bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonoccupational post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV after sexual intercourse among women in Brazil: Risk profiles and predictors of loss to follow-up
Authors: Grangeiro Alexandre , Nascimento Maria Mônica Paulino do , Zucchi Eliana Miura , Ferraz Dulce , Escuder Maria Mercedes , Arruda Érico , Lotufo Denize , Munhoz Rosemeire , Couto Marcia Thereza
Published: September 2019

Access to antiretroviral-based HIV prevention has been marked by sex asymmetries, and its effectiveness has been compromised by low clinical follow-up rates. We investigated risk profiles of women who received nonoccupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP), as well as the rates and predictive factors of loss to follow-up after nPEP initiation.

Retrospective study evaluating 501 women who received nPEP between 2014 and 2015 at 5 HIV centers (testing centers-VCT, outpatient clinics, and infectious diseases hospital). Risk profiles were drawn based on the characteristics of the women and their sexual partners, and then stratified by sociodemographic indicators and previous use of HIV prevention services. Loss to follow-up (LTFU) was defined as not presenting for follow-up visits or for HIV testing after nPEP initiation. Predictors of LTFU were analyzed by calculating adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs).

Approximately 90% of women had sexual encounters that met the criteria established in the Brazilian guidelines for nPEP. Those who declared to be sex workers (26.5%) or drug users (19.2%) had the highest social vulnerability indicators. In contrast, women who had intercourse with casual partners of unknown HIV risk (42.7%) had higher education and less experience with previous HIV testing (89.3%) or nPEP use (98.6%). Of the women who received nPEP after sexual intercourse with stable partners, 75.8% had HIV-infected partners. LTFU rate was 72.8% and predictors included being Black (aPR = 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.30), using drugs/alcohol (aPR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01–1.32) and having received nPEP at an HIV outpatient clinic (aPR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.20–1.51) or at an infectious diseases hospital (aPR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.11–1.69) compared with a VCT. The risk of LTFU declined as age increased (aPR 41–59 years = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.68–0.96).

Most women who used nPEP had higher socioeconomic status and were not part of populations most affected by HIV. In contrast, factors that contribute to loss to follow-up were: having increased social vulnerability; increased vulnerability to HIV infection; and seeking nPEP at HIV treatment services as opposed to at a VCT.
The efficacy and safety of qiming granule in dry eye disease
Authors: Yang Maoyi , Hu Zhipeng , Yue Rensong , Yang Liangjun , Zhang Boxun , Chen Yuan
Published: September 2019

Background:

Dry eye disease is a common eye disease mainly manifests with eye fatigue, foreign body sensation, dry and astringent eyes and other symptoms. Growing evidence shows that qiming granule may have beneficial effects on the clinical treatment of dry eye disease. However, no systematic review and meta-analysis collate and assess these clinical evidences. The purpose of this study protocol is to provide a comprehensive and reliable evaluation of the clinical evidence of qiming granule in the treatment of DED.

Methods and analysis:

Three English database and 4 Chinese databases other sources will be searched. Two methodological trained researchers will read the title, abstract and full texts and independently select the qualified literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. After assessment of the risk of bias and data extraction, we will conduct meta-analyses for outcomes including central macular thickness, optimum corrected vision, overall effect rates and adverse effects. The heterogeneity of data will be investigated by Cochrane X2 and I

2
tests. We build 3 hypotheses for subgroup analysis according to the guidance for a credible subgroup effect: Disease status at baseline, duration of intervention, type of concomitant medication. Sensitivity analysis will be conducted to evaluate the stability of the results. Then publication bias assessment will be conducted by funnel plot analysis and Egger test. Finally, we will use the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluate system to evaluate the quality of evidence.

Results:

The results of our research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Conclusion:

Our study is the first meta-analysis to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of qiming granule in the treatment of DED. It will provide more options for clinical treatment of the disease.

PROSPERO registration number:

CRD42018109183.
Mucocele of the appendix presenting as an exacerbated chronic tubo-ovarian abscess
Authors: Cubro Hajrunisa , Cengic Vesna , Burina Nina , Kravic Zlatko , Beciragic Esad , Vranic Semir
Published: September 2019

Rationale:

Appendiceal mucocele is a rare entity of mucinous cystic dilatation of the appendix. It has no typical clinical presentation and is considered a potentially premalignant condition.

Patient concerns:

We present a case of accidental intraoperative finding of an appendiceal mucocele in a 54-year old woman that clinically presented with an exacerbated chronic tubo-ovarian abscess.

Diagnoses:

Trans-vaginal ultrasonography showed an encapsulated, oval, unilocular mass above the uterus with a heteroechogenic structure, homogeneous fluid content, and smooth regular walls without inner proliferation. The histopathologic diagnosis was consistent with an appendiceal cystadenoma.

