bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Cost-Effectiveness of Contraceptive Methods from a Health Provider Perspective: Case Study of Kiambu County Hospital, Kenya
Authors: Ngacha James Kiragu , Ayah Richard
Published: November 2020

Background: Kenya’s Contraceptive Prevalence Rate at 53% is low, with wide disparity among the 47 counties that make up the country (2% - 76%). Significant financial investment is required to maintain this level of contraceptive use and increase it to levels seen in more developed countries. This is in the context of a growing population, declining donor funding, limited fiscal space and competing health challenges. Studies have shown that long-term contraceptive methods are more cost-effective than short-term methods. However, it is unclear if this applies in Sub-Saharan Africa; with limited financial resources, lower social economic status among users, and publicly managed commodity supply chains, in vertical programs largely dependent on donor funding. This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of contraceptive methods used in Kenya.Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in a county referral hospital in mid-2018. Purposive sampling of 5 Family Planning clinic providers and systematic sampling of 15 service delivery sessions per method was done. Questionnaire aided interviews were done to determine inputs required to provide services and direct observation to measure time taken to provide each method. Cost per method was determined using Activity Based Costing, effectiveness via couple year protection conversion factors, and cost-effectiveness was expressed as cost per couple year protection. Results: The Intra-Uterine Copper Device was most cost-effective at 4.87 US dollars per couple year protection followed by the 2-Rod Implant at 6.36, the 1-Rod Implant at 9.50, DMPA at 23.68, while the Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills were least cost-effective at 38.60 US dollars per couple year protection. Long-term methods attracted a higher initial cost of service delivery when compared to short-term methods.Conclusion: Long-term contraceptive methods are more cost-effective. As such, investing in long-term contraceptives would save costs despite higher initial cost of service delivery. It is recommended, therefore, that Sub-Saharan Africa countries allocate more domestic financial resources towards availability of contraceptive services, preferably with multi-year planning and budget commitment. The resources should be invested in a wide range of interventions shown to increase uptake of long-term methods, including reduction of cost barriers for the younger population, thereby increasing Contraceptive Prevalence Rates.
Effects of Sanitary Pad Distribution and Reproductive Health Education on Primary School Attendance and Reproductive Health Knowledge and Attitudes in Kenya: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Austrian Karen , Kangwana Beth , Muthengi Eunice , Soler-Hampejsek Erica
Published: November 2020

Background: Adolescent girls’ risk of school dropout and reproductive health (RH) challenges may be exacerbated by girls’ attitudes toward their bodies and inability to manage their menstruation. We assessed effects of sanitary pad distribution and RH education on girls in primary grade 7 in Kilifi, Kenya.Methods: 140 primary schools were randomly assigned to one of four study arms: 1) control; 2) sanitary pad distribution; 3) RH education; or 4) both sanitary pad distribution and RH education. Outcomes were school attendance, school engagement, RH knowledge and attitudes, gender norms, and self-efficacy. For outcomes measured both at baseline and endline, difference-in-differences (DID) models were estimated and for outcomes without baseline data available, analysis of covariance models were used. Results: There was no evidence of an effect on primary school attendance on arm 2 (coefficient [coef] 0.37, 95% CI -0.73, 1.46), arm 3 (coef 0.14, 95% CI -0.99, 1.26) or arm 4 (coef 0.58, 95% CI -.37, 1.52). There was increased positive RH attitudes for girls in arm 3 (DID coef. 0.63, 95% CI 0.40-0.86) and arm 4 (DID coef. 0.85, 95% CI 0.64, -1.07). There was also an increase in RH knowledge, gender norms and self-efficacy in arms 3 and 4.Conclusions: The findings suggest that neither sanitary pad distribution nor RH education, on their own or together, were sufficient to improve primary school attendance. However, as the RH education intervention improved RH outcomes, the evidence suggests that sanitary pad distribution and RH education can be positioned in broader RH programming for girls. Trial Registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN10894523. Registered 22 August 2017 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN10894523
The Personal and Professional Impact of COVID-19 on Faculty and Staff at an Academic Institution and a Blueprint for the Future: A Multi-Methods Study
Authors: Gottenborg Emily , Yu Amy , Naderi Roxana , Keniston Angela , McBeth Lauren , Morrison Katherine , Schwartz David , Burden Marisha
Published: November 2020

Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused unprecedented challenges within medical centers, revealing inequities embedded in the medical community and exposing fragile social support systems. While faculty and staff faced extraordinary demands in workplace duties, personal responsibilities also increased. The goal of this study was to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on personal and professional activities of faculty and staff in order to illuminate current challenges and explore solutions. Methods:This is a multi-methods, prospective, observational study of faculty and staff within the Department of Medicine at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine, comprised of four separate sites. Participants received a preliminary department-wide survey followed by an invitation to participate in focus groups addressing: (1) the impact on personal and professional activities, on (2) career advancement and promotion, and (3) potential strategies to assist faculty and staff. Qualitative analysis was performed for thematic content of the focus groups.Results: One hundred and fifty-one faculty and staff responded to the initial survey (11%), 28 faculty and staff participated in focus groups. Prior to the pandemic, male respondents spent 20.5 hours (+/- 18.2) on home responsibilities while women spent 28.8 hours (+/-17.9), and since, time spent on these responsibilities rose to 32.4 hours (+/- 18.4) and 49.6 hours (+/-29.0), respectively. Qualitative analysis of focus group transcripts revealed thematic domains: (1) changing domestic responsibilities, (2) changing workplace expectations, (3) the untenable nature of a return to “normal,” (4) an opportunity to address pre-existing inequities and (5) internal conflict and guilt. Solutions were offered and included an emphasis on the importance of community.Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic created burdens for already challenged faculty and staff in both their personal and professional lives, and for women in particular. Swift action and advocacy by academic institutions is needed to support the lives and careers of our colleagues.
Health Economic Evaluation of the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PAM) in Stockholm County
Authors: Carlborg Andreas , Sibbel Rainer , Helgesson Magnus
Published: November 2020

Background: The Psychiatric Response Team (the PAM unit) started as a suicide prevention project during the spring of 2015 to handle acute psychiatric patients previously handled by the police. Since 2017, the PAM has been a permanent service within the health care organization of Stockholm County. Method: Health economic estimates, based on different scenarios, were designed to investigate the economic evaluation of the PAM unit from both a health-care and a societal perspective. Another aim was to present an economic model that can be applied and developed in future studies to evaluate suicide-prevention projects. Potential savings achieved by the PAM unit were examined by measuring direct and indirect costs based on three different scenarios: restrictive, likely and optimistic. Costs were compared to the potential savings from changes in processes using the PAM unit. Estimates of potential savings from production losses were made using the friction-cost and human-capital methods. An estimate of human value was made using figures from previous studies in traffic-injury prevention. Different theoretical health economic methods of calculation are presented. Results: Total cost for the PAM unit during its first two years of operation was 13.2 million Swedish kronor (SEK). Comparatively, direct savings from a health-care perspective were estimated at 2.8-5.1 million SEK, while direct savings from a societal perspective were estimated at 5.9-10.6 million SEK. The estimate of indirect savings differs depending on approach adopted: from 1.0-1.5 million SEK (friction-cost) to 52.0-103.9 million SEK (human-capital). Further, if estimates of human value are included, there are additional savings ranging from 52.3 to 82.1 million SEK. Conclusion: The direct cost saving of the PAM unit, estimated on different scenarios, does not make it viable from a purely economic perspective. However, there are large indirect cost savings from avoidance of future production losses and savings in human value. The rescuing of a single patient from suicide by the PAM unit during one year would, under most estimated scenarios, justify the total cost of the intervention.
Mass Media Influence on Changing lifestyle of Community People During COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh: A Cross Sectional Survey
Authors: I Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul , Islam Md. Nazrul , Hossain Md. Sajjat , Prodhan Md. Tabiur Rahman , Chowdhury Mohammad Hasan , Mamun Hasan Al
Published: November 2020

AimA huge amount of information associated with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was circulated by mass media in Bangladesh. To date, there is no example on how the lifestyle of the community people in Bangladesh may influence mass media intervention during a pandemic. We aimed to assess mass media influence on changing the lifestyle behavior of people during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Subject and methodsAn online cross-sectional survey with a limited face-to-face interview among 2080 Bangladeshi respondents was conducted between March 26 and April 1, 2020. Datasets were analyzed through a set of statistical methods such as classical test theory assessment, principal component analysis, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression model. ResultsThe results showed that there was a positive significant relationship between the composite lifestyle score and the social media is trustworthy during the COVID-19 pandemic (r=0.508, p < 0.01), while there was a negative relationship between the composite lifestyle score of the respondents and the daily online media platforms usage in COVID-19 period (r=−0.201, p < 0.01). The results also disclosed that knowledge level, media credibility, and media check-in had the largest contribution to influence the changing lifestyle of the community people. We also found that social media was highly used media as expected during the COVID-19 outbreak while the administrative action has little influence on the changing lifestyle behavior.ConclusionOur outcomes stress the significance of the reliability of information shared via mass media outlets and practical strategies to counter misinformation during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Interferon Inducible Transmembrane Protein 3 Inhibits Influenza Virus Replication and Inflammation by Interacting With ABHD16A
Authors: Liang Chen , Zhu Limei , Chen Jun
Published: November 2020

