bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“La letra con sangre entra”: el maltrato en la formación médica
Authors: Cortés Barré Michelle
Published: January 2020

Aunque es bien conocido que un ambiente de respeto y confianza favorece el aprendizaje, el maltrato sigue siendo un comportamiento frecuente en las facultades de medicina. Esta conducta suele ser aceptada y justificada en todos los niveles de la práctica médica, desde los estudiantes y profesores, hasta los mismos pacientes y se considera como inherente a la cultura hospitalaria.Este artículo revisa el maltrato en la educación médica y pone en evidencia la falta de formación docente en pedagogía y didáctica así como las características propias del entorno hospitalario como dos posibles causas de su perpetuación.
Salud de la adolescencia en Colombia: bases para una medicina de prevención
Authors: Alba Luz Helena
Published: January 2020

El 19.6% de los colombianos son adolescentes; esto exige ua adecuada preparación médica para atender los problemas de salud de esta población. En Colombia, la mortalidad por causas externas es elevada para este grupo, pero estas causas de muerte son las principales en adolescentes a nivel mundial. El sentido de invulnerabilidad y las conductas exploratorias favorecen el consumo de sustancias tóxicas (alcohol, 65%, y tabaco, 35.8%), la precocidad sexual (embarazo, 21%) y la falta de autocontrol. La violencia, los accidentes, el suicidio y las alteraciones de la salud sexual tienen gran repercusión en la vida de jovenes y familias. Ante la falta de instrumentos de medición de riesgo y la débil evidencia sobre intervenciones para los problemas mencionados, el actuar médico con perpectiva de riesgo resulta fundamental. La prevención fortaleciendo factores protectores (familia, espiritualidad, deporte) cuenta con suficiente evidencia, pero requiere del desarrollo de habilidades y destrezas que no son parte de los procesos regulares de formación mécida y tampoco de la práctica profesional turinaria en Colombia.
Tuberculomas cerebrales: reporte de caso
Authors: Gómez Arias Betty , Zarco Montero Luis Alfonso
Published: January 2020

El compromiso del sistema nervioso central por tuberculosis, continúa siendo una causa importante de morbi-mortalidad en los países en vías de desarrollo. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con meningitis y tuberculomas en el sistema nervioso central y discutimos los métodos diagnósticos disponibles en la actualidad para esta patología.
Estudios sobre ADN mitocondrial sugieren un linaje predominante en la cordillera Oriental de Colombia y un vínculo suramericano para los arcaicos de Puerto Rico
Authors: Díaz-Matallana Marcela , Martínez-Cruzado Juan C.
Published: January 2020

Objetivo: Este trabajo integra información de la secuencia del ADNmt del norte de Suramérica con Puerto Rico, con el fin de comprender el poblamiento del Caribe, especialmente de los taínos. De paso, arroja información sobre hechos demográficos en la Colombia precolombina.Metodología: Se obtuvieron 59 muestras de Colombia y Venezuela, las cuales fueron analizadas junto a otras dos pertenecientes a los indios warao y disponibles en el Genbank. Se alinearon secuencias HVR-I y II (Hypervariable Region) y se compararon con el rCRS. El 93,4% de las muestras resultaron ser de origen amerindio.Resultados: Un venezolano exhibió mutaciones relacionadas con el linaje antiguo C-II de Puerto Rico, el cual se estima que arribó a Puerto Rico en la era prearahuaca. Mediante secuenciación completa del ADNmt se demostró que esta muestra, VE6, pertenece al clado americano nativo C1b.Dos personas de Colombia y Venezuela presentaban la transición 16129 que define el linaje A-VIII de Puerto Rico. Dicha transición dentro del haplogrupo A también se ha encontrado en los ciboneyes de Cuba y en otras tribus americanas. La deleción de un par de bases –498d– define el linaje B-I de Colombia (Bogotá y Villa de Leyva, Boyacá), un polimorfismo encontrado en los departamentos correspondientes a la cordillera Oriental y que se extiende al Valle del Cauca y a Panamá.Conclusión: Este linaje experimentó una expansión demográfica en la cordillera Oriental que lo llevó a expandirse geográficamente hasta Panamá. Sería recomendable ampliar el muestreo de la costa norte de Colombia y Venezuela, para encontrar más conexiones precolombinas con Puerto Rico. Además, sería conveniente verificar la distribución geográfica de 498d con un muestreo más numeroso y que cubra una zona más amplia de Colombia.
Morbimortalidad de la terapia endovascular en el tratamiento de estenosis carotídea extracraneana. Colombia 1996 - 2008
Authors: Vargas Vélez Sergio , Münera Chavarriaga Jorge , Zuluaga Gómez Claudia Patricia
Published: January 2020

Para el tratamiento de la enfermedad carotídea se recomienda como primera elección la endarterectomía, reservándose la angioplastia stent para pacientes con riesgo quirúrgico, por sus comorbilidades o por la localización de la estenosis.
Neuropatía isquémica en un paciente sometido a liposucción abdominal
Authors: Hernández Germán Alberto , Cárdenas Pedro Luis
Published: January 2020