Interventions:

The patient underwent a simple appendectomy.

Outcomes:

There were no clinical, biochemical or imaging signs of the disease recurrence at 6 months follow up.

Lessons:

To our knowledge, this is the only well-documented case of appendiceal mucocele mimicking exacerbated chronic tubo-ovarian abscess reported in the literature. Awareness of a rare entity such as an appendiceal mucocele, which is frequently misdiagnosed as a potential cause of acute abdomen, is necessary for the appropriate management strategy in order to prevent complications.
Expression and clinical significance of latent-transforming growth factor beta-binding protein 2 in primary hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen Jinchun , Gao Guosheng , Wang Hui , Ye Xingtao , Zhou Jun , Lin Jianjun
Published: September 2019

The present study aimed to explore the expression of latent transforming growth factor β binding protein 2 (LTBP2) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their correlation to clinicopathologial features.

Serum levels of LTBP2 in 60 patients with HCC, 35 patients with hepatocellular benign tumors, 60 patients with precancerous lesions of HCC, and 60 healthy volunteers were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of LTBP2 at messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in 60 cases of HCC and adjacent tissues were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohisochemistry. Statistical analysis was used to analyze the relationship between LTBP2 and clinical characteristics of patients with HCC.

The mRNA and protein levels of LTBP2 were significantly upregulated in HCC tissues compared to adjacent tissues. Additionally, higher serum LTBP2 level was also observed in HCC patients relative to normal controls. Further investigation demonstrated that LTBP2 expression was associated with malignant degree of tumor, tumor progression, tumor differentiation, tumor size, tumor stage and hepatitis virus infection, and has prognostic implications in HCC patients.

LTBP2 might be served as a potential biomarker in diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration versus mediastinoscopy for mediastinal staging of lung cancer
Authors: Steinhauser Motta João Pedro , Lapa e Silva José Roberto , Samary Lobato Caroliny , Mendonça Vanessa Souza , Steffen Ricardo E.
Published: September 2019

Background:

Lung cancer is a major health problem, with estimates of 1.6 million tumor-related deaths annually worldwide. The emergence of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), a minimally invasive procedure capable of providing valuable information for primary tumor diagnosis and mediastinal staging, significantly changed the approach of pulmonary cancer, becoming part of the routine mediastinal evaluation of lung cancer in developed countries. Some economic evaluation studies published in the last 10 years have already analyzed the incorporation of the EBUS technique in different health systems. The aim of this systematic review is to synthesize the relevant information brought by these studies to better understand the economic effect of the implementation of this staging tool.

Methods:

The systematic review will be reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines. Eletronic databases (Medline, Lilacs, Embase, Cochrane Library of Trials, Web of Science, Scopus, National Health System Economic Evaluation Database) will be searched for full economic analyses regarding the use of EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) compared to the surgical technique of mediastinoscopy for the mediastinal staging of lung cancer. Two authors will perform the selection of studies, data extraction, and the assessment of risk of bias. Occasionally, a senior reviewer will participate, if necessary, on study selection or data extraction.

Results:

Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Conclusion:

This review may influence a more cost-effective mediastinal staging approach for patients with lung cancer around the world and help health decision makers decide whether the EBUS-TBNA technique should be incorporated into their health systems and how to do it efficiently.

Protocol Registry:

PROSPERO 42019107901.
Diagnostic accuracy of digital X-ray radiogrammetry on hand bone loss for patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: An Hong-Jian , Zhang Jun
Published: September 2019

Background:

This study will aim to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) on hand bone loss (HBL) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods:

In this study, we will search the literature from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WANFANG from the inception to June 1, 2019 without language restrictions. All case–controlled studies on assessing diagnostic accuracy of DXR on HBL for diagnosis of RA will be included. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool will be used for eligible studies. We will apply RevMan V.5.3 software and Stata V.12.0 software for statistical analysis.

Results:

We will evaluate diagnostic accuracy of DXR on HBL in patients with RA by assessing the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio.

Conclusion:

This study will detect the diagnostic accuracy of DXR evaluation on HBL in patients with RA.

Systematic review registration:

PROSPERO CRD42019139489.
Efficacy and safety of lactulose for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Chen Hong-Bin , Su Xiao-Ying
Published: September 2019

Background:

In this study, investigators will evaluate the efficacy and safety of lactulose for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Methods:

Literature search for relevant studies up to present will be conducted in MEDICINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wangfang, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The included studies are randomized controlled trials of lactulose in patients with IBS. We will use RevMan 5.3 software using statistical analysis.

