bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How do Norwegian Adolescents Experience The Role of Social Media in Relation to Mental Health and Well-Being: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Hjetland Gunnhild Johnsen , Schønning Viktor , Hella Randi Træland , Veseth Marius , Skogen Jens Christoffer
Published: December 2020

Background: During the last decade, social media has permeated most parts of society. Adolescents are particularly active users of social media, and their use has been suggested as a contributing factor to mental health issues in this group. Quantitative studies have found associations between the frequency and/or duration of social media use and more mental health issues. However, most studies are cross-sectional and the identified associations are weak and of questionable practical significance. The aim of this study was to investigate adolescents’ lived experiences of using social media, focusing on both negative and positive aspects, using a qualitative approach. Qualitative research enables in-depth explorations of the experiences of individuals, nuance quantitative findings, and offer the perspective of adolescents into policies regarding social media use.Methods: Experiences and perspectives of 27 adolescents from two upper secondary schools in Norway were gathered using focus group interviews (mean age 16.8, range 15-18). The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: According to the participants, social media use catalyse changes to how people communicate and relate to each other (theme 1). Some changes were positive, in terms of facilitating social connectedness, while others were negative, such as people behaving worse than in face-to-face interactions. Further, social media use affected the participants at the individual level (theme 2); positively in terms of a sense of belonging and social support, and negatively in terms of perceived stress, body pressure, and displacing other activities such as sleep and homework. The motivations for using, or not using, social media were multifaceted (theme 3), reflecting the positive and negative aspects of social media in terms of interpersonal and personal consequences.Conclusion: Social media was described as an important part of the participants’ everyday life, with both a positive and negative impact on their mental health and well-being. Considering the compelling nature of social media and adolescents’ relatively limited self-regulatory capacities, efforts to modify social media use should avoid relying on self-regulation, while also recognizing the importance of social media as an arena for peer interaction.
Potential Clinical Utility of MUC5B und TOLLIP Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Management of Patients with IPF
Authors: Bonella Francesco , Campo Ilaria , Zorzetto Michele , Börner Eda , Ohshimo Shinichiro , Theegarten Dirk , Taube Christian , Costabel Ulrich
Published: December 2020

Background: Genetic variants of TOLLIP and MUC5B, both on chromosome 11, have been reported to be associated with the development and/or prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the association of MUC5B and TOLLIP SNPs with disease outcome in IPF. 62 IPF patients and 50 healthy controls (HC) from our Institution were genotyped for SNPs within MUC5B (rs35705950) and TOLLIP (rs3750920 and rs5743890). Correlation of SNPs genotypes with survival, acute exacerbation (AE) or disease progression (defined as a decline of ≥ 5% in FVC and or >10% in DLco in one year) was investigated.Results: The MUC5B rs35705950 minor allele (T) was more frequent in IPF subjects than in HC (35% vs 9% p<0.001). TOLLIP SNPs alleles and genotype distribution did not differ between IPF and HC and did not vary according to gender, age, BMI and lung functional impairment at baseline. The minor allele (C) in TOLLIP rs5743890 was associated with worse survival and with disease progression in all performed analyses. The MUC5B rs35705950 or the TOLLIP rs3750920 minor allele, were not associated with disease progression or acute exacerbation. Conclusion: We confirm that the minor allele of MUC5B rs35705950 is associated with IPF. The minor allele of TOLLIP rs5743890 appears to be a predictor of worse survival and more rapid disease progression, therefore being of potential utility to stratify IPF patients at baseline.
Effect of Different Diets on the Hepatopancreatic Proteomes of Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir Sinensis)
Authors: Chen Xiaowen , Hou Xin , Li Zhihua , Lu Deyin , Wang Jun , Wang Chenghui
Published: December 2020

Aquatic plants and freshwater snails are important natural food sources of Eriocheir sinensis. The effects of these two kinds of natural food sources on the growth and development of Eriocheir sinensis were studied by determining the hepatopancreatic proteomes of three crab groups, namely, crabs fed with aquatic plants combined with freshwater snails (group A), crabs fed with aquatic plants only (group B), and crabs fed with freshwater snails only (group C), with tandem mass tag technology. Results showed 110 differentially expressed proteins between groups A and B, among which 78 were up-regulated and 32 were down-regulated in group A. Meanwhile, 9 proteins were up-regulated and 14 proteins were down-regulated in group A relative to those in group C. The proteins related to molting and growth that were differentially expressed between groups A and B were up-regulated in group A. These proteins included cryptocyanin and cuticle protein CBM. The immunity-related proteins, such as mannosyl-oligosaccharide glucosidase and glutathione peroxidase, that were differentially expressed between groups A and C and were up-regulated in group A. These results indicated that freshwater snails might promote the growth and development of E. sinensis to a certain extent, and aquatic plants might play an important role in the immunity of E. sinensis. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the practice of “planting grass and throwing snails” in the green ecological culture of E. sinensis.
Chromosome Level Genome Assembly Reveals Cassia Tora May Be an Ancient Species in Leguminosae
Authors: Lin Caicai , Xing Piyi , Zhou Changhao , Li Xingfeng , Song Zhenqiao
Published: December 2020

