bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of Rosa foetida extract along with self-care education on primary dysmenorrhea: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Shabani Fatemeh , Omidvar Shabnam , Sajadi Kaboudi Parvin , Pasha Hajar , Khafri Soraya , Najafzadehvarzi Hossein , Nasiri Amiri Fatemeh , Faramarzi Mahbobeh , Bouzari Zinatossadat
Published: August 2022

Background

Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common disorders among young women. Medicinal herbs are one of the alternative methods for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. This study will investigate the effect of Rosa foetida extract, along with self-care behavior education on primary dysmenorrhea among female students of Babol University of medical sciences.

Methods/design

A randomized clinical trial will be performed on single students, aged 18 to 24 years. The research samples will be divided into three groups. The students will receive self-care behavior education on dysmenorrhea. Following the education, two of the groups will receive Rosa foetida extract capsules and placebo capsules in two consecutive cycles every 8 h for two successive days, respectively. The capsules will have similar physical appearance. The third group will not receive any medication. Data will be collected through demographic characteristic questionnaire, visual analog scale, dysmenorrhea self-care behaviors scale questionnaire, pictorial chart, and menstrual distress scale questionnaire. In order to determine and compare the effect of pharmacological and educational interventions on the severity of dysmenorrhea in groups, an ANOVA analysis of variance test with repeated measures will be used by SPSS software version 22.

Discussion

The results will show the effects of Rosa foetida extract along with self-care behavior education on primary dysmenorrhea, and beneficial effects that may be found in the trial of this plant may be of use for women with the same problem.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is approved by the Ethics Committee of Babol University of Medical Sciences (IR.MUBABOL.REC.1397.059).

Trial registration

IRCT 20190318043086N1. Registered on 14 June 2019.
Influence of digital media in the oral health education of mother-child pairs: study protocol of a parallel double-blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Ribeiro Yuri Jivago Silva , Ferreira Luanna Gonçalves , Nelson-Filho Paulo , Arnez Maya Fernanda Manfrin , Paula-Silva Francisco Wanderley Garcia
Published: August 2022

Background

Dental caries is the most common non transmissible chronic disease in childhood and the control of dental biofilm in children is one of the greatest challenges in oral disease prevention. Digital media applications can help patients in improving their oral hygiene performance and reducing the number of appointments due to pain and discomfort reasons. This study aims to investigate the use of an smartphone application (WhatsApp) to deliver oral health education to mother-child pairs, with the ultimate goal of controlling dental biofilm and caries through digital activities focused on oral hygiene.

Methods

This study was designed as a randomized, double-blind, parallel clinical trial involving 100 pairs of mothers and children (6–12 years old). The mothers and children will be randomly allocated to the control group (n = 50 pairs), who will receive a single visit conventional oral health education, or to the experimental group (n = 50 pairs), who will receive both a single visit conventional oral health education and educational videos through WhatsApp Messenger, twice a week. Before randomization of the groups and after the intervention, pairs will be evaluated regarding to plaque index (VPI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), and number of decayed, missing and filled permanent or primary teeth (DMF-T) modified by the inclusion of active non-cavitated carious lesions (Nyvad criteria). Socioeconomic data, dental history, and oral health literacy will obtained using questionnaires (Oral Health Literacy Assessment Task for Paediatric Dentistry; BOHLAT-P). Chi-square, Student’s t-test, paired Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney, and Friedman tests will be used with a 5% significance level.

Discussion

This intervention proposal is designed to motivate behavioral change in mother-child pairs. We hypothesize that adding digital media to traditional oral health programs will provoke improvements in oral hygiene behavior and health outcomes. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the effect of educational videos communicated by digital media (WhatsApp) on the oral health of mother-child pairs evaluated by long-term dental examinations. In addition, we will assess the maternal level of comprehension of the provided information via a literacy assessment tool. The clinical trial is registered at the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (No. RBR-7s8bw6m).
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-week trial of infliximab in patients with juvenile-onset spondyloarthritis
Authors: Burgos-Vargas Rubén , Loyola-Sanchez Adalberto , Ramiro Sofia , Reding-Bernal Arturo , Alvarez-Hernandez Everardo , van der Heijde Desirée , Vázquez-Mellado Janitzia
Published: August 2022

Objective

To assess the efficacy and safety of infliximab versus placebo in the treatment of patients with juvenile-onset spondyloarthritis (JoSpA).

Methods

Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 12 weeks that included patients ≤ 18 years old with JoSpA not responding to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sulfasalazine, or methotrexate. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to the infusion of infliximab 5mg/kg or placebo; completers entered then an open-label extension (OLE) period of 42 weeks. The primary endpoint was the number of active joints. Secondary outcomes included the assessment of disease activity, tender entheses, spinal mobility, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity and Functional Index, and the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ).

