bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exercise impacts positively on bone mineral density in human immunodeficiency virus seropositives: Do health professionals know?
Authors: Maduagwu Stanley M , Zizighi Samuel , Mohammad Usman A , Nwanne Chiamaka A , Ani Kenneth U , Ihegihu Ebere Y , Nwosu Ifeoma B , Okonkwo Arinze C , Umunnah Joe O , Okonkwo Uchenna P , Muonwe Chidile S
Published: May 2022

Background
Despite the concomitant negative effects of human immunodeficiency virus on bone mineral density in HIV-infected persons, studies on knowledge of effect of exercise on this health parameter in HIV population among health professionals seem unavailable. This study therefore examined knowledge of effect of exercise on BMD in HIV-infected persons among health professionals.
Methods
This cross sectional survey employed researcher designed, experts - validated questionnaire to enroll 434 respondents. The reliability coefficient “r” of the questionnaire was 0.75 with 92% response rate. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize and analyze the data respectively. The alpha value was set at 0.05.
Results
Age range and mean age in years of the respondents were 21–59 and 35.88 ± 9.09 respectively; age group of 30–39 years predominated (45.3%). Males were in preponderance (52.4%), and most (74.4%) were married; while majority (54.7%) were nurses. Substantial proportion (54.2%) had less than good knowledge on the subject examined in this study. Significant difference (p < 0.05; p = 0.015) in knowledge of effect of exercise on BMD in HIV population existed among the professions. Post hoc showed that knowledge of the physicians (p = 0.001) and laboratory scientists (p = 0.029) was significantly higher than that of the nurses. Physiotherapists’ knowledge on this subject compared to that of other health professionals was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
Knowledge of effect of exercise on BMD in HIV infected persons among health professionals was surprisingly below expectation, and therefore appalling.
Clinical Evaluation and Periapical Status of Crowns and Fixed Partial Dentures in a Selected Saudi Population: Retrospective Study
Authors: Albaqawi Ahmed H. , Aljanakh Mohammad D. , Alshammari Bayan N. , Alshammari Modhi A. , Alshammari Rawan H. , Alshammari Ghadeer D. , Alshammari Bodor Z. , AlShammari Rawan A. , Alturki Ruqayyah F. , Madfa Ahmed A.
Published: May 2022

Background: Patient satisfaction is a critical component of clinical success in patients undergoing restorations. As a result, the purpose of this study was to assess the clinical performance of crowns and multi-unit fixed prosthodontics in order to determine the frequency of problems associated with crowns and fixed restorations in a Saudi subpopulation using clinical and radiographic parameters. Methods: Three-hundred patients who received crowns and tooth-supported fixed partial dentures at dental polyclinics center in Hail region, Saudi Arabia between March 2021 and October 2021 were included in the study. The method of purposeful sampling was used. Clinical and radiographic examinations were used to identify patients who received crowns and FPDs at the dental center during the specified time. Patients with at least three-unit FPDs or a single crown with a natural contra-lateral tooth / teeth met the inclusion criteria. Six general dentists performed clinical and radiographic examinations. The criteria for evaluation the crowns and FPDs were technical and biological complications and satisfaction of the patients. Cross-tabulation is used to determine the frequency and percentage of the various parameters used in the current study. Results: The majority of the restoration had non-acceptable marginal integrity 249 (83%). Most of the restorations 181 (60.3%) had acceptable morphology. Almost all of the restorations 289 (96.3%) had un-satisfactory color. Visible periodontal depth equal or more than 5 mm were found in 53 (17.7%). Most of the fixed restorations were associated with gingival bleeding 240 (80%), while periapical lesion was found on 72 (24% teeth in all patients. The most patients 219 (73%) reported to be non-satisfied with their fixed restorations. Conclusions: The technical and biological complications noted in the current study were higher to other studies of FPDs. The majority of patients were dissatisfied with the restoration.
Predictive models in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): a systematic review
Authors: Giordano Luca , Francavilla Andrea , Bottio Tomaso , Dell'Amore Andrea , Gregori Dario , Navalesi Paolo , Lorenzoni Giulia , Baldi Ileana
Published: May 2022

PurposeExtracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) has been increasingly used in the last years to provide hemodynamic and respiratory support in critically ill patients. In this scenario, prognostic scores remain essential to choose which patients should initiate ECMO.This systematic review aims to assess the current landscape and inform subsequent efforts in the development of risk prediction tools for ECMO. MethodsPubMed, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE and Scopus were consulted. Articles between Jan 2011 and Feb 2022, including adults undergoing ECMO reporting a developed and validated predictive model, were included. Data extraction aimed to capture study characteristics, risk model characteristics and model performance. The risk of bias was evaluated through the Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST).ResultsTwenty-six prognostic scores for in-hospital mortality were identified. The most common candidate variables were age, lactate concentration, creatinine concentration, bilirubin concentration, and days in mechanical ventilation prior to ECMO. Five out of 16 venous-arterial (VA)-ECMO scores and 3 out of 9 veno-venous (VV)-ECMO scores had been validated externally. Additionally, one score was developed for both VA and VV populations. No score was judged at low risk of bias.ConclusionMost models have not been validated externally or are inadequately built and apply after ECMO initiation, failing to answer if ECMO should be initiated or not. It has yet to be determined whether and to what extent a new methodological perspective may enhance the performance of predictive models for ECMO, with the ultimate goal to implement a model that positively influences patient outcomes.
Snow microorganisms colonise Arctic soils following snow melt
Authors: Malard Lucie , Bergk-Pinto Benoit , Layton Rose , Vogel Timothy , Larose Catherine , Pearce David A
Published: May 2022

