bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fecal DNA Isolation and Degradation in Clam Cyclina sinensis: Noninvasive DNA Isolation for Conservation and Genetic Assessment
Authors: Zhang Min , Wei Min , Dong Zhiguo , Mao Shuang , Duan Haibao , Feng Senlei , Li Wenqian , Sun Zepeng , Li Jiawei , Yan Kanglu , Liu Hao , Meng Xueping , Ge Hongxing
Published: October 2019

Background

To avoid destructive sampling for conservation and genetic assessment, we isolated the DNA of clam Cyclina sinensis from their feces. DNA electrophoresis and PCR amplification were used to determine the quality of fecal DNA. And we analyzed the effects of different conditions on the degradation of feces and fecal DNA.Results

The clear fecal DNA bands were detected by electrophoresis, and PCR amplification using clam fecal DNA as template was effective and reliable, suggesting that clam feces can be used as an ideal material for noninvasive DNA isolation. In addition, by analyzing the effects of different environmental temperatures and soaking times on the degradation of feces and fecal DNA, we found that the optimum temperature was 4 °C. In 15 days, the feces maintained good texture, and the quality of fecal DNA was good. At 28 °C, the feces degraded in 5 days, and the quality of fecal DNA was poor.Conclusions

The clam feces can be used as an ideal material for noninvasive DNA isolation. Moreover, the quality of fecal DNA is negatively correlated with environmental temperature and soaking time.
Client perceived quality of postnatal care following a normal delivery provided by public sector specialized care institutions in Sri Lanka: A cross sectional study
Authors: Wickramasinghe Sashimali , Gunathunga Wasantha , Hemachandra Nilmini
Published: October 2019

Background:
Majority of the maternal and neonatal adverse events take place during the postnatal period. Provision of high-quality care during this period can minimize these events. Assessment of mothers’ perceptions of the quality of care received by them provides valuable feedback to improve the care and ultimately outcomes.
Methods:
A cross sectional survey was conducted in specialized institutions of Colombo district, Sri Lanka, to assess the maternal perceptions of the quality of regular postnatal care and its correlations, using an interviewer administered questionnaire. The questionnaire contained 23 items distributed under three main domains: technical and information domain, interpersonal care domain and ward facilities and cleanliness domain. Each item was given a score from 1 to 5 and total scores were calculated for the total questionnaire and for each domain. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the perceptions and multivariate analysis was conducted to assess the significant correlates of positive perceptions.
Results:
The median score obtained for the questionnaire was 108, (Inter Quartile Range 96-114). The median scores of the technical care and information domain, interpersonal care domain and ward facilities and cleanliness domain were 43 (IQR 38-45), 33 (IQR 30-35) and 32 (IQR 28-35) respectively. Attending teaching/ specialized hospitals (1.6, p<0.001), 20-35 age group (aOR=1.8, p=0.024), and services such as initiation of breast feeding within one hour of delivery (2.1, p=0.009), pain relief during episiotomy suturing (2.2, p<0.001), practicing Kangaroo Mother Care (1.4, p=0.035), receiving health advices by doctors or midwives (2.1, p<0.001) were significant correlates of positive perceptions.
Conclusions:
Majority of mothers had favourable perceptions of the quality of care received by them. However, the ward facilities and environment domain has obtained lower ratings compared to technical and interpersonal care domains. Several services were significantly associated with favourable perceptions. Authorities should consider these findings when attempting to improve care quality. Further, this assessment should be carried out regularly to obtain more current data.

Key words:
Client perceptions, Postnatal care, Quality of care, Client perceived care, institutional postnatal care
Clinical and histologic tissue responses of skin incisions closed with glycomer 631 and lactomer 9-1 using subcuticular technique in pigs
Authors: Plavec Tanja , Švara Tanja , Zdovc Irena , Gombač Mitja , Damjanovska Marija , Pintarič Tatjana Stopar , Cvetko Erika , Seliškar Alenka
Published: October 2019

Background: Glycomer 631 and lactomer 9-1 are absorbable suture materials indicated for soft tissue approximation in non-infected wounds. Pigs are often used as surgical models in translational research, however, the reports of tissue reactions to both suture materials in pigs are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess clinical and histologic responses of skin incisions closed with subcuticular technique using glycomer 631 and lactomer 9-1 in pigs.
Results: Skin incisions of 17 pigs were closed with glycomer 631 and lactomer 9-1 and clinical reactive score (CRS) including erythema, swelling, discharge, and dehiscence was calculated on postoperative days 7 and 14. Subcuticular tissue reaction was assessed histologically on postoperative day 14 (the presence of extravascular neutrophils, macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, bacterial colonies, overall severity of inflammatory response to suture material), and the cumulative score of variables calculated as aggregate tissue irritation score (ATIS). Tissue samples were examined for suture extrusion and evaluated microbiologically. Clinical reactive score did not differ between the suture materials. Only one variable of ATIS, overall severity of inflammatory response, was lower ( p = 0.029) when glycomer 631 was used. Suture extrusion was found in 10/17 of incisions closed by glycomer 631 and in 7/13 of incisions closed by lactomer 9-1. Trueperella pyogenes was isolated from the skin and from the area of tissue reaction in six pigs.
Conclusions: No difference in CRS between the suture materials was observed. Glycomer 631 induced less tissue reaction only in terms of overall severity of inflammatory response. Suture extrusion was observed in more than 50% of incisions regardless of the suture material. Trueperella pyogenes was the only pathogen isolated from the tissue surrounding the suture material.
Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Radiologists in Saudi Arabia: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Shammari Malak Al , Hassan Ali , Dandan Omran Al , Gadeeb Mohammed Al , Bubshait Dalal
Published: October 2019