Results:

This study will provide a high-quality integration of current evidence of lactulose for treating IBS on several aspects including global IBS symptoms, abdominal pain, defecation urgency, stool frequency, stool consistency, quality of life, and adverse events.

Conclusions:

This study will provide the evidence for the clinical efficacy and safety of lactulose for the treatment of IBS.

PROSPERO registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42019140639.
Circulating miR-21 levels in hypertensive patients with asymptomatic organ damage
Authors: Yildirim Erkan , Ermis Emrah , Allahverdiyev Samir , Ucar Hakan , Yavuzer Serap , Cengiz Mahir
Published: September 2019

As a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, presence of hypertension (HT) necessitates the awareness of asymptomatic organ damage (AOD). The aim of this study was to measure plasma micro RNA-21 (miR-21) and the parameters that reflect AOD such as carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), microalbuminuria (MAU) in hypertensive patients compared with healthy controls. In addition, the aim of this study was to evaluate plasma miR-21 levels in HT patients with AOD.

This study was designed as a cross-sectional observational study. The study includes 2 groups: 32 patients with HT and 32 healthy controls. First, we compared these 2 groups. Then, to underline the relationship between plasma miR-21 and HT, hypertensive patients were divided into 2 groups: with AOD and without AOD.

Sixteen patients with HT had AOD. MiR-21 levels significantly correlated with clinical systolic and diastolic blood pressure, MAU, C-reactive protein, and CIMT. CIMT, miR-21, and MAU levels were significantly higher in patients with AOD.

Our study showed increased miR-21 levels in HT patients with AOD.
Epidemiological and clinical profile of Korean travelers receiving international medical repatriation
Authors: Kim Jiena , Choi Hyo Jeong , Kim Ho Jung
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of medical transportation of Korean travelers who suffered accidents abroad and then transferred home by our aeromedical team.

We collected demographic and clinical data on patients injured while traveling abroad from January 2013 to July 2017. Descriptive analyses based on 4 different transportation methods and transport time since hospitalization were performed.

A total of 33 patients were repatriated during the study period. Of these, 28 (84.8%) were trauma cases with pedestrian injuries being the most common (11 cases; 39.3%). Twenty patients were repatriated by flight-stretchers, 6 by flight-prestige, 2 by ship, and 5 by air ambulance. The air ambulance was the most expensive (average 61,124 US Dollars) mode of transportation (P = .001) and the ship took the longest time (14 hours) to transport patients back to Korea from regions with similar distance (P = .0023).

We experienced medical repatriation of 33 seriously injured Korean travelers back to South Korea. Transfer time should be an important considering factor and directly contacting and communicating with the specialized staff of foreign hospitals could also be very important to reduce unnecessary overseas hospital stay and cost incidence.
Bochdalek hernia with Diamond-Blackfan anemia associated with RPS19 gene mutation
Authors: Yoo Ye Seul , Lee Na Hee , Choi Young Bae
Published: September 2019

Rationale:

Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a rare inherited marrow disorder, characterized by erythrocyte aplasia and is associated with congenital anomalies and a susceptibility to cancer. Although congenital abnormalities have been observed in ∼50% of DBA patients, the occurrence of an associated congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has rarely been reported.

Patient concerns:

A 19-month-old male child was referred to our pediatric hematology-oncology outpatient clinic with anemic appearance. He presented to us with recurrent anemia, short stature, and developmental delay.

Diagnosis:

On bone marrow examination, only erythropoietic cells were markedly decreased in number, whereas other cell lines were unaffected. An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a Bochdalek type of CDH. A genetic analysis revealed heterozygous mutation of RPS19; therefore, he was diagnosed as having DBA with CDH.

Interventions:

The patient received an initial packed red blood cell transfusion, followed by an administration of oral prednisone.

Outcomes:

The patient is maintained on oral prednisone administered at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg every alternate day and has since a hemoglobin level of >9.0 g/dL without further RBC transfusions.

Lessons:

We learned that a Bochdalek type of CDH can manifest in a DBA patient with RPS19 gene mutation. Therefore, patients diagnosed with the latter disorder should also be screened for an early detection of potential CDHs.
The relationship among occupational irradiation, DNA methylation status, and oxidative damage in interventional physicians
Authors: Chen Bin , Dai Qi , Zhang Qun , Yan Peng , Wang Aihong , Qu Linyan , Jin Yinhua , Zhang Dandan
Published: September 2019

Ionizing radiation can induce deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation pattern change, and ionizing radiation-induced oxidative damage may also affect DNA methylation status. However, the influence of low-dose ionizing radiation, such as occupational radiation exposure, on DNA methylation is still controversial.

