bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proactive Risk Assessment Through Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) for Haemodialysis Facilities: A Pilot Project
Authors: La Russa Raffaele , Fazio Valentina , Ferrara Michela , Di Fazio Nicola , Viola Rocco Valerio , Piras Gianluca , Ciano Giuseppe , Micheletta Fausta , Frati Paola
Published: March 2022

Haemodialysis (HD) is one of the methods for renal replacement therapy in the management of advanced chronic kidney disease through an osmosis process that allows purification of blood in the dialysis machine. The complexity of the dialytic procedure often requires the presence of a multi-specialist, multi-disciplinary team. The dialysis process is an important target for clinical risk management. Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is a proactive technique, considered a purposeful and dynamic tool for clinical risk management. FMEA is noted in five phases that allow a preliminary assessment of a definite process through identification and classification of risk priorities. This study represents the first of a two-phase project where FMEA is applied to HD in the setting of San Feliciano Hospital. The dialysis center performs ~12,000 dialysis sessions per year. The dialysis process is divided into different stages. A total of 31 failure modes were identified in the whole dialysis stages; more than 2/3 of the failure modes were related to the only connecting of the patient to the dialysis machine. The first phase of the study clearly remarked that the most critical step of the dialytic process is represented by the connection between the patient and the machine, as expected. Indeed, in order to have the dialysis set up, an arteriovenous fistula must be surgically created prior to the procedure and it is one of the most important issues in the HD process because of the necessity of a constant revision of it. FMEA application to HD is a useful tool, easy to be implemented and it is likely to nimbly reveal the practical and potential solutions to the critical steps of the procedure.
Short- and Long-Term Influences of Flipped Classroom Teaching in Physiology Course on Medical Students' Learning Effectiveness
Authors: Ji Ming , Luo Ziqiang , Feng Dandan , Xiang Yang , Xu Jianping
Published: March 2022

The flipped classroom (FC) teaching has been increasingly employed in medical education. Many studies have shown this “student-centered” pedagogical model improves students' overall achievement in the course, with students showing more motivation and better self-directed learning skills when compared to the traditional classroom teaching. However, most of the previous studies have been evaluating the short-term effects of FC teaching conducted upon completion of the course. The retention of the promotion and the long-term effects on learning of students' subsequent courses deserve further attention and evaluation. By adopting and running FC teaching in the whole course of physiology, this study aimed to determine the short-term impact of FC teaching on students' learning of physiology course and also the long-term influences in students' learning of follow-up medical curriculums within 18 months after the completion of physiology course. 119 sophomore students majoring in clinical medicine from Central South University were recruited and they were assigned randomly into two groups: the control group (n =61) who received the traditional lecture (TL) teaching, and the experimental group (n =58), who received the FC teaching. In this study, students' final exam scores were used to assess their learning effectiveness and an independent samples t-test was conducted to compare scores between the two groups. Our study showed that FC teaching significantly improved the learning outcome of physiology in the experimental group compared with the control group (P = 0.0001) without obvious impact on the learning of other subjects conducted in the same period of time. Moreover, our results also demonstrated the long-term benefit of FC teaching, with students from the experimental group scoring higher in pathophysiology (P = 0.006), pathology (P = 0.029), pharmacology (P = 0.0089), diagnostics (P = 0.01) and internal medicine (P = 0.0004) than those from the control group. The study results indicate that FC is a promising teaching approach to increase students' learning effectiveness in physiology course, and the long-term effects of FC facilitate the learning of the follow-up medical courses. Furthermore, this study also demonstrates that although the time investment on physiology is increased by FC teaching, it does not weaken students' learning of other courses conducted in the same period of time.
The Impact of Environmental Pollution and Economic Growth on Public Health: Evidence From China
Authors: Zhao Xiaochun , Jiang Mei , Zhang Wei
Published: March 2022

A comprehensive understanding of the impact of economic growth and environmental pollution on public health is crucial to the sustainable development of public health. In this paper, an individual fixed effect model is used to analyze the impact of environmental pollution and economic growth on public health, based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2007 to 2018. The research finds that: First, the health status of China's four regions is not only affected by economic growth and environmental pollution, but also affected by the per capita disposable income and urbanization rate. Second, there is a long-term balanced relationship between China's economic growth, environmental pollution and public health. Third, environmental pollution harms children's health and significantly increases the perinatal mortality, while economic growth helps to reduce the perinatal mortality. Fourth, environmental pollution plays a regulatory role between economic growth and public health. Fifth, there are significant regional differences in the impact of environmental pollution and economic growth on public health. Among them, the degree of harm caused by sulfur dioxide emissions on mortality in northeastern China is significantly higher than that of the eastern China, eastern China is higher than that of the western China, and western China is higher than that of the central China. Finally, in order to reduce the adverse consequences of environmental pollution on public health in the process of economic development, this study puts forward relevant policy suggestions.
Prevalence, Predictors and Point of View Toward Self-Medication Among Residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mannasaheb Basheerahmed Abdulaziz , Alajlan Sarah Abdulrahman , Alshahrani Jaber Abdullah , Othman Noordin , Alolayan Sultan Othman , Alamrah Mohammed Saleh , Asdaq Syed Mohammed Basheeruddin , Al-Qahtani Awad Mohammed , Shaikh Ibrahim Ahmed , Alasmary Mohammed Yahia
Published: March 2022

