bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The perceived role and effectiveness of patient feedback system in strengthening therapeutic relationships in rural Tanzania
Authors: Isangula Kahabi
Published: November 2022

Introduction:
Patient feedback system forms an important entry point for medical personnel and healthcare administrators to identify healthcare service delivery gaps and develop responsive interventions. This may foster patient trust consequently increasing healthcare-seeking, engagement in decision, continuity, and satisfaction. However, research on patient feedback systems in rural primary healthcare settings appears limited.
Objective
The paper builds on recent research on patient-provider relationships in rural Tanzania to examine the role and effectiveness of patient feedback systems in improving therapeutic relationships.
Methods
The paper examines the findings of qualitative descriptive research in rural Tanzania that employed a human-centred design approach to co-create an intervention package for improving nurse-client relationships between January and September 2022. The study used semi-structured interviews in Swahili with purposefully selected providers, patients, and administrators to explore drivers of poor provider-patient relationships in the Shinyanga region of rural Tanzania. Interviews were concurrently translated and transcribed, then systematically coded to facilitate the development of themes using a thematic analysis approach. Findings related to patient feedback systems are used for this paper.
Findings:
Most participants cited the benefits of an effective Patient feedback system as reducing patients’ confusion around the complaints process, promoting patients’ positivity towards providers and hospitals, and reducing tensions between patients and providers. Suggestion boxes were the most cited Patient feedback system however, there were widespread concerns about their accessibility and effectiveness. While the providers (nurses) and administrators described suggestion boxes as widely available, they affirmed not receiving feedback or complaints from patients for a very long time. Contrastingly, most patients described suggestion boxes as largely unavailable and ineffective, with concerns of non-user friendliness and non-responsiveness dominating.
Conclusion
Despite their potential benefits in healthcare service quality improvements, the availability, user-friendliness, and responsiveness of patient feedback systems continue to be challenging. A call is made to providers, health administrators and researchers to prioritise the patient feedback system as both a useful entry point to reducing tensions in therapeutic relationships and, a tool for improving patient service uptake, continuity with care and satisfaction.
The efficacy of prophylactic metoclopramide in preventing nausea and vomiting in patients with acute pain given tramadol: A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Sriwi Haruethai , Lokeskrawee Thanin , Patumanond Jayanton , Phinyo Phichayut , Wongyikul Pakpoom
Published: November 2022

Objective
This study aimed to conduct a randomized placebo-controlled trials to examine the clinical efficacy of prophylactic metoclopramide in reducing the incidence of nausea and vomiting in ED patients with acute pain and were treated with intravenous tramadol.
Results
The study protocol was registered in Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR) [TCTR20220525001] in 21 October 2021. The Institutional Review Board of Lampang Hospital approved the study protocol (CERT NO. 103/64). A total of 99 ED patients presented with acute pain were recruited. Sixty-four patients were randomized, 31 patients in the treatment arm and 33 in the control arm. Overall, there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between treatment arm and control arm. Only one patient within each arms reported having nausea symptoms. No patients reported vomiting episode. There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of patients with nausea or vomiting symptoms between the two groups (3.1% in the treatment arm vs. 3.2% in the control arm, p = 1.000). The administration of prophylactic metoclopramide may not provide additional benefit in reducing the occurrence of nausea and/or vomiting episode in ED patients with acute pain treated with intravenous tramadol.
Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysis Identifies a Novel Cellular Senescence Associated Factor-Related Signature to Predict Prognosis and Efficacy of Immunotherapy in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ren Wei-xing , Zhao Qi , Zhao Ji-dong , Cui Xing , Chen Xin
Published: November 2022

PURPOSE:Cellular senescence-related genes (SRS) plays a key role in tumorigenesis, progression, and immune regulation of cancer. We explored the role of SRS in the development of LUSC and how SRS regulates LUSC immunophenotype and predicted possible novel small molecule drugs.
METHODS: We systematically analysised the clinical information and RNA-seq data related to patients with LUSC.Novel molecular subpopulations were identified using consensus clustering.Determined the tumor immune status of identified subgroups.Constructed and validated the prognostic risk model and clinical nomogram.Differential analysis of tumor stemness,immune checkpoints,and ICB responses was performed by SRS risk-score.For drug-screening and molecular docking, CMAP, LINCS, and AutodockVina technology were used.
RESULTS: The survival rates of molecular subgroups differed significantly. The hyperimmune state was significant in the poorer prognosis subgroup. SRS affected the immune status of LUSC patients, and when combined with risk patterns and clinical characteristics, it could lead to a correct prediction of LUSC prognosis. High SRS risk-scores were associated with higher ICB responses, and immune checkpoint scores, and lower tumor stemness.Dasatinib may become a new targeted drug for LUSC.
CONCLUSIONS:Overall, we identified prognostic SRS features in patients with LUSC, which were closely related to TIME. Further, reliable risk prediction models and clinical nomograms were constructed.The differences of ICB,tumor stemness,and immune checkpoint scores responses among patients with different risk scores were significant.Dasatinib was selected as a new small molecule for the potential treatment of LUSC[1].
Evaluation method of visual design quality of enterprise brand packaging based on cloud computing
Authors: Yi Liu
Published: November 2022

