bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the incidence and influencing factors associated with binary restenosis of target lesions after drug-coated balloon angioplasty for patients with in-stent restenosis
Authors: Xue Weihao , Ma Jun , Yu Xiaojie , Ruan Zhisheng , Sun Yuanxue , Wu Tianbo , Zhang Xinmin , Wu Lianpin
Published: November 2022

Background

Drug-coated balloon (DCB) is a novel and effective device for coronary artery disease patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR). However, the incidence and possible influencing factors associated with binary restenosis have not yet been adequately assessed.

Methods

The data are extracted from a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial. A total of 211 patients with ISR were enrolled at 13 centers from August 2017 to October 2018 and treated with DCB. At the 9-month coronary angiographic follow-up, patients were divided into restenosis and non-restenosis groups, and demographic data, lesion features, and laboratory tests were retrospectively reviewed. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis was used to identify possible influencing factors.

Results

All patients successfully underwent treatment, and 166 patients with 190 lesions took part in angiography follow-ups at 9 months. Of these, 41 patients with 44 target lesions developed restenosis following treatment, and the incidence of ISR was 24.7%. There were significant differences in the average length of target lesions and the number of multivessel lesions and fasting plasma glucose (FBG) between the two groups (p < 0.05). Demographic data, cardiac risk factors, left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF), blood routine tests, biochemical tests, and other features of devices and lesions showed no difference. Logistic regression analyses showed that FBG > 6.1 mmol/L (OR: 7.185 95% CI: 2.939–17.567 P < 0.001) and length of lesion (OR:1.046 95% CI: 1.001–1.093 P = 0.046) were associated risk factors.

Conclusions

The longer length of lesions, more target lesions and FBG > 6.1 mmol/L per individual may be characteristics of patients showing ISR following treatment. Studies with larger sample size, and more complete follow-up data are needed in the future to expend on these findings.

Trial registration

No.: NCT04213378, first posted date (30/12/2019).
Neutrophilic granulocyte percentage is associated with anxiety in Chinese hospitalized heart failure patients
Authors: Ma Qian , Zhang Feng-bo , Yao En-sheng , Pan Shuo
Published: November 2022

Background

In patients with heart failure, anxiety disorder is common and associated with adverse prognosis. This study intended to find more confounding factors of Chinese heart failure patients.

Methods

We enrolled 284 hospitalized heart failure patients, whose New York Heart Association (NYHA) classed as II-IV and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 45%. All the patients were scaled in Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (14-items) (HAM-A14). Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association of correlated factors with anxiety disorder.

Results

There were 184 patients had anxiety accounting for 64.8% of all 284 hospitalized heart failure patients. The neutrophilic granulocyte percentage, urea nitrogen, total bilirubin and brain natriuretic peptide were positively associated with HAM-A14 score, meanwhile, the hemoglobin, red blood cells counts, albumin and LVEF were negatively associated with HAM-A14 score (All P < 0.05). After the adjustments of sex, hemoglobin, urea nitrogen, total bilirubin, albumin and brain natriuretic peptide, the neutrophilic granulocyte percentage was significantly associated with anxiety (OR = 43.265, P = 0.012). The neutrophilic granulocyte percentage was 0.616 ± 0.111, 0.640 ± 0.102, 0.681 ± 0.106 and 0.683 ± 0.113 in heart failure patients with no anxiety, possible anxiety, confirmed anxiety and obvious anxiety, respectively.

Conclusions

Neutrophilic granulocyte percentage as well as the traditional risk factors such as sex, urea nitrogen and brain natriuretic peptide is associated with anxiety in hospitalized heart failure patients.
Management of breech presentation with a large pelvic hydatid cyst in late pregnancy in Tibet: a case report
Authors: Li Ping , Wang Yang , Yang Qi , Ni Ma , Fan Jianhui , Huang Zeping
Published: November 2022

Background

Hydatid cystic disease (HCD) is primarily a disease of sheep and cattle. Human beings are accidental hosts. It is prevalent in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China. In pregnancy, it can cause many complications.

Case presentation

We present a multigravida with breech presentation at 37 weeks of pregnancy in whom a large pelvic hydatid cyst and multiple hepatic hydatids were diagnosed by ultrasonography. The large pelvic hydatid cyst was drained through the posterior fornix under the guidance of ultrasound, and an external cephalic version was performed. A healthy baby was delivered vaginally with head presentation at term.

Conclusion

HCD during pregnancy presents with management difficulty. It is important to formulate individualized treatment plans according to the actual situation of the patient and the local level of treatment.
Preoperative chemotherapy combined with para-aortic lymph node dissection has clinical value in the treatment of gastric cancer with para-aortic lymph node metastases
Authors: Yu Pengcheng , Hu Can , Wang Yi , Bao Zhehan , Zhang Ruolan , Cao Mengxuan , Zhang Yanqiang , Cheng Xiangdong , Xu Zhiyuan
Published: November 2022

Background

Lymph node metastases often occur in advanced gastric cancer, with some patients presenting with metastases in the para-aortic lymph nodes. There are persistent Controversies about the benefit of para-aortic lymph node dissection (PAND). Our purpose is to probe whether PAND following preoperative chemotherapy had any clinical significance in individuals with PALNs in gastric cancer.

