority of authors mainly came from South Korea, Taiwan and mainland China. Reperfusion injury and angiogenesis were identified as the potential topics likely to dominate future research in this field.

Conclusion

The progress of studies on traditional medicine for stroke could be explained by the global attention to traditional medicine, the geospatial proximity for research collabration, and the increasing resources invested. Based on a large amount of existing research, researchers engaged in this topic should objectively consider the influential studies to identify and solve the common issues worldwide.
Innovation in early medical education, no bells or whistles required
Authors: Rohlfsen Cory J. , Sayles Harlan , Moore Gerald F. , Mikuls Ted R. , O’Dell James R. , McBrien Sarah , Johnson Tate , Fowler Zachary D. , Cannella Amy C.
Published: February 2020

Background

Despite a paucity of evidence to support a multitude of educational innovations, curricular leaders are pressured to find innovative solutions to better prepare medical students for an evolving twenty-first century health care system. As part of this effort, this study directly compared student-rated effectiveness scores of six different learning modalities.

Methods

Study participants included 286 medical students enrolled in the second-year rheumatology core at a single academic medical center between 2013 and 2017. Students were surveyed at the end of the core with a 15-item questionnaire, and student perceived effectiveness of six different learning modalities were compared.

Results

The modality that outperformed all others was Live Patient Encounters (LPE), with significantly higher student-rated effectiveness scores when compared to the referent modality of Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Using a 5-point Likert scale with responses ranging from “not effective” to “highly effective,” LPE received a mean effectiveness score of 4.77 followed by Augenblick (4.21), PBL (4.11), Gout Racer video game (3.49), Rheumatology Remedy e-module (3.49), and simulation knee injection (3.09).

Conclusions

Technologically advanced novel learning strategies were outperformed in this study by the more traditional active learning modality of LPE. This finding highlights the importance of testing innovative learning strategies at the level of the learner. Three additional conclusions can be drawn from this result. First, conflation of technology with innovation may lead to a myopic view of educational reform. Second, human factors seem to be responsible for the success of LPE and may have far-reaching educational rewards. Third, further applications of LPE should be tested in non-rheumatologic curricula. The relevance of this study is innately tied to the humanities-based application. While a formal qualitative analysis was not performed in this study, preliminary results suggest that live, structured patient interactions in the pre-clinical years of medical education may not only promote the learning of important educational objectives but also foster professional development, empathy, reflection, leadership, agency, and interpersonal skills. This “win-win” scenario (if true) would stand out as a rarity among strategic educational initiatives.
High copy number and highly stable Escherichia coli–Bacillus subtilis shuttle plasmids based on pWB980
Authors: Zhao XingYa , Xu JianYong , Tan Ming , Zhen Jie , Shu WenJu , Yang ShiBin , Ma YanHe , Zheng HongChen , Song Hui
Published: February 2020

Background

pWB980 derived from pUB110 is a promising expression vector in Bacillus for its high copy number and high stability. However, the low transformation rate of recombinant plasmids to the wild cells limited the application of it. On the basis of pWB980, constructing an E. coli–B. subtilis shuttle plasmid could facilitate the transformation rate to Bacillus cells. Because the insertion site for E. coli replication origin sequence (ori) is not unique in pWB980, in order to investigate the best insertion site, eight shuttle plasmids (pUC980-1 ~ pUC980-8) containing all possible insertion sites and directions were constructed.

Results

The results showed that all the selected insertion sites could be used to construct shuttle plasmid but some sites required a specific direction. And different insertion sites led to different properties of the shuttle plasmids. The best shuttle plasmids pUC980-1 and pUC980-2, which showed copies more than 450 per cell and segregational stabilities up to 98%, were selected for heterologous expressions of an alkaline pectate lyase gene pelN, an alkaline protease spro1 and a pullulanase gene pulA11, respectively. The highest extracellular activities of PelN, Spro1 and PulA11 were up to 5200 U/mL, 21,537 U/mL and 504 U/mL correspondingly after 54 h, 60 h and 48 h fermentation in a 10 L fermentor. Notably, PelN and Spro1 showed remarkably higher yields in Bacillus than previous reports.

Conclusion

The optimum ori insertion site was the upstream region of BA3-1 in pWB980 which resulted in shuttle plasmids with higher copy numbers and higher stabilities. The novel shuttle plasmids pUC980-1 and pUC980-2 will be promising expression vectors in B. subtilis. Moreover, the ori insertion mechanism revealed in this work could provide theoretical guidance for further studies of pWB980 and constructions of other shuttle plasmids.
Moringa oleifera treatment increases Tbet expression in CD4+ T cells and remediates immune defects of malnutrition in Plasmodium chabaudi-infected mice
Authors: Pilotos Jennifer , Ibrahim Kadra Abdu , Mowa Chishimba Nathan , Opata Michael Makokha
Published: February 2020

Background

Malaria is a worldwide problem that affects millions of people yearly. In rural areas where anti-malarial drugs are not easily accessible, many people use herbal treatments, such as Moringa oleifera, to treat a variety of diseases and ailments including malaria. While Moringa is reported to possess potent and curative anti-malarial properties, previous studies have mostly been restricted to assessment of parasitaemia. In this study, the effect of Moringa on malaria immunity in a murine model was investigated.