Arctic soils are subjected to microbial invasion from either airborne, marine or animal sources. However, in winter, Arctic soils are isolated from outside sources other than snow, which is the sole source of microorganisms. Successful colonisation of soil by snow microorganisms depends on the ability to survive and compete of both, the invading and resident community. Our study monitored snow and soil microbial communities throughout snow melt to investigate the colonisation process of Arctic soils. Microbial colonisation appears to have occurred as all the characteristics of successful colonisation were observed. The colonising microorganisms originating from the snow were already adapted to the local environmental conditions and were subsequently subjected to many similar conditions in the Arctic soil. Furthermore, competition-related genes (e.g., motility, chemotaxis, and virulence) increased in snow samples as the snow melted. Overall, one hundred potentially successful colonisers were identified in the soil and, thus, demonstrated the deposition and growth of snow microorganisms in soils during melt.
Decrease in population of swans (Cygnus spp.) due to the development of areas adjacent to the wintering site
Authors: Hong Suk-Hwan , Yeum Jung-Hun , Kim Si-Hwan , Park June-Log
Published: May 2022

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between Cygnus spp. population trends and land-use change and artificial development activities in Nakdonggang estuary. Analysis of the 15-year-long population change revealed a sharp decline of Cygnus columbianus population in winter, which could be attributed to the Nakdonggang estuary becoming unfeasible as their wintering site. In contrast, there was no sharp decline in the Cygnus cygnus population, although a moderate decline was identified. Over the past 30 years, farmland activities decreased by approximately 10% in the areas adjacent to the protected area, resulted from the growth of the urbanized area. The rate of decrease of water body area was evident, identified by the urban development through reclamation. Although the abundance of food resources for Cygnus spp. can only be understood indirectly, changes in land use around the wintering site, where the Cygnus spp. can acquire food, are expected to be decisive in their choice of habitat. C. cygnus and C. columbianus, whose individual characteristics have not been specifically investigated, are generally known to share the same habitat; we could identify a distinct difference in terms of habitat sensitivity. With urban development occurring around the wintering site, C. columbianus was confirmed to be more sensitive to urbanization compared to C. cygnus in Nakdonggang estuary.
Carbon emissions and economic impact of EU’s embargoing Russian fossil fuels
Authors: Liu Lijing , Jiang Hong-Dian , Liang Qiao-Mei , Creutzig Felix , Liao Hua , Yao Yun-Fei , Qian Xiang-Yan , Ren Zhong-Yuan , Qing Jing , Cai Qiran , Edenhofer Ottmar , Wei Yi-Ming
Published: May 2022

The war in Ukraine lays bar EU’s dependence of fossil fuel imports from Russia. Here, we use a global computable equilibrium model, C3IAM/GEEPA, to estimate CO2 emission and GDP impact of embargoing fossil fuels from Russia. We find that embargoes induce more than 10% reduction of CO2 emissions in the EU, and slight increases of emissions in Russia, while both regions experience GDP losses (around 2% for the EU, and about 5% for Russia, ignoring the relative impact of other sanctions). Reacting to increasing energy prices with demand-side response inside the EU would increase CO2 emission savings, while turning GDP losses into gains. Implementing a partial embargo with tariffs largely compensates for lost government revenue.
WITHDRAWN: Neonicotinoid Analysis in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Honey of Tekirdag Province in Turkey
Authors: Ozdemir Nurullah , Muz Mustafa Necati
Published: May 2022

The widespread neonicotinoid use in agriculture causes environmental pollution, but its toxicity to mammals is more limited. Honeybees can carry pollutants to hives, considered bioindicators of environmental pollution. Forager bees returning neonicotinoids treated sunflower fields cause residue accumulation in the hives, which reason colony-level adverse effects. This study analyzes neonicotinoid residues in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) honey sampled by beekeepers from Tekirdağ province. Honey samples have been subjected to liquid-liquid extraction methods before high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). No neonicotinoid residues were found above the maximum residue limit in the sunflower honey samples analyzed.
Performance Evaluation of Small-scale Irrigation Scheme: Case Study of Selamko Irrigation Scheme, Upper Bilue Nile - Ethiopia
Authors: Berihune Zigiybel F. , Moges Michael M.
Published: May 2022