Material and methods

To retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 86 gastric cancer patients (40 in the D2 + PAND group and 46 in the D2 group) who attended the abdominal surgery department of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital between September 1, 2008, and July 30, 2018.

Results

In the D2 + PAND group (40 cases), the average number of lymph nodes cleared per case was 4.3 in group 16 (16a2, 16b1), and the postoperative pathology confirmed lymph node positivity in 16 cases, with a metastasis rate of 40%. The median overall survival times were 63 and 34 months for the patients in the D2 + PAND group and D2 group, respectively. The 3-year overall survival (OS) compared to the D2 group (D2 + PAND 69.1% vs. D2 50%, P = 0.012) and a statistically significant difference in 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) (D2 + PAND 69.6% vs. D2 38.3%, P = 0.007). Lymph node dissection extent and recurrence of para-aortic lymph nodes were independent prognostic variables for the patients. The recurrence rate was reduced in the D2 + PAND group compared to the D2 group (D2 + PAND 7.5% vs. D2 26.1%, p = 0.023).

Conclusions

For patients with gastric cancer whose imaging suggests metastasis in the para-aortic lymph nodes, preoperative chemotherapy combined with PAND is an effective and safe treatment that may benefit patient survival.
Antibiotic prescription after tooth extraction in adults: a retrospective cohort study in Austria
Authors: Sheikh Rezaei Safoura , Litschauer Brigitte , Anderle Karolina , Maurer Stephanie , Beyers Patrick Jan , Reichardt Berthold , Wolzt Michael
Published: November 2022

Background

Broad spectrum antibiotics are often used for the prophylaxis of infectious endocarditis and treatment of odontogenic infections, but there are limited data related to antibiotic use and adherence to prescription guidelines. 

Methods

Data from patients with tooth extraction between 2014 and 2018 were selected from a database of a regional health insurance fund. We created three data sets, one based on all tooth extractions, one on multiple teeth extractions, and one including only single tooth extraction. After data collection, descriptive analysis was carried out. The differences in prescription pattern of antibiotic medicine were tested by χ2test, Student´s t-test or ANOVA.

Results

From 43,863 patients with tooth extraction, 53% were female, and 3,983 patients (9.1%) filled a prescription for antibiotic medicine. From 43,863 patients, 157 patients (0.4%) had endocarditis risk, but only 8 patients of these (5.1%) filled an antibiotic prescription. In total, 9,234 patients had multiple and 34,437 patients had only one tooth extraction. Patients with more than one tooth extraction received more often antibiotic treatment (10.7%) compared to those with single tooth extractions (χ2 = 36;p < 0,001). Patients with more than one tooth extraction were older, however, younger patients received antibiotics more frequently (t = 28,774,p = 0.001). There was no relationship with endocarditis risk status. Clindamycin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid were the most frequently prescribed antibiotic medicines.

Conclusions

In this retrospective cohort study, dentists did not discriminate prophylactic antibiotic prescription with regard to endocarditis risk status. A factor influencing prescribing behaviour of antibiotic medicines was the number of extracted teeth.
Do improved structural surroundings reduce restrictive practices in psychiatry?
Authors: Harpøth Astrid , Kennedy Harry , Terkildsen Morten Deleuran , Nørremark Bettina , Carlsen Anders Helles , Sørensen Lisbeth Uhrskov
Published: November 2022

Background and objectives

There is sparse evidence that modern hospital architecture designed to prevent violence and self-harm can prevent restrictive practices (RP). We examine if the use of RPs was reduced by the structural change of relocating a 170-year-old psychiatric university hospital (UH) in Central Denmark Region (CDR) to a new modern purpose-built university hospital.

Methods

The dataset includes all admissions (N = 19.567) and RPs (N = 13.965) in the self-contained CDR one year before and after the relocation of the UH. We compare RPs at the UH a year prior to and after relocation on November 16th (November 2017, November 2019) with RPs at the other psychiatric hospitals (RH) in CDR. We applied linear regression analysis to assess the development in the monthly frequency of RPs pre- and post-relocation and examine underlying trends.

Results

At UH, RPs performed decreased from 4073 to 2585 after relocation, whereas they remained stable (from 3676 to 3631) at RH. Mechanical restraint and involuntary acute medication were aligned at both UH and RH. Using linear regression analysis, we found an overall significant decrease in the use of all restrictive practices at UH with an inclination of -9.1 observations (95% CI − 12.0; − 6.3 p < 0.0001) per month throughout the two-year follow-up. However, the decrease did not deviate significantly from the already downward trend observed one year before relocation. Similar analyses performed for RH showed a stable use of coercion.