Methods

Using a high dose (60 mg/mouse) for a short time (7 days) or low dose Moringa (30 mg/mouse) for a longer time (3 weeks), cytokine production, and Tbet expression by effector CD4+ T cells (Teff) were determined. Mice were also treated with Moringa after infection (curatively) or before infection (prophylactically) to determine the effect of the plant extract on parasitaemia and immunity. Given that Moringa also possess many nutritional benefits, the contribution of Moringa on malnourished malaria infected mice was determined. Malnutrition was induced by limiting access to food to only 4 h a day for 4 weeks, while control mice had unlimited access to mouse laboratory chow. All data was collected by flow cytometry and analysed using one-Way ANOVA or two tailed Student’s t test.

Results

Moringa-treated mice had increased numbers of effector CD4+ T cells accompanied by an increase in Tbet expression compared to control untreated mice. Mice that were treated with Moringa curatively also exhibited increased effector CD4+ T cell numbers, IFN-gamma and TNF secretion. Interestingly, the mice that were treated prophylactically had significantly higher Tbet expression. In the absence of adaptive immunity, high parasitaemia was observed in the RAG1 knockout mice. The food limited mice (malnourished) had reduced numbers of CD4+ T cells, TNF proportions, and significantly greater Tbet expression compared to the control group. Supplementation with Moringa in the limited group slightly restored CD4+ T cell activation, IL-2, and IL-10 production.

Conclusions

Taken together, these data suggest that Moringa treatment leads to increased CD4+ T cell activation, Th1 differentiation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines after malaria infection. Thus, Moringa may be immunologically useful in the treatment of malaria and malnutrition. Further investigations are required to identify the active components in Moringa.
Leptin and psychiatric illnesses: does leptin play a role in antipsychotic-induced weight gain?
Authors: Endomba Francky Teddy , Tankeu Aurel T. , Nkeck Jan René , Tochie Joel Noutakdie
Published: February 2020

Antipsychotic-induced weight gain is the most prevalent somatic adverse event occurring in patients treated by antipsychotics, especially atypical antipsychotics. It is of particular interest because of its repercussion on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality especially now that the use of second-generation antipsychotics has been extended to other mental health illnesses such as bipolar disorders and major depressive disorder. The mechanism underlying antipsychotics-induced weight gain is still poorly understood despite a significant amount of work on the topic. Recently, there has been an on-going debate of tremendous research interest on the relationship between antipsychotic-induced weight gain and body weight regulatory hormones such as leptin. Given that, researchers have brought to light the question of leptin’s role in antipsychotic-induced weight gain. Here we summarize and discuss the existing evidence on the link between leptin and weight gain related to antipsychotic drugs, especially atypical antipsychotics.
Higher bodily adiposity, fat intake, and cholesterol serum levels are associated with higher disease activity in psoriatic arthritis patients: is there a link among fat and skin and joint involvement?
Authors: Leite Beatriz Figueiredo , Morimoto Melissa Aparecida , Gomes Carina , Klemz Barbara Nascimento de Carvalho , Genaro Patrícia de Souza , Damasceno Nágila Raquel Teixeira , Szejnfeld Vera Lúcia , Pinheiro Marcelo de Medeiros
Published: February 2020

Introduction/ objectives

Assuming that there is a link between lipid and glucose metabolism and inflammation in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), our aim was to evaluate the relationships among body composition measurements, food intake, and disease activity in patients with PsA.

Methods

A total of 97 patients with PsA, according to the CASPAR criteria, were included in this cross-sectional study. Body composition measurements (whole-body DXA, GE-Lunar), food intake (3-day registry) and biochemical and inflammatory serum markers were evaluated. Skin and joint disease activity were assessed by using PASI, BSA, DAS28, and minimal disease activity (MDA). The level of significance was set asp < 0.05.

Results

A higher prevalence of obesity, according to the fat mass index (FMI) (92.7%), and metabolic syndrome (MetS) (54%) were found, but no significant changes regarding lean or bone mass were found. Joint disease activity was positively correlated with total body fat (r = 0.4;p < 0.001), FMI (r = 0.33;p < 0.001), body mass index (r = 0.20;p < 0.049) and waist circumference (r = 0.27;p = 0.009). In addition, joint disease activity was negatively associated with muscle mass (r = − 0.38; p < 0.001). Skin disease activity was positively correlated with total cholesterol (r = 0.3;p = 0.003) and LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.28;p = 0.006). After multiple adjustments, patients with severe joint disease activity had higher body adiposity than patients in remission or with low disease activity. Skin disease activity was associated with higher trans-fat intake and lower omega-6 consumption.

