bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES WITH DOLPHINS FOR BALANCE, GAIT AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS AFTER HEMORRHAGIC STROKE: CASE ANALYSIS
Authors: Rimkutė Evelina , Kreivinienė Brigita , Mockevičienė Daiva , Radzevičienė Eglė , Kleiva Žilvinas , Mačiulskytė Sonata
Published: April 2019

The aim of this research was to assess the effect of dolphin assisted specialized aquatic program applied in rehabilitation of psychomotor functions of persons after hemorrhagic stroke. The research was carried out in 2018 in Lithuania. Two persons with diagnosed hemorrhagic stroke have been surveyed. In the course of the investigation, the effect of aquatic dolphin assisted physical activities on coordination of arms, legs without using balance was assessed; static and dynamic change of dynamics, the effect on gait in water with dolphins were assessed. Additionally, the data on life quality aspects obtained by the SF-36 questionnaire was investigated. It is observed that after application of aquatic dolphin assisted therapeutic activities improvement of both static and dynamic balance has been recorded; three weeks later, most indicators remained the same. The conducted research revealed that therapy had a highly beneficial effect on persons with neurological diseases in terms of assessment of their dynamic balance, gait and gait speed (motor skills) as well as quality of life. Significant changes of motor skills in water in both surveyed individuals have been recorded. Therapeutic aquatic dolphin assisted activities are an effective method to improve the parameters of balance, gait and quality of life in patients; however, psycho-emotional and psycho-social factors, such as support of the social network supplementing continuing therapeutic activities, are a highly significant factor in ensuring further improvement of patient’s condition.
SPECIALIZUOTOS VAISTININKO TEIKIAMOS PASLAUGOS ASTMA SERGANTIEMS PACIENTAMS POREIKIO ANALIZĖ LIETUVOJE
Authors: Nastaravičius Arturas , Ramanauskienė Kristina
Published: April 2019

Lietuvoje astma sergančių pacientų skaičius nuosekliai didėja. 2017 m. duomenimis, astma sirgo daugiau nei 121300 pacientų, iš kurių daugiau nei 43500 suaugę asmenys.

Tyrimo tikslas – įvertinti, ar vaistininko teikiama specializuota išplėstinė konsultacija apie paskirtus vaistus astmai gydyti gali turėti įtakos pacientų ligos kontrolei.

Metodai – grindžiamosios teorijos pagrindu atliktas kokybinis tyrimas bei kiekybinis tyrimas. Naudo-tas dedukcijos metodas buvo paremtas astmos valdymo ir vaistų vaidmens publikacijomis. Duomenų statistiniam apdorojimui buvo naudojama Smirnovo-Kolmogorovo (Smirnov-Kolmagorov) χ 2 kvadrato, Stjudento t bei Stjudento t (Student) porinių imčių kriterijai, Mano Vitney (Mann Whitney) kriterijus bei Spirmeno (Spearman) koreliacijos koeficientas.

Rezultatai – kokybinio tyrimo metu buvo nustatyta, kad farmacijos specialistai astma sergantiems pacientams turi pateikti informaciją apie vartojamų vaistų profilį ir veikimą, gydymosi rėžimo nesilaikymo pasekmes, inhaliatoriaus technikos ypatumus, ligos simptomus, nekontroliuojamų simptomų įtaką sveikatai, astmos kontrolės lygmenis. Nustatyta, kad prieš atlekant tyrimą iš 244 tiriamųjų visiškai užbaigusių paslaugos ciklą 73,8 proc. nepakankamai kontroliavo ligos simptomus. Po intervencijos nepakankamai kontroliuojančių ligos simptomus sumažėjo iki 54,92%. Daugiausia inhaliavimo klaidų darė tiriamieji, vartojantys Aerolizer bei Aerosol inhaler inhaliatorius. Mažiausiai Easyhaler, Turbohaler bei Accuhaler. Po atliktos konsultacijos, vidutinis klaidų skaičius sumažėjo nuo 2,284 iki 1,110 (kai p<0,05).

Išvada – tiriamosios grupės statistiškai reikšmingas ligos simptomų kontroliavimo didėjimas bei daromų inhaliavimo klaidų skaičiaus sumažėjimas įrodo, kad astma sergančių pacientų priežiūros grandinėje, greta gydytojo ir slaugytojos integruojant farmacijos specialistą, galima pasiekti racionalaus vaistų vartojimo bei geresnių ligos simptomų kontroliavimo.
EARLY CRESTAL BONE STABILITY AROUND SUPRACRESTALY PLACED DENTAL IMPLANTS. A CASE SERIES
Authors: Žukauskas Saulius , Puišys Algirdas , Andrijauskas Paulius , Zaleckas Linas , Linkevičius Tomas
Published: April 2019

Stability of crestal bone around dental implants is a major concern for oral surgeons and dentists. It is a key factor for success of dental implant treatment. Crestal bone is more prevented from resorption when surrounding tissues are thicker.