Background : Musculoskeletal symptoms account for the majority of work-related illnesses resulting in a significant economic burden on society. Computer users are subject to unique repetitive strains that predispose them to musculoskeletal symptoms. In the digitalized field of radiology, radiologists spend long hours interpreting medical images on computers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among radiologists in Saudi Arabia and their contributing factors.
Methods : An online survey was sent to radiologists in all hospitals (academic, public and private) in the major cities of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia covering demographic characteristics, workload (e.g. the time spent at a computer workstation), and workstation environments including the number of monitors as well as the adjustability of the height of the workstation and the viewing distance. This survey of 263 radiologists was conducted in April 2019. It included an evaluation of musculoskeletal symptoms using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The study outcome was the presence of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms in any body region, which restricted the performance of normal activities in the last 12 months. Results were analyzed descriptively using a Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis to estimate the odd ratio of experiencing disabling musculoskeletal symptoms in the last 12 months.
Results : The survey was completed by 198 participants (111 men and 87 women) with a response rate of 75.3%. Most participants (71.2%) were aged below 40 years. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed being a female radiologist (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2–6.5), aged 30–39 years (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.1–15.3), and predominantly reviewing computed tomography (CT) images (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.4–12.3) or ultrasound scans (OR = 5.9; 95% CI: 1.4–25.3) were associated with higher prevalence of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms, compared to those aged below 30 years and those who reviewed various imaging modalities, respectively.
Conclusions : Musculoskeletal symptoms are common among radiologists with lower back and neck pain being the most frequent complaints. Being a female radiologist, aged 30–39 years, and reviewing CT or ultrasound scans were associated with higher rates of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms.
Assessment of factors affecting tourism satisfaction using K-nearest neighborhood and random forest models
Authors: Author) Leili Tapak(Former Corresponding , Author) Hamed Abbasi(New Corresponding , Mirhashemi Hamid
Published: October 2019

Objective

This study aimed to identify factors affecting the satisfaction of tourists traveling to the city of Hamadan as Asian urban tourism capital in 2018. The data a random sample of 300 tourists were collected using a designed questionnaire. We applied random-forest and K-nearest-neighborhood methods to analyze the data.Results

The variables of society behavior, municipal equipment and cost of services were the three top rank variables in predicting tourist satisfaction. Considering the capacity of the ancient city of Hamadan for tourism, policy-makers can use our results in planning for providing a sustainable development and flourishing tourism industry in this city.
Successful management of severe diabetic ketoacidosis in a patient with type 2 diabetes with insulin allergy: a case report
Authors: Nguyen Anh Dat , Luong Chinh Quoc , Chi Hieu Chu , Nguyen Van Khoa Dieu , Nguyen Chi Van , Nguyen Anh Tuan , Nguyen Quan Huu , Mai Ton Duy , Nguyen Dinh Van , Nguyen Bay Quang , Tran Thong Huu , Dao Phuong Viet , Nguyen Dat Tuan , Nguyen Nguyet Nhu , Do Son Ngoc
Published: October 2019

BackgroundDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute, major, life-threatening complication of diabetes that requires immediate treatment. Allergic reaction to insulin is rare, especially when using recombinant human insulin. The clinical presentation of insulin allergy can range from minor local symptoms to a severe generalized allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis. A limited number of cases have been reported on the treatment of severe DKA in patients with type 2 diabetes with insulin allergy. Here, we describe a patient with type 2 diabetes with insulin allergy in which severe DKA resolved after the initiation of continuous intravenous (IV) recombinant human insulin infusion.Case presentationA 58-year-old man with type 2 diabetes initiated subcutaneous insulin administration (SIA) after failure of oral antidiabetic treatment. Symptoms of an allergic reaction developed, including pruritic wheals appearing within 10 minutes of injection and lasting over 24 hours. Both skin prick and intradermal tests were positive with different types of insulin. Two days before admission, he stopped SIA because of allergic symptoms and then experienced weakness and upper abdominal pain. On admission, he was in severe metabolic acidosis with a pH of 6.984 and bicarbonate of 2.5 mmol/litre. The blood glucose level was 20.79 mmol/litre, BUN 4.01 mmol/litre, creatinine 128 µmol/litre, and urinary ketone 11.44 mmol/litre. Over 24 hours, metabolic acidosis was refractory to IV fluids, bicarbonate and potassium replacement, as well as haemodialysis. Ultimately, he received continuous IV recombinant human insulin infusion at a rate of 0.1 units/kg/hour, in combination with haemodiafiltration, and no further allergic reactions were observed. On day 5, ketonaemia and metabolic acidosis completely resolved. He had transitioned from IV insulin infusion to SIA on day 14. He was discharged on day 21 with SIA treatment. Three months later, he had good glycaemic control but still had allergic symptoms at the insulin injection sites.ConclusionsIn this patient, SIA caused an allergic reaction, in contrast to continuous IV insulin infusion for which allergic symptoms did not appear. Continuous IV recombinant human insulin infusion in combination with haemodiafiltration could be an option for the treatment of severe DKA in patients with diabetes with insulin allergy.
Association between ovarian reserve and preeclampsia: a cohort study
Authors: Erfani Hadi , Rahmati Maryam , Mansournia Mohammad Ali , Azizi Fereidoun , Montazeri Seyed Ali , Shamshirsaz Alireza A. , Tehrani Fahimeh Ramezani
Published: October 2019

