bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Affecting the Utilization of Antenatal Care 4th Visit Among Mothers in Rubirizi District, Uganda
Authors: Aidah Katushabe , Kizito Omona
Published: May 2022

Globally, the World Health Organization recommends all women with uncomplicated pregnancies to attend up to four ANC visits during the course of the pregnancy. However, it has been reported elsewhere that the ANC 4th visit tends to be under-utilized in low-income settings. Among the 69 countries tracked by the countdown to 2015, the coverage rate of the 4th ANC visit is less than 50%. On average, only 16% of women in Uganda attend the 4th antenatal care visit, suggesting low utilization of the 4th antenatal care visit. The low attendances have persisted despite the efforts and awareness from government, policymakers and stakeholders. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of utilization ANC 4th visit and ascertain the factors affecting the utilization. An analytical cross-sectional design was used. Samples of 283 mothers were interviewed using questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Quality controls and ethical considerations were taken care of. Only 59(20.8%) of the mothers utilized ANC 4th visit. Monthly income (p=0.003), knowledge about ANC 4th visit (p = 0.044), discussing ANC with Husband freely (p = 0.020) and husband providing financial support towards ANC visits (p=0.010) significantly influenced utilization of ANC 4th visit among mothers. Findings additionally showed cultural practices about ANC (p=0.000), mode of transport used during ANC visit (p =0.000) and instances of stockouts at health units (p=0.023) as having a significant bearing on utilization of ANC 4th visit among mothers (p values ≤ 0.05). The odds of attending 4th ANC visit were 3.44 times among mothers who discuss with their husbands freely about ANC compared to those who did not discuss it. Conclusively, the level of utilization 4th ANC visit in Rubirizi district health facilities is still unacceptably very low. Concerted efforts may be required by all stakeholders.
TELAAH PERKEMBANGAN TAFSIR PERIODE MODERN
Authors: Salim Ahmad Agus , Ihkamuddin Hazmi
Published: May 2022

The Qur'an is the Kalamullah which was revealed by Jibril to the Prophet Muhammad SAW as a guide for those who are pious, in understanding it is not enough just to translate. So, in need of special knowledge, namely the science of interpretation. The interpretation of the Qur'an always develops every era, this is proven by the many works of interpretation that have emerged from the classical to the modern period. In addition, the scholars of the Qur'an have different opinions in dividing the periodization of the development of the interpretation of the Qur'an, either in three, four, or six periodizations. Like Husein al-Zahabi, Fahd al-Rumi, Salah al-Khalidy, and Abdul Mustaqim. For this reason, in this simple paper, it will be specifically explained about the development of the interpretation of the modern period which includes, socio-political and religious conditions, the background of the emergence of renewal, the characteristics of interpretation, sources, methods, styles, systematic interpretation, famous commentators of the modern period, and analysis. the validity of the interpretation in that period.
The Effect of the Debriefing Method of Simulation Nursing Practice Education: A Literature Review
Authors: Yun Jiah , Kang Insoon
Published: May 2022

This study aims to understand the contents of debriefing performance in simulation education and its results by comprehensively examining the learning performance of the education ac-cording to the difference in the debriefing methods employed in domestic and overseas nursing simulation training. This is a literature review conducted to identify the effect of debriefing of simulation nursing practice education. The existing literature was found in electronic databases using Pubmed, Embase, MEDLINE complete, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, KoreaMed, National Discovery for Science Leaders, and Research Information Sharing Service and the key words were “nurse,” “nursing student,” “simulation,” “simulator,” “stand-ardized patient,” “debriefing.” Finally, 32 studies were analyzed. All the studies were conducted from 2012 to 2021. A total of 11 RCT, 17 quasi-experimental studies, 3 mixed method studies and 1 pilot study were identified. The debriefing process used media, structured questionnaires, and a method of teaching or peer-led debriefing. The outcome variables that were statistically significant were skill, performance, knowledge, problem-solving competency, critical thinking disposition, clinical judgement, self-confidence, satisfaction, and debriefing quality evaluation. It is necessary to educate the debriefers who are responsible for strategy development and meeting effective debriefing goals.
Cytotoxicity of Diphenyltin(IV) Diisopropyl Dithiocarbamate Compound on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells, CCL-119 (CCRF-CEM)
Authors: Awang Normah , Kamaludin Nurul Farahana
Published: May 2022