At present, people's daily consumption is more and more extended to the level of personalized demand, and various brands of goods are everywhere. People rarely make detailed analysis and screening from the quality when choosing goods, and often buy according to the brand. Therefore, many enterprises begin to pay attention to the innovation of modern packaging design functions. On the basis of the previous packaging identification, product protection and corporate image beautification functions, they pay more attention to the creation of brand packaging image and the innovation of its communication means, so as to convey product information to consumers more clearly, make the brand's value characteristics consistent with consumers' needs, and thus be accepted and recognized by consumers. However, based on the clustering of modern packaging design elements and the homogenization of similar packaging products, most enterprises still use the traditional packaging design teaching philosophy, and the quality of corporate brand visual design is often lack of innovation, and there is no unified evaluation standard. The cultural connotation, combined with the market situation, calculates the market packaging direction and quality demand through cloud computing, so as to improve the design aesthetic quality and enhance the brand packaging design ability. The experiment proves that our method has positive significance for enterprises in meeting the requirements of enterprise brand strategy and humanization and personalization of commodity packaging design.
In Vitro Screening for Antitrypanosomal Potentials of Punica granatum L. Leaves Crude Extracts
Authors: Fathuddin Muhammad Muhsin , Inabo Helen Ileigo
Published: November 2022

Purpose: Punica granatum (P. granatum) L. leaves were examined for potential antitrypanosomal properties. These leaves were acquired and identified at Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U.) Herbarium Unit in Zaria. Following drying, the following solvents—chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol—were used for exhaustive Soxhlet extraction. The crude extracts phytochemical analysis and in vitro antitrypanosomal capability were performed on Trypanosoma brucei brucei (T. b. brucei).
Research Method: The National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Basawa, Zaria, obtained the organism T. b. brucei. The wet and thick blood film method and the rapid matching method were used to examine the antitrypanosomal activity under 400x magnification. In 96-round-bottom well microtiter plates, the in vitro trypanocidal activity was evaluated in duplicate.
Findings: The antitrypanosomal activity of the ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts ranged from 6.25 to 400 mg/ml. Red blood cells (RBCs) were destroyed at all concentrations between 200 and 400 mg/ml, while between 6.25 and 100 mg/ml, the RBCs were still intact. As concentrations dropped, the parasite's motility rose. The parasite's motility entirely stopped after 60 minutes, whereas it continued for an additional 80 minutes in the negative control. A standard medicine that was made per the manufacturer's instructions and used as the positive control cleared everything in less than a minute.
Original/Value: This research may help in the development of novel antitrypanosomal medications from P. granatum L. As a result, despite lysing the RBC and having no effect on the parasite, the chloroform extract did not kill it. At a minimum concentration of 6.25 mg/ml, the P. granatum L. ethyl acetate and ethanol extract have the potential to operate as antitrypanosomal agents.
PCR-RFLP assays for the identification of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) species circulating in Honduras
Authors: Escobar Denis , Pérez Fernando , Ortiz Bryan , Fontecha Gustavo
Published: November 2022

Background
Vector populations are a key target for malaria control and elimination. In Honduras there are at least 12 reported anopheline species, however, the definitive number of species remains uncertain. Due to the inherent limitations of morphological identification of Anophelesspecies, molecular approaches have been developed to provide accurate identification and robust surveillance of local malaria vectors. The aim of this study was to design and assess three PCR-RFLP assays to identify anopheline species in Honduras.
Methods
Mosquitoes captured between 2018 and 2022 in seven malaria-endemic and non-endemic departments in Honduras were analysed. The ITS2 ribosomal region and three restriction enzyme-based assays were evaluated in silico and experimentally.
Results
A total of 132 sequences from 12 anopheline species were analysed. The ITS2 marker showed length polymorphisms that generated products between 388 bp and 592 bp and no relevant intraspecies polymorphisms were found. Furthermore, the three PCR-RFLP assays were able to differentiate eleven species with sufficient precision and resolution.
Conclusion
The ITS2 region showed to be a useful molecular marker for identifying local Anophelesspecies. In addition, the PCR-RFLP assays evaluated here proved to be capable of discriminating most of the anopheline species present in Honduras. These methods provide alternatives to improve entomological surveillance of Anophelesin Honduras and other Mesoamerican countries.
No evidence of sustained nonzoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi transmission: estimating species-specific spatiotemporally varying reproduction numbers for malaria in Malaysia
Authors: Fornace Kimberly , Topazian Hillary , Routledge Isobel , Asyraf Syafie , Jelip Jenarun , Lindblade Kimberly , Jeffree Mohammad Saffree , Cuenca Pablo Ruiz , Bhatt Samir , Ahmed Kamruddin , Ghani Azra C , Drakeley Chris
Published: November 2022