By investigating the relationship between occupational radiation exposure and DNA methylation changes, we evaluated whether radiation-induced oxidative damage was related to DNA methylation alterations and then determined the relationship among occupational radiation level, DNA methylation status, and oxidative damage in interventional physicians.

The study population included 117 interventional physicians and 117 controls. We measured global methylation levels of peripheral blood leukocyte DNA and expression level of DNA methyltransferase (Dnmts) and homocysteine (Hcy) in serum to assess the DNA methylation status of the body. We measured 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) levels as indices of oxidative damage. Relevance analysis between multiple indices can reflect the relationship among occupational radiation exposure, DNA methylation changes, and oxidative damage in interventional physicians.

The expression levels of Dnmts, 4-HNE, and 8-OHDG in interventional physicians were higher than those in controls, while there was no statistical difference in total DNA methylation rate and expression of Hcy between interventional physicians and controls. Total cumulative personal dose equivalent in interventional physicians was positively correlated with the expression levels of Dnmts, 8-OHDG, and 4-HNE. The expression levels of 8-OHDG in interventional physicians were negatively correlated with global DNA methylation levels and positively correlated with the expression levels of Hcy.

Occupational radiation exposure of interventional physicians has a certain effect on the expression of related enzymes in the process of DNA methylation, while ionizing radiation-induced oxidative damage also has a certain effect on DNA methylation. However, there was no evidence that dose burden of occupational exposure was associated to changes of DNA methylation status of interventional physicians, since it is rather unclear which differences are observed among the effects produced by radiation exposure and oxidative damage.
Catastrophic health expenditure and impoverishment for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a multiethnic province in China using a Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition
Authors: Sun Xian , Liabsuetrakul Tippawan , Xie Xiaomin , Liu Ping
Published: September 2019

This study aimed to compare the catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and impoverishment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients between 2 ethnic groups and explore the contribution of associated factors to ethnic differences in CHE and impoverishment in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2 public hospitals from October 2016 to June 2017. Data were collected by interviewing eligible Hui and Han T2DM inpatients and reviewing the hospital electronic records. Both CHE and impoverishment were measured by headcount and gap. The contributions of associated factors to ethnic differences were analyzed by the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition technique.

Both the CHE and impoverishment of Hui patients before and after reimbursement were significantly higher than those of Han patients. The ethnic differences in CHE and impoverishment headcount after reimbursement were 11.9% and 9.8%, respectively. The different distributions of associated factors between Hui and Han patients contributed to 60.5% and 35.7% of ethnic differences in CHE and impoverishment, respectively. Household income, occupation, and region were significant contributing factors.

Hui T2DM patients suffered greater CHE and impoverishment than Han patients regardless of reimbursements from health insurance. Differences in socioeconomic status between Hui and Han patients were the main factors behind the ethnic differences.
Krishnan's Comprehensive Classification for Distraction Osteogenesis of Maxilla and Mandible
Authors: Harikrishnan Pandurangan
Published: September 2019

Distraction osteogenesis technique has gained popularity and has been established as a successful procedure in the management of cranio-maxillofacial deformities for more than 2 decades. Varieties of distractor designs were evolved for the procedures in the maxilla and mandible. Various distraction parameters are clinically important as planned in each case. Inspite of distraction osteogenesis as a well-accepted procedure, currently there is no single classification available for the distraction procedure in maxilla and mandible taking into consideration all the relevant parameters. A simple and user-friendly classification was designed with coding all the relevant parameters. A retrospective data collection from distracted case records were used to validate the classification. A survey from maxillofacial surgeons in a regional meeting was also carried out. The validation and the survey showed that the new classification is comprehensive, simple, easy to use and beneficial for communication, data storage, research, coding, and billing purposes.
Mattress Suture Technique for Caudal Septum Dislocations in Open and Endonasal Septoplasty: Which Approach is Better?
Authors: Dikici Oğuzhan , Bayar Muluk Nuray
Published: September 2019

Objectives:

Various techniques have been described to correct caudal septum dislocations but the issue has not been resolved conclusively. This study aimed to describe a suture technique that can be used to correct and stabilize the caudal septum on the maxillary spine and also to evaluate the effects on patientsymptoms.

Methods:

Fifty-two patients with caudal septal dislocation were included in this study. Nineteen of the patients underwent open septoplasty and 33 patients underwent endonasal septoplasty. The caudal cartilage septums were fixed to the maxillary spine with horizontal mattress suturing in all patients. The patient followed up between 3 and 24th month. The modified “NOSE” survey was used to assess surgical outcome in all patients. The degree of septal correction was also classified.