Se describe el caso de una paciente que fue sometida a un procedimiento de liposucción abdominal y presentó un episodio agudo de pérdida visual unilateral, sin otra sintomatología. Se hizo el diagnóstico de neuropatía óptica isquémica anterior aguda por los hallazgos clínicos y angiografía con fluoresceína.Se describen las características de esta enfermedad y se revisa la literatura en cuanto a su asociación con procedimientos quirúrgicos en general. La importancia del caso radica en su asociación a procedimientos estéticos, pues la neuropatía isquémica no es una entidad exótica como tal.
El manejo de la atresia intestinal tipo IIIb sigue siendo un reto
Authors: Gómez Martín , Beltrán Tatiana Carolina
Published: January 2020

La atresia intestinal constituye una de las causas más frecuentes de obstrucción intestinal en el recién nacido y es causada por catástrofes vasculares mesentéricas tardías durante el desarrollo embrionario; sin embargo, puede tener otras causas. La atresia de tipo IIIb es rara y su manejo es un reto para todo el equipo médico.Este tipo de atresia sigue siendo de difícil manejo y requiere un equipo completo interdisciplinario para obtener un buen resultado: en primer lugar, lograr la supervivencia y, posteriormente, lograr un crecimiento y un desarrollo normales. La técnica quirúrgica incluye una anastomosis término-terminal; en complicaciones como las del caso presentado, se recurre a las plastias en YV, y a la colocación de férula en el intestino con sonda fenestrada para proteger la anastomosis, con el fin de mantener descomprimido el intestino y permeable distalmente.
Lupus vulgar, reporte de un caso
Authors: Mejía Maddy , Hoyos Victoria , Maldonado Juliana
Published: January 2020

El lupus vulgar es una de las formas más frecuentes de tuberculosis cutánea. Se trata de una forma crónica y benigna que se presenta en pacientes previamente sensibilizados a Mycobacterium tuberculosis y su diagnóstico se basa principalmente en los hallazgos clínicos e histopatológicos.Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 48 años con antecedentes de infección por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), que desarrolló lupus vulgar en el codo derecho, de un año de evolución.
Manifestaciones neurológicas atípicas del síndrome de reconstitución inmunológico por infección con el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana, reporte de dos casos
Authors: Bernal-Cano Francisco , Suárez Jorge Oswaldo , Álvarez Carlos Arturo , Lowentein Ellen , Valderrama Sandra Liliana , Gómez Carlos Hernando , Támara José Roberto , Tenorio Iván Ramiro
Published: January 2020

El síndrome inflamatorio de reconstitución inmunológica en caso de infección por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) es una entidad clínica rara, que se manifiesta con la activación de procesos infecciosos oportunistas que se encontraban estables.Presentamos dos casos de este síndrome con compromiso del sistema nervioso central: síndrome de movimientos anormales y periférico, y síndrome de Guillain-Barré.
Disponibilidad y barreras para el acceso a opioides en Colombia: experiencia de una institución universitaria
Authors: Flórez Rojas Sandra Patricia , León Delgado Marta Ximena , Rubiano González Lina María , Malagón Sintura Yenny Carolina , Gómez Castellanos Sandra Milena , Castellanos Caro Gina Lizeth , Briker Ángel Andrea , Torres Anaya Ana Marcela
Published: January 2020

Introducción: El consumo de opioides es uno de los indicadores de la calidad de alivio de dolor de un país. Colombia presenta un bajo consumo de opioides para uso médico, debido a diferentes factores a lo largo de una cadena de distribución, cuyo usuario final es el paciente. Identificar las barreras que los pacientes encuentran para acceder a dichos medicamentos, permitirá sugerir soluciones.Métodos: Mediante una encuesta estructurada se determinaron las barreras para acceder a los opioides de pacientes con dolor crónico que asistieron a una consulta ambulatoria de dolor en una institución hospitalaria en Colombia.Resultados: Se encuestaron 24 pacientes entre 40 y 59 años. El 67% tuvo problemas para obtener el medicamento; 33% reportó problemas de autorización con sus aseguradoras; 33% tuvo inconvenientes con el sitio de entrega del medicamento; 17% tuvo problemas con la información sobre cómo hacer el trámite y, 17%, problemas con la fórmula médica. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes tuvo dificultades para acceder adecuadamente al opioide. Se sugiere proponer mecanismos para mejorar las condiciones de acceso a los opioides para los pacientes que sufren dolor.
Sarcoma de Kaposi en trasplante renal, respuesta a sirolimus: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura científica
Authors: García Paola Karina , Córdoba Buritica Juan Pablo , Rodríguez Martha Patricia , Echeverri José Enrique , Lozano Eyner , Benavides Carlos
Published: January 2020

El cáncer en el paciente que ha recibido un trasplante es una enfermedad reconocida, con factores de riesgo demostrados e incidencia 3,12 mayor que en la población general. El sarcoma de Kaposi ocurre 400 a 500 veces más frecuentemente en el receptor de trasplante renal. Hicimos una revisión de la literatura científica a raíz del primer caso de sarcoma de Kaposi en nuestro grupo de trasplante renal del Hospital Universitario San Ignacio.
Consumo de psicotrópicos sin prescripción médica en farmacodependientes en proceso de rehabilitación
Authors: Medina-Pérez Óscar , Rubio Luz Adriana , Ramírez-Carrillo Sandra Viviana , Rodríguez-Bernal Mileidy
Published: January 2020