Results

We randomized 12 patients to infliximab and 14 to placebo. No significant differences were found between groups at baseline. At week 12, the mean number of active joints was 1.4 (SD 2.4) in the infliximab group and 4.1 (SD 3.0) in the placebo group (p= 0.0002). A repeated-measures mixed model analysis that included all endpoints in the study demonstrated sustained favourable outcomes of infliximab for active joints, tender joints, swollen joints, and tender enthesis counts, as well as for CHAQ and CRP (p< 0.01). Adverse events were more frequent in the infliximab group, including infections and infusion reactions, but none of them was serious.

Conclusion

Infliximab is efficacious for patients with JoSpA with an inadequate response to conventional treatment. No serious adverse events with the use of infliximab were observed.
Identification of TMEM129, encoding a ubiquitin-protein ligase, as an effector gene of osteoarthritis genetic risk
Authors: Brumwell Abby , Aubourg Guillaume , Hussain Juhel , Parker Eleanor , Deehan David J. , Rice Sarah J. , Loughlin John
Published: August 2022

Background

Osteoarthritis is highly heritable and genome-wide studies have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the disease. One such locus is marked by SNP rs11732213 (T > C). Genotype at rs11732213 correlates with the methylation levels of nearby CpG dinucleotides (CpGs), forming a methylation quantitative trait locus (mQTL). This study investigated the regulatory activity of the CpGs to identify a target gene of the locus.

Methods

Nucleic acids were extracted from the articular cartilage of osteoarthritis patients. Samples were genotyped, and DNA methylation was quantified by pyrosequencing at 14 CpGs within a 259-bp interval. CpGs were tested for enhancer effects in immortalised chondrocytes using a reporter gene assay. DNA methylation at the locus was altered using targeted epigenome editing, with the impact on gene expression determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

rs11732213 genotype correlated with DNA methylation at nine CpGs, which formed a differentially methylated region (DMR), with the osteoarthritis risk allele T corresponding to reduced levels of methylation. The DMR acted as an enhancer and demethylation of the CpGs altered expression of TMEM129. Allelic imbalance in TMEM129 expression was identified in cartilage, with under-expression of the risk allele.

Conclusions

TMEM129 is a target of osteoarthritis genetic risk at this locus. Genotype at rs11732213 impacts DNA methylation at the enhancer, which, in turn, modulates TMEM129 expression. TMEM129 encodes an enzyme involved in protein degradation within the endoplasmic reticulum, a process previously implicated in osteoarthritis. TMEM129 is a compelling osteoarthritis susceptibility target.
Effect of income level on stroke incidence and the mediated effect of simultaneous diagnosis of metabolic syndrome diseases; a nationwide cohort study in South Korea
Authors: Jeong Seungmin , Cho Sung-il , Kong So Yeon
Published: August 2022

Background

This study aimed to determine whether a simultaneous diagnosis of main components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia) plays a mediator between income level and stroke.

Methods

We used the National Health Insurance Service National Sample Cohort database from 2006 to 2015. The mediator variables were the number of main MetS components diagnosed simultaneously (two or more/three or more). We used a weighting approach method of causal mediation analysis to apply counterfactual frameworks to the Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results

A total of 213,526 people were included with 1,690,665.3 person-years of followed up. Compared with the high-income group, the risk of being diagnosed with two or more components of MetS significantly increased in all other income groups [middle-income OR 1.05 (95% CI 1.02–1.08); low-income OR 1.09 (95% CI 1.05–1.12); Medical Aid beneficiaries OR 1.39 (95% CI 1.32–1.47)]. A lower level of income was significantly associated with a higher risk of stroke compared with the high-income group [middle-income HR 1.15 (95% CI 1.07–1.25); low-income HR 1.19 (95% CI 1.10–1.29); Medical Aid beneficiaries HR 1.63 (95% CI 1.48–1.80)]. In the Medical Aid beneficiaries, simultaneous diagnosis of the main metabolic components acted as a significant mediator between income levels and stroke incidence, with 26.6% mediated when diagnosed with two or more diseases and 21.1% when diagnosed with all three.

Conclusions

Co-diagnosis of MetS components played a significant mediator role between income level and stroke incidence.
An explainable self-attention deep neural network for detecting mild cognitive impairment using multi-input digital drawing tasks
Authors: Ruengchaijatuporn Natthanan , Chatnuntawech Itthi , Teerapittayanon Surat , Sriswasdi Sira , Itthipuripat Sirawaj , Hemrungrojn Solaphat , Bunyabukkana Prodpran , Petchlorlian Aisawan , Chunamchai Sedthapong , Chotibut Thiparat , Chunharas Chaipat
Published: August 2022

Background

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an early stage of cognitive decline which could develop into dementia. An early detection of MCI is a crucial step for timely prevention and intervention. Recent studies have developed deep learning models to detect MCI and dementia using a bedside task like the classic clock drawing test (CDT). However, it remains a challenge to predict the early stage of the disease using the CDT data alone. Moreover, the state-of-the-art deep learning techniques still face black box challenges, making it questionable to implement them in a clinical setting.

