bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteinuria is independently associated with carotid atherosclerosis: a multicentric study
Authors: Jiang Wencai , Chen Meixiang , Huang Jianyu , Shang Yu , Qin Changyu , Ruan Zheng , Li Shuang , Wang Ruixin , Li Pengfei , Huang Yuekang , Liu Jianxiong , Xu Lin
Published: November 2021

Background and aims

Atherosclerosis is a vital cause of cardiovascular diseases. The correlation between proteinuria and atherosclerosis, however, has not been confirmed. This study aimed to assess whether there is a relationship between proteinuria and atherosclerosis.

Methods

From January 2016 to September 2020, 13,545 asymptomatic subjects from four centres in southern China underwent dipstick proteinuria testing and carotid atherosclerosis examination. Data on demography and past medical history were collected, and laboratory examinations were performed. The samples consisted of 7405 subjects (4875 males and 2530 females), excluding subjects failing to reach predefined standards and containing enough information. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to adjust the influence of traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis on the results.

Results

Compared with proteinuria-negative subjects, proteinuria-positive subjects had a higher prevalence rate of carotid atherosclerosis. The differences were statistically significant (22.6% vs. 26.7%, χ2 = 10.03, p = 0.002). After adjusting for common risk factors for atherosclerosis, age, sex, BMI, blood lipids, blood pressure, renal function, hypertensive disease, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia, proteinuria was an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis (OR = 1.191, 95% CI 1.015–1.398, p = 0.033). The Hosmer–Lemeshow test was used to test the risk prediction model of atherosclerosis, and the results showed that the model has high goodness of fit and strong independent variable prediction ability.

Conclusions

Proteinuria is independently related to carotid atherosclerosis. With the increase in proteinuria level, the risk of carotid atherosclerotic plaque increases. For patients with positive proteinuria, further examination of atherosclerosis should not be ignored.
Factors influencing caregiver burden by dementia severity based on an online database from Seoul dementia management project in Korea
Authors: Kim Boyoung , Kim Jennifer Ivy , Na Hae Ri , Lee Kang Sook , Chae Kyung-hee , Kim Sukil
Published: November 2021

Backgrounds

As the prevalence of dementia rises, caregiver burden also increases in South Korea, especially for informal family caregivers. This study aimed to analyze factors affecting caregiver burden by the severity of dementia based on data of patients in Seoul.

Methods

A total of 12,292 individuals aged ≥65 years enrolled in the Seoul Dementia Management Project from 2010 to 2016 in an online database were selected. Caregiver’s burden was assessed using the Korea version of Zarit Burden Interview. Multiple regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with primary caregiver’s burden after stratifying the severity of dementia.

Results

Most patients showed moderate levels of cognitive impairment (49.4%), behavior problems (82.6%), and ADL dependency (73.6%). After stratifying the severity of dementia, caregivers caring for patients with mild symptoms of dementia were experienced with higher caregiver burden if patients were under a lower score of IADL. Significant factors for caregiver burden among caregivers supporting patients with moderate symptoms of dementia include caregivers’ residence with patients, subjective health status, and co-work with secondary caregivers. Lastly, caregivers for patients with severe dementia symptoms experienced a higher caregiver burden from limited cognitive function, problematic behavior, and caregivers’ negative health status.

Conclusion

In terms of sample size, this study had far more patients than any other domestic or international study. It was meaningful in that it analyzed characteristics of patients with dementia and caregivers affecting the burden of caregivers in Korea. Intensive social supports with multiple coping strategies focusing on different levels of patients’ clinical symptoms and caregivers’ needs should be planned to relieve the caregiver burden.
Correction to: Association between hyperpyrexia and poststroke outcomes in patients with recanalization after mechanical thrombectomy: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Man , Fang Jinghuan , Wu Xintong , Liu Qin , Feng Ling , He Li
Published: November 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Anaemia and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer’s pathology in cognitively normal elders: the CABLE study
Authors: Yang Xin-Yu , Hou Xiao-He , Bi Yan-Lin , Hu Hao , Cao Xi-Peng , Tan Lan , Yang Jiu-Long , Yu Jin-Tai
Published: November 2021

Background

Anaemia has been reported to be associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the associations between anaemia and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers are still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the associations between anaemia and CSF AD biomarkers.

Methods

Participants were included from the Chinese Alzheimer’s Biomarker and LifestylE (CABLE) study. The associations of anaemia and its severity with CSF AD biomarkers including β-amyloid 1–42 (Aβ42), total tau (t-tau) and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) were analysed by multiple linear regression models. Adjusted for age, gender, educational levels, APOE ε4 alleles, comorbidities (history of coronary heart disease, history of stroke, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia) and glomerular filtration rate.

Results

A total of 646 cognitively normal older adults, consisting of 117 anaemia patients and 529 non-anaemia individuals, were included in this study. Anaemia patients had lower levels of CSF Aβ42 than individuals without anaemia (p = 0.035). Besides, participants with more severe anaemia had lower CSF Aβ42 levels (p = 0.045). No significant association of anaemia with CSF t-tau and p-tau levels was found.

