bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypertension modifies the associations of body mass index and waist circumference with all-cause mortality among older Chinese: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bai Kaizhi , Chen Xuejiao , Shi Zhan , He Kun , Hu Xueqi , Song Rui , Shi Wenlong , Tian Qingfeng , Shi Songhe
Published: May 2022

Background

The effect of baseline hypertension status on the BMI–mortality association is still unclear. We aimed to explore the relationships of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with all-cause mortality among older hypertensive and normotensive Chinese individuals.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted in Xinzheng, Henan Province, Central China. The data came from the residents’ electronic health records of the Xinzheng Hospital Information System. A total of 77,295 participants (41,357 hypertensive participants and 35,938 normotensive participants) aged ≥ 60 years were included from January 2011 to November 2019. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to examine the relationships.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 5.3 years, 10,755 deaths were identified (6,377 in hypertensive participants and 4,378 in normotensive participants). In adjusted models, compared with a BMI of 18.5–24 kg/m2, the hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of BMI < 18.5, 24–28 and ≥ 28 kg/m2 for mortality in hypertensive participants were 1.074 (0.927–1.244), 0.881 (0.834–0.931) and 0.856 (0.790–0.929), respectively, and 1.444 (1.267–1.646), 0.884 (0.822–0.949) and 0.912 (0.792–1.051), respectively, in normotensive participants. Compared with normal waist circumference, the adjusted HRs and 95% CIs of central obesity for mortality were 0.880 (0.832–0.931) in hypertensive participants and 0.918 (0.846–0.996) in normotensive participants. A sensitivity analysis showed similar associations for both hypertensive and normotensive participants.

Conclusion

Low BMI and WC were associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality regardless of hypertension status in older Chinese individuals. The lowest risk of death associated with BMI was in the overweight group in normotensive participants and in the obesity group in hypertensive participants.
Efficacy and safety of sugammadex for neuromuscular blockade reversal in pediatric patients: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with trial sequential analysis
Authors: Lang Bingchen , Han Lu , Zeng Linan , Zhang Qianqian , Chen Shouming , Huang Liang , Jia Zhijun , Yu Qin , Zhang Lingli
Published: May 2022

Background

A recent survey revealed that extensive off-label use of sugammadex in pediatric anesthesia deserved particular attention. The present study with trial sequential analysis (TSA) aimed to evaluate the effects of sugammadex for antagonizing neuromuscular blockade (NMB) in pediatric patients, and to investigate whether the findings achieved the required information size to draw conclusions.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched from inception to April 2021. All randomized controlled trials used sugammadex as reversal agent in pediatric patients were enrolled. Time from NMB reversal to recovery of the train-of-four ratio (TOFr) to 0.9 and extubation time were considered as co-primary outcomes, and incidences of adverse events were considered as secondary outcomes. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to rate the quality of evidences.

Results

Data from 18 studies involving 1,065 pediatric patients were acquired. The results revealed that use of sugammadex was associated with shorter duration from administration of reversal agents to TOFr > 0.9 (MD = -14.42, with 95% CI [-17.08, -11.75]) and shorter interval from reversal from NMB to extubation (MD = -13.98, with 95% CI [-16.70, -11.26]) compared to control groups. TSA also indicated that the current sample sizes were sufficient with unnecessary further trials. Analysis of secondary outcomes indicated that administration of sugammadex was associated with less incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), bradycardia, and dry mouth compared to control groups.

Conclusion

Considering of satisfactory and rapid neuromuscular blockade reversal with low incidences of adverse events, sugammadex might be considered as the preferred option for children in clinical anesthesia practice compared to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. However, overall low-quality evidences in present study rated by GRADE system indicated that superiority of sugammadex employed in pediatric patients needs to be confirmed by more studies with high quality and large sample size in future.
Parents’ awareness and perceptions of the Change4Life 100 cal snack campaign, and perceived impact on snack consumption by children under 11 years
Authors: Day Rhiannon E. , Bridge Gemma , Austin Kate , Ensaff Hannah , Christian Meaghan S.
Published: May 2022

Background

Childhood obesity is a pertinent public health problem in the UK. Consumption of free sugars has been associated with the development of obesity. In 2018, the Change 4Life (C4L) 100 cal snack campaign was launched with the slogan ‘100 calorie snacks, two a day max’, aiming to encourage parents to choose lower sugar, fat and calorie snacks for their children. This study aimed to examine how the campaign has been perceived by parents.

Methods

An online survey was developed to explore parent awareness, perceptions and understanding of the C4L 100 cal snack campaign. Respondents were recruited via Leeds City Council, posters displayed at primary schools and children’s centres across Leeds and via social media. Paper surveys were also shared with voluntarily led playgroups. Survey data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Thematic analysis was performed on open text responses.

