bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Covariate Balance as a Quality Indicator for Propensity Score Analysis
Authors: KARA Yusuf , KAMATA Akihito , GALLEGOS Elisa , PATARAPİCHAYATHAM Chalie , POTGİETER Cornelis J.
Published: December 2021

Propensity score analysis, such as propensity score matching and propensity score weighting, is becoming increasingly popular in educational research. When a propensity score analysis is conducted, examining the covariate balance is considered to be crucial to justify the quality of the analysis results. However, it has been pointed out that solely considering how covariates balance after matching may not be enough for justifying the quality of the propensity score analysis results. Suitable covariate balance may still yield biased estimates of treatment effects. The current study aimed to systematically demonstrate this problem by a series of simulation studies. As a result, it was revealed that a good covariate balance on the mean and/or the variance does not guarantee reduced bias on an estimated treatment effect. It was also found that estimation of the treatment effect can be unbiased to some degree, even with a lack of balance under specific conditions.
Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and their Association with Nutritional Status of Rural and Urban Pre-School Children in Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Tyoalumun, MSc Kpurkpur , Sani Abubakar, MSc Sani , Christopher, MLT Nongu
Published: December 2021

Background and Objectives: Intestinal parasitic infections are highly prevalent in developing countries, contributing to high incidence of malnutrition and morbidity. This study aimed to fi nd the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and their association with nutritional status of children in Benue State, Nigeria.
Methods: A cross sectional study conducted from January-June 2016, among 418 school children under-5 years of age. Anthropometric data, height-for-age, weight-for-height, and weight-for-age Z-scores from each child and fecal samples were collected and screened for intestinal parasites using standard laboratory methods.
Results: Among the intestinal parasitic infections detected, the prevalence of E. histolytica was higher (51.0% and 29.0%) than all other parasites encountered in rural and urban pupils (P<0.05). Other parasites were Hookworm (46.2% and 24.8%); G. lamblia (11.5% and 8.6%); and T. trichiura (2.4% and 5.2%). The prevalence of stunting (HAZ<-2), in rural and urban pupils were 43.8% and 32.9%; 64.4% and 39.0% rural and urban pupils were underweight (WAZ<-2), while 30.3% and 24.3% were wasted (WHZ<-2). Infected children had signifi cantly (P<0.05) higher z-scores than the uninfected children.
Conclusion and Global Health Implications: Benue State is among the Nigerian states with the highest burden of tropical diseases with a current plan of elimination implemented through mass drug administration. This study identify/evaluate some essential information that will support the planning and implementation of the State’s ongoing efforts.
 
Copyright © 2016 Tyoalumun et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0.
Statistical Indices of Land Use Changes and Nutrients Balance of Tomatoes and Peppers Production in Jordan Valley and Highlands (1999-2019)
Authors: Massimi Mohunnad
Published: December 2021

Climate change has caused pressure on water resources in Jordan. This was accompanied by the Syrian refugee crisis during the period 2009 to 2019. This descriptive study was conducted in the University of Debrecen, during the years 2020 and 2021 within the course of sustainable land use by collecting official statistical data from reliable sources in Jordan on the production of tomato, pepper, and paprika during five years 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019 to compare the change in land use, crop sown structure, country production, unit area average yield and estimation of unit area pollution with major nutrients. The study showed an increased land used for the production of vegetables by (+ 37.84%) during the period from 2004 to 2014, high productivity per hectare for three crops from 2014 to 2019. Jordan had the highest tomato and paprika crop yields in 2014. The reason is due to the increase in the local and global demand for these crops along with other reasons, which have promoted the use of mass production agricultural techniques, the most important of which is chemical fertilization. Which caused the accumulation of phosphorus and potassium in soils.
Infancia y Agenda 2030: aprendiendo a percibir la ciudad desde las emociones de los escolares
Authors: González García Alicia , Morales Hernández Antonio Jose , Caurín Alonso Carlos
Published: December 2021

El ODS 11 de la Agenda 2030 plantea la necesidad de construir y gestionar ciudades y comunidades sostenibles. En este cometido la escuela tiene un rol fundamental al evidenciar la percepción que tiene la infancia de la ciudad dónde vive desde la capacidad de despertar emociones que le puedan provocar bienestar personal y social. Esta investigación recoge un estudio de casos, realizado con alumnado de 3er curso de Educación de Primaria, que nos ha permitido relacionar representaciones sociales y emociones de los estudiantes antes y después de una salida al entorno urbano. La metodología utilizada ha sido el análisis de los dibujos realizados por los escolares de su ciudad. Mediante un diseño cuasiexperimental se ha planteado un análisis comparativo entre un grupo control que no ha realizado la salida de campo y un grupo experimental que sí. A partir de ello se evidencian unos enfoques naturalistas, antropocéntricos o globalizantes asociados a visiones idealizadas o problematizadas de la ciudad que generan emociones positivas o negativas. Los principales resultados muestran un cambio mayoritario hacia una representación globalizante desde un enfoque problematizado y emociones positivas en el grupo experimental tras la intervención. Y con ello una percepción crítica de la ciudad desde el espacio vivido al superar enfoques naturalistas y antropocéntricos a partir de visiones idealizadas mostrados por el grupo control desde la desvinculación emocional con su propio barrio.
Miradas urbanas en la formación inicial de profesorado
Authors: Medir Huerta Rosa M. , Serra-Salvi Anna
Published: December 2021