Background

The risk of cardiovascular disease in women increases after menopause. It has been shown that women with lower pre-menopausal ovarian reserve may experience increased cardiovascular risk. We sought to determine whether there is any association between ovarian reserve, as assessed by Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), and preeclampsia (PE).Methods

Subjects of this study were selected from among participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), a population-based cohort with a 15-year follow-up (1998-2014). Out of 2412 women aged 20-50 years, there were 781 women who met eligibility criteria, including having comprehensive data on their reproductive assessment and ovarian reserve status, identified based on age-specific AMH levels according to the exponential–normal three-parameter model that was measured before pregnancy.

There were 80 and 701 participants in the preeclampsia and non-PE groups, respectively. The association between dichotomous outcome variable PE and age-specific AMH quartiles was evaluated using pooled logistic regression.Results

PE was observed in 23 (11.1%), 12 (6.4%), 26 (13.3%) and 19 (10%) women in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th quartiles of pre-pregnancy age-specific AMH, respectively (P = 0.16). Median and inter-quartile range of serum AMH levels was 1.05 (0.36 – 2.2) mg/L in women who experienced PE compared with 0.85 (0.28 – 2.1) mg/L in women with normotensive pregnancies (P = 0.53). Based on the pooled logistic regression analysis, the effect of age-specific AMH quartiles on PE progression (adjusted for age, BMI, smoking status, and family history of hypertension) were not significant (OR 1st vs 4th : 1.5, P-value: 0.1, CI: (0.9, 2.4))Conclusions

Age-specific AMH may not be a suitable marker for prediction of PE. Further longitudinal studies, considering pre-conception measurement of AMH, are recommended for better interpretation of the association between ovarian reserve status and PE.
Endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis
Authors: Yan Denglu , Zhang Zaiheng , Zhang Zhi
Published: October 2019

Background There were no studies in literature of lumbar spondylolisthesis treated by endoscopic surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (ELIF) in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis by compare to the standard transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).Methods A total of 93 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis who had surgery from February 2017 to January 2018 were categorized into different groups depending on the procedure by ELIF or TLIF. The ELIF and TLIF procedures was performed, and the clinical outcomes of blood loss, operation times, hospital stay days, pain index, ODI score, the spondylolisthesis rate and reduction rate, and the disk height and intervertebral foramen height were recorded.Results There was no intraoperative death in this series. In ends 86 cases had follow-up at least one year and 7 cases lost, and the follow-up rate and followed time were no difference between two groups (P > 0.05). The operational time was longer in ELIF than TLIF (P < 0.01).The hospital days and blood loss were significant less in endoscopic group than TLIF (P < 0.01). The pain index and ODI score, the spondylolisthesis rate and reduction rate, and the disk height and intervertebral foramen height were better than preoperational (P < 0.01), and there were no difference between two groups (P > 0.05). All patients achieved spinal fusion with no cases of cage extrusion, and no infection, and no dural tear of cerebrospinal fluid leakage complication. There were one case of radiculitis (man) at endoscopic group. CT-myelogram revealed the radiculitis patients had normal radiologic findings, and the patient was recovered by neurotrophy drugs and functional exercises after 3 months.Conclusions Endoscopic lumbar decompression and interbody fusion procedures was effective and safe measure in the treatment of the lumbar spondylolisthesis. Compare to open interbody fusion techniques, endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion was minimally invasive surgery with less bold loss and earlier postoperative recovery.
Factors associated with high-risk low-level viremia leading to virologic failure: 16-year retrospective study of a Chinese antiretroviral therapy cohort
Authors: Zhang Tong , Ding Haibo , An Minghui , Wang Xiaonan , Tian Wen , Zhao Bin , Shang Hong , Han Xiaoxu
Published: October 2019