Background: Cassia tora L. is an annual leguminous plant. Its seeds had wide utility in herbal medicine in Asian, but is usually regard as a potent, invasive weed which even helps farmers eliminate other parasitic weed species. However, compared with other important legume crops, C. tora is far from fully developed and the genetic basis is greatly lacking. A reference genome sequence will be great valuable resource for its genome evolution, genetic breeding and development.Results: Here, we de novo assembled a chromosome-scale genome for C. tora by combining PacBio sequencing technology with chromatin interaction mapping, resulting in 621-Mb genome with a contig N50 of 2.5 Mb, of which 77.44% was ordered and oriented on 13 pseudochromosomes. The genome contained 32,361 protein-coding genes with a repetitive DNA content of approximately 58.15%. Gypsy-type LTRs constituted the largest subfamily. LTR insertion events seldom occurred in this genome over the past 10 million years. Comparative genomic analyses showed that C. tora diverged ~95 million years ago (MYA), which revealed it has the most distant genetic relationship with 11 other legumes. Compared with other legume crops, Cassia tora is maybe an ancient species in Leguminosae.Conclusions: The high-quality reference genome sequence reported here furnishes unprecedented insights into genome dynamics and provides an important basis for future research on legume genome evolution.
Prediction of Live Birth Rate After ICSI/IVF Cycles in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Using a Clinical Prediction Model and Nomogram
Authors: Jin Haixia , Liu YuanYuan , Song WenYan , Zhang FuLi , Qi Lin , Wang XiaoPeng
Published: December 2020

Background: Achievement of a live birth is the marker of success in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatments. For patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are undergoing these treatments, some predictive models and nomograms have been published. However, further development of these models is required for their useful application in clinical settings.Method: To establish and validate a clinical prediction model and nomogram to predict a live birth rate in women with PCOS undergoing IVF/ICSI. Records on 1193 patients underwent their first IVF/ICSI cycles for PCOS infertility from January 2014 to December 2019.The nomogram was built by a training cohort of 835 patients and tested on a validation cohort of 358 patients. Results: Female age, duration of infertility, total gonadotropin dose, the day of embryo transfer, no. of transferred embryos and the serum testosterone (T) level in PCOS groups were significantly associated with live birth rate. The predictive model was built by female age, duration of infertility, total gonadotropin dose, the day of embryo transfer, no. of transferred embryos, no. of retrieved oocytes, the serum T level, the serum progesterone (P) level, type of fecundation and endometrial thickness on embryo transfer day. The area under the curve (AUC) of the PCOS-specific predictive model in the training cohort was 0.72(95% CI, 0.68-0.76) and the AUC for the validation cohort was 0.63 (95% CI, 0.56-0.69).Conclusions: Our clinical prediction model and nomogram graphically demonstrated the risk factors that were associated with IVF/ICSI live birth rates in patients with PCOS. These findings offer improved clinical guidance for clinicians and patients.
Serum Interleukin-18 Levels are Not Increased in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Li Xuejiao , Zhang Shuo , Liu Chang , Wang Zhuoshi , Zhang Peng , Zhao Hongli , He Wei
Published: December 2020

Background: To investigate the effects of interleukin 18 (IL-18) on diabetic retinopathy (DR) of type 2 diabetic patients, the contents of IL-18 were measured in serum of 206 case subjects with type 2 diabetes and 40 case subjects without diabetes as control. Methods: According to the degree of DR, the diabetic patients were further divided into three groups: non-diabetic retinopathy (NDR, n=69), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR, n = 52) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR, n=85). Results: Unlike previous reports, we didn’t found a significant increase in serum IL-18 level in diabetic patients (mean ± SD are 107.4±36.6 and 112.5±32.0 pg/ml for control and type 2 diabetes patients respectively, p > 0.05). Further analysis also failed to found any significant increase of serum IL-18 in patients with NDR, NPDR or PDR (113.0±32.1, 110.8±31.4 and 114.5±33.4 pg/ml respectively) when compared with control (for all values, p > 0.05). Real-time qPCR suggests that the expression of IL-18 mRNA in type 2 diabetic patients with DR was comparable to that of controls (p>0.05). Interestingly, there was a significant positive correlation between levels of serum IL -18 and the amount of fasting blood glucose (FBG, r=0.15，p=0.03) and that Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was relatively higher in diabetic patients than in control subjects (p<0.05). These results suggest that the levels of serum IL -18 in diabetic patients are within the normal range. Even in patients with diabetic retinopathy, the levels of serum IL -18 were only slightly increased in type 2 diabetic patients and was not statistically different from control subjects.Conclusion: these data suggest that the serum IL -18 levels are not associated with the severity of type 2 diabetic patients.
The Clinical Value of Satellite Blood Culture in the Early Diagnosis of Sepsis
Authors: Guo Ziqi , Guo Bo , Wang Shanmei , Zhang Huifeng , Zhang Wenxiao , Qin Bingyu , Shao Huanzhang
Published: December 2020