Una asignatura obligatoria en la formación de maestros de educación primaria se desarrolla a lo largo de temas geográficos sociales inherentes, actualmente, a los Objetivos del Desarrollo Sostenible. Explicitamos, en este artículo, el trabajo realizado de geografía urbana, desde los Objetivos 5 (Igualdad de género) y 11 (Ciudades y comunidades sostenibles). Se presentan cuatro actividades realizadas con los y las estudiantes que buscan mirar la ciudad de una forma alternativa y coherente con los ODS mencionados. A la vez, creemos que dichas miradas son útiles y formativas para una ciudadanía crítica y más aún, para futuros docentes. La imagen de la ciudad, la ciudad vista en clave de género, el espacio público en la ciudad y la ciudad ideal son los temas que se tratan en sesiones de clase en el aula y trabajo de campo en el exterior. Los resultados demuestran unos nuevos planteamientos para los estudiantes acerca del conocimiento de la ciudad y del concepto de sostenibilidad.
Subsidy and Environmental Tax for Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling
Authors: HUA Chunxiang , LIU Chenyu , Chen Jianguo , YANG Chenxi , CHEN Linyan
Published: December 2021

In recent two decades, construction and demolition (C&D) waste is becoming a major source for municipal waste which causes serious damage to the environment. To solve the problem, waste recycling measures are gradually used to turn waste into treasures. Meanwhile, several kinds of policies such as waste disposal charging fees have been issued to stimulate stakeholders’ behavior to take waste recycling measures to promote the C&D waste recycling industry. However, the C&D waste recycling rate is still too low in China. In order to promote C&D waste recycling industrial development, this paper is aiming at introducing subsidy and environmental tax policies to promote C&D waste recycling. Based on system dynamics, this study establishes a model to determine the proper subsidy and environmental tax range. According to the simulation results, three kinds of incentive policies are obtained, namely, single subsidy policy, single environmental tax and combined incentive policies. Optimal single subsidy and environmental tax are in the interval [10, 30] and [20, 60], respectively. The best combination strategy is subsidy=10 yuan /ton and environmental tax=20 yuan/ton. The results from this paper could be a foundation for government to establish incentive policies to promote C&D waste recycling.
The Efficacy of Temozolomide Combined with Levetiracetam for Glioblastoma (GBM) After Surgery: a Study Protocol for a Double-Dlinded and Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sun Maoyuan , Huang Ning , Tao Yihao , Wen Rong , Zhao Guanjian , Zhang Xiang , Xie Zongyi , Cheng Yuan , Mao Jinning , Liu Guodong
Published: December 2021

Background: Temozolomide is applied as the standard chemotherapy agent in patients with glioblastoma (GBM) after surgery. However, the benefit of this treatment for patients is limited by the invasive growth of glioma and drug resistance. There are indications from fundamental experimental and retrospective studies that levetiracetam has the potential to improve the survival rate of GBM patients. However, it has yet to be ascertained whether the combination of temozolomide and levetiracetam is more effective than temozolomide chemotherapy alone. Therefore, we designed a randomized clinical trial to investigate the therapeutic effect of the new combined regime for the treatment of GBM.Methods/design: This is a double-blind and randomized clinical trial carried out in a single center. A total of 142 patients will be recruited and screened for the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then, eligible participants will be enrolled and randomly allocated into an Experimental group or a Control group in a 1:1 ratio. Based on the administration of radiation therapy (RT), participants in the Experimental group will be prescribed levetiracetam plus temozolomide chemotherapy for 34 weeks while participants in the Control group will be prescribed placebo tablets plus temozolomide for the same duration. All patients will be followed-up for three years after intervention. Accordingly, the primary outcome will be progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), the objective response rate (ORR), and the incidence of adverse events. Discussion: The results of this trial are expected to provide high-level evidence regarding the clinical benefits of the combination of levetiracetam and temozolomide in the treatment of GBM.Trial registration: www.ChiCTR.org.cn, ID: ChiCTR-2100049941. Registered on 14thAugust 2021.
Sediment Phosphate Release Flux Under Hydraulic Disturbances in the Shallow Lake of Chaohu, China
Authors: LUO Wenguang , Yue Yao , Lu Jing , Pang Lina , Zhu Senlin
Published: December 2021