Background: Low level viremia (LLV) often occurs during antiretroviral therapy (ART) against HIV-1. However, its impact on virologic failure (VF) is controversial because of non-uniform definitions of LLV and VF. Methods: A long-term first line regimen ART cohort from 2002–2018 from Shenyang, northeast China, was retrospectively studied. All participants were followed up every 3 to 6 months to evaluate the treatment effect. The high-risk LLV subgroups leading to VF (with strict standards) were explored with Cox proportional hazards model and linear mixed-effect model. The association factors of high-risk LLV were further explored using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: A total of 2155 HIV-1 infected participants were included; of these, 38.8% showed LLV. Both high level LLV (HLLV) and any other level LLV coupled with high level blip (HBL) showed higher risk of VF (hazards ratios, HRHLLV=5.93, and HRHBL=2.84, p<0.01 respectively). Moreover, HR increased with prolonged duration of LLV. Independent factors associated with high-risk LLV included the zenith baseline viral load (VL) above 6 log copies/ml (aOR=3.49, p=0.002), nadir baseline CD4+T cell counts below 200 cells/ml (aOR=1.78, p=0.011), Manchu (aOR=2.03, p=0.003), ART over 60 months (aOR=1.81, p=0.004), AZT+3TC+NVP (aOR=2.26, p<0.001) or DDI-based regimen (aOR=9.96, p<0.001), and subtype B’ infection (aOR=8.22, p=0.001). Conclusions: In case of VF with strict standards, high-risk LLV leading to VF includes VL above 400 copies/ml, occurring at least once. Serious laboratory indicators or advanced stage of infection, long term ART and subtype B’ infection might also predict the occurrence of high-risk LLV.
Transcriptome profiling of developing testes and spermatogenesis in Mongolian horse
Authors: LI Bei , He Xiaolong , Zhao Yiping , Bai Dongyi , Du Ming , Song Lianjie , Liu Zhuang , Yin Zhenchen , Manglai Dugarjaviin
Published: October 2019

Introduction: The development of horse testis and spermatogenesis is a complex physiological process. Methods: To study those physiological processes, 3 immature and 3 mature testes of Mongolian horse were collected, and six libraries were established using a high-throughput RNA sequencing technology (RNA-Seq) to screen for genes that were related to Mongolian horse testis development and spermatogenesis.Results & Discussion: A total of 16,237 upregulated genes and 8,641 downregulated genes in the testis of Mongolian horse were detected. These genes play important roles in different developmental stages of spermatogenesis and testicular development. Five alternative splicing (AS) event genes were detected, and different AS events can also influence both spermatogenesis and developing of testis. GO (Gene ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway analyses were performed for functional annotation of the differentially expressed genes during testis development and spermatogenesis. For example, oocyte meiosis pathways were significantly involved in different stages of testis development and spermatogenesis.Conclusion: These genes were associated with spermatogenesis, male gamete generation, spermatid development, and oocyte meiosis.The finding that gene is a vital element in horse testis development improves our understanding of horse testis development and spermatogenesis.
Heart rate and heart rate variability comparison between postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome versus healthy participants; a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Authors: Swai Joel Dominic , Hu Zixuan , Zhao Xiexiong , Rugambwa Tibera , Ming Gui
Published: October 2019

Background A number of published literatures have reported that, physiologically, heart rate variability in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia (POTS) to be greatly confounded by age, sex, race, physical fitness and circadian rhythm. The purpose of this study was to compare between postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) patients versus healthy patients, in terms of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) after Head-Up tilt test, by systematic review and meta-analysis of available published literature.Methods MEDLINE (using PubMed interphase), EMBASE and SCOPUS were systematically searched for observational studies comparing between POTS patients versus healthy patients, in terms of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). HRV was grouped into Time and frequency domain outcome measurements. Time domain was measured as mean RR- interval and mean square root of mean of squares of successive R-R waves (rMSSD) in milliseconds. Frequency domain was measured as mean values of Low frequency power (LF), High frequency power (HF), LF/HF-ratio, LF-normalized units (LF(n.u)) and HF-normalized units (HF(n.u)). Demographic data, comorbidities, and mean values of HR, RR- interval, rMSSD, LF, HF, LF/HF-ratio, LF-(n.u) and H.F-n.u were extracted from each group and compared, by their mean differences as overall outcome measure. Computer software, RevMan 5.3 was utilized, at 95% significance level.Results Twenty (20) eligible studies were found to report 717 POTS and 641 healthy participants. POTS group had higher mean heart rate (p<0.05), lower mean RR-Interval (p<0.05), lower rMSSD (p<0.05) than healthy participants. Furthermore, POTS group had lower mean HF(p>0.05), lower mean LF(p>0.05), and lower mean HF(n.u) (p>0.05), higher LF/HF-Ratio (p>0.05) and higher LF(n.u) (p>0.05) as compared to healthy participants.Conclusion Despite massively supported fact that POTS patients have higher heart rate than healthy patients after HUTT, POTS patients have lower heart rate variability in terms of time domain measure but not in terms of frequency domain measure.
Relationship between fluoroquinolones and the risk of aortic diseases: a meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Dai Xiao-ce , Yang Xin-xin , Ma Lan , Tang Guan-min , Pan Yan-yun , Hu Hui-lin
Published: October 2019