Conclusions

Our data suggest a possible harmful link among fat (body adiposity, saturated fat consumption, LDL-cholesterol serum levels) and joint and skin disease activity in patients with PsA.
Analysis of the association between resolution of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and treatment outcomes in post-marketing surveillance of thrombomodulin alpha for DIC with infectious disease and with hematological malignancy by organ failure
Authors: Kawano Noriaki , Wada Hideo , Uchiyama Toshimasa , Kawasugi Kazuo , Madoiwa Seiji , Takezako Naoki , Suzuki Kei , Seki Yoshinobu , Ikezoe Takayuki , Hattori Tsuyoshi , Okamoto Kohji
Published: February 2020

Background

Although disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is life-threatening, any organ failure associated with DIC resolution and outcomes have been unclear.

Patients and methods

A total of 2795 DIC patients (infection: 1990, hematological malignancy: 805) were analyzed in the post-marketing surveillance of thrombomodulin alpha (TM-α). The background factors of sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) and antithrombin (AT) were investigated in DIC with infectious disease for their association with DIC resolution and outcome using κ statistics, indicating DIC resolution and survival or DIC non-resolution and non-survival. The same analyses were performed for total bilirubin, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, and underlying disease in DIC with hematological malignancy.

Results

In DIC with infectious disease, higher SOFA score severity was closely correlated with lower overall survival in both the DIC resolution and non-resolution groups, but AT activity was not. κ coefficients were 0.234, 0.295, and 0.311 for the SOFA score 0–6, 7–12, and 13–24 groups, respectively. In DIC with hematological malignancy, κ coefficients of total bilirubin were 0.251 and 0.434, and those of creatinine were 0.283 and 0.437 in the normal and abnormal groups, respectively, showing better concordance in the abnormal group than in the normal. Other factors had poor concordance.

Conclusion

In DIC with infectious disease, DIC resolution is an important therapeutic target in patients who have higher SOFA score severity. In DIC with hematological malignancy, DIC resolution is similarly important in patients with abnormality of bilirubin and/or creatinine.

Trial registration

The clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with DIC treated with TM-α between May 2008 and April 2010 were retrospectively analyzed by subgroup analysis of the post-marketing surveillance data.
Glial remodeling enhances short-term memory performance in Wistar rats
Authors: De Luca Simone N. , Soch Alita , Sominsky Luba , Nguyen Thai-Xinh , Bosakhar Abdulhameed , Spencer Sarah J.
Published: February 2020

Background

Microglia play a key role in neuronal circuit and synaptic maturation in the developing brain. In the healthy adult, however, their role is less clear: microglial hyperactivation in adults can be detrimental to memory due to excessive synaptic pruning, yet learning and memory can also be impaired in the absence of these cells. In this study, we therefore aimed to determine how microglia contribute to short-term memory in healthy adults.

Methods

To this end, we developed a Cx3cr1-Dtr transgenic Wistar rat with a diphtheria toxin receptor (Dtr) gene inserted into the fractalkine receptor (Cx3cr1) promoter, expressed on microglia and monocytes. This model allows acute microglial and monocyte ablation upon application of diphtheria toxin, enabling us to directly assess microglia’s role in memory.

Results

Here, we show that short-term memory in the novel object and place recognition tasks is entirely unaffected by acute microglial ablation. However, when microglia repopulate the brain after depletion, learning and memory performance in these tasks is improved. This transitory memory enhancement is associated with an ameboid morphology in the newly repopulated microglial cells and increased astrocyte density that are linked with a higher density of mature hippocampal synaptic spines and differences in pre- and post-synaptic markers.

Conclusions

These data indicate that glia play a complex role in the healthy adult animal in supporting appropriate learning and memory and that subtle changes to the function of these cells may strategically enhance memory.
Quantifying dosage of physical therapy using lower body kinematics: a longitudinal pilot study on early post-stroke individuals
Authors: Shin Sung Yul , Lee Robert K. , Spicer Patrick , Sulzer James
Published: February 2020

Background

While therapy is an important part of the recovery process, there is a lack of quantitative data detailing the “dosage” of therapy received due to the limitations on in/outpatient accessibility and mobility. Advances in wearable sensor technology have allowed us to obtain an unprecedented glimpse into joint-level kinematics in an unobtrusive manner. The objective of this observational longitudinal pilot study was to evaluate the relations between lower body joint kinematics during therapy and functional gait recovery over the first three months after stroke.

Methods

Six individuals with subacute stroke (< 1 month) were monitored for a total of 59 one-hour physical therapy sessions including gait and non-gait activities. Participants donned a heart rate monitor and an inertial motion capture system to measure full lower body joint kinematics during each therapy session. Linear mixed regression models were used to examine relations between functional gait recovery (speed) and activity features including total joint displacements, defined as amount of motion (AoM), step number, change in heart rate (∆HR), and types of tasks performed.