Background: Studies have shown that human interferon inducible transmembrane proteins (IFITM) family proteins have broad-spectrum antiviral capabilities. Preliminary studies in our laboratory have preliminarily proved that IFITMs have the effect of inhibiting influenza viruses. In order to further study its mechanism and role in the occurrence and development of influenza, relevant studies have been carried out.Methods: Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection, yeast two-hybrid test and optical confocal microscopy were used to investigate the effect of hIFITM3 on influenza virus replication, the interaction with human abhydrolase domain containing 16A (hABHD16A) and the expression of inflammation-related factors.Results: In HEK293 cells, overexpression of hIFITM3 protein significantly inhibited the replication of influenza virus at 24h, 48h, and 72h; yeast two-hybrid experiment proved that IFITM3 interacts with ABHD16A; laser confocal microscopy observations showed that IFITM3 and ABHD16A co-localized in cell membrane area; the expression level of inflammation-related factors in cells overexpressing hIFITM3 or hABHD16A was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the results showed that the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) were significantly increased . But when IFITM3/ABHD16A was co-expressed, the mRNA expression levels of these cytokines were significantly reduced except for COX2. When influenza virus infected cells co-expressing IFITM3/ABHD16A, the expression level of inflammatory factors decreased compared with the control group, indicating that IFITM3 can play an important role in regulating inflammation balance.Conclusions: This study confirmed that hIFITM3 has an effect of inhibiting influenza virus replication. Furthermore, it was found that hIFITM3 interacts with hABHD16A, following which it can better inhibit the replication of influenza virus and the inflammatory response caused by the disease process.
Household Smoke-Exposure Risks from Cooking Fuels and Cooking Places in Tanzania: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Ahamad Mazbahul G , Tanin Fahian , Shrestha Nawaraj
Published: November 2020

Background: Household smoke-exposure risk (SER) can be defined using cooking fuels (smoke and no smoke-producing) and cooking places (indoor and outdoor), which represents different levels of household air pollution. The study explored the prevalence and geographical variation of smoke-exposure risks (SERs) resulting from indoor and outdoor cooking practices using smoke-producing and no smoke-producing cooking fuels in Tanzania. We further investigated social and spatial factors associated with different levels of SER. Methods: We constructed an indicator variable, the household SER, using country-level cross-sectional data on cooking fuels and places from 2015–16 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey, and estimated zone-level average SERs. An ordered logistic regression model was employed to assess the social and spatial characteristics associated with household SER.Results: Approximately 76.4% of total 12,425 households that practiced indoor cooking using smoke-producing fuels were at high SER. High-level SER was more prevalent in the Central, Southern highlights, and Southwest highlands zones. Overall, wealthier households, female-headed households, and having higher education levels among household members were more likely to be in very low SER category. However, older household heads and larger family sizes were less likely to be in very low SER category. Conclusions: The significant prevalence of high smoke-exposure risk is a major public health concern in Tanzania, which requires simultaneous adoption of improved cooking stoves and clean fuels to minimize the adverse effects attributed to household SER.
Association Between Maternal Exposure to Indoor Air Pollution and Offspring Congenital Heart Disease: A Multi-Hospital Case-Control Study in East China
Authors: Sun Jing , Wang Jian , Yang Jing , Shi Xin , Li Shujing , Cheng Jinping , Chen Sun , Sun Kun , Wu Yurong
Published: November 2020

Background: Previous research has suggested an association between maternal exposure to ambient air pollutants and the risk of congenital heart defects (CHDs). However, the effect of individual prenatal exposure to indoor air pollutants on CHD occurrence has not been reported.Methods: We carried out a hospital-based case-control study to investigate the association between personal air pollution exposure during pregnancy and the risk of CHDs in offspring. A total of 32 cases and 74 controls were included in this study from two hospitals in East China. We investigated maternal and residential environmental characteristics using a questionnaire and obtained personal indoor air samples to assess particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from 22–30 gestational weeks; formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, total VOCs (TVOCs), PM10, and PM2.5 were assessed. Logistic regression was performed to assess associations and interactions among individual indoor air pollutants and CHDs after adjusting for confounders. The potential residential environmental factors affecting the risks of indoor air pollutants on CHDs were also assessed.Results: Median TVOC (0.430 vs. 0.005 mg/m3, P < 0.001), PM2.5 (12.00 vs. 8.00 µg/m3, P=0.037) and PM10 (13.50 vs. 8.00 µg/m3, P=0.028) exposure levels in cases were significantly higher than those in controls. In a regression model adjusted for confounders, exposure to high levels of indoor TVOCs, PM2.5 and PM10 during pregnancy was associated with risks for CHDs and the occurrence of some major CHD subtypes in offspring. These risk effects were enhanced among pregnant woman living in a newly renovated house or near heavy-traffic roads but were mitigated by household usage of smoke ventilators when cooking. We observed a positive interaction of maternal exposure to TVOCs and PM2.5 in regard to the risk for CHDs.Conclusions: Maternal exposure to indoor VOCs and PMs may increase the risk of giving birth to foetuses with CHDs.
Wheat Gluten Hydrolysates Promotes Fermentation Performance of Brewer’s Yeast in Very High Gravity Worts
Authors: Yang Huirong , Coldea Teodora Emilia , Zeng Yingjie , Zhao Haifeng
Published: November 2020