Irrational Self-Medication (SM) practice leads to incorrect diagnosis and is a risk factor for disease exacerbation and serious health consequences. Hence Responsible SM is vital for better health outcomes. In the present community-based study we explored the SM practice during the last 3 months, frequency, outcome, medications used, reasons influencing SM, source of the drug, and information. Data were analyzed using SPSS; chi-square test was performed to indicate significance, Odds ratio, Pearson correlation, univariant and multivariant regression analysis were performed to find out factors and predictors of SM. A total of 611 residents completed the survey. SM was practiced by 52.9% of participants during the last 3 months, with a frequency of one to two times. Headache (64.8%), pain (35.4%), fever/flu (31.4%), cold & cough (21.9%) and dysmenorrhea (20.9%) were illnesses managed using pain killers (75.9%), multivitamins (25.5%), anti-pyretic (24.7%) and herbal medicines (18.5%). Minor illness (67.9%), earlier experience (33.9%) and shortness of time to attend healthcare facilities (18.8%) were the reasons for practicing SM. Distance to healthcare and routine physical activity have significantly influenced the SM practice. Residents stated that inappropriate SM would lead to negative outcomes, including drug side effects (70%), Interaction (34.2%), poor treatment outcome (32.6%) and return of symptoms (26.5%). Interestingly, two-thirds of participants (68.9%) have recommended SM in case of minor illnesses only, 85.3% of respondents have expressed their desire to learn more about appropriate SM, and 76.6% are willing to return their leftover or unused medications to drug take-back centers.
Relationship Between Old-Aged Preferences Regarding Various Types of Physical Activity and Chronic Disease Status: A Cross-Sectional Study in Shanghai, China
Authors: Huang Xiaojing , Zhu Wenqing , Gao Xiang , Yu Dehua , Jin Hua , Huang Jiaoling , Yu Wenya , Lv Yipeng , Zhou Liang , Chen Ning , Yang Yan , Wang Zhaoxin , Shi Jianwei
Published: March 2022

Background

A lack of physical activity (PA) is a threat to public health. However, for the elderly, most PA abilities are limited. By focusing on the types and intensity of PA that the elderly can bear, this study aimed to reveal whether preferences regarding types of PA (including housework, transportation, and recreational activities) and their intensity were associated with health status. The main forms of PA include shopping, cooking, cleaning, walking, cycling, various fitness activities and other activities with a certain intensity.

Methods

Surveillance data on chronic diseases and their risk factors were collected from one district of Shanghai in 2017-2018. A Kish table was used for sampling 500 older adults, including the diagnosed group (chronic diseases diagnosed by physicians, n = 119), the abnormal group (not diagnosed but abnormal indicators detected in this investigation, n = 287) and the healthy group (n = 94). Multiple regressions were used to test the relationship between the various types, durations and intensities of PA the elderly individuals participated in and their health status.

Results

All three groups included a large proportion of older adults who participated in housework- and transport-related PA. The diagnosed group had the largest proportion (63.06% for housework-related PA; 87.39% for transport-related PA) and median minutes (17.14 min of housework-related PA per day; 30.00 min of transport-related PA per day). The diagnosed group had more metabolic equivalents (METs) of moderate-intensity PA than the two other groups (H = 33.01, P < 0.01), and more people met the WHO recommendation (χ2 = 34.71, P < 0.01). Diagnosis was associated with performing housework- and transport-related PA and moderate-intensity PA and with meeting the WHO's recommendation. Higher education levels were a positive factor for elderly individuals to participate in PA.

Conclusions

Transportation and housework activities are good targets for increasing PA in older adults. Diagnosis is associated with older adults' more PA.
Population Aging and Its Impact on Human Wellbeing in China
Authors: Wang Meng-Yun , Sung Hsing-Chou , Liu Jie-Yi
Published: March 2022

Population aging is getting enlarged in the upcoming decades. Meanwhile, old-aged longevity and dependency are getting large due to improvement in life expectancy. In literature, it is claimed that old-aged dependency affects the wellbeing of society. Thus, the study intends to explore the impact of population aging on human wellbeing. The study adopts the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach for empirical analysis by using time-series series data from 1990 to 2020. The study findings reveal that an increase in population aging reports a significant and decreasing impact on human wellbeing. However, an increase in health expenditure reports a significant and increasing impact on human wellbeing. Thus, China must pay attention to population aging to improve human health.
Imagined Speech Classification Using Six Phonetically Distributed Words
Authors: Varshney Yash V. , Khan Azizuddin
Published: March 2022