Results:

Complete correction was achieved in the postoperative period in 96% of the patients. The status was near complete correction in 2 (3.8%) of the patients. But in these 2 patients, degree of caudal septal dislocation was corrected from severe to moderate after surgery and the fixation suture side is correct and stable. Postoperative modified NOSE survey scores were lower than the preoperative scores in all open and endonasal septoplasty groups (P <0.05). NOSE 2 (nasal blockage or obstruction) and NOSE 4 (trouble sleeping) scores were higher in patients with higher follow-up duration in open septoplasty group.

Conclusion:

Suturing technique is quite suitable for caudal septum dislocations and can easily be used in open and endonasal septoplasty. This suture reduces postoperative NOSE scores and the patients are satisfied with the results of the surgery. The septal stability may decrease in open septoplasty group with the longer post-operative duration. However, wide exposure can be ensured with an open septorhinoplasty approach. We concluded that it will be better to use endonasal septoplasty in appropriate cases and suture with nonabsorbable sutures.
Primary Lash Ptosis
Authors: Nemet Arie Y.
Published: September 2019

Introduction:

Lash ptosis is often an overlooked sign that may coexist with congenital and acquired blepharoptosis. This is a report of case series of patients presented in an oculoplastic clinic with visual field loss associated with lash ptosis. On examination, the primary pathology was attributed to lash ptosis dehiscence.

Methods:

All patients underwent anterior lamellar repositioning and were followed for an average of 15 (10–24) months.

Results:

All patients had resolution of visual field loss and heaviness of eyelids.

Conclusions:

Lash ptosis is associated with abnormalities such as floppy eyelid syndrome. However it may be a primary condition, with no background eyelid pathology and no external explanation for the eyelash ptosis. The condition might result from anatomical changes in the orbicularis oculi, Riolan's muscle, and tarsal plate. Patients in this series complained of upper lid visual field restriction. Anterior lamellar repositioning resulted in complete resolution of complaints. Additional studies are needed to learn about the pathophysiology of this entity.
Single-Port Laparoscopic Hepatectomy for Liver Tumor: Operative Steps (With Video)
Authors: Pan Yangxun , Chen Jinbin , Chen Jiancong , Xu Li , Zhou Zhongguo , Chen Minshan , Zhang Yaojun
Published: September 2019

Background:

The single-port laparoscopic technique has been widely applied in abdominal surgery. We introduce a single-port laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver tumor in a single center.

Materials and Methods:

This study included 37 patients who underwent single-port laparoscopic liver resection for liver tumor in the segments II, III, IV, and V between October 2017 and November 2018. Their perioperative course and operative techniques were retrospectively evaluated.

Results:

All patients underwent single-port laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver tumor. None of the cases was converted to open surgery. The median procedure duration was 100 minutes (39 to 240 min), and the median blood loss volume was 50 mL (30 to 300 mL). No postoperative complications >3 grades were observed during the perioperative period. The median postoperative hospital stay was 4 days (3 to 7 d).

Conclusions:

Single-port laparoscopic hepatectomy is a safe, feasible, and minimal incision, especially for tumors in the left lobe.
Is the Intake of Antioxidants Associated With Risk of Coronary Artery Disease? A Jordanian Case-Control Study
Authors: Al-Shudifat Abdel-Ellah , Azab Mohammed , Johannessen Asgeir , Agraib Lana M. , Tayyem Reema F.
Published: September 2019

This study aimed to determine whether the intake of antioxidants was a risk factor for developing coronary artery disease. A total of 399 participants who underwent coronary angiography were included in the study, and patients with coronary artery disease (cases) were compared with patients with a normal coronary angiography (controls). Antioxidant consumption was higher in the control group than in the cases. Specifically, the controls had a higher consumption of foods rich in lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, and lycopene, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The findings of the study suggest a possible beneficial association between coronary artery disease and the intake of dietary antioxidants.
Development of an At-Risk Score for Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Olfert Melissa D. , Clark Rashel L. , Famodu Oluremi A. , Murray Pamela J. , Olfert I. Mark , Downes Marianne T. , McFadden Joseph W. , Cuff Christopher F. , Colby Sarah E. , Morrell Jesse S.
Published: September 2019

To develop and validate a metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk score, young adults completed an in-person assessment and online health history questionnaire. Risk scoring was based on weighted multivariate risk score functions. The area under the curve was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.32 to 0.81), indicating a significant relationship between higher scores and increased odds of MetS diagnosis (OR = 1.7; 95% CI, 1.38 to 2.25). The new score was associated with the MetS Severity Score (r [correlation coefficient] = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.51; P < .0001) and the American Heart Association score (r = −0.49; 95% CI, −0.57 to −0.39; P < .0001). This score can help improve primary prevention intervention strategies for young adults at risk of MetS.
Accuracy of Waist to Hip Ratio Calculated by Bioelectric Impedance Device in the Ravansar Non-Communicable Disease Cohort Study
Authors: Pasdar Yahya , Moradi Shima , Abdollahzad Hadi , Hamzeh Behrooz , Najafi Farid , Nachvak Seyed Mostafa , Mostafai Roghayeh
Published: September 2019

