bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple Imputation with Missing Indicators as Proxies for Unmeasured Variables: Simulation Study
Authors: Sperrin Matthew , Martin Glen P.
Published: May 2020

Background: Within routinely collected health data, missing data for an individual might provide useful information in itself. This occurs, for example, in the case of electronic health records, where the presence or absence of data is informative. While the naive use of missing indicators to try to exploit such information can introduce bias, its use in conjunction with multiple imputation may unlock the potential value of missingness to reduce bias in causal effect estimation, particularly in missing not at random scenarios and where missingness might be associated with unmeasured confounders.Methods: We conducted a simulation study to determine when the use of a missing indicator, combined with multiple imputation, would reduce bias for causal effect estimation, under a range of scenarios including unmeasured variables, missing not at random, and missing at random mechanisms. We use directed acyclic graphs and structural models to elucidate a variety of causal structures of interest. We handled missing data using complete case analysis, and multiple imputation with and without missing indicator terms.Results: We find that multiple imputation combined with a missing indicator gives minimal bias for causal effect estimation in most scenarios. It does not introduce bias in missing (completely) at random scenarios, while reducing bias in missing not at random scenarios where the missing mechanism depends on the missing variable itself. The incorporation of a missing indicator can reduce or increase bias when unmeasured confounding is present.Conclusion: In the presence of missing data, careful use of missing indicators, combined with multiple imputation, can improve causal effect estimation when missingness is informative, and is not detrimental when missingness is at random.
Healthcare Integrated Approach as a Dynamic Process leading Innovation and Inclusive growth: Conceptual Framework based on Care Puglia (Italy)
Authors: Orlando Rosa , Viola Carmine , Benvenuto Marco
Published: May 2020

Background Societal challenges introduced by Horizon 2020 and global challenges around health and environment expressed by seventeen sustainable development goals seek a mission-oriented agenda. Healthcare evaluation require a portfolio of projects with bottom-up experimentation. Current economic evaluations do not include a social component within the analysis. This study describes an integrated care model involving several stakeholders across healthcare sectors primary, secondary, tertiary, private and community sectors. The new integrated care framework has the aim encompass social welfare. Methods The existing evidence about the economic impact of integrated care available in the thin scientific literature is inconclusive. A European programme called Strategic Intelligence Monitor on Personal Health Systems Phase 3 presented 24 projects of integrated care service. Those studies were set in fourteen different European countries at exception of Israel and USA. Those projects included telehealth, telecare and independent solutions for older patients with chronic conditions. Those studies mainly identified drivers and barriers of the organizational models to integrate healthcare and social care, they stress the role of Information and Communication technology in facilitating the integration of healthcare and social care. Results Care Puglia based on Assisted Diagnostic & Therapeutic Pathway (PDTA) developed a chronic care clinical network in the southern region of Italy. This study is going to implement a Situational Awareness Team (SAT) with the ability to fuse different types of information generating a real-time sense-check and understanding barriers to change while unfolding the properties of the model. The new framework is going to focus on the Socio-Economic aspect of the Integrated Care system fostering Management Performance, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis and Sustainability Plan. A well-informed local health authority system counts of better transparency upon local governance. The mainstay of this new integrated approach to healthcare is engaging the process of building organisations to becoming learning organisations. Integrated care results being a dynamic approach to the assessment of health policies to replace the more static cost-benefit approach. This pillar is about a smart thinking allowing innovation and inclusive growth.
Phylogeny of Terrestrial Isopods Based on the Complete Mitochondrial Genomes, Subvert the Monophyly of Oniscidea
Authors: Zhang Rui , Chen Ruru , An Jianmei , Santamaria Carlos A.
Published: May 2020

Background: Oniscidea is the only truly terrestrial taxon within the Crustacea, and vital to soil formation. However, the monophyly of suborder Oniscidea has been in dispute since 1995, with different studies disagreeing on whether the coastal Ligiidae are included within the suborder. To clarify the phylogenetic hypothesis of suborder Oniscidea, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of Ligia exotica (Roux, 1828) and Mongoloniscus sinensis (Dollfus, 1901).Results: Like most metazoan, the complete mitogenomes of two species with circular double strands. The structure and characters of mitogenomes of these two species are analyzed. The constructed phylogenetic analyses show that Oniscidea is polyphyletic group, with Ligia being more closely related to marine isopods (Valvifera + Cymothoida + Sphaeromatidea).Conclusions: We elevate the taxonomic status of the family Ligiidae to the suborder Ligiaidea which are with parallel rank with Oniscidea. Ligiaidea is much primitive than other exact terrestrial isopods. Crinocheta are strongly monophyly, family Agnaridae is more closely related to Porcellionidae rather than Armadillididae.
Antioxidant Effects of Ocimum Gratissimum Leaf Essential Oils as a Supplement to Extender on Chilled Canine Sperm Quality
Authors: Nguyen Vui Van , Ponchunchoovong Samorn , Kupittayanant Sajeera , Kupittayanant Pakanit
Published: May 2020