Imagined speech can be used to send commands without any muscle movement or emitting audio. The current status of research is in the early stage, and there is a shortage of open-access datasets for imagined speech analysis. We have proposed an openly accessible electroencephalograph (EEG) dataset for six imagined words in this work. We have selected six phonetically distributed, monosyllabic, and emotionally neutral words from W-22 CID word lists. The phonetic distribution of words consisted of the different places of consonants’ articulation and different positions of tongue advancement for vowel pronunciation. The selected words were “could,” “yard,” “give,” “him,” “there,” and “toe.” The experiment was performed over 15 subjects who performed the overt and imagined speech task for the displayed word. Each word was presented 50 times in random order. EEG signals were recorded during the experiment using a 64-channel EEG acquisition system with a sampling rate of 2,048 Hz. A preliminary analysis of the recorded data is presented by performing the classification of EEGs corresponding to the imagined words. The achieved accuracy is above the chance level for all subjects, which suggests that the recorded EEGs contain distinctive information about the imagined words.
ChemESI (Chemical Environmental Sustainability Index)—A KPI (Key Performance Indicator) for Standardizing Environmental Metrics for Chemical Sustainability
Authors: Plugge Hans
Published: March 2022

As part of the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) dynamics, chemical environmental sustainability, i.e., the impact from chemicals and how to measure it across hundreds of products, is a daunting, but necessary task. Although methods are available to measure the effects and impacts of a single chemical, most enterprises do not focus on a single chemical, let alone produce “pure” chemicals for sale. Nearly all chemicals in commerce are chemical products, i.e., mixtures, while assessment methods for mixtures are few and far between. What is needed is a metric that tracks the potential risk of an enterprise's total product inventory while monitoring its improvements as it greens in coming years. The Chemical Environmental Sustainability Index (ChemESI) metric measures both risk (as the product of exposure and hazard) and hazard across numerous chemicals as a single metric/KPI. The ChemESI's for chemicals, products and facilities are expressed such that they can be summed across facilities to wrap up into a single corporate ChemESI KPI for either hazard or risk. But what about growth—if growth occurs using greener chemical inventory, a company can both grow and improves its ChemESI KPI. Given the lead-time for developing more, true green alternatives to existing chemicals, intermediate substitution of less hazardous “analogs” may drive initial ChemESI reduction. To achieve a representative risk estimate, a primary data need is chemical characterization data for products. SDS's (Safety Data Sheets) unfortunately make poor substitutes for true constituent analyses. A definite need exists for better, more detailed chemical characterization data for both mixtures and individual chemicals, as the latter most often are not 100 % “pure.” However, these SDS's are available universally, across the globe, and provide GHS (UN Globally Harmonized System) classifications for single endpoint chemical hazard assessment. GHS classifications are near universal and here used to derive chemical hazard scores over multiple endpoints for each chemical. A ChemESI Risk metric can be derived by multiplying the hazard score by the exposure, here using inventory as a surrogate. The ChemESI Hazard metric is then derived as an inventory weighted hazard score.
The Brain And Exercise: In Sickness And In Health
Authors: Reslan Mohammad Amine , Tabet Maha , Yehya Yara , Shaito Abdullah , Kobeissy Firas
Published: March 2022

The brain, like any other organ in the body, is made up of various types of cells. Nerve cells called neurons are the major cells in the brain. Their main function is to transfer messages and orders to and from the organs of the body. Neurons communicate with each other and with other cells through connections that resemble electrical wires. Throughout a person’s life, neurons remodel and rewire their connections to become weaker or stronger. This remodeling is known as brain neuroplasticity, which means “the ability to adapt or change.” Neuroplasticity is affected by several factors. For example, physical activity such as exercise can reshape the brain for the better, by enhancing memory and attention. These changes can improve academic performance and protect people from certain brain diseases. These are just a few reasons why we should all exercise more often.
Established and Nascent Entrepreneurs: Comparing the Mental Health, Self-Care Behaviours and Wellbeing in Singapore
Authors: Gong Jiankun , Xu Zezheng , Wang Sherry Xueli , Gu Mingyan , Ong PuayChin , Li Yuanzhe
Published: March 2022

Mental health problems currently affect a quarter of the world's population. Recent research in western societies has started to examine the relationship between entrepreneurship and mental health problems such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia. However, little has been done to categorize entrepreneurs into different types and investigate how their levels of mental health and well-being correspond to these types. This study divided entrepreneurs into established and nascent categories and examined this topic in Singapore. By distributing two sets of surveys, a total of 834 responses were collected, with 346 responses from established entrepreneurs and 488 responses from nascent ones. The results showed that the nascent entrepreneurs' levels of well-being were found to be much lower than those of the established entrepreneurs. Furthermore, entrepreneurs with ADHD or dyslexia symptoms generally had a much lower level of life satisfaction, compared with those without. However, the self-care behaviours observed in this sample differed somewhat from observations made in western societies, which might be explained by the different cultures and habits in Singaporean society. The findings not only highlight the need for relevant organizations to support nascent entrepreneurs but serve to remind veteran entrepreneurs to practice more healthy self-care behaviours.
KAZNET: An Open-Source, Micro-Tasking Platform for Remote Locations
Authors: Chelanga Philemon , Fava Francesco , Alulu Vincent , Banerjee Rupsha , Naibei Oscar , Taye Masresha , Berg Matt , Galgallo Diba , Gobu Wako , Lepariyo Watson , Muendo Kavoi , Jensen Nathaniel
Published: March 2022