Conclusion

The naturalistic features of the design preclude any definitive conclusion whether relocation to a new purpose-built psychiatric hospital decreased the RPs. However, we argue that improving the structural environment at the UH had a sustained effect on the already declining use of RPs, particularly mechanical restraint and involuntary acute medication.
Genomes of Vibrio metoecus co-isolated with Vibrio cholerae extend our understanding of differences between these closely related species
Authors: Orata Fabini D. , Hussain Nora A. S. , Liang Kevin Y. H. , Hu Dalong , Boucher Yann F.
Published: November 2022

Background

Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, is a well-studied species, whereas Vibrio metoecus is a recently described close relative that is also associated with human infections. The availability of V. metoecus genomes provides further insight into its genetic differences from V. cholerae. Additionally, both species have been co-isolated from a cholera-free brackish coastal pond and have been suggested to interact with each other by horizontal gene transfer (HGT).

Results

The genomes of 17 strains from each species were sequenced. All strains share a large core genome (2675 gene families) and very few genes are unique to each species (< 3% of the pan-genome of both species). This led to the identification of potential molecular markers—for nitrite reduction, as well as peptidase and rhodanese activities—to further distinguish V. metoecus from V. cholerae. Interspecies HGT events were inferred in 21% of the core genes and 45% of the accessory genes. A directional bias in gene transfer events was found in the core genome, where V. metoecus was a recipient of three times (75%) more genes from V. cholerae than it was a donor (25%).

Conclusion

V. metoecus was misclassified as an atypical variant of V. cholerae due to their resemblance in a majority of biochemical characteristics. More distinguishing phenotypic assays can be developed based on the discovery of potential gene markers to avoid any future misclassifications. Furthermore, differences in relative abundance or seasonality were observed between the species and could contribute to the bias in directionality of HGT.
Fluoxetine for the treatment of onychotillomania associated with obsessive–compulsive disorder: a case report
Authors: Aljhani Sumayah
Published: November 2022

Background

Obsessive–compulsive disorder is a condition in which patients experience an obsession and/or a compulsion. It has a high impact on the quality of life, and is associated with an increased prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in patients. Onychotillomania is an underestimated psychodermatosis caused by repeated self-inflicted damage to the nail unit. In patients, it is characterized by an obsessive or irrepressible impulse to repeatedly damage their own nails, resulting in their destruction. It is a chronic condition that is difficult to manage, largely because of its psychocutaneous character, as well as its high tendency to interact with underlying neuropsychiatric diseases or other behavioral disorders. Only a few studies have reported an association between obsessive–compulsive disorder and onychotillomania, which typically presents with therapeutic challenges. Cognitive behavioral therapy, physical-barrier approaches, and pharmaceutical treatments have been reported to be beneficial in the management of onychotillomania; however, no major clinical studies have investigated the effectiveness of these therapies. Onychotillomania remains a clinical and therapeutic issue owing to the lack of evidence-based treatment techniques.

Case presentation

We report a case of an 18-year-old, middle-eastern female patient who developed onychotillomania when she was being treated with paroxetine for obsessive–compulsive disorder and was showing partial improvement. The patient developed side effects from paroxetine, and was switched to fluoxetine. Thereafter, improvement in her obsessive–compulsive disorder was observed, which relapsed when treatment was discontinued. However, the onychotillomania symptoms did not reemerge.

Conclusion

Onychotillomania typically presents both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Fluoxetine plays an important role in the treatment of onychotillomania and other psychiatric disorders. However, large-scale studies should be conducted before these outcomes can be generalized.
The pattern of dyslipidemia among Somali type 2 diabetic patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Alıcı Gökhan , Genç Ömer
Published: November 2022

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health concern. This study aims to determine frequency, pattern, and potential determinants of dyslipidemia among adults with type 2 DM (T2DM) at Somalia’s only diabetes outpatient clinic.

Methods

Five hundred twenty-nine consecutive patients with T2DM who applied to our outpatient clinic between January 2020 and June 2020 were included in this cross-sectional hospital-based study. Demographic characteristics of participants, including lipid panel, were extracted from the registry system. Correlation analysis was performed between lipid profile and related parameters. Multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to identify independent determinants of dyslipidemia for further analysis.

Results

The overall population’s mean age was 51.9 ± 12.2 years, with 177 (33.5%) males. Total and atherogenic dyslipidemias were found in 92.8% and 24.8%, respectively. The most common isolated pattern of dyslipidemia was high non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) (82.8%), followed by high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (72.6%), high total cholesterol (TC) (54.3%), and low HDL-C (48.3%). Females were found to have a higher prevalence of high TC (63.4% vs. 54.2%, p = 0.043) and lower HDL-C (57.4% vs. 46.3%, p = 0.016). High LDL-C with low HDL-C was the most common pattern among combined type dyslipidemias (18.1%), followed by high LDL-C with high triglyceride (TG) (17.8%), as well as low TG with low HDL-C (3.6%). Females had a higher proportion of high LDL-C with low HDL-C than males (20.3% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.036). Age, gender, body mass index, central obesity, spot urinary proteinuria, fasting blood glucose, poor glycemic control, creatinine, and Hs-CRP were all associated with different dyslipidemia patterns in multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Conclusions

We found that the prevalence of dyslipidemia, especially atherogenic patterns, was extremely high among Somali T2DM patients. An enhanced health policy should, therefore, be established to detect, treat and prevent dyslipidemia.
Hypertonic saline for traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gharizadeh Nafiseh , Ghojazadeh Morteza , Naseri Amirreza , Dolati Sanam , Tarighat Faezeh , Soleimanpour Hassan
Published: November 2022

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes mortality and long-term disability among young adults and imposes a notable cost on the healthcare system. In addition to the first physical hit, secondary injury, which is associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP), is defined as biochemical, cellular, and physiological changes after the physical injury. Mannitol and Hypertonic saline (HTS) are the treatment bases for elevated ICP in TBI. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of HTS in the management of patients with TBI.

