bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost effectiveness of virtual reality game compared to clinic based McKenzie extension therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain
Authors: Fatoye Francis , Gebrye Tadesse , Mbada Chidozie Emmanuel , Fatoye Clara T , Makinde Moses O , Ayomide Salami , Ige Blessing
Published: June 2022

Background

Low-back pain (LBP) is a major public health problem globally and its direct and indirect healthcare costs are growing rapidly. Virtual reality involving the use of video games or non-game applications are alternatives to conventional face-to-face physical therapy for LBP. The purpose of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of Back Extension-Virtual Reality Game (BE-VRG) compared to Clinic-based McKenzie therapy (CBMT) for chronic non-specific LBP in Nigeria.

Methods

Patients with chronic non-specific LBP were randomised into either BE-VRG or CBMT group. Patients’ level of disability was assessed using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at week 4 and week 8. ODI was mapped to SF-6D to generate quality adjusted life years (QALYs) used for cost-effectiveness analysis. Resource use and costs were assessed based on rehabilitation services from a healthcare perspective. Cost-effectiveness analysis which included direct healthcare costs was conducted. Incremental cost per QALY was also calculated.

Results

Forty-six patients (BE-VRG, n = 22; CBMT, n = 24) with the mean (±SD) age of 32.6 ± (11.5) years for BE-VRG and 48.8 ± (10.2) years for CBMT intervention completed in this study. The mean direct health costs per patient were USD100.67 and USD106.3 for BE-VRG and CBMT, respectively. The mean quality adjusted life years at week 4 and week 8 were (BE-VRG, 0.0574 ± (0.002); CBMT, 0.0548 ± (0.002)); and (BE-VRG; 0.116 ± (0.002); CBMT; 0.114 ± (0.004)), respectively. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio showed that BE-VRG arm was less costly and more effective than CBMT.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that BE-VRG was cost saving for chronic non-specific LBP compared to CBMT. This evidence could guide policy makers, payers and clinicians in evaluating BE-VRG as a treatment option for people with chronic non-specific LBP.
Nurse’s spiritual care perception in Ethiopia: A multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Seid Kalid , Eneyew Mekdes
Published: June 2022

Objectives:

Spirituality and spiritual care are the critical components of patient care. In recent years, spirituality has been indicated as a crucial but often overlooked component of patient health. Despite their benefits, several factors prevent nurses from providing spiritual care. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the current state of spiritual care perception of nurses in Southwest Ethiopia as well as the factors influencing it.

Methods:

From 1 August to 2 September 2021, an institution-based cross-sectional study was performed on nurses at five government hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia. Study participants were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using the Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale (SSCRS). The collected data were recorded into EpiData 4.1 and SPSS version 25. Simple and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with spiritual care perception. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results:

A total of 390 nurses were enrolled in the study, yielding a response rate of 96.8%. The mean score for nurses’ perception of spiritual care for patients was moderate, that is, 3.11 ± 0.78. Age (p < 0.05), clinical experience (p < 0.05), educational status (p < 0.05), and religion (p < 0.05) were significantly associated with spiritual care perceptions.

Conclusion:

Nurses’ perception of spiritual care was moderate. It is affected by nurses’ age, clinical experience, educational level, and religion. This expanding body of data should be used to notify nurse managers and nursing management personnel to provide spiritual care training, planning, and services.
Delayed myelopathy after organophosphate intoxication: A case report
Authors: Gautam Sandesh , Sapkota Sanjaya , Ojha Rajeev , Jha Anamika , Karn Ragesh , Gajurel Bikram Prasad , Rajbhandari Reema , Paudel Sunanda , Gautam Niraj , Shrestha Ashish
Published: June 2022

Organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy, a central-distal axonopathy, passes through latent, progressive, static and improvement phases. During the improvement phase, the peripheral nerves regenerate unmasking the spinal cord lesion with myelopathic features. We report a case of a 16-year-old male who developed myelopathy 6 weeks following chlorpyrifos poisoning. He had a motor weakness of 4/5 in bilateral hips and 3/5 in bilateral knees and ankles. Spasticity and exaggerated reflexes with ankle clonus were present in the lower limbs. Sensory and the upper limb motor examinations were all normal. Pertinent blood, cerebrospinal fluid and nerve conduction tests were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine showed features of cord atrophy. Three months following physiotherapy, his power improved to 5/5 in bilateral knee and hip joints and 4/5 in bilateral ankles with spasticity. Organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy can present as earlier as 6 weeks with myelopathy. Previous history of organophosphorous exposure is important in myelopathy or peripheral neuropathy.
Closed rupture of a flexor profundus tendon to the little finger caused by asymptomatic pisotriquetral osteoarthritis: A case required differentiation from the tendon rupture due to hamate bony irregularity by bone erosion
Authors: Hatori Yuhei , Tajika Tsuyoshi , Kuboi Takuro , Saida Ryuta , Chikuda Hirotaka
Published: June 2022