Background Our aim was to find possible risk associated between fluoroquinolones and aortic diseases.Methods PubMed, Embase and the Web of Science were searched from inception to July 6, 2019 to identify observational studies that evaluated the risk for aortic diseases associated with users of fluoroquinolones compared with non-users or users of other antibiotics. Primary outcome was the first occurrence of aortic diseases. We used Newcastle Ottawa Scale to assess quality among cohort and case-control studies and the GRADE approach was used for rating strength of evidence and used inverse variance method random-effect model to estimate odds risks (ORs) with 95% CIs and statistical heterogeneity were assessed by the I 2 statistic.Results Five observational studies that enrolled 2,829,385 patients were reported the relationship between fluoroquinolones and the risk for aortic diseases. Compared with non-users or users of other antibiotics, current fluoroquinolone use had association with a significantly increased risk of occurrence of aortic diseases (adjusted OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.66-2.64; P=.000). The risk of past fluoroquinolone use remained high in aortic dissection (adjusted OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 0.97-2.99; P=.000) and aortic aneurysm (adjusted OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 0.98-2.57; P=.000). The quality of evidence was moderate and the Number Need to Treat to Harm (NNTH) for aortic diseases among elderly patients above the age of 50 were current users of fluoroquinolones was estimated to be 1245.Conclusions The current fluoroquinolones use within elderly patients significantly increased the risk for the first occurrence of aortic diseases. Clinicians need to pay attention to these severe adverse events when considering fluoroquinolone use.
Prognostic factors and survival according to tumour subtype in women presenting with breast cancer bone metastases at initial diagnosis: a SEER based study
Authors: Li Xiao , Zhang Xiaoli , Liu Jie
Published: October 2019

Background: Tumour subtype have a significant effect on bone metastasis in breast cancer, but population-based estimates of the prognosis of bone metastases at diagnosis of breast cancer are lacking. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of tumour subtype and other factors in the prognostic and survival of patients with bone metastases of breast cancer.
Methods: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) data of 2012 to 2016 conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate patients with bone metastases in breast cancer. Patients characteristic according subtypes were compared using chi-square, overall survival (OS), prognostic factor calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model.
Results: A total of 3384 patients were included in this study. 63.42% were HR+/HER2-, 19.86% were HR+/HER2+, 9.34% were HR-/HER2-, and 7.39% were HR-/HER2+. Median OS for the whole population was 38 months, and 33.9% of the patients were alive at five-year. The median OS and five-year survival rate among the different molecular subtype of breast cancer patients are significant differences (p<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age of 55-59 ( HR=1.270 ), black race ( HR=1.320 ), grade in III or IV ( HR=1.952 ), HR-/HER2- ( HR=2.727), lung metastases (HR=1.249), live metastases (HR=1.840), brain metastases (HR=1.812) only bone metastases ( HR=1.237) are independent risk factors of prognosis; married ( HR=0.812 ), HR+/HER2+ ( HR=0.618 ), HR-/HER2+ (HR=1.237), insurance ( HR=0.597 ) and surgery (HR=0.512) are independent protection factors of prognosis.
Conclusions: There were substantial differences in OS according to tumour subtype. In addition to tumour subtype, other independent predictors of OS are age at diagnosis, race, marital status, insurance, grade, surgery and visceral metastases. Tumour subtype, as a significant prognostic factor, warrant further investigation.
Keywords: Breast cancer, Bone metastases, Tumour subtype, Prognosis factor, Survival
Government Spending, Recession, and Suicide: Evidence from Japan
Authors: Matsubayashi Tetsuya , Sekijima Kozue , Ueda Michiko
Published: October 2019

Backgrounds: Austerity has been shown to have an adverse influence on people’s mental health and suicide rates. Most existing studies have focused on the governments’ reactions to a single event, for example, the Great Recession of 2008.
Methods: This study focused on a significant change in fiscal policy between 2001 and 2014 in Japan. The size of expenditures by national and local governments decreased dramatically between 2001 and 2006 under the neoliberalism reform and then increased after the global economic crisis and the Great East Japan Earthquake. Using the data from 47 prefectures between 2001 and 2014, we tested whether more massive spending by the local governments was associated with a lower suicide rate in their jurisdiction. We also investigated whether this relationship was particularly robust during a more severe recession.
Results: Our analysis revealed that an increase of 1% in the per-capita local government expenditures was associated with a decrease of 0.2% in the suicide rates among males and females aged between 40 and 64 and that this correlation was strengthened as the unemployment rate increased.
Conclusions: Government’s reaction to economic crises can either exacerbate or mitigate the negative impact of the economic recession on people’s mental health and suicide rates.
Quality-of-life Profile Of The Elderly Residing In A Very Low Population Density Rural Area
Authors: Goes Maria , Lopes Manuel , Oliveira Henrique , Fonseca César , João Marôco
Published: October 2019