Objetivo. Caracterizar el consumo de psicotrópicos sin prescripción médica en farmacodependientes atendidos por una fundación dedicada a la rehabilitación, en el departamento del Quindío, Colombia, entre los años 2006 y 2009.Métodos. Se utilizó como instrumento para recolectar la información el formulario del Sistema de Vigilancia Epidemiológica para Uso Indebido de Sustancias Psicoactivas –VESPA–, aplicados a los usuarios al momento de ingresar a la institución.Resultados. En total, 175 personas manifestaron haber consumido psicotrópicos sin prescripción médica; de ellas, 92% dijo haber consumido Rivotril y 15% consumieron Rohypnol. Actualmente, 62 consume psicotrópicos y, de ellos, 21% los ingieren, por lo menos, una vez al día. La edad promedio de inicio de consumo de sustancias psicoactivas fue 12,61 años, en su mayoría, tabaco (43%); la de psicotrópicos fue 16,9 años. Conclusiones. Estas cifras sugieren, por un lado, la necesidad de más programas de prevención de consumo de sustancias psicoactivas y, por el otro, de que las autoridades competentes adopten más medidas de control sobre la circulación y el expendio de psicotrópicos.
Importancia y utilidad de las “Guías de simulación clínica” en los procesos de aprendizaje en medicina y ciencias de la salud
Authors: Amaya Afanador Adalberto
Published: January 2020

El uso de guías es una herramienta didáctica tradicionalmente utilizada, no solo en educación médica y ciencias de la salud sino en múltiples profesiones, principalmente por aquellos que fundamentan su quehacer docente en el constructivismo. Su utilidad se ha centrado para la formación en medicina y otras ciencias de la salud en la estandarización de protocolos de manejo, los cuales muchas veces utilizan, por ejemplo, a la denominada medicina basada en la evidencia, como criterio fundamental de calidad con el fin de lograr dicha estandarización conceptual. La utilidad que tienen las guías de simulación clínica difiere un poco de este concepto y, a pesar de requerir obviamente de una fundamentación científica inequívoca, las guías se convierten en un producto intelectual docente, centrado en un proyecto educativo que refleja en la mayoría de los casos una escuela de formación.A diferencia del concepto descrito de manera tradicional, en el cual el objeto de las guías corresponde a la globalización y estandarización de procesos, las guías en simulación clínica, si bien estandarizan procesos con el fin de obtener mejores desempeños en la evaluación de los mismos, no pretenden ser globalizados sino centrados en una visión de formación docente acorde con el proyecto educativo institucional; por lo tanto, son de carácter institucional y favorecen el desarrollo de la denominada “escuela de formación”.De igual manera, el uso de guías de simulación clínica favorece los conceptos educativos actuales, tales como evaluación formativa, autoevaluación y coevaluación, seguridad psicológica, formación por competencias y seguridad del paciente.
Callosotomía en el tratamiento de epilepsia resistente
Authors: Mantilla Borda David Leonardo , Nariño González Daniel , Acevedo González Juan Carlos , Berreo Calderón Manuel Enrique , Zorro Guío Óscar Fernando
Published: January 2020

La callosotomía es una técnica aunque antigua aun hoy en día sigue vigente como opción terapéutica quirúrgica en pacientes con epilepsia refractaria, en especial pacientes con epilepsia multifocal, crisis tónicas, atónicas y drops attacks, es una cirugía segura con baja morbilidad y mortalidad siendo la mayoría de las veces complicaciones transitorias.
Causality-constrained measurements of aural acoustic reflectance and reflection functions
Authors: Keefe Douglas H.
Published: January 2020

Causality-constrained procedures are described to measure acoustic pressure reflectance and reflection function (RF) in the ear canal or unknown waveguide, in which reflectance is the Fourier transform of the RF. Reflectance calibration is reformulated to generate causal outputs, with results described for a calibration based on a reflectance waveguide equation to calculate incident pressure and source reflectance in the frequency domain or source RF in the time domain. The viscothermal model RF of each tube is band-limited to the stimulus bandwidth. Results are described in which incident pressure is either known from long-tube measurements or calculated as a calibration output. Calibrations based on constrained nonlinear optimizations are simpler and more accurate when incident pressure is known. Outputs measured by causality-constrained procedures differ at higher frequencies from those using standard procedures with non-causal outputs. Evanescent-mode effects formulated in the time domain and incorporated into frequency-domain calibrations are negligible for long-tube calibrations. Causal reflectance and RFs are evaluated in an adult ear canal and time- and frequency-domain results are contrasted using forward and inverse Fourier transforms. These results contribute to the long-term goals of improving applications to calibrate sound stimuli in the ear canal at high frequencies and diagnose conductive hearing impairments.
Structural and Biomolecular Analyses of Borrelia burgdorferi BmpD Reveal a Substrate-Binding Protein of an ABC-Type Nucleoside Transporter Family
Authors: Cuellar Julia , Åstrand Mia , Elovaara Heli , Pietikäinen Annukka , Sirén Saija , Liljeblad Arto , Guédez Gabriela , Salminen Tiina A. , Hytönen Jukka
Published: January 2020