Quantifying the effect of hydraulic disturbances on sediment phosphate release is a key issue in the water quality assessment of lakes, especially for the shallow lakes which are susceptible to winds and waves. Here, we sampled the original sediment columns from 12 positions in the eastern, central, and western areas of the Chaohu Lake, a representative shallow lake in China, and observed phosphate release under three levels of hydraulic disturbances in the laboratory. When the disturbance was weak and the surface sediment of bottom mud moved individually (the Individual Motion Mode), sediment phosphate release rate was insignificant (0.24 mg/m2/d). When the disturbance was medium and only a small percentage (<16%) of surface sediment started to move (the Small Motion Mode), phosphate release rate sharply increased to 4.81 mg/m2/d. When the disturbance was further strengthened and most (≥16%) of the surface sediment moved (the General Motion Mode), phosphate release rate was more than doubled (10.23 mg/m2/d). With the increase of hydraulic disturbance intensity, the variation range of phosphate release also became wider. Spatial distribution showed that the release rate varies the most in the western area, followed by the eastern and the central areas. By extrapolating the experimental results to the real scale, we found the phosphate release fluxes would probably fall within a wide range between 203.43 kg/d to 7311.01kg/d under different levels of hydrodynamic disturbances with considerably affects phosphate release from shallow lakes. This study also has implications for the pollutant management in other shallow lakes.
Axillary Web Syndrome: characterization of the different forms of clinical presentation of the cord.
Authors: Carmo Karla , Freitas-Junior Ruffo , Rahal Rosemar Macedo de Souza , Lemos Nayara Alves de Freitas
Published: December 2021

ObjectiveDescribe and characterize the forms of presentation and manifestation of the cord present in the Axillary Web Syndrome.Materials and MethodsAfter a favorable opinion from the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Goiás, the construction of items for the Axillary Web Syndrome Classification Scale began, based on the search for concepts involved in its diagnosis. The various steps of construction, application and validation of the instrument occurred from April 2020 to August 2021. The research took place at the outpatient clinic of Mastology at Hospital das Clínicas (Goiás). In the evaluation position: supine, upper limb ipsilateral to the breast operated in abduction, extension and external rotation of the shoulder, extension and supination of the elbow, extension of the wrist and fingers, information on the specific characteristics of the cord was recorded.ResultsThe means presented by the evaluators were almost identical for the variables related to the characterization of the cord, indicating a strong correlation, Cronbach's alpha was 0.894 for evaluator 1 and 0.879 for evaluator 2, indicating strong internal consistency. Inter-rater agreement was 100% (p>0.001) for almost all variables evaluated, with the lowest Kappa coefficient (0.77 p>0.001) for “Length”.ConclusionA consensus on classification criteria can be useful among researchers and practitioners. The fibrous cord classification items compiled in this study address its forms of presentation and manifestation and contribute to standardizing the assessment and classification of Axillary Web Syndrome.
The Effect of Femoral Nerve Block Versus Adductor Canal Block on the Quality of early Recovery after Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty, a retrospective Study
Authors: AlJa'bari Aboud , AlSheikh Khalid
Published: December 2021

Background
Multimodal pain analgesia strategies are common in perioperative management of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), although the role of adductor canal blocks (ACB) versus femoral nerve block on early postoperative recovery for revision knee surgery is not investigated.
Aim
The purpose of this study is to independently evaluate the effect of ACB on short-term postoperative outcomes including (1) length of stay (LOS), (2) postoperative narcotic utilization, and (3) function with physical therapy in revision TKA.
Methods
We retrospectively identified a cohort study of consecutive 40 patients from January 2021 to July 2021 who had undergone unilateral revision TKA using a single-shot ACB (19 patients) vs femoral nerve block (21 patients) under spinal anesthesia ( hyperbaric 0.5% Marcaine 2.5 ml and 20 microgram fentanyl) in addition to a standardized multimodal pain analgesia protocol. These 2 groups were compared using independent sample t-tests with primary end points of interest being distance ambulated after surgery, and inpatient narcotic use.
Results
Quadriceps strength was better preserved in adductor group than in femoral group. Walking meters and going upstairs were better results in adductor group. IV morphine consumption within the first 48 hours period were less in adductor group comparing to femoral group.
Conclusion
Adductor nerve block showed better early recovery in revision TKA when comparing to femoral nerve block (FNB).
Use of WATCH antibiotics prior to presentation to the hospital in rural Burkina Faso
Authors: VALIA Daniel , Ingelbeen Brecht , Kaboré Bérenger , Karama Ibrahima , Peeters Marjan , Lompo Palpouguini , Vlieghe Erika , Post Annelies , Cox Janneke , de Mast Quirijn , Robert Annie , Sande Marianne A.B. van der , Villalobos Hector Rodriguez , Ven Andre van der , Tinto Halidou , Jacobs Jan
Published: December 2021