Aim of the study – to find out the mean of crestal bone loss around supracrestally placed dental implants with matching platform in vertically thick soft tissues. The final patient sample included 34 patients (17 female and 17 male), who received 34 two piece dental implants in total. All 34 implants integrated successfully as evaluation under implant success criteria was applied. Implants were restored by single-unit crowns, using metal-ceramic prostheses. After 1 year thick soft tissues maintain stable crestal bone around dental implants in lower jaw. Minor bone resorption of 0.28 ± 0.36 mm mm could be seen during early bone remodelling phase.
RADIOLOGIJA TEISMO MEDICINOJE: VIRTUALI AUTOPSIJA
Authors: Kilmonis Evaldas , Keleras Evaldas
Published: April 2019

Virtuali autopsija (virtopsija) yra gana naujas ir šiuolaikiškas mirusiųjų tyrimo būdas, apimantis radiologijos, teismo medicinos, patologijos, fizikos ir biomechanikos sritis. Pagrindiniai ir geriausiai ištirti virtualios autopsijos metodai yra kompiuterinė tomografija, kompiuterinės tomografijos angiografija ir kompiuterine tomografija kontroliuojama biopsija bei magnetinio rezonanso tomografija. Bene sėkmingiausiai virtualios autopsijos metodai pritaikomi tiriant trauminių įvykių aukas bei nustatant skeleto sistemos pažeidimus. Kompiuterinės tomografijos angiografijos pagalba gana sėkmingai gali būti tiriami mirusieji dėl įvairių širdies ir kraujagyslių sistemos ligų. Šiame straipsnyje yra aprašoma trumpa virtualios autopsijos istorija, pagrindiniai jos tyrimo metodai, pagrindinės pritaikymo sritys bei trūkumai.
ASMENŲ, TURINČIŲ REGĖJIMO SUTRIKIMŲ, REABILITACIJOS GALIMYBĖS
Authors: Žilinskaitė Ugnė , Varžaitytė Lina
Published: April 2019

Tyrimo tikslas – atrinkti ir išanalizuoti mokslines publikacijas, kuriose vertinamos reabilitacijos galimybės, įtaka ir nauda asmenims, turintiems regėjimo sutrikimų. Medžiaga ir metodai – duomenys apie regėjimo sutrikimų turinčių asmenų reabilitacijos galimybes ir regėjimo pagerėjimą po taikytos reabilitacijos buvo surinkti iš naujausių literatūros šaltinių bei joje aprašytų atvejų. Naudotasi PubMed duomenų bazių paieškos sistema pagal raktažodžius: low vision, low vision rehabilitation, tendency in vision rehabilitation, eyes diseases rehabilitation. Rezultatai – iš analizuotų atvejų matyti, kad prastos regos gerinimas reabilitacijos būdu yra veiksmingas. Teigiamų rezultatų sulaukta įvairaus amžiaus sergančiųjų grupėse. Matyti, kad artimajam ir tolimajam matymui gerinti naudojamos skirtingos reabilitacijos priemonės, tačiau skirtinguose centruose naudojamos panašios. Naudojamos tiek paprastos, elementarios priemonės, kaip didelių šriftų knygos ar žurnalai, buitinės ,,priemonės“, padedančios prastai matančiajam lengviau apsitarnauti buityje, tiek sudėtingos kompiuterizuotos optinės sistemos, reikalaujančios specialaus profesionalų apmokymo. Po reabilitacijos ypač pagerėja asmenų gebėjimas skaityti, t.y. matymas iš arti, taip pat gerėja periferinis matymas, esant sutrikusiam centriniam matymui (dažniausia to priežastis amžinė geltonosios dėmės degeneracija tarp pagyvenusiųjų). Išvados – asmenims, turintiems regos problemų, reabilitacijos priemonės yra veiksmingos, nepriklausomai nuo amžiaus. Efektyviausios yra periferinio matymo gerinimo reabilitacijos programos.
Analysis of the Abstraction Process of Continuity Knowledge
Authors: Memnun Dilek Sezgin , Sevindik Fatma , Beklen Canan , Dinç Emre
Published: April 2019

This study aimed to analyze the abstraction process of twelve-grade students' continuity knowledge through theRBC+C abstraction model. With this aim, a semi-constructed interview was conducted with two twelfth-gradestudents and recorded with a video camera. Two different research problems were addressed in the interview, and thestudents were asked to think about these problems loudly by discussing each other. As a result, it was understood thatthese students found difficult to build-with some prior knowledge that is required for abstracting continuityknowledge even though they recognized them. Nevertheless, it was observed that the students constructed continuityknowledge to some extent.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 11, No. 1
Authors: John Albert
Published: April 2019

International Journal of Chemistry wishes to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Their help and contributions in maintaining the quality of the journal is greatly appreciated. Many authors, regardless of whether International Journal of Chemistry publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers.