Results

Three hundred forty-two 342 respondents completed the survey. Just over half of the respondents had come across the campaign, most seeing the leaflet or a television advert. Over two-thirds of respondents ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ that the campaign caught their attention. A similar proportion ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ that the campaign informed them about 100 cal snacks and just over a half thought it was memorable. Most respondents used positive language to describe the campaign, but there was no clear consensus of a perceived positive impact on healthier snack purchasing, nor preparing more 100 cal snacks at home. Respondents provided examples of how the campaign could be improved to positively impact eating behaviours: better publicity and information delivery; healthier snack examples made more visible; improved nutritional labelling and access to healthier products in supermarkets (availability, promotion, display, choice).

Conclusions

The C4L 100 cal snack campaign was perceived positively by parents and carers, with many agreeing that the campaign was informative and memorable. However, there was no agreement in terms of the parents reporting an impact of the campaign on behaviour change and healthier snack habits. Future social marketing campaigns could be improved through more formal pilot testing to assess the understanding and acceptance of the campaign amongst the target audience.
Adductor canal block combined with local infiltration analgesia with morphine and betamethasone show superior analgesic effect than local infiltration analgesia alone for total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Luo Zhen-Yu , Yu Qiu-Ping , Zeng Wei-Nan , Xiao Qiang , Chen Xi , Wang Hao-Yang , Zhou Zongke
Published: May 2022

Background

Local infiltration analgesia (LIA) and adductor canal block (ACB) provide postoperative analgesia for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). ACB blocks the saphenous nerve and has smaller impacts on quadriceps muscle weakness. ACB theoretically does not have enough analgesic effects on posterior sensory nerves. LIA may increase its analgesic effects on the posterolateral knee. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether ACB combined with a LIA cocktail of ropivacaine, morphine, and betamethasone has superior analgesic effect than LIA for TKA.

Methods

A total of 86 patients were assessed for eligibility from February 2019 to May 2019. 26 of those were excluded, and 60 patients were divided into 2 groups by computer-generated random number. Group A (LIA group) received LIA cocktail of ropivacaine, morphine and betamethasone. Group B (LIA+ ACB group) received ultrasound-guided ACB and LIA cocktail of ropivacaine, morphine and betamethasone. Postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) resting or active pain scores, opioid consumption, range of motion (ROM), functional tests, complications and satisfaction rates were measured. The longest follow-up was 2 years.

Results

Two groups have no differences in terms of characteristics, preoperative pain or function (P > 0.05). ACB combined with LIA had significantly lower resting and active VAS pain scores, better ROM, better sleeping quality and higher satisfaction rates than LIA alone within 72 h postoperatively (P < 0.05). Complications, or adverse events and HSS score, SF-12 score were observed no significant differences within 2 years postoperatively.

Conclusions

Adductor canal block combined with Local infiltration analgesia provide better early pain control. Although the small statistical benefit may not result in minimal clinically important difference, Adductor canal block combined with Local infiltration analgesia also reduce opioid requirements, improve sleeping quality, and do not increase the complication rate. Therefore, Adductor canal block combined with Local infiltration analgesia still have good application prospects as an effective pain management for total knee arthroplasty.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900021385, 18/02/2019.
Comparative retrieval analysis of a novel anatomic tibial tray backside: alterations in tibial component design and surface coating can increase cement adhesions and surface roughness
Authors: Mathis Dominic T. , Schmidli Joshua , Amsler Felix , Henckel Johann , Hothi Harry , Hart Alister , Hirschmann Michael T.
Published: May 2022

Background

With the Persona® knee system a novel anatomic total knee design was developed, which has no pre-coating, whereas the predecessor knee system is pre-coated with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Joint registry data have shown no decrease in risk of aseptic revision of PMMA pre-coated tibial components compared with non-pre-coated implants. The aim of this retrieval study was to compare the amount of cement adhesions, geometry and surface features between the two knee designs and to correlate them with the underlying reason for revision surgery.

Methods

Retrieval analysis was performed of 15 NexGen® and 8 Persona® fixed-bearing knee implants from the same manufacturer retrieved from two knee revision centres. A photogrammetric method was used to grade the amount of cement attached to the tibial tray backside. The geometry and dimensions of the tibial trays, tray projections and peripheral lips were measured using digital callipers and compared between the two different designs. To measure the surface roughness on the backside of the tibial tray, a contact profilometer was used. To investigate differences between the two designs statistical analyses (t-test) were performed.

Results

All Persona® trays showed evidence of cement adhesion with a % area of 75.4%; half of the NexGen® trays had cement adhesions, with a mean value of 20%. There was a significant difference in the percentage of area covered by cement between the two designs (p < 0.001). Results from the contact profilometer revealed that Persona® and NexGen® tray backsides showed a similar lateral (1.36 μm and 1.10 μm) and medial (1.39 μm and 1.12 μm) mean surface roughness with significant differentiation (p < 0.05) of the lateral and medial roughness values between the two designs. Persona® stems showed a significantly higher mean surface roughness (1.26) compared to NexGen® stems (0.89; p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The novel anatomic knee system showed significantly more cements adhesions and a higher surface roughness which was most likely attributed to the most obvious design and coating alteration of the tibial tray. This study provides first retrieval findings of a novel TKA design recently introduced to the market.
Antibacterial effect of an herbal toothpaste containing Bamboo salt: a randomized double-blinded controlled clinical trial
Authors: Biria Mina , Rezvani Yasaman , roodgarian Romina , Rabbani Abbas , Iranparvar Parastoo
Published: May 2022

Background

The inclusion of herbal antibacterial agents in the composition of toothpastes is becoming increasingly popular, due to lower side effects. The present study intended to investigate the antibacterial efficacy of a herbal toothpaste containing Bamboo salt on cariogenic oral bacteria.

