bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unraveling the genetics of polyamine metabolism in barley for senescence-related crop improvement
Authors: Tanwar Umesh Kumar , Stolarska Ewelina , Paluch-Lubawa Ewelina , Mattoo Autar K. , Arasimowicz-Jelonek Magdalena , Sobieszczuk-Nowicka Ewa
Published: May 2022

We explored the polyamine (PA) metabolic pathway genes in barley (Hv) to understand plant development and stress adaptation in Gramineae crops with emphasis on leaf senescence. Bioinformatics and functional genomics tools were utilized for genome-wide identification, comprehensive gene features, evolution, development and stress effects on the expression of the polyamine metabolic pathway gene families (PMGs). Three S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylases (HvSAMDCs), two ornithine decarboxylase, one arginine decarboxylase, one spermidine synthase (HvSPDS), two spermine synthases (HvSPMSs), five copper amine oxidases (HvCuAO) and seven polyamine oxidases (HvPAOs) members of PMGs were identified and characterized in barley. All the genes except for HvCuAO3 were found distributed on all chromosomes of barley. The phylogenetic and comparative assessment revealed that PA metabolic pathway is highly conserved in plants and the prediction of nine H. vulgare miRNAs (hvu-miR) target sites, 18 protein-protein interactions and 961 putative CREs in the promoter region were discerned. Gene expression of HvSAMDC3, HvCuAO7, HvPAO4 and HvSPMS1 were apparent at every developmental stage. SPDS/SPMS gene family was found to be the most responsive to induced leaf senescence. This study provides a reference for the functional investigation of the molecular mechanism(s) that regulate polyamine in plants as a tool for future breeding decision management systems.
Characteristics of donor vessels and cerebral blood flow in the chronic phase after combined revascularization surgery for moyamoya disease
Authors: Mamiya Takashi , Araki Yoshio , Taoka Toshiaki , Fujita Naotoshi , Yokoyama Kinya , Uda Kenji , Muraoka Shinsuke , Kanamori Fumiaki , Takayanagi Kai , Ishii Kazuki , Nishihori Masahiro , Izumi Takashi , Kato Katsuhiko , Saito Ryuta
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to analyze whether the development of donor vessels after combined revascularization surgery for moyamoya disease (MMD) was related to cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 11 adult (12 hemispheres) and 13 pediatric (19 hemispheres) patients who underwent combined revascularization in our department. The total vessel cross-sectional area (TVA) was the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the superficial temporal, middle meningeal, and deep temporal arteries imaged using time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography. The ipsilateral relative CBF (RCBF) on the brain surface in the craniotomy area was calculated by single-photon emission computed tomography. The preoperative and postoperative ratios of the TVA and RCBF were defined as ΔTVA and ΔRCBF, respectively. Finally, we investigated the correlation between ΔTVA and ΔRCBF in adults and children. The TVA and RCBF showed a significant increase after surgery regardless of the age group. However, there was no significant correlation between ΔTVA and ΔRCBF in either the adult or pediatric groups. The adult group had significantly higher ΔRCBF values than the pediatric group (p < 0.01, r = −0.44), but the pediatric group had higher ΔTVA values than the adult group (p = 0.06). An increase in CBF was detected around the craniotomy area during the chronic phase after combined revascularization for MMD. However, there was no correlation between the increase in CBF and the measurable total donor vessel area changes.
Is overestimation of one’s hand hygiene compliance affected by how it is measured? A cross-sectional survey of physicians and nurses in surgical clinics of six nonuniversity hospitals in Germany
Authors: Lamping Jonas , Tomsic Ivonne , Stolz Maike , Krauth Christian , Chaberny Iris F. , von Lengerke Thomas
Published: May 2022

Background
One barrier to hand hygiene compliance is overestimation of one’s own performance. Overconfidence research shows that overestimation tends to be higher for difficult tasks, which suggests that the magnitude of overestimation also depends on how it is assessed. Asking health care workers to self-report compliance using a single item is common but difficult since responses must be based on aggregation across the “5 Moments of Hand Hygiene” (WHO-5). We tested the hypothesis that self-reported overall compliance based on one item is higher than that based on WHO-5-items. Additionally, we compared both overall and WHO-5-specific self-reported compliance rates with direct observations.
Methods
In the WACH trial (German Clinical Trials Register [DRKS] ID: DRKS00015502), a questionnaire survey was conducted among physicians and nurses in nine surgical clinics (general/visceral surgery or orthopedics/trauma surgery) of six nonuniversity hospitals. Self-reported compliance was assessed both by a single item and WHO-5-items using percentage scales, and compared among each other and to direct observations. Relative frequencies of the WHO-5 indications used to calculate the WHO-5-based self-reported overall compliance rate were estimated from a systematized review (first author). In analysis, t-tests, chi²-tests and multiple linear regressions were used.
Results
Ninety-three physicians (response rate: 28.4%) and 225 nurses (30.4%) participated. Significant compliance differences between physicians and nurses were found for direct observations (overall and for WHO-5 except “after patient contact”) and were in favor of nurses, while no such differences were found for self-reports (except “after body fluid exposure” in favor of physicians). Across the WHO-5, overestimation showed inverse correlations with observed compliance (physicians: r = − 0.88, = .049; nurses: r = − 0.81, p = 0.093). Support for the hypothesis that self-reported overall compliance based on one item is higher than that based on WHO-5 items was found for physicians (M = 87.2 vs. 84.1%, p = 0.041; nurses: 84.4 vs. 85.5%, p = 0.296). Exploratory analyses showed that this effect was confined to orthopedic/trauma surgeons (89.9 vs. 81.7%, p = 0.006).
Conclusion
Results indicate stronger hand hygiene overestimation among physicians and are consistent with their commonly lower compliance. For practice, results indicate that overestimation is a psychological mechanism that is relevant to professional hand hygiene promotion.
Frequency and Reasons for Unplanned Transfer to the Primary Acute Care Service of Inpatient Rehabilitation Glioblastoma Multiforme Patients
Authors: Fu Jack B. , Gupta Ekta , Morishita Shinichiro , Andersen Clark R. , Ngo-Huang An , Engle Jessica P. , Guo Ying
Published: May 2022