Background:Oxidative stress during chilled storage is a major problem withcanine sperm. To improve the quality of chilled canine sperm during storage, many synthetic antioxidants have been examined, but different outcomes were investigated depending on antioxidant properties. The bioactive compounds of essential oils fromOcimum gratissimumleaves are known as a natural antioxidant source. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant effects of essential oils from Ocimum gratissimumleavesas a supplement in extender on chilled canine sperm during 12 days of storage. Results:The results showed thatlow concentrations of Ocimum gratissimum essential oils (25, 50, and 100µg/mL) have beneficial effectson sperm quality, whereasOcimum gratissimumessential oils athigh levels (above 200µg/mL) have harmful effects. Specifically, the addition of 100µg/mL ofOcimum gratissimum essential oilsto the extender had the greatestbeneficial effect in improving the quality of chilled canine sperm, and had a significant difference in all sperm quality parameters except motility when compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions:Ocimum gratissimum essential oilshave an impact on chilled canine sperm quality in a dose-dependent manner, and the best results areachieved with a maximum dose ofOcimum gratissimum essential oils of 100µg/mL.
Matrine-chitosan hydrogels for treating subclinical bovine mastitis by intramammary infusion—effect on milk microbiome and metabolites
Authors: Wu Fuxin , Zhang Hua , Niu Hui , Xiong Benhai , Tong Jinjin , Jiang Linshu
Published: May 2020

BackgroundThe metabolic processes of cows undergo significant changes during subclinical mastitis, but their molecular mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. This study investigated the changes in milk metabolites after intramammary infusion of matrine, a plant alkaloid with anticancer properties, in the form of a chitosan hydrogel into bovine mammary glands with subclinical mastitis. Infusions were continued for seven days, and milk samples were collected on day 1 and day 7 for analysis of the microbiome by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolites by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.ResultsMatrine-chitosan hydrogels (MCHs) significantly decreased the somatic cell count on day 7 and the Simpson index indicated that microbial diversity was significantly lower on day 7 than on day 1. On day 7, the numbers of Aerococcus, Corynebacterium_1 and Staphylococcus were significantly lower, while the abundance of Firmicutes was very significantly decreased. The numbers of Probacteria increased, however. In milk samples, we identified 74 differentially expressed metabolites and the MCH infusion group had the most significantly upregulated metabolites including sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, flavonoids and fatty acyls. Principal component analysis and the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant test confirmed good separation of the milk metabolites. The identification of active milk metabolic pathways after MCH treatment supported the known antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of matrine that are associated with glycerophospholipid metabolism and the sphingolipid metabolic signaling pathways.Conciusions﻿These insights into the mechanisms and the corresponding biological responses to matrine demonstrate its potential immunoregulatory activity and emphasize the need for continued investigation.
Health Anxiety of Pregnant Women and Its Related Factors During the Pandemic of Corona Virus
Authors: Saadati Najmieh , Afshari Poorandokht , Boostani Hatam , Beheshtinasab Maryam , Abedi Parvin , Maraghi Elham
Published: May 2020

Background
The pandemic of COVID-19 affected many countries as well as Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health anxiety of the Iranian pregnant women in time of the pandemic of the corona virus.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study 300 pregnant women in different trimesters (n = 100 in each trimester) were recruited. A demographic questionnaire and the Health Anxiety questionnaire were used to collect data. Because of quarantine data were collected through social media groups. The chi-square, ANOVA and multiple linear regression were used to analyze data.
Results
The total score of anxiety was 22.3 ± 9.5, 24.6 ± 9.3 and 25.4 ± 10.6 in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy. Totally 9%, 13% and 21% of the women had severe anxiety or scores ≥ 35 in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy respectively. Pregnant women in the third trimester significantly had more health anxiety score than the first trimester ones. Pregnant women in the third trimester had significantly higher scores of “total health anxiety”, in comparison with that of first trimester (p = 0.045).
Conclusion
At the time of the pandemic of COVID-19, women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy were more worry about consequences of disease, but the total score of health anxiety was significantly more in the women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Health care providers should pay more attention to the mental health of pregnant women in times of crises such as Corona pandemic.
The Effects of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on Sectoral Growth and Poverty in Africa
Authors: Chukwu Anayochukwu Basil , Adewuyi Adeolu O
Published: May 2020

Background

This study examines the effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) on sectoral growth and poverty reduction in Africa. The transfer of technology into different sectors of economy through FDI has enabled many developing and emerging economies to achieve sustained economic growth and development. However, this is not the case with Africa’s growth architecture and poverty levels. A look at the region’s growth and welfare structure revealed that the FDI-growth-welfare relationship is weak when compared with those of other developing continents such as Asia and Latin America.
Methods