Methods

The present double-blinded parallel randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 60 dental students (age range: 18–30). Following the baseline saliva sampling, the participants were randomly assigned into the case and control groups, to use the Bamboo salt herbal toothpaste and conventional non-herbal toothpaste, respectively. They were instructed to brush their teeth twice a day using the Bass technique. Saliva sampling was repeated after four weeks. The salivary counts ofStreptococcus mutansandLactobacillusat baseline and 4-week follow-up were determined and presented as the logarithm of colony-forming units per milliliter (log CFU/mL).

Results

A significant decrease in salivaryStreptococcus mutansandLactobacilluswas observed using both toothpastes (*P < 0.001). The difference between the antibacterial efficacy of two toothpaste types onStreptococcus mutansandLactobacilluswas not statistically significant (P = 0.530, andP = 0.137, respectively).

Conclusion

Due to the comparable efficacy of the investigated herbal toothpaste with conventional toothpaste, it potentially qualifies as a complementary agent for self-care oral hygiene procedures.

Trial registration: This trial was registered in the “Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials” (IRCT20210414050964N1) on 21/06/2021.
Exploring the association between specific genes and the onset of idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review
Authors: De Salvatore Sergio , Ruzzini Laura , Longo Umile Giuseppe , Marino Martina , Greco Alessandra , Piergentili Ilaria , Costici Pier Francesco , Denaro Vincenzo
Published: May 2022

Background

Idiopathic Scoliosis (IS) is the most common spinal deformity in adolescents, accounting for 80% of all spinal deformities. However, the etiology remains uncertain in most cases, being identified as Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). IS treatments range from observation and sport to bracing or surgery. Several risk factors including sex and familiarity, have been linked with IS. Although there are still many uncertainties regarding the cause of this pathology, several studies report a greater incidence of the defect in families in which at least one other first degree relative is affected. This study systematically reviews the available literature to identify the most significant genes or variants related to the development and onset of IS.

Methods

The research question was formulated using a PIOS approach on the following databases: Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The search was performed from July to August 2021, and articles from the inception of the database to August 2021 were searched.

Results

24 of the 919 initially identified studies were included in the present review. The 24 included studies observed a total of 16,316 cases and 81,567 controls. All the considered studies stated either the affected gene and/or specific SNPs. CHD7, SH2B1, ESR, CALM1, LBX1, MATN1, CHL1, FBN1 and FBN2 genes were associated with IS development.

Conclusions

Although association can be found in some candidate genes the field of research regarding genetic association with the onset of IS still requires more information.
A review on the role of DANCR in the carcinogenesis
Authors: Ghafouri-Fard Soudeh , Khoshbakht Tayyebeh , Hussen Bashdar Mahmud , Baniahmad Aria , Taheri Mohammad , Samadian Mohammad
Published: May 2022

DANCR is an RNA gene located on chr4. This gene has several splice variants. Up-regulation of DANCR has been reported in many types of cancers. This lncRNA is mainly located in the cytoplasm and regulates genes expression at post-transcriptional level. In fact, it acts as a molecular sponge for a variety of miRNAs, including miR-874-3P, miR-335, miR-149, miR-4319, miR-758-3p, miR-216a-5p, miR-874-3p, miR-33a-5p, miR-335-5p, miR-145-3p, miR-665, miR-345-5p and miR-125b-5p. DANCR also regulates activity of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, ERK/SMAD, MAPK, IL-6/JAK1/STAT3, Smad2/3, p53, FAK/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/Snail pathways. In the current narrative review article, we summarize the roles of DANCR in the carcinogenesis, with an especial emphasis on its role in the development of osteosarcoma and lung, liver, pancreatic and colorectal cancers.
Bioimaging guided pharmaceutical evaluations of nanomedicines for clinical translations
Authors: Tuguntaev Ruslan G. , Hussain Abid , Fu Chenxing , Chen Haoting , Tao Ying , Huang Yan , Liu Lu , Liang Xing-Jie , Guo Weisheng
Published: May 2022

Nanomedicines (NMs) have emerged as an efficient approach for developing novel treatment strategies against a variety of diseases. Over the past few decades, NM formulations have received great attention, and a large number of studies have been performed in this field. Despite this, only about 60 nano-formulations have received industrial acceptance and are currently available for clinical use. Their in vivo pharmaceutical behavior is considered one of the main challenges and hurdles for the effective clinical translation of NMs, because it is difficult to monitor the pharmaceutic fate of NMs in the biological environment using conventional pharmaceutical evaluations. In this context, non-invasive imaging modalities offer attractive solutions, providing the direct monitoring and quantification of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior of labeled NMs in a real-time manner. Imaging evaluations have great potential for revealing the relationship between the physicochemical properties of NMs and their pharmaceutical profiles in living subjects. In this review, we introduced imaging techniques that can be used for in vivo NM evaluations. We also provided an overview of various studies on the influence of key parameters on the in vivo pharmaceutical behavior of NMs that had been visualized in a non-invasive and real-time manner.