Borrelia burgdorferi
sensu lato
, the causative agent of tick-borne Lyme borreliosis (LB), has a limited metabolic capacity and needs to acquire nutrients, such as amino acids, fatty acids, and nucleic acids, from the host environment. Using X-ray crystallography, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, microscale thermophoresis, and cellular localization studies, we show that basic membrane protein D (BmpD) is a periplasmic substrate-binding protein of an ABC transporter system binding to purine nucleosides.
Pel Polysaccharide Biosynthesis Requires an Inner Membrane Complex Comprised of PelD, PelE, PelF, and PelG
Authors: Whitfield Gregory B. , Marmont Lindsey S. , Ostaszewski Alex , Rich Jacquelyn D. , Whitney John C. , Parsek Matthew R. , Harrison Joe J. , Howell P. Lynne
Published: January 2020

The exopolysaccharide Pel plays an important role in bacterial cell-cell interactions, surface adhesion, and protection against certain antibiotics. We identified invariant
pelDEFG
gene clusters in over 500 diverse proteobacterial species. Using
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, we demonstrate that PelD, PelE, PelF, and PelG form a complex at the inner membrane and propose that this complex represents the previously unidentified Pel polysaccharide synthase, which is responsible for Pel polymerization and transport across the cytoplasmic membrane. We show that the formation of this complex is independent of cyclic 3′,5′-dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) binding to the receptor PelD. Collectively, these data establish the widespread Pel apparatus as a member of the synthase-dependent pathway of polysaccharide biosynthetic systems and broaden the architectural diversity of already-established bacterial polysaccharide synthases.
Mouse Genetic Background Affects Transfer of an Antibiotic Resistance Plasmid in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Ott Logan C. , Stromberg Zachary R. , Redweik Graham A. J. , Wannemuehler Michael J. , Mellata Melha
Published: January 2020

Antibiotic resistance is a threat to public health. Many clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes are carried on plasmids that can be transferred to other bacterial members in the gastrointestinal tract. The current study used a murine model to study the transfer of a large antibiotic resistance plasmid from a foodborne
Salmonella
strain to a gut commensal
E. coli
strain in the gastrointestinal tract. We found that different mouse genetic backgrounds and a different diversity of microbial communities influenced the level of
Escherichia coli
that acquired the plasmid in the gastrointestinal tract. This study suggests that the complexity of the microbial community and host genetics influence plasmid transfer from donor to recipient bacteria.
Linking risk factors and outcomes in autism spectrum disorder: is there evidence for resilience?
Authors: Elsabbagh Mayada
Published: January 2020

Autism spectrum disorder (referred to here as autism) is one of several overlapping neurodevelopmental conditions that have variable impacts on different individuals. This variability results from dynamic interactions between biological and non-biological risk factors, which result in increasing differentiation between individuals over time. Although this differentiation continues well into adulthood, the infancy period is when the brain and behavior develop rapidly, and when the first signs and symptoms of autism emerge. This review discusses advances in our understanding of the causal pathways leading to autism and overlapping neurodevelopmental conditions. Research is also mapping trajectories of brain and behavioral development for some risk groups, namely later born siblings of children with autism and/or infants referred because of developmental concerns. This knowledge has been useful in improving early identification and establishing the feasibility of targeted interventions for infant risk groups before symptoms arise. However, key knowledge gaps remain, such as the discovery of protective factors (biological or environmental) that may mitigate the impact of risk. Also, the dynamic mechanisms that underlie the associations between risk factors and outcomes need further research. These include the processes of resilience, which may explain why some individuals at risk for autism achieve better than expected outcomes. Bridging these knowledge gaps would help to provide tools for early identification and intervention that reflect dynamic developmental pathways from risk to outcomes.
Is telehealthcare for heart failure patients cost-effective? An economic evaluation alongside the Danish TeleCare North heart failure trial
Authors: Vestergaard Anne Sig , Hansen Louise , Sørensen Sabrina Storgaard , Jensen Morten Berg , Ehlers Lars Holger
Published: January 2020

Objective

This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of telehealthcare in heart failure patients as add-on to usual care.

Design

A cost-utility analysis was conducted from a public payer perspective alongside the randomised controlled TeleCare North trial.

Setting

The North Denmark Region, Denmark.

Participants

The study included 274 heart failure patients with self-reported New York Heart Association class II-IV.

Interventions

Patients in the intervention group were provided with a Telekit consisting of a tablet, a digital blood pressure monitor, and a scale and were instructed to perform measurements one to two times a week. The responsibility of the education, instructions and monitoring of the heart failure (HF) patients was placed on municipality nurses trained in HF and telemonitoring. Both groups received usual care.

Outcome measures

Cost-effectiveness was reported as incremental net monetary benefit (NMB). A micro-costing approach was applied to evaluate the derived savings in the first year in the public health sector. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) gained were estimated using the EuroQol 5-Dimensions 5-Levels questionnaire at baseline and at a 1-year follow-up.