This paper describes the Quality-of-Life profile of the elderly residing in an inland region located at middle south of the Portugal main territory, presenting a larger area and low population density, which is composed of several items, extracted after statistics analysis of the data taken from the European Portuguese version of WHOQOL-BREF.
Cross-sectional, descriptive study, with a random sample composed of elderly individuals residing in the community. Data collected by health professionals in the participants’ houses, using the European Portuguese WHOQOL-BREF instrument. The factorial validity was assessed by a confirmatory factor analysis. Appropriate statistical tests were used for comparison between mean Quality-of-Life scores according to gender, age group, marital status and educational level. Regression models were used to identify the biological and sociodemographic possible predictive factors of Quality-of-Life and the possible predictive domains of the General-Health-Facet.
All Quality-of-Life domains and the General-Health-Facet decreased with advancing age. A higher and lower mean scores were observed, respectively for the Social Relationships and Physical Health domains. Males had higher mean Quality-of-Life scores than females, while widows and older women had the lowest ones when compared to other individuals. Educational level was the most significant sociodemographic predictive factor of Quality-of-Life domains, with scores increasing as the educational level increased. Moreover, Physical Health domain was the strongest predictor of the General-Health-Facet.
The authors think that all the information extracted from the proposed Quality-of-Life profile, constitutes an important empirical basis that allow for more a detailed outcome of a concrete health care needs of the elderlies, leading to a concise planning and monitoring of health interventions and health policies management, extending the current general knowledge on Quality-of-Life. With this Quality-of-Life profile, which was never been made for the elderly population residing in Region of Baixo Alentejo, the authors expect “to find out what is really important for the elderlies, based on the rule: “better to know for better care”.
Utility of 18F-FDG PET and PET/CT in diagnosis and staging of chondrosarcoma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Qingyu , Xi Yongming , Li Dong , Yuan Zenong , Dong Jun
Published: October 2019

Background Chondrosarcoma is the second most common primary bone sarcoma; 18 F-FDG PET and PET/CT are increasingly proposed as tools to evaluate the status of chondrosarcoma but their accuracy remains disputable. The study aims to evaluate the utility of 18 F-FDG PET and PET/CT to differentiate chondrosarcoma from benign cartilaginous lesions and to predict the histopathological grade of chondrosarcoma.Methods A comprehensive search was performed in three electronic databases including Medline/PubMed, the Cochrane library and Embase to retrieve diagnostic studies evaluating the role of 18 F-FDG PET or PET/CT for appraising status of chondrosarcoma. The reference lists of related articles were also scrutinized manually. Useful data were extracted to calculate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odd ratio (DOR), the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (sROC) as well as the area under the curve (AUC) of 18 F-FDG PET or PET/CT in diagnosing chondrosarcoma, and pooled weighted mean differences (WMD) of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) between different entities of cartilaginous neoplasms by using Stata 15.0.Results A total of 12 studies provided sufficient data for the quantitative analysis. For the diagnosis of chondrosarcoma, the pooled sensitivity, specificity and DOR of 18 F-FDG PET were 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.46 to 0.97), 0.82 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.94) and 24.244 (95% CI 1.985 to 96.148), respectively while those of 18 F-FDG PET/CT were 0.94 (95% CI 0.86 to 0.97), 0.89 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.93) and 112.999 (95% CI 41.341 to 308.866), respectively. The pooled WMD of SUVmax were -0.89 (95% CI -1.67 to -0.10) between benign cartilaginous lesions and grade 1 (G1) chondrosarcoma, -1.94 (95% CI -2.76 to -1.12) between G1 and grade 2 (G2) chondrosarcoma, and -2.37 (95% CI -5.79 to 1.05) between G2 and grade 3 (G3) chondrosarcoma.Conclusions In a word, 18 F-FDG PET/CT revealed excellent accuracy in the diagnosis of chondrosarcoma and might assist in clinical decision-making. However, SUVmax alone showed restricted ability to differentiate benign cartilaginous lesions and chondrosarcoma, as well as between G2 and G3 chondrosarcoma. More large-scale studies are still needed to further warrant current findings.
Evolutionary relationships among bifidobacteria and their hosts and environments
Authors: Rodriguez Cynthia Itzel , Martiny Jennifer B.H.
Published: October 2019

Background The assembly of animal microbiomes is influenced by multiple environmental factors and host genetics, although the relative importance of these factors remains unclear. Bifidobacteria (genus Bifidobacterium , phylum Actinobacteria) are common first colonizers of gut microbiomes in humans and inhabit other mammals, social insects, food, and sewages. In humans, the presence of bifidobacteria in the gut has been correlated with health-promoting benefits. Here, we compared the genome sequences of a subset of the over 400 Bifidobacterium strains publicly available to investigate the adaptation of bifidobacteria diversity. We tested 1) whether bifidobacteria show a phylogenetic signal with their isolation sources (hosts and environments) and 2) whether key traits encoded by the bifidobacteria genomes depend on the host or environment from which they were isolated. We analyzed Bifidobacterium genomes available in the PATRIC and NCBI repositories and identified the hosts and/or environment from which they were isolated. A multilocus phylogenetic analysis was conducted to compare the genetic relatedness the strains harbored by different hosts and environments. Furthermore, we examined differences in genomic traits and genes related to amino acid biosynthesis and degradation of carbohydrates. Results We found that bifidobacteria diversity appears to have evolved with their hosts as strains isolated from the same host were non-randomly associated with their phylogenetic relatedness. Moreover, bifidobacteria isolated from different sources displayed differences in genomic traits such as genome size and accessory gene composition and on particular traits related to amino acid production and degradation of carbohydrates. In contrast, when analyzing diversity within human-derived bifidobacteria, we observed no phylogenetic signal or differences on specific traits (amino acid biosynthesis genes and CAZymes). Conclusions Overall, our study shows that bifidobacteria diversity is strongly adapted to specific hosts and environments and that several genomic traits were associated with their isolation sources. However, this signal is not observed in human strains alone. Looking into the genomic signatures of bifidobacteria strains in different environments can give insights into how this bacterial group adapts to their environment and what types of traits are important for these adaptations.
Hospitalizations for viral respiratory infections in children under 2 years of age: epidemiology and in-hospital complications
Authors: Zurita-Cruz Jessie , Gutierrez-Gonzalez Alejandro , Manuel-Apolinar Leticia , Fernández-Gárate José Esteban , Arellano-Flores María Luisa , Eng Roberto Alejandro Correa Gonzalez , Sanchez-Armas Rocio , Cisneros Nelly
Published: October 2019

