bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Who Falls Between the Cracks? Identifying Eligible PrEP Users Among People With Sub-saharan African Migration Background Living in Antwerp, Belgium
Authors: Veerle Buffel , Masquillier Caroline , Reyniers Thijs , Landeghem Ella Van , Wouters Edwin , Vuylsteke Bea , Nöstlinger Christiana
Published: September 2020

Background: This study estimates the proportion of eligible PrEP users among people of Sub-Saharan African background based on the Belgian PrEP eligibility criteria and examines associations with socio-economic and demographic characteristics.Methods: We performed logistic regression analysis on data of a representative community-based survey conducted among sub-Saharan African communities (n=686) living in Antwerp. Results: Almost a third (30.3%) of the respondents were eligible to use PrEP. Those who were male, single, lower educated, undocumented, and had experienced forced sex were more likely to be eligible for PrEP use. The findings highlight the importance of taking intra-, interpersonal and structural HIV risk factors into account.Conclusions: The study shows high unmet PrEP needs in this population, especially among those with high vulnerability for HIV acquisition. A better understanding of barriers to PrEP use in this population group is needed to allow for equitable access.
The Impact of Social Insurance On Health Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults In Rural China: A Longitudinal Study Using A Three-Wave Nationwide Survey
Authors: Ma Xinxin , Oshio Takashi
Published: September 2020

Background: Many studies have examined the impact of social insurance on health but the results have generally been mixed, presumably because they have not fully addressed potential biases related to cross-sectional study design. In this study, we conducted a longitudinal analysis to investigate how participation in two social insurance programs in China—the New Rural Social Pension Insurance (NRSPI) and the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (NRCMS)—was associated with health outcomes among middle-aged and older adults in rural China.Methods. Using three-wave longitudinal data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study conducted in 2011, 2013, and 2015, we estimated the dynamic fixed-effects regression models to examine the association between participation in the NRCMS/NRSPI and six types of health outcome.Results. Participation in the NRSPI was positively associated with some health outcomes, but the associations were relatively modest and were observed only for some specific age and household income groups. Participation in the NRCMS was not associated with any health outcome.Conclusions. The results provide limited evidence of the positive impact of social insurance on health among middle-aged and older adults in rural China. Social insurance programs should be reformed to enhance their positive impact on health.
Understanding Antibiotic Use for Pig Farming in Thailand: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Lekagul Angkana , Tangcharoensathien Viroj , Liverani Marco , Mills Anne , Rushton Jonathan , Yeung Shunmay
Published: September 2020

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), recognised as a serious and growing threat to global health, is driven by antibiotic use. Understanding factors influencing antibiotic use is essential to design and implement effective interventions to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and AMR. This study aims to explore the practices and views of the key actors associated with the use of antibiotics for pig farming in Thailand, from local farmers to officers in central government institutions.
Methods: A total of 31 in-depth interviews were conducted with pig farmers (n=13), drug retailers (n=5), veterinarians (n=7), and government officers (n=3) and representatives of health professional councils (n=2). Direct observations were conducted in pig farms. Thematic analysis based on practices, views and interests of actors regarding antibiotic use in pig production in Thailand.
Results: There are various factors influencing the use of antibiotics. The factors may trigger greater antibiotic use including lack of knowledge and awareness about antibiotics and AMR, economic incentives, and loose regulatory frameworks. Farmers considered that antibiotics are necessary to maintain animal health, prevent and control diseases, and ensure economic gains, so using antibiotics was considered a worthwhile investment in pigs. There was limited information about antibiotic use in the curriculum and lack of clinical practice guidelines for health professionals. Veterinarians faced challenges in diagnosis and lacked antibiotic prescribing guidelines. Pharmaceutical companies applied market promotion strategies to increase sales; and used professionals as mediators with farmers. There was no control of antibiotic sale and prescription via the regulatory environment. The national policy on AMR could be facilitating factor to optimise use of antibiotics but its influence was weak relative to other influences which favoured antibiotic use.
Conclusions: Our study highlights the need to improve antibiotic use in pig production in Thailand. Access to veterinary services and reliable information about animal health needs to be improved among farmers. Innovative low-cost investment in biosecurity could improve farm management and decrease reliance on antibiotics. Developing professional training and clinical guidelines, and establishing a code of conduct, are needed to improve practices in antibiotic prescription and sale amongst health professionals and industry.
Power Equipment Fault Information Acquisition System Based on Internet of Things
Authors: Wang Ruilian , Li Minghai
Published: September 2020