Graphical Abstract
Analysis of complex chromosomal rearrangements using a combination of current molecular cytogenetic techniques
Authors: He Ping , Wei Xiaoni , Xu Yuchan , Huang Jun , Tang Ning , Yan Tizhen , Yang Chuanchun , Lu Kangmo
Published: May 2022

Background

Using combined fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and high-throughput whole-genome sequencing (WGS) molecular cytogenetic technology, we aim to analyze the junction breakpoints of complex chromosome rearrangements (CCR) that were difficult to identify by conventional karyotyping analysis and further characterize the genetic causes of recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Results

By leveraging a combination of current molecular techniques, including chromosome karyotype analysis, FISH, and WGS, we comprehensively characterized the extremely complex chromosomal abnormalities in this patient with recurrent spontaneous abortions. Here, we demonstrated that combining these current established molecular techniques is an effective and efficient workflow to identify the structural abnormalities of complex chromosomes and locate the rearrangement of DNA fragments.

Conclusions

In conclusion, leveraging results from multiple molecular and cytogenetic techniques can provide the most comprehensive genetic analysis for genetic etiology research, diagnosis, and genetic counseling for patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion and embryonic abortion.
Spatially resolved transcriptomics provide a new method for cancer research
Authors: Zheng Bowen , Fang Lin
Published: May 2022

A major feature of cancer is the heterogeneity, both intratumoral and intertumoral. Traditional single-cell techniques have given us a comprehensive understanding of the biological characteristics of individual tumor cells, but the lack of spatial context of the transcriptome has limited the study of cell-to-cell interaction patterns and hindered further exploration of tumor heterogeneity. In recent years, the advent of spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT) technology has made possible the multidimensional analysis of the tumor microenvironment in the context of intact tissues. Different SRT methods are applicable to different working ranges due to different working principles. In this paper, we review the advantages and disadvantages of various current SRT methods and the overall idea of applying these techniques to oncology studies, hoping to help researchers find breakthroughs. Finally, we discussed the future direction of SRT technology, and deeper investigation into the complex mechanisms of tumor development from different perspectives through multi-omics fusion, paving the way for precisely targeted tumor therapy.
Functional genomic analysis delineates regulatory mechanisms of GWAS-identified bipolar disorder risk variants
Authors: Chen Rui , Yang Zhihui , Liu Jiewei , Cai Xin , Huo Yongxia , Zhang Zhijun , Li Ming , Chang Hong , Luo Xiong-Jian
Published: May 2022

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified multiple risk loci for bipolar disorder (BD). However, pinpointing functional (or causal) variants in the reported risk loci and elucidating their regulatory mechanisms remain challenging.

Methods

We first integrated chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) data from human brain tissues (or neuronal cell lines) and position weight matrix (PWM) data to identify functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Then, we verified the regulatory effects of these transcription factor (TF) binding–disrupting SNPs (hereafter referred to as “functional SNPs”) through a series of experiments, including reporter gene assays, allele-specific expression (ASE) analysis, TF knockdown, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing, and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis. Finally, we overexpressed PACS1 (whose expression was most significantly associated with the identified functional SNPs rs10896081 and rs3862386) in mouse primary cortical neurons to investigate if PACS1 affects dendritic spine density.

Results

We identified 16 functional SNPs (in 9 risk loci); these functional SNPs disrupted the binding of 7 TFs, for example, CTCF and REST binding was frequently disrupted. We then identified the potential target genes whose expression in the human brain was regulated by these functional SNPs through eQTL analysis. Of note, we showed dysregulation of some target genes of the identified TF binding–disrupting SNPs in BD patients compared with controls, and overexpression of PACS1 reduced the density of dendritic spines, revealing the possible biological mechanisms of these functional SNPs in BD.