Purpose: To determine the percentage of and factors associated with unplanned transfer to the primary acute care service of glioblastoma multiforme acute rehabilitation inpatients.Methods: Retrospective review of glioblastoma multiforme acute rehabilitation inpatients admitted 4/1/2016-3/31/2020 at a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer CenterResults: 139 consecutive admissions of unique glioblastoma multiforme acute rehabilitation inpatients were analyzed. Fifteen patients (10.7%, 95% confidence interval 6.5%-17.1%) were transferred back to the primary acute care service for unplanned reasons. The most common reasons for transfer back were neurosurgical complication 6/15(40%), neurologic decline due to mass effect 4/15(26.7%), and pulmonary embolism 2/15(13.3%). Older age (p=0.010), infection prior to acute inpatient rehabilitation transfer (p=0.020), and lower Activity Measure of Post-Acute Care 6 Clicks - Basic Mobility scores (p=0.048) were significantly associated with transfer to the primary acute care service. Patients who returned to the primary acute care service had significantly lower overall survival than patients who did not transfer off (log-rank test p=0.001). Conclusion: Acute inpatient physiatrists should closely monitor patients for neurosurgical and neurologic complications. The variables significantly associated with return to the primary acute care service may help identify patients at increased risk for medical complications who may require closer observation.
COL11A1 as a potential prognostic target for oral squamous cell carcinoma Short title：Prognostic target for oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Di Yong-bin , Bao Yang , Guo Jie , Liu Wei , Zhang Su-xin , Zhang Guan-hua , Li Tian-ke
Published: May 2022

Background
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a malignant tumor of epithelial origin. Explore correlation between COL11A1 and prognosis of OSCC, provide a new direction for treatment and prognosis of patients.
Methods
Bioinformatics was used to screen and identify role of COL11A1 on OSCC. 200 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma were recruited. Clinical and follow-up data were recorded and COL11A1 expression levels were tested. Pearson chi-square test and Spearman correlation coefficient were used to analyze relationship between prognosis and related parameters in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression, univariate and multivariate Cox proportional risk regression were used for further analysis, survival curve was drawn.
Results
Through bioinformatics analysis, OSCC patients with higher expression of COL11A1 have poor overall survival compare with OSCC patients with lower expression of COL11A1 (HR = 1.32, P = 0.047). Pearson chi-square test showed that age (P = 0.011), tumor grade (P = 0.023), COL11A1 (P < 0.001) was significantly correlated with prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Spearman correlation coefficient analysis showed that age (ρ = 0.179, P = 0.011), tumor grade (ρ = 0.161, P = 0.023), COL11A1 (ρ = 0.561, P < 0.001) were significantly correlated with prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed age (OR = 2.102, 95%CI: 1.180–3.746, P = 0.012), tumor grade (OR = 1.919, 95%CI: 1.093–3.372, P = 0.023) and COL11A1 (OR = 12.775, 95%CI: 6.509–25.071, P < 0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that COL11A1 (OR = 12.066, 95%CI: 6.042–24.096, P < 0.001) was significantly associated with prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that age (HR = 1.592, 95%CI: 1.150–2.205, P = 0.005), tumor grade (HR = 1.460, 95%CI: 1.067–1.999, P = 0.018) and COL11A1 (HR = 1.848, 95%CI: 1.340–2.548, P < 0.001) were significantly correlated with survival time of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that tumor grade (HR = 1.466, 95%CI: 1.064–2.020, P = 0.019) and COL11A1 (HR = 1.645, 95%CI: 1.164–2.325, P = 0.005) were significantly correlated with survival time of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.
Conclusion
COL11A1 is significantly correlated with occurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Predicting treatment-resistance from first-episode psychosis using routinely collected clinical information: development and external validation study
Authors: Osimo Emanuele , Perry Benjamin , Mallikarjun Pavan , Pritchard Megan , Lewis Jonathan , Katunda Asia , Murray Graham , Perez Jesus , Jones Peter , Cardinal Rudolf , Howes Oliver , Upthegrove Rachel , Khandaker Golam
Published: May 2022