Background: Early antibiotic treatment is a key component of therapy for sepsis. However, current blood culture can’t fulfill it. The aim of this study was to assess whether satellite blood cultures (immediate incubation of blood cultures in the ICU) can improve turnaround times, antibiotic switching and patient prognosis. Methods: This a observational single-center study, satellite blood culture and medical microbiology laboratory blood culture were performed separately in two groups. septic patients are collected from department of critical care medicine, Henan Provincial People`s Hospital from February 5,2018, to January 19, 2019.All septic patients are older than 18 and diagnosed sepsis according sepsis-3 criteria, who have been stayed hospital stay longer than 48 hour admitted to ICU. Results: In total, we analyzed 299 blood culture sets from 73 ICU patients, including:149 from the medical microbiology laboratory blood culture group and 150 from the satellite blood culture group. There is no significant difference between the two group in positive rate. Comparing to laboratory blood culture group, the median time from specimen collection until incubation as reduced by 3.02h in satellite blood culture group (P < 0.001); the median time from specimen collection to notify blood culture positivity to the clinicians was reduced by 9.76h in satellite blood culture group(P <0.001).The median time was 54.05h in medical microbiology laboratory blood culture group and 30.97h in satellite blood culture group until the first change of antibiotic therapy regimen (P = 0.056).There was no difference in duration of ICU stay、duration of hospital stay、medical cost between the two group. Conclusion: We have found that satellite blood culture may reduced turnaround times and it may speed up antibiotic switching and benefit on patients outcomes.
An Equivalent Mechanical Model Investigating Endplates Deflection For a Large PEM Fuel Cell Stack
Authors: Zhang Zhiming , Zhang Jun , Shang Yapeng , Zhang Tong
Published: December 2020

The endplates are essential to assembly a large proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack, whose deflection is negative to its uniform contact pressure distribution and large electrical contact resistance. The endplates with assembly clamping belts are proposed as an equivalent mechanical beam model consisting of elastic beam element with clamping forces. The deflection curve equations of endplates with 1 to 5 clamping belts are studied which allows investigating endplates deflection for uniform contact pressure distribution. Based on this equivalent mechanical model for fuel cell stack, the effects of the thicknesses of endplates, numbers and positions of clamping belts are discussed, and show the optimal thickness of endplate with different clamping belts, and moreover the optimal position of intermediate and outer clamping belts on the endplates. Finally, a three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) of a fuel cell stack clamping with steel belts and nonlinear contact elements is compared to what the equivalent mechanical beam model predicts. It is found that the presented model gives good prediction accuracy for the deflection behavior of endplates and the clamping force. Results showed that the equivalent mechanical modeling is effective and helpful for the design of a large fuel cell stack assembly.
Understanding the Ecosystem Services of Urban Forests: Implications for Climate Change Mitigtation in the case of Adama City of Oromiya Region Sate, Ethiopia
Authors: Koricho Hingabu Hordofa , Seboka Ararsa Derese , Fufa Fekadu , Gebreyesus Tikabo , Song Shaoxian
Published: December 2020

Background

this study was conducted to explore the ecosystem services of urban forests in Adama city, central Ethiopia. Attempts were made to quantify the carbon storage and sequestration, air pollution removal and hydrological benefits of urban trees. The urban forest stracture and composition of the city was surveyed and analyzed. The i-Tree Eco Model was employed to analyze the ecosystem services based on the current urban forests structure of the city.
Results

the result revealed that the urban trees of the Adama city stored a total of 116,000 tons of carbon. The tree species identified with higher CO2 sequestration per year were Melia azedarach (15%), Eucalyptusglobulus (8%, Carica papaya(7%), and Delonix regia (6%). Approximately 22, 12, 10 and 4% of carbon were stored by Eucalyptus globulus, Melia azedarach, Carica papaya and Delonix regia tree species respectively. Moreover, trees and shrubs spps. in the city removed about 188 thousand tons of air pollutants caused by O3, CO, NO2, PM2.5 and SO2 per year. In Adama, 35% of the urban trees’ VOC emissions were from Eucalyptus cinerea and Eucalyptus globulus. The monetary value of Adama urban forest in terms of carbon storage, carbon sequestration, and pollution removal was estimated to 43,781, 3,121 yr− 1 and 320,915,596 USD yr− 1, respectively.
Conclusions

it was concluded that significant quantiy of CO2 and air pollutnants were found being removed by the exotic tree and shrub species. However, every plant species found in the city does not mean ecologically important due their VOC emitting nature. Thus, proper planning and inventories of urban forests should be put in place by the key stakeholders such as government, urban foresters and city dwellers as urban trees mitigates climate changes and essential to alleviate urban pollution besides the trees add esthetic value to the city.
An Approximate Point-based Alternative for the Estimation of Variance under Big BAF Sampling
Authors: Lynch Thomas B. , Gove Jeffrey H , Gregoire Timothy G , Ducey Mark J
Published: December 2020