Methods

We recruited 918 subjects from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (651 healthy subjects and 267 MCI patients). We propose a novel deep learning framework that incorporates data from the CDT, cube-copying, and trail-making tests. Soft label and self-attention were applied to improve the model performance and provide a visual explanation. The interpretability of the visualization of our model and the Grad-CAM approach were rated by experienced medical personnel and quantitatively evaluated using intersection over union (IoU) between the models’ heat maps and the regions of interest.

Results

Rather than using a single CDT image in the baseline VGG16 model, using multiple drawing tasks as inputs into our proposed model with soft label significantly improves the classification performance between the healthy aging controls and the MCI patients. In particular, the classification accuracy increases from 0.75 (baseline model) to 0.81. The F1-score increases from 0.36 to 0.65, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) increases from 0.74 to 0.84. Compared to the multi-input model that also offers interpretable visualization, i.e., Grad-CAM, our model receives higher interpretability scores given by experienced medical experts and higher IoUs.

Conclusions

Our model achieves better classification performance at detecting MCI compared to the baseline model. In addition, the model provides visual explanations that are superior to those of the baseline model as quantitatively evaluated by experienced medical personnel. Thus, our work offers an interpretable machine learning model with high classification performance, both of which are crucial aspects of artificial intelligence in medical diagnosis.
T2-weighted MRI-based radiomics for discriminating between benign and borderline epithelial ovarian tumors: a multicenter study
Authors: Wei Mingxiang , Zhang Yu , Bai Genji , Ding Cong , Xu Haimin , Dai Yao , Chen Shuangqing , Wang Hong
Published: August 2022

Background

Preoperative differentiation between benign and borderline epithelial ovarian tumors (EOTs) is challenging and can significantly impact clinical decision making. The purpose was to investigate whether radiomics based on T2-weighted MRI can discriminate between benign and borderline EOTs preoperatively.

Methods

A total of 417 patients (309, 78, and 30 samples in the training and internal and external validation sets) with pathologically proven benign and borderline EOTs were included in this multicenter study. In total, 1130 radiomics features were extracted from manually delineated tumor volumes of interest on images. The following three different models were constructed and evaluated: radiomics features only (radiomics model); clinical and radiological characteristics only (clinic-radiological model); and a combination of them all (combined model). The diagnostic performances of models were assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and area under the ROC curves (AUCs) were compared using the DeLong test.

Results

The best machine learning algorithm to distinguish borderline from benign EOTs was the logistic regression. The combined model achieved the best performance in discriminating between benign and borderline EOTs, with an AUC of 0.86 ± 0.07. The radiomics model showed a moderate AUC of 0.82 ± 0.07, outperforming the clinic-radiological model (AUC of 0.79 ± 0.06). In the external validation set, the combined model performed significantly better than the clinic-radiological model (AUCs of 0.86 vs. 0.63, p = 0.021 [DeLong test]).

Conclusions

Radiomics, based on T2-weighted MRI, can provide critical diagnostic information for discriminating between benign and borderline EOTs, thus having the potential to aid personalized treatment options.
Iatrogenic central retinal artery occlusion following retrobulbar anesthesia with adrenaline for vitreoretinal surgery: a case report
Authors: Confalonieri Filippo , Ladstein Gunn Elin , Stene-Johansen Ingar , Petrovski Goran
Published: August 2022

Background

We describe a patient presenting with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) of the right eye after retrobulbar anesthesia with adrenaline for macular pucker surgery.

Case presentation

The patient, a 67-year-old Caucasian man, developed a CRAO postoperatively by the next-day control likely due to the retrobulbar injection of a combination of Xylocaine and Bupivacaine with adrenaline as anesthetic.

Conclusions

The addition of adrenaline to the standard anesthetic solution could be a risk factor for serious complications, such as CRAO.
Tree stumps — an important but undervalued dead wood pool
Authors: Didion Markus , Abegg Meinrad
Published: August 2022

Key message

Dead wood in forests is an important resource due to its role for nutrient cycles, carbon budgets, and biodiversity, among other. While standing and downed dead wood are typically monitored in National Forest Inventories (NFI), stumps have not received comparable attention. Based on the detailed stump inventory in the current Swiss NFI, this study demonstrates the important contribution of stumps to the dead wood pool.

Context

Dead wood (DW) in forests is an important resource due to its role for nutrient cycles, carbon budgets, and biodiversity, among other. NFIs provide representative DW estimates focusing primarily on standing and downed DW. Little is known on stumps as a DW pool.

Aims

The aim of this study is to obtain an accurate assessment of the stump volume and biomass in the Swiss NFI to identify its significance for the DW pool, to evaluate the development over the last 30 years, and to examine the need for additional measurements for improving estimates compared to commonly applied assumptions for stump height such as a constant stump height or a fraction of tree height.

Methods

The current NFI includes a detailed stump inventory to improve accuracy and completeness of the aboveground DW pool estimate. Based on available data, stump volume estimates were derived at different accuracies to evaluate the contribution to the total DW pool over time.