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia affecting children under the age of 15 years old in Malaysia. Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for cancer, which involves the intake of chemotherapeutic drugs to kill cancer cells. Glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone are chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of ALL. Although dexamethasone is highly effective, it is also associated with adverse effects such as bone fractures and organ toxicity. Therefore, there is a need to develop a new anticancer drug which milder side effects and better efficacy. Organometallic compounds such as organotin have a high potential to be developed as an antineoplastic agent and show high specificity towards cancer cells compared to normal cells. This study is done to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of diphenyltin(IV) diisopropyl dithiocarbamate (DPDT) against leukemic cells CCL-119 using the Trypan Blue exclusion (TBE) method at the intervals of 24, 48 and 72 h. Dexamethasone was used as a positive control. The cell’s morphological changes were observed at 12, 24 and 48 h using the IC50 values obtained using TBE assay. Results show that DPDT has a lower IC50 value than dexamethasone against CCL-119 cells at 24 h with a value of 4.16 ± 0.44µM and a selectivity index of 2.02. Dexamethasone exhibited cytotoxic effects against CCL-119 but only IC25 and IC10 values were obtained. Cytotoxicity testing has shown that DPDT is toxic on CCL-119 cells with IC50 values of less than 10µM. Morphological changes in cells show characteristics of apoptosis such as cell shrinkage, blebbing and formation of apoptotic bodies. In conclusion, DPDT has the potential to be made into an antineoplastic agent but requires a more detailed study involving the molecular pathway of DPDT leading to cell death.
The Development of PowerPoint-Based Video Intructional Media for Islamic Education Teachers in MTs Qudsiyyah Kudus
Authors: Cahyono Guntur , Rozikan Muhamad
Published: May 2022

This research aims to develop a PowerPoint-based video instructional media. PowerPoint is an office application that teachers can easily operate. There are three steps in the development process of this research, namely, testing the prototype of the material on individual students with three students. It was followed by trials in small classes and large class trials (field tryouts). This small class trial involved eight students, while the large class involved 20 students by taking the students in the class. The first evaluation results of this learning media product were 89.9, followed by the second and third tests, which resulted in the same score of 89.3. It means that the design development of this media product is feasible for the teaching and learning process and can be developed according to the learning needs of the madrasah. The evaluation and product improvement process needs to be carried out to produce good learning media products. This PowerPoint-based video learning media is expected to provide new learning experiences for students because learning is more interesting.
Sosyal Medyada Gelişmeleri Kaçırma Korkusunun Personel Güçlendirme ve İş Tatmini Arasındaki İlişki Üzerinde Düzenleyici Etkisi
Authors: ÇETİNER Nurcan , ÖZDEMİR Mahmut
Published: May 2022

Amaç: Bu araştırmanın amacı, sosyal medyada Gelişmeleri Kaçırma Korkusunun (GKK) personel güçlendirme ve iş tatmini arasındaki ilişki üzerinde düzenleyici etkisinin bulunup bulunmadığınınincelenmesidir.
Tasarım/Yöntem: Araştırmada tesadüfî olmayan yöntemlerden kolayda örneklem yöntemiyle belirlenen 749 katılımcıya Google form aracılığıyla anket yapılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler SPSS ve SPSS Process Macro ile analiz edilmiştir.
Bulgular: Analizler sonucunda; GKK’nin personel güçlendirme ve iş tatmini arasındaki ilişkide düzenleyici rolünün anlamlı olduğu ve ilişkinin yönünü değiştirdiği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
Sınırlılıklar: Çalışma sosyal medyadaki gelişmeleri kaçırma korkusu ile sınırlı olup, sosyal medyadaki gelişmeleri kaçırma korkusu dışındaki diğer sosyal medya ile ilgili kavramlar kapsam dışı bırakılmıştır. Personel güçlendirmenin psikolojik güçlendirme boyutunu kapsamakta olup, yapısal güçlendirme boyutu kapsam dışı bırakılmıştır.
Özgünlük/Değer: Sosyal medyada GKK’nin personeli güçlendirme ile iş tatmini arasındaki ilişkide düzenleyicilik rolünü belirlemeye yönelik yapılan bir çalışmaya daha önce rastlanılamaması nedeniyle, işletme alan yazınındaki boşluğun doldurulması ve işletme alan yazınına katkıda bulunması araştırmanın özgün değerini oluşturmaktadır.
STUDY OF CRUSTAL STRUCTURE OF THE FLORES ISLAND USING RECEIVER FUNCTION METHOD
Authors: Siwi Nanda Dewi Pamungkas , Priadi Ramadhan , Ariyanto Puji
Published: May 2022

Flores is an island located in the north of the East Nusa Tenggara region. Formed as a consequence of very complex tectonic setting that might cause relatively high level of seismic in the region. This study aims to characterize the crust structure based on the S wave velocity model, the Vp/Vs ratio, and crustal thickness beneath the station on Flores Island. This study was using receiver function analysis method of teleseismic earthquake data with magnitude criteria ≥ 6 and epicenter distance 30⁰-90⁰. Seismic signal recorded on broadband stations three components. This study was using LBFI station. Velocity model of S wave and Vp/Vs ratio determined by using the non-linear Neighbourhood Algorithm (NA) inversion. Furthermore, the velocity and Vp/Vs ratio models will be used to obtain the depth of the migration process of the amplitude of the receiver function to depth. From the results of processing the depth of the Moho layer on the island of Flores under the LBFI station was identified as 41 km. The existence of the slab can be identified quite well that is at depth about 110 to 140 km.
Decreasing Delirium through Music (DDM) in Critically Ill, Mechanically Ventilated Older Adults in the Intensive Care Unit: A Two-Arm, Parallel-group, Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Seyffert Sarah , Moiz Salwa , Coghlan Matt , Balozian Patil , Nasser Jason , Rached Emilio Abi , Jamil Yasser , Naqvi Kiran , Rawlings Lori , Perkins Anthony , Gao Sujuan , III Hunter Downs , Khan Sikandar , Heiderscheit Annie , Chlan Linda L. , Khan Babar
Published: May 2022