BackgroundA new variance estimator is derived and tested for big BAF (Basal Area Factor) sampling which is a forest inventory system that utilizes two BAF sizes, a small BAF for tree counts and a larger BAF on which tree measurements are made usually including \dbh s and heights needed for volume estimation.MethodsThe new estimator is derived using the \Dm\ from an existing formulation of the big BAF estimator as consisting of three sample means. The new formula is compared to existing big BAF estimators including a popular estimator based on Bruce's formula.ResultsSeveral computer simulation studies were conducted comparing the new variance estimator to all known variance estimators for big BAF currently in the forest inventory literature. In simulations the new estimator performed well and comparably to existing variance formulas.ConclusionsA possible advantage of the new estimator is that it does not require the assumption of negligible correlation between basal area counts on the small BAF factor and volume-basal area ratios based on the large BAF factor selection trees, an assumption required by all previous big BAF variance estimation formulas. Although this correlation was negligible on the simulation stands used in this study, it is conceivable that the correlation could be significant in some forest types, such as those in which the \dbh-height relationship can be affected substantially by density perhaps through competition. We also mathematically derived expressions for bias in the big BAF estimator that can be used to show the bias approaches zero in large samples on the order of 1/n where n is the number of sample points.
α7nAChR Agonist Activates the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway to Reduce Acute Lung Injury Induced by Endotoxic Shock
Authors: Zhang Yanmei , Lun Minghui , Wang Lingfei , Huang Zeqing
Published: December 2020

Objective: Alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs) can inhibit the activation of macrophages and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and exert inhibitory effects on systemic and local inflammatory responses. The objective of this study was to observe the protective effect of α7nAChR agonist against acute lung injury (ALI) caused by endotoxic shock, and to explore the regulatory mechanism of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway. Methods: A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham group, n=10), endotoxic shock-induced ALI model group (ALI group, n=10), ALI + α7nAChR agonist (PHA568487, 3134, Tocris Bioscience, USA) group (PHA group, n=10) and ALI + α7nAChR agonist + Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385, HY-100523, MCE, USA) group (ML group, n=10). The rats received a tail vein injection of LPS to initiate ALI. Six hrs after injection, arterial blood was analyzed for blood gases and lung wet weight/dry weight (W/D) was determined. Lung histopathology was determined by H&E staining and apoptosis quantified by TUNEL. Levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), TNF-α, IL-1β, malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholine esterase (AchE) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured via ELISA. Western blotting revealed levels of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), phosphatidylin-ositol-3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), HO-1, Nrf2, thioredoxin reductase 1 (Trx-1) and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Results: It was found that α7nAChR agonist increased the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and pH, reduced the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and W/D ratio, alleviated pulmonary edema and oxidative stress injury, and suppressed inflammatory responses. At the same time, it activated PI3K to phosphorylate Akt, inhibited cell apoptosis, and protected the lung tissues of ALI rats. Moreover, α7nAChR agonist facilitated nuclear translocation of Nrf-2 and up-regulated HO-1 and Trx-1 expression. Nrf-2 activity was required for the protective effect of α7nAChR . Conclusion: α7nAChR agonist can improve endotoxic shock-induced ALI by activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
US sanctions and its consequences on orthopedic surgery on Iran
Authors: Nabian Mohammad Hossein , Shakiba Saeed , Farhoud Amir Reza , Kamrani Reza Shahryar , Zanjani Leila Oryadi
Published: December 2020

Background

Health and medical services are fundamental demand in civilized nations. Sanctions have always been an obstacle for development, even in health and medical topics, since they aim to reduce the financial and economic power of a country, and their impacts on medical and health systems in the objected country are on inevitable. It is well-established that sanctions contribute to a shortage of supplies in medical devices, and instruments. The shortage of the unique resources of newly-introduced medical and surgical devices prohibits surgeons from implementing novel techniques, which are known to improve medical care service quality. However, considering the application of the sanctions, these products will not be accessible for Iranian patients, and less safe and more complicated approaches will replace them.
Results

In this study we surveyed opinion of 32 orthopedic surgeons about effect of sanction on orthopedic surgery. Our result showed in upper limb surgeries high cost of equipment have more answers between question, although in lower limb surgeon Changing of method due to lack of facilities with worse results than standard method has more frequency between answer. Both results indicate that sanction made more difficult feasibility of orthopedic surgeon.
Conclusions

We believe several actions are needed to take place in the current situation by the international organization, to stop this unreasonable and illogical sanction, to prevent devastating results of them.
Water, Sanitation and the Risk of Chronic Conditions among Older Persons in Ghana: Results from the WHO Study on Global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 2
Authors: Gyasi Razak M , Simiyu Shiellah N. , Bagayoko Moussa
Published: December 2020

