bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of high prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2/3 gene deletions in Assosa zone, Ethiopia: implication for malaria diagnosis
Authors: Alemayehu Gezahegn Solomon , Blackburn Kayla , Lopez Karen , Cambel Dieng Cheikh , Lo Eugenia , Janies Daniel , Golassa Lemu
Published: February 2021

Background

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) targeting histidine rich protein 2(HRP2) are widely used for diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum infections. Besides PfHRP2, the PfHRP3 antigen contributes to the detection of P. falciparum infections in PfHRP2 RDTs. However, the performance HRP2-based RDT is affected by pfhrp2/3 gene deletions resulting in false-negative test results. The objective of this study was to determine the presence and prevalence of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions including the respective flanking regions among symptomatic patients in Assosa zone, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A health-facility based cross-sectional study was conducted in febrile patients seeking a malaria diagnosis in 2018. Blood samples were collected by finger-prick for microscopic examination of blood smears, malaria RDT, and molecular analysis using dried blood spots (DBS) prepared on Whatman filter paper. A total of 218 P. falciparum positive samples confirmed by quantitative PCR were included for molecular assay of pfhrp2/3 target gene.

Results

Of 218 P. falciparum positive samples, exon 2 deletions were observed in 17.9% of pfhrp2 gene and in 9.2% of pfhrp3 gene. A high proportion of deletions in short segments of pfhrp2 exon1-2 (50%) was also detected while the deletions of the pfhrp3 exon1-2 gene were 4.1%. The deletions were extended to the downstream and upstream of the flanking regions in pfhrp2/3 gene (above 30%). Of eighty-six PfHRP2 RDT negative samples, thirty-six lacked pfhrp2 exon 2. Five PfHRP2 RDT negative samples had double deletions in pfhrp2 exon 2 and pfhrp3 exon2. Of these double deletions, only two of the samples with a parasite density above 2000 parasite/µl were positive by the microscopy. Three samples with intact pfhrp3 exon2 in the pfhrp2 exon2 deleted parasite isolates were found to be positive by PfHRP2 RDT and microscopy with a parasite density above 10,000/µl.

Conclusion

This study confirms the presence of deletions of pfhrp2/3 gene including the flanking regions. Pfhrp2/3 gene deletions results in false-negative results undoubtedly affect the current malaria control and elimination effort in the country. However, further countrywide investigations are required to determine the magnitude of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions and its consequences on routine malaria diagnosis.
Chronic conditions, multimorbidity, and quality of life among patients attending monk healers and primary care clinics in Thailand
Authors: Pengpid Supa , Peltzer Karl
Published: February 2021

Background

The study aimed to assess chronic diseases, multimorbidity, and QoL among patients attending two different treatment settings in Thailand.

Methods

In all, 1409 attendees of three monk healer or three health centres were assessed with self-reported measures on chronic conditions and Quality of Life (QoL).

Results

Results indicate that the most common chronic conditions were common mental disorder (25.2%), followed by hypertension (22.8%), high blood cholesterol (18.0%), fatigue disorder (14.4%), diabetes (14.0%), migraine headaches (13.7%), sleeping problem (12.2%), and ulcer (11.0%). In all, 40.6% had multimorbidity (two or more chronic conditions) (42.4% in the monk healer and 38.9% in the primary care setting). In ANCOVA analysis, adjusted for sex, age, employment status, marital status, education, economic status, comorbidity, and health care setting, the poorest overall QoL was found among clients with common mental disorders (58.5 mean score), followed by emphysema or asthma (60.2), sleeping problem (61.5), migraine headaches (62.7), fatigue disorder (63.3), substance use disorder (63.6) and ulcer (64.3). The overall QoL was poorer among monk healer clients (66.5) than primary care patients (68.8). In adjusted logistical regression analysis, being a monk healer attendee, older age (55–93 years), and high debt were positively, and being employed and better overall quality of life were negatively associated with multimorbidity, overall, for the monk healer and primary care setting. In adjusted linear regression analyses, primary health care attenders, older age, were employed and post-secondary education increased the odds of better overall QoL.

Conclusion

Multimorbidity was higher among clients attending monk healers than those attending primary care facilities and QoL was poorer among clients seeking care from monk healers than those attending primary care. High multimorbidity was found and major chronic conditions were found to have poor QoL. Determinants of multimorbidity and QoL in two different treatment settings provide information to improve the management of chronic conditions.
The role of G-CSF neuroprotective effects in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): current status
Authors: Dumbuya John Sieh , Chen Lu , Wu Jang-Yen , Wang Bin
Published: February 2021

