bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vivência de fisioterapeutas com pacientes hospitalizados sob oxigenoterapia
Authors: Ramos Taynara Rodrigues , Fernandes Erika Dos Santos , Da Costa Rayana Fialho , Dos Santos Sánchez Artur Paiva , Silva de Morais Marcus César , Correia Viana Márcia Cardinalle
Published: December 2022

Objetivo: este estudo objetivou conhecer a vivência de fisioterapeutas com pacientes hospitalizados sob oxigenoterapia, bem como identificar os desafios vivenciados durante a sua intervenção. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo quantitativo e transversal, realizado no período de setembro de 2021 a março de 2022, com fisioterapeutas atuantes em hospitais da cidade de Fortaleza-CE. A coleta de dados foi realizada de forma presencial e virtual pela plataforma Google Forms, por meio de um questionário com perguntas objetivas sobre vivência, intervenção e desafios durante assistência ao paciente sob oxigenoterapia. Os dados coletados foram armazenados no Microsoft Excel® 2010 e analisados pelo SPSS® versão 20.0, utilizando-se de estatística descritiva. Resultados: participaram do estudo 101 fisioterapeutas, 76,2% do gênero feminino, e 45,5% dos participantes eram graduados há 5 anos. Destes, 83,2% dos fisioterapeutas afirmaram que SpO2 < 90% é indicativo de oxigenoterapia. A maioria (79,2%) discordou da utilização da máscara de Venturi para pacientes com Covid-19 e apontou a cânula nasal de alto fluxo (39,6%) e a máscara reservatório não reinalante (40,6%) como as mais utilizadas. Entre os desafios enfrentados durante a assistência, a interação com a equipe interdisciplinar (25,70%), o desmame da oxigenoterapia (21,80%) e a indisponibilidade de recursos (20,80%) foram os mais relatados. Conclusão: grande parte dos profissionais atua indicando o oxigênio suplementar em situações em que há SaO2 < 90%, realizando avaliação à beira leito da cânula nasal de alto fluxo por meio do índice ROX e indicando intervenção fisioterapêutica.
The Cost of Maintaining a Fire Station Transferred to the Volunteer Fire Department by the Local Municipality on a Loan Basis
Authors: Dariusz Piot Kała
Published: December 2022

Cel: The aim of the article is to answer the question whether the municipality or the volunteer fire department bears the normal maintenance costs of the property transferred by the municipality to the volunteer fire department through a lending agreement for the fire station. The purpose formulated in such a manner assumes that the building transferred to the volunteer fire department is the property of the municipality. This is the situation in most municipalities in Poland. Volunteer fire departments owning a fire station are a rarity in Poland. Related to the main problem are specific problems, such as the situation of TSO properties in Poland, the cost of maintaining lending real estate, the cost of maintaining volunteer fire departments, and taxation of volunteer fire departments’ properties. Projekt i metody: The study uses traditional scientific methods within the legal science such as the dogmatic-legal method, the hermeneutic method, and the argumentative method. Wyniki: The municipality bears the usual costs of maintaining the properties transferred to the TSO by the municipality through a free lending agreement for the needs of a fire station. This is due to the article 713 of the Civil Code, which is relatively binding and can be excluded from application through contractual arrangements between the municipality and the TSO. In such a case, ordinary maintenance costs in the form of expenses and expenditures necessary to maintain a fire station in a condition as it was before the conclusion of the agreement, i.e. mainly the costs of maintenance, minor repairs and renovations, the costs related to the use of the premises will be borne by the municipality. Concluding an agreement for lending the fire station by the municipality and TSO also removes the obligation to pay the real estate tax (fire station) by the volunteer fire department. The results of the article allow to sort out the relationship between municipalities and volunteer fire departments in Poland in the area of concluding agreements on lending fire stations, which in many municipalities have remained neglected and improperly formed for many years, as indicated, among others, in the report of the Supreme Chamber of Control in 2019 on the financing of volunteer fire departments. Wnioski: Postulate de lege ferenda can be made, that in order to avoid interpretation disputes related to the interpretation of article 713 of the Civil Code, it would be reasonable to amend the provisions of the Act on Volunteer Fire Departments. It would be worth including a provision that when a municipality lends property to a TSO for a fire station, all maintenance costs, including ordinary costs, are borne by the municipality and article 713 of the Civil Code does not apply in this case. Słowa kluczowe: volunteer fire department, fire protection, municipal government, public finance, maintenance costs of the fire station, lending of the fire station
Heart Like a Bell. Voice Alarm Control and Indicating Equipment
Authors: Urszula Garlińska  , Robert Śliwiński  , Paweł Stępień
Published: December 2022