Methods

This study was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methods and PRISMA statement. A systematic search was performed through six databases in February 2022, to find studies that evaluated the effects of HTS, on increased ICP. Meta-analysis was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA).

Results

Out of 1321 results, 8 studies were included in the systematic review, and 3 of them were included in the quantitative synthesis. The results of the meta-analysis reached a 35.9% (95% CI 15.0–56.9) reduction in ICP in TBI patients receiving HTS, with no significant risk of publication bias (t-value = 0.38, df = 2,p-value = 0.73). The most common source of bias in our included studies was the transparency of blinding methods for both patients and outcome assessors.

Conclusion

HTS can significantly reduce the ICP, which may prevent secondary injury. Also, based on the available evidence, HTS has relatively similar efficacy to Mannitol, which is considered the gold standard therapy for TBI, in boosting patients' neurological condition and reducing mortality rates.
Synthesis of eco-friendly ZnO-based heterophotocatalysts with enhanced properties under visible light in the degradation of organic pollutants
Authors: Batchamen Mougnol Jean Bedel , Waanders Frans , Ntwampe Seteno Karabo Obed , Fosso-Kankeu Elvis , Al Alili Ali Rashed
Published: November 2022

Heterogeneous photocatalysts have been widely used for the removal of various organic pollutants from wastewater. The main challenge so far resides in the sustainability of the process, with regard to the synthesis and the application under visible light. In this study the precipitated materials from the Moringa oleifera seed (MO), groundnut shells (GS) and apatite (A) agrowastes were functionalized with zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver (Ag) solution, to produce a novel bioheterophotocatalysts. Various analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), photoluminescence (PL) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for the characterization of the novel photocatalysts. It was proven that agrowastes can also enhance the photocatalytic activity of a ZnO-based photocatalyst as pure metals. The combination of MO/GS/A/ZnO/Ag in a 1:1:1 ratio resulted in a lower band gap of 1.59 eV, as compared to the band gap of 2.96 eV for ZnO/Ag. These photocatalysts' efficiency was also tested on the photodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) derived from coal leaching in various water sources such as acidic mine drainage, alkaline mine drainage and sewage wastewater. From MO/GS/A/ZnO/Ag, the removal efficiency was found to be 69.59%, 61.07% and 61.68%, compared to 52.62%, 37.96 and 44.30% using ZnO/Ag in acidic mine drainage, alkaline mine drainage and sewage wastewater for 60 min under solar irradiation.
Adefovir dipivoxil inhibits APL progression through degradation of the oncoprotein PML-RARA
Authors: Gong Xubo , Kong Piaoping , Yu Teng , Xiao Xibin , Wang Lin , Sang Yiwen , Li Xiang , Zhang Bin , Tao Zhihua , Liu Weiwei
Published: November 2022

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is highly aggressive and is frequently associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation and high early death rates. Although all-trans retinoic acid (RA) induces complete remission in a high proportion of patients with APL, there are limited treatments for APL patients with RA resistance. Here we report an atypical APL patient, with an APL-like disease that developed very slowly without anti-leukemia therapy for nearly 2 years. During that time, the patient only intermittently received anti-HBV drugs, i.e., the combination of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) and entecavir (ETV), leading us to hypothesize that ADV and/or ETV could inhibit APL progression. Our results showed that anti-HBV drugs ADV and ETV both exhibited significantly inhibitory effects on APL cells, and ADV indicated a much greater cytotoxic effect than ETV on APL cells. We further found that ADV significantly promoted APL cell differentiation and apoptosis, thereby restraining the progression of APL. Most importantly, our study uncovered a novel mechanism of ADV prohibiting APL progression, which was mediated, at least in part, by inhibition of TRIB3 and degradation of the oncoprotein PML-RARA, therefore leading to APL cell differentiation and apoptosis. Taken together, our study demonstrated that ADV, an anti-HBV drug, had significantly inhibitory effects on APL, and provided a novel therapeutic strategy for APL patients with RA resistance.
Chronic kidney disease prediction using machine learning techniques
Authors: Debal Dibaba Adeba , Sitote Tilahun Melak
Published: November 2022