The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of waist to hip ratio (WHR) measured by a bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) device for 9965 participants in a cohort study. Waist and hip circumferences were measured manually using a nonstretched, flexible tape, and WHR was calculated. Waist circumference was measured at the level of the iliac crest 3 times, and the average of 3 measurements was recorded. Body composition analysis was also done with the BIA device, and comparisons were made between the 2 techniques. There was a weak correlation for WHR compared using the manual method and BIA (r= 0.036). Also, there was a significant difference between the 2 measurement methods (P< .001).
A Supervised, Symmetry-Driven, GUI Toolkit for Mouse Brain Stack Registration and Plane Assignment
Authors: Cicconet Marcelo , Hochbaum Daniel R.
Published: September 2019

Immunostaining of brain slices is a ubiquitous technique used throughout neuroscience for the purposes of understanding the anatomical and molecular characteristics of brain circuits. Yet the variety of distortions introduced, and the manual nature of the preparation, hinder the use of the generated images from being rigorously quantified; instead most registration of brain slices is done laboriously by hand. Existing automated registration methods rarely make use of geometric shape information. When registering anterior-posterior brain slices, for example, small errors between consecutive planes accumulate, causing the symmetry axis of a plane to drift away from its starting position as depth increases. Furthermore, planes with imaging artifacts – e.g. one half of the slice is missing – can cause large errors, which are difficult to fix by changing global parameters. In this work we describe a method in which we register a set of consecutive brain slices enforcing all slices to have a vertical axis of symmetry, and then pair these slices optimally to planes from the Allen Mouse Brain Atlas via Dynamic Programming. The pipeline offers multiple human-in-the-loop opportunities, allowing users to fix algorithmic errors in various stages, including symmetry detection and pairwise assignment, via custom graphical interfaces. This pipeline enables large-scale analysis of brain slices, allowing this common technique to be used to generate quantitative datasets.
Insilico analysis of structural and functional impact of SNPs in Pleckstrin
Authors: Pradhan Arpit Kumar , Jainarayanan Ashwin , Nithishwer M. A. , Ghosh Shyamasree
Published: September 2019

Pleckstrin (PLEK) gene has been associated with a variety of disorders including autoimmune, inflammatory diseases and cancer. Mutation in this gene has been reported to be associated with autoimmune celiac disease (CD), increased atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), abdominal aortic aneurysms, over expression in inflammatory disorders including periodontis, risk for ependymoma relapse, bladder cancer, melanoma, lung, and colorectal cancer revealing the importance of study of the PLEK. PLEK gene has been reported from other animals and therefore we have studied the molecular evolution of the PLEK gene by insilico approaches. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in humans have been reported to cause potential structure-function alteration in proteins. In this study we have tried to understand by insilico approaches the (i) molecular evolution of PLEK and (ii) the impact of potentially deleterious single non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) on the structure and function of Pleckstrin protein. We report for the first time using molecular dynamic simulation (MDS), the impact of SNPrs17035364 and rs3816281 on the structural alterations of Pleckstrin with implications in altering its biological function which may find importance as diagnostic markers.
Three-dimensional stability analysis of robotic machining process
Authors: He Feng-Xia , Dai Li , Chen Qisen , Liu Yu , Luo Zhong
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Since robot’s structural stiffness is usually less than 1 N/µm, mode coupling chatter occurs frequently during robotic milling process, and chatter frequency is close to the natural frequency of the robot itself. Chatter not only affects the surface quality but also damages the robot and reduces the positioning accuracy. Therefore, it is necessary to predict chatter in robotic machining process.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-dimensional dynamic model for robot’s spatial milling plane is established, and a corresponding stability criterion is obtained. First, the cutting force in milling plane is transformed into the coordinate system of the robot principal stiffness direction based on homogeneous transformation matrix. Then the three-dimensional stability criterion under milling process can be obtained by using system stability analysis. Furthermore, the circle diagram of mode coupling chatter stability is drawn. Each feeding direction’s stability under the two processing forms, referred as spindle vertical milling and spindle horizontal milling, is analyzed.

Findings

The experimental results verify that the three-dimensional stability criterion can avoid chatter by selecting machining feed direction in stable area.