Results

All activity features including AoM, step number, types of tasks performed (all p < 0.01), and ∆HR (p < 0.05) showed strong associations with gait speed. However, AoM (R2 = 32.1%) revealed the greatest explained variance followed by step number (R2 = 14.1%), types of tasks performed (R2 = 8.0%) and ∆HR (R2 = 5.8%). These relations included both gait and non-gait tasks. Contrary to our expectations, we did not observe a greater relation of functional recovery to motion in the impaired limb (R2 = 27.8%) compared to the unimpaired limb (R2 = 32.9%).

Conclusions

This proof-of-concept study shows that recording joint kinematics during gait therapy longitudinally after stroke is feasible and yields important information for the recovery process. These initial results suggest that compared to step number, more holistic outcome measures such as joint motions may be more informative and help elucidate the dosage of therapy.
An NRAS mutation in primary malignant melanoma of the lung: a case report
Authors: Hibiya Takashi , Tanaka Meiro , Matsumura Mai , Aoki Ayako , Ikegami Tadashi , Okudela Koji , Kawano Naomi , Ohashi Kenichi
Published: February 2020

Background

Primary malignant melanoma of the lung (PML) is extremely rare. No precursor lesions of PML have been identified, and little is known about the genetic mutations associated with the disease. Typically, 15–20% of malignant melanomas possessNRASgene mutations, but no cases ofNRAS-mutated PML have been reported in the English literature. We present a case of PML involving anNRASmutation.

Case presentation

Clinical summary

A 74-year-old Japanese female presented with worsening dyspnea and was admitted to hospital. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a right lung (S10) mass and pleural dissemination. Cytology of the pleural effusion in the right lung was performed, and malignant melanoma or clear cell sarcoma was suspected. A dermatological examination and gallium scintigraphy were conducted to determine the primary tumor site, but no suspicious lesions, expect for the right lung mass, were found. After admission, CT showed complicating bilateral pneumonia, and an antibiotic drug was administered, but the pleural effusion got worse. About 2 weeks later, the patient died of respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. An autopsy was performed to determine the histological diagnosis.

Autopsy findings

A 26x15x20-mm black and pale yellow mass was found in the right lower lobe. Many disseminated nodules were found in the right lobe. The tumor had invaded the right diaphragm. Subcarinal lymph node metastasis was also detected. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells exhibited positivity for S-100 and HMB45 staining. The patient was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Sanger sequencing of the tumor detected anNRASmutation.

Conclusions

We found anNRASD54N mutation in PML, which has not been reported previously anywhere in the world. Previous reports indicated that most cases of PML can be classified into the triple-wild-type, butBRAFmutation status was only analyzed in a few cases. We should analyze the mutation patterns of PML to determine whether any subtypes other than the triple-wild-type exist. PML might be a form of de novo cancer.
Estimating the rate and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practices among rural mothers in Southern Ghana
Authors: Manyeh Alfred Kwesi , Amu Alberta , Akpakli David Etsey , Williams John E. , Gyapong Margaret
Published: February 2020

Background

The health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding practices in both the short and long term accrue to breastfed infants, mothers, families and the society at large. Despite the evidence of these benefits and adoption of various World Health Organization (WHO) strategies on promotion of exclusive breastfeeding by Ghana, the increase in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding has been very slow in the country. This study aimed to estimate the rate and investigate socio-economic and demographic determinants of 6 months exclusive breastfeeding in two rural districts in Southern Ghana.

Methods

Pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, demographic and socioeconomic information of 1870 women who were prospectively registered by the Dodowa Health and Demographic Surveillance System and gave birth between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2013 was extracted. The proportion of 6 months exclusive breastfeeding among the study participants was estimated and the relationship between the dependent and the independent variables were explored using logistics regression model at 95% confidence level.

Results

The proportion of mothers who exclusive breastfed for 6 months in the study was 71.0%. Mothers aged 25–29 and 30 + years are 93 and 91% respectively more likely to practice 6 months exclusive breastfeeding compared to those aged < 20 years (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.25, 2.99, OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.91, 3.08). The odds of artisan mothers practicing 6 months exclusive breastfeeding is 36% less likely compared to those unemployed (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.43, 0.96). There is a higher chance that 45% of mothers with a household size of more than five members to practice exclusive breastfeeding compared to those with household size of less than six (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.16, 1.81). Women in the fishing district were 85% less likely to practice 6 months exclusive breastfeeding compared to those in farming district (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.12, 0.20).