The effects of wheat gluten hydrolysates (WGH) and their ethanol elution fractions obtained on XAD-16 resin on physiological activity and fermentation performance of brewer’s yeast during very-high-gravity (VHG) worts fermentation were investigated. The results showed that the addition of WGH and their elution fractions in VHG worts significantly enhanced yeast biomass and viability, and further increased the fermentability, ethanol yield and productivity of yeast. Supplementation with 40% ethanol fraction exhibited the highest biomass (6.9 g/L dry cell), cell viability, fermentability (82.05%), ethanol titer (12.19%, v/v) and ethanol productivity during VHG worts fermentation. In addition, 40% ethanol fraction supplementation also caused the most consumption of amino acid and the highest accumulation of intracellular glycerol and trehalose, 15.39% of increase in cell-membrane integrity, 39.61% of enhancement in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and 18.94% of reduction in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in yeast under VHG conditions. Therefore, WGH supplementation was an efficient method to improve fermentation performance of brewer’s yeast during VHG worts.
Use of Taguchi Design for Optimization of Diesel-oil Biodegradation Using Consortium of Pseudomonas Stutzeri, Cellulosimicrobium Cellulans, Acinetobacter Baumannii and Pseudomonas Balearica Isolated From Tarball in Terengganu Beach, Malaysia
Authors: Nkem Bruno Martins , Halimoon Normala , Yus Fatimah Md , Johari Wan Lutfi Wan
Published: November 2020

Consortium of bacteria capable of degrading oily hydrocarbons were isolated from tarball on beaches in Terengganu, Malaysia and classified as Pseudomonas stutzeri, Cellulosimicrobium cellulans, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas balearica. Taguchi design was used to optimize diesel-oil biodegradation using these bacteria as consortium. Maximum diesel-oil biodegradation by experimental runs was 93.6% with individual n-alkanes degraded between 87.6% – 97.6% in 30 days. Optimal settings were 2.5 mL (1.248 OD600nm) inoculum size; 12% (v/v) initial diesel-oil in minimal salt media with 7.0 pH, 30.0 gL-1 NaCl and 2.0 gL-1 NH4NO3 concentration, incubated at 42oC temperature and 150 rpm agitation speed. Parameters significantly improved diesel-oil removal by consortium as indicated by model determination coefficient (R2 = 90.89%; P < 0.001) with synergistic effect of agitation speed significantly contributing 81.03%. Taguchi design established optimal settings of investigated parameters that produced significant improvement on diesel-oil removal by consortium. This can be used to design novel bioremediation strategy that can achieve optimal decontamination of oil pollution in shorter time.
Optimization of Process Parameters by Statistical Experimental Design for Production of Α-mannosidase From Moss Hyophilla Nymaniana (Fleish.) Menzel
Authors: Mishra Rashmi , Chandra Ramesh
Published: November 2020

Alpha mannosidases are enzymes with varied applications preferably used in the preparation of important compounds of food and pharmaceutical industries. The production of enzymes is influenced by medium compositions as some of the constituents of the medium directly affect the enzyme synthesis. In the present study, the components of the culture medium are optimized by classical and Taguchi method for α-mannosidase from the suspension culture of the moss Hyophilla nymaniana (Fleish.) Menzel. One factor at a time approach was used in the preliminary screening of factors before proceeding optimization studies. Implementation of Taguchi Design of Experiment generated 16 experimental runs based on five factors sugar, temperature, pH, rpm, and nitrogen source. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the obtained results and the optimum condition suggested by statistical calculations was validated in a verification test. The ANOVA result showed that the NH4NO3 contributed maximum on mannosidase production followed by temperature and RPM. Predicted results showed an enhanced mannosidase (63 %) can be achieved with pH 5.8, temperature 26 °C, RPM 120, maltose 1.5 %, and NH4NO3 2 % as carbon and nitrogen source, respectively.
Catatonia Associated With Late Paraphrenia Successfully Treated With Lithium: A Case Report
Authors: Sugawara Hiroko , Takamatsu Junpei , Hashimoto Mamoru , Ikeda Manabu
Published: November 2020

Background: Catatonia is a psychomotor syndrome that presents various symptoms ranging from stupor to agitation, with prominent disturbances of volition. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are safe and effective standard treatments for catatonia; however, alternative treatment strategies have not been established in cases where these treatments are either ineffective or unavailable. Here, we report a case of catatonia associated with late paraphrenia classified as very-late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis, which was successfully treated with lithium. Case presentation: A 66-year-old single man with hearing impairment developed hallucination and delusions and presented with catatonic stupor after a fall. He initially responded to benzodiazepine therapy; however, his psychotic symptoms became clinically evident and benzodiazepine provided limited efficacy. Blonanserin was ineffective, and ECT was unavailable. His catatonic and psychotic symptoms were finally relieved by lithium monotherapy.Conclusions: Catatonic symptoms are common in patients with mood disorders, suggesting that lithium may be effective in these cases. Moreover, lithium may be effective for both catatonic and psychotic symptoms, as it normalizes imbalances of excitatory and inhibitory systems in the brain, which underlies major psychosis. Cumulative evidence from further cases is needed to validate our findings.
Inhibitory Effect of Essential Oil from Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet on Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transformation Induced by TGF-β1 and down-regulating KLF4
Authors: zhao shuang , He Li , Huang Mei , Tu Meng xin , Shen Xiang chun , Zhang Yan yan
Published: November 2020