Carpal joint osteoarthritis and the formation of bony irregularities of the carpal bone cause closed flexor tendon ruptures. This report describes a case of a flexor profundus tendon closed rupture of the little finger due to asymptomatic pisotriquetral osteoarthritis in a 73-year-old woman, which required differentiation from tendon rupture due to hamate bony irregularity due to bone erosion. Computed tomography showed cortical bone irregularities of the hamate and the narrowing of the pisotriquetral joint space, and a bony spur on the radial side of the pisiform. Intraoperative findings revealed the capsule of the pisotriquetral joint was torn on the radial side. Pisiform-hamate ligament disruption and the bony spur on the pisiform were found on this side. However, the flexor tendon floor on the hamate was intact. Surgical resection of the pisiform and a free tendon interposition graft for tendon rupture restored the good function of the little finger. Particular attention should be paid in making the diagnosis in cases with multiple possible triggers for closed flexor tendon rupture.
Telephone nurses’ experiences of managing callers affected by mental illness: A descriptive qualitative study
Authors: Larsson Margaretha , Wilhsson Marie , Nielsen Sabine Hagman , Larsson Jenny , Eriksson Irene
Published: June 2022

Mental illness is a global health problem and encompasses many conditions with varying degrees of severity. Telephone contact is often the patient’s initial contact with the healthcare system. This study aimed to illuminate telenurses’ experiences of managing calls with patients affected by mental illness in primary healthcare. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 11 telenurses and a qualitative content analysis was conducted. The COREQ checklist was used to ensure trustworthiness. The analysis revealed three themes, labelled as: ‘Finding a solution to solve and deal with circumstances’; ‘Being emotionally affected and re-evaluating the situation’; and ‘Using distracting approaches and creating space for reflection’. The results show that telenurses adopt different strategies to manage negative and positive situations. This requires telenurses to be adaptable with the patient affected by mental illness as well as within each call and the conditions within the healthcare organization to manage calls with patients affected by mental illness.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Insecurity in Northern New England Primary and Prenatal Care Settings
Authors: Hatchell Kayla E. , Canavan Chelsey R. , D’cruze Tiffany , Suresh Arvind , Dev Alka , Boardman Maureen , Kennedy Meaghan A.
Published: June 2022

Introduction and Objective:

Food insecurity (FI) is associated with adverse health outcomes across the lifespan. Primary care and prenatal practices can identify and address FI among patients through screening and interventions. It is unclear how practices and communities responded to FI during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the pandemic may have impacted practices’ FI strategies. We aimed to understand how practices providing primary care or prenatal care in northern New England experienced changes in FI during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

We conducted a web-based survey of clinicians and staff from 43 unique practices providing primary care or prenatal care in northern New England.

Results:

Most practices (59.5%) reported at least 1 new food program in the practice or community since the pandemic began. Practices reporting new practice- or community-based food programs were more likely to be rural, federally qualified health centers, and have greater confidence in practice and community capacity to address FI (chi-square tests, P < .05).

Conclusion:

Results suggest that practices and surrounding communities in northern New England responded to FI during the pandemic by increasing food support programs. Future work is needed to examine the impact of food programs initiated during the pandemic and determine optimal strategies for practices to address FI among patients.
Segregation, Securitization, and Bullying: Investigating the Connections Between Policing, Surveillance, Punishment, and Violence
Authors: Iwama Janice , Irizarry Yasmiyn , Ernstes Amy , Ripepi Melissa , Peguero Anthony A. , Bondy Jennifer M. , Hong Jun Sung
Published: June 2022

Over the past twenty years, scholarly research on the disproportionate control, surveillance, and punishment of racial/ethnic minority students within U.S. public schools have indicated that these youth are subject to greater levels of violence and bullying. Many scholars have conceptualized the term “youth control complex.” This term references the hyper-criminalization of racial and ethnic minority youth across the U.S., which leads to greater levels of over-policing, surveillance, and punishment in U.S. public schools with large populations of racial and ethnic minority students. Using the 2015–2016 School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS) data, this study addresses two major research questions. First, do racially/ethnically segregated schools have higher rates of policing, surveillance, and punishment? Second, do policing, surveillance, and punishment within segregated schools moderate the rate of bullying? Our findings indicate that majority-Black and majority-Latina/o/x schools do in fact experience hyper-criminalization in U.S. public schools in comparison to majority-White schools. Yet, these increased crime control and punishment efforts in majority-Black and majority-Latina/o/x schools do not have a significant impact on the rate of bullying. Moreover, our findings highlight the educational inequities between majority-Black, majority-Latina/o/x, and majority-White schools.
Does Digital Financial Inclusion Reduce China’s Rural Household Vulnerability to Poverty: An Empirical Analysis From the Perspective of Household Entrepreneurship
Authors: Chen Shijiang , Liang Mingyue , Yang Wen
Published: June 2022