Conclusion

There is high rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the study area. Maternal age, type of occupation, household size and district of residence are determinants of 6 months exclusive breastfeeding among the study participants.
Testing a theory of strategic implementation leadership, implementation climate, and clinicians’ use of evidence-based practice: a 5-year panel analysis
Authors: Williams Nathaniel J. , Wolk Courtney Benjamin , Becker-Haimes Emily M. , Beidas Rinad S.
Published: February 2020

Background

Implementation theory suggests that first-level leaders, sometimes referred to as middle managers, can increase clinicians’ use of evidence-based practice (EBP) in healthcare settings by enacting specific leadership behaviors (i.e., proactive, knowledgeable, supportive, perseverant with regard to implementation) that develop an EBP implementation climate within the organization; however, longitudinal and quasi-experimental studies are needed to test this hypothesis.

Methods

Using data collected at three waves over a 5-year period from a panel of 30 outpatient children’s mental health clinics employing 496 clinicians, we conducted a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences study to test whether within-organization change in implementation leadership predicted within-organization change in EBP implementation climate, and whether change in EBP implementation climate predicted within-organization change in clinicians’ use of EBP. At each wave, clinicians reported on their first-level leaders’ implementation leadership, their organization’s EBP implementation climate, and their use of both EBP and non-EBP psychotherapy techniques for childhood psychiatric disorders. Hypotheses were tested using econometric two-way fixed effects regression models at the organization level which controlled for all stable organizational characteristics, population trends in the outcomes over time, and time-varying covariates.

Results

Organizations that improved from low to high levels of implementation leadership experienced significantly greater increases in their level of EBP implementation climate (d = .92, p = .017) and within-organization increases in implementation leadership accounted for 11% of the variance in improvement in EBP implementation climate beyond all other covariates. In turn, organizations that improved from low to high levels of EBP implementation climate experienced significantly greater increases in their clinicians’ average EBP use (d = .55, p = .007) and within-organization improvement in EBP implementation climate accounted for 14% of the variance in increased clinician EBP use. Mediation analyses indicated that improvement in implementation leadership had a significant indirect effect on clinicians’ EBP use via improvement in EBP implementation climate (d = .26, 95% CI [.02 to .59]).

Conclusions

When first-level leaders increase their frequency of implementation leadership behaviors, organizational EBP implementation climate improves, which in turn contributes to increased EBP use by clinicians. Trials are needed to test strategies that target this implementation leadership–EBP implementation climate mechanism.
Accuracy of automatic deformable structure propagation for high-field MRI guided prostate radiotherapy
Authors: Christiansen Rasmus Lübeck , Dysager Lars , Bertelsen Anders Smedegaard , Hansen Olfred , Brink Carsten , Bernchou Uffe
Published: February 2020

Background

In this study we have evaluated the accuracy of automatic, deformable structure propagation from planning CT and MR scans for daily online plan adaptation for MR linac (MRL) treatment, which is an important element to minimize re-planning time and reduce the risk of misrepresenting the target due to this time pressure.

Methods

For 12 high-risk prostate cancer patients treated to the prostate and pelvic lymph nodes, target structures and organs at risk were delineated on both planning MR and CT scans and propagated using deformable registration to three T2 weighted MR scans acquired during the treatment course. Generated structures were evaluated against manual delineations on the repeated scans using intra-observer variation obtained on the planning MR as ground truth.

Results

MR-to-MR propagated structures had significant less median surface distance and larger Dice similarity index compared to CT-MR propagation. The MR-MR propagation uncertainty was similar in magnitude to the intra-observer variation. Visual inspection of the deformed structures revealed that small anatomical differences between organs in source and destination image sets were generally well accounted for while large differences were not.

Conclusion

Both CT and MR based propagations require manual editing, but the current results show that MR-to-MR propagated structures require fewer corrections for high risk prostate cancer patients treated at a high-field MRL.
Comparison between local infiltration analgesia with combined femoral and sciatic nerve block for pain management after total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Tian Yi , Tang Shuai , Sun Sijin , Zhang Yuelun , Chen Lin , Xia Di , Wang Yingli , Ren Liying , Huang Yuguang
Published: February 2020

Background

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is usually associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain. Peripheral nerve block (PNB) and local infiltration analgesia (LIA) are two major methods for postoperative analgesia. Femoral nerve block (FNB) leads to residual posterior knee pain; thus, currently sciatic nerve block (SNB) and LIA are two major options for supplementing FNB. However, the efficacy and safety of LIA compared with combined femoral and sciatic nerve block still remain controversial. Here, we conducted a study to analyze the postoperative analgesic efficacy of these two methods.

Method

Two hundred six patients undergoing TKA were enrolled in a retrospective cohort study. The patients received either PNB or LIA. All patients in PNB group were conducted combined femoral and sciatic nerve block. All patients were encouraged to use patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) after surgery. The postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) at rest or with movement during the first 24 h and 48 h was recorded. We analyzed the VAS of 24 h, VAS of 48 h, opioid consumption, and adverse effects between PNB group and LIA group. Chi-square test and nonparametric test were used in this study.