Goal three of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal is good health and well-being where it clearly emphasized that non-communicable diseases is emerging challenge. One of the objectives is to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable disease by third in 2030. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is among the significant contributor to morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases that can affected 10–15% of the global population. Early and accurate detection of the stages of CKD is believed to be vital to minimize impacts of patient’s health complications such as hypertension, anemia (low blood count), mineral bone disorder, poor nutritional health, acid base abnormalities, and neurological complications with timely intervention through appropriate medications. Various researches have been carried out using machine learning techniques on the detection of CKD at the premature stage. Their focus was not mainly on the specific stages prediction. In this study, both binary and multi classification for stage prediction have been carried out. The prediction models used include Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Decision Tree (DT). Analysis of variance and recursive feature elimination using cross validation have been applied for feature selection. Evaluation of the models was done using tenfold cross-validation. The results from the experiments indicated that RF based on recursive feature elimination with cross validation has better performance than SVM and DT.
Long-term follow-up of vagus nerve stimulation in drug-resistant KCNT1-related epilepsy: a case presentation
Authors: Wang Meng , Geng Guifu , Meng Yao , Zhang Hongwei , Gao Zaifen , Shi Jianguo
Published: November 2022

Background

The KCNT1 gene encodes a Na+-activated K+ channel. Gain-of-function mutations of KCNT1 lead to autosomal dominant sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy, early-onset epileptic encephalopathy, focal epilepsy and other epileptic encephalopathies. In this paper, we report a boy carrying a KCNT1 gene mutation, who presented with drug-resistant focal-onset seizures. He had decreased seizure frequency and improvement of background changes in electroencephalography (EEG) after vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

Case presentation

The case was a nonverbal 9-year-old male who presented with drug-resistant focal-onset seizures since age 3 and had underwent VNS therapy for 2 years. He had hypermotor symptoms, automatism and bilateral asymmetric tonic seizures with cognitive decline and aphasis from age 3. The patient had a variety of seizure types that only occurred at night. The most common seizure type was automatisms, and ictal video EEG showed high-amplitude delta waves, followed by a fast rhythmic sharp activity in the mesial frontal and bitemporal regions. The patient was diagnosed with KCNT1-related epilepsy, epileptic encephalopathy and cognitive disorder. He was refractory to multiple anti-seizure medicines (ASM) and ketogenic diet. After VNS treatment at age 7, the frequency of seizures was reduced significantly and EEG was improved in background slowing.

Conclusions

Children with KCNT1-related epilepsy usually have early onset of disease, are nonverbal, and are refractory to ASM. This boy with drug-resistant KCNT1-related epilepsy showed significantly reduced seizure frequency after VNS. This report may provide reference for management of cases of KCNT1-related epilepsy.
Modulation of gut microbiota, blood metabolites, and disease resistance by dietary β-glucan in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Menanteau-Ledouble Simon , Skov Jakob , Lukassen Mie Bech , Rolle-Kampczyk Ulrike , Haange Sven-Bastiaan , Dalsgaard Inger , von Bergen Martin , Nielsen Jeppe Lund
Published: November 2022

Background

Prebiotics are known to have a positive impact on fish health and growth rate, and β-glucans are among the most used prebiotics on the market. In this study, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were treated with a β-1,3;1,6-glucan dietary supplement (at a dose of 0 g, 1 g, 10 g, and 50 g β-glucan per kg of feed). After 6 weeks, the effect of the β-glucan was evaluated by determining the changes in the microbiota and the blood serum metabolites in the fish. The impact of β-glucan on the immune system was evaluated through a challenge experiment with the bacterial fish pathogen Yersinia ruckeri.

Results

The microbiota showed a significant change in terms of composition following β-glucan treatment, notably an increase in the relative abundance of members of the genus Aurantimicrobium, associated with a decreased abundance of the genera Carnobacterium and Deefgea. Furthermore, analysis of more than 200 metabolites revealed that the relative levels of 53 metabolites, in particular compounds related to phosphatidylcholines, were up- or downregulated in response to the dietary supplementation, this included the amino acid alanine that was significantly upregulated in the fish that had received the highest dose of β-glucan. Meanwhile, no strong effect could be detected on the resistance of the fish to the bacterial infection.

Conclusions

The present study illustrates the ability of β-glucans to modify the gut microbiota of fish, resulting in alteration of the metabolome and affecting fish health through the lipidome of rainbow trout.
Maternal knowledge, coping strategies, and metabolic control of children with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Khallaf Nabila Mohammed Raouf , Manzour Ayat Farouk , Mostafa Aya , Salam Meky Fatma Abdel
Published: November 2022

Background

Trends of type 1 diabetes have increased among Egyptian children in the past two decades. Managing a child with type 1 diabetes is a great challenge for parents especially when the child is not developmentally able to manage the disease independently. This study aimed to determine level of diabetes-specific knowledge among diabetic children’s mothers, measure maternal diabetes-related stress, identify diabetes-related maternal coping strategies, and to examine the effect of maternal diabetes-specific knowledge, maternal diabetes-related stress, and their adopted coping strategy on glycemic control of their children. A cross-sectional study was conducted in outpatient clinic for diabetic children at a university hospital in Cairo, Egypt. One hundred and four mothers of diabetic children were recruited. Diabetes-specific knowledge was measured by Modified Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire. Diabetes-related stress and coping strategies were measured by the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Glycosylated hemoglobin level was obtained from medical records.