The study adopted recent causality method and simultaneous equation as well as dynamic threshold models to analyze the effect of FDI on sectoral growth and poverty. We accounted for sectoral spillover effect, heterogeneity, simultaneity and cross section dependence in our modeling.
Results

Main findings from our results suggest that FDI promotes outputs of manufacturing and service sectors, but hinders that of agricultural sector, while it fosters human development. Also, the results showed that, while human development promotes output of the agricultural sector, it deters output of manufacturing and service sectors. Further results revealed that only agricultural output improves human development and welfare among countries. The dynamic threshold regression analysis showed that FDI promotes output growth in all sectors with larger effect at levels beyond the optimal HDI.
Conclusions

Africa’s growth architecture is weak to stimulate poverty reduction. For the region to improve its sectoral output growth and welfare using the FDI as a catalyst, a policy framework towards attracting more FDI into the three key productive sectors (especially in the manufacturing and services) is desirable for increased output and poverty reduction. However, to achieve the desired level of poverty reduction, policies should be targeted to sectors with inter-sectoral linkages especially between agricultural and manufacturing sectors along the local and international value chain.
Embryonic stem cell microenvironment enhances proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelium cells by activating the PI3K signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Jiahui , Yang Liu , Wang Xiaoran , Wang Shoubi , Huang Zheqian , Li Chaoyang , Liu Ying , Cheng Yaqi , Liu Chengxiu , Wang Zhichong
Published: May 2020

Purpose.
This study aimed to investigate whether the mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) microenvironment improves the stem cell phenotype and proliferation properties of human retinal pigment epithelium (hRPE) cells by regulating the PI3K signaling pathway.
Methods.
Primary hRPE cells were cocultured with either ESCs or human corneal epithelial cells (CECs) for 72 hours, after which their proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and colony formation were assayed to evaluate changes in their biological characteristics. Gene expression was detected by real-time PCR and protein levels were determined by western blotting or immunofluorescence. LY294002, an antagonist of the PI3K signaling pathway, was used to further confirm the mechanism involved.
Results.
In comparison to hRPE cells cultured alone, hRPE cells cocultured with ESCs had an increased proliferative capacity, reduced apoptotic rate, and higher colony-forming efficiency. The expression of the stem cell-associated marker KLF4 and the differentiation marker CRALBP increased and decreased, respectively, in hRPE cells isolated from the ESC coculture. Furthermore, PI3K pathway-related genes were significantly up-regulated in hRPE cells after exposure to ESCs. LY294002 reversed the pro-proliferative effect of ESCs on hRPE cells. In contrast, CECs did not share the ability of ESCs to influence the biological behavior and gene expression of hRPE cells.
Conclusions.
Our findings indicate that the ESC microenvironment enhances stemness and proliferation of hRPE cells, partially via activation of the PI3K signaling pathway. This study may have a significant impact and clinical implication on cell therapy in regenerative medicine, specifically for age-related macular degeneration.
CNN-based Framework using Spatial Dropping for Enhanced Interpretation of Neural Activity in Motor Imagery Classification
Authors: Huertas Diego Fabian Collazos , Meza Andres Marino Alvarez , Dominguez German Castellanos
Published: May 2020

Interpretation of brain activity responses using Motor Imagery (MI) paradigms is vital for medical diagnosis and monitoring. Assessed by machine learning techniques, identification of imagined actions is hindered by substantial intra and inter subject variability. Here, we develop an architecture of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) with enhanced interpretation of the spatial brain neural patterns that mainly contribute to the classification of MI tasks. Two methods of 2D-feature extraction from EEG data are contrasted: Power Spectral Density and Continuous Wavelet Transform. For preserving the spatial interpretation of extracting EEG patterns, we project the multi-channel data using a topographic interpolation. Besides, we include a spatial dropping algorithm to remove the learned weights that reflect the localities not engaged with the elicited brain response. Obtained results in a bi-task MI database show that the thresholding strategy in combination with Continuous Wavelet Transform improves the accuracy and enhances the interpretability of CNN architecture, showing that the highest contribution clusters over the sensorimotor cortex with differentiated behavior between μ and β rhythms.
The epidemiological and economic impact of a cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine in an adult population in the US: a dynamic modeling approach
Authors: Nguyen Van Hung , Hilsky Yvonne , Mould-Quevedo Joaquin
Published: May 2020