Field surveys are the workhorse of social and environmental research, but conventional collection through monitors or enumerators are cost prohibitive in many remote or otherwise difficult settings, which can lead to a poor understanding of those environments and an underrepresentation of the people living in them. In such cases, micro-tasking can offer a promising alternative. By activating in-situ data collectors, micro-tasking avoids many of the large expenses related to conventional field survey processes. In addition to relaxing resource constraints, crowd-sourcing can be flexible and employ data quality protocols unheard-of for conventional methods. This study assesses the potential of using micro-tasking to monitor socioeconomic and environmental indicators in remote settings using a new platform called KAZNET. KAZNET leverages the network of people with smartphones, which are becoming ubiquitous even in the remote rural settings, to execute both long-term and short-term data collection activities, with flexibility to adjust or add tasks in real-time. It also allows for multiple projects, requiring different data types, to be rolled out in the same platform simultaneously. For the data-collector, KAZNET is effectively a wrapper for the commonly used and open source, Open Data Kit (ODK) software, which specializes in offline data collection. A web interface allows administrators to calibrate, deploy, and validate tasks performed by contributors. KAZNET has been used in several projects to collect data in remote pastoral regions of East Africa since its inception in 2017. KAZNET has shown to be effective for collecting high frequency and repeated measures from markets, households and rangelands in remote regions at relatively low cost compared to traditional survey methods. While the successes of micro-tasking are promising, there are clear trade-offs and complementarities between micro-tasking and standard surveys methods, which researchers and practitioners need to consider when implementing either approach.
Timing of Closure of a Protective Loop-Ileostomy Can Be Crucial for Restoration of a Functional Digestion
Authors: Werner Jens M. , Kupke Paul , Ertl Matthias , Opitz Sabine , Schlitt Hans J. , Hornung Matthias
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Protective loop-ileostomy is one of the most common interventions in abdominal surgery to provide an alternative intestinal outlet until sufficient healing of a distal anastomosis has occurred. However, closure of a loop-ileostomy is also associated with complications. Thus, knowledge of the optimal time interval between primary and secondary surgery is crucial.

Methods

Data from 409 patients were retrospectively analyzed regarding complications and risk factors in closure-associated morbidity and mortality. A modified Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications was used to evaluate the severity of complications.

Results

A total of 96 (23.5%) patients suffered from postoperative complications after the closure of the loop-ileostomy. Early closure within 150 days from enterostomy (n = 229) was associated with less complications (p < 0.001**). Looking at the severity of complications, there were significantly more (p = 0.014*) mild postoperative complications in the late closure group (>150 days). Dysfunctional digestive problems—either (sub-) ileus (p = 0.004*), diarrhea or stool incontinence (p = 0.003*)—were the most frequent complications associated with late closure. Finally, we could validate in a multivariate analysis that “time to closure” (p = 0.002*) is independently associated with the development of complications after closure of a protective loop-ileostomy.

Conclusion

Late closure (>150 days) of a loop-ileostomy is an independent risk factor in post-closure complications in a multivariate analysis. Nevertheless, circumstances of disease and therapy need to be considered when scheduling the closure procedure.
Postoperative Morbidity After Radical Resection of Retroperitoneal Solitary Fibrous Tumor
Authors: Zhuang Aobo , Fang Yuan , Ma Lijie , Lu Weiqi , Tong Hanxing , Zhang Yong
Published: March 2022

Background

This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of retroperitoneal solitary fibrous tumor (RSFT) and the safety of radical resection.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 32 RSFT patients who received surgery with curative intent from February 2011 and June 2021.

Results

This cohort included 16 (50%) male and 16 (50%) female patients, with the median age of 52 (29 to 72) years. Tumor burden ranged from 3 to 25 (median, 10) cm. Seven patients received arterial embolization before surgery. 15 (47%) patients received radiotherapy, nine (28%) of which received preoperative radiotherapy. Most of the patients (91%) achieved complete resection with median bleeding of 400 (20 to 5,000) ml. Nine (28%) patients received packed red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, with a median of 5 (2 to 10) U. All patients had the five-year progression-free survival rate and the overall survival rate of 75.8% and 80.0%, respectively. 11 (34%) patients were found with adverse events, and four (12%) patients were found with serious postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥3), of which one (3.1%) patient died after surgery. The univariate analysis found that tumor burden (p = 0.022), packed RBC transfusion (p = 0.001) and postoperative hospital stays (0.027) were correlated with overall morbidity. The multivariate analysis found packed RBC transfusion as an independent risk factor for postoperative morbidity (HR 381.652, 95% CI, 1.597–91213.029, p = 0.033).