Background: Endothelial Mesenchymal Transformation (EndMT) contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease. Krüpple factor 4 (KLF4) is a zinc finger transcription factor whose N-terminus can recruit acetyltransferase to promote histone acetylation, thereby affecting the transcription activation of downstream genes. Our previous studies have shown that EOFAZ has protective effects on HUVECs oxidative stress induced by TGF-β1. However, whether EOFAZ has a protective effect on EndMT induced by TGF-β1 and whether it is related to the regulation of downstream signals by KLF4 has not yet been elucidated.Methods: The protective effects of EOFAZ were evaluated in TGF-β1-treated EndMT in Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Cell mobility was evaluated by wound-healing, transwell assays and angiogenesis experiment. Western blot analysis, Quantitative real-time PCR analysis (qRT-PCR) and immunofluorescence staining were utilized to determine the expression of endothelial and mesenchymal markers , KLF4, Histone 3 acetylation and Notch/Snail signaling axis. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) and adenovirus infection were used to determine the effciency of KLF4 inhibition and overexpression. Immunoprecipitation experiments were performed to analyze protein interactions.Results: We reported that EOFAZ has a protective effect on EndMT induced by TGF-β1. Deletion of KLF4 inhibited EndMT induced by TGF-β1 in HUVECs. EOFAZ pretreatment and KLF4 knockout reduced the migration ability of HUVECs , and increased endothelial markers accompanied by decreased mesenchymal markers, meanwhile caused the change of Notch/Snail signal axis. In addition, TGF-β1 upregulated the expression of KLF4, while the high expression of KLF4 promoted the acetylation of histone H3, and there was a protein interaction between the acetylated histone H3 and KLF4. Conclusions: These results suggest that TGF-β1 may promote the acetylation of histone H3 and activate the transduction of Notch/Snail signal axis by up-regulating the expression of KLF4, which may induce EndMT and this effect may be reversed by EOFAZ. Therefore, EOFAZ may inhibit EndMT induced by TGF-β1 by down-regulating KLF4 expression.
Mediating Role Diet Self-efficacy Plays in the Relationship Between Social Support and Diet Self-Management For Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Yang Li , Li Kun , Liang Yan , Zhao Qiuli , Cui Dan , Zhu Xuemei
Published: November 2020

Background: It has previously been established that patients who have strong barriers to their diet self-management are more likely to have weak social support; however, the key mechanisms underlying the association between these two variables have not yet been established. This study aims to examine the potential role that diet self-efficacy plays in the relationship between social support and diet behavior in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: 380 patients diagnosed with T2DM were recruited for this study from five community health centers. The Chronic Disease Resource Scale (CIRS), Cardiac Diet Self-efficacy Scale (CDSE), and Food Control Behavior Scale (FCBS) were used to estimate participants’ utilization of social resources, diet self-efficacy, and diet self-management, respectively. The data were analyzed utilizing structural equation modelling. Results: The results suggest that both higher levels of social support and diet self-efficacy are related to higher levels of diet self-management. The hypothesized model revealed an adequate fit to the data (χ2/df = 2.17, GFI = .93, AGFI = .91, NFI =.90, IFI =.92, IFI =.92, RMSEA =.06). The mediating effect that diet self-efficacy has on the relationship between social support and diet self-management was significant (β = .30, p < .05), explaining 55.68% of the total effect of social support on diet self-management. Conclusions: Diet self-efficacy plays a mediating role in the association between social support and diet behavior in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Correlation Between Diagnostic Tests for Laryngeal Cancer Staging and Anatomopathological Staging: A Systematic Review Protocol
Authors: D'Ávila Vanessa , Daher Valéria , Oliveira José Carlos , Guimarães Valeriana , Ternes Yves Mauro
Published: November 2020

Background: Laryngeal cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer worldwide, which is more frequent in men mainly due to external factors such as alcohol consumption and smoking. Staging is an extremely relevant factor for better prognosis.Methods: A literature search of the Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and LILACS VHL databases will be performed for original articles and studies on the assessment of diagnostic tests and laryngeal cancer staging that used imaging methods compared to anatomopathological staging. No criteria related to language or publication date will be used. To conduct this study, two reviewers will perform a search for eligibility criteria and data extraction. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 will be used to assess the methodological quality of the studies, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluations will be used as a general quality assessment tool. Discussion: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of imaging tests in estimating TNM staging of laryngeal cancer compared to anatomopathological staging. This systematic review does not require approval from an ethics committee.PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020155118.
Freezing resistance evaluation of rose stems during frost dehardening using electrical impedance tomography
Authors: Qian Ji , Zhou Juan , Gong Juan Rui , Liu Yang , Zhang Gang
Published: November 2020