Results

There were 82 patients in the PNB group and 124 patients in the LIA group. The patients’ characteristics such as age, height, weight, and ASA showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). No significant differences were found (P > 0.05) between the two groups regarding VAS score at rest or with movement. The LIA group had less opioid consumption than the PNB group but without significant difference (P > 0.05). In both groups, the most common side effect was nausea, and the side effects showed no significant differences between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Local infiltration analgesia provided a similar analgesic effect and complications compared with combined femoral and sciatic nerve block in the short term. Considering less opioid consumption with local infiltration analgesia though without significant difference and its convenience, local infiltration analgesia provided better postoperative analgesia.
Buprenorphine to reverse respiratory depression from methadone overdose in opioid-dependent patients: a prospective randomized trial
Authors: Zamani Nasim , Buckley Nicholas A. , Hassanian-Moghaddam Hossein
Published: February 2020

Background

Naloxone is the usual drug used in opioid-induced respiratory depression but it has a short half-life, precipitates withdrawal in dependent patients, and thus for persistent reversal of long-acting opioids has to be given by titrated doses and infusions. The partial agonist buprenorphine has a much longer duration of action and causes less severe withdrawal, but still should largely reverse respiratory depression induced by full agonist opioids. We aimed to compare the efficacy/safety of buprenorphine and naloxone in reversing respiratory depression in methadone-poisoned opioid-dependent patients.

Methods

Patients with methadone-induced respiratory depression were randomized to receive naloxone (titrated doses), or lower or higher doses of buprenorphine (10 μg/kg or 15 μg/kg). The primary outcome was immediate reversal of respiratory depression. We also recorded acute opioid withdrawal, need for intubation/recurrent apnea, repeated doses of opioid antagonists, length of hospital stay, other morbidity, and mortality. The study was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (Trial ID: 18265; Approval code: IRCT2015011020624N1).

Results

Eighty-five patients were randomized; 55/56 patients who received buprenorphine had rapid reversal of respiratory depression, which persisted for at least 12 h. Naloxone was effective in 28/29 patients, but often required very high titrated doses (thus delaying time to respond) and prolonged infusions. Intubation (8/29 vs 5/56) and opioid withdrawal (15/29 vs 7/56) were less common with buprenorphine. There were no serious complications or deaths in those receiving buprenorphine. The 15-μg/kg buprenorphine dose appeared to provide a longer duration of action, but precipitated withdrawal more frequently than the 10-μg/kg dose.

Conclusion

Buprenorphine appears to be a safe and effective substitute for naloxone in overdosed opioid-dependent patients. Further studies are warranted to explore the optimal dosing strategy for buprenorphine to consistently maintain reversal of respiratory depression but not precipitate withdrawal.

Trial registration number

IRCT2015011020624N1. Registered 30 September 2015.
New class of G-Wolfe-type symmetric duality model and duality relations under $G_{f}$-bonvexity over arbitrary cones
Authors: Dubey Ramu , Kumar Arvind , Ali Rifaqat , Mishra Lakshmi Narayan
Published: February 2020

This paper is devoted to theoretical aspects in nonlinear optimization, in particular, duality relations for some mathematical programming problems. In this paper, we introduce a new generalized class of second-order multiobjective symmetric G-Wolfe-type model over arbitrary cones and establish duality results under $G_{f}$Gf-bonvexity/$G_{f}$Gf-pseudobonvexity assumptions. We construct nontrivial numerical examples which are $G_{f}$Gf-bonvex/$G_{f}$Gf-pseudobonvex but neither η-bonvex/η-pseudobonvex nor η-invex/η-pseudoinvex.
A stochastic Gronwall inequality in random time horizon and its application to BSDE
Authors: O Hun , Kim Mun-Chol , Pak Chol-Kyu
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we introduce and prove a stochastic Gronwall inequality in an (unbounded) random time horizon. As an application, we prove a comparison theorem for backward stochastic differential equation (BSDE for short) with random terminal time under a stochastic monotonicity condition.
The resonance behavior for the coupling of two Aw–Rascle traffic models
Authors: Hu Yanbo , Wang Guodong
Published: February 2020

By studying the Riemann problem for the Aw–Rascle traffic model with different pressure laws, which is the coupling of two one-dimensional hyperbolic systems, we investigate the resonance phenomena. The main difficulty arises from the possible resonance behavior which may result in multiple solutions. We discover a new and interesting phenomenon showing that there exist infinitely many solutions for some certain initial data, which is quite different compared to earlier studies for the isentropic model of a fluid flow in a nozzle with variable cross-section and the shallow water equations with discontinuous topography. In order to overcome this difficulty, we impose the so-called TV-condition to obtain the uniqueness of solution to the Riemann problem.
Providing privacy preserving in next POI recommendation for Mobile edge computing
Authors: Kuang Li , Tu Shenmei , Zhang Yangqi , Yang Xiaoxian
Published: February 2020