Summary Background Viral respiratory infection (VRI) is a frequent cause of hospitalization in children under 24 months of age. Prematurity or heart disease histories may be risk factors for complications in patients hospitalized for VRI.Objective To describe the epidemiological data of pediatric patients 1 to 24 months of age who were hospitalized for VRI and identify risk factors for the presence of in-hospital complications over a period of 5 years.Methods This was a cross-sectional study. The database was compiled by doctors, electronically validated by engineers and analyzed by statisticians. Patients with VRI (based on International Classification of Diseases [ICD-10] codes B974, J12, J120-J129X, J168, J17, J171, J178, J20, J203-J209, J21, J210, J211, J218, J219, J22X, and J189) from 2013 to 2017 were registered. The patients were classified into 2 groups according to the absence or presence of a history of prematurity (P070, P072, P073), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (P271) and congenital heart disease (CHD) (Q20-Q26). Length of hospital stay, in-hospital complications, surgical procedures and mortality were analyzed.Statistical analysis The prevalence of hospitalization for VRI was described. For comparisons between the groups, Student's t-tests and chi2 tests were applied. To identify the factors related to in-hospital complications and mortality, a logistic regression model was constructed.Results A total of 69,093 hospitalizations were reported. The average age of patients was 14.17 weeks. The number of hospitalization events in winter was the highest (38.9%), followed by autumn (27.3%). A total of 408 (0.59%) patients died. A total of 7,496 hospitalized patients with comorbidities were identified. Surgical procedures (OR = 16.66 & 16.64) and comorbidities (OR = 4.29 & 4.58) were risk factors for in-hospital complications and mortality.Conclusions The risk factors for morbidity and mortality in patients hospitalized for VRI were a history of prematurity, BPD and CHD, as well as some type of surgical procedure during hospitalization.
WITHDRAWN: A multicenter case-control study on non-genetic risk factors in infants with congenital heart disease
Authors: Ye Wei , Deng Xiao-Long , Huang Sheng , Zhang Tong-Qiang , Tang Qi-Zhu
Published: October 2019

Background: The incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) is growing at a rapid speed worldwide, which due to changes of both environmental and lifestyle exposures. This study aimed to explore how the non-genetic risk factors of maternal and perinatal conditions influenced onset of CHD in infants.Methods: Infants with congenital heart disease diagnosed by echocardiography from May 2012 to December 2013 were recruited as positive cases, while healthy individuals without congenital heart disease recruited at the same period were regarded as controls. The general situation of parents and the exposure to environmental factors during perinatal period in the case group and the control group were investigated by questionnaires.Results: A total of424 questionnaires of infants with congenital heart disease and 362 healthy controls were finally collected. We analyzed the risk factors during perinatal period of their mothers showed that their mothers took drugs in early pregnancy (odds ratio [OR]=4.41, 95 % confidence interval [CI]:2.41-6.73), viral infection (OR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.62-5.73), house decoration (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.43-3.75), hair dyeing and scalding (OR = 2.24, 95% CI:1.46-4.05), parents' exposures to work environment pollution (OR = 2.77, 95% CI: 2.03-5.38) were independent risk factors for cardiovascular malformations. With the increase of exposure factors, the risk of congenital heart disease increased significantly. When pregnant women were exposed to three or more risk factors at the same time, the risk of infants with congenital heart disease in was 17.24 times higher than that of single-factor exposure.Conclusions: Together, the incidence of CHD in infants is correlated with the exposure to perinatal risk factors.
Post-Cesarean Section Maternal Health Outcome and its Determinants in Tigray Regional State, North Ethiopia.
Authors: Abay Mebrahtu , Gebremariam Welay , Kurie Mirkuzie Woldie , Berhane Haileselassie , Mengstu Abraham
Published: October 2019