The study was conducted to evaluate the performance of Selamko small scale irrigation scheme using internal and external performance indicators. The irrigation scheme command area was 63 ha and during the study season the irrigated area was 42ha. Over all activities in primary data collected included: field observation, discharge measurements in the canals, soil moisture before irrigation and after irrigation and depth of water applied at the field and interviewing beneficiary farmers. Secondary data were collected from secondary sources that were South Gondar Small Scale Irrigation coordination office, SGBoWR and WUA of the scheme. In order to evaluate the irrigation water, use efficiency of the scheme, nine farmer fields were selected from the scheme in relation to their location: at the head, middle and tail end water users. The internal process indicators which include conveyance efficiency and application efficiency were used to evaluate the performances of the scheme. From the analyses of internal performance indicators, the conveyance efficiencies were found to be 56.9% at the main canal, 57.09 at secondary canal 1 and 54.55% at secondary canal 2. The canals supply less water than the demand of the delivery points. And the application efficiencies were estimated to be 56.994%. The overall efficiency was 35.268%. The output per command area has to be calculated as 60198.14Birr/ha and 89738.1Birr/ha at 2016/17 and 2015/16 irrigation season respectively. The output per cropped area were estimated as 90297.62 Birr/ha and 99621.1 Birr/ha at 2016/17 and 2015/16 irrigation season respectively. The output per water consumed has to be determined as 17.66 Birr/m3 and 20.14 Birr/m3 at 2016/17 and 2015/16 irrigation season respectively. The water supply and irrigation supply were found as 1.71 and 1.47 respectively. From the analysis of physical performance of the scheme, during the study period, the irrigation ratio of the scheme was 66.67% and the sustainability of the scheme is 62.69% but in 2015/16 irrigation season, the irrigation ratio was 84.7% and sustainability of the scheme was 90.08%. During the study period the total effectivity of scheme infrastructure was 20.69%. It displayed that high system maintenance is required. Generally, the performance of the irrigation scheme is poor. Therefore, scheme monitoring, capacity building of the users and the water user associations, providing the flow control measurement structures, adequate operation and maintenance of the system are required to improve the irrigation scheme performance.
Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis: The Worst Associated Injuries and Differences in Patients' Profile When Compared With Primary Osteoarthritis
Authors: Maia Catrine Rangel , Annichino Ricardo Fruschein , Munhoz Marcelo de Azevedo e Souza , Machado Eduardo Gomes , Marchi Evaldo , Castano-Betancourt Martha Cecilia
Published: May 2022

Background: Between 10-12% of all osteoarthritis cases are classified as post-traumatic. Patients with post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) have a higher risk for complications after total joint arthroplasty than patients with primary OA; however, the possible causes remain unknown. A profile of patients with PTOA, more disabling injuries and comorbidities compared to patients with primary OA might help to elucidate. This work aims 1) to identify the most common past injuries associated with the most painful and disabling PTOA cases in a group of non-athlete patients and 2) compare the comorbidities and characteristics between PTOA and primary OA cases. Methods. Retrospective hospital-based cohort study with 1290 participants with joint complaints or who received arthroplasty. Medical records included demographic information, diagnosis, medication, smoking, alcohol history and comorbidities. Information from the orthopaedic consult included the type and date of injury (for PTOA), pain score by the numerical rating scale (NRS) and walking disability. Results. There were 641 cases with primary OA (65% females) and 104 with PTOA (61% males). Patients with PTOA were 7.5 years younger (P<0.001), reported more alcohol consumption (P=0.01) and had higher odds of osteoporotic fractures and bipolar disorder or schizophrenia than patients with primary OA (OR= 2.0, CI=1.06-3.78 and OR=2.90, CI=-0.91-9.18, respectively). Knee fractures were most common in males and hip fractures in females (31% and 37.5%, respectively, P<0.005). The PTOA-associated injuries with the highest pain and disability scores were meniscal injuries and hip fractures (NRS=8.3/10, (P-ANOVA=0.04 and P=0.10). There were more diabetes, hypertension, and hypothyroidism cases in Primary-OA than in PTOA (all P<0.05).Conclusions. PTOA represented 12.4% of all joint diseases in the orthopaedic consult. Past meniscal injuries and hip fractures were the most relevant PTOA associated injuries regarding pain and walking disability. Patients with PTOA have a different profile than patients with primary OA, which would increase their chances of injuries and complications after arthroplasty.
Clinicopathological and prognostic differences of fusion oncogenes in papillary thyroid carcinoma: a meta-analysis of summary and individual patient data
Authors: Vuong Huy Gia , Le Hieu Trong , Le Trang T.B. , Le Thoa , Humaira Sayeda , Hassell Lewis , Kakudo Kennichi
Published: May 2022

IntroductionFusion oncogenes (e.g., NTRK, RET, ALK, BRAF, PPARG) are rare genetic events in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and little is known about the similarities and differences in clinicopathological manifestations and prognostic outcomes of these genetic alterations. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the clinicopathological significance and prognoses of different oncogenic fusions in PTC patients.MethodsWe performed a summary-level meta-analysis to compare the fusion-positive with fusion-negative PTCs and individual patient data meta-analysis to analyze the clinicopathological profiles of different oncogenic fusions. The odds ratio and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the random-effect model. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare categorical variables while Wilcoxon rank-sum and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were utilized for continuous covariates.ResultsWe included 40 studies for meta-analyses. Compared to fusion-negative PTCs, cases with oncogenic fusions occurred at a younger age and had increased rates of multifocality, vascular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, and nodal/distant metastases. NTRK-, RET-, BRAF-, ALK-, and PPARG-rearranged PTCs had a unique demographic/clinicopathological profile but similar progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). NTRK1-positive PTCs demonstrated more aggressive clinical behaviors and shorter PFS in comparison to NTRK3-positive PTCs whereas RET rearrangement variants shared comparable clinicopathological backgrounds.ConclusionThis study provides new insights and facilitates our current understanding of clinicopathological features and survival outcomes of different fusion oncogenes in PTCs. It may help clinicians better counsel the patients and tailor appropriate treatment decisions.
The impact of macroeconomic factors on the development of the insurance system in Ukraine
Authors: Yavorska Tetiana , Voytovych Lyudmyla , Voytovych Dmytro
Published: May 2022