Conclusion

Cross-sectionally, anaemia was associated with lower CSF Aβ42 levels. These findings consolidated the causal close relationship between anaemia and AD.
Expression of CIB1 correlates with colorectal liver metastases but not with peritoneal carcinomatosis
Authors: Jacob Sven , Bösch Florian , Schoenberg Markus B. , Pretzsch Elise , Lampert Christopher , Haoyu Ren , Renz Bernhard W. , Michl Marlies , Kumbrink Jörg , Kirchner Thomas , Werner Jens , Angele Martin K. , Neumann Jens
Published: November 2021

Background

Molecular differences in colorectal cancer (CRC) are associated with the metastatic route. Patient survival is mainly driven by metastatic spread thus it is imperative to understand its key drivers to develop biomarkers for risk stratification, follow-up protocols and personalized therapy. Thus, this study aimed to identify genes associated with the metastatic route in CRC.

Material and methods

CRC patients resected at our clinic from 2005 to 2014 and with a minimum 5-year follow-up were included in this analysis and grouped into CRC with hepatic (HEP), peritoneal (PER) or without distant metastases (M0), and HEP/PER. Firstly, tumor RNA of 6 patients each was isolated by microdissection from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens and analyzed by a NanoString analysis. Subsequently, these results were validated with immunohistochemistry and correlated to clinicopathological parameters in a larger collective of CRC patients (HEP n = 51, PER n = 44, M0 n = 47, HEP/PER n = 28).

Results

Compared to M0, HEP tumors showed 20 differentially expressed genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis. Compared to M0, PER tumors had 18 differentially expressed genes. The finding of different gene signatures was supported by the multidimensional principal component clustering analysis. Tumor perforation did not influence the metastatic route. CIB1 was homogenously and significantly overexpressed in HEP compared to M0 (p < 0.001), but not in PER. Furthermore, immunohistochemical validation demonstrated that the mean CIB1 expression in HEP was 80% higher than in M0 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Gene expression analysis revealed that CIB1 is significantly overexpressed in CRC leading to liver metastases compared to M0 and PER. Thus, the present results suggest that CIB1 may play a crucial role for hematogenous spread to the liver but not for peritoneal carcinomatosis. Consequently, CIB1 seems to be a promising prognostic marker and a potential tool for future targeted therapies as well as early diagnostics and follow-up.
Newborn low birth weight: do socio-economic inequality still persist in India?
Authors: Mishra Prem Shankar , Sinha Debashree , Kumar Pradeep , Srivastava Shobhit , Bawankule Rahul
Published: November 2021

Background

The incidence of preterm birth and subsequent low birth weight (LBW) are vital global public health issues. It contributes to high infant and child mortality in the early stages of life and later on in adult life; it increases the risk for non-communicable diseases. The study aims to understand the socio-economic status-related inequality for LBW among children in India. It hypothesises that there is no association between the socio-economic status of the household and the newborn’s LBW in India.

Methods

The study utilised data from the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey, a national representative cross-sectional survey conducted in 2015-16 (N = 127,141). The concentration index (CCI) and the concentration curve (CC) measured socio-economic inequality in low birth status among newborns. Wagstaff decomposition further analysed key contributors in CCI by segregating significant covariates.

Results

About 18.2% of children had low birth weight status. The value of concentration was − 0.05 representing that low birth weight status is concentrated among children from lower socio-economic status. Further, the wealth quintile explained 76.6% of the SES related inequality followed by regions of India (− 44%) and the educational status of mothers (43.4%) for LBW among children in India. Additionally, the body mass index of the women (28.4%), ante-natal care (20.8%) and residential status (− 15.7%) explained SES related inequality for LBW among children in India.

Conclusion

Adequate attention should be given to the mother’s nutritional status. Awareness of education and usage of health services during pregnancy should be promoted. Further, there is a need to improve the coverage and awareness of the ante-natal care (ANC) program. In such cases, the role of the health workers is of utmost importance. Programs on maternal health services can be merged with maternal nutrition to bring about an overall decline in the LBW of children in India.
Effect of medication therapy combined with transcranial direct current stimulation on depression and response inhibition of patients with bipolar disorder type I: a clinical trial
Authors: Mardani Parnaz , Zolghadriha Ahmad , Dadashi Mohsen , Javdani Hossein , Mousavi Seyedeh Elnaz
Published: November 2021

Objective

Bipolar Disorder (BD) is one of the most common mental disorders associated with depressive symptoms and impairment in executive functions such as response inhibition. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of medication therapy combined with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on depression and response inhibition of patients with BD.