Results

Data for 274 patients were included in the main analysis. The telehealthcare solution provided a positive incremental NMB of £5164. The 1-year adjusted QALY difference between the telehealthcare solution and the usual care group was 0.0034 (95% CI: −0.0711 to 0.0780). The adjusted difference in costs was -£5096 (95% CI: −8736 to −1456) corresponding to a reduction in total healthcare costs by 35%. All sensitivity analyses showed the main results were robust.

Conclusions

The TeleCare North solution for monitoring HF was highly cost-effective. There were significant cost savings on hospitalisations, primary care contacts and total costs.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT02860013.
Resilience, burnout and coping mechanisms in UK doctors: a cross-sectional study
Authors: McKinley Nicola , McCain R Scott , Convie Liam , Clarke Mike , Dempster Martin , Campbell William Jeffrey , Kirk Stephen James
Published: January 2020

Aims

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess resilience, professional quality of life and coping mechanisms in UK doctors. It also aimed to assess the impact of demographic variables, such as sex, grade and specialty on these factors.

Methods

During October and November 2018, medical doctors in the UK were eligible to complete an online survey made up of validated psychological instruments. Royal Colleges and other medical organisations invited their membership to participate via newsletters, email invitations, websites and social media.

Results

1651 doctors participated from a wide range of specialties and grades across the UK. The mean resilience score was 65.01 (SD 12.3), lower than population norms. Of those who responded, 31.5% had high burnout (BO), 26.2% had high secondary traumatic stress and 30.7% had low compassion satisfaction (CS). Doctors who responded from emergency medicine were more burned out than any other specialty group (F=2.62, p=0.001, df 14). Those who responded from general practice scored lowest for CS (F=6.43, p<0.001, df 14). 120 (8%) doctors met the criteria for all three of high BO, high STS and low CS. The most frequently reported coping mechanism was the maladaptive strategy of self-distraction.

Conclusions

One-third of UK doctors who responded are burned out and suffering from STS. Those who responded from emergency medicine and general practice appear to be suffering the most. Over 100 doctors fell into the at-risk category of high BO, high STS and low CS. Future analysis of the free text responses from doctors may help to identify factors that are playing a role in the high levels of BO and STS being reported by medical staff.
Vulnerability of different nerves to intrafascicular injection by different needle types and at different approach angles: a mathematical model
Authors: Sanromán-Junquera Margarita , Boezaart Andre , Zasimovich Yury , Nin Olga C , Sala-Blanch Xavier , De Andres Jose , Reina Miguel A
Published: January 2020

Background and objectives

We assume that intrafascicular spread of a solution can only occur if a large enough portion of the distal needle orifice is placed inside the fascicle. Our aim is to present and evaluate a mathematical model that can calculate the theoretical vulnerability of fascicles, analyzing the degree of occupancy of the needle orifice in fascicular tissue by performing simulations of multiple positions that a needle orifice can take inside a cross-sectional nerve area.

Methods

We superimposed microscopic images of two routinely used nerve block needles (22-gauge, 15° needle and 22-gauge, 30° needle) over the microscopic images of cross-sections of four nerve types photographed at the same magnification. Fascicular tissue that was overlapped between 80% and 100% by a needle orifice was considered at risk to possible intrafascicular injection. The effect of three angular approaches was evaluated.

Results

There were statistical differences between the vulnerability of fascicular tissue depending on nerve type, the bevel angle of the needle and the angle approach. Fascicular vulnerability was greater in nerve roots of the brachial plexus after using a 22-gauge 30° needle, as was choosing a 45° angle approach to the longitudinal axis of the nerve.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that clinicians may want to consider needle insertion angle and bevel type as they perform peripheral nerve blocks. Furthermore, researchers may want to consider this mathematical model when estimating vulnerabilities of various nerves, needle types and angles of approach of needles to nerves.
Fall defoliation affects acquisition of freezing tolerance and spring regrowth in asparagus
Authors: Nolet Nic , Wolyn David J.
Published: January 2020

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) acquires freezing tolerance during a period of fall acclimation when both photoperiod and temperature decrease. The above-ground vegetative growth may be important for sensing changing environmental conditions and translocating compounds to the below-ground crown. Defoliation experiments, repeated over 2 yr, were conducted by removing fern in mid-August, -September, and -October and evaluating crown metabolites and LT50, the temperature at which 50% of plants die, at monthly intervals to mid-November. Spring emergence and vigor were also assessed in separate experiments. In the first year, only mid-August defoliation affected LT50 values, decreasing freezing tolerance, which was associated with diminished rhizome proline concentration and storage root low- and high-molecular-weight fructan concentrations. All defoliation treatments in the second year decreased LT50 values, or increased freezing tolerance, possibly resulting from an interaction between defoliation and drought which increased rhizome sucrose concentrations. Defoliation decreased spring vigor in both experiments; the response was proportional to the earliness of the treatment and associated with rhizome and storage root fructan levels. Crowns of plants defoliated in mid-August had increasing proline concentrations during the fall, similar to control plants, suggesting the below-ground organs may have sensed soil temperature to cold acclimate. Autumn defoliation to control disease, harvest seed, or implement other cultural practices can reduce vigor and likely attenuate long-term performance of a plantation.
Evaluating trade-offs between forage, biting flies, and footing on habitat selection by wood bison (Bison bison athabascae)
Authors: Belanger R.J. , Edwards M.A. , Carbyn L.N. , Nielsen S.E.
Published: January 2020