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is an important cause of permanent damage to central nervous system (CNS) that may result in neonatal death or manifest later as mental retardation, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, or developmental delay. The primary cause of this condition is systemic hypoxemia and/or reduced cerebral blood flow with long-lasting neurological disabilities and neurodevelopmental impairment in neonates. About 20 to 25% of infants with HIE die in the neonatal period, and 25-30% of survivors are left with permanent neurodevelopmental abnormalities. The mechanisms of hypoxia-ischemia (HI) include activation and/or stimulation of myriad of cascades such as increased excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor hyperexcitability, mitochondrial collapse, inflammation, cell swelling, impaired maturation, and loss of trophic support. Different therapeutic modalities have been implicated in managing neonatal HIE, though translation of most of these regimens into clinical practices is still limited. Therapeutic hypothermia, for instance, is the most widely used standard treatment in neonates with HIE as studies have shown that it can inhibit many steps in the excito-oxidative cascade including secondary energy failure, increases in brain lactic acid, glutamate, and nitric oxide concentration. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a glycoprotein that has been implicated in stimulation of cell survival, proliferation, and function of neutrophil precursors and mature neutrophils. Extensive studies both in vivo and ex vivo have shown the neuroprotective effect of G-CSF in neurodegenerative diseases and neonatal brain damage via inhibition of apoptosis and inflammation. Yet, there are still few experimentation models of neonatal HIE and G-CSF’s effectiveness, and extrapolation of adult stroke models is challenging because of the evolving brain. Here, we review current studies and/or researches of G-CSF’s crucial role in regulating these cytokines and apoptotic mediators triggered following neonatal brain injury, as well as driving neurogenesis and angiogenesis post-HI insults.
Isolated tricuspid valve surgery; long-term outcomes based on Tehran Heart Center data bank report
Authors: Tafti Seyed Hosssein Ahmadi , Alaeddini Farshid , Shirzad Mahmood , Bagheri Jamshid , Omran Abbas Salehi , Mahalleh Mehrdad , Shoja Shiva , Omidi Negar
Published: February 2021

Background

Given that isolated tricuspid valve (TV) repair or replacement is performed relatively rarely, we sought to evaluate the rate of long-term mortality and readmission following this surgery.

Methods

The current study was conducted in Tehran Heart Center on patients who underwent isolated TV repair or replacement between 2010 and 2018. Totally, 197 patients (repair = 150 vs replacement = 47) were included in our study and were then followed right after surgery for a median of 8 years to assess the incidence of postoperative events, readmission, and all-cause mortality.

Results

The final analysis was conducted on 197 patients at a mean age of 44.4 ± 13.8 years. Most of the patients were female (56.9%). Ejection fraction, TAPSE, and right ventricular function improved in both groups after TV surgery. Length of stay in the intensive care unit per hour and hospitalization per day were higher in the replacement group and compared to the repair group (158.34 vs. 55.11 and 18.21 vs. 9.34, respectively). In-hospital mortality occurred in 20 patients, of whom 15 had TV replacement. Readmission occurred in five (2.5%) patients,all were in the repair group.

Conclusions

The result of this single-center study showed that TV replacement is associated with a higher rate of postoperative events and all-cause mortality compared to TV repair. Whereas, repair group had a higher rate of readmission. Therefore, the overwhelming tendency is toward repair; nonetheless, no hesitation is permissible if a replacement is adjudged to confer a better outcome for the patient.
Costs of health and social services use in children of parents with mental illness
Authors: Waldmann Tamara , Stiawa Maja , Dinc Ümügülsüm , Saglam Gülsah , Busmann Mareike , Daubmann Anne , Adema Bonnie , Wegscheider Karl , Wiegand-Grefe Silke , Kilian Reinhold
Published: February 2021

Background

Children of parents with mental illness have a higher risk of developing mental health problems when compared with the general population. Therefore, families with parents with mental illness are a suitable target group for selective prevention. In order to plan and evaluate the health economic consequences of preventive interventions for this target group, data on the societal costs related to parenthood under the condition of mental disorders are needed. To date, within Germany there has been a lack of research evaluating the costs of mental health treatment and use of social services by children and adolescents with parents with mental illness.

Methods

As part of a multicentre randomised controlled trial, use and costs of health and social services were assessed for a sample of 332 children and adolescents with parents with mental illness in six regions of Germany. Service use at baseline was assessed by the German version of the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service Receipt Inventory. Costs were calculated for 12 months based on diagnosis and service user status and described separately. Cost drivers were identified by means of a two-part regression model.

Results

Total mean costs for 12 months for the total sample amount of € 3736.35 (95% CI: € 2816.84–4813.83) per person. Children with a psychiatric diagnosis generated a total of € 5691.93 (95% CI: € 4146.27–7451.38) of costs per person, compared to € 1245.01 (95% CI: € 657.44–1871.49) for children without a psychiatric diagnosis. The logit part indicates significant odds ratios for individual functioning and diagnosis of the child as well as for family functioning. The linear part reveals that increasing individual functioning in the child is related to decreasing costs.

Conclusions

Children of families with parents with mental illness use a broad spectrum of mental health care, school-based support and youth welfare services even if they are not yet diagnosed as having a mental disorder. Further research should examine whether these institutions are sufficiently qualified and interlinked to meet the support needs of this vulnerable group.