Point of interest (POI) recommendation can benefit users and merchants. It is a very important and popular service in modern life. In this paper, we aim to study the next new POI recommendation problem with the consideration of privacy preserving in edge computing. The challenge lies in capturing the transition patterns between POIs precisely and meanwhile protecting users’ location. In this paper, first, we propose to model users’ check-in sequences with their latent states based on HMM, and EM algorithm is used to estimate the parameters of the model. Second, we propose to protect users’ location information by a weighted noise injection method. Third, we predict users’ next movement according to his current location based on Forward algorithm. Experimental results on two large-scale LBSNs datasets show that our proposed model without noise injection can achieve better recommendation accuracy than several state-of-the-art techniques, and the proposed weighted noise injection approach can achieve better performance on privacy preserving than traditional one with a little cost on accuracy.
Current state of biogas production in Croatia
Authors: Petravić-Tominac Vlatka , Nastav Nikola , Buljubašić Mateja , Šantek Božidar
Published: February 2020

For biogas production, different renewable feedstocks, e.g., feces, manure, silage, industrial by-products, and municipal waste, can be used. Biogas production from various renewable feedstocks has positive socioeconomic and environmental impact. In Europe, biogas is mainly used for generating heat and electricity. It consists of methane (55–70% by volume), carbon dioxide (30–45% by volume), and small amounts of other compounds. In some cases, biogas is upgraded to pure biomethane and utilized as vehicle fuel, instead of fossil fuels, thus reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. Biomethane can also serve as a platform chemical in chemical and biochemical synthesis to produce value-added products. The additional positive effects of anaerobic digestion of animal manure and slurries are organic waste degradation, reducing odors, and pathogens. Digestate, obtained as a by-product of anaerobic digestion, is rich in nutrients and therefore is applied as fertilizer in agriculture. Biogas production in Croatia is mainly based on manure and by-products from agriculture, food industry, and slaughterhouses. The obtained biogas is mostly used for electricity and heat generation. Potential for large-scale biogas production in Croatia is still insufficiently used, although various renewable feedstocks are available. More rational and focused management of lignocellulosic residues, animal excrements, food processing by-products, and biodegradable fraction of municipal waste could contribute to the development of Croatian biogas sector. Biogas production in Croatia can be affected by the changes of animal breeding capacity due to the struggle to cope with the European Union (EU) standards and prices. Concerning large unused agricultural areas, great potential lies in their rational exploitation for fast-growing biomass, e.g., for energy crops or perennial grasses. This review will discuss the potential of biogas in the industrial and farming sector, current state of biogas production, and various key drivers and barriers influencing biogas production in Croatia.
Executive functioning but not IQ or illness severity predicts occupational status in bipolar disorder
Authors: Drakopoulos Julia , Sparding Timea , Clements Caitlin , Pålsson Erik , Landén Mikael
Published: February 2020

Background

Bipolar disorder is associated with significant functional deficits including occupational functioning. Despite the high rates of unemployment and sick leave in the patient population, only a limited number of studies have examined factors associated with occupational functioning in bipolar disorder. The aim of the study was to investigate the relative importance of demographic, clinical, and neuropsychological factors on occupational dysfunction in bipolar disorder.

Methods

A sample of 120 partially or fully remitted bipolar disorder I and II patients were included in the study. Patients were stratified into an active and an inactive group based on the number of hours per week working or studying. Active (n = 86) and inactive (n = 34) patients were compared with respect to demographic factors, clinical characteristics, medication, measures of psychosocial functioning, and cognitive functioning (i.e., IQ and executive functions). No other cognitive domains were examined.

Results

Univariate analyses revealed better overall cognitive function in active patients in terms of IQ and executive functioning. However, only executive functioning accounted for a significant amount of the variance in occupational status when other significant predictors were taken into account.

Conclusions

Executive functioning was a more powerful predictor of occupational status in bipolar disorder patients than IQ and other clinical factors, including illness severity.
Koori voices: self-harm, suicide attempts, arrests and substance use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents following residential treatment
Authors: Nathan S. , Maru K. , Williams M. , Palmer K. , Rawstorne P.
Published: February 2020

Background

Complex interacting social, economic and historical factors influence the availability and uptake of alcohol and drugs, including among Indigenous communities. Self-harm and suicide as well as homelessness and incarceration, can both precede and result from drug and alcohol use. Rates of self-harm, suicide and incarceration among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia are among the highest in the world and drug and alcohol treatment programs need to address these underlying complexities. This study examines whether an ‘holistic’ residential drug and alcohol treatment program for adolescents, with over 30% of clients identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, can improve outcomes post-discharge, including reducing self-harm, suicide attempts, arrests and alcohol and drug use. The program addresses substance use, mental health, employment, accommodation, social/community and family life. Program admission and 3 months’ post-discharge data from 2007 to 2016 were analysed.