The functioning of the insurance system is associated with the dynamics of development and the current state of the economy, the political and social situation in a country, the legal field of operation of both insurance companies and economic agents. That is why the effective development of the insurance system is impossible without a deep understanding of the factors of the macroeconomic environment that can determine the scale of insurance activity. The aim of the study is to identify and determine the impact of macroeconomic factors on the development of the insurance system in Ukraine. To analyze the exogenous factors influencing the development of the insurance system, the study uses the method of PESTL analysis, as a result of which the strength of the influence of factors was assessed by insurance experts through a questionnaire. It is determined that political factors play an important role in the development of the insurance system. It is proved that economic factors influencing the insurance system have a direct impact, since the decline in production, rising inflation, which is reflected in the reduction of purchasing power of the population, leads to a reduction in insurance premiums to insurance companies. Social factors influencing the development of the insurance system manifest themselves through trust in insurers, which is the catalyst for the development of the insurance system. Technological factors influencing the development of the insurance system are represented by the level of development of innovations and technologies in insurance, the level of penetration of the Internet and mobile gadgets into the insurance system, the degree of globalization and openness of the insurance system. It is determined that legal factors are inhibitors of the development of the insurance system, as they do not create appropriate conditions for its improvement and development. It is concluded that economic factors have the greatest impact on the development of the insurance system and the functioning of its elements.
AcknowledgmentsThe authors with to thank V. S. Krupka, Certified consultant of IC “OVB Alfinance Ukraine”, kvolody@ukr.net; V. O. Plyuta, Director of Khmelnytskyj Branch of IC “Providna”, Head of the Center for Reception and Customer Service in Khmelnytskyj, v.plyuta@providna.com.ua; and V. V. Kulchytskyi-Polyvko, Deputy Director of the Center for Corporate Sales Development in the Western Region of IC “Unika”, office@uniqa.ua.
Mitigation and Adaptation Practices to the Impact of Climate Change on Wine Grape Production, with Special Reference to the South African Context
Authors: Theron H. , Hunter J.J.
Published: May 2022

In South Africa, environmentally and socio-economically sustainable wine grape production is promotedby governmental and private initiatives. All the initiatives contribute to establishing a scientificallybased response strategy of agro-systems to ensure sustainable production under future expected climateconditions. South African wine grape producers would probably have to cultivate their grapevines underhigher atmospheric CO2 levels and in warmer, mostly drier, conditions. Due to the projected increase inclimatic variability, an effort must be made to improve the resilience of vines against these environmentalconditions. Whole-vine functioning and balances should be considered when adjustments are madeto current long and short term cultivation practices. All practices should be aimed at promoting thedevelopment of a deep, dense and buffered root system that is able to support a well-developed canopywith optimal microclimate that would sustain a high yield of good quality. Mitigation and adaptationstrategies would most likely have to be region specific, and small scale terroir data, (which should includeboth climate and terrain/soil information) may play a critical role in decision-making.
Şehir içi Akaryakıt İstasyonları Gürültü Kaynakları ve Kontrolü
Authors: HATİPOĞLU Müberra Nur , AKIN Doç. Dr. Beril Salman
Published: May 2022

Gürültünün doğrudan etkisi, kısa ve uzun vadeli olumsuzluklara neden olabilmektedir. Gürültü, insan sağlığına ve davranışlarına etkisi bakımından; işitmede fiziksel olarak hasara yol açarken, vücut aktivitesi sürecinde defizyolojik rahatsızlık, sinir hali gibi psikolojik ve iş veriminde düşüşe neden olan işitilen seslerin anlamlandırılamaması gibi performansa etkileri şeklinde sıralanabilir. Gürültünün zararlı etkilerine karşı tedbir almak ve olumsuz etkilerini önlemek ve işitme eyleminin sağlıklı şekilde gerçekleşmesi için bazı çalışmalar yapılmaktadır. Bu konuya yönelik yasal düzenlemelerin mekanlarda yer alması için bazı standartlar ortaya çıkarılmıştır. Dünyada ortaya çıkan bu sorunlara karşı gürültüyle ilgili pek çok çalışma yapılmaktadır. Hazırlanan yasal prosedürlerle ve uygulamalarla gürültü faktörü kontrol altına alınmaya çalışılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada bina dışı gürültü kaynaklarından olan yerleşim yerleri yakınlarında bulunan iş yerlerinden kaynaklanan gürültü düzeyleri ölçülmeye çalışılmış, Ankara İli’nde bulunan bir akaryakıt istasyonun araç yıkama kısmında yer alan gürültü kaynaklarının tespit edilmesi ve gürültünün önlenmesi için çözüm önerilerinin geliştirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu nedenle akaryakıt istasyonu incelenerek gürültüden en çok etkilenebilecek yapı olan hastanede gündüz ve akşam saat dilimleri içerisinde olacak şekilde toplam 32 adet gürültü ölçümü yapılmış, yapılan hesaplamalar sonucunda gürültünün akşam saatlerinde rahatsız edici boyutlara ulaştığı tespit edilmiştir. Akaryakıt istasyonunun içerisinde bulunan oto yıkama bölümünde 2 adet bulunan kompresörün 1 tanesinin kullanıma kapatılması ile gürültü seviyesi yasal sınırlar içerisinde kalmaktadır.
Hardware Design of Low Cost Myoelectric Controlled Prosthetic Hand For Engineering Laboratory
Authors: ÇELİK Mehmet Serdar , TEPE Cengiz , EMİNOĞLU İlyas
Published: May 2022