This paper evaluates the impact of digital financial inclusion (DFI) powered by digital technologies on rural household vulnerability to poverty based on data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) and DFI data from the Institute of Digital Finance Peking University. The results show that both DFI and its secondary indicators reduce rural household vulnerability to poverty. Household entrepreneurship is an intermediary factor of DFI influencing vulnerability to poverty; that is, DFI stimulates rural households’ entrepreneurial behavior, thereby reducing their vulnerability to poverty. Through the analysis of income heterogeneity, financial development level, and human capital in the region, it is found that DFI is more helpful in reducing the vulnerability to poverty for rural households with low income, a low level of financial development and low human capital. Therefore, the Chinese government should map out the DFI development path, build a DFI control system with internet technologies, and actively play the mutually supporting role of DFI and other influencing factors to boost DFI development, minimize the risk of returning to poverty and thereby reduce rural household vulnerability in China.
Reduction of Instrumentation-Related Spine Surgical Site Infections After Optimization of Surgical Techniques. A Single Center Retrospective Analysis
Authors: San-Juan Rafael , Paredes Igor , Ramírez-Nava Esther , Delgado-Fernández Juan , Panero Irene , Hernández-Ortiz Paula , Ramírez-Vicente Elia , Fernández-Ruiz Mario , López-Medrano Francisco , Corbella Laura , Rodríguez-Goncer Isabel , Brañas Patricia , Lagares Alfonso , Aguado José María
Published: June 2022

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Objective

Although surgical risk factors for developing spine surgical site infections (S-SSI) have been identified, the impact of such knowledge in its prevention has not been demonstrated.

Methods

We evaluated in 500 patients undergoing spine surgery between 2011 and 2019 at Hospital 12 de Octubre the changes in S-SSI rates over time. Surgical variables independently related to S-SSI were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression models. A case-control sub-analysis (1:4), matched by the surgical variables identified in the overall cohort was also performed.

Results

Twenty cases of S-SSI were identified (4%), with a significant decrease in the incidence rate across consecutive time periods (6.6% [2011-2014] vs .86% [2015-2019]; P-value <.0001)). Multivariate analysis identified arthrodesis involving sacral levels (odds ratio [OR]: 2.57; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.02-6.47; P-value = .044) and instrumentation over 4-8 vertebrae (OR: 2.82; 95%CI: 1.1-7.1; P-value = .027) as independent risk factors for S-SSI. The reduction in the incidence of S-SSI concurred temporally with a reduction in instrumentations involving 4-8 vertebrae (55% vs 21.8%; P-value <.0001) and sacral vertebrae (46.9% vs 24.6%; P-value <.0001) across both periods. The case-control analysis matched by these surgical variables failed to identify other factors independently related to the occurrence of S-SSI.

Conclusions

Spinal fusion of more than 4 levels and the inclusion of sacral levels were independently related to the risk of S-SSI. Optimization of surgical techniques by reducing these two types of instrumentation could significantly reduce S-SSI rates.
Relationship Between Job Stress, Employee Engagement and Job Satisfaction: A Study Based on Women Managers in 4 and 5 star Hotels in India
Authors: Nair Sridevi , Mathew Jain
Published: June 2022

Women account for a very small percentage of the employee population in Indian luxury hotels. While they have proved themselves as valuable assets, the average tenure of a woman in a managerial role in the sector is still around 2 to 4 years. The Government of India in its India Skills report has identified the sector as a focus area, in the drive to achieve better gender ratios. This study takes a small step towards understanding the factors that could influence the tenure of women in the hotel sector. The study examines the role of job stress in determining the levels of job satisfaction of women in the Indian hotel industry. The study also examines the mediating effect that employee engagement may have on the relation. The researchers have studied women in managerial roles in 4 and 5-star hotels, across India. The findings suggest that there is a strong negative correlation between job stress and job satisfaction and that this relationship is partially mediated by the presence of employee engagement. The findings are particularly important for the hospitality sector in India, as it struggles to retain its talented female employees.
Postoperative Pain and Paresthesia in Labral Repairs of the Shoulder: Location Does Matter
Authors: Latif Joseph , Aveledo Ricardo , Lam Patrick H. , Murrell George A.C.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Favorable outcomes have been reported regarding postoperative shoulder pain and function after repair of anteroinferior (Bankart) glenohumeral labral tears. However, the outcomes of patients after repair of isolated superior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) tears are a contentious topic. The authors have also anecdotally noted that patients evaluated with labral tears complained of numbness and tingling in their ipsilateral hand.

Purpose:

To determine if there is a difference in the temporal outcomes of shoulder pain and hand paresthesia in patients with SLAP tears versus Bankart tears after arthroscopic repair.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Included were 66 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic labral repair at a single institution between August 2018 and February 2021. The prevalence and magnitude of shoulder pain as well as numbness and tingling of the hand were assessed using questions from the L’Insalata Shoulder Questionnaire and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire preoperatively and at 1 week, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months after surgery.