Reported incidence of the zoonotic malaria Plasmodium knowlesi has markedly increased across Southeast Asia and threatens malaria elimination. Nonzoonotic transmission of P. knowlesi has been experimentally demonstrated, but it remains unknown whether nonzoonotic transmission is contributing to increases in P. knowlesi cases. Here, we adapt model-based inference methods to estimate RC, individual case reproductive numbers, for P. knowlesi, P. falciparum and P. vivax human cases in Malaysia from 2012–2020 (n = 32,635). Best fitting models for P. knowlesi showed subcritical transmission (RC <1) consistent with a large reservoir of unobserved infection sources, indicating P. knowlesi remains a primarily zoonotic infection. In contrast, sustained transmission (RC > 1) was estimated historically for P. falciparum and P. vivax, with declines in RC estimates observed over time consistent with local elimination. Together, this suggests sustained nonzoonotic P. knowlesi transmission is highly unlikely and that new approaches are urgently needed to control spillover risks.
Comparison of Postoperative Analgesia Use Between Robotic and Laparoscopic Total Hysterectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Tanabe Shohei , Yamamoto Ryohei , Sugino Sachiyo , Ichida Kotaro , Niiya Kiyoshi , Morishima Syuji
Published: November 2022

Background/Objective:Although robotic and laparoscopic total hysterectomies are widely used as minimally invasive procedures, consensus on which is superior regarding lesser postoperative pain is lacking. Thisstudy determines whether there is a difference in the proportion of postoperative use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen between robotic and laparoscopic total hysterectomies.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients who underwent robotic or laparoscopic total hysterectomy for uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 at a hospital between July 2016and November 2021. The outcome was postoperative analgesics (i.e., NSAIDs or acetaminophen) use. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between the procedure and outcome. Adjusted variables were age, body mass index, surgeon’s laparoscopic technique certification, intravenous patient-controlled analgesia, and wound local anesthesia.
Results: Of 127 patients, 3 were excluded, and 124 were included. Robotic and laparoscopic hysterectomy was performed in 38 and 86 patients, respectively. Postoperative analgesics were administered to 10 (26.3%) and 52 (60.5%) patients in the robotic and laparoscopic groups, respectively. Unadjusted logistic regression analysis showed significantly more frequent analgesics use in the laparoscopy group (odds ratio [OR] 4.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.85–9.93; p < 0.01). Adjusted logistic regression analysis did not detect significant differences (OR 2.62; 95% CI 0.91–7.56; p = 0.07).
Conclusion: No significant difference in the proportion of postoperative analgesia was observed betweenrobotic total hysterectomy and laparoscopy. Future studies must include largersample sizes andaligned intraoperative and postoperative analgesic management.
Platelet-rich plasma preserves cartilage thickness and delays total knee arthroplasty in osteoarthritis with an inflammatory phenotype: a 5-year follow-up retrospective study
Authors: Chen Yang , Wu Song , Wen Zi , Wang Xin-Xing , Chen Yong , Xia Guang , Cao Xu
Published: November 2022

Background
This study aims to explore whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can delay the progression of disease, reduce the incidence of Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and improve clinical symptoms in patients with typical inflammatory phenotype knee osteoarthritis (KOA)
Methods
This was a retrospective cohort study with 5-year follow-up. According to clinical manifestations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS), and serum inflammation markers C-reactive protein (CRP), we selected patients with typical inflammatory phenotype of KOA. Patients were divided into groups based on whether they had received PRP, hyaluronic acid (HA), or other conservative treatment (OCT). The Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade and Minimum joint space width (MJSW) in knee X-rays were used to evaluate the progression of KOA. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, Knee Society scores (KSS), minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and Osteoarthritis Research Society International Set Responder Criteria Osteoarthritis Clinical Trials Revisited (OMERACT-OARSI) tool were used to evaluate the improvement of KOA symptoms. The incidence and timing of TKA was statistically analyzed.
Results
A total of 646 patients were finally included, including 211 received PRP, 209 received HA and 226 received OCT. PRP showed better results in K-L grade and MJSW compared with HA and OCT (The results at 12m, 24m, 36m, 48m, 60m, respectively, were as follows; K-L grade, PRP vs. HA, P = 0.957, P = 0.534, P = 0.230, P < 0.001, P < 0.001; PRP vs. OCT, P = 0.240, P = 0.012, P = 0.004, P < 0.001, P < 0.001; MJSW, PRP vs. HA, P = 0.249, P = 0.013, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001; PRP vs. OCT, P = 0.155, P = 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Compared with HA and OCT, PRP group exhibited significant lower TKA incidence (PRP vs. HA, P = 0.001; PRP vs. OCT, P = 0.001; HA vs OCT, P = 0.732) and delayed time to TKA (log-rank, PRP vs HA,P < 0.001, PRP vs OCT, P < 0.001, HA vs OCT, P = 0.467). The WOMAC, KSS and KSS-F in PRP group were significantly better than those in HA group and OCT group at each time point after treatment (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Intra articular injection of PRP can delay progression of KOA, reduce or postpone occurrence of TKA and improve clinical symptoms in strictly screened patients with typical inflammatory phenotype KOA.
Level of Evidence:
III, retrospective cohort.
Simulation analysis on seismic dynamic response of pile supported tunnels in deep backfill area of soil-rock mixture
Authors: Shen Guoshun , Lou Yuanhao , Wu Jianguo , Jin Xiaoguang , Xue Yunchuan
Published: November 2022