Background
In low- and middle-income countries, the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasing. To control AMR, WHO recommends monitoring antibiotic use, in particular Watch antibiotics. These are critically important antibiotics, with restricted use because at risk of becoming ineffective due to increasing AMR. We investigated pre-hospital antibiotic use in rural Burkina Faso.
Methods
During 2016-2017, we collected data from patients aged >3 months presenting with severe acute fever to the rural hospital of Nanoro Health District, Burkina Faso, including antibiotic use in the two weeks prior to consultation or hospitalization. We analysed reported antibiotic use with the WHO Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) classification.
Results
Of 920 febrile participants (63.0% ≤14 years), pre-hospital antibiotic use was reported by 363 (39.5%). Among these 363, microbiological diagnoses were confirmed for 275 (75.8%) patients, of which 162 (58.9%) were non-bacterial infections. Use of more than one antibiotic was reported by 58/363 (16.0%) participants. Of 491 patients who did not previously visit a primary health center, 131 (26.7%) reported antibiotic use. Of 424 antibiotics reported, 263 (62.0%) were Access and 159 (37.5%) Watch antibiotics. Watch antibiotic use was more frequent among patients >14 year olds (51.1%) compared to those 0-14 year old (30.7%) and among referrals from the primary health centers (42.2%) compared to self-referred patients (28.1%). Most frequently reported Watch antibiotics were ceftriaxone (114, 71.7%) and ciprofloxacin (32, 20.1%).
Conclusion
The reported frequent use of Watch group antibiotics among febrile patients prior to presentation to the hospital in rural Burkina Faso highlights the need to develop targeted interventions to improve antibiotic use in community settings as part of strengthening antibiotic stewardship in low- and middle-income countries. This should include facilitating referral, access to qualified prescribers and diagnostic tools in rural primary health centers.
Trial registration
: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02669823. Registration date was February 1, 2016
Documentation of Adherence To Infection Prevention Best Practice in Patient Records – A Mixed-Methods Investigation
Authors: Hascic Alen , Wolfensberger Aline , Clack Lauren , Schreiber Peter Werner , Kuster Stefan P , Sax Hugo
Published: December 2021

Background

Healthcare-associated infections remain a preventable cause of patient harm in healthcare. Full documentation of adherence to evidence-based best practices for each patient can support monitoring and promotion of infection prevention measures. Thus, we reviewed the extent, nature, and determinants of the documentation of infection prevention (IP) standards in patients with HAI.
Methods

We reviewed the electronic patient records (EMRs) of patients included in four annual point-prevalence studies 2013-2016 who developed a device- or procedure-related HAI (catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), ventilator-associated infection (VAP), surgical site infection (SSI)). We examined the documentation quality of mandatory preventive measures published as institutional IP standards. Additionally, we undertook semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers and a two-step inductive (grounded theory) and deductive (Theory of Planned Behaviour) content analysis.
Results

Of overall 2972 surveyed patients, 249 patients developed 272 healthcare-associated infections (8.4%). Of these, 116 patients met the inclusion criteria, classified as patients with CAUTI, CLABSI, VAP, SSI in 21 (18%), 7 (6%), 10 (9%), 78 (67%) cases, respectively. We found a documentation of the IP measures in electronic medical records (EMR) in 432/1308 (33%) cases. Documentation of execution existed in the study patients’ EMR for CAUTI, CLABSI, VAP, SSI, and overall, in 27/104 (26%), 26/151 (17%), 46/122 (38%), 261/931 (28%), and 360/1308 (28%) cases, respectively, and documentation of non-execution in 2/104 (2%), 3/151 (2%), 0/122 (0%), 67/931 (7%), and 72/1308 (6%) cases, respectively. Healthcare provider attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control indicated reluctance to document IP standards.
Conclusions

EMRs rarely included conclusive data about IP standards adherence. Documentation had to be established indirectly through data captured for other reasons. It can be projected that a mandatory institutional documentation protocol and technically automated documentation would be necessary to alleviate this shortcoming in patient safety documentation.
Investigation On Psychological Status of Patients With Cervical Precancerous Lesions And Cancer Among Han And Ethnic Minority In Yunnan Province of China
Authors: Zhao Min , Liu Dan , Gu Rong-Yan , Lei Hong-Tao , Zhang Shao , Ding Song-Rui , Luo Lei , Zhang Meng-Jiao , Ma Guo-Yu , Li Zheng
Published: December 2021

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the correlation and difference of influencing factors by analyzing the psychological status of patients with cervical precancerous lesions and cancer in Han and Ethnic minorities. So as to provide evidence for more targeted psychological intervention for categories types of patients. Methods 200 Han patients with cervical lesions and 100 Ethnic minority patients in Yunnan cancer center were investigated with the Chinese version of Kessler 10 Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, analysis of variance, and multivariable linear regression. Results There was no significant difference in the distribution of demographic characteristics between the two groups (P>0.05).The results of univariate analysis showed that the impression of K10 score was statistically significant among the following factors: educational level, awareness of HPV vaccine, disease screening status, employee medical insurance, economic burden of disease, cancerous or not, pathological type, treatment modalities, marital status, and family genetic history of tumor (P<0.05).Among them, the marital status had opposite effects on the two groups of patients. The mean score of married Han patients were higher than those of Han patients with other marital status, but the score of Ethnic minority patients the opposite. Multivariate analysis indicates that the economic burden of the disease, occupation, and family genetic history of tumor had a greater impact on the total score of Han patients among many factors, accounting for a total of 8.1% (Adj=0.081).Treatment modalities had the greatest effect on the scores of ethnic minority patients, accounting for 8.4%(Adj=0.084). Conclusion The factors affecting the psychological status of patients between the two groups have similarities and differences. Multifactorial analysis showed that the main factors affecting the psychology of Han patients were: economic burden caused by the disease, occupation, and family genetic history of tumor; while the main factors affecting the psychology of minority patients were: treatment modalities. Therefore, targeted recommendations and policy measures can be proposed respectively. We should not only increase the publicity of disease-related knowledge, but also call on all women to receive vaccines and regular screening of women in the high incidence age group. It is also necessary to positively guide patients with higher education level and give more encouragement and spiritual support to patients with family genetic history of tumor and heavy economic burden of the disease. The effect of marital relationship on patients cannot be neglected at the same time. More targeted psychological intervention and more favorable treatment modalities should be provided for patients.
The Importance of Physical Exercise in Cardiovascular Fitness in Breast Cancer Survivors. A Cross-sectional Study: Women in Motion 2.0.”
Authors: Herrero Lucía Gil , Santamaría Marina Pollán , Jimenez Miguel Martín , Tarruella Sara López , Montealegre Mónica Castellanos , Barrio Soraya Casla
Published: December 2021