Conclusion

RSFT was confirmed as an uncommon, slow-growing and recurring tumor, with acceptable postoperative morbidity and mortality after surgical resection.
Uniportal VATS Approach in Esophageal Cancer – How to Do It Update
Authors: Batirel Hasan
Published: March 2022

The adoption of minimally invasive esophagectomy has been used for over a decade, and the chest part is evolving into a uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach. Uniportal esophageal mobilization and anastomosis have many peculiar aspects, which include placement of the incision, alignment of instruments, and anastomosis. The incision is placed over the sixth intercostal space posterior axillary line. The esophagus is usually encircled at the level of the inferior pulmonary vein. The use of curved suction helps in the retraction of the esophagus and the exposure of the left main bronchus deep in the mediastinum. For intrathoracic anastomosis in Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, a completely side-to-side linear-stapled anastomosis is preferred. This anastomotic technique results in a long stapler line. The correct alignment of tissues and adequate anastomotic circumference are of utmost importance to prevent leaks or strictures. Perioperative and oncologic results in several series with uniportal VATS, esophageal mobilization, and anastomosis are comparable with open or other types of minimally invasive esophagectomy. Uniportal VATS for esophagectomy is feasible and fast with good results.
A Hub and Spoke Learning Program in Bariatric Surgery in a Small Region of Italy
Authors: Buondonno Antonio , Avella Pasquale , Cappuccio Micaela , Scacchi Andrea , Vaschetti Roberto , Di Marzo Giancarlo , Maida Pietro , Luciani Claudio , Amato Bruno , Brunese Maria Chiara , Esposito Daniela , Selvaggi Lucio , Guerra Germano , Rocca Aldo
Published: March 2022

Background

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (BS) are considered life-changing and life-saving treatments for obese patients. The Italian Society of Obesity Surgery (SICOB) requires at least 25 operations per year to achieve the standard of care in the field. Despite the increasing need to treat obese patients, some small southern regions of Italy, such as Molise, do not have enough experience in bariatric procedures to be allowed to perform them. Therefore, our aim was to run a Hub and Spoke Program with a referral center in BS to treat obese patients and provide a proper learning curve in BS in Molise.

Methods

In 2020, the “A. Cardarelli Hospital” in Campobasso, Molise, started a formal “Learning Model of Hub and Spoke Collaboration” with the Hub center “Ospedale Del Mare”, Naples. A multidisciplinary approach was achieved. Patients were supervised and operated under the supervision and tutoring of the referral center. We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively collected database from February 2020 to August 2021 in order to analyze the safety and effectiveness of our learning program.

Results

In total, 13 (3 men and 10 women) patients underwent BS with the mean age of 47.08 years and a presurgery BMI of 41.79. Seven (53.84%) patients were the American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) II, and 6 (46.16%) patients were ASA III. Twelve (92.31%) procedures were laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies, 1 (7.69%) patient underwent endoscopic BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) placement. One (8.33%) sleeve gastrectomy was associated to gastric band removal. Mean surgical time was 110.14 ± 23.54 min. The mean length of stay was 4.07 ± 2.40 days. No Clavien-Dindo ≥ III and mortality were reported. The follow-up program showed a mean decrease of 11.82 in terms of body mass index (BMI) value. The last 5 procedures were performed by the whole equips from “A. Cardarelli” under external tutoring without any impact on complication rate.

Conclusion

The setup of a proper Hub and Spoke Program may allow to perform BS to provide the standard of care. This approach may reduce health costs and related patient migration.
Case Report: Full-Endoscopic Surgery for Bullet Wounds of the Spine: A Report of Three Cases
Authors: Kravtsov Maxim N. , Manukovsky Vadim A. , Bulyshchenko Gennadiy G. , Mirzametov Saidmirze D. , Byvaltsev Vadim A.
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To determine the feasibility and evaluate effectiveness of full-endoscopic surgery in gunshot wound of the spine.

Methods

Three clinical cases of lumbar and thoracic spine bullet wounds made by firearms and traumatic weapons are described. Percutaneous endoscopic surgery was performed to extract bullet from the spinal canal. The results are compared to the data from literature.

Results

Percutaneous endoscopic approach to spinal canal with a possibility to extract a bullet, decompression of nerve roots, defect closure of the dura mater is demonstrated.