Cel: The aim of this article is to make an overview of selected features of the voice alarm control and indicating equipment (VACIE) confirmed in the process of assessment and verification of constancy of performance. Information presented by the authors play a crucial role during the process of design and use of voice alarm systems as well as in the context of providing the safety of buildings. Wprowadzenie: Control and indicating equipment (CIE) is extremely important for the safety of buildings, affecting both the safety of the occupants and the property stored there. Given such an important role, special emphasis is placed on the reliability of the system’s operation, whose task is both to detect the fire danger early enough but also to transmit information to its various components. An important role in ensuring the safety of construction objects is the transmission of information about the threat detected by the system to the occupants of the facility. This information can be communicated through the use of, among other things, automatic visual signalling implemented by VAS. The main component of VAS is the voice alarm control and indicating equipment, which, as the heart of the system, receives and transmits information to individual elements (loudspeakers), and is responsible for their operation – powering and monitoring them. Metodologia: An overview of selected features that are confirmed in the process of assessment and verification of constancy of performance, Introduction to the testing process of selected features, which is an integral part of the conformity assessment of construction products. The article was supplemented with issues related to the design and maintenance of fire alarm systems. Wnioski: Voice alarm control and indicating equipment, in addition to control and indicating equipment, not only determine the safety of the buildings themselves, but also affect the safety of their occupants, who, as a result of various circumstances, may have to be forced to quickly and efficiently leave their place of residence. Nevertheless, the awareness of owners and managers of construction objects equipped with VAS should be important, since their special attention should be directed to maintaining all components of the system in such a condition that will enable the complete installation to fulfil its functions. An important element is the continuous education of service personnel and users of the facility (e.g. step-by-step evacuation drills), in order to maintain knowledge at the highest possible level about how to act in an emergency situation, not only related to fire, but also in the face of other local threats. Słowa kluczowe: evacuation of buildings, voice alarm system, VACIE
Nudging Timely Wage Reporting: Field Experimental Evidence from the U.S. Supplemental Security Income Program
Authors: Zhang C. Yiwei , Hemmeter Jeffrey , Kessler Judd B. , Metcalfe Robert D. , Weathers Robert
Published: December 2022

We study a large-scale (n = 50,000) natural field experiment implemented by the U.S. Social Security Administration aimed at increasing the timely and accurate self-reporting of wages by Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. A letter reminding SSI recipients of their wage reporting responsibilities significantly increased both the likelihood of reporting any earnings and the total earnings reported. However, the specific letter content—providing social information or highlighting the salience of penalties—had no systematic effect. We develop a conservative estimate that the letters generated roughly $5.91 in savings per dollar spent, highlighting the value of such a nudge in this important context.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4645 .
Independent Living: A Phenomenological Study on the Experiences of People with Mental Illness
Authors: Kim Mi Young , Cho Hyun Mee , Koo Chun Young , Byun Eun Kyung
Published: December 2022

Purpose: This study is to understand the experiences of people with serious mental illness following adjustment to independent living.Methods: Aphenomenological research approach was used. Research participants were recruited from community psychiatric rehabilitation centers where they received the support for successfully independent living in the community. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 20 research participants from September 2019 to August 2021. The collected data were analyzed using the phenomenological analysis method previously described by Giorgi.Results: Four major themes emerged from our analysis: (1) feeling free in everyday life changed when they started living independently; (2) being the owner of my life; (3) feeling surrounded by barriers at the start of independent living; and (4) required efforts and support for fully living independently.Conclusion: Our study findings encourage fundamental understanding of benefits and difficulties in adjusting to independent living and the adjustment process among people with serious mental illness through in-depth analysis of their experiences. It is necessary to conduct further studies to develop interventions to support people with serious mental illness once they start living independently and instruments to measure their independence.
A Survey on the Perception of Psychiatric Hospital Nurses on Patient Safety
Authors: Kim Sunah , Lee Wongyeong , Kang Chaehyeon
Published: December 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the patient safety status and patient safety education contents and methods perceived by nurses working in psychiatric hospitals.Methods: Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire for psychiatric hospital nurses who had worked for more than one year. A total of 157 questionnaires were filled and were used for analysis using descriptive statistics. Open-ended questions about the contents and methods of patient safety education were classified by each researcher and a reclassification was conducted by consensus through discussions.Results: Overall, 142 nurses (90.4%) experienced patient safety accident during the previous 1 month. Among those who experienced a patient safety accident, profanity, violence, and aggression-related accident counted for the highest percentage (82.8%). The demand for education on workplace stress management and education on psychiatric medication were the highest. Required education methods included case-by-case education on patient safety accidents, regular and continuous education, and small-scale face-to-face education.Conclusion: In the future, it is necessary to actively utilize the results of this study as basic data for in-depth research on the causes of patient safety accidents, accident prevention, and the workload of nursing personnel.
Changes in People with Schizophrenia during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review
Authors: Kang Kyung Im , Choi Dug Ja , Joung Jaewon
Published: December 2022