Method

This is a double-blinded randomized clinical trial with pretest, posttest, and follow-up design. Participants were 30 patients with BD randomly assigned to two groups of Medication+tDCS (n = 15, receiving medications plus tDCS with 2 mA intensity over dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 10 days, two sessions per day each for 20 min) and Medication (n = 15, receiving mood stabilizers including 2–5 tables of 300 mg (mg) lithium, 200 mg sodium valproate, and 200 mg carbamazepine two times per day). Pretest, posttest and 3-month follow-up assessments were the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and a Go/No-Go test. Collected data were analyzed in SPSS v.20 software.

Results

The mean HDRS score in both groups was reduced after both interventional techniques, where the group received combined therapy showed more reduction (P < 0.01), although their effects were not maintained after 3 months. In examining response inhibition variable, only the combined therapy could reduce the commission error of patients under a go/no-go task (p < 0.05), but its effect was not maintained after 3 months. There was no significant difference in the group received medication therapy alone.

Conclusion

Medication in combination with tDCS can reduce the depressive symptoms and improve the response inhibition ability of people with BD.

Trial registration

This study was registred by Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (Parallel, ID: IRCT20191229045931N1, Registration date: 24/08/2020).
Establishment of a peptide-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting antibodies against PRRSV M protein
Authors: Zhao Jun , Zhang Rubo , Zhu Ling , Deng Huidan , Li Fengqing , Xu Lei , Huan Jianbo , Sun Xiangang , Xu Zhiwen
Published: November 2021

Background

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most economically devastating diseases affecting the swine industry globally. Evaluation of antibody responses and neutralizing antibody titers is the most effective method for vaccine evaluation. In this study, the B cell line epitopes of PRRSV M protein were predicted, and two peptide ELISA assays were established (M-A110-129 ELISA, M-A148-174 ELISA) to detect antibodies against PRRSV M protein. Field serum samples collected from pig farms were used to validate the peptide ELISA and compare it with an indirect immunofluorescence assay.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of M-A110-129 ELISA and M-A148-174 ELISA were (111/125) 88.80%, (69/70) 98.57% and (122/125) 97.60%, (70/70) 100%, relative to indirect immunofluorescence assay. This peptide ELISA could detect antibodies against different genotypes of PRRSV including type 1 PRRSV, classical PRRSV, HP-PRRSV, and NADC30 like PRRSV, but not antibodies against other common swine viruses. The results of ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the M-A110-129 ELISA and M-A148-174 ELISA were 0.967 and 0.996, respectively. Compared the concordance of results using two peptide ELISA assays, the IDEXX PRRSV X3 Ab ELISA and a virus neutralization test, were assessed using a series of 147 sera from pigs vaccinated with the NADC30-like PRRSV inactivated vaccine. The M-A148-174 ELISA had the best consistency, with a Cohen’s kappa coefficient of 0.8772. The concordance rates of the Hipra PRRSV ELISA kit, M-A110-129 ELISA and M-A148-174 ELISA in the field seropositive detection results were 91.08, 86.32 and 95.35%, relative to indirect immunofluorescence assay.

Conclusions

In summary, compared with M-A110-129 ELISA, the PRRSV M-A148-174 ELISA is of value for detecting antibodies against PRRSV and the evaluation of the NADC30-like PRRSV inactivated vaccine, but the advantage is insufficient in serological early diagnosis.
Clinical efficacy evaluation of Erlotinib Combined with Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Liu Ci , Wei Haobin , Hou Yue-hong , Gao Zhen-lin , Zhang Ya-jing
Published: November 2021

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of erlotinib combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Methods: Eighty patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer who attended Shijiazhuang People’s Hospital or Anhui Cancer Hospital between January 2018 and January 2020 were randomly divided into two groups, with 40 cases in each group. Patients in the control group were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy, while those in the experimental group were treated with erlotinib tablets based on the treatment regimen of the control group. Anti-tumor efficacy evaluation was conducted for all patients in both groups, and the adverse drug reactions, improvement of performance status after treatment were compared and analyzed between the two groups.

Results: The overall response rate of the experimental group was 47.5%, which was significantly better than the 25% of the control group (p=0.03). The incidence of adverse drug reactions in the experimental group was 40%, while that in the control group was 30%. The incidence of adverse drug reactions in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group, but there was no statistical significance (p=0.34). Moreover, the improvement rate of performance status score in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p=0.00).

Conclusion: Erlotinib combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy has been preliminarily proved to be safe and effective in the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer, which can improve the physical condition of patients to a certain extent without significantly increasing adverse reactions.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4150

How to cite this:Liu C, Yu H, Hou Y, Gao Z, Zhang Y. Clinical efficacy evaluation of Erlotinib Combined with Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced Pancreatic Cancer. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(1):118-122. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4150

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Significance of peritoneal washing cytology in the accurate staging of malignant ovarian tumors
Authors: Gulzar Rubina , Shahid Ruqaiya , Mumtaz Shazia , Hasan Jahan Ara
Published: November 2021

Objectives: To identify the percentage of ovarian cancers with positive peritoneal cytology and to correlate the positive cytology with the prognostic factors.

Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study, evaluated the data of surgical specimens of malignant ovarian tumors, received in the Department of Pathology, Dow University of Health Sciences over a period of three years. The peritoneal cytology was correlated with these prognostic parameters: the size of the tumor, stage, capsular invasion, omental, and lymph node metastasis.

Results: Eighty malignant ovarian tumors were diagnosed. Serous carcinoma was the most common ovarian tumor, diagnosed in 24 (30.0%) cases, followed by endometrioid carcinoma in 17 (21.25%) and Granulosa cell tumor in 11 (13.75%) cases. The mean age of the patients was 41.91 years (range 7-71 years). The mean size of the tumors was 10.03 cm (SD 5.62 cm). The ovarian capsular invasion was present in 27 (33.75%) tumors. Peritoneal cytology was positive in 10/24 cases, with a detection rate of 41.66%. Omentum was involved in 12/34 (35.29%) cases. Lymph node dissection was performed in three cases, two were reported as positive for metastasis. Peritoneal cytology significantly correlated with the tumor size (p=0.045), and with ovarian capsular invasion (p=0.054) and omental metastasis (p=0.052). Most of the tumors were staged as FIGO stage IA.

Conclusion: Peritoneal cytology correlates with the tumor size, stage, and omental metastasis of the malignant ovarian tumors. It should be routinely performed at the time of surgery for the optimal staging of the patients.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4393

How to cite this:Gulzar R, Shahid R, Mumtaz S, Hassan JA. Significance of peritoneal washing cytology in the accurate staging of malignant ovarian tumors. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(1):128-132. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4393

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Clinical significance of Vitamin-D and other bone turnover markers on bone mineral density in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ma Jingjing , Han Lulu , Zhou Xue , Li Zhihong
Published: November 2021

Objectives: To perform a correlation analysis of serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin-D[25-OH-D], bone turnover markers (BTMs), and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during mid- and late pregnancy and state the significance of these factors for guiding clinical prevention and control of GDM.

Methods: This study involved 100 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies who visited our obstetrics and gynecology department, Baoding First Central Hospital, during January 2019 and December 2020. All participants had received more than five prenatal checkups and were assigned to a GDM group and a normal group according to the presence of GDM during the mid-pregnancy period. Serum 25-OH-D, BMD, and bone turnover markers (BTMs) were measured to analyze the differences between the two groups and observe possible correlations among these factors.

Results: According to the examination results, GDM occurred in 31 (31%) participants, and the rest 69 (69%) were free of GDM during mid-pregnancy. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in basic clinical data and the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) (p>0.05), whereas the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level in the GDM group was significantly higher than in the normal group (p<0.05). The serum 25-OH-D and BMD levels in the GDM group were lower than in the normal group, whereas the bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (OC), procollagen type I propeptide (PINP), and beta-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide (β-CTx) levels in the GDM group were significantly higher than in the normal group, with the differences showing statistical significance (p<0.05, respectively). The results of Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that serum 25-OH-D was positively correlated with BMD (r =0.183, P <0.05) and negatively correlated with such BTMs as BALP, OC, PINP, and β-CTx (r =-0.255, -0.369, -0.204, -0.610; p<0.05).

Conclusion: During mid and late pregnancy, GDM patients are prone to Vitamin-D deficiency, which has an adverse effect on bone turnover, BMD, and even the health of the mother and the development of the fetus. Therefore, routine screening for Vitamin-D deficiency is recommended throughout pregnancy.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4461

How to cite this:Ma J, Han L, Zhou X, Li Z. Clinical significance of Vitamin-D and other bone turnover markers on bone mineral density in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(1):23-27. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4461

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Clinical effect of minimally invasive aspiration and drainage of intracranial hematoma in the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Deng Chao , Ji Yuanling , Song Wei , Bi Jingfang
Published: November 2021

Objectives: To explore the clinical value of minimally invasive aspiration and drainage of intracranial hematoma in the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage.

Methods: Seventy-eight patients with cerebral hemorrhage who were treated in the Taian City Central Hospital and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University between June 2018 and December 2019 were selected. The patients were randomly numbered and divided into two groups by drawing lots, 39 in each group. The control group was treated with the traditional internal medicine conservative therapy, and the observation group was treated with minimally invasive intracranial hematoma aspiration and drainage. The indexes of the two groups were compared.

Results: The efficacy rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the good recovery rate of the observation group was higher compared to the control group, and the difference had statistical significance (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in the observation group was lower than that of the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05).