Conclusions

Our study identifies functional SNPs in some reported risk loci and sheds light on the regulatory mechanisms of BD risk variants. Further functional characterization and mechanistic studies of these functional SNPs and candidate genes will help to elucidate BD pathogenesis and develop new therapeutic approaches and drugs.
Degree of convergence of the functions of trigonometric series in Sobolev spaces and its applications
Authors: Nigam H. K. , Yadav Saroj
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we study the degree of convergence of the functions of Fourier series and conjugate Fourier series in Sobolev spaces using Riesz means. We also study some applications of our main results and observe that our results are much better than earlier results.
Impact of early antibiotic exposure on the risk of colonization with potential pathogens in very preterm infants: a retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Bubser Caren , Liese Jan , Serna-Higuita Lina Maria , Müller Andreas , Vochem Matthias , Arand Jörg , Karck Ulrich , Gross Maximilian , Poets Christian F. , Härtel Christoph , Zemlin Michael , Gille Christian , Köstlin-Gille Natascha
Published: May 2022

Background

Sepsis is one of the most important complications in preterm infants. For this reason, most preterm infants receive antibiotics during their first postnatal week. Since 2013, a weekly colonization screening has been installed in German neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), including multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) and pathogens with increased epidemic potential. We here investigated the impact of early antibiotic exposure on the colonization with these pathogens.

Methods

Data from 1407 preterm infants with gestational age < 32 + 0 weeks and born in three NICUs in Germany between January 2014 and December 2019 were analysed.

Results

Antibiotics were administered to 911/1407 (64.7%) participating infants during their first postnatal week. Screening-targeted pathogens were detected in 547/1407 (38.9%). Early antibiotic exposure did not increase the risk of colonization with screening-targeted pathogens. The only independent risk factor for colonisation with potential pathogens was the admitting hospital. Interestingly, longer antibiotic therapy (> 7 days) decreased the risk for acquiring pathogens with increased epidemic potential.

Conclusion

Early antibiotic exposure did not impact the risk for colonization with MDRO or highly epidemic pathogens in preterm infants. Further studies are needed to identify risk factors for the acquisition of MDRO and highly epidemic pathogens and potential associations with long-term outcome.
Evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in bottled water samples (non-carbonated, mineral, carbonated and carbonated flavored water) in Tehran with MSPE-GC/MS method: a health risk assessment
Authors: Sharifiarab Gholamali , Mehraie Abbas , Arabameri Majid , Shariatifar Nabi , Mortazavian Amir M. , Moazzen Mojtaba , Sohrabvandi Sara
Published: May 2022

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are dangerous environmental compounds that are sometimes found in food. The objective of present study was to measure the level of 16 PAHs in bottled water samples (non-carbonated or drinking, mineral, carbonated and carbonated flavored water) in Tehran by using magnetic solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (MSPE/GC–MS) method. The limit of detections (LOD), limit of quantifications (LOQ) and recovery of PAH compounds were 0.010–0.210, 0.03–0.700 μg/L and 92.5–103.4%, respectively. The results showed that the mean of total PAHs in samples was 2.98 ± 1.63 µg/L and the mean of Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was 0.08 ± 0.03 µg/L, which were lower than standard level of the US-EPA (0.2 µg/L, BaP in drinking water). Also, our results showed that carbonated flavored water had maximum mean of total PAHs (4.95 ± 0.8 µg/L) and mineral water had minimum mean of total PAHs (1.24 ± 0.8 µg/L). The Monte Carlo method was applied to calculate the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR) indexes. In all samples, the rank order of the estimated CDI values based on the 95 percent percentile was F > B(a)A > Ace > Fl > Na > Ph > B(b)F > B(k)F > B(a)P > P > Ac > A. The cancer risk and uncertainty analysis of 95th Percentile for bottled waters studied gave values lower permissible limit of 10−6, indicating not pose a serious concern to humans.
Application of DPSIR model to identify the drivers and impacts of land use and land cover changes and climate change on land, water, and livelihoods in the L. Kyoga basin: implications for sustainable management
Authors: Obubu John Peter , Odong Robinson , Alamerew Tena , Fetahi Tadesse , Mengistou Seyoum
Published: May 2022

Land use, land cover, and climate change impacts are current global challenges that are affecting many sectors, like agricultural production, socio-economic development, water quality, and causing land fragmentation. In developing countries like Uganda, rural areas with high populations dependent on agriculture are the most affected. The development of sustainable management measures requires proper identification of drivers and impacts on the environment and livelihoods of the affected communities. This study applied drivers, pressure, state, impact, and response model in the L. Kyoga basin to determine the drivers and impacts of land use, land cover, and climate change on livelihoods and the environment. The objective of this study was to determine the drivers and impacts of land use, land cover, and climate changes on the environment and livelihoods in the L. Kyoga basin and suggest sustainable mitigation measures. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews, field observations, and literature reviews were used to collect data. Population increase and climate change were the leading drivers, while agriculture and urbanization were the primary pressures, leading to degraded land, wetlands, and forests; loss of soil fertility, hunger, poverty, poor water quality, which are getting worse. The local communities, government, and non-government institutions had responses to impacts, including agrochemicals, restoration, and conservation approaches. Although most responses were at a small/pilot scale level, most responses had promising results. The application of policies and regulations to manage impacts was also found to be weak. Land use, land cover changes, and climate change occur in the L. Kyoga basin with major impacts on land, water, and community livelihoods. With the observed increase in climate change and population growth, drivers and impacts are potentially getting worse. Therefore, it is essential to expand interventions, provide relief, review policies and regulations, and enforce them. The findings are helpful for decisions and policy-makers to design appropriate management options.
Detection of fake news and hate speech for Ethiopian languages: a systematic review of the approaches
Authors: Demilie Wubetu Barud , Salau Ayodeji Olalekan
Published: May 2022