Results:

Preoperatively, patients with SLAP lesions reported a higher prevalence of shoulder pain during sleep compared with those with Bankart tears ( P < .05). Postoperatively, patients who underwent SLAP repair reported a larger proportion and more severe magnitude of shoulder pain during rest, overhead activities, and sleep compared with those who underwent Bankart repair ( P < .05). Only patients who underwent Bankart repair reported improvements in the prevalence and magnitude of their shoulder pain during rest, overhead activities, and sleep by 6 months postoperatively compared with preoperative levels ( P < .05). Preoperatively, 30% of patients with Bankart repairs and 40% of patients with SLAP repairs reported hand tingling, while 35% and 50%, respectively, reported hand numbness. The prevalence and magnitude of hand tingling and numbness were not significantly different between groups at any time point.

Conclusion:

Study results indicated that patients who underwent SLAP repair experienced worse shoulder pain outcomes compared with those who underwent Bankart repair using the same anchor and surgical technique. Only patients who underwent Bankart repair reported improvements in their hand numbness after surgery. Therefore, labral tear location does matter with respect to shoulder pain and hand numbness.
Effect of Zinc Supplementation in Children Less Than 5 Years on Diarrhea Attacks: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Abd El-Ghaffar Yosra S. , Shouman Ahmed Esmat , Hakim Sally Adel , El Gendy Yasmin Gamal Abdo , Wahdan Maha Magdy Mahmoud
Published: June 2022

Recurrent infections and weak immunity were found to be linked with zinc deficiency especially in children. The goal of this study is to measure the level of blood zinc in children aged 6 months to less than 5 years old, and to assess the effect of 4 months of daily zinc supplements on the incidence and the severity of diarrheal morbidity. A randomized controlled trial study was conducted in Pediatric Outpatient Clinic in Ain Shams University Hospital on 140 children less than 5 years old who are apparently healthy. Random assignment of the sampled children to group receiving zinc (70 children) or group receiving placebo (70 children) was done. A questionnaire containing questions about occurrence of diarrhea was used during follow up. Serum zinc at baseline was measured. The mean age was 25.26 ± 15.7 months. Mean of serum zinc was 51.08 μg/dL, with 70% had low baseline serum zinc level. Cumulative incidence of diarrhea, number of diarrhea episodes per child and frequency of stools/day decreased significantly in zinc group ( P < .05). Risk ratio was found to be 0.79, 95% CI: 0.64 to 0.97. we concluded that incidence of diarrhea and its severity reduced in children received zinc daily for 4 months.

This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05002101.
Cyber Threats and Nuclear Security in India
Authors: Poornima B.
Published: June 2022

State and non-state actors are increasingly using cyberspace as a platform to execute hybrid warfare. As multiple incidents in India have shown critical infrastructures, particularly nuclear infrastructures, have been lucrative targets of cyber-attacks. Considering India’s well-progressing civilian and military nuclear infrastructures, it is apposite to raise the question of how safe these nuclear infrastructures are from cyber threats. This article suggests that India’s nuclear infrastructures will remain exposed to cyber-attacks due to their strategic significance for India’s national security. These threats will continue to exploit the zero-day vulnerabilities in the cyber-physical systems of these infrastructures. Further, the article looks into the threat sources, consequences and mitigation strategies against cyber-attacks on nuclear infrastructures. In an attempt to explore mitigation strategies, the article discusses certain cyber-attack scenarios and the consequences on India’s nuclear infrastructures. The article concludes that while certain technological cyber-defence mechanisms are in place, there is a need for legislative and diplomatic measures for developing a comprehensive set of measures to deter cyber threats to India’s nuclear infrastructures.
Nutrition Professionals Feel Underprepared to Serve Persons With Marginalized Identities
Authors: Burt Kate G. , Losak Rachel , He Hanbin
Published: June 2022

With increasing attention on diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), it is necessary that nutrition professionals are educated and trained to provide inclusive care for all individuals. Yet, little is known about how nutrition students are educated and trained to serve persons with marginalized identities. Using the Diffusions of Innovations Theory, the purpose of this study is to identify early adopters of inclusive approaches to dietetics care and understand their preparedness to serve marginalized persons. This descriptive pilot study used a virtual intercept interview approach using poll style questions in a Facebook group (#InclusiveDietetics) dedicated to sharing content about DEI in dietetics, as members of the group were identified as “early adopters” of inclusive care. Five questions assessed the type of education, diversity of educators, and sources of information that nutrition professionals used to learn to serve marginalized clients. Descriptive statistics (counts and frequencies) were used to analyze the data. About 79.31% of participants reported receiving no education or training from their accredited dietetics programs interacting with patients with mental disabilities, physical disabilities, identifying within the LGBQ+ and Trans community, and of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds. When they received it, nearly 75% of participants reported receiving training on working with patients of different racial/ethnic backgrounds but only 5.56% reportedly received training to serve persons within the LGBTQ+ community. Nutrition professionals feel prepared to interact with marginalized groups to some extent; however, more research, education, and training are needed to develop best practices and adequately prepare professional to serve marginalized patients.
Subversive Narratives of Borders and Nations: A Reading of Debendranath Acharya’s Jangam and Amitav Ghosh’s The Glass Palace
Authors: Gogoi Lakhipriya
Published: June 2022