Conclusion: In the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage, minimally invasive intracranial hematoma aspiration and drainage facilitates the recovery of patients, promotes the improvement of neurological function, and has a high safety profile and an ideal prognostic quality.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4618

How to cite this:Deng C, Ji Y, Song W, Bi J. Clinical effect of minimally invasive aspiration and drainage of intracranial hematoma in the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(1):95-99. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4618

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in practice
Authors: Sutton Carole
Published: November 2021

This article is intended to draw the attention of any practitioners who are unaware of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to this excellent and accessible resource. It is an instrument that lends itself to the evaluation of practice by any qualified practitioner, health visitor, teacher, social worker, community nurse, school nurse or researcher who wishes, with the parents' permission, to understand whether their work with a child's family or teachers is having the desired impact. It is brief and straightforward to administer and is readily accessible online. This article explores the SDQ and its usefulness.
Perspective: Preferential Flow in Riparian Buffers: Current Research and Future Needs
Authors: Heeren Derek M. , Guertault Lucie , Mankin Kyle
Published: November 2021

Highlights

Preferential flow (PF) can critically reduce riparian buffer contaminant removal efficiency.

This collection presents research on PF measurement, visualization, modeling, and contaminant transport impacts.

Future needs include tools to identify landscape-scale PF areas and conservation practices.

Future models for research and practice should account for PF in riparian buffers.

Abstract. Preferential flow in riparian buffers can substantially compromise their effectiveness in reducing contaminants from overland runoff. The objective of this article is to introduce a collection of five articles on current research into subsurface preferential flow measurement, visualization, modeling, and impacts on contaminant fate and transport at scales ranging from the subsurface pore scale to the plot scale to the watershed scale. This collection presents selected works from a broader invited session on “Preferential flow and piping in riparian buffers” at the 2020 ASABE Annual International Meeting. Major findings include: new methodologies, such as light transmission and geophysics, to characterize subsurface preferential flow; an infiltration partitioning approach to quantify preferential flow from field experiments; a kinematic dispersive wave model to effectively simulate subsurface preferential flow; and the significant impact of surface concentrated flow pathways on pesticide fate and transport both upstream and within a riparian buffer. Future work is needed to develop methods and tools to identify PF areas and management solutions within a landscape, and to update both research and design models to better quantify and account for PF processes. Keywords: Best management practice, Buffer strip, Agricultural conservation practice, Filter strip, Macropore, Nonpoint-source pollution.
Estimating measurement error in child language assessments administered by daycare educators in large scale intervention studies
Authors: Haghish E. F. , Vach Werner , Højen Anders , Bleses Dorthe
Published: November 2021

Measurement error is a ubiquitous element of social science studies. In large-scale effectiveness intervention studies on child language, administration of the assessment of language and preliteracy outcomes by speech and language pathologists is costly in money and human resources. Alternatively, daycare educators can administer the assessment, which preserves considerable resources but may increase the measurement error. Using data from two nationwide child language intervention studies in Denmark, this article evaluates daycare educators’ measurement error when administering a test of language and preliteracy skills of 3 to 5 year old children that in part is used in a national screening program. Since children were randomly assigned to educators, hierarchical linear models can estimate the amount of additional measurement error caused by educators’ language assessments. The result shows that the amount of additional measurement error varied between different language subscales, ranging from 4% to 19%, which can be compensated for by increasing the sample size by the latter percentage. The benefits and risks of having daycare educators administer language assessments are discussed.
Feasibility of using a mobile App to monitor and report COVID-19 related symptoms and people’s movements in Uganda
Authors: Mugenyi Levicatus , Nsubuga Rebecca Namugabwe , Wanyana Irene , Muttamba Winters , Tumwesigye Nazarius Mbona , Nsubuga Saul Hannington
Published: November 2021

Background

Feasibility of mobile Apps to monitor diseases has not been well documented particularly in developing countries. We developed and studied the feasibility of using a mobile App to collect daily data on COVID-19 symptoms and people’s movements.

Methods

We used an open source software “KoBo Toolbox” to develop the App and installed it on low cost smart mobile phones. We named this App “Wetaase” (“protect yourself”). The App was tested on 30 selected households from 3 densely populated areas of Kampala, Uganda, and followed them for 3 months. One trained member per household captured the data in the App for each enrolled member and uploaded it to a virtual server on a daily basis. The App is embedded with an algorithm that flags participants who report fever and any other COVID-19 related symptom.

Results

A total of 101 participants were enrolled; 61% female; median age 23 (interquartile range (IQR): 17–36) years. Usage of the App was 78% (95% confidence interval (CI): 77.0%–78.8%). It increased from 40% on day 1 to a peak of 81% on day 45 and then declined to 59% on day 90. Usage of the App did not significantly vary by site, sex or age. Only 57/6617 (0.86%) records included a report of at least one of the 17 listed COVID-19 related symptoms. The most reported symptom was flu/runny nose (21%) followed by sneezing (15%), with the rest ranging between 2% and 7%. Reports on movements away from home were 45% with 74% going to markets or shops. The participants liked the “Wetaase” App and recommended it for use as an alert system for COVID-19.