With the proliferation of social media platforms that provide anonymity, easy access, online community development, and online debate, detecting and tracking hate speech has become a major concern for society, individuals, policymakers, and researchers. Combating hate speech and fake news are the most pressing societal issues. It is difficult to expose false claims before they cause significant harm. Automatic fact or claim verification has recently piqued the interest of various research communities. Despite efforts to use automatic approaches for detection and monitoring, their results are still unsatisfactory, and that requires more research work in the area. Fake news and hate speech messages are any messages on social media platforms that spread negativity in society about sex, caste, religion, politics, race, disability, sexual orientation, and so on. Thus, the type of massage is extremely difficult to detect and combat. This work aims to analyze the optimal approaches for this kind of problem, as well as the relationship between the approaches, dataset type, size, and accuracy. Finally, based on the analysis results of the implemented approaches, deep learning (DL) approaches have been recommended for other Ethiopian languages to increase the performance of all evaluation metrics from different social media platforms. Additionally, as the review results indicate, the combination of DL and machine learning (ML) approaches with a balanced dataset can improve the detection and combating performance of the system.
Runtime prediction of big data jobs: performance comparison of machine learning algorithms and analytical models
Authors: Ahmed Nasim , Barczak Andre L. C. , Rashid Mohammad A. , Susnjak Teo
Published: May 2022

Due to the rapid growth of available data, various platforms offer parallel infrastructure that efficiently processes big data. One of the critical issues is how to use these platforms to optimise resources, and for this reason, performance prediction has been an important topic in the last few years. There are two main approaches to the problem of predicting performance. One is to fit data into an equation based on a analytical models. The other is to use machine learning (ML) in the form of regression algorithms. In this paper, we have investigated the difference in accuracy for these two approaches. While our experiments used an open-source platform called Apache Spark, the results obtained by this research are applicable to any parallel platform and are not constrained to this technology. We found that gradient boost, an ML regressor, is more accurate than any of the existing analytical models as long as the range of the prediction follows that of the training. We have investigated analytical and ML models based on interpolation and extrapolation methods with k-fold cross-validation techniques. Using the interpolation method, two analytical models, namely 2D-plate and fully-connected models, outperform older analytical models and kernel ridge regression algorithm but not the gradient boost regression algorithm. We found the average accuracy of 2D-plate and fully-connected models using interpolation are 0.962 and 0.961. However, when using the extrapolation method, the analytical models are much more accurate than the ML regressors, particularly two of the most recently proposed models (2D-plate and fully-connected). Both models are based on the communication patterns between the nodes. We found that using extrapolation, kernel ridge, gradient boost and two proposed analytical models average accuracy is 0.466, 0.677, 0.975, and 0.981, respectively. This study shows that practitioners can benefit from analytical models by being able to accurately predict the runtime outside of the range of the training data using only a few experimental operations.
Delayed tension gastrothorax caused necrosis of stomach and re-expansion pulmonary edema: a case report
Authors: Mochida Yuki , Nishizawa Ryohei , Ochiai Koji , Inoue Yoshitaka , Kaita Yasuhiko , Yamaguchi Yoshihiro
Published: May 2022

Background

Traumatic tension gastrothorax is a rare and potentially fatal condition occurring in patients with congenital or acquired diaphragmatic defects. Traumatic tension gastrothorax leads to acute and severe respiratory distress. Delayed tension gastrothorax that develops late during injury can be more severe.

Case presentation

An 84-year-old woman was brought to our facility with cardiac arrest and returned to spontaneous circulation after 2 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Computed tomography showed diaphragmatic injury and tension gastrothorax due to trauma because of a fall episode few days earlier. Emergency thoracotomy and laparotomy was performed, because nasogastric tube insertion failed. There was a partially necrotic stomach in the chest cavity. The stomach was retracted from the thoracic cavity into the abdominal cavity and placed in its proper position. There was a 5 cm tear of the diaphragm. The tear was sutured and closed and then the necrotic area of the stomach was resected. Although the surgery relieved the intrathoracic compression, it resulted in re-expansion pulmonary edema immediately after surgery and hypoxemia. The patient was unable to overcome the hypoxemic state and eventually died.

Conclusions

Delayed tension gastrothorax can lead not only to obstructive shock due to intrathoracic compression but also to more severe organ ischemia and re-expansion pulmonary edema due to insufflation.
Immune-mediated adverse events post-COVID vaccination and types of vaccines: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: ElSawi Hind A. , Elborollosy Ahmed
Published: May 2022

Background

In late 2019, Coronavirus disease 2019 has been declared as a global emergency by World Health Organization. Hopefully, recent reports of effective and safe vaccines were welcomed, and approved on emergency base. Millions of recipients had received one of the approved COVID 19 vaccines, with lots of adverse events recorded global wide.