BackgroundMutations of the H3N2 vaccine strain during the egg-based vaccine manufacturing process seem to partly explain the suboptimal effectiveness of traditional seasonal influenza vaccine. Cell-based influenza vaccines avoid such egg-adaptation, thereby improving antigenic match and vaccine effectiveness. The objective of this study was to evaluate the public health and economic impact of a cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVc) in adult population (18–64 years) compared to the standard egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVe), in the US.MethodsThe impact of QIVc over QIVe in terms of public health and costs outcomes was estimated using a dynamic SEIR transmission model. The model is age-structured and accounts for 4 circulating influenza strains (A/H1N1pdm9, A/H3N2, B(Victoria), and B(Yamagata)). It was calibrated on US attack rate and strain circulation for the seasons 2013–2018. US specific absolute vaccine effectiveness for QIVe, specific hospitalization rate, mortality rate, Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) and costs were extracted from published literature. Relative vaccine effectiveness of QIVc over QIVe for subjects 18–64 years of age was obtained from a US retrospective cohort study. Robustness of the results was assessed in univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.ResultsSwitching from QIVe to QIVc in the 18–64 year-old population may prevent 5.7 M symptomatic cases, 1.8 M outpatient visits; 50K hospitalizations and 5,453 deaths annually. The switch could save 128 K QALYs and US$ 845M in direct costs, resulting in a cost-saving alternative in a 3-year time horizon analysis. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the cost-saving result.ConclusionsThe analysis shows that QIVc is expected to prevent a substantial number of hospitalizations and deaths, and would result in substantial savings in health care costs.
Non-Target Screening of Organic Pollutants and Target Analysis of Halogenated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Atmosphere Around Metallurgical Plants by High-Resolution GC/Q-TOF
Authors: Yang Lili , Wu Jiajia , Zheng Minghui , Cao Zhe , Li Cui , Shi Miwei , Liu Guorui
Published: May 2020

Background: The 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) issued by US Environmental protection agency are a major focus of efforts in atmosphere. Besides, much more PAH congeners or their substitutes are also produced during combustion or thermal industrial processes and released into the atmosphere. However, a full screening of various organic pollutants in air surrounding important industrial sources have not been conducted. Identifying and characterizing organic pollutants in air is essential to accurate risk assessment. This study conducted non-target screening of organic pollutants and simultaneous target analysis of emerging contaminants including 8 polychlorinated naphthalenes and 30 higher cyclic halogenated PAHs by high-resolution gas chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight (GC/Q-TOF) mass spectrometry and applied to the air samples collected surrounding metallurgical plants. Emerging chemicals of high toxicity in air were identified.Results: We identified and characterized 187 organic chemicals categorized as PAHs, alkylated polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), heterocyclic PACs, and aliphatic hydrocarbons in atmosphere around industrial sources. Some of these identified chemicals, such as phthalic acid esters, dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, and hydroquinone with alkane substituents are of potential high toxicities and have not been the focus of previous studies of airborne contaminants. Moreover, hydroquinone with alkane substituents may be critical intermediates and precursors of an emerging contaminant- environmentally persistent free radicals. Thus, the presences of those identified highly toxic chemicals in the air merits attention. Moreover, 38 chlorinated and brominated PAHs as target compounds were accurately quantitated by using isotopic dilution method by application of GC/Q-TOF, and the findings were similar to those of high-resolution magnetic mass spectrometry.Conclusion: In this study, both non-target screening of organic pollutants and target analysis of halogenated PAHs in air were achieved by GC/Q-TOF. The method could be irradiative for simultaneous analysis of those trace pollutants containing multiple congeners in future studies. Specific pollutants of potential high toxicity in atmosphere around industrial sources were identified. Those knowledge could be helpful for comprehensively recognizing the organic contaminants in air surrounding metallurgical plants and better understanding their potential health risks.
Restoring pars intermedia dopamine concentrations and tyrosine hydroxylase expression levels with pergolide: evidence from horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction
Authors: Fortin Jessica S , Benskey Matthew J , Lookingland Keith J , Patterson Jon S , Howey Erin B , Goudreau John L , II Harold C Schott
Published: May 2020

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) develops slowly in aged horses as degeneration of hypothalamic dopaminergic neurons leads to proliferation of pars intermedia (PI) melanotropes through hyperplasia and adenoma formation. Dopamine (DA) concentrations and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity are markedly reduced in PI tissue of PPID-affected equids and treatment with the DA receptor agonist pergolide results in notable clinical improvement. Thus, we hypothesized that pergolide treatment of PPID-affected horses would result in greater DA and TH levels in PI tissue collected from PPID-affected horses versus untreated PPID-affected horses. To test this hypothesis, pituitary glands were removed from 18 horses: four untreated PPID-affected horses, four aged and four young horses without signs of PPID, and six PPID-affected horses that had been treated with pergolide at 2 µg/kg orally once daily for 6 months. DA concentrations and TH expression levels in PI tissues were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection and Western blot analyses, respectively. DA and TH levels were lowest in PI collected from untreated PPID-affected horses while levels in the pergolide treated horses were similar to those of aged horses without signs of PPID. These findings provide evidence of restoration of DA and TH levels following treatment with pergolide. Equine PPID is a potential animal model of dopaminergic neurodegeneration, which could provide insight into human neurodegenerative diseases.
Non-local means based Rician noise filtering for diffusion tensor and kurtosis imaging in human brain and spinal cord
Authors: Zhang Zhongping , Vernekar Dhanashree , Qian Wenshu , Kim Mina
Published: May 2020