Conclusion

Usage of the “Wetaase” App was high (78%) and it was similar across the three study sites, sex and age groups. Reporting of symptoms related to COVID-19 was low. Movements were mainly to markets and shops. Users reported that the App was easy to use and recommended its scale up. We recommend that this App be assessed at a large scale for feasibility, usability and acceptability as an additional tool for increasing alerts on COVID-19 in Uganda and similar settings.
Relationship between out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and COVID-19 during the first and second pandemic wave. The importance of monitoring COVID-19 incidence
Authors: Baldi Enrico , Primi Roberto , Bendotti Sara , Currao Alessia , Compagnoni Sara , Gentile Francesca Romana , Sechi Giuseppe Maria , Mare Claudio , Palo Alessandra , Contri Enrico , Ronchi Vincenza , Bergamini Giuseppe , Reali Francesca , Parogni Pierpaolo , Facchin Fabio , Rizzi Ugo , Bussi Daniele , Ruggeri Simone , Campi Sabina , Centineo Paola , De Ponti Roberto , Oltrona Visconti Luigi , Savastano Simone ,   all the Lombardia CARe researchers
Published: November 2021

Background

The relationship between COVID-19 and out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) has been shown during different phases of the first pandemic wave, but little is known about how to predict where cardiac arrests will increase in case of a third peak.

Aim

To seek for a correlation between the OHCAs and COVID-19 daily incidence both during the two pandemic waves at a provincial level.

Methods

We considered all the OHCAs occurred in the provinces of Pavia, Lodi, Cremona, Mantua and Varese, in Lombardy Region (Italy), from 21/02/2020 to 31/12/2020. We divided the study period into period 1, the first 157 days after the outbreak and including the first pandemic wave and period 2, the second 158 days including the second pandemic wave. We calculated the cumulative and daily incidence of OHCA and COVID-19 for the whole territory and for each province for both periods.

Results

A significant correlation between the daily incidence of COVID-19 and the daily incidence of OHCAs was observed both during the first and the second pandemic period in the whole territory (R = 0.4, p<0.001 for period 1 and 2) and only in those provinces with higher COVID-19 cumulative incidence (period 1: Cremona R = 0.3, p = 0.001; Lodi R = 0.4, p<0.001; Pavia R = 0.3; p = 0.01; period 2: Varese R = 0.4, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that strictly monitoring the pandemic trend may help in predict which territories will be more likely to experience an OHCAs’ increase. That may also serve as a guide to re-allocate properly health resources in case of further pandemic waves.
Exploring youth citizenship during COVID-19 lockdowns in New Zealand
Authors: Mutch Carol , Estellés Marta
Published: November 2021

The research presented in this article explores how young people in New Zealand exercised their citizenship during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Building upon the theoretical concepts of ‘actions’ and ‘acts of citizenship’, this qualitative study draws on data from the experiences of 30 young people aged over 16 in the city of Auckland. Data included classroom observations, focus group interviews, individual interviews and the sharing of student artefacts (e.g. posters and videos). The experiences of the participants covered a wide range of engagement in citizenship rights, sites, scales and acts. Our findings offered an alternative to prevailing portrayals of young people as either passive victims or self-centred troublemakers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lessons for citizenship education are discussed at the end of the article.
Educating for Empathy: Literacy Learning and Civic Engagement, Nicole Mirra (2018)
Authors: Torney-Purta Judith
Published: November 2021

Review of: Educating for Empathy: Literacy Learning and Civic Engagement, Nicole Mirra (2018)

New York: Teachers College Press, 147 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-80775-914-1, $29.95 USD
Playing to the West only? Representations of Picasso, the gendered body and Islamism in Kamel Daoud’s Le peintre dévorant la femme
Authors: Paterson Isla May
Published: November 2021

This research explores Algerian writer Kamel non-fictional text, Le peintre dévorant la femme. The text addresses questions relating to religious extremism, the meaning of art, death and eroticism, and the relationship between l’Occident and l’Orient through the visual aid of Picasso’s 1932 Année érotique. Central to this research is the notion of the hybridized public intellectual (Daoud) entering hybridized public spheres (Franco-Algerian and beyond). The consequences of operating within a plural readership suggest that Daoud, subconsciously or not, speaks to particular sectors of his western-French audience more so than the Muslim-Algerian ones, risking an imbalance. This research unpicks how Daoud negotiates the relationship between aesthetics and politics in his non-fictional writing, showing how his public move to an essai in 2018 can be read as facilitating a conversation with more a bourgeois, and potentially more republican, French audience. It also analyses Daoud’s representations of Picasso, Paris, the museum, and the gendered body in western and Muslim societies. By doing so, it attempts to highlight how although Daoud appears to offer a ‘double-edged’ critique of Algeria since independence and French neo-colonialism, his tendency to make generalizations about Islam sometimes unwittingly plays to French (and more widely, western) Islamophobic assumptions.
La imagen del maestro español, entre el miedo y la parodia (1876-1931)
Authors: Gil-Díez Usandizaga Ignacio
Published: November 2021