Results

Based on the extended stump inventory in the NFI5, the contribution of stumps to the total DW pool is approximately 25%. The effect of simplifying assumptions or limited measurements to estimate stump volume can result in a significant underestimation of up to$$2/3$$2/3of the more accurate and comprehensive assessment of this pool.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that stumps can be a significant proportion of DW in forests, which should be accounted for in order to improve accuracy and completeness of NFI estimates and derived data such as C stocks for greenhouse gas reporting.
The road to 6G: a comprehensive survey of deep learning applications in cell-free massive MIMO communications systems
Authors: Iliadis Lazaros Alexios , Zaharis Zaharias D. , Sotiroudis Sotirios , Sarigiannidis Panagiotis , Karagiannidis George K. , Goudos Sotirios K.
Published: August 2022

The fifth generation (5G) of telecommunications networks is currently commercially deployed. One of their core enabling technologies is cellular Massive Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (M-MIMO) systems. However, future wireless networks are expected to serve a very large number of devices and the current MIMO networks are not scalable, highlighting the need for novel solutions. At this moment, Cell-free Massive MIMO (CF M-MIMO) technology seems to be the most promising idea in this direction. Despite their appealing characteristics, CF M-MIMO systems face their own challenges, such as power allocation and channel estimation. Deep Learning (DL) has been successfully employed to a wide range of problems in many different research areas, including wireless communications. In this paper, a review of the state-of-the-art DL methods applied to CF M-MIMO communications systems is provided. In addition, the basic characteristics of Cell-free networks are introduced, along with the presentation of the most commonly used DL models. Finally, future research directions are highlighted.
Optimal error estimates of the local discontinuous Galerkin methods based on generalized fluxes for 1D linear fifth order partial differential equations
Authors: Bi Hui , Chen Yixin
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we study the error estimates of local discontinuous Galerkin methods based on the generalized numerical fluxes for the one-dimensional linear fifth order partial differential equations. We use a newly developed global Gauss–Radau projection to obtain the linear type of optimal error estimates. The numerical experiments show that the scheme coupled with the third order implicit Runge–Kutta method can achieve the optimal $(k+1)$
(
k
+
1
)
th order of accuracy.
Perceptions of buprenorphine barriers and efficacy among nurse practitioners and physician assistants
Authors: Andraka-Christou Barbara , Page Cory , Schoebel Victoria , Buche Jessica , Haffajee Rebecca L.
Published: August 2022

Background

Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs), including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, decrease mortality and morbidity for people with opioid use disorder (OUD). Buprenorphine and methadone have the strongest evidence base among MOUDs. Unlike methadone, buprenorphine may be prescribed in office-based settings in the U.S., including by nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) who have a federal waiver and adhere to federal patient limits. Buprenorphine is underutilized nationally, particularly in rural areas, and NPs/PAs could help address this gap. Therefore, we sought to identify perceptions of buprenorphine efficacy and perceptions of prescribing barriers among NPs/PAs. We also sought to compare perceived buprenorphine efficacy and perceived prescribing barriers between waivered and non-waivered NPs/PAs, as well as to compare perceived buprenorphine efficacy to perceived naltrexone and methadone efficacy.

Methods

We disseminated an online survey to a random national sample of NPs/PAs. We used Mann–Whitney U tests to compare between waivered and non-waivered respondents. We used non-parametric Friedman tests and post-hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to compare perceptions of medication types.

Results

240 respondents participated (6.5% response rate). Most respondents agreed buprenorphine is efficacious and believed counseling and peer support should complement buprenorphine. Buprenorphine was generally perceived as more efficacious than both naltrexone and methadone. Perceived buprenorphine efficacy and prescribing barriers differed by waiver status. Non-waivered practitioners were more likely than waivered practitioners to have concerns about buprenorphine affecting patient mix. Among waivered NPs/PAs, key buprenorphine prescribing barriers were insurance prior authorization and detoxification access.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that different policies should target perceived barriers affecting waivered versus non-waivered NPs/PAs. Concerns about patient mix suggest stigmatization of patients with OUD. NP/PA education is needed about comparative medication efficaciousness, particularly regarding methadone. Even though many buprenorphine treatment patients benefits from counseling and/or peer support groups, NPs/PAs should be informed that such psychosocial treatment methods are not necessary for all buprenorphine patients.
Structural Behaviour of Polystyrene Foam Lightweight Concrete Beams Strengthened with FRP Laminates
Authors: Montaser Wael M. , Shaaban Ibrahim G. , Zaher Amr H. , Khan Sadaqat U. , Sayed Mustafa N.
Published: August 2022