Background
To investigate the effect of using an Rician nonlocal means (NLM) filter on quantification of diffusion tensor (DT)- and diffusion kurtosis (DK)-derived metrics in various anatomical regions of the human brain and the spinal cord, when combined with a constrained linear least squares (CLLS) approach.
Methods
Prospective brain data from 9 healthy subjects and retrospective spinal cord data from 5 healthy subjects from a 3T MRI scanner were included in the study. Prior to tensor estimation, registered diffusion weighted images were denoised by an optimized blockwise NLM filter with CLLS. Mean kurtosis (MK), radial kurtosis (RK), axial kurtosis (AK), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), axial diffusivity (AD) and fractional anisotropy (FA), were determined in anatomical structures of the brain and the spinal cord. DTI and DKI metrics, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and Chi-square values were quantified in distinct anatomical regions for all subjects, with and without Rician denoising.
Results
The averaged SNR significantly increased with Rician denoising by a factor of 2 while the averaged Chi-square values significantly decreased up to 61% in the brain and up to 43% in the spinal cord after Rician NLM filtering. In the brain, the mean MK varied from 0.70 (putamen) to 1.27 (internal capsule) while AK and RK varied from 0.58 (corpus callosum) to 0.92 (cingulum) and from 0.70 (putamen) to 1.98 (corpus callosum), respectively. In the spinal cord, FA varied from 0.78 in lateral column to 0.81 in dorsal column while MD varied from 0.91 × 10− 3 mm2/s (lateral) to 0.93 × 10− 3 mm2/s (dorsal). RD varied from 0.34 × 10− 3 mm2/s (dorsal) to 0.38 × 10− 3 mm2/s (lateral) and AD varied from 1.96 × 10− 3 mm2/s (lateral) to 2.11 × 10− 3 mm2/s (dorsal).
Conclusions
Our results show Rician denoising NLM filter incorporated with CLLS significantly increases SNR and reduces estimation errors of DT- and KT-derived metrics, providing the reliable metrics estimation with adequate SNR levels.
Involvement of intestinal hypoperfusion related with Indoleamine 2,3-peroxidase activation and 5-HT metabolism abnormality in intestinal dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction
Authors: lu xiaofang , ZHOU PINGPING , WANG YANGANG , WANG YUEFEN
Published: May 2020

Background

To investigate the intestinal dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and discuss the underlying mechanism.
Methods

Rats were divided into three groups randomly, including AMI group, Sham group and Normal (N) group. An AMI model was established with ligating the left anterior descending artery (LAD) without ventilator assisted. The body surface electrocardiogram (ECG), HE staining of myocardial tissues and echocardiogram were used to evaluate whether the model was established successfully. The HE staining for ileum tissue was applied to evaluate the structure of the ileum, the intestinal propulsive rate were conducted to investigate the intestinal dysfunction, and laser speckle technique was developed in order to measure the mesenteric blood flow. immunohistochemical method was used to determined the expression of Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) in ileum, high-performance liquid chromatography was used to detected 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) metabolism in rats plasma and ileum.
Results

After AMI in rats, the ECG shows ST segment elevation in lead Ⅱ for more than 30 minutes and pathological Q wave appeared at 4 weeks after surgery. HE staining showed at 4 weeks after AMI, the ventricular wall of the infarcted area of the rats became thin and white. Echocardiogram showed Left ventricular internal diameters of systole(LVIDs) and Left ventricular internal diameters of diastole(LVIDd) in the AMI group increased significantly, and Interventricular septal thickness at end diastole(IVSd) decreased significantly. Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and Fractional shortening(FS) values in the AMI group were significantly decreased. HE staining showed intestinal mucosa was hyperemia, edema, and it was infiltrated by a large number of neutrophils. The intestinal propulsive rate was increased in AMI group. Laser speckle technique shows the mesenteric blood flow was decreased in AMI group. Immunohistochemistry showed the expression of IDO was increased in AMI group. High-performance liquid chromatography showed the 5-HT content in the plasma was increased, and the content of 5-HT and 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA) in the ileum was increased in AMI group.
Conclusion

Intestinal dysfunction after AMI may be achieved by decreased intestinal blood perfusion, IDO-related inflammation and the dysfunction of 5-HT metabolic pathway.
Management of Periorbital and Orbital Cellulitis at the Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Lahmini Widad , bourrous mounir
Published: May 2020