Conclusion

Good clinical outcomes allows to recommend percutaneous endoscopic surgery to manage similar lumbar and thoracic spine bullet wounds at the tertiary care level.
circRNA Expression Pattern and circRNA–miRNA–mRNA Network in HCs, HSCs, and KCs of Murine Liver After Echinococcus multilocularis Infection
Authors: Liu Tingli , Wang Liqun , Li Hong , Li Yanping , Chen Guoliang , Pu Guiting , Guo Xiaola , Zheng Yadong , Bai Xue , Luo Xuenong
Published: March 2022

Caused by Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis), alveolar echinococcosis is reported every year around the world and severely threatens the safety of human beings and animals. However, the molecular interaction relationships between host and E. multilocularis still remains unclear. With multiple functions, circRNA plays a crucial role in regulating the development of a parasitic disease. With that in mind, the main purpose of this study was to reveal the circRNA expression profiles and circRNA–miRNA–mRNA network relationships in hepatocytes (HCs), hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and Kupffer cells (KCs) of murine liver after E. multilocularis infection. After sequencing, 6,290 circRNAs were identified from 12 hepatic cell samples. Based on the subsequent analysis, 426 and 372 circRNAs were significantly different in HC expression at 2 and 3 months after E. multilocularis infection, and similar results were also demonstrated in HSCs (426 and 372 circRNAs) and KCs (429 and 331 circRNAs), respectively. Eight candidate circRNAs were randomly selected to identify the accuracy of the sequencing results by using qRT-PCR. Additionally, three circRNAs–miRNA–mRNA networks in HCs, HSCs, and KCs were constructed. Taken together, our study provided a systematic presentation of circRNAs in murine liver cells after E. multilocularis infection, and these networks are essential for research in circRNAs associated with E. multilocularis infection.
Dietary Supplementation of Enzymatically Treated Artemisia annua L. Improves Lactation Performance, Alleviates Inflammatory Response of Sows Reared Under Heat Stress, and Promotes Gut Development in Preweaning Offspring
Authors: Xiong Liang , Zhang WenFei , Zhao Hao , Tian ZheZhe , Ren Man , Chen Fang , Guan WuTai , Zhang ShiHai
Published: March 2022

Artemisia annua L., which is known for its antimalarial compound artemisinin, has commonly been used for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial functions. Enzymatically treating Artemisia annua L. can improve its bioavailability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary enzymatically treated Artemisia annua L. (EA) supplementation in late gestation and lactation diets on sow performance, serum hormone, inflammatory cytokines, and immunoglobulin level of heat-stressed sows. A total of 135 multiparous sows (Large White × Landrace) on day 85 of gestation were selected and randomly distributed into 3 groups with 45 replicates per group. The control group was reared under standard conditions (temperature: 27.12 ± 0.18°C, THI (temperature-humidity index): 70.90 ± 0.80) and fed with basal diet. The heat stress (HS) and HS + EA groups were raised in heat-stressed conditions (temperature: 30.11 ± 0.16°C, THI: 72.70 ± 0.60) and fed with basal diets supplemented with 0 or 1.0 g/kg EA, respectively. This trial lasted for 50 consecutive days until day 21 of lactation. Compared with the control group, HS increased the concentrations of serum endotoxin and heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70), and inflammatory cytokines in serum, colostrum, and 14 day milk of sows. Meanwhile, the EA supplementation decreased levels of serum endotoxin, HSP-70, and inflammatory cytokines in both sows and offspring and increased serum triiodothyronine (T3) level and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of sows. In addition, EA significantly improved average daily gain (ADG) and altered intestinal morphology with an increased villus height in the duodenum and ileum of piglets. Collectively, EA supplementation at 1.0 g/kg in late gestation and lactation diets alleviated the adverse effects of HS, which were reflected by enhancing ADFI and decreasing endotoxin as well as inflammatory cytokine levels in the serum and colostrum of heat-stressed sows, while promoting ADG and gut development of their offspring.
Seroprevalence of Cystic Echinococcosis in Yaks and Sheep During 2017 on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China
Authors: Gao Xing , Xire Luosong , Zhang Zhao , Quan Chuxian , Zhou Shimeng , Li Kewei , Song Rende , Zhao Suonan , Kong Xiangying , Naori Cairang , Kulyar Muhammad Fakhar-e-Alam , Bao Yuhua , Li Jiakui
Published: March 2022

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a livestock disease caused by a parasite known as Echinococcus granulosus. It is one of the primary cause for illness and poverty especially for herders on the Qinghai–Tibet plateau, China. Meanwhile, the Qinghai–Tibet plateau has been a key area for echinococcosis control in China. Here in current study, we determined the seroprevalence of E. granulosus in ruminants on this region. A total of 2,730 serum samples (1,638 samples from yaks and 1,092 samples from sheep) were collected on the plateau during the period of 2017. The samples were assayed for E. granulosus antibodies by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Our results exhibited a prevalence percentage of 52.2% in Tibetan yaks and 38.2% in Tibetan sheep. Moreover, there was more chance of being infected with E. granulosus infection in old animals due to more exposure to contaminated sources of infection. However, no significant difference was observed. Furthermore, we observed that the rainfall and presence of several lakes has increased the risk of CE infection in yaks and sheep in the Qinghai, Qinglong, and Baingoin areas. Hence, with this investigation, it was possible to determine the frequency and distribution of CE in yaks and Tibetan sheep on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, that laying the groundwork for its prevention and management.
Dogs Exhibiting High Levels of Aggressive Reactivity Show Impaired Self-Control Abilities
Authors: Gobbo Elena , Zupan Šemrov Manja
Published: March 2022