Trial registration The study was registered at the 07/10/2014 before the start of data collection (04/11/2014) at the German clinical trials register (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien, DRKS, nr: DRKS00006806, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00006806).
A preliminary study of micro-RNAs as minimally invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of prostate cancer patients
Authors: Giglio Simona , De Nunzio Cosimo , Cirombella Roberto , Stoppacciaro Antonella , Faruq Omar , Volinia Stefano , Baldassarre Gustavo , Tubaro Andrea , Ishii Hideshi , Croce Carlo M. , Vecchione Andrea
Published: February 2021

Background

A prostate cancer diagnosis is based on biopsy sampling that is an invasive, expensive procedure, and doesn’t accurately represent multifocal disease.

Methods

To establish a model using plasma miRs to distinguish Prostate cancer patients from non-cancer controls, we enrolled 600 patients histologically diagnosed as having or not prostate cancer at biopsy. Two hundred ninety patients were eligible for the analysis. Samples were randomly divided into discovery and validation cohorts.

Results

NGS-miR-expression profiling revealed a miRs signature able to distinguish prostate cancer from non-cancer plasma samples. Of 51 miRs selected in the discovery cohort, we successfully validated 5 miRs (4732-3p, 98-5p, let-7a-5p, 26b-5p, and 21-5p) deregulated in prostate cancer samples compared to controls (p ≤ 0.05). Multivariate and ROC analyses show miR-26b-5p as a strong predictor of PCa, with an AUC of 0.89 (CI = 0.83–0.95;p < 0.001). Combining miRs 26b-5p and 98-5p, we developed a model that has the best predictive power in discriminating prostate cancer from non-cancer (AUC = 0.94; CI: 0,835-0,954).

To distinguish between low and high-grade prostate cancer, we found that miR-4732-3p levels were significantly higher; instead, miR-26b-5p and miR-98-5p levels were lower in low-grade compared to the high-grade group (p ≤ 0.05).

Combining miR-26b-5p and miR-4732-3p we have the highest diagnostic accuracy for high-grade prostate cancer patients, (AUC = 0.80; CI 0,69-0,873).

Conclusions

Noninvasive diagnostic tests may reduce the number of unnecessary prostate biopsies.

The 2-miRs-diagnostic model (miR-26b-5p and miR-98-5p) and the 2-miRs-grade model (miR-26b-5p and miR-4732-3p) are promising minimally invasive tools in prostate cancer clinical management.
Dietary fiber and probiotics for the treatment of atypical antipsychotic-induced metabolic side effects: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Liu Chenchen , Kang Dongyu , Xiao Jingmei , Huang Yuyan , Peng Xingjie , Wang Weiyan , Xie Peng , Yang Ye , Zhao Jingping , Wu Renrong
Published: February 2021

Background

Atypical antipsychotic medications, which are effective for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are associated with features of metabolic syndrome, such as weight gain, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. Although there are a few studies on the effects of dietary fiber or probiotics on weight loss in obese people, no published trials have reported the efficacy of dietary fiber and probiotics on reducing atypical antipsychotic-induced weight gain.

Methods

For this 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 100 patients with a weight gain of more than 10% after taking atypical antipsychotic medications were recruited. Participants were randomized to four groups as follows: probiotics (840 mg twice daily (bid)) plus dietary fiber (30 g bid), probiotics (840 mg bid) plus placebo, placebo plus dietary fiber (30 g bid), or placebo group. The primary outcome was the change in body weight. Secondary outcomes included changes in metabolic syndrome parameters, appetite score, biomarkers associated with a change in weight, and gut microbiota composition and function.

Discussion

To date, this is the first randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial investigating the efficacy of dietary fiber and probiotics alone and in combination to reduce metabolic side effects induced by atypical antipsychotic medications. If effective, it is possible to conclude that dietary fiber and probiotics can reduce atypical antipsychotic-induced metabolic side effects.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03379597. Registered on 19 November 2017.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor may play a protective role in osteoarthritis
Authors: Liu Ming , Xie Zikun , Sun Guang , Chen Liujun , Qi Dake , Zhang Hongwei , Xiong Jieying , Furey Andrew , Rahman Proton , Lei Guanghua , Zhai Guangju
Published: February 2021

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis and the major cause of disability and overall diminution of quality of life in the elderly population. Currently there is no cure for OA, partly due to the large gaps in our understanding of its underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a procytokine that mediates pleiotropic inflammatory effects in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, data on the role of MIF in OA is limited with conflicting results. We undertook this study to investigate the role of MIF in OA by examining MIF genotype, mRNA expression, and protein levels in the Newfoundland Osteoarthritis Study.

Methods

One hundred nineteen end-stage knee/hip OA patients, 16 RA patients, and 113 healthy controls were included in the study. Two polymorphisms in the MIF gene, rs755622, and -794 CATT5-8, were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and PCR followed by automated capillary electrophoresis, respectively. MIF mRNA levels in articular cartilage and subchondral bone were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Plasma concentrations of MIF, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

rs755622 and -794 CATT5-8 genotypes were not associated with MIF mRNA or protein levels or OA (all p ≥ 0.19). MIF mRNA level in cartilage was lower in OA patients than in controls (p = 0.028) and RA patients (p = 0.004), while the levels in bone were comparable between OA patients and controls (p = 0.165). MIF protein level in plasma was lower in OA patients than in controls (p = 3.01 × 10−10), while the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in plasma were all significantly higher in OA patients than in controls (all p ≤ 0.0007). Multivariable logistic regression showed lower MIF and higher IL-1β protein levels in plasma were independently associated with OA (OR per SD increase = 0.10 and 8.08; 95% CI = 0.04–0.19 and 4.42–16.82, respectively), but TNF-α and IL-6 became non-significant.