Around a quarter of people who experience a first episode of psychosis (FEP) will develop treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), but there are currently no established clinically useful methods to predict this from baseline. We aimed to explore the predictive potential for clozapine use as a proxy for TRS of routinely collected, objective biomedical predictors at FEP onset, and to externally validate the model in a separate clinical sample of people with FEP. We developed and externally validated two risk prediction models to predict up to 8-year risk of clozapine use from FEP using routinely recorded information including age, sex, ethnicity, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase levels, and lymphocyte counts in forced-entry logistic regression models. We also produced a least-absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) based model, additionally including neutrophil count, smoking status, body mass index, and random glucose levels. The models were developed using data from two UK psychosis early intervention services (EIS) and externally validated in another UK EIS. Model performance was assessed via discrimination and calibration. We developed the models in 785 patients, and validated externally in 1,110 patients. Both models predicted clozapine use well at internal validation (forced-entry: C 0.70; 95%CI 0.63,0.76; LASSO: 0.69; 95%CI 0.63,0.77). At external validation, discrimination performance reduced (forced-entry: 0.63; 0.58,0.69; LASSO: 0.64; 0.58,0.69) but recovered after re-estimation of the lymphocyte predictor (C: 0.67; 0.62,0.73). Calibration plots showed good agreement between observed and predicted risk in the forced-entry model. We also present a decision-curve analysis and an online data visualisation tool. The use of routinely collected clinical information including blood-based biomarkers taken at FEP onset can help to predict the individual risk of clozapine use, and should be considered equally alongside other potentially useful information such as symptom scores in large-scale efforts to predict psychiatric outcomes.
Deep learning architectures for recognizing ontology concepts from scientific literature
Authors: Devkota Pratik , Mohanty Somya D. , Manda Prashanti
Published: May 2022

Background Annotating scientific literature with ontology concepts is a critical task in biology and several other domains for knowledge discovery. Ontology based annotations can power large-scale comparative analyses in a wide range of applications ranging from evolutionary phenotypes to rare human diseases to the study of protein functions. Computational methods that can tag scientific text with ontology terms have included lexical/syntactic methods, traditional machine learning, and most recently, deep learning. Results Here, we present state of the art deep learning architectures based on Gated Recurrent Units for annotating text with ontology concepts. We use the Colorado Richly Annotated Full Text Corpus (CRAFT) as a gold standard for training and testing. We explore a number of additional information sources including NCBI's BioThesauraus and Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) to augment information from CRAFT for increasing prediction accuracy. Our best model results in a 0.84 F1 and semantic similarity. Conclusion The results shown here underscore the impact for using deep learning architectures for automatically recognizing ontology concepts from literature. The augmentation of the models with biological information beyond that present in the gold standard corpus shows a distinct improvement in prediction accuracy.
Should we reduce distal femoral valgus cut by two degrees on radiograpchic measurement to avoid overcorrection of alignment in TKA? —A comparison study with radiographic VCA and real 3D-CT VCA
Authors: Liu LiMing , Lei Kai , Guo Lin , Chen Xin , Yang Pengfei , Fu Dejie , Xiong Ran , Yang Liu
Published: May 2022

BackgroundRestoration of target alignment is one of the main goals of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Radiograph is the world-wide accepted method to obtain valgus cut angle (VCA) which determine distal femoral cut before TKA, although its accuracy is questionable. The aim of this study was to investigate the deviation between radiographic VCA and real 3D-CT VCA in order to adjust the radiograph-based preoperative plan for better alignment target.MethodsA retrospective collection of 360 patients with constitutional varus and knee osteoarthritis. Both radiographic VCA and 3D VCA (CT based) were measured and the difference between them were calculated. Then corrected the radiographic VCA value according to the direction of deviation, each time by 1°, to ensure that the target alignment was within 0°-3° varus range. Finally, it was investigated whether age, gender, side, BMI, and preoperative alignment had an effect on the deviation of radiographic VCA to verify whether the correction was widely applicable.Results More than 91% of the radiographic VCA were overestimated and one third were overestimated by more than 1° (P < 0.001). Reducing the radiographic VCA by 2° could ensure that more than 96% of the target alignment was within 0°-3° varus range. The deviations were not statistically correlated with age, gender, BMI, side, and preoperative alignment (P >0.05).ConclusionsUsing the radiographic VCA reduced by 2° as a reference for distal femoral resection could ensure that more than 96% of patients with constitutional varus had a TKA target alignment in 0°-3° varus range.Level of evidence Ⅲ.
Systemic immune-inflammation index predicts postoperative delirium in elderly patients after surgery: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Song Yuxiang , Luo Yungen , Zhang Faqiang , Ma Yulong , Lou Jingsheng , Li Hao , Liu Yanhong , Mi Weidong , Cao Jiangbei
Published: May 2022

BackgroundPostoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication among elderly patients after surgery. It is unclear whether the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) can be a predictor of POD. We explored the prognostic value of the SII in predicting POD in elderly patients undergoing nonneurosurgery and noncardiac surgery in a large retrospective cohort.MethodsWe enrolled elderly patients undergoing nonneurosurgery and noncardiac surgery between January 2014 and August 2019. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the correlation between POD and the SII value as both a continuous and categorical variable. Then, propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was applied to eliminate the confounding effect of covariates and prove our results. Subgroup analyses were then performed to discover the association between the SII and POD in different subgroups.ResultsA total of 29608 patients with a median age of 70 years (IQR: 67-74) were enrolled in the retrospective cohort. The cut-off value of the SII was 650, which was determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The ORs of an SII value>650 was 2.709 (95% CI:2.373-3.092, P<0.001), 1.615 (95% CI:1.384-1.882, P<0.001), 1.855 (95% CI:1.602-2.146, P<0.001), and 1.302 (95% CI:1.106-1.531, P=0.001) for prediction of POD in univariate model and three multivariate regression models. After PSM, the OR of an SII value>650 was 1.301 (95% CI: 1.062-1.598, P=0.011). The subgroup analysis indicated that the SII indicates a significantly increased risk of POD in patients with Hb<130 g/L, 4*109/L<WBC≤10*109/L, albumin <39 g/L, or a duration of MAP<60 mmHg ≥5 min. The SII was found to be a useful prognostic predictor of POD for patients with different ages, sexes, and ASA classifications.ConclusionsThe SII had a predictive value for POD in patients undergoing nonneurosurgery and noncardiac surgery. As an index generated from routine blood tests, the SII has advantages regarding cost and time. After further validation, the SII may provide a new option for POD prediction.
Laboratory culture and life cycle of Thelazia callipaeda in intermediate and definitive hosts
Authors: Wang Lingjun , Li Di , Tang Hongri , Lo Bo , Yan Rong , Shen Yujuan , Liu Hui , Yin Changzhu
Published: May 2022

Background: Human thelaziasis caused by Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) is being increasingly reported worldwide. Notably, it shows an epidemic trend in Guizhou Province, Southwest China. Whether Phortica okadai distributed in Southwest China can act as a vector of T. callipaeda and human-derived T. callipaeda animal infections have not been widely reported, there is also limited literature on animal models with T. callipaeda infection.Methods: T. callipaeda was isolated from cases of human infection and identified by morphological and molecular analyses. P. okadai was cultured in a laboratory and experimentally infected with first-stage larvae (L1) collected from adult worms. Dead P. okadai were subjected to PCR assay and dissected every two days to detect T. callipaeda. Live flies were then used to infect a rabbit using a special device. The infection procedures were performed once a day (20 min) for two weeks. The infected rabbit was examined every two days for worms in the eyes. Results: The nematode causing parasitic infection in the patient's eyes was identified as T. callipaeda. L1 collected from adult T. callipaeda successfully parasitized P. okadai captured in Zunyi, a city in Southwest China, and developed into L3. Experimentally infected P. okadai, as a vector of T. callipaeda, could then be used to transmit L3 to rabbits. A rabbit was successfully infected with T. callipaeda using P. okadai as the intermediate host. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates a human-derived T. callipaeda infection in rabbits, through P. okadai, under laboratory conditions for the first time. These results indicate that there is a transmission cycle of T. callipaeda and suggest a likely epidemic risk due to an increasing trend of this zoonotic nematode in southwest China.
Cross-cultural translation, adaptation, and validation of the stroke- specific quality of life scale into Amharic language
Authors: Wayessa Dechasa Imiru , Chala Mulugeta Bayisa , Demissie Solomon Fasika , Abebe Abey Bekele , Janakiraman Balamurugan , Deme Sisay , Gashaw Moges
Published: May 2022

Background: The stroke-specific quality of life 2.0 (SSQOL 2.0) scale is a valid, reliable instrument which has been widely used as a patients reported outcome measure among stroke survivors However, the SSQOL scale has not been validated and used in any Ethiopian language. This study aimed to translate, adapt, and test the psychometric properties of the SSQOL scale 2.0 in Amharic, the official language of the federal democratic republic of Ethiopia among Amharic speaking post-stroke Ethiopian people. Methods: The adapted English version of the SSQOL 2.0 scale was translated into Amharic and then back-translated to English. An expert committee translated and created a final Amharic version of SSQOL (SSQOL-AM) scale. Pre-field testing (pilot & cognitive debriefing) was conducted with 15 post-stroke subjects. The SSQOL-Am was administered to 245 stroke survivors from four referral hospitals to determine the psychometric properties. Cronbach’s alpha and Intra-class correlation coefficient were used to calculate the internal consistency and test-retest reliability, spearman’s correlation for the convergent construct validity of the SSQOL-Am scale. The Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), Minimum Detectable Change (MDC), Bland Altman Limit of Agreement (LOA), and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) were also determined.Results: The SSQOL-Am demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.93), internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.96), SEM 0.857, MDC 1.94, and good LOA. As postulated, the mobility domain of the tool demonstrated a significantly strong correlation with the physical function domain of the SF-36 (rho = 0.70, p < 0.001).Conclusions: The SSQOL-Am is a valid and reliable outcome measure. The tool can be used in both clinical practice and research purposes with post-stroke Ethiopian survivors.
The Impact of Dehydration on Short-Term Postoperative Complications in Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Lung Brandon , Callan Kylie , McLellan Maddison , Kim Matthew , Yi Justin , McMaster William , Yang Steven , So David
Published: May 2022