Inhibitory control describes a multitude of cognitive processes that prevents an impulsive response and enables a more appropriate behavior in a given situation. The ability to inhibit undesirable behaviors, such as aggression, is particularly important in dogs for safe and successful interspecific interaction and cooperation. The present study investigated the associations between two aspects of inhibitory control in dogs, self-control and cognitive inhibition, and the tendency to respond aggressively when provoked. Sixteen police and fourteen privately owned dogs of the same sex, breed group and similar age participated. Self-control, often described as impulsivity, was measured with an exchange paradigm themed the delay of gratification test, and cognitive inhibition with an object discrimination paradigm called the reversal learning test. Aggressive reactivity was assessed with a standardized aggression-eliciting behavior test. When comparing police and privately owned dogs, police dogs showed higher aggression levels and poorer self-control, while the two groups did not differ in cognitive inhibition. Regardless of the dog group, the main results indicated impairments in self-control in dogs with high levels of aggressive reactivity. Dogs showing biting behavior had worse self-control abilities compared to dogs with no signs of aggression. No association between cognitive inhibition and aggression was found. We conclude that self-control, measured as the ability to tolerate delayed rewards, appears to be an important aspect of inhibitory control involved in the tendency to respond aggressively, particularly in police dogs.
Efficient Screening of Long Oligonucleotides Against Hundred Thousands of SARS-CoV-2 Genome Sequences
Authors: Weidmann Manfred , Graf Elena , Lichterfeld Daniel , Abd El Wahed Ahmed , Bekaert Michaël
Published: March 2022

An unprecedented use of high-throughput sequencing for routine monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 viruses in patient samples has created a dataset of over 6 million SARS-CoV-2 genomes. To monitor genomes, deposited in the GISAID database, and to track the continuous sequence evolution of molecular assay oligonucleotide target sequences. A simple pipeline tool for non-experts was developed to mine this database for nucleotide changes in oligonucleotides and tested with the long oligonucleotides of a Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) gene of the SARS-CoV-2. Results indicate the emergence of a single nucleotide change in the reverse oligonucleotide from 0.03 to 26.23% (January to May 2021) in Alpha variant genomes, which however reduced to 17.64% by September after which the Alpha variant was completely displaced by the Delta variant. For all other variants, no relevant nucleotide changes were observed. The oligonucleotide screening pipeline allows efficient screening of nucleotide changes in oligonucleotides of all sizes in minutes.
Secondary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke in a Pandemic of the New Coronavirus Infection COVID-19: Paradigms and Collisions
Authors:   N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Putilina M.V.
Published: March 2022

Acute cerebrovascular accidents are the third leading cause of death and disability in the world. Effective strategies for the prevention of recurrent vascular accidents include the elimination of all risk factors, including new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Secondary prevention strategies should be the same for all patients with ischemic stroke and TIA. Effective strategies to prevent recurrent vascular accidents include reducing the risk associated with hypertension (high systolic blood pressure), elevated lipid levels, diabetes (high fasting plasma glucose), smoking, low physical activity, unhealthy diets, and abdominal obesity (high weight body). In a pandemic, it is advisable to pay attention to the groups of drugs that have an antithrombotic effect (dipyridamole).
Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Acromegaly: New Treatment Focus
Authors:   Moscow Regional Research and Clinical Institute, Ilovayskaya I.A. Ilovayskaya
Published: March 2022

The assessment of the quality of life related to health (HRQoL) is an important parameter that informs the doctor about how the patient interacts with his illness in everyday life and how he reacts to certain aspects related to the disease. In addition to medical problems related to the consequences of the disease and treatment, the patient's expectations regarding the treatment, his subjective assessment of what is happening and the cultural level, as well as related life events, affect the HRQoL. This is especially important for patients with chronic diseases requiring long-term treatment, such as acromegaly. According to various studies, the normalization of hormonal parameters in acromegaly does not lead to a complete restoration of HRQoL. On the one hand, in patients with acromegaly, the HRQoL is worse than in the general population, and first of all it affects the area of physical manifestations. So, the indicators of appearance, general health and physical activity are most often affected. On the other hand, various parameters of the quality of life questionnaires for acromegaly may be more sensitive to detect changes in the condition of patients during treatment, even with optimal indicators of insulin-like growth factor 1. Further study of the relationship between the parameters of quality of life and changes in hormonal status should be the key to improving the long-term prognosis of treatment.
Reliability of BMI as an index for fattiness and obesity in active population in comparison to Endomorphy component as an index
Authors: Adhikari Anup
Published: March 2022