Las imágenes que representan al maestro y el aula escolar han desempeñado un papel fundamental en el desarrollo de los sistemas educativos. Este artículo constituye una búsqueda del origen iconográfico de las representaciones que tuvieron una utilización dominante en España entre 1876 y 1931. Para ello se analizan estampas europeas del siglo xvi al xix, realizadas mediante diferentes técnicas de grabado, que muestran a maestros y escolares. La continuidad de algunas de esas caracterizaciones y su actualización española, identificando al docente con el tradicional dómine, es reveladora. Su presencia, tanto en la prensa satírica destinada a los adultos como en los libros ilustrados para niños, así lo refleja. Esta imagen dedicada a la crítica y el entretenimiento tiene su contrapartida en otras escenas, también protagonizadas por maestros y escolares, que representan premios y castigos en los libros de lectura para niños en ese mismo periodo. Los factores contextuales permiten situar todo este reportorio —el desarrollo de la escolaridad y de sus protagonistas, las intenciones de los editores de los medios en las que aparecen— pero no pueden componer una interpretación suficiente sin atender al papel del ilustrador. La formación artística que este posee y los recursos que maneja en su oficio o las influencias de otros ilustradores, son aspectos concluyentes a la hora de construir el sentido final, la plena visualidad de sus imágenes estableciendo el potencial de su significado.
A Comparative Study to Evaluate Periapical Pathology Using Mid Field of View CBCT and Direct Digital Radiography
Authors: Manivasagam Deepigaa , Muthukrishnan Arvind
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND Local response of the bone surrounding the apex of the tooth as a result of pulp necrosis or destruction of the periapical tissues caused by significant periodontal disease is known as a periapical inflammatory lesion. Intraoral radiography is the most commonly used technique but has limitations in representing only 2- dimensional images. CBCT was created primarily to provide 3-dimensional maxillary skeletal images and a smaller and mid field of view (FOV) have a higher spatial resolution and improved diagnostic potential. The intention of this study was to compare and evaluate the results of limited view CBCT and DDI in the diagnosis of periapical pathology. METHODS In this study, a total of 25 patients who visited the oral medicine department with clinical and or radiographic findings were included. Periapical lesions were assessed using a cone-beam CT periapical index (CBCTPAI) scoring system in both direct digital imaging (DDI) radiographs and CBCT images. RESULTS Periapical lesions were found to be more prevalent in 30 - 39 years (40 %) with a male predilection (64 %) and maxillary anterior (36 %) more commonly affected. Wilcoxon signed-rank test performed to assess the mean difference between the two imaging modalities revealed a P < 0.001 and was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the role of CBCT in diagnosing periapical lesions which can be missed or misdiagnosed on DDI. KEY WORDS Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT); Direct Digital Imaging (DDI); Periapical Lesions
Morphometric Measurements of Talus in South Keralites
Authors: Bhaskaran Leena Ammini , Sreedhar Latha Sreedhar Lekshmi
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND The posterior half of the foot is made of seven tarsal bones. Talus is seen above calcaneus. It has a head, neck and body. There are three facets anterior, middle and posterior facets that articulate with corresponding facets of the calcaneus. The middle and posterior facets are separated by a groove sulcus tali. We wanted to know the morphometric measurements of talus in South Keralites in this study. METHODS The study was done on 68 dry human tali of unknown age and sex in the Department of Anatomy, Government medical college, Trivandrum. The measurements were taken i.e., length, width and height of talus using vernier calipers. The length, width and height of sulcus tali were also measured. The range and mean of measurements were estimated. The calcaneal facets were studied and classified to find the most common and least common types. Data analysis was performed using SPSS ver 16.0. RESULTS The mean anteroposterior length of the talus was 4.84 ± 0.44 cm. The mean transverse length was 3.46 ± 0.47 cm. The mean height of the talus was 2.56 ± 0.31 cm. Anteroposterior length ranged from 3.84 to 6.07. The transverse length of the talus ranged from 2.81- 5 cm. Height of talus ranged from 2 - 3.2 cm. The mean anteroposterior length of sulcus tali was 2.09 ± 0.45 cm. The mean height of sulcus tali was 0.55 ± 0.09 cm. The mean width of sulcus tali was 0.62 ± 0.30 cm. Anteroposterior length of sulcus tali ranged from 1.4 - 3.8 cm. The transverse length of sulcus tali ranged from 0.34 to 1.6 cm. Height of sulcus tali ranged from 0.2 to 0.7 cm, regarding the type of facets, type 2 was most common and type 4 was found to be absent. CONCLUSIONS The adequate knowledge of the anatomy of the talus is significant not only to the anatomists but also to the orthopaedic surgeons as fractures of the talus are quite common and lead to avascular necrosis, arthritis and when unrecognized, chronic pain and non-union 3. Talectomy has been described as a limb-saving procedure for the treatment of neglected talipes equinovarus deformity. KEY WORDS Talus, Sulcus Tali, Calcaneal Facet Morphometric Measurements of Talus in South Keralites.
Clinical Spectrum of COVID-19 in Children at a Tertiary Care Centre
Authors: Joshi Ankur , Kela Gunjan , Sodha Nandini , Mehta Pragya
Published: November 2021