Originality/value

This paper established a three-dimensional dynamic model in robot’s spatial milling plane and proposed a three-dimensional stability criterion according to the Routh criterion. The work is also expected to be an efficient tool in the development of robotic milling technology.
A PSO based investigation of research fields of researchers
Authors: Ghosh Goldina , Akki C.B. , Kasturi Nivedita
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is data generated from any social networking sites may provide some hidden knowledge on a particular domain. Based on this concept the previous paper had proved that social connectivity enhancement takes place through triadic closure and embeddedness in terms of social network graph-theoretic approach. Further, the work was justified by genetic algorithm (GA) where observation showed how interdisciplinary work can occur because of crossover, and therefore, different groups of researchers could be identified. Further enhancement of the work has been focused on in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

In continuation with the previous work, this paper detects other possible fields related to “high graded researchers” who can share the information with the other group of researchers (“imminent high graded” and “new researchers”) using particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique.

Findings

While exploitation was done using GA in the previous work, exploration is done in the current work based on PSO using the same grade score value to the objective function. Both the velocity and direction of high graded researchers in this extended work could be derived, which was not possible using GA.

Originality/value

This could help the next two levels of researchers (“imminent high graded researchers” and “new researchers”) in expanding their research fields in line with the fields of high graded researchers.
The evolution of the public sphere
Authors: Blanco José J.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to rethink the issue of publicity from a cross-cultural and evolutionary perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Assuming that there is a dominant paradigm in the studies of the public sphere centered on Habermas’ ideas, media theory (and especially Luhmann who is considered as a media theorist) is selected as a new context that provides different concepts, ideas, language games and metaphors that allow the re-foundation of the study of publicity.

Findings

Publicity as a social structure emerges – and acquires different forms during history – out of the complex dynamics resulting from the interaction between success media, such as power, and different kinds of dissemination media.

Originality/value

A research into the forms of publicity not only promotes awareness of the ubiquity of the phenomenon across cultural evolution, but also offers tools to make new discoveries and systematize what is already known about the subject and its ramifications.
Surviving sixth form: a story of mental health in adolescence
Authors: Morley Carys J.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share experiences of attending sixth form with mental health difficulties and provide tips to young people for coping. Its aim is to encourage empathy and understanding of young people suffering with mental illness. It is the second in a series of three papers exploring mental health at different stages of education.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative, first-person approach is taken.

Findings

Advice and reflections for young people with mental health difficulties are provided.

Originality/value

The paper is one person’s experiences and is therefore unique. It contributes a voice to the much-needed discussion on teenagers and mental health, and promotes an understanding of mental health to both teenagers who maybe experiencing difficulties and those who know such teenagers.
Do the most successful migrants emulate natives in well‐being? The compound effect of geographical and social mobility
Authors: Zhao Yizhang
Published: September 2019

A growing body of research has been focusing on the well‐being consequences of migration, yet most of this has overlooked the fact that many migrants experience intragenerational social mobility alongside geographical mobility. Without accounting for the effect of social mobility in working life, the impact of geographical mobility on well‐being cannot be clearly examined. This paper focuses on the most successful migrants, who have started from the bottom and have achieved upward social mobility in the course of their careers, and compares their well‐being with that of native non‐migrants who have experienced a similar intragenerational social mobility trajectory. The analysis is based on a recent national survey in China, which has a representative sample for both the overall population and migrants. Findings show that migrants, whether from an urban or rural origin, have better incomes but significantly lower levels of well‐being than natives, even with a similar career advancement trajectory and the same destination class position. Further exploration shows that the well‐being disadvantage of migrants is mainly due to institutional and sociocultural barriers, rather than to reward differentials in the labour market. This may have a wider implication for migrants across national borders.
Comparison of the therapeutic effects of endoscopic submucosal dissection and minimally invasive esophagectomy for T1 stage esophageal carcinoma
Authors: Gong Lei , Yue Jie , Duan Xiaofeng , Jiang Hongjing , Zhang Hongdian , Zhang Xi , Yu Zhentao
Published: September 2019

Background

In recent years, diagnosis of early squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus has been increasingly emphasized. The application of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has enabled safe resection of esophageal lesions. Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is also safe and feasible for early stages of the cancer. This study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of early esophageal carcinoma treatment, and find the best predictive factor for the selection of treatment for T1a patients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of early‐stage patients admitted to Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between January 2015 and December 2018. A total of 128 patients underwent MIE, while 78 patients underwent ESD. The depth of the tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and complications were compared between the two groups.

Results

In the ESD group, 76.92% of the patients were stage T1a, while 34.38% in the MIE group were stage T1a. The lymph node metastasis rate was 16.41% in the MIE group (6.98% in T1a stage), which related to tumor differentiation, tumor length (≥37.5 mm), depth of invasion, and angiolymphatic invasion. However, the R0 resection rate was only 73.08% in the ESD group. Comprehensive analysis of all T1 patients in the two groups revealed that the positive margin was related to tumor differentiation, tumor width (≥13.5 mm), and depth of invasion (≥3.25 mm).