Objective

Water and sanitation have been related to the health of populations, yet, the effects of these factors on the occurrence of chronic conditions (CC) in later life have been least explored. This study examines the association of CC with water and sanitation among older Ghanaians and whether the associations are moderated by gender and residence.
Methods

Data from the WHO-SAGE Wave 2 comprising of 4735 adults aged ≥ 50 years were analyzed in this study. The primary outcome was CC and the exposures included sources of water, sanitation facilities and the sharing of sanitation facilities. Generalized logistic regression models estimated the effects of water and sanitation indicators on the occurrence of CC.
Results

Overall, 18.8% of the sample reported at least one CC. Compared to men and rural residents, women and urban residents respectively were more likely to report CC (p < 0.001). After full adjustments, logistic regressions showed that the use of unimproved sanitation (OR = 1.732, CI: 1.377–5.418) and sharing of sanitation facilities (OR = 1.624, CI: 1.095–1.320) were associated with higher odds of CC. However, the use of water did not reach significance (p = 0.125). We found a significant interaction effect for type of toilet × gender (OR = 3.498, CI: 1.744–16.442), source of water × residence (OR = 5.935, CI: 1.320-26.685) and type of toilet × residence (OR = 1.998, CI: 1.462–8.642).
Conclusions

The use of unimproved sanitation facilities and the sharing of sanitation facilities are associated with the occurrence of CC among older people. Policy and public health interventions targeted at improving the health and well-being of older people should conspicuously include improving access to sanitation services.
Multiple myeloma coexisting colon carcinoma as the presenting symptom of a neutrophilic leukemoid reaction: a rare case report with genetic analysis
Authors: Cao Manxiong , Huang Zhanqin , Zhou Huanbing , Zhang Dongqing
Published: December 2020

BackgroundLeukemoid reaction refers to reactive leukocytosis exceeding 50,000 cells/µl. Chronic neutrophilic leukemia is a rare clonal hematopoietic disorder characterized by sustained mature neutrophilia in the absence of monocytosis or basophilia. The differentiation between leukemoid reaction and chronic neutrophilic leukemia is problematic because both conditions share similar morphological features. Case presentationHere, we present an extremely rare case of a 62-year-old male patient who was initially diagnosed with chronic neutrophilic leukemia at another hospital. When the patient came to our hospital, no mutations in the CSF3R, SETBP1, ASXL1, TET2, SRSF2, SF3B1, ZRSR2 and U2AF1F genes were found by whole-exon sequencing. Further examination revealed the presence of immunoglobulin G kappa myeloma. Meanwhile, colonoscopy showed a mass in the colon, and biopsy confirmed the presence of colon adenocarcinoma. Therefore, we suggest that the increased white blood cell count in the patient was merely a neutrophilic leukemoid reaction caused by synchronous multiple myeloma and colon carcinoma.ConclusionThis is the first report of a case of coexisting multiple myeloma and colon carcinoma presenting with a neutrophilic leukemoid reaction. This case was presented to illustrate that the diagnosis of chronic neutrophilic leukemia must meet the strict WHO diagnostic criteria, especially if there is an underlying plasma cell disorder, and myeloid clonality must be demonstrated to make a distinction between chronic neutrophilic leukemia and leukemoid reaction. Meanwhile, this case provides us with a reference that further examination, especially pathological examination, should be performed on a patient diagnosed with multiple myeloma, who has extramedullary lesions, because other primary tumors may be also presenting the very similar symptoms. Pathological examination is helpful to differentiate the primary tumor from extramedullary invasion of multiple myeloma.
White Blood Cells in a Healthy Adolescent Population According to Social and Health Characteristics
Authors: Barroso Isaac , Ramos Elisabete , Craveiro Vanda , Guimarães João Tiago
Published: December 2020

Background: The immune system constitutes a sensory system both for intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Among the extrinsic factors, social and environmental determinants of health may influence and shape the immune system from the childhood to adulthood. The aim of this study was to assess the total and differential white blood cells (WBC) according to social and environmental determinants of health in an adolescent population. Methods: As part of the population-based cohort Epidemiological Health Investigation of Teenagers in Porto (EPITeen), 1213 adolescents were evaluated at the age of 13. Total and differential WBC were evaluated through a venous blood sample. Sociodemographic, behaviour and clinical data were collected by self-administered questionnaires. Results: Total WBC levels were positively related to female gender, increased body mass index (BMI) and negatively related to private school enrollment, high parental education and practice of sports. The percentage of neutrophils was positively related to female gender, low parental education and lack of sports practice, while the percentage of eosinophils was positively related to chronic disease and medication, allergy, asthma and rhinitis. Monocytes proportion was negatively related to female gender, chronic disease and medication, allergy, asthma and increased BMI. Conclusions: The presence of disease was associated with an allergic response pattern, while the worse socioeconomic conditions and lack of sports activity were characterized by an inflammatory response pattern. Therefore, our results show that different exposures lead to distinct immune patterns of response that may last and shape the immune system.
The Impact of Intervention to Routine Surveillance of Natural Focal Diseases During the Outbreak of COVID-19 in Jiangsu Province, China
Authors: Hu Jianli , Cheng Xiaoqing , Luo Li , Zhao Zeyu , Zhang Nan , Hannah Mikah Ngwanguong , Rui Jia , Lin Shengnan , Liu Xingchun , Zhu Yuanzhao , Wang Yao , Yang Meng , Xu Jingwen , Yang Tianlong , Liu Weikang , Li Peihua , Deng Bin , Li Zhuoyang , Liu Chan , Huang Jiefeng , Bao Cangjun , Chen Tianmu
Published: December 2020