To reveal the seismic dynamic response of the pile-supported tunnel group in the soil-rock mixture deep backfill region, a three-dimensional finite element model was established based on the engineering conditions of the subway section and three tunnels with close access lines. Subsequently, the seismic dynamic response of the tunnel lining structure was studied. The results show that: Under the action of seismic, the soil-rock mixture stratum presents nonlinear characteristics with shear failure and plastic deformation. In addition, the acceleration and earth pressure of the soil-rock mixture stratum is in a “saturated” state; The seismic dynamic response of the three tunnels influences each other. The bending moments in the X and Y directions of the tunnel lining cross-section are distributed in “X” and inverted “V” shapes, respectively. Meanwhile, the tensile stress and shear stress are distributed in an “X” shape; Under the action of seismic, the main failure form of tunnel lining is tension shear failure, and the most vulnerable position is the left and right arch foot, followed by the left and right arch shoulder; The bending moment of the pile body changes nonlinearly in the height direction. The most significant bending moment value appears at the top 1/5 of the pile length and the junction of different strata. Furthermore, the most significant horizontal displacement of the lining structure occurs at the tunnel vault.
Multi-axis vibration test technology of satellite based on vector-fixture’s design and applications
Authors: Liang Xiaohua , Zhao Wei , Dong Min , Qiu Hanping
Published: November 2022

Aiming at the problems that the three-direction uniaxial sequential vibration test cannot effectively simulate the real launch environment of the satellite, and the high cost of the multi-axis shaker and the limitation of engineering application, the multi-axis vibration test scheme based on vector-fixture is proposed. Taking the vibration magnitude of uniaxial vibration test on the satellite mounting surface as equivalent reference, the appropriate vector direction is determined to carry out vector-fixture design. By analyzing the multi-axial vibration test data of the real structure of a satellite, it can be seen that: The “satellite-fixture” mounting surface can reach the set vibration magnitude at low frequencies, and undertest occurs at high frequency due to structural resonance and other factors; By optimizing the control strategy, the degree of over-test and under-test in the three directions can be balanced. According to the mission characteristics and development cycle of micro-nano satellites, this paper provides an efficient vibration test scheme.
Investigation of scarce input data augmentation for modelling nitrogenous compounds in South African rivers
Authors: Mahlathi Christopher Dumisani , Wilms Josefine , Brink Isobel
Published: November 2022

In this study, basic interpolation and machine learning data augmentation were applied to scarce data used in Water Quality Analysis Simulation Programme (WASP) and Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) that were applied to nitrogenous compound degradation modelling in a river reach. Model outputs were assessed for statistically significant differences. Furthermore, artificial data gaps were introduced into the input data to study the limitations of each augmentation method. The Python Data Analysis Library (Pandas) was used to perform the deterministic interpolation. In addition, the effect of missing data at local maxima was investigated. The results showed little statistical difference between deterministic interpolation methods for data augmentation but larger differences when the input data were infilled specifically at locations where extrema occurred.
Methodology for an ecological solution of subsurface flow constructed wetlands used in the treatment of greywater
Authors: Anigrou Yassine , Bahlami Ahmed , El Khlifi Mohamed
Published: November 2022

Hammams or public baths continue to consume substantial quantities of drinking water up to 120 m3/day and discharge equivalent quantities of greywater. These hammams thus become an important source of this greywater, which can be easily treated using constructed wetlands (CWs). In this context, the present study proposes to practitioners a general method for sizing subsurface flow (SSF) CWs for the treatment of greywater discharged from hammams. It is oriented to simple applications such as irrigation, car washing and toilet flushing. Due to the complexity of quantifying the evapotranspiration (ET) of the treated water at the CWs, a practical and flexible method is presented here to calculate ET. In the end, a case study of a Moroccan hammam has been treated and discussed. It provides the designers of SSF CWs with a concrete example of the application of the proposed methodology.
Non-canonical Small GTPase RBJ Promotes NSCLC Progression Through the
Canonical MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Dong Zhe , Hu Weidong , Wang Yujin , Shen Xiaoyan , Wang Qingwen , Guo Zixin , Hu Liwen
Published: November 2022

Background:

Although the majority of members belonging to the small GTPase Ras superfamily have been studied in several malignancies, the function of RBJ has remained unclear, particularly in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Objective:

The research aims to determine the function of RBJ in NSCLC.

Methods:

The levels of RBJ protein in tumor tissue and para-carcinoma normal tissue were ascertained via immunohistochemistry (IHC). The growth, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells were assessed by 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, colony formation, cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), transwell and wound healing assays. Furthermore, a nude mouse xenograft model was established to study the function of RBJ in tumorigenesis in vivo.

Results:

The IHC analysis revealed that the protein levels of RBJ were notably increased in tumor tissue and positively associated with the clinical stage. In addition, the knockdown of RBJ restrained the growth, invasion, and migration of NSCLC cell lines by inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through the MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Accordingly, opposite results were observed when RBJ was overexpressed. In addition, the overexpression of RBJ accelerated tumor formation by A549 cells in nude mice.