With the advent of the Internet of things era, many of the original power equipment and its fault information acquisition system have the problems of low efficiency, slow and inaccurate fault information collection speed, so the design of intelligent system is very important. The purpose of this study is to design the power equipment fault information acquisition system of the Internet of things, and analyze the collection speed and accuracy of the system. In this study, a power company in our city was taken as the experimental object to collect the fault information reported by the company, and put the new IOT fault information acquisition system into use in another company. After using for one month, the data collected by the power equipment fault information acquisition system of the Internet of things are compared with the original system, and the information collection amount, accuracy and acquisition speed are calculated. The research results show that the company's low-voltage user acquisition success rate has reached more than 99%, and the F1 value of the power equipment information acquisition system of the Internet of things is 96.4%, which is much higher than 86.3% and 75.7% of other systems. With the increase of time, the fault information collection efficiency can approach 99%. It shows that the power equipment information acquisition system of the Internet of things has higher accuracy and speed of information acquisition than the traditional system and other systems, and greatly improves the working efficiency of the system. The conclusion is that the function of this research system is better, the economic loss of the company is reduced, and the management is optimized. It makes contribution to the optimization and intelligent development of power equipment fault information acquisition system.
Optical See-Through Head-Mounted Display (OST-HMD)–Assisted Needle Biopsy for Breast Tumor: A Technical Innovation
Authors: Kashiwagi Shinichiro , Asano Yuka , Morisaki Tamami , Goto Wataru , Kouhashi Rika , Yabumoto Akimichi , Ishihara Sae , Takashima Tsutomu , Hirakawa Kosei , Ohira Masaichi
Published: September 2020

Background: Histological examinations using needle biopsy in ultrasound-guided intervention are widely performed to detect lesions by ultrasound. On the other hand, augmented reality (AR) is a new technology that provides new awareness by using a computer to extend the real environment perceived by humans. AR was introduced in the medical field in recent years. Optical see-through head-mounted displays (OST-HMD) are worn on the head and can faithfully generate an AR image by wearing the device on the head as a spectacle-type device. Here, we developed an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy technique using OST-HMD for breast tumors.Methods: Moverio BT-35E (Seiko Epson Corp, Nagano, Japan) was used as the OST-HMD device. This technique involves performing needle biopsy under direct vision via the gap at the bottom of the display while the ultrasound images are projected on the display of the OST-HMD worn on the head. Results: In conventional ultrasound-guided procedures, needle biopsy is performed while maintaining a posture facing the monitor of a fixed ultrasonic device, which restricts the examination doctor’s posture and movement. However, with this technique, needle biopsy can be executed smoothly with no posture restrictions. A flip shade affixed to the OST-HMD has 2% transmittance, which enables clearer projection of the images.Conclusions: This article outlines the ultrasound-guided needle biopsy using OST-HMD. Here we established a safe and accurate biopsy technique with technological innovations using AR.
Who could be One Health Activist at the community level?: A case for India
Authors: Yasobant Sandul , Bruchhausen Walter , Saxena Deepak , Memon Farjana Zakir , Falkenberg Timo
Published: September 2020

Background: Community Health Workers (CHWs) are the mainstay of the public health system, serving for decades in low resource countries. Their multi-dimensional work in diverse health care services, including the prevention of communicable diseases and health promotion for non-communicable diseases, are making CHWs the frontline workers in their respective communities in India. As India is heading towards the development of One Health (OH), this study attempted to provide an insight into potential OH activists (OHA) at the community level. Thus, this case study in one of the western cities of India, Ahmedabad, targeted to identify OHA by exploring the motivation to become an OHA in a local setting.Methods: This case study explores two major CHWs i.e. female (Accredited Social Health Activists-ASHA) and male (multipurpose male health worker) on their motivation for becoming an OHA. The data was collected between September 2018 and August 2019 through a mixed design i.e. quantitative data (cross-sectional structured questionnaire) and qualitative data (focus group discussion with a semi-structured interview guide). Results: The motivation of the CHWs for OHA was found to be low. Although most CHWs have received zoonoses training or contributed to zoonoses prevention campaigns, their awareness level was found to be different among male and female health workers. ASHAs were found to be willing to accept the additional new liaison role of OHAs if measures like financial incentives and improved recognition are provided. Conclusion: The high demotivation of CHWs that has been documented on the individual, community, and health system level needs to be urgently addressed in future policies.
Effect of irrigation and planting geometry on cotton fiber quality and seed composition
Authors: Pinnamaneni Srinivasa R , Saseendran Anapalli S , Sui Ruixiu , Bellaloui Nacer , Reddy Krishna N
Published: September 2020

Background: Cotton fiber quality and seed composition play vital roles in the economics of cotton production systems and cotton seed meal industry. The objective of this research was to examine the effects of different levels of irrigation and planting geometries on fiber quality and seed composition of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). A two-year study was conducted in 2018 and 2019 on a Dundee silt loam soil in the Southeast USA with a warm and humid climate. Irrigation treatments were, irrigating every furrow (FI, full irrigation) and alternate furrow (HI, half irrigation), and no irrigation (RF, rainfed), and planting geometries were a single-row (SR) and twin-row (TR) on ridges spaced 102 cm apart. Fiber quality was tested by using the High-Volume Instrument (HVI) and Advanced Fiber Information Systems (AFIS). Seed protein, oil, and fiber were estimated using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Results: The results showed irrigation and planting treatments played a significant role in fiber quality and seed composition. Across irrigation treatments, significant differences were seen in fiber properties, including micronaire, uniformity, upper half mean length (UHML), strength, yellowness, short fiber, upper quartile length (UQL), fineness, maturity ratio, and neps. The micronaire was negatively affected by irrigation as FI-SR, FI-TR, HI-SR, and HI-TR had recorded 11-12% over the RF-SR and TR treatments. The planting geometry played a minor role in determining fiber quality traits like micronaire and nep count. Irrigation treatments recorded significantly lower protein content by 3-4 % than rainfed, while oil content significantly increased by 6-10 %. Conclusions: The results of the study indicate a potential for improving cotton fiber and seed qualities by managing irrigation and planting geometries in cotton production systems in the Mississippi Delta region.
Drug-eluting Bead transarterial chemoembolization in patients with renal carcinoma
Authors: Bao Zhiyu , Wu Haiyan , Qiu Zhonghua , Hu Meng , Yang Yanyan , Wang Xuan , Ren Zhongchen , Sun Haiyun , Liu Song , Qiao Yuangang
Published: September 2020