This study presents a low cost, two-channel, on-off type, constant speed myo-electric controlled prosthetic hand project as an educational tool for Biomedical/Control/Mechatronic Engineering. Surface Electromyogram (sEMG) signals were recorded from the muscles of flexor carpi ulnaris and extensor digitorium on the forearm. Signal conditioning of these signals is performed in the analog stages of the system, before passing it on to a microcontroller for further filtering and implementation of control. The control logic is simplified to represent the muscles as being active or inactive, resulting in a very simple on/off control based on the two signals. The on/off control signals are used to drive a myo-electric controlled prosthetic hand-powered by a hobby RC servo motor. A printed circuit board has been designed for the analog stages of the system, and a simple Arduino Microcontroller is used for the digital stages. Other commercial off-the-shelf components were used to keep the cost of the hardware and the software components as low as possible. This project was used as a teaching aid for the final year undergraduate students to demonstrate the use of simple myo-electric signal processing and control techniques.
O infinito e a incompreensibilidade na concepção pascaliana de história
Authors: Zaninetti Priscila
Published: May 2022

Concebida como um conjunto de circunstâncias incomensuráveis à faculdade racional do homem, mas singularizadas no Jesus encarnado, a concepção pascaliana de história estaria articulada às concepções teológicas de graça e pecado original, bem como às concepções antropológicas de razão e natureza humanas. Nesse contexto, o caráter finito e limitado do conhecimento humano, seriam decorrentes da infinitude da divindade e, portanto, um dado intrínseco e inescapável da Criação. Sendo assim, o presente artigo pretende explicitar a relevância da temática histórica no pensamento de Blaise Pascal ao estabelecer o vínculo entre tal temática e concepções centrais do filósofo.
Golpe de Estado: História de uma ideia, de Newton Bignotto
Authors: Pereira Guimarães Pedro Augusto
Published: May 2022

Trata-se de uma resenha crítica sobre o livro "Golpe de Estado: história de uma ideia" do Newton Bignotto publicado no segundo semestre de 2021 pela editora Bazar do tempo.
Electrochemiluminescence Sensor based on Electrospun Crosslinked
Carbon Nanofibers for the Detection of Difenidol Hydrochloride
Authors: Cheng Hao , Li Xuenuan , Li Tianhao , Tang Tingfan , Qin Danfeng
Published: May 2022

Background:

Cross-linked porous carbon nanofibers (CNF) was successfully prepared by electrospinning and high-temperature carbonization. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as the carbon source and Genipin as the cross-linking agent were used to prepare Cross-linked porous carbon nanofibers (CNF).

Method and Material:

The field emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Automatic Specific Surface and Porosity Analyzer Brunner Emmet Teller (BET), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), A laser confocal microspectroscope (Raman, XploRA PLUS, Horiba) were used to characterize materials. The CNF suspension was dropped on the surface of the bare glassy carbon electrode by the drip coating method to obtain a CNF modified electrode. Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the electrochemiluminescence behavior of difenidol hydrochloride on CNF modified glassy carbon electrode (Glassy Carbon Electrode, GCE).

Results and Discussion:

Herein, we synthesised a kind of Crosslinked Carbon Nanofibers and designed a novel ECL biosensor, Under the optimal conditions, the concentration of difenidol hydrochloride has a linear relationship with the peak current in the range of 8.0×10-8 to 1.0×10-4mol/L, the correlation coefficient is R2=0.997, with a low detection limit (1.2×10- 8 mol/L). Difenidol hydrochloride in difenidol hydrochloride tablets was tested, and the recovery rate of sample addition was 83.17%-92.17%, and the RSD was <5.0%. The designed platform exhibited excellent analytical performance towards difenidol hydrochloride determination.
Transcriptome Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine ‘Kechuanning
Plaster’ in the Treatment of Asthma
Authors: Li Jingjing , Fan Yanbo , Wang Wei , He Zhiwei , Ding Nian , Lu Lijun , Zhang Jun , Xie Miaomiao
Published: May 2022

Background:

Asthma is a severe chronic inflammatory airway disease. Kechuanning
plaster has excellent efficacy in the treatment of asthma.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to analyze the molecular mechanisms of Kechuanning plaster
in the treatment of asthma.