Back ground Cesarean section rate is increasing worldwide. However, the World Health Organization has declared that there is insufficient information on maternal outcome following cesarean section for decision making.Objective The aim of this study was to assess post cesarean section maternal outcome and its associated factors availing evidence for practice and policy.Methods Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 357 mothers who underwent cesarean section in six selected public general hospitals of Tigray regional State, Ethiopia. Mothers were followed for the duration of post-operative period until they became safe for discharge. The maternal outcomes were categorized into either adverse or good outcomes depending on whether mothers develop any cesarean section related morbidity or not. Logistic regression model was constructed to determine the AOR and 95% CI of independent factors associated with maternal outcome following cesarean section.Results The proportion of adverse maternal outcome was 19.3% with 95% CI of (15.7% -23.8%). Route of anesthesia administration (AOR = 0.296, 95% CI: 0.126 - 0.695) and referral status (AOR = 0.371, 95%CI: 0.214 - 0.641) were statistically significant factors associated with maternal outcome following cesarean section.Conclusion There was high proportion of adverse maternal outcome. General anesthesia and referral from lower health facilities were associated with higher risk of post-CS adverse maternal outcome. Equipping lower level health facilities with the human and material capacity for timely detection of CS indications and provision of cesarean section services could decrease the number of referrals and subsequent delays that lead to adverse maternal outcome.
Factors influencing women's choice of place of child delivery in rural Wondo Genet District, Southern Ethiopia.
Authors: Kelel Henna Umer , Dasa Tamirat Tesfaye
Published: October 2019

Background - Pregnancy and childbirth complications are foremost cause of deaths and incapacity among mothers of the reproductive age group in developing countries. Around 99% of maternal mortality arisen in the low-resource settings area and most could have been avoided. Thoughtful approach for reducing maternal illness and deaths is ensuring that every baby is delivered in health institutions where a trained birth attendant will be present to take the delivery. In Ethiopia, nearly third-fourth of births occur without the help of a trained birth assistant. This study examined the factors that influenced or determined women's choice of place of child delivery in rural Wondo Genet District, Southern Ethiopia.Method- A cross-sectional study design was employed and systematic sampling method used to select eligible women. Data cleaned, coded and entered into Epi Data 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression used to identify statistically significant variables for the choice of place for delivery. Hosmer and Lemeshow- goodness of fit used to check data fitness for the model.Result- a total of 402 women participated in this study. The following factors were statistically significant for the choice place of delivery Primary and above educational attainment of women, (AOR=0.14, CI, 0.03-0.68), income greater than 3000 ETB (AOR=8.35 CI, 3.6-19.4), four or more ANC frequency (AOR=4.14 CI, 2.0-8.6) and previous planned pregnancy (AOR=4.14 CI, 2.0- 8.6).Conclusion- Prevalence of institutional delivery was 61.2%. Educational status and monthly income was a statistically important factor. Recommend that the district should work on disseminating appropriate information health to enhance the knowledge of the women and help them to take the initiative to visit health facility.
Implication of environmental factors on the occurrence of pathogens in urban landscape ponds with reclaimed wastewater replenishment
Authors: Ao Dong , Huang Yue , Xue Tao , Wang Nan , Chen Rong
Published: October 2019

One year of continuous observation of bacterial and viral pathogen concentrations in overlying water and sediment of three urban landscape ponds replenished with reclaimed wastewater (RW) ponds was carried out to establish the distribution of pathogens and investigate the effects of environmental factors on that in RW ponds. The pathogens were represented by Escherichia coli and three common viral pathogens (enterovirus, norovirus, and rotavirus). Results indicated that the peak concentrations of pathogens occur from August to October. Pathogens present in sediment should be paid much more attention than those in overlying water, as they mainly contribute to the favorable conditions for survival and regrowth of pathogens in sediments. Cluster and redundancy analyses revealed that the environmental factors of chlorophyll a (Chl-a), organic matter, and water transparency have key impacts on the occurrence of pathogens. This infers that the practical way to reduce pathogenic risks in RW ponds is to control the algae bloom and improve the transparency of water bodies. Furthermore, based on breakpoint regression analyses, the appropriate ranges of Chl-a and transparency are suggested to be less than 57 mg/m3 and greater than 68 cm, respectively, to reduce the concentration of pathogens in urban landscape ponds replenished with RW.
Analysis of water use characteristics in industrial sectors in Beijing based on an input-output method
Authors: Hong Siyang , Wang Hongrui , Cheng Tao
Published: October 2019

Beijing is a megalopolis with a serious water shortage that has been further exacerbated by an unreasonable industrial water structure. This article uses an input-output method to calculate the water use coefficients in each industrial sector in Beijing and analyses the water use characteristics of the various industrial sectors. Then, an industry association index that represents the influence and sensitivity of sectors is combined with the water use characteristics to readjust the industrial structure with the objectives of water conservation and sustainable economic development. The results indicate that the agricultural water use coefficient is the highest and that the coefficients are generally higher for sectors in secondary industry than for those in tertiary industry. In addition, all coefficients display a downward trend. The water use multipliers vary widely among sectors. In secondary industry during the study period, the number of high water use sectors remained stable, the number of potentially high water use sectors increased and the number of general water use sectors decreased. A comprehensive analysis of the water use characteristics and industrial structure correlations could provide a reference for the optimal allocation of water resources.