Background: As healthcare economics shifts towards outcomes based bundled payment models, providers must understand the evolving dynamics of medical optimization and fluid resuscitation prior to elective surgery. Dehydration is an overlooked modifiable risk factor that should be optimized prior to elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to reduce postoperative complications and inpatient costs. Methods: All primary TKA from 2005-2019 were queried from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) database, and patients were compared based on dehydration status: BUN/Cr < 20 (non-dehydrated), 20 ≤ BUN/C ≤ 25 (moderately-dehydrated), 25 < BUN/Cr (severely-dehydrated). A sub-group analysis involving only elderly patients >65 years and normalized gender-adjusted creatinine (Cr) values was also performed. Results: The analysis included 344,744 patients who underwent TKA. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the severely dehydrated cohort had a greater risk and rate of overall complications, postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT), urinary tract infections (UTI), progressive renal insufficiency, postoperative anemia requiring transfusion, nonhome discharge, and increased length of stay (LOS) (all p<0.01). Among the elderly, dehydrated patients had a greater risk of postoperative transfusion, cardiac complications, and nonhome discharge (all p<0.01). Conclusions: BUN/Cr>20 is an important preoperative diagnostic tool to identify at-risk dehydrated patients. Providers should optimize dehydration to prevent complications, decrease costs, and improve discharge planning. Level of evidence: Level III; Retrospective Case-Control Design; Prognosis Study
TERT promoter mutation as an independent prognostic marker in Glioblastoma: a prospective comparative study
Authors: Alimohamadi Maysam , Larijani Amirhossein , Pour-Rashidi Ahmad , Farzin Mostafa , Rahmani Mohamad , Hendi Kasra , Yarandi Kourosh Karimi , Shirani Mohammad
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Glioblastoma is the most common intrinsic malignant brain tumor in adults and it has a dismal prognosis. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the TERTp mutation as an independent prognostic biomarker in glioblastoma patients. Materials and Methods: Newly diagnosed cases of glioblastoma who have undergone surgical treatment were enrolled from 2018 to 2020. All patients undergone maximal safe resection accompanied by adjuvant therapy. The preoperative clinical and paraclinical data were documented and then regularly during the follow up. The Genetic profiling of the tumors included IDH-1 and IDH-2 mutation, MGMT promotor methylation, EGFR gene amplification and TERTp mutation. Results: The mean age of patients under study was 42.01±11.36 years; 41 patients were male (57.70%). The overall mean OS and PFS were 14.45±5.13 months and 10.66±4.87 months. The biomarker assessment showed IDH1 and TERTp mutation in 56.34% and 30.98%. The preoperative KPS and EOR>95% were related with OS and PFS. The TERTp mutant group had a lower OS and PFS than TERTp wildtype group (P=0.00). In the TERT mutant group, those with concomitant IDH1 wildtype tumor had significantly shorter OS and PFS. In multivariate analysis, EOR>95%, preoperative KPS≥80, IDH-1 mutation and TERTp-wildtype were predictive of longer PFS. The OS was determined by IDH-1 mutation, TERTp mutation and preoperative KPS. Conclusion: this study reveals that TERTp mutant glioblastoma patients have shorter OS & PFS than the TERTp-wildtype independently. The worst prognostic biomarker constellation in this study was TERTp mutation and concomitant IDH1 wildtype tumors.
Knowledge and practices of infection prevention among healthcare workers during the COVID 19 pandemic: a descriptive cross-sectional study
Authors: Orji Bright , Oliveras Elizabeth , Odio Bartholomew , Anoke Charity , Onuoha Herbert , Ugwa Emmanuel , Howard Madeleine , Idris Ibrahim , Akpan Edima , Okoh Festus , Nwani Chinyere , Adetiloye Oniyire , Lawrence Nwankwo , Oduenyi Chioma , Ogharu Emmanuel , Enne Joseph , Abolaji Folayan W. , Adegbulu Rosemary S. , Bryce Emily
Published: May 2022

BackgroundEmergence of the COVID-19 pandemic created unexpected challenges for health care workers. The global and national supply chain system was disrupted, and affected infection, prevention and control practices. This study aimed at documenting health workers knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on IPC in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsThe descriptive, mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted in Ebonyi, Ondo and Niger states in October 2020. A structured questionnaire that asked healthcare providers about their current knowledge, attitudes and practices and changes among them following the start of the pandemic was complemented by semi-structured interviews that were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed in Atlas.ti. Quantitative data were entered into REDCap and cleaned, transformed and analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS version 25.0 Findings from the qualitative interviews were used to explain the trends observed from quantitative study.ResultsThere were demographic differences between community and facility-based health workers in our population. CHIPS that agreed to have not attended IPC training were 54.9% and 71.4% for HCWs, compared to those that attended IPC training during COVID-19 pandemic (CHIPS – 62.8%, HCWs – 53.4%). Health care workers had good knowledge of general IPC, attitude and practice of IPC during COVID-19 pandemic. However, the knowledge of the relative effectiveness of prevention measures was low. The mean knowledge scores were greater among facility-based workers compared to community based healthcare workers (p= 0.001). Self-reported IPC practices increased during the pandemic compared to prior to the pandemic, with the exception of the use of N-95 masks and hand sanitizer.ConclusionThis study found good general IPC knowledge and practices in our study population. There is need for continued support for correct hand hygiene, and to reinforce the relative importance of different IPC practices to ensure adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. The study recommends sustained training and supply of PPEs and other materials needed for IPC reminds policy makers that budget line specific to COVID-19 response across all the levels of health
HIV Self-Testing Acceptability among Injured Persons Seeking Emergency Care in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Aluisio Adam R. , Bergam Scarlett J. , Sugut Janet , Kinuthia John , Bosire Rose , Ochola Eric , Ngila Beatrice , Guthrie Kate M. , Liu Tao , Mugambi Mary , Katz David A. , Farquhar Carey , Mello Michael J.
Published: May 2022