Background

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy,safety and outcomes of patients with renal carcinoma treated by transarterial chemoembolization using drug eluting beads.
Methods

Between 2017 and 2020,37 patients(mean age:70.2 years(33–92 years)) with renal carcinoma were enrolled in this study who were treated by transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)using pirarubicin-loaded beads.Clinical response was evaluated according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) criteria.The occurrence of adverse reactions was used to assess safety.Overall survival(OS), progression-free survival(PFS) were also calculated based on Kaplan–Meier method.
Results

All patients were treated with drug-eluting Bead transarterial chemoembolization(DEB-TACE) loaded with pirarubicin using CalliSpheres beads.The objective response rate(ORR) and disease control rate(DCR) were 75.7% and 91.9% respectively at 1 month after DEB-TACE.The median PFS was 13.2 months (95% CI:5.9–20.5 months), and the median OS was 23.6 months (95% CI:18.5–28.7 months).Among the 37 patients,12 had flank pain,5 had fever,5 had nausea and vomiting and 4 had hypertension.There were no serious adverse events.
Conclusion

DEB-TACE is a safe and feasible treatment for patients with renal carcinoma.
Ascorbic Acid Can Promote the Generation and Expansion of Neuroepithelial-Like Stem Cells Derived from HiPS/ES Cells Under Chemically Defined Conditions Through Promoting Collagen Synthesis
Authors: Bai Rui , Chang Yun , Saleem Amina , Wu Fujian , Tian Lei , Zhang Siyao , Li Ya’nan , Ma Shuhong , Don Tao , Guo Tianwei , You Yi , Lu Wenjing , Lan Feng
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurological, medically incurable disorder. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have the potential to generate neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) which hold promise in therapy for SCI by transplantation. In our study, we aimed to establish a chemically defined culture system by using serum-free medium and ascorbic acid (AA) to generation and expansion of long-term self-renewing neuroepithelial-like stem cells (lt-NES cells) differentiated from hPSCs effectively and stably. Methods: We induce hESC/iPSC to neurospheres by using a newly established induction system in vitro in our study. And lt-NES cells derived from hESCs/iPSCs-neurospheres using two induction systems, including conventional N2 medium with gelatin-coated (coated) and N2+AA medium without pre-coated (AA) were characterized by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis and immunocytochemistry staining. Subsequently, lt-NES cells were induced to neurons and the microelectrode array (MEA) recording system was used to evaluate the functionality of neurons differentiated from lt-NES cells. Moreover, the mechanism of AA-induced lt-NES cells was explored through RNA-seq and the use of inhibitors. Results: HESCs/iPSCs were efficiently induced to neurospheres by using a newly established induction system in vitro. And lt-NES cells derived from hESCs/iPSCs-neurospheres using two induction system (coated vs AA) both expressed neural pluripotency-associated genes PAX6, NESTIN, SOX1, SOX2. After long-term cultivation, we found that they both can maintain the long-term expansion for more than a dozen generations while maintaining neuropluripotency. Moreover, the lt-NES cells retain the ability to differentiate into general functional neurons that highly express β-tubulin. We also demonstrated that AA promotes the generation and long-term expansion of lt-NES cells by promoting collagen synthesis via the MEK-ERK1/2 pathways. Conclusions: Taken together, this new chemically defined culture system is stable and effective to generate and culture the lt-NES cells induced by hESCs/iPSCs using serum-free medium combined with ascorbic acid (AA). The lt-NES cells under this culture system can maintain the long-term expansion and neural pluripotency, with the potential to differentiate into functional neurons. Keywords: Spinal cord injury, Neurospheres, Ascorbic acid, lt-NES cells, Human pluripotent stem cells.
Observed and Self-reported Hand Hygiene Compliances and Associated Factors among Healthcare Workers at a County Referral Hospital in Kenya
Authors: Kiprotich Karlmax , Kaminga Atipatsa Chiwanda , Kessi Miriam , Honghong Wang
Published: September 2020