Conclusions

Reduced MIF mRNA and protein expression in OA patients suggested MIF might have a protective role in OA and could serve as a biomarker to differentiate OA from other joint disorders.
A study of genomic diversity in populations of Maharashtra, India, inferred from 20 autosomal STR markers
Authors: Badiye Ashish , Kapoor Neeti , Kumawat R. K. , Dixit Shivani , Mishra Aditi , Dixit Akansha , Kathane Prachi , Bag Sudeshna , Thakre Vaishnavi , Kaitholia Kamlesh , Srivastava Ankit , Chaubey Gyaneshwer , Shrivastava Pankaj
Published: February 2021

Objective

This study was planned to evaluate the genetic diversity in the admixed and Teli (a Hindu caste) populations of Maharashtra, India using 20 autosomal Short Tandem Repeat (STR) genetic markers. We further investigated the genetic relatedness of the studied populations with other Indian populations.

Results

The studied populations showed a wide range of observed heterozygosity viz. 0.690 to 0.918 for the admixed population and 0.696 to 0.942 for the Teli population. This might be due to the multi-directional gene flow. The admixed and Teli populations also showed a high degree polymorphism which ranged from 0.652 to 0.903 and 0.644 to 0.902, respectively. Their combined value of matching probability for all the studied loci was 4.29 × 10–25 and 5.01 × 10–24, respectively. The results of Neighbor-Joining tree and Principal Component Analysis showed that the studied populations clustered with the general populations of Jharkhand, UttarPradesh, Rajasthan and Central Indian States, as well as with the specific populations of Maharashtra (Konkanastha Brahmins) and Tamil Nadu (Kurmans). Overall, the obtained data showed a high degree of forensic efficacy and would be useful for forensic applications as well as genealogical studies.
Usability evaluation model of an application with emphasis on collaborative security: an approach from social dimensions
Authors: de Oliveira Mateus , Mattedi Adriana Prest , Seabra Rodrigo Duarte
Published: February 2021

Technological ubiquity and advances in the use of networked devices, such as smartphones, have become a fundamental element in the dynamics of information in the social environment. Social problems can be discussed in these networks, receiving the aid from these devices, in order to unite community members in a network that is strengthened for common goals, transforming the local reality. The motivation for this work lies in the fact that lack of security is one of the problems that have most afflicted Brazilians in recent years. From this reality, the main objective of this study was the development of a usability analysis model suitable for smartphone applications and that allows identifying of the viability of using a collaborative security application in the social context of a city of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The objective was designed to investigate how the different dimensions inherent to the social context interfere with the acceptance of technological resources, specifically, of a smartphone application in a community. Data collection was performed by applying two questionnaires to 22 participants living in the municipality (eight men and 14 women), one being a demographic survey and the other to evaluate usability focusing on users’ perception of the use of the application. The application usage scenario is family safety facing the challenges of mitigating public security issues. The analysis of the results was based on the reinterpretation of usability from the perspective of the Theory of Innovation Diffusion and the Recursive Model of Access to Technology. In order to validate the reliability of the instrument used to collect the data regarding the usability of the application, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was applied. The result indicates that the instrument used was concise and efficient. The study enabled conclusions pointing that this type of interpretation allows us to glimpse at horizons that go beyond explicit aspects of usability, helping to understand environmental and social factors intrinsic to the context of technological diffusion in a developing society.
Using GANs with adaptive training data to search for new molecules
Authors: Blanchard Andrew E. , Stanley Christopher , Bhowmik Debsindhu
Published: February 2021

The process of drug discovery involves a search over the space of all possible chemical compounds. Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) provide a valuable tool towards exploring chemical space and optimizing known compounds for a desired functionality. Standard approaches to training GANs, however, can result in mode collapse, in which the generator primarily produces samples closely related to a small subset of the training data. In contrast, the search for novel compounds necessitates exploration beyond the original data. Here, we present an approach to training GANs that promotes incremental exploration and limits the impacts of mode collapse using concepts from Genetic Algorithms. In our approach, valid samples from the generator are used to replace samples from the training data. We consider both random and guided selection along with recombination during replacement. By tracking the number of novel compounds produced during training, we show that updates to the training data drastically outperform the traditional approach, increasing potential applications for GANs in drug discovery.
DNA primase subunit 1 deteriorated progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by activating AKT/mTOR signaling and UBE2C-mediated P53 ubiquitination
Authors: Zhu Mengqi , Wu Mengna , Bian Saiyan , Song Qianqian , Xiao Mingbing , Huang Hua , You Li , Zhang Jianping , Zhang Jie , Cheng Chun , Ni Wenkai , Zheng Wenjie
Published: February 2021

Background

DNA primase subunit 1 (PRIM1) has been reported as a novel oncogene in several cancer types. However, its roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate underlying mechanisms of PRIM1 and identify it as a potential molecular target for HCC.