Increasing cases of COVID-19 have been reported in children globally. Admission frequency, though, is significantly lower than adults in COVID-19. Recent evidence suggests that children likely have the same or higher viral loads. Our study is retrospective, with the purpose to describe the clinical spectrum of this disease in children and response of treatments, along with its effect in the neonatal period. As very few cases have been encountered with severe disease, and are illustrated in this study, attempting to understand the course of severe illness. Globally and, as compared with adults, fewer cases of COVID-19 have been reported in children (age 0 - 17 years).1,2 Hospitalization rates in children are significantly lower than hospitalization rates in adults with COVID-19, suggesting that children may have a less severe illness from COVID - 19 compared to adults.3,4 Recent evidence suggests that children likely have the same or higher viral loads in their nasopharynx compared with adults,5,6 and those children can spread the virus effectively in households and camp settings.7,8 At our institute, 10 % of the total COVID-19 cases were from the paediatric population. Among the early neonatal period following delivery to a COVID positive mother, most of them were FT deliveries (83 %), with the majority delivered vaginally. In relation to PT cases, all were delivered vaginally including 4 cases of documented intrauterine device (IUD) by induction of labour with a zero transplacental transmission rate. Out of positive cases in the perinatal period, all were presented as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). In the paediatric age group of 1 month – 17 years, varied symptoms were present. Children having comorbidities contributed to poor prognosis.
Utilização conjunta de dados de fraturas e lineamentos para indicação de fatores de zoneamento de aquíferos fraturados
Authors: Carvalho Ana Maciel de , Fernandes Amélia João , Bacellar Luis de Almeida Prado , Maurer Victor Câmara , Melo Paula Ribeiro de , Borges Tiago
Published: November 2021

O traçado de lineamentos tem sido utilizado para inferir trends estruturais, tratando-se de uma etapa preliminar nos estudos de aquíferos fraturados. Objetivando avaliar a utilização dessa ferramenta para zoneamento de aquíferos fraturados, adotou-se o seguinte método: análise de fraturas; elaboração de mapas de lineamentos em várias escalas; e elaboração de rosetas de lineamentos para unidades litológicas e geomorfológicas. Os resultados indicam que: o levantamento sistemático de fraturas é fundamental para confirmar a correlação entre trends de lineamentos e de fraturas;  dados de fraturas devem ser coletados nos vários tipos litológicos de uma região, pois alguns grupos de fraturas podem ser exclusivos ou mais frequentes em determinadas unidades litológicas; os lineamentos devem ser interpretados em várias escalas, incluindo as de detalhe compatível com o objetivo do estudo; as rosetas de soma de comprimentos dos lineamentos são mais adequadas para identificar as intensidades dos vários trends; mapas litológicos e morfológicos (formas de relevo, ICR e padrões de drenagens) devem ser testados para delimitar domínios estruturais (zoneamento) em aquíferos fraturados. Concluiu-se que, com a identificação de trends de fraturas e de lineamentos, bem como de fatores que podem ajudar na delimitação de regiões com configurações distintas de fraturas, um passo importante foi dado para se chegar à delimitação de domínios estruturais em aquíferos fraturados. Essa delimitação é fundamental para elaboração de modelo hidrogeológicos e minimização de riscos em obras de engenharia.
A atuação de Rodrigues Alves no Ministério da Fazenda (1891-1892 e 1894-1896)
Authors: Pereira da Silva Gustavo
Published: November 2021

Francisco de Paula Rodrigues Alves, nascido em Guaratinguetá-SP em 1848, teve uma longeva carreira política, iniciada como deputado provincial e que teve como ápice as duas vezes em que foi eleito presidente da República. Em meio aos cargos eleitorais, ele teve duas passagens como Ministro da Fazenda (novembro de 1891 a agosto de 1892; novembro de 1894 a novembro de 1896). Em que pese a existência de uma historiografia sobre a vida e obra de Rodrigues Alves, ela pouco se debruçou sobre suas propostas e tentativas de ação quando ministro, tampouco fez o confronto destes aspectos com o debate econômico nacional do final do século XIX. Dessa forma, o artigo busca dar uma contribuição ao estudo da atuação ministerial de Rodrigues Alves, utilizando como base documental os Relatórios do Ministério da Fazenda para os anos de 1891, 1894 e 1895. Constata que o conservadorismo que Rodrigues Alves demonstrou desde os tempos de estudante o guiou na sua vida ministerial, expressando-se pela sua luta pelas finanças saudáveis do Estado.
República Bolivariana da Venezuela: uma sociedade em debandada, um regime político em negação, um continente inteiro sob pressão migratória. As migrações como consequência da geopolítica global no século XXI.
Authors: Góis Pedro , Silva João Carlos Jarochinski
Published: November 2021

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