Background: Hand hygiene is effective in preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs); however, its compliance remains low, and reasons are poorly understood, thus its research and feedback may lead to successful interventions. This study aimed to explore the observed and self-reported hand hygiene compliance and associated factors among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the medical/surgical ward of a county referral hospital. Methods: Cross-sectional study design was used in this study. Direct observation guided by 5 moments for hand hygiene concept was carried to describe compliance, and the questionnaire technique informed by Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) was employed to investigate self-reported compliance, barriers, and facilitators of hand hygiene compliance. This study was done at a county referral hospital in Kenya. The total number of hand hygiene opportunities observed was 347 among 55 HCWs, and 132 HCWs filled the questionnaires. Results: The overall compliance based on direct observation was 23.9%, whereas self-reported compliance was 80.0%. Hand hygiene was significantly associated with indication (p < 0.001), training (p = 0.014), social influences (p = 0.002) and knowledge (p = 0.044). Barriers identified were environmental resources, social influences, beliefs about consequences, memory, attention, and decision processes. Facilitators included knowledge and social/professional role, and identity.Conclusions: Despite the high report rate of hand hygiene compliance, the observed compliance is unacceptably low. Although knowledge, and social/professional role and identity of the HCWs may primarily facilitate hand hygiene compliance, barriers associated with non-compliance such as environmental resources remain significant constraints and should be considered to ensure optimal hand hygiene compliance and quality of patient care. The results also suggest that HCWs education on hand hygiene still needs improvements, particularly on the 5 moments for hand hygiene.
Multiple pathways to scaling up and sustainability: An exploration of digital health solutions in South Africa
Authors: Swartz Alison , LeFevre Amnesty E , Perera Shehani , Kinney Mary V. , George Asha S
Published: September 2020

Background With an aim to support further understanding of scaling up and sustaining digital health, we explore digital health solutions that have or are anticipated to reach national scale in South Africa: the Perinatal Problem Identification Programme and Child Healthcare Problem Identification Programme (mortality audit reporting and visualisation tools), MomConnect (a direct to consumer maternal messaging and feedback service) and CommCare (a community health worker data capture and decision-support application). Results A framework integrating complexity and scaling up processes was used to conceptually orient the study. Findings are presented by case through four domains: value proposition, actors, technology and organisational context. The scale and use of PPIP and Child PIP were driven by ‘champions’; clinicians who developed technically simple tools to digitise clinical audit data. Top-down political will at the national level drove the scaling of MomConnect, supported by ongoing financial and technical support from donors and technical partners. Donor preferences played a significant role in the selection of CommCare as the platform to digitise CHW service information, with a focus on HIV and TB. A key driver of scale across cases is leadership that recognises and advocates for the value of the digital health solution. The technology need not be complex but must navigate the complexity of operating within an overburdened and fragmented South African health system, where adequate and sustained investment from donors and government overall, and in particular in its human resource capacity and in robust monitoring and evaluation continue to threaten the sustainability of digital health solutions. Conclusions There is no single pathway to achieving scale up or sustainability, and there will be successes and challenges regardless of the configuration of the domains of value proposition, technology, actors and organisational context. While scaling and sustaining digital solutions has its technological challenges, perhaps more complex are the idiosyncratic factors and nature of the relationships between actors involved. Scaling up and sustaining digital solutions need to account for the interplay of the various technical and social dimensions involved in supporting digital solutions to succeed, particularly in health systems that are themselves social and political dynamic systems.
Chondroblastoma of the Patella with Secondary Aneurysmal Bone Cyst, an Easily Misdiagnosed Bone Tumor: A Case Report with Literature Review
Authors: Zheng Jianping , Niu Ningkui , Shi Jiandang , Zhang Xu , Zhu Xi , Wang Jiali , Liu Changhao
Published: September 2020

Background: Chondroblastoma (CB) is a rare, primary, benign bone tumor that common affects men aged 15-20 years. It is usually detected in the epiphysis of the long bones, such as the proximal femur, humerus, and tibia. However, CB is extremely rare in the patella, especially in combination with secondary aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC). In fact, this complicated condition can be easily confused with other common bone tumors of the patella. Case presentation: We have presented here the case of a 30-year-old man who was suffering from the anterior knee pain for the past 6 months that got aggravated since the past 2 weeks. Osteolytic bone destruction in the patella could be detected in both his X-ray and computed tomography (CT) examinations, while the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected a fluid level. Accordingly, secondary ABC was presumed. We diagnosed the condition as giant cell tumor (GCT) with secondary ABC and accordingly performed curettage inside the focus region by autogenous bone grafting in accordance with the patient's medical history, physical manifestations, results of physical and ancillary examinations, and the disease characteristics. However, the in- and postsurgical outcomes indicated that the patient’s histopathology was consistent with that of typical CB, suggesting a definitive error in diagnosis. Accordingly, the patient was finally diagnosed with patella CB along with secondary ABC.Conclusions: Past studies have demonstrated that the 3 commonest bone tumors affecting the patella are GCT, CB, and ABC. We believe that the condition of patella GCT and CB accompanied with secondary ABC can be easily misdiagnosed. Performing incision biopsy or excision biopsy and conducting histological examination may be the most effective approach to identify and distinguish among these diseases.
Developing Strategy of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Post-intensive Care Syndrome: A Systematic Review of 14 Practice Guidelines and 10 Consensus Statements
Authors: He Min , Wang Ying , Zhang Xi-Ying , Wang Chen-Qiong , Zheng Xiao-Tian , Yang Ya-Hui , Xiang Qian-Ling , Zhang Fang , Fu Bao , Hu Ru-Jun , Luo Lan , Jiang Zhixia
Published: September 2020