Reviewers for Volume 11, Number 1

 

Abdul Rouf Dar, University of Florida, USA

Ahmad Galadima, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Nigeria

Ahmet Ozan Gezerman, Yildiz Technical University, Turkey

Asghari Gul, Comsats IIT, Pakistan

Ayodele Temidayo Odularu, University of Fort Hare, South Africa

Elnaz Rostampour, Islamic Azad University, Iran

Fatima Tuz Johra, Kookmin University, Bangladesh

Greg Peters, University of Findlay, USA

Ho Soon Min, INTI International University, Malaysia

Hongbin Liu, University of Washington, USA

Khaldun Mohammad Al Azzam, Batterjee Medical College for Sciences and Technology, Saudi Arabia

Maolin Lu, Yale University, USA

Merve Kaya, Toros Agri., Turkey

Mohamed Abass, Ain Shams University, Egypt

Nanthaphong Khamthong, Rangsit University, Thailand

Prathapan Sreedharan, Cochin University, India

R. K. Dey, Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), India

Rabia Rehman, University of the Punjab, Pakistan

Sahar A. El-Molla, Ain Shams University, Egypt

Sitaram Acharya, Texas Christian University, USA

Yu Chen, Henkel Co. Ltd., USA

Albert John

On behalf of,

The Editorial Board of International Journal of Chemistry

Canadian Center of Science and Education
Relationship of School Environment and English Language Learning at Government Schools
Authors: Lodhi Muhammad Arfan , Sahar Abdul Hye , Qayyum Numra , Iqbal Samreen , Shareef Huma
Published: April 2019

Academic success of language learners is not only determined by their level of intelligence but it is also associated with the learning environment provided to them. The current study is an attempt to investigate the factors which affect learning environment of English language learners at government schools. In this context a survey based research design was selected by following quantitative methodology. Sample was drawn from the population parameter of government schools. The students were selected randomly whereas teachers and head teachers were selected by using convenient sampling technique. A questionnaire was developed, validated and administered to know the perspectives of the selected respondents. Findings of the study revealed that suitable school environment provides significant contributions to ESL learners’ performance and accomplishment. The study also found that student-teacher and teacher-parent relationship promote and strengthen language learning capacity of ESL learners. It is highly recommended to develop such school environment which is conducive to English language learning; as environmental factors at school are as important as pedagogical interventions of ESL teachers.
Beijing Subway and the Political and Economic Development of China
Authors: Guo Yixiao
Published: April 2019

This research paper analyses the main purposes the Beijing subway system, which served from 1969 to now as a tool of political defense as well as a transportation system. The notion to construct the system arose in 1953, but the first section of today’s Line 1 did not open until September 1969.  Today, the Beijing subway system is the world’s busiest in terms of annual ridership and the world’s second longest subway system, ranking only behind Shanghai’s. (Xinhua News Agency, 2017, http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2017-12/30/c_1122188643.htm.) The political and economic development and trends in China in the second half of 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century, such as the Cultural Revolution and the 2008 Olympics, affected the subway system’s development greatly. This paper examines Chinese documents with the aim of providing a general understanding of the development and purpose of the Beijing system, through political, economic and technical analysis, among others, of its history.

There exists almost no document, ¬¬either in English or Chinese, that analyzes the development of Beijing’s subway system. However, this topic should be considered important, as it provides an alternative way of viewing the development of China and its governing principles throughout its late-20th century and current-day history.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Public Administration Research, Vol. 8, No. 1
Authors: Tai Gabriel
Published: April 2019

Reviewer acknowledgements for Public Administration Research, Vol. 8, No. 1, 2019.
Does social support moderate the relationship between racial discrimination and aggression among Latinx adolescents? A longitudinal study
Authors: Wright Michelle F. , Wachs Sebastian
Published: April 2019

Introduction

This study examined the relationship between racial discrimination by peers and aggression (i.e., self‐reported and peer‐nominated relational aggression and physical aggression) across one year through the moderation of social support from parents, friends, and teachers.

Methods

Participants were 606 Latinx adolescents from the United States (60% girls; M = 14.36, SD = 0.46). They completed self‐report questionnaires on their perceived racial discrimination by peers, and self‐reported and peer‐nominated relational and physical aggression.

Results & conclusions

Racial discrimination by peers was negatively associated with social support from parents, friends, and teachers, as well as positively related to all forms of Time 2 (1 year) self‐reported and peer‐nominated relational aggression and physical aggression. Social support from parents, friends, and teachers were negatively related to all forms of Time 2 aggressive behaviors. Increases in social support from parents, friends, and teachers weakened the positive association between racial discrimination by peers and Time 2 self‐reported and peer‐nominated relational aggression, while lower levels of social support strengthened this association. There were no significant moderating effects of social support from parents, social support, and close friends found for Time 2 self‐reported and peer‐nominated physical aggression. These findings indicate that high social support from parents, friends, and teachers impacts Latinx adolescents reduces the impact of racial discrimination by peers on adolescents' relational aggression.
Diagnosis and treatment of depression in patients with advanced illness
Authors: Block Susan D.
Published: April 2019

This article reviews common sources of suffering in patients with advanced illness, identifies challenges in appropriately diagnosing and treating depression in this setting, and examines the relationship between depression and other key clinical outcomes in the setting of advanced disease. A systematic literature review was conducted. Most of the existing research on patients with advanced illness has been conducted with cancer patients. Approximately 18 percent of patients with advanced illness meet criteria for major or minor depression; multiple psychiatric co-morbidities occur frequently. Prevalence rates increase as patients become sicker. However, depression is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated in the setting of advanced illness. One of the key clinical challenges is differentiating depression from grief. Both psychosocial and psychopharmacologic interventions have been shown to be effective in treating depression in patients with advanced cancer. In conclusion, depression is a regular complication of advanced illness, reduces quality of life, compromises family member function, interferes with treatment decisions, and may shorten survival. However, numerous effective treatment approaches, including both medications and psychotherapy, exist and can be used to alleviate depression.
Delinquency in context; neighbourhood and gender interactions among adolescents
Authors: Drukker Marjan , Kaplan Charles D , Feron Frans J. M. , Os Jim Van , Korebrits Andries
Published: April 2019