The proposed paper studies the narratives of ‘borders’ and ‘nations’ on the border lands between India and Burma invoking two works of fiction written in Assamese and English respectively. Jangam (1982) an Assamese novel by Debendranath Acharya is read with The Glass Palace (2000) by Amitav Ghosh to study the stateless lives of people who become victims of operative forces controlling the exclusionary lines of border and nation. Set on the backdrop of World War II, both the novels address the ramifications of border and nation in the lives of common people. They probe less explored geography of the Indo-Burmese border and the ebbs and flows during the colonial and post-colonial times. Popular representations depicting this particular geography have remained elusive, comparing for example, the Indo-Pakistan border. It is argued that the historical narratives of cross border migrations in the colonial times can be reviewed through regional writers’ expressions about home and homelessness. The fixity of borders and the consequent realisations of belonging to a nation for both the Indian migrants in Burma and their counterparts in India not only call for fluidity in the way home and homelessness are understood, but also are read against the temporal re-imaginings of national identities. Exploring beyond the historical records of such episodes, these works of fiction offer nuanced and poignant picture of what politics does to everyday human life. The contorted lives of migrants crossing these contested borders suggest that borders are sites of negotiations where ideas of nation and nationalism are constantly interrogated and ideas of ‘insider/outsider’ and ‘home/world’ are redefined.
In situ growth of carbon nanotubes on graphene oxide fibers by thermal chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Kaiwen Cao , Songyan Wang , Lianghua Xu , Dongling Zhao , Yuanjian Tong
Published: June 2022

Aqueous graphene oxide (GO) dispersion was used to produce fibers by wet spinning technique. In situ growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the graphene fibers was realized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of the obtained graphene oxide GO fibers with a diameter about 30 μm using acetylene as precursor gas. Carbon nanotubes with diameters of 107 and 407 nm were found in the resulted graphene fiber (GF) with creation of active nucleation sites as reduction oxygen containing groups in the GO sheets during the CVD process. XPS and Raman spectroscopy results combined with SEM image confirmed the conversion of the GO fibers to the CNTs/GF.
Mechanical properties of thermoformed multilayer parts containing non thermoformable materials
Authors: Wittmann Lisa-Maria , Drummer Dietmar
Published: June 2022

Different viscous materials were chosen to simulate the behavior of degraded materials in the thermoforming process and to demonstrate the potential of using multilayer sheets for thermoforming non thermoformable materials without losing final part performance. The mechanical properties of thermoformed multilayer sheets with 3, 22, and 50 melt flow index (MFI) polypropylenes (PP) were investigated. Therefore, a thermoformable material (MFI-3) and difficult/non thermoformable (MFI-22 and MFI-50) material was combined in the bilayer sheet. The extruded bilayer sheets had equal layer thicknesses (A/B 50%/50%) and unequal layer thicknesses (A/B 70%/30%), whereby B is always the material difficult to thermoform. As the non thermoformable material can lead to inhomogenity in the wall thickness and therefore can cause different part performance, the investigation focused on how the non thermoformable material influenced the mechanical performance of the final part. This labortory scale thermoformability investigation of the extruded PP sheets with different viscosities showed that the low viscous layer position has only a marginal influence on the general mechanical properties of the thermoformed parts. The mechanical properties can be predicted more precisely by the mechanical properties of the thermoformable material used than by the rule of mixtures. Whereas the Young’s modulus and yield stress change only negligibly, the elongation at break after thermoforming significantly increases with the stable component.
Evaluation of the Global Lung Function Initiative reference equations in Belgian adults
Authors: De Soomer Kevin , Pauwels Evelyn , Vaerenberg Hilde , Derom Eric , Casas Lidia , Verbraecken Johan , Lapperre Thérèse , Oostveen Ellie
Published: June 2022

Background

Over the past decade, the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) Network has published all-age reference equations on spirometry, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and lung volumes.

Methods

We evaluated the appropriateness of these equations in an adult Caucasian population. Retrospective lung function data on subjects who performed tests prior to a diagnostic sleep investigation were analysed. From the medical records, lung healthy, lifetime nonsmoking, nonobese subjects were selected, resulting in a population of 1311 subjects (68% male; age range 18–88 years).

Results

Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that lung function z-scores did not differ between subjects with and without sleep apnoea but did depend on height and age. The average forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) z-score was 0 but exhibited an inverse association with height in both sexes (p<0.01). Values of FEV1and FVC in both sexes were larger than predicted (mean±sdz-score +0.30±0.96 or 104±13% pred; p<0.01). Overall, static lung volumes andDLCOwere adequately predicted. However,DLCOz-scores were inversely associated with height in males and age in females (p<0.01). For all lung function indices, the observed scatter was reduced compared with the prediction. Therefore, for all indices <5% of the data were below the GLI-proposed lower limit of normal (LLN) threshold.