Conclusion:

RBJ promoted cancer progression in NSCLC by activating EMT via the MEK/ERK signaling. Thus, RBJ could be used as a potential therapeutic against NSCLC.
Laccase-assisted Bioremediation of Pesticides: Scope and Challenges
Authors: Paul Chandana , Pal Nilasish , Maitra Madhumita , Das Nirmalendu
Published: November 2022

Laccase (Benzenediol: oxygen oxidoreductase; E.C.1.10.3.2), a multicopper oxidase that is
a known lignin-degrading enzyme, can catalyse an ample array of substrates, from phenolic, nonphenolic
compounds, aromatic amines, diamines, heterocyclic compounds to organic/inorganic metal
compounds, etc., bestowed they have not too high redox potentials. Despite many laccase-producing
organisms like bacteria, insects, plants, and animals, white rot filamentous fungi are the best producers
of this enzyme. In the presence of laccase, pesticides (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, etc.) of various
chemical compositions (organophosphates, organochlorines, carbamates, pyrethrin & pyrethroids,
etc.) are oxidized into the water with collateral reduction of four electrons of molecular oxygen with
various efficiencies. Bioremediation efficiency can be increased in the presence of various natural or
synthetic mediators, viz. ABTS, violuric acid, 1- hydroxy benzotriazole, vanillin, syringaldehyde, PEG,
etc. Immobilized laccase on various supporting materials increased the enzyme's stability, reliability,
and reusability for continuous application, particularly for industrial processes. The present review
discusses the structure, catalytic cycle, general mechanism of oxidation, and various scopes and challenges
of pesticide degradation by this multifaceted biocatalyst which could lead to a green sustainable
environment.
Estimation of Bone Mineral Density in the Femoral Neck and Lumbar
Spine using Texture Analysis of Chest and Pelvis Computed Tomography
Hounsfield Unit
Authors: Min Young-Kyung , Lee Dong-Ha , Yoo Jae-Heung , Park Man-Jun , Huh Jung-Wook , Kim MinWoo
Published: November 2022

Objective:

This study aimed to establish an academic basis for using a computed tomography
(CT) model for predicting osteoporosis in the clinical setting by illustrating the effectiveness of
morphometric texture analysis. We introduce texture analysis and quantitative approaches using CT
Hounsfield units (HU) to screen osteoporosis.

Methods:

From March 6th, 2013, to August 11th, 2020, a total of 4,333 cases (1,766 patients) were
included in the study. After applying exclusion criteria concerning the patient status and scan interval
between CT and DXA, we selected only 1,647 samples (736 patients) and analyzed both their CT and
DXA bone mineral density (BMD) results. BMD was measured in the femoral neck and L1 spine
body. A region of interest (ROI) was extracted from each patient’s CT as the maximum trabecular area
of the L1 spine body and femoral neck. A total of 45 texture features were extracted from every ROI
using gray-level co-occurrence matrices. Machine-learning techniques, including linear regression
(LR) and artificial neural network (ANN), were applied to predict BMD.

Results:

We assigned samples to (1) Set 1 (857 lumbar spine samples in chest model, L1 spine DXA
BMD), (2) Set 2 (392 lumbar spine samples in lumbar spine CT model, L1 spine DXA BMD), (3) Set
3 (1,249 lumbar spine samples in both chest and lumbar spine CT model, L1 spine DXA BMD), (4)
Set 4 (398 femoral neck samples in hip and pelvis CT model, femoral neck DXA BMD), and (5) Set 5
(a total of 1,647 samples). When we applied LR, the correlation coefficients between estimated and
reference values for Sets 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 0.783, 0.784, 0.757, and 0.652, respectively. For total
samples (Set 5), LR and ANN provided correlation coefficients of 0.707 and 0.782, respectively.

Conclusion:

The modality using morphometric texture analysis with CT HU can be an additional diagnostic
tool for osteoporosis and an alternative for DXA.
Urinary Tract Infection in Infants <1 Month of Age: Demographic,
Clinical, and Microbiological Characteristics
Authors: Firouzi Majid , Karamian Armin , Modiri Roshanak , Hosseinirad Hossein
Published: November 2022

Background:

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 232 infants aged <1 month with
proven UTI admitted to three major teaching hospitals for the period 2010-2018 to assess clinical,
demographic, and laboratory findings of urinary tract infection in this age group.

Methods:

All information was extracted from the medical records. Urinary tract infection was defined
as ≥ 50,000 colony-forming units per milliliter of a single uropathogen isolated from a catheterized or
suprapubic aspiration or greater than 100,000 colony-forming units per milliliter from a midstream,
clean-catch sample.

Results:

The most common pathogen isolated was E. coli (78.4%), followed by Enterobacter and
Klebsiella, accounting for 12.1 and 4.7% respectively. The main presenting clinical manifestation was
jaundice, which was found in 54.7% of cases; it was followed by restlessness (45.6%) and fever (40%).