Objective

To assess post-COVID vaccination immune-mediated adverse events and evaluate its association to specific type of vaccine global wide.

Methods

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis of published reports (since December 2020 till December 2021) on immune-mediated adverse events post-COVID vaccination.

Results

We evaluated 34 published studies; 460 cases with various adverse events post-COVID vaccination. Studies in current literature are primarily retrospective case series, isolated case reports or narrative studies. Different COVID vaccines were involved. Results’ data was subcategorized according to associated vaccine. Adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccinations included thrombotic, neurological, myocarditis, ocular, dermatological, renal, hematological events timely linked to inoculation. Each vaccine type was linked to adverse profile that differ from others.

Conclusion

High suspicion of post-vaccination adverse events is mandatory to provoke earlier detection, better understanding, optimum prevention, and management. Specific vaccine/patient risk profile is needed to selectively categorize target population to reduce morbidity and mortality post-vaccination.
Vitamin D Levels During Pregnancy Are Associated With Offspring Telomere Length: A Longitudinal Mother-Child Study
Authors: Wong Kwun Kiu , Cheng Feifei , Mao Di , Lim Cadmon K P , Tam Claudia H T , Wang Chi Chiu , Yuen Lai Yuk , Chan Michael H M , Ho Chung Shun , Joglekar Mugdha V , Hardikar Anandwardhan A , Jenkins Alicia J , Metzger Boyd E , Lowe William L , Tam Wing Hung , Ma Ronald C W
Published: May 2022

Context

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a biomarker of biological aging and is associated with metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Insufficient maternal vitamin D was associated with increased risk for many diseases and adverse later life outcomes.

Objective

This study investigates the relationship between vitamin D levels and offspring LTL at early life.

Methods

This observational, longitudinal, hospital-based cohort study included eligible mother-child pairs from the HAPO Hong Kong Field Centre, with 853 offspring at age 6.96 ± 0.44 (mean ± SD) years. LTL was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction while serum vitamin D metabolites 25(OH)D2, 25(OH)D3, and 3-epi-25(OH)D3 were measured in maternal blood (at gestation 24-32 weeks) and cord blood by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.

Results

LTL at follow-up was significantly shorter in boys compared with girls (P < 0.001) at age 7. Childhood LTL was negatively associated with childhood BMI (β ± SE = -0.016 ± 0.007)(P = 0.02) and HOMA-IR (β ± SE = −0.065 ± 0.021)(P = 0.002). Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between 25(OH)D and LTL, with covariate adjustments. Childhood LTL was positively correlated with total maternal 25(OH)D (0.048 ± 0.017) (P = 0.004) and maternal 3-epi-25(OH)D3 (0.05 ± 0.017) (P = 0.003), even after adjustment for covariates. A similar association was also noted for cord 3-epi-25(OH)D3 (0.037 ± 0.018) (P = 0.035) after adjustment for offspring sex and age.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest 25(OH)D3 and 3-epi-25(OH)D3 in utero may impact on childhood LTLs, highlighting a potential link between maternal vitamin D and biological aging.
Reference Ranges for Bone Mineral Content and Density by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry for Young Children
Authors: Kalkwarf Heidi J , Shepherd John A , Fan Bo , Sahay Rashmi D , Ittenbach Richard F , Kelly Andrea , Yolton Kimberly , Zemel Babette S
Published: May 2022

Background

Assessment of bone health in young children has been hampered by limited reference values for bone mineral content (BMC) and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Objectives

To identify age, sex, and population ancestry effects on BMC and aBMD and develop smoothed reference ranges for BMC and aBMD in young children. To quantify precision of bone measurements and influence of height-for-age Z-scores on bone Z-scores.

Methods

We recruited 484 healthy children ages 1 to 2 years or 4.5 to 5 years at 2 clinical centers, who were seen once or up to 7 times over a 3-year period. Lumbar spine, distal forearm, and whole-body subtotal (ages ≥ 3 years) BMC and aBMD were measured by DXA. These data were combined with data from the Bone Mineral Density in Childhood Study from children ages 5 to 8.9 years to create the smoothed reference curves.

Results

For 1- to 5-year-olds, BMC and aBMD at all skeletal sites increased with age. Age trends differed by sex for BMC and aBMD of the spine, distal one-third radius, ultradistal radius, and by ancestry (Black vs non-Black) for all measures. BMC and aBMD precision (% coefficient of variation) ranged from 1.0% to 4.4%. Height Z-scores were positively associated with bone Z-scores and accounted for 4% to 45% of the variance.