Conclusion

GLI reference equations provide an adequate fit in Belgian adults. However, the GLI-proposed LLN is too low for our Antwerp population, resulting in underdiagnosis of disease. Furthermore, airway obstruction and diffusion disorders might be misclassified due to height and age associations.
Hypermethylation of TMEM240 predicts poor hormone therapy response and disease progression in breast cancer
Authors: Lin Ruo-Kai , Su Chih-Ming , Lin Shih-Yun , Thi Anh Thu Le , Liew Phui-Ly , Chen Jian-Yu , Tzeng Huey-En , Liu Yun-Ru , Chang Tzu-Hao , Lee Cheng-Yang , Hung Chin-Sheng
Published: June 2022

Background

Approximately 25% of patients with early-stage breast cancer experience cancer progression throughout the disease course. Alterations in TMEM240 in breast cancer were identified and investigated to monitor treatment response and disease progression.

Methods

Circulating methylated TMEM240 in the plasma of breast cancer patients was used to monitor treatment response and disease progression. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data in Western countries and Illumina methylation arrays in Taiwanese breast cancer patients were used to identify novel hypermethylated CpG sites and genes related to poor hormone therapy response. Quantitative methylation-specific PCR (QMSP), real-time reverse transcription PCR, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to measure DNA methylation and mRNA and protein expression levels in 394 samples from Taiwanese and Korean breast cancer patients. TMEM240 gene manipulation, viability, migration assays, RNA-seq, and MetaCore were performed to determine its biological functions and relationship to hormone drug treatment response in breast cancer cells.

Results

Aberrant methylated TMEM240 was identified in breast cancer patients with poor hormone therapy response using genome-wide methylation analysis in the Taiwan and TCGA breast cancer cohorts. A cell model showed that TMEM240, which is localized to the cell membrane and cytoplasm, represses breast cancer cell proliferation and migration and regulates the expression levels of enzymes involved in estrone and estradiol metabolism. TMEM240 protein expression was observed in normal breast tissues but was not detected in 88.2% (67/76) of breast tumors and in 90.0% (9/10) of metastatic tumors from breast cancer patients. QMSP revealed that in 54.5% (55/101) of Taiwanese breast cancer patients, the methylation level of TMEM240 was at least twofold higher in tumor tissues than in matched normal breast tissues. Patients with hypermethylation of TMEM240 had poor 10-year overall survival (p = 0.003) and poor treatment response, especially hormone therapy response (p < 0.001). Circulating methylated TMEM240 dramatically and gradually decreased and then diminished in patients without disease progression, whereas it returned and its levels in plasma rose again in patients with disease progression. Prediction of disease progression based on circulating methylated TMEM240 was found to have 87.5% sensitivity, 93.1% specificity, and 90.2% accuracy.

Conclusions

Hypermethylation of TMEM240 is a potential biomarker for treatment response and disease progression monitoring in breast cancer.
Efficient Inverse Method for Structural Identification Considering Modeling and Response Uncertainties
Authors: Cao Lixiong , Liu Jie , Lu Cheng , Wang Wei
Published: June 2022

The inverse problem analysis method provides an effective way for the structural parameter identification. However, uncertainties wildly exist in the practical engineering inverse problems. Due to the coupling of multi-source uncertainties in the measured responses and the modeling parameters, the traditional inverse method under the deterministic framework faces the challenges in solving mechanism and computing cost. In this paper, an uncertain inverse method based on convex model and dimension reduction decomposition is proposed to realize the interval identification of unknown structural parameters according to the uncertain measured responses and modeling parameters. Firstly, the polygonal convex set model is established to quantify the epistemic uncertainties of modeling parameters. Afterwards, a space collocation method based on dimension reduction decomposition is proposed to transform the inverse problem considering multi-source uncertainties into a few interval inverse problems considering response uncertainty. The transformed interval inverse problem involves the two-layer solving process including interval propagation and optimization updating. In order to solve the interval inverse problems considering response uncertainty, an efficient interval inverse method based on the high dimensional model representation and affine algorithm is further developed. Through the coupling of the above two strategies, the proposed uncertain inverse method avoids the time-consuming multi-layer nested calculation procedure, and then effectively realizes the uncertainty identification of unknown structural parameters. Finally, two engineering examples are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed uncertain inverse method.
SARS-CoV-2: phenotype, genotype, and characterization of different variants
Authors: Saberiyan Mohammadreza , Karimi Elham , Khademi Zahra , Movahhed Parvaneh , Safi Amir , Mehri-Ghahfarrokhi Ameneh
Published: June 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a major international public health concern. Because of very similar amino acid sequences of the seven domain names, SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the Coronavirinae subfamily of the family Coronaviridae, order Nidovirales, and realm Riboviria, placed in exceptional clusters, but categorized as a SARS-like species. As the RNA virus family with the longest genome, the Coronaviridae genome consists of a single strand of positive RNA (25–32 kb in length). Four major structural proteins of this genome include the spike (S), membrane (M), envelope (E), and the nucleocapsid (N) protein, all of which are encoded within the 3′ end of the genome. By engaging with its receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), SARS-CoV-2 infects host cells. According to the most recent epidemiological data, as the illness spread globally, several genetic variations of SARS-CoV-2 appeared quickly, with the World Health Organization (WHO) naming 11 of them. Among these, seven SARS-CoV-2 subtypes have received the most attention. Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.617.2) are now designated as variations of concern (VOC) (B.1.1.529). Lambda (C.37) and Mu are variations of interest (VOI) (B.1.621). The remaining six are either being monitored or are no longer considered a threat. On the basis of studies done so far, antiviral drugs, antibiotics, glucocorticoids, recombinant intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma therapy, and IFN-α2b have been used to treat patients. Moreover, full vaccination is associated with lower infection and helps prevent transmission, but the risk of infection cannot be eliminated completely in vaccinated people.
Parallel and private generalized suffix tree construction and query on genomic data
Authors: Al Aziz Md Momin , Thulasiraman Parimala , Mohammed Noman
Published: June 2022