Results

61.5% of mothers had good diabetes-specific knowledge; however, 45.2% had high levels of diabetes-related stress. The most common adopted maternal coping strategy was acceptance of child’s illness (71.6%). Glycosylated hemoglobin level in diabetic children was negatively correlated with positive and wishful thinking (p = 0.042 and p = 0.010 respectively) and acceptance of illness (p = 0.002), while positively correlated with cognitive restructuring (p = 0.007).

Conclusions

Health education to train mothers to adopt positive coping strategies might maintain a better glycemic control in diabetic children in similar settings.
Fetomaternal hemorrhage - case report
Authors: Gruszka Jakub , Zwierzyńska Anna , Dolecka-Ślusarczyk Magdalena , Adamczyk-Gruszka Olga
Published: November 2022

Maternal fetal leakage (FMH) is a well-known cause of fetal anemia. We define it as the transition of the fetal erythrocytes into the maternal circulation. Its severity is determined by measuring the level of fetal hemoglobin in the mother's blood using the Kleinhauer-Betke test or the cytometric method (FCM). The paper presents a case of a newborn with massive maternal-fetal leakage. The maternal blood Kleinhauer test result was greater than 5% of the fetal blood cells, and the initial neonatal hemoglobin level was 3.5 g / dl. Correct treatment of fetal anemia is presented. The additional studies performed allowed for the exclusion of other causes as a result of the extremely severe condition of the newborn after delivery. Early diagnosis of fetal-maternal leak and its treatment through execution.
Percepção de Desenvolvimento Profissional e de Empregabilidade em Universitários: Uma Análise Comparativa
Authors: Carvalho Luara , Mourão Luciana
Published: November 2022

Em um contexto em que cresce o número de desempregados que têm Ensino Superior, o planejamento de carreira pode ser um diferencial importante tanto no desenvolvimento profissional, quanto na empregabilidade de universitários. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar as percepções de desenvolvimento profissional e de empregabilidade de universitários que planejam ou não sua carreira. Participaram 2.291 universitários de diferentes cursos e instituições (60% mulheres; média de 27 anos). Os instrumentos adotados foram Escala de Percepção Evolutiva do Desenvolvimento Profissional e Escala de Autopercepção de Empregabilidade, ambas com evidências de validade. Nos procedimentos de análises de dados, utilizamos análise de covariância, a fim de comparar grupos sem o possível efeito de covariantes. Os resultados mostraram que aqueles que planejam a carreira, independentemente do momento do curso em que se encontram ou de participarem de atividades acadêmicas complementares, apresentam percepções mais positivas de seu desenvolvimento profissional e de sua empregabilidade. Esses resultados podem gerar impactos para o planejamento de carreira de universitários e oferecer subsídios para futuras pesquisas sobre desenvolvimento profissional e empregabilidade.
Not All Dying Patients Are the Same
Authors:   Phoenix Pulmonary and Critical Care Research and Education Foundation, Gilbert, AZ USA, Robbins Richard
Published: November 2022

No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. A recent publication in the SWJPCCS by Jones-Adamczyk and Mayer (1) points out how Arizona’s Jesse’s law prevents the appropriate discontinuation of unwanted interventions in dying hospice patients. The road to hell is paved with good intentions and Jesse’s Law is an excellent example. As pointed out by Jones-Adamczyk and Mayer, Jesse’s law should have addressed unreasonable surrogates instead of preventing all surrogates from taking an action that is often in the best interest of a loved one. Jesse’s law is named for Jesse Ramirez who suffered traumatic brain injury in a rollover accident. Traumatic brain injury patients are different from many end-of life patients such as those dying from terminal cancer. Prognosis from traumatic brain injury can be difficult to predict especially early in its course (2). In contrast, prognosis of patients with widely metastatic cancer late in its course generally is not. Identifying futile care requires a great …
Effects of a three-week executive control training on adaptation to task difficulty and emotional interference
Authors: Grützmann Rosa , Kathmann Norbert , Heinzel Stephan
Published: November 2022

Intact executive functions are characterized by flexible adaptation to task requirements, while these effects are reduced in internalizing disorders. Furthermore, as executive functions play an important role in emotion regulation, deficits in executive functions may contribute to symptom generation in psychological disorders through increased emotional interference. Thus, the present study investigated transfer effects of a three-week executive control training on adaptation to task difficulty and emotional interference in healthy participants (n = 24) to further explore the training’s suitability for clinical application. To assess the adaptation to task difficulty, the proportion congruency effect on behavioral data (response times, error rates) and ERP measures (N2, CRN) was assessed in a flanker task with varying frequency of incompatible trials (25%, 75%). To quantify emotional interference, flanker stimuli were superimposed on neutral or negative pictures. Replicating previous results, the training increased interference control as indexed by decreased response times and errors rates, increased N2 amplitude and decreased CRN amplitude in incompatible trials after training. Proportion congruency effects were weaker than expected and not affected by the training intervention. The training lead to a shift in the time-point of emotional interference: before training negative pictures lead to a reduction in CRN amplitude, while after training this reduction was observed for the N2. This pattern illustrates that the training leads to a change in task processing mode from predominant response-related cognitive control to predominant stimulus-related cognitive control (N2), indicating a proactive processing mode.
Digital luthiery: Entrepreneurship in the music business
Authors: Sakamoto Renato Akira , Marcondes Reynaldo Cavalheiro
Published: November 2022