Lightweight concrete (LWC) is one of the most important building materials nowadays. Many research studies were focused on LWC produced using lightweight aggregates. However, limited work was cited for LWC produced using polystyrene beads. In this study, LWC beams strengthened with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) were experimentally tested to investigate the improvement in their flexural and shear behaviours. LWC in this investigation was achieved by partial replacement of normal aggregate by polystyrene beads and resulted in approximately 30% less weight compared to Normal weight concrete. Fourteen Reinforced Concrete (RC) LWC beams of 100 mm by 300 mm cross section having an overall length of 3250 mm were tested under four-point bending. These beams were designed, detailed, and tested to obtain flexural and shear mode of failure. These beams were divided into two groups based on the intended failure mode. In each group, six beams were strengthened using CFRP and GFRP laminates, while the remaining one beam was used as control. The tested parameters were the type of FRP, the width of the laminates used in shear strengthening, and the number of layers used in flexural strengthening. It was found that strengthening of LWC beams using CFRP and GFRP layers resulted in increasing the loading capacity and decreasing deflection as compared to control. The strengthening with CFRP and GFRP is also suitable in reducing the crack width and crack propagation which is more significant in LWC beams. The experimental results were also compared with the expressions in codes for forecasting the strength of LWC beams and it was that these expressions are compatible with the experimental results.
Scientific investigation to look into the conservation history of a Tang Dynasty terracotta Dancing Horse
Authors: Conti C. , Catrambone M. , Colombo C. , Possenti E. , Rectenwald K. M. , Realini M. , Strobbia P.
Published: August 2022

A terracotta Dancing Horse sculpture dating to the Tang Dynasty (China) and owned by the Cincinnati Art Museum (US) is the topic of the present investigation. Besides its intrinsic artistic and historical values, the peculiarity of this horse concerns its conservation history; it shows extensive breakage signs and restoration and above all, the presence of an odd tassel on the frontal part of the head. Nine tassels are present on the two sides of the body, which is very common for these kinds of sculptures. Here, a scientific survey of this masterpiece is proposed aimed at looking into its conservation history, shedding light into the condition of the body and the tassels and the presence of residual conservation products applied during its troubled history. A comparative molecular, chemical and mineralogical study of the tassels is carried out focused on the identification of original and non-original materials, eventually added during restoration works. The multi-analytical protocol has been optimized for achieving as much information as possible from the available samples, a few mg of powders. X-ray powder diffraction and Raman Spectroscopy techniques have been followed by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy and Ionic Chromatography, using the same small aliquot of powders. Scientific investigations highlighted that the odd tassel on the head and other two tassels on the body are not original, but replaced or added in subsequent time. Their composition includes both organic (polyester resin and/or phthalate) and inorganic compounds (sulphates and carbonates). Further data on original terracotta composition, decay substances and applied conservation products, provided new knowledge on past restoration treatments and cultural value. Importantly, the outcomes achieved with X-ray powder diffraction to identify the tassels authenticity were matched by Raman Spectroscopy, a technique that can be also used in situ with portable instruments, paving the way to non-invasive in situ authenticity studies as future perspective.
Grounded theory-based model of the influence of digital communication on handicraft intangible cultural heritage
Authors: Li Jia
Published: August 2022

Digital technologies have altered social interaction and information transmission, creating new cultural communication media and models. Despite extensive investigations into the effect of digital communication on handicraft intangible cultural heritage (ICH), research on the relationship between the factors that influence the digital communication of handicraft ICH is relatively scarce. This study used open-ended interviews and textual analysis to obtain data concerning these influencing factors. A grounded theory approach found that five core factors have significant effects on the digital communication of handicraft ICH. These are digital communication awareness, cultural communication initiative, adaptability of digital technology, audience acceptance and cognition, and uncontrollable factors. Furthermore, a theoretical “awareness-behavior-attitude” model based on an analysis of the relationships between the five factors was constructed. Finally, the action mechanism of the theoretical model was identified and tested, revealing that the action modes of each influencing factor were inconsistent. Antecedent factors were directly proportional to awareness-behavior, situational factors were inversely proportional to awareness-behavior, and regulatory factors were inversely proportional to behavior-attitude. In addition, situational factors and regulatory factors were found to have a positive impact on antecedent factors.
Compliance to radiography practice of high-kilovoltage technique for chest radiography in South South Nigeria
Authors: Esien-umo Emmanuel O. , Chiaghanam Ndubuisi O. , Erim Akwa E. , Effa Michael , Egbe Nneoyi O.
Published: August 2022

Background

The production of a good quality chest radiograph depends on the selection of appropriate kilovoltage and current–time product while keeping the radiation dose to patients as low as possible. This study assessed radiographers’ level of compliance to the use of high kV as standard for postero-anterior (PA) chest X-ray in the South South region of Nigeria.