Background

Several technological advancements and digitization of healthcare data have provided the scientific community with a large quantity of genomic data. Such datasets facilitated a deeper understanding of several diseases and our health in general. Strikingly, these genome datasets require a large storage volume and present technical challenges in retrieving meaningful information. Furthermore, the privacy aspects of genomic data limit access and often hinder timely scientific discovery.

Methods

In this paper, we utilize the Generalized Suffix Tree (GST); their construction and applications have been fairly studied in related areas. The main contribution of this article is the proposal of a privacy-preserving string query execution framework using GSTs and an additional tree-based hashing mechanism. Initially, we start by introducing an efficient GST construction in parallel that is scalable for a large genomic dataset. The secure indexing scheme allows the genomic data in a GST to be outsourced to an untrusted cloud server under encryption. Additionally, the proposed methods can perform several string search operations (i.e., exact, set-maximal matches) securely and efficiently using the outlined framework.

Results

The experimental results on different datasets and parameters in a real cloud environment exhibit the scalability of these methods as they also outperform the state-of-the-art method based on Burrows-Wheeler Transformation (BWT). The proposed method only takes around 36.7s to execute a set-maximal match whereas the BWT-based method takes around 160.85s, providing a 4× speedup.
Sequence-based drug-target affinity prediction using weighted graph neural networks
Authors: Jiang Mingjian , Wang Shuang , Zhang Shugang , Zhou Wei , Zhang Yuanyuan , Li Zhen
Published: June 2022

Background

Affinity prediction between molecule and protein is an important step of virtual screening, which is usually called drug-target affinity (DTA) prediction. Its accuracy directly influences the progress of drug development. Sequence-based drug-target affinity prediction can predict the affinity according to protein sequence, which is fast and can be applied to large datasets. However, due to the lack of protein structure information, the accuracy needs to be improved.

Results

The proposed model which is called WGNN-DTA can be competent in drug-target affinity (DTA) and compound-protein interaction (CPI) prediction tasks. Various experiments are designed to verify the performance of the proposed method in different scenarios, which proves that WGNN-DTA has the advantages of simplicity and high accuracy. Moreover, because it does not need complex steps such as multiple sequence alignment (MSA), it has fast execution speed, and can be suitable for the screening of large databases.

Conclusion

We construct protein and molecular graphs through sequence and SMILES that can effectively reflect their structures. To utilize the detail contact information of protein, graph neural network is used to extract features and predict the binding affinity based on the graphs, which is called weighted graph neural networks drug-target affinity predictor (WGNN-DTA). The proposed method has the advantages of simplicity and high accuracy.
Conversion between duplicated genes generated by polyploidization contributes to the divergence of poplar and willow
Authors: Wang Jianyu , Zhang Lan , Wang Jiaqi , Hao Yanan , Xiao Qimeng , Teng Jia , Shen Shaoqi , Zhang Yan , Feng Yishan , Bao Shoutong , Li Yu , Yan Zimo , Wei Chendan , Wang Li , Wang Jinpeng
Published: June 2022

Background

Gene conversion has an important effect on duplicate genes produced by polyploidization. Poplar (Populus trichocarpa) and willow (Salix brachista) are leading models and excellent green plants in the Salicaceae. Although much attention has been paid to the evolution of duplicated genes in poplar and willow, the role of conversion between duplicates generated from polyploidization remains poorly understood.

Results

Here, through genomic synteny analyses, we identified duplicate genes generated by the Salicaceae common tetraploidization (SCT) in the poplar and willow genomes. We estimated that at least 0.58% and 0.25% of poplar and willow duplicates were affected by whole-gene conversion after the poplar-willow divergence, with more (5.73% and 2.66%) affected by partial-gene conversion. Moreover, we found that the converted duplicated genes were unevenly distributed on each chromosome in the two genomes, and the well-preserved homoeologous chromosome regions may facilitate the conversion of duplicates. Notably, we found that conversion maintained the similarity of duplicates, likely contributing to the conservation of certain sequences, but is essentially accelerated the rate of evolution and increased species divergence. In addition, we found that converted duplicates tended to have more similar expression patterns than nonconverted duplicates. We found that genes associated with multigene families were preferentially converted. We also found that the genes encoding conserved structural domains associated with specific traits exhibited a high frequency of conversion.