Background: With the strength intervention of China, the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had a great control effect. The measures may influence the development and progression of others infectious diseases.Method: The data of daily coronavirus virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) confirmed cases from January 3, 2020 to April 30, 2020 and natural focal disease cases from January, 2005 to April, 2020 were collected from Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Jiangsu Provincial CDC). We describe and compare the data of natural focal diseases from January to April, 2020 with the same months from 2015 to 2019 in the four aspects: trend of incidence, regional, age and sex distribution. Nonparametric tests were used to analyzed to the difference between the duration from onset of illness to date of diagnosis of natural focal diseases and the same period of the previous year. Results: The incidence of malaria in February (0.9 per 10,000,000 people), March (0.3 per 10,000,000 people) and April (0.1 per 10,000,000 people) 2020 less than the lower limit for range of February (1.6-4.5 per 10,000,000 people), March (0.8-3.3 per 10,000,000 people) and April (1.0-2.9 per 10,000,000 people) from 2015 to 2019 respectively. The incidence of brucellosis in February was 0.9 (per 10,000,000 people), less than the lower limit for the range from 2015 to 2019 (1.6-4.5 per 10,000,000 people). The incidence of hemorrhagic fever (HF) in March was 1.0 (per 10,000,000 people), less than the lower limit for the range from 2015 to 2019 (1.4-2.6 per 10,000,000 people). However, the incidence of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SEFT) in March was 0.3 (per 10,000,000 people), higher than the upper limit for the range from 2015 to 2019 (0.0-0.1 per 10,000,000 people). Furthermore, we respectively observed the incidence with various degree of reduction in male, 20-60 years old and both rural and urban areas. Conclusions: In Jiangsu province, the incidence of natural focal diseases decreased during the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, especially malaria, HF and SEFT. The impact of interventions were felt most by male individuals within the age group of 20-50 years. The interventions for COVID-19 may control the epidemics of natural focal diseases.
A New Route for Caesium Lead Halide Perovskite Deposition
Authors: Falsini Naomi , Ristori Andrea , Biccari Francesco , Calisi Nicola , Roini Giammarco , Scardi Paolo , Caporali Stefano , Vinattieri Anna
Published: December 2020

Inorganic metal halide perovskites are relevant semiconductors for optoelectronic devices. In this work the successful deposition of thin films of CsPbBr3 and CsPbCl3 have been obtained by Radio-Frequency magnetron sputtering. A detailed photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy study of the as-grown samples was conducted at the macro and micro scale in a wide temperature range (10-300 K) to fully characterize the PL on sample areas of square centimeters, to assess the origin of the inhomogeneous broadening and to quantify the PL quantum yield quenching. Our results prove that this technique allows for the realization of high quality nanometric films with controlled thickness of relevance for optoelectronic applications.
Preoperative Prognostic Nutritional Index Is Useful Factor for Predicting Postoperative Delirium After Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty
Authors: CHEN JIE , Yu JIE , ZHENG CHAOJUN , ZHONG JINXIU , ZHAO GUANGLEI , SHI JINGSHENG , HUANG GANGYONG , WEI YIBIN , WANG SIQUN , XIA JUN
Published: December 2020

Background:Postoperative delirium (PD), as an acute brain failure, is widely reported as a very common postoperative complication, and it is closely associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Recently, malnutrition is reported as one of the risk factors for PD. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is a simple method for nutritional evaluation. However, few studies have discussed the effectiveness of PNI as a nutritional assessment in predicting PD after primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The aim of this study is to investigate potential risk factors including PNI for PD following primary TJA. Methods:A retrospective analysis of 994 patients was performed to identify risk factors associated with PD after primary TJA by using univariate and multivariate analyses. A receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve were applied to evaluate the significant results of the multivariate analysis and the optimal cutoff value (CV). Results:Postoperatively, sixty-seven patients (67/994, 6.7%) experienced PD. Univariate analysis demonstrated that operative time, duration of anesthesia, age, hypertension, serum albumin, and PNI differed between the PD and non-PD groups (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the preoperative PNI (odds ratio [OR]: 0.908; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.840-0.983; B: -0.096; CV: 47.05), age of patients (OR: 1.055; 95% CI: 1.024-1.087; B: 0.053; CV: 73.5 years), and hypertension (OR: 1.798; 95% CI: 1.047-3.086; B: 0.586), were independently associated with PD (P<0.05). Conclusions: A low preoperative PNI associated with malnutrition was demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for PD following primary TJA. Patients with preoperative low PNI should be cautioned and provided with adequate nutritional intervention to reduce postoperative PD.
How do private practitioners in Pakistan manage children suspected having tuberculosis? A cross sectional study
Authors: Yaqoob Aashifa , Hinderaker Sven , Fatima Razia , Najmi Hina , Haq Anwar
Published: December 2020