Aim– Delinquency among adolescents and antecedent conduct disorder among children has been recognized as a growing public mental health problem in contemporary societies. The contribution of the neighbourhood environment to delinquent behaviour was examined in a cohort of Dutch adolescents (aged approximately 11 years at baseline; n=394).Methods– Multilevel regression analyses estimated associations between baseline neighbourhood socioeconomic status and social capital, and delinquent behaviour two years later controlling for individual-level variables.Results– A significant interaction effect was found between neighbourhood environment variables and gender in models of delinquency, indicating that associations between neighbourhood environment variables and delinquency were apparent, for the most part, in girls only. However, higher level of neighbourhood informal social control was associated with increased delinquency rates in boys.Conclusion– In girls there is a longitudinal association between neighbourhood characteristics and delinquency, suggesting complex gender differences in the way the wider social environment impacts on behavioural outcomes.
The need for closure in caregivers of people with psychosis
Authors: Onwumere Juliana , Kuipers Elizabeth , Bebbington Paul , Dunn Graham , Freeman Daniel , Fowler David , Garety Philippa
Published: April 2019

Aim – The aim of the study was to determine how carer need for closure relates to expressed emotion. It also examined the links between carer need for closure and patient functioning including patient need for closure. Methods – In a cross-sectional study, 70 caregivers of patients with psychosis completed the Need for Closure Scale (NFCS), the Camberwell Family Interview (CFI) and measures of distress, burden, coping and social network. The NFCS was assessed in terms of its two primary dimensions: a need for simple structure (NFSS) and Decisiveness. Patients also completed measures of psychotic symptoms and affect, and in 50 matched caregiver patient dyads, direct comparisons were undertaken between caregiver and patient NFCS scores. Results – No links were found between caregiver NFC and EE in this predominately low EE sample. More decisive carers had higher levels of self esteem, were less distressed, and resorted less to avoidant coping. The need for simple structure was greater in carers who lacked a confidante. As predicted, patients reported significantly higher NFSS and lower Decisiveness scores than carers, but no relationship was observed between caregiver NFC and patient symptoms of psychosis. Conclusions – Carers reporting confident decision making were also more likely to report adaptive functioning in terms of having lower levels of avoidant coping and distress, and higher levels of self esteem. The results suggest that this style of thinking might be a helpful way of coping with some of the difficulties involved in caring for someone with psychosis.
What can we do to reduce the burden of avoidable deaths in those with serious mental illness?
Authors: Crompton David , Groves Aaron , McGrath John
Published: April 2019

Individuals with schizophrenia have higher mortality rates compared to the general community. Apart from an increased risk of suicide, people with schizophrenia have an increased risk of death related to a wide range of comorbid physical conditions. There is evidence to suggest that much of this mortality is avoidable. The provision of assertive management of comorbid physical disorders has the potential to help close the differential mortality gap. While the primary data are robust, there is less empirical evidence to guide policy makers and service providers when dealing with these problems. Focused clinical programs aimed at reducing risk factors (e.g. smoking, obesity) and shared care between mental health teams and primary care providers can help reduce the burden of avoidable deaths. In light of recent evidence suggesting that the mortality gap has widened in recent decades, there is an urgent need to address the burden of avoidable deaths in those with serious mental illnesses.
Quasi-optimality of an Adaptive Finite Element Method for Cathodic Protection
Authors: Li Guanglian , Xu Yifeng
Published: April 2019

In this work, we derive a reliable and efficient residual-typed error estimator for the finite element approximation of a 2D cathodic protection problem governed by a steady-state diffusion equation with a nonlinear boundary condition. We propose a standard adaptive finite element method involving the Dörfler marking and a minimal refinement without the interior node property. Furthermore, we establish the contraction property of this adaptive algorithm in terms of the sum of the energy error and the scaled estimator. This essentially allows for a quasi-optimal convergence rate in terms of the number of elements over the underlying triangulation. Numerical experiments are provided to confirm this quasi-optimality.
Experimental Studies for Small Diameter Grafts in an In Vivo Sheep Model—Techniques and Pitfalls
Authors: Eghbalzadeh Kaveh , Guschlbauer Maria , Weber Carolyn , Wacker Max Theodor , Reinhardt Stefanie , Djordjevic Ilija , Sabashnikov Anton , Maul Alexandra , Sterner-Kock Anja , Wahlers Thorsten C.W. , Scherner Maximilian , Wippermann Jens
Published: April 2019

Background Scientific attempts to create the “ideal” small diameter vascular graft have been compared with the “search of the holy grail.” Prosthetic material as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene or Dacron shows acceptable patency rates to large caliber vessels, while small diameter (< 6 mm) prosthetic conduits present unacceptably poor patency rates. Vascular tissue engineering represents a promising option to address this problem.

Material and Methods Thirty-two female Texel-sheep aged 6 months to 2 years underwent surgical common carotid artery (CCA) interposition using different tissue-engineered vascular substitutes. Explantation of the grafts was performed 12 (n = 12) and 36 (n = 20) weeks after surgery. Ultrasound was performed on postoperative day 1 and thereafter every 4 weeks to evaluate the graft patency.