Background
Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has rarely been applied in plant science, particularly to study plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this study, we evaluated the freezing resistance of floribunda roses (Rosa Floribunda) during frost dehardening using the EIT technique to identify a new method for rapid and non-destructive measurement of plant freezing resistance.
Results
The current was the excitation source, the boundary voltage value was measured, and then the boundary voltage reconstructed value was formed. Using an imaging algorithm, the two-dimensional (2D) distribution of impedance or impedance variation is reconstructed. The EIT reconstructed values decreased obviously with the decline in freezing temperatures. The EIT reconstructed values of stems had the best fit to the logistic equation, and subsequently, the semi-lethal temperatures were calculated. The freezing resistance results evaluated using EIT reconstructed values were linearly correlated with the results of the traditional electrolyte leakage (EL) method (r = 0.93, P<0.01).
Conclusions
In conclusion, after freezing tests, the reconstructed values of EIT images could be used to quantitatively evaluate the freezing resistance of floribunda rose stems. The present study provides a reference for the further application of the EIT technique for non-destructive and rapid detection of plant freezing resistance.
An Independent Agreement Study of Modified Pfirrmann Grading System for Cervical Inter-vertebral Disc Degeneration in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Authors: Xu Chongqing , Yin Mengchen , Mo Wen
Published: November 2020

Background
Neck pain, sensory disturbance and motor dysfunction in most patients suffered cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). For CSM surgery, it is necessary to evaluate preoperative inter-vertebral disc degeneration (IDD) which determines whether to adopt fusion strategy, and postoperative IDD which is one of the main reasons for reoperation. Modified Pfirrmann grading system is commonly used to evaluate IDD. The objective of this study is to evaluate its reliability and reproducibility on cervical IDD in CSM patients, and to explore its clinical application value.
Methods/Design:
All 165 patients with CSM were enrolled. 6 physicians (3 spine surgeons and 3 radiologists) who have certain clinical experience were selected. They graded cervical inter-vertebral disc according to modified Pfirrmann grading system, we used intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and weighted kappa (wκ) to assess the inter- and intra-observer agreement. After 12 weeks, we repeated the analysis.
Results
The inter-observer reliability of modified Pfirrmann grading system was excellent with ICC value of 0.76 and near perfect with wκ value of 0.82. The intra-observer reproducibility of modified Pfirrmann grading system was excellent with ICC values ranging from 0.80–0.91, and near perfect with wκ values ranging from 0.83–0.92.
Conclusion
Modified Pfirrmann grading system has excellent inter-observer reliability and intra-observer reproducibility on cervical IDD in CSM. In addition, it indicates a good appliance among spine surgeons and radiologists, clinical and radiological studies applying it should be deemed accurate. Thus, modified Pfirrmann grading system can be widely used as an appropriate instrument in clinical care.
Pharmacological ablation of astrocytes reduces Aβ degradation and synaptic connectivity in an ex vivo model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Davis Nicola , Mota Bibiana C. , Stead Larissa , Palmer Emily O. C. , Lombardero Laura , Rodríguez-Puertas Rafael , de Paola Vincenzo , Barnes Samuel J. , Sastre Magdalena
Published: November 2020

Background: Astrocytes provide vital support to neurons in normal and pathological conditions. In Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains, reactive astrocytes have been found surrounding amyloid plaques, forming an astrocytic scar. However, their role and potential mechanisms whereby they affect neuroinflammation, amyloid pathology and synaptic density in AD remain unclear.Methods: To explore the role of astrocytes on Aβ pathology and neuroinflammatory markers, we pharmacologically ablated them in organotypic brain culture slices (OBCSs) from 5XFAD mouse model of AD and wild-type (WT) littermates with the selective astrocytic toxin L-alpha-aminoadipate (L-AAA). To examine the effects on synaptic circuitry, we measured dendritic spine number and size in OBCSs from thy-1-GFP transgenic mice incubated with synthetic Aβ42 or double transgenics thy-1-GFP/5XFAD mice treated with LAAA or vehicle for 24h. Results: Treatment of OBCSs with L-AAA resulted in an increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in conditioned media of WTs and 5XFAD slices, associated with changes in microglia morphology but not in density. The profile of inflammatory markers following astrocytic loss was different in WT and transgenic cultures, showing reductions in inflammatory mediators produced in astrocytes only in WT sections. In addition, pharmacological ablation of astrocytes led to an increase in Aβ levels in homogenates of OBCS from 5XFAD mice compared with vehicle controls, with reduced enzymatic degradation of Aβ due to lower neprilysin and insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) expression. Furthermore, OBSCs from wild-type mice treated with L-AAA and synthetic amyloid presented 56% higher levels of Aβ in culture media compared to sections treated with Aβ alone, concomitant with reduced expression of IDE in culture medium, suggesting that astrocytes contribute to Aβ clearance and degradation. Quantification of hippocampal dendritic spines revealed a reduction in their density following L-AAA treatment in all groups analysed. In addition, pharmacological ablation of astrocytes resulted in a decrease in spine size in 5XFAD OBCSs but not in OBCSs from WT treated with synthetic Aβ compared to vehicle control. Conclusions: Astrocytes play a protective role in AD by aiding Aβ clearance and supporting synaptic plasticity.
A novel recyclable furoic acid-assisted pretreatment for sugarcane bagasse biorefinery in co-production of xylooligosaccharides and glucose
Authors: Dai Lin , Huang Tian , Jiang Kankan , Zhou Xin , Xu Yong
Published: November 2020