Purpose: This integrative review aims to identify changes in people with schizophrenia during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: An integrative literature review method of Whittemore and Knafl was applied to integrate the studies. The literature search was conducted in six electronic databases using English and Korean search terms. Three researchers independently reviewed the extracted papers and rated their quality based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of fifteen relevant studies were included.Results: The selected articles were all international papers, and most of them were quantitative studies. The changes observed in people with schizophrenia were summarized as follows: (1) changes in health outcomes: psychosocial (increased levels of depression, stress, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and psychotic-like experience) and physical (reduction in food intake, weight loss, changes in immunerelated clinical values, etc.); (2) changes in treatment and health management: increased hospitalization, decreased ICU hospitalization, and a decrease in outpatient visits and prescription rate.Conclusion: This study confirmed the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with schizophrenia. It is necessary to develop mental health policies and appropriate nursing interventions to help people in preparing for possible future crises.
Is messy play for all?
Authors: Jozwiak Gabriella
Published: December 2022

How can practitioners reassure parents who don't want their children taking part in messy play out of fear that they might get ill? Gabriella Jozwiak asks our panel
Recapitulation of Malay asli music genre transcriptions for a chamber trio employing music score analysis
Authors: Ayderova Vıoletta
Published: December 2022

Music transcription in notation form is preferred method of preserving traditional music, which is generally transmitted orally. The purpose of this study is to generate educational materials through the collaborative analysis and editing of six transcriptions of Malay asli music for a flute, viola, and piano trio. The central concerns of this research are whether the six transcriptions sufficiently convey the features of this traditional music form whether these features should be imitated from the original sound. The research is practice-led and involves experimental and analytical approaches employed by participants who assume the role of researcher and collect data via self-observation. Following the recapitulation outcomes from the analyses of the transcribed music scores, the six transcriptions were corrected with modified interwoven voices, a range of sound pitches for each musical instrument, and a classification of the rhythmic styles, music structure, and texture. The resulting transcriptions resemble typical Western music scores, which are required to convey traditional music features through the imitation of previously listened-to audio or video recordings of traditional ensemble performances. An advanced understanding of the interpreted transcriptions through music score analysis may have significant practical benefits for music performers, educators, and learners preparing to perform Malay asli music. Additionally, this may provide a future framework for scholarly work on classical ensembles.
A Systematic Review: Comparison of Immunocytochemistry, ELISA, and Western Blot Methods in Alkaline phosphatase Measurement at Genistein-induced Osteoblast Cell
Authors: Ma’arif Burhan , Abada Iffatul , Mahardiani Anisah , Hakim Abdul , Maulina Novia , Purwitasari Neny , Hidayah Khoirul , Jing Seow Lay
Published: December 2022

Osteoporosis is a bone disorder characterized by the decrease of bone mass along with bone micro-architecture damage and has a risk become a fracture. One of the causes of osteoporosis is estrogen deficiency. Genistein is a phytoestrogen compound in the isoflavone group containing a similar structure compared to 17β-estradiol, thus it can bind to estrogen receptors and produce an estrogenic effect. Genistein induction can stimulate bone formation and promote the increase of alkaline phosphate (ALP) activities in osteoblast cells which can be observed by immunocytochemistry or Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) or Western blot method. Using the PRISMA guideline technique, choose and strategize article searches by reading the title, abstract, and then the whole text of the article. Articles with the keywords "genistein or osteoblast cells or alkaline phosphate or immunocytochemistry or immunofluorescence or ELISA or western blot" were retrieved from databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Researchgate, and Sciencedirect. 24 relevant research articles were uncovered as a result of this systematic review. Comparison of immunocytochemistry and ELISA methods in order to analyze the activities of ALP in osteoblast induced by genistein includes selectivity, sensitivity, processing time, and cost efficiency parameters. The immunocytochemistry method has a higher level of sensitivity and a faster processing time, whereas the ELISA method has a higher level of selectivity and less cost efficiency. The western blot method has selectivity for detecting complex-level protein expression.
Using machine learning to understand microgeographic determinants of the Zika vector, Aedes aegypti
Authors: Alexander Jagger , Wilke André Barretto Bruno , Mantero Alejandro , Vasquez Chalmers , Petrie William , Kumar Naresh , Beier John C.
Published: December 2022