PurposeTo compare the cardiovascular fitness of breast cancer (BC) survivors with an active lifestyle to those with a sedentary lifestyle. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants were classified into four different groups: sedentary with BC (Sed-BCW), active with BC (Act-BCW), sedentary without BC (Sed-HW) and active without BC (Act-HW). VO2max was estimated by the 6-minute walking test (6MWT); speed was measured by the 35-meter test; isometric strength was measured by dynamometry tests; lower body maximum strength was measured by the squat test; explosive strength was measured by the Sargent Jump Test; balance was measured by the 30-second balance test; and body composition was measured by bioimpedance. ANOVA was used to analyze group differences and post hoc comparisons were developed with the Bonferroni test. ResultsA total of 92 women were recruited. Significant differences were found in VO2max between the Act-BCW and Sed-BCW groups (MeanDif=5.86, p<0.001). No differences in VO2max were observed between the active groups (MeanDif= 0.42, p= 0.753). Related body composition and fat mass levels were significantly lower in the Act-BCW group than in the sedentary groups (Sed-BCW MeanDif= -6.78; p= 0.012 and Sed-HW MeanDif= -12.07; p<0.001) ConclusionsWomen who are Act-BCW can achieve similar values in physical condition as women who are Act-HW and have better values than women in who are sedentary. Moreover, physical exercise might be a stronger determinant of body composition than a previous history of BC.
A Rapid Learning Health System to Support Implementation of Early Intervention Services for Psychosis in Quebec, Canada: Study Protocol
Authors: Ferrari Manuela , Iyer Srividya , Leblanc Annie , Roy Marc-André , Abdel-Baki Amal
Published: December 2021

Background: Given the strong evidence for their effectiveness, early intervention services for psychosis (EIS) are being widely implemented. However, heterogeneity in the implementation of essential components, remains an ongoing challenge. Rapid learning health systems (RLHS), that embed data collection in clinical settings for real-time learning and continual quality improvement, can address this challenge. We therefore implemented a RLHS in 11 EIS in Quebec, Canada. This project aims to determine the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a RLHS in EIS, and to assess its impact on compliance with standards for essential EIS components. Methods: Following literature recommendations, the implementation of this RLHS involves six iterative phases: external and internal scan, design, implementation, evaluation, adjustment, and dissemination. Multiple stakeholder groups (service users, families, clinicians, researchers, decision makers, provincial EIS association) are involved in all phases. Meaningful indicators of EIS quality (e.g., satisfaction, timeliness of response to referrals) were selected based on literature review, provincial guidelines, and stakeholder consensus on indicators prioritisation. A digital infrastructure was designed and deployed that comprises (a) a user-friendly interface for routinely collecting data from programs (b) a digital terminal and mobile app to collect feedback from service users and families regarding care received, health, and quality of life (c) data analytic, visualization and reporting functionalities to provide participating programs with real-time feedback on their performance over time, and in relation to standards and to other programs, along with tailored recommendations. Community of practice activities are being conducted that leverage insights from data to build capacity among programs to continually progress towards aligning their practice with standards/best practices. Guided by the RE-AIM framework, we are collecting quantitative and qualitative data on the Reach, Effectiveness Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance of our RLHS. These RE-AIM data will be analyzed to evaluate our RLHS’s impacts. Discussion: This project will yield valuable insights about how a RLHS can be implemented by EIS, along with preliminary evidence for its acceptability, feasibility and impacts on program-level outcomes. Its findings will refine our RLHS further and advance approaches that bring data, stakeholder voices and collaborative learning to improve outcomes and service quality in psychosis. Trial registration: NA
Prime Editor-mediated Correction of a Pathogenic Mutation in Purebred Dogs
Authors: Kim Dong Ern , Lee Ji Hye , Ji Kuk Bin , Lee Eun Ji , Li Chuang , Oh Hyun Ju , Park Kang Sun , Lee Seung Hoon , Koo Okjae , Kim Min Kyu
Published: December 2021

Canine hip dysplasia (HD) is a multifactorial disease caused by interactions between genetic and environmental factors. HD, which mainly occurs in medium- to large-sized dogs, is a disease that causes severe pain and requires surgical intervention. However, the procedure is not straight-forward, and the only way to ameliorate the situation is to exclude individual dogs with HD from breeding programs. Recently, prime editing (PE), a novel genome editing tool based on the CRISPR-Cas9 system, has been developed and validated in plants and mice. In this study, we successfully corrected a mutation related to HD in Labrador retriever dogs for the first time. We collected cells from a dog diagnosed with HD, corrected the mutation using PE, and generated mutation-corrected dogs by somatic cell nuclear transfer. The results indicate that PE technology can potentially be used as a platform to correct genetic defects in dogs.
Green Credit, Environmental Pollution and High-Quality Development of Green Economy
Authors: Zheng Weidan , Zhang Luni
Published: December 2021