Background: Delirium is a highly prevalent and morbid syndrome in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Music is a promising non-pharmacological intervention with beneficial effects on anxiety and stress, while its effects on delirium duration and severity are not well understood.Methods/design: Our study is a two-arm, randomized parallel-group, clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of music intervention compared to a silence-track attention control on delirium/coma duration in mechanically ventilated critically ill older adults. One-hundred-sixty mechanically ventilated adults 50 years of age or older will be randomized to one of two arms within 72 hours of ICU admission: (1) one-hour music listening sessions twice daily through noise-cancelling headphones, or (2) one-hour sessions of a silence track twice daily through noise-cancelling headphones. Our primary aim is to compare delirium/coma free days after randomization during the 7-day study intervention phase using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM ICU) and the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) for delirium and coma. Secondary outcomes include pain and anxiety evaluated twice daily during the intervention phase and throughout the duration of ICU stay using the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) and Visual Analogue Scale-Anxiety (VAS-A). Enrolled participants will be followed after hospital discharge to further measure cognition as well as screening for depression and anxiety using the following telephone-based instruments: Indiana University Telephone-Based Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (IU TBANS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7).Discussion: This randomized clinical trial will measure the efficacy of a music listening intervention for delirium and coma duration early in the intensive care unit among older adults.Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04182334
Health effects of reduced occupational sedentary behaviour in type 2 diabetes using a mobile health intervention: A study protocol for a 12-month randomized controlled trial – the ROSEBUD study
Authors: Syrjälä Maria Brännholm , Bennet L , Dempsey PC , Fharm E , Hellgren M , Jansson S , Nilsson S , Nordendahl M , Rolandsson O , Rådholm K , Ugarph-Morawski A , Wändell P , Wennberg P
Published: May 2022

Background
Short-term trials conducted in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) showed that reducing sedentary behaviour by performing regular short bouts of light-intensity physical activity, enhances health. Moreover, support for reducing sedentary behaviour may be provided at a low cost via mobile health technology (mHealth). There are a wide range of mHealth solutions available including SMS text message reminders and activity trackers that monitor the physical activity level and notify the user of prolonged sitting periods. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a mHealth intervention on sedentary behaviour and physical activity and the associated changes in health in adults with T2DM.
Methods
A dual-arm, 12-month, randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted within a nationwide Swedish collaboration for diabetes research in primary health care. Individuals with T2DM (n = 142) and mainly sedentary work will be recruited across primary health care centres in five regions in Sweden. Participants will be randomized (1:1) into two groups. A mHealth intervention group who will receive an activity tracker wristband (Garmin Vivofit4), regular SMS text message reminders, and counselling with a diabetes specialist nurse, or a comparator group who will receive counselling with a diabetes specialist nurse only. The primary outcomes are device-measured total sitting time and total number of steps (activPAL3). The secondary outcomes are fatigue, health-related quality of life and musculoskeletal problems (self-reported questionnaires), number of sick leave days (diaries), diabetes medications (clinical record review) and cardiometabolic biomarkers including waist circumference, mean blood pressure, HbA1c, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides.
Discussion
Successful interventions to increase physical activity amongst those with T2DM have been costly and long-term effectiveness remains uncertain. The use of mHealth technologies such as activity trackers and SMS text reminders may increase awareness of prolonged sedentary behaviour and encourage increase in regular physical activity. mHealth may, therefore, provide a valuable and novel tool to improve health outcomes and clinical management in those with T2DM. This 12-month RCT will evaluate longer-term effects of a mHealth intervention suitable for real-world primary health care settings.
Trial registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04219800
The potential of Elophila obliteralis larvae (waterlily leafcutter moth) as a biological control for the invasive aquatic plant Nymphoides peltata (yellow floating heart)
Authors: Tomasko Rachael E , Jennrich Seth J , Gorbach Kathleen R , Warman Mark J
Published: May 2022

We tested the potential of Elophila obliteralis larvae (waterlily leafcutter moth, native to the eastern United States) as a biological control for Nymphoides peltata (yellow floating heart). N. peltata , an invasive aquatic floating-leaved plant in the United States, grows in mats creating profound shade reducing macrophyte community biodiversity below the water’s surface. The larvae cut pieces from its host plant’s foliage to live in and consume. It is hypothesized that the E. obliteralis larva has potential as a biological control for N. peltata ; as the density of larvae to leaf SA (surface area (cm 2 )) increases, a greater decline of leaf SA occurs. To determine the ability of the larvae to control the plant, different density ratios of larvae: leaf SA (1:8, 1:4, and no larva=control) were observed over 5 weeks, measuring the progression using Leafscan app. The higher density of larvae to leaf SA resulted in more foliage consumed. The treatments had a mean percent change ± standard deviation of +0.43% ± 22.26% SD (control), -40.37% ± 29.48% SD (1:8), and -71.27% ± 21.95% SD (1:4) from week 0-5. A one-way repeated measure ANOVA found a statistically significant difference among treatment groups (F= 10.51, p=0.002), indicating a significant effect of the larvae on plant SA. Observationally, the larvae impacted regrowth of the plant. These results indicate that E. obliteralis is a potential biological control for N. peltata . Future research should be conducted.
High-speed and efficient removal of Uranium (VI) from aqueous solution by hydroxyapatite modified ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK-3)
Authors: Ma Ming , Deng Hao , Ren Zhenyu , Zhong Xin
Published: May 2022