There are limited data on why the 2016 Zika outbreak in Miami-Dade County, Florida was confined to certain neighborhoods. In this research, Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of Zika virus, are studied to examine neighborhood-level differences in their population dynamics and underlying processes. Weekly mosquito data were acquired from the Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control Division from 2016 to 2020 from 172 traps deployed around Miami-Dade County. Using random forest, a machine learning method, predictive models of spatiotemporal dynamics of Ae. aegypti in response to meteorological conditions and neighborhood-specific socio-demographic and physical characteristics, such as land-use and land-cover type and income level, were created. The study area was divided into two groups: areas affected by local transmission of Zika during the 2016 outbreak and unaffected areas. Ae. aegypti populations in areas affected by Zika were more strongly influenced by 14- and 21-day lagged weather conditions. In the unaffected areas, mosquito populations were more strongly influenced by land-use and day-of-collection weather conditions. There are neighborhood-scale differences in Ae. aegypti population dynamics. These differences in turn influence vector-borne disease diffusion in a region. These results have implications for vector control experts to lead neighborhood-specific vector control strategies and for epidemiologists to guide vector-borne disease risk preparations, especially for containing the spread of vector-borne disease in response to ongoing climate change.
Determining factors of neonatal mortality in Ethiopia: An investigation from the 2019 Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Sahile Abay , Bekele Dereje , Ayele Habtamu
Published: December 2022

Background

Neonatal mortality is the probability of dying during the first 28 days of life. Of approximately 5 million children who die in the first year of life in the world, about 3 million are within their first 28 days of birth. In Ethiopia, the neonatal mortality rate is high about 37 per 1000 live births, and the factors are not well documented. Then, this study aimed to determine the key factors that have a significant influence on neonatal mortality.

Methods

A total of 5753 neonatal mortality-related data were obtained from Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey (2019) data. A frequency distribution to summarize the overall data and Binary Logistic Regression to identify the subset of significant risk factors for neonatal mortality were applied to analyze the data.

Results

An estimated 36 per 1000 live children had died before the first 28 days, with the highest in the Benishangul Gumuz region (15.9%) and the lowest in Addis Ababa (2.4%). From the Binary logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio and 95% CI of age 25–34 (OR = 0.263, 95% CI: 0.106–0.653), Afar (OR = 0.384, 95% CI: 0.167–0.884), SNNPR (OR = 0.265, 95% CI: 0.098–0.720), Addis Ababa (OR = 5.741, 95% CI: 1.115–29.566), Urban (OR = 0.253, 95% CI: 0.090, 0.709), toilet facility (OR = 0.603, 95% CI: 0.404–0.900), single birth (OR = 0.261, 95% CI: 0.138–0.495), poorest (OR = 10.573, 95% CI: 2.166–51.615), poorer (OR = 19.573, 95% CI: 4.171–91.848), never breastfed (OR = 35.939, 95% CI: 25.193–51.268), public health delivery (OR = 0.302, 95% CI: 0.106–0.859), private health facility (OR = 0.269, 95% CI: 0.095–0.760).

Conclusion

All regional states of Ethiopia, specially Benishangul Gumuz, and the Somali region must take remedial actions on public health policy, design strategies to improve facilities, and improve the capacities of stakeholders living in their region toward those major factors affecting neonatal mortality in the country.
Modeling the spread of the Zika virus by sexual and mosquito transmission
Authors: Agudelo Saitel , Ventresca Mario
Published: December 2022

Zika Virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus that is transmitted predominantly by the Aedes species of mosquito, but also through sexual contact, blood transfusions, and congenitally from mother to child. Although approximately 80% of ZIKV infections are asymptomatic and typical symptoms are mild, multiple studies have demonstrated a causal link between ZIKV and severe diseases such as Microcephaly and Guillain Barré Syndrome. Two goals of this study are to improve ZIKV models by considering the spread dynamics of ZIKV as both a vector-borne and sexually transmitted disease, and also to approximate the degree of under-reporting. In order to accomplish these objectives, we propose a compartmental model that allows for the analysis of spread dynamics as both a vector-borne and sexually transmitted disease, and fit it to the ZIKV incidence reported to the National System of Public Health Surveillance in 27 municipalities of Colombia between January 1 2015 and December 31 2017. We demonstrate that our model can represent the infection patterns over this time period with high confidence. In addition, we argue that the degree of under-reporting is also well estimated. Using the model we assess potential viability of public health scenarios for mitigating disease spread and find that targeting the sexual pathway alone has negligible impact on overall spread, but if the proportion of risky sexual behavior increases then it may become important. Targeting mosquitoes remains the best approach of those considered. These results may be useful for public health organizations and governments to construct and implement suitable health policies and reduce the impact of the Zika outbreaks.
Association between skull bone mineral density and periodontitis: Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011–2014)
Authors: Jin Fuqian , Song Jukun , Luo Yi , Wang Beichuan , Ding Ming , Hu Jiaxin , Chen Zhu
Published: December 2022

Background and objective

Bone mineral density (BMD) and periodontitis have been the subject of many studies. However, the relationship between skull (including mandible) BMD and periodontitis has not been extensively studied. An objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between skull BMD and periodontitis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) for 2011–2012 and 2013–2014.