Background: Pretreatment is the key step for utilizing lignocellulosic biomass, which can extract cellulose from lignin and disrupt its recalcitrant crystalline structure to allow much more effective enzymatic hydrolysis; and organic acids pretreatment with dual benefic for generating xylooligosaccharides and boosting enzymatic hydrolysis has been widely used in adding values to lignocellulose materials. In this work, furoic acid, a novel recyclable organic acid as catalyst, was employed to pretreat sugarcane bagasse to recover the xylooligosaccharides fraction from hemicellulose and boost the subsequent cellulose saccharification. Results: The FA-assisted hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse using 3% furoic acid at 170 oC for 15 min resulted in the highest xylooligosaccharides yield of 45.6%; subsequently, 83.1 g/L of glucose was harvested by a fed-batch operation with a solid loading of 15%. Overall, a total of 120 g of xylooligosaccharides and 335 g glucose could be collected from 1000 g sugarcane bagasse starting from the furoic acid pretreatment. Furthermore, furoic acid can be easily recovered by cooling crystallization.Conclusion: This work put forward a novel furoic acid pretreatment method to convert sugarcane bagasse into xylooligosaccharides and glucose, which provides a strategy that the sugar and nutraceutical industries can be used to reduce the production cost. The developed process showed that the yields of xylooligosaccharides and byproducts were controllable by shortening the reaction time; meanwhile, the recyclability of furoic acid also can potentially reduce the pretreatment cost and potentially replace the traditional mineral acids pretreatment.
Association between AST to ALT ratio and peripheral artery disease in Chinese adults with hypertension：a cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Hui , Zha Xiaoyuan , Ding Congcong , Hu Lihua , Li Minghui , Zhou Wei , Wang Tao , Zhu Lingjuan , Bao Huihui , Cheng Xiaoshu
Published: November 2020

Background: Previous studies had shown that aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT ratio) plays a role in cardiovascular disease. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, there are a little research on the association between the AST/ALT ratio and Peripheral artery disease (PAD). Methods: A total of 10, 900 hypertensive patients from the Chinese Hypertension Registry Study were included in the final analysis. The association between AST / ALT and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which was defined as ABI ≤ 0.9 in either leg, was estimated by a multivariate logistic regression model.Results: Overall, the prevalence of PAD was 3.21%. After adjusting for potential confounders, AST / ALT ratio was independently and positively associated with the risk of PAD (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.59), and a statistically significant increased risk of PAD for the third tertile (T3) of AST / ALT ratio compared to the first tertile (T1) (OR:1.49, 95% CI: 1.09 to 2.04, P-trend= 0.005) was found. Moreover, when the T1-T2 group was combined into one group and used it as a reference group, the risk of PAD increased with the increase of AST/ALT and the risk ratio was 1.52 (95% CI :1.20 to 1.95). Conclusion: A higher AST/ALT ratio (≥1.65) was associated with PAD risk in Chinese adults with hypertension. The presented results suggested that AST / ALT may help us highlight patients who are at high risk of vascular endpoints.Trial registration: CHICTR, CHiCTR1800017274. Registered 20 July 2018.
Convalescent plasma therapy as a conventional trick for treating COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis study
Authors: Keikha Masoud , Karbalaei Mohsen
Published: November 2020

Background: Convalescent plasma therapy (CPT) is one of the well-known therapeutic protocols for treating infectious diseases that do not have special treatment nor vaccine. In the CPT procedure, the plasma of patients which has the high titers of neutralizing antibodies is transfused to other infected patients who have been affected by the same infectious agent. Several documents confirm the clinical efficacy of this therapy for treating bacterial and viral infections. Methods: The comprehensive systematic search was conducted in several databases including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane library, Google scholar, medRxiv, and bioRxiv. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist was used for the evaluation of included studies. Using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software version 2.2 (Biostat, Englewood, NJ, USA), the pooled data analysis was performed.Results: The statistical analysis showed that clinical improvement in the group of patients who received CP significantly increased compared to the control group. (OR: 2.23; 1.12-4.45 with 95% CIs; p value: 0.022; Q-value: 6.11; I2: 83.64; Eggers p value: 0.064; Beggs p value: 0.093). Furthermore, discharge rate of patients from hospital in the group that were received CPT had increased (OR: 2.92; 1.48-5.77 with 95% CIs; p value: 0.002; Q-Value: 4.32; I2: 53.80; Eggers p value: 0.32; Beggs p value: 0.50).Conclusions: Regarding the lack of a specific vaccine, we need to use alternative methods to complete the clinical trials. CPT is among the well-known therapeutic protocols that its clinical trials in treating the coronaviruses infections have been confirmed.
Clinicopathological Feature of Adult Small Bowel Intussusception Diagnosed and Managed by Double-Balloon Enteroscopy : A Single Centre Study
Authors: Kim Won Shik , Lee Beom Jae , Yoo Ah Young , kIM Seong Min , Kim Seung Han , Joo Moon Kyung , Kim Hyo Jung , Park Jong-Jae
Published: November 2020