Results The average length of implanted substitutes was 10.3 ± 2.2 cm. Anesthesia and surgical procedure could be performed without major surgical complications in all cases.

The grafts showed a systolic blood flow velocity (BFV) of 28.24 ± 13.5 cm/s, a diastolic BFV of 9.25 ± 4.53 cm/s, and a mean BFV of 17.85 ± 9.25 cm/s. Native vessels did not differ relevantly in hemodynamic measurements (systolic: 29.77 cm/s; diastolic: 7.99 cm/s ±  5.35; mean 15.87 ± 10.75). There was no incidence of neurologic complications or subsequent postoperative occlusion. Perioperative morbidity was low and implantation of conduits was generally well tolerated.

Conclusion This article aims to give a precise overview of in vivo experiments in sheep for the evaluation of small diameter vascular grafts performing CCA interposition, especially with regard to pitfalls and possible perioperative complications and to discuss advantages and disadvantages of this approach.
Development of a clinical practice guideline for orthodontically induced external apical root resorption
Authors: Sondeijker Caroline F W , Lamberts Antoon A , Beckmann Stefan H , Kuitert Reinder B , van Westing Koen , Persoon Saskia , Kuijpers-Jagtman Anne Marie
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To develop a clinical practice guideline on orthodontically induced external apical root resorption (EARR), with evidence-based and, when needed, consensus-based recommendations concerning diagnosis, risk factors, management during treatment, and after-treatment care.

Materials and methods

The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument and the Dutch Method for Evidence-Based Guideline Development were used to develop the guideline. Based on a survey of all Dutch orthodontists, we formulated four clinical questions regarding EARR. To address these questions, we conducted systematic literature searches in MEDLINE and Embase, and we performed a systematic literature review. The quality of evidence was assessed with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. After discussing the evidence, a Task Force formulated considerations and recommendations. The drafted guideline was sent for comments to all relevant stakeholders.

Results

Eight studies were included. The quality of evidence (GRADE) was rated as low or very low. Only the patient-related risk factors, ‘gender’ and ‘age’, showed a moderate quality of evidence. The Task Force formulated 13 final recommendations concerning the detection of EARR, risk factors, EARR management during treatment, and after-treatment care when EARR has occurred. Stakeholder consultation resulted in 51 comments on the drafted guideline. After processing the comments, the final guideline was authorized by the Dutch Association of Orthodontists. The entire process took 3 years.

Limitations

The quality of the available evidence was mainly low, and patient-reported outcome measures were lacking.

Conclusions/implications

This clinical practice guideline allows clinicians to respond to EARR based on current knowledge, although the recommendations are weak due to low-quality evidence. It may reduce variation between practices and aid in providing patients appropriate information.
Applying the triple bottom line of sustainability to healthcare research—a feasibility study
Authors: Vergunst Francis , Berry Helen L , Rugkåsa Jorun , Burns Tom , Molodynski Andrew , Maughan Daniel L
Published: April 2019

Objective

The triple bottom line (TBL) of sustainability is an important emerging conceptual framework which considers the combined economic, environmental and social impacts of an activity. Despite its clear relevance to the healthcare context, it has not yet been applied to the evaluation of a healthcare intervention. The aim of this study was to demonstrate whether doing so is feasible and useful.

Design

Secondary data analysis of a 12-month randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Community based mental health care.

Participants

Patients with chronic psychotic illnesses (n = 333).

Intervention(s)

Community treatment orders.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Financial and environmental (CO2 equivalent) costs of care, obtained from healthcare service use data, were calculated using publicly available standard costs; social sustainability was assessed using standardized social outcome measures included in the trial data.

Results

Standardized costing and CO2e emissions figures were successfully obtained from publicly available data, and social outcomes were available directly from the trial data.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that TBL assessment can be retrospectively calculated for a healthcare intervention to provide a more complete assessment of the true costs of an intervention. A basic methodology was advanced to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach, although considerable further conceptual and methodological work is needed to develop a generalizable methodology that enables prospective inclusion of a TBL assessment in healthcare evaluations. If achieved, this would represent a significant milestone in the development of more sustainable healthcare services. If increasing the sustainability of healthcare is a priority, then the TBL approach may be a promising way forward.
Network context matters: graph convolutional network model over social networks improves the detection of unknown HIV infections among young men who have sex with men
Authors: Xiang Yang , Fujimoto Kayo , Schneider John , Jia Yuxi , Zhi Degui , Tao Cui
Published: April 2019

Objective

HIV infection risk can be estimated based on not only individual features but also social network information. However, there have been insufficient studies using n machine learning methods that can maximize the utility of such information. Leveraging a state-of-the-art network topology modeling method, graph convolutional networks (GCN), our main objective was to include network information for the task of detecting previously unknown HIV infections.

Materials and Methods

We used multiple social network data (peer referral, social, sex partners, and affiliation with social and health venues) that include 378 young men who had sex with men in Houston, TX, collected between 2014 and 2016. Due to the limited sample size, an ensemble approach was engaged by integrating GCN for modeling information flow and statistical machine learning methods, including random forest and logistic regression, to efficiently model sparse features in individual nodes.