Materials and methods

From NHANES 2011–2014, 3802 participants aged 30–59 were selected. We divided the skull BMD level into quartiles to check the distribution of variables. Periodontitis was defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Association of Periodontology (AAP) in 2012. Multivariate logical regression analysis was used to explore the independent relationship between skull BMD and periodontitis. The generalized additive model (GAM), smooth curve fitting (penalty spline) and threshold effect analysis was used to evaluate dose-response relationship between skull BMD and periodontitis and the potential nonlinear relationship between skull BMD and periodontitis. Finally, subgroup analysis and interaction test were conducted to determine the role of covariates between skull BMD and periodontitis.

Results

The overall average skull BMD of 3802 participants was 2.24g/cm2, the average age was 43.94 years, and the prevalence of periodontitis was 41.03%. In the fully adjusted logistic regression model, skull BMD and periodontitis showed an independent negative correlation (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.59–0.90, P = 0.0032) and a linear relationship. Compared with the lowest quartile array (Q1:1.22–1.98) of skull BMD, the highest quartile array(Q4: 2.47–3.79) had a significantly lower risk of periodontitis (OR 0.70,95% CI 0.56–0.87, P = 0.0014). Subgroup analysis showed a highly consistent negative correlation between skull BMD and periodontitis. In the interaction test, people with moderate poverty income ratio (1.57–3.62) and those who had more than 12 alcohol drinks in the past year had a lower risk of periodontitis.

Conclusions

This result suggested that periodontal disease can be related to low skull BMD, for those people, oral hygiene and health care should be more closely monitored. Validation of our findings will require further research.
The gestational diabetes future diabetes prevention study (GODDESS): A partially randomised feasibility controlled trial
Authors: Parsons Judith , Forde Rita , Brackenridge Anna , Hunt Katharine F. , Ismail Khalida , Murrells Trevor , Reid Anna , Rogers Helen , Rogers Rebecca , Forbes Angus
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To assess the feasibility of an ante- and post-natal lifestyle intervention for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to reduce type 2 diabetes risk.

Design

A partially randomised patient preference feasibility trial.

Setting

Diabetes antenatal clinics in two inner-London hospitals, UK.

Participants

Pregnant women ≥18 years with a GDM diagnosis and pre-pregnancy body mass index of ≥25kg/m2.

Intervention

Participants in the intervention group were offered four motivational interview-based sessions (two antenatally and two postnatally, at 3 and 6 months postpartum), a WhatsApp support group, a FitBit and electronic self-help resources.

Outcome measures

Recruitment; retention; intervention dose received; data completion; adaptions; proportion achieving ≥5% weight loss; weight change, blood glucose; blood pressure; diet, physical activity, breastfeeding and depression. Clinical outcomes were measured at baseline and 6 months postpartum.

Results

50 participants were recruited from 155 eligible women (32% recruitment rate). Thirty-four were recruited to the intervention group (23 following randomisation (RI-group) and 11 based on preference (PI-group)); and 16 to the control group (13 randomised (RC-group) and 3 preference (PC-group)). Attrition was 44% (n = 22/50). Forty-six percent (n = 6) of the intervention group (25% (n = 2) of the RI-group and 80% (n = 4) of the PI-group) achieved ≥5% weight loss compared to 8% (n = 1) in the control group (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.69 to 0.07). Mean weight change was -2.1kg±9.0 in the intervention group (0kg±5.4 in the RI-group and -5.4kg±13.0 in the PI-group) compared to +4.4kg±4.9 in the control group (RC +4.4kg ±5.3 and PC +4.7kg ±3.1, 95% CI -12.4 to 0.2).

Conclusions

Recruitment was feasible, but strategies to improve retention are needed. The findings suggest the intervention can support women with GDM to lose weight. The observed weight loss was primarily in women who preferred the intervention. Therefore, future trials may need to adopt a preference design and consider factors associated with preference.

Trial registration

Trial registration:ISRCTN52675820https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN52675820?q=ISRCTN52675820&filters=&sort=&offset=1&totalResults=1&page=1&pageSize=10&searchType=basic-search.
Risk factors for gallstone disease onset in Japan: Findings from the Shizuoka Study, a population-based cohort study
Authors: Higashizono Kazuya , Nakatani Eiji , Hawke Philip , Fujimoto Shuhei , Oba Noriyuki
Published: December 2022

In the research literature on factors associated with gallstones, large population-based cohort studies are rare. We carried out a study of this type to explore risk factors for the onset of gallstones. This study included Japanese participants aged 40–107 years who were followed prospectively from January 2012 to September 2020 using a dataset composed of two individually linked databases, one containing annual health checkup records and the other containing medical claims for beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance System and the Medical Care System for Elderly in the Latter Stage of Life in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Among the 611,930 participants in the analysis set, 23,843 (3.9%) were diagnosed with gallstones during the observational period (median [max]: 5.68 [7.5] years). Multivariate analysis revealed that risk of gallstone disease was increased by male sex, cerebrovascular disease, any malignancy, dementia, rheumatic disease, chronic pulmonary disease, hypertension, and H. pylori-infected gastritis. These findings provide essential insights into the etiology of cholelithiasis and may contribute to efforts to reduce the incidence of the disease.
A digital pathology workflow for the segmentation and classification of gastric glands: Study of gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia cases
Authors: Barmpoutis Panagiotis , Waddingham William , Yuan Jing , Ross Christopher , Kayhanian Hamzeh , Stathaki Tania , Alexander Daniel C. , Jansen Marnix
Published: December 2022