Conclusion:

During infancy, the signs and symptoms of UTI are often nonspecific and although urine
culture is a gold standard diagnostic tool specimen collection is challenging and urine contamination is
common in children, therefore it makes the diagnosis difficult. UTI in infants may indicate underlying
genitourinary abnormalities; therefore, appropriate diagnosis and immediate initiation of antibiotic
therapy are crucial to decrease long-term complications like renal scarring. According to our study, the
most common clinical features were jaundice, restlessness, and fever, therefore it is suggested that
urine culture should be performed for all infants presenting with these signs and symptoms.
Safety of Soluplus® in Pediatrics
Authors: Schmitt Georg
Published: November 2022

This paper provides information on the risk and acceptability of the polymeric solubilizer
Soluplus® as an excipient in pediatric formulations. The assessment was performed based on
safety data available from the manufacturer and publicly available data sources. Soluplus® is virtually
non-toxic in rats and dogs after oral administration, consistent with its negligible systemic exposure.
The non-toxic dose levels established in animals translate into a substantial Human Equivalent
Dose (>300 mg/kg). Clinical safety data in adult subjects further support the presumed safe use
of Soluplus® in pediatric clinical formulations. Based on existing data, additional toxicology studies
in juvenile animals are not warranted. Overall, the use of Soluplus® as an excipient in pediatric
oral clinical formulations in 300 mg or 30 mg/kg can be considered reasonably safe.
Efecto del amamantamiento restringido sobre características de crecimiento en ovinos de pelo colombiano
Authors: Noriega-Marquez Jorge , Montes Vergara Donicer , Lenis-Valencia Claudia , Hernández-Herrera Darwin
Published: November 2022

Objetive. To evaluate the effect of restricted suckling (RS) on growth parameters adjusted weight (AW) and daily weight gain (DWG), body condition (BC) and FAMACHA® score (FA) during lactation and post-weaning in Colombian hair sheep (CHS). Materials and methods. 76 CHS with cries were assigned to one of two treatments. Treatment 1 (T1), lambs with continuous suckling (CS): 24 hours with the dam (n= 38). Treatment 2 (T2), restricted suckling (RS), 10 hours (n= 38). Measurements were taken every 30 days from birth to 210 days with weaning at 90 days. AW, DWG, BC and FA were evaluated, and the data were analyzed with a linear fixed-effects and repeated measures model and Tukey-Kramer test. Results. AW before 60 days did not vary significantly between T1 and T2. After weaning and until the end of the experiment, BP were significantly (p<0.001) higher in T2. Average pre-weaning GPD did not vary between T1 and T2 (p= 0.053). Post-weaning DWG varied significantly (p<0.001) between T1 and T2 (82.38±17.4 and 123.95±20.6 g/day respectively). After weaning BC was higher (p<0.001) in lambs at T2. No differences were found in FA during lactation. After weaning, T2 presented better qualification (p<0.001). Conclusions. T1 and T2 presented the same performance at weaning. However, the differences from weaning to seven months of age were in favor of lambs submitted to T2.
Incidence and Prevalence of Peripheral Arterial Disease in South Korea: Retrospective Analysis of National Claims Data
Authors: Ryu Gi Wook , Park Young Shin , Kim Jeewuan , Yang Yong Sook , Ko Young-Guk , Choi Mona
Published: November 2022

Background

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) causes blood vessel narrowing that decreases blood flow to the lower extremities, with symptoms such as leg pain, discomfort, and intermittent claudication. PAD increases risks for amputation, poor health-related quality of life, and mortality. It is estimated that more than 200 million people worldwide have PAD, although the paucity of PAD research in the East detracts from knowledge on global PAD epidemiology. There are few national data–based analyses or health care utilization investigations. Thus, a national data analysis of PAD incidence and prevalence would provide baseline data to enable health promotion strategies for patients with PAD.

Objective

This study aims to identify South Korean trends in the incidence and prevalence of PAD and PAD treatment, in-hospital deaths, and health care utilization.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of South Korean national claims data from 2009 to 2018. The incidence of PAD was determined by setting the years 2010 and 2011 as a washout period to exclude previously diagnosed patients with PAD. The study included adults aged ≥20 and <90 years who received a primary diagnosis of PAD between 2011 and 2018; patients were stratified according to age, sex, and insurance status for the incidence and prevalence analyses. Descriptive statistics were used to assess incidence, prevalence, endovascular revascularization (EVR) events, amputations, in-hospital deaths, and the health care utilization characteristics of patients with PAD.

Results

Based on data from 2011 to 2018, there were an average of 124,682 and 993,048 incident and prevalent PAD cases, respectively, in 2018. PAD incidence (per 1000 persons) ranged from 2.68 to 3.09 during the study period. From 2012 to 2018, the incidence rate in both sexes showed an increasing trend. PAD incidence continued to increase with age. PAD prevalence (per 1000 persons) increased steadily, from 3.93 in 2011 to 23.55 in 2018. The number of EVR events varied between 933 and 1422 during the study period, and both major and minor amputations showed a decreasing trend. Health care utilization characteristics showed that women visited clinics more frequently than men, whereas men used tertiary and general hospitals more often than women.