Results

Modeling network information using GCN effectively increased the prediction of HIV status in the social network. The ensemble approach achieved 96.6% on accuracy and 94.6% on F1 measure, which outperformed the baseline methods (GCN, logistic regression, and random forest: 79.0%, 90.5%, 94.4% on accuracy, respectively; and 57.7%, 80.2%, 90.4% on F1). In the networks with missing HIV status, the ensemble also produced promising results.

Conclusion

Network context is a necessary component in modeling infectious disease transmissions such as HIV. GCN, when combined with traditional machine learning approaches, achieved promising performance in detecting previously unknown HIV infections, which may provide a useful tool for combatting the HIV epidemic.
Light-sheet imaging and graph analysis of antidepressant action in the larval zebrafish brain network
Authors: Burgstaller Jessica , Hindinger Elena , Donovan Joseph , Dal Maschio Marco , Kist Andreas M. , Gesierich Benno , Portugues Ruben , Baier Herwig
Published: April 2019

The zebrafish is increasingly being employed as an experimental platform to model neuropsychiatric diseases and to screen for novel neuro-active compounds. While the superb genetic and optical access that this system offers has long been recognized, these features have not been fully exploited to investigate disease mechanisms and possible therapeutic interventions. Here we introduce a light-sheet imaging and graph-theoretical analysis pipeline to determine the effects of the known or suspected antidepressant compounds fluoxetine, ketamine and cycloserine on brain-wide neural activity patterns. We imaged the brains of both wildtype fish and grs357 mutants, which harbor a missense mutation that abolishes glucocorticoid receptor transcriptional activity. The grs357 mutation results in a chronically elevated stress axis together with behavioral endophenotypes of depression. Consistent with broad expression of the glucocorticoid receptor throughout the brain, we show that the mutant fish exhibit an altered correlational structure of resting-state brain activity. Intriguingly, in grs357 mutant fish, an increased ‘modularity’, which represents the degree of segregation of the network into highly clustered modules, was restored by acute fluoxetine administration to wildtype levels. Ketamine and cycloserine also normalized specific parameters of the graph. Fluoxetine altered network function in the same direction in mutant and wildtype, while ketamine and cycloserine had effects that were opposite for the two genotypes. We propose that light-sheet imaging, followed by graph analysis, is a content-rich and scalable first-pass approach for studying the neural consequences of drug effects and drug x genotype interactions in zebrafish models of psychiatric disorders.
The Contribution of Parietal Cortex to Visual Salience
Authors: Chen Xiaomo , Zirnsak Marc , Vega Gabriel M. , Govil Eshan , Lomber Stephen G. , Moore Tirin
Published: April 2019

Unique stimuli stand out. In spite of an abundance of competing sensory stimuli, the detection of the most salient ones occurs without effort, and that detection contributes to the guidance of adaptive behavior. Neurons sensitive to the salience of visual stimuli are widespread throughout the primate visual system and are thought to shape the selection of visual targets. However, mechanisms underlying the representation of salience remain elusive. Among the possible candidates are areas within posterior parietal cortex, which appear to be crucial in the control of visual attention and are thought to play a unique role in representing stimulus salience. Here we show that reversible inactivation of parietal cortex not only selectively reduces the representation of visual salience within the brain, but it also diminishes the influence of salience on visually guided behavior. These results demonstrate a distinct contribution of parietal areas to vision and visual attention.
Evolution of (p)ppGpp-HPRT regulation through diversification of an allosteric oligomeric interaction
Authors: Anderson Brent W. , Liu Kuanqing , Wolak Christine , Dubiel Katarzyna , Satyshur Kenneth A. , Keck James L. , Wang Jue D.
Published: April 2019

The signaling ligand (p)ppGpp binds diverse targets across bacteria, yet the mechanistic and evolutionary basis underlying these ligand-protein interactions remains poorly understood. Here we identify a novel (p)ppGpp binding motif in the enzyme HPRT, where (p)ppGpp shares identical binding residues for PRPP and nucleobase substrates to regulate purine homeostasis. Intriguingly, HPRTs across species share the conserved binding site yet strongly differ in ligand binding, from strong inhibition by basal (p)ppGpp levels to weak regulation at induced concentrations. Surprisingly, strong ligand binding requires an HPRT dimer-dimer interaction that allosterically opens the (p)ppGpp pocket. This dimer-dimer interaction is absent in the common ancestor but evolved to favor (p)ppGpp binding in the vast majority of bacteria. We propose that the evolutionary plasticity of oligomeric interfaces enables allosteric adjustment of ligand regulation, bypassing constraints of the ligand binding site. Since most ligands bind near protein-protein interfaces, this principle likely extends to other protein-ligand interactions.
Developing a package for analysis and design optimization of wind turbine systems
Authors: Eminoglu Ulas , Karahan Ozan
Published: April 2019