In recent years, the synthesis and application of green, cost-effective and sustainable materials for uranium (VI) removal was significant to environmental protection. The ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK-3) supported different mass of hydroxyapatite materials (HAP@CMK-3) were facilely synthesized via hydrothermal method. The resultant materials were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, BET, SEM, TEM-mapping and XPS, and implemented for immobilizing U(VI). Not only the specific surface area of HAP (7.01 m2/g) was increased by the loading on CMK-3 (818.37 m2/g), but also the adsorption capacity of CMK-3 was increased by HAP modification. Impressively, HAP@CMK-3 exhibited highly adsorption capacity of U(VI) with the increase of HAP deposition and was capable of achieving fast reaction. Therein to, the specific surface area of HAP@CMK-3(2:1) was 253.68 m2/g, as well as the adsorption capacity was up to 1072 mg/g (fitted by Langmuir isotherm, at pH = 3.0, 298 K) and the adsorption process was completed in 30 min (followed by pseudo-second-order kinetic). The adsorption mechanisms of U(VI) on HAP@CMK-3 involved electrostatic forces, ionic interactions and chemical complexation. This work offered new avenues to address the limitations of cost and less secondary pollution for the removal of U(IV) from wastewater.
A single-institution study comparing robotic major hepatectomy and laparoscopic major hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in terms of short-term outcomes
Authors: Liu Linsen , Wang Yan , Wu Tianchong , Lin Jianwei , Deng Lingna , Jiang Jiling , An Tailai
Published: May 2022

Background: Nowadays, more and more major hepatectomy surgeries for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are being accomplished by robots. Despite the fact that robotic surgery has the potential of overcoming some disadvantages of laparoscopic procedures, studies comparing robotic major hepatectomy with laparoscopic major hepatectomy in terms of short-term results are still scarce. This study was performed to compare robotic major hepatectomy and laparoscopic major hepatectomy regarding intraoperative and postoperative results.Methods: Data of demographics, intraoperative and postoperative results of 131 patients undergoing robotic or laparoscopic major hepatectomy between January 2017 and March 2022 were retrieved from the medical records. Then patients undergoing robotic major hepatectomy were compared with those undergoing laparoscopic major hepatectomy in terms of demographic variables, intraoperative and postoperative results. Results: Between January 2017 and March 2022, 44 robotic major hepatectomy and 87 laparoscopic major hepatectomy were accomplished at Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Shenzhen People,s Hospital. Firstly, patients undergoing robotic major hepatectomy were not significantly from those undergoing laparoscopic surgery in terms of age (P=0.397), gender (P=0.624), body mass index (BMI) (P=0.118), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (P=0.09), tumor size (P=0.176), cirrhosis (P=0.384), fatty liver (P=0.162), preoperative antiviral treatment (P=0.934), and HBV DNA (P=0.646). Secondly, it was revealed that patients undergoing robotic major hepatectomy were not significantly from those undergoing laparoscopic surgery in terms of length of hospital stay after operation (P=0.849), ICU stay (P=0.866), postoperative massive abdominal bleeding (P=1.00), portal vein thrombosis (P=1.00), abdominal infection (P=1.00), pulmonary infection (P=1.00), pulmonary embolism (P=1.00), cardiac complications (P=1.00), liver failure (P=1.00), kidney failure (P=1.00), biliary leak (P=1.00), 30-day mortality (P=1.00) and 90-day mortality (P=1.00). Thirdly, it was also demonstrated that it took significantly longer time to accomplish robotic major hepatectomy than that for laparoscopic major hepatectomy (P<0.001). Fourthly, the estimated blood loss during laparoscopic major hepatectomy was significantly more than that during robotic major hepatectomy (P=0.002). Conclusions: Robotic major hepatectomy was as effective as laparoscopic surgery in terms of intraoperative and postoperative variables and robotic surgery took longer time than laparoscopic surgery, while robotic approach could more efficiently control intraoperative blood loss.
Prediction Model of Sparse Autoencoder based Bidirectional LSTM for Wastewater Flow Rate
Authors: Huang Jianying , Yang Seunghyeok , Li Jinhui , Oh Jeill , Kang Hoon
Published: May 2022

Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) caused by excessive Rainfall Derived Infiltration and Inflow (RDII) is the major challenge currently faced by municipal administrations, and therefore, the ability to correctly predict the wastewater state of the sanitary sewage system in advance is especially significant. In this paper, we present the design of the Sparse Autoencoder-based Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (SAE-BLSTM) network model, a model built on Sparse Autoencoder (SAE) and Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BLSTM) networks to predict the wastewater flow rate in a sanitary sewer system. This network model consists of a data preprocessing segment, the Sparse Autoencoder (SAE) network segment, and the Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BLSTM) network segment. The SAE is capable of performing data dimensionality reduction on high-dimensional original input feature data from which it can extract sparse potential features from the aforementioned high-dimensional original input feature data. The potential features extracted by the SAE hidden layer are concatenated with the smooth historical wastewater flow rate features to create an augmented previous feature vector that more accurately predicts the wastewater flow rate. These augmented previous features are applied to the BLSTM network to predict the future wastewater flow rate. Thus, this network model combines two kinds of abilities, SAE's low-dimensional nonlinear representation for original input feature data and BLSTM's time-series prediction for wastewater flow rate. We then conducted extensive experiments on the SAE-BLSTM network model utilizing the real-world hydrological time-series datasets. The experimental results show that our proposed SAE-BLSTM model consistently outperforms the advanced comparison models.
Evaluation of the Effect of Xylopia Aethiopica on the Hormonal Profile of Vertebrates
Authors: Nwankudu Oluchi Nnenna , Chibundu Amarachi Rejoice
Published: May 2022

Xylopia aethiopica is normally used as a major spice in pepper soup for post parturient women. Their spouses are advised to eat the nutrient-rich pepper soup with their wives. The aim of this study is to investigate how this spice affects the hormone profile of male and female vertebrates using albino rats. To do this, aqueous extraction of two varies of Xylopia was done and assessment of the compounds that comprise the two varieties was done. In vitro experiments to ascertain the effect of Xylopia on isolated rat uteri was considered necessary. Also, haematology and histopathology of the testis was also considered important. The two varieties of Xylopia used; Xylopia Ripe Fruit Extract (XRFE) and Xylopia Unripe Fruit Extract (XUFE) extracts were applied to strands of rats isolated uterine smooth muscle preparation in De Jalon solution and bubbled with air. In vivo, thirty rats of fourteen weeks of age were used. Fifteen males were divided into three groups of five each. Group A was control given 2ml/kg of distilled water while groups B and C were given XRFE and XUFE at a dose of 800mg/kg for thirty days. The fifteen females were divided into three as in males and treated accordingly. After thirty days, the rats in all the groups were sacrificed using mild ether for sedation and blood collected through cardiac puncture for haematology in heparinized bottles and serology in test tubes. Result: In vitro experimentations show that Xylopia relaxes the uterus in dose dependent manner. Hormonal profiling of the sera from in vivo experimentation in males revealed that Xylopia treatment reduces testosterone levels. The rate of testosterone reduction is more expressed in XRFE (P ≤ 0.01) treated than in XUFE (P ≤ 0.05) treated males. At the other hand, oestrogen secretion is significantly (P ≤ 0.01) enhanced in the females in XRFE treated females and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced in XUFE treated females. Conclusion: Xylopia treatment in the females lead to induced secretion of oestrogen which suppresses the secretion of Mono Amine Oxidase thereby averting Post Parturient Depression (PPD) while in the males Xylopia treatment is postulated to be a handy male contraceptive. However more work should be done to confirm whether Xylopia treated males becomes temporarily infertile or not.
Effects of Prophylactic Antibiotic Administration and Antibiotic Timing on Culture Results and Clinical Outcomes of Pediatric Musculoskeletal Infection: A Protocol for A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial
Authors: Xia Yongjie , Deng Chao , Zhou Yibiao , Wu Dechao , Liu Zhiyong , Xie Liangfu , E Bing , Han Jingming , You Chao
Published: May 2022

Background: Musculoskeletal infection (MSI) is a common cause of morbidity among the pediatric population. Some clinicians recommend withholding prophylactic antibiotics until culture collection with an aim to improve the culture sensitivity. However, a recent retrospective study reported that prophylactic antibiotic administration did not affect culture sensitivities in either disseminated or local MSI in pediatric population, which is surprising. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of prophylactic antibiotic administration and the timing of antibiotic administration on culture sensitivity and clinical outcomes of pediatric MSI.Methods: A randomized, controlled, clinical trial will be carried out. Individuals aged 0 to 18 years with a diagnosis of MSI will be screened and evaluated at the Shenzhen Children’s Hospital. The participants will be randomly allocated into four groups, and they will receive the antibiotic treatment at different time points, that is, 1 week, 3 days, 1 day prior to culture collection and 1 day after culture collection, respectively. The primary outcome will be culture sensitivity. In addition, the disease-related markers including white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, vital signs as well as the length of hospital stay will be measured or recorded accordingly. Using chi-squared tests, the rates of positive cultures will be compared between different groups. Statistical comparisons between the different patient groups regarding the confounding and outcome variables will be conducted using independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, chi-squared tests and Fisher’s exact tests as appropriate with the significance level set to 5% (P<0.05).Discussion: The results of this study would provide some evidence for the clinical management of pediatric MSIs with regards to the application of prophylactic antibiotics.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100041631. Registered at 1 January 2021, http://www.chictr.org.cn/hvshowproject.aspx?id=69850.
Effects of Prophylactic Antibiotic Administration and Antibiotic Timing on Culture Results and Clinical Outcomes of Pediatric Musculoskeletal Infection: A Protocol for A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial
Authors: Xia Yongjie , Deng Chao , Zhou Yibiao , Wu Dechao , Liu Zhiyong , Xie Liangfu , E Bing , Han Jingming , You Chao
Published: May 2022