Methods

Hub genes were screened between HCC tissues and normal liver tissues in 3 gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets and the cancer genome atlas (TCGA). The expression features and prognostic value of one of the hub genes PRIM1 were analyzed by bioinformatic analyses and immunohistochemistry. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies were used to investigate the regulatory role of PRIM1 in HCC cells. Real-time (RT)-qPCR, western blotting, and ubiquitin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms. The xenograft model was employed to detect the roles of PRIM1 in tumor growth in vivo. Finally, the 3D spheroid model was conducted to validate the role of PRIM1 in tumor growth and sorafenib resistance.

Results

The hub genes of HCC were screened in multiple bioinformatic datasets. PRIM1, as one of the hub genes, was significantly overexpressed in HCC tissues in mRNA and protein levels. In addition, high expression of PRIM1 indicated poor prognosis of HCC patients in TCGA, ICGC, and Nantong cohorts. Overexpression of PRIM1 promoted the proliferation, migration/invasion, and sorafenib resistance of HCC cells, with the decrease in apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Mechanically, PRIM1 facilitated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and the activity of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling of HCC cells. Additionally, PRIM1 could cause the ubiquitination and degradation of P53 by upregulating Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzyme E2 C (UBE2C). Furthermore, knockdown of PRIM1 significantly inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors and HCC cells-derived spheroids with enhanced sorafenib resistance.

Conclusion

This study implies that PRIM1 may play a key role in the progression of HCC and may serve as a potential target for HCC treatment.
The refinement-schemes-based unified algorithms for certain nth order linear and nonlinear differential equations with a set of constraints
Authors: Ejaz Syeda Tehmina , Mustafa Ghulam , Baleanu Dumitru , Chu Yu-Ming
Published: February 2021

We first present a generalized class of binary interpolating refinement schemes and their properties. Then the refinement-schemes-based unified algorithms for the solution of certain nth order linear and nonlinear differential equations with a set of constraints are presented. Moreover, several algorithms based on the refinement schemes for solving differential equations are the special cases of our algorithms.
Detection of Schistosoma mansoni DNA using polymerase chain reaction from serum and dried blood spot card samples of an adult population in North-western Tanzania
Authors: Fuss Antje , Mazigo Humphrey D. , Mueller Andreas
Published: February 2021

Background

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a sensitive and specific method for diagnosing schistosomiasis. However, this method should be performed in a laboratory, usually located distant from the sample collection site. Therefore, it is important to have fast sampling preservation methods, which allow simple transport prior to DNA extraction and amplification. The aim of this study was to verify if blood samples applied to filter paper are suitable for analysis of Schistosoma mansoni DNA by real-time PCR.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 study participants aged 17 to 70 years in a fishing village on the southern shore of Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Serum samples and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-anticoagulated whole blood for preparation of dried blood spots (DBS) were collected to test for Schistosoma mansoni infection by real-time PCR. A combined diagnostic reference of positive results of serum-based real-time PCR and the Kato-Katz (KK) method was used for analysis. Sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was chosen to compare the mean cycle threshold (Ct) values from serum and DBS.

Results

According to the reference, 92.5% S. mansoni positive samples were determined. The serum-based real-time PCR performed excellently with 95.4% sensitivity, whereas the DBS-based real-time PCR showed a low sensitivity (45.4%). The Ct-values were significantly higher in DBS (median: 37.3) than in serum samples (median: 27.5, P < 0.001), reflecting a lower parasite-specific DNA load on the filter cards. With increasing egg counts, an increase in sensitivity was observed for all methods. The POC-CCA test and the serum-based real-time PCR showed a sensitivity of 100% for medium and severe infections. The DBS real-time PCR showed a sensitivity of only 85.7% even for severe infections.

Conclusions

DBS-based real-time PCR did not provide good results in our study and therefore should not be recommended or must be tested concerning temperature of storage, storage duration, use of different filter papers and extraction methods before it is used in future studies. In contrast, our results showed that the POC-CCA test is a sensitive and precise test for detecting S. mansoni infections

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Evaluating psychometric properties of the Short Form Brief Pain Inventory Sinhala Version (SF BPI-Sin) among Sinhala speaking patients with cancer pain in Sri Lanka
Authors: Edirisinghe Nirosha Priyadarshani , Makuloluwa Thamasi Rekha , Amarasekara Thamara Dilhani , Goonewardena Christine Sampatha Evangeline
Published: February 2021

Background

Pain is one of the most common and unpleasant symptoms of patients with cancer. The Short Form Brief Pain Inventory (SF-BPI), has been psychometrically validated in several languages and widely used globally. Availability of a validated pain tool in Sinhala is a current requirement enabling the use among the majority of Sinhala-speaking cancer patients in Sri Lanka. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of Sinhala translated version of SF BPI.