Background : Orbital cellulitis is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency, jeopardizing the vital and functional prognosis. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological, therapeutic and evolutional aspects of orbital cellulitis cases treated at the pediatric emergency unit. Patients and methods: retrospective study including all the children aged between 1 month and 15 years treated for orbital cellulitis at the pediatric emergency unit of the Mohamed VI University Hospital of Marrakech over a period of 9 years (1st January 2010-31st December 2018). Results: 129 cases of orbital cellulitis were gathered. Age varied between 1 month and 15 years with a median of age of 4.3 years. Feminine predominance (54%) was noted (sex ratio of 0.84). Preseptal cellulitis had the lead with 101 cases (78.2%). It mainly breaks through sinuses (24%). Fever was present in 101 patients (78.2%). Palpebral edema was constant. Exophthalmia was noted in 18 patients (13.9%), chemosis in 29 cases (22.4%) while ptosis was found in one patient. Bacteriological study conducted in 12 cases was positive in 7 cases. An orbital CT scan was performed in all cases of our study, showing preseptal cellulitis in 101 patients (78.2%), orbital cellulitis in 11 cases (8.5%), subperiosteal abscess in 15 cases (11.6%) and orbital abscess in 2 cases (1.5%). The medical treatment consisted of ceftriaxone, metronidazole and aminoside or amoxicilline clavulanic acid. Surgical treatment was indicated in 8 patients : 3 cases of orbital abscess, 2 cases of periosteal abscess, and 3 cases of abscessed collection of the soft tissues. The evolution was beneficial in all our patients. Conclusion: The majority of our cases had a positive evolution highlighting the advantage of an early diagnosis, and adapted antibiotic and a multidisciplinary patient care making the need for surgery rarely necessary.
Numerical Analysis of a Sliding frictional contact problem with Normal Compliance and Unilateral Contact
Authors: Souleiman Yahyeh , Barboteu Mikael
Published: May 2020

This paper represents a continuation of [15] and [18]. Here, we consider the numerical analysis of a non trivial frictional contact problen in a form of a system of evolution nonlinear partial differential equations. The model describes the equilibrium of a viscoelastic body in sliding contact with a moving foundation. The contact is modeled with a multivalued normal compliance condition with memory term restricted by a unilateral constraint, and is associated to a sliding version of Coulomb's law of dry friction. After a description of the model and some assumptions, we derive a variational formulation of the problem, which consists of a system coupling a variational inequality for the displacement field and a nonlinear equation for the stress field. Then, we introduce a fully discrete scheme for the numerical approximation of the sliding contact problem. Under certain solution regularity assumptions, we derive an optimal order error estimate and we provide numerical validation of this result by considering some numerical simulations in the study of a two-dimensional problem.
Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection: a meta-analysis
Authors: Oscanoa Teodoro J. , Vidal Xavier , Carvajal Alfonso , Romero-Ortuno Roman
Published: May 2020

Introduction The mechanism of entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the human host cell is through the ACE2 receptor. During the pandemic, a hypothesis has been proposed that Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) could be risk factors for the development of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Objective To conduct a meta-analysis of the association between ACEi or ARB use and SARS-CoV-2 infection severity or mortality.Data Sources We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Google scholar and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for observational studies published between December 2019 and April 24, 2020Study Selection: Studies were included if they contained data on ACEi or ARB use and SARS-CoV-2 infection severity or mortality. Effect statistics were pooled using random-effects models. The quality of included studies was assessed with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Data ExtractionData on study design, study location, year of publication, study design, number of participants, sex, age at baseline, outcome definition, exposure definition, follow-up, effect estimates and 95% Cis.Results Thirteen observational studies were identified for inclusion, combining to a total sample of 14364 participants. Mean age was 59.2 (SD 7.3) years and 53.5% were men. Mean follow-up was 28.3 (14.2) days. The mean NOS score of included studies was 7.8 (range: 7-9). Results suggested that ACEi or ARB use did not increase the risk of severe disease or mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR=0.72, 95% CI 0.47-1.11, p= 0.138).ConclusionsAt present, the limited evidence available does not support the hypothesis of increased SARS-CoV-2 risk with ACEi or ARB drugs. However, more evidence needs to accumulate before this controversy can be resolved.
Revisiting the Link between Trade Openness and Economic Growth Using Panel Methods
Authors: Jalil Abdul , Bibi Nazia
Published: May 2020

The link between trade openness and economic growth remains an open question due to the inconclusive findings provided by empirical studies. We argue that the primary reasons for such inconclusive findings are the differences between previous studies regarding their methodologies, samples of countries, measures of trade openness, and duration of analyses. Based on this argument, we reinvestigate the trade-growth nexus through newly developed methodologies for five different subsamples from 1960 to 2017. This study also integrates a robust sample of 82 countries and employs different measures of trade openness. The econometric results support the idea that trade openness induces economic growth. These findings emerge after applying a variety of panel data specifications to the data, including a common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG) estimator and a generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator, which allows for endogeneity between trade and growth. The findings of the study challenge previous empirical results that indicate that trade restrictions promote economic growth. Based on our findings, we can safely claim that trade openness may contribute to economic growth.
Gene networks and canonical pathways associated with a favorable blood pressure response after CPAP treatment: the HIPARCO score post hoc analysis
Authors: Zapater Andrea , Santamaria-Martos Fernando , Targa Adriano , Pinilla Lucía , Sánchez-de-la-Torre Alicia , Benitez Ivan , Martinez Miguel Angel , Barbé Ferran , Sánchez-De-La-Torre Manuel
Published: May 2020