Background
Musculoskeletal infection (MSI) is a common cause of morbidity among the pediatric population. Some clinicians recommend withholding prophylactic antibiotics until culture collection with an aim to improve the culture sensitivity. However, a recent retrospective study reported that prophylactic antibiotic administration did not affect culture sensitivities in either disseminated or local MSI in pediatric population, which is surprising. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of prophylactic antibiotic administration and the timing of antibiotic administration on culture sensitivity and clinical outcomes of pediatric MSI.
Methods
A randomized, controlled, clinical trial will be carried out. Individuals aged 0 to 18 years with a diagnosis of MSI will be screened and evaluated at the Shenzhen Children’s Hospital. The participants will be randomly allocated into four groups, and they will receive the antibiotic treatment at different time points, that is, 1 week, 3 days, 1 day prior to culture collection and 1 day after culture collection, respectively. The primary outcome will be culture sensitivity. In addition, the disease-related markers including white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, vital signs as well as the length of hospital stay will be measured or recorded accordingly. Using chi-squared tests, the rates of positive cultures will be compared between different groups. Statistical comparisons between the different patient groups regarding the confounding and outcome variables will be conducted using independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, chi-squared tests and Fisher’s exact tests as appropriate with the significance level set to 5% (P < 0.05).
Discussion
The results of this study would provide some evidence for the clinical management of pediatric MSIs with regards to the application of prophylactic antibiotics.
Trial registration
: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100041631. Registered at 1 January 2021, http://www.chictr.org.cn/hvshowproject.aspx?id=69850.
Risky anatomical variations of sphenoid sinus and surrounding structures in endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Fadda Gian Luca , Petrelli Alessio , Urbanelli Anastasia , Castelnuovo Paolo , Bignami Maurizio , Crosetti Erika , Succo Giovanni , Cavallo Giovanni
Published: May 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationship between the SS and surrounding vital structures such as the internal carotid artery (ICA) and optic nerve canal (ONC) as well as the types of attachment of the sphenoidal septa onto these structures.Methods: In total, 230 computed tomography (CT) scans were reviewed to study the type of sphenoid sinus pneumatization (SSP), the protrusion and dehiscence of the ICA and ONC, the relationship between the sphenoidal septa and surrounding vital structures as well as pterygoid recess pneumatization (PRP).Results: The most common SSP was sellar type (58.7%). The rates of protrusion and dehiscence of the ICA were 26.3% and 0.4%, and for the ONC, they were 13% and 1.5%, respectively. The ICA and ONC were most protruded and dehiscent in more extensive SSP. In 21.6% of patients, the intersphenoidal septa (IS) were attached to the wall of the ICA and in 8.6% they were attached to the wall of the ONC. The attachment of IS to the ICA correlated statistically significantly (p<0.0001) with protrusion of the ICA. Accessory septa were detected in 30.4% of cases with various sites of attachment.Conclusion: To reduce the risk of injury and complications during ESS, surgeons should consider using CT to identify possible bulging and dehiscence of the ICA/ONC and their relationship to the extent of SSP and also to establish the presence of deviation of the sphenoid septum, and the presence of accessory septa.
Prevalence of gestational diabetes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Kisindja Rogatien Mwandjalulu , Tugirimana Pierrot Lundimu , Prudence Mitangala Ndeba , Bosunga Katenga , Sihalikyolo Jean-Jeannot Juakali , Kayamba Prosper Kalenga Muenze , A-Nkoy Albert Mwembo Tambwe-
Published: May 2022

Objective: To determine the prevalence of gestational diabetes and associated risk factors in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Goma city, Idjwi, Ngungu and Rutshuru districts between April 2019 and February 2021. Were included, pregnant women between 24 to 28 weeks of amenorrhea who consented to participate in the study. Blood sugar, anthropometric parameters and obstetrical and family history were studied. Gestational diabetes was defined as blood glucose level between 92 and 125mg/dL.Results: The overall prevalence was 21.2% (n=391) and was higher in Rutshuru [27.2% (n=92)] and Goma [26.9% (n=134)] compared to Ngungu [10.0% (n=110)] (p=0.005). An increased risk was associated with a history of a newborn weighing ≥ 4000g [OR 2.4 95% CI (1.3 – 4.4)] or family diabetes [OR 2.9 95% CI (2.0 – 4.9)]. Median age in the pathological group was not different from that with normal blood glucose [25.0 (16.0 – 44.0) Vs 26.0 (16.0 – 44.0)] (p = 0.67). The prevalence tended to increase for pregnant women with a mid-upper arm circumference ≥ 280 mm [28.1% (n = 57)] Vs [19.3% (n=322)] if < 280 mm, [OR (95% CI)] [1.5 (0.9 - 2.3)] (p = 0.13).Conclusion: Gestattional diabetes was found in one out of five pregnant women regardless their age. The history of macrosomia birth and diabetes in the family were the main risk factors.
Enhanced production of withaferin A in hairy root cultures of underutilised plant Physalis minima L
Authors: HALDER TARUN , Ghosh Biswajit
Published: May 2022