Methods

The translation was done by forward–backward translation method. Content and face validity were evaluated by a panel of experts and patients with cancer pain respectively. The study included 151 participants with cancer pain, registered at the Pain Clinic, Apeksha Hospital, Sri Lanka. The reliability, discriminant and convergent validity were assessed. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted and evaluated the two factor (severity, interference) and three factor models (severity, affective/ activity interference). In the three factor model-1, item ‘sleep’ was included within the affective interference along with mood, relationship with others and enjoyment of life. In the three factor model-2, item ‘sleep’ was included within the activity interference along with general activities, walking and normal works. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

Results

A total of 151 participants (79 males, 72 females) with a mean age of 54.6 (+/− 13.2) years were included. The composite reliability (0.902, 0.879), average variance extracted (AVE) (0.647, 0.568) and Cronbach’s alpha (0.819, 0.869) calculated for each severity and interference subscales were acceptable. The discriminant validity assessed with the heterotrait-monotrait criterion was 0.18. According to the Fornell–Larcker criterion, the square root of AVE of severity and interference factors (0.804, 0.753) greater than the correlation between the factors (0.140) demonstrated the discriminant validity. The CFA supported the three-factor model-2 (CFI—0.959, SRMR—0.0513, RMSEA—0.0699) and the values for two-factor and three-factor model-1 were marginally acceptable.

Conclusions

The Sinhala version of SF BPI is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of cancer pain among Sinhala speaking patients in Sri Lanka.
Estimate of economic impact of atmospheric radiation storm associated with solar energetic particle events on aircraft operations
Authors: Saito Susumu , Wickramasinghe Navinda Kithmal , Sato Tatsuhiko , Shiota Daikou
Published: February 2021

A solar energetic particle (SEP) event generates a shower of secondary generated particles in the Earth’s atmosphere down to lower altitudes to cause an atmospheric radiation storm (ARS). The high-energy secondary particles cause additional radiation dose at altitudes where aircraft flies. The space weather information provided by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) designated space weather centers includes advisories on the solar radiation storm. The Warning System for AVIation Exposure to Solar energetic particle (WASAVIES), we can estimate the effective dose rate (EDR) along the flight path of the aircraft. However, it has not been well established how the operators of aircraft should react with the space weather advisories on the solar radiation storm. By using a flight trajectory generation algorithm and the global EDR distribution, the economic impacts of ARS associated with SEP events on aircraft operation, namely the flight path length, flight time, and fuel consumption, are estimated. The conditions of the peak of the ARS event on 20 January 2005 are used. The economic impacts for a flight route from New York, US to Tokyo, Japan, are estimated with constraints in flight routes to avoid the hazard of radiation and compared with those of the reference case without the ARS effects. The fuel consumption is shown to increase by 39–69 tons (33–58%) for a twin-engine, wide-body jet passenger aircraft, when a constraint is imposed on the flight altitude only. When the constraints are set on the aircraft altitude and the latitude, the flight time and the fuel consumption are both increased by 2.2–2.8 h (17–20%) and 32–48 tons (27–41%), respectively. If the ARS event duration is limited for 3 h, the increase in the fuel consumption is about 7.6–14 tons (6.4–12%). This economic impact may be reduced, if the space weather nowcast and forecast for the ARS and an optimal flight trajectory generation algorithm are used together. Setting more flexible constraints on the flight route and generating optimal flight trajectories with minimal economic impacts by fully utilizing the global EDR distribution is the next step.
One-pot production of butyl butyrate from glucose using a cognate “diamond-shaped” E. coli consortium
Authors: Sinumvayo Jean Paul , Zhao Chunhua , Liu Guoxia , Li Yin , Zhang Yanping
Published: February 2021

Esters are widely used in plastics, textile fibers, and general petrochemicals. Usually, esters are produced via chemical synthesis or enzymatic processes from the corresponding alcohols and acids. However, the fermentative production of esters from alcohols and/or acids has recently also become feasible. Here we report a cognate microbial consortium capable of producing butyl butyrate. This microbial consortium consists of two engineered butyrate- and butanol-producing E. coli strains with nearly identical genetic background. The pathways for the synthesis of butyrate and butanol from butyryl-CoA in the respective E. coli strains, together with a lipase-catalyzed esterification reaction, created a “diamond-shaped” consortium. The concentration of butyrate and butanol in the fermentation vessel could be altered by adjusting the inoculation ratios of each E. coli strain in the consortium. After optimization, the consortium produced 7.2 g/L butyl butyrate with a yield of 0.12 g/g glucose without the exogenous addition of butanol or butyrate. To our best knowledge, this is the highest titer and yield of butyl butyrate produced by E. coli reported to date. This study thus provides a new way for the biotechnological production of esters.
The influence of soft-tissue volume grafting on the maintenance of peri-implant tissue health and stability
Authors: Obreja Karina , Ramanauskaite Ausra , Begic Amira , Galarraga-Vinueza Maria Elisa , Parvini Puria , Schwarz Frank
Published: February 2021

Background

To investigate the influence of soft-tissue volume grafting employing autogenous connective tissue graft (CTG) simultaneous to implant placement on peri-implant tissue health and stability.