Based on the panel data of 30 provinces (cities and districts) in China from 2003 to 2019, this paper uses the Green Development Index System jointly formulated and released by the National Development and Reform Commission, the National Bureau of Statistics, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Central Organization Department to construct a comprehensive index system which can calculate the high-quality development index of green economy, and research the impact of green credit, environmental pollution and high-quality development of green economy. The results show that: (1) The improvement of green credit is conducive to promoting the high-quality development of green economy. Considering the high autocorrelation of the high-quality development of green economy, the impact of green credit on the high-quality development of green economy is still robust and does not depend on the specific metrology. (2) With Moran Index, it is found that the high-quality development of green economy has spatial characteristics. By using Spatial Dobbin Model (SDM), it is found that under both (0,1) weight matrix and geographical distance weight matrix, the impact of green credit on the high-quality development of green economy is positive, forming a positive spatial spillover effect on the high-quality development of green economy in surrounding areas. (3) By using the Intermediary Effect Model,it can be seen that environmental pollution plays a partial intermediary effect between green credit and high-quality development of green economy. There is a transmission channel of "green credit → environmental pollution → high-quality development of green economy". (4) By using Panel Quantile Regression Model, it is found, with the improvement of high-quality development of green economy, that the promotional effect brought by green credit increased.
Assement of Anxiety and Factor Related Among Mizan Tepi University Freshman Students, South, Ethiopia 2021
Authors: wolde yetayale berhanu , Ayenalem Alem Eskeziya
Published: December 2021

Background

Anxiety can disturb a student's academic success and his future, including withdrawal from classes. The dropout rate was found to be twice as high as in the 1st grade compared to the 2nd or 3rd grade. It also causes people around the world to feel excessive anxiety, fear, lack of self-confidence, and embarrassment. One of the key reasons in the current study is the lack of data on the degree of mental illness, especially in higher education institutions. Objective: To assess the anxiety and factors of Mizan Tepi University students.
METHODS

From April 21th to May 21, 2020, an organization-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in the city of Mizan Tepi. The survey used a structured questionnaire and a self-administered questionnaire-ASQ tool. The stratified sampling method included 301 individuals in the study.Pre-test questionnaires that are also used for data collection. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.
Result

There are 320 freshmen students of these, 301 attended during the investigation. There are 162 (54%) male respondents and 138 (46%) female respondents in the study. The average student age and (SE) age are 21.6, (± 0.13) years old. The prevalence of anxiety was found to be 26.7% among first-year students. Compared with males (16.7%), female freshmen (40.6%) have a statistically higher incidence of anxiety. [AOR 95%CI=3.36 (1.88, 6.01)
Conclusion

his study shows that anxiety is a common mental problem among college students calling for public intervention to prevent more serious forms of anxiety. This finding indicates that women and older students have a high chance of suffering from anxiety.
Relative Sensitivity of Common Target Genes For The Detection of SARS-Cov-2 In Real Time-PCR
Authors: Valadan Reza , Golchin Soheila , Alizadeh-Navaei Reza , Haghshenas Mohammadreza , Zargari Mehryar , Mousavi Tahoora , Ghamati Mohammad
Published: December 2021

SARS-CoV-2(COVID-19) currently is the main cause of the severe acute respiratory disease and fatal outcomes in human beings worldwide. Several genes are used as targets for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, including the RDRP, N, and E genes. The present study aimed to determine the RDRP, N, and E genes expressions of SARS-CoV- 2 in clinical samples. For this purpose, 100 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples were collected from diagnostic laboratories of Mazandaran province, Iran. After RNA extraction, the real time RT-PCR assay was performed for differential gene expressions’ analysis of N, E, and RDRP. The CT values for N, RDRP, and E targets of 100 clinical samples for identifying SARS-CoV-2 were then evaluated using qRT-PCR. This result suggests N gene as a potential target for the detection of the SARS‐CoV‐2, since it was observed to be highly expressed in the nasopharyngeal or oropharynges of COVID-19 patients (P < 0.0001). Herein, we showed that SARS-CoV- 2 genes were differentially expressed in the host cells. Therefore, to reduce obtaining false negative results and to increase the sensitivity of the available diagnostic tests, the target genes should be carefully selected based on the most expressed genes in the cells.
Identification of a Potential Autophagy-Associated Therapeutic Target in Osteosarcoma using Bioinformatic Analyses
Authors: Feng Haijun , Wang Liping , Liu Jie , Wang Shengbao
Published: December 2021