Physalis minima L. is an important underutilised medicinal plant. It has many medicinal properties including anticancer activity due to the synthesis of steroidal lactone withaferin A. This is the first time we developed hairy root (HR) culture system via infection with wild A4 strain of Agrobacterium rhizogenes for continuous synthesis of steroidal lactone withaferin A. Maximum transformation efficiency (83.49 ± 2.45 %) was recorded with the treatment of 200 μM of acetosyringone. Confirmation of transformed root was analysed using seven different gene-specific primers. After the establishment of axenic culture, five different HR lines were separated and selected on the basis of their growth rate and accumulation of withaferin A (891.79 ± 36.21 μg g–1 DW) content analysed by standard high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The present study investigated to enhance the biosynthesis of withaferin A by the application of different elicitors on selected HR lines. Elicitors like chitosan, yeast extract, salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate and aluminium chloride were examined. Among the different elicitors, all elicitors exhibit their positive response in differential manner with respect to withaferin A synthesis. The most effective response was observed when treated with elicitor methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid; they trigger to synthesise 18186.55 ± 45.46 μg g–1 DW and 19080.60 ± 58.04 μg g–1 DW of withaferin A, respectively from HR. After 15 d of culture, whereas controlled HR in MSO synthesised only 891.79 ± 36.21 μg g–1 DW of withaferin A content. Results suggested that HRs of P. minima open a new opportunity to produce enhanced amount of withaferin A after the treatment of elicitors.
Safety and Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced Cancer patients with Autoimmune Disease: a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cai Qi , Huo Geng-wei , Zhu Fu-yi , Yue Ping , Yuan Dong-qi , Chen Peng
Published: May 2022

Background: Cancer patients with autoimmune disease (AID) are usually excluded from clinical trials involving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs); their safety and effectiveness remain uncertainty. Methods: The available electronic databases were systematically searched. We recorded the incidence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) of included studies. Results: This meta-analysis included 11 studies comprising 5489 participants. The pooled risk ratio (RR) for any grade and grade ≥3 irAEs was 1.79 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31-2.45) and 1.58 (95% CI: 1.06-2.36), respectively. The irAEs in the same system as the AID were referred to as AID-homogeneous irAEs, otherwise known as AID-heterogeneous irAEs. Subgroup analysis found that the higher risk of AID-homogeneous irAEs contributed to the higher risk of overall irAEs among patients with AID. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for PFS and OS was 1.09 (95% CI: 0.96–1.25) and 1.10 (95% CI: 0.68–1.77), respectively. The results of PFS and OS subgroup analyses matched the overall results. Conclusion: patients with AID had a significantly higher risk of developing any grade and ≥3 grade irAEs under ICI therapy, specifically AID-homogeneous irAEs; however, AID-heterogeneous irAEs were higher among patients with AID than in those without. No statistically significant differences in PFS and OS were observed between two groups.
Metabolomic and transcriptomic exploration of the Biosynthetic Pathways of Uric Acid-reducing flavonoids in the fruit of Actinidia arguta Sieb. Zucc.
Authors: Wang Yubo , Dong Kuiling , Zhang Minghui , Yin Xiaojuan , Hao Chunhui , Irfan Muhammad , Chen Li-jing , Wang Yong
Published: May 2022

Extensive targeted metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses were used to determine the types of flavonoids present in the fruit of two varieties of Actinidia arguta Sieb. Zucc. cultivated in Northern China. Fractionation and preparative liquid chromatography were used to isolate and purify the potentially biologically active flavonoids chrysin (flavone1), rutin (flavone2), and daidzein (flavone3) from the fruit of Actinidia arguta Sieb. Zucc. The structures of these flavonoids were appraised using mass spectroscopy/high-performance liquid chromatography (MS-HPLC). Serum levels of uric acid (UA), urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and liver glycogen were measured in male Kunming mice treated with each flavonoid to determine biological effects of the flavonoids on the measured parameters. The three flavonoids were found to be mainly distributed within three metabolic pathways, namely the flavonoids and flavonol biosynthesis pathway(BP), the flavonoid BP, and the secondary metabolite BP. Through a correlation analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome, regulatory genes were screened for activity in the BPs of the three flavonoids. This is the first study to explore the UA-lowering activity of flavonoids in the fruit of Actinidia arguta Sieb., the main variety cultivated in Northern China. These data provide valuable information for understanding the biosynthetic mechanisms and regulatory pathways of flavonoids in Actinidia arguta Sieb. and contribute to its development as a food and drug homologous functional food.
Overexpressed C1q-TNF-related protein-9 in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus ameliorates hypertension through modulating cytokines and attenuating oxidative stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Miao Yu-Wang
Published: May 2022