Emergency Department-based HIV self-testing (ED-HIVST) could increase HIV testing services to under-reached key groups. Injury patients presenting to the Kenyatta National Hospital Accident and Emergency Department were enrolled from March-May 2021. Likert item data on HIVST assessing domains of general acceptability, personal acceptability, and acceptability to distribute to social and/or sexual networks were collected. Ordinal regression was performed yielding adjusted odds ratios (aOR) to identify characteristics associated with high HIVST acceptability across domains. Of 600 participants, 88.7% were male, and the median age was 29. Half reported having primary care providers (PCPs) and 86.2% reported prior HIV testing. For each Likert item, an average of 63.5% of participants reported they “Agree Completely” with positive statements about ED-HIVST in general, for themselves, and for others. In adjusted analysis for general acceptability, those < 25 (aOR = 1.67, 95%CI:1.36–2.08) and with prior HIV testing (aOR = 1.68, 95%CI:1.27–2.21) had greater odds of agreeing completely. For personal acceptability, those with a PCP (aOR = 3.31, 95%CI:2.72–4.03) and prior HIV testing (aOR = 1.83, 95%CI:1.41–2.38) had greater odds of agreeing completely. For distribution acceptability, participants with a PCP (aOR = 2.42, 95%CI:2.01–2.92) and prior HIV testing (aOR = 1.79, 95%CI: 1.38–2.33) had greater odds of agreeing completely. ED-HIVST is perceived as highly acceptable, and young people with prior testing and PCPs had significantly greater favorability. These data provide a foundation for ED-HIVST program development in Kenya.
Halophilic Biodegradation of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) in Brine
Authors: Zebelean Danielle , Tran Dana , Goel Ramesh , Weidhaas Jennifer
Published: May 2022

Production of insensitive munitions (IM) creates wastewater containing 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO). As NTO is an anion in neutral pH wastewaters it can be removed via ion exchange (IX), released during IX brine recharge and may be subsequently degraded by halophiles. IX brine regeneration through halophilic NTO biotransformation was observed over 210 cycles in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and averaged 64.8 ± 20.2% NTO removal. NTO formed 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO) under sulfate- and nitrate-reducing conditions. Variable NTO reductions were observed over four phases including anaerobic enrichment (80.5 ± 7.7%, cycle 0 to 41); anaerobic followed by aerobic (42.2 ± 23.5%, cycle 42 to 81); anaerobic supplemented with nitrate (64.7 ± 21.5%, cycle 82 to 177); and anaerobic stress test with nitrate and perchlorate (91.0 ± 9.7%, cycle 178 to 210). Sequencing results show most of the genera to be halophiles and sulfate-reducing bacteria and archaea including Desulfovibrio and Halanaerobium. The results of these studies demonstrate that NTO biotransformation by halophiles in brine solutions is feasible.
Contextual factors influencing the roles of Patent Medicine Vendors in the Provision of Injectable Contraception Services in Nigeria
Authors: Adebayo Ayodeji Matthew , Oluwasanu Mojisola Morenike , Okunade Faizah Tosin , Ajayi Olayinka Olufunke , Akindele Akinwunmi Oyewole , Ajuwon Ademola Johnson
Published: May 2022

Background: Patent Medicine Vendors (PMVs) play vital roles in the delivery of family planning services in Nigeria and other developing countries. There is a growing recognition of the need to integrate them into the formal health care system as a strategy to increase the contraceptive prevalence rate and achieve universal health coverage. Though promising, the success of this proposition is largely dependent on a critical analysis of the factors which influence their operations. This study was designed to identify the contextual factors influencing the provision of injectable contraceptive services by PMVs and the broader effects of their activities on the health system to inform similar interventions in Nigeria.Methods: This was a qualitative study guided by the the Medical Research Council’s framework for Complex Interventions. Twenty-seven in-depth interviews were conducted among officials of the association of PMVs, health workers, government regulatory officers and programme implementers who participated in a phased 3-year (2015-2018) intervention designed to enhance the capacity of PMVs to deliver injectable contraceptive services. The data were transcribed and analyzed thematically using NVIVO software. Results: The contextual factors which had implications on the roles of PMVs were socio-cultural and religious, the failing Nigerian health system coupled with government regulatory policies. Other factors were interprofessional tensions and rivalry between the PMVs and some categories of health care workers and increasing donors’ interest in exploring the potentials of PMVs for expanded healthcare service provision. According to the respondents, the PMVs bridged the Nigerian health system service delivery gaps serving as the first point of contact for injectable contraceptive services and these increased contraceptive uptake in the study sites. A negative effect of their operation is the tendency to exceed their limits in service provision and this has spurred a planned tiered PMV accreditation system.Conclusions: This study has highlighted the contextual factors which define the roles and scope of practice of PMVs involved in injectable contraceptive service provision. Strategies and interventions aimed at expanding the healthcare delivery roles of PMVs must be encompassing and address the broader contextual factors which underpins their capacities and functions.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Training Need Assessment for Medical Laboratory Professionals in Ethiopia
Authors: Gebregzabher Endale H , Tesfaye Firehiwot , Cheneke Waqtola , Edao Abebe , Kedida Gizachew
Published: May 2022