BackgroundPost-intensive care syndrome (PICS) seriously affects the quality of life of patients and their caregivers. This study systematically evaluates PICS related guidelines and consensuses to provide methodological and strategic guidance for the development and improvement of these guidelines and consensus.MethodsAn Internet search of PICS specific or related guidelines and consensus statements was conducted among academic databases and the websites. The AGREE II was used to evaluate their methodological quality. The themes and contents were evaluated based on the definition of PICS and the “patient-clinical problem-intervention-target” framework.ResultsWe included fourteen guidelines and 10 expert consensuses. The mean AGREE II score for scope and purpose was 86.89% ± 16.12%/ 79.47% ± 11.80%, 55.86% ± 29.17%/16.72% ± 16.39% for stakeholder involvement, 76.35% ± 15.82% /36.09% ±26.05% for rigor of development, 88.03% ± 15.55%/58.84% ± 28.94% for clarity of presentation, 61.79% ± 23.16/32.95% ± 20.91% for applicability, and 66.67% ± 37.96% /28.79% ± 36.54% for editorial independence in Guidelines/Consensus. Most only described a single or series of clinical related issues of PICS; only applicable for critically ill patients with clinical problems of ICUAW, pain, sleep disruption, agitation, and delirium. The interventions included risk assessment, monitoring/diagnosis, prevention, treatment, safety criteria, and home care of one or more symptoms of PICS.ConclusionsOur results suggested that development and improvement of guidelines/consensus should focus on refining the methodology, strengthening quality control, and improving presentation clarity, editorial independence, and applicability. The results may provide new idea for a future guidelines and consensus statements.
High frequency of the Duffy-negative genotype and absence of Plasmodium vivax infections in Ghana
Authors: Brown Charles , Pappoe-Ashong Prince , Duah Nancy , Ghansah Anita , Asmah Harry , Afari Edwin , Koram Kwadwo
Published: September 2020

Background
The Duffy-negative phenotype is a condition which is thought to confer complete resistance against blood infection with Plasmodium vivax. However, recent studies from different malaria-endemic regions including western Africa have now shown that P. vivax can infect red blood cells (RBCs) and cause clinical disease in Duffy-negative people. The actual prevalence of P. vivax in local populations in Ghana is unknown. In addition, little information is available about the distribution of Duffy genotypes in Ghana. We determined the prevalence of P. vivax and the distribution of Duffy genotypes in Ghana.
Methods
DNA was extracted from dried blood spots (DBS) collected from 952 subjects (845 malaria patients and 107 asymptomatic persons) from nine locations in Ghana. Plasmodium species identification was carried out by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the small-subunit rRNA genes; P. vivax was further characterized by PCR analysis of the central region of the Pvcsp gene. Duffy blood group genotyping was performed by PCR with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) to detect the presence of the FYES allele.
Results
No cases of P. vivax were detected in any of the samples by both PCR methods used. Majority of infections (542, 94.8%) in the malaria patient samples were due to P. falciparum with only 1 infection (0.0017%) and 2 infections (0.0034%) due to P. malariae and P. ovale, respectively. No case of mixed infection was identified. Of the samples tested for the FYES allele from all the sites, 90.5% (862/952) had the FYES allele. All positive samples were genotyped as FY*B-33/FY*B-33 (Duffy-negative homozygous) and therefore classified as Fy(a-b-).
Conclusions
No cases of P. vivax were detected by both PCRs and 90.5% of the subjects tested carried the FYES allele. The lack of P. vivax infections observed can be attributed to the high frequency of the FYES allele that silences erythroid expression of the Duffy. These results provide insights on the host susceptibility for P. vivax infections that has before not been investigated in Ghana.
Serum apolipoprotein A-1 is related to inflammatory factors in the acute phase of gout
Authors: Zhang Baoyu , Wang Yuan , Jia Xiaoxia , Mu Lin , Wang Xiaobo
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUNDTo observe the correlation between serum apolipoprotein A-1(apoA-1) and inflammatory factors in patients with gouty arthritis. METHODSFrom February to September 2020, 97 patients with gout (gout group) and 70 healthy controls (control group) were selected as the study subjects，who were admitted to the outpatient department of Beijing lu he hospital affiliated to capital medical university.97 patients in the gout group were in the acute phase. Serum concentrations of apoA-1, NLRP3 inflammasome （NACHT-LRR-PYD protein 3,NLRP3), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-9 (IL-9) were detected. The correlation of serum apoA-1 concentration, gout related inflammatory factors (NLRP3, IL-1 beta, IL-9) and other clinical and laboratory indicators was analyzed. RESULTSThe serum apoA-1 concentration in the gout group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). With the increase of serum uric acid level, serum apoA-1 concentration decreased（R2=-0.3160，P<0.05）. Multiple linear analyses were performed to increase blood glucose, blood lipid, liver and kidney, etc, and the correlation remained（OR=-3.36，P<0.05）. With the increase of serum IL-1 beta concentration, serum apoA-1 concentration decreased（R2=-0.3993，P<0.05）. Multiple linear analyses were performed to increase blood glucose, blood lipid, liver and kidney, etc., and the correlation remained（OR=-2.95，P<0.05）. CONCLUSIONSIn the acute stage of gout, as the serum uric acid level increases, the serum IL-1β concentration increases and the apoA-1 concentration gradually decreases, which may indicate that apoA-1 participates in the inflammatory response of gout to a certain extent.
Fleeing lockdown and its impact on the size of epidemic outbreaks in the source and target regions - a COVID-19 lesson
Authors: Barbarossa Maria Vittoria , Bogya Norbert , Dénes Attila , Röst Gergely , Varma Hridya Vinod , Vizi Zsolt
Published: September 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic forced authorities worldwide to implement moderate to severe restrictions in order to slow down or suppress the spread of the disease. It has been observed in several countries that a significant number of people fled a city or a region just before strict lockdown measures were implemented. This behavior carries the risk of seeding a large number of infections all at once in regions with otherwise small number of cases. In this work, we investigate the effect of fleeing on the size of an epidemic outbreak in the region under lockdown, and also in the region of destination. We propose a mathematical model that is suitable to describe the spread of an infectious disease over multiple geographic regions. Our approach is flexible to characterize the transmission of different viruses. As an example, we consider the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy. Projection of different scenarios shows that (i) timely and stricter intervention could have significantly lowered the number of cumulative cases in Italy, and (ii) fleeing at the time of lockdown possibly played a minor role in the spread of the disease in the country.
Precise determination of the effect of temperature on the density of solid and liquid iron, nickel, and tin
Authors: Kamiya Asaka , Terasaki Hidenori , Kondo Tadashi
Published: September 2020