Results

Seventy-seven of the 82 questionnaires administered were completely filled and returned giving a response rate of 94%. Of these 77 respondents, only 74% (n = 57) were aware of high-kV technique as the recommended procedure for PA chest X-ray. Departmental protocols (technique chart with exposure factors) were also non-existent in all hospitals/diagnostic centres used in this study. Thirty-one respondents were males (40%); 44% (n = 34) working in public hospitals only and 32% (n = 25) with less than five years of working experience were aware of this technique. On the benefits, more than 50% of the respondents were familiar with the benefits of using high-kV technique as the recommended standard for PA chest X-rays. Responses on the benefits of the technique varied from 77% (n = 59) for patient dose reduction to 51% (n = 39) for better imaging of the airways. The use of high-kV technique for PA chest X-rays showed only 13% compliance. Factors influencing compliance included imaging system (film screen /digital), X-ray tube rating and X-ray unit with preset/manual exposure factors (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The present study revealed low compliance to high-kV technique in this region, suggesting a potential increase in ionizing radiation dose to patients during chest radiography, hence the need to improve adherence to the recommended standard.
Prevalence of pneumonia and associated factors among children aged 6–59 months in Angolela Tera district, North Shoa, Ethiopia, 2021, community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Mengstie Leweyehu Alemaw
Published: August 2022

Background

Childhood pneumonia is the commonest cause of suffering worldwide. Among under-five children where it accounts for more than one out of seven under-five death globally. It is the single leading cause of death in Ethiopia, accounting for 18% of all under-five mortality burdens. These deaths are easily preventable and treatable through simple and cost-effective interventions. The study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of pneumonia among under-five children at Angolela Tera district, North Shoa, Ethiopia, 2021. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a simple random sample with a sample size of 414 registered mothers with 6–59 months of children. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. The data were entered using the EpiData version 3.1, and analysis was done by SPSS version 24. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used.

Results

The prevalence of pneumonia in children under five was 5.8% (95% CI 3.6–8.2%). Based on the multivariable logistic regression analysis of this study, child male sex, have no family toilet, children having fever in the last 2 weeks, lack of maternal ANC follow-up and children with stunted were associated with pneumonia.

Conclusions

The study shows that the prevalence of under-five pneumonia was low as compared to recent EDHS 2016. Therefore, by making interventions on potential determinates such as by improving family latrine utilization, improving the nutritional status of children, and early control of respiratory tract infection and fever, we can reduce under-five pneumonia.
MicroRNA-379-5p regulates free cholesterol accumulation and relieves diet induced-liver damage in db/db mice via STAT1/HMGCS1 axis
Authors: Dong Yunxia , Yu Chuwei , Ma Ningning , Xu Xiaoding , Wu Qian , Lu Henglei , Gong Likun , Chen Jing , Ren Jin
Published: August 2022

Lipotoxicity induced by the overload of lipid in the liver, especially excess free cholesterol (FC), has been recognized as one of driving factors in the transition from non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). MicroRNA (miR)-379-5p has been reported to play regulatory roles in hepatic triglyceride homeostasis, but the relationship of miR-379-5p and hepatic cholesterol homeostasis has never been touched. In the current study, we found that hepatic miR-379-5p levels were decreased obviously in NAFLD patients and model mice compared with their controls. Moreover, miR-379-5p was discovered to be able to inhibit intracellular FC accumulation and alleviate mitochondrial damage induced by palmitic acid (PA) in vitro. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-379-5p in HFHC-fed db/db mice could reduce the level of hepatic total cholesterol (TC) and FC, and ameliorate hepatic injury reflected by the lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). Subsequently, by combining spectrometry (MS) and luciferase assay, we identified miR-379-5p suppressed STAT1 through transcriptional and translational regulation. Finally, we confirmed that STAT1 was a transcriptional factor of HMGCS1. In conclusion, miR-379-5p inhibits STAT1 expression and regulates cholesterol metabolism through the STAT1/HMGCS1 axis, suggesting miR-379-5p might be applied to improve lipotoxicity in the future.
Are antidepressants really safe and effective in people with epilepsy and depression?
Authors: Makan Dansheela Shari
Published: August 2022

This commentary gives a very brief overview of depression in epilepsy (prevalence, risk, associations between the two conditions, antidepressant medication) and assesses the quality and results of a Cochrane Review comparing antidepressants with placebo and psychotherapy in managing the condition. Although antidepressants were not shown to be more effective than other interventions and no link between antidepressants and increased seizure frequency was observed, the low-quality evidence obtained cannot provide conclusive answers.
Nonlinear periodic structures in magnetoplasma with nonthermal electrons and positrons
Authors: Alyousef Haifa A. , Khalid Muhammad , Kabir Abdul
Published: August 2022

In the present study, we address the problem of cnoidal waves (CWs) in magnetized electron-positron-ion (e-p-i) plasma with nonthermal electrons and positrons. The Korteweg-de Vries equation (KdVE) is derived using the reductive perturbation technique (RPT) and its cnoidal wave (CW) solution is analyzed. The impact of relevant plasma parameters on the characteristics of the ion-acoustic (IA) cnoidal structures are discussed in detail. The application of the present investigation is discussed.
Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life in Thyroid Eye Disease
Authors: Sharma Anu , Stan Marius N , Rootman Dan B
Published: August 2022