Background: Osteosarcoma, primarily resulting from mesenchymal cell differentiation, is the most common primary malignancy of the bone in children and adolescents. Metastases to other sites, such as the lung, often occur in the early stages and progress rapidly. Autophagy functions as a tumor-suppressing mechanism in the early stages of oncogenesis, however, in later stages, autophagy may promote tumor growth, spread, and increase treatment resistance. Methods: In the present study, we aimed to screen new key autophagy-related biomarkers that may serve as therapeutic targets for osteosarcoma. The expression profile of the GSE42352 dataset, including 103 OS cell lines and 15 MSC lines from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), was analyzed to identify the differentially expressed genes. Results: WGCNA was used to construct the gene co-expression network in osteosarcoma, identify co-expression modules for protein interactions (PPI), and screen the key genes. A total of 757 differentially expressed genes were identified by WGCNA analysis including one key autophagy-related module. Conclusions: Further, we performed the PPI analysis for module genes and identified a key gene. We also theoretically and functionally validated its expression using the validation dataset GSE14359, and in vitro experiments, respectively.
In Different Gender Groups, What Is the Impact of the Fibular Notch on The Severity of High Ankle Sprain: A Retrospective Study of 240 Cases
Authors: Peng Xiaoyao , Su Fan , Tang Xiangyu , Yang Yuening , Chen Junyao , You Guixuan , Huang Lei , Wang Guoyou , Zhang Lei
Published: December 2021

Background: The function of the distal tibiofibular ligament on the ankle in the occurrence of high ankle sprain (HAS) has been widely studied. Then, in different genders, the effect of the anatomical morphology of fibular notch (FN) on HAS is unclear. Therefore, on the basis of excluding the anatomical differences caused by gender, we explore the impact of different types of FN on the severity of HAS.Methods: We selected 120 patients and further classified these 120 patients into four HAS groups according to FN depth with deep concave type FN ≥ four mm and shallow flat type FN < four mm. A further 120 normal individuals were served as a control group. FN morphological indicators, tibiofibular distance (TFD), and ankle mortise indexes were measured and compared between patients and control groups.Results: In males with shallow flat type, the Anterior tibiofibular distance (aTFD), Middle tibiofibular distance (mTFD), Posterior tibiofibular distance (pTFD), Front tibial width (FTiW), Middle tibial width (MTiW), Posterior tibial width (PTiW) and Depth of ankle mortise (DOAM) of HAS group were higher than those in normal group (P < 0.05). In males with deep concave type, the aTFD, mTFD and DOAM of patients were significantly higher (P < 0.05). Among females with shallow flat type, the aTFD, mTFD, pTFD, FTiW and MTiW in HAS group were greater than those in normal group (P < 0.05). Among the females with deep concave type, the mTFD and pTFD of patients were higher (P < 0.05).Conclusions: After analyzing the morphological indicators of FN, it is found that in both males and females, HAS patients have significant differences in TFD and certain ankle mortise indexes compared with normal people. But more importantly, the above abnormalities are often more common in HAS patients with shallow flat FN, indicating that shallow flat FN may be related to more serious distal tibiofibular ligament injury and ankle mortise widening, resulting in a worse prognosis.Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Landscape Integrity Eclipses Local Effects of Floral Resource Availability on Bumble Bee (Bombus Spp.) Abundance in a Water-Limited Island Ecosystem
Authors: Simon Andrew , Starzomski Brian M.
Published: December 2021

ContextHabitat loss threatens to exacerbate climate change impacts on pollinator communities, particularly in Mediterranean-type ecosystems where late season floral resource availability is limited by seasonal drought. While gardens have been found to supplement floral resources in water-limited urban landscapes, less is known about the role of natural habitat diversity in sustaining late season floral resources in more intact landscapes. ObjectivesWe investigated the importance of habitat integrity and diversity for bumble bees in a water-limited ecosystem, observing bumble bee community response to seasonal drought across gradients of disturbance and soil moisture.MethodsWe applied hierarchical models to estimate the effects of local site conditions versus landscape scale estimates of matrix habitat on bumble bee abundance. Floral resources, soil moisture, and other environmental variables were sampled along randomly distributed belt transects. Geospatial estimates of matrix habitat were derived from terrestrial ecosystem data. Bumble bees were sampled with blue vane traps.ResultsIn the late season we found that modified wet areas supported more floral resources and bumble bee workers as compared to dry semi-natural environments. Wetlands also supported more late season floral resources and bumble bee workers, though the latter effect was not significant. Despite higher levels of late season floral resources in modified wet environments, modified matrix habitat was negatively associated, and natural matrix positively associated, with workers in June and late-flying queens in July and August. We also detected differences in bumble bee community composition in disturbed versus undisturbed environments.ConclusionsThough wet modified habitats sustained the highest levels of late season floral resource availability and worker abundances in our study, bumble bee diversity and abundance were limited primarily by the availability of natural matrix habitat at the landscape scale. The conservation of natural habitat integrity and diversity can help support critical nesting and foraging habitat, and should be prioritized in efforts to foster the resilience of pollinator communities.
Nouns and Verbs Identify Different Subtypes of MCI
Authors: Bao Zhiming , Cao Luwen , Han Kunmei , Li Lin , Hing Jia Wen , Ooi Vincent , Huang Nick , Feng Lei , Mahendran Rathi , Kua Ee Heok
Published: December 2021