The installation of wind turbines and consequently the use of wind energy is increasing day by day, since the rapid development in semiconductor technology has led to more advance in the wind turbine technologies. On the other hand, it is well known that a Graphical User Interface (GUI) application provides great advantages to the user such as; the use of programming language and data input for systems without coding, getting the results with the help of symbols, icons and other visual graphics. Accordingly, in this paper, to determine the amount of energy production, cost of energy and etc., of a Wind Turbine System (WTS) that has been established or will be installed, a tool is introduced by the presented software package. Besides the analysis option, the package also offers optimization algorithms that would be used for the layout design of types of Wind Turbine Systems which are called fixed-speed and variable-speed Wind Turbine Systems seperately by keeping in consideration the wind speed and geographic features of the regions. The graphical user interface, which is the one of important features of C# program were used and called Analysis & Design Optimization Package (A&DOP).
Medical practices in the Punjab
Authors: Gandhi Jagdeep Singh
Published: April 2019

Jagdeep Singh Gandhi gives a first hand insight into health care in another culture
Do today's doctors really need pharmaceutical reps?
Authors: Griffith David
Published: April 2019

David Griffith
looks at how drugs are marketed to the medical profession—and to the consumer—today
Keep your notes clean: tips from an expert in litigation law
Authors: Singh Debashis
Published: April 2019

Debashis Singh
talks to
Robert Dunford,
a barrister who represents patients in clinical negligence cases
Help the aged?
Authors: Morris Andy Conway
Published: April 2019

Andy Morris
argues for respect where it's due
The Cohesion-Based Communities of Symptoms of the Largest Component of the DSM-IV Network
Authors: HAQUE MOHAMMAD NAZMUL , MOSCATO PABLO
Published: April 2019

Modern methods for network analytics provide an opportunity to revisit preconceived notions in the classification of diseases as “clusters of symptoms”. Curated collections which were subsequently modified, like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuals of Mental Disorders “DSM-IV” and the most recent addition, DSM-5 allow us to introspect, using the solution provided by modern algorithms, if there exists a consensus between the clusters obtained via a data-driven approach, with the current classifications. In the case of mental disorders, the availability of a follow-up consensus collection (e.g. in this case the DSM-5), potentially allows investigating if the classification of disorders has moved closer (or away) to what a data-driven analytic approach would have unveiled by objectively inferring it from the data of DSM-IV.

In this contribution, we present a new type of mathematical approach based on a global cohesion score which we introduce for the first time for the identification of communities of symptoms. Different from other approaches, this combinatorial optimization method is based on the identification of “triangles” in the network; these triads are the building block of feedback loops that can exist between groups of symptoms. We used a memetic algorithm to obtain a collection of highly connected-cohesive sets of symptoms and we compare the resulting community structure with the classification of disorders present in the DSM-IV.
Review of Biological and Chemical Health Risks Associated with Pork Consumption in Vietnam: Major Pathogens and Hazards Identified in Southeast Asia
Authors: Cook Meghan A. , Phuc Pham Duc
Published: April 2019

Foodborne illness is a difficult public health burden to measure, with accurate incidence data usually evading disease surveillance systems. Yet, the global scope of foodborne disease and its impacts on socioeconomic development make it an important health risk to address, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Vietnam, rapid development has seen large-scale commercial operations rise to coexist amongst traditional value chains in the food landscape, most of which operates outside of a domestic food safety network. Rapid socioeconomic development has also seen an increase in meat consumption, with pork being the most consumed meat product nationally. Expanding pork value chains, and the increasing diversity of actors within them, facilitates the growth and propagation of hazards which are passed onto Vietnamese consumers. In order to guide illness prevention and governance efforts, this review was conducted to examine health risks associated with pork consumption in Vietnam. Synthesis of the available literature provided evidence that Salmonella spp. bacteria are a major cause of foodborne illness from Vietnamese pork products. However, contaminants of global concern, including Salmonella spp. and Trichinella spiralis, occur alongside those considered neglected tropical diseases, such as Taenia solium. Infections and complications associated with ingestion of Streptococcus suis bacteria are also an issue, with Streptococcus suis infections usually limited to occupational infections amongst meat handlers in modernised value chains. A risk factor underscoring transmission of Trichinella spiralis, Taenia solium, and Streptococcus suis in Vietnam that emerges from the literature is the consumption of dishes containing raw or undercooked pork. Available data indicates that infections associated with raw pork consumption disproportionately affect men and people in regional mountainous areas of northwest Vietnam, where many of Vietnam’s ethnic minority communities reside. In addition, epidemiological data from recorded disease outbreaks that result from raw pork consumption demonstrate that these outbreaks usually follow major sociocultural events such as weddings, funerals, and Lunar New Year celebrations. Potential health impacts resulting from residues of antibiotics and heavy metals are also cause for concern, though the direct links between chemical contaminants in food and the development of disease are difficult to conclusively deduce.
Cholesterol Degradation and Production of Extracellular Cholesterol Oxidase fromBacillus pumilusW1 andSerratia marcescensW8
Authors: Wali Hasina , Rehman Fazal Ur , Umar Aiman , Ahmed Safia
Published: April 2019