Gastric cancer is one of the most frequent causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Gastric atrophy (GA) and gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) of the mucosa of the stomach have been found to increase the risk of gastric cancer and are considered precancerous lesions. Therefore, the early detection of GA and IM may have a valuable role in histopathological risk assessment. However, GA and IM are difficult to confirm endoscopically and, following the Sydney protocol, their diagnosis depends on the analysis of glandular morphology and on the identification of at least one well-defined goblet cell in a set of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) -stained biopsy samples. To this end, the precise segmentation and classification of glands from the histological images plays an important role in the diagnostic confirmation of GA and IM. In this paper, we propose a digital pathology end-to-end workflow for gastric gland segmentation and classification for the analysis of gastric tissues. The proposed GAGL-VTNet, initially, extracts both global and local features combining multi-scale feature maps for the segmentation of glands and, subsequently, it adopts a vision transformer that exploits the visual dependences of the segmented glands towards their classification. For the analysis of gastric tissues, segmentation of mucosa is performed through an unsupervised model combining energy minimization and a U-Net model. Then, features of the segmented glands and mucosa are extracted and analyzed. To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed methodology we created the GAGL dataset consisting of 85 WSI, collected from 20 patients. The results demonstrate the existence of significant differences of the extracted features between normal, GA and IM cases. The proposed approach for gland and mucosa segmentation achieves an object dice score equal to 0.908 and 0.967 respectively, while for the classification of glands it achieves an F1 score equal to 0.94 showing great potential for the automated quantification and analysis of gastric biopsies.
Clinical anastomosis leakage and associated factors among patients who had intestinal anastomosis in northwest referral hospitals, Ethiopia
Authors: Kassahun Chanyalew Worku , Melekamu Senetsuhuf , Alemu Mahlet Temesgen
Published: December 2022

Background

Clinical anastomosis leakage leads to increased hospital costs, lengths of stay, readmissions, reoperations, and death. Therefore, this study aimed to assess clinical anastomotic leakage and associated factors among patients who had intestinal anastomosis in Northwest referral Hospitals, Ethiopia.

Method

A retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted among 411 randomly selected patients. The patient’s medical records from February 2017 to February 2020 were used. The date range during which patients’ medical records were extracted was from March 1 to June 2020. Patient medical record charts and data extraction sheets were used to collect the data. Data was entered into EPI—DATA version 3.1 and exported into SPSS version 25 for analysis. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. P-value of less than 0.05 and odds ratio with 95% CI were used to declare the presence of association.

Results

The response rate of the study was 99.8%. Of 411 patients, 38 (9.2%) patients developed clinical anastomotic leakage. Age group 0–10 years (AOR = 6.85 95% CI: 1.742–26.97), emergency presentation (AOR = 3.196 95% CI: 1.132–9.025), and pre-operative comorbid disease (AOR = 7.62 95% CI: 2.804–20.68) were significantly associated with anastomotic leak.

Conclusions

Clinical anastomotic leakage is higher than the expected rate (4.9%-7.2%). Age, emergency presentation, and comorbidities were associated with clinical anastomotic leak. Hence, attention to early identification of risk factors and providing optimal pre-operative, operative, and post-operative care is necessary.
A case-control study on the driving factors of childhood brain volume loss: What pediatricians must explore
Authors: Sungura Richard , Shirima Gabriel , Spitsbergen John , Mpolya Emmanuel , Vianney John-Mary
Published: December 2022

Background

The brain volume loss also known as brain atrophy is increasingly observed among children in the course of performing neuroimaging using CT scan and MRI brains. While severe forms of brain volume loss are frequently associated with neurocognitive changes due to effects on thought processing speed, reasoning and memory of children that eventually alter their general personality, most clinicians embark themselves in managing the neurological manifestations of brain atrophy in childhood and less is known regarding the offending factors responsible for developing pre-senile brain atrophy. It was therefore the goal of this study to explore the factors that drive the occurrence of childhood brain volume under the guidance of brain CT scan quantitative evaluation.

Methods

This study was a case-control study involving 168 subjects with brain atrophy who were compared with 168 age and gender matched control subjects with normal brains on CT scan under the age of 18 years. All the children with brain CT scan were subjected to an intense review of their birth and medical history including laboratory investigation reports.