Health-related quality of life (HQOL) is a concept that aims to understand the totality of an individual’s experience of their disease state. This can include the physical, psychosocial, emotional, and psychological effects of a disease state. A complex and multifactorial concept, HQOL can be challenging to measure accurately and reliably. Thyroid eye disease (TED), as a multifaceted physically debilitating and facial disfiguring disorder, presents unique challenges and opportunities in the measurement of HQOL. Multiple distinct tools have been developed for this purpose, each has been constructed, assessed, and utilized. This discussion surveys the landscape of TED-related QOL measurement and presents challenges for the future. Clinicians and clinical researchers should implement TED-related QOL measurement as part of routine TED care and as a primary outcome in TED clinical trials. We recommend utilizing the Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO)-QOL routinely in clinical practice and as a primary outcome in TED clinical trials. If the GO-QOL is too time-consuming or in mild TED, a faster alternative is the TED-QOL.
Sex-specific Effects of Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals on Brain Monoamines and Cognitive Behavior
Authors: Hilz Emily N , Gore Andrea C
Published: August 2022

The period of brain sexual differentiation is characterized by the development of hormone-sensitive neural circuits that govern the subsequent presentation of sexually dimorphic behavior in adulthood. Perturbations of hormones by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during this developmental period interfere with an organism’s endocrine function and can disrupt the normative organization of male- or female-typical neural circuitry. This is well characterized for reproductive and social behaviors and their underlying circuitry in the hypothalamus and other limbic regions of the brain; however, cognitive behaviors are also sexually dimorphic, with their underlying neural circuitry potentially vulnerable to EDC exposure during critical periods of brain development. This review provides recent evidence for sex-specific changes to the brain’s monoaminergic systems (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine) after developmental EDC exposure and relates these outcomes to sex differences in cognition such as affective, attentional, and learning/memory behaviors.
Prognostic Significance of Baseline Frailty Status in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Dicpinigaitis Alis J. , Al-Mufti Fawaz , Bempong Phillip O. , Kazim Syed Faraz , Cooper Jared B. , Dominguez Jose F. , Stein Alan , Kalakoti Piyush , Hanft Simon , Pisapia Jared , Kinon Merritt , Gandhi Chirag D. , Schmidt Meic H. , Bowers Christian A.
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND:

Literature evaluating frailty in traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) is limited.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the prognostic significance of baseline frailty status in tSCI.

METHODS:

Patients with tSCI were identified in the National Inpatient Sample from 2015 to 2018 and stratified according to frailty status, which was quantified using the 11-point modified frailty index (mFI).

RESULTS:

Among 8825 operatively managed patients with tSCI identified (mean age 57.9 years, 27.6% female), 3125 (35.4%) were robust (mFI = 0), 2530 (28.7%) were prefrail (mFI = 1), 1670 (18.9%) were frail (mFI = 2), and 1500 (17.0%) were severely frail (mFI ≥ 3). One thousand four-hundred forty-five patients (16.4%) were routinely discharged (to home), and 320 (3.6%) died during hospitalization, while 2050 (23.3%) developed a severe complication, and 2175 (24.6%) experienced an extended length of stay. After multivariable analysis adjusting for age, illness severity, trauma burden, and other baseline covariates, frailty (by mFI-11) was independently associated with lower likelihood of routine discharge [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.82, 95% CI 0.77-0.87; P < .001] and development of a severe complication (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.12-1.23; P < .001), but not with in-hospital mortality or extended length of stay. Subgroup analysis by age demonstrated robust associations of frailty with routine discharge in advanced age groups (aOR 0.71 in patients 60-80 years and aOR 0.69 in those older than 80 years), which was not present in younger age groups.

CONCLUSION:

Frailty is an independent predictor of clinical outcomes after tSCI, especially among patients of advanced age. Our large-scale analysis contributes novel insights into limited existing literature on this topic.
Overwintering in North American domesticated honeybees (Apis mellifera) causes mitochondrial reprogramming while enhancing cellular immunity
Authors: Cormier Simon B. , Léger Adèle , Boudreau Luc H. , Pichaud Nicolas
Published: August 2022

Many factors negatively affect domesticated honeybee (Apis mellifera) health, causing a global decrease in their population year after year with major losses occurring during winter, and the cause remains unknown. Here, we monitored for 12 months North American colonies of honeybees enduring important temperature variations throughout the year, to assess the metabolism and immune system of summer and winter honeybee individuals. Our results show that in flight muscle, mitochondrial respiration via complex I during winter is drastically reduced compared with summer. However, the capacity for succinate and glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) oxidation by mitochondria is increased during winter, resulting in higher mitochondrial oxygen consumption when complex I substrates, succinate and G3P were assessed altogether. Pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, citrate synthase and malate dehydrogenase tend to have reduced activity levels in winter, unlike hexokinase, NADH dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenase. Transcript abundance of highly important immunity proteins such as Vitellogenin and Defensin-1 were also increased in winter bees, and a stronger phagocytic response as well as a better hemocyte viability was observed during winter. Thus, a reorganization of substrate utilization favoring succinate and G3P while negatively affecting complex I of the ETS is occurring during winter. We suggest that this might be due to complex I transitioning to a dormant conformation through post-translational modification. Winter bees also have an increased response for antibacterial elimination. Overall, this study highlights previously unknown cellular mechanisms between summer and winter honeybees that further our knowledge about this important species.
Measuring Human Capital
Authors: Abraham Katharine G. , Mallatt Justine
Published: August 2022