Background: Adult small bowel intussusception usually has an aetiology that leads to small bowel obstruction. Here, we aimed to identify the clinicopathological features of adult small bowel intussusception managed with Balloon-Assisted Enterosopy (BAE) and to explore the clinical usefulness of BAE for the management of small bowel intussusception.Method: We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 13 patients who were diagnosed with adult small bowel intussusception at Korea University Guro Hospital between 2010 and 2019.Results: The type of intussusception was ileoileal in eight (61.5%) patients and jejunal-jejunal in five (38.5%) patients. Eight cases of small bowel intussusception (61.5%; five idiopathic causes, two Peutz-Jeghers polyps, and one Crohn’s disease) were successfully managed with BAE. The remaining five patients underwent laparoscopic small bowel resection due to management of the primary aetiology (two diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, one lipomatosis, one Peutz-Jeghers polyps, and one angiomyolipoma).Concusions: In many cases, adult small bowel intussusception had a benign and idiopathic aetiology. The diagnosis and treatment of adult small bowel intussusception with BAE may reduce the requirement for small bowel resection in selected patients.
Hydro ethanol extract of Holarrhena floribunda stem bark exhibits anti-anaphylactic and anti-oedematogenic effects in murine models of acute inflammation
Authors: Antwi Stephen , Oduro-Mensah Daniel , Obiri David Darko , Osafo Newman , Antwi Aaron Opoku , Ansah Helena Owusu , Ocloo Augustine , Okine Laud
Published: November 2020

Background: Holarrhena floribunda stem bark has anecdotal use in Ghanaian folk medicine for management of inflammatory conditions. This study was conducted to investigate the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the bark extract using models of acute inflammation in male Sprague Dawley rats, C57BL/6 mice and 36 ICR mice. Methods: A 70 % hydro-ethanol extract of the stem bark (HFE) was evaluated at doses of 5–500 mg/kg bw. Local anaphylaxis was modelled by the pinnal cutaneous anaphylactic test. Systemic anaphylaxis or sepsis were modeled by compound 48/80 or lipopolysaccharide, respectively. Clonidine-induced catalepsy was used to investigate effect on histamine signaling. Anti-oedematogenic effect was assessed by induction with carrageenan. Effects on mediators of biphasic acute inflammation were studied using histamine and serotonin (early phase) or prostaglandin E2 (late phase).Results: HFE demonstrated anti-inflammatory and/or anti-oedematogenic activity comparable to standard doses of aspirin and diclofenac (inhibitors of cyclooxygenases-1 and -2), chlorpheniramine (histamine H1-receptor antagonist), dexamethasone (glucocorticoid receptor agonist), granisetron (serotonin receptor antagonist) and sodium cromoglycate (inhibitor of mast cell degranulation). All observed HFE bioactivities increased with dose.Conclusions: The data provide evidence that the extract of H. floribunda stem bark has anti-anaphylactic and anti-oedematogenic effects; by interfering with signalling or metabolism of histamine, serotonin and prostaglandin E2 which mediate progression of inflammation. The anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic activities of HFE may be relevant in the context of management of COVID-19.
Therapeutics targeting the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 for the treatment of COVID-19: A molecular modeling approach deciphering relative efficacies
Authors: Choudhury Shuvasish , Saikia Purbajyoti , Moulick Debojyoti , Mazumder Muhammed Khairujjaman
Published: November 2020

The pandemic due to the novel coronavirus 2019, SARS-CoV-2, has led to a global health and economic crisis. The disease, named coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has already affected 3090445 and killed over 217769 people worldwide, as of April 30, 2020. So far, there is no specific effective medicine or vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Several existing and approved drugs are under clinical studies for re-purposing. However, owing to the emergent situation and thereby to avoid time needed for de novo drug discovery, drug re-purposing remains to be the best option to find an effective therapeutic against the virus. Thus, the preset study was designed to evaluate potency of 82 compound/drugs in inhibiting the main protease (3CLPro) of SARS-CoV-2, using molecular docking tool. This protease is a vital enzyme for replication of the virus, and is thus a promising drug target. The analyzed compounds include 16 known protease inhibitors, two recently suggested α-ketoamides, 24 recently reported putative inhibitors, and 40 phytochemicals. The results indicate that Ritonavir, Indinavir, Montelukast, Nelfinavir, Candoxatril, Tigecycline and Lopinavir to be very potent protease inhibitors. Further, several other drugs and compounds, including phytochemicals, have been identified / predicted to be potent in inhibiting the enzyme. In addition, we hereby report relative efficacies of these compounds in inhibiting 3CLPro. Thus, the present study is significant in the therapeutic intervention of COVID-19.