Methods:

An asthma model was constructed using Sprague Dawley rats. Differentially expressed
genes (DEGs) were screened in three rat groups: the control (normal rats), model (asthma rats), and
treatment (asthma rats treated with Kechuanning) groups. After enrichment analysis of the DEGs,
the protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of the DEGs were analyzed, and transcription factors and
microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate DEGs were predicted. Finally, western blotting (WB) and
immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was performed to validate protein expression.

Results:

A total of 745 DEGs were identified and enriched in 93 Gene Ontology terms and 25
Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. A PPI network, consisting of 224 protein
nodes and 368 edges, was constructed. The nuclear factor of activated T cells 2 (NFATc2) was
predicted to have binding sites in 61 DEGs. The miRNA-target interaction network included 24
DEGs and 9 miRNAs. WB and IHC analysis demonstrated that the fatty acid-binding protein 5
(FABP5) and the chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 3 (CXCL3) had higher expression in the model
group and lower expression in the control and treatment groups.

Conclusion:

We concluded that FABP5, CXCL3, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3),
E1A binding protein P300 (EP300), NFATc2, microRNA 495 (miR-495), and miR-30 may play
important roles in treating asthma.
Anti-Amyloid-β Immunotherapy: A Leading Novel Avenue for Alzheimer's
Disease
Authors: Babbar Ritchu , Sharma Parth , Sharma Twinkle , Madaan Piyush , Arora Sandeep , Badavath Vishnu Nayak
Published: May 2022

Alzheimer disease or senile dementia is principally acknowledged by the gradual accumulation of neurotoxic amyloid- β protein in the brain and is considered as the initial event of the phenomenon of this asymptomatic ailment. It prompts the decline in cognitive performance, standard psychiatric functioning, and neuronal transmission across the brain. Significant inferences were withdrawn by utilizing the recently introduced disease-modifying anti- amyloid- β immunotherapy developed after performing the clinical and preclinical controlled trials to cure the neurodegenerative malady. This strategy is worthwhile because of the clinical relevance and specific targeted approach that exhibited the quenched immunotherapeutic effects and encouraged clinical findings. In vitro fabricated, anti- amyloid- β recombinant monoclonal antibodies are passively employed to promote clearance and antagonize the aggregation and synthesis of neurotoxic and degenerative aggregates of amyloid-β. Thus, passive immunotherapy has an adequate impact on treating this disorder, and currently, some other monoclonal pharmacological molecules are under clinical trials to defeat this severe exacerbation with more efficacy and clinical benefits. This review compendiously discusses the anti-amyloid-β immunotherapy which will provide a more proficient framework to be employed as a potential therapeutic approach.
A Non-Invasive IoT-Based Glucose Level Monitoring System
Authors: Jain Shruti , Paul Sudip , Majhi Bikram , Pegu Karobi , Majhi Vinayak
Published: May 2022

Background:

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases which are major public health problem worldwide. It is also the leading high risk causes of death and disability in the world. To avoid further complications due to diabetes, regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is very important. All the current method used to measure blood glucose is the invasive way, which requires finger piercing, and this invasive method is more painful and more likely to cause infection. However, patients need to be directed towards the development of non-invasive techniques to relieve pain.

Objective:

In this project we use non-invasive techniques that use Near Infrared sensor for glucose level determination from fingertip without requiring needles and test strips.

Methods:

Near Infrared (NIR) optical signal is transmitted through one side of the fingertip and then received from its other side through which blood glucose’s molecular count is predicted by analyzing the variation in the received signal’s intensity after its reflection. And then the signal was filtered and amplified before going into the microcontroller to be displayed on an LCD display. The glucose readings were also sent to a phone via Wi-Fi and displayed through an Android application use of IoT.

Results:

The designed hardware calibrated with regression analysis by a pre calibrated conventional blood sugar machine and the derived equation is being set with respect to voltage vs Blood sugar measurement and set in the microcontroller. Finally the device is being tested with the 5 individual subjects with 10 reading each.

Conclusion:

The device is being designed to measure the Blood Glucose in noninvasive way and it is successfully doing the same beside that the incorporation of IoT in the device give us the freedom of measuring the Blood glucose from the distance and available through the internet.
Functional and Technical Aspects of Self-management mHealth Apps: Systematic App Search and Literature Review (Preprint)
Authors: Alwakeel Lyan , Lano Kevin
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Although the past decade has witnessed the development of many self-management mobile health (mHealth) apps that enable users to monitor their health and activities independently, there is a general lack of empirical evidence on the functional and technical aspects of self-management mHealth apps from a software engineering perspective.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to systematically identify the characteristics and challenges of self-management mHealth apps, focusing on functionalities, design, development, and evaluation methods, as well as to specify the differences and similarities between published research papers and commercial and open-source apps.

METHODS

This research was divided into 3 main phases to achieve the expected goal. The first phase involved reviewing peer-reviewed academic research papers from 7 digital libraries, and the second phase involved reviewing and evaluating apps available on Android and iOS app stores using the Mobile Application Rating Scale. Finally, the third phase involved analyzing and evaluating open-source apps from GitHub.