Material and methods

This cross-sectional observational study enrolled 19 patients (n= 29 implants) having dental implants placed with simultaneous soft-tissue volume grafting using CTG (test), and 36 selected controls (n= 55 implants) matched for age and years in function, who underwent conventional implant therapy (i.e., without soft-tissue volume grafting). Clinical outcomes (i.e., plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and mucosal recession (MR)) and frequency of peri-implant diseases were evaluated in both groups after a mean follow-up period of 6.15 ± 4.63 years.

Results

Significant differences between test and control groups at the patient level were noted for median BOP (0.0 vs. 25.0%;p= 0.023) and PD scores (2.33 vs. 2.83 mm;p= 0.001), respectively. The prevalence of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis amounted to 42.1% and 5.3% in the test and to 52.8% and 13.9% in the control group, respectively.

Conclusion

Simultaneous soft-tissue grafting using CTG had a beneficial effect on the maintenance of peri-implant health.
Case report: direct suture repair of inferior vena cava to rescue a stab patient with hepatic and caval injury through left hepatectomy and total vascular exclusion
Authors: Hirooka Reina , Ito Kyoji , Takemura Nobuyuki , Mihara Fuminori , Kokudo Norihiro
Published: February 2021

Background

The mortality of abdominal vena caval injuries is as high as 50–80%. Yet, there were few reports on how to repair injured inferior vena cava (IVC). This report presents a method of vena caval repair in a case of penetrating retrohepatic IVC injury, requiring hepatic resection and total vascular exclusion (TVE).

Case presentation

The patient was a 20-year-old man with a stab wound in the epigastrium. An emergency laparotomy was performed in the emergency room, and a stab incision on the left liver was detected. As the Pringle’s maneuver did not reduce bleeding, hepatic vein injury was suspected, and left hemihepatectomy was performed to confirm the bleeding point. After the hepatectomy, laceration was still evident deeper into the resection, and IVC injury was suspected. The bleeding was temporarily controlled by tentative hepatorrhaphy and gauze packing, and the initial damage control surgery was terminated. Definitive surgery was performed on the third postoperative day. The lacerated point was observed under TVE, and the laceration penetrated the retrohepatic IVC through its posterior wall. The slit of the posterior wall was sutured first, followed by suturing of the anterior wall of the IVC. Finally, the lacerated liver was closed with hepatorrhaphy. TVE was removed, and the massive bleeding was successfully controlled.

Conclusion

In severe liver injuries involving the retrohepatic IVC, hepatic resection and TVE may be useful for ensuring an optimized surgical field for repairing the injured IVC.
Successful treatment of bilateral empyema with bilateral fistulae using free intercostal muscle flap
Authors: Okamura Junko , Kobayashi Naohiro , Yanagihara Takahiro , Kikuchi Shinji , Goto Yukinobu , Sato Yukio
Published: February 2021

Background

Bilateral empyema is rare and can be life-threatening. Few cases have ever been reported about bilateral empyema with fistula on both sides. We herein report a case of bilateral empyema with bilateral fistulae that was treated with a 2-stage operation.

Case presentation

The patient was a 40 year-old man with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, severe emaciation and remarkably decayed teeth. On his admission, computed tomography showed bilateral pneumothorax and pleural effusion. Thoracentesis revealed a cream-colored purulent pleural effusion from both sides of the pleural cavity. Bilateral empyema with fistulae on both sides due to a ruptured lung abscess was diagnosed. 7 days after his administration, we performed the first surgery. There were 3 fistulae in the right lateral basal segment (S9), right posterior basal segment (S10), and left posterior basal segment (S10). At the first operation, the S9 fistula was directly sutured; however, the right S10 fistula could not be closed because the surrounding tissue was fragile. The left lung fistula was deep and crater-shaped; it was closed with the suturing of a plugged free muscle flap. At the second operation, the right S10 fistula was closed with the superimposition of a pedicled intercostal muscle flap.

Conclusion

Patients with bilateral empyema tend to be with poor general condition and, therefore, less invasive treatments are required initially. Closure of fistulae is an essential process for the treatment of empyema with fistulae. We could manage the fistulae using several techniques with 2-stage operation. Although the efficacy of using a free intercostal muscle flap to close the fistula has not been adequately verified, it is simple and less invasive and, thus, might be a useful option in cases where the patient is too ill to undergo a more invasive operation or when the surgical approach should be done in a short time
First record of pilotfish Naucrates ductor (Linnaeus 1758), Carangidae, in the syrian marine waters (Levantine Basin)
Authors: Ali-Basha Nour , Saad Adib , Hamwi Nader , Tufahha Abdullah
Published: February 2021