Conclusions

Extensive conversion between duplicate genes generated from the SCT contributes to the diversification of the family Salicaceae and has had long-lasting effects on those genes with important biological functions.
Identifying Potential Factors Associated with High HIV viral load in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa using Multiple Correspondence Analysis and Random Forest Analysis
Authors: Soogun Adenike O. , Kharsany Ayesha B. M. , Zewotir Temesgen , North Delia , Ogunsakin Ropo Ebenezer
Published: June 2022

Background

Sustainable Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) virological suppression is crucial to achieving the Joint United Nations Programme of HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 95–95-95 treatment targets to reduce the risk of onward HIV transmission. Exploratory data analysis is an integral part of statistical analysis which aids variable selection from complex survey data for further confirmatory analysis.

Methods

In this study, we divulge participants’ epidemiological and biological factors with high HIV RNA viral load (HHVL) from an HIV Incidence Provincial Surveillance System (HIPSS) sequential cross-sectional survey between 2014 and 2015 KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and random forest analysis (RFA), we analyzed the linkage between socio-demographic, behavioral, psycho-social, and biological factors associated with HHVL, defined as ≥400 copies per m/L.

Results

Out of 3956 in 2014 and 3868 in 2015, 50.1% and 41% of participants, respectively, had HHVL. MCA and RFA revealed that knowledge of HIV status, ART use, ARV dosage, current CD4 cell count, perceived risk of contracting HIV, number of lifetime HIV tests, number of lifetime sex partners, and ever diagnosed with TB were consistent potential factors identified to be associated with high HIV viral load in the 2014 and 2015 surveys. Based on MCA findings, diverse categories of variables identified with HHVL were, did not know HIV status, not on ART, on multiple dosages of ARV, with less likely perceived risk of contracting HIV and having two or more lifetime sexual partners.

Conclusion

The high proportion of individuals with HHVL suggests that the UNAIDS 95–95-95 goal of HIV viral suppression is less likely to be achieved. Based on performance and visualization evaluation, MCA was selected as the best and essential exploration tool for identifying and understanding categorical variables’ significant associations and interactions to enhance individual epidemiological understanding of high HIV viral load. When faced with complex survey data and challenges of variables selection in research, exploratory data analysis with robust graphical visualization and reliability that can reveal divers’ structures should be considered.
Benzydamine hydrochloride for the treatment of sore throat and irritative/inflammatory conditions of the oropharynx: a cross-national survey among pharmacists and general practitioners
Authors: Passali Desiderio , Arezzo Maria Felice , De Rose Alessandra , De Simone Gianmarco , Forte Gianluigi , Jablko-Musial Michalina , Mösges Ralph
Published: June 2022

Background

Benzydamine for oromucosal use is indicated in the relief of pain and irritation of the mouth and throat. It is an indazole derivative, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, with combined local anesthetic and analgesic properties, and antiseptic activity, marketed under the brand name “Tantum Verde”. The aim of this study was to explore knowledge and prescriptive/advising attitudes among general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists (PHs) with regard to the topical treatment of sore throat and other irritative/inflammatory conditions of the oropharynx, with a focus on benzydamine. These findings could be important to increase awareness on benzydamine efficacy in sore throat and stomatological conditions, and to reinforce knowledge on the characteristics of benzydamine and its mechanisms of action among healthcare professionals (pediatricians, otolaryngologists, oncologists, etc.).

Materials and methods

An online questionnaire survey was performed among PHs and GPs in four European countries (Italy, Germany, Russia and Poland).

Results

Both GPs and PHs proved to have an excellent knowledge and mastery of the constituents effective against oral symptoms. Among all the principles, benzydamine hydrochloride is the most recognized as certainly suitable for the topical treatment of sore throat symptoms and various inflammatory/irritative conditions of the oral cavity. It is recommended by about 90% of PHs and prescribed by 80% of GPs, mainly to solve the ailments caused by sore throats and stomatitis, especially for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anesthetic characteristics. Also in the pediatric field, benzydamine hydrochloride is recommended: among GPs, a high percentage (about 40%) prescribes it like the remedies based on dichlorobenzyl alcohol-sodium benzoate, which are instead more often recommended by PHs (44% against 37%).

Conclusion

Although the public has a lot of confidence in this treatment, GPs and PHs do not recommend/prescribe benzydamine as a first-line treatment of sore throat and other irritative/inflammatory conditions of the oropharynx. To increase the knowledge of benzydamine among these healthcare professionals, it would be important to emphasize its characteristics and the different irritative/inflammatory conditions of the oropharynx in which it can be used.