Conclusion

For early‐stage cases, lymph node metastasis and positive margins are risk factors affecting long‐term survival. Efficient predictive factors mentioned in our study would provide a proper indication for treatment strategy selection.
Age‐related changes in duration production for familiar actions
Authors: Rattat Anne‐Claire , Tartas Valérie
Published: September 2019

The present study dealt with an aspect of temporal cognition that is rarely discussed in the literature: the ability to estimate the duration of familiar actions. In everyday life, we often have to process both very short durations (e.g., when we are driving), but we also have to deal with actions or events that last for several minutes or even hours (e.g., watching a film). The aim of our study was to examine whether young children aged six and 9 years and adults are able to estimate the time usually taken by various familiar actions to perform using a production task. More precisely, they were successively presented with photographs of familiar actions that usually take more (e.g., blown a balloon up) or less (e.g., blow a candle out) time to perform. As soon as a photograph was presented on the screen, they have to start estimating the time taken to perform the depicted action and press the space bar when they think that this time has elapsed. Results showed that the 6‐year‐olds failed to produce longer durations for the long action category than for the short one, unlike the older children and adults. Moreover, for the short action category, increasingly short durations were produced with age. Only the adults produced different durations for different actions belonging to the same category (i.e., short or long). These results are discussed in relation to the development of an event‐based system of time that can be used to solve duration tasks.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Young children understand the relative durations of daily actions.

There is not any mapping between duration words and approximate durations in young children.

Young children have great difficulty in understanding that the same duration can be shared by different actions.

What the present study adds?

There is a clear improvement with age in the ability to produce the durations of familiar actions.

Children can use the event‐based system of time they develop to successfully perform duration tasks.
Shared experiences and the social cure in the context of a stigmatized identity
Authors: Bradshaw Daragh , Muldoon Orla T.
Published: September 2019

In an attempt to combat the social isolation and stigma associated with the incarceration of a family member, increasingly efforts are made to support families affected by imprisonment. Many of these forms of support are delivered in groups. Participation in support groups generates benefits, sometimes referred to as the social cure, by enhancing a sense of belonging, social connection, and subjective identification with the group. Where an identity is stigmatized, subjective group identification may be resisted and this could potentially undermine the effectiveness of group‐based support. We used semi‐structured interviews with 12 partners of incarcerated men participating in group‐based support, to explore their identity constructions as well as their perceptions of the value of the support group. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using a material‐discursive perspective. Findings emphasize the importance of shared experiences as a basis for connection with others in this context where subjective identification with an identity is problematic. Three themes are documented in the data that emphasize shared experience. These themes – Experiences of a ‘situation’ as the basis for social isolation; Experience of a ‘situation’ as the basis for inclusion; and Victims of circumstance – all orient to the role of shared experience in participants’ talk. The theoretical discussion of these findings highlights the important role of shared experience as a basis for social connections for those affected by stigma. The implications of these findings for supporting families affected by incarceration are discussed, as is the more general potential of group‐based approaches for those affected by stigma.
Backbone phylogeny of Lepisorus (Polypodiaceae) and a novel infrageneric classification based on the total evidence from plastid and morphological data
Authors: Zhao Cun‐Feng , Wei Ran , Zhang Xian‐Chun , Xiang Qiao‐Ping
Published: September 2019

The fern genus Lepisorus represents one of the most complicated and controversial lineages in Polypodiaceae, with about 80 species which have been classified into several separate genera, and is notorious for its taxonomic difficulty. Despite progress in recent phylogenetic studies of the family Polypodiaceae involving Lepisorus and its allies, the deep phylogenetic relationship within this group of ferns is still unresolved, and no formal infrageneric classification has been proposed. This contribution presents the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the genus, with 72% species sampled, using a total‐evidence approach based on eight plastid markers and ≤25 morphological characters for each species. The analyses resolve the backbone relationship and yield the most robust phylogenetic framework to date. Congruent with previous studies but with new findings, the results herein show that Lepisorus is monophyletic when Neolepisorus, Lemmaphyllum, Tricholepidium, Neocheiropteris and Lepidomicrosorium are included, as well as Lepisorus jakonensis and Paragramma. Furthermore, 17 well‐resolved clades are found in the phylogenetic topology, which can be characterized by morphological synapomorphies from traits of rhizome scales, laminae, sori and paraphyses. Based on molecular and morphological evidence, a new infrageneric classification system of Lepisorus is proposed which subdivided Lepisorus into 17 sections.