Density and thermal expansion coefficient of metals are fundamental characteristics to describe the equation of state. Especially for liquid metals, the reported data for density and thermal expansion coefficient vary in the literature, even at ambient pressure. To determine the density of solid and liquid metals precisely at high temperatures and ambient pressure, we have developed a high-temperature furnace. The densities of solid Sn, Ni, and Fe were determined from the sample image with an uncertainty of 0.11–0.7% in the temperature range of 285–1803 K with increments of 1–10 K. The density of solid Sn decreased linearly with increasing temperature up to 493 K, and then the decrease became drastic until the melting temperature (Tm) was reached. By contrast, for solid Ni and Fe, the densities decreased linearly with increasing temperature up to the Tm (1728 and 1813 K) without any drastic density drop near Tm. This suggests that Ni and Fe do not exhibit the “premelting effect.”

The density of liquid Fe was determined with an uncertainty of 0.4–0.7% in the range of 1818–1998 K with temperature increments of 5 K. The obtained thermal expansion coefficient (α) of liquid Fe was well approximated as either a constant value of α = 2.42(1) × 10–4 K–1 or a linear function of temperature (T); α = 1.37(10) × 10–3 – [6.0(6) × 10–7]T [K–1] up to at least 2000 K.
Potential use of music therapy elements in Music teaching
Authors: Metić Martina , Svalina Vesna
Published: September 2020

Recent scientific studies have shown that involving children in music activities influences their mental, emotional, and social development; music is, thus, being used increasingly for medical and therapeutic purposes. In order to discover whether some elements of particular methods of music therapy can be applied in music teaching in primary schools, we conducted a qualitative research in which the participants were third-year elementary school pupils in Osijek. To collect the data, we used a systematic observation procedure. Data analysis involved both qualitative and quantitative analyses. The research results show that the introduction of elements of certain methods of music therapy is possible and that pupils are happy to participate in all the activities carried out. In doing so, pupils demonstrate imagination, creativity, independence at work, and willingness to cooperate.
Filozofijska dimenzija pripovjednog sadržaja videoigara
Authors: Perušić Luka
Published: September 2020

U radu se iznose kategorije prisutnosti filozofijske dimenzije u pripovjednom sadržaju videoigara s ciljem postavljanja temelja za pomnije promišljanje praktičkog i povijesnog odnosa filozofije i videoigara. Uvodno se opisuje pojavljivanje filozofijske dimenzije putem pripovjednog sadržaja pete generacije videoigara (1993.–2001.) te naznačuje važnost toga događanja. Središnje mjesto rada donosi opise kategorija prisutnosti, razlikujući (1) videoigre koje svojim pripovjednim sadržajem svraćaju pozornost na probleme filozofijske prirode, (2) videoigre koje unutar svog pripovjednog sadržaja laički filozofiraju o problemima filozofijske prirode te (3) videoigre koje se za potrebe svojeg pripovjednog sadržaja služe stručnom filozofijskom građom. Zaključno se u osnovnim crtama razmatra problem kategorije videoigara kao potpunih filozofijskih djela, takvih u kojima bi se uklanjanjem njihove filozofijske dimenzije u potpunosti raspali pripovjedni sadržaj i igraće mehanike te bi u potpunosti izgubile svoj smisao.
Situating High-Speed Railway Stations within Local Urban Contexts: Passenger Satisfaction with Intermodal Integration at the Hong Kong HSR Station
Authors: Wang Bo , Loo Becky P.Y. , Li Lu
Published: September 2020