Background: In Pakistan, private providers provide a large portion of health care, including for tuberculosis (TB). All TB patients are supposed to be reported to the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP), which provides drugs free of charge in addition to monitoring, supervision, and support. However, diagnosis of TB in children is difficult. We aimed to assess the private health care providers’ investigation practices and management of childhood TB. Methods:We used a cross-sectional study, which was based on a national survey measuring under-reporting of children with TB in 12 selected districts in Pakistan from April-June, 2016. We explored the practices of the private health care providers, including the health care workers i.e. general practitioners, pediatricians, pulmonologists and chest specialists, who were involved in the diagnosis of TB in children under 15 years for investigating and managing children suspected having TB. Results:Among 6519 presumptive child TB cases, a total of 5193(79.7%) children under 15 years were diagnosed as TB by private health care providers during second quarter, 2016. Only 187(2.9%) were notified to NTP. The majority of presumptive child TB cases reported cough, fever, and failure to thrive; few had TB contacts with pulmonary TB patients. Failure to thrive, loss of body weight and absence of BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin) scar was more common in female children. Private providers relied on chest X-ray in 46.1%, while tuberculin skin test and Gene-Xpert MTB/RIF testing was little utilized. Bacteriological confirmation was present in 7.6%, and clinical assessment was the only basis for diagnosis in 39.3%. Of children with presumptive TB, only 955(14.6%) children were treated by private provider, while 3121(47.9%) cases were referred for diagnosis and 2443(37.5%) were referred after diagnosis for treatment; among all the referred, 3812(68.5%) were sent for investigations to District TB Centre (NTP). Conclusion:This study showed that many private providers referred children suspected having TB to laboratories for further diagnosis, but the cases identified in these investigations were often not notified to the NTP. This problem could be resolved by strengthening the referral linkages between private health providers, NTP laboratories and treatment centres through capacity building and training of their staff.
Differentiation and management of hepatobiliary mucinous cystic neoplasms: a single centre experience for 8 years
Authors: Gao Jiaqi , Zheng Junhao , Cai Jingwei , Kirih Mubarak Ali , Xu Junjie , Tao Liye , Liang Yuelong , Feng Xu , Fang Jing , Liang Xiao
Published: December 2020

Background: Hepatobiliary mucinous cystic neoplasms (H-MCNs) are relatively rare cystic neoplasms in the liver. The differential diagnosis of H-MCNs remains big challenging, and the management and prognosis between the hepatic simple cyst (HSC) and H-MCNs are quite different. This study aimed to present our experience in the management of H-MCNs and provide a preoperative H-MCNs risk prediction nomogram to differentiating H-MCNs from liver cystic lesions.Methods: 29 patients diagnosed with H-MCNs and 75 patients diagnosed with HSC between June 2011 and June 2019 at Zhejiang University School of medicine, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital were reviewed in this study. We analyzed the demographic and clinicopathological variables.Results: US, CT, and MRI could accurately diagnose only 3.4%, 46.1%, and 57.1% of H-MCNs, respectively. After univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis, the variables significantly associated with H-MCNs were enhancement after contrast (p=0.009), tumour located in the left lobe (p=0.02) and biliary ductal dilation (p=0.027). An H-MCNs risk predictive nomogram was constructed, which showed excellent discrimination (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.940) and consistent calibration between the predicted probability and actual probability.Conclusion: Among patients with H-MCNs, the location of the tumour, enhancement in CT scan, and biliary duct dilation are significantly independent risk factors. The appropriate treatment of H-MCNs is radical resection. Using our Nomogram could facilitate screening and identification of patients with liver cystic lesions.
Experiences of oral health: before, during and after becoming a regular user of GC Tooth Mousse Plus ®
Authors: Sbaraini Alexandra , Adams Geoffrey G , Reynolds Eric C
Published: December 2020