Objective of the study: to connect the needs of musicians and practitioners of musical instruments, with those of luthiers and suppliers of tools and accessories of luthiery (production, regulation, repairs and restoration of musical instruments), through a digital platform. Methodology: starting from indications of an opportunity, information was gathered about the Brazilian luthiery market and research was carried out to understand the needs of musicians, luthiers and suppliers, which resulted in the proposal, with the definition of resources, action plan, economic feasibility analysis, implementation and evaluation. Main results: Its implementation started with the development of the platform, and the incubation of the startup in the lab of a São Paulo consultancy was negotiated. Methodological contributions: the method of problem solving and taking advantage of opportunities allowed the elaboration of a viable project to be implemented, for dealing with issues of the reality of a business, such as the startup object of work. Relevance / originality: The proposed business model is innovative, as it is unprecedented in the country, since there is still no application in this market connecting musicians, luthiers and suppliers. Contributions to management: The complexity in preparing the work was high, as it required the support of several companies and professionals for the development of software in language for mobile devices, which allowed the integration with electronic payment solutions, , care with data protection and privacy, hosting services and support of the post-implementation solution, in addition to business disclosure and administration services.
Book Review: Shadow Education in Africa: Private Supplementary Tutoring and its Policy Implications Supplementary Tutoring and its Policy Implications
Authors:   Sophia University, Lihoma Bandera
Published: November 2022

Shadow Education in Africa: Private Supplementary Tutoring and its Policy Implications. By: Mark Bray (2021), 91 pages. ISBN 978-988-14241-9-8. Hong Kong: Comparative Education Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong.
Endophytic microbes and their diverse beneficial aspects in various sectors: A critical insight
Authors: Choudhury Debapriya , Tarafdar Santanu , Parvin Nasrin , Rit Rajarshi , Roy Sanchali , Kr. Sadhu Sudip , Dutta Sikha
Published: November 2022

Endophytes are ubiquitous and grow in plant tissues without causing any harmful effects to the host. They include different groups of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. Along with the host plants, the existing endophytes also co-evolve after a long relationship between them. Host plant-endophyte interaction is similar to that of plant growth promoting microbes as they induce the growth of the host plant and increase resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses. The interaction of plant endophytes at the molecular level and the effect of endophytes on host gene expression is a new field of study and are still rarely explored. Endophytes act as a promising resource of many invaluable bioactive secondary metabolites. Some of these bioactive compounds include alkaloids, polyphenols, sterols, xanthones, terpenoids, flavones, coumarins, polyketides, quinones, saponins, tannins, benzopyrones, dibenzofurans. These secondary metabolites are beneficial for agriculture, industrial and pharmacological purposes. As endophytes have beneficial effects in sustainable agriculture, plant disease management, pharmaceuticals, industry and environmental management in an eco-friendly way, thus improving the strategy of application of endophytes as biological agents in every aspect of our life is a very challenging field of research. Our aim in this present review is to focus on plant-endophyte interactions and their various dimensions in order to address some future possibilities for expediting the bioactive secondary metabolite production.
Physiochemical properties, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Terminalia catappa seed oils from two extracting processes
Authors: Pham Tan-Viet , Nguy Le Hong , Nguyen Ngoc-An , Nguyen Hanh Thi-Dieu , Dong Thi Anh Dao
Published: November 2022

Terminalia catappa is a widespread medium tree species in many tropical countries. While the majority of the studies up to date focuses on the aerial part of the plant such as leaf, stem bark and fruit, information about the phytochemical property as well as the biological property of the edible seed is still scarce. This study was the first to explore the fatty acid composition, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the seed oil from T. catappa grown in Vietnam. The results showed that both the hot-pressed and cold-pressed oils contained a high level of unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic (~32%) and linoleic acids (28.38%-29.2%), as well as saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid (~33.3%-33.61%). The presence of eicosadienoic acid in T. catappa seed oils was reported in this study for the first time. These oils displayed antibacterial activity against 5 out of 12 tested strains such as Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The antioxidant activity of the oils was also recorded by DPPH radical scavenging assays with IC50 values of 950 µg/ml and 2529 µg/ml for cold-pressed oil and hot-pressed oil respectively. This study has provided promising extracting methods and resulted in oils that could be good candidates for developing food sources with valuable fatty acids, antioxidant and antibacterial capacities against both Gram-positive and negative bacteria in the human diet.
Language learning and virtual reality: A scoping review
Authors: Alizadeh Mehrasa , Cowie Neil
Published: November 2022