Background: Several studies report an association between microRNAs (miRNAs) and hypertension or cardiovascular disease. In a previous study, we observed a cluster of three miRNAs (miR-378a-3p, miR-100-5p, and miR-486-5p) functionally associated with the cardiovascular system that predicted a favorable blood pressure response to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in patients with resistant hypertension (RH) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (HIPARCO score). However, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying this. Thus, the aim of the present study was to perform a post hoc analysis to investigate the genes, functions and pathways related to the previously found HIPARCO-score miRNAs. Methods: We performed an enrichment analysis using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. The genes potentially associated with the miRNAs were filtered based on their confidence level. Particularly for cardiovascular disease, only the genes regulated by at least two of the miRNAs were studied. Results: We observed that the miRNAs studied regulate 200-249 molecules associated with several functions and diseases, including extracranial solid tumors and abdominal neoplasms, among others. The cardiac hypertrophy and NF-kB signaling pathways were identified as the cardiovascular pathways most influenced by these three miRNAs. Conclusions: Considering this, the mechanisms by which CPAP treatment decreases the blood pressure in OSA patients with RH could be related to these pathways. Further investigations will be necessary to confirm these findings, contributing to the elucidation of new therapeutic targets in patients that do not respond to CPAP treatment.
Incidence of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws: A retrospective study of 620 head and neck cancer patients treated by radiotherapy
Authors: Kabir Ryma , Durand Robert , Roberge David , Dufresne Eric , Nguyen-Tân Phuc Félix , Schmittbuhl Matthieu
Published: May 2020

Background This study aims to assess systemic and local risk factors influencing the development of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws (ORN) and its incidence in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 620 adult patients following radiation for a head and neck cancer in 2011 or 2012. Results Of the 181 patients who did not require any extraction, the incidence of ORN was 0.5%. Of the 266 patients with 1491 dental extractions (mean 5.5 teeth per patient) performed before radiotherapy, the incidence of ORN was 3.7%. ORN was always observed in extraction sites located in the field of radiation. No dental extractions were done during radiotherapy. Of the 20 patients with 53 dental extractions (mean 2.7 teeth per patient) performed after radiotherapy, 15 teeth were located in the field of radiation. No case of ORN was reported in that group. For edentulous patients, ORN incidence was 1.7%. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, the incidence of ORN can be minimized with a meticulous pre-radiotherapy dental examination, a comprehensive treatment plan and diligent post-radiotherapy follow-ups conducted by an experienced multidisciplinary team.
Respiratory distress in Full and Post term neonates: Prevalence, Etiologies and Outcomes in a Tertiary Health Center in Yaoundé
Authors: Kue Didi Stanine Mefo , Nanfack Aude Sabine , NLEND ANNE ESTHER NJOM
Published: May 2020

Introduction Respiratory distress (RD) is a common condition for admission of newborns in neonatal care unit (NCU), in both preterm and full-term neonates. Our objective was to describe the clinical features, causes and treatment of RD in full term neonates in a tertiary health center in Yaoundé, the Essos Hospital Centre (EHC). Patients and Method We conducted a cross sectional retrospective study. Full term neonates with RD at EHC from January 2017 to December 2018 were included, assuming clinical signs of RD prior to 48 hours following admission. Factors evaluated: incidence of RD, main etiologies, short term outcomes and risk factors for severity. Data were collected using a chart, then analyzed using software Stata Version 13.Results 186 full term neonates out of 2312 newborn babies admitted in NCU, met the inclusion criteria giving a prevalence rate of RD of 8%. Sex ratio of 2.15 was favoring males; median age at admission was 7.25 hours and 89.2 % were born at a median gestational age of 38 weeks. Clinical signs of RD were dominated by signs of respiratory control with a Silverman score above 4/10 in 64%. The most common etiologies were neonatal infection / pneumonia (45.9%), followed by transient tachypnea. Clinical management was performed using nasal cannula oxygen and antibiotics. Perinatal asphyxia, cyanosis and caesarian section were found to be associated with severe RD in this setting. Mortality rate was 10.4%.Conclusion RD in full term neonates is common in this setting, with neonatal infection as preeminent etiology; the mortality rate is high and the management still inappropriate.
Prognostic value of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 in solid tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Rongqiang , Zheng Shiyang , Peng Shengjia , Ge Qianmin , Lin Qi , Liang Rongbing , Shi Wenqing , Shao Yi
Published: May 2020