Background: Continuing professional development (CPD) is required for health workers in practice to update knowledge and skills regularly to match the changing complexity of healthcare needs. The objective of this study was to identify the training needs of Medical Laboratory professionals in Ethiopia. Methods: A total of 457 Medical Laboratory professionals from five region and two city administrations were involved in the study. Data was collected from August 02 to 21, 2021 with structured self-administered online tool with five-point Likert scale. The tool had consent, demography, cross-cutting issues, and main activity area specific to medical laboratory. Results: Majority of the participants were male (80.1%). Participants from Amhara region 110 (24.1%) were the largest groups in the survey followed by Oromia 105(23%) and Addis Ababa 101(22.1%). The study participants comprised of 54.7% with a Bachelor degree, 31.3% with a diploma (Associate degree), and 14% with a Master’s degree. The participants had varying years of service, ranging from less than one year to over 10 years of experience. Most of the participants work as generalists (24.1%) followed by working in microbiology (17.5%) and Parasitology (16%). The majority (96.9%) was working in a public sector or training institutions and the rest were employed in the private sector. Our study showed that the three most important topics selected for training in the cross cutting health issues were health and emerging technology, computer skills and medico-legal issues. Out of the thirteen laboratory specific themes, topics under microbiology, clinical chemistry and molecular diagnostics were selected as the most preferred technical areas for training. Participants have also selected topics under research skill and pathophysiology as most important. When the laboratory specific issues were regrouped based on areas of application as technical competence, research skill and pathophysiology knowledge, thirteen topics under technical competence, four topics under research skill and three topics under pathophysiology were picked as priority topics.Conclusion: In conclusion, our study identified that CPD programs should focus on topics that address technical competence in microbiology, clinical chemistry and molecular diagnostics. Additionally competencies in research skill and updating knowledge in pathophysiology should also receive due attention in designing trainings.
DSDU-Net: Segmentation of Brain Tumor Subregions with Depthwise Separable Dense U-NET
Authors: Nehru V , V Prabhu
Published: May 2022

Brain tumors are one of the most dangerous medical conditions. The dispersed extremities and non-uniform structure of the tumors are the basis of why techniques of traditional segmentation have grown to be inefficient. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the most widely used scanning procedures for tumors. However, to ameliorate the survival rate, the detection of tumors alone does not suffice, and there are other effective procedures. One of the most pivotal procedures for diagnosing the condition is the process of the brain tumor segmentation is a laborious and cumbersome process. As a result, a Deep Learning (DL) based solution is used to extract tumor subregions like Enhancing Tumor (ET), Tumor Core (TC), and Whole Tumor (WT). The proposed model involves novel DSDU-Net: Depth-wise Separable Dense U-NET (DSDU-NET) that precise outputs are acquired by retaining the low-level features. In the preprocessing stage, a methodology called Multi-Scale Patch extraction is used to segregate tumor regions, and a grouping of Gaussian Filter, Unsharp Masking, and Histogram Equalization is carried out on the data set to get significantly better performance.The proposed DSDU-NET network performed better in terms of performance, specificity, sensitivity, dice similarity index, and Hausdorff Distance for segmented image sub-regions when validated on BraTS 2018 and 2019 datasources When particularly in comparison to other models.
Longitudinal Association Between Periodontitis and the Risk of Hypertension
Authors: Aremu John B , Pérez Cynthia M. , Joshipura Kaumudi
Published: May 2022

Objectives
Hypertension poses major public health challenge due to its association with increased risk of heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and death. The objective of this study is to evaluate the longitudinal association between periodontitis and risk of hypertension.
Methods
540 participants free of diagnosed hypertension/prehypertension in the San Juan Overweight Adults Longitudinal Study (SOALS) and with complete 3-year follow-up data were included. Periodontitis was classified according to 2012 CDC/AAP definition. Participants were considered to have developed hypertension if they reported physician-diagnosed hypertension over the follow-up period or had average systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mm Hg at follow-up. Participants free of diagnosed hypertension or prehypertension and normal BP at baseline (SBP < 120 mm Hg and DBP < 80 mm Hg) were considered to develop prehypertension if they had SBP between 120–139 mm Hg or DBP between 80–89 mm Hg at follow up. An additional (secondary) outcome was defined as the development of prehypertension/hypertension over the follow-up period among participants who had normal BP at baseline. We used Poisson regression adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, physical activity, alcohol intake, diabetes, waist circumference, and family history of hypertension.
Results
One hundred and six (19.6%) participants developed hypertension, and 58 of the 221 with normal BP (26%) developed prehypertension/hypertension. There was no consistent association between periodontitis and the risk of developing hypertension. However, people with severe periodontitis had an increased incidence of prehypertension/hypertension (multivariate IRR:1.47; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.17) than people without periodontitis, after adjusting for confounders.
Conclusion
There was no association between periodontitis and hypertension in this cohort study. However, severe periodontitis was associated with an increased risk of prehypertension/hypertension.
3D microenvironment attenuates simulated microgravity-mediated changes in T cell transcriptome
Authors: ElGindi Mei , Sapudom Jiranuwat , Laws Praveen , Garcia-Sabate Anna , Daqaq Mohammed , Teo Jeremy
Published: May 2022