Results

From 2007 to 2016, 619 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people were admitted to the program; 247 stayed in the program for 30 days or more; 89 were successfully followed up three months post-discharge to determine whether there was a significant improvement from baseline using the McNemar’s Test and the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. On admission, 18 people (20%) of the study population reported attempting suicide in the last 3 months and 23 people (30%) reported self-harm. Most had been engaged in the criminal justice system, with 67 people (75%) having been to court and 62 people (70%) arrested one or more times in the past 3 months, with 35 people (41%) in unstable housing, reporting having lived in three or more places in the previous 6 months. At 3 months post-treatment, all (n = 18) who reported suicide attempts in the 3 months prior to admission reported no attempts in the prior 3 months at follow-up. There was also a significant reduction in self-harm with 23 young people out of the 27 who reported self-harm at baseline not reporting self-harm at follow up (85%) and in the proportion of adolescents who reported using cannabis, amphetamines and alcohol, as well as a reduction in the proportion who reported being arrested.

Conclusions

The findings provide support for an ‘holistic’ residential treatment program as an approach to improve health and related outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. In addition to a focus on multiple aspects of a young person’s life in treatment, culturally relevant modes of treatment and support should be a future focus to further strengthen programs when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are over-represented in the client group.
The relationship between personality traits and marital satisfaction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sayehmiri Kourosh , Kareem Karez Ibrahim , Abdi Kamel , Dalvand Sahar , Gheshlagh Reza Ghanei
Published: February 2020

Background

Personality traits can be used to predict an individual’s behaviors in different life situations, including marital life situations. Marital satisfaction that is influenced by different factors is a criterion used to assess couples’ relationship quality. The goal of the present study was to review Iranian studies on the correlation between personality traits and marital satisfaction.

Methods

In this systematic review, all the related Iranian studies in international databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science (ISI) and Scopus, and national databases, including Scientific Information Database (SID) and MagIran were reviewed. The following keywords and also combinations of them were used to search the databases: “Marital satisfaction,” “Personality traits,” “Personality factors,” “Big five model of personality,” and “Iran.”

Results

A total of 18 correlational studies, without any time limitation, with a total sample of 4049, were reviewed. The following correlation coefficients were found between marital satisfaction and personality traits: r = − 0.439 with neuroticism (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.27–0.60), r = 0.833 with extraversion (95% CI: 0.77–0.88), r = 0.777 with openness (95% CI: 0.70–0.84), r = 0.855 with agreeableness (95% CI: 0.80–0.90), and r = 0.90 with conscientiousness (95% CI: 0.84–0.95).

Conclusions

Couples high in Neuroticism experience lower levels of marital satisfaction, and couples high in Conscientiousness are more satisfied with their marital life.
Evaluation of antioxidant, anti-hemolytic, cytotoxic effects and anti-bacterial activity of selected mangrove plants (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Heritiera littoralis) in Bangladesh
Authors: Karim Md. Adnan , Islam Md. Aminul , Islam Md. Muzahidul , Rahman Md. Saidur , Sultana Sharmin , Biswas Satyajit , Hosen Mohammad Jakir , Mazumder Kishor , Rahman Md. Masuder , Hasan Md. Nazmul
Published: February 2020

Objectives

In this present study, antioxidant, anti-hemolytic, cytotoxic and anti-bacterial activities derived from methanol extracts ofBruguiera gymnorrhizaandHeritiera littoraliswere investigated in order to determine their medicinal activities.

Materials and methods

Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method and aluminum chloride methods were used to determine the mangroves’ total phenolics and total flavonoid content, respectively. Antioxidant capacity was assessed via the following methods: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydroxyl (DPPH), 43 mM H2O2, Fe2+quenching assay, and anti-hemolytic activity. Brine shrimp (Artemia salinaL.) lethality assay was also carried out to determine the cytotoxic potential of the mangroves along with anti-bacterial activity test using five Gram-negative and another two Gram-positive bacterial strains.

Results

The mangroves yielded 58.917 ± 0.601 and 36.625 ± 0.551 mg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g sample and 76.417 ± 0.19 and 113.637 ± 0.17 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g sample inB. gymnorrhizaandH. littoralis, respectively. Methanol extracts of both mangroves exhibited high radical scavenging activity against DPPH, H2O2and Fe2+radicals. The reductive capacity of the extracts increased with increasing concentrations of samples, and the extracts inhibited H2O2induced hemolysis in human red blood cells (RBCs). Antioxidant properties were found to be moderately weaker than that of the reference standard, L-ascorbic acid (AA), and Gallic acid (GA). Further, brine shrimp (Artemia salinaL.) lethality assay revealed significant cytotoxicity (241.4 and 272.6 μg/mL, respectively). Methanol extracts could also inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacterial strains.

Conclusion

This study showed that the crude methanol extract of selected mangrove plants possesses free radical scavenging, anti-hemolytic, cytotoxic and anti-bacterial activity. The experimented plant has the potential to be used as a traditional medicine and replace synthetic drugs. Further studies are necessary to isolate active compounds responsible for the overall antioxidant activity of the crude extracts.