With more high-speed railway (HSR) being built worldwide, its be er integration into the 'urban fabric' is imperative. Focusing on the travel experience, this paper presents an analysis of the intermodal integration of HSR with the local public transport system at the newly opened HSR
station in Hong Kong. A participatory survey was conducted with arrival passengers making intermodal transfers to local destinations using the metro, bus, and taxis. Participants were asked to recall and rate their travel experience from the exit of HSR station to the public transport stops.
This is the first study that integrates both objective and subjective measurements of regional–local intermodal integration holistically from a passenger perspective. In the survey, respondents generally reported a positive experience. However, there were signi ficant diff erences for
diff erent interchange modes. At a more theoretical level, ten service a ributes including both instrumental and aff ective dimensions were found to have signi ficant in fluence on the intermodal interchange experience. Furthermore, the importance-satisfaction analysis suggests that three
instrumental factors (ticket purchase, time coordination, interchange signage) are in most urgent need of improvement, while good service quality of four aff ective factors (walking environment, cleanliness, congestion-free waiting area, and luggage delivery) should be maintained and strengthened.
EDUTEC 25 años: ¿Y ahora qué?
Authors: Martínez Sánchez Francisco
Published: September 2020

Introducción y presentación del número especial: Mirando al futuro de la Tecnología Educativa por Francisco Martínez, presidente de Edutec, Asociación para el desarrollo de la Tecnología Educativa y de las Nuevas Tecnologías aplicadas a la educación.
The Role of Food Co-Shopping with Friends in the Process of Hungarian Youth Becoming Consumers
Authors: Egyed Szilárd
Published: September 2020

Observing the process of health-conscious eating habits becoming the norm for young people is a relevant topic in management studies, as it is an important factor leading to a better quality of life and in reducing healthcare expenses. For this reason, this article deals with one of the most important aspects impacting this process: food co-shopping with friends. Data collection took place in 2 Hungarian regions, Budapest and Tatabánya, and as a control region, Upper Hungary in Slovakia–inhabited by Hungarians–was also involved. This article examines the activities in which food co-shopping is executed, the circumstances of them being carried out, and the health attributes of products bought during food co-shopping. The revealing research’s results claim that young people are less health-centric in choosing foods, and that relationship-building activities are vital for them, among which eating and cooking together are very favored. So these activities give intervention opportunities for public healthcare professionals.
Aging Protocols and Their Effects on Bond Strength of Total-Etch and Self-Etch Adhesive Systems to Dentin
Authors: Gomes Isabella A. , N. Gomes Mário G. , Amaral Flávia L. B. , G. França Fabiana M. , Basting Roberta T. , Bandeca Matheus C. , Diniz Rafael S. , Gonçalves Letícia M. , de J. Tavarez Rudys R. , Turssi Cecilia P.
Published: September 2020

Objective:

This study investigated whether different aging protocols have effects on the bond strength of total-etch and self-etch adhesive systems to dentin substrate.

Methods:

Molars were sectioned exposing the dentin, which was submitted to restorative procedures using two-step total-etch (ASB, Adper SingleBond2), two-step self-etch (CLF, Clearfil SEBond), or one-step self-etch (OPT, Optibond All-in-One) system and resin composite. The obtained blocks were sectioned to result in sticks to be submitted to bond strength and failure mode tests after 24h storage in distilled water (DW), or 180-day aging protocols in DW, artificial saliva (AS), citric acid (CA), or thermal cycling (TC). The types of failures were classified as adhesive, cohesive in dentin, cohesive in composite resin, and mixed. Data were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test (α=5%). The failure modes were descriptive under the relative frequencies form.

Results:

It was observed that ASB presented the higher bond strength(p<0.05), while CLF and OPT did not demonstrate differences between them(p>0.05) after 24h. The bond strength obtained with ASB significantly overcame that of OPT when stored in DW or AS for 180 days (p<0.001). In these storing mediums, ASB did not differ from CLF(p>0.05), while in CA or TC the values of CLF were significantly lower (p<0.001). In TC aging, the values presented by OPT did not differ from ASB(p>0.05), both of which had higher values than CLF(p<0.05). The predominant failure mode was adhesive.

Conclusion:

For the two-step total-etch and two-step self-etch adhesives, the influence of aging in AS and TC was equivalent to that of storage in DW. The most deleterious effects occurred in CA, a situation in which self-etch adhesives displayed worse performance than the conventional type.
Potential Antibacterial Flavonoid from Buah Merah (Pandanus conodieus Lam.) Against Pathogenic Oral Bacteria of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212
Authors: Herdiyati Yetty , Atmaja Harold Eka , Satari Mieke Hemiawati , Kurnia Dikdik
Published: September 2020

Background:

Dental caries is an oral disease generated by pathogenic bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis, which is most frequently found in teeth with pulp necrosis. On the other hand, the use of the medicinal plant to treat pathogenic disease, including caries is an alternative option, which consumes synthetic drug having a side effect.