Conclusions

The number of incident and prevalent PAD cases generally showed an increasing trend. Visits to tertiary and general hospitals were higher among men than women. These results indicate the need for attention not only to Western and male patients, but also to Eastern and female patients with PAD. The results are generalizable, as they are based on national claims data from the entire South Korean population, and they can promote preventive care and management strategies for patients with PAD in clinical and public health settings.
Assessment and Improvement of Drug Data Structuredness From Electronic Health Records: Algorithm Development and Validation
Authors: Reinecke Ines , Siebel Joscha , Fuhrmann Saskia , Fischer Andreas , Sedlmayr Martin , Weidner Jens , Bathelt Franziska
Published: November 2022

Background

Digitization offers a multitude of opportunities to gain insights into current diagnostics and therapies from retrospective data. In this context, real-world data and their accessibility are of increasing importance to support unbiased and reliable research on big data. However, routinely collected data are not readily usable for research owing to the unstructured nature of health care systems and a lack of interoperability between these systems. This challenge is evident in drug data.

Objective

This study aimed to present an approach that identifies and increases the structuredness of drug data while ensuring standardization according to Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification.

Methods

Our approach was based on available drug prescriptions and a drug catalog and consisted of 4 steps. First, we performed an initial analysis of the structuredness of local drug data to define a point of comparison for the effectiveness of the overall approach. Second, we applied 3 algorithms to unstructured data that translated text into ATC codes based on string comparisons in terms of ingredients and product names and performed similarity comparisons based on Levenshtein distance. Third, we validated the results of the 3 algorithms with expert knowledge based on the 1000 most frequently used prescription texts. Fourth, we performed a final validation to determine the increased degree of structuredness.

Results

Initially, 47.73% (n=843,980) of 1,768,153 drug prescriptions were classified as structured. With the application of the 3 algorithms, we were able to increase the degree of structuredness to 85.18% (n=1,506,059) based on the 1000 most frequent medication prescriptions. In this regard, the combination of algorithms 1, 2, and 3 resulted in a correctness level of 100% (with 57,264 ATC codes identified), algorithms 1 and 3 resulted in 99.6% (with 152,404 codes identified), and algorithms 1 and 2 resulted in 95.9% (with 39,472 codes identified).

Conclusions

As shown in the first analysis steps of our approach, the availability of a product catalog to select during the documentation process is not sufficient to generate structured data. Our 4-step approach reduces the problems and reliably increases the structuredness automatically. Similarity matching shows promising results, particularly for entries with no connection to a product catalog. However, further enhancement of the correctness of such a similarity matching algorithm needs to be investigated in future work.
Regular Testing of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections With Self-Collected Samples From Multiple Anatomic Sites to Monitor Sexual Health in Men Who Have Sex With Men: Longitudinal Study
Authors: Wong Ngai Sze , Kwan Tsz Ho , Chan Denise P C , Lui Grace C Y , Lee Shui Shan
Published: November 2022

Background

Regular HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing for men who have sex with men (MSM) is an important means of infection prevention, the adoption of which remains suboptimal in the community.

Objective

On the hypothesis that engagement plays an important role in sexual health monitoring, this study aimed to pilot-test internet-based HIV and STI testing with self-sampling to enhance engagement of MSM with regular testing.

Methods

This 1-year cohort study was conducted on HIV-negative MSM aged 18 years or older. A designated website was set up to enable participants to make appointments for baseline and follow-up visits at 3-monthly intervals. On-site blood sampling was performed for HIV and syphilis tests, along with self-collection of pharyngeal swabs, rectal swabs, and urine samples for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) testing. Full engagement, as defined by having made at least 3 visits over a 6-12 months’ follow-up period, was compared with partial engagement in the bivariable logistic regression model.

Results

Between August 2019 and October 2020, 204 MSM were recruited, after the exclusion of 2 baseline HIV-positive MSM. The majority (189/204, 92.7%) were Chinese, the median age was 31 (IQR 26-39) years, and 58.0% (116/200) had experience with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) at baseline. Full engagement (146/204, 71.6%) was associated with incident STI during the follow-ups (odds ratio [OR] 4.23, 95% CI 1.63-10.94), seeking a medical referral after STI detection (OR 10.25, 95% CI 3.25-29.79), and a synchronized schedule of HIV and STI testing with PrEP visits (OR 51.85, 95% CI 19.30-139.34). No incident HIV was detected in the follow-up period. At baseline, the overall STI (CT, NG, or syphilis) prevalence was 30%, with CT at 18%, NG at 13%, and syphilis at 5%. During follow-up, the incidences were 59.08/100 person-years (py) for any STI, 33.05/100 py for CT, 29.86/100 py for NG, and 10.4/100 py for syphilis. The detection rates of CT and NG in urine samples were lower than with pharyngeal swabs and rectal swabs. The scores for convenience, confidence of correct sampling, and accuracy of self-sampling were high (7 to 8 out of 10).

Conclusions

Both baseline prevalence and incidence of STI were high among MSM engaged in regular testing. A high degree of engagement in regular STI and HIV testing was positively associated with incident STI, history of health-seeking behaviors, and perceived convenience of self-sampling. Self-sampling could be introduced as a means of enhancing engagement in regular HIV and STI testing.
Blood Pressure Measurement Based on the Camera and Inertial Measurement Unit of a Smartphone (Preprint)
Authors: Yoon Yong-Hoon , Kim Jongin , Lee Kwang Jin , Cho Dongrae , Oh Jin Kyung , Kim Min Su , Roh Jae-Hyung , Park Hyun-Woong , Lee Jae-Hwan
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Even though several mobile applications that can measure blood pressure (BP) have been developed, the data about the accuracy of those applications are limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the accuracy of AlwaysBP (test) in BP measurement compared with the standard cuff-based manual method of brachial BP measurement (reference).