Background: Clinical trials and laboratory studies from around the world have shown that GC Tooth Mousse Plus® (TMP) is effective in protecting teeth from tooth decay and erosion, buffering dental plaque pH, remineralising white spot lesions and reducing dentine hypersensitivity. However, no other study has assessed the experiences of oral health, before, during and after individuals becoming regular users of TMP. The aim of this study was to identify how participants’ oral health status changed after introducing TMP into their oral hygiene routine.Methods: A qualitative study using Charmaz’s grounded theory methodology was conducted. Fifteen purposively sampled regular users of TMP were interviewed. Transcripts were analysed after each interview. Data analysis consisted of transcript coding, detailed memo writing, and data interpretation. Results: Participants described their experiences of oral health and disease, before, during and after introducing TMP into their daily oral hygiene routine, together with the historical, biological, financial, psychosocial, and habitual dimensions of their experiences. Before becoming a regular user of TMP, participants described themselves as having a damaged mouth with vulnerable teeth, dry mouth, and sensitivity. Various aspects of participants’ histories were relevant, such as, family history and history of oral disease. Having a damaged mouth with vulnerable teeth, dry mouth and sensitivity was explained by those elements. Despite some initial barriers, once being prescribed TMP by a dental professional, a three-fold process of change was initiated: starting a new oral hygiene routine, persevering daily, and experiencing reinforcing outcomes. This process led to a fundamental lifestyle change. Participants transitioned from having a damaged mouth with vulnerable teeth to having a comfortable mouth with strong teeth; at the same time participants felt empowered by this newly found status of being able to keep their teeth for life. Barriers and facilitators for incorporating TMP on daily oral hygiene routine were also identified.Conclusions: Participants valued having a comfortable mouth with strong teeth, which did not require repeated restorations. Seeing concrete results in their mouths and experiencing a more comfortable mouth boosted adherence to daily applications of TMP, which was maintained over time.
Analysis of the length of fixation during hemivertebra resection. A monocentric retrospective cohort
Authors: Ryabykh Sergey O , Filatov Egor Yu , Mejabi Joseph Olorunsogo , Savin Dmitry M , Gubin Alexander B
Published: December 2020

Background: We aimed at reviewing results of surgical correction of spinal deformity due to hemivertebra with regard to the age, severity of deformity and length of instrumentation.Methods. Study comprised 117 patients with congenital spinal deformity treated between 2010 and 2018. Patients’ aged 1 to 18 years. Mean follow-up was 3 years (1 to 8). Posterior approach was used in all cases. Patients were subdivided into 4 groups.Result:Unilateral mono-segmental fixation (Group I) for 15 children with mean age of 48.3 months. Cobb angle for scoliosis and kyphosis were 31.10 + 6.40 and 29.3° + 11.90 corrected to 7.80 + 6.80 and 4.70 + 4.00 respectively. Blood loss was 213.6 mL. Operating time was 165 minutes.Bilateral mono-segmental fixation (Group II) for 24 patients with mean age of 53.1 months. Cobb angle for scoliosis and kyphosis were 32.5° + 8.60 and 30.9° + 4.30 corrected to 5.30 + 2.80 and 0.20 + 11.60 respectively. Blood loss was 215.4 mL. Operating time was 160.5 minutes.Bilateral three-segmental fixation (Group III) for 29 patients with mean age of 78.2 months. Cobb angle for scoliosis and kyphosis were 36.6° + 10.60 and 37.6° + 14.60 corrected to 6.20 + 6.10 and 5.00 + 5.20 respectively. Blood loss was 342.7 mL. Operating time was 197.0 minutes.Bilateral poly-segmental fixation (Group IV) for 49 children with mean age of 112.7 months. Cobb angle for scoliosis and kyphosis were 40.2° + 14.80 and 58.2° + 35.60 corrected to 10.70 + 9.60 and 10.70 + 10.30 respectively. Blood loss was 549.3 mL. Operating time was 288.8 minutes.Conclusion: Choice of spinal fixation technique and the length of fixation were determined on the basis of patient’s age, magnitude of the deformity and concomitant vertebral abnormalities.
The correlation of duration of cervical flexion per day with neck disability index scores in office workers: a cross sectional study
Authors: Jinlong Zhang , Yunyun Fang , Lijie Gao , Jian Chen , Cheng Wang , Hongchen He , Qinglu Luo
Published: December 2020

Background: An increasing number of office workers complain of neck pain after extended smart phone use. We conducted this study to examine the correlation between the duration of cervical flexion per day (DCF) during smart phone use and neck disability index scores (NDI) scores of office workers in China.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1791 individuals responded to an on line questionnaire. For our study, we included responses of 498 [27.8%] office workers. Excluded from the study were 1293 [72.9%] individuals including building workers, students, non-office workers, and those who did not complete the questionnaire. Participants completed an online questionnaire survey from May 29, 2019 to April 10, 2020. The NDI scores were used to evaluate cervical symptoms. Liner regression, threshold saturation effect analysis, t-test, and Pearson’s chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Results: We analyzed questionnaire results of the 498 office workers. The t-test showed no significant differences among the gender groups for age, working age, and NDI scores (P>0.05).] while low back pain had a strong correlation with NDI scores [β (95%CI):2.40 (1.49, 3.31), P <0.0001]. When adjusting for age, working age, and low back pain covariates, DCF had a positive correlation with NDI scores. In addition, DCF had a curve line correlation with NDI scores-a monotone increasing relationship; the fold point was 6 (P<0.05).Conclusions: DCF had a positive curve line correlation with the NDI scores suggesting that office workers should limit DCF to a maximum of 6 hours to decrease NDI scores.