This paper presents the first record of Naucrates ductor ( Linnaeus 1758) from Syrian waters. One specimen (300 mm TL, 294.29 g TW) was caught by purse-seine nets at about 60 m depth from Lattakia coast, on 25 September 2020. This record represents the first of this cosmopolitan species that entered the Syrian waters (Eastern Mediterranean).
The relationship between source supply and mixed deposition of siliciclastic and carbonate: First to second member of the Shahejie Formation, Paleogene, Bohai Sea area, China
Authors: Xu Wei , Li Zhengyu , Li Huiyong , Zhang Can , Zhao Meng , Zeng Hongliu , Ding Yiran
Published: February 2021

There are various types of mixed siliciclastic-carbonate sediments developed in the Bohai Sea area during the period of the first to second member of the Shahejie Formation (E2s1-2) of the Paleocene. We have concluded that the period of E2s1-2 was very suitable for the development of carbonate minerals and organisms because of the stable tectonic background, the weak siliciclastic influence of large source systems outside the basin, and the high salinity of the water. There were many local uplifts inside the basin during E2s1-2, and the source area, supply direction, and quantity of the local provenance varied greatly. We summarized that the mixed sediments generally developed in the intermittent and stagnant periods of the source supply, or on the flank or distal end of the source supply direction due to the absence of direct interference of terrigenous clasts. To a large extent, the formation of different types of mixed deposits is controlled by the different spatiotemporal relationship with siliciclastic supply. The background of strong source supply led to the formation of large-scale mixed deposits that were mainly composed of terrigenous clasts. Mixed deposits are mainly composed of organisms and carbonate with relatively large depositional thickness formed on the flank of source supply in the steep slope area. On the flank of source supply in the gentle slope belt, thinner mixed deposits with terrigenous clasts mainly formed and thin-layer carbonate clastic-dominated deposits formed on abandoned deltas. On the uplift of the buried hill far away from the provenance, thick mixed deposits mainly composed of bioclastic were formed whereas fine-grained mixed deposits formed under the low-energy argillaceous background.
Water Accumulation in Amsorb Canister May Cause Inspiratory Flow Obstruction: A Case Report
Authors: Gross Jeffrey B. , Scannell Joseph P.
Published: February 2021

A patient received closed-circuit anesthesia from a General Electric Avance S/5 (GE Healthcare, Madison, WI) anesthesia machine during a robotic abdominal procedure. With return of spontaneous ventilation at the end of the procedure, the negative airway pressure alarm began to sound, and a negative airway pressure of 10–15 cm H2O was observed with each breath. Replacing the CO2 absorber resolved the problem. There was considerable condensation on the walls of the Amsorb canister, and on disassembly, the sponge at the bottom was wet. Experimentation with an empty canister revealed that as little as 30 mL of water in the sponge can reproduce our observations.
Ilioinguinal/Iliohypogastric Pulsed Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Pediatric Chronic Abdominal Pain: A Case Report
Authors: Chernishof Vasili , Wong Jocelyn , Kim Eugene
Published: February 2021

Chronic abdominal pain in the pediatric population has the potential to interfere with all aspects of life and daily functioning. Pain may originate from various sites including the viscera, fascial layers, muscles, or peripheral nerves. The incidence of somatic neuritis, more specifically ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric neuralgia, remains unknown. We report a case highlighting the use of pulsed radiofrequency in the treatment of lower abdominal pain secondary to ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric neuralgia. In carefully selected patients, as part of a multimodal regimen, pulsed radiofrequency can aid recovery by providing effective and long-lasting pain relief, thus allowing time for effective rehabilitation.
Local Meanings for Supralocal Change
Authors: Villarreal Dan , Kohn Mary
Published: February 2021

While the retraction of trap is found throughout the American West, it is primarily associated with California and supposed Californian values in both the popular media and the ears of Californian listeners. This study investigates the local construction of meaning for a supralocal sound change by examining perceptions of trap backing in Kansas, a locale that has also undergone front lax vowel retraction. Thirty-five college students heard matched-guise stimuli differing only by trap F2, guessed speakers’ regional origin, and rated speakers on 14 affective scales. Listeners associated trap backing with California (despite local participation in the sound shift) and general prestige. The authors suggest that this association with general prestige may help to explain the presence of this vowel shift in Kansas despite considerable ideological differences with California. They argue that these results highlight the interaction between local construction of meaning and broader national discourses for a sound change: while stereotypical associations with a sound change can spread rapidly through means like popular media, stance and identity associations are constructed at the local level.
The English Department as Imperial Commonwealth, or The Global Past and Global Future of English Studies
Authors: Cleary Joe
Published: February 2021

Though canons and faculty have greatly diversified in recent decades, English departments around the world fundamentally prioritize English and American literatures. To this extent, they resemble the Anglo-American imperial commonwealths that some toward the end of the nineteenth century advocated for in order to stave off the decline of the British Empire and to shore up a permanent Anglo-American supremacy against all threats. Still, as the English language becomes “global,” English departments today founder for a variety of reasons and convey a persistent sense of crisis. Has the time come radically to decolonize the English department, not only at the level of curriculum but also in terms of its basic organizational structures to facilitate the study of anglophone literatures now planetary in reach? If so, how might this best be achieved in the British and American core countries and also in the more peripheral regions of Anglophonia?