It is well-documented that patients with semantic dementia and Alzheimer’s disease present with difficulty in lexical retrieval and reversal of the concreteness effect in nouns and verbs. Little is known about the lexical phenomena before the onset of symptoms. We anticipate that there are linguistic signs in the speech of people who suffer from mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the prodromal stage of dementia. Here, we report the results of a novel corpus-linguistic approach to the early detection of cognitive impairment. We recorded 40 hours of natural, unconstrained speech of 188 English-speaking Singaporeans; 90 are diagnosed with MCI (51 amnestic, 39 nonamnestic), and 98 are cognitively healthy. The recordings yield 327,470 words, which are tagged for parts of speech. We calculate the per-minute speech rates and concreteness scores of nouns and verbs, and of all tagged words, in our dataset. Our analysis shows that the two measures of nouns and verbs identify different subtypes of MCI. Compared with healthy controls, subjects with amnestic MCI produce fewer but more abstract nouns, whereas subjects with nonamnestic MCI produce fewer but more concrete verbs. Cognitive impairment is manifested in ordinary language before the presentation of clinical symptoms, and can be detected through non-invasive corpus-based analysis of natural speech.
Synergistic Antitumor Effect of Andrographolide and Cisplatin Through ROS-Mediated ER Stress and STAT3 Inhibition in Colon Cancer
Authors: Hong Huang , Cao Weilan , Wang Quanpeng , Liu Changbao , Huang Chongjie
Published: December 2021

Colon cancer is one of the most leading death-causing cancers in the world. Cisplatin has been widely used as the first-line treatment of cancer. However, its clinical application is limited by the side effects or acquired drug resistance. Hence, it is of vital clinical significance to develop novel agents that synergize with cisplatin and decrease its side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Andrographolide (AP) synergistically potentiates the anti-tumor effect of cisplatin on colon cancer cells. Here, we found that AP synergizes with cisplatin in exerting anticancer activity in colon cancer cells. Further studies showed that AP potentiates cisplatin-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and STAT3 inhibition through increasing intracellular ROS. Notably, pre-treatment of NAC, a ROS scavenger, reversed apoptosis induced by combined treatment of AP and cisplatin, while relieving the activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress as well as STAT3 inhibition. These findings indicated that ROS plays a pivotal role in mediating synergistic anticancer effects of AP and cisplatin on colon cancer cells. Overall, this study presents a potential new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of colon cancer.
The Efficacy and Mechanism of Positive Psychological Intervention on Well-Being for Colostomy Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Jin Yanfei , Wang Yuqing , Ma Hongwen , Tian Xu , Honghong Wang
Published: December 2021

Aims
To evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of positive psychological intervention (PPI) on the psychological capital, psychological distress, and life satisfaction among colostomy patients.
Methods
Patients (n=120) with permanent stomas were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups. Patients in the experimental group (n=60) received standard care and PPI, whereas patients in the control group (n=60) only received standard care. The psychological capital, psychological distress, and life satisfaction were measured and compared between two groups before the intervention, the immediate post-intervention, and follow-up.
Results
All 120 patients completed the study. The hope, optimism, resilience, psychological distress, and life satisfaction score of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group at T1 and T2 (P<0.05). Self-efficacy score of the experimental group had no significant difference at the two-time points after the intervention than the control group (P>0.05). Changes in hope and resilience which belong to psychological capital mediated the intervention’s efficacy on changes in PPI on life satisfaction (β = 0.265, P=0.005; β = 0.686, P=0.002).
Conclusions
PPI could effectively improve psychological capital, psychological distress, and life satisfaction among patients with stomas. Besides, our findings add novel support that increased hope and resilience are the active ingredients that promote intervention change.
Adverse Outcomes Following Free Tissue Transfer: A 3-year Experience From a Major Referral Centre
Authors: Nann Silas , Yip Jia Miin , Glanville Tyler , Marshall Nicholas
Published: December 2021

BackgroundFree tissue transfer encompasses a variety of techniques by which tissue is moved to another region of the body, with anastomosis of the divided artery and vein. Currently, success rates are reported at 91-99% [1], however, little is known regarding predictors for adverse outcomes.We aim at identifying predictors for negative outcomes following free flap surgery; and predict that elderly patients and patients with head and neck free flaps will have inferior outcomes due to comorbidity.MethodsThis is a retrospective case series. All free flap surgeries between 02/2018 to 02/2021 were identified using the electronic operation record system at Flinders Medical Centre. Chi squared hypothesis testing assessed patient factors and implications on outcome. Results67 patients of varying demographics were included in this study. The odds of wound infection was much higher in patients aged older than 65 (OR: 4.1 (95%CI 1.24-13.6, z-score: 2.31, p=0.017)). The odds of unplanned reoperation was also higher in this population (OR: 13.7 (95%CI 1.42-132.9, p=0.0053)). Free flap location was significant in determining whether patients would require a subsequent blood transfusion (p=0.0071). Head and neck patients did not experience a higher rate of adverse events.ConclusionPatients aged 65 and older are more likely to require treatment for infection and more often require reoperation because of flap related issues. Patients with limb free flaps are more likely to require transfusions. Head and neck patients did not have higher complication rates.