Aim: The aim of the present study was to find out whether BMI is a reliable index for fattiness and obesity compare to endomorphy component as index. Methods: 439 males and 475 females from different countries across the world were measured over an extended period of years to 2020 for . Stretched stature, Body weight, Skinfold Thicknesses (Biceps, Triceps, Supraspinale and Calf), Girths (Arm Flexed and Tensed and Calf) and Bi-epicondylar breadth ( Humerus  and Femur). Results: Very low correlation (r = 0.18) was observed between BMI and fat % whereas high correlation ( r = 0.61, p< .05) was observed between BMI and Fat Free Mass ( FFM). correlation coefficient ( r) between BMI and Mesomorphy component was 0.79 ( p<.05). Correlation coefficient ( r) between Endomorphy and fat % was 0.86(p<.05). Conclusion: Thus from the above study, it can be concluded that, for individuals, BMI is more associated with muscularity than it is with fatness.
Estado Madurativo, Masa Muscular Y Su Impacto En El Rendimiento Físico De Adolescentes Deportistas De La Provincia De San Luis- Argentina
Authors: Vega Silvia Adriana , Nadia Romina Bentivegna , Ezequiel Sarmiento Guillermo
Published: March 2022

Objetivo: En la adolescencia se producen cambios morfo-fisiológicos importantes que impactan en el rendimiento físico. La antropometría es una herramienta que permite estimar la masa muscular (MM) y predecir el estado madurativo (PHV) en adolescentes deportistas. La correlación de éstos indicadores con el test de Salto a Contramovimiento (CMJ) permite conocer que factores condicionan el rendimiento físico a los efectos de establecer estrategias que mejoren la performance deportiva. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar mediante antropometría el estado de maduración, MM y su impacto en el rendimiento físico en deportistas adolescentes de la provincia de San Luis. Metodología: estudio descriptivo, cuantitativo, correlacional de corte transversal. Muestra: n=60 adolescentes deportistas de la ciudad de San Luis, rango etario de 10 a 19 años. El estado madurativo y composición corporal se evaluó antropométricamente mediante el Protocolo ISAK. El rendimiento físico deportivo, se evaluó utilizando el test de niveles de fuerza en miembros inferiores mediante Protocolo de Bosco para el CMJ. Los datos obtenidos fueron analizados con softwares estadísticos SPSS y con un grado de significancia del 95% de exactitud. Para las correlaciones se aplicó test de Chi Cuadrado de Pearson. Resultados: la población adolescente analizada que habían realizado el pico máximo de crecimiento (PHV), mostro que el 61,6% (n=37) tenía un estado madurativo normal. Los adolescentes varones maduradores normales (n=17) y tardíos (n=16) presentaron una media de 26 y 26.5 Kg de MM respectivamente. Las adolescentes maduradoras normales (n=20) presentaron una media de 21 Kg de MM; mientras que las maduradoras tardías (n=6) presentaron una media de 25 Kg de MM. El test de fuerza en miembros inferiores, mostró que el 75% (n=45) de la población analizada tenía un CMJ de nivel bajo.  Conclusión: Los adolescentes varones que ya habían realizado el PHV presentaban mayor Kg de MM alcanzando un nivel más alto de CMJ. Los resultados obtenidos en este estudio permitirían establecer una relación entre la edad de PHV, los kg de MM con la altura del CMJ y el impacto en el rendimiento físico deportivo.
Differences in the obesity screening ability of 19 anthropometric parameters in young Japanese females: Comparisons of direct measurements, conventional and novel indices
Authors: Kagawa Masaharu
Published: March 2022

Aim: The present study aimed to examine the usefulness of anthropometric parameters for obesity screening in young Japanese females by assessing their associations with indicators of adiposity obtained from a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Methods: Screening ability of 19 anthropometric parameters was examined using a total of 50 young Japanese females who completed detailed anthropometry and a whole-body DXA scan. Anthropometric parameters were categorized into 1) measured variables, 2) conventional indices, and 3) novel indices and their correlations with body fat variables obtained from DXA were investigated. Using a percentage body fat (%BF) of 30.0% as a cut-off point of obesity, the Area Under the Curve (AUC) was observed from the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis and cut-off points of anthropometric parameters were determined. Results: While body mass correlated highly with total fat tissue mass in this sample (r = 0.847), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) correlated most strongly with trunk fat and android fat tissues respectively (r = 0.820 and 0.865). However, all body composition variables were correlated with the sum of eight skinfolds (Sum8SF) if %BF was used (r ranged 0.672 – 0.834). Among anthropometric parameters examined, Ʃ8SF showed highest AUC for %BFTotal, %BFGynoid and %BFIAAT while Ʃ2SF and abdominal circumference (AbC) showed highest AUC for %BFTrunk and %BFAndroid respectively. Conclusion: Directly measured variables and conventional indices showed moderate to strong correlations with results from DXA. However, the sum of skinfolds, particularly Sum8SF, showed stronger correlations and superior screening ability for obesity. Although many novel indices have been utilized to screen obesity and metabolic abnormalities, observed results indicated that these indices may not necessarily better than measured values or conventional indices. Further investigations to confirm proposed cut-off points are warranted.