Cholesterol is a waxy substance present in all types of the body cells. The presence of higher concentration of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is characterized by abnormal cholesterol level and is associated with cardiovascular diseases which lead to the development of atheroma in arteries known as atherosclerosis. The transformation of cholesterol by bacterial cholesterol oxidase can provide a key solution for the treatment of diseases related to cholesterol and its oxidized derivatives. Previously isolated bacteria from oil-contaminated soil were screened for cholesterol degradation. Among fourteen, five isolates were able to utilize cholesterol. Two strainsSerratia marcescensW1 andBacillus pumilusW8 using cholesterol as only carbon and energy source were selected for degradation studies. Several parameters (incubation time, substrate concentration, pH, temperature, and different metal ions) for cholesterol decomposition by the selected bacterial strains were evaluated. Maximum cholesterol reduction was achieved on the5thday of incubation, 1g/L of substrate concentration, pH 7, in the presence of Mg2+and Ca2+ions, and at 35°C. Cholesterol degradation was analyzed by enzymatic colorimetric method, thin layer chromatography (TLC), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Under optimized conditions 50% and 84% cholesterol reduction were recorded withSerratia marcescensW1 andBacillus pumilusW8, respectively. Cholesterol oxidase activity was assayed qualitatively and quantitatively. The results revealed thatSerratia marcescensW1 andBacillus pumilusW8 have great potential for cholesterol degradation and would be regarded as a source for cholesterol oxidase (CHO).
Main Variables Affecting a Chemical-Enzymatic Method to Obtain Protein and Amino Acids from Resistant Microalgae
Authors: Callejo-López J. A. , Ramírez M. , Bolívar J. , Cantero D.
Published: April 2019

The development of microalgae uses requires further investigation in cell disruption alternatives to reduce the costs associated to this processing stage. This study aimed to evaluate the main variables affecting an extraction method to obtain protein and amino acids from microalgae. The method was based on a sequential alkaline-enzymatic process, with separate extractions and noncontrolled pH, and was applied to fresh biomass of a resistant species. The processed microalgae were composed of a consortium withNannochloropsissp. as predominant species. After the optimization of the pH of the alkaline reaction, the effect of the time of the alkaline reaction (30–120 min), the time (30–120 min) and temperature (40–60°C) of the enzymatic reaction, and the biomass concentration (50–150 mg·ml−1), on the extraction yields of protein and free amino nitrogen (FAN) and on the final concentration of protein in the extract, was studied using a response surface methodology. Even though all the variables and some interactions among them had a significant effect, the biomass concentration was the most important factor affecting the overall process. The results showed relevant information about the different options in order to maximize not only the response variables individually but also different combinations of them. Assays with optimized values reached maximum yields of 80.3% and 1.07% of protein (% of total protein) and FAN (% of total biomass), respectively, and a protein concentration in the extract of 15.2 mg·ml−1. The study provided the essential information of an alternative approach to obtain protein and amino acids from fresh biomass of resistant microalgae with a high yield, also opening perspectives for further research in particular aspects.
Exosomes Derived from TIMP2-Modified Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhance the Repair Effect in Rat Model with Myocardial Infarction Possibly by the Akt/Sfrp2 Pathway
Authors: Ni Jing , Liu Xijun , Yin Yiheng , Zhang Peiyu , Xu Ya-Wei , Liu Zheng
Published: April 2019

Exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSCs) are a promising new therapeutic option for myocardial infarction (MI). The tissue matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor 2, also known as TIMP2, is a member of the tissue inhibitor family of metalloproteinases. Since TIMP2-mediated inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is a key determinant of post-MI remodeling, we analyzed the therapeutic effects of exosomes derived from TIMP2-overexpressing hucMSCs (huc-exoTIMP2) on the MI rat model. The huc-exoTIMP2 significantly improved in vivo cardiac function as measured by echocardiography and promoted angiogenesis in MI injury. It also restricted extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, as indicated by the reduced collagen deposition. In addition, huc-exoTIMP2 administration increased the in situ expression of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and decreased that of the proapoptotic Bax and pro-caspase-9 in the infracted myocardium. Meanwhile, huc-exoTIMP2 upregulated superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as glutathione (GSH) and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in MI models. In vitro huc-exoTIMP2 pretreatment could inhibit H2O2-mediated H9C2-cardiomyocyte apoptosis and promote human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation, migration, and tube formation, as well as decrease TGFβ-induced MMP2, MMP9, and α-SMA secretion by cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Besides that, huc-exoTIMP2 pretreatment also increased the expression of Akt phosphorylation in the infarcted myocardium, which may relate to a high level of secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (Sfrp2) in huc-exoTIMP2, indicating a mechanistic basis of its action. Importantly, Sfrp2 knockdown in huc-exoTIMP2 abrogated the protective effects. Taken together, huc-exoTIMP2 improved cardiac function by alleviating MI-induced oxidative stress and ECM remodeling, partly via the Akt/Sfrp2 pathway.
Vibrational Modal Frequencies and Shapes of Two‐Span Continuous Timber Flooring Systems
Authors: Zhang Binsheng , Kilpatrick Tony
Published: April 2019

Based on classic vibrational bending theory on beams, this paper provides comprehensive analytical formulae for dynamic characteristics of two equal span continuous timber flooring systems, including frequency equations, modal frequencies, and modal shapes. Four practical boundary conditions are considered for end supports, including free, sliding, pinned, and fixed boundaries, and a total of sixteen combinations of flooring systems are created. The deductions of analytical formulae are also expanded to two unequal span continuous flooring systems with pinned end supports, and empirical equations for obtaining the fundamental frequency are proposed. The acquired analytical equations for vibrational characteristics can be applied for practical design of two‐span continuous flooring systems. Two practical design examples are provided as well.