We review the existing literature on the measurement of human capital. Broadly speaking, economists have proposed three approaches to constructing human capital measures—the indicator approach, the cost approach, and the income approach. Studies employing the indicator approach have used single measures such as average years of schooling or indexes of multiple measures. The cost approach values human capital investments based on spending. The income approach values human capital investments by looking forward to the increment to expected future earnings they produce. The latter two approaches have the significant advantage of consistency with national income accounting practices and measures of other types of capital. Measures based on the income approach typically yield far larger estimates of the value of human capital than measures based on the cost approach. We outline possible reasons for this discrepancy and show how changes in assumptions can reconcile estimates based on the two approaches.
The Subjective Inflation Expectations of Households and Firms: Measurement, Determinants, and Implications
Authors: Weber Michael , D’Acunto Francesco , Gorodnichenko Yuriy , Coibion Olivier
Published: August 2022

Households’ and firms’ subjective inflation expectations play a central role in macroeconomic and intertemporal microeconomic models. We discuss how subjective inflation expectations are measured, the patterns they display, their determinants, and how they shape households’ and firms’ economic choices in the data and help us make sense of the observed heterogeneous reactions to business-cycle shocks and policy interventions. We conclude by highlighting the relevant open questions and why tackling them is important for academic research and policymaking.
Overreaction and Diagnostic Expectations in Macroeconomics
Authors: Bordalo Pedro , Gennaioli Nicola , Shleifer Andrei
Published: August 2022

We present the case for the centrality of overreaction in expectations for addressing important challenges in finance and macroeconomics. First, non-rational expectations by market participants can be measured and modeled in ways that address some of the key challenges posed by the rational expectations revolution, most importantly the idea that economic agents are forward-looking. Second, belief overreaction can account for many long-standing empirical puzzles in macro and finance, which emphasize the extreme volatility and boom-bust dynamics of key time series, such as stock prices, credit, and investment. Third, overreaction relies on psychology and is disciplined by survey data on expectations. This suggests that relaxing the assumption of rational expectations is a promising strategy, helps theory and evidence go together, and promises a unified view of a great deal of data.
Damien Janos. Avicenna on the Ontology of Pure Quiddity
Authors: Kaukua Jari
Published: August 2022

Damien Janos. Avicenna on the Ontology of Pure Quiddity
Continued dysregulation of the B cell lineage promotes multiple sclerosis activity despite disease modifying therapies
Authors: Londoño Ana C. , Mora Carlos A.
Published: August 2022

A clear understanding of the origin and role of the different subtypes of the B cell lineage involved in the activity or remission of multiple sclerosis (MS) is important for the treatment and follow-up of patients living with this disease. B cells, however, are dynamic and can play an anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory role, depending on their milieu. Depletion of B cells has been effective in controlling the progression of MS, but it can have adverse side effects. A better understanding of the role of the B cell subtypes, through the use of surface biomarkers of cellular activity with special attention to the function of memory and regulatory B cells (Bregs), will be necessary in order to offer specific treatments without inducing undesirable effects.
High-Low Promotion Policies for Peak-End Demand Models
Authors: Cohen-Hillel Tamar , Panchamgam Kiran , Perakis Georgia
Published: August 2022

In-store promotions are a highly effective marketing tool that can have a significant impact on revenue. In this research, we study the question of dynamic promotion planning in the face of Bounded-Memory Peak-End demand models. In order to determine promotion strategies, we establish that a High-Low pricing policy is optimal under diagonal dominance conditions (so that the current period price dominates both past period price effects and competitive product price effects on the demand), as well as conditions on the price dispersion. We show that finding the optimal High-Low dynamic promotion policy is NP-hard in the strong sense. Nevertheless, for the special case of promotion planning for a single item, we propose a compact Dynamic Programming (DP) approach that can find the optimal promotion plan that follows a High-Low policy in polynomial time. When the diagonal dominance conditions do not hold, and, hence, a High-Low policy is not necessarily optimal, we show that the optimal High-Low policy that is found by our proposed DP can find a provably near-optimal solution. Using the proposed DP as a subroutine, for the case of multiple items, we propose a Polynomial-Time-Approximation Scheme (PTAS) that can find a solution that can capture at least [Formula: see text] of the optimal revenue and runs in time that is exponential only in [Formula: see text]. Finally, we test our approach on data from large retailers and demonstrate an average of [Formula: see text] increase in revenue relative to the retailer’s current practices.

This paper was accepted by Chung Piaw Teo, optimization.

Funding: Financial support from the Oracle Corporation [External Research Office grant] and the National Science Foundation [Grant CMMI-1162034] is gratefully acknowledged.