Human space travel and exploration are of interest to both the industrial and scientific community. However, there are many adverse effects of spaceflight on human physiology. In particular, there is a lack of understanding to the extent by which microgravity affects the immune system. T cells, key players of the adaptive immune system and long term immunity, are present not only in blood circulation, but also reside within tissue. As of yet, studies investigating the effects of microgravity on T cells are limited to peripheral blood or traditional 2D cell culture that recapitulates circulating blood. To better mimic interstitial tissue, 3D cell culture has been well established for physiologically and pathologically relevant models. In this work, we utilize 2D and 3D cell culture to gain an understanding of how simulated microgravity affects both circulating and tissue resident T cells. T cells were studied in both resting and activated stages. We found that 3D cell culture attenuates the effects of simulated microgravity on the T cells transcriptome and nuclear irregularities compared to 2D cell culture. Interestingly, simulated microgravity appears to have less effect on activated T cells compared to those in the resting stage. Overall, our work provides novel insights into the effects of simulated microgravity on circulating and tissue resident T cells which could provide benefits for the health of space travelers.
Association of mesothelioma deaths with cumulated neighborhood exposures due to a large-scale asbestos cement plant in Amagasaki City, Japan: A nested case-control study
Authors: Kitamura Yuri , Zha Ling , Liu Rong , Shima Masayuki , Nakaya Tomoki , Kurumatani Norio , Kumagai Shinji , Goji Junko , Sobue Tomotaka
Published: May 2022

Background: Although a causal relationship between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure is well known, few studies have shown a relationship to non-occupational exposure, including neighborhood exposure, most likely because of the large effect size of occupational exposure. The aim of this study was to quantify the risk of malignant mesothelioma death associated with neighborhood asbestos exposure due to a large-scale asbestos-cement (AC) plant in Amagasaki, Japan, by properly adjusting for occupational exposure. Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study in which a fixed population of 143,929 residents who had been living in Amagasaki City between 1975 and 2002 were followed from 2002 to 2015. All 133 cases and 403 matched controls were interviewed about their occupational, domestic, household, and neighborhood asbestos exposures. Odds ratios (ORs) for mesothelioma death associated with neighborhood exposure were estimated by a conditional logistic-regression model that adjusted for other asbestos exposures. We adopted cumulative indices that considered residence-specific asbestos (crocidolite) concentrations and durations during the potential exposure period of 1957-1975 to evaluate individual neighborhood exposures.Results: There was an increasing, dose-dependent risk of mesothelioma death associated with neighborhood exposure, demonstrated by ORs in the highest quintile category that were 21.4 (95% CI: 5.8 - 79.2) for all, 23.7 (95% CI: 3.8 -147.2) for males, and 26.0 (95% CI: 2.8 - 237.5) for females, compared to the lowest quintile, respectively. These results clearly demonstrated no substantial differences between males and females in relation to the magnitude of risk from neighborhood exposure.Conclusions: By adjusting for occupational and other asbestos exposures, a dose-dependent relationship was demonstrated between mesothelioma death and neighborhood asbestos exposure from a large-scale AC plant. Our findings suggest that the risk of mesothelioma death associated with neighborhood exposure persists and will not be diminished for many years, even though it has been decades since the AC plant closed.
The effect of college students self-directed learning strategies on academic satisfaction in untact learning environment: Focusing on professor-student interaction and cognitive presense
Authors:   Korean Association For Learner-Centered Curriculum And Instruction, Song Koeun , Kim Jin Young , Bae Munjung
Published: May 2022

Objectives The purpose of this study is to understand the structural role of professor-student interaction and cognitive presence in the relationship between self-directed learning strategies and academic satisfaction of university students who took full online classes in the context of untact learning environment during the semester caused by COVID-19.
Methods To this end, data were collected from a total of 400 students, 100 students per grade, who participated in untact lectures at H University in Gyeongsangbuk-do. For data analysis, basic statistics, correlation analysis, and double mediation analysis were conducted using SPSS 21.0 and SPSS Process Macro 3.0.
Results The results of this study are as follows. First, as a result of examining the relationship between major variables, it was found that there were significant positive correlations between self-directed learning strategies, professor-student interactions, cognitive presense, and academic satisfaction. Second, in an untact learning environment, it was found that professor-student interaction and cognitive presence sequentially mediate the relationship between self-directed learning strategies and academic satisfaction. This means that the higher the self-directed learning strategy, the higher the professor-student interaction, the higher the cognitive realism, and the higher the academic satisfaction.
Conclusions If untact learning is prolonged, an environment that can improve self-directed learning should be provided to increase students academic satisfaction, and instructors’ efforts inside and outside classess are needed to increase professor-student interaction. Also, preparations at the university level should be prepared so that student’s practical learning should be advanced.