METHODS

AlwaysBP is a smartphone software that estimates systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) based on the pulse transit time (PTT). The PTT was calculated from the finger photoplethysmogram using the camera and from seismocardiogram using the inertial measurement unit sensor of a commercially available smartphone. After calculating PTT, SBP and DBP were estimated from the Bramwell-Hill and Moens-Korteweg equations. A calibration process was carried out three times for each subject to determine the input parameters of the equation. The study was conducted from March to August 2021 at Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital with 85 participants between the ages of 19 and 70 years who met specific conditions. The primary analysis aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the test method compared with the reference method in the entire study population. The secondary analysis was performed to confirm the stability of the test method for up to 4 weeks in 15 subjects. At enrollment, the gender, arm circumference, and BP distribution were considered according to the current guidelines.

RESULTS

Among the study subjects, 45 (51.7%) individuals were male and the average age was 35.6 ± 10.4 years. Hypertension was diagnosed in 14 subjects (16.1%) prior to the study. The mean test and reference SBP were 120.0 ± 18.8 and 118.7 ± 20.2 mmHg, respectively, and the difference was 1.2 ± 7.1 mmHg. The absolute difference between the test and baseline SBP was <5 mmHg in 57.5%, <10 mmHg in 84.3%, and <15 mmHg in 94.6% of the subjects. The mean test and reference DBP were 80.1 ± 12.6 and 81.1 ± 14.4 mmHg, respectively, and the difference was −1.0 ± 6.0 mmHg. The absolute difference between the test and the reference DBP was <5 mmHg in 75.5%, <10 mmHg in 93.9%, and <15 mmHg in 97.3% of the subjects. The secondary analysis showed that after 4 weeks, the differences between SBP and DBP were 0.1 ± 8.8 and −2.4 ± 7.6 mmHg, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The AlwaysBP software exhibited acceptable accuracy regarding SBP and DBP measurement compared with the standard BP measurement method according to AAMI/ESH/ISO protocol criteria. However, further validation study is required with a specific validation protocol designed for cuffless BP measuring devices to assess clinical accuracy. This technology can be easily applied in everyday life and may improve the general population’s awareness of hypertension, thus helping to control it.

CLINICALTRIAL
Decolonization through Spoken Word Poetry: A Postcolonial Analysis of Emi Mahmoud and Safia Elhillo’s poetry
Authors: Sohini Riya
Published: November 2022

Hip Hop has been a cultural wave creating and modifying the revolution started in the 1970s by Black people against systemic oppression, and while it manifests itself as a commodified narrativization against racism, sexism and other equally troublesome oppressive ideologies, it becomes a site for change through ethnographic performativity. Spoken Word poets have used this tool to bring marginal narratives to the center and challenge the heteropatriarchal lens, misogynoir and racist practices all around the world. Spoken word poetry has not been researched analytically or theoretically much previously, and even when it was, the research and statistics were limited to the technical aspects of performance. This paper deals with the idea of culture being a site for performance, and simultaneously performance being the action that precedes stereotypes and false representations of marginalized cultures throughout the global north. The spoken word poets use the stage as a liminal space for a multiplicity of cultures to thrive, and challenge the oppressive tools, including that of language, clothing, and voice used by mainstream cultures to oppress the said communities, and normalize their own traditions and morals. The paper reveals the performative tactics used by spoken word poets in order to deinstitutionalize systems of power, and establish a counter narrative of their own as a form of revolution.
Unauthorized exposure of intimate images of women
Authors: Barbosa Patrocino Laís , Dias Bevilacqua Paula
Published: November 2022

This work analyzed the experience of women who had intimate images exposed in an unauthorized manner through in-depth interviews with 17 women and ten health and care professionals from different institutions belonging to the care network to women in violence situations who attended those who have gone through this type of violence in Brazil. It was observed that the unauthorized exposure of intimacy is initiated by different people in relation to women and motivated by different factors. Commonly, exposure occurs amidst other types of violence against women, associated with it or not. The main damages caused to women do not refer to the exposure itself, but to the repercussion of this event in their personal and professional relationships and the revictimization that occurred mainly in institutions such as the police.
LENGUAJE, MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN Y VIOLENCIA DE GÉNERO: LAS TRES MUERTES DE MARISELA ESCOBEDO
Authors: Salvá Soria Pilar
Published: November 2022

Este artículo pretende dar cuenta de la importancia del papel del lenguaje, la narrativa y las buenas prácticas periodísticas involucradas en casos de violencia de género. Tomo como punto de partida el giro lingüístico y narrativo de la filosofía, el cual pone de manifiesto que el lenguaje no es solo una herramienta, sino que es apertura y modelación de mundos posibles. Esta posición filosófica resulta de ayuda para comprender la relevancia que tiene la construcción de un vocabulario para la igualdad y los estudios de género en su comprensión del sujeto mujer. Asimismo, pongo un ejemplo paradigmático de buenas prácticas periodísticas con la narración y análisis de Las tres muertes de Marisela Escobedo.