This paper describes the rationale, process and results of a scoping review of journal articles researching aspects of language learning and the use of Virtual Reality (VR) from 2020 onwards. Twenty-four articles were chosen for data extraction, including five previous systematic reviews. The analysis confirmed that VR has a positive effect on the motivation of language learners to study but there is less clear-cut support for specific language gains. The most frequently mentioned language target is vocabulary acquisition, and although VR certainly facilitates initial vocabulary learning there is less evidence of long-term retention of new lexis. This scoping review has helped to focus the next stage of this VR project on working with students in the long term on improving specific speaking skills and to clarify the most appropriate pedagogical strategies for the use of VR for language learning.
Nurturing relationship-rich practices
Authors: Matthews Kelly , Felten Peter
Published: November 2022

Relationships matter - those interactions that connect students with each other, teachers and broader communities for the purpose of learning, being and becoming. Technology plays a key role along with modality, curriculum, pedagogy, feedback and assessment. Tertiary educators capacity to configure all these elements is essential for relationship-rich education. In addition, values come into focus and shape everyday choices that teaching staff make regarding technology and teaching. Kelly and Peter will draw on student voice and partnership literatures, a bit of networked learning scholarship, and their practical teaching experiences to co-facilitate this workshop exploring relationship-rich educational practices. Participants with varying levels of confidence and expertise, differing disciplines, and a range of institutional roles will enrich the workshop experience for all involved. Participants are asked to bring a laptop or smart device to the workshop. The workshop will be open to 50 people attending the conference on-site.
Effect of shot peening on the critical buckling load of stainless steel 304 columns immersed in sea water
Authors: Bader Amjed M. , Alazawi Dhia A. , Al-Alkawi Hussain J. M. , Faris Saad T.
Published: November 2022

A machine part subjected to an axial compressive load is called strut. But, a vertical strut is known as a column. The machine members that must be investigated for the column action are connecting rods, piston rods, screw jack, etc. When a column is subjected to a compressive load and this load is gradually increased, a stage will be reached when the column will be subjected to ultimate load. Beyond this, the column will fail by crushing, and the load will be known as crushing load. When the column is short or intermediate, sometimes this column fails by bending, i.e. buckling. When the column is long, the value of buckling load is low for long columns and is relatively high for intermediate columns. The present investigation focuses on the testing and evaluation of the mechanical end buckling columns (samples) using 304 stainless steel under dry, corrosion, and combined dry with shot peening (SP) process. The buckling behavior of the axial compressive load has been studied experimentally and theoretically using Euler and Rankin theories. The results obtained from the above study manifested that the column, whose slenderness ratio (SR) is more than 120, is denoted as the long column, and the Euler theory can be successfully used. But, when the SR is less than 120, the column is known as an intermediate one. The mechanical and buckling properties exhibited a reduction due to the corrosion media and a reasonable improvement when using SP.
Forecasting post-earthquake rockfall activity
Authors: Olsen Michael J. , Massey Chris , Leshchinsky Ben , Wartman Joseph , Senogles Andrew
Published: November 2022

Important infrastructure such as highways or railways traverse unstable terrain in many mountainous and scenic parts of the world. Rockfalls and landslides result in frequent maintenance needs, system unreliability due to frequent closures and restrictions, and safety hazards. Seismic activity significantly amplifies these negative economic and community impacts by generating large rockfalls and landslides as well as weakening the terrain. This paper interrogates a rich database of repeat terrestrial lidar scans collected during the Canterbury New Zealand Earthquake Sequence to document geomorphic processes as well as quantify rockfall activity rates through time. Changes in the activity rate (spatial distribution) and failure depths (size) were observed based on the Rockfall Activity Index (RAI) morphological classification. Forecasting models can be developed from these relationships that can be utilized by transportation agencies to estimate increased maintenance needs for debris removal to minimize road closures from rockfalls after seismic events.
Ultrafiltration and reuse opportunities of sectorial effluents from a kraft pulp mill in Brazil
Authors: Rosado Corrêa Filho José Roberto , Silva Cláudio Mudadu , Diniz Caldeira Daiane Cristina , Coelho Dalvi Leandro , Araújo Nascimento Deyvisson , Silva Leite Rodrigo , Gomes Veloso Marcus Vinicius , Lemos Felício Agostinho Luewton , Timbalari Gleb , Cappon Hans , Guimarães Viola Zenilde das Graças , Andrada Maria Marina
Published: November 2022

The pulp industry is a high natural resources consumer and has a large polluting potential. The pulping sector with the most effluent generation is the bleaching plant. Based on the need of water consumption reduction, this research aimed to evaluate the treatment of the alkaline effluent from an EP-stage bleaching plant and the white water from drying machine using ultrafiltration membranes in order to enable the reuse of the permeate in the process. An ultrafiltration pilot plant was used. Laboratory analyses were performed for the feed, permeate and retentate. Flux and transmembrane pressure (TMP) data were obtained from the pilot plant database. There were an average color and COD removals of 38 % and 39 %, respectively, for the EP-effluent and 58 % and 67 %, respectively for the white water; and a high turbidity and TSS removal (above 98 %) for both effluents. Substantial metals removal such as sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium and manganese was achieved. Some possibilities to reuse were considered: return to the water treatment plant, cooling of the digester bottom, equipment cooling, reuse in evaporation surface condensers. The use of ultrafiltration for the treatment of the alkaline effluent from the bleaching EP-stage and white water can be an interesting option.