Results

Results showed significant and influential risk factors for brain atrophy in varying trends among children including age between 14-17(OR = 1.1), male gender (OR = 1.9), birth outside facility (OR = 0.99), immaturity (OR = 1.04), malnutrition (OR = 0.97), head trauma (OR = 1.02), maternal alcoholism (OR = 1.0), antiepileptic drugs & convulsive disorders (OR = 1.0), radiation injury (OR = 1.06), space occupying lesions and ICP (OR = 1.01) and birth injury/asphyxia (OR = 1.02).

Conclusions

Pathological reduction of brain volume in childhood exhibits a steady trend with the increase in pediatric age, with space occupying lesions & intracranial pressure being the most profound causes of brain atrophy.
Sparse canonical correlation to identify breast cancer related genes regulated by copy number aberrations
Authors: Dutta Diptavo , Sen Ananda , Satagopan Jaya
Published: December 2022

Background

Copy number aberrations (CNAs) in cancer affect disease outcomes by regulating molecular phenotypes, such as gene expressions, that drive important biological processes. To gain comprehensive insights into molecular biomarkers for cancer, it is critical to identify key groups of CNAs, the associated gene modules, regulatory modules, and their downstream effect on outcomes.

Methods

In this paper, we demonstrate an innovative use of sparse canonical correlation analysis (sCCA) to effectively identify the ensemble of CNAs, and gene modules in the context of binary and censored disease endpoints. Our approach detects potentially orthogonal gene expression modules which are highly correlated with sets of CNA and then identifies the genes within these modules that are associated with the outcome.

Results

Analyzing clinical and genomic data on 1,904 breast cancer patients from the METABRIC study, we found 14 gene modules to be regulated by groups of proximally located CNA sites. We validated this finding using an independent set of 1,077 breast invasive carcinoma samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Our analysis of 7 clinical endpoints identified several novel and interpretable regulatory associations, highlighting the role of CNAs in key biological pathways and processes for breast cancer. Genes significantly associated with the outcomes were enriched for early estrogen response pathway, DNA repair pathways as well as targets of transcription factors such as E2F4, MYC, and ETS1 that have recognized roles in tumor characteristics and survival. Subsequent meta-analysis across the endpoints further identified several genes through the aggregation of weaker associations.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that sCCA analysis can aggregate weaker associations to identify interpretable and important genes, modules, and clinically consequential pathways.
Different structural variant prediction tools yield considerably different results in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Lesack Kyle , Mariene Grace M. , Andersen Erik C. , Wasmuth James D.
Published: December 2022

The accurate characterization of structural variation is crucial for our understanding of how large chromosomal alterations affect phenotypic differences and contribute to genome evolution. Whole-genome sequencing is a popular approach for identifying structural variants, but the accuracy of popular tools remains unclear due to the limitations of existing benchmarks. Moreover, the performance of these tools for predicting variants in non-human genomes is less certain, as most tools were developed and benchmarked using data from the human genome. To evaluate the use of long-read data for the validation of short-read structural variant calls, the agreement between predictions from a short-read ensemble learning method and long-read tools were compared using real and simulated data from Caenorhabditis elegans. The results obtained from simulated data indicate that the best performing tool is contingent on the type and size of the variant, as well as the sequencing depth of coverage. These results also highlight the need for reference datasets generated from real data that can be used as ‘ground truth’ in benchmarks.
Why health system diagnosis delay among tuberculosis patients in Illubabor, Oromia region, South West Ethiopia? A qualitative study
Authors: Feyisa Jira Wakoya , Lemu Jiregna Chalcisa , Hunde Megersa Dinku , Berhanu Robera Demissie , Jaleta Debela Dereje , Abdisa Diriba Kumara , Garedow Tadesse Sime , Kitila Keno Melkamu
Published: December 2022

Background

The main target of tuberculosis control and prevention is to detect incident cases as quickly as possible and also to prevent the occurrence of disease. It is also the responsibility of the health facility to screen the contacts, identifying children for prophylactic therapy. However, the target is difficult to meet due to issues within health facilities that cause health system diagnostic delays. Despite this, there is no information explored why health system diagnostic delays among tuberculosis patients.

Method

A qualitative study was conducted by using different data collection methods and sources. Seventeen DOT providers, five laboratory professionals, six program managers, and seven Tuberculosis patients were interviewed. In addition, 22 governmental health facilities were observed for the availability of resources. Data obtained from the in-depth interviews was transcribed, coded, categorized, and thematized manually.

Result

Health system Diagnosis delays reasons were related with sample collection procedures, poor competency of health professionals, in addition to absences or scarcity of health professionals, medical products, and basic infrastructure. We found 18 health facilities without skilled personnel in the OPD, 7 health facilities with a broken microscope, and almost all health facilities without a separate room for sputum examination. Furthermore, 12 (54.5%) and 14 (63.6%) health facilities lacked access to water and electric power, respectively.