RESULTS

In total, 52 research papers, 42 app store apps, and 24 open-source apps were analyzed, synthesized, and reported. We found that the development of self-management mHealth apps requires significant time, effort, and cost because of their complexity and specific requirements, such as the use of machine learning algorithms, external services, and built-in technologies. In general, self-management mHealth apps are similar in their focus, user interface components, navigation and structure, services and technologies, authentication features, and architecture and patterns. However, they differ in terms of the use of machine learning, processing techniques, key functionalities, inference of machine learning knowledge, logging mechanisms, evaluation techniques, and challenges.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-management mHealth apps may offer an essential means of managing users’ health, expecting to assist users in continuously monitoring their health and encourage them to adopt healthy habits. However, developing an efficient and intelligent self-management mHealth app with the ability to reduce resource consumption and processing time, as well as increase performance, is still under research and development. In addition, there is a need to find an automated process for evaluating and selecting suitable machine learning algorithms for the self-management of mHealth apps. We believe that these issues can be avoided or significantly reduced by using a model-driven engineering approach with a decision support system to accelerate and ameliorate the development process and quality of self-management mHealth apps.
Satisfaction With Health Care Services at the Pediatric Specialist Clinic of the National Referral Center in Malaysia: Cross-sectional Study of Caregivers’ Perspectives (Preprint)
Authors: M Selvarajah Thinakaran , Yamamoto Eiko , Saw Yu Mon , Kariya Tetsuyoshi , Hamajima Nobuyuki
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

The concept of customer satisfaction is gaining hold in all corporate sectors worldwide, and a satisfaction survey is used as a tool to discover service problems and as a chance for customers to rate their experience with health care services. A high degree of patient satisfaction with the services given has been found in numerous studies conducted in Malaysian public health care facilities. However, there is limited information available on caregiver satisfaction with pediatric clinics run by the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Malaysia.

OBJECTIVE

This was the first research performed at a public hospital’s pediatric clinic, which was the first hospital to adopt the public-private-partnership model under the MoH, with the aim of discovering the prevalence and factors affecting the satisfaction of caregivers at the national referral center.

METHODS

Cross-sectional research using the standard self-administered SERVQUAL questionnaire was conducted among caregivers accompanying their children to the clinic. The questionnaire consists of 16 paired statements to evaluate their expectations and experiences with the clinic services.

RESULTS

A total of 459 caregivers were involved in this study with a majority aged between 30 and 39 years (n=254, 55.4%). Caregivers from the Indian community (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.91, 95% CI 1.37-6.18) and lower income groups (AOR 2.94, 95% CI 1.87-4.64), and those with lower educational backgrounds (AOR 3.58, 95% CI 1.19-10.72) were more likely to be satisfied with the quality of pediatric clinic services. Housewives/househusbands (AOR 0.48, 95% CI 0.25-0.90), on the other hand, appeared less likely to be satisfied with the services provided during their visit to the clinic. Looking at overall patient satisfaction, 50.5% (n=232) of caregivers demonstrated satisfaction with the quality of services, compared to 49.5% (n=227) of dissatisfied respondents.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper suggests that, although most caregivers are satisfied with the services, greater emphasis must be placed on delivering reliable service in response to the MoH’s mission to provide quality and integrated people-centered health services in Malaysia.
Peer Review of “Satisfaction With Health Care Services at the Pediatric Specialist Clinic of the National Referral Center in Malaysia: Cross-sectional Study of Caregivers’ Perspectives” (Preprint)
Authors: Nievas-Soriano Bruno José
Published: May 2022

UNSTRUCTURED

This si a peer review report related to MS# 33025.
Authors’ Response to Peer Reviews of “Satisfaction With Health Care Services at the Pediatric Specialist Clinic of the National Referral Center in Malaysia: Cross-sectional Study of Caregivers’ Perspectives” (Preprint)
Authors: Selvarajah Thinakaran M , Yamamoto Eiko , Saw Yu Mon , Kariya Tetsuyoshi , Hamajima Nobuyuki
Published: May 2022

UNSTRUCTURED

This is the authors responses to peer review reports related to MS# 33025.
Durability of the Treatment Effects of an 8-Week Self-administered Home-Based Virtual Reality Program for Chronic Low Back Pain: Follow-up Study of a Randomized Clinical Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Garcia Laura , Birckhead Brandon , Krishnamurthy Parthasarathy , Mackey Ian , Sackman Josh , Salmasi Vafi , Louis Robert , Castro Carina , Maddox Roselani , Maddox Todd , Darnall Beth D
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

We previously reported the efficacy of an 8-week home-based therapeutic immersive virtual reality (VR) program in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. Community-based adults with self-reported chronic low back pain were randomized 1:1 to receive either (1) a 56-day immersive therapeutic pain relief skills VR program (EaseVRx) or (2) a 56-day sham VR program. Immediate posttreatment results revealed the superiority of therapeutic VR over sham VR for reducing pain intensity; pain-related interference with activity, mood, and stress (but not sleep); physical function; and sleep disturbance. At 3 months posttreatment, therapeutic VR maintained superiority for reducing pain intensity and pain-related interference with activity, stress, and sleep (new finding).

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed between-group and within-group treatment effects 6 months posttreatment to determine the extended efficacy, magnitude of efficacy, and clinical importance of home-based therapeutic VR.