The adipocytokine C1q/TNF-related protein 9 (CTRP9) was recently reported to have multiple protective effects on cardiac and cardiovascular function. However, the exact role of CTRP9 in the progression of hypertension remains unclear. This study was designed to determine whether overexpressed CTRP9 in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) attenuates hypertension through modulating pro-inflammatorycytokines and attenuating oxidative stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Our data on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that CTRP9 mRNA and protein content were markedly downregulated in SHRs. SHRs had higher mean arterial pressure (MAP) and plasma norepinephrine (NE). These rats also had higher levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-α, interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and higher gp91phox, gp47phox (subunits of NAD (P)H oxidase) expression and superoxide production in PVN. Bilateral PVN microinjection of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-CTRP9 significantly attenuated MAP and NE, also reduced the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1, gp91phox and gp47phox in PVN of SHRs, but not in WKY rats. The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1, gp91phox and gp47phox are in accordance with their protein expression. In conclusion, CTRP9 in PVN ameliorated hypertension may through modulating cytokines and attenuating oxidative stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
The Clinical Significance of Integrin Subunit Alpha V in Cancers: From Small Cell Lung Carcinoma to Pan-cancer
Authors: Tang Yu-Lu , Li Guo-Sheng , Li Dong-Ming , Tang Deng , Huang Jie-Zhuang , Feng Hao , He Rong-Quan , Huang Zhi-Guang , Dang Yi-Wu , Kong Jin-Liang , Gan Ting-Qing , Zhou Hua-Fu , Zeng Jing-Jing , Chen Gang
Published: May 2022

Background: Little is known about the relationship between integrin subunit alpha V (ITGAV) and cancers. Materials & Methods: Using large sample size from multiple sources, the clinical roles of ITGAV expression in pan-cancer were explored. Results: Upregulated ITGAV mRNA expression was revealed in multiple cancers (p < .05). Decreased mRNA (SMD = −1.05) and increased protein levels of ITGAV were detected in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (n = 865). ITGAV expression made it feasible to distinguish cancers from non-cancers (e.g., for SCLC and non-SCLC, AUC = 0.88, sensitivity = 0.78, specificity = 0.84), and represented a risk role in cancers’ prognosis (p < .05). Conclusion: ITGAV served as a potential marker for prognosis and identification of cancers including SCLC.
Gene signature of m6A-related targets to predict prognosis and immunotherapy response in ovarian cancer
Authors: Tan Wei , Liu Shiyi , Deng Zhimin , Dai Fangfang , Yuan Mengqin , Hu Wei , Cheng Yanxiang
Published: May 2022

Purpose: The aim of the study was to construct a risk score model based on m6A-related targets to predict overall survival and immunotherapy response in ovarian cancer.Methods: The gene expression profiles of 24 m6A regulators were extracted. Survival analysis screened 9 prognostic m6A regulators. Next, consensus clustering analysis was applied to identify clusters of ovarian cancer patients. Furthermore, 47 phenotype-related differentially expressed genes, strongly correlated with 9 prognostic m6A regulators, were screened and subjected to univariate and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) cox regression. Ultimately, a nomogram was constructed which presented a strong ability to predict overall survival in ovarian cancer.Results: CBLL1, FTO, HNRNPC, METTL3, METTL14, WTAP, ZC3H13, RBM15B and YTHDC2 were associated with worse overall survival (OS) in ovarian cancer. Three m6A clusters were identified, which were highly consistent with the three immune phenotypes. What’s more, a risk model based on seven m6A-related targets was constructed with distinct prognosis. And the low-risk group are the best candidate population for immunotherapy. Conclusions: We comprehensively analyzed the m6A modification landscape of ovarian cancer and detected seven m6A-related targets as an independent prognostic biomarker for predicting survival. Furthermore, we divided patients into high- and low- risk groups with distinct prognosis and select the optimum population which may benefit from immunotherapy and constructed a nomogram to precisely predict ovarian cancer patients’ survival time and visualize the prediction results.
Fabrication of a novel eco-friendly hybrid biocomosite based on carboxymethyl chitosan /polypropylene glycol /activated carbon for the highly efficient removal of Cr (III) from the aquatic medium: Adsorption, kinetic and antimicrobial evaluations
Authors: Mohamed Eslam A. , Altalhi Amal A. , Negm Nabel. A.
Published: May 2022

Different nonionic biocomposite frameworks were prepared by supporting carboxymethylated chitosan polypropylene glycol on active carbon and characterized using sufficient characterization techniques. The prepared biocomposites comprised different modified chitosan to active carbon ratios. The biocomposites were achieved during remediation of chromium (III) ions from an aqueous medium. The influences of pH, chromium (III) ions concentration, time, and weight used in the remediation process were extensively studied to point out the optimized process conditions. The assigned optimum conditions of chromium (III) ions remediation were: 25 oC, using 0.6 g sorbents, and 100 ppm of ions concentration for 300 minutes at semi-neutral to neutral pH range of 6–7 to attain removal efficiency of 98.7%. The process was followed Freundlich adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics. The accumulation of ions onto biocomposites was regulated according to the intraparticle diffusion model, and the rate-determining step was the diffusion step. Increasing the active carbon-modified chitosan ratio in the biocomposites from 1:4 to 4:1, enhanced the remediation effectiveness of carboxymethylated chitosan in terms of equilibrium adsorption capacities increase from 67.93 mg/g to 70.25 mg/g. An opposing attitude was achieved by increasing the incorporated active carbon in the biocomposites during their antimicrobial efficacies assessments. The study presents a low-cost, eco-friendly, highly effective eliminator for highly contaminated aqueous media with Cr3+ ions. Furthermore, the prepared adsorbents exhibited high elimination efficiency in the presence of a high abundance of Cr3+ in the medium.