Conclusion

Many reasons for TB diagnosis delays have been identified in the study area. Poor competence of health workers and scarcity of resources were identified. Depending on the finding, we suggest strengthening the health workers’ training. Concrete strategies need to be designed to retain professionals. Training on human resource planning and budget preparation is needed for front-line managers. Managers have to work on the maintenance of diagnostic tools and facilitate transportation. The rural health facilities need to use another alternative power source.
“You have to make it cool”: How heterosexual Black men in Toronto, Canada, conceptualize policy and programs to address HIV and promote health
Authors: Antabe Roger , Robinson Kimberley , Husbands Winston , Miller Desmond , Harriot Andre , Johnson Kwesi , Wong Josephine Pui-Hing , Poon Maurice Kwong-Lai , Kirya John Wasikye , James Carl
Published: December 2022

Background

Black Canadian communities are disproportionately impacted by HIV. To help address this challenge, we undertook research to engage heterosexual Black men in critical dialogue about resilience and vulnerability. They articulated the necessity of making health services ‘cool’.

Methods

We draw on the analyses of focus groups and in-depth interviews with 69 self-identified heterosexual Black men and 12 service providers who took part in the 2016 Toronto arm of the weSpeak study to explore what it means to make health and HIV services ‘cool’ for heterosexual Black Canadian men.

Results

Our findings revealed four themes on making health services cool: (1) health promotion as a function of Black family systems; (2) opportunities for healthy dialogue among peers through non-judgmental interactions; (3) partnering Black men in intervention design; and (4) strengthening institutional health literacy on Black men’s health.

Conclusions

We discuss the implications of these findings for improving the health of Black Canadians.
Survey of healthcare providers’ testing practices for vulvovaginal candidiasis and treatment outcomes–United States, 2021
Authors: Benedict Kaitlin , Moret Ravan , Molinari Noelle Angelique M. , Jackson Brendan R.
Published: December 2022

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common infection, and high-quality studies report that misdiagnosis is frequent, with diagnostic testing needed to distinguish it from other causes of vaginitis and avoid inappropriate empiric treatment. However, few recent studies have evaluated U.S. healthcare providers’ testing practices for VVC in detail. We evaluated healthcare providers’ self-reported testing practices for VVC and treatment outcomes as part of a nationwide online survey in order to identify potential opportunities for improving VVC testing and treatment in the United States. Among 1,503 providers surveyed, 21.3% reported “always” (7.4%) or “usually” (13.9%) ordering diagnostic testing for patients with suspected VVC; this proportion was higher among gynecologists (36.0%) compared with family practitioners (17.8%) and internists (15.8%). Most providers (91.2%) reported that patients’ VVC “always” (6.4%) or “usually” (84.9%) responds to initial treatment. Whether the symptom resolution reported in this survey was truly related to VVC is unclear given high rates of misdiagnosis and known widespread empiric prescribing. With only about one-in-five providers reporting usually or always performing diagnostic testing for VVC despite guidelines recommending universal use, research is needed to address barriers to proper testing.
Addressing the quality challenge of a human biospecimen biobank through the creation of a quality management system
Authors: Servais Marie-Dominique , Galtier Florence , Nouvel Agathe , Rebuffat Sandra , Laget Jonas , Géan Anne , Provost Nicolas , Lorcy Frédéric , Rigau Valérie , Couderc Guilhem , Géraud Philippe , Nocca David , Builles Nicolas , De Préville Nathalie , Lajoix Anne-Dominique
Published: December 2022

Background

The objective of the COMET (COllection of MEtabolic Tissues) biobank project is to create a high-quality collection of insulin-sensitive tissues (liver, muscle, adipose tissues, and epiploic artery) and blood sample derivatives (plasma, serum, DNA and RNA), collected from 270 grade 2–3 obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Relevant data on patient such as clinical/biological characteristics and sample handling are also collected. For this, our aim was to establish a Quality Management System (QMS) to meet the reliability and quality requirements necessary for its scientific exploitation.

Materials and methods

The COMET QMS includes: (1) Quality Assurance to standardize all stages of the biobanking process, (2) Quality Controls on samples from the first patients included in order to validate the sample management process and ensure reproducible quality; and 3) “in process” Quality Controls to ensure the reliability of the storage procedures and the stability of the samples over time.

Results

For serum and plasma, several corrective actions, such as temperature handling and centrifugation conditions, were made to the protocol and led to improvement of the volume and quality of samples. Regarding DNA, all samples evaluated achieved a satisfactory level of purity and integrity and most of them yielded the required DNA quantity. All frozen tissue samples had RNAs of good purity. RNA quality was confirmed by RIN, achieving values in most cases over 7 and efficient amplification of housekeeping genes by RT-qPCR, with no significant differences among samples from the same tissue type. In the “in process” Quality Controls, DNA, RNA, and histological integrity of tissues showed no differences among samples after different preservation times.

Conclusion

Quality Control results have made it possible to validate the entire biobank process and confirm the utility of implementing QMS to guarantee the quality of a biospecimen collection.