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to isolate antibacterial agents from Buah Merah (Pandanus conoideus Lam) and to test the antibacterial activity of those compounds against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212.

Methods:

Isolation of the antibacterial constituents from Buah Merah used a combinational column chromatography technique which include a normal and reversed-phase. The chosen fraction of each separation is based on the most active fraction. The compounds at various concentrations, 1000 - 20000 μg/mL, were assessed against E. faecalis ATCC 29212 by agar disc diffusion method, and chlorhexidine 2000 μg/mL was used as a positive control.

Results:

Four compounds isolated from Buah Merah were determined as flavonoid 1, diterpenoid 2, and two fatty acid derivatives 3 and 4. The compounds were then tested against E. faecalis cultured to find inhibition zones, and the study found that only compound 1 identified as Quercetin-3-O-glucose showed an inhibited zone 88 mm at 20000 ppm.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated that ethyl acetate fraction of Buah Merah contains an antibacterial flavonoid active against E. faecalis. This research gives information for the use of this plant in herbal medicine and contributes to the necessity of a new antibacterial agent for oral infectious disease. Moreover, this data can be based on information to find the substituted antiseptic applied in the dentistry field.
High Titer of Antibody Against Pneumococcal IgA1 Protease in Healthy Individuals
Authors: Gholami Mina , Afshar Davoud , Kheirandish Mozhgan , Rafiee Farzaneh , Ranjbar Reza , Hasanzadeh Amir
Published: September 2020

Background and Objectives:

Considering rising antibiotic resistance in various strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, there is a need to find new immunogenic candidates for developing pneumococcal vaccines. Immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) protease is one of the virulence factors playing an important role in the pathogenesis of S. pneumoniae infections. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the titer of antibody against pneumococcal recombinant IgA1 protease in the serum of healthy humans.

Materials and Methods:

A part of the IgA1 protease gene (705 bp) from S. pneumonia ATCC 49619 was amplified by PCR and then digested using restriction enzymes and ligated by the pET28a expression vector. The recombinant protein was expressed in E. coli BL21 strain. Affinity chromatography was used to purify the protein. The titer of antibody against the recombinant protease was determined in healthy individuals in three age groups of <2, 2-40, and > 40 years using indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Results:

The expression and purification of the IgA1 recombinant protease were successful. The concentration of the purified protein was determined as 1.013 mg/ml using the NanoDrop method. The titer of anti-recombinant IgA1 protease antibody (20, 40, 80 and 160) showed a significant correlation with age (p-value<0.05). According to our results, the antibody titer was desirable, especially in individuals over two years old.

Conclusion:

In the present study, desirable antibody titers against the pneumococcal recombinant IgA1 protease were seen in the three groups’ serum of healthy individuals. However, a significant correlation was not totally observed among groups.
BIG DATA E INTELIGÊNCIA ARTIFICIAL: desafios para o Direito
Authors: Hoffmann-Riem Wolfgang
Published: September 2020

O artigo aborda as possíveis respostas jurídicas aos desafios colocados pela transformação digital da sociedade, usando o exemplo da lei nacional alemã e da UE. O foco está no desenvolvimento e uso de big data, ou seja, grandes volumes de dados que variam em termos de natureza da qualidade e que podem ser processados em alta velocidade usando a análise de big data para uma variedade de propósitos. O direito tem a tarefa de facilitar as oportunidades associadas ao big data, mas também de afastar ou minimizar os riscos para os interesses individuais e coletivos juridicamente protegidos. De especial importância é a proteção dos direitos de liberdade, incluindo o direito à autodeterminação informacional (proteção de dados). O direito também exige inovações. Além das estruturas jurídicas, a proteção por meio da tecnologia é importante (como a proteção por design / por padrão). Também são necessárias garantias de transparência e controle suficientes, além de proteção judicial. Além disso, deve-se garantir que sejam desenvolvidas estruturas de governança adequadas. Isso inclui garantir que o direito aplicável funcione em conjunto com a lei que visa especificamente o tratamento da digitalização.
REDES SOCIAIS, COMPANHIAS TECNOLÓGICAS E DEMOCRACIA
Authors: Callejón Francisco Balaguer
Published: September 2020

As redes sociais haviam despertado grande expectativa em relação ao impulso dos processos democráticos ante regimes ditatoriais e em relação às possibilidades de melhorar a qualidade democrática dos sistemas constitucionais. No entanto, a forma como estão sendo gerenciadas pelas companhias tecnológicas pôs em xeque seu funcionamento, do ponto de vista da sua compatibilidade com os direitos constitucionais, sua incidência negativa nos processos democráticos, especialmente nos eleitorais, e o respeito às regras da competição por parte destas companhias, entre outros âmbitos. No título deste trabalho já se incorpora uma referência às companhias tecnológicas como um fator que deve ser situado atualmente na relação entre as redes sociais e a democracia para compreender a natureza dos problemas aos quais nos enfrentamos.