Habitat selection is a behavioural process that ultimately affects animal fitness. Forage availability and predation risk are often studied in the context of habitat selection for large ungulates, while other biological and environmental factors such as insect harassment and footing are less studied. Here we examine trade-offs in summer habitat selection between forage availability for wood bison (Bison bison athabascae Rhoads, 1898) with that of biting-fly harassment and soil firmness, which affects activity budgets and predation risk, respectively, and contrast this to winter when flies are absent and soils frozen. Using path analysis, we demonstrate that graminoid availability was not related to habitat selection in summer, but was positively related to habitat selection in winter. Habitat selection in summer was negatively related to biting-fly abundance and positively related to firmer footing. Our results suggest that bison observe trade-offs in summer between maximizing forage intake and minimizing harassment from that of biting flies, while avoiding areas of soft substrates that affect locomotion and vulnerability to predators. In contrast, during the winter, bison focus on areas with greater graminoid availability. Although forage is a key aspect of habitat selection, our results illustrate the importance of considering direct and indirect effects of multiple biological and environmental factors related to ungulate habitat selection.
Time-independent approximations for time-dependent optical potentials
Authors: Fring Andreas , Tenney Rebecca
Published: January 2020

We explore the possibility of modifying the Lewis–Riesenfeld method of invariants developed originally to find exact solutions for time-dependent quantum mechanical systems for the situation in which an exact invariant can be constructed, but the subsequently resulting time-independent eigenvalue system is not solvable exactly. We propose to carry out this step in an approximate fashion, such as employing standard time-independent perturbation theory or the WKB approximation, and subsequently feeding the resulting approximated expressions back into the time-dependent scheme. We illustrate the quality of this approach by contrasting an exactly solvable solution to one obtained with a perturbatively carried out second step for two types of explicitly time-dependent optical potentials.
Some Feasibility Studies for Recycling of Steel Slag as a Useful Flux for Submerged Arc Welding
Authors: Saini Sumit , Singh Kulwant
Published: January 2020

Protection of environment from industrialization and urbanization waste is the prime duty of engineers and researchers. Elimination of industrial waste completely is not possible because it is generally a byproduct of the process. It can be minimized by recycling or reusing. In this research, waste slag generated by steel plant is recycled as a useful flux for submerged arc welding. It is found that recycled slag is capable of producing acceptable weld bead geometry. The penetration achieved using recycled slag is 7.897[Formula: see text]mm, which is more than the penetration obtained using fresh flux, i.e. 6.027[Formula: see text]mm. The reinforcement produced by recycled slag is 2.632[Formula: see text]mm, which is close to the reinforcement obtained using fresh flux. It is further observed that chemistry of weld metal deposited using recycled slag is also at par with that of weld metal produced using fresh original flux. The amount of carbon present in weld metal produced by recycled slag is 0.15%, which is comparable to the percentage of carbon present in weld metal produced using fresh flux. The microstructure and microhardness obtained using recycled slag are also comparable with the microstructure and microhardness obtained using fresh flux. This research established the feasibility of recycling slag as a flux required for submerged arc welding process.
Subpopulation-specific differences in skeletal muscle mitochondria in humans with obesity: insights from studies employing acute nutritional and exercise stimuli
Authors: Wahwah Nisreen , Kras Katon A. , Roust Lori R. , Katsanos Christos S.
Published: January 2020

Mitochondria from skeletal muscle of humans with obesity often display alterations with respect to their morphology, proteome, biogenesis, and function. These changes in muscle mitochondria are considered to contribute to metabolic abnormalities observed in humans with obesity. Most of the evidence describing alterations in muscle mitochondria in humans with obesity, however, lacks reference to a specific subcellular location. This is despite data over the years showing differences in the morphology and function of subsarcolemmal (found near the plasma membrane) and intermyofibrillar (nested between the myofibrils) mitochondria in skeletal muscle. Recent studies reveal that impairments in mitochondrial function in obesity with respect to the subcellular location of the mitochondria in muscle are more readily evident following exposure of the skeletal muscle to physiological stimuli. In this review, we highlight the need to understand skeletal muscle mitochondria metabolism in obesity in a subpopulation-specific manner and in the presence of physiological stimuli that modify mitochondrial function in vivo. Experimental approaches employed under these conditions will allow for more precise characterization of impairments in skeletal muscle mitochondria and their implications in inducing metabolic dysfunction in human obesity.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Clostridioides Difficile Infection in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease
Authors: Meighani Alireza , Alimirah Maryam , Ramesh Mayur , Salgia Reena
Published: January 2020