METHODS

E-surveys were deployed at pretreatment, end-of-treatment, and posttreatment months 1, 2, 3, and 6. Self-reported data for 188 participants were analyzed in a mixed-model framework using a marginal model to allow for correlated responses across the repeated measures. Primary outcomes were pain intensity and pain-related interference with activity, mood, stress, and sleep at 6 months posttreatment. Secondary outcomes were Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) sleep disturbance and physical function.

RESULTS

Therapeutic VR maintained significant and clinically meaningful effects 6 months posttreatment and remained superior to sham VR for reducing pain intensity and pain-related interference with activity, stress, and sleep (ds=0.44-0.54; P<.003). Between-group comparisons for physical function and sleep disturbance showed superiority of EaseVRx over sham VR (ds=0.34; P=.02 and ds=0.46; P<.001, respectively). Participants were encouraged to contact study staff with any problems experienced during treatment; however, no participants contacted study staff to report adverse events of any type, including nausea and motion sickness.

CONCLUSIONS

Our 8-week home-based VR pain management program caused important reductions in pain intensity and interference up to 6 months after treatment. Additional studies are needed in diverse samples.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04415177; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04415177

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

RR2-10.2196/25291
Online perspectives of deemed consent organ donation legislation in Nova Scotia: A thematic analysis of commentary in Facebook groups (Preprint)
Authors: Marcon Alessandro R , Wagner Darren N , Giles Carly , Isenor Cynthia
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

The Canadian province of Nova Scotia recently became the first jurisdiction in North America to implement deemed consent organ donation legislation. Changing the consent models constituted one aspect of a larger provincial program to increase organ and tissue donation and transplantation rates. Deemed consent legislation can be controversial among the public, and public participation is integral to the successful implementation of the program.

OBJECTIVE

Social media constitutes key spaces where people express opinions and discuss topics, and social media discourse can influence public perceptions. This project examined how the public in Nova Scotia were responding to the legislative changes in Facebook groups.

METHODS

This project analyzed 2,337 comments on 26 relevant posts in 12 different public Nova Scotia-based Facebook groups. We conducted thematic and content analysis on the comments to determine how the public was responding to the legislative changes and how the participants interacted with one another in the discussions.

RESULTS

Our thematic analysis revealed principle themes which supported and critiqued the legislation, which raised specific issues, and which reflected on the topic from a neutral perspective. Subthemes showed individuals presenting perspectives through a variety of themes which included compassion, anger, frustration, mistrust, and a range of argumentative tactics. Comments included personal narratives, beliefs about government, altruism, autonomy, misinformation, and reflections on religion and death. Content analysis revealed that Facebook users react to popular comments with “likes” more so than other reactions. Comments with the most reactions included both negative and positive perspectives about the legislation. Personal donation and transplantation success stories as well as attempts to correct misinformation were some of the most “liked” positive comments.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings provide key insights into Nova Scotian perspectives on deemed consent legislation as well as organ donation and transplantation broadly. The insights derived from this analysis can contribute to public understanding, policy creation, and public outreach efforts that might take place in other jurisdictions considering the enactment of similar legislation.

CLINICALTRIAL

N/A
Anti-vaccine content or negative vaccine information? Patterns of Twitter content about Covid-19 vaccines (Preprint)
Authors: Yiannakoulias Niko , Darlington J Connor , Slavik Catherine E , Benjamin Grant
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Evidence has suggested that major social media platforms, such Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube have a role in spreading anti-vaccine opinion and misinformation in recent years. Vaccines are seen as an important part of managing the Covid-19 pandemic, so barriers to vaccination are an important barrier to public health.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this research was to describe patterns in prevalence of anti-vaccine and negative vaccine information associated with Covid-19 on Twitter in the first four months of 2021.

METHODS

We manually coded 7306 Tweets sampled from a large frame of Tweets related to Covid-19 and vaccination collected between December 2020 and April 2021. We also coded geographic location and mentions of specific vaccine producersv

RESULTS

We found that less than 2% of Tweets were anti-vaccine but 21% contained negative vaccine information. The media and government are common sources of negative vaccine information, but not anti-vaccine content. Twitter users from the US generate the plurality of negative vaccine information, however Twitter users in the UK are more likely to generate negative vaccine information. Negative vaccine information related to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine was most common, particularly in March and April of 2021.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the volume of explicit anti-vaccine content on Twitter is small. On the other hand, negative vaccine information is relatively common, and is authored by a breadth of Twitter users (including government, medical and media sources) that communicate facts about vaccines. Negative vaccine information should be distinguished from anti-vaccine content, and its presence on social media could be promoted as evidence of an effective communication system that is honest about the potential negatives of vaccines while promoting the overall health benefits.
The application and progress of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the immunotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer. (Preprint)
Authors: Joanes HOUNSINOU
Published: May 2022

UNSTRUCTURED

For several years now, the therapeutic situation in the management of non-small cell lung cancer using the immunotherapy protocol has allowed the approval of several drugs. These different drugs have shown fantastic results but with the downside of some side effects whether in monotherapy or in dual therapy with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
The aim of our work was to review the different drugs administered in first- or second-line therapy for non-small cell lung cancer and other drugs that are still in clinical research or have been dropped. In view of all this, the vaccine is being considered, but its application is still very much in doubt in the scientific community.