Background: It has been reported that the expression of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is abnormal in various types of cancer, and could be used as a prognostic biomarker. However, the results are controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the prognostic value of AKR1B10 expression in solid tumors by conducting a meta-analysis.Methods: The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall survival and disease-free survival/relapse-free survival were calculated to estimate the prognostic significance of AKR1B10 using the random effects model. Subgroup, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses were used to investigate sources of heterogeneity. Begg’s test and Egger’s test were used to evaluate publication bias.Results: Eleven studies involving 1,389 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis displayed that high expression of AKR1B10 was not associated with OS(HR=1.22; 95% CI: 0.73–2.04) and DFS/PFS (HR=1.23, 95% CI 0.75–2.01) in solid tumors. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the results of the meta-analysis were stable. Begg’s test and Egger’s test also confirmed the absence of publication bias.Conclusions: We demonstrated that high expression of AKR1B10 was not associated with survival outcomes in patients with solid tumors. Further large-sample, prospective, multi-centric, and well-designed studies are warranted to investigate the prognostic role of AKR1B10 in various cancers.
Treatment outcomes of 125I low-dose-rate brachytherapy vs radical prostatectomy for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer
Authors: Zhou Zhien , He Meiting , Zhou Yi , Yan Weigang , Wu Xingcheng , Zheng Zhibo , Zhang Fuquan , Ji Zhigang , Li Hanzhong
Published: May 2020

Background: Radical prostatectomy (RP) and low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR) are two widely used treatment options for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer (IRPC). However, which one is better remains controversial. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of RP vs LDR for patients with IRPC. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 361 IRPC patients who underwent treatment from January 2010 and August 2017. 160 underwent RP and 201 underwent LDR using Iodine-125. Biochemical failure for RP was defined as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels > 0.2 ng/ml, and for LDR as nadir PSA level + 2 ng/ml. The log-rank test compared biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS) between the two modalities, and Cox regression identified factors associated with bRFS. Results: Median follow-up was 54 months for RP and 69 months for LDR. The 5-and 8-year bRFS rates were 70.2% and 63.1% in the RP group, and 83.2% and 68.9% in the LDR group, respectively, P=0.003. There were no significant differences in terms of clinical relapse-free survival (cRFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) or overall survival (OS) between the two groups. Conclusion: LDR is a reasonable treatment option for IRPC patients, yielding improved bRFS and equivalent rates of cRFS, CSS and OS compared with RP.
A New Predictor of Disease Severity in Patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China
Authors: Zhou Ying , Yang Zhen , Guo Yanan , Geng Shuang , Gao Shan , Ye Shenglan , Hu Yi , Wang Yafei
Published: May 2020

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) broke out in Wuhan, Hubei, China. This study sought to elucidate a novel predictor of disease severity in patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) cased by SARS-CoV-2.Methods Patients enrolled in this study were all hospitalized with COVID-19 in the Central Hospital of Wuhan, China. Clinical features, chronic comorbidities, demographic data, and laboratory and radiological data were reviewed. The outcomes of patients with severe pneumonia and those with non-severe pneumonia were compared to explore risk factors. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to screen optimal predictors from the risk factors and the predictive power was verified by internal validation.Results A total of 377 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were enrolled in this study, including 117 with severe pneumonia and 260 with non-severe pneumonia. The independent risk factors for severe pneumonia were age, N/L, CRP and D-dimer. We identified a product of N/L*CRP*D-dimer as having an important predictive value for the severity of COVID-19. The cutoff value was 5.32. The negative predictive value of less than 5.32 for the N/L*CRP*D-dimer was 93.75%, while the positive predictive value was 46.03% in the test sets. In the training sets, the negative and positive predictive values were 93.80% and 41.32%.Conclusions A product of N/L*CRP*D-dimer may be an important predictor of disease severity in patients with COVID-19.
Efilter: A Tool for Identifying Unexpected and Erroneous Taxids in Sequencing Data
Authors: Bewick Sharon , Dong Xianghui , Karig David , Fagan William F.
Published: May 2020

Background: Multiple types of error can enter metagenomics sample analysis, including contamination during sample collection, library preparation and sequencing, as well as incorrect taxonomic assignment by bioinformatics packages. Often, such errors either go unidentified, or else are removed, ad hoc, based on user knowledge of microbial ecology. However, becausedifferent researchers are more or less familiar with the ecologies of the various organisms in their systems, filtering is applied non-uniformly at best, with differences in the degree of filtering between studies and between taxonomic groups within a single study.Results: In this paper, we present EFILTER – a tool that capitalizes on decades of research in microbial ecology to identify suspicious or spurious taxa in metagenomics samples based on habitat information. Conclusions: EFILTER allows all microbiome researchers, regardless of background, to examine taxon lists for unusual entries, and to do so in a manner that is systematic and without bias.