Background. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a well-established therapeutic option for patients with antibiotic resistant Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). However, the efficacy of FMT in patients with chronic liver disease remains elusive. Aims. We studied the effect of FMT on chronic liver disease (CLD) patients with CDI at our tertiary medical center. Methods. A cohort of all patients who received FMT from December 2012 to May 2014 for refractory or recurrent CDI was identified. Patients were monitored for a year after FMT. Descriptive analysis was conducted to compare the effect of FMT in patients with and without CLD. Results. A total of 201 patients with CDI received FMT, 14 of which had a history of CLD. Nine of these patients exhibited cirrhosis of the liver with a mean Child-Turcotte-Pugh score of 8. CDI development in these patients was associated with recent exposure to antibiotics and was observed to be significantly different between both groups (17% of CLD patients vs. 58% in the general cohort, p=0.01). Four patients with CLD received >1 FMT, of which 2 did not respond to treatment. There was no significant difference between patients with liver disease and the rest of the cohort with regard to FMT response (12/14 (87%) vs. 164/187 (88%), p=0.68). Conclusion. FMT is a safe and effective therapy against CDI for patients with CLD and cirrhosis.
Magnitude of Antenatal Depression and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women in West Badewacho Woreda, Hadiyya Zone, South Ethiopia: Community Based Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Lodebo Mengistu , Birhanu Dagmawit , Abdu Samuel , Yohannes Tadele
Published: January 2020

Background. Antenatal depression is prevalent and serious problems that is associated with psychosocial factors, obstetric history, and history of psychiatric illness. Evidence on prevalence and factors associated with antenatal depression at community level is limited in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was assessing the prevalence of antenatal depression and associated factors among pregnant women in West Badewacho Woreda, Hadiyya Zone, South Ethiopia, 2018. Methods. A community based cross sectional study was conducted from March 15 to April 12, 2018. To draw a total sample size of 541 pregnant women, multistage sampling technique was used. Pretested semi-structured questionnaire and standardized scale was used to collect data from each study subject. Data were entered and cleaned using Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Bivariate analysis was carried out to see crude association between each independent variable and outcome variable. Odds ratios at 95%CI were computed to measure the strength of the association between the outcome and the independent variables. P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant in multivariate analysis. Results. The prevalence of antenatal depression in the study population was 23.3% (CI: 19.8–26.8). Factors significantly associated with antenatal depression were marital status other than married (single, widowed, divorced) [AOR: (2.807; 95%CI: (1.268, 6.227); p-value = 0.042], history of previous depression [AOR: 3.414; 95%CI: (1.154, 12.999); p-value = 0.001] family history of mental illness [AOR: 3.874; 95%CI: (1.653, 7.052); p-value = 0.028], recent violence from intimate partner [AOR: 3.223; 95%CI: (1.359, 7.643); p-value = 0.008], unsatisfactory marital relation [AOR: 7.568; 95%CI: (3.943, 14.523); p-value < 0.001], lack of adequate social support [AOR: 5.491; 95%CI: (2.086, 14.451); p-value < 0.001] and unplanned current pregnancy [AOR: 2.013; 95%CI: (1.025, 3.953); p-value = 0.042]. Conclusion. The prevalence of antenatal depression in west Badewacho woreda was high and it is associated with marital status, unplanned current pregnancy, history of previous depression, family history of mental illness, recent violence from intimate partner, poor marital satisfaction level, and poor social support. Improving maternal and child health services and introducing screening for depression as part of routine antenatal assessment to curb antenatal depression should get due attention.
A New Type of Industrial Robot Trajectory Generation Component Based on Motion Modularity Technology
Authors: Liu Zhaoming , Liu Nailong , Wang Hongwei , Tian Shen , Bai Ning , Zhang Feng , Cui Long
Published: January 2020

Motion modularity is the main method of motion control for higher animals. That means the complex movements of the muscles are made up of basic motion primitives, and the brain or central nervous system does not care about the specific details of the movement. However, the industrial robot control system does not adopt the technical roadmap of motion modularity, it generates complex trajectories by providing a large number of sampling points. This approach is equivalent to using the brain to directly guide the specific movement of the muscle and has to rely on a faster Fieldbus system to obtain complex motion trajectories. This work constructs a modularized industrial robot trajectory generation component based on Dynamic Movement Primitives (DMP) theory. With this component, the robot controller can generate complex trajectories without increasing the sampling points and can obtain good trajectory accuracy. Finally, the rationality of this system is proved by simulations and experiments.
Highly Selective Reduction of Bio-Based Furfural to Furfuryl Alcohol Catalyzed by Supported KF with Polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS)
Authors: Yu Zhaozhuo , Wu Weibo , Li Hu , Yang Song
Published: January 2020

Hydrogenation of bio-based furfural (FUR) to furfuryl alcohol (FFA) is tremendously expanding the application of biomass in many industries such as resins, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals. However, mass manufacture of FFA from FUR is restrained by strict requirements of reaction conditions and expensive catalysts. In this work, an economical and benign catalytic system, containing an easily prepared and reusable catalyst 5 wt.% KF/ZrO2 and a low-cost hydrogen source polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS), was developed to be efficient for the hydrogenation of FUR to high-value FFA under mild conditions. The catalyst reactivity was found to be remarkably influenced by the support acid-base properties and KF loading doge. In the presence of 5 wt.% KF/ZrO2, a high FFA yield of 97% and FUR conversion of 99% could be obtained at 25°C in just 0.5 h, which was superior to those attained with other tested catalysts. The KF/ZrO2 catalyst could be recycled at least five times, with the FFA yield slightly decreasing from 97% to 71%. The spare decrease in FFA yield is possibly attributed to the catalyst pore blocking, as clarified by SEM, BET, XPS, and ICP-MS measurements of the fresh and reused catalysts.
The Burden of Malnutrition among Adults Residing in Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS): A WHO STEPS Survey
Authors: Gutema Befikadu Tariku , Chuka Adefris , Kondale Mekdes , Ayele Gistane , Kote Mesfin , Zerdo Zerihun , Merdekios Behailu , Tsala Tsegaye , Baharu Alazar , Ukke Gebresilasea Gendisha
Published: January 2020