Conclusions

We demonstrate the feasibility of bone density measurements in young children and provide robust reference ranges and stature adjustments for calculation of bone Z-scores at multiple skeletal sites to enable bone health assessments.
Focal adhesion-mediated cell anchoring and migration: fromin vitrotoin vivo
Authors: Yamaguchi Naoya , Knaut Holger
Published: May 2022

Cell-extracellular matrix interactions have been studied extensively using cells cultured in vitro. These studies indicate that focal adhesion (FA)-based cell-extracellular matrix interactions are essential for cell anchoring and cell migration. Whether FAs play a similarly important role in vivo is less clear. Here, we summarize the formation and function of FAs in cultured cells and review how FAs transmit and sense force in vitro. Using examples from animal studies, we also describe the role of FAs in cell anchoring during morphogenetic movements and cell migration in vivo. Finally, we conclude by discussing similarities and differences in how FAs function in vitro and in vivo.
High-dose vs low-dose steroid in pregnancy patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Thaha Mochammad , Alsagaff Mochamad Yusuf , Dwi Suryantoro Satriyo , Rizky Hayati Mutiara , Susilo Hendri , Nur Rosyid Alfian , Asmarawati Tri Pudy , Prabowo Emil , Syamsuri Ibrahim , Hakim Rais , Ilham Aldika Akbar Muhammad , Wibisono Nugroho Cahyo , Suzuki Yusuke
Published: May 2022

Background: Management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) in pregnancy has been improving in recent decades. However, SLE can still lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes if not appropriately treated. Optimal dose of steroids, as one of the most commonly used for the treatment of SLE and LN in pregnancy is still a subject of debate. In this review, we determine the pregnancy outcomes in SLE and LN patients treated with low vs high doses of steroids.

Methods: ProQuest, Pubmed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science were carefully searched for relevant studies published in English. A total of 2,596 studies were reviewed. We extracted the data from previous studies showing the use of steroids treatment in high-dose and low-dose related to pregnancy outcomes. We provide larger data about maternal (preterm rupture of membrane, fetal loss, pre-eclampsia, and flare up) and fetal outcomes (prematurity, small gestational age, low birth weight) receiving high vs low steroid in patients with SLE and LN in this systematic review and meta-analysis.

Results: A total of 13 studies were included. Of these, one study discussed a group with LN and 12 other studies discussed SLE with related maternal and fetal outcomes. Maternal outcome in the group with low-dose steroid showed a lower risk of fetal loss (odds ratio (OR): 1.93; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-3.70), but there were no differences in other maternal outcomes. The low-dose steroid group showed a better fetal outcome, with a lower risk of prematurity (OR: 3.06; 95% CI 1.98-4.71), small gestational age (OR: 2.63; 95% CI 1.15-6.00), and low birth weight (OR: 2.43; 95% CI 1.23-4.79).

Conclusions: In pregnant patients with SLE or LN, high-dose steroids are associated with the high risk of fetal loss during pregnancy, preterm birth, small gestational age, and low birth weight.
Emerging threat and vaccination strategies of H9N2 viruses in poultry in Indonesia: A review
Authors: Rehman Saifur , Rantam Fedik Abdul , Batool Khadija , Shehzad Aamir , Effendi Mustofa Helmi , Witaningrum Adiana Mutamsari , Bilal Muhammad , Elziyad Purnama Muhammad Thohawi
Published: May 2022

Avian influenza virus subtype H9N2 was first documented in Indonesia in 2017. It has become prevalent in chickens in many provinces of Indonesia as a result of reassortment in live bird markets. Low pathogenic avian influenza subtype H9N2 virus-infected poultry provides a new direction for influenza virus. According to the latest research, the Indonesian H9N2 viruses may have developed through antigenic drift into new genotype, posing a significant hazard to poultry and public health. The latest proof of interspecies transmission proposes that, the next human pandemic variant will be avian influenza virus subtype H9N2. Manipulation and elimination of H9N2 viruses in Indonesia, constant surveillance of viral mutation, and vaccines updates are required to achieve effectiveness. The current review examines should be investigates/assesses/report on the development and evolution of newly identified H9N2 viruses in Indonesia and their vaccination strategy.
THE PROCESS AND EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MANAGEMENT DECISIONS
Authors: Sadykov Tolebi
Published: May 2022

Modern organizations operate in an extremely dynamic and competitive market, constantly changing technologies and constantly increasing requirements. As a result of this, programmers are faced with the task of constantly making quick, adequate and creative decisions. On the one hand, decision making is considered a daily and necessary task of specialists, since it is associated with the perfor-mance of each of their managerial functions. On the other hand, this process can also be considered a tool to improve the efficiency of the organization due to the fact that improving the managers’ decision making skills leads to a more success-ful implementation of the goals and objectives of the organization. One of the ways to improve the managers’ decision making skills includes analysis, general-ization of experience and extraction of best practices based on the decisions made. Therefore, the article summarizes the various stages of the decision making process (recognition of the problem, diagnosis of the problem, formulation of constraints, definition of criteria for choosing a solution, generation of alterna-tives, evaluation of alternatives, choice of alternatives, implementation, evalua-tion of the solution and generalization of accumulated experience), and also dis-cusses in more detail the last three stages of this process. And the analysis of the automation of the process of applying expert assessment methods to substantiate the company's management decisions is considered.