Background. Malnutrition is one of the main underlying risk factors for the deaths due to different diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with underweight and overweight among adults residing in Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS), Southern Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to June 2017. The data collection procedures and 3,368 calculated sample size were based on the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach to Surveillance guideline. Using the surveillance data of Arba Minch HDSS, simple random sampling technique was implemented to identify individuals for the study. To assess the presence of association, the multinomial logistic regression model was used. Results. The mean (SD) body mass index of the participants was 21.5 4.90 kg/m2. From 3,346 participants, 23.3% of the study participants were affected by malnutrition (10.8% and 12.5% were overweight and underweight, respectively). The prevalence of underweight was increased significantly among individuals aged 45–54 years and 55–64 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.70 and 1.93, respectively) compared with those who were 25–34 years old. Belonging to households with higher wealth index quintile (2nd quintile AOR is 0.58 and 4th quintile AOR is 0.66) has decreased the chance of adult individual to be underweight compared with the poorest households. On the other hand, the prevalence of overweight was significantly higher among females (AOR 1.60), urban residents (AOR 1.72), those with formal education (primary AOR 1.89 and secondary and above AOR 1.94), and higher wealth index (5th quintile AOR 1.87). Conclusion. One in five adult individuals was malnourished in the study area. The double burden of malnutrition at the population level is becoming a challenge for this community, as both underweight and overweight are becoming prevalent. Sex, age, residency, educational status, current tobacco use, occupation, and wealth index were identified as important determinates of under- and overweight.
In Vitro and In Vivo Toxicity Studies on Cymbopogon giganteus Chiov. Leaves Essential Oil from Benin
Authors: Toukourou Habib , Uwambayinema Francine , Yakoub Yousof , Mertens Birgit , Laleye Anatole , Lison Dominique , Quetin-Leclercq Joelle , Gbaguidi Fernand
Published: January 2020

Cymbopogon giganteus Chiov. (Poaceae) is a medicinal plant used to treat various diseases in traditional medicine in several African countries. The present study aims to evaluate the oral and inhalation toxicity as well as the mutagenic effects of the essential oil of Cymbopogon giganteus leaves (EOCG) from a sample collected in Benin. Mutagenic potential was assessed by the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100. Oral acute toxicity was carried out by administration of a single dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w. to Wistar rats while oral subacute toxicity was assessed by daily administration of 50 and 500 mg/kg of EOCG for 28 days. Finally, inhalation toxicity was assessed by administration of a single dose of 0.125%, 0.5%, 2% or 5% v/v of EOCG emulsions in 0.05% v/v lecithin solution in sterile water for the first experiment, and in a second one by administration of single dose of 0.125% or 0.5% v/v. A broncho-alveolar lavage was performed after 3 h or 24 h, respectively. The results show that EOCG is not mutagenic on Salmonella typhimurium strains at the highest concentration tested (200 μg/plate). In the acute oral toxicity study, EOCG induce neither mortality nor toxicity, showing that the LD50 is greater than 2000 mg/kg. The subacute oral toxicity study at both doses did not show any significant difference in body weight, relative organ weight, hematological and/or biochemical parameters or histopathology as compared to the control group. EOCG induced mortality and inflammation in lungs 3 h after administration of a single dose of 5% or 2% v/v. Single doses of 0.125% or 0.5% v/v did not induce inflammation, cell recruitment nor cytotoxicity in lungs 3 h or 24 h after administration, suggesting safety at these concentrations. This first report on the in vivo toxicity will be useful to guide safe uses of EOCG.
Serum Metabolomics of Early Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Elderly Patients Using Liquid Chromatography and Q-TOF Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Qian Gang , Wang YueLan
Published: January 2020

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common postoperative complication observed in elderly patients. However, the diagnosis of POCD is not very satisfactory as no specific biomarkers have been classified. It is necessary to identify new diagnostic markers to better understand the pathogenesis of POCD. We performed liquid chromatography with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer- (LC/Q-TOF-MS-) based metabolomics study to investigate POCD. A total of 40 metabolites were differentially expressed between POCD and non-POCD patients. In this study, we investigated whether phosphatidylserine (PS) (17:2/0:0), with an area under the curve value of 0.966, was a potential sensitive and specific biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of POCD. Pathway analysis showed that fatty acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and carnitine metabolism were significantly altered in POCD. Network analysis indicated that nitric oxide signaling, PI3K-AKT signaling, mTOR signaling, and mitochondrial dysfunction were related to the pathogenesis of POCD. This study showed that metabolic profiling was meaningful when studying the diagnosis and pathogenesis of POCD.